Dear Families,

2021 has been another massive year at Launceston Big Picture School!

Our celebration night on Tuesday night was a culmination of the many and wide-ranging learning opportunities that our young people have had the chance to participate in throughout the year.

Congratulations must go to all award winners but also to the year 9 students, Jen and Brendan for their outstanding leadership and organisational skills in ensuring that the event was a success.

Josh and Genevieve did a great job as MC’s and I am sure that everyone will agree with me, the Boathouse was once again, a spectacular venue.

As a school it was important to us to continue to have our “special event” in our local area and we look forward to continuing to build a long partnership with the Boathouse and also the broader Inveresk precinct.

The Covid pandemic continues to present its challenges but it was fantastic to provide our year 12 students with an amazing conclusion to their LBPS journey and recognise our high achieving students from the year.

I would also like to announce and congratulate our graduates who will continue their studies at the University of Tasmania in 2022. Congratulations to the following students who recently found out that their applications were successful:

It is fantastic to see our young people being offered placements at university based on the quality of their Graduation Portfolio and the International Big Picture Learning Credential.

Data

As I said in our most recent newsletter, schools always review their progress, and I would like to share some further data with you that we recently received and that we are very proud of:

• 96% of families stated that they either agree or strongly agree that teachers at LBPS expect students to do their best.
• 96% of families stated that they either agree or strongly agree that teachers provide useful feedback about student learning.
• 96% of families stated that they either agree or strongly agree that they can talk to teachers about concerns or learning.

This is just a snapshot of our data but certainly something that as a school community, we should celebrate.

Staffing News

As a school we are continuing to grow. We now have a “waiting list” for enrolments!

I would like to announce the following staffing appointments for 2022:

• Grade 9 Advisory Teacher - Rob Lewandowski
• Grade 9 Advisory Teacher - Rich Talbot
• Grade 10 Advisory Teacher - Jen Fraser
• Grade 10 Advisory Teacher - Brendan Liddell
• Grade 10/11 Advisory Teacher - Daniel Smith
• Grade 11 Advisory Teacher - Ben Miller
• Grade 12 Advisory Teacher - Nick Hill
• Assistant Principal - Tanya Ringuet
• Support Teacher - Marianne Olsen
• Quality Teaching Coach - Marianne Olsen
• LTI Coordinator - Mel Van Asperen

I would like to acknowledge and thank Sonja Peters for her dedication and commitment to our school. Sonja will be leaving us to commence an AST leadership position at Flinders Island District High School for 2022. Sonja first started at LBPS way back in 2012.

Good luck Sonja.

We also farewell Tracey Vimpany. Tracy has worked as a teacher assistant throughout the year, building some fantastic relationships with staff and students. I would like to wish Tracey all the best with her future endeavours.

Awards Night and Celebration Dinner

The celebration dinner and awards evening at the Boathouse was an amazing night.

Our young people were simply stunning, the performances first class and our award winners were very appreciative.

Please have a look at some of the photos from the evening.

Congratulations to all Award Winners!

• Leading Learners - Kristin Van Wyk and Bridie Dwyer
• Big Picture Learner - Taleisha Lyall and Jarrod Smith
• Community Spirit - Nathaniel Butler and Charlie Hindrum
• Head, Heart, Hand - Harry Radbone
• Leaving to Learn - Sarah Dixon, Hayden Harper and Percy Aitken
• Most Improved - Annabella Aitken, Lucas Stewart, Seth Perry, Taya Rice and Taylor Kearnes
• Service to School - Cameron Maggs, Jordan Sutcliffe Noah O'Connell

Year 9/10 Learning Expo

Congratulations to all students and staff for their work with ensuring the success of last week’s expo.

The wide and innovative range of displays presented was first class and demonstrated some high order planning and thinking skills. The displays were an outstanding demonstration of learning and highlights from 2021.

Uniform Sales & Levy Payments For 2022

Please remember that our school is open for purchase of uniforms and payment of levies for 2022 at the following dates:

• Tuesday, 1st February : 1pm - 5pm
• Thursday, 3rd February : 10am - 2pm 

To all members of our school community, thank you for your support throughout 2021. Please have a merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year.

I look forward to seeing you all in 2022.

Adrian Dean
Principal

For most of the term, I have had an LTI at Access Hardware/Jackson’s security.

There, I worked with the team of locksmiths and helped complete some of the simpler jobs. Things like cleaning the machines, assembling locks and cutting keys were things I did on a regular basis.

There is a lot I still don’t know about locks, but I am eager to keep learning more and see if I can go back there next year.

Fenix Jaitong
10B Advisory

We want your help for our Learning Through Interest Program!

