INTER-HOUSE SINGING CARNIVAL

Last Friday the Penquite campus was alive with music and energy as students gathered in their Houses for the much-anticipated annual Inter-House Singing Carnival. This cherished event is a key experience in our College’s calendar fostering creativity, challenge and camaraderie across year levels.

All four Houses delivered exceptional performances, with the judging panel declaring it the “closest competition in years”. Ultimately, it was Briggs House who edged ahead with a spirited rendition of ABBA’s ‘Super Trouper’, narrowly surpassing Dean House’s soulful take on ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’. Congratulations to all performers for their enthusiasm and talent along with the supporting staff who guided our students along the journey.

House spirit and vertical connections remain central to our community values, and we continue to seek meaningful ways to strengthen these ties. A highlight this year was the attendance of our Year 5 students from Elphin at House Singing, proudly wearing their new House Graduation polos. These polos, which will be rolled out College-wide in various formats for students and staff, are a vibrant symbol of belonging and pride.

Available from the uniform shop later this year, the polos are designed for House events, Carnivals and themed days. Importantly, there is no obligation to purchase the new design, with the current version remaining acceptable for at least the next two years as part of a phased introduction.

The consultation process for the new polo design has been lengthy and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff, students and parents who contributed to the design and consultation process. Your input has helped create something truly special for our College community.

Ross Patterson
Principal

Laura Beaumont talks about all things Book Week at the Junior School (includes images of our students and staff in the annual Book Week Character Parade).

Our Year 8 exchange program has begun this Semester, with 23 Scotch Oakburn students involved in two-week reciprocal exchanges to various schools across Australia and New Zealand. This Round Square opportunity encourages students to step outside their comfort zone and embrace the IDEAL of Adventure, as they connect to new people and experience new environments beyond Tasmania.

We have recently hosted two students from Scotch College, Perth and their exchange partners will travel to WA next week. Speaking with Zander and Elliott (pictured), as they prepare for their upcoming exchange, feelings of anticipation and excitement are brewing. Zander shared that he is looking forward to meeting his exchange student’s family and getting to visit another school. Whilst Elliott is keen to reconnect with his exchange partner and share their common interest in fishing.

Currently we have Scotch Oakburn students on exchange at Newcastle Grammar School and next week we look forward to welcoming students from Matthew Flinders College, Queensland. During upcoming assemblies exchange students will present to the Middle School to share their experiences and highlight some of the similarities and differences between their school environments, as well as providing insight into the different tourist opportunities they explored. We look forward to hearing about their adventures.

Esther Croft-Elliott
Round Square Coordinator – Middle School

The 2025 Inter-House Debating final took place in assembly on Tuesday 12 August. On the topic that: “Chat GPT is the devil in disguise,” Dean House won a spirited and closely fought battle against Briggs House, proving that Chat GPT is not to be trusted. Harriet Lynch, Meg Kilby and Calan Young received the House Debating Shield from Principal, Ross Paterson.

The debate was chaired by senior debaters, Blaise Fitzallen and Eliza Duigan. Adjudicators were Helen Dosser, Katy Mc Guiness and Ross Paterson. Thank you to all debaters from the four Houses who competed in the earlier rounds.

Sharon Beattie
Person-in-Charge of Debating

Our TCE Agricultural Systems students have visited Braeside Farm in Winkleigh. Owner/Manager Denis Giasli produces both eggs and lambs on Braeside, providing an ideal context for our studies of animal production.

Denis showed us his mobile chicken caravans and explained how raising chickens on pasture improves soil health and egg quality. We were also able to see his high tech packing shed and learned about the regulations and market specifications for an egg enterprise.

The class were introduced to Cam, Bear and Boof, the maremmas who guard the chickens from predators. As an added bonus, they also met Cam’s four puppies who, at less than a week old, have a long way to go before they join their parents on the job.

We would like to thank Denis for taking the time to show us around and explain his operation to us.

Kate Gard
Teacher

Upcoming SchoolTV Webinar: Digital Media Literacy & Safety

We are pleased to share an exciting opportunity for our College community. SchoolTV will be hosting an exclusive, one-off webinar on Wednesday, 3 September 2025 at 7:30 pm, featuring two of Australia’s leading experts in adolescent wellbeing and digital safety: Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.

