TAS Talks Term 2 Week 2

The ability to communicate effectively and appropriately in a number of different ways is an essential skill. While written communication at school is practiced and required often to demonstrate understanding in academic achievement, verbal communication is less often taught explicitly. TAS students do have bountiful opportunities to practice in this area, however, including those outside of the classroom through co-curricular activities or on assemblies.

It takes courage and practice to speak or perform in front of others, and for most people, regardless of how skilled or experienced they are, each occasion comes with nerves. These can be due to a fear of failure, but with experience the butterflies tend to come from an awareness that those listening and watching are giving you their time, a precious commodity, so out of respect for them, your speech or performance should be worthwhile.

Our students show courage when they speak, and allowing them the space to practice and refine the art without judgement or criticism is important. Some are already skilled orators, like Fred Kearney who, earlier this week, was crowned Lions Clubs Australia Youth of the Year. This is an incredibly impressive and well-deserved achievement and more details around the competition and Fred’s pathway can be found further down.

We are also fortunate to have a large number of talented students in the performing arts space and, having seen parts of rehearsals, I can confidently assure you that if you are able to see Legally Blonde this week, it will be a very worthwhile way to spend your time. Thank you to all the staff who have allowed this to take over their lives this year, and to the many parents who have assisted throughout. Congratulations to all students involved, on stage or behind, enjoy the week and ‘Break a Leg’!

Dr Rachel Horton
Principal

It has been very pleasing to receive so many positive reports from the community on how our students conduct themselves when representing the School. We unashamedly have high expectations for all of our students and this is shared by the broader community. When our students do the ‘things that do not require talent’ well it is noticed. Wearing the uniform with pride, using manners, taking the initiative to help people in need with small acts of kindness all contribute positively to what we are trying to achieve as a community. Thank you to the vast majority of our students that consistently do this, it is noticed and appreciated. 

Our Prefects are continuing the tradition of the TAS Greatest shave this year. Raising money for blood cancer research through the Leukemia Foundation, we have 15 Year 12s who have committed to raising at least $250 each to take part in the shave (or shoulder length cut). If you would like to support the TAS Year 12 team please go to the following link. It is wonderful to see that they have already raised over $5500 for this worthy cause. 

https://secure.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?TeamID=143156

With another busy week ahead, I am very excited to see the Legally Blonde musical this Friday night. I have heard glowing reports from our boarding students who were given the opportunity to see the production last Sunday and encourage all who can to not miss this outstanding performance. 

Mr Ray Pearson
Deputy Principal

The reading in assembly this week was from Mark 10: 35 – 45 which can be found here https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10+%3A35+-+45&version=NIV with the following being an excerpt from my talk given in assembly:

With the highly anticipated Legally Blonde performances happening this week, the House lip sync videos due Friday, and the second round of winter sport running over the weekend, some of you may not have realised that the coronation of King Charles is taking place this Saturday.

Did you know that early this week the Archbishop of Canterbury has asked members of the public in Commonwealth countries to pledge their allegiance to King Charles III during his coronation? It’s the first time in history the public has been invited to declare allegiance to a new sovereign.

According to the liturgy, Archbishop Welby will invite “those who wish, from the United Kingdom and the other realms both within the abbey, and those watching and listening at home” to make the homage.

I wonder what you were thinking as I mentioned this? Some of you may gladly partake, some of you may prefer to decline the invitation, some of you might have no idea since this is the first you have heard about it, while some of you might like to know more about King Charles and what he stands for before pledging, or choosing to not pledge, your allegiance to him.

On the weekend, I sat amongst 2000 young people from Years 7 – 12, as they got to know another King. They got to know this King through a biography that was written by an eyewitness called Mark, and Mark tells us clearly who this King is and what he stands for. Indeed, the first line of Mark’s book opens with “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,” (Mark 1:1) Messiah means God’s chosen King. Mark tells us straight up that Jesus is the King, he’s the Son of God and he brings good news. At this conference in Katoomba, 2000 young people, of which 10 TAS students were a part thereof, heard about how this king is expectedly powerful but unexpectedly humble. They heard about his authority over nature, over evil, over sickness and disease, authority over our sin and even over death, and yet he isn’t the sort of king who came in grand pomp and earthly fanfare. As the reading tells us, he did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. This is the good news, which is on offer to all people.

