The Vine Newsletter

Mrs Felicity Grima - Principal

It's wonderful to be back together on campus after the disruption of heavy rains and flooding of the previous weeks. We continue to pray for those affected by the flooding in our area and around NSW and Queensland.

We have been able to run events that were postponed including the NASSA Secondary Swimming Carnival.

This week I was pleased to show Tanya Davies MP the progress in the Landcare Creating Canopies initiative. The Tabitha students were very articulate and enthusiastic in explaining the project to Mrs Davies. Some of the 1600 plants are showing impressive growth given the reasonably short amount of time since their planting. Approximately 85% of the plants have survived which is a great result.

Years Three and Four have also had the opportunity this week to learn about the platypus. Dr Michelle Ryan from Western Sydney University, who lectures in Ecology and Environmental Science, and Tom Covell, Ecologist from ‘Hooked on Nature’ visited the school. Landcare Mulgoa funded the presentations introducing the students to the platypus, which have been confirmed as living locally in the Nepean River, Mulgoa Creek and Jerry’s Creek at Wallacia.

We are excited about the opportunities students have to practice being good stewards of God's creation and be involved in conservation in the local Penrith area.

I also attended the launch of the Shape Exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum where Hugh Harrold, Class of 2021, had his Heli-plank on display. 

You can read more about these events in this newsletter.

Mrs Felicity Grima
Principal

We are pleased to announce the appointment of two new Heads of Department who will join us in Term 2. 

Our new Head of Visual Arts is Mr Steven Lewis who comes to us from St Dominic's where he is presently Head of Visual Arts and Drama.  

Mr Darryl Kelshaw has been appointed as the new Head of PDHPE. Mr Kelshaw is currently teaching at St Pauls Grammar where he has also been the Head of Sport.

We have more opportunities coming up for prospective families to visit the campus and find out more about the College. Please invite friends, family and neighbours. There is also a Taster Morning for Pre-K to get a 'taste' of the Pre-K program and an Information Evening for K-12.

To book a tour or information session click here.

Pre-Kindergarten 2023 Taster Morning
Thursday 24 March, 2022 at 9:00am-10:00am.
Parents interested in Pre-Kindergarten for 2023 are invited to bring their child for an open morning to get a 'taste' of the Pre-Kindergarten program. 

Twilight Tour
Wednesday 30 March, 2022 at 6:00pm-7:00pm. 

Kindergarten to Year 12 Information Evening
Wednesday 30 March, 2022 at 7:00pm-8:00pm

He has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done 

but because of his own purpose and grace. 

This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

2 Timothy 1:9 NIV

Please pray for: 

 The upcoming Year 12 Dusty Boots Service Trip (April 7-14) to Wellington.
Those members of the College community experiencing times of hardship and stress.
Staff and students of the College impacted by Covid.

Praise God for:

 The flood and weather situation easing.
The resilience of our staff and students.
His grace and mercy.

Mr Philip McMurray - Director of Teaching and Learning

When there’s a good mystery to solve, where do you turn?

Recently, students in Year Eight have been investigating the strange discovery of the Tollund Man. They worked together to question, imagine, and wonder. Faced with the scant evidence found around this body in a peat bog in 1950, students were challenged to use a range of resources to try and decipher what happened to this ancient man.

In true CSI fashion, students were challenged to examine the primary sources that accompanied this fifth century BC mystery man and draw on their skills in logic and reasoning to methodically determine a theory which explains how and why the Tolland Man perished. They had to be prepared for others to spot the flaws in their own or other’s reasoning, while drawing on their bank of skills to support their conclusions.

They are not alone. Right across the College students are being encouraged, taught, and supported to use a range of skills to develop resourcefulness. They need these skills to sift through the barrage of information, ideas, suggestions, and opinions we are all subjected to every day. By developing students’ skills to learn while exploring new ideas and resources, teachers are promoting curiosity, creativity, and the logical and rational skills necessary to construct sound arguments that withstand criticism.

Our College Learning Culture is a framework that values students and promotes contexts where they can learn and practice the skills which are essential for life. It encapsulates the values and beliefs we champion. It flows from our passion for all students to work, learn and thrive in an environment where our Christian principles champion each student’s value, purpose, and significance. At the College, our culture is one that values each person uniquely, encourages growth and development, and draws on a wide range of resources and personnel to achieve this.

