To ensure the School has the correct contact information for you and medical details for your daughter, we ask that you log on to Edumate Parent Portal and use the Update Personal Details link to check and update yours and your daughter's information. 

If you have more than one daughter, switch between their profiles to complete. Please ensure you check and update each tab before you click the Submit changes button. If you Submit before you finish, you will not be able to submit any further changes until your previous submission has been processed on our end. 

Medical information is used to ensure the health and safety of your daughter during the day, excursions and Camps etc. 

Note: you can only log on to Edumate and complete this task using a PC. 

To assist you, please click the following link to access 'A Guide to Edumate'

Ruth Adams - Deputy Principal | Head of Junior School 

I am currently reading two books: Atomic Habits by James Clear, a research-informed treatise that swept the literary world a few years ago, about the small changes we can make that lead to big effects, and Stolen Focus- Why You Can’t Pay Attention by Johann Hari, a more recent book that explores a dilemma of our time – the obstacles and factors at play in our modern world which are diminishing our capacity to concentrate and pay attention. 

As a result of work undertaken with Dylan Wiliam in 2023, an area of interest for Junior School teachers in 2024 is the role of memory and retrieving knowledge in learning. Teachers are explicitly implementing practices to develop the girls’ skills in moving knowledge from working memory to long term memory (and back again!). While I am only a few chapters into each book, they both have made an impression on me as an educator and parent. Most notably, I have been impacted by Hari’s insights into the role of sleep, technology and play in growing our capacity to focus, remember and learn.

Hari waves some concerning red flags, highlighting that while human attention spans have been declining for over a century, there are factors in our modern world which are escalating this decline, such as lack of sleep, lack of unstructured play, and the addictive, algorithmic nature of the digital world. Hari supports our observations as educators regarding the declining capacity our girls have for sustained reading, with Hari citing a loss of ability to focus on one thing as the cause, noting that it is through reading that empathy is nurtured in our kids. When he put it that way, it struck me that a lack of focus is not just an academic issue, but rather having a holistic impact on a child and her community.

Similarly, children’s lack of unstructured and unsupervised play is impacting focus. Play has always been a strong interest of mine and the topic of my Master thesis, despite (or perhaps because), my own teaching career, being located in the upper years of primary education, where play had often evaporated by the time students reached me. Play provides opportunities for intrinsic learning because children are learning by choice and interest, which according to Hari, encourages the development of focus. Hari proposes that if you are a child today, your opportunity to immerse yourself in self-interested play is diminished if you spend almost all your life according to what adults tell you to do, or are scheduled to the point where there is little time for unstructured and unsupervised play. You will notice in Home Learning for Years 2-6 this year, we have explicitly provided space for play. 

In our constantly evolving digital landscape, the challenges of maintaining focus and attention have become more pronounced than ever. Hari sheds light on the factors contributing to the diminishing capacity to concentrate in our children. As parents, it's crucial to understand these factors and equip ourselves with strategies to foster a balanced and healthy relationship with technology.

Our "Meet the Principal" breakfast events kick off this week. If you would like to attend, kindly RSVP to the email that was previously sent to you. Should you encounter any issues with your RSVP, please feel free to reach out to Jodie Doyle at tarahub@tara.nsw.edu.au

Thursday 29 February: Year 6 Parents

Friday 1 March: Year 5 Parents 

Wednesday 6 March: ELC and Kindergarten Parents

Friday 8 March: Year 3 and Year 4 Parents 

Wednesday 13 March: Year 1 and Year 2 Parents 

Friday 15 March: Senior School Parents 

Join us for the Tara Hub Community Meeting!

This year, the Tara Hub is dedicated to fostering a strong sense of community, and what better way to start than with a BBQ? We cordially invite all members of the community to join us for an evening of good food and great company. 

Following the BBQ, Mr Scott Baker, Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School will provide an update on the 2023 HSC Results. Additionally, there will be an information session on how to use the Tara App.

Date: Tuesday 5 March 

BBQ Time: 6.00pm – 7.00pm

HSC Results and Tara App Information Session: 7.00pm – 8.00pm

We sincerely hope to see you all there!

Please mark your diary with the following dates: 

Term 2: Tuesday 7 May 

Term 3: Tuesday 6 August 

Term 4: Tuesday 5 November (AGM) 

Join us for the first meeting of the Tara Dads Club for 2024! We extend a warm invitation to all fathers to attend. The meeting is set for Wednesday 28 February, at 6pm, located in the Glass room beneath the Chapel. It's an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow Tara dads and discover ways to actively engage with the community. We look forward to seeing you there!

