Message from 

Dr Andrew Parry

Dear Parents and Carers, 

School concludes today and I wish our students, staff and families an enjoyable and relaxing holiday. I am certainly hoping that our local region reaps benefits from a boost to regional tourism while overseas travel is off the agenda. As many of our political and health leaders have emphasised, it is essential that we don’t relax our vigilance about COVID-19 precautions just yet. The virus is not on holiday and we should keep the protection of our family, friends and community at the forefront of our thoughts and actions as we enjoy the extra freedom of this holiday’s activities. We have seen from the Victorian experience that the situation can change quite rapidly. 

Relaxation in COVID-19 School Restrictions

Next term will bring more changes to School life as a result of gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions. You were sent information earlier this week from our Director of Co-Curricular, Ms Heidi Anthony detailing the welcome return to some of our activities. It will be wonderful to see students reengaging in many of the activities that provide them with so much pleasure.  

The Deputy Principal, Mr James Boyd, has also circulated an update on School Campus restrictions for Term 3 to parents and students. Of note is that our School Canteen will re-open for Term 3.

In Boarding, our students will be able to return to their normal houses and sleeping accommodation in Term 3. Our thanks go to our boarders and their families who spent time in other houses and who were so supportive and understanding of the need to reduce the number of students per room across all of our facilities. Boarding students will also be permitted some limited town leave from next term and will be able to use gym facilities. Other existing restrictions will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Higher School Certificate Update

Our HSC Trial Examination Timetable was circulated to students on Tuesday and this was a reassuring event for our Year 12 students, who have faced a great deal of uncertainty regarding their exams. This year the trials will run from 17 – 31 August and will be held on the main campus, in the DPA. 

Over the holidays I encourage our HSC students to keep positive, stay focused, participate in our online study camp and try not to pay too much attention to the news cycles with their debates about changes to the university system and economic doom and gloom. Hold to your plans and dreams because they are still as big and exciting as they have always been, and your School is here to support you. It may not seem so now, but the challenges you face this year will bring with them a myriad of unanticipated benefits and opportunities that may not be obvious to you for some time. It is these challenges that build character and self-knowledge, both key attributes for future success. 

Caring for Student Wellbeing

A reminder that our staff are available to support our students should they need it. The uncertainty of life in a pandemic can be challenging for young people (and their families) and our Wellbeing team is tasked with helping our students to continue to succeed in their schooling while also coping with their concerns. Don't hesitate to reach out to your child's Wellbeing Mentor if you feel they need the extra support. 

Curriculum Reform Announced

This week the Premier has announced significant education reforms, with a new school curriculum to be delivered over the next four years, including: 

• stronger foundations in literacy and numeracy with new English and Maths syllabuses for Kindergarten to Year 2 by 2022
• more time for teaching essential knowledge and skills in each subject by 2022
• Year 11 and 12 learning will be better linked to future work and study with new key learning areas and career pathways by 2022.

The reforms are based on the recommendations of the NSW Curriculum Review led by Professor Geoff Masters - the first significant review of the NSW curriculum since 1989. 

The NSW curriculum review has recommended extensive reforms that will allow schools and teachers more flexibility to adapt and respond to the learning needs of individual students. It is encouraging to see that there will now be flexibility to allow teachers to decide what is learnt, how it is learnt, and the time required to learn. In particular as a School we support the review’s proposed content reforms, particularly the decluttering in the short term of a crowded curriculum to promote deep learning and understanding. 

Selection of 2020/21 Student Leaders

This week we met with members of the Class of 2021 and briefed them on our process for selecting our next group of student leaders. Prefects at KWS are chosen in a consultative way, through feedback from students and staff, and through an interview process. We look for students who have a balance of different gifts, talents and areas of involvement throughout the School. These students are known for their kindness as much as their academic, co-curricular or sporting success. Student Leader Applications are due in by 1pm on Friday 24 July 2020. 

