From the Head of Senior School

2025 Student Leaders Announced

Congratulations to our newly appointed Student Prefects and House Captains for both the day school and boarding houses. We are incredibly proud of each of you for stepping into these important leadership roles. As you embark on this journey, we encourage you to lead with integrity, compassion, and humility. Leadership is not just about authority but about serving others, and as you support your peers and school community, we wish you every success. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” We are confident that you will lead by example, embodying the true spirit of servant leadership. 

The new leaders are:

I would like to share the following excerpt from Dr Parry's speech at the Leadership Induction Ceremony:

Principal's Induction Message

Our new leadership team have a wonderful opportunity before them, a chance to make our School a better place, an opportunity to build upon the special time-honoured and worthy traditions of our fine School and to demonstrate their initiative and vision by starting new practices and establishing new traditions.

 

A leader must do more than replicate the past.  It is vital they strive to improve the lives of our students by enthusiastically addressing the needs of the present and establish a legacy for the future.

 

Leadership is not an easy task. This morning we shall present our new leaders with their badges of office. But we know leadership is not about a badge or position. Leadership is about service. About contributing to the lives of others and building a strong, happy and successful community. To be acknowledged by your peers and staff is a great privilege and like all privileges – that comes with responsibility. 

We are all so fortunate to be part of our fine school.  We are all privileged – so many in the world don’t experience the quality education and opportunities that we do. We all have a responsibility to give back – to go out into the world and positively contribute to our communities – striving to improve the lives and opportunities of others. I am immensely proud of the contributions so many of you and our ex-students make to their communities. 

 

To our incoming leadership team – congratulations. Your induction today marks an important milestone, both in your journey at Kinross Wolaroi, as well as in your personal development. We are surrounded by leaders – in politics, in business, in sport – and as we know, not all leaders are good or great, not all strive to serve others before themselves.

 

There is a reason that throughout history, mankind has celebrated great leaders. We celebrate their vision, their courage, their strength.

 

History provides so many examples of those who have had the privilege of leadership.  Some have used their opportunity to have a profoundly positive impact on the freedoms and lives of others.  They have united communities and created more just societies. Others have done the opposite.  Where self-service, greed, lust for power and the creation of division through the promotion of exclusion and misery has been their objective. 

Our School values - courage, respect, inclusiveness, resilience, commitment - provide excellent signposts to guide us along our journey. They can be used as points of reference in our decision making and leadership. These values are evident in the leadership of many and I would like to highlight two prominent Australians whose service and commitment to their organisations has seen them highly effective in contributing to the lives of others. 

Anna Meares’ recent leadership at the Paris Olympic Games exemplified her evolution from champion athlete to respected mentor and advocate.  As a champion cyclist Anna showed great courage and resilience to overcome life threatening injuries after an accident prior to successfully competing at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Recently, in Paris as Chef de Mission for the Australian team, Meares brought a calm, resilient presence, drawing from her own Olympic experience to guide athletes through the pressures of competition. Her leadership was marked by empathy, a deep understanding of mental and physical challenges, and an unwavering commitment to team unity and morale. She led by example, encouraging athletes to focus on both performance and well-being. 

The leadership of Rob Rogers of the NSW Rural Fire Service has been quietly powerful, defined by strategic, behind-the-scenes decision-making.  He skilfully co-ordinated resources, supported volunteer fighters, and responded to disasters with efficiency and humility, earning immense respect. He is highly committed to the safety of the people of NSW and the welfare of all those who support the activity of the Fire Service. Rogers has advocated for better equipment, training and mental health support, recognising the physical and emotional toll on volunteers. By fostering a culture of respect and gratitude, he empowered volunteers to perform their duties confidently, creating a sense of unity and propose within the fire service, even under the most difficult and dangerous conditions. 

 

The leadership of both Anna Meares and Rob Rogers is characterised by the desire to serve for the benefit of their communities.  Their values are revealed through their actions.

 

If we can refer to our School values as a guide as we live our lives, we will have richer and more fulfilling lives and our community will be a stronger and happier one.

 

I encourage you all to support our student leaders and hold them to the high standards we expect of them. Very importantly, remember that leadership is not the sole responsibility of a few – it is a collective endeavour that thrives when we all contribute our best. We all lead, we all have the power to influence and possess the opportunity to help make our School community a wonderful place to be. 

To our student leaders, thank you for taking on this responsibility and special opportunity, and I very much look forward to working with you over the next 12 months.  

Dr Parry, Principal

Missed the Leadership Induction Ceremony?

View the recording below:

WATCH THE 2024 LEADERSHIP INDUCTION CEREMONY

Thank You to the Outgoing Leadership Team

As the 2023/24 Leadership Team depart, I would like to thank them for the outstanding job they have done during their time as leaders. Dr Parry acknowledged their contribution during his speech:

I wish to acknowledge our outgoing leadership team for their excellent contribution to the School over the past 12 months. 

 

You have been superbly led by our Head Prefects, Halle Doyle and Ed Southwell, who have demonstrated that true leadership is about service, example and commitment.  They have also shown great respect, kindness and initiative.

 

Many among our senior student body have set an outstanding example and have shown courage and commitment in their desire to help others and make our school a finer place. 

 

Dr Parry, Principal

Happy Holidays

As we conclude another busy term, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our students for their hard work and dedication throughout the past months. A special congratulations to our Year 12 students on their graduation — an incredible milestone in your educational journey. We wish you the very best for your upcoming HSC exams. Finally, to all our families, may you enjoy a well-deserved, happy, and safe holiday break. We look forward to seeing you refreshed and ready for the new term!