Dear Families,

As Term 1 comes to an end we have much to celebrate at LBPS.  Social Reasoning is one of the Big Picture Learning Goals.  Already this year we have seen classes and individual students exploring diverse perspectives and seeking to understand social issues.   Our students have stepped up and taken action to demonstrate their respect and care for others and to act for positive change.  This was evident when Rob’s advisory lead the school to celebrate Harmony Day connecting us through food, stories and visually with a sea of orange across the school. The initiative of one of our Grade 10 students to raise awareness of FND (Functional Neurologic Disorder) by sharing information at Town Hall, creating conversations through the orange and green focus on FND day and raising money for FND research was another great example of social reasoning in action.  I have had the pleasure of having many conversations with students as they explore a wide range of social practices and perspectives and work through ways in which they can learn more and impact in their areas of interest – I look forward to seeing these ideas moving forward across the year.

I have also been impressed this term with the courage our students have shown in planning and engaging in out learning – from exploring interests, university and TAFE studies through to engaging in learning through LTIs. The thinking, conversations and planning, supported by Mel is a great example of the value of Big Picture Learning. 

The recent addition of Damon Long to our staff has enable increased access to the workshop for our students.  The skill set and experience Damon brings, in addition to our current staff enables us to support the wide range of interests of our students.

Our School Association AGM and first meeting were held in Week 8.  I thank and congratulate the following office holders for 2024:

Chair: Ben Cunningham

Deputy Chair: Debbie White 

Secretary: Marianne Olsen

I also welcome Mel de Clouet as a new parent member to the School Association and thank returning members to the association committee.

It certainly takes a village to raise a child, the ever growing village that supports the learning of our students is greatly appreciated – from each of our staff, our student’s families, our school association, and our local community - through this team approach we are able to help our students to learn, with a focus on one student at a time.

Whilst we hear a lot in the media about youth in a negative light, we are certainly lucky at LBPS to see students flourish when their voice is heard, they are well supported and given the opportunity to learn within and outside the school.

Next term, I am looking forward to learning more about our students, their learning and their interests at the Exhibitions in week 2. 

Have a safe and restful break.  I look forward to meeting more families and working together to support our learners throughout 2024.

Thanks

Cindy Johnston
Principal 

Breakfast at Big Picture

We know that during adolescence, young people’s circadian rhythm, or body clock, changes. Teenager’s sleep wake cycle and all associated timings, such as eating and being active, are delayed during this period of growth and change. This is one reason that young people arrive to school without having breakfast and so this year our school has committed to supporting all our young people to be well fuelled for learning.

Every day there are a range of healthy breakfasts available before school from 8:30am – 8:55am, and there are toasties and fruit to eat at morning tea time each day. This is a team effort from our awesome TA staff, Teachers, Senior Staff and of course our young people.

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

Informational Review at Mowbray Racetrack

On Thursday 14^th  March, Maddi and Lilly went to the Mowbray racetrack where they met CEO Gary Rayner.  Mr Rayner has been CEO for 12 months and a member of Launceston Turf Club (LTC) for 40+ years.  He is a funny, knowledgeable man and they were shocked to learn he is actually scared of horses and rarely pats them.

His fear didn’t stop his passion and he told them all about the history of LTC.  The road around Kmart used to be the original racecourse, making it an oval shape and being named Racecourse Crescent.

In 1823 Launceston held the first race, which was held on a popular road into the city now known as Elphin Rd.  Today the grounds hold 130 stables with around 26 races per year, with a maximum of 20 horses per race.

Maddi and Lilly were lucky enough to get a tour of the whole park and building including walking on the track.  While admiring the view on the third floor they sat down to ask Mr Rayner some questions about his career and the racing industry.

Mel Van Asperen
LTI Co-ordinator

Leannika's Project - Monotremes

Leannika’s project is about investigating the Major Physiological Systems of Monotremes.  

Monotremes and their Ancestors

All mammals, from whales to wolves, have an ancestor or ancestors they evolved from. Mammals are split into three main groups, two of which belong to the subclass Theria – Marsupialia, the marsupials, and Placentalia, the remaining mammals that give birth to more developed young. Another group of extant mammals is the order Monotremata, or monotremes, the egg-laying mammals which my research is focused on.

Monotremes are mammals that lay eggs but feed their young with milk, like other mammals. There are five living species: one platypus and four echidna species. Alongside their egg-laying, monotremes are set apart from other mammals by differences in their brains, jaws, digestive and reproductive tract and other body parts. Female monotremes have no teats but instead produce milk through pores on their bellies.

The first monotreme fossil species to be discovered was a platypus-like Steropodon galmani, which lived 96-100 million years ago. Studies done on early monotremes show that they may have split off from the other mammals before marsupials and placental mammals evolved.

Josh Foley Exhibition

Grade 10 creative students Abbie, Amira, Robin, Ciel and Fred walked over to the Launceston Art Centre exhibition of local contemporary artist Josh Foley. Here are their reflections of the experience:

Favourite painting titled ‘Insomnia’ – as you looked at the image lots of different faces emerged. Abbie

Value of looking at other artists – Josh’s exhibition shows an engagement with his work, technical skills and a professional approach to his art. Ciel

Very cool – the self-portraits were impressive, hyper realism techniques, old masters, atelier, loved the cast of a head with a candle inside it. Fred

I found all the works unique, contrasts of colours, realistic with abstract qualities…. hidden meanings to make the audience think. Robin

An art piece titled ‘Unconditional Love’, melting flowers work on paper, it spoke in a way that didn’t need words. Most of his works were poems without words. Amira

As a previous Artist in Residence at LBPS, it was great to see a range of art pieces spanning 25 years from Josh. Thank you to the Launceston Art Centre for being so accommodating.

Connection, Respect, Responsibility, Growth, Courage

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 Connection, Respect, Responsibility, Growth and Courage.

Winners receive a voucher to dine at Cafe Red and our winners this term so far are:

• Maddison Sarich: Responsibility - For being honest and returning found money to it's owner
• Ashlee Donald: Courage & Growth - An excellent start to 2024
• Olive Rochstein: Connectedness - For making others feel included
• Griffen Burgess-Green: Growth - For focus on your project and Cafe Red 'special menu'

Big Picture Distinguisher:

2. Leaving to learn: Learning through internships

Students can work up to two days a week in an interest-based internship with a mentor from the community on an intellectually rigourous real-world project that is connected to their learning goals. Throughout their schooling, students are connected to many ‘leaving to learn’ activities such as excursions, camps, and events.

In Term 1, students have been working with their Advisor and Mel Van Asperen to explore their interests and find an LTI. There are currently 55 students out on LTI, and numerous others have attend informational interviews. Well done, everyone!

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.

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

2024 Student Leaders 

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