Launceston College, Tasmania

Launceston College, Tasmania
Launceston College, Tasmania
Built	1834[2]
Tasmanian Heritage Register
Official name	Launceston College and former Female Factory and Gaol, 107–119 Paterson Street, and part of Paterson Street, Launceston
Reference no.	11,010

Launceston College
Launceston College
	Launceston College main entrance
Address
	107–119 Paterson Street; Launceston, Tasmania; 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
Colour(s)	Black and gold
Website	launcestoncollege.education.tas.edu.au

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.

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

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