The Vine Newsletter

Mrs Felicity Grima - Principal

Over the last two weeks I have had the privilege of being involved in many College events, witnessing students' hard work, dedication, and growth. I couldn’t be more proud of each and every student. At the College we highlight our Values - Compassion, Integrity, Courage, Humility and Perseverance - and our students have certainly modelled these. Whether it is through becoming a Student leader, accepting a John Lambert award, giving back to our community at the Clean Up Australia Day, supporting a charity at the Cranmer House Day or sharing the gospel on Shrove Tuesday. 

C, D and E Blocks Building Works

The C,D and E Block project continues to progress efficiently, and it has been exciting for students and staff to see the scaffold begin to come down around D and E Block. We continue to plan for a return to D and E Block for the start of Term 2 with the entire project being finalised for the start of Term 3. 

The remaining building program milestones are:

Late Term 1

• D Block ground floor classrooms will be returned to use C Block ground floor will be vacated.
• E Block ground floor classrooms and other spaces will be returned

Beginning of Term 2

• E Block Exhibition Centre second storey opened for use.

Start of Term 3: Project Completion

• C Block ground floor classrooms will be returned and second storey extension opened for use.
• E Block Exhibition Centre second storey opened for use.

Discovery Tours

A total of 213 people attended an information session for 2026 on Wednesday evening, with an additional 162 attending a tour beforehand. The event highlighted the importance of early applications, particularly for key entry years such as Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Year 7 and Year 11.

Families who are considering enrolling siblings are encouraged to apply now, as interviews will begin on March 11. We encourage all College families to share this information with their friends and families – it’s never too early to apply.

On Friday, 21 February, our Primary Leaders Investiture was held in the College Gymnasium. This was a special occasion where our Primary Student Leaders were formally recognised and congratulated. During the ceremony, after receiving their certificates and a small gift from the College, students had their leadership badges pinned onto their uniforms by their parents. The newly appointed leaders were then inspired by words of wisdom from the College Captains, Colby Carroll and Jessy Schoebel who encouraged them to lead by example, embody the values of the College, and approach their roles with humility and perseverance. As part of the celebration, Theo Watson, one of our Year 5 students, captivated the audience with a dynamic drum solo. To conclude the ceremony, everyone joined in singing a song with actions, creating a joyful and uplifting end to the morning. Following the formal proceedings, families and guests gathered in the foyer of the Lighthouse Theatre to enjoy light refreshments together. We congratulate all our Primary Student Leaders and look forward to seeing them lead with courage, humility, perseverance, integrity, and compassion throughout the year ahead.

Our new Primary Leaders can be seen here.

Congratulations to all the students who received a John Lambert Award last week. It is always a pleasure presenting these awards as it shows students who are working well across five key areas.

• Academic & Classroom
• Sport
• Performing Arts & Co-curricular Activities
• Community Service
• Citizenship & Fellowship

John Lambert AM (1936-2014) played a key role in establishing Penrith Anglican College, recognising the need for a high-quality, low-fee Christian school in the Penrith area. His vision continues to inspire us today. The John Lambert Award honours his legacy by encouraging students to grow into well-rounded learners and leaders.

On Sunday 2 March 2025, around 100 people from Penrith Anglican College and the local community were involved in helping clean up around the Regatta Park at Emu Plains. Nearly 40 bags of general rubbish as well as a few unusual items such as a trolley, metal spikes, old furniture items, some barb wire and an opal card were collected on the day.

It was great to see over 70 Penrith Anglican College students enthusiastically take up the challenge of making their local area a cleaner environment. A big thank you to all the students and their families for their contribution on the day.

On Tuesday 25^th February, eight of our students from Years 3 – 7 spent an incredible day at Windwood Studios in Lawson, recording tracks for an album with none other than Australian Christian singer-songwriter, Colin Buchanan!

The day was a symphony of sounds, with our students recording their singing voices, along with shouts, giggles and other hilarious sound effects. They were accompanied by music recorded by Colin and other talented, professional country musicians from across NSW. The studio's state-of-the-art equipment and experienced engineers ensured that every note was captured brilliantly.

This experience required hard work, focus and lots of enthusiasm from our students throughout the day. Under Colin's expert guidance, they were able to showcase their gifts and develop their singing skills even further. Our students were able to build confidence, develop teamwork skills, learn the value of perseverance and sing songs that shared about the good news of Jesus. They rose to the challenge, supporting and encouraging each other every step of the way. 

