The Vine Newsletter

Mrs Felicity Grima, Principal

We no sooner heard the Class of 2025 ring the final bell, marking the end of their HSC exams, than we began welcoming Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Year 7 families for Orientation as we look ahead to 2026. It’s a powerful reminder of the rhythm of College life - one season closing as another begins.

This week, I had the privilege of visiting the Year 9 Exhibition showcasing their ‘Project Week’ work. It was a striking example of how challenge drives learning. When students step beyond their comfort zones, they enter the ‘zone of proximal development’ - the space between what they can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance. This is where real growth happens. Carefully designed challenges encourage progress without overwhelming, instead building confidence and resilience.

Research shows that grappling with difficult concepts strengthens memory and deepens understanding. This mental effort not only improves retention but also fosters higher-order thinking skills like problem-solving and critical analysis, which are skills essential for life beyond school.

Overcoming obstacles nurtures a growth mindset, teaching students that effort leads to improvement. This mindset empowers them to face future challenges with confidence. When students experience success after hard work, they develop intrinsic motivation, making learning more engaging and rewarding.

As parents, don’t be afraid to let your child work through challenging ideas and situations. It’s tempting to step in and remove the struggle, but deep learning comes through perseverance. And remember - praise the effort they apply as they work through the challenge, regardless of the result.

Penrith Anglican College Announces Two New Houses

During our John Lambert Assembly last week, we announced the introduction of 2 new Houses in 2027.

For over 25 years, Penrith Anglican College has grown steadily on a strong foundation, grounded in Christ, community, and care for each individual student. This solid base has supported increasing enrolments and a vibrant school culture that continues to flourish. At the heart of our approach is the concept of being known and valued, which shapes how we care for students and families.

The House System provides a strong structure that enables us to know and value each student. Heads of House, supported by Mentor teachers, have fostered a deep sense of belonging and attachment to the House System—a cultural hallmark of a Penrith Anglican College education.

As our community grows, the College Council and Executive Team have carefully considered how to maintain this high level of care. In 2027, we will expand from four Houses to six. This strategic decision ensures sufficient resources to support strong, supportive relationships and high-quality pastoral care through a vertical structure from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12.

The addition of two new Houses will strengthen connections, create leadership opportunities, and accommodate future growth while preserving the culture we are proud of. Together, we look forward to this exciting new chapter.

For more information, please refer to the information provided on the College website.

Whole College Events in Term 4, please check your emails and the College App for further information: 

• Wednesday, 19 November: Years 7-11 Visual Arts Exhibition, 
• Friday, 5 December: Christmas Chapel on the Lawn, All families invited 
• Tuesday, 9 December: Presentation Day 

Key Dates for Primary 

• Tuesday, 2 December: Year 6 Graduation Chapel & Dinner. 
• Thursday, 4 December: Pre-Kindergarten Presentation Morning.

Key Dates for Secondary 

• Monday, 17 November: Year 10 Vaccinations.
• 24-28 November: Year 10 Australian Business Week 7.
• Monday, 1 December: Year 10 Charity Ball. 

Mrs Melinda Richardson - Head of Primary

• Year 6 Graduation Service - Tuesday 2 December, 9am in the Gym
• Pre-Kindergarten Graduation - Thursday 4 December, 9am in the Lighthouse Theatre
• Christmas Chapel on the lawn - Friday 5 December, 7:30am on the Oval
• K - 2 Presentation - Tuesday 9 December, 9am in the Gym
• 3 - 6 Presentation - Tuesday 9 December, 11am in the Gym

Each Friday morning, our Primary students gather in the Lighthouse Theatre for Chapel — a special time of worship, prayer, and learning from God’s Word. Families are warmly invited to attend any Chapel service throughout the year, even if their child’s class is not presenting that week.

This term in Christian Studies and Chapel, students are exploring “God’s Plan for a King,” learning about Israel’s desire for a king, David’s heart and trust in God, Solomon’s wisdom and failings, and the promise and birth of Jesus, the forever King.

Chapel dates for this term:

• 21 November - Lighthouse Theatre
• 28 November - Lighthouse Theatre

 There are two Chapel services eachFriday:

• Period 1 Chapel: 9:10am – 9:40am
• Period 2 Chapel: 10:00am – 10:30am

Parents and friends are welcome to attend either service. Seating is available in the mezzanine, with accessible seating at the back of the ground level.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Grandparents Day was a wonderful celebration of family, faith, and community. We were blessed to welcome so many grandparents and special friends who joined us for musical performances, classroom visits, and the many activities on offer, including outdoor games, board games, and a photo booth.

The joy and connection shared between students and their loved ones created a truly heartwarming atmosphere. Thank you to all who attended and to the staff and student helpers who made the afternoon such a memorable occasion.

Library staff would like to thank everyone who visited our 2025 Book Fair during Grandparents’ Day for their cheerful patience and generous support.

Our Scholastic Book Fair enables us to raise funds for the library and provide new books for our students, and this year’s Fair was a great success on both fronts.

We were ably supported by a roster of amazing Prefects, who enthusiastically greeted our customers and happily processed payments throughout the busy day. 

