Outside the standard framework of the Somerville House curriculum, there are an array of opportunities for students to learn new skills and ignite new passions. Extracurricular activities are a vital element in a student’s development, often building on lessons and learnings that begin during school hours. Recently, a number of students were participants in the Duke of Edinburgh hikes offered over the July and September school holidays. Both a four-day hike in Girraween National Park, and three-day and two-day hikes in Mount Barney National Park were part of the experience.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award requires the participating students to complete four components, one of which is the Adventurous Journey. This year, South East Queensland offered the chance for students to experience off-track hiking in the Great Outdoors among some truly sensational landscapes. We are very grateful to Mr David Haliczer, Dr Gemma Dale and Mrs Narelle Cooley for making this opportunity possible for our students. A Google search on the benefits of the Duke of Edinburgh program advises that participants will develop the skills and attitudes they need to become more rounded, confident adults. Such qualities appeal to colleges, universities and employers, so supporting your daughter’s pursuit of her Duke of Edinburgh Award is a real investment in her future.

An extract from a Year 12 student’s reflection on her Gold Award visit to Girraween National Park in June, provides a captivating insight into her personal experience... 

“Once down Mount Norman we collected water from a stream and continued our hike to Mallee Ridge where we climbed up more granite slabs and in some places we needed to take our packs off to either make it up the rock or through a tight break in the boulders. When we arrived at camp we had the choice to set up our tents or bivvy sack as our campsite was under a larger A-frame ‘tunnel’ in the rock. I was not comfortable with bivvying as I thought I would freeze during the night so along with my tent buddy we set up our tent. We then had lunch; tuna with last night’s leftovers, before heading off to the Valley of the Winds. To get to the valley we hiked to a point then slid down some rocks to reach the top of the Valley of the Winds. The Valley of the Winds is made up of many large granite boulders with ferns throughout; this meant that to reach the bottom of the valley we had to continuously clamber over boulders. The next challenge for me was where we had to chimney our way over a deep drop between the boulders.” 

Molly and her fellow students completed these expeditions with a real sense of accomplishment. Thank you again to the wonderful Mr Haliczer, Dr Dale and Mrs Cooley, for your dedication and professionalism.

The below photo captures the sensational landscape at Girraween National Park:

Welcome to new staff

This term we welcome Mr Paul Bernardi, our E-learning specialist. Mr Bernardi’s position is responsible for the project delivery of interactive E-Learning resources and ensuring that SomerLink (our new Learning Management System) is implemented according to the required timelines. Mr Bernardi’s role has a teaching component across both Junior and Senior classes. We welcome Paul to this inaugural role.

We welcome Ms Camille Munro in the role of Compliance Co-ordinator to Somerville House. 

We are pleased to welcome back Mrs Danielle Davies, as she replaces Mrs Leah Shackleton (on Maternity Leave) as Teacher of Pre-Prep in the Early Learning Centre. 

We also welcome Ms Tess Millman’s return as Teacher Aide in the Junior School following her Maternity Leave.

PMSA Newsletter

Please click here to view the PMSA's quarterly newsletter on behalf of CEO, Sharon Callister.

Mrs Kim Kiepe
Principal

Back in the 1960s, a couple were travelling through Ireland on a holiday, and they met a young man in a youth hostel who had spent part of his early childhood in a German wartime labour camp. He had been separated from his parents and was looked after in a basic way by the older men in his hut. He had no idea who he was, where he had come from, or even what his name was. When the war ended, he was taken to a children’s home, which he had left as soon as he could. When the couple met him, he had no country to call home and was wandering through Europe on temporary papers from the Dutch Government, unable to settle anywhere.

I cannot imagine what it must have felt like to be this young man. To have a sense of identity in terms of who our family is, our ethnic identity and the geographical place we come from, brings great security and a sense of belonging. 

