Shooting Tragedy in New Zealand

At Middle and Senior School assembly this week we paused as a school to recognise and reflect on the unprecedented terrorist attack in Christchurch and to show our solidarity with the people of New Zealand in utterly rejecting this abhorrent act. That reflection including watching an inspiringly defiant condemnation of the attack by the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and joining in two minutes silence in recognition of the victims. For the interest of parents and others who were not with us on Tuesday, what was said is reproduced below.

The tragedy of the terrorist shootings in New Zealand, so close to home and at the hands of a gunman from just down the road in Grafton, deserves our community response. In the words of Edmund Burke, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. Perhaps we may feel that there is little we can do, but we, men and women, can state our rejection of the extremist position that lies behind such an abhorrent act and I ask that we do this, as a community, today.

Beyond making that statement and stamping our position as a school community, this tragedy also gives cause for us to reflect on what lies behind it and to consider how our beliefs, values and actions fit with that. I hope that you were listening to the reading today – to the message from Jesus to love those who are different to you. It is a message that, if heeded by all of us, would certainly bring peace to the world. It is a message to not just recognise and accept differences between, whether within our school community or country or the world, but to celebrate them and embrace them.

I encourage you, as you leave the assembly today, to consider what part you are playing in creating a world that embraces difference and celebrates it – particularly as you interact with those around you.

Headmaster’s Country Tour

The 2019 country tour continues this week as we head south to Scone today to meet a good number of families considering TAS for next year before joining with current parents at the Thoroughbred Hotel this evening. Tomorrow we will be meeting new families in Tamworth and holding our function at the Square Man Inn. I hope that the news of our functions has reached all our families in those regions and all who possibly can will join us.

Sporting Matters

As the Summer sporting season reaches its end, our students right across the School are immersed in Athletics, with a huge field competing in the 3000m event on Monday afternoon, all gathering to cheer on their houses in another exciting ‘Cloisters Run’ and the main carnivals for Junior School on Friday and for Middle and Senior School today and on Saturday morning. In fine TAS tradition these are mass participation events and I wish all students competing well in their events.

For our First XI cricketers, their already successful season will come to an end on Saturday as they compete in their grand final at Lambert Park and I wish them every success and encourage students and parents alike to get along to support them.

Murray Guest

Visit from Greg Eddy, Head of Kings College, UQ - postponed

Unfortunately, Greg will not be able to come to the school this Friday and has asked if he could postpone his visit for another time. Whilst this would have been a great opportunity to hear about the move to co-ed residential life at Kings College, I am sure there will be plenty of information about the change coming our way in the near future. 

ANZ Bank Traineeship – Armidale

ANZ have a full time traineeship role available with ANZ Bank – Armidale.

Please note, this is an open role, and not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander specific.

Role Essentials:

• Someone wanting to pursue a career in the Banking and Finance Industry
• Successful completion of studies to year 12 level or relevant work experience
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Willing to undergo police check

Applications close: Friday, 4 April 2019 

Job ad attached, and can be found on our website and seek.

AFLSR: https://aflsportsready.com.au/jobs-board/24713/

Seek: https://www.seek.com.au/job/38640116?_ga=2.180298791.2022944857.1553145909-016609ff3645001db46994d2bbcd03072003c06a0086e

Toni Meyer-Gleaves
ANZ Bank

Education USA

Education USA is holding seminars over the holidays about studying at an American university.

Session 1:

15 April  2:00pm – 4:00pm

U.S. Consulate General Sydney

Booking essential: https://edusaapr15.eventbrite.com.au

Session 2:

17 April  2:00pm – 4:00pm

U.S. Consulate General Sydney

Booking essential: https://edusaapr17.eventbrite.com.au

The sessions are identical so those interested only need to attend one.

For more information, contact:

Sarah Zamanzadeh
EducationUSA Coordinator
U.S. Consulate General Sydney
Tel: (61-2) 9373-9229
Email: zamanzadehsa@state.gov

Further information on studying in the U.S.
https://educationusa.state.gov/

UTS Newsletter – March

Once again the monthly newsletter comes out with lots of relevant information for those students interested in studying at UTS.

UTS students named “most employable” 

Co-op scholarships open.

http://wordpress.as.edu.au/careers/2019/03/25/uts-newsletter-march/

Mr Mark Taylor
Careers Advisor

Kokoda

We’re getting there

Well, this one’s nearly ‘done’. I’m pleased that the longest term of the year is the first. I think the Christmas break has been long enough to sustain us all. To be honest, students are tired, but they have, as indicated, acquitted themselves well, having achieved much that is good both individually and collectively. If you’ve missed Oliver, then sadly you’ve missed something very special in this, our 125th year of operation. So many boys and so many girls combining talents in such a way that it’s as though we’ve been ‘the one for all’ for one century, plus a quarter of another. The term has been very ‘full’ in almost every way – we are so lucky that we’re unscathed. And, in a sense, it is luck – I recall Jacinda Ardern’s comments on the mosque atrocities. We watched one of her many recent TV appearances in Assembly this week and this was followed by two minutes’ silence. One of the most touching things that has happened over the last week occurred in our last Leaders’ Meeting: the Year 8s are organising, making and disseminating two cards, signed by all Middle School students, and then posting these to the Mosques in New Zealand.

Athletics Carnival…amongst other things

In more ways than one, your children will have the ‘finish line’ in their sights now and I know they’ll be able to muster the energy necessary to cross it and then come home to you. They can always muster this kind of energy. At this week’s Town Meeting, being our Middle School Assembly, I congratulated them for nearly having completed the year’s longest term. As a general rule, its successors will be about a week shorter. Most students have acquitted themselves very well and all have at least tried to do this. Yes, we’ve kept them busy, making sure that they’ve been gainfully employed both inside and out of the classroom, but they’re the ones who’ve made the term ‘work for them’ and I’m pleased about this. You’ve reason to be pleased with them and their efforts and I want you to tell them as much when they are with you for the two week holiday. Or, you can tell them on Wednesday or Saturday, this week. I know I’ve referenced the Annual Athletics Carnival reasonably regularly of late, but I want to give it one more ‘plug’. If you are around or can travel – just arrive and we’ll happily welcome you. Watch your sons and daughters simply enjoying themselves, achieving PBs, encouraging their peers or celebrating the tail end of the term.

On the whole, with only  a week and a bit to go, as staff we’ve enjoyed ourselves and, especially, the interactions we’ve had with Middle School students. Yes, there have been the odd challenging moments of course, but this is so normal for the 11 – 14 age group. Sometimes I am a bit disheartened that I have to remind people of this early adolescent fact of life: things will not always ‘go to plan’, so welcome to the world of occasional awkwardness, very regular educational social and co-curricular opportunity and constant activity. These young people are always ‘moving’ and we should be grateful for such movement. So, overall, ‘things’ Middle School–related have been relatively smooth and I’m grateful we’re in this position as it augurs well for the next week and a half and the Second Term. It’ll be different in relation to activity, though no less busy than the last nine weeks.

It can be really cold during the winter terms, so be certain to make sure that everyone returns after the break with clothing necessary to manage the next two terms. When you’re wearing the right gear in this city, the winters are bracing: when you’re wearing what’s ‘wrong’, they’re miserable. Really miserable. I know the Uniform Shop has a list of items, both necessary and recommended, and suggest you look at it carefully.

Easter Chapel Service

It’s on the horizon, so check your calendars and be sure your children are ready for it – everything about it needs to be well-presented, including clothes and attitudes.

Mr Mark Harrison
Head of Middle School