The Vine Newsletter

Perseverance

Schools are busy, exciting and filled with opportunities for learning and growth. Schools are places where students are able to strive to do their best. Penrith Anglican College, in a very short time, has highlighted this for me.

We live in challenging times, especially for our young people. It is no longer sufficient to know the answer to a particular problem, as important as this is. It is more important that we can apply this knowledge to provide a practical solution. How do we go about this task?

Thomas Edison, while contemplating the electric light, describes the process of invention as ‘failing his way to success’. He described something that did not work as a step closer to something that did work.

When we were a child and learnt how to ride a bike, we may have used training wheels and even toppled over on occasion. Many parents carefully assist their children in learning how to balance and propel themselves forwards. However, for many this does not come naturally or without accident.

Our student’s learning is no different. Our students need the structure, support and the encouragement of the College to grow and develop in their learning and personal growth. However, if we are not challenging our students slightly beyond their perceived capacity, how do we expect them to develop their potential appropriately?

I have observed that the students at Penrith Anglican College are very keen to participate in a variety of activities. From the Colour Run, to preparing for the Dusty Boots service week, to standing on stage in front of peers, to preparing for a mock election, the students are prepared to give of their best.

This highlights the quality of teaching and learning, with staff providing the scaffold, support and encouragement for students to seek to go beyond their typical comfort levels.

Failure, of course, is too harsh a term. For learning to be productive we have to know what does and does not work.

I commend the attitude, aptitude and the willingness of students to engage actively in their wide variety of activities. Of course, all this is shaped by the character development which comes from the Christian mission of the College which undergirds all the programs and activities at the College.

This is a direct result of the quality of teaching programs and, importantly, how the staff at the College engage the students. Congratulations. All this bodes well for the future growth of the academic and co-curricular programs at the College.

Mrs Grima has previously communicated to you that the College's Master Plan was approved by the College Council. Stage 1 of this Master Plan includes a building program to increase the number of classrooms and to provide an Exam Centre on top of C, D and E Blocks. This project will commence in the forthcoming school holidays. 

To prepare for this exciting development, the students in Years 3 and Years 4 in D Block will relocate to classrooms in F Block from the beginning of Term 3. We anticipate the full project will take 12 months, and we will make announcements on any further classroom changes when appropriate. Teachers and other staff in D Block will be supported as they pack up, and staff from the Property team will assist the move during the last week of Term 2 and the first week of the holidays. Builders will be on site from the start of the holidays. 

It has been my privilege to note the professionalism and positive attitude of staff over my short period at the College. This is reflected in the respectful manner with which students undertake their daily challenges and opportunities. Their positive demeanour is very pleasing to observe as the College embarks on this very significant project. 

The work of the College Council, and that of the Principal, Mrs Grima, supported by the Business Manager, Mr Cosier, has been tireless and extraordinary as they have planned for the start of this project. 

Mr Steven Bowers
Acting Principal

Enrolment demand at the College continues to be strong and there are currently only limited places available for 2025. If you would like a place for a sibling please apply now. We also encourage anyone who is seeking a place at the College to apply early - enrolments are being taken now for 2026.

A big thank you to everyone who supported the College Musical. It was a great success and received rave reviews. 

The cast enjoyed the whole process from rehearsals and then performing for the sold-out shows. They worked so hard and deserved the applause at each show.

Please support our Silver Sponsor Ample Air.

Ridley House Charity day was held on 28 June. There was a sausage sizzle, a cake stall and games at lunch in support of Convoy of Hope. Convoy of Hope is a Christian non profit with a passion to feed the world through children's feeding initiatives, community outreach, and disaster response. 

The day raised $3744 for Convoy of Hope. Thank you to all our College families for your support of this Charity.

Yesterday the College recognised NAIDOC week. Tahlia Mayo in Year 12, a proud Wiradjuri woman, spoke at Assembly about the theme of 2024 NAIDOC Week - Keep the Fire Burning - and how the College would be allowing students to participate in activities related to NAIDOC. Tahlia and other student leaders ran a seminar for students in Year 3 through to 12 who visited displays and participated in a yarn circle. We were also joined by Mrs Moss who shared about her family history and experiences.

Mrs Grima received a letter from Penrith City Council regarding concerns about driver behaviour during school zone times on Wentworth Road, Orchard Hills. They provided the following road safety information as a reminder to our College families.

For drivers: 

When driving between home and school, please remember to drive safely and legally. 

Remember to check parking signage when parking your vehicle - these zones protect drivers and pedestrian sight lines and are in place to keep kids safe. 

Drivers are reminded not to park facing the wrong direction of travel. 

An alternative entry to the car park can be accessed using the roundabout on the western boundary of the school. This could be used to alleviate traffic caused by vehicles waiting to enter the eastern access of the car park. 

For pedestrians: 

When you walk with your child, talk about safe behaviour. Always demonstrate correct pedestrian behaviour. 

Always hold your child's hand (particularly for children under 10 years of age). 

Explain why the place you have chosen is the safest place to cross the road and point out dangers such as vehicles coming out of driveways. 

Talk with your child and reinforce ‘Stop! Look! Listen! Think!’ every time you cross the road together; 

- Stop! One step back from the kerb. 

- Look! Continuously look both ways. 

- Listen! For the sounds of approaching traffic. 

- Think! Whether it is safe to cross. 

Further information for families can be found here:

NSW Centre for Road Safety - Safety Town Website: https://www.safetytown.com.au/ 

Prayer

Please pray for:

Those members of the College community experiencing times of hardship and stress

The Dusty Boots Team serving the community of Wellington NSW from 5-12 July

Refreshment and relaxation over the holidays.

