Message from the Principal

Presentation Day and Happy Christmas

Whilst we were very disappointed with the absence of parents, grandparents and friends of Calrossy, we enjoyed successful Presentation Day Ceremonies last Thursday in both Primary and Secondary Sections of the school. 

The ceremonies can be viewed through theses links

To watch the Calrossy Primary Presentation Day Video Click here.

To watch the Calrossy Secondary Presentation Day video, click here. 

A short Carol Service, in place of our tradition Calrossy Carols can also be viewed here.

At Presentation Day, it is right to acknowledge prize winners and high performance in class and co-curricular life but inevitably not every outstanding achievement is or can be formally recognised. However, in 2021 I would like to commend every member of the Calrossy community for enduring our unexpected circumstances, showing great resilience and passion and succeeding to the end. You all helped keep Calrossy strong. 

What life continues to demonstrate is that whilst we cannot control the times or our environment, we still can learn and grow through enduring the bumps of life. One thing that sustains me as a school leader is the endurance, resilience, enthusiasm and passion of our students and they have demonstrated this in spades during 2021.  The key message to all students, parents and staff is Well Done!!!

I wish every member of the community a very blessed and happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. For our graduates and those leaving, best wishes in your future. 

May all our community stay safe, enjoy a well-deserved rest and spend precious time with those whom you love. It is my hope that the rich generosity of God as reminded to us at Christmas through the gift of his son, be something that is fresh and real for your family.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9: 6

Year 12 Nominations and Success

We have been delighted to receive notice of nominations for students across a wide range of exhibitions of Year 12 major projects or works. This is testimony to outstanding teaching and the dedication of our students. Whilst a nomination does not guarantee a place in the exhibition, it is a great honour for the students to be selected as among the best of the best in NSW in their subject.

Texstyle and Shape 2020: 

• Laura Annis-Brown
• Ruth Cant
• Tara Craig
• Hannah Wilson

InTech Exhibition (Industrial Technology – Wood)

• Ben Gigli
• Mitchell Hamblin

ArtExpress

• Callum Cutler

Encore (Music)

• Beth Kirby

A most pleasing end to what has been a challenging year for our HSC students is to receive news of scholarships, early entry to high level courses and wonderful stories of acceptance into University and Colleges.

We wish our Year 12 students every success for the final results that will be released on Friday, December 18 and look forward to celebrating with them.

Semester 2 Reports

Primary Reports were sent to parents on Friday 4 December and can be accessed on the HUB. Secondary reports will be available on Thursday, December 10, also on the HUB.

The Calrossy School office Christmas Break Hours

The Calrossy School Office will be closed from Friday, December 18 and will reopen on January 11, 2021,  although phones will be manned and finance staff will be available.

Staffing News

At the end of 2020 we farewelled the following staff:

• Miss Sarah Warby, Head of English, moving to a school on the North Coast
• Mrs Annette Hamilton, long-term teacher of History (and previously Music) who is retiring
• Miss Georgina Anderson (Year 1), also moving to the North Coast to prepare for marriage and life as an avocado farmer, though no doubt she will appear in a classroom again soon.

We thank these staff for their service. 

For 2021, appointments are as follows:

• Mrs Stephanie Heywood is the new Head of English.
• Mrs Toni King will be Head of Science in 2021, taking on this position mid-Term 1.

Secondary Roles:

• Head of Calrossy 7 – 9 – Rev. Stephen Price
• Year 7 - 8 Boys Advisor – Mr Conrad Starr
• Year 7 - 8 Girls Advisor – Mrs Julie Murrie (7-9 Wellbeing Coordinator)
• Year 9 Advisor – Mr Bart Leach (with assistance from Mrs Laura Yeo)
• Head of Senior Secondary – Mrs Dianne Cameron
• Year 10 Advisor – Mrs Libby Blinman
• Year 11 Advisor – Miss Rachael Lasker (10-12 Wellbeing Coordinator)
• Year 12 Advisor – Mr Glen Fletcher

Other appointments will be announced to the School community in 2021.

Names for each section of Calrossy 2021

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

• Calrossy Junior School is the new name for what we currently refer to as Calrossy Primary, comprising students from Prep to Year 6. Primary will be used to refer specifically to Year 3 to Year 6 students, and Infants for Prep to Year 2
• 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 is Years 10 - 12 based on the Brisbane Street Campus with students moving to full Coeducation in Years 11 and 12
• Secondary School will be used to refer to all students from Year 7 to 12
• Calrossy Boarding remains unchanged with girls in Calrossy House, Ashton House and Sims House, also using Gloria Thew House in Semester 1. The home for our resident boys remains Simpson House
• Calrossy PreSchool will remain the same

New Classroom Building on the William Cowper Campus

We were delighted this week to take possession of our new Classroom building on the William Cowper Campus, in readiness for 2021. Our students will be excited to enjoy the excellent facilities that will promote positive teaching and learning. The building has four new Science laboratories, two Design and Technology rooms, new rooms for Dance, Drama and Art, general classrooms, staffrooms and toilets/bathrooms. We will open the building for parents to view early in the new year.

As announced on Presentation Day, our local member the Hon Barnaby Joyce has informed me of success in our application for funding for an additional building for the School. This new building will support the teaching of Creative and Performing Arts for our Junior and Secondary School students. 

Infrastructure Development

The holidays will see plenty of action on all Calrossy Campuses in preparation for 2021. The final fittings and landscaping around the new William Cowper Campus classroom building will be taking place. On the Junior School (Primary) campus, rooms adjacent to Years 1 and 2 are being prepared as Kindergarten classrooms. Other upgrades are taking place. On the Brisbane Street campus we are preparing a new gymnasium, change rooms and increased indoor and outdoor independent study facilities. The landscaping undertaken by Years 7 and 8 during community service week is looking a treat.

In Boarding,  Ashton and Chapman House are being upgraded as part of the Master Plan to enhance our residential facilities on the Brisbane Street Campus. This work will continue into Term 1, meaning that some of our Boarders will commence 2021 living in Gloria Thew House or Thew Cottage. The Boarding team will share the fine details of who is living where, closer to the commencement of Term 1, 2021.

Carols By Candlelight

Whilst Covid-19 restrictions prevented our School community from participating in our traditional Carols, the independent North Tamworth Anglican Church will be holding a Carols by Candlelight in the Bishop Peter Chiswell Hall, William Cowper Campus on Christmas Eve. (Details are in the Community Notices section of this newsletter) A warm welcome is extended to any member of the Calrossy community who would like to enjoy a Carol event.

Extended Uniform Shop Hours

The Uniform Shop will be open this Friday, December 11 from 10am - 2pm and Monday December 14, from 10am - 2pm.  The Uniform shop will then be closed for the Christmas break and reopen on  Monday January, 25.  To order online please click here.

Mr David Smith

Principal Calrossy Anglican School