A ship is safe in harbour, but that’s not what ships are built for.” — John A. Shedd

This simple yet profound metaphor by John A. Shedd captures the essence of life, growth, and purpose. Like ships, we are not meant to stay anchored in safety. We are meant to explore, take risks, and navigate the uncertain waters of life. While the harbour offers comfort and security, it is not where we fulfil our potential. True growth, fulfilment, and success lie beyond the breakwaters—in the vast ocean of opportunity and challenge.

Two years ago, I had the opportunity to embark on a […]

Our Middle School students have recently enjoyed connecting with members of the Boarding House Community to celebrate National Boarding Week. This initiative was co-ordinated by the Head of Boarding, Lionel Randall, as an opportunity to engage students in fun, collaborative activities to showcase some everyday Boarding House experiences.

Year 8 Peer Leaders organised House teams, involving students from Year 6 – 8. Cheered on by their peers and supported by our House Captains, students took on team challenges, including making a bed and preparing a sandwich. It certainly was an entertaining lunchtime for everyone involved.

Dean House took out the overall win […]

Term 2 continues to be filled with moments of student achievement and engagement across Penquite.

The Autumn Concert was a true highlight, showcasing the incredible musical talents of students across the College. From solo performances to full ensemble pieces, the evening offered a rich and varied program that captivated the audience and celebrated the depth of our music program.

Year 11 Principals’ lunches have provided a valuable opportunity for students to share their perspectives on College life. A hot topic of discussion has been our co-curricular programs. These conversations have been thoughtful and constructive, […]

At the Elphin campus, part of our Wellbeing focus is to develop a whole-school friendship strategy that empowers students with the skills, language, and confidence to develop healthy friendships. This aligns with our College Wellbeing Priorities of Belonging and Resilience, which in turn supports a positive school culture. To strengthen the development of relationship skills beyond the classroom, Friendology offers a range of free online resources just for parents and carers.

Here’s how you can access the Friendology Parent Resources:

1. Visit the URSTRONG website – www.urstrong.com
2. Create a free parent account – […]
   

This article brings together a range of student voices, sharing their reflections on the recent Year 9 Southern Tasmania trip. Through this collection of honest, thoughtful, and often insightful quotes, it captures the experience, and the learning that shaped their experience. These reflections offer a real insight into what the trip meant to the students—in their own words.

“I have just come back from an unforgettable journey to southern Tasmania…. This trip really changed my perspectives on how Australia has developed” Madeline Hall

“Last week four groups of Year 9 students from their respective […]

Earlier this year Calan Young (Year 11) and Elizabeth Moore (Year 10) attended the Tasmanian UN Youth Australia conference in Hobart; this was self-organised. Following this they were selected in a group of six students to represent Tasmania at the national conference in Adelaide from the 6-12 July, Calan and Elizabeth were the only students from the north selected.

The UN Youth Australia is a youth-led not-for-profit organisation, coordinated entirely by volunteers aged 18-26 and educating over 15,000 young Australians annually about international issues and the role of the United Nations. The National […]

The 2025 Autumn Concert was a resounding success, showcasing the extraordinary talent and dedication of Scotch Oakburn College’s music students and staff. Held on Thursday 22 May, the evening featured a rich and varied program that delighted a full house of families, friends, and staff.

From the stirring opening by the College Bagpipes and Drums to the final notes of “Rock and Roll” by The Association, the concert was a celebration of musical diversity and student achievement. Highlights included powerful performances by the Concert Band, Big Band, and College Choir, as well as […]

Our Year 3 classes have visited the Gentle Protagonist: Art of Michael McWilliam’s, exhibition at QVMAG Inveresk. McWilliam’s paintings depict wildlife, domestic & introduced species in Tasmanian bushlands, farmyards & gardens.  His works stimulate thinking around climate change, impacts of introduced species and extinction.

This relates directly to the Year 3 inquiry focus on lifecycles of creatures in Tasmania.  The purpose of the visit was also to inspire ideas, stimulate thinking and to provide a rich learning experience that included opportunities to reflect on and respond to the artworks.  The experience will lead […]

On Wednesday 9 April, two teams of eight students each from Scotch Oakburn College competed in the Da Vinci Decathlon at The Hutchins School in Hobart. The competition was held in the school’s library, it was a full day of challenging and creative tasks across ten areas: engineering, mathematics, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography, legacy and code breaking.

Both a Year 9 and a Year 10 team represented the College. We were excited (and a bit nervous) to take on such a wide range of topics. The theme this year was light, which we […]

The annual TCE Ball – A Night at the Oscars was held at The Grand Chancellor Hotel, on Saturday 10 May. Organised by The Seniors Committee, this year’s ball theme, A Night at The Oscars, was a star-studded event following weeks of preparation.

Greeted by parents, friends and the paparazzi, the evening did not disappoint as invited guests walked the red carpet in all the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood event. Invited guests relished the atmosphere of a true Oscars evening where awards were presented, a delicious meal was enjoyed and guests […]