From the Heads of Secondary
Expeditions
It was great to welcome the Year 7s back from expedition last week. I am sure that the boys and girls slept well after busy programs at Scotts Head and Lake Macquarie respectively. The Year 8 girls and boys departed for the same locations this morning. Once again, we are very thankful to the ability to attend these expeditions and staff who have given up their time to supervise, guide and instruct. We are hopeful that we can resume these great experiences in a normal fashion next year as the team building that occurs organically when students spend time together away from school.
Year 8 Leadership Day
On Thursday 12 November the current Year 8 students participated in a leadership day on the William Cowper Campus. The purpose of this was building culture and preparing Year 8 students for 2021 when they will be the campus leaders. There was much energy and enthusiasm as the boys and girls worked together in future house groups. I would like to thank Mr Price and other staff members who made the day a success.
HeadStart Day
On Thursday 19 November the school held the HeadStart Day for 2021 Year 7 students. Just like the Year 8 Leadership Day, relationships were formed and preparations were made for their entry into Year 7 next year. They participated in scavenger hunts, team-building games, attended sample lessons in Maths, Science and English and also received their stationery packs for next year. Once again it was great to see the energy and enthusiasm and we hope this is maintained for next year and beyond!
Valedictory Dinner
What a fantastic event! It was a wonderful blessing to be able to celebrate with Year 12 students and parents. Hearing the joyful noises of singing and watching the enthusiastic dancing was a pure delight in a year where we were unsure whether any celebration would be possible.
The students and parents seemed to enjoy the opportunity to dress up and the staff were very generous in their willingness to act as wait staff for the occasion.
Our appreciation must go to Mrs Stephanie Heywood (Year 12 Leader of Wellbeing) and Mrs Dimity Saunders for their tireless efforts in organisation for this excellent event.
It was bitter-sweet as it also marked the last event for many of our school families. Some of whom have many years of shared history with us.
We wish all of our students and their families well and look forward to hearing of their successes.
Farewell to Secondary Houses
During the week there will be a formal recognition and retirement of the Secondary Girls’ and Boys’ Houses at separate assemblies. This is a time where we can honour the names of our existing houses formally for the last time. These seven houses and the activities, carnivals and competitions of which they have been a part, have formed many great memories for thousands of our students and these have been captured for posterity by our marketing and archive team with photos, videos and other publications. It has been great to watch the many battles over the years. The farewell assemblies will include reflections by students and a final carrying of the banners.
Reflection and Thanks
As we come to the end of the year, I think it is appropriate to reflect on 2020. We acknowledge students and parents for their resilience and perseverance. We both assumed the Head of Secondary role this year obviously not foreseeing what unfolded and the effect that it had on routine and events. Next year is a new structure for the Secondary school and we look forward to supporting the direction to which Calrossy will be heading in 2021. Thank you for all your support over the year.
Hugh Howey and Dianne Cameron
Heads of Secondary