Praise

Praise God for:

Our involved and active P&F

PAC’s Got Talent run by our College Leaders

The wonderful time Year 6 had at Canberra

Mrs Melinda Richardson - Deputy Principal (Primary)

Mrs Melinda Richardson
Deputy Principal (Primary)

The Library staff will be running a Scholastic Book Fair in conjunction with Grandparents day.

Mr Leighton Corr - Deputy Principal (Secondary)

I am confident that there is genuine and collective relief that we have made it to the end of Term 2. A 10 Week term to end the semester is long and it has certainly been busy. I want to encourage families with a few messages I shared with students this week at Assembly.

With so many big events in recent weeks, I have been encouraged and challenged to think about our school as a community. A community is really a group of people who come together with a common understanding or cause. The Musical, Athletics Carnival, PAC’s Got Talent, wellbeing seminars, Ridley House Charity Day and tug-o-war all stand out for me as community-based events that have filled our calendar this term.

The coming together of people brings so many wonderful opportunities and I commend students for how they made the most of these events to build culture. I see events like this not just as things that we tick off, but examples of where our culture and values are display. Hearing people support others who they don’t know shows compassion, seeing students celebrate someone else’s achievement or success highlights humility and watching people refuse to yield in tug-o-war showed perseverance. I challenged students this week in Assembly about the fact that values are nice on a page, but actually mean more and matter then they become influential in your actions.

We work hard at school to make the most of opportunities to encourage our students about their character; who they are becoming and how they might be perceived. For me, this is important in so many ways, but I believe with genuine conviction that someone’s character will be of greater value in life than a mark, grade or lists of achievement.

Thank you for trusting us with helping develop your child’s character. We hope you continue to join us in this partnership and being part of this community. Have a wonderful holiday break and we look forward to seeing you all next term.

Mr Leighton Corr
Deputy Principal (Secondary)

On Tuesday 2 July Secondary students had the opportunity to earn points for their houses through creative talent or strength. PAC's Got Talent started the day off and there was a range of performances from the very impressive to the hilarious. 

Later in the day the much loved Tug 'o' War took place with Ridley House the triumphant House. Year 12 took on the Staff in another of the Staff v Students event - the Staff came out on top!

As part of our Tuesday afternoon activities during Term Two, some of our year 9 and 10 students made regular visits to local nursing home, Newmarch House. This was both very challenging and rewarding for our young people. The residents thoroughly enjoyed the visits and looked forward to them each week. On the week of our last visit, some of the residents were asking for the same students to come back again. I am proud of the way our students rose out of their comfort zones and made personal connections.

Charlotte O in year 9 wrote

I was lucky to have the privilege to go to Newmarch nursing home in Kingswood as part of the Tuesday afternoon program. By going there each week, it was a great opportunity to connect and socialise with people who get lonely by not getting many visitors. Over the weeks of getting to know the residents, we built great relationships with them, and it turned into both them and us looking forward to visiting them each week as it would be their highlight of the week. Personally, I found visiting them a great way to serve the local community and I highly recommend other students being a part of it in the future. 

Please join us for our annual HSC Showcase. Students major works, projects and performances will be presented, starting at 5pm in the B Block Gallery.

The results are finally in for the Primary Athletics Carnival:

Latimer- 966

Ridley- 795

Cranmer- 678

Ryle- 669

Latimer was successful in winning all three sport carnivals this year. Well Done Latimer!

The following records were broken at the carnival:

Jacob K (Year 3) 9 Years Boys 800m -2:41:53

Scarlett S (Year 5) 11 Years Girls Discus- 22.17m

Levi H (Year 5) 11 Years Boys Shotput- 9.83m

Sabella W (Year 6) 11 Years Girls 200m- 30.08

11 Years Girls High Jump- 1.40m

Sabella W (Year 6), Harper E (Year 5), Lamar T (Year 6), Elodie P (Year 5) Senior Girls 4x100m Relay- 1:02:78

Alexander G (Year 6), Jack F (Year 6), Jeremiah T (Year 6), Jake F (Year 5) Senior Boys 4x100m Relay- 59.13

Congratulations on your achievements!

On the 17th June students from Stage 3 travelled to Blacktown Sports Complex to participate in the Primary Wanderers Cup Gala Day. The day allowed students to showcase a wide range of their soccer skills within a different format of the game. Our Girls A team made it through to the Semi-Finals and our Boys B team making it to the Final and coming in 2nd on the day. The Boys B team have been invited to the Wanderers Schools Cup Primary Final on Monday 12th August in Term 3. Well done to all students for representing the College with great sportsmanship.

Penrith Anglican College had 9 Primary students competing at the CSSA Gymnastics Championships on 11th June. The students performed in the four areas of Vault, Beam, Floor and Bars and showcased amazing skills.

Congratulations to all students for their outstanding efforts and achievements.

Level 3 Division 1

Charlie W (Year 2)- 8th

Level 3 Division 2

Olivia T (Year 5)- 8th

Level 4 Division 1

Milly S (Year 4)- 1st

Mia E (Year 3)- 4th

Level 4 Division 2

Sophie H (Year 5)- 1st

Sophia R (Year 5)- 2nd

Level 5 Division 1

Frankie L (Year 4)- 10th

Level 6 Division 1

Alessandra H (Year 5)- 5th

Level 7 Division 1

Harper E (Year 5)- 9th

The PAC Open Boys’ Basketball team travelled to Sutherland to take part in the Basketball NSW tournament. Students enjoyed the day and developed their teamwork skills. They came away without a win but were competitive in the first half of games in what was their first outing as a team against other schools coming off the back of a six month season.

North-West Schools Rugby Competition (NWSRC)

North-West Schools Rugby Competition (NWSRC)

The Primary Football Camp is running again this July. See the full brochure here.

The team at TheirCare have an exciting program lined up for the Winter holidays! See the full brochure here