The cohort then celebrated the conclusion of the Exhibition with parents and senior staff on Thursday night. 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 Danish Lighting, dress-making, model building, fabulous sculptures, photography and coffee table books, amazing creative artwork, including fine arts projects, music compositions, purpose designed and build cricket bats and tennis rackets, a short novel, heartfelt recipe books detailing family favourites, a rocket building and launching, renovated boats, cars and motorcycle, jewellery making including traditional Victorian necklaces, incredible videos focusing on topics ranging from self-image, cerebral palsy and a variety of sports, a Rubik’s cube designed image of Buddha, motorised push bikes, sport programs for elite athletes, service projects, a flight simulator; computer builds, handmade make-up and beauty products and sport uniform 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 are asking 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 Yasmin Grigaliunas Co-Founder of the World’s Biggest Garage Sale. However, the highlight of the Festival was again Lucas and Nicholas from Orange Sky, who inspired over 750 students from across the Gold Coast with their passion for providing homeless Australians with the opportunity to wash their clothes and have a shower in a safe and secure environment.
Lisa Brincat, Somerset Alumni and Organiser of the Futurist Collective had this to say about the Festival:
"Yesterday I hosted a workshop with 60 year 4 students (9 year olds). We discussed some of the problems facing the world. According to the students, pollution is the world’s biggest problem. We brainstormed solutions to this problem, talked about design thinking and then the kids pitched their solutions to the pollution problem to investors. Interestingly with no prompting the kids came up with all the same questions investors typically ask - what will you use the funds for, what’s the competition. If 9 year olds can nail investing then good news for all of us!"
Leigh Kelson from Beach City Media had this to say about two of our students, Tom McKenna and Isabella Strong who worked with Leigh’s team to provide live You Tube Coverage of the event:
“We had an awesome time and I also just wanted you to pass on my thanks to Issy and Tom. I couldn't find them before I left and didn't get a chance to thank them . They did an awesome job conducting interviews live streamed on You Tube!”
Michael Metcalf, Founder of Kynd had this to say about the Festival:
“Super awesome to spend today with students, parents, teachers and people today from all across the GoldCoast for the Somerset Celebration of Entrepreneurship! We were inspired by their questions and the interest these students show in creating a better world. A Year 5 girl just asked if we could help her parents because her sister is going through chemotherapy and they are ‘sad and stressed’. We must change how we access care. Excited to see this upcoming generation of little entrepreneurs being unleashed on the world.”
Throughout the Festival, there were also several competitions. The winners of these competitions are as follows:
Senior Years Bond University Pitch Competition:
These girls will now work with Blue Lens Group to start their School business using the $3000 seed capital kindly donated by the Somerset Alumni Association.
Somerset Alumni Middle Years Pitch Competition:
These students will now work with members of the Somerset Alumni Association to start their business using the $2000 seed capital kindly donated by the Alumni Association.
An enormous thank you to the entire Somerset Community for their support of the Festival. We are looking forward to 2019 already!
Throughout the year we have explored the different fields of law, studied numerous relevant and important cases, and produced our own mock trials. So, the opportunity to observe court proceedings was not taken for granted.
Arriving at the Courts that morning, we noticed the atmosphere around us change; everyone was dressed formally, walking purposefully. Like bees to honey the class began to weave into the civil and criminal courts – listening to cases that involved charges such as armed robbery, drug possession, and the more serious charge of murder. Upon entering any courtroom, we respectfully bowed to the judge and took seats in the public gallery; the court etiquette itself was new and exciting. We listened attentively as prosecutors stated their case. We saw solicitors provide legal advice. We heard familiar terminology used. Ultimately though, it was the depth and importance of the trials and hearings that stood out most. The class was mindful however, that while we were enjoying the insight into the open trials, we were also witnessing real lives being changed and shaped by the law.
Some of the most memorable moments on Tuesday involved seeing jurors selected for duty, and watching as the opposition on a case debated in defence of their clients. Our first time in Court certainly went above and beyond our expectations.
The day honestly seemed to fly past us, as our minds became consumed in the cases we were seeing. Slowly, the chapters from our legal textbooks found greater meaning; theory had been put into practice. When departing at the end of the day, there was a consensus in the class, the highly complex inner-workings of the Supreme and District Courts are a marvel, one that is truly an integral and valuable part of our society and one that we are all grateful to have been able to appreciate in person.
There will also be performances by members of Wordsmiths as well as musical items.
