Message from the Principal
A warm welcome back to Term 4. Another busy term ahead commencing with camps and activities and for our Year 12’s HSC Examinations.
Term 3 finished with an outstanding Year 12 Graduation Ceremony and Ball, events marking the formal conclusion of their journey at Kinross Wolaroi. Our Guest Speaker for the occasion, the world-renowned avionics systems engineer, Mr Warwick Holmes shared the inspirational story of his journey, one marked by determination, perseverance and self-belief. Lessons for us all radiate from his words as we go about our individual journeys in life. Our Year 12’s should feel very proud, of the spirited and respectful manner in which they approached their final weeks of their schooling.
Our Year 12’s now prepare for their final hurdle, their HSC examinations commencing with the English paper on Thursday morning 18th October. I was delighted to see so many of them busily engaged in Study Camp at School over the final week of the holiday period. Over 80 students worked with staff and collaborated with their colleagues. Thank you to all our staff who have been working with our senior students over the break to ensure our Year 12’s are well prepared for the challenge ahead.
Holiday Activities
Many students and staff were involved in a number of activities over the break. During the first week our Pedal Prix team competed in the University of South Australia Australian HPV Super Series. We competed in two Human Powered Vehicles each operated by pedal power. The race is a continuous 24 hour event that sees the drivers behind the wheel rotating each hour. KWS performed very well in the highly contested event that saw 207 teams from around the country compete.
34 of our Year 9 and 10 French students also ventured to Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia where they attended language classes that saw them totally immersed in the French Language. Time was also available to explore and enjoy the cultural aspects of this Pacific nation and to practice their French in the local shops and markets.
I have received a great deal of positive feedback complimenting the behaviour and good grace shown by our students during both these tours. Both in Adelaide and Noumea we were superbly represented by our young KWS ambassadors.
Many were also involved in Cricket, Equestrian events in Tamworth and interstate, and over 100 students participated in Rowing Camp during the second week of the break. Clearly for all these activities to take place many staff generously give of their holiday time for the benefit of our students. A sincere thank you to them for going ‘above and beyond’ to ensure we can provide an outstanding rich and diverse educational experience for your children.
Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA)
At the recent ABSA annual conference Kinross Wolaroi School was acknowledged for excellence in the areas of Indigenous Education and The Regional Engagement Enterprise (TREE). The Australian Boarding Schools made an Inaugural award for excellence in Indigenous Education and Boarding this year and I am very proud to see that Kinross Wolaroi won this award. This recognition is testament to the outstanding work of our Indigenous Co-ordinator Mr Anthony Begg and our Director of Boarding Mr Matthew Curran.
Our TREE Program is also gaining wide recognition as an innovative and inspiring educational initiative and as such a photo of our boarding students engaging in the program is featured on the front cover of the ABSA magazine. Well done to our TREE team for their dynamic and visionary work in establishing this national leading educational program.
Staffing Changes
Mrs Suellen Young will act as 2IC Science while Mrs Catherine Litchfield undertakes her Kinross Wolaroi Foundation Fellowship that sees her in Europe during Term 4 undertaking research into Best Practice Teaching and Learning.
In the Prep School, Mrs Nicole Caro will covering Mrs Richelle Coote while she takes Maternity Leave and Mrs Katie O’Dea will be acting as the Preparatory Teacher Librarian during Term 4. My thanks to these staff for their willingness to assist this term.
Wishing you all a fabulous and productive term.
Dr Andrew Parry
Principal