The opening of Scotch Oakburn College’s 140th Anniversary Exhibition at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston, provided a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate the people, stories and values that have shaped our College since 1886.

It was a privilege to welcome a wide range of guests to the official opening, including representatives from government, College Board members, Collegians, former and current staff, students, families and community members. Their presence reflected the broad and enduring connections that have helped define Scotch Oakburn across generations.

While anniversaries naturally invite reflection on the past, the exhibition also provided a timely reminder of what continues to make our College special today. As I shared in my opening address, the moments that define a school are rarely found in buildings or artefacts alone. They are found in the relationships, experiences and shared values that bring a community together. Whether through learning, sport, service, the arts, boarding or everyday interactions, our students continue to demonstrate the character, care and sense of purpose that have been hallmarks of the College for 140 years.

The exhibition itself is a remarkable tribute to those who have contributed to the life of Scotch Oakburn over many generations. Through photographs, memorabilia, uniforms, publications and stories, visitors are able to gain a deeper appreciation of the people and milestones that have shaped our journey.

Following the opening, many members of the College community gathered two days later for a Community Gala event at the same venue. The evening provided a wonderful opportunity for current and past members of the community to reconnect, share memories and celebrate this significant milestone together. There was a genuine sense of warmth and gratitude as stories were exchanged and friendships renewed.

My sincere thanks go to the Marketing and Community Team, particularly Veronica Macno and Nicole Willcox, along with the dedicated members of the 140th Anniversary Committee, whose vision and effort brought both events to life.

As we celebrate 140 years, we do so with gratitude for those who have gone before us and optimism for the generations who will follow.

Ross Patterson
Principal

A special address from Ross Patterson, Principal, and Rebecca Cuthill, Chairperson of the Board, introduces the refreshed SOC2035 Strategic Vision. Building on the progress made across Learning, Wellbeing, Community and Capacity, SOC2035 continues to guide the College’s future while keeping students at the heart of every decision. We invite our Community to explore the updated vision on the College website.

Round Square has arrived in Sydney, with eight Scotch Oakburn students joining 1,200 students and teachers from 152 schools across 30 countries for the 2026 Round Square International Conference at Barker College. Under the theme Visions of the Future from an Ancient Land, the conference is bringing together young people from across the globe to explore leadership, culture, service and what it means to shape a better future.

The opening ceremony provided an inspiring start, with keynote speakers including Australian cricket great Lisa Sthalekar, former Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Indigenous leader, entrepreneur and former Australian Consul-General Benson Saulo.

Benson’s message particularly resonated with our students. Drawing on his own experiences of leadership, advocacy and working to create change, he challenged delegates to become “disciplined non-conformists” – people prepared to question what is not working, but with the courage, persistence and discipline to work constructively towards change. His message was a powerful reminder that leadership is not simply about accepting the world as it is, but having the courage to imagine how it could be better.

For Fergus Stewart (Year 12), Sthalekar’s honesty about failure struck a chord: “You fail more times than you succeed. I found that very true, and it resonated strongly with me.”

Lila Sims (Year 11) was inspired by Cosgrove’s message about passion: “In order to make change you need to love what you do. Passion and pride ignite all success.”

Harriet McQuestin (Year 11) particularly enjoyed his straightforward approach to life: “Life is not a rehearsal.” Tom Kubarych (Year 10) took away a powerful lesson about leadership, reflecting on Cosgrove’s message that “a true leader is knowing the needs and requirements of the group and how the group’s success is based on those values.”

Zoe Hingston (Year 11) was inspired by Lisa Sthalekar’s advocacy for women’s sport and “all the effort she put in to get her group to where they are.” Kayla Flood (Year 11) appreciated the breadth of perspectives: “My highlight was hearing from them all because they all have had very different experiences.” She also particularly valued Sthalekar’s message about trying different things, making mistakes and discovering what you enjoy.

Beyond the keynote speakers, the conference has already provided plenty of opportunities to connect. Lucinda Bywaters (Year 11) enjoyed her Baraza group, describing “playing the games and pin swapping with people” and talking to new people as a highlight of the day.

For Rose Talbot (Year 11), the cultural dimension was especially powerful. She was captivated by the Indigenous Australian dance performance at the opening ceremony, describing it as “a striking, deep, yet beautiful display of storytelling through culture and art” and saying it had sparked a desire to learn more about Indigenous Australian cultures and their practices.

Our eight students are experiencing Round Square at its most international – learning from inspiring speakers, sharing ideas with peers from around the world and discovering new perspectives on what it means to lead and create positive change.

Stuart Walls
Director of Round Square

Our Round Square Captains, Year 1–4 SRC representatives and Year 1 student Arthur Gordon demonstrated wonderful leadership in helping to coordinate our recent City Mission Appeal. They encouraged their peers and families to get involved, showing initiative, compassion and a strong commitment to serving our community.

