Kinross Wolaroi School

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Kinross Wolaroi School
Location
Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
Orange, New South Wales

Australia
Coordinates33°17′25″S 149°6′47″E / 33.29028°S 149.11306°E / -33.29028; 149.11306Coordinates: 33°17′25″S 149°6′47″E / 33.29028°S 149.11306°E / -33.29028; 149.11306
Information
TypeIndependent co-educational early learning, primary, and secondary day and boarding school
MottoLatin: Scientia, Amicitias, Integritas
(Knowledge, Friendship, Integrity)
DenominationUniting Church[1]
Established
  • 1886; 135 years ago (1886)
    (as Wolaroi College)
  • 1928; 93 years ago (1928)
    (as Presbyterian Ladies' College, Orange)
  • 1975; 46 years ago (1975)
    (as Kinross Wolaroi School)
PrincipalAndrew Parry
Employees~200
YearsEarly learning; K-12
Enrolmentc. 1,100 (2007)
Campus typeRegional
Colour(s)Two Blues
Affiliations
  • Independent Schools Association
  • Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia
  • Junior School Heads Association of Australia
  • Australian Boarding Schools' Association
  • Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools
  • Western Associated Schools
  • NSW Combined Independent Schools
Alumni nameWolarovians
Websitewww.kws.nsw.edu.au

Kinross Wolaroi School is an independent Uniting Church co-educational early learning, primary, and secondary day and boarding school, located in Orange, a rural city 260 kilometres (160 mi) west of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The school was formed in 1975 with the merger between Wolaroi Methodist Boys College and the Kinross Presbyterian Ladies' College, Orange (PLC). It is a non-selective school and currently caters for approximately 1,110 students from early learning, through Year K to Year 12, including 350 boarders.[2] As of 2007, classes and boys boarding occur at the former Wolaroi site on Bathurst Road, while girl boarders live at the former PLC site on Coronation Drive.[1] In 2019, annual fees ranged from A$9,764 to A$41,960, plus a compulsory annual Family Capital Levy of A$600 per family.[3]

In 2008, the school adopted the Latin motto of Scientia, Amicitias, Integritas (Knowledge, Friendship, Integrity).[4] The school's five core values are Courage, Respect, Inclusiveness, Resilience and Commitment.[5]

History[]

Wolaroi College[]

Weymouth House, a small privately owned school for boys, was established in 1886, in the Union Bank building, Orange. The school was established by Mr Thomas Richards, the sole owner and teacher, having come to Orange from All Saints College in Bathurst. The school was a success, and in 1893 the Wolaroi mansion, built by Mr John Charles McLachlan, was purchased, enabling the boys to move to a larger campus. The move led to a change of name for the school, to Wolaroi Grammar School.[6]

In 1913 Mr Charles Campbell secured the site and became the third headmaster. In 1925 however, Mr Connell who had succeeded Campbell left Orange and the school consequently closed. This provided an opportunity for the Methodist Church to secure the site and the continuation of a boy's college in Western New South Wales.[7]

In 1925, the Methodist Church took control of the school and changed the name of the school again, this time to Wolaroi Methodist Boys College. The college reopened in 1926 under the direction of Mr Stanley Brown who continued to expand the school and increase the diversity of subjects and programs offered at Wolaroi. He is widely credited with having saved the college from financial ruin. As thanks the College Council named the entrance gates to the school 'The Stanley Brown Memorial Gates'.[8]

The school continued to flourish in the years following the Second World War until a drought hit the region in the 1970s. In 1973, suffering financial difficulties and with changing societal attitudes, the college decided to become fully co-educational. This culminated with the Methodist Church asking The Kinross School to take over the management of Wolaroi College in 1975.[6]

Presbyterian Ladies' College[]

The Presbyterian Ladies' College (PLC) opened in Orange in 1928, providing an education based on Christian principles for girls in the Western Area. On a 43-acre site, named "Campdale". With Miss Elanor Linck as its first Headmistress.

P.L.C. Orange had been open for eight years when Miss Ina Miller became Headmistress. For the next 33 years her personality and vision would shape the school and its values.

