TAS TALKS
THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF THE ARMIDALE SCHOOL
Wednesday 10 August 2016 Term 3 Week 4
HEADMASTER, MURRAY GUEST
Year 8 Parent Teacher Information Sessions
This week it is the turn of Year 8 students and parents to look
ahead to the next stage of education and begin the decision
making process on elective subjects and academic direction.
As is the case for students moving into Year 7 or Year 11, the
step up to Stage 5 curriculum as students move into Year 9 is
a significant one. At TAS it marks the progression from Middle
to Senior School, along with the move into senior houses for
our boarders, the selection of elective subjects for the first time
and fresh expectations of maturity, responsibility and academic
independence. Whilst those expectations are high, they come
with the knowledge that they are best met with the close
input and support of parents and fostering that is the central
purpose of the information sessions this week. Sessions have
been scheduled on Thursday evening, Friday morning and,
for our new students, Friday afternoon, in the hope that the
great majority of parents will be able to attend one of them.
Our Director of Studies, Seonia Wark, will present detail on
the nature of the Stage 5 curriculum, how it leads to the HSC
years and, importantly, how our expansive elective program
operates. I know that it will be a comprehensive and informative
presentation and I look forward to seeing many parents there.
GPS Premiership
A big and vocal crowd of TAS parents, past students and friends
were on hand at Hunter’s Hill last Saturday to support our First
XV in what was to be a premiership deciding final game of the
season. What they witnessed was a fine example of schoolboy
rugby, played in the best traditions of the GPS, and our
opposition showed all the spirit, sportsmanship and good grace
that we have come to always expect from St Joseph’s College.
phone: 6776 5800 | fax 6776 5830 | web: www.as.edu.au | email: [email protected]
HEADMASTER, MURRAY GUEST
Accolades have been offered to our team on the undefeated season that sees them as GPS 3rd Grade Champions in 2016 and these
are well deserved. Whilst I am sure that skill, dedication, teamwork and perhaps good luck at times all played a hand in that success,
the most telling factor this year has been the way they have carried themselves on and off the field. Their coach, Alan Jones, has
described the team to our staff meeting as a delightful and thoroughly cohesive group of young men who have been so easy to
work with. That carrying of inherently good attitude has been the critical factor in making this season such a memorable one for
players, coaches and spectators alike and it is where the real accolades should be directed.
City to Surf
More than 100 TAS students and 30 or so staff, parents and friends of the School will make up the biggest team we have ever sent
to run in the City to Surf this weekend. This enormous, iconic event is an experience to be remembered for a lifetime and being a
part of a big team that has travelled 500kms just for this purpose makes it all the more special. The TAS team is using the event to
raise funds for the palliative care unit at Armidale Hospital and this has given special purpose to their efforts and is something that
we as a school can be proud of. I am sure all our runners are looking forward to it with great anticipation and I wish them well.
TAS TALKS
2
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Week 4
8 -19 August
HSC Trial Exams
Thursday 11 August
Year 8 Parent Teacher interviews
Mid term weekend at home for students
from North West NSW
‘User pays’ TAS Minibus service proposed to Narrabri via
Friday 12 August Year 9 /10 Prospective & Year 8 Tamworth and Moree via Inverell on the weekend of
current students/parents Friday 19 - Sunday 21 August
Information Session
Friday 12 August Memorial Service in Memorial Hall for Jim Graham OAM (2:00pm)
Sunday 14 August City to Surf
Week 5
Students or carers wishing to book on the services proposed are
required to email [email protected] or call during school hours
on 6776 5805.
This service is made possible by a $60 return fare which is
charged to the student’s school account.
15 -19 August
HSC Trial Exams
Participation in the ‘weekend at home’ is only possible if the
student has no important sporting commitments to honour.
Monday 15 August
Activities Day No. 5
Friends welcome.
16 - 18 August
AgQuip
Wednesday 17 August NCIS Athletics - Coffs Harbour Junior School Maths Olympiad
Mrs Meg Sadler
Student Services
Friday 19 August
Middle School Social with PLC @ PLC 7:00pm - 9:30pm
TAS TALKS
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TAS CHAPLAIN, MR RICHARD NEWTON
TAS Community Spring Service
Rev Richard Newton warmly invites our TAS community and friends to celebrate together
at a special contemporary-style church service.
Where: TAS Big School
When: Wednesday 31 August at 6.30 pm
A delicious ‘spring’ meal will be served prior to the service from 6pm
A children’s activities program will be provided for young ones
87 Douglas Steet
Armidale NSW 2350
T 02 6776 5800
F 02 6776 5830
E [email protected]
www.as.edu.au
www.as.edu.au
TAS TALKS
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COUNSELLOR’S CORNER, ROB HADFIELD
Remember what you were taught as a child about crossing
a road – look right, look left, look right again? This is a good
practice that many of us still apply later on in life. Perhaps it has
contributed to our longevity more than we realise. I certainly
can remember a few ‘moments’ when something very different
might have happened. Mind you, I don’t think this instruction
makes a lot of difference in Kolkata (and other places) where the
traffic is a kind of ordered chaos.
