A Fortnight at Fahan - Term 1, 18 February 2022

Principal's Report

What a joy it was to welcome our students back to the beautiful Fahan campus for the 2022 school year. Whilst we have begun with some restrictions to our daily routines due to COVID-19, students and staff have coped admirably with the changes and it has been wonderful to sense the girls’ excitement at being back at School amongst their friends, settling into classroom routines and the challenge of learning, often in an outside space. I would particularly like to take this opportunity to extend a very warm welcome to our new Fahan families – from Kindergarten right through to the Senior School. I hope you have all had a wonderful fortnight making new friends and finding your way around. I have certainly enjoyed seeing you all.

Whilst it was wonderful to welcome students back, the past fortnight has also been a very challenging time in the life of the School. As you know, our School Community was devastated to learn of the death of Mia Stoneman. Mia was a charismatic student whose bright smile and sharp wit will be sorely missed. Today, many of us will farewell her in what I’m sure will be a most beautiful and moving celebration of her life. I know you will all join with me in sending our deepest condolences to the Stoneman family, and I extend our genuine and heartfelt gratitude to them for allowing our School to be part of Mia’s life and participating in her farewell.

This year, we have welcomed many new staff to Fahan. Kim Menadue is teaching Year 1 while Tania Gath is on leave; Nicole Bury is teaching Year 3 and many of you will remember Ben Mackey, who we welcome back to Fahan to teach Music two days a week. In the Senior School, Hannah Warwarek is teaching English and Humanities; Peta-Jane Buchanan is teaching HPE; Anna Williamson is teaching Humanities and we are so pleased that Robert Owens is also rejoining us for the year to teach History, Geography and Food Technology.

Today we farewell Laura Bird, who has worked at Fahan for nine years as Marketing and Communications Specialist. Laura’s kind manner, skill and efficiency has been appreciated by us all and her contribution to Fahan has been outstanding. Laura leaves us to take the next step of her career and we wish her all the very best in this endeavour. On Monday we also farewell Louise O’Bryan, who has been exceptional in her role as Finance Officer during Hayley Parsons’ long service leave. We sincerely thank Louise for her contribution to the smooth running of Fahan.

In a few weeks we will also be farewelling Jo Christie from Fahan School. Jo has given almost 20 years of service to Fahan and so many students, staff and parents have benefitted from her calm manner, sense of humour and above all, her outstanding ability as an educator. Jo’s application to all aspects of her role has been exceptional and the relationships she has built with colleagues and parents over many years has been valued by all. 

Finally, as we navigate these first weeks back at School, a gentle reminder that students must stay home if they are unwell or if they have symptoms of COVID-19. These may include runny nose, cough, fever, sore throat and temperature. This is important for the safety of all our students, staff and their families.

Best wishes
Meg Lawson

Learning about Kindergarten at Fahan

We have had a delightful start to Kindergarten.  The weather has been glorious and therefore endless days outside with our new friends has been the perfect way to begin a new journey at Fahan. 

A visit to the library, PE in the gymnasium with Mr Dale, Music with Mr Machin and clay work in Hedgelands with Mr Goodwolf have meant a truly engaging and immersive start to the Kindergarten year.

Mrs Rebecca Wiggins

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Learning about Library Lovers' Day

This week we celebrated Library Lovers' Day enjoying a ‘Book-nic’ – a book lover’s picnic in the gardens.

Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) states: ‘It's a day to remember that our libraries are a place where we can get lost in an idea we are following, find an adventure we are seeking in a book, discover more about an issue we feel passionate about or get help from someone about something we want to know. These are all the reasons (and more) to celebrate the valuable roles libraries play in our lives and to re-engage with our libraries and 'show the love'.’

Afterwards, students were invited to share what they love about libraries through words and images. 

Mrs Meg Denman

Learning about Vertical Groups

This week students from Kinder to Year 2 commenced Vertical Groups.  Each term, the girls participate in a different group - either Gardening, Cooking, STEAM or Forest School. These groups are designed to spark curiosity and, at the same time, foster positive relationships between students. Vertical groups enable students of mixed ages to investigate, imagine and explore ideas, practice sharing and negotiating behaviours and to broaden their understanding of the environment in which we live.

