2021 Term 1 Week 4 | 17.02.2021

TAS Talks Term 1 Week 4

In this issue

From the Head of School
Calendar of Events
From the Chaplain
From the P&F
From the Director of Co-curricular
From the Creative Arts Coordinator

From the Head of Middle School
IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)
From the Head of Junior School
IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)
Junior School Sport
Community Notices

01. From the Head of School

MR ALAN JONES

Swimming and War Cries

Even though we are still confronted with mandated COVID restrictions it was a pleasure to be able to have Year 12 parents join us for the annual War Cries Competition and Swimming Carnival. The swimming carnivals and war cries night continue to have an important role in bringing houses together early in the year and highlight, especially for students who are new to TAS, that the spirit of mass participation that we value so much is something that everyone can enjoy. That spirit was certainly alive and well last week, and I congratulate every student who threw themselves into that with such enthusiasm, whether competitively or otherwise. I offer my thanks and congratulations to Mr Huon Barrett on completing his first mass participation event at the school and acknowledge and thank Mrs Rachael Edmonds for her exemplary assistance behind the scenes. I would also like to thank our staff once again for all their efforts over those few days in supporting our students.

Rowing and Cadet Leadership

While many our boarders took the opportunity for time at home with family after a busy first few weeks of school our rowers were testing themselves away from the school. Last Friday afternoon after an exhausting day of swimming our boys’ crews and our girls crew jumped straight onto a bus to travel to Sydney to compete at the Kings/PLC invitational Regatta. They are now at the business end of the season and we wish them well for all of their training before they travel away again to compete in the GPS Head of the River and the Girls Schools Head of the River on the weekend of March 13 and 14. These young people exemplify those ephemeral qualities of resilience, determination and teamwork that we really pride ourselves on when our students travel away, and they are wonderful role models.
This weekend some 40 cadets will continue with their leadership course at Junior, Sergeant and CUO levels and this commitment from so many is heartening to see. They will be out in the field this weekend and I wish them well and look forward to hearing the reports of their activities.

Basketball

This Friday the TAS First VIII Basketball will be hosting the Farrer First VIII Basketball team in an invitational match to celebrate the hard work and kindness of our P & F who have provided brand new basketball backboards, electronic scoreboard and shot clock. Pre- match entertainment, amongst other things will be a staff vs student game, which I am told will reveal never before seen shooting, dribbling and evasive skills from some of our elder statesmen! These wonderful facilities that have been provided for our students emanate from the hard work and support of our fantastic P & F for the school and students. I cannot thank them enough.

COVID update

Please do not send your child to school if they are exhibiting cold or flu like symptoms, they will need to have a COVID test with a negative result before they are able to return to school.

Boarder parents will be required to collect their child from school if they are exhibiting cold or flu like symptoms and only return to the school when they have been tested and have a negative result.

Thank you for your continued support as we endeavour to provide the best opportunities for our students in these circumstances.

Mr Alan Jones
Head of School

02. Calendar of Events

Week 4
Friday 19 February	Cadet Leaders Course TAS vs Farrer Basketball Game
Saturday 20 February	Cadet Leaders Course
Sunday 21 February	Cadet Leaders Course
Week 5
Monday 22 February	Lake Keepit Excursion ( Years 2-5)
Wednesday 24 February	TAS Regional Tour – Maitland & Newcastle
Thursday 25 February	TAS Regional Tour – Scone
Friday 26 February	TAS Regional Tour – Tamworth
Week 6
Tuesday 2 March	TAS Regional Tour – Inverell

TAS NOTICEBOARD

Casual Nursing Sister Required

TAS welcomes expressions of interest for Registered Nurses who are interested in casual shifts. The position will involve supervising isolated boarders in addition to day shifts.
If you are interested, please contact Sister Jacki Fletcher at [email protected]. An immediate start is available.

CONTACT US

03. From the Chaplain

MR RICHARD NEWTON

ABSQUE DEO NIHIL - JOB 38

There are many logos and mottos emblazoned on people’s chests daily, such as: ‘Dear Math, I am not a therapist – solve your own problems’.

