It has been wonderful to welcome our students to 2025 and to see this College come alive with their energy and enthusiasm. I have been able to meet so many new students already as well as quite a few parents. I look forward to getting to know this community in the weeks and months ahead.
Whilst, this information has been shared late last year with our community, I thought it appropriate to again celebrate the incredible results from our Class of 2024, particularly as we acknowledge our Lorraine Pilgram medal winners at our Year 12 Investiture Service this week
As we know, great results like these, take a combined and concerted effort that includes all our staff, our students and you, our parents. In meeting a few of our Lorraine Pilgram medal winners last week for lunch recently, their gratitude for the opportunities that Somerset has provided for them was overwhelming. They have all set incredible goals for themselves and we trust that they leave Somerset with the skills necessary to continue to build their personal success.
As Mr Bassingthwaite so appropriately acknowledged last year, I also want to want to thank Michele Sauer, Deputy Head of College - Studies, for her leadership in this crucial area of the Somerset experience. There is no one more committed to our students achieving personal success than Michele. She leads a very capable and dedicated team of faculty leaders and teaching staff and we thank all of them for their support of our Class of 2024.
The following results are based on 136 students who chose to share their ATAR results.
· 3 students achieved the second highest ATAR of 99.90 – Mical Ma, Penelope Deacon and William Warrick. They are three of 36 students in the state who received an ATAR of 99.90.
· 3 students achieved an ATAR of 99.85.
· 24 students achieved 99+, a result in the top 2% of Australia, our best ever.
· 27 students achieved equivalent of OP1 and the Lorraine Pilgram Medal, our best ever.
· 41.18% of students ATAR 95 and above, a result in the top 5% of Australia.
· 63.24% of students ATAR 90 and above, a result in the top 10% of Australia, our second best ever.
· 86.03% of students ATAR 80 and above, a result in top 20% of Australia, our second best ever.
· 92.9 median ATAR, our equal best ever
· 11 students achieved perfect scores across 9 subjects, earning them a QCAA Subject Achievement Award. 14 perfect scores in total!
· 32 students have earned a QCAA Certificate of Academic Commendation for achieving ‘A’ grades in all six general subjects.
It is often easy to take these results at their face value and focus solely on academics. However, as I look around this College and in particular, hear our pastoral care teams in their roles, talk about how best to support our students, we know it is the entire village that is Somerset College that has contributed to these results.
What an incredible community that supports each and every student to achieve Personal Success.
Best wishes
We are delighted to welcome you and your children to Somerset College for an exciting new school year! On Tuesday 28 January 2025, we began the year with a vibrant balloon arch at drop-off, providing a wonderful photo opportunity for families and classes to capture those cherished first-day moments.
The start of the year has been bustling with activity. We were thrilled to see many excited faces as new students were warmly welcomed and friendships began to develop. Our students confidently navigated their new spaces, ready to embark on their learning journeys.
Our teaching staff hosted information afternoons on both Tuesday and Wednesday, providing parents with valuable insights into the upcoming year and the exciting learning experiences planned for our students.
A highlight of the first week was Somerset College’s Global Play Day on Thursday, 30 January. All Junior School students enjoyed a morning of unstructured play, which provided a fantastic opportunity to have fun with their new cohort. Our staff set up various play spaces, some including ball games, gymnastics, paper aeroplane throwing, board games, yoga, karaoke and visual art experiences. The day concluded with Year 4 to 6 students participating in swimming trials, gearing up for their Junior School Inter-House Swimming Carnival next week on Thursday, 6 February 2025.
On Friday, our Prep students marked a symbolic occasion with our Year 12 leaders by presenting them with their badges during the Year 12 Investiture Service, signifying the beginning of their leadership journey.
As we all catch our breath after such a busy and exciting start to the year, we look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences. Thank you for being part of the Somerset College community in 2025.
The 2025 school year has been off to a great start in Year 8! We started our first day back, entering our Year 8 upgraded locker room with an excited buzz in the air.
We extend a warm welcome to all of our new students and families who have joined our Somerset College community in 2025.
Last Friday provided a quieter introduction to the College for our new students and families with our Orientation Programme. Whilst there were some nerves, excitement and enthusiasm were evident.
