Somerset Lifetimes Forty-Eighth Edition – December 2014
Somerset Lifetimes Forty-Eighth Edition – December 2014
Information Somerset Lifetimes is published twice a year by Somerset College to disseminate items of topical interest relating to the overall activities of College life and the greater Somerset community. Editorial Committee: John Bacon, Wendy Bacon, Alethea Campbell, Sue Roberts, Craig Sayer and Paul Taylor. Contributing Writers: John Bacon, Craig Bassingthwaighte, Alethea Campbell, Mark Grainger, Yvette Hallam, Adrian Johnson, James Kay, Shane Lunniss, Aidan Muir, Fabian Ring, Kevin Song, Sarah Stallwood-Hall and Scott Walsh. Printing: Pronto Direct, 36 Industrial Avenue, Molendinar 4214 Somerset College, Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba, Queensland 4213 ACN 010 946 906 Phone (07) 5559 7100 Fax (07) 5559 7345 publications@somerset.qld.edu.au www.somerset.qld.edu.au One copy of Somerset Lifetimes is distributed to each household within the Somerset community. If you would like us to post you additional copies of Somerset Lifetimes, simply email your request to publications@somerset.qld.edu.au.
Inside This Issue From the Headmaster Student Services Hub in Action! Athletic Facilities Construction Senior Ball – Class of 2014 Somerset College Foundation Scholarship Fund Launch Under 15 Rugby Break Into South Queensland Finals Journey to Columbia An Outsider’s Perspective
Inaugural Central Australia Trip Class of 1994 Reunion Class of 2004 Reunion Gold Coast Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival World Youth Chess Championships Twins Morning Tea at Somerset College Alumni Updates Milestones
Cover photo: Fabian Ring (Class of 2009) at Machu Picchu, Peru, as part of his recent South America trip. Read his story on page 11.
From the Headmaster It is my great pleasure to present the College’s 32nd Headmaster’s Report and my sixth. 2014 has been another very productive year for Somerset. We started the year with the wonderful outcomes from the Class of 2013. Their OP1 to 5 results, the true marker of quality, placed us 4th in the State and top co-educational school. Our OP1 to 10 and OP 1 to 15 were the best ever recorded at the College. The best outcomes for the most students. The annual NAPLAN results also provided affirmation of the collaborative culture at Somerset with our Year 9s second in the State and top co-educational and our Year 7s equal fourth. Our Year 3s and Year 5s improved against the National average. Last year we launched our Strategic Plan and I can report much progress. We have facilitated a number of Teaching and Learning trials in French, Humanities, Philosophy and Reason, Mathematics, Prep Literacy, Mathematics, and Chemistry. These trials require a considerable investment of teacher time. We are pleased with the individual trial outcomes but what is most pleasing is the consolidation of innovation as one of our core values. We have also conducted two ISQ funded trials in Self Improving Schools and Mentoring in Early Education. These two trials have been combined into the one project when we introduced the Educator Impact Teacher Feedback Tool. The trial has been a success and our desire is to see it rolled out to the entire academic staff in 2015. This process involves self-reflection, student surveys, and classroom observations collated and analysed independently before the construction of an action plan for improvement. We completed the refurbishment of the Year 6 classrooms to focus on the four discipline areas; Mathematics, English, Humanities and Science. We have now been able to appoint staff to these classes who have specific education and experience. The new Year 6 Classrooms are a feature for any Junior School enrolments and a number of other schools, local and interstate, have inspected them. The new style of these classrooms has worked so well that we are doing another four in the Senior School, in the faculties of Performing Arts and Humanities. We have expanded our surveying of stakeholders. In addition to the current practices of staff, well-being, service learning and Year 12 surveys, we introduced an online survey for Junior School parents, surveys in the Senior School for students returning from Outdoor Education experiences and students reflecting on their pastoral care experience. All provided a rich input of information for improving practices next year. The new Student Services Hub was a powerful addition to the campus and exceeded our expectations for student use and engagement. The Head of Senior School, Dr Adrian Johnson, and his pastoral team are to be commended for their utilisation of the space in a strategic manner. Of course, there is great excitement for two upcoming improvements, the refurbishment of The Arnison Building staff facilities and the new Athletic Facilities. The new Athletic Facilities have drawn local, interstate and even international enquiries from students, staff, and Athletic organisations. Our discussions with the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee are well advanced. The long awaited redeveloped web site was finally operational and has been most successful. The next stage is an App development for mobile devices. Pictured left: The former Undercover Area site, ready for construction of the Athletic Facilities in 2015.
