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NATIONAL TESTINGYears 3, 5, 7 and 9 students across Australia will sit the tests in the National Assessment Program (NAPLAN) from14 - 16 May. The tests will be based on aspects of the Australian Curriculum as described on the ACARA website.All students in each of these year levels in each school are expected to sit the tests, and alternative arrangementsby parents may need to be made to ensure that this occurs. Nevertheless, special exemptions may apply andparents can elect to withdraw their children from the testing.The tests will have the following distinctive features:Numeracy• Visual literacies such as diagrams and graphs will be tested• Problem solving will be embedded within the testing of mathematical skills• Skills in the use of calculators will be specifically tested• Mathematical strands will be mixed and the problems will not be presented in any order of difficulty.Literacy• The persuasive genre will be used for the Writing Task• An emphasis will be placed on language conventions (spelling, punctuation and grammar), and this will betested through proof-reading rather than dictation.Individual students’ results are likely to be available to parents and schools by September/October this year. Asummary of the results for Somerville House at each year level will be placed on the School website when theybecome officially available.MIDDLE SCHOOL ARTS FESTIVALPlanning for the Middle School Arts Festival, to be held in the final week of Term 2, commenced last week whenthe Year 9 House Captains met to undertake some initial preparation for their Houses for this major event. Withinthe theme ‘Time’ and prescriptive elements, each House will be required to prepare a 10 - 12 minute performance,incorporating components of Drama, Singing, Instrumental Music, Visuals, Dance and Technology. All students inthe Middle School will be involved in various roles associated with the performances.The aims of the Festival are to give Middle School students opportunities to celebrate the value and power ofcommunicating through the integrated Arts; enhance positive relationships across the year levels within the verticalHouse groupings; and to provide an excellent context in which to develop student leadership skills.MIDDLE SCHOOL SUPPORT GROUP REMINDERS• Parents of Middle School students are invited to attend the Support Group meeting to be held at the WaterSports (Rowing) Facility on Thursday, 14 March commencing at 8.30 am; and• Please refer to the flyer detailing information about the Middle School Father and Daughter Breakfast to beheld in the Undercover Mall from 7.00 am - 8.30 am on Monday, 18 March (RSVP is required byThursday, 14 March).HEAD OF YEAR 8Ms K MurrayIt has been an exciting start to school this year by the Year 8s. Many of the girls are taking advantage of the arrayof co-curricular activities on offer and I congratulate them for doing this. From an operational standpoint, we havealready sent out all Camp forms and would appreciate their return by this Friday 15 March. The organisation forthe Mapleton Camp is well-advanced and shaping up to be a great experience for the girls, as will be the ArtsFestival which is in the early planning stage.6
The Interhouse Swimming Carnival has been and gone with the Year 8 Macarthur girls winning their age group.Age Champion went to Rhiannah Keuning from Chisholm House and Runner-Up was Chantal Luxton fromFranklin House.Vaccinations were conducted and compliments received from both the Brisbane City Council and the Health Centreregarding organisation, how well-behaved and accepting the girls were to have the injections.The Inaugural Middle School Father Daughter Breakfast is a new addition tothe Calendar and it will be great to see as many Fathers present as possible.All in all, it is a busy time for Year 8. To help keep the girls organised, we havebeen concentrating on Study Skills and Routines in Pastoral Care. Mostimportantly we have been trying to instil in the girls a homework routine that seesthem spending (the expected) 80 to 90 minutes on average per night, completinghomework tasks, studying, working on assignments, revising and reading. A goodroutine early will lay the foundations for good study habits throughout theirschooling. A well-kept diary is also essential in keeping the girls organised andyour assistance in encouraging your daughter/s to do these tasks is greatlyappreciated.Assessment planners are now available in Parent Lounge. This is a great way for parents to know whatassessments your daughters have and to help keep them focused and supported during their studies.The Attendance Office has congratulated the Year 8s on their attendance and parent communication regardingabsences. I encourage parents to keep communicating to me and classroom teachers in regards to your daughter’sprogress at Somerville House.Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing. Rollo MayMIDDLE SCHOOL/ YEAR 8 DATES OF IMPORTANCECamp forms due – 15 MarchParent Teacher Night – 19 March (ABC), 25 March (DEF)Family Chapel – 12 MayVaccinations – 22 MayArts Festival – 19 JuneFather Daughter Breakfast – 18 MarchCross Country – 16 AprilMapleton Camp – 13-15 MayYear 8 Social – 14 JuneHEAD OF ARTMr J HoneywillARTWORK OF THE WEEK Hollie Belt – Year 7In Ms Comino’s Year 7 ‘Art is Seeing’ drawing unit, students were given a variety ofobjects to draw as accurately as they could. They were also taught to blend andshade using coloured pencils to create a variety of tonal variations, highlights andshadows in their drawings.HEAD OF LANGUAGESMr C FornoA number of people are to be thanked for making the Middle School Twilight Languages Event on 28 February areal success. We greatly appreciated the wonderful support of our School’s Executive for our event. All of ourLanguages teachers did a brilliant job in their preparation of the evening and in helping their students with theirperformances. Thank you to parents and students for their attendance and to the many students who entertainedus on stage in each of our four languages – Chinese, French, German and Japanese.7
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Page 16 and 17: DIRECTOR OF CO-CURRICULUMMr A Legge
Page 18 and 19: STRINGSMs L FinAll string orchestra
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Page 22 and 23: Happy Easter fromEASTER MORNING TEA

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