Image source: Facebook Barker College

At the end of Term 3, I had the privilege of attending the Round Square International Conference alongside eight Scotch Oakburn College students. The event brought together more than 1,100 students from over 150 schools representing more than 30 countries and every inhabited continent except Antarctica.

The scale of the gathering was impressive, but what left the greatest impression was something far simpler: the way young people connected with one another.

The timing was also significant, as our College community was reflecting on the life of  the Honourable Don Wing AM, a man whose life exemplified kindness, humility, respect and service. As I watched students from every corner of the globe interact, I was reminded that these seemingly simple qualities possess an extraordinary capacity to change lives and strengthen communities.

These students came from vastly different backgrounds, cultures, religions, languages and traditions. Yet within a remarkably short period of time, barriers seemed to disappear. Conversations flowed naturally, friendships formed effortlessly and connections were established that will likely endure long after the event concluded.

The experience was a powerful demonstration of the Round Square IDEALS: International Understanding, Democracy, Environmental Stewardship, Adventure, Leadership and Service. More importantly, these ideals were not simply discussed, they were lived. Students listened with curiosity, embraced new experiences, respected differing perspectives and actively looked for opportunities to support others.

As I observed the interactions taking place around me, I was struck by the overwhelming sense of kindness and respect that defined the week. These were not isolated moments or carefully orchestrated activities. They were evident in conversations between strangers, in the way students welcomed one another into groups and in the genuine interest they showed in understanding experiences very different from their own.

For the adults in attendance, the experience offered something equally valuable. At a time when public discourse can often feel divided and confrontational, these young people provided a compelling alternative. They demonstrated that differences need not create division and that mutual respect can flourish even when perspectives vary.

The week also challenged a common tendency that affects us all. Human beings are naturally wired to notice what is wrong more readily than what is right. Too often we focus on criticism ahead of encouragement and problems ahead of possibilities.

What I witnessed was the opposite.

I saw young people choosing kindness over judgement. I saw respect shown without expectation of reward. I saw students seeking understanding rather than conflict. Most importantly, I saw hope for the future.

Perhaps that is the real lesson from both these remarkable young people and the life of Don Wing. The challenges facing our world may be increasingly complex, but the foundations of strong communities remain remarkably simple: kindness, respect, humility and service.

If more of us chose those values as our starting point, whether in our communities, workplaces, schools or nations, the world would undoubtedly be a better place. The 1,100 young people gathered at this year’s Round Square International Conference, together with the example of one remarkable Collegian whose life we recently celebrated, reminded me exactly what that future could look like.

Ross Patterson
Principal

It has been my privilege to support our Year 12 students as they reach the conclusion of their Valedictory Week. This special time has provided an opportunity to reflect on their achievements, celebrate the friendships and memories they have made, and acknowledge the growth they have shown throughout their College journey.

It has been wonderful to see the creativity, humour and sense of fun our students have brought to their final days together. We have been particularly proud of the way they have balanced moments of frivolity and celebration with respect, kindness and consideration for others. This has been a lovely reflection of their maturity and the young people they have become as they approached the formal Valedictory Assembly and lunch.

While Valedictory marks an important milestone, for many students their journey is not yet complete, with examinations still ahead. Our wonderful Senior School team will continue to support and encourage every student through these final weeks.

We are incredibly proud of our Year 12 students and grateful for the energy, kindness and leadership they have contributed to our community. As they prepare for the next chapter, we wish each student every success and hope they carry with them the values, lessons, friendships and connections developed during their time at the College.

Sarah Lillywhite
Head of Penquite Campus – Senior

Transition is an important part of every young person’s educational journey. As students move into Middle School, opportunities to experience new spaces, meet new peers and staff, and become familiar with new routines help build confidence, connection and a sense of belonging.

On Monday afternoon, students joining Scotch Oakburn in Year 6 or Year 7 in 2027 had the opportunity to come together, play games, have fun and begin building connections with members of our 2027 Year 12 Student Executive, including our House Captains and Middle School Liaisons.

It was wonderful to see the energy, enthusiasm and laughter shared between our incoming Middle School students and senior student leaders. We hope this experience helped our new students begin to picture themselves as part of the Scotch Oakburn community, while providing some familiarity and reassurance as they prepare for this exciting next step.

