Message from 

the Principal

We have experienced a marvellous fortnight of achievement, success and service. Much has occurred that we should be very proud of and many continue to give of themselves for the betterment of others in our community.

Last week a number of events were held to celebrate International Women’s Day that were enthusiastically supported by many students and staff. Ms Robyn Youll, Mrs Jody Haydon, Mrs Di Chappel, Mrs Sue-Ann Gavin and the TREE team hosted a morning tea for Senior students and staff that provided an opportunity to hear from SJ Pienaar, the Managing Director of the Second Mouse Cheese Company. SJ shared the story of her journey from University to business owner and spoke of some of the challenges and joys of her experience. 

Year 3 hosted a very special breakfast in the Junior School where they spoke beautifully about the great contributions made by many women that ranged from those who have won the Nobel Prize to others who have had significant impact on local communities. It was also most heart warming to hear some share loving stories of appreciation for all that their mothers have done in setting such a fine example for them. 

I have been delighted by the genuine and passionate sense of service that is being demonstrated by our Prefect body. A central aspect of our Mission as a Uniting Church School is that we will empower our students to go out into the world to make meaningful contributions. We have all been most fortunate to experience an education such as we have here at KWS, so many in society do not have such opportunities, therefore it is most important that we understand that we all have a responsibility to use our good fortune in ways that will help improve the lives of others. 

Our Prefects continue to contribute to the fabric of school life in edifying and productive ways. Last week was a very busy one for them. They attended an after-school workshop on How to be an Upstander, participated in a day long conference in Dubbo on Developing and Applying Innovative Leadership Skills, and attended the International Women’s Day breakfast in the Junior School with our Year 3 students, where Ella Andrews spoke eloquently about equality and justice. This week they have another after school workshop with the Moderator of the Uniting Church, discussing issues of social justice that affect all young people. Dedication to their role plays out not only in their grand visions associated with their Portfolios, but daily with their inclusive natures, welcoming demeanours and diligence. I am proud of their incredible contribution within the School and how they represent us in the broader community. 

We are seeing so many students and staff giving of themselves for others in several areas within our School and broader community. Our TWIG team with guidance from Mrs Sue-Ann Gavin, Ms Natasha Terry-Armstrong and leadership of Ms Robyn Youll are baking every week to provide fresh slices and delicious treats for people in Orange who are in need. Some of our girl boarders assist the Uniting Church in Anson Street to serve over 100 hot meals each Saturday evening for those who are finding life very tough. Thank you to our students, and to Mrs Sally Rattray-Wood who is leading this wonderful example of practical service to our community.

Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave

The devastating effects of blood cancer, especially leukemia, is well known in our society, and sadly, in our School community. It is therefore even more special that this year, KWS World’s Greatest Shave Team raised nearly $37,000 placing them 11th in the whole country for fundraising. There were 22 Year 11 students and one staff member who participated, and their selflessness is to be congratulated. They are easily recognisable amongst us with their shaven heads or bobs … and no doubt their beanies in winter. 

Thank you to the School community for your amazing support over the Thursday and Friday of last week where the team raised an extra $250 from you towards their total. We should be proud as a school for the support we give this charity, and again, well done to everyone involved. A special thank you also to Mrs Claudia McCalman who has enthusiastically inspired our students in this most worthy cause.

Camerata Competitions

Congratulations to those students who performed in the Camerata Competition last Friday. The adjudicators were astonished by the high calibre of performance across both divisions and were full of praise for how our students conducted themselves across the afternoon. 

It is with great pleasure that I can announce that the Winner of our Senior Division is Elizabeth Kwa, and the Senior Division Runner-Up is Matilda Hayes. 

In the Junior Division, the adjudicators decided that this year, as the quality of performances was of such a high standard amongst all competitors, two winners and two runners-up have been awarded. The Junior Division's joint Winners are Toby Gough and Kelvin Tang, and the joint Junior Division Runners-Up are William Knight and Ivy Hawker.

In the world of sport

In sport we have had many great feats, success and examples of good sportsmanship. Our swimmers put in another stellar performance at the ISA Swimming meet at SOPAC.

Special congratulations to Oliver McLaughlin, Year 12 who broke the ISA record for the 50 meters backstroke in the blistering time of 26.93. In the Team results our Intermediate Girls were a standout winning the Intermediate Championship. Well done!

In the final placings Kinross Wolaroi finished 2nd in the girls' competition, narrowly beaten by Barker College, and 4th in the boys' competition – a very commendable effort against much larger boys schools. 

Following excellent seasons in cricket and touch football, several teams played in grand finals with our Under 16 Cricket Team being victorious.