In 1973, PLC also became co-educational, and changed its name to The Kinross School.[6]

In 1975 The Kinross School took over the management of Wolaroi and became Kinross Wolaroi School.[7]

Kinross Wolaroi School[]

The Kinross School Council accepted the responsibilities of Wolaroi College, and in 1975 the schools amalgamated to become Kinross Wolaroi School. With the creation of the Uniting Church in Australia in 1977, the School became a part of that Church.[6]

After initial difficulties the school flourished in the region and a new era of development began. The direction came under the leadership of the schools second Headmaster, Mr Alan Anderson.[7]

After a period of rapid expansion and after having pursued an aggressive marketing strategy in Western NSW to attract more regional boarder's the school entered a period of consolidation. This involved the upgrading and maintenance of the schools existing facilities and infrastructure. This expansion saw students being able to be involved in a variety of programs from drama and music to cadets, sport and the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

By 1988 the school had grown to 728 students and was now the largest co-educational boarding school in New South Wales, with 384 boarders.[7]

New Zealand born Reverend David Williams was appointed as the third Headmaster in 2002. He was succeeded by Mr Brian Kennelly in 2007. Under Mr Kennelly's leadership the school continued to expand and flourish, with an extensive building program being undertaken on the Wolaroi site, to upgrade much of the aging infrastructure such as the auditorium and many classroom facilities[7]

In 2016 the school had its 130-year anniversary and Dr Andrew Parry took over as the fifth Headmaster of Kinross Wolaroi School and the school has continued to expand and flourish.[7]

A former Preparatory School Principal at Kinross Wolaroi, , was in 1998 convicted on a range of charges for sex offences against 12 boys.[9][10][11]

Today,[when?] the School provides co-education and single-sex boarding using its two main campuses. Classes and boys boarding occurs at the Wolaroi Site on Bathurst Road, while female boarders live at the PLC Site on Coronation Drive.[6]

Co-curricular activities[]

Cadets[]

The Kinross Wolaroi School Cadet Unit (KWSCU) was established over 60 years ago, and today has a Unit strength of 300 cadets. KWSCU is a member of the Australia Services' Cadet Scheme, with a total enrolment of approximately 23,000 cadets Australia-wide. Unless a student is selected in the band or orchestra, membership of the Cadet Unit is compulsory for all students in semester two of Year 7, Year 8 and the first semester of Year 9, with further service encouraged following the award of rank. A camp, bivouacs and leadership courses are held annually. The unit parades through Orange on Anzac Day, and also conducts a farewell parade to Senior Cadets (Year 12) and band members, and in recent years a Ceremonial Parade on Open Day. A formal mess night is held annually for the Senior Cadets and Band members, their parents, and officers.[12]

Each platoon is commanded by a Cadet Under Officer (CUO), with the assistance of a Platoon Sergeant (SGT), and is divided into three sections, with each led by a Corporal (CPL). Rank is attained after a cadet with suitable experience attends and passes the relevant promotion course. Typically, a CUO is in Year 11, and has served for four years in the cadet corp.[12]

Music[]

The co-curricular music programme at Kinross Wolaroi includes elective instrumental, musicianship, vocal tuition, and a range of ensemble music, including an orchestra, concert band, stage band, chamber strings, chamber choir and many more. Instrumental and vocal tuition occurs during the normal school day with individual students attending lessons once a week. Students may also choose to study musicianship in groups according to grade level, with classes occurring before school and during lunch times.

The Regional Engagement Enterprise (TREE)[]

In 2017, Kinross Wolaroi School launched The Regional Engagement Enterprise (TREE) initiative, which provides community-based learning experiences, especially opportunities in local agribusinesses, for all students from Kindergarten to Year 12.[13]

Sport[]

The Kinross Wolaroi Prep School is a member school of both the Heads of Independent Co-Educational Schools (HICES) and Junior School Heads Association of Australia (JSHAA). Through these organisations, students have the opportunity to participate in Athletics, Swimming and Cross-Country through to a national level. Boys and girls from Kindergarten to Year 6 may play in a sports team during the winter season, and from Years 3 to 6 in the summer season. Sport is then compulsory for all students from Year 3 onwards.[14]

In the Senior school, boys may participate in sports such as rugby, soccer, cricket, cross country, basketball, water polo, swimming, diving, squash, softball, rowing and tennis. Girls may compete in sports such as hockey, netball, basketball, waterpolo, swimming, aerobics, squash, diving, rowing, softball, soccer and tennis. Sporting competition in the senior school is facilitated through the school's membership in a number of associations, including Orange Town Competitions, Western Associated Schools (WAS), Independent Schools Association (ISA), Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools (AICES), and NSW Combined Independent Schools (CIS).[14]

Other activities[]

In addition to sport, music, and the Cadet Unit, a number of other activities are available to students. These include: the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, stud cattle, cattle paraders, ski tour, public speaking, debating, art club, archives, computer club, photography club, crusaders, community service, peer support, young achievers, student representative council and library.[15]

Boarding And Day Houses[]

The school has eight days houses and eight boarding houses. With the day houses being mixed sex as well as being a mix between day students and boarders. Whereas the boarding houses are sex segregated. With the girls boarding houses being located on the PLC site and the boys boarding houses being located on the Wolaroi site.

