A Note from Nelson

As we reach the end of the year, I would like to thank all the Friends’ families and community members for their support in 2021.

Throughout the year, our students have been fortunate to experience a relatively full year of learning and growth opportunities on our campuses and around Tasmania.  Although we have reached a time in this pandemic where the vaccination rollout can assist with more daily normalities, we still remain cautious and are actively working hard to enable a safe environment for our community. The School is currently considering the requirement for all staff members to be or become fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.  We expect that once the consultation process with staff has been completed that a decision will be made soon.

During Term 4, the School welcomed new school families on campus, ready to start School in 2022. For new students arriving at our school, it can be a time filled with nerves, anticipation, excitement and uncertainty.  As with all students, I encourage new students and families to embrace the learning and wide ranging opportunities that Friends’ provides. At the same time, we look forward to the contribution and ideas that new students bring to campus life.

"We seek to help our students develop as people who will think clearly, act with integrity, make decisions for themselves, be sensitive to the needs of others and the environment, be great in service and hold a global perspective."

Next year the School will embark upon the second part of the Campus Redevelopment Phase One on the Commercial Road campus.  The plan has the current W.N. Oats Centre being transformed into a multi-floor facility with flexible learning spaces to better meet the learning needs of future generations of students. I look forward to sharing more information in Term One, 2022, about how our community can support this vital transformational project.

Congratulations to all our Year 11 & 12 students for their outstanding TCE results and their commitment to the School’s Purpose and Concerns.  We are proud of all of our 2021 graduates, their remarkable results and all that they have achieved during their time with The Friends’ School.  These results are a testament to the wonderful efforts of our students, our staff and to the dedication of our supportive School community. This was a year group that participated in all aspects of School life, represented the School’s values and they leave Friends’ enriched by much more than top ATARs. We look forward to acknowledging the achievements of our IB Diploma students in January 2022.

While I acknowledge the efforts of our leaving Year 12 cohort, I’d also like to thank all the staff and volunteers who are helping our Friends’ students to be positive contributing members of society.  Ultimately, it is the sum of all the parts of our community that make Friends’ the strong, caring and nurturing environment that I proudly look forward to working at on a daily basis.

I do hope during this holiday season all families are able to safely spend time with those that we love and we are able to reflect upon and be thankful for the blessings of our lives.

Warmest wishes,

Nelson

Nelson File

Principal, The Friends' School