Our Year 12 Seniors had an incredible opportunity to network with a range of high profile professionals including our esteemed Guest Speaker, Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM, Australian doctor, lawyer, scientist and disability advocate, who provided inspiration and extraordinary motivation to all who attended the 29th A.B. Paterson College Business Industry event.
We are beyond grateful to all in attendance, and especially to Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM who is one incredible person!
University of Queensland - 'Women in Engineering' Workshop
The power to solve society’s challenges and create a better world
The next generation of A.B. Paterson College, female engineers engaged in a workshop with the University of Queensland, Women in Engineering Workshop led by Negin Beaton, BE (Mining), Development and Communications Coordinator, Women in Engineering, and her team of Second Year Engineering students, Lily, Adeleine and Yu-Zhen Eva. Students in Years 7 to 10 participated.
The workshop aimed to inspire, engage and empower young women to think about the career possibilities available in engineering through hands on activities.
We know, as the population and demand for supplies increase, so does the need for innovative solutions to help protect the environment through the sustainable management of energy.
Engineers are paving the path for powering the future through renewable resources and the aim of the workshop was to show our future leaders this career path. UQ’s renewable energy kits allowed students to experience hands on activities and to learn more about ‘energy efficiency’. The workshop is an introduction to engineering and how various disciplines such as electrical and chemical engineers are needed to explore and develop alternative and efficient energy sources in real world applications.
UQ’s activities support the STELR Renewable Energy curriculum and allowed students to:
Discuss climate change causes and effects.
Find out about types of energy and how energy can be transferred from place to place and transformed from one type to another.
Investigate energy resources both renewable and non-renewable.
Find out about energy conservation and efficiency
Study solar electricity and wind turbines using inquiry-based hands-on activities.
Find out about careers in the renewable energy industry.
Negin Beaton, stated that our students were remarkable!
Jeanette Maxwell Head of Pathways
Science on the Go!
On Tuesday 31 May, 30 students from Years 5 and 6 competed in the Science on the Go! Challenge at Park Ridge State High School. Griffith University hosted the Primary school Science and Engineering Challenges. Overall, eight schools competed and we are proud to announce that our students came 4th overall.
The Science and Engineering Challenges were developed by the University of Newcastle to inspire young people, through fun and practical hands-on activities, about current and future opportunities available in STEM.
Our students presented themselves beautifully and were rather competitive in nature. Activities included the design and construction of a bionic hand, a buggy to transport loads securely on Mars, creation of a model turbine, discovery of efficient pathways for sustainable electricity and much more. Well done to all of our students who worked collaboratively to solve real-world problems and supported the engagement of the STEM disciplines.
Beth Claydon Head of Digital Literacy & STEAM
Ethics Olympiad
The Ethics Olympiad is a challenging competition that develops students’ critical thinking, collaboration and communication skills. The competition promotes creative, robust and rigorous discussion of ethics among students within and across school communities. Some of the topics discussed this year were both fascinating and tough!
This year was our first time as Academic Academy entering the competition and our students performed admirably. Our first team received a Bronze Medal for Queensland and our second team received an Honourable Mention.
Congratulations to both teams – we are very proud of you!
Team 1: Elizabeth Roberts, Zoe Vaughan, Sophie Chapman, Bridget Rosenboom and Timothy Yau
Team 2: Jasmin Richardson, Alistair Hughes, Chloe Ward, Cherry Ge and Sara Reimer
Belinda Pilgrim Director of Student Academic Performance
Global ACER Mathematics Challenge
In March this year three A.B. Paterson College students entered the Global ACER Mathematics Competition. This challenge allows students to use their skills and knowledge in problem-solving contexts that move beyond the Australian curriculum. This year our three students achieved astounding success. Congratulations to the following students:
Byron McNiven – High Distinction with Honours (Top 2%) Maxim Nadezhdin – High Distinction with Honours (Top 2%) Mitchell Chen – High Distinction (Top 10%)
Belinda Pilgrim Director of Student Academic Performance
Years 5-6 - Fuse Cup Esports Competition
Last Thursday 26 May, our Year 5 and 6 Esports team enjoyed their time at Emmanuel College in the Fuse Cup Esports competition. Students played in individual rounds using Super Mario Cart. Using steadfast concentration and with true A.B. Paterson College sportsmanship, they drove their way to the semi-final rounds, however, were pipped at the post in the finals. They were so eager to share the day’s motto with each other after each round with a congratulatory, ‘Good Game!’ It was also wonderful for them to have the opportunity during the day to learn about appropriate gaming behaviours and how they might consider their interaction in today’s digital landscape. Learning and fun at the same time.
The students are to be congratulated for their efforts as they have been training each week for all of Term 2. We look forward to next term’s competition, using Rocket League. Please watch out for information on how to sign-up in the coming weeks. Super work to our Super Mario’s!
