We were delighted to welcome Dr Rachel Golding, who shared the inspiring story behind her business Dinner on the Table. Rachel explained that the idea began simply, when a friend asked if she could cook a meal for her family during a difficult time. What started as a small act of kindness quickly grew into something much bigger.

Rachel spoke about how cooking for someone is not just about providing a meal — it is about taking on a small responsibility for someone else and creating space for care, connection and support. Through this simple yet powerful idea, Rachel and her team are helping to build communities that are more responsive to the needs of others.

We were also delighted to welcome back alumna Inika Narayan (Class of 2024) as our guest speaker. Inika shared her experience representing Zonta International as their Youth Advisor at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).

Now studying a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce at University of New South Wales, Inika shared how the experience allowed her to engage in powerful discussions, attend high-level panels and hear directly from global leaders about the action’s nations are taking to address gender inequality. She spoke passionately about her commitment to using her voice to advocate for those who cannot, and to contribute positively to her wider community.

In addition to her studies, Inika is actively involved in university life as a director within the UNSW Law Society, where she hopes to make the law more accessible to all while bridging cultural gaps, promoting education and driving meaningful policy change. She also reminded students of the importance of balance – making time for friendships and travel alongside academic and leadership pursuits.

We are incredibly proud of Inika and all that she is achieving, and we thank both Rachel and Inika for sharing their experiences and insights with our community.

It was a truly inspiring morning, and we are grateful to everyone who attended and helped make the celebration so special.

On Friday, 6 March, the Year 10 SRC representatives, accompanied by Mrs van Bruinessen, attended the Zonta International Women’s Day Breakfast at Parramatta Leagues Club.

The event brought together students and community leaders to celebrate the achievements of women and girls, while reflecting on the importance of leadership, opportunity and advocacy. Over a delicious breakfast, the girls had the opportunity to listen to inspiring guest speakers who shared their personal journeys, professional experiences and encouragement for the next generation of young women.

A highlight of the morning was celebrating the nominees for the Zonta International Leadership Award, which recognises young Australian women who demonstrate outstanding leadership, commitment to service and the potential to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

The breakfast was a wonderful opportunity for our students to connect with the broader community, celebrate the achievements of women and be inspired by the stories of those who are leading and shaping the future.

On Friday 6 March, the Year 11 SRC hosted a special International Women’s Day BBQ, to raise funds for the Parramatta Women’s Shelter. The lunchtime event was a wonderful display of generosity and community spirit, with students, staff and parents showing their support for an organisation that plays a vital role in assisting women in need.

Through the sale of BBQ lunches, the initiative raised over $1,500 to support the Parramatta Women’s Shelter. The organisation provides safe accommodation and practical support for women experiencing homelessness or domestic violence, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.

The Year 11 SRC are to be commended for their leadership in organising such a meaningful event, using International Women’s Day as an opportunity to raise awareness and contribute to an important cause within our local community.

Thank you to everyone who supported the BBQ and helped make the initiative such a success!

It’s wonderful to see our Year Group Representatives organising get-togethers for their year groups. Here are some of our Kindergarten parents at a recent dinner, a great example of community building in action.

If you would like help organising a get-together or connecting with your year group, please feel free to reach out to Jodie Doyle at jdoyle@tara.nsw.edu.au .

We are delighted to once again host our special Mother’s Day Lunch to celebrate the wonderful mums in the Tara community. This year’s event will feature a delicious lunch and a special guest speaker.

Event details are included below, and bookings can be made via the link provided. Please note that bookings will close on Thursday, 30 April .

The lunch is a lovely opportunity to come together with other parents, perhaps organise a table with your year group, and enjoy a relaxed and celebratory afternoon.

Places are limited, so we encourage you to book early.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Book Now: https://www.trybooking.com/DKHNS

Students in Years 7–12 and their parents are invited to save the date for our upcoming Beyond the Gates event on Thursday, 30 April at 6.30pm in the Chapel.

Held every two years, this special evening brings together students, parents and alumnae to share insights and explore future career pathways.

The program will include a panel discussion with our alumnae, followed by a careers networking session, giving students and parents the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about a wide range of professions and experiences.

A full invitation, including details of our panel members, will be shared later this week, so please stay tuned.

In the meantime, please mark the date in your calendar. We look forward to seeing you there.

Mark your calendars ❄️

We are excited to announce that Winterfest 2026 is coming your way on Saturday, 20 June 2026.

Get ready for a magical evening of fun, food and wintery delights — perfect for the whole family. Proudly hosted by Tara Hub, this special community and fundraising event promises to be a highlight of the school year.

Winterfest will feature market stalls, an international food festival and a spectacular fireworks display, creating a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and celebrate the vibrant Tara community.

We would love to see Tara families play an active role in the event and get involved in the many ways available.

At this stage, we are seeking expressions of interest from families who would like to participate in the International Food Stalls. In particular, we are looking for volunteers who may be interested in coordinating a cuisine, as well as those happy to cook and serve food on the night.

The International Food Festival will be a wonderful way to celebrate and showcase the cultural diversity within our Tara community, and we can’t wait to sample the delicious dishes contributed by our families. If you are interested please contact Jodie Doyle on jdoyle@tara.nsw.edu.au

Our ELC to Year 2 students enjoyed a fantastic Water Fun Day, making the most of the warm weather with a range of exciting water-based games and activities.

Throughout the day, students splashed, played and laughed together while taking part in activities designed to help them build confidence around the water. From creative games to interactive challenges, the experience was both fun and educational, encouraging students to develop important water awareness skills in a safe and supportive environment.

It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm and joy on the students’ faces as they embraced each activity, supported one another and celebrated their achievements.

