Kinross Wolaroi School

{{Multiple issues| {{Overly detailed|date=November 2025}} {{Primary sources|date=November 2025}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}} {{Use Australian English|date=April 2015}} {{Infobox school | logo = Kinross Wolaroi School Logo.jpg | logo_size = | seal_image = [[File:Wolaroi College Crest Coloured.png|Wolaroi College Crest]] | motto = {{langx|la|Scientia, Amicitias, Integritas}} | motto_translation = Knowledge, Friendship, Integrity | region = Central West | city = [[Orange, New South Wales]] | state = | former_name = Wolaroi Methodist Boys' College | schooltype = | type = [[Independent school|Independent]] [[Mixed-sex education|co-educational]] [[Pre-school education|early learning]], [[Primary school|primary]], and [[Secondary school|secondary]] [[Day school|day]] and [[Boarding school|boarding]] school | denomination = [[Uniting Church of Australia|Uniting Church]]<ref name=SchoolChoice>{{cite web|url= http://www.schoolchoice.com.au/find_a_school?cid=12343&pid=2701669|title= Kinross Wolaroi School|access-date= 2008-05-26|year= 2008|work= New South Wales|publisher= School Choice}}</ref> | established = {{unbulleted list|{{start date and age|1886}}<br />(as Wolaroi College)|{{start date and age|1928}}<br />{{nowrap|(as Presbyterian Ladies' College, Orange)}}|{{start date and age|1975}}<br />(as Kinross Wolaroi School) }} | founder = Thomas Henry Richards | chairman = Rev. A. Cunningham | headmaster = Mr Timothy Kelly | key_people = | colours = {{Color box|lightblue|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|darkblue|border=darkgray}}Two Blues | rival = [[St Stanislaus' College, Bathurst|St Stanislaus' College]] | gender = Co-Educational | enrolment = {{circa|1,100}} | enrolment_as_of = 2020 | grades = [[Pre-school education|Early learning]] and [[K–12 (education)|K–12]] | grades_label = Years | chaplain = Rev. S. Yabsley-Bell | employees = 320 | website = {{URL|kws.nsw.edu.au}} | campus_type = [[Regional]] | yearbook = The Tower | affiliations = {{bulleted list|[[Independent Schools Association (Australia)|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|Round Square|}} | alumni_name = Wolarovians }}

'''Kinross Wolaroi School''' is an [[Independent school|independent]] [[Uniting Church of Australia|Uniting Church]] [[Mixed-sex education|co-educational]] [[Pre-school education|early learning]], [[Primary school|primary]], and [[Secondary school|secondary]] [[Day school|day]] and [[Boarding school|boarding]] school, located in [[Orange, New South Wales|Orange]], New South Wales, {{convert|260|km|mi|-1}} west of [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia. Established in 1886 it is the oldest school in Orange and operates across two campuses and serves students from early learning to Year 12. The modern school was formed in 1975 through the amalgamation of Wolaroi Methodist Boys' College and The Kinross School (formerly Presbyterian Ladies' College, Orange).

Kinross Wolaroi is a non-selective school and educates approximately 1,100 students, including around 350 boarders, across three sections: Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, and Senior School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 Annual Report |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/uploaded/documents/Annual_Reports/Annual_Report_2017.pdf}}</ref>

The school's affiliations include the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia, [[Independent Primary School Heads of Australia|Junior School Heads Association of Australia]], Australian Boarding Schools' Association, Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools, the [[Independent Schools Association (Australia)|Independent Schools Association]], and [[Round Square]].<ref name="AHISA" /><ref name="ABSA" /><ref name=":9" />

== History == The school traces its foundation to Weymouth House (est. 1886), later Wolaroi Methodist Boys' College, and Presbyterian Ladies' College, Orange (est. 1928), renamed The Kinross School in 1973. The two institutions amalgamated in 1975 as Kinross Wolaroi School, subsequently entering the [[Uniting Church in Australia]] in 1977.

===Wolaroi Methodist Boys' College===

==== 1886-1925 ==== Weymouth House, was opened in 1886, in the [[Union Bank of Australia building, Orange|Union Bank]] building in Orange. The School was founded by Mr. Thomas H. Richards, the sole owner and teacher, having come to Orange from [[All Saints' College, Bathurst|All Saints College]] in Bathurst. In 1893 Richards purchased the Wolaroi mansion, built by Mr. John Charles McLachlan, enabling the Richards to move the School to a larger campus. The move led to a change of name for the school, to Wolaroi Grammar School.<ref name=History>{{cite web|url=http://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/school/school.asp?pageid=19 |title=School History |access-date=2008-05-26 |work=The School |publisher=Kinross Wolaroi School |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209131505/http://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/school/school.asp?pageid=19 |archive-date= 9 February 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[File:230 - Union Bank of Australia (former) (5045014b1).jpg|thumb|The Union Bank Building in Orange, where Weymouth House was established in 1886.]] [[File:Wolaroi Grammer c.1895.png|thumb|Very early Weymouth House photo with T. H. Richards seen in the centre]]

