TAS Talks Term 3 Week 2

What a wonderful weekend last weekend was, as we welcomed multiple years of past TAS students back to Armidale and the School for their reunion weekends. Representing an important opportunity to reconnect with old friends, receive updates about the School and to reminisce, nostalgia abounded.

The occasion was also incredibly positive for current students. They were able to showcase their talents in a concert and compete against Old Armidalians in a range of events for the much-coveted Croft Cup. While the School did very well in both hockey and netball, which appeared in the competition for the first time ever, the OAU took victories in tennis, shooting, chess and the tug-o- war. A multitude of students also represented the school admirably, undertaking a range of duties over the weekend from running school tours to cooking the Friday night barbeque and waiting tables for the dinner. Sunday also presented an opportunity for a beautiful service in the TAS Chapel, the first for an incredibly long time, accompanied by singing from the TAS Chapel Choir.

Throughout the weekend I was so pleased to receive wonderful comments from a number of Old Armidalians on how knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming the TAS students they met were. Having spoken to many of the students involved, I know that they also thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were rewarded by tales of the past at TAS from students watching the moon landing on television in Tyrrell common room (now Big School), to being thrown into Croft Dam on birthdays (certainly not a tradition that will be revisited!), and also students being flown in a helicopter by their maths teacher on cadets.

At this stage in the term, we are starting to see a few COVID-19 cases amongst students and staff. I would like to remind families of the need to let us know not only of students who test positive but also of any cases within the household. Close or household contacts (students, staff and parents) are able to attend school but must wear a mask while indoors and we also require a daily negative test which we will provide for these individuals. It is incredibly important that the School is kept informed and requirements are followed so that we can maintain low case numbers and avoid disruptions to learning and school activities for our students. At this stage masks are strongly recommended indoors, but if case numbers increase we will need to make them a requirement in class.

Dr Rachel Horton
Principal

It was a privilege to observe the TAS student spirit in action over the weekend with our Old Armidalians being on campus for the range of activities planned. It was also wonderful for our current students to observe the significance of the connections they are forming now through the bonds of our OAs with the knowledge that these friendships will last a lifetime. I thank the many students who were involved in cooking barbecues, waiting tables and conducting tours throughout the weekend, their service to the School and appreciation of the OAU Weekend was something special. 

Over the last holiday break ABC aired an investigation into the current state of vaping in Australia and the impact this is having on young people. The program can be viewed via the following link and provides important insight into the ease of access, addictive properties and health implications. 

 https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/vape-haze:-the-new-addiction-of-vaping/13949378

In the coming weeks, our Personal Development classes (Years 9 and 10) will be watching the program in their lessons and I do recommend it to all students and families. It provides an insight into a significant social issue and pressure for our young people.

Mr Ray Pearson
Deputy Principal

Hundreds visit for Reunion Weekend

From as far as Canada, New Zealand and Singapore to just around the corner – Old Armidalians from across seven decades returned to TAS to renew friendships and see their old school, at Reunion Weekend. The most senior having left in the early 1950s, to the Class of 2017 – Old Boys and our first returning Old Girls enjoyed what was a most special few days for all concerned. Aside from renewing friendships, was the battle for the Croft Cup for competition between the OAs and the School. TAS took out the hockey 2-1 on Friday night before the table turned for the Old Armidalians early on Saturday morning with the chess, by the same margin. The OA’s won the shooting, but the inaugural netball match – featuring our first returning Old Girls (and a few not so young Old Boys) – went to the School. The OAs took the tennis and the 10 year leavers brought it home wining the tug-o-war 2-1 against the 2nd XV – with the OAU retaining the Croft Cup for another year. Backfield was packed with supporters for the rugby fixtures against Scots and the concert in the Hoskins Centre showcased the musical talent at TAS. The buzz extended around the town, with venues well patronised.

A particular thanks to the many students who helped make the weekend such a success, whether it be by playing sport, as tour guides, barbecuers, wait staff at the Union Dinner, attending chapel, or performing, but indeed to all students who were wonderful ambassadors for TAS and so warmly welcomed the visitors to the school.

Of course it could not be possible without the efforts of so many – the sports MICs who organised teams for competition; grounds, housekeeping, kitchen and boarding staff; Lou in the Uniform Shop and of course the Development Office/Admin team and those others who have kindly offered assistance.

Tim Hughes
OAU Hon Sec

1 Corinthians 13 - School Reports

How did your report look when you received in the mail?

As a teenager and pupil at what was then Bromley Technical High School it was noted that David Bowie was “a quiet student who needs to stop playing with his motorcycles and learn that music will not make him a liveable wage”.

An 1883 report from St George’s School, Ascot, labeled Winston Churchill as “naughty” and revealed: “He has no ambition. He is a constant trouble to everybody and is always in some scrape or other. He cannot be trusted to behave.”

Gary Lineker, the former England striker’s school reports were littered with concern about Lineker’s obsession with sport. “He must devote less of his time to sport if he wants to be a success. You can’t make a living out of football.”

