Preparing Students for Life

It is hard to believe that 13 years ago in 2010 our current Year 12 students were finishing their third term of formal schooling in Kindergarten? One third of them were in Calrossy Junior School, some having started at Prep or our PreSchool prior to this. Others joined in Year 7, many as Boarders. Time seems to have travelled very quickly over their 13 years of formal schooling. Looking at Kinder and earlier photos reinforces this.

Our Year 12s have come such a long way in 13 years, through Infants and Primary school, making the step into Year 7 and moving through Secondary school to the long-anticipated moment this week when they stand at the end of their formal school ‘adventure’.

The final days represent a mixture of emotions. There is the joy of the end of thirteen long hard years and much hard work. They won’t miss assessment tasks, meeting deadlines, bells ruling their lives, packing a school bag or having to wear school uniform. Cross campus travel will be no more. They will never need to ask to ask if it is it Week A or Week B?

However, excitement is blended with the sad reality that they are leaving a community of which they have been an integral part. Many special relationships have grown and there will remain memories of significant occasions, excursions, camps, achievements, fun and important relationships. Adult life beckons and the end of school is a stepping stone towards the future.

The finish of school is not the destination, but just part of the pathway on life’s journey. The measure of success for our students will not be what they remember about Calrossy but how they have been equipped and prepared for what lies ahead.

Our world has changed a lot during their time Year 12 students have spent at school. As they started Kindy the iPhone was a new thing, Social media was a novel concept and YouTube, Google, Netflix and Cloud technology were in their early days. Who would have thought in Kindy that the biggest transport company in the world would own no cars, the biggest hospitality company own no real estate, or the biggest video companies hardly make any movies themselves? Technology has changed the world during their school careers and they have grown up with it. Education has had to change and adapt. They have had to negotiate change and the end of school is just one more step in this, leaving the security of what is fairly familiar. For Boarders, they also leave what has been ‘home’ during term time.

I am confident that their schooling has prepared the Year 12s for the world they are going to inherit, and to be ready to manage the change they will encounter in their lives ahead. The Junior School Year 12 assembly last Friday reinforced how much the students have physically grown over 13 years but we can also observe the emotional, academic and spiritual growth too. What is delightful is the emergence of wonderful young women and men, of whom we are very proud.

Finishing school is not only significant for the students but also for parents and extended families. This is one of the reasons why Calrossy has ‘Learning in Partnership’ as one of its pillars. Parents and teachers are each committed to growing our fine young men and women to take up the challenge of the HSC and life beyond school. Between parents and school, we have equipped our students for the next stage of their lives. I am confident that they are ready.

One of the lovely things about school communities is that Year 12 cohorts leave an imprint on the lives of the students who remain, both in Secondary and Junior school level. I also know that the school leaves an imprint on them personally and that some of their experience, relationships and participation in school culture has shaped who they have grown to become and will be, beyond school.

At this time of mixed emotions, I celebrate the achievements of our Year 12 students and congratulate them for arriving at this important point of finishing school. On behalf of our community, I wish them every success in the HSC exams and life beyond school. The years have flown quickly by and we look forward to observing the impact that they have beyond school, making a difference to all around them. Congratulations.

For readers with younger children, savour these days as they pass so quickly and before you know it, your children will be out of school.

“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the year approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them.” Ecclesiastes 12.1

Minister’s Teacher Advisory Group

I am delighted to announce that one of our Junior School teachers, Mrs Sarah Chambers, has been selected to be part of a group of 12 teachers, to advise directly to the NSW Minister of Education Sarah Mitchell. This group represents all teachers across each sector and allows direct input to the Minister. This is a great achievement for Sarah and Calrossy. Congratulations.

Commemoration Service for Queen Elizabeth II

On the Public holiday (Thursday 22nd September) Calrossy has been invited to participate in a local service as part of this day in memory of Queen Elizabeth.

The Service will be held at the Tamworth Town Hall at 10 am. Calrossy students will be reading tributes and assisting with the singing of the National Anthem. Tamworth Regional Council and the Tamworth Ministers Fraternal invite members of the general public to attend.

Principal

Mr David Smith

Calrossy Foundation

Thank You