In 1913, Mr. Charles Campbell secured Wolaroi and became the third headmaster. In 1925 however, Mr. Connell, who had succeeded Campbell, left Orange to join the staff of [[The King's School, Parramatta|The Kings School]] in [[Parramatta]]. He therefore sought someone to purchase the School. This provided an opportunity for the [[Methodism|Methodist Church]] to secure the site and the continuation of the College.<ref name="kws.nsw.edu.au">{{Cite web|title=Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} History|url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/about/history-of-the-school|access-date=2021-06-12|website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au|language=en-US}}</ref> [[File:Visit by the Governor-General, Lord Stonehaven, 24 June 1926.png|thumb|Visit by the [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]], [[John Baird, 1st Viscount Stonehaven|Lord Stonehaven]], in 1926]]

==== 1926-1945 ==== In 1925, the [[Methodist Church]] took control of the school and changed the name of the school 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. He is credited with having stabilised the College finances during his tenure as Headmaster. As thanks the College Council named the entrance gates to the School 'The Stanley Brown Memorial Gates'.<ref name="Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} Brown">{{Cite web|title=Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} Brown|url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/school-life/day-student-houses/brown|access-date=2021-06-13|website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au|language=en-US}}</ref>

==== 1945-1975 ==== The period following the [[World War II|Second World War]] and in particular the period from 1950 to 1962 was the greatest period of expansion for Wolaroi. Under Headmaster D.A. Trathen enrollments more than doubled, and the construction of new facilities was initiated.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Potts |first=John C. |title=Wolaroi College Orange A Pictorial History |year=1978 |isbn=0959727310 |publisher=Kinross Wolaroi School |location=Orange, New South Wales |pages=63 |language=English}}</ref> Additionally, this period of expansion also included a tightening of both academic and sporting standards.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Potts |first=John C. |title=Wolaroi College, Orange : a pictorial history |year=1978 |isbn=0959727310 |publisher=Kinross Wolaroi School |location=Orange, New South Wales |pages=93 |language=English}}</ref> [[File:1900's Wolaroi Grammer.png|thumb|A Wolaroi Grammar Classroom, c.1905]]

In 1971 Wolaroi College was visited by the [[Salahuddin of Selangor|Sultan]] and [[Tengku Ampuan Rahimah|Sultana]] of [[Selangor]]. One of the Sultans sons, Tengku Abdul Samad Shah, was attending the College at the time.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1971 |title=The Royal Visit |journal=The Wyvern, Wolaroi College, Orange |pages=12 |via=Issuu}}</ref>

By the early 1970s, after a drought hit Western NSW, the College was suffering from financial difficulties and decreasing enrollments. In 1973, with a change in societal attitudes regarding [[single-sex education]] the College Council began investigating the feasibility of becoming a [[Mixed-sex education|co-educational]] school. This culminated with the decision to amalgamate with The Kinross School by the Wolaroi College Council in 1975.<ref name="History" />

=== Presbyterian Ladies' College (The Kinross School) === There had been substantial [[Scottish people|Scottish]] immigration to Orange since its foundation in the 19th century which had led to a sizeable [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] community. Throughout the 1920s the Presbyterian community realized that there was a need for the establishment of a girls' school that could provide a well-rounded education based upon the ideals found within reformed [[Christianity]]. In response to this The Presbyterian Ladies' College (PLC) opened in Orange in 1928 on a 43-acre site, named "Campdale". With Miss Eleanor Linck as its first Headmistress.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |title=Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} History |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/about/history-of-the-school |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Dorothy Knox]] took over in 1932 and she led the school until 1936.<ref>{{Citation |last=Teale |first=Ruth |title=Dorothy Isabel Knox (1902–1983) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/knox-dorothy-isabel-12751 |work=Australian Dictionary of Biography |access-date=2023-11-23 |place=Canberra |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |language=en}}</ref> After which point Ina Miller became headmistress for 33 years.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> [[File:PLC Before 1973.jpg|thumb|PLC Orange c.1950]]In 1973, PLC became co-educational, and changed its name to The Kinross School.<ref name="History" /> During this time Wolaroi was suffering from financial difficulties and the [[Methodism|Methodist Church]] approached the Presbyterian Church to take over management of Wolaroi. In 1975 both The Kinross School Council and Wolaroi College Council agreed to amalgamate.<ref name="kws.nsw.edu.au" />

===Kinross Wolaroi School===

==== 1975-2015 ==== In 1975 Wolaroi College and The Kinross School amalgamated to form Kinross Wolaroi School. With the formation of the [[Uniting Church in Australia]] in 1977, the School came under that denomination.<ref name="History" />

