Whole School
Volunteering at Friends’
The School is grateful to all those who give their time to support our students and staff with learning and activities at Friends’. A reminder that any person over the age of 16 who wishes to volunteer in programs run by The Friends’ School must register their interest and be approved before their start. Volunteer registrations are current for 12 months and the only exception to this process is for current Friends’ students.
Please complete all sections of this form to register your interest.
Once submitted, the application will be reviewed and once approved, you will be invited to complete an induction prior to involvement in the activity you will be undertaking. If you have questions about this process, please contact Christine Palmer or phone 6210 2200.
The person volunteering will receive an automated response once their volunteer registration has been approved.
Board of Governors Update
The Board of Governors wishes to advise the following recent appointments to the Board made by Australia Yearly Meeting.
Michael Ashby as a nominee of Tasmania Regional Meeting. Michael is a Quaker, Consultant Physician in Palliative Care and Pain Medicine, and former Acting Co-Clinical Director of the Medical and Cancer Services Stream in the Tasmanian Health Service (THS).
Julia Jago as a nominee of the Board of Governors. Julia has a range of architectural experience, predominantly with residential, aged-care and small-scale commercial projects. Julia is an experienced director for several privately owned businesses, and is an alumae and past-parent of The Friends’ School.
Tracy Bourne as a nominee of the Board of Governors. Tracy has extensive experience, primarily in the performing arts sector as a performer, singing and acting teacher, writer, director and producer of large-scale community events. Tracy is a Quaker and a current parent of The Friends’ School.
The Board thanks these new members for their willingness to serve the School community in this capacity.
Meanwhile, the Board is pleased to announce that current Board Member, Jen Newton, has been appointed as a Deputy Presiding Member. This follows the recent conclusion of Siobhan Harpur’s short term on the Board filling a casual vacancy. This was Siobhan’s second period on the Board of Governors and the Board was especially appreciative of her wisdom and experience during the recent transition period.
For more information on the Board of Governors - please click here
Wellbeing Weekend
A reminder to families that Wellbeing Day, as part of Wellbeing Weekend is taking place during this Term on Monday 9 September. There will be no classes from Kindergarten to Year 12. View term dates here.
Whooping Cough
Several cases of whooping cough have been reported across the school community since the return to Term 3. Public Health also issued a new release stating that notifications of whooping cough are continuing to increase in Tasmania, with 72 cases this year to 23 June 2024. This compares to five cases in the same period in 2023 and 0 cases in 2022.
You should see your doctor if you think you or your child has whooping cough. This is to make sure you receive a diagnosis and the correct treatment.
Anyone who has whooping cough needs to stay home until at least 5 days after they started antibiotics, or for 21 days from the beginning of their cough.
Information on Whooping Cough symptoms and risks can be found at Healthdirect at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/whooping-cough
Please also refer to the Tasmanian Government Public Health news release.
Year 3-12 Marimba Concert
Thursday 1 August
We warmly invite families and members of our school community to join us in The Farrall Centre at 6pm on Thursday 1 August for our annual Years 3 - 12 Marimba Concert.
Community Yoga
There will be no Community Yoga until Wednesday 14 August.
If you would like more information, contact our school Yoga teacher Julia Gibson.
Quaker Meetings for Worship
All members of The Friends’ School community are welcome to attend our Meeting for Worship any Sunday from 10am, closing about 11am, with morning tea available afterwards.
Children are always welcome and there is a Children’s Meeting held concurrently with the Meeting for Worship. They learn about Quaker values through a range of interesting and fun activities. Around 10.50am the children join the Meeting for Worship, settling into the gathered Meeting for the last 10 minutes, usually sitting with their parents.
If you have any enquiries about the Children’s meeting please email rmtasclerk@quakersaustralia.info
Thursday Morning Meeting for Worship
Members of The Friends' School community are welcome to attend a short Meeting for Worship held each Thursday morning during term time, starting at 7.45am. Just come quietly in when you can and join us until 8.20am in the Hobart Quaker Meeting House, which is located just below the Middle School office on Boa Vista Road.