Boarding News

Report from Stuart Douglas House

What a beginning to 2022 the girls in Stuart Douglas have had! 

During their first week, the girls have shown great maturity and flexibility while adapting to boarding life, with the added COVID-safe restrictions that have been necessary in boarding this year. They have been busy adjusting to senior school life with timetables, homework, swimming carnivals, making new friends, meeting new teachers, and finding their way around the Wolaroi campus.  

The girls have settled into Stuart Douglas House well and they are thoroughly enjoying each other’s company. The activities on our first weekend in boarding were enjoyed by all. We began with each girl tie-dying a t-shirt, an activity that was surprisingly not as messy as first imagined. We also went to Gosling Creek Reserve on Saturday where the girls enjoyed scooter rides and the activity area at the Reserve.  It was wonderful to get out and about and to enjoy the natural environment first hand, including an encounter with a red belly black snake as it crossed our path! Needless to say, we gave the snake a clear right of way and keep well way from it. 

On the way back from Gosling Creek we had a surprise visit to Spilt Milk where they all enjoyed some of their tasty gelato.  On Saturday evening the girls enjoyed a movie night in the house with popcorn and were all exhausted after a big day. 

Sunday begun with some Prep time to ensure they were ready for the week ahead and the highlight of the day was a trip down to the centre of town so they could do some shopping. We all wrapped up the weekend with an early night which was needed by all, especially Aunty Deb.

It has been a really positive start to the girls’ boarding journey and all the girls are looking forward to more great experiences as the term progresses.

Deb Orrock

Head of Stuart Douglas House

Report from Trathen House

The first week for Year 7 boarders is always a very busy time in Trathen House. There are many questions from the boys as they adjust to boarding house life, and the start of their senior schooling. Trathen welcomed our new boys on Monday 31 January and it was tremendous to have them all at school and excited to embark on their journey at Kinross Wolaroi.

The first week of school saw the boys meet their teachers, mentors, and house leaders for the first time as well as experience their first nights as boarders and living in a communal environment. Trathen House was kept busy during the first week with games in the gym, Prep in the library and enjoying suppers from their House Mother, Janet Murphy. 

The first weekend provides a wonderful opportunity for the boys to connect with one another through shared experiences. The weekend began with bacon and egg rolls cooked on the BBQ followed by a game of touch football and a swim in the pool. After lunch the boys were taken for a walk down town to see the sights of Orange. They had pizzas in the park for afternoon tea and returned to Trathen for a movie night. 

On Sunday the boys went on a trip out to Ophir Reserve where they spent the morning exploring the old mine shafts, prospecting and cooling off in the creek. Unfortunately, no gold was discovered on this trip!  After a busy morning the boys spent the afternoon riding their scooters and discovering the school.  We had some very tired boys on Sunday evening who had a BBQ dinner before an early bedtime to prepare for their first full week of classes. 

Thanks to the staff who assisted over the weekend and to the boys of Trathen House for a positive, friendly, and happy first week. 

Hugo Johnson

Head of Trathen House