If you are a local business and have opportunities for students to engage in your industry during these uncertain times,  please contact Mel at melanie.van.asperen@education.tas.gov.au

Mel Van Asperen
LTI Co-ordinator

Grade 9/10 End of Year Learning Expo

Our annual learning expo was held on Wednesday the 8^th of December. Students displayed their learning highlights from 2021. The authenticity of displays was simply outstanding and can be seen in the photos within this newsletter.

Congratulations to the following prize winners:

• Student Voice Award - Taya Rice and Naomi Barry
• Public Vote Award - Genevieve Marshall
• Secret Shopper Award - Aerawyn Height.

All award winners won a $25 Book voucher.

Gang As (12A Advisory) Antics

A Piece of Advice ...

If I had one piece of advice to give to anyone coming to Big Picture next year, it would be that you shouldn’t be afraid to talk to others. 

I’ve heard lots of stories of how unforgiving, unaccepting and cruel people can be in the big, public schools. Big Picture, however, has a completely different community to those schools.

This school is a very diverse place, with neurodivergent people, LGBTQ+ people, people of all ethnicities and cultures, and most of all, people who understand and listen. 

There are very few people here who would ever judge you, so if you’re having trouble with fitting in, or getting the hang of the education system, or just need to get something out, there are many people here who will understand and listen. 

This has been one of my favourite things about Big Picture, that everyone here gets it, and there’s a big likelihood of making really good friends here.

Brayden Cunningham
10B Advisory

End of Year Picnic - Deloraine

Transition Student's Create a Masterpiece

Friday's Active Learning Art Club saw a stack of talented transition students create an ephemeral chalk mural on the side of the school.

Jasper came up with the idea of creating a 'four seasons' dragon which everyone got into the swing of.

Well done Transition Team!

Aspiration, Courage, Respect, Growth

We are always looking for ways of rewarding positive behaviour at our school.

Students and staff are encouraged to nominate those people who have shown Aspiration, Courage, Respect or Growth. Winners receive a voucher from Bizy Bee  Café, Invermay Road and our winners this month so far are:

• Aerawyn Heigh : Courage - for being confident for getting up and performing in the youth spectacular

Uniform Sales & Levy Payments for 2022

• Tuesday, 1st February : 1pm - 5pm
• Thursday, 3rd February : 10am - 2pm

Term 1: Start and End Dates

• Wednesday, 9th February - Thursday 14th April

Interested to increase your knowledge of Austism?

Click on the link below:

Bob's Bikes For Sale! 

Our School is very proud of our Bob’s Bikes program which is led and coordinated by Bob and Shirley Blackman.

The amount of money raised and appeals supported is simply amazing.

COVID Quick Check-In TAS

To comply with Public Health Directions, our school is now set up with the COVID Check In TAS App. This app enables visitors to our school to register their visit using the self-check-in QR code and have their information directly stored with the Tasmanian Department of Health for contact tracing (if required).

Use of the app will help the Tasmanian contact tracing team quickly identify and assist anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19.  

Click on the link below for instructions on how to Download the COVID Check-In TAS App.

Big Picture Education has 12 distinguishers. 
In our newsletter we will share them. 
Our eleventh is...

11. Teachers and Leaders are Learners too

New ideas constantly emerge as part of the learning cycle process. Teachers and leaders in Big Picture schools and programs regularly attend to new ideas and learn new ways of working. They develop reflective practice and find ways of sharing this with others.

Department of Education
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
GPO Box 169, HOBART TAS 7001

OfficeoftheSecretary@education.tas.gov.au
Ph (03) 6165 5757

15 December 2021

Dear families,

As the end of the year draws near and holidays are approaching, I wanted to provide you with an update on current COVID-19 planning for our schools.

I know that there may be some concern and apprehension for you and your family about our transition to living with cases of COVID-19 in our communities. I also understand your concern regarding COVID-19 potentially being in our schools.

Moving into 2022, the health and safety of staff and students continues to be our number one priority. We will work hard to keep schools safe so that our students can remain at school learning with their friends and teachers. We know that to achieve the best possible education and health and wellbeing outcomes, every day that students are at school counts.

There are a number of preventative measures that our schools are adopting to reduce the spread of COVID-19. A Fact Sheet has been prepared that outlines what we are doing.

You may also like to watch this video which features Dr Shannon Melody. Dr Melody is a Tasmanian Public Health Physician, and talks about COVID-19 in relation to children and schools. I hope that it will help answer some of the questions and concerns that you may have.

Public Health will be offering COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5-11 beginning in January. Parents can now book appointments for their children to get vaccinated at special children’s clinics across Tasmania in the New Year. Appointments are available from 10 January 2022. For more information visit the Coronavirus website. While we strongly support the vaccination of students, it will not be required for students to attend our schools.