Beth Claydon Head of Digital Literacy & STEAM
News from the Year 1 Classrooms
In Year 1 this term, we have been learning about procedures and students have had the opportunity to participate in many fun-filled activities that have supported our learning focus.
As part of our English unit, the Year 1 students have learnt to write clear and interesting procedures using appropriate structure and language features. Isabelle Glover, Year 1L, liked writing a procedure on how to catch a dragon as well as following instructions on how to draw a dragon because it was challenging but fun. Tomas Castano Martinez, Year 1F, enjoyed learning how to make a jam sandwich as his class was required to explain the steps to Mr Farmer. Tomas thought it was funny because they forgot to tell Mr Farmer to use a knife to spread the jam on the bread.
The Year 1 classes were invited to join Mr Dwyer in the Food Technology kitchen to make giant, delicious marshmallow cookies. This exciting opportunity encouraged them to practise their listening skills as they carefully followed Mr Dwyer’s recipe to create the cookies. This experience developed students’ understanding of the importance of procedure structure as well as having clear and concise steps to follow to ensure success.
“I enjoyed when I made cookies with Mr Dwyer because I got to mix the chocolate mixture and it smelt delicious. I also cracked my very first egg but I accidentally got some shell in the mixture so Mr Dwyer helped me.” Naomi Zhang, Year 1P
Afterwards, once they had completed baking, Mr Dwyer delivered the warm, gooey marshmallow cookies to the Year 1 classes to be eaten and enjoyed!
Within our classrooms, many wonderful and exciting scientific experiments have taken place. Such experiments were conducted with the purpose of exposing children to changes in materials, however, they also linked perfectly with our learning of procedures. The students were amazed by vinegar and bi-carb soda volcanic eruptions, melted chocolate chips, popping popcorn and spaghetti art.
“I enjoyed doing Science because we got to do experiments and we got to investigate things. I liked wondering how it happened and then learning about how the experiments worked.” Ruben Jung, Year 1H
“I learnt that chocolate could be melted with your fingers. I enjoyed that I got to draw what it looks like and I also got to write about it afterwards.” Leanne Hertzog, Year 1H
During our Technology lessons this term, we have been fortunate to receive visits from Ms Claydon who demonstrated how to program Bluebots with an algorithm. Students learnt to apply their knowledge of procedures and the importance of having clear steps in order to successfully program their little robots. Ella Liang, Year 1H, shared, “I like that the Bluebots are cute and that their eyes can light up. We can make them move by pressing the arrow buttons. It’s fun because you get to watch it move very smoothly.”
In Year 1, we aim to provide opportunities for students to share their learning with their families in order to create conversations and continued learning experiences at home. Jaspar Bolger, Year 1F, was excited to take home his pancake recipe and make pancakes topped with jam with his mum and dad. During National Simultaneous Storytime, as students received their bookmarks and ‘Family Tree’ seeds, the Year 1s wrote a procedure on how to plant a seed, which they were able to take home with their bookmark to carry out.
We look forward to concluding our term with a few more exciting and interactive procedure related activities!
Year 1 Teachers - Jade Lucy, Angie Hall, Natalie Pierron, Steve Farmer and Kim Kemp
College Vocal Festival
Congratulations to our talented solo singers from Years 4-12 who competed over the weekend at the College Vocal Festival. All of the students impressed our guest adjudicator, Ireni Utley, who had a very busy two days providing supportive feedback and advice for our young singers. As a singer, teacher and lecturer, Ms Utley has a wide range of experience in the world of singing, so we are very grateful that she was able to visit the College to pass on many invaluable words of wisdom.
Along with certificates, trophies, ribbons and Freddo frogs, our singers received lots of generous support and applause from their families and friends. Singing as a soloist requires confidence and bravery, so it was lovely to see nearly 80 students demonstrating these skills and character strengths, whilst also providing their audience with such entertaining performances!
A special thank you must go to Miss Newcombe for her organisation of the event, as well as the many hours she spent rehearsing with the students before school and at lunch times. Thanks to our fabulous accompanist, Mrs Marquenie and our wonderful vocal teachers, Mrs Fiddes and Mrs Bobbins. These ladies do so much for our vocal and choral program and we truly appreciate all of their hard work and support of our young singers. Well done also to our student comperes who did a stellar job pronouncing a wide variety of song names and composers in a variety of languages!
Special mention to our Adjudicator’s Choice Award winners in each category:
Year 4: Lucas Sun and Adelynn Dazeley-Allen Year 5: Caelum McCleery and Isla Gharaie Year 6: Ivy Paxman, Ivy Hamilton and Zion Brown Year 7: Tobyn O’Hara and Milly Brown Year 8: John Ziukelis and Eva Ziukelis Year 9: Hugo Hawke and Stephanie Lincoln Year 10 : Chelsea Howell and Lachlan Kelly Year 11/12: Lulu Mathers and Charles Morris
We’re very much looking forward to the Prep-3 Vocal Festival to be held in September, where we hope to see many more of our vocalists singing for their families and friends and sharing the gift of music.
