Meet our 2027 Student Leaders

Leadership at Kinross Wolaroi is about more than a title badge. It is found in the everyday actions that build trust, strengthen community and make a difference to the people around us.

For our 2027 Student Leaders, leadership means service, connection and setting an example. While each brings different experiences and aspirations to their role, a common theme emerged when we spoke to them about the year ahead: leadership starts long before you are given a title.

This year, our Student Leadership Team also includes newly created leadership positions, broadening opportunities for students to lead in areas that are important to our School and wider community.

We caught up with our incoming leaders to hear what leadership means to them, who has inspired them and what they hope to contribute in 2027.

Phoebe J and Tom N - Head Prefects

For Phoebe, becoming Head Prefect is an opportunity to give back to a School community that has given her so much.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a leader and role model for younger students,” Phoebe said. “I am really excited to help give students the same great experience of Kinross Wolaroi that I have been lucky to have.”

In 2027, Phoebe is particularly looking forward to working alongside Principal Mr Kelly and her fellow prefects, bringing together their ideas and shared passion for the School.

She hopes to help create an inclusive and positive culture while being someone students feel comfortable approaching with their own ideas.

“I hope to throw heaps of ideas out there and be known as someone who wants to help create an inclusive and positive school culture.”

Phoebe believes curiosity, passion, authenticity and empathy are important qualities in a leader. Her own approach has been influenced by former student leaders Grace S and Charlie M, whose ability to remain approachable and genuine left a lasting impression.

“They showed me that you don't have to change who you are oract like a stereotypical leader to have an impact.”

Her advice to younger students is simple: “Get involved, put your hand up and be yourself.”

For fellow Head Prefect Tom, leadership is about building connections - between students and staff, day students and boarders, and Kinross Wolaroi and the wider Orange community.

“I think student leaders at Kinross are key in building relationships between day students, boarders and teachers and growing a sense of community in our School and also in the wider town of Orange and district,” Tom said.

Tom is looking forward to working with senior staff and the Student Leadership Team to build on the work of previous leaders and introduce ideas that bring even more energy and connection to everyday School life.

“Our School already has a thriving and positive feel and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the sense of community, by adding some more fun to our School life.”

For Tom, good leadership also reflects the School’s core values of Knowledge, Friendship and Integrity.

His advice to younger students captures a sentiment shared by many of the incoming leadership team.

“Act as if you are representing Kinross Wolaroi in everything you do, because you already are!”

Many of Tom’s favourite school memories have come through the Kinross Wolaroi Cadet Unit, where annual camps, promotion camps and hikes have helped build friendships and develop his leadership skills.

And there is another Kinross Wolaroi experience worthy ofspecial mention: “The canteen garlic bread is also delicious.”

Jane B and Noah M - Deputy Prefects

Authenticity and kindness sit at the heart of Deputy Prefect Jane’s approach to leadership.

“I hope to add a sense of authenticity, honesty and strong communication to the school culture,” Jane said.

Rather than believing leaders need to be perfect, Jane sees leadership as setting an example, trying hard and being willing to learn from mistakes.

Much of that philosophy has been shaped by her experience as a boarder in Loader House and, in particular, by Head of House Mrs Jody Haydon.

“Her guidance, wisdom and reliability have shown me that the very best leaders are those who can consistently make time for others amidst their own commitments.”

Jane says boarding has played an important role in shaping who she is today and her understanding of what it means to lead.

Her advice to younger students reflects that experience: “Practice being who you want to be and be kind to others.”

And among Jane’s favourite Kinross Wolaroi memories are some of the simplest - weekly Sunday brunches with the Loader House girls.

For Noah, being selected as Deputy Prefect is both a privilege and an opportunity to turn ideas into action.

“Being a leader at Kinross Wolaroi feels surreal, and I cannot wait to put the work in over the next year,” Noah said.

He is particularly looking forward to working alongside his fellow student leaders and seeing what they can achieve together.

Noah hopes to use his role to strengthen the School’s connection with Orange and the surrounding region, while encouraging students to recognise that leadership comes from action rather than a title.

“If you want something, and you want to lead, you don’t need a badge,” he said.

Mr Chapman has been particularly influential in shaping Noah’s understanding of leadership, demonstrating the importance of making decisions for the benefit of the broader community.

Noah believes perseverance, determination and having the courage to step outside your comfort zone are essential qualities in a leader.

One of his favourite Kinross Wolaroi experiences was travelling to Sri Lanka to play cricket - an opportunity to represent the School internationally, experience another culture and play the sport he loves.

Sienna M and Harry P - Boarding Prefects

For Sienna and Harry, boarding has provided a particularly strong foundation for understanding leadership - from supporting others through everyday challenges to building a community where students feel known and included.

Sienna believes leadership is often found in the small things people do when nobody is watching.

“It means doing things without recognition to better others and the School,” she said. “It is through small, daily actions that become habit and what people remember you for - how you made them feel.”

She hopes to strengthen student voice, build confidence and contribute positively to the culture of Kinross Wolaroi.

