RUST & NAVY

Rust & Navy 2025 Term 1 Week 2

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In This Issue

From the Junior School

From the Head of Junior School
GIVE Grow In Virtue Every day

Creative and Performing Arts

New Music Staff!
3-6 Primary Ensemble Program
Music Tuition
Piano Showcase Results!

General Notices

School Travel Passes for 2025
Year 7 & Year 9 School Vaccinations

Co-Curricular Activities

Timetable for After-School Public Speaking and Debating Programs for Term 1 2025

From the Principal

Mrs Rita Sakr, Tangara Principal

I hope everyone enjoyed a restful break. It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces since returning, with our students eager to begin another exciting year at Tangara. The energy and enthusiasm across the school are truly uplifting, and our mentors are already working with students to set meaningful goals for the year ahead.

A special welcome to our new families - it was great to meet so many of you at our Cocktail and Canapés Event. We are also delighted to welcome new staff members to our Tangara community, including Mrs Kate Gillies (PDHPE), Ms Lee Liao (Science and Maths), Mrs Tamara El Rahi (Mentor), Mrs Annie Acevedo (Mentor), and Ms Sarah Marsden (Teacher’s Aide). Let’s all make a special effort to ensure everyone feels a part of the Tangara family.

For a relatively young school (we just celebrated our 43rd birthday), we are incredibly proud of what we have built together. Tangara is the result of the dedication, vision, and sacrifices of those before us - principals, teachers, parents, and students - who have shaped the vibrant, faith-filled, and academically excellent school we are today. Now, we are part of this story, and I look forward to working alongside you as we continue to build upon this legacy.

As we begin this new school year, it is also fitting to reflect on the Jubilee Year, which Pope Francis has dedicated to the virtue of hope. At Tangara, hope is at the heart of our mission. We nurture it in our students, encouraging them to persevere, dream big, and trust in God's plan. As a community, we share the hope that 2025 will be a year of growth and progress, filled with service, friendship, and joy.

Looking ahead, our Key Parent Function (KPF) is scheduled for Thursday 20 February. This is an excellent opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and gain insight into our strategic priorities for 2025. I encourage you to join us as we embark on another inspiring year together.

TERM 1 KPF SCHEDULE

TIME	FORMAT
7.30pm	Principal's Plenary - Yarra Hall
8.00pm - 8.45pm	Class Teacher's Presentation - Academic and Pastoral Procedures for 2025 - Classrooms
8.45pm	Supper in Yarra Hall

From the Chaplain

"Today is Saint Valentine's day. A day in which we give rose flowers to our loved ones, as a symbol of our love. We would like that what we experience today for that person lasts forever. And then, maybe a dark cloud of disbelief could darken the horizon: is it possible to love and be loved forever?

Pope Francis, addressing young fiancées, reflects on this question:

"It’s important to ask yourselves if it’s possible to love one another “forever.” This is a question that must be asked: is it possible to love each other “forever”? Today so many people are afraid of making definitive choices. A boy said to his Bishop: “I want to become a priest, but only for ten years.” He was afraid of a definitive choice. But it is a general fear, proper of our culture. To make choices for life seems impossible. Today everything changes rapidly; nothing lasts long … And this mentality leads so many who are preparing for marriage to say: “we are together while love lasts,” and then? Greetings and good-bye … And so marriage ends.

But what do we understand by “love”? Is it only a feeling, a psycho-physical state? Of course if it’s this, one cannot build on something solid. But if, instead, love is a relationship, then it’s a reality that grows, and we can also say, by way of example, that it is built as a house. And the house is built together, not by one alone! Here to build means to foster and help growth. Dear fiancés, you are preparing yourselves to grow together, to build this house, to live together forever. You don’t want to build it on the sand of sentiments that come and go, but on the rock of true love, the love that comes from God. The family is born from this project of love that wishes to grow, as a house is built that is a place of affection, of help, of hope, of support. As the love of God is stable and forever, so we also want the love that founds the family to be stable and forever. Please, we must not let ourselves be conquered by the “culture of the provisional”! This culture that invades everyone today, this culture of the provisional, is not the way!

