KWS MAGAZINE May - Kinross Wolaroi School

SENIOR SCHOOLCreative EndeavoursArts and TextilesCombine diverse material, creative talent,inspirational subjects and hours of hard work.The result? An impressive display of Year 12Visual Arts and Textiles and Design work,appreciated and enjoyed by family, friends andHSC markers alike.In Visual Arts the students are required tosubmit a Body of Work in any media area theychoose. This year the students have developedskills in mosaics, screen printing, collographs,etchings and photography. The traditional skillsof drawing, painting and sculpture are exploredby the students in a range of concepts includingthe imagination, the book of Exodus, transitoryemotions and the impact natural disasters haveon the environment.The Textiles and Design students also exploredideas relating to coral bleaching, drought andflood, as well as the Day of The Dead, andmade garments that are a tribute to AlexanderMcQueen, the Russian Ballet and a reflectionon the influence of African culture and theirmajestic animals.The students interpreted these ideas using manyfabric-based skills and included techniquessuch as crochet, free machine embroidery,shibori dyeing, appliqué and felt making.The result was an outstanding range of richlyembellished garments and wall pieces.3

ACE CANADARecently I was fortunate enough to participate in the Army Cadet Exchange to Canada.Ten Australian cadets, including me, were accommodated in barracks at the Connaught Cadet Summer TrainingCentre (CSTC) outside Ottawa. We were incorporated into a typical Canadian military camp and got a taste of theactivities open to their cadets, including a C-11 target rifle shoot. We then travelled to CFB (Canadian Forces Base)Pettawawa where we completed a basic combat parachutecourse and performed a simulated airborne jump out of atower, hooked to a static cable. We then undertook survivaltraining at Blackdown CSTC.Although a large component was military based, there werealso sightseeing and cultural experiences to complement theexchange. We were given the chance to explore Ottawa andToronto, then visited Montreal in French Canada. We took atour into the Niagara Falls by boat and on the last day enjoyedan awesome wind-down at Calypso Waterpark.The exchange was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experienceand I made lifelong friends, both from the exchange and fromCanada. I strongly encourage any up and coming cadets toapply for it next year.Craig Hogendyk, Year 11 StudentPicture: Craig Hogendyk pictured holding the right side of the Australian Flag6

SENIOR SCHOOLMusic Matters2011 Senior Musical - What aBeauty!One of the biggest musicals undertaken by KWS, Beauty and the Beastwowed five very enthusiastic houses at the Orange Civic Theatre withoriginal Broadway backdrops, a brand new castle set and wonderfulperformances from our talented students.A record 101 students were involved in the KWS 125 Years Celebrationmusical Beauty and the Beast. Lead actors India Dixon, Daniel Moxeyand Jack Yeomans were impressive while Abbey Bartlett, Josh Cheney,Olivia Fisher, Charles Litchfield, Isabelle Kerr and George Brownlowmanaged to sing and dance in their awkward teapot, candlestick,feather-duster, clock, wardrobe and cup costumes to keep the audiencelaughing and enjoying the ‘magic’ of the enchanted castle. Asher Dixon,Nick Hall, Tom Rogers, Georgia Holmes, Maddy Jackson and SophieBannister-Tyrrell were terrific in their supporting roles, providing greatcomic relief. The dancers, led by Madeleine Harley, showed their talentin the big numbers.Students began rehearsing in March and worked hard in the final weekof the holidays. Ms Marnie Grogan was welcomed as a new member ofthe musical team and her choreography showcased the creativity andstrengths of the chorus line. The orchestra was a credit to Mr Bill Moxey.The ‘tale as old as time’ was an enormously rewarding and enjoyableprocess. In the years to come, all will remember fondly their specialexperience in producing Beauty and the Beast .Catherine Litchfield, 2011 Senior School Musical Director7

