From the Principal
In the Spotlight: Penrith's Young Citizen of the Year
In the Spotlight: Penrith's Young Citizen of the Year
We are excited to congratulate Ella Johnson on being named Penrith City Council's 2026 Young Citizen of the Year! Recently, Mr. Mark Gee, Director of Students 7 -12 sat down with Ella for an exclusive Q&A to discuss her achievement.
Q: Can you tell us about your recent recognition and how you felt you learnt about it?
A: On Monday evening I was recognised as the Penrith City Council Young Citizen of the Year at the Local Celebration awards after being nominated earlier in the year by Tanya Davies MP. I was both honoured and shocked as there are many deserving young people serving the community every day. I felt encouraged to keep using my voice to help our community.
Q: What was the pathway to receiving this recognition?
A: I am currently a Youth Council Member for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network and have enjoyed working with other young people to improve the hospital system for children and youth. I also have fundraised for Dance for Sick Kids over many years as well as other fundraisers for amazing causes including Mental Health and Breast Cancer. I have also been involved in other community service activities in our local community. Earlier this year I had been in contact with Tanya Davies office enquiring about opportunities for volunteering. Her office then requested information about my prior volunteer and community participation. This then led to her nomination which was a lovely and unexpected surprise.
Q: How do you hope that this achievement impacts others?
A: I hope this achievement impacts others by encouraging them to get involved in opportunities that are on offer or to search for ways that they can serve others, inspire and encourage students to help in any way they can.
Q: What motivates you as a leader?
A: I am motivated as a leader to serve and help others as I am passionate about being a voice for others who may not have a voice and need someone to speak up for them. I have always been encouraged by seeing other students at Penrith Anglican College serving others and by our teachers providing opportunities to develop our leadership skills.
Q: How have your experiences in student leadership helped you to grow?
A: Throughout my leadership journey, I have enjoyed working collaboratively with other students to share ideas, mentor others and create and run events. Being a good listener is very important as a leader and hearing from others has helped me grow and learn.
Q: Would you recommend other young people to pursue this award?
A: I believe that young people should serve others without expecting recognition. Your worth does not come from awards, even though it is lovely to be acknowledged. Young people should use what they are passionate about to help others. Your voice in the community matters!
Primary School
From the Head of Primary
From the Head of Primary
From Learning to Read to Reading to Learn
Recently, I was speaking with someone who had worked in a variety of schools throughout their career. As we reflected on education, they shared that no matter which school they worked in, one message was always consistent: reading matters. What struck me, however, was what they said next. Now a parent themselves, they finally understood why school leaders place such a strong emphasis on reading. Watching their own child learn and grow through reading helped them see that reading is far more than a school subject. It is the foundation for learning across all areas of life. Their reflection prompted me to think about how much reading instruction has changed over the past few decades.
Many parents will remember learning to read in a different way to the methods used in classrooms today. While the goal remains the same, our understanding of how children learn to read has evolved significantly.
One of the most noticeable changes has been the move from predictable readers to decodable readers. Many adults learned to read using books that encouraged children to use pictures and sentence patterns to work out, or potentially guess at, unknown words. Today, beginning readers are more likely to use decodable texts that match the phonics knowledge they have already learned, allowing them to apply their understanding of letter-sound relationships when reading independently.
Parents may also hear the term heart words rather than sight words. This reflects a growing understanding that most words can be read by applying knowledge of the sounds letters make. Rather than relying solely on memorisation, students learn how words work and then commit any unusual parts, such as the 'ai' in said, to memory.
These changes reflect a broader shift in literacy instruction. Today's teaching focuses on helping students understand how sounds, letters and words work together, while also developing vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. The goal is not simply to help children recognise words but to become confident, capable readers.
While these changes are most visible in the early years, their impact extends throughout primary school. As students move from learning to read to reading to learn, strong reading skills help them access increasingly complex learning in English, Mathematics, Science, History and beyond.
This same philosophy underpins the way spelling is taught today. As discussed in a previous newsletter, the focus has shifted beyond memorising lists of words towards understanding patterns, sounds and the structure of language. In both reading and spelling, it is this understanding that enables students to apply their learning confidently and independently.
How Parents Can Help at Home
The good news is that the most effective ways to support reading at home are often the simplest.
Read with your child regularly. Every reading experience helps strengthen vocabulary, background knowledge and comprehension. The more children are exposed to language and ideas, the easier it becomes to understand what they read.
Talk about books and everyday experiences. Conversation builds language. When children explain their thinking, make predictions or discuss ideas, they develop the oral language skills that underpin strong reading comprehension.
Encourage children to work through unfamiliar words. Prompting them to notice sounds, letter patterns and parts of words helps build independence and reinforces the skills they are learning at school. Over time, this reduces reliance on guessing and increases reading confidence.
Foster curiosity about words. Noticing interesting words, discussing meanings or exploring why words are spelled the way they are helps children understand the structure of language, strengthening both reading and spelling.
