From the Principal
Celebrating Our Teachers and Students
Mrs Felicity Grima, Principal
Term 4 is always a vibrant and exciting season at Penrith Anglican College as we move briskly toward the end of the academic year. Last Friday, we took time to celebrate and honour our incredible teaching staff with a morning of appreciation, complete with delicious food, coffee, and heartfelt messages and gifts. Our student leaders thoughtfully planned this event over several weeks, ensuring that every teacher felt seen, valued, and encouraged. We are also grateful to our P&F for their generous contribution of a “snack station” in the Common Room, which was warmly received by all staff.
I want to express my sincere thanks to our teachers for their unwavering dedication, compassion, and commitment to nurturing and educating our students. They are the heart of our College community, and their daily efforts make a lasting impact on the lives of our young people.
In recent weeks, the sound of the College bell has marked the completion of each HSC exam, bringing a sense of celebration and accomplishment. This bell, originally from Kingswood Anglican Church in the 1800s and gifted to the College in 2020, has become a cherished tradition—symbolising the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for our graduating students. The final HSC exam, Physics, will take place this Friday morning.
I also want to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of several of our secondary staff who have been involved in HSC marking this year. Their participation not only supports the broader educational community but also provides valuable professional development:
- Ancient History – Mr Al McCallum
- Business Studies – Mrs Miroula Elias
- Design & Technology (Itinerant Marking) – Mr Shannon Casey
- Hospitality – Mrs Di Catto
- Modern History – Mrs Amanda Houison
- Visual Arts (Itinerant Marking) – Mr Steve Lewis
- French – Miss Deb Anderson and Mrs Anne Bell
- History Extension (Supervisor) – Dr Sam Jackson
We are proud of their contributions and grateful for the expertise they bring back to our classrooms.
Finally, over the past year, a number of our Primary staff have undertaken the AISNSW Primary Mathematics Professional Learning program. This comprehensive training has deepened their understanding of effective mathematics instruction and equipped them with evidence-based strategies to enhance student learning. Their commitment to professional growth reflects our ongoing dedication to providing high-quality, engaging, and rigorous learning experiences for every student. We are proud of their efforts and look forward to seeing the continued impact of this learning in our classrooms.
Whole College
Uniform Shop: Extended Trading Hours.
The Penrith Anglican College Uniform Shop will close for the school holidays at 4:00pm on Friday, 12 December 2025. The shop will reopen for Term 1 on Monday, 12 January 2026 at 9:00am. Please take note of the extended opening hours for the Uniform Shop during Term 4, 2025 and Term 1, 2026.
The uniform shop will resume normal hours on Tuesday, 3 February 2026.
Important Dates for Term 4
From the Head of Primary
Mrs Melinda Richardson - Head of Primary
Why classroom expectations can’t mirror home
I love teaching Kindergarten! It’s one of my favourite parts of the week. There’s something truly special about seeing young children explore, create, and grow in those early years of school.
Just recently, during an art lesson, I found myself reflecting on how different the school experience is from home. In the space of a few minutes, I had one child asking me to turn on the tap, another needing a band aid, a third wondering where to put their artwork, and a fourth telling me they’d forgotten to write their name on the now painted artwork. Each of them needed help, and each of them needed it right now. Understandably, they couldn’t quite grasp why I couldn’t do all four things at once.
This moment reminded me of something important: at home, children often receive one-on-one attention. Their needs are met quickly, and they rarely have to wait or share adult support. In a classroom, however, they are learning alongside many others, and while teachers work hard to meet every child’s needs, the reality is that attention must be shared. This isn’t a disadvantage, it’s simply a different kind of learning. In a school setting, children develop patience, independence, and problem-solving skills, and learn to navigate social situations in order to become part of a community.
How can parents support this transition?
Here are some gentle, practical ways to support your child’s learning journey at home:
- Build Independence: Encourage your child to do small tasks on their own like packing their bag, tidying up, or choosing their clothes. These skills help them feel confident and capable in the classroom.
- Practice Patience: Play games that involve turn-taking or waiting. This helps children understand that sometimes they need to wait for help, just like they do at school.
