Term 2, Week 5

Student Voice

At Launceston Grammar we always ask our students to tell us what they are thinking?  What worries them. What could we do better? What do we do well?  To that end we have a Student Representative Council as well as students presenting to both Senior Management and the School Board throughout the year.

At our Junior Campus, two students Nancy Tucker and Maggie Clayton, commenced on a journey for the School to provide trousers for girls as part of the uniform. Supported by their teacher, Jude Coombe and staff, they conducted a survey of students, sourced some samples, and a trial commenced. In the recent Junior Campus assembly they presented to the students proudly wearing their trousers.  Students from the Student Representative Council on the Senior Campus have also been lobbying for trousers, and as the French poet and novelist, Victor Hugo wrote;

“Nothing is more powerful than as idea whose time has come”

Well done to Maggie and Nancy who have helped make their idea a reality.  Next Wednesday Mrs Carter and I will meet with the girls and Parent Grade Representatives to finalise the trouser design.  The Grammar Shop will then make them available to students across both campuses.

It was also wonderful to hear poetry from Jamari Lockhart at the Senior Campus assembly on Thursday.  Jamari delivered a powerful address which was follow by an amazing interpretation of dance base on the concept of reconciliation.

It is wonderful to see student voice and expression across both campuses in different mediums.

Last week we also saw the final Presentation Evening for our rowers.  In what has been a successful season, our rowers, coaches and parents came together to celebrate and give thanks for all involved in the 2021/22 season.  A special thanks to Miss Sarah Ashlin, our Head of Rowing, and Mr Ash Dunn for producing an incredible film showcasing the season.  There was also a special thank you to Mr Peter Ferrall.  Peter has been a coach and supporter of our rowing programme for many years and recently acted as our boatshed manager.  Peter has ensured our rowers have functioning equipment and worked tirelessly in supporting our coaches.  Peter has indicated that this season will be his last.

In closing, I once again commend Maggie and Nancy on their commitment to their idea.  Their actions are testament to the words of the American President Calvin Coolidge;

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

I hope you discuss with your children that their voice is important, it will be listened to. It has merit. It has power.  Persist.  Be determined.

Have a wonderful weekend with your families.

God’s blessings.

Nicholas Foster
Acting Headmaster

Appreciation

Noun.

Recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something.

Similar: valuing, respect, prizing, cherishing, treasuring, admiration, regard, esteem.

Returning to Launceston Grammar as a teacher in 2018, has reinforced my deep appreciation for the amazing educational opportunity that the School provides.

It’s a place where students are supported to achieve their best possible academic success. It’s a place that nurtures personal growth through exemplary staff, the best possible facilities, the right teaching spaces, magnificent buildings and a vibrant supportive community. A School community that strives to provide the infrastructure that encourages openings for that growth.

As the Acting Head of Campus over the past five weeks, I have been required to conduct tours for prospective families and to speak about our School and the connected history. This has made me far more aware compared to when I was a student here.

For me there is an expanded appreciation of how much activity there is at our School. Not just the obvious, but also the amount of work behind the scenes to run the School, such as the day to day organisation of the Academic and Co-Curricular programmes. It’s exhaustive!

The art exhibitions, debating competitions, rowing presentations, mountain bike state championships, drama competitions, grade 7 parent cocktail party, sport competitions, cross country events, music tours, the Grade 8 camp, Grade 10 enrichment week, reading competitions and planning meetings for volunteers working with the New Horizons sporting club for young people with disability. There’s an exciting week coming up with the second art exhibition in the Poimena Art Gallery, the Campbell Town Show, the Walkathon cocktail party, followed by the celebration of Founders’ Day at St. John’s Church.

Appreciation is the word that stands out for me as I experience these building blocks for my career and generally for my life that has and continues to be enriched by the School.

It might be that some students don’t develop their full appreciation of the School until later when they realise just how important that the foundation work has been with their development.