A variation on this theme might be – look back, look forward,
return to the present.
It is helpful to us to look back. It can assist our selfunderstanding if we approach it in the right way, not as an
opportunity for negativity or hostility to ourselves or others,
but as a vehicle for learning and personal growth. It helps us
construct a meaningful narrative of our lives.
Looking ahead brings a kind of intentionality to our living.
Goals and planning, having some kind of vision or purpose,
orientates us and gives a sense of meaning and direction.
Becoming fixated on only one kind of future however can make
us inflexible and non-adaptive. Our life narratives need to be
authored with creativity.
Returning to the present is to know that the only moment
available for us to live is right here, right now. This encourages
us to become mindful, to learn how to be fully aware of the
living moment, the way we are in the flow of experience.
Discernment is present centred, based on awareness and
a strong sense of what really matters. Living in the present
without mindfulness and discernment is to leave ourselves
open to every rush of reactivity, spikes of feeling that we act out
of impulsively, often in destructive ways. To learn how to notice
our experience as it emerges is to learn the skills of mindful
living, to open the way to choice and decision based on the
discernment of our core values and commitments to them. It
is to learn how to let go of harmful preoccupations with our
artificial ego-self with all its impulses and self-concern. It is the
essence of creative living.
So, we need to learn how to look back, look forward and return
to the present in the ways that build a meaningful life. Notice,
from what has been said, that the ways in which we look back,
look forward and return to the present, really matter. Always it
is a matter of learning to do this – we need to accept ourselves
as people who are wearing ‘L- plates’ - all our lives, but getting
better at it over time.
Mr Rob Hadfield
TAS TALKS
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DIRECTOR OF STUDIES , SEONIA WARK
Year 8 Parent teacher interviews will be held this week on
Thursday 11 August 3.30 - 6pm and Friday 12 August 2 - 6pm.
These will be held in the Hoskins Foyer.
Parent Information Sessions regarding student Year 9 subject
selections for next year will be held on Thursday 11 August in
Big School beginning at 6.30pm and on Friday 12 August in the
Hoskins Theatre beginning at 11.45am. All Year 8 students will
be attending the session on Friday.
Interview times have now been allocated. Parents should log in
to the site https://parent.edval.com.au/index.php?
Please login and use the login code that was used to request
interviews.
If you have any problems with this process please contact Mrs
Alison Evans in Middle School - 6776 5819 or [email protected]
Year 12 HSC Trials continue this week and next week. A copy of
the Trials timetable is on the parent portal of the TAS website.
A reminder to Year 10 students that subject selection
preferences for Year 11 2017 close on Friday 12 August.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this process
please contact Mrs Wark or Mrs O’Brien.
TAS TALKS
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DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
New photo galleries on TAS website
The photo galleries on the TAS website have just been updated.
In recent weeks we’ve added some wonderful images that
capture just part of the breadth of TAS - from sporting visits,
the North West Equestrian Expo, GPS Shooting, the Term 2
Twilight Concert and the HSC Drama showcase, Curtain Up.
There is a also a sub-gallery of photos from rugby fixtures.
Behind the lens have been staff, parents and students. We
welcome contributions however please be judicious in limiting
the images to 50 in total and being as inclusive as possible.
The School reserves the right to choose which images may be
included, and how they may be used. Images are able to be
downloaded from the galleries - click on the image to view,
then right-click for prompts on how to download.
To find the website, either click on the link below (and
bookmark it for future reference), or click on the camera icon
next to the red Round Square logo, on the top right hand side
of the website.
http://www.as.edu.au/community/photo-gallery/
For more information, please email Tim Hughes at thughes@
as.edu.au
Mr Tim Hughes
TAS TALKS
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DIRECTOR OF CO-CURRICULAR, WILL CALDWELL
How big is the divide between glory and
defeat?
Why is it that when you ask someone “how was your game?”
they immediately give you the score – as if this is the truest
measure of a game. Sometimes they will elaborate with a
brief judgement; “we played well”. However, too often this is
influenced by the score. It is hard to separate performance from
result but only because we have been conditioned to believe
that the two are intrinsically linked.
I was one of the fortunate spectators that witnessed our First
XV play on Saturday. It was an incredible match, played with
exemplary sportsmanship and spirit. History will record that
TAS were crowned GPS 3rd Grade Champions for 2016; a tag
that they thoroughly deserve. However, the result could have
easily gone either way. Would this change the way we measure
their success. More importantly, would it change their sense of
accomplishment?
We are very proud of our First XV. Not just because they are GPS
Champions. The difference between winning and losing can be
one point and it can change in an instant. The divide between
glory and defeat is monumental. It is the character that defines
you; it is the attitude the shapes your actions, irrespective of the
result. It is who you are and requires strength and integrity to
maintain. It is these qualities that we are proud of.
All of our rugby teams are to be commended for their
commitment this season. They have given everything. They have
travelled thousands of kilometres, slept on gym floors, played
against whoever was thrown at them, with the same passion
and determination. They have all experienced victory and defeat
and have grown through the experience.
