Launceston College, Tasmania
Historic site
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Launceston College is a government comprehensive senior secondary school located in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. Established in 1913 as the Launceston State High School[3] and subsequently known as Launceston College,[4] the college caters for approximately 1,200 students in Years 11 and 12,[5] and an optional Year 13.[6] The college is administered by the Tasmanian Department for Education, Children and Young People.
| Launceston College | |
|---|---|
Launceston College main entrance | |
| Location | |
 | |
107–119 Paterson Street Australia | |
| Coordinates | 41°26′23″S 147°07′58″E |
| Information | |
| Type | Government comprehensive senior college |
| Established | 1913 as Launceston State High School |
| Status | Open |
School district | Northern |
Educational authority | Tasmanian Department for Education, Children and Young People |
| Oversight | Office of Tasmanian Assessment, Standards & Certification |
Principal | Vicki Mackrill |
Teaching staff | 96.4 FTE (2019)[1] |
| Years | 11–12; optional Year 13 |
| Enrolment | ~1,200[1] (2022) |
Campus type | Regional urban area |
| Colours | Black and gold |
| Website | launcestoncollege |
| Launceston College, Tasmania | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Launceston College, Tasmania | |
| History | |
| Built | 1834[2] |
Official name | Launceston College and former Female Factory and Gaol, 107–119 Paterson Street, and part of Paterson Street, Launceston |
| Reference no. | 11,010 |
In 2019 student enrolments were 1,430.[1] The college principal is Vicki Mackrill.[7] The college has an International Student Program.[8]
Facilities
The college is located on a site that was the location of the former Launceston Female Factory and Gaol, built in 1834,[2] and is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register.[9]
Originally named Launceston State High School, the college became Launceston Matriculation College in 1967,[3] and subsequently Launceston Community College to reflect its broader academic curriculum and vocational influence, and then Launceston College.
The campus stretches over two city blocks[4] and incorporates a gymnasium complex including a swimming pool with sauna and spa, two basketball courts, rock climbing wall, full weights gym and squash courts.[10] It has a commercial equipped training restaurant, an FM radio station, automotive workshop and television studio.[10] The Launceston College on air radio station (LCFM) can be found on the FM frequency of 87.8[11] and is also streamed to the web.
Co-curricular activities
The college also offers the yearly opportunity to students to be involved in stage productions. Since 2008, the college has presented Rent (Schools Edition), Grease, Flashdance, Matilda, In the Heights, Rock of Ages, Bring It On, Aida, the remake of Footloose, Hairspray, and Seussical. Earlier productions have been Chess, Mechanics of Love, Copacabana, Cinderocka, Jesus Christ Superstar, Footloose, Grease, Hair, High School Musical, All Shook Up, Disco Inferno, and Back To The 80s.
The school also offers overseas travel opportunities.
Publications
The college has produced several publications since 1913, such as:
- The Northern Churinga (1914–1966)[12]
- Churinga (1967–present)[13]
- The history of the Launceston State High School, 1913–1966 and Launceston Matriculation College, 1967–1976[3]
- Prospectus[14]
- LC in ... : Orientation Guide[15]
- 100 years of excellence: Launceston State High School to Launceston College 1913–2013[16]
Headmasters and principals
Launceston State High School
| Tenure | Headmaster |
|---|---|
| 1913–1928 | Raymond Orlando Maurice Miller
(R. O. M. Miller) |
| 1929–1931 | Harry Vernard Biggins |
| 1932–1938 | Archibald L. Meston
(A. L. Meston) |
| 1939–1952 | William Carl Morris
(W. C. Morris) |
| 1953–1966 | L. E. Amos |
The High School's alumni include Dora Turner who had a school named after her.[17]
Launceston Matriculation College
| Tenure | Principal |
|---|---|
| 1967 | L. E. Amos |
| 1968–1969 | J. Woodruf |
| 1970–1979 | K. J. Walker |
Launceson Community College
| Tenure | Principal |
|---|---|
| 1984–1986 | Alf L. Crawford |
Launceston College
| Tenure | Principal |
|---|---|
| 1987–1989 | Alf L. Crawford |
| 1990–1996 | Col S. Lane |
| 1997–2001 | Graham Spreight |
| 2002–2017 | Keith Wenn |
| 2018–present | Vicki Mackrill |