On the athletics track, Ben Jones, Year 11 continued his success on the track winning the NSW Championship in the 400m and claimed a silver medal in the 800m. Ben’s times for these events were outstanding and a great credit to his dedication and perseverance.

Head of the River – Penrith

Another marvelous highlight last weekend was the Schoolboy and Schoolgirl Head of the River, each held on separate days at the Sydney International Regatta Centre. There were wonderful results from many of our rowers and a great collection of medals won. 

Some of the standout performances at the Schoolboy event on Saturday included the a silver medal won by the Year 10 VIII and bronze medals for our Senior Boys 1st VIII and Senior Boys IV.

However, the 2021 NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River was one of the most successful days in the School’s rowing history. The determination, courage, skill and good grace of our girls were amazing. Kinross Wolaroi won the overall Senior Point Score trophy; the Schoolgirl 1st IV and the Schoolgirl 1st VIII trophies, the premier events of the day.

Our Schoolgirl VIII made history as the first Kinross Wolaroi Schoolgirl 1st VIII to win the Head of the River. Their race saw us lead from the start to finish over the 2,000m course where they held off a fiercely determined challenge from Queenwood over the final 200m of the race. 

Our Schoolgirl 1st IV won their race by an impressive margin, a trophy not won by the School for nearly ten years. 

There were many more who medalled over the weekend – congratulations to all our rowers and their coaches and supporters. Special thanks to Miss Alex Cropley for her great leadership and organisation and to our other coaches, Mr Andrew Gannon, Mr James Perrin, Mr Ben Watt and Mrs Trin Graham – well done to all involved. 

We wish our rowers well as they head to Tasmania to compete in the National Championships on Lake Barrington this weekend. 

Over the weekend we witnessed great athletic performances but what I was most proud about was the manner in which our students conducted themselves. So many in the broader community commenting on the good grace and humility of our rowers.

The Chief Executive Officer of NSW Rowing, Margot Harley commented:

“On behalf of Rowing NSW, I offer my congratulations on a fantastic weekend of rowing. Having had the privilege to visit the KWS program personally and to get to know your fantastic students it is great to see all their hard work paying off. They are a delight to interact with at every regatta and they are a wonderful credit to Kinross Wolaroi School.”

Congratulations and well done to all involved. 

Overall Senior Point Score Trophy – 1st Kinross Wolaroi School; 2nd – Queenwood School; 3rd Canberra Grammar School

Schoolgirl 1st VIII – 1st - Winners of the NSW Schoolgirl’s Head of the River and Rose Evans Memorial Trophy

Bella Scammell, Freya Neville, Hannah Richardson, Annabelle Woods, Lucy Searle, Lucy Scammell, Ella Kirby, Sally Carter and Georgia Robson

Schoolgirl Four – 1st – Winners of The University of New South Wales Trophy 

Georgia Sweetapple, Liv Fredriksson, Ayla Ryan, Audrey Gill, Cailan McKay 

Senior Schoolboy Four – 3rd

Alec Hoskin, Charlie Neville, Nick Brown, Harry Houghton, Lucinda McCarten

Senior Schoolboy Year 10 1st VIII – 2nd

Will Chamberlain, Ethan Shaw, Fletcher Smith, Magnus Cleary, Harry Maslin, Henry Molloy, Willow Carter, Zach Annett, Taylah Hobbs

Schoolboy 1st VIII - 3rd 

Alec Hoskin, Charlie Neville, Nick Brown, Harry Houghton, Sterling Graham, Alex Brown, Oscar Harding, Louis Maxwell, Lucinda McCarten. 

Staffing

Mrs Louise Barrett - Junior School Teacher 

I have received notice from Mrs Louise Barrett informing me that she wishes to resign from Kinross Wolaroi School, effective 1 April 2021. While I am very disappointed that we will be losing Lou, I am very happy that she has been able to start a new chapter of her life with her family in Armidale. Lou has informed me that she has taken time to reflect on what is important in her new beginning and has commenced additional study through UNE as a result. 

Lou has held many roles during her 11 years at KWS, including PDHPE teacher; Junior School Sports Coordinator, Representative Sports Coordinator and has taken additional roles such as the HICES Sport Secretary. 

Lou will be greatly missed by the staff and students of Kinross Wolaroi School. During her long service leave, she has greatly missed the familiar playground chatter, student smiles and cheerful greetings each morning. Lou looks forward, however, to her new beginning in the beautiful town of Armidale with her family.

Please join me in wishing Lou every success and happiness in her next chapter.

2022 Term Dates