Why TAS?

The TAS Academic Program addresses the needs of students whose lives will be touched by the 22nd Century. In implementing the Australian Curriculum, TAS has been innovative in designing frameworks to accommodate the needs of all our students.

TAS nurtures and grows the capabilities that students need to give them an edge in what will be a dynamic and challenging future environment. This approach fosters an innovative spirit and entrepreneurial capacity which prepares students for the future world and employment landscape.

Passionate, committed and caring teachers create paths for students as global citizens in the future. Such paths are not found, they are made. Read more Junior School , Senior School

2015 Academic Results

Congratulations to the students of 2015 and their fantastic results!

Overall Results

Number OP Eligible students = 66

Students who received OP 1-5 = 28.8%

Students who received OP 1-10 = 63.6%

Students who received OP 1-15 = 86.4%

OP Breakdown

Number OP Eligible students = 66

Students who received OP 1-5 = 19

Students who received OP 6-10 = 23

Students who received OP 11-15 = 15

Students who received OP 16-20 = 7

Students who received OP 21-25 = 2

The TAS Aquatic Centre boasts a 50 x 25-metre, heated pool for year-round swimming. Facilities such as a large pool deck, an electronic score board and large grandstand means that our Aquatic Centre is able to be used for a range of school carnivals and community events. Learn-to-swim classes and squad training are regularly conducted at the Centre, which is also home to the TAS Swimming Club. Read more….

For many years, TAS has been active in facilitating the internationally-recognised Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, with many students achieving the Bronze Award. Several students have gone on to earn their Silver Award and a few students even being presented with their Gold Award by the Duke himself. With the backup support of the extensive Outdoor Education program, TAS usually offers several Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journeys each year. Read more…

For the writers of tomorrow – Words Without Borders is designed for Year 9 and Year 10 students who have an enthusiasm for both literature and the diverse disciplines of the humanities that literature encompasses.

The Gifted and Talented Program at TAS includes a broad range of exciting and challenging opportunities for students. Nerdsville (Coding Club), Drama Club, French Club and TEDEd Club, are just a few of the recent new additions to the Gifted and Talented Progam. Read more …

TAS is the only school in the region that offers Year 11 and Year 12 students access to university Chemistry extension studies in partnership with Griffith University. The Griffith University Chemistry Pathways Program is a two year program that provides students with a university educational experience which incorporates, among other things, participation in experiments, access to the university’s Library resources, and contact with Griffith University Chemistry lecturers and tutors.

The program is designed to complement the QCAA Chemistry curriculum and the course is timetabled as an optional elective which is delivered by highly qualified and experienced senior Chemistry staff.

Students receiving an overall Pass or better, are awarded a formal Certificate of Completion by Griffith University. This means they are eligible to receive a credit for the first semester of a Griffith University Chemistry course, providing the course is a core requirement in their chosen degree.

Our spacious and picturesque grounds at White Rock and Kewarra Beach, together with our great built facilities provide an attractive hub for community events. Each year, the school hosts several regional sporting events including cross countries and various sporting carnivals such as football and rugby. The Queensland State Championships for cross country were held at TAS White Rock in 2012.

Students are able to exercise and play some sport in the air conditioned comfort of our Multi-Purpose Hall. The facility has a cushioned synthetic floor which is kind on young bodies and a mezzanine viewing platform. It is also often used for a range of community sporting events, many of which involve TAS students.

The Outdoor Education program at TAS is regarded by many industry professionals and associations as one of the top such programs in the country. Beginning in Year 2 and continuing through to Year 12, the flagship of the program is the 18-day Year 9 Journey. The Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation course is a TAFE accredited course and is offered in Year 10 and Year 11 as a way for interested students to further extend their outdoor skills. Read more…

TAS provides a caring environment in which individuals can feel accepted. TAS also engenders a strong sense of belonging through the vertically structured school house system. Read more…

Round Square provides students with various opportunities to travel both nationally and internationally and also provides a platform for students to be involved in service and leadership.

Round Square is based upon the IDEALS philosophy – Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, Service.  Read more…

BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards

TAS has consistently achieved to a very high standard in the prestigious BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards.

The BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards are Australia’s most prestigious school science awards. They recognise young people who have undertaken practical research projects, which demonstrate innovative approaches and thorough scientific procedures.

The awards have been sponsored by BHP Billiton since 1981 and are managed by CSIRO, the Australian Science Teachers Association and are also supported by the Intel Corporation.

Students in Year 12 complete an extended experimental investigation and the best of these projects are entered into the BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards.

TAS Successes

TAS has been involved in these Awards since 2007 and has had numerous semi-finalists and finalists each year. In fact, across all nominations, 10% of semi-finalists and finalists have been TAS students.

