For over 20 years, past principal of Tara, Dr Ruth Shatford, has been making Christmas puddings each year for charity, sourcing all the ingredients and making them in her own home. However, this year, it was decided that the puddings would be made here at Tara with past and present staff, as well as outside volunteers involved (including three principals).

So, on Saturday 25 July, under Judy Cropper's supervision, 300 puddings were made in less than 3 hours!

Over the years, all proceeds have gone to various charities, and she has raised over $250K! "Wheelchairs for Kids" will be the recipients this year....her final year of "pudding making".

Sincere thanks to you Dr Shatford for your grace, dedication and selflessness to this project, you have left an incredible legacy indeed!

The Tara Hub is delighted to announce that Winterfest 2026 raised an incredible $40,000 . This is an outstanding achievement and an increase on the funds raised at our inaugural Winterfest in 2025.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who volunteered their time and energy to make the event such a success, as well as to the many families who joined us to enjoy the festivities. Your support and generosity have made a lasting impact on our school community.

The funds raised will be used to create welcoming and functional outdoor spaces, including new seating areas for students to enjoy and for use during a variety of school events. These enhanced spaces will support everyday student life while providing opportunities for outdoor learning, lunchtime activities, long lunches, and year-level breakfasts.

In addition, a portion of the funds will contribute to improvements within the Junior School, helping to create shared community spaces that can be enjoyed by all.

Thank you once again to the entire Tara community for your enthusiasm, generosity, and support. Together, we are creating spaces that will benefit our students for years to come.

A sincere thank you to all the wonderful parents who joined us for our Volunteer Thank You Breakfast. It was a lovely morning spent together with our Principal, Adele Ramsay, celebrating the incredible contribution our volunteers make to the Tara community.

Parents also had the opportunity to meet our new Deputy Principal, Head of Senior School, Jacqueline Tuting, and our new Head of Development and Strategy, Rachel Marchetto. Adele expressed her sincere gratitude to everyone who generously gives their time, energy and talents to support our school.

Every time you volunteer, you help strengthen our community and set a powerful example for our daughters. By giving back and contributing to the life of Tara, you are demonstrating the values of generosity, connection and service, values that inspire our students every day.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment, enthusiasm and support. Your contribution is truly valued, and Tara is a stronger community because of you.

Every time you volunteer, you help strengthen our community and set a powerful example for our daughters. By giving back and contributing to the life of Tara, you are demonstrating the values of generosity, connection and service, values that inspire our students every day.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment, enthusiasm and support. Your contribution is truly valued, and Tara is a stronger community because of you.

Hello Everyone and welcome back to a new semester! I hope everyone had a great school holiday and are excited for a new term.

Recently we celebrated Tara’s 129th birthday. Tara has been a school since 1897 and has helped so many students through those 129 years. Tara’s birthday is a time where we can celebrate decades of learning, playing, and having fun in classrooms. Tara has always been a safe and fun community of kind students and teachers for everyone. During the event we listened to a few speeches and celebrated 10 and 20 years of different staff at Tara and acknowledging Ms Adams last term at Tara. After the event we enjoyed deserts and fun games on the oval.

Saturday sport season has started again; this time girls in Junior School have had the opportunity to play AFL and Touch football in Junior School. On Saturday girls will compete as part of IPSHA sport and play against other schools to represent Tara. Good Luck to all those girls!

Something fun that the Ellangowan girls get to do is Ellangowan Active. Twice a week girls in Kindergarten Year 1 and year 2 get to do 30 minutes of fitness. This can be a game or fun dancing the girls love and look forward to. It is a chance for them to be active during school and improving their skills in exercising and Physical Education.

I hope everyone has a fun and nice Term 3!

After a term of letters, questions and shared stories, our Year 6 students finally had the chance to meet their Year 9 and 10 Pen Pals in person at a special lunch.

Throughout Term 2, students wrote to one another, sharing their interests, experiences and advice while building connections across year groups. What began as handwritten letters quickly grew into meaningful friendships, making the face-to-face gathering a much-anticipated occasion.

