It is a great privilege to write to you as the new Head of Secondary. I am very much looking forward to working in partnership with you to support the growth, wellbeing and academic development of your daughters. Our aim is to ensure that each girl is known, challenged and supported as she strives for personal excellence. The start to the term has been both purposeful and uplifting, and it has been a joy to see the girls so engaged in their learning and co-curricular opportunities.
From the Principal
It has been wonderful to welcome our staff and students back for Term 2. I hope you and your families enjoyed a restful break together - we were definitely blessed with beautiful weather! Our students have returned with energy and enthusiasm, engaging once again in the rich learning, formational and co‑curricular programs that are central to life at Tangara. There is much to look forward to this term, and I hope you can join us at the many events planned.
ANZAC Day Ceremony
On ANZAC Day, we paused as a school community to honour the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, our country in times of war, conflict and peacekeeping. ANZAC Day reminds us that courage, sacrifice, mateship and resilience are not simply values of the past, but a living call for today.
We were privileged to hear from Mr Christopher Kirk, a former British Army soldier who served alongside Australian forces in Iraq. His reflections brought depth and meaning to our commemoration. At Tangara, the ANZAC spirit is reflected in our values of faith, service, respect, integrity and excellence - values that guide our daily choices and call us to respond to the world with courage, compassion and a commitment to peace.
Raising Girls (and Boys) Who Will Make Their Mark on the World
This is a bold ambition, and one that sits at the heart of our mission. At Tangara, we believe academic excellence and personal formation go hand in hand. Through learning, sport, music, leadership, service and co‑curricular life, our girls are shaped not only in skill, but in character — cultivating confidence with humility, authenticity with integrity, kindness with commitment, and resilience for life.
At next week’s KPF evening, Dr Andrew Mullins will share practical, everyday ways families can nurture this growth at home. The evening will offer insight and encouragement for all involved in the formation of young people. I invite you to join us next Friday 8 May at 7.30pm in Yarra Hall for this enriching KPF: “ Raising Girls Who Will Make Their Mark on the World”.
Honouring Mary, the Mother of God, and Our Tangara Mothers
May is a special month in the life of the Church as we honour Mary, our Mother - a model of faith, generosity and quiet strength. Throughout the month, students across the school will take part in Marian pilgrimages, offering time for prayer and reflection as they grow in their understanding of Mary’s example of trust in God and loving service.
As we also celebrate Mother’s Day next week, we extend our gratitude to all our Tangara mums for the love, care and sacrifices that shape our children each day. We look forward to celebrating together at our Mother’s Day Mass and High Tea next Thursday 7 May . Please refer to the details emailed earlier this week and remember to RSVP by today.
Looking Ahead - Step into Secondary
Is your child in Year 3, 4, 5 or 6? Would you like to find out more about what we offer in Secondary School? I invite you to join me and members of our School Executive on Monday 11 May, 8.45 - 10.00am in McArthur , to learn more about Tangara’s Secondary School program and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. A flyer with a link to RSVP will be shared with you shortly.
Looking forward to catching up at next week’s Mother’s Day celebration and our KPF.
Mrs Rita Sakr, Principal
From the Chaplain
From the Infants School
Welcome Back to Term 2
Welcome Back to Term 2
The children arrived at school happily, full of smiles and eager to share their holiday stories. They spoke about time spent both at home and away, enjoying family time, especially over the Easter weekend. Now, back at school and ready for the cooler months, the children look beautiful and well presented, showing great pride in their school. Term 2 is a busy term, as it is a time when the foundations of learning are being consolidated and new learning is taking place. After a holiday, it is important for the children to settle back into their routines, which includes healthy eating at school and early bedtimes so they are refreshed and ready to take on new learning and challenges.
Mrs Sharon McAuliffe, Head of Infants
Easter Performance
Easter Performance
Our Easter Performance held at the end of last term was a beautiful reminder of the true message of Easter. It was wonderful to watch the children present the key events of Holy Week with such reverence and confidence. A special thank you to Mrs Goldsworthy, who prepared the children so beautifully.
ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day
This term began with our ANZAC Day ceremony. The children commemorated ANZAC Day with a thoughtful service led by the High School girls, who explained the significance of the ceremony, the laying of the wreath, the lowering of the flag, and the Reveille.
From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
Welcome Back
There was a very happy buzz in the air when the students returned. It was lovely to hear about the many adventures families enjoyed over the Easter break. All students arrived looking smart and confident in their winter uniform.
ANZAC Ceremony
Throughout Week 1, the students learned about the significance and meaning of ANZAC day. We had a chance to stop and reflect on the generosity and sacrifice of so many people in fighting for our freedom.
Outdoor Learning
We have been making the most of the lovely weather by taking our learning outside. It has been great to see the students collaborating and engaging so positively in these open air learning experiences.
May Pilgrimages
We begin our May Rosary Pilgrimages. This is a special time when each class honours Mary, the mother of Jesus, by praying the Rosary together. Please refer to the separate letter sent home for your child’s class pilgrimage day.
Art Display
There is a vibrant and varied showcase of artwork in the Namoi foyer at present. This reflects the high standard of work that is completed by our primary students. Well done girls.
Drama Club
The Year 5 Drama Club has been thriving this term under the guidance of our generous and talented Year 11 leaders. Each week, the older students run engaging activities that build confidence and creativity. We are grateful for their enthusiasm and the wonderful support they offer our younger performers.
Da Vinci Training
Our Da Vinci team has begun their training leading to the Da Vinci decathlon at Knox College. These students work through various challenges and problems and come up with workable solutions.
Public Speaking Opportunities
Please see the notice towards the end of the Rust and Navy with information regarding the Rising Voices Competitions. A great opportunity for the Primary students.
We look forward to welcoming our mothers for the Mass and morning tea next week.
Mrs Mia Dineen, Head of Junior School
Grow in Virtue Every day
Grow in Virtue Every day
The virtue we have been working on in the Junior School is Kindness.
Kindness means choosing to be caring, gentle and helpful in the way we treat others. It is about treating other people nicely, thinking about what is good for them and respecting their thoughts, ideas and wishes. Kindness doesn’t have to be big or fancy. Small, thoughtful actions can make a huge difference. When we are kind, we help create a happier, safer and more positive place for everyone. Think about how you would like to be treated, then treat others that way.
I am being kind when I
😊Give attention to someone who is sad or needs help
😊Share my things and take turns
😊Do things that give others happiness
😊Include others so no one feels left out
😊Accept people who are different
😊Show care when someone is sad or hurt
😊Help someone without being asked
😊Celebrate others’ successes
Behaviours that make kindness difficult:
🙁Speaking without thinking about someone’s feelings
🙁Leaving people out on purpose
🙁Letting a bad mood affect how I treat others
🙁Using unkind jokes or teasing
🙁Only thinking about what I want
🙁Not noticing when someone needs help
Why does kindness matter?
Kindness helps me to:
🌸Use polite words like “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me”
🌸Do small acts of kindness without expecting anything back
🌸Accept others who are different
🌸Help someone who is stuck or confused
🌸Check in on someone who looks sad or lonely
🌸Offer to share or take turns
🌸Show gratitude when others help you
🌸Invite someone to join in a game or activity
For Older Students
😊What is something kind I have experienced this week?
😊How do my words and actions affect the people around me?
😊Do I show kindness even when I’m tired, stressed or frustrated?
😊What small acts of kindness can I do each day?
😊How can kindness improve friendships, teamwork or leadership?
😊What does it mean to be kind to myself as well as others?
Prompt:
This week, I will practise kindness by …
GROW IN VIRTUE EVERYDAY
Year 2R
Year 2R
A lovely start to Term 2!
