TAS The Armidale School's Recent LinkedIn Posts

For the love of rugby!! In games that will surely become folklore down the generations for all who played, TAS and Sydney Grammar School braved falling snow on Backfield on Saturday, 2 August, in the last home game of the GPS Third Grade competition. During the first of the two inter-school fixtures, rain started to fall on an already soft paddock, dampening the field but not the spirits of players, with the TAS Second XV taking their match, 19-5. Conditions took on another level when the Firsts from both schools ran onto the field, the rain giving way to snow just on kick-off. Wet, muddy and with poor visibility, the conditions threw up challenges for both teams in front of an excited and committed group of supporters which included a number of Grammar parents from Sydney. At the full time whistle, the hosts were up 25-3, but players from both sides displayed joyful camaradarie, aware they had shared something special. The once-in-four-decades occurrence was bigger than the scoreboard and will undoubtedly be a memorable event for all the players which they will share at reunions, with friends and family, and even future generations. We extend our thanks to the Grammar boys and coaches for making the trip and the parents who also came to support - experiencing not just a couple of great games of rugby, but the best values of the sport (and some unique country hospitality). #aagps #rugby #resilience #snow

As the coordinator of public speaking and debating at TAS it has been an immense privilege to accompany Fred on this journey. His humility and sense of community are hallmarks as much as his other achievements and a reminder of the valuable impact each individual can have.

And with wonderful education facilities, clean air and a strong sense of community, why wouldn't you consider it?

Vale Ian Kiernan AO - a great Australian. Here's a link to a not-previously-published piece I wrote in 2003 after interviewing him for a never-completed-book about life changes after 40. A true Australian legend and a fantastic bloke to boot.

A terrific hallmark event that is truly a great credit to organisers, players, coaches, supporters, staff, parents and friends.

As if there was any doubt, just a glimpse of the challenges faced by those in wheelchairs was experienced by 213 students, 14 parents and five staff who took part in ‘Walk a mile in another man's wheels’, the final Triple Crown event of the year, on 11 November. Over four hours, in teams of four, participants wheeled themselves (or pushed others) around two circuits on campus, taking in paths, speed bumps, gravel and the hard slog across a soft grass sporting oval. The event was a fundraiser for ‘Guns out for Tombsy’, the foundation set up to assist OA and former Wallaby Richard Tombs, who offered insight and inspiration to all present. #inspiration #students #service

An exciting appointment for TAS.

An extraordinary achievement by a young man wanting to make a difference. And inspiring others in the process.

Like thousands of others who worked in the UK a few decades ago, I’ve been unable to give blood. So on Monday night after the ban was lifted I registered online with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and rolled up my sleeve for my first donation. It's great to be able to do something that can make such a difference. If you were in the same boat - please consider! #blooddonation #givelife

It was fantastic to be part of this initiative - 'fresh' thinking at its best.

With the retirement at the end of 2022 of Ian Lloyd after an extraordinary 41 years of service to TAS, we are looking to appoint Ian's successor as Head of Junior School (Pre-K to Year 5). A dynamic learning environment grounded in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, TAS Junior School is currently enjoying record enrolments and this position offers a visionary educator a wonderful opportunity to build further on its success. To find out more, click on the link: https://lnkd.in/grK6ibae

One of the things I love about my work is being able to document the exciting journey of young people as they learn, grow and develop into courageous, committed and connected young adults.

More and more city families are looking to the regions to offer boarding opportunities for their children. Outwardly focussed but with grounded values, regional boarding schools give students the chance to be to be known and nurtured in an environment where they can flourish and be challenged in and out of the classroom, making lifelong friendships along the way. In this excellent article from the The Australian Financial Review Boarding Schools' Guide, Nathan Scolaro covers just some of these benefits, while TAS alumni Ben Thompson offers a powerful personal reflection and Principal Ray Pearson highlights the strong sense of connection and belonging at a school where half of all secondary students are boarders.

With the sad departure at the end of this year of Rev Richard Newton after 17 years of service and the retirement of Mr Mark Taylor from a teaching career including more than two decades at the School, TAS is looking to fill the key positions of Chaplain and Head of PDHPE. We are also recruiting a French teacher (full time) for commencement Term 4, 2022. These are wonderful opportunities to work in a dynamic boarding and day school in the glorious New England region. For more details, including full position descriptions, please go to https://lnkd.in/grK6ibae

A wonderful opportunity for a visionary educator.

It was wonderful to be part of another great school initiative that engaged young people and their community with a sense of challenge, service and fun.

