Term 1, Week 8

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of speaking at the Lyttleton Street Chapter Luncheon. An annual event held for our Broadland House Old Girls Association (BHOGA). We were fortunate to be able to come together as a community and celebrate our great School.

I spoke on the topic of change. In the last twelve months, many of us have experienced great change as a result of the COVID-19 virus, fortunately here in Tasmania life as we know it has altered but we cautiously undertake many of our regular day-to-day activities.

In my experience as an educator, I would not be alone in in observing that the education sector is ever-changing. Change is the only constant in our classrooms. Research is shared with educators which informs evidence-based decisions that impacts the field as we know it. As educators it is our duty to adapt. A school like ours continues to evolve whilst retaining its tradition. Contrary to what some might believe, tradition and change are not opposed and can work together harmoniously.

In the last 3 years our Broadland Junior Campus has seen much change; we have adopted the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Framework as a whole school approach to learning. The IB aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

The IB encourages students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. Never before has our school seen such heightened engagement in learning. Our teachers are more skilled than ever before and every decision that we make is supported by current evidence and research.

Another example of positive change, we know that recently, the School board has acquired 5000 square metres of land adjacent to the Junior Campus. Growing up, this land has been a play area for many Broadland students in the past. However, this change will be incorporated into our Masterplan and provide more green-space for our students and further opportunities to enhance authentic learning, outside of the classroom. Change is the impetus of growth and transformation.

I will make a confession, when I was growing up, I hated change. When I was 13, my entire family moved to Launceston. My sister and I attended the Launceston Grammar Senior Campus and my little brother, Harry was enrolled in Grade 1 at the Junior Campus. I remember walking into Broadland House for the first time and meeting Mr Hosford. We went along with him for a tour of the school. I was astounded by the strong sense of community and compassion that you could feel on the Campus. Children were coming up to Mr Hosford and asking him to join in their games. The wonderful thing about our School is the sense of community and strong sense of tradition that provides our alumni a unique perspective of the world. Moving from New South Wales was indeed a big change, however what I have come to find is that life is changing all the time. Rather than fight the change, I have learnt to accept it and for it to help me grow.

In the holidays, my Nan found a book in an antique shop about our Launceston Grammar School. The book was released in 1946 to commemorate the School’s 100^th birthday. It was dedicated in memory of the Old Scholars of Launceston Church of England Grammar school who died in service of their country.

It stated in the front of the book that, “The demands of modern education are such that continuous expansion and development of the school activities and improvement of training facilities are essential if the school is to retain its high place in the education world, and maintain the great traditions built up during its one hundred years of life.”

It also read, “The vision for our Grammar school was for the school to not only be a place where teachers taught classical, mathematical and scientific learning, it was intended for our school to be a kind of school education that trained children for life”, with thanks to you all and our community at large, that is what we continue to aim to do 175 years later.

It has stuck with me, that one trait that has made our School prosper over the years is our willingness to change in our pursuit of excellence as educators, striving to nurture the children in our care and to uphold those visions of so long ago. Change is in our tradition.

We continue to ask: what life skills do we want our students to leave Launceston Grammar with? Which of those can we teach them authentically, so they are prepared for the future jobs that we are not certain of yet? We want them to leave with good character, critical thinking skills, kindness and humility. We want our children to be the people that stop and help others cross the street, who stand up to let an elderly person sit down on public transport or speak up against a racist or discriminative comment.

Here at Launceston Grammar, we have the opportunity to continue to be leaders in education, nationally recognised as forward in our thinking, where we educate our children for tomorrow.

The Launceston Grammar Junior Campus are appreciative of the continued support of the Mrs Rosemary Stobart (BHOGA President) and all of the Broadland Old Girls Association members. What an exciting time to be an educator, especially what an exciting time to be an educator here at Launceston Grammar.

The Junior Campus Swimming Carnival was held at the Riverside Pool on Wednesday 24 March, 2021.

The action packed day begun with across the pool freestyle and novelty races, ensuring that all competitors cooled off in the water before the down the pool events started. Terrific performances were recorded and the lead for the House Cup changed many times throughout the day. However, when it mattered, Lyttleton-Hewton ended up on the most points and are crowned the 2021 House Swimming Champions.

I walked away from the pool astounded by the high level of participation and willingness of students having a go. There were so many students out of their comfort zone, swimming sometimes two laps of a pool they had never swum in before. Very courageous if you ask me and I am so incredibly proud of all of students who displayed great team House spirit.

Maxey-Middeton house had by far the greatest cheers squad and Buesnell-Rooney swimmers showed excellent team work and almost won the day. Many personal bests were recorded throughout the day and a strong team of swimmers were then selected to compete and represent the school at the NIJSSA Swimming Carnival.

