STATE MATHEMATICS RELAYMathematical speed, skills and teamwork were all put to the test on Sunday the 28th of August as two Elizabeth College Teams competed amongst a field of seventy to take home the State Mathematics Relay Title. It seems that completing maths on your feet in a team of four with forty five minutes on the clock is better than chocolate. Congratulations to Priya, Alessandro, Shikha, Donnit, Sherry, Gareth and Ned for representing Elizabeth College with distinction and poise under pressure.

Priya Roy, Alessandro Costa, Shikha Keenoo, Donit Saju competing in the Maths Relay

THE SHADOWS CALLING!In August, a class of Elizabeth College Biology students was invited to see the art works of Patricia Piccinini and Peter Hennessey in the old Mercury Building. The exhibition, titled The Shadows Calling and curated by Detached, featured during Dark Mofo. Access was kindly granted to the students even after it was closed to the public. It was also a privilege to meet and talk to the artists in person.

The sights and sounds of the exhibition along with the artists’ observations provided for a unique experience into the anatomically accurate and the disturbingly familiar representations. The theme of ‘fungi’, their place between (animal and plant) kingdoms and their ability to breakdown and rebuild resonated with the

building surrounding us; it showed us how powerful they are in our world and a possible future had we evolved differently.

As you read through our Term 3 newsletter you will see snapshots of students achieving their personal best – getting involved and sharing activities both in and outside classrooms. And students achieving their personal best is what we continue to

value at Elizabeth College – a personal best in physical activity, in entrepreneurial endeavours, in caring for each other and developing further global awareness.

From our ECAAD Quiz Night to debating, from our range of study tours to hosting international visitors, from debating to Athlete Development students leading younger students in their learning, the college is always buzzing with activity.

Our teachers are passionate about teaching their subjects, and they are just as passionate about helping young people find their unique talents. There is such a

range of opportunities at Elizabeth College that each student is able to achieve in their own way.

Over the coming weeks, staff are working with students to prepare them for 2016, whether this be enrolment into year 12, university options, apprenticeships or work. Along with final assessments and exams, this can be a pressurised time of year.

As always, it is you as parents who help keep our students on the pathway to success, through your ongoing care and support. I always appreciate the way you stay in touch and I hope you enjoy some time with your sons and daughters over the break.

Dr Dianne Purnell Principal

Upcoming dates:

Thursday 29 October – Mental Health and Wellbeing forum in EC Theatre from 5.30–6.30pm. Refreshments provided.

11 November – WHAM! Visual Art Exhibition and Technology Exhibition, 5pm start.

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

When asked not to touch the art work, students thought this boy did not hear the warning, but on further inspection found that the art had been so convincing that they had to look again.

2 ELIZABETH COLLEGE

ADP SOCCERIn recent weeks the ADP soccer class has been running coaching sessions for students from New Town, Cosgrove and Ogilvie High Schools. The EC students prepare the drills and games which aim to develop skills and game sense. “I didn’t realise how much fun soccer was! And how much concentration was involved!” said one of the Ogilvie students. The class is also getting ready to play full sided games against the schools. Get ready for action!

Students from Ogilvie high take on the challenges of the ‘physical fitness for soccer’ session.

CHAMPIONS AGAIN!For the third time in four years, Elizabeth College has been successful in claiming the Tasmanian Debating Union Schools’ trophy. Year 11 students, Mae Cockerill, Jo Ellis and Irene Legg were the undefeated winning team. In a hard-fought final against Collegiate, on the topic of Designer Babies, all five judges unanimously awarded Elizabeth College the prize.

As a reward for their success, the team-members spent an unforgettable day in Parliament as the guests of Denison MP, Scott Bacon. That day provided ample incentive to try to repeat the feat in 2016!

Special mention must be made of Jo Ellis, who not only made the Tasmanian team but was also adjudged the most outstanding debater throughout the College competition.

The cover of Braiden White’s Future Sailors magazine, created for his Digital Art & Media folio.

3

NEW

SLETT

ER SEPTEM

BER 2015

ELIZABETH COLLEGE STAGE BANDThe EC Stage Band has had another busy year, after their success at the National Stage Band awards they have rehearsed and performed at a number of school functions such as the College PIE nights as well as some spectacular performances at New Town High School. Featured vocalist Jo Beitsch was a standout performer with the band at these events, a great way to showcase the talents of our fabulous students and Performing Arts programmes at Elizabeth College.

In July EC hosted a visit by a group of musicians from Launceston Church Grammar. This was a great opportunity to play alongside fellow musicians and meet some like-minded students.

The band’s performances at New Town High School to the entire school community were a real hit with students and staff. It was great to see the interaction between the NTHS students and our college musicians, as well as a chance to play some great tunes!

GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE TO ELIZABETH COLLEGE!Congratulations to our French students who recently enjoyed great success in the Alliance Française speech completion. Elizabeth College demonstrated superiority in the Year 11/12 Poetry section by taking out all the top spots with a First, Second and Third, plus an Honourable Mention.

Johanna Ellis took first prize in the Poetry section and also gained an Honourable Mention in the Listening Comprehension. Second place was Daniel Berry who also earned a second in the Conversation. Third place was awarded to Anna Vout.

