Led by Mrs Walker and mentored by Year 10 students (who have participated previously in the Shed programme) we are encouraged to decide as a group what project we would like to undertake, that will ultimately benefit another community.
We have learnt how to use tools effectively to complete the project such as a jigsaw, a cordless drill and orbital sander. Recently, Mr O’Brien joined us at the Shed to show us how to use the laser cutter and take our projects to the next level. We are excited that next term we will deliver our Nesting Boxes for rainbow lorikeets to the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.
The next group has just started their experience at the Somerset Shed. The project they are undertaking will be constructing Little Lending Libraries. This is a community initiative of Storyfest, where we will create a beautiful home for books. Our constructed library will then be located in an easily accessible spot within the community, as an invitation to share the joys of reading with everyone.
Somerset Shed is was a great way to learn new skills, meet new people and create an object to be shared with the wider community.
To do this, Mr Galo supplied us with important principles to follow as we grow up. One of his main points was that being yourself is enough. People don’t need to be more than who they are. This is an important message, especially for the young.
Mr Galo discussed important issues such as suicide in a down-to-earth way. For example, did you know that eight people commit suicide every day in Australia? I certainly didn’t. Such a shocking statistic needs to be reduced. We realised that this is why many schools now have a wellbeing programme; to equip us with life skills and coping mechanisms.
It wasn't all just theory, though. We also did some activities to demonstrate the effect of coping under pressure. My favourite activity involved trying to lift a cup, representing a student, out of a pit of acid. As Mr Galo yelled at the student team, his pressure on them caused them to fail. However, once he stopped the pressure, the team communicated and was able to lift the cup out. The activity taught us that negative pressure is not OK.
Thank you, Mr Galo!
Prep friends current inquiry is; “The Arts is a language for expression of thoughts, ideas, feelings and knowledge”. As part of our inquiry students have been completing a drawing day. Fathers were welcomed with classical music playing in the background and were put to the challenge of drawing a portrait of their son or daughter. Prep friends also completed a portrait of their dad and explained the modes of drawing that we identify when we create art pieces; imagination, observation and memory. The afternoon concluded with a book, My Superhero, written by Chris Owen.
Prep fathers left with gifts that their children had busily made for them. This included a personalised placemat and a special biscuit that was a hand decorated picture of their Dad’s face.
What a joy it was to see Prep friends and fathers sharing such a wonderful afternoon together, full of memories that will be cherished forever.
For most families, their first point of contact with the College is through our Admissions Department and more often our Registrar, Louise Woods. This week, Louise is visiting New Zealand on a self-funded trip, sharing her knowledge in enrolments - gained from her career in marketing and long time employment in administration at the College - at the international conference for Educate Plus. Louise first presented earlier in the year in Brisbane and was so well received, she was invited to speak in New Zealand.
"It was extremely rewarding to be able to combine my knowledge of sales and marketing with Admissions and to share this at the International Conference," says Louise.
Educate Plus provides a network for professionals in education working in Admissions, Alumni and Community Relations, Fundraising, Marketing and Communication. Our Dean of Admissions, John Bacon has a strong interest with the group, holding a position on its board.
Attending Circus Quirkus brings fun and respite into the lives of thousands of children from over 60 local welfare, disability and care organisations. Through no fault of their own, these kids miss out on so much that most of us take for granted. Circus Quirkus gives them a day they’ll always remember, with some of the world’s best performers astounding them with acrobatics, clowning, juggling, death-defying stunts and lots of comedy!
The delicious treats on display at the stall were prepared enthusiastically by the girls and were sold over two days, leading to a resounding success. In total, the group raised over $460, which will enable eight children to attend Circus Quirkus! This opportunity would not have been possible for these children without the amazing contribution from the Somerset community.
The group, under the leadership of Sarah Norton, thoroughly enjoyed this experience and gained valuable teamwork skills as well as a positive sense of fulfilment for this remarkable achievement.
Thank you must go to Mr Walker who helped with the logistics of our operation. It feels great to do something so positive for our community. Thank you to all students and teachers who supported our endeavours to bring joy to the lives of these children.
Over the past 20 years, volunteers from the local community have transformed this beautiful 72 hectare park into a recreational space that provides habitat for wildlife, including frogs, small mammals and 158 bird species. The community tree planting event provided an opportunity for volunteers to learn about bush regeneration and to contribute to the ongoing restoration of one of the Gold Coast’s most important natural areas.
The MYP Sustainable Spartans focuses on raising awareness about conservation and providing habitat for wildlife both within the College grounds and in the wider community. If you are interested in joining us, please come along to our next meeting in the KIP (Knowledge & Information Precinct) at 8.00am on Tuesday 11 September. For more information, contact Mrs Coombes: hcoombes@somerset.qld.edu.au or Noah Jay: 29339@student.somerset.qld.edu.au
"Going to visit the elderly this term was a fun and rather interesting experience for all of us. Every time we visited, we would usually chat with the elderly and tell them about our life. On some weeks, we would take the loom bands to make bracelets for them and also bring the iPads to use. We would engage in deep conversations with them as well. Many of us even went into a deeper relationship with them. Overall, I believe that we have benefited from these visits and I am excited to participate next term."
Hannah Zubair
"The Terraces has been a good experience and I have made a friendly relationship with Diane. It has been a good experience being with the elderly and spending the one-hour sessions every Monday with them this term. We would talk to them about what we are doing and talk about them as well, sometimes we bring in iPads and show them how to use them or we go into the games room and watch movies and play games. We have benefitted from these visits and I would like to participate in these sessions next term."
Nicholas Lunniss
"Two weeks ago Eliza and I visited the residents at The Terraces, an aged care home. A lady named Jo taught us how to knit. We had a very fun time with Jo and she taught us all she knew about knitting. We felt immediately welcomed when talking with her and Jo also was very encouraging while we were trying to learn to knit. This was our first time knitting and it made us have a sense of satisfaction. It was very difficult however I am excited to go back next term and gain a deeper understanding of how to interact with the elderly and hopefully improve my knitting skills!"
Iona Radcliffe
Our team did exceptionally well not dropping a set for the whole day! In the end Somerset won 96 games and only dropped five games, an outstanding achievement.
Now the boys will compete in the State Championships in January.
In addition, on Sunday 2 September we had some students competing in the OTC at Beenleigh.
We had six students competing on the day and they did extremely well!
What a great effort by our young stars. There is one Orange Ball Tournament left on Sunday 28 October.
The aim of the Early Bird Swimming Sessions is to help increase confidence in the water and will also specialise in ways to improve technique.
A Somerset College Junior Swimming Training Squad (The Somerset Snappers) will be invited to train at the same time. Junior APS Swimming Team Manager, Mrs Kate Grigg and Mr Forrest Butcher, Head Coach – Somerset Swimming, will supervise and lead both of these sessions under the guidance of nationally accredited expert coaches and qualified Somerset Sport Staff.
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