Around the Junior School

Terrariums in Year 2

On Monday, 26 May, Year 2 students explored how plants can survive in a closed environment by creating their very own terrariums. 

Using clear containers, soil, rocks, and small plants, each student built a mini garden that functions as its own self-sustaining ecosystem. Through our observations, we discovered the water cycle in action: plants released moisture through a process called transpiration, which then formed water droplets on the inside of the container (condensation). 

These droplets eventually dripped back into the soil, keeping the plants alive—just like rainfall in nature! This hands-on experiment helped students understand how ecosystems work and how the water cycle supports plant life. It was a wonderful blend of science, curiosity, and creativity!

Year 3 - Excursion to the Orange Regional Museum

On Friday 30 May, Year 3 visited the Orange Regional Museum. Year 3 took part in the Inherit exhibition which looked at the history of the Central West, with a particular focus on the indigenous heritage of Mount Canobolas. Year 3 learnt about the geography of the area, observing and classifying types of rock that were found in the area. 

In a second workshop, Year 3 learnt about how technology has changed over the years. They thoroughly enjoying looking at the artefacts that were used in schools and homes many years ago and comparing these technologies to what we have available now.  

Stage 2 Interschool STEM Challenge 2025

On Tuesday 20 May 12 students from Kinross Wolaroi, Orange Anglican Grammar School and Orange Christian School participated in the Stage 2 Interschool STEM Challenge hosted by our Junior School.

Every student was paired with a student from another school, developing their teamwork, communication and collaboration skills. The pairings worked through three challenges during the day. They were:

• Creating a LEGO pinball machine
• Building the tallest tower using spaghetti and marshmallows
• Building a Sphero robot to pop balloons

After lunch the students’ robots were put through the Balloon Course to see which robot could pop the most balloons. The day finished with some student reflection and teacher feedback on the activities and the day as a whole.

Student engagement was high, with all students demonstrating creative thinking, showing great perseverance and enjoying the challenges that they faced.

Mrs Muriel Fatai

JS Leader of Technology and Innovation 

Kinder Millthorpe Museum Excursion 

On Wednesday 28 May, our Kindergarten classes enjoyed a wonderful day at Millthorpe Museum, enriching our history studies. The students delved into the past, discovering old-fashioned toys, the evolution of machinery, and what school life was like a century ago. They experimented with writing using quills and blackboards, and experienced the stern teaching methods of a nun instructing children of all ages in a single room. What a stark contrast to today's schooling! 

The children also flexed their muscles doing laundry the old-fashioned way, using a scrubbing board and metal iron. They observed the blacksmith working the bellows in the forge, made phone calls with quirky-looking buttons, and sorted eggs with a hand-operated machine. The day concluded with lunch and playtime at the park. 

It was a fantastic day filled with learning and fun for everyone! 

Kids' Lit National Final

Claire Gordon, Olive McLaurin, Nick Strahorn and Joshua Westcott represented KWS and the Central West at the National Final for the Kids’ Lit Quiz on Monday 2nd June at the Glebe Town Hall. 

Competing against 15 other teams from around the country, our amazing Year 6 students not only had to give an accurate answer to secure two points but had to be the fastest on the buzzer. If they got an incorrect answer, it set them back one point. The questions were not only long but extremely cryptic and the categories varied from Author Biographies to Mother Goose! Everyone in the room struggled to name the author of the Tashi series (if only our Year 2 Tashi class could be there to save the day!). 

Although our students didn’t come home with the National trophy and therefore won’t be attending the world final in South Africa, they were fabulous ambassadors for our School and gained much from the experience. 

CWA Speaking Competition

This year, Kinross Wolaroi was proudly represented at the annual CWA Speaking Competition by a group of articulate and confident students from Years 3 to 6. Winona Wade represented Year 6, Nikhil Prasad and Emily McGreal represented Year 5, Ivy Coleman represented Year 4, and Chloe Shillington represented Year 3.

Each student delivered a thoughtfully composed and engaging speech, demonstrating their growing public speaking skills and representing our school with pride, confidence, and integrity.

