The Vine Newsletter

Mrs Felicity Grima - Principal

The College year has begun and it is wonderful to have our students back on campus. Their energy and excitement at the start of the year is inspiring. I am thankful each day for the life and colour our students bring to the College.

This week I have introduced our College theme and focus for the year:

“Building Character to Serve Christ”

The last two years have not gone the way we had hoped, but despite the challenges of Covid-19 we have had incredible opportunities to grow as learners and explore new ways of learning.

We have spent time focusing on the College values of 

• Compassion
• Courage
• Integrity
• Humility
• Perseverance

We have re-established the College motto, ‘To Serve Christ’ which provides a purpose for all we do. “To Serve”

We have started embedding our College Learning Culture into every aspect of teaching and learning at the College. This framework is built upon the idea that ‘learning itself is learnable’. The dispositions needed to be powerful learners are the same character traits required to cope and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

We have talked about the four domains that characterise powerful learners and the dispositions that contribute to their development: 

• Resourceful
• Resilient
• Reflective
• Relational 

As a College this year, staff and students alike, we will be focusing on continuing to grow in our understanding and application of all of these things as we focus on the theme, “Building Character to Serve Christ”.

John Maxwell, one of the world’s best-known authors and speakers on Leadership says that:

‘Our reputation comes from what others believe about our outside. Our character represents who we are on the inside. And the good news is that if you focus on being better on the inside than the outside, over time you will also become better on the outside.’

Our character is formed and revealed in the moments of our lives – the daily steps we take, the choices we make, the thoughts we allow and those we act on. Our motto, values and College Learning Culture provide the starting point for the character we are seeking for our College and the students who are educated here.

As we launched the theme with students, I have left them with a thought to CHALLENGE and a verse to ENCOURAGE:

Thought to Challenge:           

What character are you building in your life - in each moment, each minute, each hour of the day - so that you can become all that God has made you to be?

Verse to Encourage:  

Philippians 3:12-14

¹² I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.

My God bless you and your families richly in the year ahead.

Mrs Felicity Grima
Principal

The Founding Headmaster of Penrith Anglican College, Mr Barry Roots, was recognised in the 2022 Australia Day Honours list last month. Mr Roots received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

This is wonderful recognition of a faithful man who is passionate about education and serving Christ. His love for the College and his prayerful support has never changed. This is truly a well-deserved honour and recognition of his dedication and service to the College over many years.

https://westernweekender.com.au/2022/01/olympian-jessica-fox-among-those-honoured-on-australia-day/

Congratulations to our Year 12 HSC cohort of 2021 who achieved outstanding results in the Higher School Certificate. This year we had 55 students in the year completing the HSC. We congratulate each student for their courage and perseverance to achieve their best in their final year of schooling, particularly in light of the challenges present by the COVID-19 pandemic and what has been an extremely disruptive year.

The HSC results achieved have continued to build the College’s reputation for strong academic performance.

We would like to congratulate Jack Braga who has achieved an ATAR of 96.65 and is the College Dux for 2021. In addition, we congratulate Hugh Harrold whose Major Work in Design and Technology was included in Shape 2021 Exhibition.

Five students achieved an ATAR over 90. Hugh Harrold, Tiana Comber, Zac Degarnham, Nicholas Chandra and Maddison Bennett.

Scholarships are available for students entering Years 5, 7, 9 and 11. The next round of Scholarships will be for entry in 2023. 

Scholarship applications close on Monday 7 February. The ACER testing will be at the College on Saturday 26 February.

Apply online https://www.penrith.nsw.edu.au/enrol/scholarships/

There will be College tours on Saturday 26 February 2022

Secondary 9:00am- 10:00am
Primary 9:15am- 10:00am

Whole College Pre-K to Year 12 10:00am- 11:00am
Whole College Pre-K to Year 12 11:00am- 12:00pm

Registrations are essential https://enrol.penrith.nsw.edu.au/events

A reminder for families to update medical details on Edumate and to provide the Clinic with any updated medical action plans.

Also for Pre K and Kindergarten families to pack a spare set of clothes in students' school bags.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Please pray for:

• Students and staff of the College, particularly new students and staff, to settle into the routines and expectations of life at the College and get to know people quickly.
• Those families walking through times of hardship and stress.
• For College families whose start of the year has been impacted by Covid.

Praise God for: 

• The many new students and staff God has brought to the College.
• The physical size of the College grounds which allows for students to be outside and spread out.
• Time spent relaxing and moving more slowly in the holidays.

A new year of learning begins!

