Well, some advice can actually be quite helpful. REACHOUT.com is a good example. It is easy to read, practical in its advice and uncomplicated in its recommended action.

So, dive into the following:

REACHOUT.com

A guide to dealing with constant change due to COVID-19

https://au.reachout.com/articles/a-guide-to-dealing-with-constant-change

MyYEAR MyTARA 2020

Not all messages and advice regarding the promotion of wellbeing have come from the outside. An outstanding example of advice and encouragement has been generated entirely from within the School. Led by the Community Prefects and under MYMT2020, students submitted photographs under the following themes that promote Healthy Wellbeing:

• Making Connections
• Gratitude
• Physical Health
• Self Care
• Service

Each theme was accompanied by an introductory statement and girls across the School were invited to submit photos reflecting their interpretation of these messages. 

Over 500 responses were forthcoming!

Particular congratulations go to Hake House who won the award for submitting the most photographs and to Estelle - Year 11 who was the overall winner of the competition.

If the quality and ingenuity of these photographs is any indication of the manner in which the Tara community is coping with a crisis, then we have much to admire.

Opportunities for all girls at Tara extend beyond academic achievements and offer a breadth of rich experiences to inspire, challenge and excel in personal pursuits. Tara offers girls a wide range of cocurricular and extracurricular activities including public speaking, debating, Duke Of Edinburgh, astronomy, dance, gymnastics, music, performing arts, sport, community service and Christian growth and leadership. Girls who receive a scholarship at Tara participate in a full and varied school life, adding value to our School community.

Tara partners with Academic Assessment Services (AAS) for our scholarship programs. The scholarship examinations are designed to identify students with a high academic ability, and additionally highlight applicants who exhibit a breadth of extracurricular achievements and participation. We would suggest applicants do not undertake any special preparations or coaching for the Tara scholarship program.

Applications for scholarships are now open on our website. For more information please click here or email our Registrar, Ms Cilla Walker at scholarship@tara.nsw.edu.au

This activity supported the development of fine and gross motor skills as well as promoting strategic thinking.  All the children enjoyed this day greatly and are looking forward to doing these activities again in the future. 

We hope everyone has had a great start to Term 4 so far.

The Future Problem Solving is a research-based, academic program that teaches problem-solving strategies, collaboration, critical and creative thinking, and effective communication. These Year 9 students have worked hard to put into action their PAL Project proposal to connect Year 9 Tara students with the children at Westmead Children's Hospital. They were also assessed on their live interview with a panel of judges and 5500 word report outlining their proposal. We are very proud of their wonderful achievements and look forward to the future developments of their PAL project. 

Along the theme of female empowerment, these Year 9 students pitched their idea via Zoom to the CEO of Finder about their App that supports women who have experienced sexual harassment as well as an "Angel Bracelet" which can be worn by women to signal for help. Well done girls on this fine achievement!

Held at the Western Sydney University, the competition provides high school students with a unique opportunity to learn about the legal system and the role of lawyers, as well as engage in higher order legal skills, such as written advocacy and developing oral arguments. 

This year students had to investigate The Rule of Law in Times of Crises.  Seven Year 10 Tara students took up the challenge and prepared a variety of submissions for the analytical and creative categories. Tara Anglican School Team 2 (Cherie and Savalia) received a Special Commendation from the preliminary adjudication panel. This means the members of this team will receive a conditional offer of enrolment in a law degree at Western Sydney University for the year following their HSC year of 2022. Each week the girls met in their lunchtimes with a law student mentor from Western Sydney University. 

Evelyn, Georgia, Hana, Sienna and Guinevere submitted excellent responses. The work they put into this assignment will help them with their Legal Studies.  

Congratulations girls!

In the September term break Tara students had the opportunity to compete in the Speakfest/Australian Debating Competition for the first time. Even though it was online, students still enjoyed the opportunity to learn British Parliamentary style debating and enhance their public speaking skills.

ICAS assesses the higher order thinking and problem-solving skills needed for success in English. Every year thousands of schools from over 20 countries participate in ICAS, providing these schools with a robust international benchmark of student achievement. 

We have recently received the results of the competition and girls will receive their certificates in class and year meetings. 

Three students received High Distinctions, placing them in the top 1% of participants: 

Year 7: Elisha 

Year 8: Sharon, Jemma 

The following students attained results in the top 10% of the competition and received a Distinction: 

Year 7: Alix, Selina, Alison, Joohee 

Year 8: Hye-Yeon, Grace 

Year 9: Alisha, Brianna, Siya, Gemma, Alisha 

Year 10: Georgia 

This is an outstanding result. Over thirty students received Credits which is a commendable achievement as well. 

Congratulations to all students who completed the ICAS English Competition for 2020. 

Dr Hoggett responded to our questions on the vulnerability and resilience of Lizard Island and the Great Barrier Reef to climate change, tropical cyclones, ocean acidification, tourism and urban development. We assessed the research done at the Research Station and how advancements in technology are leading the way into new and innovative understanding on the dynamics of reef systems. 

Dr Hoggett has lived on the Lizard Island Research Station for over 30 years and her expertise and knowledge was invaluable to our HSC study.