The lunch was filled with conversation, laughter and plenty of excitement as students met the people behind the letters. For our younger students, it was an opportunity to connect with older girls who could offer encouragement and guidance. For our Year 9 and 10 students, it was a chance to mentor, support and help foster a welcoming school community.

Programs like this highlight the importance of connection across year levels. By creating opportunities for students to learn from one another, Tara strengthens the sense of belonging that sits at the heart of school life, helping every girl feel known, valued and supported.

What started with a letter has become the beginning of friendships that we hope will continue to grow throughout the years ahead.

Join us on Wednesday, 19 August, as our Year 12 students proudly present their HSC Major Works - showcasing the culmination of months, and in many cases years, of passion, inquiry and hard work.

The evening begins at 5.00pm with drinks and canapés, before you are invited to explore an inspiring exhibition of student achievement. Enjoy captivating Music and Drama performances, view outstanding Visual Arts and Design and Technology major works, and discover the depth of thinking behind History Extension and English Extension 2 projects.

This special event offers a unique opportunity to experience the creativity, perseverance and personal growth that define the HSC journey, while celebrating the remarkable talents of our graduating class.

We look forward to welcoming members of the Tara community for an evening that celebrates learning, creativity and the outstanding achievements of our Class of 2026.

Diba
Academic Prefect

Term 3 kicked off with one of the most anticipated events on the School calendar… Math Week !

It was a week that definitely added up to plenty of fun, with students across all year groups taking part in challenges, competitions and activities both inside and outside the classroom.

Throughout the week, maths classrooms were buzzing as students raced to memorise the seemingly endless digits of π, competing for house points and the ultimate prize: a coveted Pi Pen! While many gave it their best shot, two students proved they were in a league of their own. Congratulations to Sophie, Year 8 who recited an astonishing 1603 digits of π, and Heidi, Year 9, who followed closely behind with an incredible 1592 digits.

They already know more digits than most of us could ever imagine, but can they beat their own records next year, and where does the limit exist?

Of course, no Pi celebration would be complete without the Maths Department's famous apple pies, which were eagerly enjoyed in class.

Students also put their problem-solving skills to the test in the Rubik's Cube Solving Heats, searched high and low around the school for the well hidden Pi Charms, embracing every opportunity to celebrate all things mathematics.

Lunchtimes were just as exciting, with students gathering to compete in the Interhouse Maths Competition. Teams battled it out in the fast-paced Pi Digits Relay and a game of Letters and Numbers, although only the numbers part was played (obviously!), where every second and every digiti counted. The competition was incredibly close, with Waugh and Walker tying not once, but twice! The final results will be announced at the Week 4 Assembly, so stay tuned.

The highlight of the week, however, was undoubtedly the annual Year 12 vs Teachers Maths Jeopardy. In a performance that simply couldn't be divided , the Year 12 students reclaimed bragging rights, defeating the teachers by a landslide with a winning margin of over 1,000 points. It seems this year the students really knew the formula for success, and the teachers just couldn’t integrate a comeback.

Finally, congratulations to Daniella (Year 12) for submitting the winning Math Meme of 2026, proving that maths really can be both clever and hilarious.

From memorising thousands of digits of π to solving puzzles, hunting charms and battling it out in friendly competition, Math Week 2026 was the perfect equation for a fantastic start to the term. Here's hoping next year's celebrations are even greater, because the possibilities are truly infinite !

The Tara Dance Team has made an exceptional start to the 2026 performance season, delivering a series of outstanding results that reflect the dedication, teamwork and passion of our student performers.

Competing against schools from across the region, the team achieved 1st Place in Lyrical and received the Star Performer Award in Jazz, recognising the high standard of performance demonstrated throughout the competition.

A special congratulations goes to Amarlie, who represented Tara in the Dance Captain Onstage Competition. Performing alongside dance captains and representatives from each participating school, Amarlie delivered a confident and accomplished performance to be awarded 1st Place.

While these achievements are certainly worth celebrating, they are also the result of countless hours of rehearsals, commitment and collaboration. Dance encourages students to develop discipline, resilience and confidence, while learning to work together towards a shared goal. It is through experiences like these that students grow not only as performers, but also as supportive teammates and creative young leaders.