Sometimes we can feel disengaged from our community or our family, perhaps because of something done or said by us or someone else. This generally leads to great distress until the issue is resolved. This is how Zacchaeus, a Jewish tax collector who encountered Jesus must have felt. He was hated by his people because he worked for the oppressive Roman Empire and extracted large amounts of money for them from the Jews. We would be safe in guessing that his own family rejected him for his choices too; if they were decent people they would have been ashamed of him.

So when Jesus sees Zacchaeus watching from a distance and invites himself to a meal at his house, this would have felt very special to him. Someone important had noticed him. That same someone actually wanted to spend time with him. From his actions at the end of the meal, promising to pay back anyone he had cheated and giving half his possessions to the poor, we see that Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus had a huge impact on him. 

Jesus reaches out to each one of us too, he notices us in a crowd, and he invites us to allow him into our lives. When we encounter Jesus, just like Zacchaeus, we too will be changed. We will be inspired to be our better selves as we discover that Jesus came to find us too, because like Zacchaeus, we are lost without him.

Ms Chris O'Gorman 
Senior Chaplain

I selected the character strength, open-mindedness, to explore this week given we return from our holidays, ready to embark on a new term full of exciting times. The Strengths Spotlight podcast series presented by The Positive Institute at Geelong Grammar is easy to listen to and recently inspired me to enact this strength, especially after a few days of rest. 

I thought you might also appreciate focussing on this with your daughters, whether they are Year 12 students intently focussed on their studies and ready for their external exams, Year 7 students exploring new friendships in Term 4 or Year 6 students ready to commence orientation into the Senior School. This open-mindedness helps us to be open to new ideas, to re-evaluate and to be flexible in our thinking. It is not such an open-mind as to allow our ‘brains to fall out’ but to be able to place things into perspective – to rationalise and be logical in thinking and judicious in our selection of words. I look forward to students judiciously using their words in kindness and acceptance of others’ views, to explore and empathise, rather than heighten assumptions. 

Please click here to read more about open-mindedness.

Mrs Julie Brunckhorst
Dean of Student Wellbeing

Welcome to Term 4, our final term for 2020. I hope all our families enjoyed some down time over the holidays and had a chance to rest and recharge. I spent some time at the beach and relished being by the ocean and away from my computer for a little while! 

This term, we are joined by new student Cara C (5A). We know that Cara will be warmly welcomed to the School community by her classmates in Year 5.

I share with you below some of the highlights of the last few weeks of Term 3 – they seem a distant memory now, but we take this opportunity to note some of wonderful activities and student achievements that took place. 

Our Junior School playground was visited one lunchtime late last term by Year 10 students who relished the opportunity to swing, climb and slide with Junior School students, and demonstrated that we are never too old to play! Our school community is enriched by events such as these where older and younger students connect to share joy and support for each other.

Year 4 enjoyed a very busy end to Term 3, with their camp in Week 9 and a special event in Week 10 to celebrate the end of their HPE unit Jump Rope for Heart.

For many students, Year 4 camp is the first experience of going away with school, with all the excitement and nerves that comes along with that. We were very pleased to be able to attend in this year of many disruptions. Camp Somerset, at Somerset Dam, hosted a busy program across two days, with the theme of health underpinning a range of activities designed to build self-esteem and help develop healthy relationships.

We share below two student highlights: 

On the last day of term, Year 4 relished the opportunity to Jump Off - showcasing the fun new skipping skills and tricks they acquired during their Term 3 HPE unit, taught by Mrs Liz Edwards. Students learned the importance of regular physical activity and balanced eating for a healthy lifestyle, with a load of fun along the way!

The Andrews Cup Netball competition took place in Week 10, and we congratulate our Junior A team on their first-place result. Our five teams gave their all on the day and students were thrilled to be able to compete at this postponed and modified event. We thank Ms Sharyn Simpson, Andrews Cup Co-ordinator, Miss Jess Price, Mrs Claire Reynish, Mrs Sally Wickings and Mrs Susan Robberts who all supported our girls at trainings and on the day. We also thank all our coaches and the umpires who assisted on the day. We share our teams’ results below.