Meanwhile our Hockey, Football and Netball teams have their
sights set on finals. With only a few matches left to determine
the top four there is no shortage of motivation. I would
encourage those rugby players who have this weekend off, to
get along to a game or two to cheer them on.
Of course, we will excuse the 104 students that are heading
down to Sydney on Saturday to compete in this year’s City2Surf.
This is our biggest contingent yet and representative of the ‘can
do’ culture that exists at TAS. I wish all our runners well in what is
both an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Best of luck to all our athletes competing at Coffs Harbour for
NCIS Athletics Championships. Individuals will be striving for
selection in the NCIS team to compete at CIS Championships on
21 September.
TAS TALKS
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TAS 2 Netball
On Saturday the TAS 2 Netball Team played an excellent game
against NEGS, claiming a 24-19 victory. The girls were down
after the first quarter, taking the lead in the second where they
remained for the rest of the game. Maddy Dennis and Courtney
Stewart played a strong game in the circle whilst Kim Bange
provided very accurate feeds to our shooters. Ellen Coote and
Ruby Wright played well, passing the ball from our defensive
end up to our attackers on many occasions. Meanwhile Chloe
Lawson and Emily Blackbourne shut down their goal shooters
in an awesome display of goal circle defence. Jessie Digby's
versatility was invaluable as she easily switched from defence to
attack.
It was a great opportunity for the boys to be part of the GPS
pathway and play on the paddock with some of the best young
schoolboys in the country. TAS is most grateful to The Scots
College and The King’s School for hosting the boys during their
stay in Sydney.
Mr David Drain
MIC Rugby
AAGPS Rugby Selector
All in all it was a great display of netball from and sportsmanship
from the TAS 2 girls and one of the best games of the season.
Miss Alex Pollitt and I now look forward to working with the girls
to build on this game as we head towards finals.
Miss Hannah Gregory
TAS trio pull on rugby jerseys for GPS
Three TAS boys pulled on representative rugby jerseys for the
Athletic Association of Great Public Schools (AAGPS) during
the holidays, mixing it with some of the best schoolboys in the
game.
Their selection named on the final weekend of Term 2, Samuel
Jackson-Bolton and Joseph Kingham were part of the Open GPS
Blue and White squad, while Michael Baldock was included in
the GPS (16 years) President’s squad. During the week of training
and competition, Joseph and Samuel were accommodated at
The Scots College, whilst Michael boarded at The King’s School.
On the first day of play (21 June) GPS Blue and GPS White faced
each other at the Shore School War Memorial Playing Fields,
with Samuel and Joseph playing for Blue which defeated White.
Two days later at Boronia Park, Samuel scored a try for GPS Blue
in their 51-5 winning game against Sydney JRU. Joseph played
for GPS White which defeated Country Junior Rugby U18s 19-7.
Meanwhile in the GPS Presidents’ (16 years) XV teams, number
eight Michael Baldock was vice-captain of the 16Bs for
three fixtures. On Saturday 25 June the team went down to
Independent Sporting Association 5-35 and then to Combined
Catholic Colleges 19-31 but the following day had more success,
defeating Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools
(AICES) 27-5.
Football
Game Changes this week
Please be aware that due to the A-League fixture in Tamworth,
all senior football games will be played on Sunday 14 August,
rather than Saturday 13 August. They will occur at the same
time and venue as the current draw, just a day later. The only
exception to this is the First and Second XI who will still have
their fixtures on Saturday.
All junior teams (up to 16s) still have games on Saturday
morning.
Change to training this week
Over the coming weeks, there will be changes to the published
training schedule due to Passing Out Parade rehearsals.
This week (week 4), there will be no 16s football training on
Thursday. 12s football will still go ahead as scheduled.
Next week (week 5), there will be no 14s football training on
Wednesday.
I will advise on a weekly basis, through TAS Talks, any
implications for football training.