So, how is this fear of “forever” cured? It’s cured day by day by entrusting oneself to the Lord Jesus in a life that becomes a daily spiritual journey, made up of steps – small steps, steps of joint growth – made up of the commitment to become mature women and men in the faith."

For this 2025 and always, let us all make the resolution to entrust ourselves to our Lord Jesus: He is the one who loves us forever, only if we have faith and let Him do it. Regardless of our sins, failures and weaknesses, let us hope in the love of our Lord Jesus for us.

Fr Paul Muller
Chaplain

From the Infants School

Mrs Sharon McAuliffe, Head of Infants

The first day and week for our Kindergarten, Prep and Year 1 students has been filled with excitement, new experiences, and plenty of smiles! While there were a few nerves and just a handful of tears, the overwhelming feeling was one of joy and enthusiasm. Throughout the week, students embraced many “firsts”; their first day of school, first sport and music lesson, and even the important skill of lining up in two straight lines. They also enjoyed meeting new friends and learning how to play happily together.

On behalf of all the Infants staff, we are excited to work with you this year to create a wonderful school experience for your children. We look forward to meeting you at our KPF on Thursday 20 Feb.

From the Junior School

From the Head of Junior School

Mrs Mia Dineen, Head of Junior School

A warm welcome to Term 1! The school has been buzzing with happy chatter and excitement.

CARE

In 2025, our Primary School's theme is CARE. During our recent assembly, the students brainstormed numerous ways to embrace this theme and make a positive difference. Their suggestions spanned across various areas and included the following:

Care for Our Friends: Supporting and looking after one another.

Care for Our Belongings: Labelling our possessions and taking good care of them.

Care for Our Teachers: Showing appreciation and respect to all staff members by following school rules.

Care for Our School Buildings: Ensuring our classrooms remain tidy.

Care for Our Environment: Disposing of rubbish in bins.

It was truly impressive to hear such wonderful ideas from students of all ages. Their enthusiasm and creativity were inspiring!

Teamwork

Each year in the GIVE program, we begin by examining the virtue of Teamwork. According to the VIA Institute on Character, Teamwork is recognised as a strength within the virtue category of Justice. This virtue highlights the importance of working together harmoniously, supporting one another, and achieving common goals. Teamwork fosters a sense of unity and collaboration.

We very much look forward to seeing you at the Key Parent Function on Thursday.

GIVE Grow In Virtue Every day

GROW IN VIRTUE EVERYDAY

The virtue we have been focussing on in the Junior School is Teamwork.

Teamwork is when a group of people link up to complete a task or achieve a common goal. Good teamwork means that the task will get done efficiently and usually requires humility, respect and flexibility. Group activities are often aided by leadership, but only when the participants respect the leader.

I am practicing teamwork when I:

· Get along with others and compromise

· Respect everyone’s opinions

· Offer support to others

· Use soft voices

· Participate actively

· Stay focused on the task

Where does Teamwork fit?

Hard Work

· Citizenship

· Leadership

· Community Spirit

· Teamwork

· Helpfulness

· Service

· Generosity

· Natural Curiosity

For older students:

😊What was the last team/group I was in? Thinking honestly, was I a good team player?

😊How do I determine if a group needs a leader, and who that leader should be?

😊How can I be a better team player in my classroom and at home?

From the Secondary School

Welcome to Term 1

Mrs Fleur Wilson, Head of Secondary School

A warm welcome to all of our Tangara Secondary families in 2025. A very special welcome goes to our Year 7's, new students, parents and staff members who have joined our school this year. It was wonderful to see the Secondary School buzzing again last Monday, as the girls returned from the holidays in high spirits with beaming smiles and embracing their friends, as they eagerly went from room to room to see where their new homerooms were located and which class they had been placed in!

