Our Outdoor Programme aims to assist in the slow and gentle journey from young child to young adult and the journey will involve a transition from dependence to independence. From being totally directed to needing initiative. From comfort to some discomfort. From working as an individual to needing to be part of a team.
In an age when every piece of the curriculum puzzle is scrutinised and many schools are avoiding the challenge of an Outdoor Programme, the value is consistently reaffirmed through the obvious growth from the students in their brief time away.
Three nights from home can be a little disconcerting for some of our young students. I have a suspicion that student’s homesickness is sometimes outweighed by parents missing their children. It is always comforting when a student feels the pangs of anxiety, that a quick phone call home, followed by a little loving support from Mrs Rowe has the students smiling again and ready to embrace another night away from their comfy beds.
Hopefully by Thursday last week, our new students felt like they have been at Somerset forever and our older students feel like they’ve made some new friends.
Based on their engagement in the activities I certainly couldn’t tell who was new and who were the existing students. One new student made a point of telling me, “... everyone at Somerset is so friendly.”
I guess starting at a new school can be a stressful time and I'm proud of our students when I see them make everyone feel so welcome.
The weather gods shone on us this year, with warm days and cool evenings to make sleep more possible.
From the start on Monday (where setting up a tent and sharing that tiny space with a new friend is a big challenge), to the adventure based activity days on Monday afternoon, Tuesday and Wednesday, through to our House activity day on Thursday (where the student leaders join us in a day of activity), all students embraced the challenges with good humour through sleep deprivation and tiredness that would have challenged an SAS recruit.
For students whose ages range from 11 to 12, the prospect of leaping from a perfectly solid platform, 8-metres off the ground into thin air, on the 'Leap of Faith'. Or allowing yourself to be hoisted high above the ground to self- release on the Giant Swing, can be met with catatonic fear, yet this year all students gave every activity an attempt and many overcame extreme fears to undertake the challenges on offer, whether that be archery, mountain biking or damper making.
It isn’t just the tree climbing activities that provide avenues for growth. While adventure activities challenge students to overcome fear and ultimately gain a real sense of accomplishment without the stress of competition. It’s often the small things that provide some of the most valuable life lessons. Students setting the table for others, cleaning off their plates, pouring drinks for their table, cleaning the bathrooms, assisting others with their tents, planning their own clothes for the week, organising their toiletries, etcetera. While these skills are simple, they are often taken for granted yet they do need to be learnt at some point. Often the consequences of being lackadaisical at home are not critical but on camp the consequences can cause real discomfort and a lesson not easily forgotten.
This cohort of Year 7 were outstanding in their willingness to work together, undertake new challenges and embrace the camp experience.
Congratulations Year 7. You are delightful group and I look forward to enjoying your company for the next six years.
This will be incorporated with the operations of clubs and committees, providing students with the tools to thrive with a busy life.
Using the Lord’s guidance, we hope to create new traditions in Somerset Colleges Chaplaincy programmes; encouraging and supporting all students. We plan to help our peers grow, learn and uplift one another, to create positive relationships that can last a lifetime. By understanding the importance of coming together in worship, we strive to become positive leaders, who are approachable and can lead by example.
If you have any ideas or would like to be involved throughout the year, please see us in the BLC or send us an email!
Whether it is joining a committee, being a part of a House Fundraiser or partaking in one of the organised local or national service-learning projects, there are countless service activities to get involved with. The amazing experiences offered to Somerset students provide a chance to give back to our community and create meaningful impact and change.
Together, by committing to service, we can understand, share, explore and learn more about each other and the world we live in. Service is known to have benefits on one’s own wellbeing as we look beyond ourselves and learn about the responsibility we have when living in a community. Especially in the past year, we have been reminded of the power of compassion and how this sense of humanity can help us create a better global community.
The 6,000+ hours of service that student volunteers accumulated last year and approximately $40,000 raised by our entire community is testament to the generous and thoughtful nature of students, staff, parents and friends. By committing to service, both inside and outside the College, we all learn important skills and challenge ourselves. From planning, to engaging, meeting new people, learning new things, developing empathy for others and international mindedness there is something everyone can get involved and have fun with. These opportunities are highlighted in our IMPACT booklet here.
This year, we hope to have lots of fun new experiences, build new friendships and make a difference both within and outside the Somerset community.
We both look forward to working with everyone on their service journey as we come together in 2021 to serve our community with those in need.
Importantly, the workshops included activities to develop 21st century skills like innovation, ideation, creativity and collaboration, which are at the heart of the Queensland and International Baccalaureate curriculums.
A big thank you must go to the University of Queensland and to Study Queensland for their support of the workshops. More information about these workshops can be found by visiting the Study Queensland website.
The students had the following to say about their experience:
Parents within our community who celebrate Lunar New Year came and joined our special celebration. They also helped decorate our classroom with lots of 福 (Fú, meaning ‘fortune’ or ‘good luck’) and golden nuggets. Students enjoyed watching the lion dance performance on Lunar New Year Day last Friday. An aquarium has been set up in the Mandarin classroom with some goldfish for extra good luck in the new year!