- Talk About School Experiences: Ask questions like, “What did you do when you needed help today?” or “How did you solve a problem on your own?” These conversations build reflection and resilience.
- Celebrate Effort: Focus on praising persistence and trying new things, rather than just getting things ‘right’. This helps children embrace challenges at school.
- Stay Connected with Teachers: Teachers value your insights and partnership. A quick chat or note can help build a shared understanding of your child’s needs and progress.
Some key upcoming events
John Lambert Awards – Thursday, 6 November:
All students receiving an award should wear their formal Summer uniform for the presentation. Students in Years 2, 4 or 6 will then need to change into their Sports uniform for Swim School afterwards.
Grandparents Day – Friday, 7 November
This special event will commence at 1:00pm in the Gym, with light refreshments. Please join us in praying for good weather! Please ensure you RSVP on behalf of attending grandparents to assist with catering preparations.
This special event will commence at 1:00pm in the Gym, with light refreshments. Please join us in praying for good weather! Please ensure you RSVP on behalf of attending grandparents to assist with catering preparations.
We anticipate increased traffic in the car park at dismissal time, so where possible, arranging for a grandparent to take your child home may help ease congestion. Please allow for additional time on this afternoon.
2026 Orientation Events – Pre-K, Kindergarten & Year 7
If your family is welcoming a sibling to the College next year, we warmly encourage you to attend the Parent Sessions. These sessions offer a helpful refresher and are a wonderful way to welcome new families into our community.
If your family is welcoming a sibling to the College next year, we warmly encourage you to attend the Parent Sessions. These sessions offer a helpful refresher and are a wonderful way to welcome new families into our community.
The Scholastic Book Fair is back!
Please join us during Grandparents’ Day festivities on Friday, 7 November between 12 and 4pm to pick up some Christmas bargains and support the College Library.
Scholastic Book Fair is packed with a multitude of genres including fantasy, classics, award-winners, humour, nonfiction and mystery. Scholastic believes the best selection has variety for all ages, to capture the imagination and excite students about reading. There will also be lots of fun items for Christmas including kits, diaries, journals and much more.
You will find us in the Staff Common Room with bargains galore for all ages and payment accepted via cash or card. Prices start at $5!
Year 2: Garden to Table Cooking
This term, our Year 2 students have been busy getting their hands dirty — in the best way! Over the past few months, they’ve been growing spinach and chives in our Year 2 garden beds and learning all about what plants need to thrive. From sunlight and water to nutrients in the soil, gentle wind, and the right temperature, students discovered just how carefully God designed His creation to grow and flourish.
Each week, the students tended to their garden with such care; watering, weeding, and watching their plants change and grow stronger. They quickly learned that pulling out weeds isn’t just for neatness, but helps the plants stay healthy and get the nutrients they need. It was such a joy to see their excitement as the garden began to bloom!
When harvest time came, the fun really began. Using their homegrown spinach and chives, students rolled up their sleeves in the kitchen to make delicious spinach and chive Gozleme. They loved preparing and cooking their creations — and even more so, sharing them with students and staff around the College. Some were so inspired that they went home and made the recipe again for their families!
Through this experience, students learned not only about science and sustainability but also about God’s goodness in creation — how He helps things grow when we nurture them with care and patience. As it says in 1 Corinthians 3:7, “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”
We are so proud of our Year 2 students for the curiosity, teamwork, and joy they brought to this garden-to-table adventure. What a beautiful reminder that when we care for God’s world — and for each other — wonderful things can grow!
Cake and Crazy Socks Day
A huge thank you to everyone for your support during our Crazy Sock Day and Cake Stall! Together, we raised an incredible $1,821.70 for our Compassion sponsor student — what an amazing effort!
A special shout-out to our Year 6 students and their parents/carers for baking, bringing in and selling delicious cakes and treats. Your hard work and generosity made the day a huge success!
