The Launceston Preparatory School Newsletter - 29th August

50 years...young

So, a bit of a self-indulgent article as I write this on my 50th birthday—a time for reflection on all the beautiful things in my life: family, friendships old and new, and a new job in a place that already feels very special to me. Timmy Bristow started here at The LPS at the same time as I did, and our feet haven’t touched the ground since. We often talk about what a beautiful place this is and wonder what makes it so special.

Last week, as a staff, we had a particularly meaningful philosophy session with Mrs. McNair. During this session, she posed the question, "Is teaching a profession?" There is so much beauty in this profession that I even got a bit emotional (it doesn’t take much), reflecting on my career and how important it is to me. Philosophy is a new subject for me to be teaching this year, and I absolutely love it! Celebrating student voice, teasing out what they think and believe, and reflecting on how we can make things better have been incredibly rewarding. Initially, I thought philosophy lessons might be too heavy for 5 and 6-year-olds, but it’s a wild ride every week. And these discussions don’t end when the lesson does; children reflect on our conversations all week! What a valuable lesson it was to have Leonie lead us through our own philosophical experience. It really opened my eyes to the ongoing reflection that continues long after the session, which has led me to include a revisit at the beginning of each lesson.

This brings me to another thought about why The LPS is such a special place—being vulnerable as a learner myself. One of the most important traits for a teacher is self-reflection with a lens for improvement. As teachers, we are constantly evaluating, reflecting, and refining our teaching practice. The LPS, with its theme-based approach, allows for such scope for creativity. It offers a truly immersive experience for teachers, students, and families. We thoroughly enjoy connecting with each theme and developing creative ideas for learning under each topic’s umbrella. I can’t see myself ever tiring of teaching like this—the joy of creating something new every term.

Joy! Joy is another feature here at this school. Assemblies are a testament to this. Children run the assemblies where all that we are at The LPS is celebrated with enthusiasm. Classes share authentic learning experiences from the classroom, and teachers celebrate students who are successfully achieving their goals. Our school song is one of togetherness, and our one rule—be thoughtful—encompasses all.

Class sizes are a significant point of difference between this school and my last. Their Prep classes each start with 27 students. Our classes are deliberately small—small with intention. Each child is known very well, and each child’s voice is heard every day. Even students who are working on developing confidence are given time and opportunity to communicate, share their work, celebrate achievements, and contribute to discussions. This leads to a real sense of belonging, of being heard. Your ideas matter.

The children themselves are very special. Clearly loved and thoughtfully nurtured, each child brings something unique to our classes. Meeting the families and getting to know each other, it’s clear why these children are the way they are. I thank the families across the school for making the effort to get to know me in my first year here. This is my school. I belong here, thanks to all of you.

And the staff! My word, the staff! When I first met Mrs. McNair and Mrs. Thyne at the job interview for this position, I knew this was going to be a special place. By the end of our meeting, I knew I wanted to be a part of the school so much. I waited with bated breath to hear if I was the successful applicant. Now I get to work with these fabulous women as part of the English team, and I am so honored. In the community, other teachers all know what a special place this is. I was encouraged by many to apply for this job. The love for this school is far-reaching. Now, many of the teachers are new friends. Being in a small school, we get to know each other very well. What a lovely year for me, developing friendships.

And then there is Mrs. Marg Turner and Mrs. Suzie Pickett, early teachers and originals who helped shape The LPS into what it is today. They both still work with the children every week—Mrs. Turner with her support of English and HASS, and Mrs. Pickett with her art practice. These women have really supported my start at The Preparatory School with their enthusiasm for the work I am doing. They are older women in The LPS teaching community who are thoroughly respected, admired, and still so hands-on with our learning. I am so lucky to have them both championing me.

I don’t know how the culture was before the arrival of Mr. Bristow, but his work to have us operating as a collegiate group with a thirst for learning is excellent. While achieving his goals for the school, we are having great fun together and learning so much. It has been good for me not to be the only newbie.

