TAS Talks Term 3 Week 7

Service, particularly within our own community, has always been important at TAS. With this aspect of School life ramping up again after a COVID hiatus, last weekend over 140 students and staff slept outside on what was quite a cold Saturday night to raise awareness of the 116,000 people who sleep homeless every night in Australia. This valiant effort was accompanied by a drive to collect tinned food and the cooking of freezer meals throughout the night to support the wonderful work of Armidale Neighbourhood Centre. Thank you to all students, staff and parents who were involved in any capacity.

This week we celebrated NAIDOC in a special assembly that started with a smoking ceremony and included dances performed by our AIEF students led by Bob Blair. It was a wonderful occasion, and we were also honoured to be joined by Larissa Ahoy from the Anaiwan tribe who gave a welcome to country. At TAS we are also very pleased to have begun developing our own Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This process involves a number of our students and staff across the School and is led by Mr Pearson and Mr Clarrie Moran.

On Monday staff and students were told that while she has been on leave, Mrs Seonia Wark has made the decision not to return to TAS. Seonia has been a huge part of the fabric of the School for over 25 years. For much of this time, she was Director of Studies and is responsible for some fantastic initiatives, including bringing PYP into the Junior School, MYP into the Middle School and the hugely popular Stage 5 elective program. All academic staff are teachers first and Seonia was a wonderful teacher of mathematics at TAS. She will be greatly missed by staff and particularly by those students in her advisor group and those she taught. We wish her all the very best in her future endeavours.

Finally, I would like to wish a very happy Father’s Day to all Fathers, Father figures and male role models this weekend.

Dr Rachel Horton
Principal

I would like to echo Dr Horton’s words regarding the NAIDOC-themed Assembly held yesterday for the Senior and Middle School students and staff. All involved were treated to a unique insight into Aboriginal culture via the smoking ceremony upon entry, the amazing didgeridoo skills of Walcha Artist Tyler Stackman along with a Welcome to Country performed in Anaiwan by Larissa Ahoy. The Spirit and Emu dance performances by our Aboriginal students trained by the immensely talented Bob Blair were a true highlight. I would like to congratulate Mr Clarrie Moran for all his organisation of this event and thank our Aboriginal students and local Aboriginal community members for sharing their amazing culture with our staff and student body. 

Operationally, we look to ensure the second half of Term 3 is rewarding for all of our students as they put their effort into results. With the view to ensuring focus and energy can be placed on achieving success,  I have a few important reminders regarding ‘the things which do not require talent’ below:

Chewing Gum

A reminder that chewing gum is not permitted at TAS. On behalf of our housekeeping staff, the costly exercise of removing gum from furniture and walkways is avoidable and we appreciate support with not bringing or consuming gum on campus.

Appearance

Wearing the uniform with pride is both an expectation and a measurable way for students to demonstrate their respect for the School and the opportunities provided to them. This starts with shoes that are in good condition and polished, through to neat hair cuts. Additionally, I am asking students to focus on not mixing and matching casual clothes with TAS uniforms before, during or after school. Casual hats, shoes, hoodies and socks are a key focus and we request the students look to get this right. In short, out of school hours and when not at an event, wear it well or wear something else! 

Students Signing in and Out

Students arriving late to School must sign in at the Senior/Middle/Junior School receptions as applicable. If students have external appointments during the School day, parents are required to let the School know before we are able to allow them to sign out unless organised by the Medical Centre.

As we continue to set the bar high for standards at TAS, I thank the students and families for your contribution to making TAS the excellent School it is. 

Have a great Father’s Day.

Mr Ray Pearson
Deputy Principal

TAS Parents Weekend - Save the Date - 9 and 10 September

P&F Meeting – Next Week

The P&F will meet next Wednesday 7 September at 7.00 pm. We will be face-to-face in Upper Maxwell as well as having a Zoom session running for those wishing to attend remotely. Zoom details are below.

All are welcome with the added bonus of snacks and drinks for those able to attend in person.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://as-edu.zoom.us/j/2155172798?pwd=Z1VRMTRrcjZoVStLYlFKOG5CdVovQT09
Meeting ID: 215 517 2798
Password: parents

Christmas Puddings – Brandy Donations Wanted

It’s nearly time again for TAS families to enjoy yummy P&F Christmas Puddings.

If you can donate a bottle of brandy, please contact the P&F Exec on [email protected] to make arrangements.

