The Vine Newsletter

Mrs Felicity Grima - Principal

One of the privileges of a PAC education has been the opportunity for students to participate in international travel and exchange trips. Many students have enjoyed touring in Europe and Asia, exploring culture, history, music and languages. After the disruption to this type of activity in 2020-2022, it was wonderful to re-establish our sister-school relationship with a trip to Kumamoto Marist High School last October facilitated by the VS Oceania group.

Takashi and his team at VS Oceania have supported our school exchange program which has provided wonderful benefits to students and families both in the PAC community and in Japan. This year we will host students from Kumamoto Marist High School. Our community will be their home for a week and the students will participate in some classes at PAC, as well as learning language and seeing the highlights of Sydney. Families that have hosted in the past have enjoyed the opportunity to share their home and family life with often wide-eyed young visitors. The group will arrive on 3 August and stay until the 8 August.

Host a Student

The opportunity exists for families to host a student during their stay. No Japanese language skills are needed—students are eager to experience the everyday Australian life and quickly adapt to your family routines. They will attend school during the week alongside your child/ren, and enjoy spending time with your family on the weekend.

Host families are paid $55 per night to host and will gain a lifetime of experience through this exchange.

If you would like to join the group of twenty host families or would like to find out more, please see the link for further information https://www.vsoceania.com/host-families/homestay-requirements#homestayform or contact Mr Jon Rheinberger via email [email protected] 

We look forward to visiting Kumamoto Marist again in 2026.

Mrs Melinda Richardson - Head of Primary

Building Strong Foundations in Numeracy: How Explicit Teaching Supports Student Success

At Penrith Anglican College, we are committed to ensuring every student develops strong numeracy skills through approaches grounded in research and aligned with the new NSW Mathematics K–6 syllabus.

What is Explicit Teaching?

Explicit teaching involves clear, direct instruction where teachers model mathematical thinking step-by-step, guide students through practice, and provide timely feedback. It supports students in developing both understanding and confidence in numeracy.

This method is endorsed by NESA as part of the NSW Curriculum Reform and underpins the new Mathematics syllabus, which prioritises:

• Core concepts and number sense

• Sequential skill development from Kindergarten to Year 6

• Clear expectations and learning progressions

• Reasoning, problem-solving, and mathematical communication

Our Partnership with AISNSW

As part of the AIS Numeracy Project, our teachers are implementing high-impact strategies that align with the updated syllabus. These include:

• Clear learning intentions and success criteria

• Teacher modelling of concepts and strategies

• Guided and independent practice

• Regular student reflection

This approach ensures that every child, regardless of background or ability, receives the structured support they need to thrive in numeracy.

AIS Parent Information Session – Numeracy

It was wonderful to see so many families at Wednesday evening’s Numeracy Information Session. The workshop provided insight into how students’ numerical skills progress from Kindergarten to Year 6 and how families can support this learning at home.

For those who were unable to attend, spare copies of the workbook, which includes the presentation slides, examples of sequential skill development, and resources to support mathematical learning at home are available from Admin.

By working together we can ensure our students are equipped with the essential mathematical thinking skills they need now and in the future.

Upcoming Primary Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events that families are welcome to join us for, noting further details to be provided:

• Years 3 - 6 Primary Athletics Carnival (selected Year 2 students) - Wednesday 21 May (Week 4)

• Pre-Kindergarten - Year 6 Book Parade - Wednesday 28 May (Week 5)

• Amazing Me Family Evening Sessions (selected grades) - Thursday 5 June (Week 6)

And a reminder that families are also always welcome to join us for Chapel each Friday! We would love to see you there.

In Week 2, students from Year 3 had the opportunity to travel into the city to Sea Life Sydney and Wild Life Sydney as a part of their English and Science units this Term.

Students were amazed walking through the animal exhibits and seeing the variety of animals in each location. From Tasmanian devils to enormous sharks, Year 3 learnt a lot about each animal as they excitedly completed their excursion booklets and filled in information.

In English this Term, Year 3 are learning how to write informative texts and how to research using reliable resources. Students will select several animals to create a detailed informative text about, and then later in the Term they will expand on their multimedia skills to create a 'Weird and Wacky Zoo' website.

Thank you to the Year 3 teachers for organising such a hands-on and engaging learning experience for our students.

On Friday 9 May, the Primary school came together to honour the incredible women who play such an important role in the lives of our students - mothers, grandmothers, carers, and mother-figures. It was a joy to celebrate their love, wisdom, and encouragement, which continue to shape and support our students and families.

Our Primary students delighted in presenting heartfelt songs and dances during the Primary Mother's Day Chapel, followed by classroom visits where they proudly shared gifts and participated in special activities with their guests.

It was a pleasure to welcome so many families to the College for this meaningful occasion. We are grateful for the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the remarkable women in our community.

Proverbs 31:25-28:"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

Mr Anthony Kelshaw - Head of Secondary

As we settle into Term 2, it has been wonderful to see our students embracing routines and expectations, particularly with improvements in uniform presentation. Thank you to our families for your ongoing support in upholding these standards. A reminder that we are now in Full Winter Uniform, and all students are required to wear their blazer to and from the College each day. While the College rain jacket may be worn over the blazer or jumper in wet weather, it is not a substitute for the blazer.

