From the Principal

We have had an immensely busy and productive term across all dimensions of school life.  I would like to commend our Year 11 and Year 12 students for the way in which they approached their recent HSC trials and exams.  For our Year 12 students the trials provide a valuable guide as to how they are travelling in their subjects and highlight for them areas that need greater focus and attention.

Our winter sports season is drawing to a close and we have many teams competing in semi-finals and grand finals over the next two weeks.  Our Music 1 and 2 HSC students performed their instrumental pieces last week in two outstanding concerts and our strings players won all six categories at the Orange Eisteddfod.

We have just had an outstanding Wellbeing Day and our Year 12 students staged an exceptional evening for the Kinroscars. I have been greatly impressed with the positive, and mature manner in which our Year 12 cohort are approaching their final term of schooling, that has included plenty of fun combined with hard work.

We all have much to be proud about.

A School Full of Opportunity

Our students at Kinross Wolaroi have so many wonderful opportunities to enjoy a vast array of experiences, both in and out of the classroom.  Opportunities that will bring them great joy but also provide challenges, friendships and enable them to discover life-long interests.

For example, being involved in Music can give immense pleasure and be an outlet for creativity.  Performing in an ensemble requires collaboration and co-operation, discipline and perseverance.  They may discover an instrument that they can enjoy playing for the rest of their life. Similarly, sport instils a sense of discipline, friendship and skill development that can extend throughout their adult years.  A love and appreciation of music and sport was created within me by my school experience.

Through activities such as Duke of Edinburgh students may discover a love of the outdoors and adventure, and by undertaking a student exchange they will be taken out of their comfort zone, develop confidence, broaden understanding of the world and possibly develop a life-long interest in travel and other world communities.  At our recent assembly we heard excellent reports from a number of our students who have gained a great deal from such experiences.

During the last school holidays my wife, Jo and I completed a ten-day hike along the West Highland Way in Scotland.  It was a challenging yet deeply rewarding experience and my love of undertaking such adventures stems directly from my experience being involved in the Duke of Edinburgh program while at school.

The West Highland Way is a 154 km trail that takes you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Scotland.  The walk started near the southern edge of the highlands and led us through rugged mountains, quiet moors and along the shores of several lochs.  It was not just a physical challenge, but also an opportunity to reconnect with nature and reflect a little upon what is important in life.

There were many highlights.  Reaching the summit of Conic Hill and gazing over the expansive waters of Loch Lomond.  The view was magnificent and in places the water was like a mirror reflecting the surrounding mountains. 

It was a reminder of how beautiful the landscape can be.  Walking across Rannoch Moor in the wind and rain, a remote and wild expanse that felt like stepping into another world.  The solitude, the silence and the sense of being far away from everything brought a peace that’s hard to find in our busy lives.

I imagine a number of our students experience this at home on their rural properties.

The journey wasn’t without its challenges. The Devil’s Staircase, a steep, zig zagging climb, tested both our physical and mental endurance.  But standing at the top, overlooking the Pass of Glencoe, was one of the most rewarding moments of the hike.

It reminded me that the most difficult challenges often bring the greatest rewards.  It certainly tested my wife, Jo, and there were moments where she didn’t believe she could do it, (and she was politely cursing me for making her!), but she persevered and at the top felt an immense sense of achievement.

Walking through this beautiful landscape, the silence, the majestic mountains, the remote and rugged terrain, the wildlife, seeing little birds, eagles and hawks and coming face to face with deer through the Pass of Glencoe, made this a very special and memorable experience.

I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I had when I was a student.  It was during my time at school I developed a life-long love of History and the Visual Arts, both subjects that I used to teach, and where I developed a great interest in sport and adventure.  Being fortunate enough to participate in school overseas tours inspired within me a love of travel and exploring foreign countries and cultures.

I strongly encourage our students to get involved, enjoy and experience all the amazing opportunities they have here at Kinross Wolaroi, both in and out of the classroom.  To discover things that inspire them and excite them, can bring them enormous pleasure at school but also throughout their lives.

The programs we have offer far more than just academic or co-curricular enrichment – they offer experiences that will challenge and inspire them in ways they may not yet fully understand.

I am immensely grateful for the opportunities my education afforded me and without question ignited within me a love and interest in so many things.  I dearly hope our students’ experience here can do the same for them.

Appointment of a New Director of Co-Curricular Learning: Mrs Catherine Litchfield

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Mrs Catherine Litchfield has been appointed to the role of Director Co-Curricular Learning.

