Children acquire social skills when playing. They also learn to plan and organise. Research suggests that one of the predictors of academic performance in the eighth grade is a child’s social skills in the third grade. Furthermore, countries that allocated more time at recess also tended to have higher academic performance (Pellis, 2011).
Students from Pre-Prep to Year 6 commenced Thursday on the tartan track with exercise to music then moved off to various supervised areas around the Junior School. Years 3 to 6 were free to choose from volley ball, cricket and bocce on the front oval, and games on the track to classrooms where art supplies, board games and lego were readily available to use as they wished. Outside areas saw hopscotch marked on the concrete, elastics and marbles. Handball continued to be popular whilst dancing in the music room resulted in some great dance moves. Dress-ups proved very popular. In the ELP, whole areas were devoted to construction, sand play, play dough, pulling apart appliances and art.
Aside from the occasional teacher who could not help themselves and just had to join in an activity, the children organised themselves! The role of the adults was simply supervision and safety. As a couple of students said:
“This is one of the best days of my life,” Harry 3B.
“The best thing that could happen to me,” Zubin 3B
If you are interested in finding out more about the emerging research on the importance of play and in particular, the decline of play and the rise of mental disorders please follow the link to this very informative video.
The decline of play and the rise of mental disorders.
Pellis, S., Pellis, V., and Bell, H. ( 2011). The Function of Play in the Development of the Social Brain
In celebration of International Women's Day today, we have been promoting our selection of inspiring fiction, non-fiction and biography books about women we admire.
We have books suitable for all age groups and reading levels and parents are more than welcome to come and borrow on behalf of younger students. Our books will be on display for one more week.
With thanks to Somerset parent Mrs Rhyll McMullen for donating a promotional pack, we have been busy giving away wristbands, badges and pens to both male and female supports of gender equality.
Our 1st XI Netball Team has also been featured in an article on the International Women’s Day website. The girls’ commitment, ambition and tenacity led them to claim the title of State Champions in 2018 and they such wonderful role models for our younger girls.
We have also been lucky enough to create some foods of our own; including bright and vibrant Buddha bowls as well creamy nice cream – ice cream with a healthy twist! Last Thursday we were even granted the opportunity of cooking for ourselves. Although, some people’s meals didn’t turn out as well as expected, they were still delicious to eat.
I definitely believe this class has been extremely successful in teaching students, like myself, more about the ways in which we can make healthy food taste amazing. We have learnt so much from Ms Morel and now have some new recipes to take home and cook for ourselves.
I wouldn’t consider myself a cook but this class has taught me the skills necessary to create healthier and more nutritious meals!
The star performer was Kenny Ming (Year 7), who won all his seven games in his debut for the Spartans’ Senior School team. College Captain and Chess Captain Kevin Song achieved individual silver with 6.5/7. Byron Morris scored 6/7 (equal individual third, fourth on tie-break) and Oliver Yang finished on 5.5/7 (fifth).
Other notable individual achievements included: Raphael Atia (5/7), Jason Li (4.5/7) and Jack Luke-Paredi (4.5/7).
In the Tin Cup/ Queensland Reserves tournament played over the weekend of 23 and 24 February, Byron Morris had an outstanding tournament, finishing equal first with 5.5/6 (five wins, one draw and no losses). This netted him $450 and he thereby qualified for the Queensland Championships held later in the year. A field of 74 adults and juniors also included these Somerset students: Ben Atia, Eason Wang, Raff Atia, Kenny Ming, Sophia Ahern, Alessandro Martinese and Calen Tang.
Sydney, Eason Wang (pictured) is Somerset's best performer, lying third equal in the under 12s with 5.5/7.
A big congratulations to these Somerset students for participating in the Australian Junior Championships in Sydney during the summer holidays: Byron Morris, Oliver Yang, Ben Atia, Eason Wang (finished sixth in U12), Raphael Atia, Lyanna Chan, Jennifer Yeung and Melody Yang. These students also represented Australia in the Oceania Youth Championships in Auckland in January: Byron Morris, Oliver Yang and Melody Yang.
In the new Queensland Junior Rating List, several Somerset students made a substantial increase in their rating:
Well done also to Noa Chester-Haviv, on achieving a new rating of 506.
If you would like your child to start receiving co-curricular lessons, enrolments are still open for Term One (partial) or from the beginning of Term Two. Lunchtime chess clubs are free and don’t require signing up, running this year every day for Years 3 to 12 and three days per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) for Years 1 to 2.
Somerset is proud to introduce you the First XI Girls Head Coach, Michael Cook.
Michael has been the Queensland NPLW 2017 Coach of the Year. In 2018 and this year Michael has been Women's Head Coach at Gold Coast United.
For the First XI Boys Somerset we introduce, Michael Thwaite. Michael played for 15 years professional football and made 13 appearances for the Socceroos. Michael would like to share his experience with the First XI Boys. Michael is also player / assistant coach at Gold Coast United.
Both head coaches work closely with the Co-ordinator of Football Maarten de Kruijf. Maarten has been announced this year as Co-ordinator of the Football Programme at Somerset College. Maarten is an AFC - FFA A licence coach and coached in 2018 the U13 Football Queensland state team at the National Championship.
New rowers Leapt from a single, flipped it over and then, accompanied by yells of encouragement (and advice), stood on the rigger to flip it back before clambering successfully into the boat. Naturally all this is done in sports uniform because who rows in swimmers!
However, as much fun as it is, the drill has a serious side, ensuring our rowers are fully capable of righting themselves if the unthinkable happens while out training or racing. This is particularly important during racing as a rower can only continue after capsizing if they can right their boat unassisted – something Somerset rowers do each and every time.
With the regatta season fast approaching, starting with the House Rowing Regatta 30 March, the skills learnt will be put to good use and the comradery forged within the team contributing to what is sure to be another successful rowing year.
If you would like to donate to this cause please drop in to the collection box in the accounts department located within the Arnison Building or call Fiona Liu on 0410821007.
Good luck to all teams in Week 3 of grading Spartans!
Open Girls: Elisabeth Burrows
Libby has been playing a key role for the Open Girls team, who are currently grading in the top division. She had a great game against a very strong Palm Beach Currumbin (PBC) team last Wednesday. Libby played with confidence, had faith in her ability, and showed composure on both ends of the floor.
U13 Boys: Xavier Focas
Xavier was moved into the top team due to his recent improvement, and showed up with a great performance last Friday. He dominated the rebound battle, played solid defence, and went after every loose ball. Keep up the great work Xavier.
Any students interested in joining Somerset Spartans Basketball Club, please contact Mr Whish-Wilson (swwilson@somerset.qld.edu.au) or Coach Dean Marais (dmarais@somerset.qld.edu.au) for more info and details on how to sign up.
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