Dear Grammar Families,
The term has ended with a customary flurry of activity.
Grade 12 Walkathon
The Grade 12 Walkathon in support of Strike it Out has been an overwhelming success on many levels. So far students have raised $14,608 through a car wash, food stalls, an acoustic night and of course sponsorship of the walk. They have set themselves a target of $50,000 and there will be further fundraising events over the course of Term Two to reach their goal. Strike it Out assists those in our community who are homeless and need a safe place to sleep. After meeting and hearing from Kirsten Richie, our Grade 12 students identified the mobile Sleep Pod Project, where there can be a tangible outcome to provide mobile emergency accommodation to those who need it the most. I encourage you to donate and support this community partnership initiative. You can donate here.
Positive Student Behaviours Framework
Staff on both campuses have been busy in developing our positive student behaviours framework. They have investigated and put in place approaches to leading and guiding student behaviour which sees clear expectations, clear consequences (both educative and disciplinary) and the opportunity to strengthen a culture of positive relationships to underpin student learning. Accountability for our actions and behaviours is best understood with clear parameters in place and helps individuals to thrive. A consistent adherence by staff to expectations and our endeavour to have engaged learners enables teachers to partner with families to support students understand that we each must take responsibility for our actions. Monique Austen as Director of Student Wellbeing and Lisa Watson Assistant Head of the Junior Campus are ensuring that our work in this area is grounded in research and has policy and program development which support students and staff. Our goal is to be exemplary leaders in this space in Tasmania.
Junior Campus
On the Junior Campus, work has been done to develop a behaviours continuum that reflects the learning phase and the importance of meeting students where they are at. We are in the process of appointing a Junior School Wellbeing Coordinator who will support our students and staff as we develop our model of best practice that supports their engagement, connectedness and safety. I am looking forward to seeing the implementation of initiatives which will support our children achieve their best. As you may be aware from my correspondence yesterday, Sheona Carter has made the decision to pursue her next great adventure and we wish her well. We have commenced our planning for her replacement who will have a wonderful opportunity to build on the strong foundations in which Sheona has put in place as part of her remit. The International Baccalaureate® (IB) is embedded as a distinctive academic offering which creates unique opportunities for our students and sets them up as lifelong learners.
Early Learning – Patricia Roberts Precinct Development
Our Early Learning Centre programs continue to be a source of great pride for me. We have an amazing team of educators and assistants led by Georgia Greig who ensures the program content and experiences are second to none – their reputation for setting up students for success at school is highly regarded in Launceston. The team recently hosted a professional development experience for over 30 leaders from ELCs from the North and the peer feedback on the excellent standard of the offering was warmly received. The Patricia Roberts Precinct development (see below article for more information) underpins our vision for the littlest ones in our care and will be finalised for the commencement in the 2025 academic year. Over the winter months, internal works for the Hargreaves building will be undertaken. As part of this project there will be additional works for the current Prep and Grade One learning spaces with the addition of a deck and external doors opening out to the green space and balcony areas which enriches each learning environment.
Leadership Programs
Student action and activity has been a hallmark of this term. Grades Six, 11 and 12 have participated in and led student leadership programs. Grade 12 would like to be known as APP (Approachable, Proactive, Passionate) and have worked alongside our Grade Six students to help them uncover RIFT (Responsible, Inclusive, Fun, Teamwork). This week Grade 11 focussed on leadership in a program put together to explore how a culture underpinned by wellbeing practices can make an impact.
Senior Campus
In our curriculum offering on the Senior Campus we have been exploring opportunities to develop Impact programs which will have significant educational outcomes for student learning. Our Grade Seven offering is being reviewed and refined as the basis for middle school learning approaches. Staff are inquiring and researching into what it means to be an adolescent learner and what type of learning experiences enable us to take students on a journey through Grades Seven – Nine, which is a significant time for adolescent growth and development physically, socially/emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and academically. Learners have very different needs during this time in their learning journey, and we are looking forward to seeing the outcomes of the inquiry.
