TAS Talks Term 4 Week 2

Co-curricular Captains

In our assembly this week our new student leaders across a wide range of co-curricular activities were introduced and formally inducted and they now take up their new roles. Unlike the roles of prefect and house leader, co-curricular captains are called to lead in specialist roles that they are particularly passionate about. In every case they will be prominent players or participants in their area, but the role of leader goes beyond recognition of performance and calls on those taking it up to serve their co-curricular area through good example, encouragement of the other students engaged in it and promotion of all that is good about that area of school life. We are very fortunate to have such a talented and committed group taking up these new responsibilities and I wish them well for the season and year ahead.

The student leaders for the Winter sports of Football, Netball, Shooting and Rugby will be announced as those sports get underway next year.

Hawkesbury Canoe Classic

On Saturday afternoon the final official leg of the Triple Crown gets underway at Windsor as the TAS team joins the flotilla of kayaks, canoes, surf skis and paddle boards heading 111kms down the Hawkesbury River to Brooklyn. This great adventure is arguably the most physically and mentally demanding of the Triple Crown events and I know that is its appeal for many of those who have signed up for it this year. While the first few hours heading down the river in daylight will almost certainly make for a pleasant start, the night is long and every paddler will face their own personal mountain at some stage of the night. Volunteering to tackle big challenges such as the Hawkesbury is something deeply embedded in our school culture and it is hugely encouraging to see TAS again featuring prominently in this great event and contributing to the important fundraising for the Arrow Foundation’s fight against cancer.

In other Triple Crown news, it has been decided that ‘Trek 125’ to be held from 10 to 12 November that many students are now registering for will be a qualifying event for the Triple Crown award this year. I hope that this is further encouragement to join this special anniversary event.

Murray Guest

Christmas puddings available for sale

Our famous P&F Christmas Puddings are now available for sale.  Puddings are $25 each and can be paid for by using the link below.

Puddings can be collected from TAS Main Reception once they have been ordered or can be bought at our 125^th birthday celebration TAS Fest. But get in quick – at this stage it is highly unlikely we will have any available for sale at Speech Day.

TAS FEST – SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER

TAS is turning 125 this year and School, supported by the P&F, are looking at celebrating this with ‘TAS Fest’ – Celebrating TAS’ 125th Anniversary with an evening of music, food, short films and fireworks.

The night will be a celebration rather than a fundraiser and will be open to all the TAS Community – past parents, students, Old Armidalians, current parents and staff – also anyone else with an attachment to TAS (past, present or future) will be welcome too.

The night will run from about 5 to 10pm on Adamsfield.  We will have:

• Casual music performances by TAS students
• A Junior School Disco in Memorial Hall
• Yummy Food and drinks stalls
• ‘TAS Fest’ films screening on a giant screen – large cash prizes for the best films
• Produce Stall (including Christmas puddings, peonies and some plants – weather dependent), Tombola, professional Face Painter, Zorb Balls and Bouncy Castle
• Fabulous fireworks

The aim is for people to have a lovely evening sitting on Adamsfield listening to music, watching short films, having dinner, eating popcorn and slurping on an ice cream whilst catching up with friends. We will then finish the night with a fireworks display to ‘light the candles’ for the birthday celebration.

More details of the film entry requirements are available from Mr O’Connell. But hurry up as they need to be entered by the end of Friday 1 November 2019

In order to have our film screening on Adamsfield we have organised a giant blow up movie screen. This needs to be picked up from Arncliffe, Sydney on Wednesday 13 or Thursday 14 November and returned on Monday 18 November. We are seeking anyone that has a SUV and might be able to help with either pick up or delivery. If you can help please contact me on 0418 980 662 or email pandf@as.edu.au .

To help make the night great we will be seeking helpers, including people who hold their RSA to serve drinks – if you’d like to help for even an hour or two please click on the links attached or email pandf@as.edu.au

• Parent helpers and RSA holders – https://signup.com/go/WUsQTjm  If you are from Junior School you may like to sign up to help at the Disco for an hour or so (or you can just help anywhere)
• Community Service Helpers – https://signup.com/go/YOTMNdh

As usual we’re using SignUp.com to organise the night. It’s Easy – you will not need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com. Simply click the link, review the options and times listed and choose the spot(s) you like.  Also please be aware SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me on pandf@as.edu.au and we can sign you up manually.

We will be having a PRODUCE STALL… in line with the 125 theme we are thinking a little bit old school retro, items in jars or bottles would be great… so if you have time over the next few weeks and would like to donate items could you please:

• Make jams, sauces or chutney (please include ingredient labels)
• Perhaps make a baking mix in a jar – cake, biscuits or brownie dry ingredients work well (don’t forget the instructions!)

PLEASE ALSO START MAKING TOMBOLA JARS – this is always popular and we can never have enough full jars of goodies. Anything from marbles, lollies, colouring pencils, hairclips, soaps and shampoos packaged into a jar would be wonderful.

Please leave all jars at Main School Reception.

P&F an ‘TAS FEST’ Planning Meeting tonight

We have the first P&F meeting of Term 4 tonight Wednesday 23 October at 7pm in the Lower Maxwell Room in the main building. Everyone is welcome and we would love to see you there. The meeting will cover our ordinary P&F business then move onto further planning of TAS Fest.

Mrs Rachael Nicoll
P&F President

Leadership

Yesterday, in assembly, Co-curricular Captains and Vice Captains for 2019/2020, were presented with their badges of office. It was an opportunity for all students to recognise those who will serve, support, guide and encourage them in their activity.