Most importantly, make reading a positive experience. Children who see reading as enjoyable and meaningful are more likely to choose to read for themselves, creating a cycle of practice, confidence and growth.
- Read with your child regularly. Every reading experience helps strengthen vocabulary, background knowledge and comprehension. The more children are exposed to language and ideas, the easier it becomes to understand what they read.
- Talk about books and everyday experiences. Conversation builds language. When children explain their thinking, make predictions or discuss ideas, they develop the oral language skills that underpin strong reading comprehension.
- Encourage children to work through unfamiliar words. Prompting them to notice sounds, letter patterns and parts of words helps build independence and reinforces the skills they are learning at school. Over time, this reduces reliance on guessing and increases reading confidence.
- Foster curiosity about words. Noticing interesting words, discussing meanings or exploring why words are spelled the way they are helps children understand the structure of language, strengthening both reading and spelling.
Most importantly, make reading a positive experience. Children who see reading as enjoyable and meaningful are more likely to choose to read for themselves, creating a cycle of practice, confidence and growth.
Grandparents Day Celebration
Grandparents Day Celebration
Our Primary school was delighted to welcome grandparents and special guests for a memorable Grandparents Day Celebration. The afternoon provided a wonderful opportunity for students to share their learning spaces and school experiences with the special people in their lives.
The event began with refreshments and music in the Gym and surrounding outside turf area, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for our visitors. Our Year 6 leaders and senior students did an outstanding job assisting guests and helping them navigate the many activities available throughout the afternoon.
Families enjoyed visiting classrooms, where students proudly showcased their learning and participated in a range of activities with their grandparents. There was something for everyone to enjoy, including bingo, board games, the Book Fair, a movie screening, the Photo Booth and Year 6 games.
The afternoon was filled with smiles, laughter and meaningful conversations as generations connected and created lasting memories together. We thank our grandparents, special guests, students and staff for helping make the event such a wonderful celebration of community, learning and family.
100 Days of Kindergarten
100 Days of Kindergarten
Kindergarten recently marked a very special milestone: 100 days of school.
To celebrate, students arrived looking several decades ahead of schedule, complete with flat caps, pearls, spectacles, walking sticks and plenty of personality. After parading their wonderfully creative costumes, they continued the fun with special classroom activities and experiences inspired by the number 100.
In just 100 days, our Kindergarten students have learned new routines, taken on new challenges and grown in confidence and independence. We loved celebrating how far they have already come and cannot wait to see what the rest of their first year brings.
Secondary School
From the Head of Secondary
From the Head of Secondary
When people think about leadership, they often think about positions, badges and speaking in front of large groups. While those are an important part of leadership, our recent Student Leadership Retreat in Katoomba encouraged students to think more deeply about what leadership really looks like. The focus was not on status or recognition, but on character, service, relationships and the positive influence each person can have within the College community.
During the retreat, students had the privilege of spending time with Associate Professor Paul Kidson from Australian Catholic University. Through engaging conversations and practical challenges, students were encouraged to reflect on the kind of leaders they want to become. He challenged them to consider how leadership is expressed through everyday actions and relationships, while also helping them build the confidence to communicate their ideas with clarity and purpose.
One of the most valuable aspects of the retreat was simply having time together. Away from the busyness of school life, students were able to connect, share experiences and learn more about one another. As friendships grew and conversations deepened, so too did their understanding of what it means to lead as a team. It was encouraging to see students willing to listen, reflect and step outside their comfort zones as they prepared for the year ahead.
I would like to sincerely thank Mrs Miroula Elias for the incredible work she does with our student leadership team and for her involvement in this year's retreat. Her commitment to developing students and creating opportunities for growth and service is greatly appreciated, and the positive impact she has on our young leaders is evident in the growth of the team over such a short retreat.
The following reflection from College Prefect, Thalia R, provides a student perspective on the experience and some of the lessons she will take with her into her leadership journey.
The Leadership Retreat was a really enjoyable experience and a great way to get to know everyone better. Over the two days, we got to hear from a Guest Speaker about communication and presenting confidently.
One of the best parts of the retreat was how interactive it was. We played lots of card games and team activities that made it easy to connect with people and created a really positive, encouraging atmosphere. We also went on a bushwalk in Katoomba, which was a nice chance to get outdoors, chat with different people, and see all the beautiful sights.
A definite highlight was capturing so many fun moments from the retreat and talking with guest speakers that came. It was great to hear from the senior leadership team, who shared their experiences and advice about leadership and what to expect in the year ahead.
Overall, the retreat was a fun and valuable experience that gave us the opportunity to build friendships and get prepared for the year.
PAC's Got Talent
PAC's Got Talent
PAC's Got Talent was a wonderful showcase of the talent, creativity and confidence within our Secondary School. Students took to the stage with a variety of performances, including band items, dance routines and vocal performances, creating an enjoyable afternoon for both participants and the audience. The strong support for each House contributed to a positive atmosphere and highlighted the sense of community within the College.
