On Wednesday 23rd May 2018 our Junior School students engaged in reading the book Hickory Dickory Dash written by Tony Wilson and illustrated by Laura Wood throughout many classes. This story about persistence told through quirky rhymes was greatly enjoyed by all who participated.
National Simultaneous Storytime is an important annual event that involves students from many classes around Australia coming together to read the same story at the same time. The promotion of story reading in this manner encourages student’s excitement for books and hopefully fosters life-long readers and a love of books.
Keep an eye out for next year’s book for National Simultaneous Storytime.
Vivi Baker, Lilly Thompson and Chloe Piantkiwskyj, have vowed to join the cause and raise funds for education initiatives in Cambodia and Timor-Leste.
Vivi is doing the Live Below the Line challenge for the second year in a row and has so far raised over $830.
“It is definitely a challenge, but it is a rewarding and eye-opening experience that I believe everyone should try at least once.
“It really changes your perspective on money and how you spend it, and makes you think twice before buying that $6.00 coffee,” she said.
The Somerset College students were inspired to take the challenge to raise awareness and money for people around the world living in extreme poverty.
“I think Live Below the Line is a great challenge and it gives insight regarding the diet and restrictive food that people living in poverty could face which makes it a really unique challenge,” Chloe said.
In countries just north of Australia, people live without running water, or access to schools or medical care.
“I think this is really important so I encourage as many people this year to join the movement and donate to Live Below the Line to see lives change across the world,” Lilly said.
Since its inception in 2010, Live Below the Line has raised over $10.8 million, which has been instrumental in facilitating education projects in Cambodia and Timor-Leste.
Live Below the Line is a campaign run by the Oaktree Foundation, Australia’s largest aid and development organization run by volunteers under the age of 26.
Visit www.livebelowtheline.com.au to sign up or donate to these students to help them make a difference.
On July 1 2018 Queensland will ban the single use plastic bag across the state as a small step to address the massive plastic waste problems our society now faces. The ocean suffers particularly from large quantities of plastic waste. You might like to read more about the social, environmental, economic and political issues associated with plastic use in this National Geographic article.
If you consider this picture of different types of plastics, you can decide what you can change about your own plastic use, whether it is a small or large change. Also, you may like to help the Sustainable Spartans celebrate World Environment Day by donating ALL of your single use plastic bags which will help teach students about soft plastics recycling. Please drop your plastic bags to 3B Junior School classroom (Lamb Building) at the very latest Monday 4 June.
take3forthesea
Upon our arrival, we were surrounded by around 200 similar minded students at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Brisbane. The conference was divided into three different sessions, each with an aim to expand our leadership skills and awareness. In the first session, our skills were tested in a stimulation called The Vote. During this stimulation, each school represented a different country and was responsible to make the best decision for their country’s circumstances, when asked different questions relating to the possible world crisis. Representing Vanuatu taught us that there are always many solutions to a complex problem, and there is one simple solution.
Following a short break, we heard from three amazing people, all refugees who had managed to successfully flee their home country (Afghanistan, Syria or Sri Lanka). These speakers spoke from the heart about what life was like as a refugee; from being raised in male driven communities to establishing their footing in their newfound Australian community.
We were also faced with some very confronting facts relating to the current refugee crisis. Did you know there are 63 million refugees worldwide; 55 per cent of whom come from three countries: Afghanistan, South Sudan and Syria. Sadly, we could not believe 50 per cent of refugees worldwide are children and 20 people are displaced each minute. This was discomforting to hear and sparked motivation for change within the 200 strong gathering.
In our final session, we were equipped with the skills and ideas to return to Somerset to conduct the 40 Hour Famine Backpack Challenge, next term. World Vision’s aim is to unite with thousands of Australians nationwide, in order to raise funds and awareness about the millions of refugees across the globe.
Our trip up the M1 allowed us to learn the importance of leadership, how young people have a strong voice and how we can all stand up for what we believe in. Therefore, we look forward to co-ordinating the Backpack Challenge in Term Three to champion the cause, improve the lives of others and make a difference in the world. We hope you can join us!
For more information relating to World Vision, please visit www.worldvision.com.au.
For more information about the 40 Hour Famine Backpack Challenge, please visit www.40hourfamine.com.au.