Day Houses[]

Brown House: Was established in 1941 and names after Mr Stanley G. Brown the first Headmaster of Wolaroi College following its sale to the Methodist Church in 1925.[8]

McLachlan House: Was established in 1969 and names after Mr John Charles McLachlan, the original owner of the Wolaroi Mansion.[16]

Douglas House: Was named after Mr James Stuart Douglas who was one of the founding members of PLC Orange and Chairman of the PLC Council from 1932 to 1933.[17]

Gordon House: Was established in 1950 and named after Mr D.W.T. Gordon and his family who had long associations with PLC Orange since its foundation.[18]

Dean House: Was established in 1986 in honour of Mr William Douglas Johnston Dean, the first chair of the KInross Wolaroi School Council 1975–1976.[19]

Richards House: Was established in 1986 and named after Mr T.H. Richards, owner, headmaster and sole teacher of the initial school, Weymouth House which opened in June 1886.[20]

Williams House: Was established in 2016 and named after Rev. David Williams, former Headmaster of Kinross Wolaroi School from 2002 to 2006.[21]

Blackman House: Was established in 2016 and named after Rev. Everard Harley Blackman OAM, the school chaplain at Kinross Wolaroi School from 1979 to 1989.[22]

Boarding Houses[]

There are four boys boarding houses, located on the Wolaroi site, and four girls boarding houses, located on the PLC site.

Boys Boarding Houses[]

Trathan House: Is the boys Year 7 boarding house.

Tower House: Is located in the Wolaroi Mansion and is for Years 8/9.

Weymouth House: Is for Years 9-12.

Wolaroi House: Is the newest boys boarding house and caters for years 9-12.

Girls Boarding Houses[]

Stuart Douglas House: Is for girl boarders in Year 7.

Loader House: Is for girl boarders in Years 8-12.

Miller House: Is for girl boarders in Years 8-12.

New House: Is for girl boarders in Years 8-12.

Affiliations[]

Kinross Wolaroi School is affiliated with the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA),[23] the Junior School Heads Association of Australia (JSHAA),[24] the Australian Boarding Schools' Association (ABSA),[25] Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools (AICES) and is an associate member of the Independent Schools Association (ISA).

Notable alumni[]

Alumni of Kinross Wolaroi School, Kinross School, the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Orange, or Wolaroi College may elect to join the Kinross Wolaroi Ex-Students' Association.[26]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Kinross Wolaroi School". New South Wales. School Choice. 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  2. ^ "2017 Annual Report" (PDF).
  3. ^ "2019 FEE SCHEDULE" (PDF). Kinross Wolaroi School. Kinross Wolaroi School. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  4. ^ "A Tribute to Principal Brian J Kennelly" (PDF). The Chronicle (2): 80. December 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  5. ^ "2017 Annual Report" (PDF).
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "School History". The School. Kinross Wolaroi School. Archived from the original on 9 February 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "Kinross Wolaroi School | History". www.kws.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "Kinross Wolaroi School | Brown". www.kws.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  9. ^ http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/fourth-trial-for-murder-accused/192592.aspx
  10. ^ http://abc.com.au/news/stories/2006/11/08/1783914.htm
  11. ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/11/08/1784038.htm
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b "Cadets". Co Curricular. Kinross Wolaroi School. Archived from the original on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  13. ^ Marschke, Tanya (15 November 2017). "Kinrosss Wolaroi School launches agribusiness program called TREE". Central Western Daily. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Sport". Co Curricular. Kinross Wolaroi School. Archived from the original on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  15. ^ "Other Activities at KWS". Co Curricular. Kinross Wolaroi School. Archived from the original on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  16. ^ "Kinross Wolaroi School | McLachlan". www.kws.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  17. ^ "Kinross Wolaroi School | Douglas". www.kws.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  18. ^ "Kinross Wolaroi School | Gordon". www.kws.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Kinross Wolaroi School | Dean". www.kws.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  20. ^ "Kinross Wolaroi School | Richards". www.kws.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  21. ^ "Kinross Wolaroi School | Williams". www.kws.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  22. ^ "Kinross Wolaroi School | Blackman". www.kws.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  23. ^ "New South Wales". School Directory. Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia. 2008. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  24. ^ "JSHAA New South Wales Directory of Members". New South Wales Branch. Junior School Heads' Association of Australia. 2007. Archived from the original on 17 January 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  25. ^ "Kinross Wolaroi School". Schools. Australian Boarding Schools' Association. 2008. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  26. ^ "Introduction". Ex Students. Kinross Wolaroi School. Archived from the original on 18 May 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
  27. ^ "ARU player profile". rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 16 January 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  28. ^ Norington, Brad (13 June 2008). "Belinda Neal's stoushes with ALP comrades legendary". The Australian.
  29. ^ "Canoeing greats of Orange". Orange City Council. Retrieved 7 September 2010.

Further reading[]

  • Butt, M.F. 1978. Presbyterian Ladies' College, Orange - A Journal. Orange, G.H Craig.

External links[]

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