Mr Luke Polson
MIC Football
TAS TALKS
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PHOTOGRAPHS: Winter 2016
Tuesday 30 August
TIME
7.00am
7.15am
7.30am
7.45am
8.00am
8.10am
8.20am
8.25am
8.50am
9.20am
9.30am
9.40am
9.50am
9.55am
10.00am
10.15am
10.20am
10.25am
11.20am
11.30am
12.25pm
12.55pm
1.00pm
1.05pm
1.20pm
1.25pm
1.30pm
1.35pm
1.40pm
1.45pm
1.50pm
3.45pm
3.55pm
4.05pm
4.15pm
4.25pm
4.30pm
NAME OF PHOTO
VENUE
Middle School Boarding
Abbott House
Croft House
Tyrrell House
TAS Singers
TAS Big band
TAS Snr Jazz
Year 12
Junior School
Cross Country: PSSA Team
Athletics: PSSA Team
Junior School Athletics Champions
Junior School Swimming Champions
Fantastics
TAS Trebles
Cross Country NCIS & CIS
Equestrian Team
SRC
Anzac Day Guard
Cadets: Officers & NCOs
Middle School
MS Debating
Descendants of Old Boys
MS Monitors (taken in semester 2)
Chess
Athletics: GPS Team
Netball
Hockey: 1st XI
GPS/CIS Representatives
Senior Debating / Public Speaking
Tennis 1st IV
Football: 1st XI
Rugby: 1st XV
Rugby: 2nd XV
Rugby: 3rd XV
Shooting: 1st VIII
Shooting: 2nd VIII
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
McConville
McConville
McConville
McConville
McConville
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall
McConville
McConville
McConville
McConville
McConville
McConville
McConville
McConville
McConville
McConville
McConville
McConville
McConville
TAS TALKS
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PHOTOGRAPHS: Winter 2016
Wednesday 31st August
TIME
NAME OF PHOTO
VENUE
7.50am
8.00am
8.05am
8.10am
8.15am
Dangar House
Abbott House Year 12
Tyrrell House Year 12
Croft House Year 12
House Captains & Vice Captains
Prefects
Co-Curricular Captains
Swimming: Middle & Senior School Age
Champions
Triathlon Team
NSW All Schools Triathlon Reps
TAS Cantique
TAS Camerata
TAS Pipes & Drums
McConville Centre
McConville Centre
McConville Centre
McConville Centre
McConville Centre
8.25am
8.35am
10.15am
10.25am
10.30am
11.20am
11.25am
11.30am
McConville Centre
McConville Centre
McConville Centre
McConville Centre
McConville Centre
McConville Centre
McConville Centre
McConville Centre
TAS TALKS
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Rugby
Summer Sport Choices
Over the weekend, the TAS 2016 First XV became 3rd Grade, GPS
Champions. An emotional 22-17 victory over St Josephs College
was the pinnacle of the season, with tries being scored by Sam
Jackson-Bolton, Nick Day, Jack Radford, and a penalty was kicked
by Eddie Pitt. This final crusade to take home the premiership
undefeated was carefully planned by the Head Coach Mr
Alan Jones, and his team of coaches Mr David Drain, Mr Adam
Whalley and the welcome return of former coach Alex Smith
who joined the team on the side line, giving them some extra
impetus. Congratulations to all involved in this momentous win.
Summer Sport choices for the 2016/17 season will be made
during Advisor time next Tuesday 16 August. Attached for you is
information regarding those sports available to select from.
Please read this information and discuss it with your child to
enable an informed decision to be made.
Any enquiries should be directed to: [email protected]
Click HERE to view Summer Sport Choices.
Whilst we were behind on the scoreboard in all other fixtures,
in true TAS spirit the boys played hard right to the very end,
showing immense discipline, courage and camaraderie in
defeat.
This end to the GPS season does not see an end to rugby, with
one final proposed fixture for each age group.
Wednesday 10 August sees TAS opens and under 16s being
joined by representatives from the Warringah Rugby Club
who will work with the students to develop their skills, whilst
passing on their wealth of knowledge of the game. Furthermore
the Warringah representatives will help provide clarity for the
students regarding rugby opportunities after their schooling
finishes.
The following is a list of the proposed final fixtures of the TAS
season. There will be no training this week except for the 16s
and opens, however training will commence the week prior the
each age groups proposed fixture (this will be communicated
by managers).
Opens: - (development XV) to play Scots PGC on Saturday 3
September at Warwick.
16s
– to play Scots PGC on Saturday 3 September at Warwick.
15s
- to play Farrer on Friday 26 August at Tamworth, after school.
14As - to play Farrer on Friday 26 August at Tamworth, after school.
-to play USC Rugby Club on Monday 19 September at TAS.
13s
- to play Farrer/Calrossy on Friday 26 August at Tamworth after school.
TAS TALKS
12
DIRECTOR OF BOARDING , MICHAEL HOLLAND
On Sunday afternoon I escorted the Year 10 boarders to NEGS
for lunch and games. While some of the boys took some
coaxing to get on the bus and it took a little while once we
arrived for someone to break the ice, it ended up being a great
afternoon. After joining the girls in the dining hall for lunch
we headed down to the oval to play some touch rugby. The
teams were mixed and it was great to see the girls and boys
enjoying themselves. The touch rugby was followed by a super
competitive game of Dodgeball with Max Qorovarua proving to
be a very hard target to hit. We capped the afternoon off with
some billy cart riding. A brave few entertained the spectators
as they raced down the hill coming to a muddy stop at the
bottom.
After travelling to Sydney last weekend for the last time this
year, boarders will find themselves with more time on their
hands over weekends. While we will obviously encourage
them to make use of their time to prepare for upcoming
assessments, we acknowledge they need to be engaged in fun
activities with their peers as well. You will have received a copy
of the recreation program for the term and I would ask you to
encourage your sons and daughters to avail themselves of the
opportunities provided. This weekend we will be taking a trip
to the movies, attending the Armidale Rugby Union grand final
and playing lawn bowls on Sunday afternoon.
Representatives from TAS will be at AGQUIP in Gunnedah next
week and I will be travelling out early Wednesday morning to
spend the day at the show. I look forward to meeting with TAS
families, present, past and future.
