Although it was a ‘friendly’ there was some hotly contested competition with some very impressive performances produced by many of the athletes from all the schools.
With a modified programme and a total of 114 Events held on the day it certainly was a great opportunity for all of the athletes who have been training so well through the Covid-19 period to showcase their talents and achieve some outstanding results after their hard work. At Somerset College we have had over 300+ students attend training and vying for a place on the school athletics team over the past few months.
To highlight some of the outstanding performances on the day the following athletes from Somerset College placed First in these individual events for a total of 21 Wins.
Some outstanding results produced, and these were complemented by the number of quality events several of our Spartans competed in to achieve Age Champion Top 3 places. These athletes were:
The key to a successful athletics team is our athlete’s ability to compete in several events to a high standard. Very similar to having a couple of Decathletes and Heptathletes in each age group. Fortunately for Somerset College we have some outstanding coaching staff in the various event groups to help achieve these results, and I would like to thank them all for their hard work throughout the (very disrupted) athletics season this year. Phil Newton (Jumps); Jenny Wood, Jess Hughes and Hamish Boyd (Throws); Murray Goodwin and Scott Walsh (Sprints); Harry McMaster (All events); Howard Arbuthnot (Pole Vault) and Leah Simpson (Distance). A big thank you to all of you!
A huge thank you to all our amazing athletes who participated on the day, attended so many of the training sessions and supported their team-mates throughout the school athletics season. All the coaches’ love working with you to be your best and we look forward to the upcoming Queensland Schools Athletics Championships in October and the Summer Club Athletics season which will run through until April in 2021.
Thank you also to all the parents and caregivers who have really supported the athletics programme this year and I, as Head Coach of Spartan Athletics and Cross Country, am certainly looking for forward to seeing what the future of athletics at Somerset College holds. Without those early morning drop-off and late pick ups we would not have the quality team that we do!
Finally, to all the Somerset College staff who assisted on the day of competition and the set up in the days preceding a big thank you. Thank you to our Director of Sport, our Dean of Activities and our Headmaster, Mr Craig Bassingthwaighte for giving their full support to make this event happen in the absence of the APS Athletics Carnival in 2020. A fantastic day had by all!
The U6s had a fantastic game against Palm Beach. The offensive effort was consistent with Thomas, Alan and Sean setting up the plays. Annie and Edie were great on defence and kept the ball out of our end most of the game. Somerset won 6 to 2 because of an excellent team effort!
Player of the Match went to Alan for his excellent chasing and kicking. Big thanks to Coach Kydra for his support and kind words.
Under 7 Blues were on fire, our little champions winning 20 nil. We had some big scores from Player of the Week, Abhiveer who scored nine, Mayuko kicked six, Jesse kicked four and Emily scored one.
Each player could have bagged more goals but it was pleasant to watch how they passed the ball to each other. They made sure they were working as a team and passing the ball to players with the best chance, rather than trying to score a goal themselves. Well done team!!!
Under 7 Green players all put in a great effort this week, taking out Palm Beach 6 to 2. The Under 7 Greens presented their very structured team, showing great defending skills to take home the win. All players listened to the coach so well and it paid off.
Blake was awarded Player of the Match!
Mudgeeraba Green did not show up. So the Boys had Football practise instead. We welcomed Oliver, new to the Spartans Football Club, for the rest of the season.
Last weekend Under 7 Orange played at home against Mudgeeraba Red. It was an exciting, well matched game with the team attempting many shots on goal. Despite the Spartans deserving a win, the opposition snuck in two goals in the second half with a final 2-nil score to Mudgeeraba.
Kai was outstanding on the day, always in the thick of the action, earning Player of the Match.
From the moment the starter whistle blew it was an action-packed game between Somerset Under 8 Green and Mudgeeraba. The Spartans showed their skills early with two impressive goals by Izaak in the first five minutes of the game.
Several attempted shots at goal by Mudgeeraba were skillfully stopped by goalkeeper Will, including an outstanding high ball save. Mudgeeraba eventually scored a goal just before half time.
The second half was a nail-biter. Ollie used his speed and agility to score for Somerset again and Mudgeeraba followed with two fine goals to equalise the game for a 3-all final score. Team player went to Sehaj who showed impressive passing and dribbling skills throughout the game. Well done Spartans!
This week Somerset Under 8 Blue played a home game against Southport. This particular Southport team has four players who train weekly with the Gold Coast United Pre SAP Program. Somerset went in with one player training weekly with SAP Program, so we knew it was going to be a tough game. Nevertheless, it was an evenly matched game.
Somerset didn’t start the game off quite as hard as they have in previous weeks but still managed to be in the lead by half time. During the second half Southport quickly evened up the score, and then the battle was on to see who would take out the win. For a while it looked as though Somerset may have it but in the end the final score was 3-all, and our first draw for the current season.
Our game goal scorers this week were Benedict Thompson and Alex Pourre, and player of the match also went to Alex Pourre for scoring two of our three goals. The excitement and passion on Alex’s face when he scores, is always a delight to watch.
Our U11 boys had a big weekend of football.
Game One was on Saturday at home against Robina and as always our boys worked together as a team to start off the goal scoring. Towards the end of the first half the passing between team members became a little lax and at half time Coach Maarten reset the team with a focus on better passing between players and setting up the ball as a team to achieve goals. The boys showed a vast improvement in passing and the result was a win for Somerset. The final score 8-nil.
