Wendy Abernethy - Dean of Learning (E-6)

A wonderful thing about teaching and learning alongside Junior School staff and students is knowing that everything we do is equipping the girls for their future Year 6 PYP Exhibition, the culminating experience of the Primary Years Programme. What does this teaching and learning look like?  Students are explicitly taught and given authentic opportunities to use different approaches to learning. They gain deep knowledge across the 6 transdisciplinary themes and learn to live out the attributes of the PYP Learner Profile, predispositions that will serve them well throughout life.

On Friday, 29 October we celebrated teaching and all teachers no matter where they are on their journey. 

Never has there been a more significant time to celebrate them and take the opportunity to recognise our primary, secondary and early childhood teachers. 

We held a celebratory breakfast to acknowledge all our dedicated teachers do for us and our students. 

Tara teaching and support staff as always have risen to challenges presented to us. They have devised ways to use technology in the most innovative ways while striving to maintain student engagement. 

This engagement has extended beyond online learning classes and screens to keeping a caring watch on our students. 

Thank you Tara Teachers!

Do you have any good quality second hand uniforms that your daughter has outgrown or no longer wearing? 

The Uniform Shop requires summer uniforms. If you have second hand uniforms please complete the form located on the website and drop them into the Uniform Shop.

https://www.tara.nsw.edu.au/documents/209/2021_PF_Secondhand_Uniform_Item_Sheet.pdf 

John Capolupo, President of the Tara Dad’s Club, invites you to come along to rebuild and reconnect with other Tara Dads at the General Bourke, Parramatta on Wednesday 10 November at 7:00pm. All Tara Dads welcome, please register by the Tara Bookings page. Meals and drinks paid individually at the venue.

The Tara Dads Club invites all the Tara Community to reconnect and enjoy a family fun filled day with other Tara families at Fagan Park, Galston.

Saturday, 20 November 2021

11.30am - 5.00pm

There are over 55 hectares of beautifully manicured gardens, fabulous picnic areas, bicycle tracks, two playground and electric BBQ facilities. Explore the gardens of many nations which cover 10 hectares with 11 themed gardens including Japanese, Dutch, Chinese and Mediterranean. The park was originally owned by the Fagan family and operated as an orchard and cattle farm before it was donated to the government. Netherby Cottage was the original Fagan family homestead and is still preserved on-site along with an adjoining museum featuring heritage artefacts. BYO food and drinks. To book please click here www.tara.nsw.edu.au/book-events

Prasannakshi, Miranda and Ms Kuldeep made blueberry muffins. The girls used measuring cups and mathematics to double the recipes. We worked as a team, taking turns, and teaching each other how to bake. The Children are improving their cutlery skills which is great for their hand eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Mila N - Community Prefect (2021-2022)

On Monday 25 October, the incoming Year 12 Leadership Team led a Reconnection Morning initiative to welcome back staff and students after approximately 120 days in lockdown. 

Socially distancing and wearing masks, the leaders stationed at the different School entrances in the morning, offering a pump of hand sanitiser and handing out stickers and small conversation starter prompt cards. Prior to Reconnection Morning, staff and students were encouraged to submit their favourite lockdown memory or something that had made them feel grateful during lockdown in a photo submission. These photos were then collaged and displayed outside Student Reception on Monday.

A balloon arch, bubbles, compliment and conversation posters, music, and laughter rekindled a positive school environment that morning. As Community Prefect, I was overseeing this initiative, and felt it was successful in encouraging the Tara community to reconnect and rebuild important face-to-face connections. Thank you to all who were involved in bringing this vision to life!

The 2021-2022 Year 12 Leadership Team are looking forward to the year ahead and are excited to introduce their respective initiatives.

We are thrilled to announce the results of the National Finals, Tara’s Year 10 team of Alisha G, Alisha V, Siya and Brianna have placed 2nd and been invited to the 2022 International Conference.

The Tara school community is so proud of you girls!

FPS is a research-based, academic program that teaches problem solving strategies, collaboration, critical and creative thinking, and effective communication. The interdisciplinary approach helps develop ethical leadership skills and provides a unique opportunity for students to learn and apply essential life skills in the 21st century.

Tara recently had two teams enter the Western Sydney University Mooting Competition. 

A moot court competition simulates a court hearing (usually an appeal against a final decision), in which participants analyse a problem, research the relevant law, prepare written submissions, and present oral argument. Students develop their advocacy, critical thinking, legal writing and research skills. 

The girls worked hard in the last holidays preparing their arguments. The case concerned a law student who was arrested when protesting for the environment and whether she should be allowed to practice as a lawyer. The two teams were Team 1 Angelique H, Katherine S, and Aarushi H and Team 2 Ashley K, Imogen B and Faith W. Tara Team 2 have progressed through to the semi-finals. They won four rounds on Monday and entry into Law at Western Sydney University in the year after they complete the HSC. Congratulations girls!  

The Tara Leadership team of 2021-2022 has chosen to focus on the three themes of Connection, Spirit, and Servant Leadership. Head Girl Sienna Eswaran, alongside Deputy Head Girl Evelyn Jang and Head Boarder Tia Sarju, are endeavoring to guide the leadership team to build upon the great community that Tara has and the foundations the leaders before us have provided. From this, we have developed our leadership team vision as "We strive to strengthen the broader connections within the Tara community to promote school unity and spirit. Through the Christian model of servant leadership, we aim to foster an inclusive, nurturing school environment that creates an accessible leadership team to empower student voice."

From Sienna and Evelyn:

"Our philosophy is that, as per our Vision Statement, we endeavor to create an authentic school environment that facilitates Student Voice and connection. As Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl, we strive to be empowering role models for the students who consistently showcase the Tara values within all aspects of their school life. In doing this, we wish to initiate and support a variety of events that unite the Tara community, as well as the broader community, acting as a facilitator to assist in these events."

From Tia

"My vision is to positively promote each boarder's individuality and student voice while both encouraging respect towards Eggleton House and to encourage unity and spirit within the house. To promote cohesiveness within year levels and cultures in boarding, I hope to introduce new initiatives and ideas which would encourage a wide range of girls to participate and contribute to an overall positive environment. My main goal is to keep the spirit and unity from the previous years and give back to the community while getting all the girls involved. As Head Boarder I strive for the boarding house to be connected to the school, as boarding is a foundation that shapes the School."

Mrs Michelle Williams - Careers Coordinator

Girls are encouraged to keep checking details on the Careers Newsletters as many institutions are reviewing details such as closing dates for early entry schemes.

Careers Newsletter - 21 October 2021

Careers Newsletter - 28 October 2021

For more information please contact Mrs Michelle Williams via email.