A special mention must be made of Ivy Coleman, who was successfully selected to progress to the next level, the Central Western Division Inter-Group Public Speaking Competition. This is a remarkable achievement, and we commend Ivy for her outstanding effort.

We extend our warmest congratulations to all participants and thank them for their commitment and enthusiasm.

Year 1- Light Stations

Senior School Science Lab - 29.5.25

This week in science Year One were investigating light. Students were excited to visit the Senior School Science Lab where Mr McLennan had organised a number of light stations for exploration along with the help of Year 12 science students.

Year One were involved with five different hands-on light stations, having their own personalised ‘Questacon’ light experiences! These stations had students learning that light is a form of energy that travels in waves and can be seen as different colours. Students learned that we can see things because light reflects off objects and enters our eyes. The light stations highlighted the idea that light reflects off everything we can see. A favourite activity was the laser beam maze, where light from laser beams reflected off the smoke allowing the students to navigate the laser beam maze. Another favourite was an opportunity for students to refract light with different lenses and mirrors! Students were amazed when they looked at symbols through a beaker of water and the changes this made to the symbols. This was an activity they were keen to demonstrate to family at home. 

Year One would like to thank Mr McLennan for taking the time to help them learn more about light and use some very sophisticated scientific equipment. Science is definitely a favourite subject in Year One. 

Pegasus National Mythology Exam Results

In Semester 2, 2024, we introduced a Classical Mythology enrichment program to students in Years 4, 5 & 6. The study of mythology allows us to understand our world, global literature, and art while also helping us to make classical connections to contemporary culture.  We were extremely impressed by the enthusiasm, curiosity and engagement that came to life through participation in this program. 

16 of our students in the program, chose to continue studying over the summer holidays to participate in the Pegasus Mythology Examination in early 2025. The Pegasus National Mythology Exam is given annually to over 6,000 students in approximately 450 schools nationally and internationally. The exam involved 30-40 questions related to Greek and Roman myths, gods, and goddesses, including Prometheus, Pandora, Deucalion, Selene, Pan, and the Muses.

A huge congratulations to all students who participated, demonstrating a studious and scholarly approach to learning. We welcome Junior parents to join us at assembly in Week 7 for a formal presentation and recognition of the following students: 

Our Classical Mythology Program will be running again in Semester 2 this year. We look forward to more robust discussions and adventures of heroism, trickery, philosophy, and values. 

Amanda Dodson

Director, Assistant Head of Junior School

Project Leader: Academic Projects P-10

Merit Awards - Term 2 Weeks 2 and 4 

K Nemo

• Patrick Lawn – For making insightful contributions to class discussions.
• Ivor Matheson – For demonstrating a strong commitment to learning and a persistent effort in improving his reading skills
• Clancy Lees – For improved letter formation
• Thomas Rourke – For quick and accurate answers during maths daily reviews

K Bees

• Maggie Meachin – For consistent effort in the classroom and taking on challenges. Well done!
• Vivaan Thapa – For being kind, responsible, and always ready to learn. Keep up the great work!
• Thomas Mullins – For demonstrating a strong commitment to learning. Keep up the great work.
• James Commins – For consistent effort in the classroom and takin on challenges. Well done!

1 Eco-Octonauts

• Milly Byrne – For active listening manners
• Oliver Hassall – For fast facts for 'Explode a Number.'
• Rocco Taylor – For partitioning numbers and using a numeral expander for 2-digit numbers
• Hannah Keir – For super spelling and work with homophones
• Annabelle Coleman – For consistent effort in all areas of school work
• Max Rule – For improved handwriting
• Hayden Castledine- For fact families in Maths work
• Viaan Bohra – For Fluent Reading in reading group activities 

2 Tashi

• Remi Mortimer – For demonstrating good understanding and application of place value in Mathematics, and for engaging positively and thoughtfully in role play during our recent UR Strong workshop.
• Maya Knox - For consistently trying her best in all learning tasks and being a kind, cooperative classmate who works well with all her peers. 
• Cameron Day – For always being a helpful and reliable classmate and for putting great effort into learning different addition strategies.
• Mac Colebourn – For contributing thoughtful ideas during classroom discussions and showing a growth mindset when exploring different mathematical strategies to solve the same addition problem.

