Rationale:
At Carcroft school culture is planned for, developed, and sustained through practices that bring the community together, promote shared understandings, and encourage all community members to become crew, not passengers. Relationships with our students are at the heart of everything we do. One structure for developing this relationship—and supporting students socially, emotionally, and academically—is crew.
Crew provides each student with a one-to-one relationship with an adult advisor (crew leader) at the school, as well as a consistent and ongoing small-scale peer community. Crew leaders monitor and support student progress, serve as the student’s advocate in difficult academic and social situations, and act as the primary contact point between parents and the school. Crew meetings are frequently used for team building exercises and for group discussions on topical issues. These exercises and discussions help establish crew identity and a positive school culture.
We believe that if we get crew right, we get everything right!
Crew is underpinned by our habits of working and learning. If these conditions are right then children will become the best versions of themselves. See a breakdown of our HoWLs here:
| Morning Crew | End of Day Crew |
| 8:50-9:10 Morning Focus | 2:50 – 3:10 Daily Howls check-out Day’s debrief HOWL postcards |
Each child will receive at least 45 minutes of quality crew time a day; this is because crew is a fundamental part of our curriculum.
At our school, we believe every child deserves a narrative for success — a story of growth, achievement, and belonging. But for this to happen, they must first feel safe. That’s why we prioritise each child’s Narrative for Success as the foundation of their school experience.
We build this sense of safety through Crew – a daily check-in where children are known, valued, and supported by a trusted adult and their peers. Crew is a space where students can express how they’re feeling, discuss any barriers to learning, and develop important life skills such as compassion, resilience, and confidence.
When children feel safe, they are ready to learn, take positive risks, and engage fully in school life. Crew Leaders play a key role in this journey, working closely with families and staff to ensure no child is left behind.
Safety isn’t just about wellbeing — it’s the starting point for success. And at our school, that’s where every child’s story begins.
