Nurturing Scientific Excellence at Kinross Wolaroi School

Nurturing Scientific Excellence at Kinross Wolaroi School: From National Recognition to Real-World Impact

National Recognition

Kinross Wolaroi School is proud to celebrate outstanding national success in science. Holly Bennet (Class of 2025) has been awarded the Grand Prize for Inquiry at the National ASTA iCubed Awards for Science - a prestigious competition run by the Australian Science Teachers Association that recognises excellence in student-led scientific research and investigation. She was also named the winner of the Agriculture category and selected as one of just seven Grand Finalists from thousands of entries nationwide - an exceptional achievement.
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Year 11 student Nethuli Pathirana (pictured below) also received national recognition, being named among the top 100 student research projects in Australia. Nethuli’s project, “The effect of storage temperature on free fatty acid levels and rancidity in Canola Oil,” investigated how storage conditions impact oil quality and shelf life - a topic with important implications for food science and agriculture.

Holly’s Journey in Agricultural Science

Holly’s research, developed through the school’s Science Extension course, focused on agriculture and real-world application. Her project explored the reproductive rate of maiden ewes and its relationship with liveweight at mating and birth type - research that contributes to livestock productivity, sustainability, and decision-making in rural industries. Grounded in data and practical relevance, her work highlights how student science can have a tangible impact beyond the classroom.

From State to National Stage

Both students built on previous success at the NSW Young Scientist Awards, where Holly was named Rural Young Scientist of the Year and Nethuli earned a Runner-Up Award for her canola oil research. Their national recognition reflects both their dedication and the high calibre of Kinross Wolaroi’s Science Extension program.

Supporting Excellence

These achievements are made possible by the supportive and academically rigorous environment at Kinross Wolaroi, where students are encouraged to explore their interests, think critically, and engage inauthentic research. Holly and Nethuli were guided by the Science Extension teaching team and mentors, including Gordon Refshauge, Alex McLennan and Holly Triggs.

“Seeing our students take a project from initial curiosity to national recognition demonstrates the impact of applied science learning,” says Alex McLennan, Science Extension teacher. “Holly and Nethuli’s work show research that starts at school can make a real difference in the world.”

Looking ahead

We congratulate Holly and Nethuli on their exceptional accomplishments and look forward to seeing where their scientific journeys take them next. Their curiosity, dedication and passion for discovery continue to inspire the whole Kinross Wolaroi community.

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