The Launceston Preparatory School Newsletter, 26th September
Music and Nature
A question I pose annually to each year group is, “What is the point of music?” It is often met with mixed facial expressions in response, and somewhat of a wait before some ideas start coming forth. It’s a creeper, though—the variety of ideas that are eventually shared vastly outstrips the breadth of the initial responses.
They initially ruminate:
“Because we need to learn how to do music?”
“Because we need a school song? A national anthem?”
“Because musicians need a job?”
We then often discuss the nature of how music might also tell a story or help you feel energetic for a sports game. The same question is posed again: “What is the point of music?”
“It tells a story in a different way to books and movies.”
“It makes me want to dance.”
“It makes me feel happy.”
The responses have now switched from questions to answers. They are confident with the question, there’s been some time, and we now have a deep discussion going.
“It’s for emotions.”
“It’s because we like to feel certain ways and music helps us do that.”
“It kind of makes places feel special when you listen to music there.”
“Music keeps you alive because the beat in music helps your heart go dun dun.”
The Socratic methods employed during Philosophy sessions at The LPS shine through in moments like these. Just like all the great philosophers, our students develop skills that help them delve deeper under the surface and keep going. There is no wrong answer, only a developing and evolving understanding. In this case, a deeper understanding of the connection between music and the human experience.
There are many adult philosophers and musicians that wrestle with the same question daily—What is the point of music?
Some take the medical view and investigate the physiology of the human brain and the ways that music can affect it. Others take a sociological view and investigate the links between responses to different styles of music by humans of all different ages. Others look at data, analyzing sales and streaming figures, looking at different regions of the world and the trends that data reveals.
Many people have arrived at different conclusions through time—here is mine after carefully considering a wide variety of opinions and facts, including those of our students. Music is a reflection of the existence of the universe. Humans, made from atoms (or “stardust” as we like to say in our house), are one and the same as the universe itself. We are governed by laws of nature, energy, and vibration. When we listen to specific sounds, our whole being can resonate in synchronization with the sound. Other sounds, not so much. Some of those resonances feel good, some feel terrible (perhaps putting on some Taylor Swift will drive this point home... choose your own resonance 😉). By listening, playing, and thinking about music, we are exploring ways of defining our own existence in a way that only exists in a moment. The scarcity, the space for personal interpretation, and the resonance all culminate in a powerful affirmation of life.
As we come to the end of a very musical, albeit quite busy, term, consider spending some time simply listening to and/or playing music and celebrating your existence during the holidays. Embrace the moment, the feeling, and the emotions that it can inspire, and hopefully, you may even discover a new artist that will expose you to a new understanding of yourself, others, and life in general.
Happy holidays, and see you in Term 4!
Mr. Billy Green
Term 3 - What Fun!
As Term 3 comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for all the incredible support from our LPS community. This term has been filled with wonderful moments that have brought us together. From our magical Sing Fest and home group singing, Bass MND Big Freeze, and the Athletics Carnival, to celebrating 100 Days at The LPS in 2024, and our Father’s Day Breakfast and Daddy Drop-Off Day—each event has been unforgettable!
We’ve also enjoyed fun activities at PCYC and Elphin Centre, Book Week and Philosophy open sessions, along with exciting excursions to theatres, farms, post boxes, parks, and libraries. And what about our Winter Fest? We might just have to do it again next year! Your involvement has made these experiences truly special. Thank you!
Term 3 Connection
Welcome Nicola Dehnert
We would like to welcome our newest member of our team, Nicola Dehnert. Working in our office space supporting all of our students, staff and community, Nicola has a strong background in administrative services, supporting small and large businesses. Nicola will be with us until year's end, and we wish her only the best as she immerses herself in our community, albeit a short period of time.
Principal's Award
In a world that often celebrates conformity and following trends, it is with great pleasure that we announce our latest recipient of the Principal's Award.
For her humble, thoughtful, and kind nature, Olive Howard is our well-deserved September recipient.
She leads by example, always showing care and consideration for others. Her leadership through action and genuine compassion exemplify the values of The Launceston Preparatory School. Uniquely herself, she inspires those around her daily.
Congratulations, Olive!
Morning Activities in Group 2/3
Each morning, when the children arrive in their classroom and after they have greeted me, they have a read and then choose an activity to complete by themselves or with their friends. There are lots of things for them to choose from, including games, drawing, and building with Lego or Keva planks, or they can continue to read. Whilst we have been reading Paper Planes this term, many of the children have enjoyed experimenting with and making paper planes, then flying them from our balcony.
This is a very important time of the day as it allows the children to settle into their school day, have a chat with their teacher, and enjoy the company of their friends before the school day officially begins. The children also get a chance to organise their belongings, sharpen their pencils, and ensure they have what they need to make the day a successful one.
Next term, we will again be running Transition Tuesday. The children will spend from 8:15–8:45 a.m. with the teachers and children they will be working with in 2025. When they arrive at school each Tuesday, they will move "up" the school and get a chance to talk to the teachers and complete activities with the children in the groups above them.
It is really important that the children get to school on Tuesdays in time to be involved in this experience. We have found that it significantly reduces any anxiety around moving to a new group, gives the children staying in a particular group a chance to welcome their new classmates, and above all, it is FUN!
Mrs. Harriet Thyne
Morning Fun!
Philosophy 2/3
In Paper Planes, Dylan learns a lot from his experiences that he writes in his notebook and applies to his paper plane in the world semi-final. We discussed how this showed Dylan’s interest in learning and improvement. We then considered what it means “to live up to one’s potential” like Dylan wants to do, and how we can do that ourselves.
