TAS Talks Term 1 Week 9

As I sit writing this week’s addition of TAS Talks the rain is tumbling down and we need to keep in our thoughts all of those people who are being affected by the recent disastrous floods that have damaged property, threatened livelihoods and resulted in great personal loss.

The rain has also affected our plans for this week’s Athletics Carnival and hopefully it will not impact on our First XI Cricketer’s grand final this weekend at Lambert Park and if the game is not cancelled I wish them every success and encourage students and parents alike to get along to support them.

With the cancellation of the Coffs Harbour Ocean Swim it has now become the TAS 1000 and will take place at Dumaresq Dam this Sunday from 8am. I look forward to catching up with many of the swimmers and their families this Sunday.

TAS Regional Tour

The final leg of the Regional Tour through Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah finished last week in the same full and positive way that the tour started. Every possible enrolment meeting slot was filled, and it was a great opportunity to meet our future families in their own regions. This tour is very important to our enrolment process and I value this opportunity greatly and am grateful to our enrolments office staff who organised the week so well. I am looking forward to catching up with all of our families at social functions next term.

Alan Jones
Head of School

Junior and Senior Athletic Carnivals Cake Stalls Cancelled

The Junior and Middle/Senior Athletics Carnivals are scheduled to be on Thursday and Friday this week.  Usually the P&F hold cake stalls on both these days.  However, we will not be hosting a cake stall at either the Junior Carnival or Middle/Senior Carnival this week.   Should the day/s be postponed we will review the cake stall situation for the new date/s.

As there will not be a cake stall, please send your kids (especially Junior School ones) with enough nibbles to keep them going throughout the day.   The canteen next to the pool will be operating as usual and makes a great coffee for any parents who need a caffeine hit!

Although we won’t have our cake stalls, we hope to see you around the athletic events.  Also, if you see any people you don’t know please pop up to them and say hello.  They may be new families, and even if they are not, it is an opportunity to make new friends.

Best of luck to all the kids competing on both days.

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 but on a smaller scale – but we still need helpers so if you would like to volunteer for either Friday 16 April from 3-6pm, Saturday 17 April anytime or for part of the morning on Sunday 18 April please send us an email at pandf@as.edu.au

AGM Meeting 28 April 7pm

We are having our Annual General Meeting at the start of Term 2 on Wednesday 28 April at 7pm.   This meeting will be in Upper Maxwell Meeting Room – and on Zoom.  At this meeting all positions on the general Committee and The Executive (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary) will be declared ‘open’ and we will vote on the new 2021/22 positions.

If you interested in being involved a nomination form can be collected from Reception or downloaded from the P&F webpage.   Please note that you do need to be a ‘voting’ member of the P&F to vote and/or stand for a position but forms will be available at the meeting or on our website so don’t let that stop you.

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.

After the AGM we will hold a normal meeting. Meetings, including the AGM, 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…

Mrs Rachael Nicoll
P&F President

da Vinci Decathlon

This week TAS hosted a regional competition for the da Vinci Decathlon. The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate all involved. Students work cooperatively in teams throughout the competition and they use their higher-order thinking skills, problem solving and creativity. My thanks go to Mrs Donella Tutt for her coordination of this event at TAS. A full report of this will be in next week’s TAS Talks.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Parent-Teacher Interviews for students in Year 12 will be held next week – Monday 29 March – Wednesday 31 March. This is an opportunity for you to discuss your child’s progress. All parents should have received an email containing their web code to book interview times. If you have not received this email with parent-teacher information please contact Mrs Vickey O’Brien – vobrien@as.edu.au or phone 6776 5806.
Mr Luke Polson
Director of Studies

Reigniting the Flame

The Armidale School Cadets: Bivouac 1 (22-23 April)

Bivouac 1 conducted by The Armidale School will be held on 22-23 April, Thu-Fri of Week 1, Term 2. Cadets will received a full briefing on their activities and required equipment on Tuesday 30 March.

All cadets will camp overnight on the night of Thursday 22 April in the vicinity of Mt Duval (B & C Company) or Malpas Dam (A Company). Of particular importance is the necessity for cadets to be prepared for the possibility of cold weather, and students’ own non-cadet issue cold weather jackets may be worn in the evening in the event of cold weather.

Cadets will assemble at TAS Adamsfield for parade on Thursday 22 April at 8.40am.

Activities will cease and cadets released on completion of parade at 3.30pm Friday 23 April.

The activities will be conducted as follows:

A Company

Kayak touring, mountain biking and trekking.

B Company

Night Harbour, fieldcraft, trekking, navigation and kayaking.

C Company

Night Harbour, fieldcraft, trekking, navigation and canoeing.

