From Dolly Parton to Mozart, Banjo Paterson to Puccini - Are You Lonesome Tonight was a night of transcendent harmony!
An unforgettable fusion of opera and country, proudly brought to life by A.B. Paterson College Foundation and Opera Queensland.
A standing ovation to every voice, every story, every note.
Preparations are in full swing for the highly anticipated 2025 A.B. Paterson College Foundation Gala Ball, set to dazzle guests on Saturday 9 August at The Star Gold Coast, with this year’s enchanting theme: A Night in Paris Masquerade.
This exciting new venue marks a bold evolution for the event - one that reflects the College’s ongoing commitment to innovation, community connection, and memorable experiences.
The Gala Ball is not only a highlight of the College’s social calendar but also a meaningful expression of the College’s philanthropic spirit.
It brings together families, alumni, staff, and supporters in celebration of shared values - generosity, service, and a dedication to shaping the next generation of leaders and learners.
Funds raised this year will support the installation of new spectator seating at the College pool, enhancing student and community experiences during events like the Swimming Carnival.
The success of the Gala depends on the generosity and involvement of the broader community, including the invaluable support of sponsors.
We are pleased to confirm the following partners for the 2025 event:
A limited number of sponsorship opportunities remain. Interested businesses are encouraged to email community@abpat.qld.edu.au for more information.
Returning to the stage are crowd favourites Paradiso Strings and Trace. Paradiso Strings will welcome guests with their signature classical elegance, setting a refined tone for the evening. Later, Trace will energise the dance floor with a vibrant performance guaranteed to keep spirits high.
We are also delighted to welcome Ben Davis as the evening’s MC. A seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience, Ben’s professionalism and charisma will once again ensure a polished and enjoyable program.
Ticket sales are already tracking well, supported by a broad promotional strategy that includes social media outreach, personalised invitations, and advertising in the Gold Coast Bulletin.
The Gala Ball continues to be a powerful expression of community spirit - supporting the growth of the College while celebrating its people and purpose.
The event serves as a reminder of how far the College has come, the strength of its vision, and the important role each individual plays in shaping its future.
Donations are currently being sought for the live and silent auctions, along with raffle prizes. Contributions of any kind are gratefully received and will have a direct impact on the lives of A.B. Paterson College students. If you are interested in donating a prize, please contact community@abpat.qld.edu.au via email.
From the elegance of Paradiso Strings to the glamour of A Night in Paris Masquerade, the 2025 Foundation Gala Ball promises to be a celebration of style, community, and purpose.
As anticipation builds, the Foundation invites you to be part of this unforgettable evening - an event that honours our past, celebrates our present, and inspires our future.
Tickets are available now via the Community Hub: communityhub.abpat.qld.edu.au/event/a-b-paterson-college-gala-ball-2025
Sean Tobin | Director of Communications & Strategic Partnerships
From push up techniques to jumping dynamics- students at A.B. Paterson College experienced STEM in action with a hands-on biomechanics workshop led by renowned educator and researcher, Dr. John Drazan.
Principal, Joanne Sheehy and Year 12 student, Amelia Wolff joined the journey through motion, physics, and performance, showing just how powerful the link between science and sport can be!
Please watch the video below!
College Principal, Joanne Sheehy: At A.B. Paterson College, we are in a really fortunate position where we are very much leaders in the educational space. We are trying to partner with industry experts and so that is becoming very known globally, and so when the US consulate rings up and says we have this amazing expert biomechanics and he wants to come and work with our students, we have that opportunity. On Monday morning we had a workshop for a few hours with a number of students who wanted to partake in it, in order to improve their performance.
Biomechanics & STEM Education Researcher, Dr John Drazan: I am the Assistant Director of Biomedical Engineering from Fairfield University in Connecticut, in the good old USA. I am travelling in Australia for about two weeks with one of my stops being the Gold Coast, to engage kids in maths and science learning through sports performance training. I mean, number one, science is awesome, engineering is awesome. I get to do a lot of work with high level athletes, professional sports organisations and I certainly don’t do it because I am the best basketball player in the world, and I don’t do it because I am the best scientist and engineer in the world, I am able to do it because, I am able to blend these two domains in like a really great manner. It is all about having it so that young athletes across the world feel like there is a space for them in STEM.
Year 12 Student, Amelia Wolff: I just did trials in heaps of different things: a vertical jump test, land agility, toe tapping, all different things, and experimenting with that and how you can involve science and STEAM into sport.
What an incredible set of results from our Brumbies Year 9 and 10 Volleyball teams at the Intermediate Volleyball Schools Cup, held from Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June!
Huge congratulations to all our players and coaches - your hard work and teamwork made us proud!
The atmosphere at King’s Christian College, was electric last Monday, as the Gardiner Chess 2025 Term 2 Gold Coast Secondary Tournament took centre stage. Our talented students showcased their strategic brilliance and unwavering determination, making the event a thrilling display of chess mastery.
Throughout the tournament, players demonstrated remarkable skill, focus and resilience. From meticulously planned opening moves to nail-biting endgames, each round was a testament to their dedication and tactical expertise. Their sportsmanship and enthusiasm further highlighted the strength of our chess community.
The competition culminated in outstanding results:
Division A
Division B
Division C
As A.B. Paterson College continues to foster a love for chess, students eagerly anticipate upcoming tournaments and opportunities to further sharpen their skills.
Lena White | Chess Club Co-Ordinator
Established in 1969 through a partnership between The Australian National University and the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers, the National Mathematics Summer School (NMSS) is Australia's most esteemed and longest-running program of its kind. Every year, only 75 outstanding students from across the country earn a coveted place in this rigorous academic experience.
