Week 5, Term 3 2025

Balancing Knowledge and Wonder – Reflections from ASA Conference

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Immersion: Living Our Anglican Identity conference with our Chaplaincy team. Leaders from Anglican schools across Australia gathered to explore how our values come alive in daily school life – how faith, character, and learning intersect to form the heartbeat of a community.

One keynote that stayed with me came from Dr Iain McGilchrist, a psychiatrist and philosopher, who reminded us that education is about far more than filling young minds with information. He spoke about being intentional with the “input” our students receive, the ideas, influences, and examples we place before them, and ensuring these help shape young people who can express themselves with clarity and confidence, remain curious about the world, and listen and learn with empathy.

In his words, the measure of learning is not how much a student can recall, but how well they can reason, question, and respond with insight. That’s why the process of drawing thinking out of our young people – through challenge, conversation, and curiosity – is as vital as the knowledge we give them.

Dr McGilchrist also spoke passionately about the enduring importance of the liberal arts and humanities in our tech-reliant world. Far from being outdated, these disciplines equip students to see patterns, connect across cultures, and temper innovation with empathy. I am heartened that so many of our Senior School students choose subject pathways that include a creative or expressive element – whether in the arts, literature, or languages – alongside their STEM studies. This builds both the precision of knowledge and the breadth of understanding that our world so urgently needs.

A phrase from one of Dr McGilchrist’s reflections has guided me this year as your new Principal: “A sense of depth is intrinsic to seeing things in context.” This article by Jenny Mackness explores this concept further, drawing on his work. At All Saints, that depth is found in moments that connect our values to action. When a senior student takes time to mentor a younger peer, when a cast supports one another before a performance, or when a sporting team rallies together in encouragement. These moments remind us that the magic of our school is not just in what is taught, but in the joy, wonder, and shared humanity of how it is learned.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FORTNIGHT

Gold Coast Eisteddfod – Students from across the school have participated in a remarkable number of events, from music ensembles to speech and drama performances. These experiences help build not just skill, but confidence in performing before both an audience and adjudicators. Congratulations to all who have represented All Saints so proudly.
APS Sport Season Underway – APS Sport trials are complete and our second season kicks off today. Good luck to all our teams. Congratulations and best wishes to our four boys’ and girls’ QCup AFL teams competing in Ipswich next week.
Colour Run – Our Year 12 students created a joyful and memorable event for our Junior Schoolers, complete with colour, laughter, and encouragement. Seeing our seniors holding hands with younger students, cheering them on, and sharing in their excitement was a beautiful picture of our community in action.
Principal’s Coffee Morning – Earlier this week, I shared more detail about our Community Survey, including insights into student perceptions. We then discussed our major areas of school life – learning, sport, arts, culture – and gathered some brilliant, useful feedback. Thank you to those who attended; your thoughts continue to shape our direction. Our next Coffee Morning will be held on Thursday 21 August, 8.30am. RSVP here.

Dr McGilchrist reminds us that everything is interconnected; everything relates to everything else. One must never lose sight of the interconnected nature of things. It’s a good reminder for me as Principal, and for all of us, that what we do in one area of school life –learning, sport, arts, service – ripples across the whole community and adds value to the experience of all students. Thank you all for being such an important part of that bigger picture.

See you around campus!

Matt Corbett
Principal

Assessment Feedback: Testing, Testing One … Two …

A recurring theme that has come through a few of the recent Round Table Conferences has been the way staff communicate feedback to students regarding summative assessment items.

In the Middle School, we cannot possibly establish a one size fits all policy on this issue as the feedback given on a task will depend on the year level involved, the subject in question and the intent of the task design itself. As a rule of thumb, though, at the commencement of Middle School in Year 7, students complete a significant portion of their assessment in class time and receive extensive scaffolding and teacher guidance.

As the students move into the older years and have had the opportunity to attempt a skill/genre/mode of assessment a second or third time, teachers may provide less scaffolding and incrementally raise their expectations as to how much of a task a student must complete independently. It is worth noting that all our task sheets, assessment rubrics, reporting standards and effort ratings explicitly refer to the level of independence and/or familiarity with the material built into a task. Our staff are in constant communication with each other regarding the timing and extent of their feedback – whether it be written or verbal – with a view to each class’s experience being as consistent as possible with the rest of their cohort. Should any inconsistencies arise, our Year Level Coordinators do their very best to restore parity by extending deadlines or liaising with their team to recalibrate expectations by the time final grades are awarded.

