From the Principal

Welcome to Term 4! 

I trust you’ve all enjoyed a restful break and are returning with renewed energy for the final stretch of the year.  As we embark on this short but busy term, we are presented with a wealth of opportunities—new challenges, significant milestones and moments of growth.  This term will see our student leadership group begin their journey, taking up the mantle with great enthusiasm and a commitment to serving our school community.

We are also well into the Year 12 HSC examination period, which commenced smoothly on Tuesday 14 October.  Our Year 12 students have approached this pivotal time with maturity and focus, a continuation of the exceptional way they concluded their final term last term.  Their positivity, their gratitude and their love for the School shone through in every aspect of their final weeks with us.  The friendships they have forged, the experiences they have shared and the deep appreciation they expressed for the support they’ve received have been inspiring to witness.

At the Year 12 Graduation, this strong theme of gratitude was beautifully articulated by our School Captains and Dux in their outstanding speeches.  Their words spoke not only of their personal journeys but of the enduring impact of their time here, a testament to the bonds and values that have shaped them.  As they continue into this next phase, we can be proud of the legacy they leave behind—a legacy of integrity, friendship and heartfelt gratitude.

With Term 4 filled with camps, exams and a wide array of activities, I encourage all of you to make the most of every opportunity and to approach each challenge with the same positivity and resilience that have defined our Year 12 students. 

Wishing you all a wonderful Term.

The Positive Power of Gratitude in our Lives

At our Graduation Ceremony our student leaders articulately expressed their gratitude for all that Kinross Wolaroi and their families have done for them throughout their educational journey.  Gratitude can have such a powerful and positive impact on our daily lives and can be described as the practice of recognising and appreciating the positive aspects of life.  It has emerged as a cornerstone of wellbeing in contemporary psychological research.  Across numerous studies and academic literature, gratitude has been shown to yield significant benefits in personal, social, emotional and psychological domains. I wish to explore these benefits, drawing upon four key pieces of academic research, to demonstrate how the cultivation of gratitude can enhance individual wellbeing and strengthen interpersonal relationships.

Personal Benefits of Gratitude

Gratitude enhances personal wellbeing by promoting a positive outlook on life, fostering resilience and improving mental health.  According to Emmons and McCullough (2003), individuals who regularly practice gratitude tend to experience higher levels of happiness and satisfaction with life.  In their study, participants who kept weekly gratitude journals reported more optimism about the future and exhibited fewer physical symptoms of stress, such as headaches or fatigue, compared to those who focused on negative or neutral life events. This suggests that gratitude not only improves one’s subjective wellbeing but also contributes to better physical health.

Moreover, gratitude has been linked to increased psychological resilience.  Research by Algoe et al (2010) demonstrated that grateful individuals are better able to cope with adversity and bounce back from negative experiences.  By focusing on what is positive and recognising the support one has received from others, individuals can reframe challenges in a more constructive light, which enhances their ability to navigate difficulties.

Social Benefits of Gratitude

Gratitude plays a crucial role in social bonding and the strengthening of interpersonal relationships.  The social benefits of gratitude are well-documented in the literature, particularly in studies that examine the role of gratitude in enhancing empathy, fostering prosocial behaviour and building trust.  Algoe and Haidt (2009) found that expressing gratitude strengthens relationships by reinforcing social ties and increasing feelings of connectedness.  When individuals express gratitude to others, it fosters a sense of reciprocity and goodwill, leading to more meaningful and supportive relationships.

Additionally, research by Bartlett and DeSteno (2006) indicates that gratitude enhances prosocial behaviour, motivating individuals to engage in acts of kindness and generosity toward others.  The study found that participants who were induced to feel grateful were more likely to help others, even when doing so was inconvenient or required personal sacrifice.  This suggests that gratitude not only fosters stronger relationships but also contributes to the development of a more altruistic and compassionate society.

Emotional Benefits of Gratitude

Emotionally, gratitude is associated with higher levels of positive affect and lower levels of negative emotions such as envy, resentment and regret.  In their landmark study, Emmons and McCullough (2003) found that participants who practiced gratitude experienced greater joy, enthusiasm, and contentment, while reporting fewer feelings of sadness and depression.  By focusing on what is good in life, individuals can shift their emotional focus away from negative comparisons or perceived deficiencies, leading to more positive emotional states.

