Principal's Update

"Quaker schools must be willing to change — not to abandon their principles, but to express them freshly in each new generation. The Light we follow does not stand still."

— Friends Council on Education

For many, the term 'Strategic Plan' may feel a bit boring and uninspiring. However, for me—and with the theme of Active Hope guiding The Friends’ School—the process of developing our plan and engaging with our community through Appreciative Inquiry has been both exciting and inspiring.

Earlier this term, we were pleased to share the plan, carefully discerned over many months, through hundreds of shared thoughts and insights. It has been carefully built to represent our shared aspirations and collective hopes. Still being relatively new to The Friends’ School community, it has been a wonderful opportunity to listen to the stories that speak to the long and rich history of Quaker education at the School, and the shared experiences of a culture held so dearly by so many.

Our plan builds on that culture and the strengths of The Friends’ School’s history, offering a framework for continuing to grow the opportunities to 'live up to the light thou hast' —both individually and collectively.

One area of focus that emerged strongly as both a concern and an opportunity for growth is the need to continue strengthening our focus on the wellbeing of our students and staff. From the fundamentals of ensuring a culture of child safety and a safe, inclusive work environment for staff, to proactively cultivating resilience and holistic health, we are working to ensure that wellbeing is central to all that we do.

At the heart of wellbeing is recognising and celebrating the intrinsic worth of each person—embracing, valuing, and celebrating diversity, and fostering an environment that enables everyone not just to 'fit in', but to truly belong. Central to The Friends’ School experience, and to building that sense of belonging, are the relationships that are built and sustained—between peers, between staff and students, with the broader community, and with the environment.

Our Strategic Plan outlines our commitment to strengthening the structures and practices that support positive wellbeing in a deliberate, research-informed way, with our Purpose and Concerns at the heart of our vision to 'foster a community where each individual has a strong sense of intrinsic worth, built on belonging, connectedness, and the opportunities to let their life speak'.

In any workplace or school environment, one of the strongest contributors to positive wellbeing is high levels of engagement and challenge. This term has offered a wonderful array of opportunities—both within and beyond the classroom—for students to be engaged and challenged. The fabulous Years 5–8 production of Matilda JR. was such a great example of enabling so many young people (and staff) to shine in new and expanded ways.

Alongside many other examples, the commitment of our students to engage in a variety of service activities—including those showcased at a Senior School assembly at the end of this Term—has offered both the challenge to be of service and the opportunity to develop passions beyond school and self, supporting local and global communities. 

In Semester 1 alone, here is a snapshot of this work: Each year, the School aligns with the United Nations’ annual theme—2025 being the International Year of Peace and Trust—to promote awareness and action through a range of initiatives. Students supported global and local causes including KIVA microloans, Ride2School Day, Relay for Life (raising over $24,000 for Cancer Council Tasmania), the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation’s Easter Egg Hunt, and the Smith Family’s Student2Student Reading Program. Senior students engaged with the Young Leaders of Tasmania and the Southern Support School, while Year 10s and 12s raised funds and awareness for Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Ongoing advocacy included Amnesty International’s Battle of the Bands, support for the Hobart Women’s Shelter and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, and care hampers for Calvary Hospital nurses. Community initiatives ranged from MS Australia May 50K, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and coat and food drives, to fundraising for Share the Dignity and support for Home Base. National Reconciliation Week involved students from Kindergarten to Year 12 in truth-telling and learning, with staff and students attending the Reconciliation Tasmania Breakfast. The Senior School Diversity Club celebrated Pride Week by supporting Working It Out Inc., and mental health awareness was championed through the Push-Up Challenge, Shorts Day for Speak Up! Stay ChatTY, and the Big Freeze for MND, continuing a strong tradition of compassion, action, and student-led service.

Being engaged in service to community and the environment has a powerful impact on self-efficacy, with students building a strong sense of their place in the world and their capacity to contribute—an outcome that strongly promotes positive wellbeing. Our Strategic Plan offers an opportunity to review and refine our service learning focus and we look forward to building on the strength of the current program to increase engagement and foster a lifelong commitment to meaningful service.

Our Strategic Plan is providing the scaffolding and impetus for us to 'live up to the light thou hast', reaching forward to ensure our programs, structures, and processes promote wellbeing as the foundation for being engaged, successful learners.

As we near the middle of the year, I would like to thank all staff, students, and families for their continued support and commitment to learning and growing. Wishing everyone a safe, warm, and rejuvenating winter break.

In Peace

Esther Hill - Principal