Illalong Newsletter 12 February 2021

The Man From Snowy River Returns!

"There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around…"

…that the iconic Gold Coast sculpture, immortalising Banjo Paterson’s heroic mountain horseman, has found a new home at A.B. Paterson College!

For decades, the statue – by Brisbane artist, Rhyl Hinwood – towered over, and captivated, visitors to Niecon Plaza in Broadbeach. It featured in many a holiday snap, and on postcards promoting the tourist destination. A. Raptis and Sons generously invited the College to be its new custodian.

Now, the stunning 400kg sculpture will take pride of place at our brand new Brisbane Road/Arundel Drive entrance to the College.

The statue was commissioned by the Plaza’s original owners, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first publication, in 1890, of Andrew Barton Paterson’s legendary ballad, The Man from Snowy River.

The statue depicts the moment in the poem of the terrifying descent by the skilled and daring rider, on his fearless pony. It captures the essence of Australia’s pioneering spirit, and now stands as a symbol for the College community of determination, grit and courage, while honouring the ballad’s author and College namesake, A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson.

Be sure to have a look on your way to or from school!

“We are so proud that this stunning sculpture, reflecting the heart of our country, will forever grace the entrance to one of Australia’s leading and truly Australian independent schools – A.B. Paterson College.” - A.B. Paterson College Chief Executive Officer, Brian Grimes

Raising Resilient Children

Much is said about the importance of resilience in children. Some children (and adults) are naturally resilient, their temperament helps them to be mentally and psychologically tough. These are the children who get straight back up after a set back or disappointment. Rejection doesn’t faze them, they learn from their experiences and move on easily. Research shows that resilience can be nurtured particularly when parents themselves are resilient, then they are able to actively foster it in their own children.

It was a great pleasure to welcome Rachel Downie to our College once again this week to present at each of our Parent Teacher Social Evenings. Rachel has a wealth of experience of working with young people promoting cyber safety, well-being and resilience and discussed how parents can engage with their children around safe internet practices.

Navigating the parenting landscape in a world where we are digital intruders, and where our children are digital natives is challenging. More than 60% of families are experiencing conflict around screen usage and Rachel provided our parents with a number of tips on how to find our way through the ever-changing digital landscape that appears to absorb more and more of our children’s energy and time:

Start early. Have open discussions with your children about responsible use of technology.
Keep digital devices out of private spaces. Have tech-free days or spaces within your household that all members of the family acknowledge and respect.
Model positive digital habits.
Trust and transparency empowers our children. It teaches them that they can make good decisions and helps them build resilience.
Raise awareness of the laws related to digital technology and your digital values.

Our students are more familiar with technology than we are, but if we can be intentionally involved in their worlds, we can empower them and create an environment where resilience can be cultivated.

Resilient children share four basic skill sets; independence, problem-solving abilities, they have social connections and they are optimistic. In order to support our children to develop these skills sets, Parents can coach their children through some of the more challenging moments of their lives, helping them review what they have learned and how better to deal with this situation next time. Rather than trying to solve all of their problems for them, empower them to take control and hone their individual problem solving skills in the knowledge that you are there as a sounding board and coach should they need it.

Parents can promote a lasting sense of resilience in their children by:

Having a positive attitude themselves. Parents are their child’s primary role model. Your attitude impacts upon their ability to bounce back. Modelling a ‘can do attitude’ helps your children to bounce back when their lives throw up challenges to be faced.
Look for the opportunity to turn a problem into a learning opportunity. Rather than seeking to blame others, try helping them to problem-solve and develop strategies and solutions.
Encourage your children to become active participants in the family. This is a great way of developing independence, self-help and problem solving skills – essential ingredients for becoming resilient.
Build children’s coping skills. Talk to them about strategies that help when life doesn’t go their way, including acceptance or taking time out to regroup before moving on.

Promoting resilience is not a single event in a child’s life but a continuous process that requires ongoing support and empathy. It also requires an understanding of resilience itself and its importance in helping children to cope with the ups and downs of their lives. At the College we provide structured opportunities for students to develop the skills that lead to resilience, however, as parents you have the primary role in supporting the development of this essential personal quality. In supporting your children to practice the behaviours listed above, and by modelling positive digital habits and behaviours, you can empower them to become strong, courageous and resilient children who will flourish as young adults and beyond.

Charlotte Brook
Dean of Senior School

Junior School Reflection - Week 3, Term 1

Week 3 got off to a wonderful start with the first Junior School Assembly of the year. This assembly was particularly special as we acknowledged our Junior School Leaders with the presentation of their badges.We were pleased to be able to welcome some parents to this special event. These Year 6 leaders also read out the pledge which is a particularly powerful message about how they are going to lead. These Junior School Leaders are going to have an opportunity to participate in a workshop lead by Ms Kirton and some of our Senior School Leaders.

Also on Monday, we had the Junior School Parent Teacher Social Evening. This was very well attended and included a social event and an informative session with our guest speaker Rachel Downie. This session was particularly thought provoking, and I know that I always learn many new things about popular internet trends and apps and how we can safeguard our children from dangers. It was very poignant that this presentation, which was held at both the Junior School and Senior School Parent Teacher evenings, coincided with Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 9 February. Classes and Tutor Groups across the College engaged in various activities to raise awareness.

