Students have settled well into their routines and classroom expectations. They have been highly engaged in their learning, particularly our Kindergarten and Year 1 students, who are enjoying their Daily Maths Reviews and Literacy Groups. These sessions provide opportunities for students to work independently and in small groups.

Assembly

Our Year 12 Captains delivered a fabulous presentation at Primary Assembly on Friday, raising awareness about communities around the world who do not have access to clean water. They engaged the students through a lively “water race,” where two girls ran to fill buckets and return to the Yarra Hall. This activity had the Primary girls captivated. Their message tied beautifully into our Lenten focus, and we continue to encourage students to give generously to support their Caritas “friend.”

Monitors

Our newly appointed monitors have embraced their responsibilities with enthusiasm. They are already assisting in many practical ways across the Primary School and demonstrating reliability and initiative. The House Captains delivered thoughtful speeches at assembly, setting a positive tone for the term ahead.

Cross Country

There was a great atmosphere at our Cross Country on Tuesday. We were very lucky that the rain held off and the students took to the challenge with great enthusiasm. There were many examples of virtue on display from occasions where students fell down and got straight back up again, to others pushing through discomfort to finish the race and of course there were many examples of school spirit with girls cheering each other on. A big thank you to Mrs Gilbert and all our sports teachers.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN has been taking place this week, and our students have shown calmness and resilience. Wednesday’s unexpected challenge, when the first test froze nationwide, became an opportunity to practise patience and trust. Our students handled the situation beautifully.

At Tangara, we are always looking for ways to strengthen teaching and learning so that every student can thrive. This year we have begun an exciting two-year professional learning partnership with Independent Schools NSW focused on High Impact Teaching (HITS).

High Impact Teaching draws on research into how the brain learns best and focuses on a small number of teaching practices that have been shown to make the greatest difference to student learning. These practices help teachers ensure that students are actively engaged, thinking deeply about what they are learning, and receiving clear feedback that helps them improve.

The initiative focuses on five key teaching strategies:
• Engagement routines
• Checking for understanding
• Retrieval practice
• Explicit teaching
• Gradual release of responsibility

By embedding these strategies consistently across classrooms, students benefit from lessons that are highly engaging, structured and purposeful that support every student to think, participate and learn successfully.

All staff will participate in professional learning sessions, trial strategies in their classrooms, and reflect on their impact on student learning. This collaborative approach ensures that effective teaching practices are embedded consistently across the school so that every student benefits.

We are pleased to introduce the core team helping to lead this initiative:

Team Lead
Danielle Lazaris

Instructional Coaches
Joel Richardson
Anna Jean Byrne

We look forward to sharing updates with our community as this initiative progresses. Our goal is simple: to continue strengthening teaching so that every Tangara student experiences engaging lessons, develops strong thinking skills, and achieves her full potential.

On Thursday, 26 February, the Year 10 Drama class took part in an exciting two‑hour incursion with Swoop Physical Theatre. Students were immersed in dynamic workshops that introduced them to the foundations of physical theatre and a range of circus techniques, encouraging teamwork, creativity and confident physical expression. The incursion offered students a fantastic opportunity to extend their performance skills in a fun and highly engaging environment. We’re proud of the enthusiasm and commitment they brought to the experience!

On Monday 2nd March, the following students represented Tangara at the Hills Zone Swimming Carnival:

Catherine Kim
Jane Kim
Maria Kim
Lydia Kim
Eva Eckersley
Claire Kim
Yustina Kwak
Mary Kazzi
Thea Zhang
Taixi Zhang
Lucia Assaf
Anya Dudson
Amelia Ting
Amelie Assaf
Taylor Jane Haifa
Olivia Siau
Joy Mazidi
Sophia Harb
Evelyn Grzech
Talitha Kwak
Emily Kwon

Our Primary students were up first and gave it their all, achieving some outstanding results. Maria Kim was the 8–10 Girls Age Champion Runner-Up, with Lydia Kim close behind in third place. Catherine Kim also finished third overall in the U12 Girls.

Congratulations to the following Primary students who have progressed to CIS: Catherine Kim, Maria Kim, Lydia Kim, Eva Eckersley, Claire Kim, Yustina Kwak and Thea Zhang. We wish them the best of luck!

Tangara achieved exceptional results at the Secondary carnival and was proudly ranked the third best-performing school overall.

I would especially like to acknowledge our relay swimmers – Evelyn Grzech, Joy Mazidi, Sophia Harb, Talitha Kwak and Emily Kwon who were not competing in individual events but made the commitment to travel to the Aquatic Centre to represent Tangara in the team relays. Their willingness to step up and contribute to our overall school placing truly reflects the spirit of teamwork and courage.

A special congratulations to Olivia Siau, who was the 18 Years Girls Age Champion, and Amelie Assaf, who was the 17 Years Girls Runner-Up Age Champion. Taixi Zhang and Anya Dudson also placed third overall in their respective age groups.

We wish the following students the best of luck at the upcoming AICES carnival: Taixi Zhang, Lucia Assaf, Anya Dudson, Amelie Assaf and Olivia Siau.

My name is Grace Ferris, and I am proud to be Tangara’s Public Speaking Captain for 2026. My interest in public speaking began when I first started at Tangara, helping out as a timekeeper and chairperson at debating nights. The next year, I decided to join the team myself. Although it was initially outside my comfort zone, I came to really enjoy it. It really helped me to become more confident and build my problem solving skills. This year, my goal is to encourage other students to step out of their comfort zones whether that means trying public speaking for the first time or simply coming along to cheer on their friends.

So far we have already seen public speaking events such as the Festival of Speech at the end of last year, the formation of our Mock Trial team and the ISDA debating competition. It has been a very interesting season for ISDA debating with many challenging debates but we have seen some great successes. We are so proud of all the girls for getting involved and giving their best in these activities.

Public speaking is about more than just winning debates. It is about growing as a person and building skills for the future. Our goal is to help every Tangara student find her voice, speak with courage, and stand up for what she believes in. As the Public Speaking Captain, I will strive to support each and every one of these Tangara girls to learn to be confident in her opinions,  values, and express themselves with sophistication as young women. I look forward to the many other great things we will achieve this year!