TAS Talks Term 1 Week 6

Lions’ Youth of the Year

Congratulations are again due to Will Forsyth on success in the prestigious Lions’ Youth of the Year competition. After winning the Armidale round of the competition, Will went on to represent the Armidale Dumaresq Lions Club at the regional competition. Five winners of local club competitions from Armidale, Inverell and Glen Innes competed for the regional title last weekend and Will was named as the winner of both the public speaking and the overall competition. Whilst the focus of the evening event is public speaking, the competition recognises the Lions’ values of purposeful and ethical involvement in community and it is very encouraging that Will’s strong contributions to his community have been recognised beyond the School. Tim Hughes has reported further on the competition, including Will’s public speaking, in this edition of TAS Talks and I recommend that to you.

Swimming Success

Following the efforts at our own swimming carnivals, the best of our swimmers have been representing the School at higher levels and details of those efforts are reported in TAS Talks this week. These include the primary and secondary team performances at the North Coast Sports Association (NCIS) championships in Ballina last week and, at the next level, the NSW Country Swimming Championships at the Olympic venue in Sydney where four TAS swimmers competed. Amongst a raft of fine performances, Jesse Streeting’s efforts in setting four new NCIS open records and obtaining two National qualifying times at the Country Championships deserve special congratulations.

Whilst the TAS swimming carnivals feature and value mass participation, swimming at representative level is reserved for those who really commit to the sport and the dedication shown by our best swimmers is impressive. Though their recent efforts have been away from the eye of the School, they are to be admired and I offer our collective congratulations to each of our swimmers.

Junior School to Lake Keepit and Cadet Leaders

As I write our Junior School students from Year 2 to Year 5 are at Lake Keepit for their annual excursion and camp. The purpose of this trip, above the excitement and fun of being away from home with friends, is much like that of our outdoor education program for Middle and Senior School students. Presenting challenge in the outdoors has long been a central pillar of the TAS experience and it is key to our aspirations for character development and this experience for our youngest students is the beginning of that. The activities through the camp, which varies in length depending on age, range from initiative and team building exercises to problem solving and adventure activities, with the emphasis being on presenting the new and unfamiliar to contend with.

Just as the challenges progress from year to year for our Junior School students as they grow, so too do the challenges for our cadets and especially those who aspire to and take on leadership positions. Over the past two weekends more then 50 students have been immersed in leadership training that has deliberately tested them physically and mentally in ways that will prepare them to take on responsibility for others in the field. All the reports I have heard from both parts of the course have been very encouraging and I congratulate all who have been willing to step forward and show their courage and confidence in their own abilities.

Murray Guest

Will wins regional Lions Youth of the Year title

Broad participation across school life, active involvement with the Rural Fire Service and a speech about the importance of community and connection contributed to Year 12 student Will Forsyth being named the Lions Youth of the Year Quest Region 4 winner at the regional titles hosted by Guyra Lions Club on Saturday night. Representing Armidale Dumaresq Lions Club, Will was one of five finalists from Armidale, Inverell and Glen Innes who had each won at club level last year.

On Saturday afternoon contestants were interviewed by judges including Armidale Regional mayor Simon Murray on their academic, leadership, co-curricular and community service achievements and asked a range of questions on social and community issues. That night at Guyra Sports Club they delivered two impromptu speeches (‘Everyone should be a volunteer’ and ‘Music is good for the soul’) and a five minute prepared speech, Will’s being titled ‘No man is an island’ which focussed on the importance of connection and community.

Ultimately Will was announced as winner of both the public speaking and overall competitions and praised by the judges for his achievements and involvement – including in activities such as the TAS musical ‘Oliver’ which, ironically, means he is unable to take up the opportunity to be part of the zone judging at Port Macquarie on 30 March. The quest continues to provide an opportunity for young Australians to develop leadership and communication skills that can set them apart for life. Congratulations to Will for making it to zone level and thanks to the Armidale Dumaresq Lions Club for supporting Will along the way.

