Operations & Staffing

At its October meeting, the Board of Governors adopted the School’s budget for 2025, which included setting the schedule of fees for next year. The revised fees take into account the expected costs of funding our education programs, importantly including new teaching and learning technology solutions, accommodating salary and related costs, and meeting increased cost pressures on many of the School’s overheads. In setting the fees each year, the Board appreciates the considered choice and significant financial commitment that families make to enable their children to come to Friends’ and aims to include as many costs as possible to create an ‘all-inclusive’ tuition fee. This allows us to provide families with a simple, single cost per year group, and certainty as to the financial commitment that is required for the year ahead. 

New Friends Health & Fitness Centre Manager

We are pleased to announce that Peter Eastment has been appointed as the new Friends Health & Fitness Centre Manager.

Peter’s business development and general management experience, as well as his detailed knowledge of the fitness industry, will be of great benefit to Friends Health & Fitness and our customers.

“I have a passion for people, and focusing on helping individuals’ growth and development in all aspects of their lives. The fitness industry allows people to support themselves physically, mentally and emotionally and I find it rewarding seeing the difference that movement can make to an individual's mind, body and energy,” said Peter.

“I have supported and managed multiple teams in the development of gyms and studios, meaning that I understand the importance of ensuring that the decisions we make as a centre provide a positive and successful experience for all customers. Friends Health & Fitness is a highly regarded quality health and fitness space in Hobart, so to be able to work and immerse myself in the Centre's culture is something I am looking forward to.”

We look forward to Peter and the Friends Health & Fitness Centre team providing continued outstanding service and facilities for our school and wider community.

Meredith Redevelopment

We were excited to re-open the refurbished Meredith building (located on Boa Vista Road) at the start of Term 4. The building houses an integrated learning space downstairs, including Science, Digital and Design Technology, with Art and Fibre located upstairs. These Makerspaces integrate an inquiry based, problem solving approach to learning with students collaborating, designing and creating, using a range of materials and tools. These spaces provide an exciting addition to our Middle School facilities.

Thanks to those who joined us for the recent Open Morning. There will be additional viewing opportunities in the new year for those who couldn't make it this time. Some photos of the spaces are located below. 

Systems Changes

During 2024, the School’s Financial Services team has been working towards converting our existing payroll system Micropay, to a new electronic payroll system called Definitiv.  Definitiv went live for testing in November and is expected to be fully operational in early December. Definitiv will enable all employees to have access to a variety of payroll functions though laptops and personal devices. Functions will include rostering, electronic timesheets, leave applications and viewing payslips all in one application. In addition, employees will also have the ability to update their personal details.  

We are also in the process of streamlining our people processes, through the implementation of a new human resources information system named ELMO. ELMO will go live in 2025 and will automate our staff recruitment, onboarding and reflection & planning processes, and will serve as our learning management system for staff. Through ELMO we will improve our candidate, new starter and employee experience, streamline our people processes and create time efficiencies. 

Shaun Sargent - Director of Business Affairs