From the Principal

As a hugely successful and productive Term draws to a close, so many within our school community should feel a deep sense of fulfillment and satisfaction for what has been achieved.

Our Senior School conclude Term 1 with a rich and varied Camps Week that provides an exciting schedule of activities including Cadet Camp, Year Group Camps, Work Experience, Community Service, TAFE placements, parading cattle at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and Year 12 Study Camp.  I have already received many reports from staff and the members of the community praising the positive attitude and citizenship of many of our students. They are to be commended for their mature approach and enthusiastically and constructively embracing all the opportunities before them.

Prior to the official camps and activities, our musicians spent a highly productive three days together at School that saw our bands, ensembles and orchestra make marvellous progress. I was immensely privileged to attend their concert staged at the conclusion of their camp on a glorious Sunday afternoon. The standard of performance and musicianship throughout the concert was superb and a clear indication of their commitment and dedication to excellence. What was achieved over the camp was a great credit to the musicians but also to their wonderful, caring and inspiring staff under the leadership of Mrs Shields.

Our camps and activities are an important element of our broad and holistic offering at Kinross Wolaroi. They provide opportunities to enjoy and explore new experiences and challenges, and enable us to learn more about ourselves. In facing new challenges, students are removed from their comfort zone and discover that they are capable of far more than they previously believed. Students are forced to think creatively, are encouraged to live well together and to be mindful of the needs of others. The various activities across the week provide opportunities for us to demonstrate our values among ourselves and to the broader community. To be respectful, to be inclusive, and at times to be courageous. To be committed to the task and to be resilient, be it on trek at Cadet Camp, abseiling down a cliff face, or caring for the needs of those less fortunate in the community.

I have been delighted with the way in which our week of activities have been embraced and by the positive feedback I have received.

CONGRATULATIONS

Rowing Nationals in Perth

Over the past few days I have been privileged to witness the outstanding achievement of our rowers at the Australian Rowing Championships at the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre in Perth. Our students were exceptional, both on and off the water. Over 1,900 competitors from all over the country participated in the Championships with over 1,100 being from schools.

Our Kinross Wolaroi rowers performed magnificently in trying conditions against the best athletes in the country, returning home with 3 Gold medals, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze. Of our 30 rowers who journeyed across the country, 19 returned home with National medals and all were extremely close to winning medals, one crew missing out in a photo finish.

Congratulations to:

Lucy Searle 

• Gold Medalist and Australian Champion in the Schoolgirls Open Single Skull
• Gold Medalist and Australian Champion in the Combined U19 Quad
• Bronze Medal U19 Womens Single Skull

Under 17 Mens Coxed Quadruple Scull 

• Gold Medalists and Australian Champions: Harry Dymock, Nick Tancred, Oscar Cleary, Oliver Smith, Cox: Angus Petersen          

Under 17 Schoolgirl’s Coxed Eight 

• Silver Medalists: Sienna Wilkin, Xanthe Staniforth, Mhairi Wyllie, Sophie Luelf, Olivia Searle, Maggie Kirby, Jemmima Scammell, Tessa Wong, Cox: Emily Caro 

Schoolgirl’s Coxed Quadruple Scull 

• Bronze Medalists: Ruby Leigo, Milly Lane, Ayla Ryan, Lucy Seale, Cox: Jayde Caro

These are outstanding results achieved against the best rowers in the country and are a marvelous reflection of our students and coaches dedication, commitment and desire for excellence. All those 5am starts to commence rowing in the dark on a freezing Spring Creek have been well rewarded.

At the conclusion of the Regatta, our students were thanked by the event organisers for their great assistance in cleaning up the venue. The Kinross Wolaroi rowers and coaches were seen to be quietly collecting litter from across the Regatta Centre to help the officials once all others had left. Their efforts and consideration drew considerable comment.

A most sincere thank you to our dedicated and inspirational coaching team and particularly to Mr Harrison for his exceptional leadership. Rowing has a big future at our school and some exciting years ahead.

Kinross Wolaroi School Alumna – Women’s Ashes Selection

Congratulations to Kinross Wolaroi Alumna Phoebe Litchfield (class of 2021) for being selected as a squad member of the Woman’s Ashes Tour in England, commencing 22nd June 2023. This is a wonderful honour for a young player with exceptional talent and a fitting reward for her dedication and commitment to excellence. We wish Phoebe all the best for the Tour.

School Holidays

As we approach the holiday break I thank you all for your dedication and enthusiasm this Term and wish you a restful break and very happy Easter. It has been marvellous to re-engage in all those activities and experiences that make KWS such a special place. Towards the end of our upcoming holiday break, our nation will pause for a moment to commemorate ANZAC Day. On April 25th 1915, that seminal day 108 years ago, Australian and New Zealand troops gallantly stormed ashore at what is now known as ANZAC Cove on the Gallipoli peninsula. On 25th April 2023 Kinross Wolaroi School will be represented at the Orange march by our School Band, Junior School, Senior School and Cadets Unit. I look forward to our school community being part of the march, commencing at 10.00am and finishing with the wreath laying at the Cenotaph.

Happy Easter

Easter affords us an opportunity to reflect on the power of hope, renewal and new beginnings.

Some in our community and around the world face great challenge and adversity. Over Easter take a moment to reflect upon the strength our community and the support we have given each other. Let us remember those who are less fortunate and offer them kindness and generosity.

Easter is a time to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, and the victory of love over hatred. I encourage you all to embrace the spirit of joy, gratitude, and compassion, and to share it with all who you meet.

I wish you a very safe, peaceful and happy Easter and look forward to welcoming you back to school after the break for a fabulous Term II.

Very Best Wishes,

Andrew Parry