Mrs Meg Denman

Learning about Maths in Year 2

In Year 2, we started Maths by doing some mapping location activities in our beautiful gardens. The girls had to locate certain parts of the playground and describe where they were.  They also had to do some orienteering, orienting their maps and tracking down the smiley face stickers placed around the gardens.

We all had great fun describing, exploring and finding.

Mrs Sophie Baxter

Learning about 'The Museum of Me' in Year 3

Year 3 students have enjoyed a fabulous start to the year! It has been lovely welcoming ‘old’ Fahan girls into Year 3, as well as our new students – Nina Viviers, Klara Koch, Anaso Carranza Esquivel and Frankie Gorringe. Last week, we spent time getting to know each other. We played lots of games, such as “Two truths and a lie” and “New Class Bingo”. We read a beautiful book called “The Museum of Me” by Emma Lewis, after which we enjoyed creating our very own museums, filled with lots of our favourite things!

Students spent time working in collaborative groups to share their ideas for our “Year 3 Classroom Promise”. The girls had wonderful ideas, such as:

We will communicate by listening and sitting attentively.

We will talk respectfully to others.

We will persevere despite challenges.

We will be prepared and organised.

We will treat each other kindly, thoughtfully and fairly.

What a fantastic year we are going to have!

Mrs Nicole Bury

Learning about Marine Safety

On Tuesday 15 February, Ian Ross from MAST (Marine and Safety Tasmania) came to Fahan to speak with all students from Years 3-6 about boat marine safety and things that we can all do to keep ourselves safe.  In our beautiful summer weather, and even in our colder months, we all have a responsibility towards fostering safety awareness in and around water.

Each group discussed the importance of wearing life jackets and the different types of jackets that are available for various conditions. The correct life jacket (standard AS4758 or similar) must be worn at all times by a child under 12 years when in a boat, on a kayak or paddleboard.

When heading out on the water, remember to:

1.   Check your boat is safe
2.   Check your safety equipment
3.   Check the weather
4.   Have a plan and tell someone

Further information can be found at https://mast.tas.gov.au

Mrs Susan Wright
Acting Head of Junior School

Learning about Year 5

Year 5 has had a wonderful start to the term. The girls have taken every opportunity to get to know each other and find something that they have in common. We extend a warm welcome to our new students Poppy Davies, Grace Lincolne-Lomax, Anna McCallum, Jennifer Porter, Isla Pringle-Jones, Milla Gorringe and Eleanor Baxter in 5D and Lily Beechey, Amelie Dobson, Allegra Yuile, Poppy Davis, Abbie Beaumont, Ivy Brown, Charlotte Kratz and Poppy Tomlin in Year 5W.

It has been lovely getting to know these girls over the past fortnight through participating in various activities in and out of the classroom. A highlight will be our up and coming Outdoor Education Day at the Waterworks Reserve in Dynnyrne, where the girls from 5D and 5W will participate in various team building activities such as a bushwalk, treasure hunt, bushcraft, building shelters, orienteering, puzzles and group games.

We wish all our students a happy and successful year in Year 5.

Mrs Ursula Dalton and Mrs Susan Wright

Learning with our Japanese Assistant Teacher, Riisa

This term, we welcome Riisa Yukihara to the Japanese classroom. Riisa comes from Narita city in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, and will be staying in Tasmania for two years to help support Japanese programs around the state. Fahan will be one of her Base Schools for Term 1, and she will assist in both Junior and Senior classes.

Riisa is well travelled, having taught Japanese in Connecticut, USA and France. She loves teaching the Japanese language and culture and learning about other cultures. Her hobbies include singing and playing the guitar.

We look forward to getting to know Riisa and sharing our beautiful state with her. Much appreciation to the Japan Foundation Sydney and the Japanese Teaching Network of Tasmania (JATNET) for their support in coordinating Riisa's time in Tasmania.