May the Year of Ox bring good fortune and prosperity to everyone in our community!
Grace Frawley and Zoe Perry both competed at the Nambour Pony Club Showjumping Equitation and Show Jumping competition recently. It was the first event for the pony club season and both girls were awarded reserve champions of their respective age groups in the jumping equitation on Saturday.
Both girls rode well in the show jumping on Sunday, to place in the top five for most of their rounds.
In one of Grace's rounds she forgot the last jump but her fellow competitors in her age group, brought it to her attention and pointed out which jump she missed in a heartening display of true sporting spirit. It was encouraging to see teenage girls supporting each other out and showing camaraderie, compassion and consideration.
We have four weeks until the Queensland Championships (11 to 14 March) where we will have a very strong group of athletes competing for Ignition (hopefully our own Somerset Club this time next year!). We also have quite a few more athletes who are currently preparing for the State Championships as well.
U20 - Felix Jackson-King – Long Jump (2nd) 7.20m - Diaz Henry – 100m (2nd) 12.14sec PB; Long Jump (2nd) 5.26m - Miku Adachi – 400m (4th) 1.02.44min U18 - Kade Reynoldson – Long Jump (3rd) 6.18m PB; 110mH (5th) 16.33sec PB; Javelin (2nd) 38.53m; 400m (2nd) 52.44sec PB - James Thompson – 100m (10th) 12.08sec (Pre-season Rugby is killing him at the moment!)- Lucy Twigg – 100m (2nd) 12.48sec PB - Britney Ingr – Long Jump (3rd) 5.57m - Sophie Clements – Long Jump (4th) 5.08m; 100m (12th) 13.75sec
Some excellent results above and I was very impressed with Diaz Henry in the 100m off minimal training. Felix hit a couple of big fouls and is very close to hitting the World Jnr Qualifying and Kade just keeps on improving with some very impressive results.
Alex Beck ran 400m Open (1st) 45.96sec – his 3rd fastest of his career and a great lead in to this weekend’s ACT Champs in Canberra where he will race Steve Solomon the Australian Champion; Ryan Neale (former Somerset student) 110mH Open (2nd) 14.92sec; Tyson Bonney 400m u20 (2nd) 47.24sec World Jnr Qualifying time. ALL future Somerset Athletics Club members!
A couple of the girls will be competing this weekend at the 3km State Championships – Indie and Starr. Then we have two more Shield competitions leading into the State and National Championships.
Under 8s were up against Dolphins and so the pressure was on from the get-go. Our boys displayed excellent team effort and gave Dolphins a consistent and strong fight. Although it was a 14 to 2 win to the Dolphins, the hard work and strong defence was evident.
Alex scored our first goal in the first half and Max took a second one in the later half! Some great goal keeping from Will and fair to say this was the best match from the boys this season! Way to go Blacks.
Somerset Under 8 Black went up against Magic Goals. It was another tough game for our players and while Magic Goals won the game at 15-nil, our players showed great team work, passing, dribbling, and goal keeping.
Keep up with the good stuff and good luck to the next game Blacks!
Under 8s, Alex, Izaak, Hugo, Henry, Benedict, Edward versed, Robina La Liga Futsal.
The Spartans emerged fired up, giving their typical 100 per cent commitment and enthusiasm. The boys have grown and developed as a team and as individuals during the season. This was a tough match with both teams showing considerable skills and tactics. There was some great attacking and defending, with the score 3-all at half time.
With the second half, both teams came out with renewed vigour. The Dolphins seemed to be more familiar with their positions, using the goalie position as a substitute bench. This may have helped give the Dolphins better coherence. They made good use of longer balls attacking the Somerset goal and found small gaps in the defence. Despite some valiant efforts and great individual performances from all the boys the Dolphins scored three more goals to the Spartan’s one.
The final score was 6 to 4 to the Dolphins.
The boys displayed great sportsmanship in the face of what was a more physical game than they are perhaps used to. Their sights will now be on working as a team in preparation for the final round match of the league and the knockout finals.
Our proud girls versed Somerset Orange. It was the best match ever!
In the first half, girls were busy defending and saving goals from Orange. They took a chance and turned to attack! Robin scored the first goal! Also, the girls were in action as goalkeepers, saving tons of shots.
In the second half, they took many chances and turned to attacks when finally, Mayuko scored a goal!
They were all in sync for the whole game. It was a fantastic game where we could see many signs of techniques and teamwork.
The Somerset Spartans Football Club has started their second and third week of training. For the 2021 season we are proud to announce that Somerset Spartans Football Club is accepted in the Football Gold Coast Junior Girls Competition.
Somerset already participated in the Miniroos Competition. This competition uses small sided games teams playing 4v4, 7v7 and 9v9 sides rather than the traditional 11v11 format to cater to 4 to 11-year old. The smaller fields, modified rules and fewer players leads to a more enjoyable game with more opportunities to be involved in the action.
The Football Gold Coast Junior Girls Competition play the 11v11 format. If you are interested to join our Girls Football Team. Please contact our Head of Football on mdekruijf@somerset.qld.edu.au
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