A United Effort

ANZAC Day commemorates the actions of many who dedicated themselves to the freedom of our nation. There are many stories of courage shown by our servicemen and women, who we thank and commemorate. Even though not Australian, the famous flying ace Douglas Bader fought bravely throughout World War until he was captured and sent to the German prisoner of war camp, Colditz Castle. (Amazingly he had lost both legs in a flying accident before the Second World War started.) Although he received many honours for his outstanding war service and his post-war charity work on behalf of disabled people, he told this story.

“I remember a tobacconist’s shop outside Victoria railway station which had been bombed the previous afternoon, but in the morning there was a trestle table and a notice that said, ‘Business as usual’, and a grinning Cockney standing beside it. These are the people that we so seldom see, our compatriots who took it. If they had not taken it, if they had not built the aeroplanes and everything else, we could not have fought. We were the glamour boys up there and had something to fight back with — that was the difference.

This is what mattered. It was a united effort by everybody.”

In current day Australia we are not at war but we are facing dangerous risks to our lives and our futures. We too have seen the wonderful response of so many members of our community. The community and Calrossy approach to a different way of doing ANZAC Day was encouraging. This sort of community resolve often strengthens at times of crisis as we applaud and appreciate our doctors and nurses, our supermarket workers, the support from our neighbours and all the unsung heroes who have got us through. The bushfires earlier in the year showed a similar response. Here is the link to a photo gallery on The Hub of Anzac Day in the Calrossy Community. https://thehub.calrossy.nsw.edu.au/homepage/2562

A real test for us is how this feeling of unity might be sustained when the threat of Coronavirus subsides.

I hope so because the strength of this School comes from the united efforts of us all. How we work together will determine for all of us how bright our future will be and how well we are preparing our students to grow, ready for their future. Please find some tips below on maintaining Wellbeing.

Acknowledgement: Matthew Syed, The Sunday Times April 12, 2020

Return to School Plans

Following the Premier’s announcement last week, a phased return to school has been proposed for NSW School students. It has been left to individual schools to plan how this might take place. Our Senior management is currently organising for the return of Primary and Secondary students, as well as boarders, commencing in Week 3. At present we are looking to do this gradually in Year groups. I am very mindful of the needs of Year 12 students, undertaking the HSC, and our plan is to return them to campus in Week 3. A phased return is much more difficult for Boarders and we are exploring how we can support our residential students. Further details on the return will be provided to parents later this week, to provide greater certainty and some clarity around child-minding and learning after May 11.

For the latest video update from the Principal click here.

Helping Others during Covid-19

One of the challenges during this pandemic has been the loneliness and isolation of some members of our society. Grandparents and senior citizens in particular have missed regular contact and time with their grandchildren.

I am delighted that one of our Calrossy students (Tahlia Barwick of Year 10) has created Project Paper Hearts as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award community project. She is inviting others to email letters and/or artworks via projectpaperhearts111@gmail.com or the Instagram page project_paper_hearts so they can be can be packaged and delivered to local age care centres around Tamworth. I have followed this page and am impressed by the positive impact the group is making. The intention is to provide hope and spread love and happiness to those who are feeling the most isolated during these times. Students, staff and parents are encouraged join this group by writing letters for the elderly. They can be scanned or photographed and sent via the email address to support bringing a little bit of joy to our most vulnerable at a difficult time. I commend this work to the school community, knowing that helping others is one important way of supporting our own wellbeing, in addition to that of others.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

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