The Vine Newsletter

Over the past month, our College has been privileged to participate in a number of ANZAC commemorations, both at the College and in the Community, giving us opportunities to reflect on the values of courage, sacrifice and service that continue to shape our identity as a nation and as a community.

On Tuesday 8 April, students from our Senior Concert Band and Senior Choir proudly supported the Penrith RSL Schools ANZAC Service at the Penrith Paceway, joining around 2,000 students from local schools. Our musicians provided outstanding accompaniment, performing several hymns and both the Australian and New Zealand National Anthems. A particularly moving moment was delivered by Year 11 student Seini Taumalolo, who sang the New Zealand National Anthem in Māori, before being joined by the choir in English. We are also grateful to Mr David Jenkins for the traditional bugle calls, and we thank RAAF 345 Squadron – Penrith, and 323 Squadron – City of Blue Mountains for their valued contribution to the service.

Seini also represented the College with pride at the Emu Plains ANZAC Day Service, where she again performed the New Zealand National Anthem and laid a wreath on behalf of the College. Along with this, students from the RAAF Cadet Squadron 345 and 323 participated in ANZAC services throughout the wider community, representing the College with honour.

This week, we gathered as a College for our own ANZAC Service which provided a time of reflection and remembrance. We were honoured to welcome Captain Steven Wakeford, an Army Chaplain, who spoke powerfully about the ANZACs willingness to lay down their lives for one another—linking this to the ultimate act of sacrifice made by Jesus Christ. His message reminded us of the importance of service, courage and love in our own lives, and the legacy we carry forward.

I am proud of the way our students, staff and families embraced these services, and many others throughout the community, with such sincerity and respect. Your participation across these events speaks to the strong sense of community we share at Penrith Anglican College.

Lest we forget.

A reminder to all families that there is a uniform changeover from Summer to Winter uniform for Term 2. The college winter uniform is compulsory from the beginning of Week 3, Monday 12 May, after the Mother’s Day weekend. During weeks 1 and 2 of Term 2, students have the option of wearing either their full summer uniform or full winter uniform, but not a combination of both.

A reminder that the compulsory winter uniform includes the Primary Bomber Jacket and Secondary Blazer to be worn to and from the College each day. The winter uniform remains compulsory until the Father’s Day weekend in Term 3 after which students may wear their summer uniform.

The Penrith Anglican College Uniform Shop is located in the M Block Demountable with the following opening hours:

This Term, the College will once again engage with Members of the State Parliament, Transport for NSW and local bus companies to improve the availability of bus services to and from the College. We will also consider new user-pay bus services like the current service provided to Jordan Springs.

To assist us, we would like all families to complete the following Transport Survey to understand how staff and students access the school.

Survey Form

Your responses will help us plan by giving us an understanding of how our students travel now, to inform us about how they might travel in the future. No personal details will be recorded, and responses are entirely anonymous. The survey should take you less than five minutes.

Please note that the deadline for completing the survey is Monday, 5 May. We kindly request you to complete the survey at your earliest convenience.

If you require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Rodney Cosier, Head of Finance and Administration.

We deeply appreciate your time and assistance in this important matter. Your participation will greatly contribute to the improvement of our bus services and transport planning.

Mrs Melinda Richardson - Head of Primary

Welcome Back to Term 2!

We’re excited to welcome all our families back for what promises to be a wonderful Term 2 in Primary. We hope the break provided a chance for rest, fun, and family time, and that students are returning refreshed and ready to engage in a new term of learning.

This term brings a range of exciting opportunities—from engaging classroom activities and sporting events to special celebrations and excursions. Our dedicated teachers have been busy preparing meaningful learning experiences to inspire curiosity and growth in every child.

A highlight early in the term is our Mother’s Day Morning on Friday 9 May. We warmly invite mothers and special guests to join us for Chapel in the Gym at 9:00am, followed by time in our open classrooms. Classes will visit the Mother’s Day Stall on Wednesday 7 May and Thursday 8 May to purchase a special gift for their mums. Children can either bring cash on the day or alternatively pre-purchase via Flexischools (by Sunday 4 May).

