Please join with me in congratulating Year 11 Honours student, Nevindu Dammannagoda, in being awarded the incredible honour of being this year's Gold Coast City Council Junior Mayor.

His peers, Miki Qiao (Year 10), Eva Ziukelis (Year 10) and Abigail Harrison (Year 11), were announced as Junior Council committee members.

The event was also covered by Channel 7 and Channel 9 news today. Please see watch video below.

Further details about the Junior Council leadership program may be found at:

https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Services/Supporting-our-community/Young-people/School-education-programs/Junior-Council-leadership

Congratulations to our students!

CATHERINE RIDDLE | HEAD OF ACADEMIC ACADEMY

On Friday 8 March we were proud to support our very own College Vice-Captain, Chloe Ward, in her address at the Gold Coast City International Women’s Day Celebration Breakfast at Sea World Conference Centre. Chloe’s exceptional speech resonated deeply with those in attendance, receiving an overwhelming response and we are excited to share her speech with our community.

What International Women’s Day means to me.

The question of what International Women’s Day means to me, is one with an endless number of answers. I stand here today, in front of you all, acknowledging that I am privileged enough to be speaking in front of a room filled with powerful individuals. As a young female, this makes me feel an exceptional amount of appreciation, hope, and inspiration, but most significantly, I feel a sense of empowerment.

Today is not just a day on the calendar, it is a reminder of the resilience, the persistence, and the strength of women across the world. There is no doubt that growing up female in our day in age can often be scary, and more often than not, requires a lot of strength, however, it is also something so incredibly powerful. I feel empowered to be a woman, and this is an empowerment fuelled by the stories and the impact of all the women in my life that have taught me to be proud, to be kind, and to never stop fighting for the change I want to see, and create, to make our world a better place.

Empowerment is at the heart of today - empowering women to dream big, to pursue their passions, and to shatter glass ceilings. Today is not just a celebration; it's a catalyst for change. It is a reminder to reflect on the progress we've made and to look forward in pursuit of the work that lies ahead. It's a day to challenge stereotypes, to dismantle barriers, and to strive to make our world a place where every woman has the opportunity to thrive.

The tapestry of womanhood is filled with countless diverse stories and experiences – we are the leaders, caregivers, innovators, and the change makers of not just today, but tomorrow. We are architects of progress, and our voices have the power to shape the world.

May we continue to challenge norms, break down barriers, and build a future where every woman, regardless of her background or circumstance, can stand tall and proud. To me, the importance of today is of greater significance than what words can express. Our journey is far from over, so I leave you all this morning with the request that you let the empowerment you feel on this day fuel your actions of tomorrow.

Thank you, and happy International Women’s Day

CHLOE WARD | COLLEGE VICE-CAPTAIN

CHARLOTTE BROOK | DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Everyone had wonderful time at the Foundation Business Luncheon on Friday 1 March, hosted by the magnificent White Oat Distillery.

Filled with food, thanks to Graze By Akita, friends and inspiring presentations, this event was the perfect opportunity to network and connect with our corporates and community.

A big thank you to Curtis McGrath - Athlete for taking the time to share his incredible story with us - what an inspiration!

Thank you to our corporate sponsors who supported this event, Computer Alliance, Bendigo Bank, Bond University, BBC Digital Australia, Ramen Danbo and to our amazing prize donors. A special thanks to Soundright Productions for their generosity in supporting the event with their audio visual setup!

Thank to our guests for attending and supporting our Foundation, which in return supports the wider College community.

Stay tuned for our next event - we look forward to seeing you there!

TEGAN PARKER | HEAD OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & MARKETING

On Tuesday, 20th and Wednesday, 21st February, our Year 4 class embarked on an enlightening journey, delving into the rich cultural tapestry of the Gold Coast at Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. As we immersed ourselves in the spirit of the Yugambeh tribe, the echoes of traditional dances and soul-stirring didgeridoo melodies surrounded us, setting the tone for an unforgettable experience.

Students had the opportunity to explore the Burleigh Headland, engage in cultural dances and take part in an interactive ochre making activity. Throughout the journey, our knowledgeable guide illuminated culturally significant sites, such as the midden heap, and shared insights into plants like the pandanus tree, revealing their multifaceted roles in shelter, medicine, and hunting. The excursion left an imprint on our hearts, fostering a deep appreciation for the traditions and wisdom of the Yugambeh people.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Jellurgal Aboriginal Culture Centre for orchestrating a day filled with meaningful learning and cultural enrichment.

A few student comment below:

I really enjoyed when he told us about all the different ochres and then put the paint on us. I also really enjoyed when he told us about the dream time stories like Gwondo and the land giant. I enjoyed when we got to see and do the first nations dances. We learned valuable lessons and we learned very important messages. I really enjoyed going to Jellurgal.'– Treia

The Jellurgal excursion was an amazing opportunity for me to learn new things because the kind Jellurgal employees let us look at all these stunning First Nations drawings. Also, some spectacular dances such as Mibin the Eagle and the girls picking berries helped us learn more about these cultural dances. We listened to the stories of Gowonda the white finned dolphin and Jabreen the greedy giant. We learnt how the First Nations Ochre as liquified paint. Ochre also could be used as mosquito repellent too. Our class thoroughly enjoyed this excursion! - Eshan

KELLY HARKER, TIM COLLINS, LEANNE CLARK & HOLLY ROBINSON | YEAR 6 TEACHERS

It was an action-packed weekend of rugby with Matthew Flinders Anglican College heading down the motorway from Sunshine Coast to A.B. Paterson College last weekend. The day started at 8.30am and carried through until1:00pm with four games being played in the hot conditions.

