TAS Talks Term 1 Week 7
In this issue
01. From the Head of School
MR ALAN JONES
Send off to TAS Rowers
The rowing season is hurtling towards its final events with our rowers competing in the highlights of their season well away from the support of the School this coming weekend. With that in mind, Middle and Senior school came together in yesterday’s Assembly to send our crews off in style and to make sure they know the school is behind them in their efforts.
Rowing is, of course, a physically and mentally demanding sport and I know that the commitment through training and regattas of all of our crews deserves this support. I am sure our entire community will join me in wishing our boys all the very best when they compete in the GPS Head of the River this Saturday. Equally, all will join me in wishing our girls well as they compete in their Head of the River event the very next day, on Sunday.
TAS Regional Tour
This week the Enrolments Registrar Jo Neilson, Director of Boarding David Drain and I will head out on the second leg of the TAS Regional Tour. This trip to Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie will give us the opportunity to meet with parents and students considering TAS for 2021 and sometimes beyond – in their own backyard. Next week after the Head of the River events we will be heading to Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah for more enrolment interviews. We are very much looking forward to meeting with potential new families and learning about their perceptions of TAS.
Vaping
As indicated in last week’s TAS Talks, I participated in a webinar on Monday afternoon for the Heads of Independent Schools, sponsored by the AIS, on the issue of young people and vaping. It is quite apparent that this practice is widespread throughout most schools currently and that there are a number of misconceptions in the minds of adolescents with regards to its harmful effects and long-term health issues. The fact that vaping equipment is so simple to purchase, that there is any number of vaping websites and that it has been popularised through social media outlets is causing many issues for all schools throughout Australia.
Unfortunately, it is an ongoing issue here at the School and we are endeavouring to manage matters as well as we can, given the circumstances. For some of our students, this has resulted in serious suspensions, as we are treating participation in this behaviour as we would cigarette smoking at the school. It is by no means a simple task to manage because there are so many outside influences impacting the decision making of our students. I will remind you all that I have stated in assembly and in smaller groups, that we will not, and cannot tolerate students vaping at school but the context is broader than just school rules and we are keen to set dates for the parent forums I have mentioned previously. I would also encourage that parents with real concerns can contact me directly.
COVID Restrictions
NSW Health and the AIS have indicated that they are easing more of the restrictions on schools that they have had in place for some time, and it looks like we will be returning to more of a normal routine than we have been able to manage in the recent past. Yesterday for example we were able to sing the School Hymn in Assembly and join our rowing crews in our war cry ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’. Parents are now allowed on-site, singing in groups can take place and parent-teacher interviews will be face to face at school. This is good news for all of us and I very much look forward to having our parents with us again. Please be aware that all COVID Safe practices (sign in, social distancing etc) will remain in place.
Mr Alan Jones
Head of School
02. Calendar of Events
| Week 7 | |
| Wednesday 10 March | TAS Regional Tour (Port Macquarie/Coffs Harbour) |
| Thursday 11 March | Federation Cup Debating (Tamworth)
NCIS Swimming (Alstonville) Music 1 Performance Workshop (NECOM) |
| Friday 12 March | GPS Head of the River (Boys) |
| Saturday 13 March | NSW Rowing Head of the River (Girls) |
| Week 8 | |
| Monday 15 March | International Maths Day |
| Tuesday 16 March | Junior School Parent/Teacher Interviews
TAS Regional Tour – Moree |
| Wednesday 17 March | Junior School Parent/Teacher Interviews |
| P&F Meeting (7pm) | |
| TAS Regional Tour – Narrabri | |
| Thursday 18 March | TAS Regional Tour – Gunnedah |
TAS NOTICEBOARD
TAS Rugby Carnival - 17 - 18 April
The Armidale School Rugby Carnival is the largest Under 12s rugby carnival held in Australia. Each year this event attracts over 1000 young rugby enthusiasts and their coaches, along with committed families and supporters, who make the journey to Armidale.In 2021 the TASRC will be held over the weekend of 17 and 18 April. However this year due to COVID restrictions, to ensure the safety of our community it will be a NSW regional event only – no interstate or metropolitan teams.
