Holly Boardman, Dean of Learning E-6

On Thursday 23 October, Tara Junior School was filled with energy, curiosity, and creativity as our Year 6 girls presented their Primary Years Programme (PYP) Exhibition. This special milestone marked the culmination of their PYP journey—a celebration of all they have learned, the questions they’ve asked, and the actions they’ve taken during their time in the Junior School.

Guided by the theme ‘One small spark can start a fire,’ our Year 6 girls explored issues that mattered to them. In mentor groups, they developed thoughtful research questions and investigated them using a variety of sources. They created their own central ideas and lines of inquiry, showing independence and perseverance every step of the way.

Read more about the PYP Exhibition by clicking the link below:

We are delighted to invite you to the 2025 Tara Dads Club Camping Trip, happening from Friday 14 November to Sunday 16 November at the stunning NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, Umina Beach.

Last year’s trip was a wonderful success, with dads and daughters sharing a weekend of fun, connection, and lasting memories. We are excited to make it just as special again this year!

✨ Places are limited — be sure to secure your spot.

⏰ Bookings close Friday, 31 October 2025.

👉 Book now: https://www.trybooking.com/DEPPR

You are warmly invited to attend the Tara Hub Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, 11 November at 7.00pm in the Chapel.

Would you like to help shape the future of our Tara community? Joining the Tara Hub is a wonderful way to get involved, share your skills, and make a meaningful contribution to building a strong and connected school community. The Tara Hub plays a vital role in supporting the School through community engagement, fundraising initiatives, and positive advocacy.

The Tara Hub Committee includes the following positions: Chair, Deputy Chair, Communications Officer, Finance Officer, and Events Officer.

If you would like to nominate for one of these roles, please complete the nomination form linked below and submit it by Wednesday, 29 October 2025 to Jodie Doyle at jdoyle@tara.nsw.edu.au.

Online voting will open once nominations close and will remain available until Tuesday, 11 November at 6.00pm. The results will be announced during the AGM, which will commence shortly after at 7.00pm in the Chapel.

We encourage you to take part and look forward to welcoming you to this important and collaborative event.

Send through your nomination by using the link below:

https://tara.freshservice.com/helpdesk/attachments/76019849944

At this year’s Carols in the Colonnade, the festivities will begin with a Christmas Chapel Service led by Dr Fiona Isaacs, followed by an evening filled with music, community spirit, and festive fun.

We are delighted to once again feature a wonderful selection of market stalls, including:

• CLK Creative Designs – Personalised Christmas apparel and gifts
• Karichet Boutique – Handmade crochet plushies, décor items, and fabric accessories
• Memoir Studio (Castle Hill) – Capturing life’s most beautiful moments through newborn, maternity, family, pet, and creative portraits
• Boarders Stall – Refreshments including water and soft drinks
• Coffee and Snow Cones Van – Coffee, popcorn, snow cones, fairy floss, and small toys

Children can also enjoy a free craft area, where they can make Christmas decorations and write letters to Santa.

Our Carols singing will commence at 7.00pm, featuring wonderful performances by our talented students.

Please find the event details below and use the link provided to pre-order your BBQ meal. We look forward to celebrating this special evening with you and your family.

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1449740

We are delighted to share that, after a period of careful research and design, the Tara swimming costume will once again be available for purchase. Over the past two years, we have taken the time to review and refine the cut, style, and fabric to ensure that our swimming costume reflects both quality and comfort while maintaining the Tara standard.

The new Tara swimming costume will be available for purchase from late January 2026.

When purchasing, we encourage parents and students to take particular care in selecting the correct size and fit. A properly fitted costume is important to ensure comfort, performance, and modesty, and to avoid issues such as gaping or discomfort during swimming activities.

Please note that refunds or exchanges cannot be offered once a swimming costume has been purchased, so we recommend trying on sizes where possible before making your final selection.

We look forward to seeing our students proudly wearing the new Tara swimming costume in 2026.

The Tara Uniform Shop will be open this Saturday, 1 November, from 9.00am to 12.00 noon.

This is a great opportunity to purchase any uniform items ahead of Term 4 events and the end of year.

