Middle School

Middle School Ride / Walk to School Day | Friday 20 March

We are celebrating Ride/Walk to School Day on Friday 20 March. This is an event proudly run by the School’s Climate Action and Environment Group and we would like as many students as possible to participate. ​As of March 2025, Australia's transport sector is responsible for around 22% of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions, making it the third-largest emitting sector, with road transport being the main culprit. In support of a greener future, we would like to encourage students to walk or ride their bikes or scooters to school. Bikes/scooters are to be stored in the undercover area outside of the Canteen and the Climate Action Group are preparing a breakfast Sausage Sizzle (vegetarian option provided) to recognise everyone’s effort. 

Harmony Day Multicultural Feast | Monday 23 March

To celebrate Harmony Day and the cultural diversity in our community, the Languages faculty have organised a multicultural feast, showcasing German, French and Japanese food at lunchtime on Monday 23 March.

Featured foods include sausages, pain au chocolat and mochi. Both cash and card will be accepted and items for purchase commence at $2. All proceeds will go towards the Migrant Resource Centre in Moonah. Students are encouraged to come along and enjoy some yummy food for a good cause.

Relay for Life 2026

This year’s Relay for Life will be held at the Domain Athletics Centre on Saturday 28 March from 10am-10pm. Students in Years 7-12 are invited to join our team and walk for an hour or more, throughout the event with team Friendlies, to help raise money and awareness in support of the Cancer Council of Tasmania. Students in Years 5-6 are invited to participate between 2-5pm.

Registration and donations can be made online at team Friendlies here. 

Please contact Simone for general information and Sharon Ryan for specific Years 5/6 queries.

Further details will be shared with registered participants closer to the event.

Year 8 Environmental Impact Excursions

In weeks 7-9, Year 8 students will travel by bus to the Resource Work Co-operative at the South Hobart Tip Shop. Students will tour the Co-operative to learn about what a co-operative is and get behind the scenes to see how the Tip Shop runs. Depending on the day, activities may include visiting teams in salvage, sorting, scrap, e-waste,  collectables and timber processing. The tour will finish with a visit to the Tip Shop where students can make purchases if they wish.

Students will need to bring a packed recess and lunch, as depending on their rotation they may not be at school during recess or lunch time. They will also need to bring a hat and drink bottle. 

Classes will rotate through this Connections Day on the following dates:

An email was sent out on 3 March with details.

Middle School Donation Drive

The Middle School Student Voice Council are holding their first Donation Drive for the Year, supporting the Books and Boots campaign.

Books and Boots facilitates the provision of pre-loved and new books and football boots to children in remote areas of primary school-age Australia. As such, the Student Voice Council is asking for donations of children's picture books and football boots to be re-distributed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities nationally.

We are looking for donations of new or gently used picture books for children between the ages of 0-8. Please see the donation guide about what we can and can’t accept.

We are also seeking clean football boots for all ages. Are you a member of a football club? Are you able to organise a larger collection of used boots to donate?

House donation tubs will be set up in the Middle School library from Weeks 6-9 to collect Books and Boots. The House with the most donations wins points towards the House Cup!

For more information about the campaign, or any questions you might have, contact Essie Hoggart, House Leader (ehoggart@friends.tas.edu.au)

Term 2 Co-curricular Sport Sign Up

The following sports are on offer for Term 2:

• Australian Rules Football Boys Years 7/8
• Badminton Years 7/8
• Netball Years 7/8
• Water Polo Years 7/8
• Learn to Play Rugby

Please take a moment to browse the handbook together with your child and discuss which activities they might like to join. We encourage students to maintain a balanced approach, with the support of their families, to ensure both academic and co-curricular commitments are manageable and rewarding.

Co-Curricular handbook

Some offerings have limited places or require early sign-up (e.g. sport by 2 April), so we encourage you to register as soon as possible by logging into SEQTA Engage and clicking on the Clipboard link or directly at https://portal.clipboard.app/the-friends-school.

Parents / Guardians and students can view the available activity selections in Clipboard. Sport activities require parents / guardians to complete the selection to give permission for their child to participate. 

For assistance with logging in to your school account, contact the Information Services team via the Support Portal. If you use the "forgot username" option in the portal, you will get an automated response with account activation instructions.

Year 7 Hobart Rivulet Excursion

Friday 20 March - Backhouse & Oats

On their allocated day, students will depart at 11am by bus to the Strickland Falls and Cascade Gardens. Students will return to campus by 3.30pm.