Lastly, my Prep/1 crew. Mrs. Nicole England is so very special—you all know this. She has loved every one of your children over the years, making them feel loved, clever, and important. I am so grateful for her tutelage on how to operate at The Launceston Preparatory School. Thankfully, I have her to steer this ship, supporting me through all the special events and activities. She is a colleague, friend, and amazing mentor. Her interactions with the children are something special to behold. I love working with someone who has such commitment and empathy. And the children—wow! I could pinch myself.

I still haven’t put my finger on it—the thing that sets this school apart and how this culture became what it is. I just know that I am absolutely privileged to be a part of it. Long may my time here with you continue.

Mrs. Kellie Cook

50 Years...young

The End of Winter Fest!

The Launceston Preparatory School 'The End of Winter Fest' event is this Friday! This fun family evening is only 24 hours away - Friday 30th August 2024, 5-7pm at our beautiful school. 

PAYMENT: $10 will be added to your monthly account once you have had your family ticked off on entry. Returning families or friends can donate their $10 at the gate.

Dinner: BBQ sausages and hamburgers will be provided, as well as vegan option. 

Whilst we will not be serving beverages, feel free to BYO drinks

Entertainment: 'Billy Tea Bush Band', a Victorian-based duo will be rocking it with the students, teaching songs and dances throughout the day, before bringing it together on the Croquet Lawn at the event. There are special parent dances too, so bring your dancing shoes.

Cody Gunton, a local and soon to be Aussie legend in the music world, will entertain us from the Chess Board stage for one set prior to Billy Tea Bush Band. Not sure who he is? Let's just say he is 'The VOICE' to be reckoned with!

Cultural Connections: Aunty Lola and Uncle Rex will be joining us on the evening to celebration our aboriginal culture and share with our community the work they have been doing with our students in 2024, as well as demonstrating their gifts to the world, live from the magnolia tree-house area! 

Between sparklers, toasted marshmallows and all of the above, this is sure to be a wonderful get-together for all. We cannot wait for End of Winter Fest, 2024!

Cody Gunton - Newspaper Article "The Voice"

Before 2020, Cody Gunton had managed to make music his full-time job.

But then the Covid pandemic hit, and it was relegated back to being a hobby for him.

Now, the Launceston singer hopes to make music his sole occupation again by appearing on the upcoming season of the singing competition television show The Voice.

This season, the 13th of the Australian iteration of the show, will pit the best singers in the nation against one another.

Gunton said he had been “singing ever since he could talk”.

“I started doing busking around local markets and other places when I was 10 years old, and then at the age of 12, I did my first gig.

“I did a few weddings here and there, started doing local pub gigs, and then started on doing some production work for some local musical.

“I kept building it up with each gig, and every year, I was getting more and more work. I was doing music full-time for a few years up until Covid.”

Before entering The Voice, Gunton said he had contemplated going on the show for years.

“The more years that passed - and the more gigs that I was doing and sort of getting stuck with other work - I wanted to take that step that was not so much easier but a little bit more direct in the path I knew I wanted to go.

“My aim is to hopefully do some touring and some travelling with my music and making that a full-time gig, but with my own work rather than doing covers.

“I was doing a lot of cover music for a long time - and when I was doing that full-time, it was great - but I really want to be doing my own stuff and showcasing what I can do and can write.”

Gunton said his experience on The Voice was “pretty wild”.

“It’s a whole different world.

“I’ve done some work on radio and other sort of broadcasting, but when it’s a nationwide show, it’s obviously that next step up.

“Coming from a background where everything’s very live and there’s not a lot of time for soundchecks and that sort of thing, it makes for a much bigger experience.

“I’m so glad that I did it.”

Article in the Weekend Mercury, written by Simon McGuire (Mrs McGuire's talented son).

**Gunton’s blind audition for The Voice was aired on the Seven Network on August 27 at 7.30pm, and his journey can be followed throughout the series on Seven also. Did we mention he is playing, LIVE, at our Winter Fest on Friday?! How lucky are we?

Philosophy - Group 2/3

Thank you to those parents who joined Mrs Thyne’s and Mrs Freeland’s groups this week to see our Philosophy sessions in action! It was lovely to have you with us.

