TAS Talks Term 2 Week 3

Last Wednesday evening our P&F held their Annual General Meeting and I am pleased to report that through a combination of good planning and generosity of spirit all positions on the Executive were happily filled with a new regime now in place. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Rachael Nicoll, David Lawson, Sophie Wright and Fiona Nash for all their work and tireless efforts over the last few years. They have been a bastion of support and dedication during the time of their incumbency and all of us at the school has benefitted from their commitment. I welcome the new Executive of President Paul Gaddes, Vice-President Craig Pevitt, Secretary Melanie Fillios and Treasurers, Pip Benham and Sam Coupland to their new roles and I am sure they will pick up the baton and it will be another successful year for our P&F.

Last Sunday was the inaugural TAS 100 ride with 176 riders taking part in this event. This is a very impressive number of participants and again it was another very successful alternative to the cancelled Tour de Rocks for our students to gain their Triple Crown award. There were also a good number of staff and parents involved and it is this level of participation from all concerned that affirms our belief in the strength of relationships within our community and the importance of providing opportunities outside the classroom for our students. I would like to thank, once again Jim Pennington for simply making this happen and for all of his organisation and preparation.

It was delightful yesterday to have Dr Rachel Horton and her husband Curtis Coulson join us for an informal morning tea with our teaching and administration staff and also our housekeeping, maintenance and kitchen staff. Dr Horton is in the process of moving into the Lodge and will be joining the Executive team for the annual Executive Strategic Planning
Weekend here in Armidale.

Next week all students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will sit NAPLAN literacy and numeracy tests over three  days. These tests have returned after their cancellation last year because of COVID restrictions and as well have returned to their original function of providing diagnostic information of literacy and numeracy that is nationally benchmarked.

Mr Alan Jones
Head of School

New Executive for 2021/22

Our AGM was held last Wednesday night. All positions were declared open and a new Executive and Committee were voted in.

We say goodbye to four P&F Executives. Many of you know Rachael Nicoll (President), David Lawson (Vice President), Sophie Wright (Secretary) and Fiona Nash (Treasurer). You will know them as P&F Executive members who have contributed so much over the past years. Whether it be driving the catering activity at TASRC, home games, or various internal school events, giving focus to the funding requests that benefit our children, or strengthening the P&F operational framework, we thank these individuals for representing our parent community and wish them well.

The new Executive for 2021/22 are:

• President – Paul Gaddes
• Vice President – Craig Pevitt
• Secretary – Melanie Fillios
• Treasurer – Pip Benham
• Vice Treasurer – Sam Coupland 

Senior School Athletics Carnival

The Middle and Senior School Athletics carnival was a great event to participate in. With the sun-soaked day, it was much preferred to the rain-soaked Rugby Carnival!

The P&F canteen providing a needed performance-enhancing boost for many athletes via the usual drinks and goodies. A huge thanks to the parents who supported the canteen as front-line staff.

Next P&F Meeting Wednesday 16 JUNE – Annual Funding Meeting

Please join us to determine where the money we have raised in the past year should be allocated within the school for the benefit of the student life. Meetings are open to all parents.

Alternatively, if you wish to put forward a proposal for the use of funds please send these to Mr Jones as soon as possible so all proposals can be evaluated prior to the meeting.

Funding proposals should be costed, justified and seek to help a significant proportion of school. Any proposal should also be for things that are tangible, something that school wouldn’t normally pay for and on the ‘really nice to have’ list.  If you have any queries about the funding process please contact me at [email protected]

Contact the P&F

If you have anything you would like to raise with the P&F please either contact your Year Group Liaison Person or any member of the Executive. Alternatively, send us an email at [email protected]

Mr Paul Gaddes
P&F President

Speakers make their point

The need for society to rediscover and enact on the spirit of idealism was the subject of Hudson McAllister’s speech on Friday night at the Lawrence Campbell GPS/CAS Oratory Competition, this year held at Waverley College. The competition – past winners include Malcolm Turnbull, former NSW Premier Nick Greiner and ‘Chaser’ comedian Charles Firth – is a challenging one, with speakers selecting one of three topics then having just 15 minutes to prepare an impromptu eight minute speech. Choosing ‘My voice is in my sword’, Hudson drew on the inspiration offered by the Kennedy Camelot years, Chifley’s ‘the Light on the Hill’ speech and in an animated and passionate delivery, urged us all to not succumb to complacency and pragmatism. Hudson was a great ambassador for TAS and relished the experience. For those who would like to watch the competition, go to https://tinyurl.com/29w7w3zn and use the password LCO 21. Hudson’s speech starts at 1:20:47. The competition was won by St Joseph’s College student Bernard Lund, at 1:40:04.