KWS Rugby and Netball on TourForty-four KWS students recently enjoyed a rugby and netballtour to Fiji.Our first games were at Taqage district school. The rugby teamwas greeted with a high chief’s ceremony, then ran out to playon a muddy pitch with the odd frog jumping up at us. We hadmost of the possession but their defence was like a brick walland Taqage won with two runaway tries. The girls won their two games, which were played on a very muddy and sandycourt. We washed our gear in the ocean and were welcomed back to our resort with a traditional Kava presentation.The next day we travelled to Namatukula to play the Ratu Felisi School. We were greeted by the primary students singingsongs, which was unforgettable. Yet again we dominated the possession and crossed over three times but were yet to puton a running show and lost three tries to five. The girls won with a great performance. After the game we cleaned up in ariver nearby.Our last game was against St Mary’s. It was very close, with the locals getting the better of us in humid conditions. Onceagain the girls won, this time with the luxury of a cement court. This made them undefeated for the tour, a fantasticresult.All the students appreciated the efforts of organising staff, Mr Begg, Miss Twomey and Mr and Mrs Winslade, and wish toacknowledge the work of Dr Douch, who was kept busy throughout the trip.It was a wonderful experience to see the relaxed Fijian way of life and to meet the local students, and we will neverforget our fantastic tour to the friendly nation.Charles Litchfield, Year 8 Student12

SENIOR SCHOOLRiding HighThe Coonabarabran Horse Expo is touted as the largest equestrian fixture outside Sydney Royal Show and one ofthe nation’s premier equestrian events for secondary school students. For four days and nights the Coonabarabranshowground is transformed into a large campsite accommodating students, teachers, parents and horses, all with onegoal – to gain the highest overall pointscore to win the Expo trophy.A 17-strong team KWS Equestrian team lead by Year 11 student Georgie Mutton, taking over the leadership reinsfrom the highly successful Tori Jeffress (Year 12) who had to attend an equestrian event in Melbourne, attended themarathon event.Georgie and her horse Keoki had a huge challenge at the start of the expo when she took on the championship gradeeventing. Annabel Mutton and Jessica Simpson also took on high level eventing.Results for the expo were:• Clare Gavin - 2nd in C grade eventing• Kate Hall - 10th in D grade eventing• Callie-Jane Jeffress - 7th in C grade eventing• Annabel Mutton - 5th AM7 Jumping, 4th Power and Speed Jumping, 5thA2 Jumping• Georgie Mutton - 4th AM7 Jumping, 3rd Power and Speed Jumping, 3rdA2 Jumping• Arkie Pickering - 2nd in C grade eventing, 5th AM7 Jumping, 4th A2Jumping. Ring classes - 2nd in hack class, 4th in rider class and 4th inequestrian hack class• Jess Simpson - 5th in hack ring class• Hugh Willoughby - 2nd in C grade eventing, 2nd in restricted Jumping,1st bending, 2nd barrels, 4th Time Trial, 2nd in working horse challenge.Hugh also was presented with a rug for winning overall point score.Georgie Mutton (pictured above) hasrecently been selected in the NSWPony Club State Eventing team tocompete at the 2011 National PonyClub Championships at Werribee,Victoria in September. Georgie isone of six riders selected on theNSW Junior Eventing team and willcompete against the top six ridersfrom each state around Australia. Amember of the Cudal Pony Club andthe 2011 KWS Equestrian Captain,Georgie has had a busy 12 monthscompeting at the preferred selectionevents around NSW and has beenrewarded with her spot on a verycompetitive NSW team.13