Year 2 Rust have had a busy yet fantastic start to Term 2, returning with enthusiasm and ready to learn.
In Maths, we have been enjoying hands-on activities as we explore 2D shapes. The girls have been using shapes to create different images and representations, showing their understanding in creative ways, such as designing their ideal cubby house. We also had lots of fun working together on a 2D shape hunt around the classroom.
In Science, we’ve begun our new unit on the material world. We started by investigating natural and man-made materials, heading out on a walk around the school to observe and record what we could see. Back in the classroom, we shared our findings and had a thoughtful discussion about the different materials around us.
2 Rust students have embraced their learning after the holidays and are looking forward to many exciting events coming up later this term!
Miss Jessica Reynolds
Year 2 Rust Classroom Teacher
From the Secondary School
From the Head of Secondary School
From the Head of Secondary School
Highlights from the First Two Weeks
ANZAC Ceremony
Our ANZAC ceremony was a respectful and moving occasion, providing students with the opportunity to reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who have served Australia. The girls demonstrated great reverence and maturity, embodying our value of respect as they commemorated this important national event.
We were also proud to have Sophie R and Charlotte WP represent the school at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Hornsby RSL. The service began with the community gathering at 4:30am, followed by the ANZAC March to the Cenotaph, wreath laying, the recitation of The Ode of Remembrance, the sounding of The Last Post, and a minute of silence. It honoured the original landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and reflected on the values of camaraderie, resilience, courage and sacrifice. Reflecting on the experience, Charlotte shared,
“Attending the Dawn Service was a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for our country. It was incredibly moving to stand alongside the community in silence and remembrance.”
It was particularly meaningful to see local schools, cadet groups and community members come together to honour those who have served in all conflicts.
Year 11 and 12 Art Express Excursion
Senior Visual Arts students attended the Art Express exhibition, where they engaged with exemplary HSC works. Thank you to Maya M and Tianna F for sharing their experience:
"On the first week of the new term, the Year 11 and 12 Visual Art students had the opportunity to explore ArtExpress 2026 and 'The Key's Under the Mat' by Mike Hewson - a fun interactive exhibition (located in the old oil tank area of the gallery) that made 'home' an open door for the public to experience and explore including a temporary sauna, steam room, bbq, disco and playground! Through the Art Express exhibition, we were able to view a variety of works and learn how other artists have engaged with different mediums in art. We were also able to explore how creativity is a unique expression of an artist's sense of self and their perception of the world around them. It was an amazing experience in preparation for Year 11's start of their artistic journey and has been a great means of inspiration in preparation for Year 12's body of works. Thank you Mrs Kroeger and Mrs Engesser for giving us this opportunity!"
Year 10 Morrisby Testing
Year 10 students completed Morrisby testing, an important step in supporting informed subject selection and future pathway planning. The insights gained will assist students in understanding their strengths, interests and potential career directions as they prepare for senior studies.
This was further enriched through the Orbispace initiative , which provided Year 10 students with the opportunity to engage in future-focused learning and career exploration.
Years 8 and 11 Parent-Teacher Night
It was wonderful to see such strong engagement at the Year 8 and Year 11 Parent-Teacher evening interviews. These conversations are vital in supporting student progress, and we thank families for their partnership in fostering both academic growth and personal development.
First Friday Vigil
Our First Friday Vigil provided a meaningful opportunity for reflection and prayer within our community. It was encouraging to see students engaging with this important aspect of our Catholic identity, reinforcing the value of faith in our daily lives.
Focus on School Values and Uniform Expectations
Our first Secondary assembly centred on the importance of our school values and how these are expressed in everyday actions – including the way students present themselves in uniform.
At Tangara, our uniform is not simply a set of rules, but a visible expression of who we are as a community. It reflects our commitment to:
Personal excellence – taking pride in our presentation
Integrity – doing the right thing, even when no one is watching
Respect – representing our school with dignity
Service and faith – recognising we are part of something greater than ourselves
We appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations at home. When students arrive at school well-presented and prepared, it sets a strong foundation for learning and contributes to a unified and respectful community.
