PROSPECTUS - Somerville House

ProspectusA Landmark in Girls’ Education

2Honour BeforeHonours

A Landmark in Girls’ EducationSteeped in tradition, Somerville House is a vibrant, happy place to be.Somerville House is at the forefront of education today as one of Australia’s mostrespected schools.This standard was set in 1899 when founder, Miss Eliza Fewings, developed a schoolcommunity to educate young women and equip them to take a leading role in thecreation of an emerging new nation.Since then, the School has consistently won acclaim for its achievements withoutstanding academic, sporting, and cultural programs.Today, Somerville House provides a comprehensive, balanced educational environmentthat recognises the importance of academic excellence as well as psychological, physicaland spiritual well-being.Our academic environment is best described as progressive with an eye for traditionalvalues and modern day ethics; technologically savvy; dynamic and challenging. This isreflected in the School’s rich and varied academic, sporting, cultural and social life.The pursuit of academic excellence is balanced by support for the individual –challenging and encouraging each student to strive to meet her goals honourably.Renowned for its extraordinary sense of belonging, Somerville House is a community– a place that is always home, because it has a spirit that lives on inside, forever.Traditional goals such as gaining wisdom and spiritual guidance co-exist with modern,innovative teaching and technology which aim to provide a well rounded, diverse andrewarding academic experience.A life-long love of learning, the pursuit of excellence and, above all, the ability to thinkand creatively solve problems are often outcomes of the Somerville experience.For decades Somerville House has developed an enviable academic reputation withmost students entering the university of their choice.The Somerville student is offered the opportunity to acquire skills that will help hernavigate life’s challenges. These are the same skills that will help her participate asan effective, innovative and resourceful member of the global community.Somerville House is on the doorstep of Brisbane’s CBD and the bustling South Bankprecinct. This provides the School and students with access to additional world-classfacilities including the Conservatorium of Music, Queensland Performing Arts Complex,the Gallery of Modern Art, the Queensland Museum, Queensland’s State ReferenceLibrary, Queensland University of Technology and Griffith University’s College of Art.Shaping the FutureShaping the future of young women – the way they think and solve problems andthe way they perceive themselves, others and the world around them – is a complexchallenge. This is especially true in a world that increasingly demands innovative,ethical solutions to a wide range of humanitarian, environmental and commercialchallenges.To help meet these challenges, Somerville House extends its teaching beyond academicstudies to embrace values such as honesty, integrity and compassion. By introducingour students to these values and practical, Christian-based modern ethics, the Schoolaims to provide them with a point of reference from which to navigate life’s challenges,both personal and professional.Emphasis is also given to helping develop interpersonal skills, promoting understanding,tolerance and recognition of the worth of each individual as well as an understandingof other faiths.Students are encouraged to balance structure and routine with the freedom to exploreand develop individually, talents that will stay with them for life.Above all, they are encouraged to set goals and to think deeply about the kind offuture they want and can help create for Queensland, Australia and beyond.3

