Rather than write about a specific topic this week, I’ll let our photos tell the story and capture the feeling of how absolutely delighted we were, to all be back together!
Our A.B. students and staff were reunited, appreciating the face to face contact, as friendships were reacquainted and the genuine ongoing support given to our teachers and staff by our Prep to Year 12 community enriched the hearts of us all! This is the A.B. Way!
Perseverance, self-regulation, kindness, curiosity, creativity, teamwork and leadership are only a glimpse of the character strengths that have been well and truly on display by our Year 4 cohort this term. In a year level where the introduction of 1-to-1 devices and the technology that comes with that was already significant, we have asked our students to hold on tightly and increase the pace of their learning in this space almost exponentially.
The transition to Online Learning happened swiftly, yet the response from our students has been nothing short of incredible. Having just gained a sound understanding of Desire to Learn (D2L) and a number of other online platforms, the students were tasked with independently navigating their way through daily schedules, and a level of independence was entrusted as we introduced them to Teams, live meetings, discussion forums, online work submissions through Dropbox, email and then OneNote. All this while developing their own HOT Project (Higher Order Thinking), where Year 4 students have been asked to apply their knowledge gained from multiple subjects, combine their own research on plants and produce a presentation to display their learning!
As staff, we are extremely proud. We know there has been a high level of resilience built in our students this term, and we know that the skills they have gained in such a short time will enhance their learning in the future!
Some quotes from our Year 4 students:
Online Learning is great. It’s interesting because I can try a variety of new things. It is also challenging because I need to do work even though a teacher is not around to supervise and help me. I enjoyed Online Learning. – Toby
I liked Online Learning because I got to do school studies in a different way and I got to learn new things like how to use Dropbox and One Note when I was doing Online Learning. - Ella
I like doing Online Learning because I feel comfortable and relaxed when I get to do work at home. - Ivy
The Teams meetings in the morning and afternoon work well for me because I see friends who I haven’t seen for a long time and it also helps me when the teachers answer my questions. I found working through confusing videos challenging but I just need to pause it regularly and try my best to understand. I have enjoyed doing research on the HOT Project the most. - Joe
I found Online Learning really fun. It's been good to learn a bit more about how to use my computer and other Apps. Things that have been challenging were not having a teacher right there to ask questions and not seeing my friends, teachers and classmates. All the work has been fun but challenging. I have enjoyed getting to do brain breaks on my trampoline. I enjoyed having the Teams meeting at the start of the day to ask questions and saying good morning. It has been really good being able to go on the Teams meeting any afternoon to ask questions. – Hannah
Liam Burke, Michelle Drebing, Tiffany Henry and Kathleen Richardson - Year 4 Teachers
Swimming Club Awards
Message from the Swimming Club Committee
Our Presentation Day to conclude the swimming season was scheduled to be held on Sunday 26 April. With this new normal that we find ourselves, we’re uncertain as to when we may be able to reschedule. Having said that, we decided that before the children all forget about the season (it already seems like so long ago!), we would like to announce the recipients of our awards for the season. Rest assured that trophies and medals will follow as per usual and fingers crossed, we will be able to drag Lochie out of storage and have a fun day in the pool together to celebrate at some time in the future.
The committee would also like to make special mention of Torin and Ilza Mitchell for their outstanding BBQ efforts, and Charley Elwood for his masterful marshalling throughout the season. These people are family members of our members who come along to help us out, and we very much appreciate it. We are also very grateful to all our siblings, parents, grandparents, and friends who come along every week and help us out with timekeeping and whatever needs doing around the pool deck.
Message from Swim Coach/Pool Manager, Peter Gee
I would like to wrap up our season with some special thanks to the people who make the Club function and also announce this year’s award recipients.
First, I would like to direct a big thank you to our Swimming Club parents. Regardless of your children’s level in our sport, there is a massive commitment involved. Without your support and encouragement this competitive swimming experience would not be possible.
