Illalong Newsletter - 24 February 2023

The Academic Academy

Differentiation is one of the most important elements in education. Ensuring all students are catered for is both a priority and a positive challenge for teachers and it is with great pleasure that I announce A.B. Paterson College has launched a new sub-school in 2023 – The Academic Academy High potential learners have unique learning styles and by creating the Academy we are giving these students the opportunity to foster and progress their learning together. If the needs of Academy students are not met this can lead to frustration, boredom, loss of self-esteem and under performance.

Within the Academic Academy we run Master Classes for students in Years 1 to 11 as well as entering and training students for a variety of academically challenging competitions. Ms Caitlin Sterry is the Junior School Curriculum Co-ordinator – Academic Academy. Ms Sterry not only works with students in the Master Classes but also works closely with staff supporting them to differentiate units to extend our high potential learners. Ms Rachel Horner, the Dean of Studies – Academic Academy tracks the data for our students P-12, works very closely with Year 12 students in regard to their future plans and how to achieve them, while Ms Sharon Hunter oversees all administrative tasks within the Academy.

Outside the classroom we also want to create as many opportunities as possible for the Academy students. We offer Academy tutoring classes before and after school; a Philosophy Club; a Problem Solving Club and much more. We enter our students in State Competitions such as da Vinci Decathlon and Ethics Olympiad, as well as the International Competition World Scholar’s Cup. In addition, we offer our students a bi-annual trip to Space Camp in USA (Stem based) or H.E.A.R.T Europe tour (Humanities based).

We are also very excited to introduce the Software Engineering and Corporate Development program for our Senior School students in the Academy. This is being led by Jaime Lawton (Year 12 student) and supported by Ms Jo Schaefer (Technologies Integration Manager) and myself. The A.B. Paterson College Software Engineering and Corporate Development program will serve as innovative program designed to prepare students for a career in the fast-paced and constantly evolving field of technology. The program combines the study of Software Engineering with the business knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the ever-rising technologically dominated corporate world.

Within the Academy we work to uncover our student’s gifts, nurture them, and develop both the gift and the child in readiness for the world that awaits them outside the surrounds of A.B. Paterson College.

Belinda Pilgrim |Head of The Academic Academy

Banjo's Games

A.B. Paterson College is a school built on the connection and community surrounding its students, staff and parents. What better way to celebrate our namesake’s, Andrew Barton Paterson, birthday than an event that exemplifies these characteristics. By joining the most senior (Year 12s) and junior members of the College through a range of activities, we solidify the status quo of the College.

There were so many great activities throughout the afternoon. From singing and dancing, tug of war, sack race, face painting and more. With experts for each activity on standby, College Captain, Naia-Rae Fenton kept the event flowing with steady rotations and College Leader for Arts and Societies, Lulu Mathers, with a great selection of music.

While learning book smarts in the classroom is important, learning pop culture is equally so, so when we found out some students were unfamiliar with Nutbush City Limits, we knew it was time for a lecture. One of the best ways to lead is by example, so you already know that the Year 12s had to show them ‘what’s up’. Other activities like face painting by Year 12 students, Jasmin Richardson, Abbi Smerdon, Elizabeth Roberts, Indiana Spurle and Paige Yen got us closer to the younger students while demonstrating their amazing talent.

However, we mustn’t forget our unbelievable Friends of A.B. Paterson College (FAB) team, keeping our energy and hydration levels up with sausage sizzles and Zooper Doopers – the crowd favourites. Also, an extended thanks must be given to our Grounds and Maintenance staff and the Activities Department, for helping us set up our equipment so that Banjo’s Games would be an undeniably unforgettable part in our younger student’s memories.

Daniel Teren | Year 12 College Leader for Spirit and Community

News from the Year 5 Classrooms

“It is a bird’s imagination, not its wings, that determines how high it can fly.” - Matshona Dhliwayo

Our Year 5 cohort have started the year on a high note. They are settling into the expectations, challenges and opportunities that come with being in this year level. Students are part of a range of interesting and engaging activities that include developing strong leaders through our SELF program, creating multimodal presentations around natural disasters, and understanding the behaviour and properties of light through practical investigations.

In Design Technologies, students have taken on an exciting opportunity, involving them working with the safety and ethics behind the use of drones in a variety of industries. They have been making the most of the new Technologies and Digital Literacy space – The A.B. Metaverse in The Winton Centre. Activities have involved collaborating, designing, and enjoying the flexible learning style with their peers. Beginning in Week 4, students participated in practical drone flying sessions that have been facilitated by Beth Claydon (Head of Digital Literacy and STEAM). Term 1’s major focus has been centred around the safety and operational skills of drones. All students have been engaged by this authentic learning opportunity. Students will be building on their skills and knowledge around drones for the whole of this semester. Term 2 will require them to create flight paths using coding.

Year 5 Students' Feedback from Drone Lessons:

“I love learning about drones and seeing how they work. My favourite thing is to fly them!!!” - Alfie Joshi

“I like that we get an experience with drones. I now know what to do with them. They are very useful.” - Alana Liew

“You are allowed to fly them freely. Ever since we started coding, it felt more fun because sometimes I wouldn’t know where it would go.” - Jordyn Stoppa

“I like how you can do heaps of cool things with them. You can take photos from really high up.” - Cooper Sly

In Week 7, the cohort will have the opportunity to be involved in our first incursion - The Star Lab Education Dome. This will introduce our next Science topic: Space - The Final Frontier. Each class will have the opportunity to explore a space simulation designed for them to understand that the earth is part of a system of planets rotating around the sun.

Year 5 Teachers | Kate Lawrence, Georgina Burrows, Kristina Diaz, Sophie Wager and Samantha Haddad