This session, Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part III), will provide families with practical strategies and insights to help young people navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

Key Topics:

• New Social Media Regulations- what parents need to know.
• Digital Footprint & Reputation- guiding young people to manage their online identity.
• Screen Time & Brain Development-  understanding the impact of technology use.
• Parental Controls- practical tools to support online safety at home.

This is a free event, but please note:

• Registration is essential prior to the commencement of the webinar.
• No replay will be available, so families are encouraged to take advantage of this live opportunity.

To register, please use the following link: Register for the Webinar

We encourage all families to participate in this valuable session and gain up-to-date knowledge that will support young people in developing safe and healthy online habits.

Kylie Wolstencroft
Driect of Wellbeing – Penquite

Our TCE Legal Studies class spent two days in Hobart immersed in a program of all things political and legal.

On day one students toured the police cells prior to a visit to the Supreme Court and the viewing of a criminal trial. Following this, students were privileged to undergo a two hour session at Parliament House, where they participated in a role play in the House of Assembly, engaging in the passage of a proposed Bill, around the benefits or otherwise of AI as an educative tool. They also spent time in the Legislative Council and the Committe Rooms, before toouring the Parliamentary Museum. In the evening they were welcomed to Jane Franklin Hall, where they were hosted for a special dinner prior to a tour of the Hall.

The official day of Lawfest was held at the Stanley Burbury Lecture Theatre at UTAS, where students were treated to a comprehensive presentation of  speakers. Hosted and organised by Professor Tim McCormack (Professor of International Law, UTAS), students engaged in dialogue with Justice Kate Cuthbertson, listened to a Youth Justice Panel, consisting of Isabell rompton (Acting Commissioner for Children and Young People), Pip Monk (Criminal Defence Lawyer) and Lisa Pennington (Director of Public Prosecutions), dissect the recently implemented legislation, Reid’s Law before observing a Demonstration Moot by UTAS students on a hypothetical incident.

Students thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the two day excursion where robust discussion, reflection and future opportunities were presented to them.

Jane Gregg
Deputy Head of Senior School

Our Pipes and Drums are a great tradition at the College and we are very lucky to have David Doyle as our Bagpipe Tutor.

David’s pipe band has just achieved an incredible second place in their grade at the World Bagpipe Championships. What an outstanding result on the international stage! During his time in Europe, David also played to a packed stadium in France while wearing the Scotch Oakburn colours. Joining him in Europe was Colin Peters, our Pipes and Drums Tutor.

Congratulations David and Colin on a great achievement.

Year 3 to 6 students have had the opportunity to experience public speaking when 45 of our talented students took to the stage in the Mary Fox Hall to compete in the Lions Junior Public Speaking Competition and what a remarkable event it was!

The topic challenged students to reflect on a timely and thought-provoking question: “The impact of fast-moving technology on our lives and the environment is often overlooked, yet it can be far reaching. Is technology moving too fast for humans to keep up?” From artificial intelligence to environmental sustainability, our students delivered insightful, passionate, and articulate speeches that impressed the audience and judges alike.

Congratulations to our Year 5/6 winners: Aleeza Rana in first place, Zoe Diprose, second, and Sophie Lim, who placed third.

Each speaker demonstrated confidence, clarity, and a deep understanding of the topic – an incredible achievement for such young minds.

We extend our sincere thanks to Phil Crowden from the Riverside Lions Club and Ms Louise Ockerby for their outstanding organisation and unwavering support. Their dedication made this event possible and provided our students with a valuable opportunity to develop their public speaking skills in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Katie Lester
Person-in-Charge of Public Speaking

It has been a vibrant time at Elphin, with students and staff coming together to celebrate events that showcase belonging, imagination, and talent.

On Wear it Purple Day, our community proudly came together to celebrate belonging and inclusion. This was a reminder that every student is valued, respected, and supported to be themselves.

We also celebrated the magic of stories during Book Week Dress-Up Day. Students arrived dressed as their favourite characters, filling our classrooms and playground with colour and creativity. This special day highlighted the joy of reading and the power of storytelling to spark curiosity and connection.

Adding to the excitement, our College was treated to an electrifying performance by our Year 5 Rock Band in our ‘Big Gig’ event. Students were captivated by the energy and talent of the musicians, who not only entertained but also inspired a love for live music and creativity.

