TAS Talks Term 3 Week 4

City to Surf

As readers of TAS Talks will see later in this edition, the 2019 City to Surf was the biggest and most significant yet for the TAS team. Some might have thought that the 2018 venture could not have been bettered at TAS, but it seems it could and everything from the number of competitors to the seamless organisation and great ‘vibe’ throughout the event this year showed that.

Every time that we see a huge take-up in a demanding event like this, and I will say the same for the other legs of the Awesome Foursome challenge, the message travels through our student body that testing your physical and mental boundaries is not only possible, it is a good thing and it gives entree to a community that thrives on it. That makes us a better place and it reinforces a school culture that we can all be proud of.

The ‘Guns out for Tombsy’ focus this year and the great efforts of the team doing the pushing added plenty to the run and the profile it received was reflected in the good motives for it. Getting behind, literally, one of our own speaks volumes for our culture and I was very proud of that too. It was done so naturally and with such good grace that it was clearly just something that we do here. The same message was passed on to me at the finish line by the Deputy Head of Masada College in Sydney who saw a group of our girls running past Cranbrook School on New South Head Road stop when they saw a small boy lost in the crowd. They took his hand and headed backwards to where help was available. He thought it extraordinary, but I am sure it is just what we would have expected.

Whilst our Coordinator of Service and Challenge, Jim Pennington, has rightly offered congratulations and thanks to the many who participated in and helped with the event, the reality that we all know is that this simply would not have been the success that it was without his leadership and I offer our collective thanks and congratulations to him for another wonderful job.

Curtain Up and Stitch-In-Time

The first of our HSC creative showcases was staged last Tuesday evening with great fanfare and a big and energised crowd on hand to enjoy the work of both our textiles and drama students. The Hoskins foyer was adorned with the major works of our very first HSC textiles class and they impressed. Each of the ensembles on show was an expression of personality and I think that peers and teachers alike would have been able to link the outfits with their makers without any problem. It was very encouraging to see the interest of younger students and I look forward to seeing that grow into future textiles classes.

In the theatre, our actors joined with fellow drama students and dancers from PLC to put on a big, eclectic and entertaining show. Individual and group performances rotated through the evening, with the more mature content available in the drama curriculum retained for the Senior School session after intermission. The Creative Arts practical examinations are distinguished from other HSC exams in being marked in front of peers, parents and teachers and there can be no doubt about the courage of these young performers as they get out and do their thing in front of their peers. Even in the face of this social and academic pressure, their confidence, composure and creativity was quite striking and I congratulate them and their teacher Andrew O’Connell on the polished final products of their year.

Cello Honours

I offer special congratulations to Year 12 music student Disa Smart on her recent success in being awarded a cello position in the Australian Honours Ensemble Program, a national youth orchestra, at the Brisbane Conservatorium. This elite program attracted over 1,000 applicants, all talented young musicians who had already been vetted and recommended by teachers, making Disa’s selection a significant achievement. Disa, who is taught through Sofia Debus Heart Strings Studio, is clearly on an impressive trajectory, having won the open instrumental championship and the Conservatorium Shield for the most promising instrumentalist of 2019 at the Tamworth Eisteddfod and I look forward to seeing what comes of her cello career in the years ahead.

Quasquicentennial Celebrations

The celebration of our 125^th anniversary as a school continued last weekend in Sydney, alongside sport at Riverview, the annual general meeting of the TAS Company and the mass pilgrimage of TAS runners for the City to Surf. Organised largely by the Sydney branch of the Old Armidalians’ Union, around 140 of the TAS family gathered at a venue in York Street for a lunch that featured inspiring presentations from two prominent Old Armidalians; former Wallaby Richard Tombs and our first female Senior Prefect Treenie Osborne. It was a chance for past students and family to come together to reminisce, celebrate, catch up on school developments and hear the perspectives of two of their own and it did all those things well. I am grateful to the team in Sydney who continue to support their old school so well and I look forward to the next round of celebrations in Canberra this weekend.

Murray Guest

2020 CAS Hawker Scholarships

Applications for the 2020 Charles Hawker Scholarships open on Monday 9 December and close on 8 January  2020. An application form and further information about C.A.S. Hawker and the scholarship are available from www.hawkerscholarship.org or by contacting the secretary to the Trustees in Adelaide on 08 8127 1654.

