Our Learning

Year 7 Mountain River Sea Camps

The Year 7 Mountain River Sea Camps enabled students to follow the journey water makes from mountain to sea in Southern Tasmania to connect with mountain, river and sea environments. Rafting the Picton, bushwalking at Hartz Peak and abseiling at Coningham were activities used to enhance human-nature connections with the three different environments. There was also a focus on students looking after themselves in the outdoors, looking after each other and looking after the environments they journeyed through.

Year 8 Maths Relay

The Year 8 Maths Relay team participated in a competition in August at Rosny College where they had 20 questions, 45 minutes, 4 members in a team, 5-25 mark questions and a calculator was not allowed.

The Maths Relay gives the opportunity for students to compete against other schools in the State, in an inter-school competition, focused on Mathematical problem solving.  The Year 8 team (photo above) were 1st in the State and completed the 45-minute relay with 11 minutes remaining! 

Year 6 Tour of Tassie

Year 6 students embarked on a tour of Tassie centred around ‘conservation’ with a historical and indigenous focus, as well as a touch of adventure. Locations visited included Oatlands, Poatina, Beauty Point and Beaconsfield, where students participated in activities involving wildlife, caves, history and community. 

Prep Art Exhibition

In Prep, our 'How we express ourselves' inquiry has been running all year and culminated in an Art Exhibition. Alongside their families, the children loved to share all the mediums they have been using to express themselves and their wonderings about the world. 

2021 Japanese Speech Competition

We presented certificates and prizes to students who participated in the 2021 Japanese Speech Competition, which was held in mid-October. Depending on which year group the students are in, they undertook an interview in Japanese, completed a one-minute talk about "Last Saturday", recited a set passage about "My Place" or prepared, memorized and delivered a self-introduction. It was an impressive effort from all the students who took part in the various divisions. Pictured above are the Morris and High School groups, with both prize winners and participants present.

The prize winners for Senior Secondary are:

Year 11: Sarah Eaton - First Place

Year 11: Marisa Santalucia -  Honourable Mention

The prize winners from Morris are:

Year 6: Saba Foley - First Place

Year 5: Astrid Clougher - First Place

Zoe Leung - Second Place

Ari Skala - Third Place

Year 4: Alexandra Gee - Second Place

Amartya Shenoy - Honourable Mention

Year 3: Caitlin West - Second Place

The prize winners from the High School are:

Year 10: Christopher Evans - Third Place

Alex Rackham - Honourable Mention

Year 9: Eve Cooper - First Place

Year 8: Yee Coey Hung - First Place

Year 7: Amelia Cooper - First Place

Skye Li-Byrne - Honourable Mention

Introducing the 2022 Clemes Council

Say hello to our 2022 Clemes Council! The Clemes Council are the senior student leaders at The Friends' School who hold important roles on School committees (such as the Environment Committee) and who are responsible for various initiatives across the School. We look forward to seeing what these student leaders achieve over the coming year.

Japanese Calligraphy Competition Winner

Congratulations to Alex Rackham who received First Prize in the statewide Japanese Calligraphy Competition in the Years 10-12 Pen Division.

Year 2 Outdoor Education Excursion

Year 2 students embarked on a outdoor education excursion to Waterworks Reserve. They explored animal adaptations, primarily through the study of animal scat.

Year 11 IB Extended Essay Presentations

Year 11 International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma students presented their Extended Essay's on various topics.

During this wonderful event, 23 IB students presented their current research and the development of their argument in the format of a 10-12 minute structured presentation – with a view to gaining helpful feedback from their audience – before the final submission of their Extended Essay (4000 words) in June, 2022.

This annual event offered members of the School community an opportunity to engage with a range of interesting topics, from the ethics of institutionalised childcare to an evaluation of the success of the translocation of Tasmanian devils to Maria Island; a literary exploration of the nature of suffering and hope for refugees to the relationship between genetics and intelligence; how attitudes in Japan to same-sex marriage are reflected in current laws and policies to an exploration of how the breakdown of ‘compostable alternatives different to the breakdown of traditional plastic waste in water-based environments. There were, of course, many more engaging presentations in addition to these! We wish students all the best as they work towards their June deadline.

