Calrossy Anglican School Secondary Structure for 2021

Dear Calrossy Parents, Grandparents and members of the Calrossy Community,

Calrossy is currently in the process of building new facilities on the William Cowper Campus to allow the consolidation of our existing ‘Diamond Model’. We believe this is great practice and that our model is particularly useful in promoting the growth and development of adolescent students. Our plans are before Tamworth Regional Council and progress is on schedule to be completed ready for 2021.

At that time our learning progression will see coeducational Primary classes as now. However, students in Years 7 – 9 will learn in single-sex classes on the William Cowper Campus (with a separate boy and girl focus on wellbeing, with possibly some co-ed elective classes.) Years 11-12 will have their lessons on the Brisbane Street Campus. The current boarding structure remains unaffected by these changes.

What has yet to be determined is where Year 10 students should fit in this model. Should they stay with Years 7-9 on the William Cowper Campus or be grouped with Years 11 and 12, should they be co-ed or single sex?

We are now surveying various groups about the best placement for Year 10 in the new structure.

There are pros and cons for both options. Things to consider may include the impact on leadership, the teaching of electives, the movement of teachers from one campus to the other, preparation for students for the senior years and preserving aspects of school culture.

To view a short video exploring some of these issues, please click here.

Please let us know your thoughts in order to support our decision on the best place for Year 10.

For a link to a survey form where you can share your views, please click here

Could you please make your response by the end of July.

Kind regards,

David Smith

Principal

eCalrossy - Distance Education Program

Dear Parents,

Calrossy is considering advertising an innovative distance education program that would enable the benefits of a Calrossy education to be available to students at any location in Australia.

Depending on viability, ‘eCalrossy’ will be commence in 2020, initially for Year 7 students. It is envisaged we will eventually provide distance education to students from Years 7 to 9 with a view to these students then enrolling as boarders for the senior years.

This initiative is designed to provide access to a high-quality education to some families for whom boarding may not be an option, thereby strengthening the school. The fees associated with enrolment in this program will be significantly less than for ‘internal’ tuition. Students in the distance education program would not have access to the same level of interpersonal connection, social development, co-curricular and sporting opportunities, any choice in which subjects they undertake, school resources or the same community engagement. For some families the limitations of a distance education program will, none-the-less, provide a better alternative to that which they currently have for the education of their children.

Parents of current students are assured that the best option continues to be to attend Calrossy as Day Students or Boarders. The school continues to be fully committed to boarding and the highest possible educational experience for ‘internal’ students. Addition of the eCalrossy program will not have a detrimental impact on the experience of Day Students or Boarders. In future years, the increase in senior student numbers has the potential to strengthen the offerings and experience of ‘internal’ students.

eCalrossy is an exciting new rethink on distance education. These students would be part of a class streamed online in real time, offering the benefits of direct teacher and peer interaction. Our current teaching staff will deliver the online lessons, with students receiving specialised tuition in each subject area, just as they would in face-to-face teaching (with some learning activities requiring modification). Trialing of purpose-built video conferencing hardware and software is currently under way.

During some of the holiday periods, students enrolled in the distance education program will be required to attend residential sessions for a week at a time at Calrossy. This will be to supplement their social experiences and meet practical requirements of various courses.

Calrossy’s Board and Executive team made the decision to explore this inventive distance education program as a response to the current economic climate, advancing technological opportunities for remote communications and to position the school more strongly for the future. As an education provider in a Christian environment it is also our wish to ensure the opportunity of a quality, faith-based schooling is made available to as many children as possible.

Current advertising of the eCalrossy offering and calling for expressions of interest will guide decisions on its implementation. The question of viability is a key factor which can only be tested by assessing the level of response.

If you know of families who have a child entering Year 7 in 2020 and for whom enrolment in a boarding school is not possible for one reason or another, please let them know of this potential new offering from Calrossy. They can access further information on the school’s website or by contacting the school via telephone.

Yours Sincerely,

David Smith Mark Doran

Principal Deputy Principal

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