Somerset Lifetimes Forty-Eighth Edition – December 2014
From the Headmaster continued The newly established Data Team has worked all year to deconstruct the mountains of educational data we collect. Their task has been to distill that information and develop a Data Dashboard that will enable easy retrieval and analysis of individual and group student outcomes. We have already begun to achieve the goal to broaden our Community outreach through the attendance of indigenous students from Nyangatjatjara College at the base of Uluru to the Somerset Celebration of Literature. We also hosted the Yugambeh Mobo, an indigenous event for over 1,000 people. On a local level, the Mudgeeraba Spartans, a junior AFL club, has recently started using the College’s facilities. Our current position is one that has come about through vision, perseverance, creativity, and discipline. It is far too easy, when things are going well to slip into unsustainable practices. While there are many tangible outcomes to celebrate; academic, financial, sporting, cultural results; the most rewarding is the tone of the College. Visitors frequently comment about the positive interaction between adults and youngsters. There is a palpable esprit des corps that does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. The Board’s generosity to me, personally and professionally, sets the tone for trust, respect, endeavour and joy to develop. That we have been able to physically enhance this beautiful campus for our students has deepened their sense of belonging and appreciation. That we have produced such happiness and satisfaction in our students has imbued their parents with an admiration for what we are doing. I said to the Class of 2015 that none of this just happens, it is there because of the quality of relationships that are built every day in thousands of interactions around the campus, in corridors, and classrooms, on courts and stages, and in the many recreational areas so well used. When asked what makes a great school, we can all confidently say, “I do”. It has been a great pleasure to walk with the Class of 2014. They were in Year 7 when I first met them. I’ve said before, even Will and Bel looked up to me then! That no longer happens, at least physically. I am greatly fond of this Senior Class. If our vision is personal success and a global outlook then we can be well satisfied with this fine group of young men and women. I have seen them meet victory and defeat, as Kipling tells us, with one face for those two imposters. They will lead extraordinary lives. Nothing could be achieved without the energy and enthusiasm, time and talents of the College staff. There is genuine commitment to our mission. We thank and farewell Mrs Stacie Coleman, Mrs Jay House, Mrs Leisha Michael and Mr Rob Paterson who leave the College this year. Mr Richard Gazal will take some well-deserved leave next year, returning in a different capacity. I thank him for all he has done. He would want no other accolade than to be called a ‘school master’, an inspiration to his students and colleagues. Miss Kim Capper will step down as Year 12 Co-ordinator. She has nurtured, cajoled, encouraged, reminded, and walked with every Senior class since 2007. As a parent, I know the positive impact she had on my son, a sentiment shared by many parents. Particular thanks are due to the College Leadership Team who have helped achieve so much. They are ever ready to lead from the front and the feedback they received from an independent consultant this year affirms their reputation. I could not begin to repay the debt owed to Mr John Bacon, Dr Michael Brohier, Dr Andrew Cousins, Dr Adrian Johnson, Mrs Michele Sauer, Mr Craig Sayer, Mr Paul Taylor, Ms Lisa Thomson and Mr David Thornton. A very special thank you for the work of Mrs Wendy Bacon. If my office operates efficiently it is only because of her skill, patience and cheerfulness. Of course my dear wife, Kathy, walks every step with me, sharing the many joys and occasional sorrow. Thank you, Kathy, for being my partner in every way. Pictured left: Mr Craig Bassingthwaighte, Headmaster, with College Captains Isabel (Bel) Wright-Smith and William Roughan.