Mrs. Danielle Lazaris, Head of Secondary
Teaching & Learning
Staff Day Professional Learning
Staff Day Professional Learning
High Impact Teaching in Action: Strengthening Learning Through Checking for Understanding
This term, our focus in staff professional learning continues to centre on High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) —a research-informed approach that ensures every student is actively engaged in deep and meaningful learning.
Following our work last term on engagement routines , staff have now moved into the second high impact strategy: Checking for Understanding . This shift reflects our commitment to ensuring that learning is not only delivered, but truly understood by every student in the classroom.
During our first Staff Development Day, teachers engaged in the initial learning module of this program, working through the Checking for Understanding Online Module Workbook . This module introduced staff to the key principle that effective teaching involves continually checking that students are understanding what is being taught as learning is taking place , rather than waiting until the end of a lesson or assessment.
Staff explored five key elements that underpin effective Checking for Understanding:
Timing – when teachers check for understanding during a lesson
Difficulty – ensuring questions are appropriately challenging yet accessible
Participation – ensuring all students are involved, not just volunteers
Modality – how students demonstrate their thinking
Response – how teachers act on the evidence gathered
For students, this means more opportunities to actively participate, receive timely feedback, and build confidence in their learning. It ensures that every student is engaged, supported, and progressing.
This work forms part of our ongoing commitment to embedding high-impact teaching practices across the school, ensuring that every lesson is purposeful and every learner is supported to succeed.
We look forward to continuing this work throughout the term and sharing further insights into how these approaches are strengthening teaching and learning across the Secondary school.
Mrs Danielle Lazaris
Head of Secondary
Tangara Staff
Staff Professional Growth
Staff Professional Growth
I AM A TEACHER – Session 1
On Wednesday night, a number of our staff attended the launch of the “I AM A TEACHER” initiative, a formation program developed in partnership with the Sydney Character Initiative and the Pared Foundation.
This initiative is centred on supporting the person behind the profession, recognising that effective teaching flows not only from knowledge and skill, but from character, habits and a strong inner life. It provides space for educators to connect, reflect, recharge and grow within a supportive professional community.
The opening session, led by Eugene Choi (CEO – Pared Foundation), invited staff to engage with key ideas around the importance of virtue formation in teaching.
As a school, this aligns closely with our commitment to forming young women of character. When teachers are supported to grow in virtue and purpose, this has a direct and lasting impact on the learning environment and the experience of every student.
We look forward to continuing our involvement in this program across the year and are grateful for the opportunity to invest in the ongoing formation of our staff.
Mrs Danielle Lazaris
Head of Secondary
Creative and Performing Arts
ANZAC Music
ANZAC Music
Thank you to Vittoria L for her bugle performance of The Last Post at both the Primary and Secondary ANZAC ceremonies, and to Isabelle S for her beautiful rendition of the Australian National Anthem.
Mr Joel Richardson, Head of Music
Sports
AICES Netball
AICES Netball
Congratulations to Jaime S and Chloe A, who represented HZSA at AICES Netball last week. A special mention to Chloe’s U15 team for finishing as runners-up - an excellent result!
Duke of Edinburgh
Duke of Edinburgh
We are delighted to congratulate the following students who were presented with their Bronze Award badges and certificates at assembly this week:
Jade M
Alannah L
Alanna A
Shirin G
During the school holidays, a group of our students successfully completed their Bronze Adventurous Journey. At assembly, Elizabeth and Carmel shared engaging highlights from their experience, giving us a wonderful insight into their achievements.
The students who completed the journey are:
Isabella R
Sophie S
Sarah R
Elizabeth D
Zara I
Carmel Z
Naomi F
Jaena M
Yumin O
We commend all of these students for their commitment, resilience and enthusiasm.