I plan on watching some of the coronation ceremony this Saturday, and I’m sure it will be impressive. In my mind, however, I don’t think the impressiveness of it will compare to the impressiveness of sitting in that massive shed last weekend with 2000 young people who were there because they have pledged their allegiance to this King who says ‘whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant’ (v 43). Indeed, the speaker ended the whole conference by challenging the audience with these words from Jesus – “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).  This is so counter-cultural. In a society that often tells us life is all about us, about putting ourselves first, about pursuing our own pleasure, about promoting ourselves; to see so many young people see through the hollowness of this kind of life, and commit to living for something, indeed someone, bigger than themselves, despite the difficulty of this, was spectacular.

So, whether or not you pay homage to King Charles this weekend, I encourage you to consider pledging your allegiance to the expectedly powerful, but incredibly humble King, God’s own Son. We are all invited to respond to his invitation. He assures us following him will not always be easy. But he assures us it will be worth it (Mark 8: 34-36). 

Mrs Jo Benham
Assistant Chaplain

Next Meeting – P&F AGM

Wednesday 10 May is the next meeting of the P&F as well as our AGM. We will meet face to face in Upper Maxwell as well as have a Zoom session running for those wishing to attend remotely.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://as-edu.zoom.us/j/2155172798?pwd=Z1VRMTRrcjZoVStLYlFKOG5CdVovQT09

Meeting ID: 215 517 2798

Password: parents

Dial in phone number:  +61 2 8015 6011

If you would like to get more involved with the P&F and become a voting member, please find the P&F Membership Application Form on the Parent Portal. If you would like to become a member of the P&F Executive team, then please complete the P&F AGM Executive Nomination Form also. Both of these can be emailed to the P&F Exec team at the address below.

Contact 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

With Year 7 and 8 in the thick of their Semester 1 units, and Year 9 and 10 preparing for Week 6 Examination Week, there is plenty of revision, study, and consolidation to be done for each of their units of work. A timetable for the Year 9 and 10 exams in Week 6 will be published to students later this week; this will be available on the Parent Portal for families.

For Year 11, this time of year sees the start of the second of three large modules or units of work for many of their subjects. Next week, a program of study and organisational workshops will begin during some of Year 11’s timetabled study periods to continue to support their skills and academic development.

Last Friday, the 2023 HSC Examination timetable was released by NESA. All Year 12 students can now activate and log in to their ‘Students Online’ account to see when each of their exams will be for the HSC. Of the students I spoke to, many of them were happy with the schedule with only a few pinch points of more than one exam in a day. While this can be a difficult reality for young students, it is common practice in tertiary study and inevitably, each year, we always have a small number of students who have more than one exam in a day. If students have not already done so, I encourage them to activate their account and log in to ‘Students Online’ so they can calendar and plan for their HSC examination schedule.

In 2022, we began a series of Sunday Study Sessions at The Armidale School which involved many of our wonderful staff volunteering to come in on their Sundays to run academic workshops or to supervise individual study time in the Hub for our Year 12 students. The sessions were received well by the class of 2022, and as such, we will begin these for our current Year 12s. While the 2022 Sunday Study Sessions ran in Term 3 last year, we have decided to extend the program and begin these in Term 2.

The first one will run this coming Sunday with three sessions planned:

Students who would like to make the most of these opportunities, should email the staff member running each session to give them an indication of how many students they are expecting – this can help with planning and preparing resources. A full-term program will be published very soon.