The Exhibition begins 6.00pm Thursday 25 October in The Great Hall and runs until 9.00pm. Speeches and other presentations will take place between 7.00pm and 8.00pm, allowing time after this for guests to mingle and appreciate the artwork.
A feature of the evening will be the announcement of the Somerset Senior Art Prize, selected from work by Year 12 Visual Art students in their final year of study. There will also be gifts awarded to recognise the talents of students in the other elective classes. In addition, we welcome local painter, Seabastion Toast, to present awards and give an insight into the life of a career artist.
Every student studying Visual Art in Years 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 Visual Arts, as well as a range of works from other Design Faculty subject areas. This is a great opportunity for members of the Somerset Community to view the creative work of our students from all years of the Senior School.
I look forward to seeing you on the night for what is sure to be an entertaining evening.
Somerset had a number of gymnasts competing at the recent National Gymnastics Club Championships. River Edgley (Junior school) - Division D (Level 4) and James Thompson (Senior School) - Division B (Level 7). Both boys competed for Gold Coast Gymnastics Club which was placed overall eighth club in Australia.
Matthew Sprague (Year 11) and Michael Dobroskok (Year 8) also competed in the Division B event (Level 7 and 8) representing Super Performance Centre. Their team placed fourth overall in Australia for their division and with all divisions combined, Super Performance Centre Club took out top club in Australia.
In the women’s competition, Stephanie Sprague (Year 9) competed in the Level 8 division team. Her team placed 10th in Australia and in total her Club (Southport Gymnastics) placed equal seventh in Australia.
William represented Queensland at Hockey in the Nationals in last week and also received the Team award for Queensland.
Jack finished the South Coast Region Junior Development Series - 2018 as winner of the Under 13 Boys category. He will travel with Gold Coast Tennis team to the State JDS Finals in Rockhampton this week.
All students are required to practice with their APS Summer Team once each week and attendance rolls are taken. If students are unable to attend, parents must make contact with the coach, in advance, so we can maintain our “duty of care”.
Week 2: Practices as usual and Round 5 vs A.B. Paterson College
Week 3: Monday is a student free day, Wednesday practises as usual and Round 6 vs All Saints Anglican School.
All students are required to practice with their APS Summer Team once each week and attendance rolls are taken. If students are unable to attend, parents must make contact with the coach, in advance, so we can maintain our “duty of care”.
APS Sport PhotosClick here to access photos of your sport or your team.
All Season details on Schoolbox Senior School Sports page. (“Winter Sports” tile for all season dates, and training schedules of the APS Season).
Don’t forget to check the Somerset Schoolbox Senior School Sport Page, as well as the noticeboard at the end of the Science Block for all Sports notes.
If you need more information, drop by the Sports Office.
The Sports page link must be added to your Schoolbox.
If you need more information, drop by the Sports Office in the Ray Building.
Student Injuries: If your son or daughter is injured at school sport, it must be recorded at the time by the school nurse/medical person present if parents wish to apply through the school insurance policy. If delayed signs or symptoms arise over the weekend, students must notify the school nurse on Monday morning.
All sporting details are posted on Schoolbox on the Sports page.
go to “My Links” at the bottom left of your Schoolbox page and click ‘Edit”
at “Manage my Links”, click “+” at the top right of page
paste the link below and add title “Senior School Sport”: http://schoolbox.somerset.qld.edu.au/homepage/1466
Riley Nauta in 3R has travelled far and wide across the country this year and has achieved success in Dirt Track motorcycling racing. These places, events and his victories include:
• Townsville for the Queensland Dirt and Long Track championships which he won 3 Qld titles in a 2 day event.
• Kurri Kurri in NSW for the Casey Stoner cup which he also won.
• Two months later he returned to the same venue for the Australian Dirt track titles and won a Australian title.
• Somersby for the NSW Dirt track titles last month where he won the NSW title.
• Tamworth for the Australian long track titles during the last school holidays which he also won.
This year alone Riley has achieved four state titles, two Australian titles, the Casey Stoner Cup plus many second places on his other bikes. He has big plans to move into road racing next year, as well as continue with dirt track racing. Riley has been invited to race in the USA next year in the Springfield Mile a junior event in Illinois. We wish him the best of luck and would like to congratulate him for all his efforts.
For those students and parents who may be interested, Somerset College plan to participate in the TAS Under 12 Rugby Carnival in Armidale in 2019. The dates for this trip are from Friday 12 April to Sunday 14 April next year. This is the middle weekend of the Easter school holidays. More information and details will be send out to parents soon.
