Message from the Acting Director of Co-curricular

A busy start to Term

During Week 1 of Term, our students were all busily involved in activities week including Cadet Bivouac, Volunteer Service, Peer Support Training or Skills training.

Cadet Bivouac

Cadets ran a bivouac camp over the three days. Year 7 students and their rank completed activities at school, and at the School farm Windemere. The School gym and pool were used for activities including abseiling, an obstacle course, swim test, and paddling skills. Activities at the farm included navigation, camouflage and concealment, ropes and lashings, and a reptile demonstration. These venues were chosen to ensure that students had an introductory experience for all of their cadet activities in a controlled environment. Students stayed overnight at the farm, and were grateful for the shelter of the sheds when the skies opened up.

The Year 8 students and their rank headed out to Top Valley station and Goobang National Park for their bivouac. Their camp primarily consisted of trekking and navigation. Students and staff braved some very wet conditions both overnight and during their trekking expeditions.

Lyn Vernon ran the camp for the last time as she is retiring at the end of the year. I would like to commend Lyn for her service and wonderful leadership throughout her tenure as leader of the Cadet program.

Year 11 Skills Training

Year 11 students completed a series of skills training activities including, White Card training, Barista training, First Aid, RSA and RCG, Safe Food handling, study skills, and job readiness sessions. External providers were engaged to run most of these courses, and students were supervised by KWS staff. These are important skills which will be very useful for our students as they explore career and future study options.

Year 10 Peer Support Training

Year 10 students completed Peer Support training during activities week. They were divided into small groups and participated in a myriad of activities during the three days. This culminated in a performance at the end of the program. I was very pleased to all of the students fully engaged in all activities. The teachers who facilitated the groups were full of praise for all students involved who far exceeded their expectations in the way they engaged with the activities.

Volunteer Service

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 who are not involved in cadets undertook Volunteer service activities within the Orange community, or out in their home communities if they were boarders. We had some lovely feedback from the supervisors of our students about the way they engaged with their service activity, and contributed meaningfully to others in the community.

Thank you to all of the staff for your wonderful contribution in making these experiences for our students so meaningful.

KWS Cattle Team – Scone Beef Bonanza

Last week, our cattle team headed off to Scone to participate in the Beef Bonanza.

All of our cattle placed in their classes, with the heifer placing 3rd in her class, steers placing 4th and 2 highly- commended awards in the heavy weight class. We actually had the heaviest steer at the show! With carcass results still to come.

Taylah Hobbs was awarded Champion under 13’s Parader (she competed against over 180 other students) and Hamish Macdougall placed 4th in his Paraders class. Congratulations to these students, and the whole cattle team for their hard work in getting the cattle into such great showing condition. Also, a huge thank you to Mel Edmondson for her wonderful work with these students (and cattle).

Heidi Anthony

Acting Director of Co-curricular