Thanks to the generosity of our school community, more than 50 bags and boxes of donations were collected to support local Launceston families.

At our final Together@Elphin, we were delighted to welcome Bella Smith, Development Lead from City Mission, who thanked our community and shared how these donations help families in need.

We are proud of our student leaders and grateful to everyone who contributed to this important community initiative.

Renee Hodgetts
Director of Wellbeing – Elphin

This year’s Round Square Peace Gathering once again drew on the College’s affiliation with the Tamar Valley Peace Festival — a connection stretching back over a decade.

The Tamar Valley Peace Trust was founded in 2015 by a group of Launceston residents to encourage a more peaceful approach to resolving conflict, grounded in community, global, environmental and social perspectives. The idea began with peace activist Mrs Jean Hearn, who was inspired by former Tasmanian Governor Peter Underwood’s 2008 ANZAC Day address. In that speech, Governor Underwood challenged all Tasmanians to “actively strive for peace on a daily basis and learn ways of resolving conflict without violence” — words that are particularly relevant in 2026.

It’s this spirit that shapes each year’s Peace Gathering address. This year, the College welcomed Year 10 student Grayson Edwards as the 2026 speaker, who delivered this speech:

“Peace Starts with Us” — Grayson Edwards

When we hear the word peace, our minds often go straight to the opposite. We picture a surrender on the battlefield, a truce between sides, the disarming of weapons, the stop of a direct conflict. And that is certainly peace. But peace can be something much broader.

Because peace exists at every level of our lives.

Within a nation, peace can mean people choosing to support and co-exist with one another despite differing beliefs.

In our communities, peace can mean deciding disagreements fairly, even if that means your side will not win.

Between individuals, peace can mean offering support instead of critique, acceptance over judgement.

One of the clearest examples of choosing peace can be found in South Africa’s transition away from Apartheid. Apartheid is a system of institutionalised racial segregation, implemented in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. After decades of minority rule by the National Party, international and domestic attitudes were shifting, no longer content with this status quo of inequality. For years, protests and uprisings occurred all around the country, and the future looked uncertain. There was enormous potential for retaliation.

Yet, peace was chosen.

Despite experiencing the repression firsthand — having been imprisoned for 28 years — Nelson Mandela chose peace: “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.” Over the next four years following his release, Mandela negotiated with leaders of the National Party, leading to the first free election in South African history in April 1994, where Mandela’s party, the African National Congress, won 63% of the vote.

South Africa’s problems did not disappear overnight, but it set the solutions in motion. The choice to pursue reconciliation demonstrated something important: peace does not mean pretending conflict never occurred. It means working together to decide what happens next.

Most of us will never be in a position to negotiate between opposing sides at a global level. But we constantly face smaller versions of the same choice.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said: “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”

This means peace cannot be something we simply hope for in the future — instead, it must be something we actively strive for today, by practising peace now, on our way there.

Peace starts with how we speak to the person we disagree with.
Peace starts with listening before assuming.
Peace starts with refusing to turn differences into divisions.
Peace starts with including someone who might otherwise be left out.
And sometimes, peace starts with something as difficult as… admitting that we were wrong.

These actions might seem insignificant when compared with global conflicts. But individuals make up communities, communities make up states, states make up countries, and countries make up the world.

When we focus on our world, it can be easy to see just the conflicts: the war in Ukraine, the Israeli-Palestine conflict, the civil war in Sudan, and so many others.

Examples of conflict over peace. These problems are no doubt of monumental scale, but we must remember the hope of resolution starts at an individual scale. It starts with us accepting one another, helping one another, and refusing to let power divide us.

If peace is something we only expect from world leaders, then we have misunderstood it. Peace should be something that starts with us.

So — when you think of peace, don’t picture the end of a war. Picture people helping one another to achieve a goal. Instead of imagining a handshake between leaders, imagine a world where differences no longer divide us.

Peace doesn’t just begin when the world’s greatest conflicts are solved, and peace shouldn’t be something we have to imagine. Peace should be something we are constantly working towards, together.

It begins in our schools, our communities, our families, and in the choices we make every day.

Individually, we cannot create world peace. But together, we can choose what kind of community we create, what kind of country we live in, and what kind of world this is.

Peace starts with us.

Grayson Edwards
Year 10

Term 3 has been an exciting and flavour-filled journey for students across our Chinese program, with each year level taking part in hands-on cultural experiences that brought language learning to life.

Year 6: A Delicious Chinese Dining Experience
As part of their Food Unit, our Year 6 students had the opportunity to visit Me Wah Chinese Restaurant and put their Chinese language skills into practice in a real-world setting. Students confidently greeted staff, read menus, and ordered their meals entirely in Chinese.

