It has been wonderful to see so many students return from the holiday break with a positive mindset and a genuine sense of excitement about the year ahead. The energy across our campuses has been uplifting, with students reconnecting with friends, peers and staff, and settling back into the rhythms of school life with enthusiasm.

Over the holiday period, I had the opportunity to read ‘Stolen Focus’ by Johan Hari, a thought‑provoking book that explores the factors contributing to a decline in our ability to concentrate. Hari highlights a range of influences, including air quality, diet, sleep, feelings of safety, reduced opportunities for exercise and play, and the growing impact of technology. While these challenges are not unique to schools, they do prompt important reflection on how we support young people to focus, engage and thrive.

At Scotch Oakburn, we continue to work intentionally to create learning environments that minimise unnecessary distractions and encourage students to be present, both in their learning and in their relationships with one another. Our updated mobile phone policies are designed to support this goal by reducing interruptions and helping students develop healthy habits around technology use.

In addition, our new social and emotional learning program, delivered by Mentors in partnership with the team at WELLIO, will play an important role in supporting student wellbeing. Together, these initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to nurturing focused, balanced and connected learners as we move into the year ahead.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our students on a strong start to the year and wish them all the best for an exciting 2026.

Ross Patterson
Principal

Our Principal, Ross Patterson, welcomed our community back to school at the end of the first week. In case you missed it.

The Inaugural Penquite House Community Welcome, including the Athletics House 3,000 m Races

Monday 16 February | 3:30 pm –7:00 pm | Scotch Oakburn Park Grounds

Join us for a moment to come together, celebrate our House communities, and build new traditions. Whether you’re competing, cheering, playing games or dancing to live music, your presence will make it meaningful. All Penquite students and families are encouraged to attend.  Our Elphin community is also most welcome!

We are excited to kick off a new tradition together.

3000m Race Schedule:

4:30 pm – Middle School Boys  |  5:00 pm – Middle School Girls
5:30 pm – Senior School Girls  |  6:00 pm – Senior School Boys

In between races, enjoy live student performances:

4:50 pm – Briggs House  |  5:20 pm- Dean House  |  5:50 pm – Fox House  |  6:20 pm – Nance House

Food

No need to cook dinner! Serving up great eats including coffee, hot drinks, soft drinks, milkshakes, BBQ, Thai, Mexican, Spanish, donuts and ice cream.

Games Galore

Join in Pickleball, Spikeball, Mini Golf & Frisbee, Tug-o-War and soccer.

Visit this link for all you need to know about parking and access, maps and more.

I was recently offered a Round Square exchange opportunity with Hilton College, an independent, all-boys boarding school in the KwaZulu-Natal area of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

The College is located in the hills on an estate of around 4,350 acres; made up of the expansive school campus and proclaimed wildlife reserve. This makes the College one of the largest in the world. It has around 600 students spanning Years 8 to 12.

Throughout my three week stay, I experienced a range of emotions. From the moment I arrived I was welcomed as one of their own by staff and students. I was fortunate to be accepted into their version of the Student Executive, the SEC. I was integrated into Pearce, one of seven boarding houses where I slotted in nicely enjoying both similarities and differences from my own experiences of boarding at Scotch Oakburn.

The opportunity was honestly almost beyond words and has given me memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. Seeing the bonds between the boys, staff and parents in such a beautiful campus environment and enjoying the amazing opportunities was incredible. The truth is, I could have stayed the full year and still felt there was so much more to experience and learn. Hilton College has given me three of the greatest weeks of my life, immersing me in a new culture and taking me out of my comfort zone. Perhaps most importantly, I have created friendships that will last a lifetime, and I absolutely intend revisiting Hilton College in the not-so-distant future.

My three-week stay flew by leaving only one regret – not seizing the opportunity to participate in this exchange earlier! Now, I am hopeful that my exchange will pave the way for other students at Scotch Oakburn to journey out and uncover their own experiences, hopefully staying longer and making the most of their own exchange at this amazing and welcoming school.