Younger students, in particular, rely on the modelling provided by senior students. It is the leadership shown by captains that has the greatest impact on the culture within each activity. Students do not follow a badge (in fact, many students will lead without a badge). Students follow those who they trust and respect. Leaders will have their own personal goals, however, the measure of their leadership will be the accomplishments of those around them. A leader will inspire and enable those they lead,

I congratulate all our new leaders and I look forward to working with them.

Co-curricular captains and vice-captains presented with their badges on Tuesday were (back row) Samuel Behrend, Henry Pitman, Toby McMaster, Remy Taylor, Clancy Roberts, Rick Nutt, Alistair Le Surf, Toby Smith, Samuel Jones, Riley Simmons, James O’Brien, (front) Jenna MacLeod, Samantha Crossle, Chloe Vanderwolf, Andrew Kirk, Lily Neilson, Darcy Heffernan, Cotter Litchfield, Lucy Ball, Bronte Garcia, Katie Allen. Absent were Samuel Howes, Dylan Morris, Reiley Oates and Lachlan Reiss-Wears who will be presented with their badges at Prefects’ Assembly on Friday.

43rd Hawkesbury Canoe Classic

The motivation will vary for each of the TAS paddlers embarking on the 111km paddle this Saturday. For all of them, their resilience will be tested. The fact that they are willing to attempt this epic challenge is a reflection of their character. I wish all involved a memorable and rewarding experience.

Mr Will Caldwell
Director of Co-curricular

Our Middle School students have settled back in nicely over the past week, and most have been utilising their time wisely and have been putting their ATL skills to good practice.

In class this week, I have been talking to students about how they approach their learning. This is something that is relevant to all of us. How a student approaches his or her learning really has a significant impact on their education. We have discussed self-management skills; such as being organised and reflective. Students should be continually asking themselves reflective questions before their exams. Here are some examples:

• ‘Have I got all of the information that I need?’
• ‘Do I know what topics are being covered in my exam?’
• ‘Do I know how long each of my exams go for?’
• ‘Was that revision technique useful for me?’
• ‘How could I use my time better?’
• ‘Should I be trying a different technique to revise?’
• ‘What revision technique works best for me?’

Another skill that students need to be using is their critical thinking. Do they know what is being asked of them in exam questions? Normally, a question will ask three things: The type of thinking you have to use, the task you have to do, and what you need to produce. Here is a tip / technique to use in order to break down a question:

For each question you read, it is a good idea to underline the type of thinking, circle the important words and highlight the product. This will help students to identify exactly what is being asked of them.

May I take this opportunity also to remind students and parents that Middle School tutoring is available in the library on Monday and Wednesdays 4 -5pm.

Mrs Rachel Piddington
MYP Coordinator

Junior School Upcoming Events

Scholastic Book Club

Action, Agency and International-mindedness

As all Junior School classes approach the final unit for the year it is timely for students to be given time to reflect upon the role played by action and to take meaningful action as a result of their learning. Through students taking individual and collective action, they come to understand their responsibilities with being internationally minded and that they can make a difference.

In this final unit, teachers aim to provide students with opportunities so that students can appreciate the benefits of working individually and collaboratively for a common purpose.

Students are taught that action needs to be authentic, meaningful and can be responsive. Action could be as simple as:

• a change in attitude
• a plan for future action
• a demonstration of responsibility for the environment
• a commitment to a community based project such as ‘Frog Dreaming’

Throughout the year students are encouraged to make responsible choices for their actions and to increase their focus away from themselves to the needs of others. For our younger years action can stem from learning about their responsibility with their relationships with peers and the wider school community.

When taking action, students are given opportunities to make connections to new knowledge that they have acquired and apply their skills to everyday life. We aim for our students to develop deep and lasting understandings, which can also be linked to existing knowledge. We hope that students learn that inquiry can lead to action and that even the smallest act can make a difference.

Mrs Veronica Waters
PYP Coordinator

After their community excursion Year 1 were set the challenge by Armidale City Councillor Bailey to come up with ideas to help the council preserve water. He came and listened to every idea and declared the Year 1 Tiny Town open on the back of the fact that every building had its own rainwater tank.

Summer sports commences this week.

What a great way to start the summer season. Most children are now organised into their sporting group and started training this week. Please remember to let your coach or Mrs Wright know if you are unable to attend either trainings or games. We also have some great senior school children helping out teams as a part of their Service Program this term.

We welcomed the Northern NSW Cricket Participation Officer, Mr Nathan Pinnington, to TAS on Monday afternoon as he set up drills and games for our cricketers.

Orienteering- Friday 25 October

Our Years 3, 4 and 5 children will participate in the annual Orienteering event at Thalgarrah this year. Children have nominated their teams and will need to wear TAS sports uniform on Friday. Our event starts at 9:30am so we will leave TAS at 9am returning by 12noon. Please ensure your child has their TAS ‘Chappell’ hat, a water bottle and morning tea for this event. It is recommended that at least one child per team is wearing a watch.

TAS Junior School Triathlon – Thursday, 31 October

Our annual Junior School Bike Day and Triathlon will be held in our beautiful grounds on Thursday, 31 October. Bike Day will commence at 9am with activities involving obstacle courses, long distance rides and bike safety sessions.

Our Triathlon will commence at 2pm after walking the course at 1:30. Lunch will be as normal on the day.

Kindergarten and Year 1 children will all be involved in a team event, whilst students in Years 2 and above will have a choice of either entering as an individual or as part of a team.

Following are the distances each year group will have to complete as part of the Triathlon.

Please ensure your child has their bike in good working order ready for the day, along with their bike helmet, drink bottle and hat. Children will wear sports uniform for the day. Please drop bikes off in the Junior School Playground.

Presentations will be held from 3pm on Wakefield Oval.

Looking forward to a great day of events.

Mrs Christine Wright
Junior School Sports Coordinator