Message from the

Director of Co-curricular

Term 2 Week 9

This week has been a list of final tasks for me before I finish at the end of the term: last playground supervision roster, last Chapel Service, last time I will teach my fabulous, yet crazy Year 10 class. On the weekend, it was the last home Rugby match, the last time I will see KWS Netball, Football and Hockey. I witnessed my last Performing Arts Festival last week and my last Cadet Dinner on Friday night. These events have seen me experience mixed emotions, one of excitement to undertake the next stage of what I consider to be a vocation, working with young people to help them move through their school life, but also one of sadness to be leaving this wonderful School and regional centre. My wife, Elizabeth, and I have made many friends in Orange and we plan to regularly return to this wonderful town.

I have taken on the role as Head of Rowing and First VIII Coach at Saint Joseph’s College Hunter’s Hill and I am excited about the prospects of this new position. I am passionate about rowing and believe I can still make a significant contribution to the lives of young people through this sport.

Kinross Wolaroi School has been one of the best career experiences of my life. The staff have been so welcoming, supportive and encouraging. They have been lots of fun and they have challenged me. They have amazed me with their willingness to embrace change, to work above and beyond what is expected of them and to create an environment of learning and safety that makes Kinross such a rewarding place in which to work.

The students make the School what it is. I have experienced country boarding schools for a significant part of my life and the value that country boarders add to any school is immeasurable. Add to this the day students who are also from this regional area and you have a cohort of students that strengthens the dynamic and positive nature of the student body. The vast majority of students are friendly, cooperative and willing to have a go at anything and everything. This last characteristic will stick with me for a long time; it is an impression of the Kinross student that has been clearly etched in my mind. It is something that I will encourage my next lot of students to emulate.

I have a great passion for co-curricular involvement in Schools such as Kinross. In all my years the only students who have slipped by the wayside have been those who have not taken up the opportunities that are presented to them. The students who flourish are those who embrace a well-balanced and developmentally appropriate CC program. These are the ones who flourish once they leave school. I have no doubt about the benefits of a full involvement, involvement that is carefully chosen and tailored to the individual. Such students know what it takes to persist, to be resilient and to be determined when challenges present themselves in their post school life. Kinross students have a culture of having a ‘real hard crack’ at things and this is something that I have admired from the very first day I came through the front gates. I am so grateful for having the chance to experience this wonderful school, these well-grounded students and these dedicated and determined staff members. I have learnt so much.

Indeed, it is gratitude that I would like to extend to all of you whom I have had the privilege to work with and for. Naming individuals always risks offending those who are omitted, so I extend this gratitude to all students, all staff, all parents and the extended KWS community.

Charlie Rowe

Director of Co-curricular