Message from the 

Director of Co-curricular

Camps Week

At the end of last term, all of our students were involved in camps week activities. It was a wonderful week, with some outstanding experiences for our students. Our camps activities were a wonderful way to finish the term, and it was so great to see our students learning and experiencing in a context outside of the classroom.

Year 7 Camp

After a day of activities in Orange including tenpin bowling and a trip to the movies, our Year 7 students headed out to Lake Burrendong for their 4 day camp. Whilst at camp students participated in ropes courses, mountain biking, water skills, and many other team activities including the giant flying fox and water slide. Some students were also lucky enough to be chosen to participate in art classes and music composition sessions as well. It was a wonderful week of bonding and team building for our Year 7 cohort, and from all reports it was an enjoyable week for all. Thank you to our wonderful Year 7 co-ordinator Mrs McCalman for her organisation and running of the camp, and for all of the staff who accompanied the students.

Cadet Camp

Our Year 8 and Year 9 cohort, along with our Cadet rank headed out to Top Valley station to attend their 7 day annual camp. Students participated in a number of activities during their time on camp including, abseiling, water skills, obstacle courses, trekking amongst many other activities. It is an incredible achievement for all of our students and staff to be out in the field for that length of time, and it is was so wonderful to see students wholeheartedly engaging in all tasks and challenges.  A huge thank you to the staff who accompanied the students on Cadet camp, and to Mr Lun for his leadership and organisation of such an incredible camp.

Volunteer Service and Work Experience

Our non-cadet students were engaged in a week of volunteer service and work experience in either their home communities or in the Orange community. There have been some lovely stories shared about the incredible contribution that our students made to the community in this time, and it is great that we can give so meaningfully to these organisations and community groups. Thank you to Mrs Jones, and to Ms Terrey for your work in placing and supervising the students, and to all of the staff who assisted.

Year 12 Retreat

Our Year 12 students who were not involved in Cadet camp or work experience headed out to Ridgecrest camp which overlooks Lake Burrendong for their retreat. Students completed numerous group activities during the week, and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to bond as a year group and reflect on their schooling journey. Thank you to Mr de Bruyn and all of the staff who helped to create such a wonderful atmosphere for the students. 

KWS Cattle Team Represent at the Sydney Royal Easter Show

On Tuesday 9 April, seven students (Hugo Bartlett, Hamish Macdougall, Lachie Ferguson, Frank Poulton, Taylah Hobbs, Caitlin Adam and Alicia Burke) headed to the Sydney Royal Easter Show to represent the KWS Cattle team with our six steers. Over the course of the week, students were required to prepare and maintain the steers each day for judging and viewing by the general public. It was a massive week with everyone working from 4:30am – 9 pm every day.

On Thursday, Taylah competed in the schools parader’s competition where judges look for a combination of preparation, showmanship and presentation. Taylah faced fierce competition competing against 13 – 17 year olds. Despite this she did brilliantly to win 2nd in her class. Congratulations Taylah! Congratulations also to Will Harborne who placed 3rd in his heat of the NSW state parader’s finals. Will is usually part of our cattle team and attended the show representing his family Angus Stud.

Friday was an early start to prepare the steers for their classes. The KWS team were successful with; ‘Ian’ led by Caitlin placing first in his weight class, ‘Nugget’ let by Taylah placing 5th in his class, ‘Garry’ led by Lachie placing 4th in his class and ‘Buster’ led by Hugo placing 5th in his weight class. Friday afternoon saw our nominated school steer ‘Ian’ auctioned by the NSW Young Auctioneer finalists. Hamish and Hugo did a fantastic job of parading Ian through the auction ring and we were lucky enough to receive over $5/kg in the auction.

The steers were loaded for the abattoir on Sunday morning and after spending months preparing these animals this is not always an easy task for the students. KWS was successful in the carcass judging with ‘Nugget’ being awarded 3rd in his class and a Silver Medallion for carcass quality.

Overall this was a very successful week away and all students should be very proud of how they presented themselves and their cattle. A big thank you also goes to our breeders for their support with providing steers for this event. In particular, thank you to; the Nixon family for ‘Moet’, the Millner family for ‘Ian’ and the Hobbs family for both ‘Nugget’ and their invaluable support continuously shown for our cattle team. Thank you to our amazing Livestock team co-ordinator Mel Meek and her husband Taylor for their work with the team.

Ms Heidi Anthony

Director of Co-curricular