Fahan School eNewsletter

Principal's Report

As we near the end of a very busy first term, I wanted to take a moment to emphasise the importance of student involvement in co-curricular activities. These can range from sports teams and clubs to music and drama programs. They offer students opportunities to explore interests outside of the classroom and develop a range of important life skills.

One of the biggest benefits of co-curricular activities is the opportunity to develop teamwork and leadership skills. Being part of a team or group requires students to learn how to communicate effectively, work collaboratively and take on responsibilities. These skills can translate into leadership positions into the future, whether this is at school or in the workforce.

Participating in co-curricular activities also helps builds a sense of community and belonging. By joining the club or team, students have the opportunity to form connections with peers who share similar interests. This can lead to lifelong friendships and a support system that extends beyond the classroom.

Co-curricular activities can have a positive impact on academic performance. This may be because such activities can provide students with a sense of purpose and motivation, as well as teach time-management and organisation skills.

At Fahan, we offer a wide range of co-curricular activities. Last weekend our students competed successfully in the final rowing event of the season, the Head of the River at Lake Barrington. Today, many have competed in the SSATIS Athletics Carnival at the Domain. Rehearsals have begun in earnest for the musical, Matilda, and students have participated in the many activities, both sporting and otherwise, on offer throughout the week. I encourage all students to be involved where they can.

In staffing news, you may be aware that Mrs Birgitta Browning has decided that the time is right to step down from her role in the Canteen, however she will continue in the Uniform Shop. I think we can all agree that Birgitta's organisational and cooking skills have been exceptional and many of us have enjoyed the wonderful food she has produced. We have recently advertised this position and if you or anyone you know may be interested in applying, please refer to the information on our website here.

Have a lovely weekend.

Best wishes
Meg Lawson

Learning in Pre-Kinder

Recently we noticed that our Pre-Kinder children had developed a strong interest in space and the solar system and we were thrilled to be able to support them in their learning journey.

To help engage the children in their learning, we incorporated a fun activity where they could create their own solar systems using recycled materials and sustainable resources. This activity not only helped the children learn about the planets, but also taught them about the importance of reusing materials and reducing waste.

We were impressed by how enthusiastic the children were about the project. They worked diligently to find the right colours and textures to represent each planet, and they were eager to share their ideas with each other. As they worked, they also talked about the different characteristics of each planet, such as their size, colour, and distance from the sun.

They were able to identify each planet and its unique features and were excited to share their creations and explain why each planet looked the way it did in their collage with peers. The children's enthusiasm and creativity made this a truly engaging and memorable experience for everyone involved.

To further engage the children in learning about the solar system, we have been reading books and stories around space from the School Library. The children have been captivated by these stories and have been eager to learn more about the planets, stars, and space exploration.

They also worked together to complete a 100-piece puzzle of the solar system and learn about each planet and its unique features.

We were delighted to see how passionate and involved the children were in learning about the solar system and space, and we are committed to supporting their interests and fostering a love of learning about science and the world around them.

Lisa, Kelly, Moya, and Vivienne
Pre-Kinder Team

Learning about Sustainability

Years 1 and 2 recently visited the Sustainability Centre in Mount Nelson. The day offered a variety of opportunities to think about the world around us and to consider the type of places that are local to our own School. We spent time discussing bushfires and how they might have both a negative and positive impact on the environment. The students engaged their imaginations with loose parts play in the bushland and were exceptionally creative and collaborative in the process.

Our host, Lucie, posed some questions about the River Derwent and what we might find in and along the river. The girls then created a variety of interesting animal habitats that might be found along the river using an array of materials and resources.

Many thanks to our lovely parent volunteers for joining us on the day.

Mrs Sarah Parsons and Mrs Sophie Baxter

Year 3 students have been learning about Australia's states and territories in Geography. They have used books, maps and their iPads to find information about each of our states and territories, including:

flag
map to show where in Australia it is
animal emblem
floral emblem
three interesting facts

The girls have enjoyed presenting their projects in different ways, using lots of colour, pictures and interesting headings to make their information easy and enjoyable for others to read. Well done, everyone!

Mrs Nicole Bury

Learning in the Library

On Wednesday 22 March, children’s author Aleesah Darlinson visited Fahan. She shared two books with us, Poppy the Punk Turtle (for Kinder to Year 2) and Space Kids, Blast Off with Years 3 and 4. Many of the students had never heard of Punk Turtles.

I didn’t know that Mary River turtles even existed! Mary

I didn’t know punk turtles were a thing. Daria

Afterwards, the students shared what they learnt.

