The Vine Newsletter

Mrs Felicity Grima - Principal

What a wonderful term it has been and the last few weeks have been no exception as we celebrated Easter with Hat Parades and Chapel Services and watched our students battle it out with courage and perseverance in the Primary and Secondary Cross Country Carnivals. Congratulations to all our students for an excellent start to 2024.

During these 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 about being safe online. There are many invaluable resources for families on this site and I encourage all our families to take some time to look through this resource.

• Explore together — ask your mum, dad, carer or a trusted adult to play new games or apps with you at first.
• 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.
• Ask before you download, install or buy anything — check with your mum, dad or carer first.
• Keep your personal information private — don’t give out your address, which school you go to, phone number or passwords. Find out more.
• 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.
• 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. 
• If you see something online you don’t like — show your mum, dad, carer or a trusted adult immediately. Find out more.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

At the end of Term, we farewelled Mr Michael Dang who has been a Mathematics Teacher at the College since the start of the year. We thank him for his time and wish him every success at his new school.

We also farewelled Mrs Emily Heath who has been an Assistant Chapel at the College for the past 7 years. Mrs Heath has been a passionate member of staff who always found a new creative and engaging way to share the Bible with our students. Her energy and vibrancy was incredible as we wish her every blessing as she commences parish ministry at Cobbitty Anglican Church.

Tickets are now on sale for our event with Dr Coulson. He will present his workshop on 'Carrots and Sticks' next term. The session will commence at 6pm, in the Lighthouse Theatre. The seminar is suitable for all ages P-12 and this is an open event so please invite your friends and family to take advantage of this amazing opportunity.

Tickets are $21 (including booking fee) and can be purchased on the College website via Trybooking.

Carrots & Sticks
Better ways to build boundaries with your kids

Punishment and reward are the foundation of discipline for most parents. Parents would prefer not to yell, threaten, use time-out, smack, or generally get the kids in trouble... but what else is there? And when it comes to rewards, they're a pain to administer. All those stickers and gold stars. Plus, why should we have to bribe kids to pick up their mess or be nice to their siblings?

The typical toolkit for parental discipline needs an update. Fortunately, smart science is pointing the way to positive parenting solutions for every parent. Join Dr Justin Coulson for this provocative presentation as he slays several sacred cows of the parenting world. You'll discover:

• Why punishment is unhelpful in raising thoughtful and considerate kids
• The reasons time-out needs to stay in the naughty corner and never come out again
• The challenges with praise and why it can hurt children's development and growth
• The most powerful parenting strategies to help guide your children successfully

Prayer

Please pray for:

Those families in the College community experiencing times of hardship and stress.

A safe and restful break for our students and staff.

ROCK and BIG and the Bible Studies which operate each week.

Praise

Praise God for:

The wonderful representation by the College at the Penrith RSL Anzac Service.

The many opportunities available to students at the College.

Our fantastic aides who work with students throughout the entire College and our Clinic staff. All are indispensable!

Mrs Lynette Karp - Director of Students (PreK - 6)

One of the greatest pleasures I've found in my new role, is the opportunity to teach students spanning from PreK to Year 6. This journey not only allows me to establish connections and foster relationships with each student but also grants me the privilege of witnessing their interactions with one another.

One of our College’s values is 'Courage', and I've been encouraged by the countless displays of this trait among our Primary students during Term One. From the quiet and shy students discovering their voices in class discussions to the resilient newcomers adapting to College life, courage has been evident. I've also observed students stepping out of their comfort zones to assist their peers in need and embracing new experiences in our lunchtime co-curricular activities, College productions, and challenging tasks.

As our students continue to engage with one another and explore the various activities and opportunities provided by the College, my hope is that they not only thrive academically but also continue to grow and develop courage in their character, and in their understanding of Jesus, what He has done for us, and how he gives us strength.

Joshua 1:9
'Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.'

