In Week 7 of Term One, our Year 9 cohort departed on a journey of a lifetime!
We travelled by bus to the Scenic Rim. In the Scenic Rim we stayed at two campsites, Lake Moogerah Dam, and Moogerah Lakeside Bush Retreat. The camping experience offered physical, mental and moral challenges. These challenges developed varieties of new skills. We learnt how to pitch tents and how to use trangias to make dinner.
The objectives of the camp were to develop initiative, personal responsibility, self-confidence and understanding.
The activities we did included hiking, sailing, canoeing, mountain biking and stand-up paddle boarding. Overall, the new experience was refreshing for everyone and allowed the development of multiple skills we can use in day-to-day schooling life.
College Captains, Ava McCarthy and Ben Major recently took time out of their study schedule to meet with our youngest Somerset students.
The Pre-Preps were so grateful to our Captains for visiting and sharing their time.
It was evident they enjoyed the experience as they were heard later in the day chatting to their parents about it.
The Somerset P&F Business Directory is an excellent opportunity to showcase your business and service to our Somerset community.
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The Queensland Beach Volleyball Schools Cup is an annual competition that brings together young athletes across the state to compete in Beach Volleyball. This tournament is open to both boys and girls in year levels 7 to 12 and is designed to promote the sport and provide opportunities for young players to develop their skills.
Schools Cup is organised by Volleyball Queensland and this year there were over 390 teams competing from schools all over the state. The competition is held over several days on beautiful Coolangatta Beach, with 42 courts set up for the event. Teams play a time limited, best of three set matches to determine the winner of each game.
This year Somerset College sent almost 40 students who competed in pairs and fours across a variety of different age groups.
On a Sunday, teams battled through the pool play section of the draw in wet conditions with the top two from each pool making it through to quarter finals the next day.
The Year 9 Girls team played outstanding volleyball picking up two wins with inspirational serving from Natalia Zotti and strong net play from Amelie Dunford as some of the highlights. The girls managed to pull off one of their wins in golden point after scores were level at the end of time. Livi Budd and Daisy Symons played amazing volleyball to secure the win in the last rally of the match. On Monday the girls continued on their winning ways eventually finishing fifth overall.
The Year 8 Boys fielded two teams in both pairs and fours. Philip He and Tima Korin played in what was arguably the toughest division, Year 8 pairs. They fought and battled against some very strong opposition. The team of four were able to make it to the quarter finals before losing to a strong team from King's Christian College.
Year 10 boys fielded the biggest group with four pairs playing in that division. All teams played amazingly well with two teams making it to the quarter finals on day two both finishing inside the top eight in the state. Lachie Mathieson played some outstanding volleyball and did not drop a set to their opposition during pool play.
The Year 11 pair of Jaden Lee and Morgan Craig showed great improvement winning two games on Sunday in another tough division.
The Year 7 students join in for their one-day tournament on the Monday with lots of smiles and comradery displayed from all students. The Year 7 girls team consisting of Lucy Pluss, Sara Gacina Richardson, Ailin Zhao and Jorja Grocott played flawless volleyball all day, not dropping a single set and being awarded the gold medal and the title as State Champions.
A massive thank you the Paris Johnston and Issy Garland for your amazing coaching and guidance with the students. A special mention to all of the parents who helped throughout the weekend with an extra special mention to Eli Mathieson who kept the students hydrated and fed throughout the two days.
After three successful Futsal Club Seasons, our fourth season commenced in October 2022. This season we had a total of 80 students playing for the Somerset Spartans Futsal Club. The Under 8 Boys and Under 10 Girls playing in the Robina League, the Under 9, Under 10 and Under 15 boys played Futsal in the Carrara League.
All our teams played 10 matches before the Christmas break. During the December and January school holidays our Futsal Club provided optional training sessions. Our club was very pleased seeing so many students at training during the school holidays. During the holiday training sessions, students improved their technical skills and tactical knowledge of the game.
Somerset Spartans were represented across four teams in the Gold Coast Futsal Robina competition. Many gruelling matchups were played across the 14-week season with some students representing the Futsal club for the very first time. The conclusion of the regular season saw the Somerset Green team (James, Harry, Harrison, Padra, Harley, Oliver, Wolf and Edmund) crowned minor premiers, managing an impressive nine wins and two draws from just 14 games.
The green team would go on to play Somerset Purple (Mayuko, Arianna, Imogen, Audrey, Soren and Mia) in a blockbuster semi-final. Thank you to Edie, Oliver and Robin available for helping out due to absence from Soren and Mia. Despite some persistent attacking efforts from Harrison Cordner and Edmund Lee, the purple team prevailed victorious with a brace from sisters Audrey and Eddie. The Purple team would progress to the grand final where they would face competition frontrunners- Palm Beach. Tied-up at nil-all after 36 minutes of play, Robin Wang produced a game-changing one-on-one save, denying a swift Palm Beach counterattack. Shortly after, Mayuko Takahata opened Somerset's account, finishing a breakaway opportunity with composure and finesse. Momentum would swing Somerset's way, with a second goal coming shortly after, securing a 2-nil win for the Spartans and a maiden grand final victory for the girls.
Congratulations to Somerset purple and to all Spartans on a fantastic and rewarding Futsal season.
