Scott Baker, Deputy Principal, Head of Senior School

Like so many organisations, schools are extremely complex environments with many logistical and organisational moving parts. Added to the mix are hundreds of people covering a broad range of ages, backgrounds, experiences, knowledge, skills, creativity, perspectives, emotions, ambitions…the list goes on. Schools are wonderfully exciting and dynamic places because of this, but there’s also lots of room for things to go awry as these forces interact and intersect every day. Can be a wild ride.

Every now and then though there is a beautiful alignment, sometimes by accident and sometimes design. In my experience, often these alignments are due to the shared School Values that cut through all of the differences and guide the School community with a common approach, direction and purpose. We had one such moment at the Term 2 Senior School Prizes and Awards Assembly on 17 June where we acknowledged and celebrated the achievements of current Tara students and experienced the privilege of a keynote address from former Tara student Dr Christine Bolitho. From the very start of the assembly the Tara value of opportunity shone through and pulled everything together in a magical manner. Most significantly, the core messages on the Tara value of opportunity were driven and delivered by Tara students, present and past alike.

The opening address by Assya and Isabella not only acknowledged the assembly’s purpose of celebrating success and the effort applied to achieve success, but also the Tara value of opportunity: “…every challenge met, every risk taken, and every moment of growth.” The opening prayer delivered by Assya but written by Nestacia likewise referenced opportunity through thanks to God “…for the lessons we have learned, for the challenges which have made us stronger…” The prizes and awards themselves represented the broad range of opportunities on offer to Tara students to pursue and excel in their interests and passions. A total of 221 awards covering Debating and Public Speaking, Performing Arts, Sport, Christian and Community Service, Academics and Boarding.

Our guest Keynote Speaker, former Tara student Dr Christine Bolitho (brief bio below), referenced the opportunities she had when at Tara and opportunities seized throughout her career and life, demonstrating that through resilience one can both adapt to and drive change.  Without any prior consultation or collaboration with the student leaders, her speech outlined her career and life’s challenges, reflecting strongly to the Tara value of opportunity. The key messages and advice from Dr Bolitho were:

• Pursue things you love and you are more likely to be successful
• Strive always to do your best
• Take opportunities
• Family and work life balance is important
• Build and utilise a strong support network of colleagues, friends, family, church
• Don’t be afraid to change direction
• Never stop learning. Never stop trying to achieve.

I think that all who were present would agree that the Term 2 Prizes and Awards Assembly was one of those special moments where Tar Values shone through. Looking forward to the next alumnae guest speaker reflecting upon her learning from Tara and the instructive lessons and wisdom gained throughout her life.

Read more about Dr Christine Bolitho, by clicking below: 

Thank you to all the dads who joined the Tara Dads Club for Game 2 of State of Origin.

It was a fantastic evening that gave everyone the chance to connect and strengthen friendships. The close and exciting match made for a great night of entertainment and has perfectly set the stage for a thrilling Game 3!

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped bring Winterfest 2025 to life. From the creative efforts of our students and families to the incredible support from staff and volunteers, this celebration of community simply wouldn’t have been possible without you.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on the day. What a spectacular way to come together and celebrate the spirit of our school! With everything from face painting and light-up toys to cupcake decorating and student-run stalls, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Congratulations to Year 6, whose Games Alley raised the most funds – an outstanding effort! A big thank you to all those who ran a stall, helped on the ticket booth or raffle table, or supported behind the scenes. An event of this scale truly takes a village, and Saturday was a wonderful example of our community in action.

Thank you also to Nick Ross and the members of the Tara Dads Club who assisted with parking – your help was invaluable.

The night was filled with fun and laughter, and the grand finale fireworks display was a magical way to end the evening.

A special thank you to those who contributed to our international food stalls:

• Yan Fu – Chinese food
• Monika Thakur – Indian food
• Jo and Trevor Lee – Sushi
• Kiran Khurram – Pakistani food

The Jabbour, Canceri, Mouawad, Raad, Doueihi, Hamdan, Sassine, Sakr, Khoudeir, Tabet, Nehme, Dib and Mezher families – for their amazing work on the Lebanese food stall. 

We are also incredibly grateful to our event sponsors:

• 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 & Norwest
• Nouchi Nourishing Desserts

Thank you once again for your time, energy, and enthusiasm – you made Winterfest 2025 truly unforgettable.

