Sports

New Sports Centre Naming

On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am delighted to announce that the new Sports Centre will be named, The Revell Sports Centre.  The Board recently endorsed a recommendation from the Present and Future Facilities Committee to name this new state-of-art facility after alumnus Richard Revell (1953), who attended The Friends’ School as a Boarder from 1950 to 1951.

Richard was a kind and enthusiastic supporter of sport and co-curricular at Friends’.  Although Richard had limited mobility and speech capacity, he made the most of his opportunities at school. As we have come to learn, Richard was ever present to support those who participated in Sport - Athletics and AFL come to mind through discussions with those who knew him. It appears that he so wanted to be involved in Sport but was unable to participate directly due to his physical limitations, so he supported others as he could.

During his time at Friends’, many acts of acceptance and kindness were shown towards Richard by his classmates and later, Richard was motivated to leave his entire estate to The Friends’ School in his Will. The new Sports Centre and WN Oats Centre transformation includes a significant improvement of equity of access on the campus.  This development is something that Richard would have appreciated and it will help more people to access and move throughout the campus.

This naming also presents an opportunity to acknowledge the generous contribution by Richard that promotes kindness, supporting everyone in their sporting pursuits and ultimately, the School’s motto, ‘Nemi Sibi Nascitur’ - No one is born for self alone.

We invite you to view a video about Richard Revell, which includes his school friends David Long and the late John Hyndes.  

In Friendship,

Nelson File

Principal | The Friends' School

Friends' Rowing Season – 2021/22

By Anthony Edwards, Head of Rowing

For 130 students, their families along with 24 volunteer coaches, this rowing season was quite different to any other season experienced. The challenge of covid was evident, yet the resilience shown was notable.

Across Term 4 (from Oct 2021) and Term 1 (to March 2022) our rowers attended many regattas across the season. Our efforts culminating in us receiving the Rowing Tasmania Schools Pennant Flag (accumulated results across Club regatta’s).

Notable regatta performances across the season were:

• Junior Quad’s Regatta(U13-U15) – Overall Boys Aggregate Shield
• Club State Champions – U19 Mens Pair, U21 Womens 8
• School State Champions – Boys Aggregate Shield, U16 Single Scull, U13 Single Scull, U13 Double Scull, U13 Quad Scull
• Head of River Champions – Co-Ed Aggregate Shield, U16 Single Scull, U13 Single Scull

Each squad had constant challenges of losing rowers (and coaches) to covid, making for necessary changes to crew structures, yet resilience was shown in the way everyone accepted and handled each situation. Thankyou to our volunteer coaches who give an extraordinary amount of time and commitment to nurture and mentor our rowers, something that is a unique experience for our rowers outside the school classroom structure.

Thank you to our Parent Support Group and families who supported our many community and fundraising activities: Welcome Event, Pasta Nights, Movie Night, kiosk, End of Season event and silent auction. We acknowledge the contributions through our Sport Foundation link: Dentists of Tasmania, Marine Solutions Tasmania & Powercom Solar.

Thank you to Eloise Underwood and Calum Johnson for the leadership shown to the Open rowers and support to our junior program.

Rowing is more than what happens on the water. The teamwork and culture of the boatshed off the water has stimulated its own success. Well done to everyone on a wonderful season.

Summer Rowing Camp

By Calum Johnson and Eloise Underwood, Captains of Boats

During the summer holidays, our Under 16 and Open crews took part in a rowing camp, which encompassed five days of high-intensity training. We were very fortunate to spend this time at the New Norfolk Rowing Club rowing sheds and made the most of this amazing opportunity and their brand new facilities. Covid restrictions prevented us from physically camping, however, we did not let this affect the spirit of the camp. Each day began at 6.30am and ended at 7.00pm with breakfast, lunch and dinner included, preserving the camp-like atmosphere. Each day involved three training sessions, with some crews stretching this out to four making the most of the beautiful New Norfolk water and facilities in preparation for upcoming regattas. Accompanying the intense training regime, an injury prevention and recovery class was offered by the school's resident yoga instructor Julia, an experience we all found helpful.

A season highlight for many, The Friends' School Rowing camp is made possible by the generosity of our rowing staff and volunteer coaches. We would like to acknowledge the generosity of our dedicated coaches Ian Jordan, Tom Pilkington, Max McQueeney and Ian McMahon and staff members Jeremy Rackham and Sandi Woodward for giving up five days of their summer holidays to enable this camp ro run and to better our rowing skills and fitness. 

We are also immensely proud of the commitment and enthusiasm shown by each of the rowers that attended. What better way to use our break from school to better the school rowing program and contribute towards a shared goal. We have a really special community here at The Friends' School Rowing Club and experiences like this is what transforms a bunch of rowers into a community and a family. 