Cadets should note the below packing list as a minimum for overnight bivouac. There may be additional equipment required by platoon leaders for cadets. These will have been discussed at activities briefing held on Tuesday 30 March.

Back Pack & Webbing (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) and/or other cold weather jacket

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

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 etc)

*Available for purchase from TAS Clothing Shop

In particular, all students should ensure they have adequate warm clothing, including a jumper, warm clothing and a thermal undershirt. Sleeping bags should be appropriate for the New England autumn climate.

All participating students will be issued with all required equipment by the TAS Q-Store. 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 TAS Activities use and reasonable cost. Clothing that has been outgrown can be replaced at no charge at Q-Store by arrangement with the School 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

The MS/SS Athletics Championship

The MS/SS Athletics Championship will be postponed until Term 2, Week 2 – Wednesday 28 April. Some events have already been held outside the Athletics Championship day (3000m, 1500m, Javelin and 12/13/14 Discus).

High Jump will continue to run this week and next week. Schedule below. A program will be released at the beginning of next term in preparation for Friday 30 April.

The Cloisters Inter-House Event for Years 7-12 will take place on Tuesday 30 March at lunchtime.

The Cross-Country Championships will still go ahead on Wednesday 31 March starting at lunchtime.

Mr Huon Barrett
Director of Co-curricular

TAS hosts Federation Cup debating tomorrow night

It’s showtime! This Thursday we open Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The show has already been enjoyed at previews last Friday and Monday, with the cast lifting the energy and conviction to new heights. There are still some tickets available for Thursday and Friday but they’re quickly being snapped up so don’t leave it any longer to book yours! My congratulations to the cast, crew and band for their incredible work so far and the countless hours that have brought us to this point, and my best wishes for what will surely be a bloody, thrilling performance run.

2021 da Vinci Success

While our Year 7 and 8 students acquitted themselves very well in their Maths and Ideation endeavours in this week’s da Vinci challenges, winning both categories, it is our Year 6 team members who were declared overall winners of da Vinci on Monday. On your behalf I congratulate all students who participated, and our Year 6 students have definitely done us proud – the competition was tough, and I know this because I saw our people in action. In my speech to the competitors from New England and North West Schools, I mentioned that only a few months ago none of us thought we may have been given an opportunity to enjoy these challenges in person – but with each day’s passing there seems, in different ways admittedly, to be a relaxation of some restrictions and this is so encouraging to report to you.

Parent Interviews

Indicative of this relaxation is the fact that we will be welcoming families of Year 6 and 7 students for Parent Interviews later this week. Boards with photos of staff will parallel those we sent to you last week in TAS Talks – only this time we’ve added ‘Upstairs and Downstairs’ staff, as these interviews will be in the Middle School precinct – a good thing really, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you in person (again and finally). Of course, these interviews ‘herald’ the imminent end of term and, of course, the Easter break.

Rules of engagement

Well, this term is nearly ‘done’. For various reasons I’m pleased that one of the longer terms of the year is the first. Definitely, the Christmas break has been long enough to sustain us all. To be honest though, students are tired, but they have, as indicated in past ‘editions’, acquitted themselves well, having achieved much that is good both individually and collectively.

Our country is one of extremes, isn’t it! Over the last few days I have seen boats navigating highways, houses floating in swollen rivers that, less than twelve months ago were dry beds. Drought, historically significant bush fires, a pandemic that’s changed our very interactions with others in ways unheard of just over a year ago – and now, the heavens have dumped enough water to float houses. Dorothea McKellar did ‘get it right’ all those years ago, didn’t she? Imbalance is something that characterises our country. I hope, now that all extremes have been felt, we can get back to as normal as possible in this place. If you’ve been affected by this last lot of powerful elemental testing, then we wish you quick recovery.

Mr Mark Harrison
Head of Middle School

Junior School Athletics Championships – Postponed to Tuesday March 30

Unfortunately we have had to make the call…… our Junior School Athletics Championships have been postponed to Tuesday March 30. You should have received an email last night. Wakefield Oval is simply too wet. There are other contingencies in place as well as we may need to hold individual events at specific times to get through the program but we will keep you in touch well in advance.

There will be more details sent through before Tuesday but all students are asked to wear their House polo shirts and sports gear and provide their own morning tea and lunch as there will be no BBQ. Those students in Years 3 – 5, who regularly have Boarders’ lunch, will be provided for.

Feel free to ring JS Reception if you require further information.

