Enjoy reading the day-to-day itinerary of the Europe tour below - written by Simon Edgar. 

ROME DAY 3

What a wonderful day it has been today. After an 8.00am breakfast (a little later than normal) we were on our way to the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain by 9.00am. The traffic in Rome today was particularly busy as there was a public transport strike - therefore movement today around Rome was particularly slow.

Walking through the streets on the way to the Spanish Steps we passed many designer label stores - and finally just before the Spanish Steps we have Prada, Dior, Gucci and Jimmy Choo. The Spanish Steps were closed today for an event so could only view them from the barricaded area. The Spanish Steps lead up to the very impressive Basilica behind them. Then off to the Trevi Fountain - this was an extremely busy tourist area. How absolutely breathtaking the Trevi Fountain area is was clear for all to see.

We had an authentic 3 course Italian lunch which consisted of Rigatoni, chicken and spinach and then finally panacotta for dessert. The students had lots of fun with this wobbly dessert!

Then the highlight for many was the Colosseum. What a magnificent architectural feat which was completed almost 2000 years ago in 80AD. The students were blown away by the sheer size and grandeur of this ancient amphitheatre. It is built of travertine limestone and brick-faced concrete.

We are off by train to Florence tomorrow - which is known for its culture, Renaissance art and also architecture and monuments.

FLORENCE

Today was definitely a highlight so far - the Arts, architectural and cultural capital of Italy - Florence.

We left Rome by bullet train to get to Florence with speeds up to 250 km p/h. A lovely view of the Italian countryside and 90 minutes later we arrived in Florence. The statue of David, shopping for leather goods and the Renaissance history was remarkable. The works of Michelangelo, Dante and others were there for all to see.

The world famous panini was very popular for lunch and off course gelato!

Tomorrow is a travel day as we are flying to London.

TRAVEL DAY - LONDON

We left Rome this morning to go to the airport to fly to London. It was a bit sad leaving the lovely, historic Rome, although we were looking forward to the cooler temperature. We had some delays departing Rome with EasyJet but then was on the flight to Gatwick airport.

Once arriving at Gatwick we made our way to our accommodation in Canary Wharf via bus. This evening we have had our first experience on the underground (tube) with a journey along the Jubilee line from Canary Wharf to Waterloo for our dinner and some sights of London.

A huge day planned tomorrow including the Globe theatre, Tower Bridge, Westminister Abbey and then culminating with Hamilton in the West End. We won't be home until after 11pm so will do a larger post the following day.

LONDON

A long and wonderful full day in London today. We started with Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and concluded with Hamilton at Victoria Palace.

The history behind Shakespeare's Globe Theatre was very interesting and our guide was extremely passionate which made the experience even more engaging for the students. The current location of the Globe Theatre is an accurate reconstruction of the original, although not in its original location which was initially close by on Park St. Following this we went on the underground (tube) to Westminster station to see Westminster Abbey. What a grand, historic and absolutely beautiful abbey this is!

After spending some quality time at Westminster Abbey we were back on the underground to Tower Hill station to see the Tower of London. What a long and interesting past the Tower of London has. Some brutality, some myths and stories and where the crown jewels are kept safe.

After dinner we saw the musical - Hamilton. We were on the edge of our seats throughout. This was an awesome experience at the historic Victoria Palace in the West End.

Off to Oxford tomorrow!

OXFORD AND BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Today has been a wonderful day which commenced with our journey out to the historic Oxford, home of Oxford University. This is one of the most prestigious universities in the world where many notable people have attended - Tony Blair (British Prime Minister) and C.S. Lewis (writer of The Chronicles of Narnia, Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe and more).

Time was spent exploring the city of Oxford, its unique markets and novelty stores and the picturesque and breathtaking grounds of Oxford University. You can smell the history!

On our way back to London we had the opportunity to spend time at and around Buckingham Palace. What a magnificent place this is with all its majestic charm and the changing of the guard was viewed by some. We had dinner at The Albert - a 200 year old establishment which was walking distance from Buckingham Palace.

Time to pack tonight as we are off to Paris tomorrow on the Eurostar - a travel day!

PARIS

An exciting day today with our travel to Paris on the Eurostar. Breakfast in London, dinner in Paris. Dreams are made of this!

Our Eurostar trip took a little longer than expected and we then arrived at our hotel and some time was given to do laundry for those who wished to. Then on the Paris metro to dinner at a uniquely French restaurant as you can see from some of the photos. Following dinner we spent some time in the Latin quarter and then walked to Notre Dame - what a grand, historic cathedral built in the 12th century and currently still being renovated after the fire in 2019.

We are off to the Palace of Versailles tomorrow and then back into Paris to spend some time on the Champs Elysees and around the Arc de Triomphe.

