Message from the Principal

From the Principal - Mr David Smith

Room for Improvement?

I love my job in our diverse and unique school. The students continually inspire me. Teachers are passionate about learning and supporting the growth and learning of students.

Part of my role is to ensure that we are continually improving and growing. “Why improve if we achieve great results already? If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” My response - There are always things that can be done better. In a dynamic and changing world, we must never take our eyes off our quest to grow, improve and develop. 

It doesn’t mean we adopt every passing fad or trend but that we continually review how we are meeting the needs of students from P-12, helping them to learn, grow and serve. Our aim is to produce great learners and people of substance in a positive environment, equipping them for their futures.

Calrossy has identified four focus areas across the whole school.

• Writing– this important skill is taught in every year group from P - 12. We are analysing the writing of students and aligning a consistent approach to promote growth in each stage
• Wellbeing– happy, healthy students do best at school. We are giving students voice and building skills to support their holistic growth and promote a positive culture
• Engagement– students fare best when invested deeply in school life, both inside and outside the classroom. We are promoting high expectations (teachers, parents and students) and encouraging students to find their passions and pursue them
• Transitions– a challenge for students is moving from one stage to the next, whether it be from Prep to Kinder, infants to Primary, Primary to Secondary and Junior Secondary to Years 11 and 12 and/or to another campus. Our Diamond model exposes students to single-sex and co-educational learning at different times. We want to support smooth school progression.

Of course, there are other areas in which we seek to improve. Communication, sports coaching and campus facilities are some in focus continually. Recognising improvement of individual students over time is also important in reminding them that consistent effort promotes improvement.

Feedback from staff, students and parents is always welcome to ensure that education at Calrossy remains in the top echelon of schools in the region and that we are responding appropriately to the needs of all our students, at every stage and across ability levels. Parents should feel free to share their thoughts and perceptions as feedback is one of the keys to improvement, for schools and with individual students.

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4: 7-10

Calrossy Centenary Reflection

As we celebrate our history in this Centenary year, it has been fascinating to learn how the school in its current form came about. I am amazed that what was a small boutique girls school in the 1970s is now a large regional coeducational school of over 900 students.

During my short time as Principal I have come to admire and acknowledge the spirit and culture that arose out of the former schools, now combined as one. I have heard many speak of the inclusiveness, acceptance of each other, the ‘never say die’ spirit and the special bonds that linked students together.

These values that have shaped our school remain part of our ‘DNA’.

Whilst the amalgamation of Calrossy (Girls) and William Cowper (Primary and Boys) in 2005 was difficult and challenged the then separate identities, what hasn’t changed is the commitment to growing great women and men in the school, adopting our unique Diamond Model.

The student experience today has evolved but the Calrossy Centenary acknowledges a new culture that has grown up out of each section, contributing powerfully to the school we have become. 

I acknowledge that we have not always handled this amalgamation of Secondary boys and girls well. However, in our Centenary year it is important that we celebrate Calrossy as a unified school in which boys and girls grow from Prep to Year 12, becoming men and women of substance. We acknowledge our unique history that has grown over 100 years, in which the values and spirit of our separate campuses endure and flourish, to the benefits of our students.