Term 2, Week 5, Tuesday 16 May 2023

Cross Country Team Congratulations

Huge congratulations is extended to the Junior School Cross Country students who competed at the Andrews Cup Cross Country competition in Toowoomba on Thursday. Somerville House came equal first (with St Margaret’s). Well done to all the students who contributed to these overall winning results. We are very proud of you!

Importance of the Arts

According to an associate professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Central Florida, Ali P. Gordon,

PhD, proficiency in the arts will be especially valuable to engineers and computer scientists in emerging industries, such as themed experiences, gaming, and simulation and training. Gordon contends that programmers and engineers are increasingly teamed up with artists to co-develop software, products, renderings and more.

One of the School’s strategic goals is to create a future-focussed curriculum and transferable skills for a digital and global society, so it is therefore critical to build on our strong Somerville House Arts program in Music, Drama and Visual Arts. Our Arts programs are important for the following reasons:

Enjoyment of arts programs fosters student engagement in school.
The arts can instil a growth mindset and other positive attitudes and behaviours.
The arts help students develop skills that carry over to other subjects, including observation, perspective-taking, interpretation, analysis, and synthesis.
The arts enhance creativity and creative thinking.
As students read musical notes, play an instrument, create a painting, act in a dramatic play, or interpret a script, they learn new concepts, vocabulary, and literacy skills.
The arts help students learn mathematics skills, including measurement, patterns, manipulating numbers, spatial and geometric relationships, and proportional reasoning.
The arts can broaden and enrich learning in history, literature, and STEM subjects.
Arts education helps students discover and develop talents, interests, hobbies, and careers.
The arts develop teamwork, collaboration, and an understanding of differences.
Aesthetic learning is important in its own right. Elliott Seif says “The power of the arts is in their wondrous ability to give us joy, help us understand tragedy, promote empathy, and make the written word come alive. They help students examine conflict, power, emotion, and life itself.”

“Arts programs can make a big difference in the life of every child, and every student should have the opportunity to participate in a strong, multidimensional arts program throughout their educational experience. The arts can have a powerful impact on children and learning, and they can make a significant difference in children’s lives. What it takes is commitment, support, understanding, and hard work to make sure the arts are a significant and meaningful part of every school program”.

Speaking of the arts, I am really looking forward to this year’s Churchie and Somerville House combined schools' musical, The World Goes 'Round, which is filled with humour, romance, drama and nonstop melody. This musical is a thrilling celebration of life and the fighting spirit that keeps us all going.

From Cabaret to Chicago, the nonstop hit-parade features unforgettable gems, including "Maybe This Time," "Mr Cellophane" and "New York, New York," seamlessly interwoven into a passionate, harmonious, up-tempo evening of musical theatre.

I wish all cast members and the backstage crew a great time treading the boards at the upcoming shows. The regular rehearsals will certainly be rewarded with fantastic performances this Friday and Saturday.

Staff Congratulations

We congratulate Miss Sarah Winkleman, Student Counsellor – Psychologist, on receiving confirmation from AHPRA that she is now approved to use the title ‘Clinical Psychologist’. Miss Winkleman has completed an approved postgraduate qualification accredited as a fifth and sixth year of study in one of the approved areas of practice (Master of Clinical Psychology), followed with a minimum of 3,000 hours of approved supervised practice with a Board-approved supervisor in the registrar program. We are fortunate to have Ms Winkleman on staff further putting these skills and qualifications to good use in supporting the students and families of Somerville House.

Policy Update

The Parent Code of Conduct has been updated and parents can find the most recent version here.

Mrs Kim Kiepe
Principal

Acknowledgement: “Ten Reasons Why Strong Arts Programs Are Critical for Living in Today’s and Tomorrow’s World” by Elliott Seif, Solution Tree, March 14, 2023.

Over the last few weeks, the Musical production, ‘The World Goes ‘Round’ moved into the final stage of rehearsal. The orchestra and cast have joined together and the addition of sound, lights and tables has injected new energy into all of those involved.