TAS TALKS
13
Some images from NEGS on Sunday and a shot of Alan Cotterill and Sam Osbourne in costume.
TAS TALKS
14
PASSING OUT PARADE
THE ARMIDALE SCHOOL CADET UNIT
Passing Out Parade
Friday 2nd September 2016
nd
Passing out parade for all cadets in Year 8 and above will be held on Adamsfield on Friday 2
September (Week 7) starting at 2.00pm. The parade and rehearsal are compulsory activities for all
cadets.
Uniform is DPCU Ceremonial – Slouch Hat and Black Belt.
Uniforms will be ironed by the school laundry staff and stored at school.
Parade training schedule is listed below:
Passing Out Parade Rehearsal Schedule
Week 4
•
11th August (Thursday) – Afternoon 3.30 - 5.00pm Cadet Unit - Cricket Oval
(no sport training)
Sword Drill practice at lunchtime 1.25 – 1.55pm for CUOs
Week 5
•
17th August (Wednesday) – Afternoon 3.30 - 5.00pm Cadet Unit - Cricket Oval
(no sport training) (Dress Rehearsal – DPCU Uniform to be worn)
Sword Drill practice at lunchtime 1.25 – 1.55pm for CUOs
Week 6
nd
•
22 August (Monday) - Afternoon 3.30 - 5.00pm Year 12 passing out rehearsal – Adamsfield
rd
•
23 August (Tuesday) - Afternoon 3.30 - 5.00pm Cadet Unit - Adamsfield
(no sport training)
Sword Drill practice at lunchtime 1.25 – 1.55pm for CUOs
•
24 August (Wednesday) - Afternoon 3.30 - 5.00pm Year 12 passing out rehearsal – Adamsfield
th
Week 7
th
•
29 August (Monday) - Lunchtime 12.40 – 1.05pm (Yr 8) 1.25 – 1.55pm (Yr 9) Cadet Unit –
Adamsfield
th
•
29 August (Monday) - Afternoon 3.30 - 5.00pm Year 12 passing out rehearsal – Adamsfield
•
30 August (Tuesday) – Afternoon 3.30 - 5.00pm Year 12 passing out rehearsal – Adamsfield
•
31 August (Wednesday) - Afternoon 3.30 - 5.00pm Cadet Unit - Adamsfield
(no sport training)
st
1 September (Thursday) - Afternoon 1.30 - 5.00pm Cadet Unit - Adamsfield
(no Pd 6&7 or sport training)
th
st
•
nd
2 September (Friday) - Passing Out Parade –– Cadet Unit – 11. 40am – 3.30pm
(cadets required from 11.40am P4/5 for issues, lunch and dress inspection – form-up at 1.30pm)
Parade commences at 2.00pm.
T. W. THATCHER
Major
Commanding Officer
TAS TALKS
15
Activity Day 5 - Cadets
Locations
TAS Cadet Unit (TASCU) is to conduct Activity Day No. 5 on
Monday 15 August. All companies are to conduct training in the
field for the day.
Activities are to be conducted in a number of locations:
Objectives for Activity Day No. 5 are:
A Coy (Year 9) (and 7 Platoon - all girls):
•
Individual Navigation Exercise
•
Bush cooking activities
•
Firearms Safety Training - range practice
(Note: girls will be allocated to 1,2 & 3 platoon as the third
section)
B Coy (Year 8)
•
Abseiling
•
Bush Survival Skills
•
A Coy - Loch Abba via Herbert Park Rd
•
B Coy - Bakers Creek Falls via Waterfall Way.
•
8 Platoon (Advance): Pine Forest
Rangers - Sport UNE and UNSWR Depot
Briefing
All cadets will be briefed on their activities, clothing and
equipment on Tuesday 99 August Period 3.
Parade
All cadets are to parade at TAS Adamsfield at 8.30am on Monday
15 August (Week 5) and will be dismissed at 3.30pm.
8 Platoon (Adv)
•
Mountain Bike Riding
Rangers
•
Climbing Wall
•
Rope Bridging
•
Initiative exercises
TAS TALKS
16
CREATIVE ARTS
It is about this time of year when one can identify the HSC
Creative Arts students by the look of stress-approaching-panic
washing over their countenances - and their stress is usually
only but a fraction of their teacher’s. But the pay-off when the
major work is realised or the audience gives a rousing applause
(like the fabulous audience at last week’s CurtainUP) always
makes the hard work worth it. Having Trial exams in the middle
of the preparation of creative projects and performances isn’t
much fun so I send my encouragement and best wishes to all
the students in the Creative Arts at this time and urge them to
see the next few weeks as a final short burst where they can
reap the great rewards from effort and dedication.
The next events in the busy Creative Arts calendar are
Masterstroke and Final Note, a combined evening showcasing
the work of HSC Visual Arts and HSC Music students. The event
will be held in the Hoskins Centre on Tuesday 23 August and
everyone is invited to come along and share in the wonderful
talent and dedication of our senior students. Both classes are
immensely diverse in their interests and styles and it will be a
night of great entertainment and celebration of the Arts.