We will again be selling puddings online this year with details to follow. 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]

Liaison Parent Plans for Specific Year Groups during the TAS Parent Weekend

Contact the 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

Study Habits

Developing solid study habits is vital to feeling prepared and doing well in your academic program, and it is important for students to find ways of working which are effective for them. Below are some clear tips on developing more effective approaches to study:

1. Central to productive study is working in a space which facilitates effective focus.

• Set up your workspace so that you have everything you need – pens, highlighters, pencils and other stationery; your class notes, notifications, and task information; a charged laptop; and loose paper for brainstorming or note taking.
• Put your phone away – don’t have it near you when you are working, it is a distraction.
• Turn off all on-screen notifications so, when working on your laptop, you are not being disrupted by any external information.
• If you study well with music, put some on. If you need quiet, ensure your space is devoid of noise. Let people know you are working and that you need to be left alone for a set time.

2. Do one thing at a time – multitasking is over-rated!

An unusual but helpful question is: How do you eat an elephant? The answer of course is: One bite at a time.

• Rather than doing several things at once (and potentially finishing none of them), focus on one task at a time. This may be:
  • Making a quote list for English – choose the strongest quotes, organise them into a table or on quote cards, and memorise them.
  • Writing out cue cards with facts or definitions on them.
  • Reading key information aloud.
  • Looking up unfamiliar words and spending time learning their meaning and how to use them in a sentence.
  • Reading over key notes or facts prior to going to sleep.
  • Practising a short answer response – keep it concise and focused then move on to a different task.
  • Finding a patient friend and explaining a key concept to them.
  • In the absence of a patient friend, record your explanation and then replay it to yourself. Have you remembered everything? Did you use the terminology of your subject in your answer? What is still missing in your knowledge bank?

3. Time your approach – find a system that works for you.

• Some tasks are quick, like memorising formulas, facts or quotes (set yourself 10 minutes each day when you quickly run through these kinds of tasks, repeat this often).
• For some people, a good timeframe is one hour. Use 50 minutes of this time to work without distraction and then have a 10-minute break. Get up, go outside, make yourself a hot drink or have a healthy snack.

Lastly, remember that productive study habits are balanced with physical activity, social time with friends and most importantly, good sleep.

Take care of yourself and start out as you mean to go on. You will thank yourself later.

A few last reminders

• Year 11 students have now received their timetable for the Week 9 End of Course Examinations. This can be found on the Student and Parent Portals.
• Year 8 and 9 need to log in to Edval to make their initial Stage 5 Elective choices. These are due by the end of next week. If students or parents have any questions, please contact me directly.
• Year 12 Sunday Study Sessions kick off again this coming weekend. This weekend is a quiet one with simple Supervised Study occurring in the Hub from 2-5pm; I will be there to supervise this and would love to hear from any Year 12 student who is planning on coming along.

Mrs Gill Downes
Acting Director of Studies

The highlights continue in the Co-curricular life of the school. The Girls 14s and 16s Rugby 7s teams won the NCIS sports day and the following day our Athletics team finished a commendable third place at the NCIS Athletics Carnival in Coffs Harbour with many outstanding results.

Toby Inglis continues to impress in cycling, he competed at the NSW under 17 road cycling series finishing second in the time trial event and third in the 60km event.

This week we look forward to the Middle School Production on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Mr Wheatley and his cast and crew have been working overtime to bring to us an adaptation of Stephen Weir’s History’s Worst Decisions and the People Who Made Them.

Over the past week, you would have received, via e-mail, your individual school photo ‘shoot key’ from MSP Photography New England. These photos must be ordered by the 25 September, once processed these photos will be sent to the School. If you did not receive an e-mail please contact [email protected].

This week Summer Sport choices are being finalised and a schedule of training sessions and games will be published shortly. Once staffing and the schedule have been finalised we will be able to offer second sports choices under the provision that a student is able to commit to both training and games.

Mr Huon Barrett
Director of Co-curricular

NCIS Athletics Carnival

When driving to Coffs Harbour, one drops almost 1000m in elevation. When you head down the hill in winter, the temperature rises 15 degrees, just lovely! These were the perfect conditions which greeted all athletes for NCIS last Thursday. This is our pathway through to CIS and for many, it’s their opportunity to perform and earn a place at Sydney Olympic Park next month. A team off 77 athletes, comprising students from Years 3-11 competed in track events from 100-800m, Long Jump, High Jump, Shot, Discus and Javelin. All athletes performed well, and a special congratulations to Age Group placegetters: Baxter Carruthers (3^rd Jnr Boys) and Oliver Rogers (3^rd 11 yr boys), Cody Wellings (2^nd 12 yrs), Ashlee Morgan (3^rd 13yrs), Joe Fenwicke (3^rd 13yrs), Archie McMaster (2^nd 14yrs) and Charles Hamilton (2^nd 16yrs). TAS finished 3^rd overall, our best performance to date.