We were able to celebrate the Class of 2024 during a Special Assembly last week. It was wonderful to hear from two of our students from last year's graduating class, Catherine L and Nadine I, as they reflected on their path to success during the HSC. Some practical tips they gave our Secondary girls included: be consistent with study throughout the year as the HSC is a marathon and not a sprint, have a balance between home and school life, complete practice questions regularly and ask your teachers for help anytime you are unsure of a new concept.

Again this year, we will be encouraging our girls to set high expectations in all aspects of school life for example, work ethic, behaviour, punctuality and presentation, just to name a few. We are also encouraging the girls to make the most of the opportunities available to them here at Tangara by increasing their participation in co-curricular activities, whether it may be in Sport, Community Service, Music, Public Speaking, Creative or Performing Arts.

Our annual Swimming Carnival this week was a great way to start the year, with a number of girls showing great participation in many events, as well as impressive House Spirit on display throughout the whole day. Well done to all girls and staff who made this day such a success!

Good Luck to our ISDA Debaters who have their first round of the competition tonight at Tangara. It is also wonderful to see so many of our Secondary students volunteering to assist with our home debates.

Some highlights for the next fortnight for Secondary will be:

ISDA Debating Rounds 2 and 3
Elevate Study Skills Seminars
Year 10-12 Police Presentation
Year 7-12 Sue Whiting Writing Workshop
Key Parent Function
Tangara's Term 1 Open Day

The Secondary Staff and I thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to an enjoyable and productive year at Tangara Secondary!

See below for some photos of our Secondary girls in action during the first fortnight!

Creative and Performing Arts

New Music Staff!

Mr Joel Richardson, Head of Music

I am pleased to welcome Mrs Lucy Roh to our classroom teaching staff! Mrs Roh has been a valued member of the Tangara community for many years, and we’re excited to have her join the Music team. She will be teaching across both Primary and Secondary and will continue to lead the Primary and Secondary Chapel Choirs.

I would also like to thank Mrs Tiana Tsipidis for her dedicated years of service and wish her all the very best in her new role at her new school.

3-6 Primary Ensemble Program

Students in Years 3-6 began their rehearsals yesterday as part of the Primary Ensemble program. They had the option to join the String Ensemble, Wind/Brass Ensemble, or Choir. Most instruments were distributed during the session, with the remaining ones expected to arrive soon. Thank you to parents for completing the registration process and for your patience with Engage.

Please email musicacademy@tangara.nsw.edu.au and we will assist you with any queries!

Music Tuition

Registration is now open!

One-on-one vocal and instrument lessons are available with our dedicated peripatetic staff. These personalised sessions not only accelerate progress, boost confidence, and adapt to your daughter's unique learning style but also foster her musical abilities and passion for music.

Lessons on offer currently include:

Voice
Flute
Clarinet
Saxophone
Trumpet (New in 2025!)
Trombone (New in 2025!)
Violin
Cello
Acoustic or Electric Guitar
Drums or Mallet Percussion
Musicianship

Please note, if your daughter is in Year 3-6 in 2025, small group tuition is included in the program. Should you wish to have additional one-on-one lessons, there will be a separate cost associated with this.

Please email musicacademy@tangara.nsw.edu.au if you have any questions.

Piano Showcase Results!

We are excited to share the results of the 2025 Tangara Piano Showcase! After a competitive round of video submissions, our adjudicators have selected the following outstanding students as winners in their categories:

Stage 1 (Years 1–2): Claire Kim
Stage 2 (Years 3–4): Maria Kim
Stage 3 (Years 5–6): Olivia Liu
Stage 4 (Years 7–8): Eleanor Eid
Stage 5 (Years 9–10): Sophie Setoh
Stage 6 (Years 11–12): Joann Min

Congratulations to all participants for their dedication and talent!