TAS has nominated Year 12 students’ projects in the Awards and since 2007, with these outstanding results being achieved:

• TAS Semi Finalists 77 (589 National Semi Finalists)
• TAS Finalists 18 (155 National Finalists)

Of the 18 TAS finalists, there have been two National winners and three Third Place winners.

Rosie Watters was the 2009* BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards Winner and in 2011*, Alix Pichon took the Award honours. Alix was also the first student since the Awards commenced, to have two projects – Biology and Chemistry – in the finals.

Our Third Place winners were Giselle Bell (in 2010*), Ben Coxon (in 2014*) and Ben Grace (in 2015*).

All of these winners were invited to attend the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the USA.

Hayden Goodwin and Dulanja Adikari’s were finalists in this year’s (2016*) Awards. Hayden’s project was given special mention and he has been invited to attend the ISEF in the USA.

* The BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards Ceremony is held in Melbourne in the February following the Year 12 graduation year.

Watch the TAS 2016 BHP Billiton Finalists video.

CSIRO CREST Awards (Creativity in Science & Technology)

Year 12 Science students complete an Extended Experimental Investigation (EEI) which is submitted to the CSIRO CREST Awards scheme.

Since 2007, TAS students have been successful in receiving 3 Gold Awards, 425 Silver Awards and 121 Bronze Awards.

The STEM Extension Studies course is cross-curricular in nature and presents Year 9 and Year 10 students with the opportunity to collaborate to solve real world problems and in doing so, challenge their creative and critical thinking.

All senior Science students participate in the CSIRO CREativity in Science and Technology (CREST) Awards at the Silver or Gold level. This is an entry point for students to be selected as a semi-finalist or finalist in the prestigious National BPH Billiton Science and Engineering Awards.

TAS is unique in the region in that it offers many of its own sporting clubs to its students. In sports including football (soccer), hockey, rugby, netball, swimming and triathlon, students can begin their involvement in Kindergarten at age 4 and continue in the same clubs / teams until age 18. The end result is students who have received quality coaching and who are keen to participate in lifelong physical activity.

Students at TAS benefit from research based improvements in teaching and learning which are driven and directed by a focus on improving student outcomes. Teachers participate in ongoing programs such as Teachers as Researchers, Literacy and Numeracy Academy, ISQ Assessment Communities, Innovation in STEM, and Teachers as Lifelong Learners.

From the commencement of Preparatory, our Junior School students participate in swimming lessons each week and these lessons are conducted year-round. All lessons are supervised by highly experienced and dedicated staff.

This is one of the many areas Project Based Learning is integrated with STEM studies through a dedicated subject.

Students design and build a robot to compete, under the mentorship of practising engineers and NASA scientists, in the National Robotics Championships which are held annually in Sydney.

Technology and Robotics offers students the framework to experience and develop new skills, for example:

• focussing on computational problem solving skills;
• preparing for the rapid and ever changing world of technology by providing access to new digital technologies to help strengthen students’ capability in a digital world we do not yet know exists!
• learning resilience and strengthening students’ own logic and problem solving skills;
• learning to work collaboratively and within a team.

Triathlon (Senior) and Aquathon (Junior) events are a popular part of our interhouse competition for all students in Year 3 to Year 12. These are based out of the TAS Aquatic Centre, which is also the home of the TAS Triathlon Squad for students aged 10 to 18, as well as for adults looking to improve their triathlon performance.

TAS graduates have consistently received first round entry offers for their nominated university courses. The outstanding achievements of TAS graduates are reflected in the extent of scholarship offers received by graduating students. An example of scholarship offers includes a Bond University Scholarship, UQ Chancellor Scholarship, QUT Vice-Chancellor Scholarship, Bachelor of Philosophy at ANU, UQ extension excellence in science programs.

Innovation and creativity in the Visual Arts is enriched with a range of opportunities for students. Some of these opportunities include participation in local, regional and State competitions as well as each year level having at least one visiting artist to mentor their art practice. Read more ….

Year 12 students have their own Art Studio and space to work in. This is unique to TAS as no other school in Cairns offers such a facility.

TAS has conducted three successful 28-day World Challenge expeditions to developing countries – Borneo in 2011, Ecuador in 2013 and Tanzania in 2015. These student-led expeditions see Year 10 and Year 11 students managing their own budgets, making all of their logistical travel and catering arrangements, completing a major adventure trek (including summiting Mt Kilimanjaro in 2015) and doing community service work at local schools. Read more…

In Year 5, students are provided with a Round Square Passport at which time they are encouraged to participate in activities and projects encompassing the IDEALS of Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service, and they work towards achieving their bronze, silver and gold medals. These medals are awarded at the annual Year 3 to Year 6 Presentation Day ceremony at the end of the school year. Read more…