Catherine is very well known to the School community having made an immense contribution to the full life of Kinross Wolaroi over many years. She is an ex-student, former parent and has been a dedicated educator at the School. 

Catherine joined the staff in 1994 as a member of the Science Department and was appointed a Head of Science in 2019. She is an author and reviewer of Science textbooks and examinations and is the current Chair of the Association of Independent Schools Science Professional Advisory Committee. Catherine was Head Tutor of Douglas House from 1998-2013 where she was responsible for the pastoral care of the students. She has been very involved in sport where she has coached a great variety of codes both at school and representative level. She has been Director or Assistant Director of fourteen Kinross Wolaroi musicals and has performed in several community theatre productions. 

Catherine holds the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the Australian Army Cadets and has been a leader in our Cadet Unit for 25 years. She has also been our International Exchange Co-Ordinator and has led cultural immersion experiences at the School.

Catherine has a Bachelor of Science and Diploma of Education from the University of Sydney and a Master of Science (Science Education) from Curtin University of Technology. 

Catherine’s extensive and lived experience in so many aspects of the co-curricular experience at Kinross Wolaroi combined with her energy, enthusiasm and love of all things Kinross beautifully equip her to be highly successful in this role.

I am sure you will join me in congratulating her on this exciting opportunity and wish her every success.

Farewells

It is with mixed emotions that I inform our community of the departure of both Ms Heidi Anthony and Mr Joe Priest, whose tenures with the School concluded at the end of August.

Ms Heidi Anthony

Over her 12 years at Kinross Wolaroi, Heidi demonstrated unwavering enthusiasm and dedication in her roles as Performing Arts Teacher, Head of Department, Director of Co-Curricular and most recently, Head of Teaching and Learning. 

Heidi championed the School’s Performing Arts throughout her tenure and was an invaluable contributor to the School Musical each year. As the outstanding leader of the Performing Arts faculty, Heidi was an inspiration to her students and a wonderful support and mentor to her colleagues. Her passion for the arts and her commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark on the faculty, fostering a thriving environment that encourages creativity and achievement. 

Heidi’s contributions extended beyond her leadership of the Performing Arts. She was also a highly valued contributor to the choristers, enriching the program with her expertise and dedication. Her involvement was instrumental in the success and growth of the choristers and her presence will undoubtedly be missed.

In her role as Director of Co-Curricular, Heidi played a crucial part in supporting all areas of the School’s vast offering. She was dedicated to ensuring that every aspect of our co-curricular program was well organised, appropriately resourced and provided meaningful opportunities for students to grow and develop their talents outside the classroom.

Most recently, as the Head of Teaching and Learning, Heidi’s impact was significant. She was a supportive and forward-thinking leader who played a major role in the introduction of The Hub, which has significantly improved the School’s eLearning program. Her efforts in this area have set a new standard for teaching and learning at the School and her legacy will continue to benefit students and staff alike.

Mr Joe Priest

Joe Priest has dedicated 19 years of exemplary service to our School. During his tenure, Joe has made an indelible mark on our community through his various roles, most notably as a PDHPE Teacher, Acting Head of Gordon House, Head of Sport and, most recently, as Director of Co-Curricular. 

His extensive knowledge and experience, particularly in his capacity as Head of Sport, have been invaluable in ensuring the success of our students across multiple sporting disciplines. As a skilled PDHPE Teacher and Acting Head Tutor (Gordon), Joe has consistently provided excellent pastoral care to our students, fostering not only their physical development but also their personal growth. His ability to connect with students on a meaningful level has made a lasting impact, guiding them through challenges both on and off the field. 

In his role as Head of Sport, Joe was dedicated to overseeing our vast sports program, ensuring that every student had the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities. His leadership was influential in building a program that not only emphasised competitive success but also encouraged participation, teamwork and the development of lifelong skills.

Most recently, as Director of Co-Curricular, Joe demonstrated unwavering commitment and support to all facets of our School’s extracurricular offerings. His dedication has enriched our programs, providing students with diverse opportunities to explore their interests and talents beyond the classroom. 

Kinross Wolaroi School has greatly benefited from the leadership and passion that both Heidi and Joe have brought to our community. We wish them both every success in their future endeavours.

Congratulations

From the world of Cricket, congratulations to Phoebe Johnston from Year 9 who last week gave an excellent performance representing NSW at the School Sport Australia Under 15 Girls Cricket Championships in Mackay, Queensland.  Phoebe and her team fought hard and secured 3rd place in the competition.