Congratulations to our entire Dance Team and to Amarlie on this fantastic start to the season. We look forward to following the team's continued success and cheering them on throughout the year.

Results
🥇 1st Place – Lyrical
⭐ Star Performer Award – Jazz
🥇 1st Place – Dance Captain Onstage Competition – Amarlie

Vellesca and Xingxiao
Year 9 Students

On Friday of Week 1, Term 3,  32 Tara students from Year 9 and 10 descended upon Cheltenham Girls School to participate in the Science and Engineering Challenge. Throughout the day, students completed a wide range of hands on challenges that developed their knowledge and skills in areas such as electricity, infrastructure, engineering, and problem-solving.

The groups started building, planning, decoding, designing, and constructing, competing against students from many other schools in a fun and challenging environment. Points were tallied and minds were spinning as lunch break approached. At half time, it was announced that Tara was in a narrow first place.

After lunch, some teams received a second challenge, while others continued to work and present their bigger projects. It was a busy and exciting day filled with collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Tara achieved an outstanding result, placing third overall in the competition, while also finishing in the top three of several individual activities.

This remarkable achievement reflects the students' teamwork, determination, and enthusiasm throughout the day. Congratulations to everyone who represented Tara so proudly.

As part of our Year 10 Interdisciplinary Studies program, we recently visited the Sydney Jewish Museum for an excursion that deepened our understanding of the Holocaust through history, ethics and lived experience.

One of the most memorable parts of the day was hearing a firsthand account from Holocaust survivor Eva. Despite the tragedies she and her family had experienced, she was more than willing to share her story as a young girl who survived the Holocaust. Prior to visiting the museum and synagogue, many of us lacked knowledge about certain aspects of this historical event. Thanks to Eva and the kind members of the Jewish community who welcomed us, we gained meaningful and valuable insights into the Holocaust and its lasting impact.

We also really enjoyed discussing ethics during a seminar that explored the philosophy of "othering". We learnt how society transformed ordinary individuals into bystanders and perpetrators of horrific acts, and how millions of people were manipulated into accepting warped, anti-Semitic beliefs. It was enlightening to consider how these ideas became socially accepted and to reflect on the importance of recognising and challenging prejudice in today's world.

Following the seminar, we were guided on a tour of the synagogue, where our guide explained the religious significance of each section, including the Ark, where the Torah scrolls are kept. Learning about Jewish traditions and beliefs gave us a deeper appreciation of the community whose history we had been studying.

This excursion brought together history, ethics and religious understanding in a meaningful way. We have grown so much in our historical and ethical knowledge through this experience, and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn from the Jewish community and hear firsthand about experiences that should never be forgotten.

During the winter break, Victoria (Year 10) proudly represented Australia at the 2026 International 420 Class World Championships in Biscarrosse, France.

The prestigious regatta brought together more than 300 teams from 25 countries, providing young sailors from around the world with the opportunity to compete at the highest level, build international connections and gain invaluable racing experience.

For Victoria and her sailing partner, the event marked their first international competition in the 420 class. Competing against some of the world's best young sailors presented a significant challenge, but also an important opportunity to prepare for the 2026 Youth Sailing World Championships, the pinnacle event of their season.

Despite the high level of competition, Victoria and her partner achieved an impressive 27th place in the Women's category - a significant result for their first international regatta in the class.

Reflecting on the experience, Victoria described the championship as an invaluable learning opportunity. Competing against the world's best sailors and building connections with athletes from across the globe has further motivated her to continue developing her skills as she prepares for the Youth Sailing World Championships later this year.

Congratulations, Victoria, on this outstanding achievement. We wish you every success as you continue your sailing journey and represent Australia on the international stage.

Congratulations to Justine (Year 10), who proudly represented New South Wales at the 2026 National Table Tennis Championships, held from 6-11 July at Veolia Arena in Goulburn, NSW.

Competing against some of Australia's top players, Justine represented NSW in the Under 21 Women's Teams event, helping her team secure an outstanding silver medal and a second-place finish.

Reflecting on the championship, Justine said she was "unbelievably proud" of the achievement and grateful for the opportunity to compete alongside and against some of the country's best young athletes.

