From the Headmaster

We’ve had a very busy Term Three with our Founders’ Day celebrations, the Somerset Gift and Alumni Reunions, Inter-House and APS Athletics Carnivals, Gold Coast Eisteddfod, Gold Coast Secondary Schools Drama Festival, and our netballers competing in the Vicki Wilson Cup. The Parents’ and Friends’ Association held a wonderful Winter Ball – a magnificent event thoroughly enjoyed by those in attendance.

Of course these are just a few of the many varied activities, competitions and events held Term. Our students will enjoy a long weekend soon; a chance to rejuvenate for the exams, QCS for our Year 12s and Camps for Years 10 and 11. We continue to work hard in our academic, cultural, co-curricular, service and sporting programmes that we work consistently and tirelessly to shape our students’ futures by learning to critique, collaborate, create and communicate!

We have completed our subject selections in the Senior School for 2019 and our students have certainly embraced the opportunities that have arisen, some to do with the new Senior Certification process starting for our Class of 2020. We are very well prepared for this change and I commend Dr Michael Brohier, Mrs Karen Crowley and Mrs Michele Sauer who have lead the review of our processes.

With regret I have accepted the resignation of Mr Andrew Michael. Mr Michael has been an innovative and committed member of staff since he began in 2009 as a teacher in the Junior School. During his time, and due to his vision and energy, the Junior School Sporting programme at the College has flourished. Mr Michael has earned the respect of the community through the genuine interest and engagement he has with his students. We will miss Mr Michael and his lovely wife Leesha as they take on new adventures and send them with our gratitude and best wishes for this next stage.

After an extensive search and almost 40 international and national applications, I am delighted to announce Mrs Allison Foster, Dip Ed, M Arts (Communications), B Arts, Grad Dip PR, will commence as Head of Senior School on 27 August 2018.

Mrs Foster commenced her career in education at Christian Brothers College, Adelaide as a Senior English teacher for Years 9 to 12.

Mrs Foster became a teacher at Somerset in 2006 teaching English and Humanities before her appointment as Head of House – Franklin. Mrs Foster has also acted as Head of Senior School during this time and is Acting Head of Senior School at present.

We are delighted to have recruited such an experienced educational leader especially with expertise in pastoral matters.

I’m sure you will join me in extending our congratulations to Mrs Foster on her appointment.

I am delighted to announce that my offers of continuing their current roles as permanent appointments have been accepted by:

• Eleanor Amores - Teacher – Senior School in the Science Department
• Nathan Loh - Laboratory Manager
• Trish Voussem - Laboratory Technician

We thank Luisa Navanteri and Anja Ward who have agreed to extend their fixed term contracts as Acting Assistant Head of Department – Foreign Languages and Teacher – Senior School (Foreign Languages) for 2019 while Sarah White extends her maternity leave.

We look forward to welcoming back:

• Bianca Hipperson
• Cathy Makin
• Helen Moffatt

With the changes that have occurred as part of our alignment with the new QCE in 2020, there has been an increase in enrolments in Humanities subjects. After review, I have accepted the recommendation from the Deputy Headmaster, Dean of Studies and the Dean of Middle Years that we have another Assistant Head of Department to assist Damien Coleman and Dane Oman. Accordingly, Dane will become Assistant Head of Department – Business and we will advertise for an Assistant Head of Department – Humanities in the coming weeks.