From the Principal

Striving for Academic Excellence: The Path to Fulfilment and Success

At Kinross Wolaroi School, we believe that learning is a lifelong treasure, one that follows its owner everywhere.  Our recent Academic Awards Assembly was a celebration of this ethos, where we acknowledged and congratulated students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and persistence in their studies.  It was a moment to reflect on the immense value of education and to inspire all students to strive for their personal best.

Central to any great school is the teaching and learning that take place within its walls.  Learning is more than just the accumulation of knowledge; it is the foundation upon which future success and fulfilment are built.  The opportunities provided at Kinross Wolaroi enable students to develop critical-thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills—attributes essential for thriving in a rapidly evolving world.

Renowned academic Carol Dweck, in her seminal work Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (2006, Ballantine Books), argues that adopting a growth mindset—believing that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—leads to greater motivation and achievement.  Students who embrace this mindset are more likely to work hard, persist through challenges, and learn from constructive feedback.  Our school fosters this approach, encouraging students to see their efforts as the primary driver of their success.

A significant body of research underscores the importance of effort in academic achievement.  A study published in The Journal of Educational Psychology by Angela Duckworth and Martin Seligman (2005, American Psychological Association) highlights that self-discipline is a more significant predictor of academic performance than intelligence.  This finding reinforces the idea that perseverance, resilience and dedication—not merely innate talent—are the keys to success.

At Kinross Wolaroi, we are privileged to offer a rich and challenging academic environment.  However, with opportunity comes responsibility.  Many families make significant sacrifices to provide their children with an outstanding education.  It is incumbent upon each student to make the most of this privilege by showing the courage and commitment to engage fully in their learning journey.

The importance of hard work and persistence extends beyond the classroom.  Whether in music, drama, textiles, industrial arts, mathematics, or sport, true achievement is never effortless.  Malcolm Gladwell, in his widely cited book Outliers: The Story of Success (2008, Little, Brown and Company), discusses the ‘10,000-hour rule,’ suggesting that mastery in any field requires extensive, deliberate practice.  This principle was evident in the outstanding performance of our rowing team at the recent NSW Rowing Championships, where Kinross Wolaroi once again, emerged as the top school in the state.  Their success was a testament to countless hours of training, learning from mistakes, and demonstrating resilience.  Similarly, it is the dedication, perseverance and years of practice and rehearsal that sees our musicians attain such high standards of musical excellence — an approach that applies equally to academic pursuits. 

Excellence in education is not about perfection; it is about growth.  It is about making mistakes, learning from them and striving to improve.  The most successful students are not necessarily the ones who find learning easy, but those who embrace challenges, persist through setbacks and apply themselves diligently.

Ultimately, the path to success is a personal one.  As the saying goes, "If it is to be, it’s up to me." Every student at Kinross Wolaroi has the potential to achieve great things, but realising that potential requires effort, self-belief, and a commitment to continuous learning.  As a school community, we encourage all students to be courageous in their pursuit of knowledge, to embrace challenges, and to take pride in their academic journey.

In closing, I urge all our students to reflect on the message from our Academic Awards Assembly.  Their future success and fulfilment depends not on innate talent alone but on their willingness to work hard, persevere, and cultivate a love of learning.  Education is a treasure—if they can embrace it fully, it will serve them for a lifetime, providing them the foundation for a successful and fulfilling future.

Congratulations

National Touch Football Selections

Touch Football Australia has announced that Lilly Clarke (18s Girls) and Sam Hill (18s Boys) have been selected in the 2025 Athlete Australian Emus National Youth Squad!

These talented athletes will attend a selection camp in NSW in February, where they will compete for a place in the 18s Boys, Girls and Mixed national teams set to take on the Asia Pacific Youth Touch Cup in Redcliffe, Qld, in May 2025.

Congratulations to Lilly (Year 12) and Sam (Year 11) on this incredible fabulous achievement.

Macquarie University – Emerging Leaders

We’ve just been informed by Macquarie University that Isabella Lloyd George has been awarded the Macquarie University Year 11 Emerging Leader Award for 2024 in recognition of her academic achievement and outstanding contribution to school life.  Congratulations Isabella on a marvellous achievement.

Celebrating Alumni Success in the Creative Arts

Kinross Wolaroi School takes immense pride in celebrating the achievements of its alumni, and today, we spotlight three exceptional former students making waves in the creative industries:

Michelle Hayes (Class of 2023) 

A rising talent in the world of costume design, Michelle Hayes has secured a coveted place at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), where she is undertaking a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Costume. Michelle’s journey began at Kinross Wolaroi, where her intricate and innovative designs in her HSC exhibition captivated audiences. Now, she is refining her craft at one of Australia’s most prestigious performing arts institutions, setting the stage for a bright future in theatre, film, and television costume design.

Maddy Triggs (Class of 2019) 

A name to watch in the world of fashion, Maddy Triggs has been excelling at RMIT and was recently selected for the prestigious 2025 National Graduate Showcase. Known for her unique and conceptual approach to design, Maddy has already garnered attention for her work, featured in Fashion Journal and showcased on her Instagram (@madeleinetriggs). Her upcoming showcase promises to cement her place among Australia’s top emerging designers.

Bella Hoyle Davies (Class of 2019) 

Bella’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. After graduating from the Fashion Design Studio (FDS) in 2023, she was selected to present her collection at Australian Fashion Week 2024, an event covered by The Guardian. Her talent was further recognised by Zimmermann, where she joined their Graduate Team. In an exciting development, Bella has now been promoted to a Junior Designer role, solidifying her place in the highly competitive fashion industry.

We congratulate Michelle, Maddy, and Bella on their remarkable achievements and look forward to seeing how they continue to shape the future of costume and fashion design. Their success is a testament to the creative spirit nurtured at Kinross Wolaroi School.

Hospitality

Congratulations Liv Warner on Winning the Regional World Skills Commercial Cookery Competition in 2024. Liv will travel to Brisbane later this year to compete in the National World Skills competition.

Mrs Kim Barry, VET Consultant at the Association of Independent Schools NSW attended the most recent Academic Assembly to present Liv with her medal.

Thank you to Mrs Helena Rollo for being an inspiring Hospitality teacher and supporting Liv on her culinary journey!