As a Boarding Captain at Scotch Oakburn College I feel deeply inspired by the practices at Hilton College and of James Peattie, Student Head of School. I am left inspired to incorporate many of James’ inspirational vision into my leadership. The vertical connections between students that Hilton College facilitates is unprecedented in my limited experiences, and I feel deeply for the incoming Year 8 party as I wish them the very best for their future. Emotions were fraught leaving on the last day, further emphasised by the ‘game drive’ that I took part in in earlier that morning; however, I am sustained by memories and the knowledge that I have built relationships that will last a lifetime. In the words of Dr Seuss: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”.

Jordan Keep
Year 12

It is great to see students making use of our new Fitness Centre space before and after school. Now located underneath the Penquite gym, the Fitness Centre offers around 400 square metres of training space. A reminder that the Centre is open to all our College parents and carers, and staff at no cost Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 8:15 am and from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Come along and see Tim, our Fitness Instructor who will be happy to help with a program.

Building Positive Routines for a Great Start to the Year

As we conclude the second week of Term 1, many students (and families!) are still finding their rhythm. Transitions, whether into a new class, a new campus, or simply back into school routines can take time. The good news is that small, consistent habits built now can set students up for a calm, confident and connected year.

Research consistently shows that predictable routines reduce stress and anxiety, support executive functioning skills such as organisation, planning and time management, improve sleep quality and emotional regulation, and help children and young people feel secure, prepared and ready to learn. Routine doesn’t mean rigidity, it simply creates a reliable structure that helps students feel in control of their day.

Three Simple Routines to Strengthen at Home

1.        The Evening Reset: A predictable wind‑down routine can improve sleep and mood. This might include packing the bag for tomorrow, setting out uniform or materials, a consistent bedtime, and 60 minutes of screen‑free calm time. Even small changes can significantly reduce the morning rush.

2.      Five-Minute Morning Check-ins: A quick daily check-in helps children feel seen and supported. Try questions like: ‘What are you looking forward to today?’, ‘Is there anything you’re worried about?’, or ‘How can I help your day start well?’ Connection early in the day builds confidence for later.

3.      Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection: The start of the school year can bring big emotions. Encourage your child to notice what went well, acknowledge their efforts, and set small goals. When we focus on effort, students develop resilience and a positive mindset.

How We Are Supporting Students at School

The commencement of the 2026 school year has been very smooth. Across all three Campuses we have focused on establishing more clarity around Campus structure, consistency of learning culture and clear communications of student expectations. The focus on clear classroom routines and expectations, building relationships and a strong sense of belonging, has assisted students in learning the rhythms and responsibilities of their year level, and encouraging students to practise independence and self‑management skills. Our goal is for every student to feel safe, connected and ready to learn.

The first weeks of Term are about settling in gently – emotionally, socially and academically. Establishing positive routines now, at home and at school, gives students the stability they need to thrive for the rest of the year. If you ever have concerns about your child’s wellbeing or their start to the year, please reach out. We are here to support every student and family.

Kylie Wolstencroft
Director of Wellbeing – Penquite

Our Year 6 cohort have enjoyed their Education Outdoor experience, staying at the Valley Campus and embracing different environments.

Students participated in a Coastal Day where they had fun learning to surf, went rock hopping and explored the features of the coastal landscape. At the Valley Campus students used navigation techniques to explore the area, connecting to and observing various natural elements. Canoeing on the dam encouraged collaboration as together students paddled and had fun playing different games whilst navigating through windy weather.

Throughout the program our Year 6 students demonstrated agility, curiosity and self-regulation as they took on challenges, adapted to change and found solutions through problem solving. It was a great experience for everyone involved and much gratitude was shown towards those who made this camp possible.

We look forward to seeing how students transfer the skills learnt during this program to learning back in the Middle School environment.

Esther Croft-Elliott
Head of Year 6

Last week, all Year 10 students took part in a Leadership Day designed to strengthen their leadership skills and attributes as they move into their senior years at the College. Many students in the cohort will soon be volunteering on Education Outdoors programs, supporting younger students on camps, and it is important that they continue to step up as positive role models around the College.

