Valedictory Dinner

It was marvellous to finally enjoy a celebration, last Friday evening, with the Year 12 students of 2020 and their parents, conducted in a Covid-safe way. Restrictions to the numbers meant that school staff were required to be part of the Waiter/Waitress team, serving meals and drinks and collecting plates etc. (I am pleased to report that there were no spillages.) The venue looked great and the celebratory mood was fitting.

Numbers were limited to parents and the student only. As part of the ceremony, students received their graduation packs, awards and prizes, (which are customarily awarded at the end of Term 3). I was delighted to hear of the many students who have received early entry University offers to the course of their choice. Many students spoke of the work they have been undertaking since the end of school. On behalf of the School community we wished this lovely cohort of students every success and we look forward to the HSC results being announced on December 18, 2020.

You can find the images taken from the Graduation stage on The Hub in the photo gallery. We will send the link out to Year 12 and via The Hub of the professional images this week.

One Day in the Future …

It was fabulous to farewell our Year 12 students last Friday night at a fitting Valedictory Dinner and Dance. Not one of us imagined at the start of the year what would ensue.

During 2020 I have been fascinated to read about 1919 and the impact of the Spanish Flu back then that had a serious (some would say even more dramatic) influence on society, with people dying, the use of masks, quarantine and great uncertainty. It is funny how history sometimes repeats.

I said to the Year 12s that in fifty years I can imagine them sitting down and talking to their grandchildren. What we have experienced this year will be by then part of History. They will be able tell their grandkids, “Did you know that I sat my HSC in the Year of the Great Pandemic of the Coronavirus – Covid-19 way back before your mum and dad were born? It was a weird time in history, unlike anything else I experienced.”

“This is what it was like.” They might go on to describe the lockdown, disruption to school, four weeks of home learning, uncertainty, loss of many of the fun and joyful activities, only leaving home for exercise, arguments over toilet paper in shopping centres, restrictions on parties, and it would go on.

At our Valedictory Dinner, the message I shared to Year 12s was something else that current students may appropriately share with their grandkids, in 50 years, sitting on the bed at sleep time:

In amongst the bad things, there were some good things too.

I learnt to manage the uncertainty – it was horrible. People in Australia died. Others had it much worse. But I coped.

2. I learnt resilience - I learned that whatever life and circumstances threw at me, I could adapt and manage and be successful. I found that whilst it wasn’t easy, with determination and grit – I learned to get through. In my life, sometimes the hard times were where I grew most, not the good times.

3. Inclusiveness – I didn’t do it by myself. I got there with the help of my family (your great grandparents), my friends, teachers and special people in my life. Lots of people did little things to keep me going. In your life – choose your tribe and your friends carefully. You will need their back when life is harder.

4. I didn’t quit – I kept my eye on the goal and stayed on track. I didn’t lose sight of the end – I learned that I had stuff within that I maybe didn’t know I had. It wasn’t easy but I made it, even though bits of the HSC journey were a bit ragged. When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

5. Hope – is a really important thing – It was hope that kept me going. It was hope that things would get better, hope that I would make it, hope that around the corner good things would happen, and for some of us – hope that God was in control. Like the stormy weather, things eventually improved.

I would like to think that whilst our current students (of all ages) cannot yet imagine themselves as a parent, let alone a grandparent, maybe their experience this year will be one they will share with grandchildren, passing on their 2020 wisdom. More importantly, I am confident that the experiences of 2020 will produce growth in character, that they will take into their lives ahead – helping them to develop skills and understandings, as they mature and finally graduate as adults in the wider world, to make a big difference.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:43

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Parent Forum

I was pleased to join with several Senior staff as part of the Parent Forum last Thursday evening. Despite a few technical glitches, it was great to take questions from parents and share details of progress and preparation for 2021 and beyond. These details to The Hub shortly. The questions were helpful and I congratulate the P & F on their initiative for us to hold such events. Providing opportunities for questions and answers strengthens the partnership that we enjoy together in the education of great students in our School.

Head Start Day, Primary Orientations

Over the past few weeks, we have enjoyed orientation events for our new students into Prep, Kindy and Year 7 for 2021. New Boarders also enjoyed a sleepover last Wednesday. It was also nice to walk through the new William Cowper Campus building, that is almost finished. Apart from the enthusiasm of the fresh recruits, what impressed me greatly was the passion of the existing older students to welcome and assist the incoming groups. This speaks of great school tone and passion, something for which we are grateful.

End of Year Events

Similar to the rest of 2020, the advent of Covid-19 has forced us to amend our final schedule of events for the year. Click on the video below explaining what is happening with several end of year activities.

The music concerts, our Carol Service and Speech/ Prize-giving events have had to be amended and limited to how many people can fit into our halls. The other unfortunate reality is that we still cannot invite parents onto the School property to participate and mix with children. This feels unnecessary but we remain constrained by school Covid regulations. Whilst disappointing not to share events with parents, the School will be recording the various ceremonies and providing the school community with links to enjoy them at home with family and friends. Details of the links will be provided as they are posted. These events include;

Prep Concert (November 25)
Year 6 Assembly (November 27)
Primary Presentation Day (December 3)
Secondary Presentation Day (December 3)

The Tamworthian and 2021 Calendars

The 2020 Tamworthian and next year's calendar is expected to be available from early next week, with each Calrossy family to receive a copy of each. As per previous years the distribution of these publications will go to the youngest member of each family, whether they are in Primary, Secondary or Boarding. Our Graduation Class of 2020 receive their own copy and these will be left for pick up at the Brisbane Street Campus reception. If your child does not bring the magazine and calendar home, Primary parents please check with their class teacher first and Secondary and Boarding parents inquire at either reception.

Names for Each Section of Calrossy

In 2021 we will be using new names for the different sections of our School:

Calrossy Junior School will be the new name for what we currently refer to as Calrossy Primary – given that our Prep to Year 6 section involves both Infants and Primary.
Calrossy 7 – 9 is the new name for the section of our school that will have students in Years 7 – 9 learning in independent Boy and Girl classes, and in single-gender pastoral groups under our Diamond Model, on the William Cowper Campus
Calrossy Senior Secondary will have Years 10 - 12 based on the Brisbane Street Campus with students moving to full Coeducation in Years 11 and 12 on their own campus
Calrossy Boarding remains unchanged with girls in Calrossy House, Ashton House and Sims House, also using Gloria Thew House in Semester 1. Boys remain in Simpson House
The new Houses, Cuthbert, Hamlin, Nicholls and Sheean will operate from P – 12, with leaders at Junior School, 7 – 9 and Senior Secondary levels
Calrossy PreSchool – will remain the same

David Smith

Principal

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