Despite the rainy weather causing the cancellation of 'Carols on the Green,' the Carols in the Multi-Purpose Centre turned out to be a delightful evening.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the event preparations, with special appreciation to the College Maintenance and Theatre Crews.
We also extend our thanks to the entire College community for your wonderful support in attending the A.B. Paterson College Christmas Carols!
Wishing you all a safe and joyful Christmas!
An Afternoon of Gratitude - Thank You!
A.B. Paterson College extends its heartfelt thanks to our invaluable corporate sponsors, generous donors, and dedicated volunteers.
Your unwavering support plays a pivotal role in empowering our students and creating opportunities for the leaders of tomorrow. Without your commitment, our shared vision would not be possible. We are truly grateful for your partnership and the positive impact you help make in the lives of our students.
Celebrating Success in the Australian Mathematics Competition
This year, the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) proved to be an exciting and enriching experience for our students. The AMC is a highly engaging competition consisting of 30 challenging problems, designed to highlight the importance and relevance of mathematics in students' everyday lives. We are thrilled to share that 125 students from our College participated in this prestigious event, showcasing their problem-solving skills and mathematical talent.
Top Achievements:
Best in School and Prize Winner: Jiacheng (Tyler) Wu (Year 8)
6 High Distinctions: - Alfie Yan (Year 4) - George Hu, Lucas Hu, Wenxi Shang (Year 5) - Helen Li (Year 8) - Matilda Grant (Year 11)
In addition to these remarkable achievements, 39 students earned Distinctions, a fantastic result that reflects their hard work and mathematical abilities. These students come from various year groups, demonstrating the breadth of talent across the College. Congratulations to:
Year 4: Sharlene Chen, Amanda Chen, Nicholas Liew, Eshan Rayar, Abraham Saif Ali, Owen Wang, Ryan Yang
Year 5: Emika Clark, Aran Jagatheeson-McLachlan, Eassie Pan, Ivy Sun, Alexis Walmsley, Nina Wei, Eddie Wei, Luke Williamson, Evan Yao
Year 7: Arthur Cao, Benjamin Clark, Nikita Harish, Riaz Jamal, Amy Jang, Sahishnu Sriram, Sanming Tai, Thomas Yang, Eric Zhang
Year 8: Pasanya Abeyratne, Peiwen Liang, Allana Oh, Eva Vu, Peter Zhu
Year 9: Zain Baba, Yuanzhuo Wang, Aiden Zhang
Year 10: Mitchell Chen, Byron McNiven, Grace Yang
Year 11: April Chen, Tianyu Shen, Sanny Ye
We also want to congratulate the 59 students who achieved a Credit and the 17 students who earned a Proficiency award. Each of these students demonstrated great dedication and perseverance in their preparation and performance.
In conclusion, the AMC has once again highlighted the exceptional mathematical talent at our College. We are immensely proud of all our participants and their achievements. We encourage all students to continue exploring the world of mathematics, as it plays a vital role in many aspects of life, from problem-solving to decision-making.
Congratulations once again to all students for their outstanding performances, and we look forward to even more success in next year’s competition!
Jasmine Lange | Head of Maths Faculty
Year 6 Celebrations!
This term has been absolutely jam-packed in Year 6, filled with exciting transitions and bittersweet "lasts" in junior school. From celebration nights to memorable events, each experience has been a chance to reflect on our journey while looking forward to the future. It is a whirlwind of emotions and activities as we prepare for the next chapter in our education!
In technology, we have been using Minecraft Education to design sustainable cities, exploring concepts like sustainable food, waste management, transport, and energy to envision a future that prioritises sustainability. This hands-on project has allowed us to creatively implement our learning while promoting eco-friendly practices. Additionally, as part of our media arts unit, we have been creating short films that convey important messages about the necessity of caring for our planet. Using storyboarding techniques, we have incorporated various film methods, including camera angles, viewpoints, lighting, and sound, to enhance our storytelling. This engaging combination of projects not only deepens our understanding of sustainability but also empowers us to advocate for a better world through our creative expressions.
In HASS this term, we delved into the fascinating topics of Federation, levels of government, and Indigenous perspectives. This engaging unit allowed students to participate in 'mock' parliament sessions, where we debated various topics and gained a deeper understanding of how Australia was formed. Through these activities, we have not only learned about the structure of our government but also developed a greater appreciation for our country's history and the diverse perspectives that shape it.