Entries are still open for The Armidale School’s annual Forensic Science Camp, an incredible extension opportunity for Year 8 students with an interest in forensic analysis, scientific research or the law. To be held from 9-13 July 2024, it’s the longest-running forensic science camp for school students of its kind in Australia, regularly attracting around 80 boys and girls from NSW, Queensland, the ACT and Victoria. During the camp they will work in teams to solve hypothetical murders, car thefts and environmental vandalism, developing skills in laboratory techniques, logical thinking and teamwork. It all builds towards judgement day on Saturday when the teams present their committal cases to a legal professional who takes on the role of a magistrate to determine if the cases are strong enough to go before a court. What makes the camp unique is that it is primarily student run, with Year 9/10 students developing, fine-tuning and road-testing the scenarios as part of a Stage 5 academic elective. Five adult staff members are on hand purely to supervise and offer laboratory support; the camp utilizes the magnificent academic, boarding and dining facilities at one of the oldest boarding schools in regional NSW. Educators – please share the details with students; more info can be found at https://lnkd.in/gutv_5rT #forensicsciencecamp #forensicscience #solvingcrime #academicenrichment #academicextension #giftedandtalented #holidaycamp #playdetective #murdermystery #environmentalvandalism #laboratorytechniques

A well-deserved award for a fine young woman bound for great things.

Very proud to have been alongside these clever youngsters through the competition as their coach and watch them develop into wonderful critical thinkers and speakers. One of the joys of my workplace is the opportunity to engage with young people in meaningful ways.

This is a terrific opportunity for two teachers committed to bringing out the best in young people, in and out of the classroom.

Canberra-based Old Armidalians - a wonderful opportunity to meet the School's new Principal, catch up with friends and network with alumni from the ACT.

An exciting new chapter begins!

Helping bridge the gap.

As an only occasional cycler, it was a magnificent event to be a part of: combining physical challenge, positive mental health, wonderful social interaction across generations and raising funds for a worthwhile local cause - taking in the beauty of the glorious New England.

All the very best Hannah Lo for your time at Oxford University. As a parent I thank you for being an inspiring and committed teacher who brought out the best results for our boys; as a colleague I thank you for your commitment and support of debating and indeed so many other fields. You will be greatly missed but we all look forward to seeing you back in 2022.

As the father of two boys who achieved their surf bronze medallions with The Armidale School's surf lifesaving program, it is clear the benefits are more than just the ocean skills. Congratulations to Surf Life Saving NSW and all female lifesavers. #WomenInSLS

A terrific opportunity as part of a wonderful community.

It may be 200km inland, but The Armidale School was one of the first in Australia to introduce surf lifesaving.

In these unusual times, it's wonderful to be reminded of possibility and potential, as this promotion for TAS shows. Well done again to Cathy Grant, Lou Spargo, Jeff Mackay, and the team who made it happen.

More positive news for TAS!

A fascinating snippet of school history - at its heart, acknowledging the tremendous service of The Armidale School's Old Boys in the Great War.

Support these running mates of mine if you can - their training has made all of us better people and it's for a fantastic cause.

Service and leadership in action.

A terrific opportunity for someone who loves technology and the wonderful way it supports and enables student learning.

A wonderful opportunity for an educator committed to enabling a breadth of co-curricular opportunities in pathways as diverse as the local community, Combined Independent Schools competitions and AAGPS (NSW).

If we want to truly overcome the so-called crisis of boys' education in the face of a very different 'real world', we need to give them the right tools to be able to multi-skill, find their passion, and understand the dynamics of professional settings that are very different to when we were young.

With the official NSW bushfire season starting today, let us not have short memories about the incredible work of RFS volunteers young and old and those who encourage and support them.

A wonderful opportunity to work and live in a dynamic residential community.

A wonderful story from a fine young man who I've had the privilege of having quite a bit to do with, particularly in my role as Debating and Public Speaking coordinator at TAS. Well done Lachlan Reiss-Wears, a wonderful ambassador for his school.

We may be from the country, but with 67 runners we're proud to currently be the largest school contingent registered in this Sunday's 14km Sydney City to Surf fun run! The event forms part of a new school award called the TAS Triple Crown, for those students who complete the City to Surf, the 2km Coffs Harbour Ocean Swim and the 111km overnight Hawkesbury Canoe Classic during their time at the school. This award is just one of the ways we encourage our boys to develop courage, resilience and commitment on their journey to becoming fine young men.

Do you know a passionate educator in the creative arts with skills in leading a team of wonderful staff, with outstanding resources and a supportive community that has produced graduates who have shone in professional careers? This could be the job for them!