All in all, it is a complex, dynamic process with the goal of nurturing students who are independent, resilient and solution-focussed. We very much appreciate the support of a parent community who understand how vitally important these life skills are!

Todd Harm
Head of Middle School

Middle School Science Week 2025

The National Science Week is a celebration of all things science and technology.

This week, our Middle School scientists took part in an exciting extravaganza.

The week began with watching Wreck-It Ralph, a movie linked to IT innovation. Video games and networking technologies are the key focus here.

On Tuesday, our All Saints space specialists converted the laboratories into mission control for the Destination Moon escape room challenge. Solving puzzles to save stranded astronauts.

Later that day, a core crew of Middle School chemists competed in the Titration Challenge, proving that they could hold their own against Senior School Students and All Saints Teachers.

Thursday saw science trivia testing STEM knowledge. Teams battled it out for glory and prizes, proving that scientific knowledge can be both competitive and fun.

We had 9 teams and 28 students competing. Two winning teams:

🏆 6+7 – Year 9 team of Johdi, Hannah and Tyra
🏆 Anko Quality – Year 8 team of Jasper, Archi, and Nate

Bringing the week to a close, guest speakers Jesse Adler and Ryan Kidd (both All Saints alumni) shared their inspiring journeys in the sciences since graduating from their All Saints Studies.

Well done to our future STEM specialists for taking part in this wonderful week.

Andrew Hawtin
Enrichment and Support Teacher

Halfway Through a Term Full of Highlights

We are approaching half time of this incredible term! At the end of Week 3, we bid 'au revoir' to our French exchange students. Thanks so much for all the work put into this program by Madame Mary Spinella. I am sure they had an amazing time.

I am very proud of our APS Athletics Team for coming 2nd in the APS Athletics Championships. The students were amazing as were the staff who supported all students across the two day event in Week 4.

We are in full swing with Performing Arts eisteddfods which started with a valuable Percussion Workshop, the Big Band Picnic and an outstanding performance and result by the Senior Chorus on Monday of this week. There are many more competitions to come, and I look forward to many outstanding results.

I would like to thank Mr Craig Pascoe and the staff who attended the Year 10 Dinner Dance at HOTA last Friday night. The students looked amazing! I can only imagine what their formal will be like. The speeches, dancing, food and behaviour of the students was excellent.

Monday of this week we hosted Emma Tabacaru and Tommy Herschell, who spoke to the Year 11 girls and boys respectively. These sessions are a very valuable part of our pastoral care program, and the students made the most of the opportunities offered to them on the afternoon. Thank you so much to the staff members who attended and supported these programs.

The Year 10 students didn’t miss out either, as they attended a presentation put on for them by Brainstorm productions. The session was well presented as usual and very educational.

On Tuesday, the staff were treated to a very special Hospitality Student Luncheon put on in Heavens Above, which was fantastic - well done Ms Sayers, Mr Wells and all of the Hospitality students in both Year 11 and 12.

Tuesday was also the Wonderland on a Plate initiative between the Visual Art and the Service Learning teams to raise awareness and funds Givathon and the Senior School's chosen charity, the Angelman Foundation. It was a fantastic success with every table in the room full of budding artists and their family members from every sub-school. Well done to the Visual Art Captains, Ms Sparks, Ms Collins and Ms Thorpe!

This week was Science Week and the Senior Tutor Groups have been participating in a Science Trivia Competition during Tutor times all week. There was also a staff vs student titration (chemical analysis) competition on Tuesday at lunch. A great time was had by all.

Wednesday’s assembly saw an extraordinary musical presentation by the Science Ambassadors as well as a fascinating talk by past student and cryptography and computational number theory, Craig Costello.

Thursday, we had the Colour Rush that was put on by the Senior Business students for our Junior School students and what a success it was. Following on from the Colour Rush was a lovely evening where the Year 12s had a movie night in the HPE.