We also encourage parents to attend the upcoming Parent Workshop on Wednesday 16 May at 6:00pm in the Lighthouse Theatre, facilitated by the Association of Independent Schools (AIS). This parent-only event will provide valuable insights into the Numeracy Project currently being undertaken by our teachers, and will also offer constructive strategies families can use at home to support their children’s numeracy development. RSVPs are essential, as printed materials will be provided on the night.

A reminder that from Monday 12 May, all students are required to wear their full Winter uniform. Please refer to the Uniform Handbook for further details about correct items and expectations. We ask for your support in helping your child wear their uniform with pride, and please note that teachers will also be reinforcing correct and consistent uniform standards over the coming weeks

We love to celebrate our students’ achievements both in and outside of school. If your child has experienced success in sport, the arts, community service or another area, please let us know. Sharing these moments fosters strong partnerships between home and school, and helps us support student wellbeing through encouragement, recognition, and connection.

We’re looking forward to partnering with you throughout the term to support each student’s learning journey.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
— Philippians 4:13

May this truth encourage us all as we begin a new term together.

Last Term’s Primary Easter Hat Parade was a wonderful celebration of creativity, community, and the true meaning of Easter. Students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6 paraded their colourful, handmade hats around the top oval, bringing smiles and joy to all in attendance.

With hundreds of families gathered to support, the event was filled with laughter, music and a meaningful reminder of Jesus’s death and resurrection. Thank you to all the parents and carers who joined us; it was a blessing to share the day with you.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”
John 11:25-26 (NIV).

On Friday 2 May the Primary Student Leaders took part in activities at Oran Park Anglican College which taught them about leadership. This time together taught us and the other leaders about the importance of the word ASPIRE:

A - Take ACTION, have a go;

S - SERVE, be kind and give others a go;

P – PERSIST through struggles and setbacks;

I – INFLUENCE others and set the example;

R – RESPECT for people, group and equipment;

E – ENCOURAGE others.

Some of the activities taught us about communication, that little things count, how to work with other people, to never give up and how to service. The leadership team also made new friends from other schools and had a fun day together.

By 2025 Primary Student Leaders

As part of the AISNSW Primary Numeracy Project, parents are invited to a one-hour Parent workshop.

This practical session will introduce you to the additive and multiplicative strategies taught at school from Kindergarten to Year 6. It will show how you can assist your child at home to develop strong number sense and broaden your understanding of what it takes to become a successful mathematician.

Resources and websites that can be used at home will also be shared.

Please RSVP by 9 May 2025 via the following link: Parent Workshop.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Please note that this workshop for adults only and alternative arrangements should be made for childcare during this time.

Mr Anthony Kelshaw - Head of Secondary

Welcome back to Term 2

The recent break offered Australians a valuable opportunity to reflect on the concept of sacrifice through the observance of both Easter and ANZAC Day. As a College community, we marked these important moments by gathering for the whole-school Easter Chapel at the end of Term 1, reflecting on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for our sins. We then began this term by commemorating the many men and women who served in defence of our country during our ANZAC Day assembly, held on Thursday.

Holidays are a wonderful time to relax, recharge, and reflect. I was fortunate enough to spend part of the break paddling a canoe on Lake Macquarie, staying up late watching movies, and playing board games with the wider Kelshaw family. I imagine many families and students enjoyed similar moments of rest, taking a welcome break from the usual structure of school life.

While this change in routine is important for staff, students and families alike, it’s equally vital to return to habits that support learning and healthy adolescent development. To help ease this transition, students spent time exploring the impact of sleep on learning during their Thinking Thursday mentor session (held on Wednesday this week due to the ANZAC assembly).

As part of the session, students watched the following video:
▶ The benefits of a good night's sleep – Shai Marcu

They then engaged in group discussions around the following questions:

• Based on what you’ve learned, do you think it’s possible to learn new material while you’re asleep?
• How does sleep contribute to memory consolidation, and what roles do different sleep stages play in this process?
• What is the function of the hippocampus in forming and strengthening new memories during sleep?
• In what ways can sleep deprivation impact cognitive function and overall brain health?
• How do emotional experiences and stress levels affect the quality of memory formation during sleep?
• Considering the insights from the talk, how might adjusting your sleep habits improve learning and performance in everyday life?
• What will you do with this information? How can you use it to your advantage?

These important discussions can be continued at home. We encourage families to have open conversations with their secondary school students about the importance of quality sleep. Setting clear boundaries around technology use in the evenings can make a real difference and help create a home environment that supports the recommended eight hours of sleep for teenagers.

