Overview
At a Glance
IB Programmes
The College offers both the Queensland Senior Certificate (OP) and the prestigious, internationally recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. This programme caters to senior pupils in Years 11 and 12 and in recognized by ALL Australian universities and by universities across the globe.
ACADEMIC RESULTS - 2007
A summary of the 2007 results can be found by following the following link. 
2007 Result Summary
Dr BJ Arnison
Headmaster
International Testing and comparisons with OECD Schools
Somerset College participated in the International Schools Assessment for 2005 – 2006. In all, 11,000 pupils from 81 school in 38 different OECD countries took part this test of Literacy and Numeracy.
Some fascinating results emerged from these tests.
In the area of Mathematical Literacy, Somerset College achieved a Mean of just under 700 out of maximum of 800. The OECD average Mean was 500 and the Mean for Australian schools was 550. The Mathematical Literacy Mean for Somerset was superior to the Means of countries like Hong Kong – China and the Netherlands.
In the area of Reading, the results were very similar. Somerset pupils achieved a Reading Mean of just under 700 out of a possible 800 maximum and this was compared to the OECD Mean of 500 and the Australian Mean of 550.
It was also evident, from the information tracing Mathematical, Reading and Writing A and B (Language and Complex expression) literacy, that pupils at Somerset improved with consistency from Years 3 to 5 to 7 to 10.
So what does this all mean?
1. In the 3 areas of Literacy, pupils at Somerset rate at the very top of pupils attending schools, in all 38 OECD nations, in a range of schools systems.
2. There is a natural progression, at Somerset College, in the 3 areas of Literacy from Year 3 all the way to the end of Year 10.
3. Pupils at Somerset rank consistently in the top bands in Narrative and Expository Writing when compared across the OECD nations.
4. At 15 years of age, at the end of the compulsory years of schooling age, pupils at Somerset tend to rank very highly in Mathematical Literacy aspects like “Uncertainty, Quantity, Space and Shape, and Change and Relationships” and also tend to be very good at “Retrieving Information, Interpreting and Reflecting”. In the areas of “Narrative and Expository Writing” however, whilst 15 year olds at Somerset compare favorably, they still are in a stage of maturity.
5. Girls at Somerset tend to be trending more towards the traditionally male oriented subjects like Mathematics and the Sciences
Somerset College is a non-selective school. We accept pupils from all walks of life. Our only precondition is that pupils at the school always strive to do their best and try their hardest. Once we combine this aim with the highest possible levels of academic and pastoral care, a plethora of academic achievement programmes, the IB, academic rigour balanced with a belief that adolescents will rise to the highest possible challenge placed before them, close and consistent communication with parents, a talented and committed staff and a positive and friendly school culture, one begins to comprehend the secrets of our success.
Michael Brohier
Deputy – Academic / IB Coordinator
B.A.(Hons), Dip.Ed., M. Litt., MACE, MACEL
Enrichment
Academic enrichment is considered of vital importance at Somerset. Enrichment activities are deliberately built into each of the academic subjects and in addition, are also offered as extension activities that will, if taken up, add to a students' knowledge base in that particular subject area. Most of the enrichment activities have already been mentioned in the "Curriculum at a Glance" section. Very briefly, they include; Chemistry, Physics and Biology Olympiads, Mooting and Mock Trials, Public Speaking and Debating, Open Entry into university courses in years 11 and 12, Creative Writing, a range of theatre and choral and instrumental music, Science week, the Somerset Celebration of Literature, The Master Musician series, Art and Writing competitions, immersion in historical periods, Westpac maths test, University of NSW English testing, IB Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Action and Service, Thesis work.
