From the 

Head of Junior School

Year 6 Graduation

Quick as a flash and the year is almost done and for some of our students their time in Junior School. But not before they had an opportunity to capture a few last memories at their Year 6 Graduation Dinner held on Friday night in the Glasshouse. It was wonderful to welcome so many family members to celebrate this significant milestone. The culmination of what has been for some eight years in the junior learning community, and the start of a new season in their lives. Every Year 6 student received mementoes to remind them of their time together at Kinross Wolaroi and to acknowledge their hard work throughout their junior years.

Dinner was a wonderful event, students arrived dressed to the nines. They were treated to delicious food from Smoking Brothers and a dessert bar provided by our very own Kinross Wolaroi hospitality students. Throughout the night they heard from their class teachers and our Head Boy and Girl. After a delicious dinner, the students and teachers hit the dance floor for a fun night of dancing and festivities. It was an incredible evening of celebration, and the teachers were impressed by the maturity and camaraderie displayed among this wonderful cohort who have set the bar high as they come to an end of their time in the Junior School. 

As George Nash, our Head Boy and Georgie Simpson our Head Girl shared with their peers:

“We have had so many amazing adventures and memories that we have shared together this year. This is not about to end. Moving up to Senior School only doubles the opportunities; new classmates, teachers, subjects, and surroundings, just to name a few. Throughout our years of Junior school, we have tried many different activities, learnt so many skills and developed many friends. Going into Senior School should not make us forget about those important things. One thing we will most definitely remember is the drama productions and co–curricular sports we have participated in throughout the years.

We have dominated the field in soccer as Mariners, took charge on the court in basketball as KWS Lakers and KWS Flames, lapped the pool in swimming in PE, slid in the mud in rugby, hit sixes in cricket as Under 13s, stole the ball in hockey as the Brumbies and Rhinos and dove for tries in touch football as the KWS Lightning. 

"In drama, we have shone as actors from the beginning. Starting at our K-2 show acting in 'Mixed up Fairy Tales'. In Year 4 we took on the roles as pirates looking for lost treasure in the Caribbean. And who could forget the catchy chorus of 'Me and My Screen' and 'Beautiful Sky' from the past two years, acting as fanatical gamers, punctual students, gangster hooligans and wise elders.

"Over the past 7 years of schooling, we have also taken on the roles in the classroom as mathematicians, authors, debaters, chess players, knitters, musicians, leaders and most importantly learning to show the school’s values. Courage, commitment, respect, inclusiveness, and resilience, which we should all continue to display in high school.

I have lost count of all the skills and lessons we have learnt through our years of Junior School, but one thing I know for sure is that we can move up to Year 7 confidently with no regrets. As the quote goes, 'Move on. It is just a chapter in the past. But don’t close the book. Just turn the page.'

"For the next six years of Senior School, let's choose to show our values, be good friends, and most importantly, enjoy those years, because you only go through Senior School once. It’s important to enjoy the journey that is school. We can’t wait to see what life in the big fishpond that is Senior School holds for us."

Nights like this don’t just happen. I would like to extend my thanks to Kirsty Chambers and her team of mums for their decorating skills and willingness to be involved. To our very own event management team of Mrs Sharron Ryan and Mrs Natalie Davis for ensuring we had enough of everything on the night. To Mr Mark Whitehead and Ms Belle Hazelton for their creation of lasting memories for their students. Finally, to all the staff of the Junior School who joined together to make this event a memorable one.

Kinross Wolaroi students making their mark 

At Kinross Wolaroi we value and strive for academic rigor. Students have a myriad of opportunities to engage in enriching learning experiences which in some instances the school provides or facilitates student access to them.  Please share with us your child’s interest, passions, and achievements by emailing junioroffice@kws.nsw.edu.au.

Did Someone Say Parkour?

Over the last week I have been learning more about the sport of Parkour. A sport I was familiar with but now understand it has gone to a new level as Sydney hosted the recent State Parkour Championships. Our own Marlon Zielinski achieved 4th place in the Freestyle Advanced U9-12s. 

Marlon began participating in Parkour as a way to express himself, to have fun and to burn off energy. “You feel like you are alive doing flips, spends and twists.”

What is Parkour?🤸🏻‍♀️

It’s a form of movement, a bit like gymnastics but only better!!! You are constantly doing tricks and expressing yourself through movement. Some of the tricks have funny names like, ‘gainer', 'webster’, ‘back scoot’ and ‘cork’. There is an event called the Speed Run. You can tell by the name it involves plenty of speed, lots of obstacles, stamina, concentration, and agility. You race the clock, fastest time on the course is the winner.

If you want to join me come along to Central West Gymsports - Free G class and move up to the Parkour squad.

Remember one thing, just enjoy the flips before you get too old!!👨🏼‍🦳👨🏼‍🦳