The JourneyThe primary years of education – Preparatory to Year 6 – are precious, critical timeswhen what is learned and how it is learned form the basis for all future learning.Somerville’s Junior School students receive a flying start in life. The School sets highstandards in numeracy and literacy in a friendly, caring and supportive environment.The Somerville spirit begins here. In a safe, caring environment based on Christianvalues, young students take their first steps in learning to be independent.From the very start, each student is supported by the School’s Pastoral Care Program.This encourages the qualities of individual initiative and personal responsibility forthe development of personal and academic resilience. Students are supported in thisongoing development through the School’s higher-than-average teacher to studentratio and its professional development program for staff.The School’s Technology Program encourages student-centred learning through theuse of personal laptops commencing in Year 6. In addition to the pastoral and academicprograms, our Junior School students are also provided with more creative learningopportunities. From Year 2, lessons in Chess provide all students with exposure totactical thinking, while Year 3 students are taught to play a stringed instrumentfollowed by a band instrument in Year 5.Indeed the Junior School is well recognised for its high standards in musical achievementand creative use of music as an integral part of the learning experience.Whether continuing the journey from Junior School, or joining Somerville House inthe Middle School – Years 7 to 9 – students find themselves surrounded by a learningenvironment that is both relevant and enriching.The Middle School years are about fostering a sense of belonging, stability andhappiness, while establishing the foundations of a rigorous academic program. This isan environment in which teachers are committed to developing and maintainingstrong relationships with their students.Emphasis is placed on maintaining a healthy sense of challenge through a variety oflearning experiences and setting high standards.A well-balanced curriculum emphasises literacy, numeracy, citizenship and ethics.Other features include a range of co-curricular activities (such as Debating, Music,Public Speaking, Performing Arts and Sport) and an innovative Pastoral Care Program.By promoting a positive concept of self and an atmosphere in which students areencouraged to become more confident, staff give students opportunities to becomeenthusiastic and successful learners.The regular celebration and recognition of significant efforts and achievements are anintegral part of the ethos of the Middle School.The three Senior School years – Years 10 to 12 – focus on essential life-learning forwork, study and community service. These are the years that enable the students toidentify the career paths most suited to their personal gifts and abilities.Students may choose from a broad range of subjects to help complete their transitioninto mature, independent young women. In addition to the academic subjects offered,there are opportunities for students to participate in research projects with otherorganisations and to participate in a range of national and international competitions.Somerville House’s pioneering levels of professional guidance and career training setthe standard in today’s education sector.Many of the School’s past students have excelled in the professions of medicine, law,business, architecture and engineering, as well as politics, music, theatre, art, and sport.When a Somerville House student leaves the School, she is able to rely on solidfriendships, utilise extraordinary networks and draw on the values and life skillslearned in her days as a student of Somerville House.There is no better expression of this ongoing sense of community than the SomervilleHouse Old Girls’ Association – the group formed to help generations of formerstudents maintain contact with each other and continue to be involved with the lifeof the School.4

Friends for Life5

6A Home awayfrom Home

BoardingA vibrant, happy place to be, Somerville is above all a family. Testimonyto this is the way in which past students recall the essence that isSomerville House – of a supportive community of friends, teachersand parents.Nowhere is the renowned Somerville spirit more evident than amongits Boarding Community. Friendship, a sense of belonging and theshared commitment to living and learning together make SomervilleHouse a ‘home away from home’ for our Boarders.Our ‘Big Sister’ program, with Senior Boarders responsible for a ‘littlesister’, has resulted in many close friendships that often stay with bothgirls for life.In addition to pursuing their sporting and cultural interests throughthe School’s facilities, Boarders are encouraged to take advantage ofSomerville’s unique inner-city location close to vibrant South Bank onthe beautiful Brisbane River.Somerville Boarders come from a diverse range of backgrounds andnationalities. They travel from not only around Australia, but alsoaround the world, to take advantage of our superb academic, culturaland sporting facilities and be part of a community that supports themfor the rest of their lives.7