A big and special thank you goes to our students Sebastian Hall, Oliver Johnson, Milly Sturt, Amelia Kurian, Lilyana Peikos, Nataliah Sciberras, Tristan Torpy and Theodore Watson; Mr Jake Nauta who did a brilliant job recording the tracks, guiding the students on the day, and for organising the event; Mrs Irene Samuels for helping teach the songs and supervising students; Mr Terry Cox for his expertise in his recording studio, and of course, to Mr Colin Buchanan - we are deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to many more exciting adventures in the world of music.

We can't wait to share these songs with the school community and beyond!

“I was nervous at the start of the day and then very happy. I’ve never been in a real studio before!” Nataliah Sciberras, Year 3

“I was so happy about meeting a professional singer. I learnt how to record a song. I enjoyed all of it!”  Sebastian Hall, Year 3

“I like singing in a music studio. I learnt what it’s like to make a song. I really liked my day with Colin Buchanan!” Tristan Torpy, Year 3

“I felt great and amazing throughout the day!” Amelia Kurian, Year 4

“I learnt how Terry and Mr Nauta were operating the studio and that without them it wouldn’t be possible. I had to learn to pick up the tune and vocals quickly.” Milly Sturt, Year 5

“I felt happy and energised throughout the day. I enjoyed meeting Colin and learning new songs!” Theodore Watson, Year 5

“I felt so excited to sing on the album with Colin and everyone else. Colin even let me add “woink” to the end of the Wibbily Wobbily Song!” Lilyana Peikos, Year 6

“Throughout the day, I felt so grateful to be a part of such a professional experience. Just meeting Colin Buchanan was very surreal as it feels like a dream of mine to meet someone like him. Today helped me regain my confidence in the recording studio as my first time was also a lot of fun. During my time at the recording studio, I developed my singing skills, working with a large group of other passionate singers.” Oliver Johnson, Year 7

On March 4th, PAC celebrated Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake day, with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Ministry Team and supported by staff and students. Shrove Tuesday is the day before the start of Lent in the church calendar and along with Lent is a time of preparation and reflection for Easter. Pancakes are traditionally enjoyed on Shrove Tuesday as a way of using up excess ingredients before a time of fasting. Some cultures will have full festivals as part of Shrove Tuesday. In spite of the weather, we were still able to invite student to consider the joy of Easter by offering them a pancake and a postcard on their arrival at school. On the last Friday of term, we will celebrate our Easter chapel where we consider the transforming news of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

The pancake morning for Shrove Tuesday was a huge success, even in the rain. Many students in the school enjoyed pancakes on this day of preparation and reflection and were invited to think about Easter as a time to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. The morning was filled with laughter, shouts of FREE PANCAKES, and powdered sugar. Andi Simmons

May the Easter season this year be a time of reflection and celebration for you.  

The Cranmer House Charity Day yesterday raised over $5,600 for Congo Aid! This will have a direct impact going towards their 'Get them off the ground' Project - More details here - https://www.congoaid.org/projects Massive thanks to the College community for getting involved and donating generously to Congo Aid!

Mr David Andison|
Head of Cranmer House

We are excited to announce that on Thursday, 20 March 2025, we will be celebrating Harmony Week with our inaugural Multicultural Day. This special event aims to honour and celebrate the diverse cultures within our school community. 

All students (Pre K -12) are encouraged to come dressed in clothing that represents their culture. If cultural dress is not available, students can wear orange. If orange is not available, students may wear their sports uniform. 

When selecting clothing for the day, the following guidelines need to be followed: 

Respectful and Culturally Appropriate – Clothing should represent a cultural background in a respectful manner, avoiding stereotypes or costumes that could be seen as offensive. 

Modest and School-Appropriate – Outfits should align with general school dress codes, ensuring they are not too revealing or inappropriate for a learning environment. 

Safe and Practical – Clothing and footwear should allow students to move comfortably and participate in school activities without risk of tripping or injury. Enclosed shoes must be worn. 

Non-Offensive Symbols or Text – Attire should not include political, religious, or controversial symbols that could be considered disrespectful or divisive in a school setting. 

Inclusive and Welcoming – Students should feel encouraged to celebrate their own or others’ cultures in a way that promotes diversity, understanding, and unity among classmates. 

Secondary Only: 

Students will be able to pre-purchase tokens for food stalls, and details of the available food items will be communicated next week to secondary students. Additionally, some students have signed up to share their culture through performances. This is a student driven initiative and it is hoped that it will grow in the future and additional activities will be available in the primary section of our college. 

We look forward to a vibrant and enriching day, celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures that make up our school community. Thank you for your support in making this event a success. 

Families who require a place for a sibling in 2026 should apply asap, particularly for Pre-K, Kindergarten, Year 7 and Year 11 as places fill up quickly.

