Madeline Harper - Assistant Head of Boarding

Tara’s boarding community recently celebrated National Boarders Week with colour, connection and compassion. Eggleton House was decked out with festive decorations, creating a sense of joy and unity among the girls. To mark the occasion and stand out in the day school, each boarder wore a pink ribbon in her hair, as a small symbol of the community they represent. A highlight of the week was the much-anticipated arrival of the boarders’ jerseys, which the girls had been eagerly waiting for. Each boarder also received a surprise gift of a custom ‘Boarders’ cap, which added to the excitement. The jerseys and caps were worn with pride by the girls.

On Thursday 15 May, the boarding community hosted a fundraising event in honour of the Vanessa Grant Trust, raising over $1,600. In the days leading up, the girls baked with love and dedication, preparing for the big day. The fundraiser included a sausage sizzle and a bake sale, and the atmosphere was filled with purpose and spirit as all the boarders got involved in helping. The Vanessa Grant Trust was established by Vanessa Grant, a former Head Boarder at Tara, who dedicated her life to supporting women in Africa. Though she has since passed away, her legacy lives on through her Trust and the establishment of a Christian secondary school for girls situated in Rongai, Kenya.

Another exciting milestone this term was the launch of a new student exchange with Somerville House in Brisbane. Three Year 10 students, Eve, Alissa, and Freya, all travelled to Queensland to experience boarding life at Somerville. The girls had a fantastic time and represented Tara with pride. As part of this inaugural exchange, Tara will be welcoming three Somerville students at the end of Week 7, who will be staying at Eggleton House and experiencing our warm boarding culture firsthand.

Boarding at Tara continues to offer girls a home away from home, one that fosters independence, lasting friendships, and a deep sense of belonging. Whether it is through everyday routines, special celebrations, or new opportunities like the Somerville exchange, the spirit of Eggleton House is one of warmth, resilience and community.

Please feel free to contact the Director of Boarding, Mrs Samantha Cocks, if you would like to find out more.

Over the past two weeks, a number of Tara students from both Junior School and Senior School enjoyed a night at the theatre. After sharing a pre-show meal together, they boarded a bus for the Capitol Theatre to watch the ever-loved musical Annie. It was such a fun production, and the girls loved being out together.

Thank you to all the staff who kindly gave their time to supervise the girls. Regardless of a technical hitch at the Junior School show, a fabulous night out was had by all.

Watch Game 2 of State of Origin with the Tara Dads Club. 

The Tara Dads Club invites all dads to join them at The Winston for Game 2 of the State of Origin. 

It’s a great opportunity to catch the game, enjoy some good company, and connect with other dads in the Tara community.

Check out the details below and RSVP via the link provided — we would love to see you there. 

Tara Dads Club – State of Origin Social Night

It’s not too late to donate your pre-loved books! Year 3 is thrilled to be running the Second-Hand Book Stall at Winterfest 2025, and we would love your support.

We are accepting book donations until Wednesday, 11 June. Please drop your books off at the Senior School Main Reception. 

Kindly note: Donations cannot be accepted at the Junior School Reception.

Thank you for helping us spread the joy of reading!

There is still time to lend a hand. We are only asking for one hour of your time—and with many hands, the work becomes light. If you are able to help, please sign up using the link below:

Tara Hub - Volunteer Sign Up

Thank you for your support. We look forward to seeing you at Winterfest 2025!

Winterfest 2025 – Just Around the Corner

We are counting down the days to Winterfest 2025 and can’t wait to welcome you for an exciting afternoon of fun, food, and fireworks!

A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors whose support is essential to the success of this event. We deeply appreciate your contribution:

• Mad Toppings Pizza & Co
• Five Senses Education
• Little Bunnies Childcare Centre and Preschool
• Lacham Trees
• Benetatos White Solicitors
• Poolwerx
• Ideal Office Furniture Pty Ltd
• Ultrasound for Women – Parramatta, Windsor, Penrith, and Norwest
• Nouchi Nourishing Desserts

Please keep an eye on Tara Connect this week for final event updates and important information.

We will be accepting both card and cash on the day. For pre-ordered food, an envelope will be sent home this week with your booking details. Don’t forget to bring it with you to collect your food at the event. 

On Saturday, 3 May, the Class of 1975 gathered for their 50-Year Reunion — a truly special occasion. Twenty women attended, and for many, it was the first time seeing one another in over five decades.

Some began their Tara journey together in Junior School, others left after the School Certificate, and many were part of the HSC cohort. No matter where they left off, the day was filled with warm conversations, laughter, and heartfelt reminiscing.

The group is now planning more casual get-togethers in the future.

A heartfelt thank you to Pauline (Adcock), March 1975, for organising such a memorable reunion.

Back to Tara Day 2025 – Book Your Place Now

There is still time to reserve your spot for this special annual event. The Tara Old Girls' Association warmly invites you to join them for Back to Tara Day 2025.

Event Details

📅 Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025

🕐 Time: 1:00pm

📍 Location: Tara Theatre Foyer, Tara Anglican School for Girls

Reconnect with fellow alumnae over a delicious Devonshire tea featuring freshly baked scones, sandwiches, and great conversation. It’s a lovely opportunity to relive memories and celebrate your connection to Tara.

