Dear Families, 

Ensuring that our young people have a plan for when they leave our school is a very important part of our learning design. Our students regularly research and investigate further educational options, particularly as part of their Post School Learning project in years 11 and 12. Senior students have recently had the chance to explore some of the websites to set up their Tax File Number, MyGov login, USI (Unique Student Identifier), Driver’s Licence (Plates Plus Course and Learner Test) and WWVPC (Working with Vulnerable People Card). Some students already had some these or were already in the process of getting them, which was impressive.

We were also fortunate to have representatives from our School Association visit and be key guest speakers at a recent Speed Careering Event.  Ben Cunningham, Dennis Betts and Monique Teghe shared with our young people the various careers that they had experienced throughout their life and also some tips about how to best prepare for the world of work. Thank you, Ben, Dennis and Monique.

Reading

Reading growth and engagement is a priority for our school and we are continuously looking to implement initiatives to increase achievement and the joy of reading. During Book Week many of our students chose to come to school dressed up as their favourite character and certainly got into the spirit of celebrating reading. Students also visited Petrarch’s bookshop to explore and purchase new reading material for our school. This year every Advisory Class was allocated $400 from our school literacy budget to spend on new books or magazines. Students enjoyed the chance to personalise their reading material. I know that many were continuously asking to cover their new books so that they could commence reading them! The Sora App is also a new an interesting source of reading material, with students enjoying the chance to be able to access magazines and articles on a wide range of topics using this technology. 

As a staff we also recently participated in an online professional learning session with our colleagues from Hobart Big Picture School and Sorell School, looking at approaches to reading. We were able to share some of our methodologies about reading and listen to how others were working in this space. It was an informative session and the opportunity to share practice is something we are looking to continue.

Wellbeing and Resilience

We continue to prioritise initiatives designed to improve the wellbeing and in particular, resilience of our young people. Recently all our staff participated in a Mental Health First Aid Course which involved five hours of learning at school, supported by participation in interactive online modules. I am pleased to say that we now have most of our staff, fully qualified and accredited in Mental Health First Aid- a very valuable skill to have.

Our teaching teams continue to spend time analysing our wellbeing data sets and are now working together to plan activities and learning opportunities aimed at assisting our young people with improving their resilience and ability to “bounce back” when things go wrong or are stressful. Advisory classes will be looking to develop strategies that our young people can then add to their personal wellbeing plans.

Staff and students have been extremely busy and there have been some wonderful learning opportunities offered which our students have readily chosen to be involved in.

Mona

Recently some of our senior students with an interest in art and design went to Hobart to explore Mona. Students were inspired by the innovating, amazing work on display. We have some very talented artists and I look forward to continuing to see our young people continue to explore their creative interests. The Longford and Launceston Shows have some fantastic art and photography competitions on offer and it is great to have students preparing entries for these.

University of Tasmania Technology Workshop

It was also great to have technology experts from the University of Tasmania visit and lead workshops involving drones, virtual reality, and robotics. The number of students actively choosing to attend and participate in these optional activities was very pleasing.

Reclink Northern Tasmanian Netball Tournament

Recently, I was fortunate to work with Zach Arnold to establish our first ever, school netball team, to compete in the Reclink Northern Tasmanian series at the Silverdome. Not only did we compete against 5 other schools, but we also qualified for the grand final, defeating Queechy High School by one goal, hitting the lead in the last minute of the fourth quarter. Our entire school community is very proud of our team and the outstanding leadership of Zach.

Learning Through Interest

Throughout the term, we continue to have a strong focus on assisting and encouraging our students to find Learning Through Interest (LTI) placements. Learning opportunities are everywhere, not just inside classrooms. When we have a passion for what we are doing, knowledge unfolds and evolves naturally. Learning Through Interest means working and learning 1-2 days a week in an area of your interest. Students work with a mentor- an adult with a similar interest and develop a project that will benefit the workplace and their learning at school. Internships are used to build knowledge, understanding and skills through authentic work. Leaving our school to learn is a key part of being a Big Picture student and it has been really pleasing to see the number of students actively involved in a placement. I regularly receive positive feedback regarding the work habits and skills that our young people display whilst on Internship.

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

We want your help for our Learning Through Internship Program!

Launceston Big Picture School appreciate the support of the following businesses, who have offered a Learning Through Internship placement.

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

Mel Van Asperen
LTI Co-ordinator

Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of Central Launceston heard from outstanding student representatives from Launceston Big Picture School at the last meeting of the Rotary year.

The students gave us a great  insight into their areas of study.

Workplace Learning - Term 3

Our Learning Through Internship (LTI) program is about engaging our students in plenty of authentic learning. 

During Term 3 we have had small groups of students participating in community organisations at City Mission, Vinnies Boland St, Vinnies Deloraine and The Salvos Invermay.  These organisations are happy to offer training in employability skills which transfer across to many industries.  Students can support each other in their LTI placements by building on confidence and resilience to engage in a workplace. 