Emmie, Angela, Chloe and Ravan (Year 6)

In Term 2, we participated in the STEM Video Game Challenge by ACARA. The theme this year was Journey, and we chose to make a game using Microsoft Makecode Arcade.

Our game, was called Around the World: Journey of Discovery. In the story, you play as a young explorer who follows clues left by a traveler in search of a hidden treasure. To find it, you must journey across diverse countries, solve puzzles, and overcome challenges that reflect each location’s unique culture. Some of our favourite mini-games included collecting tacos in Mexico and playing a special version of Pong in China. We worked hard to make each level look and feel different, and to tie everything together with a storyline that carried the player across the globe.

We were so excited to be named finalists in the Years 3–6 Open Category, which meant our game was judged as one of the top five entries in Australia. The judges gave us some amazing feedback! They especially loved our vibrant art, the variety of gameplay styles, and how our story captured the theme of Journey. One judge said our adventure “made each setting feel distinct” and another praised how our game “pushed MakeCode Arcade to its limits.” Being part of this challenge taught us so much. We had to use advanced coding techniques, practice debugging, and think carefully about design and gameplay. At times it was tricky, but by working together as a team and using our PYP learner attributes like courage, creativity, and perseverance, we were able to solve problems and keep improving.

Check out our game here: https://arcade.makecode.com/S78654-86641-62468-93878

Junior School students from Years 5 and 6, joined by their parents, recently embarked on an unforgettable STEM and Cultural Tour to Japan, travelling through Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. The tour combined science, technology, and culture in a truly immersive experience that brought classroom learning to life.

Throughout the trip, students engaged in hands-on learning — visiting interactive science museums, exploring the world of robotics, and participating in STEM workshops that encouraged creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. Each day offered opportunities to explore new ideas and strengthen friendships through shared discovery. 

Beyond the labs and exhibitions, students also embraced Japan’s rich cultural traditions. Travelling aboard the famous Shinkansen bullet trains, they explored ancient temples and serene gardens, took part in cultural experiences, and deepened their understanding of Japan’s history and way of life.

As an IB World School, Tara is proud to offer experiences that go beyond the classroom — sparking curiosity, building confidence, and helping students see the world through a global lens.

Thank you to our fabulous staff and parents that made this experience happen!

We love to recognise our students who shine in their field of interest within and beyond the Tara Gates. Recently, we have recieved amazing news about students who have achieve high results in a range of activities.

Claire (Year 8)

Our young writer stood out in this year's Whitlam Institute 'What Matters? Writing Competition', using her skills to tackle big ideas with clarity, courage and craft.

Claire received the Artistic Merit Award for her amazing piece 'nestled in the numbers', which you can read by clicking the link here.

Cara (Year 8)

Congratulations to Cara who qualified in the Top 10 of her age category at the Sydney Regionals - Hollywood Bound National Dance Competition 2025. 

Cara’s success in her performance styles has resulted in qualifying for Dancer of The Year at Nationals (QLD, January 2026). 

The Dancer of the Year is the most prestigious solo dance category created in Australian history, held annually since 1995. 

Winning dancers receive cash awards, scholarships, and international opportunities to compete as part of Team Australia in the World Dance Championships. 

Cara is an active member of the Tara Dance Team and is educated under our TEC Dance Program (with SONIC Performance & Production).  

Wishing Cara all the best for Nationals in January 2026! 

Patricia (Year 8)

2025 Ryde Eisteddfod: Placed 2nd in Piano Solo (13 Years) and Highly Commended in Woodwind and Brass Contemporary Solo (14 Years and Under)

2025 NSW Solos & Party Campionships: Placed 3rd in Under 15 Flute and Piccolo

Mia (Year 7)

Competed at the Carnival Dance Challenge and won 1st place in the 12 & Under Broadway Jazz category and 2nd place in Musical Theatre. In the Championships, she proudly achieved Runner-Up with her Lyrical solo, and she has now qualified for the National finals in Jan.

We congratulate these girls on their fantastic achievements!

Tara students shone at this year’s Soroptimist Public Speaking competition, delivering outstanding performances.