Climate Change Q&A Webinar

Our TREE Team staged an outstanding Climate Change Q&A Webinar for the community on Wednesday night. As a School we are continuing to develop our strategies for sustainability, as well as supporting conversations about a sustainable future in our community and beyond. My warmest thanks go to panellists Mrs Kate Hook of Futuring Orange and Ecoluxe Transfers; Dr Andrew Rawson, Associate Professor at CSU and climate change expert; Dr Simon Wright, Environmental Researcher and Consultant; and Lara O’Brien, KWS student and UNICEF Youth Drought Summit Ambassador. 

Their message on the night was that climate change is real, has been tracked for decades and is playing out almost exactly as science has predicted. While we are already too late to prevent some of the consequences of climate change, our actions still matter and can have a significant impact on our future. There has never been a more important time for us to act together for a better future for our planet. My thanks to TREE Field Officer, Ms Robyn Youll and Director of TREE, Mrs Sue-Ann Gavin for organising this important event. 

Uniform Review Update

This week we have collected feedback from a range of parents and students on some of the ideas that we have under consideration for our new uniform. Our Uniform Review Committee met again on Thursday 25 June, and we are making steady progress with development of our new look.  

Despite the logistical issues caused by the pandemic, we anticipate that our plan to commence with a new uniform in 2021 will go forward. It is worth reiterating that this does not mean that current parents will be required to purchase the uniform unless they would normally do so - for example, Year 6 students moving into Year 7 and Year 10 students moving into Year 11 in 2021 would normally have been required to purchase uniforms and they will be among the first to wear the new look.  We do not expect there will be an additional cost burden to parents, in fact our focus is on reducing the number of core items each student requires. Overall, there will be a two-year implementation phase, and our existing uniform items will be significantly discounted in the interim. You can expect to hear more from us on uniform developments during Term 3. 

Kinross Wolaroi Students Win Sport Awards

Orange City Council announced its Annual Sports Awards on Thursday 25 June and Kinross Wolaroi students won two major prizes. Phoebe Litchfield won Junior Athlete of the Year and the Schoolgirl Quad Scull (Freya Neville, Bridget Yeomans, Lucy Jenkins, Isabelle Scammell and Jetta Kennett) won Team of the Year. 

Phoebe was acknowledged for representing Australia in both cricket and hockey over the past 12 months, as well as making her Big Bash debut for the Sydney Thunder. She was also recognised as an important role model, supporting  young players by making time to attend local junior games. 

The Schoolgirl Quad Scull was recognised for winning a gold medal at the Australian Rowing Championships, remaining undefeated in 2018 and 2019. Orange City Councillor, Jason Hamling said, "Most of the schools that they've beaten around Australia would have a river to train on. Our team from Kinross gets to go to Spring Creek so it's an amazing effort." 

We are very proud of all these amazing young women athletes and I am sure you will agree the recognition is well deserved. 

IEBA Board Appointment

Congratulations to Mr Anthony Begg, Head of our Indigenous Program and Head of Tower House, for his re-appointment to the Board of Indigenous Education and Boarding Australia in June. Anthony will continue as the Indigenous Education Program Lead for the organisation. The IEBA mission is to communicate, educate, inspire and influence the work of others in supporting Indigenous student education and boarding. The appointment acknowledges the ongoing success of the Kinross Wolaroi Indigenous Program under Anthony’s management. 

Farewells

Mrs Kelly Cunningham, Head of Loader House 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and farewell Mrs Kelly Cunningham. Kelly has been the Head of Loader House for 18 months and in that time has had a significant impact on the Loader girls, boarding staff and fellow Heads of House. She brought an abundance of energy, enthusiasm and humour to her role and will be missed by all who worked with her. I would like to wish Kelly the greatest success in her new role as Head of Boarding at Beaconhills College in Victoria and thank her once again, for the wonderful contribution she has made to Loader and to Boarding at Kinross Wolaroi. 

Mrs Emma Le Couteur, English Faculty 

Mrs Emma Le Couteur has made a wonderful contribution to our students and English faculty. Her passion, knowledge of great works of literature, dedication and intellectual rigour have seen her inspire and enthuse many students. Her collegiality and dedication have greatly assisted the faculty and the learning experience of our English students. We wish Emma all the very best as she embarks on her fervent desire to write. 