Mae Cockerill was successful with a Third placing in the Listening comprehension and a particular mention should also be made of Francine Henderson who earned two Honourable Mentions in the advanced group, despite only having started French as a beginner 18 months ago at EC.

James Zalotockyi performed admirably in the Beginners’ Poetry section to earn a third place. Congratulations too to Faerlie Burton, Erica Hall and Alex Golley who were also chosen to represent the school for this event.

Prize winners: Francine Henderson, Anna Vout, Mae Cockerill, Jo Ellis, Daniel Berry with French teacher Nina Pavic

WHAM!WHAM! is Elizabeth College’s annual Art Exhibition. An incredible range of work from photography, graphics, ceramics, video, animation, installation, digital art, painting, drawing and printmaking is displayed around the college in preparation for students’ final assessments. Come along on the 11th of November from 5.00 pm, and be prepared to be amazed by the quality and diversity of work produced. The official opening and announcement of prizes will be at 6.00 pm. Family and friends welcome. Refreshments will be served.

Jamie Bryant, Chris Thomas and Kate Loader immersed in their projects.

4 ELIZABETH COLLEGE

BULLET TRAINS, KARAOKE AND RAMENThe Japan Tour began in Tokyo with a blur of great food, shopping, karaoke, sightseeing and... Disneyland! By the time we were on the bullet train to Kyoto it felt like we’d been together for weeks, not days. Our whirlwind tour of Kyoto included visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple and then back on the train to Hiroshima.

We joined a few classes at our sister school, Hiroshima Inokuchi Senior High School, with the students from our host families, taking part in activities like calligraphy, cooking and tea ceremonies.

On our last day in Hiroshima a typhoon scare had our travel plans on the edge of collapse, but when everything turned out OK, our major concern was leaving our beautiful host families. Tears were shed, and before we could Google translate or skim through our Japanese dictionaries to find the right way to say how much we appreciated their hospitality, we were off on another bullet train to Osaka.

A huge thanks to all for being such a great group of people to travel with! Want to do it again sometime?

by Brighde Cherrie and Heath Watts

STUDENTS AGAINST RACISM Sixty students from Elizabeth College attended Students Against Racism - an extremely moving and informative event. Several students signed up to be volunteers and many more said that the session had changed their minds about asylum seekers.

Students Against Racism (SAR) is a group of students who came to Australia as refugees and migrants from a diversity of countries and personal circumstances. Working with their TasTAFE teacher, Gini Ennals, they have developed a dramatic presentation called ‘Living in Between’, which explains why they left their homelands, the journey that brought them to Australia and their lives now.

English students with the raffle prizes

ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS IN ENGLISH APPLIEDLocal businesses and national companies have generously supported students’ aim to improve their literacy skills. Organising a ‘Read to Win’ raffle, students wrote impressive business letters and initiated conversations to obtain gift vouchers and product donations. Madeleine Geard, Caitlin Crellin, Victoria Jarvis, Taylor King, Annalyse Martelli, Nathaniel Mommers, Juwan Roberts and Jack Dobson deserve special commendation for their persuasive power.

Alun learnt how to the write the name of his favourite celebrity

Entering Asakusa Shrine, central Tokyo

5

NEW

SLETT

ER SEPTEM

BER 2015

MUSIC PERFORMANCESThere have been many and varied brilliant performances by our talented music students during the term. Elizabeth College was asked to provide music for the recent Science Week function at Government House. Taylor Randall, Felix Grant and Vanessa McArthur, accompanied by Kelly Ottaway provided some cool jazz while the flute quartet, Veronica Douglass-Kinghorn, Hilary Baxter, Jo Ellis and Jennie MacDonald serenaded the distinguished guests.

In early September it was time so set the lights, fire up the smoke machine and bring out the hazer for the Music 3 and UTAS music concerts in the College theatre. To near packed houses over two nights, appreciative audiences experienced a diverse range of performances and styles, executed impeccably by our talented music students. Carolling trombone quartet to near mosh pit madness, Bon Jovi to Bach, there was something for everyone.

Taylor Randall and Vanessa McArthur performing at the Science Week reception at Government House.

Max McLaughlin, Izaac Gardiner, Jonathan Dieckfoss and Aleks Folvig performing at the recent Music Recital Evening.

OUR ECAAD QUIZ NIGHT - A SNAPSHOT!The Undercroft was humming recently with tables of staff and students ready to compete in a range of categories of quiz questions. The legendary Quiz Master, Peter Wagg led us all through an evening of intellectual challenges, from geography to random trivia. Our musical questions were inspired by Patrick Berechree’s repertoire of songs on the guitar and students won a range of prizes from chocolates to cinema passes.

One of the staff tables won the prize for most original outfits - with colourful boas!

Thanks to Will Walker and the ECAAD team - this event is one of the many highlights of the year.

R U OK? On Thursday 10 September, the college community was encouraged to look out for friends, family, colleagues and teachers by asking them “Are you OK?” and then listening to their answer. You don’t have to be an expert to do this because we all have the capacity to reach out and support anyone doing it tough. To celebrate the day a special R U OK? bench was installed as a reminder of the importance of regular and meaningful conversations.