FIND OUT MORE
TAS Regional Tour
Discover what makes TAS the one for all when we come to your town.If you would like to schedule some time when we visit your region, please contact our Enrolments Registrar, Mrs Jo Neilson on 0425 222 317.
- Coffs Harbour – Wednesday 10 March
- Port Macquarie – Thursday 11 March
- Moree – Tuesday 16 March
- Narrabri – Wednesday 17 March
- Gunnedah – Thursday 18 March
- Glen Innes – Monday 22 March
BOOK NOW!
03. From the P&F
MRS RACHAEL NICOLL
TAS Rugby Carnival
The TAS Rugby Carnival is coming up at the end of the April holidays on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 of April. This is going ahead and is a big event for TAS and the P&F. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be seeking volunteers to help and having planning meetings – so watch this space, emails and Facebook. If you would like to help organise TASRC please send us an email at pandf@as.edu.au
Parents at School
As you may have heard, on Monday the NSW Health Covid rules around having parents at school have been relaxed. We will let you know what this means for P&F functions as soon as we’ve worked through the implications.
P&F Meeting – Wednesday 17 March (7pm)
We have a meeting next Wednesday 17 March in the Lower Maxwell Room at 7pm – and on Zoom. Please contact the P&F for the Zoom link.
Meetings are open to all and we would love to see you. To help you get in the mood, drinks and nibbles are provided for those that attend the meeting in person… if you’re on Zoom then it’s BYO…
If you would like to know more about joining the P&F Committee or Executive (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Vice Treasurer, Secretary) please send us an email pandf@as.edu.au or give me a call on 0418 980 662 prior to our AGM on 28 April.
Also, if you have any good ideas for spending some of our hard-earned funds before our funding meeting on 16 June please contact us. We’d love to hear from you. Due to Covid and a lack of fundraising events we won’t have as much money available this year but if you have any good ideas to spend what we do have please let us know.
Mrs Rachael Nicoll
P&F President
04. From the Director of Studies
MR LUKE POLSON
Parent Teacher Interviews
Next week begins a series of opportunities for you to discuss your child’s progress through parent-teacher interviews. Whilst we continue to monitor the Covid-19 pandemic, pleasingly we are able to host these first rounds of interviews on campus for you to meet with your child’s teachers. The locations of these interviews will be advised to parents. Parents will receive an email in the week prior to the interviews containing a personal code and information on how to book times with your child’s teachers. If you do not receive the email please check your second email if you have one – otherwise contact Mrs Vickey O’Brien – vobrien@as.edu.au or phone 6776 5806.
This term, we will host the following year groups for interviews:
- Junior School (16 and 17 March)
- Years 6 and 7 (24 & 25 March)
- Year 12 (29 March – 31 March)
Mr Luke Polson
Director of Studies
05. Round Square
MR ANDREW O'CONNELL
On Thursday last week, we participated in a Round Square Postcard online conference hosted by Columbia. On the Zoom, we had the chance to talk in small groups with students from around the world about coronavirus. We enjoyed this experience as we were able to learn about how other countries were affected by the pandemic. It was interesting to see how the students from other schools have spent their last year and the different ways people have dealt with it. It was good for us to understand how fortunate we are at TAS. We really enjoyed this and would recommend this opportunity.
Round Square Representative
06. From the Director of Co-curricular
MR HUON BARRETT
It continues to astound me the broad range of opportunities that exist at TAS. For many of our students who dare to take on the various challenges thrown at you, well done! For those of you sitting back on the sideline, I encourage you to take a risk and take up some of the opportunities on offer.
“You miss 100% of the opportunities you don’t take, I believe that on and off the pitch” Alex Danson – Hockey
An opportunity that you may have missed
Congratulations to the twenty-plus students who took part in the Lismore Samson Obstacle Race last weekend. A real test of endurance, character and teamwork. Special thank you to Mr Pennington for organising.
