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Somerville House

Australia, Brisbane

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees A$23,620 - 31,872
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 1385
Type Girls School, Girls School (boarding), Co-educational
Opened 1899
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (DP), Australian Curriculum
Taught languages Mandarin, French, German, Japanese
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Somerville House is a private girls' day and boarding school in Brisbane, offering a Prep to Year 12 education with boarding from Year 5 and an Early Learning Centre for Pre-Prep. The school delivers an IB framework, with Primary Years Programme in the Junior School and a Diploma Programme authorised from 2026, welcoming the first DP cohort that year. The Academic Program follows the Australian Curriculum framework and is guided by Engagement, Excellence, Empowerment, and Diversity. In the Junior School, specialist learning includes Visual Art, Music, Drama, Languages (French from Prep to Year 6 with immersion days in Chinese, Japanese and German) and Outdoor Environmental Learning. In the Senior School, students study English, Mathematics, Science, Commerce, Humanities, Languages, Technologies, The Arts, and Music Extension, with pathways into VET and university subjects. Facilities include the Murray Evans Sports and Aquatic Centre, Tennis Centre, and SomerFields grounds, complemented by a co-curricular program.

The Essentials

Somerville House has 1,385 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
17 Graham Street, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia. The school is located in the heart of Brisbane. It is a Pre-Prep to Year 12, day and boarding school for girls. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA).

Stages
Pre-Prep to Year 12

Type
Private girls day and boarding school

Country affiliation
Australia

Religious affiliation
Presbyterian and Methodist (PMSA)
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is offered from Year 5 to Year 12. Weekly term-time boarding is available, with the Boarding House accommodating about 100 local, rural and overseas boarders. Boarders have modern bedrooms, shared leisure spaces, in-house kitchens, supervised study spaces, and city views.

Uniform Requirement
The School has an official uniform; information and fittings are provided to new families before starting. Uniforms are available through SomerWear Uniform Shop.

Food Options
Boarding includes in-house kitchen facilities for meals. A tenth-floor communal terrace provides spaces for al-fresco lunches and barbeques.

House System
The School uses a house system; the Sisters Connect program links Big Sisters with Little Sisters across Houses to promote belonging.

Governance and Ownership
The School is owned by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) and is one of PMSA's four member schools (the others being Brisbane Boys' College, Clayfield College and Sunshine Coast Grammar School).
Fees

Annual tuition at Somerville House ranges from AUD 23,620 to AUD 31,872 for 2026/27.

Application and Enrolment Fees

- Registration fee (non‑refundable): AUD 350.
- Enrolment fee (non‑refundable): AUD 1,200.
- Confirmation fee (non‑refundable; credited against the first fee instalment in the year of entry): AUD 3,000.

Tuition fees (per quarter and per annum) — Domestic students domiciled in Australia

- Pre‑Prep: Quarterly AUD 5,905; Per annum AUD 23,620. (Pre‑Prep is a government‑approved kindergarten program; any Free Kindy subsidy and applicable Child Care Subsidy are shown as credits on fee statements and offset against the published Pre‑Prep fee.)

- Prep to Year 4: Quarterly AUD 6,100; Per annum AUD 24,400.

- Years 5 to 6: Quarterly AUD 6,755; Per annum AUD 27,020.

- Senior School (Years 7 to 11): Quarterly AUD 7,968; Per annum AUD 31,872. (Note: Years 3 to 12 tuition includes a fully supported laptop.)

- Year 12: Billed across three terms/quarters (Terms/Quarters 1 to 3) at Quarterly AUD 10,624; Per annum AUD 31,872.

Boarding fees (additional to tuition for boarders)

- Boarding (Years 5 to 11): Quarterly AUD 7,830; Per annum AUD 31,320.
- Year 12 boarding: Billed across three quarters (Quarter 1 to 3) at Quarterly AUD 10,440; Per annum AUD 31,320.