More details are now available for the Winter Break Study Camp which will be running in the final week of the Term 2 break (12-14 July). Year 12 students have been sent a Google Form to call for interest in the camp, and I have provided more specific details on what each of the three days will involve. Once I have a clearer idea of numbers, a final cost will be published. This will be an affordable three-day camp and will include the cost of external and internal presenters, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea plus all study materials provided as part of the camp. While some time will be provided for individual study, the idea of the camp is to run targeted sessions for the purpose of both the building and extension of skills, and the chance to practise HSC examination tactic and responses.

Mrs Gill Downes
Director of Teaching and Learning

Meeting with boarders and boarding staff while visiting the Dining Hall, boarding houses, and evening prep rooms this term, I have been impressed by the positive tone and sense of excitement as they all adjust back to their boarding routines. I am aware that Term 2 presents many challenges for the boarders but their enthusiasm thus far during evening prep and their commitment to their co-curricular activities across the Performing Arts and the winter sports is pleasing to see. Attending the Legally Blonde Boarders’ Preview on Sunday afternoon, I was impressed by the number of boarders involved and boarders who attended to support their peers. I wish all those performing this week the best of luck.

Term 2 is a busy term with Years 6 – 10 Semester 1 Exams and Years 11 – 12 continuing to work through assessments. The cooler weather, which is now upon us, often brings a positive change in focus during evening prep and I implore all students to take advantage of this time. Balance is always encouraged and weekend sport, whether it be a weekend trip to Sydney for rugby or a local netball fixture, is crucial in ensuring the boarders prioritise time for physical activity and socially with friends. The Learning Hub remains open of an evening for boarders wanting to access tutor support, study in groups, or just in a different environment. This space remains a conducive learning environment of an afternoon and evening which I encourage all boarders to utilise.

It was great to meeting a number of families on the recent Country Tours to Gunnedah, Tamworth and Inverell and I am looking forward to the visits to Scone, Glen Innes, Port Macquarie, and Coffs Harbour this term. I always enjoy the opportunity to meet the regional parents, friends and Old Armidalians on their own turf. There was much positivity across all the towns visited giving me added confidence in the TAS Boarding Program. I am blessed with the staff we have working in boarding at TAS, and I appreciate the team effort that goes into delivering a strong boarding program for all the boarders.

TAS will be closed for the upcoming King’s Birthday Long Weekend with boarders able to depart from 3.30pm Thursday 8 June. Boarding houses will re-open at 1pm Monday 12 June. Boarders are more than welcome to stay overnight in on Thursday evening 8 June but are encouraged to make plans to vacate their boarding houses by 10am on Friday 9 June.

I am pleased to announce that the 2023 Food Committee met last term. This Committee, which I thoroughly enjoy being part of, comprises boarders across all seven houses and year levels and plays an important role in ensuring the boarders have a voice, regarding food offerings across all meals, at the school.

The TAS Weekend Recreation Activities commenced last weekend with a trip to the movies on Saturday evening coordinated by Mr Brauer. I am looking forward to the boarders enjoying the upcoming weekend activities which were publicised in last week’s TAS Talks.

Mr David Drain
Director of Boarding

Mr Tim Hughes
MIC Debating & Public Speaking

The public speaking competition can be viewed here. 

Fred’s impromptu starts at 38:55, and his prepared speech at 1:17:15.

The powerful speech by public speaking winner Sienna Gladstone, on domestic violence, can be viewed at 58:28.

By now I am sure you have read or seen Fred Kearney’s wonderful achievement of the Lions Club Youth of the Year National Winner. Fred is an amazing young man who displays exceptional ability across a wide range activities and disciplines. What stands above all, for me, is his humble nature and gracious disposition. Fred genuinely cares about people, thinks of others, and makes the most of his opportunities. That is not talent, that is being a good person and trying hard! Regardless of YOUR talent (or lack of) I implore you to do the same. We are all proud of Fred, let his example guide our interactions and influence our effort.

