Can you help?

Disability provisions provide students with practical support to access, ie read and respond to, the Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams. In providing disability provisions for the HSC exams, NESA complies with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (DDA) and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, issued under the DDA.

Disability provisions are one way that NESA ensures there are reasonable adjustments available to students with disability so that they can access and participate in the HSC on the same basis as students without disability.

At Tara, we are developing a pool of helpers who can read and/or scribe for our students during the HSC. If you have a current Working with Children Check and are available to support our wonderful students from Wednesday October 11 to Friday November 3, please contact Mrs Alex Pottie, Head of Diverse Learning, at apottie@tara.nsw.edu.au as soon as possible. Training will be provided and you will need to sign a confidentiality document.

If you have any questions about the provisions process, please contact Mrs Alex Pottie on the above email or on (02) 8838 2607.

Modern day slavery is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world with over 40 Million people enslaved today. The A21 Fundraiser at Tara has been a long time in the works, and we have a special Father’s Day fundraiser which makes us so excited to get around this amazing cause! 

A21 is a non-government organisation with the goal of abolishing human trafficking and modern day slavery for good. Human trafficking is the abuse of children, women, and men for their bodies and labour. So to look at the numbers,  
Of people enslaved: 71% are women, 29% are men and 25% are children 
An estimated 15 000 people in Australia are living in modern slavery 
Slavery is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world generating over $210 Billion AUD per year 

When I first found out about A21 I was touched by the mission and heartbroken by the fact that their mission was necessary. I found it quite absurd and incomprehensible that in the 21st century, where people are only getting increasingly educated, that an industry that is so exploitative has managed to enslave people, not only from under-developed/developing countries with high crime rates and/or corruption, but in every developed country in the world – including every state and territory of Australia. 

This year, on A21’s 15th birthday, we would like Tara to be part of the solution. A21 uses the framework of ‘Reach, Rescue, Restore’ to end slavery, one life at a time.  

Reach: “Reach is the difference between vulnerability and safety.”  
A21 understands that educating and equipping everyone to understand, identify, and reduce the risk of human trafficking is the best prevention method.  
Tara was lucky enough to already have A21 visit earlier this year to talk about some of the statistics and the background of the organisation. To continue with this learning the girls will have a chapel presentation on the reason why this is such an important cause to rally around and how we can stay safe. As well as some together Thursday activities. 

Rescue: “Rescue is the difference between exploitation and freedom.”  
A21 partners with authorities to secure the freedom of victims and the conviction of human traffickers.  
Through our fundraiser, we would love for our community to be generous in their giving so that the victims can finally live free again. 40 million is not simply a number, that is 40 million mothers, daughters, sisters, fathers, sons and brothers with their own stories.  

Restore: “Restore is the difference between revictimization and independence.” 
A21 believes in the empowering of survivors on their unique journey toward restoration and independence.   
The funds raised will also be distributed to A21’s programs including holistic aftercare, safe accommodation, and relocation services for the victims.  

Tara’s Fundraiser 
Father’s Day is just around the corner and we have the perfect gift for Dad – a personalised luggage tag! They’re made from a quality, soft-to-touch imitation leather with a name of your choice inscribed in gold using precise laser techniques. The ageless dark brown material complements all colours and styles and can be easily buckled to any suitcase or luggage bag.  

Price: $15 per personalised tag  

Please get yours through the Trybooking link below. All profits go to A21 so they can continue to do the amazing work that they do. We would love to have over 500 tags sold so get generous Tara community! Orders close 14 August to ensure your tag arrives before Father’s Day.   

A21 Father's Day Fundraiser 2023 - Order Today!

For the first time in thirty years, New South Wales is embarking on a significant curriculum reform. This reform initiative stems from a comprehensive review conducted between 2018 and 2020 by Professor Geoff Masters. The review shed light on critical issues concerning the pace, focus, and sequencing of learning throughout all stages of schooling in NSW.

At the core of this reform, four main priority areas have been identified:

1. Establishing Strong Foundational Knowledge: A new set of English and Mathematics syllabuses will be introduced for Kindergarten to Year 2, aimed at laying robust groundwork for future learning.

