Over the past fortnight, it has been wonderful to see our Performing Arts students and staff in full flow, performing to packed audiences in the Horton Auditorium. There is something very special about seeing our community come together to celebrate creativity, courage and connection, and last week’s Dance Showcase and Winter Concert provided memorable experiences for all in attendance.

From high-energy Hip Hop through to the precision and grace of Ballet, the diversity of dance on display was outstanding. Our musicians were equally impressive, tackling a wide range of repertoire, from […]

Our After School Chess Club continues to grow in popularity, with almost 30 students attending each Thursday afternoon.

Run by Black Square Chess, the club is supported by two experienced tutors who tailor their teaching to two ability-based groups.

Students are developing their understanding of important chess principles and strategies by exploring famous games, learning how each piece moves and its value, and becoming familiar with key terms such as castling. They are also building knowledge of rules, etiquette, and the correct way to handle the chess board and pieces.

Most importantly, students are enjoying the […]

Our biennial Dance Showcase took place recently before a large audience of parents, friends and staff. Students from Year 6 through to Year 12 showcased many dance styles in a successful evening of rhythm, movement, colour and smiles.  The showcase featured creative contemporary and commercial dance including Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical and Tap, and well as traditional forms of dance that reflected the cultural heritage, history, and identity of a particular nation or region, including Classical, Modern, […]

As our Year 10–12 students prepare for mid-year exams, it’s important to remember that these assessments are just one part of the learning journey.

At Scotch Oakburn College, we value growth, resilience, collaboration and the learning process itself. Exams provide an opportunity to demonstrate learning, but they do not define a student’s success.

We encourage all students undertaking exams in the coming weeks to take advantage of the tips provided in this weeks video.

Kate Gard
Director of Teaching & Learning – Penquite

Sarah Lillywhite
Head of […]

PIPES

Congratulations to Zoe, Alison, Seren, and Ayla on their fantastic achievement, progressing from chanter to full pipes! This is a significant milestone, recognising their dedication, perseverance, and musicianship.

Our Pipes & Drums program continues to go from strength to strength, thanks to the outstanding expertise and leadership of David Doyle and Colin Peters. Their commitment to developing our students is inspiring, and it’s wonderful to see the results in moments like this.

We’re excited to see what the future holds as our program keeps growing and flourishing! Stay tuned for more information on how students […]

We recently shared a short three-part video series from our recent Year 7 experience at The Quoin, a part of the Wedgetail Foundation, highlighting the kind of learning that can happen when students step beyond the classroom and into place.

Across the days, students explored this remarkable Tasmanian place through Aboriginal, Art and Science perspectives, deepening their understanding of place, regeneration and care for the environment.

If you haven’t seen them you can watch view them here.

Helping to celebrate 140 years of community

We are pleased to share the results of our recent Elphin Inter-House Cross Country Carnival. It was a wonderful House events with cheering and encouragement heard heard throughout the afternoon. Everyone displayed courage and perseverance while tackling the courses around Scotch Oakburn Park. Students challenged themselves and pushed outside their comfort zones, with their effort clearly visible as they crossed the finish line.

After completing their own carnival in the morning, we were grateful for the support provided by our Year 12 students, including assisting at checkpoints, running alongside students, and congratulating runners at […]

As a part of National Reconciliation Week learning, students from Early Learning to Year 5 came together to learn, listen, and reflect.

Following the Elphin Smoking Ceremony, we spent time with classes sharing stories and exploring the meaning and importance of reconciliation. Together, we learnt about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, Acknowledgement of Country, and shared some of our own experiences of spending time in Aboriginal communities and learning about culture, Country, and native animals.

Students joined together to learn and sing a song in Yolŋu Matha and reflected on what they love about Country […]

Congratulations to our 2026 Year 5 Art Captains, Amal Mahmud, Charlie Brotja-Carmichael, Jack Spring, Hamish Gee, Felicity Cornelius-Pigott and Zara Green. They have been busy collaborating to determine the current focus on painting workshops, which they are leading at Art Club each Tuesday.

The inquiry recently involved exploring colour, pattern and texture using pencil and poster paint. Students will have the opportunity to develop their skills in coming weeks, creating a multi-layered painting.

Focus will then move to construction with recycled materials.

Caroline Tandy and Suzanne Creese
Teachers