Illalong Newsletter - 21 July 2023 | A.B. Paterson College

Winton and the Opening of Barty’s Place

A.B. Paterson College and the people of Winton have built a meaningful and strong relationship over the last almost three decades. Since 1994, the Winton Camp has been a much-anticipated rite of passage for the Year 6 students of A.B. Paterson College, a character-building nine-day trek. During this camp, our students participate in a tour of Winton and its surrounding areas, taking in Lark Quarry, the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Exhibition, the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, the Waltzing Matilda Centre, an open-air cinema called The Royal Theatre in Winton, Camden Park Station, Ayrshire Downs sheep station, The Combo Waterhole and the Qantas Founders Museum.

On Sunday 16 July, Barty’s Place was officially opened by A.B. Paterson College Board Chairman, Mr David Tanner.

The opening was attended by representatives of our A.B. Paterson College Board, past staff Mr and Mrs Bill Cunnington (who attended the very first camp in 1994), Mr and Mrs Alan Rickard (College Patron) as well as the Winton Shire Mayor, Mr Gavin Baskett and the Winton Council, Mr Lachlan Millar MP, and of course the Year 6 cohort.

A.B. Paterson College has a strong and enduring connection with the outback and, more specifically, with the people of Winton. Named after a prominent and leading Australian, Andrew Barton Paterson, the College has as one of its aims, to educate and enable young people to experience the wonderful outback of Australia, to learn about the history of our nation, to meet the people of the outback, and to experience the wonders of our land (and in doing so, support economic development and educational opportunities in outback educational tourism).

For this reason, the A.B. Paterson College Board made the decision to purchase land in Winton and develop a facility that would provide security and longevity for the College’s aim of continuing to engage with the Winton community, and a vehicle with which to continue our promotion of the outback and our Australian history.

Proudly named ‘Barty’s Place’ after Andrew Barton Paterson, A.B. Paterson College has now completed the development of a purpose-built accommodation site for school and community groups to reside and use as a springboard to experience Winton and the greater surrounding central western Queensland region.

Barty’s Place is a unique and truly special place to stay for a genuine outback experience, and we know that every year our Year 6 students thoroughly enjoy the entire journey.

Please enjoy some photos of our official opening!

Joanne Sheehy | Principal

Year 6 Winton Camp - Days 4 to 9

Day 4 - Winton Camp 2023

Day 4 saw our students rise bright and early in Longreach, disassembling their tents and packing the buses to travel to the Longreach School of Distance Education. Here, they enjoyed a guided tour of the facilities and tuned in to an on-air lesson, getting a glimpse into education for isolated students.

In the afternoon, they stopped to explore the Ilfracombe Machinery and Heritage Museum before arriving at Barty's Place in Winton!

Located in the heart of town, this extraordinary precinct was built by the College to accommodate students on their rural Queensland experience. Opening just last year, Barty's Place is a fully functioning centre that provides a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the attractions in Winton and surrounding towns. It also stands testament to the longstanding relationship between the College and Winton community. We hope everyone enjoyed the new facility and had a comfortable stay!

Students concluded their Friday evening with a visit to the Gondwana Stars Observatory, gazing stars and planets in some of the darkest skies in the world.

Day 5 - Winton Camp 2023

Day 5 saw our students visit the Combo Waterhole in Kynuna, 145km north west of Winton. It is a beautiful landscape, rumoured to be the inspiration behind Banjo Paterson's Waltzing Matilda.

Students enjoyed a packed lunch and admired the open plains and rugged hills - a truly picturesque backdrop. Luckily, they came prepared for the infamous insect population!

In the evening, groups alternated between visits to the Gondwana Stars Observatory and activities at camp.

Our students also celebrated the second birthday of the trip, with Rachel Feldblyum turning 12. Happy Birthday, Rachel!

Day 6 - Winton Camp 2023

Many Year 6s started last Sunday morning bright and early, stretching their legs at Running Club with a beautiful sunrise backdrop.

Back at camp, students enjoyed breakfast, various activities and outdoor adventures with their teachers and peers. After lunch, they took part in an eventful Winton Amazing Race and showcased their talent with a musical performance in town.

Students concluded the evening with a film at the Royal Theatre Winton. With only three more nights before our travellers return home, we are officially past the halfway mark!

Day 7 - Winton Camp 2023

Our energised campers began Day 7 with Running Club, followed by a scenic drive to Lark Quarry Conservation Park to visit the unique National Stampede Monument. The beautiful landscape is a time capsule of our prehistoric past.

Students enjoyed teacher-led activities for the afternoon and rotated visits to the Gondwana Stars Observatory.

Flynn Giemzo also celebrated his 12th birthday. Happy Birthday, Flynn!