Tara had another successful week of netball in Round 4 of the Central Region Draw. Tara 1 played a strong game and although they were unable to come away with the win against Meriden, their efforts in attack to drive forwards onto the ball should be congratulated. A special mention to Emma M and Skye B for their movement in the goal circle and exceptional shooting rates. Tara 2 played a great match against PLC Sydney and won 32 - 18. Their teamwork was evident, as they communicated on the court and were able to bring the ball down the court cleanly and transition from defence to attack. Congratulations to Emma H for her intercepts throughout the match. Tara 6 also won against PLC Sydney and did an amazing job at turning over ball by putting pressure on the oppositional team attack. Tara 7 had a large 24 - 7 win against PLC Sydney and so did Tara 9, with a 27 - 9 win over Meriden. Tara 12 also implemented all they had been working on at training in their match and won 14 - 10 to PLC Sydney. Congratulations to all Tara teams over the weekend and good luck for the last round of matches. 

Sophie B - Netball Captain

Netball (Central Region Draw) - Round 5 

• S1 Tara 1 vs Meriden 2, Loss, 26-28
• S1 Tara 2 vs PLC Sydney 2, Win, 31-28
• S2 Tara 3 vs PLC Sydney 6, Loss, 13-23
• S2 Tara 4 vs PLC Sydney 7, Win, 14-10
• S3 Tara 5 vs Meriden 9, Loss, 4-18
• S3 Tara 6 vs Meriden 6, Win, 23-9
• J1 Tara 7 vs Meriden 11, Win, 16-12
• J1 Tara 8 vs PLC Sydney 11, Loss, 4-32
• J2 Tara 9 vs Meriden 12, Win, 16-15
• J3 Tara 10 vs Meriden 17, Loss, 9-21
• J3 Tara 11 vs PLC Sydney 20, Win, 19-3
• Y7.1 Tara 12 vs Tara 13, Win, 13-7
• Y7.1 Tara 13 vs Tara 12, Loss, 7-13
• Y7.2 Tara 14 vs PLC Sydney 23, Loss, 2-24 

Hockey (Central Region Draw) - Round 4

• Div 2 Tara 1 vs Meriden 1, Draw 0-0
• Div 4 Tara 2 vs Meriden 2, Won 1-0
• Div 3 Tara 3 vs MLC 5, Draw 1-1
• Div 5 Tara 4 vs PLC Sydney 5, Draw 1-1

Tara Seniors played Meriden during Round 4. The team played well in both defensive and attacking halves. The game was very tight and resulted in a draw of nil all. The team had many opportunities to shoot, although the oppositions goalie was magnificent, stopping all the goals sent to her. The team also has improved in talking to one another on the ground, which was very effective.

The Senior Seconds played Meriden. Catherine C scored within the first couple of minutes of the game. The defense line played very well in terms of preventing the opposing team from scoring. The game was very also tight, however Tara pulled through with a win 1-0.

Tara Junior Firsts played MLC, a very difficult game, that resulted in a one all draw. Tara Junior Seconds also had a tough game against PLC that also resulted in a one all draw. 

Hockey (Central Region Draw) - Round 5

• Div  2 Tara 1 vs PLC Sydney 4, Loss, 0-2
• Div 4 Tara 2 vs Santa Sabina 2, Loss, 1-4
• Div 3 Tara 3 vs Santa Sabina 4, Win, 1-0
• Div 5 Tara 4 vs PLC Sydney 6, Win, 1-0

Tara Seniors played PLC this round. The team played very well throughout the game. The opposition was very hard. This resulted in a 0-2 loss. The Tara team played amazingly by talking between each player on the field. This season the team have had a massive improvement, with both defensive and attacking halves. The Tara Firsts, have come on top on the central region ladder, beating PLC just by 0.17. Thank you to the Senior First coach Mrs Peterson for showing the team the skills and techniques throughout these difficult times. 

Tara Senior Seconds played Santa Sabina. Unfortunately, they lost 1-4. However, throughout the season the team has improved in aspects such as teamwork and attacking skills. They built the confidence to take as many shots at goals as they could, even if they didn’t think they could get it in. The team has placed second on the ladder, so overall this is an astonishing result. Ms Calleia, showed the girls some remarkable skills and brought the team together, we thank you so very much.

Tara Junior Firsts played Santa Sabina. This game was incredible, finishing the season with a 1-0 win. Cameron K scored a great solo goal by tackling the defender at the top of the circle on their free hit and taking it in to shoot. Throughout the season, the girls have learnt to play much more as a team by passing to each other, and they have scored some nice team goals with someone running down the wing and passing it across the goal to another player to score. It has been great to see some drills they have practiced at training making their way into passages of play in the games.  The Junior Firsts placed third on the ladder. We want to thank Ms Nicholl for coaching. 

Tara Junior Seconds played PLC winning 1-0. Overall, the team have improved on understanding the rules of the game without having to be explained. They have also improved on passing the ball to each other as well as spreading out around the field. They placed second on the ladder. Ms Papasinos showed the team many great skills, the girls are very appreciative of you. 

Alexandria R - Hockey Captain

With all cross country cancelled in 2020, Jemma undertook the Great Australian Cross Country challenge, a virtual competition run from May to August.

Each week/fortnight she would log a run/time. Final results revealed Jemma placed 3rd in the NSW Year 8 - 4km girls event. Great effort!