Wow! What a fantastic day we had at the Carnival. The sun was shining, the colours were bright, the Houses were cheering and everyone was smiling; all evidence of the exciting atmosphere the event created for our Junior School.
It was fabulous to see so many students swimming in several events throughout the day. Every child who participates is a winner in my eyes. Congratulations to the students who broke records, to our Age Champions and to the winning House, Andrews. This is the first time Andrews has taken out the top accolade for swimming since 2009. What an achievement!
Congratulations to the following students who broke records on the day:
The placings on the day were as follows:
Below is the list of all our age champions. Well done to these students!
Thank you to the many parents who volunteered in various roles throughout the day and to the P&F for organising the barbecue lunch, where the aromas could be enjoyed across the entire College campus. Mouths were watering with anticipation.
Thank you to the staff who worked tirelessly in the lead up and throughout the day, to ensure the day ran smoothly, which it most certainly did. Special thanks goes to Mr Mark Pitura for organising the Swimming Carnival, with the assistance of Forrest Butcher and Andrew Michael.
A huge thank you to all the Junior School staff and parents (who volunteer as timekeepers) who contributed to a successfully run day.
Please note,The Junior APS Swimming Carnival is to be held at Somerset College next Thursday 15 February starting at 9.00am. Good luck to all our swimmers who will be selected.
Most recently, I was working in the role of Assistant Head of Junior School at All Saints Anglican School, Pastoral and Curriculum. Prior to that, I worked with Education Queensland for 20 years in a variety of teaching and leadership positions, in schools across Logan and the Gold Coast.
I am an enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate person who loves to live life to the fullest. I love to learn and I love to promote lifelong learning, through reflective practice, by inspiring the students and staff with whom I work to do the same. I genuinely care for every student in my care and I am always available to meet with you or talk with you to discuss any ideas, positive feedback or concerns you may have. I have two children of my own, now teenagers, and I know the importance of feeling confident in their education process, learning and wellbeing at school. I look forward to getting to know you all over the next 12 months and beyond.
I will leave you with my favourite quote from Ghandi; something I strive to learn and live by:
"LIVE as if you were to die tomorrow; LEARN as if you were to live forever."
All the students participate in team-focused activities that can be challenging but achievable. The joy on the students' faces is priceless, when they overcome their fear of heights when attempting some of the activities like the Leap of Faith or Tree Climb.
Next week the students will convey firsthand their experiences on Year 7 Camp.
Even with the ‘return to fundamentals’ approach of the Australian Curriculum, most adults now in the workforce wouldn’t recognise the modern Mathematics classroom.
The teaching of Mathematics in the 21st century needs to adjust ever more rapid changes in technology. How do you teach basic numeracy skills when all of your students have access to calculators and web applications like Wolfram Alpha that can instantly deliver step by step solutions on their smart phones?
To provide academic excellence in an era where technology and big data is being used as a tool to enhance and analyse learning, Somerset College is actively seeking ways to create a personal connection between students and the subject matter they are interacting.
“The Maths journey at Somerset College begins with our youngest members of the College community in Pre-Prep”; says Mrs Margaret Kiddle, Pre-Prep Director.
“At three to four years of age our littlest friends bring knowledge and experiences along with them and through learning experiences embedded in play, we are able to build on this knowledge making links between what they already know and new experiences. Driven by the children’s natural curiosity we embed numeracy learning into daily experiences such as nursery rhymes and songs, nature walks, games, stories and daily routines.”
Mr Ash Abdou, Head of Department – Mathematics, visited the Pre-Prep classroom and joined in the morning routine.
“It was an enjoyable experience, visiting the Pre-Preps and singing the 5 Little Monkeys song with them. What I noticed most about the environment, was that the learning was on display. All around the class room there is evidence of learning, be it student’s work hanging from the ceiling or a partially constructed wooden block tower in the corner of the room. Compare this to senior maths classes, where the evidence of learning is primarily in the student’s workbooks or in the form of completed tests, stored in filing cabinets.”
When children reach Junior School, they have already developed a love of learning by asking questions. Perhaps more importantly, though, they have also learned to communicate, to form and express their questions and to listen to those of other students.
“From the time students first enrol, Somerset College students build the foundation of a personal connection to learning. Children in the Pre-Prep classrooms, are taught that their questions are valuable.” says Mrs Kiddle.
“Immersed in our numeracy rich environment, surrounded by quality resources and skilled educators the students are encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas and work with friends.” In this way, students build the foundation to become independent researchers, and to view the classroom as a safe place to branch out academically.
By the four-year-old level, students in Pre-Prep follow through on investigations based on their questions. As Mrs Kiddle explains; “The broad range of interests, skills and abilities amongst the children requires activities and engagements that everyone can enjoy, supporting those still consolidating skills and challenging those who are ready to explore ideas further.”
