Dear Families, 

2023 has been another massive year at Launceston Big Picture School! Our celebration night on Wednesday night was a culmination to 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 students and staff for their outstanding leadership and organisational skills in ensuring that the event was a success. Armon and Aria did a great job as MC’s and I am sure that everyone will agree with me, the Tram sheds was 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 Tram sheds and the broader Inveresk precinct. 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 the pathways for our graduates in 2024- it is our goal to ensure that our young people have a plan when leaving our school.

Staffing News

I would like to announce that the Principal of Launceston Big Picture School for 2024 will be Cindy Johnston. Cindy has most recently been the Principal of the Indi School and prior to that was Principal of Campbell Town District High School.

Jennifer Pollard will also be joining our school as an Advanced Skills Teacher. Jennifer joins us from Prospect High School.

We will also have Davis Claridge and Rhys Reynolds joining as new Advisory Teachers in 2024. David has most recently been teaching at Ravenswood Primary School whilst Rhys has been at Brooks High School.

As a school we are continuing to be a “destination school”. We now have a “waiting list” for enrolments for 2024!

 The following staffing appointments for 2024:

• Grade 9 Advisory Teacher- Brock Kerslake
• Grade 9 Advisory Teacher- Rhys Reynolds
• Grade 10 Advisory Teacher- Ben Miller
• Grade 10 Advisory Teacher- Kathryn Kahl
• Grade 11 Advisory Teacher- Tom Clark
• Grade 11 Advisory Teacher- David Claridge
• Grade 12 Advisory Teacher- Corinne Milton
• Grade 12 Advisory Teacher- Rob Lewandowski

Assistant Principal:

• Marianne Olsen

Support Teacher/s: 

• Jen Fraser
• Daniel Smith

Quality Teaching Coach, Safeguarding Lead:

• Jennifer Pollard

LTI Coordinator:

• Mel Van Asperen

I would like to acknowledge and thank Scott Davenport for his dedication and commitment to our school for the past 2 years. Scott will be returning to Launceston College for 2024.

Good luck Scott.

Chelsea Waller and Josh Harris will also be leaving our school. Chelsea will continue her studies at the University of Tasmania and Josh will continue to pursue his “E” sports career whilst completing some relief teaching in 2024. Thank you Chelsea and Josh.

We also farewell Ash Woodberry. Ash has worked as a teacher assistant throughout the past 2 years, building some fantastic relationships with staff and students. I would like to wish Ash all the best with her new full-time position at Kings Meadows High School.

Awards Night and Celebration Dinner

The celebration dinner and awards evening at the Tram sheds 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

• Grace Radbone 
• Armon Castor

Big Picture Learner

• Astryd Cooper
• Wilbur McTaggart Williams

Community Spirit

• Zac Arnold
• Harley Perea

Head, Heart, Hand

• Brayden Cunningham

Leaving to Learn

• Josh Steer
• Lyncoln Burton 

Most Improved

• Nathan Radford
• Ruby Barnes
• Bella Phillips

Service to school

• Tyler Armstrong
• Astryd Cooper
• Armon Castor
• Alissia Cox-McKinnon

Minister for Education, Children and Youth Respectful Student Award

• Brayden Cunningham

Art Purchase

• Dusk Stevens

Mas National Award

• Connor Harvey

R H O’Connor Springboard to Higher Education Bursary

• Armon Castor 

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 2023.

Uniform Sales & Levy Payments For 2024

Please remember that our school is open for purchase of uniforms and payment of levies for 2024 at the following dates:

• Thursday, 1^st February 2024
• 10:00am – 2:00pm
• Friday, 2^nd February 2024
• 10:00am – 2:00pm

Thank you for your continued support of me and our school in general and I wish all families a safe and happy Christmas break.

Adrian Dean
Principal 

We want your help for our Learning Through Internship Program!

Launceston Big Picture School appreciates 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

Mel Van Asperen
LTI Co-ordinator

White Card Training

On Friday 1^st December MAS National Women in Trades offered a free White Card training to students in Year 10.  The course was held at Becks Mitre 10 with a facilitator from TasTAFE.  Students completed an introductory safety program called General Construction Induction – White Card training.  They demonstrated how to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). From the skills and knowledge learnt, students had to identify potential hazards and assess a workplace.  Students engaged well with a range of people from the wider community, their participation and involvement throughout the day was commendable.

Thank you to Mas National for providing a valuable course to our young people who completed their White Card training, this qualification is beneficial for Leaving to Learn, Learning Through Internship placements.

EXPO 2023

Our amazing Grade 9 and 10 students have displayed their best work for the year at the End of Year Expo.