From the Headmaster continued Earlier this year on Founders’ Day, the Chair quoted extensively from a letter Ms Connell received from a student who spent the grand total of two months at Somerset. Some people will do anything to pad out their speeches, quotes from students, song lyrics, is there no end to this? But I digress, part of the communications we had with the former student, Bella, deserves further recognition. I told her we had all the promotional material we could ever possibly need from her feedback. She was honoured to be quoted and so I do it again. Bella wrote, “the way the community erupts with happiness is intoxicating. I have never been happier than last year, when I was at Somerset.” Mr Bacon should be simply putting that on our advertising slogan, “you’ll never be happier.” When we all work together, great things happen. We completed our PYP Evaluation this year and one of our evaluators wrote, “as part of the IB Community, we all know the amount of commitment required of all members of the school community to deliver the IB programmes and to participate in the self-study and evaluation visit. You have a wonderful school, enthusiastic and committed teachers and beautiful students. The most striking feature of your school for me was the sense of community. I have described it to colleagues here as a “21st century learning village”. There is a strong sense of harmony and everyone is so proud to be part of the Somerset Community. This is something many of us as school leaders aspire to.” The benefits of the MYP are very tangible in our results but also in our approach. It allows the students to deal with complexity by seeing patterns, finding knowledge and solving problems. We develop our personal intellect by seeing and responding to the world. We use knowledge to do, not to know. And this from a Year 11 student a week ago, “So, I am writing this letter to thank you for ensuring my education has been in the hands of teachers who are as passionate as Mrs Coleman.” And finally, Mr Mumford and his sons followed up their brilliant debut with an album titled, Babel. The biblical city of ruin is not necessarily what you might like people to associate with you. The song that caught my attention was Hopeless Wanderer, not the least for the brilliant video featuring many Saturday Night Live alumni. So what judgment did they pass on wandering hopelessly? “Don’t hold a glass over the flame Don’t let your heart grow cold I will call you by name I will share your road.” At Somerset we do not extinguish our flame under the glass, our hearts do not grow cold. In so many ways, on so many days, our road is shared. The ‘hopeless’ in the title is not a criticism, it is a recognition of our modern world, a world without borders and limitations. We are hopeless wanderers not because we do not have hope but exactly because we do. I know that when you wander from Somerset, what you have learned here, what you have begun to build your character upon, your moral compass, is something you take with you on the road, the road you will share. As Mr Mumford, or one of his sons, says at the end, “I will learn, I will learn to love the skies I’m under”. That’s what we hope for you here at Somerset, that you will love the skies you are under, no matter where you are or with whom you share the road. You were born to do great things. Who are you not to expect that of yourself and your life? You don’t know what that great thing will be but you must stand ready to be the person you were born to be. Thank you for another amazing year, my sixth, and I wish God’s richest blessings on the Somerset community. Craig Bassingthwaighte Headmaster
Student Services Hub in Action! History was made in January this year when we finally invited students into the newly completed Student Services Hub. Our move into the Hub coincided with a record number of new students joining the Senior School: over 240 Year 7 and Year 8 students, plus around 20 students new to the College in Years 9 and 10. I wish to acknowledge the work of our Year 7 Co-ordinator, Mrs Anne Rowe, and our Heads of House (Mr Dallas O’Brien, Mrs Allison Foster, Mrs Brooke Butson, Mr Rob Davies and Mr Brad Walker), who carefully managed the successful induction of these students at this time. There was a real sense of excitement as people explored the new facilities – with the PIN-operated lockers and new recreational areas being a real ‘hit’ with students. Daily Notices are displayed on digital signage and meeting spaces, such as the new amphitheatre, are well utilised by complete Year Levels and Houses. New change rooms and toilets on each level, adjacent to locker rooms, addressed a real need in their area of the campus. Parents visiting the facility always comment on the ease with which students can access key staff in the building – confirming a crucial design feature of the Hub. Our Year 7 students, in particular, have really enjoyed their haven as they transition to the Senior School as a cohort. Within a very short period, our newest recruits were looking very comfortable in their new surroundings; and the standard of their table tennis was improving dramatically! Mrs Michele Sauer, Dean of Middle Years, has also made a most significant contribution this year by having access to the majority of students studying the Middle Years Programme. There is a renewed sense of purpose in middle years learning and she is co-ordinating the refurbishment of adjacent classrooms as well. Mrs Anita Russ, and her Learning Support and English as a Second Language teams, add to the academic support services in the Hub – with their rooms busy with activity from before school through to well after 3.20pm. Mr Richard Gazal and Mr Mark Grainger’s Chaplaincy Services offices are adjacent to the Hub and provide opportunities for students to drop-in during breaks for a chat. The Senior School Reception, managed by Mrs Sanya Cawson, completes the picture. Here students can sign-in and direct any queries about daily arrangements. It really does feel like the Senior School now has a ‘home’ with students having a central point from which to organise themselves for their busy days. Adrian Johnson Head of Senior School
