The Vine Newsletter

The Year 12 Graduation Service was an outstanding celebration of these wonderful students and of the long-term impact the College culture and staff have had on their lives. The 2024 Year 12 cohort were enthusiastically celebrated by a huge audience of family, friends, Years 3-11 students and staff. It was a joyful occasion with inspirational student reflections, musical items, awards and prayers. The Year 12 students who shared their reflections captured the amazing highlights of their time over the years at the College. Their words were very encouraging and truly uplifting.

Mrs Grima delivered a thought-provoking message based on a Bible passage from Isaiah 40: 28-31, emphasising God’s intimate understanding of our seasons of life and His willingness and power to give us strength when we falter, to give us hope when we confront challenges and, like an eagle, to help us soar above and beyond our immediate struggles, with a fresh vision to reach for our dreams and aspirations.

Her helpful use of a legendary tale about an eagle chick falling from its nest, being found by a farmer, placed into the chickens’ pen and raised by a mother hen, until one day, when much larger and stronger, with wings spread, the young eagle was lifted up by the wind, out of the pen into the open spaces, no longer returning to scratching around the ground. Mrs Grima said, “Sometimes we may act like that eagle – living our lives in a way that is less than we are designed to be, because we don’t know who we are nor how to soar on the wind."

From the Psalms, Mrs Grima said, “God’s grace is sufficient for each one of us, for His power is made perfect in our weakness.” It was a great encouragement for all in attendance and especially for the outgoing Year 12 students, that God’s Word contains His all-encompassing plan for our lives. As Mrs Grima said, “God created you to soar like an eagle, rather than scratching around in the dust, being strengthened and uplifted by His promise of grace and His blessing of salvation in Jesus."

Year 12 then (flew) walked proudly out of the Gym through a loud Guard of Honour. We congratulate them, their families and the staff who have invested so much!

It has been inspiring to witness the growth and achievements of our students this term. As we approach the school holidays, we encourage everyone to take this time to relax and enjoy quality moments with family and friends. Whether it’s exploring new activities or simply unwinding, these experiences are invaluable. We look forward to welcoming our students back, rejuvenated and ready for an exciting term ahead on Monday 14 October. 

Please pray for:

A safe and restorative school holiday period for our students, staff and families
Those families in our community experiencing times of hardship and stress
Year 12 as they continue to focus on using their time well in the lead up to the HSC

Praise God for:

The many ways that our Primary School supports Compassion.
Our recent War of the Words competition which gave all students the opportunity to improve their public speaking.
Our Year 12 students who graduated yesterday!

Mrs Melinda Richardson - Deputy Principal (Primary)

It has been a great privilege for me to attend both our Years 4 and 5 camps this term. Camp provides numerous opportunities for our students, beyond the classroom, inclusive of outdoor activities they may have never encountered before and relationship building between their peers and teachers. One of my favourite parts of camp is witnessing both the firsts for students, as well as the moments of courage.  On Year 5 camp, a student from my group had never seen a waterfall 'in real life' and was completely enamoured by the beauty of the bush setting. I watched on as students choose to try the 8m abseiling wall, rather than the 4m one, to provide themselves greater challenge. On Year 4 camp, I witnessed a student who originally refused to try rock climbing, put on a harness to help belay their friends. As she crept closer and closer forward, her courage kicked in and she was on the wall. Another wonderful part of our camp program, is the work being done by Youthworks, as part of their Christian Discovery time. It is a wonderful witness for our children hear them talk about Jesus, that for many of them, it shifts from just being a 'school thing'. I know I have said it before, but camp is also a testament to our incredible staff. The overnight element can make for very little sleep, but I know if you asked them, they too will share my sentiments about the incredible opportunity and connection camp provides.