Moreover, gratitude has been shown to enhance emotional regulation, enabling individuals to manage their emotions more effectively. According to Wood et al.  (2010), grateful individuals are better able to recognise and appreciate the positive aspects of their experiences, even in difficult situations.  This emotional regulation contributes to a more balanced and stable emotional life, as individuals who practice gratitude are less likely to become overwhelmed by negative emotions.

Psychological Benefits of Gratitude

Psychologically, gratitude is closely linked to enhanced mental health and wellbeing.  Studies have shown that gratitude interventions can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety while improving overall psychological functioning.  Seligman et al (2005) conducted a study in which participants wrote letters of gratitude to individuals who had positively impacted their lives.  The researchers found that this simple intervention led to significant reductions in depressive symptoms and increased feelings of wellbeing, with effects lasting up to a month after the intervention.

Furthermore, gratitude has been shown to increase self-esteem and a sense of personal accomplishment.  Wood, Froh, and Geraghty (2010) found that individuals who express gratitude regularly feel more valued and appreciated, which boosts their self-esteem and confidence.  This sense of self-worth, in turn, promotes psychological wellbeing by reducing feelings of inadequacy and fostering a more positive self-image.

The practice of gratitude offers a wide array of personal, social, emotional and psychological benefits.  By fostering a positive outlook, enhancing relationships, regulating emotions and improving mental health, gratitude serves as a powerful tool for promoting wellbeing.  As demonstrated by the academic literature, gratitude interventions can have lasting positive effects on individuals’ lives, making gratitude a vital component of a fulfilling and meaningful existence.

Bibliography

Algoe, SB, & Haidt, J (2009).  Witnessing excellence in action: The ‘other-praising’ emotions of elevation, gratitude, and admiration.  Journal of Positive Psychology, 4(2), 105–127.

Bartlett, MY, & DeSteno, D (2006).  Gratitude and prosocial behaviour: Helping when it costs you.  Psychological Science, 17(4), 319–325.

Emmons, RA, & McCullough, ME (2003).  Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life.  Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389.

Seligman, MEP, Steen, TA, Park, N & Peterson, C (2005).  Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions.  American Psychologist, 60(5), 410–421.

Wood, AM, Froh, JJ, & Geraghty, AWA (2010). Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration.  Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 890–905.

Staff Update

New Staff

Mrs Angela Malone returns to the English Faculty having worked here from 2009-2011 and again from 2015-2018.  She is replacing Ms Tracy Dawson.

Angela is a professional painter, currently exhibiting at King Street Gallery on William, as well as a published novelist, and celebrated poet.  Whilst she is currently enjoying teaching Art and Junior English at James Sheahan Catholic High School, Angela is keen to channel her literary creativity into Senior and Extension English, as well as continue to share her passion and enthusiasm for critical appreciation and writing with both junior and senior students.

Welcome Back

• Ms Zoe Morris – Junior School – returning from Maternity Leave.
• Mr Peter Stevens – Language Teacher – returning from LSL

Staff on Leave

• Ms Jess Boland – Term 4 – Junior School – completing her fourth year teaching practicum on Year 5 at OPS
• Mrs Claudia McCalman – Term 4, Terms 1, 2, 3 2025 – Senior Years Co-Ordinator
• Mr Bruce Paine – Term 4 – Careers’ Adviser and History Teacher
• Mrs Kathryn Northam – continues her LSL for Term 4 – Mathematics Teacher

New Responsibilities

•          Ms Amanda Dodson – Project Leader – Academic Programs

•          Ms Alex Dunkley – Acting Senior Years Co-Ordinator

•          Mr Will Waterson – Acting Year 7 Co-Ordinator

Congratulations

Rowing

Kinross Wolaroi School has been nominated for the Rowing Program of the Year Award at the 2024 Hancock Prospecting Rower of the Year Awards (Rowing Australia Awards) to be held in Queensland in November.  This is an outstanding achievement for a school, particularly in an Olympic year.