Junior A – first place
A Grade – sixth place
B Grade – third place
C Grade Team 1 – third place
C Grade Team 2 – fourth place

Also in Week 10, our Music department held their Grand Concerts, showcasing the hard work and musical achievements of students in Years 2 to 6. Both concerts contained full, rich and varied programs of musical delights from Year 3 Strings, Pizzicato Strings, Year 2, Year 4, Poco a Poco Choir, Year 5 Band, Goodwin Concert Band, Junior Strings, Year 5 Strings, Year 5 Guitar, Cantabile Choir and Year 6.

As parents were not able to attend, both concerts were recorded and these recordings will be made available to you shortly. We thank the Music department staff for all their work in arranging this event.

Congratulations to Alessia G (1B), Sofia S (1B), Alexis T (2C), Miranda S (2C), Annie T (3A), Aurora T (3A), Ellie Y (3C), Isabella X (3C), Mikka T (3C), who were selected to compete in the Tennis 2020 Queensland Primary Schools Cup on Friday 18 September. Thank you to the girls and their families for travelling to the Redland Bay Tennis Centre and participating in a fun filled day of competitive tennis matches against other schools. Our girls did so well to defeat all schools, but narrowly missed out on first place by losing in a close match to Sheldon College in the final. Team Somerville House put their best efforts into every match and we are really proud of you. We hope you feel proud of your achievement and enjoy displaying the ribbons that were presented to you by officials of Tennis Australia on the day. We thank Mr Tyrone Barrett, Director of Tennis, for his work.

Our last day of Term 3 was also the day for our Prep to Year 2 Sports Day. Students enjoyed a morning of running, jumping and playing on the oval in their house teams, with participation and fun as the focus. 

Thank you to Ms Kym Phillips, HPE teacher, for arranging the event, and to all the staff who assisted on the day.

The State Championships for Equestrian have just taken place at Toowoomba and our school team did extraordinary well. Special mention to Pippa L (5C) in Year 5 who qualified to represent Queensland. Sadly, Nationals will not be held this year, but we congratulate Pippa for her achievement.

We know that Term 4 will be as action packed and fun-filled as our last term, with much learning and fun on our journey towards the end of the year. In this newsletter we share our Term 4 calendar of events for your information. 

Mrs Louise McGuire
Head of Junior School

Keeping safe online 

This year, more than ever, we understand and emphasise the importance of children staying safe online. 

It is increasingly common for children to have social media accounts (even younger students), so learning how to use these responsibly is an essential skill children need to develop. 

Online gaming sites and learning communities are common places for children to have social media accounts. It is easy to set these up, so it is important to know what children use their computer for, and that they check before filling out a form that asks for a name or username. If a child creates an account, they need to be taught the basics of choosing safe usernames and passwords and keeping them secure; and setting up privacy settings together with an adult.

Schools are increasingly creating secure online learning communities that enable students to interact with each other and their teachers to discuss topics, work collaboratively and submit assignments. This is a good way for children to learn the techniques and etiquette of social media, and how to use it responsibly; and to become aware of online issues such as bullying and scams.

When your child wants to set up a social networking account on one of the main public platforms, it important to remember that many have age restrictions, so make sure the platform your child wants to sign up to is appropriate for their age.

Amongst other initiatives, over the past few months our Year 6 students have been working towards their eSmart Digital Licence, to help them understand the importance of digital reputation, privacy, gaming, in-app purchasing, traps, screen-time implications as well as friends and strangers. eSmart Schools provides a framework to support schools develop a culture that promotes smart, safe and responsible use of technology. Teachers can use these resources to support students embracing the benefits of technology while reducing their exposure to, and improving their ability to respond appropriately to cyber risks.

Click here to access the parents page of the eSafety Commissioner website, to get the latest expert advice on how to keep safe online. 