Legally Blonde takes centre stage this week. The highly anticipated musical that is set to thrill and captivate the audience had its final run through in front of a well-entertained boarder community on Sunday. A huge amount of time and energy will culminate this week in four evening performances from Wednesday through to Saturday. ‘Break a Leg’ to all the cast and crew! Go to the TAS website if you have not secured your tickets.

This week in assembly Dr Horton presented the following students Colours (Years 11/12) and Medallions (Years 6-10). Colours and Medallions recognise student achievement. In the case of Summer Sport, these awards are presented on the basis of the following criteria: a recognised school sport (a sport that TAS plays in a competition either at a school level or a local competition), attitude, attendance, ability, achievement and sportsmanship. Congratulations to all recipients.

Winter sport will be in full flight this weekend with junior football, volleyball and netball commencing. Last week we saw rugby and hockey start their respective seasons. Students who do not have the correct uniform will be required to visit the school shop, please ensure that all sports clothing has a TAS logo.

Girls Day Out – is an awesome morning of sport and fun which includes, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Soccer and AFL – this Sunday 7 May at Scully Park, Tamworth. Come and meet the stars of the NRLW and AFLW. For more information Click HERE

Click HERE for the Term 2 Winter Sports Schedule.

Click HERE for the Term 2 Extra-Curricular Schedule.

Mr Huon Barrett
Director of Co-curricular

Junior School Tour de Rocks

The Tour de Rocks is just not for the super fit cyclist, the part-time rider, the health nut, or the one chasing their Triple Crown, it’s also for the little people! At the start of Day 2, there is a 20km ride for the younger ones and it attracted both Team Klabe and Team Boyce. So, Duncan and Darby Klabe combined with Felix and Finley Boyce, ably supported by Year 11 students Abbott White and Jack McCook for the ride. The boys were just awesome, taking on the challenge with aplomb despite a headwind and a rather cold start to the day. No complaints, just head down, pedals pumping all the way, well-done gents!

Mr James Pennington

After months and months of preparation it’s finally time to open the doors and raise the curtain for Legally Blonde: The Musical! It has been such a journey to get here and today shall be a time of such excitement with a sell-out Opening Night to look forward to. Sunday’s Boarders’ Preview was a great final rehearsal in front of a huge, enthusiastic audience. And at the assembly yesterday the entire school got together to cheer on the cast, band, and crew of the show in a really emotional display of support. With Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday shows all sold out we only have a few tickets left for the Gala Performance on Friday – with the money from those tickets primarily going to our new Creative Arts scholarships, it’s the perfect way to support both the students in the show and the future rising stars at TAS. To everyone taking to the stage this week: chookas!

It never ends at TAS, with auditions and interviews for the Middle School play last Friday and this Monday. We are excited to announce our student leaders for the show have been decided: Tommy Burnett is Assistant Technical Director and Katie Hynes and Sophie Rogers are Assistant Directors. They will be contributing to the casting process, with the production team meeting next Monday to finalise the cast list. So check back in TAS Talks next week to find our amazing group of actors for Fight With All Your Might The Zombies Of Tonight.

Next Tuesday from 6pm in Memorial Hall we have the second Twilight Concert of the year. For the students this will be a chance to perform for an audience ahead of the Eisteddfod, and it’s your chance to enjoy much TAS talent in one place.
 
Mr Andrew O’Connell
Head of Creative Arts

TAS Community Choir

Come and join the TAS Community Choir!

We are inviting students, parents, staff and friends to join us in singing a fabulous arrangement of ‘I Sing Because I’m Happy’, which was adapted by Rollo Dilworth from the gospel-style interpretation of the hymn, ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow’.We will be singing at the Armidale Eisteddfod Choir Night on Wednesday, 24 May (non-competitive event) at 6:00pm.

Please email Ms Leanne Roobol [email protected] if you are interested in being part of this choir. Our first rehearsal is next Thursday, 11 May 6:00pm – 6:45pm in the TAS Music Centre Basement. If you are unable to attend rehearsals, we will send out a copy of the music and a recording to allow you to rehearse at home.

We look forward to singing with you!

