Term 2

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

What an incredibly busy term we have had.

Not only have our students been fully engaged in learning and assessment, but we have also had over 900 year 10 students visit our site to consider the learning offerings they might consider as they move on to 2025.

It was great to see many parents take the opportunity to meet with teachers during our Parent Teacher sessions during June, and many others making contact via the phone to hear about their young person’s progress.  It was heartening to hear that most parents were keen to consider what they could do to support the learning of students.  A strong connection between home and school can really have a positive impact on successful learning.

You will see as you read through this term’s Newsletter that our students have been engaged in many other opportunities to extend their learning, to make connections with others and to pursue interests and passions. 

To add to the richness of the educational experiences that our students can engage in, many classes have left campus to engage in learning in and around our community. This allows for authentic learning to occur beyond the classroom.  Added to this, our College debating, and Philosophy Olympiad members have had great success in their respective competitions both locally and at a Statewide level.  Similarly, in the recent performing arts competitions, individual students, and those performing in groups have been most successful as well.

A highlight of the term has been the annual Production Auction where we raised over $15,000 from our generous patrons and sponsors.  This is always such an exciting and fun night.  For our performers, this the first real taste of what is to come.  For the audience, a glimpse of the talent and professionalism that we will experience when Production week arrives next term.

Minister Jo Palmer, our newly appointed Minister for Education, visited our college in week 8, and even though we were during exams, she was highly complementary of many aspects of our wonderful school.  Of significance were her observations of the dedication and commitment of the staff with whom she spoke and acknowledged their tight focus on ensuring student success.

This term we have also seen the departure of some of our teachers and leaders who have moved on to other positions in Education.  We have temporarily said goodbye to Jacquie Everson, Ged Egan and Ed Bastick who have all gone on to acting senior positions at various locations.  We also said goodbye to Adam Langdridge who was successful in securing a permanent position at TAFE.  Two other long-standing members of staff, Jo Fitzallen and Phil Goss decided it was time to bid farewell to their remarkable careers in Education and we thank them both on behalf of both LC and the Department of Education, Children, and Young People.

VALE COL LANE

Sadly, this term we also learned of the recent passing of Col Lane.  On behalf of Launceston College, I would like to acknowledge his outstanding contributions to the college for over 20 years from 1973 to 1995.  Col commenced as Vice Principal in 1973 until 1988 and Principal from 1989-1995, when the college was the largest in the state with record enrolments.  He will be remembered fondly as an exceptional leader of Senior Secondary Education in our State. 

VISUAL ARTS

This term we have been watching the emergence of works across our visual arts subjects.  A fabulous range of media has been used to capture thoughts, ideas, and stories.  Students are currently preparing for their mid-term assessments through individual exhibitions in and around our visual arts spaces.  A taster for what is to come at the end of this year.

The Gallows

The Gallows - Sucher and Sucher 

For its inaugural exhibition of 2024, The Gallows proudly presented "Sucher and Sucher: Works by Bert Spinks," an immersive showcase of Tasmania's multifaceted talent—storyteller, writer, poet, and bushwalking guide. The event commenced on February 15th at 5:30 pm, featuring Will Horan, Founder of Ducane, as the distinguished speaker, ensuring an evening of artistic immersion. Visitors were invited to delve into Spinks' captivating portraits and explore his creative narrative until March 22nd. Over six weeks, our college community actively engaged with the artist's work, fostering connections between artists and students. The Gallows exhibition space serves as an educational resource, enriching the experience of Launceston College's dynamic and emerging young art students across diverse mediums. "Sucher and Sucher" marked an exceptional start to our 2024 exhibition program, uniting artist, and student in a celebration of creativity. 