Together, these events brought our community to life in ways that reflect the College’s values of courage, compassion, commitment, and curiosity. By celebrating diversity, the power of imagination, and the joy of shared experiences, we continue to nurture a culture where every student feels seen, inspired, and supported to flourish.

Renee Hodgetts
Head of Elphin Campus – Wellbeing

Simone Ralph
Head of Elphin Campus – Teaching and Learning

Year 12 Students Explore Monetary Policy with the RBA at UTAS

Economic theory was brought to life in a dynamic excursion for the College’s Year 12 Economics students when they visited the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to hear directly from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) about the intricacies of monetary policy.

Joel Fernando from the RBA delivered an exceptional presentation, unpacking the real-world implications of rising interest rates and explaining why they are often described as a “blunt instrument” in economic management. The economist’s insights sparked thoughtful discussion among students, who were eager to connect classroom learning with current challenges.
A heartfelt thanks goes to Dr Maria Yanotti and the UTAS team for hosting us and facilitating such a valuable learning opportunity.

Following the RBA session, students ventured into the local business community to investigate how interest rate changes affect small enterprises. At Shah’s Kebabs in Invermay, co-owner and entrepreneur Yasin Mohammadi generously shared his experiences navigating the economic landscape, offering students a firsthand look at the challenges and adaptations required in a high-interest environment.

It was also serendipitous that the group encountered Anthony Donald, CEO of TasPorts and a parent at our College. Mr Donald spoke passionately about the role of infrastructure in regional development and the economic significance of Tasmania’s ports and the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels. His impromptu talk added a powerful layer to the day’s learning, especially as he was on his way to meet with the RBA.

This immersive experience allowed students to see the direct application of interest rate theory in both policy and practice. From central banking to kebab shops to port infrastructure, the day was a masterclass in economic connectivity—and a brilliant win for experiential learning.

Joy Russell
Teacher

On Friday 22 August, Scotch Oakburn College hosted the annual Boarders’ Ball, a highlight of the year for our boarding community.

This year’s event, decided during National Boarding Week, embraced a vibrant “Country and Western” theme, bringing a touch of rustic charm and cowboy flair to the festivities.

We were delighted to welcome boarders from Launceston Church Grammar School, along with their guests. The attendees truly embraced the theme, with the girls looking elegant and the boys appearing very smart in their attire.

The atmosphere was filled with excitement as everyone gathered for an evening of fun and celebration. The entertainment for the night was spectacular. DJ Reid and the Briggs House Band kept the energy high with their fantastic music, ensuring the dance floor was never empty, providing a perfect blend of classics and modern hits, catering to all musical tastes and keeping everyone on their feet.

Our Boarding House chefs were once again outstanding, providing a culinary experience that was the talk of the night. The feedback was positive, with many praising the amazing food that added to the overall enjoyment of the event. From appetizers to cold rock inspired desserts, every dish was crafted with care and attention to detail.

The decorations, orchestrated by Mrs. O and her dedicated team, transformed the venue into a western wonderland. The tables were beautifully set, and the lighting and decor created an inviting and festive ambiance. Their hard work and creativity were evident in every corner of the room, making the event visually stunning. A special mention goes to Mr Nick Pedley, for his role in planning and organisation behind the scenes ensuring everything ran smoothly, allowing the students to fully enjoy the evening.

The students themselves were the heart of the event, dancing, singing karaoke, and participating in a wide range of fun activities that made the night memorable.

Our junior boarders served as waitstaff, demonstrating their commitment and teamwork. With all boarders contributed significantly to the setup, cleanup, and overall preparation, showcasing the strong sense of community and cooperation within our house.

The 2025 Boarders’ Ball was a success, a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, and we thank everyone involved in ensuring that our boarders could feel the love and appreciation they deserve.

Lionel Randall
Head of Boarding

Swimming

It was a fantastic day in the pool! Our swimming team enjoyed a great day at the NSATIS Swimming Carnival, taking home seven of the nine available Shields; the Co-ed Junior Shield, Co-ed Senior Shield, Co-ed Aggregate Shield, Boys Senior Shield, Boys Aggregate Shield, Girls Aggregate Shield and Girls Junior Shield. They also took out the Pennants in Boys Under 14, Under 15, Under 16 and Open age groups and Girls Under 13 and Under 14 age groups. Great individual efforts and team collaboration.

Ali Foot
Head of Sport

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:

• Swimming – school holiday program for ages 4 to 12
• Little Athletics – come and try day