No. 10, Term Three, 2019

This camp was the best!!! I loved the beach walk and laughing with my friends.

I liked the trivia that we did on the night activity. I had my friends in my lodges and in my activity group. On the way to Lake Ainsworth I was as excited as a kid getting a Christmas present. In conclusion I enjoyed this trip to Lake Ainsworth, and I would love to go again.

Our group was the youngest in the audience and the only high school students attending. We were nervous we wouldn’t understand anything; however, we quickly became immersed in the fascinating concepts of dying constellations and the formation of stars. Perhaps the most interesting discovery was realising that our very own galaxy will collide with our larger spiralled neighbour, Andromeda, in 3.8 billion years.

Dr Harvey-Smith also discussed her own story and her pathway to becoming an author of, When Galaxies Collide and Under the Stars. We were able to meet her, purchase her books and even take a photo with her!

The knowledge we attained at the conference truly emphasised the opportunities associated with Science Committee. Our commitment and regular attendance gave us the chance to touch on astrophysics – the upcoming Year 10 physics unit! Listening to Lisa was truly out of this world and made us wonder if one day we will be able to witness the collision of galaxies or the formation of stars in our own sky..

Lily Peters of Year 8 was interviewed on radio station 92.5 Gold FM. She performed on their main stage at the Gold Coast Show over three days. During the interview, they asked questions about her recent performances at the Groundwater Country Music Festival in Broadbeach, her performance on the Toyota main stage at the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2019 where she qualified as a finalist from 450 buskers and won the People’s Most Popular Vote Award.

Lily performs at numerous shows, markets, restaurants and events and has won many accolades including the People’s Award at the Australian National Busking Championships in Noosa. She was recently selected to attend the CMAA Junior Academy of Country Music in Tamworth. Lily also won three first place vocal awards, in the Country, Contemporary and Musical categories at the Gold Coast Eistedford and finished second in the Agfactor Talent Quest with the final being held on the Main Stage at the Mudgeeraba Show with Casey Barnes judging. Lily’s just been announced in the artist lineup for Buskers By The Creek in October.

The Sustainable Spartans Teddy Bear Drive was an initiative introduced this year, with the aim of collecting pre-loved teddies which will be donated to Wildcare for the rehabilitation of rescued orphaned and sick joeys (including baby koalas and kangaroos) who love to cuddle teddies to make them feel safe and warm as they get better. Especially with the recent bushfires around the nation, everyone’s donations will have significant impacts on our native wildlife.

On behalf of the Sustainable Spartans, thank you again to everybody who donated. We would also like to extend our thanks to Green Heroes and Wildcare, who we worked closely with in running the drive. To find out more about exciting programs that connect children and youth to wildlife conservation, visit here for more!

The Reading Hour promotes the important role and place of reading in the lives of children. Not only is reading a fantastic relaxation activity, but research shows the critical role it plays in success at school and beyond, in building vocabulary, in building relationships, increasing our ability to show empathy and in reducing stress, even for adults. It's also something you can do anywhere, anytime.

On the last Thursday night of Term Three, we had children in pyjamas reading all over the KIP – in the Aaron Blabey Zone, the Hairy Maclary Corner, the Lucky Dip zone and wherever they chose to sit and read a book. A special thanks to our Year 6 volunteers for getting involved in the reading.

This year we had a special guest with author Jo Saunders reciting her rhyming picture story book, Pirate Princess. It's all about a little girl who is invited to her friend's Barbie Princess party, and she hates dressing up in princess clothes. She's a real tomboy and will only go to the party if she can wear her pirate suit! Jo, dressed up as a pirate, and Daisy Symons as an able assistant, 'performed' the story with props to an engaged audience of students and parents alike. It was certainly an amazing treat and captivated everyone.

Thank you to everyone who helped out on the night and to the KIP staff for their amazing organisation and energy. It really is so much more than just an hour of reading.

Mr Aitkenhead’s Visit

Mr Aitkenhead visited our classroom 16 September, to talk about how Somerset College began. I found out that buildings were named after special people such as the Aitkenhead building was named after Mr Aitkenhead and the Rowe building named after Mr Rowe. I then discovered only 150 students came to Somerset College when it opened and Mrs Kiddle was one of them!

After, Mr Aitkenhead told us that there used to be a lot of wallabies and platypus at Somerset College. It was very interesting learning about how Somerset College has changed.

Elijah Hadikusumo

Heritage Museum

Year 2 went to the Gold Coast Hinterland Heritage Museum for our Unit of Inquiry on 3 September. Firstly, I went in a group to the train station. We saw lots of war and train stuff. Next we went to the slab hut where we saw a bathtub that was very old, and we also saw very old beds.