Punk Turtles can stay underwater for 3 days. Heidi

That’s 72 hours! Lily

Algae grows on them. Emma and Elsa

In the past, people took them home as pets. Harriet

They grow super big. Misha

They can breathe out of their bottoms! Lizzie

Turtles always have to return to the water. Kelly

Punk turtles are endangered. Wild dogs and cats threaten punk turtles. Halle

Why does a turtle do on its birthday? It shell-a brates! Frankie

Aleesah was the best! Lizzie

Aleesah has written 65 books for children. She is passionate about wildlife, the environment and sharing her love of reading. Aleesah says she is lucky: lucky to write books, lucky to have her books published and lucky that children will read her books!

We think we were very lucky to have Aleesah visit us.

Carla in Year 4 summed up Aleesah’s visit stating, ‘Now we are probably all going to beg our parents to buy your books tonight!'

Mrs Meg Denman

On Wednesday 15 March, Year 4 went to Long Beach for a surf life saving session. When we got there, we split into two groups, one swimming and one on land. After we had finished with our first group, we swapped. The swimming group got to use surf life saving paddle boards and go paddling up to the red buoys. Then in partners, one of us would swim out to the red buoys and wave their hand and yell ‘help’! The other partner, with the paddle board, would go out to the red buoys and roll the board over and get the person's hand and flip them onto the board. Then, they would quickly paddle onto the sand as fast as they could. It was amazing. The group that was on land first played flags. It was really fun. When the game finally finished, we went into the water and rinsed off.

Then Mr Hodgman hid a red milk carton lid in the sand. The first group apparently found it but the second group, which was my group, sadly didn't find it!

After all the groups finished, we had a little bit of free play.

Madeline Cocker

The Years 9/10 Sports Science class are taking the Kinder and Prep students in a gross motor skill program run over four sessions. At the beginning of the sessions, the students gather and play a game with the parachute. This is the most exciting part for the younger students and there is a great deal of laughter and squeals during this time. There are six stations that the children participate in:

Balancing, climbing and crawling
Hopping and jumping
Throwing and catching
Running, leaping and galloping
Kicking and hitting
Skipping

Each week the Sports Science students take a different group and make a lesson plan for that station. During the sessions, the Kinder and Prep students rotate between the stations which helps them develop essential gross motor skills. So far, we had two sessions and there is already an improvement shown in the student's skills. The younger students are gaining trust and friendship with the Years 9/10 students. The Years 9/10 students have thoroughly enjoyed working with the younger students, and helping them gain confidence with gross motor skills has been very rewarding.

With two more sessions to go, all the students are excited to further develop their skills.

Betsy Ryan and Georgina Parnham

Fahan’s Big Sister, Little Sister program came alive yesterday with the whole School participating in an Easter-themed activity. The program, which groups girls from Kinder to Year 12 in families within their School House groups, builds positive relationships amongst students, providing the younger girls with a strong and visible support network throughout the School. Big Sister, Little Sister families are named by character strengths such as Bravery, Fairness and Honesty.

After assembling in the gym, each family followed the ‘bunny’ footsteps, trailing down to the oval where they enjoyed a special guest appearance from the Easter Bunny!

JSSATIS Swimming

The JSSATIS Swimming Carnival will be conducted this coming Monday 27 March. The team has been finalised and the girls have received a copy of the program with their events.

When: Monday 27 March
Where: Hobart Aquatic Centre
Time: 10:00am to 2:00pm

Junior Hockey

Please find details regarding the Junior Hockey season for 2022. These rosters are administered by Hockey Tasmania.

Cornelian Bay – Saturday Mornings
Term 2 – 8 week roster (6 May – 1 July)

Rostered games will commence at 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am and 12:00pm. Trainings will be conducted at Fahan during school lunchtimes. Students will need a hockey stick, shin pads and mouthguard. The mouthguard and shin pads are compulsory for training and match days.

This roster is comprised of 3 levels of competition:

Years 1 & 2 – Quarter Field Hockey (5 a-side)
Years 3 & 4 – Half Field Hockey (7 a-side)
Years 5 & 6 – Full Field Hockey (11 a-side)

It would be much appreciated if you are able to volunteer as a manager, umpire or coach for a team. If you haven't previously done so, please complete the Fahan School Volunteer Application Form through the Edsmart notice issued earlier in the week.

Junior Netball

The JSSATIS Netball season will commence in Term 2, with games beginning Wednesday 10 May (Years 3 and 4) and Thursday 11 May (Years 5 and 6). Games will be played in school gymnasiums where possible, starting at 4:00pm. The roster will run until the end of Term 2 and trainings will be conducted during lunchtimes.

It would be much appreciated if you are able to volunteer as a manager, umpire or coach for a team. If you haven't previously done so, please complete the Fahan School Volunteer Application Form through the Edsmart notice issued earlier in the week.

