The Vine Newsletter

Mrs Felicity Grima - Principal

At Secondary Assembly this week, I shared an image of a toy from my childhood. When I was growing up, my siblings and I had a blow-up tiger toy from the petrol company ESSO.  No matter how hard you pushed it, punched it, or hit it, it always returned to a standing position.  I have a similar toy on my desk that a member of staff bought me on a College cultural tour of Japan a few years ago.  It works in the same way - no matter how hard you push it, from any direction, it always bounces back.

I’ve always resisted the temptation to pull these toys apart, but whatever they put in the bottom of the toys must stop them from falling over.

This term, I’m pretty sure we’ve all felt a bit pushed in all directions.  At different times, I’m sure we’ve all felt tired, frustrated, anxious and lonely, exhausted, disappointed and angry. It hasn’t been a great season for anyone really.

But just like these toys, we continue to seek to build strong foundations in the lives of our students – both for the present and for the future. We talk about our values – being compassion, integrity, courage, humility and perseverance – because they are foundations for every season.  We talk about resilient, relational, resourceful and reflective learners because they are foundations for learning in every season.

R U OK? day last Friday and Mentor and positive education activities each week have contributed to building strong foundations for positive wellbeing and healthy relationships.

Mrs Houison’s weekly sport challenges and PE classes have encouraged our students to  exercise, live a healthy lifestyle and spend time away from devices.

Chapels this term have helped our students consider the seasons we go through in life.

As a member of the College community each student has a strong foundation in each of our lives because there is always a friend, family member, Chaplain or teacher watching out for them.  I want to thank the staff for all they have done to make sure each and every one of you stays standing this term.  They have been incredible in their care and teaching this term.

Year 12, in particular, have been like the toys I described more than any other year group this year and I know they have felt the care, prayers and support of everyone at the College as well as our broader community.  We continue to keep them in our prayers as they prepare for their final HSC exams in November.

The holidays are coming. There will be time to intentionally build the foundations of your life through rest and relaxation, eating well, exercise, connections with friends and time with God.

It is comforting to know that the Bible speaks very clearly about the pressures of life that can often consume our lives, and the treasure we have in eternity when we fix our eyes on Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 and 16-18

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

My sincere thanks to everyone in our community for the way you have approached the term.  I pray God grants you rest and refreshment in the holidays.

Mrs Felicity Grima
Principal

Name: Emily Walker

House: Cranmer

Role on the Leadership Team: Cranmer House Captain 

Best thing about being a student at PAC: One of the best things about being a student at PAC is having a wide range of opportunities available in all areas of academics and sport. 

One thing you feel you contribute to the Leadership Team: I believe I am a good listener and very open to everyone’s ideas. 

Something you are looking forward to about being a leader: I am looking forward to working with a wide range of students and staff members. I am also looking forward to learning new skills from my fellow leaders and teachers.

A surprising/random fact about you that most people wouldn't know: I have watched the TV show ‘Bones’ at least twice a year since year 4 (2014) 

Name:  Thomas (Tom) Volkiene

House: Cranmer

Role on the Leadership Team: Cranmer House Captain

Best thing about being a student at PAC: The support network of friends and teachers.

One thing you feel you contribute to the Leadership Team: I feel I contribute creativity and new ideas.

Something you are looking forward to about being a leader: Encouraging fellow house members to participate in opportunities, provided by PAC.

Name: Abbigail Ivankovic  

House: Latimer

Role on the Leadership Team: Latimer House Captain  

Best thing about being a student at PAC: Best thing about being a student at PAC is connecting well with not only peers from my year group but other students from different year groups, the community here at PAC is so welcoming.  

One thing you feel you contribute to the Leadership Team: I feel as though I contribute with being motivational in all aspects, and I always want to see the best in people.  

Something you are looking forward to about being a leader: I look forward to not only being in a leadership team but helping with the PAC community to grow in all areas to create a positive environment.

A surprising/random fact about you that most people wouldn't know: I have been teaching an all abilities cheerleading team for 4 years now. Teaching kids who may struggle with having autism, ADHD and many more.  

Name: Ellie Whiticker 

House: Latimer 

Role on the Leadership Team: Latimer House Captain

Best thing about being a student at PAC: The amount of opportunities there are & also how easy it is to talk to anyone around the school including teachers and students.

