It is always enjoyable to reflect on and celebrate the happenings of our school each month in the newsletter. As we enter the second half of term three it is fabulous to see the growth in student learning across the school.  From new friendships, shared interests, progress in student interest projects and an increase in students participating in LTIs.

TA Awards

We are delighted to share with you, that our Teacher Assistants Team has been selected as the Tasmania team finalist in the Australian Teacher Aide Team of the Year awards. This is a tremendous achievement! Our TA Team are now in the running for Australian Teacher Aide Team of the Year, which will be announced on Thursday 4 September during Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week. Congratulations, we are so proud of our team and the contribution they make to the lives of the young people in our school.

In-learning

We have recently had a number of in-learning opportunities for students across all grades.  RSA training and the Tassie Young Scientist program are two recent in-learning opportunities our students have participated in.

RSA training – Rob delivered RSA training to our VET students and a number of other interested students.  This training provides a lifetime skill that improves the employability for students in the hospitality, and sales sectors.

Young Scientist – during Science Week, our students participated the following sessions:

• Victoria Roy Microbiologist - Bloody Good Science!!! (Driver/Trip lead)
• Tom Verne  Botanist - Plant Plague Doctor
• Samuel Hansen  Astrophysicist - Black Hole Buckaroo
• Dilini Manage  Logistics management researcher - The Moo-torious Burp Buster

Outlearning

This month our students have been involved in a range of outlearning opportunities within their Advisory and with cross grade groups.  Two of our cross-grade opportunities were the NC Career Expo and 3v3 basketball competition.

NC Career Expo:   Earlier this term our students attended the Newstead College Careers Expo.  The expo was an opportunity for our students to connect with industry, employment agencies, further education and training providers, and volunteer organisations.  Students had the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops and learn about different career paths.  The information gained through this connection helps our students to make informed decisions about their future.  Thanks to NC for organising this event.

3v3 basketball: Dan and a group of our active sports people participated in a 3v3 basketball competition at Elphin Sports Centre.  It was a fabulous opportunity for our basketball loving students to share their passion for the sport with others.  The sportsmanship shown by our students was great.  Thanks to Indie School for organising this event.

Family Information Evening

Last week our 2026 enrolment process started with the first of two Family Information Evenings.  Our Family Information Evening provides prospective students the opportunity to hear about our learning design, visit our learning spaces and hear from staff and students about being part of the Launceston Big Picture School community of learners.  We were impressed by the number of families that came along for the evening.  This week we have followed up the evening with enrolment interviews.  It has been great to hear about the interest of our future learners and share more about the Big Picture Learning design with families.

Our enrolment process continues in Term 4, relevant dates are below:

Week 4 – Tuesday, 4^th November – second Family Information Night from 5pm to 6pm

Week 5 - Enrolment Interviews scheduled with individual students and their families - Monday, 10^th November to Friday 14^th November

Week 6/7 – Transition Programme for students interested in 2026 enrolment - Wednesday 19^th November to Tuesday 25^th November

Student Leaders

Our student leaders have been surveying students in their Advisory to see why they chose LBPS.  Below are some of the responses they have received.

“Big Picture gives you a chance to be in-charge of your own learning” – Sienna, Grade 10

“Interest based learning, real world experience.” – Leannika, Grade 12

“I chose Big Picture because I wanted to learn about things I’m actually interested in.” – Ruby, Grade 12

“It opened a lot of opportunities for me. I was able to leave the building and do something I love.” – Koby, Grade 12

School Association

On Monday the 8^th of September we will be holding our next School Association Meeting.  This is a great opportunity for parents to be actively involved and engaged with our school.  We welcome and encourage new members.  The meeting will be held at 4:30pm at the LBPS.  I hope to see you there.

Thanks again, for your ongoing support.  Please share your feedback, via the school climate survey (links and information were sent home last week).

2 Innocent St Kings Meadows || Phone : 0481 348 379 

What does Entombed offer? 

