First Term

What a tumultuous term we have experienced! Who could have predicted the last four weeks? The uncertainty and disruption to our daily lives has been profound. Whilst somewhat insulated from the effects of COVID-19 earlier on, the impact has now become very real for us in our regional and rural context. Having had to adjust very quickly to a different way of school, to restrictions on normal freedoms and the loss of physical close community with family, friends and our social circles has been hard. Life as we know it has been disrupted.

What gives me hope is the speed in which our students and teachers have responded. There has been no textbook to guide any of us through the disruption to employment, loss of jobs, a run on products in our shops or the advice for students to stay home if possible. Being restricted to home is hard but we are all making the best of the opportunity.

A second positive for me has been the strength shown across our school community. The messages of support, the small acts of kindness, the words of encouragement and details of how people are coping have all been precious. It reinforces for me that there is a depth in our school that goes beyond being just an educational institution. We must treasure this reality. I encourage our community to stick together, to support each other and ‘harness ourselves in’ to last this out. Together we are stronger. Keeping in contact, by note, letter, email, phone call and Zoom makes a difference and brightens our lives, when we are restricted from meeting physically.

Even though it is tough, a key message to children is that we must practice positivity and thankfulness in all circumstances. Whilst life may be harder, still finding time to ‘count our blessings’ and think of the good things we can enjoy is productive for all of us. Wellbeing experts tell us that doing so is one of the key aspects to flourishing, even in hard circumstances. Thankfulness is something that makes a difference and (I personally believe) it is how God wired us. There is so much research to support that thankful people, practicing gratitude, enjoy much more fulfilled and satisfying lives, even through hardship and trouble.

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 118:29

Term 2 2020

A challenge with COVID-19 has been in predicting what will happen next. With changing social restrictions and government edicts, we have had to be very agile. A pleasing aspect of the past week has been the slowing rate of infection of Coronavirus and reports of no new infections in the Tamworth region. There is some thought the ‘Covid curve is flattening out’, though it is too soon to declare. Of course, we are being advised to Stay at Home, regardless.

The Government is indicating that school will return after the holidays, under the same basis as that of the past two weeks. The rate of infection over the holidays will determine what might be advised to parents and schools.

Boarding is a big question as we are aware of the limited access to school resources for many of our families. At present, I am working with authorities and within school to consider risks and explore the possibility of a return to Boarding for those that would benefit. I am particularly conscious of the needs of Year 11 and 12 students who are in the midst of their HSC studies. Courtney Coe and I will keep Boarder parents informed of developments in this area.

Plenty of feedback has been received on the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ of our students learning in a different way. Some have found too much work and others too little structure. General feedback has been that older, more autonomous students have found the systems of learning manageable but the younger a student, the more challenging it has been to support continued learning. Our first goal was to get to the Easter holidays and then re-evaluate our approach. We have done that and will be ready to respond to learning from the start of Term 2.

What will fees look like for Term 2?

This is a question that many parents have asked. Our Finance Committee and Board working party have been financially modelling, responding to information from Governments, looking to balance support for families and maintaining school viability at this difficult time. As a not-for-profit enterprise, we don’t have massive reserves but acknowledge that the drought period has also been hard on our school community. A full fee schedule will be provided by the Friday after Easter. Please be encouraged that we intend to provide a discount to all families, related to the level of service we can and will provide for each stage of learning in Term 2.

Calrossy will keep in touch with families during the school holidays to provide information about our return to Term 2.

Great Comebacks

Heads of Secondary

Have a Blessed and Peaceful Easter