The journey through the School system is perhaps not recognised by all students in respect of sacrifices that are made by most parents and guardians to provide this opportunity. Whilst many might be fully aware of this aspect of their family life, a stronger appreciation may come with the increasing maturity of current and former students as they recall the guidance, the culture, the friendships now and long lasting, and the fun!

My CV was enhanced by being a former Launceston Grammar student. Applying for jobs while still at School, university, discussions on everyday issues, and meeting new people, I always felt well placed to present and express myself because of the background that Launceston Grammar gave me.

Speaking to Grade 7 students last week, I was able to highlight how the School had impacted on my career. With that background, I encouraged them to be open to try something new at every chance. To get to learn new skills in our supportive environment as I was able to in co-curricular events outside the classroom and, importantly, out of my comfort zone. Like public speaking, which is as daunting for most adults as it is for students. To stand in front of an audience and deliver a speech where people may be judgemental and scrutinising what you say and how articulate you may be. This is a learned skill. I encouraged them to give it a try.

Through debating, students learn teamwork, communication and listening skills. I talked about embracing the challenge of learning to play a new musical instrument, to get involved with the School band. Try a different sport. So many avenues to explore for personal growth and to help overcome personal hurdles. My message…GIVE IT A GO!

With that mindset, I’m sure that anything is achievable.

Adrian Finch
Acting Head of Senior Campus

The Importance of Examinations

It’s examination season for our senior students! TCE mid-year trial examinations are scheduled from Friday June 24 to Thursday June 30 and Grade 10 mid-year examinations are scheduled from Tuesday June 21 until Thursday June 23. Rather than mid-year examinations, Grade 9 students will be completing a common assessment task (CAT) for their core subjects in timetabled classes during Weeks 7 and 8, to support them towards their first full examination experience at the end of this year.

This week, TCE students gathered in the auditorium to understand the nature of their mid-year trial examinations, the code of conduct, receive their examination schedule as well as ask questions and address concerns.

Importantly, this is the first opportunity for our Grade 11 students to have a full run-through of their TCE examinations. It is also the first time many of our Grade 12 students will sit four Level 3 examinations. Examinations provide opportunities for students to demonstrate what they know and what they can do. It also provides students with valuable learning experiences to help inform their approaches for the important external end-of-year examinations.

Sometimes examinations cause stress and anxiety for students. Anxiety can arise for a variety of different reasons. It could be from the sense of feeling overwhelmed at the perceived magnitude of the assessment task. It could be due to fear of failure. It could be because the student has not adequately prepared.

BEFORE THE EXAMINATIONS

Revising in the lead-up to examinations supports good study skills that can develop into habits. It is particularly important for Grade 11s to build these necessary routines to support them with their Grade 12 studies next year.

Preparing a purposeful revision schedule supports examination performance. As Ms Shepherd articulated in her presentation on ‘The Myths of Learning’, whilst cramming the night before can be effective for short term learning, spaced practice, that is, sustained revision over longer periods of time, supports long-term memory retention. With three weeks until the first trial TCE examinations, now is a good time to build a schedule that encourages regular revision across all the subject areas.

Utilising mind maps to document thinking or employing the Cornell Note-taking system[i] are helpful tools to support good study habits in the lead up to examinations. Grade 11 students had an opportunity to use the Cornell system in an academic session this week and have been encouraged to use this system to review and revise notes.

DURING THE EXAMINATIONS

TASC have reframed ‘reading time’ as ‘preparation time’; a standard 15 minute period for each examination. TASC advise that this time should be used to settle, review what is in the examination paper, and make plans on how to approach the examination. During this time, students can highlight and take notes, but should not start completing the examination paper/answer booklet until the working time starts. This is a good opportunity to calm nerves, understand questions and topics and plan responses. Ensuring a close eye is kept on the clock will ensure the right amount of time is spent on each section of the examination.