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:

The community of hope that we have because of Jesus Christ
Thank God for the fantastic start to 2025 and the focus on learning and growing across the College.
The opportunities we have had to serve others in our community through Clean Up Australia, Anglicare, and Congo Aid

Please pray for:

Our students, that they will continue engaging in learning, community and care for one another.

The range of staff who are continuing to review our Student Wellbeing structures. Ask God for wisdom and insight as we work to build lasting strength in students and staff.

Pray for those who are facing sickness, suffering, loss and stress. Pray for peace and the powerful presence of God.

Mrs Melinda Richardson - Head of Primary

Character development is the process of building positive traits. Developing good character is important because it shapes a person’s values, influences their actions, and fosters a sense of purpose. By focusing on character development, individuals grow into well-rounded, responsible, and principled members of their communities. We aim to help our students make ethical decisions, build strong relationships, and contribute positively to society. As a College, we have identified the values of compassion, integrity, courage, humility, and perseverance. We seek to work alongside our parent community, in supporting our students intentionally learn about these values, in relevant ways. This week, we focus specifically on Compassion:

Compassion is important for primary-aged children because it helps them develop empathy, kindness, and strong social connections. When children learn to understand and care about others' feelings, they build positive relationships with peers, teachers, and family members. Compassion also encourages inclusivity and creates a supportive learning environment. By practicing compassion, children develop emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills, and a sense of responsibility toward others, which helps them grow into caring and respectful individuals.

At school, teachers foster compassion through activities like group discussions on empathy, community service projects, and reinforcing positive behavior. This is intentionally and explicitly taught through:

• Sharing and Taking Turns, teaching cooperation and fairness in group activities
• Helping a Friend in Need, such as offering support to classmates who are struggling
• Using Kind Words, reinforcing the importance of respectful and encouraging language.
• Practicing Inclusion, teaching children to include others in games and activities.
• Learning About Different Perspectives through stories and discussions to help children understand others' feelings.

It can be developed at home by encouraging children to express gratitude, listen actively, and help family members with daily tasks.  This can be explicitly taught through:

• Active Listening, encouraging children to listen carefully when others speak and respond with kindness.
• Helping with Chores,  teaching responsibility and care by involving ​in helping family members.
• Expressing Gratitude and encouraging children to say “thank you” and appreciating others' efforts.
• Caring for Pets or Siblings fosters responsibility and empathy through daily acts of care.
• Modeling Kindness by demonstrating compassion in your own actions and words.

Cocurricular in Semester 1

We desire our students to have a balanced approach to their schooling, which is supported by our range of cocurricular opportunities. These activities are provided before and after school, and during lunch, by our teachers who are keen to share their skills. Our offerings are fluid from year to year. 

The following table highlights our offerings in Semester 1, noting that for some activities listed here, such as Dance Troupe and before / after school activities, places have already been filled.

Access around the campus 

Penrith Anglican College is a ‘child safe’ school. Parents and visitors must always follow the directions of College staff when they are present on Campus and ensure they only access areas and buildings with express permission from College staff. Parents cannot access spaces, such as classrooms, or approach any students at the College without permission and a member of staff present. Unless otherwise specified, parents and visitors to the College must sign in at the Administration Building and adhere to the agreed upon purpose for their visit.

As we drove through St Paul’s Grammar School gates on Tuesday 25th February, we knew that today would be filled with fun. While all the schools were arriving, we were given sheets to fill out, but you couldn’t put anyone’s name that was from the same school as you, which was hard but also a great way to interact with other schools. Soon after we all settled down, we started to play a game, the Hip Game. The Hip Game was a fun way to foster teamwork while also igniting some friendly competition! However, it also led to intense rivalry as players tried to optimise their strategies and maximize their scores. Later, we explored ways to find our voice, and practiced sharing ideas and perspectives, while we were also taught to think "We not me" as a collective insight and support in fostering a more inclusive environment.

Just before lunch, each school’s leadership team had to write down something they could do to help change the school for the better. After lunch, each school’s leadership team had to create thirty-second to one-minute skits to present the thing the teams wrote down and how they would put that idea into action. The students in our leadership team broke up into two smaller groups, the house captains decided to work on team spirit and involvement in sport events and activities, while the captains, vice-captains and prefects worked on compassion donations.

After each school presented their skits, there was one last activity. At first, the people running the day asked for some volunteers, but did not say what for, after all the volunteers were chosen, they announced what it was, a dancing activity. Some of the volunteers were excited, and others were starting to regret volunteering!

We learned new things about leadership and social interactions. It was a fun day, and everyone came back to school with smiles on their faces.