The restaurant experience was a highlight of the term. Students enjoyed sampling a variety of classic Chinese dishes, including dumplings, spring rolls, Mongolian beef, Kung Pao chicken, sweet and sour pork, and fried rice. Many students bravely tried new foods for the first time and discovered some new favourites along the way. Beyond enjoying a delicious meal, students experienced the importance of food in Chinese culture and gained confidence using authentic Chinese in everyday situations. It was wonderful to see their hard work in the classroom come to life at the dining table.

Year 7: Ordering Bubble Tea Like a Local
Meanwhile, our Year 7 students were immersed in their Drinks Unit and took their learning beyond the classroom with a visit to Ohhh! Rainbow Bubble Tea Shop.

After weeks of practising vocabulary and role-play conversations, students were ready to order their favourite drinks in Chinese. From bubble milk tea to refreshing fruit teas, students confidently asked questions, customised their orders, and interacted with staff using the language they had learned. The excursion was a fantastic opportunity for students to experience how language can be used in real-life situations. Of course, enjoying their carefully ordered drinks at the end was an added bonus!

Year 9: A Sweet Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration
To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, our Year 9 students took part in a traditional Chinese cultural activity: making tanghulu (糖葫芦), the famous candied fruit snack enjoyed throughout China. Students learned about the history and cultural significance of the festival before working together to create their own tanghulu. With fresh fruit carefully skewered and coated in a shiny layer of hardened sugar, the classroom quickly filled with excitement and anticipation.

The best part was tasting their creations. The combination of sweet, crunchy sugar and juicy fruit was a huge hit, and many students declared it one of the most enjoyable cultural activities they had ever experienced.

Bringing Language to Life
From ordering meals in restaurants and bubble tea shops to celebrating traditional festivals through food, our students have demonstrated that learning a language is about much more than vocabulary and grammar. These authentic experiences helped build confidence, cultural understanding, and a genuine appreciation for the richness of Chinese language and culture.

We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and curiosity our students have shown throughout Term 3 and look forward to even more exciting learning adventures in the future.

Lei Sun and Ruby Lan
Teachers

The Launceston Tournament – Junior Football (Soccer) weekend carnival was recently held at Faulkner Park. Teams from across Tasmania competed, with boys, girls and mixed open teams in age groups from U9 to U16 taking to the field. Students Clementine Gee (Year 8) and Victoria Allen (Year 8) volunteered at the canteen during the tournament. Alongside a small group of volunteers, they helped raise an impressive $2,821 for people affected by flooding in Nepal through the Emergency Action Alliance.

It’s one of several times the girls have stepped up this year to support others in the community.

This week Clementine and Victoria are at the home of the Matildas in Victoria, representing Tasmania in the U14 Girls team at the Talent ID Cup. We’re proud to recognise their generosity, hard work and contribution to the College community.

Term 3, 2026 has been a remarkable season of achievement for Chinese language students at Scotch Oakburn College, with students excelling in both state and national Chinese language competitions.

2026 Tasmanian Chinese Speaking Competition
Twenty-six students from Years 7 to 12 travelled to Elizabeth College in Hobart to participate in the annual Tasmanian Chinese Speaking Competition. The event brought together students from across the state, providing participants with an opportunity to demonstrate their Chinese language skills, cultural understanding, confidence, and public speaking abilities. Our students represented the College with enthusiasm and professionalism, delivering impressive speeches and performances across multiple year-level categories. Their dedication and commitment to learning Chinese were evident throughout the competition.

We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our competitors, with 10 students receiving awards, including First Place, Second Place, Third Place, and Highly Commended recognitions across various divisions. These results reflect not only the talent of our students but also the countless hours they devoted to preparing and refining their presentations.

Chinese Bridge Competition Success
In another exciting achievement for our Chinese program, Year 11 student Lachlan Findlay achieved outstanding success in the prestigious Chinese Bridge (汉语桥) Competition.
After being crowned the Tasmanian champion, Lachlan earned the honour of representing Tasmania at the Australian Chinese Bridge National Finals held in Canberra. Competing against some of the most talented Chinese language learners from across the country, Lachlan demonstrated exceptional language proficiency, cultural knowledge, and communication skills.

His impressive performance resulted in a Third Place finish nationally, an outstanding accomplishment that reflects years of dedication, perseverance, and passion for Chinese language learning.

Lei Sun and Ruby Lan
Teachers

Exchange Diaries: Charlie Will in Germany

During my time so far at Salem, I’ve noticed just how different school life is here compared to Scotch Oakburn. Every morning you wake up at 6:40 am for a quick run, then attend compulsory breakfast, which is a great way to get to know your fellow students. Classes begin at 8:00 am and end at 4:00 pm, with four classes a day rather than our three doubles, split by 30-minute breaks and a 40-minute lunch in the dining hall. One big difference: when a teacher is away, there’s no substitute — instead, you spend 90 minutes in study hall, working in complete silence.