Teamwork9

10Sport

Sports available at Somerville HouseSomerville House strives to accommodate all students who wish to become involved in any sport offered by the School.Athletics (Track and Field)The Queensland Girls’ Secondary Schools’ Sports Association(QGSSSA) age group Track and Field competition is heldin Term 4. State secondary competition is also available.Students in Years 3 to 7 are eligible to compete in theAndrews Cup competition which is held in Term 3.BadmintonOpen, Senior, Year 10, Year 9 and Year 8 teams compete inQGSSSA fixtures in Term Four in a two-day tournamentformat.BasketballOpen, Senior, Year 10, Year 9 and Year 8 teams competein QGSSSA round robin fixture competitions in Terms 1and 2. State secondary competition is also available.CricketQGSSSA Cricket teams compete in Term 4 and Term 1. Entryin school teams is offered to students in Years 8 to 11.Cross CountryThe QGSSSA Cross Country age group competition is heldin Term 2. State secondary competition is also available.Students in Years 4 to 7 are eligible to compete in theAndrews Cup Cross Country which is also held in Term 2.EquestrianStudents who have, or have access to, a horse mayrepresent the School in interschool competitions.FencingFencing is currently not an activity offered at SomervilleHouse, but is a unit covered in the Physical Educationcurriculum in Year 11 Core Physical Education.Football (Soccer)Open, Senior and Junior teams compete in QGSSSAround robin fixture competitions in Terms 1 and 2. Statesecondary competition is also available.Artistic GymnasticsUp to seven divisions compete in the QGSSSAcompetition in Term 2. Club gymnastics is available toall interested gymnasts.HockeyOpen, Senior, Year 10, Year 9 and Year 8 teams competein QGSSSA round robin fixture competitions in Term 3.State secondary competition is also available.NetballOpen, Senior, Year 10, Year 9 and Year 8 teams competein QGSSSA round robin fixture competitions in Term 3.State secondary competition is also available. Studentsin Years 5 to 7 are eligible to compete in Andrews CupNetball which is held in Term 3.RowingSomerville House participates in the Brisbane Schoolgirls’Rowing Association (BSRA) year level group competitionin Term 3. State and National championship competitionsare also available.SoftballOpen, Senior, Year 10, Year 9 and Year 8 teams competein QGSSSA round robin fixture competitions in Term 1(Open & Senior teams) and Term 4 (Years 8, 9 and 10teams). State secondary competition is also available.Students in Years 5 to 7 are eligible to compete inAndrews Cup Teeball/Softball which is held in Term 4.SwimmingThe QGSSSA Swimming age group competition is heldin Term 1. State secondary competition is available.Club membership and competition is also available,independent of the School program. Students in Years 3to 7 are eligible to compete in Andrews Cup Swimmingwhich is held in Term 1.TennisOpen, Senior, Year 10, Year 9 and Year 8 teams competein QGSSSA round robin fixture competitions in Term 3.State secondary competition is also available.TouchOpen, Senior, Year 10, Year 9 and Year 8 teams competein QGSSSA round robin fixture competitions in Terms 1and 2. State secondary competition is available.VolleyballOpen, Senior, Year 10, Year 9 and Year 8 teams competein QGSSSA round robin fixture competitions in Term 3.State secondary competition is available.WaterpoloSomerville House water polo teams play in the BrisbaneWater Polo Association Inc (BWPI) competition. Thiscompetition is open to all school and club players withinthe Brisbane area. The season is played on Saturdaysstarting in Term 4 and concluding at the end of Term 1and involves approximately 15/16 matches plus twoweeks of finals.Further information on individual Somerville House sportscan be found on our website at www.somerville.qld.edu.au.11

