From the Principal - David Smith

Our final week was a positive one to conclude a productive year at Calrossy, during which we celebrated our Centenary! It certainly has been a Year of Celebration with many events marking our 100th birthday. They ranged from from digging up time capsules, an Alumni Super Reunion, the production of a wonderful Centenary Booklet and a lively and enjoyable ‘Ball of the Century’.

It has been wonderful to have the wider Calrossy community join in the spirit of the Centenary, celebrating our colourful and long history. That Alumni, past and present families were involved, in addition to current students, was fitting.

Throughout 2019 we have used a Centenary Crest, helping us to celebrate and acknowledge the history and culture of the various parts of the School that have joined to become part of Calrossy Anglican School. As announced at Presentation Days, following requests from students and officially from the P & F, the Calrossy Board has approved a decision to make the Centenary Crest the new symbol of the School, starting in 2020. It has been recognised that the new crest is a unifying symbol, incorporating each part of the School and representative of the journey to this point in School history.

The New Calrossy Crest – a brief explanation

The Bishop’s Mitre was used on the original 1919 crest of Tamworth Church of England Girls School, symbolising the link with the Anglican Diocese of Armidale
The white cross is taken from the original crest of William Cowper Anglican Primary School as a symbol of the empty cross, emphasising the resurrection of Jesus
The Bible reflects the importance of God’s word and the Dove, a Christian symbol of peace, was used on the original William Cowper crest
The Wyvern (Dragon) was closely associated with William Cowper Anglican Secondary Boys School
The Thistle was the emblem of the Paterson family, original owners of Calrossy House, who named it after their property in Scotland
Light and Light were adopted by the WC Schools and the ribbon is patterned on the TCEGS crest
The copperplate Calrossy was adopted after 1969.

At Presentation Day each Calrossy student received a lapel pin of the Centenary Crest to mark the conclusion of what has been a special year and in recognition of its adoption as a new school symbol.

Parents should note that the introduction of the new crest will be gradually implemented. It will initially appear on the website, on staff email signatures and in new school literature as gradually released. I reassure parents that there will be a phase in period with the symbol. New items will incorporate the crest as they are introduced but is no expectation that current uniform items should be replaced.

The final week was a fitting end to The Year of Celebration for Calrossy, with the Whole School Carols and Primary and Secondary Presentation Days recognising deserving students and highlighting their achievements. Award and Prize winners are congratulated on their diligence towards studies and dedication to sports and cocurricular involvement throughout 2019. Well done!

It is important to mention that at Calrossy we celebrate the achievements of the whole school population and I emphasise how proud we are of every one of our students, for a wonderful year of learning and growth inside and out of the classrooms. A special thanks goes to Tarran Deane, a Calrossy Old Girl, who was our guest speaker at the Secondary Presentation Day event. Ms Deane, who is now an adult educator, provided an uplifting talk, with an inspiring message. She urged us to "Let the clutch out!", meaning don't let fear hold you back, aim high and be the person who makes change for the better. It was a great message to take into the New Year. Please read on in this Newsletter for more details on these Presentation Days and links to the Programs.

At the end of what has been a big year for Calrossy, I acknowledge the work of the school staff, both teaching and non-teaching and the many individuals and volunteers who have supported the education and growth of our students. Good schools are a coalition of many people, working together for best outcomes. We are blessed indeed with this at Calrossy.

And the angel said to the shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2: 10 - 14

I wish you a safe, refreshing and joyous Christmas and January surrounded by family and friends. I look ahead to 2020 and the ‘The Year of Seeing Things Clearly!’

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