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 the iconic sounds of the Foo Fighters to the theatrical brilliance of Hamilton and the energy of Rocky III. Each performance reflected both talent and a willingness to take risks in front of an audience.

Since the introduction of the new co-curricular points system, we have seen a significant increase in participation within the Performing Arts. Some groups have grown substantially, and it has been pleasing to see new opportunities emerge, including student-led initiatives such as K-Pop Dance. These developments speak to a program that continues to evolve in response to student interest and passion.

What sits underpinning this growth, however, is much more than a structural change. Our Performing Arts staff, led by Head of Performing Arts Andy Prideaux, create an environment that is at once supportive, aspirational and appropriately challenging. It is clear that our students feel safe, valued and inspired to perform, and the rapport between staff and students is a defining strength.

Our students could not do what they do without the ongoing support of their families. I thank you, and our broader community, for your continued encouragement of this very special program.

Ross Patterson
Principal

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 opportunity to challenge themselves mentally, build on their skills, and have fun playing competitively with their friends.

Jennifer Diepeveen
Teacher

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, Mexican, Bollywood and Latin.

Thank you to all those that were able to come along and support our dance students.

Kathryn Gray
Teacher

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 Penquite Campus – Senior

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 can join the program and be part of this incredible musical journey.

FLUTES

Congratulations also to Julia and Chloe who both earned first place in their respective flute solo sections at the Launceston Competitions, and then  came together to also take first place for their flute duo performance.

To top it off, they were awarded the prestigious Beris Harding Memorial Award, recognising the most promising flautist(s) under 18. This honour reflects their exceptional musicianship and the strength of their ensemble playing.

Andy Prideaux
Head of Performing Arts

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 the finish line.  The interactions between the junior and senior students provided many magical moments.

Individual finishes:

Overall results saw Briggs take out first place, followed by Dean, Fox and Nance.

Nicky Reid
Head of PE & Sport – Elphin

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 by creating their own gum leaves. These leaves will become part of a special “Leaves of Country” display, celebrating our connection to Country and our commitment to learning together with respect and understanding.

A heartfelt thank you to our teachers for their support, participation, and willingness to learn alongside their students. We look forward to continuing this learning journey as classes begin creating their own Acknowledgements of Country.

Catriona Hurd and Alex Austin
Teachers

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

Judo

Congratulations to Year 6 student Jasmine Liu who recently competed for Tasmania in the Judo Australia National Championships, finishing with a silver medal. It is always fantastic to see students following their passions.

We would like to make our community aware of the an important test being undertaken in Launceston by the the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Monday 15 June.

The Australian Government has committed to deliver a public information and warning system prior to the 2026-27 Higher Risk Weather Season (HRWS), known as AusAlert. This system will enable emergency service organisations to deliver emergency and public safety messages to compatible mobile and other devices.

AusAlert will utilise cell broadcast technology, operating independently of traditional mobile networks, eliminating delays caused by network congestion. This ensures it remains a dependable tool for delivering life-saving information when it matters the most.

AusAlert will undertake community-based trials, followed by a national test to ensure functionality. These events will be the first interaction the Australian public has with AusAlert, and the critical alert will be used for both tests.

It will include two (2) alert levels:
• Critical Alert: The highest level of warning. This intrusive alert will have a fixed volume unique alert sound (10.5 seconds), vibration and potentially a flashing light. Users cannot opt-out.
• Priority Alert: Same siren ringtone and vibration. However, users can opt out of receiving alerts.

AusAlert product benefits include:
• Immediate Reach: Alerts are delivered almost instantly to all compatible devices in a targeted area.
• Network Resilience: Cell broadcast is not impacted by network congestion during emergencies.
• Geo-targeted Delivery: Alerts are delivered to a specific geographic area within 160m accuracy.

On Monday 15 June the AusAlert system will undergo a test in Launceston (followed by a national test Monday 27 July). People in the Launceston area on this day will receive a test alert to their phone which will include sound and vibration.  We encourage everyone to share this information with those in their own networks to ensure our community is informed and prepared.