The Vine Newsletter

Mrs Felicity Grima - Principal

At the end of 2024, we announced the appointment of Mr Jon Rheinberger as our Deputy Principal P-12 https://www.penrith.nsw.edu.au/news/latest/new-deputy-principal-announcement/ . This week, we welcomed Mr Rheinberger to the College. Mr Rheinberger is quickly meeting and getting to know the staff and students at the College, and we look forward to introducing him to the broader community at a range of events throughout the Term.

Thank you to the families who attended the Parent Information Evenings for Primary, Year 7 and Year 11 over the past few weeks and the 'Meet the Teacher' interviews for Primary parents with the classroom teachers. These events are important opportunities for families to develop a deeper understanding of how the College operates to fulfil our mission to nurture and develop empowered learners with strength of character who know and follow Christ and serve others. If you could not attend, please do not hesitate to contact your Class teacher (Primary) or Mentor teacher (Secondary) if you require any assistance throughout the year ahead.

During each evening, I reminded families that various policies, including our Child Safe Policy and our Parent Code of Conduct, are available on the College website. These documents guide our expected behaviours, processes, and practices at the College for the good of our students and all the members of our community. 

During the Year 11 Information Evening, I spoke about the idea of 'GRIT'. While I focused on the need for GRIT in the final years of schooling, the principle is relevant for all students across the College. Below are some of the ideas I shared during the evening.

The final years of school are full of challenges, opportunities, and growth. Students and families might feel excited or a little overwhelmed by everything ahead. Year 11 and 12 is not a sprint – it's a marathon. Over the years, we have watched many students, and it's not always the most talented that ultimately do the best. Some of you may be familiar with the term GRIT, a concept made more famous by psychologist Angela Duckworth in recent years. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity for growth, a chance to become better and stronger.

Duckworth defines grit as a combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals. It's about staying committed to something over time, even when it gets complicated, and pushing forward despite setbacks. And here's the key part: it's not about being the smartest or most talented. It's about being the most determined, and that determination is within your control. You have the power to shape your future through your determination.

You'll face challenging moments this year and following - assignments that feel never-ending, exams that seem impossible, and days when you want to quit. But grit teaches us that success doesn't come from avoiding difficulties but from pushing through them. It's about showing up, putting in the effort, and not letting setbacks define you.

What's even more powerful is that grit isn't something you're born with—it's something you can develop. By setting your sights on your goals, no matter how far away they seem, and embracing the small, daily actions that will take you there, such as daily review of your notes from your previous lessons, you can build the kind of resilience that will carry you not just through the final years of schooling but through all the challenges life throws your way.

So, as you take on this year, remember: It's OK to struggle. It's OK to fail sometimes. What matters is how you respond. Keep working, keep learning, and persevere until the end; we know you will be rewarded with the results you deserve. Remember, we're here to support you throughout your journey. You are not alone in this.

You will have seen the building and construction activity around the campus; the crane is a sure sign of this. We're thankful for your patience as we work to accommodate the sustained growth we are experiencing. We sent home a new edition of the Master Planning Newsletter with more details about the exciting progress we have made and outlining future developments. The newsletter is available on the College website. https://www.penrith.nsw.edu.au/explore/future-plans/

Families looking to enrol a sibling, especially for the key entry years of Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Year 7, are encouraged to apply early. 

On Wednesday 5th March, Cranmer House will be holding their Charity Day to raise money for the Congo Aid charity organisation. Congo Aid began as a response to the unending crisis, ‘silent tsunami’ of human suffering in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to ongoing civil war, disease and poverty. Congo Aid through The Committee for Children in Distress support a struggling new orphanage and the associated Mutawanzuki School. For more information about the work of Congo Aid, please visit Congo Aid (www.congoaid.org)

What’s Happening?

Recess

Cake stall: Students can purchase a variety of sweet treats at recess – students can use Cranmer tokens or cash to purchase. These are available until sold out.

Lunch

Sausage Sizzle: Students must preorder a sausage sizzle, drink and tokens. This needs to be done through Flexischools no later than 2pm Monday 3rd March. • Pre-K - Year 6 lunch orders will be delivered to classrooms

• Years 7 - 12 orders will be collected from the Cenotaph at lunch.

