Dear Families,

2024 has certainly been a busy one with much to celebrate.  There have many great highlights during the year.  My favourites include the LBPS Olympics, Exhibitions and more recently the 2024 Expo.  I know the Grade 12 Camp was a highlight for our Grade 12 students too.

The Big Picture Learning Design is truly one student at a time in a community of learners – growth looks different for each learner, and the pathways to learning are diverse.

The growth we have the privilege of witnessing on a day-to-day basis is immeasurable. 

Whether it be the growth in confidence we see in exhibitions, shy presentations of learning in a learners first exhibition, through to confidently delivering a comprehensive exhibition to a room full of peers, advisory teachers, mentors and family, or a learner reluctant to leave the building for outlearning at the start of the year receiving an email from the business they attended for their LTI with glowing praise and offering to host the learner into the future. 

We see learners who were too shy to ask a question 1:1, at the end of the year standing up in front of the school hosting Town Hall, interviewing guest speakers, speaking to visitors about their learning at the Expo.

The growth we see in student learning through their project work is great, as our students feel more confident and capable they begin to challenge themselves, explore new interests, connect with mentors and step outside their comfort zones – and boy the learning is impressive.

It is also pleasing to see this learning reflected in more formal measures. As we would expect, our learners are actively participating and engaging in learning – with:

• 84.6% of our students reporting high cognitive engagement with learning, nearly 4.5% higher that all DECYP schools and nearly 9% higher than like schools.
• 81% of students achieved year-level appropriate literacy standards in reading, this is nearly 3% higher than all DECYP schools and 7% higher than like schools.
• Nearly 70% of students who were in Grade 10 at LBPS in 2022, have completed Grade 12 in 2024, which is 9% higher than DECYP schools and 8% higher than like schools.
• 77% of our students report feeling safe and cared for at school, 7% higher than all DECYP schools and 19% higher than like schools.
• 79% of our students improved their attendance from last year, and as a school our attendance rate sits around 75%.
• 100% of our students receiving their TCE this year.

In addition to this we are proud of the courage our students show in taking advantage of opportunities as they arise, the UTAS High Achiever Program (HAP) is one of these examples.  I am proud to share the results for our 2024 HAP students:

We are also excited to share the news of our students as they move into pathways beyond LBPS.  This year nine of our 2024 Grade 12 students have received university offers for 2025, congratulations to Connor, Madison, Lilly, Charlotte, Astryd, Nathan, Oliver, Maddison and Patrick.  We wish each of you well with your studies.

I would also like to congratulate Caitlin, who will transition from a School-Based Apprenticeship to a full Apprenticeship in 2025.

Whilst the achievement of some students is visible and is easy for us to recognise and measure, for others they work hard, they do their best, they are courageous every day – yet their growth, their achievement may not be as visible and may not be as regularly recognised.  Learning is a journey, it’s not a race, and it’s not a destination. It looks different for each individual. Each individual’s learning is important and at LBPS it is valued.

I would like to thank the many fabulous volunteers in our school this year; the support we get from our community in hosting our students through exploring interests, internships, and mentoring is amazing.  The ways in which our community gives to our school is diverse – I thank you for the contribution you make.

Without a great team, we would not be able to achieve all that we do. I sincerely thank our staff for their commitment and hard work during the 2024 school year. We should be proud of what we have achieved during this time. 

To parents thank you for the support you have shown the school this year – be it through being a guest speaker in Town Hall, being a member of the school association, working with us when problems arise, or supporting with attendance or supporting your child’s learning at Learning Plan Meetings, Exhibitions or our recent Expo – your contribution is critical in the success of our school, the learning for all students is improved by your partnership with us – we really do enrol families too.

To students and staff who are leaving at the end of this year, I thank you for your contribution to the LBPS community and wish you well on your next journey – each and every one of you will be missed but we are also excited for the adventures that lay ahead for you.  This year we will be farewelling Brock – you have definitely made a significant contribution to our school community and will certainly be missed.  Brock has been with our school on and off for the past 4 years, during this time he has had many roles across the school.  We wish him well into the future.

Have a safe and happy holiday, I look forward to what is to come in 2025. 

Thanks

Cindy

Cindy Johnston
Principal 

We want to acknowledge the businesses that have supported our Learning Through Internship Program!

Launceston Big Picture School appreciates the support of the following businesses, who have offered a Learning Through Internship placement.

