Message from
the Principal

Dr Andrew Parry

Developing a Growth Mindset

We have made a tremendous start to the year and a great sense of positivity and enthusiasm pervades the School. There have been some outstanding achievements in many quarters and a real sense of joy, as we undertake the many activities that make up the vibrant, holistic educational experience that Kinross Wolaroi has to offer.

In our recent Assembly we congratulated many of our students for their excellent academic achievement and persistence over the final Semester of 2021. Central to any school is the teaching and learning that takes place that provides our students with the skills and attributes to lead an effective, satisfying and meaningful life. We do this through the broad subject and learning experiences on offer, both in and out of the classroom.

However, it is most important our students understand that success is not determined purely by natural talent or a particular skill set one might possess. I have known many people who have had great natural talents that have not gone on to achieve their potential. Success in anything we do in life is achieved through perseverance, effort and through possessing a Growth Mindset.

Recently, staff, students and parents had the opportunity to hear from the highly regarded educator and author, Michael Griffin, who shared with us the important message about the value of possessing a Growth Mindset. Having a Growth Mindset means that one understands that your talents can be developed through hard work, by possessing good strategies and from responding positively to input from others.

Research and experience clearly demonstrate that those who adopt a growth mindset are more likely to work hard, embrace challenge, persist for longer and learn from feedback.

It has been well understood for thousands of years that the quality and quantity of personal effort are the greatest predictors of achievement.

In all that we do, be it in the classroom engaging in learning, in music, in artistic or practical pursuits or on the sports field - to achieve one must work hard, accept that mistakes will be made, be prepared to learn from mistakes and persevere. It is important to realise that the achievement of anything worthwhile is never easy, it takes commitment, hard work and sacrifice. Often it can be tough and even unpleasant, but working through such discomfort to achieve success provides a deep sense of contentment and personal satisfaction.

No one picks up a musical instrument for the first time and plays beautifully. To do this one must dedicate hours and hours of practice, constantly learning from mistakes, persevering and striving to do things better.

Such an approach is exactly what is required when we strive to achieve on the sports field or in the classroom. Recently, our Rowers competed in the NSW Championships at the International Regatta Centre where Kinross Wolaroi performed brilliantly, establishing the School as the top Rowing School in NSW. Our crews won 16 medals, 7 of which were Gold. This is an extraordinary result, the best in our School’s history. All achieved as a result of very hard work, hours of training, early mornings and several holiday camps. Achieved through persevering when things got tough and became unpleasant, through striving to improve techniques, learning from mistakes and through possessing a Growth Mindset – knowing that they can and will improve.

Such an approach to our academic work will see significant improvements in levels of attainment. It does take hard work, effort, perseverance. It requires listening to teachers and following feedback, it requires possessing a mindset where you know you can and will improve.

In truth, there is very little that you can’t achieve if you persevere and try to do things better. What ever one achieves in any area of life is purely up to you. As we were reminded by Michael Griffin last week: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”

‘Nothing will work, unless you do.’ Maya Angelou

I strongly encourage every one of our students to be brave enough to have a go. Don’t be afraid of failing because it is by making mistakes that we learn. Have the courage to step out of your comfort zone and try to be the best you can be.

A great number of our students do adopt this approach and this is evident in the wonderful levels of attainment in so many areas of School life, in and out of the classroom.

We can learn from their example and therefore take full advantage of the great opportunities we all have here at Kinross Wolaroi.

Congratulations

Golf – Junior Master’s success: Lolli-Rose Pasquali, Year 9

Lolli-Rose Pasquali recently represented the WRAS squad and played in the 14-15 years Girls division of the Wagga Wagga Junior Masters tournament and ended up winning her age bracket for best Net score over the 36-hole two-day competition. There were 120 juniors playing in this tournament.

Speech and Drama – Toby Gough, Year 11

During the holiday break Toby Gough sat both the IMEB Associate Teacher Diploma and IMEB Diploma of Theatre Performance exams. Toby received outstanding results A+ Hon 97/100 for both Diplomas – an absolutely fabulous result! The IMEB Teacher Diploma will enable Toby to teach Speech and Drama in the future. Well done Toby!

Rowing – State Championship Regatta

The School achieved its best results in our history at the recent NSW Rowing Championships held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre. 16 (plus one Composite crew) medalled with seven being NSW Champions!

Gold Medals:

Championship Schoolgirl Coxed Quad Scull – Lucy Scammell, Ayla Ryan, Annabelle Woods, Lucy Searle, Cox: Georgie Robson
Championship Men's Under 16 Double Scull – Oliver Smith, Oscar Cleary
Championship Women’s Under 16 Coxed Quad Scull - Jemima Scammell, Sophie Luelf, Olivia Searle, Tessa Wong, Cox: Emily Caro
Championship Men’s Under 16 Coxed Quad Scull – Nick Tancred, Tom Day, Oscar Cleary, Oliver Smith, Cox: Angus Petersen
Championship Women's Under 16 Double Scull – Jemima Scammell, Tessa Wong
Championship Schoolgirl Single Scull – Hannah Richardson
Championship Schoolgirl Double Scull – Hannah Richardson, Lucy Searle

Silver Medals:

Championship Schoolgirl Eight - Georgia Sweetapple, Milly Lane, Audrey Gill, Hannah Richardson, Annabelle Woods, Ayla Ryan, Lucy Scammell, Lucy Searle, Cox: Georgie Robson
Championship Women’s Under 16 Single Scull –Tessa Wong
Championship Men’s Under 16 Single Scull – Oliver Smith
Championship Women’s Under 19 Quad Scull – Georgia Sweetapple, Ayla Ryan, Annabelle Woods, Lucy Scammell
Championship Men’s Under 19 Double Scull - Alec Hoskin (in a composite crew)

Bronze Medals:

Championship Men’s Under 19 Single Scull - Alec Hoskin
Championship Schoolgirl Single Scull – Lucy Searle
Championship Women’s Under 19 Coxed Four - Georgia Sweetapple, Milly Lane, Audrey Gill, Hannah Richardson, Cox: Angus Petersen
Championship Schoolboy Coxed Quad Scull – Nick Brown, Magnus Cleary, Alec Hoskin, Fletcher Smith, Cox: Angus Petersen
Championship Women's Under 16 Double Scull – Olivia Searle, Sophie Luelf

Swimming – State Age Championships

There have been some very successful performances recently in the swimming pool. Kyla Brown, Year 10, won a Gold Medal in the 50m Breaststroke and Silver in the 200m Breaststroke.

Bianca Fuller, Year 12 had a most successful swim meet at the NSW Age Championships. Bianca won Gold Medals in the 50m Butterfly, 200m Individual Medley and the 400m Individual Medley; a Silver Medal in the 200m Breaststroke; and a Bronze Medal in the 100m Butterfly. Bianca also won the Female Swimmer of the Meet at the NSW Country Championships held last weekend. At this meet, Bianca won 3 Gold Medals, 2 Silver Medals and 2 Bronze Medals.