Mrs Clare Enright

Learning about Food, Cooking and Nutrition

This course provides learners with an opportunity to develop knowledge of food and food preparation skills within a domestic context. Learners will apply safe food handling practices and food safety hygiene procedures as they work individually and in a team to prepare key foods for a range of contexts. They will learn about the nutritional, sensory and functional properties of foods and prepare healthy meals. Learners will consider cultural and environmental aspects of food in Australia, including indigenous food, and from around the world. 

Food Cooking and Nutrition Level 2 is well underway with keen students looking to improve their culinary skills. We have started the year working on our knife skills and kitchen health and safety orientation. Last week we made sushi rolls and this week pumpkin soup and scones. The soup and scones will be donated to Louis Van to help support those in need. We will continue to support Louis Van with our food products throughout the year.  

Mrs Emily Hogan

Learning about the Senior School

Year 7 Information Evening

On Tuesday evening, I had the pleasure of welcoming our newest families to the Senior School at our Year 7 Information Evening. Despite needing to present over Zoom this year, it was still a lovely opportunity to connect with the families and share with them information about the Pastoral Care program, Academic program and the Co-Curricular offerings. It is always such a thrill to welcome the new cohort of Year 7 students and the girls have been stunning in the way they have embraced and enjoyed the challenges of life in a senior school environment!

Lumina 9 Information Evening

Wednesday evening saw us connect with our Year 9 cohort over Zoom, but nevertheless still a fabulous opportunity to celebrate the year that awaits the Year 9 girls. Mrs Hayes did a fabulous job in delivering an informative and entertaining presentation on all things Lumina 9, with the assistance of Dr Manson and our newly-appointed Lumina 9 coordinator, Mrs Alli Williamson. It was fantastic to see the evening attended by so many families and the Year 9 team (Mr Machin, Dr East and Mrs Williamson) are thrilled to be working with the girls in developing their resilience, independence and empathy through engagement in service initiatives, outdoor education and the Duke of Edinburgh scheme! Watch this space for updates on Year 9 taking the world by storm!

Mr Jack Machin
Deputy Principal

Spirit in the Senior School

Leadership at Fahan

A new year always brings with it the excitement of new possibilities and, while we celebrate the newest members to the School Community, it also heralds the home stretch for our Year 12 girls. To get them kick started on their journey, the Year 12 Pastoral Care team met with the Year 12 cohort to work through a program of leadership challenges on Friday 4 February. A huge thank you goes to Ms Harcourt, Mrs Enright and Ms Jacobs for putting together a thoroughly engaging program for the students. It is clear from the day, and the first two weeks of School, this special cohort is up to the challenge.

The Year 12 cohort were then celebrated at the annual Investiture of Student Leaders. Every Year 12 student was celebrated in this assembly and will all play a critical role in leading the School.

We also celebrated the student leadership team; Laura Cooper, Jorja Cooper, Sarah Hodgman, Cian Donoghue, Megan Viljoen, Anna Kennedy, Lucia Hunt, Lily Bushby, Grace Smyth, Stella Bale, Mia Peatling and Hannah Riches. We wish them all the very best as they lead the School this year and leave their mark on Fahan.

Mr Jack Machin
Deputy Principal

Spirit of Valentines at Fahan

“What the world needs now, is love sweet love”.

“Why do birds suddenly appear, every time you are near”.

“All you need is love”.

Some of my favourite tunes could be heard in Pastoral Care groups on Tuesday 15 Febrary and the School was a sea of pink and red hearts as the Year 12s celebrated Valentines Day 2022. Every locker and office door in the Senior School was decorated with love letters, lovingly prepared by our Year 12 students. It was a fabulous way to start the week and brought many smiles to many faces!

Mr Jack Machin
Deputy Principal

Spirit of Rowing

On Saturday 12 March, the Under 14, Under 16 and Open rowing crews all participated in races at the Hobart Regatta, one of Australia's oldest and longest-running sporting events.