Then one back for the mathematicians, ‘there is a fine line between numerator and denominator’. Perhaps one for the English scholar, ‘rule of grammar #31 – double negatives are a no-no’. Or the T-shirt my wife wants to make – ‘hypochondriacs die too’. For the carnivore – ‘vegetables are what food eats’. Or if they’re all a bit hard to get, ‘bacon makes everything better’.

I have definitely bought T-shirts only to get home and discover what they really meant, and therefore never wear them. Some logos are easy to get, some are a little more obscure.

With so many new students at TAS, I thought it was time to consider what is meant by the logo you wear almost every day: ‘Absque Deo Nihil’ or in English, ‘without God nothing’. I hope that is not news for any of you – but I’m sure it is for some. Even if you know how the motto translates, have you ever taken the opportunity to consider what it means? For the rest of this term, this will be our mission.

Without God nothing? Nothing we experience, observe, taste, feel, touch, smell, hear would be, without God.

In the reading, we’re clobbered with the sobering response of God to Job. What we’re exposed to is the most humbling of thoughts, as we stand close to God, we need to gain perspective regarding who it is that we are dealing with. As we so often turn around and get upside down our relationship with God, where God becomes the one we dictate to, the one we demand things from, we expect Him to give an account to us, as we turn God into something more like our fairy godmother who is at our disposal, or so we turn G-O-D around that it reads more like D-O-G, as if he is there purely for our pleasure and service. We need to step back and listen to the words of God in this passage as he speaks to us.

The questions come like a torrent, “Where were you?” In the end we must be left asking, do we come to God in humility, understanding that without Him – nothing?

Mr Richard Newton
Chaplain

04. From the P&F

MRS RACHAEL NICOLL

Facebook

You may have been contacted by your Year Group Liaison Parents to let you know about our Facebook pages… Each year has a Closed Facebook Group for parents and carers (no students please). If you haven’t been contacted please still join up…

The Facebook groups have been named according to the year that the group will be in Year 12. ie. TAS Year 12 2021, is the current Year 12, right down to TAS Year 12 2034, which is the current Transition class. So search for these on Facebook and join the fun!!

These are a way of building community within a cohort and an easy way for LPs and parents to communicate with each other about school and group activities. These pages can also be used for information sharing, such as reminders about whether a formal uniform is required the next day, uniform or sporting gear trading, supporting families experiencing ill health or crisis, or as a way to meet new people.

Key information from the P&F will still be sent via Liaison Parents through email as well but we encourage all parents and carers to use your Year Group Facebook Pages as a friendly way to quickly keep in touch.

Please use these groups wisely, they are not for promoting products or events that are not relevant to the TAS School Community. Comments should be polite, inclusive and relevant, or they may be deleted.

Also, don’t forget that the P&F has our primary Facebook page as well (search TAS Parents & Friends).

Save the date – TAS Rugby Carnival

The TAS Rugby Carnival is coming up at the end of the April holidays on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 of April. Although we’re not quite sure how this is going to look given COVID this is still a big event for TAS and the P&F and is a showcase for TAS.

More information will be sent out through TAS Talks, emails and Facebook in the next few weeks as it comes to hand. If you think you would like to be involved in organising this event please send us an email at [email protected]

P&F Meetings

We have two main meetings a term – usually, these are held in the Lower Maxwell Room at 7 pm on a Wednesday night – we are also Zooming these meetings. Meetings are open to all and we would love to see you there.

Our next meeting is on 17 March. In Term 2 our meetings are set for 28 April (AGM) and 16 June (Funding meeting).

Mrs Rachael Nicoll
P&F President

05. From the Director of Co-curricular

MR HUON BARRETT

Summer Sport

Another big week in sport. Some of the highlights included the Junior School and Middle/Senior School Swimming Championships with the War Cries a notable high point; the triathletes competing in South West Rocks and the rowers travelled to Sydney to compete in the Kings/PLC Regatta at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

This week we look forward to hosting Farrer as the Firsts Basketball team play on Friday evening in the refurbished TAS Gym – A big thank you to the P&F for the new basketball rings and glass backboards.