Held annually as part of the Hills Shire’s Orange Blossom Festival, the event brings together talented speakers from a number of local schools across age groups. Our girls impressed the audience with powerful, thought-provoking speeches that explored the suffering of Mother Earth and demonstrated how a single voice can inspire impacting change.

Congratulations to the following students for their fantastic results:

• Chloe - First Place in Year 7 Division
• Olivia - Second Place in Year 9 Division
• Anahita - First Place in Year 10 Division
• Sophia - Second Place in Year 10 Division

Energy and excitement filled the School as students took part in the Interhouse Public Speaking and Gymnastics Carnival — a celebration of confidence, creativity, and skill.

Throughout the morning, year groups rotated between the Public Speaking and Gymnastics components, giving every student the opportunity to both showcase their communication skills and demonstrate their physical ability. In classrooms and on the mats, voices and movement filled the spaces — from persuasive speeches and heartfelt stories to impressive balances and creative floor routines.

The day concluded with a showcase of higher-level Gymnastics routines and group performances, where our most experienced gymnasts displayed remarkable strength, control, and artistry, earning cheers from the crowd.

See more from the amazing day by checking us out on Facebook or Instagram @taraanglicanschoolforgirls

Click the link below to view the results from the day!

Weather conditions were ideal for our Year 7 trip to Taronga Zoo this year. The purpose of our visit was to learn about classification and to investigate some of the adaptations of the animals encountered at the zoo. Each class took part in a lesson at the Education Centre, where students had the opportunity to observe and interact with some of the residents of the habitat classrooms. In the desert classroom, the numbats were very popular. Some groups also managed to fit in the seal or bird show around their allocated lesson time. The remainder of the day was spent walking around the zoo and collecting data about the animals.

Back at school, students have been using the information gathered on the excursion to complete a number of activities. They have built on their biology skills by developing dichotomous keys to classify some of the animals they observed. Our students have also been working on animal case studies, which involve researching Australian animals to investigate some of their characteristics and adaptations.

Ellie H, Year 11

Last Friday, Year 11 Biology students spent the day at Long Reef Beach completing fieldwork which was linked to our Module 4 content. We began with very high hopes, as there was finally good weather after it was postponed earlier due to rain. We spent the day down at the rock platforms, investigating different rock pools, samples of species, and a variety of abiotic and biotic factors within an ecosystem.

We used sampling techniques such as quadrats and transects to estimate the population of different species in sub-littoral, littoral, and supra-littoral regions, noticing that there is a change in distribution and abundance in areas of high wave action compared to low wave action. We then captured and identified species by their physical features, finding and holding a variety of sea urchins, slugs, fish, and other marine animals. We then looked at specific organisms such as Neptune’s Necklace and its adaptations that help it to survive in its ecosystem.

It was a very hot and fun day spent at the beach, and we had a great time!

Congratulations to Manisha in Year 11, winner of the NSW Plan Your Own Enterprise Competition. Her innovative business idea, Steady Ready, is designed to improve hand function for individuals living with tremors. Manisha will now proudly represent NSW at the National Final.

A big thank you to Mr Saltos for his mentorship throughout this journey.

Mark Swainson, Gifted Education Coordinator 

We are proud to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of our students at the Future Problem Solving (FPS) National Finals. Their hard work, collaboration, and innovative thinking have earned them top honours in a prestigious national competition. 

The following students are commended for their strong results at Future Problem Solving Nationals:

• 2nd Place: Team Global Issue Problem Solving Competition Senior Division – Agatha, Ella, Nicole and Eden (Year 10)
• 2nd Place: Individual Global Issue Problem Solving Competition Senior Division – Isabel (Yr 10)
• 3rd Place: Individual Global Issue Problem Solving Competition Senior Division – Mia (Yr 11)
• 9th Place: Team Global Issue Problem Solving Competition Senior Division – Ashleigh, Melody, Caitlin, Olivia (Year 9)
• 1st Place: MAGIC Global Issue Problem Solving Competition Senior Division – Audrey (Yr 11) and Sinyee (Yr 10)
• 2nd Place: MAGIC Global Issue Problem Solving Competition Senior Division – Charlotte (Yr 10) and Deborah (Yr 11)
• 3rd Place: MAGIC Global Issue Problem Solving Competition Senior Division – Christina (Yr 10) and Yezka (Yr 11)

We are especially excited to announce that Agatha, Ella, Nicole, Eden, and Isabel (pictured above) have been invited to attend the Future Problem Solving International Final in the USA in June 2026. This is a remarkable opportunity to represent our School on the global stage. 

