From the Principal
Message from the Principal
Mrs Felicity Grima - Principal
As you will see from this edition of The Vine, it has been a very busy two weeks since our last newsletter.
As we settle into a new year of learning, we are also getting ready to open the College to prospective parents on Saturday 26 February. Please invite your friends, neighbours, and family who may be interested in a discovery tour of the College.
The ACER Scholarship testing will also take place on Saturday 26 February so the College will be abuzz with activity.
College Tours 2022
Prayer and Praise
Upcoming Events
Teaching and Learning
Message from the Director of Teaching and Learning P-12
Mr Philip McMurray - Director of Teaching and Learning
Connecting the Dots
One of the great advantages of moving into my new role here at the College is that I get to wander through the learning spaces from Pre-K to Year 12. I get the opportunity to see, hear and experience students and staff “connecting the dots” between the known and the new ideas. This could be quite literally what you’d see in a Kindergarten or Year 1 class if they were consolidating their knowledge of the numbers 1-10 and students were discovering the hidden picture formed at the end of the process, or much more metaphorically as Senior students are challenged to see the world through the literacy lenses specifically sharpened in their particular field of study. Learning is about making connections.
Learning also has been happening to me. My new role provides me, along with many others, the opportunity to teach Year 7 English – and to explore the big question of “Who am I?” with students. One way to begin to answer that question is, of course, to understand the culture in which we live because culture is an expression of the beliefs held by the community or group. It’s been fun listening and seeing the “Aha moments” students have when they connect the dots between how they see themselves, and the culture in which they belong.
Penrith Anglican College has a culture – we call it the “College Learning Culture.” It’s a collection of practices that shape everything that we do based on our beliefs. There are two at the heart of our College that, when you see them, you too might connect the dots and “see” what we are doing more clearly.
The first belief that shapes our culture is that all people are made in the image of God, and consequently are infinitely valuable. This might sound obvious, but our motto “To Serve Christ” is not just a tag line on our logo, rather it captures the essence of what God firstly says about us. Because we are valued, we value others. The impact on education, therefore, is immense. Not only do we value all who come into our community, we passionately believe that all of us learn and continue to learn. “Learning is learnable” – like our motto, is not based on tokenistic catchphrases designed to make people feel good, but is the conscious, ever-present mindset that teachers take into every classroom and conversation. It is the reason why we have committed to promoting language, lessons, attitudes and actions that allow every member of our College community the opportunity to not simply “do” but to build connections between the various components of learning and to understand the language that is associated with it.
We value and model, demonstrate and scaffold Resourceful, Resilient, Reflective and Relational aspects towards learning. We unpack these terms daily by identifying and discussing how within each of these areas, we all can apply dispositions or learning muscles to continue the humbling, exhilarating, challenging and rewarding task of learning.
When students at PAC answer the question, “Who am I?” they will be responding based on their beliefs about themselves – and a big part of that comes from culture – a learning culture actively designed to transform learning to be learnable.
Message from the Deputy Principal (Primary)
Mrs Ljubica Mansell - Deputy Principal (Primary)
Dear Families
Information Evening and Tell Us About Your Child
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our families for joining us for the Primary Parent Information Evenings and the Tell Us About Your Child sessions over the past two weeks. The beginning of the year is quite busy already, so to commit to additional sessions that benefit the partnership between home and school, we are very appreciative of your time. We pray that the information you have received was helpful and has provided a smooth start to the year. The teachers greatly appreciate the time you have taken to complete the questionnaire that will assist with the development of learning profiles for each student. If you have not returned the questionnaire to your child’s core class teacher, please ensure this is returned by the end of the week.
Swimming Carnival and Sports Day
Congratulations to all students who were involved in the competitors only Swimming Carnival that was held in Penrith. All students in attendance gave 100% effort in all the events and even demonstrated personal bests throughout the day. Thank you to Mr Hall, Mr Rodgers and Mrs Houison for all their assistance in ensuring the day was a success. A special thank you to the Year 10 PASS students who assisted on the day. Meanwhile, back at the College, students had a wonderful time engaging in sport-based activities with their peers, which allowed them to earn points for their respective Houses. When speaking to the students about the activities they all agreed that it was a very fun Wednesday at school.
Thank you to all the teachers who supported our students on what was an extremely energetic and fun Wednesday of sports.