The headmaster at Uppingham School let slip his frustration in Stephen Fry’s report: “He has glaring faults and they have certainly glared at us this term.”

Would you like the opportunity to write a report back to the school, TAS’ report card? Our forebears set the bar high when they set 1 Corinthians 13 as our school reading.

Let’s see if the school lesson reads authentically? “TAS is patient, TAS is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. TAS is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. TAS does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. TAS always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres.”

So how does TAS’ report card read? Never? Sometimes? Mostly? Always?

In a way it’s easy to sit back and report on TAS in a judgemental way. But be careful, you are TAS, we are TAS. This place is made up of ‘us’, not them. How we conduct ourselves contributes to the report card, how have we gone in the past? How will we go moving forward?

One thing is true, as the passage describes love as patient and kind etc., there is one for whom the report card reads – always. The New Testament book of John describes God as love. God’s report card reads ‘God is love’. This is good news, when we don’t love, when we don’t deserve love, God’s love persists. This is good news for us here at TAS, our report card reads – ‘loved’.

Mr Richard Newton
Chaplain

Next P&F Meeting

The P&F will meet next week on Wednesday 3 August at 7.00 pm. We will be face-to-face in Upper Maxwell as well as have a Zoom session running for those wishing to attend remotely. Zoom details are below. All are welcome with the added bonus of snacks and drinks for those able to attend in person.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://as-edu.zoom.us/j/2155172798?pwd=Z1VRMTRrcjZoVStLYlFKOG5CdVovQT09
Meeting ID: 215 517 2798
Password: parents

Contact the P&F Executive

If you have anything you would like to raise with the P&F Executive, please send us an email at [email protected]
Mr Paul Gaddes
P&F President

The boarders have commenced the term productively with continued effort observed across several areas including afternoon and weekend sport and evening prep. I have enjoyed receiving complementary messages regarding the way they welcomed the Old Armidalians into their boarding houses last Friday and Saturday, assisted with school tours and served meals at Saturday evening’s Dinner.

Technology use continues to be monitored by Heads of House and myself and conversations will continue to be had at evening house roll calls regarding the appropriate use of technological devices. To ensure the technology-free windows remain in place across Middle School boarding at a weekend, town leave will be moved to 10.00 am – Midday on both Saturday and Sunday from this weekend.

The Term 3 Activities Program is published below. Thanks to the Heads of House and House Staff who organised and will coordinate their respective house activity. Wherever possible, I am looking to bring the boarding community together this term and am looking forward to these activities and the Boarders Formal Dinner on Wednesday evening 3 August. The inflatable will continue for all Middle School boarders from 1.30 pm – 4.00 pm Sundays and the school gym remains open from 6.15 am – 7.30 pm Tuesday – Friday and from 3.45 pm – 5.15 pm Monday – Thursday.

Please be aware that combined Boarders Chapel continues this term from 6.30 pm – 7.00 pm Wednesdays. Please avoid, where possible, any commitments for your son/s or daughter/s during this time. Any Chapel absences require direct approval from Heads of House.

Wishing all our boarders the best of luck with their respective sports this week and weekend, especially the netballers travelling to Tweed Heads for NCIS selection trials and the rugby players travelling to Northbridge to play Shore.

Boarders Term 3 Activities Program

Mr David Drain
Director of Boarding

This week we wish a number of our athletes well as they compete in both TAS teams and higher representative honours. Rowan Hey and Will Friend following their success at GPS Shooting last week gained selection in the GPS shooting team. The 15s and Open Netball teams will compete at NCIS in Tweed Heads and our Country Rugby players – Stirling Munsie, Eugene Campbell, Fred Kearney (Opens Team) and Archie McMaster (14s Team) will play their final match of the season in Bathurst against Sydney.

Reunion Weekend showcased a variety of TAS co-curricular activities, including a range of performances from our musicians and competitions between our OA’s and TAS students in netball, shooting, hockey, chess, tennis and tug-o-war. In addition, rugby took place on Backfield for our First and Second XV against The Scots College. The First XV had an entertaining win, much to the delight of the Old Armidalians, parents and student body. The weekend was a resounding success and highlighted our links to the past, the importance of enjoying the present and looking forward to what lies ahead.

Mr Huon Barrett
Director of Co-curricular

This Saturday 30 July at 7 pm we have the professional touring production This is Eden in the Hoskins Centre. The one-woman show promises to be amazing, with Emily Goddard’s tour-de-force performance described as ‘fearless’ and ‘nauseatingly exquisite’. The show is a dark, humorous and provocative anti-bonnet drama inspired by the real rebellion and resistance of the female convicts of Van Diemen’s Land. Because of the adult themes and coarse language, the show is recommended for students aged 15+. Tickets can be booked online at https://www.trybooking.com/BYSKY

On Wednesday 10 August 5:30 pm – 7 pm NERAM is hosting the Artworld Seminar, which is an opportunity for prospective Creative Arts university students to hear from creative professionals across the creative industries. It’s a FREE event, but bookings are essential: https://www.trybooking.com/CAVAI

Upcoming Dates

Please see below a summary of some upcoming key dates:

• 6 August – Middle School Open Day

• 15 August  – Activities Day

• 30 August – 3 September – Performances of the Middle School Play, ‘Horrible Histories’.

