Dancing into the Spotlight at Kinross Wolaroi School

Dancing Across the Years at Kinross Wolaroi School

Dance at Kinross Wolaroi School is thriving, with students from Year 1 to Year 12 embracing the chance to move, perform and express themselves. Thanks to the dedication of our staff — and the enthusiasm of our students — the program now offers a pathway from Junior to Senior School, building skills, confidence and community along the way.

Senior School Dance is a more recent success story. “We have tried previously to get a dance program up and running but struggled during the Covid years,” explains Brooke Mortimer, MIC of Senior School Dance. “In 2024, Phoebe Staniforth, who was in Year 11 at the time, wrote a proposal for a Senior School dance program to our Head of Sport, Adam Harrison. This reflected an interest within our students in having a dance program which we have been committed to delivering.”

Junior School Dance, led by Libby Chapman, has been a fixture for several years. “When I joined in 2023, I took over with one group open to any age. Interest has grown steadily over the past three years, and we now have three stage-based dance groups, covering students from Year 1 to Year 6.”

Styles and Stage Presence

From jazz to hip hop to lyrical, Senior School dancers explore a variety of styles. “In Term 4 2024, we explored a range of dance genres which helps determine our focus for our competition dances,” says Brooke. “In 2025, students participated in a jazz routine and a lyrical routine for both Orange and Dubbo Eisteddfods.”

For the Junior School, Libby keeps things upbeat and engaging. “We focus mainly on jazz-style dance, choosing music that is fun, energetic, and entertaining.”

Flexibility and Balance

A common question is whether dance replaces a sport or sits alongside it. At Kinross Wolaroi, dancers have the flexibility to select dance as their co-curricular sport option or combine it with another sport. For example, a student who selects Netball as their sport may attend one netball training session and one dance training session, balancing commitments while broadening their experiences.

Dance is a year-round program, with rehearsals and training structured around the competition calendar. Eisteddfods, held in the middle of the year, provide a key performance focus and allow plenty of preparation time.

Our dancers train twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the competitive troupe — an audition-only team — holding an additional Wednesday morning session. This allows students to build both technical skill and performance readiness.

Professional Tuition and Student Leadership

The program combines professional expertise with student-ledcreativity. Kinross Wolaroi is fortunate to have an external dance teacher joinsessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays, supporting students with technique andchoreography. Tuesday sessions are led by a senior student leader, focusing onteamwork and fun dance sequences.

This balance ensures there’s room for both high-level tuition and the enjoyment of dancing with peers. As Brooke explains: “Absolutely, students can do this as well as a sport. We want to provide a flexible program that allows students to grow across disciplines. It just needs to be negotiated between the MIC of the sport the student has selected and myself to ensure success in both.”

Growing Numbers and New Connections

This year, 20 Senior School students have taken part incompetition teams, while Junior School Dance has seen its biggest year yet, with 40 participants — including 15 boys.

Experience levels vary widely, creating an inclusive environment. “Our Troupe A, which students audition for, is primarily made up of students who also dance externally,” says Brooke. “Our Tuesday/Thursday group is a wonderful mix — some who danced when they were younger and are returning, one or two who are completely new, and many who continue to dance outside of school.”

The program has also built strong cross-campus connections.“One of the best additions since I started has been inviting senior school dancers to assist with choreography,” says Libby. “It’s created a wonderful connection between our junior and senior schools. We have incredibly talented older students who love working with the little ones, creating amazing routines.”

Confidence, Commitment and Creativity

Both Libby and Brooke have noticed a shift in how students approach performing. “Students have been committed to the program,” says Brooke. “Hesitancy around performances has reduced and now they enthusiastically ask about when their next performance may be.”

Parents have also welcomed the program. “They appreciate that our dances and costumes are age-appropriate, and that we don’t focus on things like makeup — instead, it’s all about the dancing, building confidence, and enjoying the process,” says Libby.

There’s also room for leadership and creativity. “We encourage student leadership — Phoebe Staniforth led a training session each week and choreographed a routine,” says Brooke. “We also provide opportunities for self-expression within the assigned choreography that incorporates student choice.”

Highlights on Stage

In their first Eisteddfod, Senior School dancers placed second and third in the High School division at Dubbo — a remarkable debut. The annual K–12 Showcase has also become a highlight, celebrating dance as a program that spans the whole school.

In the Junior School, one standout moment came at Performing Arts Night. “Our Jitterbugs group surprised the audience with a mid-dance costume change — starting in pyjamas, then pulling them off to reveal super sparkly costumes underneath. The crowd erupted with cheers!” says Libby.

Looking Ahead

Both Brooke and Libby are excited for what’s next. “I hope to witness the program continue to grow, with students continuing to challenge themselves,” says Brooke. Libby adds, “I hope we continue to involve our senior dancers in mentoring and choreography, maintain three strong stage groups, and keep building on the joy, confidence, and inclusivity that make this program so special.”

From the first steps in Year 1 to the polished performancesof our Senior School dancers, Kinross Wolaroi School’s dance program is about more than movement — it’s about community, creativity, and the confidence that comes from taking the stage.