Outside class, Salem offers plenty to get involved in: services (I’m part of the Round Square fundraiser group), sports (school swimming for me), and clubs, which I’m working my way through to try each one. In free time, I often walk with friends to the small towns nearby for grocery shopping or just to explore.

A recent highlight was travelling to the Lake Constance district with Ms Peters and the other exchange students, who I’ve grown close to. The city of Constance blended ancient infrastructure with modern architecture for an almost unreal feeling — we climbed the main cathedral for incredible views of Germany, Switzerland and Austria all at once, then walked over the border into Switzerland to see just how close the countries really are.

The food here is very different to Australia, with cultural dishes like meatballs and traditional pastas, and the nature is surreal — I’m hoping to climb some of the Alps and do day walks with friends before I leave. I’m really enjoying my time in Salem and dreading the day I have to go.

There’s still so much more to discover, and I’m making the most of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

Charlie Will
Year 10 Student

Scotch Oakburn students achieved outstanding results at the Legacy Junior Public Speaking Competition held on 18 September at Legacy House in Launceston.

Six of our students participated in the event, and we’re proud of their achievements:

Maximilian Wilson (Year 9) – First Place and State Finalist
Zara Omogbai-Musa (Year 9) – Second Place and State Finalist
Maddie Gofton (Year 9) – Third Place and State Finalist
Zoe Diprose (Year 7) – State Finalist
Elena Addison-Hall (Year 7) – State Finalist
Bharati Sundaram (Year 8) – State Finalist

A special congratulations to Maximilian Wilson and Zara Omogbai-Musa, who will represent Tasmania at the National Legacy Junior Public Speaking Competition in Ballarat in November this year.

Aditi Kataria
Teacher

Our students participated in the third Interschool Chess Tournament of the year recently, at Kings Meadows High School. It was a combined tournament (two levels at the same time: Primary and Secondary), and we brought two strong teams: 22 primary participants (including two Year 6 students) and 10 secondary students.

Our students behaved superbly and showed grit, enthusiasm, and fair play all day.

The Primary team won emphatically with 25 points out of 28 possible, leaving the second team, Trevallyn Primary, on 18.5 (best 4 results are counted). Out of the 22 Scotch Oakburn participants, 16 got at least 3.5/7 (50% of wins):

Floyd Gordon (Year 5), Hudson Battese (Year 4), Rupert Robson (Year 4), Zander White (Year 2) got 3.5/7
Lewi Macqueen (Year 5), Carter Cornelius-Pigott (Year 3) got 4/7
Quinn Perkins (Year 2) got 4.5 /7
Phillip Yuvchenko (Year 5), Alex Chong (Year 6) got 5/7

An impressive group of six participants got six wins: Jason Wu (Year 5), Theo Gillespie (Year 4), Charlie Tan (Year 4), Pip Will (Year 4), Charles Clifton (Year 5) and Bao Vu (Year 6). Zachary Lim (Year 5) won the tournament, winning all his matches.

In the secondary division, our team performed well and finished 2nd by a mere half a point, behind an impressive Launceston College (LC) team, while Himash Keerthiratne (Year 12) won again for his last Interschool tournament, being undefeated and dispatching all day an impressive array of very good LC players who dared to challenge him. Himash has been undefeated for many years in the Interschool tournaments in the North and it really is a major achievement as he needs to be at the top of his game and concentrated for long periods, and he has done that for many years.

Zachary Vince (Year 10) got 5/7 and Ryan Lowe (Year 9) got 4/7, doing very well for their first tournament, while Elise Kwong (Year 11) was the best female player (5/7), gaining bragging rights over her brother Bosco Kwong (Year 8), who still got a very good 4/7. Shiv Kataria (Year 10) and Anu Bhattarai (Year 9) finished with the same score (4/7). While young and brilliant Year 7 players Seren Peltzer and Elliot Weekley finished with 3.5/7, Angelo Wickramanayaka Arachchilage continued to impress with 4.5/7.

Our strong Primary team will play the finals in Hobart on Monday 26 October, while we will host the Secondary Finals on Tuesday 3 November.

Thanks to all for their support of our chess program.

Fabrice Dauchez and Riley Jones
PIC Chess

Cultures without Borders: Wisdom from Around the World

TCE students recently had the opportunity to connect with young people from across India and Australia through an international Round Square Postcard, this was an online mini-conference for 13–15-year-old students. Under the theme “Cultures without Borders: Wisdom from Around the World”, students explored the richness and diversity of culture through a series of breakout discussions. Participants shared specific traditions, customs and cultural practices from their own communities, discovering both fascinating differences and common threads that connect young people across borders.

The event brought together 40 students and was hosted by Year 11 and 12 Scotch Oakburn students. Year 12, Round Square Chairs Lucy van der Aa and Fergus Stewart took on the overall hosting responsibilities, coordinating the event and ensuring that participants were welcomed and included throughout the afternoon.