Hawker Scholarships are valued at up to $60,000.00 over three years and are amongst the most generous, privately funded, residential scholarships available to Australian undergraduate and postgraduate students. Joint Australian of the Year Dr Richard Harris SC OAM recently presented 2019 C.A.S. Hawker Scholarships to four recipients at a function at St Mark’s College in Adelaide.

There are a number of scholarships awarded each year. The Trustees offer them to capable students of principle and character who have demonstrated a commitment to the wider community. Selection is based on personal qualities as well as academic ability.

More information can be gained on www.hawkerscholarship.org

UAC Newsletter

Universities Admission Centre has posted it latest newsletter for your consideration. It contains the following topics:

• ATARs Released Same Day As HSC
• All 2020 Courses Online in August
• UAC Pin Reminder Emails Coming Soon
• Why Apply Through UAC
• Changes To International Baccalaureate
• Subject Compass For Year 10 Students Has Arrived
• Educational Access Schemes Application Guide
• It’s Open Day Season
• UAC Coming To A Town Near You
• Key Dates For 2019–20 Admissions
• Got A Question?
• Institution News

See link below for more details.

https://enews.uac.edu.au/t/ViewEmail/r/7D9CCDD4D447A5502540EF23F30FEDED/AF8098065DF0AE028BD4C707EBCCB890

Visits to TAS in the coming weeks

Cromwell College UQ – 4 September – Upper Maxwell

Principal Mr Ross Switzer will be visiting the school on 4 September to speak interested students about residential life at the University of Queensland. Any Year 11 or 12 students considering UQ as an option for further study I recommend you come and listen to the presentation.

University of Newcastle (UON) – 5 September – Hoskins Theatre

Kate Krajewski from the UON will be it TAS on 5 September to talk to interested students about studying at UON. We generally have a large amount of interest from students about studying at UON so if you have been considering UON as a destination for your tertiary years please come along.

University of New England

Brian See from UNE will visit TAS during Week 6 so assist students with UAC, Early Entry and residential college applications. This has proved to very useful in the past. It will be conducted during the students’ Advisor group time in Week 6. Final arrangements will be publicised amongst the students.

Mr Mark Taylor
Careers Advisor

Cadets - Activities Day 5 (16 August)

Activities Day 5 will be held on Friday 16 August. All cadets will attend an activities briefing on Tuesday 13 August and will be informed about the required equipment. All cadets will be dismissed following final parade at 5.00pm on Friday afternoon.

Parents of students or student leaders in B Company should have received a permission form for school firearms safety training. It is important that these forms (or a current Minor’s Permit) are returned to the school either by mail/fax or by email to Miss Emma Channon in order for your child to participate in these School activities.

The activities will be conducted as follows:

A Company

1 & 2 Platoon – Kayak touring on Clarence River near Copmanhurst; 1 & 2 Platoons will meet for roll call at 3.30pm, departing at 4pm on Thursday 15 August. A night kayak paddle and overnight bivouac will be conducted, and students will require overnight gear as specified in the list below.

3 Platoon – Advanced First Aid training at TAS.

B Company

4, 5, 6 & 7 Platoons – Firearms safety training (Non-Australian Army Cadets, TAS Rifle Club conducted activity), navigation, first aid and bush cooking to be conducted at ‘Loch Abba’ property. No overnight activities.

C Company

8, 9, 10 & 11 Platoons – Navigation, fieldcraft, bush cooking and abseiling to be conducted at ‘Newholme’ property and Baker’s Creek Gorge. No overnight activities.

