They say a picture tells a thousand words and this iconic photo taken by Ms Connolly-Coates, (Audio-Visual Co-ordinator) captures our Cumbooequepa Curlews basking in the warm rays of the afternoon sunshine.  

It makes me happy to see the curlew family peacefully enjoying the Autumn sunlight, along with the cheerful faces of the sunflowers happily nodding in the garden. 

Thank you to Dennis Sanchez-Lopez (Grounds Staff) for his wonderful work on our gardens around the campus.

Maths Anxiety is Real

Mathematics Education Lecturers from the University of Sydney, Ben Zunica and Bronwyn Reid O’Connor, describe maths anxiety as “the feeling of tension and worry that interferes with a person’s ability to solve mathematical problems”. Researchers consider maths anxiety to be distinct from general anxiety, or test anxiety, though there is some crossover.

Maths anxiety usually develops as a result of poor experiences with maths, which leads to negative thought patterns about your maths potential. These thoughts can manifest in an avoidance of maths and feelings of helplessness when confronted with tests.

It is helpful for parents to know what can be done to help their anxious child achieve their best in the maths exams and NAPLAN numeracy tests in the future. Zunica and Reid O’Connor suggest three practical things that parents can do right away and into the future:

1. Focus on successes to build confidence
2. Avoid ‘NAPLAN overload’
3. Work alongside your child

Most children want to be good at maths. To reduce anxiety, it is important to focus on the positive, showing your child times where they have had success in maths. Experiences of success are vital in paving the way to further success in maths.

Anxiety about NAPLAN and any other assessments can be exacerbated by over-emphasising its importance in the build-up. A more constructive approach is to reassure your child there is no judgement in how they perform.

Rather than leaving your children alone to study or do homework, consider studying alongside younger children, and show interest in the work older children are completing. Teenagers may not be open to help when you offer the first time but make it clear that you’re there if they need you and you aren’t seeking to judge them.

The article concludes that “it cannot be underestimated how much a parents’ approach to learning maths influences their child’s approach. Try and have positive conversations with your child about maths and how we use it every day. This can help dispel negative attitudes, such as children thinking, “this is too hard and is just something I need to do at school”. You might want to use maths to work through a “best buy” at the supermarket or use length and area to determine how to arrange the furniture in a room”.

Acknowledgements: Zunica, Ben and Reid O’Connor, Bronwyn, (March, 2023), University of Sydney
https://theconversation.com/ma...

Coronation Street

With the excitement of the King’s Coronation on Saturday 6 May, our Junior School students and staff acknowledged this moment in history. On Friday, students submitted their design of the outfit they would wear if they were attending the Coronation Ceremony.  I was taken by all of the images, with a snippet of just some of the many outfits, as seen below:

The centre outfit caught my eye with the symbol of Australia’s national identity, as depicted in this photo:

These images made me smile!  I wish all families a productive and happy rest of the week!

Mrs Kim Kiepe
Principal

Earlier in the year, our School Captains attended a conference at Villanova College run by YRNA (You Are Not Alone), an inspirational initiative run by young people around Queensland highlighting youth mental health , particularly during and post COVID. Their mission is ‘to help young people around Australia to know that they are not alone, and that people care.’ They hope that ‘one day we live in an Australia in which youth suicide is not the leading cause of death, an Australia in which all young people are accepted and valued, and an Australia in which when we struggle, we speak up, rather than staying silent.’ 

The School Captains returned from the conference inspired after hearing about how to support your friends, even when they seem OK and not sharing how they feel, as well as other schools wellbeing programs that support mental health 

Although in its early years, the YRNA organisation has already had an impact with its ‘You Are Not Alone’ video campaign and fun run, and our School Captains have asked that we promote the 2023 fun run ro raise funds and awareness to assist YRNA to achieve their goals.  

The YRNA website can be found here with information about the organisation and how to sign up for the fun run. Let’s get behind these young Queenslanders. Who wouldn’t want their vision to become reality? 

Mrs Jo Matherson
Deputy Principal

'…the centurion replied, 

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me.” 

Matthew 8:8-9

Can I make an observation? We are all - under authority all the time. There is always an authority figure at work in our lives. For example, as a parent I exercise some authority every morning when our daughters need to be ready for school and daily activities. I recall as a teenager myself thinking – wont it be great when I am ‘free’ of parental authority to do what I like. However, we all know that adults still have plenty of authority figures at work in their lives including our employers, line managers, laws, federal, state and local government – and even the police!

