Term One in Year 12: Reflections from our College Captains and Vice Captains

Term 1 has been an exciting start to Year 12, filled with special events and memorable moments, both firsts and lasts!

The year began with our induction into the BLC, an air-conditioned environment that both literally and metaphorically brought the cohort together for our final year at the College. We were welcomed by familiar faces who would be our BLC staff and mentors, helping us settle in and navigate our Senior Year. We've quickly gotten to know them, and they have become an integral part of our BLC experience. Ms Lee's Bon Jovi singing to get us to PC, Mr Attoe's daily chats and community kitchen, and of course, Signor Ham with his Chupa Chups and Freddos (though we're still waiting on the table tennis!) have all added to the experience. Excitingly, we also welcomed a new face, our 4th headmaster of Somerset College, Mr Chris Ivey, who commissioned us as the first senior class under his leadership.

Amidst the excitement and nerves of starting our final year, we have been focusing on working as a team to ensure we are all able to be successful and have a great senior year. Underpinning our Year 12 Team are our values (which not so coincidentally spell out CAPPY) and our Year 12 mascot, Barry the Capybara.

Communication is key when balancing our busy schedules with the expectations of Year 12. We've learned that the more we communicate with our teachers and Ms Lee – whether about our uniform, assessments, or just life – the more supported we feel, as our teachers always want the best for us.

Awareness is next, as being mindful of each other and those around us ensures we look out for one another and set a positive example for the rest of the senior school.

Perseverance is crucial. Year 12 is challenging, and there have been many times this term when we've felt quite stressed and overwhelmed. However, persevering through these challenges is both rewarding and essential.

Presence means being fully engaged in everything we do. It allows us to make the most of our final year at Somerset, enjoy every opportunity, and not get too overwhelmed by what lies ahead.

Since there are no values that start with Y, our Y stands for You Got This!

These values (and Barry, of course!) have helped to further unite us as a cohort and contributed to a positive start to our final year of school. Whenever it all gets a little stressful, we remember our Year 12 motto – Don’t worry, be CAPPY.

While much of the start of Year 12 has been about 'locking in,' several events have made our start truly special, and we’d like to share a few of those with our Somerset community.

Investiture Service and Dinner

Our first major event was our Investiture Service where we were officially commissioned as the Class of 2025. Receiving our Year 12 badges from the preps was a touching and memorable moment, symbolising the journey we've undertaken through our school years.

The Year 12 Investiture Dinner was a special night filled with inspiration, celebration, and community. We had the privilege of hearing from Alex Roberts, who captivated us with her incredible story and journey toward becoming a sports talent scout for the 2032 Olympics. Her determination and passion deeply motivated us all. We were also incredibly excited to finally get our Year 12 jerseys, proudly marking our transition into senior leadership. A huge thank you to the Year 11 students who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to beautifully set up the dinner, making the evening unforgettable for us all.

Welcome to Year 12 function

Thanks to the Alumni Association and Ms Lee, Year 12 started the year strong with a Welcome to Year 12 Function in the Great Hall. Joined by our parents and Year 12 teachers, we played guess who with our baby photos (including some staff photos!), indulged in delicious ice cream from a gelato cart and re-created our prep photos with Barry! The highlight activity, however, was the hand-print banner that will be on display in the common room all year, at our Avenue of Honour, and eventually our milestone Class of 2025 reunions. Each student put a handprint in their house colour paint, and signed their names, so now a rainbow reminder of our cohort welcomes us into the BLC each day. Another highlight was the CAPPY station where we all wrote notes on how we will maintain balance in times of stress. This will be a great help as we progress through the year and assessments and pressure ramp up.

Swimming Carnival

We also splashed into the year with the annual, highly anticipated Inter-House Swimming Carnival that brought students from all houses in a spirited display of athleticism and teamwork. The atmosphere was electric, with enthusiastic cheering from the sidelines and unwavering support from classmates and teachers. Laver House stole the show with fierce determination, no empty lanes, and Laver swimmers dominating race after race. Their House Coordinator, Mr Brent Harrison, was on his toes all day, tirelessly motivating the house, strategising lane alignment and relay line-ups, and celebrating every hard-earned win. His enthusiasm and leadership played a key role in Laver’s success, but the victory wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of the Laver Year 12 Age Managers. Their guidance, encouragement, and strategic planning helped keep the team focused and driven, ensuring every swimmer gave their absolute best. Their leadership united the house and played a crucial role in securing the win, making it a truly unforgettable triumph for Laver. In the end, the carnival was not just about competition but about camaraderie, perseverance, and house spirit, making it a remarkable start to the year.

Cross Country Carnival

Victory, mud, and unstoppable determination with occasional drizzle adding to the challenge – this year’s Cross Country was one for the history books! The muddy course made running difficult, but students pushed through, some running while others walked when needed. Spirits remained high as everyone cheered each other on. For the first time in years, Starkey won the Senior School Cross Country Carnival! This victory was thanks to the incredible participation and teamwork of Starkey students. A huge thank you to Ms Napoles, the dedicated Starkey House Coordinator, for her support and encouragement. We also appreciate our Year 12 Age Managers for organising and motivating younger students. Their leadership helped make the day a success. The energy, determination, and house spirit on display made this year’s carnival one to remember. Go Starkey!

House Plays

House Plays 2025 was an incredible event filled with energy, creativity, and spirited competition. Held during the first four weeks of term, each house poured their hearts into rehearsals, showcasing impressive dedication and teamwork. After intense preparation, the hard work paid off spectacularly, especially for Laver House, whose exceptional performance earned them the victory. Congratulations also to Ava Gillis and Peter Pilarinos, who received Outstanding Actor awards for their impressive performances. A heartfelt thank you goes to Ms D'Arcy, Ms Flynn, and all the House Coordinators, whose guidance and support made the experience possible. The vibrant atmosphere, joyful camaraderie, and genuine excitement truly made this year’s house Plays a memorable and fantastic start to the school year.

Finally, as we reflect on our last first term at Somerset, we would like to share some things we as a cohort are grateful for:

The incredible support we have received, especially from our teachers, our friends and our family.
Andy and the Bird and Bush crew. The new Spartan Lane has been a life saver! The daily juices are amazing.
Our teachers and how much they support and encourage us and are always there to help us, and make sure we have all that we need to succeed.
Signor Ham’s endless supply of Chupa Chups!
BARRY!
The BLC and the environment. It’s always a great place to be.
The top car park! Life changing.
Laver winning the Swimming Carnival for the first time in like 10 years
The Year 12 events – Investiture Dinner, The Welcome to Year 12 Function and getting our Jerseys.
The Triple A sessions after school and the teachers who run them.
How fun the last Cross Country was, running with our mates and 3 Year 12s finishing on the podium.
Cappy Corner.
Our friends, family and our teachers.
Ms Lee and how much positivity and joy she brings into the common room!

Overall, we have had an amazing start to our Senior Year and are grateful for everyone and everything that has made it so memorable. We hope everyone has a lovely easter break and we can’t wait to see what Term 2 brings!

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