Term 4, Week 5

It was great to welcome back so many members of our community last week to acknowledge Remembrance Day in our Chapel. As I look at the Rolls of Honour at the School, I am always struck by how many alumni have given service to their country. It is humbling to reflect on this. It also makes me truly thankful for their service in the support of others.

As a School, it is wonderful to see that students also help serve our community. As I write this Rev. Matthew Pickering is working with students to help prepare them for the annual Sony Christmas Camp which will see our students helping others in the community living with a disability. I am always struck by our students’ willingness to give through the many community service offerings the school supports. Again, it is humbling to see that they want to help others to make the world a better place for all.

Today marks the last day of TCE exams and for our Grade 12 students the end of the academic year. We wish them well with their results. I look forward to seeing them again at Speech and Graduation Evening along with parents. A reminder that due to renovations at the Albert Hall the event will be held at The Silverdome this year.

I hope you enjoy the weekend with your families.

God’s Blessings,

Nicholas Foster

Acting Headmaster

It was great to see so many enthusiastic faces on Campus this week for the Grade 6 into 7 Orientation Day. Students and parents met at the Log Cabins in the morning before a quick tour around campus before their learning experiences in art, textiles, drama and health & physical education. The purpose-built learning area at the Northern end of the campus provides our young students with a wonderful environment to transition into their Senior School years. The Grade 7 programme offers a horizontal pastoral care system where students remain in their core class groups, which enables them to build strong relationships within their class as well as the whole cohort given the location of the Log Cabins.  

The TCE examinations came to an end this week and I hope that all our Grade 11 and 12 students managed well during this time and reap the rewards for their academic commitment throughout the year. Our Grade 12 students celebrated their time at Grammar on Valedictory Day on Friday of Week 3, which is one of the highlights of their year.  

Grade 9 and 10 students commence their examinations next week, we wish them the best of luck. Grade 9 students will also soon depart for a 9-day camp on Mount Cameron. This camp is an important milestone in the student’s education as they will be required to navigate themselves from one campsite to the other, undertake challenges along the way, and find their food which is hidden in the bush, students move around the campsites predominantly on foot however 2 of the days will be cycling. Whilst at Stumpys Bay the emphasis will be on Tasmanian Aboriginal Culture and History. These sessions are led by Mr Clements and prominent Tasmanian Aboriginal Culture Leaders.

As the end of term draws closer, we would like to remind students that the expectations which we hold for them remain and that they are to keep their focus in the coming weeks.  

I hope that you can join us for the Old Boys v School Boys Cricket game which will be held next Friday on the Senior Campus. Thanks to alumni Michael Purcell once again for organising the team. Last year the Old Boys took the trophy, let’s see if our first XI can win it back from them this year. 

The final event of the year is approaching fast, with the Graduation and Presentation Evening to be held at the Silverdome on Wednesday 14 December. I hope to see all our students and parents in attendance to celebrate what has been a positive and productive year. 

Adrian Finch 

Acting Head of Senior Campus 

Last Wednesday the Entrepreneurs’ Club ended its 2022 season with the final Pitching Competition for the year. Once again, the array of business ideas was impressive as was the calibre of each presentation! Nine students, ranging from Grades 7 through to 10, crafted and delivered pitches on either a social enterprise or a fully-for-profit concept to potential investors. These were then scrutinised and challenged by judge, Mrs Fiona Symons. With $500 in prize money, it was a fiercely contested competition; so much so that only one point separated the First, Second and Third placegetters. All participants are to be congratulated on their preparedness to enter events like this! Special congratulations to Zoe Hyland for coming first with her innovative pet rescue carriers, Griffin Ball who came second for his sustainable alternative to sandbags used in flood emergencies and the team of Ashton Harrison, Isaac Bramich and Jamari Lockhart for securing third place for their 3D printed tiny homes. Entrepreneurship continues to grow at Launceston Grammar – this year it was offered as an elective class for the first time and in 2023 we will see two classes in operation.

Christopher Ellison

Enterprise Learning Coordinator

We would like to congratulate Rowan Annis on her success as the National Winner of the Maths Talent Quiz for her age group.

First held in 1982, the Maths Talent Quest is an annual activity open to all primary and secondary students.  Students select their own investigation topic based on their personal learning interests and apply mathematics in context. They understand and discover how mathematics is used and found in the world around them, providing a positive experience that reduces the barriers to learning in mathematics and often reduces student maths anxiety. Now in its fortieth year, the Minister of Education sponsored the new Financial Literacy in Practice Challenge. The FLIP Challenge brings a practical and real-world focus to financial literacy education to the classroom and is open to all Victorian primary and secondary students as a part of Maths Talent Quest. Tasmania does not have its own Mathematical Association, however, Tasmanian students have the opportunity to enter all activities via the Victorian branch.

High Distinction certificates and special awards were awarded at the Awards Ceremony held on Thursday 20 October in South Australia. The entries that receive a High Distinction at the State competition are judged separately; one entry from each category is then forwarded for judging in the National Maths Talent Quest, this year hosted by the Maths Association of South Australia. Rowan received a High Distinction certificate and went on to win the National Category for Grade 8 Individual.

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.