Alan Anderson was appointed headmaster in 1978 and served until 2001.<ref name=":6">Stevens, Peter (2011). ''Kinross Wolaroi School: A Pictorial History 1975-2006''. orange. p.29. {{ISBN|978-0-646-56623-8 }}.</ref> In that same year no [[Dux]] was announced by Anderson 'because of low academic standards.'<ref name=":6" /> Anderson introduced stricter discipline, including stricter uniform regulations, restrictions on student leave and compulsory cadets for boys from 1979 (extended to girls in 1983).<ref name="Stevens, Peter 2011 p.30" /> In July 1979, around thirty boarders staged a protest on the main (Wolaroi) oval seeking relaxation of the new rules; they returned to their boarding houses after being told they faced expulsion.<ref name="Stevens, Peter 2011 p.30">Stevens, Peter (2011). ''Kinross Wolaroi School: A Pictorial History 1975-2006''. orange. p.30. {{ISBN|978-0-646-56623-8}}.</ref>

By 1988, the school had grown to 728 students with 384 boarders, making it the largest co-educational boarding school in New South Wales and the fourth largest in Australia at that time.<ref name="kws.nsw.edu.au" /> In 1989 continued expansion in boarding numbers led to the lease of the Victorian 'Croagh Patrick House' by the school.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stevens |first=Peter |title=Kinross Wolaroi School: A Pictorial History 1975-2006 |year=2011 |isbn=9780646566238 |publisher=Kinross Wolaroi School |location=Orange, New South Wales |pages=120}}</ref>

In 1998, the former preparatory principal at Kinross Wolaroi, [[John Thomas Kennett]], was convicted of sex offences against twelve boys.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 October 2006 |title=Fourth trial for murder accused |url=http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/fourth-trial-for-murder-accused/192592.aspx}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |url=http://abc.com.au/news/stories/2006/11/08/1783914.htm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 November 2006 |title=Man found not guilty of 1998 jail murder |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/11/08/1784038.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717050456/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/11/08/1784038.htm |archive-date=17 July 2012 |newspaper=ABC News}}</ref>

Reverend David Williams was appointed as the third Headmaster in 2002. He was succeeded by Brian Kennelly in 2007. Under Kennelly's leadership a building program was undertaken to upgrade the ageing infrastructure such as the Derek Pigot Auditorium and classroom facilities.<ref name="kws.nsw.edu.au" />

==== 2016-2025 ==== In 2016, the school celebrated its 130-year anniversary and Dr Andrew Parry took over as the fifth Headmaster of Kinross Wolaroi School.<ref name="kws.nsw.edu.au" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-09 |title=New principal says he can manage child protection issues |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-10/kinross-wolarois-schools-new-principal-admits-learning-from-rc/8254844 |access-date=2025-10-15 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In August 2016, [[SBS World News|SBS News]] reported that several Kinross Wolaroi School students were assaulted by adult spectators following a school rugby match between Kinross Wolaroi and [[St Stanislaus' College, Bathurst|St Stanislaus’ College]] in [[Bathurst, New South Wales|Bathurst]]. According to the report, a group of intoxicated spectators confronted players after the game, leading to a physical altercation in which a number of students were injured. The incident prompted discussion regarding spectator behaviour and supervision at inter-school sporting events, particularly between rugby rival schools Kinross Wolaroi and St Stanislaus'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-08-08 |title=Students assaulted after school rugby game |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/students-assaulted-after-school-rugby-game/q1jqejj1o |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=SBS News |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2020 several former students alleged they had been instructed to remove or alter naturally textured [[afro hair]] and protective braided hairstyles in order to comply with school grooming policy.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2020-07-31 |title=A campaign is calling for NSW schools to stop discriminating against afro and braided hair |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/a-campaign-is-calling-for-nsw-schools-to-stop-discriminating-against-afro-and-braided-hair/3aokt40dh |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=SBS News |language=en}}</ref> The school responded that its current grooming policy does not prohibit any specific hairstyles, but requires boys’ hair to be “near and off the collar without any "unorthodox" cuts or colours.” The headmaster said that "existing school grooming standards which do not accommodate the natural hair texture and growth of African and Indigenous students have been identified as one issue faced by these students".<ref name=":7" />

== Campus and heritage == The School occupies 100 acres across two campuses in Orange. Classes and boys' boarding are based at the Wolaroi campus on Bathurst Road; girls' boarding is located at the former PLC site on Coronation Drive.<ref name="History" />

=== The Wolaroi Mansion Building === [[File:WolaroiMansionOrange.png|thumb|Wolaroi Mansion Building]] The heritage listed Wolaroi Mansion was built by the architect John Hale for John C. McLachlan in 1884.<ref name="ReferenceC">{{Cite web |title=Our History {{!}} Kinross Wolaroi School |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/about-us/our-history |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en}}</ref> The School, after having outgrown the original buildings, moved to Wolaroi Mansion and grounds in 1893. The building has housed the school dining hall, offices, classrooms, and functions as a boys boarding up until the present day.<ref name="ReferenceC" />

The original building consisted of a drawing room, sitting room, dining room, breakfast room, seven bedrooms, four servants bedrooms, a study, servants hall, pantry, kitchen, scullery, laundry, dairy, cellar, children's playhouse, and a lumber room.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Potts |first=John C. |title=Wolaroi College, Orange : a pictorial history |publisher=Kinross Wolaroi School |year=1978 |isbn=0959727310 |location=Orange, New South Wales |pages=7 |language=English}}</ref> The existing mansion was expanded following the taking over of the college by the [[Methodist Church of Australasia|Methodist Church]] in 1925.