This week, Paper Planes gave us the opportunity to explore how we win and lose. One character says that “being a champion shouldn’t be the only goal” and that “… it’s how you play the game that counts” so we exchanged opinions of these statements. We then considered what should be the actions of a good winner and a good loser.

It was a timely discussion with our school athletics coming up!

Philosophy - Seniors

The senior students held similarly relevant Philosophy sessions this week. One of the characters in NIPS XI says, “Sport, sport, sport! It is all anyone in this country cares about, I think.” We considered whether this view is correct, along with a consideration of whether sportspeople in Australia are revered more that intellectuals and artists. We also looked at the amount of sport that The LPS provides to its students and discussed whether this was appropriate!

Thank you, Group 2-3 Parents

I would like to sincerely thank The Launceston Preparatory School community for their kindness towards me due to the recent death of my mother.  The staff, parents and children have all been so thoughtful.  Flowers, cards, thoughtful messages, hugs and conversations have really helped during this challenging time.  I really appreciate it and have counted my blessings for working at such a wonderful school.

Mrs Melissa Freeland

Magical Book Week Celebration

What a wonderful celebration of reading we all enjoyed last week! Under the theme of Reading is Magic, we held so many engaging activities to inspire a love of books and reading across all age groups.

Mr Bristow and Natalie Martin kicked off Book Week with a presentation of their story-telling and illustrating skills. We will never forget their important message about cultivating our imaginations!

Students loved searching for the green sheep hidden within our school grounds, listening to the serialised story written about The Heroes of El Pea Essa, trying to match staff members with their favourite children’s books, and buddy-reading with friends of different ages. In Library sessions, students were keen to read the short-listed titles for Book of the Year awards and hear news of the winning books.

Our dress-up day on Thursday was a joyous highlight! Thank you to all students and their families who gave such thought and effort to their representations of book characters. You truly demonstrated that … Reading is Magic!

Mrs Leonie McNair

Mr Bristow and illustrator, Natalie Martin put on a show!

Book Week fun!

Check out these happy readers!

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If you would like a personal copy of any of our gallery photos, please contact us directly at admin@lps.tas.edu.au and we'll send a digital copy for your keeping. 

Parents of The LPS

Parents of The LPS - Notice of AGM

Date: Tuesday 10 September 2024

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Online, via Teams. Link below and posted in the Parents of The LPS messenger group.

At the meeting, members of the school community will have the opportunity to:

• Discuss events and fundraisers held over the previous year.
• Discuss future event and fundraising opportunities.
• Raise suggestions of resources that could be helpful to the school.
• Ask any questions of the operations and finances of the Parents of The LPS group.
• Raise any other matters that should be considered during the AGM.
• Vote on any resolutions proposed.

AGM Teams link:

P/1 Art Fun

In Art the Prep/1 students have been talking about Pablo Picasso. We found out some cool facts about him and looked at some of his famous pieces of work. We made our own version of his piece of work “The Rooster” from 1938. We used soft pastels to create our masterpieces! Don't they look incredible? 
Miss Nicole England 

Meet the Staff - Nicole England

Wellbeing on a Rainy Day

 - outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of well-being 

Teaching the importance of wellbeing begins in Kindergarten. Each day, we practice mindful relaxation and on rainy days like this week, we love practicing yoga. 

Encouraging both of these lifestyle habits fosters  caring for our physical and psychological health. The children love these times at school. 

As educators, we love to see the progress each one makes with their resilience, problem solving, emotional regulation and ability to cope with the day-to-day stress and challenges we face as a 5-year-olds and beyond. 

Mrs Rebecca Howard 

Farewell Melissa Lamplough

After 12 months of service, Melissa Lamplough is moving on from our school community. Her contributions to our programs and her support for students have been deeply valued. From all of us at The LPS, we extend our sincere thanks to Melissa for her time with us and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

STEM CLUB

Please note that any notices we include in this newsletter for providers of activities that occur outside of the school, are provided only for the interest of families and do not carry any endorsement by the school.