Somerset College (Australia)
| Somerset College | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | |
|
Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast, QLD Australia |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Independent, Day |
| Motto |
Latin: Deo confidimus ("In God we trust") |
| Denomination | Non-Denominational |
| Established | 1983 |
| Founder | Clifford Rodney Wells |
| Chairman | Tony Hickey |
| Headmaster | Craig Bassingthwaighte |
| Staff | 180+ |
| Enrollment | 1500 |
| Colour(s) | Navy Blue, Green & White |
| Slogan | Personal Success, Global Outlook |
| Publication |
The Times Inkspot The Somersetonian |
| Website | http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/ |
Somerset College is an independent, non-denominational day school located in Mudgeeraba, Queensland. Established in 1983, the college has a non-selective enrolment policy and caters for approximately 1500 students from Pre-Prep to Year 12.
The college is particularly noted for its academic excellence, rating highly in state and national rankings. Since 1997, Somerset is one of only two Queensland schools where the most common OP score among students has been 1. In 2014, 56.2% of its Year 12 students achieved an OP 1-5, the second highest percentage of any graduating class in Queensland.
Somerset is affiliated with the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA), the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA), Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) and is a founding member of the Associated Private Schools (APS). The Celebration of Literature, Australia’s largest writers festival for children and young adults, is hosted by the college every March.
Somerset College was officially opened on 16 October 1983 by Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen. Its name is based on the fact the school is located on Somerset Drive, on a location formerly used for dairy farming [1].
The school's founding principal was Clifford Rodney (Rod) Wells. In 1980, Wells moved to the Gold Coast from Sydney with his wife, singer Roslyn (Dunbar) Wells, and obtained farmland belonging to property developer John Jenkins for a $1 deposit. For 12 months, Wells conducted feasibility studies, had meetings with the Queensland Education Department and held public meetings to establish financial, educational and community support. In 1981, a small group was formed as the first steering committee.
The first buildings opened on 27 January 1983 with 158 students in classes from Year 1 to Year 8. Staff, parents and students helped with the landscaping and laying of turf.
The school's slogan is the Latin phrase "Deo Confidimus" which translates to "In God, we trust".
The school is divided into the Junior School (Pre Prep to Year 6) and the Senior School (Years 7 to 12). Both have separate administration centres.
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