Mr Tim Hughes
Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator

Travel

Depart Friday 8 March 2019

• 6:30am Brown Street
• Boarders early breakfast at 6am

Return

• Depart Sawtell Beach 1.30 pm
• Arrive Brown Street at 4.30pm

Staff

Mr J Pennington (0419 250 984), Mr M Ball, Mrs G Chick

Organisation

Friday
Arrive Sawtell approximately 9:00am
Unpack bus

• 9.30am – 10.30am     Beach Session 1
• 10:30am – 12:00pm    Beach Session 2
• 12.00pm-1:00pm         Beach Session
• 1.30pm                          Depart Sawtell
• 4.30pm                          Arrive Armidale

Requirements

Swimmers, goggles. Pens, Manual and Workbook. Casual clothes including covered shoes.
Sunscreen, insect repellent, toiletries.

Dress

To travel – School sports uniform – Full school tracksuit if necessary, white shirt, blue shorts, white socks, sports shoes, hat, water bottle (to be carried onto beach), swimmers (board shorts are not allowed for lifesaving activities; rashies and caps provided), towel.

Meals

Breakfast: Cereal/toast and spreads  at TAS

Lunches: Rolls, salad filling, sliced meat, fruit

Activities Day 2 - Cadets

Activities Day 2 will be held on 8 March, Friday of Week 6. Cadets were briefed on their activities and required equipment on Tuesday 5 March. 

Cadets conducting overnight bivouac (5, 9 & 11 Platoons) are required to meet at TAS Adamsfield for parade on Thursday 7 March at 3.45pm.

All other cadets will assemble at TAS Adamsfield for parade on Friday 8 March at 8.40am.

Activities will cease and cadets released on completion of parade at 3.30pm Friday 8 March.

The activities will be conducted as follows:

A Company

1 Platoon: Abseiling in vicinity of Gara Gorge.

2 Platoon: Mountain Biking, Black Mountain to Armidale via Puddledock.

3 Platoon: Kayak touring at Malpas Dam.

B Company

4 Platoon: Abseiling in vicinity of Gara Gorge.

5 Platoon: Night harbour and routine in vicinity of Mount Duval.  Trek to Dumaresq Dam.

6 Platoon: Kayaking & water activities at Dumaresq Dam.

7 Platoon: Kayaking & water activities at Dumaresq Dam.

C Company

8 Platoon: Canoeing activities at Dumaresq Dam.

9 Platoon: Night harbour and routine in vicinity of Mt Duval.  Trek to Dumaresq Dam.

10 Platoon: Navigation & fieldcraft training at Kirby Station (UNE)

11 Platoon: Night harbour and routine in vicinity of Mt Duval.  Trek to Dumaresq Dam.

Equipment Requirements

Cadets conducting an overnight bivouac (5, 9 & 11 Platoons) should note the below packing list as a minimum. There may be additional equipment required by platoon leaders for cadets. These will have been discussed at activities briefing.

Back Pack (issued)

Compass* Hootchie (issued)

Spray jacket* / raincoat* 5m hutchie cord/rope*

Kidney Cup* (issued) Pegs x 4* (issued)

KFS set* Ground sheet (issued)

Water bottles x 2 (issued) Sleeping bag* & mat*

Towel (small) Olive Green thermal or cotton undershirt*

Notepad (in plastic bag)* Jumper (issued)

Torch + spare batteries* Wet gear (swimmers, shirt & shorts)

Plastic bag for wet gear Bush Hat* (issued)

Sun screen & insect repellent (tube or roll-on only)

Change of underwear & socks*

Toilet bag  (toothbrush + paste, baby powder)

*Available for purchase from TAS Clothing Shop

All members of The Armidale School Cadet Unit (TASCU) will be issued with required equipment by the TAS Q-Store on joining the unit. If this equipment is lost or damaged, it must be replaced at students’ own cost. Many items in the list above can be purchased from the TAS Clothing Shop and have been selected specifically for their suitability for TASCU use and reasonable cost. Clothing that has been outgrown can be replaced at no charge at Q-Store by arrangement with the Quartermaster.

