TAS Talks Term 1 Week 3

Junior and Senior Swim Carnivals & Warcries

It must be summer!!  The Junior School Swimming Carnival is on Thursday (11February ), Warcries is on Thursday night and the Middle/Senior Swimming Championships are on Friday 12 February.

As you are aware due to COVID restrictions there are limits on parents at school and therefore the P&F cake stalls and Welcome BBQ have been cancelled.  Therefore, we wish all the kids participating in their events, and the sports houses, best of luck from afar.

Whilst only a few parent groups can attend the Swim Carnivals and Warcries if you are in Armidale and wish to catch up with some other parents there are a few things going on:

• Middle School Boarder and Day Families drinks and/or dinner at the Railway Hotel from 5 pm on Friday 12 February.   Bookings are essential – please contact the Railway on 02 6772 3109 (mention TAS)
• Boarder parents’ (all years) casual drinks/dinner at the White Bull from 6pm on Thursday 11February.  Bookings are required.

Liaison Parents

Each year has a couple of Liaison Parents (LPs) who will try to organise functions, be the information conduit from the P&F and help new families navigate the ‘ropes’ of TAS.  If you would like to contact your LP try Facebook or call TAS Reception.

Facebook

Don’t forget to join our Facebook pages to keep up with what is going on.  Our main P&F Facebook Page (join us using the keywords TAS Parents and Friends) will have information relevant to any TAS parent whereas the Year Group pages have more year specific posts.  we have a Facebook page.

Each Year Group has their own Facebook page.  These are closed groups for parents to catch up on what’s happening.  Please search for TAS Year 12 and the year that your child will graduate from year 12. For example, my son is in Year 12 in 2023 so that years Facebook page is TAS Year 12 2023

TAS Triple Crown – Join the fun!

The TAS Triple Crown is about to kick off for 2021 with the Coffs Ocean Swim (28^tMarch) and the TAS100 bike ride (2 May).

Parents are most welcome to join in these activities – either by participating or as supporters.  Follow the attached link for more information and to register https://www.as.edu.au/whats-on-2/triple-crown-2021/ . Expressions of interest close on 22 February.

Also, as a ‘heads up’ the P&F may be seeking helpers for the TAS100 bike ride so watch this space.

Mrs Rachael Nicoll
P&F President

Summer Sport

It has been an absolute pleasure to witness our TAS students back playing and competing for the School. Some of the highlights include the First XI who supported the McGrath Foundation as they took on Guyra on the War Memorial Cricket Oval. The pleasing attendance and results from our Triathletes as they competed in the first Triathlon of 2021. The increased number of students who are attending additional swim sessions in preparation for Swimming Championships. The Mountain Biking Team who rode on Saturday morning and a whole host of other activities and sports who are preparing for the start of competition this week.

Tuesday Night’s SS/MS Swimming Championship events were a huge success. Having so many students wanting to swim in the 50m Butterfly and the 200m IM is a wonderful problem to have (apologies to those parents who had to wait longer than expected). Participation at an all time high. Well done TAS students you are awesome and to those staff who came along to help and run the night, a heartfelt thanks.

The TAS Co-Curricular program is about providing opportunity and developing student’s character. Character says a lot about who we are, and it is the little things that matter. How we treat others, how we dress, our resilience and perseverance. This week let’s continue to work on our character.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
John Wooden

Please find the Summer Sports Training Schedule for Term 1 2021

COVID Update

For games played outside of regular School hours visiting players and spectators must scan in through the QR code and abide by COVID regulations.

Middle/Senior School Swimming Championships – Week 3

Revised Times due to number of entries

 Thank you in advance for abiding by our parent request (Year 12 parents ONLY, SEE BELOW)

Tuesday 9 February (Competitors Only).

• 6.15pm-6.45pm Warm-up
• 6.45-8.00pm – 50m Butterfly and 200m IM

Thursday 11 February (Students and Year 12 Parents Only).

