THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 2016 Learningspirit Community Leadership Headmaster’S Welcome
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THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 2016 LEARNINGSPIRIT COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP Headmaster’s Welcome It’s my great pleasure to welcome you into the community of The Southport School and if I haven’t already met you in person, I look forward to doing that at the earliest opportunity. You are now part of a great school with an enviable reputation, a proud history and worthy traditions that can be traced back to the beginning of the last century. Since the foundation of the School in 1901, generations of Old Southportonians have added to the lustre of the TSS reputation, written their own chapters in its history and upheld its traditions. This is a priceless legacy that they bestow upon you, together with the charge that you should strive your utmost to nurture and enhance it and in time pass it to those boys who will follow in your footsteps. I wish you well as you rise to the challenges, explore the new horizons and seize the opportunities of this exciting period of your life. Mr Greg Wain - Headmaster School Captain’s Welcome Congratulations on becoming part of the TSS family as the place to add to your learning, not just in the academic sense, but in ways that will expand your world and set you on the road to a great future. I can tell you from personal experience that you will enjoy your time here immensely and discover your true potential especially if you keep one thing in mind. TSS offers a spirit, a sense of belonging and opportunities that you won’t find at any other school, so embrace everything the School has to provide, follow your passions, try new things, learn and grow. In the end it’s up to you and how much you’re willing to put in. Welcome to TSS and good luck in all your years to come. Ben Paxton-Hall - School Captain 2016 A Boy-specific Curriculum We take our cue from authoritative brain research that In the co-curricular sphere an integrated arts and cultural demonstrates the gender-specific learning modes of boys program opens avenues for self-expression and personal and have developed our curriculum accordingly. We development through MUSIC, ART, DRAMA and MULTIMEDIA. maintain a LOW STUDENT-TO-STAFF RATIO to ensure greater Further opportunities for expanding horizons are provided INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION, and we respond to the research that through activities and students clubs, such as DEBATING, shows boys perform better academically when involved in CHESS and SPEECH VARIETY CLUB. cultural and sporting activities. To foster confidence, teamwork, communication and Curricula for both Preparatory and Senior Schools are self-reliance, TSS operates two OUTDOOR EDUCATIONAL naturally fine-tuned to reflect the relative maturity and FACILITIES; a rural mountain establishment at the aptly specific needs of the students, yet each shares the same named Hidden Creek and a marine-coastal orientated underlying philosophy. facility at Dux on South Stradbroke Island. Across the broad spectrum of the school, the varied subject In order to encourage students to adopt a tolerant matter and programs include: LEGO ROBOTICS, learning comprehension of the wider world and cultural diversity, supported by integrated computer technology, EXTENSIVE TSS offers opportunities through its active membership SPORTING PROGRAMS, leadership development, of the Round Square interstate and INTERNATIONAL emotional intelligence, vocational education & training, STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM. a GIFTED & TALENTED PROGRAM, thinking & creativity skills and ACCESS TO UNIVERSITY SUBJECTS. Life as a Boarder A Sense of Family Our reputation as one of Australia’s foremost boarding In full recognition of the natural anxieties and concerns schools has been built over a century of providing a of both the boys and their families that may initially warm, safe and caring environment for the sons of attach to the boarding experience, TSS spares no effort country and regional families. to ensure that the impact of separation is minimised and a strong “sense of family” is created. It is an article First-class accommodation is provided in five modern of faith for TSS Boarding that every boys should enjoy boarding houses, each with a resident Housemaster, the friendships, security, care and understanding that Assistant Housemaster and Matron together with four he should rightfully expect from what he may come to adult boarding supervisors. In addition, the Headmaster regard as his “second home”. and Deputy Headmaster reside within the School grounds. While a strong sense of family belonging is promoted, individual space and independence is also supported through private study spaces for all boarders and private rooms for the Year 11 and 12 students. To assist in the formation of sound leaning habits, Opportunities Years 8 to 10 boarders undertake their nightly homework in classrooms supervised by our Mathematics and Ambition is the path to success and our boys continue Humanities teachers. This arrangement has proven its to pursue