Term 4, Week 3

End of the Beginning 

This week we celebrated Valedictory week and it was wonderful to hear students talk about the end of this stage of their school life. For these young students about to leave the gates of the Grammar School, this is the start of a great adventure. It was wonderful to see the final handing over of the proceeds of the walkathon cheque to the charity #letusspeak. As the founder of the movement wrote to them,  

Through your extraordinary efforts, you have smashed through the original $50,000 target set early this year, raising almost $20,000 on top of that. This is a massive effort! The total amount you have raised is truly outstanding and you should each be very proud – as are we. Thank you for being the change you wish to see in the world. 

Whilst change can be confronting, and even a little bit scary, it also offers opportunities rich with adventure and excitement. As Kahlil Gibran wrote;  And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”  

Talking to some students in the boarding house this week, I was thrilled to hear so many exciting plans for the future. I listened to students talk about GAP years, university, international travel and work experience opportunities. We will have prepared them to become life-long learners who are able to tackle challenges in their stride. To solve problems, to see creative solutions, to care for others, to care for themselves, to think ethically, to be curious about the world around them and filled with a thirst for exploration. I am truly heartened by this time of year talking to our soon-to-be graduates about their plans for the future.   

Throughout life, we are faced with challenges. These come in many forms and shapes. For some, calculus is simple, for others, it is incredibly challenging. For some, the thought of performing on stage sends a thrill through their very essence, for others that is a shiver of dread. For some, learning a language comes easily, for others this is an incredible challenge. Challenges are both contextual and individual. Our Grade 7 students, staff and parents faced the challenge of Maria Island these past 7 days. At times the weather was wild and challenges seemingly insurmountable.  

 As David Barry suggests; It always rains on tents. Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent.”  

Well, rain it did at times. Yet onward they went, they challenged themselves and found they were more capable and resilient than they may have thought. One parent I spoke to said their daughter seemed taller and older after the week away. I have to confess feeling the same when my son returned from his Maria Island trip. We are very grateful for our wonderful Grade 7 staff and the Outdoor Ed team who lead our children on this amazing adventure. These challenges are part of the tapestry of growth that helps develop our children into confident young men and women who in five years will be on their Valedictory Day. 

For the parents of our Grade 12 students, I am sure this week will be a reflective one. Like you, I will always remember the day I first took my child to school. For you this week has brought the experience of their last formal day of classes. As we reach this time and the journey ahead for the Grade 12s, I leave you with the words of Mark Twain; 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”   

God’s Blessings 

Nicholas Foster 

The term has begun well with students and staff engaging well in classrooms, around the campus and beyond. It has been lovely to work alongside our parent volunteers who visit classrooms and help out at events. 

Broadland House Update and New Playground! 

Broadland House works are nearly finished. The plasterboard has been installed, electrical works are being finalised, the carpet is being laid and the painting is nearly completed. Final touches are underway!  Soon we will be able to move Reception and administration back into the building. 

We are delighted that a new playground beside the Prep building has been approved! The children will be able to enjoy climbing to new heights on a space net and sharing the swing with friends. Soft fall will be laid underneath. Plans for giant planter boxes with garden beds are also part of the design, so the children will be able to learn first-hand about gardening. Thanks to Property Manager, Steve Donaghy, for his assistance with the project.  

Staffing 

Term 4 is the time when staffing decisions are finalised for 2023. Some staff have advised of their intentions for the future: Librarian, Anne Lee, has decided that it is time to retire and enjoy life beyond Grammar; class teacher, Ann Green has decided to retire, too, but will remain connected as she would still like to teach, but in a casual capacity and class teacher, Anton Walton has been granted 12 months leave. We will thank and farewell all who have served the Junior School community with such distinction at the end of the year. 

Class placement 2023 

The placement of children into new class groups each year requires careful thought and consideration. This is a delicate process which requires staff to reflect on each individual student, and the cohort, to ensure that there is an equitable balance within each class group. 

Teachers consider factors such as – 

• Engagement in learning 
• Cognitive ability 
• Social-emotional maturity, developmental and behavioural needs 
• Relationships 
• Gender 
• Language background 
• New and continuing students 
• Student perspective 

If you would like to provide some additional information about your child’s learning, a letter has been sent with a link to do so. Requests will be considered, but no promises can be made as requests may be conflicting. Your ongoing support of the teachers and their knowledge of individuals and their astute judgement will be appreciated. Please note that teachers are yet to be allocated to classes for 2023. 