=== The War Memorial Building === The War Memorial Building was constructed during the 1950s and acted as the first expansion of the school outside of the buildings that were original to the McLachlan estate. The new classrooms were built with funds donated from the Old Boys' Association and the Methodist Church. The new building was opened on Monday, 8 December 1952 by the Rev. Professor G. Calvert Barber, President-General of the [[Methodist Church of Australasia]] and Professor of Theology, [[Queen's College, Melbourne]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Potts |first=John C. |title=Wolaroi College, Orange : a pictorial history |date=1978 |publisher=Kinross Wolaroi School |isbn=0959727310 |location=Orange, New South Wales |pages=1 |language=English}}</ref>

=== The Stanley G. Brown Memorial Gates === The Stanley G. Brown Memorial Gates act as the main entrance to the school's main site and are located on Bathurst Road. The naming of the gates occurred in 1956 after the death of Stanley Brown in 1953.<ref name=":3" />

=== The Music / Performing Arts Centre === In 1991 The Music and Performing Arts Centre, designed by Roy Michael, was opened by [[Alan Jones (talkback host)|Alan Jones]] and was celebrated by a gala concert compered by [[Rolf Harris]] actively involved 600 students.<ref name="Stevens, Peter 2011 p.132-133">Stevens, Peter (2011). ''Kinross Wolaroi School: A Pictorial History 1975-2006''. orange. p.132-133. {{ISBN|978-0-646-56623-8}}.</ref><blockquote>''<nowiki/>'We went to the main oval for the Beating of the Retreat, an extraordinary performance by the Cadet Corps. Its a co-ed school and the girls are in the same gear as the boys... Holding the rifles, presenting arms, saluting, the lot. The discipline, the presentation in regard to detail was fantastic. It was impressive and inspiring and you couldn't help but feel how much other young Australians were being denied the benefits... Then there was a Gala Open Air Concert, an exhibition of the music talent of the school.''' ([[Alan Jones (talkback host)|Alan Jones]], [[2UE]], November 1991)<ref>Stevens, Peter (2011). ''Kinross Wolaroi School: A Pictorial History 1975-2006''. orange. p.133. {{ISBN|978-0-646-56623-8}}.</ref></blockquote>

=== Sporting and Academic Facilities === Sporting facilities include eight playing fields, an indoor heated swimming pool, an outdoor pool, a gymnasium, a weights room, a boatshed, and courts for tennis, badminton, basketball and squash.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sports {{!}} Kinross Wolaroi School |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/learning/co-curricular/sports |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en}}</ref>

Academic facilities include a science centre with six laboratories, a library, an outdoor [[Amphitheatre]], an auditorium seating over 1,000, and an industrial technology workshop. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Visit Us {{!}} Kinross Wolaroi School |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/visit-us |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en}}</ref>

== House System and Boarding == The school's house system is the framework for student pastoral care, community life, and co-curricular participation. Houses form the basis for many school activities, including assemblies, competitions, and tutor group structures. Each student is provided with a Head Mentor and Wellbeing Mentor within their house upon enrollment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wellbeing {{!}} Kinross Wolaroi School |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/learning/wellbeing |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en}}</ref>

=== History of the house system=== The houses were established in 1936 "to encourage greater keenness in all contests within the College".<ref name=":1" /> The boys were divided into three Houses - the Sir Neville House, the McLachlan House, and the Campbell House.<ref name=":1" /> In 1941 it was decided to reform the House system due to unhappiness surrounding the fairness of the current system,{{clarify |date=November 2025}} and so in 1941 the existing houses were abolished and replaced by two new houses, Brown and Wesley.<ref name=":1" />