Ancillary and other costs

- Voluntary Building Fund (Somerville House Foundation Ltd): Quarterly AUD 250; Per annum AUD 1,000 (tax‑deductible donation).
- IB Diploma Programme Exam fee (Year 11 & 12 IB students only): AUD 700.
- Uniforms (formal and HPE) — estimate only: approximately AUD 1,500.
- Textbooks and stationery — estimate only: approximately AUD 600–900.
- Camps and excursions — estimate only: approximately AUD 400.
- Co‑curricular uniforms and some activity‑specific costs must be purchased separately and are charged in addition to the above estimates.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Billing frequency: Quarterly planned invoices.
- 2026 planned invoice issue and payment due dates (example schedule used by the School):
- January invoice issued Monday 19 January 2026; payment due Friday 30 January 2026.
- April invoice issued Monday 13 April 2026; payment due Friday 24 April 2026.
- July invoice issued Monday 06 July 2026; payment due Friday 17 July 2026.
- September invoice issued Monday 28 September 2026; payment due Friday 09 October 2026.
- A term's written notice is required when withdrawing a student; otherwise one term's fee may be charged in lieu of notice.

Discounts and concessions

- Upfront payment discount: 2.5% discount for annual payment of tuition and boarding fees when paid on or prior to Wednesday 14 January 2026 (applied after other concessions).
- Sibling concession: 10% sibling discount for families with an older sibling attending a PMSA school; the sibling discount does not apply if any other scholarship, bursary or discount (except the upfront discount) is applied.

Refund information

- Registration, enrolment and confirmation fees are non‑refundable in general; the confirmation fee is credited against the first fee instalment in the year of entry where applicable.
- International student refund rules (examples):
- The Application for Registration fee is non‑refundable.
- If a student's visa application is unsuccessful, the Enrolment Acceptance fee may be refundable in accordance with the School's international refund procedures.
- If a visa is refused and evidence is provided, the School will refund the total amount of course fees received before the default day within four weeks of a written claim. If a visa is refused after course commencement, tuition fees will be retained proportionate to the portion of the course already undertaken and any unused tuition fees will be refunded within four weeks.
- For non‑commencement without notification, registration and acceptance fees plus one term's tuition and boarding fees will be retained; the remainder will be refunded. For non‑commencement with notification at least four weeks prior to commencement, tuition fees received will be refunded less registration and acceptance fees.
- All refund requests and notices of withdrawal must be made in writing to the Principal (international student refund procedures include timeframes and calculation rules). Refunds are generally reimbursed in the same currency in which they were paid.

Payment options and practical payment terms

- Preferred payment method: Credit card via Parent Lounge (credit card payments incur a surcharge of 1%). BPay is also accepted. A cash limit of AUD 10,000 per fee statement applies.
- Fee accounts provide full details of available payment methods and instructions; contact the Finance Department at fees@somerville.qld.edu.au or +61 7 3248 9277 for billing enquiries.

GST and tax notes

- Fees and charges quoted are exclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST) except for registration fees and the portion of boarding fees relating to the provision of meals, which attract GST. Voluntary Building Fund donations are endorsed as tax‑deductible where applicable.
Academics

Somerville House teaches IB (PYP), IB (DP), Australian Curriculum.

Curriculum
Somerville House offers a Prep to Year 12 education, with boarding available from Year 5 and a dedicated Early Learning Centre providing Pre-Prep. The Academic Program is built on the School's Curriculum Framework and guided by four principles: Engagement, Excellence, Empowerment, and Diversity. Junior School features Specialist Learning in Visual Art, Music, Drama, Health and Physical Education, Languages (French taught from Prep to Year 6 with annual immersion days in Chinese, Japanese and German), Chess, and Christian Education with Chapel, alongside the Somerville Outdoor Environmental Learning program for Prep to Year 2 and a strong wellbeing focus. Senior School covers English, Mathematics, Science, Commerce, Humanities, Christian Education, Health and Physical Education, Languages, Technologies, The Arts, and Music Extension, with Senior Pathways that include Vocational Education and Training (VET) and the option for Year 12 students to study university subjects. The school is an International Baccalaureate World School, with the Primary Years Programme in the Junior School and a Diploma Programme authorized from 2026, opening global pathways to study at universities worldwide; the first DP cohort is expected in 2026.