Tyler is a Year 12 student with a pathway into hospitality, whose interest started in Monday and Friday's coffee club at school. Tyler applied to join the schools Café Red group, and the cafe team were offered hospitality courses by VXT in Barista Skills and Café Service.  On completion of both courses Tyler gained further knowledge to assist them in their LTI placement at Croplines Coffee. Every Tuesday morning Tyler is mentored by Jason, who sources and roasts coffee beans for Croplines Coffee/Café.  Thank you to Jason and their team for hosting Tyler.

We currently have Students in Year 9 and 10 interested in the automotive industry. We are looking for business mentors to offer Learning Through Internship placements in the automotive sector.  If you know of any local companies who can offer one day a week placement in this area, please reach out melanie.van.asperen@decyp.tas.gov.au

Mel Van Asperen
LTI Co-ordinator

LTI - City Mission 

Harry, Joel and James have been enjoying an LTI at City Mission Youngtown.

They have been busy learning lots of new skills including checking electrical equipment for faults, cleaning it and tagging it for resale.

Ashlee Woodberry
Teacher Assistant

Policing Workshop

Cassie and Kole have an interest in Policing. They were fortunate to participate in a workshop where they got to learn from the experts themselves. 

National Science Week

It was absolutely fantastic to have three Young Tassie Scientists visit the Grade 9/10 students as part of National Science Week!

Information about Genetics, Neurology and Entomology was shared.

The world of science is so cool and has so many possibilities!

Mexican Luncheon

In Week 4 this term our students with a passion for hospitality had an amazing experience!

They got to cook and prepare a truly authentic Mexican luncheon under the guidance of Sydney restauranteur, Rosa Cienfuegos.

Andre organised the event as part of his project and was supported by Josh, who filmed the event and produced this video. Thank you Rosa, and well done Andre and Josh.

UTAS Workshop

It was great to have technology experts from UTAS visit and lead a workshop involving Drones, VR and Robotics. Thanks to Miller for the photos and Jen for organising. 

LBPS Netball Tournament 

Our first ever school netball team played in the Northern Reclink School Series at the Silverdome last week. An amazing start with a 10-6 victory against Brooks High School.

We then went on to play Queechy High School and despite starting slowly and being behind for the first 3 quarters, we hit the lead with about 1 minute to go and managed to defeat Queechy by 1 goal.

Click on Video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ad_KNa7jMI

A huge congratulations to all team members, our school is very proud of you!

Distracted Driving Course

On 28^th August some Grade 11 students were lucky to be involved in a ‘Distracted Driving’ course with Sarah and Craig from the RACT. The course was only available to students with their ‘Learners Licence’.

The course included one hour in the classroom discussing issues such as ANCAP vehicle safety ratings, reasons for accidents, who is most at risk of motor vehicle accidents, registration and insurance, and especially about the risks of being distracted when driving.

Following the theory session, students then walked to Churchill Park where an obstacle course was set up to test their driving skills. Students with various levels of experience enjoyed a chance to drive the RACT training car which (thankfully) had dual controls!  Drivers tested their skill with ‘beer goggles’ simulating the effects of alcohol on vision, as well as texting while driving! (certainly a no-no… as students quickly discovered).

Students had fun and learnt a lot about driver safety.

Scott Davenport
11A Advisor 

School Market

This term students at Launceston Big Picture School have been putting their thinking hats on and producing creative crafts and creations to sell in the Launceston Big Picture school market.

The school market will be held in week nine (exhibition week).

Some of the things that have been made for sale so far are beautiful one-off earrings, stress balls, sensory bags, candles, bookmarks, cards for special occasions and magnets. All money raised will be going back into the school so that students can continue to brainstorm creations and make them a reality.

If you plan on coming to an exhibition this term, please remember to come along and support the students’ creations.

Hayley McPartlin
Teacher Assistant

Food & Cooking

Food and cooking has been great this term!! Cinnamon scrolls, berry muffins, hedgehog slice and savoury scones are a few of the things we have made. We are practicing our math skills and time management.

Ashlee Woodberry
Teacher Assistant

Grade 12 Social Action Projects

Part of the Grade 12 Learning Program involves students being part of Social Actions; projects that look outwards in their communities and give something back. The learning involved in Social Action Projects includes: project planning and communication; understanding social issues, perspectives and reasons for these; creative problem solving to work out ways to address issues; and then taking responsibility and following through with actions that can make a difference. There is also strong evidence linking Social Action with good mental health.

Our Grade 12 students have invested themselves in a wide range of Social Action Projects. We began the year with our Advisory project to organise the Whole School Beach Day, which built community amongst students and staff.

Here are some of the other great things our young people have been involved in…

Tyler committed to serve the school community delicious morning teas and lunches through Coffee Club and Café Red where he uses his barista and baking skills and supports younger students to work as a team to deliver menu items and great service.

Zach steps up at every opportunity to support our school community by organising sports events such as last week’s Netball, upcoming Basketball, as well as Wellbeing work in our Advisories.

