Mrs Copperwaite said, “The students were such a friendly, cohesive group as four and five year olds and are just the same now as young adults”.
Thank you to these educators for joining the students for this special event before they finish Year 12.
The students recalled the start of their Somerset journey with some photos of their year and the 2008 Christmas concert video.
Thank you to Ms Kate Cornell for organising the Year 12 group and thank you to Mr Craig Bassingthwaighte and Ms Rebecca Collie for joining us.
The Pre-Preps loved having ‘big kids’ in their classroom and were excited to see the older students exploring their playground.
Goodluck to these Year 12 students for the next stage of their journey.
There was the glory of the choral pieces, the power of the prayers and, to top it off, the joy of the Avenue of Honour. Students from Pre-Prep to Year 11 lined up to farewell their Seniors with hoops, high and low fives, and many hugs.
In amongst the bubble of words that flowed from within the ceremony through the Avenue of Honour and down onto the Concourse, there are some that rode to prominence (“sad”, “miss you so much”, “amazing”, “incredible”, “kind”, “great effort”, “character”) but one phrase in particular stood out from all others in terms of both frequency and sincerity, “thank you”.
There were thank yous from Valedictorians to teachers, and especially emotional thank yous to teachers from their early past at Somerset.
There were thank yous from teachers to students for the way they had been easy to teach, and the pride they have brought to their teachers by their achievements.
I even managed to overhear thank yous from children to their parents for the sacrifices they had made to bring the graduation about, and thank yous from parents to daughters and sons for the joy they had given them.
All these thank yous were sincere, timely, and wonderful, they stirred the heart, but it got me to thinking is this it? Is this all? Are the thanks given on important occasions the ones that really count?
They mean a lot, and are long remembered, but I suspect that there is another style of thank you that makes a bigger difference, is even more important. It is not the automatic thank you to which we in polite society have been trained. It is the sneak attack, the thanks that comes unexpectedly and, even better, as an appreciation the recipient did not expect.
When speaking to students about “blowing their parents away” with unexpected thanks or love I suggest an idea. Write a little note before school and stick it somewhere your mum will find it when you are not around, stick it inside her sandwich or something*. It usually brings great chuckles, but every now and then a student will dare try the idea.
Many years ago, I was presenting to regional staff the day after I had spoken in one of their high schools. As the teachers arrived one woman was excitedly talking to as many people as possible, her face fixed with a smile which, were it not so lovely, would be clownish. The story she told was that she had gone to eat her mandarin for lunch that day but had stopped because there seemed to be evidence of tampering.
She carefully peeled the fruit and pulled apart the segments. There at its heart, where seeds normally live, was a screwed-up ball of paper. Unscrewing it revealed a note from her 14 year old son (who had been in my session the day before) “Mum, I know I’m hard to live with sometimes but I love you and think you are terrific”.
That teacher’s life was changed, her joy restored, at least for that one day but probably for life. The boy was likely a fair pain that afternoon, but his sneak attack thank you to his mum gave her hope for the future and strength to cope. That boy will be a man of 23 now and I suspect he is everything she prayed he would be, and that every now and then in a quiet moment she has a smile or a tear as she recalls the crumpled missive that supplied confidence to her aspiration that day.
Thank yous as a sneak attack, now there is a strategy. Seek the most unlikely times or ways to deliver your appreciation, especially for the things that long go unnoticed, and you will deliver a joy that is both full and enduring.
Much as I’d like to claim creative genius for the note idea, I can’t. It is one I stole from a very wise mentor
Stimulus was provided through art installations, storytelling, music and information cards as we went around the yarning circle speaking freely on matters impacting the past, present and future of Burleigh. The experience not only challenged students to think critically but also to listen to one another. We were given the opportunity to emulate and express ideas through public speaking, storytelling, small group discussions, written reflections and sketches. For these activities, students were given questions on cards titled ‘food’, ‘culture’, ‘visiting’, ‘moving’ and ‘living’, and we were also given ‘prompt words’ to invigorate our thinking from the Burleigh Kiosk.
