Whole
School

Friends' Food Festival

Saturday 25 November | 4.30pm - 7pm

Join us for an evening of food, drinks, music and activities at this weekend's Friends' Food Festival. We have a wonderful variety of cuisines, which will be served from local food vans and trucks. There'll be plenty of activities for the kids with a silent disco, face painting, 360 degree videography and craft activities. A map of the event can be found below.

For more information on the food vans visit:

There will be a wide range of school musicians, both at our Main Stage in The Farrall Centre and at our Busking Station outside the Wells classrooms. We'll have the Marimba Ensemble, Jazz Band, Guitar Ensembles and Solos, Piano Trio and the 2023 Battle of the Bands winners, Noisy Minors, joining us for some musical delights. View the full set times.

Activities will include a Kombi Crew Silent Disco running in Frank Wells Hall, 360 Degree videography, face painting, Christmas ornament decorating and more.

We are proud to be supporting Colony 47 for this event, with all proceeds going to their current campaigns, including; collecting items/gifts/money for their annual Christmas Lunch. It also includes their regular giving appeal aimed at building specialised accommodation and services for young Tasmanians.

If you would like to be kept up to date with event details we recommend following our Facebook event here.

School Section Naming and Policy Update

The Board of Governors recently endorsed an updated naming plan for the School Sections on each campus. The name changes have been made in conjunction with the L@F24+ Program. We all know at the centre, it is the relationships, people and values that create the culture and environment which makes Friends' and sections of the School special. The updated School section names are simple, functional, clear to visitors and embody the stages of learning and development throughout the School. They are also names that will assist people who may be considering Friends’ to learn, work or visit. The updated School section names in 2024 are:

Primary School - Friends’ Early Learning to Year 6

Middle School - Years 7 & 8

Senior School - Years 9 to 12

Importantly, building names will remain as they are since they convey a meaningful part of the School’s history and an acknowledgment of some of the people who have made a positive, lasting impact on many students' lives. For this reason, the Board decided to rename the Primary School Administration building as the Morris Gate House.

Over the coming weeks, there will be a steady transition to these new section names, which will officially take effect from the School staff day on 25 January 2024.

To minimise the impact of the change of names, titles and campuses on our policies and guidelines the Board of Governors approved the Transition of Controlled Documents under the 2024 Learning at Friends 24+ Program Guidelines. The guidelines recognise that updating the entirety of Friends’ Controlled Documents to reflect these changes will take time and outline rules of interpretation that should be applied in the interim period.

School Uniform

The updated School Uniform and Price List is located on the following webpage - click here. The handbook contains open hours, a fitting appointment system and uniform requirements with pricing.

Booklists (Years 7 to 12)

Booklists are now available on the School’s website and ready for online orders.

Here is the link to order - Campion Online Orders - The Friends School. You will be sent a 6-digit number to your email or mobile to register - please check your junk folder if using email. Once you have registered and connected, the code you need to access the lists online is 8FQX

Students need to place their orders by close of business Thursday 14 December 2023 to receive discounted home delivery of $8.95. Orders will be delivered to students’ nominated address by 25 January 2024.

Term 4 finish dates

A reminder of the following school finish dates:

Tuesday 12 December – Last day of Term 4 for Years 7-12

Wednesday 13 December – Last day of Term 4 for Kindergarten to Year 6

Wednesday 20 December - Last day the School will be open, with the Main Reception and the School closing at 4:30pm. The School will be open for staff and contractors from Tuesday 2 January 2024 and re-open fully for visitors and families from Monday 8 January 2024.

The End of Year Gathering & Farewell for Principal Nelson File

The Friends' School warmly invites you and your family to attend our annual End of Year Gathering.

End of Year Gathering & Farewell for Principal Nelson File

Wednesday 6 December from 6.00pm

The Farrall Centre | 395 Argyle Street, North Hobart

This year the theme for the End of Year Gathering is 'Change'. This is an opportunity for The Friends’ School community to come together to listen, reflect, centre and share. This is also an opportunity to farewell and acknowledge Principal Nelson File for his 11 years of outstanding service and leadership at The Friends' School.

The End of Year Gathering includes contributions from all sections of the School and staff. During the event we will welcome our Quaker Advisors to say a few words. We will have a variety of music to enjoy, while also allowing some time for reflection.

All guests, including students, wishing to attend are requested to book via this link. There is a maximum of four people per booking.

We look forward to you joining us for this meaningful and reflective event.

Volunteers for Years 9–12 Musical 2024

The School is calling for support from parents, friends and students to assist with the

production of a 9 -12 musical in 2024. Involvement could be in the form of a (full or part) co-ordinator or assistant in the following areas:

Choreographer
Stage manager
Designer
Costumes and props
Set construction
Backstage crew

Please contact Paul Kershna Head of Music, if you are able to assist in any way.

Quaker Meetings for Worship

All members of The Friends’ School community are welcome to attend our Meeting for Worship any Sunday from 10.00am, closing about 11.00am, with morning tea available afterwards.

Children are always welcome and there is a Children’s Meeting held concurrently with the Meeting for Worship. They learn about Quaker values through a range of interesting and fun activities. Around 10.50am the children join the Meeting for Worship, settling into the gathered Meeting for the last 10 minutes, usually sitting with their parents.

If you have any enquiries about the Children’s meeting please email rmtasclerk@quakersaustralia.info

Thursday Morning Meeting for Worship

Members of The Friends' School community are welcome to attend a short Meeting for Worship held each Thursday morning during term time, starting at 7.45am. Just come quietly in when you can and join us until 8.20am in the Hobart Quaker Meeting House, which is located just below the Clemes office on Boa Vista Road.

Community Yoga

An inspiring way to start your day with energising movement, focused breathing and a moment for relaxation and stillness. All members of the school community are welcome to attend our Wednesday morning sessions from 7.45 - 8.15am in The Farrall Centre. Mats provided. Please feel free to come at any time. If you want more information contact our school Yoga teacher, Julia Gibson jgibson@friends.tas.edu.au

Whole School