Director of Business Affairs Update

Facilities & Services

Across Term 2, the Facilities & Services team has continued to support all campuses, responding to daily operational needs, completing scheduled maintenance works, and managing unplanned repairs to ensure our facilities remain safe, functional, and well maintained.

The grounds team has also worked through a particularly wet winter period, which has limited some outdoor maintenance activities. Despite this, the team has continued to make strong progress wherever conditions have allowed.

The images below highlight a selection of works completed during the Term 1 holiday break.

Argyle Street Master Plan Update – Covered Court Project

The School has recently received Development Application approval for the construction of a covered court structure on the court adjacent to the Argyle Motor Lodge.

This project will deliver a purpose-built, all-weather covered outdoor court at the Argyle Street Campus, addressing the current shortage of suitable play, gathering, and recreation space for students from Early Learning to Year 8.

The development includes the reinstatement and enhancement of surrounding landscaping, upgrades to court access and safety features, new walkway lighting, retractable ball-stop netting, resurfacing of the court, masonry bounce walls, and repairs to existing hardstand and garden areas impacted by construction.

The design has been carefully considered to complement the established character of both the campus and the surrounding neighbourhood. A material palette of brick and red-toned steel reflects the dominant architectural language of the area, while landscaped edges and planting will soften the built form and enhance the pedestrian experience along Argyle Street.

The School has appointed Tascon Constructions as the builder for this phase of the project, with construction scheduled to commence at the beginning of the Term 2 break on 13 July 2026. The project is expected to be completed by the start of Term 4. Further information regarding logistical impacts will be shared with the community in the coming weeks. Access to the Argyle Street Campus will continue via the upper court adjacent to Friends’ Early Learning.

Risk and Compliance

Road Safety – Risk Tip

Road safety remains a significant risk for the Friends’ School community. Our thoughts are with all families who have recently been affected by road trauma.

Given the current seasonal conditions, we encourage all members of our community to take a moment to review the following basic safety checks:

• Vehicle tyres: Ensure tyres are in good condition and correctly inflated, as underinflation significantly increases safety risks.
• Visibility: Check that windscreen wipers are functioning effectively and all vehicle lights are operational.
• Personal safety: If walking or riding to and from School, wear bright or high-visibility clothing and ensure bicycle lights are working.
• Footwear: Ensure footwear has adequate tread, particularly in wet conditions.

Administration of Student-Prescribed Medications – Medicine Packing Service (MPS)

The WHS Committee has recently discussed the potential requirement for Medicine Packing Service (MPS) packs for students who require the administration of more than one prescribed medication at School.

MPS is a dose administration aid designed to improve medication safety by organising prescribed medicines into clearly labelled, time-specific packs.

If your child requires prescribed medication to be administered during School hours, families are encouraged to speak with their pharmacist about the use of an MPS.

An example of an MPS pack is included below.

Human Resources

Supporting staff wellbeing remains an ongoing priority across the School. Since April, 140 staff members have participated in the annual Staff Flu Vaccination Program, while 21 staff have accessed complimentary heart health checks. Staff have also joined students in the Push-Up Challenge (3–26 June), with 28 participants helping to raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives. In addition, free group fitness classes have been offered throughout June, promoting connection, movement and wellbeing.

The Human Resources team has also commenced workforce planning for 2027 in collaboration with School leadership. This work will support future staffing requirements and ensure the School remains well positioned to deliver its strategic priorities.

Argyle Motor Lodge

The Argyle Motor Lodge has continued its strong performance into 2026, achieving an average occupancy rate of 91% in the first quarter. This momentum continued into April with 70% occupancy, and despite an expected seasonal dip in May, bookings in June increased significantly, driven in part by the Dark Mofo festival.

This performance reflects the commitment and professionalism of the Argyle Motor Lodge team. Throughout the busy peak period, staff worked consistently to maintain high standards of service, and their efforts continue to contribute to positive guest experiences and strong operational outcomes. This is reflected in recent guest feedback, including comments such as:

“Rooms are comfortable and clean. Staff, happy & helpful. Good location with good access to motorway. City just 6mins. Perfect for short stay accomm.”— Guest Google review

 

“It was absolutely amazing accommodation very neat and tidy and comfortable. Highly recommended for anyone.”— Guest Google review

Friends Health & Fitness

The first half of 2026 has seen continued growth across the Friends Health & Fitness Centre, with total group fitness attendance increasing by 14.9% compared to the same period last year. This growth has enabled the Centre to expand its program from 724 to 768 classes, with average attendance rising to 13.7 participants per session, reflecting strong and sustained community engagement.

Key contributors to this growth include established programs such as Spin Fit and Friends 45, while the M1ND program has seen exceptional growth, more than doubling its participation to 947 attendances. Building on this success, the Centre will further diversify its offering in Term 3 with the introduction of new small-group Pilates classes designed to support members in developing foundational strength and technique.

The Friends Swimming Club delivered an outstanding performance in April, finishing as Tasmania’s highest-ranked team at the Open National Championships (35th nationally) and the top Southern Tasmanian club at the Age National Championships. All competing athletes achieved personal bests on the Gold Coast, with highlights including multiple State records, a Future Flippers Squad qualification, and significant year-on-year performance improvements.

In facility developments, the Centre has enhanced safety systems with the installation of the AI-powered Lynxight pool supervision technology. The team is now finalising implementation, including on-site training with Lynxight representatives in Hobart to ensure full integration into daily operations.

Shaun Sargent - Director of Business Affairs