We were challenged to think about these questions and use the ideas and prompts to develop thoughtful, insightful, and creative responses to share with the group. Participation in this workshop has taught us a lot about ourselves. Through listening, discussion and some critical or lateral thinking, we can develop ideas that can be used to connect communities, perhaps even change Burleigh’s future or even Australia’s future. Our ideas will be submitted to local decision makers but I found myself wondering if I was sitting amongst future policy makers, such was the clever contribution made by Somerset students.
On behalf of the group, we want to thank Mr Walker and Mrs Scandrett for providing this unique educational opportunity.
Students began the day with a visit to Shark Bay where Marine Education Officers shared insights about the alarming facts around pollution, climate change and what our world will look like in years to come if we don’t take ACTION and make changes now. This experience certainly consolidated the research and investigation students had undertaken during their Sharing the Planet unit of inquiry. After exploring and spotting sharks, rays, fish, and turtles we headed to the Ray Reef Exhibit. A highlight of our visit was getting to carefully touch the stingrays as they swam past, as well as watching feeding time!
After a quick Morning Tea break, we arrived at the amazing Affinity Dolphin Show. We very much enjoyed watching these beautiful animals as they performed and showed us how clever they really are. Taking a pitstop for some yummy lunch left us ready for some fun in the afternoon! Heading off in our small groups, students ventured around the park to enjoy all the park had to offer. Even Miss Russell and Mrs Skinner went on the Storm Coaster more than once!
To finish our spectacular day, students explored Polar Bear Shores, Penguin Encounter Exhibit and The Sea Jelly’s. Sea World met all our expectations and was a fantastic way for our students to spend time with one another, enjoy the thrill seeking rides, see and learn about the beautiful animals and most of all have fun.
Upon reflecting on the day’s events, student comments included:
“Year 3 had an amazing time learning about the marine animals and creatures. When we went on the Storm Coaster, it was so good that Miss Russell went on it too. 3R liked learning about the ocean and wanted to know more!”
“I've never had so much fun on a school day with my school friends! Sea World was a unique and interesting experience learning about pollution and seeing the trainers and keepers have a bond with the marine animals was unbelievable.”
“Our trip to Sea World was amazing with the extraordinary animals teaching us about the marine life. When we went to the rides, Mrs Millican went on a mini roller coaster and didn’t want to go on one again!”
The Year 3 Teachers were extremely proud of how the Year 3 students represented Somerset College off campus, and thoroughly enjoyed the day together!
Theatre is a fantastic way to explore wellbeing concepts and this week’s performance was no exception. Our students would have had different moments during the performance when they could empathise and identify with the different struggles the two characters faced.
Although the performance explored and reinforced important cyber safety messages, such as not sharing passwords, talking to strangers online and protecting your privacy when online in apps and games, the most important message of all from the performance was about how important it is to have friends. Lucy and Charlie realised that the key to true friendship is about helping others, being truthful, being kind, being yourself and having self-control. To have friends, we need to be a good friend. Technology can get in the mix but it should never get in the way of what it means to be a good friend and spending quality time with people.
This was one of the bewildering concepts discussed at the UQ’s Junior Physics Odyssey. During the spring holidays, Kaye Amores, Amaani Bhasin and myself attended this programme at the University of Queensland with other students interested in Physics from all across the state.
This was an extremely fun and eye-opening programme into the world of Physics with an abundance of interesting activities spread over our two days at UQ, including extraordinary experiment demos, fascinating lectures, a tour of the university and even some friendly competition between students. Through this, we expanded our knowledge on many complex scientific theories, such as Perpetual Motion and the Theory of Relativity.
I have many long-lasting memories and developed a greater appreciation for the study of Physics, so I would highly recommend any students going into Year 10 Physics next year to apply and attend the Junior Physics Odyssey.
A big thank you goes to our Physics teachers; Mrs Lynch and Mrs Amores, as this memorable experience would not be possible without their recommendation.
