End of Term Two Newsletter 2024

Over the final three weeks of term, I have taken annual leave to support my son through a significant medical emergency in Adelaide. He is now on the long road to recovery and making good progress. Life throws us unexpected curve balls and it is at times of significant challenge that we draw upon our reserves and resource to work through the ordeal. Jane and I have been blessed to have the support and understanding of the Grammar Board, staff and community during this unexpected event. The most important message I can send as Principal is that family must always come first for it is the bonds of family which sustain us and grow us. There is no obituary that celebrates “Elad never had a day off work”. We must prioritise and honour that which shapes our purpose. Thank you for your understanding.

However, many may not have realised my absence because strong communities will keep carrying on. My focus last year was to build capacity in the School. This year it is to ensure that we have clear intent and purpose. You will read in the current Blue Black & White about our strategic directions which shape our purpose over the next five years. This last term has been testament to the initial operational changes which enable us to realise our ambitions.

During the term, we welcomed Kate Dean as Director of Advancement and member of the Senior Leadership Team. The role oversees Community, Marketing & Events, Philanthropy and Enrolments and is not for the feint hearted! Kate comes to the role with significant corporate experience which will help us realise our goals for these portfolio areas. An added benefit is that Kate is closely connected to the school as a former parent and alumni.

“Better Together”

Thank you Grammar community – your generosity of spirit in supporting our first Annual Giving Day held on 29 June is greatly appreciated. “Better Together” was nominated as our theme as it was an opportunity for us to participate and show the strength of community. We are indebted to our five matching donors on the day who gave us the confidence to strive for an audacious fundraising goal of $140,000. As the term concludes we have collectively donated $146,526! We look forward to developing student social spaces on both campuses in readiness for the 2025 academic year. Philanthropy comes in many forms in supporting the progress of the school be it Time, Talent or Treasure.

Small by Design

We are mid process for our recruitment for the Head of Junior Campus, Deputy Principal and have attracted a strong field from across Australia and New Zealand. I will share news of the appointment by mid Term Three.

Grade Five is one of our key entry points for students and their families and the recent “Take Flight” enrolment program for students entering Grade Five for 2025 attracted interest from 20 families. This is a significant level of interest. Why is that? I believe it is because we have a strong reputation for individualised care and personalisation led by outstanding educators across our Junior School.

Our optimal class sizes of 20 students for Prep – Grade Two, 22 students for Grade Three & Four class sizes, and 24 students Grade Five & Six underpin our commitment to excellence in wellbeing and learning. The generous staff:student ratio underpins our belief that the formative years of education are the most important for life success. Our NAPLAN results show strong growth and reflect our professional development of staff equipping them as expert educators in literacy and numeracy. The learning model of the Primary Years Program (PYP) ensures that there is consistency and clarity for learners as they develop their agency and sophistication in learning over the six years of primary education.

Community Celebrations

It is wonderful to lead a school steeped in history as it always affords us opportunity to not only mark significant milestones but to also revisit the golden threads that underpin our purpose and culture. We marked the 178^th year of the School with Junior and Senior Campuses coming together to celebrate this very special occasion in the School Chapel at the Mowbray campus.  It is humbling to celebrate this anniversary which marks us as the longest continually operating independent school in Australia. It was fitting to gather at the Chapel as this year we mark 90 years for this very special place for generations of students and community.

There will be a celebration of the glory of the Chapel and its roll in school life on the 30^th July when we launch a “90 Year History of the Chapel”, authored by our School Historian Paul A.C. Richards AM. I warmly invite our community to come together and celebrate with us on this occasion with a special Chapel service of thanksgiving with Bishop Richard Condie. I’m also delighted to share that renowned concert organist Dr Nicholas Grigsby will join us for this celebration, providing a wonderful musical accompaniment to the occasion. Complimentary tickets can be booked here. We will also reinstate the Friends of The Chapel Committee with the goal to have the Chapel fully refurbished and the courtyard reimagined in readiness for the centenary of this magnificent place of worship in 2034!

It took some 10 years to build the Chapel at the Mowbray campus which meant that this term we were also able to celebrate the centenary of the school move to the Mowbray campus. It was a wonderful occasion replete with birthday cakes in recognition of the four original houses and a cake for the campus! On this day we also held the annual cross country and tug–o–war competitions generating House pride and culture. It was wonderful to have Board and Alumni join us for the occasion.