3:45pm Junior School match on the lowered hoops
4:45pm Staff vs Students
6:30pm-7:30 Main event: TAS 1sts v Farrer

A reminder to all students that when you come to support you are required to wear your formal uniform.

Middle/Senior School Swimming Championships – Week 3

Congratulations to all our competitors at the MS/SS Swimming Championships, participation was at an all-time high and I commend our students for their sportsmanship, enthusiasm and willingness to have a go.

Whilst it is important to celebrate the students who excelled at the MS/SS Swimming Carnival I also want to celebrate all those students who had the courage to participate. Through challenge we grow.

“I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow”
Marissa Mayer

Congratulations to Tyrrell House who won the Champion House Shield, Points Per House Member Shield and the Harwood Cake Shield (for overall winner of the relays).

	Champion House Shield	Points Per House Member Shield
1^st	Tyrrell	Tyrrell
2^nd	Green	Abbott
3^rd	Abbott	Croft
4^th	Croft	Green
5^th	Broughton	Ross
6^th	Ross	Broughton

A notable mention to Abbott House who won the House War Cries Competition.

Swimming Champions 2021

New Event Records 2021

Mr Huon Barrett
Director of Co-curricular

Trial Bay Triathlon

Absolutely perfect conditions greeted the TAS Triathletes on Sunday morning for the Trial Bay Triathlon. Overnight rain and some cloud cover kept the sun’s rays at bay as a 600m swim awaited athletes at 7:30 am. For TAS, it was Toby Hall (Captain) and Fred Kearney embarking on the individual event, with Isabella Crawford/Alice Bourne, Charlotte Tydd/Eryn Benham, Harry Pennington/Harrison Miller/Lennox Neilson, Will Warton/Charlie Steele and Issy Gooch (Captain)/myself making up the teams.

Big Fred had his usual blazing swim, up in the front group, powering through the water and onto the bike. Toby, fresh off his SLS last year, held firm and set about spinning the legs, holding the time trial position for the 20km ride. The bike and run courses are both undulating with a single challenging hill. Once into the run, Toby displayed his mastery, blitzing the 6km to finish in a sensational 51^st place overall. Fred was only 4minutes behind, crossing the line in 83^rd, a very proud young man.

The swim presented a unique challenge for Will Warton, more accustomed to worrying about crocodiles than sharks! Nevertheless, once his nerves had settled, the swim was hardly a challenge as all students found the 600m quite invigorating. The ride saw Alice Bourne, Eryn Benham, and Harrison Miller stay within three minutes of each other the entire 20km, setting up a cracking finish. For Charlie Steele, the ride just wasn’t enough, he then joined Will for the 6km run. Lennox Neilson stormed the run, mowing down more than 30 competitors en route, with Isabella Crawford, Issy Gooch, and Eryn, as always, running themselves out.

My thanks go to all the students for their outstanding efforts and wonderful camaraderie throughout the weekend and to Mrs Gail Rogers for yet again driving the bus to all corners of the State.

Mr Jim Pennington

Mountain Biking

The TAS mountain biking season is back in full swing with this week seeing the second race of the New England Mountain Bikers Summer Series. Much to the delight of our students, the races are alternating between Kookaburra Crest and the SportUNE mountain bike trails. This week’s race was held at SportUNE, with the same format – riders completing as many laps of a shortened trail in the 35 minute timeframe. As always, our students rode exceptionally well and their pleasing results can be found here https://my.raceresult.com/165688/?lang=en

Mrs Jo Benham
MIC Mountain Biking

06. From the Creative Arts Coordinator

MR ANDREW O'CONNELL

We may not be totally back to business but the colour added by the Creative Arts is starting to fill our school once more. It has been wonderful to see musical items return to our assemblies and I look forward to our new HSC Music cohort sharing their work with us soon. And slowly but surely new artworks are popping up in the Hoskins Foyer, which provides a brilliant backdrop to the zany Drama activities overflowing from the rooms. We’re still waiting on some key restrictions to be lifted to allow a few more of our ensembles and activities to return and we’re hoping those reasonable changes will happen soon.