They were supported by Baraza group hosts Oscar Mann (Year 12), Lila Sims (Year 11), Rose Grant (Year 12), Christo Kamara (Year 12), Harriet McQuestin (Year 11), Abbi Lloyd-Bostock (Year 12), Annabelle Sanzaro (Year 11), Amelie Donald (Year 12), Olivia McLeod (Year 11), Emily Atherton (Year 12), Elizabeth Moore (Year 11), Samuel Fischer (Year 11), Emily Knaggs, (Year 12), Harriet Woolley (Year 11), Olivia Stevens (Year 12), Seton Brock (Year 11), Lucinda Bywaters Year 11), Sophie Christie (Year 12), Eloise Breden (Year 12), Makaela Fulton (Year 12), Rose Talbot (Year 12), Sophie Storay (Year 12) and Ailish Barron (Year 11).

The students demonstrated excellent organisation, confidence and inclusiveness, creating an engaging environment in which participants could share their experiences and learn from one another.

A special congratulations to Lucy and Fergus for their leadership in hosting the whole event, and to all of our student hosts for representing Scotch Oakburn so positively. Their efforts captured the spirit of Round Square Internationalism – building understanding, friendship and respect by learning directly from one another, without borders.

Stuart Walls
Director of Round Square

Supporting children online is a shared responsibility between the College and home. Through our partnership with Linewize, College families have access to Qustodio, a free tool that can help manage and monitor technology use at home.

Penquite Campus

Students at Penquite are issued with a College-managed device as part of the 1:1 program. Qustodio allows parents to:

· Monitor your child’s College device at home.
· Add one personal device (phone, tablet or computer) per child.
· Set routines for homework and bedtime.
· Pause internet access and view activity reports.

From the beginning of Term 4, parents will also receive a weekly snapshot of their child’s device activity outside school hours.

Elphin Campus

Parents of children in Prep to Year 5 can use Qustodio to protect one personal device per child, helping to manage screen time, set online boundaries and support healthy digital habits.

👉 Watch this short video to learn more.

To activate your free account:

1. Visit the Online Safety Hub
2. Scroll down to the Qustodio Parent App section.
3. Create a free account using the email the College has on file for you.
4. App support is available through the Help Centre

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Together, we can help create a safer and more positive online experience for all students.

Brendan Vince
Head of eLearning

Every two minutes, an Australian requires support from the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). For 98 years, the RFDS has provided vital healthcare to people across Australia, particularly those living in rural and remote communities.

In addition to emergency retrievals, life-saving medical assistance and inter-hospital transfers, the RFDS provides essential services such as GP appointments, dental clinics and mental health consultations. The RFDS receives government funding, but they also rely on donations to bridge the gap and continue to provide Australians with these essential services.

This October, I will be running 87 kilometres throughout the month to raise funds and awareness for the RFDS. I chose this challenge because it is easy for many of us to take access to healthcare for granted. Here in Tasmania, hospitals and medical centres are never far away, but for many Australians living in remote areas, accessing healthcare can involve travelling hundreds of kilometres.

My aim is to raise $1000, however I would love to raise even more. Every donation counts, no matter the size. You can donate through this link or the RFDS oceans to outback website, and searching my name, Annabel Crisp.

Together we can help the RFDS continue bringing essential healthcare to Australians who may otherwise struggle to access it.

Annabel Crisp
Year 1o

My Time at Scotch Oakburn – Marcus Jansen van Vuuren

Six weeks have gone by, and my time at Scotch Oakburn College is unfortunately over. All the experiences I’ve been a part of and the amazing people I’ve met have made my time here incredibly memorable. My experience in Tasmania has been filled with new activities, different experiences and plenty of opportunities to push myself outside my comfort zone.

I’ve spent a lot of my time meeting and connecting with some of the most welcoming and enthusiastic people I’ve ever met. There aren’t many places where I’ve felt comfortable from the first day in a completely new environment, but something about SOC just felt right. It was great being part of a group of people who were welcoming, supportive and always up for a laugh. Over the six weeks, I was able to build friendships that I hope will continue even after I leave.

While in Tasmania, I spent many of my days trying new things and visiting places I had never been before. Whether it was visiting local attractions such as Wineglass Bay and Cradle Mountain, or trying completely new sports like golf, basketball and Australian football, there was always something different to look forward to. I even had the opportunity to play an Australian football match, which was definitely something I wouldn’t have experienced at home. I also got to go on a few excursions with the school, which gave me the chance to explore more of Tasmania while spending time with other students.

This experience has taught me a lot, especially about myself. It allowed me to put myself forward, try things without worrying about whether I would be good at them, and become more comfortable in unfamiliar situations. I’ve realised that sometimes the best experiences come from simply being willing to give something a go. Being away from home for six weeks also taught me to be more independent and adaptable, while still appreciating the support of the people around me.