From the very first days of this week, our new students have embraced their learning journey with curiosity and eagerness. They are quickly adapting to routines, forming friendships, and engaging in classroom activities. Teachers and staff have been impressed by their positive attitude, resilience, and willingness to participate in both academic and co-curricular opportunities.
The Quoll Headquarters Service trip is not one to be missed. After a long drive, we were welcomed with open arms into the 190-hectare sanctuary, by Steve and Bianca. They are two of the most courageous people I’ve ever met, and the things they have accomplished and aspire to accomplish are beyond what many people could imagine.
If I’m being perfectly candid, before going on the trip I didn’t know that a wallaroo was a real thing, nor did I know of the hierarchy of the macropods and the platypus. I knew next to nothing about an animal that is so vital to the biodiversity of Australia, and yet is on the brink of extinction, the same animal that Steve and Bianca have dedicated their lives to protect, the marvellous Quoll.
The extent of their knowledge is inspiring, from knowing the Quoll-preferred climate, to knowing about the creatures that once existed alongside the Quoll. During our stay we experienced everything from fishing, to planting, to carting around the five-kilometre perimeter, searching for any damage. But I have to say one of my many highlights was feeding the six adorable joeys, raised by Bianca after being orphaned; as well as seeing the cute yet fisty possum all huddled together.
All in all, it was a wonderful weekend, that will never be forgotten. Steve’s ability to turn a single plot of land into a sanctuary for many is admirable. On the other hand, Bianca’s caring nature and sacrifice of sleep to help the orphaned joeys and possums is enviable. I will never fully be able to express my gratitude for going on this trip, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my weekend!
The Club State Swimming Championships were held in Brisbane from 14 to 20 December 2024 and saw close to 50 Somerset swimmers compete. The Somerset Swim Club had 44 swimmers who competed alongside 4 students representing other clubs. The competition sees over 200 Clubs compete in one of the most competitive regions in Australia. In 2024, the Somerset Swim Club placed 4th overall which is an incredible result and testament to the swimmers, coaches and families who performed so well in the week-long meet. Somerset’s results are even more impressive beaten only by the large Brisbane Clubs who had more than double the number of competitors.
The week began with Club relays. Somerset Swim Club teams performed exceptionally well with the 12 and under girls teams finishing third in the freestyle and medley relays, the 12 and under boys medley team also finished third while the 12 and under mixed freestyle team finished second. The boys 14 and under freestyle and medley relay teams both won their events. Congratulations to members of the 14 and under boys teams - Cohen Tarrant, Danny Baxter, Riley Johnston and Koa Stotz.
Even a hot weekend, with temperatures reaching 39 degrees on the Friday, didn’t stop our athletes from producing some outstanding results at the recent Rowing Queensland State Championships. The Somerset College Rowing programme competed in their first regatta for the year on 24 to 26 January at Wyaralong Dam.
Congratulations to the Under 16 Boys Quad of Charlie Cardone, Marcus Fox, Ed Hoult, and Ethan Hu, coxed by Will Hoult on their gold medal. Marcus and Ethan followed this up with a silver medal in the Under 16 Boys Double Scull. For their solo efforts, Marcus won silver in the Under 16 Boy Singles Scull and Ethan won Bronze.
Our 2024 Somerset Spartans Football International Tour took place during the first week of the school holidays, from 24 November 24 to 6 December. Our destination was Japan.
Our tour had an incredible itinerary with cultural experiences such as school visits, local restaurants, temple visits, and museum visits. We had other fun activities such as visiting Disneyland. For our Football experience, we visited J-League Football Matches, football Stadium tours, received training from Japanese professional coaches, and played matches against schools and academies at several football venues.
Thank you Nicole Fann, Jane Stewart, Jonathon Pritchard and Kydra Waldenfor accompanying our students and being part of such an amazing Somerset Experience for them.
Somerset Tennis had some remarkable success towards the end of the holidays and into Term 1, with fantastic results at both the regional and state level.
Seventeen students competed at the Primary Schools Cup Sate finals in the first week of holidays across the 3 divisions. A total of 12 schools across the state competed with Somerset placing in the following divisions:
- Year 1 – 4 Red Ball (Girls Division) - 4th Place
- Year 5 Orange Ball (Mixed Division) - 4th Place
- Year 6 Green Ball (Girls Division) - 3rd Place
Special mention goes to Jack Dew, Hugh Adams, Marcus Wong, Evie Kingston & Dylan Kingston who were some of the students who played up a year level in the divisions. A great result to start our year.
