The learning environment at Rondon School in Papua New Guinea has been revived, thanks to the new desks Somerset College donated.
Located in South East Queensland, Somerset College, a leading educational institution in Australia, has taken a significant step towards supporting global education by generously donating a shipment of school desks to Rondon School, located near Rondon Ridge Lodge, Mount Hagen in Papua New Guinea. This heartwarming gesture aims to enhance the learning environment for the students at Rondon School, providing them with comfortable and conducive spaces for education.
The Rondon Ridge school is being run by the adjacent AOG church and it had no school desks until now. It has about 100 students and the students sat on the floor for their school lessons. These young students are neatly dressed in their yellow and blue uniforms and are keen to learn.
The initiative, spearheaded by Somerset College, reflects their commitment to making a positive impact beyond their borders. The school desks, a vital component of any classroom, were carefully selected to meet the specific needs of Rondon School and contribute to the overall improvement of educational facilities.
The desks were shipped to Papua New Guinea by the compassionate efforts of an individual, Ms Del Cole, from Someone who Cares, who deeply cares about the welfare of students at Rondon School. This act of kindness not only demonstrates the power of global collaboration but also highlights the importance of individuals taking action to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Representative from both Rondon Ridge and Trans Niugini Tours, who facilitated the PNG distribution, presented the school desks to the staff and students of Rondon School in a heartfelt ceremony. The event was marked by expressions of gratitude and excitement from both the donors and recipients, showcasing the shared belief in the transformative power of education.
"We are immensely grateful to Somerset College, for their generous donation of school desks. This act of kindness will have a lasting impact on the learning experience of our students at Rondon School. It is heartening to see individuals and institutions come together to support education globally," expressed the headmistress of Rondon School, Ms Lisa Sent.
Sincere thanks are extended to not only Somerset College but also to all other Australian schools who are coming together with registered Australian not-for-profit charity, Someone Who Cares, to improve the resources of education in Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Island nations and thus creating a positive impact and nurturing future leaders.
For my Personal Project this year, I am creating architectural models of my two houses. I am learning the skills required to make an architectural model, including interpreting floor plans, using a scale, using tools and design technology and selecting appropriate craft materials.
This Personal Project is significant to me because I have grown up in two different homes as my parents do not live together. The two model houses are significantly different which symbolises the two different lives I lead, however, despite their differences, they are both my home. I hope to share my experience with my peers through my project and show the ups and downs of a different lifestyle.
Throughout my journey, even though I am in early stages of development, I have faced challenges with the creation of my project. However, this had led me to learn that I enjoy problem solving, specifically using my critical and creative thinking skills to face and overcome obstacles. As I develop these skills, I have noticed them helping me during my academic classes, as I have become better at thinking of novel ways to solve problems. I have also found it has helped me more deeply evaluate any research or data I collect. I have also enjoyed using skills I learnt as part of my Personal Project in visual art to make clay sculptures and decorations.
The Personal Project has not only helped me to learn new skills and develop my Approaches to Learning, I have also really enjoyed the experience so far. I have particularly enjoyed collaborating with my Dad to learn how to build my model and reflecting on the similarities and differences between my two homes.
Each year, Griffith University and University of Queensland work with students from select Queensland schools to foster scientific literacy.
Our student ambassadors act as beacons of scientific drive, promoting a passion for all things Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
These ambassador programmes provide access to conferences, competitions and university contacts. An amazing opportunity for all involved.
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected for the programme.
These students have been actively supporting the Somerset Science Committee for multiple years.
We look forward to your leading our Somerset Scientists in 2024.
In the past few weeks, Year 1 has been inquiring into, 'How hidden communities in the school work together'. We explored different areas around the College and met some of the amazing people in our Somerset Community, who help keep our school running.
We learnt about the Bird and Bush staff and how they make yummy food in the kitchen for us and sell uniforms. We learnt how the coloured bins work from the cleaning staff and how to stay safe at school from Mrs Wilson. Our IT and KIP Staff showed us how they help us borrow books and look after all our ipads and online environments. There were a lot of important people who look after the money for our school and also our grounds staff who look after the gardens. The most exciting part was visiting Mrs Bacon who gave us a tour of Mr Bassingthwaighte’s office!
