Primary School Update

The Primary School: Our Learning Community

As we move through another vibrant Term at Friends', community building remains at the heart of all that we do. Each gathering, celebration and shared experience strengthens the connections that enrich our school and reflects our purpose of growing together in knowledge, wisdom and compassion. Inspired by our Quaker concerns for community, equality and peace, we continue to create opportunities where every person is known, valued and encouraged to contribute. Our learners demonstrate the attributes of the IB Learner Profile by being caring, open-minded and courageous risk-takers, embracing new challenges with confidence while supporting one another along the way. Together, we celebrate not only achievement, but also the relationships, curiosity and sense of belonging that make Friends' such a special place to learn and grow.

Teaching and Learning – Friends’ Early Learning & Outside School Hours Care 

During National Reconciliation Week in May, children from across Early Learning and Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) came together to create a large collaborative artwork inspired by this year’s theme, All In. The project celebrated our community's shared commitment to reconciliation and included contributions from every group, from the babies in the Nest through to our OSHC children.

Using eco paints, natural materials and First Nations rollers, the children explored ideas of Country, caring for the environment and our connections to place. Alongside the creative process, educators facilitated meaningful conversations about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and perspectives.

The completed artwork stands as a vibrant symbol of community, belonging and our ongoing commitment to embedding First Nations perspectives across our learning environments.

Teaching and Learning - Kindergarten to Year 6 

Across Kindergarten to Year 2, children have embarked on a range of rich and engaging Units of Inquiry that invite them to explore important ideas about themselves, their communities and the world around them. In Kindergarten, children have been investigating the ways we connect to place and develop a shared understanding of Country. Prep students have explored how ideas, feelings and experiences can be expressed through a range of artistic media, while Year 1 students have been discovering how messages can be communicated powerfully without words. 

In Year 2, children have been examining water systems and exploring how the ways we use resources impact the natural environment, while considering how we can make more sustainable choices. The children have been conducting experiments with materials and looking at strategies to use a range of materials for processes like water filtration. These inquiries provide meaningful opportunities for children to apply and deepen the literacy and numeracy skills they use every day, connecting reading, writing and mathematics to authentic contexts, real-world questions and problems worth solving.

Throughout Semester 1, Year 3 to Year 6 classes have been working together to build their shared community, seeking to develop an understanding of those in our community. Earlier in the year, students engaged in an afternoon of playing collaborative games with different cultural origins. More recently students came together to 'lean in and listen in' to stories told by staff, related to community, Country, or care. Students were fascinated with the experiences that the staff shared and following discussions reflected deep insights to people's thoughts and feelings and lives.

Students in Year 3 to Year 6 have also engaged in inquiries this Semester that have encouraged them to think deeply about global cities, ancient civilisations, government systems, all from both a local and global perspective. Year 3 students displayed their learning through a 'Wax Museum' presentation, where students dressed up and explained how people use stories and artefacts to explain the world. Year 5 researched and built cities that demonstrated their understanding of the systems required to make a city function effectively.

Excursion / Outdoor Education Program

Learning beyond the classroom continued to enrich students' inquiries throughout the Term, with each year level participating in authentic experiences connected to their learning. Here are some of these experiences:

Kindergarten students visited the Knocklofty Reserve over six consecutive weeks, focusing on developing independence, personal responsibility and an appreciation of being stewards of their environment.

Prep students explored the Labyrinth at Linear Park as part of a transdisciplinary learning experience centred on the Quaker testimony of Earthcare. They searched for provocations in the local environment, encouraging curiosity, observation and thoughtful discussion about caring for the world around them.

Year 2 students embarked on a unique learning journey to the Mornington Park Waste Transfer Station as part of their inquiry into Sharing the Planet. This experience helped students become familiar with the wide range of materials that can be recycled, understand the impact of human consumption on the environment, and recognise their responsibility when disposing of waste. The excursion inspired students to think more deeply about refusing, reducing, reusing, repurposing and recycling in their everyday lives.

In early June, Year 3 travelled to Mount Field National Park as part of their Outdoor Education program. Walking through the forest, students explored the diverse vegetation, admired the spectacular waterfalls and discovered an incredible variety of fungi, fascinated by their unique shapes, textures and vibrant colours.

Year 4 students attended an Outdoor Education Science Day at Rangeview Crescent Reserve, where they participated in a range of hands-on investigations exploring the forces at work within the natural environment.

In May, the Year 6 students thoroughly enjoyed their Canberra Trip, exploring Australia's history, democracy and systems of governance. They visited many significant institutions and places of national importance, including Parliament House, Questacon, the Australian Electoral Commission, the National Gallery of Australia, the Royal Australian Mint and Geoscience Australia. Students returned with a deeper understanding of Australia's heritage and democratic processes, while also sharing that the week provided countless opportunities to learn, explore and create lasting memories with their friends. A sincere thank you to the staff who planned and facilitated this outstanding learning experience.

Physical Education and Sport

The Years 3-6 Physical Education program provided valuable opportunities for students to learn, collaborate and grow as members of our community. The term began with a focus on cross country, encouraging everyone to have a go and do their best in preparation for the school carnival. Unfortunately, the exceptionally wet weather created significant disruption, with grounds closed and carnivals cancelled and with only those students keen to compete braving the rain to complete laps of the Domain. Gymnastics programs and winter sports further strengthened confidence, teamwork and a sense of belonging. We thank our managers, coaches, staff and families for helping foster such a positive and supportive learning community.