Somerset Lifetimes Forty-Eighth Edition – December 2014
Athletic Facilities Construction The future is not a place we are going to but one we are creating. Somerset has a fast growing sports programme and as we continue to expand our academies in Rowing, Tennis, Swimming, Rugby, Netball and Soccer, it is important that we provide sporting infrastructure to support this growth. Breaking ground on 2 December, our building project will deliver an international standard indoor venue for Netball and Basketball, a Gymnastics venue, state-ofthe-art Fitness Centre, sports reception area and administrative offices, two relocated synthetic tennis courts with clubhouse, a Pool Grandstand, and an IAAF standard 10-lane rubber athletics track with catering and two new football pitches. This project is an investment in the opportunities for our students to “be their best” at Somerset. Experience has shown that our investments in our academic programme have been hugely successful and we look forward to sport being able to provide similar rewarding outcomes for our students. Sports facilities are among the first things a visitor sees when arriving at a school campus and these will make an immediate impression. These facilities will play host to countless events, week after week, impacting thousands of athletes, staff members, parents and spectators. The facilities must not be an end in itself. They must be a means of creating a vast programme of physical education and sports competitions for all our students. We must continue to create a sporting culture that matches our commitment to the construction of world-class facilities. Our aim is to develop a sustainable sporting programme equal to that of our academic programme … not just a good programme but a world-class programme. Organised, enthusiastic and supported coaches will provide opportunities to “be your best” with the Spartan brand becoming a trademark for excellence. As the APS competition continues to be a more organised and competitive environment, our outlay, both current and future, will enable us to become a market leader on the Gold Coast and in Queensland. We are well placed and these are exciting times. This is not about Somerset becoming a great sports school. It is about Somerset continuing to be a great school. Support our Spartans! Shane Lunniss Director of Sport
Senior Ball – Class of 2014
Somerset Lifetimes Forty-Eighth Edition – December 2014
Somerset College Foundation Scholarship Fund Launch To officially launch the Foundation’s Scholarship Fund, members of the Foundation were delighted to welcome 120 guests at a Garden Party to enjoy a perfect Spring Saturday under the shade of the trees on the Western Terrace of the Dr Peter Brown Building. Aside from the entertainment by The Innuendoes and the Somerset String Quartet, a highlight of the afternoon was the “In Conversation with Alumni” session, with Graham Brown (Class of 1987), Jessica Lydiard (nee Tandy) (Class of 2005) and Alexander Beck (Class of 2009). It was inspirational to hear of their experiences and the impact their scholarships made on their lives. My sincere thanks go to Graham, Jessica and Alex for sharing their Somerset Experiences with us. The online Silent Auction created a bidding frenzy, with over 360 bids placed! The success of the Silent Auction was due to the generous donations from members of the Somerset Community and local businesses. On behalf of the Somerset College Foundation, I would like to sincerely thank all those who were so generous in supporting the Silent Auction. The auction was extremely successful and, together with other donations, raised in excess of $29,000 for the Somerset College Scholarship Fund launched at the event by the College Board Chair, Mr Tony Hickey. In addition, a further $3,000 was raised through donations to our Scholarship Tree. My thanks go to the Committee who worked so tirelessly to make this event a reality. Mrs Penny Thurnwald, Mrs Idy Chan, Mrs Joyce McSwan and Mrs Cathy Mitchell were all magnificent in putting together aspects of the day. Mrs Brenda Skidmore was instrumental in developing the theme of “growing the Scholarship Fund” and Mrs Annette Bartels was at the top of her game in presenting a magnificent garden for the party. My special thanks also to Mrs Andrea Lewis and Mrs Cecilia Robertson for their work in preparing the event and particularly to Andrea for running the auction. The driving force behind the event however was Chair of the Committee, Dr Annette Allen. It was her passion and drive that took the idea and developed the event to be the success it was. Thank you, Annette. The Scholarship Fund is now up and running and if you would like further information please do not hesitate to contact me. John Bacon Dean of Admissions