ELIZABETH COLLEGE6

POETRY COMPETITIONLauren Robinson has been announced as the winner of the 2015 Elizabeth College Poetry Competition for her poem ‘Of the Sky’, with Lily Rudd the runner up for ‘A Suited Man’. Acclaimed Tasmanian poet Louise Oxley judged the competition and described a “wonderfully strong” shortlist of poems that “expressed an intensity of feeling”. Louise described Lauren’s winning poem as “an imagistic, atmospheric poem” that “doesn’t try too hard for its effects; it simply observes what is there, but with assurance and control.” Congratulations to the winners and to all entrants for their work. Lauren’s poem has been made into a banner and displayed in the English department.

Winner Lauren Robinson with competition judge Louise Oxley

INTERNATIONAL VISITORSIn August, Elizabeth College was host to students and teachers from our Japanese sister school, Hiroshima Inokuchi Senior High School. The exchange students enjoyed classes and activities across the college as well as a wide range of excursions including a trip to Port Arthur, visiting South Hobart Primary and camping at Coles Bay. This is the 16th year of our partnership with Inokuchi and the enriching experience is made possible by the students and families who host our visitors for nearly two weeks, giving them a taste of warm Tasmanian hospitality. Great thanks to everyone involved and bring on the Inokuchi Tour of Tasmania 2016!

Elizabeth College also recently hosted students and teachers from Kunshan District in China with whom we are developing closer educational links. The packed ten-day trip saw them participating in college classes, helping out in Chinese classes at EC and Taroona High, visiting UTAS, Mount Field and Mount Wellington.

OF THE SKYBY LAUREN ROBINSON

Winner, 2015 Elizabeth College Poetry Competition

Cut-throat patterns of

jagged stones divide

murky, rippled

ponds, with the vision

of an Autumn evening sky.

The scent of damp clay

and leaves

of crusted chestnut

and saffron.

The sun bleached cottage

was bordered with damp soil

and wilting lavender.

A soft marigold sky

was hushed

by wispy clouds

and daylight feathered

into

dusk.

The scent

of lamb and spice

still lingered

by the picnic bench.

The cider tint lake was

Tranquil

save the rustle

and sway

of the reeds.

An almond tree

thin with height

is etched

with

liquorice carved creases.

Silky petals tinted cherry

and cupid pink

are plucked

by the tired, tired wind.

7

NEW

SLETT

ER SEPTEM

BER 2015

CONGRATULATIONS GRETA!“I cannot begin to tell you just how much I loved this book! There was absolutely nothing that I did not like about it. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you anxious, it will keep you in suspense, it will keep you enthralled with its magic and mystery. The Lost Cave Of Corinna will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.” bedazzledbybooks.com

Elizabeth College teacher, Greta Lucas - who writes under the pen-name of G. Kerschbaum, recently launched her children’s novel The Lost Cave of Corinna. Illustrated by Tasmanian artist Mel Hills, the novel is an educational adventure fantasy story for children aged 8-12 years, set in Tasmania and featuring the iconic Tasmanian devil and other native animals. It explores environmental issues such as the impact of humans

on the environment, endangered animals and extinction. The novel proudly supports The Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, with a percentage of the author’s profits going towards this worthy cause. It can be purchased in bookshops in both Hobart and Launceston, and is also available online through wildislandtas.com.au.

MOUNT HOTHAM 2015What an experience: over a metre of snow, blue skies and some great boarding and skiing. All students on the Hotham trip this year were greeted with outstanding conditions and with the majority of lifts open we could tackle the hardest runs.

Despite the 6am start, excitement about the week ahead meant no napping on the long trip to the snow. We were fully into Jack Woolcock’s jokes and predicting who would carve up the mountain.

Once we got to Hotham we wasted no time, venturing straight into the summit run. Students were itching for the next day to come, which brought lessons, then on to hitting the slopes. Students gained a lot from the lessons, particularly those who hadn’t boarded or skied before. The bonding and jokes were absolute highlights from our group and the memories and experiences of Hotham will last a lifetime.

For any grade 11s interested in the 2016 Hotham trip, see Adam Direen or Joe Pavic in F103.

8 facebook.com/elizabethcollegetasmania | education.tas.edu.au/academy/elizabeth | (03) 6235 6555

THEATRE STUDENTS TAKE ON THE GODSGood and evil, benevolence and exploitation - Theatre Performance students have been coming to grips with the themes of the end of year play The Good Soul of Setzuan (a recent translation of the play The Good Woman of Setzuan by Bertolt Brecht).

“Working on this has been lots of fun but really challenging,” says Mel Ransley, who plays God 1. “The characters have taken a lot of work to develop as they are so different from ourselves and the world we live in.”

Mel will be participating in Sleeping out with the Salvos along with cast member Jordan Duffy and teacher/director Justan Wagner, in order to get to grips with the homelessness faced by their characters. Expect skilful and impassioned performances and a play that takes you out of your comfort zone. Performances are October 22, 23, & 24 at 7pm in the College Theatre and tickets are $5/$10.