Stepping Back inTimeExperience is the best way to learn;with this in mind Year 4 (pictured) setoff to explore some of the sites of “oldSydney” as part of their HSIE unit.The first stop was Rouse Hill Houseand Farm where they dressed up aspart of the Schoolhouse Programmeand completed olde worlde lessonsin handwriting, science and sewing.Next stop was The Rocks Walking Tour,exploring the old sites of the first colonyof Australia.Day Two began at the Royal Botanic Garden with the Contact programme, which compared and contrasted theEuropean and the Aboriginal cultures and the impact on Australia of that first contact with the First Fleet. Year 4 waslucky enough to catch a performance of Descendance at the Australian Museum in conjunction with NAIDOC Week.The final programme was at Hyde Park Barracks where the students had a look into the past: where the convicts usedto live and how they spent their days.The students were extremely well-behaved and appreciative of the privileges extended to them on the excursion.Special thanks to Miss Myrri Holmes and Mr Mark Pritchard for their time, energy and superb organisation of thiswonderful opportunity.Canberra CultureOur Year 6 students (pictured) undertookan educational tour of Canberrawhere they participated in a variety ofeducational programmes focused onAustralia’s history, culture, heritage anddemocracy.Day One began with an early visit to theNational Zoo and a visit to the Indonesianembassy. The Australian Institute of Sportwas fantastic and the students werefortunate to see many athletes in training.The day concluded with an evening visitto Telstra Tower.A visit to Parliament House the nextmorning enabled the children, posingas Members of Parliament, to propose,debate and pass Bills. This was followed by a visit to the House of Representatives, the Senate and Old ParliamentHouse. The Electoral Centre was next, followed by the National Gallery. After the activity-packed day, the group thenenjoyed dinner before heading off to Questacon.The final day commenced with a drive up to Mt Ainslie and then a trip back in time to the National Film and SoundArchives. A valuable and meaningful session at the Australian War Memorial capped off the trip before headinghome.The Year 6 students’ impeccable behaviour, dress and manners were exceptional and attracted many positive andgenuine comments wherever they went.16

PREP SCHOOLHappy HarmonyConcert Highlights PrepTalentsThe Prep School is riding the crest of a musical waveat present and the Variety Concert gave every studentan opportunity to shine on stage and demonstratemusical, theatrical and rhetorical skills.Hosts Angus Crossing and Alice Litchfield introducedthe 19 different acts, with the receptive audienceshowing their appreciation.The stars of the evening were the Kindergartenperformers, who stole the show with their smiles andattentive looks as they performed their choir pieces.The Special Interest Group from Digital Photographyprovided a snapshot of their activities for the term,giving the audience a valuable insight into the mosttalked about time of the week over Term Two.A sneak-peek at some of the musical items from theBest Shot in the West whet the appetite for thoselooking forward to the musical.The students and staff members did a wonderful job,with a special mention to our new Co-Ordinator ofPreparatory Music, Mrs Annie McRae, for her tirelessefforts and endless enthusiasm.17

First Year 3 Beginner BandAfter weeks of lessons and many hours of practice at home, the KWS Year 3Beginner Band hit the stage to the delight of parents, friends and other Prepstudents.The Prep School initiative to increase the number of students in theInstrumental Programme has seen every Year 3 student learning a bandinstrument over Terms One and Two.Demonstrations and ‘try-outs’ started the process. The students were thenallocated an instrument and put into pairs to conduct their lessons. Excellenttutelage was provided by Ms Innes, Mr Ismail and Mrs Schoeler-Jones.The concert allowed the whole group to play their instruments in alarger ensemble. Proud, smiling parents listened to their children performbeautifully as part of the first ever KWS Year 3 Beginner Band.Sharing Music KnowledgeThe Newington Prep Band arrived for a workshop in thePerformance Theatre with our KWS Prep Senior Band. Initially,each band performed. Mr Vickers, Head of Instrumental Musicat Newington, provided a wonderful concert for our studentsand really engaged the Prep Senior Band during the Newingtonperformance. Mrs McRae conducted our Prep Senior Band whoperformed beautifully for the Newington boys. The joint bandexperience was a real thrill. All the students really enjoyed theactivity and achieved a fantastic level of performance by the endof the session.Best Shot In The WestThe Prep School’s annual musical promises to be arollicking, Wild West tale full of song and dance.Best Shot In The West tells the story of what happenswhen Wilhelm Kadoc, fresh from Sweden and strugglingwith the English language, arrives in the little town ofSmoggy Hollow.The wonderful set has been built and our Year 5 and 6students are busily studying their lines. The performancewill take place during the last week of this Term.18