Activities:

On the day, Students will be able to participate in a variety of carnival-style games which will cost 1 token each ($1 per token, purchased through Flexischools).

• K-2 activities include a lolly jar guessing competition, egg and spoon race and the ‘chicken throw’ competition!

• Years 3-6 activities include face painting, lolly jar guessing competition, football pass challenge, Frisbee throw challenge, Nerf target challenge and cornhole comp.

• Years 7-12 activities include a Mario cart challenge, prize wheel game, prize pong lucky dip and more. There will be a maximum purchase of 6 tokens per person. This is due to the limited amount of time students have to participate in the games at lunch (max 3-4 activities per student). Extra donations through Flexischools are more than welcome. 

What to wear:

Students in Cranmer House can wear their sports uniform. All other students are expected to wear the normal uniform for the day.

Important Note: Make sure that you order all lunch food and tokens through Flexischools no later than 2pm Monday 3rd March. Up to a maximum of 6 tokens per person. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to enjoy some food and fun activities as they support children in need through donating to the Congo Aid charity organisation.

Each year, to comply with Privacy Laws, the College needs to obtain parents’/carers’ consent to the collection and publication of their child/children’s images. If we receive no response, we are required to either not publish your child’s photo or blur their face for anonymity. Permissions needs to be granted annually however you are able to alter your response at any time by emailing [email protected]. 

The possible places students’ images may appear are: 

• The Vine Newsletter
• The Harvest Yearbook
• Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin)
• Newspaper or other print or online publications
• The College website
• College publications such as the Annual Report, Prospectus, Strategic Plan
• Marketing collateral such as brochures, posters, banners.
• Third party venues such as Shopping Centres and bus sides.

Please log into either Edumate where you will find the Permissions under News Feed --> 'To Do') or the College App (Found under 'To Do').

Please either:

• Grant permission for all of the options above. 
• Deny if permission is not granted for any of the media platforms. 
• Deny permission If you would like to limit permission to select publications and note the media platforms you are giving permission for from the above options.

 Praise God for:

Mrs Melinda Richardson - Head of Primary

Leadership in Primary

Today we invested our 2025 Primary Leaders into their positions of responsibility. Mrs Grima encouraged our leaders to keep the motto 'To Serve Christ' at the heart of their role, guided by our College values. They were also encouraged by our Secondary Leaders, to remember that God is with them on this journey. It was a wonderful morning, and I commend all our students for the respect shown during our ceremony. 

Leadership skills are an essential part of development in children. In a Primary setting, students learn confidence, responsibility and teamwork, supporting them to become empathetic, proactive and resourceful young people. Our learners know that being leader doesn't mean being in charge, but rather a sense of responsibility in the contribution they can make to the school community. 

We help our students learn to be leaders by encouraging them to help others, and to take initiative, to lead without being asked. Our expectation around demonstrating respect and being a good role model also promotes the character of a leader. We offer a wide range of activities for students to be involved in outside the classroom, which helps them learn to collaborate with, and lead, a wider range of students. We support our students to communicate effectively by modeling and teaching expectations around the way we listen to others, share our ideas and resolve conflict. 

Skill development can also be fostered at home, by giving children responsibility and accountability through age-appropriate tasks or chores. Recognising and promoting leadership behaviours , such as decision making and problem-solving with a solution focused attitude foster confidence.  Parents modelling leadership behaviours and reading together about great leaders can also inspire children develop similar qualities. Where applicable, promoting teamwork at home that encourages siblings to collaborate and resolve conflict peacefully also strengthens the development of leadership skills. 

Our learners also have a responsibility to support and respect the leadership of their peers. This expectation is met through listening and cooperation, showing respect, and assisting the initiatives of our leaders. 

Swimming Carnival

Thank you to all families for the understanding and support shown through our double carnival last week. What I loved most about both events, was the clear sportsmanship shown through the encouragement of others. We are part of a unique community, and it was lovely to see so many stakeholders invested in celebrating success and kindly supporting disappointment. 