There is also another special group of parents and they are the ones who make Swimming Club and Club Nights happen. Our Swimming Club Committee works tirelessly to provide a functioning Club for all our swimmers. The tasks they perform are many, from stocking and running the kiosk, to running the BBQ, registering and reporting to Gold Coast and Swimming Queensland, communicating with our Club members, hosting special events (Sign On Day, College swimming carnivals) and providing technical support in operating the Dolphin timing system, which records and collates Club Night results. They do an amazing job and I cannot thank them enough.
Special thanks to our coaching staff for their commitment and dedication in developing our young swimmers and helping each swimmer achieve their personal goals. I know our coaching staff get a huge kick out of working with our Club swimmers and watching them achieve at all levels in our sport.
Finally, I would like to congratulate all our swimmers. From our novice competitors who only compete at Club Night, through to our competitive swimmers who have represented A.B. Paterson College Swimming Club at regional, state and national level competitions. Many long hours of preparation contribute to achieving at a high level in our sport. I can see the friendships you have formed with your training partners along the way and it is this mateship and team unity that helps you to achieve your personal best. You are a fantastic group of young swimmers who have achieved at a very high level throughout the season. Well done swimmers!
Award Recipients - A.B. Paterson College Swimming Club 2019/2020 Season
Outstanding Attendance (100% attendance or only one meet missed)
And a special thank you to Imogen Gay and Magdalena Kolarich who also attended and assisted at each Club Night.
Trophies for Achievements at State Level Meets
State Sprints: Georgia Coward, Hannah Coward, Hudson Dilkes, Cate Ellwood, Imogen Gay, Liam Grimmer, Jonas Longhurst, Sam Longhurst, Jake Maddison, Savannah Maddison, Chloe Ourari, Alisa Robertson, Louis Robertson and Ewan Walker
State Age and or State SC Titles: Georgia Coward, Cate Ellwood, Jonas Longhurst and Jake Maddison
High Achievers at State level:
Georgia Coward 10th in 50m Breaststroke at State SC titles
Hudson Dilkes 7th in 50m Fly at State Sprint titles
Overall Season Point Score Awards
Female: 8 and under: Magdalena McQueen
Female 9 and over: Hannah Coward
Male: 8 and under: Mason Lepelaar
Male 9 and over: Tyler Walmsley
Most Improved in Each Stroke for the Season
Girls 8 and under Free: Freya Bertsos
Back: Sarah Bulmer
Breast: Melody Marks-Edmondson
Fly: Alexis Walmsley
Girls 9 and over Free: Grace Parma Back: Gorgia McLean Breast: Hannah Coward Fly: Grace Parma
Boys 8 and under
Free: Javier Segui
Back: Mason Lepelaar
Breast: Mason Lepelaar
Fly: Javier Segui
Boys 9 and over Free: Mitchell Chen Back: Tyler Walmsley Breast: Ewan Walker Fly: Tyler Walmsley
Coaches’ Encouragement Awards
Peter Gee: Ashton Coward Ric Cashman: Liam Grimmer Rachel Harcombe: Bennett Longhurst Sue Southgate: Selina Zhang Cheryl Glanz: Lilyana Ozoux
Huge congratulations to all and we very much look forward to seeing everyone back in the pool (soon we hope!).
Peter Gee – Swim Coach/Pool Manager
National Simultaneous Storytime 2020
It’s Australian Library and Information Association National Simultaneous Storytime, and our plucky, spring chicken Teacher/Librarians have flown the coop!
Never fear! In their place, two gorgeous chooks with stunning good looks – Whitney and Britney – have been making feathers fly from one end of A.B. Paterson College, to the other. Lucinda Gifford Books
Australian Defence Force (ADF) Job Finder If you are interested in joining the ADF but don't know about ADF job, use the Job Finder on the home page to get you started. Click on 'Jobs' on the top navigation bar and you will see a list of jobs on offer in the various services. All jobs have a brief description, training and benefits including: salary, medical and dental, work/life balance, job security and career development, skill acquisition and community involvement.
