Term Two
LCS Cultural Heritage
On Friday June 20, Launceston Christian School came alive with colour, culture, and community as we celebrated My Cultural Heritage Day 2025. With over 20 nations represented across our school, it was a special opportunity to honour the diversity that makes LCS such a rich and welcoming place.
In Primary School, students swapped their regular PE session for a lively Syrian dance led by Mr. Ballard. The PIC team made sure every student from Kinder to Year 6 enjoyed their Oliebollen, served warm and ready for recess. A big thank you to Rachel Hemelaar, Danielle Hesketh, and the SLC for their hard work in cooking and delivering them just in time!
As if that wasn’t enough, classrooms were visited by parents and family members from various cultural backgrounds, who shared their stories, games, and cultural artefacts. The Taiko drumming session brought energy and rhythm to the quadrangle, while the Punjabi community generously offered Masala Chai, Samosas, and shared the cultural significance of the Punjabi turban.
In Secondary School, students enjoyed a vibrant Multicultural Lunch Feast, with food generously prepared by 18 families from 11 different nations. Highlights included samosas for every student, Malaysian pancakes, and a wide range of dishes from Chile, Nepal, South Korea, Kenya, South Africa, Wales, Australia, India, the Netherlands, Indonesia, and more.
A heartfelt thank you to all the families who contributed food, time, and cultural knowledge. Finally, to the staff and students who embraced the day with kindness, curiosity, and respect.
We’re already looking forward to My Cultural Heritage Day 2026!
Cross Country Carnivals
Both our Primary and Secondary School Carnivals were held in May and we were blessed with glorious blue skies and sunshine to accompany our eager runners.
What did we love seeing the most?
- Parents and grandparents cheering from the sidelines.
- Students giving their best, no matter where they placed.
- Beautiful sportsmanship in the shape of a comforting hug or a helping hand.
- Volunteers selflessly giving their time to ensure the carnivals ran smoothly.
Achieving something hard like a running race is a great reminder that God is with us though every challenge in life!
"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13
Congratulations also to our medal-winning students in the All-Schools Cross Country:
Josiah Poole, Eli Moore and Bayde Crosswell-McKenna (gold in U/17 men)
Keona Hayes, Lea Yelland and Anke Einkamerer (bronze in U/18 women)
Science Challenge
We are thrilled to report that LCS won the state Science and Engineering Challenge, and a team of Years 9 and 10 students will travel to Newcastle to compete in the national final.
Students tackled a range of hands-on activities that included building bridges, testing wind turbines, constructing model houses and designing structures inspired by ancient fish traps created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Science and Technology teacher Mr Brent Jose said the benefits of competing in a challenge like this were layered.
"It gives students agency and helps them think outside the box, celebrating the gifts and raw talent that God has given them," he said.
"Plus, it encourages them to follow their dreams of becoming the next generation of scientists and engineers who will tackle real-world challenges!"
Congratulations to all our fabulous students who formed the LCS team, and also to Riverside High School in second place and Calvin Christian School in third.
ANZAC Day
It was wonderful to see 30 students representing LCS at the Launceston ANZAC Day march and service. Several students wore medals in honour of family members who served in the Australian Armed Forces. After marching from Prince's Square, Primary and Secondary SLC representatives laid a wreath at the cenotaph.
"The ANZAC Day service was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service of others," LCS Head of Primary, Mr Phill van Ryn said.
A special thank you to Mrs Ella de Bruyn who organised the LCS cohort for this important event in our community.
Congratulations!
We are beyond thrilled to celebrate the significant achievements of our very own Elizabeth Sexton, Year 12 student and president of the Student Leadership Council.
In Term Two she was selected as the northern Lions Youth of The Year finalist and went on to place as runner-up for the state title and winner of the 2025 Public Speaking award. Elizabeth was a regional finalist in the award last year also.
In an interview with City Park Radio she explained her interest in preparing speeches on topics that were important to young people and the community.
Elizabeth was the Youth Mayor with the West Tamar Council in 2022 and was nominated as the West Tamar Young Citizen of the Year in 2024 for her community involvement and volunteering, including with her church choir, the Central Auxiliary Kiosk at the LGH, the West Tamar Youth Advisory Council and at her youth group. Elizabeth was also recently announced as the lead role in Encore Theatre Company's production of Beauty and the Beast later in the year.
We're cheering you on, Elizabeth, and look forward to seeing what God does with your skills and heart for creating positive change in the world around you!
Marine Biology Program
During the last school holidays, Year 11 student Hadassah Buist was selected as one of 24 students from a pool of 400 applications from around Australia to participate in a pre-university course. The Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, part of the University of Tasmania, hosted the hands-on marine science program which included a five-day field trip to Maria Island.
Hadassah said it was exciting to be part of such practical and important work, building on 10 years of data collection in areas including infauna, intertidal, zooplankton and fish.
"I really enjoyed the connections made, meeting people far up in the marine and Antarctic science world and learning different scientific methods," she said.
The experience has given Hadassah a valuable taste of marine science, an area she hopes to pursue in further education one day. Well done, Hadassah! It's a joy seeing you rewarded for following your passions.
LCS and Beyond!
- Zach Lim and Josh Poole have been selected to represent Tasmania at upcoming state rugby union tournaments.
Zach will be travelling to Adelaide next week to play in the Under 14 Tasmanian state team, and has also been selected as Tour Captain for his team. Meanwhile, Josh will travel to the Sunshine Coast in the Under 16 Tasmanian state team.
- A massive congratulations to LCS students Elliot Jordan and Riley Powell who both made the state under-16 basketball teams and were also selected to be Vice Captains!
- Year 12 student Ben Filleul is off to the International Youth Science Forum in London next month along with more than 500 students from 50 different countries.
- Year 6 student Lucy Parsons achieved a magnificent 100% score on her Grade 1 Pianoforte exam this term. What a sensational result!
- Well done to Year 11 student Saskia Dingemanse who was awarded her Certificate of Music Teaching recently.