PREP SCHOOLPrep Sports SnippetsAge Championship Results:Snr Boys 11 Years Boys Jnr Boys1st Charlie Pittman William Cheney Mitchell Strike2nd NathanaelVazourasHamish MacSmithOllie Steele-Park3rd Sam Harbison Fletcher Rose Ben BellamySnr Girls 11 Years Girls Jnr Girls1st JemimaEmma Holman Niamh McPheeMcCalman2nd Arabella McLeay ChelseaRuby GreerShrimpton3rd Kelsea Bellamy Jemma BarrettIndia KermodeAnnekaGrahamAthletics CarnivalThe weather was glorious for the Athletics Carnivaland students achieved personal bests, displayedhuge efforts and earned House participation points.House spirit was alive and colourful, with studentsrunning in a minimum of two to three races each.K-2 were courageous in running their 400m raceand taking part in 50m and 100m races. Years 3-6participated in 100m, 200m and had the optionof running the 800m. Others had pre-trialled forfield events. The relay races and finals are alwaysfavourites, with Sport Houses cheering on theircompetitors. As always, thanks must go to all thestaff and parents who helped make the day sosuccessful. Overall House Points & Places were asfollows: 4th Gordon 598, 3rd Douglas 638, 2ndBrown 725, 1st McLachlan 796.Records Set on the Day:Senior Girls 800mSenior Girls 200mSenior Girls DiscusSenior Girls TurboJavJemima McCalman2.44.53Jemima McCalman29.90Jemima McCalman22.82Kelsea Bellamy 20.7711 Years Boys Discus Fletcher Rose 22.32Junior Girls Turbo Jav Emma Crossing 11.43Junior Boys Turbo Jav Mitchell Strike 19.29More AthleticAchievementsPhoebe Litchfield - 3rd800m - Little Athletics StateChampionshipsOllie Steele-Park - 8th 800m -NSWPSSA Athletics TrialsJemima McCalman - 3rd 800m,1st Multi-event - NSWPSSAAthletic TrialsJemima qualified for NationalAthletics Championships,representing NSW in September19Pictures: Competitors at the Athletics Carnival, top - Kyle Furness makes his high-jump;Bottom L to R – Jack Smith, Ziggy Jackson-le Couteur, Will Rouse, Max Jorquera.

WAS and HICES CrossCountryFrom our School Cross Country event, we sent a teamof 42 runners to compete at the WAS and HICESCross Country Carnivals. These were held at AllSaints College, Bathurst in May. Our athletes had anadvantage of running and knowing the course for theHICES competition. The students competed brilliantlywith courage and determination.KWS came third overall in Division One and we wonthe point score.Out of our team of 38 students, 15 qualified for theCIS Competition to represent HICES (this is the top tenfinishers per age group).The students whose results put them in the team torepresent KWS at CIS were: Jemima McCalman, AliceLitchfield, Arabella McLeay, Nathanael Vazouras,Emma Holman, Jessica Amos, Hannah Solari, EmmaHazelton, Hamish Mac Smith, Will Cheney, OllieSteele-Park, Phoebe Litchfield, Haidee Watson, JackPengilly, Max Bylsma.There was a minimum of 65 athletes per agegroup competing in each race at HICES. A massiveundertaking!CIS Cross CountryThe track was muddy and slow due to all the Sydneyrainfall for the 15 KWS athletes who competed atthe CIS Cross Country at Eastern Creek. The placesand results do not do justice to the students’ levelof determination. At CIS, each race had 85 to 97competitors.With their outstanding results, three students gained aplace in the team to go on to compete at the NSW AllSchools Cross Country (State): Jemima McCalman 3rd,Ollie Steele-Park 3rd, Phoebe Litchfield 2nd.NSWPSSA Schools CrossCountryPhoebe, Ollie and Jemima all ran exceptionally wellin sodden conditions at the NSW PSSA & All SchoolsCross Country Championships at Eastern Creek. Withover 80 competitors in each race, Phoebe placed 28th,Ollie 14th and Jemima 36th overall.Pictures: Top - Cheering McLachlan supporters at the Athletics Carnival; Middle L- Ollie Steele-Park;Middle R - Jemima McCalman; Bottom - Phoebe Litchfield receives her medal for 2nd place20