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following students who achieved High Distinctions and Distinctions in the recent ICAS Mathematics, Science and English competitions. ICAS is an independent, skills-based, internationally recognised assessment program and entering these competitions is optional. The results achieved by our students are outstanding given the challenging nature of the tests. We also acknowledge the hard work and dedication shown by all students who took part in ICAS, and we thank staff who assisted with test supervision at lunchtime and after school.

Mrs Gaye Ryan
Assistant Head of Junior School

Welcome back to a very exciting and literature fuelled term. I hope during the holidays your daughter was able to find plenty of downtime to read and relax. I’m sure she will be keen to return her holiday library books and borrow a new batch of books for the start of the term.

This term our Junior School Library program will have its main focus on literature, kick starting the term with the celebration of Book Week in Week 3 (Monday 19 October to Friday 23 October).

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) nominates a week every year to celebrate books, authors and illustrators. School and public libraries across Australia provide opportunities for children to participate in activities that highlight and foster the importance of reading, not forgetting the fun that comes with falling in love with favourite characters, authors and series.

Our Book Week Dress Up Character Day will be held on Monday 19 October. It is so much fun and the School is a buzz on Dress Up Day with students and teachers getting into the Book Week spirit. Please start talking about, discussing with and organising what book character your daughter might like to dress up as. Sometimes the best costumes are those made from odds and ends around the house with one or two important props. I encourage you to talk to your daughter in the few short weeks leading up to Book Week and start getting excited. 

Students in Years 4 to 6 are now using their school laptops to access e-books from the Junior School e-book catalogue. This is a relatively new skill the girls were introduced to at the end of last term. During a Library lesson your daughter would have downloaded an app called 'ePlatform' onto her school laptop. By having this app your daughter can borrow, read and return e-books anytime. If your daughter has a mobile device at home such as an iPhone, iPad or android phone, ePlatform can also be downloaded (for free) and your daughter’s e-book from her school laptop will then sync automatically with her device. If you have a daughter in Years 4 to 6 and she is having any difficulties with downloading e-books, please do not hesitate to email me with any concerns.

Thank you for supporting your daughter in her reading journey. All classes borrow weekly, so feel free to ask your daughter to share her books with you, read together and above all encourage her to read every day. 

Mrs Cheryl Toohey
Teacher Librarian

The Term 4 JSSG Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Thursday 15 October. At this meeting, all committee positions will become vacant and nominations called for the coming year. There are a number of vacancies to be filled for the 2021 JSSG Committee, as not all of the existing members will be re-nominating. If you are interested in becoming a member of the JSSG Committee, please complete the Nomination Form and email to [email protected].

Due to a recent change in the P&F's Constitution, it is now a requirement that parent members of the P&F consent annually to becoming a parent member and to supply their name and contact details to the P&F for the purpose of having their membership recorded. 

For the AGM, any parent who has not already registered in 2020 will need to do so before the AGM. Please click here to register. 

Please feel free to read the P&F Constitution.

An email has been distributed to Year 12 parents this week with External Exam updates, including the processes related to absence from External Exams due to illness. Students should ensure that they are familiar with these processes, which can be found in the External Assessment Guide for Year 12 students published by the QCAA.

A short exam block is scheduled from Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 October in order to finalise assessment for Unit 2. After this time, students will be moving on to Unit 3 content in all subjects. The assessment from Unit 3 becomes summative, meaning that it contributes to the students’ ATAR.  

Congratulations to all Year 12 students who are receiving awards at Speech Night this week. As previously communicated, the Top of Subject, Second to the Dux and Dux awards will be presented during the Honours Assembly early in 2021. 

Awards for Years 7 to 11 students will be presented at the Awards Day in Week 9 of Term 4 and awards will be calculated using results from Term 1 to 3.  

Many Year 12 students attended an 'Ace Your Exams' workshop during the September holidays, revising valuable strategies for preparing for exams in the next few weeks, and approaching exams on test days.  