2. Allocating More Effective Teaching Time: A key goal is to reduce the time teachers spend on extracurricular subjects, issues, and compliance demands, thereby allowing for more focused instructional time.

3. Enhancing Post-School Pathways: This involves incorporating new learning domains into Years 11 and 12, aligning curriculum content more closely with future employment and academic opportunities.

4. Crafting a Novel Curriculum Approach: The introduction of fresh syllabuses will emphasise essential knowledge and skills during the early and middle years of schooling, along with pivotal learning domains during the senior years.

Among these priorities, the fourth area will most significantly impact the Senior School, with most courses transitioning to new syllabuses by the year 2030. The initial subjects to adopt these changes in 2024 are Years 7-10 English, Mathematics, French, Japanese, and Computing Technology (previously known as Information Software Technology - IST). Additionally, Years 11-12 Geography and Health and Movement Science (formerly PDHPE) will also undergo transformation.

Outlined below is an overview of the modifications anticipated in English, Mathematics, and Languages for Years 7-10 starting from the upcoming year. This overview is presented from the perspective of the respective Heads of Departments.

For more detailed information, please refer to the NESA website.

The Personal Project has become something of a rite of passage. The 25 hour independent project signifies that the end of the IB Middle Years Programme is near, it acknowledges that the girls have developed into confident, creative and skilled independent learners, who are capable of great things. The project indicates that the HSC is just around the corner and the amazing work that this years’ girls produced left us with no doubt that Year 10 are ready to take on the challenge. 

Each year we see such a range of projects and this year was no different. At their exhibition on 26 and 27 July, Year 10 showed us their families’ stories and martial arts skills, their music compositions and science experiments, the garments they had sewn and crocheted, their architectural designs, research reports and cookbooks, their animations, business ideas and much more. Regardless of their topic, the girls showed us their determination, dedication, and hard work. 

We could not be prouder of Year 10 for the way that they approached all aspects of the Personal Project and for the range of capabilities they were able to demonstrate. 

Year 10 would like to thank the many people who supported them, their supervisors, families, peers and of course, the wonderful Claridge Library Staff. They would also like to thank everyone involved in setting up and catering their wonderful exhibition and for everyone who came to help them celebrate learning. Thank you! 

The uniform shop will be accepting ONLY credit card payments (MasterCard/Visa) from 1 September.

In Chapel this term, Tara has been exploring the topic of Prayer; learning that God loves to listen to us and delights to give us good gifts. Prayer also reminds us that in a world that sometimes seems chaotic and confusing, God is always in control. It is for these reasons we are going to gather as a Tara Community to pray for our School.

The Chaplaincy team along with students from across the School will lead us in prayers of thanksgiving as well as asking God to remember the needs of our School and the world. We invite everyone who considers themselves a member of the Tara Community to join us for a light breakfast and a time of prayer together in the Tara Chapel. 

Date: Wednesday, 30 August 2023 
Time: 7:30am - 8:15am
Location: Tara Chapel 

Please click the link below to RSVP for catering purposes. 

Tara Community Prayer RSVP 

This is a reminder to book for the P&F Trivia Night on Saturday 26 August!

Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with some friendly competition and meaningful interactions with the Tara Community. Seats are limited so get in quick and book your tickets! 

Funds raised from this event will contribute to new fitness centre equipment .

To book your tickets please click on the link below. 

Parents and Friends Association - Trivia Night 2023 Tickets

RSVP by Thursday, 24 August 

The P&F look forward to seeing you at this event!

For any questions, please email the Tara P&F via parentsandfriends@tara.nsw.edu.au

Ms Renee Carr 
One of my favourite books turned into a movie is Shawshank Redemption. I love seeing how different people responded to adversity and the tools they used to free themselves, whether it be literally or figuratively. The image of Andy Dufresne rebelling by playing opera music and gifting all the prisoners with transcendence beyond the walls through the music is particularly poignant. The themes of justice, freedom and power are also enduring. 

