Message from 

the Principal

The Immense Value of Co-curricular Experience

A magnificent preparation for life

Last Wednesday the Senior School acknowledged the efforts and achievements of many of our students who make strong contributions to our rich and varied co-curricular program. Colours were awarded for Sport and Music and we heard a marvellous performance from the Kinross Wolaroi School Orchestra who played New World Symphony by Antonin Dvorak.  

At Kinross Wolaroi we offer an educational experience that incorporates a vision for learning which encompasses all aspects of life, not just the intellectual, but also the social, cultural, physical and spiritual dimensions, one deliberately structured to develop the whole person. 

This holistic view of education equips our students with the attributes they need to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives where social and emotional skills are as important as academic and professional skills. 

Our varied co-curricular program provides students with a range of challenging learning experiences that play an essential role in achieving this objective. Many of my colleagues who lead Independent Schools both in Australia and overseas would argue what happens outside the classroom to be just as important as what happens inside. 

Of course, exam results matter, but not as much as qualities that allow students to leave school in a position to thrive in the fluid, ever changing world of the 21st Century. Emotional Intelligence, reaction to failure, optimism, perseverance, resilience and the ability to improve and adapt on one’s feet are increasingly important. Students need to be able to work collaboratively in teams, to know how to learn, to self-manage and be self-reflective. We need to invest in the whole people, not just academic marks, as so much successful workplace participation will be relational, and therefore interpersonal skills and co-curricular breadth are highly relevant. It is for this very reason, universities are taking students co-curricular participation and achievements into consideration when offering many course places. 

Co-curricular participation provides ample opportunity for students to be challenged or extended beyond their comfort zone, enabling growth in confidence, self-esteem and self-knowledge. For it is only by being extended beyond one’s capacity and trying new experiences that students are able to discover their true potential. 

The motto of one of the Founding Member Round Square Schools, Gordonstoun in Northern Scotland is ‘Plus est en vous’. The school was founded by the German educator, Kurt Hahn in the 1930’s and was attended by several members of the British Royal family. French scholars know this motto literally translates as ‘More is in you’, however, at Gordonstoun they interpret it more broadly as ‘There is more in you than you think.’ I have no doubt that many of our students, in being challenged and extended in the classroom, on the sports field, in musical and dramatic performances, in Cadets, Duke of Edinburgh or Service activities, have discovered there is more in them than they thought. 

It is important we not only provide our students with a range of experiences but be prepared to push them to discover their capabilities. We should be immensely proud of the varied and dynamic nature of our co-curricular offering and the breadth of opportunities it provides our students on their journey of self-discovery. Our program is full of choice and challenge, all designed to see our students grow, flourish and discover their abilities and passions in life. I am constantly amazed at the results of our holistic approach to getting the best out of our students by weaving together academic and co-curricular experiences. I am most grateful for all we have and of what we can be.  

National Boarding Week 

Last week we celebrated National Boarding Week and I must congratulate our entire Boarding community, students and staff for all the positive and constructive initiatives that they undertook.

It was a week full of activity including: 

• Mother’s Day Classic BBQ Breakfast, fundraising and fun run 
• Cards and Gifts of Gratitude to Boarding Staff (Thank you Stuart Douglas for the delicious lemon meringue!) 
• Staff invited to dinner with Boarders and to see their Houses 
• ‘We Love Boarding’ signs made featuring comments from students of each House were displayed in the DPA foyer 
• Students made a video that was submitted to the Australian Boarding Schools Association titled ‘A day in the life of a Boarder’. 
• Last Friday an excellent Trivia night and BBQ was hosted for all Boarders and the week finished with a Boarders Chapel Service last Sunday 

We had a fabulous week and it was wonderful to see how proud our boarders are of our very special and thriving community. 

Dubbo Boarding Expo 

Over the 13-14 May our Acting Head of Boarding, Mrs Hannah Whittemore, Head of Wolaroi House, Mr James Perrin, Admissions Officer, Mrs Emma Clinton, Josephine and I attended a highly successful Boarding Expo in Dubbo. We had great interest in the School and our Boarding Experience. It was fabulous to connect with past, present and future families and have time to chat. The interest in the School was so strong that the organisers are looking to move our stand for future Expos so that we can be appropriately accommodated. It was suggested by some that we might have been running an open bar at the event. (We weren’t of course!) Our boarding numbers are looking extremely positive for the next few years.  

Dubbo Connect Gathering 

Our time in Dubbo concluded with a delightful evening function for present, future and prospective families. A lovely night and my sincere thanks to all those who attended. Such events provide such an important opportunity to share in community, a central aspect of our great school.  

Congratulations 

Cowra Eisteddfod 

The Kinross Wolaroi School Open Band and Kinross Wolaroi School Concert Band performed in the Cowra Eisteddfod last week, both taking first place in the sections they played in. 

Debating Team 

Round 4 HICES Debating was held online recently with some impressive results. The Senior KWS 2 team are undefeated after four rounds of debating. We look forward to a strong result in the next round of the competition.  

• Opens KWS 2 (Year 11) defeated Scots All Saints. Topic: Changing the Voting system 
• Opens KWS 1 Year 11) narrowly lost against Blue Mountains Grammar debating the same topic.  
• Senior KWS 2 (Year 9 students) defeated All Saints Belmore. Topic: Issue of Australia becoming a Republic 
• Middle KWS 1 (Year 8 students) defeated All Saints Belmore. Topic: Teachers’ pay 

CWA Public Speaking  

Chaitra Avirneni, Year 7, and Alice Scholte Year 8 competed in the CWA Public Speaking competition recently. Alice came first and Chaitra came second and they will be representing the School at the next level. In subsequent competition, Toby Gough, Year 11 won the Open section and Shubhang Nagar placed third. Great results from our public speakers. 

National Polocrosse selection 

Erica Stuart, Year 9 has been selected in the Australian Junior Polocrosse team. A fantastic achievement. Erica will compete in a Test Series against New Zealand from 8-10 July in Narrabri. 

Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award  

Congratulations go to Hannah Richardson, Year 12 on completing her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award in what has been a disrupted few years. This is a tremendous achievement and Hannah has been a wonderful ambassador for the School throughout her completion of Bronze, Silver and now Gold Awards.  

Commonwealth Games Swimming trials

Three swimmers from the Kinross Wolaroi Swimming team competed at the Australian Commonwealth Games trials recently: Kyla Brown - Year 10, Bianca Fuller - Year 12 and Oliver McLaughlin (Class of 2021). It is a remarkable achievement and testament to their hard work, courage and dedication to their sport. 

With best wishes, 

Dr Andrew Parry