Boarding News

Miller House

Miller House has had an interesting start to 2022. We have welcomed our new Year 8 boarders from Stuart Douglas House as well as our new Miller boarders, Megan, Aimee and Maggie. We also welcome Natasha Forge to Miller as our new boarding assistant. COVID regulations have changed boarding as we have known it over the past few years, but the girls have been amazing. Everyone has adapted to the ever-increasing changes and regulations with understanding, care and empathy.

It was lovely to come back at the start of Term 1 to the see the beginning of our renovations in Miller. All rooms in one end of Miller have been freshly painted and the ceilings upstairs were replaced with gyprock and the lighting was replaced. It looks amazing. 

It has been wonderful to see a number of our local sporting competitions resume as well as the inter-school competitions we have. We were able to go to Wolaroi to watch a number of the Miller girls compete in a Touch Football gala day against a collection of schools from the Central West and Sydney. This term has also seen the commencement of a girls Rugby 7’s competition between KWS, OAGS, Scots All Saints and James Sheahan. It has wonderful to watch the girls participate and to witness the support and encouragement they have been receiving.   

We have been getting creative when it comes to activities on the weekends as restriction have meant that we have had to remain on site or outdoors for our activities. The girls have really enjoyed the time together as a house and the opportunity to form solid relationships with girls in other years, and girls that are new to Miller. 

We have had trivia nights and pool parties, enjoyed pizza and pamper suppers. We celebrated International Women’s Day and have explored different cuisines – making sushi and Mexican. The girls have also enjoyed nights in the common room playing Just Dance and Mario Kart and have appreciated the lovely new surroundings in Dorothy Knox Hall. Outside the house, we have been walking to Spilt Milk for ice creams and  enjoyed the beautiful grounds of Cook Park.  We also enjoyed a trip to Huntley Berry Farm where the girls picked their own berries to take back to the house. 

We have all enjoyed our time as a house this term, and we are looking forward to our upcoming camps and work experience to close out what has been a busy and productive term. 

Tower House

For myself, Boarding at Kinross Wolaroi School is centred around a sense of belonging and community. This is essential for young boys to flourish and grow into fine young men. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the boys and their many interests and challenges. I thank  parents for your ongoing support and as a boarding community, I have been humbled by the boys’ manners, charisma, energy and positive attitudes. 

It has been a great term for the boys of Tower House. This year has seen 21 new Year 8 boys in the House, 8 familiar faced Year 9 boys who were in Tower last year, and 2 senior boys who will be rotating each term to have a chance to show their leadership skills and assist with House routines. 

We have also been blessed with two new staff that are now regulars within the House; Mr Tim Hyman who is no stranger to boarding life having grown up in boarding environments, and Mr Lachlan Barrett who was a boarder himself and comes from Coonamble. Mr Izaac Scott remains on the staff from last year. 

The vibe within in the House has been positive and friendly and I have been particularly impressed by the way in which the whole group has managed with the challenges of COVID and the various rules and procedures that have been imposed on them. Thankfully, these have recently started to relax and it’s fair to say that boarding is learning to live with COVID and has adapted well to the ever-changing environment.

It has been great to see cadets, basketball, cricket, water polo, tennis, various agricultural pursuits and the usual Gym and pool sessions being fully utilised and embraced by the boys. Kinross Wolaroi boarders never stop and are definitely kept busy - academically, socially and physically. Busy and active boarders make for happy boarders.

I firmly believe in keeping young adolescents busy, active and giving them a chance to be free (within reason) to enhance the boarding experience. With the fine Orange weather (at the moment) it is important to make the most of what is around us and, while the weather is good, to be outside. 

This term the boys have had a chance to get off site every weekend and make the most of what is in and around Orange. The weekend outings, often combined with the Trathen House Year 7 boarders, have seen the following occur.

• Gold panning and bushwalk at Ophir Gold fields.
• Fishing at Gosling Creek.
• Walk and talk around Lake Canobolas.
• Visit to Bathurst Mineral and Fossil Museum.
• Visits, BBQs and activities from PLC Girls to Boys' Campus.
• Boat building and races at the local waterfall.
• Picnics in the park with the PLC girls.

The Boys are now well and truly into a routine, and I encourage them all to make the most of the many opportunities that Kinross Wolaroi School offers. I look forward to meeting our Tower parents in more face to face events as the year progresses.  Have great break with your boys, and I look forward to seeing them all back in Term 2.

Lee Taylor

Head of Tower House