Finally, I encourage members of the TAS community to be
aware of the Middle School Play Shuddersome: Tales of Poe
and Junior’s School’s musical The Lion King and upcoming
opportunities to assist with the production elements of both
shows. Many hands make light work and volunteers are always
appreciated. Keep an eye on your emails and TAS Talks for more
information.
Mr Andrew O’Connell
Creative Arts Coordinator
Mr Andrew O’Connell
TAS TALKS
17
MUSIC MATTERS
Opera Australia is in town!
AMEB Examinations
The National Opera Company - Opera Australia is presenting
Mozart’s brilliant opera The Marriage of Figaro at Lazenby Hall
this Thursday evening. Award-winning creative duo Michael
Gow and Robert Kemp have created a brand new production,
featuring stunning period costumes and a clever set. A talented
chamber orchestra and chorus of local children will accompany
some of Opera Australia’s finest singers performing Mozart’s
beautiful music. We are delighted to announce that two TAS
students were selected by audition for the Opera Australia
Children’s Chorus and will be performing in The Marriage of
Figaro at the UNE tomorrow night. Congratulations to Jasper
O’Neil and Aiden Swick.
A reminder to students sitting AMEB exams over the next few
weeks to let the School know you will be absent from class for
your exam. Also - best of luck!
Opera Australia will also be running two exciting workshops
this week in conjunction with New England Conservatorium
of Music (NECOM) for Year 9-12 Music and Drama Students.
A group of TAS students will be attending each of these
workshops as a complement to their academic studies.
We like to celebrate the achievements of music students so
please let us know the outcome of your AMEB examinations.
If you would like us to publish AMEB results in TAS Talks please
email Mrs Broadbent at [email protected]
Save the Dates for the ‘Final Note’ Concert
on Tuesday 23 August and TAS Ensembles
Concert on Thursday 1 September!
A reminder to save the dates for both the Final Note HSC
showcase and the TAS Ensembles Concert, which are coming up
soon. These events are not to be missed so be sure to put these
dates in your diaries.
Yours in music..
More rehearsals next week for New England
Sings! 2016
Ms Roobol, Mrs Baumgartner, Mrs Butcher, Mr Dunham and
Mrs Broadbentand Mrs Broadbent
Rehearsals are on again next week in preparation for New
England Sings! 2016, which will be held on the weekend of 15 &
16 October at Lazenby Hall, UNE, Armidale.
TAS 3-5 Choir (Primary Choirs) along with TAS Singers and TAS
Cantique (Secondary Choirs) will be attending rehearsals at the
following times:
Primary Choir Rehearsals: TAS 3-5 Choir
Thursday 18 August
1.00 - 2.30pm
Old Teachers’ College (OTC), Mossman Street
Secondary Choir Rehearsal: TAS Singers & Tas Cantique
Thursday 19 August
12.30 - 3.00pm OTC
Transport Arrangements
Students in TAS 3-5 Choir will travel to the Old Teachers’ College
(OTC) by Edwards Coaches at 12.40pm to begin rehearsing as
part of the mass choir for the event in Term 4. They will return
to school around 2.40pm.
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HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL, MARK HARRISON
Absentees & Leave Request
I am writing in the first instance to seek your help. During
this week’s Town Meeting I spoke to all boys and girls about
absences from School. It is a BOSTES requirement that
all absentees are explained. A note or email from parents
explaining the absence is required when your child returns to
school or on the day of his / her illness. If illness extends four
consecutive days, a medical certificate should accompany a
student’s return to school.
As you know, we require you as parents to complete leave
requests if you need to take your child out of school for an
upcoming planned absence. (Medical/Dental appointments do
not need leave request forms.) Application forms for exemption
from attendance are on the school website and must be
emailed to [email protected] or handed in to the Middle School
Office for approval by the Head of Middle School.
Please note: medical leave notwithstanding leave cannot be
taken until a certificate for exemption from Attendance at
School is received.
Leaving School Grounds – a reminder
This inclusion constitutes a reminder to all students about
the correct procedure to follow when they leave the school
grounds during school hours (8.45am to 3.30pm). If anyone has
an appointment or is leaving the school grounds for any reason
during school time they must sign out and sign back in upon
their return. The sign out book is placed in the Middle School
Staff Room. This procedure ensures that the school knows
where the students are at all times.
Early Adolescence
As well we know, adolescence is a stage when young people
undergo many physical, emotional and social changes. It can
be a challenging period for many parents who may discover
their once placid child begins to resist their authority for the first
time. Their once happy son may now be a little withdrawn, or a
formerly friendly daughter may become hard to live with.
It can be a difficult time for young people. Not quite kids and
not really adolescents, they are caught in a type of limbo. It
can also be a sad time for young people. Many look back and
realize that they can never really be ‘children’ again, yet looking
ahead they can be apprehensive knowing that adolescence will
present them with its own peculiar challenges.