We also recognised the Peter Sculthorpe Alumnus of the Year. The award was created to acknowledge a member of our school community, who, within their field of endeavour, has made a significant achievement. The Alumnus of the Year for 2024 is Sir Guy Stephen Montague Green, AC, KBE, CVO  a retired Australian judge who served as the Governor of Tasmania from 1995 to 2003. He was the first Tasmanian-born governor of the state and has been recognised at state and national levels in leadership roles including being the first Honorary Antarctic Ambassador 2005-2022 and appointed Tasmanian Antarctic Patron in early 2022. As part of this announcement, we also welcomed back members of the OLA to celebrate this event as well as catch up with classmates from past years and held our annual reunion program for milestone years.

Time flies when you are having fun!

No truer phrase was ever uttered as I reflect back on my first 18 months as Principal. Yes, there have been challenges, but they are outweighed by the immense rewards of being a part of such a special community. We place the students at the centre of our decision making and increasingly we see student voice move to agency and action as together we generate a contemporary and relevant educational offering. But in this transition, we have not lost sight of our mission. We are here to educate and support children to learn how to thrive in a dynamic world. To be individuals of good character and clear purpose. To make the world a better place as they journey through life. Over the next 18 months we have initiatives and projects which are informed by our strategic vision. I welcome all community members to continue engaging with the school. Come have a cuppa and conversation. We only grow if we continue to nurture our school, challenge ourselves to be better and inspire each other to make the difference we want to see for our children.

All the best for the break and I look forward to seeing you during Term Three.

Dale
Principal

Much has happened during the term. Regular updates have been posted on myGrammar and social media platforms. We encourage all parents and carers to check myGrammar, to be sure you stay up to date with what is happening at school.

We are thrilled with the interest in the educational programs at Grammar; Discover Grammar Tours are held regularly for prospective students and have been very well attended. To meet the demand for Early Learning places, we will open an additional class in the Omagh building in Term Three and are finalising the appointment of a new Early Childhood teacher and assistant. We were delighted with the calibre of applicants who are interested in joining our teaching team.

Student life

Much has been happening across the Campus. Bishop Richard Condie attended the Junior Campus Chapel service on Monday 3 June and shared information about his role. Many of our students participated in choral singing and musical performances in the Launceston Competitions. We are very proud of all the students for practising, doing their very best and representing the school with pride. Grade Five rehearsals for the Musical, ‘Lion King’ Jnr continue; we are very much looking forward to the performances later in Term Three.

Many students have enjoyed learning beyond the Junior Campus:

• Grade One – Mole Creek Caves and Nature Play
• Grade Two – Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG)
• Grade Three – The Hive for a Science experience.

Grade Twelve student leaders hosted ‘Socials’ for students in P-2, Grades Three-Four and Five-Six. The Senior students provided music and entertainment. All who came along enjoyed the dancing and games. Grade Twelve leaders also held a bake sale at the Junior Campus in the last week of term; the home-made treats were delicious! Proceeds from the events went to the Grade Twelve charity, Strike it Out.

Learning Area Leader for The Arts, Mrs Martine Cook, continues to engage the students in memorable art experiences. Grade One students are to be congratulated for winning the Bay of Fires Youth Art Prize! Grammar students were invited to curate an exhibition at QVMAG. The exhibition and program collaboration fosters industry-based student learning through mentorship and guidance from the institution’s teams, sharing behind-the-scenes knowledge of exhibition development. This educational experience enables students to develop an exhibition theme and create artwork to display to the local, national and international audiences of QVMAG. 

Many parents attend sporting events as spectators and supporters of the School. Thank you for your support!

The Junior Campus House Cross Country event was held at Faulkner Park on Wednesday 22 May. The day was very well attended with Kinder – Grade Six parents and children enjoying the spirit of competition and supporting all who participated. First was Maxey-Middleton, second was Lyttleton-Hewton, and third was Buesnell Rooney. Congratulations to all competitors! Special thanks to our PE and Sport Teacher, Christian Zantuck, who ensured that all was in order for the event and that the programme ran smoothly.

Selected students went on to represent Grammar at the Tasmanian All School Cross Country Championships at Symmons Plain on Tuesday 18 June and at the Northern Independent Junior School Sports Association (NIJSSA) event on Wednesday 19 June.  Congratulations to Laura C, and Toby F who have been invited to compete in the National Competition at Symmons Plains.

The Primary Schools Futsal Competition was held on Wednesday 29 May. We celebrated a team win!