The Black Dog Institute has compiled a helpful list of tips and resources for building healthy sleep routines, which families may wish to explore:
🔗 Tips for Supporting Better Sleep – Black Dog Institute

As a teacher, I can often tell which students are benefitting from strong sleep routines. Their ability to regulate emotions, form relationships, think critically and contribute meaningfully to discussions is noticeably enhanced. This might also be a timely opportunity to reflect on your own sleep habits, alongside those of your adolescent child. Change is often most effective when we hold each other accountable—children keeping parents in check and parents guiding their children.

I’ll admit, my own excuse for keeping my phone beside the bed (I use it as an alarm) probably isn’t the most helpful for getting quality sleep—and when my kids point it out, it gives me good reason to reconsider!

Here’s to deep, uninterrupted, brain-restorative sleep becoming a regular part of your families nightly routine.

During Week 10, Year 10 held their first fundraising event for 2025. This year, they have chosen to support Rare Cancers Australia. The students held a drinks stall at the Primary School Cross Country event and managed to raise $376!

Thank you to all the parents and students who supported this cause.

We are looking forward to 2 exciting events in Term 2, as we celebrate reading with National Simultaneous Storytime in Week 4 with PreK-Year 2 and then our Book Parade for PreK-Year 6 in Week 5. We can’t wait to see everyone dressed as their favourite book character as we share in the joy of reading together.

Save the dates!

In the last week of Term One, our Primary and Secondary students took part in our annual Cross Country events.

Tuesday saw our Secondary students run with determination and pride, showing off strong house spirit and outstanding athleticism.

Congratulations to those who broke College records, including:

• Sam S – 18 Boys, 15:39 (4km)
• Josie B – 18 Girls, 22:03 (4km)
• Sabella W – 12 Girls, 14:17 (3km)

On Wednesday, our Primary students from Year 2–6 followed suit with energy, enthusiasm and plenty of smiles. From brave first-time runners to seasoned students chasing personal bests, their effort and perseverance were truly inspiring.

Across both days, it was heartwarming to see students encouraging one another, houses cheering proudly, and families lining the course in support. A big thank you to all staff and parents who helped make the events such a success.

This week, PAC had 4 students playing as members of the CASA Netball Teams – Layla G (Year 11) and Ava M (Year 10) in the Open team, which played on Tuesday, and Madi B and Alana J (Year 9), who were members of the 15s team. The CASA 15s team are the 2025 AICES Champions, the first time CASA has won this Championship in 10 years!

Congratulations to all girls on their representation!

Thank you to all the secondary students who joined us at our Cinema Under the Stars event on April 10!

This event was the perfect combination of friends, fun, film, pizza and freshly popped popcorn. We hope your students had as much fun as we did and we cannot wait to do it all again in 2026! The Parents & Friends would also like to thank the PAC Staff, PAC Admin, PAC Property, Michelle Cochrane, Leadership Representatives, P&F Volunteers, Little Sauce Co, Outdoor Movies Australia and the Emu Plains Anglican Church for your support on the night and in the planning and preparation for this event. Each and every one of you helped to make this event a great success!

The Parents & Friends will host our annual Mother’s Day Stall on 7 & 8 May for students to shop for their special someone. Gifts are $10 each and available to pre-order on Flexischools – last orders midnight Sunday, 4 May! Donations are always welcome! If you would like to donate to our Mother’s Day Stall, unwrapped gifts can be delivered to the College Reception, monetary donations can be made via Flexischools. The Stall will be open for our student shoppers on 7 & 8 May. A pop-up stall will be set up in Reception for any students who missed out on Friday, 9 May. The Parents & Friends would like to wish all the special people in your lives a magical Mother’s Day! If you would like to volunteer your support at this event please reach out to us via email to [email protected]. Volunteers are required to hold a current WWCC and complete the online PAC Volunteer Induction Training course.

Our next General Meeting will be held Monday, 5 May at 7:00pm in the College Staff Room. All are always welcome!

PAC will be hosting students from Kumamoto Marist School in Japan, in August this year. The opportunity exists for families to host a student during their stay. 

Please see the link for further information https://www.vsoceania.com/host-families/homestay-requirements#homestayform or contact Mr Rheinberger.

More information is available here.