While the performers were at the centre of the event, its success relied on the efforts of many students working behind the scenes. Thank you to the Year 11 and 12 Entertainment classes, the junior students who assisted backstage, and the Student Leadership Team of 2025-2026 for their planning, organisation and support throughout the process.
PAC's Got Talent continues to provide students with an opportunity to share their talents, challenge themselves and contribute to the life of the College. The hard work and commitment of everyone involved made the event an enjoyable and memorable occasion for all.
Congratulations to our placegetters:
🥇 Zoe C (Year 9)
🥈 Halle F and Abigail S (Year 10)
🥉 Juliette T (Year 11)
Faculty News
News from the Library
News from the Library
Book Fair 2026
Our sincerest thanks to everyone who attended Book Fair 2026 , supporting College library services through purchase of books, kits, stationary and other fun items.
We particularly thank everyone for their patience, modelling courtesy, understanding and kindness to the children with them. The library staff and amazing prefects assisting on the day were so appreciative of the consideration extended to us during our busiest periods.
Book Fair is a wonderful opportunity for us to engage with the wider College community and we love meeting everyone to share our love of reading.
At a broader level, the money raised allows us to add to our collections and continue to provide relevant, quality, varied reading choices for all our students.
Book Week – A Symphony of Stories
We will be celebrating Book Week shortly, with the CBCA announcing their Book of the Year Awards on Friday 21 August. Our library classes during Term 3 will focus on the shortlisted books as we reflect on how stories harmonise, each playing it’s own part. Visit the official website for more: https://cbca.org.au/childrens-book-week/
Sports
School Sport Australia Games
School Sport Australia Games
Congratulations to Klarissa G (Year 11) on her successful week at the School Sport Australia Games in Melbourne. Klarissa came home with two silvers in the 800m and 1,500m Freestyle and one bronze in the 400m Freestyle. A fitting close to the school swimming calendar – well done, Klarissa!
Parents & Friends Association
News from the P&F
News from the P&F
It’s almost Primary Disco time! Don’t miss out, the 2026 Glitter & Glam Primary Disco is on Friday, 14 August. Tickets are available to purchase via the Flexischools app now, just $10 per disco dancer. Last day for pre-purchase tickets is 12 August. Missed the ticket window? Don’t stress, you can buy a ticket on the night (cash & card payment options available). Wear your favourite bling, sparkles, sequins and anything that shines! Please leave your glow sticks at home. While the students dance the night away to the tunes by DJ Ellison of Ellison Mixes, we invite families to mingle and socialise in the Primary Assembly Area. Enjoy our live entertainment thanks to Ollie (the Tin Man) & Matt Johnson, feast on a sausage sizzle thanks to our Year 10 students in support of their charity the Pancare Foundation and grab a snack from the Parents & Friends snack station. Thank you to the many friends who have reached out to offer their support and volunteer on the night!
Our Parents & Friends Trivia Night event is live! Lock in the date, Saturday 29 August kicking off at 7:00pm in the College Exhibition Centre. Tickets are available to purchase via the Flexischools app now! Trivia Night is one 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)! Tickets are $38.00 per person including all you can eat freshly made pizza from The Pizza Boys, salads and soft drinks. Flying solo and looking to make new friends? Purchase an individual ticket select the year group your child is enrolled 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 the whole table. Competitors are invited to dress 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! Sponsorship opportunities are on offer for any business owners who would like to share their support for this event. The Parents & Friends are raising funds for improvements to the College outdoor spaces for all our children to enjoy, including sandstone blocks, tables and chairs, additional shaded space and more!
Thank you to all the volunteers who supported Grandparents Day last week. Our Primary friends were so grateful for your help preparing platters, setting up, serving and helping our grandparents navigate our College campus on the day. Have you been thinking about volunteering your support? We would love to hear from you! Did you know Grandparents are welcome to volunteer their support for our PAC Parents & Friends too? All volunteers must hold a WWCC issued by Service NSW ... they are FREE for volunteers go to https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-working-with-children-check ! Once you have your WWCC, volunteers need to complete the College Volunteer Induction training. Once you’ve completed your online training presentation check the boxes where you would like to share your support, don’t forget to check the “P&F Community Events”! We will add you to our email list and share the many Parents & Friends volunteer opportunities that arise over the year. You don’t need to volunteer every time, once would be amazing!
The Parents & Friends will hold our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday 21 September at 7:00pm in the College Staff Room. All positions are declared vacant on the night and open for nominations. If you’ve been thinking about jumping on board our incredible team of committee representatives, this is the night for you! No need to be afraid, there’s no pressure to sign your life away. It really does take a village to bring our Parents & Friends Association together and we would love for you to consider joining us. Reach out to us via email at [email protected] if you would like to know more.
Our next General Meeting is happening on Monday, 24 August at 7:00pm in the Staff Common Room. All are always welcome!
