Middle School
Road Safety – Argyle Street Bus Travel
Concerns have been raised about students alighting a Metro Bus at Bus Stop 10 on Argyle Street around 8.30am. Despite a traffic island in this location, the high number of students crossing at the same time is a major safety risk.
We ask that students alight the bus at Bus Stop 9, which allows students to walk up to the overpass and cross Argyle Street safely. Whilst this takes a little longer, we prefer our students to arrive at school safely.
ThinkUKnow
Recently, our Middle School students participated in a ThinkUKnow presentation delivered by Rachel Fellowes from Tasmania Police. The session explored both the opportunities and risks associated with being online, helping students better understand how to stay safe while using social media, online games, messaging platforms and other digital technologies.
A particular focus was placed on recognising online child exploitation, understanding how young people can be manipulated, pressured or blackmailed into sharing personal images or information, and knowing when and how to seek help. These age-appropriate presentations form an important part of our ongoing commitment to student wellbeing and digital citizenship.
Parent and Staff Information Session
To complement the learning taking place with students, we warmly invite parents, guardians and staff to attend a ThinkUKnow Parent Presentation.
4pm-5pm, Thursday 9 July
Bill & Marjorie Oats Theatre, Senior School Campus
The presentation will explore:
- what young people see, say and do online
- the online challenges they may encounter, including online child sexual exploitation
- practical strategies parents and carers can use to support children and young people to stay safe online.
The session has a strong focus on prevention and provides practical, evidence-based advice to help families have informed and supportive conversations about online safety at home.
Please note: This presentation is for adults only. Attendance is free, however, bookings are requested to assist with seating and planning. Click here to register to attend
Year 8 Woodbridge Excursion
The remaining Year 8 class (Preston) will travel to Woodbridge Marine Discovery Centre on Thursday 9 July.
Students will need to bring recess, lunch and a water bottle as well as warm and waterproof clothing.
Year 7 Connections Activity Day
Students will be participating in the following activities on Friday 10 July:
Penn and Mott
- Indoor Cricket, Kingborough Sports Stadium
- Table Tennis, Kingborough Sports Stadium
Backhouse and Fry
- Putters, Moonah
- Wheelchair Basketball, Moonah Stadium
Oats and Walker
- Rock It Climbing Centre, Bathurst Street
- Eastside Activity Centre, Droughty Point
Please check Paperly for details and to sign the permission form.
If you have any queries please contact your child’s Key Teacher.
Years 7 & 8 Swimming - Term 3
The Aquatics unit of the Health and Physical Education course will start in Week 1 of Term 3 for all Years 7 and 8 students. All will access Friends Health & Fitness for six lessons to complete this unit. The focus of this program will be swimming and water survival skills, along with fun games. This is a compulsory part of the Australian Curriculum.
For all swimming lessons students will need to bring the following:
- Bathers
- Goggles
- Towel
- Swimming hat (compulsory)
- Rash vest / t-shirt (optional)
- Poolside footwear eg thongs/Crocs (optional)
Please contact the Middle School Office (middleschooloffice@friends.tas.edu.au) if you have any queries.
MS Readathon
The MS Readathon runs for the month of August, and we will again register a Middle School team. This activity will attract service hours.
Last year our team read 175 books and raised $2,793 for families affected by MS.
Parents will need to register their child using this link and click on “My child to read”:
https://www.msreadathon.org.au/join/thefriendsmiddleschool
There are how-to instructions (and the above link) available on our Middle School Library page:
https://friends.softlinkhosting.com.au/oliver/learnpath/guide/MiddleLibrary
If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Parums in the Middle School Library:
Happy Reading!
Years 7-10 Art Exhibition | Ends on Friday
Family and friends are invited to view an exhibition of Years 7 - 10 artwork on display in The Farrall Centre. The exhibition will run from Thursday 21 May until Friday 3 July and will be open to visitors during school hours. Please sign in at the Middle School or Primary School Offices.
Peter Jones Peace Prize
This writing competition is open to Years 7-10 students.
The 2026 theme is…
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” – Albert Einstein.
Entries close at 4pm on the last day of Term 2: Friday 10 July.
For more information, talk to your English teacher, contact Nadine Frick or visit our TFS Writing Prizes Google site via the English page on our Library Learnpath.
Years 9 and 10 2027 Subject Selection Evening: Save the Date!
Next Term, students in Years 8 and 9 will be making their subject choices for 2027. As part of this process, there will be a Subject Selection evening held in The Farrall Centre from 7.00pm on Wednesday 5 August. This will provide an overview of core subjects and the Year 9 Program and will provide an opportunity for current Year 9 students to speak with subject teachers about electives. On 6 August, students and parents will be emailed details on how to choose their subjects via Web Preferences, and will also receive a link to the Years 9 and 10 Coursebook. Subject choices will be due on Monday 17 August.
Contact Kate Baldry for further information.
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 9 July - Preston Woodbridge Excursion
Friday 10 July - Year 7 Activity Day
Thursday 9 July - End-of-Semester Reports released
Friday 10 July - Last Day of Term 2
Monday 27 July - Staff Professional Learning Day
Tuesday 28 July - Term 3 Commences
Friday 11 September - Wellbeing Day (No Classes K-12)
Friday 2 October - Last Day of Term 3