From the Headmaster - Staffing

I take this opportunity to inform you that I have accepted the resignation of the following members of staff:

Mr Greg Juniper will retire after 23 years of marvellous service to the College at the end of the year. Mr Juniper has held a number of positions during his time at Somerset including, Head of House – Laver (2002 and 2003), Master of the Senior Common Room (2004 to 2006), was Acting Head of House – Franklin (2009 to 2012), Year 11 Common Room Coordinator (2013 to 2019) before returning to the classroom on a part time basis. Mr Juniper was also the Coordinator – Rowing from 2004 to 2006 and continued supporting and assisting in this area for many years. We may even see Mr Juniper back in the classroom in a relief capacity.

Mr Geoff Jones will retire, at the end of the year, after more than 23 years of wonderful service to the College, in two separate periods. Mr Jones commenced teaching in the Junior School and after 10 years took the opportunity to expand his horizons, creating the ‘Billy Nudgel’ character appearing at numerous festivals and exhibitions around Australia. Mr Jones (Billy Nudgel) worked closely with the Rainbow Bandits (former students Lauren Dunn, Monique Garnier and Tim Goodburn (2009), Anthony Herbert, Ben Hickey, Jack Ozergun and James Scott (2010) and at our very own Somerset Celebration of Literature. Mr Jones returned to the Somerset Junior School in 2007 on a relief and part time basis before returning full time in 2009. In 2020 Mr Jones did relief teaching and took some leave until his return this year to teach in Learning Enhancement.

Mrs Vicki Argus commenced her association with Somerset as a parent when Blake (Class of 2013) commenced in Prep in 1996, joining the staff as a Teacher Assistant in the Junior School 2009. Mrs Argus has given 14 years of excellent service to Somerset and will leave us at the end of Term Three to join her husband on their next journey in retirement. Mrs Argus has done an amazing job in the Junior School classrooms and in Learning Enhancement and we thank her for making such a wonderful contribution to Somerset.

Mrs Sheryl Burns has made the decision to resign from the position of Head Coach – Netball at Somerset College. Prior to her employment at the College, Mrs Burns enjoyed a decorated career representing New Zealand in Netball, Basketball and Surf Lifesaving.

In April 2014, Mrs Burns commenced at the College and was tasked with growing the College netball programme. The Somerset Spartans Netball Club was established to broaden opportunities for student netballers and to facilitate growth at a higher level. The club works alongside the College APS Program and now comprises of sixteen teams across multiple age groups.

Somerset Spartans has developed to be a pathway for some of the finest young netballers in Queensland. With Mrs Burns’ guidance, many talented players have enjoyed considerable success at junior representative level, and some have gone on to state and national representation. Somerset netball has also achieved commendable successes on court, including winning six consecutive APS Premierships, the Netball Queensland Mrs Vicki Wilson Cup in 2018 and 2021, and the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball Tournament in 2020.

Mrs Linny Clayton will leave us after more than six years at the College to focus on her family.  Mrs Clayton commenced in 2016 as our College Nurse quickly reorganising and enhancing the Health Centre and providing the highest level of care for our students and staff.  Many of the Health Centre related processes and policies have been created by Mrs Clayton’s attention to detail and experience as a Registered Nurse.  Mrs Clayton was not only pivotal to the success of the Health Centre; she was instrumental in designing and making costumes for the Junior School Musicals, Senior School Musicals and assisting with Dance Concerts, creating Sustainable Spartan carry bags and organising ‘sewing sessions’ in the Koala House for parents who possessed sewing abilities. Earlier this year Mrs Clayton transitioned to the position of Activities Assistant where her creative talents were a welcomed addition to the Activities Hub. Mrs Clayton has been a wonderful College Nurse and Activities Assistant bringing her special skills and kindness to these areas of the College and we thank her for making such a wonderful contribution to Somerset.

I am sure that you will join me to thank Mr Juniper, Mr Jones, Mrs Burns, Mrs Argus and Mrs Clayton for their service and to wish them well with future endeavours.