Banjo's Birthday Celebrations
Year 3 Reflection
Last Friday our school came alive in true Australian spirit as students from Years 1–6 proudly took part in our annual Banjo Poetry Recital. As our school is proudly named after Andrew Barton "Banjo" Paterson, it was a very special way to celebrate his birthday and honour his contribution to Australian literature.
Throughout the morning, each year level confidently recited one of Banjo’s well-known poems, showcasing wonderful expression, clear voices and growing confidence. In Year 3 our students performed Benjamin Bandicoot. They worked incredibly hard in class rehearsing their lines, refining their fluency and even creating expressive actions to bring the poem to life. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and teamwork shine through in their performance.
Following the recital, we enjoyed a delicious taste of tradition with damper served with jam and cream. It was a highlight for many students and a lovely way to connect with Australia’s bush heritage.
The celebrations continued into the afternoon with our much-anticipated Banjo Games. Our Year 12 students did an outstanding job running a variety of fun novelty games, with students rotating through 6–8 different activities. The energy, laughter and house spirit were fantastic to witness! The afternoon concluded with a sausage sizzle, adding to the strong sense of community that makes days like this so special.
A big thank you to the amazing Friends of A.B. Paterson College (FAB) Committee who catered for the event!
We would like to sincerely thank our parents and guardians for attending and supporting the event. Your involvement in rotating through activities and joining in the fun ensures students are safely supervised and able to fully participate. We truly value your partnership in making these special days possible.
It was a joyful celebration of Australian poetry, community and school spirit, a wonderful day enjoyed by all!
To watch the Banjo's Games video CLICK HERE.
A.B. Paterson College acknowledges the Kombumerri People as Traditional Custodians of the land, sea, waterways, and skies in which we learn and play. We also pay our respects to elders, past, present, and emerging, and recognise their continuing connection to country and ways of learning.