Our Student Wellbeing Committee (SWC) recently welcomed Headspace’s Community Engagement Coordinator, who shared insights into their work and discussed opportunities to collaborate with us during Mental Health Week (Week 1 of Term 4), including the possibility of sponsoring some of our activities.

In addition to all the external sport happing around the place (football, Rugby 7s, volleyball, AFL and basketball) we have had three amazing elite athletes make headlines this week:

Julia O’Shea competed in the Australian Pool Rescue Titles receiving 3 Aussie Golds and 1 Aussie Silver medal – Well done, Julia!

Amelie Sanders has departed to compete in the Track Cycling World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Good luck, Amelie!

Julia Remington has departed to Romania to compete in the World Junior Swimming Championships – Best of luck, Julia!

A big congratulations also goes to Deeva Hero who on Tuesday night was the recipient of a Peter Doherty Outstanding Senior STEM Student Award. The award was presented by the Hon John-Paul Langbroek, the Minister for Education and the Arts.

Just a bit of concluding business: Year 11 parents, our Year 11 Leadership Camp is coming up fast (Week 9), please go to your Parent Lounge and complete the camp tasks. Thanks!

Stacey Ward
Acting Head of Senior School

SASSAFAS Students Step-Up at Connect 2 Home Event

Thirteen Middle School students from All Saints Anglican School’s SASSAFAS program recently volunteered at the Gold Coast’s annual Connect2Home event, held at People’s First Stadium. Accompanied by Mrs Meredith Siegmann and Ms Louise Thorpe, the students played a vital role in supporting vulnerable members of the community.

Throughout the day, students assisted with a range of tasks including guiding attendees to community services, managing luggage at the cloakroom, conducting client surveys, sorting through and distribution of pre-loved clothes, distributing food items and water, and even face painting to bring smiles to those attending. Their presence and compassion made a meaningful impact on both the event and the people they served.

Student Mischa Ong shared, “I had the best time, definitely a great experience! Thank you so much for the opportunity.”

Maddie Berkowitz, Elizabeth McLaren and Beth Swift-Hoadley reflected, “We really valued the Connect2Home opportunity as we got the chance to talk and learn from lots of people, who each had insights and surprised us in different ways. Many of these people were just trying to make ends meet but would go without something if they saw others needed it more. The event opened our eyes and increased our awareness and empathy towards those who are struggling in our community.”

This experience not only allowed students to serve but also deepened their understanding of homelessness and the importance of community support. Their efforts exemplify the spirit of service and empathy that SASSAFAS aims to cultivate.

Louise Thorpe
Service Learning Coordinator

Wonderland on a Plate: Art Meets Heart for Angelman Syndrome

On 12 August, the Senior School Visual Art Room at All Saints Anglican School was transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity and compassion as students, parents, and staff gathered for Wonderland on a Plate — a collaborative fundraiser initiated by the Year 12 SOS Team and the Senior School’s Art Department.

The event aimed to raise funds for Giveathon and awareness for Angelman Syndrome, a neurogenetic disorder, through a unique fusion of art and advocacy. Attendees were invited to design and decorate ceramic plates, with their beautiful creations guided and supported by our talented Art Educators, Ms Amani Sparks and Ms Marijke Collins, alongside our Senior Art Captains. Each plate was carefully prepared to be sealed and fired, turning artistic expression into lasting keepsakes.

The evening was a testament to the power of community, with heartfelt participation from students, teachers, and families. The atmosphere was filled with colour, conversation, and a shared commitment to making a difference.

Much gratitude goes to the All Saints Anglican School community for embracing this student-led initiative and helping turn creativity into meaningful change.

Louise Thorpe
Service Learning / Chaplaincy Administrator

Anglican Schools in Australia: Stats, Smiles & Saints

Last week, members of our Chaplaincy team, along with the School Principal and Chair of School Council, attended the annual Anglican Schools Australia Conference held in Brisbane. A three-day conference. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues from Anglican schools across the country, share stories, and learn from inspiring keynote speakers and practical workshops.

One theme echoed throughout the conference was the importance of dignity immersed in school culture—a culture that flows directly from the Christian values taught in our Chapels and Christian Living classes. It was clear that schools nationwide are committed to immersing themselves more deeply in their Anglican identity, not just as a tradition, but as a living, breathing foundation that will shape the future of our students long after they walk out through our blue gates.

