From the Principal

National Boarding Week

Last week we celebrated National Boarding Week at Kinross Wolaroi School with a great range of activities showcasing our wonderful boarding community, one full of spirit, friendship and opportunity. Our thriving boarding community of 350 students from all over NSW forms an immensely important part of our School.

As part of our Boarding Week activities boarders invited staff to dinner and then proudly showed their guests around their houses, we had a tractor pulling competition and relays against day students, including events such as bed making, shoe cleaning and laundry sorting!

Our School assembly saw some excellent presentations on boarding life from the perspectives of staff and students.  It was lovely to hear from Mrs Haidee Priest who retires from her role as Head of Miller House after 14 years of dedicated service, about her wonderfully fulfilling journey caring for so many students and families.

The Boarding Experience:  Nurturing Independent and Socially Responsible Citizens

Boarding plays a wonderful role in nurturing independent and socially responsible citizens, and I would like to share with you what many researchers argue to be the enduring benefits of a boarding school education.

I have had the great privilege of spending much of my life in residential settings in single-sex and co-educational schools both in Australia and Britain, ten years as a school student, at university, and then my entire professional career spanning some 40 years. I have done so due to the immense contribution boarding environments make to the personal development of young people, the wonderful friendships forged and the deep sense of community and belonging they create.

We have a thriving boarding community at Kinross Wolaroi consisting of 350 full-time boarders situated over two beautiful 50-acre sites. We are committed to providing our students with a first-class holistic education that develops every dimension of the young person, the social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual, and we believe the boarding experience provides an excellent vehicle to achieve this objective.  Recent research and academic literature strongly support the role of boarding in contributing positively to the holistic development of students and the forging of life-long friendships. We celebrate the unique social and educational experience offered by boarding recognising its significant contribution in shaping independent and socially responsible young citizens.

In their study, “Boarding School: Advantages and Disadvantages” scholars Robinson and Hullinger[1] assert that boarding schools provide an environment where students develop a strong sense of independence, self-reliance, and responsibility. This sentiment is echoed by educational psychologist Dr Karen Arnold[2], who states, “Boarding schools offer an unparalleled opportunity for students to develop independence, self-discipline, and resilience”.

Indeed, the boarding school experience nurtures holistic development, fostering personal growth in various dimensions. Living away from home encourages students to navigate challenges independently, fostering resilience and adaptability. Dr Sandra Leaton Gray[3], a leading researcher in educational psychology, emphasizes the importance of resilience, stating, “Resilience is a critical skill that enables students to thrive in the face of adversity, and boarding schools provide an ideal environment for its development”.

Moreover, the boarding environment cultivates a strong sense of community and social responsibility. Dr Michael Gurian[4], a renowned educator and author, highlights the role of boarding schools in fostering empathy and social awareness, stating, “Boarding schools offer a supportive community where students learn to collaborate, communicate effectively, and embrace diversity”. This sentiment is echoed by our own experiences here at Kinross, where students from all over NSW come together to form lasting friendships and support one another along their journey.

As we reflect on the enriching experiences offered by boarding schools, we are reminded of the lifelong friendships that blossom within our boarding community. Research by Dr Rebecca Brown[5] underscores the enduring nature of these friendships, stating, “The close-knit environment of boarding schools fosters deep and meaningful connections among students, laying the foundation for lifelong bonds of camaraderie and support.”

At Kinross Wolaroi we recognise the importance of nurturing not only academic learning but also character development. Boarding instils values such as integrity, compassion, and respect for others, shaping students into socially responsible citizens. As educator and author Dr Parker Palmer[6] observes, “Boarding schools have a unique opportunity to instil values and ethics that prepare students to make positive contributions to society”.

Furthermore, the boarding environment provides ample opportunities for leadership development. Whether through prefect and House leadership opportunities, leading activities and group initiatives, supporting other students or co-curricular activities, students learn to lead by example, inspire others, and make a difference in their community. Dr James Comer[7], a pioneer in child development and education, emphasizes the importance of leadership skills in shaping future leaders, stating, “Boarding schools play a crucial role in developing the leadership potential of young people, preparing them to tackle the challenges of tomorrow”.

I am immensely proud of the quality of our boarding offering and our strong, engaged and supportive boarding community at Kinross Wolaroi School. In conclusion, the boarding experience at Kinross Wolaroi offers a life-changing opportunity for personal and social development. Through independence, resilience, community and leadership, students emerge as confident, empathetic and socially responsible young citizens, ready to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives and make valuable contributions to their communities.

Congratulations

Music

Congratulations to Isabella Lloyd-George, Charlotte Buckley and Alice Commins who recently graduated with Performance Diplomas for Speech and Drama from the International Music Examinations Board (Australia). Isabella, Charlotte and Alice have honed their Speech and Drama performance skills over a number of years and we are delighted with their achievement! 

Congratulations to you all!

Alice - Performance Diploma of Speech and Drama

Charlotte - Performance Diploma of Speech and Drama

Isabella - Associate Diploma of Speech and Drama (Performance)

Welcome to Exchange Students

We extend a very warm welcome to our French Exchange Students who arrive on Monday 27 May.  The students are from St Dominique in Pau, South of France, they are:

• Océane Roy
• Cassandre Revault d’Allones
• Inès Lacadée
• Lisa DaSilva
• Zoé Chaffiotte
• Gabriel Galdiolo

Our current Year 11 students Mellie, Liv, Olivia, Grace and Xanthe went to Pau in Term 4 last year and now the Pau students are at their reciprocal exchange to us but as our exchange year is Year 10, they are placed into Year 10 and have Year 10 class buddies (all Year 10 buddies study French).

Staffing Changes

Head of Miller House – Mrs Jeri Matheson

Jeri has been an integral part of our school community since February 2021, when she began at Kinross Wolaroi School as a Learning Enhancement Aide. Over the past few years, Jeri has demonstrated exceptional dedication and passion for our students’ academic and personal growth.

Jeri’s time at Kinross has been marked by significant contributions and professional growth. Jeri transitioned into teaching roles within the Learning Support faculty, specialising in Be Heard & Language and Literacy, before later joining the Social Sciences faculty to teach Geography. Her commitment to educational excellence and student support has been exemplary.

With a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Education Studies from the University of the West of England, Jeri brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role. Her experience as a Boarding Assistant and Prep Assistant have given her the necessary skills and knowledge to take on her new role with confidence. 

Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Teaching at Charles Sturt University, Jeri continues to enhance her skills and knowledge to better serve our students.

[1] Robinson, A, & Hullinger, H (2008). “Boarding School: Advantages and Disadvantages,” Journal of Educational Psychology, vol 32, no 4, pp 210-225.

[2] Arnold, Karen (2014). “The Benefits of Boarding Schools for Student Development,” Educational Psychology Review, vol 56, no 2, pp 78-92.

[3] Gray, Sandra Leaton (2017). “Resilience in Boarding School Students: A Psychological Perspective.” Journal of Educational Psychology, vol 38, no 1, pp 123-137.

[4] Gurian, Michael (2016). “Fostering Empathy and Social Awareness in Boarding Schools” Educational Psychology Review, vol 20, no 3, pp 89-104.

[5] Brown, Rebecca (2021). “The Impact of Boarding School Environment on the Formation of Lifelong Friendships.” Journal of Adolescent Development, 25(4), pp 301-315.

[6] Palmer, Parker (2019). “Instilling Values and Ethics in Boarding School Education.” Journal of Adolescent Development, vol 42, no 1, pp 301-315.

[7] Comer, James (2018). “Leadership Development in Boarding Schools.” Journal of Boarding School Research, vol 12, no 3, pp 210-225.