Year 2: Sydney Harbour Excursion
In Term 3, our Year 2 students enjoyed a wonderful day discovering the beauty and history of Sydney Harbour with Ranger Jamie Tours! The day began with a walk to Circular Quay, where excitement filled the air as students prepared to board their boat. Cruising around the Harbour, they marvelled at Sydney’s famous landmarks and reflected on how geography, history, science and God’s creation come together in this special place.
The first stop was Watsons Bay, where students took part in two hands-on activities. During Hand Reef Fishing, they examined the health of the Harbour, learning about marine ecosystems and sustainability. In Beach Habitats, students worked collaboratively to create animal homes, deepening their understanding of how living things depend on one another and their environment.
After lunch on board, the group cruised back to the Man O’War Steps Wharf, snapping some quick photographs on the steps of the beautiful Sydney Opera House, before taking a scenic walk back through Circular Quay and the Rocks.
For some of our students, this was their first visit to the iconic Sydney Harbour, while for others it was their first time on a water vessel making it a truly memorable day of learning and adventure. Our students represented the College beautifully showing curiosity, respect, and gratitude throughout the excursion. We are so proud of Year Two!
Secondary School
From the Head of Secondary
Mr Anthony Kelshaw - Head of Secondary
Perseverance in Learning
As the final term unfolds, the secondary community at Penrith Anglican College finds itself in the midst of exam season. Many families are immersed in a rhythm of revision, preparation, and reflection. For students, this time is not just about testing knowledge and understanding, it’s about demonstrating perseverance, one of our school values.
Across Years 7 to 10 and for our outgoing HSC cohort, students are engaging in the challenging work of consolidating their learning from the year. They’re organising notes, experimenting with study techniques, and pushing through moments of uncertainty. Whether it’s flashcards, mind maps, teaching parents, or rewriting summaries, each student is learning how to learn and learning how to persist.
Final exams are not the ultimate measure of academic success. They are one piece of a broader assessment puzzle that helps teachers understand what students know and where they can grow. This data informs how we shape future learning experiences to meet the needs of every individual child. For our HSC students it can be tempting to measure success by the outcome of the HSC exams, but thankfully, life is not determined by a collection of exams close to our 18th birthday.
Examination success looks different for everyone. For some, it’s achieving top marks, for others it’s improving on last year’s results and for others still it’s simply showing up and giving it a go. Students are choosing effort over avoidance, and persistence over procrastination. These moments of trying, failing, adjusting, and trying again is where perseverance and learning happens.
Learning is hard. It requires struggle, resilience, and a willingness to wrestle with complex ideas. In a world that often suggests young people should have an easy path, we know that growth comes through challenge. Exams offer an opportunity for students to refine their thinking and take pride in their progress.
As we move through this season, we celebrate the perseverance of our students, their courage to keep going, their commitment to improvement, and their determination to grow. These qualities will serve them far beyond the classroom, shaping them into reflective, resilient, relational and resourceful learners for life.
Year 10 Fundraising Hits $5,000 Milestone
On Friday, 25 October, Year 10 students ran a handball competition at both recess and lunch along with selling soft drinks to raise money for Rare Cancers Australia. Krishav N from our new Year 12 group won a $50 gift card as the student who stayed in the Ace position the longest. This event was able to push the amount that Year 10 have raised for Rare Cancers Australia to over $5000.
Visual Arts Exhibition - 19 November 2025
Celebrate the creativity of our Years 7–11 students as they present a vibrant collection of works across drawing, painting, ceramics, and printmaking. This exhibition explores a diverse range of subject matter, reflecting the curiosity and imagination nurtured in our Visual Arts program.
B Block Gallery 19 November 2025 from 3:00pm
Official Opening & Awards at 4:30pm
Plus, don’t miss the Open Classroom in E3, showcasing wonderful works from our Years 3–6 students.
All are welcome — come and be inspired!
Art Camp 2026
Art Camp at Bundanon is an incredible opportunity offered first to our Visual Arts elective students followed by select invitations to students entering year 8 in 2026. This three day and two night masterclass is an incredible opportunity for students to learn about and work within an environment that is so rich in Australian Art History. The Bundanon Education Centre, which was the home of the legendary Australian painter Arthur Boyd and his wife Yvonne, was designed by the Pritker Prize winner, Glenn Murcutt.