Student Teacher Ratio
Pre-Prep classes have a maximum of 22 children; there is one degree-qualified teacher and one diploma-qualified educator in each class, with a National Quality Standard ratio of one educator to eleven students. The Early Learning Centre can accommodate up to 88 students.

Exam Results
From the Class of 2025: 9.35% in Queensland's top 1% with an ATAR of 99+; 29.9% in Queensland's top 5% with an ATAR of 95+; 52.3% in Queensland's top 10% with an ATAR of 90+; 84.11% in Queensland's top 20% with an ATAR of 80+. The Class of 2025 achieved a median ATAR of 91.6 and 30 students achieved a Diploma of Business; 99% of students were ATAR eligible. All Year 12 students are enrolled in 5 or 6 academic subjects, with some electing a Diploma of Business as their fifth or sixth subject and 7 perfect scores across subjects being recorded.

Higher Education Progression
The 2024 Annual Report notes that the IB Programme opens global pathways for students to study at prestigious universities around the world, and Somerville House will be the only girls' school offering the IB Diploma Programme in Queensland from 2026, with a first cohort in 2026. Year 12 students can undertake university subjects as part of their program, and students have engaged in university-focused experiences such as the QUT Future You Summit (Year 11–12 participants).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has a Culture of Care Wellbeing Framework embedded in school life, guiding positive social and emotional wellbeing for all students, staff, parents, and community members. It promotes values of courage, compassion, inclusion, integrity, gratitude, and respect, grounded in Christian ethos. The framework is implemented across classrooms, Boarding, and campus life to build belonging, resilience, leadership, and the ability to meet life's challenges. Sisters Connect connects Big Sisters with Little Sisters across year levels to promote belonging, empathy, and communication through activities such as painting, reading, drawing and dancing.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Overseas students must provide an IELTS-based English proficiency report prior to entry, with minimum level requirements by year (for example Level 4+ for younger years and Level 7 for Years 11–12).

Mental Wellbeing
The Wellbeing Framework emphasises positive social and emotional wellbeing for the whole school community, fostering values such as courage, compassion, inclusion, integrity, gratitude and respect. It aims to help students be brave, initiate ideas, seek help when needed, build resilience, and connect with others; it also supports belonging and a culture of care across all school activities.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is a priority. There is a zero-tolerance approach to harm and safeguarding is a shared responsibility across the school community. Dedicated Child Protection Officers are available, and staff receive regular child protection training. The school maintains a Child Protection Policy, Risk Management Strategy, and safeguarding processes; policies are publicly available; for concerns contact safeguarding@somerville.qld.edu.au or +61 7 3248 9200.
Parent Experience

History
Somerville House began in 1899 as The Brisbane High School for Girls, founded by Miss Eliza Fewings, with its first home on Wickham Terrace and Edward Street. In 1912 the school moved to Erneton in Wickham Terrace to accommodate day students and boarders. Ownership passed to the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association between 1918 and 1920, and Cumbooquepa in South Brisbane was chosen as the location for the School in 1919; in 1920 the school was renamed Somerville House in honour of Mary Somerville. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, the South Brisbane site was evacuated: day pupils were moved to Drysllwyn at Auchenflower and Queen Alexandra Home at Coorparoo, and boarders were relocated to Moimindah at Stanthorpe; the Vulture Street site was occupied by the United States Army East-Asian Command until the return of the students in 1945.

