Message from the

Head of Senior School

Welcome back to Term 4

I trust all parents have enjoyed having their children with them 24/7 for the two weeks of the recent holidays. I also hope you have had some rain – speaking to students it does appear to have been very scattered so I wish you all the best as you head into the hot weather and harvests (those who have a crop).

It seems a little odd to be starting my last term at the school – the rhythms of the KWS school year have been the shape of my life for close to forty years so it will take some adjustments for me in 2019 and beyond! It was great to be able to accompany the recent French trip to Noumea – this was my tenth trip with students and every time I arrive there I realise I’ve forgotten just what a beautiful place it is, especially at Anse Vata, the area where we stay. This time the group consisted of 34 students, the largest group we have ever taken. It was an enriching experience for the students and it was wonderful to see their confidence grow in their use of French, both in their classes and in everyday exchanges with hotel staff and shopkeepers (especially those at the ice-cream store, which is just near the hotel where we stay!) The students had four 3-hour French lessons, went to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre (which explores the Melanesian culture and history of New Caledonia) and had a day trip to Amedee Island, where they were able to snorkel, swim with turtles and experience a Pacific dancing display. There were many other activities too, but these were particular highlights. Special thanks must go to Mr Oldham, who organised the trip, and Ms Young who accompanied too and whose French fluency made a real difference for the students.

The Noumea trip caused me to think about the fact that the students who choose French as an elective are, by and large, day students. There are some boarders but, relatively speaking, very few. When I interview students and their parents prior to enrolment, the overwhelming reason given for sending their children to board at KWS is to provide “greater opportunities” than what they would have in their home community and local school. To me, this means academic opportunities too, not just co-curricular or social opportunities. My message to boarder parents is to encourage your child to think about doing a language in the elective mix – the Languages staff here are skilled, HSC results are outstanding, and having another language is an asset for the future, both in terms of employment, opening one’s eyes to the wider world, and in making travel a more enriching experience.

I am on bivouac with the Year 7 students this week – it will be terrific to see their excitement as they experience Cadets “for real” for the first time. It will be a mix of activities at school and camping at the new school property ’Windermere’, so it will be a staged introduction for them prior to Annual Camp at the end of Term 1 2019. There are many other camps and activities this week too, so the program is quite full for the whole school.

Finally, I wish Year 12 students and their parents all the very best for the HSC exams, which begin on Thursday. Most of our students have worked hard all year, have heeded their teachers’ advice and feedback, and have done a lot of practice papers. This should allow for a calm and measured approach to all papers. Plenty of sleep, some regular exercise, a good diet and sensible hours are useful during the exam period itself – and remember to leave the mobile turned off and outside the bedroom and/or study area!

All the best for the rest of this fortnight.

Bev West

Head of Senior School