Students are to wear sports uniform, including sturdy shoes and must bring a hat and a waterproof jacket.  Students should also pack any personal medications, including EpiPen or ventolin for asthma if required and also bring sunscreen.

Students are asked to bring recess, lunch and a drink bottle and are reminded that lunch orders are not available on this day. Please ensure students have packed plenty to eat and drink. 

Year 7 Beach and Bike Day Programs

Year 7 students have two upcoming outdoor education excursions in March.

Drop off at: 8:30am Bell St Campus

Collect from: 3:30pm Bell St Campus

Beach Day  

Coasteering journey from Blackmans Bay to Boronia Beach. The school provides helmets, life-jackets, and wetsuits, though students may bring their own full-length wetsuit if they prefer. 

Bike Day  

Bike Day features a beginner mountain bike ride at Meehan Range and a bushwalk to Doyles Lookout. All bikes, helmets, and gloves are supplied. 

Please refer to the Paperly form for detailed information about the day and the Equipment List. Students who need to borrow gear can do so on the morning of the program. 

Food: Students are responsible for their own food rations for the whole day. Please ensure all items are nut-free and stored appropriately. 

Water: Students will need to carry 1 litre of water and manage hydration throughout the day. Additionally, students will have access to a water drum to top up drink bottles.

Medical & Medication: Parents/guardians are required to hand any personal medication directly to staff at Bell Street on the morning of their child's program. Please include written instructions for the medication. If your child uses an EpiPen or asthma puffer, these must be in-date and carried with them at all times. Kindly inform staff if your child will be carrying these items. Ensure your child’s Paperly profile is updated with current medication details, dosage, dietary requirements, swimming ability and health concerns.

All students must bring a broad-brimmed bucket hat. Students are responsible for managing their personal sunscreen application and must wear appropriate layers to manage both sun and cold conditions. All students should always be prepared for rain and changing weather.

Please email Thomas van Sant tvansant@friends.tas.edu.au if you have any questions.

SMITH FAMILY - Student2Student Reading Program 2026

The student2student program works by matching students who need to improve their reading with peer buddies who help and encourage them with their reading. Peer support is central to the program’s success. Each student and buddy read two to three times a week for at least 20 minutes, over an 18 week period. The Student2Student digital model enables students to connect using a website called Chatty Kids. Students read eBooks provided on the site and use the Voice over IP function to speak to their buddy.

The key dates for recruitment and training of students in Years 7-12 as reading buddies for Student2Student are below. Please note Phase 1 is for Years 11/12 students as it concludes in Term 3 to allow for external examinations in Term 4.

Program Reading Dates for 2026

• Phase 1: 4 May to 18 September
• Phase 2: 18 May to 2 October

Buddy Registration due dates

• Phase 1: By Friday 10 April
• Phase 2: By Friday 24 April

Buddy Registration Link

• Click Here for Buddy Registration

Buddy Training due dates

• Phase 1: By Friday 1 May
• Phase 2: By Friday 15 May

We are aiming to get 10 to 15 students volunteering as a Buddy if that is possible. The 1 hour training program is coming soon.

Please contact Karina Churchill (kchurchill@friends.tas.edu.au) to indicate your interest or if you have any questions.

Co-curricular Opportunities

Discover our Co-curricular Online Handbook—your essential guide to enrichment, clubs, sports, music, service, policies, and key dates across all year levels. Visit the handbook to explore opportunities, plan ahead, and get involved in our vibrant co-curricular life.

Absentees

If your child will be absent from school for the day please advise the Middle School Office (phone: 6210 2235, or email: middleschooloffice@friends.tas.edu.au). We appreciate your support in this process.

Important Dates in Middle School

Friday 20 March - Penn Bike / Fry Beach - Bell Street

Friday 20 March - Backhouse & Oats Rivulet Excursion

Saturday 21 March - Friends’ School Fair

Monday 23 March - Middle School Harmony Day Celebration

Wednesday 25 March - Oats Beach / Backhouse Bike - Bell Street

Thursday 26 March - Rustin & Bracy Environmental Impact Excursion

Thursday 26 March - Penn Beach / Fry Bike  - Bell Street

Friday 27 March - Walker Beach / Mott Bike - Bell Street

Saturday 28 March - Relay for Life (sign-up required for Friendlies Team)

Thursday 2 April - Stowe & Knight Environmental Impact Excursion

Friday 3 April - Tuesday 7th April - Easter Break

Thursday 16 April - Middle School Semester 1 Reports Released

Friday 17 April - End of Term 1