Looking back, I think one of the best parts of the exchange was that I never knew what each day was going to bring. From playing new sports and exploring Tasmania to meeting new people and becoming part of the SOC Community, every experience added something to my time here

Although I’m sad that my six weeks at SOC have come to an end, I’m grateful for everything I’ve been able to experience. I’ll leave Tasmania with plenty of good memories, new friendships and a better understanding of myself. Most importantly, this exchange has shown me the value of being open to new experiences and making the most of opportunities when they come along.

Marcus Jansen van Vuuren,
Woodridge College, South Africa

The Junior Foundation Oratory 2026 was held on Thursday, 17 September, and provided a wonderful showcase of student public speaking talent.

This year, four students participated in the competition: Amelia Verbeeten (Year 9), Peggy Handbury (Year 9), Maddi Gofton (Year 9), and Zoe Diprose (Year 7). Drawing inspiration from the Round Square IDEALS. Each student delivered a clear and persuasive speech designed to engage both the intellect and emotions of the audience while encouraging meaningful action.

The competition was adjudicated by Mrs Carrie Dunham, assisted by Public Speaking Captains Calan Young (Year 12) and Meg Kilby (Year 12). The thoughtful feedback and encouragement were greatly appreciated by the students and the audience.

Congratulations to Peggy Handbury (Year 9), who was awarded the Junior Foundation Oratory Award for 2026 for the second consecutive year. Her speech, Our Perception of Time, impressed the adjudicators with its ability to communicate a complex concept in a clear, engaging, and accessible manner, demonstrating both maturity of thought and excellent public speaking skills.

Aditi Kataria 
Teacher 

Honouring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future
Reflecting on a Term of Celebration, Creativity, Service and Community

As we reach the end of Term 3, we have much to celebrate and be grateful for as a College community.

This term has been characterised by curiosity, creativity, service, achievement, global connections and a profound sense of belonging. Across every stage of the College, students have embraced opportunities to learn, grow and contribute, demonstrating the values that make our community such a special place.

A highlight of the term was undoubtedly our 140th anniversary celebrations, which brought together past and present members of the Scotch Oakburn community. The 140-year exhibition, Gala Night and unveiling at Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston provided a wonderful opportunity to honour our rich history while celebrating the people, stories and traditions that continue to shape our future.

The spirit of House competition was alive and well throughout the term, with students enthusiastically participating in the Penquite Inter-House Debating Competition and Inter-House Singing Competition. These occasions showcased not only talent and teamwork, but also the confidence, camaraderie and sense of pride that develop when students are encouraged to challenge themselves and support one another.

Our Performing Arts programs reached remarkable heights this term. The Senior School production of Hadestown: Teen Edition was simply outstanding. Students, staff and volunteers combined to create a production of exceptional quality that captivated audiences and highlighted the extraordinary talent within our College. We also congratulate our Year 5 students, whose journey through Alice in Wonderland Jnr began with rehearsals in Term 2 and culminated in three wonderful performances this week. Their commitment, teamwork, creativity and courage brought the story to life, creating lasting memories for performers and audiences alike.

National Science Week inspired students across the College to explore, investigate and innovate. From hands-on learning experiences in the early years through to the ingenuity and problem-solving demonstrated in our Year 10 STEAM Program, students embraced opportunities to discover how science and technology shape the world around us.

One of the defining features of the term has been the strength of our global outlook through the Round Square program. Guided by the IDEALS of Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service, students have engaged with the world beyond our campus in meaningful and transformative ways. Throughout the term, students in Years 8 and 10 have undertaken exchange experiences across the globe, embracing new cultures, languages and perspectives while representing the College with distinction. At the same time, we have been privileged to welcome exchange students from around the world into our community, enriching our classrooms and strengthening international friendships and understanding.

Our commitment to global citizenship has also been evident through the participation of students and staff in significant Round Square opportunities. We acknowledge those attending the Round Square International Conference (RSIC) 2026 in Sydney, celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Round Square, where students in Years 10, 11 and 12 have joined peers from around the world to explore ideas, build connections and develop leadership capabilities. We also recognise the students and staff currently participating in the biannual South Africa IDEALS Service Adventure, an experience that combines service, cultural immersion, challenge and personal growth. These opportunities remind us that some of life’s most valuable lessons are learned through engaging with different communities, cultures and perspectives.

Community and belonging were further strengthened through special events such as the Fathers’ Day Breakfast, which brought families together in celebration of the important relationships that support our young people, and the Blessing of the Animals Service, a cherished tradition that reminds us of our responsibility to care for all living things and the world we share.

In sport, students continued to challenge themselves and represent the College with pride. We congratulate our competitors on their success at the SATIS Swimming Carnival and acknowledge the enthusiasm and sportsmanship displayed at the Elphin Campus Years 2-5 Athletics Carnival. For many of our Year 2 students, this was their first athletics carnival, making the day an especially exciting milestone.

