TAS Talks Term 4 Week 8

This week, Activities Week, is one of the highlights of the TAS school calendar. All Middle and Senior School students are currently spread between a range of locations in Northern NSW, engaged in a range of challenging activities.

I write this following 24 hours with the Year 9 girls (6 Platoon), including their experience of the infamous Mount Lofty hike. As the first platoon up this year, liberal use of a machete was required to clear the path upwards. It was a long day and spirits ranged from high to very low at different stages, but the girls all shone in different ways; through their quiet determination, their care of others who were struggling, or their leadership of the group.

Challenge is relative for everyone, but there is no doubt that every student taking part in cadets in particular this week will have been pushed outside of their comfort zone. Many will have done things they didn’t think that they were capable of. I hope all of our students are finishing the year with some pride in what they have achieved, and no doubt with some good stories to tell when the blisters and mozzie bites have healed.

This is also a much-anticipated week for our Junior School students with the first performance of Shrek taking place tomorrow afternoon. I have heard wonderful reports of how the rehearsals have gone and I look forward to seeing the end product.

The events of this week represent fantastic opportunities for all of our students. It is an incredible feat to have every Middle and Senior School student out for this week at the same time, with minimal use of external assistance. Huge thanks must go to all staff involved, who give so much extra time and effort to organise and facilitate Activities Week at this busy time of year.

Dr Rachel Horton
Principal

Please see below the key events occurring during the school day next week along with uniform requirements for students. 

Monday 5/12

Current Year 8’s 2023 Year 9 Orientation Program (8.40am – 1.00pm)

All other students  – Normal School Day 

Uniform: 

All-Summer Uniform

Tuesday 6/12

Final Combined MS/SS Assembly (8.40-9.25am)

Middle/Senior School – Cash Cup inter-house competition (9.25am – 3.30pm).

Junior School – Pool Party Monckton Aquatic (9.00am – 11.00am)

Uniform: 

Middle and Senior School Students in House Sports Uniform 

Junior School in Summer Uniform

Wednesday 7/12

Normal School Day

Uniform: 

All-Summer Uniform

Thursday 8/12

Junior School Speech Day (9.00am-11.00am)

Middle School – Parent Lunch and Final Assembly (12.30pm-3.30pm) (Period 3 Carols Service)

Senior School – Normal School Day (Period 3 Carols Service, Period 7 Final Clean-up)

Uniform: 

Junior and Middle School in Formal Uniform 

Senior School – Summer Uniform

Friday 9/12

Senior/Middle School Speech Day – 9.30am – 11.30am

Uniform: 

Middle and Senior School in Formal Uniform

I look forward to connecting with many of our families during the range of events planned during the final week of the academic year.

Mr Ray Pearson
Deputy Principal

Christmas Puddings

Don’t miss out on your 2022 pudding.   Place orders and pay for your pudding purchase through this link TAS P&F Christmas Pudding.

Once you have ordered, feel free to collect from TAS Reception.

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

With the Middle and Senior School Speech Day concluding at approx 11.15am on Friday 9 December, all boarders have been advised to vacate their respective boarding houses by Midday. This will allow all Heads of House to attend the staff Christmas Party where a number of the departing staff will be farewelled. Heads of House have already advised their boarders that all personal belongings must be removed from dormitories and rooms at the end of term so each House can be thoroughly cleaned over the Christmas break. Boarders should discuss directly with their respective Head of House in-house storage options.

While in-house prep at the back end of Term 4 has been well received by the Years 9 & 10 boarders, this arrangement was only temporary and evening prep across Years 9 & 10 will revert to either the classrooms or the Learning Hub from the commencement of Term 1, 2023. These arrangements will be finalised during the upcoming break.

Heads of House will be in contact with their respective house families by the end of Week 9 and again in the New Year regarding information pertinent to the start of Term 1 2023 including boarding House opening times on Monday 30 January and the Coast Weekend from Friday 03 – Sunday 05 February 2023.

Wishing you all a festive and safe Christmas break.

David Drain
Director of Boarding

Activities Week

This week sees all of our Year 6, 7, and 8 students away on a week of Outdoor Education. I commend all of our students for their commitment to this important part of our annual calendar and I thank all of our wonderful staff who are travelling at the moment to ensure this program runs smoothly. We look forward to hearing the many stories and adventures when everyone returns on Friday.

Week 9

It is hard to believe that we are at that point of the year already where we are talking about end-of-term events. I have included below a summary of Week 9 events for Middle School students. I look forward to catching up with you all next week.