One thing you feel you contribute to the Leadership Team: I think that my major contribution to the leadership team is my enthusiasm. I’m so beyond excited to guide and encourage the amazing group of Latimer students.

Something you are looking forward to about being a leader: Although I can’t wait for the sporting carnivals, I’m looking forward to working together with the leadership team and collaborating for new and exciting ideas for the college. I’m also keen to work with Abbi (also House Captain) to create long lasting memories for everyone in Latimer! 

Miss Adele Crane - Director of Student Wellbeing

Friday 10th Sept – R U OK? Day at PAC

Last week, students and staff had the chance to participate in our R U OK? Day. R U OK? is a harm prevention charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives.  This charity has a day once a year to encourage people to reach out and check in with those around them.  At the College, we encourage this to happen every day!  However, it was good to have a break from lessons on Friday to practise self-care as well as to extend kindness to others.

During this day students were encouraged to ask themselves 2 questions:

• Are they feeling OK?

• And to ask others around them if they are feeling OK?

Based on the answers to these questions, they were then encouraged to participate in some self-care activities as well as to reach out to others in our community to share kindness.

A broad range of suggested activities were provided to help students achieve the goals of the day.  Students were encouraged to participate in activities that best suited their situation and personal likes.  Each provided activity was known to improve a person’s wellbeing due to aspects such as employing creativity, requiring physical activity, helping others and sharing kindness.

It was wonderful to see the photos submitted and to hear of the stories of how our students and staff got involved. Some of these were:

• Staff members and a talented student had a go at an online art lesson. Their reasons for joining varied from trying something new or wanting to show other members of their household their artistic talents.  All participants in our Picasso Masterclass had lots of fun connecting with each other whilst learning a new skill.
• Some Secondary students enjoyed the chance to leave their screens and explore a new area of their neighbourhood.  One student took on the challenge of spelling out RUOK during their run to great success.

• Many primary students had a go at the masterclass of making a cake in a mug.  The smiles on the photos received indicated that the cake tasted good as they mastered this skill.

• Some of our younger students on campus for the day enjoyed the chance to create colourful chalk masterpieces in our quadrangle to encourage those who were able to read them.

• Baking gifts for others was also a popular way of showing care to others.  Siblings made and wrapped biscuits for neighbours resulting in lovely messages being received back to families.  One student used this as a chance to raise funds for Gotcha 4 Life through the selling of magnificent treat boxes.

Through experiencing this ongoing lockdown, we know the value of implementing selfcare to increase our individual wellbeing, as well as the value of community and serving others.  As we Serve Christ, we endeavour to build meaningful connections within our Community that encourage and strengthen those around us.  Our first R U OK? Day was such an ideal opportunity to invest in these, reinforce how we can demonstrate perseverance in challenging times and show compassion towards ourselves and others.

Miss Adele Crane
Director of Student Wellbeing

Parents and carers of year 12 students may find this article Strategies To Support Students Preparing for the HSC helpful and practical in the lead up to, and beyond, the HSC exams. 

Mrs Ljubica Mansell - Deputy Principal (Primary)

As we come to the end of Term 3, I just wanted to say how incredibly proud I am of the students for their resilience and commitment to their learning during Off-Campus Learning. Whilst we know that nothing can replace face-to face teaching, we can see just how much work students are placing into their work each day.

A special thank you to the families for your continued support during this time and for assisting us to ensure the students have the best possible learning opportunities.

I am appreciative of the work the teachers and support staff have been placing into the learning activities each day.  The online zoom sessions each day, the countless hours of working behind the scenes to ensure every student is being cared for and for the endless hours of marking and providing feedback to the students is to be commended.  Thank you, Primary Staff.

On Friday 10 September, our school was involved in the R U OK? Day initiative that focused on the importance of staying connected with society, even during a lockdown.  It was wonderful to see so many of our students making connections with those who needed someone to listen in a variety of creative ways including but not limited to; phone calls, handwritten letters and even small care packages that included household items for their neighbours.

Students who were at school had the opportunity to participate in the R U OK? Day initiative through a series of activities including building forts to create a calm space for them to enjoy some reading, making succulent cups to start conversations with a loved one about how they care for one another and some mindfulness chalk drawing in the assembly area.