Fundraiser – Oliver Jr 

Well done to all the Grade 5 team for the fundraising effort that accompanied the production of Oliver Jr. Thanks to all members of the community who elected to donate as they secured tickets. Over $700 has been donated to charities dear to the students – the RSPCA and the Red Cross. Representatives from both organisations came to our Junior Campus assembly to share information about how the money would be used.  

Sheona Carter 

Head of Junior Campus 

Upcoming events (as at 4.11.22):  

Last Wednesday we farewelled our Grade 12 with a few simple but powerful Valedictory events, including a tree planting – well medium-sized shrub actually – a Chapel Service and a wonderful Assembly.

No drama occurred at the planting, we had trouble turning off the new heaters at the Chapel and happy and glad tears were shed at the Assembly.

At the Chapel, I spoke on the connection between love, thinking and destiny. In summary, Love never fails but we don’t always get it right even though we want to. It comes down to our thinking. We need to think on love – because the following is a truism.

Sow a thought, reap an action.

Sow an action, reap a habit.

Sow a habit, reap a character.

Sow a character, reap a destiny.

Warm best wishes to our Grade 12 students and their families.

Reverend Matthew W Pickering

Recently our Grade 6 students presented their 2022 Primary Years Programme Exhibition (PYPX) to the Junior Campus community. The PYPX is a culminating event for our Grade 6 students, and an opportunity for them to showcase the learning they have gained throughout their years at the Junior Campus. Their displays and conversations showed confidence and maturity and evidence of motivation and engagement. The issues our Grade 6 students chose to research were complex concepts of global significance that they will be able to continue to learn about and understand as they grow. The students were assisted by mentors and many also learned from generous industry professionals along the way. 

 As always, the process of learning was the most important thing during the PYPX journey. During the six weeks, students honed their research, communication, thinking, social and self-management skills. At the exhibition, students were able to clearly articulate how their learning had improved and they could pinpoint the opportunities that were instrumental in their improvements.  

 The PYPX is also an opportunity for our community to celebrate rich learning. Each staff member and many parents have been instrumental in assisting our students with their learning during the exhibition process and in the years leading up to it. For me, the exhibition showed our progress as an IB Primary Years Programme school. It was encouraging to see our younger students conversing knowledgeably with our Grade 6 students, with genuine curiosity, and using the same language about learning. Undoubtedly, our students are benefitting from the strong connected framework and language that the PYP provides. 

Our Grade 6 teachers Michelle Youl, Helen Wilson and Catherine Langley must be congratulated for the countless hours of planning, mentoring, motivating and teaching that they provided for our students during the PYPX journey. They assisted the students to set goals, make decisions and achieve deep learning at a high standard, and we are extremely grateful for their diligence and care.  

If you would like to read more about the PYPX process, click here for an introduction written by Year 6 students Ben Watson and Anika Sachdeva.  

Claire Calvert

Primary Years Programme Coordinator

A clear focus for our School has been the continued improvement of academic results, particularly in Literacy and Numeracy. Written into our Strategic and School Improvement Plans has been the implementation of the Orton Gillingham approach to teaching spelling and reading and the Maths Improvement Project – a problem-based approach to improving numeracy outcomes. Recently we received our 2022 Naplan results, and we have also collated the assessment data from the annual ACER testing that we undertake.  

We are encouraged by the upward trend in all assessment areas and across all grades. In many areas, we have seen high levels of growth. On average, over the last 10 months, each grade-level cohort has made between 12-24 months of growth. We are above the national and state minimum standard in every grade level across all assessments. Our results for Mathematics across the year levels are showing an upward trend and our Year 3 and Year 4 cohorts are the strongest we have had in reading and writing for many years. The results show the engagement of our students and the effectiveness of our teachers. They show that our intervention programmes and our whole campus initiatives over the last three years are producing the results we intended them to.  Finally, the data also provides us with questions and new challenges as we plan for 2023. We look forward to using the data to form new goals with and for our students and to making sound decisions that make positive impacts for all our learners.  

NAPLAN 2023 

Students will be sitting NAPLAN between 15 and 27 March 2023. 

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so. 

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers. 

Next year is the first year NAPLAN will be held in March, having previously taken place in May. This change was made so school systems would have access to results earlier in the school year, so they can be used to inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the year.  

Why NAPLAN is conducted online 

NAPLAN online provides a better assessment and more precise results. 

One of the main benefits of NAPLAN online is that it uses tailored (or adaptive) testing. This means that students receive questions better suited to their abilities, so they can show what they know and can do. 

Online testing also allows us to provide a wide range of accessibility options to support students with disability to access NAPLAN. 

Feedback from students is that they find the online test more engaging. 

