From the Principal
Student Leadership Team: Investing in the Future
Student Leadership Team: Investing in the Future
Last week, we had the privilege of commissioning our new Student Leaders for 2026/2027 at the Student Leadership Investiture Service. This important occasion in the College calendar formally recognised those who have stepped forward to serve and lead within our community. We also took the opportunity to thank our outgoing 2025/2026 Student Leadership Team, led with dedication, integrity, and enthusiasm by Andrea Esdaile and Aryan Patel, for their outstanding contribution to College life over the past year.
During the service, Mr McMurray, Head of Christian Ministry and Service, encouraged students to reflect on the true meaning of leadership. Through the story of three bricklayers, he challenged students to look beyond titles and recognition and instead focus on contributing to something greater than themselves. Drawing on the examples of biblical leaders such as Moses, Esther, Nehemiah, Paul, and Jesus, he highlighted that genuine leadership is characterised by humility, courage, integrity, service, and purpose. Students were encouraged to lead through character rather than position, demonstrating kindness, inclusion, and consistency in their everyday interactions. Mr McMurray also reminded students that a leader's greatest legacy is not found in achievements or accolades, but in the positive impact they have on the lives of others.
Please join us in praying for our new leaders as they begin their service to the College, that they would lead with wisdom, courage, compassion, humility, and a commitment to serving others.
Primary School
From the Head of Primary
From the Head of Primary
It is my pleasure to welcome you all back for Term 3!
You should have received both a Start of Term letter and grade-specific information outlining the learning and events for the term ahead. Please take a moment to mark any important dates in your family calendar.
Grandparents Afternoon
This Friday, we look forward to welcoming grandparents and special guests for a wonderful afternoon of activities.
Light refreshments will be served from 1:00pm. If you have not already done so, please complete the RSVP form to assist us with catering arrangements.
To help grandparents easily find their way, we encourage you to share your child's class and classroom location with those attending. While a help desk will be available to provide assistance, having this information beforehand will allow students and their guests to begin enjoying the afternoon's activities straight away.
Grandparents are welcome to take students home at the conclusion of the event. If this is your intention, please provide consent in advance via email or a note in your child's diary.
Secondary School
From the Head of Secondary
From the Head of Secondary
I hope everyone had a refreshing break. During the holidays, I spent a few days cross-country skiing in Kosciuszko National Park with my brother and a friend, Matt. Cross-country skiing requires you to carry everything you need for the trip, including food, camping gear, clothing and cooking equipment. Matt had plenty of snowboarding experience but had never tried cross-country skiing before. Learning a new skill while carrying a 20kg backpack proved challenging, and on the first downhill section of our trip he took a memorable tumble!
Fortunately, no one was hurt, but it was a great reminder that failure is a normal part of learning. Matt quickly adapted, learned from his mistakes and became more confident as the trip progressed.
Failure is something we all experience. Throughout our lives, whether in the classroom, on the sporting field, at work or in our personal lives, we will all encounter setbacks. The important thing is not avoiding failure altogether, but learning how to fail well. Reflection and action are what turn failure into growth.
This connects closely with the idea of Practice Mode and Performance Mode, a concept that has long been encouraged at the College. Practice Mode is where real learning takes place. It is the day-to-day work of asking questions, testing ideas, making mistakes, receiving feedback and trying again. It is the place where students should feel comfortable taking risks, knowing that mistakes are part of the learning process. Growth rarely happens when everything comes easily.
Performance Mode is different. It is when students demonstrate what they have learned through assessments, examinations, performances, competitions or presentations. While we all want to perform well, strong performance is usually built on the lessons learned during practice. Students who embrace mistakes, reflect on them and work to improve are often the students who are best prepared when it is time to perform.
As we begin Term 3, I encourage all students to embrace challenges, take risks in their learning and see mistakes as opportunities to improve. After all, a failure can often be our
F
irst
A
ttempt
I
n
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earning.
I look forward to seeing everyone grow and learn throughout the term.
Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond- Engineering Excursion
Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond- Engineering Excursion
Last Term, Year 11–12 Engineering Studies students travelled to RAAF Base Richmond for a day of activities designed to strengthen their understanding of aeronautical and telecommunications engineering while broadening their awareness of engineering studies and career pathways.
At the Non-Destructive Testing unit, students observed a range of testing techniques applied throughout the aviation industry and participated in hands-on activities. They also explored the additive manufacturing and heat-treatment processes involved in aircraft structural repairs, gaining first-hand insight into modern engineering methods used in aviation maintenance.
A highlight of the visit was the opportunity to explore a C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft, both inside and out. Students identified its control surfaces and flight controls, examined the aircraft's internal structure, and considered the seating layout and crew roles. Inside the cockpit, they spoke with an avionics technician, learning about the communication systems and onboard computers that enable the aircraft to operate effectively. This experience linked directly to the Telecommunications Engineering unit.
Students also engaged with young engineers and technicians, discussing their educational journeys and professional experiences. These conversations, together with direct exposure to engineering in action, gave them a clearer picture of the industry and inspired them to consider the many directions available within the aviation and engineering fields.
2026 HSC Showcase and Art Camp Exhibition
2026 HSC Showcase and Art Camp Exhibition
2026 HSC Showcase and Art Camp Exhibition // This Wednesday, PAC will come together to celebrate an evening of art, ideas, innovation and performance.
The program begins at 4:00pm in the B Block Gallery with the Bundanon Experience: Art Camp Exhibition, featuring works created by 37 Visual Arts students from Years 8–11 during their immersive residency at Bundanon.
Drawing inspiration from Bundanon’s bushland, river system, shifting light and textures, students created a collection of works across drawing, painting, photography and mixed media.
At 5:00pm, the gallery will open to the Year 12 Visual Arts Exhibition, showcasing the students’ completed HSC Bodies of Work, with presentations beginning at 5:30pm.
From 6:00pm, families can explore Year 12 major works and projects across Design & Technology, Textiles & Design, Society & Culture, Science Extension, English Extension 2, History Extension, Software Engineering and Music 1.
The evening will conclude with Music performances at 7:00pm.
Wednesday 29 July
B Block Gallery and Exhibition Centre
Finger food will be provided
We warmly invite PAC families and friends to join us for what promises to be an exceptional celebration of creativity, skill and talent from across the College.
Dusty Boots Service Trip
Dusty Boots Service Trip
While most students were settling into the school holidays, 32 PAC students and 14 staff members headed to Wellington for a week of practical service, community connection and shared experiences.
Teams returned to several properties PAC has supported in previous years, while also taking on some significant new projects. At Wellington Christian School, students and staff removed old playground equipment to prepare the site for a new basketball court. Another team dismantled a chicken coop the size of a medium shed for a local resident who could not manage the project alone.
Across the week, teams trimmed overgrown lawns, trees and gardens, washed windows, removed old fences, pulled weeds and supported local Anglican and Baptist churches. They also ran trivia, prepared lunch and entertainment for nursing home residents, and spent time getting to know members of the Wellington community.
There was plenty of time for connection too, with games, a bonfire and tech-free meals. Students also heard challenging devotions about how Jesus has transformed the lives of our staff.
Dusty Boots continues to give students an opportunity to put compassion and service into action, while learning from the people and communities they meet along the way.
Faculty News
Look Inside the Library
Look Inside the Library
Book Fair 2026 is almost here!
Held during Grandparents’ Day on Friday 31 July, our annual Scholastic Book Fair is a major fundraiser for the library to help us keep our collections current, fun and expansive.
The lovely Exhibition Centre will be our bigger and better venue this year and we’ve extended our opening hours as well.
We will be open on Friday 31 July from 12 to 4pm and again on Monday 3 August from 8-9am and 2-4pm for those who can’t make it to Grandparents’ Day.
As usual, we will have an exciting range of books, kits, diaries, journals and fun stationery items for sale at the Fair.
See you at the Fair!
