TAS Talks Term 3 Week 6

I would like to pass on my thanks to all staff, students and coaches who took to the field last Saturday in what can only be described as miserable conditions. The great consolation was that at least the students were able to run around and stay warm for the time they were on the field and I am very sure we are all looking forward to engaging in the various sporting activities this coming weekend in kinder weather conditions. This is the second week of our HSC trials and our Year 12s seem to be managing the rigours of the various trial exams as they have managed the difficult circumstances that they have been confronted with thus far this year. I can only commend them for their positive approach and attitude.

I am very aware that we are all a little bit sick of hearing about the new COVID protocols as they are released by NSW Health but it is important that I give you the following update which will mean we have to adhere to certain conditions till the end of this term with regard to illness in the school. If a boarding student demonstrates cold or flu like symptoms they will need to be tested and isolated in the medical centre. Parents will be contacted to come and collect that student. If absolutely necessary, if parents are unable to collect their child and staff are not able to stay in the medical centre – students will be isolated for the short term in the boarding house. This will be a very rare occurrence as we will have casual nursing staff rostered on during the evenings where possible.

If a day student demonstrates cold or flu like symptoms parents need to arrange to have their child tested either through their GP or through the Armidale Hospital drive-through and they will have to show the school the negative test result prior to returning and they must be symptom free in order to return.

The following advice has been released by the AIS (Association of Independent Schools) and we need to act accordingly as far as this specific advice is concerned.

• Parents/carers must be reminded regularly that students must not come to school if they are unwell. Even with very mild symptoms.
• Teachers should be vigilant in recognising if any students are exhibiting flu-like symptoms during teaching and learning activities. Where identified they must refer the student to the sick bay or other appropriate area where they can be isolated and the school must arrange for the parent or carer to take the student home.
• If a student has been absent due to flu-like illness or develops flu-like symptoms while at school, they are not to return to school until they have a negative COVID-19 test and are symptom free.
• The negative COVID-19 test result must be sighted and received by the school for both students and staff members before their return to school.
• Schools should encourage the immediate COVID-19 testing for any student or staff member identified as being unwell.
• Please stay safe and well.

I will be participating in an AIS webinar at 4.30pm this afternoon with Dr Kerry Chant, where I have put TAS specific questions to her hoping to get a response.

Alan Jones

Christmas Puddings - Brandy donations wanted!

The famous TAS P&F Christmas Puddings are still going to being made this year – At this stage Covid-19 won’t be stopping TAS families from enjoying a lovely Christmas Pudding on Christmas Day.

The pudding bake is coming up at the start of Term 4 and prior to that we need heaps and heaps of brandy to soak the fruit in – this is what gives the puddings that spectacular taste!!  If you can donate a bottle of brandy please either drop it in at Main Reception or contact Pudding Co-ordinator Camilla Dubois on [email protected]

With the constraints of Covid-19 we will be selling Christmas Puddings online this year (more to come in the following weeks).  However, if you want to get in first so that you won’t miss out, you can put your name on the waiting list now by sending an email to [email protected]

Contacting the P&F

If you want to know what’s going on in the P&F join us on Facebook!  We regularly post updates on what we are doing, what events are coming up and any other useful information that comes to mind.  We have our own Facebook page – use the keywords TAS Parents and Friends and then ‘like’ us.

Don’t forget each year also has their own Year Group Facebook Page… These are closed groups for parents to catch up on what’s happening… Please search for TAS Year 12 and then the year your class will graduate from Year 12. For example, this year’s Year 12 Facebook page is TAS Year 12 2020.

Finally, 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 or send us an email on [email protected]

Mrs Rachael Nicoll
P&F President

Blue (mood) Wet Weather Jackets

At the risk of repeating myself, possibly incurring a palpable sense parental wrath, I must (in deference to the sensibilities and sensitivities of all the staff with whom I work) reiterate a fact about the TAS sports jacket. Some students continue to wear it, despite clear, sunny days, not to mention undisputed directions to the contrary. As at the end of August, 2020, these jackets are not cold weather ones and the more students disregard school uniform regulations, the more likely they are to remain wet weather jackets – for the next century. Any Middle School students who wear these jackets (not many, I admit, but there are times when one or two can constitute one or two too many) on sunny days will be required to remove them immediately – this is non-negotiable. Students know this as I’m the one who, in Tuesday morning’s assembly, repeated this message (more firmly than the last time) to all of our people. Please will you help us to help them. Boarders are not able to wear them at school: day students are not allowed to wear them at school, either. If a student is cold on a sunny winter’s day in Armidale, then said student, until further notice, is to wear a school jumper and blazer.