PALACE OF VERSAILLES AND PARIS

This morning commenced with our journey to the west of Paris and the grand Palace of Versailles which was about 45 minutes away - Paris traffic is horrible.

We had a French guide tour us around the palace and informed us of the long history of this royal residence commissioned by King Louis XIV. We also had lunch in the quaint town of Versailles. Then we caught the train back into Paris and spent considerable time in and around the Arc de Triomphe and along the Champs Elysees.

A contrasting day with the Palace of Versailles and then downtown Paris.

Tomorrow is our last day in Paris and we will be going to the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and the area around the Sacre Coeur where we are having dinner.

ARRIVE IN BARCELONA

Today was a day of travel, airports (a lot smoother than Rome) and buses. We arrived in Barcelona and had checked into our hotel by 3.00pm. Following a little down time we were back on another metro train system, which in fairness was considerably less manic than London and Paris.

Our train journey took us to the other side of Barcelona where we had traditional tapas for dinner.

We are all looking forward to a full day sightseeing in Barcelona tomorrow including Sagrada Familia. A Catholic Basilica which is still not finished. It is one of genius architect Antoni Gaudi's greatest works.

SIGHTSEEING IN BARCELONA

Today has been a day of sightseeing around Barcelona. We started with a visit and guided walking tour around one of Antoni Gaudi's greatest works - La Sagrada Familia. They are planning to complete the main tower by 2026 which is to coinicide with the 100th year anniversary of Gaudi's death in 1926.

Following this we went up to the top of Barcelona to have a guided tour of another of Gaudi's works which is Park Guell. This is an enormous garden which has stunning and distinct architectural elements which were inspired by nature. The views of Barcelona down to the ocean are breathtaking.

This evening we spent time around La Ramblas which is a famous pedestrian area which oozes culture. It is a popular spot for both locals and tourists, offering a mix of shops, restaurants, street performers all along a bustling streetscape.

We had dinner close by at a traditional Spanish restaurant where the main meal was paella.

BARCELONA - FINAL DAY

Today has been our final full day on the 2025 HEART Europe Tour and the last A.B. Connect post. We caught the train to Llucuna station to see another of Gaudi's remarkable works - Casa Batllo. The building is one of Antoni Gaudi's masterpieces with the buildings facade looking like a skeletal creature, with vibrant mosaic tiles and intricate details adding to the attraction's charm. I was particularly impressed with the intricate and unique wood work inside.

Following this we were off to Nous Camp - Barcelona Football Club stadium. This stadium is currently under considerable construction so you are unable to go onto the ground. The museum and visual expereinces were awe inspiring and resonated with students and staff as it was all about 'excellence'.

We had a Spanish culinary delight this evening with students learning to prepare and cook paella and create creme brulee.

We depart Barcelona tomorrow morning and make our long journey home. The flight arrival in Brisbane is still scheduled for 5.30pm Wednesday 2 July. We will then be on a bus back to A.B. Paterson College and your child will be in contact with our time of arrival.

A wonderful and hugely successful Europe Tour. A massive thank you to the students for their etiquette and high standards throughout the tour and to staff going above and beyond continuously.

SIMON EDGAR | HEAD OF SECONDARY SCHOOL

We were honoured to welcome Mack Hollins, who is an American professional football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the NFL, to our College campus last week, where he shared not only elite-level experience – but real-life lessons in resilience, mindset, and discipline with our NFL Academy student-athletes.

Mack spoke candidly with our student-athletes about the hard truths and high standards of professional sport, reminding us all that success begins with character, consistency, and care for others.

He jumped into drills, offered 1-on-1 coaching with our tight ends, and gave personalised feedback that will stay with these young players long after the final whistle.

Thank you, Mack, for investing in our students’ growth. You’ve inspired the next generation not only to aim high – but to work hard, stay grounded, and give back.

Will Bryce | Senior Manager NFL Academy

WINTON DAY 1

We have successfully set up camp at Barty's Place, the students had a walk in the town and a visit from the Mayor of Winton and have received their much treasured Winton beanies. This afternoon they have been working together, preparing for their community service learning activities over the next two days.

In keeping with the tradition for all groups who visit Winton, this evening we walked up to the sign to take our sunset jumps. The group with the best jump gets desert first this evening. It was unanimously agreed by the staff that the staff won!

Peter Brookes | Head of Dennis House

WINTON DAY 2 - SERVICE LEARNING IN THE COMMUNITY

One of the key focusses for the Year 10 Winton Tour is giving back to the community of Winton. This town has been welcoming the Year 6 students of A.B. Paterson College every year for over 30 years. Now that we have our wonderful facility of Barty's Place it gives our students the chance to return to Winton in Year 10 and give back to the town through service learning opportunities. This is our first year of running this program. We have established a link with Winton State School that allowed a number of our students to spend the day engaging with local children from Pre-school to Year 12. Our students led art, music and drama activities and also joined in with some lunchtime Oz-tag games.