Alanja Thomasson - 1st place
Camilla Guthrie - 3rd place
Harry Georgeson - HC
Anna Thomas - 1st place
Shania Li - 2nd place
Emmeline Anthony - HC
Victoria Huang - 2nd place
Camilla Guthrie: Elite
Saeesha Kumar: Gold
Dyuthi Vuthpala: Bronze
Anna Thomas: Silvernna Thomas: Silver
Giulia Provenzano: Elite
The PYP Exhibition allows students to choose problem based topics that connect to an overarching big idea. We loved seeing the passion that our students showed for their topics and how knowledgeably they were able to present and talk about their topic and the Sustainable Development Goals at the Exhibition.
The PYP Exhibition is inquiry based, but also transdisciplinary and a collaborative process – all vital 21st century skills. The focus is on student agency – our students pushed their thinking in new directions, looked at their own beliefs and challenged themselves to learn as much as they could on the topic. We are proud of how articulate our students were in speaking about their topics and sharing their knowledge and new understandings with Junior School students and via the livestream to parents.
As a culminating project, the Exhibition has required students to draw on their learning throughout the PYP. As our Year 5 students move forward to Year 6 and the Middle Years’ Programme, they do so with the confidence that they have gained many skills, the ability to inquire and research, to work collaboratively and to choose and develop appropriate action.
The afternoon tea was a huge success with plenty of delicious food on offer and the players and coaches enjoying a well needed dip in the pool, followed by an icy pole to complete the afternoons event.
Open A Team winning Best Team Award
Thanks to all parents, players and staff for your attendance and support with the netball programme and special thanks to Mr Bassingthwaighte and the College for financially supporting our 2020 Netball Awards Presentation.
The Somerset College Junior Spirit of Netball Medal - Noku Mhlanga
Somerset College Junior Up and Coming Player - Peggy Webber
Somerset College Junior Player of the Year - Maddi McLaughlin
The Somerset College Intermediate Spirit of Netball Medal - Lili Bannerman
Somerset College Intermediate Up and Coming Player - Marley Burns
Somerset College Intermediate Player of the Year - Charli Pearse
Somerset College Netball Academy - Most Improved Player - Roxy Brown
Somerset College Netball Academy Cup - Best Player – Rio Burns
The Somerset College Senior Spirit of Netball Medal – Lucy Millar
Somerset College Senior Up and Coming Player - Atlanta Horan
Somerset College Senior Player of the Year - Bayley d’Hotman de Villiers
Cerutti Cup for Leadership - Jemma Clements
BEST TEAM AWARD – Open A
You could not have asked for a more picture-perfect day on the Gold Coast to hold such a competition. All four teams acquitted themselves amazingly well, given it was their first time playing this format. The 13-minute game is gruelling to say the least. The high intensity and the soft sand create an energy sapping environment and is also a great ‘leveller’ as it is hard to accelerate and change direction quickly.
The U12 boys played three matches in the morning and were highly competitive in each. In fact, they played eventual champions, All Saints Anglican School in the very first match and after leading 5 to 2, they were overtaken at the backend of the match to lose by two tries.
The U16 boys faced stiff opposition all day but perhaps most confronting was their very first match against a red-hot and very large team named, the Kulture Freestylerz. Their supreme size and ball movement was too much for our very first match. However, the boys warmed to the task quickly and were unlucky to lose their second match to Bond Pirates U16 by a solitary, Bond scoring a try in the final play of the match. The U16 boys then went on to win their final match of the day.
The U18 boys team played with skill and precision easily accounting for the first two teams they played. In the final pool round they came up against a formidable foe in the Helensvale U18 team. The boys knew this team well as it comprised of many players from the U17 Helensvale Hogs team that won the Under 17 Metro Cup this year by defeating teams at will by 50 points or more in most of their matches. The boys hung tight in the first half trailing by 1 try at the half. However, Helensvale poured on the pressure in the second half to runaway with the game. The boys, however, had finished in the top 2 and advanced to the final in the afternoon. Their opponents, none other than the Helensvale team-a tough task! The final was a much tighter affair with teams trading tries back and forth with Helensvale always holding a 1 try buffer right until the last 2 minutes where they ran in two tries to give them some breathing space. The Spartans going down 9 to 6. A superb effort!
