We started the year with a record enrolment of 1,594 from Pre-Prep to Year 12. On behalf of the College Board, I thank you for your continuing support of Somerset as we enter our 39th year. It was quickly apparent that the students settled very well to their classes.
"On 27 January 2009, 20 of the current Seniors had their first day at Somerset … and so did the new Headmaster. I thank them for their friendship and help in walking these past 13 years with me. Goodness knows, they deserve a medal! I was delighted to acknowledge them on the first day of their Senior year, coincidentally 27 January 2021!" Mr Bassingthwaighte.
We welcomed the following new staff:
Welcome back to Ms Melissa Black, Mr Will Boston, Ms Jenny George, Mr Rodger Neave and Mrs Janine White after some periods of leave.
There have been a number of changes to responsibilities for 2021:
Class of 2020 Academic Results
Congratulations to the Class of 2020, the ATAR edition!
After such a tumultuous 2020, we were delighted to receive the results of the inaugural ATAR cohort.
There were many highlights but what is very obvious is the endeavour of the students, the skill and expertise of their teachers, the leadership and gentle guidance of the Dean of Studies, Mrs Karen Crowley, the responsiveness and creativity of the College Leadership Team, and the patience and support of their families, have combined to produce a stellar set of results.
We congratulate all our students who completed their Queensland Certificate of Education including the Business Diploma. It is no mean effort to run the race and finish; perseverance and discipline that will set our students for life.
One of our students, Jacinta Mai, the Academic Captain, received the highest possible score, 99.95, one of only 30 students across the state.
Another 11 students received a score of 98.85 or above which is the rough equivalent of the old OP 1. At 12% of the cohort, it is probably our best ever result.
55 students, 56% of the cohort, received a score of 90+. Our median score of 91.2, roughly an equivalent OP 5, is equal to our best ever result. In the middle of a pandemic, as the first group to go through this unknown system! Truly we dip our lids to this achievement.
Georgina Powell, College Captain, topped the state in English and Music with perfect scores of 100 as did Chester Whiting, Starkey House Captain, in Philosophy and Reason.
To show the breadth of our students and their interests, Sports Captain, James Guy, received an ATAR score of 99.65 and then proceeded to score his first ton, 105 not out, in senior grade cricket on the Gold Coast. Knowing James, it will be obvious what brought the greatest joy last Saturday.
At Somerset, we continue to have the vast majority of our students ATAR eligible or enrolled in the IB Diploma, 98%+. You will see results from other schools in the media but until we know the rates of eligibility within cohorts, it is impossible to compare these results. Some schools last year reported eligibility of less than 10%, making them statistically anomalous.
Our International Baccalaureate Diploma students achieved the following results:
I look forward to meeting all parents at the Parents' and Friends' Social Function on Friday 5 February 2021 from 6.00pm to 9.00pm on the Sports Facility Concourse to celebrate the New School Year. This function is a wonderful opportunity for parents new to the College and those returning to meet each other and the staff.
Please make this highlight function a priority on your calendar!
Nearly all have returned from their trips with a feeling that they have gained more than they have given in spending time alongside rural people living life in often stark contrast to their own.
In 2020, there were many younger brothers and sisters (including twins) that followed in their older sibling’s footsteps by nominating to attend back in January and whilst COVID prevented us from visiting in June, we were able to reconnect in December. Everyone had a similarly profound trip compared to when we started four years ago largely due to developed relationships with the community that Somerset College has committed its time and friendship to; the supportive Cherbourg elders, teachers and various communities of the region.
As a participant reflects, "B5 wasn’t a trip about differences, it wasn’t about 'us' and 'them'. It was about closing gaps, not just crossing bridges. It was about what unites us, not what divides us. Those connections we made, the 'realness' of them, the sense of humanity and empowerment in forming those bonds, that is what I will never forget." She isn’t alone but all concede that this learning has included some confronting statistics and darker truths revealed through some of the challenging aspects of our national history, yet all attendees remain characteristically positive about what they experienced.
It is wonderful to see Somerset families supporting the Barambah trips and other service learning endeavours like it found in our IMPACT Programme handbook [HERE].(https://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/workspace/uploads/pages/files/2021-impact-programme-handbook-6019eb73a023b.pdf). Long may such sustained friendship and community-building continue.
B6 is scheduled for Sunday 20 June to Friday 25 June, 2021. Year 10 students will have the opportunity to sign-up in the coming weeks via an email to parents.
The House Plays festival takes place on Thursday, 18 February and Friday, 19 February (adjudication night). Keep a watch on the Events page for when ticket sales open as this event is not to be missed.
Rehearsals in the music space in the Senior School have commenced, with Vocal Group the first ensemble to return to the swing of things. Other ensembles will commence rehearsals as we progress through the next week on their allotted days. Junior School ensembles will commence next week, Week 2.
The Senior Musical has also had information meetings and the audition process is underway. The Senior show for 2021 is Wicked. This will truly be a spectacular addition to the College’s musical history.
It students have missed information regarding the various activities on offer, information regarding all of the activities and the sign-up form can be found here.
We hope to see many of the students, if not all students, involved in some aspect of the Performing Arts throughout the year.
If the window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.
Dear Parents,
We are opening a Junior Wordsmiths Club for Years 5 and 6, starting in Term One. The Junior Wordsmith club will be after school and with two sessions per Term from 3.45pm till 5.00pm or a bit longer! (5.30). Members will be handed the list of dates for the year at the first meeting, which will be on Wednesday 3 February starting at 3.45 pm. The Venue is still be decided depending on numbers.
Who should join?
