PROSPECTUS - Somerville House

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