=== Day/Tutor Houses ===

{| class="wikitable" |+ !House name !House Colours !Gender !Years active !Named in honour of !Link with the School !Notes |- |Sir Neville House |Unknown |Boys |1936-1941 |[[Neville Howse|Sir Neville Howse]] |Sir Neville was the MP for Calare and reopened Wolaroi in 1926. |<ref name=":1" /> |- |Campbell House |Unknown |Boys |1936-1941 |Mr C. R. Campbell |The third Headmaster of Wolaroi from 1913 to 1925. |<ref name=":1" /> |- |Wesley House |Unknown |Boys |1941-1975 |[[John Wesley]] |The founder of the Methodist Church. |<ref name=":1" /> |- |Brown House |{{Color box|red|border=darkgray}} |Formerly Boys. Now Mixed |1941–Present |Stanley G. Brown |The fifth Headmaster of the College. |<ref name="Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} Brown" /> |- |Weymouth House |Unknown |Boys | * 1886–1890 * 1955–1975 |Weymouth House |The School attended by T. H. Richards, [[Weymouth College (public school)|Weymouth College]], a public school in England. |<ref name=":2" /> |- |McLachlan House |{{Color box|darkblue|border=darkgray}} |Formerly Boys. Now Mixed | * 1936–1941 * 1969–Present |John Charles McLachlan |The original owner and builder of Wolaroi. |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} McLachlan |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/school-life/day-student-houses/mclachlan |access-date=2021-06-13 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Douglas House |{{Color box|green|border=darkgray}} |Formerly Girls. Now Mixed |1950–Present |James Stuart Douglas |One of the founders of P.L.C. and Chairman of the College Council from 1932 to 1933. |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} Douglas |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/school-life/day-student-houses/douglas |access-date=2021-06-13 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Gordon House |{{Color box|yellow|border=darkgray}} |Formerly Girls. Now Mixed |1950–Present |Mr D.W.T. Gordon |One of the founding members of P.L.C. |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} Gordon |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/school-life/day-student-houses/gordon |access-date=2021-06-13 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Dean House |{{Color box|maroon|border=darkgray}} |Mixed |1986–Present |William Douglas Johnston Dean |Chairman of the School Council from 1975 to 1976. |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} Dean |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/school-life/day-student-houses/dean |access-date=2021-06-13 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Richards House |{{Color box|Black|border=darkgray}} |Mixed |1986–Present |Thomas Henry Richards |The founder of the School. |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} Richards |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/school-life/day-student-houses/richards |access-date=2021-06-13 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Williams House |{{Color box|purple|border=darkgray}} |Mixed |2016–Present |Rev. David Williams |Thirteenth Headmaster of the School from 2002 to 2006 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} Williams |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/school-life/day-student-houses/williams |access-date=2021-06-13 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Blackman House |{{Color box|orange|border=darkgray}} |Mixed |2016–Present |Rev. Everard Harley Blackman [[Order of Australia|OAM]] |The school chaplain from 1979 to 1989. |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} Blackman |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/school-life/day-student-houses/blackman |access-date=2021-06-13 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en-US}}</ref> |}

=== Boarding Houses === Boarding is divided by the school's two campuses, with boys’ boarding located on the Wolaroi site and girls’ boarding located on the PLC site. Both sites offer recreation centers, swimming pools, chapel facilities, dining halls and gym facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boarding {{!}} Kinross Wolaroi School |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/boarding#:~:text=Situated%20in%20a%20secure,%20picturesque,across%20the%20state%20and%20beyond. |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en}}</ref> The majority of boarders are drawn from across regional and rural NSW, Victoria, and Queensland, with a smaller number of international and metro-based students.<ref name=":4">Kinross Wolaroi School. ''KWS Boarding Prospectus 2024''. Kinross Wolaroi School, Orange NSW, 2024.</ref> {| class="wikitable" |+ !House name !Years active !Gender & Campus !Named in Honour of !Notes |- |Wolaroi House |2015 –Present |Boys – Wolaroi |The Mansion designed by John Hale and built by J. C. McLachlan. |<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Kinross Wolaroi Online Community |url=https://mykws.com.au/? |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Kinross Wolaroi Online Community |language=en-GB}}</ref> |- |Trathan House |1958 –Present |Boys – Wolaroi |Rev. D. A. Trathan, seventh Headmaster of Wolaroi College. |<ref name=":8" /> |- |Weymouth House |1982 –Present |Boys – Wolaroi |The original school founded by T. H. Richards in 1886. |<ref name=":8" /> |- |Tower House |1890 –Present |Boys – Wolaroi |The central tower of Wolaroi Mansion. |<ref name=":8" /> |- |Croagh Patrick House |1989 –1995 |Boys – Wolaroi |The Mansion designed by John Hale and built by Edwin Lane |<ref name="Stevens, Peter 2011 p.132-133"/> |- |Wyvern House |2026 – Present |Boys – Wolaroi |The Wyvern that surmounted the Wolaroi College crest | |- |New House |1950 –Present |Girls – PLC | |<ref name=":8" /> |- |Stuart-Douglas House | – Present |Girls – PLC |Mr James Stuart-Douglas, one of the founders of P.L.C. and Chairman of the College Council from 1932 to 1933. |<ref name=":8" /> |- |Miller House |2003 –Present |Girls – PLC |Miss Ina Miller, Headmistress of P.L.C. |<ref name=":8" /> |- |Loader House |1985 –Present |Girls – PLC |Mr David Loader, the eleventh Headmaster of the amalgamated school. |<ref name=":8" /> |}

== List of Headmasters == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Ordinal !Headmaster !Years !Periods !Citation |- |1 |Mr T. H. Richards |1886 – 1904 | rowspan="10" |Wolaroi College (1886–1975) | rowspan="16" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} History |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/about/history-of-the-school |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2 |Rev A. J. Rolfe |1904 – 1912 |- |3 |Mr C. R. Campbell |1913 – 1925 |- |4 |Mr N. Connell |1924 – 1925 |- |5 |Mr S. G. Brown |1926 – 1940 |- |6 |Rev E. A. Bennett |1941 – 1949 |- |7 |Rev D. A. Trathen |1950 – 1962 |- |8 |Mr D. H. Prest |1963 – 1968 |- |9 |Mr P. Brownie |1969 – 1972 |- |10 |Mr R. W. Buntine |1973 – 1974 |- |11 |Mr D. Loader |1975 – 1978 | rowspan="6" |Kinross Wolaroi School (1975–Present) |- |12 |Mr A. Anderson |1978 – 2001 |- |13 |Rev D. Williams |2002 – 2006 |- |14 |Mr B. Kennelly |2007 – 2016 |- |15 |Dr A. Parry |2016 – 2025 |- |16 |Mr T. Kelly |2026 – Present |}