Please note that students in Year 3 complete the Writing Test on paper. 

Parent information brochures and other resources 

Your questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child: 

NAPLAN information brochure for parents and carers 

The link will take you to the official National Assessment Program (NAP) website. 

Please contact the school if you have any further queries. 

Claire Calvert

Primary Years Programme Coordinator

I have been privileged to work closely with so many TCE students in my role this year. It is one of the joys of my position that I collaborate with teaching, pastoral, learning support and careers staff as well as parents, to support students with their academic studies to achieve their goals. Perhaps one of the most significant milestones of a student’s TCE journey is the final examinations. This is often met with a variety of emotions including trepidation, confidence, or anxiety. It can be a stressful time for students, and yet it is an opportunity where students can demonstrate what they know and can do after completing their year of learning in their respective subjects.

Last Friday, TCE students had a final examination briefing to ensure they are aware of the guidelines and to support adequate preparation. Developing routines, maintaining a positive mindset, knowing how to use the standard 15-minute preparation time strategically and accessing resources including past examination papers are all helpful to ensure a prepared, calm and focused approach to these important end-of-year examinations. In addition, each student received their notice of enrolment and examination guide detailing key information to support them with understanding their external assessments.

Teaching staff are available to work with students up until their examination. Students are encouraged to seek assistance whether it be for clarification, advice on how to approach their examinations, resources or tasks to complete to ensure they are best prepared.

On Tuesday, students were notified of their final Level 3 and 4 internal results against the criteria for each of their subjects. These are available to view in Parent Lounge and Student Café and give an excellent indication as to how students have performed in their respective subjects. The examination is just one more, albeit significant, assessment as part of their studies.

I wish TCE students all the very best in the lead-up to their final examinations for 2022 and a joyous long summer holiday once they are completed!

Natalie Stewart

Director of Teaching and Learning 10-12

The Australian government recently confirmed that students will be sitting NAPLAN between 15 and 27 March 2023.

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning at school. It is a valuable tool for tracking progress over time and for schools to use to reflect on the effectiveness of teaching.

This is the first year NAPLAN will be held in March, having previously taken place in May. This change was made so school systems would have access to results earlier in the school year, so they can be used to inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the year.

On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.

Why NAPLAN is conducted online

NAPLAN is now conducted online. NAPLAN online provides a better assessment and more precise results.

One of the main benefits of NAPLAN online is that it uses tailored (or adaptive) testing. This means that students receive questions better suited to their abilities, so they can show what they know and can do.

Online testing also allows us to provide a wide range of accessibility options to support students with disability to access NAPLAN.

Feedback from students is that they find the online test more engaging.

Please note that students in Year 3 complete the Writing Test on paper.

Parent information brochures and other resources

Your questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child:

NAPLAN information brochure for parents and carers

The link will take you to the official National Assessment Program (NAP) website.

Please contact the school if you have any further queries.

Sarah Shepherd

Co-Director Teaching and Learning (Grades 7-9)

It is difficult to overstate the importance of education systems being built around evidence-based practice where strategic goals, teaching and learning, and decisions are grounded in data. Providing educators with the time, tools, and training to collect and analyse meaningful evidence and use this to guide practice has been shown to improve student outcomes (eg. Grattan Institute, Victorian Government). 

Specifically, methodical analysis of data provides a practitioner with evidence of what needs to be addressed, and effective research of evidence-based teaching strategies provides guidance for how to address these areas. These two steps enable teachers to map student learning progress over time thus facilitating a further evaluation of the efficacy of teaching strategies.  

At Launceston Church Grammar School, we seek to implement evidence-based practice using quantitative and qualitative data in our day-to-day work. For instance, our PAT testing data, completed twice annually by students in Grades 7 – 10, provides faculties with focus areas; the Grade 7 English team used this data to review their technical grammar focus in Term One. Similarly, earlier in the year we received qualitative data from the students that they would appreciate new electives based on the concepts of life skills, physical education, and leadership. After analysis and thoughtful consideration and collaboration, in 2023 we are introducing Sport Performance and Leadership in Grade 10, Life Skills in Grades 9 and 10, and the Duke of Edinburgh as a curriculum course (as compared to solely a co-curricular offering) in Grade 9 and 10. 

One specific avenue for data that we collect is the NAPLAN tests completed by students in Grades 3, 5, 7 and 9 every year. While some media reports recently released have described the NAPLAN results across Australia as a “mixed bag” (ABC), at Launceston Grammar we are proud to reflect on the progress our students have made. 