• September 7 and 8 – Year 8 Creative Arts Immersion Workshop

COVID-19

Please be aware that we do continue to have cases of Covid-19 circulating in Middle School. Whilst we do anticipate that there will be a steady amount of Covid-19 cases circulating and wish to keep case numbers low, it is important that everyone is following the protocols that are in place for the safety and wellbeing of all of our students and staff.

• Masks are strongly recommended when indoors for staff and students during the School day at TAS. At this stage, masks are not a requirement. We will continue to monitor this.

• Students and staff must not attend school if they display any COVID-like symptoms, even if they return a negative RAHT. More information on testing can be found here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/self-isolation-and-testing.aspx

• Parents and carers must inform the School as soon as possible if their child/children test positive or if there is a positive COVID-19 case in a household and a student becomes a close or household contact.

• Close or household contacts (students, staff and parents) are able to attend school but must wear a mask while indoors and we also require a daily negative test which we will provide for these individuals. It is incredibly important that the School is kept informed and requirements are followed so that we can maintain low case numbers and avoid disruptions to learning and school activities for our students.

Isolation times for positive cases or guidelines for Household contacts are currently mandated by the NSW Government and can be found here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/testing/self-isolation-rules

Mr Luke Polson
Head of Middle School

Lunchboxes

Lunchbox food plays a crucial role towards children’s ability to concentrate, learn and play. I know that we cannot always provide the perfect lunchbox each day at school; to be perfectly honest, I can tell you the Lloyd family struggled (along with many others) to provide healthy alternatives all the time! However, research tells us there is no doubt that healthy diets promote healthy minds and so we are appealing to you all to make a concerted effort to improve the quality of the food our children bring to school. According to the experts, children consume around a third of their daily food intake at school! The following, quick-link fact sheet provides plenty of tips and guidance on healthy lunchboxes that will ensure your children are well nourished and in tip top shape for learning whilst at school. Thank you, in advance, for your support.

https://www.healthylunchboxweek.org.au/_files/ugd/9d5a8d_eb48668fed684c3aa5bcd8f10a988297.pdf

Saturday Sport

Again, it was fantastic to be out and about on the weekend watching a good number of games of Junior School sport (and catching up with Old(er) Armidalians enjoying their reunions as well). I thoroughly enjoy catching up with players and their families on the sideline. It constantly reminds me just how important our extra-curricular program continues to be. So many significant lessons are learnt in these arenas and I continue to be impressed by the nature of our participation.

After School Care

We are indeed fortunate that Mrs Jacinta Major and her team are being so well supported and the Out of School Hours Care program is running so well. Jacinta, however, has asked that all those using the system are mindful of the notice that must be given so that the correct staffing ratios can be maintained. While we understand there will be the occasional household emergency, she has almost had to deny requests because adequate staffing could not be found at short notice when numbers increase unexpectedly. Please be aware that requests for the service received after 1.00 pm may not be able to be accepted. Where possible, all bookings should be made through <[email protected]> as several staff are in receipt of these emails, making the communication more effective.

New England Sings

Parents of students in Years 3 to 5 will have received a letter from me outlining our expectations for our participation, along with many other schools in the New England Sings program. It is truly a wonderful Singing Extravaganza, unfortunately severely curtailed by COVID but now back on our calendar for 22 & 23 October. Please ensure this weekend is in your diaries and watch for further announcements for when tickets become available. It is a celebration of singing not to be missed. Rehearsals are starting this week for those in Years 3 to 5.

Middle School Open Day

Junior School students in Years 4 and 5 are warmly invited to the Middle School Open Day  – Where Adventure meets Education, which will be held on Saturday 6 August from 1.00 – 4.00 pm.  This event is for all current and prospective families to enjoy a day of adventure, fun, creative arts and STEM activities.  It will also be an opportunity for all new and current families to meet the Principal Dr Horton and the Head of Middle School, Mr Luke Polson, enjoy lunch or afternoon tea and learn more about your child’s educational opportunities during the middle years at TAS. More details will be available in an invitation to come to Year 4 and 5 families.

Thank you

Upon reflection, yesterday’s Junior School photo went off without a hitch, and we would like to thank you all for staying abreast of the necessary organisation to ensure our students were looking their best. And they were; I think you will be very impressed with both their presentation and the photo itself.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to Mishkah Alrdadi, Ethan Downes and Rory Watts who all celebrate this week.

Mr Ian Lloyd
Head of Junior School

Upcoming Events

This term all Junior School classes have commenced a new unit of inquiry.

Throughout units of inquiry, our students are encouraged to initiate inquiries as they learn about, interact with and interpret the world around them. They are curious and capable learners with a growing sense of agency, rich in potential, bringing valid skills, preferences and understandings to their learning journey.

Within units, teachers take on roles such as:

• Facilitator
• Researcher
• Participant
• Provocateur
• Documenter

Mrs Veronica Waters
PYP Coordinator