To join the Tara Dads Club, please click on the following link: 

Join the Tara Dads Club

If you have any questions about Community or have ideas to share, please email the Community Engagement Manager, Jodie Doyle at community@tara.nsw.edu.au 

Mrs Sarah Norman and Mrs Frieda Maguire – Year 2 Teachers

Year 2 are investigating the connection between rights and responsibilities in our first unit of inquiry. We had the pleasure of interviewing Mrs Ramsay about her responsibilities as a mother and our new Tara Principal.

She has a lot of responsibilities! From making sure the School runs smoothly, to the wellbeing of the girls, staff and the Tara community. Mrs Ramsay is always thinking of ways to continue to make Tara the best school.

We learnt that Mrs Ramsay’s first job was at Dream World, where she was responsible for making fairy floss. What a sweet job!

Thank you for visiting us, Mrs Ramsay. You are always welcome in Year 2!

Meet Billy our new Squad Coach!

Billy comes to Swimming@Tara from an extensive coaching background. As a swim coach from Waves Fitness & Aquatic Centre and former Head Coach of Coulter Swimming, he has guided athletes to state and national success. 

Aside from coaching, Billy is currently pursuing a Masters of Teaching (Secondary) and off-duty, you will find him either diving in the ocean, stargazing and spending quality time with his family. 

Click here to access the Squad timetable. 

If you have a child or know someone who is at Squad level, and are wanting to join Swimming@Tara Squads, please email swimming@tara.nsw.edu.au so we can get them in for an assessment! 

We now have the capability to offer our students one on one lessons. Spots are limited and all students will require an assessment prior to booking in.

For further information, please email swimming@tara.nsw.edu.au  

Please review the Tara Aquatic Centre Terms and Conditions in the Aquatic Centre parent portal as they have been updated.  

We are accepting Active Kids and First Lap vouchers.

To use them in our program, please forward the details to swimming@tara.nsw.edu.au with your child’s details

We were thrilled to welcome back a group of our HSC Distinguished Achievers from the Class of 2023 last week!

The assembly and afternoon tea were filled with joy and pride as our Senior School community came together to honour their remarkable accomplishments.

Among those celebrated were six Year 11 2023 accelerated students who achieved an impressive Band 6 (a result of 90+) in Studies of Religion I.

Congratulations to our Distinguished Achievers and the entire Class of 2023 for your dedication and success! The Tara Community sends you all the best wishes for your future endeavours!

Click here to learn more about the achievements from the Class of 2023. 

In December 2023, three adventurous Year 10 students from Tara Anglican School for Girls embarked on a remarkable journey to France for a six week student exchange program. Jemima, Carol, and Audrey seized this unique opportunity to not only enhance their French language skills but also to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of Paris. 

Reflecting on their experience, the girls shared their most cherished memories, ranging from the excitement of attending school in a foreign country to the incredible moments of exploring the iconic streets of Paris. Among the highlights was "The Bat," a captivating Year 12 celebration and talent show at Saint Dominique school, where students showcased their talents through dance, skits, and musical performances. This event not only provided a glimpse into French school life but also fostered connections with local students.

The girls also had the opportunity to traverse Paris with new friends from Australia and the United States, visiting landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and indulging in the festive atmosphere of Christmas markets scattered across the city. The holiday break saw them embracing French traditions with their host families, from festive gatherings in the countryside to exhilarating skiing adventures in the Alps.

When asked about the impact of the exchange on their language skills, the girls emphasised the invaluable experience of cultural immersion. Constantly engaging in conversations and navigating daily life in French contributed significantly to their language skills. They noted a great improvement in comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary, attributing it to the immersive environment of living and studying in France.

Beyond language skills, the exchange program offered a myriad of benefits. Experiencing a different culture broadened their perspectives, instilling a deeper understanding and appreciation for French customs and traditions. The girls forged meaningful connections with peers from diverse backgrounds, fostering new global friendships.

In terms of personal growth, the exchange challenged them to step out of their comfort zones, navigate unfamiliar situations, and cultivate independence. From mastering the intricacies of public transportation to coping with homesickness, each obstacle presented an opportunity for learning and resilience.