Alive after 5

Achieve sports physiotherapy and rehab

Australia post (Beaconsfield)

Barrats Music

B31 Civil Construction

Botanisor Florist

Boathouse Coffee

ArtsPlay@Windermere

City Mission x2

Daria Andrews

Definium Technologies

Engineering Action

Evenfall Wines

Flex Your 4x4

Goddess Work Pole Studio

Hotel Grand Chancellor (Launceston)

Jessups IT and Computers

Komatsu (Launceston)

Knits Needles and Wool

Just Cats Inc

Legana Gourmet Meats

Launceston Veterinary Hospital

Invermay Primary School

Holton Precision Audio

Finn’s Bodyworks

Cunningham Cars

Meander Valley Council

Motors Pty Ltd

Merch Window John Henry

Parry Property

Elders (Scottsdale)

Relink Australia -Invermay Bowls Clubs

South Launceston Early Learning

Sparkling Dog Grooming

Tas City Building (Affordable Homes)

UTAS Inveresk Community Garden

West Tamar Band

Youngtown Auto Plant

Midlands Tractors

West Tamar Fungi

Wendy’s (Launceston Central)

Walker Designs

Towanna Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sewing Centre

Teen Challenge Tasmania

The Shed (Rocherlea)

Supreme Court of Tasmania

Student works

Strike It Out

TasRail

Scottsdale Veterinary Services

Sawtooth ARI

Anglican Church of Tasmania

Platypus House

Pitt & Sherry Pty Ltd

Launceston Travel and Cruise Centre

Loose Goose

Manubread

Longford Primary School (WBL) Rich Talbot

Moore Diesel

Matson Catering Tasmania Pty Ltd

Northern Midlands Council

Prime Design

Ravenswood Men’s and community Shed

Quixotic Books

Tio Rico

Salvos Store Invermay

Hygiene Services

Engine Reco and Parts

Interweave Arts Association Inc

Northern Midlands Council Placement

Karri, a Year 9 student, recently completed a Learning Through Internship (LTI) placement with Northern Midlands Council. This hands-on experience allowed Karri to put her creative skills to the test and work on a project that had real-world application. Throughout the LTI placement Karri was involved in various tasks that required problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation, allowing her to contribute meaningfully to the Council's plan towards a new recreational park development.

The LTI project Karri worked on gave her the chance to explore her interests, while also gaining insight into how local councils operate. The opportunity to apply her creativity in a professional setting helped Karri develop new skills that will be valuable in her future career aspirations.

Overall, the internship was a highly valuable experience, combining learning, creativity, and practical application in a supportive and real-world environment. Karri left the placement with a greater understanding of her potential, and a project piece that demonstrates her ability to contribute to meaningful projects.

Thank you to Northern Midlands Council for hosting Karri on her LTI placement.

Halloween 2024

On October 30th, we enjoyed a Halloween event. We sold cupcakes for $1.00 and lolly bags for $2.50. There was also a costume contest with prizes for the winner. 

All proceeds were donated to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund.

Student Free Day

Staff were fortunate to start a day of thinking and learning with a fabulous breakfast prepared by Rob.

Rememberance Day

Launceston Big Picture School was respectfully represented at the Remembrance Day service at the Launceston Cenotaph. On Monday, the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour. Staff and students were among servicemen, Deputy Major Hugh McKenzie, Members of Parliament, the public and other students to commemorate the end of the Great War.

LBPS Olympics

On Friday 8/11, our student leaders held the LBPS Olympics. The day started with tug-of-war and ended with a colour run. Students had a day of fun participating in a range of activities. Green Team won the day .

Willfit Golf 

9A were rewarded for a busy Term Four with an outlearning trip to Willfit Golf and a McDonald’s pitstop. The Advisory played virtual golf across three bays practicing their swing and some putting in between turns. A couple of students were able to hit their balls quite far, one student got 186 metres.

“It was a smashing good time.” Malachi said.

“Being able to hit the golf ball was great fun.” Jesse added.

A McDonald’s pitstop on the way back to school was well received before returning to Big Picture.

The Advisory has settled in well for their first year, supporting each other as well as other students and staff in the building, aspiring to be wonderful Big Picture students over their journey.

