Boarding Term 3, Mid-August

Dear Boarding Families

The term is certainly up and running and Boarding is no exception. We have had students moving all over the place this week, so it was great to finally hold our Christmas in July, or ‘August’, on Thursday night. There is always a buzz in the air around formal dinners and as always, the Boarding community looked fantastic as everyone made an effort to dress up for the occasion. Our girls look stunning as they replaced their PJ pants around the house for a dress and the boys scrubbed up by donning a suit.

The evening got underway with a wonderful spread beautifully presented from our catering team lead by Scotty with slices of roast pork, glazed ham, turkey and all the trimmings. The evening had a touch of class with tunes filling the Dining Hall from Bing Crosby’s Christmas hits backed up by the King himself ‘Elvis’.

The ladies put together a Kahoots as part of the half time entertainment, followed by sweets and the all-important Chris Kindle’s. All in all, the feedback from students and staff was it was amazing.

Ash Keatch
Head of Boarding

The Tasmanian weather kicked in this fortnight and threw our Ben Lomond plans into the ground with the rain that fell. Not to worry, the kids were happy to chill and relax or be driven to friends’ houses.

Each SBHA is asking their students in the House when they meet each week for some recreational activities to assist in putting together a calendar. As always, I am mindful of the balance between providing entertainment versus quiet and downtime and the costs associated with going on an activity. I am always mindful that some of the best entertainment can be simply picking up a set of Uno cards and playing with a group of friends.

I have attached a document which needs to be filled out if your child is driving or a passenger in a vehicle. Thank you to those that have completed their child’s this year.

The reason for this falls under our duty of care umbrella whilst we co-parent your child. It is getting to that time of year when our seniors have friends, or themselves gaining a licence, and wanting to get out and about in vehicles. This increases risk and I want to make sure our Boarding community is working together to ensure we understand our responsibilities in the roles we play for their wellbeing.

Car Driver Contract for Boarders

The new mattresses have arrived and each child has been asked to swap them out. Feedback from the students has been overwhelmingly met with a satisfying response.

Jasper Cox commented, ‘That was the best night sleep I have ever had’.

Skye Ellis made the remark, ‘Amazing, loved it’.

All David and Niall (our Grade 5 and 6 boarders) wanted to do was jump on the old ones stored in the old room, or build a fort. Love it!!

I mentioned this term I am planning on spending some time around the Girls house freshening up some spaces that the boarders have asked to improve. I met with some of the girls who are keen to see some improvement and have some ideas to assist me with freshening up some spaces, give me some time and I’ll send through the pics.

I am in the process of editing the student/ parent handbook for Boarding. The booklet is designed to provide both students and parents with all the information pertaining to the Boarding House. It provides insight into what our expectations and aims are in Boarding and should hopefully unpack some of the myths around what to expect at Launceston Church Grammar School Boarding.

The intended roll out date for this document is the start of Term 4. This week I have included two parts for you to check out, one on academic and the other on driving and vehicles in boarding.

ACADEMIC

DRIVING AND VEHICLES

Here is the latest four-week catering menu for you to review. The request for supp’s of an evening was also suggested by the students and although a no brainer, it wasn’t in place when I arrived, so I have asked the SBHAs to meet with their houses and provide suggestions as to what the students would like to eat.

I think for those of you who have had a teenage boy and girl living in your house would agree they are different grazing animals, so we will do our best with Scott to ensure it has a healthy balance to the mix.

SPRING RESIDENTIAL SITE MENU 2021 

This event is still going ahead. I still have some students keen to go, so I will support them in being able to go to this great evening.

WHEN Friday 20 August from 6:30 pm to 10 pm

WHERE Mary Fox Hall Scotch Oakburn College

DRESS Cocktail or an Enchanted Theme

This is a school-based event and we are also keen to support our boarders who are attending.

WHEN Friday 20 August from 7 pm to 10:15 pm (arrival at 7 pm for a 7:30 pm start)

WHERE The Tailrace Function Centre

DRESS Formal

Where did you go to school?

Margate Primary, Kingston High, Hobart College

Were you a boarder?

No

Where did you grow up?

Longley, Tasmania

What sports did you play at school?

Running and soccer

Favourite sporting team?

GWS & Tottenham Hotspur

How long have you worked at LCGS boarding?

Since March of this year

If you are studying, what are you studying and where?

Bachelor of Education (Health and Physical Education), University of Tasmania

What do you want to achieve when you grow up?

Run under 1:50 in the 800 m.

Do you have any hobbies?

Running

Where is your favourite holiday destination and why?

East Coast of Tasmania. The weather there is always good and the scenery is the best I have seen. I have lots of good memories from going down the coast and hope to make many more.

Image Gus Tomlinson-Smith featured at the front

If you have any specific concerns regarding your child, please get in contact with either TJ or Zoe depending on which house they are in to discuss. They will have the best day to day knowledge of your child and are more than happy to work alongside with you. Separately I am also happy to discuss any boarding points that you think of want to have a chat about.

Head of Boarding
Ashley Keatch
M 0403 799321
akeatch@lcgs.tas.edu.au

Senior Boarding House Assistant (Boys House)
Theunis Pieters (TJ)
tpieters@lcgs.tas.edu.au

Senior Boarding House Assistant (Girls House)
Zoe Vandervelde
zvandervelde@lcgs.tas.edu.au

Warm Regards
Ash

Friday 20 August – Boarding Ball (combined between Scotch Oakburn and Launceston Grammar)
Thursday 2 September – Boarding House closes 5.00 pm (long weekend)
Tuesday 5 September – Boarding House reopens 4.00 pm
Friday 24 September – Boarding House closes 5.00 pm
Friday 24 September to Sunday 10 October –  Term 3 Holidays
Sunday 10 October – Boarding House reopens
Monday 11 October – Term 4 commences