Our Year 1 friends think that they are very lucky to be a part of such a helpful community.
Students in the EYC have been welcoming the Year of the Dragon by making Chinese New Year crafts, sharing lucky 福 apples and watching a magnificent lion dance performance.
The Year of the Dragon is said to bring prosperity, strength and success.
Wishing everybody a great new year ahead!
In the KIP, we believe passionately in the power of reading and with 14 February also being Library Lover’s Day, what better time than now to remind us all of the benefits of reading and libraries.
Our KIP isn't your typical hushed library space with rows of neatly aligned bookshelves. Instead, it's a busy and vibrant hub in the College and at times it provides a welcome respite from the heat during the day. It’s a social space, especially before school and lunchtime, and a place to catch up with friends. The many chess boards, board games and cards offer plenty of opportunities for downtime with friends during breaks in the school day. Its also a space for homework, for research, a place to ask questions and a place to find a great book to read.
This Library Lover’s Day we encourage students of all ages to sprawl out, curl up, and lose themselves in the magic of words in reading nooks and spaces, be that at home or in the KIP. Our latest Young Adult space provides a quiet and cozy nook for older students and the many pillows in reading pods provide other welcoming spaces. Our new art installation by alumni artist Victoria Reichelt (Class of 1996) has provided a popular space as well for students. This art piece is fresh from the HOTA Children’s Gallery exhibit on reading, Colour Your Imagination.
We have a wide range of new books from vibrant picture books to some thought-provoking and contemporary great YA reads. Come in and browse the shelves or ask for some recommendations. With the shelves organised by genre, it's easier than ever to find books that you will love. Since our change to genrifying the collection, our borrowing numbers have increased dramatically.
Reading isn't just about escaping reality; it's about understanding the world better. It fosters empathy, imagination, critical thinking, and creativity. When you open a book, you step into someone else's shoes, explore their world, and gain insights into the perspectives of others that enriches your own life. We also know that reading builds our own writing and literacy skills – it expands vocabulary, improves grammar and comprehension, sharpens analytical skills and stimulates our brain.
At times, when our own lives get busy, reading offers us many ways to disconnect, recharge and relax, all with the added, almost super-power benefits that reading brings. Find time for a book today.
This week, our Year 9 Somerset Scientists explored an ecological issue by using experimental analogs.
Students identified and researched the environmental impact of human beings, designing an experiment to simulate ecological effects in a laboratory environment.
This data will be used to design a poster to be presented at the Somerset Science Awards Evening.
These findings will then inform our scientists' research reports, becoming true ecological experts in their chosen field.
Who knows, this year 9 Science Poster may be the first step towards a future PhD research poster.
Located on the third floor of the Design Centre, the Coworking Hub is the perfect place to punch out some emails or finish that pesky client brief while waiting for your child to finish sports practise or a music lesson.
Open from 8.00am to 6.00pm each school day, the Coworking Hub is designed for quiet, independent work of an ad-hoc nature. It features an indoor (air-conditioned!) space and an outdoor space overlooking the Towers Quad, perfect for taking phone calls and group meetings.
You can sign up through Schoolbox just like getting a gym membership, with a $100 membership fee and associated swipe card for access to the space. There is free wi-fi and excellent coffee and snacks are served at Café Mackenzie or at the Bird and Bush.
I look forward to seeing more of you here!
Somerset College Rowing has taken on the NSW State Championships, gaining some Olympic spirit.
In the pursuit of excellence, the Somerset College Rowing programme selected a Spartan Squad and headed to the NSW State Rowing Championships in Penrith on the weekend of 9 to 11 February. For athletes it was their first opportunity to compete at the Olympic venue and mix with Australian Representatives and World Champions. With over 60 schools competing from across Australia, it was the second largest regatta in Australia behind the National Championships.