One of the most inspiring stories of Term 3 has been the generosity shown through the Elphin Campus City Mission Winter Appeal. Together, our community donated more than 60 bags and boxes of food, clothing and toiletries to support those in need throughout winter. This initiative was inspired by the compassion shown by Arthur Gordon (Year 1), who wanted to make a difference for people experiencing homelessness during the colder months. What began as one student’s desire to help others has grown into a powerful expression of community spirit. We thank our Year 5 Round Square Captains, Student Representative Council members and all families who contributed to this year’s appeal. Through this initiative, and countless other acts of service throughout the term, our students have demonstrated that kindness, empathy and leadership can have a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

While these examples highlight many of the significant events of the term, they tell a larger story. They reflect a community that values learning, celebrates achievement, embraces creativity, serves others and encourages young people to engage confidently with both their local and global communities.

None of these opportunities would be possible without the dedication of our staff. Whether teaching in classrooms, coaching on sporting fields, directing productions, leading excursions, supporting wellbeing, facilitating exchanges, coordinating service projects or working behind the scenes, staff consistently invest their time, expertise and care to help every student flourish. We thank them for their remarkable commitment and passion.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to our families for their partnership, encouragement and support throughout the term. Your involvement enriches our community and helps create the conditions in which young people can thrive.

As we begin the holiday break, may everyone find time to rest, reconnect and enjoy the opportunities that come from stepping away from the routines of school life. We look forward to welcoming students and staff back for Term 4 refreshed, energised and ready for the final chapter of another memorable year.

End of Term Blessing

As we pause at the close of this term,
may we be grateful for the experiences we have shared,
the challenges we have overcome,
and the friendships and connections that have strengthened us.

May we celebrate our achievements,
learn from our experiences,
and recognise the many people whose support and encouragement have helped us along the way.

May this holiday break bring rest to those who are weary,
joy to those spending time with family and friends,
and renewal to all members of our community.

May those travelling do so safely.
May those seeking peace find moments of stillness and reflection.
May those facing difficulties find hope, strength and support.

As we look ahead to Term 4,
may we return with fresh energy, open minds and generous hearts,
ready to embrace new opportunities and continue caring for one another.

And may we move forward with gratitude for the past, confidence in the present and hope for the future.

May we continue to learn with curiosity, lead with courage, serve with compassion and contribute positively to the communities of which we are a part.

Jamie Breden
Head of Faith and Community

We would like to wish Lucy Johnston (Year 12), Meg Kilby (Year 12), Aggie Lyne (Year 10), Zoe Nichols (Year 9) and Marnie Lyne (Year 7) all the very best as they compete in the 2026 Australian Interschool Championships at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, Victoria, from 27 September to 1 October.

The Championships are Australia’s premier equestrian event for school-aged riders, attracting close to 500 competitors from across the nation. Representing Tasmania, Lucy Johnston will serve as State Team Captain, while Meg Kilby has been selected as Vice-Captain. The riders will compete across a range of disciplines, including dressage, eventing and showjumping, demonstrating the countless hours of training, determination and horsemanship that have earned them a place on the state team.

We congratulate these talented riders on their selection and wish them every success as they represent Tasmania on the national stage. We look forward to following their results and celebrating their achievements.

Joy Russell
PIC Equestrian

Congratulations to Charlotte Phillips (Year 4) for achieving two Gold Medals at the Tasmanian State Gymnastics recently. She competed at WAG level 4 in her age group against approximately 40 other gymnasts. Charlotte’s winning score of 9.5 on the floor, and 9.05 on the uneven bars resulted in her being named Tasmanian State Champion at this level. Her efforts also contributed to her team securing 6th place overall. Well done, Charlotte.

We are excited to announce that three students from the Junior School were selected to represent Tasmania at the Inline Hockey National Championship being held in QLD from Sunday 27 September to Sunday 4 October 2026. Congratulations to Year 3 students Noah Berrell, Sidney Pakarinen-Stephens and George Sampson. We hope the tournament is going well.

Scotch Oakburn College swimmers delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 SATIS Swimming Carnival, showcasing exceptional talent, team spirit and courage throughout the 2026 SATIS Swimming Carnival in Hobart. The College’s depth across all age groups was reflected in a number of shield and pennant achievements. The students in our team have dedicated countless hours to training and preparation, often over many years, and these outstanding results are a fitting reward for their hard work, commitment and perseverance.

The College’s strongest result came in the overall co-educational competition, where Scotch Oakburn claimed the Co-Ed Aggregate Shield, finishing first with 532.5 points. The team also secured both the Co-Ed Junior Shield and the Co-Ed Senior Shield, completing a clean sweep of the co-educational shield categories.

The girls’ team enjoyed a particularly successful carnival, winning both the Girls Junior Shield and the Girls Aggregate Shield. The Girls Junior team amassed an impressive 360.5 points, while the Girls Aggregate team finished on 367.5 points, placing them ahead of all competing schools. The Girls Senior team also performed strongly, finishing third overall.

