Around the Senior School
Northern Territory Cultural Immersion Experience
From Mr Lee Taylor, Head of Indigenous Education
In the final week of Term 2, students from Kinross Wolaroi School took part in a powerful cultural immersion trip to the Northern Territory. This enriching experience was a collaborative camp involving students from Abbotsleigh, PLC Pymble, Scots College Sydney, and Calrossy Anglican School.
The journey began in Darwin, where students travelled to Litchfield National Park. Highlights included visiting the stunning Florence Falls and the fascinating Magnetic Termite Mounds—natural wonders that sparked curiosity and appreciation for the unique Northern Territory landscape.
From Litchfield, the group travelled to a remote Homeland outside of Katherine, where they stayed for three nights. During this time, students engaged deeply with First Nations culture, learning about the distinct roles of men and women, visiting culturally significant sites, going fishing, and participating in activities that fostered understanding of Indigenous customs, traditions, and connection to Country.
This immersive experience provided students with invaluable insights, strengthened inter-school relationships, and encouraged respectful cultural exchange. It was a journey of learning, reflection, and growth that will leave a lasting impact on all who participated.
Great Barrier Reef Adventure!
From Ms Holly Triggs, Academic Staff
Our Year 10-12 Biology and Geography students have just returned from an unforgettable 4-day expedition to Cairns – a deep dive into one of the world’s most unique and fragile ecosystems: The Great Barrier Reef!
From interactive coral reef presentations to guided snorkelling with marine biologists, students explored real-world applications of ecological science, climate change impacts, Indigenous land and sea management, and sustainability in action.
Highlights included:
- Day 1: Arrival and orientation, followed by an engaging reef ecology presentation covering coral bleaching, climate resilience, and Indigenous Sea country knowledge.
- Day 2: A ferry trip to Fitzroy Island – exploring fringing coral reefs, visiting the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, snorkelling with marine naturalists, and collecting real-time data for the University of Queensland’s Coral Watch.
- Day 3: A voyage to the outer reef and floating pontoon with Reef Magic. Students conducted a Rapid Monitoring Survey, analysed water samples under microscopes, dissected Crown-of-Thorns starfish, and learned about reef restoration and sustainable practices with Traditional Owners aboard a glass-bottom boat.
- Day 4: Immersion in Ecofiesta Cairns, local markets and sustainable tourism. Students gave back to the community by assembling comfort packs for those in need, learning the importance of social sustainability alongside environmental stewardship.
Students left inspired, educated, and more connected to the natural world than ever. A huge thanks to our staff, guides, and the Traditional Owners for sharing their knowledge and country with us.
Year 9 Changing Places Excursion
From Mrs Sarah O'Gorman, Academic Staff and the HSIE T
At the end of Term 2, our Year 9 students stepped out of the classroom and into the real world for an engaging and insightful Changing Places excursion. The day was a brilliant blend of geography, local pride, civic engagement, and a little bit of foodie fun — all set in the vibrant heart of Orange!
🌇 Morning: Exploring People, Place & Purpose
Our morning kicked off in the Glasshouse with a powerhouse lineup of guest speakers who shared their stories, experiences, and insights into how Orange is growing, changing, and thriving.
🎤 Charlotte Gundry – Tourism Lead, Orange City CouncilCharlotte’s passion for regional Australia is as bold as a Blayney breeze! She spoke about how tourism in Orange is far more than wine weekends – it's a strategic driver of regional prosperity. From FOOD Week to future plans at Lake Canobolas, students were surprised by how much goes into shaping a visitor-friendly town that people might one day want to call home.
🎤 Phil Donato MP – Member for Orange
Phil brought a real-world political perspective, sharing how his policing background led to parliament, and how fast rail and infrastructure are shaping the region’s future. His talk on liveable housing and connectivity to Sydney sparked lively student questions about what it takes to make a regional city competitive and compelling.
🎤 Anthony O’Gorman – Real Estate Agent, Mosman (via Teams)
Broadcasting in from Sydney, Anthony explored how lifestyle changes post-COVID have seen a “city to country” movement. Students were fascinated by the contrasts between the Sydney and Orange property markets — and how hybrid work has made places like Orange more desirable than ever!
🎤 Summer Commins – Town Planner, business owner and KWS Mum
With 25+ years of experience, Summer gave students a peek into how maps, development plans, and smart design create communities that work. She challenged students to consider the future of Orange – and how town planning affects everything from playgrounds to public transport.
🥐 Recess & Real-World Research
After a quick break, our geographers hit the streets with clipboards and curiosity. In pairs, students surveyed locals and visitors, exploring why people live in or move to Orange. They mapped the shops along Summer Street, documenting everything from sushi stalls to sneaker stores – capturing a real picture of what Orange has to offer.
Some common responses from residents?“I moved for the lifestyle” 💚“It’s close to family” 🧡“It’s peaceful and still has great cafes” ☕
🍱 Lunch: Tasting the World in One Food Court
Students enjoyed lunch at the Orange City Centre, exploring the multicultural variety of cuisine available. From kebabs to curries and bánh mì to burgers, they learned that even a food court can reflect the changing cultural identity of a regional town.
🚌 Afternoon: Fieldwork on the Move
In the afternoon, we regrouped at Robertson Park, where Mr Liam Callaghan walked students through the urban development of Orange. Then, booklets in hand, we boarded the bus and set off to explore different suburbs:
🏡 Cook Park – older, established homes with heritage character🏘️ North Orange – new developments and growing communities
Field sketches and observational notes gave students the chance to see how housing, layout, and infrastructure evolve as cities expand.
📚 What Did They Learn?
Students walked away with a deeper understanding of:✔️ How tourism, housing, and infrastructure shape a community✔️ Why people move from cities to regional areas✔️ The role of government, planning, and private industry✔️ How Orange is changing — and why that matters
A huge thank you to all our guest speakers, survey participants, and especially the students — who represented Kinross Wolaroi with maturity, respect, and curiosity. We’re excited to use the data gathered to build insightful projects back in the classroom.
If your child came home buzzing with ideas about place and possibility — you now know why!