Director of Business Affairs Update

Human Resources

Staff Wellbeing Update

Staff at Friends’ have had many opportunities to engage with the Staff Wellbeing Program throughout the year. As we reach the end of 2025, it is timely to reflect on the initiatives that have supported staff to enhance their own wellbeing and contribute positively to our wider community.

The year began with a presentation and six-week yoga course focused on raising awareness of menopause symptoms and strategies to manage them. Throughout the year, staff were also offered heart health checks and flu vaccinations, an onsite head and neck massage program during Wellbeing Week, and ongoing access to Friends Health & Fitness.

2025 was the second year that Friends’ staff participated in the Push-Up Challenge to raise awareness of, and fundraise for, mental health. Staff also joined students in the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life, and for the first time we had a staff team take part in the Point to Pinnacle and Point to Pub.

Friends’ staff continue to give back to the community in a variety of meaningful ways. A staff team supports Loui’s Van once a month by volunteering for the Hobart run. We also have a large contingent of regular blood donors, and Friends’ has recently signed on as a donation partner for the Recycle Rewards scheme.

Risk & Compliance

Time to Update Medical Action Plans for 2026

It is interesting to note that 131 students currently have Asthma listed on their medical profile at the School. As we approach the end of the year, we encourage families to use the holiday break as an ideal opportunity to review and update all medical action plans, including Asthma, Allergy, Anaphylaxis and other relevant health documentation.

Up-to-date plans are essential to ensuring that staff can provide appropriate care and respond quickly and confidently in the event of a medical concern. These documents are not only required for camps and excursions, but also play an important role in supporting students during everyday School activities.

We encourage families to review and update all medical action plans over the break so they are ready to be submitted once Paperly goes live. Having updated plans prepared in advance will ensure a smooth start to the 2026 School year.

Friends Health & Fitness

Over recent months, Friends Health & Fitness has continued to strengthen its commitment to safety, operational excellence, and the overall member experience through a series of important upgrades and initiatives across the Centre.

A significant focus this Term has been the implementation of the revised children’s change-room policy. Recognising that changes of this nature can affect families, the Centre introduced a comprehensive change-management plan to support a smooth transition. The updated terms of use reflect the Centre’s ongoing commitment to child safeguarding and reinforce our responsibility to provide a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment for all children and their families. In addition, new children’s change-room signage has been designed and installed to ensure clear and consistent communication.

Improvements across the aquatics areas have been guided by our commitment to water safety, facility longevity, and high-quality program delivery. By reviewing systems, renewing ageing infrastructure, and enhancing routine maintenance expectations, the Centre is ensuring that our water spaces remain clean, reliable, and safe for all users. These efforts also support long-term sustainability by reducing unnecessary water loss and chemical usage, improving the efficiency of our pool plant equipment.

Enhancements to the spa, pool hall surfaces, and Learn to Swim equipment have been undertaken to maintain safe environments and protect equipment that plays a vital role in member experience and program continuity. These upgrades reinforce our responsibility to proactively manage high-use areas and minimise potential risks for patrons.

Our gym improvements similarly reflect the Centre’s commitment to providing inclusive, well-maintained, and clearly communicated spaces. Investing in new equipment and ongoing equipment upkeep ensures consistent presentation and enables members to engage with the facility confidently and comfortably.

Together, these developments across both our equipment and facilities demonstrate our ongoing dedication to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and professionally managed Centre—one that continues to evolve in response to community needs and the highest standards of care.

Shaun Sargent - Director of Business Affairs