From the Principal

Welcome back

What a fabulous start to the new term with Orange looking at its best with its rich autumnal colours. Students and staff have returned fresh and rejuvenated, embracing learning and co-curricular opportunities with much enthusiasm. Students are busily preparing for assessments, the cast of the musical are in preparation, bands and ensembles are in full swing and the winter sport season has commenced. The first weekend of fixtures saw many of our boys and girls rugby teams journey to Coonabarabran to play The Armidale School in very wet conditions and some netball teams travelled to Sydney to compete in our first ISA netball matches.

At our recent assembly I congratulated the school on the strong finish to Term 1 and for the excellent manner in which they approached camps and activities. I have received many glowing reports and complimentary notes from staff and members of the community regarding our students’ behaviour, initiative and friendliness shown over the camps period. Some have commented upon the positive and enthusiastic way in which our Year 8 and 9 students applied themselves at the Cadet Camp, others have reported on the outstanding leadership of our Senior Cadets, of their maturity and good judgement.

Similarly, I received a number of very positive reports about our students who were involved in workplace learning. A number of host employers commented on our student enthusiasm, good manners and genuine interest. Year 12 study camp was also a great success with those involved enthusiastically and maturely making most of their opportunities.

Cattle Team

It was wonderful to be able to have our Cattle Team attend the Sydney Royal Easter Show and to achieve such outstanding results. With COVID and the very sad passing of Mrs Mel Meek, it has been a couple of years since we have been able to participate in this highly valuable activity. Among the successes was Caitlin Adam winning Grand Champion School Parader. An excellent achievement.

A visitor to the show from Sydney, with no connection to our school, wrote to me saying how impressed she was with our students in the Cattle Team:

“We walked through each section, looking at the cattle and when we came across the Kinross section we stopped to have a look. The students greeted us and asked us if we had any questions – something no other school had done. They got up, stopped their conversations and spoke to us for a good 20 minutes. They were so kind and friendly to my children and a young gentleman took my husband through and explained how they work with the cattle. We were so impressed with the mannerly and friendly way the students engaged with us."

So many of our students have been marvellous ambassadors for our lovely school. They are a great credit to the school and their families. Well done.

Australian National Rowing Championships - Perth

At the end of last term, 40 of our rowers journeyed to Perth to compete in the Australian National Rowing Championships against the best in the country. There were over 1900 competitors from all over Australia, with 1100 being from schools.

Our Kinross Wolaroi rowers performed magnificently in trying conditions, returning home with three Gold, one Silver and two Bronze medals. Of our 30 rowers who went to Western Australia, 19 came home with national medals and all were extremely close to winning medals, one crew only missing out in a photo finish.

Rugby 

Over the break our Senior Rugby players were involved in a very successful camp held at school that was also attended by Cranbrook School and St Edmund’s College, Canberra. Some excellent work done and a most constructive way to prepare for their upcoming season. Many have been hugely improved with their enthusiasm and greatly improved disciplined approach.

This change in attitude was highly evident in our matches against The Armidale School played in Coonabarabran over the weekend. There were some terrific performances from our boys and girls teams and a great weekend all round.

ANZAC Day March

Just before the commencement of Term, a very large component of our Cadets and student body were involved in the ANZAC Day march and commemoration in Orange. On a beautiful autumnal day, a very large crowd gathered to pause and reflect on the service and commitment made by so many Australian’s during war and peace time operations.

I could not have been prouder of our students who participated on the day. Their manner, dress and mature approach were outstanding and a great credit to the school.

Thank you to all present on the day and well done.

Polocrosse

At the end of the holiday break, three of our students represented Australia in the Junior Test Series against South Africa with matches taking place in Albury. To have three students from one school in the National team is quite remarkable.

Congratulations to;

• Ryan Weston
• Erica Stewart
• Zoe Stevenson

They won the Test Series 2-1 and Ryan Weston won the award for Champion Male Player in the series.

New Exchange Students

We welcome four exchange students this Term. I am delighted that we have been able to recommence our exchange program and have also been able to expand our international network to include new schools and countries.

We welcome Ashton McCormick from Michaelhouse in South Africa, Maxine van Niekerk-Edwards and Kelly Hulett from St Anne’s College in South Africa and Anton Zeiser-Radtke from Scule Schloss Salem in Germany. I am sure you will make them feel very welcome and help them settle into their new environment.

New Staff

We also welcome three new members of staff to the school this Term.

Nicola Byrne – Student Support Officer

Nicola joins the School in the position of Student Support Officer. Most recently Nicola was self-employed as a Mindfulness Teacher, Counsellor and Mindfulness Practitioner, following her time at Plymouth College as a School Counsellor, Houseparent and Head of Girls Boarding. Nicola holds a Diploma of Psychotherapy Counselling and a Bachelor of Social Psychology attained through Loughborough University.

Ms Tracy Dawson – English Teacher 

Tracy joins our English faculty as a full-time English Teacher. Tracy comes to Kinross Wolaroi School with significant experience teaching English, literacy and information skills, as well as working with high potential and gifted students. Most recently at Parkes High School, Tracey established and administered the Renaissance Accelerated Reading program, as well as creating digital learning resources across different platforms. 

Tracy has a Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship) and Graduate Diploma of Education from Charles Sturt University. We warmly welcome Tracy to Kinross Wolaroi and look forward to her valuable contribution to our English faculty.

Mrs Jane Crellen – PDHPE Teacher

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Jane Crellen as PDHPE Teacher to replace Norm Moore during his Long Service Leave in Term 2. 

Jane has over 16 years experience in teaching and leadership roles, including The Head of PDHPE at Frensham School and St Vincent’s College. Jane has a Bachelor of Education (Physical and Health Education) through University of Wollongong and vast experience in leadership, implementing a range of academic and sporting programs, and student mentoring.

Jane was a casual teacher at Kinross Wolaroi School during 2019-2020, teaching Pre-Kinder through to Year 12, and is a former student of our school. We are very happy to welcome Jane back to Kinross Wolaroi for Term 2. 

Change in Responsibilities 

Mrs Elly Reynolds, Head of PDHPE, will move to a full-time capacity at the start of Term 2.

Congratulations 

Congratulations to Brooke (Skinner) Mortimer on her marriage to Matt Mortimer over the break.

Alumni – Phoebe Litchfield

And finally we were delighted to learn of Phoebe Litchfield’s (class of 2021) selection in the Women’s Ashes Squad to tour England in the coming months. For lovers of cricket, the men's and women's Ashes series are going to be great to follow.

I encourage all our students to build on the great momentum of an excellent start to the year, and to enjoy a fabulous Term.

We have a great deal to look forward to.