Grammar Graduate Program (Grade 10-12)
The Grammar Graduate program is taking shape with experiences across Grades 10 – 12 which are intentional in purpose and outcomes shape our students as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. The new look Grade 10 Retreat which is a significant ‘rite of passage’ experience involving parents and students, is getting rave reviews. The work of Nick Clements and Tori Haeusler and their team enables us to leverage off this experience to ensure Grade 10 is a strong foundation year in this phase of learning. At Grade 12, academic pathway experiences have been enriched through engagement with community experts and opportunities to engage in community building across the school. ‘Friyay” activities and a revamped sports program have been a fun way for students across year levels to engage.
Heads of House – Senior Campus
The Heads of House on the Senior Campus have embraced their remit to lead a strong and purposeful community; the time and resource made available to them to do their job well is being well utilised. We see a strong culture of proactive student agency emerging as we support students to cocreate with us learning and experiences which assist their personal development. Campus life is thriving and the importance of House in driving this positive ethos makes for a strong wellbeing culture.
Hawkes Boarding
Hawkes Boarding sees a community of 48 students not only grow in confidence but also to make a unique contribution to our School. We have had several students join us for our short stay programs from one week to one term. If you are needing to travel for a period of time you may like to consider having your children well looked after by our fabulous boarding team. The weekend program sees students having opportunities to experience a range of cultural and sporting pursuits but most importantly the opportunity to forge independence and develop life skills which most peers only start to experience when they leave school. I enjoy spending time with our boarders over the occasional meal and in regular conversation in our campus neighbourhood! We also offer programs including sporting breakfasts and Long Day Boarding which bring another dimension to student experience. Please contact TJ Pieters our Head of Boarding if you would like to know more. I am a firm believer that every child deserves to have an experience of boarding as a life changing experience.
Food Technology and Textile Design Centre
The Food Technology and Textile Design spaces are nearing completion and will be open for learning at the commencement of Term Two. There will be a formal opening in May to recognise our generous donors and those involved in the design, construction and execution of the project. A hallmark learning facilities the Design, Technology and Enterprise precinct, led by Michelle Bradley, is coming together as a contemporary experiential learning opportunity for our students. I am excited for what is to come in this learning area.
myGrammar
As we come to the end of our first term using myGrammar, we would like to thank you for embracing this new means of communication and hope that you are finding it improves your experience of the School. While some parents have needed some support in accessing the platform, we have found that our IT team have quickly been able to assist in most cases and we are pleased that the majority of parents are now making use of this tool. Please bear with us as we continue to expand the implementation of myGrammar, and do get in touch if you require any assistance or would like to provide feedback by emailing mygrammar@lcgs.tas.edu.au
Other News
The significant work that is being undertaken across the school highlights our belief and commitment to offering a leading education for our students and their families. There is so much more that happens in our school that is highlighted through our social media channels, the website and the upcoming publication of Blue Back and White (previously known as News From Grammar).
My final acknowledgement goes to our amazing staff. Over the course of the last six months they have collaborated to put in place a Strategic Plan under the auspices of the Board and Senior Leadership. The translation from vision to practice has been the focus of our effort. Last week we submitted our paperwork for School Registration. This body of work was captured in 11 folders and approximately 5500 pages of evidence from vision to policy to practice. There will be an external audit team visiting us in Terms Two and Three to examine what which cannot be captured on paper. I am sure they will find a comprehensive, cohesive and outstanding educational offering in play. I am grateful for the work of both teaching and professional services staff in this process and their continued excellence. Our students are well supported by these outstanding professionals.
Term Two will be upon us in no time! I trust over the holidays you will find time to purchase tickets for Strictly Ballroom, take the opportunity to ensure winter uniform still fits and have a plan to do something special together over the break!
Dale Bennett
Principal