Our annual Foundation Christmas Carols at the DMPC turned into a full-on winter wonderland.
Bands, choirs, dancers, and our amazing Arts Department lit up the night with so much holiday magic.
Huge thank you to every teacher and staff member who made the show sparkle.
And yes… a bearded man in a red suit made a surprise entrance.
This year’s Mackellar–Wright fundraiser was nothing short of spectacular! From our youngest Prep students to our recently graduated Year 12s, everyone joined in the fun, with the vibrant End-of-Year Colour Run proving to be the highlight of the day.
The weather was near perfect, matched only by the incredible energy of our students and staff. Laughter and excitement filled the air as participants were showered in coloured powder and slime, creating unforgettable memories for all involved.
Feedback from both our vendor and supervising teachers was overwhelmingly positive. Our students were praised for their exceptional behaviour and politeness, with the vendor remarking that this was the best group they’ve ever worked with. They’re eager to build a lasting partnership to make this event even bigger in the future.
Thanks to the incredible efforts of our students, we raised just under $30,000 this term, a phenomenal achievement! These funds will support our chosen charities: Orange Sky Laundry, Young Care, Salvation Army, and our Winton Service Learning program.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supervised classes, volunteered on playground duty, or braved the Colour Run and slime zones. Your enthusiasm and good humour made the day truly special for our students and families. You’ve helped create an experience they’ll cherish for years to come.
As we wrap up another fantastic year, I hope you all enjoy a well-deserved holiday break. Thank you for everything you’ve done, we simply couldn’t do it without you.
Wishing you a joyful end of year and a relaxing holiday season!
Michael Culverwell | Head of Mackellar House
Last weekend 10 students took part in a Duke of Edinburgh International Award Qualifying Camp in Springbrook National Park. They were taking part in their final Adventurous Journey Expedition as part of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh International Award Scheme. This was the final camp of the year which included 4 Bronze Award Camps, 2 Silver Award Camps and 2 Gold Award Camps. Eight in total and doubling the usual number of DOE camps arranged during the College’s academic calendar year.
An important component of the camp experience was that students were required to plan the equipment needed, cook their own nutritional meals, and navigate their way through several National Park locations. The highlights for the group whilst exploring the Springbrook National Park were the numerous spectacular natural formations. For example, the rich and diverse ancient rainforests, cascading waterfalls, crystal clear creeks, tall open forests, and expansive views from notable high points.
Destinations included the Waterfall track, Pages Pinnacle, Hinze Dam, Numinbah Conservation Area and Mount Zimbas.
The students involved were Ruvindu Siriwardana, Rose D’Alisa, Byron McNiven, Seeret Arora, John Ziukelis, Naaz Kaur, Mitchell Chen, Matilda Grant, Addison Selby and Sam Brookes. This was the largest group of Gold Award students to take part in one DOE camp. A reflection of how the successful the program has become at A.B. Paterson College under the guidance of Andrew Sole, Head of Outdoor Education over the last 10 years.
The weather for the camp was very challenging with hot humid days and storm activity in the afternoons. The terrain included climbing over rocks and boulder filled riverbeds, to thick dense rainforest to open rocky paths skirting high rocky outcrops. They saw many of the native forest creatures, sometimes too close with leeches and ticks being a constant threat to ankles and feet! The record in one day for leeches was held by Byron with seven!
For some of the students involved, the camp was the last component of the Gold Award to be completed. Over 12 months of commitment and dedication has seen them complete Voluntary Service, Physical Recreation, Skill activities together with a 5-day Residential Project and of course 2 Adventurous Journay Camps. Their hard work will see fruition in 2026 with a special award ceremony at Brisbane Town Hall where they will receive their Award certificates and badges from the Mayor of Brisbane.
Andrew Sole | Head of Outdoor Education
We are incredibly proud to celebrate our Year 9 students who earned Silver Medals in the Queensland Middle School Ethics Olympiad.
Congratulations to:
The Ethics Olympiad challenges students to explore real ethical dilemmas through thoughtful discussion, collaboration, and clear reasoning. These students showed maturity, insight, and strong academic discipline.
Anne Wood | Head of Academic Academy
Celebrating Culture in Year 7 Spanish: A Taste of Tradition
As part of Unit 4 – The Hispanic World in the Year 7 Spanish curriculum, students have been diving into the vibrant cultures, traditions, and festivals of Spanish-speaking countries. To make this learning experience truly memorable, on Monday, 24th November, students participated in a hands-on cultural activity: a burrito tasting session.
During the event, students sampled authentic burritos prepared with traditional ingredients and spices, bringing the flavours of Hispanic cuisine to life. Despite the inclement weather, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and curiosity as students enjoyed the delicious food provided by their Spanish teachers.
This experience not only delighted their taste buds but also deepened their understanding of culinary traditions across Spanish-speaking countries. It was a wonderful way to connect classroom learning with real-world culture, creating a fun, interactive, and unforgettable moment for all.