TAS Twilight Concert – 6:00pm, Tuesday 9 May (Memorial Hall)

TAS will be hosting the Term 2 Twilight Concert next Tuesday, 9 May in Memorial Hall at 6:00pm for students from Kindergarten to Year 12 (there will be a short intermission half-way through the concert). This Twilight Concert will provide the perfect opportunity for students to perform for an audience before the Armidale Eisteddfod commences next week.

The following students will be performing in the Twilight Concert:

Armidale Eisteddfod Commences Next Wednesday

The Armidale Eisteddfod commences next Wednesday with the Composition section. The Eisteddfod will be held during May and June, culminating with the Eisteddfod Gala Concert on Sunday 18 June. We wish all our ensembles and individual performers the best for the Eisteddfod. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the experience of performing and for our students to share their talents with a wider audience. Attached is the overall Eisteddfod schedule:

Eisteddfod Composition Success

Congratulations to the 11 TAS students who have been shortlisted for a prize in the Armidale Eisteddfod Composition section. Each finalist will perform their composition at the awards ceremony next Wednesday, 10 May from 5:00pm – 6:30pm at the Armidale Teachers’ College.

Congratulations to the following composers (in alphabetical order):

MC02 Years 7-8

• Nash Goodwin – Ostinato Challenge
• Claudia Sykes – Meg Earle and Narlee Bird, Growing Older
• Kevin Tighe – Tiger Groove

MC04 Year 10

• Clare Wilkinson – Thoughts about you

MC05 Year 11 Music 1

• Henry Kirton – Glissade d’été

MC06 Year 11 Music 2

• Holly Dauparas – Siciliana
• Sam Guppy – Vivace
• Olive Lockett – Abyssal Drifting
• Abigail Thompson – Reverie

Sydney Youth Orchestras – Youth Orchestral Camp

During the holiday period the Sydney Youth Orchestras came to Armidale for an intensive (and fun!) week of orchestral music making at their Youth Orchestral Camp at TAS. Launching as part of their 50th year celebrations, SYO’s Youth Orchestral Camp saw over 250 young musicians travelling to Armidale. Holly Dauparas (Bassoon), Abigail Thompson (Cello) and Olive Lockett (Double Bass) were three of the regional musicians who joined one of the SYO’s orchestras for the week, giving them the opportunity to stay, rehearse and perform alongside SYO musicians, conductors and instrumental tutors. At the conclusion of the camp, the four different orchestras performed across the region, including concerts in Armidale, Glen Innes, Gunnedah,Quirindi and Werris Creek
 

ANZAC Service – Central Park, Armidale 

TAS was well represented at the Armidale ANZAC Service in Central Park last Tuesday. The TAS Cadet Band, led by Drum Major – Harry Turnbull, marched to Central Park as part of the ANZAC Day Parade, playing repertoire including ‘Waltzing Matilda’ with confidence. William Mackson (Old Armidalian – 2023) sang the Recessional Hymn and Sam Guppy (Year 10) sang the Australian National Anthem with conviction at the ANZAC Commemorative Service in Central Park. William Mackson, Sam Guppy and Steven Hopwood (who sang at the Gunnedah ANZAC service) were also part of the NECOM New England Singers Choir who performed the moving song ‘In Flanders Fields’ at the ANZAC Service. TAS Drummer Angus Benham played an integral role as the drummer for the TAS Catafalque Party at both the ANZAC Service in Central Park and the ANZAC Service at Dangarsleigh.
 

Ziggy Harris Farewell Recital

Ziggy Harris (Old Armidalian – 2017) has recently graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium Of Music with a Bachelor Of Music (Performance) in Classical Voice. Ziggy, an operatic baritone, is leaving Australia, as he has been accepted, with several scholarships, into a Masters of Music (Operatic Performance / Thesis) at the Schulich School Of Music at McGill University, Montreal, Canada, and will be moving there in late-August. His residency in Canada will last two years.

