The Vine Newsletter

Mrs Felicity Grima, Principal

At our recent John Lambert Assembly, we surprised Mrs Munce with a special presentation. Penrith Anglican College is incredibly fortunate to have staff members who embody our College values, and Mrs Sue Munce stands out as an exceptional example, having dedicated many years to service initiatives.

Her dedication to Jump Rope for Heart is profound. In 2025 alone, the College raised an impressive $22,082, an effort that Mr Simon Cowie, General Manager of the Heart Foundation, specifically praised as consistent and tireless. Mrs Munce’s meticulous spreadsheet shows that, as a College, we have raised a staggering total of $206,853.72 since 2007.

Beyond heart health, Mrs Munce is even more passionate about the work of Compassion, advocating for children around the world for over 20 years at the College. She has tirelessly led efforts, with the help of many others, to ensure that every year group and House group sponsors children, aiming to teach students the profound value of sacrificing a small amount to release children from poverty. A recent meeting with Compassion's School Partnership Officer underscored the significance of this ongoing partnership and the model it provided to encourage other schools to join this significant work.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Mrs Munce for her vision, perseverance, and personal commitment over more than two decades, which have truly taught us what it means to serve Christ and others.

We are delighted to announce that the 2026 College Musical will be The Wizard of Oz!

At a special combined assembly on Tuesday, 26 August, our Musical Director, Miss Fowler, together with the Heads of House, unveiled the news in true theatrical style.

In the coming weeks, students and families will receive further details about auditions, ways to participate, and opportunities to support what promises to be a spectacular production.

Get ready to follow the Yellow Brick Road with us—the journey to Oz has officially begun!

Mrs Melinda Richardson, Head of Primary

The purpose of Primary camps

• Practise camp routines – Encourage your child to try tasks they’ll need to manage at camp, such as packing and carrying their own bag, rolling up a sleeping bag, or showering and getting ready for bed without assistance.
• Have a trial sleepover – A night with grandparents, cousins, or a friend can help your child get used to being away from home.
• Involve them in packing – Go through the camp packing list together so they know what they have and where to find it.
• Talk positively about camp – Share your own stories of trips away and emphasise the fun and new experiences that await.
• Pray together – Commit the time away to God, asking for safety, growth, and opportunities to hear more about Jesus.

We are excited to share two special events in the lead-up to Father’s Day!

Father’s Day Stall

The stall is open today and tomorrow, Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 September 2025. Students will have the opportunity to choose from a lovely selection of gifts, with prices starting from just $10. It’s a great way for them to find something thoughtful to surprise Dad or a special father figure.

Father’s Day Breakfast

On Friday 5 September 2025, from 7:30 am to 9:30 am, we warmly invite all fathers and father figures to join us for a celebratory breakfast in the College. This is a wonderful chance to come together, share a meal, and celebrate the important role that fathers and carers play in our community.

We look forward to seeing you there!

On Thursday, August 14, a team of eight curious and innovative students from Year 5 represented the College at the Gateway8 Academic Challenge, hosted by Macarthur School.

This year’s theme, The Paradox of AI, challenged students to explore how artificial intelligence can be both a powerful tool and a thought-provoking dilemma. Through a series of collaborative challenges in English, Humanities, Music, Science, Mathematics, Creative Arts and Design, the students explored practical questions in response to this theme.

The team collaborated to solve complex problems in each subject, including the composition and performance of a musical piece to represent AI-generated language and the feasibility of using historical sources that could be AI-generated for the future. Highlights of the day included the much-anticipated pizza lunch and hot chocolates!

Congratulations to all participating students for their adaptability, critical thinking and teamwork, and above all, their positive attitude and sense of fun.

Our Primary Disco was an unforgettable evening, with more than 500 students lighting up the dance floor in their brightest fluro gear. From start to finish, the energy, colour and excitement were incredible.DJ Ellison kept everyone moving with an amazing playlist, while families enjoyed live entertainment from Ollie & Matty Johnson, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The Year 11 Leadership Team ensured the party never slowed down. Our Parents & Friends Volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly.We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to making the night such a success. Your support helped create a joyful and memorable evening for our students, families, and the wider Christ-centred community of Penrith Anglican College.We hope all our students had a fabulous night celebrating with friends!

Year 10 had a chance to run a BBQ at the primary disco, fundraising for Rare Cancers Australia. It was great to see so many parents and students taking time to enjoy a sausage sandwich and each other’s company on the night.