Read about our Year 6s and how mathematics teachings have been adapted for older children, in Part II next week.
We are in the "sorting out" phase of our inquiry cycle, so the debate is on. Are our new friends male or female? What inquiry skills will we need to find out.
Stay tuned!
Week 3 and students are already enthusiastically inquiring and working scientifically. Year 9 students are studying the ecology at Wyangan Creek, while Year 10s are using data-loggers in the laboratory. Senior OP Science students are busy with the Extended Experimental Investigations, while the IB students are working on their final Internal Assessment. The labs are a bee-hive of activity!
In 2018 the Science Department has introduced a new innovative suite of Year 10 Science subjects; Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There is also the new Science Skills course that every Year 10 student must complete; the course will be conducted over the whole year. The aim of this specialist skill course is to further develop the necessary skills of the MYP inquiry model, as well as to lay a firm foundation for students who will engage in further study for the IB curriculum and new Queensland QCE. The Science teachers will attend a QCAA specialist subject workshop and then commence to write work programmes based on the new Queensland QCE syllabus documents; it’s a very exciting time and teachers are looking forward to be moving forward with this development.
The students had a fantastic time, out in the fresh air, learning ball skills. We also have been visiting Healthy Harold down at the Koala House. Harold has been teaching us how understand our feelings and what to do when we’re feeling a little funny.
All together it has been an exciting week to be in Year 1!
On Thursday, Prep was lucky enough to go to a Fruit and Vegetable Puppet Show. They met Miss Kiwi, Cobber and Plaque who taught them how important it is to brush their teeth and eat fruit and vegetables.
Izaak says, “Plaque is the bad guy, he makes you get holes in your teeth.”
Hello Somerset Spartans! We welcome you back with enthusiasm to improve our environmental community.
As well as accompanying fellow students and staff for an exciting year ahead filled with an events such as movie night and many more. Join today for an amazing experience and to create a better Gold Coast of sustainability.
For any other queries please email either Mrs Coombes or Sascha Dodd.
Our vision for the Sustainable Spartans includes:
Monday, Week 4 - 8.40 to 3.20pm
Attendance is compulsory. On arrival at school, move immediately to House areas for roll taking and meetings.
Bring hat, sunscreen, water and decorations. Food and drinks will be on sale. Please note no students may enter the water with any decorations or hair/body colouring that will come off in the pool. Only one stripe of zinc on face please.
All students will have opportunities to swim. Only Somerset swimming attire, or plain black swimmers to be worn during races.
Students are expected to stay until final presentations.
The APS Team will be selected on Monday at the Swimming Carnival. All those selected are expected to attend a light practice session on Tuesday 15 February, 7.30am for relay practice - a day before the APS Carnival - then a lunchtime meeting in the new Sports Centre Multi-Purpose Room.
The programme for this event and the APS Carnival are on the sports page of Schoolbox.
Rugby, Netball, Soccer, Hockey, Tennis and Volleyball
All students have been sent an email with a link to select their sport. The link has also been posted on Schoolbox (Senior School Sport). If you make an error or change your mind, you must go to the Sports Department.
Hinterland Trials are for strong performers to trial for representative selection in school sport. These lead to Regional and State teams.
Students wanting to trial for these teams, must email or come to the Sports Department ASAP. All trials are listed on the Sports Page of Schoolbox (“Representative Sport” tile) and announced in Notices during the week.
Every Tuesday and Thursday - 7.30am to 8.15am
Meet Mr Butcher on the pool deck, all welcome. This began in Week 3. The House Swimming Carnival is in Week 4.
Every day at 7.00am to 8.15am
Meet Ms McKenna and Ms Oppermann at the Track, all welcome. This begins Monday, Week 4.
Monday 12 February: Somerset House Swimming Carnival (8.40 to 3.20pm)
Wednesday 14 February: APS Swimming Carnival (9.30-2.30pm) at Somerset
Monday 26 February: South Coast Swimming Trials (all day) at Miami
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.
Somerset Sport Policy:
All policies and procedures are outlined in the Senior School Sport page of Schoolbox, under "Sport Policy and Dates". All students and parents are encouraged to familiarise themselves with these.
All sporting details are posted on Schoolbox on the Sports page.
Students have been reminded through banners in Schoolbox and digital signage around the campus just how they can stay respectful and be safe, smart and responsible online. Some of the key messages from Safer Internet Day are:
The Buddy programme between Year 6 and Year 3 students creates a friendship between two year levels that don’t always mix. The students really like each other and learn from each other. It is a social, helpful way to develop communication skills and see new perspectives.
We hope to see many Buddyshakes around the school as students pass by each other.
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