Kevin Lund - Clouds in the Road, Stones in the Sky - Kevin Lund 

The Gallows at Launceston College hosted an intriguing exhibition, "Clouds in the Road, Stones in the Sky," showcasing the visionary works of Tasmanian artist Kevin Lund. The exhibition offers a profound exploration of the intertwining of art and life, reflecting on the delicate balance between discipline and surrender. Through two distinct modes of expression - inks on paper and oil paint on carved and burnt wood - Lund navigates the complexities of existence. The meticulous repetition of ink marks symbolizes focus and discipline, a deliberate effort to quiet the noise within and without. Layers upon layers are built, creating a surface that vibrates with intensity, challenging the viewer's perception. In contrast, the burning of wood represents a negotiation with the uncontrollable, a surrender to the unpredictable forces of life. Yet within this chaos, Lund discovers order and value, finding beauty in the unexpected. This body of work becomes a metaphor for the artist's journey, traversing the space between rigour and release in search of a harmonious balance. As viewers engage with the exhibition, they are invited to contemplate their own relationship with these opposing forces, ultimately finding resonance in the artist's quest for the elusive "sweet spot" where art and life converge. 

Rob Ikin - “Yet Another Short History…..” 

In his latest body of work, Rob Ikin accumulated ideas and revisited previous concepts, sometimes repurposing, or rejuvenating them, yet always maintaining a state of flux. His methods and concepts were never static, reflecting the ever-evolving nature of artistic expression. 

The stories told through his art could be covert, open to interpretation, or overt, yet still open to multiple meanings. The artist strove to imbue their work with a profound sense of humanness, capturing its foibles, humour, aggressions, spiritual essence, joys, and sadnesses. 

Using a variety of media—from paint, pencil, and collage to montage, photography, light boxes, ceramics, found objects, and digital mediums—they composed these pieces for the audience, inviting exploration and interpretation of the layers of meaning within. 

Visual and Performing Art Staff - Exploring Larapuna: An Artistic Response 

Our recent exhibition provided a profound and transformative experience for our 15 visual and performing staff members. By engaging with an Aboriginal Leader who shared invaluable insights about the land at Larapuna, we deepened our understanding of this culturally rich and significant place. 

Following this immersive learning opportunity, our staff members channelled the knowledge gained into their chosen art forms. This creative process allowed them to reflect on and respond to the wisdom and stories shared, resulting in a diverse and vibrant multi-art presentation. 

The exhibition showcased the unique interpretations and artistic expressions inspired by Larapuna. Through painting, ceramics, performance, photography, digital and other media, our artists conveyed their personal connections to the land, inviting viewers to appreciate the profound cultural heritage and natural beauty of Larapuna. 

STUDENT VOICE

Student Voice is LC’s student leadership body representing the College, organising events that encourage participation in College life and the wider community.

Recent initiatives have included our Blood Drive and Organ Donation event, which has sparked a College blood donation group. We have been petitioning DECYP about the removal of obstructive temporary fencing; looking into lift accessibility; and student access to key information. Furthermore, the SV team supported the wonderful ‘Ask Me’ volunteers on Orientation Day. As well as this, they have represented the College at community functions such as the ANZAC Day Parade and our School Association meetings.

The SV Chair, Erin, is also heading up a passionate and active Amnesty International group, where students have been learning activism skills, world peace goals and how to impact current events.

Coming up, we are involved in the Youth Climate Leaders program to plan a fast fashion and clothes swap event and sharing our experiences in the Tasmanian Association of College Students.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Over the last two terms we have welcomed over 30 international students to Launceston College.  During this time, they have participated in a range of uniquely Tasmanian cultural experiences as well as having access to some amazing learning opportunities in the daily classes.  We wish a number of students farewell at the end of term and thank them all for adding to the richness of our college life.

Good luck and safe travels.

ENGINEERING DESIGN AND SCIENCE NEWS

2024 AMC Career Expo

Engagement and attainment start with familiarising Engineering and Science students with career pathways. Engineering design students attended the 2024 AMC Career Expo, where they met and interacted with over 100 Australian marine and Off-shore engineers and scientists.

Taswater TERHAP presentation

Taswater Capital Engagement Specialist Hagen Rieck and his team visited and presented at Launceston College. This afforded the Engineering Design and Physical Science 3 students the opportunity to learn from Taswater staff and engineers about the engineering and ecological transformation of the Tamar estuary.

Line 4 and Line 5 Biology 3 students, recently presented their research projects, marking a successful halfway point in their assessment task. Teams shared their initial findings, current research direction, and any adaptations they've had to make along the way. Many teams have had to adapt and redesign their projects, demonstrating resilience, and engagement with their chosen topic.