A NATIONAL NETWORK WITH LOCAL HEART
Anglican schools have quietly become one of the most influential education sectors in Australia. In fact, they’re now the third-largest schooling sector in the country—just behind government and Catholic schools. With close to 180,000 students enrolled across more than 150 schools, the Anglican network is a thriving community of learning, faith, and growth.

ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN SCHOOL: AND A COMMUNITY OF SAINTS
Here on the Gold Coast, All Saints Anglican School is proud to be part of this flourishing tradition. With a student population of close to 1900, including 97 international students, our school is one of the largest and most dynamic Anglican schools in Queensland. And just to clear up any confusion: we’re the All Saints Anglican School in Merrimac, Gold Coast—not the one in Perth or Shepparton. Ours is the one with the palm trees, the splendid Wetlands, and the occasional surfboard in the car park.

WHAT MAKES ANGLICAN SCHOOLS SPECIAL?
As parents of All Saints students, you already know the difference an Anglican education makes. But here’s a little celebration of what sets these schools apart:

Faith with Heart: Anglican schools offer a thoughtful and inclusive approach to Christian values. Students are encouraged to explore faith in a way that’s meaningful, respectful, and relevant to their lives.

Whole-Person Education: It’s not just about grades—it’s about growing character, compassion, and confidence. From pastoral care to service learning, Anglican schools nurture the whole child.

Community and Connection: Anglican schools sometimes have strong ties to local parishes and community initiatives. We certainly do! Our partnership with Anglican Church Robina is a shining example. Over the past decade, 20 interns have flowed through the parish from our school, enriching both communities. We’re especially excited about a new youth program currently being introduced at the church—another step forward in our shared mission to support and inspire young people.

Tradition with a Twist: While rooted in tradition, Anglican schools are anything but old-fashioned. They blend heritage with innovation, offering modern facilities, dynamic teaching, and a culture that celebrates both excellence and kindness.

A PROUD PLACE IN A NATIONAL NETWORK
With over 9,600 schools across Australia, Anglican schools may be a smaller slice of the pie—but they pack a powerful punch. And All Saints is a standout—educating more than 1% of all Anglican school students in the country. That’s a pretty impressive stat for a school that still feels like a close-knit community.

So next time you’re at a school event, watching your child perform, compete, or simply grow into their best self, know that they’re part of something bigger—a tradition of excellence, faith, and joy that stretches across the nation.

May God bless you all,

Mother Ann McGuinness
School Chaplain

Hockey Stars Shine at State Championships and Beyond!

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of two rising stars in Year 7 — Philip Bruese and Julian Shortreed — who recently travelled to Townsville to compete in the 13-15 Years State Hockey Championships. Representing the School Sport South Coast regional team, they finished in a commendable 6th place.

Both lads had an especially impressive season in Rockhampton, with Julian earning selection for the Gold Coast Under 14 Boys First Team. He will also soon compete with the Gold Coast Under 16 Second Team. Both boys have demonstrated outstanding commitment and skill — they are certainly ones to watch! Notably, Julian and Philip were each named Player of the Match during a pool game, and Philip was honoured as Player of the Tournament for the Gold Coast. Philip's exceptional performance earned him selection for the Queensland Team, which will compete in Brisbane this October.

In addition, four talented Junior School students — Elle McKenna, Zoe Peters, Annabelle Spencer, and Philippa Spencer — proudly represented All Saints at the Under 12 State Championships in Toowoomba as part of the School Sport South Coast team, achieving an impressive 5th place in Queensland. Despite the chilly conditions in Toowoomba, the girls played with remarkable resilience and spirit.

They continued their strong season by representing the Gold Coast at the State Championships in Brisbane. Competing against top players from across the state, they showcased exceptional skill, teamwork, and determination.

Congratulations to all our hockey players for their hard work, sportspersonship, and for representing All Saints with pride!

Candice de Casanove
Middle School Teacher

All Saints Basketball Shines Across Three-Term Carnival

All Saints Basketball teams have wrapped up an exciting three-term carnival, showcasing determination, teamwork, and school spirit across all divisions.