• 6.15-6.45pm Warm-up
• 6.30pm Houses assemble in front of the TAS Gym
• 6.45pm House War Cries Round 1 in order Abbott, Broughton, Croft, Green, Ross, Tyrell
• 7.00pm 200m Freestyle and Medley Relays
• 8.45pm House War Cries Round 2 in order Tyrell, Ross, Green, Croft, Broughton, Abbott

Friday 12 February (Students and Year 12 Parents Only).

• 8.30am-3.30pm – All remaining events

Please find a link to the program below.

Reminders

On Friday 12 February, competitors for the first event of the day (Boys U12 50m freestyle) should report to the marshalling area (southeast corner of the gym) by 8:45am. All remaining competitors and House members are to be seated by 8:50am.

Starts will be ‘over the top’. ie the swimmer in the pool at the end of the previous race remains in the water (and holds onto the lane rope) until the next race has begun whereupon the swimmer immediately exits.

There are a huge number of heats to get through so no false starts are allowed. 
If you ‘false start’ you will still be allowed to swim for a ‘time’ but will not gain any points for your House or age championships in that event.

Dress will be House polo shirts and blue shorts. Day students may travel to and from TAS in the above clothing (plus shoes). All competitors must swim in TAS swimmers.

All competitors will wear a House swim cap. These will be provided to all students to keep. This will make it much easier for spectators to identify which house each competitor is in.

Because of the chlorine in the pool water, competitors are strongly advised to wear goggles.

You may not colour your hair, nor write on your body with a texta pen (except on the House War Cries Competition night).
 Except for water, no food or drink may be consumed in the pool area.
 Students may not leave the Sports Centre area without permission from their respective Heads of House.

Times swum in these Championships will be used to determine which students will be selected in TAS teams to compete at NCIS carnival (plus PSSA for Year 6 students)

COVID Update

Year 12 parents attending the carnival must scan in through the QR code and abide by COVID regulations.

Music Ensembles and Practice Times

Please find the link to the Music Ensemble below.

2021 Term 1 Co-Curricular Schedule

Please find the link to the Practice Times below.

2021 BoardersPracticeTimes

Mr Huon Barrett
Director of Co-curricular

Armidale Triathlon - Sunday 7 February

The first triathlon of 2021 kicked off under perfect conditions, warm, but with enough cloud cover to keep the heat at bay. A group of 36 TAS triathletes gathered early Sunday morning, with 5 students preparing to embark on their first event.

With three distances on offer 100/5/1, 200/10/2 or 400/20/4, there was a challenge out there for everyone. Triathlon captains Issy Gooch and Toby Hall assisted with the students’ preparation, pumping up tyres and adjusting seats. With the forever enthusiastic Mr Currell and the super organised Mrs Downes, the team was complete.

Fred Kearney dominated the short course, blitzing every leg to a commanding win. Some great cycling was provided by Isabella Crawford, Charlotte Tydd and Alice Bourne, with Isaac Curtis and Josh Casey running like they were being hunted down! Lennox Neilson displayed the benefits of his Christmas training, with a very solid showing as did Mia Croker and Ted Chick.

It was wonderful to see the performances of our new triathletes at TAS, in Ashlee Morgan, Clare McDouall, Clancy Munsie and Hamish Pengilley. Couple this with the effervescent Junior School ladies comprising Minnie Chick, Mila Wright and Harriet Coupland, a great morning was most thoroughly enjoyed!