Transition to School
We understand that some students do take time to settle into new routines and the time it takes, is different for every child. Students in younger grades generally require more time to settle and during this process, the teachers will be in touch with you regularly to keep you updated. We ask that you remain patient throughout this process and follow the advice provided by the teachers. Any additional information that will assist your child’s transition to school is valuable and needs to be shared with the teacher.
School Uniform
All students in Primary School need to be in full school uniform each day. A copy of the uniform guidelines are available in the student diary. Any students who do not have the correct uniform items, will have this recorded on Edumate and a note will be placed in the student diary. Parents are asked to assist the school to ensure all students are in full school uniform each day.
All students require closed black leather laced up shoes as part of their uniforms. Kindergarten students only are permitted to have Velcro shoes. Mary Jane style shoes are not permitted as part of the uniform. If you have any questions, please ask your child’s core class teacher.
Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead and thank you for your continued support each day.
Warm regards and God Bless,
Mrs Ljubica Mansell
Deputy Principal (Primary)
Pre-K Visual Art
Pre-K Visual Arts students are developing drawing skills. The students followed step-by-step instructions sketching the chameleon on a branch.
It is only week 2 and the artworks are amazing.
Mrs Annette Carter
Visual Arts Teacher
If I was Prime Minister...
Class 4 Red began the year dreaming big. Students engaged with the story "If I was Prime Minister” by Beck Feiner and Robin Feiner, then thought carefully about what they would do if they were Prime Minister. Responses varied from fun ideas such as free and easy access to PS4s for all, to very thoughtful ideas about improving the lives of the poor and being proactive about climate change. Here are samples of some amazing writing from 4 Red students:
My name is Alice Braga. If I was Prime Minister I would help all homeless people, so they can have a future, and not have no chance. I would make a robot to help stop pollution, so the sea of our country will be clean. I love this country and I will not let it be a mess. So if I was Prime Minister I could help all citizens of Australia, no matter what stage of life they’re in, by making sure everyone feels welcome when they come into Australia!
My name is Willow Farrugia. If I was Prime Minister I would give all the kids that wanted a dog, cat, bunny or guinea pig a day where all the supplies and pets are free. It would be called pet day and it would be on the 9th of August every year and it would never stop.
My name is Benjamin Sultana and if I was Prime Minister I would buy a house for every homeless person. I would also give them a big discount on their shopping. I would provide pollution cleaning robots to clean our oceans. I would also give every animal affected by climate change a better home and environment. I would donate a lot of money to charities and make more charities so more people lives will be changed. Then I would donate comfortable clothes and furniture to go with their homes. I would give every poor adult a well-paying job. Then give their children a great opportunity to go to school and I would pay their school fees for a year. I would also make there be “No fuel Fridays” where everyone will only use electric cars, scooters, bikes, or skateboards. I would donate a lot of books so kids can learn. Then I would give every kid that goes to school a free stationery pack and tutor. I would let there be more vaccinations in countries that are struggling with Covid 19. And that’s why I would run for Prime Minister.
My name is Aaleyah Hassan. If I was the Prime Minister I would make sure that homeless people had a place to sleep. I would set up an organisation where someone would check on who had been in the area to give them the stuff they need. The homeless and poor could take the shelter and get all the things they need such as food, water, money, beds, insurance, furniture and more. I would also try to stop air pollution, ocean pollution and rubbish pollution. I would also give everyone an equal amount of money and a job so they can balance the amount. I would have “Are you ok?” days once a month so that we can make sure everyone is happy. I would recommend that neighbours check on their neighbours to see if anything is wrong. All children would be educated from the age of five to eighteen. No dropouts would be permitted. If there is a lockdown, kits would be sent to everyone’s homes.
Primary Swimming Carnival
Cranmer Reigns Supreme
Congratulations to all competitors who competed at the Primary Swimming Carnival on Wednesday 16 February. The Carnival was a roaring success despite only competitors being able to compete this year. There was lots of House colour on display, and every swimmer displayed outstanding sportsmanship. Special mention to Alexandra Hall (11 years) who broke three individual records. Look out for Alexandra in the 2028 Olympics!