Once again, thank you for all your continued support throughout this season.  I would like to wish all of our families a safe and restful holiday break with your loved ones and we look forward to seeing you all when we return in Term 4.

Warm regards and God Bless,

Mrs Ljubica Mansell
Deputy Principal (Primary)

Nothing beats waiting by the letterbox for mail to come.  Good, encouraging and uplifting mail that is.   Especially during COVID times!

Can you imagine the excitement when Kindergarten students received a surprise letter from their Year 6 buddies? Fifty-eight large envelopes were posted a week ago and are slowly being delivered around the community.

Accompanying this buddy letter is a colouring-in book.  The front cover was designed by Thalia Rao from Year 6.

Thank you so much Year 6 and the Year 6 teachers for your kindness in mailing these to our little people.  Kindergarten students are still talking about this lovely gesture in their morning Zoom meetings and they long to be reunited with their buddies as soon as it is possible. 

Kindy students were very excited in Art this week as they explored the monoprinting technique.  

Stage 1 students have been investigating the features of a bike and car, and extending their imagination to create their own environment.

They have also been creative imagining how the three dimension of a toilet roll can be transferred into marine creatures. 

Awino Zabiba

Awino Zabiba

Awino lives in Uganda and is 17 years old. She lives with her parents. Her father occasionally works as a labourer and her mother occasionally works as a rural worker. At home, Awino’s duties are to carry water from a well to her village, to gather firewood to sell at the market and caring for her three siblings. Awino’s favourite things to do are to play a musical instrument, play group games, ride a bike, play ball games and go to bible class.

Awino has been sponsored by the current Year 10 since they were in Kindergarten. She is now being sponsored by Ridley.

The Challenge has officially closed for another year.  A huge thanks to all students, parents and teachers who assisted in getting so many reading records completed before the closing date.  This is one of many programs we love to be involved with which encourage reading for fun.  We are so excited to reveal that a whopping 276 students have completed the 2021 Premier’s Reading Challenge amidst all of the other challenges this term has brought!  Well done Penrith Anglican College!

During Term 3. Stage 1 and 2 students have explored the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s award-winning Picture Book of the Year, How to Make a Bird.

This incredible story written by Meg McKinlay and illustrated by Matt Ottley explores the beginning of a young girl’s tiny creative idea that blossoms with imagination and perseverance into art. 

As a response to this beautiful book students were asked to embrace their own imagination and create a bird.  Each bird is as unique and special as its creator.

Breathe deeply and take your time. The making of a bird is something not to be hurried.

Amazing contributions here from Mannat (Year 2), Sehaj (Year 4) and Spencer (Year 4).

Library enjoyed participating in the College RU OK? Day on Friday 10 September via 2 book-themed Scavenger Hunts – one for Years 3-6 and one for the Secondary students.

Mrs Brown also read a very special Virtual Storytime book for PreK-Year 2 to highlight the importance of asking RU OK? Her story was The Koala Who Could by Rachel Bright.

Lots of work is going on behind the scenes in Library, including contactless purchase of new books!  Mrs Brown is very excited about cataloguing all the wonderful new resources for you, but she isn’t getting much help from her dog Bonnie!

These books will appear in the catalogue over the coming weeks and can be borrowed via our fortnightly Books 2U service.

Library staff have had the pleasure of organising and loaning books to students who have sent us their reading requests this term.  We have prepared books for pickup with home learning packs fortnightly and it has brought us great joy to connect with our readers in this way throughout Term 3.

This service is available to Primary and Secondary students, please email [email protected] for more information and to make your requests.

Usually Mrs Lackey and Mrs Beaton would be running a Study Lounge for our Year 12 students during the school holidays.  Since Covid disrupted those plans, Mrs Lackey and Mrs Beaton decided they would put together an encouragement pack for each student instead.

The packs included a cupcake and other treats, a small survival kit (that included tissues!) and an envelope of encouragement containing letters from teachers and other staff.  These packs were delivered on Thursday 16 September in a Covid safe, drive-through manner.

Mr Leighton Corr - Deputy Principal (Secondary)

As Term 3 concludes and everyone has a much needed break away from their screens, and even may be able to enjoy some increased freedoms in the coming weeks, I want to take this opportunity to thank our staff and students.

