The Vine Newsletter

Mrs Felicity Grima - Principal

It's always a joy to see the Lighthouse Theatre filled with students. K-6 joined the whole College Easter Chapel in person this morning with the rest of the students watching via Zoom. I hope many families were able to also join us remotely.

A big thank you to Rev David Simmons from Emu Plains Anglican Church who stepped in at the last minute to teach us from the Bible.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

Please pray for: 
The Year 12 Dusty Boots Service Trip serving the people of Wellington and Mumbil.
Those members of the College community experiencing times of stress and hardship.
Safety on the roads over the Easter break.

Praise God for:
Jesus’ death and resurrection which we remember at Easter.
The ability to have Chapel services each week.
The sense of community at the College.

Dear Families

Cyber Safety

As we enter the school holidays, I would like to encourage families to continue having conversations with their children about the importance of being safe online. The internet is a wonderful tool for learning and researching, but it also has its dangers that families need to be aware of. Here are some tips from the eSafety Kids at https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids that I shared at the beginning of the term, about being safe online.

1. Explore together — ask your mum, dad, carer or a trusted adult to play new games or apps with you at first.
2. Stay close by — when you use a phone, tablet or computer by yourself, make sure your mum, dad or carer is nearby so you can get help if you need it.Bonus tip — don’t use your device alone in your bedroom.
3. Ask before you download, install or buy anything — check with your mum, dad or carer first.
4. Keep your personal information private — don’t give out your address, which school you go to, phone number or passwords. Find out more.
5. Check your privacy settings and talk about what to share — make your online accounts private and talk to your mum, dad or carer about the kinds of photos and information it is OK for you to share online. Find out more in the eSafety Guide.
6. Cyberbullying — if you receive a mean message, or a message that is mean about someone else, try not to respond and don’t forward it.Tell an adult you trust about it and read our tips on what to do. 
7. If you see something online you don’t like — show your mum, dad, carer or a trusted adult immediately. Find out more.
8. If someone you don’t know sends you a message or you receive a message that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe — tell your mum, dad, carer or an adult you trust straight away. Find out more.
9. Only ‘friend’ or add people you know in real life — remember that not everyone online is who they say they are, so don’t accept friend requests or followers you don’t know.
10. Don’t meet up with online friends — It is best to keep ‘online friends’ online, so if you do chat to other kids in online games don’t meet up with them in person.

Holiday Activities

We encourage all of our students to rest these holidays and spend quality time with their loved ones. If you would like your child to engage in some learning activities during the holiday break here are some suggestions which are optional for families:

Reading- encourage your child to continue reading for pleasure these holidays. The Premier’s Reading Challenge has started so it’s a perfect time for them to add to their reading logs.

Journal- students can write a short recount of their daily activities as a keepsake memory of the Easter Holidays. They can illustrate their entries or take a photo and paste it under their journal entry. This is also a great way to practise writing in the holidays and have something to share for news in Term 2. 

Play

All children need to play and explore these holidays. Family board games always make holidays fun, together with walks or bike rides at the park, building forts or even some chalk drawing on the concrete. Whatever you decide to do these holidays, please remember to rest and be safe.

On behalf o the Primary School, I would like to wish you all a very blessed and peaceful Easter with your loved ones. My prayer to you all is that you remain safe, are able to build beautiful memories and remain in good health.

Warm Regards and God Bless

Mrs Ljubica Mansell

Deputy Principal (Primary)

It was a joy to celebrate our easter Hat Parade in the Lighthouse Theatre in front of a live audience this week. It was wonderful to see how much effort and creativity had been placed into the creation of their hats and how the students captured the theme for Easter this year: Jesus is the real king. Thank you to the parents for joining us in the Lighthouse Theatre for the event as your presence made the event even more special.

On Tuesday 5 April, the Secondary and Primary leaders joined Mrs Mansell at the Schools ANZAC Day Ceremony in Penrith where 41 schools in the Penrith area joined to commemorate the ANZACs.

Here is a recount written by our Primary Leaders about the event.

On the 5th of April, the Primary School Captains and Vice Captains travelled to the Penrith Paceway with Mrs Mansell to commemorate the ANZACs at the ANZAC Day service. We sat and watched as many schools laid their wreaths, and honored guests paid their respects to the brave men and women who fought for Australia’s freedom in past wars. 

This event was, is, and will always be significant in Australia. It is a time to remember and pay respect to the fallen soldiers that gave up their life for our safety. These soldiers were so brave and committed to their job that they were willing to die for their country. That is true loyalty. 

On Thursday 31 March at 10am, our school participated in The Big Vegie Crunch as part of Vegetable Week.