This recital will be his last hurrah, and it is deeply meaningful to Ziggy that he may showcase some of his favourite repertoire thus far to the community that has poured hours of belief, time and energy into him. Accompanied by the orchestrally-minded and wonderful Dr. Robert Manley, the arias you will hear are essential snippets of the wider baritone repertoire.

Ziggy’s Farewell Recital will be held in the Uniting Church on Saturday 10 June at 6:00pm. Tickets can be purchased online:
https://events.humanitix.com/ziggy-harris-farewell-recital?fbclid=IwAR3qGwh7n7m4HGdyl1VsfoiDikTtrBH3E7d9Vufl14pmTgLEcNbHRPKzEz0>

Ms Leanne Roobol
Director of Music

Year 6 Canberra

This week, our Year 6 students are enjoying their tour of Canberra. After a long bus trip, the students visited the Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, National Electoral Education Centre, National Capital Exhibition, Botanic Gardens, CSIRO Discovery, National Gallery and the Museum of Australian Democracy. With plenty more to come over the next few days, Year 6 will no doubt arrive back on Friday exhausted from all they have seen and done throughout the week. I offer my thanks to Mrs Kirsty Brunsdon for her organisation of this year’s excursion for Year 6. 

Congratulations to Joshua Bourke (Year 6)

Joshua was selected to play polocrosse for NSW on the final weekend of the school holidays at the Autumn Junior Classic in Albury. His team was unbeaten over the weekend defeating NT, WA, VIC and QLD. He was awarded Best No. 3 within the Sub-Junior competition and his horse, Chapmans Mistake won the Australian Stock Horse highest point score for the 2022 season. A huge congratulations to Joshua on this fine achievement. 

Mrs Frost on Leave

Mrs Robyn Frost continues on her well earned leave from Wednesday 26 April through to Friday 5 May. During this time, Mrs Gaye Piper will be working in Middle School. Please ensure that you send all correspondence to [email protected] so that either myself or Gaye can assist you during this time. Please ensure that all absentees or messages for students are sent to this address. 

Upcoming Dates:

• The Middle/Senior School Athletics Carnival is scheduled for Friday 26 May. 
• The next Activities Day (single day, no overnight) will be held on Wednesday 24 May.

Mr Luke Polson
Head of Middle School

Thank you to all our Junior School families for their tremendous support of our first House ANZAC biscuit contest. With over 100 entries in total, it is fair to say that the Junior School House Captains had their work cut out to identify the best biscuit in each age group and category from their House to put forward for the final tasting. All biscuits were scored on their appearance, taste, texture, flavour, inclusion of key ingredients, and consistency in size, shape and colour. Congratulations to all who entered, who have each earned points for their house, and especially to the following who adjudged to have prepared the best biscuits in their respective competitions:

• Pre-K-Year 2 – Chewy: Hunter Grace-Booth
• Pre-K – Year 2 – Crunchy: James Gillman
• Year 3 – 5 Chewy: Maddie Pearson
• Year 3 – 5 Crunchy: Duncan Klabe
• Staff: Mrs Waters

Overall House placing for this event was:

• 1^st: Broughton (160 points)
• 2^nd: Ross (153 points)
• 3^rd: Green (133 points)

Winter sports trainings and fixtures commence in earnest this week, with several teams already having competed in their first match over the last weekend. We wish all our teams and students well and encourage everyone to be kind (to yourself as much as your teammates and opposition) and always try your best – this is all we can possibly ask of you and doing so will set you up for a thoroughly enjoyable season of sport, regardless of the outcome of individual fixtures. Please note that Mrs Christine Wright, Junior School Sports Coordinator, is on extended leave throughout Term 2. In her absence, we ask that our families email [email protected] or contact Mrs Lasker in the Junior School Reception if there are any questions or concerns relating to Junior School sport throughout the term.

Two significant Junior School events are scheduled for later this month, with members of our community warmly invited to attend both.

