At Scotch Oakburn College, we believe that education extends beyond the classroom. Community service plays a vital role in shaping well-rounded individuals, fostering empathy, leadership, and a sense of responsibility in our students. Recent initiatives highlight the meaningful impact our students have when they engage with the wider community.

A shining example of this commitment was the College’s support of the Launceston International. With just four days’ notice, our senior students stepped up to assist behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth running of this international tournament. Their willingness to contribute demonstrated remarkable adaptability and dedication, reinforcing the values of teamwork, service, and a desire to make a meaningful difference within the wider community. Pleasingly, the feedback from the tournament organisers has been extremely complimentary of our students.

Beyond sports, our students and families also committed to environmental stewardship through the Clean Up Australia initiative. On Sunday, 2 March, members of the Scotch Oakburn community gathered at the Scotch Oakburn Rowing Shed to contribute to this national effort, reinforcing the importance of sustainability, collective action, and community.

It is well documented that engaging in community service enriches a student’s educational journey by enhancing their wellbeing and providing hands-on experiences that nurture social awareness and civic responsibility. These activities empower young people to make a difference and instil lifelong values that extend well beyond their schooling years.

These are just two examples of the many initiatives that take place throughout the year. We are incredibly proud of our students’ enthusiasm and dedication to serving the community. Through their actions, they not only support those in need but also develop into compassionate and capable leaders of the future.

Ross Patterson
Principal

Deputy Principal – Penquite, Ben Marsland, reflects on what was a great Harvest Harmony event this week.

Visiting our King Island community

This fortnight at Penquite has been bustling with activities and achievements. Yesterday, we celebrated the much-anticipated Harvest Harmony event. It was a fantastic evening filled with music, performances, international cuisine, and community spirit. The event featured a cavalcade of student-led musical performances in addition to stellar sets from the College Big Band and Clarinet Choir, each highlighting different musical cultures. Fund-raising activities were House-led, featuring face painting, VR experiences, ‘pedal-powered’ shakes and smoothies and of course, the Round Square sponge throwing was a real ‘hit’!

In sports news, the Head of the River regatta is set to take place this weekend at Lake Barrington. Our rowers have been training hard, and we look forward to cheering them on as they compete against other schools in the lead up to the Australian Championships that are just around he corner.

Academically, NAPLAN testing was held this week for Years 7 and 9. The tests will conclude with catchup sessions next week to ensure all students have had the opportunity to complete their assessments.

We are delighted to welcome exchange students from our sister school, Osaka International Junior High School. The students have settled in well with their host families and are eager to experience life at Scotch Oakburn College.

The Year 6 Illuminate Community Challenge kicked off today at Door of Hope. This exciting program encourages students to engage in collaborative problem-solving and creative thinking to envision a better future for Launceston.

Head of Boarding, Lionel Randall, and I recently visited King Island to connect with families and attend the King Island Show. This visit was an excellent opportunity to strengthen relationships with our boarding community and showcase the College’s commitment to supporting students from all regions.

Lastly, the Year 7SOC2City program has commenced, providing students with valuable experiences and insights into urban life and community engagement.

Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from Penquite!

Ben Marsland
Deputy Principal – Penquite

Our Year 10 Enterprise students recently had a fantastic opportunity to step out of the classroom and into the real world of business with a visit to Tatler Lane by Sweetbrew.

We were warmly welcomed by business owners, current parent Archana Brammal, and Aaron Jones. They shared their inspiring journey of building a business and emphasised the importance of creating a community where everyone feels comfortable. They also highlighted that while tough decisions are part of the business world, prioritising people and maintaining ethical and moral standards are paramount.

One of the key takeaways was the importance of friendship and community in business. And, of course, we couldn’t forget to mention the delicious food! Everyone enjoyed their beautifully presented meals, which students paid for with their own money, adding a practical element to the experience.

This excursion was a fantastic example of applied learning, allowing our students to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting.

Joy Russell
Teacher

Our TCE Outdoor Leadership class headed to the Valley Campus for their first trip of the year recently.

They took on a range of challenges designed to test their teamwork, leadership, problem solving and perseverance, such as building and racing rafts, initiative games, river crossings, a hike to an old gold mine, and fire lighting without matches. The weather was variable, with a cold wind on the first day and hot weather the next, which highlighted the importance of having the correct gear so that we can remain comfortable and fully functional in the outdoors regardless of the weather.

There was a great level of energy and enthusiasm throughout the trip and a solid foundation has been laid for the rest of the year’s coursework and activities.

Mark Hassell
Head of Experiential Learning

Our College Board of Directors met last week on the Elphin Campus and were keen to see how the Lachie Wright Centre construction is progressing. Things are progressing well!

So far in Year 7 we have organised various learning opportunities to hugely enrich students’ knowledge and skills inside the classroom.  As we know, experiential learning can be so much more engaging and meaningful for our students and both the Year 7 Education Outdoors camp and our SOC2City excursions are adding more holistic and enjoyable elements.

Our first SOC2City excursion recently was all about connecting with our community and involved a Wallaby Walkabout Tour through the Cataract Gorge.  Guided by a well-known community academic on Tasmanian aboriginal history, Geoff McLean helped expand our learning in English and HASS classes as we study the text Young Dark Emu and learn about timelines. It was fascinating to learn how Tasmanian aboriginals lived in our community many thousands of years ago.  Each Year 7 class later visited the First Tasmanians exhibition at the QVMAG where groups of students worked independently with self-guiding booklets.   It is a credit to Launceston to have such accessible and enthralling learning opportunities for our students.