Co-Curricular MusicMusic is very much a part of Somerville House with our choral and instrumental ensembles exemplifying the excellence the School is known for. This standard is evidentacross all the many and varied choral and instrumental groups that come together across the School, each catering for students of differing ability.Choral EnsemblesChoral singing is a very important and popular part ofmusical life at Somerville House. There are differentchoirs to cater for students of any vocal ability.Occasionally, all choirs perform as a massed choir.CantriceThis is the School’s premier choir, open by audition, tostudents in the Senior School with advanced choralskills and experience. The repertoire selection istechnically and musically challenging.CamerataThis is a choir for willing and committed students inthe Senior School. The repertoire selection is variedand stimulating.CantamusThis is a choir for Middle School students, by audition.The repertoire selection is technically and musicallychallenging for their level of development.CantilenaThis is a choir drawn from students in the Middle Schooland performs repertoires designed to encourage thedevelopment of accurate and sensitive part work.Junior ChoirThe Junior Choir is drawn from Years 4 to 6 andchallenges this age group with age appropriaterepertoires involving part work and musicianship.The Training ChoirThis ensemble, drawn from students in Years 3 to 5,performs repertoires designed to encourage thedevelopment of accurate tuning and part work skills.String EnsemblesString ensembles are open to players who learn aninstrument outside of the School as well as thoseinvolved in the School teaching program. The followinggroups cater for all levels of playing experience.Somerville StringsThis is the School’s premier string orchestra. A minimumof Grade 8 AMEB standard is required and membersmust be excellent sight readers.Amadeus StringsThis is a predominantly Senior School ensemble cateringfor students with established skills on stringedinstruments, from Grades 5 to 8 AMEB.Stradivari StringsThis is a predominantly Middle School ensemble,catering for players from Preliminary to Grade 4 AMEB.Junior String EnsembleThis group is for more advanced players in Junior School.Training StringsThis is a training group for Junior School students intheir second year of learning.Year 3 StringsAll girls in Year 3 learn a stringed instrument in groups.Tuition and instruments are free of charge for the year.Lessons are part of the curriculum and are held inschool time.Somerville Quartets and ConsortsTwo string quartets are selected from members of theSomerville Strings orchestra. These combine to formthe Senior String consort.Guitar EnsembleStudents who play guitar form an ensemble whichrehearses one morning per week before school.Band EnsemblesThe Band Program is an integral part of the MusicDepartment as it covers a wide spectrum of disciplinessuch as woodwind, brass, string, vocal and percussion.These ensembles are open to players who learn aninstrument outside of the School as well as thoseinvolved in the School teaching program.Senior Concert BandThis is the School’s premier Concert Band. Thisensemble is open, by audition, to students in theMiddle and Senior Schools with advanced playingskills and experience. The repertoire selection istechnically and musically challenging.Intermediate Concert BandThe entry level for the Intermediate Concert Band isa minimum of Grade 2 AMEB or at least two years’learning.Stage BandThe Stage Band is an ensemble that plays jazz androck music styles. The instruments include bass guitar,electric guitar, keyboard, drum kit, saxophones andbrass. Saxophone and brass players in this ensemblemust also play in one of the Concert bands. Vocalistsare also included in certain repertoires. Membershipincludes students from Years 7 to 12. The band plays awide range of repertoires and styles.12

Junior Concert BandThis group contains students who have been learningfor at least one year. Membership includes studentsfrom the Junior and Middle Schools.Year 5 BandAll Year 5 students are involved in this group and initiallycommence learning their instrument in tutorial groups,which are included in the school academic timetable.They are all new to their nominated band instrumentand are encouraged to continue learning in Year 6.Junior Percussion EnsembleJunior Percussion Ensemble provides an opportunity forgirls in both the Junior and Middle Schools (Years 6 and 7)to develop ensemble and percussion performance skills.Senior Percussion EnsembleSenior Percussion Ensemble is a versatile ensemble thatcaters for percussionists wishing to extend and developtheir skills in all areas of percussion. The ensembleincludes girls from the Middle and Senior Schools(Years 8 to 12) and features more advanced percussionstudents, as well as other instrumentalists who havedemonstrated proficient skills in percussion or piano.Wind QuintetThis ensemble is open, by audition, to students in theMiddle and Senior Schools with advanced playingskills and experience. The instruments comprise B bclarinet, flute, bassoon, French horn and oboe. Concertcommitments include school assemblies, ensembleconcerts and open days.Clarinet ChoirThe instruments in the Clarinet Choir comprise B bclarinets (usually divided into three parts), alto andbass clarinets. Members in this ensemble must alsoplay in one of the Concert bands.OrchestraFormed by members from the Somerville Strings andthe Senior Concert Band, the orchestra meets andrehearses for special occasions.Individual Instrumental TuitionIndividual instruction is available on all orchestralinstruments as well as piano, classical organ, guitar,singing and theory of music. In some cases, the Schoolis able to provide an instrument for the early monthsof tuition and for longer periods in the case of largerinstruments such as bassoon, trombone, French horn,euphonium, tuba, cello and double bass.Students are prepared for examinations, if desired.Forms explaining the format and cost of individualtuition are available from the Music Department andfrom the School website.The Co-curricular Music Program at Somerville Houseis run by the Director of Co-curricular Music. Furtherinformation on our co-curricular music program can befound on our website at www.somerville.qld.edu.au.Music13