Cadet equipment for kayak tour: 1 & 2 Platoon only

Dress during the kayak tour exercise is appropriate wet and cold weather clothing and water shoes suitable for kayaking. Note that all equipment must be able to be carried in pack only – no webbing will be carried on the kayak trek. Sleeping bag may be carried externally to pack. Required equipment includes: 

Back Pack (issued)

• Hootchie (issued)
• Spray jacket* / raincoat*
• Kidney Cup*
• KFS set*
• Water bottles x 2 (issued)
• Towel (small)
• Jumper Camo (issued)
• Torch + spare batteries*
• Plastic bag for wet gear
• Sun screen & insect repellent (tube or roll-on only)
• Change of dry clothes, underwear & socks
• 3m hootchie cord/rope/’occy strap’*
• Pegs x 4*
• Ground sheet (issued)
• Sleeping bag* & Mat*
• Olive Green thermal undershirt*
• Toiletries bag (soap, toothbrush + paste etc)
• Wet gear (swimmers, shirt & shorts)
• Cadet bush hat*

*Available for purchase from TAS Clothing Shop

MAJ (AAC) Angus Murray
Commanding Officer Cadets       

Australian Honours Ensemble Program - Congratulations Disa Smart

Congratulations to Disa Smart who has been offered a place in the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Australian Honours Ensemble Program 2019. This is a wonderful achievement for Disa, as there were over 1,000 applicants and all of those had already been vetted and recommended by their teachers.

Disa has accepted a cello position in the Australian Honours Ensemble Program (a national youth orchestra) which is held at the Brisbane Conservatorium. This is a unique opportunity for students to work in an intensive environment of musical excellence with their peers. Disa is a student of the Sofia Debus Heart Strings studio and is currently preparing for her HSC Music 2 and Music Extension performance examinations.
 

AMEB Exams

The AMEB exams are being held at the New England Conservatorium of Music (NECOM) at the moment and we wish all our TAS students sitting their exams all the best. We like to celebrate the achievements of music students so please let us know the outcome of your AMEB examinations. If you would like us to publish AMEB results in TAS Talks please email Mrs Edmonds at music@as.edu.au

Save the Date for the 'Final Note' Concert on Tuesday 27 August at 6.30pm

Our HSC music students are busily rehearsing their repertoire in preparation for upcoming HSC trials next week and the final performance exams. Many people might not be aware that HSC Music students have their final performance examinations later this term where they will perform up to six instrumental or vocal pieces in front of the HSC examiners. As part of the preparation for these final performance examinations, HSC Music students will perform their repertoire at the ‘Final Note’ concert being held in the Hoskins Theatre on 27 August at 6.30pm. The Final Note event is not to be missed, so be sure to save the date in your diaries.

Ms Leanne Roobol
Director of Music

Early Adolescence

As well we know, adolescence is ‘that stage’ when young people undergo many physical, emotional and social changes. It can be a challenging period for many parents who may discover their once biddable child begins to resist their authority for the first time. Their once happy son may now be a little withdrawn, or a formerly friendly daughter may become rather more challenging to please. Children: they’re not silly; they’ll always test those who value them most, because they know you’ll stay around and do your best to broker their awkwardness. It can be a difficult time for young people. Not quite kids and not fully fledged as adolescents, they are caught in a type of limbo. It can also be a sad time for young people. Many look back and realize that they can never really be ‘carefree little kids’ again, yet looking ahead they can be apprehensive, knowing that adolescence will present them with its own peculiar raft of challenges.

This particular stage can provide a window of opportunity for families. It is a time to help prepare your child for adolescence, and even adulthood. Parents and staff must maintain a relationship based on mutual respect and shared interest. It is also a time to help children get on the right track at school before learning challenges become too great and developing adolescents simply ‘give up’ rather than appear inadequate in front of their peers because they tried and failed. It is the start of a period of challenging, thoughtful support and management of these people. I’ve said this before and I’m going to do it again, we’re ‘in this one together’ – so, any help you can give will be reciprocated at this end. I’ve been heartened of late with some parents coming to see or call me with comments or concerns – this indicates that Middle School life is, well, normal actually. Our on-going communication is suggestive of mutually dependent support systems and this, in turn, presumes that shared information needs to be ‘warts and all’ communication.

When it ‘comes to the crunch’ these young people are deserving of our support, of a little breathing space, of acceptance even when we sometimes don’t understand, or don’t want to understand. Granted, I know that dealing with them can be frustrating occasionally but, more often than not, it is fascinating as well. They can make you laugh, encourage you to see things clearly and simply (not simplistically!) and on their good days they just make your days less ‘fraught’. I don’t often write like this – perhaps that’s a good thing, but as we begin to navigate the middle of the year, we need to remind ourselves of what’s good about what we do around this very, very busy school. Looking out for their needs and interests is what’s really good about being around this wonderful, prickly, precious, grunting and exacting group of people. They’re worth the effort; at the very least, they’re going to be looking after us one day.

