Primary School
Assembly - Monday 16 February
Our next Primary School Assembly will take place on Monday 16 February in The Farrall Centre and will commence at 2.15pm. We welcome members of our community to attend. Please remember that due to privacy concerns and to respect the photo permission choices of other families we ask you to refrain from taking photos and videos during assemblies.
Drive Through - Drop Off and Pick Up
We understand that the roads surrounding our school can be very busy and that parking is often limited during peak times. To help ensure a safe and efficient process for everyone, the Drive Through remains our preferred option for dropping off and collecting Primary School students.
Staff members are on duty in this area each day to greet students and support them as they safely enter and exit the school grounds.
Please remember that the Drive Through is strictly for quick drop-off and pick-up only. Vehicles must not stop or park in this area, as doing so causes traffic congestion outside the school gates and impacts the flow of vehicles.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us keep all students safe and traffic moving smoothly.
Primary School Cocurricular
Music Ensembles
All Primary School music groups will commence rehearsals in Week 3 (from Monday 16 February) with the exception of Year 5 Band. Information about Year 5 Band will be sent directly to Year 5 parents. Available groups include choirs, concert bands, string and marimba ensembles. Please use this link for ensemble details along with rehearsal times and locations. Sign up will be in Clipboard, which can be accessed by logging into SEQTA Engage and clicking on the Clipboard link or directly at https://portal.clipboard.app/the-friends-school. Activities require parents and guardians to complete the selection to give permission for their child to participate. Please be aware that the expectation for ensemble membership is year long. We ask that parents discuss with children the importance of commitment, when deciding to join an ensemble. Please contact Estelle Levy, Christine Akerman or Suzi Gillespie for further information.
For assistance with logging in to your school account, contact the Information Services team via the Support Portal. If you use the "forgot username" option in the portal, you will get an automated response with account activation instructions.
Uniforms - Term 1 Hats
A reminder that children are required to be in the correct uniform for each day. For children in Kindergarten to Year 4, this is the Sports Uniform, students in Years 5 and 6 should wear their formal uniform, unless it is their timetabled PE or co-curricular sports day. Details of uniform requirements can be found in the Uniform Handbook. During Term 1 we require all children to wear their hats whilst outdoors, so could you please ensure that these are packed for Day 1.
Pool Sessions and Mini Swim Carnivals - Year 6 - Friday 13 February
The Year 6 Mini Swim Carnival will be held at Friends Health & Fitness pool during the school day on Friday 13 February.
Students will be walked to and from school by class teachers and will be required to bring bathers, cap, towel and goggles (if required). All students are required to attend.
The JSSATIS selection carnivals will run on the following dates/times for children who have swum in 50m events in the mini carnivals and wish to be considered:
Wednesday 18 February - Year 5 and Year 6 (between 9.00am-12.30pm)
Thursday 19 February - Year 4 and Year 3 (between 9.00am-12.30pm)
Please contact Lisa Di Venuto ldivenuto@friends.tas.edu.au if you require any further information.
Years 3 & 5 Swimming & Water Safety Program - Monday 23 - Friday 27 February
The Years 3 and 5 Learn to Swim program will be held at Friends Health & Fitness pool from Monday 23 - Friday 27 February. Any enquiries please contact Lisa Di Venuto ldivenuto@friends.tas.edu.au.
Meet the Teacher - 17, 18, 19, 24 and 26 February
Parents are invited to attend a “Meet the Teacher” session during February with Primary School classroom teachers. These sessions are designed to give you an overview of the learning program and classroom organisation for the year. Please note that child care will not be provided. All sessions will be held in classrooms at 5.00pm on the following dates:
Tuesday 17 February - Year 3/Year 4
Wednesday 18 February - Year 2
Thursday 19 February - Year 5/Year 6
Tuesday 24 February - Kinder/Prep
Thursday 26 February - Year 1
Argyle Street Campus Family BBQ - Monday 23 February 3.15pm - 5.30pm
A reminder to RSVP for the upcoming Argyle Street Campus Family BBQ. Although this is a free event we require RSVPs for catering purposes. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the start of the new school year, while meeting staff and fellow Friends' families. This event will be held at 395 Argyle Street Hobart - Walpole Courtyard and Bark Chip play area next to The Farrall Centre. We will be welcoming The Rotary Club of Lindisfarne to run a sausage sizzle, both gluten free and vegan options will be available. Please BOOK HERE.
NAPLAN - Years 3 and 5 students
For those families with students in Years 3 and 5 NAPLAN assessments will be held in March between Wednesday 11 March and Tuesday 17 March. The NAPLAN assessments will be conducted online (with the exception of Year 3 Writing, which remains paper-based).
Further information and specifics on the tests and timing will be provided to families with students in these year levels soon. In the meantime, more information for parents regarding Naplan Online can be found here. Please contact Wendy Crow wcrow@friends.tas.edu.au if you have any queries.
Outside School Hours Care - Bookings
Bookings for the Outside School Hours Care program (both before and after school) on either a permanent or casual basis, must be made through Friends’ Early Learning Reception (contact by phone on 6210 2276 or email: feladmin@friends.tas.edu.au).
Music Tuition, Instrument Hire and Cocurricular Music
We are excited to welcome students from Years 3-12 to the 2026 Cocurricular Music Program! Whether for private lessons or in ensembles, there is a place for every student in Music. Here is how to register:
Individual Lessons: Enrol Here. Students can choose from a variety of instruments to learn with expert music educators. Please read the linked guidelines carefully, as there are changes for 2026.
Instrument Hire: Register Here. String, brass, and woodwind instruments are available for hire. Please note that all families must complete this form annually, even if you are retaining an instrument from 2025, as some of the terms and conditions have changed.
- Co-curricular Ensembles: View the rehearsal schedule here for our extensive cocurricular music program. Register your child via Clipboard under the Activity Selection (also available through SEQTA Engage). Access the Co-curricular Handbook on Clipboard for details about each ensemble.
For further information, or to discuss how we can support your child’s musical pathway, please contact Michael Power (Head of Music) and Tam Bloomfield (Music Administrator) via the Music Admin.
Absentees
If your child will be absent from school for the day please advise the Primary School Office (phone: 6210 2228, or email: primaryschooloffice@friends.tas.edu.au ) and the classroom teacher before 9.00am. We appreciate your support in this process.
Important Dates
Term 1 Monday 2 February to Friday 17 April
Monday 23 February - Friends’ Welcome Family BBQ
Monday 9 March – Eight Hour Day holiday
Friday 3 - Tuesday 7 April - Easter holiday