The day began with a presentation from the Head of Education Outdoors, Mr Jono Sullivan, who spoke about the key mindsets, skills, and behaviours expected of student leaders. Students then moved to the oval to participate in a series of teamwork activities. Their challenge was not only to complete each task, but also to learn how to facilitate it, as they would later be leading the same activities for the Year 6 students.

After recess, the Year 10 and Year 6 groups met at Scotch Oakburn Park, where the older students took on the responsibility of guiding the younger students through the activities.

Overall, it was a very successful day. The Year 10 students gained genuine, hands-on leadership experience, while the Year 6 students enjoyed fun, engaging activities that challenged their teamwork skills.

Mark Hassell
Head of Experiential Learning

Student Representative Council (SRC)

Together with the Penquite Campus, the Elphin Campus is committed to nurturing student voice, leadership and agency.

StudentVoice@Elphin, our new Student Representative Council (SRC), will be launched in the coming weeks. This student led group will provide meaningful opportunities for students to contribute to school life, lead initiatives, and represent their peers across the campus throughout the year. The SRC supports our College Values of Compassion, Commitment, Courage, Respect and Responsibility, and provides a meaningful forum for students to discuss ideas, share feedback and engage in service focused projects that benefit both our school and the wider community.

How is StudentVoice@Elphin structured?

• The SRC is led by Year 5 students who chair meetings, represent the primary cohort and help guide projects.
• Each class from Years 1–4 will elect two representatives each Semester.
• Prep students will be eligible for election in Semester 2.
• Early Learning and Prep student voice will be captured through their classroom educators.
• The SRC is supported and mentored by the Director of Wellbeing – Elphin, ensuring it remains student driven

How are students elected for StudentVoice@Elphin?

To ensure fairness and consistency, each class follows a structured process when electing representatives:

• all students are nominated, unless they have served in the previous four semesters (to maximise opportunities for others).
• students vote anonymously for their first, second and third preferences.
• students may vote for themselves.
• votes are counted by the class teacher and check with elected students to confirm they are willing to take on the responsibility.
• class representatives are announced at a Together@Elphin assembly or a Year Level gathering and will be presented with badges to acknowledge their leadership role

What are the roles and responsibilities of the class representative?

Class representatives will:

• represent their class respectfully and responsibly
• communicate ideas and feedback between their peers and the council
• attend regular lunchtime meetings
• support campus events and wellbeing initiatives
• help lead service projects and fundraising activities
• serve as positive role models within the school community

Our Year 5 students will participate in a dedicated Leadership Program, which will run alongside StudentVoice@Elphin and provide them with additional opportunities to develop their leadership skills. More information will be shared soon with regards to this program. Elections for class representatives in Years 1–4 will take place on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 February, conducted by each class teacher.

We look forward to this student leadership opportunity and seeing the ideas and initiatives our 2026 StudentVoice@Elphin class representatives bring to life.

Renee Hodgetts
Director of Wellbeing – Elphin

We have many volunteeers in our community and most require a a Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration. The Tasmanian Government has announced the removal of fees for volunteers applying for a Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration.  Commencing 1 January 2026, applications and renewals for the next two years will be fee free. For more information see Making it easier to volunteer: Fee relief for RWVP | Registration to work with vulnerable people.

As we start the school year, we encourage parents and carers to share these safety tips from Tas Police with children walking to and from school.

• Where possible walk with friends in pair or in a group.
• Walk on the right-hand side of the road to face oncoming traffic.
• Positioning yourself near adults, bus drivers, or groups if you feel uncomfortable.
• Stay in view. Avoid going into areas that are hidden, such as bush or behind buildings or walls.
• Be alert – earphones and headphones can reduce awareness of surroundings.
• If they are alone and an adult approaches, always treat the adult as a stranger.
• Do not accept gifts from, or go anywhere with, someone you do not know.
• Run from a situation if you feel at risk.
• Report suspicious behaviour to your parents/carers and school staff immediately.
• Always speak up if you feel unsafe.