Presley, Harlan, Jack S, Jack D, William, Romeo, Hugo and Jacob
Robin, Chloe, Edie, Alex, Evie, Dylan, Warren and Oliver
Written by Kydra Walden, Coach - Futsal
Somerset Spartans were represented across four teams in the Gold Coast Futsal Carrara competition. Many exciting fixtures were played out across the space of 14 weeks, with our Spartans proving to be a polished and competitive outfit. The conclusion of the regular season saw the Somerset Blue team (Louis, Ethan, Sion, Hunter, Sam, Kai and Knox) crowned minor premiers. The blue team would go on to play Galaxy FC in a high scoring semi-final. Meeting the Blue team in the final would be the Somerset Green team (Sebastian, Johnny, Zach, Ruben, Dylan, Franklin and Denham), coming off the back of an emphatic win against competition frontrunners- the Burleigh Bulldogs.
An all-Somerset final proved to be a thrilling matchup with the Blue team taking an early lead courtesy of Louis Hodge. Their lead was solidified shortly-after, thanks to a cracking half-volley from Sam Thompson. However, the Green team were quick to respond. Relentless pressure from Johnny Ratcliffe saw the ball sneak into the back of the net on more than one occasion, along with some composed finishes from Denham Barry. Late in the second half, both teams found themselves locked at 6-all. Unwavering defence from Zach Sanders and Sion Kim meant it was still anyone’s game! Eventually, the Blue teams patience would be rewarded through a killer pass from Knox Black, capped off by a quality strike from Louis. Back-to-back goals meant the game would finish 8 to 6 in favour of the Blue team, concluding a grand final for the ages!
Congratulations to both Somerset Blue and Green, and to all Spartans on a fantastic and rewarding Futsal season.
Mayuko, Arianna, Matilda, Thomas, Yuvi and Jesse
Harrison, Rafferty, Patrick, Lachlan, Jad, Levi and Brayden
- Kydra Walden, Coach - Futsal
At the beginning of October, I had the opportunity to join the Somerset Futsal Club for the first time, taking the Under 10 boys teams. I have to say the quality each week at training and games was always at a fantastic quality, the commitment from the players created a great environment for the club.
Each week every player provided a great representation for the school in the Carrara Futsal League. This showed when two out of our four Under 10 teams qualified for the finals. Both teams displayed high quality Futsal with one of our teams knocking out the league winners to progress to the Grand Final.
Ultimately both teams won their games to create an all-Somerset Grand Final, a great achievement by the players and a true highlight of all the hard work during the season! I’d like to thank all the parents for their support and look forward to another great season this year.
James, Oliver, Benedict, Connor, Edward and Max
William, Andrew, Paxton, Henry, Danny and Hugo
Harry, Josh, Izaak, Bertrand, Ashton and Jay
- Written by Jonathon Pritchard
At the conclusion of the season, our Head of Football and Futsal, Coach Maarten, organised a presentation day. All students received their team photos and medals. As an extra activity, all students played the Parents vs Students match. It was great seeing all parents playing and showing their skills to their sons and daughters.
I want to thank all students, parents, supporters, coaches, and volunteers for a great Futsal season. We hope to see you all gain next year.
For any questions in regards Football and Futsal. Please contact our Head of Football and Futsal. Maarten de Kruijf:
mdekruijf@somerset.qld.edu.au
Amazing results from our Spartan triathletes have made our Head Coach happy.
Mooloolaba (QLD) and Devonport (TAS) came close together this week united by the best triathletes in the country. While the Sunshine Coast hosted Standard Distance Age Group Nationals at Mooloolaba over the weekend, Tassie hosted the School Sport National Triathlon Championship this Wednesday and Thursday. Both championships had successful Spartans on the podium.
At its 31st edition, the Mooloolaba Triathlon was held over two days. On Saturday, William Warwick had an amazing race coming fourth overall out of 1158 competitors. He was first out of the water in the 16 to 19 age group and had a solid cycle/run performance overcoming the challenging rolling hills course. On the final kilometers of the run, Keanu Staader from NSW held the pace winning by a small difference to Will who came second in the 16 to 19 Sprint males. Sunday arrived with +30o temperature and high humidity.
Mrs Carrie Smith and our assistant coach Mrs Taryn Lester ignored the rough conditions and had outstanding performances. Mrs Smith came third in her age group and Mrs Lester was again Standard Distance National Champion.
The School Sport Australia National Triathlon Championship was also held over two days. On Wednesday athletes races solo their respective age group races and on Thursday they join to represent their state at the Mixed Team relays. Aspen Anderson (GCRC) was unbeatable and continues to show her superiority in endurance sports. She came 6th out of the water and quickly made her way up the pack to lead the race. A 17:49min 5km run guaranteed the win almost one minute ahead of also Queenslander Charlotte Hart and two minutes ahead of Alexandra Field from NSW.
Joshua Cotton was eighth after an impressive race won by Joel Humphrey also from QLD. Mitchell Blackburn (NSW) and Joel Offord (NSW) completed the odium coming second and third. The boys' race had a front pack of 10 athletes on the bike, and despite the repeated breakaway efforts from Josh, it came down to a running race. Less than a minute separated the Top 8; Josh had an impressive 16:32min for the 5km off the bike and was thrilled with his performance. Lucas Soegaard won the Junior Boys with a close race for the Top 3. Leif Ingwersen (NSW) finished only four seconds behind and Koby Read (QLD) completed the podium. After an intense swim focused training block, Lucas chose a non-wetsuit swim and was sixth out of the water; not having to remove the wetsuit gave him the needed advantage to go off for a solo ride around 10-seconds ahead of the second pack. Adaption to his cycling cadence over the last minutes of the cycle leg allowed him a fast second transition and a massive sprint off to the run segment guaranteeing the win.
As we head to the end of a very successful season, the Spartan triathletes prepare for the traditional Gold Coast Triathlon on April 2 and 3. Triathlon training is year-round and students interested in joining should take the off-season training as a great opportunity to start.
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