Some stand-out results from our Senior Campus include: 

• All Launceston Grammar Grade 7 and 9 average mean results were above the Australian and Tasmanian average mean results. Some of these highlights include: 

• Grade 7 Numeracy, with results of 10.81% and 13.94% over the Australian and Tasmanian average means respectively 
• Grade 7 Reading, with results of 9.02% and 10.04% over the Australian and Tasmanian average means respectively 
• Grade 9 Writing, with results of 5.18% and 8.47% over the Australian and Tasmanian average means respectively 

• Our highest average mean score for Grade 7 Writing and Numeracy on record
• 15% more students in the top two bands for Grade 7 Numeracy compared with similar schools 
• Gradual reduction of students “below national minimum standard” in Grade 9 Writing 
• Growth in our Grade 9 Writing average mean score every year from 2018 – 2022 

We look forward to further analysing these results to improve our data-informed practice in the coming weeks and months. 

Sarah Shepherd 

Co-Director Teaching and Learning (Grades 7-9)

Support for students after the release of TCE Results

The arrival of TCE results in December can cause some students to re-evaluate their future plans. The Careers Centre will be open from 8.30 am – 4.00 pm on Thursday 15 December (the day after the release of TCE results) to assist students and parents who want to discuss options and/or make changes to tertiary study applications. 

Please feel free to email careers@lcgs.tas.edu.au, phone (03) 6336 6058 or pop into the Careers Centre on this date. 

I welcome the opportunity to sit down with parents and students at any time throughout the year to discuss options; please contact me by phone: at (03) 6336 6058 or email: careers@lcgs.tas.edu.au to arrange an appointment.  

Fiona Symons 

Careers Advisor 

2023 Student Club Membership

The Old Launcestonians Football Club will once again be providing FREE membership to all Launceston Church Grammar School football players in 2023. Membership cards will be delivered to the school early next year, and your personal card will entitle you to free entry to all Old Launcestonians home games.

Coaches Appointed for Season 2023

Old Launcestonians have announced their coaching staff for next season as the club begins preparations for 2023. Mark Edwards takes on the role of Senior Coach. ‘Ed’ has been with the club since 2018, playing 64 games during this period, and has also been a committee member & Assistant Coach.

After taking the Women’s side all the way to this year’s Premier Division Grand Final, NTFA Women’s Best & Fairest winner and former AFLW player Abbey Green has re-signed as Playing Coach for next season. “I believe we have one of the strongest cultures in the league. With the partnership of the future talent of the league through Launceston Church Grammar School and the commitment from current & future players, I believe this club is heading in the right direction for success,” Abbey said.

After Old Launcestonians took out the NTFA Division One Reserves Premiership, coach Lachlan McCarron has been reappointed as Reserves Coach for 2023. McCarron will be joined by Paul Digney as Co-Coach. Digney was an Assistant this year. “After being away from footy for about 10 years I found myself back involved as an assistant coach and capped the year off by being a part of a premiership side with a great club and an awesome bunch of blokes.” I am also looking forward to working closely with Lachlan McCarron and the club to help achieve a successful 2023,” Digney said.

Women’s Information Evening

The club will be holding an information session for all past, present and future women’s players at 6 pm on Monday 14 November at the Invermay Park clubrooms. We cordially invite any Launceston Church Grammar School students who may be interested to find out more. You are more than welcome to bring your parent/s or friend along on the night.

Learn about the hundreds of new species discovered in Tasmania over the last decade during Bush Blitz expeditions. Bush Blitz is the largest continent-wide biodiversity discovery program. During this Bush Blitz Kids Teaching Kids event, botanists and zoologists will talk about Tasmania’s unique biodiversity and some of the interesting species they have discovered over the years. These scientific talks are designed for land managers and the general public.

As part of this event, Launceston Grammar School Kids will share their knowledge of Tasmania’s biodiversity through talks and hands-on workshops.

17 November 2022, Nindethana Camp, West Tamar 9.15 am – 2.30 pm

Book via lleary@earthwatch.org.au

The Smith Family is winding up operations with the Saver Plus programme in Tasmania.

Saver Plus is a free-matched savings and financial education programme that matches participants’ savings, dollar for dollar, up to $500, for education costs such as uniforms, books, excursions and camps, sports fees, laptops and more.

Already more than 5000 Tasmanian families have benefitted!

Participants set a savings goal for education costs, are supported to make regular deposits into a savings account over 10 months, and attend online financial skills workshops. At the end of the programme, their savings are matched, dollar for dollar, up to $500, to be used for education costs such as uniforms, books, excursions, sports fees and laptops.

Saver Plus Fact Sheet_Editable-TSF