Safeguarding our students is our most important responsibility. If you have any concerns please contact your relevent Head of Campus.

To help our community plan for 2027, our Term dates have now been released.  They are available on our website via this link and on The Dash via this link.

As the new school Term begins, we would like to remind everyone of the importance of parking safely and respectfully during drop-off and pick-up times.

Please avoid using private car parks, residential driveways, or business spaces, even if they appear momentarily available. These areas are often clearly signed and using them can pose safety risks to students navigating busy footpaths and crossings.

We know the school drop off and pick up can be a busy time, but small acts of care, like choosing safe and considerate places to stop, make a big difference in keeping children safe and showing respect to those who live and work nearby.

Thank you.

Cricket

Before the start of Term, after a 15-year hiatus, we saw the reintroduction of the Woodroffe Cup, a three-day match between Launceston Grammar (LCGS) and Scotch Oakburn College.

The three-day match concluded in just two days, with an emphatic win by Scotch Oakburn College. The team produced an outstanding performance with the ball from the outset. On Day 1, a superb bowling display saw LCGS dismissed for just 45. Responding with patience and discipline, the team compiled 158 from 92 overs, before LCGS returned to the crease on Day 2, still 113 runs in arrears. An early breakthrough, coupled with consistently tight bowling, saw two wickets fall before lunch.

After the interval, with calm captaincy, disciplined fielding, and a steady rotation of bowlers, the side was rewarded with two further wickets before tea. Persisting with their composed and methodical approach, the team claimed the final wicket with minutes remaining on Day 2, sealing victory, reclaiming the Woodroffe Bat, and recording their first win of the SATIS cricket season.

It was a truly historic occasion.

Ali Foot
Head of Sport

Equestrian

In January, the Scotch Oakburn Equestrian Team, comprising of Lucy Johnston (Year 12), Meg Kilby (Year 12), Aggie Lyne (Year 10), and Evie Young (Year 8), competed in the Tasmanian State Eventing Championships at Quercus Park. On six horses they represented the College in both the Interschools, Combined Training and the Interschools Eventing competitions.

Evie Young and Lucy Johnston had a very successful Saturday, securing the Interschools Combined Training Schools Team Senior Shield, despite harsh conditions and challenging winds. Riding Clearview Royal Zeva, Lucy Johnston delivered an exceptional performance, achieving first place overall in the 80cm Combined Training Competition.

For those competing in Eventing, the competition continued into Sunday, where both Meg Kilby and Aggie Lyne competed in cross-country. Both riders performed brilliantly, successfully completing their rounds and securing the Interschools Eventing Team Senior Trophy for Scotch Oakburn College. Meg Kilby, riding Oceania Hope, achieved first place overall in the Interschools 95cm Eventing competition, while Aggie Lyne, on Tee Jay Frankie, finished in a close third. Aggie Lyne also preformed commendably in the 80cm eventing championships on her horse, Warrawee Top Design.

It was a fantastic weekend of competition and an excellent start to the year for all riders. Every rider achieved an Interschools qualification and are now working towards the goal of heading to Werribee in September to represent Tasmania at the Interschools Nationals.

Lucy Johnston and Meg Kilby
Senior Equestrian Riders

Sailing

Scotch Oakburn sailors Grady Frith (Year 10) and Lucas de Vos (Year 7) have had winning performances, taking home perpetual trophies at the 58th Mirror National titles held in Wynyard from 3-7 January. Grady was a member of the Junior U16 Tasmanian winning crew and Lucas, the Cruiserweight crew. Congratulations to both students on representing the state and on their respective wins.

Rob Basick
Person-in-Charge of Sailing

Images: Ian Dutton Nature and Events Photography

Cycling

Congratulations to Year 11 student Max Woodroffe! Max competed as a part of the Tasmanian Institute of Sport Cycling team at the Queensland Track State Championships, winning Silver in the U19 1km Time Trial. Max also achieved a Personal Best.

Ali Foot
Head of Sport