Principal and CEO

Dear Parents and Carers

I want to begin by thanking you for preparing your children so well for the start of the school year. I appreciate the priority you have placed on this. We have many students new to Calvary and returning students who have grown (uniforms needed), changed stages (new ways of working to be accommodated that reflect growing independence) and the usual stationery requirements, lunch boxes and what must often seem like an endless list to be managed in the lead up to the start of school. The year began with high energy and I am appreciative of the way you partnered with us in giving your children a good start to 2026.

The intentional work done over the past few years in learning more about the growth of the whole child, recognising that this applies to a lifetime of growth and development for all people, and applying our deeper knowledge and growing wisdom to Calvary’s teaching and learning model has reached a point where we can confidently say Calvary ‘grows the whole child through a stage-based learning model’ that seeks to draw together parents, staff and the young people themselves in designing, implementing and monitoring their growth goals.

It is difficult to describe briefly the outcome of a highly collaborative team working with a strong focus and in an integrated way. Our staff have succeeded in providing a seamless, powerful growth experience for students on their P-12 journey at Calvary. Of course, there are challenges along the journey of growth for all of us, and I am particularly proud of the way the Calvary community shows the courage and care for one another to tackle the difficult moments and find our way to the deeply vibrant, authentic faith community experience we hold in our vision for everyone at Calvary Christian College.

Over the summer break we have continued our work to renew facilities (both grounds and buildings) in ways that support our vision for what matters most in education. The damage from Cyclone Alfred shifted the priorities of some of our plans for 2025 and November’s storm damage impacted work over the summer. As I look back at what has been achieved since the start of February 2025, I can see how what may appear calamitous to us can actually help propel us more swiftly into the refreshed Calvary we earnestly desire. Careful planning has meant we could act rather than react as we know what the ‘dream’ looks like. Extreme weather and unreliable supply chains have meant delay to several projects we worked very hard to deliver for the start of 2026. The Carbrook campus has been more impacted by this and I thank you for your patience and the encouragement you give your children to make the most of each day. The Prep to Stage 1 playground under development at Carbrook will be open for the start of term 2. The long-awaited Springwood playground will be completed this year. Both campuses can look forward to even more improvements over 2026. There is always so much to do! And we have a plan!

Other projects begun a few years ago such as our support of Compassion where each cohort sponsors a child in the Iloilo area of the Philippines, and our support of Farm Angels as our national service project, have taken leaps forward as, in 2025, the College partnered with Real Life Christian Church to bring about a very successful trip to the Philippines where four of our students met the children sponsored by the College. This helps make the project real to all in our community. The Year 9 service trip to Chinchilla, Queensland headquarters of Farm Angels began three years ago with a somewhat reluctant and sceptical cohort who set out for a week of tent camping and service in late term 3. Only three years later, this trip has become a highlight on the calendar for our Year 9 students and the positive impact of the trip on them is undeniable. We look forward to this ‘rites of passage’ experience in the formation of our Year 9 students later this year.

And, of course, Calvary is still Calvary with our students participating in and achieving remarkable outcomes across sport, music, the agriculture (farm) program as well as the extensive co-curricular program. Many students have already signed up for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and I encourage those who may feel they have ‘missed the boat’ in the ‘busyness’ of week 1 to talk with their teachers, their Heads of Stage, or their Head of School for advice and guidance. There is something for everyone at Calvary and we encourage our students to find their place through participation in the widely varied program, find their tribe through the opportunities to build deepening friendships, and to find what makes them the unique beings God created them to be.

None of the variety of what Calvary offers you and your children is possible without the commitment of a talented and (almost tireless) staff team led by the College Executive and we appreciate the support of the College Council whose often invisible work secures the support structure and direction of the business and culture.

May 2026 be a year of blessing and growth for each of us.

Yours sincerely,

Cherylynne Gostelow
Principal and CEO