Under 15 Rugby Break into South Queensland Finals In August 2014, the Somerset Under 15 Rugby team ventured where no Somerset Rugby team had been before: to the South Queensland Under 15 Rugby Final. After getting past Dalby State High School the previous week the boys made their second trip up the M1 to take on Sunshine Coast Champions, Sienna College. A win in this match would see the victorious team fight it out for the State title against perennial powerhouse, Rockhampton Grammar. For the entire team this would be their first opportunity to play on the main pitch at Ballymore Stadium, the origin and home of Queensland Rugby. Sienna went into the match as favourites, having convincingly accounted for Pacific Pines High School the previous week. The Somerset team knew they would have to be at their best to advance to the Grand Final. The inclusion of Captain, Mitchell Olarenshaw and livewire, Clayton Kennett (following their absence due to injury and other sporting commitments respectively) added depth to the squad and some welcomed aggression. As the sun disappeared behind the stadiums tiered seating and the lights took effect, the Sienna team kicked off amidst a stadium of Somerset spectators full of anticipation and hope that the dream run would continue for just one more week. The first 15 minutes of the match was a rather untidy affair, as both teams suffered from nerves and consequently the flow of the game was hindered. The Somerset scrum was under pressure from their larger opponents and consequently the delivery of quality ball to the fleet-footed backs was limited. Even when good defensive pressure resulted in Sienna knocking the ball on, the ensuing scrum was never able to gain ascendency and inevitably a fair few tightheads were conceived. At 20 minutes into the match Sienna struck the first blow by scoring through their backs. The conversion missed and the Somerset team found themselves down 5 to 0. The re-start provided the territory the team was looking for and after several promising phases, Mitchell Olarenshaw received the ball 10 metres out and on an angled run towards the sideline, he dug into the line and used his strength to plough over in the right hand corner. The angle and distance was too much for Lewis Ioannou to convert the extras and the score was locked up at 5 all. With less than 4 minutes in the half, Sienna struck again with numbers and the winger brought it around to make the conversion easier and ensure Sienna’s lead was a converted try at the halftime break, 12 to 5. The second half meant hard ball running individuals like Outside Centre, Craig Hales and Five Eights, Lewis Ioannou and Taylor Davies had limited opportunities on attack. Sienna managed to score two tries fairly close together with 10 minutes remaining to ensure the victory was sealed. However, Lewis Ioannou had the final say of the match with a fine individual try that saw him beat several defenders on a powerful 20 metre surge to the line. He managed to convert his own try as the last act of the match. The score line, 22 to 12, in favour of Sienna. The dream run was over but the team vow to be back to Ballymore in three years’ time to play in the Under 18 competition. Several other players also had strong games, including CJ Licuanan, Charles Pye and Luke Mason. Congratulations to all team members and their coaches, Mr Paul Evans and Mr Matt Monahan, on their superb season. Scott Walsh Head of Rugby
Somerset Lifetimes Forty-Eighth Edition – December 2014
Journey to Colombia Earlier this year my family and I made the decision to travel to Colombia, the country of birth for my sister Madeleine and me. While planning the trip we also sought out a specialist agency to search for my birth mother. It had been a life-long wish of mine to know more about my birth, and I hoped some day I would meet the woman who gave me life. Several months and anxious conversations later, my birth mother Olivia and I spoke for the first time over Skype. It was a dream come true as we made arrangements to meet in Bogotá, Colombia. My family was also interested in returning to FANA, the orphanage that facilitated the adoption of my sister and me. In researching FANA, I discovered that they desperately needed funding as their international adoption, and therefore a large source of their income, had slowed dramatically. For more than forty years FANA’s mission statement has been to improve the lives of over 14,000 children in need of safe housing, clothing, food, health and education, as well as ensuring they receive adequate social and psychological care. Currently an average of 90 children per month are cared for. Therefore, I decided to dedicate a fundraising campaign to support FANA’s endeavours and to give back to the place that supported me at birth. My first step was to raise awareness about FANA through a webpage sharing my goal to train for a 60km hike to Machu Picchu. This generated a lot of interest, raising over $3,500. I then reached out to local businesses, including the Gold Coast Titans, Finders Keepers Restaurant and The Sister Sands Company for raffle prizes. Other anonymous donors also kindly jumped on-board. I approached Somerset College and Bond University to sell tickets, raising over $1,000.