14Cultural

Cultural and Community PursuitsThe Somerville House co-curricular program offers a range of cultural, social and personal opportunities to suit students with a wide variety of interests. Some of these such asCamps and Chess are built into the program for various year groups, while others provide an opportunity to participate in state-wide competitions or engage in activities withother schools and community-based organisations.CampsCamping experiences are a compulsory component ofthe School’s program for students in Years 4 and 6 andfrom Years 7 to 11 inclusive.ChessSomerville House offers opportunities for studentsof all levels of ability and year levels for intraschooland interschool tournaments as well as clinics andworkshops.Community EngagementCommunity engagement is a high profile activity inthe School focussing students’ attention on the needsof others. Students can be involved individually or aspart of a tutor group.DebatingThe School enters as many teams as possible at all yearlevels in the Queensland Debating Union Competition.Drama, Theatre and MusicalStudents are able to participate in a range of performingarts activities. Opportunities exist in all aspects ofproduction including performance, choreography,lighting, sound and set design.Duke of Edinburgh Award SchemeStudents (14 years and over) may work towards theirbronze, silver or gold award without time restrictions.Students (aged 12 and 13) can join the QueenslandBridge Award.Golden Key ClubMembers of the Golden Key Club are ambassadors ofthe School and fulfil a valuable public relations role bybeing responsible for conducting tours of the School forparents and daughers seeking enrolment. Eligibilityfor the Golden Key Club is open to Year 11 students only.MagazineYear 12 students have the opportunity as MagazineConvenors to work collaboratively with staff andstudents to produce this annual school publication.MootingAt the beginning of Year 12, interested Legal Studiesstudents may be invited to represent the School in theMooting competition run by Bond University in thefirst semester of each year.Opti-MindsTeams in this competition may comprise students fromYears 8, 9 and 10 only. Teams choose one of the fivedivisions: Language, Literature, Maths, Engineering orSocial Science.PublicationsSome students are given the opportunity to assist inthe production of our School community publicationConnections.Robotics ClubRoboclub members build robots for the QueenslandRoboclub Junior competition held in August/Septembereach year.Social JusticeStudents in Years 10 to 12 meet to discuss and raiseawareness of social justice issues worldwide.SomercircleSomercircle is a group which meets for Christiandiscussion and worship. Meetings are held onelunchtime per week throughout the entire year. Thereare also four interschool social functions each year.ToursA variety of sports, language, music and communityengagement travel trips is arranged each year.15

A Caring CommunitySchool years are vital years when young students develop emotionally, spiritually andphysically. At Somerville House, the emphasis is placed on support structures to assistthem during this formative phase of their lives.Extensive pastoral care is available through our Heads of Year program, with the Deanof Students mentoring the well-being of all students. In addition, the School Chaplainsand our skilled Counsellors bring professional skills to the role of support personnel.As part of our care for students, the School’s Clinic is staffed by full-time registerednursing sisters who are available to all students.In addition to being cared for, the girls learn about the benefit and joy of giving toothers. Students are encouraged to become involved with community service activities.As we give, so do we receive.By being a part of these activities, students learn valuable interpersonal skills, teambuilding and organisational skills. They also participate in the unique sense of‘connectedness’ that has made Somerville House a community for so many generationsof families.Current students also benefit from the growing network of professional women who, asformer students, are willing to help and mentor the next generation in their chosen careers.Somerville’s Parents’ & Friends’ Association, our various Support Groups, the Old Girls’Association and the Somerville House Foundation provide endless support, encouragementand financial assistance for the benefit of students, the School and the future.16

Cnr Vulture and Graham Streets, South Brisbane Qld 4101 PO Box 3357, South Brisbane Qld 4101P: 07 3248 9200 F: 07 3846 1450 E: enrolments@somerville.qld.edu.au W: www.somerville.qld.edu.auSomerville House is a School of the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools’ Association. CRICOS Provider Number 000522G.