Upcoming Australian Defence Force information sessions Find out about upcoming Queensland and National ADF events and information sessions by visiting the Defence Jobs website. In the current COVID-19 environment you can view online:
Further information about these events and Army Reserve Information Sessions can be accessed on the ADF Facebook site.
Your Future is Up – Find your ideal role in the Air Force Want to take your first step to a rewarding role with the Australian Air Force? Visit the Your Future is Up website and learn what your career path could be in the Royal Australian Air Force. You will also find information about the various roles in the Air Force. Start checking it out.
SCHOLARHIPS
Bond University scholarships for 2021 Bond’s scholarship program offers many full-fee and part-fee scholarships as well as cash bursaries. Most scholarships can be used for any single or combined program (except for the Medical Program). Visit the Scholarship webpage for more information, to download the scholarship brochure and to access the application tips. Scholarship applications for Year 12s must be lodged online using the Bond University application form.
INTERSTATE AND INTERNATIONAL
Helpful websites for researching overseas study options
Study and play USA – Provide the knowledge, experience and expertise student-athletes need to travel to the USA to live, play, learn, compete, study, grow in a purpose fit university.
Education USA – This site offers a five-step approach to researching study in the USA.
International Student – Provides access to resources for study in USA, Canada and UK.
OS Top Universities – Provides information on the highest ranked universities in the world.
Study Link – This site has a search tool that gives you access to thousands of courses from institutions around the world.
Study Portals – Allows you to search globally for institutions and courses.
OS-HELP on the Study Assist website – OS‑HELP is a loan available to eligible Australian students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place who want to undertake some of their study overseas.
Smartraveller – This Australian Government website provides information for Australian travellers.
Study in Canada – You can use this site to explore institutions and courses in Canada.
Study in New Zealand – A course search and information about qualifications and scholarships available.
How we got in - US Uni Admits Share Their Top Tips Learn from a recent Brisbane student who gained admission to Ivy League schools, Yale and UPenn with the help of Crimson Education, as well as more top admits from around Australia! Click here to read more.
PRIVATE PROVIDER UPDATES
Queensland Police Recruiting seminars If you are interested in exploring the career opportunities within the Queensland Police Service, you can visit their website for recruitment information and to keep track of when information sessions will be held after the current COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. On the site you can find links to entry pathways, diversity and inclusion, what's offered, unsworn QPS careers, frequently asked questions and event and information session details.
UNIVERSITY UPDATES
Australian Catholic University
Biomedical Science at ACU Has the current pandemic made you think about how a future career in STEM, particularly biomedical science, can help protect the world? ACU's Biomedical Science students explore microbiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, immunology, biostatistics, pharmacology and more. Graduates are well-equipped to meet future health challenges. With a degree in biomedical science you can:
start a career running clinical trials to test new vaccines
get involved in hands-on laboratory testing to process biological samples for diagnosis
understand how a virus becomes a pandemic and help the medical community take appropriate safety and preventive measures
help pharmaceutical companies in vaccine production, testing, and distribution.
Early entry to ACU - Community Achiever Program Are you looking at gaining an early entry offer into university in 2021? ACU have early entry programs to suit a range of interests and passions. The Community Achiever Program (CAP) offers future students who are active in their community, early offers to their undergraduate course of choice. From regularly volunteering in your community, to representing your school or house in a leadership role, we urge all eligible students to apply. CAP provides opportunities for you to enhance your leadership and volunteering skills and if you’re successful, you could receive an offer to study with us as early as August. Due to COVID-19 social distancing protocols, ACU understands most people are not able to volunteer right now. The admissions team will take this into consideration and you should not let current restrictions deter you from applying. Applications for the 2021 CAP program opened on 1 May 2020 and close 29 July 2020. Apply here.