If 2021 taught us all one massive lesson it was that we are amazingly resilient. As a community and individuals, the challenges that we have faced, and overcome, have been a great example of what it means to be a life-long learner.

As we begin 2022, the College community once again has focused on learning and applying the fundamental characteristics and skills that shape thinking, attitudes, and actions. It’s an exciting year because we welcome a significant number of new students who will be hearing about the College Learning Culture for the first time. They will join those who have already become more familiar with the dispositions or muscles needed to be learners.

Staff and students are continuing to seek new ways to expand skills in literacy, numeracy and specific subject areas. All are involved in taking on the challenge to grow and learn, to be challenged and innovative, collaborative and focused. We are committed to not simply promising to make learning learnable, we are committed to developing, demonstrating and discussing how the fundamental elements of being resourceful, reflective, resilient and relational apply to all.

Sure, 2022 may have a few surprises in store, but we aim to empower students and staff with the tools necessary to face these with confidence, knowing that we will be able to apply these ever deepening skills to the task. Teaching and learning in this solid cultural framework that we have here at the College continues to underpin the commonalities in a community that ranges from the needs of Pre-K to the nuances of Year 12 HSC studies. Consequently, we begin with hope and confidence, because we do it all to serve Christ.

Mr Phil McMurray
Director of Teaching and Learning P-12

Miss Adele Crane, Director of Student Wellbeing

Building Connections in the Secondary School

At the start of the school year, students can find the first day a little daunting. Walking into the College grounds for some students is exciting but understandably for others, it is scary. Students might find their thoughts dominated by all the possibilities which might be positive or negative depending on their outlook. One of the most helpful things for students to build a more positive outlook is knowing they will see friends who they have healthy friendships with. Facing the unknowns with friends by your side builds confidence and a willingness to face things that might otherwise be too much of a challenge.

At the College we know the value of such positive relationships and so we have established opportunities for this to occur. Our Mentor Groups allow for students to get to know others from each year group and work together in activities such as our weekly tournaments as well as talk through current events and wellbeing concepts. In these groups students celebrate their achievements and encourage each other with challenges they may face. At different times during the year there are other events; our CEP (Challenge – Explore – Prepare) Program is one such important opportunity for students to build connections with their peers.

Research shows us the power of belonging and feeling connected to others. Developing positive relationships that are authentic and respectful helps to build connections which can energize us. Positive relationships result in us feeling valued and relationships with peers become increasingly important for teenagers. Research has shown that celebrating successes together, sharing good news and working together helps to increase one’s wellbeing and satisfaction.

At Penrith Anglican College we build many opportunities into our days for students to build positive relationships with other students and their teachers. Today students had the chance to work together and celebrate successes at either the Swimming Carnival or the Water-Themed Novelty events on campus. It was wonderful to watch students cheer one another on and have a go. Our College is a place where we value each student and we seek for each to build strong connections and to feel a sense of belonging to our community.  

Miss Adele Crane
Director of Student Wellbeing

The Parent Portal on Edumate is one of the main forms of communication between the College and our families. It is important that you are checking the parent portal once or twice a week for any relevant communication or parent permission requests for excursions or sport.

You can view student timetables, classes and teachers by logging onto the parent portal and going to each child and looking at the timetable, which will start in Week 1. There still may be minor changes; in particular, to rooming however, the main fabric of the timetable will remain as is.

If you cannot remember your parent portal details, log onto Edumate through the link via the College Website. If you cannot remember your details click onto “Can’t login” on the bottom right hand side of the login screen.

Once parents have set their password in Edumate, you can download the College App and use this to read and update information on Edumate including recording absences. 

Dear Families

I would like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome you to Term 1, 2022, especially our new families joining us for the very first time.  It has been a lovely start to the school year with students meeting their new teachers, forming new friendships and establishing new routines.

Kindergarten students have settled into their new routines and enjoying their first week at big school. They are learning new routines, meeting lots of new faces and enjoying their time on the farm at recess and lunch.

Primary Leaders
On Monday 31 January, the primary leaders engaged in a leadership training day. They started the day with devotions and then moved onto leadership and team building exercises throughout the day.

It was a wonderful opportunities to start the year off as new leaders and prepare them for their new roles.

The Primary Leaders have started planning an interactive and student centred project about Kindness, which is an initiative they will be sharing in the next few weeks.

Crossings
The College has crossings conveniently located around the car park for everyone’s safety.

It is important that these crossings are used to model correct safety procedures for our students. It is understandable that crossing an area may save you time, but safety is our priority.