Congratulations to Chris Sui our Player of the Match for great teamwork and passing.
Game Two was on Sunday against Musgrave FC. This was a rescheduled game due to wet weather the weekend before and we were fortunate to have Jacob from Under 10 and Alex Pourre Under 8 Blue join our team, due to some players unable to attend.
Somerset held majority possession during first half resulting in six goals and a great assist by Magnus to secure fourth goal in first half. Our substitute player Alex Pourre secured two goals in first half and two in the second half, while Jacob Kellij landed an amazing goal in the second half.
Thanks, boys, for filling in and helping us out, you played so well and our team really appreciated your efforts.
Some great strikes and speed came from Bailey and Daniel who contributed on more than one occasion to add to the goal tally. Well done boys.
As always great goalkeeping by Dash. I think we have the best goalie in the Under 11 league! Chris and Magnus applied constant pressure during the game against opposition and defended well in their goal space to stop Musgrave from scoring. Also, Nash, Sebastian and Nicholas showed their usual amazing ball skills, speed and defensive techniques to gain possession of the ball from our opponents and set up some great passes to fellow players to secure a win for Somerset. Final Score 11-nil.
Have a question about Football at Somerset College? Please contact our Head Coach - Football and Futsal Maarten de Kruijf. mdekruijf@somerset.qld.edu.au
Churchill’s words transformed the spirit of a nation, but the power arose not from the cleverness of the phrasing but from the huge sacrifice to which it referred. The quote will never again resonate like it did for those who heard it in 1940 through crackling radios, huddled in bomb pocked buildings, with the acrid smells of war surrounding them. Those British citizens knew the truth of the words because they were alive by virtue of what the acts the words described.
Here we are eighty years later, facing a different trauma, nowhere near as threatening, but still unsettling and distressing. Added to that, we are all battling the life pressures – study, work, parenting, community obligations – that create their own brand of trauma. Where are our few to whom we can owe so much?
To answer this question, we must turn our eyes away from our government, families and communities and look squarely into the mirror. In the words of William Johnsen, “if it is to be, it is up to me”. Our choices to sacrifice to meet the needs of others are what build circles of care that lift us all up. And, as is the nature of circles, what you begin has a wonderful habit of returning to you. As Jesus’ said: “but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave”.
Fortunately, the sacrifices we must make rarely risk life and limb, they also have a more certain effect. To provide victory over most of the stresses of our modern world we only need to sacrifice in attitude: that we see others’ needs as more important than our own.
A smile may be the last thing you want to give on this day, but it is the best thing the person in your class, office, or home needs. Kind words and a caring ear may be the last thing you have time for in your day, but it is all someone else needs to fix theirs. Your burdens may seem too great to allow you to be generous with your time, energy or money, but giving generously and unexpectedly will ease others’ anxiety and bless you with joy.
The Few of the RAF gave a great deal over a short period to free the many. We don’t have to give as much, but we need to give it longer with great consistency and the many, especially those we love, will be freed by it.
The Extended Essay is a major academic undertaking consisting of a 4000 word research essay conducted in a subject of the student’s choice. Within that subject they have free rein to explore and investigate a topic of their interest. They then design their own research question, begin researching and then write and edit a final essay The Year 11s start off with an Extended Essay Breakfast Launch in the Boardroom. Here they are asked to begin thinking about the journey ahead. They first pick a subject and then over the next few weeks hone in on a topic. They are then assigned a supervisor who will guide them through the process over the next year or so.
Year 11 IBDP students enjoying their EE launch breakfast
As the Year 11s were deciding on their topics, the Year 12s were submitting their final Extended Essays. These are amazing pieces of work, in which the students really engage in depth with their chosen material.
Some of their essays had titles like:
As you can see from these titles, this is a robust and challenging task – these students will certainly find writing 1000 word essays in first year of university a breeze! If you are interested in reading some past essays, they can be found on the Senior School Homepage on Schoolbox, under the Diploma Programme tile. This year’s EEs will also be uploaded there soon.
The students found it rewarding to become mini-experts in the field associated with their essay as it is a task that requires the students to think and research deeply on their chosen topic. If you would like to know more about the Extended Essay, or about the IB Diploma generally, please feel free to contact me: swalther@somerset.qld.edu.au
We performed Shallow, Superstition, What I’d Say, Proud Mary, I want to Hold your Hand and Get Back.
We’d like to thank the parents and staff for attending the performance and especially thank the parents for dropping us all at school in time for 7.45am rehearsals each Wednesday morning.
In just four days we sold an incredible $17,015 worth of books and stationery, making this our best year ever.
From the funds raised through Book Fair commissions and Book Character Day gold coin donations, we are donating $2625 to Roomtoread.org, a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the literacy of the world’s most vulnerable children.
At the moment, all donations to Room to Read are being matched, so our gift becomes $5250! This is enough to keep 13 girls in school for a year and profoundly change their lives for the better.
We also received $1500 to spend on top-quality Scholastic books for our Junior and Middle Years library collections and have been carefully selecting books we just know the children will love.
There will also be a big box of gifts set aside for Mudgeeraba Special School, which will be personally delivered by our Year 11 students.
If your child placed an order, these have all been submitted to Scholastic and should delivered to their classroom before the end of Week 7 providing there are no unforeseen delays.
Thank you so much for supporting our Book Fair, through your generosity and the joy of reading we have once again been able to brighten the lives of so many young people.
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