Water Fun Day was a memorable experience for our youngest learners and a wonderful way to combine learning, confidence-building and plenty of fun.

Our Junior School students recently enjoyed a special incursion with Art Therapist, Lissette Endacott, who guided them through creative and engaging sessions designed to encourage expression through art.

During their workshops, students explored a range of materials and techniques, using colour, texture and imagination to create their own artworks. Through the process, they were encouraged to express ideas and emotions in a safe and supportive environment, discovering how creativity can be a powerful tool for reflection and communication.

The session was both fun and meaningful, with students fully immersed in the hands-on activities. Many enjoyed the opportunity to experiment with different artistic approaches while building confidence in sharing their ideas and perspectives.

Under a hot and sunny sky, our girls demonstrated incredible determination, spirit and sportsmanship at the recent carnival. The sound of enthusiastic house cheers filled the air, and the strong encouragement between peers was a wonderful reminder of the supportive community we share.

It was fantastic to see every student take part in the day’s events, giving their best and embracing the opportunity to compete, challenge themselves and support one another.

A huge congratulations to all of our place getters for their outstanding performances.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to our parent cheerleaders who brought extra energy to the sidelines. Your encouragement and support helped make the day even more memorable for our students.

Congratulations to all our students who attended the IGSA Swimming & Dive Championships last Friday!

The girls represented the school with exceptional effort, behaviour and enthusiasm and should be extremely proud of themselves.

All of our girls swam exceptionally well, however, particular congratulations goes to Natalie X, Joanna X, Bella Z & Pare N who all made finals. Pare received 2nd place overall in the 15y 50m Butterfly and 3rd place overall in the 15y 50m Backstroke, an amazing achievement.

Last Saturday 14 March, Justine (Year 10) competed in the NSW Junior Round Robin table tennis Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Halls.

We wish her a massive congratulations for coming first place in Under 15 girls!

Mrs Natalie Fairfax
Head of Academic Administration & IB Diploma Programme Coordination

Year 10 students enjoyed an opportunity to put Mr Bonson, Dean of Learning 11–12, and Mrs Fairfax, IB Diploma Programme Coordinator, in the hot seat for a real-time Q&A about their HSC and IB Diploma pathway options for 2027 during their Year Meeting.

With subject selection evening coming up in May, this was the perfect chance for students to get clarity, bust myths, and hear honest insights before making their Year 11 decisions.

Here are some highlights from the conversation:

Q: How much independent study is realistically expected each week?

A: Students can expect around 10–20 hours per week—roughly 2–4 hours per night. There will be busier stretches when students “get in the zone” and power through major tasks, as well as quieter weeks where they can take a night or two off.
Both HSC and IB DP students will have study periods built into their timetable, and making smart use of this time can significantly reduce pressure at home.

Q: If I choose one pathway at subject selection and want to change next year, can I?

A: Yes! Students can move between pathways up until Week 4 of Year 11. Adjusting subjects or levels (HL/SL in the IB) is also possible, though it can depend on timetable lines and subject availability.

The key message? Talk to us early. We’re often able to help students find flexible solutions.

Join us for an evening celebrating the musical talents of our students.

📅 Monday 30 March
🕖 7.00pm
📍 Tara Theatre

The program will feature solo performances from elective music students, alongside ensemble works including our Year 11 and 12 musicians.

We warmly invite the Tara community to come along and support our performers.

Congratulations to Chloe (Year 8) for coming 2nd in the Preliminary 1.2 at the Arndell Anglican College Combined Training and Dressage Equestrian Competition!

Congratulations Jacqueline (Year 6) for representing Tara as part of the IPSHA Basketball Team, competing at the NSW CIS Basketball Championships!

We will be having our Holiday Intensive program over the April school holidays for 1 week only. We will be offering private and group lessons, if you are interested, please email swimming@tara.nsw.edu.au or contact reception on 8838 2699 to book in.

Dates:
13–17 April

Note: Our regular Learn to Swim lessons will continue during the holiday period.

A sincere thank you to everyone who participated in the Super Swim Challenge throughout the month of February. Your support and commitment made this initiative a great success.

Collectively, participants swam an impressive 175.605 km and raised a total of $385 for the cause.

It was fantastic to see the participation of our swimming instructors, Tara boarders, and lifeguards, all coming together to support the challenge. Your enthusiasm, dedication, and team spirit are truly appreciated.

Well done and congratulations to everyone who took part! Your efforts have made a meaningful contribution. 🏊‍👏

Congratulations and well done to all swimmers who represented Tara at the IPSHA competition.

It was wonderful to see strong participation from many of our squad swimmers, as well as several students from our Learn to Swim program. Taking part in an event such as IPSHA is a fantastic opportunity for swimmers to challenge themselves, gain valuable race experience, and represent the school with pride.

A special mention goes to our youngest competitors, Souley and Grace, who are both in Year 2. Competing at this level at such a young age is a wonderful achievement, and it was a fantastic experience for them both.

Well, done to everyone who participated and represented Tara so proudly. 🏊‍👏

Please note that there are no swimming lessons during the Easter Holidays:

Maundy Thursday 2 April 2026
Good Friday 3 April 2026
Easter Monday 6 April 2026

(Lessons resume Tuesday 7 April 2026)

No class on Anzac Day public holiday (Monday 27 April 2026)

***Please note that we will continue the afternoon swimming program during the school holidays**** If you are going away, please ensure you put in explained absent to ensure you receive your make up token.

We are now accepting Active Kids and First Lap vouchers. To use them in our program, please forward the details to swimming@tara.nsw.edu.au with your child’s details.

If you have a child or know someone who is at squad level, and are wanting to join Swimming@Tara squads, please email swimming@tara.nsw.edu.au so we can get them in for an assessment!