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Journey to Colombia Within a few weeks of the raffle I left for South America. The first part of my journey was to meet Olivia in Bogotå. It was a wonderful meeting that I will never forget. I was lucky enough to spend the next couple of days with Olivia and my half brother Diego. Although the language barrier posed some difficulties, with the help of my cousin, Karen, we were able to begin to put together the pieces of the past 23 years. I also had the opportunity to visit FANA and present the money and donated baby spoons, teething rings and clothing in person, which was a very rewarding experience. My family spent one more week travelling around Colombia before making our way to Peru. After taking the weekend to acclimatise in Cusco, my father, sister and I began the five-day hike to Machu Picchu. It was one of the most challenging adventures of my life – from hiking at altitudes of over 4,600m to the freezing sleeping conditions. In the end, nothing was more rewarding than standing atop Machu Picchu knowing what we had accomplished. Now back home, I can take a breath and see that this journey has given me not only closure, but also instilled a sense of purpose and passion in my life. It has humbled me to see just how lucky I am to be in a position of choices and opportunity. Hopefully you too can take a moment to recognise and appreciate this in your own life. I plan to make the most of my life and continue to contribute to and aid those who are less fortunate. Fabian Ring Class of 2009
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Somerset Lifetimes Forty-Eighth Edition – December 2014
An Outsider’s Perspective In June 2014, Somerset College welcomed Aidan Muir as our inaugural GAP Tutor. Aidan joins us for 12 months from Scotland and has been assisting in the Activities and Sport Departments. Below, Aidan recounts his time so far at the College ... Joining Somerset College in July 2014, halfway through the school year, was a very scary yet challenging prospect. Fresh off the boat and finally meeting the illustrious Craig Sayer, it was deemed that I was to be thrown in at the deep end. The first few days were a seamless blur as I was taken around the College on “Craig’s Whistle Stop Tour”, being introduced to person after person. I was also introduced to my homestay family, the Sina’s. Jacqui, who I don’t think needs any introductions to anyone, is the most kind-hearted and mothering figure, not just to myself but to everyone on campus and she has made my stay here incredible. After settling in, being trained, suited up and now ready for anything – I say hesitantly – I was let loose on College grounds. I slowly adapted to College life and the daily running of the College. I began taking on more permanent roles, such as with the Junior School Sport in Prep and Pre-Prep. They instantly enhanced my teaching and confidence attributes in education with motor skills, gymnastics, basketball and one game I will definitely be taking back home with me, Crocodile River. I was then introduced to the quintessential Australian game of AFL, where Queensland’s sporting Hall of Fame’s very own Sam Whish-Wilson took me in at Bond University Sharks to teach me the beautiful game, which I am still currently working on! As soon as I mentioned I had given the game a shot, Andrew Michael was recruiting me along with Will Boston to coach the Year 4 Boys and Girls sides, as well as helping (and being very competitive) with the Open Girls AFL alongside Coach Lisa Harvey. Now nearly 6 months into my stay, the sense of community and friendship is a bond like no other and for any reason that I might need some help along the way they are more than happy to guide this Scotsman and show him how to do things with Aussie style. Pictured above: Aidan, third from left, with staff on Year 5 Camp
Aidan Muir Activities Assistant
Three excellent reasons why chess could help your child: The educational benefits of chess (Google this) Champion teams from Somerset (see our results) Australian representatives overseas (like Kevin Song & James Kay) Over the past 20 years, Somerset College has dominated Gold Coast schools’ chess, won more state titles than any other school in Queensland, and has been represented at the Australian Inter-School Teams Finals more than any other school in Australia. In addition, nine Somerset College chess players have represented Australia in overseas competition, the most recent being James Kay and Kevin Song (pictured in Durban, South Africa) this year.
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Inaugural Central Australia Trip The inaugural Somerset College trip to Central Australia was a huge success; both staff and students describing it as a life-changing experience. While visits to Kings Canyon, Uluru and Kata Tjuta were among the trip highlights, all who took part in the trip expressed their immense joy in simply spending time with their indigenous peers from Nyangatjatjara College. Within moments of arriving at the host school, students had formed positive relationships with one another, energetically playing soccer and basketball. These relationships were further strengthened when, during the mornings and afternoons throughout the trip, Somerset College students travelled to the Mutijulu Community in the school bus for student pick-up and drop-off. While students from Somerset College assisted their remote peers in the classrooms during normal academic lessons in the mornings throughout the week-long experience, they were privileged to be a part of deeply rich cultural experiences in the afternoons as they explored iconic landmarks with their hosts who were equipped with an immense depth of cultural knowledge; a feature which made the experience unique and vastly different to other experiences enjoyed by tourists to the region. Students at the two schools also enjoyed simply talking about sport, music and other topics of mutual interest. In final days of the trip, students from Somerset College farewelled their new friends, who started their Term Three school holidays. Students from Somerset College then travelled in Land Cruiser Troop Carriers to Cave Hill in the northern part of South Australia, where they got to see one of the largest Aboriginal rock art sites in the region. Here they were educated about the dream lines which run through the Australian continent by the traditional owners of the area, and slept in swags under the stars, learning about the connection between the stars and the cultural stories they were told. We hope this inaugural trip will continue to run on annual basis during the Term Three school holidays, as it is an experience that will be richly rewarding for those who choose to take part. Mark Grainger Assistant to Head of Chaplaincy
Somerset Lifetimes Forty-Eighth Edition – December 2014
Class of 1994 Reunion The Class of 1994 celebrated their Twenty Year Reunion on Saturday 13 September 2014
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(Left to Right) 1. Emma Pursey, Michael Reid, Kellie Short, Amy Greening, Mrs Bev Gallus and Mrs Nanette Bidmead 2. Nicole Peyton and Chris Peyton 3. Yvette Shearer and Mr Ross Keefer 4. Sharen Sewell, Mai Nishitani, John Gamvros and Sam Burke 5. David Beaver, Savannah Ray and Troy Bray
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2015 Reunions
Save the Date!