Term 1 Sports Report by the Clemes Council Sports Reps 

(Please note: This report only pertains to Clemes and doesn't include the results from the State Sailing Championships). 

State Sailing Championships

The State Sailing Championships were held in early April with the Friends' Sailing teams placing 1st and 2nd, which was a fantastic result. We had 18 students competing in two teams over two days. Wind conditions were light to heavy with our sailors excelling across all conditions.

Physical Education and Sport at Morris

By Lisa Di Venuto, Head of Morris Sport (K-6)

The Physical Education & Sport program at Morris has grown and changed over the past few years despite the constraints of the COVID-19 world.

Early in Term 1, children in Years 3-6 had the opportunity to participate in year level swim carnivals. These carnivals saw children enthusiastically swim in 25m, 50m and novelty events as a year level. Participation levels were huge and smiles even huger as lots of fun was had splashing around in the water. Students who swam in 50m events were then given the opportunity to compete for JSSATIS selection at another carnival. Students were timed and the team was selected to represent Morris at the JSSATIS Swim Carnival in mid-March. Personal bests, fabulous sportsmanship and awesome behaviour was showcased by the 34 swimmers from Years 3-6 who swam at the Aquatic Centre at the JSSATIS carnival, super proud of all these children.

Pictured above, L-R: Caitlin West, Alice Loney, Olive Reid and Stella Logan at JSSATIS Swimming 2nd 4x50m Freestyle Relay

Leading up to the JSSATIS carnival, all students in Years 3-6 participated in a week long, Swimming & Water Safety Program as part of Physical Education. The program focuses on stroke development and correction and being safe in the water. The program is taught according to the Royal Life Saving Society - Australia (RLSSA) awards at the Friends’ pool. Kindergarten-Year 2 will enjoy these sessions at the end of the year.

Alongside the swimming program, the Years 3-6 students participated in a cricket unit. Batting, bowling, throwing, catching and fielding were taught and the students enjoyed a visit from Cricket Tasmania development officers who took them through the modified T20 cricket match. Lots of runs scored, wickets taken and fun had.

Pictured above: Ingrid Carthew-Wakefield and Ethan Little (Year 4) participating in a cricket clinic by Cricket Tasmania

To conclude the Term, Years 2-6 students have participated in soccer sessions provided by Mortons Soccer School (MSS). With the focus on running with the ball, first touch and skill development, students have certainly enjoyed being outside in the sunshine. Children in Kindergarten-Year 1 will be provided with these sessions early in Term 2.

Pictured above: Oliver Rafferty & Henry De Groot (Year 2) participating in a Soccer clinic by MSS

From Year 2, children are offered a varying number of co-curricular activities to opt into throughout the year. In Term 1, boys in Years 3/4 were able to signup for cricket whilst Tee-ball was offered to our Year 5 students. We entered two boys cricket teams into the JSSATIS roster and 22 Year 5 students took to the bottom green on Tuesday afternoons to perfect their Tee-ball skills.

At the conclusion of Term 1, students put forward their choices for winter sport. We have entered 7 soccer teams, 2 hockey teams, 3 netball teams and 1 waterpolo team into various rosters with commencement early in Term 2.

So as the 2022 year progresses, the Physical Education program in Years 3-6 will focus on the development of skills in cross country, gymnastics, basketball, netball, newcombe ball, athletics and Tee-ball with some year levels fortunate enough to visit Kingborough Sports Centre for gymnastics sessions and to shoot hoops at Swisherr Hoops Academy in the old K&D building in town.

The sports program will offer co-curricular opportunities for Years 3-6 basketball, 5/6 hockey, 3-6 girls cricket, 5/6 golf, 5/6 boys indoor cricket, selection for Years 3-6 JSSATIS cross country and athletics and perhaps even a Years 5/6 triathlon.

Lots of opportunity to be active and have fun.

Girls Soccer Winners!

On April 13, the Girls Year 7/8 and 9/10 soccer teams played in the SSATIS grand final showcase at Warrior Park, Warrane. Both games were tight in the first half, before both Friends' teams were rewarded with some late goals in the second half.

The Year 7/8 Girls Soccer team defeated Mt Carmel College 4-0 and the Year 9/10 defeated Fahan School 3-0.

Congratulations to all the players, coaches and support crew involved in a great night of sport!

Violet Owen wins the National U14 Women 800m Final!

Congratulations to Year 7 student Violet Owen who won the U14 Women 800m Final at the Chemist Warehouse Australian Track & Field Championships in Sydney with a blistering time of 2:14.23. Fantastic achievement from this talented student. View the Final below: