No. 2, Term Four, 2017

The Year 10 cohort celebrated the conclusion of their Exhibition with parents and senior staff the following evening. The Great Hall was certainly a frenzy of creativity, passion, enthusiasm and achievement. Our Year 10s undoubtedly excelled and were keen to share their accomplishments with those who joined them.

If you managed to walk through the hall and look at the exhibits last week, I am sure you would agree the standard of presentations was simply a credit to all involved. So many standouts, ranging from building and recording with drones, dress making, model building, fabulous sculptures, photography and incredible photography coffee table books, amazing creative artwork, including fine arts projects, music compositions, architectural models, a short crime novel, heartfelt recipe books detailing family favourites, a handmade spear gun, model building whether ships or action figurines, jewellery making including tradition Iranian bracelets, incredible videos focusing on topics ranging from self-image, skiing with the disabled, even one documenting learning and using American sign language, a purpose built beehive, a push bike built to charge a mobile phone, sport programs for elite athletes, service projects such as Generocity, Orange Laundry, Working at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital to Teaching Tap at Mudgeeraba Special School; development of a new Gold Coast Netball Club for Burleigh, computer builds, dance compositions and indigenous jersey designs…

The list is endless and represents the many varied interests and talents of our students. To put this journey in perspective, the Personal Project is a requirement for students in the fifth year of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP). The Project itself encourages students to practise and strengthen their skills, to consolidate prior and subject-specific learning and to develop an area of personal interest. The Personal Project provided an excellent opportunity for our students to produce a truly personal and creative product or outcome, which demonstrated consolidation of their learning in the MYP. The personal nature of the Project is important, given we ask Year 10 students to complete an assessment over a nine month period – the fact that it revolves around a challenge that motivates and interests the individual student, is what makes the final outcome so impressive.

So to all those students who were standing proud next to their products on Wednesday and Thursday evening, who worked diligently on their online blog and willingly shared their personal stories about their journey with others, we congratulate you. We recognise it is a mighty achievement that did at times seem daunting, yet you reached the end through determination, self-motivation and tenacity. All great skills to take you forward into Year 11.

Key speakers included Steve Baxter from Shark Tank, and Mark Sowerby, the Queensland Government’s Chief Entrepreneur. However, the highlight of the Festival, was Orange Sky, who celebrated their third birthday with an orange poppy seed cake with us during their presentation.

Sally Leslie, President of the Somerset Alumni Association had this to say about the Middle Years Pitch Competition:

"All of the Middle Years students involved were so engaged in the process and maintained their motivation throughout the competition. I was particularly impressed by the level of cooperation and collaboration that I witnessed between Alumni and our students. There were some students who find concentrating for a one hour lesson difficult, so to see them engaged and working for an entire day with a shared purpose was magical."

A parent of the College had this to say about the Festival:

"Just a quick email to let you know how fantastic I thought the Celebration of Entrepreneurship was over the past two days. Students were involved on so many levels and I love how you have combined it with the Year 10 [and new Year 6] business studies assessment tasks. Everyone walked around with a smile and it was really busy at all times! It is so good for the students to have these real business experiences - retail, pitching and realising their ideas in the market place outside of school. I’ll be really interested to see the profits made for the students and the idea that won the pitching comp and to see how well that goes."

Throughout the Festival, there were also several competitions. The winners of these competitions are as follows:

Senior Years Bond University Pitch Competition: Katisha Webb, Lilly Thompson, Montana MacFarland. These girls will now work with Blue Lens Group to start their School business using the 000 seed capital kindly donated by the Somerset Alumni Association. Interestingly, since the Pitch Night, the College has been contacted by an investor who wishes to work with the group called Wonderkid consisting of Kyle Moffat, Nihal Bains, Cooper Jones and Riley Cameron.

• Somerset Alumni Middle Years Pitch Competition: Eden Dovrat – Year 7, Eliza Young – Year 7, Jayde McKinnon – Year 7, Mackenzie Cadman – Year 7. These students wish to create a new comfort pillow. These students will now work with members of the Somerset Alumni Association to start their business using the 000 seed capital kindly donated by the Alumni Association.
• Film Competition - Jessica Lekich. Jessica will now work with Bond University to produce the film she pitched at the Festival.
• Film Advertisement Competition - Blake Mills.

There are some fabulous how-to guides and business idea books to inspire kids to start making money in their spare time. We have also added money management and investment guides aimed specifically at children so that when they do make their first million, they will know exactly what to do with it.

Come and visit the ‘Lemonade Stand’ display in the KIP to check out our new additions, there are books suitable for all ages and reading levels. Parents are always welcome to come in and borrow for the younger children. We are open Monday to Friday 8.00am to 5.00pm.

For more information, visit our Budding Entrepreneurs InfoGuides page here.

Students begin in Term Four, while in Year 9, submitting their final product in August of Year 10 to exhibit in October that same year. This significant piece of work is a long-term, independent research project based on any topic or subject of which the student is passionate.

Students and parents began the evening listening to the theory behind and requirements of the Project before they moved to the Great hall to view the current Year 10 Personal Project Exhibition. Our Year 10 students were eagerly waiting their arrival for the opportunity to share their journey and achievements, and of course to impart some sound advice.

The evening was well attended and our Year 9s left with busy minds, full of inspiration, as they headed home to nut out their own projects.

Speeches and other presentations will take place between 7.00pm and 8.00pm, allowing time after for guests to mingle and appreciate the artwork. In addition to the exhibition of artwork, there will be performances by members of Wordsmiths as well as various musical items. A feature of the evening will be the announcement of the Somerset Senior Art Prize, selected from work by Year 12 VA students in their final year of study. There will also be gifts awarded to recognise the talents of students in the other elective classes. We will also welcome local artist, Llewellyn Skye, to present awards and give an insight into the life of an artist.

Every student presently taking Visual Art as an elective subject in Year 9 to 12 will have work displayed in the exhibition. There will also be a selection of works displayed by students in Years 7 and 8. This is a great opportunity members of the Somerset Community to view the work of Visual Art students from Year 7 through to 12.

I look forward to seeing you on the night for what is sure to be an entertaining evening!

Hamilton’s quaternions describe spatial rotations and these days have application in computer graphics and altitude control systems on spacecraft. This all happened on October 16 1843, so next week will be the 174th anniversary of the revelation. Furthermore, his epiphany challenged what is known as multiplicative commutativity, where the order in multiplication does not matter, ie, 3 x 4 = 4 x 3.

Complex numbers of the form a + bi (doubles) extend the number line to a number plane where a represents the real part of a number and bi the imaginary part, with i = √(-1). Hamilton was looking to find triples of the form, a + bi + cj to represent three dimensional space but this proved impossible. He had to use quadruples of the form a + bi + cj + dk and include a fourth dimension which he assumed was time. He also had to accept the non-commutativity of i, j and k and so using a penknife, he scratched the famous equation into Dublin’s Broom Bridge as follows: i² = j² = k² = ijk = -1. This also meant that ij = k, but ji = -k.

This 19th century mathematical graffiti has long since disappeared but there is now a commemorative plaque on the bridge over the canal to remember the moment.

On 16 October, mathematicians from all over the world take part in the annual commemorative walk from Dunsink Observatory (where Hamilton was Director) to Broom Bridge. The date is sometimes referred to as Broomsday and matches Bloomsday on 16 June which celebrates the life of another famous Dubliner, novelist James Joyce.

While we are on a literary track, it should be noted that quaternions also unexpectedly feature in Alice in Wonderland’s Chapter Seven; A Mad Tea Party. Lewis Carroll (real name, Charles Dodgson) was a top mathematician and often incorporated mathematical ideas into his story telling. The tea party features the three characters (spatial dimensions) the Mad Hatter, the March Hare and the Dormouse. The fourth dimension, Time, has fallen out with the Hatter and won’t let the clocks go past six o’clock. The three characters therefore shuffle round the table looking for clean cups and saucers and are restricted to moving only in the plane. This relates to the fact that with just three spatial dimensions, Hamilton was unable to make progress, and the fourth dimension of Time was needed for three dimensional movement.

The Hatter’s nonsensical question “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” correlates with Hamilton’s idea that in pure time, cause and effect are no longer linked. When Alice attempts to solve the riddle, the Hatter tells her to “...say what you mean”, to which Alice responds “...at least I mean what I say – that’s the same thing”.

“Not the same thing a bit!” replies the Hatter. “Why, you might just as well say that ‘I see what I eat’ is the same thing as ‘I eat what I see’!” This is a reference to the non-commutativity of quaternion algebra.

Later in 1843, inspired by Hamilton’s work, John Graves discovered octonions which have eight dimensions and have applications in the fields of string theory, special relativity, and quantum logic. Octonions are also non-commutative and also non-associative which means that i(jk) ≠ (ij)k.

Eureka moments are generally dramatic insights into a problem which then require further investigation and application. Archimedes was able to measure the volumes of irregular shaped objects (including the King’s crown) and design much larger ships using this Law of Buoyancy. Newton went on to formulate the principle of universal gravitation while Einstein unified gravity and his ideas of space and time to develop General Relativity. Hamilton’s quaternions helped enable space exploration, virtual reality and much, much more.

What a fantastic result Year 4 student, Verona achieved for the state in her extra curricular activities.

Somerset had a great start on Saturday with a big win against St Augustins 56 to 11. Then a close hard fought game to John Paul College resulting in a 24 to 27 loss. Two more wins on Saturday put the team in to the top eight.

Sunday’s games were fiercely contested with all teams vying for their final positions. A good win against Coomera College and two losses, resulted in a very respectable 6th placing for Somerset.

Game results:

• St Augustins - 56 to 11 win
• John Paul College - 27 to 24 loss
• Centenary Heights - 37 to 30 win
• Wavell State High - 48 to 24 win
• The Cathedral College - 22 to 44 loss
• Coomera Anglican - 43 to 37 win
• Sunshine Coast Grammar - 38 to 34 loss

A huge congratulations to Captain, Ali Harris and her team for an exceptional successful season. This team has made Somerset Netball history and has represented our College with such determination, dedication and pride.

Season in brief:

• APS Champions
• Winners Wallas-Bassingthwaighte Trophy
• QISSN Runners Up
• Vicki Wilson State Finalists and 6th placegetters

Team: Alexandra Harris (capt), Brieanna Bischof, Ashlyn Taylor, Madizen Wilkins, Kirsty Brodbeck, Erin Crough-Heaton, Natalie Blauberg, Rylee Burns, Sara Dann, April McMullen, Kasey Collins.

Congratulations to Rylee Burns for being selected in the Queensland State U17 Netball Squad. Well done!

Sport this Week:

Monday 11 October - Compulsory APS Summer Sports Practice (7.00am or 3.30pm)

Wednesday 13 October - Compulsory APS Summer Sports Practice (7.00am or 3.30pm)

Friday 13 October - APS Summer Sport v Saint Stephens College

All sporting details are posted on Schoolbox on the Sports page.

My personal favourite from the Personal Project displays was Cooper’s motorised skid trike (and not because he’s in my Pastoral Care Group, nor because I took an illicit ride on it!).

Our Year 10s will move into Senior studies next year and while some will undertake the Queensland Senior curriculum, some will be moving on to continue their study with the International Baccalaureate – undertaking the IB’s Diploma. Like the Year 10 students our Year 12 Diploma students have finished their major project. This project is called the Extended Essay. This is an extensive academic undertaking consisting of a 4000 word research essay conducted in a subject of the student’s choice. Within that subject they have free rein to explore and investigate a topic of their interest. They then design their own research question, begin researching and then write and edit a final essay.

Our Year 12 students put the finishing touches to these projects last term, and they have been sent away to be assessed.

I have been talking to these students about their Extended Essays and the message I am receiving is, while they found the process challenging, they were quite happy with their final product. They even went so far as to say that they were proud of their work. I would like to say, having read them, they are justified in feeling proud of their efforts. Moreover, I am proud of their efforts as are, I am sure, their parents.

Here are a list of the Extended Essay topics from this year:

• To what extent did the Katyn Massacres of 1940 effect international relations with the Soviet Union
• How is Greek Mythology used by Carol Ann Duffy and Margaret Atwood to convey meaning and feminist ideals to a modern audience?
• To what extent is Marx’s understanding of the labour-value exchange superseded by Proudhon’s competing philosophy, given the dynamics of the digital age?
• The Evolution of the Vigilante Hero in Literature
• How has the Vigilante in Literature Evolved through the last Century?
• The Unique and Inescapable Quality of ‘Spontaneous Delight’ In The Poetry of E.E. Cummings and Its Role in The Revelation of The ‘Human Spirit’
• How effectively does e.e. cummings represent spontaneous delight and its capacity to reveal the youthful vivacity of the human spirit in his poetry?
• Through considering musical elements, can a stylistic shift from the Baroque to the Classical period be seen by analysing J.S. Bach’s Sonata for Flute and Basso Continuo, BWV 1033 C Major and his son CPE Bach’s Sonata in C Major, Wq 87/H.515?
• Applying Classic Philosophy to the Gun Control Problem in Chicago
• An explanation and evaluation on how a utilitarian and deontologist would approach American gun laws.
• How does Shakespeare utilise the characteristics of lunacy and madness in King Lear and Macbeth?
• Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton: Confessional Poets, Commonalities and Synergies: To what extent is the confessional poetry of Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath bound and fused by context, technique and themes?
• To what extent did store expansion and poor inventory management contribute to the decline of Dick Smith?
• To what extent are the 13th century primary sources an accurate depiction of Chinggis Khan’s influence in creating and expanding the Mongol Empire?
• As you can see from these titles, this is a robust and challenging task – these students will certainly find writing 1000 word essays in first year of university a breeze!

If you are interested in reading some (or all!) of these, they can be found on the Senior School Homepage on Schoolbox, under the Diploma Programme tile, click here.

The students found it rewarding to become mini-experts in the field associated with their essay as it is a task that requires the students to think and research deeply on their chosen topic.

If you would like to know more about the Extended Essay, or about the IB Diploma generally, please feel free to contact me: swalther@somerset.qld.edu.au

We were met at the Arundel studio, Monday 9 October by assistant producer, Freyja Lehman. She introduced us to producer, Jonathan M. Schiff who shared his experience and highlights working in the industry over the past three decades. Jonathan then showed us clips of some of the fresh-faced actors who worked on his shows as teenagers, such as Margot Robbie and Liam Hemsworth, before explaining the premise and showing the trailer for his latest series.

We were then taken through to the set – an authentically impressive library stacked with ancient books and artefacts. Television truly is a magical medium: to think that such a strange, marvellous world could exist within a seemingly ordinary industrial unit boggles the mind! The students were impressed with the vast array of technical equipment being used, as well as the efficient and cooperative atmosphere. We watched a scene being shot from multiple angles, while imagining how the finished product might look, once all the footage is edited.

The costume department was next on our tour, where we were once again presented with evidence painstaking logistics are required to ensure continuity of errors are avoided. A strict system is in place in the costume van, whereby all clothing worn by the cast must be planned, logged and matched. Details such as having identical patterns on shirts are elements most casual television viewers would never consider but are essential if a show is to succeed.

Our final stop on the tour was in the make-up van, where we were lucky enough to find two “elves” having their prosthetic ears attached. Like everything else, the attention to detail required, in order to obtain sufficiently high production values was an eye-opener for the students.

The film and television industries are alive and well on the Gold Coast, and it was great for this group of aspiring filmmakers to get a genuine look at what really happens “behind the scenes”.