Sports
NSW Interschools Championships
NSW Interschools Championships
Congratulations to Torah K (Year 9) who represented PAC at the Equestrian NSW State Interschools Championships in the July holidays. Torah was in the top 35 riders in the state who qualified for the dressage competition, and we are proud to share that Torah came away with 6th place in the state!
Bill Turner Cup
Bill Turner Cup
Congratulations to our Bill Turner Boys’ Team on a fabulous 2026 season, finishing as runners-up in the Sydney West Region, following their narrow 1-0 defeat. The Regional Championships are the Round of 32 for the Bill Turner competition, which stretches the entire East Coast of Australia, and this year, had 475 boys’ teams competing. This amazing PAC team have made their mark in our record books, being our first team to qualify for this final.
NSWPSSA Cross-Country Championships
NSWPSSA Cross-Country Championships
On 22 July, Year 5 student Jacob K proudly represented the College and CIS at the NSWPSSA Cross-Country Championships, delivering an exceptional performance in a highly competitive race. With the leading runners closely matched throughout the event, Jacob showed outstanding determination and endurance to secure second place, crossing the finish line in an impressive time of 10:01 for the 3km race.
With this result, Jacob has earned himself the opportunity to represent NSW at the School Sport Australia Cross-Country Championships in September.
Congratulations Jacob on this fantastic achievement!
Parents & Friends Association
News from the P&F
News from the P&F
Welcome to Term 3! We hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful winter break! Term 3 has rolled around so fast and the Parents & Friends are excited to bring some amazing events to our College community this term.
The Parents & Friends are kicking off with our Glitter & Glam Primary Disco on Friday, 14 August. Wear your favourite bling, sparkles, sequins and anything that shines! DJ Ellison of Ellison Mixes will be spinning all the students’ favourite tunes. Always a highlight in the Parents & Friends calendar and a night not to be missed. Tickets are available to purchase via the Flexischools app now, just $10 per disco dancer. We’ve been working hard to make this event a social experience for our families too. Families are welcome to stay and mingle in the Primary Assembly area whilst the movers and groovers hit the dance floor. We will have live entertainment thanks to Ollie (the Tin Man) & Matt Johnson. Our Year 10 students will be cooking and serving a sausage sizzle with all proceeds from sausage sales donated to their chosen charity the Pancare Foundation. Our 2026-2027 Leadership students will also be there to support our little dancers across all three Discos. Want to volunteer and join in the fun? All you need is a current WWCC and complete the College Volunteer Induction training. To obtain your WWCC go to https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-working-with-children-check WWCC’s are free for volunteers! To register to complete the College Volunteer Induction training, follow the link below.
On Saturday, 29 August the Parents & Friends are excited to bring back the Trivia Night! This event is for our College parents and senior secondary students in Years 10, 11 & 12 (note secondary students must attend with a parent or guardian in tow)! So lock in your sitters and brush up on your trivia friends. The event will take place in the Exhibition Centre at the College. Ticket price includes all you can eat freshly baked pizza, salad and soft drinks. Tables of 10 will compete against each other, grouped by year level to help folks get to know their children’s friends' families! Ticket sales will open later this week. Purchasing individual tickets, select your child’s year level and we will do our best to seat you with your new friends. Social butterflies, purchase a table of 10 and we will throw in a delicious dessert box to share with your friends. Competitors are welcome to posh up their tables following the theme “Dress for the Decades” … choose your favourite decade and decorate your table. Take it to the extreme and dress up yourself if you feel so inclined. Bonus trivia points will be handed out for the best dressed table! More information to follow, for now Save the Date - Saturday, 29 August!
Let’s not forget Father’s Day is just around the corner. The Parents & Friends have been shopping up a fabulous selection of gifts for our students to spoil their special someone on Father’s Day. The Father’s Day Stall will be open to shoppers on 2 & 3 September, with a pop-up stall in Reception on 4 September for any students who miss out. Gifts will be available to pre-purchase on the Flexischools app soon.
Shout out to all the incredible parent and grandparent volunteers who helped out at the many Athletic Day Carnivals in Term 2. Thank you for your ongoing support for the Parents & Friends and our whole College community. Our presence would not be possible without you.
