A Message from

the Principal

Showcase Events

We have recently staged two outstanding Showcase evenings that have featured presentations and exhibitions of some remarkable Year 10 iSTEM major works and projects undertaken in the TREE program.

iSTEM Exhibition

The exhibition of our Year 10 iSTEM projects displayed the work of our inaugural class in the subject, one that is seen as highly relevant for our students in the 21st Century. iSTEM (Innovation, Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is seen as an excellent vehicle to develop skills our students will need as they embark upon their careers in a rapidly changing professional landscape.

As national and global economies experience change and significant digital disruption, as technology and automation reshape industry and employment, our students must be equipped with the skills for this Brave New World that they will encounter. Research from Oxford University and Price Waterhouse Coopers shows that 44 percent (5.1 million) of current Australian jobs are at high risk of being affected by computerization and technology over the next 20 years. For our national economy to be productive and meet the needs of Australians, we need a skilled and innovative workforce fit for the future.

 iSTEM fosters the broad skills to equip our students for this challenge. Critical thinking and problem solving, analytical capabilities, curiosity and imagination, all of which have identified as critical survival skills for the future were amply evidenced in our student projects.

The evening was a marvellous success and the quality of design, creativity and skill demonstrated by our students was outstanding. Many staff, students and parents attended and all were greatly impressed by the quality and diversity of the projects on display. Well done Year 10 and a special thank you to their teachers Mr David de Bruyn and Mr Tony Zola for what was a superb exhibition.

TREE Celebration of Learning

A fabulous event was recently held in the DPA to show-case the myriad of TREE projects that have been undertaken in every subject in the School over 2018. Our ‘student interns’ also presented their learning and engagement to the gathering of over 180 members of our community, who enjoyed some or our school grown fare – including ham, sausages, omelettes and salads. Our Show teams were on deck speaking about their experiences with the Cattle and Sheep teams and it was tremendous to see their enthusiasm and hear of the great understanding and knowledge they possess in their chosen field. I for one learned a great deal from our students during the evening. TREE had a project in every year and subject for K-Yr 11 and there were only five school calendar days in 2018 that did not have a project running.

The passion and joy of our students explaining and showcasing their work highlighted what a marvellous success this program has been. It is quite remarkable what has been achieved in the first 18 months and testament to the outstanding leadership of the program Director, Tom Riley and his team. I congratulate our students and staff for so enthusiastically embracing this nation leading educational initiative and to the TREE team of Mr Tom Riley, Mrs Jody Haydon, Mrs Mel Meek, Mrs Robyn Youll and Mrs Toni Bilton thank you for your marvelous enthusiasm hard work and passion for the project. The manner in which TREE has been embraced by the teaching staff reveals their drive for innovation, creativity and strong desire to assist our students in their learning. It is a great credit to them.

Parents’ and Friends’ Association

There are opportunities for our parents and caregivers to be involved in many of the rich and varied experiences we offer at Kinross Wolaroi. One of these opportunities exists through serving our P and F Association.

This association enables parents and caregivers to be involved with school events and initiatives, whilst providing a platform for involvement within the Kinross Wolaroi community. Our families of Kinross Wolaroi are an essential part of our School community and I would encourage anyone, if they are able, to take part in the rich life of the School.

At present, the P and F team are working on our very own ‘Kinross Wolaroi School Cookbook’. This is a fantastic social and community enterprise bringing our entire school community, both past and present together. If you would like to be involved, whether that may be by submitting a recipe, offering your professional or personal skill set, or even assisting with recipe testing, please copy the following link into your web browser for more information: frog.kws.nsw.edu.au/cookbook

2018 has been a highly productive, busy and successful year for KWS, one that has seen considerable review and implementation of new programs.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas and hope you are able to spend some special time with family and friends. Christmas affords a special opportunity to remember the Christmas story, the story about the birth of Christ and the hope he brings to the millions who follow him. St John tells us that in this man was life. And that his life was the light for all mankind, and that he came with grace, truth and love.

Have a wonderful holiday.

Merry Christmas.

Dr Andrew Parry 

Principal