Mrs Lynette Karp
Director of Students
(PreK – Year 6)

Are you passionate about what you do and would like to share that passion with Year 10?
On Thursday 9 May from 12:30-1:45pm we are running a Careers Session for Year 10 where they are able to move around to different providers to hear about different types of careers and be inspired and equipped to think about their future choices.
If you are available and keen to be involved, please contact Mrs Fiona Wright at the College f.wright@pac.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Melinda Richardson - Deputy Principal (Primary)

I'd like to take the opportunity to commend our students for a wonderful first term. It has been a pleasure to observe the connections students have made with each other, and with the teaching staff. Our classrooms have transformed from empty shells, to rooms that display the learning process from the term, enabling our students to take pride in their classroom. It has also been a personal joy to see the passion our students have in regards to the learning taking place, and it brings a smile to my face when students seek me out to let me know about the things they are doing. I hope that you have had many wonderful conversations with your child of a similar context.

I'd also like to thank you, our parent body, for the partnership across the term. For those that provide constructive feedback, those that provide encouragement and those that provide deeper insights into your child, it has been a great support as we continuously reflect, review and innovate.

I pray that the school holidays are a chance for sleep ins, a less rigid routine, reduced planning for school lunches and beautiful family time. I also pray that you all may stay safe, whether travelling great distances, or simply staying home. We are looking forward to all that Term 2 brings.

Mrs Melinda Richardson
Deputy Principal (Primary)

Year 3 have been learning all about heat energy during Science this Term, and students in 3 White were very excited to see the sun come out last week to conduct their solar oven experiment. For the past few weeks, students have designed a solar oven with the aim of melting a piece of chocolate the quickest. Students showed great collaboration, innovation and creativity - and very excitingly, every solar oven was a success!

On the 10th of April, some students from Stage 3 attended the Interschool Chess Tournament run by the Sydney Chess Academy. During the day, each student played seven rounds of chess against children from other schools. The games were hard but fun at the same time. We had timers that some of us had never used before. Sadly, we didn't win any awards but what mattered in the end was that we enjoyed ourselves and learnt new things. Overall, it was a fun experience and we hope to do it again soon.

Written by Emilija Sikavica and Aaleyah Hassan

This term in Positive Education, Year 6 have been learning about the value of humility. Last week we looked at what it is to be intellectually humble, to admit that we don’t know and have so much to learn and to have educated opinions and ideas but also be willing to listen to others and potentially change our ideas in the face of new information. Students were challenged to use their imaginations to ask a series of “What if?” questions and then to draw a picture or write a story, poem or song which explored one of their questions. Ben Sultana wrote a rap exploring the question “What if Harry Potter and Voldemort were actually allies?” and here is a snippet for your enjoyment. Well done Ben!

What if Harry Potter and Voldemort were actually allies?
By Benjamin Sultana

(Verse1) 
Yo, listen up, here's a tale you never heard before, 
About a secret alliance that shook the wizarding world.
Harry Potter and Voldemort, enemies no more,
Joining forces, magic stronger than ever before.

(Chorus)
What if Voldemort and Harry had a secret alliance?
A bond so deep, it defies defiance
In the darkness, they conspired, side by side
A connection so hidden, it's hard to abide

(Verse 2)
Slytherin and Gryffindor, a bond unforeseen,
Unleashing power never witnessed or foreseen.
In the shadows they plot, a plan so grand,
To rule over all, hand in hand.

(Chorus)
What if Voldemort and Harry had a secret alliance?
A bond so deep, it defies defiance
In the darkness, they conspired, side by side
A connection so hidden, it is hard to abide

(Verse 3)
They kept it on the low,
no one else could know,
working together pulling strings to put on a show
Voldemort's dark magic Harry’s courage and might,
a hidden lethal combination hidden from plain sight

Please save the date for our 2024 Book Parade!

Mr Leighton Corr - Deputy Principal (Secondary)

We have reached the end of a long and busy term here at PAC! But we have been enjoying some wonderful opportunities and activities in the Secondary School. This week we saw our Senior Boys Rugby team play their first game and our Girls Bill Turner Trophy team have a hard fought win in a penalty shoot out on the oval.

Add to this, our Anzac service, College students involved in the Penrith RSL Anzac service, the College Cross Country Carnival and chess competitions amongst a number of other things that have been happening. We are a busy school and I continue to encourage students to be involved in as much as they can. A true Penrith Anglican College experience will involve being involved!