Salsa in the Spotlight: Year 8 & 9 Spanish Students Dance into Culture
As part of their Term 3 and 4 units—Me gusta divertirme (“I like to have fun” – Year 8) and ¡Vive bien! (“Live well!” – Years 8 & 9)—our Year 8 and 9 Spanish students have been exploring the Spanish language and culture in exciting and meaningful ways.
To enrich this learning, students took part in an unforgettable incursion: a salsa dancing workshop led by a professional instructor from a prestigious Salsa School on the Gold Coast. This authentic experience gave students the chance to connect with the cultural roots of salsa, discovering its rich history and heritage.
During the workshop, students learned the fundamentals of salsa, including posture, turns, and coordinated foot and arm movements—all while engaging with the Spanish language in a lively, interactive setting. The energy in the room was contagious, and it was clear that everyone was having a fantastic time!
This hands-on experience not only strengthened their language skills but also brought Hispanic culture to life, creating memories that will last well beyond the classroom.
“I enjoyed learning the basic salsa steps because it challenged my coordination and helped me understand how rhythm connects with movement. Working with different partners made the activity more fun and helped me build confidence communicating non-verbally through timing and body language. The incursion showed me how dance can express culture, and it made me appreciate how much skill and teamwork go into performing something that looks so simple”. - Zion
Year 10 & Year 11 Spanish: A Journey Through Time and Art
This term, our Year 10 Spanish students have been immersed in the captivating unit “Viajeros del Tiempo” (Time Travellers). Through this theme, they embarked on an imaginative time-travel adventure, mastering the nuances of the preterite and imperfect past tenses while delving into significant moments in Hispanic history.
To bring language learning to life, students crafted time-travel diary entries from the perspective of iconic cultural figures such as Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dalí, and Pablo Picasso. These creative writings allowed them to explore historical contexts while refining their Spanish writing skills in an authentic and meaningful way.
To conclude the term with a culturally rich experience, students turned their attention to the visual arts. They studied the masterpieces of these renowned figures, analysing style, symbolism, and historical significance. Inspired by their discoveries, students then created their own original artworks, producing stunning pieces that reflected both creativity and cultural appreciation.
Moreover, Year 11 Spanish students have been learning the topic of Lifestyles & Leisure. In this topic, students explored how hobbies and creative activities are widely enjoyed across the Spanish-speaking world. While painting, they communicated in Spanish, shared ideas, and later reflected on their artwork using key vocabulary from the unit.
This fusion of language, history, and art has not only strengthened their linguistic abilities but also deepened their understanding of Hispanic culture, leaving us truly impressed by their talent and enthusiasm.
"This term in Spanish we learnt about Spanish historical figures including Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo. As an end of term activity, we created some paintings inspired by these artists and other Hispanic creators. We have learnt a lot about Spanish culture and art this term and this was a fun activity to wrap up a year of learning." - Teresa Cheung
“I really enjoyed using some of Picasso’s techniques to convey meaning in my artwork. This experience was sensational and enlightening.” – Aran Silva
Ursula Lindeberg, Michelle Barriga & Jamie Leden | Spanish Teachers
This term, our Year 7 and 8 Japanese students have demonstrated outstanding commitment and skill through our annual Hiragana Spelling Bee competition. The event challenged students to apply their knowledge of the script under time pressure, showcasing not only their recall but also their confidence in reading and writing increasingly complex combinations.
Congratulations to our Year Level Prize-Winners:
Year 7
First Place: ALANA LIEW
Second Place: EMILY WONG
Third Place: RHYDER WU
Highly Commended: ELENA XU
Year 8
First Place: ELEORA PEREZ
Second Place: KATHLEEN HARTCHER VO
Third Place: SELINA ZHANG
Highly Commended: JASMINE HEBDEN
Alongside the competition, we are proud to celebrate an exceptional level of achievement across Year 7 and Year 8. Over 100 students successfully earned their Hiragana Level 1 certification, demonstrating mastery of the basic characters and strong foundational skills. Even more impressively, more than 50 students achieved Hiragana Level 2, tackling extended combinations and writing more advanced vocabulary.
Throughout the term, students have shown remarkable penmanship, precision, and accuracy in their script work. Their ability to apply hiragana rules—such as small characters, double consonants, and long vowel patterns—has allowed them to construct and decode more challenging words with increasing confidence.
The enthusiasm and dedication shown by our learners highlight their growing passion for Japanese language and culture. We look forward to building on this momentum as students continue to extend their skills and explore the richness of the Japanese writing systems.
Cheyne Sandercoe | Head of Languages
As part of their Hi-Tech Sushi unit, our Year 7 Japanese students recently enjoyed an authentic cultural experience that brought their classroom learning deliciously to life. After watching a step-by-step demonstration, students had the chance to create their own maki sushi (sushi rolls), transforming theory into a fun, hands-on culinary adventure.
