Illalong Newsletter - 22 August 2025

A Night in Paris Masquerade: Foundation Gala Ball Raises $50,000

Our College community came together in grand style for the 2025 Foundation Gala Ball – A Night in Paris Masquerade – hosted at The Star Gold Coast. Presented by Saba Organic, the evening was an extraordinary celebration of generosity, community spirit, and a shared commitment to enhancing the lives of our students.

With 200 of our own gathered under one roof, guests were treated to a Parisian-inspired atmosphere complete with captivating roving entertainment, dazzling performances from our talented College band and string quartet, and the buzz of live and silent auctions. The room was filled with laughter, connection, and a collective sense of purpose.

Thanks to the generosity of our guests, an incredible $50,000 was raised on the night. These funds will go directly towards installing new shade sails over the College pool – a vital improvement that will benefit students and the wider community for years to come.

The evening’s success would not have been possible without the leadership of Foundation Chair Ed Klimowicz, College Principal Joanne Sheehy, and Board Chair David Tanner. Our heartfelt thanks also go to our engaging Master of Ceremonies, Ben Davis, whose warmth and energy kept the evening flowing beautifully.

We are deeply grateful to our 2025 event sponsors, whose generosity helped bring the Gala to life:

Saba Organics – Naming Rights Sponsor
Integration Group – Roving Entertainment Partner
The Advanced Group – Audiovisual Partner
Hudors Cleaning – Event Guide Partner
Rothwells Commercial Painters – Silent Auction Partner
The College Board – Live Auction Partner
All Properties Group – Photobooth Partner

A heartfelt thank you to the incredible Communications and Strategic Partnerships team for organising such a truly memorable and successful Foundation Gala Night. Your hard work and dedication made the event shine!

For those who would like to relive the magic, a Foundation Gala Ball Highlights Video is now available on our social media pages. Photos are also available on our Facebook page.

We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who attended, supported, and celebrated with us. Your generosity is leaving a lasting legacy for our students – and we look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable evening next year.

Sean Tobin | Director of Communications & Strategic Partnerships

Success at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod!

Celebrating Student Success at the Languages Speech Contest

On Sunday 17 August, the 44th LTQ–Griffith University Languages Speech Contest was held at Griffith University, drawing over 1,100 enthusiastic contestants from across the Gold Coast and Logan City.

Each year, our college proudly participates in this prestigious event, consistently sending a large number of dedicated students. This year was no exception, with 62 students from Years 4 to 12 representing the college. After five weeks of focused preparation, they confidently showcased their language skills through articulate and expressive speeches.

Their outstanding performances were a testament to their hard work, perseverance, and passion for languages. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the contestants—you have made our college incredibly proud!

Although I practiced often for the LTQ competition, seeing my hard work pay off with a medal made it all worthwhile. The coaching teachers were very supportive, offering weekly meetings and in-class help throughout my journey. It was a great experience, and I would highly recommend participating to anyone interested in improving their foreign language skills. – Year 11 student Dinuki Indiketiya

The LTAQ competition this year was an amazing opportunity to put the skills we’ve learnt in class into action. I have definitely seen my confidence and skills in responding to spontaneous questions increase over the years. As our final year, it was great to have the majority of the year 12 Spanish class participating. What a great conclusion to my Spanish speaking competition experience! – Year 12 student Matilda Grant

Below is the list of award recipients. Let’s celebrate their success together!

JAPANESE

Year 4

Kai Fomin - 3rd place

Year 4 Background

Kanon Whiteley - 3rd place

Year 5

Max Wong - 2nd place
Aimee Zhang - Highly Commended
Alfie Yan - Highly Commended

Year 5

Nina Grabczyk - 3rd place
Rhyder Wu - Highly Commended
Rehan Mohammed - Highly Commended
Hannah Saxby - Highly Commended
Anushka Khosla - Highly Commended

Year 8

Eleora Perez - 3rd Place

Year 9

Alisha Xu - Highly Commended
Pasanya Abeyratne - Highly Commended

Year 10

Seyara Welagedara - 1st place
Hansika Raje - 3rd place

Year 11

Dinuki Indiketiya - 2nd place
Sam Song - Highly Commended
Xavier Zhang - Highly Commended

Year 12

Carolina Bijok - 2nd place

SPANISH

Year 7

Makena Kanikkara - 2nd place
Chloe Fu - 5th place
Terrena Cheung - Highly Commended
Mitchell Stewart - Highly Commended

Year 8

Aarya Rudrawar - 1st place
Nikita Harish - 2nd place
Gurnaaz Grewal - 4th place
Taerin Lee - Highly Commended

Year 9

Sigrid Perez - 2nd place
Lana Francesconi - Highly Commended
Arwen Canavan - Highly Commended

Year 10

Rose D'Alisa - 2nd place
Seyara Welagedara - Highly Commended
Teresa Cheung - Highly Commended

Year 12

Matilda Grant - 2nd place
Lewis Signorelli-Costa - Highly Commended

RUSSIAN

Year 8 Background (English Dominant)

Maria Gribanov - 1st Place

Year 8 Background (Russian Dominant)

Rachel Feldblyum - 1st Place

Yoko MacDonald | Languages Teacher

Year 6 Winton Camp News - Days 4-8

Enjoy reading the day-to-day exciting itinerary below of the Year 6 Winton camp from Day 4 to Day 8.