Well done to the mighty Cranmer House who dominated the Carnival. Thanks must go to Mrs Cochrane for supplying delicious lunches for officials and to Mrs Kathy Thompson for her being the Meet Manager Technician on the day. Thank you also to Mrs Houison (Director of Sport) for overseeing the carnival to ensure everything ran smoothly. Below is the final point score from the Carnival events:
- 1st place: Cranmer - 502 points
- 2nd place: Ridley - 438 points
- 3rd place: Latimer - 349 points
- 4th place: Ryle - 239 points
In place of students in Years 3-6 not being able to attend the Swimming Carnival they were given the opportunity to participate in a range of activities up at the Oval to earn house points. These activities were run by Year 6 leaders. The students in Years 3-6 had a great time displaying their skills and teamwork. The famous Chicken Throw activity was again another highlight of the day.
Well done to the Year 6 leaders for displaying great leadership skills and congratulations to Latimer House for winning the event.
Mr Chris Hall
Primary Sports Coordinator
Interschools Equestrian Championships
Over the school holidays, Torah Kelly (Year 5) represented Penrith Anglican College at the Interschools Equestrian Championships held in Berry.
The competition was held over three days, with Torah competing across four different disciples. Torah and her pony, Billy, placed in all disciples, and finished the overall competition in Third place.
Compassion Child Sponsorship 2022
Introducing our newest little sponsor child…..Beka who is being sponsored by PreK.
He lives in Ethiopia with his dad and four siblings. He is too young to do chores at the moment but he likes playing ball games and going to Sunday school.
Beka lives on the plains of Oromiya in Ethiopia, home to approximately 20 000 people.
Some information about where Beka lives: houses are constructed of dirt floors, mud walls, and corrugated iron roofs. The language spoken is Amharic. The regional diet consists of maize, bread a local grain called teff and potatoes. Most adults work as day labourers, market traders or subsistence farmers and earn the equivalent of AUD $16 per month!
Our sponsorship of Beka means that he and his family can eat nutritious meals. Beka will have an education, be able to have medical treatment and learn about Jesus. One day he will be able to achieve his dreams because of the amazing sponsorship program and the generosity of our PreK children!
Pre K to Year 6 Compassion Competition: students are encouraged to support our sponsor children in Week 5. See attached flyer.
Mrs Sue Munce
Primary Compassion Coordinator
Library
Look Inside the Library
Love leads the way
This February we are choosing to highlight the many forms of love as well as people who have chosen to love in times of difficulty in order to bring change.
Author Visit 2022
We are more than excited to be welcoming author Nat Amoore to the College on Wednesday 2 March to entertain and enlighten our Year 3 to 6 students.
Nat is passionate about encouraging children to expand their minds through reading and writing. She is the award-winning author of Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire (#1 bestselling debut Australian children’s fiction 2019), The Power of Positive Pranking (2021 Environment Award for Children’s Literature) and The Right Way to Rock.
Nat’s latest novel We Run Tomorrow will be released in May 2022. Nat’s books will be available to purchase prior to her visit and more details will be sent home closer to the event.
Mr Mark Pullen
Head of Library Services
Secondary School
Message from the Director of Studies
Mr Felix Kobus - Director of Studies
Dear Families of Secondary students,
As you may be aware, your child’s Assessment Schedule was broadcasted through Edumate last week. Your child has access to their assessment schedule through Student Documents, which is found on the College Sharepoint. This Schedule is to be used as a guide and is correct at the time of broadcast. There may be minor changes throughout the year due to unforeseen circumstances.
The assessment schedule includes the College’s practices with regards to formal assessments. I encourage you to go through these practices with your child. There have been some minor changes to our assessment practices since last year. One change involves the acknowledgement of sources. To coincide with NESA’s All My Own Work requirements that our Year 10 students will complete this year, in text citations or footnoting, will be a required component of acknowledging sources from Year 10 onwards.
Another change in our assessment practices deals with the penalties associated with the late submission of tasks. For our Year 7 to 9 students, late submissions of take-home tasks will incur a 50% deduction of their marks if the task is submitted before 8:30 am the next day. If it is submitted after 8:30 am the next day, they will receive zero marks. For Years 10 to 12, there are no changes to the penalties incurred and zero marks will be awarded to late submissions. Please note that students will still need to submit the task. If the task has not been submitted, an N-Award Warning Letter will be sent, which may mean that students may not pass the course.
We have also noticed occurrences where students are absent the day before an assessment task is due. We believe that this gives those students an unfair advantage over their peers. Consequently, any absences on the day prior to the assessment task will now require a medical certificate.