It is absolutely appropriate for me to acknowledge the work and effort of our staff team this term.  I have been so encouraged and thankful to work alongside such committed colleagues who have adapted their practice to suit the unique circumstances.  Every week I have heard and seen our staff provide high quality learning for their students and go above and beyond in ensuring our students were looked after and provided with quality education.  My sincere thanks again to all of our staff.

Our students are also worthy of commendation for their attitude and perseverance throughout Off Campus Learning.  Our College value of perseverance has been on display everyday as students have had to turn their bedrooms or living rooms into classrooms, still complete all their work with other distractions around and keep themselves safe and well.  This is no easy task for young people and I thank each of our students for the way they have trusted our staff and engaged in their learning.  RU OK? was a timely reminder for each of them that as much as what they are learning matters, looking after themselves is critical and something we value.  Students, take a break these next few weeks, you have earnt it.

Of course, a particular mention to Year 11 and 12 students who completed their Trial and Yearly Exams online and for the maturity they showed in this task.  It is such a blessing to work with such a conscientious group of young people.

I challenged the staff team earlier this week that even amidst the lockdown and all the restrictions we are facing, we still have much to be thankful for.  Perspective and attitude are powerful things in shaping your mindset and I encourage all of our school community to intentionally think about what you might be able to be thankful for as we end Term 3.

As we receive information regarding restrictions and Term 4 we will be sure to communicate with you all and hope to see our students back on campus again soon.

Take care and God Bless.

Mr Leighton Corr
Deputy Principal (Secondary)

Year 10 Photography students have been studying the work of photographer Bruce Boyd. 

We hope you enjoy these mesmerising images of flowers in ice as much as we do.  

Year 7 English students were introduced to Shakespeare’s personal context, the wider Elizabethan context, the genres of Shakespeare’s plays, Shakespearean language and his enduring appeal to modern audiences during their ‘Introduction to Shakespeare’ Unit. Students focused particularly on A Midsummer Night’s Dream and were required to present their own directorial vision for a performance of the play. Below are samples from Isla Puri’s presentation.

A reminder that ICAS sitting dates have been postponed until Term 4.

The Parent Portal System will remain open until 19 September for families who still wish to register their child.

The new proposed sitting window for testing is between 5 October and 29 October.

Please find attached a letter from Perm-A-Pleat outlining potential delays to uniform stock due to continuing COVID issues overseas.

The pandemic has presented many challenges and education has played a key role in teaching everyone best practises to stay safe and well.

As health care workers, we are motivated by the support of our local community and are extremely thankful for the words of encouragement we’ve received from children of all ages across our Local Health District.  We recognise their experiences are just as important as our own.

We invite your school to participate in our Healthcare Heroes initiative and welcome messages and artworks that show support and encourage hope for our health care staff.  We’d also love to learn and share how children in the District are keeping themselves and their families safe and how they are staying connected with friends and loved ones, which is incredibly important at this time.

We encourage your students and their families to send us their creations, whether it is letters, artworks or photos of them holding pictures, telling jokes, videos or notes.  These items will be shared directly with our staff who need to see it most.

What students provide may also be put up on our social media platforms, shared with our staff electronically or be reproduced for display in public spaces of our facilities.  Messages of support can be sent to: [email protected]

We recognise the unique challenges you are also facing. We are cheering you on and appreciate the work you are doing.  Thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely
Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the majority of schools are postponing their camps to 2022 which means CRU really needs many more trainees to join the Summit team to meet next year’s demand for CRU Educational Camps.  We would love more passionate young Christians to join the team and make the most of every opportunity to share Jesus with campers in 2022.

Not only will they learn news skills and be part of meaningful gospel work, they will grow in their own love and knowledge of Jesus too!

Download the advertisement here. Feel free to get in touch with the staffing team at [email protected] or (02) 9653 1676 (opt 1) should you have any questions.

The latest version of our Community Business Directory is now available for download.

The Community Business Directory acts as a link for business and families to support each other.  This initiative has been created by the Parents & Friends Association for businesses of Penrith Anglican College families rather than a general advertising site to assist our College Community during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Each business in the Directory has a direct link with a College family.