A Message from
the Principal
It has been a very busy and productive term...
Our Year 12’s have completed their trial exams and Year 11 are currently sitting theirs. We have experienced a very strong winter season of sport and been privileged to see some of the outstanding works by our HSC Drama, Music and Industrial Technology students over the past weeks.
At our recent assembly one of our HSC Drama Groups performed their Major Work ‘AvocadNOO’- a hilarious, physical and witty story about the journey to save the world’s last avocado. A superb and creative act that immensely entertained the audience and one which has been recognised by the HSC examiners by the award of an OnSTAGE Nomination. Our Year 12 class also received a further two OnSTAGE nominations for Individual Performances. Congratulations to Zac Condon and Hunter Wilson for their Individual nominations and to Myriam Kwa, Edward Dodds, Hunta Wilson and Porcha Bolte for their Group Performance nomination. OnSTAGE is where the NSW Board of Studies showcase the best Dramatic HSC Performances in the state, a tremendous achievement.
We had the opportunity to see the great skill, design and craftsmanship of our Industrial Technology students as they displayed their work in their annual exhibition.
Their hard work, attention to detail and desire for excellence was highly evident. We all possess many talents, each of us having skills and gifts in different areas. As someone who struggles to put a piece of IKEA furniture together, I was so impressed by the skill and care revealed in the great array of IT projects. Congratulations to every one of the students whose work was on display. They were outstanding.
We have also recently been treated with a marvellous strings concert showcasing the skills and talents of our musicians from both the Preparatory and Senior School. As I have said many times before, the standard of our music at Kinross Wolaroi is first-class.
Thank you to all our musicians who performed so well and provided such a delightful evening. It is very special that at Kinross Wolaroi we are able to excel in so many areas and that we support each other to do so. Excellence is something we should all aspire to and it is clear many of our students are.
I have very much enjoyed watching some of your winter sport and would like to commend our students on the way they play their games. Week in week out I see fine displays of the spirit of good sportsmanship. They strive to achieve their best and when victory is achieved, it is done so with humility; and, when defeat is experienced it is done so with grace. The enthusiasm and pleasure that is readily evident when our students play is fabulous to observe. It is clear they are enjoying the challenge and friendship that sport provides.
I saw this over the past week in our Netball, Hockey and Football semi-finals. Some outstanding play, fine demonstrations of skill and courage. Wins and losses experienced and wonderful examples of school sport at its best.
All our teams were tremendous ambassadors for Kinross Wolaroi and clearly displayed the values we strive to uphold. Congratulations to our Girls 1st Football, Hockey and Netball teams for making it through to their respective Grand Finals, and to the Netball team on their victory.
I was at a meeting with Dr Wenham, the Principal of St Stanislaus College recently and she also commented upon the fine spirit in which our annual Rugby fixture was played and of the good sportsmanship displayed on the day. The community witnessing our students behaviour and favourably commenting upon our students builds their personal reputation and that of our School.
Congratulations to all those who have represented the School so well over the Winter months.
I will conclude by thanking our Student Representative Council for the initiative, energy and enthusiasm they are demonstrating in designing strategies to improve our School. Their focus on litter and their campaigning involving the assistance of our Kindergarten students has been tremendous.
It is important that our student body has a voice because they are the ones that determine the quality and tone of our School and community. It is important that our students have an opportunity to express their views and that they contribute to the good of the School.
This should always be done in a spirit of humility, knowing we can all learn from others. And we should always be respectful, rational and reasonable.
I am greatly encouraged and so should you be by the energy and genuine desire shown by the SRC to make our School a finer place.
Staff News
Mr Graeme Walters – Retirement
Mr Graeme Walters has advised of his intention to resign from Kinross Wolaroi School, as of 22 July, 2019. Graeme will take Long Service Leave for most of the 2019 school year, until his retirement date. Graeme has made an outstanding contribution to life of Kinross Wolaroi in so many domains of the School with his main-focus being Mathematics. Graeme was the Head of Mathematics for 11 years has and also taken on other teaching roles in Woodwork, Technical Drawing and Computer Studies. Being new to KWS, I am most grateful for his diligence and expertise to the timetabling of our School – a very complex and demanding facet of his role. Paul has generously offered to assist with finalising the 2019 Timetable in the lead up to the 2019 academic year. Upon retirement, Graeme intends to change gears a little and ‘get a golf handicap’ as well as find some time to enjoy his hobbies and grandchildren.
Mr Bill Tink – Resignation
Mr Bill Tink has advised of his intention to resign from Kinross Wolaroi School at the end of Term 4 this year. Bill intends to spend the next few years focussing on his family, taking some work as a casual teacher as well as some work with CSU. He also hopes to take some time to enjoy his love of art. Bill has proved that he is a highly accomplished Visual Arts teacher and artist in his own right. The last six years of Year 12 Visual Arts student’s under Bill’s tutelage has resulted in nominations and inclusions into the prestigious ARTEXPRESS exhibition in the Art Gallery of NSW. Bill also has proven results in the art community with his works being displayed as both solo works and as part of art exhibitions in the Orange and broader community.
Mr David Lee – Resignation
Mr David Lee has also advised the school of his intention to resign from Kinross Wolaroi School at the end of Term 4 this year. David has been on Long Service Leave this year which has allowed him time to gather his thoughts and decide what the future holds for him. David is excited that his resignation will allow him more time to devote to the 2nd Orange Scout Group and will also allow him to take on the challenge as an ICT Integrator in a school Cowra. David was initially employed as a Mathematics teacher in 2008 and has since made numerous contributions to different areas of the School, including IST and Junior Technology where he introduced Robotics into the classroom. His most recent appointment prior to taking leave was the ICT Integrator, which allowed him the opportunity to work with the youngest and the oldest students of the School.
On behalf of the school community I thank Graeme, Bill and David for their dedication and commitment to the School and wish them all the best in their future endeavours. They will be greatly missed!
Congratulations
HSC Drama OnSTAGE nominations
Drama students – Zac Condon and Hunta Wilson have been nominated for possible inclusion in OnSTAGE for their individual HSC performances. The group performance ‘AvocadNoo’ - Myriam Kwa, Edward Dodds, Hunta Wilson and Porcha Bolte - has been nominated for possible inclusion in OnSTAGE, a selection of performances and individual projects from Higher School Certificate Drama students. Congratulations to each of these students for such an outstanding achievement, and also to your teacher, Mrs Dunkley who was thrilled to receive this news from NESA.
ISA Athletics Championships
A small squad of KWS students attended the ISA Championships last week. The girls team won the Junior Division Shield and taking third place in both the Intermediate and Senior divisions. This placed them first overall in the Championships. The boys squad were also very competitive finishing fourth in the Junior Division, sixth in the Intermediates and fifth in the Seniors. They were placed fourth overall. As a result of the KWS performances, 20 students were selected for the CIS Championships later this month.
Dr Andrew Parry
Principal