Not every student was able to study the mystery of the Tollund Man, but all students continue to be immersed in an environment that promotes resourceful, reflective, resilient, and relational learning – a place where they are given the skills and the opportunity to thrive.

Mr Philip McMurray
Director of Teaching and Learning P-12

On Wednesday 17 March, Stage 2 were engaged in a workshop about platypuses. The presenters were Dr Michelle Ryan, a lecturer in ‘Ecology and Environmental Science’ from Western Sydney University, Tom Lovell, an ecologist from ‘Hooked On Nature’ and Lisa Harrold from Mulgoa Landcare.

Year Three students were asked to write a sentence about something new they learnt about platypuses. Here are some of their responses:

Platypuses are mammals that lay eggs - Natalia Kurian

I learnt that when platypuses hunt their prey in the water, they close their eyes and hear the vibrations that the water bugs and leeches are making - Chelsea Membreno, Chloe Walker

They told us that next month they are testing a river for platypus DNA – Sophie Howland

It was really fun. We got to see pictures of where they live and what they eat. Platypuses are also very dangerous because their claws are venomous – Mannat Gill

Platypuses can’t breathe underwater, they need air. They can only stay underwater for 3 minutes – Lillian Kosic

I enjoyed holding a yabby and learning about what platypuses eat – Jake Farrugia

I learnt that they can be found in the Nepean River and they can be found in dams, rivers and creeks - Noah Brooks

They are not endangered, but their population is going down – Savanna Styman

I learnt that platypuses build their homes in a river bank and they live in cold and murky rivers – Koen Bayada

Below are some response from Year Four students:

On 17 March, Year Four had such an amazing time on their incursion, learning about platypus and their habitat. Three lovely visitors came to Penrith Anglican College and taught the students about platypuses. There were indescribable moments and times when the Year Four students got to be involved. The students were encouraged to ask questions and think deeply about the troubled times that nature has. They learned that even just a little spray of poison could harm the ocean and the surrounding environment.

Year Four got to experience the thrilling sight of a huntsman spider which was named Hagrid the Hairy Spider. There was an unexpected tadpole lurking in the water which also held two yabbies which can be found near creeks. The students learnt that hair ties are a tremendous problem in our ecosystem and can trap platypuses by their necks, choking them and eventually kills them.

They learnt fascinating facts about platypuses like a platypus usually lays around 1-3 eggs. They learnt that only the male platypus have spurs which are deadly if you touch one or pick one up. It is unlikely that you would be able to pick one up as platypuses fear humans and are quick at getting away. Year Four had such an interesting time learning about platypuses. The students in Year Four wish they could experience such an amazing moment like this again.

Oliver Johnson

On Wednesday 17 March, Year Four had a fun incursion. Some people from Western Sydney University came and talked to us about platypuses. They each told us about something like what platypus food, needs and some interesting stories. They brought in some animals that platypus eat. We saw Hagrid the huntsman spider, two yabbies, a tadpole and some other water bugs. The researchers said they were searching for platypuses and found them just by using their DNA in the Nepean River, Jerry’s Creek etc. We learnt how hair ties can kill platypuses, what to do if you see a platypus injured or fine, and how male platypuses have a poisonous spur on their two back legs. Dr Michelle Ryan, Tom Covell and a lovely volunteer came to talk to us. We gathered some interesting information about platypuses from them. We hope we can use this knowledge to help save them.

Aaleyah Hassan

Ingrid Maria Santana De Oliveira

Ingrid lives with her mother who is very rarely employed. She is almost 12 years old and lives in Brazil.

Ingrid likes to play with her doll and also play with a hoop. She is in Year Five and her favourite subject is Art.

Ingrid is sponsored by the current Year Six. She replaced Year 6’s previous sponsor child Shawon whose family situation changed and they no longer needed sponsorship, praise God!

Ingrid lives on the plains of San Benedito in Brazil where the population is 35,000. There are 12 million children living in the semi-arid regions of Brazil. In these regions, literacy, infant mortality and water facilities are well below the national average and only 37% of people have access to adequate sanitation facilities! Houses in this region are constructed of dirt floors, mud walls and corrugated iron roofs. The language spoken is Portuguese. The regional diet consists of beans, cassava, beef and rice. A day labourer in this region could earn $76 per month! 

