Each Wednesday lunch we entertain, engage and excite a different class with a number of Chemistry, Physics and Biology experiments and demonstrations. Science Committee Ambassadors from a range of year levels show our younger peers some of the activities and concepts we have learnt in class, with each member taking ownership of a different activity.
Experiments include exploring firework theory through coloured flames, using microscopes to view biological specimens and generating electricity from lemons. All these activities are incredibly interesting, however, probably the most excitement has been seen when Leigh Amores’ hydrogen rockets shoot up to the ceiling of the lab, or when Emelia Fink demonstrates her hair raising adventures with the Van de Graaff generator.
So far, we have had a fantastic time working with some of the Year 5 students and we are looking forward to meeting many more Junior students throughout the year.
We have specially curated a selection of digital resources to support students in developing independent research skills. The best place to start is the Library catalogue where students are able to explore a variety of topics knowing that the content they are accessing is academically trusted across the world.
The full suite of eResources available to our students can be accessed from the Information Services page on Schoolbox. The site connects you to all of our database providers, all of which are easily accessed from the College. If you are researching from home then you will need to click on the Database Passwords link to login.
As the internet has brought about the ability to learn something from the palm of our hand it can be difficult to filter all of that information. There is a short video on the library site explaining how to search using the library catalogue, locating eResources and how to interact with the different Databases. Students are also able to book one-on-one Research Appointments from this site.
Annika Poeszus (Year 12, Franklin) was keen to create another dance group and continue to pursue the means to give us the opportunity to compete in a range of eisteddfods, after the success of her Personal Project in 2016. Annika taught us the routine during two intensive days over the Christmas holidays and we were excited to finally perform our Lyrical routine.
The performance told an emotional story, having the strength to overcome bullying, a topic which many can relate. After our final rehearsal on Friday afternoon, and with nerves and much excitement, we were ready to hit the stage.
The group consisting of Anna Boone, Kristen Crasto, Makayla Carkazis, Jacinta Mai, Bria Philips, Katie O'laughlin, Bella Harris, Jenna Goldie and Emma Lekich received first place in our High Schools division. We were even more excited after finding out that we were also the highest scoring routine of the day!
We were all extremely ecstatic with these results and would love to thank Annika and Somerset College for this opportunity. We cannot wait to compete in the other eisteddfods throughout the year and hopefully come away with more amazing results.
We had to bring in two cans and modify one so the water in it would trap the sun’s heat. We put both of them in the sun and measured their temperature each hour.
The results proved the class’ hypothesis right: The water in the can that was modified would trap more heat than the normal can showing that we can harness the heat of the sun without relying on the burning of fossil fuels.
Overall, the class enjoyed the experience and we all thought it was a fun way to learn.
Practices begin Monday 28 May. Join Somerset’s biggest team at the Track. Practices are daily and optional and begin at 7.00am sharp, concluding at 8.15am.
Mondays and Wednesday: SS Jumps and Throws, JS TrackTuesdays and Thursdays: JS Jumps and Throws, SS TrackFridays: All events for JS and SS
Students who have an exam (not test) the day following a practice, are not required to attend practice. See Schoolbox
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.
Please note, practices are compulsory for both Winter and Summer Seasons.
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.
Monday 28 May - No Compulsory APS Practices*exams
Wednesday 30 May - No Compulsory APS Practices*exams
Friday 1 June - APS Winter Round 7 vs All Saints
APS Sport PhotosClick here to access photos of your sport or your team.
All Season details on Schoolbox Senior School Sports page. (“Winter Sports” tile for all season dates, and training schedules of the APS Season)
Don’t forget to check the Somerset Schoolbox Senior School Sport Page, as well as the noticeboard at the end of the Science Block for all Sports notes.
If you need more information, drop by the Sports Office.
The Sports page link must be added to your Schoolbox.
If you need more information, drop by the Sports Office in the Ray Building.
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.
In the lead up to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Year 2s created artwork to adorn walls of rooms in the Games Village. A Northern Ireland competitor posted a message of thanks, and Briana Leon now in Year 3, replied.
There were microscopes as far as the eye could see and Bunsen burners with live flames. Mrs Hyman put us into groups of five and we went to our first rotation where we looked through the microscopes at a chicken embryo.
We then moved on to the next rotation and watched an experiment where a fire was lit underneath a high pressure bottle. The bottle flew sky high and hit the roof and we all laughed. Nobody likes eating lemons but when they’re used in a battery, who could resist them?
We were all amazed by the way electrons passed through the lemons but even that wasn’t as utterly fascinating as our next activity. A negatively charged ball interacted with a positive one and we watched in awe as the electricity jumped. That Wednesday was one of the best in the year, and we all hope we’ll do it again!
We were all so grateful for the amount of Year 12 students, Science teachers and lab assistants that gave up their lunch break to conduct the experiments.
It seems that the bags were somewhat of a success, as there are now no Bounce Bags available in the café. Whilst we are pleased that the bags have been used, if you have one of our Bounce Bags at home, could you please return it to the Bird and Bush so that it can be reused by other Somerset families.
Thank you for supporting this initiative from the Sustainable Spartans. Watch this space for future Sustainable sewing events!
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