This special lesson was made possible thanks to the generous support of our wonderful parent volunteers. Not only did they prepare all the ingredients with care, but they also showcased their skill in demonstrating how to make authentic sushi rolls. Throughout the sessions, they guided and encouraged every student, ensuring each one successfully produced a professional-looking sushi roll to be proud of.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Japanese parent community for sharing their time, expertise, and culture. Their involvement made this learning experience truly memorable and enriching for all.
Cheyne Sandercoe | Head of Languages
As 2025 comes to an end, we reflect on an exciting year for our Chess Club year filled with challenging matches, new strategies, and plenty of fun moments. Together, we’ve sharpened our minds and strengthened our sense of community.
Weekly Meets
Our regular sessions were packed with spirited games, tactical discussions and those unforgettable “aha!” moments as members mastered new openings and endgame techniques.
Term 4 In-Class Tournament Results
Junior Chess
Group 1
1. Oliver Model (2S)
2. Patrick Shan (3H)
3. Lucas Korneev (1B)
Group 2
1. Rinayra Rudrawar (3H)
2. Billie Greenland (2L)
3. Hazel Lynn (1B)
Senior Chess
Group A
1. Pratyush Khadka (Year 8)
2. Sennin Naidoo (Year 8)
3. Summer Wang (Year 10)
Group B
1. Michael Li (6D)
2. Arin Badgotti (4C)
3. Siegfried Perez (5C)
Group C
1. Ryan Yang (5C)
2. Miles Fisher (4C)
3. Vivaan Raje (4T)
Interschool Tournaments
We proudly participated in interschool tournaments each term, showcasing the talent and determination of our players. Congratulations to our champions and to everyone who competed—you made every match exciting!
Community Spirit
Beyond the chessboard, we’ve built friendships and created a welcoming environment for all players, whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just learning the moves.
Looking Ahead
Next year is shaping up to be an exciting chapter filled with new opportunities for growth. We’re committed to expanding our horizons by participating in tournaments, strengthening our skills and building lasting connections along the way.
Thank you to every member for making this year a success. Your enthusiasm and dedication are what make this club special. Here’s another year of brilliant moves and unforgettable games!
Happy Holidays and see you in 2026!
Lena White | Chess Club Co-Ordinator
“Every chess master was once a beginner.”
— Irving Che
Our Year 2L students have been exploring creativity through Media Arts, combining digital skills with emotional awareness.
This term they captured expressive self-portraits using lighting, composition, background choices, and safe digital practices.
After printing their images, they added colour with intention to show how colour and emotion work together.
Their final artworks prove that even our youngest learners can think deeply, create with purpose, and express themselves with confidence.
A special thank you to Mrs Ashlee Lord-McMaster for guiding this meaningful project.
If your son or daughter is entering into Years 7, 10 or 11 in 2027, s/he is eligible to sit the ACER Scholarship test for the A.B. Paterson College Scholarship Program for academic or music scholarships.
Make sure you download the Scholarship Candidate Information Form from our College Webpage located at A.B. Paterson College | Scholarship Overview (abpat.qld.edu.au).
If you would like your child to sit the ACER Scholarship test on Saturday, 14 February 2026, please register online at https://scholarships.acer.org/intro/3410
This page will allow you to access the ACER website where you can make your registration. More information about the College’s Scholarship Program is also available on the College website.
Registration will close on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, at 4pm. Registrations cannot be accepted after this date and time.
Karen Milburn | Head of Admissions
Join our Learn to Swim Holiday Intensive Program from Monday 8 December to Friday 12 December 2025 and also Monday 19 January to Friday 23 January 2026.
The program runs for one week. Swimmers receive a half hour lesson each day (at the same time) for five days. They will be grouped according to their ability. Classes will run from 8:00am.
The cost for the program is $80 per child (Inc. GST). Families are to be invoiced to your school account the week of the program.
Please contact us to book your child/ren in by Wednesday 3 December 2025. For all enquiries and bookings, email: swimlessons@abpat.qld.edu.au. Please leave your child’s name, age/ability and contact details in your message/email.
For more information, OPEN the attached flyer.
Peter Gee | Swim Coach & Pool Manager
A.B. Paterson College has had an amazing response from the community for this year’s edition. The Inspire Business Directory allows the College to support parents, caregivers, and members of the broader school community, with the opportunity to promote their business.
Please take the time to have a look, you might be pleasantly surprised with some special discount offers, or the opportunity to find a new service provider from within the College community.
A big thank you to all of the family businesses who have supported the A.B. Paterson College Foundation and advertised in this year’s edition. We look forward to supporting you and your families.
Click here to view the 2025/2026 Inspire Business Directory.
Each week we will be promoting a College family business in our 'Business Spotlight of the Week'. This week the business spotlight is on Riviera Luxury Motor Yachts - view the slide below.
Maddi Wilesmith | Community Engagement Officer
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