We look forward to seeing the finalists perform at the upcoming lunchtime concert in Week 4.

From the Library

Welcome Back!

A big welcome back to all our Tangara families, and a special welcome to all our new students and their families!

We hope you have a wonderful year, and all our students take the opportunity to explore the wonderful resources we have here in the Tangara Library. Mrs Ellis, Mrs Beard and Miss Elias are looking forward to supporting your children’s learning and literacy needs and fostering their love of reading throughout the year. The following is some useful information about how the Library operates.

Secondary Library

The Library opens at 8am to 4pm each day, and is open for Years 7-10 from 1pm at lunchtime and after school.

We are open all day for Yrs 11 and 12, except recess and during Mass/Reading (12.15-1pm).

Students should all have their Student ID card which they need to borrow, and to print or photocopy.

Primary Library

All Primary and Infants students are required to have a Tangara or Redfield Library bag for borrowing, and a set of headphones for Library lessons. Primary and Infants students have the opportunity to borrow once a week during Library lessons, and Yrs 2-6 can also borrow once a week at lunchtime on a rostered basis as follows:

Monday - Yr 6

Tuesday - Yr 4

Wednesday - Yr 3

Thursday - Yr 2

Friday - Yr 5

Captains' Corner

2025 School Captain, Isabelle Pillai

Issy: We're all in this together - spirit - swimming carnival

Lucy and I were sure impressed with the strength, unity and spirit shown at the Swimming Carnival. In particular, our House Captains, Sara Issa-Boemi, Michelle Kim, Maryssa Georges and Lilliana Stillione, who showed immense dedication and effort in not only decorating their houses with balloons, streamers and banners but setting a prime example of what house spirit looks like to the younger girls. The ongoing cheering, support and participation was a great start to the school year in which the Class of 2025’s motto, ‘We’re all in this together’, was present in uplifting each girl at Tangara.

This motto embodies what we strive to achieve as we believe in its power to strengthen the bonds within our close-knit community as well as create a positive environment where each girl can reach the fullness of virtue. It's important for students to know and be shown support from their peers in order for them to develop confidence within themselves as an individual. At Tangara, I admire the kindness and encouraging attitudes the students show each other. It’s what I truly believe sets us apart from other schools. We are lucky that as a community we personally know and value each other for our uniqueness.

In 2025, let us encourage one another to embrace a unified positive attitude, to lift eachother up, to celebrate every achievement, and most importantly support each other when challenges are presented.

Isabelle Pillai
School Captain

2025 School Vice Captain, Lucy Denahy

Adopting Positive Mindsets Going Forward.

As we’ve transitioned into a new school year, now is the perfect time to start reflecting on our mindset and how it shapes our experiences for the rest of the year.

In our last assembly, Issy and I reflected upon the power of adopting positive attitudes not only now, during the beginning of the year but throughout, as optimism can transform challenges into opportunities and setbacks into meaningful lessons - This all achieved through our own reflection, support from one another, and guidance from God.

With a new year, fresh possibilities are right at our disposal, however these can quickly advance into uncertainties that bring upon pressure and stress. If we begin to make small changes in our thinking such as, ‘pressure is a sign you have been presented with many opportunities’ we are able to see the good that comes from challenging situations.

The Tangara community is undeniably close knit, meaning we have the choice to positively affect not only our own thinking, but the mindset of others too.

Rather than complaining about school, work or the fast-paced nature of life, try to outwardly address the ‘blessings’ in each of these bumps in the road. When we do this, our surrounding community are more likely to adopt the same optimistic outlook on life without even realising it - So this year, I challenge you to shift your focus from what you don’t have to what you do and to continue to be a light in others lives, as a servant of our Lord.

I look forward to working within the Tangara community in the year ahead.