PREP SCHOOLDelightful Discoveries21Special InterestLike to learn new skills and are willing to give it a go? KWS Prep students are. Term Two saw another excitingprogramme of trying something different on Friday afternoons. With the help of 16 parent/grandparent volunteers plusPrep staff, there was a wide range of activities to choose from.Every child from Kindergarten to Year 6 chose an activity. This year Special Interest activities consisted of board andmind games, story books coming to life, clay making, paper craft, French, cooking, dancing, art, copper work, cardmaking, batik art, crafts from yesteryear, ancient civilisations, mosaics, beading, digital photography, didgeridoomaking, battle field modelling, yoga and geocaching.What a range!After a busy eight weeks, a showcase assembly was held where each group presented their work to the rest of theschool. It was thoroughly entertaining as some groups were most imaginative in their presentations.Parents love to be involved and the school treasures that involvement. Combining the skills of staff and parents makesfor a very satisfying Friday afternoon at KWS Prep.Pictures: Images of some of the smiling special interest group participants taken by the Digital Photography group

Spiritual JourneyThis year a number of our seniorstudents accepted the invitationfrom Affinity InterculturalFoundation to visit Turkey tostudy Islam and the history ofthe region and to experience thedelights of Turkish culture.They were accompanied by twoKWS members of staff and threeTurkish-Australians.Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus and Assos were among the extraordinary journeys through time and stories that resonatewith the Australian psyche. The tour also included visiting schools where the KWS students talked to their peers anddiscovered the common desires and hopes of people around the world.An internal flight from Istanbul to Kayseri took us from ‘chilly’ to plain ‘freezing’. Kayseri and Cappadocia areamazing in their geological and historical significance. Entering these sites is like stepping into early church historyitself.Amidst everything we encountered: architecture, sites, people, culture… was the ever-present resounding call toprayer and the outward expression of Islam’s belief in God ‘the merciful and compassionate’.Our experience of moderate Islam brought us to a more profound questioning of our own faith convictions and also apondering of what we can contribute to the world for sake of the ‘other’.Pastor Philip Worrad, Chaplain24

CONNECTIONSDisplaying SuccessArt on ShowMillamolong Polo CarnivalThe KWS Art Show committee was verypleased with the number of visitors whoattended the Annual P&F Art Show.With items for sale at a very wide range ofprices, all tastes and budgets were catered for.This year’s show saw an even wider rangeof exhibits on display, including glassworks,mosaic, ceramics, photography and jewellery,Indigenous artwork and garden sculptures, aswell as the magnificent paintings. The itemsmade by the Preparatory School classes wereagain sensational, with the silent auctions forthe items raising valuable funds.Congratulations to all of the P&F membersinvolved in this highly successful venture,which sees all profits go directly back to theeducation of the students.Nine KWS hospitality students gave up their weekend and donatedtheir time and skills to help prepare and serve food at the MillamolongPolo Carnival. The day was a charity fundraising event, raising moneyfor Riding for the Disabled and the Starlight Foundation.The students worked tirelessly throughout the day and werecomplimented on their competence and dedication.The carnival was a huge success, raising much-needed funds,providing an entertaining day out and giving our students a valuableexperience. The students involved were Bridget Bennett, LucyMurdoch, Meagan Byrne, Jeffrey Kittichaiwong, Jessica Inder, KathrynMoriarty, Kellie O’Connor, Jasmine Greenshields and Anna Farley. Theaccompanying teachers were Robin Marshall and Penny Chandler.25Picture: Middle L - Lynne Hansen admires the pottery; Middle R - Janelle Brunnerand daughter Sophie; Bottom L to R - Bridget Bennett and Kellie O’Connor