2023 UTAS HIGH ACHIEVER PROGRAM

Current Grade 10 and Grade 11 students are encouraged to enquire about the UTAS High Achiever Program.

The Program provides a unique educational experience for high-achieving Tasmanian senior secondary students to study at university as part of their Tasmanian Certificate of Education. The aims of the Program are to:

• provide opportunities for high achieving Grade 11/12 students to start university early
• to build familiarity and confidence with university level learning
• to encourage and support pathways to University of Tasmania courses

All successfully completed High Achiever Program units contribute towards the Tasmanian Certificate of Education. Scaled unit results are also eligible for inclusion in the calculation of the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

Interested students are encouraged to contact me to arrange a time to meet to discuss the program and the application process, which includes a student statement of interest and two references. Applications are due to the Careers Centre by Wednesday 14 December.

EVENTS

APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES

TERRACE HAIRDRESSING

Terrace Hairdressing in Launceston is currently looking for a 1st-year apprentice. To apply for the position, please hand deliver (125 George Street, Launceston or email your resume to terracehairdressing@gmail.com.

KATE PRESNELL BODYWORKS

Kate Presnell Bodyworks are currently offering an Automotive Refinishing (Spray Painting) Apprenticeship. If you are passionate about the automotive industry and would like to take advantage of this apprenticeship opportunity, please send your resume and cover letter expressing your interest in the position to recruitment@presnellbodyworks.com.  If you have any questions about the role, please contact Bronte on (03) 6331 2727.

Apprentice Horticulturalist

2023 Joinery Apprenticeships

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

Fiona Symons

Careers Advisor

Current and prospective students at Launceston Church Grammar School are invited to attend the annual Grammar “Try Sailing” Event on Saturday 26th November 2022. The event is designed for students who have no experience at sailing, but we welcome those with experience too. Our coaches and student leaders will guide participants through the basics of sailing and give you an insight into the sailing programme at Grammar.

The Try Sailing event is held at the Tamar Yacht Club at Beauty Point (google maps https://goo.gl/maps/cy4jA4DrCbSZLzLT7). It is around a 40-minute drive from Grammar, heading up the East Tamar Highway and across Batman Bridge.

The event is suitable for children in Grades 4 and above (if your child is younger please contact Simon below). For the younger sailors (Grades 4&5), you will be sailing in the smaller Optimist dinghies which are great boats to learn how to sail. The older children (Grade 6+) will be paired up with some more experienced students and go into the Pacer boats which can fit 2-3 people. I’ve attached some photos of the two different types of boats.

We ask that students arrive at 9.20 am for a 9.30 am start. We aim to be off the water by midday for a BBQ lunch (provided). Parents are of course welcome to stay and use the club facilities during the session, and there will be opportunities to take parents out onto the Tamar and watch the students in action. Otherwise, there are plenty of things to see and do around the Beauty Point area.

Your child will need bathers, a wetsuit, a sunhat and a water bottle, along with a towel and change of clothes. If your child has wetsuit boots that would be great, but it is not essential. There are changing rooms and showers in the clubhouse. A BBQ lunch is provided once the students get off the water – please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements when you are booking the event.

You can book the event by clicking on this link.

Teenage gatherings provide young people with essential opportunities to interact and build on their social skills and experiences. Celebrations, partying and socialising are a fundamental rite of passage and one of the most important aspects of a young person’s life. However, it is possible for the best young person to get carried away with their peers and the euphoria of the moment.

For parents and caregivers, keeping your young person safe can at times feel daunting and is often a compromise and a challenge. Most teenagers try to do the right thing most of the time, but your leadership as a role model is crucial. Your child may appear to be physically large and mature, but this is not necessarily matched by their emotional maturity and responsibility in behaviour.

Every party has the potential to get out of hand as sometimes it’s hard for young partygoers to make good decisions. Communication and regular discussions are vital, particularly because young people often face peer pressure to do things they prefer not to engage in. Hosting a celebration at home or at a venue can be a fun and memorable event but it is important to agree on the ground rules well before your event is announced to ensure there are no misunderstandings later on.

If hosting an event, you owe your guests a duty of care and should ensure all reasonable steps are taken to keep partygoers safe. This Special Report provides caregivers with a list of things to consider when planning a celebration. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the well-being of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://lcgs.tas.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-guide-safe-partying

The Grammar Shop has extended trading hours for November and December. Our last day of trading for 2022 is Friday December 16^th and we re-open for the new school year on Monday January 23^rd 2023. Personalised fitting times are only available until Saturday December 10th, unfortunately due to the volume of customers, we cannot offer appointments in January. Please jump online to book your 30-minute personalised fitting time before the school year ends and avoid the back to school queues!

Book Now

Royal Life Saving NSW is a not-for-profit organisation that is delivering a school-aged water safety and lifesaving education program at Cataract Gorge in the January school holidays. These vital life skills are so important for children to learn especially leading into the summer season!

18-20 January 2023

If you would like to register your child, please contact lifesavers@royalnsw.com.au at 02 9634 3700 or visit their website.

We invite you and your families to mark the beginning of the Christmas period with a whole School Christmas Carols at St John’s Anglican Church.

Wednesday 30 November at 6:00 pm

St John’s Anglican Church, 157 St John Street, Launceston

RSVP by Friday 25 November via Trybooking here.