Community
The Somerville House Foundation has supported campus development since 1992. Since 1984 the Foundation has raised more than $17 million, contributing over $9 million to the School, with income supporting the School's strategic objectives. SomerFields, the state-of-the-art sporting precinct located at Dunn Road in Rocklea, opened Stage 1 in 2023 and Stage 2 is planned; it features six ovals, ten courts and a 400-metre track with lights turned on in May 2025. The school's community also includes the Parents and Friends Association (P&F), which fosters strong connections between parents, friends, teachers and students and provides a platform for engagement in educational and extracurricular activities; the P&F Executive Committee is elected annually at the June AGM and oversees the Association's governance, with fundraising aimed at enhancing student amenities and resources.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parents and Friends Association fosters strong connections between parents, friends, teachers and students. The Executive Committee is elected annually at the June AGM to oversee the Association's governance. The P&F raises funds to provide essential amenities and resources tailored to student activities. The P&F provides a platform for parents to engage with the School's educational and extracurricular activities. For inquiries, contact pandfexecutive@somerville.qld.edu.au.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has on-site facilities including the Somerwear Uniform Shop, Murray Evans Sports and Aquatic Centre, Somerville House Tennis Centre and Under the Clock cafe. Somerville House SomerFields sporting grounds are located 10 km from the School. The Murray Evans Sports and Aquatic Centre is on the campus and houses an Olympic-sized pool and a well-equipped gymnasium. The Tennis Centre has four full-sized tennis courts with a sheltered pavilion overlooking the South Bank precinct. Under the Clock cafe is owned and operated by Somerville House and provides on-site dining options.

Sports Facilities
The Murray Evans Sports and Aquatic Centre includes a 50m eight-lane swimming pool with a movable bulkhead, an indoor sports hall, a classroom, a mezzanine floor kitchen, a gymnastics annex, a strength and conditioning gym and a group fitness area. The centre is available for hire and is on the Somerville House campus, with fully qualified staff to assist training in the pool and gym. The Somerville House Tennis Centre features four full-sized tennis courts with a sheltered pavilion and views over the South Bank precinct. SomerFields sporting grounds offer six ovals, ten multipurpose courts and a 400m eight-lane grass track for athletics, cricket, hockey, football, netball, softball, touch and tennis training, with Stage 1 opened for use in 2023.

Academic Facilities
The school is an authorised IB World School, offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and is in the candidacy phase for the IB Primary Years Programme for Pre-Prep to Year 6. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme will be offered for Year 11 and 12 from 2026. In July 2025, Somerville House joined a global network of IB World Schools. The DP includes six subject groups and core components such as the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Activity, Service. The PYP will be embedded as the framework for the Junior School under the IB philosophy.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The Somerville House Aquatic Swim Club and Squads Program (SOMAQ) runs year-round and provides opportunities to compete at local, state and national levels. Tennis lessons are available for students and members of the public through the Tennis Centre. SomerFields supports a broad range of training across athletics, cricket, hockey, football, netball, softball, touch and tennis, with six ovals, ten multipurpose courts and a 400m track. The Tennis Centre is available for hire to the Somerville House community and the general public.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Chess is embedded in the Junior School curriculum and continues through the Senior School, with opportunities for intraschool and interschool tournaments. Debating sees participation in multiple competitions, including the Queensland Debating Union Competition. The Robotics program encourages creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills, with opportunities to compete at district, state, national, and international levels.

Arts & Creative
Music is integral to Somerville House, with choral and instrumental ensembles that exemplify our commitment to excellence. Students can join various ensembles and participate in performances and competitions. Drama offers students the chance to perform throughout the year, and participate in all aspects of production, including performance, choreography, lighting, sound, and set design.

Cultural & Language
Exchange programs offer students the chance to experience different cultures and educational systems. State, national, and overseas tours provide enriching experiences in sports, language, music, and community engagement. Literary pursuits foster writing and reading skills and support broader cultural engagement.

