Message from the Principal

Welcome Back

It is a great joy to welcome students back this week, marking a return to more ‘normal school’ for many of us. Teachers are delighted to see the students again. The happy noises around our campuses are a strong indication that the students are similarly pleased. 

The last months have been challenging and the sudden adjustment to online learning was not easy. However, I acknowledge the support of the teachers and parents in responding quickly to an uncertain and changing situation. The flexibility of our students encourages me that we have the ‘right stuff’ to keep our community strong.

Please be reassured that Calrossy has adopted extra measures in cleaning and amended routines to maintain our environment as a safe one. Whilst social distancing is different within the school context, we will continue with the routines of handwashing, use of sanitiser, ‘careful’ coughing/sneezing and temperature checks.  The infection rate is virtually non-existent in our region but health authorities warn us to maintain a level of care and avoid complacency. As always, our major concern remains centred on the welfare of students and staff.

Boarders

Whilst students return this week, we are not yet in a position to accommodate all Secondary boarders. The number of beds we can use in dormitories is limited and for now the priority has been given to Year 11 and 12 students. 

We are busily exploring options for the fulltime return of younger boarders, looking to open further accommodation. Another option is for Day families to temporarily host long-distance boarders and I fully support the making of separate arrangements to allow this to happen. 

Last night, Courtney Coe and I joined a ‘Zoom’ session with 45 Boarder families to discuss options and explain what can be done to support a quick return to residence for all students. Courtney has put a copy of the session on the Boarder section of The Hub for those that missed it.

“To Read is to Fly”

Rene Descartes, the notable philosopher wrote, “The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest men of the past centuries.” Like many, I was fortunate to grow up in a reading family. My childhood was spent with the Famous Five exploring caves, in Narnia with the Pevensey children and in solving mysteries with all sorts of weird and wonderful investigators. Contemporary students experience such encounters with Quidditch playing Wizards, romantic vampires and strange reality games in apocalyptic worlds. 

Several years ago, I undertook a Dystopian World reading challenge with a Year 9 English class. Some of the books were depressing as they described worlds where order collapsed, and chaos was the norm. Little did I know that I (we) would live through a real dystopia, a few years later. That experience and the recent Covid-19 crisis has reminded me of the importance of reading and what an essential skill it is for students and adults.

There are many benefits to reading and like most activities, the more you do it, the better you get. The concept of universal literacy is historically a relatively new phenomenon but the ability to read effectively continues to be vital to one’s future, even in our technological world. Reading is integral in development of thinking, vocabulary growth, acquisition of knowledge, the capacity to analyse and the empowerment of the individual to resist propaganda and practice critical literacy. 

Today the ‘experts’ tell us that students read less, which is not entirely accurate. It is more that they do it differently as they read on screens and in a different way. However, it is no secret that some students are less engaged with reading, specially novels for enjoyment, impacting negatively on their skills and literacy growth. Others prosper, being enriched in the process.

Shortly our Library team are instituting challenges that seeks to engage our whole school in reading and responding to a depth of literature. Our Primary Students undertake the Premier’s Reading Challenge and a separate competition has been established for Secondary students. The details will be provided in the newsletter and in student notices. Primary parents should read Mr Marchetto’s article in this newsletter, as early reading experiences are vital.

It is my belief that every student (even Year 12s) should read at least 15 books annually. To manage this volume of books it only requires 20 minutes (or more) per night as part of the habit of regular reading. Reading should not be regarded as an optional extra but as an integral part of the daily Home routine, from Prep or Kindergarten to Year 10. By doing so, students will grow as readers, and take steps into a lifetime pursuit, entering strange and magical worlds of mystery, romance, fantasy, danger and adventure.

Parents can assist by reading themselves, talking about books, using libraries, encouraging choice, buying new literature and through the encouragement of this activity. No student at Calrossy should ever say that he or she has no homework!! 

Good reading habits must be built into part of the everyday routine. Not only will skills develop, the engagement in and enjoyment of the wonderful world of literature will be of immeasurable benefit. The love of reading is often caught rather than taught and I am grateful I grew up in a culture that valued and encouraged such pursuit. Please join with the Library staff and teachers to help develop Calrossy as a community of active and committed readers. If you want to be a good reader, the best thing to do is read. Just do it!!

“To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries.” A. C. Graylling

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119: 105 

Staff News 

In the Covid-19 period, the following staff changes have happened quietly, but the school is very thankful to the work of the following three departed staff. Each will be farewelled appropriately once the context changes to allow it:

Mrs Deborah Pawsey has resigned from her Secondary Science teaching role. Her classes have been taken on by existing Calrossy teachers. Fortunately, we will still see Deb on days when she is available for casual teaching.

Mrs Nelly Kable has retired after a long and distinguished career at Calrossy, teaching French and in many other roles, including recent work as part of our Library team.

Sr Sally Prowse has relinquished her position as Head Nurse and overseer of the school Health Centre after many years in the role.  We are very grateful for Sally’s contribution over this time. She is replaced by Sr Katya Thomas, who commences in the role today.

Student Congratulations

I was delighted with the recognition of Emily Madirazza (Year 12) as Tamworth Regional Council’s Youth Volunteer of the Year for 2020. Congratulations to Emily and Bella Riolo and Brenda Newman, past members of our school community, for their nomination in various categories of these awards.