Leaving School Grounds – reminder about Absentees & Leave Request

This inclusion constitutes a reminder to all students and families about the correct procedure to follow when Middle School people leave the school grounds during school hours (8.45am to 3.30pm). If students have an appointment or are leaving the school grounds for any reason during school time they must sign out and sign back in upon their return – electronically, of course, using the i-pad in Mrs Robyn Frost’s office. Students are aware of procedures as they’ve been reminded of same during the Middle School Town Meeting assemblies. This procedure ensures that the ‘school’ knows where the students are at all times. I am writing in the first instance to seek your help. As indicated, I have spoken to all boys and girls about absences from School. It is a NESA requirement that all absences are explained. A note or email from parents explaining the absence is required when your child returns to school or on the day of his / her illness. If illness extends four consecutive days, a medical certificate is to accompany a student’s return to school. As you know, we require you as parents and carers to complete leave requests if you need to take your child out of school for an upcoming planned absence. (Medical/Dental appointments do not need leave request forms.) Application forms for exemption from attendance are on the school website and are to be emailed to middle@as.edu.au or handed in to the Middle School Office for approval by the Head of Middle School. Please note: medical leave notwithstanding, leave cannot be taken until a certificate for exemption from attendance at school is received.

Weather

They’re amazing these people and some, it seems, are impervious to extremes – of weather, as a matter of fact. However, we are not: if you’re the people responsible for day students, please could you ensure that these children are prepared for extremes. Today, after the snow, being the second lot in as many days, is just very cold. There’s no embellishment here – it’s just very cold. Boarders will be sent to get jumpers if they are outside because this is not the weather for clothes debates. In no way do these comments ‘fly in the face’ of what appears above – sometimes we just know what’s best.

There’s nitrogen in that snow.

Mr Mark Harrison
Head of Middle School

Tezukayama visit next week – TAS/TEZ Junior School BBQ on Wednesday 21 August

This weekend, on Saturday 17 August, we welcome our guests from Tezukayama Gakuin School for their visit to Armidale. Without the billeting support from our parents, this exchange would not be possible and we thank them all for their generosity. Please note that we will be holding a Farewell BBQ on Wednesday 21 August in Junior School, with music, games, jumping castle and you are all warmly invited. There is also a final assembly on Tuesday 20 August in the Hoskins Theatre which will be a special moment when our schools join together. For more details, please see the program that is attached.

Jump Rope for Heart

All Junior School students should have brought home a welcome letter last week to remind them of our important and valuable fundraiser for this term.  I encourage all families to have a look at the following link with the idea of encouraging our students to get involved in Jump Rope for Heart (https://www.jumprope.org.au/parents). We have a growing number of fundraisers and I congratulate them on their efforts. You will see additional information from Mrs Wright later in this edition.

Activities Day No 4 – Book Parade

This Friday will be another busy day with Junior School participating in a number of special activities. During period 1, you will have received notice of the Book Parade in the Hoskins Centre and all are welcome. This is followed by classroom activities, preparing for Tezukayama and then all of Junior School will be attending a puppetry performance of Roald Dahl’s The Twits in the Hoskins Theatre…what a great way to end the week.

Sport in Junior School

I was lucky to see a few events at the recent PSSA Athletics and what a great day it was (as opposed to last weekend’s Saturday sport…..) You will see the results mentioned by Mrs Wright (especially for Mohammed Almokhtar, Charlie Ward and Millie Coupland in Yr 6) but I would like to add how pleasing it was to see students from all Schools getting on so well. On another note, well done to all our students and courageous supporters for their performance on Saturday. While is was good to see a little moisture around, did it have to be accompanied by that wind? You will see some great reports about how well the season is going in the Sports section.

School Spirit

Congratulations to the following students for receiving School Spirit Awards at last week’s assembly:

Mehleen Sandhu, Hugh Blackwell, Liam Hoad, Levi Watts, George Drain, Edward Gillman, Ruby Ogilvie, Sophie Brett, Norah Al-Qahtani, Harry Brownlie, Sophia White, Tom Rowe and Archer Starr.