We appreciate the significant role that the parents and guardians play within our community. As such, the Junior School wish to spoil all mothers (and/or special friends) of Junior School students with a little special pampering next Friday, 12 May from 2.30pm. We expect this special event to continue to the end of the school day. Please let us know through this short online form if you are able to attend so we can plan accordingly.

The Junior School House Athletics Carnival will take place on Wakefield on Monday, 29 May. There will certainly be a great deal of activity throughout the day with students expected to compete in the vast majority of events on offer, rotating through these with their peer group throughout the day. Further details and a program of events will be made available closer to the event.

Those families who utilise the After School Care program are reminded that we will be moving to a new booking system from the start of Week 3, Monday 8 May.  This new system will enable our families to automatically claim the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) once our school receives the necessary approvals, while offering other valuable benefits. These include the automating the booking process, streamlining the sign in/out process and, in time, more effective communication with families as to the programs offered on each day of care and their child’s participation in these. Please complete the enrolment form at https://prodadmin.myxplor.com/enrollment_v2/centre/FJJrxTAXRnnWSl8PZWFz3w, and then follow the instructions that will be emailed to you automatically. Further details can be found in last week’s edition of TAS Talks. Please also feel free to contact [email protected] if you have any difficulties throughout this process.

Happy Birthday

Skye Knox and Alanoud Alrdadi both have birthdays this week so best wishes to you both from your friends in Junior School

Mr Scott Chittenden
Head of Junior School

Upcoming Events

Term 2 Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten

Both classes have commenced a new unit of inquiry this term. Our younger years only complete four units as opposed to six per year. This framework offers young students authentic opportunities to focus on key developmental abilities. The following features are central to learning in the early years: play, relationships, learning spaces, symbolic exploration and expression. 

The students in both classes have commenced their new units by sharing their ‘working theories’ about the prior knowledge they have linking to their new units.

Mrs Veronica Waters
PYP Coordinator

Gymnastics

The winter sport season kicked off smoothly with 19 enthusiastic gymnasts making their way to the Armidale Gymnastics Centre on Monday afternoon.  They participated in rotational activities aimed at developing their gross motor skills. This week’s rotations focussed on:

Static positions
Side rolls on the giant wedge
Locomotion on beam
Front supports and tuck swings on bars

It was lovely to see the students who had participated in Gymnastics last term, supporting and leading the “newbies” through each rotation.

Mrs Tania Hardin and Mrs Veronica Waters

 TAS Rugby Carnival

The last weekend of the holidays saw a number of brave year 5 students join a group of year 6 students on the rugby pitch taking part in the 17th TAS Rugby Carnival.

Our team took on Moree Junior Rugby Club and Lismore Junior Rugby Club on Saturday which saw a number of these young rugby players taking the field for the first time in their lives.

Sunday brought two more games where our brave team played against Scone Junior Rugby Club and the Highland Goats which is mostly made up of many past teammates from the Armidale Junior Rugby Club.

Sadly, our team fought hard but finished the weekend without a win.

A big congratulation to all those Year 5 students who took part and to all their supporters.

Parents, siblings and other spectators, your encouragement was greatly appreciated and I know Mr Chittenden and Mr Norrie are very excited for what 2024 holds.

Mr Craig Norrie

U11 TAS Blue

It was an absolute pleasure working with the Boys Under 11 Team on Monday afternoon. They were pumped with enthusiasm, focus and support for one another.

We saw awesome attacking and defence skills from every team member. Xander DuBois showed his talent for being Goalie and stopped the ball on numerous occasions. James Taylor, Duncan Klabe and Liam Hoad worked extremely well together and displayed some impressive skills as well as a talent for travelling with the ball. Daniel Bayne used his speed and was able to confidently pass the ball to the strikers.

Eli Williams, Elliot Schaeffer and Tim Blake had their first game for TAS, and their confidence and skills were beaming by the end of the game.

Special thanks must go to Jess Sykes who supported and coached the team to success against the Sports Power Team.

We look forward to the upcoming games and the magic moments that are ahead of us.

Mrs Grania Fawcett