"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
"Lest We Forget."
For ANZAC day this year, 213 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) joined war veterans, military personnel, Currumbin RSL club members and general public in commemorating the fallen soldiers of wars gone by.
Elephant Rock - Dawn Service
We were up at 1.30am for 3.00am rollcall in SD (Service Dress) uniform at Currumbin RSL, our squadron holding close ties with this RSL, we loaded into buses for Currumbin Wildlife sanctuary to marshal for a short but very respectful march of honour to the service at the rock.
We were joined by a Flotilla (Navy lingo for Squadron) of Navy Cadets where we all weren’t allowed to move or break formation for around two-hours from then until the service ending. This takes effort, was a great exercise in self-discipline and focus because we had to control our movement and mentally push through the inconvenience of standing up straight for so long.
Simply being involved in this event where we get to show our respect towards past and present soldiers who serve or served is the highlight. Being recorded by the press (Channel 7 News) marching and standing still in formation also a proud moment.
Having a fly-over of both a Spitfire (UK) and a P51 Mustang (USA) was great however later, during the Mid-Morning Service at Currumbin, a Super Hornet buzzed us at 500 feet flying over the Currumbin RSL which was very cool.
All the performances offered great singing with some classics such as, The White Cliffs of Dover by Vera Lynn or, I Was Only 19 by The Herd being performed. Luckily at 4.30am, the rain showers and wind had stopped and apart from a couple of light sprays, the service was dry for us all.
Currumbin RSL - Mid-Morning Service
Back to Currumbin RSL we headed to have our breakfast (bacon and egg roll) and coffee to ready ourselves for the Mid-Morning Service which is even more formal and intimate focused on local military service personnel, especially the fallen.
At the beginning of the Service, there was a massive march at 11.00am, much bigger than what we did at 4.30am, conducted by the Cadets, the event organisers and army veterans.
I was lucky enough to be selected to carry one of the four country flags (UK) which also placed us at the lead of the march behind the old Willy jeeps who were carrying the elders who could not march.
Other Cadets were selected to hold signs for different wars with different veterans who had participated forming in behind them. We had a role not just to march but to lead. The Super Hornet flew overhead during this which just added to the amazing atmosphere of what was happening.
After the march, the four Flag Bearers formed a ‘Banner Party’ to march onto and behind the ANZAC memorial with the ‘Catafalque Party’ (Flags versus Rifles). We stood there for the remainder of the service, proudly representing the AAFC and the countries of Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
ANZAC day is a day of commemoration and a say of service to the local community. It was awesome to be in a massive group who look out for each other and do things together yet we are a mix of kids for various backgrounds.
Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC)
AAFC is a substantially fully funded branch of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) offering youth like me loads of opportunities; outdoor camping activities known as Bivouacs in military-only areas where we learn the ability to navigate and survive on seriously bare essentials, and even shoot rifles.
And then there is the flying, both gliders and powered aircraft where some of us will be chosen at age 15 to join flight school whereby we will work towards securing our pilot’s licence.
What’s my favourite past-time? Living on base at Amberley where for a week you live like everyone else on base. Food in the canteen is good, free ice cream a treat. I also enjoyed last year representing 2-Wing Band (Queensland) in performing in Australian national virtual concerts activities.
Cadets isn’t for everyone but what I get and give from it is respect and support for or from each other. Cadets is about team, there is no ‘I’ in what we stand for. All of us benefit from the collective work our leaders put in and the huge investment the ADF gives AAFC each year. I enjoy and benefit from my journey like I have already completed my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze medal. As for my end destination, that’s unknown but lessons learnt through my time in cadets will be invaluable including great memories.
The Year 11 cohort has proven to be resilient sailors in the toughest of conditions. As part of the Year 11 leadership programme, undertaken once a fortnight over the course of the year, students have been learning about leadership styles and undertaking activities to build their skills in collaboration, learning how to support and motivate others, communicate effectively, and understanding their own and each other’s strengths.
The first term of these sessions culminated in a House raft building challenge which took place this week in the school pool. Each House split into teams of ‘Engineers’ and ‘Sailors’ with the Engineers tasked to use various pieces of equipment, from wooden planks to pool noodles and empty barrels, to lash together a raft in 15 minutes. After this time, it was up to the Sailors to do a relay sail/swim/sink across the pool four times.
All teams did an incredible job using what simple equipment they had to construct a range of raft designs, all while the rain poured down! Thankfully the skies cleared for the sailors to cast off with Andrews House leading all the way and doing an amazing job working together to win the Golden Paddle trophy. Starkey and Veivers followed close behind despite Starkey’s raft threatening to completely disintegrate at one point.
All in all, the Year 11s had a great time and supported each other in a most impressive way. Well done to all students who gave it a go despite the weather without any complaint and with smiles on their faces. Thank you to David Maskell for helping with the set up and safety, Ms Lee, Ms Green, Mr Whish-Wilson, Mr Healy, Mr Kolokihakaufisi, and Mr Butcher for supporting the students and enabling this activity. And thanks to Ms Higgs and Mr Peel for braving the weather to document the fun. Year 11 can now look forward to Leadership Day in the final week of this term.