Invermay Tram Shed 9A

As part of exploring interests through outlearning, 9A – also known as the Timelords, took a trip next door to the Tram Sheds. After a tour through the sheds and an informational session, we ventured out to the tram and took a trip. We went up past the museum, near the path to Kmart, and up to the stadium. The tour guide told us lots about the history of trams on the ride.

The Tram Shed Museum has been restoring and showcasing trams at the site since 2004. It had earlier history in other areas before moving there in Invermay The building houses the museum and next door they restore the old trams.

Harvey Brunskill

9A

ArtRage - QVMAG

How lucky are we to have an experience artist and musician on our team! Ben is an Advisory Teacher at LBPS; we are super proud of his contribution to the Arts community.

Ben Miller’s work was selected for the very first ArtRage in 1994. He performed at the exhibition’s opening with his band, and continued to evolve as an artist, gallery director, and art teacher - while still rocking with the same band! Watch to find out about his incredible journey.

ArtRage 2024 - celebrating 30 years of Tasmania's best artwork by Year 11 and 12 students - opens Sunday 15 December at the Art Gallery at Royal Park.

End of Year Awards Celebration

On Tuesday, 17th December we held our annual End of Year Awards Celebration at the Tramsheds Function Centre. A fun-filled night was had by students as they celebrated their achievements over the past year and farewelled the Year 12 cohort. We are extremely proud of our students and our awardees:

Art Purchase Award	Madi A
Big Picture Learner Award	Nathan R, Rhys M, Bella W
Community Spirit Award	Armon C, Sylvain D
Head, Heart, Hand Award	Charlotte H
Leading Learners Award	Charlotte H, Freya C
Leaving to Learn Award	Harley P, Oceana B, Lilly B
Most Improved Award	Lilly B, Storme F
Respectful Student Award	Connor H
Riawunna wurakaka to Higher Education Award	Bella W
Service to School Award	Astryd C
Springboard to Higher Education Award	Fred G

Connection, Respect, Responsibility, Growth, Courage

We are always looking for ways to reward positive behaviour at our school.

Students and staff are encouraged to nominate those people who have shown Connection, Respect, Responsibility, Growth and Courage.

Winners receive a voucher to dine at Cafe Red and our winners this month are:

• Charlie Cunningham: Responsibility - For being planned for Term 4
• Harvey Brunskill: Connectedness & Growth - For being enthusiastic and giving things a go!
• Darcy Chugg: Responsibility - For taking responsibility for LTI work
• Joash Welsh: Growth & Responsibility - Excellent learning through interests project work

Big Picture Distinguisher:

Distinguisher 7: Trust, respect, and care

One of the striking things about Big Picture schools is the ease with which students interact with adults in both the school and the wider community. A culture of trust, respect and care is shared between students and adults, as well as among students themselves. This is evident through Exhibition Week.

Distinguisher 8: Everyone's a leader

In Big Picture schools, leadership is shared among the Principal, staff, students, family, and community partners. Opportunities for leadership are created for everyone. Student Leaders contribute to our school community and have been thanked with a lunch this week.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Please ensure your student keeps their school polo top in their bag or keeps it safe in their Advisory room at all times.

It is compulsory for students to wear their school uniform when attending school excursions, interviews, LTIs or if they are representing the school at events. 

Uniforms can be purchased from the school office and are sold at cost price:

• Polo Shirts with school logo = $30 
• School Hoody with school logo = $65

Any pre-worn uniform donations would be very much appreciated and are used in our emergency uniform/clothing pool.

COMMUNICATION & USEFUL LINKS

I would like to remind families of some useful links and apps that you may use to assist with receiving communication from our school.

• SMS Only - 0427 016 460 to report student absences, please send a text to our short message service
• Schoolzine App & Newsletter - Our newsletter is published at the end of every month through Schoolzine. Schoolzine is an app that allows you to communicate with the school, receive notices and newsletters

2024 Student Leaders 

Our Newsletter

Thank you to those people who have signed up to receive an electronic copy of our newsletter! I certainly hope that you enjoy reading it!

If you haven’t subscribed, please use the link below to do so:

If you are involved in a community organisation and would like to advertise in our newsletter, please contact our office. Where possible, we will be happy to assist.

Thank You

Just want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all the Launceston Big Picture School students who have contributed to this month's newsletter; we really do enjoy reading your articles and stories of your personal progress.

If students have stories they would like to share, then please email your news items to me jennifer.kendall@decyp.tas.gov.au

Jennifer Kendall
School Business Manager