On Friday 26 June, our Tangara community will come together to celebrate one of the highlights of the school year: our whole-school Mass in honour of Saint Josemaría. Following the Mass, we will enjoy our International Food Festival and a variety of fun activities organised and led by our Year 12 students. It promises to be a wonderful way to conclude Term 2 - united in prayer, friendship, and celebration.

The feast of Saint Josemaría reminds us of a profound truth: holiness is not reserved for extraordinary moments. God calls us to find Him in the ordinary events of daily life. Study, work, sport, friendships, family life, rest, hobbies, and even sharing a meal together can all become opportunities to grow closer to Him.

Saint Josemaría encouraged people to discover that Jesus is present in the middle of everyday life. He taught that there is something holy hidden in ordinary situations, waiting to be found. This vision transforms the way we see our day. Instead of separating prayer from the rest of life, we learn that every activity can become an expression of love for God and for others.

Our International Food Festival is a beautiful example of this spirit. While enjoying foods from different cultures, participating in games, and spending time with friends, we are also building community, showing gratitude for one another, and celebrating the gifts God has given us. Joy, friendship, and service are all part of a Christian life.

As we celebrate this special day, perhaps we can ask ourselves a simple question: “Here and now, how can I love more and love better?” The answer may be found in a kind word, an act of service, a generous effort in our responsibilities, or simply being present to those around us.

May the feast of Saint Josemaría inspire us to discover Jesus in every aspect of our lives and to recognise that even the most ordinary moments can become extraordinary when they are filled with love.

Fr Paul Muller
Chaplain

The day began with the Opening Ceremony Parade, where our eight teams marched proudly, showcasing their team spirit before dividing and participating in rotational events. There was plenty of cheering from families and endless smiles and excitement from all participants. After the events, parents and friends joined our Kindergarten and Year 1 sportspeople for a picnic lunch. It’s always a joy to see families sharing a meal together, a wonderful reminder of our fabulous school community. On the following Tuesday morning assembly, the children were presented with their winning sport ribbons, celebrating their success, teamwork, and sporting ability. It was a wonderful, fun‑filled occasion that highlighted the enthusiasm and dedication shown by all participants.

Term 2 has been a busy and rewarding term for 4 Navy, filled with engaging learning experiences and opportunities for growth across all subject areas.

In English, the girls have continued to strengthen their writing skills through a variety of text types. They have explored recounts and persuasive texts, developing their ability to communicate ideas clearly, organise information effectively, and support their opinions with strong reasons and evidence. Their creativity and confidence as writers have continued to flourish throughout the term.

In Mathematics, the girls have been actively involved in hands-on learning experiences while exploring concepts such as 3D objects, angles, and length. Through practical investigations and collaborative activities, they have deepened their understanding of these topics and applied their learning to real-world situations.

During G.I.V.E. lessons, the girls have focused on developing important virtues, including fairness. Through thoughtful discussions, goal-setting activities, and collaborative tasks, they have reflected on how these values can be applied both in the classroom and in everyday life.

In Health, the girls have explored what it means to be a good friend and how to build healthy relationships. Through engaging activities and discussions, they have developed a greater understanding of kindness, empathy, respect, and effective communication.

Our History and Science learning has also been filled with discovery. The girls investigated significant historical events and topics, including ANZAC Day and the First Fleet, while in Science they explored ecosystems and the manufacturing process. These learning experiences encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

We look forward to the exciting learning and discoveries that await in the rest of the year!

Miss Jessica Cauchi
Year 4 Navy Class Teacher

Last Tuesday a group of students from Years 2-6 attended the Hills Think Tank at Pacific Hills Christian School, with Mrs Lee and Mrs Ozer.

The theme for the day was Robotics and as you can tell from the feedback below, they all enjoyed the challenge!

We used Lego Spike to create a Lego machine that could move. We used an iPad to code the Spike. We created a see-saw with a light and a Lego character who did something different at each activity spot. We both had a lot of fun making our own creations. Frances and Ivy 2N

I liked the coding and visiting a different school! Chloe 2R

I loved that the robots could move and we could control how they moved. I really liked our teacher and the coding. Abigail T 2R

We got to code the Sphero Bolt robots so they went through a maze. My favourite part was guiding the robots using an iPad. We were taught how to do the coding. Alessia 3N

A teacher took stage two (my stage) to the STEM room and we made a maze out of cardboard. Then we used a sphero robot and an iPad to control the robot to go through the maze! It was so fun! Then it was the end of the day and we went back to school. That was a tiring day! Anjana 3R

Our group made mazes for Robobots to go through. I liked making new friends and meeting new people. I learnt that the Robobots are fun to code using a tablet, but if you make a mistake they crash! Talitha 4N

Recently, I attended the Robotics Think Tank event. At first, we built mazes from cardboard. I found this activity to be really fun. We worked together with a team, using special tools. These mazes were created to be used with a Sphero Bolt robot. Once we worked out how to control the robot using a program on the iPad, we were able to apply our knowledge of instructions to control the robot as it made its way around the maze. We were also able to use mazes that were created by other teams. Claire 4R