By Scarlett Sturt and James Hope

Congratulations to our Primary Age Champions and Runners Up from our recent Swimming Carnival.

In the second half of this term, the students will learn a range of skipping skills. While they are learning these skills, the importance of regular exercise, good nutrition and being a non-smoker for heart health will also be emphasised.

On Friday 13th June, we will be holding our Jump-Off Day for Jump Rope for Heart. This is a fundraiser that we hold every two years. The money raised will go to the Heart Foundation to help fight heart disease. Your child may also be eligible for a prize as a thank you for his/her fundraising efforts.

Students will be able to log in to https://www.jumprope.org.au/fundraisers/penrith-anglican-college-2025 and register on the Heart Foundation website to pledge donations. They can ask relatives and friends to sponsor them to help raise money for this very worthwhile cause. Please make sure that you write your child’s christian name, surname and also the name of their class when registering online. This will make it easier for us to distribute the correct prizes to the correct students once the prizes have been sent to us. Students will be given the fundraising forms this week to take home. Donations are online only. 

On Friday 13th June, students in Years K-2 will be participating in our Jump Off during Period 1 and 2. Students in Years 3-6 will be participating in the Jump Off during Period 3 and 4. Students in Pre K will participate in their own Jump Off at a time advised by Pre K staff.

Thank you for your support in joining us in the fight against heart disease and registering your child for Jump Rope for Heart.  By participating in Jump Rope for Heart, your child will greatly help the Heart Foundation raise vital funds as well as assist us in spreading the message that physical activity & exercise are vital to promoting heart health.                               

Sue Munce

Jump Rope for Heart Coordinator

We are excited to be welcoming 2 amazing authors this term who will entertain and educate us from PreK to Year 6. 

RA Spratt will be visiting Years 3-6 on Wednesday 26 March. Her hilarious books include Friday Barnes, The Adventures of Nanny Piggins, Hamlet is Not OK, The Peski Kids, Epically Good Greek Myths and Shockingly Good Stories. 

Lesley Gibbes will visit with PreK-Year 2 on Tuesday 1 April. She is loved for her picture and chapter books including Scary Night, Searching For Cicadas and best-selling series Fizz. Her Dinosaur Dads promise prehistoric fun and adventure for all. 

Families will be sent a link in the coming days if you’d like to purchase these authors’ books (which can be signed during their visit). 

Mr Anthony Kelshaw - Head of Secondary

The Importance of Respect

Respect is a cornerstone of our community, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. It is essential that we show respect for one another, as it builds trust, strengthens relationships, and creates a positive atmosphere. This is especially true when it comes to our teachers, who dedicate their time and energy to guide and support us. Their commitment deserves our utmost support and gratitude.

Congratulations to CASA Swimming Carnival Participants

We would like to extend our congratulations to all the students who competed in the CASA Swimming Carnival. An engaging night of competition at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre took place last week. Many students produced excellent results and personal bests. Well done to the inter-girls relay team for their success and for being willing to be interviewed on the Hot Seat at the secondary assembly. A special thank you goes out to the teachers who organized and helped run the event. Your dedication, often using your personal time to assist, does not go unnoticed and is greatly appreciated.

Cranmer House Charity Day

Cranmer House Charity Day was a huge success! The sausage sizzle, tokens for games, and the enthusiastic participation from students across P-12 made the day memorable. It was wonderful to see students from Year 7 through to Year 12 leading and serving the wider PAC community. Thanks to David Andison and his team for all the hard work that went into making the day happen. Their efforts enabled a significant amount of money to be raised for Congo Aid. This money will allow an orphanage in the Congo to purchase furniture, helping the orphans spend less time on the ground and therefore reducing the risk of disease and illness. Thanks to everyone involved in making the day such a success.

Save the Date: Multicultural Day

We are excited to announce the inaugural Multicultural Day to celebrate Harmony Week on Thursday, 20 March. This event will be a fantastic opportunity to embrace and celebrate the diverse cultures within our community. Please save the date and join us for a day of fun and learning.

Thank you for being a part of our vibrant community. Let's continue to show respect and support for one another.

Another new event for the Secondary College is Cinema Under the Stars. This event will be run by the Parents and Friends Association and provides a fundraising opportunity for reinvestment into the college and a fantastic evening with friends for the students. More details will be coming out over the next few weeks; however, for the moment, please set aside 10 April from 6-9 pm for the event.

Reminder

The car park is a space that is used by a range of students, parents, staff, and others to enter and exit the College. With the number of people and amount of movement, it is important that parents drive in a way that supports students' safe movements. This is particularly important as secondary students move across the car park for pickup in the afternoon. If families need to park and wait for students, please use the car parks available, leaving the drop-off zone available for families and students to move efficiently through the area. Parking in the pick-up zone causes congestion for the car park as a whole.