There are many benefits of co-curricular activities that flow through to the classroom and being involved in a Musical is no exception. Students benefit from:

Unleashing Creativity: From acting and singing to dancing and stage design, students discover new dimensions of their artistic abilities. This creative outlet will help them develop confidence, self-expression, and an appreciation for the arts.
Building Lifelong Friendships: The partnership in this venture with Churchie creates a diverse and inclusive environment, fostering the growth of lasting friendships. Working together towards a common goal promotes teamwork, co-operation, and empathy. Students learn to appreciate different perspectives, respect one another's strengths, and forge strong bonds that extend beyond the confines of the musical.
Developing Communication Skills: The process of rehearsing and performing a musical demands effective communication. Students learn to listen attentively, articulate their ideas clearly, and collaborate with their peers, enhancing their verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Enhancing Self-Confidence: Stepping onto the stage and performing in front of an audience can be a transformative experience. Through rehearsals and performances, students gain a sense of accomplishment and develop the ability to project their voices, showcase their talents, and push through, despite what may happen on stage.
Cultivating Time Management: Participating in a musical requires discipline and effective time management. Students learn to balance their academic responsibilities with rehearsals, allowing them to acquire valuable organisational skills. This experience will teach them the importance of prioritisation and juggling multiple commitments.
Uniting Through Music: Music has a unique ability to unite people, transcending boundaries and fostering a sense of community.

So come along and watch the performance of these talented and committed students. From the rehearsals I snuck in to look at last week, it is a show not to be missed!

Mrs Jo Matherson
Deputy Principal

Expression of Gratitude

Please join with us in thanking our nurses in celebration of International Nurses Day.

We hope you enjoyed Mothers’ Day on Sunday. In keeping with the celebration of compassion, nurturing and care, on Friday, we celebrated International Nurses Day. We thank our Health Centre team lead by Mrs Fiona Raftery: Mrs Mel McIntyre, Mrs Raquel Twigg, Ms Genevieve Makepeace, Mrs Graces Iskander and Mrs Alison Butcher.

A day in the life of our registered nurses starts early with care of our boarders who present for medical review and medication. They review on average 50 students a day presenting with significant presentations from urgent call outs for serious injuries or illnesses to bandaging scraped knees and pride. Some require ambulance attendance, some are cared for in the short term in the Health Centre and some boarders will be cared for the day as they recuperate in our ward.

Each student who attends the Health Centre is treated with respect and professional treatment. Equally our nurses do understand school avoidance and set clear boundaries for students. They support and assist in mild to serious injuries or illness for staff, organise vaccinations programs for students and staff, provide medics for sporting and other events and prepare medical kits and student documentation for excursions and camps.

They manage outbreaks of contagious diseases such as COVID19 to nit outbreaks. Our nurses showed great courage, stamina, resilience and productivity during the last years of COVID supporting the staff and students to maintain and meet all requirements to keep us safe, especially in the boarding community. For this they deserve particular thanks.

They finish their busy days, checking on our boarders, ill for the day, managing medication routines and supporting the boarding staff.

Our nurses altruistically care for all who need their expertise and compassion. They epitomise our motto, honour before honours, and humbly model service leadership for our entire community.

Please send them a note of thanks if you have the opportunity. They truly are our unsung heroes.

Mrs Julie Brunckhorst
Dean of Student Wellbeing

With near perfect conditions, the Andrews Cup Cross Country Team travelled to Kearney Springs in Toowoomba for the annual age group races. All schools put forward strong teams it was always going to be tough competition.

The girls were well prepared for the day's events, with many thanks to the coaches for the technical development and encouragement throughout the season. Every competitor went into the races feeling confident in their abilities. The girls' support of each other was palpable, egging them on to the finish line.

With several podium places, the buzz of excitement was building as Mr Steve Warren, Andrews Cup Chair, announced the results. Mr Sinclair had already suggested that should we finish in the top three he would cartwheel across the fields. True to his word, after the exciting announcement that we had come joint first place with St Margaret’s, Mr Sinclair twirled and flipped in balletic fashion!

It was a phenomenal team effort, and this achievement recognises the importance of teamwork, as each racer achieved her personal goal for the day.

Congratulations to this year's Andrews Cup Cross Country Team, first place since 2014 – very well deserved.

In other celebrations, the school was a hive of activity last week as mothers and significant women joined in pamper sessions, high tea, and craft parties for Mother’s Day. Students were so delighted to have so many special women come and join them in the classrooms.

Year 6 learning Expo Friday 28 April

At the end of Week 2, our Year 6 hosted parents and carers at their Learning Expo. Visitors were invited to play the students electric circuit science games and watch a session of Class Parliament.