We continue to base our response on advice from Public Health. We will always take every recommended precaution to keep our schools safe.

Please ensure you keep up to date with the situation over the holiday period by visiting www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au

We will also keep the DoE website updated with any new information. Should we need to we will actively communicate with you through your school.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and New Year and all the best for 2022.

Yours sincerely,

Tim Bullard
SECRETARY

COVID-19 Vaccinations Available for Students Aged 12 and Over

The Tasmanian Government is working hard to provide the COVID-19 vaccination to all Tasmanian’s aged 12 and above.

As you may be aware there have been a number of clinics run in colleges to vaccinate students in years 11 and 12. There will also be a small number of regional high schools that will host a vaccine clinic but this is not something that will be occurring at high schools in larger population centres at this point in time.

However, there are a number of different options available for parents to arrange for students aged 12 and above to be vaccinated, these include:

1. At one of the community clinics across the state. Appointments can be made by visiting coronavirus.tas.gov.au/booking or calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
2. At participating GPs - contact your local GP directly to make a booking.
3. At selected pharmacies  - find one near you at com.au

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your family and the wider community from COVID-19. Don’t wait. Vaccinate.

Young people under the age of 16 are encouraged to attend their vaccination appointment with a parent or guardian.

There are a number of places where you are able to find more information in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine. You may like to look at this information with your child to support them in understanding more about the vaccination:

• Information from the Australian Government about COVID-19 vaccines
• Information from the Tasmanian Government about COVID-19 vaccines

Information from the Western Australia Government through a video presented by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki which answers common questions and dispel myths about COVID-19 vaccines.

Facebook Posts 

Informing School of Student Absences

Your child’s Advisory Teacher records attendance daily using the DoE EduPoint system. Attendance is taken between 8:55am – 9:30am. 

If your child is going to be absent, you will need to inform the school ASAP - otherwise the EduPoint system automatically marks the absence as ‘Unauthorised-Unexplained’ and this is not altered until communication is received from parents.

The preferred method of communication is to send the school an SMS 0427 016 460 (this is a short message service only, so you will not be able to ring the school on this number).

LBPS admin check the SMS service throughout the day and update any changes to student attendance.

You can of course ring the school direct on 6335 1500 and leave a voice message on the answer phone.

Updating Student Medical Details

We are committed to ensuring that our information with regard to managing the wellbeing of our students is always accurate and updated.  

If your son/daughter:

-has a medical need and would benefit from being supported by a medical action plan (MAP)

-currently has a Medical Action Plan at school but has had recent health changes and would benefit from their plan being adjusted and updated

-requires the support of medication during the school day

-has any other medical or mental health needs (new or needing to be updated)

We ask that you please complete the relevant attached form and return to our office ASAP.

School Uniform

It is compulsory for students to wear their school uniform when attending school excursions, interviews, LTIs or if they are representing the school at events. 

Uniforms can be purchased from the school office and are sold at cost price:

• Polo Shirts with school logo = $30 
• School Hoody with school logo = $65

Any pre-worn uniform donations would be very much appreciated and are used in our emergency uniform/clothing pool.

Parking Inveresk Precinct 

It is highly recommended that parents and visitors to the school DO NOT PARK along the nature strip in front of the school, slong the footpath or on the grass area beside Aurora Stadium.

The City Council have recently approached the school and have advised these areas are being patrolled and infringements are being issued.

Parents and visitors are advised to use the paid parking facilities at the Inveresk Car Park (next to Blue Cafe).

Communication & Useful Links

I would like to remind families of some useful links and apps that you may use to assist with receiving communication from our school.

• SMS Only - 0427 016 460 to report student absences, please send a text to our short message service
• Schoolzine App & Newsletter - Our newsletter is published at the end of every month through Schoolzine. Schoolzine is an app that allows you to communicate with the school, receive notices and newsletters

• School Website - Our website allows you to access lots of useful information about our school

• School Facebook - please 'like' our facebook page as we often post communication to parents on there

Local Transport Services

Support Staff 2021

Student Leaders 2021

Our Newsletter

Thank you to those people who have signed up to receive an electronic copy of our newsletter! I certainly hope that you enjoy reading it!

If you haven’t subscribed please use the link below to do so:

If are involved in a community organisation and would like to advertise in our newsletter, please contact our office. Where possible, we will be happy to assist.

Adrian Dean
Principal

Thank You

Just want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all the LBPS students who have contributed to this months newsletter, we really do enjoy reading your articles and stories of your personal progress.

If students have stories they would like to share, then please email your news items to me jennifer.kendall@education.tas.gov.au

Jennifer Kendall
School Business Manager