Final Scores for 2021 were:

1. Lyttleton-Hewton 1646
2. Buesnell-Rooney 1565
3. Maxey-Middleton 1197

Our 2021 Grade 6 Champions (and captains of the NIJSSA swimming team) are Lachie Mayes (Lyttleton-Hewton) and Gracie Hirst (Maxey-Middleton). Our Grade 6 Boy and Girl Runners-Up respectively are Xavier Case (Buesnell-Rooney) and Oliver Hortle (Buesnell-Rooney) with Phoebe Jackson-Mills (Lyttleton-Hewton) and Saskia Grodski (Lyttleton-Hewton). All swimmers competed extremely well on the day, close finishes and Gracie winning all four down the pool events. I congratulate them all for their dedication and efforts on the day.

Some terrific performances across the day were recorded by Will Archer, Sage Bassano and Olivia Doyle (Grade 3). Harry Jackson, Alice Fanning and Polly Carins (Grade 4), George Armstrong, Zack Holloway, Lucy Jackson and Georgie Tole (Grade 5).

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all students, staff and parents for assisting with the running of the day. This carnival would not be possible with all of your help and I do greatly appreciate your help on the day. This year we once again had almost 30 parents assisting with timekeeping and other roles on the day, what an awesome Launceston Grammar community we are.

Once again, thank you very much for everyone’s contributions, especially Mrs Lou Wigan, Jim Richmond and Colin Davis for their extra assistance on the day.

NIJSSA Swimming Carnival

The NIJSSA Swimming Carnival was held on Thursday 11 March, 2021.

March a team of 36 swimmers represented the school at the annual NIJSSA Swimming Carnival at the Riverside Pool. Nine schools participated in this event and it was a fantastic day for all involved. Our school once again competed outstandingly well and achieved third place overall. We maintained a strong and high position all day and this is testament to the wonderful performances that our students displayed in the water, slicing huge chunks off time off their personal bests.

Final standings:

1. Scotch Oakburn College
2. Sacred Heart
3. Launceston Church Grammar School
4. St Thomas More’s
5. Launceston Christian School
6. St Finn Barr’s
7. St Anthony’s
8. Launceston Preparatory School
9. Larmenier

Our two team Captains for 2021, Lachie Mayes and Gracie Hirst performed extremely well by each winning a Division 1 event, Lachie in the Grade 6 Boys 33m Breaststroke and Gracie in the Grade 6 Girls 33m Freestyle. We had two other Grade 4 swimmers claim a Division 1 win on the day, Harry Jackson in the Boys 33m Freestyle event and Polly Carins in the Girls 33m Breaststroke event.

Our Grade 4 Boys and Grade 4 Girls Relay teams also swum well and won their races and also receive an NIJSSA Certificate for their efforts. These swimmers include – Boys: Matthew Barrenger, Oliver Chia, Alex French and Harry Jackson; and Girls – Polly Carins, Maggie Clayton, Alice Fanning and Eva Reid.

I would like to thank all of the swimmers and all of the staff who assisted in the students’ preparation in the lead up and on the day. Thank you goes to Mrs Lou Wigan, Mrs Krystal Bassano and Mrs Jane Jackson for assisting with our training session and on the day of the Carnival. We also had 6 Officials from our school who assisted on the smooth running of the Carnival on the day.

I would like to highlight a number of performances from our students on the day.

First Place:

• George Armstrong (Grade 5 Boys) – 66m Freestyle – Div 3
• Lucy Jackson (Grade 5 Girls) – 66m Freestyle – Div 3
• Oliver Chia (Grade 4 Boys) – 66m Freestyle – Div 3
• Will Hortle (Grade 3 Boys) – 33m Freestyle – Div 5
• Zach Cubitt (Grade 4 Boys) – 33m Freestyle – Div 5
• Harry Jackson (Grade 4 Boys) – 33m Freestyle – Div 1
• Eva Reid (Grade 4 Girls) – 33m Freestyle – Div 3
• Oliver Hortle (Grade 6 Boys) – 33m Freestyle – Div 3
• Mila Jane (Grade 6 Girls) – 33m Freestyle – Div 5
• Gracie Hirst (Grade 6 Girls) – 33m Freestyle – Div 1
• Will Archer (Grade 3 Boys) – 33m Breaststroke – Div 2
• Olivia Doyle (Grade 3 Girls) – 33m Breaststroke – Div 2
• Polly Carins (Grade 4 Girls) – 33m Breaststroke – Div 1
• Lachie Mayes (Grade 6 Boys) – 33m Breaststroke – Div 1
• Eva Reid (Grade 4 Girls) – 33m Backstroke – Div 2
• Freddie Clutterbuck (Grade 5 Boys) – 33m Backstroke – Div 3
• Olivia Doyle (Grade 3 Girls) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 2
• Sage Bassano (Grade 3 Girls) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 2
• Libby Davis (Grade 3 Girls) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 2
• Sebla Reeves (Grade 3 Girls) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 2
• Harry Jackson (Grade 4 Boys) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Oliver Chia (Grade 4 Boys) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Matthew Barrenger (Grade 4 Boys) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Alex French (Grade 4 Boys) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Alice Fanning (Grade 4 Girls) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Eva Reid (Grade 4 Girls) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Polly Carins (Grade 4 Girls) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Maggie Clayton (Grade 4 Girls) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1