Tara Junior School girls from Years 3 to 6 will take to the stage in grade-based plays where every student has a role of their own! From an epic birthday party to a grinch with a change of heart, and even a nostalgic look back at school days gone by, Playful Tales 2025 is sure to make you smile.

Performance Schedule – Tara Theatre:

• Wednesday 6 August – Years 3, 4 and 5
• Thursday 7 August – Years 3, 4 and 6
• Friday 8 August – Years 5 and 6

Each performance will run from 6:00pm to 8:30pm in the Tara Theatre.

Tickets are on sale now – click here for tickets

Thank you to everyone who joined the Tara Old Girls’ Association for the recent Back to Tara Day. It was a wonderful celebration of friendship, school spirit, and all things Tara. Old Girls from near and far returned to Tara to reminisce and reconnect over Devonshire Tea.

Our Year 6 students visited the historic Q Station in Manly as part of their Unit of Inquiry, Where We Are in Place and Time.

The excursion gave students the opportunity to learn about Australia’s quarantine history and reflect on the experiences of migrants who arrived many years ago. From exploring old hospital buildings to imagining life in quarantine by the harbour, the day brought history to life in a meaningful and engaging way.

It was a valuable experience that deepened their understanding of immigration to Australia and the stories that have shaped our nation.

As part of their Unit of Inquiry How we express ourselves, Year 3 students deepened their understanding of the culture, beliefs, and values of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Recently students took part in an incursion with Erin Wilkins, a Dharug woman and Aboriginal Cultural Educator, exploring the central idea People connect through shared and diverse cultural practices.

Through two hands-on sessions, students learned about the traditional lifestyle of the Dharug people, the significance of totems and the Dreamtime, and the importance of storytelling using ochre. They reflected on how culture can be expressed through art, materials, and connection to Country.

This meaningful experience helped students appreciate the rich traditions of First Nations peoples and the many ways culture, values, and beliefs are shared across generations.

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.    

What an incredible evening it was! With more than 60 swimmers taking part, it was a night full of energy, fun and team spirit — and every swimmer was a winner.

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful volunteers who helped bring the night together — from race coordination and timekeeping to cooking up a delicious BBQ. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Keep an eye out in the next newsletter for some great photos from the event!

We are so proud to announce that Effie is our Swimmer of the Month! For her amazing attendance to swimming twice a week and always showing dedication in every lesson!

Chloe T (Year 9)

This year’s Year 9 Market Day was a fun and educational experience for the Commerce students. It all started in the second term when we planned what we would sell.

We had to consider our target audience, what stalls had done well the previous year, and what products would be most efficient to sell while making a profit. Once we had our products sorted, we used our knowledge of promotion and sales to advertise them through videos and posters. On Market Day, all the pieces of the puzzle came together, and our hard work was finally on display. There were stalls selling everything from matcha to noodles, each one prepared to serve customers. At first, it was a bit nerve-wracking.

Everyone was ordering so fast, lines were building up, and we were rushing to prepare the products. But we soon got used to it, and from there, the rest of the Market Day flew by.

By the end, we had raised a total of $6,440.60, which was donated to Dignity and the Cancer Council.

Overall, this event was a great way for the Year 9 Commerce students to experience firsthand how to run a successful market.

Earlier this week, our Year 11 Health and Movement Science students took part in a full-day First Aid course, putting their learning into practice as part of their ‘Body and Mind in Motion’ unit.

Throughout the day, students explored how to assess and respond to injuries using recognised tools such as STOP and TOTAPS. They worked through realistic scenarios involving sprains, fractures, head knocks and more, gaining vital hands-on experience.

The course offered a practical extension of their classroom learning and an important opportunity to build confidence in responding to real-world situations.

Xingxiao C & Heidi J (Year 8)

On Wednesday of Week 8, 20 Year 8 students attended the Inquisitive Minds Workshop at Barker College, where we spent the day competing against some of the best mathematicians from other Sydney schools, including Shore, Roseville, Barker, and Asquith. It was a fun and interesting experience, filled with exciting competitions, logic puzzles, and opportunities to meet new like-minded students.