I do want to notify parents of a concern I raised with students this week in relation to mobile phones and their use at school. This term we have noted a number of times that filming at the College of anyone with or without their consent, is not permitted. We also have provided students with parameters for how phones can be used here at the school. This includes 5 minutes at recess and 10 minutes at lunch. Unfortunately, we have had more phones being used when they should not have been this term than any other term since we introduced this policy. Please keep reminding students that these rules are in place to assist them in becoming digital citizens.

I challenged students this week to consider how they might switch off and recharge over the break and I look forward to hearing how they spent their holidays when we return to school on April 30.

Mr Leighton Corr
Deputy Principal (Secondary)

Recently our Year 8 and Year 11 Ancient History students visited Ramses II exhibit at the Australian Museum. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and insightful day.

On 9 April 2024, eleven students attended a local heat for the Interschool Chess Challenge, hosted by the Sydney Academy of Chess. Our school fought 9 other schools, playing 7 games per person. Overall, our school placed 2nd with the top 4 players scoring a total of 19.5 points, qualifying our school for the regional heat in Term 3. Neil Singhal played especially well and was able to achieve 5th place individually out of 100 competitors. It was a great day that challenged our chess knowledge and ability and enabled us to grow in our skills. A great job to everyone who competed.

Sabella Whelan (year 6) recently competed at the ANSW Junior Championships for High Jump and placed 1st in the U11s event with a jump of 1.35m.

The week following this event, Sabella and Jake Farrugia (year 5) competed at the Little Athletics State Championships. Jake placed first in Javelin, winning the gold medal, and Sabella placed first in High Jump with a jump of 1.45m, beating her personal best jump by 6cm.

Well done to all athletes!

Congratulations to Charlie W, Charlotte N, Charlotte B, Mia E, Harper E, Ava H, Hannah C and Aaleyah H who represented CASA at the Primary CIS Swimming Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on 27 March. These students competed hard and showed great determination in their events. Mia E was very close to qualifying for the NSWPSSA Championships placing 4th in the 9 Years Girls 50m Freestyle being pipped by an equal 2nd placing in front of her.

The weather was perfect for running at the Primary Cross Country Carnival. The track was set out beautifully thanks to our amazing property team. Every student ran well, showing great determination to finish the course. All students should be proud of their efforts competing this challenging race and being rewarded with a refreshing Zooper Dooper at the end.

Congratulations to Latimer house for winning the Primary Cross-Country.
Cranmer 330
Latimer 402
Ridley 272
Ryle 362

Thursday 28th March turned out to be a great day for the CASA Primary Touch Football Gala Day. Students from Stage 3 excitedly travelled to Milperra to compete against the other schools. Both teams showcased their touch skills. On the day the Girls team finished in 3rd, while the Boys team remained undefeated sidestepping their way victory, becoming Back-to-Back winners.

Congratulations to Zara S, Zane C, Isaac G, Nathaniel G and Jacob W who have been selected to trial for the CIS Touch team next term.

Congratulations to Levi H and Koen B from Year 5 who competed for CASA at the recent CIS Primary Football Championships. Both boys showed great perseverance and skills as they played on the day despite the miserable weather.

Well done boys!

Wednesday saw our newly formed Years 10-12 Rugby Union Squad travel to Dural to take on Redfield College in a practice match. It was very much a new experience for our boys with only three of the boys having played Rugby previously. I was very impressed with the effort and enthusiasm our boys showed. They did not take a backward step despite there being a level of physicality that most were not used to. Although it was a heavy defeat, the fact that the game was designed as a learning experience meant that the score was irrelevant.

One moment of significant note was when Harrison Canning went over for a try in the corner after our boys turned some excellent defence into attack right on Redfield’s line.

Next term the boys will participate in a series of competitive matches as part of the North West Schools Rugby.
It is exciting to have Rugby back on PAC’s sport agenda after a hiatus of several years!
We look forward to cheering on our Senior Boys in Term 2!

Our P&F team is hosting a Colour Run on 31 May 2024 and are looking for business within the community to help Sponsor the event. If you or someone you know may be interested, please get in touch with our P&F team.