2 Wall-E

• Betty Stewart - For making thoughtful predictions and showing excellent engagement during our class book George’s Marvellous Medicine, and for always being kind and inclusive towards others.
• Nate Butchard - For showing great effort and improvement in his letter formation, and for trying his best to stay focused and ready to learn during class.
• William Lai - For consistently demonstrating respectful behaviour, showing a keen interest in learning, and being kind to his friends.

3 Wandi

• Camilla Haynes – For working extra hard at home and within the classroom to improve mathematical knowledge
• Louis Zhang – For quiet dedication to his work and for seeking feedback to improve his learning
• Lincoln Morley – For his contributions to class discussions and for sharing his knowledge with his peers
• Ruby Whittemore – For her work in maths in learning about reading time to the nearest minute

3 Kimmi

• Darby Mullins – For a positive and settled start to Term 2 and a commitment to hear learning. Keep it up!
• Grace Keir – For showing resilience and persistence in all subject areas and for not giving up after the first go.
• Samuel Milliken – For working hard to persevere in Maths and for not giving up after the first go. Well done on your commitment to your learning. 
• Elsie McLaurin – For Demonstrating the wellbeing focus for this week and bringing joy to our classroom each day. 

4 Mumble

• Edith Toohey – For outstanding commitment to learning, demonstrated through active class participation and helping peers.
• Tom van Gilst – For his exceptional ability to bring joy and fun to our class, while maintaining a respectful and considerate attitude towards peers and staff.
• Harrison Kirchler – For persisting in a range of tasks and displaying the initiative to ask for help when needed.
• Frankie Rohr – For consistently displaying an excellent effort in all subject areas and a willingness to make valuable contributions to class discussions.
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5 Lin

• Alec Stewart – For his settled start to Term 2. Alec has shown dedication and enthusiasm in all areas of the classroom, particularly in our novel study of Wonder. Keep up your hard work!
• Lulu Widauer – For her all-round commitment to school life. Lulu works diligently in all lessons and is always kind, caring and helpful to her peers.
• Grace Monaghan – For her enthusiasm and engagement in all subjects. Grace brings a growth mindset to all lessons and is always up for a challenge! Keep up your hard work.
• Savidu Fernando – For asking lots of interesting questions about the book 'Wonder', clearly demonstrating his ability to comprehend the themes and events within the text.

5 Seed

• Kayley Lett – For her outstanding strength of character, consistently showing grit and determination in the classroom. Her resilience and perseverance are to be admired.
• Cerys Thomas – For her remarkable growth and resolve, always striving to give her best in everything she does. Her dedication and positive attitude are truly inspiring.
• Madeleine Russell – For demonstrating growing confidence and a strong sense of dedication to her schoolwork. Her increased focus and enthusiasm for learning are a credit to her commitment.
• Vimuth Karunagoda – Is to be commended for his persistent effort across all areas of learning. His determination to improve and positive attitude towards challenges are truly admirable.

6 Kiernan

• Marley Mitchell – For her continued dedication and growth mindset attitude towards all areas of learning. Marley is responsive to feedback and always produces work of a high standard. Keep up the brilliant work!
• Tom Gibson – For his consistent application to all areas of learning, in particular Mathematics. Tom has shown an eagerness for new concepts and approaches tasks with a growth mindset. Fantastic effort Tom!

6 The Cool Down

• Lachlan Hunt – For kicking off the term with impressive focus, solid commitment and a calm demeanour.
• Olive McLaurin – For exceptional writing that blends a powerful personal voice with striking creativity.

6 Oz Harvest

• Harry Sullivan – For Always being a courteous and eager student who displays a strong commitment to learning across all subjects in every lesson. Keep it up!
• Lawson Morgan – Demonstrating mature and thoughtful insights when involved in class discussion in English specifically with our learning about “Walk off Wave Hill’. Well done!