TEAM RESULTS

Open Boys: 8th place
Sophomore Girls: 6th place
Sophomore Boys: 5th place

Each team demonstrated resilience and growth throughout the season, competing fiercely against strong opposition and representing All Saints with pride.

ALL STAR SELECTIONS
A special congratulations to three standout athletes who were selected for the prestigious All Star Teams, recognising the top 10 performers in their respective divisions:

Ella Jin (Year 8)
Josh Hancock (Year 8)
Finley Dowdeswell (Year 7)

Their selection is a testament to their skill, dedication, and impact on the court. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing their continued success in future competitions.

A big thank you to our coaches, families, and supporters who have cheered on our teams throughout the carnival. Your encouragement and commitment make a lasting difference.

Go Saints!

Karen Couch
Middle School Teacher

Girls AFL Teams Make Their Mark at Regional Finals!

Last week, all three of our Girls AFL Teams proudly represented the school in the Regional Finals of the AFL StreetSmart QCup – and they certainly made us proud!

JUNIORS DOMINATE AT YERONGA
It was an early start for our Junior Team, travelling up the M1 to Yeronga to take on Marsden Senior High School. Under the leadership of rookie coach Hutch and first-time team manager Ms Beddows, the girls put on a powerhouse performance, storming to a 76–0 victory. A special shout-out goes to Hannah McLachlan, who stepped in at the last minute (6:45am!) to fill the gap left by injury and illness – true team spirit in action! The Juniors now head into the Quarter Finals on Thursday 21 August at 11:15am
at Limestone Park, Ipswich, where they’ll face Helensvale Senior High School.

YOUTH TEAM SHOW COURAGE AND DETERMINATION
At Carrara, our Youth Team faced a tough challenge against Southport Senior High School. Backing up after a big day at APS Athletics, it was clear the girls were feeling the pace, but they fought hard until the final siren.
While they didn’t come away with the win this time, their overall performance in the competition was outstanding, defeating strong schools with an inexperienced squad is no small achievement.

SENIORS POWER INTO THE NEXT ROUND
Also at Carrara, the Senior Team took on Southport Senior High School and rose to the occasion in style. With fierce tackling, quick ball movement, and sheer determination, they secured a commanding 69–19 win. Led by the energetic duo of Cass and Murphy, the Seniors are now through to the Quarter Finals, where they’ll take on Hillcrest Christian College on Thursday 21 August at 12:30pm at Limestone Park, Ipswich.

I’m so proud of every single player for their commitment, resilience, and teamwork throughout what has been a long and challenging season. Good luck to our Juniors and Seniors in the Quarter Finals – we know you’ll give it everything!

Jen Ley
Girls AFL Coordinator

AFL Success Across All Levels

Our AFL students have had an incredible season, showcasing talent, dedication, and school pride across local and national competitions. From national team selections to strong performances in the AFLQ Schools Cup, our boys continue to impress on and off the field.

KOBY COULSON & COOPER COLLINS
Year 12 Students Koby Coulson and Cooper Collins have excelled in AFL this year. Both boys were part of the U18 Suns Academy team that competed in the Coates Talent League against other U18 teams across Victoria. The Suns team went through the competition undefeated winning all 4 games.

From this Koby and Cooper were selected as part of the U18 Allies team, which includes boys from QLD, NSW, ACT, TAS and NT. The Allies team competed in the U18 Boys National championship where the boys’ played games against South Australian (7 point loss), Western Australian (5 point win), Victoria Country and Victoria Metro. Koby and Cooper started each game and were key contributors to the team’s success . The Allies team also included ex All Saints students Kalani White and Beau Addinsall 2024. The National Championship is a breeding ground for future AFL stars with all 18 AFL clubs having a watchful eye over the nation’s talent ahead of the 2025 AFL draft.

Recently Koby was selected to be part of the National Draft Combine to take place in Melbourne in October. All 18 AFL clubs will be present as they watch the nations best young players being put through a weekend of physical testing.

We are extremely proud of Koby and Cooper and wish them all the best for the AFL drafter later in the year.

JESSE WENZEL & JESSE HARDING - QLF U17 AFL
Congratulations to Year 12 students Jesse Harding and Jesse Wenzel on their selection in the Queensland U17 boys AFL team. The boys travelled to Victoria recently to represent QLD against Victoria Metro, which is arguably the strongest AFL area in Australia. The boys played outstanding and pushed Vic metro all the way, going down 83 to 57.