Another group of our students worked with Winton Shire Council and helped to clear weeds from around the famous Arlo's Wall and the town cemetery. The remaining students stayed at Barty's Place and cleared the weeds that have grown and built tables in preparation for hosting our Year 10 semi-formal on Saturday.

The feedback we have had from the school and local council has been extremely positive and grateful for the impact our students have had on the town and in particular the students of Winton State School.

We have a second day of service learning tomorrow, in which we will finish our two murals and join in with a NAIDOC Day celebration at the school.

A huge thanks to Olivia Wilkins and Rebeckah Brodie for their planning and leadership of the two murals, and to all the other staff who have led the engagement of our students in our partner community.

Peter Brookes | Head of Dennis House

We’re excited to share that our Principal, Joanne Sheehy, is featured in a full-page article in today’s Gold Coast Bulletin. Jo reflected on the incredible growth of the Gold Coast over the past 22 years since returning from London—sharing her personal journey and the amazing changes she’s seen in our city and at A.B. Paterson College.

From new innovation precincts and arts hubs to the growing opportunities available to young graduates right here on the Coast, Jo’s story highlights just how far we’ve come.

This feature is part of the 2025 Future Gold Coast campaign, which brings together some of the biggest names in the region—including Griffith University, Village Roadshow, GemLife, and even Queensland Premier David Crisafulli—to talk about what the future of the Gold Coast could look like across areas like infrastructure, health, housing, tourism, education, and technology.

As a major sponsor of this year’s campaign, A.B. Paterson College is proud to be part of the conversation about shaping the future of our community.

Click on this link: London to Gold Coast 22 years ago: How our city has changed | Gold Coast Bulletin

Stay tuned this week to see more insights from our very own students on what they imagine the Future Gold Coast to be!

Imogene Flynn | Marketing and Communications Officer

80 Bags. Countless Acts of Kindness. 

We are proud to share the incredible outcome of A.B. Paterson College’s recent food and hygiene drive for Havafeed—with 80 bags of essential items collected by our students, families, and staff.

This initiative wasn’t just about donating — it was about showing care, dignity, and support for those in our wider community who are facing tough times.

Led by our students and embraced by the College community, this drive reflects the kind of empathy and leadership that makes a real difference. Every can, box, and item donated tells a story of kindness and hope.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed. Your generosity makes a big difference — and we are honoured to be part of this effort with Havafeed.

🔗 Learn more or find ways to support at https://havafeed.org/

Our Banjo Battlers team recently represented A.B. Paterson College at the South East Queensland Division Race as part of the international Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) program. What unfolded on race day was not just a test of technical skill but a powerful display of teamwork, perseverance and character.

Over the past few terms, our students have worked incredibly hard to design, engineer, build and test a remote-controlled car that utilises hydrogen as part of its energy system. The team has done an exceptional job putting together a highly competitive entry.

Early in the race, our team was involved in a significant crash that left the car heavily damaged. From the sidelines, it seemed like our race might be over before it had really begun. But the students had other ideas.

For nearly three and a half hours, Banjo Battlers worked together to repurpose parts, rebuild components and get the car back on the track. Their calm communication, problem-solving and positive attitude never wavered. They celebrated the small wins, supported each other through setbacks and ultimately embodied the values of resilience, teamwork and innovation.

Congratulations to all students involved for representing the College with pride, maturity and heart. We look forward to seeing what the rest of the season holds!

Lawson Colquhoun | Design and Technologies

Queensland All Schools Cross Country Relay Championships

On Saturday 21 June, 45 students from Years 1 to 7 proudly represented A.B. Paterson College at the Queensland Athletics All Schools Cross Country Relay Championships held at Nudgee College in Brisbane. Competing against schools from across the state, our young athletes gave it their all on a rainy winters day in Brisbane.

We are thrilled to celebrate the success of four A.B. Paterson College teams who placed in the top three in Queensland:

• 🏆 1st Place – 8yr Old Girls (A): Sienna Black, Harper Mundt, Olivia Yendle
• 🥉 3rd Place – 8yr Old Girls (C): Alice Power, Harnoor Sidhu, Annabelle Zhan
• 🥉 3rd Place – 7yrs & Under Girls: Isabella Bajolek, Vera Howard, Freya Whitehead
• 🥉 3rd Place – 12yr Old Girls: Summer Mitchell, Alexis Walmsley, Emily Zhang

A special congratulations to our A.B. Paterson College girls, who finished 2nd overall in the state in the Primary School Division — an outstanding achievement!

Well done to all teams who ran with determination and school pride, many of whom were representing the Brumbies for the very first time. Thank you to our amazing parents for their support and commitment in bringing students to the event, especially during the school holidays.