The boys’ team produced a tremendous team effort, taking out the Boys Aggregate Shield with 305 points and finishing first overall ahead of several strong southern schools. The Boys Senior team also claimed the Boys Senior Shield, while the Boys Junior team finished a highly respectable fourth.

Individual age-group success helped drive the College’s overall results. Scotch Oakburn swimmers won pennants in the Girls Under 14, Girls Under 15, and Boys Under 15 divisions, while also recording runner-up placings in the Girls Under 13 and strong top-five finishes across numerous other age groups.

Several swimmers produced exceptional individual performances throughout the carnival. Highlights included a record from Xavier Wang in the U14 Boys Breaststroke in a time of 33.63 seconds, victories from Mila Huegill in the Girls Under 14 50m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly, Sophia Vincour in the Girls Under 16 50m Butterfly and Girls Under 15 50m Backstroke, Jorja Geale in the Under 15 Girls 100m Freestyle, Steve Hanson winning the Boys Open 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly and 50m Backstroke, and Jed Routley claiming the Boys Open 50m Breaststroke title. Relay teams were equally impressive, with victories in the Girls Under 13, Girls Under 14 and Girls Under 15 Freestyle Relays, as well as the Girls Under 16 Medley and Boys Open Medley Relay.

What stood out most across the day was the commitment of every member of the squad. A number of students willingly competed in age groups above their own to ensure relay teams could be fielded. Their willingness to put the team first exemplified the spirit of Scotch Oakburn swimming and played a significant role in the College’s overall success.

Congratulations to all students who represented the College. Whether achieving personal bests, scoring crucial points, stepping up into older age groups, or supporting teammates from the pool deck, every swimmer contributed to a remarkable team performance.

Special thanks must also go to Mrs Jane Gregg for her outstanding organisation and preparation of the team throughout the carnivals. The success of the day was built on months of planning and coordination. We also extend our thanks to Principal Ross Patterson and Mrs Hannah Derbyshire for accompanying the team and providing support and encouragement throughout the carnival.

Well done to all involved on an exceptional SATIS Swimming Carnival and a memorable day for Scotch Oakburn College.

Ali Foot 
Head of Sport

As the siren sounds on another winter sports season, it is a fitting time to reflect on what has been a tremendous period of growth, commitment and community spirit across Scotch Oakburn College Sport.

Throughout the year, students have embraced every opportunity available to them, from the recent Elphin Athletics Carnival and athletics trials to outstanding performances at the SATIS and NSATIS Swimming Championships. These events have showcased not only talent and achievement, but also the determination, resilience and character of our students.

A particular highlight has been the leadership demonstrated by our Year 5 and Year 8 Sports Leaders. Their enthusiasm, organisation and willingness to support younger students have played an important role in creating positive sporting experiences for all involved.

The success of our program would not be possible without the dedication of our Persons-In-Charge (PIC) of each sport, volunteer coaches and parents. Whether on the sidelines of a Saturday fixture, helping with training sessions, transporting students to events or providing encouragement throughout the season, your contribution is valued and appreciated. Across the winter season, more than 160 fixtures were played, and this level of participation is only possible because of the collective efforts of our school community.

This year has also seen the introduction of our new platform ‘Clipboard’ and our new Co-Curricular Points System. It has been pleasing to witness the commitment students have shown in embracing this initiative. Alongside changes to several sporting offerings, we have seen a noticeable increase in participation, engagement and a genuine desire from students to improve, learn and challenge themselves.

While results and performances are always celebrated, the true highlight of school sport continues to be the relationships formed along the way. The respect shown between students, staff, coaches, officials and opposition teams reflects the values we strive to uphold. Sport provides lessons that extend far beyond the classroom, placing students in environments where the outcome of a win, loss or draw carries little long-term cost, but where the benefits of teamwork, perseverance, leadership and personal growth are massive.

The willingness of every student to work on their own game, contribute to their team and strive to be better for those around them is what makes school sport so special.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to SOC Sport throughout the winter season. Your energy, support and commitment continue to make our program one of which we can all be proud. We look forward to carrying this momentum into our summer sporting opportunities and beyond.

Ali Foot
Head of Sport

AFL Auskick and Superkick at Scotch Oakburn in Term 4

AFL Tasmania will run Auskick and Superkick sessions at Scotch Oakburn on Tuesdays after school during Term 4. The four-week programs will be delivered on campus, with girls-only groups available in both programs.

Auskick is for children aged 4–6 and introduces basic Australian rules football skills through activities and games.
Superkick is for children aged 7–12, with sessions focused on skill development and game play.

Families can find further details and register through PlayHQ:

Register for Auskick
Register for Superkick

For more information, please contact Che at che.cielens@afl.com.au.

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:

• Little Food Festival
• Launceston Swim School Holiday program