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This particular stage can provide a window of opportunity for
parents. It is a time to help prepare your child for adolescence
and even adulthood. Parents need to establish a relationship
based on mutual respect and shared interest. It is also a time to
help children get on the right track at school before learning
difficulties become too great and developing adolescents can
simply ‘give up’ rather than appear inadequate in front of their
peers.
It is the start of a period of challenging, thoughtful parenting
and managing of these people. I’ve said this before and I’m
going to do it again, we’re ‘in this one together’ – so, any
help you can give will be reciprocated at this end. I’ve been
heartened of late with parents coming to see or call me with
comments or concerns – this indicates that Middle School
life is, well, normal actually. Our on-going communication is
suggestive of mutually dependent support systems and this, in
turn, presumes that shared information needs to be ‘warts and
all’ communication.
They can make you laugh, encourage you to see things clearly
and simply (not simplistically!) and on their good days they
just make your days less ‘fraught’. I don’t often write like this –
perhaps that’s a good thing, but as we negotiate the middle
of the year, we need to remind ourselves of what’s good about
what we do around this very, very busy school.
Student Leaders
I am pleased to write the photo below boasts the new student
leaders for the second semester. On behalf of all the staff and
students of Middle School I wish these young people the best
of luck in their new roles. I’ve already had my first meeting with
them and it was a productive meeting.
Mr Mark Harrison
Head of Middle School
When it ‘comes to the crunch’ these people are deserving of our
support, of a little breathing space, of acceptance even when
we sometimes don’t understand. Granted, I know that dealing
with them can be frustrating occasionally but, more often than
not, it is fascinating as well.
Middle School Monitors with Head of Middle School, Mark Harrison
Back Row: Mark Harrison, Luke Evans, Alistair Le Surf, Marcus Braham
Front Row: William Benham, Cotter Litchfield, Rorie Chambers & Thomas Stinson
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HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL, IAN LLOYD
Lion King Safari – September 17, 2016
from 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm
Junior School is going on a Safari and you are all invited!
Designed to have our school community gather together to
make a start on the preparations for this year’s production,
The Lion King Safari will be held on 17 September in the
Junior School and Hoskins Centre. We will be organising an
afternoon of laughter, fun and a chance to contribute to the
organisation and preparations for our school performance!
With so much excitement surrounding our end of year
performance, we are taking this opportunity to have all hands
on deck with sewing, prop building and mask making. We
will also be conducting many other activities that showcase
our busy Junior School including using the Hoskins Centre
studio with the “green screen” technology, creating photos of
our students in the African wilderness.
With a free sausage sizzle and other great activities, we are
also using the occasion to promote all the wonderful things
we do in Junior School to our prospective new parents and
the whole Armidale community. There will be more details
soon but the afternoon will run from 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm and
we would like you to bring the whole family, your friends,
even all the kids in your neighborhood, for a chance to have
some fun and adventure.
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ICAS Spelling results
Congratulation to all our students who chose to participate in
the recent ICAS Spelling Competition. Particularly outstanding
results were achieved by: Charlie Repin (Distinction); Harry
Pennington (Credit); Joel Blackburn, Archie Burraston, Henry
Kirton and Hugo Li (Merit).
Let’s Hang It – Congratulations to Sophia
White
Last weekend a brand new exhibition of artworks from school
students from across the region was opened at NERAM. Some of
you may have heard of the Let’s Hang It exhibition and Art Prize
run by NERAM and the University of New England. Two of our
past awardees, Calin Simmonds (Year 5) and Thomas Dundon
(Year 4) would know just how exciting it is to be chosen to
exhibit. This year, over 650 entries were received and only 65
finalists were chosen to have their works framed and hung in
the very same gallery that has hosted works from some of the
best artists in Australia and beyond.
This year, not only did one of our TAS Junior School students
get chosen as a finalist, but her work entitled Icebergs, created
at our Science Meets Art Activities Day, was also awarded a
Highly Commended accolade, placing her at the very top of her
category, beside the eventual winner. Well done Sophia, we are
all so very proud of you.
Renovations and continued building in the
Junior School
We are indeed, in exciting times. As the School’s increasing
enrolments put pressure on our all our facilities, we too in Junior
School are feeling the effects! In last week’s TAS Talks, I spoke of
a new storage area being created under our building. This week
I would like to announce as part of the preparations for next
year, the Transition class will be moving into the main Junior
School building next term. While this will not be permanent, as
part of the school’s expansion we envisage that this will be for a
number of years.
As part of the master plan, there will be a staged preparation,
restructuring, renovation and movement throughout the
building to cater for this significant change. Planning and
building has already begun to create a fantastic new site for
Transition that provides a first class facility for our youngest
students. From next term, the Transition classroom will be
accommodated in the current JS staff room creating a well
resourced specialised area with separate enclosed learning
spaces and playing area.
These changes will be in place for term 3 but interruptions to
class and our students will be minimal. Mrs Anne Hine will be
relocating to our spare upstairs classroom for French and E & E
and I will keep you well informed as other changes occur. Please
give me a call if you would like further information about these
changes.