How blessed we are to live in Australia! Ingrid didn’t ask to be born into poverty; no child ever does. That’s why we need to help where we can. It costs us so little to go without a coffee or a cake or chocolate. But wow, what a difference that little bit makes to the lives of people living in poverty!

Mrs Sue Munce
Primary Compassion Coordinator

College Parent Nat Browne has recently been in Beijing in her role as Head of Operations for the Australian Paralympic Team!

Students in her sons’ classes (Morrison in Year 2 and Austin in Pre-K) were able to follow along with the Games and learn more about the Paralympics as Nat sent back photos, videos and emails.

“The great part of my job is that I get to travel around the world, and watch our amazing athletes compete against other countries at the Games. Meeting all the athletes and understanding about their different disabilities is also pretty awesome.”

Australian snowboarder Ben Tudhope won a Bronze medal. Ben was the youngest ever winter Paralympian in his first games in Sochi 2014, when he was just 14 years old!

Book Club fun for everyone
Scholastic Book Club Issue 2 has been delivered to classrooms and books can be ordered online – there are some great books for all ages and your purchases also help the library so our students benefit twice! Contact us in the library if you need more information or download this helpful guide Scholastic has put together.

KOALA nominations now open!
We participate in the Kids Own Australian Literature Awards (KOALA) and classes are currently enjoying choosing books to nominate for the shortlists. Students can nominate up to 4 books which must be Australian, published in the past 10 years and not previous winners. 

Award categories are picture books, younger readers, older readers and Years Seven to Nine fiction. Check out the KOALA website if you’d like to know more or talk to your friendly library staff.

Mr Mark Pullen
Head of Library Services

Mr Leighton Corr - Deputy Principal (Secondary)

In the last fortnight the College has again faced incredible diverse and uncertain times. As we settled back into ‘routines’ post Covid, we were faced with torrential rain local flooding.

We talk with our students about showing perseverance and this was another example of where students needed to face an uncertain situation and push on. I was incredibly impressed with how quickly our students and staff shifted to Off Campus Learning. Although it is not our immediate default and we considered options for each day, it is encouraging to see how far our College has come in this space of flexible learning. Well done to staff and students for the way they made the last few weeks work seamlessly.

The return to campus and smiling faces also reminded me of how important community is. At PAC we want our students to feel like they belong and that is hard to achieve when lockdowns, restrictions and natural disasters mean we need to be creative, but I loved seeing students back on site and in person again. We will continue to promote a community where every student matters and all people are encouraged to have positive and meaningful connections with those around them.

It is an exciting time to be part of the Penrith Anglican College community.

Mr Leighton Corr
Deputy Principal (Secondary)

Ms Tanya Davies, Member for Mulgoa, visited our “Creating Canopies” project which is undertaken in conjunction with Landcare.

She saw our Year 11 Tabitha students “getting amongst it”, weeding, straightening the protector sleeves and stakes and generally tidying up the site after the rain.

Tanya also spoke at length with Hayden Comber of Year 11 (our horticulture expert and guru) about the types of plants and the importance of re-creating some of the lost flora of the Cumberland Plain upon which the College stands.

Mrs Lisa Harrold of Landcare Mulgoa is an enthusiastic supporter of this endeavour and was the driving force in its establishment. Lisa provides guidance on planting techniques and answers questions as they arise – she also gets her hands dirty each week digging holes and planting, weeding and watering.

Tanya was surprised at the extent of this first 2 stages of the project with over 500 plants in the ground and when we explained that we intended to continue into stages 3-5 behind the oval and down toward the western boundary she was quite excited that we were undertaking it as a student project.

Mr David Tucker
Technologies Assistant

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is an exciting self-development program available to all young people aged 14 to 25 worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and their world.

The Award program has three levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each of these levels is made up of four sections:

• Service (e.g. coaching, church music or youth leading, first aid, vet)
• Skill (e.g. music, netball umpiring, Spanish, L driving, acting, photography)
• Physical Recreation (e.g. netball, soccer, dance, boxing, Oztag, golf)
• Expeditions (typically a hike for one or two nights)

Students personalise their own program and set their own goals to work towards. Completing the four sections to gain your Award requires persistence and determination to overcome challenges faced along the way. It is a fantastic was to recognise students’ achievements and community engagement outside of the classroom.