Congratulations to Phoenix Crampton in 6Z has been selected in the Gold Coast Knights NPL U13 football squad for next season. The NPL is the elite competition in Queensland and this places him in the top 20 or 30 players on the Gold Coast in his age group. Well done!
Thursday 25 October: Round 3 - Junior APS Summer Sports vs All Saints Anglican School
All information about Junior School Sport can be located on Schoolbox by clicking on the Junior School Sports page.
The championships is Australia’s second largest rowing competition, behind the national championships with around 800 competitors from all over Queensland competing in boys and girls events from Year 8 to Year 12 during the September school holidays.
Somerset crews also achieved three silver medals in the Open Boys Four, Open Boys Pair and the Year 11 Pair as well as bronze in the Boys Open Pair.
Other notable performances were fourth and fifth placings for Jade Mansell and Katherine Plume respectively in the Open Girls Single Scull. Fifth place for the Boys Year 8 Quad Scull, Girls Open Pair, sixth place for the Boys Year 9 Quad Scull and sixth place in Girls Year 11 pair and Boys Open Eight.
I would like to congratulate all of the students who competed at the championships and who represented Somerset College with pride. On a number of occasions, I was commended on how impressive our students are in the way they support each other, their manners and on their team spirit.
I would also like to thank the staff and parents who helped to make the event successful, especially Coaches Olivia Sina, Reuben Mansell and especially Mr Greg Juniper who travelled with the team and provided such great support.
Boys LTA Single Scull – Thomas Liu
Boys Year 11 Coxed Four – Julius Wright, Chester Whiting, Declan Thew, Joe Lanham, Austin Macrossan
Boys Year 11 Pair – Declan Thew, Joe Lanham
Boys Open Coxed Four – Blake Mills, Lachlan Munro, Marc Eksteen, Aidan McKeon, Austin Macrossan
Boys Open Pair – Blake Mills, Aidan McKeon
Boys open Pair – Lachlan Munro, Marc Eksteen
Heading into the weekend with seven games ahead of us was daunting, knowing our first game up was against St Margaret Mary's College who defeated us by one point to qualify for this year's QISSN Grand Final. Having confidence in our preparation and the hunger to not let history repeat, the team went on to win convincingly 51 to 42. With only an hour break between games it was back on court to play Fairholme, Bridgidine and Mackay Christian colleges, with another three great wins finishing top of our pool.
The quarter final against Mackay State High School was our biggest challenge Sunday morning. Winning the game would put us in the top four and better our position from 2017. We were off to a slow start, making a few uncharacteristic errors and we found we were chasing our tails. We struggled to reduce the margin by three quarter time. The final quarter arrived and we had a deficit of seven to pull back, putting our stress levels at an all time high. A change of game plan coupled with some great defensive team pressure gains and started pulling the score back goal by goal. With only minutes to go, opportunities arose to take the win home but we knew it was not going to be easy. The final buzzer sounded and the scores were locked at 36 all. Overtime! We were forced to play another 10 minute battle to find the winner. Thankfully, fitness, commitment, being smart and giving a lot of heart resulted in an overtime finish in grand style. We won the game 51 to 42. Whew! That was just too close to enjoy!
Without a lot of rest and having to play an additional 10 minutes we were back on court within the hour for the semi final against The Cathedral College. The girls were focused and ready to put the previous game behind them, doing just that with a 36 to 28 winning performance and qualifying for the Grand Final.
It was Helensvale who progressed to the Grand Final after beating last year's Cup winners, Matthew Flinders in the semis. We were in for a big game. Going into the final match, there was a relaxed calmness surrounding the team. Captain Kirsty presented each player with a hand written gift of kindness and then a fun game of knockout to ease the nerves. From the start of the game, we were on a mission to compete with the talented and experienced Helensvale side. Each player had a plan, and to be competitive they needed to stick to it – that’s exactly what they did – for the entire game. We led from start to finish with tight defence and the slickest attack of the tournament. Kasey Collins was on fire shooting in the 90s all tournament. No player could keep up with the speed and flare of Rylee Burns. Katisha Webb and Madizen Wilkins delivered some brilliant feeds to the goalers and our defensive end of Sara Dann, Kirsty Brodbeck, Erin Crough-Heaton and Natalie Blauberg were exceptional, keeping the opposition's state representatives from shining. In an amazing display of Netball, the girls completed an outstanding year by winning the game 38 to 36 and bringing home the State Title and Vicki Wilson Cup. Our first ever State title!
A massive congratulations and utmost respect to the girls!
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