Message from the

Director of Boarding

Boarding Term 3, Week 7

With the focus of Term 3 now squarely on the academics for our senior boarders our gaze turns to leadership within the boarding community. This is the time when we appoint new Boarding Prefects and new House Captains to commence their roles at the beginning of Term 4. And so, it is with great pleasure that I am able to announce Jema O’Neill (New House) and Fletcher Taylor (Wolaroi House) as the new Boarding Prefects for 2018-19. The selection process was a difficult one with well over 20 applicants putting their names forward for the two roles but Fletcher and Jema were certainly the standout candidates and I am sure they will do a brilliant job of representing the boarding community. I was delighted with the quality and enthusiasm of those that applied. In the end, it was Jema and Fletcher’s passion for boarding, their commitment to the whole school program and their ability to articulate what boarding has done for them which saw them stand above as candidates. I am looking forward to working closely with them over the next 12 months.

This feels like the perfect time to thank our two current Boarding Prefects for their service, enthusiasm and commitment over the past 12 months. Vinnie Reilly and Rhianna Simpson have been outstanding in every respect and have certainly supported me on my arrival at Kinross Wolaroi. They are highly respected boarders across the wider school, they have actively and positively contributed to many areas of school life and in doing so, have set the bar high for those to follow. Equally, they have shown great initiative and still managed to find time for their role in the hubbub of busy daily life. Their actions speak louder than words, they have led from the front and I am grateful.

Last Saturday evening, I had the pleasure of attending the Miller House Dinner at the Hotel Canobolas. This event marked the last of our House Dinners and I was fortunate to attend all but one (sorry Wolaroi!...I will be there next year!). As with each House Dinner, what was clear and evident, was the depth of feeling the students had for their Houses and their boarding staff. The boys and girls gave the departing Year 12s a fitting send off with words of true feeling affection; they also spoke highly of their house staff. Although, it is still a few months before Mrs Chappel and Mr Chapman step down in their respective roles, they both received the recognition and praise that comes with taking on the role as Head of House. Overall, I was delighted by the level of support from parents and their willingness to travel to play a part in the evening.

As we head towards the final few weeks of Term 3, we wish the Year 11s and the Year 12s the best of luck for their upcoming exams. Let’s hope that all their hard work is justly rewarded with some fine results.

Matt Curran

Director of Boarding