The surprise package of the day went to our U15 girls’ team. They only had seven players total for a five-player game. Yet they demonstrated excellent fitness, superb courage, and good skill to be highly competitive in a very challenging grade full of girls who regularly play Rugby Union and touch. Lucy Millar was strong defensively, Alex Halloran excellent in attack whilst our twin speedsters of Jess Nguyen and Jess Velozza lethal with space in front of them. Sienna Briggs showed courage and tenacity against many opponents twice her size whilst both Brianna Kurtz and Oria Mougrabi showed little regard for their bodies in both attack and defence often running direct or getting their bodies in front of their opponents to make some telling tackles.
A great day was had by all and my thanks to all the players, parents and staff that made this day an incredibly enjoyable experience.
In the Under 1000QJ Division, Elijah Hadikusumo and Oscar Credland-Ballantyne starred with 5.5/7 to finish = third. Nina Varcoe and Dylan Hu both scored 4/7 to finish in the top half of the field, whilst Harrison Qu and Paris Liu both also took part in the event, scoring 3/7.
The Open Division was a much tougher event with many seasoned adults taking part in the event, including Grandmaster Moulthun Ly who coached some of the Somerset students during the holidays, and International Master Alex Wohl. A number of students took part and despite being rated near the bottom of the field, all performed credibly and will have learnt a lot from the day! Those students who took part are Lyanna Chan, Jennifer Yeung, Melody Yang and Calen Tang.
During the week, Harrison Qu took on some challengers from his fellow year one students, taking on three players at once! In a remarkable performance, he even won all three games
This weekend sees the Gold Coast Blitz and Transfer Championships, with a number of Somerset students and coaches playing – even Mr. Gardiner may be playing in the Transfer event!
There will also be a holiday programme and tournament held during the school holidays at Somerset College. Please click here for full information!
Under 8 Pink scored their first two goals of the season. Well done Girls!!!
The final score, 2 to 11.
U8 met with the Dolphins who applied immediate pressure from the outset. After the first nine minutes scores we were down 2-nil. Alex then managed the the first goal before the Dolphins followed with a third.
Izaak and Hugo's goals took the scores to an even 3-all before Alex came through with two more. Before half-time Edward and Alex contributed to a 3 to 7 lead.
The second half was scoreless until just 12 minutes on the clock when the Dolphins managed to score from a free. Blue continued to score from then taking the final score 4 to 11 Somerset's way.
The game began with Black running into formations. eager to win and redeem. With a bang, the first goal was shot, it was a great way to kick it off.
Three goals were scored by Ash, Lachie and Josh flawlessly. It was interesting to watch two brothers versing each other while managing to display great sportsmanship on the court.
The final score, 3 to 1 to Black.
This by far was our toughest game yet nil to 20 to Magic.
Despite the score, there was some great defending by Jesse and Vaughan. Liam saved a few great shots in goal. Alan seems to come out of nowhere and manages to get the ball, which often left Magic wondering where he came from. Hamish and Abhiveer managed to get the ball into their half a couple of times, but sadly we were unable to score.
It was a hard game, but the boys seem to be in good spirits after.
Well U8, great teamwork.
The Under 9 had a bye this weekend. Back in action next week!
The Somerset U10s met with the Gold Coast Rangers, going down 2 to 20. The loss was in no way a reflection on the team’s performance, which was nothing more that impressive resilience and team spirit.
As everyone in the team continued to work exceptionally hard until the final siren. Ashton and Dylan both did an amazing job in goals and Dylan even managed to score a lovely goal in the second half while playing striker. It was a game the whole team can be proud of and one where we reflect on our continual improvement as a team and not end of game scores.
This was always going to be a tough game playing the second team on the ladder. Somerset opened scoring within the first minute but quickly Robina Reds returned three goals. As always, our goalie Dash was on fire and saved so many goals. Both teams fought hard until the end, but our boys had a lot of shots on target and just couldn’t find the back of the net like Robina Reds. The final score was 5 to 3 to Robina.
The U13s came up against the Palm Beach Sharks. Our team had a hard match ahead of them, as three players were away leaving the team with only one substitute. Nevertheless, the team fought it out in the afternoon heat and put on a very impressive performance.
Even though Palm beach took the victory all our boys played a game they should be proud of. Kenshin had a standout performance in goals, making some incredible saves along with Will who scored a spectacular goal.
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