The Spartan Squad exhibited remarkable prowess throughout the Championships, with several personal achievements highlighting their dedication and training. The team strived for personal best performances in various categories, showing the effectiveness of their training. For four months athletes have monitored their heart rate in training, increased the volume of work each week and rehearsed their race plan. A highlight was the Under 17 Women’s Quad that drew the toughest of heats and were narrowly beaten in their heat by two of the crews that would go on to medal.
Somerset College's Rowing programme places a strong emphasis on teamwork and dedication, and these values were on full display during the NSW State Rowing Championships. The athletes demonstrated not only their individual skills but also their ability to work seamlessly as a unit, a crucial element in the sport of rowing. The camaraderie and mutual support within the team were evident, contributing to their success on the water.
As the Spartan Squad relay their experience from the NSW State Rowing Championships and the excitement of seeing the sport at its highest level, the focus now shifts to the local competition and lifting the standard in the South Queensland Schools Conference. The motivation is there to build on this momentum, bring in new rowers, find success at the Trophy regatta in June and strive to become School State Champions in September, when the Spartans will head to Rockhampton to take on the rest of the State.
The All Schools State Championship took place under the hot and windy conditions of Hervey Bay on February 9, 2024.
Out of the 16 Somerset students and/or Somerset Triathlon Club representatives who qualified in the Kawana Regionals in late October, 15 athletes participated in the race. Our Spartans showcased outstanding performances. Five of our athletes have been invited to represent Queensland at the All Schools Nationals in Western Australia in March. A few other participants came very close, only seconds away from qualification.
Somerset College has a young, vibrant, and highly successful Triathlon programme that has grown from its implementation in 2019. We are 2020 and 2024 Regional All Schools Champion school, and 2023 Queensland Club Vice-champions. Members add to more than 40 athletes between students, staff, and parents divided into Development and Performance groups.
The Development group includes athletes with a recreational interest in triathlon and the Performance group aims for State and National standard competitions. Head Coach Glauber Scattolini Correa sees great reward in the diverse athlete group delivering such amazing results.
“Today, 75% of our performance-focused group has reached State standard and 40% National standard results. The programme’s efficiency has not put aside the family-oriented environment we cultivate in training and local races,” our Head Coach explains when inviting any Somerset student Years 3 to 12 to join the Triathlon co-curricular programme and proudly represent the College.
Somerset College has introduced the 2024 Strength & Conditioning Programme in the newly renovated Craig Bassingthwaighte Centre Gym.
Alongside the launch of the newly renovated gym in The Craig Bassingthwaighte Centre, we have launched the new Strength & Conditioning Programme structure for 2024. This structure sees squad-based session allocation times for Students in Senior School. Each College Student falls into a ‘Squad’- whether it is a ‘Sport-Specific’ Squad or a ‘Non-Sport Specific Squad’.
Our Staff Strength & Conditioning Team has expanded to five experienced and passionate coaches and each Squad Session is allocated one, if not two coaches. We are excited by the fact that for Term One we have over 260 Student Attendances to our Sport-Specific Squad sessions and 60 attendees in our Non Sport-Specific Squads,.
Students can sign up to ‘Non Sport-Specific’ Squads at any time throughout the term.
All registration information has been posted on SchoolBox. We encourage anyone and everyone to come along!
This year the Somerset College Track & Field programme has introduced a Spartan Park Run on Monday mornings from 7.00am to 8.00am. After the first four weeks of term, numbers have increased to more than 65 people, consisting mainly of students, a dozen or so parents and a smattering of staff.
Leaving from the Koala House car park, the Spartan Park Run takes participants over the road to Somerset Park and around several different courses of varying difficulty. The ‘Chase Group’ has a 2-kilometre loop, whilst the ‘Challenge Group’ can choose between a 3 or 4-kilometre option and for those daring enough they can take on the ‘Championship Course’ of just over 5-kilometre.
Our goal is to get students moving and active early in the school week, as well as promoting personal achievement in conjunction with a community spirit. Rumour has it that if we get over 100 participants, that our Headmaster may make an appearance and join in on the fun.
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