Crusaders is another wonderful organisation that runs camps for students during School Holiday periods - either on their sites, or at different schools. A number of PAC students are signed up for the camp here on site during the upcoming holidays, and I know they will have a wonderful time. I encourage you to check out the camp programs with Crusaders: https://crucamps.com.au/

Term 3 has been a very busy one, with many events and opportunities for our students! There have been outstanding accomplishments across many fields, and I bring particular note to those on the sporting fields. No matter the outcome, our students have maintained a high level of sportsmanship, and have represented our College well. I thank Mr Hall for his leadership.

I am very much looking forward to what Term 4 brings, even though I am slightly dazed by how quick the year has progressed. Please know you are in my prayers over the school holiday period, that this is a time of refreshment and connection.

Following their learning about Penguins through the text 'Chooks in Dinner Suits', Year 2 took part in The Australian Antarctic Festival by creating a painted penguin rookery. As part of the festival in August, the students were asked to create a design about protecting penguins and their habitats. It was wonderful to see our students working so hard on their artworks, then to have them on display in Tasmania with entries from over 200 schools across the world. Well done to all of Year 2, we hope your conservation work continues to shine a light on Penguins, their habitats, and the Antarctic. 

On 11 September, Year 4 students attended a camp at Port Hacking organised by Youthworks. The camp featured activities like pool raft building, sailing, catapult building, and indoor rock climbing, which promoted teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience. Students learned valuable lessons in communication, cooperation, and perseverance as they navigated challenges and worked together.

The camp also offered opportunities for relaxation and bonding through free time activities like basketball, footy, and shared meals. A highlight was the nighttime campfire, where students reflected on the day, shared stories, and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere under the stars. Despite challenges like cold water during raft building and nerves around climbing, the camp was a rewarding experience, leaving students with lasting memories and valuable life lessons through the teachings of Christ.

On Friday Week 7, Year 3 travelled to Port Hacking for their Day Camp. This was an excellent experience to introduce our students to the broader camping experience. Throughout the day, students enjoyed activities such as navigation, mangrove exploration, catapults and wilderness adventures. It was also a chance for students to learn more about our mighty God while enjoying his creation.

Students From Years 1 to 6 have been creating poems on the theme of ‘Nature’. They have been considering how nature is important to us and how poetry can influence the reader’s thinking. Congratulations to Maria from Year 2 whose poem has been published on the Red Room Poetry website. You can read her poem by following this link: https://redroompoetry.org/student-poems/nature-is-dazzling/ 

For every poem received, a tree will be planted on Dharawal and Wodi Wodi Country in the Wollongong LGA to help heal habitats and create a POEM FOREST for future generations.

R U OK? Term 3 is a busy time for our secondary students with assessments, exams and many other activities which can affect their resilience, good sleep habits, stress levels and coping strategies. Asking R U OK? encourages students to start a conversation about how they’re feeling.

We are happy to say that 251 students have been validated as completing the 2024 Challenge from Kindergarten to Year 9. Thank you to all the students and families who put the effort into reading and logging their books this year.

Guess Who?

In the Prep Library we are testing our students’ powers of deduction – how many of these famous book characters do you know?

Mr Tony Kelshaw - Acting Deputy Principal (Secondary)

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the tremendous effort of our PAC teaching and support staff throughout Term 3. It has been inspiring to witness the collaboration between staff and students in advancing learning across thousands of individual lessons. While our college offers a wide array of opportunities for learning outside the classroom, it is the learning that happens in our 53 minute periods, six times a day that is the core of what we are focused on at PAC. Our passionate staff are dedicated to preparing and delivering engaging lessons that equip our young people with the skills and knowledge to better understand the world around them. If you have the opportunity, please reach out to our teaching staff to share your appreciation—whether in person or via email. They truly value hearing from families and students who have benefited from their hard work.