After, we went to Oakey House. There was a very hard bed and next to it there was a mailbox and it was also used for cleaning your shoes. We then visited the big shed that had a general store and butcher's shop. They had a medicine box, Weetbix box and an item that was used for cleaning windows. At the other end of the shed was a tent where sometimes babies could have been born.

We then went across to Franklin House which had many things from an old house. There was a very big TV, an old toaster that could flip toast so it didn’t burn and a room full of typewriters. We got to have a go on them and practice our typing.

Finally we went to the school room where we sat on desks and listened to what the volunteer said. She said there was no homework because the students had lots of chores and there was only about 30 children in the whole school. I liked the Heritage Museum and I hope I can go again.

Chloe Tu

Year 2 Activities Day

Year 2 Activities Day was enjoyed by all on Friday 13 September. Firstly, in my group we did cartooning and an amazing artist came. She taught us how to draw fast and how to turn us how to draw fast and how to turn a mistake into something even better! Secondly, we went to Gecko Sports and we did lots of fun things. For example, we played poison ball. I stayed in for two rounds. It was so fun!

We the helped build the Great Wall of China out of paper bags at the Library with Mrs Zernike. First we coloured the paper bags with pastels. We drew things like soldiers, bits of the Great Wall and brazier. Braziers were used to send smoke signals when enemies were coming and also just to keep light. We made the Great Wall because we have been studying the Great Wall of China in the Library.

We then went to the back of the Roberts Centre and ate pizza. I ate Hawaiian pizza. After pizza we watched a movie, The Emperor’s New Groove. It was really funny!

Mia Brennan

The Pre-Preps then paired up with Senior School Science committee students who helped them conduct three simple experiments.

The Pre-Preps learnt so much from the visit and we certainly have some enthusiastic scientists on their journey at Somerset College.

Thank you to Science teachers Jacinta Hyman, Eleanor Amores, Head of Science Committee Luisa Ardill-Walker and the Senior Science committee students who gave up their lunchtime for this amazing experience for the Pre-Preps.

There was a range of different speakers on both days from those working in journalism, public relations and media advising – each speaker with different ideas and perspectives of topics discussed on the panels.

Topics discussed were current and brought up many current issues such as female portrayal in the media, female representation in leadership and women in the workplace. This was something that I felt was important to listen to as a young woman entering the workplace in the coming years. I was also able to listen in on a session about podcasting, a different form of writing and journalism, which was able to give me a better idea of the different ways I can apply my writing.

One thing that I will take away from the conference is the sense of empowerment that I felt by hearing such strong, brave and passionate women telling stories that would have otherwise been hidden from us. I walked away from the conference feeling very much inspired.

Futsal Club Update

After two training sessions, the Spartans Futsal players wanted to test themselves before the official competition is starting. Each team has played three games of 15 minutes. Each team has played versus Victory Futsal. This was a great challenge for the Spartans. Each team showed great effort in all their games.

On Saturday 21 September the season starts for all Under 8 teams. And for the Under 15 the season commence on Tuesday 24 September.

Somerset Spartans Futsal Club is entering a total of four teams in the Futsal Gold Coast Competition. Three Under 8 teams and one Under 15 team.

Please check out our Schoolbox Futsal page for more futsal information.

Futsal Lunchtime League

During lunchtime in Term Three, the indoor courts were booked for the Somerset Spartans Futsal League. Every Wednesday and Thursday the students played the popular game of Futsal.

Junior League

On Wednesday lunchtime the Year 4, 5 and 6 played their games. Teams existing of a maximum of seven players and each team needed to have two girls in their team. Teams played a total of six games during the term.

Congratulations to the Blue team on their Trophy. We hope to see all Year 6 students next year in the Senior Futsal League.

Senior League

With a total of three student teams and one staff team, the league was ready to start. In the group stage it was team XD that took the lead.

In the Final they were up against the staff team. The Staff team was represented by Royce Smith, Rhys Kemp, Zack McCoy-Davies, Carlos Palacios, Michael Fenson, and Maarten de Kruijf. In team XD we saw First XI Players Marcus Ware, Lachlan Gallagher, Mark Ritchie, Mitch Murdock, Abigail Kavanagh, and Georgia McNamara. Unfortunately, the students were missing Mitch Murdock in the final, due basketball commitments.

The final ended in 4 to 2 for the staff team.

Next year the Futsal league is back. Keep following our Schoolbox pages for the latest info.

