A Note from Nelson

Hello from Hobart! I trust everyone had a lovely Easter holiday. The weather in Hobart over the Easter break was stunning. The year 2021 has started in a much more usual way than 2020 did. School is in session, and although some COVID protocols remain, by and large, it has been a ‘normal’ first term for students and staff on campus. 

Although normal, there is much happening across the School. The long-anticipated Campus Redevelopment Phase One on the Commercial Road campus (the current High School campus) is underway. The diggers are in the process of clearing the tennis courts to pour the foundation for the new Sports Centre. Pendle Hill has lost some of its lovely garden to the project, but the end result of a new Sports Hall and a renovated Oats Centre into new learning spaces are well worth the inconvenience. It is very exciting to see the daily progress as I look out the back window of Pendle Hill in the morning. We are anticipating the new Sports Hall to be handed over to the School by December 2021. This project is part of the School’s Strategic Priority regarding its physical and organisational structures.

‘We will ensure that the physical and organisational structures of the School are developed to transform and promote learning and wellbeing.’

You can read more about this vital project further on in this edition of the Rose & Waratah.

Equally important are two other projects currently underway. The first I would like to mention is a Working Group led by Nicola Anderson (Head of Science and Old Scholar from the class of 1996) developing recommendations for the Board of Governors to consider regarding the way forward for the School with the climate emergency. The Working Group consists of staff members, students, alumni, parents and a Board Member, Mary Beadle. The Board anticipates receiving the recommendations by the June 2020 Board Meeting.

Another important Working Group has been convened to develop the School’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Last year, the Board of Governors affirmed the Acknowledgement of Country developed by a Teacher Learning Community group. That was only a first step towards Reconciliation. Additionally, this year’s Peter Underwood Peace and Justice Lecture will be a team presentation by internationally acclaimed law professor Tim McCormack and First Nation elder Auntie Patsy Cameron. This important presentation to the Year 10, 11 and 12 students will be followed by the student organised Friendly Conference at Clemes focusing on Reconciliation.

In addition to the daily learning that happens at Friends’, these important threads are woven into the life at School.

Please enjoy this edition of The Rose and Waratah.