Around the Senior School
Learning Enhancement Team
SOTW
Every week, the LE Team put their heads together and vote on a Student of the Week. The student is chosen based on observations made by the LE Team, within the week.
This week, the title goes to Fergus Chase (Year 7) for his approach to his studies in the lead up to the End of Year exams. Fergus always does this with humour and gratitude. Well done, Fergus! What a way to end 2023!
Study Hub
Whilst we still have a couple of weeks to go until the end of the term, I want to thank Ms Helen Vere and Mrs Catherine Litchfield who have volunteered their time every week to assist students at Study Hub. Both are incredibly busy staff members but they have somehow found time in their busy weeks to help out every week!! Their expertise in their subjects has helped to guide many students through their exams.
Year 12 Hospitality class
On Thursday the 2nd of November Ms Youll’s Year 12 Hospitality classes caught a bus to Sydney. After a 3h bus trip we had a short break in Blackheath for a look around and some lunch. We then travelled to Potts Point for an amazing mocktail class at ‘Hoka’s Bar + Eats’ where we learnt various styles including, “the shake” and “the muddle” creating yummy lychee mocktails and mojitos. We then immersed ourselves in the history and technique of mocktail making.
After our drinks we sat down and learnt how to make dumplings, with a pork option and vegetarian mix. We learnt 3 styles of dumpling folding for 3 methods of cooking, steaming, pan frying and deep frying.
After our delicious meal we then hopped back on the bus and checked into our YHA accommodation in The Rocks. We settled into our rooms and then got ready for a walk to the Opera House. After our sight-seeing we walked to Circular Quay for dinner at Ribs & Burgers and enjoyed a lovely dinner. We then finished off the day with gelato and a walk back to our accommodation.
Day 2 started off early with a 6:15 am departure from our hostel. We had a scenic bus trip to the Sydney Fish Markets where we were welcomed by our tour guide upon arrival. We then had a tour of the fish market auction floor, where we had to stand in an orderly clump to avoid getting run into by the fish transporters. We learnt all about the process of selling fish internationally and domestically, as well as discovering varieties of fish we have never heard about before. From the tour guide we gained lots of tips on fish purchasing and the seafood trade and business.
We then had the opportunity to have a look around the fish markets before we had a great cooking school consisting of a demonstration and practical work. We learnt how to fillet fish, cook crab, squid and fry the fish. We then all dined and had an amazing seafood lunch before we got back on the bus to Orange, having learnt lots about cocktails, cuisines, cultures, and types of cooking!! Great thanks to Ms. Youll, Ms. Rollo, Mr Rollo, and Mr Chapman for making this trip possible.
By Zoe Bird and Laura Atkinson, Year 12 Hospitality
White Ribbon Day
In an effort to raise awareness about Domestic and Family Violence, on Wednesday the entire Senior School gathered on the main oval to form a large White Ribbon logo in support of White Ribbon Day. Sadly, statistics reveal that on average 1 woman dies at the hands of an intimate partner every week in Australia. Shockingly, 1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime. We can all agree we would never want this to happen to our loved ones. McLachlan House has been selling White Ribbons for $2 per pin outside the Dining Hall during break times throughout the week. The proceeds will be directed towards 'The Orchard', a local refuge that provides shelter and support to women and children escaping domestic violence.
HSC Geography / Earth and Environmental Science - Macquarie Marshes
Students travelled 110km north west of Warren to investigate the ecosystem functioning of the Macquarie Marshes. Burrima was the first stop, which is a block of land on the edge of the north marsh nature reserve that was purchased by a cooperative of farmers in 2005. It has been left to recover from a history of cattle grazing and is now a unique destination on the marshes. In 2021, the cooperative received a state government grant that enabled them to build a 1.8 km elevated boardwalk so that it is now accessible to the community and visitors. This work was completed by the local community that included ex KWS families in the Yeomans, Lamphs and Whittakers. A special thankyou to Glen and Matt Whittaker for their time and expertise as guest speakers.
Students also had the opportunity of paddling the south marsh and investigating first hand the functioning of the ecosystem and identifying the impacts of river regulation and introduced species. It was fantastic to get back to the marshes after the 2022 trip was cancelled due to flooding.
Year 9 Maths Scholars excursion to Luna Park
On Thursday of week 6, the inaugural Year 9 Maths Scholars class travelled to Luna Park in Sydney to attend the "Luna Learning" day, organised by the Mathematics Association of NSW.