We share below some student reflections.

I enjoyed showing my parents the class parliament role play and talking to them about the different bills we have debated. I felt a little embarrassed showing all of the parents our PowerPoint about our electronic game because they were filming us. I think the parents really enjoyed seeing how our games worked. - Annabelle Y

On 28 April, the Grade 6 cohort welcomed our parents to our Learning Expo. In HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences), we have learnt about the Government, Class Parliament replicates the House of Representatives and how a bill is passed. In Science, we have been learning about electrical circuits and how they work. This knowledge was then used to create our own games including an electrical circuit. I am sure that all the students, teachers and guests enjoyed the brilliant showcase. - Chloe C

At the Year 6 Learning Expo, without question, everyone was excited to present our science projects to our families. Everyone enjoyed playing the games we had made, especially the ones with prizes!!! In addition, we held a class parliament to demonstrate how a session in parliament works. There were speakers from each Year 6 class. - Olivia C

Thank you to those who were able to attend and to Year 6 staff for arranging this valuable and fun enrichment of student learning.

Class 5D at Queensland Children’s Hospital School ANZAC Service

In Week 2, Class 5D were honoured to attend the Queensland Children’s Hospital School ANZAC Service, to represent Somerville House, lay a wreath and sing the National Anthem, In Flanders Fields and Abide with Me, led by Director of Choral Music Mr Shannon Leonard and accompanied by Mr Tim Smetham. We value our relationship with the Hospital School and the opportunity to share in special events such as these.

Brisbane Writers Festival Visit

Last Friday, seventeen students from Year 5 and 6 attended Word Play (Brisbane Writers Festival). After a brisk walk in the sunshine through Southbank, we arrived at the State Library of Queensland. Throughout the day, we attended 3 fantastic author/illustrator presentations. Nat Amoore entertained us with her action-packed stories and incredible stage performance! Matt Stanton shared a range of funny stories with us and provided many useful writing tips. Kate and Jol Temple engaged us with details of their new detective series and warmed our hearts with their love of bin chickens! Between sessions, the students enjoyed book shopping and then meeting the authors and illustrators who kindly autographed their books. The festival was a wonderful experience for all involved, and the students’ buzz of excitement throughout the day demonstrated their great love of reading!

House Captain Assemblies

We have now commenced our House Captain assemblies, last week Maya G (6C) and Frances S (6D), Chisholm House Captains, shared the differences between confidence and self-confidence. They gave some valuable and practical tips for developing one’s self-confidence.

Following the assembly, I reflected on their self-confidence, standing before an audience of nearly 600 people. They delivered their assembly expertly as they were well prepared, confident about their topic and drew on each other’s strengths to share their messages. Well done and thank you girls.

Have a wonderful week.

Mrs Susan Clarke
Head of Junior School

We had a thrilling experience at our Pre-Prep last week, as we were visited by Ocean Life Education. The incursion provided a unique opportunity for our students to learn about marine life and the importance of preserving our oceans.

During the incursion, our children had the chance to interact with a variety of marine creatures, including starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and even a small shark! The Ocean Life representatives were knowledgeable and engaging, and they did a fantastic job of sharing information about each creature's habitat, diet, and behaviours.

The students were absolutely captivated by the creatures, and they had a lot of questions for the Ocean Life team. The team was patient and took the time to answer each question in a way that was easy for the children to understand. The children were very interested to learn where the mouth of a starfish is located and loved seeing the mouth underneath a real starfish. The children already demonstrated some knowledge about their impact on ocean life and upon reflection on Monday they shared that, “plastic bags kill turtles.” The children also highlighted the importance of taking their rubbish with them after visiting the beach.

The incursion was not only informative but also a lot of fun. The students were able to touch and hold some of the creatures, and they were amazed at the different textures and sensations they experienced. It was a truly interactive and immersive learning experience for all involved.

We are grateful to the Ocean Life Education team for sharing their expertise and time with our Pre-Prep students. The incursion was an excellent opportunity for our students to learn about marine life and how we can all do our part to protect the ocean and its inhabitants. Each class will be extending on this learning in the classroom in the coming weeks as it supports our curriculum focus of developing children’s understanding about the world and caring for different environments.

We hope to have more incursions like this in the future, as they are a wonderful way to bring learning to life and spark curiosity in our young minds.

Ms Mariana McIver
Director of Pre-Prep

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