Message from the Principal

Calm Start to the Year

One of my goals for 2023 is to promote a sense of calm amongst Calrossy. A calm (yet busy) school supports ‘Excellence in a Christian Environment’. 

Some may say that calmness in a school of over 1000 energetic students is a ridiculous goal, I am referring more to how we manage difficulties, rather than the high energy level of our enthusiastic students. Whilst things in life will occasionally go wrong and there will be upsets, mistakes and the inevitable turmoil that are associated with school community, I want to impress on students, staff and parents that together we have the capacity and resources to handle most of what confronts us. This relates to one of our school values; resilience. It is the ability to bounce back after some sort of obstacle. We cannot control the circumstances around us but we can learn to respond calmly, even in the most difficult situations.

Calmly approaching challenges (as best as possible) helps us to respond productively. My experience is that most obstacles can be managed and negotiated, often with the support of friends, trusted adults and sometimes peers. Whilst anxiety is real for all of us (and there can be much of which to be anxious about), calmness allows us to be intentional in developing strategies by which to approach our fears and concerns. 

The COVID years created an uncertainty amongst us that was hardly ideal and yet the way that our families and students faced these challenges should provide us with confidence. We have learned that with help, ‘We have got this!’ Being an adult can be tough and I believe that children of all ages need to be assisted in an age-appropriate manner to calmly manage life’s obstacles, equipping them for future healthy adult lives.

Whilst I encourage students to name their worries, fears and concerns (this is healthy) I also want to stress that a calm response can help them to overcome them, with growth and confidence developed in the process. Our excursion and expedition program deliberately seeks to place students into challenging contexts, promoting an experience of success and growth. Sometimes just talking about worries and providing reassurance is enough; in other contexts more assistance is required.

Corrie Ten Boom (The Hiding Place), who in WWII hid Jewish refugees from the Nazis and was eventually imprisoned, wrote, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” May this be something we can learn together at Calrossy.

Whether a concern lies around the difficulty of classwork, peer relationships or something else, should it be serious or persistent, please talk to appropriate school staff. It is better for a small concern to be discussed before it becomes something much bigger. As with most worries, a calm and measured approach will support the best outcomes for our students.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5: 7

Putting Learning in First Place

As indicated in earlier correspondence, another goal  for this year is to put learning back into first place. The following things, all mentioned in our School Strategic Plan, relate to actions that will allow us to achieve the best possible experience for students at Calrossy. 

• Creating a positive school culture
• Supporting wellbeing and personal growth
• Enhancing high quality communication
• Providing outstanding teaching and learning
• Employing, developing and retaining excellent Staff
• Growing in learning and character
• Developing our campuses and facilities.

All of these things need to be measured and are part of a process that is continuous. I am encouraged by what I have observed so far this year. Feedback on when we get it right or need to do better is always welcome.

A positive for me was the way that the School has been able to reengage with parents in the various welcome events and information nights. The contribution of the P & F to the Colour Run contributed to a fun and meaningful day. Working together in partnership is an important process and I look forward to doing so meaningfully as the year progresses.

Tips for Parents Helping their Children in Settling into the School Year

The first months of routine in a new year can be tiring, no matter their age, be it Prep or Year 12. It often takes time for students to settle back into a smooth routine, and during this time they may be irritable and tired, there might be some tears, mood swings or tantrums. These tips might help:

• Create a calm and relaxing space for them to chill out when they return home from school.
• Sleep, sleep, sleep. It's very important, make sure they are getting ample sleep. You might need to adjust their bedtime to a little earlier than normal.
• Show them unconditional love. Even when they are testing your patience. "I know it's been a very long day. I love you. Let's take a breath and start over." 

Acknowledgement: “The Fathering Project” February 14, 2023

David Smith

Principal