For me personally when not at Tara, more time with family rather than rushing to events, seeking out old friends, meeting neighbours (apparently I have some), appreciating nature and walking, reading for pleasure, observing and listening, healthier eating, are all on the ‘keep doing’ list. Pretty much over mowing the lawn and cleaning the pool though, and really need to stop watching TikToks. As a teacher, I hope that post-remote learning, our students continue to develop their independence as learners, are proactive in seeking support and advice, and appreciate the value of education, their teachers, and peers. Some guidance exists for students through living out the Tara Values by seizing new opportunities with gusto, supporting and affirming their peers and friends who may have struggled or continue to do so, utilising technology skillfully with integrity, and re engaging with the world beyond home with a servant heart and outlook.

I have always been proud to be part of the teaching profession, and never more so than now. Already, teachers are considering what worked best with online teaching, how these strategies and tools can be applied into the future, and whether there are long lasting and far reaching approaches to teaching and learning to be contemplated. Such exciting times ahead, but also very thankful for the vision and commitment of Tara teachers and IT staff to embrace online learning tools such as Canvas over the last few years, which saw us well positioned to provide effective remote learning. 

We will be rescheduling Academic Learning Conferences to a more suitable time later in the year and attempt to do likewise with other postponed events wherever possible. Many of our cocurricular offerings are emerging from hibernation within the guidelines and advice on safe social distancing. Where necessary, activities have been creatively adjusted using technology, multiple venues, small sub-groups, and completely new formats, so that students can access the many opportunities on offer at Tara. Some of these are listed below, although many more will start up again in the coming weeks. 

• House events, such as upcoming Choral Competition and Theatre Sports (online and small groups)
• CREW (small groups)
• Debating and Public Speaking (online)
• Dance (small groups)
• Rowing training (small groups)
• New COVID-19 safe Before and After School Sport Groups (online and small groups)
• Claridge Library Lunch Book Club (small groups)
• SRC and Year 12 Leadership (small groups) 
• Student led service activities (small groups)
• Drone Club (small groups)
• After School Art Classes (small groups)
• ‘Future Problem Solving’ Gifted and Talent student competition (online) 
• Before and After School Homework Help (individual and small group)
• Tara Musical rehearsals (online and small group)
• Monday afternoon Music and Choir ensembles (online and small group)

As we continue into the term, students are encouraged to practice social distancing and maintain appropriate personal hygiene. Cleaning products and hand sanitiser are available in all classrooms and other venues, split lunches and alternating access to the cafeteria have been implemented, and large events such as Assemblies, Year Meetings, House Meetings and Chapel, have moved online to maintain connections across the School without physically coming together in large numbers. Measures such as moving away from locker areas quickly, bringing and refilling water bottles each day, and bringing personal cutlery if required, is also helpful. Additional cleaning is taking place throughout the day and an extra parent Drop-off and Pick-up zone created adjacent to Mouleric Field and Eggleton House (boarding) to reduce traffic congestion on Mason’s Drive. View the drop off map here. Support and reinforcement of these measures by families is greatly appreciated as we all endeavour to keep Tara safe for the entire community. 

There is still a lot of uncertainty ahead of us, so focusing on the things you can control or enjoy doing or even value, can help establish predictability and familiarity for the whole family. Adult carers need to provide young people with reassurance by acknowledging any concerns and fears they may have at this time. Consider this to be a normal reaction, however it may be best to focus more on their feelings and emotions, rather than the practicalities at this stage.

In this Special Report, we share a few ideas to help ease this time of transition and adjustment. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback. 

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the School for further information or seek medical or professional help.

To access these reports in full, login to your Edumate account and click on broadcast on your News Feed for SchoolTV. Edumate can be accessed via the Tara website.

Consequently, many of the girls in the Senior School have chosen to write letters to residents in these nursing homes. The cards have been individually designed with messages composed by students during their time away from their online studies. The girls have shared something of their experiences of isolation during this time and have chosen words of encouragement and support for those they feel may be in need. 

Family Activities - A new addition to the Chamoun family

“I have to say it's been really nice having that change of life pace.  We actually quite enjoyed being at home and spending that time, baking, doing puzzles and lego, playing boardgames, looking after a new puppy, not rushing.

Our two elders decided it was long overdue for the Chamoun family to have a pet. Not just any pet, a beautiful bouncing baby Golden Retriever. 

This pretty puppy bounced into our lives on 25 March and has been bouncing ever since!

A lot of love, time and energy got diverted to Dante, the perfect antidote for any boredom or blues that may have come as a result of the restrictions. 

There was suddenly a lot of learning going on - this, on top of the three human students learning online, lots of giggles, lots of barking, lots of shushing.

We celebrated two birthdays during this isolation - my husband’s and mine. That was really, really special, as lockdown taught us the joy of basic birthdays.

I loved that this crazy, chaotic time has brought with it so many silver linings. It felt like Mother Nature had put us in time out to stop for a second and rethink about our priorities. It’s good to be reminded of the stuff that's important in life.