Reflecting on their journey, the girls offer advice to future participants. Embracing the unknown with courage and enthusiasm, they urge fellow Tara girls to seize the opportunity. While venturing outside one's comfort zone may seem daunting, the rewards of studying abroad are immeasurable, offering a life changing experience that transcends boundaries and leaves an indelible mark.

The French exchange program proved to be a transformative journey for Jemima, Carol, and Audrey, offering cultural immersion, improved language skills, and personal growth. As they bid adieu to Paris and cherish the memories created during their stay, their journey serves as a testament to the profound impact of international exchange programs in shaping global citizens of tomorrow.

We are excited to be welcoming students back to The Learning Resource Centre (Claridge) for 2024.

This year we have a new Head of Library - Senior School: Miss Nicole Yule who is excited to be starting at Tara and looks forward to getting to know the students in the weeks and months to come. 

Claridge is open from 7.30am to 6.00pm every day. Our direct phone number is 02 8838 2672.

Parents are welcome to call us after school to convey messages to their daughter/s. Students are allowed to keep their mobile phone switched on in their school bag and can receive or make calls about transport in the lounge area.

Students who enjoy reading have the option to participate in a Genre Challenge. Over the year students are encouraged to read widely, trying genres that they may not have read before. Students who complete the challenge will receive an award.

Students should see Mrs Megan Wade-Ferrell for more details. 

Keen readers in Senior School are invited to keep a record of their 2024 reading by creating a Personal Reading Journey keyring. This is a collection of mini book covers on tags, resulting in a tangible display of personal reading throughout the year.

All readers (students and staff) are encouraged to claim their own keyring and start collecting mini book covers for each book read in 2024. 

Submit your images using the link on the front page of the Oliver Library Portal.

The PRC opens on Monday 26 February and closes on Friday 23 August. 

This challenge is open to all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 10. “It aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.”

Students in Years 7-10 who participate are required to read 20 books during the year. They can choose a maximum of 10 Personal Choice books and 10 books from the 7-9+ PRC Booklist.

Senior School students wishing to participate should contact the Library Staff in Claridge.

For more information please go to NSW Premier's Reading Challenge 2024

Skye A - Sport Prefect 

Club Expo is an annual event that Tara holds each year and this year it was a success! Club Expo was where students from all grades could explore the range of clubs and activities offered by the school. Club Expo had a wide range of club’s including debating, performing arts and social justice. It provided Tara girls with a unique opportunity to discover their passions and interests. The atmosphere of this year’s club expo was fun and full of excitement as girls signed up for different clubs. During the Club Expo we also had girls playing ping pong to showcase the amazing sports at Tara!

Jemma S - Academic Prefect 

Our first sessions of Tara Tutors for the year have begun and are a success so far! Tara Tutors is a service run by girls in Year 11-12 who volunteer their time to help girls in Year 7-10 with homework, assessments, study skills and any other academic questions. This year's sessions are: Monday lunch (1-1:30), Tuesday afternoon (3:30-4:30) and Thursday afternoon (3:30-4:30). Everyone is welcome and our tutors hope to see you there soon!

Tara Old Girl Sanjula Seelan visited the Year 12 Legal Studies Class last week. She gave the class tips how to achieve a Band 6 in Legal Studies.

Thank you for visiting Sanjula! 

Anahita R crafted a brain model during Year 9 Interdisciplinary Studies as part of enrichment activities. Following their exploration of the brain, the class will delve into the intriguing connection between psychology and the mind.

In a delightful encounter last week, Henry and Mrs Griffiths found themselves unexpectedly immersed in the captivating world of a Year 10 Science class.

Eagerly peering through microscopes connected to smartphones, the girls were engaging in an experiment, seizing the opportunity to use Henry as their subject.

Witnessing such enthusiastic engagement among the students was truly inspiring, showcasing the dynamic nature of scientific exploration in Year 10.

Congratulations to Year 8 student Zoe for her success at the NSW Junior Track Cycling Championships!

Her dedication and talent shone brightly, earning her well deserved recognition. Here is a glimpse of her remarkable performance:

• Team Sprint: Gold and NSW Champion
• Individual Time Trial: Silver
• Points Race: Silver
• Individual Pursuit: Silver
• Sprint: Silver
• Kieren: Silver
• Team Pursuit: Bronze

Zoe's achievements are nothing short of impressive, reflecting her hard work and passion for cycling. Zoe is now excited to compete at the upcoming National Championships. 

Go Zoe!