A big thanks to our 2019 Winter Season Team Managers: Narelle Higgs, Justine Cirocco, Tim Bartley, Tracey Longfield, Kelly Partridge, Joanne Burnell, Rebecca Jackson, Rhyll McMullen, and Stewart Moore.

Special thanks for help at the presentation event:Somerset's Logistics and Events departments, Maintenance and our IT student helpers for their help setting up for us. Ranee Liu (U15 Benny's Mum) for her amazing moon cakes, Elvira Mathieson (Lachie's Mum) for her assistance and delicious donuts, Fe Taylor (Jude's Mum) for her help on the night, and Donovan Pearse (Ava, Luis and Maya's Dad) for doing such a great job on the BBQ. Thank you to all others who helped out on the night too!

All of the coaches received gifts as a sign of appreciation for all the time and effort they put in for us.

Our amazing Coaches for 2019 Winter Season

• Vicki Franks - U9 Mixed (Division 1), U13 Boys Black (Division 4), Open Girls Green (Division 2)
• Ashleigh Hunt - U11 Girls Blue (Division 2) *runners up
• Alex Yee - U11 Boys Blue (Division 1), U15 Boys White (Division 4)
• Peter Correa - U11 Boys Green (Division 2)
• Jensen Just and Jack Moore - U11 Boys White (Division 2)
• Donovan Pearse - U13 Girls Blue (Division 3) *champions
• Jordon Webb and Wilson Partridge - U13 Boys Green (Division 1)
• Ryan Cook - U13 Boys White (Division 3)
• April McMullen - U15 Girls Blue (Division 2) *runners up
• Ray Vaisutis - U15 Boys Blue (Division 1), U17 Boys Green (Division 2), U20 Men Green (Division 2)
• Mitchell Murdock - U15 Boys Green (Division 3) *runners up• Joe Webb - Open Girls Blue (Division 1)
• Dean Marais - U13 Boys Blue (Division 2) *champions, U15 Boys Black (Division 3), U17 Boys Blue (Division 1), U17 Boys White (Division 3), U20 Men Blue (Division 1)

Spartan Spirit Award Winners - Team Awards

We acknowledged some players with our Spartan Spirit Awards by giving them special water bottles with their names engraved. These awards were given to players who reflect our club values, being respect, family, commitment, and courage, and demonstrate great effort, attitude and mateship on and off the court. Below are the 2019 Winter Season Spartan Spirit Award winners:

• U9 Mixed: Ava Pearse
• U11 Girls: Abhilasha Sarmah
• U11 Boys Blue: Will Pluss
• U11 Boys Green: Jack Pluss
• U11 Boys White: Phillip He
• U13 Girls: Maya Pearse
• U13 Boys Blue: Amon Watanabe
• U13 Boys Green: Benji Just
• U13 Boys White: Josh Amores
• U13 Boys Black: Gene Wu
• U15 Girls: Matilda Guthrie
• U15 Boys Blue: Tyler Longfield
• U15 Boys Green: Luke Rana-Smith
• U15 Boys White: Aditya Naik
• U15 Boys Black: Harry Walters
• U17 Boys Blue: Wilson Partridge
• U17 Boys Green: Frank Tomlinson
• U17 Boys White: Nico Verin
• Open Girls Blue: Katisha Webb
• Open Girls Green: Courtney Stoten
• U20 Men Blue: Ben O'Boyle
• U20 Men Green: Aaron Ma

Thank you everyone for a fantastic winter season!

Summer League begins Week 1 of Term Four!

If you would like to play basketball for the club please contact Dean Marais dmarais@somerset.qld.edu.au

Our representative teams are busy fine-tuning their game for the State Finals coming up in early Term Four.

JS Inter-House

Final team standings:

Thirty-one Somerset Junior School students battled it out in our new chess room, SSH 2.2. Congratulations to the winning team of Franklin: Sophia Ahern, Sasha Hanford, Michael Rossiter, Alessandro Martinese, Bobby Long, Chris Sui, Caspar Crampton and Danielle Svoboda.

Congratulations also to individual board winners: Eason Wang (4/4 on Board 1 for Laver), Kona Baldock (4/4 on Board 2 for Andrews), Elijah Hadikusumo (3/4 on Board 3 for Andrews), James Kirk (3/4 on Board 4 for Veivers), Liam Hartley (3.5/4 on Board 5 for Laver and Lachlan Mathieson (2.5/3 on Board 6 for Andrews).

