From the Principal
Welcome back to the last term of 2023. It is an event filled short term, especially with the rites of passage that are part and parcel of the Year 12 student journey. The focus of my article this week highlights some of the special events on the October calendar.
Our newly inducted Prefects embark on leadership development with a “Maximising the Badge” session on Tuesday afternoon.
We look forward to celebrating the 124th birthday of the School at our Commemoration Day service this Friday, 6 October. A number of old girls continue the tradition of joining our Senior School students for this special day. Old Girl Dr Anna Jenkins will present the address as our Guest Speaker and Year 9 student, Ein, will provide the musical interlude at the special service. After the service, our visiting Old Girls will enjoy a light lunch and birthday cake in Cumbooquepa.
On Friday 6 October, we will delight in the fun of the Music Dinner in the Honour Room to celebrate another successful year of music. Always a fabulous occasion, this year we celebrate the Masquerade Ball theme. We look forward to seeing our musicians and families in masquerade masks to honour all things music in our school.
Saturday’s luncheon celebrates “Somerville House and The Old Girls' Association” in the Honour Room. The entire Somerville House family – as well as parents and partners of past, present and future students – are warmly invited to lunch to celebrate this occasion on 7 October, from 12 noon. It always brings much joy to see the Old Girls from past decades joining together with other members of the Somerville House community.
The Celebration of Sport is another special event in the life of our school, to be enjoyed on Wednesday 11 October. Sport is showcased with its own celebration, just as Music is honoured in our school with the Music Dinner. It will be an opportunity to congratulate students from Years 3 – 12 and recognise their sporting achievements. We also recognise our team of staff for their encouragement, care and guidance throughout this year’s seasons of the various sports. We open with a BBQ and refreshments in the Honour Room foyer from 5.30pm, followed by the presentation of pinnacle awards commencing at 6.00pm.
The Barrington Business Diploma Graduation will be held on Thursday 12 October in the Honour Room. We look forward to honouring the graduates of the Diploma course.
Years 7 to 12 parents are warmly invited to join the Somerville House Spring Lunch supported by the Senior Years Support Group. It will be held from 11.30am on Friday 13 October in The Warehouse, The Loft, Fortitude Valley. We do hope our Senior School parents are able to attend, with RSVPs closing on 6 October.
Junior School parents of Year 3 – 6 students – there is a really important event on the October calendar, that you should not miss. I encourage you to join the online Zoom presentation on Student Cyber Safety by Kirra Prendergast (Founder and Director of Safe on Social) on Tuesday 24 October from 6pm to 7pm. On previous occasions when Kirra has presented, Somerville House parents have commented on the content and discussion, saying it was most valuable.
Staff Congratulations
Ms Olivia Kirk, Assistant Head of Junior School – Academic Programs, has been appointed as a General Member of the Australian Curriculum Studies Association Executive Committee. This is a wonderful opportunity to ensure the ongoing development of curriculum pedagogy and leadership.
Staff Welcome
It is a pleasure to welcome a number of new staff to various roles within the School for the commencement of Term 4. We are delighted to welcome Mrs Catherine Wark as Health Centre Manager.
We welcome Mrs Penny Bowman to the position of School Development and Community Engagement Manager and congratulate Ms Tamara Allen on her appointment to the role of School Development and Community Engagement Officer. Penny and Tamara will work within the Communication, Admissions and Engagement Team.
Within our Boarding House, we welcome Ms Wendy Lauman as Deputy Head of Boarding, Mr Geoff Cook as the Boarding House Bus Driver, taking Mr Cheesman’s place for a term 4 contract, and Miss Lola Moore as a Residential Boarding Assistant to the Boarding Community.
In the Junior School, we welcome Ms Linelle Evans as an EAL Teacher and Miss Caitlin Williams as a Teacher Aide. Mrs Colleen Moriarty returns as an EALD Teacher in the Junior School, while Miss Emily Hakes will take on the role of Teacher – Learning Development.
Farewell
We acknowledge the advice from Mrs Vicki Fuller that she will no longer be providing private Voice, Communication and Drama lessons for students in the Senior School from 2024. We thank Vicki for her contribution to the lives of Somerville House students for the past 25 years.
! do wish all families, staff and students a fantastic final term of 2023.
Mrs Kim Kiepe
Principal