From 4 to 17 January 2026, NMSS will once again bring together Australia's top young mathematicians in Canberra. Applications for this prestigious program opened in May 2025, attracting the best and brightest minds in mathematics.
Among this elite group, we are incredibly proud to celebrate Year 11 student Tianyu Shen, who was selected for the 57th NMSS, distinguishing herself through her remarkable achievements in mathematics and competitions. As the sole representative from the Gold Coast region, Tianyu’s dedication and passion for learning stood out, earning her a spot among just 67 Year 11 students nationwide chosen for the program.
Her accomplishments didn’t stop there! Tianyu was also awarded a 75% sponsorship of the program fee by the University of Queensland, recognizing her contributions as a UQ Science Ambassador. During her time at NMSS from 5 to 18 January 2025, she proudly represented A.B. Paterson College, serving as a role model for fellow students in the senior division, enhancing our school's reputation, and forging invaluable connections with like-minded peers.
Erin Keogh | Acting Head of Mathematics Faculty
Exciting news about Amy Jang in Year 8!
At the recent Table Tennis Australian Tour, held at Sydney Olympic Park from 23-25 May, Amy delivered a stellar performance, securing the bronze medal in the Under 17 Girls Singles category.
Currently ranked as Queensland’s #1 player in the Under 15 Girls division, Amy has earned a place in the Queensland state team for the upcoming National Championships. The tournament will take place in Melbourne from 5-13 July, where she will proudly represent her state on the national stage.
Congratulations to Amy on her incredible achievements—we wish her the best of luck at the Nationals!
Matt Stopel | Acting Head of Co-Curricular Activities
Host Family Expression of Interest - Early Access to Japan Tour Participants!
Honjo Higashi Sister School Visit: 18 – 26 July 2025
The Languages Faculty is seeking 25 families with students from Years 7-11 to host a Japanese student from our sister school, Honjo Higashi, in early Term 3 this year.
The Honjo Tour Group has 25 students ranging from 15– 8 years old. We are still seeking host families for 3 male students and 7 female students, and a family that does not have pets to host a female student.
Benefits of hosting a student in your home for the duration of the tour include:
If you are interested, please access the link below to fill in the application form.
Host Family Expression of Interest Form
Please also note that it is a requirement for all persons in the household over 18 years of age to have a Blue Card to be eligible to host a student. The blue card is valid for three (3) years and is free to apply for.
To apply for a Blue Card, please click on the link below and it will prompt you to provide:
Blue Card Services Applicant Portal
An account number will then be generated which you will need to forward with your date of birth to: compliance@abpat.qld.edu.au
For those families who hosted last year, you will also need to provide the College with the card number and date of birth from your previous application.
If you have any questions regarding hosting a student from our sister school, Honjo Higashi, please don’t hesitate to contact our Head of Languages Faculty, Ms Cheyne Sandercoe directly by email: csandercoe@abpat.qld.edu.au
Arigatou!
Cheyne Sandercoe | Head of Languages Faculty
On Wednesday 28 May, a team of five keen readers from A.B. Paterson College competed in the Gold Coast region Readers Cup competition for Year 5-6.
Aimee, Danielle, Mackenzie, Saya and Scarlett prepared for the competition by reading five new and notable novels. At the competition, held at Hillcrest Christian College, the team answered challenging questions about the books to test their knowledge and understanding of them.
The team had a great time working together and lots of fun at the event, which was attended by 22 schools from all over the Gold Coast. Unfortunately, we didn't receive any prizes, but the best reward was getting together to celebrate our love of books and the importance of reading.
Congratulations to the team members on their commitment and determination.
Kelly Whiteway | Head of Library Services
Are you in Years 7-12 and have a talent singing or playing a musical instrument? You can now apply for the AB X-Factor, the new hit segment of ABTV! Just fill out the form before the end of Term 2, and we will be in touch for the first round of auditions to occur early in Term 3.
Requirements:
There will be three phases to the AB X-Factor. After initial auditions, a group of finalists will be selected, and from this four grand finalists will be chosen.
If you would not like your audition to be featured on a future ABTV instalment, or if you have a specific way that you would like to be portrayed (e.g. certain camera angles), then feel free to let us know on the day. However, the finalist's round will be required to feature in an episode, and grand finalists will be doing a special live performance at the end of the year.
Thank you everyone for your enthusiasm so far, and we can’t wait to see the incredible talent that A.B. Paterson College has to offer.
Sincerely your judges,
Matilda Grant, Sunny Liu, Brock Drinkwater and Aliyah Luman
Students in Years 8–10 are invited to apply for RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment), a two and half day residential camp designed to develop leadership skills, self-awareness, and personal growth. This dynamic program offers a unique opportunity to build confidence, improve teamwork, and form lasting friendships, all in a supportive camp environment.
Please note that this opportunity is offered by an external provider, the Rotary Club of Coomera Valley, and not organised by the College.
The next RYPEN camp will take place from 13–15 June 2025 at Bornhoffen PCYC. Applications are open now and spaces are limited.
Key Points:
If you have any concerns, please email mstopel@abpat.qld.edu.au
Matt Stopel | Acting Director of Co-Curricular Activities
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:
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
Our bookings for the 2025–2026 Inspire Business Directory have officially commenced — and slots are filling up fast!
This is the perfect chance to showcase your business to the A.B. Paterson College community, which includes over 1,600 students, 1,100 families, and a digital audience of more than 33,000 each month.
Advertising Packages:
Plus, $100 from every booking supports the A.B. Paterson College Foundation.
To secure 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!
Type on the line above then press the Enter/Return key to submit a new search query