“We’re a regional school—not Sydney,” says Principal David Smith. “We’re boarding as well, so for many students—particularly at secondary level—the school is not just their school,it’s their home.We’re deliberate about being a country school with a country flavor. We’re comprehensive, not selective, and we go all the way from three-year-olds to 18-year-olds.” Calrossy’s motto—Learn. Grow. Serve.—is more than a tagline; it’s the throughline of a 106-year history shaped by resilience, community, and service.“People matter very much,” Smith says.“Every school says that, but one of our true differentiators is the closeness of our relationships with our kids and families.” IDENTITY, BELONGING, AND COUNTRY VALUES If there’s a single idea that defines the Calrossy experience, it is belonging. The school’s character is informed by its regional setting and by explicit values the community calls SIRI—Selflessness, Inclusiveness, Resilience, Integrity. “Country kids are, by nature, resilient,” Smith notes. “We’re connected to the land and the seasons. In my nine years, we’ve cycled from drought to very green, very profitable seasons.That rhythm forms character.” Belonging is cultivated through structures, expectations, and a deliberate approach to pastoral care. “We’re a relational school,” he adds. “We’re constantly looking for ways students feel known, valued, and important.” THE DIAMOND MODEL: CO-ED, SINGLEGENDER, CO-ED—BY DESIGN Calrossy’s distinctive Diamond Model is a hallmark of its student-centred design. From early learning through the end of primary, students learn in coeducational classes. In Years 7–9, core classes and pastoral groups are delivered in single-gender settings, before returning to a co-educational model in Years 10–12. “The middle years are about building courage and confidence,” Smith explains. “Single-gender classes help identity formation and allow us to tailor to different needs—while still ensuring healthy interaction through music, drama, and other programs. In senior years, we re-integrate so students are ready for life, study, and work beyond school.” The structure is complemented by a robust house system—now unified across the whole school— which delivers belonging, friendly competition, and leadership opportunities through music, sport, debating, and whole-school activities. 49 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10 CALROSSY ANGLICAN SCHOOL
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