We’ve all grown in love and learning and will never ever forget our iso family days” - Mariana

Family Cooking

The Hatzisavas Family were been busy baking Easter biscuits during their time in isolation and looked like they were having a lot of fun!

Most Googled Recipe

One of the most viewed Google recipes last week was the Giant Mars Bar Crackle Cake. Using only four ingredients, Mar Bars, Rice Bubbles, chocolate and butter, it only takes just 5 minutes of cooking! We would love to hear about your cooking experiences - please email us at community@tara.nsw.edu.au

Skincare Advice for Teens from Michelle Taylor - Urban Spa (mum of 4 at Tara)

How can I help my daughter’s breakouts and blemishes during lock-down?

Whilst all skin clinics are closed, there are still lots of ways we can look after our girls skin at home. 

Everyday Maintenance

The most important step is to wash their face correctly and regularly, morning and night using a light weight milk based cleanser which is PH balanced. Stay away from foaming cleansers and scrubs, as these can strip the skin of its natural oils and will cause the skin to over produce oil, eventually causing more blemishes and breakouts.  Always remove the cleanser with a clean face washer each time.

Young girls skin is normally well hydrated and may not need a moisturiser, if they do, use a light weight moisture protective with ingredients such as Zinc Oxide to help slow down the over active oil flow without stopping it all together.

Weekly Maintenance

Use a gentle mask exfoliant once a week to help remove dead skin cells and a clay based mask, like green clay, to help absorb excess oil whilst calming and purifying the skin.

For small breakouts use a spot treatment with ingredients such as tea tree and thyme oil to help clear up blemishes quickly and effectively.

*** Being active, drinking lots of water and eating clean healthy foods, (even reducing the amount of processed foods eaten), will assist in healthy skin. Using a good pre and probiotic may also be helpful.

Urban Spa are happy to provide a free skin Diagnosis for Tara families at all their Urban Spa clinics. Please call the friendly staff who will run through a skincare regime for your daughter to do at home.

The adjudicator for this year is Mr Simon Tedeschi. Considered by many as a child prodigy, Australian Concert Pianist Simon has led an exciting and at times varied career. Making his Sydney Opera House debut performance with Mozart Piano Concerto No.19 K.459, Tedeschi has performed for Luciano Pavarotti, Vladimir Putin, George W Bush, the Dalai Lama and was the hands of David Helfgott in the Oscar-winning movie Shine. A foremost interpreter of George Gershwin, Tedeschi was awarded the ABC Young Performer of the Year in 1998, was the top prize winner in the keyboard section of the Royal Overseas League Music Competition in London in 2002, and was awarded a Centenary of Federation Medal “For service as a Young Australian of the Year Finalist” by the then Prime Minister John Howard in 2001. More details regarding Simon’s career and ongoing contribution to Music can be found on his website www.simontedeschi.com

He is currently enjoying success as a guest columnist for The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, SBS Feast Magazine, ABC’s The Drum and has been on the hit quiz show Spicks and Specks.

2019 Arthur Phillip Fieldwork Competition

Last year, Tara entered three Senior Geography Projects into the Arthur Phillip Fieldwork Competition. The projects demonstrate skills in conducting fieldwork and gathering primary and secondary data, which are core skills in students’ study of Geography.

Ruby (Year 12) was awarded Third in the Stage 6 Category for her study of the impacts of pollution on the Hawkesbury-Nepean River. This is a highly competitive competition run annually by The Geography Teachers’ Association of NSW & ACT. We are proud of Ruby’s achievements in Geography.

Year 10 Geography - The Study of Human Wellbeing During the Covid-19 Crisis 

Over the past three weeks, Year 10 Geography have been comparing and contrasting the social and economic impacts of the coronavirus across the developed and developing worlds. We assessed the policies made by the Australian Government by measuring it against New Zealand’s response and critically analysed how the constrictions implemented have impacted the human wellbeing of their citizens. 

Year 10 turned their attention to Sweden and considered the measures taken by comparing it to their Nordic neighbours who share similarities in culture and climate. Data was analysed, allowing students to evaluate the merits and limitations of Sweden’s approach. 

The human impact across Europe was intense and students watched news reports and read photo essays that presented the scope of the crisis and the measures taken by policy makers to improve human wellbeing.

Now, as we meet again in our classrooms, students will engage in a personal project by researching, writing and creating a short documentary on the crisis faced by the developing world.

Year 8 Geography - Interconnections, Technological Advancements and COVID-19

During Term 1, Year 8 Geography have been studying Global Interconnections through our Statement of Inquiry: Advances in technology create opportunities and challenges. 

As we faced online learning, we turned our attention to the study of how the world is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic with the incredible advancements in technology.

It all starts in Week 8, Term 2 during Activities:

The key dates are:

• Tuesday, 16 June: Years 10,11 and 12 vote for Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl AND Boarders vote for Head Boarder and Deputy Head Boarder 2020/2021
• Wednesday, 17 June: All students vote for House Prefects AND Years 10, 11 and 12 vote for all other Prefects 2020/2021

Senior School students should start to consider who they will vote for. Your vote is important. 

Good luck to all our Year 11 students who have nominated.