This unique anthology features two covers, Things that go Bump and flip it over for Enchanted.
We were so happy to support Jo by hosting her book launch. A limited number of copies are available for purchase at just $17 each by clicking here.
Continuing the theme, we also held a Halloween writing competition this week. Junior students wrote and illustrated their own ‘Scary’ or ‘Magical’ poem or short story. We were overwhelmed by the quality of the entries and 10 students won Smiggle gift cards.
Our class gathered early Wednesday morning at the top of the school, eager for the interesting cases and situations we would witness that day.
Upon arriving at the Brisbane Courts after an hour long bus trip, we entered the courts with our ears pique and grins across our faces as we listened to cases involving armed robbery, drugs and fraud. Many of us were taken aback by the utter grandeur and magnificence of the Courts.
Entering the courtroom, we bowed to the judge and observed an atmosphere of formality and respect. After quietly taking our seats, we listened attentively, glancing our eyes around the room as we silently absorbed this new environment. We heard from prosecutors stating their case. We saw solicitors speak persuasively as members of the jury put pen to paper. Barristers draped in wigs and robes and after strenuous evaluation of the accused's circumstances by the judge, the judge announced the accused’s charges. The reverberation of the charges reinforced the importance of showing respect as, many of the cases had profound change involving real lives. Additionally, being witness to the effect that the charges directly had on the family members and friends of the accused reinforced our understanding of Australia’s legal system and its gravity within our society.
Highlights of the day included observing the process of sentencing, seeing jurors sworn in and developing an awareness of the long-lasting effects of drug addiction on young adults.
For most of us, it was our first time going to court. The experience itself not only presented us with a new understanding of Australia’s legal system but also, provided us with an insight into the real-life effects of the system which cannot be replicated. Once the day had reached its end, our minds were filled with thoughts of complexity and knowledge. Being able to see firsthand an integral component of our democratic society was something that all of us are grateful for.
We would also like to thank Ms. Payne and Mr. Juniper for making the day both an enjoyable and meaningful experience.
Firstly, they were taught a clever maths trick using binary. Binary involves writing numbers in base two (we normally use base 10), and is the basis of how computers work. Then it was on to an interesting presentation on error correcting codes which uses the Luhn algorithm and modular arithmetic. These codes are used to validate credit card numbers and barcodes; so the next time your credit card is rejected, you can blame it on Luhn! This mathematical extravaganza all took place in the James Foots building although we thought it should be spelt the James Feet building.
After refreshments the students went on the Wrigley/Hawtin tour of the UQ campus which included admiring the Great Court and its sandstone architecture (similar to Somerset College). We then had a change of pace and proceeded to the Physics Museum to watch the Pitch Drop experiment. This holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running laboratory experiment – it was started in 1927. Since then, only nine drops have fallen - the last drop fell in April 2014 and the next drop is expected to fall sometime in the 2020s. Stay tuned for news of that!
The Maths Quiz commenced in the evening with 22 participating teams from all around the state. There were the usual five rounds; Estimation, Speed, (after which Pizza was served), Problem Solving, Individual Questions and General Knowledge. Our team of Aditya Naik (captain), Matthew Nickels and Kakeru Adachi performed very well, especially in the Speed and Problem-Solving rounds, to finish a creditable 7th overall, with Brisbane Grammar taking out the trophy yet again.
The Head of the UQ Maths faculty remarked that he had taught many lessons in that lecture theatre but with 66 eager school students working assiduously on problems, he had never before seen so much enthusiasm for maths.
Ananya Garg, Nitika Bethi and Isabella Ong were reserves on the day and my thanks go to Mr Hawtin who drove the bus and was the official photographer.
To qualify for this final was a huge achievement as there were nearly 100 entrants in the competition from schools across the Gold Coast. Excitingly, our Year 10 Team won the Study Gold Coast People’s Choice Award for their product Medi Aid.
Tim Shen from our Year 12 team had this to say about the experience:
“I’m proud my team, VirtRoom. We completed the competition with a successful presentation and a practical prototype to display to the panel of judges including Dr James Birt from Bond University, Alfred Slogrove from Study Gold Coast and Hermann Vorster (Councillor). Everyone enjoyed the wonderful journey and interactions during the mentoring sessions with Startup Apprentice. Because of the Telstra Mayor's Technology Awards, we have grown as a team and extended our network. We learnt more than I could have ever have imagined. That’s what entrepreneurship is all about. It is not just about the product or team. Instead, it is about bringing people together to solve a problem. This unique memory has become the experience that will guide us all in the future."
Kate Southwell from Study Gold Coast had this to say about our students:
“What a great representation from the students of Somerset College at the Mayor's Telstra Tech Awards. Such lovely students and both pitches on the night were of such great calibre.”