Students will explore artmaking inspired by the landscape, gaining inspiration and ideas that challenge our understandings of what art can be.
Open to Visual Arts students in Years 8-11.
Date: 6th - 8th May 2026.
Tuesday Afternoon Activity Program: Fencing
For our Tuesday Afternoon Activity Program in the Secondary School, students can choose Fencing as an option for the Term. In Term 3, some students from this activity competed in a voluntary tournament through the Penrith Academy of Fencing, competing against other schools from the Western Suburbs and Blue Mountains. Our students achieved a good result. In the Girls Foil, Lily Smith came 7th and Phoenix Xu came 8th which is an amazing result for their first tournament. In the Boys Foil, Dario Lorenzotti placed 10. Congratulations to all students who participated. We, along with the Fencing staff, commend your sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and strong performances. Thank you for representing our school with pride and excellence.
Sports
Torah K (Year 8) Shines at Nationals in Victoria
Torah travelled to Werribee, Victoria to compete in five days of intense equestrian competition at the National Championships. She participated in dressage both as an individual and as part of the Junior Dressage Team (riders aged 13–17), and was also a late addition to the Junior Quiz Team, a discipline testing knowledge of horse welfare, care, and riding.
Torah had an outstanding performance:
- Dressage (Individual): 10th place
- Dressage (Team): National Champions 2025
- Quiz (Individual): 3rd place
- Quiz (Team): National Reserve Champions 2025
This experience was a fantastic opportunity for Torah to grow as a rider and enjoy the vibrant team environment.
Congratulations to Torah for her achievements and dedication!
Three Golds for Harshika B. (Year 7) at AMA World Championships!
Congratulations to Harshika B. (Year 7) on an outstanding achievement at the AMA World Championships in Brisbane — bringing home three gold medals! Harshika has been training in karate for the past five years and competed in three fiercely contested categories: light kick, sparring, and sword combat. Competing against participants from around the world, including a strong team from the USA, she demonstrated incredible skill, focus, and perseverance. We’re so proud of her hard work, commitment, and champion spirit. Well done, Harshika!
NSWPSSA Athletics Championships
Congratulations to Jake F (Year 6) and Jacob K (Year 4) who recently competed at the NSWPSSA Athletics Championships. Jake placed 6th overall in the 12 Years Boys Discus and Jacob placed 1st overall in the 8-10 Years Boys 1500m and 2nd in the 8-10 Years Boys 800m. His time of 4:42 for the 1500m was less than a second off the record and an 8 second PB. Jacob has now qualified to compete at Nationals at the end of November. Well Done Jacob, we will be cheering you on!
CIS Athletics Championships
Last Term, we had a number of students who were selected to represent the College in the CIS Athletics Championships. Overall, PAC had a successful day at the Carnival, with students coming in the top 3 in their events and accomplishing Personal Best’s. We would like to recognise the below students for their achievements:
Kitan O (12yrs Boys) - 3rd 80m Hurdles.
Iremide O (14yrs Girls) - 3rd Shot Put.
Timothy H (14yrs Boys) - 3rd Triple Jump.
Caleb R (14yrs Boys) - 1st Javelin and 3rd Shot Put.
Jaxson W (15yrs Boys) 2nd Triple Jump and 2nd 100m Hurdles.
Samuel S (18yrs Boys) - 3rd 1500m
Congratulations to all who participated and made it to the next level intheir respective events.
NSW All Schools Athletics Championships
Over the holidays, Caleb Ritchie represented PAC at the NSW All Schools Athletics Championships in the 14 years Boys Javelin. Caleb threw an outstanding Personal Best throw of 43.64m (only a few metres short of the AICES record), which saw him place second throughout the competition. Caleb finished 4 , and was overtaken by only 60cm! Congratulations Caleb on your success at the Carnival and for doing PAC proud!
Community Notices
Term Dates 2026
Please see the attached Term Dates for 2026 for your reference.