DAY 4 - HISTORIC SKIES AND OUTBACK TIES

The tour began with a morning of discovery in Longreach. Students explored the Qantas Founders Museum, stepping inside historic aircraft and learning about Australia’s aviation story. They enjoyed free time in the town centre with their teachers before visiting the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame to uncover the skills and stories of our rural pioneers. Along the way, emu and kangaroo sightings added to the excitement.

In the afternoon, students met ‘Outback Dan’ at the Pastoral Centre, where they fed pigs, cracked whips and prepared a hearty dinner. The journey continued to Camden Park Station to meet the Walker family and tour their historic homestead and cattle yards. The day ended back at the Pastoral Centre, where everyone enjoyed their home-cooked meal before tucking into tents at camp for the night.

Next stop, Barty's Place, Winton.

Georgie Burrows | Director of Teaching & Learning - Prep to Year 6

DAY 5 - WELCOME TO WINTON AND BARTY'S PLACE

The adventure continued as students packed up their tents and farewelled Longreach, travelling on to Winton. Excitement built as they spotted the iconic Welcome to Winton sign before setting up camp at Barry’s Place, their new home for the next stage of the journey. After a hearty lunch, the group headed into town for a walking tour, taking in the sights and stories that make Winton such a unique outback town.

The evening brought a change of pace as students settled into their new accommodation. After dinner, they enjoyed a truly memorable experience at the Gondwana Observatory, where one of the guides shared the wonders of the night sky. Surrounded by the quiet outback and a blanket of stars, it was the perfect way to finish their first day in Winton.

As we reach mid-way on camp, we have a group of campers feeling under the weather. They are resting comfortably away from the main group, with our team keeping a close eye on them and maintaining regular communication with their families.

Even while on rest, they’re finding creative ways to have fun and stay positive and we’ll welcome them back into activities once they’re feeling well again.

All other campers are continuing to enjoy the program as planned.

Georgie Burrows | Director of Teaching & Learning - Prep to Year 6

DAY 6 - EXPLORING WINTON

Students awoke to their first morning at Barty’s Place in Winton, eager to set out on new adventures. Some explored the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, uncovering fossils and learning about the prehistoric giants that once roamed the outback, while others visited the Waltzing Matilda Centre to experience the story, history and spirit of Australia’s most iconic ballad.

In the afternoon, the spotlight was on the students as they hosted Barty’s Place Open Day. Welcoming members of the community to Barty’s Place, they proudly showcased their performance, delighting the audience with their energy and enthusiasm. Poet and performer Gregory North also made a guest appearance and recited a number of Banjo's favourites for the Year 6s.

The day finished under the open skies at Winton’s outdoor cinema, where students enjoyed snacks and laughter while watching the movie 'Paper Planes', a wonderful way to end another memorable day in the outback.

Georgie Burrows | Director of Teaching & Learning - Prep to Year 6

DAY 7 - WINTON

Yesterday, students completed their final activity rotations in Winton, with groups visiting the Australian Age of Dinosaurs and the Waltzing Matilda Centre. These last sessions gave everyone the chance to experience the highlights they had not yet explored and deepen their understanding of Winton’s unique history and heritage.

Afterwards, the group returned to Barty’s Place for lunch and some well-earned free time. Students enjoyed relaxing with friends, playing games, kicking a ball or simply taking a moment to unwind.

In the afternoon, we set out to explore some of Winton’s most iconic spots. Students made music at the famous Musical Fence, posed proudly at the Winton sign and admired Aron’s Wall before strolling through the town centre with their activity groups.

The day wrapped up back at Barty’s Place with a shared dinner, before heading out for evening activities. Some students enjoyed stargazing under the vast outback sky, while others visited the Way Out West sign. This was a memorable finish to another adventure-filled day in Winton.

Georgie Burrows | Director of Teaching & Learning - Prep to Year 6

DAY 8 - ONE LAST MORNING OF LAUGHTER AND REFLECTION

Tuesday morning began with a well-earned sleep in . . . well, until 7:30am at least! For our Year 6s, who have packed so much adventure into the week, this extra time felt like pure luxury. After rolling out of bed, campers were treated to a hearty breakfast, made all the more special with a surprise performance from Mr Sutton on karaoke.