Mrs Maryanne Chaiban
I cannot bring my favourite down to one book, but one that I find myself quoting most in moments that require some deep self-reflection is Khaled Hosseini’s, The Kite Runner. One part that has always stuck with me is when Amir, the young protagonist, berates his father for drinking alcohol to which his Baba responds, “there is only one sin: theft.” When you think about all human transgression, it is indeed theft; robbing someone of the truth, stealing, murder, taking some-one’s self-worth by degrading them. So, I open a bottle of red wine and enjoy another good book knowing that my guilty pleasure has not cost my loved ones anything, really.

Ms Catherine Divitale
My favourite novel is Emma by Jane Austen. There have been numerous adaptations of the story, though my favourite version is the modern Clueless manifestation. Emma is a unique Austen heroine who believes that she is an excellent matchmaker for her friends, without identifying her faults or seeing what is directly in front of her. She has a good heart and eventually realises how to use her social and intellectual gifts more appropriately. A tale with many universal messages.

Mrs Brunella Pagano
Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, is one that continues to both fascinate and haunt me since reading it as a school student. The Victorian period was a really interesting time period - on the cusp of such transformative scientific discoveries and experimentation such as galvanism and psychoanalysis, prompting an obsession with playing God. I enjoy books that explore the duality of human nature and Man’s underlying motivations. This is primarily represented by Victor Frankenstein’s horrific creation of the ‘creature’ - despite his good intentions; as well as Shelley’s empathetic portrayal of the ‘Creature’ as an outlier. It resonates with modern audiences as we continue to push the boundaries in medicine and science raising awareness about the complex issue and consequences of the usurpation of God/Nature and the role of women.

Ms Aziza Sarkis 
My favourite book that has been made into a movie is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. The story poignantly explores the struggles faced by African American people during the 1960’s and prompts the reader to reflect on historical injustice, as well as the human need to be kind and empathetic to all. It also highlights the importance of giving a voice to the marginalised people through Skeeter giving Aibileen and Minny a platform to share their experiences. The movie was cast perfectly and brought the characters to life in the best kind of way! Also, who can forget the mantra “You is kind, You is smart, You is important”.

Mrs Rebecca Sultana             
My favourite childhood story reimagined as a film would have to be Matilda by Roald Dahl. This is an endearing story of the curiosity, creativity and determination of children and is a reminder of how as adults, we need to be listening to and fostering those qualities rather than (being a Trunchbull) by underestimating (or worse!) stifling them. Tim Minchin’s influence on the stage production was outstanding and, in my opinion, a perfect match to bring Dahl’s original into musical theatre form.           

We are excited to say that Learn to Swim is up and running!      

We have been open for the past 7 weeks for Tara girls only to be booked in for assessments and lessons. We are happy to say that we are now open this week for siblings (aged 3 and over) of Tara students to be assessed and booked into lessons. In the next few weeks, we will also be opening to the greater community to also have this opportunity.  

Our class times run: 

Monday – Friday: 3.15 – 6.45 

At this stage we are booking up fast but as time goes on, we will be opening more spots for each level. So, we do recommend that you either email or call the Aquatic Centre for any booking enquiries.

Our phone number is: 8838 2699 or email: swimming@tara.nsw.edu.au 

Also keep an eye out for the 'Swimmer of the Month' award!  

We will also be having 'Safety Week' each Term so make sure you keep an eye out on the newsletter and communications for those dates! 

We look forward to hearing from you at Swimming@Tara! 

As part of our 4th Unit of Inquiry into 'How the world works', we were inquiring into how natural processes and human actions change the Earth’s surface over time. Year 3 visited the Royal National Park, Wattamolla, to observe evidence of weathering and erosion. We explored the many rock samples from the area and tested how easily they each broke down as we attempted to make ochre paints. We observed how humans have impacted the natural landscapes which created the need for raised boardwalks to minimise and protect from further damage. We used scientific tools to measure windspeed along the coastline and inland. We got to use scratch paper to sketch an area of the coastline. Our favourite part was whale spotting off the cliffs and then listening to a Dreaming story of the history of Buriburi.