AFTER THE EXAMINATIONS

After the examinations have been marked, it is not only important for students to identify how they performed against the criteria, but to use teachers’ feedback to inform future steps. Understanding feedback and how to enact it will ensure the ‘where to next’ is not elusive. Further, students are encouraged to speak with their teachers to further clarify performance.

Examinations also provide opportunities for self-reflection. Such questions as “how did I perform under timed conditions?”; “how well did I prepare?”; “what do I need to do next time?” can help students better prepare for their end-of-year external examinations.

We wish all our students all the very best in the lead-up to their mid-year examinations and common assessment tasks.

1. [i] Pauk, Walter; Owens, Ross J. Q. (2010). How to Study in College (10 ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth. ISBN 978-1-4390-8446-5. Chapter 10: “The Cornell System: Take Effective Notes”, pp. 235-277

Natalie Stewart
Co-Director Teaching and Learning (Grades 10-12)

Thank you to the many parents who signed up to watch the Maths Improvement Parent Webinar, hosted by Tierney Kennedy from Back to Front Maths.

We hope the webinar gave you an insight into the theory behind the practices and pedagogical approach that we are using across our Junior Campus.

This week our teachers were fortunate to work again with Mathematics Consultant, Kathy Palmer. Kathy ran three demonstration lessons, and our teachers were able to observe these sessions. Our teachers took part in briefing and debriefing sessions and were involved in rigorous discussions about strategies, misconceptions and solutions. Our Junior Campus Leadership Team spent time planning and discussing next steps with Kathy.

The benefits of the Maths Improvement Project so far have been seen in the following ways:

• The careful analysis and use of student assessment data for decision making
• A focus on further understanding the developmental levels of learners in Mathematics
• A consistent scope and sequence and teaching and planning model
• A renewal of high-quality Mathematics resources
• And an observed increase in student enthusiasm for Mathematics learning

The next step for the project is for our teachers to continue to embed the problem based and explicit teaching cycle. We will welcome Kathy back again in a month for further professional learning.

If any parents would still like to register to view the parent webinar, please click here

Assessment and Reporting – Save the Date

Early Learning and Prep to Grade 6 Mid-Year Student Progress Reports will be sent to parents at the end of week 8 of Term 2. Following this, Parent Teacher Discussions will be held in week 9.

The dates for the discussions are, Tuesday 28 and Thursday 30 June. Details of how to access student reports and reserve a booking for parent teacher will be sent out in the coming weeks.

Claire Calvert
PYP Coordinator

The Drama and Dance department have had quite a busy and exciting start to the term.

Grades 7 and 9-12 were all involved in the Launceston Competitions which took place during week two of this term. The department was a constant hive of activity as students worked hard rehearsing and refining their pieces with a lot of extra rehearsals put in to make sure they were on top form. I would like to thank Miss Reynolds and our Captains Sarah Scott and Jade Freeman who put in a lot of work to help students prepare. The week was a great success for the school with Launceston Grammar students placing in almost every class they were entered into. Please join me in congratulating the following students on their achievements:

Creative Individual Open- 1^st Savindi Tillekeratne

Character Ensemble Open- 1^st Sahara Rumble & Hannah Woollams, 2^nd Toby McGee & Sophie Breward and 3^rdLola Eastaugh & Laura Scott.

Impromptu Reading Gr7- Highly Commended (HC) Audrey Hughes

Character Duo Gr 7- 1^st Lydia Hayes & Shaneli Vithanarachchi, 2^nd Kathryn Akerman & Alice Gannon and 3^rdIsabelle Doyle & Victoria Szramka.