With breakfast behind us, it was time to soak up the last precious moments at Barty’s Place. Bags were packed and loaded onto the buses, but before departure, students scattered across the grounds to make the most of their final hours. Some kicked a ball with friends, while others worked on dance routines, invented new bus chants, or challenged each other to card games. Many gathered around the campfire with hot chocolates in hand, guitars strumming as students tried their best at playing and singing favourite songs. A few ventured to the 'Way Out West' sign to capture those all-important final photos, while others simply enjoyed the stillness of the morning by the fire; the perfect way to say goodbye to Barty's Place and Winton.

In the afternoon, the buses rolled out and the journey home began. A stop at Barcaldine gave us the chance to visit the iconic Tree of Knowledge. Students reflected on the history and significance of this remarkable site. The evening was topped off with a hearty and delicious lasagne dinner, giving everyone the chance to relax and share stories and thank our amazing drivers and catering staff.

As the tour continues its journey home, students now have the time to reflect on what has truly been a wonderful camp experience.

Georgie Burrows | Director of Teaching & Learning - Prep to Year 6

Year 3 Explores David Fleay Wildlife Park!

Greetings, wildlife enthusiasts! At the beginning of Term 3 our Year 3 students embarked on a fun excursion to David Fleay Wildlife Park, nestled in the heart of Burleigh Heads on the sunny Gold Coast. This unique park is not your ordinary zoo—it’s a haven for Queensland’s native creatures, where they roam freely in habitats that mimic their natural environment.

As our curious explorers stepped into the park, they were greeted by a symphony of bird calls and the earthy scent of eucalyptus. The Australian bush unfolded before their eyes, revealing a tapestry of native flora and fauna. Here is a glimpse of their wildlife encounters:

As they strolled along winding paths, eyes wide with wonder. The emus strutted confidently, it’s long legs covering ground like seasoned sprinters. The koalas, perched in its gum tree, seemed to nod approvingly at our presence. And kangaroos—those bouncy icons of Down Under—hopped gracefully, their powerful hind legs propelling them effortlessly.

The amphitheatre buzzed with anticipation as our Year 3 crew settled in for the reptile and bird shows. First up: reptiles! A slithering parade of scaly wonders—snakes and lizards, held the audience spellbound. The children learned about venomous vs. non-venomous species, their adaptations, and the importance of conservation. Then came the birds—a riot of colours and personalities! A cheeky parrot perched on a handler’s hand, stealing the show with its playful antics of flying around nearly landing on some of the student’s heads. Not in the bird show but during our lunch time we had a very cheeky kookaburra who attempted to steal from the children’s lunch boxes!!

In the heart of the park, our budding environmentalists rolled up their sleeves. Armed with creativity and a dash of eco-consciousness, they designed habitats for some special residents:

Kangaroo Country: The kangaroo environment became an outback with leaves and grasses and trees for shelter.
Platypus Paradise: The platypus needed large water areas where crayfish would be a plenty! Ah, the elusive platypus! The children were amazed at the fact that a platypus is classified differently from the rest. They are actually a monotreme.

One of our favourite animals to visit in the park was the platypus. With webbed feet and a bill like a Swiss Army knife, the platypus darted underwater, feasting on crayfish and shrimp. Cheeky? Absolutely he was!! We laughed at its antics and for a usually very shy creature this one was absolutely cheeky.

We had a wonderful day of exploring and learning at David Fleay Wildlife Park.

Kylie Schumacher, Jana Kubaska, Ashlee Lord-McMasters & Jade Lucy | Year 3 Teachers

Student Achievements in Performing Arts

Congratulations to Year 11 student Peter Ketchell, who recently attended the Big Double Bass Day, held at the Queensland Old Museum.

This annual event brings together bassists of all levels for a day of mentoring by some of Australia's top bassists.

Peter's day was full of invaluable instruction in a series of workshops and classes, followed by a performance of the day's repertoire in the Concert Hall.

Well done Peter and here’s hoping your future double bass adventures are just as fabulous - double the bass, double the fun!

Sharyn Walker-Joyce | Head of The Arts

Cody Lazarus has done it again, winning first place at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod!

For the third year in a row, Cody has wowed the adjudicator with his impressive technical and performance skills on piano. His blistering performance of the virtuoso arrangement of Don't Stop Me Now by Queen was a joy to watch, with the adjudicator commenting on the excitement, quirkiness and joy of Cody's performance.

Well done Cody - what a trifecta!

Congratulations to Year 7 student Emily Zhang, who recently competed in the 11-12 years violin solo section at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod.

We are delighted to report that Emily won first place!

One bow, one stage, one very happy violinist who made a very big impression.

We are delighted to share the outstanding accomplishments of Seraphina Kim, who has recently received two wonderful awards for her cello performances.

Seraphina was awarded 3rd place in the Under 13 Championship section at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod, which is currently underway.

Earlier this year, she also achieved 2nd place in the AMEB Grade 8 section at the Redland Eisteddfod, held in Brisbane.

These results are a testament to Seraphina’s dedication, talent, and hard work. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and the way she represents our school community with such grace and excellence.

Well done, Seraphina!

Sharyn Walker-Joyce | Head of The Arts