The result is a testament to her dedication, perseverance and commitment to her sport, and provides fantastic momentum as she prepares for the upcoming National Junior Championships.

Congratulations on this outstanding achievement. We wish you every success as you continue your table tennis journey.

During the school holidays, Bella (Year 7) proudly represented New South Wales at the National U13 Academy Tournament in Hobart, competing against the best young water polo athletes from across Australia.

Bella enjoyed a strong tournament, with the NSW team recording victories over every state except Queensland. The team competed with determination throughout the competition, gaining valuable experience against high-quality opposition in a national representative environment.

Away from the pool, Bella also embraced the opportunity to explore Hobart's rich history, visiting the Cascades Female Factory, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. The visit provided valuable insight into the lives of women in early colonial Australia, adding an educational dimension to her interstate experience.

Bella's commitment to her sport extends well beyond competition. She trains consistently throughout the year, including four swim sessions each week at Tara's Aquatic Centre, where she continues to build the strength, endurance and fitness that support her development as a water polo athlete.

Congratulations, Bella, on proudly representing New South Wales. We look forward to following your continued success in the pool.

Congratulations to Olivia (Year 10), whose exceptional writing talent has been recognised on the national stage.

Olivia's short story, was I beautiful?, was awarded Runner-Up in the Year 10–12 category of Express Media's Little Stories, Big Ideas competition - an outstanding achievement in a highly competitive national field.

As part of this recognition, Olivia's work has been published on the Express Media website, providing her with the opportunity to share her writing with a wider audience and marking an exciting milestone in her creative journey.

Success in creative writing requires imagination, empathy and the ability to communicate ideas in a way that resonates with readers. Olivia's achievement is a testament to her creativity, dedication and skill as a young writer.

Congratulations, Olivia, on this wonderful accomplishment. We look forward to seeing where your passion for writing takes you next.

Read her short story below:

was i Beautiful?
i was a cathedral beneath the sea.
my body woven from amber coral
and flickering sapphire fins.
sunlight spilled through the water
in trembling ribbons unraveling across my skin.

they came like pilgrims.
lowering lenses instead of prayers
calling me Paradise
for they could not distinguish radiance,
with ruin.

still, i shimmered for them.

even when the fish fled like fallen stars.
even as colour loosened from my ribs,
and

drifted

wordlessly

into

the

tide.

when my bones grew pale,
the sea made me luminous.

above me,
humans whispered

at how Beautiful i looked in white.

Olivia, Year 10

If you have been away and would like to re-enrol it is now the perfect time to do so. If you would like to join our program, please contact our reception on for following contacts below or click the registry link to complete the form.

Register Now: Swimming@Tara

Contact number: 8838 2699
Email: swimming@tara.nsw.edu.au

Learn to Swim Program hours
Monday to Friday Afternoon: 3.30pm - 6.15pm

To help keep your child progressing, we’re offering 50% off a second weekly lesson during June, July, and August . This special applies to all levels except Private, Semi-Private, and adult classes. If your children already take a second class, you will get the discount over the months as well.

Reflecting on the past year fills us with joy as we've watched our swimming program flourish and our students grow in confidence and skill with every lesson.

Here's to another year of exciting progress, achievement, and fun at Swimming@Tara!

Congratulations to all the winners of our colouring competition, and a big thank you to everyone who participated. We loved seeing all your beautiful and creative artwork!

We are so proud to announce that Shirlene from Year 4 is our Swimmer of the Month! Shirlene has shown consistency with her swimming and has not missed one lesson in a very long time. Over the school holiday’s, Shirlene continued to come to swimming lessons with a smile on her face and gives 100% every time she is in the water. Well Done!

A huge congratulations to Bella from Year 7, who proudly represented New South Wales at the National U13s Academy Tournament in Hobart during the school holidays.

Bella is a valued member of our Tara Aquatic Centre Squads Program, where she consistently puts in the work to build her strength, fitness and endurance in the pool. It's fantastic to see that dedication supporting her performance on the national stage.

We're incredibly proud of your commitment, Bella, and can't wait to see what you achieve next. Well done on representing NSW with pride!

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

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!