Sharyn Walker-Joyce Head of The Arts
Queensland Youth Music Awards Update
Congratulations to our Year 4/5 and Year 5/6 choirs who performed at the Queensland Youth Music Awards last Thursday. Directors Miss Eastwood and Miss Newcombe were delighted with the students’ performances and so very proud of the silver award received by the Year 4/5 singers and the gold certificate awarded to the Year 5/6 choristers.
The entire Arts department would like to thank all of the wonderful singers who have performed over the past two weeks, as well as our supportive colleagues, and our fabulous parent body who allowed the children to participate in such an amazing experience.
We look forward to sharing many more stellar performances throughout the year!
Sharyn Walker-Joyce Head of The Arts
Chaines Dance Troupe Success!
Congratulations to our Chaines Dance Troupe, who competed at the Evolution Dance Competition in Ipswich last weekend!
Dance captain, Chloe Britton (Year 12), choreographed both routines in contemporary and jazz styles, with Chaines Dance Troupe walking away with a very highly commended award for their breathtaking contemporary routine. All dancers performed beautifully in a competitive schools section and should all be very proud! Our jazz routine was fierce, and again in a competitive schools section, and all students brought their A-game to deliver a crisp, well-rehearsed routine.
Ladies, you should all be so proud of yourselves! You’ve done A.B. proud at the first dance eisteddfod of the year, and we cannot wait to see what else you bring to more eisteddfods and events throughout the year!
Sharyn Walker-Joyce Head of The Arts
HPE Week 2022
The benefit of physical activity extends beyond improving only physical health. Regular physical activity will not only improve physical fitness and cardiometabolic health, but will see improved cognition and mental health outcomes. ACHPER’s (Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation) HPE Week Celebrates the role of Health & Physical Education in schools and communities.
This year we were fortunate enough to have HPE staff and Year 12 leaders deliver engaging and fun activities for a wide variety of interests, including but not limited to: Staff vs Student Volleyball, Table tennis, Badminton, Keepy-Uppy, Netball, Basketball, Hullahooping and Dancing.
The inaugural 'Laps for Days' at Running Club clocked a total of 118kms across the three Running Club sessions. Thank you to our students who braved the cold and wet mornings to run past Byron Bay!
Thank you to our HPE staff and Year 12 leaders who planned and ran these events. It was great to see students from Prep to Year 12 involved and enjoying being active.
We look forward to National HPE Day on 7 September 2022 with new and exciting activities on offer.
Matthew Stopel Assistant Head of HPE Faculty
From the Careers Desk
Please find attached the latest careers news from Head of Pathways, Jeanette Maxwell:
Queensland School Sports Basketball State Championships
Congratulations to Grace Wolff (Year 5) who received a Silver Medal at the 2022 Queensland School Sports Basketball State Championships, held in Mackay over the weekend!
Grace's team represented the South Coast region in the 10-12 years Girls Basketball. Her team went down by 2 points in overtime in the gold medal game against Met East.
Grace had a great week on and off the court and learnt a lot from the experience as the only bottom age player on the team!
Well done Grace!
Swimming Gold Coast Annual Awards
Congratulations to our College swimming stars, Ivy Sun of Year 3 and Bennett Longhurst in Year 5. They represented A.B. Paterson College Swimming Club at the 2021/2022 Swimming Gold Coast Annual Awards Presentation.
Ivy was awarded Swimming Gold Coast Summer Championships Age Champion for 2022 and 2021-2022 Season Overall Season 8 years old girls
Age Champion.
Bennett was awarded third age champion for the overall season 2021/2022 in his respective age group.
Gold Coast Olympic swimmers, Chelsea Hodges and Tristan Holland, handed out the awards and shared their exciting stories with the swimmers.
Great effort from Bennett and Ivy!
AMEB Piano Exam Honours Award
We are delighted to announce that after recently sitting for his Grade 8 AMEB piano examination, Year 11 student Joe Dejima has been awarded an A (Honours) result!
This is an outstanding achievement and a true reflection of Joe’s wonderful talent and sheer determination.
Well done Joe – you have certainly made your teachers and family very proud.
Bumper Sticker Competition Winners - Week 7, Term 2
Congratulations to our Week 7, Term 2 Bumper Sticker Winners!
Louise Burr and David Watson
Get your 2022 bumper sticker from College Reception and enter here:
Your vehicle MUST be registered in the competition to be eligible for our weekly bumper sticker draw.
Our lucky winners each receive $100 off their school fee invoice for the following term! At the end of Term 3, all of our weekly winners will be invited to an afternoon tea where one family will be drawn to receive FREE* tuition for their eldest child for Term 4 2022 (*tuition fee only).
Click here for more information regarding the 2022 Bumper Sticker competition.
