Senior School

2026 Friends' Senior School Musical Legally Blonde The Musical

We are pleased to announce that the musical for Years 9-12 students in 2026 is Legally Blonde The Musical. This show is a fun, feel-good show about self-discovery and empowerment, following sorority sister Elle Woods as she enrols in Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend and ends up proving she's more than just a pretty face. Known for its high energy, catchy songs, and dynamic dance numbers, this award-winning musical is a journey of challenging stereotypes and realising one's full potential.

Creative Team

Director: Tammy Giblin, Musical Director (Orchestra): James Anderson, Choreographer: Casey-Rae Mullen, Stage Manager: Sophie Hope, Vocal Director: Brett Budgeon, Production Manager: Tam Bloomfield.

Auditions

Auditions will be held on Sunday 21 September at The Farrall Centre between 9.00am and 5.00pm. Call backs will be after school Wednesday 24 September if/as needed. Audition packs will be available following the submission of the EOI Google form emailed to all current Years 8-11 students on Wednesday 27 August.

Commitment

All cast members must be available for:

The weekly after school rehearsals (Mondays and or Thursdays depending on your role)
Some Sunday afternoons in Term 1 and 2 next year
Whole cast introductory sessions late 2025, early 2026
Term 1 holiday 2 day intensive (30/4/26 & 1/5/26)
And of course, production week June 1-6, 2026!

We encourage students to consider this carefully before applying. Our timing is designed to support Years 11 and 12 students to be involved in this fantastic school project as it will be performed well ahead of the August mock exams and busier study times. Rowers keen to be part of the show are strongly encouraged to speak with Tammy Giblin or Casey-Rae Mullen to discuss how their involvement can be balanced alongside regatta commitments.

Performances - Save the date!

Thursday 4 June - Opening night at 7.00pm

Friday 5 June - 7.00pm

Saturday 6 June - 1.30pm and 7.00pm

Any enquiries, please contact

Tammy Giblin - Learning Leader for the Arts

Friends’ Certificate & Co-curricular Awards

The closing date for this year’s Friends’ Certificate and Co-curricular Awards applications is Monday 15 September 2025. Students must complete and submit their completed CAS Record and Reflection document via the Friends’ Certificate Google Site using the Friends’ Certificate and Co-curricular Award Nomination form (Google Form) for their year level.

Students that already gained their Friends' Certificate in 2024 can apply for a 2025 Co-curricular Award using the CAS Record template and indicating which award they are applying for, in the appropriate boxes in the Google Form.

Any queries should be directed to Karina Churchill, Service Coordinator K-12, or the Co-curricular Coordinator for your Activity/Award application.

Senior School Vaccinations

We will be hosting the City of Hobart Vaccination Team on Thursday 25 September for our Year 10 students to receive their Meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

This year the City of Hobart is transitioning to a new digital consent system called Vitavo, which replaces the traditional paper forms. We will still have limited paper forms available for families who need them.

What You’ll Need to Do: You will need to click on and complete this online form. Every student needs to complete the consent process, even if they're choosing not to have the vaccination. If you require medical advice regarding the vaccination, you can contact the Department of Health directly at the following email: immunisation@health.tas.gov.au

Free Dress Day & Tutor Competition

Friday 29 August

On Friday 29 August Tutor Group M6 is holding a free dress day with a gold coin donation for the Make A Wish Foundation. During Long Tutor, there will also be a 'Guess the Teacher's Baby Photo' competition. The winning tutor group will receive a tutor party hamper basket (of food) from M6! Ties will be decided based on whichever tutor group donated the most, so don't forget your coin(s)!

Careers and Pathways

The latest edition of the Friends' School Careers and Pathways newsletter is out now.

