No. 8. Term Four, 2019

As Chair I have the pleasure of working with some of the best professionals, I have experienced in my business life.

I refer to our Headmaster Craig Bassingthwaighte, our COO David Thornton, the members of the College Leadership Team, all of our teachers and all of our administrative and support staff.

In my day to day interaction with the Somerset team, I am privileged to be rewarded by interacting with a group of people who have a common desire to learn, grow and unselfishly give to their students more than what is expected. In my visits to Somerset College I feel an overwhelming energy and enthusiasm which certainly puts a spring in my step and makes me satisfied that the culture of Somerset is deeply enshrined as a positive, caring and happy place to be.

My congratulations and thanks to the leadership of Craig Bassingthwaighte, not just for preserving this culture and the good things about Somerset but continuing to grow and enshrine our culture. Somerset is a learning place! The learning is just not the learning by our students, it is a learning place for all of us who are part of Somerset College. In my 20+ something years' association with Somerset as a parent and as a Board member, I am continually reminded of the appetite of those people who make Somerset College so great, whether it be our Headmaster, our front office reception, our grounds people or our caterers to be better than before, better than the rest and to continue to learn!

The experience of Alida and myself as parents of Somerset College to four children was extremely satisfying and rewarding. We were so comfortable to see our children in such a positive and enthusiastic learning environment based upon strong values of wellbeing. We are now very proud to maintain a very personal connection to Somerset College as grandparents of five little ones who are now at Somerset College, with three more to come. What better joy for a grandparent or a parent to know that their children are in a caring learning environment, encouraging each child on their own merit to achieve their own personal success.

As always, I would remind parents that from my first day as a parent at Somerset College, I was encouraged to give feedback and to seek answers and to talk constructively with the College about any concerns. Nothing has changed at Somerset, there will always be an ear to listen, and a willingness to discuss and come up with solutions when needed to provide for our goal, personal success for your children.

There are many initiatives and challenges accepted by our wonderful teachers. I’d like to particularly refer to the leadership program that has been embraced by our teachers over the last three years. This program provides for leadership coaching and coaching of our leaders to become coaches and mentors for other staff. Of course, this requires extra time, extra input and extra energy which our teachers give without a second thought.

What better way to grow our students as leaders than to put them in an environment where their teachers are prepared to learn and grow themselves as leaders.

I trust everyone shares my pride in the buildings that have being completed during 2019. These buildings are not just bricks and mortar, they are places of learning and wellbeing and innovation and provide opportunities for our students to explore and achieve their own personal success. I speak specifically about the following projects:-

1. The Sue Roberts Performing Arts Centre incorporating the Terry Herbert Foyer now provides our students and their audience, the very best performance experience.
2. The Design Centre in its unique architecture itself is a fitting home for innovations and entrepreneurship.
3. We are also well on the way to completion of the rebuilding of the Aitkenhead Building, due for completion in February 2020. This project will deliver a new two level classroom building comprising eight general learning classrooms, four specialist classrooms, meeting rooms and stores and general amenities. The building will be incorporated as part of a landscaped plaza integrating with all surrounds and including further pedestrian connection to the campus hub.

The management of the business of Somerset College is of course the key function of the Board working in conjunction with its CEO, our Headmaster Craig Bassingthwaighte and his team. No expenditure is incurred unless it has been thoroughly tested against the best accounting and commercial standards, so that the Board is satisfied that the College is financially sustainable and viable as a strong business model at all times.

Part of those considerations of the Board against the backdrop of forecast budgets for next year’s consideration of the percentage fee increase, which must of course take account of all increases in wages costs and other expenditures. I assure you that in my eight years as Chairman of this Board, when the Board sits down to consider all these financial matters, they are at all times based against our Board’s goal of working towards a minimum fee increase. I am happy to say that we have been able to maintain a minimum fee increase going to 2020 of 3% to continue to provide a whole of life education experience and opportunities for the students of Somerset.

At board level, this year we welcomed to our board a former student, Amanda Appel (class of 2003). Amanda’s husband, Leigh is also a Somerset Alumni, Class of 2002. Amanda’s children start their Somerset experience at pre-prep in 2020. So Somerset College is certainly in Amanda’s blood. Amanda has substantial experience in managing businesses and consultancy companies and brings a fresh and energetic business approach to our board. But most of all, Amanda brings passion for Somerset College and an appreciation of the opportunity to be of service to Somerset College through active participation, vision and delivery of the Somerset College of personal success and a global outlook. Welcome Amanda.

Thank-you very much to my other board members. All Board members give their time willingly and voluntarily and I am very honored and pleased to be able to work with my Deputy Chair Peter Trimble, Chair of Finance Belinda Simmons, Chair of Governance Penny Thurnwald, Chair of the Foundation Bede Young, Chair of Storyfest Louise Davidson, Chair of Entrepreneurship Mark Sowerby, Jason Cordner, Simon Chan and Amanda Appel.

I also want to acknowledge and thank Catherine O’Sullivan who retired from the Board in early 2019 to take up a University post in Melbourne. Catherine enthusiastically provided great support to the Board, particularly in the area of innovation in educational programs.

I started this report talking about my reflections of 2019. I have left the best till last. Our students.

At any time as I walk through the grounds of Somerset College I look forward to the bright, young enthusiastic faces of our students from the youngest to the oldest. It is always easy to get a happy hello or a smile or a nod. I can thoroughly recommend if you need a real lift in your day do a wander around (with the appropriate permission!), the Prep and Pre-Prep students and their teachers. The happiness, joy and noise that they demonstrate is the clearest reflection of everything that is great about Somerset College.

