Our Learning

RACI Titration Competition

Over 30 IB and TCE Chemistry students put their practical skills to the test during the 2021 RACI (Royal Australian Chemical Institute) Titration Competition.

Students competed in teams of three to determine the amount of an unknown chemical sample using the volumetric technique of titration. We look forward to sharing the results.

Friends’ Artists at the Beaker Street Festival

Four Friends’ School International Baccalaureate (IB) students were invited to take part in the Beaker Street Festival that opened on 6 August. The students are participating in the event as part of the Co-Lab project that pairs Years 9 – 12 art students with early-career scientists.

The Beaker Street Festival is an annual, nine-day celebration of science and art in lutruwita/Tasmania, full of engaging scientists, compelling ideas, and innovative artworks from across the state.

Our four IB students were assigned their scientists, visited their lab/met with their scientists and learned about the scientist’s work. They were then invited to create a work of art that embodies their scientist’s work. These artworks are being displayed at TMAG for the duration of the Beaker Street Festival. The students, and their scientists, spoke about their work as part of the opening of the festival. 

You can read the full story here.

Women’s Voices in Science

Eleven students from Years 9-12 attend a forum titled ‘Women’s Voices in Science’. Our students had the opportunity to ask questions to a panel of female scientists from a variety of fields from "how do you ensure your opinion is heard in a male-dominated workforce?" to "how do you deal with COVID and climate change deniers?" There were some interesting discussions and it was great for our students to meet some prominent female scientists in our community.

Jean Yeates Writing Prize 2021

Jean Yeates was a long-serving staff member with a passion for the English language and a devotion to education. She was considered an inspirational mentor who changed the lives of many students over her 30 years service at The Friends’ School. Her passion for teaching and strict adherence to dress and decorum standards, along with her lively hockey coaching and her regular addresses to the boarding girls earned her legendary status at The Friends’ School. Jean Yeates is remembered at the School through the Year 11/12 Jean Yeates Writing Prize and also the Jean Yeates Service to Sport Award. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Jean Yeates Writing Prize.

This year’s Jean Yeates Writing Prize engaged with the theme of ‘True North’. The winning entry titled ‘True North’, a short story by Elizabeth Scott (year 12), explores the idea of True North as a final destination through the eyes of a child talking with an old man who is considered “off his nut” kind of mad.

You can read the full story here.

Peter Jones Peace Prize

The Peter Jones Peace Prize is an annual writing competition for High School students at Friends’ and was created in honour of long-serving teacher of Humanities and English at The Friends’ School and respected Quaker, Peter Jones. Peter is a man who ‘lets his life speak’. His life is a testimony to the Quaker principles.

Students are invited to write a poem, reflection, essay or speech inspired by a given stimulus or theme each year, provided by Peter Jones.

This year’s theme was:

“No one has the right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do.” - (Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker Movement).

Congratulations to Dihansa Udawatta’s (Year 8) winning poem “Hope”. Stella Petheram (Year 9) was also commended for her poem ’The Cry of the Currawongs’.

You can read the full story here.

Collaboration in Science

In late August a group of Year 11 IB students worked with students from Year 5 on some science experiments. The Year 11 students (Gryff, Zoe A, Lily, Zoe G) engaged the Year 5's in some hands-on science experiments to enrich their current inquiry around chemical and physical change. These experiments were planned and conducted by the Year 11 students. It's so great to see students from different year groups working together.

Clemes Student Workshops

Students at Clemes took part in practical and service based workshops while their teachers attended TCE Moderation meetings recently. These sessions were designed to complement both the current wellbeing and academic program and assist with the transition to life after school. The day’s offerings were put together based on feedback from alumni on what knowledge and skills would be useful to learn more about prior to leaving school in order to navigate adulthood. Thanks to staff and volunteers who facilitated workshops!

Workshops included CPR training, Responsible Service of Alcohol, basic barista, basic car maintenance, CV writing, cooking uni style and knitting and snuffle mat making.

Year 6 IB Exhibition

“Let Your Life Speak - Think, feel, do and stand up for what is right.”

This year for the Year 6 International Baccalaureate Exhibition, students were required to research a person of interest who has made a significant contribution to their communities and 'Let Their Life Speak'. The individual inquiries into people who have made a positive difference to our world have allowed our students to think deeply about how they can take personal action about an issue or concern they have and make a difference.  They can live the purpose and concerns; think clearly, act with integrity, make decisions for themselves, be sensitive to the needs of others and the environment, be strong in service and hold a global perspective. The aim of all IB programs is to develop internationally minded people who, recognising their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

Well done to all the students for their fantastic work and thanks to staff, mentors and families who guided and supported the students with their participation in the Exhibition.