It was exciting to have our new Head of Co-curricular, Mr Huon Barrett, present our inaugural 2020 Theatresports team with their performance shirts at the Middle School assembly. The group has started rehearsing Wednesday afternoon in the Drama classroom and they’re always looking for new faces, so if you would like to give competitive improvisation and fun acting games a go please send Mr Wheatley an email and come on by.

A big thanks to the staff and parents who assisted with the Sweeney Todd working bee on the weekend. We will have a final working bee next Saturday 27 February, so if you can lend a hand to finish off the painting, prop making, and set preparation it would be greatly appreciated. We’re still holding back the release of tickets but be sure you’ll know when they are released!

Mr Andrew O’Connell

Creative Arts Coordinator

07. From the Head of Middle School

MR MARK HARRISON

Parent Information with a difference: TAS Middle School Booklets

At the beginning of this term, I referred to the challenge of our staff brief of ‘looking out’ for the needs and interests of the 11 – 14 age group, being one characterised by a massive spike in social, emotional, moral, spiritual and definitely, physical growth. Certainly, the brief is a challenging one, and it is so, regularly. As I’ve indicated previously, ‘fast and furious’ would seem to be the best adjectives to characterise the pace and variety of Middle School activities. To assist you with your own navigation of your children’s daily routines and those people with whom they have regular contact while in our care in the day school, in particular, we have compiled the Year level booklets for all families. These booklets were sent to all families in electronic form, having been emailed to you towards the end of last week. If, for whatever reason, you did not receive one of these in your Inbox, please contact Middle School reception and we’ll happily send the relevant copy to you.

War Cries and Swimming Carnival 12 & 13 February

All people were busy last week, regardless of age. Everyone was preparing for the War Cries (on Thursday night) and then the Middle and Senior School Swimming Carnival on Friday. All our students attended their Senior Houses for War Cry sessions: such activities were necessary to the development of Middle School pupils’ perceptions of ‘community’. The House and Swimming Captains made our younger people feel welcome in their respective Houses – I know this for a fact because I’d been ‘shadowing’ them to witness the various activities. As was the case over the last few years, while the students’ capacity (I refer to students of all ages, not just our shared charges) to ‘hold a tune’ is questionable, the volume is nothing less than impressive. So, the War Cries, as predicted, were characterised by enthusiasm and volume and I feel sure that some managed instances of melodious function.

Things familiar…

Despite the conventional wisdom associated with keeping all new and returning students gainfully employed, it would be supremely naïve to think that none is missing home. As indicated last week, while their reactions are as various as their individuality, missing home is natural and considering this feeling is an affirmation of ‘things familiar’ and people they know well and trust, it is, as I’ve indicated, actually a very normal reaction and something we expect. To their credit, the boarding staff and all Homeroom Advisors have been tremendously busy and supportive: I went to White House last week and Dangar as well to find so many staff assisting with academic work and, perhaps more importantly at this stage of the year, just talking to boys and girls about ‘their’ day. I’ve been sitting with the day and boarding students at lunch, too. The Year 8 students in White and Dangar also deserve special mention: they’ve shown the new ones how to manage house routine, are generally knowledgeable, good humoured and sensible in terms of advice given to their peers. In short, the signs of a healthy, successful start to the year are real ones. Still, if there’s something that families feel we should know to facilitate the settling process, please be sure to contact Homeroom staff, Mrs Frost or me. This message is as relevant to day students’ families as it is to boarding ones.

