Somerset Lifetimes 2019 Semester 2

Headmaster FROM THE

SEMESTER TWO AT SOMERSET The jacarandas are blooming and that can only mean end of year exams in Queensland. We commenced Term Three having demolished The Aitkenhead Building during the holidays, construction is now underway and expected for completion before classes resume in 2020; our 37 th Founders’ Day was a wonderful celebration of the College’s past, present and future. Our celebrations commenced with the Official Opening and Dedication of The Terry Herbert Foyer and The Suzanne Roberts Centre for Performing Arts . Our guests arrived to a beautiful performance on Piano by Himman Lo (Year 12 Franklin) and with approximately 100 people in attendance. Our guests were treated to heart felt words from the Chair of the College Board, Mr Tony Hickey OAM, Performing Arts Captains, Ziggy Enoch and Bella Harris (Year 12 Laver and Veivers) and of course, Mr Herbert and Mrs Roberts . Guided tours of the new facilities were taken by several Year 12 students enabling our guests to view performances by Year 10 Drama students preparing for a Scenes Project in the Black Box; the Junior GCSSDF Play in Rehearsal; a Commercial Jazz Dance Class in the Theatre; Mr John Mitchell with Suzuki Strings which includes some of our youngest students; and the Senior String Quartet in rehearsal. What a brilliant start to the day! Our Founders’ Day ceremony included inspirational addresses by the Chair of Board, Mr Tony Hickey OAM , and our College Captains, Kevin Song and Vivi Baker . We presented the Spirit of Somerset and Founders’ Day Awards amidst magnificent performances from the Concert Band and the Vocal Group.

The Spirit of Somerset Awards and Founders’ Day Awards are awarded for exceptional effort and commitment, which embodies those qualities that the College is proud to embrace. The recipients this year are: Spirit of Somerset Community Award – Mrs Katie Norman Spirit of Somerset Staff Award – Mr Paul Evans (Teacher – Senior School) Spirit of Somerset Senior School Award – Lilly Thompson and Stewart Ford (Year 12 Franklin) Founders’ Day Award

– Phoebe Rogers and Ryan Longfield (Year 6 Veivers and Laver respectively)

Honours in Student Leadership are presented to Year 12 students who have demonstrated service and leadership at a level recognised and respected by staff and students this year were presented to: Luisa Ardill-Walker (Starkey)

Samuel Dalton (Laver) Maya Hobley (Veivers) Montana MacFarlane (Franklin) Bria Phillips (Andrews) Mackenzie Quiggin (Veivers) Lachlan Sowerby (Laver)

It was a perfect Gold Coast day to enjoy the traditional Founders’ Day activities, the All-Age Swimming Relay, the Steeplechase, the All-Age Running Relay, the Tug-o-War and the Courtyard Dash. Our Spartans shone as they competed or cheered – such wonderful traditions established to celebrate Founders’ Day. We could only continue to be amazed at the passion that Somerset produces.

From the Headmaster

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