Day 8 - Winton Camp 2023

Day 8 consisted of an adventure to the famous Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum. Students discovered the world of dinosaurs with a tour of the facility and Australia's largest dinosaur fossil collection. Our Year 6s also explored the Waltzing Matilda Centre in the heart of Winton. Designed by award winning architects, this beautiful facility tells the story of Australia's unofficial national anthem.

Students also had their very last sleep at Barty's Place!

Until next time, Winton.

Day 9 - Winton Camp 2023

Day 9 marks the final day of adventures!

For the first time in a week, students packed up their bags and loaded the coach, disembarking Winton to Rubyvale.

Here, they explored the Miner's Heritage Walk-In Mine: Australia's largest walk-in underground sapphire mine. They rotated between a guided underground tour, fossicking for gems, and browsing the shop.

They arrived at the Emerald Showground for their final night, concluding the evening with an array of performances in the A.B.'s Got Talent Show! We hope they had a restful sleep, ahead of the long journey back to the coast.

We look forward to welcoming our students home!

World Scholar's Cup in Seoul

Wow, where to start on just how proud we are of our students representing A.B. Paterson College at Seoul.

With 30 countries in attendance, all of our students qualified for the Tournament of Champions to be held at Yale University. In addition, every student walked away with at least two medals each.

We have more than a dozen trophies, four teams in the top twenty, with one placing fifth, and one individual placing fourth overall.

It is with great pride that we also announce that Ms Belinda Pilgrim received the World Scholars Cup International Coach of the Year Award for 2023.

Special mention to Matilda Grant who was chosen as the flagbearer for Australia at the closing ceremony and Dinuki Indiketiya who played the piano for everyone at the Scholar's Show.

What a team and what an incredible effort by all.

Our A.B. Scholars are having a fantastic time competing in the Global Round of the World Scholar's Cup in Seoul.

Students dedicated their first few days to studying and preparing for the competition, taking advantage of the incredible library facilities in South Korea!

On Monday marked the highly anticipated Triple Threat round, which included debating, collaborative writing, and the scholar's exam. In this intense round, all students competed in three debates, with each team winning at least two and two teams winning all three.

Our scholars eagerly anticipate the upcoming competitions. We couldn't be prouder of this group for representing the College with such determination and skill.

Belinda Pilgrim | Head of Academic Academy

Year 11 Students: Paving the Way for College Leadership

Year 11 is a critical juncture in a student's academic journey, as they begin to envision their final year at the College as well as their future beyond school.

In the last two weeks, 41 Year 11 students have presented their vision for the future of A.B. Paterson College in the hopes of securing a College Leadership position for 2024 and leaving a legacy. In line with the College motto of Excellence, Care, and Commitment, Year 11 students applying for College Leader positions have embarked on a journey that encompasses the core values of Learning, Excellence, Care, Leadership, Integrity, Creativity, Community, and Respect through the College’s Leadership Program, taking place during Careers, Service and Leadership lessons.

One of the key pillars of leadership is the pursuit of excellence. College Leader applicants must showcase their commitment to excellence in all that they do, consistently striving for personal growth while inspiring others to do the same. They serve as role models, demonstrating diligence, discipline, and a growth mindset that encourages their peers to embrace challenges and surpass their potential. Leadership is not just about personal achievements; it entails a genuine concern for others, always displaying a deep sense of care, empathy, and inclusivity. They should actively contribute to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment within the College, ensuring that every student feels valued and heard. Through acts of kindness, understanding, and mentorship, these future leaders promote a harmonious and uplifting community.

One of our core values at the College is integrity, and it is an expectation that all students at the College, whether they have a badge or not, exhibit strong moral character, honesty, and accountability, serving as trustworthy representatives of the College. Moreover, they should nurture their own creativity with a view to inspiring innovative thinking and problem-solving skills amongst their peers.

A pivotal part of being a College Leader is representing the College at a range of functions throughout the year and wholeheartedly engaging with the wider community. Demonstrating a genuine commitment to serving others and making a positive impact both within and beyond the College walls is fundamental. By fostering a sense of respect for diverse opinions, cultures, and backgrounds, an inclusive and respectful environment can be created for all.

Through listening to the leadership speeches over the last two weeks, it has been exciting to hear about the new connections this cohort want to forge with the younger years, how they want to build on the initiatives that previous cohorts have established and strive for improvement in all that they do. As we continue through the leadership application process, the entire Year 11 cohort and 2023 College Leaders will have the opportunity to provide feedback on their peers, giving a voice to all students that so many applicants felt was central to participation in College life. I have no doubt that the successful applicants will dedicate themselves to the core values of Learning, Excellence, Care, Leadership, Integrity, Creativity, Community, and Respect, and that these aspiring leaders will shape the future of the College. For those students who are successful in their applications, we look forward to witnessing how they will inspire and empower their peers to excel in every aspect of their lives. We wish all 41 applicants the best of luck in their applications and look forward to announcing the 2024 College Leaders in Term 4.

