On Wednesday, 28 August, Year 9 set out by bus to Somersby on an adventure; the Year 9 Camp. At a truck stop, our guides from the Outdoor Education Group (OEG) gave us all hiking backpacks which we packed carefully for what we knew would be a hard three days. From Wednesday to Friday, we walked approximately 40 kilometres in the Brisbane Water National Park. The camp was a hard walk for everybody but we all felt accomplished when we saw Patonga Beach at the end of our trek, even though the beach was cloudy and windswept.

On the first day, we enjoyed good, even warm, weather as we started to walk to our first campsite. We negotiated a track down and then out of a steep valley, regarded in the bushwalking world as a Grade 5 track. A Grade 5 track has some parts with a 1:10 gradient. After a long day of walking, we finally found our campsite which was a sight for sore eyes. 

On Thursday, after a walk of approximately 12 kilometres including another two Grade 5 descents and ascents in and out of valleys, just as we reached our campsites for the night, the rain started to pour down. It did not stop all that night and the next day, even when we were huddled in a “beach” shelter at Patonga at the end of the trek. The rain made a difficult camp harder. At one stage, we crossed a swollen creek in which water came up to our knees. It gave a new meaning to the “Brisbane Water National Park”. When we finally unloaded the packs at Patonga, however, everyone felt a great sense of accomplishment and relief. 

The ride back to Redfield was filled with good vibes and laughter. Year 9 had completed a difficult 40-kilometre bushwalk carrying our tents, sleeping gear and food supplies in some of the worst weather for hiking. Mr Foxe said we had all handled it “remarkably well”.

I would like to thank OEG for supplying hiking gear and our guides, along with Mr Fitzgerald and Mr Foxe, for coming along with us. The camp was very hard but very rewarding for everyone who went. 

- Damien Doowage, Year 9 

“Reading is my Secret Power” is the theme for Book Week 2019 and, if you think about it, reading does indeed give us secret powers: the power to walk in the shoes of others through their stories, the power to escape into other worlds, the power to improve vocabulary and imagination… the list goes on. 

Book Week is also the time of year when the College’s students transform into authors, illustrators and poets. Dante Musico invited us to travel back in time to the very retro 80’s, while Jordan Hatcher took us on a very interesting adventure, trying to help Mr Trump find his wig and Mark D’Mello beautifully explained why reading is so powerful. The creative flair of Redfield’s Primary poets, authors and illustrators was clearly seen again in 2019 and the entire staff was blown away by the high quality of the student works. For those parents who could not make it, there is a small selection of the works available to view in our online gallery.

All the Primary students had the opportunity to meet Anna Fienberg, the author of Tashi and a very energetic Tim Harris, the author of Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables. The boys were all very excited and it has shown with the number of books that have been borrowed.

The week ended in typical fashion with our Character Costume Parade, where our Years 2 and 3 boys were transformed into their favourite book characters. Even the horrible weather could not stop the fantastic fun all had. 

Final congratulations go to all the students for a fantastic week and thanks go to all the parents who helped and supported their sons. 

- Carlos Del Rosario, College Library Assistant

“Dad! Dad! We need to get to school before there is a massive line!” This was almost every Primary Redfield boy’s first words to their dads on Thursday morning. Redfield had organised a Father’s Day Barbecue for before school and dads could have a nice, quick breakfast with their sons and head off to work. 

The line for the barbecue started short early in the morning but managed to go from Reddie’s Cafe all the way to the road! A lot of the teachers were there so early to help out. Mr Hatcher, Mr Mejia, Mr Romeo, Mr Roberts and Mr Sarks all worked on the barbecue. Mrs Whitehurst was taking the money and giving people their pastries.

All the dads were astonished as they ate the glorious bacon and egg rolls, brioche buns, juicy, runny eggs, warm cappuccinos and hot chocolates. The Father’s Day Barbecue was the best! And really cheap too! All the dads were chatting together with their sons. Once the fathers left for work, the sons headed off to their first period and talked about how great the food was.

After a big bacon and egg burger, one or two danishes, tea, no matter what, all the kids and their fathers were really full. They couldn’t help but feel so warm and fuzzy on a cold winter’s morning. Nobody could beat this feeling. It definitely wasn’t like every other Thursday of the year.

- Aarian, Enea, Lachlan and Yuvidhu, Year 3 Students