Middle School

Generations Connect Service Opportunity

A meaningful service opportunity is available for Middle School students through the Generations Connect Tech project in Term 2. This program offers students the chance to build friendships with elderly residents at Mary Ogilvy House while supporting them to develop their technology skills. For many residents, this is a chance to connect with young people and work together to solve tech problems. 

Students who participate will need to attend a training session at Friends’, 7 May from 1:20–3:30pm. From Week 4 to Week 10, they will then visit Mary Ogilvy House each Tuesday from 3:35–4:45pm. Students will be picked up directly from the venue after each visit.

To join the team, students can sign up here - https://forms.gle/vd2xYmYSBuctqNqA6 

Year 7 Connections Activity Day

Students will be participating in the following activities on Friday 17 April:

Further information has been shared in Paperly.

If you have any queries, please contact your child’s Key Teacher.

Year 8 Camp - Term 2

Paperly permission forms for the Year 8 camp will be sent out before the end of term. At this time, students will be notified of their camp locations and groups. 

During the first week of Term 2, students will work in class with their teachers to organise tent groups, cooking groups, menu plans, and shopping lists. Families are asked to support their children through this process. The OED website (accessible on student iPads) is a great resource for students to use for extra guidance.

For Rustin, Stowe, and Preston, the preparation day is 11 May (Bell Street) and the camp dates are 12–15 May. 

For Bracey, Knight, and Tuke, the preparation day is 18 May (Bell Street) and the camp dates are 19–22 May.

Attendance Reminder

Regular attendance helps ensure your child doesn't miss valuable learning opportunities and maintains strong connections with their teachers and peers. When your child needs to be absent, a quick call to the Middle School Office before 9:00 am helps us ensure their safety and wellbeing. We know life happens – whether it's illness, appointments, or family circumstances, our office staff are happy to help navigate these situations.

The State Education Act requires us to closely monitor attendance, which means we need to document the reasons for absences. While we recognise that families sometimes need flexibility, planned absences during term time (such as holidays) are recorded as unapproved for official purposes, and extended unapproved absences may need to be reported to the Tasmanian Office of Education Registrar.

For medical absences lasting more than three consecutive days, a medical certificate helps us maintain accurate records and support your child's return to learning. Prolonged absences for medical reasons where no medical certificate has been provided may also require the school to notify the Tasmanian Office of Education Registrar of the nonattendance.

Finally, for early departures or partial-day absences, advance notice helps us ensure a smooth transition. Students will need to sign out and back in at the Middle School Office – this simple step helps us keep everyone safe and accounted for.

If you have questions about attendance requirements or need support managing your child's school commitments, please don't hesitate to contact the Middle School Office. Our full attendance policy is available in the Middle School Handbook for your reference.

Middle School Mid-Semester 1 Reports

Middle School Mid-Semester 1 Reports will be made available on Thursday 16 April. For full-year subjects, these reports provide a broad indication of academic Progress and Effort for the year so far. For single-term Arts and Technology subjects, they provide a final A-E Award and Effort rating for the course. Further information is provided with the report. An email to parents and guardians on 16 April will confirm when reports are ready for viewing in SEQTA Engage.

Chamber Music Concert

Join us for an evening of collaborative music-making at The Friends’ School Chamber Music Concert on Tuesday 14 April at 6pm. This 90-minute showcase highlights the dedication of our musicians from Years 5 to 12 performing in a range of small ensembles. From classical trios to contemporary quartets, the program features a rich mix of genres. Please come along to support our creative music students as they take to the stage and share their music with us all.

This is a free event and all are welcome to attend.

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

Thursday 16 April - Middle School Mid-Semester 1 Reports Released

Friday 17 April - Year 7 Activity Day

Friday 17 April - End of Term 1

Monday 20 April - Friday 1 May - Term 1 Break

Monday 4 May - Student-Free Day

Wednesday 6 May - House Cross Country

Monday 11 May - Rustin, Stowe & Preston at Bell Street

Tuesday 12 - Friday 15 May - Rustin, Stowe & Preston on Camp

Monday 18 May - Bracey, Knight & Tuke at Bell Street

Tuesday 19 May - Friday 22 May - Bracey, Knight & Tuke on Camp