In Term 3, Year 10 Accounting students were required to investigate a real-world business selling products or services, in order to analyse and evaluate their internal control procedures over cash. Armed with a list of questions and knowledge of appropriate accounting and administration internal controls, students examined whether the procedures in place at the business of their choice, adequately minimised risks and promoted best practice. This investigation was then used to inform their written report for their Formative Assessment 3 Project.

Students visited businesses such as Ribs & Burgers, Kookai, Nodo, McDonalds, BillyKart, Fairfield Green Grocer, Under the Clock Café, Jetts Fitness and New Farm Deli.  

Economics competition results

ICAS Mathematics Competition - Thursday 3 September 
Congratulations to the following students:

• High Distinction - Ella O (7F), Ee Lin S (7B), Cheryl S (8D) and Suhani G (9C)
• Distinction - Annabel L (7B), Hillary H (8F), Matea Z (8F), Xiang Lin S (9C), Adwoa A (10D) and Michelle L (10G)
• Merit - Chau-an T (7F), Ashley C (8B) and Yeana L (9B)

Australia Mathematics Competition - Thursday 30 July
Congratulations to the following students:

• Prize - Ee Lin S (7B, pictured below)
• High Distinction – Matea Z (8F), Hillary H (8F), Xiang Lin S (9C) and Suhani G (9C)
• Distinction – Rachel C (7D), Matea D (7D), Emily M (7A), Alice H (8D), Grace Z (8D), Gianne K (8D), Ingrid J (9E), Alice P (9B), Avanthika S (9F), Enid H (10F), Michelle L (10G) and Emma M (10O)

Well done to all students for participating in these events.

Mr Trevor Redmond
Head of Mathematics

LAST CHANCE! RSVP CLOSES Monday 12 October

Date: Friday 23 October 
Venue: The Warehouse, McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley

This event will proceed according to all Queensland Health COVID-19 protocols in place at the time and as a result may have limited numbers and/or other measures in place on the day. We will keep you informed.

In the last week of Term 3, our 2020 and 2021 student leadership teams met to complete a portfolio handover. The handover is an important way of ensuring there is shared vision and institutional knowledge passed from one group to the next.  

Here is a selection of what the Year 11 leaders had to say about the handover:

Mrs Kathryn Emtage  
Head of Year 11 

Opportunities

The co-curricular program simply provides opportunities. Whether or not students seize the opportunities depends on a whole range of factors. What can be guaranteed is when students take up any one of the thirty-five co-curricular opportunities their experiences will enhance their studies and lives.  

During the September two week break students had ample opportunity to have a break and recharge their batteries but there were also many other opportunities provided by dedicated and wonderful staff.

1. Duke of Edinburgh - Mr David Haliczer, Dr Gemma Dale and Mrs Narelle Cooley and thirteen students took on a Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey to Mt Barney. Without Mr David Haliczer and Dr Gemma Dale trips like this would not be possible. Their experience, stamina and enthusiasm are to be commended.  
2. Chess Clinics – Mr Matt Gilpin and his team of coaches provided the opportunity for students to have fun whilst honing their chess skills during the break. 
3. Robotics Workshops – Dr Daniel Tuazon, Ms Margaux Edwards and the coaches conducted sessions. I am not sure who had the most fun and displayed the most passion out of the staff and students but the robotics sessions were incredible. The skill of using 3D printing to create parts to build custom robots seemed so simple to these staff and students.
4. Service Learning – Ms Tanja Rees organised for two students Ella M (10O) and Georgie S (11F) to assist the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus association - SBH Qld. SBH Qld run wheelchair sessions in the Somerville House Sports Complex. 
5. Music – Ms Loreta Fin was a guest conductor at the State Honours Ensemble Program run by the Qld Conservatorium of Music. Thirty-five Somerville House students successfully qualified for this state-wide program. 
6. Badminton Clinics – Mr Mitchell Wheller and Ms Jess Yam offered six 3-hour clinics over the September break and between 30 and 40 students attended each clinic. 
7. Equestrian - The Equestrian Interschool State Championships were held at Toowoomba showgrounds over the long weekend.
8. Netball sessions in preparation for the Vicki Wilson Cup program were held and then the competition was held over the long weekend – Miss Jess Price and Mrs Katie Martin
9. Tennis - Mr Tyrone Barrett, Director of Tennis and 2 coaches, Miss Emma Westman and Miss Naomi McKenzie, had the opportunity to travel to Rockhampton to compete in the Queensland Secondary Schools Team Tennis Finals. The team consisted of Hannah N (11O), Katia A (11F), Elise W (8E), Stephanie T (8F), Gisele G (7D). The girls fought hard and finished fifth in the state, which is a great effort. 
10. Volleyball – Mr Andrew McCabe held a small training camp which culminated in a 3-day tournament played at Cararra. 