General Patton, who was a charismatic and perhaps problematic leader of American forces in WW2 observed, ‘In life, you either take orders or you give orders’. So, we are never ‘free’ of authority figures in our lives. So what’s the point?

It seems to me that a big part of navigating life – is how to relate well to authority and how to use authority. The bible has a lot to say about this – and teaches that our problems with authority stem from our original rejection of God’s authority in Genesis 3.
In our world and culture we have a number of issues that raise the issue of authority – such as whether we should continue as a Constitutional Monarchy or head towards being a Republic? Or whether we should change our Constitution?
In conclusion I would like to share several thoughts with you.

Firstly, in this life- there will always be an authority or authority figure for you to navigate. It’s a given and why the bible has a lot to say about it (Romans 13:1). Learning how to respond to authority is a big part of what makes for a good life.
Secondly, we can ask God for help and for wisdom to know how to respond to authority well -and use our God given authority in positive and good ways (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Finally, we need to repent when we get our reaction to authority wrong, or when we exercise our authority in ways that are self-centered and dysfunctional.

Let us pray.

God of all loving and just authority, help us respond to authority figures in our lives with all wisdom and maturity and help us use what authority we have to be just, fair and make the world a better place. In Jesus’ name we pray. 

Amen.

Mr Ian Loom
Associate Chaplain

Cybersafety Solutions

"Ten students had enrolled at Harvard University.  All were exceptional candidates. Their enrolments were cancelled because of social media posts up to ten years earlier. 19.5% of email job applications are not opened because of inappropriate email addresses. Employees have lost jobs because they liked posts which were discriminatory."

Susan McLean is blunt by her own admission and passionate in her message.  She tells the real deal without sugar coating.  Why? To protect young people from the dangers of cyberspace. Students from the age of 8 and below are exposed to graphic images, language and requests online. If they haven’t seen things they didn’t want to see, it would be surprising, certainly by the time they reach Year 7.

Students have given very positive feedback.  All students queried indicated they learnt something new and thought it was very engaging. Susan McLean shared three key messages:

Be kind…. Be part of a team…. Be brave.

Susan is a national expert on cybersafety and with exceptional credentials. She is a key figure on the national cybersafety education circuit and aims to protect students from others and themselves, given their cognitive ability does not match their technological savvy. 

Key messages to parents:

• Cyberspace is a social space.  If you would not permit your child to engage with multiple people they don’t know, from across a social spectrum, of any age, unsupervised, at night, consider carefully how your daughter is engaging online. 
• The average age of online sex offenders is under 30 years. They know the language; they like what your child likes. 
• Engage as your children engage, and learn who they are connecting with and how they are connecting. 
• Accept your children will engage with content that may upset them, mostly unwittingly, and make them comfortable to come to you when they do. 

Some of her suggestions to students:

• Your Digital Footprint is lifelong.
• Google yourself online every 6 months to check.
• Use privacy settings, always.
• Don’t post any private information.
• Everything you text or send is permanently online.
• Don’t use your photo on social media.
• If others appear in your private chat group that you don’t know, they are not your friends. 
• If you are in a chat group and inappropriate or mean texts or images are shared, block and tell. You could be implicated.
• If you can’t be kind – be quiet. 
• If you are on social media and you aren’t 13, you are being dishonest and engaging illegally.  
• If you feel uncomfortable or afraid, always be brave and seek help from a trusted adult. Sometimes we make mistakes. There is always someone to help. Seek help from home, school, eSafety Commissioner, police.   

Please access Susan McLean’s site for more information: Home - Cyber Safety Solutions

Publications include Sexts, Texts and Selfies and Raising Resilient Kids.  

Here are some trusted sites for you to explore: ThinkUKnow; Young and eSafe | eSafety Commissioner; Online safety | eSafety Commissioner

Vapes and Vaping

We welcome the government action to restrict the sale of vapes to help curb teenage access; however, does this mean that sales will move online or through other covert means?
We urge you to engage with your children about the dangers of vaping. Here are links to The Conversation’s recent publications that may be of some help. 
How can I help my teen quit vaping? (theconversation.com)
Vaping and behaviour in schools: what does the research tell us? (theconversation.com)

Winter Uniform

With the increasing chill in the air, students are considering their choice of wearing their winter or summer uniform. This week it is a choice.  Next week students must wear their winter uniform.