The students were extremely excited to start the day, despite the very early wake up. After our long bus trip, we were greeted by perfect Sydney weather for a fun filled day.
The day consisted of Maths problem solving, including the problem of how to fit in as many rides as possible during the day. The students also enjoyed meeting students from other schools. A great day had by all.
Many thanks to Ms Cole for her assistance on the day, and to all of the Year 9 Maths Scholars students who were a pleasure to travel with.
Mr Michael Holmes
Australian Mathematics Competition
The 2023 Australian Mathematics Competition was held in Term 3 this year, with the School’s top Maths students from years 7 to 11 taking part, to measure their Mathematics problem solving abilities against the rest of the country.
Many Kinross students achieved outstanding results in this year’s competition. Congratulations to all students.Among these pleasing results, the students listed below were awarded with Distinction awards or higher, placing them among the highest achieving students in the country.A special note of congratulations goes to Isabel Wong for achieving a High Distinction in the Intermediate level of the competition, and for being recognised with the “Best in School Award”.
We look forward to undertaking the Australian Mathematics Competition again next year.
High Distinction award and Best in School Award:
Isabel Wong (Intermediate – Year 10)
Distinction awards:
Liliana Granger (Junior – Year 7)
Nicholas Wood (Junior – Year 7)
Anna Childs (Junior – Year 8)
Imogen Christmas (Junior – Year 8)
Samuel Knox (Junior – Year 8)
Rohan Kotasthane (Junior – Year 8)
Matthew Lowther (Junior – Year 8)
Bianca Wong (Intermediate – Year 9)
Hugo Reynolds (Senior – Year 11)
Alexander Robb (Senior – Year 11)
George Wakem (Senior – Year 11)
Mr Michael Holmes
Brown House Social Justice
Premmie Marathon Challenge (Update!)
If you are an avid reader of the KWS weekly newsletter, you may be aware that Brown House is currently completing the “Premmie Marat hon Challenge”. This challenge is across the entire month of November and involves walking/ swimming/ biking/ running or rowing as far as you can over the month of November.
Over the past 21 days, Brown House has now fundraised over $3,700 and logged 3,100 kilometres, or three quarters of the length across Australia.
Together, with the support of you and your families, we have made a difference in hundreds of little lives. But we aren’t done yet. With eight days left in the challenge, we’re asking you to help us reach our goal of $5000 dollars through a tax-deductable charitable donation. A donation which will make a difference.
Why?
26,000 Australian babies are born preterm each year, the definition of such being born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy and after 20 (the average being 40). This is the leading cause of death and disability in children up to 5 years of age in the developed world. Running for Premature Babies has helped support 9,000 of the children.
How does this charity help?
All money fundraised by us, and the broader Australian community, goes towards life-saving neo-natal equipment for our Australian Hospitals. This equipment helps aid the breathing difficulties, heart and brain problems which risk the lives of the young Australian babies, as well as helping prevent disabilities. Help us support our tiny friends.
Dates:
Each Wednesday of November Brown House will be selling their
“Brown House Brownies ($2.50) and Zooper Doopers (60c)”. All money fundraised goes towards our little friends.
The Premmie Challenge finishes on Thursday the 30th of November, let’s finish this off!
Each Brown House Mentor Group are in the midst of a dramatic competition to see who can walk the furthest and raise the most money. If you would like to donate and help one of our Mentor Groups win the Split Milk on offer, click on one of the links below!
Brown 1 (Mr Adams):
https://www.runningforprematurebabies.com/fundraisers/KWSBrownHouseHABrown 2 (Ms Jones):
https://www.runningforprematurebabies.com/fundraisers/KWSBrownHousemj
Brown 3 (Mrs Lewis):
https://www.runningforprematurebabies.com/fundraisers/KWSBrownHousesl Brown 4 (Mrs Keir):
https://www.runningforprematurebabies.com/fundraisers/KWSBrownHouseak
Brown 5 (Mr Bowman):
https://www.runningforprematurebabies.com/fundraisers/KWSBrownHouserb
On behalf of Brown House, thank you so much for your generous support so far. It is only because of all of you that this is possible and that we’ve been able to make such a difference. Thank you.
Lucy Ashton, Brown House Prefect