This edition includes the following:

Student Accommodation
Thinking About a Trade?
University Early Entry!
UNSW Open Day
Study in the US?
Hospitality and Business Course
Outward Bound
Pathway popup – Psychologist visit
Guides to success…

Take a look at the full volume HERE

Year 12 IB Visual Arts Exhibition

Thursday 4 September | Hodgkin Hall

Join us in celebrating the creativity and dedication of our graduating Year 12 IB Visual Arts students at their final exhibition. This special event will be held in Hodgkin Hall on Thursday 4 September, from 5.00pm to 6.00pm.

The exhibition showcases the diverse talents, ideas, and hard work of the Class of 2025, offering a glimpse into their individual artistic journeys. Drinks and nibbles will be provided, and all members of our school community are warmly invited to attend.

Student work is available to view in Hodgkin Hall during normal school hours from the Tuesday 2 to Thursday 4 September.

For more information email Hamish Hall.

Senior School Co-Curricular Sport sign up - Term 4

The following sports are on offer for Term 4: Rowing, Sailing, Tennis, Cricket, Touch football, Volleyball.

Students have been emailed the information and are asked to sign up by Monday 8 September so that further information can be sent out to parents via Operoo. Further information can be viewed here.

Students will need to use their Google login details to access the Term 4 Sign up form using the following link: https://portal.clipboard.app/the-friends-school/

The Schools Triathlon Challenge sign up is also available on Clipboard. The Secondary Schools event is on Thursday 27 November at Bellerive Beach.

Assessment Reminder

In the lead up to the final examinations for our Year 11 and Year 12 students, we remind families of expectations around assessment practices.

Formal assessments are an important part of the Senior School experience and all dates and expectations are published on SEQTA, in advance, to support workload management. TCE and IB assessment tasks are informed by requirements of TASC and the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO).

Students are reminded that all assessments are to be completed on the due date. This is inline with the expectations of TASC and the IBO, and supports equity and fairness for all students.

To support fairness and equity, if a student is absent for an in-class task due to an unavoidable reason, parents must contact the school in advance. The student will be provided with the opportunity to sit the task at the next available catch-up session, from 3pm - 4pm Monday or 3.45pm - 4.45pm Thursday. If a student does not attend this session, the opportunity for assessment will have passed and the student will be awarded a ‘z’ or 0. If non-attendance at the catch-up is unavoidable, for example illness or family emergency, parents must contact the school in advance.

If a student signs out without parent contact it will be assumed that the absence is unapproved and a ‘z’ or 0 will be awarded.

Ongoing assessments are to be completed in a Googledoc, shared with the class teacher. If a student does not submit the work on the due date, the draft will be assessed unless an extension has been granted.

To support your child’s learning, we remind families that appointments should be scheduled outside school hours wherever possible.

Please contact the relevant curriculum coordinator, or Kate Baldry if you require further information.

Register for Elevate’s Parent Webinar Series

This Term Elevate Education delivers high-impact workshops to our students that help to develop their study skills, motivation, and exam preparation. Over the next term, you're invited to join their parent webinar series, where you can help support your child at home by reinforcing the skills they're learning at school.

Upcoming Webinars:

How To Help Your Child Improve Their Note Taking - Wed 3 Sept 6.30pm
How You Can Support Your Child During Exams - Wed 17 Sept 6.30pm

Register for the series by clicking the link below and learn some great practical strategies to help support your child this year. https://go.elevateeducation.com/auschoolwebinars

Absentees

If your child will be absent from school for the day please advise the Senior School Office (phone: 6210 2255, or email: seniorschooloffice@friends.tas.edu.au). We appreciate your support in this process.

Important Dates

Term 3 Tuesday 22 July to Friday 26 September

Friday 12 September – Wellbeing Day, as part of Wellbeing Weekend (no K-12 classes)

Co-curricular Opportunities

Discover our Co-curricular Online Handbook—your essential guide to enrichment, clubs, sports, music, service, policies, and key dates across all year levels. Visit the handbook to explore opportunities, plan ahead, and get involved in our vibrant co-curricular life.