Entombed offers a series of enthralling escape rooms with challenging puzzles to solve and complete within the given timeframe, providing a fun experience for all ages and skill levels. If you’re looking for a place to test your puzzle-solving skills, this is for you. 

Visit their website at : https://www.launcestonescape.com/

Thank you to Entombed Escape Rooms for mentoring Abby ‘Ghost’ from Launceston Big Picture School.

This term, I want to focus on art instead of writing and graphics. My project will be on character design and profiling, and I plan to learn how to orient and pose characters in art, practice my ability to draw ideas in my head, and write to show the personality and perspective of the characters I make using a variety of methods.

One of the main skills I wish to build is my ability to accept when I don't like exactly how something looks, and be willing and able to enjoy just practicing without expectations.

By Alaska 

By Chaise

By Gus

This term my project is seeing if people can tell the difference between box mix and homemade baked goods.

I have five different box mixes to try out - vanilla cake, chocolate cake, cookies, chocolate mousse, and butterscotch pudding. I’m interested in seeing if the box mixes that claim to taste the same or “better” than homemade are the same, worse or better.

I need willing taste testers and people to give feedback. If you’re interested, email me at: tilly.elmer.00@education.tas.edu.au to apply!

By Matilda

Claye's Senior Project

My project is about making a model boat. I've done two versions, a version where I used my previous skills to make a model boat and a version where I learnt how to make one. I've used foam to help me get an idea for the finalised project. This project is helping improve my planning skills, my finesse with tools, and general Empirical Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning skills.

LTI – Just Cats Launceston: Koby

Newstead College Career Expo

Students in Term 3 were gifted a smorgasbord of outlearning experience at the annual Career Expo held at Newstead College. Students were able to attend workshops around areas of interest, as well as visit stalls with experts on hand to answer questions and provide contact information for students to follow up for future LTI’s or even a career.

Students of 10A were able to share about what they got from the event.

“It was good, I found the civil construction group interesting because they were good speakers. I asked about how to become a carpenter, they were able to give me some tips.” Jesse of 10A said.

Decon enjoyed many of the stalls, “It was fun, I collected a lot of pens, there was a lot of stuff to look at. The Police stall was the most interesting because I was able to ask questions, they gave me a booklet to read which has inspired me to consider a career with Tas Police.”

Rowan attended one of the workshops, it was their highlight of the event. “The drama workshop was well organised, they had students do some activities which made us all feel involved.”

Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) 2025

Parents/guardians who are applying for STAS for the first time are encouraged to apply online at www.onlinesubmission.education.tas.gov.au. Alternatively, applicants can search STAS in Google and be taken directly to the online application site.

Applications can be completed on any electronic device including mobile phones. Parents/guardians must hold a current Centrelink concession card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs concession card to be eligible.

STAS 2025 assessment letters have been posted to all families.

If a parent/guardian wishes to add a newly enrolling or additional student to their existing STAS file they need to email their full name, the student’s full name, date of birth and school attending in 2025 to stas@decyp.tas.gov.au, and the file will be updated. Financial Assistance Services will also accept details of newly enrolled children of families who are approved for STAS directly from schools via email to stas@decyp.tas.gov.au.

For queries, please contact stas@decyp.tas.gov.au

Safeguarding Children and Young People 

All children in Tasmania have a right to be known, safe, well and learning. We are highly committed to the safety of all students at our school.

Earlier this month, DECYP launched the Tell Someone initiative, to raise awareness in the community about child sexual abuse and grooming.

The Tell Someone website gives children and young people clear advice on what to do in situations where they feel worried, unsafe or unsure. It also gives adults advice and support on how to respond if they suspect or know a child is being groomed or sexually abused or is at risk of harm.

Please visit the website, read the information, and try to find a suitable time to talk with your child/children about this issue and the resources available.  It’s important that everyone understands the possible signs of sexual abuse or grooming behaviour, and how to stay safe online and offline.

If reading this information has caused you distress, please visit DECYP’s website for a list of support services.

Please contact the school if you have any questions about this information.