Monday 5 December

• The normal school day for Years 6 and 7 (summer uniform)

• Year 8 students will be participating in a Year 8 into 9 Orientation from 8:40am – 1:00pm. This will conclude with a visit to the pool. Please ensure that Year 8 students have their TAS swimmers and towel. Normal summer uniform for the remainder of the day.

Tuesday 6 December

• The day begins with a whole school assembly followed by Cash Cup for all of Years 6, 7 and 8. Students are to be wearing their house uniform for the day.

Wednesday 7 December

• The normal school day for all of Years 6, 7, and 8.

• Normal summer uniform for all students

Thursday 8 December

• All Middle School students are to be wearing their formal school uniform, including blazers.

• Middle School Lunch (commences 12:30pm)  and Final Assembly (commences 2:00pm).

Friday 9 December

• All Middle School students are to be wearing their formal school uniform, including blazers.

If you have any questions or concerns at any stage, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Mr Luke Polson
Head of Middle School

Bike Safety Day and Triathlon

Mrs Christine Wright has reported on this fantastic day in this edition of TAS Talks. So, really, all I have to say is thank you to all those involved, it’s a large enough team not to be able to do them all justice here; but, what a cracker!

It’s another example of our community coming together for the sake of our kids. Photos are now available in the JS album…check it out!

They are fantastic. (https://photos.app.goo.gl/3i6wKGTKrYRUHEgF8)

End of Year arrangements – it’s a busy time!

As the year draws to a close, you should have all received an invitation to the End of Year celebrations and activities planned in Junior School. If this is not the case or you have any questions about the arrangements please contact us at school.

Final Junior School Assembly, SHREK and JS Speech day

These details have been emailed to you today, confirming the time and arrangements for these events. Please note the requirements for uniform and attendance. This is a very busy time of the year and I understand that some students may prefer not to attend in some circumstances. However, it is very important that we finish the year as expected and are able to acknowledge the year appropriately. Please let us know if your child is unable to attend any school function.

Shrek – Arrangements for the season…

With our Shrek Jr performances this week, please read the following details carefully for the dress rehearsals, matinee, and evening performances. Please call us if you have questions about any aspect of the musical or its associated arrangements.

Attendance of students at all performances.

All students will be in each of the performances, either as part of the chorus or alternatively as leads as advertised. Please note that the arrival and departure routines for your child will vary depending on the performance. If you have any questions, please contact us for clarification.

Matinee Performances Thursday 1 December – (Cast 1) and Friday 2 December – (Cast 2)

On Thursday and Friday, students should come to school as normal in school uniform. Staff at school will organise and supervise changing into costume in class. Makeup for these performances will be completed at school by staff, senior students, and parents who can assist where required. They will move to the Hoskins Centre at 1.00pm and the performance will begin at 1.30pm. All students will return to class afterward and all costumes will remain in the classrooms. Departure time and routines will be as usual for all students.

Friday 2 December – Evening Performance (Cast 1)

Lead roles will stay at school from 3.30pm on Friday. Afternoon tea will be provided for them.  All other Students are asked to leave their makeup on from the Friday Matinee and return to their classrooms at 5.00 pm to get into their costumes and touch up their makeup if needed. Students will be available for collection from the Undercover area in Junior School.

Please note that any students staying at school in our OSHC service, they should bring some simple and easy-to-eat food to see them through the night.

Saturday 3 December – Evening Performance (Cast 2)

On Saturday, all leads are to arrive at 4.00pm.  All other Students are asked to return to their classrooms at 4.30pm on Saturday, prior to the evening performances on Friday and Saturday night. Students will get changed into costumes in their rooms and will have makeup completed by staff and parents who can assist where required. After each performance, all costumes must be returned to the classrooms.

Following the final performance of Shrek Jr, refreshments will be provided in the TAS Hoskins Centre foyer. This will run immediately after the final performance and will conclude by 8:15pm. For catering purposes, please advise your class teacher on the number of adults that will be attending.

School Spirits

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

Riley Sykes, Ayaan Bin Mahadi, Bradley Byrnes, Odin Lee-Winser, Daisy Hammond, Rory Watts, Aaryan Peddi, Raymond Wang, Sansa Ranawake, Carla Price, Casey Tighe, Rory Secker, Rupert Newton, Will Dennison, Levi Watts, Olivia Colyvas and Arabella Hodges.

Happy Birthday

Many happy returns to Evie McDonald for her birthday last week and for Artie Rylands and Myles Wright for their special days this week

Mr Ian Lloyd
Head of Junior School

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