Mr Tim Dale
Junior Sport Coordinator
dalet@fahan.tas.edu.au

Spirit - Senior School Sport

Rowing

The Head of the River Regatta was held last weekend on Saturday 18 March. Fahan had fantastic results in all age groups and every competitor should be immensely proud of their efforts on the day and also throughout the season. Congratulations!

All results are on the Rowing Tasmania website here.

Congratulations must also go to Evie Banks-Smith and Lilly Evans-Gregg who were awarded The Spirit of Fahan Rowing Shield. This is awarded to Evie and Lilly for their ongoing commitment and dedication to the Fahan School Rowing Club. Well done Evie and Lilly.

It is important to recognise that the Open rowers for 2023 have been an excellent example of a Fahan “team”. They have supported each other, pushed each other, had fun, laughed, cried, hurt, achieved goals and shown excellent sportsmanship. They are a credit to the School and their coaches Chris Parnham and Sam Manson.

The SSATIS Athletics Carnival is being held at the Domain Athletics Centre today. Best wishes go to all the athletes representing Fahan. We look forward to sharing the results and know that all team members are fit and strong and ready to compete and will give their best effort. GO FAHAN!

House Athletics Trophy Winners 2023

Field

Track

Junior

Under 13

Winner – Jemima Geappen (51)

Runner up – Lucy Stoneman (44)

Winner – Emily Hughes (44)

Runner up – Jemima Geappen (36)

Intermediate

Under 14 & 15

Winner – Chloe Groom (52)

Runner up – Zara Bury (47)

Winner – Ivy Dickson (46)

Runner up – Grace Buchanan (38)

Senior

Under 16 & open

Winner – Penny Geappen (43)

Runner up – Isabel Willcox (34)

Winner – Prue Clarke (50)

Runner up – Charlotte Crawford (42)

Overall Fahan Inter House Track and Field Champion 2023 -

Runner up – Penny Geappen (81)

Winner – Jemima Geappen (87)

Interhouse Athletics Trophy for 2023

3^rd place – Freycinet 948

2^nd place – Fenton 970

1^st place – Franklin 1217

Term 2 Sport Sign Ups

All students have now received the Edsmart notice for Term 2 sport sign ups. Please complete the slip and submit by the specified date. It is important to do this so that teams can be entered accurately.

The commitment to training and games has been excellent this term. Well done and keep up the great work!

Swimming

Congratulations to Ava Mignanelli who competed in the Tasmanian State Swimming Championships over the long weekend.

Ava was 1st in the 12-13 year old girls 100 free, 200 free, 400 free, 200IM and 100 butterfly, and the 15 year old girls and under 800 freestyle.

She also came 1st in the 13 year old girls 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly at the State Sprint meet at the beginning of February.

Ava has now qualified for Age Nationals which will be held at the Gold Coast over Easter. She will represent Tasmania in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m freestyle and 50m butterfly. It will be a big week for Ava and we wish her all the very best for what will be a big event for her!

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

Community - 2023 P&F Association

Dear Fahan Community,

On the evening of Tuesday 21 March 2023, the Parents & Friends' Association held its 2023 Annual General Meeting. The meeting included a report from Vice President, Derek Turnbull, which outlined the various activities that the committee had organised over the preceding year. Highlights included the inaugural Fahan Twilight Fair and Sunset at the Barn with both events being extremely well attended by the Fahan Community.

The audited financial statements of the Association were tabled and accepted. It was noted that the Association had contributed over $50,000 to the School for various items during 2022. This was a record amount and a testament to the healthy and vibrant Fahan Community who are committed to support the School in any way possible.

The AGM also presented the opportunity to reflect on, and thank, the work of the committee past and present, the local businesses that continue to support Fahan, and the many volunteers that so willing gave of their time over the past year.

Finally, elections were held for all office holders and committee members, and I have pleasure in advising that your committee for 2023 is as follows:

President – Michael O’Connor
Vice President – Fiona Pringle-Jones
Treasurer – Marcus Pringle-Jones
Secretary – Shirl Badenach

General Committee

Emma Doherty
John Padas
Derek Turnbull
Nicole Frith
Bruce Wallis
Clare Coyne
Belinda Fish
Caroline Cox
Sarah Henty
Emily Dorney

It is encouraging to see several new faces on the committee who I am sure will make a meaningful impact. The committee looks forward to making a positive contribution in 2023 and continuing the great work done by prior committees in fostering a positive Fahan Community.

Two upcoming events to keep in mind are the Mother’s Day Stall on 10 May and the Parents and Friends Dinner on Saturday 26 August. The Parent and Friends' Dinner will be our biggest fundraising event for 2023 and we will be counting on everyone’s support so please save the date – we promise to make it a fantastic evening!