We are thrilled to share a joyous milestone achieved by our young learners at Tara Kindergarten - the completion of 100 days of learning! The day was a delightful blend of education and fun, as our girls embarked on a journey of discovery. From mastering the art of counting to 100, to exploring the visual concept of 100 objects, and even envisioning themselves at 100 years old through self-portraits, the girls enjoyed exciting activities and valuable lessons.

The festivities continued with the creation of delectable fairy bread adorned with 100s & 1000s, a truly scrumptious celebration. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Tara families and dedicated staff for their unwavering support in nurturing these budding minds. As we look ahead, we eagerly anticipate the next 100 days of learning and growth, excited to witness the continued blossoming of our young stars.

Tara's budding young cricket enthusiasts have embarked on a thrilling adventure through the Woolworths Cricket Blast Program, in collaboration with Cricket NSW. The girls had an amazing first day filled with interactive throwing and catching exercises, fun games, and exhilarating challenges! This initiative welcomes all students from Years 3 to 6 and is set to run for the next three Fridays during lunch breaks. They are so excited to dive into the world of cricket and enhance their skills each week!

Ellie and Lara - Year 9 

On Thursday 20 July – Friday 21 July (Week 1 Term 3), Year 9 students travelled up to Canberra as part of the conclusion of our Federation unit, as well as the introduction to our World War 1 unit.

We began the trip to Canberra after school on Thursday with a quick pit stop to McDonalds during the bus ride, and upon arrival we went to bed straight away to begin the learning the following day. Day 2 started with a quick breakfast and packing, before we were straight on the bus to the National Museum of Australia. Each class was assigned two tour guides within the two hours, who showed a wide range of objects from Australia's history. What inspired us the most was the symbolistic representation of Uluru at the centre of the museum as well as the artistic intentions on the overall layout and designs of the building. This intrigued us as we learned more about the history of our country.

We had lunch at Canberra Centre, and after a quick browse around the shopping centre, we were on our way to the Australian War Memorial. There we heard many stories about fighters in Wars, including the youngest World War 1 fighter (Jimmy Martin) at just 14 years old. The Roll of Honour, with over 100,000 names, was an eye-opener to just how many lives were lost. We even went inside the Hall of Memories, where we had to be silent as we viewed the buried unknown soldier, and the 6 million tiles used to create the walls. The tall room contrasted to how small we were in comparison, which really showed how powerful the hall was.

As we left Canberra that night with more knowledge than before, we were all not only tired, but excited for our future History lessons as we will be beginning our unit and discussing what we saw during this excursion. This excursion is one that we will never forget!

Zoe - Year 10 

The Year 10 SRC is gearing up to host an uplifting event to promote mental health and wellbeing among students. With the intention of fostering a supportive and positive environment, the School is organising a week long "Wellbeing Awareness Week." This initiative aims to encourage girls to prioritise their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing, recognising that their happiness and success go hand in hand with their overall health.

The centrepiece of the Wellbeing Awareness Week is cut out wooden letters spelling 'Wellbeing.' These letters will be placed on the grass in the colonnade, serving as a visible and symbolic reminder of the event's importance. Throughout the week, students will be placing handwritten affirmation notes on the letters. This activity represents a collective effort to build a culture of positivity and support within the School community.

To complement the physical installation, the Year 10 SRC will be sending out a daily email to all students, and teachers, during the week. Each day of the week will have a specific theme and focus area. These emails will contain insightful tips in maintaining a positive outlook. By breaking down wellbeing into smaller, manageable components, the Year 10 SRC team aims to empower students to take meaningful steps towards their mental health journey. Wellbeing is not only about the individual but also about building a supportive community. The goal is to create a continuous conversation around wellbeing, making it a daily practice rather than a fleeting event.

Nikolina - Year 7

Pokémon or Ikea?  

Who would have guessed that one of the questions at trivia would be Pokémon or Ikea?  

On 21 July, all of Year 7 at Tara and King's met at the gymnasium for our very first trivia afternoon. It was hosted by the Year 12 leaders of both schools, who created interesting and brain teasing questions for us to answer. Questions like Scategories, finish the lyric, what song could this be and so on.  

