Somerset College
Encyclopedia
Somerset College is a non-denominational Christian
school located in Mudgeeraba
, Gold Coast
, Australia
.
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Somerset college had its name based on the name of a property which belonged to the Andrews family, who previously owned the land.
The School's traditional colours are green and blue, based on the values possessed by the founding members of the School Board. Green pays homage to the School's farmland location. Blue relates to the ocean which lies in the vicinity of the College.
In Years 1 to 5, children have a single teacher for all subjects except for Physical Education, Art, Music and Language classes, which are conducted by specialty teachers. Years 6-7 is seen as the transition year from Junior School to Senior School.In preparation for the structure of Senior School, the students in grade 6 have each class with different teachers. The Year 7 Dinner, similar to a ball, occurs at the end of the year to celebrate their complete transition to the Senior School. In Senior School, the students then move around to different classrooms for their classes.
Students at Somerset College are separated into five competitive houses: Andrews (dandelion yellow), Franklin (purple), Laver (grass[dull]green), Starkey ( bright red) and Veivers (sea blue). Each year, the school has three major inter-house sporting events: the Swimming Carnival, the Cross-Country Carnival and the Athletics Carnival. Various minor, non-compulsory competitions are also held annually. In 2009 history was made by Andrews House who were victorious in the Swimming Carnival, the Cross-Country Carnival and the Athletics Carnival in the same year, a result which has never been done. Adding to their collection Andrews also won the inaugural Arnison cup in 2009, awarded to the most successful house over the year, making Andrews house the most successful house in Somerset history. Different sections of the school conduct their own carnivals: one for Preschool and the Lower Primary, one for the Upper Primary, and one for the Senior School.
Within the school, the student body is led by a series of student leaders and school captains from year to year. Students may also be awarded with half colour, full colour or school honours for extracurricular or non-academic based achievement. These awards are presented at various evenings, such as the school's annual Scholar's Day, Sports Awards Night or the annual Cultural Collages evening. Positions of leadership are awarded to selected senior pupils at the beginning of their final year. The entry level leadership position is that of House Captain, a role characterised by sporting involvement and team spirit; a female and male senior pupil are selected from each of the five houses. One pair from grade 7 is chosen for the Junior School and a pair from grade 12 for the Senior School. The Captain of Committees and Senior Advising Pupil Welfare perform administrative and pastoral care functions respectively within the school. A female and male School Captain are selected each year and they serve as the school's representatives at formal events. Again, a pair is chosen from grade 7 and grade 12. Two Chapel Sacristans are also selected annually, they are entrusted with the spiritual development of the student body.
. It also offers the IB Middle Years Programme
(MYP) and the IB Primary Years Programme
(PYP), for which it received accreditation in 2006.
, Paul Jennings
, Geoffrey McSkimming
, Kate Forsyth
, Andy Griffiths
, Andrew Daddo
, Gretel Killeen
and Terry Denton
. Other schools also partake in the festival by enrolling their students for sessions conducted by various authors.
, Peter Goldsworthy
, Don Cameron (Neuroscientist at Flinders University) and many others.
tertiary entrance rank system. In 2008, Somerset College students achieved 14 OP 1s (the highest OP band available). This represents 11.1% of the cohort—in comparison, the Queensland state average was 2.6% OP 1s. Over the 1992-2008 period, Somerset College has averaged 7.2% OP 1s each year
In 2008, 91.3% of OP-eligible students at Somerset College gained an OP between 1 and 15.
In 2010, 75% of OP-eligible students achieved an A across the QCS tests and over two thirds of the IB italian students received a score of 6 or 7 out of 7. Approximately 70% of the 2010 graduates also gained an OP between 1 and 7.
, etc.
Also important to the Somerset lifestyle are the Development Sports. These sports give aspiring athletes a chance to develop their skills in their chosen fields, everything from distance running to sprint kayaking to martial arts, to motorsports.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
school located in Mudgeeraba
Mudgeeraba, Queensland
Mudgeeraba is a suburb of the Gold Coast. Mudgeeraba is remnant of the type of township that characterises the rural hinterland of the Gold Coast. Subdivision of land was conventional and buildings were traditionally rural or rural commercial. Mudgeeraba, like other areas, was an early centre,...
, Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
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http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/college/images/home_page_heros/sml_2003_Community2.jpg
http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/celebration/images/general/Somerset%20College%20Towers%20Quad%20photo.jpg
http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/celebration/images/general/Somerset%20College%20venue%20photo.jpg
History
Somerset College is one of Australia's leading independent primary and secondary education providers. Established in 1983, Somerset College has achieved a much esteemed position in education. The success of its students and staff in academic, pastoral, cultural, physical and spiritual domains has flowed from a tangible commitment to excellence and collaboration. Somerset College was opened on 27 January 1983 with 158 pupils, ranging from Years 1 to 8. The first headmaster was Rod Wells. The second headmaster was Dr Barry J. Arnison OAM, who was appointed in 1986 and retired at the end of 2008, having served as headmaster for 23 years. Mr Craig Bassingthwaite was chosen as Dr Arnison's successor and commenced his duties in January 2009. In December 2009, Mrs Beverley Gallus retired as Senior Deputy, having spent 24 years in the position. The current Deputy Headmaster (and the executive member in charge of the Senior School) is Mr Michael Brohier, while the current head of the Junior School is Mrs Virginia Lamb. The first Year 12 students graduated in 1987.Somerset college had its name based on the name of a property which belonged to the Andrews family, who previously owned the land.
The School's traditional colours are green and blue, based on the values possessed by the founding members of the School Board. Green pays homage to the School's farmland location. Blue relates to the ocean which lies in the vicinity of the College.
School Structure
The school is divided into the Junior School (Prep-Year 7) and the Senior School (Years 8-12). Both have their separate administration centres; however, Mr C. Bassingthwaighte is headmaster of the entire school.In Years 1 to 5, children have a single teacher for all subjects except for Physical Education, Art, Music and Language classes, which are conducted by specialty teachers. Years 6-7 is seen as the transition year from Junior School to Senior School.In preparation for the structure of Senior School, the students in grade 6 have each class with different teachers. The Year 7 Dinner, similar to a ball, occurs at the end of the year to celebrate their complete transition to the Senior School. In Senior School, the students then move around to different classrooms for their classes.
Students at Somerset College are separated into five competitive houses: Andrews (dandelion yellow), Franklin (purple), Laver (grass[dull]green), Starkey ( bright red) and Veivers (sea blue). Each year, the school has three major inter-house sporting events: the Swimming Carnival, the Cross-Country Carnival and the Athletics Carnival. Various minor, non-compulsory competitions are also held annually. In 2009 history was made by Andrews House who were victorious in the Swimming Carnival, the Cross-Country Carnival and the Athletics Carnival in the same year, a result which has never been done. Adding to their collection Andrews also won the inaugural Arnison cup in 2009, awarded to the most successful house over the year, making Andrews house the most successful house in Somerset history. Different sections of the school conduct their own carnivals: one for Preschool and the Lower Primary, one for the Upper Primary, and one for the Senior School.
Within the school, the student body is led by a series of student leaders and school captains from year to year. Students may also be awarded with half colour, full colour or school honours for extracurricular or non-academic based achievement. These awards are presented at various evenings, such as the school's annual Scholar's Day, Sports Awards Night or the annual Cultural Collages evening. Positions of leadership are awarded to selected senior pupils at the beginning of their final year. The entry level leadership position is that of House Captain, a role characterised by sporting involvement and team spirit; a female and male senior pupil are selected from each of the five houses. One pair from grade 7 is chosen for the Junior School and a pair from grade 12 for the Senior School. The Captain of Committees and Senior Advising Pupil Welfare perform administrative and pastoral care functions respectively within the school. A female and male School Captain are selected each year and they serve as the school's representatives at formal events. Again, a pair is chosen from grade 7 and grade 12. Two Chapel Sacristans are also selected annually, they are entrusted with the spiritual development of the student body.
