Drama and Dance
The Third Annual Dance and Drama Celebration was an inspirational evening thanks to stories shared by Martin Brown (Class of 1976) and Kate Morris (Class of 1995) along with engaging performances by students. Martin’s production work on films such as Moulin Rouge, Strictly Ballroom and Romeo and Juliet has brought joy to audiences across the globe. Kate’s success as CEO and Founder of Adore Beauty has led to her becoming one of Australia’s most recognised entrepreneurial businesswomen.
As these two alumni, and former drama students, shared their very different stories, what shone through was their humility, servant heart, perseverance, creativity and gratitude for the way the School had shaped them. Thank you to Martin and Kate, along with our Dance and Drama staff and students, for a memorable evening.
Listen to Kate’s inspiring story in the video.
This coming week our Grade 6 students will perform Mathilda the Musical and, having seen the rehearsals, I am full of anticipation for what awaits those of you who are lucky enough to get a ticket. Thank you to the Junior Campus staff and parents who have been supporting students to bring this production to the stage.
Outdoor Education
Over the last fortnight, I have been inviting small groups of Grade 12 students to join me for lunch, conscious that it will not be long before they are attending their final assembly, final class and then final exam. Not surprisingly, students have frequently reminisced about one or more Outdoor Education adventures.
Visiting students and staff on Outdoor Education trips is always a great privilege given the stunning natural environments our students explore, the activities they get to experience and the character of students and staff.
Visiting Grade 8 students at Freycinet last week, I saw students embrace, many for the first time, the challenge of a 30 metre abseil. For some students, they conquered one of the biggest fears they will face this year thanks to the encouragement and support they received from students and staff.
Not all students managed to step backwards off the wall but they all got in the harness, went to the edge and leaned back. For some students, this alone was a big step to be taking.
One mother wrote this week, my son “doesn’t usually say a lot about what happens in his school life and the fact that he talked all the way home (35mins) about the week he’d had is testament to the fantastic experience that it was for him”.
Thank you to our Outdoor Education team for the way in which you carefully plan each experience for students, so they grow during each camp in courage and compassion.
Science Success
Our Grade 10 Science extension students recently attended UTAS to showcase their individual research assignments for judging in the UTAS Science and Engineering Investigation Awards.
Congratulations to the following students for their respective awards:
- Savindi Tillekeratne winner of Best Project Award for Physical Sciences Grade 9 – 12;
- Mackenzie Grant winner of Best Project Award for Health and Wellbeing Grade 10 – 12;
- Joe Hall winner of Best Project Award for Agricultural Science Grade 9 – 10; and
- Laura Winter, winner of Honourable Mention by Judges for Physical Sciences Grade 9 – 12.
These achievements reflect the dedication and effort students put into their individual research projects along with guidance and assistance provide by our Science staff.
Strategic Plan
You will have received a communication from the Chair of the Board and I regarding the 2021- 2026 Launceston Church Grammar School Strategic Plan.
From our earliest days, the School has provided excellent education and opportunities for students. Over the past 175 years, the School has sought to remain dynamic and relevant, with graduates ready to contribute to an ever-changing society.
The new Strategic Plan will build upon the achievements of the previous plan, which included:
- Providing globally relevant education through the introduction of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years’ Programme, a unique Aviation Programme and new spaces such as Faulkner Park and Café 1846;
- Engaging with our School Community by involving our community as experts in classroom learning, an Entrepreneurship Club and Leadership Lunches;
- Offering a Tasmanian experience by developing the Outdoor Education programme and a student designed and developed Mountain Bike Track at the Senior Campus;
- Being environmentally responsible teaching sustainability across the School; and
- Building a sustainable school by identifying the optimal school size and launching tax-deductible Scholarship and Library Funds.
This Strategic Plan has been a collaboration with the School and wider community and as you read the Strategic Plan which is available here, we hope you are as excited about the future as we are.
Gala Day and Evening
I hope these two 175th anniversary events coming up on Saturday 16 October are in your diary.
Join us at our Gala Day from 10am – 2pm at our Senior Campus, followed by a special Gala Evening at Albert Hall.
All in the Launceston Grammar community are welcome to come to the Gala Day and tickets to the Gala Evening can be purchased here.
Tickets are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.
Winter Sport and Athletics
As the term draws to an end next week, so too does the Winter Sport and Athletics Season. Congratulations and thanks go to all students, staff, volunteers and parents who have helped to make the myriad of activities possible. The maturity shown by so many students who have taken on the challenge of umpiring and coaching is particularly commendable.
Some highlights from the last week have been watching our 1st Girls Soccer team win the NSATIS premiership, seeing Grade 9/10 1sts win the premiership in netball and our Grade 9/10 2nds team go down in in the premiership game by one-point, strong levels of participation at multiple athletics carnivals and a gutsy win by our Grade 7/8 Girls Football Team in their final game of the season against St Patrick’s College.
I wish our SATIS Athletics Team well as they compete in Hobart tomorrow and look forward to seeing you fly down the track. Do also consider coming out next Wednesday to Faulkner Park to support our 1st Girls Soccer team as they compete to win the SATIS premiership.
Richard Ford
Headmaster
Social Enterprise in Action
This week the Social Enterprise Group had the pleasure of hearing from Stephen Hill, Operations Manager from City Mission.
Stephen outlined many of the social issues that impact several Launceston families and individuals. These range from homelessness, unemployment, housing affordability, education and mental health.
He also explained the range of services City Mission offers to alleviate these. Equally important, Stephen outlined the ways in which City Mission keeps these initiatives sustainable.
We also heard from Kirsten Ritchie, the Founder of Strike It Out, a not for profit organisation that provides an evening meal for Launceston’s homeless.
Kirsten is also in the process of providing safe sleeping accommodation for many of these people. All of this was valuable information for our students as they prepare to deliver their respective pitches, for their own social enterprise. This competition will take place at the conclusion of the first week of Term 4.
Christopher Ellison
Enterprise Learning Coordinator