Art

This Term in Visual Art, students have been exploring a range of artistic techniques, materials and ideas while developing their creativity, problem-solving skills and confidence as artists.

Year 1 is learning about sculpture, using clay for the first time. They are developing their fine motor skills while exploring how to shape, join and create three-dimensional forms. They have also explored collage in response to the Indigenous story How the Birds Got Their Colours. The story speaks to the benefits people feel when they show kindness and care to others and has inspired students to explore colour, shape and texture in their own artworks.

Year 3 has been considering the different ways that artists come up with ideas. One avenue of this has been learning about mythical creatures from a variety of times and places. They have created their own mythical creatures, some with powers that stretch the imagination.

Year 5 has been learning about the way that place impacts art, such as how it is made, what it is made of, and what inspires it. They have considered how colour and texture can express and portray different places and are creating vessels that represent places of personal significance.

Year 6 is learning about collaborative artworks in preparation for their upcoming exhibition. They are exploring the challenges that arise when making decisions as a group and developing strategies to solve problems and work together effectively throughout the creative process.

Music

Our music community continues to grow, providing students with many wonderful opportunities to come together, share their talents and experience the joy of making music with others. Throughout the Term, our young musicians have embraced these occasions with enthusiasm, confidence and a genuine love of performing.

Sings and Strings Concert – 28 May

Our Sings and Strings Concert provided a wonderful opportunity for students in our Years 3/4 and Years 5/6 Choirs, along with our Primary String and Guitar Ensembles, to share their enthusiasm and love of music with family and friends. It was a delightful evening that celebrated the dedication, teamwork and musical growth of our students, with performances that reflected the many hours of preparation and practice.

Wind, Brass and Percussion Concert – 29 June

The Wind, Brass and Percussion Concert was a vibrant celebration of woodwind, brass and percussion music. Students from our Year 5 Band and Development Band proudly showcased their developing skills alongside musicians from the Middle and Senior Schools. Performing together across year levels highlighted the strength of our music program and provided an inspiring glimpse of the musical journey that lies ahead for our younger students.

Festival of Voices

At the time of writing, students in our Years 5/6 Choir have been working diligently to prepare a beautiful program of six songs for the Young Tasmania Sings concert as part of the 2026 Festival of Voices. This outstanding event brings together students from schools across Tasmania for two days of rehearsals at the Federation Concert Hall, culminating in a spectacular combined choir performance with a guest conductor and the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra. We wish our choir every success as they represent our school at this wonderful celebration of singing.

Japanese 

This Term, our Japanese program has invited students to step through the torii—the traditional red gateway symbolising entry into a place of learning and discovery. Students have been encouraged to listen, lean in, and discover The Way (道), exploring Japanese language and culture through curiosity, stories, traditions and the natural world.

Each year level experienced a different doorway into Japanese culture. Kindergarten and Prep delighted in the much-loved Daruma-san stories while learning colours through movement and play. Year 1 explored Japan's seasons through the vibrant colours of autumn (momiji). Between learning about sorting recyclable materials and the idea of mottainai, Year 2 welcomed acclaimed Japanese poet Yusuke Miyake, discovering the beauty of haiku and reflecting on the timeless poetry of Matsuo Bashō. Year 3 investigated yōkai myths, folklore, Shinto and sacred places, while Year 4 connected Japanese with scientific inquiry by exploring forces in nature. Year 5 became systems engineers, designing future Shinkansen networks linking cities across Australia and beyond. Year 6 demonstrated outstanding leadership by leading our whole-school Japanese Culture Day, sharing games, traditions and the spirit of Nakayoshi through mentoring younger students.

From poetry and folklore to engineering, science, leadership and cultural celebration, our students are discovering that learning Japanese is about more than language – it's about seeing the world through new eyes.

Library

Our Prep to Year 6 students were truly captivated by Australian children’s author and illustrator Peter Carnavas during his recent visit to our school. Peter encouraged students to develop a love of books by inspiring them to read, write, illustrate, and discuss stories. He also helped them build an understanding of the key ideas and creative techniques involved in crafting a story.

Explaining that "a picture is just a picture, but an illustration tells a story," he transformed circles, lines, and dots into characters in hair-raising predicaments. With clipboards at the ready, our students then followed along as, step by step, he showed them how to turn their own pictures into illustrations. With a choice of characters, settings and problems, he also inspired them to write their own stories in real time—an enjoyable experience, if the focus and laughter were anything to go by!

Author visits are transformational, helping our students explore their own creativity, see themselves as authors, illustrators and readers, expand their reading choices and enrich their understanding of the world around them.

Co-curricular Clubs

Term 2 Co-curricular Clubs continued to attract strong participation, with a wide variety of activities available for students to enjoy. Our Years 5 and 6 debating teams prepared and rehearsed during break times in readiness for their Wednesday afternoon competitions against various schools. Constructive feedback from adjudicators supported both individual and team growth, particularly in developing the finer skills and strategies of quality debating.

The weekly Maths Olympiad practice sessions continued to challenge our enthusiastic mathematicians, with the second Olympiad held in early June and two further competitions scheduled for next Semester. Cricket Club members enjoyed developing their fielding skills on the Top Green, while Handweaving Club children created colourful friendship bracelets using wool and simple cardboard looms, demonstrating creativity and patience.

Conclusion

As we look ahead, may we continue to embrace each opportunity to learn with curiosity, courage and purpose. Together, we will strengthen our community, inspire one another and remain committed to growing in knowledge, wisdom and compassion as we learn together in Primary School.

Mark Febey - Head of Primary School (Early Learning to Year 6)