Message from the Principal

End of Term 3 News

Congratulations to the Calrossy Community for arriving to the end of Term 3. What an extraordinary time it has been!

Year 12

During ‘normal times’, the final weeks of Term 3 are a highlight. In a School like ours all year groups are special but this time of year represents the end of formal schooling for Year 12. Customarily the School community gathers to celebrate the growth and achievements of the Year 12 students as they conclude their 13 years of formal school education and graduate, ready for the HSC and the exciting future that lies ahead. 

For the students and their parents, this is long anticipated and a time of immense pride as they reflect on impending adulthood and life beyond the schoolyard. We celebrate the young people that have been moulded by a variety of things, one of them school. Participation of younger students reminds us from where the students have come from and they look up to the Year 12s anticipating their own finish to school, in the future.

With the change of dates for the HSC, Calrossy has reset the Year 12 Calendar and we plan to conduct the important ‘rite of passage' events in Weeks 2 and 3 of Term 4, allowing appropriate farewell and acknowledgement of the contribution of this marvellous group of young people. Campus farewells, Graduation ceremonies and a Valedictory dinner are all planned, in accordance with the current restrictions on schools. I look forward to joining with the Calrossy community in wishing them every success. Details of these will be provided, as soon as we have certainty. Whilst this time has been particularly hard for the Year 12s, I have no doubt that long-term the experience will be valuable for them as they move beyond school. 

Term 3 Learning

COVID-19 has put a ‘spanner in the works’ for us in Term 3 and we are very conscious of the impact. Whilst we have been blessed to be able to maintain learning remotely and even a return to school for the last week for the majority of the school, I am looking forward to having all students back in Term 4 and our planning has been focussed on allowing this to happen. I commend parents, students and staff for their response to the challenges we faced. I am hopeful that community sport and some of many co-curricular activities we enjoy will recommence at some stage in Term 4. Having all Boarders back in residence is also an important goal for us to achieve, doing so safely and efficiently.

2022 School Leaders

The first round of school Secondary Leadership positions has been recently announced. From a quality field of applicants the following Year 11 students have been appointed as 2022 School leaders:

School Captains: Emma Golland and Marcus Ryan

Vice Captains: Tahlia Barwick and Will Aitken

Chapel Prefects: Will Blomfield and Ben Wise

SRC Representatives: Olivia Bowman and Liam Burke

Congratulations to these office holders and the other outstanding students who were part 

of the process. Early next term the additional process of appointing Year 12 House/Boarding Captains and additional student leaders in other sections of the school will take place, including those in Junior School and Calrossy 7 - 9.

Competition Success

With the support of the HSIE Department our Year 9 students participated in the North West Amazing Enviro Race that was recently held by Sustainable North-West during the lockdown. Due to COVID-19 the competition was a virtual one this year. Calrossy students competed in the Year 9 - 12 section against Carinya , McCarthy, Oxley and Farrer.

Congratulations to the Calrossy winners:

Maayan Leibenson, who won 3 categories: 

1. The Tamworth Regional Council Let’s Talk Rubbish Award,  

2. The Local Lands Service Regent Honey Eater Award,  and  

3. The Library Innovation Studio Upcycle! Award.

Meg Foster won the Gunnedah Shire Council award for Knowing the Namoi.

Congratulations to both students and the Calrossy entrants in this competition. We hope to participate in person next year rather than online.

Improving Calrossy

Whilst a most important ingredient in school success is the learning of students and the role that teachers play in this, work on improving Calrossy facilities has continued in spite of the lockdown. This includes;

• Renovations to bathrooms in Calrossy House.
• Refurbishment of Chapman House to increase boarding capacity on Brisbane Street, catering for all girl boarders on this site, and allowing for the decommissioning of Gloria Thew House.
• Construction of new Sports Courts for use by Junior School and 7 – 9 students on the William Cowper Campus.
• Plans submitted for a ring road and new car park on the William Cowper Campus.
• Plans completed for an additional multi-use classroom facility, housing Music and Learning Support on the William Cowper Campus, to be completed in 2023.

Vaccination Clinic

Calrossy is providing an opportunity for Secondary students to take the Pfizer Vaccine, on Wednesday 22nd September on our Brisbane Street Campus. Please contact the Health Centre on katya.thomas@calrossy.nsw.edu.au if you would like your child to take this opportunity. We are exploring a similar clinic for early next term for interested Boarder families, though parents may wish to pursue vaccinations by their own medical professionals, should they wish so.

Winter Sport

As a sports ‘nut’ I enjoy getting out and about, supporting the performances of our students in their sporting endeavours. Whilst the finals of Winter sporting competitions were aborted, meaning no semi-finals or finals, I congratulate all teams, players coaches and supporters on a positive approach during the winter season. The enthusiasm of players and the dedication shown when wearing the ‘red and blue’ stood out and I was impressed whilst watching the students in their Netball, Rugby, Hockey and Football games. I am very hopeful that the COVID impact on local and representative sport will lift and that our swimmers, athletes and team players will be able to do what they enjoy best, training and playing hard in seasons to come.

Return to Term 4

Assuming that the lockdown situation remains the same for Tamworth, we return to class on Tuesday 5th October, immediately after the October Labour Day weekend holiday. Our plan is for a full return for boarders, with appropriate steps in our COVID context. Boarding will provide more details towards the end of the holiday period. Should a mandated lockdown be imposed, we will follow the NSW Government Roadmap back to school.

I am providing early notice that we are cancelling the Leave Weekend of November 6th – 8th, to make up for lost teaching time and also to ensure COVID safety in the weekend prior to the commencement of HSC exams on November 9th for Year 12.  Normal school days around that weekend will take place, including lessons on the Friday and Monday.

Due to the disrupted nature of learning in Term 3, Secondary interim reports will not be issued. Should you have concerns with the engagement of your child in any subject, please contact the relevant staff for follow up. 

Uncertain Times

The last 18 months have been challenging for all of us, not the least being placed in lockdown for four weeks (or more) several times. We have been required to make changes, move to different sort of learning, to miss out on many of our most favoured activities and to stay at home, losing some of our connection with family and friends face-to-face.  The constant change has been tiring. For me a hard thing has been wearing a mask, even though I know that it keep us all safe. The worst bit personally is now having an 8-week-old grand-daughter that I am yet to meet.

However, this is nothing compared to the impact on our Year 12s who have had to adjust to uncertainty around dates and the loss of many of their much anticipated final days at school.  How do we cope with the uncertainty and even the fear of another lockdown or even COVID infection of those we love? It isn’t easy.

At such times I am always encouraged that things will improve and that we are not alone and left by ourselves. The strength of community is encouraging, and it is true that things will eventually get better. I personally take great comfort in the words of Psalm 46:

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

May you and your family take great comfort, find hope and enjoy rest together during the holiday break. 

D. Smith