Hockey Grand Final

I was very fortunate to watch the Indoor Hockey Grand Final last Friday afternoon (you will see a report later in this edition).  What struck me was, that against the odds, our students showed fantastic resilience and enthusiasm for the task at hand. I was very proud….there were many smiling faces and clearly they had all enjoyed a very productive and  successful season. I congratulate them all on a great end to their season and thank both Mrs Anna O’Connor and Mr Gordon Arndt for their coaching support and guidance throughout the season.

da Vinci Decathlon – Northern NSW

The Northern Conference of the well-known Da Vinci Decathlon competition was held for our Year 5 & 6 classes on Monday and as always, it proved to be a great success. Despite the smaller number of schools attending, the competition was spirited and more than one of students reported how tiring the day had been. Congratulations to all the students involved (and particularly our Year 6 team, who won their category on the day). Pictured below is the Year 5 team consisting of: Back L to R: Zana Ross, Lucas van der Werf, Archie Tonkin and Xavier Stephen Front L to R: Arthur White, Izzie Glover, Lucy Taylor and Jack Wood

Mufti Day on Thursday March 25 – Canteen Foundation

The Canteen Foundation is a charity organisation selected by our Senior Leaders for this term’s support and tomorrow, the whole school will join in a Mufti Day to raise money for the organisation. Information about Canteen can be found at https://www.canteen.org.au and there is no doubt it offers a great service. All students will need to bring a gold coin donation in support of this worthy cause.

School Spirits

Congratulations to the following students that received School Spirit Awards last week:

Daisy Hammond, Ed Benham, Rayyan Shahid, Hasadi Kodagoda Arachchige, Xavier Nozad-Kahriz, Ivy Rice, Eva Cook, Ted Draney, Eloise Leary, William Minter, Boyd Rogers, Maya Slade, Rupert Newton, Joshua Bourke, Toby White, George Drain, Jack Maitz and  Izzie Glover.

Congratulations to the following students that received School Spirit Awards this week:

Lachie McDowell, Umraj Nirmaan, Harvey O’Brien, Sansa Ranawake, Bridei Stewart, Raymond Wang, Casey Tighe, Emi Fawcett, Paddy Bourke, Kenan Al Naji, Dominic Leary, Evelyn Brownlie, Edward Gillman, Cecilia Price, William Cooper-Fillios, Sophie Banister, Edwina Newton and Lucas van der Werf.

Happy Birthday

Best wishes for a happy birthday this week to Arthur White, William Cooper-Fillios and Odin Lee-Winser.

Mr Ian Lloyd
Head of Junior School

STEM Integration into the Unit of Inquiry

STEM is an approach of learning focusing primarily on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Science and Mathematics are both a part of the Primary Years Programme curriculum framework, and these subjects are going to be the main focus of the Year 1 unit over the next six weeks. Technology and Engineering can be seen as the applications of knowledge that Year 1 are going to focus on throughout this Unit.

Working under the careful guidance from Mr Arndt Year 1 will be unpacking their central idea: Materials have a range of properties that determine their use.

Tuning In

In the classroom, Year 1 started off by sharing what they already know about cubby houses. Mr Arndt then taught them how to use a graphic organiser to organise their thinking.

This week, Year 1 will be  introduced to the basic tools in Minecraft Edu so that the students can start to build a treetop cubby house.

The STEM component will complete what the students are doing in the UOI with Mrs Wright. They will explore natural materials used in the environment and how Indigenous Australians used these to build shelters,  experiment with suitable materials to make a simple sailing boat and explore what happens when different materials are combined.

Mrs Veronica Waters
PYP Coordinator

Indoor Hockey

Last Friday TAS Navy played PLC in the indoor hockey grand final. The team can hold their head high and feel very proud of the gallant effort in making it to the grand final and then for playing their best game of the season! Cecilia made some champion saves in goals which helped us keep the game exciting and close. Since we were playing with only five teammates, Lachie and Ethan had no time to rest or catch their breath and they managed to maintain high energy for the whole game! Levi and Humjot were the kings of defence and managed to steal the ball with some very sophisticated tackles throughout the game. A good grand final is a nail biter where the teams are evenly matched and the crowd are unsure which way the victory will swing right until the last second and this grand final certainly did not disappoint. Well done to PLC who scored a goal in the final 5 minutes and beat us 1-0 but an even bigger well done to TAS Navy for never giving up and ending an outstanding season on an exceptional note!

Mrs Anna O’Connor

Basketball

The delightfully happy basketball team had another sensational game. In this game we could notice Sophie’s Brett’s extra training at home and it showed with her defence skills. Edwina’s long strides down the court made the turn around quick and the pace frenetic. Lucy continued to pivot and confuse the opponents before passing to her team. Then we had the mighty mouse again darting through every crack and hungry for the ball. Our main goal shooter was Mila Wright who has continued to score well.

Although this was our first loss, it was clear that the children have grown in skills and the enjoyment for this game has continued.

Well done to a wonderful season of basketball.

Mrs Lana Hawksford