My great thanks particularly to Mr Hall for his coordination of these events. Organising one carnival is quite the feat, and we thank him for his ability to quickly organise a new venue and carnival. 

We wish our students representatives well as they attend the CASA Primary Swimming Carnival next Monday evening. 

After our original date was washed out with over 46mm of rain, our competitive swimmers showed incredible determination, returning for the make-up event with energy and enthusiasm. Latimer claimed victory once again, winning back-to-back Swimming Carnivals with the most house points.

A special congratulations to Charlotte N, who made history by breaking the 11-year-old girls backstroke record, which had been standing since 2008. An incredible achievement!

A huge thank you to all the families who came out to cheer on our students and for their flexibility in attending two events. Well done to all our swimmers for their effort, sportsmanship and team spirit!

On Monday, 17 February, Year 6 Monitors participated in an engaging training session led by two of our Australian Air Force Cadets. Cadet Warrant Officer Colby Carroll (Year 12) and Cadet Flight Sergeant Nathan Bean (Year 11) shared their expertise on the Australian National Flag and the Australian Aboriginal Flag. They provided valuable insights into the proper use, respectful handling, and the significance of the elements of each flag. Year 6 students then had the opportunity to practice their skills, receiving guidance and support from Colby and Nathan when needed. This hands-on experience enriched their understanding and prepared students to carry out their responsibilities as Year 6 Monitors with pride and respect.

Mrs Lynette Karp

Director of Students P-6

Congratulations to Grace McPherson (Kindergarten) who attended her first award presentation as a prize recipient for the Penrith Libraries 2024/2025 Summer Reading Challenge. She received a certificate and a $15 book store gift voucher. Grace loves books and has attended the story time held at St Clair library regularly and it was fun for her to see the familiar faces of those who run the program. She was equally excited that her brother received a participation award also and the lollipops and cakes provided for afternoon tea was the cherry on top! 

The College offers one hour 'Taster' sessions for families considering Pre-Kindergarten for 2026. Children will participate in the planned activities in the classroom. Please bring your child with you to this event.

Bookings are essential. Visit https://www.penrith.nsw.edu.au/enrol/visit/

Mr Anthony Kelshaw - Head of Secondary

The commencement of the academic year at the College is always marked by a flurry of activity, and this year has been no exception, beginning with a series of special events. 

The Secondary School enjoyed ideal weather conditions for the recent swimming carnival, providing an excellent platform for our talented swimmers to showcase their abilities.  It was great to see staff and student involvement in the pool and the war cry. Many students successfully qualified for the NASSA Swimming Championships across multiple events and we had lots of students participate in support of their house. Big thanks to Amanda Houison and Ella McKinnon for their leadership of the swimming carnival and thank you to all staff that were involved in making this a successful event (particularly in the heat). 

On Thursday 13 February, our Secondary College Leaders attended the annual Archbishop’s Student Leadership Commissioning Service. This significant event brings together student leaders from Anglican schools across Sydney at the historic Cathedral at Town Hall. 

The Commissioning Service serves as a valuable opportunity for our student leaders to gain insight and inspiration from the Archbishop, The Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel, a distinguished Christian leader. Additionally, it fosters connections among students from various schools who share similar leadership experiences and challenges. 

Students from Year 7 and Year 11 participated in the CEP (Challenge, Explore, Prepare) camps during the opening weeks of the term. The Year 7 camp focuses on relationship-building and welcoming new students to the College, while the Year 11 camp is designed to equip students with essential study strategies as they prepare for their senior years. As a school we value learning both inside the classroom and in areas outside of the confines of school. CEP is a compulsory activity for all students but is based on a challenge by choice philosophy. Students are encouraged to take up the learning opportunities presented to on camp but are not forced into doing things they do not want to do. For some of our students, just coming on camp is the challenge, for others it is a giant swing, abseiling down a cliff or camping in a tent for the first time. All of these experiences are designed to equip our students to develop into confident and competent young men and women.  