Champion Recital Open- 2^nd Sophie Breward

Monologue Open A- 3^rd Nina Gibson and HC Sahara Rumble

Monologue Open B- 1^st Jade Freeman, 2^nd Laura Scott, 3^rd Sophie Breward, HC Grace Robertson

Creative Group Gr7- 2^nd 7C

Dance and Drama/ Expressive Movement Gr7/8- 1^st 7D, 2^nd 7A, 3^rd Lydia Hayes & Chanel Charles

Creative Dance Group Gr 8- 1^st Elizabeth Dunne, Tabitha Bailey, Poppy Pitchford and Liadan Cassidy.  3^rd– Heidi Curtis, Holly Rockliff, Phoebe Tole and Abigail King

Scene Gr7- 1^st 7B

Monologue Gr9- 2^nd Edie Burns and 3^rd Noah Jackson and Olivia Goodacre

Monologue Gr10- 2^nd Jeremy Thomas, HC Grace Fieldwick

Impromptu Reading Gr10- 1^st Tom Bramley

Character Duo/ Trio Gr9- 3^rd Rory Douglas and Olivia Goodacre and Edie Burns and Bonnie Ryan.

Character Duo/ Trio Gr10- 1^st Jeremy Thomas and Grace Fieldwick

Recital Open- 2^nd Lola Eastaugh and 3^rd Grace Robertson

Royal Society of St. George- 2^nd Sarah Scott

Arthur Ride Memorial Trophy for highest aggregate in Gr 9- Edie Burns

We hope that these and other Drama and Dance students at the school will be inspired to continue their amazing work. For a little extra inspiration the Drama Captains have created a ‘Career Tree’ in the Drama centre which explores the great variety of jobs that the skills and techniques learnt in Drama and Dance could lead to. Come and take a look next time you’re passing.

Marianna Lebiedzinska-Hedges
Acting Head of Drama and Dance

Mr Ellison’s Grade 9 English classes have been studying Protest Poetry and one of their tasks required them to craft and deliver a SLAM poem that addressed either an issue or political leader of their choosing.

At Thursday’s Assembly, Jamari Lockhart delivered a compelling rendition of “Reign of Apathy” an excellent piece crafted by his classmate, Lucas Heng.

Reign Of Apathy by Lucas Heng

A reign of apathy is upon us,
A whole new age of ignorance.
Where the ones calling the shots can do as they please while the rest follow obediently.
Where minimum wage workers can only weep as their dreams of a stable life fade with inflation.
Where each day another man, woman, and child plunge into the abyss of poverty, despite their greatest efforts to claw their way out.

“Let them eat cake!” as the poor struggle to feed.
“We’re the top 1% of the world!” as the homeless are paved over.
“We’re incredibly lucky!” as their youth fall into debt.
How many more lies shall you tell us?
How many more plastic promises shall be vowed?
What will it take for us to say, “enough is enough!”

You care not for the earth you live on,
You care not for the country you lead,
You care not for the consequences,
nor the people in need.
Your only goal is to line your pockets,
Throwing stones at walls you’ll never climb.

What is your will, oh great leader?
Shall I polish the gold of your phony throne?
Would you care for some more cash, freshly embezzled of course.
Perhaps I could offer you a pen?
Legalise another pointless law.
Make the people think you’re doing a perfect job.
Maybe they’ll elect you again.

“Not my job”
What a polite way to say “I never cared”
Do you ever look at yourself in the mirror,
With your tailored suit, whitened grin, devious horns,
And wonder what they’d think if they knew the real you?
Or does the very thought scare you enough
to bury it with your morality.

You’ll strip our earth to core,
You’ll work us to the bone,
You’ll laugh loudly as we suffer in silence,
But for how much longer?
They say a cancer must uprooted at the source,
A parasite needs a host to feed.

Something’s coming dear leader,
and for your sake
I hope the fires you ignited don’t burn you too badly.

Newton & Henry are proud to give students and those working in the industry the chance to talk to the team, tour their office, and learning more about opportunities for work experience, accounting careers and career pathways at Newton & Henry.

Read more here.

On Friday 27 May the inaugural Prep to Grade 6 House Cross Country Carnival at Faulkner Park. For the first time, our Prep to Grade 2 students, joined the Grade 3 to 6’s and made it a wonderful event for the Grammar Junior Campus.