The end of term has seen another Year 12 cohort graduate for the College. 6600 is the approximate number of periods a student who entered high school in Year 7 and graduated on Wednesday has attended. It is through these thousands of periods that our students turn from children into young men and women. The graduation service and subsequent Valedictory dinner enabled our wider school community and Year 12 students to celebrate the years of learning, friendship, shared experiences and create lasting bonds. Congratulations to the Class of 2024 for all that you have achieved during your time at the college. We will be praying for you as you step away from life at school and into a myriad of different pathways.

Looking ahead to Term 4, our Years 7-10 students will be facing examinations. This offers them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learnt across the course of the year. It is important that both parents and students put examinations into perspective: exams are no more or less important than other forms of assessment. They offer students, parents and staff a snapshot of learning at a specific point in time. For many students, exam preparation can be challenging (it should be, learning is often hard).  Andre Fuller is an educational Psychologist that has prepared an excellent fact sheet for students who are looking to be most effective in their preparation. Worth reading as the examination period approaches 

https://andrewfuller.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/how-to-increase-your-marks.pdf

I hope that everyone has a safe renewing break, and that our students return ready to learn. Term 4 commences Monday 14 October and will start with an assembly in the gym for Secondary students.

God Speed

We are proud to announce that seven of our Year 12 students have been nominated for HSC Showcase across a range of subjects. Being nominated for an HSC Showcase is an incredible achievement. 

Jovanna Hanna and Jerome Cruzado have been nominated for ENCORE for outstanding works in music.

Isabella Stewart and Elena Tomaras have been nominated for OnSTAGE for outstanding major works in drama.

Ava Kobus has been nominated for SHAPE for outstanding major projects in Textiles and Design. 

Erin O'Shannessy and Isabella Robson have been nominated for SHAPE for outstanding major projects in Design and Technology. 

Congratulations! We cannot wait for the selections to be finalised.

A huge congratulations to Isabella and Erin for their outstanding achievements in their VET courses!

Isabella topped the Jamison 1 Class in the Certificate III Assistant in Nursing, and Erin topped the entire course in the Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance.

We’re incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication. Well done, girls!

Congratulations to our Year 9-11 Visual Arts students who currently have their artworks on display in the B Block Gallery. Students have worked consistently throughout the year, developing their technical skills to communicate ideas and concepts in creative ways. We are very proud of your outstanding work and dedication.

Recently, the Orchard Hills Rural Fire Service sent a team to the 2024 RFS Junior State Championships in Albury. They competed against teams from all over the state in both the junior and senior competitions and did exceptionally well throughout the competition, becoming the new NSW Junior State Champions!

A special shout-out to William, our very own Year 11 student, who was part of the winning team! We’re incredibly proud of his hard work and dedication alongside the rest of the brigade. Their impressive achievement showcases the skill and commitment of the next generation of firefighters. Well done to all involved!

We look forward to seeing William and the team continue to grow and succeed in their firefighting journeys.

Our Year 10 Food Technology students put on an impressive morning tea for staff, showcasing their culinary skills with a delicious spread!

From savory dishes to sweet treats, the students created a wide range of beautifully prepared food items that were thoroughly enjoyed by all. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to demonstrate their creativity and hard work in the kitchen.

Well done to everyone involved!

Primary Wanderers Cup Final Day and the NSW State Primary Futsal School Championships

Congratulations to the Primary Senior Boys team for their outstanding achievements throughout Term 3. These boys have competed at the Primary Wanderers Cup Final Day and the NSW State Primary Futsal School Championships. In both tournaments, the team displayed an impressive understanding of the game’s strategies, adapting to the fast-paced format and style. The boys quickly transitioned their traditional soccer skills to suit the quicker gameplay, showcasing agility, sharp decision-making, and teamwork.

Well done to Koen B, Jeremy C, Jake F, Levi H, Ace L, Isaac L, Jasper L, Sebastian T

AFL

What an exciting day of AFL action last Friday! Our Stage 2 and Stage 3 teams put in fantastic efforts on the field, representing the College with determination and teamwork. The Stage 2 team played their hearts out, making it all the way to the final. In a closely contested match, they narrowly missed out on victory, finishing 13-8. A huge congratulations to the team for their incredible effort and sportsmanship! Our Stage 3 team truly shone, dominating every opponent they faced. Their teamwork, skill, and perseverance led them to a well-deserved victory. Well done to all involved for making the College proud!

