This year’s performances consisted of several dance varieties including: Jazz, Classical Ballet, Tap, Commercial Jazz, Hip-Hop, Cheer, Contemporary and Lyrical with the concerts being hosted by Daiana Yoon and myself.
At Somerset College, 42 dance classes occur each week with over 300 students enrolled in the dance program. This leads to an approximate 550 dance lessons occurring each week at Somerset, a phenomenal feat.
Thanks must go to all of our fabulous dance faculty for their tireless efforts and immaculate choreography: Ms Melissa Parkinson, Ms Phoebe Young, Ms Corina Burgess, Mrs Jodie Walton, Mrs Christine Flint, Ms Hayley Wallace and Ms Lucy Hourn. Thanks must also go to the parents, staff, students, sound and lighting and the stage crew involved in the production over the weekend and of course Mrs Sue Roberts without whom none of this would be possible.
I would also like to wish all the graduating Year 12 students the best of luck with their futures in whatsoever they wish to pursue.
For next year I will be moving down to Melbourne to partake in a full-time dance course at Patrick Studios Australia under the direction of Todd Patrick. After completing my year at Patrick Studios, I will hopefully secure a professional dance contract on a cruise ship with my end goal to end up on Broadway or to perform in the leading musicals in Australia. I would like to thank all of the dance teachers that have taught me over the past 10 years for believing me and for the knowledge, wisdom and skills that they have passed down to myself. I would like to wish all the best for Somerset Dance, and I will certainly be returning to watch next year’s production.
Thirteen years ago, when they were enjoying their first year at school in 2005, I was Principal of Whitsunday Anglican School, Mackay.
Along the way, the originals were joined by others; between one to six in Years 1 to 5 with larger groups of 17 in Year 6, 18 in Year 7, 21 in Year 8, 7 in Year 9, 16 in Year 10, and 7 in Year 11.
Thirteen years on, it has been a delight to work with them, these past nine years. I am so very proud of their achievements, their medals and certificates, badges and ribbons, the paraphernalia of College life. I have laughed with them, at them, cried with them, marvelled at their spirit, their care for each other, their skill and their love of life. And I have loved every minute of their time.
It occurred to me, as we moved through the last part of the year, that it would be the last time I would see then do things for Somerset. The last time I would see Ally dominate the centre two thirds of the court, E’Shea charge into the defensive line, Nalin moot at Bond, Zoe and Ashraf out debate everyone, the last lunch with Sam and Rosie, the last 50m from CJ and Bianca, the last run down the track from Maccan and Mayla, the last song from Olivia and the last Bilby from Risa, the last serves from Lachie, Maro and Olivier, the last cap backwards row from Ryan, the last handshake from Pat, and the last dance from Davy. I will never forget the dance off at the Senior Ball. It was just like me at my formal, except for the talent..
I am very blessed to have witnessed these things.
So, after many days with me, over 4,000 in total at school, there remains many memories to cherish.
In my head, I play a supercut of us
All the magic we gave off
All the love we had and lost
And in my head
The visions never stop
These ribbons wrap me up
But when I reach for you
There’s just a supercut
You are most welcome to bring chairs and blankets, parking is available on Clover Hill Drive.
The programme, when available, will be emailed to students and will be accessible on Schoolbox and the College website.
As a part of the Year 10 Science journey, students were given a task to complete a self-directed scientific investigation. This required choosing a topic to research, and then undertake different experiments to explore a certain global issue. This year, I researched a specific method of efficient and clean energy using the mass production of hydrogen gas. Using the abundant seawater and the different minerals (especially NaCl) as free ions, I could create the hydrogen gas using a process of electrolysis. This experiment relies on an electrical current to separates ion in the solution to isolate a specific element (in this case hydrogen).
With this science project, I was offered a myriad of different opportunities to compete against other students; from the Somerset Science Competition, to the Griffith University Gold Coast Science Competition, and then onto the STAQ State Science Competition. I was fortunate enough to be able to place first in the Year 9 to 10 Scientific Investigation Category. My investigation, along with the investigations by Desmond Chuah and Mohnish Chand will now proceed to the BHP Billiton National Science Competition, what an amazing opportunity!
From my experiences, the key to success in competitions such as these ones, is to have a certain enthusiasm to drive your curiosity. Not only is this a chance to research your chosen topic but it is also a chance to create innovation and widen your perception of the world.
I would also like to congratulate fellow students who also received awards – Desmond Chuah and Mohnish Chand. A special mention to Kelly Park who received the Royal Australian Chemistry Institute Bursary, and Vanessa van Twuiver Suarez who was awarded the Australian Society of Biochemistry Bursary.
Maito Yamaguchi – Baseball
Maito has a had a sensational year in Baseball in 2017. He represented Gold Coast at the Queensland State Baseball Titles in Redcliffe and his team were Queensland champions. In May, he represented Queensland at the Australian National Baseball Championships in Adelaide.
