The first thing which strikes many people about Somerset College is the warmth of relationships between our students and the mutual respect between students and our staff. These characteristics are developed in myriad ways each and every day.
Learning within the classroom is inclusive, engaging and encourages collaboration. Opportunities beyond the classroom include a broad range of sports and cultural pursuits, and progressive outdoor education and service learning programmes.
There really is an opportunity for every child to develop a passion in the knowledge they will be well supported as their talents develop. This extends into our pastoral care programme and our focus on student wellbeing with continuity of care throughout the student’s time in the Senior School.
Seven Year 11 and 12 students made the arduous and early journey on Saturday 24 March, down to the Tweed Civic Centre to go undercover and to take on new personas for the day. That whole day, we were no longer lowly Senior School students... we were the incredibly revered and feared delegates of France and Germany in a Model United Nations debate!
In January, Ms Andrea Lewis (Festival Director for the Celebration of Literature) approached the Somerset Shed Mentors and asked them if they were up for the challenge to build a “Street Library”? You may ask, “What is a Street Library”?
March 19 5.30am began with what looked like a major military exercise – 128 eager Year Eight students, four 4WD buses, and 10 courageous Somerset teachers. This departure for the Micat ferry and onto Moreton Island for Year 8 camp was quickly followed by the Year 9 camp departure – an even more daunting prospect.
Somerset College is a non-selective school. We accept students from all ability levels with our only precondition being that students at the College always strive to do their best and try their hardest.
The development of a caring community and a strong network of support for our students is central to our ethos and daily work.
At Somerset College we have numerous student committees for Senior School students. These are a major avenue for outreach into the wider community.