Each table consisted of 3 boys and 3-4 girls and we all had to agree on a name for our table. Our table was called ‘mash potatoes’ because we all like to eat potatoes. As a table we had to work as a team to figure out the answers for various questions. Even if we didn’t know all the answers, we definitely had lots of laughs. We also had a snack table filled with sooo many delicious foods, such as small sandwiches, muffins, brownies, pastries, and a refreshing beverage. 

This trivia afternoon was definitely a successful event with good company, good food and lots of laughs. I would like to say a big thank you to the Year 12 leaders and teaches who made this a memorable event. We hope there will be another trivia afternoon next year.  

Diba - Year 9

This year we celebrated Pi Day by engaging in different Pi based activities during class and at lunch. During lunch, students from each house engaged in a fun yet competitive Interhouse Maths Relay by playing target numbers, in which we had to make 314 with a set of numbers. There was a Pi relay, in which each student raced with others to find the digits of Pi and place them in the correct sequence. The competitive atmosphere created a fun space where students could race against their friends. Congratulations to Hake for winning the Interhouse Maths Relay 2 years in a row!

In class, we further celebrated Pi Day by having an apple pie and competing against other students to remember the highest digits of pi in order to earn house points or even pi pencils! 

Congratulations to Radha S in Year 11 who was Highly Commended as she came 5th in the Oceania Students Economics Essay Competition. This was organised by Auckland University of Technology and open to all students across Australian and New Zealand. Radha’s essay was about the cost of living and its detrimental effects on economic growth.

Amazing work Radha! 

Jalina and Sam - SPOT Captains 

On 27 July, Mr Robert Hollow came to Tara Anglican School for Girls during astronomy night to present SPOT Captains 2023-2024, Jalina and Samantha, their captain badges. 

Mr Hollow is the Education and Outreach Manager of Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO). He was a science and physics teacher at Tara in 2001-2003. 

Mr Hollow was involved in the acquisition of the Oxford telescope. 

Mr Hollow spent most of the evening at Tara assisting students with the use of the telescopes and finding viewing targets. 

Japanese exchange students from Tosajuku came to talk with Year 11 Tara Economics students about the Japanese economy. 

Students were fascinated to see the similarities and differences between the economies of Japan and Australia in terms of cost of living, industries, ageing population and work hours and came to a greater understanding of Kaizen. 

Aaditi B - Year 9

During Term 3, students from The King's School who study philosophy came and spent a double period with the Year 9 interdisciplinary study girls from Tara. They joined us for a lesson taught by Dr Mariyani-Squire who trained in the areas of economics, psychology, and philosophy at the University of Sydney. He currently teaches at Western Sydney University in the areas of economics at the undergraduate level, and critical thinking at the postgraduate level. During the session we were able to have discussions with the boys surrounding the topic of philosophy and also shared our ideas with everyone, with lots of meaningful points raised and everyone learning more about ethics. Many interesting subjects were brought up during this session like The Utilitarianism theory and Deontology and when it is justifiable to kill one person to save five.

Ration the Fashion was an initiative run by Year 9 Commerce that has never been seen before at Tara. So, what is Ration the Fashion? Ration the Fashion was an event aimed to educate our Tara community on Fast Fashion and Textile waste throughout our world. Fast Fashion and textile waste is a rapidly growing problem that we as consumers are contributing to. We wanted to create Conscious Consumers by showcasing MYP in action. Girls and staff came to school wearing second-hand clothing. Our mission and aim for this event was to inform people about the dangers of Textile waste to our precious environment. We conducted a survey to get an idea of what people were going to be wearing and it turns out that 98% of people who answered the survey were going to be swapping clothes with friends or family. We are very grateful for the opportunity to be able to share our knowledge with you all. We hope that you took away some valuable information and that you can further apply it into your lives.  

“I really felt as if it wasn’t just something that happened within Tara. People shared it with their families and friends which spread the awareness to a wider group that we were originally intending”.  