🎟 Cost: $15.00 per person

📩 RSVP by: Wednesday, 11 June 2025

Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/DBTXT

Anuradha Gupta - Learning Support Teacher 

My recent trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal with my 14-year-old son was not just a physical journey, but also a deeply emotional and eye-opening one.

We began our adventure in Kathmandu, staying in a five-star hotel with all the modern comforts—comfy beds, a variety of delicious food, clean bathrooms, and excellent service. However, things quickly changed once we headed to the airport for our flight to Lukla, known as the world’s, most dangerous airport.

As the weather cools down, it’s easy for swimming lessons to slip off the radar. But water safety is a year-round concern, and keeping your child enrolled in swimming over winter is one of the best ways to protect and grow their skills.

To help keep your child progressing, we’re offering 50% off a second weekly lesson during June, July, and August. This special applies to all levels except Private, Semi-Private, and Adult classes. If your children already take a second class, you will get the discount over the months as well.

Here’s why continuing through winter is so important:

• Research shows that children who swim year-round learn up to 50% faster than those who take seasonal breaks.
• A study by Griffith University found that children involved in regular swimming programs were 11 months ahead in motor skill development compared to non-swimmers.
• Physical activity like swimming can help boost the immune system, not weaken it.

By continuing lessons, your child not only stays active but also avoids skill regression and loss of confidence. All the time and effort you've invested so far will continue to pay off — rather than needing to be regained later in the year.

Let’s keep the momentum going and make water safety a priority — rain, hail, or shine!

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 are now 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 will be having Holiday Intensives over the July school holidays for 2 weeks. We will be offering Private Lessons and group lessons. Please contact swimming@tara.nsw.edu.au or contact reception on 8838 2699 to book in.  

Dates:
7th – 11th July &
14th – 18th July

Note: Our regular Learn to Swim lessons will continue during the holiday period. 

We are so proud to announce that Henry is our Swimmer of the Month!     

For his amazing attendance and building lots of confidence in the water, With huge smiles.

Get Ready, we’re making a splash again — and you’re invited to cheer loud and proud!

After the incredible success of our last Twilight Race Night, we’re thrilled to announce another evening of fast swims, big smiles, and great fun!

When: Friday 20 June
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Where: Tara Aquatic Centre

Important:

• Swimmers must be currently enrolled in the program to participate.
• Dust off those race swimmers and get ready for another night of exciting competition!
• Entries are now open! Submit your swimmer’s details here: https://forms.office.com/r/r6E7iGE7ue
• Secure your spot: Please see Reception to confirm your booking and payment.

Come along and make it a night to remember — let's celebrate our swimmers' hard work with plenty of cheering, laughter, and some well-deserved fun!

Our Year 2 students recently took part in a fun and collaborative Through the Hedge learning experience with The King’s School.

Together, they explored how many different sandwich combinations they could create — a hands-on way to dive into mathematical thinking. The activity sparked plenty of discussion, creativity, and laughter as students worked through combinations and possibilities.

It was a wonderful reminder that maths can be both practical and fun — especially when sandwiches are involved!

Our Senior girls made the most of their Athletics Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park, coming together for a day filled with competition, and fun. 

Students took part in a range of events including sprints, relays, discus, javelin, long jump and shot put. It was great to see so many giving it their best and cheering each other on throughout the day.

A standout moment was the energy from our Year 12 girls, who brought extra colour and spirit with their creative House costumes—adding plenty of personality to the carnival atmosphere.

Congratulations to everyone who got involved, and a special well done to Crawford House for taking out the win this year.

A big thank you to all the staff who helped make the day such a success.

Mr Mark Swainson, Gifted Education Coordinator

The Da Vinci Decathlon Competition is a cocurricular extension program offered to High Potential High Performance students in Years 7-11. The Competition places a strong emphasis on higher-order thinking skills, problem-solving, and creativity. Students are put into teams of eight and compete across ten disciplines including engineering, mathematics, code breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography, and legacy. Teams are ranked against other schools in each discipline. Congratulations to Year 9 and Year 11 teams who were ranked first in New South Wales for Art and Poetry. A special thank you also to Miss Divitale and Mrs Westerbrink for coaching the teams.

To read about the girl's experience, click below. 

Our Year 9 SRC students recently hosted Tara’s Greatest Morning Tea, bringing the school community together in support of the Cancer Council.

Students and staff gathered to enjoy sweet treats and good company, all while raising funds for cancer research and support services.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who baked, donated, or took part on the day — your generosity is helping to make a real difference.

Our Year 12 Business Studies students had the incredible opportunity to learn from Adam Stanshall, author of the McDonald’s Australia case study, as he unpacked key elements of operations, marketing, finance, and HR across more than 1,000 stores nationwide.

They also gained insider tips from Grace Losco—2023’s top Business Studies student in NSW—who shared her strategies for HSC success in essay and business report writing. A motivating session that left our students inspired and ready to excel!