Opportunities waiting for you
Representing TAS at the 2021 NSW Shakespeare Carnival. We will host the Regional Carnival in Hoskins, with schools from around the area travelling to join us, with the best from each category off to Sydney to represent the New England. Anyone from Year 7 – Year 11 can participate (sorry Year 6, you have to wait until next year). Interested students should speak with Mr O’Connell, Mr Wheatley, or Mrs Cleaver – or check out the website here: https://www.sportforjove.com.au/thehighschoolcarnival.
The MS/SS Athletics Championships Friday 26 March. Some events will be held outside the Friday timetabled events. If you choose to compete in these events you will be exempt from sport on those afternoons.
Tuesday 16 March – Open 3000m event for Boys and Girls & Triple Jump Boys and Girls
Thursday 18 March – 1500m for Boys and Girls & Javelin for 17 & 18 Boys and Girls Only
In addition to these days Javelin for Age Groups 12-16 & Discus for Age Groups 12-14 will be run during PE classes in the weeks prior to the Championship.
As we move towards the end of the Summer season, I wish a number of our sports/teams well as they prepare for the finals. Our Cricket teams prepare for the finals and our Rowers head to Sydney for the AAGPS Head of the River on Saturday and the School Girls Head of the River on Sunday.
Mr Huon Barrett
Director of Co-curricular
Lismore Samson Obstacle Race
On Saturday morning at 6:30am, 25 keen and slightly tired students boarded the Oxley Explorer, heading to Lismore for the Samson Challenge. An obstacle race with a difference, big on the heavy objects, the more difficult to lift, the better! Students from Year 7-12 were up for the experience, spilt into teams of four with either a senior student or staff member attached to provide some assistance. This was necessary as the students were undertaking the Adult course, making it all the more demanding.
The course started with a seated sled pull over 30m, 20kg in weight to be completed three times by each team member. Next up was the double jerry can (@16kg each) walk, covering 100m in total, then the 25kg medicine ball to be carried another 100m stopping every 20m to lift it over your shoulder, drop onto the ground and repeat three times. The monster tractor tyre flip was done in pairs over 100m and then the sled push with the whole team together. No rest as competitors then had a 2km run to the town pool for a 250m swim. Another 2km run back to Hepburn Park was followed by a 10kg medicine thrown over a bar five times with five burpess between each. The monkey bars were next, with the car tyre course, cargo nets and two walls to climb over. As each one was 4m in height, teamwork was essential. The final 25 burpees each (under the watchful eyes of the Burpee Police), ensured that everyone was sufficiently exercised for the day.
The teams consisted of TAS 1 Charlotte Brunyee, Jordyn Melville, Sophie Mason, Issy Krishnan and Archer Croft, TAS 2 Emily Benham, Bethan Palfreyman, Emily Palfreyman and Grace Pennington, TAS 3 Angus Benham, Baxter Williams, James Palfreyman and Harry Pennington, TAS 4 Chelsea Bourke, Will Nash, Angus Goudge and Felicity Barton, TAS 5 Pierre Mocellet, Harrison Miller, Harry Turnbull and Peter Evans, TAS 6 Alice Bourne, Eryn Benham, Ali Nivison, Matilda Cullen and Isabella Crawford.
My thanks to Miss Charlotte Low, Mr Michael Keenan and Mr Nigel Bell (OA 2011) for their support and willingness to jump in with the students.
Mr James Pennington
Mountain Biking
While Monday’s race was cancelled due to storms, this report takes the opportunity to recognise some individual riders who have been showing excellent ability and commitment in training and races this term. Archi Lawrence and Emily Palfreyman have been showing great endurance leading the U19 mens and women’s division all series. Toby Inglis has been taking out the hotly contested U17 mens division, followed by Abbott White and Samuel Boyd. Bethan Palfreyman has been riding exceptionally well to lead the U 17 women’s division, followed by Emily Buntine snd Emily Benham. In the popular U15 men’s category, brothers Luca and Baxter Williams are always finishing at the top followed by Angus Benham and Angus Morris.
