Whole School
Welcome to 2026 at The Friends' School
Welcome to the start of the 2026 school year. A reminder that What's On is sent out every Thursday during Term time and will contain important information for parents and students. Please take the time to read the Whole of School section, along with school campus-specific information, as we often place notices that affect multiple campuses.
Transport & Road Safety
The Friends’ School takes road and traffic safety very seriously. As a central Hobart school with almost 1,300 students, we all have a responsibility to take extra care around our neighbouring roads when travelling to and from the School. Please take the time to read the specific campus road safety reminders on our website and general considerations developed by our Road Safety Taskforce.
Catch-up Photo Day
For those students who were unable to attend the photo days this week, a catch-up photo day for your individual photo is taking place on Wednesday 11 February, 10am-12pm, in the upper foyer of The Farrall Centre. Students are required to wear full formal school uniform.
Please note, sibling photos will take place later on in the year - Wednesday 24 June 2026, 3-5pm. Bookings will open closer to the time.
Term 1 Co-curricular Information
An online co-curricular handbook containing all the activities available for students to participate in during Term 1 was emailed to students and parents this week.
Please note, sign-ups for Term 1 sport are due by parents today Friday 6 February for Primary School and Thursday 12 February for Middle and Senior School. For information on how to sign up, view this email.
Call for Donations for the School Fair
School Fair - Saturday 21 March 2026
The Fair Organising Committee is seeking assistance/donations with the following:
- Now is the time to donate your fresh produce for The Pantry Stall. Stall Co-ordinator Allison Black is looking for donations of fruits, which can be made into jams, preserves or relishes. Fresh produce, including; tomatoes, lemons, quinces, apples, plums, rhubarb, berries are most welcome. Please contact Pantry Stall Coordinator, Allison Black if you can assist with making some items for the stall.
- Books in good condition - suitable for children & adults
- Friends' School uniform - in good condition
All of these donations can be dropped off at The Friends' School Main Reception at our Commercial Road Campus (enter at 23 Commercial Road, North Hobart) between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
We are excited to share more news regarding the School Fair with you in the coming weeks.
Please advise our Events & Marketing Coordinator, Emma Gilligan if you have any queries: egilligan@friends.tas.edu.au
What it means to be a Quaker School - Friends' Information and Discussion Session
9am to 10am, Wednesday 11 March - The Meeting House, Argyle Street Campus (tea/coffee from 8.45am)
We warmly invite all parents and guardians to join us for a discussion and information session exploring Quaker beliefs, practices and values, and how they are central to The Friends’ School. BOOK HERE
2027 Scholarship Applications Now Open
Online applications for Merit, Music and Boarding Scholarships for entry into Years 7 and 11 in 2027 are now open. More information on these scholarships can be found on the Scholarships & Bursaries page of the website. Scholarship applications are submitted online and there is no cost to apply.
If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact our Enrolments Office or call 6210 2286.
Paperly - Updating Medical Details and Permissions
We thank parents / guardians for the rapid uptake of Paperly - we have received updates and forms for over 1100 students so far.
A reminder email for start of year forms will be sent on Friday 6 February. It is important to action this to ensure we have up to date details for your child. To check if you have any outstanding events or forms, either use the link on the home page of SEQTA Engage or go directly to Paperly and check the "Tasks and Notifications" on the right hand side.
If you require assistance with logging on to your parent account, including a reminder of your account username, please use the IT Support Portal to generate a request.
Uniform Handbook
Parents/Guardians are asked to review the Uniform Handbook regarding the appropriate and acceptable School uniform attire for each section of the School. Please note the footwear requirements in the Handbook. Blundstone boots, Doc Marten boots and the like are not permitted as School uniform footwear.
All new and current families planning a visit to the School Shop are advised to use the below link to make an appointment.
Book an Appointment, please CLICK HERE.
School uniform may also be purchased online. Please CLICK HERE for details.
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.
Volunteering at Friends’
The School is grateful to all those who give their time to support our students and staff with learning and activities at Friends’. A reminder that any person over the age of 16 who wishes to volunteer in programs run by The Friends’ School must register their interest and be approved before their start. Volunteer registrations are current for 12 months and the only exception to this process is for current Friends’ students.
Please complete all sections of this form to register your interest.
Once submitted, the application will be reviewed and once approved, you will be invited to complete an induction prior to involvement in the activity you will be undertaking . If you have questions about this process, please contact Christine Palmer or phone 6210 2200.
The person volunteering will receive an automated response once their volunteer registration has been approved.
Fee Statements
A reminder that the School Fee Statements will be emailed (fees@friends.tas.edu.au) to the nominated parent/guardian email in the next two weeks. Please check your spam or junk email folders to ensure you have received these statements. If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact Financial Services at fees@friends.tas.edu.au.
Flexible payments by Edstart: Pay your fees in flexible instalments or reduce repayments by extending the cost over a longer timeframe. View more information here or visit www.edstart.com.au/friends
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 the Clerk, Margaret Bywater, rmtasclerk@quakersaustralia.info
Quaker Book Club - Saturday 21 February 2026
Following on from the success of our last (first) book club gathering, we are planning our next session. So please save the date – Saturday 21 February 2026 at 2.30pm - all Friends’ community members are welcome. The book under discussion this time will be Limitarianism by Ingrid Robeyns. There is a copy in the Meeting House Library and it is available through Fullers.
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 7.40am. 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 Middle School Office on Boa Vista Road.
Community Yoga
Starting Wednesday 11 February - 7.45am in Hodgkin Hall
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 and no prior yoga experience is necessary.
Community Yoga is held in Hodgkin Hall and Julia will meet you outside the door on the Carr Street side of the school at 7.40am. If you would like more information contact our school Yoga teacher Julia Gibson.