We really appreciated the chance to partner with the College P and F in this activity. On behalf of Year 10 we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Primary parents who showed great patience with our Year 10 students (many who had never barbequed before) and were so generous in their support of the Year 10 fundraising. With support from the P and F we were able to raise $1400 for a good cause. One of the wonderful things about being a Pre K to 12 school is seeing the entire College community come together for amazing events like this.

This year, Penrith Anglican School proudly entered four teams into the Tournament of Minds Regional Competition for the first time. This exciting program provides students with a passion for learning and problem-solving the opportunity to showcase their skills and talents in a dynamic and public setting.

The competition featured four categories: Arts, STEM, Social Science, and Language Literature. Throughout the term, students worked collaboratively during sport sessions to develop a 10-minute presentation within a 3m x 3m performance space, culminating in performances at Western Sydney University last Sunday. Parents were able to watch, and the day was a great success.

We are thrilled to share the results:

• Language Literature: Won their section and will progress to the Branch Final at UNSW in a few weeks.
• STEM: Received an Honours Award, with judges particularly impressed by a 3D-printed model of the four spheres that the team designed.
• Social Science: Awarded the Spirit of the Tournament for their creativity and teamwork.

It was an outstanding effort from all teams, and a fantastic introduction to the Tournament of Minds for Penrith Anglican students.

Congratulations to the following students who recently participated in the HICES Music Festival Camp and Concert at the Sydney Town Hall:

Zoe C (Year 8), Isaac C (Year 9), Rachel D (Year 10), Agrima G (Year 7), Keira G (Year 10), Neo H-K (Year 9), Oliver J (Year 7), Vivienne M (Year 7), Annika N (Year 10), Mitchell P (Year 7), Elliot W (Year 8), and Gavinu W (Year 7).

Our students represented the College with excellence in every way, and their musical growth throughout the camp and into the final concert was truly remarkable.

The festival brought together 440 students from across HICES schools, creating a spectacular combined choir and a memorable celebration of music.

We look forward to next year’s HICES Music Festival, which will be open to students in Years 5–8, male vocalists in Years 7–12, and students interested in jazz from Years 9–12.

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce our inaugural Showcase of Music Ensembles and Dance Concert, to be held in Week 9, 24 September at 6:00 pm in the Lighthouse Theatre. This promises to be a wonderful celebration of student talent across music and dance. Parents of students involved have already received further details, and we warmly invite our community to join us for this special evening of performance.

Congratulations to our Year 11 students who were recognised at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute School Science Awards on 19 August 2025.

These prestigious awards celebrate outstanding young scientists across New South Wales, Western Australia, and Victoria, recognising students who show exceptional commitment, curiosity, and achievement in science.

Our students were commended for their dedication to their studies and their passion for exploring the possibilities of science. This recognition is a wonderful reflection of their hard work and the support of their teachers.

We are very proud of their success and look forward to seeing how they continue to shine in the world of STEM.

This week, I attended the Health Inspirations Program at Nepean Hospital, which gave me an incredible look into various healthcare careers. The experience was truly inspiring and has motivated me to consider a future in the health industry.

During the program, we heard presentations from disease control nurses and participated in workshops on CPR and the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE). We also toured the Emergency Department and the Cancer Care Centre, where we learned about radiation therapy and how protective masks are made for patients.

Another highlight was visiting an operating theatre. Dressed in full PPE, we were introduced to surgical instruments and practiced procedures like intubation on dummies. We also got to experience what it's like to be an anaesthetist, practicing with simulated medicine.

The program also included presentations on cultural safety, mental health, and genetics from social workers and surgeons. We met a paramedic and explored the inside of an ambulance to understand patient transfers. The program concluded with sessions led by physiotherapists and occupational therapists, which was particularly meaningful to me as I'm interested in a career in allied health.

Overall, the program was a valuable experience that gave me a broad understanding of the many different career paths in healthcare.

Year 10 had a chance to run a BBQ at the primary disco on Friday 15th August, fundraising for Rare Cancers Australia. It was great to see so many parents and students taking time to enjoy a sausage sandwich and each other’s company on the night.

We really appreciated the chance to partner with the College P and F in this activity. On behalf of Year 10 we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Primary parents who showed great patience with our Year 10 students (many who had never barbequed before) and were so generous in their support of the Year 10 fundraising. With support from the P and F we were able to raise $1400 for a good cause. One of the wonderful things about being a Pre K to 12 school is seeing the entire College community come together for amazing events like this.