The focus of the club is not ONLY on the best English students. Membership is available and free to join for anyone and everyone. This is the concept behind the club. No selection, no hurdles to jump, no caveats, simply an interest in writing and by extension, in reading. Of course, by joining and participating, students will become better writers, readers and speakers of the language.
We will of course do lots of extension exercises but they will be disguised as FUN activities. In addition, there will be a focus on Writing, Creating Original work, reading Poetry (which I expose them to), Critiquing their own work, Sharing, actually Reading and Performing aloud and finally entering External Competitions.
The theory behind this is to let them know that Art per se, is not elitist but that every person is capable at some level of unleashing their creativity and then using it in every other sphere of their lives.
I would aim to have a performance night each term where parents would be invited to hear their kids perform. You will be thrilled to hear your children reading original work.
Students will need to email their interest in being members to my email at [mbrohier@somerset.qld.edu.au](mailto:mbrohier@somerset.qld.edu.au by Tuesday 2 February, with a simple expression of interest.
Example: Dear Dr Brohier, I will attend the first session of Junior Wordsmiths on Wednesday at 3.45pm.Followed by name and class.
Please note that this first session will be a ‘Try before Buying session’ and students are perfectly free to decide not to attend after the first session.
Kind Regards and welcome back to what I am sure will be a fantastic 2021.
The last row of the year is always a chance to celebrate. Athletes dress up to get in the spirit and there is a Kris Kringle round to give everyone a smile. With 20 athletes still rowing over Christmas in an early preparation phase, it gives them a chance to focus on some strength and conditioning skills in the fitness centre, as well as refining some on water skills without the pressure of competition.
The Learn to Row Programme was bursting at the seams with nearly thirty new athletes giving rowing a go over the break. Starting in quads, before moving to single sculls, it didn’t take long for the new rowers to pick up the tricky art of moving a boat. While mastering the capsize drill was a refreshing dip, it won’t take long till the next focus is the Inter House regatta. In eight weeks’ time the new rowers will line up for their first racing challenge, and if the Learn to Row programme is anything to go by, it will be a great day of racing for the new rowers.
Sign up is still open for all students. Please look for the information in the Schoolbox notices. It is never too late to give rowing a go, and everyone is welcome to join us at the shed.
An information session will be held Saturday 20 February.
Should you have any questions, please email prichards@somerset.qld.edu.au
Be A Spartan!
Congratulations to the 2021 Captains of Chess: Byron Morris and Jennifer Yeung!
Held online for the first time due to border restrictions, the Somerset Senior Girls team of Lyanna Chan, Jennifer Yeung, Melody Yang and Nina Varcoe took on schools from NSW, ACT, VIC, SA and WA. In the hunt throughout the tournament, Somerset went close to upsetting the favourites and eventual winners Presbyterian Ladies College (VIC) in Round 1, before accounting for Perth Modern School (WA) and then going down to James Ruse Agricultural School (NSW) in Round 3. In Round 4 the girls defeated The Wilderness School (SA) before drawing with Lyneham High (ACT) for a final result of third position. Individually, Melody Yang scored 4/5 on board three to win the board prize. The girls are keen to return in 2021 and push further up the podium!
Despite being seeded 11th in this tournament, Byron Morris (pictured, defeating one of Queensland top players, Gene Nakauchi) pulled off a fantastic achievement in winning this event with 5.5/6, including defeating the first and third seeds. According to Mr Gardiner this is likely the first Open event (event with no entry restrictions) won by a Somerset student. Kenny Ming (4.5/6, = fifth) performed very well, as did Calen Tang (3/6) and Harrison Qu (2/6) who performed well against much more seasoned opponents.
Many Somerset students took part in this event, and the surprise packet was Harrison Qu – one of the younger players in the event - who put in a superb performance 6.5/7 to win the event outright. Harrison performed at a level nearly double his rating at the time! Dylan Hu (4.5/7), Paul Sangyon (from Prep!) Annika Lim, Ben Blashki, Ashton Jennings, Harry Couper, and Sam Gilshenan also took part.
On the latest rating list there were some huge jumps with Calen Tang +162, Harrison Qu +86, Oscar Credland-Ballantyne +42, Dylan Hu +42, and Byron Morris +40.
There plenty of opportunities coming up this year with co-curricular programmes for the Junior and Senior Schools, a secondary Thursday afternoon club, a Friday afternoon Years 1 to 12 club and regular lunch clubs all available.
Please check Schoolbox for more information!
To prepare for the final rounds of games, the Spartans have already commenced training. Futsal players began 11 January. It was great to see the students attending practise at the College during the holidays.
The Under 8 Blue, Under 8 Black, Under 9 and Under 10 are still in the race for a place in the finals.
We hope to see you all to cheer up our Spartans!
Despite some unforeseeable changes to the season, it’s been another successful year for the Somerset Football Club. As a result, we plan on continuing our affiliation with Gold Coast Football in 2021, and enter teams from Under 6 to Under 11 into the Aldi-Mini Roos Competitions, as well as the Under 14 Girls in the Gold Coast Junior Girls Competition.
We have already started the planning process for 2021, so if your child is interested in being a part of the Somerset Spartans Football Club, please register HERE.
Please note, this form is an Expression of Interest only. Official registration and payments will take place later in Term One, 2021.
For more information about the Somerset Spartans Football Club, and to stay up to date with announcements including training times for 2021 please visit our Schoolbox page. Somerset Spartans Football Club
If you have any further questions please contact Head Coach - Football and Futsal, Maarten de Kruijf via email mdekruijf@somerset.qld.edu.au
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