Happy Birthday

Many happy returns for their special days go to Arabella Blanchard, Ellen Adams, Rebecca Billingsley, Patrick Bourke and Freddie Post.

Mr Ian Lloyd
Head of Junior School 

Jump Rope for Heart

Thank you to those wonderful 11 children who have registered for Jump Rope for Heart. We only have 10 days left until our Jump Off next Friday, 23 August so any extra support for this great fundraiser would be appreciated.

Thanks for taking action to help your child be physically active, healthy and learn some awesome skipping skills! At the same time, they’ll be giving back to the community by raising money to help fight heart disease.  To make fundraising fun and easy, you can create your own secure webpage at www.jumprope.org.au

Sign up to share your child’s progress and let the funds roll in. Your child can earn virtual badges along the way and your page will highlight the prizes up for grabs. Happy Skipping!

Physical Culture

Two weekends ago we travelled to Toowoomba for our first interclub competition of the year. This competition gave the girls the opportunity to compete against numerous Queensland clubs. It was a great day and wonderful to see such strong team spirit from the Armidale girls. Maya Slade’s age group has particularly hard choreography and it was great to see her remember it all and enjoy being on the floor. Peyton Slade danced well and got a second place. Both girls are working hard in class towards our next interclub in Armidale in several weeks time.

 

PSSA Results

Official results and ribbons have now come through from the PSSA association. Congratulations to the following students who competed well on the day.

Boys
10 yrs 100m – 3^rd Sam Ford (15.43)
11 yrs 100m – 3^rd Oliver Goudge (15.32)
Junior Long Jump – 1^st Mohammed Almokhtar (3.32m)
Junior Discus – 3^rd Mohammed Almokhtar (19.01m)
Junior Shot – 3^rd Sam Ford (7.21m)

Girls
Senior Long Jump
1^st Millie Coupland (3.44m)
2^nd Tempe Macarthur Onslow (3.37m)
11yrs Discus – 1^st Charlie Ward (20.32m)
11yrs Shot – 3^rd Charlie Ward (7.71m)

NCIS Athletics - 20 August in Coffs Harbour

Invitations to compete in the NCIS Athletics Carnival have been sent out last week. Please ensure you take into account which events you have been nominated for and whether you would like to compete in this competition. All permission notes should have now been handed in to Mrs Lasker or Mrs Wright.

Hockey

TAS Navy

Well last week we saw the importance of strategies in a game. We have been working on corners and passing in training. Instead of hitting the ball directly at the goalie when trying to score, they are now quickly passing to another player before shooting, moving the goalie out of the way. We have also encouraged players not to hit the ball out when they are close to our goal resulting in us then having to have a short corner. It was a training session on strategies, strategies, strategies.

I am delighted with Ryne Wilkinson’s improved skills and he was particularly chuffed when he scored his first goal for the season. Jack Wood was an excellent goalie and Xavier Leary, Sam Ford, Hugo Broun, Joe Fenwicke were our sensational forwards.

I am pleased to say that they boys are really encouraging others, which is impacting on their game. The final score was 5 – 1.

Mrs Lana Hawksford

Netball

The TAS Go team braved the very cold and very windy weather on Saturday for our game. The ASCS Diamonds were thrown by our cleverly crafted code words and quick feet. Our defence really had to step up as we were a few players short. The TAS team impressed with their perseverance in pretty tough conditions. It is clear how much they love the game and enjoy getting out there and having a go even against very stiff competition!

Mrs Anna O’Connor

Football

TAS WHITE U12s

On Saturday, TAS White faced the wind, rain and sleet to play football against Armidale City Blue. In the first few seconds the opposing team scored a goal and we knew we were going to be up for a fight. In the next few seconds Blake passed the ball to Will who passed it onto Mohammed who was able to score. The score was 1-all at the end of the first two minutes of play!! The game continued to be close and we remembered to call for the ball and take care with our passes. Unfortunately, we had to accept defeat; but we played well and did our best. Thank you to Andy Hardin for stepping in to play with us on such a cold morning and Peter and Hugo, our mighty Year 4 supporters.

By Katie Hynes (Year 5)