Okay, that was the worst part of the Week 6 Assembly in Hoskins. The rest was as heartening as seeing people wearing regulation earrings and even grey socks, as a matter of fact. Mr Brauer and I met the Year 8 student representatives over the last week and it was this intrepid young group who conducted the whole assembly. They did so in as polished a manner as would make any one of us (families, peers and staff) proud to be associated with them.

I expect it’s not easy to speak to the whole Middle School when you share one potentially daunting thing in common with its students – the same age. But these people were good – again. It’s clear they were prepared, obvious they were rehearsed (not to the point of artificiality) and evident they were aware that the success of the venture was entirely dependent on them. COVID constraints notwithstanding, it was probably one of the most entertaining assemblies I’ve attended in a long time – the significance of this statement is reinforced by the fact that it comes from someone who has so often been responsible for past assemblies. In fact, so good was this assembly, these people will be hosting the one in Week 7. Since the introduction of the new-look TAS Talks and TAS Times last term, we may even be in a position to send you some assembly footage in the future.

Wattles are out, buds are appearing, yet winter’s still here – and even though it’s brought some wonderful rain, it’s been a bit brutal. It needs to move on – we’re beginning to will it to go. September starts next week. Here’s to spring and all it has to offer (minus sinus, hay fever and mosquitoes).

Stop Press: Mrs Rachel Piddington and her husband, Anthony, have a new family member: a boy. On everyone’s behalf, I congratulate them!

Mr Mark Harrison
Head of Middle School

General Information about Summer Sports

(Available to Junior School students for Summer 2020/2021)

Junior School students will be choosing their summer sport next week. With this in mind, it is time to think about what summer sport you would like to participate in this year. We are trying to organise our summer sports to include as much participation and competition as possible. Please be mindful that changes could occur, beyond our control, in any of our summer sports between now and next term.

Year 5 students will be choosing from the Middle School Sports choices this term. More information for this group will be given directly to each student.

Junior School Policy re Participation in Sport

All students in Years 3 and 4 will participate in one summer sport in Terms 4 and Term 1, 2021. Students in Year 2 and below do not have to participate but are encouraged to do so. If students in Year 2 or below do participate, they will commit to the sport (including training sessions) for the duration of that season. Training times and sessions vary depending on the chosen sport.

Any exemptions from sport (Years 3 and 4) should be directed to Mrs Christine Wright    [email protected]

Sports available for selection next week: 

• Cricket (K-4)
• Tennis (K-4)
• Basketball (Years 3 and 4 only)
• Indoor Hockey (Years 2-4)
• Gymnastics (Years T-2)
• Ball Skills (Years T-2)
• Swimming (Years 2-4) Fitness only. Competent swimmers, not learn to swim.

More information on each sport will be in TAS talks next week.

Mrs Christine Wright
JS Sports Coordinator

Hockey

U11

Ryne Wilkinson was the standout this week in defence. He positioned himself well and was instrumental in defending our team. Saxon Muirhead and I were goalies this week. We obviously did a great job because the opposition didn’t score. Sam Ford and Harry Brownlie have continued to be awesome strikers together. Although they got a lot of great passes, they are still learning to stop the ball before hitting for accuracy. Levi Watts, our new player was a star this week. Quick on his feet and a great little passer. However, Levi is still learning short corners.

Finally, you have Cormac and myself again as strikers. I felt we passed great shots, however, we need to practice our hits.

The end result from this outstanding team was that we won 3 nil.

Hugo Broun

Football

U8s Tornadoes

U9s

Unfortunately, this week the opposition were not able to field a team and our game was cancelled. With poor weather on the way the obvious choice was to go home and keep warm. However, the spirit of the under 9s took over and we soon found ourselves split into two teams and, with a handful of parents (and even Mr Lloyd in goal with a cup of coffee) we had a run around which was so much fun. There were too many outstanding performances to mention but everyone had a great time before we had to stop as it started to hail…

Mr Nexo

U10s Blues

On Saturday we played the DK Axes in Armidale. We were meant to have a bye this week but Toby’s dad, Mr Jeremy White, kindly arranged a game for us, which was awesome. It was a bitterly cold morning with sleet and rain. Despite this, all the parents braved the weather and showed their support. We sadly lost the game with a score of 3-1, but we played a great game. We were well matched teams. Special mention should go to Oliver Robb for his fancy footwork and great passes, Xavier Stephen for his amazing defence and Lucas Van Der Werf for his epic corners. Toby White scored a cracking goal, our first team goal for the season. All players showed great attacking skills and impressive dribbling up the sidelines. I feel that we still need to improve our positioning and try not to crowd the ball, which we have a tendency to do. Special thanks also to our coach, Mrs Hardin and Mr Lloyd, who also came to watch and support us.

Cam Carruthers