==Co-curricular activities ==

Co-curricular activities at the School began when a football team was formed in 1886.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Potts |first=John C. |title=Wolaroi College, Orange : a pictorial history |year=1978 |isbn=0959727310 |publisher=Kinross Wolaroi School |location=Orange, New South Wales |pages=37 |language=English}}</ref> With other activities soon also being offered at the school including athletics, [[cricket]], football, [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[tennis]], drama and debating.<ref name=":5" /> Other clubs included camera club, garden club, musical club, radio club, a scout troop (The Wyvern Patrol) and a junior farmers' club.<ref name=":5" />

===Sport=== Sport is compulsory from Year 3 onwards. With students competing through the school's memberships of the Western Associated Schools, the [[Independent Schools Association (Australia)|Independent Schools Association]] (ISA), the Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools (AICES), Orange Town Competitions and NSW Combined Independent Schools (CIS).<ref name="Sport" /> Sports available to students include rugby, soccer/football, cricket, hockey, netball, basketball, water polo, swimming, rowing, tennis, squash, softball, diving, cross country running and aerobics.<ref name="Sport" />

==== Rowing ==== Rowing is conducted on Spring Creek Dam and is a prominent School program. The School compete in both domestic and international regattas including the NSW Head of The River, the Australian Rowing Championships and the [[Henley Royal Regatta]] in [[England]].<ref name="Rowing">{{Cite web |title=Rowing |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/learning/co-curricular/rowing/rowing |access-date=2025-10-15 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en}}</ref>

Rowing begins in junior years, where students are introduced to the sport through their Physical Education (PDHPE) classes.<ref name="Rowing" /> Since 2021, Kinross Wolaroi has held the title of top performing school at the NSW State Championships.<ref name="Rowing" />

===Cadet Unit (KWSCU)=== The Kinross Wolaroi School [[Australian Army Cadets|Cadet Unit]] (KWSCU) was established over 60 years ago, and has a unit strength of 300 cadets. KWSCU is a member of the [[Australian Army Cadets|Australia Services' Cadet Scheme]]. 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. A camp, [[Military camp|bivouac]]s and leadership courses are held annually. The unit [[parade]]s 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.<ref name="Cadets">{{cite web |title=Cadets |url=http://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/cocurricular/cocurricular.asp?pageid=32 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222143717/http://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/cocurricular/cocurricular.asp?pageid=32 |archive-date=22 February 2008 |access-date=2008-05-26 |work=Co Curricular |publisher=Kinross Wolaroi School}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Cadets" />

===Music and performing arts===

Ensembles include orchestra, concert and marching band, chamber ensembles, chamber strings and choral groups.<ref name="ReferenceD">{{Cite web |title=Performing Arts {{!}} Kinross Wolaroi School |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/learning/co-curricular/performing-arts |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en}}</ref> Each ensemble performs at school events and ceremonies including the Kinross Wolaroi Performing Arts Festival. The school offers private tuition in woodwind, brass, strings, percussion, piano, voice and guitar.<ref name="ReferenceD" /> The School also stages an annual musical at the Orange Civic Theatre.<ref name="ReferenceD" />

=== Other Activities === 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marschke |first1=Tanya |date=15 November 2017 |title=Kinrosss Wolaroi School launches agribusiness program called TREE |url=https://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/5059495/agribusiness-program-launch-follows-successful-pilot-at-kinross |access-date=14 October 2018 |publisher=Central Western Daily}}</ref>

The School participates in the [[The Duke of Edinburgh's Award|Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme]], stud cattle, cattle paraders, [[Skiing|ski]] tour, [[public speaking]], [[debating]], art club, [[archives]], computer club, photography club, crusaders, [[community service]], peer support, young achievers and a student representative council.<ref name="Otheractivities">{{cite web|url=http://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/cocurricular/cocurricular.asp?pageid=50 |title=Other Activities at KWS |access-date=2008-05-26 |work=Co Curricular |publisher=Kinross Wolaroi School |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222145142/http://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/cocurricular/cocurricular.asp?pageid=50 |archive-date=22 February 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==School affiliations== Kinross Wolaroi School is affiliated with the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA),<ref name="AHISA">{{cite web|url=http://www.ahisa.com.au/Display.aspx?site=ahisa&tabid=SchoolNSW |title=New South Wales |access-date=2008-05-26 |year=2008 |work=School Directory |publisher=Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719135730/http://www.ahisa.com.au/Display.aspx?site=ahisa&tabid=SchoolNSW |archive-date=19 July 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the [[Junior School Heads Association of Australia]] (JSHAA),<ref name="jshaa">{{cite web|url=http://www.jshaa.asn.au/nsw/directory/index.asp |title=JSHAA New South Wales Directory of Members |access-date=2008-05-26 |year=2007 |work=New South Wales Branch |publisher=Junior School Heads' Association of Australia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117201219/http://www.jshaa.asn.au/nsw/directory/index.asp |archive-date=17 January 2008 }}</ref> the Australian Boarding Schools' Association (ABSA),<ref name="ABSA">{{cite web|url=http://www.boarding.org.au/site/school_detail.cfm?schID=13 |title=Kinross Wolaroi School |access-date=2008-05-26 |year=2008 |work=Schools |publisher=Australian Boarding Schools' Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117110127/http://www.boarding.org.au/site/school_detail.cfm?schID=13 |archive-date=17 November 2007 }}</ref> Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools (AICES) and is an associate member of the [[Independent Schools Association (Australia)|Independent Schools Association]] (ISA). In 2021 Kinross also joined the [[Round Square]] international schools program<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Kinross Wolaroi School |url=https://www.roundsquare.org/school/kinross-wolaroi-school/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Round Square}}</ref>