The Swimming Carnival for Years 4 – 6 students took place on a lovely, sunny Tuesday. The sea of colour was extraordinary and the amount of House spirit shown was truly outstanding. This was coupled with some excellent, individual results. I am looking forward to seeing how we go at the APS Swimming Carnival. Many thanks to the parent volunteers who assisted throughout the Junior School carnival and then also the Senior School carnival on Wednesday.

A large array of diverse learning activities have been occurring in the Junior School classrooms this week to inform and raise awareness about Safer Internet Day. May we all consider our internet use and, more generally, our use of technological devices?

Simon Edgar
Head of Junior School

You Choose Road Safety

On Tuesday evening students from Years 11 and 12 were invited to attend a presentation with their parents on Road Safety. This wasn’t your everyday, run-of-the-mill presentation. This presentation was facilitated by Melissa McGuinness from You Choose Road Safety, who has made it her mission to educate young people on choice since the death of her son in a motor vehicle crash in 2012.

Jordan Hayes McGuinness, son of Melissa and stepson of Peter, was driving recklessly, intoxicated, and under the influence of drugs when he died. Jordan didn’t just die, four other innocent people also died in the crash.

I must admit it felt like a gamble when I booked the presentation, I asked myself, ‘Is this story too confronting, personal, scary?’ When I reflected on this, I decided these were the exact reasons why Melissa’s message needed to be heard by our youngest generation of drivers – our Years 11 and 12 students. I recall my parents, saying to me, when they presented me with the keys to my first car, ‘Be careful Tone, you are now in charge of a potential killing machine’, frightening words to my 17 year old self, but words I still remember to this day.

Melissa’s story unfolded and elicited various emotions throughout the presentation - sadness, regret and hope. At its core the presentation was one of hope, Melissa is hoping that with every presentation, by reliving a nightmare that I cannot even imagine, she reaches at least one young person, imploring them to make good choices when it comes to driving and being a passenger.

You choose was the message. This was a presentation that encourages our young people to make good choices, to say no to getting in a car with a person who has been drinking, taking drugs, or appears reckless, to choose not to drive if they have been drinking or doing something illegal. To think about their mother each time they get in a car and the ripple effect should they make a poor choice because then, you not only have to own the choice, you have to own the outcome.

This a timely reminder for all of us, every time you get behind the wheel of a car you make a choice, please choose safety each and every time.

Parent feedback:

"Thank you for organising and being present at the Year 11 and 12 Presentation last night. Both my daughter and I gained a lot from listening to Peter and Melissa's presentation and it certainly promoted a very insightful discussion in our house afterwards! This was truly one of the best Senior School presentations we have attended, largely because of its relevance to our own child. Owning our choices and owning the outcome is what we are all (hopefully) trying to instil in our children.
Thank you for providing this opportunity."

TH

"I just wanted to say thank you for your presentation last night.
As a teacher and a parent, your story resonated with me on many levels. As a parent of three children (19, 17 and 12) I could feel your pain. Looking at the photos of Jordan made me see so many similarities with my middle child, my son, who turns 18 in May. He too is sporty, popular and good looking. He has the world at his feet, just like Jordan, and your story made me realise how quickly lives can change. I went home last night and whilst I can’t say I managed to give him a hug, I did recount your story and told him to “please, please make good decisions for yourself and your mates."

PD

If you would like to read more about Melissa or her work with You Choose Road Safety please visit: www.youchooseyrs.org.au/about

Toni Kirton
Director of Positive Education and Leadership

Little Green Thumbs

In Term 1, the Year 2 Science unit is called Good to Grow. We are learning all about plants and their life cycle. As a ‘tuning in’ activity we had a visit from Andrew from Little Green Thumbs. What a lot of fun we had!

First, the children listened to Andrew discuss how plants grow, the needs of plants and the life cycle of a plant. The children actively participated in the information sharing and all giggled at Andrew’s story telling. They learnt that there is a tree called the Dinosaur Tree (Norfolk Pine Tree) because scientists believe that this tree existed when the dinosaurs roamed the land. The children were amazed to hear that some cacti can grow taller than a house and sunflowers can grow taller than humans! The children also discussed how plants need nutrients, sunlight and air to grow. They enjoyed looking at the different plants that Andrew brought in for the children to observe.

After our information session, all children participated in planting their own seedling. The children were all very excited and couldn’t wait to take their tomato seedling home to show their parents!

Year 2 Teachers (Kylie Schumacher, Donna Symms, Daisy Ross, Trent Davis)

Senior School Swimming Carnival

A kaleidoscope of colour and spirited chants spurred on our swimmers, as our Senior students relished the chance to come together and celebrate during the 2021 Senior School Inter-house Swimming Carnival!

Congratulations to Wright House who were the winning House on the day!

Final results from the Junior and Senior swim carnivals, including new records, will be posted in upcoming editions of Illalong newsletter.