Entries are now open for students to register to perform at this year's Somerset Festival for Young Peformers, coming up in August. Performers of all levels are invited to dance, act, play or sing in a relaxed environment to an encouraging audience.
This festival is open to students from the wider Gold Coast region and further afield as well as overseas. Entrants are encouraged to perform in a variety of areas including vocal, instrumental, and speech and drama.
The 2022 Festival will include a virtual festival (for performers who reside more than 150km from Somerset College) along with our two-day Festival in August. The aim is to provide an opportunity for our many young performers, who are eager to showcase their talents.
Would you like to sponsor? Sponsorship opportunities available for individual sections, for more information, email Helen Little our Festival Director.
Click HERE to view the Syllabus for performances on campus or virtually.
Click HERE to register.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Somerset Festival for Young Performers!
It’s been a busy few weeks for Somerset Chess players with the events coming thick and fast! At the start of the holidays, a Gold Coast Junior Rapid event was held with nine Somerset students taking part: Oscar Credland-Ballantyne, Harrison Qu, Paris Liu, Annika Lim, Ruhara and Sanaaya Mapabandara, Jenson Turner, Gary Fei and Paul Sang Yum.
Oscar was the top performer with 5.5/7 in a strong field to finish = seventh. Harrison, Paris, Annika and Ruhara all scored 5/7, with Jenson scoring 4.5/7. Sanaaya and Gary both scored 4/7 whilst our youngest player Paul scored 3/7.
In the Queensland Reserves and Tin Cup Championships, four Somerset players took part. Jared Consiglio-Cockle and Aarav Rawlley both scored 3.5/6, with Oscar Credland-Ballantyne scoring 3/6 and Paris Liu in her first ever long time control event scoring 2/6.
The Gold Coast Easter Cup was on Thursday and eight Somerset players took part. Harrison Qu was the star finishing = first (second on count-back) with 8/9, whilst Paul Sang Yum scored 5/9 to win his rating group. Oscar Credland-Ballantyne scored 7/9 in another excellent performance, whilst Gary Fei, Ethan Dai, Taya Liu, Kelly Lau and Diella Lee all took part and did well.
Over Easter, a small group of Somerset students travelled to Canberra to play in the prestigious Doeberl Cup tournament. In the Minor division (Under 1600 rating), Jared Consiglio-Cockle scored 4/7, Aarav Rawlley scored 3/7 and Alessandro Martinese scored 2.5/7. In the Saturday night Blitz event, Byron Morris scored 4.5/9, with Jared and Aarav both scoring 3.5.
The April Cookies Rapids was held on the weekend with Eason Wang making a successful return to the board, scoring 6/7 to win the overall event! Harrison Qu scored 4/7 with Oscar Credland-Ballantyne scoring 3.5/7.
Term Two is another busy term, with Interschool – Junior and Senior, the Junior School Championship, and many weekend events being held. A great way to get some practice for these events is via the Friday afternoon chess club (3.30pm to 5.30pm) which can be registered for as follows:
Years 1 to 3: Register via The Hub and select Chess as the activity
Years 4 to 12: Register at https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/gardinerchess/camp-details/136
Upcoming Events
Not sure if an event is suitable for your child? Email Andrew to discuss.
Queensland Junior Ratings
The latest Queensland Junior Ratings have just been released with some excellent results for Somerset students. Aarav Rawlley was the top improver going up 83 points, whilst Harrison Qu was the top junior with +64. Jared Consiglio-Cockle +46, Paris Liu +44, William Zhao +40, Aaron Lim +23 and Oscar Credland-Ballantyne +20 all had significant gains. We also welcome the following students to the list: Laurens Brisbane, Paul Sang Yum, Gary Fei, Ashton Jennings and Jeremy Zhang.
Almost all of these students have been regular attendees at the Friday afternoon sessions, showing it’s value to the chess programme at Somerset.
March Fitness Member of the Month goes to, Madeline Trimble!
Maddie is one of the hardest working clients a Personal Trainer could wish for.
She is truly dedicated and committed to her sessions each week and applies herself 100%. Maddie always looks for that extra session to help improve her health and fitness and never shies away from hard work.
Maddie is a true asset to the Somerset Gym community.
The Junior and Senior School State Swimming Titles were held in Brisbane from Monday 21 to Saturday 26 of March. Somerset College had two Junior School students – Charlie Henrison and Lachlan Talbot - swim at the titles, while there were 10 Senior School students – Leny Grigor, Martin Hembling, Tristan Song, Jake Tickle, Bessie Dear, Holly Hembling, Sasha Henrison, Milla Jansen, Olympia Pope and Aveline Rounsley - competing.