This is a snap shot of opportunities during a break – imagine what you can do during Term 4! Whilst the students will be focussing on assessment during term 4 please do not miss out on the opportunities to enrich and enhance your lives through involvement in co-curricular opportunities at Somerville House. They will enrich your lives and improve many aspects of it which is great for everything including gaining excellent marks in academia. 

I will be taking Long Service Leave from the end of week 2 this term returning to work on the 13 January 2021. I wish all students – especially the Year 12 cohort all the very best for the remainder of the year and I look forward to seeing what opportunities everyone has seized upon my return. 

Mr Allan Legge
Director of Co-Curricular Programs

Congratulations to the following students for their recent AMEB exam results!

Yoki L (3C) Grade 1 AMEB Violin – A+
Mia H (3B) Grade 1 AMEB Violin Repertoire Exam – A
Zoe R (4C) Preliminary Grade AMEB Viola – A
Grace C (8B) AMUS A Cello – Pass with Distinction
Emma M (10O) Grade 7 AMEB Flute – A
Isabella X (3C) Preliminary Grade Violin – A+
Sophie O (4A) Preliminary Grade Violin – A
Matilda M (4B) Preliminary Grade Violin – A
Angela W (4A) Preliminary Grade Violin – B+
Gemma C (4B) Preliminary Grade Violin – B

Congratulations to over 30 Somerville House students who participated in the State Honours Ensemble Program over the holidays. Congratulations also to Ms Loreta Fin who participated as a guest conductor in the program.

Music Reflection

This year would have marked the tenth year that Somerville Strings and Senior String Consort have performed a public recital. For the past nine years, the ensembles have performed at major churches and venues around Brisbane, like Albert Street Uniting Church, St Luke's Green and the Sunnybank Performing Arts Complex; however, on Sunday 13 September, this year's recital felt very different: A recording. At school. No audience.

Performing to an audience is such a vital part of any musician's life. The sense of achievement when a difficult work has been mastered and the thrill of accepting the warm applause of the audience are all part of what makes being a musician so good for one's wellbeing. To a musician, rehearsals are like our 'training' sessions - we hone our skills, improve our technique and learn about teamwork. Performances are our 'games' - when we get to share all our hard work with our supporters. This year has been a challenge, as we have worked just as hard in our 'training sessions', but we have really missed our 'games'. There have been no familiar faces in the crowd; no faithful supporters, cheering us on from the sidelines.

However, when 2020 finally ends, we will have documented the amazing breadth of work which occurs every year, in every part of our Music department. We will have recorded the adorable Year 3 Strings playing Baby Shark, the Year 5 Band blasting their very first enthusiastic notes, the choirs singing up a storm, despite being turned on and off again like a showery day, the Symphonic Winds and Strings coming together to perform the mighty music of John Williams for Speech Night, as well as the fun of joining with the choirs for the Aladdin medley. This is what goes on every year. Brains are challenged and minds are opened. Friendships are made across the year levels and great things are achieved - and in 2020, we will have documented it for all to see and hear. A huge thank you to the Music staff, especially Mr Will Eager, who has seemingly spent the year glued to a mixing desk in every spare moment he has had, putting dozens of videos together. Remember, girls - a recording is forever.