Charlotte Brook |Head of Senior School

2023 Kokoda Challenge

A.B. Paterson College is founded on a unique Australian spirit which embodies character, determination, resilience, and integrity. Similarly, the Kokoda Youth Foundation supports Australians by inspiring them to do extraordinary things, including hiking as part of long endurance events. Twenty-six students from A.B. Paterson College, accompanied by six members of staff took part in this year’s 48 km Kokoda Challenge held last weekend.

The Kokoda Youth Program, based on the Gold Coast, is a not-for-profit organisation established to change the lives of local teenagers by instilling the spirit of Kokoda, by embodying courage, endurance, mateship, and sacrifice.

The Kokoda Challenge events are operated by the Kokoda Youth Foundation with the mission to achieve three main things: keep the spirit of Kokoda alive through educating participants about the history of the Kokoda Campaign in 1942; raising funds for local youth programs; and delivering one of Australia's toughest team endurance events in the spirit of the WW2 diggers.

The College entered seven teams of students led by the following A.B. Paterson College staff: Tennille Mitchell, Sona Preiszlerova, Kate Lawrence, James King, James Ellins and Craig Aitken. Special mention should be made to Tennille who had two groups due to staff absentee, Kate who only volunteered to participate in the event a few days prior due to a staff injury and James Ellin’s team finished 4th overall! A truly remarkable and memorable experience for all those concerned!

THE LIST OF STUDENTS WHO TOOK PART:

Flynn Fahy, Ben Canning, Hamish Snow, Oisin Fountain, Amelia Wolff, Sinead McNamara, Grace Woodfield, Imogen Game, Hudson Reid, Avalon Pease, Jake Ward, Joshua Hibberd, Harry Mason, Oliver Kane, Jonas Longhurst, Amelia Halstead, Phoebe Dunbier, Zoe Clacher, Bridget Rosenboom, Hugo Hawke, Riley Grimmer, Joshua Cutajar, Travis McNamara, Daniel Teren, Oliver Game and James Beh.

Andrew Sole | Head of Outdoor Education

2023 Premier’s Reading Challenge

The 2023 Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) is underway at A.B. Paterson College.

The PRC is not a competition but a way to encourage students to develop a love of reading for life. Students are encouraged to select a range of fiction and non-fiction books suited to their reading ability and record books read during the reading period, between 8 May to 25 August. The reader record form for students to record the number of books they have read can be found in our libraries or online at:

https://readingchallenge.education.qld.gov.au/register/Documents/non-state-school-reader-record-form.pdf

To complete the challenge:

Prep to Year 2 must read or experience at least 20 books
Years 3 and 4 must read at least 20 books
Years 5 to 9 must read at least 15 books.

Experiencing books can include shared reading, listening to stories, or reading picture books. The aim for the 2023 challenge is to encourage students to make time to read.

Key Dates	Activity
8 May to 25 August	Reading period for Prep to Year 9 students
28 August	Student reader record forms submitted to teacher
30 October to 10 November	Premier's Reading Challenge celebration weeks

For suggested books or for more information about the PRC, please visit: readingchallenge.education.qld.gov.au or contact our Library Team in our space or at librarystaff@abpat.qld.edu.au.

Every student who completes the challenge and returns the completed record reader form and consent form, will receive a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier. We look forward to seeing as many of our students as possible take part in the 2023 Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Consent form and third-party providers for the Certificate of Achievement

This section is to inform you about how the department will use, record and disclose you and your child’s personal information. The department, as the PRC organiser, often works with third-party providers which may involve disclosing personal information to those parties.

Due to the high volume of reader entrants in the PRC, the department utilises a third-party organisation (Median Technologies Pty Ltd) for collecting the reader entries, printing the individualised certificates and mailing them to schools.

The department needs to receive consent in writing before it uses or discloses an individual’s personal information or materials to a third-party organisation.

By completing and returning the reader record form and the signed consent form to us, you agree to your child/children participating in the PRC and their personal information (their first and last names, year level, class name and school name) to be collected, used and disclosed by the department for the purposes of registration of their entry in the PRC, and printing and issuing a Certificate of Achievement to your child. This information is collected and disclosed to Median Technologies and held for a period of one (1) year in their online database (https://prc.median.com.au) which is based in Australia (using local Microsoft Azure Cloud Services). Any data held by Median Technologies is deleted within one (1) year after the PRC is completed.

Duration of consent

The consent lasts for one year. If you wish the department to update or remove your child’s/children’s data before one year has expired, you can contact reading.challenge@qed.qld.gov.au or call 07 3328 6628. For more information, please see section 3 of the consent form, our Terms and Conditions at https://readingchallenge.education.qld.gov.au/how-to-register/terms-and-conditions and our Data Collection Notice available at http://prc.median.com.au.

We look forward to seeing a large number of A.B. Paterson College students from Prep to Year 9 receiving this prestigious certificate, signed by the Premier of Queensland!

Happy Reading!

The Library Team