International Baccalaureate
Somerset College is one of three International Baccalaureate World Schools on the Gold Coast accredited to offer the IB Diploma ProgrammeIB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
. It also offers the IB Middle Years Programme
IB Middle Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is an educational programme intended for students aged approximately 11 to 16 . Thus, in the United States the programme is often taught throughout the middle school years and the first two years of high school...
(MYP) and the IB Primary Years Programme
IB Primary Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is an educational programme managed by the International Baccalaureate for students aged 3 to 11. While the programme prepares students for the IB Middle Years Programme, it is not a prerequisite for it...
(PYP), for which it received accreditation in 2006.
Celebration Of Literature
Each year in mid-March, Somerset College hosts their annual Celebration of Literature week. The festival, which lasts for 5 days, features notable authors and poets from around Australia. Past authors include: Douglas AdamsDouglas Adams
Douglas Noel Adams was an English writer and dramatist. He is best known as the author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which started life in 1978 as a BBC radio comedy before developing into a "trilogy" of five books that sold over 15 million copies in his lifetime, a television...
, Paul Jennings
Paul Jennings (Australian author)
Paul Jennings AM is an English-born Australian children's book writer. His books mainly feature short stories that lead the reader through an unusual series of events that end with a twist.-Biography:...
, Geoffrey McSkimming
Geoffrey McSkimming
Geoffrey McSkimming is the author of the Cairo Jim chronicles and Jocelyn Osgood jaunts, a children's book series. Since publication of the first Cairo Jim story in 1991, the series has never gone out of print and has been translated and released in many countries throughout the world.McSkimming...
, Kate Forsyth
Kate Forsyth
Kate Forsyth is an Australian fantasy author, best known for the Witches of Eileanan series, and the Rhiannon's Ride series, which is also set in Eileanan....
, Andy Griffiths
Andy Griffiths
Andrew "Andy" Griffiths is an Australian children's book author and comedy writer. He is most notable for his Just! series, which was converted into an animated television series called What's with Andy?...
, Andrew Daddo
Andrew Daddo
Andrew Daddo is an Australian actor, author and television personality.Andrew has been a long time presenter on the Seven Network in Australia and has been involved in hosting many Seven specials...
, Gretel Killeen
Gretel Killeen
Gretel Killeen is an Australian journalist and author. Killeen is well known for being the primary host of Big Brother Australia from its inception in 2001 until the 2007 season ....
and Terry Denton
Terry Denton
Terry Denton is an Australian illustrator and author. The second youngest of five boys, he was born and grew up in Melbourne, Victoria....
. Other schools also partake in the festival by enrolling their students for sessions conducted by various authors.
Other Event Highlights
In June 2006, Somerset College hosted the Asia-Pacific International Baccalaureate conference. The conference had a number of keynote speakers, all of whom were accomplished professionals in their field within Australia and Asia. Some included: Associate Professor Evian Gordon (CEO of the Brain Imaging Research Unit), Nick EarlsNick Earls
Nick Earls is an award-winning novelist from Brisbane, Australia. He writes humorous popular fiction about everyday life, and is often compared to Nick Hornby...
, Peter Goldsworthy
Peter Goldsworthy
Peter Goldsworthy AM is an Australian writer and medical practitioner. He has won awards for his short stories, poetry, novels, and opera libretti....
, Don Cameron (Neuroscientist at Flinders University) and many others.
Drama and Musicals
Somerset College has an extensive dramatic arts program. Each year the school begins with the year 6/7 musical for the Junior School and the House Plays for the Senior School. Following this, the school then begins preparations for the senior and junior school musicals. In Term 3, preparation is undertaken for the Senior, Intermediate and Junior entries in the Gold Coast Drama Festival. The Junior play is often directed by Year 11 pupils, the Intermediate play by Year 12 pupils and the Senior play by one of the senior school drama teachers. For many years, these performances have been rewarded with both acting and overall awards by the adjudicators of the festival.Graduate Highlights
Somerset College also scores consistently high in the OPOverall Position
The Overall Position is a tertiary entrance rank used in the Australian state of Queensland for selection into universities. Like similar systems used throughout the rest of Australia, the OP shows how well a student has performed in their senior secondary studies compared to all other OP-eligible...
tertiary entrance rank system. In 2008, Somerset College students achieved 14 OP 1s (the highest OP band available). This represents 11.1% of the cohort—in comparison, the Queensland state average was 2.6% OP 1s. Over the 1992-2008 period, Somerset College has averaged 7.2% OP 1s each year
In 2008, 91.3% of OP-eligible students at Somerset College gained an OP between 1 and 15.