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- Emily Benham
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- Lachie Hunter
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- Abbott White
07. From the Creative Arts Coordinator
MR ANDREW O'CONNELL
08. From the Head of Middle School
MR MARK HARRISON
Commitments: assessments; sports; activities
The weekend has finished, and the assessment block has arrived and while Middle School students seem to be managing themselves well (enough) we should be mindful that they can and do feel pressure because of such matters as time management, ‘chunking’ of task specifications and juggling commitments in the academic, sporting and other c-curricular areas of school. For me, it’s encouraging that some of you have made contact at various times – you know your children better than we do and it’s important you let us know how ‘student life’ is from your end. We are in this one together. Realistically, assessment task preparation at this time of the term justifies and explains meaningful engagement in academic activity. Are your children starting to question? Becoming testy? If so, welcome to the new normal in this long term. What do we all do here? We support one another by being consistent, fair, firm and kind. Being an adult isn’t easy is it – but together we will manage well enough, simply per kind favour of working together. I believe it must be difficult to be a child in this age as well: so many commitments, as many corresponding expectations at a time when one adolescent responsibility is jockeying for a position of authority with another. Even though our students have had a short break, Middle School people are still tired: they’ve not yet honed our capacity to pace ‘self’; they can lack the wisdom to know when to ‘put on the brakes’. But they are still at that great age where they get a buzz out of pleasing people. So, let’s work with them to help them.
Of course, I’m not writing about all children. But I am referring to the majority of those we look after. There are others, thankfully fewer in number (otherwise this job would have a definite ‘finish’ date) who ‘drag the chain’, who complain unreasonably about expectations, who make unwise decisions or thoughtless comments that have deserved consequences, the likes of which indicate a more realistic and increasingly adult social and educational existence. These kids – what do we do with them? Well, again, we work together and do our best to help them because they need our help. They’re the same age as the first group, but they don’t cope as well. Do we kick them in the pants? Metaphorically, yes, we do because it’s the only way we can let them know we give a damn about them, as well. Again, we need to work together to help one another.
House keeping
A reminder for all Parents/Carers of our requirements if your child is absent.
If you know in advance, please fill out the Application for Exemption form found on the TAS website and email to Mrs Robyn Frost and me at middle@as.edu.au. In regard to boarders, REACH applications still need to be made as well as the Application for Exemption.
If your child is sick, please email us (middle@as.edu.au) or call us on 6776 5819 before 10.00am.
Also, if your child arrives late, leaves early, or has to leave during the day could you please make sure that we have received an email or phone call advising that they need to leave and that they sign out/in. This can be done at Middle School Reception or at Main Reception.
Mr Mark Harrison
Head of Middle School
09. From the Head of Junior School
MR IAN LLOYD
Parent Teacher Interviews
Next week, the Junior School Parent/Teacher Interviews will take place and you should have received a reminder to make a booking. This is an integral part of our reporting procedure and if you are yet to confirm a time, please do so as soon as possible to assist the booking process. It is a very worthwhile exercise and provides an excellent opportunity to discuss your child’s early progress and set goals for the year.
COVID Restrictions and Junior School
As you may have read, NSW schools have been able to ease restrictions from March 8, a very pleasing development for all concerned. It does not however, mean a complete return to pre-COVID routines. All organisations are required to have COVID Safety Plans and Management Practices in place and therefore the following applies.
As set out below, the arrivals and departures for Junior School students will not change. All Junior School parents coming onto the school campus for any reason must sign into the Junior School Reception Visitor Sign In system as well as register with the NSW Services QR codes located around the school. COVID Safety measures (care with hygiene and social distancing) are still in place until further notice and we ask all parents to continue to be cautious to ensure the well-being and safety of our school community.
If you require assistance, please make contact with the Junior School Reception on 67765817 or ring the Main School Reception and ask to be put through to me directly.