Looking Ahead
Wednesday 10 August
Year 2 Assembly
Thursday 11 August Australian Mathematics Competition E&E class
Friday 12 August
Newcastle Jets talk (A League soccer)
Monday 15 August Activities Day
Tuesday 16 August
ICAS Mathematics Exam Hanna Shield Swimming
Icebergs by Sophia White
Wednesday 17 August Year 3 Assembly
NCIS Athletics
Thursday 18 August
rehearsal
New England Sings
Wednesday 24 August
Year 1 Assembly
Week 7 Winter photos
Week 9 Lion King Safari Day
Week 10
Parent Teacher Interviews
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Birthday Wishes
Premiers Reading Challenge (PRC)
We wish a very happy birthday to Henry Taylor.
The children registered for the PRC have been busy over the
holidays and the first three weeks of this term doing lots of
reading which is wonderful to see!
Illness in Junior School
With so much illness in Armidale at the moment, we ask
that any child who has been vomiting, had diarrhoea or a
temperature, to remain at home for 24 hrs. from the last signs of
illness.
If your child is absent from school could you please send an
email to the Junior School at [email protected] or phone
6776 5817.
Signing a child out or in for Junior School
If during the day your child needs to be taken out of class, we
ask that you please sign them out and back in at Junior School
reception. A blue folder is located on the reception desk for this
purpose. We ask that parents do not go to classrooms unless
urgent, as this can be disrupting for the whole class. A staff
member will collect your child for you.
Please be aware that there is only two more weeks left of the
PRC. I would like all completed reading logs to be handed into
the library by Friday 19 August. This will allow us to enter your
books and have the reading logs validated before the cut off
date. If you have finished now, please bring your reading log
with you to your Library lesson and give it to Mrs Allan, Mrs
Ramazani or myself.
Children are allowed to return and borrow new Library books
throughout the week before and after school and during
lunchtime with their teacher’s permission.
There are many children very close to finishing, so I encourage
you all to keep on reading to achieve your goal.
Happy reading everyone!
Mrs Janine Ranck
We thank you for your understanding.
PYP-What has been happening in our
Kindergarten Classroom?
Kindergarten have commenced the term exploring their new
Unit of Inquiry focussed on the Central Idea “ Weather Affects
Human Action.”
Part of their inquiry was to view some footage of floods in
Bangladesh, which happen on a regular basis. The class then
discussed how this wether pattern impacts on the Bangladesh
people and what needs they have in times of flood, particular
the challenge of sourcing fresh food.
The students were introduced to the concept of a floating
garden and were assisted by UNE STEM scientist and PhD
student Katherine Polain to design and construct a floating
garden.
Mrs Veronica Waters
PYP Coordinator
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JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORT
Summer Sport
In week 5 the summer sport choice forms will be sent home to students, along with an explanation of when each sport will be
training or games played.
Hanna Shield – Tuesday 16 August
For those new to Hanna Shield, it is a long standing swimming competition with the primary schools in Armidale. Each school has a
Junior and Senior Girl and Boy team to race a 4 x 50m freestyle and 4 x 50m medley relay. TAS will take a junior and senior boy team
as well as a senior girl team for 2016.
There is a trophy for the overall top boy and girl team as well as an enrolment trophy. As mentioned, it will start at 1.45pm and I
would recommend arriving 15 minutes earlier to ensure you are there for the first race. We wish all the following representatives the
best of luck:
Junior Boys- Iles Baker, Tom Ball, Toby Inglis, Abbott White
Senior Boys- Sam Ball, Oliver Smart, Aiden Swick, Hugh Taylor
Senior Girls- Karen Baker, Isabel Newton, Casey Smith, Ruby Straker
PSSA
On August 2, a group of our students participated in the PSSA Athletics Carnival at Armidale High School. A wonderful day for all
and our students efforts were fantastic.
Special congratulations to:
Abbott White - First in Junior discus
Hugh Taylor - First in 11 Yrs boy high jump and Third - 11 yrs boy long jump
Tom Ball - Second in Junior discus
Caleb Baumgartner - second in Junior shot put and Third in Junior discus
Daniel Morgan - Third in 11 yrs boys 100m
The Team
Blake Whitehill, Abbott White, Jasper Russ, Hugh Taylor, Jasper O’Neil, Calin Simmonds, Peyton Slade, Daniel Morgan Iles Baker, Tom
Ball, Caleb Baumgartner, Hugo Catterall, Ted Chick, Toby Inglis, Evan Kwan, Essie Lindeman, Henry Douglas-Menzies, Karen Baker,
Peter Evans, Liam Hunt, Lachlan Morgan, Isabel Newton, Ben Rowe and Ruby Straker.
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COMMUNITY NOTICES
NATIONAL TOUR
LEADING PARTNER
OPERA AUSTRALIA
PRINCIPAL PARTNER
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
OPERA CONFERENCE PARTNERS
ONE NIGHT ONLY
Thursday 11 August 7.30 pm,
Lazenby Hall, University of New England
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/LBCU
Phone 6788 2137
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