From the Principal
Welcome to 2026
Welcome to 2026
It has certainly been a vibrant start to 2026 as we have welcomed students across Pre-K to Year 12 to what will be an incredible year of learning and growth.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the many new parents and families who have joined the College community this year. We look forward to partnering with you as your children start their educational journeys with us.
Over the holiday break, several maintenance and capital works projects were completed including driveway resurfacing, painting, toilet refurbishments and carpet replacement in the Lighthouse Theatre. More information about these improvements will be shared shortly in our next Master Plan Newsletter, including details of our next significant development - the VAST Building, which will support Visual Arts, Science, and Technologies classes.
We are also pleased to welcome several new staff members who have joined us to support our growing College community.
Pre-K:
Mrs Jade Sturt – Pre‑K Aide
Primary:
Mr Josh Bonett
Miss Liesel Hughes
Miss Elspeth Meek
Mrs Mikaela Finocciao
Secondary:
Miss Zoe Bolton – Mathematics
Miss Achok Doong – Science
Miss Tayler Whan – PDHPE
Mr John Faiumu – PDHPE
Mrs Monica Palmer – Secondary Teacher / Library Technician
Mrs Sara Rainer – English
Interns:
Miss Andi Simmons – Christian Ministry
Mrs Melanie Proud – Primary
Please join us in warmly welcoming these staff to the College.
Parent Engagement & Expertise Survey – We Value Your Input
As we begin the new school year, we look forward to partnering with you to support every student’s learning and wellbeing. Our families bring a wide range of skills, experiences, and community connections, and we would love to learn more about how you may like to be involved in College life this year.
Please take a few minutes to complete our Parent Engagement and Expertise Survey . Your responses will help us plan opportunities for classroom support, volunteering, work experience placements, business connections, and community partnerships.
Thank you for your time and for the many ways you contribute to our College community. We appreciate your ongoing support.
First Day of 2026
First Day of 2026
Whole College
Term Dates 2026
Term Dates 2026
Primary School
From the Head of Primary
From the Head of Primary
It has been a wonderful start to the year in Primary, and I am delighted to welcome all our families, both returning and new, into the 2026 school year. Our learners have settled into their new classes with confidence and enthusiasm, and it has been a joy to see them already engaging so positively with their teachers, peers, and learning spaces. The calm and settled beginning is a credit to our students, our staff, and to the strong partnerships we share with you as families.
Thank you to all parents and carers who joined us for our Open Classrooms and Information Evening on Wednesday afternoon. We hope you found this both informative and a valuable opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, gain an insight into their learning environment, and begin building those important connections that support each child’s growth throughout the year.
Our first formal Parent–Teacher Interviews will be held on Thursday 26 February . These interviews will follow a “Tell us about your child” format, deliberately placing student wellbeing at the centre of the conversation. Holding these meetings in Week 5 allows our teachers valuable time to get to know their class deeply, ensuring that discussions are meaningful, intentional, and informed by how your child has settled into the school routine.
Parents are always encouraged and warmly welcomed to communicate with teachers throughout the year. Whether it’s a note in your child’s diary, an email, or a request through the Office to arrange a meeting or phone call, we value ongoing partnership. To best support our teachers, it is extremely helpful if you are able to provide key information or topics in advance of calls or meetings, enabling staff to prepare thoughtfully and respond with the care and clarity your child deserves.
To support consistency across the Primary years, we will be sharing streamlined information early next week. This will include key Primary processes along with grade‑specific details to help you feel well‑informed as we move further into the term. Please keep an eye out for this communication.
Primary Chapel
Families are always warmly welcome to attend Chapel. Whether or not it is your child’s class presenting, we would love to have you join us. We run two separate sessions every Friday in the Light House Theatre, and you can see which Chapel your child attends by checking their timetable on Edumate.
Session 1: 9:10am – 9:40am
Session 2: 10:00am – 10:30am
We look forward to a year filled with curiosity, collaboration, and joyful learning. Thank you once again for your support as we begin this new journey together.
Primary Leaders Investiture
Primary Leaders Investiture
On Friday 6 February, our Primary Leaders Investiture was held in the College Gymnasium. This special occasion formally recognised and celebrated our 2026 Primary Student Leaders. During the ceremony, students received their certificates and a small gift from the College before having their leadership badges pinned to their uniforms by their families. Our newly appointed leaders were then inspired by words of wisdom from our College Captains, Andrea and Aryan. The ceremony also featured a beautiful musical performance by Lucy C (Year 5), who played 'G avotte ’ by Jean-Baptiste Lully on the cello, accompanied by Mrs Lyn Jagger. Following the formal proceedings, families, and guests enjoyed light refreshments in the Hospitality Space. 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.
