From the Principal

Welcome to Term 2

‘Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower’  

Albert Camus

As we greet the arrival of autumn, with its crisp air and vibrant colours, we welcome the new school term with great enthusiasm and anticipation.  As the leaves change their hues, we are presented with many new opportunities for growth and learning.  I encourage us all to embrace the challenges ahead with courage and determination, drawing inspiration from the beauty that surrounds us and the warmth within our very special community.

I would like to take a moment to reflect upon the excellent conclusion to last term and the outstanding experiences shared during our various Camp activities.  I was delighted with the manner in which our students approached the various Camp opportunities last term.  

Camps hold a special place in our broad and holistic educational offering, providing a plethora of experiences and opportunities beyond the confines of the classroom.  They challenge us, compel us to think creatively, foster friendships and camaraderie, and extend us beyond our comfort zone, all of which are essential for personal growth.

Moreover, camps provide a platform for us to exemplify our values, both within our School community and beyond. Whether it's demonstrating respect, inclusivity, courage, commitment, or resilience, our actions during these experiences truly speak volumes about who we are as individuals and as a collective.

I am thrilled to share that the feedback from our camp activities has been overwhelmingly positive. From the Year 7 camp at Lake Macquarie to the rigorous challenges of Cadets, Social Service endeavours, Work Experience placements, and the intense study sessions at Year 12 Study Camp, each group exhibited exceptional dedication and spirit. Many of our staff members have remarked that this was the best camp experience to date - a testament to our students’ positivity and willingness to embrace new opportunities.

During Camps Week, our Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh adventurers embarked on a remarkable journey through the Kosciusko National Park, braving adverse weather conditions and the first fall of snow for the season with unwavering determination. Their exemplary behaviour and generous spirit didn’t go unnoticed, as evidenced by the heartwarming feedback we received from fellow travellers. Their kindness, manners, and positive attitudes truly set them apart and made us proud.

Our commitment to holistic education was further exemplified by the recent History Tour of Vietnam and Cambodia, where 33 students immersed themselves in the rich cultures and histories of these nations while also engaging in meaningful service projects to benefit local communities. An immensely valuable educational, cultural and social experience for all who participated.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who participated in these tours and expeditions, serving as wonderful ambassadors for our school and their families.

Additionally, our Rugby Camp and the rugby skills day organised by Sydney University provided invaluable opportunities for our students to hone their athletic abilities and foster team spirit prior to the commencement of the winter sports season.

I extend my thanks to those who represented Kinross Wolaroi School at the Orange ANZAC Day Commemoration. Their respectful participation honoured the sacrifices of those who have come before us, and I commend them for their exemplary conduct and presentation.

Behind every successful endeavour lies meticulous planning, and unwavering care and dedication from our teaching staff. I urge you all to join me in acknowledging our heartfelt appreciation to these hardworking and dedicated individuals who go above and beyond to support our students’ growth and development.

At Kinross Wolaroi, we take pride in our strong sense of community—a foundation built on mutual respect, support, and kindness. Let us continue to nurture these qualities, ensuring that our school remains a happy, safe, and nurturing environment for all.

Remember, our greatest strength lies in our ability to forge meaningful relationships and support one another. Let's approach this term with generosity, encouragement, and a genuine spirit of friendship.

Together, as a united community, there is no limit to what we can achieve.  I am very much looking forward to a successful and rewarding Term.

A Warm Welcome to New Community Members

Nerissa Merat - Director of Human Resources

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Nerissa Marat as the School’s Director of Human Resources.  Nerissa will commence with us in a part-time capacity on Monday, 29 April, as she completes work on a significant consultancy project and will transition to the full-time role over the remainder of 2024.

Most recently, Nerissa concluded 10 years with local community services provider LiveBetter, having commenced as its Executive General Manager People & Culture in 2014, before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2023.  Prior to this, Nerissa spent more than 15 years across senior HR roles in the mining, auto and retail sectors.

Nerissa’s expertise in the areas of HR strategy, workforce planning, employee relations and stakeholder engagement & management shone through during the interview process and made her the panel’s clear candidate-of-choice.  Nerissa also spoke of her clear commitment to the success of regional organisations, underlining the importance of building relationships which emphasise transparency, accountability, and trust within this context.

During the interview process, the panel discussed the importance of the School’s Strategic Plan 2024-26, and specifically the area of ‘Staff Experience’.  Nerissa’s experience working within large organisations to support the establishment and embedding of positive workplace cultures was apparent, and again showed why she was the ideal candidate for the role.

The appointment of Nerissa into this role reflects the School’s commitment to continue strengthening its Human Resources capabilities. We are thrilled that Nerissa will be joining us as we consolidate Kinross Wolaroi’s position as the employer of choice in our region.

Nerissa holds a BA in Industrial Relations & Psychology from the University of Sydney.

Emma Sweeney – Mathematics Faculty

Emma undertook a highly successful teaching practicum at the school in 2023 and is the championship winning coach of our Senior Girls Touch Football team.

Emma joins our Mathematics Faculty and comes to us from Orange High School.  She has a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Mathematics) from the University of New England and while at University was Director of Sport at Robb College.  Emma is a gifted young teacher who has a strong passion for mathematics education and an appreciation of the importance of co-curricular activities in developing well-rounded young people.

Emma is a highly skilled coach and sportsperson.  She has represented NSW U21s and Eastern Suburbs Roosters in Touch Football, is an athlete and cross-country runner.  Emma has been an enthusiastic sports coach at Ascham, SCEGGS Darlinghurst and Kinross Wolaroi School.  I have no doubt she will make a strong contribution to the life of our School.

Long Service Leave

Kelly Cole will be on Long Service Leave for Term 2. While she is away, Amy Keir will be Acting Head of Douglas House.

Ann-Margaret Gunther will also be on Long Service Leave for Term 2 and, in her absence, Olivia Sleeman will lead Pre-K.

Returning from Long Service Leave

We are delighted to welcome back Sue-Ann Gavin following her well-deserved break from the chalk face during Term 1.

Congratulations

NSW Polocrosse Team

Erica Stuart, Ryan and Sid Weston have been selected to represent NSW in a tournament to be held in Warwick.

KWS Girls First Basketball Team

The team won the Orange District Basketball competition with an outstanding performance in the Grand Final.  As well as demonstrating great skill, their level of composure and good sportsmanship was exceptional.

Triathlon

KWS Team Captain, Will Ward, won the Orange Triathlon Club Junior Male Encouragement Award, a fitting reward for his admirable leadership and performance throughout the season.  KWS also won the Central West All Schools Trophy.

Wiburd Shield Cricket Success

Congratulations to our Wiburd Shield Team who won this statewide knock-out competition.  This is the second time in its long history of the competition that our School has secured the title.

Swimming

Congratulations to our swimmers who have had great success recently:

National Championships Medallists

Brody Steele  Bronze 15yrs 200 Freestyle 

Finalists:         Sienna Whalan, Lara McGuigan, Chloe McGilvray & Caleb Cashman

CIS Championships Medallists  

Chloe McGilvray       

Gold 17-19yrs 50 Freestyle

Silver 17-19yrs 100 Freestyle

Lara McGuigan         

Gold 17-19yrs 100 Breaststroke

Bronze 17-19yrs 200 Breaststroke

Brody Steele              

Silver 15-16yrs 200 Backstroke

Sienna Whalan         

Gold 17-19yrs 50 Breaststroke