Message from 

the Principal

Keeping us all safe

As I write this article, Auckland has just been put into lockdown again in response to NZ’s first positive coronavirus case in 100 days. 

This week we have also seen yet another school in Sydney’s north-west closed due to positive cases of the virus, this time with fears it may develop and spread into a cluster of infections. A number of inter-school sports associations, including the ISA of which we are a member, are also strongly considering the cessation of their games and activities with other schools. 

Both incidents underline the need for our School and its community to remain alert to the risks of COVID-19. It would be dangerous to drop our guard, especially as community transmission in NSW continues, with cases occurring all over the State. 

Our approach to the virus has been highly precautionary right from the beginning and our first priority has always been to keep our students, staff and community safe.  

Over recent months we have conducted and continuously reviewed critical incident planning, we have consulted regularly with the Association of Independent Schools and liaised with the Western NSW Local Health District to ensure that our response is timely and appropriate. School Council Member, Dr Paul Bloomfield, has also been an invaluable support and sounding board. 

As science and health experts have come to understand the virus better and advice on managing outbreaks has changed and developed, we have continued to provide updated advice to our community. 

The ‘schools are safe’ mantra is gradually being modified as we learn to live with the virus. Research seems to show that children under 12 years old are far less likely to spread the disease than older students, who may have the potential to be as contagious as adults. 

Research about aerosol transmission has led to recent new recommendations from the health authorities on the use of masks: Deputy Principal, James Boyd has taken this into account in his latest COVID-19 update for the School community, a copy of which can be viewed here. You may wish to consider whether your child will be in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained and a mask may be appropriate; for example, this could apply to boarders on town leave (some major retailers have now mandated masks for staff and customers) or to students who travel to School by bus. 

This week we have seen the Independent Education Union NSW/ACT call for clear and decisive guidance from the State Government on the use of masks by senior students and staff. This would certainly be helpful. In the meantime, the School has secured a supply of disposable masks that are currently being used by staff within the Kitchens (Wolaroi and PLC), Canteen, Health Centre and Bus / Duty Drivers.  

As a reminder, masks are not a substitute for any of the School’s guidelines that are already in place: 

• stay home if unwell and get tested
• maintain physical distancing
• maintain good hand hygiene
• avoid non-essential travel.

I would like to sincerely thank our community for their patience and support of our efforts to keep our students safe and learning on campus. 

Studying for the HSC in a pandemic 

Uncertainty has been one of the most challenging COVID-19 impacts for students preparing for the HSC this year. COVID-19 has affected many aspects of young people’s lives, putting strain on their ability to cope.  

In April, the Federal Education Minister, Dan Tehan, has assured Year 12 students they will receive an ATAR university entrance rank and will not have to repeat the school year.  While this may be so, these students are still grappling with a great many ‘what ifs’ while preparing for the most important exams of their young lives and right now they need our care and support more than ever. 

It helps to understand how the Class of 2020 is experiencing their last year of school and their worries for the future. A recent UNICEF survey found two thirds of the more than 1,000 young people surveyed were worried about their education being disrupted or held back as a result of the changes being made to schooling as part of the COVID-19 response: 

“It's kind of scary to think that after this there may not be much job security moving forward. It's really hard being in Year 12 and wondering how the HSC is going to pan out, and how university offers are going to pan out. And then adding onto that fact, there may not even be a workforce to join after all of this happens.” 

- Female, regional NSW. 

The survey found students were also experiencing a sense of loss for the social milestones they are missing: 

“It's been hard to think that this is our final year at school and after this whole thing is over, we may have like three weeks left before we never get to spend time with these people again. I think it's hitting Year 12s quite hard especially around here. And I see on Facebook everyone saying how rough it is that we don't get to do all of our last sort of things. So, our athletics carnival got cancelled, our formal will probably get cancelled - all of these special things that we're meant to get.” 

- Student from regional NSW. 

Common reactions to this stress can be fear and anxiety; anger, frustration and confusion; sadness or denial. As a community we all need to be alert to these symptoms, which are normal reactions to a very unsettling time. Anyone feeling this way should be encouraged to talk with a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, School Counsellor or to contact one of the many help lines available. Nobody needs to struggle with such feelings alone. 

It is most important for our students and families to know that the School is here to help our students to make it through this year in whatever way we can. We will be there to support their wellbeing every step of the way.  

I would like to acknowledge the grit that has been shown by our Year 12 students throughout this crisis. They have remained positive and focused. As they ready themselves to commence their HSC trial examinations I will be reminding them that everyone from their parents to the NSW Education Department knows they’ve travelled a rocky road to reach these exams. The manner in which they have approached and adapted to the disruption and upheaval that they have faced has been an immense credit to them and will equip them well for the future. 

The Class of 2020 are an outstanding group of young people with a bright and beautiful future ahead of them that will not be dimmed by this year’s challenges. It has been fabulous to hear that a number of our Year 12’s have already received early entry offers into a number of University courses for next year and have also been granted places at some of the country's leading University residential Colleges. 

I wish all our Year 12’s the very best of luck as they approach their HSC Trials which commence next week. 

Year 10 iSTEM Exhibition 

It has been tremendous to see how so many of our programs have adapted to this ‘Brave New World’ that we find ourselves in. 

The Year 10 iSTEM class held their annual exhibition in the DPA on Wednesday 12 August. The projects exhibited were wide ranging and varied in scope, from a fog producing guitar to electric mountain bike. The exhibition gave the Year 10 students an opportunity to promote and discuss their work with students from Years 7, 9 and 11. In addition to the projects, students were required to present a portfolio detailing the journey they had undertaken and the challenges they overcame.  

For the Year 10 iSTEM students, the exhibition highlighted the skills and knowledge learnt in future workforce growth areas such coding, computational thinking, mechanical engineering and the use of 3D printing technologies. Such projects provide students with opportunities in problem solving, critical analysis, creative thinking and independent initiative. 

Congratulations to all the students and staff whose hard work, innovation and creativity ensured such an excellent exhibition. Well done. 

Cadet Courses 

Our Cadet Unit continues to conduct their leadership training albeit in a different form. The Cadet Leadership courses aim to develop field, parade and leadership skills for the unit’s upcoming cadets who aspire to promotional positions.  

Those aspiring to the rank of Corporal have recently been learning about leadership styles, rank structure, have demonstrated individual drill and instruction. The Sergeants course has included basic First Aid in the field to assist in emergency situations, the duties of a Platoon Sergeant, delivering drill to a platoon of 30 cadets and conducting an inspection.  Our prospective Cadet Under Officers have been studying First Aid and are currently demonstrating some outstanding skills while performing sword drill used for ceremonial parades. During their training thus far, they have been involved in unit level culture development and leadership discussions. Their next unit is to revise navigation, a skill they require when leading junior cadets on bush trekking activities. 

Congratulations 

Macquarie University – Philosophy 137 course 

We have received the excellent news that the whole cohort of students enrolled in the Macquarie University Philosophy 137 course have achieved an average of 76.1 (Distinction). Special mention should be made of Fergus Baldwin who received a result of 95. This is the highest mark ever achieved by a student at Kinross Wolaroi School. The closest result to Fergus’ was in 1993 by the student who went on to be Dux of the School. Congratulations to those students who participated, and in particular, to Fergus.  

Dr Andrew Parry 

Principal - KWS