From the Principal

A Celebration of Athleticism, Community and Fine Sportsmanship

Last Saturday we hosted our great rugby rivals, St Stanislaus' College in the final fixture for the 2024 ISA season.  An impressive crowd witnessed many excellent matches and tremendous spirit from both school communities.  Sport has a unique power to unite school communities, bringing students, families and ex-students together in celebration of shared success.  These events create a vibrant community spirit, where friendships are strengthened, and families come together to support their loved ones.  The shared experience of cheering, celebrating victories, and standing by each other fosters deep connections, reinforcing the bonds that make our school community so special.

I wish to reflect on the outstanding manner in which our students represented the School this past weekend.  As many of you would be aware the Stannies match, our local derby, is one eagerly looked forward to by our players, families and broader community.  We were treated to some fabulous, well contested matches where Kinross Wolaroi experienced considerable success on the day.  Though the 1st XV result didn’t go our way in the final moments, the way our student body and school community responded to the immense disappointment made me prouder than any victory could have.

The atmosphere on Saturday was tremendous, full of energy, enthusiasm and positivity.  From the moment the matches began, the support and encouragement for our school teams was most impressive.  The cheering was loud, vibrant and positive, and our students’ energy and commitment shown in encouraging our players, regardless of the score, demonstrated a spirit of unity and school pride that was truly commendable.

Not only did our students support our teams with passion, but they also did it with class.  They upheld the values of sportsmanship that are so deeply ingrained in our school’s ethos. They celebrated the successes of our teams with joy, and when faced with setbacks or defeat, they responded with grace. This is what it means to be part of our community.  Sport is not just about winning, though we strive to win and be successful, sport provides an opportunity to test ourselves and to reveal our character.  It’s about how we conduct ourselves, how we treat others, and how we embody the values that make our school a special place. 

I want to particularly commend the student body for the way they handled the final moments of our 1st XV match.  Victory was within our grasp, only to be snatched away in those tense final minutes. The disappointment was palpable, and yet, in that moment of heartbreak, they showed their true character.  Rather than letting frustration take over, they maintained their composure.  They applauded the efforts of both teams, recognising the hard work, dedication and sportsmanship that had been on display.

This is the mark of true sportsmanship—understanding that the game is about more than the scoreline, that respect for your opponents and for the game itself is paramount.  Our students’ behaviour was a reflection of the values we hold dear as a school.  They demonstrated that, even in the face of disappointment, we can hold our heads high, support one another and honour the spirit of competition.  Equally, the students of St Stanislaus' are to be strongly commended on their spirit of sportsmanship and the manner in which they accepted their victory.  The day was a great celebration of school sport.

The way our students presented in their school uniforms on the day also deserves special mention.  It was clear that you took pride in representing our school, and this was most evident in the way you carried yourselves.  Our tidy and neat appearance was a statement in itself, showing that you understand the importance of being ambassadors for our school.  When we wear our uniform, we are not just wearing clothes, we are embodying the great values and traditions of our community.  The way we presented ourselves was a credit to the school and to each and every one of you as individuals.

The sports events we share are not just competitions; they are powerful opportunities to build school spirit and foster a strong sense of community.  This was evident in your loud, enthusiastic, and positive cheering, and in the heartfelt singing that echoed across the ground in support of our teams.  What a wonderful way to conclude our rugby season! The presence of so many from the local community, along with parents and ex-students, created an atmosphere of camaraderie and pride.  I have no doubt that they all left the ground immensely proud of our school.

While the result of the 1st XV match may not have been what we had hoped for, the day was nonetheless a resounding success.  Across the board, we celebrated numerous victories against our great rival. But beyond the wins on the scoreboard, the real triumph was in the way our students conducted themselves—as competitors, as supporters and as representatives of our school.  The respect you showed, the sportsmanship you displayed, and the unity you brought to the day are things of which you should all be immensely proud.

So, congratulations to all present on the day.  You have shown what it means to be part of the Kinross Wolaroi School community, to wear the two blues with pride, and to uphold the values that define us. Thank you for your commitment, your support and your outstanding conduct.  You have set a standard for others to follow, and you have made our school proud.