Staff Appointments

Reverend Dr Rosalie Clarke - Chaplain  

After an extensive search and recruitment process I am delighted to announce the appointment of Reverend Dr Rosalie Clarke as our new Chaplain at Kinross Wolaroi School. Rosalie will commence with us at the start of Term 3 2020. Some may remember we had the pleasure of Rosalie addressing us at a School Chapel Service in February this year.  

Rosalie comes to us with a wealth of pastoral and educational experience and is greatly excited by the prospect of joining the Kinross Wolaroi School Community. She has served in Uniting Church communities in Sydney, Darwin, Terrigal NSW and the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe. At St Charles College, an Independent Boys School in South Africa, Rosalie was Chaplain to the Junior School while also teaching Senior History and leading the History Faculty.  

Rosalie holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, a Master of Education from Macquarie University and a Bachelor of Theology from Charles Sturt University.  

Rosalie is passionate about people and thrives on engagement with youth and children. She has a proven record of building community and establishing connection across divides. Rosalie possesses a strong ecumenical background that has enabled her to experience different styles of worship and faith expression, from social justice and advocacy, to charismatic, from Methodist to Catholic, from Africa to Australia.  

Rosalie's great love of people, community and diversity will see her make a wonderful contribution to Kinross Wolaroi School and the broader Orange Community. She has family in South Africa and in Denman NSW who run rural properties which has provided her some insight into the joys, challenges and pressures faced by many of our families.  

I am most grateful to the members of the Uniting Church Presbytery and the members of the selection committee for their wisdom and guidance during the appointment process.  

We are also most thankful for the marvellous support which Rev'd Andrew Cunningham provided in the 12 months the School was without a Chaplain. Our students and staff have greatly enjoyed Andrew's thoughtful and inspiring Chapel services.  

Ms Natasha Terry-Armstrong - HSIE teacher  

Ms Natasha Terry-Armstrong has been appointed to teach in the Human Society and its Environment faculty (HSIE) for 12 months commencing at the start of Term 3, 2020.  

Natasha is a highly experienced educator with more than ten years of service across a number of leading schools in Sydney and has also been Head of School Management at Antipodeans, an organisation delivering life­changing travel experiences for young people. 

Natasha has been described as an innovative and progressive educator by members of the faculties where she has taught which include St Ignatius College, SHORE and Santa Sabina College. At St Ignatius, Natasha was Head of Faculty (Economics, Business Studies, Commerce).  

Natasha has a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Teaching from the University of Sydney and a Master of Business Administration (Educational Leadership) from Charles Sturt University. At SHORE, she was awarded the James Fellowship that enabled her to participate in the Project Zero Classroom and Future of Learning Institutes in the USA, run by the Harvard Graduate School of Education.  

While at SHORE, Natasha was a Resident Boarding Assistant. During her career she has been involved in a wide range of school co-curricular activities including Tennis, Duke of Edinburgh, Snow Sports and has coordinated school tours to destinations such as Nepal, Ecuador and Tanzania.  

We very much look forward to welcoming both Rosalie and Natasha to KWS and Orange next term. 

Staff Members of the Term

Congratulations to the two winners of our Staff Member of the Term award, both of whom have provided outstanding support to our community this term. 

Mrs Jennifer Gordon, Cleaning Supervisor 

Mrs Gordon has done an outstanding job in coordinating, managing and ensuring that the School has been kept clean during the COVID-19 situation. The demands on her team have been greatly increased over recent months and she has taken this in her stride. Nothing is ever too difficult or too much trouble. Thank you, Jen for your care and attention for us all. 

Mr Andrew Ryan, Head of Library and Learning Resources 

Mr Ryan coordinated and led the on-campus support for essential workers’ children at the start of Term 2. This was a significant undertaking and was a vitally important addition to our COVID-19 support for families. Andrew and the library team have been a great support in finding resources, facilitating research for both students and staff, as well as the creation of a vibrant and dynamic learning space, despite physical distancing restrictions. 

Enjoy the break – a reminder that school returns on Tuesday 21 July. 

With very best wishes, 

Dr Andrew Parry 

PRINCIPAL