Founders’ Day was celebrated on Friday 14 June, with students in Grades Three-Six attending a Chapel Service at the Senior Campus. The address was given by Deputy Principal, Head of Senior Campus, Mr Nick Foster. On Friday 20 June, The Peter Sculthorpe Alumnus of the Year, Sir Guy Green, was welcomed to a Junior Campus Assembly and a special Morning Tea held for Sir Guy and his daughter, Jill.

Chess continues to engage many students. Chess Club is held during the week and Blacksquare Chess runs Sunday Chess on the 3^rd Sunday of each month in Faulkner Hall. Fourteen students competed in a Chess Tournament at Scotch Oakburn on Monday 17 June. They were pleased and proud to come 3^rd overall! Special thanks to Timothy Brown, who leads the Chess group.

On Friday 28 June, we welcomed nineteen students to the Grade 4 2024 – Grade 5 2025 Take Flight morning. All current Grade Four 2024 and future Grade Five 2025 joined together to experience Wellbeing, Art, Sport and Geography learning at Grammar. Commendations and thanks to all staff who helped host our young visitors: Adam Brooks, Sophie Gunn, Martine Cook, Christian Zantuck and Claire Calvert planned engaging learning activities. The Enrolment Team are also to be thanked.

Thanks to all teachers for collating evidence of student effort, progress and achievement and completing the Semester One Reports. Following the distribution of Reports, Parent Teacher Conferences were held for Kinder to Grade Five, and Student Led Conferences for Grade Six, so that parents and carers had an opportunity to meet with teachers. We hope that you too, are proud of what has been achieved.

Staffing

Junior Campus staff have welcomed and mentored two pre-service teachers and two TAFE students this term.

Staff continue to extend their pedagogy and practice by engaging in professional development:

• myGrammar – focus on Learning Moments continues, to ensure continuity across the Campus.
• Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) protocols and procedures.
• Independent School Tasmania (IST) professional learning modules: Data Literacy in the Early Years, Wellbeing, Mathematics, Writing. Scope and sequence development.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Information is shared with colleagues at Staff Meetings after each session.

Educational Assistant, Mrs Joanne Walsh, resigned to take up a new role in student support. We thank her for her years of service and wish her well. Interviews to fill this vacancy have been held and we anticipate a new Educational Assistant will begin early in Term Three.

Holiday works

The holiday works are well underway, with the new floor to ceiling, sliding doors being installed in the Prep and Grade One classrooms. When the children return to school, they will have even brighter classrooms with direct access to the outdoor deck and greenspace. Sincere thanks to John Faulkner Builders for progressing the project with minimal disruption to learning.

Best wishes to all for a safe and happy term break! Term Three dates are provided below. Please remember to access myGrammar for the most up to date information regarding school and community events.

The celebration of 100 years at the Mowbray Campus was an occasion dear to my heart. Having had the privilege as Campus Head to deliver the message at our Celebratory Assembly I was able to reflect on the leap of faith the trustees took in the 1920’s to make the move to Mowbray. I often wish I could travel back in time to share with them the many successes the School has had in the following 100 years.

It has been a significant term for the Senior Campus with great successes to share.

Our thespians once again trod the boards of the Princess Theatre presenting Strictly Ballroom. With over 2550 tickets sold, the support from the School and wider community was unfathomable. Our production staff Melissa, Will, Louise and Jacqueline, with the support of a talented production crew, enabled 62 students to deliver an extraordinary show and create memories that will live with them for a lifetime. We are very grateful for all involved with helping put on such a marvellous performance.

Many of our sporting teams did very well this term. We had great success at the Tasmanian All Schools Cross Country Championships with Harry J. and Zac H. winning their respective age groups and Euan B., Hunter D. and Chanel C. coming second in theirs. In the Teams Event, Grammar came away with two gold medals, two silver medals and a bronze medal, as well as winning the NSATIS Combined Girls Trophy and four NSATIS age group pennants.

Our Junior Boys Soccer teams showed their dominance in the North, winning the Division 1 NSATIS final 7-1 and narrowly losing the Division 2 NSATIS Final 3-5.

Our Senior Boys First Eighteen had a very successful season. They won through to a home semi-final and fell agonisingly short of playing in the State Final.  The match was played on the same day as our 100 Years at Mowbray celebrations, and it was wonderful to have the whole school able to support our students.

Badminton has also had a successful season with the Firsts narrowly missing out on the NSATIS Final and the Seconds winning through to the final being contested next term.