If cadets have questions about their activities, they should in the first instance approach their platoon leader for more information.

MAJ (AAC) Angus Murray
Commanding Officer Cadets

NSW All Schools Triathlon Championships

Netball Season 2019

We are fast approaching the start of the netball season 2019 and registrations are now open.  Our registrations must be finalised by the end of March so I encourage you to complete the registration process as soon as possible.  There is the option to use your Active Kids voucher when you register so please ensure that parents have logged onto their account at service.nsw.gov.au to retrieve your voucher before registering. Please use the following link to register CLICK HERE

If you played last year for TAS or another school and have MyNetball login details you will need to use these, if you have forgotten your details you can use the ‘Forgotten login details?’ link. It is very important that you do not create a new account if you have forgotten your details, email me and I can help you retrieve them.

If you have not played before you will need to set up your account, if you click on the link above there is a section called ‘Don’t have a Login ID?’ so just follow the prompts to set this up.

The registration process is relatively easy, however, if you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact me. Please note, you do not have to enter payment details as the fee will be charged to your TAS account.

Please ask if you have questions on this!

We are also looking for any TAS community members (female and finished school) who would like play in a TAS mums/friends team this year, please email ahudson@as.edu.au if you are interested before 18 March so we can finalise a team or teams.We will be holding trials in week 10 for our TAS 1 (Years 10 – 12) and TAS 2 (Years 6 – 9), more details will follow in the next couple of weeks.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries on this at ahudson@as.edu.au.

Ms Alice Hudson

New England Festival

International History of the New England

It’s coming and, like all things in this school of ours it is so at a rate of knots. Internationalism is one of the Round Square pillars (we’ve been a member for twenty or so years) it’s also a cornerstone of our new MYP implementation. It’s also a characteristic of our student intake, consolidating and justifying our International Baccalaureate flavour. In the Middle School we have individuals who are Aboriginal and other Australians from Queensland, NT, West Australia, students who’ve lived and been to school in Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Great Britain. Our numbers have also made possible cultural connections that have assisted the promotion of what Mrs Rachel Piddington and IB syllabus documents term ‘global education connections’. Along with the sensible use of technology, our numbers have expanded the idea of ‘community’ in a way that our students’ grandparents, and even their parents as school children, would never have thought possible. It’s time to celebrate a mutually dependent level of diversity that actually advertises our strength as a Middle School. How? I want you to encourage your children to participate in this year’s Festival because they have something called heritage of which they can be proud, and one of my suggestions would be to wear national costumes that distinguish us as individuals and celebrate us as a school community. For others who we want to be involved, I suggest that children wear neat sports uniform. Let’s, as many of us as possible, ‘get behind this one’ this year. I want day students to involve themselves with their boarding counterparts. We’ll feed and water everyone – it’s time to acknowledge and celebrate difference because, without it we’re essentially and predictably flavourless.

Last Friday, sporting its characteristically brilliant early autumnal weather, was a ‘first’ in terms of Activities Days for Middle School staff and students. My only regret was that I could not do more of it, but I spent time in some sessions in the grounds and out at the University with our Year 6 and 7 students and the staff attached to activities. Variously, they were happily employed in ropes exercises, knot tying, rock wall, obstacle course, teamwork games. Having spoken to a good number of them during the lunch break, I know they were having an enjoyable time. I spoke to staff as well and they seemed happy with the day, especially with the interaction between students and staff. While those from Years 6 and 7 were gainfully employed on and off campus, the Year 8 Activities consisted of camping out on bivouac and various exercises on water and land respectively. A number of clear characteristics of our Activities program would be resilience and mutual dependence: underlying all activities was the necessity of communication and cooperation with others outside specific friendship groups and this latter ‘activity’ was so interesting to observe. By design, because it requires reliance on others, the occasion necessitated open communication and, despite initial hesitation in some quarters, all students acquitted themselves admirably. From their laughter I believe they ‘ended up’ enjoying the company of others who aren’t always part of their regular friendship group. It was also encouraging to listen to new staff members who waxed lyrical about the style of activities: the day allowed them to ‘get to know’ the students on a basis that otherwise formal class room interaction doesn’t often allow. As important (sometimes I think it’s more important) the day enabled Middle School students to begin to get to know staff as people. I’m glad the day was a success because the students will now be looking forward to the next Activities Day 2, specifically this Friday, 8 March.