The girls performed at an outstanding level, with the Open Eight winning the prestigious Denis Mounie Championship Eights Race and the Under 16s placing third. After some substantial research it appears this may be the first time the race has been won by a schoolgirls crew.  The handicapped race saw our girls compete against many experienced crews including men's teams. The girls were elated by their performance and earned prize money of $1,000 which will go to support the Fahan rowing program. Their coaches are thrilled with the girl's efforts and commitment and are even more excited for their performances in up and coming regattas over the next few weeks.

Congratulations to all the rowers and their coaches.

Steve Lambert 
Director of Rowing

Spirit - Junior School Sport

Junior Soccer

The junior soccer season gets underway on Thursday 24 Febrary at 4:00pm.  Our first training will take place on Monday 21 February from 12:45pm to 1:30pm.  Once again numbers are very strong with 65 players currently registered.  

For training the girls must have shin pads but can train in either sandshoes or boots.  Mouthguards are optional.  Years 1 and 2 will train on the Junior School Green and Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 on the bottom oval.

Rosters for this term's games will be disseminated as soon as they arrive.

A note for Years 1 and 2 - we currently have 13 players registered, which just gives us 2 teams (6-a-side).  We would very much like to have two teams in preference to one large one, so if there are any more Years 1 or 2 students who are not registered and would like to give soccer a try, then please email me. 

Junior Tennis

This roster gets underway on Tuesday 22 February and Fahan will field one team of 5 players.  The girls play two games of doubles so each week one player will be rostered off.  Rosters will be disseminated as soon as possible.

Junior Orienteering

This roster got underway on Wednesday, with 10 girls across Years 4-6 participating.  A big thank you goes to Mrs Wiggins who is present from 4:00pm to 5:00pm supporting the girls.

Junior House Swimming

When:  Wednesday 2 March 
Where:  Clarence Pool
Time:  Years 3/4  9:0am to 11:45am, Years 5/6 12:00pm to 2:30pm

At present, we will be running the Junior House Carnival on Wednesday 2 March.  We have broken the event into a Years 3/4 event and a Years 5/6 event.  Girls have been asked to fill out entry forms and have had the format of the day explained to them.  A letter with further information will be distributed via Edsmart next week.

Mr Tim Dale
Junior Sport Co-ordinator
dalet@fahan.tas.edu.au

Spirit - Senior School Sport

Welcome to sport for 2022!

This term, senior students are participating in soccer, tennis, sailing, rowing, basketball and volleyball.  All teams and rosters will be on the Tree as they are finalised.

We are looking forward to another exciting year of sport and I hope that all students take the opportunity to participate. Our aim is for our athletes to develop their skills and abilites, enjoy playing sport with their peers, improve and maintain their fitness, achieve goals and improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Thank you in advance to all staff, parents and senior students for coaching and umpiring games and events; your help is much appreciated.

If anyone would like to volunteer to manage, coach or umpire any sport please contact me via email. I am especially looking for volunteers to umpire soccer this term.

Swimming

The trials for the Fahan squad for the SSATIS Swimming Carnival were held at Clarence Aquatic Centre on Tuesday 15 February.  Thank you to all the students who came to the trials and gave their best effort. There were many great results and the swimming squad is on the Tree on the Senior Sport Online page in the swimming section, together with all information regarding the SSATIS Swimming Carnival.

The SSATIS Swimming Carnival will be held on Tuesday 1 March at the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre, comencing at 10:00am. 

Please note that spectators will be permitted at the SSATIS Carnival however the DKHAC will keep count of the number of patrons in the centre and spectators may be refused entry if the centre is at capacity. Spectators are to observe physical distancing and chairs will be set up for this in the area. Spectators must wear masks and are not permitted in school areas.

Swimming Training Schedule 2022

We expect to see all members of the swimming team at training. Please ensure to arrive at training at Collegiate pool five minutes before to have enough time to get organised. If you are already doing your own squad training, please let me know in advance.