AFLQ SCHOOLS CUP
JUNIOR BOYS (YR 7 & 8)
Our Junior Boys recently competed in the regional finals of the AFLQ schools cup against Southport SHS. The boys had a strong start, kicking 3 consecutive goals and leading by 12 points at quarter time. Vibes were high and confidence was through the roof. Unfortunately, in the second quarter we had 2 game ending injuries to very important players of our team. The boys continued to compete and fight for the entire game, and no one could fault their effort. Unfortunately, the boys were beaten 40-20, which ended their AFLQ Schools cup campaign. I’d like to commend the boys on their enthusiasm and commitment to AFL. They always had great numbers at training and represented their school with pride and honour in all games. I’d like to thank Mr Luke Black and Mr Jeff White for volunteering your coaching expertise and helping develop the boys their AFL skills and love for the game.

YOUTH BOYS (YR 9 & 10)
Our Youth boys have had two recent wins over Mt St Patricks Murwillumbah (90-40) and Southport SHS (82-42). The boys have now progressed through to the AFLQ Schools Cup quarter finals to be played on Thursday 21 August against St Laurene’s college at Ipswich.

SENIOR BOYS (YR 11 & 12)
Our Senior boys (Year 11&12) have now progressed through to the AFLQ Schools Cup quarter finals. The boys have had two great wins over Kingscliff High (90-28) win and Marymount College (104-48). The boys have now progressed through to the AFLQ Schools Cup quarter finals to be played on Thursday the 21st of August against Iona College at Ipswich

We wish both our youth and senior boys all the best for the next game.

Jay Meany
Boys AFL Coordinator

APS Athletics Carnival Success

Under clear blue skies and with the All Saints spirit soaring, our students delivered an outstanding performance at this week’s APS Athletics Carnival held at Somerset. From sprints to long-distance runs, jumps to throws, our athletes gave it their all — and the results speak for themselves!

Not only did our students bring home a host of trophies and individual accolades, but many also achieved new personal bests (PBs), and a many new APS records were set, showcasing the incredible talent and determination across all age groups.

MIDDLE AND SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS
Our Middle and Senior School athletes came 2nd overall and brought home a string of impressive accolades:

🏆 13 Years Girls Age Group Champions
🏆 17 Years Girls Age Group Champions
🏆 Girls Overall Aggregate Trophy
🏆 Second Place Overall

Individual Standouts
🥉 Oliver Cooke – 14 Years Boys 3rd Age Champion
🥉 Darcy Laing – 14 Years Girls 3rd Age Champion
🥉 Annaliese Murphy – 17+ Girls 3rd Age Champion
🥈 Finley Dowdeswell – 13 Years Boys 2nd Age Champion
🥇 Jesse Wenzel – 17+ Boys 1st Age Champion
🥇 Ellie Eckstein – 13 Years Girls 1st Age Champion

JUNIOR SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
The Junior School team delivered an outstanding performance, taking home both the overall and aggregate trophies!

Individual Achievements
🥇 Christopher Cooke – 10 Years Boys Age Champion
🥈 Blake Eckstein – 10 Years Boys 2nd Age Champion
🥈 Archer Stevenson – 11 Years Boys 2nd Age Champion
🥈 Alexandra Palenschus – 11 Years Girls 2nd Age Champion
🥉 Jarvis Benneworth – 12 Years Boys 3rd Age Champion

Team Awards
🏆 11 Years Girls Age Group Champions
🏆 9–10 Years Boys Age Group Champions
🏆 Girls Overall
🏆 Boys Overall
🏆 Percentage Trophy
🏆 Aggregate Trophy

Congratulations to all our athletes for their dedication, sportsmanship, and incredible achievements. You’ve made the All Saints community proud!

Student Sporting Achievements

AFL
Congratulations to Kai Rischitelli (Year 7) and Ilaria Liussi (Year 6) who were both selected in the QLD AFL teams played at the National Championships in Maroochydore last week.
Kai was named Vice Captain.

GOLF
As a member of the South Coast Golf team, Jay Topakas (Year 10) competed in the Queensland Golf State Championships at Gailes Golf Club, Brisbane.

