Boarding FAQs

A typical day in boarding at Calrossy:

Monday–Friday

Saturday

Sunday

How do I know what is happening and can I catch up with my child easily?

Boarding parents will be kept up to date with direct email and phone contact from Boarding House Staff along with parent meeting opportunities, group parent sessions and information provided via our internal communications system, The Hub. There are a variety of events throughout the year that allow our Boarding families to connect – such as our Boarder Muster – where parents and the boarder community can connect in a social manner.

Phone communication with your child is not encouraged during the school day.

Whilst we do encourage families to be mindful of boarding routines, scheduled phone calls home are always greatly anticipated by new boarders.  Boarders may use their phones at specified times and Years 7-10 must hand in their mobile before lights out each evening.

We consider a mobile phone to be a privilege, not a right. As such boarders are to be responsible in the use of their phone and areultimately accountable for any material sent or received via this media. Mobile phone cameras are not to be used in bedrooms and dorms within all Boarding Houses.

Boarding parents and families are welcome to catch up with their child during visits to Tamworth.

The boarder parent of today is connected with life within the boarding house and broader school. For the majority of parents, a trip to Tamworth is a regular event and allows them to take part in school events and also to visit and take their child out on Leave.  Parents are always welcome and able to take out boarders when in town.  

What measures are in place to help my child settle in and support them living away from home?

Boarding and school staff, which includes nurses, school counsellors and Chaplaincy staff are there to support your child whist in the care of the school at every step of the journey. 

New boarders are allocated a Boarder Buddy – who in many ways will guide and mentor new boarders as they adjust to their new life as a boarder.

Calrossy also has an established and proven Wellbeing Program that provides a framework of support and guidance to all students. This includes year group Leaders of Wellbeing which have a special focus on the students in each year.

Can my son or daughter visit a friend?

Boarders are allowed to apply for weekend leave to visit and stay with family and friends during the school term. 

Boarders are able to access Weekend Leave and Calrossy Boarding is very flexible regarding trips home or out with a Host. All Leave is recorded via an online platform which allows parents to receive email notification of boarders and their plans and easily respond and provide parent permission.

What do the boarders do on the weekend?

As a boarder at Calrossy Anglican School you are encouraged to reach your potential in your academic studies but also with any chosen sport or extra-curricular activity which you choose to become involved with.

We encourage you to be involved in at least one activity each term, you will need to discuss this with your boarding staff member at the start of the term.

After 3:30pm each day and during weekends there are many activities which you can become involved with. These include but are not limited to School sport, outside school sport, town based recreational activities, drama, dance, cadetship and of course music.

During the weekend boarders participate in a range of activities both utilising school facilites and also accessing all that Tamworth has to offer – from boarding excursions, fishing, bush walks, cooking, craft, social sports, karaoke and much more.

What if my child is sick?

Health and Wellbeing are at the heart of Boarding life at Calrossy, and our Health Centre is equipped for the care of all boarders.  All medication is kept with the school nurses and boarders are able to access the nurses both during dayschool and boarding hours.  Weekend clinics are run and our nursing staff are on call 24 hours a day.

What is my child has special medical needs?

As a part of the enrolment process each boarder will have an appointment with our Nursing staff and Head of Boarding to review their individual needs.  Where specific plans or care may be required our nursing staff work with parents in planning prior to those boarders entering our community.  

What activities will my son or daughter have access to?

All our Boarders are encouraged to participate in a team sport if possible, as well as pursue any individual interests or sports. In Tamworth there is a diverse range of recreational activities and sports competitions available to students, from equestrian, hockey, rugby union, rugby league, soccer, netball, swimming, gymnastics, dance and many more.

In sport and culture, talented students are able to represent at the Hunter Region Independent School level with pathways to the Combined Independent School and State.

What will my son or daughter be eating?

Each day boarders are provided with breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner & supper. Fruit is always available for boarders to access along with drinking water.

All  meals in the boarding house are compulsory, except for Saturday breakfast. It is important that you are on time and appropriately dressed. At weekday breakfast Boarders must be in full uniform, at other times it is important that you remember that we are coming together as a community and that respect must be shown for each other and ourselves within the Dining Room.