Morning Drop Off
To assist with morning drop off using the Kiss and Run sections, we ask that students are ready to exit the cars, dressed in their full school uniforms with their hats on. Students in Years Pre-K to Year 2 can be dropped off at the infants Kiss and Run and all other students in year 3-6 to be dropped off at the Primary Kiss and Run.

Afternoon Pick Up
All students in Primary have now received their car park passes. Please ensure that you have this displayed on your dashboard for staff to be able to read.

Please do not arrive earlier than your child’s pick up time. If you have children across different parts of the school, we ask that you attend at the time of your eldest child.

Infants Kiss and Run (L Block)

Pre-K and Kindergarten Students           2.50pm
Year 1 Students                                    2.50pm

Primary Kiss and Run (Primary Assembly Area)

Year 1 Students                                    2.50pm
Years 3 and 4 Students                         3.00pm
Years 5 and 6 students                          3.15pm

We ask that you remain in your vehicle and load your child into the car as quickly as possible. If you need to attend the uniform shop or front office, please park your car in the assigned car park bays and not in the Kiss and Run zones.

It is encouraged that students are entering and exiting the car via the left hand side to assist with movement and safety of the Kiss and Run.

School Uniform
All students need to be in their full school Summer Uniform each day. Sports uniform is only permitted to be worn on Fridays. We will begin uniform inspections from Monday week 2 for all students in Primary and teachers will communicate if there is an item of clothing needing attention.

Students need to be wearing black leather laced up shoes as part of their uniform. Sports shoes may only be worn with their sport’s uniform.

All uniform requirements are located in the students diaries on page 9. Please familiarise yourself with the requirements.

For uniform shop times, please see the College website for more information.

Parent Information Evening
A note was emailed to families on 1 February outlining the arrangement for the Parent Information Evening.

Monday 7 February 6.30 pm                      Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
Monday 7 February 7.30 pm                      Years 1 and 2

Tuesday 8 February at 6.30 pm                 Years 3 and 4
Tuesday 8 February at 7.30pm                 Years 5 and 6

A Zoom link will be sent to families on the morning of your scheduled session.

I look forward to seeing you all at our Information Evening Sessions next week and I pray that you have a lovely start to the term.

Warm Regards and God Bless

Mrs Ljubica Mansell
Deputy Principal (Primary)

Compassion - Pre K to Year 6 Competition Term 1 2022

Our one and only Compassion competition for this term is being held during Week 5 of this term.

Every day during Week 5, students will be able to place gold coins in their grade labelled transparent containers.

A Pre K container will be in one of the Pre K rooms.

K-2 containers will be in the area in which they play before school each morning.

Years 3-6 containers will be on the stage in the assembly area.

Each day students will be able to watch the coin levels rise in their containers.

The competition will be between Pre K-2 and another between Years 3-6.

Winning grades will be announced in two categories: highest coin level in container and highest amounts raised.

This is our only competition this term. Let’s make it count!

Mrs Sue Munce
Primary Compassion Coordinator

Congratulations to Maddison Carter (Year 2) who danced in the SHOWCASE National Dance Championships held in Queensland in January.

Maddie placed 1st in her Lyrical and 1st in her Broadway dance receiving National Champion for 6u as well as 2nd place in her Jazz solo.  

She also received 5th highest scoring act in the Junior Division (8u) overall out of hundreds of competitors over the course of the week. 

Welcome back to all our returning families and a huge welcome to new College families for 2022!

Library at the College is housed in 3 spaces, each including a physical collection, library office and learning space

Prep Library (PreK to Year 2) in L Centre

Year 3 and 4 Library in D Centre

Years 5-12 Library in G Centre

Students are welcome to borrow from the wide range of resources including fiction, non-fiction, autobiographies, graphic novels, magazines, picture books & more. Curriculum based Library classes are held for students from PreK to Year 6 with their focus on developing a love of reading, building research skills and fostering a thirst for knowledge.

Mr Leighton Corr - Deputy Principal (Secondary)

Welcome back to 2022. It has been wonderful to see our students back to commence the year. A special welcome to our Year 7 cohort who have settled in quickly and seem to be smiling (even if it is hard to see under their masks). We also have a number of new students and new families joining us in the Secondary School and I too extend a special welcome to them.

Unfortunately, I need to address some key information about Covid-19 to commence the year. I want to notify parents that we have postponed our Year 7 Camp until Term 3 and our Year 11 Camp until early Term 4 as we continue to carefully consider the best course of action in keeping our students and staff safe. Students have also been briefed about the need to stay in separate cohorts in the playground and for major gatherings like Chapel and Assembly to occur online. We will continue to monitor things and make the necessary adjustments and communicate these in due course. Thank you for your understanding on these matters.  