Arrival/Departures from Junior School
The arrival and departure systems for Junior School students and families seem to be working effectively but we do ask again that ALL families display their printed family nametag supplied by the school on the left hand sun visor as this greatly assists with the collection of students. If another sign is needed for a second car, please contact JS Reception.
Vacation Club – 2021
Due to the Early Childhood Framework regulations, the school is only allowed have Vacation Club for a total of four weeks for the year. It is unfortunate therefore, that these holidays there will be no Vacation Care and Mrs Jacinta Coates will advertise the program for the year in next week’s TAS Talks.
Mr Ian Lloyd
Head of Junior School
School Spirits
Congratulations to the following students that received School Spirit Awards last week:
Elara Polson, Scarlett Shortt, George Quast, Elsie Nexo, Alexa Wood, Rory Secker, Freddie Post, Paddy Bourke, Toby Whysall, Daniel Bayne, Lachie Wood, Levi Watts, Mila Nexo, Layla Abu Assab, Mohammed Alrdadi, Cameron Carruthers, Arthur White and Harriet Coupland.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthday to Xavier Nozad Kahriz and Alexa Wood who share a birthday this week.
| Week 7 | |
| Tuesday 9 March | Drama Club – Kindy – Year 2 (Hoskins Drama classroom) |
| Wednesday 10 March | Year 2 Assembly – Hoskins Theatre 2.45pm |
| Thursday 11 March | Drama Club – Years 3-5 (Hoskins Drama classroom) |
| Week 8 | |
| Tuesday 16 March | Parent/ Teacher Interviews ( Memorial Hall) |
| Wednesday 17 March | Parent/ Teacher Interviews ( Memorial Hall)
Year 1 Assembly – Hoskins Theatre 2.45pm |
| Week 9 | |
| Wednesday 24 March | Kindergarten Assembly – Hoskins Theatre 2.45pm |
| Thursday 25 March | Junior School Athletics Carnival |
| Week 10 | |
| Wednesday 31 March | Classes Conclude
PSSA Cross Country |
| Thursday 1 April | Staff Day |
IB Primary Years Programme
Primary Years Programme-Approaches to Learning
Part of the puzzle that helps to create the Primary Years Programme picture is approaches to learning. The approaches to learning (ATL) are an integral part of an IB education and complement other elements of the programme such as learner profile, knowledge, conceptual understandings and inquiry. Junior School teachers foster and support the development of these skills by providing opportunities, which are part of authentic learning experiences.
There are five interrelated approaches to learning as shown in the diagram below:
Embedded within the ATL are digital literacy skills, which are explicitly taught by the TAS Hub Coordinator Mr Arndt in his lessons with Junior School classes. These skills are an invaluable resource for information gathering or processing, as well as for critical and creative thinking, communication and collaboration.
Are aim is to combine the ATL and the attributes of the learner profile to develop students who become self-regulated learners who we encourage to:
- set goals for learning
- ask big questions that are open-ended
- reflect on learning
- be motivated and persistent learners
- self-reflect and asses as they learner
- adjust their learning process where necessary.
(Zimmermand and Schunk 2001;deBruibet al. 2012; Wolters 2011).
Mrs Veronica Waters
PYP Coordinator
Junior School Sport
General Information about Junior School Winter Sports -Terms 2 & 3
Junior School Policy re Participation in Sport
All students in Year 3 and above will participate in sport. Students in Years Kindergarten, 1 and 2 do not have to participate but are encouraged to do so. If students in Year 2 or below do participate, they must commit to the sport (including training sessions) for the season. During the winter terms, students will have one training per week in each sport. For winter, training will be on Monday afternoons from 3:45 – 5pm for most sports. Students provide their own clothing, footwear, mouth guards and shinpads. Registration and competition fees will apply to all sports and will be debited to parents’ accounts. Your Active Sports vouchers may be used for Winter Sports and need to be emailed to Mrs Sandra Lasker at Junior@as.edu.au
Please consider all requirements when choosing a sport for Winter:
Football
Training – Mondays
Games – Saturday mornings
Cost – $100 – $120 approx.