We are very proud of our students achievements and are so pleased that the entrepreneurial mindset which we encourage through the Celebration of Entrepreneurship is providing our students with opportunities to innovate, create and collaborate with real world entrepreneurs.
Our day started with a bus ride, which is always one of the highlights of the day. We attended an educational session where we learnt about stick insects, frogmouth owls and carpet snakes. We had the opportunity to touch the animals and insects, discuss their life cycles, habitats and adaptations.
We were amazed during the Bird Show as we found out that chickens are the closest living animals to the T. Rex and we also got to see a pelican close-up. As we moved through the sanctuary we visited tree kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles, red pandas, Tasmanian devils and our favourite…water dragons!
Finally, we rode on the train to the kangaroo’s paddock where we had the opportunity to see jills (female kangaroos) and their joeys riding in their mum’s pouch. It was an unforgettable day!
The young men were treated to an absolute feast of activity and food over the course of the two-day camp.
The Saturday morning comprised of a two-hour training session on Wyangan Field before loading up the School Bus and taking the 90 minute trip down the motorway to the Stoten Farm, located at the foot of Mount Warning. Upon arrival the boys were immediately supplied with a protein rich BBQ lunch, with enough food to satisfy even the most ravenous teenage male. After lunch, the team split into four groups with the task to brainstorm the core values that next year’s 1st XV Rugby team would like to be known for. Later that evening, after numerous games comprising a rugby ball were played on the vast lawn area, the team was ushered down to the man cave of a shed located 400 odd metres from the farmhouse. Here the team were treated to an inspiring speech on the history of Somerset College and its Rugby heritage. I for one have heard several variations of this speech over the past seven years and it never fails to get the hairs to stand up on the back of my neck-simply outstanding!
After the history lesson, Mr Attoe and I were asked to leave the building to return to the farmhouse. Several minutes later, the local Doon Doon community and cattle were roused with the sound of 20 young men belting out the Somerset Rugby War Cry which echoed through the valley. Cue more goosebumps! That evening the team was treated to burritos with all sorts of accompaniments before turning in for the night on the expansive farmhouse decking.
At the crack of dawn the next morning Mr Attoe drove the school bus around to where the boys all lay in deep slumber, probably dreaming about what breakfast lay ahead of them for that morning. Cue the bus horn which had most of the lads react in stupor, except for the College’s very own military man, Jack Hellier (more commonly known by his nickname, ‘Hell Yeah’) who sat bolt upright and screamed ‘Up, Up, Up, get your socks it’s time to rock’. Within two minutes, the team was on their way by bus to an unknown location. The easy part of the camp was well and truly over as the team embarked on a gruelling fitness session for the next 90 minutes, which would see them forge a close-knit bond as they encouraged and helped each other through the physical challenges. Needless to say, most of that morning’s breakfast was consumed wholeheartedly, post session. Before departing back to Somerset College and our final training session the team spent a quality one to two hours coming up with various positive behaviour actions that they pledge to be better at during the course of the remaining time they have left in the Somerset Rugby Jersey.
My thanks to Mr Attoe and Mr Daniel Stoten for their unwavering commitment to all things Rugby and more importantly their passion at moulding young boys into quality young men. Thanks also to Tiana and her sidekick Courtney Stoten for their catering efforts. Feeding 20 teenage boys over the course of two-days is not for the faint of heart. 2019’s camp was an undoubted success and if the team’s work ethic and words during these two days are anything to go by, we are in for one heck of a season in 2020!
The **Green **kicked off first in their game versus Varsity Knights. We welcomed our latest signed Futsal player, Sehaj who scored in his debut for the Green team.
The Knights were better in first half, but Somerset took control of the second, resulting in a fair 4-all. A good performance from our Spartans.
The **White **team was playing versus the **Blue **team this week. To make the game challenging and exciting, we hustled the two teams to assess how the players react playing with other teammates.
All players enjoyed themselves versing each other.
After all U8 teams played their game, Somerset was invited to play an extra game. This was a big day for Zhander and Paxton who have played three games in all. It was great to see so many players interested in playing this unexpected extra game.
Six points in one day for the U15 this week. Two wins from two games The first game verse Qwerty was a game where the boys could show their attacking combinations and work on their confidence in creating a lot of opportunities that led to fantastic goals.
The first moments into the second game were a shock. After one second the Spartans were one-nil down after the Dunkin Donuts scored directly from kick-off. The Spartans fought back and scored quickly off the equalizer. In the second half, the team defended, were very organised and didn’t give the opponent a chance. If the opponent came through, our goalkeeper Oliver Leal was ready to save the shots on goals. Raffi Anderson stood up in this game and organised the players around him.
Well done everybody. Next week we have two games waiting for us.
If any questions, please contact the coordinator of Football and Futsal: mdekruijf@somerset.qld.edu.au
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