Thank you for packing vegetables for your child/ren to crunch on for the event.  

We joined around 450 other schools across NSW trying to break the record for the most children eating vegetables simultaneously. 

The final numbers are still being tallied but it looks like close to 100,000 students crunched together and a further 5,000 students crunched over Vegetable Week. We had four of our lovely kindergarten children handing out stickers and reminding all primary classes to join in the fun. 

That was a lot of vegetable eating! Keep practicing at home by eating more vegetables every day and we can try again next year. 

Mrs Joni Coleman
Early Stage 1 Coordinator

NASSA Primary Swimming Carnival

It was a wet night, and that was before our students even jumped into the pool at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre for the NASSA Swimming Carnival. Our Best of the best relay team consist of Jack Greentree, Grace Nicholls, Alexandra Hall and Sophia Hutton finished in second place to start the carnival off strongly for Penrith Anglican College. Throughout the night, our students displayed great perseverance and effort with every race they competed in. It is always an exciting way to finish the night watching the teamwork involved with the 4x50m relays. A great result for both our Junior Girls relay team who finished in first place and our Junior Boys relay team who finished in second place. Penrith Anglican College finished 3rd Overall for the event which is a fantastic achievement.

Congratulations to Charlotte Nicholls. Harper Egglestone, Ava Hutton, Grace Nicholls, Alexandra Hall, Jack Greentree, Levi Holden, Scarlett Sturt, Adelaide Grima, Ellyse Bayada, Owen Morris and Jacob Williams for qualifying for the CIS Swimming Carnival.

Well Done NASSA Swimming Team 2022:

Ellyse Bayada, Rueben Bleasdale, Laura Broad, Sarah Broad, Lilijana Cavka, Hannah Crawley, Layla Davidson, Harper Egglestone, Alexander Godwin, Jack Greentree, Toby Greentree, Adelaide Grima, Nathaniel Grima, Alexandra Hall, Levi Holden, Bridie Hutcheson, Ava Hutton, Sophia Hutton, Joshua Kest, Callan Kobus, Noah Kurniadi, Chelsea Membreno, Isaac Membreno, Owen Morris, Charlotte Nicholls, Grace Nicholls, Brody Ralphs, Lucas Robinson, Stella Robinson, Max Rolles, Blake Roots, Scarlett Sturt, Chloe Vella, Jacob Williams and Jaxson Willmington.

CIS Primary Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to Charlotte Nicholls. Harper Egglestone, Ava Hutton, Grace Nicholls, Alexandra Hall, Jack Greentree, Levi Holden, Scarlett Sturt, Adelaide Grima, Ellyse Bayada, Noah Kurniadi and Jacob Williams who represented NASSA at the Primary CIS Swimming Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in March. These students competed hard and showed great determination in their events. A special mention to Harper Egglestone for coming 9th overall in the 9 Years Girls 50m Freestyle and Alexandra Hall who qualified for the finals in three events placing 5th in the 11 Years Girls 50m Freestyle, 7th in the 11 Years Girls 50m Backstroke and 6th in the 11 Years Girls 50m Butterfly. Well Done Harper and Alexandra!

A small group of students from Year 6 travelled to Sydney Olympic Park to compete in the NASSA Netball Gala Day. During the day the girls did an outstanding job playing with great passion. Thank you to Tahlia Mayo, Annie Oliver and Ava Toland in Year 10 for coming along and umpiring on the day. Congratulations to Dylan Carroll, Caitlin Bean, Bridie Hutcheson and Alana Jackson who were picked to represent NASSA and Ava Toland who was selected to umpire at the CIS Primary Netball Championships. 

Well Done NASSA Primary Netball girls:

Dylan Carroll, Caitlin Bean, Ava Borger, Chloe Regan, Mackenzie Wright, Bridie Hutcheson, Alana Jackson, Madison Butcher and Ruby Lee

This week Year 2 and Pre-K had an Ambulance incursion from Mrs Felicity Ralphs. We are so thankful for this opportunity to learn from a paramedic in our College community. The students enjoyed hearing a presentation about staying safe, CPR, calling 000 and how we can look after people in danger. Students were then able to practice bandaging, have a tour of the ambulance vehicle and complete activities.

Rehearsals have been underway for the upcoming College Musical which is taking place towards the end of Term 2. Even with so many restrictions, our students have been fantastic in their rehearsals and I am looking forward to seeing a high quality show. Earlier this week, I wrote to families inviting you to join us in partnership for this event with a limited number of sponsorship positions available. Please make contact if this might be of interest for you or a business you know.