Twenty Somerset Senior students competed in a field of 122 total students, representing eight different schools. Since the competition fell during the Term Two exam block, the entire Somerset team was made up of Year 7 and 8 students. Nevertheless, our teams once again did very well.
The first team won the A Grade with a convincing 22.5/28. Congratulations to Oliver Yang (6/7, second place individual), Jason Li (6/7, third place), Ben Atia (5.5/7, fourth place) and Byron Morris (5/7, =fifth). Congratulations also to these top performers: Lyanna Chan (5/7, =fifth), Michael Dobroskok, Charlie Liu, Kei Naito and Nikita Rubis (all 4/7, =14th).
At the 53rd Peninsula Open, held in Rothwell on the weekend of 18 and 19 May, Ben Atia scored an excellent win over Michael Ostapenko, currently rated 1887 one of the top juniors in Queensland.
Upcoming events:
Dr Eastwood can be seen taking some lactate blood samples to measure the recovery of Angus.
Strength and conditioning coach Emma Sturges is working in the background working with our 1st Netball team as they prepare for QISSN in the next holidays.
To all those students in the Junior School who are keen on their Athletics, training for both Track and Field events begins next week on Monday 28 May at 7.00am concluding at 8.15am. The weekly training schedule is as follows:
This is only open to students in Year 4 to 6. Year 3 children will be practicing, training and learning all of these the events during their HPE lessons at school.
Athletic trials for the track events will commence at school on Thursday 14 and 21 June (Week 9/10) for Year 3 and the Under 9/10 age groups. Due to the fact the Year 6 cohort will be away on camp in Tasmania at the end of Term Three, trials for the Under 11/12 age groups will be held after the school holidays on Thursday 19 July (Week 1 Term Three).
South Coast Regionals Cross Country Trials – Runaway Bay
We would like to wish the following students all the best of luck as they represent the Hinterland District is the South Coast Regional Cross Country Trials at Runaway Bay on Tuesday 5 June:
This year the Junior School will be sending Rugby and Netball teams from Year 4 to 6 to the DNK Rugby Cup and GT Netball Trophy on Thursday 7 June at All Saints Anglican School. These two tournaments all day events from 9.00am to 4.00pm. If your child has been invited to participate, more information and details about these events will be email out to parents by the end of the week.
We wish all the best to those selected to compete in the Kings Invitational Futsal Tournament to held at Carrara Indoor Sports Complex on Thursday 7 June. This is an all-day event starting from 8.00am to 4.00pm.
Congratulations to the following students for making representative squads:
Flynn Carter and Sarah Hammett who qualified to represent South Coast (Under 10 to 12 Boys/Girls) at the State Golf Championships in Kingaroy at the end of July.
Both Alexandra and Darcy Halloran were selected in the U12 Girls and Boys Hinterland Touch Football squads. Alexander was chosen at a reserve for the South Coast team.
Harry Powell who has achieved more success in the sport of Hockey. He has recently been selected in the Under 13 GCHA Hockey Rep Team that will complete in the State Championships in Mackay from the 7 to 12 July. This is a wonderful achievement considering Harry is only in Year 5 and can compete in this age group for the next two years! Only months ago, he was also selected in the Under 12 South Coast Hockey squad that will travel to Cairns in June.
Tuesday 5 June South Coast Regionals Cross Country Trials – Runaway Bay
Thursday 7 June DNK Rugby Cup and GT Netball Trophy, Kings Futsal Tournament
Monday 11 June Winter Sports Assembly – Great Hall 2.20pm
All information about Junior School Sport can be located on Schoolbox by clicking on the Junior School Sports page.
Practices have started. Join Somerset’s biggest team at the Track. Practices are daily and optional, beginning 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
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 4 June - Compulsory APS Practices
Wednesday 6 June - No Compulsory APS Practices
Friday 8 June - APS Winter Finals Day
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.
All sporting details are posted on Schoolbox on the Sports page.
go to “My Links” at the bottom left of your Schoolbox page and click ‘Edit”
at “Manage my Links”, click “+” at the top right of page
paste the link below and add title “Senior School Sport”: http://schoolbox.somerset.qld.edu.au/homepage/1466
Type on the line above then press the Enter/Return key to submit a new search query