The next two weeks are important, and they mark further change: as the term progresses at an inexorable pace, summer sports, as will be advised in an upcoming full school assembly, will be making way for early winter options: Athletics schedules, for example, will begin for us soon as, while swimming carnival activity is the initial bookend for the early part of the term, athletics will bookend the last part of it. Lunch time cricket and tennis sessions will be fewer for some because debating season, as evidenced by last week’s Federation Cup has begun in earnest. And, all the while, boarding and day house activities continue as do classes, prep work, assessment task preparation and more meaningful (in terms of consistency) engagement in academic activity. Further, the fact that this last Monday welcomed to our TAS Scholarship and Open Day prospective students for 2022 is sure proof that that the term is ‘flying’. This day was very productive – we’re grateful for this level of interest against the backdrop of continuing challenges experienced by so many, regardless of geography.

I look forward to the time when you can come to TAS: we’re ‘in this’ together of course and our communication needs to be and frank. We must always try to ensure that it is courteous, too. Already I’ve received emails from parents and, ultimately, this kind of communication is important – especially since its purpose is to assist Middle School students.

Mr Mark Harrison
Head of Middle School

IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

It is lovely to see many of our students settled into school life, and utilising all of the facilities that we have on offer. Just a reminder that Middle School students can attend the Learning Hub from 3:30pm – 5pm on a Monday to Thursday to complete any homework or assessments. The Learning Hub is supervised by teachers, who may be able to assist students with their work.

This week in the Middle School assembly it was my pleasure to hand out the first of our Middle School Learner Profile awards.

The recipients this fortnight were:

Sam Coulton – Knowledgeable award
Isaac Curtis – Communicator and Principled awards
Lily Grieve – Thinker award
Marshall Kellett – Inquirer award
Sasha Macarthur-Onslow – Knowledgeable award
Clare Wilkinson – Risk-taker award

08. From the Head of Junior School

MR IAN LLOYD

Swimming Championships

Last Thursday our Junior School Swimming Championships took place and it was a fantastic day with students demonstrating a high level of resilience, persistence and care for others which reflects the importance we put on such attributes. Seeing students willing to give swimming for their House their very best demonstrates how far we have come as a school, and I would agree with some of the feedback that this was one of our best carnivals yet. This is not possible without the diligence of our staff; Mrs Wright’s preparation for the day was outstanding and while her absence was sorely felt, the wonderful Mrs Lasker and staff managed so well. We owe them all our thanks.

The results are reported below, but special congratulations go the overall winners of the House Trophy – Green House and, Sophie Brett, for her record breaking swim in the 25m Backstroke.

The following team will travel to the PSSA on Thursday in Armidale: Sophie Banister, Joshua Bourke, Patrick Bourke, Evelyn Brownlie, Cameron Carruthers, Baxter Carruthers, Minnie Chick, Eva Cook, Casper Cook, Tom Loxley, Edwina Newton, Cecilia Price, Oliver Robb, Kevin Tighe, Arthur White, Mila Wright.

Lake Keepit Excursion

There is no doubt one of the most spoken about (and remembered) activities for the year is our trip to Lake Keepit (which is at 45 percent capacity!) This excursion has been carefully considered and the scope and sequence designed to challenge each and every student to succeed well outside their comfort zone. For some, this may simply be traveling away from home and sleeping in unfamiliar situations; for others, it might be pushing them a little harder to show resilience in the face of some other, less predictable hardship. Either way, what a great.

It is vital that you have registered with the Sport & Rec Central Reservations by using the following link (pasted into your browser) by Wednesday evening. The registrations will close on Wednesday.

https://oos.ungerboeck.com/prod/emc00/register.aspx?eid=Wjl0akpCRVVhVURkMERtRTFnY2pZZz090

Arrival/Departures from Junior School

I am happy to report that the arrival and departure systems for Junior School students and families seem to be working effectively. We ask all families to display their printed family name tag supplied by the school on the left hand sun visor as this greatly assists with the collection of students. If another sign is needed for a second car, please contact JS Reception.

Drama Club – Starts this Thursday with Ms Judy McBain

We are very pleased to welcome Ms Judy McBain to our staff as our new Drama Club Peripatetic Teacher. Judy has been in over the last two weeks assisting students and getting to know the school and the students. She has a background in both theatre and theatre production, including management and direction and comes highly recommended and with some fantastic contacts. I am sure the Drama Club will thrive under her guidance. Sessions will be held in the Hoskins Centre Drama classroom and with the support of The Creative Arts Department and Junior School staff. We welcome her to our school.