Pictured are four of our most recent Bronze Award recipients from Year 10; Ava Toland, Isabella Stewart, Louise Hammond and Vanshika Rathore. This award is a reflection of their character and the way in which these ladies are engaged in both school and community life.

If you’d like to learn more about the Duke of Edinburgh Award please speak to Mrs Price. Alternatively, you can head to the Duke of Ed Australia website. 

Mrs Erica Price
PDHPE Teacher & Duke of Ed Award Leader

Our first House Charity Day kicked off for 2022 with Cranmer selling sausage sandwiches, drinks and donuts!

Cranmer House also ran carnival-style games and competitions on the day. In addition to the hugely popular Casey's Push-up Challenge, Cranmer also organised:

• Lolly Guessing competition
• Water balloon throwing challenge 
• Corn Hole Bean Bag Challenge
• Balloon Pop Lucky Dip  

Money raised on the day will be donated to the UNICEF Australia Tonga Recovery Appeal. We thank the College community for their support.

Last Sunday, 13 March 2022, Grace Patterson (Year 12) entered the Blacktown Show in the Search for the Stars Talent Quest and won, beating out 28 other contestants. She came away with $500.00 cash for winning and some awesome comments regarding her talent on stage. 

One judge commented on how "Grace should no longer be competing at this level and should cross over to professional roles, which she is sure to land."

Congratulations Grace!  We look forward to seeing you perform in the upcoming musical production.

Want some Tasty Hot Cross buns for Easter?

Students in the Senior School will be selling Hot Cross buns every Wednesday and Friday until the end of term for $9 per 6 pack, with all proceeds going to Compassion. Hot Cross buns were traditionally made to celebrate Good Friday in remembrance of Jesus and his death and resurrection. Buy some to share with friends and family and help support a worthy cause. These are available to staff, students, parents and the wider community.

Flavours available: Chocolate Chip, Traditional, Apple Crumble (limited ed.) and Mocha (limited ed.)

You can pre-order your Hot cross buns by:

1. Trybooking link: https://www.trybooking.com/BYCRC
2. Flexischools (available to order on Wednesdays and Fridays)  https://www.flexischools.com.au/

*In the Food section select Lunch, choose the date then order through the Hot Cross Section.

3. Cash – students pay in F6

Students and Staff can pick up on Wednesday and Friday Lunch times on the week of their order (some flavours will be subject to availability) from F6

Miss Natasha Gilder
Assistant Chaplain

Hugh Harrold (Class of 2021) is to be congratulated on being selected to have his Major Design Project, the Heli Plank, to be displayed in the Shape 2021 exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney.

Shape 2021 is an exhibition of a selection of outstanding Major Projects developed by HSC Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Textiles and Design students. 

Hugh explained his motivation for his project: 'I chose to develop the Heli Plank to improve the safety of aircraft personnel and minimize potential damaged to aircraft. When assembled to the helicopter, it provides a stable walking platform that allows engineers to access the entire engine bay of the helicopter. The stable platform also reduces the risk of damage to the helicopter as it forms a stable base, overcoming the risks posed by uneven ground.'

Mr Shannon Casey was instrumental in assisting Hugh to achieve an outstanding Major Design Project.

Harry Southern-Gale (Class of 2019) joined the navy in 2021 and completed his training as a Combat System's Operator in December. He was deployed to the HMAS Adelaide at the completion of his training. 

His first day on a Navy ship was also the start of his first deployment. Operation Tonga Assist 2022 is part of the Australian Government's support to the Tongan Government following the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano.

His family sent an update to the College saying, "We have been so proud of Harry and what he has achieved. This is in no small part due to the teachers, experiences, friendships and values he gained at PAC."

HMAS Adelaide has just arrived back after nearly three months away. Read more in the ADF news.

https://news.defence.gov.au/international/pangiamotu-island-clean-begins

Photo Credit ADF

St Nicholas Netball Club Penrith is looking for players turning 6, 7 and 12 years old for their teams. PAC is one of the largest feeders of players into the club. Some play with just PAC girls and others play with mixed school players. Please contact the Club President, Judith Sibbald, via email [email protected] if your child is interested or if you need more information.

Our school is taking part in the Wonder Recycling Rewards Program .  Help us collect bread bags so we can earn points to redeem on new sports equipment. 