Lucy Denahy
Vice Captain

Admin Notices

Student Concession Cards

While students under 16 years of age are eligible for half fare as a "child", once aged 16, students are required to obtain a concession card in order to continue to access concession fares. The NSW Senior Secondary Student Concession Card enables students to access concession fares at all times. Students must be Australian citizens, permanent residents or in receipt of a DET approved international scholarship or exchange place, and be currently residing in NSW.

If your child is aged 16 and above and would like a Senior Secondary Student Concession Card, please ask them to contact Ms Mimi Tam by email, mimi.tam@tangara.nsw.edu.au.

When your child's Concession card is available to collect, Ms Tam will notify the student via their school email address asking them to collect it from her office.

General Notices

School Travel Passes for 2025

Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel.

Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2025.

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to applyor updatetheir details as soon as possible.

In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operatorto discuss their travel needs.

Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Terms of Use

Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.

This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.

All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.

Further information can be found attransportnsw.info/school-travel
Enquiries can be submitted attransportnsw.info/passes-concessions-feedback

Year 7 & Year 9 School Vaccinations

Co-Curricular Activities

Timetable for After-School Public Speaking and Debating Programs for Term 1 2025

1. Mondays, 3.15 pm - 4.45 pm - Public Speaking and Debating for Yrs 3 - 5, 8 weeks, starting 10th February

2. Wednesday, 3.15pm - 4.45 pm - Public Speaking for Yrs 3 - 4 (NO SPACES LEFT)

3. Wednesday, 4.15 pm - 5.15 pm - Debating for Yrs 3 - 4 (NO SPACES LEFT)

4. Wednesday, 3.15 pm - 4.45 pm - Public Speaking and Debating for Yrs 5 - 6 (NO SPACES LEFT)

Focus for Term 1 Public Speaking for Yrs 3 - 5

Term 1 will lay an in depth emphasis on Persuasive Presentations. The students will be looking at a range of techniques such as using chain words and high modality language to express persuasiveness. We will explore the use of these techniques within different settings such as campaigning for leadership positions.

Focus for Term 1 Public Speaking for Yrs 5 - 7

Public speaking for Term 1 will delve into lmpromptu Speeches. Learning to think on your feet (using personal interests and life experiences as inspiration), not to mention speaking with confidence under pressure, is an invaluable skill that benefits students in school, work and their social lives.

Focus for Term 1 Debating

Term 1 will look at learning to develop Comparative Cases as a team to best persuade the adjudicator. Students will take a deep dive into the world of undefined terms (also called 'fuzzy phrases'), certiera and comparisons and how they can use these tools to link their points with what they need to prove as a team to win 'value' type debating topics.

All programs need a minimum of 8 students to run. For EOI please use the following form. Seats will be offered on a first-come-first-serve basis.

https://forms.gle/xwo3m7roLr6sJKYPA

For further details, please get in touch with Marianne Parackal, Cornerstone Creative Academy on 0411 678 854 or email at cornerstoneacademysydney@gmail.com. All programs are run in collaboration with Speaking Schools Australasia.

Announcements

Engage Quick Links

Click here to access Engage

Click on the links below to complete the relevant forms in Engage:
● To update your contact details
● Submit an Absentee Form
● Submit an Extended Leave Form(for holidays, weddings, etc.)
● Submit an Exemption From School Form (for external activities, medical appointments, funerals etc.)
● Submit a Report a Positive COVID Test Result

For more information on using the Engage Parent Portal please go to our Parent Portal Resource Site

Parent Handbook

Click here to access helpful contact details, procedures and school policies for parents during your child's education at Tangara

Topics include:
● Student Attendance and Travel
● School Uniform Guides
● Carline Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures
● Academic and Co-Curricular Programs

2025 Term Dates

● Term 1: Monday 3 February - Friday 11 April
● Term 2: Tuesday 29 April - Friday 27 June
● Term 3: Wednesday 23 July - Friday 26 September
● Term 4: Tuesday 14 October - Wednesday 10 December

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