I trust you all have a wonderful break and have an opportunity to spend time with friends and family over Easter reflecting on the significance of what was achieved on the Cross.

Mr Leighton Corr
Deputy Principal (Secondary)

Dusty Boots 2022 has officially kicked off with a group of Year 12 2022 students and staff heading out on Thursday 7 April to serve the communities of Wellington and Mumbil. Dusty Boots is open to Year 11 students, however, due to the lockdown last year, the trip was postponed. Please pray for safety on the roads, from any sickness and a real sense of God's presence with them as they minister throughout the week.

Year 11 2022 will be taking their turn in the June/July school holidays.

Matthew Bone (Year 12) finished 4th overall on the 17 years points score.

Junior Girls relay team, consisting of Klarissa Goodwin (Year 7), Rebecca Hall, Isla Puri and Scarlett Stoneham (all Year 8) had two great results:

2nd – 4x 50m Medley Relay
3rd – 4x 50m Free Relay

These results qualify the girls for the CIS Championship next term!

Rebecca Hall has also qualified for the 50m and 100m Backstroke at CIS.
Klarissa Goodwin has also qualified for the 200m Butterfly at CIS. 

Three Year 10 students, Ava Toland, Annie Oliver and Tahlia Mayo, accompanied the PAC Primary Netball team to the NASSA Gala Day today, as student umpires. All umpires were being assessed for selection as a NASSA representative to the Primary CIS Championship. PAC is proud to announce that Ava was selected for this opportunity! Congratulations Ava - we wish you every success at the CIS Championship!!

The following students have been selected to represent PAC in the Bill Turner Football Squads for 2022!

Both the Boys and Girls teams will play their first matches early next term.

Mrs Amanda Houison
Director of Sport

Congratulations to Cohen Alleaume (Year 9) on his recent success at the Peter O’Malley Junior Masters, held in Bathurst on 26 - 27 March. Cohen played two strong rounds of golf, and finished the weekend as the 14 and 15 years Nett Champion! We look forward to hearing about Cohen’s continued successes on the greens!

Year 9 and Year 12 students went to Little Snail Restaurant at Pyrmont yesterday  as part of their elective courses. It was a great day with many students trying escargots – snails- for the first time!

What would you do if you were King or Queen for a day? The answer to that question reveals a lot about us, doesn’t it?

For most people who answer truthfully the opportunity to be in charge would be an opportunity to make things easier for themselves, or to change things they don’t like. It’s a sad truth that when humans are in charge, we so often choose to ignore or even hurt others to get what we desire. It is a symptom of our choices to ignore God and decide our own morality, which the Bible calls sin.

The Bible also describes God’s plan to save the world from sin using a King. But unlike any human King, God’s King would be just, merciful, and loving. Instead of having grand palaces and fancy clothes, God’s King would be humble and lowly. Instead of demanding people adore him, God’s King would bend down to wash the feet of his friends.

This year at PAC during our Easter celebrations we have looked carefully at the ways in which the trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus all point us to the truth that He is God’s King. The one who came to save us, and to lead us back to God. That is the great joy of the Easter message, that even though his coronation was a day of human horror, Jesus took it all and then defeated death by rising back to life on the third day. He did this so that we would know that he is our King, and that he alone is worth following.

This Easter, remember that Jesus is alive! Right now, on his throne, and he calls us to follow him into eternity. Will you?

Mr David Janzen
Chaplain

At the Easter Chapel this morning a student and staff band debuted a cover of Psalm 42 by Tori Kelly. We hope you are encouraged by it to come to God for our deepest needs.

Last week 9 senior students from Trinity Grammar School joined us to gain experience in school ministry in a different environment from their normal. They assisted primary teachers in delivering Christian Living classes and were involved in Chapels in the Secondary and Primary school. The boys learnt lots about ministry, and the students at PAC loved meeting new people who were passionate about Jesus!

The College community is warmly invited to attend Easter services at the local parishes.  Please see the flyers below for more details.

Holiday Reception Hours:

Open 9.00am to 3.30pm from Monday 11 April until Wednesday 13 April.

Closed Thursday 14 April, Friday 15 April and Monday 18 April

Open 9.00am to 3.30pm Tuesday 19 April until Friday 22 April

Closed Monday 25 April ANZAC DAY

The Uniform Shop will be open during the April school holidays on Friday 22 April 2022, from 8am – 4pm.

Appointments are now available and can be made by clicking the link https://penrithanglicancollege.permapleat.com.au/schoolbookings/

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact the Uniform Shop by email and we will respond during store opening hours.

Normal trading hours will recommence on 26 April 2022.

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.