Primary School Update

Celebrating a Wonderful Second Half of the Year at Friends' Primary School

The second half of the year has been filled with remarkable achievements and milestones across all areas of learning. From co-curricular music and sports to inspiring exhibitions like the Year 6 International Baccalaureate Exhibition and Prep Art Exhibition, enriching outdoor education opportunities and classroom inquiry, the joy of learning has shone brightly in every corner of our school.

There have been so many occasions for students, families, and staff to come together in celebration of learning and community such as:

• Grandparents and Older Friends Day: A standout event in our calendar, this special day saw students proudly sharing their learning with loved ones, fostering meaningful intergenerational connections.
• Camps and Outdoor Education: Students in Years 3, 4, and 6 participated in memorable camps, building resilience, teamwork, and appreciation for the natural world.
• Orientation and Transitions: Our series of Kindergarten orientation mornings warmly welcomed new families, while the annual Moving On Day gave students an exciting opportunity to meet their 2025 teachers.
• Athletics Carnivals: Where students had the opportunity to participate in a wide range of events alongside of friends.
• Year 2 Musical performance: Celebrating the immersion of our Year 2’s in the world of musical theatre.

Each event and the many others not shared here reinforced the interconnectedness of our community, celebrating milestones while preparing for future growth and learning.

Living Our Values Through Meeting House Gatherings

In Terms 3 and 4, the Primary School Meeting House Gatherings explored two key Quaker testimonies:

• Earthcare: Students reflected on their role in caring for the environment and all living things, inspiring collective and individual action.
• Community: The focus shifted to celebrating the unique gifts individuals bring to their communities, fostering a sense of gratitude and belonging.

As shared in one story: “This gift is not for them alone, it is given to them for the whole community. In our school community, we have all the gifts we need.”

Highlights in Early Learning and Kindergarten

Salvador Allende’s reflection that “When ideas meet with hands, extraordinary things happen” captures the spirit of our Early Learning program.

This term, the Early Learning team prepared detailed End of Year Learning Summaries, celebrating each child’s unique learning journey. Additionally, five special projects documenting the incredible learning journeys of our youngest students (aged 4 months to 5.5 years) are being published, marking a significant milestone for the program.

Enriching Teaching and Learning

John Dewey’s words, “Education is life itself,” resonate deeply with the holistic approach we take at Friends'. Term 3 and 4 celebrations showcased the depth of student learning, from the Prep and Year 5 Art Exhibitions, open classrooms to dynamic classroom inquiry units and joyful assemblies. A highlight every year is the Year 6 Exhibition where students undertake personal inquiries that explore their interests at a local, national and international level. This year's inquiry focused on the concepts of Youth, Power, Influence and Change, all really important ideas for young people to understand as they increasingly engage in the broader world.

Enhanced Literacy Practices

In line with the Tasmanian Government’s Minimum Schooling Guarantee, teaching teams have embraced new evidence-based strategies to strengthen literacy learning. Focus areas included oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension, ensuring consistent and inclusive approaches for all students.

Reconciliation in Action

A continued commitment to the Reconciliation Action Plan has ensured the authentic inclusion of Indigenous perspectives within the curriculum including in both classroom learning and through our Outdoor Education and Camp programs. Our commitment to reconciliation and deeper understanding through knowledge and reflection remains strong within the Early Learning and Primary School community as it does in our broader school community. Feedback from families and the community remains vital to this journey.

Outdoor Education Adventures

Despite weather challenges, our outdoor education programs have thrived:

• Year 2 Exploration: Days at Waterworks Reserve and Cremorne Beach deepened students’ understanding of animal adaptations and Tasmanian Aboriginal connections to Sea Country.
• Year 3 Sleepover: A memorable introduction to overnight adventures, fostering independence and teamwork.
• Year 4 Camp: Activities like raft building and beach paddling at Roches Beach inspired collaboration and creativity.
• Year 6 Camp: Students connected with nature during a night in tents at South Arm

Co-Curricular Activities

Sports

Inclusive sports programs flourished, with students demonstrating sportsmanship and teamwork across hockey, basketball, golf, and girls cricket. Events like the Athletics Carnival and K-2 Sports Day highlighted community spirit and personal growth. So much is achieved everytime young people engage in individual and team sports.

Music and Choir

Music remained a highlight, with performances at Marimba Mania, the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast, and other events, including Grandparents and Older Friends Day. So many of our young people take the opportunity to engage with music programs and enjoy the community spirit that occurs on every occasion. These moments celebrated the talent, dedication, and joy of our young musicians.

OSHC and Vacation Care

The Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program has continued to grow, offering enriching indoor, outdoor and creative activities. The use of school facilities such as The Revell Sports Centre and Bell Street Grounds has enhanced both OSHC and Vacation Care programs, creating vibrant spaces for play and exploration.

Looking Ahead

As we close this year, we extend heartfelt gratitude to our community for your support and engagement throughout the year. We wish everyone a joyful and restful holiday season. To those leaving the Friends’ community, our best wishes for the future. To returning families, we look forward to another year of connection, discovery, and growth in 2025.

Mark Febey - Head of Primary School (Early Learning to Year 6)