At our first Assembly with students, I challenged them to make the most of the opportunities they have at PAC. Two areas in which I asked them to consider and work on, was their learning and their character. At Penrith Anglican College we want every student to have the chance to learn. We believe that learning is a skill that everyone can get better at and we are excited and passionate to see all of our students engage in this. Our hope is to see all students engaged in more than just obtaining knowledge or working on assessments, but involved in the process of learning in a deep and real way. Secondly, as a College, we seek to invest in our students as people, not just learners. In 2022 we are thinking carefully about helping our students build strong character. After two years of focusing of our College values, we want to keep considering how we might develop the character of our students to model these values and learn how to develop themselves. Imagine a college of students who show integrity in all they do, are courageous in the decisions they make, are humble when they achieve things, persevere when things are hard and show compassion for others as their response to people.

It has been a difficult two years for students and for teachers, but I am excited by this vision for the year. Young people being engaged in their learning and seeking to grow as young people. With all that we will have to navigate this year, this is a worthy focus and one that our teaching staff are excited to be part of.

Please reach out if there is anyway that we can assist you or your child in settling in and thriving this year. I look forward to seeing what the year ahead may bring.

Mr Leighton Corr
Deputy Principal (Secondary)

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it's time to spread the love...

In the lead up to Valentine's Day, students will have the opportunity to show their love by purchasing a rose for that special someone (or a friend). The Student Leadership Team 2022 will also be selling Valentine's Day themed lolly bags in the lead up and on the day. 

In addition to this, students will have the chance to vote for their favourite teacher to be serenaded and gifted with a bouquet during Assembly in Week 3. The more votes, the better!

Students can purchase these items starting Friday 4 February up until Thursday 10 February at recess and the first half of lunch outside the canteen.  Roses will be selling for $5, lolly bags for $3, and vote for a teacher for $1. 

All proceeds are going towards Starlight Children's Foundation, helping to brighten the lives of sick kids. if you would like to read more go to https://www.starlight.org.au

On the day, students are invited to celebrate by taking photos with their friends or loves in front of a Valentine's Day themed wall outside the Performing Arts Centre. 

The Student Leadership Team 2022

The Secondary Swimming Carnival was held at Ripples Penrith on Thursday 3 February. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, only competitors and Year 12 were able to attend but they all made the most of the opportunity and the day was very successful. The Year 12 students had their traditional novelty race which was hilarious for the spectators!

Non-swimming competitors didn’t miss out. They were able to get involved with the Swimming Carnival by earning points for their house with Water-Themed Novelty events on campus. In Year Groups, students earned points for their house by working together in the different challenges organised by our Heads of House. Games included water cup relays, filling pipes that needed many holes closed, moving water between house bases using water-soaked sponges and throwing water balloons at a range of targets.

Points from both the Swimming Carnival and on-campus Novelty events have been tallied, and we can congratulate CRANMER on their win at this event in 2022!

Final points and positions:

• 1st – Cranmer – 1,053 points (Swimming – 895; Novelties – 158)
• 2nd – Ridley – 739 points (Swimming – 615; Novelties – 124)
• 3rd – Ryle – 575 points (Swimming – 437; Novelties – 138)
• 4th – Latimer – 541 points (Swimming – 397; Novelties – 144)

Age Champions and Runners-Up:

Congratulations to all students on their enthusiasm and efforts yesterday – whether at the Swimming Carnival or here on-site, the House Spirit and friendly competition was outstanding.

Mrs Amanda Houison
Director of Sport

Dear Families

Penrith Anglican College is pleased to announce our engagement with Box of Books for the provision of digital and physical education resources for Secondary students in the 2022 academic year.  Box of Books is a proudly Australian owned company that works hard to keep leading schools at the forefront of digital learning.

Please see the video below on how Box of Books works and how we will work together to support student’s ongoing educational needs.

Box of Books - Service Overview

All resources are supplied via Box of Books as part of student’s enrolment at the College.

Box of Books is dedicated to supporting students' learning. For any assistance, student can contact the Box of Books team directly through the in-app support function in their Book Box as shown below.

Further information will be emailed to Secondary families shortly.

Mr Mark Pullen
Head of Library Services

College lockers are available for annual hire to students in Year 7 to 12. It is not compulsory for students to hire a locker, however, the option is available should you want to take it up. Lockers are hired on a ‘first come, first served basis and are for individual hire, no sharing. 

If you would like to hire a locker in 2022 please follow the steps below. 