Each team nominated a student who consistently went above and beyond. The "MightyChondria PowerHouse" trophy was awarded to the nominated students in recognition of their contributions – providing excellent ideas, keeping the team motivated, or offering solutions during challenges. The "MightyChondria PowerHouse" trophy designed and created using the laser printer in the Sustainable Innovation and Design Hub added to the celebrations. Students expressed their appreciation for the support they received from the laboratory technicians throughout their projects.

FRENCH

In May, our French students had a delightful cultural experience as they followed an authentic French crepe recipe, cooked, and savoured delicious French crepes. It was a wonderful hands-on activity that brought a taste of Francophone culture to our classrooms!

BUSINESS, LEGAL STUDIES AND LAW

It’s been a busy term for the Business and Law subjects as we continue to take advantage of our strong connections with UTAS and other local institutions:

• In early June, Economics students attended a Q&A with the 2023 Young Economist of the Year, Professor David Byrne, hosted by the School of Business and Economics at UTAS.
• Many of LC’s Accounting students have commenced additional studies with UTAS through the University Connections Program, contributing to their TCE and potential ATAR scores while also allowing them to gain credit towards a future Business Degree.
• Some of the Legal Studies Foundation classes have completed their work on Consumer Law, including designing and conducting their own product-testing and reviews, while all three classes recently took turns attending a murder trial at the Supreme Court.
• Finally, in the second-last week of term, the Level 2 Business Studies classes were invited to participate in the full-day ‘Business for Good’ Challenge at UTAS’s Inveresk Campus, where they workshopped how to design a business model that addressed issues of sustainability.

In September, Legal Studies 3 students will get their turn as they head to Hobart for their overnight LawFest trip!

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

All Schools Cross Country

On Thursday June 13, 6 students represented LC as participants in this state-wide cross-country event. Held at Symmons Plains in chilly but sunny conditions, runners took to an undulating 6km (males) or 4km (females) circuit around the outskirts of the racetrack. Our students came away with the following outstanding results:

Poppy Walker                  6^th
Sadie Armstrong             8^th
Henry Jones                     8^th
Lachlan Oliver                 10^th
Silas Gunnink                   26^th
Fergus Simpson              27^th

Certificate II in Sport and Recreation and Certificate III in Fitness students also represented LC as officials at this event, as well as attending on their study day on the 18^th to assist as officials. All participants and officials can be commended for the outstanding manner in which they conducted themselves. Well, done to all!

Andrea Brooke, VET Sport and Recreation/Fitness coordinator

ENGLISH – BOOK AND FILM CLUB

The Launceston College Book club is in full swing for 2024! So far, we have read the thriller mystery noel ‘The Silent Patient’ by Alex Michaelides and Brandon Sanderson's fantasy novel 'Yumi and the Nightmare Painter'. This bookish group meet in the newly refurbished library on a Wednesday lunchtime and have a chance to debate and share their thoughts and feedback, with some lively debate and discussion. To wrap this term, we have R.F Kuang's 'Yellowface' tracing the story of failed writer June Hayward. June witnesses her rival Athena Liu die in a freak accident, and goes on to steal her unpublished manuscript, publishing it as her own. Book club is a great opportunity to meet new people and chat about all thing’s books. New members are always welcome, so keep an eye on the Bulletin for details or pop up to the library to grab a copy of the upcoming book.

Georgie Todman and Lyndon Riggall

Film Club continues for the rest of the year, meeting twice a term to watch a film in the LC Theatre (and on ClickView) and then discussing it the next week over lunch!

So far in 2024, we have loved our viewings of Ridley Scott’s Alien, Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name and James Franco’s The Disaster Artist. Thank you to the Library staff for providing us the space to chat passionately (and usually too loudly) about about the films we have seen, and to Sharyn, who brought these cute little critters through the airlock for our discussion of Alien! More films are coming in the second half of the year—do not adjust your set!

Lyndon Riggall and Georgie Todman

CREATIVE WRITING

Creative Writing Competition success!

Congratulations to our Launceston College Writers Club and English Studio 3 students who achieved great success with their poetry and prose entries in the recent Launceston Competitions Association Open Creative Writing section.

Thank you to Emily Peterson for her great feedback and adjudication and to our Writer’s Club team and all the teaching staff of our English Studio classes for encouraging this fantastic opportunity.