== Notable alumni == [[Alumni]] of Kinross Wolaroi School, Kinross School, the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Orange, or Wolaroi Methodist Boys' College may elect to join the Kinross Wolaroi Ex-Students' Association.<ref name="KWES">{{cite web|url=http://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/exstudents/exstudents.asp?pageid=38 |title=Introduction |access-date=2008-05-26 |work=Ex Students |publisher=Kinross Wolaroi School |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518180154/http://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/exstudents/exstudents.asp?pageid=38 |archive-date=18 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Alumni of Kinross Wolaroi are represented across politics, media and culture, business and science, and sport.

=== Government, Law and Public Service ===

* [[Susan of Albania|Susan Cullen-Ward]] (1958) – Susan of Albania. Australian born wife of [[Leka, Crown Prince of Albania]] (DEC) * [[Belinda Neal]] (1980) – Former [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] [[List of senators from New South Wales|Senator for NSW]] (1994–1998) and former [[Division of Robertson|Member for Robertson]] (2007–2010)<ref>{{cite news |last=Norington |first=Brad |date=2008-06-13 |title=Belinda Neal's stoushes with ALP comrades legendary |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23856056-5013871,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121215173059/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23856056-5013871,00.html |archive-date=15 December 2012 |work=The Australian}}</ref>

=== Arts, Media and Culture ===

* [[Richard Boyer (broadcaster)|Sir Richard J F Boyer]] (c1895 - c.1900) - Chairman of the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC)]] from 1945 to 1961.<ref name="ReferenceE">{{Cite web |title=Alumni {{!}} Kinross Wolaroi School |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/community/alumni |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en}}</ref> * [[Ken Hannam]] (1944) - Australian film and television director<ref name="ReferenceE" /> * [[Ian Stapleton (architect)|Ian Stapleton]] (1969) – Australian heritage architect<ref name=":0" />

=== Business, Science and Academia ===

* [[Janet Carr|Prof. Janet Carr]] (1949) – Physiotherapist and Academic, world authority on rehabilitation after stroke (DEC)<ref name="Eleuov 61–72" /> * [[George Finch (chemist)|George Finch, MBE FRS]] – Chemist, [[Fellow of the Royal Society]] and pioneering high-altitude mountaineer who participated in early expeditions to [[Mount Everest]], setting an altitude record in 1922.<ref>{{Cite web |title=George Finch - The Orange Wiki |url=http://www.theorangewiki.orange.nsw.gov.au/index.php?title=George_Finch |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=www.theorangewiki.orange.nsw.gov.au}}</ref>

