Middle School
Road Safety – Argyle Street Bus Travel
Concerns have been raised about students alighting a Metro Bus at Bus Stop 10 on Argyle Street around 8.30am. Despite a traffic island in this location, the high number of students crossing at the same time is a major safety risk.
We ask that students alight the bus at Bus Stop 9, which allows students to walk up to the overpass and cross Argyle Street safely. Whilst this takes a little longer, we prefer our students to arrive at school safely.
Year 7 Immunisation Program
The vaccinations for dTpa and HPV will be administered by Hobart City Council at the Middle School campus on the morning of Friday 16 May.
This year immunisation consent will be done through a secure link, rather than sending home paper forms. An email will be sent on the morning of Friday 2 May from the Middle School with the link and instructions. If you do not receive an email by midday on Friday, please contact the Middle School Office so that we can check your email details.
Middle School Term 2 Donation Drive
Launching in Week 1 until Week 4, the Student Voice Council are launching their first donation drive for the year, supporting the Hobart Womens’ Shelter. The Hobart Womens’ Shelter house and support Tasmania’s most vulnerable women, and the Council has researched a list of their most needed items for donation: long life milk, canned foods, pasta and pasta sauces, instant noodles, biscuits, muesli bars, cereal, oil, jam, juice pop tops, new single sheet sets or doona covers. Vouchers are also welcomed. Can we beat our record of over 600 items donated from 2024? Which House will collect the most items? Donations can be brought to the House tubs in the library, or to the Middle School office.
Middle School House Pantomime - coming soon!
The theme of the Middle School House Pantomime has been launched for 2025; Disney Musicals! Student House Leaders for each House will draw their Disney Musical out of a hat at assembly on May 29th, and writing will begin straight away! Students interested in writing should contact their Student House Leader or Essie Hoggart asap, and auditions for aspiring performers will be before the end of Term 2! House Panto is a great way to show your leadership, get to know your peers and have a whole lot of fun!
Any questions? Email Essie Hoggart ehoggart@friends.tas.edu.au
Safe on Socials Initiatives
Kirra Pendergast’s presentation has encouraged us as educators to reflect on the structures we have in place at school to encourage our young people to stay safe online. We will continue to engage our students in discussions and reflections on this topic throughout Term 2, especially regarding the appropriate use of their iPads.
While we have always encouraged students to put their devices away during break times, in light of new learnings from our Safe on Socials presentations, we have made some changes this term. During break times, students are only able to access iPads in the library and for the purposes of learning only. No gaming will be permitted on any devices at any time, unless as part of teacher-directed activities. Families can support the school in these changes by continuing the conversation about online safety and healthy screen habits at home.
The recording of Kirra Pendergast’s parent presentation can be accessed here for anyone who missed the session or would like to rewatch it. Moreover, her information pack, with detailed Cheat Sheets on various online safety topics, can be accessed here.
Year 8 Camps
Rustin, Stowe and Preston Camp Week
Monday 5 May - Preparation Day - Arrive / Depart Bell Street (8.30am to 3.30pm)
Bay of Fires and Freycinet camps depart on Tuesday 6 May from Bell Street and return to Bell Street by 3.30pm on 9 May.
Bracey, Knight & Tuke Camp Week
Monday 12 May - Preparation Day - Arrive / Depart Bell Street (8.30am to 3.30pm)
Bay of Fires and Freycinet camps depart on Tuesday 13 May from Bell Street and return to Bell Street by 3.30pm on 16 May.
Please refer to the Operoo for the equipment list.
Year 7 Excursion - Grote Reber and TMAG
As part of our Year 7 Science unit on the sun, Earth and moon, students will participate in an excursion to the Grote Reber Museum and radio telescope at Cambridge. As part of our Deep Time unit in Humanities students will participate in an excursion to TMAG. Students will leave and be returned to The Friends’ School by bus.
Grote Reber
Mott and Penn - Thursday 8 May (1.00 - 3.30pm)
Walker and Fry - Thursday 15 May (10.30 - 1.00pm)
Backhouse and Oats - Thursday 15 May (1.00 - 3.30pm)
TMAG
Fry and Walker - Thursday 8 May (11.00 - 1.00pm)
Backhouse and Oats Thursday 8 May (1.30 - 3.30pm)
Mott and Penn Thursday 15 May (1.30 - 3.30pm)
Students will need to bring personal medication. If you have any questions, please email your child’s Key Teacher.
Year 8 Connections Days
Friday 9 May - Classes 8 Knight, 8 Bracey & 8 Tuke
Friday 16 May - Classes Preston, Stowe & Rustin
Classes will participate in a Field Trip to the Royal Botanical Gardens. This excursion will support the Science curriculum as students consolidate their understanding of plant structure, classification, and scientific drawing. Students will also participate in an IPad Photography Competition as part of this trip.
Students will walk from school to the Tasmanian Royal Botanical Gardens, leaving at the end of first break, and they will return to school by the end of the school day. They will need to bring their iPad, pencil case, recess and lunch, water bottle, hat, raincoat, warm clothing and appropriate footwear.
For any student who moves off the Middle School campus, this is a reminder that personal medication for any medical condition, including asthma and allergies, will be required for them to participate in the excursion.
If you have any queries please contact Kylie McKinnon (kmckinnon@friends.tas.edu.au) and/or your child’s Key Class Teacher.
Term 2 Co-curricular Information
At The Friends’ School, we are proud to offer a rich and diverse co-curricular program that complements our formal curriculum and enhances students' educational experiences from Kindergarten to Year 12.
With activities spanning Sport, Music, Service and Enrichment, we encourage every student to explore their interests and talents. Participation fosters skills, values, and connections that support holistic development.
View the co-curricular opportunities for Term 2 in the online handbook here, noting that some activities have already commenced and the sport sign ups have now closed (information was sent separately on these).
Student Photo Packs
This is a note to advise the printed student photo packs are arriving at the School by the end of this week and will be sent home with students over the next week.
Absentees
If your child will be absent from school for the day please advise the Middle School Office (phone: 6210 2235, or email: middleschooloffice@friends.tas.edu.au). We appreciate your support in this process.
Important Dates
Monday 5 May - Rustin, Stowe & Preston Camp Week
Monday 12 May - Bracey, Knight & Tuke Camp Week
Friday 16 May - Year 7 Immunisations
Tuesday 20 May - Middle School Semester 1 Learning Conferences
2 June - Rustin & Bracey River and Coasteering Day
4 June - Knight & Stowe River and Coasteering Day
5 June - Preston & Tuke River and Coasteering Day
Wednesday 25 June - Sibling Photos