So, in the future, when we return to being able to have an audience, please be there to support us. Don't just do drop-off and pick-ups - actually witness the magic happening inside our hearts and minds - and it will warm your heart as well. From all of the Somerville House musicians.

Ms Loreta Fin
Director of Strings

Welcome from 2021 Sports Captains, Sophia K (11O) and Belle A (11F).

"My name is Sophia and in 2021 I have the pleasure of being co-Sports Captain. Although I am no Serena Williams or Sally Pearson, in my five years at Somerville House I have developed a love for sport,  and both the challenge and fulfilment it has brought to my life. In my short seventeen years I have participated in many sports including gymnastics, water polo, surf lifesaving, hockey, swimming. I have developed a love for cross country, hockey and touch. For me, sport is about pushing myself to the limits, being part of a team and developing my fitness." 

"My name is Belle and I started boarding at Somerville House at the beginning of grade 10. Sport has played a major role throughout my entire life ranging from surf lifesaving and swimming to cross country and athletics to netball to touch and more, each of which I have enjoyed every second of. Before COVID I have been able to compete at States for the past four years for cross country, three years representing the Sunshine Coast and last year for Met East. As a co-Sports Captain, I am ecstatic that to be been given the opportunity to create a sporting community where girls strive to push themselves mentally and physically and develop their fitness and skills in an environment outside of the classroom."

Equestrian update

Equestrian Interschool State Championships results: 

• Zoe W (11D): 6th in Secondary CT 95
• Matisse W (8E): 2nd in Intermediate 100cm Special 2 Phase
• Pippa L (5C): 4th in Primary CT 80; 5th in Primary 70cm A2, 6th in Primary 70cm Special 2 Phase
• Odette B (8C): 6th in Intermediate 100cm A2
• India C (11M): 2nd in Advanced 5B, Advanced 5C and Advanced Freestyle
• Jade W (12F): 1st in Senior Prelim 1B and Prelim 1C
• India C (11M), Jade W (12F), Zoe W (11D) and Georgia N (11C) took home the Reserve Champion Team Secondary Dressage.

2020 Queensland Interschool State Merit Team:

• Pippa L (5C) (Primary CT 80)
• India C (11M) (Advanced 5B and 5C)
• Jade W (12F) (Senior Prelim 1B and 1C)

Congratulations to all riders, parents and support crew who made the event such a success.

The Strength and Conditioning (S&C) coaches are excited to welcome the girls back for Term 4. With many sports finishing up in Term 3 and a few sports recommencing this term, there will be an increase in girls participating in the S&C program. The girls will be working towards our bi-annual strength, power and agility testing session scheduled for the end of term.

The September holidays saw multiple girls participate in the Strength and Conditioning Holiday Program which ran three times per week. Due to travel restrictions, many students remained in Brisbane during the break and so it was great to be able to offer the program to these students so that they could maintain and improve upon their strength, mobility, agility and fitness whilst co-curricular sports were between-seasons. 

During the holidays, we were also very excited to be able to invite Junior School students to join in the Holiday Strength & Conditioning Clinic for the first time. It was a great success and while developing the girls’ functional movement skills and coordination in the gym, we also played lots of games in the Sports Hall that brought about lots of laughs and competitive sides! 

Ms Sophie Dodd
Acting Director of Strength and Conditioning 

Robotics is into the final weeks of a greatly modified 2020 season. Approximately fifty of our students ranging from Year 5 to 12 have been working on projects during Term 3, simulating the process of preparing for RoboCup Junior competitions.

Next week, students will present during the Showcase and End of Season functions:

• Tuesday 13 October for students attending Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday workshops
• Thursday 15 October for students attending Thursday and Friday workshops

Both functions will start at 3.30pm and will be held in VPAC.