A special thank you to Ellie and Lara (Year 11) for their leadership and coaching of our FPS teams, to Miss Mai for her supervision throughout the year, and to Ms Irvine for accompanying our students to the National Finals.

Congratulations to all involved, you’ve made our School Community incredibly proud.

Last Term, our Chess Team 01 competed in the Grand Final held at Meriden, placing a very close third—just one point shy of a silver medal! It was an evening of fierce competition, with tense and tactical games that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

A special mention to Riddhi (Year 8), who trained with a chess grandmaster in Singapore before joining Tara. Her skill and composure at the board truly shone through.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to Jasmine Zhang, who stepped in midway through the competition to support the team!

Over the past two terms, Tara students have continued to nurture a special connection with the residents of Woodberry Anglicare Village, sharing stories, laughter and time together in ways that have deeply enriched both generations.

Each week, our Year 8 students have visited Woodberry to play dominoes, chat over tea, swap recipes, and even learn the art of clogging! These visits have been filled with warmth, wisdom and plenty of laughter as friendships have grown and stories have been shared.

Students in Years 9–11 also found creative ways to bring joy to the Woodberry community. A group of talented artists hand-illustrated a custom colouring book for residents to enjoy — a beautiful collaboration that blended artistry with compassion.

Meanwhile, a group of Year 10–11 students participated in a Pen Pal program, exchanging weekly letters with Woodberry residents throughout the term. Through these heartfelt notes, students and residents shared memories, advice and reflections on life. The term concluded with a much-anticipated visit, where pen pals finally met in person, exchanged small gifts and talked non-stop for nearly an hour — a testament to the genuine connections that had formed.

Next term, our partnership will continue with a special Christmas service initiative, as students prepare handmade cards and decorations to bring festive cheer to our Woodberry friends.

At Tara, we are proud to see our students embodying our values of Service, Integrity and Connection, finding joy in community and learning from the experiences of others. The friendship between our students and the residents of Woodberry reminds us that giving time is one of the greatest gifts of all.

Check out this video made by Year 8 highlighting their time: watch video here!

Before graduating, Year 12 participated in a Mummy’s Wish workshop, building teddy bears that will be sent to young children who have a parent undergoing cancer treatment.

Every week in Australia, another 20 families, who have been told a parent has cancer, reach out to Mummy’s Wish. Mummy’s Wish is a program of Rare Cancers Australia that supports those families by giving practical help - like cleaning, transportation and emotional support, so parents can focus on getting better.

Along with practical support, Mummy’s Wish sends Care Packs to each family, including a tailored selection of books and resources to help children understand what's happening around them. These books cover topics such as illness and hair loss, love and connection, and changes to daily life.

One of the most special components is a voice-recordable comfort bear. Parents record a message, and their child can hug the bear and hear their mum or dad’s voice even if they are not able to be physically together.

Each of these special bears is hand-stuffed and cuddle tested before being sent to children across Australia. Imagine the comfort they’ll feel, and the strength they’ll get knowing someone cared enough to create this just for them. An enormous thank you to the 2025 Tara Anglican School Year 12 cohort for making a difference! 

The experience helped them learn about:

✔ Empathy and community service

✔ The challenges faced by Australian families living with cancer

✔ How even small actions can make a big difference. 

To learn more about Mummy’s Wish, how we can help and the impact of Year 12’s efforts, sign up to their newsletter at: https://www.mummyswish.org.au/newsletter-signup

The Tara Dance Team 2025 has had an outstanding performance season in highly competitive categories and winning a golden ticket to participate in the Platinum Dance Competition Finals with their winning routine ‘Money’. 

The Team received 2nd Overall for their category and Cash Prize. 

Congratulation for all their hard work and dedication throughout this competition season.