I wish every success to our graduating students, continue to find your own personal success.

I wish to all of our Somerset family, a peaceful and happy holiday season.

The Junior School Inter-House Swimming Champions was Andrews House.

The Senior School Inter-House Swimmer Champions was Franklin House.

Below is the list of all our age champions. Well done to these Spartans!

9 Years: Lucy Pluss and Lucas Deffenti

10 Years: Eliza Davenport and Jacob Moir

11 Years: Mia Graham and Aden Webber

12 Years: Mia Miles and Zac Moir

13 Years: Bessie Dear and Ryan Hisco

14 Years: Milla Jansen and Callum Miles

15 Years: Jorja Otto and Phoenix Kyaw

16 Years: Xiaoxiao Wang and Braydn Miles

17 and Open Years: Brooke Otto and Casey Wilson

Congratulations to the all students who broke records on the day, to our Age Champions and to the winning Houses for Senior School and Junior School.

Thank you greatly to the P&F and the Bird and Bush for supplying food and drinks for the day, where the aromas could be enjoyed throughout pool deck. In addition to this, a huge thank you to the staff who worked tirelessly throughout the day, to ensure the day ran smoothly, which it most certainly did. Special thanks go to Candice McKenna, Forrest Butcher and Stephanie Oppermann for their work in the lead up to the Carnival and to the Head of Houses and House Convenors for ensuring our students had a fantastic day.

When Ella found out she was the winner of the competition, she was quite surprised! “My mind was blown when I found out I was the winner of the Karen Andrews MP Christmas Card Competition! Knowing my card will be received by many people this Christmas has made me so happy!"

Ella’s design will be on the front of the card Karen Andrews MP will send to thousands of card recipients!

Karen Andrews MP made the journey to Somerset to present awards to both girls. Ms Andrews also managed a photo with our Headmaster, Craig Bassingthwaighte surrounded by the generosity of our community who had donated to the Red Bag Appeal.

Congratulations to Ella and Ayla for their tremendous artistic efforts!

Yes this could be due to our excellent air-conditioning, however, a recent article published in the Sydney Morning Herald points to a thriving library patronage on a national level. Australians make 114 million visits to public libraries annually making it our most valued cultural institution (Cadzow 28 September, pp. 15-17).

The fact that our students are choosing to spend their time in the KIP during their breaks further affirms the relevance and inclusivity that our library promotes. Our decision to make Junior School lunches technology-free has been transformative, and we have seen the development of soft skills as our students collaborate, problem-solve and share with each other. The culture of gameplay is spilling over to our Senior students with good old-fashioned UNO making a solid renaissance and epic Magic – The Gathering battles taking place.

As Librarians, it is our job to help our students make informed choices, whether that is suggesting what to read after finishing Harry Potter, helping them find sources on obscure topics or videoing their elaborate domino creations, in a small way we are supporting them. One of our most pleasing statistics for the year has been the spike we have seen in book borrowing, an increase of 20% from last year, points to a thriving reading culture. So, whilst we may be less hushed than some traditional school libraries, we have created a communal living-space that equally values the importance of company, literature and knowledge seeking.

We have had a record number of students among our coaching ranks, all of which have led by example in true Somerset Spartan fashion. We appreciate all of your time and effort very much!

Australian Schools Championships Tournament 2019 (Melbourne)

Somerset Spartans U17 Girls Nationals Basketball team is heading to the ASC Basketball Tournament on Sunday 1st December. Please congratulate and wish the below players the best of luck for the week ahead in Melbourne. This will be the first time Somerset College has taken a girls’ basketball team to this prestigious tournament.

• Stephanie Kay (Captain)
• Katie O’Loughlin (Vice Captain)
• Courtney Stoten
• Libby Burrows
• Claudia Crimmins
• Jinjin Wang
• Victoria Jones
• Riley Davenport
• Ruby Partridge
• Coaches: Dean Marais and Sam Whish-Wilson
• Team Manager: Kelly Partridge

2019 Club Basketball: Summer League

Below are current team standings and top scorers leading into the final round:

2020 Club Basketball Winter Season - Starts February!

Any students or alumni interested in joining Somerset Spartans Basketball Club, please contact Coach Dean Marais (dmarais@somerset.qld.edu.au) for more info and details on how to sign up and get involved!

Our Blue Team was versing Great White which is an U9 team, while all our players are under 7. The Blue team had a great start with the ball mostly played in the opponent's half and we were only one goal behind leading to halftime, finishing 2 to 3. In the second half, the difference of stamina and body strength between U9 and U7 played a key role, the game finishing with 2 to 8.

Our White Team played Pac Pines, thanks to Zhander, Danny and Paxton for helping. We have seen some impressive development from our Spartans, especially Imogen who has confidently found her spot as defender. Many times the opponent was stopped by her defending, as she never gives up and gave it her all in both the first and second halves. We saw good team work from all our players in this game. Good job Imogen and all our Spartans.

The Under 15 played one of their better games this season. With missing Daleep we were not expecting to have a good result. After 15 minutes playing, we were 2 nil down. But the Spartans fought back, and we scored two goals before half time. This gave the boys lots of faith. The second half was played at a very high level. We scored three more goals and Oliver had a few great saves. Congratulations to Oliver, Ethan, Peter, Bongani and Raffi. Next week will be the last game for the Under 15. The league commences on Wednesday January 22 for the finals.

If any questions, please contact the coordinator of Football and Futsal: mdekruijf@somerset.qld.edu.au