Term 3 brings with it our swimming season with the NSATIS Carnival in Week Six and the SATIS Carnival in Week Nine. Training starts first week back and what better way to start the season than with 4 of our students competing for Tasmania at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships. Alex C, Isaac C, Oliver M, and Abbie K all heading up to the Gold Coast to take on Australia’s best. Special mention must go to Abbie, who has just come back from competing at the Australian Olympic Trials.

In the last week of term, we celebrated NAIDOC week with a range of activities overseen by Revd. Matthew Pickering.

Grade Seven had a thought-provoking excursion to the Gorge with Geoff McLean, where students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in activities such as participating in an ochre ceremony, a cultural walk/talk to Hidden Valley/Giant’s Grave, making memory wreaths from snotty vine, a treasure hunt, hut construction and fire making challenge.

Grade Nine students participated in the From Gumnuts to Buttons program. This program looks through the lens and perspective of Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples.

Grade Eleven and Twelve students were visited by Adam Thompson, a pakana writer. Students had the opportunity to engage through a Q&A with Adam, unpacking his life growing up and his journey through to becoming an award-winning writer, also opening the doors of the first Tasmanian Aboriginal production company, kutikina Productions.

Invited community members joined us for our NAIDOC Assembly where three of our students Ruby and Chloe W, alongside Luwanna B interviewed our guest speaker Graeme Gardner. Community members were also treated to a musical performance written and produced by Solly F for NAIDOC.

At Launceston Grammar, we acknowledge and pay respects to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community. We support our Indigenous students acknowledging the importance of country and culture through engagement of programs and connectiveness with the local community members and organisations.

Last year, two of our Staff, Rachel Pickering and Cherrilyn Parker, visited Cape Barron Island School. This was an opportunity to meet with the community on the Island and make a connection with the School. On this wonderful trip, as our staff engaged with the community, they together realised that updating the Library with new seating, shelving, and educational resources would have a positive impact on the school. A Cape Barron Library Fund was established and since the visit we have raised funds to help make this important space a little brighter.

As examinations for our Grammar Graduate students (Grades 10-12) have completed, staff are finalising reports which will go out shortly.

As we wrap up the semester, we see 18 TCE students head off to Sydney for the annual art trip, led by Paul Snell and Clare Farrell.

During the upcoming holidays, our Outdoor Education staff commence their second TCE camp for 2024 and during the final week of break, we welcome four students from Sherborne Girls School to Tasmania as part of our exchange program. We look forward to them experiencing all Grammar has to offer for their four weeks stay.

God’s Blessings

Nicholas Foster
Head of Senior Campus

Congratulations to the following students on their achievements throughout Term One. As hard as we try to capture every student success, we apologise for any students that may have been missed.

Zac H – Success in the 400m National Track and Field Championships in Adelaide, during the holiday break. He came 2nd and broke the state record.

James L –  James has been selected in the Tasmanian U/18 Indoor Cricket team and will play in the nationals in Victoria in July. He now has training every weekend (usually in Hobart), until then!

Lily C – Made the National team for Netball

Alex C – Attended Nationals for Swimming

Abbie K – Attended Nationals for Swimming and the Olympic trials in Brisbane.

Tillie J – Attended Nationals for Swimming

Sage B – Attended Nationals for Swimming

Arabella H – Selected by Basketball Tasmania to represent the state at the U14 National Championships in Victoria.

Doug S – Went to U12 and U14 Australian Clay Court Tennis Championships and made the Jack Pizzey Cup State Team but unfortunately have to withdraw due to injury.

Indy W – Represented Tasmania in the Australian Gymnastics Championships on the Gold Coast.

Jemima G – Represented Tasmania in the Australian Gymnastics Championships on the Gold Coast.

Lucas W – Attended the national pistol shooting competition, and won a gold medal, 2 silver and a fourth place.

Euan B – Placed 1st in Open Boys in the State Forest Orienteering Championships

Ed R – Placed 1st in Junior Boys in the State Forest Orienteering Championships

Grade One Class – Finalists in the Bay of Fires Youth Art Prize

May C – Finalist in the Bay of Fires Youth Art Prize

Piper E – Competed at the Nationals in Melbourne in the Tasmania U15 and U16 Soccer Teams.

Hollie J – Competed at the Nationals in Melbourne in the Tasmania U15 and U16 Soccer Teams.

