Somerset House

RUGBY TAG VS PARENTS
The annual Parents vs Lads Tag Rugby matches once again proved that the real winners of the day were the rugby boys! Regardless of what the scoreboard may have said, the smiles on their faces throughout the afternoon told the true story. There was something special about sharing the rugby field with a dad, mum, grandparent, or significant person in their lives, creating memories that will last long after the final whistle. Another victory for the day was that every adult managed to make it through their matches without any hamstring injuries, despite a few nervous glances as the pace of the games increased! The action culminated in a thrilling showdown between the parents and the coaches. What started as a friendly contest quickly became a fiercely competitive encounter, edging ever closer to the muscle-pulling danger zone. With the scores being to close to separate, both teams agreed to a golden try rule, and it was the dads who emerged victorious, crossing the line for the decisive score. A massive thank you to all the mums, dads, grandparents, and significant others who took to the field and embraced the spirit of the day. Your enthusiasm, support, and willingness to get involved helped make it a memorable occasion for our rugby boys and a wonderful celebration of the Somerset House rugby community.

OUTDOOR LEARNING
The Grade 4s have been learning direct and indirect speech in English. The pupils enjoyed time in the beautiful winter sunshine, writing dialogues together.

PAST PUPIL, MICHAEL ROYDEN-TURNER, TAKES TOP HONOURS FOR ENGLAND HOCKEY
Michael Royden-Turner, a proud past pupil of Somerset House, began his hockey journey on our very own Naburn Meadow fields. From an early age, his talent and dedication were evident, and it came as no surprise when he went on to represent Western Province at U13 level, we knew then that he was destined for great things. Mikey later continued his schooling at SACS, where he consistently made his mark, earning further Western Province honours and gaining selection for the South African U18 team at the National IPT Tournament. Since finishing school, Mikey has taken his talents abroad, joining Holcombe Hockey Club in England. His rise has been nothing short of exceptional. He was soon invited to join the England U21 Training Squad, and after making a strong impression, has now earned a place in the England Senior Training Squad, a remarkable achievement. To cap off an outstanding season, Mikey received top honours at the recent England Hockey Annual Awards, where he was named Men’s Junior Performance Player of the Year, a truly prestigious accolade.

This is absolutely fantastic news, and as a Somerset House community, we could not be more proud of his achievements. Huge congratulations, Mikey, what an incredible journey! Dreams really do come true!

NOT FOR OURSELVES ALONE
In keeping with our school motto, Non Nobis Solum – “Not for ourselves alone” – our Grade 2 pupils have embarked on a meaningful journey to connect with a charitable organisation and support it throughout the year through various initiatives. The Grade 2 children have chosen to partner with the Somerset West Family Night Shelter, and we have been liaising with the organisation to determine how best we can offer our support while actively involving our pupils in community service. Each child prepared and packaged sandwiches at school, and it was an amazing morning. The energy and excitement in the dining hall were tangible. Not only did the experience teach practical life skills, such as preparing food independently, but it also instilled a sense of compassion, empathy, and fulfilment through giving back to the community.

INSPIRED BY THE 1ST TEAM
Our U7 hockey boys had the wonderful opportunity to watch the 1st Team Hockey boys during a training session. They were then joined by the First Team players for a special practice, where they trained and played together, creating a memorable and inspiring experience for our young athletes. The First Team captains spent time speaking to the boys about the importance of resilience, commitment, teamwork, and what it takes to become a successful hockey player. Their words of encouragement left a lasting impression on our U7 boys. This incredible experience gave our young players a glimpse of what they can aspire to through hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It was inspiring for them to see where their hockey journey could lead and motivated them to continue practising with enthusiasm and purpose throughout the season. A heartfelt thank you to our First Team hockey boys for investing in the next generation of players and for being such outstanding role models. What a special afternoon it was for everyone involved!

CONGRATULATIONS, REESE!
Reese Olivier competed in the Karate Competition held at Somerset House last Saturday. After a super performance, Reese won a silver medal in the Kata 11 Years Category. Reese is currently a Red Belt 3 and his Dojo (Helderberg) hosted the competition in our Simpson Hall this past weekend. Congratulations, Reese! We are proud of you!

SPOTTED ON CAMPUS
Yente in Grade R was spotted practising a new skill - tying Miss Hendricks’ shoelaces during playtime.