The following students have now qualified for the NSW CIS Athletics Championships:
Alice Howlett, Ashlee Morgan, Emily Ussher, Charlie Ward, Isabella Henderson, Georgia Rose, Harriet Crawford, Camilla Coupland, Isla Green, Mia Croker, Charlotte Craig, Madeleine Nicholls, Isabella Crawford, Chelsea Bourke, Olivia Cannington, George Douglas-Menzies, Cody Wellings, Thomas Watt, Samuel Ford, Joe Fenwicke, Oliver Saunders, Sinclair Little, Archie McMaster, Rowan Sullivan, Charles Hamilton, Ali Newton and Lennox Neilson.

Mr James Pennington

TAS Sleepout

The kindness and empathy of TAS came to the fore last week, in support of those less fortunate in our local community. With the brilliant support of the SRC, a Mufti-Day was held on Friday, with the theme being wear ‘High Vis’, to highlight homelessness (too often hidden from view in our towns and cities). In lieu of the usual gold coin, students were asked to donate a can of food, something easy to prepare and nutritional. The response was fantastic, with 1.2 tonnes of canned goods passed onto the Armidale Neighbourhood Centre, their biggest contribution ever! Year 10 (well done Mr Lane) provided the largest amount, therefore they will enjoy a BBQ lunch at the end of this term, with a few treats courtesy of the P&F.

On Saturday night, the TAS Sleepout was held within the school grounds. Again, an incredible take-up by the students (from Years 3-11), with 136 committing to sleeping outside, in the elements with no shelter, only a piece of cardboard or a tarpaulin to provide some protection. Working in tandem was the TAS Master Chef, with staff (led by Dr Horton) and the Mayor, Mr Sam Coupland working in 2-hour shifts with groups of students, cooking meals in the McConville Centre for the community. The late night and early morning failed to quell the enthusiasm, for 146 meals were cooked, ranging from Chilli Con Carne to Beef Cheeks and Lasagne. My most sincere thanks to all the students, the parents and staff who
gave up their time, provided their energy and their support for a wonderful cause.

Mr James Pennington

The HSC Creative Arts students are truly in the thick of it. On Monday we had the HSC Drama and Visual Arts showcase, DADA (Drama Art Drama Art, or the triumphant reveal sound “dada”), which was a lovely exhibition of those projects and then a sneak peek at the shadow play devised by the HSC Drama class. The Drama students have their formal NESA examinations tomorrow and the HSC Visual Art Bodies of Work have been submitted for marking in Term 4. Our HSC Music students are also nearing the end, with Music 2 compositions due next week and the HSC Music 1, 2 and Extension Showcase Final Note next Tuesday night 6:15pm in the Hoskins Centre – all members of the TAS community are invited to attend and get a glimpse at the incredible musicianship of those students.

 
BOOK TICKETS HERE
 
Mr Andrew O’Connell
Head of Creative Arts

Sleep Out

Last Saturday, a large number of students and staff spent the night sleeping out to raise awareness for homelessness. The night was certainly a cold one and I commend all of our students who took up this challenge to experience what it would be like, albeit for one night. Additionally, I commend the students who participated in the cooking sessions that ran throughout the night with some 115 plus meals being donated to the local homeless shelter in Armidale. Congratulations to all involved.

Middle School Play

The Middle School Play, History’s Worst Decisions and the People that Made Them takes to the stage from Thursday night. This production, under the direction of Mr Wheatley, has been in rehearsals for a few months now and is sure to be a great night’s entertainment. I hope many of our Middle School students and families are able to attend and show their support to these students. I look forward to attending this week and congratulate all involved.

Year 8 Creative Arts Immersion Days

I am pleased to be letting our Year 8 families know of a two-day Arts immersion experience on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 September (Week 8) for all current Year 8 students. It has a focus on creativity, literacy, and collaborative learning, with students watching professional artists, participating in workshops, and working on an elective project to share with an audience. This is an opportunity to give students experiences they have missed in the last couple of years because of COVID. It is also a chance to welcome back parents to see the work their children are doing and showcase the richness of the TAS program. Students will have an opportunity to participate in four workshops (English, Art, Drama, Music) and then choose an elective to continue with in the fifth session. The work of the fifth session will culminate in an afternoon exhibition/performance. Parents will be encouraged to attend the afternoon. It is anticipated that the cost of these two days will be $35, including lunch on both days. I offer my thanks to Mr Andrew O’Connell and the Creative Arts Faculty for coordinating this experience for our Year 8 students. Please refer to the email sent to Year 8 families by Mr O’Connell.