an outstanding diverse cross-section of value in the shape of increased academic achievement professions. among the boys. In conjunction with many tertiary institutions and business organisations students are given many Good health and nutrition, physical fitness and opportunities to accelerate their pathways both locally emotional wellbeing are priorities in our care of the and globally. boys entrusted to us. An active Boarding Catering TO THAT END TSS IS ALSO AN ACCREDITED TEST Committee - which includes the students - meets each CENTRE FOR THE UNITED STATES COLLEGE BOARD SAT term to discuss menus and ensure health options in REASONING AND SAT SUBJECT TESTS. the Old Gym Café. Sport is an integral part of TSS life and tradition and for the boarders it provides an added source of health stimulation that adds to their sense of wellbeing. TRADITION LEARNINGSPIRIT BOYS COMMUNITYSPIRITUALITY LEADERSHIPCOURAGE The Campus Environment At first glance it’s obvious the TSS campus ranks as one of the finest and most unique in the country. The serene and welcoming site on the banks of the Gold Coast’s Nerang River immediately sets it apart, while the blend of grand heritage buildings and their modern counterparts and extensive facilities projects a reassuring ambience of proud tradition mingled with contemporary relevance. The School’s facilities are extensive and impressive, providing for every pertinent academic, sporting, cultural and social aspect of a boy’s education and development in the fullest sense. Contained within the 51.7-hectare campus and infrastructure TSS provides the following • A world-class Preschool Centre • Academic and Leadership Centre • Specialist Lego and Robotics Programs • A complete “wireless technology” and BYOD campus • Nationally renowned Boys’ Reading Program & Libraries • 250-seat collegiate Chapel • Modern, purpose-built Boarding Houses • 600-seat Annand Drama & Music Theatre • State-of-the-art Science Centre • 9 ovals and extensive sporting facilities (including the Centenary Sports Centre with weights room, basketball courts and gymnastics area) • Tennis & Swimming Pool Complex (including heated 12-lane Olympic-sized and 25m pools) • 24-hour Health Centre • Commercial kitchens • Hall of Fame archival display • Detailed individual tracking of students academic results 2015 Destinations and Results Year 12 Students 2015 Academic Results The overall OP results from the 2015 cohort were highly commendable, and were a fine reflection of a great group of academically able and conscientious Year 12s. Sixteen our graduating Year 12 students received an OP1-3 which ensures entry to many excellent university courses. Three boys received an OP 1 which would satisfy the academic entry requirement for Harvard University or similar calibre institutions. Indeed one of our 2012 graduates has just become the second TSS boy in three years to be offered a place at Harvard. A total of 130 students from the 2015 Year 12 cohort applied through the Queensland 9% 2% Other Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) for a tertiary place. This QTAC figure does not include International Students: • 115 (90%) received an offer of a place 29% • 74 (57%) received an offer of preference 1. 45% Note: we advise our students to aim very high for their first preference and be more realistic in their second, third and fourth preference. • 91 (71%) received an offer of preference 1 – 2 15% • 112 (87%) received an offer of preference 1 – 4 Many other students gained places at prestigious universities such as University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, Australian National University, and international destinations including the USA and UK which are not included in the above Queensland figures. Group of 8 Universities Australia 8 2 2 26 2 5 TSS Old Boy Alex is now attending Harvard. What pathway will you take? TRADITION LEARNINGSPIRIT BOYS COMMUNITYSPIRITUALITY LEADERSHIPCOURAGE The Gift of Music The ability to make music, to sing, to perform, is a lifetime gift that liberates the spirit and provides a marvellous vehicle for self-expression, creativity and building confidence. It’s no accident then, that a very high participation rate in the Performing Arts is a special feature of TSS. We view it as an invaluable experience and so too do the boys, as a large majority seize the opportunities to get involved in the music program, whether by learning an instrument or singing in a choir. There are many different groups within the music structure, some of which include Big Band, Brass Ensemble, Choir, Clarinet Ensemble, Concert Band, Drumline, Guitar Ensemble, Orchestra, Saxophone Ensemble and String Ensemble. Music at TSS offers your son the exciting prospect of learning an instrument and participating in ensembles through programs designed to cater for different abilities and experiences. Instrumental and vocal music enjoys a very high profile within the school community, and a number of excellent groups work outside of formal school hours in order to broaden students’ ability and appreciation. Boys are encouraged to complete Trinity Guildhall of London and AMEB exams and are offered opportunities to attend the Griffith Conservatorium of Music program.