In 2010, 75% of OP-eligible students achieved an A across the QCS tests and over two thirds of the IB italian students received a score of 6 or 7 out of 7. Approximately 70% of the 2010 graduates also gained an OP between 1 and 7.
Technical Services Committee
More commonly known as the Sound and Lighting Crew, this committee is responsible for the management of sound and lighting during all important events at Somerset College. Their duties include providing technical services for plays, musicals and during the Celebration of Literature. The students in this committee regularly maintain the technical systems of the Performing Arts Centre.Sports Appreciation Committee
Established in January 2009, the Sports Appreciation Committee has proven to become one of Somerset's most popular committee's. The Committee strives in creating an atmosphere of fun and happiness for all pupils, by doing so we try to provide an opportunity for students to build relationships through a common interest known as Sport.Wordsmiths Committee, formerly Creative Writing Club
The Wordsmiths Committee's purpose is to assist with organization of Wordsmiths workshops and the Celebration of Literature. The main highlight of the Wordsmiths calendar is the annual Wordsmiths Retreat, where the group travels up to Mt Tambourine for a weekend of writing sessions with teachers from the English department, and performing of written pieces.Somerset Campanology Committee
This committee consists of a group of students in high school who program the bells of Somerset College to play a large variety of music. This committee is very popular in the school community. Active members are able to gain a bell tie for their efforts. To get a bell tie, the member needs to have programmed a song into the bells, and then have it played. Pupils of the school are able to suggest songs that they would like to have played on the bells. They do this by placing ideas in to the Bell Box, this is situated next to the Cupids Corner box, outside the Franklin House Master's office. They thank the population for their continued support, and would like to remind them to suggest songs.Environmental Committee
For several years this committee has been monitoring Somerset College's environmental impact, and has been helping Somerset and the surrounding creek area to sustain stability by planting trees and reducing litter and pollution. Within 2006, the committee were responsible for the 'Save the Koala' appeal as well as their annual Plant A Tree event.House Committees
These committees represent each house and organise decorations and support for competitors in sporting events such as the inter-house swimming, x-country, and athletics carnivals. They also organise special events held by each house: the Andrews Air-Guitar competition, the Franklin House 'Purple Faces' competition, the Laver House Jeans for Genes day fundraiser, the Starkey Fashion Parade and the Veivers House Milkshake stalls.International Committee
This committee is run by both International and Australian-born students. It aims to develop an international awareness amongst the school community. The committee is also responsible for special occasions such as Wish for Peace Day, Harmony DayHarmony Day
Harmony Day is held on 21 March. Managed by the , Harmony Day celebrates the cohesive and inclusive nature of Australia and promotes a tolerant and culturally diverse society....
, etc.
Inkspot Committee
Inkspot is Somerset College's newspaper. It is published once a term and written completely by those students involved with the committee.Functions Committee
The Functions Committee consists of a group of students, who waiter in special annual events. Events include dinners such as 11/12 dinner, Cultural Collage, Sports Dinner, Valedictory Dinner and others.Science Committee
This committee is run by students, a teacher, a committee leader and a secretary. The committee helps run science related events, such as science week. Along with this the committee continually assist the younger year levels of the school in science-related experiments from the field of chemistry right through to physics and geometry.Sporting Traditions
Somerset College participates in the APS season in both summer and winter, allowing its students to experience a variety of sports. The sports include rugby union, netball, soccer and hockey in winter, and European Handball, Soft Ball, Cricket, AFL (Australian Rules Football) and Touch Football. One alumnus of particular sporting fame is Andrew Stark, recently promoted to captain of Queensland's tennis team.Also important to the Somerset lifestyle are the Development Sports. These sports give aspiring athletes a chance to develop their skills in their chosen fields, everything from distance running to sprint kayaking to martial arts, to motorsports.