Special thanks to the extra generous families who donated books to our library collection, which will be acknowledged with a book plate inside each donation. Many families visit each year to support us in this thoughtful and lasting way and it was lovely to see them again in 2025. 

Book Fair 2025 was a wonderful success, and we reflect with gratitude on the generous support of the College community for our library services. 

Mr Anthony Kelshaw - Head of Secondary

End of Year Learning  

As we head towards the end of the school year, there is still plenty of exciting and meaningful learning happening across our Secondary School.

Year 10 Program
Our Year 10 students are participating in a tailored program designed to prepare them for senior studies. This includes the MyStrengths course, All My Own Work, and Minimum Standards Testing. The MyStrengths  program is designed to help students identify their personal strengths and learn how to leverage them for success. They have also completed financial literacy sessions through MoneyVest, equipping them with practical skills to make wise financial decisions.

Next week, students will take part in Australian Business Week, a five-day project-based learning experience. Working in teams, they will run a simulated business, design and market a product, and present it at a marketplace event. Alongside this, they will make strategic decisions to ensure the health of their business in a competitive simulation. A huge thank you to Mrs Annette Carter for her leadership in overseeing this comprehensive Year 10 program and the Dr Sam Jackson for his coordination all the details to enable students to be successful in senior study.

Musical Auditions
Auditions for the upcoming school musical are in full swing! The Music Department, led by Dr Christian Watson and the Musical Producer Miss Elise Fowler, has been working tirelessly to organise auditions for current students and even future students joining us in 2026. Their commitment ensures that this major production remains an incredible learning opportunity for our community.

Year 9 Project Week
Last week, Year 9 students engaged in two exciting projects: an individual project and a group-based project. Individual projects ranged from electric car designs to road safety board games and creative advertising campaigns for countries with emerging tourism markets.

For the group project, students collaborated within their Houses to create welcome packs for incoming Year 7 students in 2026. These packs included maps, subject guides, checklists, and video content to support a smooth transition. The packs were presented during the Year 6 Orientation Day on Friday, which also featured campus tours and taster lessons supported by our Science, PDHPE and Technologies and other departments.

Congratulations to our talented Visual Arts Class of 2025! We’re thrilled to celebrate Montana B., Colby C., Zoe H., Claire N., and Sara W., who have been nominated for possible inclusion in ARTEXPRESS — the prestigious annual showcase of outstanding HSC Visual Arts works, to be exhibited across NSW in 2026.

Their artworks were highly engaging, sophisticated, and we are extremely proud of the commitment, perseverance, and outstanding achievements of the entire Class of 2025.

Year 10 students recently received an invaluable boost to their career readiness, thanks to a dynamic presentation from the team at MyStrengths. The program is designed around the core belief that understanding one’s personal strengths is the most effective path to success, happiness, and career satisfaction. The presenters captivated the Year 10s by moving beyond generic advice, encouraging them to look introspectively at what they naturally do well.

The goal of the MyStrengths program is simple: to help every student identify, understand, and use their personal talents as they plan for their future. Instead of dwelling on what they can't do, the students learned how to name and own their existing core strengths, such as 'Curiosity,' 'Zest,' 'Problem Solving,' and 'Teamwork.'

The session was far from a lecture; it was interactive, fast-paced, and highly enjoyable. Students participated enthusiastically, recognizing that their unique traits, the things they naturally do well and are their most powerful assets for success.

We are delighted to share that Melissa S. (Year 11) has been selected as one of just 23 students from across NSW to attend the National Schools Constitutional Convention (NSCC) 2026 in Canberra this March.

This prestigious three-day event brings together senior students to explore and debate key issues relating to the Australian Constitution. It provides a unique opportunity for students to develop civic understanding, leadership, and critical thinking skills in a national forum.

We congratulate Melissa on this outstanding achievement and look forward to seeing her represent PAC at the NSCC.

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!

PAC hosted Broughton Anglican College in Round 1 of the Douglas Shield knockout cricket competition, and have started the season with a victory, and our first century of the season! Congratulations to Shehraaz S (Year 9) for starting the season in style. PAC were 9/271 in the first inning, bowling out BAC for 88 runs.

Jayden B (Year 12) recently returned from the School Sport Australia Touch Football Tournament in Ballarat, where he served as a senior referee. Despite the classic Victorian mix of freezing rain, mud, and sunshine, he performed exceptionally—travelling briefly to Moama to complete an HSC exam before rejoining the competition.

His hard work paid off as he was selected to referee the 15 Boys Grand Final for the third consecutive year. He also valued the coaching he received and enjoyed reconnecting with referee friends from across NSW and Queensland.

We’re thrilled to celebrate Isla P. (Year 11) and her achievements at the Secondary CIS carnival. She placed in both the 17-year girls 200m and 400m events, earning a Silver medal in the 200m and a Bronze medal in the 400m.

We are incredibly proud of her determination, effort, and success on the track. Well done, Isla!

Please see the attached Term Dates for 2026 for your reference.

Over the year so far, a considerable amount of jewellery has been confiscated from Secondary students. If your child has had any jewellery confiscated this year, please come into the school to pick this up as soon as possible. We do not have the facilities to keep the jewellery after the end of the school year.

Please check with your child and then with Mrs Sharon Walker at Student Reception if you are unsure.