Gold Coast Primary Inter-School Final

Our top team has successfully defended the title of Gold Coast Primary Inter-Schools Teams Champion, ahead of Emmanuel College (second) and King’s Christian College (third). Congratulations to the winning team of Eason Wang (6.5/7 and individual gold on Board 1), Anson Qu (5/7), Melody Yang (6/7 and individual gold on Board 3) and Kona Baldock (7/7 and individual gold on Board 4).

Our second team also did well in the Premier division, placing sixth: Sasha Hanford (2/7 on Board 1), Calen Tang (3/7 on Board 2), Michael Rossiter (5/7 on Board 3) and Alessandro Martinese (4/7). Crucially, both teams qualified for the State Finals!

Our top performer for A Division was Elijah Hadikusumo on 5.5/7, equal third and narrowly missing the bronze medal. Ken Wu also did well in A Division on 4.5/7. They also just missed the team bronze by half a point. In B Division, Oscar Credland-Ballantyne earned an individual bronze with an excellent 6/7, while earning ribbons of merit were prep student Harrison Qu (5/7) and James Hartley (4.5/7). In C Division, Lachlan Mathieson won a ribbon with 5 points.

In E Division, our 12th team won the gold by a margin of 2.5 points: Nate Van Den Brink (6/7 and also individual bronze medal), Rafael Brand (5), Kush Veeramachaneni (5), and Oscar Goetz (4). In H Division, Paxton Stewart and Jacob Pudlyk both earned merit ribbons with 5 points and Liam Hunt also won a ribbon with 5 in I Division.

Full results: Premier / Open A / Open B / Open C / Open D / Open E) / Open F / Open G / Open H / Open I

Gold Coast Secondary Inter-School Final

In the Secondary Gold Coast Inter-School Teams Final, Somerset finished second behind King’s Christian College while TSS finished in third. Our second team finished fourth, also ensuring a place in the State Finals. Well done to our first team: Byron Morris (4/7 on Board 1), Kevin Song (4/7 on Board 2), Oliver Yang (5.5/7) and Kenny Ming (7/7 and individual gold). Well done also to the second team: Jason Li (5/7 on Board 1), Jack Luke-Paredi (5.5/7 on Board 2), Charlie Liu (5.5/7 on Board 3) and Lyanna Chan (3/7 on Board 4).

In Division A, our third team won gold with a combined 21/28: Jennifer Yeung (6/7 and individual silver), Aaron Lim (5), Angus Cheung (5) and Rick Hu (5). Also scoring ribbons were Nina Varcoe (4.5), Kei Naito (4.5) and Ethan Chant (4.5). Our fifth team won gold in B Division: Hugo Chan (5), Hamish Folliott (5), Debby Kuo (5) and Laurens Brisbane (4.5).

Full results: Premier / Open A / Open B

Junior Masters/ One Day Challenge

Term Three Junior Masters was won by Year 9 student Charlie Liu with 6/7. Oliver Yang (Year 8) finished second with 5.5/7. In the One Day Challenge, Aaron Lim did well with 6/8 (equal second).

State Finals Preparations

With two teams qualifying for each of Primary and Secondary State Finals – to be held 18 and 19 October, plus a few teams for the Girls’ State Finals 17 October – our students are working hard to be in top-notch form for these events. Extra coaching sessions are provided for the representative teams, and lots of chess events over the holidays.

Byron Morris, Year 9 student and board 1 for Senior School, will be representing Australia (again!) at the World Youth Championship (Under 14) from 1 to 13 October in Mumbai, India. Byron’s experience from last year should come in handy, when he represented Australia at the World Cadet Championship (Under 12) in Brazil.

Upcoming Events

• Nell Van de Graaff Classic (Saturday 21 and Sun 22 September at Hinterland Hotel, Nerang – advanced players)
• Leo Wilkinson Memorial (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 at Redcliffe, Organised Trip by invitation only)
• Gold Coast Spring Holiday Program 30 September – 2 October at Somerset College (all levels suitable)
• Gold Coast Spring Cup 3 October at Somerset College (all levels suitable)• Queensland Girls’ Inter-School State Finals (Friday 18 October at Tingalpa SS)
• Queensland Inter-School State Finals (Saturday 19 October and Sunday 20 October at St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace)
• Gold Coast Individual Age Championship, Wednesday 30 October at Emmanuel College (Prep to Year 12)

Enrolment for Term Four Junior School co-curricular lessons is open through the My Somerset Community (Electives tab). For Senior School students and intermediate/advanced Junior School students, the Thursday After School Chess Club runs 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm in SSH 2.2.