Mr Jim Pennington

Cricket - Pink Stumps Day

The weekend of the 6 February marked the Armidale District Cricket Association’s annual charity ‘Pink Stumps Day’. Grounds around the region turned pink to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation and breast care awareness. Fixtures culminated in the First XI showing down against Guyra in an anticipated clash on the TAS cricket oval, with the Ken McConville Building turning pink in honour of the day. Unfortunately, rain drew a premature close to play around the grounds, however, across TAS’ fixtures, there were many notable. In our under 13s, Archie McMaster scored an unbeaten 53* and was awarded player of the match, Brayden Levy (u15) posted 50*, Stirling Stewart (1sts) reached 50* and Sam Skipper (1sts) recorded 65 runs with the bat. However, cricket was not the only winner on the day – in a fantastic display of community, the wider Armidale Cricket Association banded together to raise over $2,500 for the McGrath Foundation. This effort wouldn’t have been possible without TAS parents Andrew (ADCA Junior President) and Dayna Starr, Shona Eichorn, and Tina Skipper, along with many others, whose tireless work and support of the initiative were invaluable. A special mention must also be given to two TAS Students; Archer Starr (Year 7) and Sam Skipper (TAS Cricket Captain), who helped to sell raffle tickets and merchandise throughout the morning at various junior fixtures.

Thanks to all who attended, donated, and got behind the great fundraising initiative over the weekend, and good luck for the remainder of the season!

Mr Will Waterson
MIC Cricket

The cast and Production Team of Sweeney Todd continue to wait in anticipation of some updates to the COVID-19 restrictions that hamper aspects of our rehearsals and preparation. But with outdoor singing and allocating parts during dance numbers we are managing to stay within the guidelines and continue to move forwards with the show. Speaking of moving forward, this Saturday from 9am we have our second Working Bee and a particularly big push with the painting of the set. And I also want to recognise the hard work of Mr Cornford, who has been working single-handedly in the last few weeks building and refining the set. His Technical Production Crew have started to wrap their heads around the space during their weekly sessions and I look forward to seeing the Hoskins Centre full of lights and life before long.

Last week, our Year 5 students worked hard to organise and present their thoughts about leadership and how to improve our Junior School SRC. Mr Jones visited the class on several occasions to expand on these ideas and speak to them about the changing nature of leadership depending on circumstances. Every student then wrote and presented their leadership speech to their respective Houses which was followed by a vote and the selection of House Leaders.

In my time in Junior School, I have never been more impressed by the quality of the speeches and the depth of the students’ understanding about the meaning of serving others. I was also heartened to see how positively the entire Year 5 cohort responded by giving their support to their friends. We have already seen many fine examples of positive sportsmanship and teamwork from this group.

I have great pleasure in announcing the Leaders for 2021, which includes the new positions of the Leaders of our SRC. Congratulations to the following: Broughton House – Mila Wright, Jack Maitz, Harriet Coupland; Green House – Cameron Carruthers, Libby Ditchfield, Sophie Brett; Ross House – Izzie Glover, Xavier Stephen, Jack Wood. The SRC Leaders are – Minnie Chick, Lucy Taylor, and Oliver Robb.

COVID-19 and Junior School

Please let us know if you did not receive the letter last week explaining the protocols for Junior School. There has been some significant alterations to the restrictions for Junior School parents and it is important to reinforce these at this time of the year. Unfortunately, we are still not in a position to invite adults onto the campus without prior organisation. Contact tracing, social distancing, and correct hygiene procedures continue to be vital and as a school, we must be vigilant with ensuring their implementation. Please do not enter the campus without prior arrangement. Should an urgent situation arise contact can be made through either Senior or Junior School Reception or by calling my mobile. This remains a very important part of our safety and well-being protocol for our children.

Junior School and the TAS 100

As part of the MS/SS Triple Crown program of challenge events, the Tour de Rocks s part of the MS/SS Triple Crown program of challenge events, the Tour de Rocks has been a signature fixture. In light of our recent climate, the organisers unfortunately had to cancel for 2021. TAS will therefore run its own single day, 100 km ride as an appropriately safe, substitute event.

To accommodate our Junior School students, Mr Pennington has created the chance for them to complete some of the ride with their parents for a portion of this journey (15 km). The plan is to meet at Gostwyck Chapel at 11.00 am for morning tea and then ride 15 km to Uralla and lunch at Alma Park. The MS/SS riders will then continue on, with the Junior School families heading home.

All the information was sent out by email in the last few days…if you did not receive it or have further questions please call the school and ask for Mr Pennington.