It was a 4 day, 72 hole event. South Coast ended the tournament in first place, winning the Gold Medal for the teams event.

GYMNASTICS
Congratulations to Year 2 students Emilia Bookless, Lala Cao and Arabella Kyle who competed at the Rhythmic Gymnastics State Championships over the weekend all taking home silver medals.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
At All Saints, our students are always striving for excellence — in the classroom, on the field, and beyond. We love celebrating their successes in Saints Alive, and we invite you to share any achievements, big or small!

If your child has recently accomplished something noteworthy, please send through the details and any photos to the relevant sub-school:

Junior School – juniorreception@asas.qld.edu.au
Middle School – middlereception@asas.qld.edu.au
Senior School – seniorreception@asas.qld.edu.au

Let’s keep celebrating the amazing things our Saints are doing every day!

Gold Coast Drama Festival – All Saints on Stage

Our Junior Drama students shone brightly at the 2025 Gold Coast Secondary Schools Drama Festival with their performance of The Layover by Tracy Wells, directed by talented Year 11 students Rebecca Hodgson, Zali Madrers, and Madi Matthews.

Adjudicator Clint Bolster praised the performance for its maturity, strong ensemble skills, and the nuanced characterisation of each cast member. He commended the student directors for their simple yet highly effective staging choices. Highly Commended certificates were awarded to Hannah McLachlan, Benjamin Zannakis, and Dylan Andriano, with Hannah also receiving one of only eight Best Actor trophies presented across the three nights of competition. What a remarkable achievement.

Congratulations to the entire cast — Dylan Andriano, Alana Harrison, Ned McKinnon, Hannah McLachlan, Josie Mitchell, Matilda Petty, Poppy Richardson, Tilly Smith, Kadence Ward, Joanna Ye, and Benjamin Zannakis — and their dedicated directors, Rebecca Hodgson, Zali Madrers, Madi Matthews. Thanks to Mrs Pamela Cassidy, Mrs Natalie Kirk for mentoring the students as well as our thanks to Ariana Sinner for technically supporting the production.

Your passion, commitment, and artistry have made the All Saints community proud.

Chantelle Flint
Head of Department (Performing Arts Years 7-12)

Eisteddfod Update

Music Eisteddfod is in full swing with Choirs performing this week and some of our small groups in the past couple of weeks.

CHOIRS
Over 300 children have sung their hearts out and represented the school brilliantly, with students as young as Year 2 through to Senior. We have had 3 Junior school choirs perform, our Middle school Melba Girls, Seniors Chorus, Britten Girls (with a virtual entry), and All Saints Voices will compete on Friday night. A highlight was Senior Chorus receiving a brilliant 2nd Place in the very competitive A Grade, and Melba being placed 3rd in their section, and our wonderful Year 3/4 choir winning!

INSTRUMENTAL
Many of our small ensembles have performed also: Middle and Senior flutes, clarinet, saxophone, cellos, Junior school clarinets, Piano trio, and Middle school Piano Quintet. Congratulations to all performers. Awards were given to Middle cellos, (1st) Senior saxes (2nd ), Middle School Holloway Quintet (3rd ) place and Senior clarinets (3rd).

The next two weeks see hundreds of students performing in the Bands (week 6) and String Ensembles (Week 7) categories. Percussion and Drumline wrap up the Music part of the Eisteddfod just prior to the Gold Coast Show holiday!

INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS
I enjoy hearing from parents about the success and performances of children individually also. Congratulations to some I know of – Lydia and Tania (who received a special award at the Wynnum/Manly Eisteddfod).

Leon Wang came 2nd place in the Gold Coast Eisteddfod Junior lower string Championship. He also achieved a very highly commended in the solo section.

Grace Nairne awarded 'Most Promising Tapper' 12 years and under in the Eisteddfod Dance Solos.

Cooper Kime awarded 'Adjudicators Encouragement Award' in the Eisteddfod Dance Solos.

Jessica Kime awarded 'Gold Coast Eisteddfod Grand Champion' in the Eisteddfod Dance Solos.

Darwin Huang, Mia Huang also achieving awards and many more. Please send me photos if you can of individual achievements.

Owen Clarke
Director of Performing Arts