Please:

Refer to the Family Handbook for clarification of uniform requirements.

• Only wear scarves with the winter uniform.
• Only wear formal winter PE or School uniform on campus. 
• Do not wear polar fleece vests, long sleeved polo shirts, hoodies and other sport items on campus.

Thank you for encouraging your child to present well in their winter uniform of mid-knee length or longer. Students will be wearing their blazer and winter hat to school, jumpers only under the blazer or worn on arrival to school (not as the outer garment) and their top button closed beneath their tie. I remind students of Time and Place.

Pop-Up Uniform Sale

This Wednesday 10 May, we have our biannual pop-up uniform sale in the Undercover Mall.  If you have uniform items to donate, please ask your child to bring them to Student Wellbeing. If you wish to purchase, all uniform items are $5.00. All proceeds go to funding Imam, in Tanzania.

Mrs Julie Brunckhorst
Dean of Student Wellbeing

When we hear the names Carla Zampatti, Collette Dinnigan, Alex Perry, R.M, Williams, Zimmerman and Aje, we understand that creativity, design, and quality are synonymous with these Australian fashion icons. However, having seen the Coronation costumes designed by the Somerville House Junior School students, there are clearly girls who have embraced their creative side.  

Students were tasked with designing a garment they would wear to the recent Coronation of His Majesty, King Charles III. The brief they were given was that it had to represent their view or favourite aspects of Australia. From the designs selected below, their creativity knows no bounds. From the use of colour to the intricacies of patterns the girls have captured their essence of Australia.  

As we know, creativity is more than drawing fabulous dresses, it is not a skill solely reserved for artists or designers. It is a skill that is useful at every age and in any profession. It is important to value, nurture and develop creativity. Creativity has a positive influence on individuals, society, and progress. 

Research suggests that nurturing and developing creativity: 

• Enables problems to be solved or solutions to be found. This also has a wonderful knock-on effect for your wellbeing and resilience. 
• Is a skill for the future. Despite life becoming more automated and AI (Artificial Intelligence) identifying patterns of behaviour, AI is not great at anticipating changes in patterns or making connections between unrelated patterns. An individual's ability to create will continue to shape the future. 
• Fuels positive emotions. Those who nurture their creative side are often open to concepts, ideas, and feelings, empowering personal growth and a positive mindset. 
• Helps to reduce stress. Immersing yourself in a creative task enables you to enter a state of creative flow, and raises your cortisol levels. 
• Let's you see the opportunities. The power of ‘what if’ and looking outside the box; exploring thoughts, beliefs, or actions. 

As we continue to advance in society, creativity and innovation have a significant role to play in life satisfaction, fulfilment, and achievement. 

Enjoy looking at the girls' designs and how they have harnessed their inner creativity. 

Mother’s Day 

With Mothering Sunday taking place this weekend, I would like to extend my thanks to JSSG (Junior School Support Group) for organising the Mother’s Day Stall within the Junior School. There was delight amongst the girls as they selected something special to give on Sunday. 

Whether you are celebrating as a mum or with other significant women in your lives this Sunday, I hope that you feel appreciated, supported and that a little pampering comes your way. 

Good luck to girls taking part in the Andrews Cup Cross Country this Thursday, a full report will be shared next week. 

Have a super week. 

Mrs Susan Clarke
Head of Junior School

Redland Eisteddfod 

Congratulations to Genevieve P (6B) who took part in the Redland Eisteddfod this week. She was awarded first in the ‘Own Choice, 10-11years’ and ‘Baroque Composers, 10 years’ categories and second place in the Diploma levels.  

She was also awarded second place in the Junior Championship(13 years and under) and first place in the Junior Concert/Sonata (13 years and under).

Well done Genevieve – a wonderful achievement!

Year 6 Canberra Camp 

Year 6 commenced Term 2 with an exciting and educational trip to Canberra. 100 students and ten staff members flew down to Canberra and visited many of the institutions that play important roles in Australia’s history, heritage, culture, and governance. The girls enjoyed visiting the House of Representatives and the Senate and participated in a ‘mock’ referendum at the Electoral Education Centre. Other highlights of the trip were the interactive science activities at Questacon, challenging their physical limits at the Australian Institute of Sport and making their own ‘mint’ condition coin at the Royal Australian Mint.  

The girls also enjoyed spending time with their friends in the excellent accommodation at Canberra Park Resort and have brought home fond memories from their trip. 