2025 has started, and PAC’s environmental club is back to work brainstorming how we can make PAC a more sustainable school.  See a report from a member of the Sustainability Team.

Our talented Visual Arts students recently embarked on an unforgettable cultural journey, visiting both the Hazelhurst Gallery and the Art Gallery of NSW. At Artexpress, they marvelled at the exceptional artworks from the 2024 HSC, drawing inspiration from the creativity and skill on display.

The adventure didn't stop there! Students took to the streets of the CBD, capturing the striking contrasts between modern and historical architecture. This hands-on experience will fuel Year 10's current Architectural art-making unit with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.

It was a day brimming with inspiration, innovation, and endless potential. Our students returned buzzing with excitement and ready to channel their newfound insights into their own artistic creations.

Does your child play a non-Western instrument from your family’s cultural heritage?

If Yes! - I would love to know more about what instrument they play. Please email me at [email protected] with the name of the instrument they play, and how long they have been playing it. I am currently considering ways we can include performances on these lesser-known instruments in our school’s life. I’d also like to consider ways we can include these instruments in our college’s music ensembles and so it would be great to know about this talent within our school community.

This year students from PAC will have the opportunity to audition for the HICES Music Festival, running from August 17-20. This is an annual festival where students from HICES schools come together over a three-day camp to rehearse in various music ensembles with special guest conductors, before joining together in an amazing concert in Sydney Town Hall. This year the festival is open to students in Years 7-12 (in 2026 it will be open to students in Years 5-8). More information will be emailed directly to parents of students involved in PAC music ensembles. I highly encourage you to consider this opportunity for your child. It will be an experience they carry with them as a special memory far beyond their time at school and will be a chance for them to boost their performance skills and have a lot of fun in the process.

Dr Christian Watson

Head of Performing Arts 

Our talented Visual Arts students recently embarked on an unforgettable cultural journey, visiting both the Hazelhurst Gallery and the Art Gallery of NSW. At Artexpress, they marvelled at the exceptional artworks from the 2024 HSC, drawing inspiration from the creativity and skill on display.

The adventure didn't stop there! Students took to the streets of the CBD, capturing the striking contrasts between modern and historical architecture. This hands-on experience will fuel Year 10's current Architectural artmaking unit with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.

It was a day brimming with inspiration, innovation, and endless potential. Our students returned buzzing with excitement and ready to channel their newfound insights into their own artistic creations.

William and Jessica have had an exciting start to the year with their baseball achievements. William was one of seven Penrith players selected for the Under-12s mixed Cavs team in the DownUnder World Series and Baseball.com.au Australian Youth Championships, where they competed in Canberra and won the championship. He has also been chosen to play for the Sydney West Warriors Minors Reps Team in the 2025 State Championships, a fantastic opportunity to continue developing his skills. 

Jessica played in the NSW Little League Girls Championship 2024, where her team won two out of four games, and she was featured in the January 2025 issue of Pitch Baseball magazine for her participation. She also had the privilege of attending a coaching session with Japanese baseball star Risa Nakashima and appears in the February 2025 Baseball newsletter. 

In addition to their own achievements, William and Jessica give back to the community by volunteering as junior mentors for Panther Ball, a program that introduces young children to baseball. Their dedication, both on and off the field, is truly inspiring!

Congratulations to Ainsley F (Year 10) who was named the “Junior Female Fencer of the Year” at the Penrith Academy of Fencing’s annual awards ceremony. Ainsley, along with Arni M (Year 12), both received certificates recognising that they are fully qualified foil fencers at the awards ceremony. Interested in Fencing? It’s one of the many activities available in PAC’s Tuesday Afternoon Activities program!

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.

Newsletter attached here.

Holiday Program details attached here.

Full details here.

Transport for NSW and our bus operator Busways will be visiting PAC on 13 March 2025 to carry out a count of students using bus services. This will supplement Opal card information and give us improved insights as to how many students are catching buses, so that they can better plan our services.

The visit will be for 20 minutes prior to the end of school time until departure of the last bus. During the visit our staff will remind students to use their School Opal card prior to boarding buses and provide information about how to replace a lost card for free. Key messages for students we would ask you to share before the visit are:

• always tap on and off when using your School Opal card
• follow the Opal terms of use and only use your School Opal card to travel to and from school
• always follow the Student code of conduct when you’re on the bus
• be polite and courteous to the Bus Driver and follow their reasonable instructions

Collection notice for parents/guardians. Download here