The Alumni Thanksgiving Service was held on Monday 17 February, celebrating the achievements of the 2024 Year 12 cohort in the Higher School Certificate (HSC). This event provided an opportunity to recognise high achievers and hear from select students about how they effectively balanced their academic commitments with other aspects of their lives.  

Looking ahead, we are pleased to host the first John Lambert Assembly of the year next week. This occasion will celebrate the accomplishments of students who have earned this prestigious award and serve as encouragement for all students to continue striving for excellence. 

A few reminders:

Driving permissions: All year 12 students driving to school must have driving permissions. Passengers must also have permission to be in a vehicle with a specific driver. Students must sign in and sign out at students reception or in the study centre.

On Friday 14th February, Drama students from Year 10 and 12 travelled to the Seymour Centre to participate in a Group Devising Workshop and to view OnSTAGE – a showcase of exemplary major works by 2024 HSC Drama students. It was wonderful to see the commitment and excitement of each student throughout this experience. Here are some reflections from a selection of students who attended the excursion. 

We all participated in a seminar that was all about working together and helping us with our gp's (Group Performances) for Drama HSC. After we finished the seminar we went to the York Theatre, and looked at major works that didn't involve acting; things like Costume Design, Lighting Design, Director's Portfolio and Stage Design. After looking at these displays, we went into the theatre and watched some performance of the top IPs (independant performance) and GPs of the 2024 HSC season. My favourite activity would be looking at all of the major work pieces that weren't involving acting. I felt that it helped with deciding what I would like to do, when it's time to do my own HSC's. – Hunter P

I found it great to do the workshop with the Little Eggs company. It was great to remember that to start performance, you must focus on the connection with your ensemble, the trust and importance of telling a story without lines or words, they always come secondary. – Josie B

I found watching the presentations helpful. Especially the individual ones, as it gave me ideas of how to improve my drama techniques and things I could include. However I think I learnt a lot from the workshop. It taught me how to use tableau to show emotions, and I enjoyed getting to know other people, and getting to know new activities to practice in drama. – Arrabella C

I found it really beneficial to do an activity called 'Hype crew' it really helped explain that when you're in an ensemble, they will back you, whatever you do. That really helped my self-confidence. – Annika N

I loved the new drama games we learnt about because it brought out my confidence and I saw the same effect on my peers. – Anokshihaa K

We have enjoyed some excellent first rehearsals for our music ensembles at PAC. If you would like more information about what is on offer at PAC, please see the college website or contact [email protected]. We are currently welcoming new members in all music ensembles.

Music Ensembles​

Concert Bands

• Primary Band – Thurs 7:30am
• Intermediate Band -– Tues 7:30am
• Senior Band – Thurs 3:30-5pm

String Ensemble​

• Thurs 3:30-4:30pm

Choirs

• Quaver Crew Y1-2 – Thurs lunch
• Crotchet Crew Y3-6 – Tues lunch
• Senior Choir Y7-12 – Wed 7:30am

Signup via the school website or email [email protected]for more information.

Individual Music Lessons with Music Tutors​

• Conveniently occurring during the school day, with some before and after school times also available​.
• Available for students K-12 (depending on the instrument)
• Students can learn - Piano, Voice, Violin, Cello, Guitar, Electric Bass, Drums/Percussion, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, and Low Brass (Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba etc.).​

Signup via the school website or email [email protected]for more information.

Dr Christian Watson

Head of Performing Arts

Recently 5 of our year 3 students played in the Nepean District Oztag competition. The team had a great season finishing 1st in their division and taking out the Grand Final as winners. Congratulations for their efforts and teamwork - Cooper, Emjay, Harrison, Lucas and Sebastian.

 Congratulations to our Girls’ CIS Football Cup Team, who were successful in defeating Shellharbour Anglican College 4-0 this afternoon. Ellisa P (Year 12) and Adelaide G (Year 9) scored two goals each, and Ruby D (Year 10) was Player of the Match. What a great start to the 2025 season!

Did you know to volunteer your support at any P&F event all you need to do is hold a current Working With Children Check and complete the PAC Volunteer Induction Training module online. Read the attached for more information.

Collection notice for parents/guardians. Download here