March, March, March – this cry can be heard across the state as the Tassie Jack Jumpers once again march into the Championship Series for the NBL for the second time in their short three year history in the NBL.  The Jack Jumpers have arguably been one of the most successful expansion teams in professional sport in Australia.  The Tassie AFL team planning committee has been getting insights from how the Jack Jumpers have managed to create this success both on and off the court.  “Scott Roth has built such a healthy, sustainable program in Tasmania. They should be the model for any expansion franchise, in any sport” (Basketball reporter Olgun Uluc).

Coach Roth speaks passionately about defending the island and his love of his team and the state, however it wasn’t always this way.  After more than a year away from his family, burned out Tasmania Jack Jumpers’ coach Scott Roth was ready to throw in the towel. After a preseason game in 2022 Roth drove back from Launceston to Hobart and was basically done. He was ready to pack up and go back to his family in the US who he hadn’t been able to see for 14months. When recalling this time Roth states that “I just mentally spent myself and probably wasn’t great to be around, in general. - I was just crashing and burning.” Thankfully, Roth had some good conversations with some key people and held on.  He demonstrated immense courage to accept the challenges in front of him.  This culture of being courageous has been something he speaks with his team about.

 

Our Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students have had to demonstrate courage as they have started undertaking NAPLAN. This important series of tests are an annual challenge presented to our students.  Students can be reassured that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program. It has been great to see PDS students giving their personal best as they courageously undertake these tests.

NAPLAN measures fundamental literacy and numeracy skills needed for ongoing success in school and life. There is, however, much that NAPLAN doesn’t measure. These tests are unable to measure all of what it is that makes you the valued person who you are. It doesn’t measure if you are a great singer and dancer or that you can play a musical instrument really well. It doesn’t measure how well you can draw beautiful pictures or your sense of humour - which can bring a smile to your friend’s faces and make them laugh. It doesn’t measure the types of different sports or interesting and enjoyable hobbies you do. So while our Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students ‘march, march, march’ into courageously completing their NAPLAN tests, rest assured that we know that while they are very important, these tests are simply a snapshot and are not the complete picture of they are as learners.

Yours in partnership

Geoff Davis

Assistant Principal