1. Click the link: https://www.trybooking.com/TXHG to access the TryBooking  Locker Hire portal
2. Follow the prompts on the TryBooking portal and make your payment online.
3. Purchase a lock for your locker (approx. 3.5 x 3.5 cm is preferred).
4. Students will then receive an email, sent to their student email address, to advise which locker they have been allocated. Once students receive their email they may begin using their locker, securing it with the purchased lock. A spare key is to be given to Student Reception in an envelope clearly labelled.
5. If your child hired a locker in 2021 and would like the same locker, please note that in TryBooking when purchasing the locker. If your child wishes to change their locker from last year, please email Mrs Kathryn Nott [email protected]

Please Note: If you have a medical condition that would require the allocation of a locker at a particular height/location, please ensure you chose the ‘medical condition’ option on the TryBooking hire page and provide the required details. 

Should you have any questions please contact the College office on 4736 8100. 

The first whole College Chapel was held this morning, Friday 4 February. Chapels are an important part of College life and, although only Year 7 could be in the Light House Theatre, all classes were able to join via Zoom.

Our Chaplain, Mr David Janzen, spoke on Luke 18:15-17 where Jesus invites the little children to come to him. Jesus didn’t just want to spend time with the ‘big wigs’ or religious leaders, he treated everyone with dignity and care, including the children. In fact, he said we should all have faith like children; showing sincerity, trust and dependence.

All staff members at Penrith Anglican College have a deep desire to see students grow in their knowledge of Jesus, not just the Jesus of pop culture but the Jesus of the Bible.

Thank you to the staff who provided the music, including our new Head of Performing Arts, Mr Nick Lane.

At the end of the Chapel, Mrs Grima presented the Year 7 students with a bible.

The Canteen is currently only open for on-line orders through www.flexischools.com.au.

A copy of the new menu is attached. 

Due to the current situation, supply issues may mean that items will, at times, be unavailable. We have also included a small price rise as our prices have remained the same since 2019.

Orders can be placed for Breakfast (7am cut off), Recess and Lunch (9am cut off). We also offer a limited late order menu. In a bid to offer more varieties of food for those who order early, we have cut back on the items that can be ordered late.

Did you know that you can order a Birthday Treat Bucket for your child to share with their class? It is available in the lunch order section. Simply choose what your child would like (Quelch Stick, Zooper Dooper, Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Brownie, Ice Cream Cup or a Choc-Chip Muffin) and how many you would like to order. For students in the Primary School, we will advise the teacher and they will send the student to the Canteen to collect it at a time that is convenient for the class. High School students can collect it at any break time. It also comes with a balloon.

We have changed our sushi supplier, it will now be supplied by a local sushi shop. Please note not all products will be gluten free.

Should you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to contact the Canteen staff [email protected] or phone us 4736 8100 (after 1:40pm is the best time).

The uniform shop will resume normal trading hours:

Tuesday 8am - 11am 

Wednesday 12pm – 5pm 

Friday 8am – 11am

Bookings will be open for the month of February, during the shop's normal trading hours to assist parents with uniform needs. Online orders and click and collect service is also available all year round.

For Term 1 details, please click here.

Penrith Anglican College wishes to confirm that you are willing for images (an image can be in the form of photograph or video) of your child and/or details regarding their academic results or other achievements to be used in various media published in the public domain in 2022 or whether you would like to withdraw permission in 2022. 

If you are unwilling to allow images of your child to be used in any way by the College, please complete the details and return the form to the College by Friday 4 February 2022. A new form is required for 2022 if you do NOT wish images of your child to be used even if you have submitted one in previous years.

The Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (the department) would like to notify you that a request has been made for your child’s school to provide residential address and other information as required under the Australian Education Regulation 2013. 

What do you need to do? 

You are not required to do anything. Your school is responsible for providing the requested details to the department; however, you may wish to ensure that your school has the most up-to-date and correct details for your family. 

Contacts for further information 

Additional information about the Collection process is attached. Alternatively, please visit the SchoolsHUB Address Collection help and support page.

The latest version of our Community Business Directory is now available for download.

The Community Business Directory acts as a link for business and families to support each other.  This initiative has been created by the Parents & Friends Association for businesses of Penrith Anglican College families rather than a general advertising site to assist our College Community during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Each business in the Directory has a direct link with a College family.

Please note, the Parents & Friends Association, Penrith Anglican College and their staff will not be liable for any interactions or transactions that occur between any parties connected through this P&F Initiative. The Parents & Friends Association has not vetted the information, products or offerings provided by these businesses. 

We will continue to update this document and post a link to the updated version on the website and the College App.  If you would like your business to participate in the Community Business Directory, please fill out the form via this link. There is no cost involved.

We are excited to be able to support our College families in this way, and hope you find this Directory helpful.