“The conversation started way before the day, with things like who you were going to swap with and what you were going to wear”  

Selina F - Snowsports Captain

In the term 2 holidays, we had Snowsports Interschool competitions that were held at Perisher Resort and we had amazing results. In Junior School we had our Division 5 team that placed 3rd in both Ski Cross and Moguls as well as placing 4th in Alpine. We also had a little snowboarder who swept up silver in Snowboard GS (Jemima C) as well as Vellesca M (Div 4) who came 9th in her Alpine division as well as 8th in her Ski Cross.

In our Senior School we had just as amazing results with Division 2 team placing 4th place in Alpine. Special mention to Emmeline P for placing 8th individually in her division. Congratulations to all of our girls who raced and came to the snow just to have a go. All the best to all our teams and individual entries at the upcoming state competition in Perisher.  

Round 2
S03 Tara 1 vs SCEGGS 2, Win, 5-0
J03 Tara 2 vs SCEGGS 5, Loss, 0-2

Round 3
S03 Tara 1 vs Wenona 2, Win, 3-1
J03 Tara 2 vs Monte 7, Loss, 0-4

Skye A - Netball Captain

Round 2
S05 Tara 1 vs Meriden 2, Loss, 11-14
S09 Tara 2 vs Meriden 3, Loss, 12-22
S14 Tara 3 vs PLC Sydney 8, Win, 22-15
S17 Tara 4 vs SCEGGS 4, Loss, 8-25
J03 Tara 5 vs Ascham 6, Loss, 11-31
J12 Tara 6 vs PLC Sydney 18, Loss, 11-28
J14 Tara 7 vs Ravenswood 17, Loss, 2-20
Y705 Tara 8 vs Brigidine 25, Loss, 5-7
Y708 Tara 9 vs Meriden 23, Loss, 4-11

Round 3
S05 Tara 1 vs Frensham 2, Loss, 11-25
S09 Tara 2 vs PLC Sydney 4, Loss, 19-23
S14 Tara 3 vs Meriden 7, Win, 7-4
S17 Tara 4 vs Meriden 9, Win, 16-11
J03 Tara 5 vs Frensham 7, Loss, 13-23
J12 Tara 6 vs SCEGGS 8, Loss, 14-24
J14 Tara 7 vs Brigidine 20, Loss, 3-10
Y705 Tara 8 vs Ravenswood 20, Win, 18-5
Y708 Tara 9 vs Roseville 24, Win, 7-4

Round 2
S01 Tara 1 vs St Catherine’s 1, Loss, 13-43
S04 Tara 2 vs Kincoppal Rose Bay 5, Loss, 34-14
J01 Tara 3 vs Monte 3, Forfeit win, 20-0
J04 Tara 4 vs St Scholastica’s 2, Win, 21-13
J05 Tara 5 vs Kincoppal Rose Bay 11, Win, 38-8
Y702 Tara 6 vs Kincoppal Rose Bay 12, Win, 22-10
Y703 Tara 7 vs Kincoppal Rose Bay 13, Win, 18-10
Y703 Tara 8 vs Kambala 8, Loss, 4-18

Round 3
S01 Tara 1 vs SCEGGS 1, Loss, 9-47
S04 Tara 2 vs Ascham 4, Win, 17-16
J01 Tara 3 vs Santa Sabina 2, Loss, 31-33
J04 Tara 4 vs  SCEGGS 7, Win, 13-10
J05 Tara 5 vs St Catherine’s 6, Loss, 9-24
Y702 Tara 6 vs SCEGGS 9, Loss, 6-13
Y703 Tara 7 vs Tara 8, Loss, 10-11
Y703 Tara 8 vs Tara 7, Win, 11-10

Round 2
S05 Tara 1 vs Loreto Kirribilli 2, Draw, 0-0
J03 Tara 2 vs SCEGGS 4, Loss, 0-3

Round 3
S05 Tara 1 vs Frensham 3, Loss, 0-2
J03 Tara 2 vs Frensham 8, Loss, 0-6

All girls in Years 7-12 are encouraged to read this newsletter every week on the Canvas Careers page.

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

Careers Newsletter -  3 August 2023

Careers Newsletter -  10 August 2023

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