Around the Senior School

Tom McIsaac Swims for Ronald McDonald House

Tom McIsaac had a goal this month to swim 15km over 30 days to raise money for Ronald McDonald House (which is a charity he chose as they did a lot for the McIsaac family when Tom was in hospital). 

This week Tom finished his swim, having raised over $8000 for the charity – which is incredible! As we know, Tom doesn’t like too much of a fuss, but it is such a massive achievement, especially with his busy schedule during the week. We had a little crowd to support Tom on his final laps, and I have attached some photos. 

I also wanted to say a massive thank you to Brandon Lawrence for all he does for Tom in the pool and for helping him reach his goal! 

Ms Brooke Hamilton

Head of Dean House

HSC Visual Arts Showcase 2026

There is lots of energy at the moment in the Visual Arts Department as our wonderfully creative Year 12 students put the finishing touches on their Bodies of Work. The kiln is running, the etching press is in hot demand, and the smell of turps is in the air! 

Please come along to the Showcase on the second Friday of Term 3 - 31 July, 6:00pm - 8:00pm. As in the past, there will be delicious catering by the Hospitality students, and music accompaniment will be provided by a range of Music students, whose reputation I cannot over-sell! It should be a wonderful evening celebrating the efforts of staff and students and marvelling at the thoughtful, creative and highly skilled art on display. See you there!

Andrew​ Orme‑Smith

Head of Department Visual Arts

Felix Koeppen from Lakefield Land Surveyors visits Year 9 Mathematics Scholars

On Tues 23 June, the Year 9 Mathematics Scholars class were very fortunate to be visited by Felix Koeppen, who is a local Registered Surveyor from Lakefield Land Surveyors.

Felix was incredibly generous with his time and provided the students with a wonderful opportunity to get some hands-on experience with the use and application of various Maths concepts which they have been studying in their Mathematics Scholars course.

Felix demonstrated various pieces of technology that he uses every day as part of his work as a surveyor, and the class were able to use the equipment complete a 3D scan of the Wolaroi Mansion.

Felix answered many questions from the class and spoke about the work he carries out as a surveyor, and the various opportunities that are available in his industry. 

We are extremely grateful to Felix for taking the time to visit our 9 Mathematics Scholars class and sharing his passion and knowledge with us. 

He certainly has sparked the interest of our Maths Scholars, who are encouraged to look further into the opportunities available in the world of surveying.

June 2025 – July 2026 Gap Staff Farewell

As the term draws to a close, we farewell our four Gap students as they complete their 12-month journey as members of the Kinross Wolaroi School staff team.

Arriving from the United Kingdom and Ireland in July last year, they quickly became valued members of our community, embracing every opportunity that school life had to offer. Throughout the year, they have contributed generously with their time, energy, enthusiasm and talents, enriching the experiences of our students and staff alike.

From supporting learning in classrooms and boarding houses, to coaching sporting teams, assisting with co-curricular programmes, attending camps and excursions, and contributing to the many day-to-day activities that make our school such a vibrant community, each has made a significant and lasting contribution.

Beyond their official roles, they have built meaningful relationships with students and staff, shared their own cultures and experiences, and become actively involved in the wider Orange community. Their positive influence, sense of humour and willingness to get involved have been greatly appreciated by all who have worked alongside them.

We thank Kate Poulton, Alexa Massingham, Poppy Crouch and Rory Golden for their outstanding contribution to Kinross Wolaroi School and wish them every success and happiness in their future endeavours.

Below, each of our Gap staff members reflects on their time at Kinross Wolaroi and the experiences they will take with them from this memorable year.

Kate Poulton

Home: Bristol, England

Gap Year: July 2025 – June 2026

Top Three Highlights

• Coaching cricket and rugby, where the boys’ enthusiasm and sense of humour made every session enjoyable.
• Supporting the girls in Prep and building meaningful relationships with them throughout the year.
• Travelling throughout Australia and New Zealand’s South Island during the holidays, while meeting many interesting people along the way.

Co-curricular Involvement and Achievements

Cricket

U14 Renegades

• Coached the team to a successful season, culminating in winning the competition.

Rugby

U16B Boys Rugby

• Celebrated the team’s first victory in two seasons, a particularly rewarding achievement for both players and coaches.

Favourite Excursion: Cadet Camp

The Cadet Camp was a standout experience, providing opportunities for challenge, teamwork and personal growth.

Favourite Day-to-Day Activity: Supporting Pre-Kindergarten

Working with the Pre-K students was the most rewarding part of daily school life, offering the chance to contribute to their learning and development while building strong connections with the children.

Community Sport Involvement: Orange City Cricket Club

• Participated in the Women’s Social Competition, Women’s T20 Competition and Men’s 4th Grade team.
• Enjoyed meeting people from the local community and developing cricket skills, particularly learning the Australian approach to bowling.

Final Reflection

My gap year at Kinross Wolaroi has been an incredibly rewarding and memorable experience. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that you truly get out of the experience what you put into it. I have been fortunate to meet so many kind and supportive people and to work with wonderful students across the school. The relationships I have built and the experiences I have had have taught me a great deal, both personally and professionally. I will look back on my time at Kinross Wolaroi School with great appreciation and gratitude.

Alexa Massingham

Home: Cheltenham, England

Gap Year: July 2025 – June 2026

Top Three Highlights

• Travelling to Melbourne to experience the Australian Open.
• Spending Christmas road-tripping around New Zealand’s North Island with a friend from school.
• Hosting a traditional roast dinner with Poppy for all the gap students.

Co-curricular Involvement and Achievements

Netball

U15C Netball (2025)

• Coached the team to the second round of the Grand Finals.

U17M Netball (2026)

• Coached the team to a strong season, currently sitting third on the competition ladder.