Class of 2005 Saturday 15 August Where: Year 11 Common Room, Somerset College Time: 5.00pm
Class of 1995 Saturday 12 September
Where: Towers Quad, Somerset College Time: 5.00pm
Class of 2004 Reunion The Class of 2004 celebrated their Ten Year Reunion on Saturday 16 August 2014
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(Left to Right) 1. Myles Kalendra and guests 2. Adam Muggeridge, Ross English, Bryce Lindores, Mrs Clare Walker, Mr Brad Walker and Mrs Carrie Smith 3. Michael Snowden, Harry Georgiou, Laura Georgiou, Adam El-Atem and Miranda Bruce 4. Meera Gandhi and Arjun Gandhi 5. Fabian Szatmary, Daniel MacKillop and Bryce Lindores 6. Ryan Joyce, Alicia Brooks, Bridget Handley, Frances Purnell-Webb and Scott McGovern
Network with other past students at the new official Alumni Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/somersetalumni
Somerset Lifetimes Forty-Eighth Edition – December 2014
Gold Coast Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival A Student Perspective on Our Best-ever Achievement at the GCSSD Festival On many occasions, the Somerset College Drama Department has demonstrated the enormous wealth of talent present within the Senior School cohort, but nothing can compare to the successes of this year’s entries in the Gold Coast Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival. The hilarious melodrama ‘The Fantabulous Furrytale’, performed by the Junior cast of Year 7 and 8 students was the first of our plays to take to the stage; and what a play to begin with! Our Year 11 and 12 Senior cast were next with their captivating physical theatre piece entitled ‘The King and the Corpse’, whilst the Year 9 and 10 Intermediate cast concluded the festival with their heart-wrenching dramatic performance of ‘Beyond the Neck’. Simply participating in such a rigorous competition such as this festival is an achievement in itself, with so many schools presenting highly thought-provoking and professional performances. Somerset is renowned within the festival as being formidable competition and this year was no different. With thanks to the talent of the actors and directors of each of the plays, Somerset was fortunate enough to not only come away with one, but all three of the Best Overall Play awards! This amazing feat has only occurred on one other occasion in the 41 years of the festival’s running, showing the true value of this achievement by our students. Additionally, I won’t forget to also mention the countless highly commended certificates, three individual Outstanding Acting awards and one Comic Performance trophy which were also claimed at this year’s festival. What an achievement! Having been a participant in this Drama festival for all five years of my Senior schooling, both as a director and actor, I feel I can truly testify to the amazing experience that this festival offers. Speaking as an actor, the Drama festival has given me the opportunity to become more confident in myself and my acting abilities, as well as furthering my emotional development as a young adult. Speaking as a director, I can say that not only has this festival presented me with the chance to push myself creatively, but it has also opened doors for me beyond the realms of Drama at Somerset College. Some of my fondest memories are from this festival, and these commendable feats are a credit to the successful Somerset Drama Department, which has shaped both my schooling life, and my life after Somerset which is yet to come. Sarah Stallwood-Hall Performing Arts Captain
Pictured from top: Junior Cast, Senior Cast, Intermediate Cast. All were awarded Best Overall Play in the 2014 Festival
World Youth Chess Championships Tens of thousands of students in Australia compete in Chess tournaments each year, but only a handful are chosen to represent Australia at international competitions. It is wonderful to see Somerset students, James Kay and Kevin Song, rewarded for their efforts to continually increase their international ranking. Below they recount their journey to the World Youth Chess Championships: Our journey to the World Youth Chess Championship in Durban, South Africa was truly amazing and unforgettable. Aside from the Chess, the country was beautiful, the food was divine, we took part in memorable segwaying on the beach and the animals in the safari parks were incredible to watch. We stayed at an excellent hotel called Elangeni, and it was a relaxing place to prepare and study for the Chess tournament. The tournament was held at the International Convention Centre (ICC), a massive playing hall with seating overlooking the Chess boards for parents, coaches and onlookers. The tournament was far more intense than any tournament we have ever played before; James was in the Under 14 division and Kevin the Under 12 division. It was very noisy, until they called the 5 minute warning, then it became dead quiet. The tournament was held over 11 days with more than 1,000 players from approximately 80 countries participating. Chess games can be gruelling, some played for 5 to 6 hours, and all of our games were challenging. James started the tournament very strongly, but on day four, he lost to a very strong Czech Republican player, whose rating was 500 points