Rowing

Congratulations to all the rowers who participated in the Royal Hobart Regatta on Saturday 12 February. Our Open Eight crew had a fantastic result taking home the win in the 1200m sprint of the Denis Mounie Championship Eights. Our Under 16s also put in a wonderful effort placing third in their race. Well done to all our rowers for their outstanding racing!

Best wishes to the Under 16 and Open Rowing crews who will compete in the Tasmanian Club Rowing Championships at Lake Barrington on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 February.

Results

It is always wonderful to hear of any sport achievements outside of School. We have many students who participate in a wide variety of sports so please share any individual or team achievements and results via email to me. 

Mrs Jo Banks-Smith
Senior Sport Co-ordinator
bankssmithj@fahan.tas.edu.au
0428 031 012

Community - Welcome from the P&F President

A very warm welcome to all our new and returning parents.  I hope everyone had a restful Summer vacation enjoying the sights and sounds of Tasmania and further afield. 

While the P&F has not been able to hold our usual welcome back gatherings, such as Sunset at the Barn and the Welcome Dinner for new parents, we do hope to hold those in the coming months ahead and we plan to make them “Go big or go home” kind of gatherings.  Think that halftime Superbowl event.

The P&F recently purchased new seating for the Fahan oval, which will be installed in the coming weeks. We look forward to seeing our parents and carers enjoy the seating while watching soccer and footy matches and cheering on our Fahan teams as they annihilate their rival schools!

A reminder that, as per the School calendar, next week is our first P&F meeting for the year and Zoom details will be sent around via Edsmart.  We love to see new faces on the Zoom, even better if you have a new puppy to show us. 

Our AGM is in March, when we will elect then swear in the team for 2022. We hope to hold this in person with wine and nibbles. We are actively seeking new recruits and would love to see some new parents and carers. Please reach out of you have any questions about these roles. We have four (4) executive positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary plus eight (8) general committee members.  Our meetings are held in the evening once a month on a Tuesday and while we hold one to two larger events during year, the time commitment is low, but the involvement is fun and a great way to meet other parents.  

Our aim at the Fahan P&F is to foster community spirit within the School and do a few community fundraising events to provide for items that benefit the girls. Last year we had a bumper fundraising year and hope to emulate that again this year so we can provide even more top-notch products and fund more community-based events.

Cheers to a successful and healthy 2022.

Catherine Matterson
President
Parents and Friends' Association

Community - Student Absence

Parents are asked to notify the School of student absence by 9:00am by email to absence@fahan.tas.edu.au, or by phone on 6225 1064. Once maintenance on the Fahan School App has been completed, this is also another option for informing the School of a student absence.

Students taking holidays during term time can impact on the ability of teachers, and more importantly other students, to complete programs of work effectively. If foreseen absences are unavoidable, permission should be sought from the Principal by downloading and completing the Request for Absence form available here.

Community - COVID-19 Booster Vaccinations Available for Students Aged 16 and Over

Tasmanian students aged 16 and over can get their COVID-19 booster three months after their second dose. This includes people who were aged 15 when they had their second dose and are now aged 16.
 
Get your booster as soon as it is due as this is the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community.
 
Go to MyGov and check when you had your second dose on your COVID-19 immunisation certificate.
 
Community vaccination clinics are running across the state and appointments are available.  
Book at coronavirus.tas.gov.au/vaccine or call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738. 
Vaccinations are also available at participating GPs and pharmacies. 
Find a pharmacy or GP near you at: Service Finder (healthdirect.gov.au)
 

Community - Orienteering Tasmania

Orienteering Tasmania is once again conducting the Autumn Twilight Series and invite students and families of all ages and skill levels to join the Wednesday twilight fun. The first event of the series was held on 16 February. Four different-length courses ranging from 1.5km to 4km are available each week at a variety of venues.

For details visit the Orienteering Tasmania website.

Community Notices

Fahan School Bus Service

For more information on the Fahan Bus Service, please click here.