We are very grateful to everyone who helped create such a warm and positive experience, providing an important stepping stone for our new Year 6 and Year 7 students as they begin their transition to life at Penquite Campus.

We look forward to welcoming our incoming 2027 Year 6 and Year 7 students to the Middle School again on Friday 13 November for another special day of connection, House activities and shared experiences. It will be another valuable opportunity to strengthen new and existing friendships, become more familiar with the campus and enjoy a taste of the learning and experiences that await them next year.

Kiran Oates Pryor
Head of Penquite Campus – Middle

We invite our community to join us to celebrate the opening of the TCE Art Exhibition ‘The Jam Pot’. Proceedings will begin in the s.p.a.c.e. Gallery in the Performing Arts Centre and then artworks can be viewed in our other exhibition spaces on the Penquite Campus (the mini s.p.a.c.e. Gallery in the Senior Art Room and Da Vinci 2 in the Middle School).

The name of our exhibition always comes from the students, and this year ‘The Jam Pot’ was chosen. The name was inspired by the school yard game ‘Fruit Salad’ and relates to the diversity of the work that has been created.

We hope to see you there!

Carmel Dilger
Community Arts Coordinator

At the beginning of this term, we had the opportunity to welcome a Japanese Language Consultant from the Japan Foundation for a few days.

Asuka san, who is usually based in Hobart, visited Launceston for the first two weeks of Term 4 and was able to work with many of our Japanese classes during her time with us.

Asuka san helped the TCE students prepare for their oral exams and also ran a variety of activities across year levels. Students learnt how to make origami balloons and flowers, they learnt cultural nuances about the Japanese school system and put their listening skills and calligraphy skills into practice.

Thank you to the Japan Foundation for their continued support of Japanese language learning in Australia and to Asuka san for the time she spent with us. Totemo tanoshikatta!

Hayley Mcleod
Head of Languages

When the Round Square International Conference wrapped up in Sydney, the journey was far from over for a group of international guests. During the Term break, our College hosted the Tasmanian Highlights Post-Conference Tour, a week-long circuit of the island from Launceston to Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, Port Arthur and Hobart.

Seven Round Square schools from Chile, Colombia, Canada, the USA, the UK and Germany joined the tour. Hosts Jacqui Churchill and I, together with Round Square Chairs Fergus Stewart, Lucy van der Aa and Oscar Mann, welcomed our guests.

The tour began in Launceston with a walk through Cataract Gorge, before heading west to Cradle Mountain, where the Tasmanian devils were a clear favourite. On the east coast, Freycinet and the sweep of Wineglass Bay showed off the island’s coastline at its best.

Port Arthur and the Tasman National Park gave visitors a look at a darker chapter of Tasmania’s history. The Port Arthur Ghost Tour went ahead in the rain, which suited the stories being told. In Hobart, the group visited MONA and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, took in the views from Mount Wellington and wandered through Salamanca.

The guests were generous in their thanks once they were home. Mark Friedman of The Athenian School in California wrote, “What a week!” Nicky Baguley of Westfield in Newcastle, UK, reported that the students had “been telling everyone / anyone who came near them about their adventures”, adding that they had been reflecting on how much they’d grown. Nina Peters of Salem in Germany called the experience “fantastic” and said the Tasmanian Devils were already missed. She also hoped “the Tim Tam situation” would now calm down as there was a shortage on the island after our guests left. James Steward of Ridley College in Canada offered the most committed review of all: “I decided to stay in Tasmania”.

Phoebe Dameron summed up the visitors’ first impressions: “What a fantastic introduction to Tasmania… Wow! This place is beautiful”. Diana Behar said the group was “back safe home happy and grateful, with many Tasmanian stories to share”. Tracy Crowe Morey thanked the Round Square student leaders who came along, saying they were “wonderful to have along”, noting it was during their holiday break.

Scotch Oakburn thanks all our visiting schools for their company, and our student leaders for showing off Tasmania at its best.

Stuart Walls
Director of Round Square

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:

• Rally for Rhys Foundation fundraising event – One Night, Good Humans