We recently celebrated Mother’s Day, and we hope all the mothers and mother figures in our community were appropriately honoured. The role of mothers is both profound and enduring, providing vital emotional, social, and developmental support that shapes children’s lives in meaningful ways.

Our Year 10 students recently participated in a wellbeing program delivered by YourChoicez, focusing on Respectful Relationships. The workshop explored essential aspects of healthy relationships, consent, online engagement, and empowered decision-making; providing valuable insights and skills for our students as they navigate adolescence.

Meanwhile, Year 9 students have been enjoying their CEP (Challenge, Explore, Prepare) experience in the Kangaroo Valley this week. Their time has been filled with outdoor adventure, including hiking, team-building activities and spotting the local wildlife - particularly wombats! No doubt they have returned on Friday tired, but enriched by the experience and full of stories to share.

Looking ahead, Year 10 students will soon embark on their CEP experience, delivered in partnership with The Urban Challenge. This unique program offers a dynamic, unfolding adventure set in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. It promises to challenge and inspire our students, fostering teamwork, problem-solving, and personal growth in an urban environment.

We look forward to sharing more about their experiences in the next edition.

Secondary students from Years 7-10 competed in the Regional Da Vinci Decathlon on Thursday 1 May and Friday 2 May. With around 20 schools competing and 10 different challenges per team, our students achieved some wonderful results.

Year 7:

• 1st in Science
• 1st in Cartography
• 6th in Art and Poetry and in Ideation

Year 8:

• 2nd in Engineering
• 6th in Art and Poetry and in Cartography
• 7th in Legacy and in Ideation

Year 9: Overall 10th

• 3rd in Code Breaking
• 4th in Creative Producers
• 5th in Engineering  and in Science
• 8th in Art and Poetry

Year 10: Overall 6th

• 2nd in Engineering
• 4th in English and in Art and Poetry
• 5th in Cartography
• 6th in Science
• 8th in Code Breaking
• 9th in Creative Producers
• 10th in Mathematics

Well done to all students involved.

Mrs Lyn Jagger & Mrs Debra Anderson

On Monday 5 May, Year 11 Geography students embarked on an excursion to Warragamba Dam as part of their studies on catchment functioning and flooding. The trip also supported their independent geographical investigations focused on flooding in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley.

The day began with an insightful presentation from an education officer at WaterNSW, who explained the dam's role in securing Sydney's water supply and catchment management strategies to protect water quality. Students also explored differing perspectives on the potential use of the dam for flood mitigation.

Following the presentation, students were treated to a private tour of the dam’s infrastructure, exploring tunnels deep within the structure to witness firsthand how its systems function. The experience of walking through the tunnels and observing the inner workings of the dam brought their classroom learning to life. It was a fantastic opportunity to step outside the classroom and engage with real-world geography.

Mrs Laura Devlin

We have an exciting few weeks coming up in Primary Library!

• Wednesday 21 May:National Simultaneous Storytime for Pre-K to Year 2 students.
• Wednesday 28 May: Primary Book Parade with Pre-K to Year 6 students.

We can’t wait to share in the joy of reading together.

Save the dates!

Kindergarten Tote Bags

Thank you to all the families who purchased a 'Class of 2025' Kindergarten Tote Bag. We sold 64 tote bags and this little project raised $288.20. Our Kindergarten teachers are busy putting together their wishlists and all funds raised will be invested into the Kindergarten classrooms. We hope your little artists look on with pride when you carry your totes to the shops!

Mother's Day Stall

Friends, that’s a wrap on our 2025 Mother’s Day Stall! More than 1000 gifts were purchased for a special someone. Thank you to our incredible P&F volunteers who supported this event, from shopping to wrapping, setting up and helping students with their gift selection. A huge thanks to Nisha from Nisha’s Cake Dreams for generously donating her gorgeous cookies, they were very popular with our shoppers. Thank you to all the families who made cash donations via Flexischools in support of our stall and to those families who donated amazing gifts in kind - the plants were a real hit! Thanks to the wonderful College staff including Admin, Property, Canteen and Marketing for helping make this event a great success. A special thanks to our Primary friends who warmed our hearts with lovely handmade thank you cards. Thank you to our entire College community for supporting this event! We hope everyone enjoyed a magnificent Mother’s Day.

Athletics Carnival Sausage Sizzle

Newsflash! The Parents & Friends have been invited to attend the College Athletics Carnivals in 2025!  The P&F will provide a sausage sizzle, snack and refreshment stall for students and families' convenience. Come and find us to refuel and hydrate. Both cash and card payment options will be available. Volunteers, regardless of the year your child/children are enrolled, are welcome to join us at the Athletics Carnivals. All you need is a current WWCC and to complete the PAC Volunteer Induction training session to lend a helping hand.

• Secondary School Athletics Carnival is Tuesday 20 May (Week 4)
• Years 3-6 Athletics Carnival is on Wednesday 21 May (Week 4)
• Pre K–2 Athletics Carnival is Friday 4 July (Week 10)

The Secondary and Years 3–6 Athletics Carnivals will be held at Narellan Sports Hub: 6 Porrende Street, Narellan. The Pre K – Year 2 Athletics Carnival will be held at the College.

Want to join in the fun? Reach out to us at [email protected] or to 0407 885 057. 

P&F General Meeting

Our next General Meeting will be held on Monday 2 June at 7:00pm in the College Staff Common Room. All are always welcome!