Important Dates for Term 4

Friday, November 18 - Headstart Day

Monday, November 21 and Tuesday November 22 - Yr 9 Rite of Passage

Tuesday, November 22 - Yr 9 Dinner

Thursday, November 24 - Calrossy in Concert

Wednesday, December 7 - Christmas Carols Night

Thursday, December 8 - Secondary Presentation Day

Important information for Secondary Parents

Dear parents and carers,

We are writing to share the news that Calrossy Anglican School is building on our existing mobile phone stance to become a phone-free site as a way to strengthen our approach to mobile phones. We believe that this will improve the teaching, learning and wellbeing of our students. The Yondr pouch system has been used across the world in over 1,000 schools, as well as for concerts, theatre performances, business sites, camps, and special events of all kinds. The YONDR experience is a means of reclaiming student concentration and social competence in the secondary school setting, and in what is a critical period of social, emotional, and intellectual development. The goal of these phone pouches is to encourage people to engage with each other and rebuild their thinking and listening skills.

We believe that mobile phones have great utility, but countless studies and observation of students reveals learning and social behaviour improve drastically when students are fully engaged with their teachers and classmates without the distraction of mobile phones.

As a school we are planning on rolling out the pouches to students on Day 1 (Tuesday 31st January) 2023. This allows us to prepare well as a school for students, staff and parents prior to this commencing.

The Yondr Program employs a simple, lockable pouch that stores a mobile phone. Every student will secure their phone in a personally assigned Yondr pouch when they arrive at school. Students will retain their phones throughout the day and will not use them until their pouches are opened at the end of the school day. Students are required to bring their Yondr pouch to and from school each day and are responsible for their pouch at all times. Identifying names will be marked on each pouch. It is the student’s responsibility to always have their Yondr pouch in their bags and to switch their phone off before placing it in the pouch. At Calrossy, this will be checked at the beginning of each day in Mentor group.

We are encouraged by the effects of this system in a range of learning institutions. Yondr has been implemented across NSW including local area schools such as Guyra Central, Inverell High, Wauchope, Casino, Maclean High, Murwillumbah High, Grafton High, Armidale High School and so on. It is not unusual or unique. Yondr surveyed over 900 school partners to measure the effects of creating phone-free educational environments. These schools achieved notable progress in multiple areas:

65% of schools saw an improvement in academic performance
74% of schools saw an improvement in student behaviour
83% of schools saw an improvement in student engagement in the classroom

We believe that the Yondr system will enhance our school learning environment and build on the creative, cognitive, and social skills of our students. At all times our focus is on creating an environment for the most effective learning to take place and mobile phones play a significant part in detracting from our students’ concentration, social competence, and emotional wellbeing.

We are aware that there may be some initial logistical problems. While, any new program or installation must be integrated into existing structures. A team of staff are working hard to ensure a smooth rollout and uptake in 2023. There will be more information to come with specific procedures in place. This letter is simply to inform our community of the direction the school is taking.

Stephen Price Julia Boland Conrad Starr Laura Yeo

Head of Secondary 7-9 Head of Senior Secondary Year Advisor Year Advisor

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I want to reach my child during the school day?

We want our students to be engaged in their learning. Please refrain from contacting your student during the school day unless it is an emergency and if it is please contact the main office at 5776 5100 to reach your child.

What if there is an emergency?

In case of an emergency, student safety is always our first priority. School staff will be able to unlock a Yondr pouch in a matter of seconds for students once they are in a safe and secure location. Students are trained in evacuation and lockdown procedures.

Will my student’s phone be safe?

Students are in possession of their phone - in their Yondr pouch - for the entire school day. We will advise students to store the pouch in their school bag/locker and ensure that each pouch is named. A key aspect of safety is having their phone locked in the pouch and inaccessible for others.

What if the Yondr pouch gets damaged?

The Yondr pouch remains the property of Calrossy Anglican School. If a student damages or tampers with a Yondr pouch, they will be held responsible. A $50 replacement fee for the damaged school property will be charged to the students account and a new pouch will be issued. Students who repeatedly damage the pouch or pin will be dealt with under the School Positive Engagement Framework.

Note: Damage consists of any signs that the physical integrity of the pouch has been compromised, whether intentional or unintentional, as determined by the school.

How can I clean my student’s Yondr pouch?

Yondr pouches can be washed in cold water for a short cycle and dried on a short cycle and/or air dried. Pouches can also be cleaned with a disinfectant cleaner.

Calrossy in Concert

Recent Secondary Events

There have been many additional events happening in recent weeks across our Secondary Campuses and with our students participating in.

Among the highlights have been the Billy Cart Derby, Remembrance Day activities and equestrian students competing at the Interschool Sports Extravanagza. (ISHE)

Calrossy had almost 50 students competing at ISHE at the ALEC in Tamworth. ISHE allowed the Calrossy students to put their skills on show across a wide variety of disciples including One day eventing, Combined training, dressage, showjumping, showriding, working horse challenge, sporting, stockrider & campdrafting. Calrossy also had a number of students entertain in the coveted evening events competing with their dachshunds in the sausage dog race and putting their skills on show in the Woof & Hoof.

Calrossy excelled in a wide range of events with many top 10 results. Some of the highlights included Pippa Cullen winning the 13 to 15 years working horse challenge and being awarded the overall high point working horse for the 13 years and over. Caitlin Guy won the 13 years high point for the sporting and Ella Watson the 14 years. Olivia Wilson was awarded the Reserve High point Champion for the sporting in the 15 years and Briana Guy the 16 years. Furthermore, Ella was also awarded the overall senior high point champion for the sporting and Caitlin was awarded with the reserve champion.

Share the Dignity

Thank you to everyone who has already generously donated to the Share the Dignity ”It’s in the Bag” Charity over the past couple of weeks!

A little reminder that pre loved handbags or feminine toiletry items need to be delivered to the Boarding Office, Senior Secondary Office or WCC / BSC receptions by Friday 25th of November. Boarder’s will make products and assemble handbags over the next couple of weeks.

Heartfelt thanks for contributing to this great project that will enhance the wellbeing of many.

Maria Buster

Important information from Tamworth Business

Calrossy P and F

9 and Dine – Friday 25th November