higher than his own. This was followed by another three losses. James was devastated and learnt that he had to work very hard to fight back mentally. After a four match losing streak, he refused to give up and managed to win. After this success, he beat a player from China and this was followed by a loss and a draw. Kevin also played very strongly, with his most memorable game coincidentally being against another player from the Czech Republic whose rating was over 400 points higher than his, so he knew it was going to be a tough fight. After he offered five rejected draws, 80 moves and five and a half hours of playing, Kevin was able to succeed when a tactic allowed him to win his queen. He also challenged players from China, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Norway, Turkey, America and Ukraine. Both James and Kevin feel that being chosen to represent Australia was undeniably the most amazing thing that has ever happened to them and have returned with memories that will last a lifetime. James Kay and Kevin Song Year 8 and Year 7 Students
Somerset Lifetimes Forty-Eighth Edition – December 2014
Twins Morning Tea at Somerset College On 15 October, we celebrated the number of twins at Somerset College. As this is my final year, I wanted to experience Somerset’s Twins Morning Tea one last time. It was a great morning tea with the twins eating delicious food and forming new friendships. I hope that this will become an annual Somerset tradition. A thank you must go to Mrs Copperwaite for organising this special event, the twins had a joyous time. Yvette Hallam Year 12 Veivers
Alumni Updates Justine Poustchi (Class of 2009) Justine Poustchi, currently residing in New York, has been busy working as a writer, director, and film editor. In her most recent film, Mother Tongue, which JustineJustine draws on her multicultural heritage to highlight the challenges of the human experience, as the main character, Sara, a young Iranian, deals with the unexpected death of her father. Justine is also a published fiction author, and has been studying in the Film and Television Production program at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Image Source: Mother Tongue Kickstarter
We look forward to seeing more of Justine’s work in the future!
Michael Reid (Class of 1994) Michael is now retired from the Australian Defence Force after 20 years of service, although I’m still an active reservist in the Royal Australian Navy. Michael has a sub-speciality interest in Submarine Rescue and has recently completed a research thesis (Diploma in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine) with the United States Navy Experimental Dive Unit in Panama City, Florida, USA. Currently, he is working as an Anaesthetic and Intensive Care Medicine Registrar at Gosford Hospital. Michael has been awarded the Active Australian Service Medal (AASM), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Australian Service Medal, Long Service Medal, Australian Defence Medal and United Nations Peace Keeping Medal.
Somerset Lifetimes Forty-Eighth Edition – December 2014
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My Bond Experience I took up the opportunity to first study at Bond in Year 11 as a Student for a Semester. I am now a Scholarship recipient studying Law and Commerce. In addition to my studies I have been involved in the debating, drama and Model UN clubs which have sent me to events across Australia and have also helped me to build practical skills that will be invaluable in my future career. I am having so many positive experiences so far with hopefully many more to come. Vertika Batra, Bachelor Law and Commerce, Scholarship recipient and former Somerset College student.
bond.edu.au CRICOS Provider Code 00017B
Milestones Births MAY (Staff) – on 2 July 2014, a son Finley Allan Ronald to David and Jessie May (Picture 1) ZERNIKE (Staff) – on 11 July 2014, a son Beau Antun to Troy and Katherine Zernike (Picture 2)
Engagements MURRAY (Staff) – on 8 July 2014, in Venice, Italy; Leanne Murray to Paul Gambetta, with the wedding to take place in January 2015 (Picture 6)
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Marriages BRODAR (Class of 2007) – on 27 September 2014 at Toowoomba Gardens, honeymooning in Russia; Katherine Brodar and Brad Little (Picture 4) GOODBURN (Class of 2009) – on 6 October 2014 at Bald Rock Bush Retreat, between Stanthorpe and Tenterfield; Timothy Goodburn and Danielle McKenzie (Picture 5)
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LEE (Class of 2004, Staff) – on 27 September 2014 at Town Gardens in Ravello, Amalfi Coast, Italy, honeymooning in Italy and the Greek Islands; Bronwyn Lee and David Bimrose (Picture 7) SWAN (Class of 2006) – on 30 March 2013 at Woodlands of Marburg; Eliza Swan and Rainer Pollard (Picture 3) 4
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If you have any changes to mailing details or would like to let the College know what you have been doing since leaving Somerset College, we’d love to hear from you. Email alumni@somerset.qld.edu.au. Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba, Queensland 4213 Telephone 07 5559 7100 Facsimile 07 5559 7345 publications@somerset.qld.edu.au ACN 010 946 906