In science, our plant-growing project has been a huge success! We have been investigating the conditions that certain plants need to thrive, exploring factors like light, water, and soil quality. Each student wrote a scientific investigation that included a hypothesis, observations, discussion, results, and conclusion, allowing us to document our findings. This hands-on experience has been invaluable, providing students with a deeper understanding of how plants grow and function. It has been exciting to see our efforts come to life and to witness the growth process firsthand, fostering a greater appreciation for the natural world around us!
In Year 6, we have begun our exciting transition into secondary school by visiting home rooms and participating in VPD lessons. This week, we experienced two transition days where we met our heads of houses and got a sneak peek into what some of our classes will be like next year. It has been a whirlwind of emotions—fun, nerve-wracking, and even a bit emotional as we embrace this significant change. Everyone is filled with a mix of excitement and nerves about the journey ahead, but we are all extremely proud of the resilience you have shown during this transition. It is a wonderful time of growth as we prepare for the challenges and adventures that await us!
And of course, we could not end the year without the Year 6 Celebration Night, a perfect opportunity for students to dance the night away and commemorate the conclusion of their junior school years. The theme, "Shine Your Brightest," set the tone for a fun-filled evening filled with dancing, performances, and a delicious Guzman y Gomez dinner. It was a truly memorable night, allowing everyone to celebrate their achievements and friendships, making it a fantastic way to wrap up not only the school year but also their entire junior school experience. The joy and excitement in the air were a testament to the wonderful journey we have shared together!
Tahlia Dilkes, Tiffany Henry, Alyssa Arenson and Dean West | Year 6 Teachers
Junior Chess Club wrapped up the term with a presentation of medals by coaches for points earned during chess club tournaments, honouring exceptional players for their skill and dedication.
A Season of Growth and Achievement
This term emphasised critical thinking, sportsmanship and competitive readiness. Weekly training, friendly matches and tournaments created the perfect environment for players to sharpen their abilities.
These gold medalists demonstrated outstanding strategy and leadership:
Beginners 1 Group - Bella Bai 1R
Beginners 2 Groups - Aidan Badgotti 2J
Beginners 3 Group - Harvey Chang 2B
Intermediate Group - Benjamin Jiao 5S
Advanced Group - Tudor Wonish 6W
These silver medalists demonstrated rapid improvement and impressive endgame tactics:
Beginners 1 Group - Luca Xu 1M
Beginners 2 Groups - Bowen Li 2L
Beginners 3 Group - Aadya Siriwardana 4H
Intermediate Group - Ayham Ramin 6W
Advanced Group - Alfie Yan 4C
These bronze medalists demonstrated enthusiastic play and creative strategies:
Beginners 1 Group - Anisha Jagatheeson-McLachlan 1M
Beginners 2 Groups - Felix Ko 3Y
Beginners 3 Group - Ethan Chang 3K
Intermediate Group - Aalia Harvey 4L
Advanced Group - Alana Liew 6H
Looking Ahead
As we conclude the term, we’re excited to plan activities for 2025, including interschool tournaments. New members are welcome to join and grow with us!
Special congratulations to our Year 6 students, many of whom have been with us since Year 1. We wish you the best and look forward to seeing you in the Senior Chess Club next year!
Lena White | Chess Club Co-ordinator
Brumbies Throwing Squad’s Elite Experience at the National Throws Centre
As a reward for their commitment to the 2024 throwing program, the Brumbies throwing squad had the incredible opportunity to train at the National Throws Centre and tour the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) high-performance facilities in Brisbane on Monday, 25 November.
The day began at the State Athletics Facility (SAF) with the end-of-year squad challenge—a handicap throwing competition where students competed against each other and their personal bests (PBs) to level the playing field with their training partners. Congratulations to Hudson Schultz, who threw an impressive nine metres to secure the win!
Following the competition, students transitioned to the world-class facilities, gaining valuable insights into how elite athletes train and the top-tier resources they use daily in their professional careers. The tour included access to the newly built National Throws Centre, a purpose-built facility utilized by Australia’s best throwers as well as international athletes. The indoor and unique throwing facilities allowed our athletes to refine technical aspects of their throws in ways not achievable locally.
The highlight of the day was meeting two-time World Champion and three-time Olympian Kelsey-Lee Barber. Kelsey-Lee generously shared her journey from school-level competition to becoming an elite javelin thrower, inspiring the next generation of athletes. We are deeply grateful to Kelsey-Lee for her time and support.
The QAS tour provided a fascinating look into the biomechanics, strength and conditioning, and sport-specific training methods that are key to excelling at the highest level. Special thanks to Lukas Cannen from the QAS for his expertise and inspiration for our young throwers.
A big thank you also goes to Mrs Tennille Mitchell and Mr Nathan Burgess for their support throughout the day, ensuring our students made the most of this incredible experience.