Michael O’Connor
President

Community - Relay for Life

Last weekend, an assortment of Fahan Years 11 & 12 students and teachers participated in the Relay for Life at the Domain Athletics track.

We arrived early on Saturday to set up the Fahan marquees, ready to spend a long day and night walking or running on the track, or keeping warm in the tent. Because it was a relay, there needed to be a Fahan team member on the track at all times, carrying our lovingly made ‘baton’ – a funky decorated purple cowboy hat. The students were incredibly dedicated in keeping the baton moving at all times, and completed a huge number of laps over the 20-hour relay. The team spirit throughout the relay was so lovely and warm, everyone’s participation was so appreciated!

We raised a huge $6160, well beyond our original $3,500 goal! We came 8th out of 89 Relay for Life teams in terms of the total amount of money raised! Thank you to the multitude of friends and family who sponsored our team members and donated to a great cause. The biggest contributor to the total was the Fahan Community, who spent big ($1,275) to purchase Valhalla choc-tops and Relay for Life ribbons made by the Community Committee – big thanks to everyone who purchased! Our other top fundraisers were: Aria Ritz ($721) Jessica Sypkes ($691), Zhara Pape ($369), Jazmin Kempnich ($339), Molly Bradfield ($299) and Emily Hanna ($273).

We would like to acknowledge and say a massive thank you Valhalla Ice Cream for their generous help with our ice cream stall; we couldn’t have raised this much money for such an important cause without your generous contribution!

Aria Ritz
Year 12 Community Chair

A huge congratulations and thank you to Aria Ritz and her Community team for organising Fahan’s Relay for Life team and fundraiser, and a big thank you to all the students and staff who walked their hearts out in the name of cancer research and support in Tasmania.

It was a tough ask to keep the baton moving especially in the middle of the night – several students did not even attempt to sleep! Another big thank you to Emily Bushby, Charlee Hunt, Coco Butler and Jazmin Kempnich for staying to help pack up in the damp conditions.

It was really pleasing to see our Fahan students really connecting with the other members of the community, for example volunteering to help others carrying heavy items, or offering to take a photo of a group. We are so proud of their contribution and kindness.

Ms Felicity Jacobs and Ms Cheree Harcourt

Please click on the link below to view the Lady Gowrie Vacation Care Program for the upcoming school holidays.

LG_Vacation_Care_Fahan_Autumn_2023.pdf

Community - Join the Fahan Hobart Marathon Team!

Join the School team!

DISTANCES – 2km, 5km run or walk, 10km, 21.1km, 42.2km

TEAM NAME – FAHAN SCHOOL

15% OFF DISCOUNT CODE - RSTHMF23

WHEN/WHERE – Sunday 2 April PW1 (Hobart waterfront)

Students, staff and the wider School Community can join and use the code!

REGISTER - https://hobartmarathon.com.au/

Community - Academic and Principal's Scholarships

Fahan School is pleased to provide Academic and Principal’s Scholarships for entry into Years 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 in 2024, with Year 7 available to enrolled Fahan students only.

Fahan School’s Scholarships are designed to recognise high achievers and provide opportunities to girls and young women who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend the School. We seek students who are academically well-rounded and who embody the School values of Learning, Spirit and Community.

All Scholarship applicants are required to sit the Edutest scholarship examination at 9:00am on Saturday 6 May 2023. Scholarship Applications close on Friday 28 April 2023.

Further information is available on our website here.

Community - ABSTUDY Payments

ABSTUDY is a group of payments to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians with the costs of study. It's not too late to claim ABSTUDY for 2023. Click here for more information.

Community - Windsor Psychology Webinar - Teenagers and Healthy Relationships

Windsor Psychology is conducting a webinar on Tuesday 28 March at 7:30pm on Teenagers and Healthy Relationships – Surviving and Thriving Online & IRL.

Further details are available here.

Community - Easter Egg Hunt

Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Easter Egg Hunt

Community - Student Absence

Notification of student absence as a result of illness should be emailed to absence@fahan.tas.edu.au, advised by telephone on 6225 1064 or submitted through the Fahan App.

You are reminded that if foreseen absences are unavoidable, such as holidays during term time, a Request for Absence form should be completed and returned to the School.

Community Notices

Fahan School uniform items can be ordered through the Flexischools website or App (Apple of Google). If a uniform fitting is required, please email Mrs Birgitta Browning at uniformshop@fahan.tas.edu.au

Canteen online orders are taken before school through the Flexischools website or App. A variety of foods are offered and healthy, nutritional choices are encouraged. Parents can also load money onto a student's ID card through the Flexischools App so that students from Year 3 may use their student card to purchase items from the canteen.

Flexischools Website

Fahan School Bus Service

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

A Fortnight at Fahan - Term 1, 24 March 2023