Students will present and demonstrate their projects during the showcase, which will be followed by a presentation of participation pennants and a small season ending celebration.

Friends of Robotics students or even just any students interested in Robotics are encouraged to come along and watch the showcase. Parents will be able to watch the showcase via a live streaming link (to be advised via email).

Dr Daniel Tuazon 
Robotics Co-ordinator

Teacher: Ms Katy Ward

Artist statement: A Collaged Society
"This work reflects on the intense year which everyone around the world has experienced. The post-apocalyptic style of flame like chalk, fiery red collage images beneath and the textured rough tar like symbols are all appropriated from the specific artworks of Peter Booth. The work is a clear view of the confused and distressed mind of a teenager after a year of awakening. After a pandemic, spending hours sitting at home isolated from society, the fault lines within the web of cultures and moral constructs we have built become obvious. The work explores the turmoil of one's mind after a year that has lasted a decade, yet still isn’t over."

Speech Night will be live-streamed from the QPAC Concert Hall to enable other family members, friends and staff to enjoy the night from the comfort of their home. 

Date: Thursday 8 October
Time: Commencing at 6.30pm
Password: SHSN2020@qpac

What an incredible Vacation Care we have had these last couple of weeks! Here are some highlights:

In addition to our exciting in-service, incursion and excursion days, we also worked on an art project. The stipulations of our art project were that it simply had to have a message for our community. We chose to use masking tape and paints to write out and illustrate some words onto a banner that read, "In a world full of hate, be a light." This is a line from one of our favourite songs at the moment called 'Be A Light' by Thomas Rhett, Chris Tomlin, Hillary Scott and Reba McIntyre.

This was such an exciting process based art project we were able to do as a team and we were so proud to see our results.

OSHClub is open and available for care from 6.45am to 8.15am and 2.30pm to 6.00am on Monday to Friday.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us to make a booking on 0423 576 872.

Miss Eden (Co-ordinator), Miss Audrey (Educator), Miss Sarah (Educator) and Miss Fei (Educator),
OSHClub

We are looking forward to celebrating this year’s Commemoration Day with our community.

While we are unable to host an audience at this event due to the restrictions of COVID-19, we are excited to be creating a special video with the Old Girls’ Association.

The video will include assembly highlights, guest speaker messages and the traditional cutting of the cake.

We will communicate with our community via email at 9.00am on Friday 9 October which will include providing the link to this video, so we encourage you to take this time to ensure that your details are up-to-date.

The PMSA has recently advertised for Expressions of Interest in the positions of School Council Chair and School Council Members. They seek candidates who are able to contribute strategic vision, critical thinking, impactful governance and values-based leadership.  

A candidate information pack is available for both positions via the School website - click here. Within the pack are documents and information available to assist candidates in considering these exciting and critical, senior leadership positions including position descriptions, strategic plans and organisational chart. 

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are due by midnight on Monday 12 October.

How to Apply

Please submit your EOI via [email protected] quoting Somerville House School Council Chair and/or Somerville House School Council Member. You are invited to submit an EOI for both opportunities, which will consist of an updated CV and Cover Letter. (If interested in both positions, please submit a Cover Letter for each. You can submit the same CV). 

Please direct any enquiries to Susan Lindsay, Group Executive Human Resources, PMSA on 0448 881 327 or 07 3371 0709 or [email protected] 

Boarding House Support Group (BHSG) Meeting 

Date: Thursday 3 December
Time: 1.00pm to 3.00pm
Venue: Fewings
RSVP: Online access via Microsoft Teams will be shared via email. 

For more information, please contact Head of Boarding, Mrs Frances Greene via [email protected].

All meetings are from 7.00pm to 8.30pm.

If you would like to attend an OGA General Meeting, please email the Old Girls' Association via [email protected].

Executive: 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Email: [email protected]