We look forward to seeing our athletes continue to grow and excel in the throwing arena as we move into 2025.
Matt Stopel | Head of Athletics & Assistant Head of HPE
Student Achievement - Melissa & Harry Zhang
Congratulations to Melissa Zhang of Year 8 and Harry Zhang of Year 6 for their impressive second-place finishes at the Queensland Badminton Junior Championships U15 and U19, held on Saturday 23 November.
Melissa earned runner-up in the U15 Girls' Doubles and Mixed Doubles events. Despite being only 12 years old, Harry partnered with Melissa in the U15 Mixed Doubles, competing against opponents with clear advantages in height and strength. However, he held his ground, actively leading the attack and securing five crucial victories. In the end, Harry and Melissa narrowly missed out on first place, finishing just two points behind to claim second.
Once again, congratulations to them on their outstanding achievements this weekend, and we look forward to seeing more success from this pair of siblings as they continue to work hard for even greater results in the future.
Well done Melissa and Harry!
Nathan Burgess | Director of Co-curricular Activities
College Clinic Revamp: A Welcoming New Space
Our College Clinic has undergone an incredible transformation, creating a more functional and welcoming environment for the thousands of students it serves each year. Here's what has changed:
Out with the Old: The clinic’s original beds, installed in 1991, have been retired after an impressive run. Considering the average of 5000 annual visits, these beds were used an estimated 150,000 times over their lifetime! They have been lovingly donated to the Animal Welfare League, which expressed heartfelt gratitude.
Modern Sick Bay Beds: The new beds are state-of-the-art, featuring adjustable backs that enhance comfort for unwell children and improve the clinic's spatial efficiency.
A Splash of Colour: Bright and cheerful new curtains with colourful patterns now adorn the clinic, adding a touch of vibrancy and helping lift spirits.
Student Art: Year 2 students’ artwork has been displayed throughout the clinic, showcasing their creativity and bringing a personal, uplifting charm to the space.
Calming Rest Area: A specially designed calming rest space has been created, providing a soothing environment for students to recover.
This revamp ensures the clinic is not just functional but also a warm and supportive haven for those who are feeling unwell.
Melanie Dosser | College Nurse
2026 Scholarship Applications Now Open!
Applications for 2026 scholarships are now open!
Register now for the A.B. Paterson College Scholarship Program for academic, music, sport and Foundation scholarships.
Students from all schools entering Year 7, 10 or 11 in 2026 are eligible to apply and sit the ACER Scholarship test on Saturday, 8 February 2025.
Registrations close on Wednesday, 29 January 2025 at 4pm. Registrations cannot be accepted after this date and time.
Karen Milburn | Head of Admissions
BASKETBALL - NEW PLAYERS ACADEMY
Calling all students who are interested in trying basketball for the first time!
We are excited to announce the Brumbies New Players Basketball Academy which is completely free for students in Year 2 - 6. A girls and boys session will be held weekly until the end of term.
Running Tuesdays after school (3:30pm - 4:30pm) on the Junior Ball Courts, the Academy aims to give students a chance to come along and try Basketball for free, with skills development from our Head Coach Josh Wolff. No experience required - all levels welcome.
We hope students who join will love basketball as much as us and consider playing for the Brumbies school basketball club in 2025 at a reduced fee for their first season.
Josh Wolff | Head Coach Nathan Burgess | Director of Co-curricular Activities
Learn to Swim Intensive Holiday Swim Program
Join our Learn to Swim Holiday Intensive Program from Monday 2 December to Friday 6 December and Monday 20 January to Friday 24 January 2025.
The program runs for one week. Swimmers receive a half hour lesson each day (at the same time) for five days. They will be grouped according to their ability. Classes will run from 8:00am.
The cost for the program is $75 per child (Inc. GST). Families are to be invoiced and fees paid prior to the commencement of the week’s program.
Please contact us to book your child/ren in by Wednesday 27 November 2024.
For all enquiries and bookings, email: swimlessons@abpat.qld.edu.au. Please leave your child’s name, age/ability and contact details in your message/email.
Don't forget to take a look at the 2024/2025 Inspire Business Directory!
The Inspire Business Directory allows the College to support parents, caregivers, and members of the broader school community, with the opportunity to promote their business.
Please take the time to have a look, you might be pleasantly surprised with some special discount offers, or the opportunity to find a new service provider from within the College community.
Once again, a big thank you to all of the family businesses who have supported the A.B. Paterson College Foundation and advertised in this year's edition.
We look forward to supporting you and your families.