Term 4, Week 1

Gala Day

On Saturday we hope to see many families at the Gala Day from 10am-2pm at our Senior Campus.

A programme for the day is available here. You will see there is a collection of events for all ages, some of which honour our past and others which spotlight opportunities students enjoy today.

At 12noon we will be opening the Cricket Pavilion following recent refurbishment where our archive volunteers have hung some wonderful moments of cricket and football history.

We are primed with a wet weather plan while being thankful that the anticipated showers are no longer forecast.

Please do plan to drop in and connect with the School community over lunch or morning tea.

Pip Courtney

The Peter Sculthorpe Alumnus Award recipient for 2021 is Pip Courtney (Class of 1982). Pip has worked for the ABC for over 30 years and has been host of Landline since 2012. Pip studied Politics and English at the University of Tasmania and on graduating joined ABC News in Hobart in 1986.

After beginning her career in news, Pip combined her love of journalism and agriculture when she joined Landline, moving to Brisbane in 2003. In 2009, Pip won the Queensland Rural Press Club’s Excellence in Rural Journalism Award.

In 2011 Pip won the Queensland Media Award’s Excellence in Rural Journalism Prize, the Rabobank Star prize for rural broadcasting (Qld), the National Rabobank Star prize and the International Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting. In 2018 Pip was inducted in the Queensland Press Club’s Rural Journalism Hall of Fame.

We look forward to Pip sharing stories from her School years and subsequent journey when she MCs the Gala Dinner and speaks at a special Senior Campus Assembly on Monday.

COVID

The lockdown in Southern Tasmania over the next three days is a reminder that we are not immune from COVID and it is highly likely we will see COVID in our community again before long. The School continues to be active in following developments and exploring some of the more recently adopted risk mitigation strategies. We will continue to follow advice from government health and trust that together, as a community, we will all do the same.

Richard Ford
Headmaster

I’ll Follow Your Trail

It is hard to believe that in two weeks Valedictory Day will have been and gone and our Grade 11 and 12s will have commenced their study period prior to the TCE external examinations. While COVID-19 means some of the celebratory events at the end of the year are slightly different most events will run as usual. We look forward to farewelling the Grade 12s as a School and look forward to celebrating the end of Grade 12 with students and  families at the tree planting and drinks on October 28.

The Graduation and Presentation Evening at the Albert Hall will be going ahead this year after not being able to proceed in 2020 due to restrictions on gathering sizes. This event will be for students and families from Grade 4 to Grade 12. It will be wonderful for our Grade 12 students to be formally acknowledged and farewelled by our School Community as finish their time at Launceston Grammar.

It is quite surreal to look back at how quickly the time at high school has flown for our Grade 12s. As parents I’m sure you remember the first day of school for your child. The nervousness, the anxiety and maybe tears on being left at school – and that’s just the parents! It is hard to believe that the last day is so rapidly approaching. While this time is one of celebrating that our children are moving onto the next part of their lives it also a little bittersweet. As parents, knowing that next year our children may well be leaving home  to head to their next adventure, but also excited for the opportunities that lay before them. For the wonderful world that is their oyster. I am sure that 18 or so years ago you would have thought this day was so far away – now it is here.  I was recently listening to a song by  Sean Rowe, “I’ll Follow Your Trail”.  In the first verse he sums this up far better than I:

 “I was there when you took your first step

Into a world that was wide as the sky

I held your belly there against my chest
I was there when you needed to cry
I never knew a friend could be so small
And have a heart just as big as the moon

You know I can’t stop you from growin’ up

I just wish that it wasn’t so soon”.

I am thankful that we as a School have been part of that journey.

Enjoy the weekend with your families.

Godspeed

Nicholas Foster
Head of Senior Campus

A reminder that we are holding a special 175^th Anniversary Gala Day for all of the School community to enjoy.

Starting at 10am there will be a variety of activities, demonstrations and displays that showcase what life is like at Launceston Grammar – both now and in the past.

Read the Gala Day programme here

A number of newly introduced Launceston Grammar branded items will be available for sale at the Gala Day, and Evening, including cufflinks, Camelbak drink bottles, quality nickel keyrings, bone china mugs, ruled notebooks and golf umbrellas (new design).

These items will then be available for purchase from the school shop – both online and in-store.

Hansen Scholarship Program Information Session

The Hansen Scholarship Program supports 20 high achieving students each year across Australia with a first-class education, and access to unique financial and personal support program

Read more about the Program HERE

Cancer Council Tasmania Seize the Day – Educational Scholarships

Read More the Educational Scholarships available HERE

The Tasmanian Building Group Apprenticeship Scheme invites interested applicants to register their interest for the 2022 School Based Traineeship Opportunity.

Read more about the 2022 Traineeship Opportunity HERE

The Australian Youth Aerospace Association Tasmanian Chapter is hosting a panel discussion on October 19 from 5.00pm.

Read more about the panel discussion HERE

Fiona Symons
Careers Advisor

In line with our school motto – Nisi Dominus Frustra (without the Lord’s help all is in vain) there is a fortnightly prayer meeting for the Launceston Grammar community.

All are welcome!

This term we will meet each Week B on a Monday afternoon from 2.30 pm at the Junior Campus in Rugosa House (read – we start next Monday 18 October 😀)

We even have a few parents joining via Zoom.

More information or if you have any matters for prayer – please don’t hesitate to be in touch.

Elizabeth Poland
Junior Campus Chaplain