Tennis

Social Tennis Assistant Coach (2025–2026)

• Assisted with coaching and supporting students in the social tennis programme.

Rowing

• Participated in weekly junior rowing fitness sessions, supporting student development and maintaining personal fitness.

Favourite Excursion: Bundanon Art Retreat

A memorable two-night retreat to Bundanon, where we stayed in the award-winning Bridge accommodation, visited the art museum and participated in a range of interactive activities. Highlights included observing local wildlife, including kangaroos and a wombat, in a beautiful natural setting.

Favourite Day-to-Day Role

Coaching Netball

Coaching netball was the most rewarding aspect of my role. It was fulfilling to take ownership of a team, support the development of players and see students apply skills and strategies from training sessions in weekend matches. It also provided valuable opportunities to work directly with students and build positive relationships.

Rowing Sheds

Working at the rowing sheds was another favourite part of the role, offering the opportunity to work at Spring Creek and develop a different set of practical skills in a unique environment.

Community Sport Involvement

Emus Netball Club – Division 2

Kinross Staff Netball Team

Participating in local sporting teams was a fantastic way to connect with people both within Kinross and the wider Orange community who shared similar interests. It provided an enjoyable way to stay active during evenings and weekends and was often the perfect way to finish the day after coaching and umpiring commitments at PCYC.

In addition, I participated in the Orange Running Festival, which was another enjoyable opportunity to engage with the local community.

Final Reflection

My gap year at KWS has been an unforgettable experience. From creating a home on the other side of the world and travelling throughout Australia to building friendships and connections with incredible people, every aspect of the year has been immensely rewarding. The experiences, opportunities and relationships I have gained will stay with me for years to come. I have no regrets and would gladly do it all again if given the chance.

Poppy Crouch

Home: Sidmouth, Devon, United Kingdom

Gap Year: July 2025 – June 2026

Top Three Highlights

• Sharing regular gap student dinners, particularly the much-anticipated traditional roast dinners.
• Participating in early morning swim sessions with Jonesy, which became a memorable part of daily life at Kinross Wolaroi. 
• Attending the Hong Kong Sevens, an unforgettable sporting and cultural experience.

Co-curricular Involvement

Water Polo

• Assisted with coaching and supporting students in the water polo programme.

Netball

• Coached and supported students across the netball programme, contributing to both skill development and team culture.

Favourite Excursions

Bundanon Art Excursion

The Bundanon Art Excursion was a standout experience, combining creative learning opportunities with the chance to explore a unique cultural and natural environment.

Swimming Meets

Attending swimming meets provided exciting opportunities to support students as they competed and represented the school.

Favourite Day-to-Day Role

Coaching Netball

Coaching netball was particularly rewarding. The enthusiasm and energy of the students made every session enjoyable, and it was a privilege to support their growth and development throughout the season.

General Duties

The variety of day-to-day responsibilities was another highlight. Each day presented new challenges and experiences, making the role both engaging and unpredictable.

Community Sport Involvement

Mixed Signals Social Team

Emus Netball Club

Playing for both Mixed Signals and Emus provided valuable opportunities to become involved in the local community and build friendships beyond the school environment. It also strengthened relationships with staff and colleagues at Kinross Wolaroi School, with a shared sense of competitiveness and teamwork helping to create lasting connections.

Final Reflection

My year at Kinross Wolaroi has been an incredibly valuable and transformative experience. It has challenged me to navigate uncertainty with confidence while broadening my understanding of different cultures, perspectives and ways of life. Through working with a diverse range of students, staff and community members, I have developed relationships and experiences that I will carry with me long into the future. Without this opportunity, I would not have had the privilege of working alongside such an inspiring group of people, many of whom I am certain will remain lifelong friends.

Rory Golden

Home: Bandon, County Cork, Ireland

Gap Year: July 2025 – June 2026

Top Three Highlights

• Travelling throughout Australia and Asia, meeting new people, exploring diverse destinations and experiencing different cultures.
• Participating in Cadet Camp, which provided memorable challenges and opportunities for personal growth.
• Coaching and playing football, both of which were highly rewarding aspects of life at the School.

Co-curricular Involvement and Achievements

Rugby

• Coached the Under 14s rugby team in 2025 and the Under 15s team in 2026, supporting students in developing their skills, teamwork and enjoyment of the game.

Touch Football

Junior B Team

• Coached the team to a Grand Final victory, a highlight of the sporting year.

Favourite Excursion

History Excursion to Sydney

The History Excursion to Sydney was a standout experience, providing an engaging opportunity to explore significant historical sites and deepen understanding beyond the classroom.

Favourite Day-to-Day Role

Woodwork assisting Year 8 students 

Working in the Woodwork Department was a particularly enjoyable part of daily life at Kinross Wolaroi. The hands-on nature of the work, combined with the opportunity to learn practical skills and work alongside staff and students, made it a rewarding experience.

Community Sport Involvement

OzTag

• Played two seasons of both Men's and Mixed OzTag competitions.
• Participation provided a great way to stay active, socialise and remain involved in the local community throughout the week.

Molong Magpies Rugby Club

• Played rugby with the Molong Magpies, enjoying both the competitive and social aspects of the club.
• The camaraderie, team culture and memorable personalities involved made the experience particularly enjoyable.

Final Reflection

My time at Kinross Wolaroi School has been one of the most rewarding and memorable years of my life. Throughout the year, I have had the opportunity to meet incredible people, develop greater confidence and experience opportunities that I would never have encountered otherwise. The friendships, experiences and personal growth that have come from this year are things I will carry with me long into the future. I am extremely grateful for everything Kinross Wolaroi has provided and will look back on this experience with great appreciation and fondness.