Many thanks to teachers and staff for their support as we organise more SOC2City excursions through the year helping students connect more meaningfully with their community and their learning here at school.

Katie Lester
Head of Year 7

At Scotch Oakburn College, student engagement is one of our three main Wellbeing Priorities for 2025. A key aspect of engagement is fostering a sense of belonging in the classroom.

Diversity is far more than just a buzzword – it is a fundamental part of creating a successful learning environment. Diversity encompasses a range of factors, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, learning styles, disabilities, political beliefs, religion, and cultural perspectives. In short, it refers to the differences in thought, experience, and identity that shape our world.

When diversity is embraced and championed in the classroom, all students benefit. They not only develop a stronger sense of belonging, but they also learn to become more self-aware and respectful of others’ perspectives. Students are given the opportunity to understand and engage with cultural differences, helping them navigate and adapt to various settings.

Encouraging open discussions around different viewpoints allows students to co-exist and learn that there is often no single “right” way of thinking. Understanding that the world is complex and “grey” is essential for their growth and success.

It’s also important for students to be encouraged to voice their opinions, even when the conversation may feel difficult or intimidating. Having these tough conversations, from childhood through adulthood, fosters greater understanding and empathy.

In today’s world, we need citizens who are self-aware, empathetic, and capable of engaging in respectful, productive dialogue. By cultivating a diverse classroom environment, educators are not only supporting students’ individual identities but also preparing them for a future where they can contribute meaningfully to society.

For resources and imformation on Diversity and Inclusion and other important topics concerning parents and impacting children please access Scotch Oakburn College’s subscription to School TV.

Diversity & Inclusion Series | Scotch Oakburn College

Kylie Wolstencroft
Director of Wellbeing – Penquite

Each year, our College Student Executive select causes important to them to support in our community. In Term 1, the Student Executive has decided to support the McGrath Foundation through a “Pink Stumps Week” initiative taking place in the week commencing 17 March.

The McGrath Foundation is a cancer support and education charity in Australia, which raises money to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia and increase breast health awareness. Founded by Australian cricketer Glen McGrath and his wife Jane, the foundation began with a focus on Breast Cancer support, but has since changed to fundraising, raising awareness, and supporting all kinds of cancer treatment.

The Student Executive have chosen to support the McGrath Foundation in order to aid this important support work and believe that the spirit of sport at the College is an excellent way to gather support for the cause. Pink Stumps Week will include a presentation from guest speakers in Tuesday’s Penquite assembly, a gold-coin donation Pink Free Dress day for Penquite students on Wednesday, along with a staff vs students cricket game and fundraising BBQ. On Thursday, members of the Student Executive will visit the Elphin campus at lunchtime to run some Pink Stumps activities.

Should you feel able to do so, the Student Executive would be very appreciative of any support you may be able to give – use this link.

Chloe Robins 
on behalf of the Student Executive

Term 2 means winter uniforms and while it is still some time away, we encourage you to start thinking about purchases if needed.  Our College Uniform Shop is open:

Monday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Friday: 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm

In addition, prior to the start of Term on Wednesday 30 April, the shop will be open:

Monday 28 April
– for appointments and general sales 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Tuesday 29 April
– for general sales 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Visit the College Shop page to view winter uniforma requirements for all year levels and to order online if you prefer.

Deanne Dietrich
College Shop Manager

Cycling

Congratulations to Year 10 student, Max Woodroffe, who recently returned from the Australian Cycling 2025 Victorian State Track Championships.

Max competed in four Under 17 events, completing ten heats and finals, to come away with some great results. A Gold medal in the  50 Lap Points Score, a Silver medal in the 200m Sprints, a Bronze in the 500m Time Trial and a Bronze in the 2000m Individual Pursuit.

Max will travel to Brisbane at the end of this month to represent Tasmania in the 2025 National Junior Track Cycling Championships and we wish him all the very best!

Ali Foot
Head of Sport – Penquite

Rowing

The Tasmanian State Club Rowing Championships were held last weekend and our Year 10 to 12 rowers had a very successful event.

There were many fantastic performances including:

Most notably our Girls squads won all four Girls Underage Eight State Championships, U17, U19, U21, and U23. This is the first time this has ever been accomplished by any school or club.

Our Year 10 Girls squad also won the U17 Single Scull, Double Scull and Coxed Four and our Senior Girls the U19 Pair, Coxless Four and Coxed Four.

Our Boys squads have continued to improve with competitive performances in the U19 Single Scull, Pair and Coxed Four.

As a team, Scotch Oakburn College finished the weekend as the top ranked school overall.

As we head into the Head of the River at Lake Barrington, we wish all our rowers the very best.

Brendon Long
Director of Rowing

Are you a Collegian of the College? Collegians with a Peer Year of ’85, ’90, ’95, ’00, ’05, ’10 and ’15 are warmly invited to join us at the Milestone Years Reunion.

Come a join a tour of the Penquite Campus and then catch up for with old friends!

To book your tickets, use this link.

We look forward to seeing our Collegian community at this wonderful event.

We are pleased to provide a community news section in our news highlighting events in the wider Launceston community that may be of interest to families. Included this week:

• Hockey – Junior Come and Try Days (ages 6 to 18)