Second Place:

• Gracie Hirst (Grade 6 Girls) – 66m Freestyle – Div 1
• Zac Holloway (Grade 5 Boys) – 66m Freestyle – Div 2
• Harry Jackson (Grade 4 Boys) – 66m Freestyle – Div 1
• Alice Fanning (Grade 4 Girls) – 66m Freestyle – Div 2
• Polly Carins (Grade 4 Girls) – 66m Freestyle – Div 1
• Sage Bassano (Grade 3 Girls) – 33m Freestyle – Div 3
• Matthew Barrenger (Grade 4 Boys) – 33m Freestyle – Div 3
• Alice Fanning (Grade 4 Girls) – 33m Freestyle – Div 1
• Polly Carins (Grade 4 Girls) – 33m Freestyle – Div 2
• Ben Watson (Grade 5 Boys) – 33m Freestyle – Div 5
• Harry Jackson (Grade 4 Boys) – 33m Breaststroke – Div 1
• Saskia Grodski (Grade 6 Girls) – 33m Breaststroke – Div 2
• Gracie Hirst (Grade 6 Girls) – 33m Breaststroke – Div 1
• Will Archer (Grade 3 Boys) – 33m Backstroke – Div 3
• Sage Bassano (Grade 3 Girls) – 33m Backstroke – Div 2
• Alice Fanning (Grade 4 Girls) – 33m Backstroke – Div 1
• Xavier Case (Grade 6 Boys) – 33m Backstroke – Div 2

Third Place:

• Oliver Hortle (Grade 6 Boys) – 66m Freestyle – Div 2
• Phoebe Jackson-Mills (Grade 6 Girls) – 66m Freestyle – Div 2
• Georgie Tole (Grade 5 Girls) – 66m Freestyle – Div 1
• Max Wagner (Grade 3 Boys) – 33m Freestyle – Div 2
• Sebla Reeves (Grade 3 Girls) – 33m Freestyle – Div 5
• Maggie Clayton (Grade 4 Girls) – 33m Freestyle – Div 4
• Zac Holloway (Grade 5 Boys) – 33m Freestyle – Div 1
• Lachie Mayes (Grade 6 Boys) – 33m Freestyle – Div 2
• Saskia Grodski (Grade 6 Girls) – 33m Freestyle – Div 3
• Zara Cole (Grade 5 Girls) – 33m Breaststroke – Div 3
• Olivia Doyle (Grade 3 Girls) – 33m Backstroke – Div 3
• Alex French (Grade 4 Boys) – 33m Backstroke – Div 1
• Stanley Thomson (Grade 3 Boys) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Will Hortle (Grade 3 Boys) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Max Wagner (Grade 3 Boys) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Will Archer (Grade 3 Boys) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Lachie Mayes (Grade 6 Boys) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Xavier Case (Grade 6 Boys) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Ollie Cannon (Grade 6 Boys) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Oliver Hortle (Grade 6 Boys) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Gracie Hirst (Grade 6 Girls) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Saskia Grodski (Grade 6 Girls) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Mila Jane (Grade 6 Girls) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1
• Phoebe Jackson-Mills (Grade 6 Girls) – 33m Freestyle Relay – Div 1

Christian Zantuck
Junior Campus Head of Physical Education and Sport

Do you enjoy exciting outdoor activities? Do you enjoy getting fit while having fun and meeting new people? Then why not consider a part-time career in the Army Reserve. Hear from current serving Army Reservists and tour the barracks to learn all about life in the Army Reserve.

A Night in the Army Reserve Launceston:

• Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
• Date: Tuesday 30 March, 2021
• Location: Youngtown Barracks – Youngtown Ave Youngtown, TAS 7249

What to Expect:

• A briefing from Army Reserve personnel and Defence Force Recruiting.
• A guided tour of the Army Reserve barracks, its capabilities, equipment and vehicles.

Interaction with Defence Force Recruiting staff and current serving Army Reserve personnel.

Register Here

Autism Tasmania is hosting a free community workshop for parents and family members of people on the autism spectrum.

The sessions aim to provide parents and carers encouragement and trustworthy information, so they can support their children to grow into confident and empowered autistic adults.

The sessions provide a safe place to:

• meet other parents and carers
• share experiences and advice
• learn new things

The information we provide is based on evidence from scientific research, together with the views and suggestions of autistic adults.

Read more about the workshop

Register for the events here:

Launceston Workshop

Burnie Workshop

Speech Pathology Tasmania is offering a program for parents, grandparents, parents-to-be and carers.

To find out more about the program View Here.