This led to a discussion on “growth mindset” – what it is, whether it is important, and how we show it. We compared the problems of a growth mindset and a fixed mindset and concluded with students examining what sort of mindsets they have.
Mrs Leonie McNair
Philosophy - Seniors
We finished our novel NIPS XI this week and the final chapters led to some deep considerations of how sports people behave on the field of play and what distinguishes celebration from over-reaction.
Although the North Illaba cricket team did not win their match against King’s College (much to the disappointment of many students), there was a lot to discuss about how the game was played by each team and what it really means to be a winner.
NIPS XI was an Honour Book in the Australian Book of the Year awards after it was published. The story has been fun to follow but it is amazing how the author underpinned it with deeper ideas that have contributed to a wonderful term of Philosophy for the senior students.
Mrs Leonie McNair
Mathematics in Cooking
In Senior Mathematics, for the past two Thursdays, the children have been cooking. Cooking is a fun way for the children to see the relevance of mathematics. As we cooked, we talked about all the mathematics we were using:
- Adding
- Multiplying
- Dividing
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Whole numbers
- Estimating
- Measuring mass, volume and temperature
- Reading the time and calculating duration
- Converting between units of measurement
- Calculating costs and keeping to budget
- Ratios
Week 9 was Brazilian Week. The children cooked pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread), brigadeiros, fried sweet bananas and docinhos de bananas com chocolate.
Week 10 was Italian Week where we cooked pizza margherita, cacio e pepe (pasta with cheese and pepper), crocchette di patate al forno (baked croquettes) and vanilla gelato.
We have some superstars in the kitchen - mums and dads will be pleased to know how great the children are at washing and drying dishes! It has been great to hear that some of the children have cooked some of these new foods at home.
Big thanks to Mrs Edmunds and Mrs Bull, who helped us cook these delicious foods. We couldn't have done it without you!
Miss Mel Andrews
Delicious Number Crunching!
'Weaving Wrap'
'It's a Wrap on Weaving'
Yesterday, we concluded the DEEP Weaving program, which has been running over the last three terms. It has been a terrific topic to explore, not only because of the fun products we have created, but also due to the students recognizing the mental benefits of such an activity. I have been amazed at the students' capacity to focus on a repetitive task for long periods and the wonderful conversations that have taken place. Next term, students can choose from four new topics: Card Games, Cooking and Prop Making, Digital Music, and Mountain Biking.
Mr Eddie Barnes
P/1 Art
We are the World has been a fantastic theme for us in Art this term. We have loved looking at the masterpieces of Picasso, and last week, we went to Japan to explore the Cherry Blossom Festival. We used blue markers for our vases and tissue paper for our blossoms. They look divine. Well done, Prep/1 artists!
Miss Nicole England
Kinder -What a Blast!
Our Term 3 has been a wonderful journey of discovering about the world around us. We enjoyed welcoming Marcus Yong into our classroom this week to share about life in Malaysia. The children asked some very thoughtful questions and Jonty proudly helped his dad answer them.
We have enjoyed constructing passports of the countries we have been learning about. During this term we have ‘travelled’ to Scotland with Jamie and Evie, Nigeria with Emerald, South Africa with Norman and Khitha, Vietnam with Lily and Audrey, New Zealand with Theo, Singapore with Cheryl and Noah, Chile with Reina and Felix and Fiji with Marcie and Sidney.
Our geographical and cultural knowledge in kinder is phenomenal!!
We can’t wait for term 4 and our focus theme of “In the Spotlight!”
Ms Rebecca Howard
Art - Rewarding Fun!
It has been a very busy term and students have created some amazing artworks. Group 2s have been exploring stitch to make some beautiful samplers. Some students have even invented some of their own stitches! Group 3s have explored water colour techniques and soft pastels, while being inspired by the work of various indigenous artists based on the story of the Seven Sisters. Senior students have explored indigenous crafts and painting styles as the basis for a painting project and some beautiful woven artworks.
Jane Dean
Art Teacher
The Messenger - Episode 5
What a wonderful event for all yesterday! Relive some of the highlights and more in the students' latest addition of The Messenger. Enjoy.
Lost Property
Do these items belong to you?
Please contact the office if you recognise any or all of these items.
Parents of The LPS
Parents of the LPS would like to thank all the teachers, aids, parents and administration for supporting us to get all these lovely self-portraits together for our WHOLE SCHOOL annual tea towel drive.
Each child in the school has drawn a self-portrait, ZOOM IN to find yours!
We are really keen to do a version of this each year, a lovely thing to use right now or to keep for the future.
CLICK THROUGH LINKS TO PURCHASE:
1 Tea Towel for $18
https://square.link/u/J8SNCOem?src=sheet
2 Tea Towels for $32
https://square.link/u/kDeDpT57?src=sheet
3 Tea Towels for $45
https://square.link/u/UzUK88oD?src=sheet
MORE THAN 3? They’ll be $15 each. Contact Amelia 0438448199
Amelia Padgett
Parents of The LPS's own, Steph Brake, is preparing to undertake a 500km+ trek from Penguin to Cockle Creek this November to raise funds and awareness for Men's mental health. She's joined by former The LPS student, Lauren Thomas, who now lives in WA as a fly-in, fly-out geologist. To follow along their journey please follow the links below:
Lauren Thomas & Steph Brake
tassie_backbone | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree
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.