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributed funding of $90 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. 

Junior School Chess Tournament 

Congratulations to all the girls that took part in the Somerville House Teams Chess Tournament on Sunday 7 May. 

Just under 200 players from Brisbane schools took part. Angela C (2A), Ayana W (3B), Ashleigh S (4B), Olivia C (4A) and Alex Y (6C) won merit awards. 

Special mention to our top scorer for the day, Aayra S (4A) who also won a merit with an impressive six wins out of seven games. Alice Y (6D) won a board prize. Our top team placed second in the Open Division. 

Thank you to the wonderful parents who helped run the canteen on behalf of the Chess Support Group. 

JUNIOR SCHOOL PASTORAL CARE 

Setting Students Up for Learning 

Studies relating to diet and nutrition of young people have determined that there is a direct effect on brain development and learning. This can directly impact academic outcomes. (Dr Michael Carr-Gregg – Australian Psychologist, Author)

A healthy diet and good nutrition provide many benefits to functioning at our best at school. The research suggests that, as well as improving physical well-being, the right nutrition can also positively impact mental health, helping prevent anxiety, depression, and ADHD. 

It is important that we encourage students to build a healthy relationship with food by providing a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates such as wholemeal bread and wholegrain cereals. Lean protein such as meat, fish and eggs and plant-based proteins like beans, nuts, seeds, and dairy should also be included. Sugary foods and drinks have serious long-term health effects that can cause toxic fat around vital organs, Type-2 diabetes, and heart disease.  

Encourage your child to eat breakfast every morning and include plenty of healthy foods for morning tea and lunch. Focus on delicious and tasty food options and limit sugary and refined foods for treats and special celebrations.  

If you would like to learn more about diet and nutrition for children, please refer to the Parent & Student Help Resources in the Student Wellbeing of SomerLink. Click here for information on diet and nutrition. 

Mr Tim Smetham 
Assistant Head of Junior School 

Healthy Boredom

In today's fast-paced world, it can be easy to feel like we always need to keep our children entertained and occupied. However, it's important to remember that boredom can actually be a valuable and necessary experience for young children.

When children are bored, it can give them the opportunity to use their creativity and imagination. Without a structured activity or screen to distract them, they may come up with new games or activities to play on their own. This type of unstructured play can help develop important problem-solving and decision-making skills. Children will begin to develop their own initiative and explore their own interests.

Of course, while it's important to give children the space, it's also important to make sure they have access to resources that can stimulate their minds and keep them engaged. Our Pre-Prep curriculum, the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline, helps children to build positive dispositions and approaches towards learning. Throughout the year we support children to express their curiosity and explore their ideas. We provide many opportunities for children to make choices, carry out plans and seek their own resources within our classroom programs. When children are excited about a project it is important that we take time to help them express their ideas and brainstorm ways that they can make their ideas come to life. They then have the confidence to follow these ideas through to their desired outcome. Providing open ended materials for children to explore is an important part of promoting children’s curiosity – they find new and inventive ways to use materials and explore their thinking.

Overall, encouraging healthy boredom in young children can have many benefits. It can promote creativity, independence, and emotional regulation. So next time your child complains of being bored, don't be too quick to offer a solution – instead, encourage them to explore their own interests and see where their imagination takes them.

Ms Mariana McIver
Director of Pre-Prep

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) welcomes early registrations of interest from community members who would like to work as invigilators at Year 12 exams being held in schools throughout Queensland in October and November. These are paid positions. Invigilators must be over 18 years old, eligible to work in Australia and hold a current paid blue card, or exemption card, or a Queensland College of Teachers registration.

Register your interest now and get notified when applications open in early June. By organising your documentation early, you'll be ready to apply straight away. Visit the QCAA website to find out more and register your interest.  

If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Jurss, Dean of Academic Programs here.

Blessing of the Fleet 2023

Somerville House rowing were delighted to host the rowers (past and present) and other members of the school community to the boat shed on Saturday to start the season with our traditional blessing of the fleet, christening of our new boats ‘Honour Before Honours’ and ‘Chris O’Gorman’ and to celebrate 20 years of the boat shed. 