Lake Keepit – Week 5

Parents of students from Year 2 to 5 should have received letters now about the upcoming excursion to Lake Keepit. Important information is included, especially the need to register your child through their website, as well as sign and return the consent form to the School. Please complete this as soon as possible and if necessary contact the school for assistance.

Excursion to Thalgarrah

I would like to commend Year 3 for their outstanding behaviour and approach recently when they visited Thalgarrah Education Centre. What a fantastic experience early on in the year.  Mrs Hawksford has written about their visit later in TAS Talks and it is clear they had a fantastic time.

Congratulations to Sophie Banister

Sophie is to be congratulated for competing at the Speedo Sprints Heats last Saturday, earning herself a start in the State Finals later this month with a 1st in breaststroke and 4th in backstroke.

She then backed up on Saturday afternoon and Sunday to swim 5 events at the Area Championships and came away with 3rd – 50m breaststroke, 3rd – 100m breaststroke, 2nd 4 x 50 freestyle relay & 2nd medley relay.

School Spirits

Congratulations to the following students that received School Spirit Awards last week:

Talon Allsop, Ari Ah-See, Sabine Kiehne, Kieran Ahern, Anna Trevaskis, Lara Thavapalasundaram, Kenan Al Naji, Casey Tighe, Roman Sue, Matilda Polson, Jose Ugwumba, Ehan Downes, Leo Thavapalasundaram, Nate Blair-Pevitt, Tom Loxley, Archie Tonkin, Kenin Tighe and Elsie Teng.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to Anna Trevaskis, Maggie Wood and Sabine Kiehne.

Mr Ian Lloyd
Head of Junior School

Year 3 Excursion To Thalgarrah

Have you ever wondered how animals and insects adapt?  Well Year 3 have jumped into their new unit ‘Sharing the Planet’, with an excursion to the Thalgarrah Environmental Centre.

Our central idea is ‘Living things need to adapt in order to survive’.  This excursion was perfect. We studied animals such as the koala, completed behavioural experiments on live yabbies and went to the river with our nets to collect invertebrates to study and look at various adaptations under a microscope.

Mrs Lana Hawksford

PYP - Units of Inquiry

Last week in TAS Talks I introduced the units of inquiry (UOI) that each Junior School class has commenced this term. As mentioned, UOI are structured under a Transdisciplinary Theme. Transdisciplinary units aims to unite knowledge for the present world through a variety of disciplines. In a transdisciplinary unit, the disciplines may no longer be distinguishable, like the ingredients in a cake. The unit generally begins with a theme, problem or concept, which is unpacked and explored through different subjects.

There are six transdisciplinary themes covered in the Primary Years Programme. Each of which has an in depth descriptor. All year groups cover different elements of the descriptor so by the time the students complete Year 5 all elements of the transdisciplinary theme have been covered.

Mrs Veronica Waters
PYP Coordinator
 

Through Units of Inquiry and a transdisciplinary approach students’ development of subject knowledge, skills, conceptual understandings and dispositions are enhanced and reflected upon at regular intervals.

Mrs Veronica Waters
PYP Coordinator

Junior School Swimming Carnival

Preparations for our annual Swimming Championships are almost done. Your children have been entered into races according to their nominations last week. We are looking forward to a fun-filled swimming carnival on Thursday with plenty of great sportsmanship, cheering and enthusiasm.

Children are required to come dressed to school in their house coloured t-shirts for this event. Swimmers may be worn under their sports uniform for ease of changing ready for events. Our day commences promptly at 9:00 am with the Open 200IM girls and boys’ event.

Please see the attached Program of Events for the day. Times for breaks will be as follows, however, these times can alter slightly due to the nature of the day.
Recess: 10:30-11:00am
Lunch: 12:15-1:00pm

Summer sports

Our summer sports program commenced last week. Children are required to wear their sports uniforms to sport and may wear these to school on their particular sports day. Thank you to all children who have displayed such great enthusiasm at the start of our summer sports program. It is so pleasing to see happy, energetic students enjoying their sport.

Mr Ian Lloyd
Head of Junior School