Entertainment
- Conrad ColebyConrad ColebyConrad Julius Coleby is an Australian actor.-Biography:Coleby is the son of actor Robert Coleby and brother of actress Anja Coleby. He attended Somerset College on the Gold Coast, graduating in 1996. In the same year, he played the role of Colonel Juan Perón in the school's production of Evita...
- Sophie MonkSophie MonkSophie Charlene Akland Monk is a London-born Australian pop singer, actress and model. Monk was a member of female pop group Bardot and released a solo album Calendar Girl...
- Ryan JohnsonRyan JohnsonRyan Johnson may refer to:*Ryan Johnson , marine biologist specializing in researching sharks*Ryan Johnson , Canadian professional ice hockey centre*Ryan Johnson , Australian actor...
- Margot RobbieMargot RobbieMargot Robbie is an Australian actress. She is known for her role as Donna Freedman on the soap opera Neighbours, which earned her two Logie Award nominations. In 2011, Robbie began appearing as Laura Cameron in the ABC drama series Pan Am.-Early life:Robbie was born on 2 July 1990 and grew up on...
(Actress - NeighboursNeighboursNeighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
2008-2011; "Pan AmPan Am (TV series)Pan Am is an American period drama television series created by writer Jack Orman. Named for the iconic Pan American World Airways, the series focuses on the pilots and stewardesses of the airline as it operated in the early 1960s at the beginning of the commercial jet age.Sony licensed the rights...
" 2011-) - Kate Wormald (So You Think You Can DanceSo You Think You Can Dance AustraliaSo You Think You Can Dance Australia was an Australian version of the American reality dance-off series So You Think You Can Dance. The show is hosted by Natalie Bassingthwaighte, with Jason Coleman, Matt Lee and Bonnie Lythgoe acting as the judges....
Contestant 2008 - Best Female Australian Dancer, Placed 3rd Overall) - Ian Peres (WolfmotherWolfmotherWolfmother is an Australian rock band from Erskineville, Sydney. Formed in 2000, the group was originally a trio composed of vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett. Wolfmother released their self-titled debut album in October 2005,...
bassist and keyboardist, 2009-) - Edward Cherry (Big BrotherBig Brother Australia 2008Big Brother Australia 2008 was the eighth season of the Australian reality television series, Big Brother Australia to air on Network Ten. Episodes were broadcast on Network Ten and Ten HD in Australia. The first episode aired on 28 April 2008. Since then, there has been a total 20 housemates...
Contestant 2008)
Media
- Sara GroenSara GroenSara Groen is an Australian actress and television presenter.-Career:Whilst studying at Bond University in Queensland, she appeared in an episode of The Lost World in 2001, followed by an episode in Farscape a year later...
(Former Saturday DisneySaturday DisneySaturday Disney is a children's program which has aired on the Seven Network in Australia for over 20 years, with the first episode going to air on 20 January 1990. Although, according to the hosts during the 800th episode of the show, they revealed the show premiered in March 1990, causing...
host and Seven NewsSeven NewsSeven News is the television news service of the Seven Network in Australia.National bulletins are presented from Seven's high-definition studios in Martin Place, Sydney, while flagship 6pm bulletins are produced in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. The network also produces Seven...
Sydney Weather presenter 2007-2011) - Wendy KingstonWendy KingstonWendy Kingston is a Australian journalist and news presenter.Kingston currently presents Nine Morning News, Nine Afternoon News and news updates on Kerri-Anne.-Career:...
(Nine News reporter and presenter [various programs] 2005-)
Sports
- Joanna Fargus (Olympic swimmer, 2000)
- Sara CarriganSara CarriganSara Carrigan OAM is a professional cyclist from Australia, who commenced her cycling career in 1996 at the age of fifteen and is currently a member of the Belgian Lotto-Belisol Ladiesteam....
(Olympic gold medallist in Cycling, 2004) - Bryce Lindores (Paralympic bronze medallist in Cycling, 2008)