James came up with the idea to host Blue Day recently because he wanted to raise awareness for Autism in our community. He raised money to purchase sensory tools.

Brayden has a passion for sharing Launceston’s history and has been dedicated to getting his Motorman’s Licence and can now independently drive our city’s historic trams and share his passion with visitors to the Tramway Museum. He has also been committed to his role as Student Leader this year.

Abbey used her love of visual arts and her connections at Interweave Arts to contribute to Community Arts projects such as The Gumboot Gala and the ABCDE Invermay Learning Site Project.

What great preparation for their future pathways and community participation!

Jenni Fraser
12A Advisor 

Book Week 2023

It was fantastic to have our school community engaged and dressed up for Book Week 2023! We were also lucky to have Pinocchio’s Advisory leading Town Hall, plus an entertaining egg and spoon race! Happy reading to everyone.

Personal Project in Focus - Advisory 10C

For her Term 3 Project, Leannika has been investigating the topic of fossicking. Fossicking involves being outdoors collecting samples of natural rock and minerals such as: quartz, petrified wood and ferns, sapphires, topaz, quartz varieties and black spinel. Tasmania has many areas in which a diverse range of rock and mineral specimens may be discovered.  Close to Launceston we have: Penguin, Weymouth, Weld River and Gladstone.

Amateur fossickers can search to a depth of 2 metres by hand, or by using hand-held instruments. You are not allowed to use power-operated equipment, mechanised equipment, or any explosives!

Leannika organised a visit to the Lapidary Club of Northern Tasmania to quiz them about fossicking in Tasmania. She was also lucky enough to have Peter show her how petrified wood was revealed when then the stone was carefully cut in half. It was a fantastic experience!

Tom Clark
10C Advisor 

Personal Project in Focus - Advisory 9A 

9As Ciel is designing up a storm with their quirky sticker and T-Shirt Designs.

Their original designs and ideas are rapidly conceived with Ciel limiting their initial designs to two or three moments only, giving the pieces an energy and immediacy. Inspiration coming from a wide range of sources, the 'Cat/Dragon' design can also be interpreted as autobiographical.

Ciel has a range of stickers now available for purchase (2 for $2.50) and will have both stickers and T-Shirts available at the upcoming Art and Craft Expo in Week 9.

Ben Miller
9A Advisor 

Student Artwork - Pablo Picasso

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”

Kathryn Kahl
9B Advisor 

Smurf Day

Town Hall

Each Wednesday at 10am we come together as a school for our Townhall.

Each week a different advisory hosts and is responsible for arranging a guest speaker and an advisory challenge.

This week's challenge was a blindfolded dress up fashion parade.

Congratulations to James and Zach (12A) who were the winners and to Jimmy and Sam (10A) as the runners up!

Townhall is always a great time to come together and celebrate our success, learn for others and have some fun.

Art & Craft

Students with an interest in art and craft made homemade soy candles. Scents and colours were added. Students found that there was some quantitative reasoning behind making the candles. They had to figure out how much liquid each of their glasses could hold and then times the amount by 82.

82 grams of soy wax = 100mls of water.

This was a great learning experience.

Sport & Recreation

Students with an interest in Sport and Recreation have enjoyed accessing a range of facilities in and around Launceston. Recently we have visited SWISHER, Elphin Sports Centre and the Launceston Workers Club. Eight Ball and darts were a highlight at the Workers Club!

Design Technologies

The Design Technologies workshop is always a popular space with students designing and making some interesting projects. Wood, metal and plastics are common materials being used as part of student projects.

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 to dine at Cafe Red and our winners this term so far are:

• Fenix Jaitong: Aspiration - For going out and getting an LTI.
• Grace Kearney: Courage and Growth - For organising a fantastic meeting with the City Prom Executive Officer.
• Josh Steer: Courage and Growth - For helping on Family Information Evening.
• Tyler Armstrong: Courage and Growth - Great applications for extending your learning with traineeship and cafe.
• Armon Castor: Respect - Always helping with I.T. issues. We are lucky to have you.
• Liam Parker: Aspiration and Courage - Great work deciding to focus workshop time to benefit your project work.
• Noah Allen: Aspiration and Courage - For starting a new LTI that you weren't keen on. You went out and did really well!
• Rex Brooke: Courage - For getting out of the building and getting an LTI at Warhammer.
• Abbey-Lee Waugh-Lucas: Respect and Growth - Engaging in class conversations with positivity.
• Drew Moran: Growth - For getting out of the school building for an LTI visit.

FACEBOOK POSTS 

As always, please remember that when engaging with any Department of Education page, to do so in a respectful manner, in line with our Terms of Use which can be found in the ‘about’ section of our page.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Please ensure your student keeps their school polo top in their bag or keeps it safe in their Advisory room at all times.

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  

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

The Launceston City Council have recently approached the school and have informed staff that this area is being patrolled and $86.00 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

2023 Student Leaders 

2023 Support Staff 

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.

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@decyp.tas.gov.au

Jennifer Kendall
School Business Manager