The Vine Newsletter

Mrs Felicity Grima, Principal

Over the coming week, as we wrap up another remarkable year at the College, we pause to celebrate the achievements, growth, and community spirit that have defined 2025. From outstanding student successes in the HSC practical showcases to exciting staff updates and farewells, this season reminds us of the dedication and talent that make our College such a vibrant place to learn and grow. We are proud of the courage and perseverance shown by our students and grateful for our staff who continue to inspire and lead with humility, compassion and a commitment to continuous improvement.

HSC Practical Showcase Success

The HSC is over for another year, and while we wait for the results that our students have worked so diligently to achieve, there is already much to celebrate. Many students have been offered early entry to university courses before the release of final ATARs.

We are also thrilled to announce that 12 students have been recognised for their exceptional practical assignments across a wide range of subjects! Their creativity, skill, and dedication shine through in every project, and these achievements truly highlight the incredible talent within our school community. Congratulations to each of these outstanding students.

OnSTAGE - Drama Showcase

Josephine Birtles - nominated for her Individual Performance, ‘Finishing School!’

ENCORE - Music Showcase

Teagan Kumar, nominated for her Individual Performance

SHAPE - Design and Technology Showcase

Ellison Game, nominated and selected for his Major Design Project

SHAPE - Textiles and Design Showcase

Chelsea Jenkins - nominated for her Major Textiles Project

Alyssa Premutico - nominated for her Major Textiles Project

Bethany Sampson - nominated for her Major Textiles Project

Charlotte White - nominated for her Major Textiles Project

ARTEXPRESS – Visual Arts Showcase

Colby Caroll - nominated and selected for his Body of Work

Montana Barry - nominated and selected for her Body of Work

Sara Wildsmith - nominated and selected for her Body of Work

Zoe Hoesterei - nominated for her Body of Work

Claire Nicholls - nominated for her Body of Work

Staffing Updates

Intern Program

The College is part of the Anglican Schools Corporation Intern Program. While completing their Education degrees, Interns work alongside our staff, supporting classrooms and co-curricular activities, all while developing teaching and leadership skills. This program helps equip the next generation of teachers to serve in vibrant school communities.

At the end of the year, the following Interns will be finishing their time at the College:

Jordyn Matthews, Primary Intern: Accepted an Aide role at Norwest Christian College as part of Ngarra Christian College

Sam Lucas, Primary Intern: Continuing his internship at Leppington Anglican College

Joseph Lisk, Music Intern: Accepted a 3-day per week role in the Music Department at Penrith Anglican College

Each year, we also have a Christian Ministry Intern who is completing a Year 13 program at a Christian training organisation. We thank Jeremy Noakes for all he has contributed to the College over the past 12 months and wish him well as he commences his university studies in 2026.

Staff Farewells

At the end of the year, we will be farewelling the following staff:

1. Mrs Erica Price has served as a PDHPE Teacher and the Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator for the past 10 years. Mrs Price will be pursuing opportunities outside teaching as well as teaching casually at the College.
2. Mrs Donica Marks, has served as a Mathematics Teacher for the past 6 years. Mrs Marks has accepted a role at Penola Catholic College.

We also thank several staff who will finish short-term temporary roles at the end of the Term:

• Mr Phil Gentile, Mathematics
• Mrs Tiana Davis, HSIE
• Mrs Sarah Weir, Music
• Miss Chloe Joy, Pre-K Aide
• Miss Claire McCullough, Library (3/12)

We will continue to see them in 2026, as they will remain on our casual teaching list.

Mrs Christin Usi will be on Maternity Leave during 2026. We pray for a safe arrival of her baby in February and wish her and her family every blessing during this special time.

Staff Changing Roles

We congratulate the following staff on their new roles for 2026:

Mr Darryl Kelshaw: Director of Pedagogy and Innovation 7-12

Mr Brad Hoffmann: Head of PDHPE

Miss Abigail Coia: Assistant Head of Ridley House

Mr Tim Durlach-Kondos: Assistant Head of English

As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with gratitude for the contributions of those completing their time with us and anticipation for the new opportunities and roles that will strengthen our College community.

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

• 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, 1 December: Year 10 Charity Ball. 

This term, our Warden Team took part in important Fire Safety Training to refresh their skills and ensure they are fully prepared to care for our students in the event of an emergency. Staff revisited evacuation procedures, emergency responses and took part in practical fire extinguisher training to strengthen their confidence and readiness.

We are grateful for their commitment to keeping our community safe!

Mrs Melinda Richardson - Head of Primary

• Create a Holiday Reading Challenge; make a simple chart and set a goal, like reading five books or exploring five new topics.
• Read Together; share a bedtime story or take turns reading pages aloud. Even older children enjoy listening to a good book!
• Cook and Read; involve your child in reading recipes for holiday treats. It’s practical and fun!
• Story Treasure Hunt; hide clues around the house that lead to the next part of a story or a new book.
• Library Adventures; visit your local library and let your child choose books that spark their curiosity.
• Audio Books for Road Trips; perfect for long drives, especially when you choose a story the whole family can enjoy.

Year 5 Music students learn to play string instruments during their Music classes. They choose from Ukulele, Violin, Cello and Double Bass. To celebrate their hard work and achievements this year each class put on a concert for Kindergarten and Year 1 classes. They played four songs, finishing with “Jingle Bells”. Some of the younger students joined in singing and playing sleigh bells. It was exciting for Year 5 to perform together after learning their instruments separately all year and to have a real life audience.