Equipment required – Shinpads, Football shirt from clothing pool.
Where – Armidale (occasional games in Walcha, Uralla and Guyra)
Teams – From U6 – U12
Football follows the small-sided rules with younger teams having fewer players and smaller football fields.
Netball
Training – Mondays
Games – Saturday mornings
Cost – $110
Equipment required – netball uniform from TAS
Where – Armidale Lynches Road Netball Courts- 11am Saturdays
Teams – Netta (5-7 yrs) Set (8-10 yrs) Go (9-10 yrs with 1 year experience)
Netta – 5-7 year olds –Netta is a skill based session
Set – 8-10 year olds. Emphasis is on participation, trying out learned skills, the learning of new skills and sharing the play with others in the team. The rules are modified.
Go – 9-10 year olds. A further stepping stone to playing unmodified netball, developing skills learned. The rules are still modified to an extent, games are played on hard courts with lowered rings.
Gymnastics
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- Anna Trevaskis demonstrating her dexterity
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- Hugh Blackwheel on the horizontal bar
Hockey
Training – Wednesday afternoons; A bus will take children out to UNE hockey turf for training between 4-5pm, parents will need to pick up from UNE at the conclusion of training at 5pm.
Games – UNE hockey turf
Friday 4pm – U11 Boys/mixed (TAS minibus will take players to UNE – parents to pick up before 5pm at UNE)
Saturday – U8 and Girls
Cost – U8 – $45
U11 – $130 approx.
Equipment required – Stick (school sticks are available), shin pads, mouthguard, TAS hockey socks and TAS sport uniform.
Please contact Mrs Tania Ball (tball@as.edu.au) for any more information.
Indoor Hockey
TAS White Game 1 – 5/3/21
Last Friday TAS White U 11 hockey team played PLC Kittens. The game started off without definitive positions, though Minnie Chick, Izzie Glover and Edwina Newton played up front. When the whistle was blown Zana Ross and Harriet Coupland ran up with the ball, supported either side by Minnie and Libby Ditchfield. Zana passed to Harriet who then scored. Then Harriet got another goal with help from Libby. The Kittens then took possession of the ball and almost scored but Izzie was quick to stop them. Zana then scored two goals in a row, with the amazing support of the team. After half time Harriet got a goal with help from Zana, Minnie, Libby and Izzie. Zana ran the ball up to the goal where she passed to Libby who passed back to Zana who scored a goal. Mila scored a great goal with a quick shot that was hard and fast. It was the last 5 minutes when Zana took the ball straight to the goal and passed to Izzie who scored. The final score was nine to nil in our favour. The team played well and were proud of the outcome.
Harriet Coupland Year 5
TAS White Game 2 – 5/3/21
TAS White were playing against City Gold A. At the start City Gold were a player short and Izzie had to play for them. City Gold were still short but they had two Armidale Secondary College kids playing for them. TAS White lost 2 – 1, but it was a tough match. Harriet scored a really good goal. Izzie accidentally scored an own goal but we got a good laugh out of it. Our team was quite exhausted as we had double PE and Libby, Edwina, Harriet and Izzie played another game with TAS Navy and we all had another game against PLC. I know we were tired but we still had a lot of fun and hope that City Gold had fun as well. We all had a good game and fell straight asleep when we came home.
Izzie Glover Year 5
TAS Navy
Basketball
TAS White Vs Black
This week it was the sensational girls that dominated the court with four keen TAS girls and one from another school. Sophie Brett was tenacious in chasing down goals, Mila Wright was instrumental in setting up a lot of key shots, while Lucy Taylor displayed superb defence skills, pivoting quickly to change the direction of her shots with ease. It was wonderful to see how well the team worked together.
Finally, we need to mention Mohammed Alrdadi. He has continued to be our little mouse, darting quickly in and out of teams showing great agility and a hunger to get the ball. His speed up and down the court certainly got the opposition running!
The end result was an outstanding win of 32/4.
Mrs Lana Hawksford
Community Notices