Well, one down and we’re here to speak about it…

Student Leaders

Congratulations to those elected by their peers, they have chosen with great wisdom. Now remains the ongoing and cumulative tasks of guiding others, seeking advice from them and representing them and their various interests. The ability to undertake these responsibilities does not appear miraculously out of the ether: we need meetings, consultations, directions and these must be on a reasonably regular basis.

While some students will be disappointed, the opportunity for new monitors in Semester 2 is an important one. Over the last several years it was very encouraging to see the ‘growth mindset’ of those who missed out. They worked hard upholding the values and standards of the Middle School and were rewarded for their efforts. Further, leadership doesn’t have to be formal to be effective – I want all Year 8 students to feel comfortable enough to talk to staff about issues that concern them and I want you, as families, to give similar advice, too. Young people are developing their capacity for a sensible ‘voice’ and they have, I believe, the right to express themselves. Collectively, our job as adults is to assist them with methods and techniques in order that others will want to listen to them. Who are these others? Peers, staff and parents.

Parent Interviews

I know that the tyranny of distance can be a daunting issue, but I do think it’s important that you attend if you can. As I’ve indicated to parents at the end of Week 3, you know your children far better than we are able to and as such you can assist us to help them in that you can possibly shed light on situations that teachers, after this time, characterize. In addition to getting to know your children’s teachers better it’s also a really good idea that you have the opportunity to speak about each as an individual. One of the wonderful aspects of Middle School life it’s size and our consequent ability to deal with individual academic difference with reasonable ease.

Mr Mark Harrison
Head of Middle School

Excursion Week

An important part of our curriculum in semester 1 is our Junior School ExcursionWweek; the opportunity for pursuing challenging and significant educational activities outside the classroom are an important part of what we do throughout a students’ life at TAS. With even our littlest students becoming involved, the activities this week include a visit to UNE for a rock wall & boot camp challenge, to the Armidale Community Gardens and Town pool for a mini carnival, a presentation from Taronga Zoo, and of course the excursion for Years 2 to 5 to Lake Keepit. Each of these activities present significant challenge and excitement in various ways for students and are designed to encourage and enhance many of the Learner Profile attributes. I take this opportunity to thank all those involved, especially our dedicated staff,  for giving their time so generously.

The Zoomobile

….And special thanks to Matt McKenzie and the Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre for assisting us with the organisation for Tuesday’s visit from the Taronga Zoomobile……the kids had a blast as you can see. What a great addition to the Excursion Week Activities.

Hugh negotiates the bootcamp obstacle course at UNE

Year 2 enjoying the practice wall at UNE

Sansa has her first up close encounter with a Blue Tongue from the Mobilezoo.

Representative Swimming

Our swimmers have again had great success as they competed in the NCIS Carnival last week in Alstonville. From last week’s PSSA carnival, with outstanding results Mitchell Evans, Charlie Ward, Joe Fenwicke, Sam Ford, Hugo Broun  Ted Chick and Minnie Chick (and apologies to Oliver Robb for omitting his excellent performance coming 1st in his 50m Freestyle), our swimmers travelled well and represented their school with distinction. For young athletes, leaving the comforts of home and school behind is a significant challenge so I appreciate their efforts. Thanks also go to Christine Wright for so ably looking after them all.

New England Festival – Saturday 16 March

Junior and Middle School will be putting together a contingent for the Grand Parade of the New England Festival (formerly the Armidale Autumn Festival) through the Armidale CBD on Saturday 16 March. While the theme of the parade for TAS is yet to be decided, please plan to be a part of this as it is a lot of fun. As usual, we will supply the required sustenance (pizza and drink) as well as a vehicle for those who find it a little too far to walk without a rest. With the theme this year celebrating ‘ internationalism’, it will be a great opportunity to join together as a multicultural group and fly our flag proudly along with the rest of the community.