Mary Stanfield Public Speaking Competition

The annual Mary Stanfield Public Speaking Competition was held this Term, with two brave speakers discussing the topic “Isolated from Humanity”.

Mary Stanfield was a stalwart of The Friends’ School; she gave devoted and loyal service during her 36 years as a teacher at the School (from 1927 – 1963). Mary was a teacher of English and a lover of Drama and she was instrumental in the introduction of literary evenings that were held every Friday during the winter term at the School. Mary was affectionately known to generations of Friends’ Students as “Stanna” and was known (during her time as Senior Mistress) to give the new girl prefects a little talk that included the phrase “you must be above reproach”.

Congratulations to our winner, Felix Churchill, and our runner up, Miriam Reid, on their excellent speeches.

Read the winning speech from Felix on the News section of our website.

Year 4 Orana Camp

Year 4 students stayed at Orana Camp, situated on beautiful Roches Beach. The purpose of the camp was for students to build community within their class groups and across the year level and to be involved in a range of outdoor activities. We think you'll see from the pictures above that a fun time was had by all.

Final Day for our Year 12 Cohort

Each year, the leaving class gifts a tree or shrub back to the School as a thank you and as a gift for future generations of Friends' students. This year the class of 2021 chose a Banksia Ornata, which was planted on the school grounds. In the coming days, our Year 12 students receive their much-anticipated TCE exam results.

Year 6 End of Year Celebrations

Year 6 students and their families attended the

final Year 6 assembly on Wednesday 8 December in The Farrall Centre. Each student presented something about their time at Morris, were farewelled by Morris staff and were welcomed to the High School by Principal, Nelson File and other High School teachers. It was then followed by a morning tea outside The Farrall Centre foyer. 

During the assembly, the Sydney Morris & Frank Wells Prizes and The Janet Asten Prize were awarded to deserving students.

Sydney Morris & Frank Wells Prizes

Frank Wells attended Friends’ School from 1891 and went on to manage a respected engineering firm.  He was a life-time supporter of our School and a Board member for 33 years including 8 years as Chairman of the Board. He was very involved in the purchase of the Argyle Street site and building, which we now know as Morris. This prize was established in memory of Frank Wells’ interest in education and The Friends’ School.

Sydney Morris was a Quaker who had a great interest in The Friends’ School. He was a member of the School Board of Governors and at one time, Chairman of the Board. This prize was established in memory of his generosity, care and interest in education.

Both the Sydney Morris Prize and the Frank Wells Prizes are awarded to students who have strived for, and achieved, academic excellence across all curriculum areas; through independent learning, application to deeper inquiry and meaningful contributions in group work. These students have the qualities of character that allow them to give a significant overall performance and contribute to the life of The Friends’ School.

The Sydney Morris Prize was awarded to Sophie Cole and theThe Frank Wells Prize was awarded to Charles Zinn.

The Janet Asten Prize

The Janet Asten Prize is awarded to all-rounders who throw themselves into learning with enthusiasm and determination; balanced students who are always prepared to take risks and have-a-go; team players who fulfill commitments to ensembles, sporting teams, or other school activities in which they take part; students who work well in groups and by themselves; students who strive for excellence, are open minded and considerate of others - all qualities which ensure that The Friends’ School community is a lively, vibrant and dynamic place of life and learning.

The Janet Asten Prize was awarded to Callum Wigston.

In the evening, following the assembly, the Year 6 social was held in the Bill and Marjorie Oats Theatre on the High School campus. Students danced the night away and participated in activities on the night.

The following day, Prep to Year 6 classes and staff came together as a learning community at Bell Street Sports Grounds to celebrate the last day of the 2021 school year, having lunch and enjoyed a range of games and activities together. All students then returned to School and Prep to Year 5 students made a farewell path for the Year 6s who are moving on to High School. It was a beautiful and emotional send off and we wish all our Year 6s all the very best as they embark on their High School journey.

Scholarship Applications Now Open

Online applications for Merit and Boarding Scholarships for entry into Year 7 and 11 in 2023 are now open. We are also seeking applications for music scholarships from students for Years 7 to 11 for 2023.  More information on these scholarships can be found on the Scholarships & Bursaries page of the website.