There were some fantastic performances and a great afternoon was had by all. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chris Sweeney for making the facility terrific for us to use, to Mark Saunders for being our Starter and to both Colin Davis and Dylan Page for assisting with the setting up and packing away at the end of the day.

The final results were:

• 1^st – Maxey-Middleton – 1172
• 2^nd – Lyttleton-Hewton – 1083
• 3^rd – Buesnell-Rooney – 1022

It was the first time since 2009 that Maxey-Middleton have won the House Cross Country Carnival. They have now won both the Swimming and Cross Country Carnivals this year, will they be on top at the end of the Athletics Carnival in September? They managed to be in front for most of the day, however, Lyttleton-Hewton gave them a little scare, taking the lead after the Grade 5 Girls event.

There were so many students who strived to do their individual best, with some students really pushing themselves and getting out of their comfort zone. I am so proud of each and every student.

Our Grade 6 Champions are: Boys – Zac Holloway (Maxey-Middleton), Runner Up – Freddie Clutterbuck (Maxey-Middleton); Girls – Rose Hyde (Lyttleton-Hewton), Runner Up – Zara Cole (Buesnell-Rooney).

Top results:

• Prep Boys: 1^st – Freddie Gunn (LH); 2^nd – Theodore Mujkic (MM); 3^rd – Hugh Wadley (MM)
• Prep Girls: 1^st – Edith Coleman (LH); 2^nd – Stella Gurr (BR); 3^rd – Annabelle Hayes (BR)
• Grade 1 Boys: 1^st – Lagu Thomas (MM); 2^nd – Angus Castle (LH); 3^rd – Oliver Macleod (BR)
• Grade 1 Girls: 1^st – Zoe Mitchell (LH); 2^nd – Phoebe Mills (MM); 3^rd – Mia Latham (BR)
• Grade 2 Boys: 1^st – Moses Muriuki (MM); 2^nd – Roy Routley (BR); 3^rd – Angus Coleman (LH)
• Grade 2 Girls: 1^st – Isobel Gunn (LH); 2^nd – Hilary Wadley (MM); 3^rd – Lily Molloy (MM)
• Grade 3 Boys: 1^st – Leo French (MM); 2^nd – Kruze Saunders (MM); 3^rd – Oscar Brown (MM)
• Grade 3 Girls: 1^st – Laura Cunha (BR); 2^nd – Eadie Tucker (BR); 3^rd – Emily Fanning (LH)
• Grade 4 Boys: 1^st – Toby Flanagan (MM); 2^nd – Will Archer (LH); 3^rd – Tommy Clutterbuck (MM)
• Grade 4 Girls: 1^st – Chloe Annis (MM); 2^nd – Sage Bassano (MM); 3^rd – Olivia Doyle (LH)
• Grade 5 Boys: 1^st – Harry Jackson (LH); 2^nd – Archie Green (BR); 3^rd – Alex French (MM)
• Grade 5 Girls: 1^st – Polly Carins (BR); 2^nd – Chloe Millwood (BR; 3^rd – Nancy Tucker (BR)
• Grade 6 Boys: 1^st – Zac Holloway (MM); 2^nd – Freddie Clutterbuck (MM); 3^rd – Gene Spotswood (MM)
• Grade 6 Girls: 1^st – Rose Hyde (LH); 2^nd – Zara Cole (BR); 3^rd – Rosie Allen (MM)

There is a lot to celebrate and next Wednesday 8^th June, will be the NIJSSA Cross Country event at Windsor Park. A team of 48 Grade 3 to 6 students have been selected and will represent the school at this event, with some also going on soon to the Tasmanian All Schools Cross Country at Symmons Plains event as well.

A very big thank you to all of the students, staff and family and friends from our Grammar Community for the way the event was conducted and for coming to support us. There was a lot of team spirit and the assistance that all of our older students gave to our younger students, was very genuine and well placed.

Mr Christian Zantuck
Head of Physical Education and Sport – Junior Campus