Mr Anthony Kelshaw - Head of Secondary

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on what has been a year of growth for our school community. This growth has been evident not only in our student body but also in the expansion of our campus footprint, with several building projects undertaken throughout the year. These developments will serve our students well into the future.

However, the most significant growth has been in our students themselves. Across classrooms, learning spaces have been filled with activity as students engaged in meaningful tasks designed to challenge and inspire. Our dedicated teachers have worked to create learning experiences that develop our young people as thinkers and problem-solvers. For their commitment and creativity, I am deeply grateful—it takes a team of dedicated educational professionals to run a school like Penrith Anglican College.

Learning this year has extended far beyond the classroom. From our CEP program to excursions, music, sport, art, debating, drama, and service opportunities, our staff have provided countless experiences that enrich student life. It has been a privilege to lead such a committed team and witness the energy and enthusiasm they bring to every aspect of school life.

Equally inspiring has been the courage of our students to take positive risks in their learning. Whether trying out for a team, learning a new instrument, expressing themselves through art, or simply raising their hand to answer a question in class. These moments of stepping forward and embracing new challenges are what make our community vibrant and strong.

Among the many highlights of 2025 was the introduction of Harmony Day in the high school. This celebration of cultural diversity was a wonderful reflection of the richness within our student body, and we look forward to expanding this event across both Primary and Secondary in 2026.

Another standout was the Project-Based Learning experiences for Years 9 and 10 over the last few weeks. Year 10 students showcased their creativity and business acumen through the Australian Business Week program, designing and marketing a themed café. Year 9 students completed both an individual project of their choosing and a collaborative project where House groups created welcome packs for our incoming Year 7 students. These projects demonstrated not only academic learning but also teamwork, innovation, and a deep sense of belonging to our College.

Looking ahead, 2026 promises to be an exciting year as we begin planning for the introduction of two new Houses in 2027. Student voice will play a central role in this process, ensuring that our House system continues to reflect the values and spirit of our community.

As we approach the Christmas season, I wish all families a joyful and restful break. For some, this time can be difficult due to loss or grief, and I pray that you find comfort and peace. Amid the festivities, may we all remember the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of Jesus, who offers hope for humanity.

Thank you for your support throughout 2025. I look forward to partnering with you again in 2026 as we continue to live, learn, and grow together.

Last week, Year 10 stepped into the world of entrepreneurship as they created their own café businesses and brought them to life through an online business simulation. Students made strategic decisions across business, finance, marketing and operations, putting their teamwork and problem-solving skills to the test!

They also produced video advertisements, crafted social media campaigns and built creative trade displays to convince students and staff to visit their cafés. The level of imagination and initiative on display was outstanding.

We were privileged to be joined by three alumni of the College who are now business owners. They generously shared their journeys and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Thank you for coming out and inspiring our next generation of entrepreneurs!

Students in Technology 8.1 brought their rubber band racer ideas to life this term. They engineered their racers using a range of timber tools and equipment and designed custom wheels using both 3D printing and laser cutting to match their chosen inspiration. The class was genuinely thrilled with their finished projects and proud of what they created. 

Year 9 Textiles students completed their scuba-fabric hoodies, each inspired by an environmental issue that matters to their generation. They explored a wide range of decorative techniques to bring their concepts to life, including laser cutting, fabric dyeing, marbling, embroidery, fabric manipulation, solvy work and screen printing. Students were proud of their finished hoodies and the way their designs communicated a meaningful message through textile art.

Year 10 Textiles students completed their Culture Shock corset project, drawing inspiration from a cultural element of their choice. They developed strong design thinking and creative problem-solving skills while constructing a 13-panelled corset, with many choosing to modify their designs by adding sleeves or structural details. Students also explored a wide range of decorative techniques, including fabric dyeing, laser cutting, embroidery, screen printing, beading and more. They were proud of their final pieces and excited to see their cultural inspirations transformed into wearable designs.

PAC took four teams to the annual HTA History Mastermind Competition, hosted by Tara Anglican School for Girls. Our History enthusiasts performed admirably on the day, displaying teamwork and perseverance with some tough questions! We look forward to next year’s competition!

Congratulations to our PAC First XI Cricket Team, who defeated Macarthur Anglican School in our Round 3 clash in the knockout Douglas Shield. PAC set 232 runs in 50 overs, and bowled MAS out for 171. Preet P (Year 8) registered our second century of the season, and set a 155-run partnership with Karanveer D (Year 8)! PAC have now qualified for the Group C finals, and will face Innaburra CS in what is sure to be an excellent match.

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.

The NSW RFS is the world's largest volunteer fire service, made up of over 70,000 dedicated volunteers across NSW. To ensure this service continues to develop within our community, the Orchard Hills Brigade runs a cadet program for individuals between the age of 12 - 16years.

We currently have availability in this program and are reaching out to you for assistance in sharing our Cadet flyer to your greater school community. We are not expecting or requesting you to do anything other than sharing the flyer whether it be on your social media, on a student noticeboard, in a school newsletter or any other way you deem appropriate.

The program is a great opportunity for your students to learn new and valuable skills, be part of a community organisation as well as meeting people they normally wouldn’t meet. Training occurs on a Sunday morning between the hours of 9am - 12pm and only operates during NSW government school terms.

If you would like to discuss the program in further detail or require more information, please do not hesitate to contact

Paul Bridgman

Deputy Captain / Cadet Co-ordinator

0428 481 305

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