A.B. Paterson College is an independent private school for students from Prep to Year 12. Our College namesake, Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson was one of Australia’s great writers and poets who had a deep affinity for the Australian bush. His ballads and poetry have immortalised the Australian bush, as well as the character, determination, resilience and spirit of the people who live there.

These are the same values upon which A.B. Paterson College was established and continues to serve by today. A school that celebrates our Australian heritage, a school with traditional values and a progressive mindset to education within a caring and supportive environment.

Banjo Paterson penned the country’s unofficial national anthem, Waltzing Matilda, in the central-west Queensland town of Winton. The College continues to foster close ties with Winton today. Each year, our Year 6 students embark on a nine-day adventure journeying through outback Queensland to towns including Charleville, Barcaldine, Emerald and Longreach to Winton. Students develop an appreciation for life in the outback and experience the values of resilience, hard work and character first-hand, while nurturing their own spirit of Australia.

In addition, the successful opening of Barty's Place in July 2022  - an A.B. Paterson College-built student accommodation and dining facility located in the heart of the town of Winton. Not only will this remarkable facility be utilised by our Year 6 cohort and teachers each year, but it will also be available for other school and corporate groups, providing the opportunity for more young people to experience this stunning and unique part of our country, while also providing a significant economic boost to the local community.

You will see many references to Banjo, Waltzing Matilda and Winton at A.B. Paterson College. Our College houses are named after other great Australian writers and poets – Lawson (Henry Lawson), Dennis (C.J. Dennis), Mackellar (Dorothea Mackellar), and Wright (Judith Wright). Further, many of our facilities and buildings are named after well-known Australians such as Chisholm (Caroline Chisholm - humanitarian), Farrer (William Farrer - agronomist), Dobell (Sir William Dobell - artist) and May Gibbs (children's author). Our grounds are abundant in native Australian plants, providing a peaceful and vibrant setting for students.

The College was founded in 1989 by a committee of local business and community members who believed in the need to establish a truly independent school at the northern end of the Gold Coast. Each year, we celebrate Founder’s Day to give thanks to those who had the foresight to establish a school so proudly steeped in Australian heritage and values, whilst delivering ‘Excellence, Care and Commitment’ to our students.