The Vine Issue No 11 - 30 July 2021

Welcome back to Term 3

Mrs Felicity Grima - Principal

As we complete our second week of Term, our learners (and their families who support them) continue to grow in resilience and resourcefulness. There is an incredible amount of learning happening across our community and we are so proud of the way our community is working together and supporting each other.

As the lockdown continues and the government continues to expect families to keep their children at home, we know that off-campus learning has the potential to be stressful. We want to encourage you to take the pressure off in terms of your expectation of yourself and your children. You are not a teacher, and you are not home-schooling. You are supporting your child as they learn remotely. Some suggestions that you might find helpful:

Recognise that learning takes different amounts of time for all students – at home or at the College. If your child has worked for the recommended amount of time on the timetable, it’s okay for them to leave that activity where it is. They have done their best.
You do not need to answer every question your child asks. You may want to encourage them to write down their question and remind them to ask their teacher in their next Zoom lesson. Alternatively, they can email it to their teacher who will answer it in their next Zoom.
As parents, sometimes we jump in too quickly to help our children. Remember that in a face-to-face classroom, your child is one of many children. A teacher can not necessarily answer a question or meet every need immediately. Just as importantly, there are times when it’s a necessary part of learning for your child to struggle for a little while and to look for solutions. The sense of accomplishment and pride at having persevered and mastered something that was tricky is a powerful learning moment.
Do not forget to add lesson breaks into sessions. This happens in the classroom. It could be play a favourite song and dance or sing along. It could be a run outside in the garden.
If your child is struggling, please let their teachers know. You will have insights that teachers cannot gain from the screen.
Our staff are here to help you and your child/ren. We are constantly reviewing our approaches and responding to the feedback we receive. As always, please approach us directly if you have specific concerns for your children and their learning.

Financial Relief
The College Council and I would like to let you know that it is our desire that no student leave the College during this time of uncertainty due to finances. We are considering a range of measures to provide assistance dependent on the length of the lockdown and the impact on activities. We ask for your patience for a short time as we finalise these arrangements to ensure they are targeted both broadly and specifically as required.

Some families have already made their particular challenges known to the College and I am grateful for your early and proactive approach. I invite others to do the same if your financial position has changed and you require assistance. Please contact Mr Rodney Cosier (College Business Manager) in the first instance at r.cosier@pac.nsw.edu.au or phone Reception on 4736 8100.

Farewell
Mrs Melissa Brinkworth will be finishing at the College this week after 5 ½ years as our Marketing Manager. Melissa and her family are moving closer to her extended family and will be joining the Marketing Team at Arden Anglican School at Epping. We have been blessed with her eye for detail, discernment and her creativity and we appreciate all she has contributed to the College.

Mrs Felicity Grima
Principal

Prayer and Praise

Message from the Director of Teaching and Learning

Message from the Director of Student Wellbeing

Miss Adele Crane - Director of Student Wellbeing

Keeping Well during this extended Lockdown

As I am writing this the NSW Government has just announced an extended lockdown for Greater Sydney and the different components of our society that this will impact. We have already been living in this space for almost five weeks, and the dramatically changed lifestyle, along with unanswered questions can all negatively impact our wellbeing. We experienced Off Campus Learning last year, but it didn’t feel quite like this; as long or as serious. So how do we keep well in this environment?

As I reflect, I am encouraged about how much we learnt last year, particularly about the power of a community coming together to care for each other and spur one another on. We know the required technology and linked skills. We know that our students grow in their independence and despite being in a remote classroom, they can continue to learn and excel. We know the importance of making a concerted effort to care for ourselves and families as well as doing our best to maintain a healthy mindset, but with all the different demands, sometimes we can struggle to know where to start. So, what do we need to do to achieve this?

The infographic above shows ten steps we can take to care and nurture for the wellbeing of our families. Different aspects may already be well entrenched within the way your family functions. Other aspects might benefit from a bit of attention.

I know that I am thankful for the routine that the school week brings and the timetable that we follow helps me to structure my time at home. I look forward to zooming my classes at the allocated times and I build my to do lists each morning around them. I am also thankful that prior to lockdown I invested time and energy in my fitness through a running course that I have on one level been able to maintain around my local park and streets. However, more and more I find that my to do list can result in me not leaving my device very often, with screen breaks resulting as an afterthought. I am learning that I need to pro-actively and intentionally structure my days so that screen tasks are broken up with non-screen work and activities.