Netball

Students from 3-6 set out for Jamison Park to participate in the PSSA Netball Gala Day. Despite it being a hot day, the day was a fantastic display of teamwork, skill, and school spirit, with every student participating in a day full of exciting matches. Many intercepts were taken, goals scored, and shots defended as they made their coaching teachers proud to represent the College. Well done netballers, it was a successful day!

Soccer

Both the Boys and Girls PSSA Soccer Gala Days were a great success, with both sets of Junior and Senior teams displaying exceptional skill and determination on the field even competing with the warm weather. They were faced with tough opposition throughout the day, given the opportunity to showcase a wide range of their soccer abilities. The matches were fast-paced and competitive, with students demonstrating strong teamwork and perseverance. Well done to all students for representing the College with great sportsmanship, making the event a successful one for the College.

Congratulations to the PAC Athletics Team who competed at the AICES Athletics Championship. PAC ranked 15th out of over 75 schools attending, and our boys’ team finished second on the medal tally, with 6 Gold, 2 Silver and 4 Bronze. Caleb Ritchie (Year 7) was awarded 13 years Age Champion, and Adelaide Grima (Year 8) 14 years Runner-up Age Champion.

Congratulations to all our athletes who attended the CASA Athletics Carnival on 8 August. The day provided perfect weather for our students to compete in a variety of track and field events, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement and anticipation. The level of talent on display was outstanding, with students giving their all in every event, from sprints to relays and jumping and throwing field events. The athletes’ hard work and determination were evident throughout the day, contributing to Penrith Anglican College taking out the overall win at the carnival. This victory was a true testament to the dedication and sportsmanship of our athletes, who represented the College with pride. Well done to our Senior Boys Relay team placing 1st in their 4 x 100m event and the Senior Girls Relay team coming 2nd in their 4x 100m event.

Congratulations to the following Primary students for their stellar efforts:

• Mia E (Year 3): 9 Years Girls Age Champion
• Milly S (Year 4): 9 Years Girls Runner Up
• Sabella W (Year 6): 11 Years Girls Age Champion
• Harper E (Year 5): 11 Years Girls Runner Up
• Jake F (Year 5): 11 Years Boys Age Champion
• Levi H (Year 5): 11 Years Boys Runner Up
• Bianca R (Year 6): 12 Years Girls Runner Up
• Nathaniel G (Year 6): 12 Years Boys Runner Up

Well done to all our athletes who attended the CIS Athletics Carnival on 6 September. The day sunny and hot and our students competed with great determination and grit despite the conditions.

Congratulations to Sabella W who was 1st in the 11 Years Girls Long Jump and Jake F who place 2nd in the 11 Years Boys Discus. Both students have qualified for the NSW PSSA Athletics Championships in Term 4. Well done on your achievements, we will be cheering for you!

The CIS Secondary Athletics Championship was held on Tuesday, 24th September, and PAC had 14 students in attendance. We are incredibly proud of all these students, from Year 7 to Year 12, and very excited to share TWO podium finishes – Elizabeth Godwin (Year 11) won bronze in the 17s Javelin and Owen Morris (Year 7) won GOLD in the 12s 200m. These outstanding results cap off an amazing season of Athletics, seeing our students go from strength to strength, competing with humility and respect, and persevering to set PBs on both the track and field.