Following this, year 10 students Timofey Korin & Huw Hoffman represented somerset & competed at the Hinterland District Trials. Timofey narrowly missed a spot in the top 4 & Huw successfully was able to place in the top 4. He will now compete next Wednesday the 5th of February for a spot in the South Coast Trials.
Alongside their success this week, both these students qualified for the Queensland Masters after a successful year of tournaments. Huw had a fantastic event, placing 3rd overall in the state. This is an amazing outcome for Huw and his career in tennis.
Upcoming this weekend and next is the KDV Junior Slam Series & first Coloured Ball Cup Event. We wish all students competing at these events good luck!
Somerset Gold Squad triathletes have had a busy start to 2025. Super Sprint Nationals were delayed from mid-December 2024 to late January 2025 and that meant serious training over the holidays. The effort paid off and we experienced amazing results.
The preparation started in November when triathletes went to Bond University for a series of physical and physiological tests to determine the best approach to individualised training. In December they met with the renowned sport psychologist Rachel Jones, had a workshop with former Junior Elite triathlete and now sport dietician Elle Leahy, and had a wonderful chat with physiotherapist Brad Beer who told them all about his experience alongside Hayden Wilde in the preparation for the Paris Olympics silver medal. Throughout December, athletes worked hard in their acclimatisation preparation for the expected heat during nationals. The preparation was finalised early January during the 10-day Noosa Triathlon Camp.
Ten of our Gold Squad triathletes participated in the race. Unfortunately, Patrick Kelly-Correa (Y11) and Liam Thornton (Y10) had to pull out before the conclusion of the 4-day competition. Liana Warwick (Y10), Camille De Bruin (Y9), and Cooper Shevlin (Club) in the Youth category; and Holly Hembling (Y12) in the Junior & U23 category had outstanding races to figure top 30 in the country. Elisabeth Staelen (Y9), Emma Lester (Y9) and Joel Rodd (Club) had qualifying times for the “A Final” which ranks them top 15 nationwide in the Youth category. Despite being 15yo, Lucas Soegaard (Y10) qualified for the Junior & U23 finals. His impeccable race granted him 9th place overall and 3rd place among the Juniors less than a minute away from the overall race winner.
Spartan Triathletes will soon head to School Sport State Triathlon in Hervey Bay. The 2-day competition involves a longer distance than the one faced at Super Sprint. Weather conditions are expected to be even harsher than the 32-35 degrees faced at Super Sprint Nationals. The State Championship race is the only qualifier for SS Nationals in WA in March.
The Strength and Conditioning Department continued to run sessions throughout the school holidays to give students the opportunity to maintain their strength training and physical activity habits during the break. All Senior school students were invited to the Non-Sport-Specific S&C sessions held throughout December and January and we facilitated sport-specific squad sessions for Netball, Rugby, Swimming and Rowing both in the gym and some sessions off-site where students participated in a Spartan Challenge at Tallebudgera Creek and completed 12-Days-of-Christmas sessions.
After the New Year break, students were eager to get back into the gym with our first sessions kicking back off from the 6 of January.
Somerset College Sporting Excellence Programme (SEP)
Our 2025 Sporting Excellence Programme (SEP) Students participated in our First Workshop Day for 2025 on Wednesday 22 January. The day involved presentations from our external presenters who have been specifically chosen to provide SEP Students with engaging, practical and relevant information on the unique challenges our Students face as athletes. Workshop 1 included:
- Summer Dinegmense’s presentation on Nutrition – what is good food, fuelling for performance and hydration for performance.
- Sharyn Donaghy’s presentation focused on strategies for personal growth, stress management, and tailored support to help students juggle a high-performance sporting environment alongside academic commitments.
- Performance Testing Session 1 including baseline strength, power and flexibility testing
We look forward to Workshop 2, taking place in the Easter School Holidays!
Students in our Early Learning Precinct this week have welcomed the Year of the Snake with excitement and joy. The snake symbolises the pursuit of happiness and is a symbol of good luck and wisdom.
Our students enjoyed sharing stories about Chinese New Year, creating festive crafts, and indulging in delicious traditional treats to celebrate the occasion.
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