Artspace

The Friends’ School Tapestry Story of Quakerism in Australia

Pictured above: The Friends’ School Tapestry completed. Unstretched, unmounted. April 23, 2021. 

The Australian Quaker Narrative Embroidery Project began in 2007. A community arts project, it is based on the UK Kendal Quaker Tapestry, which consists of 77 panels illustrating the history of Quakerism from the 17th Century to the present day, and resides in the Meeting House at Kendal in Cumbria, in the Lakes District of England. The Kendal Quaker Tapestry, in turn, is based on the 11th Century Bayeux tapestry.

‘A panel begins with the ideas. Then follows research and the creation of a design using images and text. The completed cartoon is drawn onto calico and tacked onto the woollen fabric ready for the stitching of the embroidery’ (www.quakersaustralia). 

As Friends’ is the only Quaker school in the southern hemisphere, its significance to both the history of Quakerism and education was considered important to include in a series of embroidered panels that, together, told the tapestry story of Quakerism in Australia.

The creation of The Friends’ School tapestry began in early 2010 when interested persons in both the School and wider Quaker community convened to discuss the nature and process of the design and stitching of the panel. By early 2013, Cheryl Bain, Music Administrative Assistant, had taken the reins of the (then) flagging project and seconded Nadine Frick, a then new English teacher and Peripatetic Music Tutor, to design the panel, which previous committee discussions determined should include the School’s international connections and feature the School’s portico.

Read on here

The End of an Era for FriendsMusic

Sadly, FriendsMusic said farewell to one of its longest standing members at its final meeting for the year in November. Helene Shaddock, mother of Blair (2021), Tom (2017) and Mia (2015), has been an active member of this parent support group for many years, generously and enthusiastically assisting with numerous FriendMusic events, including some of the largest, such as the unforgettable Moroccan Bazaar (2013) and Spanish Spectacular (2014).

Helene has been a particularly thoughtful contributor to FriendsMusic discussions and her and her family’s support of Music at Friends’ has been greatly appreciated by the Music Staff. Thank you Helene for so faithfully serving the School community during your time at the School. 

-Paul Radford

September Marimba Concert

All of our marimba ensembles from Year 3 to 12 performed in this year’s Marimba Concert on Thursday 16 September. It was a delightful concert and all the more so given we were joined by the fabulous percussion duo, Kaboom Percussion from Perth. Kaboom performed in their own right, dazzling the audience with their plastic bottle instrument as well as joining several of our ensembles. 

A number of the performances were recorded as entries into this year’s Virtual International Steelpan and Marimba Festival. The recordings are accessible via the Education Africa YouTube channel. 

The concert was one of our strongest for a while and was enjoyed by all who attended. Sadly, it was also the last School event for Morris Music Teacher and fellow marimba maniac, Kerry Bennett. It was a privilege for the students to say farewell to Kerry at this event but nonetheless sad for us to say goodbye. Thank you Kerry, for all that you have done to make the marimba program as strong as it is at Friends’.

-Paul Radford

Launceston Band Trip

On the 23rd and 24th August, we took a group of students from our Intermediate Band and Wind Ensemble for an overnight music trip to Launceston. While there we participated in a combined workshop and performance with Launceston Church Grammar School. This workshop was led by Monte Mumford and It was great to work with students from another school. 

During the evening we also had a combined workshop with the Symphonic Band from the UTas Community Bands Program. This was a large community ensemble and we enjoyed working with this ensemble.

The following day we performed for Launceston Church Grammar’s Junior campus and then enjoyed a picnic lunch at the Cataract Gorge before heading home. 

We had a fantastic time, and we look forward to our next trip.

-Hilary Morgan

Elena Kats-Chernin Returns to Friends’

We’re delighted that eminent Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin will be returning as a composer in residence to Friends’ in 2022. Elena was last here in 2015. 

Elena will visit the School in April and return in September, and will work closely with students and staff whilst here. We particularly look forward to once again playing Elena’s music and to enjoying the vitality Elena brings with her when composing and performing. 

Elena will be present for the Chamber Music Concert scheduled for Thursday 7 April, commencing at 6pm. Please note the date in your diaries and join us for what promises to be a superb concert. 

-Paul Radford

Morris Term 4 Soiree

Morris vocal and instrumental students performing to an appreciative audience as part of our final Morris soiree for the year. 

Marimba Mania 

Our Year 5 and Year 6 marimba ensembles recently joined a number of marimba groups from other Tasmania schools to perform at this year's Marimba Mania at PW1. Here they are enjoying this year's event. 

TCE and IB Art Exhibition

The TCE and IB Art Exhibition, Visual Arts Prize was awarded to Alia Haider (Year 12 Higher Level IB) for her impressive sculptures. The Exhibition showcased works that had been created by our talented Art students throughout the year.

Read more information via the News section of our website, including a excerpt of Alia’s curatorial statement.

Raku and Pit Firing 

Year 10 ceramics classes visited the ceramics studio of artist Anna Williams at a South Lea property to participate in a Raku and pit firing workshop. This was the culmination of a curriculum unit that explores alternative firing techniques. Watching the Raku process gave students an insight into the reduction firing process and presented a practical example of how reducing oxygen, impacts glaze outcomes. 

Year 5's Visit MONA

Year 5 students visited MONA - Museum of Old and New Art as a provocation for their final inquiry, 'how we express ourselves'. Students explored the central idea, “creative thinking unlocks a world of possibilities”, as they looked at different elements and purposes of art, considered perspective and reacted to different art works.

2021 Dance Showcase

The 2021 Dance Showcase was held in the Farrall Centre on Friday. It was a celebration of the 86 Dance students from Years 8 to 10 and a culmination of their efforts from throughout the year. Our dancers performed three shows for High School and Morris students, and a performance for their families. Photos by Sophia Bender Films.