Mrs Renata Lackey and Mrs Cate Duxbury
Year 10 Fundraising Coordinators

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our 16s Girls Basketball Team, who secured second place at the Basketball NSW Hills Regional Tournament.

Their outstanding performance throughout the competition has earned them a well-deserved place at the upcoming State Championships, which will take place on 17 and 18 September.

This is a fantastic accomplishment, and we commend the team for their hard work, determination, and teamwork. We wish them every success as they represent the College at the State level!

The Climb to Fine Dining

We're thrilled to connect with former student Laura Baratto (left PAC 2005), who has cooked her way to the top of the competitive world of fine dining. At just 36, Laura is the Group Chef for Matt Moran, overseeing all his acclaimed restaurants and food direction across media and events.

Laura's focus allowed her to start her career path immediately.

Laura knew early on she wanted a hands-on, creative career. After leaving PAC in Year 10, she immediately enrolled in an apprenticeship. "I did both further study and entered the workforce directly," she explains. She took a job at a chicken processing factory while doing TAFE, but quickly realized she belonged in a professional kitchen. "It wasn’t long until I got bored in this role and had the strong desire to be in restaurant kitchens.”

I started at Matt Moran’s ARIA Restaurant as a second-year apprentice in July 2007 at the age of 18. ARIA was tough, fast, refined and proficient a true two hat fine dining restaurant. It took a little while to get use to this life and cement myself as part of the team, once I did it became rewarding, learning everyday something new, how to stride for perfection and working efficiently. I spent 4.5 year at ARIA where I finished my apprenticeship and worked my way through the different sections of the kitchen. I had come to a point where I needed to learn more and had made the decision that it was time for me to move on, at this point Matt offered me the Sous Chef position of the opening of his new restaurant Chiswick, this would be the next step to my career growth and learnings, being in the management team of a kitchen for an opening of a business would teach me a lot about business, people management, menu creation and costings. From Chiswick I went onto Head Chef of the Art Gallery of NSW (Chiswick at the Gallery), Executive Chef Opera Bar and Executive Chef of Together with Solotel (Large Scale Catering and catering at the Opera House) along the way I have also helped in the writing and shooting of three of Matt’s cookbooks. After 13 years of being in the kitchens of nearly all of Matt’s venues I took the role of Group Chef for Matt Moran, which is the current title I hold, my role now I oversee all Matt’s kitchens and Food direction including restaurants, bars, pubs, media and events.

Mentorship and Rewards

For Laura, the greatest professional reward has shifted from personal achievement to fostering success in others.

"The ones that make me the proudest are watching chefs who I have taught and worked alongside go on and achieve success in their roles," she says. "The position I am in now, I support and mentor a lot of young chefs and to watch them thrive and get their wins is now the greatest reward."

She remains dedicated to the hospitality industry because of its unique reward: "You are the key to people’s special occasions—birthdays, engagements, and weddings. It is a fun industry... it is highly rewarding."

Looking Back at PAC

When asked for advice to her younger self, Laura is remarkably clear: "If I had my time again, I would do the same thing, maybe listen more in maths 😊."

Her fondest memory from PAC is perhaps unsurprising: Food Technology classes. "They were fun but also the only subject that I aced."

Laura’s perspective on life since leaving school is an inspiration to us all: "There is a saying that 'if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.' I truly believe in this. I do not wake up in the morning thinking that going to work is a chore, it is fun!"

We thank Laura for sharing her incredible story and showing our current students that a clear passion and relentless hard work are the perfect ingredients for a successful career.

Looking for fun and engaging activities these school holidays? TheirCare’s Spring Holiday Program is packed with exciting experiences for students of all ages.

Visit theircare.com.au to explore the full program and secure your child’s place today!

CRU Rush is back at Penrith Anglican from 29th September - 3rd October! Your child will have the week of their lives and get a great opportunity to make new friends and build self-confidence during their school holidays! They'll enjoy the experience of camp, with the chance to participate in exciting outdoor activities including ezyrollers, inflatables and making and decorating their own kite, all while exploring a Christian worldview, whilst still going home to sleep in the comfort of their own bed.

To find out more information and register, please follow the link https://crucamps.com.au/day-camp/crurush25/

Please see the attached Term Dates for 2026 for your reference.