For the first time in three years we were able to come together at the start of the season and enjoyed a beautiful morning by the water. We recognised the contribution and vision of past Principal Dr Murray Evans and some committed rowing parents especially Mr Terry Campbell, Mr Ian Holzberger, Mr Rob Kelly and the School Council in securing the land for the boat shed and making the investment in gir'ls rowing. We also unveiled our two newest additions to the fleet and took great pleasure in watching Ms Chris O’Gorman bless and christen her namesake. She noted that if her boat is anything like her, it may not be the fastest but it will always turn up! 

It was great to see so many parents, old girls and rowers present at the sheds and extend our thanks to the RSG (Rowing Support Group) for the beautiful spread of food and amazing cakes (thank you Susan). 

We also took the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of two members of the 2022 First VIII who have been selected to represent Australia in the Under 19 Rowing Team, Minaya Bishop and Eliza Bridgefoot.

Mrs Samara Quinlan
Director of Rowing

Student Achievements

Congratulations to the following students on their fantastic AMEB results:

Hazel W (12C) – AmusA Cello - Award

Mr Will Eager
Director of Co-Curricular Music

QSO Young Instrumentalist Prize

Each year, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra hosts the Young Instrumentalist Prize. This competition is important because it can launch the performing careers of many young musicians. The first prize winner gets a chance to perform as a soloist with the best professional musicians in this state. It is an extremely competitive event, and this year, two of our talented string students claimed two prizes for Somerville House. Ivy H (11D) received a Highly Commended Award, and Ein N (9A) claimed the First Prize! 

Congratulations to both of these highly accomplished and dedicated musicians!

Ms Raquel Bastos
Director of Strings

See you in Roma this weekend! 

Somerville House is hitting the road again this week and will be at the Roma Show from Friday 12 to Saturday 13 May.  

We encourage current families in the area to drop in and say hi and look forward to chatting with prospective families from the local community.

Somerville House will also be visiting the below venues in the coming weeks:

• Elders FarmFest Toowoomba - Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 June
• Royal Darwin Show - Thursday 27 to Saturday 29 July

We look forward to seeing you there!

Tickets are on sale for the Churchie and Somerville House combined school musical, 'The World Goes 'Round'!

A sensational revue filled with humour, romance and drama. Featuring many hits from musicals such as Chicago and Cabaret, The World Goes 'Round is a celebration of life and courage, with a witty libretto sure to enthral audiences.

Performances will be held Friday 19 May and Saturday 20 May.

Click here to book your tickets now. We look forward to seeing you at the show!

Have you ever thought about the benefits of hosting a French exchange student, including the opportunity to practise your French language skills and learn about French culture first-hand? Are you ready to create lifelong memories and experiences for your family by hosting a French exchange student?

Somerville House has been offered the wonderful opportunity to host students from a school in New Caledonia for eleven days in October/November this year.

Collège Jean Mariotti is a coeducational Middle School in French-speaking Noumea, New Caledonia. Somerville House welcomed a group of students and their teachers for one day in 2022, and the visit was so successful that they are coming back this year for eleven days from Wednesday 25 October to Sunday 5 November.

The group of 19 students (boys and girls, but almost certainly mostly girls) will be aged from 14 to 15, so during the school day they will be paired with our Year 9 French students, attending classes with them on most of those days. If you agree to host a student, you would need to provide them with their own room, all meals, transport to and from school, and basically involve them in your family activities. Any family members aged 18 or over would also be required to obtain a compulsory Blue Card.

Hosting an exchange student can be an incredible experience for both the host family and the student. It is a unique opportunity for your daughter to immerse herself in French language and culture. Not only could she improve her French language skills through daily interactions, but she could also develop a deeper understanding of New Caledonia, a part of France located only two hours from Brisbane. Over the years, I have seen long-term friendships develop from such interactions.

If you are interested in hosting an exchange student, please contact the Head of Department - Languages here. Registration is open to parents of students in any year level.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Ms Debbie Haupt
Acting Head of Department - Languages

The 2023 Somerville House Open Day will be held on Sunday 20 August from 11.00am to 2.00pm. Please save-the-date and stay tuned for more information to come.

Prospective and incoming families are invited to this event to experience life as a Somerville House student. There will be student led tours, demonstrations, performances and much more on offer.

We look forward to sharing this important event day with our Somerville House Community.

Somerville House has a host of exciting community events yet to come on the Term 4 calendar in 2023.  

Be sure to never miss an event by downloading the Community Events Calendar here.  Event information is also available at the bottom of our homepage or via the website event pages here. 

We look forward to seeing you at our community events in November.