Junior School Assembly – Change of Venue

We would like to extend an invitation to our Junior School assembly to all our parents. Each week (as advertised in TAS Talks) one class will host the Assembly, showcasing some of their work and/or school projects along with an item or two from the Creative Arts. They are entertaining and create an opportunity for students to use a microphone and experience speaking publicly. With the production ‘Oliver’ entering its final preparations, these assemblies will be held in the Memorial Hall. Please check the Junior School calendar for details each week.

Head Lice

It is good practice to check your child’s hair on a regular basis for evidence of head lice so they can be treated early if detected. We would also appreciate you contacting the Junior School if any are found as this will help us monitor the cases within the School. Information on head lice and their treatment can be found on the following web site: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/headlice/pages/default.aspx

School Spirit Award Recipients – Week 5

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

Boyd Rogers, Ruby Rice, Eloise Leary, Lachie Wood, Rudra Tandon, Aamer Alazizi, Mohammed Alrdadi, Xavier Stephen, Jack Shenko, Ava Watts, Marcus Robb, Tom Rowe, Mila Downes and Braith Westaway.

Happy Birthday

Blake Whitehill is the only Junior School person celebrating his birthday this week so best wishes for a great day.

Mr Ian Lloyd
Head of Middle School

NCIS Swimming results – Thursday, 28 February

Our very keen swimmers travelled to Alstonville, near Ballina last Wednesday to compete in the NCIS swimming championships on Thursday. We had pleasant weather to compete in which contributed to the fantastic day we all had. Everyone competed with determination and a terrific attitude. Congratulations must go to our youngest swimmers who not only managed the long trip so well, but also competed enthusiastically. Oliver Robb did exceptionally well, coming 3rd and qualifying for CIS in his 8 years 50m Freestyle. Oliver also won this event at our local PSSA competition two weeks ago.

Oliver Robb – 1st 8yrs 50m freestyle

Hugo Broun received the runners up medallion for Junior Boy Champion on the day. A huge congratulations to Hugo who managed this by competing well across many strokes.

Hugo Broun was runner up Junior Boy champion at the recent NCIS swimming championships in Alstonville

Miller Harwood received the Champion 11 years boys’ medallion after an exceptional day in the pool. Miller also broke two NCIS records, for 11 year boys 50m breaststroke and 11 year boys 50m butterfly. Iles Baker also received the 12/13 years boys Champion medallion for his outstanding results on the day.

Both Miller and Iles, from Year 6, were part of our Primary school team at Alstonville.

Notable achievements from our Primary team on the day:

• Oliver Robb 1st 8 years 50m Freestyle
• Charlie Ward 1st 11years 50m Butterfly
• Joe Fenwicke 1st 10years 50m Freestyle
  • 2nd 18-10years 50m Back
• Hugo Broun 1st 8-10 years 50m Butterfly
  • 2nd 10year s 50m Freestyle
• Miller Harwood 1st 11 years 50m Freestyle
  • 2nd 11 years 50m Backstroke
  • 1st 11 years 50m Breastroke
  • 1st 11 years 50m Butterfly
• Iles Baker 1st 12-13 years 50m Breastroke
  • 2nd 12-13 years 50m Freestyle
  • 2nd 8-13 years 100m Freestyle

Junior Boys relay 2nd with an outstanding effort from all boys: Hugo Broun, Joe Fenwicke, Sam Ford and Cameron Carruthers

These outstanding efforts by our Primary School team resulted in us achieving 4th place in the overall points score and 1st place in the Primary Percentage Points trophy. A tremendous effort by a small, enthusiastic team. Well done!

Mrs Christine Wright
Junior School Sports Coordinator

Miller Harwood receives the Primary Percentage Points trophy, won by TAS