=== Sport === * [[Jason Belmonte]] (2000) – Professional [[Tenpin Bowling|tenpin bowler]]<ref name="Eleuov 61–72">{{Cite journal |last=Eleuov |first=G. A. |date=2022-05-30 |title=Patient rehabilitation after bariatric surgery |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.33920/med-14-2206-08 |journal=Fizioterapevt (Physiotherapist) |issue=3 |pages=61–72 |doi=10.33920/med-14-2206-08 |issn=2074-9961|url-access=subscription }}</ref> * [[Edwina Bone]] (2005) – Australian International and Olympian Hockey player<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kinross Wolaroi School {{!}} Alumni |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/community/alumni |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=www.kws.nsw.edu.au |language=en-US}}</ref> * [[Nedd Brockmann]] (2016) - Ultramarathon athlete and motivational speaker<ref name="ReferenceE" /> * [[Ashleigh Gardner]] – Cricketer<ref name=":0" /> * [[Jo Garey]] (1991) - Australian national women's cricket team, 1995/96<ref name="ReferenceE" /> * [[Grace Hamilton (rugby)|Grace Hamilton]] (2009) - Australian rugby union footballer who captained Australia internationally<ref name="ReferenceE" /> * [[Phoebe Litchfield]] (2021) – Australian Cricketer<ref name=":0" /> * [[Ben McCalman]] (2006) – Wallabies and Western Force Rugby Union player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugby.com.au/players/sevens/2008-09/mccalman,_ben,125776.html |title=ARU player profile |publisher=rugby.com.au |access-date=2010-07-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116235032/http://www.rugby.com.au/players/sevens/2008-09/mccalman%2C_ben%2C125776.html |archive-date=16 January 2016 }}</ref> * [[Jemima McCalman]] (2017) – Australian Rugby Union player, playing internationally for Australia and the Brumbies<ref name=":0" /> * [[Kate Smyth]] (1990) - Commonwealth Games and Olympic (Beijing 2022) Marathon Runner<ref name="ReferenceE" /> * [[John Sumegi]] (1974) – Olympic Silver Medalist in Canoeing 1980<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orange.nsw.gov.au/site/index.cfm?display=174727|title=Canoeing greats of Orange|publisher=Orange City Council|access-date=2010-09-07|archive-date=21 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321114335/http://www.orange.nsw.gov.au/site/index.cfm?display=174727|url-status=dead}}</ref> * [[Jone Tawake]] (2000) – Brumbies rugby union player<ref name="Sport">{{cite web|url=http://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/cocurricular/cocurricular.asp?pageid=35 |title=Sport |access-date=2008-05-26 |work=Co Curricular |publisher=Kinross Wolaroi School |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222143722/http://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/cocurricular/cocurricular.asp?pageid=35 |archive-date=22 February 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * [[Chris Tremain (cricketer)|Chris Tremain]] (2009) – Big Bash League, Sheffield Shield and One Day International Cricket player<ref name=":0" /> * [[Cody Walker (rugby union)|Cody Walker]] (2015) – Australian Professional Rugby League Player, currently playing for South Sydney Rabbitohs<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gibbs |first=Nathan |date=September 1993 |title=Injuries in professional rugby league |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/036354659302100510 |journal=The American Journal of Sports Medicine |volume=21 |issue=5 |pages=696–700 |doi=10.1177/036354659302100510 |pmid=8238710 |issn=0363-5465|url-access=subscription }}</ref> * [[Jono West]] – former NSW rugby union player<ref>{{cite news |last1=Growden |first1=Greg |title=Dwyer hails NSW rookie as new Giffin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/121530314 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=26 February 2001}}</ref> * [[Anna Windsor]] (1993) – Swimmer who competed at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games<ref name="Sport" />

== Crest, Motto and Symbolism == With the merger of the schools the previous Latin mottos were abandoned and in 2008, the school adopted the new [[Latin (language)|Latin]] motto of ''Scientia, Amicitia, Integritas'' (Knowledge, Friendship, Integrity).<ref>{{cite journal |date=December 2016 |title=A Tribute to Principal Brian J Kennelly |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/uploaded/documents/FINAL_KWS010_Chronicle_Magazine_Issue_2_FOR_WEB.pdf |journal=The Chronicle |issue=2 |pages=80 |access-date=15 October 2018}}</ref> The school's five core values are Courage, Respect, Inclusiveness, Resilience and Commitment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 Annual Report |url=https://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/uploaded/documents/Annual_Reports/Annual_Report_2017.pdf}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |+ !School Crest !Meaning !Reference |- |[[File:Wolaroi_College_Crest_Coloured.png|frameless]] |'''Symbolism:'''

* The Wyvern surmounting the shield was part of the Coat of Arms of the family of [[John Wesley]]. * The Stars are symbolic of Ambition. * The open volume of Knowledge. * The laurel branch of Victory

'''Motto:'''

* 'Agamus Pro Viribus' - 'Strive With All Our Might' |<ref name=":3" /> |- |[[File:Kinross_Wolaroi_School_Logo.jpg|frameless]] |'''Symbolism:''' * A circular badge demonstrates the ideal of true community. * Eight stylised people form a stylised [[Latin cross|Latin Cross]] demonstrating the centrality of [[Christianity]] at the School. * The School's initials, 'KW', can be seen where the two figures meet in pairs.

'''Motto:'''

* 'Scientia Amicitia Integritas' - 'Knowledge, Friendship, Integrity' |<ref>Student Diary (2021), Kinross Wolaroi School, P. 3.</ref> |}

== See also == {{Portal|New South Wales|Schools|Reformed Christianity}} * [[List of non-government schools in New South Wales]] * [[List of boarding schools in Australia]] * [[Independent Schools Association (Australia)|Independent Schools Association]]

==References== {{reflist}}

==Further reading== *Butt, M.F. 1978. ''Presbyterian Ladies' College, Orange – A Journal''. Orange, G.H Craig. *Potts, J.C. 1978. Wolaroi College, Orange: A Pictorial History

== External links == * [http://www.kws.nsw.edu.au/ Kinross Wolaroi School website]

[[Category:Boarding schools in New South Wales]] [[Category:Private primary schools in New South Wales]] [[Category:Private secondary schools in New South Wales]] [[Category:Educational institutions established in 1886]] [[Category:Junior School Heads Association of Australia Member Schools]] [[Category:Independent Schools Association (Australia)]] [[Category:1886 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Uniting Church schools in Australia]] [[Category:Orange, New South Wales]]