From the Principal

A New Year Dawns

It has been wonderful to welcome our students, families and staff back for the new academic year, returning refreshed and excited by the opportunities and challenges the next 12 months will provide.  I greatly enjoyed seeing the energy and enthusiasm of our students and witnessing the School come back to life.  Their spirit of optimism, friendship and positivity was highly evident.

We welcome not only our returning students and staff but many new to our community too.  To our returning students, your presence adds continuity to the fabric of Kinross Wolaroi, and I am excited by the prospect of observing your continued growth and achievements throughout the year.  To our new students and families, I extend a heartfelt welcome.  You are now an integral part of our very special close-knit community, and I trust that your time with us will be marked by valuable experiences and lasting connections.

The new year presents a myriad of opportunities, challenges, and experiences that will contribute to the personal growth and development of character of all our students. It is my great hope that each and every one of our students will approach 2024 with a spirit of engagement and curiosity.  Embrace the opportunities that come your way, be they academic, co-curricular, or personal. Your journey at Kinross Wolaroi is not merely about acquiring knowledge but also about developing the resilience, courage and character that will serve you well beyond the classroom.

I encourage our students to be courageous in the pursuit of their goals, to step outside their comfort zones, to take on new challenges that will push their boundaries, and to learn from both their successes and setbacks.  It is through these experiences that they will discover the depth of their capabilities and cultivate the skills required for a future of purpose and fulfillment.

To our parents and carers, I extend my sincere appreciation for your unwavering support.  Your involvement in our School community is invaluable, and I encourage you to engage actively in the various opportunities to connect with fellow parents and staff.

Furthermore, I urge each student to work hard to maintain our special school culture, one characterised by care and respect for each other, as these characteristics lie at the heart of a warm and supportive community.  In a world that often demands individual achievement, our strength lies in the unity of our diverse talents and the marvellous support we provide each other.  Embrace the differences among you, celebrate the unique qualities each person brings, and extend a hand of support to your peers.

As we embark on the new academic year together, may it be filled with discovery, personal growth and accomplishment.  To our students, be courageous, engage wholeheartedly, and make 2024 a special chapter in your personal educational journey.  To our families, thank you for being an integral part of the Kinross Wolaroi community.  Let us sustain the warmth and support that defines us as a School, ensuring that every member feels valued and embraced.

Welcome to new staff

We welcome a number of new staff to the School community for 2024.  We continue to attract outstanding educators to our School due to the excellent reputation Kinross Wolaroi has for its strong community, its outstanding achievements across the full spectrum of student experience, and its warm, enthusiastic, grounded and friendly students and staff.

I am delighted to welcome the following staff:

Reverend Sally Yabsley-Bell – Chaplain

Reverend Sally was previously School Chaplain at MLC School Burwood and is a great mentor with strong interpersonal and intergenerational skills. She is also the Chair of the Sydney Presbytery Ministry Committee and Period of Discernment Coordinator. Sally has a Bachelor of Theology from Charles Sturt University.

Reverend Sally has a passion for social justice and Indigenous social service. She ran Hats for the Homeless looming group, is involved in the Duke of Edinburgh program, volunteers for the Uniting Aged Care writing resident life story books, and previously worked in Outreach programs.

Her theology places a high value on inclusiveness and diversity and engages in both contemporary and traditional worship. Reverend Sally is an accomplished mentor with a focus on how we can be a loving and reflective community and to listen and learn from each other.

Mr Ben Yabsley-Bell - Music Teacher 

Mr Yabsley-Bell joins Kinross Wolaroi as a Music Teacher and is the husband of our Chaplain, Reverend Sally. 

Mr Yabsley-Bell comes to us from Pacific Hills Christian School and was the supervisor of programs across the Creative Arts faculty. Ben is also experienced in teaching Music 2 and Extension and has been an HSC marker in composition, performance, and musicology for Music 1, 2 and Extension.

He has a Bachelor of Education/Music from University of Western Sydney and an Undergraduate Certificate in Psychology.

Mr Robert Bell – Head of Trathen House and Social Science Teacher

Mr Bell has been appointed the Head of our Year 7 Boys Boarding House – Trathen House and Social Science Teacher.

He was previously a Housemaster at Cranbrook School and has prior boarding experience at Ascham School.  Mr Bell is dedicated to promoting a culture of positive wellbeing, respectful relationships, and a community of trust in boarding. He values the importance of building meaningful relationships with boarding students, parents, carers and boarding staff.

At Cranbrook School, Mr Bell held the position of Assistant Head of Social Science, teaching Geography and Commerce.  He has a Bachelor of Education (Human Movement and Health Education) from The University of Sydney and a Graduate Certificate in Geography from Curtin University.

Mr Bell also has extensive experience in the Co-curricular disciplines of Cross Country, Athletics, Rugby, Duke of Edinburgh, and Sailing.