Sessions are starting this at 3.45 – 4.45 pm this Thursday for Years 3 to 5 and at the same time on Tuesdays for Kindergarten to Year 2. The cost at this early stage of the term will be approximately $ 5 per session and will be charged to your account. For further information, please contact JS Reception.

Liaison Parents – Junior School 2021

A huge shout out to the team of Liaison Parents for 2021. Our LP’s do a wonderful job supporting Junior School and ensuring all families stay well connected. This year they are: Transition – Diane Wood, Amanda McDowell; Kindergarten – Lisa Post; Year 1 – Emmalene Gemmell; Year 2 – Maartje Tory, Lynne Secker; Year 3 – Bruce Dennison; Year 4 – Melanie Fillios, Maartje Tory; Year 5 – Kari Maitz.

Our children were really fortunate to have been given a bagful of goodies at the conclusion of the Swimming Championships and the P&F, along with the support of our LP’s were responsible. This is a great example of the way our community operates so well together and we look forward to an increasing number of opportunities for this to continue as the year progresses.

School Spirits

Congratulations to the following students that received School Spirit Awards last week:
Maggie Wood, Fatimah Alkadi, Daniel Ivannikov, Mishkah Alrdadi, Bronte Polson, Patrick Kim, Hugh Blackwell, Neave Drain, Cooper Lacey, Emi Fawcett, Janesh Wijewarna, Humjot Sandhu, Evelyn Brownlie, Hamish Molina, Pippi Goudge, Lucy Taylor, Sophie Brett, Jack Wood.

Happy Birthday

Wishing Mila Wright and Will Dennison a very happy birthday this coming week.

Mr Ian Lloyd
Head of Junior School

Week 4
Wednesday 17 February	Year 4 Assembly – Hoskins Theatre 2.45pm
Thursday 18 February	PSSA Swimming Drama Club – Years 3-5 (Hoskins Drama classroom)
Week 5 (Excursion Week)
Monday 22 February	Year 5 to Lake Keepit
Tuesday 23 February	Year 4 to Lake Keepit
Wednesday 24 February	Year 3 to Lake Keepit (No Assembly)
Thursday 25 February	Year 2 to Lake Keepit
Friday 26 February	All return from Lake Keepit
Week 6
Wednesday 3 March	Year 3 Assembly – Hoskins Theatre 2.45pm
Week 7
Monday 8 March	Parent / Teacher Interviews
Tuesday 9 March	Parent / Teacher Interviews Drama Club – Kindy – Year 2 (Hoskins Drama classroom)
Wednesday 10 March	Year 2 Assembly – Hoskins Theatre 2.45pm
Thursday 11 March	Drama Club – Years 3-5 (Hoskins Drama classroom)

IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

Attributes of the Learner Profile

The International Baccalaureate learner profile is based on attributes, which connect with intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth. The attributes are key in providing a firm foundation for developing international-mindedness amongst all TAS Junior School students.

The learner profile also aims to support students in engaging in action for positive change and is closely aligned with student agency. There are 10 attributes of the learner profile, which the students are exposed to, taught the meaning of and given opportunities to reflect upon on a regular basis. Each week, in our Junior School Assembly, students from each class are awarded for clearly demonstrating any of the learner profile attributes.

Mrs Veronica Waters
PYP Coordinator

Learner Profile Attributes	Descriptor
Inquirers	Students develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
Knowledgeable	Students explore concepts, ideas, and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
Thinkers	Students exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognise and approach complex problems and make reasoned ethical decisions.
Communicators	Students understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Principled	Students act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Open-Minded	Students understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring	Students show empathy, compassion, and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service and act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and to the environment.
Risk-Takers	Students approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
Balanced	Students understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.
Reflective	Students give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

(www.ibo.org)