We are also formalising the process for asking for extensions for assessment tasks. Students should find a Request for Extension form in Student Documents. The form should be submitted to your teacher at least three school days prior to the due date of the task.
The Secondary School was informed of these changes at Assembly in Week Three. However, if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact me at the College.
On behalf of our staff, I wish all our students all the best as they seek to learn and work to the best of their ability.
Mr Felix Kobus
Director of Studies
HSC Showcase - Shape 2021 Exhibition
Congratulations to Hugh Harrold, Class of 2021, who was selected for the Shape 2021 exhibition for his Year 12 Design and Technology major work, The Heli-Plank.
The purpose of the Heli-Plank is to improve the working conditions of personnel in and around helicopters.
Hugh said his project was inspired by the bushfires of 2019/2020. “I was able to witness first-hand the methods and practices that both aircraft engineers and pilots took when completing maintenance and pre-flight checks on helicopters.”
“Many of these practices included the use of a ladder which was often unstable due to uneven ground of many rural airfields that were not paved. I also witnessed injuries resulting from these practices as a result of engineers falling off ladders.”
When the Heli-Plank is assembled on the helicopter, it provides a stable walking platform that allows engineers to access the entire engine bay of the helicopter.
SHAPE will open at the Powerhouse Museum, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences on 4 March 2022 and close on 14 August 2022.
Valentine's Day Fundraiser
For Valentine’s Day this year, the Student Leadership Team raised $850 for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, helping to brighten the lives of sick kids. Roses, lolly bags and teacher votes were sold in the lead up to the day. The Leadership Team arrived at school bright and early on Monday morning to sort the 300 roses and 150 lolly bags. They were handed out to secondary students during their Period 5 classes accompanied by music and serenades for those who received the most roses in each year. Students also enjoyed taking photos at a themed photo wall, where extra lolly bags and cookies were sold on the day. Mrs Martin, Head of Mathematics, won the teacher votes and received a serenade by the Leadership Team to a parody of “Isn’t She Lovely” at Thursday’s Assembly. The Leadership Team had a great time organising this charity event, and are grateful for everyone who got involved.
Hannah Stanford
College Captain
Year 7 Building Connections Day
Building connections between peers helps students to make friends and feel that they belong to our College Community. Year 7 normally goes on their CEP Camp early in Term 1 to help with this. Unfortunately, due to COVID, this exciting event has been postponed. Today (Friday 18 Feb) students had the chance to participate in our Building Connections Day.
The day started with a chance to meet new people with some games including ‘speed relating’. Students then had the challenge of creating a wordless book (more challenging for some than others) and learning about the story it tells from Mr Janzen. Students displayed awesome teamwork skills whilst creating a contraption that protected an egg that was dropped from the top of a balcony. Amazingly, many survived the fall and some had a graceful drop! The strategizing, communicating, creative thinking and teamwork was fantastic. In the afternoon students learnt some helpful strategies from Mr Wright and Miss Crane about strengthening their resilience and then ended the day with fun games.
Overall students enjoyed the opportunity to have a day to build new connections. The highlight for Emily was working with others to create a paper parachute that allowed their egg to safely reach the ground. The highlight for Mitchell was talking to different people, particularly whilst constructing his egg contraption (which unfortunately did not survive the drop) and taking part in the different activities. Whilst Elliott enjoyed watching the eggs go splat and ending the day with a zooper doper treat!
Miss Adele Crane
Director of Student Wellbeing
Tabitha Program
The Tabitha program has been operating for over a decade at the College and seeks to involve our Year 11 and 12 students in service learning, provide opportunities to develop personally and set aside time to be active and stay healthy. Over the six terms of the program, students need to select two service electives, one personal development elective and one action elective. The remaining two electives can be from any category. Students are also required to reflect on their involvement in their electives. At the conclusion of the program students are eligible for the Tabitha Diploma or the Tabitha Diploma with Honours if a further twenty hours of voluntary service has been undertaken and reflected on.