Australian National University
ANU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science webinars ANU invite you to an informative webinar series hosted by the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Each webinar will focus on a specific topic including student life at ANU, ANU areas of expertise, courses, structure and career outcomes. You will be able to ask their academics, students and staff any questions about studying at ANU. The webinars are:
21/05/2020 Biomedical Systems: Using tech to improve lives - Join us for a live webinar about how engineering has the potential to improve human lives.
26/05/2020 Student life at ANU - Listen to a panel discussion with students from the ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science.
02/06/2020 Discover Engineering at ANU - A unique interdisciplinary and systems approach to engineering that develops world-class skills and expertise to be job-ready.
Central Queensland University
CQU: CQUniversity Online Chat Session Got questions about TAFE or university? Get the answers at the Online Chat Session on 21 May from 3 - 6pm. Click here for more information about this event.
CQU: Study at CQUniversity at their Brisbane campus CQUniversity provide innovative and flexible study options in Brisbane. Some of the courses offered at their Brisbane campus are:
Bachelor of Digital Media – a course for students with a flair for design who are keen to create digital media works using soft wear tools and techniques.
Bachelor of Science (Chiropractic) – an evidence-based degree, you will develop patient assessment skills and therapeutic approaches to manage common musculoskeletal issues like back, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, movement problems and more.
Bachelor of Accident Forensics – a course for students who love TV shows like Mythbusters, Air Crash Investigation or Seconds from Disaster. You will learn a range of analysis techniques to identify accident causes and more importantly, how to prevent it repeating.
Griffith University
Tertiary Preparation Workshop for entry to the Bachelor of Music The Conservatorium offers Tertiary Preparation Workshops to help you stand out from the pack at your audition for the Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. If you are in your final years of high school or know someone wanting to apply for entry to a university music degree, this program can help you better prepare for the theoretical and practical requirements of the audition process. The workshop will run from 29 June – 3 July 2020. For more information visit their event information page.
The University of Queensland
Admission Schemes update
Auditions for the 2021 B Music (Honours) Program The UQ School of Music invites applications from everyone who is interested in auditioning for a place in the B Music (Honours) program commencing in Semester 1 2021. The closing date for applications to audition is Thursday 13 August 2020. The university may not accept your application to audition if your application is incomplete or received after that date. Click here for the apply for the application to audition form and further information.
Changes to Undergraduate entry requirements for 2021 The University of Queensland has made changes to some of their entry requirements for the following 2021 entry:
Bachelor of Science and most related dual degrees now have the following new prerequisites: English, Mathematical Methods plus one of Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Earth and Environmental Science
Pending approval: - B Biotechnology and B Biomedical Science so keep checking the UQ website for further information
Doctor of Medicine - Provisional Entry for School Leavers - Changes to admissions process for 2021 Changes to Medicine entry requirements for 2021 are:
Applicants must be a current school leaver
Applicants must attain min ATAR 95
Applicants must sit UCAT. Late bookings to sit UCAT in 2020 for 2021 entry have now closed
Applicants must meet English prerequisite (and any other prerequisites for first degree)
Applicants attend a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). Applicants will be invited to attend the MMI based on UCAT scores. Not all applicants will be invited
Merit order selection into the program
Applicants will receive a score based on their Interview score (50%), UCAT Sections 1-4 aggregate (25%) and ATAR (25%)
Note that UQ admissions schemes and ATAR adjustments (max 5 points) will still apply to MD Provisional Entry
Requirements to progress from first degree to Medical Program
Must complete their designated key degree in the minimum time (i.e. 3-year degree finished in 3 years) and must achieve GPA 5.00
Must complete the two tertiary science subject prerequisites during their undergraduate studies prior to enrolment in the MD
Jeanette Maxwell - Head of Pathways(Source: Options Careers Bulletin 8)
Rather than write about a specific topic this week, I’ll let our photos tell the story and capture the feeling of how absolutely delighted we were, to all be back together! 