Capping off a great year, Maito has recently been selected for the Queensland School Sport State Baseball Team.
Somerset Basketball
170 Somerset College students are now involved in the Somerset Basketball Club which plays on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. The number of members has doubled from this time last year and is always looking for new players to get involved.
APS Sport Training
There will be no APS Sport training during Week 6 due to exams.
Sport this week:
Friday 10 November - APS Summer Sport Finals Round
Friday 10 November - Somerset College Sports Awards Night
All sporting details are posted on Schoolbox on the Sports page.
The Classic would not have been possible without the support of our Major Sponsors Tony Hickey from Hickeys and Mark Bath and Sean Bath from Palm Meadows Golf Course. We would also like to acknowledge our Gold Sponsors, onPlatinum ICT, Hickeys and Dr Jason Beer for their support. The competition was lively throughout the 18 holes of Ambrose. Nearest to the pin and longest drive were played and the banter was in full swing during the course of the day.
We would like to acknowledge our generous prize donators, Mr Travis McLean from Custom Golf Bags Australia, Ian and Amy Pye from Heat Wheat International, Andrew McElhone from Mermaid Grocers, and Kiwi & Bull Salon, Synergy Fitness. A special mention to our generous Alumni who kindly donated items, Simon Metcher from Simon Metcher Photography and Remi Broadway from Central Lounge Bar & Dining Surfers Paradise. As part of the Somerset community we ask that you support these businesses.
The day concluded with the awards and trophy presentations, congratulations to all prize winners and all teams who enthusiastically participated.
Our sincere thanks go to everyone who participated on the day, we hope to see you all back again next year.
Congratulations to the Prize Winners
1st Prize: Somerset Saints (Justin Taylor, Rod Peters, Dave Sherrington, Andrew Capone)
2nd Prize: Hickey Lawyers (Chris Leat, Brian Usher, Hamish Mitchell, Wayne Geradhts)
Nearest the Pin
Hole 5: Scott McLeod
Hole 8: Mick Jefferies
Hole 11: Anthony Gordon
Long Drive
Hole 15: Chris Barnard
Hole 3: Parker Phillips
Club president Karen Neumann thanked the parents and supporters for their efforts in successful fundraising efforts, such as hosting the Somerset Regatta, the highly successful Trivia Night as well as the Corporate Challenge, all of which allow us to continue to provide excellent equipment for our rowers. She also thanked the parents for the many ways that they support their children and the rowing program, from selling uniforms, welcoming new members and for running the rowers all over the state and sometimes the country.
For me as Head Coach the evening provided an excellent opportunity not reflect not only on the success that our crews have achieved on the water, but also to reflect on the journey that our rowers progress on. From the first time they wrestle the large boats down to the water for their first session, to confidently being responsible for loading the expensive equipment that we take to each regatta, communicating with their crew members and competing with distinction at the regattas.
It would not be possible to cater to the 80 students who participated in the rowing program without the support of a great team of coaches and the evening was a great opportunity to thank, Mr Greg Juniper, Nick McKinnon, David Parkinson, Edward Burrows-Cheng and Nicholas Miller for the efforts that they have made in coaching the rowers in 2017.
The evening culminated in the presentation of awards to the recipients as well as the announcement of the 2018 Rowing Captains. Mr Bassingthwaighte joined me in congratulating Katherine Plume and Blake Mills on their appointment as captains and I look forward to woring with them to lead the Somerset rowing team next year.
2017 Rowing Award Recipients
Year 8 Boy’s - Most Competitive Rower – Fergus McKeon
Year 8 Boy’s - Team Commitment Award – Austin Macrossan
Year 9 Boy’s - Most Competitive Rower – Anthony McKenna
Year 9 Boy’s - Team Commitment Award – Thomas Liu
Year 10 Boy’s - Most Competitive Rower – Declan Thew
Year 10 Boy’s - Team Commitment Award – Joe Lanham
Year 8 Girl’s - Most Competitive Rower – Emma Wilson
Year 8 Girl’s - Team Commitment Award – Tenaysha Thomasson
Year 9 Girl’s - Most Competitive Rower – Nina Varcoe
Year 9 Girl’s - Team Commitment Award – Cassidy Fifield
Year 10 Girl’s - Team Commitment Award – Zara Smith
2017 Coach’s Male Award – Aidan McKeon
2017 Coach’s Female Award – Jade Mansell
2017 Most Outstanding Competitor – Declan Thew
The Plume Family Trophy - Coxswain of the Year - 2017 – Alexander Taylor-Girdler
2018 Rowing Captain – Katherine Plume and Blake Mills
2017 Brian Carey Memorial Award - Parental Support – Carl Eksteen
Quin Quennis Award - 5 Years of Rowing
Ryan McClure
Maximilien Jeanneret-Gris
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