Queensland All Schools State Cross Country Championships

On Sunday, 13 July, a dedicated team of A.B. Paterson College students proudly represented the College at the Queensland Athletics All Schools State Cross Country Championships. Held on a particularly challenging and hilly course, our students demonstrated outstanding endurance and determination.

Special congratulations go to Lilyana Ozoux, who placed 6th in the Under 12 Girls, and Hayden Ozoux, who placed 10th in the Under 16 Boys — both of whom have qualified for the National Championships in Bendigo later this term. We wish them the best as they prepare to compete at the highest level.

Further commendations go to:

• Tobyn O’Hara – 13th in the Under 17 Boys
• Luke Benson – 14th in the Under 12 Boys
• Imogen Ozoux – 29th in the Under 14 Girls

These are exceptional results in a highly competitive field, and all athletes should be extremely proud of their efforts.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the families for their ongoing support, especially for managing the 4-hour return trip to the event. Your commitment helps make opportunities like these possible.

Tennille Mitchell | Cross Country Coordinator

Congratulations to Marcus Reitz of Year 6, who proudly represented South Coast at the 10–12 Years State Hockey Championships in Toowoomba - and made history!

Marcus's team went undefeated and clinched the Queensland Schools State Championship for the first time ever, with Marcus topping the tournament as leading goal scorer. 

Now he is off to Bendigo this August to represent Queensland at the School Sport Australia Nationals.

Well done Marcus!

Over the holidays, Daniel Azzi (Year 4) and his team from Magic Football Club competed in the Platinum League Tournament held in Melbourne – a prestigious three-day event featuring some of the top football clubs from across Australia.

Daniel played a pivotal role, scoring the winning goal in the quarter-finals and leading his team to a penalty shootout in the semi-finals. The team went on to win the championship with a 3–0 victory in the final.

Following the tournament, Daniel was approached by two Melbourne-based clubs expressing interest in signing him – a testament to his performance and potential.

Congratulations Daniel - we wish you all the best in your future football endeavours!

Attention Class of 2024 - Your First Reunion is Here!

We are so excited to welcome you back to the College for your very first reunion as Old Collegians!

Join us on Friday 1 August for a relaxed breakfast and the chance to reconnect with your classmates, hear what everyone’s been up to since graduation and enjoy a morning of memories and mateship.

We will also be handing out your 2024 College yearbook – The Banjo!

Date: Friday, 1 August 2025
Time: 7:30am – 9:00am
Venue: Matilda’s Café, A.B. Paterson College

Registrations close Friday, 25 July – RSVP now via the Community Hub:

🔗 https://communityhub.abpat.qld.edu.au/event/class-of-2024-welcome-back-catch-up

We can’t wait to see you back on campus!

We are excited to announce that the popular Picture Book & Writing Competition is returning this year! This year's Children's Book Week theme is Book an Adventure, and we can't wait to read the epic quests, tantalising twists and turns, and amazing escapades that students and staff create.

There are four categories in the competition:

• Junior School Picture Book
• Secondary School Poetry
• Secondary School Short Story
• Staff Picture Book, Poetry & Short Story

Please click on the above category for more information or pick up a flyer at either of the A.B. Paterson College libraries. 

Entries are due on Monday 28 July (Week 3, Term 3). The winners will be announced during Book Week, which we celebrate in Week 10, Term 3.

Please email librarystaff@abpat.qld.edu.au if you have any questions after reading the instructions for entering on each of the flyers.

Good luck to all our authors and illustrators!

Kelly Whiteway | Head of Library Services

FINAL CALL: DON’T MISS YOUR SPOT IN THE 2025–2026 INSPIRE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Bookings are closing soon for the 2025–2026 A.B. Paterson College Inspire Business Directory – the trusted resource for families looking to support businesses within our College community. With over 1,600 students, 1,100 families, and a digital reach of more than 33,000 each month, the directory offers valuable exposure to a loyal and engaged audience.

Advertising Packages:

• Full-page: $350 + GST
• Double-page spread: $496 + GST

Plus, $100 from every booking supports the A.B. Paterson College Foundation.

Spaces are limited and filling quickly. To book your spot or learn more, contact Ben Ryan at ben@advcollab.com.au

Let’s work together to grow your business while giving back to our College community!

Our 2025 Foundation Gala Ball – A Night in Paris – is officially SOLD OUT!

Presented by Saba Organics, we are beyond grateful to our incredible College community, and Gala event sponsors, for your unwavering support.

Every ticket purchased, and money raised on the night, will go towards upgraded seating facilities at our College pool - making a real difference for our students and events like the Swimming Carnival. 

See you on Saturday 9 August at The Star Gold Coast for a night of fine dining, live entertainment, and giving back. 

Let’s make it an unforgettable!