Secondary School
From the Head of Secondary
From the Head of Secondary
Welcome to Term 1 at Penrith Anglican College
It is my pleasure to welcome all families back to Term 1 learning at Penrith Anglican College. As I said to students during our start‑of‑year assemblies, schools are strange places without children in them. While staff engaged in several productive days of professional learning before classes resumed, it is truly wonderful to once again have our students and families bringing energy and life to our campus.
A new year offers every student fresh opportunities to engage with their learning in ways that may differ from previous years. Many students worked extremely hard in 2025 and were pleased with their progress; others may have felt disappointed and are ready for a stronger start. Wherever your child is beginning the year, 2026 provides the chance to reflect on learning habits, set new goals, and establish routines that will support growth throughout the year.
Strengthening the Year 6 to Year 7 Transition
Throughout 2025, significant planning occurred to strengthen the transition from Year 6 into Year 7. Our Heads of Department, Heads of House, Director of Students, and Director of Studies have collaborated closely to enhance the support provided to students as they begin high school. We have also appointed Mr. Luke Sale to oversee these activities and to work across both the primary and secondary schools in support on this transition.
This year, several initiatives are underway in this space:
ICT Skills Framework
Heads of Department have created a framework outlining the ICT skills students need to navigate our systems confidently, ethically and effectively. Each department is explicitly teaching a set of skills designed to prepare Year 7 for the digital demands of secondary learning.
Year 7 Homeroom Model
To give students a sense of belonging and stability, each Year 7 class has been assigned a homeroom in G Block for lessons not requiring specialised spaces. This provides a familiar environment while still allowing students to explore the campus for other learning areas.
Use of the "Meeting Tree"
During the first two weeks, students have been met and escorted by staff from the "Meeting Tree" (a centralised place to meet between lessons). This simple but effective practice has helped reduce the stress often associated with learning a new school layout.
Enhanced Mentor Program
Our Year 11 mentors will meet with Year 7 students twice each term to answer questions, offer encouragement, and provide guidance from a student perspective. This program ensures that our new high‑schoolers have a support network that extends beyond teachers.
Consistent Canvas Lesson Overviews
A significant initiative supporting both Year 7 and 8 learning this year is the introduction of consistent lesson overviews on Canvas. Teachers will outline the key concepts, activities and resources for each lesson in a clear and easily accessible location on Year 7 and 8 Canvas pages.
Students will be able to access this information within just a few clicks, helping them focus their cognitive effort on learning rather than navigating digital platforms. While the formal rollout is for Years 7 and 8 in 2026, some staff may also adopt this approach earlier for Years 9 and 10 due to its benefits. The full rollout for Years 9 and 10 is planned for 2027.
2026 Camp Program
Our camp program is already underway. In Week 2, Year 11 students travelled to Collaroy for a program focused on leadership development, character formation, and personal responsibility as they step into senior study at the College.
In Week 3, Year 7 students head to the Crusaders campsite at Lake Macquarie. This camp combines physical challenge with team‑building activities, helping students forge strong connections and welcome new members into their cohort. Both camps play a vital role in supporting holistic development beyond the classroom.
Celebrating the Class of 2025
Celebrating the Class of 2025
It was a pleasure to welcome back our 2025 graduates at our Alumni Service in Week 2. Their strong HSC results reflect the dedication and perseverance they demonstrated throughout their senior years, and we wish them God’s blessing as they move into study, work, apprenticeships, travel, and other post‑school pathways.
Mrs Grima's address to the College community centred on challenge and courage—two qualities essential to both character formation and academic growth. She reminded us that it is through tackling tasks slightly beyond our comfort zone that we develop resilience and deepen our learning. This continues to be an encouragement for all students as they begin the year.
Faculty News
Community Notices
Now Enrolling for 2027
Now Enrolling for 2027
Enrolment interviews for 2027 will be commencing shortly for siblings. If you have a child who will be starting school in 2027, we encourage you to lodge an enrolment application as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a position.
Apply online at: www.penrith.nsw.edu.au/enrol/apply/
Dr Justin Coulson Seminar
Dr Justin Coulson Seminar
We are delighted to welcome back one of Australia’s leading parenting experts, Dr Justin Coulson, for another inspiring seminar on Wednesday 18 February 2026.
Dedicated to helping families flourish through both research-backed knowledge and real experience, Dr Coulson is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance, the host of the Happy Families podcast, and the author of nine bestselling books, with his tenth currently in progress.
Following the 2024 Carrots and Sticks seminar, this upcoming session is set to deliver Dr Coulson's ground breaking approach to building resilience in children, equipping them not just to cope with life's challenges, but to thrive because of them.
6pm Wednesday 18 February 2026
The Lighthouse Theatre
Tickets $21 each
Canteen Menu 2026
Canteen Menu 2026
Please see attached for the Canteen menu. You can order through the Flexischools website , Flexischools App or the College App.