Full results:

• Hague A (Year 7): 7th – 13s javelin
• Ellyse B (Year 7): 8th – 12s discus
• Elizabeth G (Year 11): 3rd – 17s javelin
• Nicholas G (Year 9): 9th – 15s discus
• Adelaide G (Year 8): 5th – 14s triple jump
• Timothy H (Year 8): 7th – 14s 200m; 8th – 14s 100m
• Oliver J (Year 10): 6th – 16s triple jump
• Owen M (Year 7): 1st – 12s 200m; 6th – 12s long jump; 7th – 12s 100m
• Iremide O (Year 8): 6th – 13s discus
• Connor O (Year 11): 4th – 16s shot put
• Erin O (Year 12): 7th – 18s shot put
• Caleb R (Year 7): 4th – 13s shot put; 6th – 13s discus
• Havana W (Year 7): 12th – 12s hurdles
• Jaxson W (Year 8): 4th – 13s hurdles

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news about Summer’s (Year 7) achievements in AFL. Over the past three years, she’s been playing for the Penrith Giants and has made remarkable progress.

Last year, Summer was invited to join the Giants Academy program, which identifies and develops athletes in NSW and the ACT. She was invited back to participate again this year.

Recently, Summer competed in the Regional Challenge, where one female team from the Western Sydney/Central West area is selected and Summer played two games last weekend in Canberra, winning both.

Her performance earned her a spot in a squad of 24 players selected from the Regional Challenge to compete in the Super 24 Series against the Sydney Swans Academy in Albury during the school holidays.

Well done Summer, we'll be cheering for you throughout the holidays! 

Last week, Amari (Kindergarten) performed at the Chinese Moon (or Mid-Autumn) Festival, a big Chinese celebration. There were over 500 people in the crowd including former NSW Minister for Sport, John Sidoti. Amari was the youngest performer on the night, representing the Emerald Dragons Martial Arts Performance Team. Amari completed 3 kung fu forms, including a solo performance of Snake Stance.

We wish Amari all the best with her upcoming grading, to hopefully move up to the next coloured sash.

On the 23rd and 24th September, Faarman (Year 9) represented PAC at the Jack Newton Shield. Farmaan won the overall girls’ tournament, along with the Net Champion title, bringing home two trophies. Congratulations on an outstanding achievement!

If you would like to join our Holiday Football Camp, please follow the link for more details! Booking Form.

CRU RUSH is on these school holidays! Be sure to join us for a fun-filled week of nerf tag, scooter ball, the Splash Tunnel and hanging out with friends while learning about who Jesus is!

📅 Mon 30 Sep - Fri 4 Oct 2024

👫 Years K-6 📍Penrith Anglican College

👉 BOOK TODAY: crudaycamps.com.au/cru-rush

The perk of coming on a day camp is that you can return home to the comfort of your own bed each night. We hope your child can join us for this exciting week!

There is also the opportunity for Secondary Students to join the CRU Rush Day Camp as Junior Leaders! Follow the QR-Code to find out more details. 

Over the school holidays, a crane will be installed on the top of D Block to assist with the ongoing construction of the C, D, & E Block second floors. This crane will have a length of 75m and its installation will mean there is minimal disruption to traffic and the site with alternative mobile cranes coming and going. It will assist to minimise construction times on this important project.

The College would like to assure families that the crane will never carry a load above students and staff. Loads will only be lifted over the construction areas contained within site fencing. Whilst not in operation, the crane arm will be unloaded and will turn freely with the direction of the wind. We hope this may be of interest to students, and reiterate there will be no risk to student safety.

We want all children and young people who attend Penrith Anglican College to feel and be safe. We are committed to providing a child safe and child friendly environment, where children and young people are safe and feel safe and are able to participate in decisions that affect their lives.

We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and are committed to doing what we can to keep students safe from harm.

The College regards its child safety responsibilities with the utmost importance and is committed to providing the resources required to ensure compliance with all relevant child protection laws and regulations and maintaining a child safe culture. Each member of the College community has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role that they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of students is at the forefront of all that they do and every decision that they make.

Child Safe Policy: Download

If you have any questions or concerns with regards to a Child Safety matter, please email Felicity Grima, Principal via [email protected].