Launceston Competitions:

Allyn C and Jessica G – 1st Place in Primary Duo/Trio section

Junior String Ensemble – 1st Place in Primary Instrumental Ensemble section

Cacia C – 1st in Student/Teacher duet

Chloe A – 2nd in Student/Teacher duet

Speech and Drama

Arabella H – 1st Place in Grade 7 Monologue Solo

Arabella H – 1st Place in Grade 7 Impromptu Reading

Arabella H – 2nd Place Grade 7 Recital Solo

Arabella H – Grade 7/8 Verse Writing Solo

Alice G – 3rd Place in Grade 9 Monologue

Eliza K – 2nd Place in Grade 9 Monologue

Alice G and Piers N – HC in Grade 9 Character Duo/Trio

Paige D-R – 2nd Place in Grade 9/10 Creative Individual Programme Solo

Alice G – 1st Place in Grade 9 Recital Solo

Paige D-R – 3rd Place in Grade 9 Recital Solo

Eliza K – 1st Place in Grade 9 Impromptu Reading

Alice G – 2nd Place in Grade 9 Impromptu Reading

Audrey H – 3rd Place in Grade 9 Impromptu Reading

Paige D-R – 2nd Place in Grade 9 Mime

Alice G – 1st Place in Secondary Championship Recital

Paige D-R – 2nd Place in Secondary Championship Recital

Alice G – Gillian McLaine-Cross Perpetual Trophy. Highest mark for secondary recital.

Alice G – Arthur Ride Memorial Trophy Grade 9 Winner

Arabella H – Arthur Ryde Memorial Trophy Grade 7 Winner.

Arabella H – The City of Launceston Award for Artistic Excellence.

Music

Ginny N – Equal 1st in 12 Years and Under Modern Piano Solo

Asha B – Equal 1st in 12 Years and Under Modern Piano Solo

William S – Equal 2nd in 12 Years and Under Modern Piano Solo

Jessica G – Equal 3rd in 12 Years and Under Modern Piano Solo

Allyn C – 1st Place in 12 Years and Under Classical Piano

Ginny N – 3rd Place in 12 Years and Under Classical Piano

Asha B, Jessica G and William S – HC in 12 Years and Under Classical Piano

Olivia D and Kavin K – Equal 3rd Place in AMEB Preliminary Instrumental

Kano K – 2nd Place in AMEB Grade 1 Instrumental

Elliot H – 1st Place in AMEB Grade 2 Instrumental

Cacia C – 1st Place in AMEB Grade 3 Instrumental

Jessica G – 2nd Place in AMEB Grade 3 Instrumental

Chloe A – 3rd Place in AMEB Grade 3 Instrumental

Allyn C – 1st Place in AMEB Grade 4 Instrumental

Lillian F – Equal 2nd Place in AMEB Grade 4 Instrumental

Jack G – 1st Place in 18 Years and Under Piano Solo

Yasmin W – 2nd Place in 18 Years and Under Piano Solo

Yasmin W – 1st Place in 18 Years and Under Piano Solo Romantic Composer

Jack G – 2nd Place in 16 Years and Under Piano Classical

Jack G – 1st Place in 16 Years and Under Piano Romantic

Jack G – 1st Place in 16 Years and Under Piano Post- Impressionist

Jack G and Jessica G – 1st Place in 16 Years and Under Piano Duet

Allyn C – 1st Place in Grade 6 AMEB Piano Solo

Jessica G – 3rd Place in Grade 6 AMEB Piano Solo

Allyn C – 1st Place in 14 Years and Under Piano Baroque

Allyn C – 2nd Place in 14 Years and Under Piano Classical

Allyn C – 1st Place in 14 Years and Under Piano Romantic

Ada G – 3rd Place in 14 Years and Under Piano Romantic

Allyn C – 1st Place in 14 Years and Under Piano Post-Impressionist

Allyn C – 1st Place in 14 Years and Under Piano Solo Australian

Jack G – Edward Wesley Memorial Prize (for best piano player in this year’s competition)

Lola B – 2nd Place for 10 year old and under piano solo novice

Jessica G and Allyn C – 1st Place for Primary Instrumental Duet or Trio

Launceston Grammar – Awarded the City of Launceston Lions Club Inc. C.W. Barratt Memorial Aggregate Shield for Primary, Secondary and College Grade Music

We apologise for any omissions and oversights and encourage families to contact the school at reception@lcgs.tas.edu.au to ensure the list of recognition is complete as possible.  

To access the digital version of the latest issue of ‘Blue, Black and White’, click here. If you wish to request a printed copy, please contact community@lcgs.tas.edu.au.

Complimentary tickets can be booked here.