In addition to the College students at the Titles, the Somerset Swim Club also had 10 Junior School competitors as well as 16 Senior School competitors.
There were some outstanding results at the Meet.
The following swimmers all won events:
Olympia Pope (14 years) – State Champion in 50m, 100m, 200m Breaststroke breaking the Queensland record in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke.
Milla Jansen (16 years) – State Champion in 50m, 100m Freestyle breaking the Queensland record in the 50m and 100m Freestyle.
Holly Hembling (15 years) - State Champion in 50m, 100m Breaststroke
Maya Zunker (13 years) - State Champion in 50m Breaststroke breaking the Queensland record in both the heat and again in the final.
Zahri Jarrett (13 years) State Champion in 200m Freestyle
Matilda Grimson (13 years) State Champion in 100m, 200m Backstroke
Sebastine Du Preez (18 years) State Champion in the MC 100m Breaststroke
Summer Johnston (12 years) State Champion in the 50m Freestyle
There were a host of medallists from both the College and Club and these swimmers were: Leo Herbst (10 years), Maximus Truman (12 years), Summer Johnston (12 years), Bessie Dear (15 years), Anabelle Aulert (14 years), Sebastine Du Preez (18 years), Matilda Grimson (13 years), Zahri Jarrett (13 years), Isabelle Sly (15 years), Maya Zunker (13 years), Leny Grigor (13 years), Olympia Pope (14 years), Sasha Henrison (15 years) and Holly Hembling (15 years).
In addition to this, the following swimmers made it to the finals in their main events which is a great achievement: Dominic Fletcher (11 years), Amelia Hart (12 years), Makyra Melo (10 years), Charlie Henrison (12 years), Joshua Cimini (16 years), Cady Daniels (16 years), Zarah Farrington (13 years), Ciara Fay (16 years), Charlotte Gavenlock (13 years), Gisele Howard (15 years), Frankie Leonardi (14 years), Luka Leonardi (15 years), Jessica Melo (13 years), Lacey Strachan (13 years), Tristan Song (17 years), Jake Tickle (13 years) and Aveline Rounsley (16 years).
In the Junior School, the following swimmers were selected onto the Queensland State Team to compete at the National Titles in Brisbane later this year: Leo Herbst, Summer Johnston and Maximus Truman. While in the Senior School, swimmers gaining automatic selection for the Queensland Team were: Sebastine Du Preez, Matilda Grimson, Zhari Jarrett, Maya Zunker, Olympia Pope, Milla Jansen, and Holly Hembling. Additional swimmers can/will be added to the Senior School Queensland team based on overall team size.
There is a long list of State Champions (including multiple record breakers), medallists and finalists from this years’ events and a very hearty congratulations to all swimmers for their results as well as those that have gained selection to compete for their state later this year at the National Championships.
Well done swimmers and coaches!
The 2021-22 season was a roller-coaster of emotions for our Spartan triathletes. We started back in July with a few courageous athletes racing the cold and windy Toowoomba Duathlon. A few months later the squad had already doubled in numbers with the inclusion of the Junior School programme, Years 4 to 6.
The new generation of triathletes attentively observed our best Spartans qualify for the State Championships and come back from Hervey Bay with amazing results and qualifications for Nationals. We sadly watched some of our triathletes go and happily welcomed newcomers, always grateful for the opportunity to share each step of the triathlon journey.
The first weekend of April is traditionally crowned by the Gold Coast Triathlon. This year, the race went back to the Broadwater Parklands venue, giving the athletes a taste of one of the most famous triathlon racecourses in Australia. We had a mix of athletes, staff, and parents racing, as well as friends of Somerset who have joined our squad. The latest challenges faced by everyone at Somerset did not spare our triathletes with many watching from home. The decreased number at the race, did not impact the outstanding performances with our Juniors dominating Day 1 of competition and a handful of podiums on Day 2.
If you have the endurance blood running through your veins do not hesitate and join us in Term Two. Our triathletes are already training for the 22-23 Season with some participating at the Byron Bay Triathlon on May 7. Stay tuned to Somerset Spartan’s Instagram for the Byron footage. Below are some of the best images from the Gold Coast Triathlon.
The Somerset Spartans Football Club was invited by the Brisbane Roar to send 20 students to an A League match between the Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory.
On April 25, ANZAC Day the Somerset Spartans Under 9s headed to Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe.
In addition to watching the match, 20 students played small-sided games during the half time break. We saw 11 players also selected as player mascots while all students took part in the Half Time Heroes activity.
The match ended in a 1-all but for our footballers what counted was the opportunity to see professional football up close!
Thank you to Coach Kydra and Coach Keita who gave up their free time and made the day unforgettable for our students.
Thank you to all the parents for joining us; we hope you enjoyed the day!
For any questions about Football and Futsal, please contact our Head of Football and Futsal Maarten De Kruijf.
Type on the line above then press the Enter/Return key to submit a new search query