It's simple! All you need to do is keep your empty bread bags and send them to school with your kids! The more we collect the more points our school earns! 

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.

Following some of the toughest trials seen for positions, congratulations are in order for the following students who have been selected to represent PAC at NASSA Netball Gala Day on Monday 21 March:

15 Girls Team
Charlotte Butler
Estella Connolly
Layla Giampietro
Elizabeth Godwin
Tia Green
Ella-Marie Jones
Chelsea Lobb
Ava Maurer
Lucy Young

Open Girls Team
Charlotte Bradford
Charlotte Clinton
Isabella Degei
Emma Grant
Cyane Heath-Ogden
Ashley Jackson
Ava Mika
Anne Oliver
Erin O'Shannessy
Ava Toland

Senior Girls Relay: Hannah Stanford, Alex Doyle, Jenna Isaacs, Grace Patterson

The Secondary Swimming Championships, after being postponed due to bad weather, took place on Wednesday 16 March at SOPAC.

30 students represented PAC at the NASSA Secondary Swimming Championship, and the outstanding performances of the whole team saw PAC finish in 4th place! Special congratulations to Penelope Robson (Year 7), Klarissa Goodwin (Year 7) and Rebecca Hall (Year 8) who were Runner-up Age Champions in the 12, 13 and 14 year categories respectively; and to Matthew Bone (Year 12) and Lachlan Ferguson (Year 12) who placed 3rd in the Age Champion point score for 17 and 18 year categories respectively.

15 students have qualified to represent NASSA at the AICES Championship, which will be held on Monday 28 March. This number includes three of our relay teams – our Junior Girls 4x 50m Freestyle and Medley teams, and our Senior Girls 4x 50m Freestyle team! We wish these students every success!

Mrs Amanda Houison
Director of Sport

Ava Toland - Work Experience at Taronga Zoo

Students in Year 10 have the opportunity to participate in a Career Aptitude Assessment at the beginning of the year where they receive a personalised profile detailing the types of careers they may be suited to.  They also have the opportunity to have an interview with a professional and independent Careers Counsellor to explore career opportunities and subject choices for Years 11 and 12.  Following on from this, students participate in a week-long Work Experience program. 

Work experience not only provides students with an insight into potential careers and an understanding of the work environment and what employers expect of their workers, it also fosters self-understanding, maturity, independence and self-confidence.  For some students, work experience week is the first time they have visited a workplace.

Earlier this month, Ava Toland completed her work experience at Taronga Zoo which, due to its popularity and in the interest of fairness, selects only one applicant per school per year.  Ava shares with us her thoughts and experience below.

Going to work experience at Taronga was one of the best experiences of my life. I got to experience the everyday life of a Bird Keeper at the zoo, and I got to learn how they became Zookeepers in the first place.

The first day at the Taronga was very exciting. I and seven others were taken around the back ways of Taronga and explained the rules and where to go each day. After the introductions we each got dropped off at our different sections. The first day in the Bird Division I was with the Bird Kitchen Team. I helped prepare food for all the different types of birds and clean all the different bowls and nectar bottles. At the start of the day the bird kitchen team would prepare over 50 dishes and then in the afternoon they would start seed feeds and soak them for days. I learnt all about organization in the first day.

The second day I was with the Bird Show Team. I learnt how they prepare for each and every show. They would do some practice in the morning and then take an hour to put GPS on all the birds free flying that day so they would be ready to perform. The third day I started working in the aviaries. The first aviary was the Blue Mountains Bushwalk. I helped set up feeding stations, clean the paths and stations, and I also learnt how to spot check the birds. On my fourth day I was in the Asian Rainforest, and I met my favourite bird, The Bleeding-Heart Pigeon. This was the friendliest wild bird I had ever seen. The Bleeding-Heart Pigeon would sit on my lap while I fed the other birds during the spot check.

On the last day I worked in the Australian Rainforest. This aviary had the most beautiful colourful birds. I enjoyed the last day so much because the keeper I was with took me to get a close-up experience with the koalas. The last day of work experience was sad because I wouldn’t experience what I had been experiencing for a long time or even ever again. As much as I was sad to leave, I was also physically tired. The week at the zoo was very physical and required you to be on your feet all day.

Overall, this week was one of the best weeks of my life and I am so thankful for Penrith Anglican College for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

Ava Toland
Year 10 Student