This term, students are involved in electives such as:
- Bushwalking where they are able to experience the beauty of creation and maintain physical fitness
- Student Newsletter with the opportunity to create a newsletter for the College which showcases our students
- Self Defence where students learn tactics from avoidance, verbal de-escalation to physical tactics to deal with tricky situations
- Creating Canopies. This is an ongoing project in partnership with Landcare to plant species attracting trees and shrubs on land at the rear of the College. Future plans also include an edible native garden classroom, frog boxes, bee hotels and the like. As the project grows, we hope to embed it into life at the College with students across all the age groups being aware of the program and involved in some capacity
As Covid restrictions ease, we hope to restart electives such as helping in the Primary school which our students really enjoy.
We hope that by involvement in this compulsory program, students are able to understand the beauty of helping others, grow in their skills and abilities and be able to maintain a healthy balance of physical activity, study and other elements of life as they journey through Years 11 and 12.
Mrs Fiona Wright
Director of Student Development 10-12
AICES Open Tennis Championship
Congratulations to Sandra Stojanovic (Year 9), who competed at the AICES Open Tennis Championship on Friday 11 February!
Sandra’s game play over the championship secured her Top 8 position, and a place in the AICES Girls’ Tennis Team, who will compete at the CIS Championship in the first week of March. Well done, Sandra!
Mrs Amanda Houison
Director of Sport
Mathematics Club 2022
Australian Air Force Cadets
345 SQN based at Penrith Anglican College will continue to operate this year with the recruitment period still open until 23 February 2022.
The squadron meets on a Thursday evening during school term from 6pm - 9.30pm. Costs vary between $250-$450 per cadet per annum depending on what activities the cadet is involved in. The higher price generally includes the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme which is optional. See Flyer attached.
Students wishing to join must be turning a minimum of 13 years in 2022 and be in Secondary School, however, if there is a student wishing to join and they are only turning 12 this year and are in Year 7, an age waiver can be applied to allow them to commence with their Year 7 peers who may be turning 13.
If the student turns 16 prior to 23 February 2022, then they will not be eligible to join. An application can be made using the link below:
https://www.airforcecadets.gov.au/how-to-join/wings/3-wing-aafc-nsw-act/345-squadron-orchard-hills
It is recommended any students who are interested in joining submit their applications promptly as our Orientation Evening will be held the night of 24 February 2022. Applications are monitored outside of school hours to facilitate a prompt processing turnaround.
For more information, please contact:
ACW (AAFC) Anne-Marie Bolton
345 SQN Orchard Hills Recruitment Officer
Australian Air Force Cadets
Email: [email protected]
Performing Arts
Performing Arts News
Music Lessons
Private Music lessons are starting up again for 2022. The beginning of the year is a great time to start learning an instrument! Specialist instrumental tutors also operate in the College and offer private tuition in a variety of instruments. These lessons attract a fee, take place throughout the school day and provide a convenient way for students to learn an instrument without adding to busy family schedules outside of school hours. Students are expected to catch up on any work missed by attending these lessons and arrangements are made between parents and the tutor regarding timing.
Lessons are available on the following instruments:
• Piano
• Cello/Violin
• Guitar/Bass
• Drums
• Flute
• Clarinet/Sax
• Trumpet/Trombone/Tuba
• Voice
Instrument Hire is available on selected instruments. Priority is given to students involved in ensembles. For more information contact [email protected]
Ensembles
There are many opportunities for students at the College to participate in a music ensemble:
• Concert Band
• Development Band
• Development Strings
• Junior Choirs - Quaver Crew Yers 2-3 and Crotchet Crew Years 4-6
• Senior Choir
• World Music Ensemble
Please refer to the 2022 Music Rehearsal Timetable attached.
Performing Arts CovidSafe Procedures
A letter was emailed to families on 27 Jan 2022 regarding CovidSafe procedures for music tutors/staff at the college. Parents & carers will need to give digital permissions via Edumate before private music lessons can commence or for your child to join a music group.
For further information regarding the College’s Music program, please contact the Music Department at [email protected]
Mr Nick Lane
Head of Performing Arts
Community Notices
Ideas for Packing A Lunchbox
Starting 'big' school is a huge deal even for parents as it may be the first time packing a lunch box. Learn how to pack a healthy lunch box that includes foods to power their brains and fuel their muscles throughout the day at healthylunchbox.com.au
Uniform Shop Trading Hours
The uniform shop normal trading hours:
Tuesday 8am - 11am
Wednesday 12pm – 5pm
Friday 8am – 11am
Online orders and click and collect service are available all year round.
Community Business Directory
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.