Her own understanding of leadership was influenced by fellow student Pip R, someone Sienna admired not because of a formal title, but because of the way she quietly supported those around her.

For Harry, one relatively simple experience had a significant influence on the way he thinks about leadership: helping a Year 7 student settle into boarding.

“It showed me that listening and supporting someone can make a big difference,” Harry said.

He hopes to bring “school spirit, compassion and a positive attitude” to the role while encouraging students to become involved and make the most of their opportunities.

Both believe leadership begins well before a formal position is awarded.

“Leadership doesn’t only begin once you write your application and receive a badge,” Sienna said. “You are a leader right now and the choices you make currently are shaping you into the person and leader you will be in your senior years and beyond School.”

Harry agrees: “Get involved, be yourself and look for opportunities to help others. You don’t need a leadership badge to be a leader.”

Tom M - Cadet SUO

For Cadet SUO Tom, leadership begins with service.

“Being a student leader to me is going above and beyond to serve the School community, uphold the School values and act as a respectful role model to other students,” Tom said.

In 2027, Tom is looking forward to working with the Cadet rank to make the experience more enjoyable and inclusive across all companies.

“I aim to make Cadets a more enjoyable and practical experience, ultimately encouraging more people to continue into rank roles.”

Tom believes good leaders act unselfishly, consistently and with integrity. His own approach has been influenced by Mrs Laffey, whose encouragement during wellbeing and community time has shown him the importance of ensuring everyone has an opportunity to participate.

“She not only leads the class well, but encourages everyone to participate, a trait I would like to mirror in my leadership journey.”

New leadership opportunities for 2027

The 2027 Student Leadership Team also includes three newly created positions, recognising the important role students can play in service, community engagement and strengthening culture across the School.

Chaitra A and Steven C - Captains of Service

As Kinross Wolaroi’s first Captains of Service, Chaitra and Steven have the opportunity to help shape a new leadership role and encourage students to see service as part of everyday School life.

For Chaitra, being among the first students to hold the position brings both opportunity and responsibility.

“It allows me to shape this new role and establish its place within the School,” she said. “It is a challenge that I am proud and excited to take on, and I hope to set a strong example for future Service Captains by creating a meaningful legacy.”

Chaitra hopes to show students that service does not always need to involve a major project or commitment. It can be incorporated into everyday actions and become a natural part of the way students contribute to their School and wider community.

“Giving back allows us to strengthen our relationships with the wider community and develop a greater sense of responsibility and empathy towards others,” she said.

For Steven, the position is an opportunity to give back to a School community he has already served in many different ways, including through flag bearing, Cadets and Round Square.

“It is truly an honour to have this role as it allows me to give back to the School that has given me so much,” Steven said.

He hopes to use the role to encourage more students to become involved, particularly those who might not ordinarily put themselves forward.

“I would like to ensure that everybody is included and given a chance to participate in service and contribute to the School community. Iwould also like to lead by example by serving the School to the best of my ability.”

Together, Chaitra and Steven hope to establish a strong foundation for the new role and demonstrate that service can take many forms - from larger community initiatives to the small, everyday actions that make a difference to others.

Nash A - Indigenous Captain

As Kinross Wolaroi’s first Indigenous Captain, Nash sees the role as an opportunity to celebrate and strengthen connections to Indigenous culture across the School community.

“To be the first Indigenous Captain of Kinross Wolaroi School gives me immense pride in both my schooling journey and my culture,” Nash said. “It keeps my connection strong and is a reminder of keeping both my responsibilities and my culture alive.”

In 2027, Nash hopes to share the joy of Indigenous Australian culture through dance, language, activities and events, creating opportunities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to learn, participate and connect.

“I not only wish to help the Indigenous students of this wonderful School to be more in touch with their culture, but also to get non-Indigenous students to learn and join in with us.”

Ultimately, Nash hopes the role will create greater opportunities for all students to experience and learn about Indigenous culture.

“I wish for all students to gain knowledge and get the chance to experience the joy of Indigenous culture, and for them to be proud of the culture and our community as well.”

‍Leadership starts now

Different roles, different experiences and different ambitions for the year ahead, yet one message came through clearly from our 2027 Student Leaders: leadership doesn’t begin when you receive a badge.

It can be helping a new Year 7 boarder find their feet. It can be making time for someone who needs a conversation, encouraging a classmate to participate, serving the wider community, putting your hand up for something outside your comfort zone or choosing to act with kindness when nobody is watching.

It can happen in the classroom, in a boarding house, on a sporting field, at Cadet Camp or in the wider community.

These are the everyday experiences that have shaped our newleaders and the qualities they hope to bring to their roles in 2027.

Together, our 2027 Student Leadership Team will have the opportunity to listen, contribute, lead by example and strengthen the community around them - while, as Tom N reminds us, perhaps discovering that the experience of leadership shapes them just as much as they shape the School.

We congratulate our 2027 Student Leaders and look forward to seeing the contribution they make to Kinross Wolaroi in the year ahead.