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• The Senior Deputy
• The Dean of Students
• The Dean of Activities
• The Academic Counsellor
• The Heads and Directors of the major curriculum areas
• The Year 8 Supervisor and
• The Junior School Curriculum Co-ordinator

Curriculum is constantly being reviewed at Somerset with the aim of providing the best possible educational experience for our students. Changes are always carefully considered and stem from developments in educational theory and practice.

At post-compulsory level (Years 11, 12 and 13) the Queensland Board of Senior Secondary School Studies Certificate is the vehicle by which students complete secondary education and gain accreditation for work and further study. In addition, the introduction of the international first year university level course, The International Baccalaureate Diploma programme, gives our students access not only to universities in Australia, but all round the world.

This concept provides continuity of experiences as children develop and grow in the early years.

A child's first experiences at school are among the most important in life. Each aspect of the child's whole self - physical, social, intellectual and emotional development is nurtured by trained and highly qualified classroom teachers.

Teachers take the time to help all young learners to -

• Develop independence
• Develop early literacy and numeracy skills
• Form social relationships
• Discover, explore and solve problems
• Share their understandings and feelings
• Learn about self and about being part of a group
• Encompass Christian values in daily school life

Specialist teachers involve children in -

• Swimming
• Motor skills programmes
• Technology
• Art
• Music
• Physical education
• Languages Other Than English - Italian

Throughout the year we celebrate community events such as -

• Easter
• Book Week
• Science Week
• Grandparents' Day
• Multicultural Day
• Beachathon

Years 4 to 7

Students take a common core of subjects from the eight key learning areas - plus Religious and Philosophical Studies.

Year 8

As Year 8 is regarded as an introduction to Senior School curricula, all pupils take the same subjects.

Years 9 and 10

The Subjects in Years 9 and 10 consist of core subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, and Humanities, Physical Education and Religious and Philosophical Studies and elective subjects which may include Art, Arts Technology, Design Technology, Drama, German, Health and Physical Education, Information Technology, Japanese, Multi Media Studies-Sound Effects and Engineering (Year 10 only), Music, Small Business Studies and Studies in Commerce. All pupils select three subjects from the electives offered in Years 9 and 10.

Years 11 and 12

Queensland Board regulations specify that students take 5 subjects over the 2 years or 4 semesters to be eligible for an Overall Position (OP) score. English is compulsory and must be passed at the very least at SOUND achievement to be accepted into university. At Somerset we insist that students take 6 subjects and include in the compulsory category, one of three types of mathematics.

THREE YEAR SENIOR - Exceptional sports people and talented musicians may apply to take their Queensland Board Certificate over three years. This must be done through the Dean of Studies at the school. In effect, these students will take 4 subjects each year over 3 years instead of the normal quota of 6 subjects each year over 2 years. This will give students' time to train/practice and time to study. At Somerset, these students are properly cared for by the Sports Excellence Master.

THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA COURSE

At Somerset students have the choice of doing either the QSA Certificate only, of doing the QSA Certificate course and the IB Diploma course, or of doing the IB Diploma by itself. The IB Diploma course is an international senior diploma course that is valued and recognised by all Australian and International universities. With the IB, students still take 6 subjects and these 6 subjects will be acceptable to both the Board and the IB organisation. Students taking the IB will also undertake a course called The Theory of Knowledge, write an Extended Research Essay and play sport, undertake a creative activity and do community service of some sort (CAS). All senior students at Somerset, whether they be IB or OP students will take the Theory of Knowledge and CAS, albeit, in a more restricted form for non IB Diploma students.

YEAR 11 AND 12 SUBJECTS OFFERED AT SOMERSET (The asterisked subjects are both IB and OP subjects)

English*
Maths A*
Maths B*
Maths C
Physics*
Chemistry*
Biological Science*
Modern History*
Ancient History
Geography*
Accounting
Economics
Legal Studies
Business Organisation and Management*
Information Processing and Technology*
Engineering Technology*
Graphics
Music*
Drama*
Art*
Japanese*
German*
Ab Initio Italian*
Distance Education French
Physical Education
Equestrian

The Queensland Core Skills Test -

All senior students who wish to be OP eligible must also sit for the QCS test in September of their final school year. The QCS, Queensland's only common external test, is used to moderate the school assessed mark. The test consists of a Writing Task, two Multiple Choice papers, and a Short Response paper. QCS practice is a regular occurrence at Somerset.

THE SOMERSET SPORTS PROGRAMME (at a glance)

At Somerset we offer -
Tennis
Volleyball
Golf
Soccer
Cricket
Rugby
Swimming
Equestrian
Athletics
Cross Country
Basketball
Hockey
Softball
Netball
Sailing
Rowing
Touch
Cycling
Kayaking
Water Polo
THE SOMERSET CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME (at a glance)

At Somerset we offer -
Music
- Instrumental programmes
- Choral Programmes
Drama
Speech and Drama
Debating / Public Speaking / Mooting
Creative Writing/Wordsmiths
Elite Sports Programmes
Clubs and Societies
Dance
Chess
Community Service
Academic Extension Clubs
Tours - Italy, Nepal, Germany, Japan
Exchange Trips