Social & Hobbies
Club and Private Activities complement the academic and co-curricular programs. Club Badminton (Years 4 to 12), Club Basketball (Years 3 to 12), Club Netball (Years 1 to 12), Club Tennis (Pre-Prep to 12), Club Touch (Years 3 to 12), Club Volleyball (Years 7 to 12), Gymnastics (Prep to Year 12), and other pursuits are available. Music Instrumental and Vocal Tuition and Private Speech and Drama (Years 3 to 12) are offered. Year 12 Legal Studies Students – Mooting is part of the program.

Community & Service
Service Learning focuses on the needs of others, helping students develop social-emotional skills through activities that promote the joy of giving and doing. Faith-based groups like Somercircle in the Senior School and SUPA Club in the Junior School provide opportunities for Christian discussion, service, and friendship. Exchange programs offer experiences across cultures and tours provide enrichment in sports, language, music, and community engagement. These activities foster personal growth and global citizenship.

Leadership & Professional
Year 12 Legal Studies students participate in mooting. Mooting develops advocacy, legal reasoning, and public speaking skills. These activities prepare students for further study and professional paths.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The Co-Curricular program fosters physical activity and competitive sports through dedicated coaches. Club Sports include Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Tennis, Touch, Volleyball, and Gymnastics, with additional options such as Swimming and Strength and Conditioning. Music Instrumental and Vocal Tuition and Private Speech and Drama are offered as part of private activities. These programs promote fitness, teamwork, and well-being.
Reputation

Awards
The school received the Educate Plus 2022 Award for Excellence in the alumni publications category.
Queensland Youth Music Awards: Junior School choirs Poco a Poco and Cantabile won Gold.
Queensland Youth Music Awards: Senior School Choir Cantrice won Gold.
Queensland Youth Music Awards: Senior School Choir Cantamus won Silver.

Accreditations
The school is an approved non-state school under the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2017.
The school is approved to enrol overseas students under the Education (Overseas Students) Act 2018.
CRICOS provider number 00522G — Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) registration.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1: Complete the Application for Registration Form. A non-refundable fee of $350 per student applies. The School admits girls into Pre-Prep, Prep, Year 3, Year 5 and Year 7, and boarding is available from Year 5.Placements commence approximately three years prior to entry. Step 2: For Years 3, 5 & 7, approximately three years prior to the expected start date you will be invited to complete an Application for Enrolment and additional required documentation will be requested; for Pre-Prep and Prep, approximately 12 months prior to start you will be invited to complete an Application for Enrolment. The completion of the Application for Enrolment does not guarantee acceptance. Step 3: Upon receipt of the completed Enrolment form, you and your child will be invited to interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team to discuss the application. Places are only offered after the interview and at the discretion of the School. Not all students interviewed will be offered places due to the limited number of placements. Step 4: Upon offer, sign the official Agreement and pay a non-refundable acceptance fee of $1,200. At the commencement of Term 3 in the year before entry, a non-refundable confirmation fee of $3,000 must be paid and will be credited to the first fee instalment. These payments are part of the enrolment process. For further information on additional avenues for school entry visit Scholarships.

Scholarships
The School offers Academic Scholarships, Boarding Scholarships, Foundation Scholarships, Music Scholarships and Sport Scholarships for Australian students entering Years 7 to 12. All scholarships are means-tested and awarded after assessment through the ACER Academic Scholarship Test, with scholarships available as full or partial and tenable for the duration of the student's education, subject to satisfactory academic progress and contribution to school life. A student may apply for multiple scholarships, but only one can be awarded per student. Boarding Scholarships are available for girls from regional or rural Queensland entering Years 7 or 8; Foundation scholarships are funded by the Somerville House Foundation; Music Scholarships and Sport Scholarships have specific criteria including ensembles and sporting achievement. Scholarship applications for 2027 have closed; submit interest for 2028 scholarships.

Waitlist
Placements are limited and waiting lists are carefully maintained and updated regularly.
School Events
The school has not added events
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