Cow Calf ProgrammeCelebrates SuccessAfter seven years of drought, we have finally been blessedwith favourable conditions. As a result, the Cow CalfProgramme has expanded once again and the bi-annualCow Calf Dinner, established many years ago, was held tothank participating parents and supporters involved in theprogramme.The dinner was a great occasion, and involved past parentsand friends from 1983 to 2011, covering the 28 years theprogramme has been in existence. Barb and Will Hawkewere in attendance representing benefactors from the veryfirst days of the programme.John and Beverley Gibb, who have donated their propertyto the programme, were also in attendance, as well asDerek Pigot, the former chairman of the School Council,who supported and encouraged the programme in its initialdays right through to his retirement in 2009. Many currentcattle runners were also in attendance.The guest speaker was Pip Job, an ex-student and successfulcattle producer from Cumnock. Guests were entertained byHelen Barnett from the school staff and awards were givento the students involved in the Sydney Show Team, with thepresentations made by Pip.Opera at the DishOn Saturday, October 8, KWS singingteacher Helen Barnett (pictured right) willsee her dream to perform under the ParkesRadio Telescope (aka ‘The Dish’) becomea reality.In a concert at Parkes last year, Helensuggested the concept to the audience.After many months of planning, ‘Bellini toBroadway’ is soon to become a reality.The event will feature Helen and threeother soloists, accompanied by the50-piece Macquarie PhilharmoniaOrchestra, in many well-known and lovedopera and musical theatre arias and duets.Actor Roy Billing (Mayor of Parkes inthe movie ‘The Dish’) will be MC for thespectacular evening, with all funds raisedto aid the McGrath Foundation.For further information and tickets, go towww.parkesunderthestars.com.auPicture: Top L to R - Captains of the Cattle Team Ben Nott and Cailin O’Connor26

FORMER STUDENTSEnduring RelationshipsTamsyn takes on theWorldTriathlon Australia named Class of 2010member Tamsyn Moana-Veale as part of asix-strong Australian Junior team to contestthis year’s World Triathlon Championships inBeijing in September.Tamsyn is proving herself to be a world-classjunior triathlete and we wish her all the bestas she takes on the best junior triathletes onthe planet.Apprentice of the YearRugby High AchieverClass of 2006 graduate MichaelGoodall was recently awardedthe ‘Apprentice of the Year’ titlefor 2011 at the Western RegionTrading Awards. This yearMichael has begun to work asan independent sub-contractorafter completing his carpentryapprenticeship. In his spare time,Michael shines as the star No.7for Orange Emus first grade Rugbyside, and gives back to KWS bycoaching the 14Bs rugby side.Simon Uphill from the Classof 2006 has excelled in hisfavourite sport this year. Playingfor Western Districts in the ACTas No.10, Simon was selectedfor the ACT side to play the NSWCountry Cockatoos as a curtainraiser to the Brumbies v ForceSuper 15 match on April 17.Simon played a leading role in theACT victory 41-38.Tom’s Uni ScholarshipClass of 2010 member Tom Fenton earnedhimself a scholarship at the University ofSydney to aid him in his studies over the nextfour years. Tom, who is studying Commerce,received the prestigious ‘David W JohnsonScholarship’ which is based on academicexcellence, leadership and personalattributes.Many of our students are applying for (andreceiving) scholarships to aid in their studiesfrom universities all over Australia andbeyond. KWS Students are finding that theirapplications for scholarships are successfulbecause of the many and varied items ontheir CVs from their time at the School. Aswell as academic prowess, leadership skills,cadets and active involvement in sportingand musical groups are all proving to bespectacular assets for our ex-students as theyenter the ‘real’ world.29

Diary Dates125 YearCelebrationWeekendTickets to all events (except the GalaBall) can be purchased online viawww.trybooking.com.au/RSZTickets and tables for the Gala Ball canbe purchased by contacting the GeneralSecretary, Mrs Sally Rattray-Wood on(02) 6392 0325.For further information on reunions orthe 125 Years’ Celebration weekendcontact the Director of Development MrPaul Tierney on (02) 6392 0305.Sept 21 & 22Oct 10 - 14Oct 28Nov 3Nov 4Nov 5Nov 6Dec 3Year 5 & 6 ‘Best Shot in the West’ PerformancesYear 3 & 4 Drama Performance WeekPreparatory School Grandparents’ Day125 Year Celebration: Grand Concert andChapel Service125 Year Celebration: Ex-student and KWSFamily Drinks Function125 Year Celebration Gala Ball125 Year Celebration P & F Family PicnicSpeech DayUpcoming Reunion• Nov 19 Class of 1981 30 Year reunion Canobolas HotelDetails of Reunion functions are available on the KWS website,with all invitations and reply sheets downloadable from the web,and on Facebook group pages – see ‘Kinross Wolaroi Class of …’for more.Please contact Director of Development Paul Tierney on (02)6392 0305 for further information.