Mr Sam Bettle – Strength and Conditioning Coach

Mr Bettle joins us from the University of Sydney after completing his final year of a degree in Exercise and Sport Science. He spent the 2023 rugby season with the U20’s Colts squads at Sydney University Football Club as a Strength and Conditioning Coach, bringing great passion into program. Sam more recently was involved with the U19’s NSW Waratahs campaign, as well as the Junior and Senior Academy. He has also undertaken S&C work experience at the Cranbrook School, working closely with students to achieve their long-term athletic development goals.

Mr Bettle is looking forward to making a positive impact by implementing a thorough yet engaging program to develop all athletes at the Kinross Wolaroi School.

Mr Sam Byrne – PDHPE Teacher

Mr Byrne has over 12 years’ experience as PDHPE Teacher and comes to us from Newtown High School of Performing Arts.

Mr Byrne connects and builds strong relationships with students and has a keen interest in sport, outdoor and adventure activities, and physical health for all students. At Newtown High School, he was Head Teacher of PDHPE and Sport and made a wonderful contribution to the culture and community of the school.

Mr Byrne has a Bachelor of Exercise Science from the Australian Catholic University and Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary Education PDHPE) from University of Technology Sydney. 

Ms Michelle Hayes – Music

Ms Hayes joins the School in a one-year role as the Performing Arts Assistant.  She graduated from Kinross Wolaroi in 2023 having completed Music 2 and Music Extension and being the recipient of the Premier's Allrounder Award. She received an ATAR of 98.35.  She returns from Adelaide after attending the Australian Youth Orchestra Summer Camp to take up this position.  Whilst a violin specialist and avid music lover, Ms Hayes is also considering her career options in the textiles and design field where she topped the State in the HSC. 

Mr Luke Moxey – Music

Mr Moxey is an alumni of Kinross Wolaroi School, graduating in 2011. He went on to study Music Performance from the University of Queensland and a Masters of Teaching from the Australian Catholic University. Mr Moxey has worked for the School in the role of Peripatetic Piano teacher and an accompanist since 2022. He is taking on the part-time role of Accompanist and will be working with students from K-12 teaching various elements of music experience. 

Mrs Nicole Pearce – Science Teacher and Acting 2IC Science

Mrs Pearce will join Kinross Wolaroi as Science Teacher and Acting 2IC Science for a 12-month contract. She will replace Mr Alex McLennan who will move to Acting Head of Science for the 2024 year, whilst Mrs Catherine Litchfield takes well-earned Long Service Leave.

Mrs Pearce has been working at St Raphael’s and Cowra High School as Leader of Learning Science/TAS. She has a great passion for students and their learning, and values educating the whole child. 

Mrs Pearce has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Food and Nutrition) from University of Western Sydney, a Master of Marketing from Charles Sturt University, and a Diploma of Education (Secondary) from Charles Sturt University. 

Mrs Christie Smith – English Teacher

Mrs Smith comes to Kinross Wolaroi from The Kings School where she was the highly successful Head of the English Department. She has an immense passion for teaching English and has more than 20 years’ experience of Teaching.  Over the past several years her students have received outstanding HSC results.

Mrs Smith has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English and Drama Studies from the University of Newcastle, and a Diploma of Education from the University of Western Sydney.

Ms Lindy Summerton – Agriculture Teacher

Ms Summerton joins the School as an Agriculture Teacher, to assist the Agriculture, Science and TAS Departments after the appointment of Mrs Jody Haydon to Head of Loader House in October 2023.

Ms Summerton comes to us from Canobolas Rural Technology High School, and many may already know her from her previous work at Kinross Wolaroi School.

She has a Graduate Diploma (Teaching and Learning Primary) from Charles Darwin University and Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of New England.

Mrs Claire Milson – Executive Assistant to the Principal

Claire comes to us with a wealth of experience having had a number of significant roles as an Executive Assistant and Office Manager with some Australian and International companies including AMB Holdings, McKinsey & Company, Everest Financial Group and Pacific Equity Partners.  She has managed large teams of EAs and provided Executive support to CEOs, Company Chairs, Boards and Legal Counsel.

Claire has been an active volunteer supporting the parents’ association while her daughter was a student at Ascham.  She was a Year Parent Representative, Senior School New Parent Representative and a member of the Parents’ Association Executive.

Claire is a former student of Kinross Wolaroi and has recently returned to Orange.

Gap Students

We also welcome our new Gap Year students:

• Douglas Burroughs is from South Africa and attended Glenwood House College
• Davina Ellis is from the UK and attended The King’s School Bruton
• William Evans is from the UK and attended Tonbridge School
• Talitha Key is from the UK and attended Norwich School

I am sure you will make our new staff most welcome as they settle in to our very special community.