We also had a new addition to our Expo this year, with an electronic and interactive map located in our foyer displaying all stall holder locations with a description of each - this amazing creation has been part of Armon’s project! Congratulations Armon.

EXPO 2023 - Advisory 10A

At Friday’s Expo, 10A students displayed their work samples and achievements from throughout the year.  

Sarah from 10A began her year exploring the many sides of business, before refining her projects for Term Two and Three where she explored Marketing and Human Resources. Sarah participated in a Learning Through Internship at Launceston City Central in Term Three and Four where she could meet professionals and experience what it is like to work in the business/tourism industry. In Term Four, Sarah decided to explore crochet, where she crocheted a pair of pants in just one term! Next year Sarah will be attending Launceston College. Sarah has had a very successful year and has made much personal and academic growth; we wish Sarah the best for her future endeavours.  

Amy from 10A explored a range of projects this term. In Term One Amy explored witchcraft where she researched the origins of wicca and the history of witchcraft itself, which included the Salem Witch Trials. In Term Two Amy got back into her writing, which is a passion of hers and she is a very talented writer. Amy is hoping to complete a Degree in Education, so in Term Three Amy chose to explore the Education System, some flaws within the system and some possible solutions. In Term Four, Amy explored trippy art, where she created several canvases that displayed various versions of trippy art. Next year Amy will be attending Newstead College where she will do Introduction to Sociology and Psychology, Contemporary Song Writing, Maths and English Foundations. Amy has had a great year at Big Picture, and we are looking forward to hearing about her achievements next year.  

Chelsea Waller
10A Advisor

EXPO 2023 - Advisory 10C

10C students displayed their best work from throughout 2023 at our LBPS student learning Expo on Friday 15^th December.  

The Expo was a fantastic event that saw students, family members and community guests visit and have engaging conversations about the broad range of topics students investigated throughout the year – from the history of women’s fashion, the plight of the wedge-tailed eagles, the case of the Menendez brothers, the history of banking, photography, what is morbid curiosity?, sustainability plus lots more! 

What a great year of student projects – we can’t wait for 2024!

Tom Clark
10C Advisor

Portfolios and University Pathways -  Advisory 12A

In a world dominated by data, social media and, increasingly, AI, the value of a portfolio is even more defined. Every student who received their Credential and TCE through Launceston Big Picture School did so with a portfolio. No exams, no final tests, no scores out of 100; instead, Big Picture students are leaving school with a powerful tool for their future. A student’s portfolio is an authentic, personalised and complete collection of evidence that shows the world what they know, what they can do and, importantly, who they are.

Did you know that more than half our Grade 12 students used their portfolio to apply for courses at University of Tasmania?  Every one of our students was offered a place in their preferred course and most of them will be back in the precinct in February to continue their interest-based learning in fields such as design, writing, architecture and physiology.

Of course not all our school leavers are going on to university, and the portfolio is an equally powerful tool for gaining employment, applying for apprenticeships, doing voluntary work, and for simply collating achievements, creative works, or personal experiences that continue building that real picture of you.

Building a rigorous and authentic portfolio is a life-long skill and it is a product totally owned by the author of it. This empowers our young people to continue adding to their portfolio as their pathways twist and turn, and using their portfolio to chase opportunities in work, study and life.

Jenni Fraser
12A Advisor

Social Action Project - Advisory 9B

This term Caitlin, Kaden and Liam have been working with Brock to refurbish children’s bikes that had been donated to the school.

On the 14th December, Kaden and Liam joined Kathryn to deliver these bikes to the Starting Point Neighbourhood House. These bikes will be donated to families in the area for Christmas.

Nettie was thrilled to receive the donation and assured us that 

they will bring a lot of joy to children in need.

Kathryn Kahl
9B Advisor

Mexican Embassy Visit - Advisory 11A

11A student Andre embraced his Mexican background this year. He involved himself with Mexican cultural activities including ‘Day of the Dead’.  He also visited Melbourne University and travelled to the Mexican Embassy in Canberra, where he met the Mexican Ambassador to Australia. 

Andre is a great example of a student who is willing to ‘think big’ and to network with interesting people.

Riverbend Park Picnic

Some highlights from our end of year picnic at Riverbend Park.

Art

Isabelle is one of our many talented Art students and she recently made her own tote bag.

The design was her very own as she did not use a pattern.

The tote bag is strong enough for Isabelle to carry her school and work belongings in each weekday.

There was a lot of thinking and preparation before cutting and sewing. Congratulations Isabelle on your fabulous design and outcome.

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:

• Franky Perez: Courage & Growth - For sharing your learning journey in your exhibition
• Fred Gardiner: Growth - Preparation for exhibition

FACEBOOK POSTS 

As always, please remember that when engaging with any Department for Education, Children and Young People 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 you 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