The day started with a 12/13 year game of 7s to get the boys on the field and putting some of their training into action. Matthew Flinders proved too strong with a 31-0 win. Archie Moriarty was voted player's player from the opposition with his strong defence.

The next game saw much longer minutes with 15 a side in the U13/14 age group. The game was a tight contest but eventually went to Matthew Flinders as they put on a 17-5 victory. This team showed great cohesion and lots of standout players, voted player's player by the opposition was Charley Chapman, a regular to the A.B. Rugby program.

Another modified game of 10s was rolled out for our 15/16 year boys who put on a masterclass performance, winning 26-0. The defence shown by these players reflect the zero-points Matthew Flinders were able to achieve. Luke Hutt was voted player's player for the game.

Our First XV team, who previously played Matthew Flinders on their home turf three weeks prior, was always set to be a big game. The A.B. players have really come together since the Sunshine Coast trip to work on achieving some goals this year in the Rugby space, with extra training both in the gym and on the field. The game was a real arm wrestle that saw Mathhew Flinders take the lead early. Through some great goal line defence and bursts of energy from the team, A.B. crawled themselves back within five points. The last 15 minutes was anyone’s game, but with great composure Matthew Flinders held onto their lead finishing 20-15. Blake Charnley was named player's player scoring two tries on the day.

As all good rugby days should finish, a meal and drink with presentations was enjoyed and we thank all our students for staying with us on a Saturday. To the parents who supported in great numbers, thank you. Many of you and your children were not directly involved in the Rugby teams but showed true Brumby Spirit by supporting us. A massive thank you to our staff Mr Tim Grosser, Mr Paul Dilkes, Mr Steve Mikael and Mr Matt Stopel, as well as our external coaches Tait Rolfe, Noah Fielding, Marcus Te Ohaere-Fox. As always, a huge shout out to the Activities Team who made the day possible, as well as our Maintenance staff for assisting in the day’s setup.

I look forward to more Rugby days at A.B. Paterson College!

BRADLEY LAWTON | HEAD OF RUGBY

Term 1 is the peak of the Queensland Athletics and Little Athletics seasons, with regular meets taking place on most weekend. We are very proud of our students who have achieved great results at these meets, including PB’s (Personal Bests), National Qualifiers (NQ) and individual placings.

It is positive to see students are taking advantage of the year-round training program offered at the College to prepare for these events. These opportunities will put students in a good position for the Inter-House and APS Carnivals in Terms 2 & 3.

See below a summary of recent events.

All the best to our students who are competing in their respective state championships in March.

Further information regarding the Athletics Program can be found on the A.B Connect page or by emailing mstopel@abpat.qld.edu.au.

MATT STOPEL | HEAD OF ATHLETICS

On Tuesday, 5 March, Junior Chess Club members showcased their talents at the Gold Coast Primary North Zone event held at Saint Stephen's College. Each participant contributed to the success of the day, and a fun day of seven rounds of chess was had by all.

The medal recipients were:

Division A

1st Place: Individual Medal Recipient - Alana Liew (6H)
1st Place: Teams - A.B. Paterson College Team 1 - Alana Liew (6H), Nicholas Liew (4C), Tudor Wonish (6W) and Nolan Yu (3H)
Merit Ribbon recipient: Division A - Tudor Wonish (6W)

LENA WHITE | CHESS CLUB COORDINATOR

Congratulations to Year 9 students, Jinyu Yan and Cyra Abedian who reached the final of the Middle Girls Inter-School Teams Tennis Challenge held at Queens Park last
weekend.

After a hard fought and closely matched encounter, the Jinyu and Cyra narrowly lost 6-5.

The girls won all their sets in their pool, before losing the final in a tie-breaker. 

Well done to Cyra and Jinyu.

ANDREW SOLE | HEAD OF TENNIS

This week marks the last chance to submit your Tanzanite pendant design for the Mother's Day Diamond Vault GC Design Contest! 

We have received so many beautiful tanzanite designs from our junior and secondary students and can't wait to see which three are hand-crafted into pendants.

Don't miss out - submit your designs by Friday 19th April!

For more information, view the flyer here.

TEGAN PARKER | HEAD OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND MARKETING

We're getting excited... the date is set, the venue secured and the magic of the night well into the final stages of planning!

We can't wait to welcome you to our inaugural A.B. Paterson College Foundation Gala Ball on Saturday, 17 August at one of the Gold Coast's most iconic ballrooms for a night of glitz and glamour.

Tickets will be going on sale early in term 2!

Stay tuned to socials and current families, don't forget to check A.B. Connect for updates.

Limited sponsorship opportunities are available.

Please reach out to Tegan at tparker@abpat.qld.edu.au for more information.

TEGAN PARKER | HEAD OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & MARKETING