When we first arrived, we got into pairs and played with some logic puzzles as we waited for everyone to arrive. We were seated in a hall surrounded by assortments of equipment that would challenge and engage us throughout the day. Some quick warm-ups and questions to get our minds working led us to a short break, where we shared our recess mingling with friends from other schools.

After recess, we began the first competitive round, working in our original Tara pairs through short puzzles and maths questions. We used our problem-solving and critical thinking skills to tackle the tasks and score as many points as possible, pausing occasionally to receive explanations and unlock bonus questions.

Before lunch, it was announced—to our surprise and glints of joy—that for the next session, we would be paired with someone from another school. A round of musical chairs helped us meet our new maths buddy in a fun and awkward way. After lunch, we returned for the partner challenge, where we had to choose and solve problems from around the room. Every 5 to 10 minutes, a 'chocolate challenge' was announced, with sweet prizes awarded to the first teams to complete specific questions.

This round turned out to be even more fun, as we had to learn to collaborate with someone we had just met. The day concluded with presentations and the announcement of winners—some of us were lucky enough to receive chocolate prizes, while others just missed out.

On the bus ride back to school, we reflected on the day’s events, shared our highlights, and laughed about the fun moments we had. The Inquisitive Minds Workshop was not only a competitive and academically enriching experience but also incredibly enjoyable socially and personally. It gave us the chance to merge our mathematical talents with others and build memories we’ll carry with us through Year 8 and beyond.

Thank you to the Inquisitive Minds Workshop and our teachers for letting us be part of it.

Sophia and Suhanya (Year 10)

On Thursday 12 June, 12 girls from Years 9 and 10 travelled to the ICC at Darling Harbour to attend the 2025 Stand Tall Event. Stand Tall is an annual wellbeing conference for young people and was attended by over 70 schools. It consisted of musical performances, guest speakers and even a dance competition.

We heard from five guest speakers, who ranged from a CEO to a cancer survivor, who told their individual stories and how they persevered through life’s challenges. During the event, the guest speakers shared messages about hope, mental health, forgiveness, and the importance of service. These speeches profoundly impacted our perspectives, challenging societal norms and calling for us, as the younger generation, to make a difference.

The girls also enjoyed live performances from Timomatic and breakdancer Jeff Dunne and had the chance to win prizes!

Stand Tall was a unique and insightful experience, which we were all very grateful to attend.

On the 29 May, the Year 11 and 12 Studies of Religion students had the opportunity to take part in an insightful online incursion with Dr Jonathan C. Kaplan, an adjunct fellow at the University of Technology, Sydney.

Dr Kaplan shared his deep knowledge of Jewish marriage and sexual ethics, helping us explore both the traditional foundations and the evolving interpretations within Judaism. We learned about meaningful rituals like the chuppah, ketubah, and sheva brakhot, as well as customs such as bedeken and hakafot. He also discussed modern perspectives on topics like contraception and modesty, showing how Jewish thought can adapt while staying connected to its traditions.

The session was not only engaging but also incredibly helpful for our HSC studies, particularly in deepening our understanding of the topic of ethics within Judaism. Dr Kaplan was not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also an engaging and thoughtful speaker who made complex ideas accessible and interesting.

Tara’s Learn to Row program has continued to build remarkable momentum this winter, reflecting strong student engagement and an ever-growing rowing community.

This year, the program has seen a record number of participants, with enrolments more than doubling since last winter. Students have embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm, showing commitment to training, water confidence, and improvement in new skills. The atmosphere around the boat shed has been one of positivity and curiosity, with many girls demonstrating the potential to transition into our Summer Rowing squads by the end of winter.

Rowing Coordinator, Mr Board said the energy this term has been both uplifting and encouraging. “We’ve had tremendous feedback from coaches, parents, and the students themselves. It’s great to see the younger rowers picking things up so quickly and already showing the drive and teamwork we enjoy seeing in our senior crew.”

The program has also allowed last summer’s rowers to step into leadership roles by mentoring Learn to Row participants and sharing their own experiences from their years in the Tara Rowing program. “This is how we build team culture,” said Mr Board. “More than a sport, rowing builds confidence, teamwork, and success with every stroke.”

With Term 3 approaching, Tara Rowing looks forward to continuing the steady growth of the program.

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

Careers Newsletter - 23 June 2025 

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