Special mention to Zach and Jarrah who were awarded first place, Charlie and Erin with silver medals, Meg achieving 3rd place and Ethan – Highly Commended

There are plenty of chances to enter many statewide and national competitions, such as the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Prize, Andrew Hardy Youth Poetry Prize, and the Forty South Young Writers’ Prize. Keep an eye out on the Bulletin and pop along to Writers Club on Wednesday Lunchtimes in the Library.

Georgie Todman and Lyndon Riggall

DEBATING

This debating season has been a very successful one for Launceston College. We had a strong mix of new and experienced debaters this year, who worked really well together and achieved great success. We had three teams participate in the inter-school debating competition, with each team achieving a very commendable four wins.

In the Parliamentary Shield competition, our teams made the finals in both divisions of the competition. Our Parliamentary Plate team were narrowly defeated in a 2-1 decision in the final, and our Parliamentary Shield team won with a unanimous 3-0 decision. The winning team will now travel to Hobart later in the year to visit Parliament House and meet with the deputy premier. Very well done to all our fantastic debaters!

EALD

This term, students studying English as an Additional Language have taken a deep dive into Persuasive Writing. They have learned how to use a range of persuasive techniques as well as analysed speeches and documentaries. Their persuasive advertisements (see photo) and essays were of a high standard.

Also, big congratulations to all Level 3 students who have completed their Mid-Year Assessments. You have all done an amazing job!

Now we look forward to the extensive Negotiated Study in Term 3. Have a lovely winter break!

Helena Winnberg EALD Teacher

MATHS

It has been a busy term in the Maths department!

Early in Term 2, students of Essential Maths Workplace Level 2 finished off their Measurement module with a Scavenger Hunt around campus where they were challenged to find a range of 2D and 3D shapes (see photos). Since then, they have studied hard to make it through the Finance unit. Congratulations to everyone who received a good result on the Finance test! Now we look forward to the final unit, Graphs and Data, in Term 3.

The last few weeks have seen a focus on Mid-Year-Assessments for students studying a Level 3 or 4 subject. Big congratulations to all students who have completed an exam during this period. Well done! Hopefully this has been valuable preparation for the end of year external exams.

The Maths Relay and ML Urquhart Mathematics Competition are coming up in September. The latter only accepts up to three students per school. If interested, please ask your Maths teacher for details.

The Maths team would like to wish all students and their families a happy and safe winter break and look forward to welcoming all students back in Term 3!

HUMANITIES

LAUNCESTON COLLEGE WINS THE TASMANIAN ROUND OF THE ETHICS OLMYPIAD!

Early in Term One team of Elena, Ella and Erin competed in the 2024 Senior Secondary Students Ethics Olympiad. These “eth-letes” were provided with a series of cases that challenged their ethical thinking and were asked to consider and respond to them in competition with other schools around the state. Unlike debating, students can take any position they want at an Ethics Olympiad. They work as a team, with teams from other schools, to come up with the best possible answer to these thorny scenarios, considering a number of complicated factors. In our first attempt at this competition and going up against a range of Senior schools from all over the State, amazingly the LC Team won the Tasmanian round! Thank you to Alex and Lily who supported the team in considering the cases prior to the day, and congratulations from all of us!

VET Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics

Our VET Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics students had a very productive Term 2. During this term, we transitioned into the practical component of the course. Students started the term with our annual Mother’s Day stall, which allowed them to develop their sales and communication skills. Thank you to everyone who came along and supported our students. Students thoroughly enjoy our weekly Open Salon sessions every Wednesday, where they can practice their skills with members of the public, family, and friends. They worked on various services such as makeup, facials, and paraffin hand treatments. Additionally, students participated in workshops and training sessions with industry professionals, including local makeup artists Tahnii Marquis from Makeup by Tahnii, Nikki Seabrook from NS Artistry, Millie Barnett from Olivia Jones Makeup, and dermal therapist Rachel Bellinger. 

FOODS AND HOSPITALITY

During Term 2, Food and Hospitality Enterprise classes have been busy catering for several events and making food products to sell including Soup, Cornish Pasties and Arancini Balls.  Students have also planned and produced a High Tea/Morning Tea as part of their major assessment for the term.