The night before, Hudson, Georgia Donoghue and Henry Moore were one of two teams that won their debates in the final round of the Federation Cup in Tamworth. It was however somewhat of a hollow victory for the Year 12 trio, with their opposition Calrossy team only being put together at the last minute due to Calrossy mis-reading the draw. Congratulations are also due to Stage 4 TAS White (Daniel Emmery, Robin Henry, Samuel Krishnan, Jeanie Inglis) who soundly won their fixture, affirming ‘That single sex schools should be banned.’ Whilst our Stage 5 White team (Bella Fernance, Jasper O’Neil, Sofia Paris, Tom Tizzard) were defeated, they, and the other five TAS teams in the competition will all compete in the finals at Calrossy in Week 4. Best wishes to them all.

It’s shaping up to be a big term with this year’s National Virtual Debating Competition to commence shortly and round 1 of this year’s Middle School Tri Schools Shield just around the corner.

Mr Tim Hughes
MIC Debating & Public Speaking

Cycling

Cycling wasn’t just limited to Armidale last weekend, with Toby Inglis travelling to Goulburn to contest a two Day, four Stage Tour. This event is part of the selection process for the NSW Junior Road Team. Toby’s performance was outstanding, placing 8^th in the Prologue 5.5km Time Trial, 9^th in the 67km Road Race (Day 1), 9^th in the 13.8km Time Trial and 11^th in a 45km Road Race (Day 2). These results saw Toby place (General Classification) 8^th overall and 3^rd in NSW and for age (as a first year u17), 2^nd overall. With the NSW State team to be named shortly, Toby has positioned himself very nicely for further honours.

Mr Jim Pennington

TAS 100 - a new cycle classic

There doesn’t appear to be anything which can stop the Triple Crown and the TAS Community. Drought, bushfire, floods and COVID are continually brushed aside by students, parents and staff alike. With the cancellation of the Tour de Rocks for 2021, the TAS 100 arose! The interest was enormous and the challenge of 100km, happily addressed by all. A course which harnessed the beauty of the New England with Gostwyck Chapel as the centrepiece, was devised. Three stops to replenish and to have an “emotional” moment were created, giving riders time to chat and compare experiences. 104 students (with Hamish Pengilley in Year 6 being the youngest), joined in with 21 parents, 10 staff and 43 members of the TAS/TdR Community for the 100km journey. The addition of a Junior School section (from Gostwyck Chapel to Uralla) was warmly received, with 15 students, Mums and Dads enjoying the 14km stretch, accompanied by Mr Lloyd. This was not just about the Triple Crown, for the central goal was to raise funds to purchase a portable oxygen concentrator for the Palliative Care Wing of the Armidale Hospital. I cannot thank everyone enough for their amazing support – the students, staff, parents, former students, TDR family and the Armidale community who came together, raising enough money for the purchase of two Oxygen Concentrators. This is a truly wonderful result and highlights the beautiful community in which we live.

Mr Jim Pennington
Coordinator Challenge & Service

The business of gainful employment characterised by enjoyment and (almost) invariably complemented by willing engagement: regularly this seems to be ‘what we’re about’. There’s a deal on offer here, isn’t there. Already over the last academic cycle, we’ve managed to fit in an excellent ANZAC Day commemorative ceremony that, for the first time in a long time, was appreciated by Old Armidalians, former staff members, student representatives from other Armidale schools, not to mention our current families, students and staff. We’ve also boasted a finely crafted Middle and Senior School Athletics Carnival. In addition, staff conducted successful Year 8 Parent interview sessions after school on Thursday and Friday in Memorial Hall. Friday afternoon also witnessed another exodus of students who travelled to sporting venues in Inverell and Tamworth respectively, and this was keenly followed by the 100-kilometre ride over the weekend (you’ll see herein the large number of Middle School students who participated and benefited from Mr Pennington and Mrs Benham’s sage advice). Further, we farewelled our Year 6 cohort that, I’m reliably informed, toured Canberra’s Telstra Tower on Monday evening. These young people are fortunate to be able to travel again so freely.