Mr Luke Polson
Head of Middle School

Year 3-5 Choirs - New England Sings – Important Information

Congratulations to Mr Jim Pennington and a very stoic bunch of students and staff who made it their business to acknowledge and raise awareness of this predicament which exists closer to our doorstep than we knew. With generous donations of tinned food from you all, over 20 of our junior students participated in the preparation of and the contribution to last Saturday’s sleep-out. It was cold, it was uncomfortable, but it was a poignant way to bring home the complexities of those who have nowhere to go to sleep. Well done to all involved.

Junior School Sport – A change of Season

You’ll see that Mrs Wright has spoken about the last weekend of winter sport for most of our juniors this weekend. It is timely then to thank her and her wonderful team of coaches for what can be a challenging role; coaching is a notoriously complex task balancing the needs of all participants as much as is required in the classroom. We thank them all.

Our youngest team members listen carefully to Mila Nexo as she assists with training. It has been amazing to have older students assisting with our training sessions this season.

You will have received a new Summer Sport Choice form today requesting your child’s preferences for the upcoming summer season. We apologise for the error in the previous form and any inconvenience caused. Please read the new form carefully and make your selections, asking us if you have any queries.

Sport at TAS is a vital component of the all-round well-being of our students. It has been very well documented; the social, emotional and physical benefits are as well researched as they are plentiful. It is so pleasing that most of our younger students choose an activity to pursue through the summer. I look forward to seeing our sporting program continue to flourish.

Year 3-5 Choirs – New England Sings – Important Information

Year 3 to 5 families will have received a letter outlining changes to the NE Sings program announced recently. With the completion of the Performance Theatre at Armidale Secondary College, NECOM has announced that there will now be only one combined concert for all choirs – to be held on Sunday October 23,  from 2.30 – 4.00 pm.

As a result, there have been some changes to the schedule and it is important that you note these now. For rehearsal purposes, TAS has been allocated to Choir No. 1, while all choirs will come together on both Saturday and Sunday, October 22 & 23.

While we understand that there will be some who are unable to commit, we hope that as many students from our Year 3-5 choir will attend as possible, for all rehearsals and the performance. Transport will be organised for students who require assistance to attend.

As in previous years, the dress code for all students in the Primary choirs for the concert on the final weekend is as follows – black pants (can be bought inexpensively at local chain stores),  coloured t-shirt (no logos), black pants (no leggings), black socks, black school shoes.

Limited tickets for New England Sings! are now on sale and can be purchased through the following link: www.trybooking.com/CBWYY Ticket prices are Adults $30, FT students $20. Please book early to avoid missing out. Choristers do not have to purchase tickets.

School Spirits

Congratulations to the following students that received School Spirit Awards last week:
Sonny Salvador, Ellie Chiu, Jayden Chen, Olivia Whysall, Aaryan Peddi, Rayyan Shahid, Leo Thavapalasundaram, Kieran Ahern, Ed Murray, Raymond Wang, Toby Whysall, Emi Fawcett, Sienna Nelson-Straub, Georgia Flynn, Darcy Jackson, Baxter Carruthers, Nancy Ma, Joshua Bourke, Edward Gillman, Cecilia Price, Olivia Colyvas and Maya Kauffmann.

Happy Birthday

 Felix Boyce, Macie Pearson, and Nancy Ma all celebrate birthdays this week. Many happy returns to you all.

Mr Ian Lloyd
Head of Junior School

Year 3 Excursion to Balala Station

On Monday 29 August, Year 3 visited Balala Station, owned by Richard and Sarah Daugherty. It was a very informative excursion where Richard and Sarah ignited the students’ passion for sustainable farming.

Richard and Sarah are extremely conscious of their decisions with the land and therefore have designed a system that focuses on harbouring the natural ecosystem, not using harmful chemicals and a reduction in waste.

Richard spoke to the children about improving the soil and ensuring that the animals had enough protein in their feed, rotation of fields, improving water retention and increasing organic matter.

We were also very fortunate to get to play with some piglets and we thank both Richard and Sarah for all their efforts. It was a fantastic excursion, and we were so fortunate to have this opportunity.

https://www.balala.com.au/

Mrs Grania Fawcett and Mrs Lana Hawksford

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