My favourite part of the day was building a Lego ‘grabber’ that we tested on different objects. It could pick up a bottle and scrunched up paper. We also built a car that we could drive using a computer to code it. Ayla 5N

I think it was very fun and interesting. I met a lot of new people and made a few new friends. My favourite part was when I made robots and programmed them to go on different courses. It was very fun and a great experience. Abigail K 5R

I really enjoyed Think Tank. I loved everything but my favourite part was when we got to build the cars and program it to drive only on the colours. There were many failures but in the end we finally made it work. All our hard work was worth it! Aaliyah 6N

I really enjoyed the Term 2 STEM program this year. Everyone was paired with a student from a different school to build and code a SPIKE LEGO robot while making new friendships. It was rewarding to see our robot follow commands, such as using colour sensors to track coloured tape through a maze. I had a great time making new friends from different schools while learning valuable coding and problem-solving
skills. Angelina 6R

The year 9 students recently participated in an engaging worm farm demonstration presented by the Hornsby Council. They learned how to set up and maintain a worm farm and composting system. The session highlighted the important role worms play in breaking down organic waste and producing nutrient-rich compost for gardens.

Students discovered the many benefits of worm farming, including reducing household waste and methane emissions, improving soil health, and supporting sustainable environmental practices which links in with the new “Environmental Sustainability” unit in the Science syllabus.

Most students enjoyed the hands-on experience and gained valuable knowledge about reducing waste and caring for the environment.

Moving forward, the year 9 students will take an active role in promoting the worm farm initiative to the wider school community. They will create informative posters, share updates at school meetings and assemblies, and encourage students and staff to contribute appropriate
food scraps.

Enrolments for Semester 2 instrumental and vocal lessons through the Tangara Music Academy are now open.

We are fortunate to have a wonderful team of experienced tutors offering lessons across a wide range of instruments and voice. Whether your daughter is a complete beginner or an experienced musician looking to further develop her skills, lessons are tailored to each student's individual skill level, goals and musical interests.

Music lessons are a wonderful opportunity for students to build confidence, develop discipline and enjoy making music in a supportive environment.

Families with students already enrolled in lessons do not need to re-enrol, as lessons will automatically continue into Semester 2.

For more information about available instruments, tutors and lesson enrolments, please contact the Music Academy team at musicacademy@tangara.nsw.edu.au.

Our first HZSA Netball team went through the season undefeated and faced Marsden Park Anglican in the Grand Final. The pressure was definitely on when we discovered they had a couple of players we hadn’t seen during the round games... and then we heard that Mrs Sakr and Mrs Wilson were coming to watch! No pressure at all!

Both teams came out firing, and for much of the game it was goal for goal. Tangara had to dig deep, stay composed, and work hard for every possession. After a tense and exciting contest, the girls secured a fantastic 26–20 victory!

Congratulations girls on an incredible season and a well-deserved premiership!

Congratulations to the eight students who proudly represented Tangara at the AICES Cross Country Championships last week:

Bridgette B, Lilymarie A, Esther B, Sophie S, Yumin O, Taylor Jane H, Keira M and Clare T.|

A special congratulations to Clare T and Yumin O, who have qualified for the CIS Cross Country Championships at the end of the term. This is a fantastic achievement, and we wish them all the very best as they prepare for the next stage of competition.

Well done to all our runners on their outstanding effort and commitment.

We need players for our Junior (Year 7 & 8) Touch Football & Basketball teams for the HZSA Semester 2 competition.

Touch Football (Tuesdays at Hills Grammar)

Basketball (Wednesdays at various school locations)

Games will be scheduled at either 4.00pm or 4.45pm on the specified day. Training sessions will take place during lunchtime, with training days to be confirmed.

Please remember that all students are required to complete two terms (one semester) of sport for Tangara.

Please complete the form below by ASAP to express your interest.

HZSA Semester 2 Sports - Expression of Interest

Tangara Library invites all mums of students in Yrs 5-12 to participate in a Mother/Daughter shared holiday reading experience.

What is ‘Like Mother, Like Daughter’?

Each mum and daughter will:

Engage in shared holiday reading

Receive a copy of the same book - the genre, title and author will remain a mystery until it comes home and you and your daughter(s) unwrap it together

Read the book and share thoughts and opinions over a mini book club

Why is it important?

Reading with a child:

Teaches her important lessons about the world, behaviour and feelings

Creates special moments with children

If you are interested, please fill in this FORM by Tuesday 23 June. Books will be sent home with your daughter(s) on Thursday 25 June.

If you would like more information, please email tangara.library@tangara.nsw.edu.au.

Final overdue notices have been emailed to all students and their parents with books still outstanding from Term 1. If you have received an email, can you please assist your child in locating and returning the missing items? Books still outstanding at the end of term will be assumed lost and the cost charged to your account together with a $5 processing fee per item. Thank you for you help in locating our wandering books!

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.

We have several items in the lost property basket that have not been labelled with your daughter’s name.  Would you please encourage your daughter to come down to the Administration Office next week and claim any lost items.  All items that have not been claimed by the end of Term 2 will be donated.

We ask that all personal items be labelled with your child's surname and first initial, to enable us to return any items that are misplaced.