We’ve also had another Middle School Town Meeting which featured the usual student-driven activity, formal MYP presentations and individual reports. Specifically, you’ll recall, I know, the Cancer Research fundraising initiative of Year 7 student, Robin Henry. In addition to speaking about it in last week’s Town Meeting, Robin published her TAS Talks article in Week 2. Speaking at this Tuesday’s meeting, Robin has informed her peers that the funds have, in just one week, already reached $2,500. Even though her cake and biscuit stall isn’t scheduled till Week 4, she’d hoped to reach $3,000 by Week 7. I know that you’ve ‘had a hand in this’, so thank you – very much. We suggested to Robin that she should continue the fundraising ‘drive’ till the end of term to see how far she is able to go. Great things are done when men (sic) and mountains meet (William Blake): She’s not very big, this student, but her determination makes her a dynamo.

Mrs Benham has a slightly altered Middle School pastoral loading this semester, part of which involves a welcome initiative, being the intention to provide Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon boarding activities for students. Among other things, there’s an offer to conduct activities including painting, baking, (elementary) pottery, craft and board games. I hope this initiative gains traction because it will complement our other student activities like Choirs, Theatre Sports, Middle School Productions, debating and public speaking. I’ve been thinking, especially lately, of the breadth of activity TAS offers to students and believe that the fees you pay certainly give you value for money. I’ve said, in response to questions generally concerning “Why TAS?”, words to the effect of those that follow: This is a place where the person, a ‘concept’ if you must that includes the pupil, is given ample opportunity to develop as an individual. It is only through willing involvement in a range of activities that students can find a comfortable ‘place’ in relation to others and the wider school. Of course, there will be times when they are challenged. But such personal challenge is necessary to the development of resilience, confidence and ease of interaction. Accordingly, the primary focus in the development of ‘self’ has to be on the willing nature of involvement alluded to above.

Mr Mark Harrison
Head of Middle School

Arrivals and Departures

Again, I write about the importance of understanding and adhering to the system for arrivals and departures from the Chapel St Turning Circle. Please note the following:

Arrivals:  Teacher supervision is provided to assist families from 8.15 am – 8.30 am. Outside these times, please use the car park and walk your child to the Junior School playground at the Sports Centre gates where more assistance is available. Please do not park or leave your car in the vicinity of the turning circle.

Departures:  From this afternoon, classes from Year 3 and below will be ready for collection from 3.20 pm, with Years 4 & 5 departing from 3.30 pm. This will apply on sporting afternoons as well with boys and girls in teams with Year 3 students and below will be ready to depart from 4.45 pm and those in Year 4 & 5 ready to depart from 5.00 pm. It is important that we stick to these times as much as possible. Those families with children in both groups should leave their pick-up until the later time to avoid waiting in the pick-up zone.  We aim to keep these two groups separate to diffuse the congestion that has been experienced in recent days.

The TAS 100

Congratulations to Mr Pennington for his organisation and to all the Junior School families who participated in the TAS 100 ride last Sunday.  Joining those that cycled the full 100 kms, our little ones treadled 15 kms (or more) up hill and down dale with smiling faces and great determination. It was excellent to be able to be with them and join the many who made the lunchtime stop at Uralla.

I know there are some great photos on the School website so if you get the time, have a look. Congratulations to the following riders and their very, supportive families: Duncan Klabe, Paddy Bourke, Josh Bourke, Tom Loxley, William Cooper-Fillios, Casper Cook, Josh Bourke, Layla Abu-Assab, Mila Wright, Zana Ross, Lucas van de Werf, Arthur White, Harriet Coupland and Minnie Chick.

A great photo of a keen bunch of cyclists at Gostwyck Chapel on Sunday

Mothers Day Celebration

The children (and it seems their teachers) are all very excited about the activities being organised for the Mothers Day celebrations this Friday. From 12.25 – 1.10 pm in the Hoskins foyer, there will be great excitement when many of the Wonderful Women in our children’s lives are acknowledged and celebrated and it would be great if you join us. Please RSVP by today so that we can adequately cater for everyone attending.

Martial Arts Success

Cecelia Price has recently attained her blue belt in her martial arts last week. She has been working hard and we congratulate her on her dedication and this achievement.

Cecelia Price receives her “Blue Belt” certificate.

Cross Country

Cross Country running is not for everyone. I know. But for some it is and I have always greatly admired their determination and persistence. Many children who have shown such determination in younger years, carry this into later life and it makes sense then, to encourage this whenever possible. You will see the report below, but in acknowledging those that did very well with their race, I congratulate all those who finished the course with a smile on their face! Particular thanks go to Mrs Wright and all the staff who assisted on the day, particularly the “Pied Piper” who ran the course several times trying to get away from all, with mixed success. There will be more photos on the School website soon.

Happy Birthday

Wishing Alanoud Alrdadi, Zana Ross, Mehleen Sandhu and Edward Gillman a very happy birthday this week.

Mr Ian Lloyd
Head of Junior School