Much of the literature about living in lockdown highlights the importance of gratitude. Step #10 of the infographic says to focus on gratitude at the end of each day. Despite what we are facing, I try and think of a couple of things I am grateful for each day. I can be thankful for new opportunities such as cooking fresh noodle soup for lunch when I work from home, and being aware that despite NSW’s circumstances, many of our problems are relatively small compared to many other countries in the world. It is not only the research that tells us about the power of gratitude, but the Bible also frequently reminds us to be thankful. Two such examples I have found encouraging this morning are:

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Heb12:28-29 NIV)

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess 5:16-18 NIV)

Some days you may not achieve everything you set out to, but that’s OK – keep persisting. Be kind to yourself and know that we can do it together. We know the benefits of a healthy wellbeing are far reaching and being proactive is so valuable.

If circumstances are too difficult and you are finding things particularly hard, I urge you to look at steps #7 and #9 on the infographic. Reach out to someone who can help, whether it is someone in our community or professional services that are found through help lines or online. Our College Counsellor, Mr Jon Wright, myself and other staff are eager to help where we can. Please reach out to us so together as a community, we can build one another up.

Miss Adele Crane
Director of Student Wellbeing

ICAS Assessment

This year as part of the College’s Enrichment Program, students have the opportunity to participate in one or all of the ICAS English, Mathematics and Science tests. ICAS is an independent, skills-based assessment which recognises and rewards student academic achievement and requires students to think beyond the classroom. The tests are open to students from Years 3 to 10, and will be held on the following dates:

English Monday 16 August 2021

Science Monday 23 August 2021

Mathematics Monday 30 August 2021

Message from the Deputy Principal (Primary)

Mrs Ljubica Mansell - Deputy Principal (Primary)

I would like to thank our Primary families for all their support, patience and understanding as we transitioned into Off Campus Learning at the beginning of Term 3.

Off-Campus Learning
We will continue to work in Off Campus Learning mode for the next four weeks and the teachers will continue delivering lessons via online learning platforms.

Each Friday afternoon, you will receive an email with the learning plan for a new week from your child's class teacher. It will outline which activities students will engage with and times when teachers will be on zoom to assist with learning.

All of the activities are located on the learning platforms, however, if you prefer a print out of the activities, please contact your child's class teacher to make these arrangements.

Students of essential and critical workers will continue to be supervised here at the College. Please know that we are not providing face-to-face teaching at school during this time but teachers are providing pre-recorded lessons and are available throughout the day to assist students with their learning.

We understand the difficulties that are associated with learning in this way, but let me assure you, that the teachers are working harder and longer hours to ensure each student is receiving the best possible support. They are also available to answer any questions you have so please contact them if you require any assistance.

Remember, allow your child to have regular breaks, keep active with all the fun movement ideas teachers are sharing and continue to maintain a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables and drinking lots of water.

Letters of Commendation
Students are learning how to be 'learners' in all they do here at the College, even throughout Off Campus Learning. This journey of learning takes time and looks different for everyone and here at Penrith Anglican College. Regardless of the time frame, we celebrate success by showing our students how much we value their determination, perseverance and courage throughout their learning journey.

So, in Semester One, students were nominated by their teachers to receive a Letter of Commendation for their efforts.

There are many students who will be receiving a special letter in the mail from me and upon our return to face-to-face teaching, they will receive a special certificate of merit at our Primary assembly.

Congratulations to all our students who are currently learning in a modified learning environment and doing their absolute best to achieve all their goals. We are very proud of you all.

All things Olympics
In this week's learning pack for enrichment, students have been set some challenges that align with the Olympic games, encouraged to help them think outside the box. In addition to the challenges, all students have been provided with an Olympic journal to record highlights of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games. I am looking forward to receiving some incredible emails with incredible work from our students.

During this time, we encourage all our families to continue praying for one another. Remember that we are one family that will continue to support, show care and love in all that we do as we are guided by God every step of the way.

Please reach out if you need to talk, we are here for you and will continue supporting you throughout this season and beyond.