What an achievement! Our senior students learning Japanese placed 13th in NSW, 54th in Australia, and 73rd in the world — answering a huge 62,478 questions!

An impressive result and a great reflection of their hard work and enthusiasm for learning languages. 

Well done, girls! 

Year 8 students recently took part in a hands-on Interdisciplinary Unit Day, combining creativity, collaboration and real-world thinking.

The day saw students dive into a range of engaging activities across different learning areas. They experimented with chemistry by creating their own lip gloss, explored drama by devising and performing original plays based on contemporary issues, and took on the role of entrepreneurs by developing app concepts to improve health and wellbeing — all pitched in a Shark Tank-style challenge.

From scriptwriting and rehearsals to problem-solving and pitching, the girls embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and teamwork. It was a fantastic day of learning through doing. Well done, girls!

To mark World Environment Day, our Senior School went Snug as a Bug in a Rug!

Classrooms went without lights and heaters yesterday as part of an energy-saving initiative, with our girls wrapping up in blankets to stay warm while raising awareness about everyday actions we can take to protect our planet.

Congratulations to Chloe (Year 7) and Amy (Year 11) for their amazing efforts at Coona!

Chloe had a great weekend, coming away with:

• 🥇 Champion Rider (Age 13)
• 🏅 4th in Preliminary Dressage 1.2
• 🏅 5th in Preliminary Dressage 1.3
• 🏅 6th in Combined Training

Amy also had an impressive set of results, placing:

• 🏅 Reserve Champion – Showjumping 80cm
• 🥈 2nd – Pentathlon
• 🥉 3rd – Team 6 Bar
• 🥉 3rd – Polocrosse
• 🔟 10th – Combined Training

Well done to both girls for representing Tara so proudly across so many events!

Congratulations to:

• Olivia K, Chloe Z, Stefeni K and Ava H (Year 3)
• Audrey H (Year 4)
• Celine Z (Year 5)
• Chloe H and Isabella P (Year 6)
• Jessica R and Lin Lin W (Year 7)

for their participation at the Marival International Cup held on 31 May – 1 June at Australian Rhythmic Gymnastics in Rooty Hill.

This was the first big event for the gymnasts to complete in this year! Their performances were stunning, showing grace and determination whilst competing alongside talented rhythmic gymnasts from across Australia and Malaysia. It was a wonderful experience for all with many top 6 finishes for their freehand, hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon routines.

Head Coach Rachel and the Rhythmic Gymnastics coaching team are pleased with all of the gymnasts’ confidence and perseverance performing on the floor!

Congratulations to:

• Olivia K, Chloe Z, Stefeni K and Ava H (Year 3)
• Audrey H (Year 4)
• Celine Z (Year 5)
• Chloe H and Isabella P (Year 6)
• Jessica R and Lin lin W (Year 7)

for their participation at the annual Club PERO In-House Meet held on 17 May at SCEGGS Darlinghurst.

The gymnasts demonstrated new body, apparatus and dance skills to their parents with new routines in freehand, hoop, and clubs!

Well done to all!

Victoria (Year 9) has had a huge year in sailing, competing across Australia and overseas.

She kicked things off by placing 1st Girl at the Moreton Bay Brisbane States, then travelled to Hong Kong for the Asian and Oceanian Championships, where she helped Team Australia 1 win Gold in the Teams Racing and finished 2nd Oceanian Girl in the Fleet Racing.

At the 2025 Australian Optimist Championships, she was named 1st Australian Girl and received the Perpetual Trophy. She also came 2nd in the NSW Girl’s Grand Prix Series.

Most recently, Victoria took on the Optimist European Championship in Turkey, competing alongside 256 sailors from 43 countries. It was a challenging event, but she came away with fresh perspective. “It was tough, but I learned a lot. Seeing how other countries train has really motivated me to work even harder.”

Well done, Victoria—we are proud of your efforts, and your determination.

On Sunday 1st June, Tara Artistic Gymnastics hosted a Recreational Event and a Level 1 – 4 Competition in the Tara Gymnasium. This day was a great success with all the girls achieving some excellent results. The girls were very excited to show their families and friends the wonderful skills they have been learning and how much they have improved since last year.

It was great to see so much support towards the program and to watch the girls shine doing what they love. A special thank you to all the beautiful families, coaches and judges who helped out on the day to assist with the smooth running of the day. 

Well done everyone!

Congratulations to Faith (Year 7), who recently competed in the NSW State Fencing Championship. Taking part in the Under 15 Female Sabre category, Faith showed great skill and determination throughout the event.

We're excited to share that she finished with a bronze medal — a fantastic achievement at a state-level competition.

Well done, Faith!

Last week, our Year 11 and 12 students attended the Careers Expo at The King’s School. The event provided a valuable opportunity for the girls to connect with university representatives and industry professionals, explore future study options, and ask questions about courses, career paths, and campus life.

It was a great chance for students to begin thinking more deeply about their post-school journey and gather insights to help shape their next steps.

There are some great events and opportunities coming up! Learn more about them via the links below. 

Careers Newsletter - 10 June 2025 

For more information please contact Mr David Berridge via email - dberridge@tara.nsw.edu.au