Athletics Carnival
Athletics Carnival
Our Athletics Carnival is just around the corner! Join us on Tuesday 12 May at Greenway Oval, Cherrybrook for a fantastic day of fun, energy, and school spirit!
You can view the Program HERE
Pre-order your Sausage Sizzle
HERE
PLEASE NOTE: Two options are available - beef or vegetarian (gluten-free) sausages. Gluten-free bread is not available.
There will also be plenty of drinks and snacks available for purchase from the canteen.
Spectators are warmly welcomed - come along, cheer loud, and be part of the excitement!
Captains' Corner
Hi everyone, my name is Katelyn Georges and I am the 2026 La Mancha House Captain.
I would like to congratulate La Mancha for the incredible effort and teamwork shown in past carnivals, assemblies and house events. You all bring so much energy and pride, and I feel truly honoured to lead a house so devoted to sport, team play and supporting one another.
Last term, we achieved an amazing result, tying with Atlantis in the inter-house competition, which really reflects our determination and strong house spirit. This role as house captain inspires me to continue building that spirit, motivate everyone, and strengthen the unity and excitement within La Mancha as we head into upcoming events. In addition, La Mancha came runner up for chants in assembly, clearly converting the drive and unity that La Mancha has as a house.
After such a strong performance earlier this year, let’s bring that same energy and commitment and come back ready to take the win this time while also trying our most to bring the same enthusiasm to the athletics carnival!
Can’t wait to see what else La Mancha has to offer!!
Katelyn Georges, 2026 La Mancha House Captain
Hi everyone, my name is Joelle Nassif and I am the Tintagel House Captain for 2026.
Firstly, a huge congratulations to Tintagel for the amazing effort and teamwork the girls have put into showing house spirit in past carnivals, assemblies and house meetings. You all consistently show so much enthusiasm and I feel incredibly blessed to be part of such a supportive house.
This role as house captain encourages me to help build house spirit, motivate others and to foster a greater sense of unity and excitement, especially as we approach the upcoming carnivals where we can all showcase our sporting talents and spirit.
With the Athletics Carnival coming up on the 12th of May, I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone get involved and cheer each other on in different events. After the incredible effort and enthusiasm Tintagel has shown earlier this year, let’s bring the same house spirit and awesome effort from the Swimming Carnival into this Athletics Carnival!
Keep it up Tintagel!!
Joelle Nassif, 2026 Tintagel House Captain
Admin Notices
Student Concession Card
Student Concession Card
Students under 16 years of age are eligible for half fares as a “child.” Once they turn 16, they are required to obtain a concession card to continue accessing concession fares. The NSW Senior Secondary Student Concession Card allows eligible students to receive concession fares at all times. To qualify, students must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or recipients of a DET approved international scholarship or exchange placement, and must currently reside in NSW.
If your child is 16 years or older and would like to apply for a Senior Secondary Student Concession Card, they can contact Mrs Mimi Tam at mimi.tam@tangara.nsw.edu.au.
When the card is ready for collection, Mrs Tam will notify students via their school email and advise them to collect it from her office.
Note: If you're 16 years or older with Child/Youth Opal card, you must carry your Transport Concession Entitlement Card to avoid fines.
General Notices
St Benedict's Country Fete
St Benedict's Country Fete
School Community
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.)
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
2026 Term Dates
● Term 2: Wednesday 22 April – Friday 26 June
● Term 3: Wednesday 22 July – Friday 25 September
● Term 4: Tuesday 13 October – Thursday 10 December
Canteen
Our Canteen is open every Monday to Friday during school term.
Canteen Service - Key Details (Click here for details)
Orders can be placed online via Flexischool (Click here for details)
Here is a copy of the current menu for 2025 (Click here for details)
Follow us on Social Media
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Uniform Shop
Please refer to the Tangara Parent Handbook for information on Holiday Trading Hours.