From the Principal
Celebrating Our Teachers
Celebrating Our Teachers
Last Friday, we celebrated World Teachers’ Day at the College. The day began with a wonderful performance from our Choir during Devotions, where students serenaded staff in appreciation of their dedication and service. Throughout the day, teachers were also encouraged by heartfelt handwritten messages of thanks from students, along with morning tea and special treats generously provided by the P&F.
This year’s World Teachers’ Day theme, ‘You’re a Gem’, offered a fitting opportunity to recognise the remarkable contribution of our teaching staff. We are blessed with an exceptional team of educators who inspire, guide, and support our students every day, helping them grow academically, socially, and spiritually. Their commitment extends far beyond the classroom as they encourage young people to develop character, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.
In the evening, I had the privilege of attending the Teachers’ Guild of New South Wales Annual Dinner and Awards Presentation. These awards publicly acknowledge the extraordinary work teachers do every day and celebrate the excellence, innovation and commitment that define our profession in an increasingly complex world.
I am delighted to congratulate the following staff members who were recognised on the evening:
World Teachers’ Recognition Awards
Mrs Lorraine Jones – Primary Teacher
Mrs Sue Munce – Primary Teacher
Dr Christian Watson – Head of Performing Arts
Award for Primary Teachers in Their Early Years of Teaching
Miss Jessie Heath – Primary Teacher (Finalist)
We are incredibly proud of these staff members and grateful for the contribution they, along with all our teachers, make to the life of the College. Thank you to our wonderful teachers for the care, expertise, and dedication you bring to your work each day. Your impact on our students' lives is immeasurable.
Primary School
From the Head of Primary
From the Head of Primary
Supporting Children in a Changing Digital World
As a parent, I know that one of the challenges of raising children in today's world is keeping pace with the ever-changing digital landscape. Whether it is social media, online gaming, new apps, or emerging technologies, it can sometimes be difficult to know where to go for reliable information or to gain a deeper understanding of the online spaces our children are navigating. It can also be challenging to navigate the social pressures that often accompany technology, particularly when children feel that "everyone else" is using a particular platform, game, or device.
As children move into the upper primary years, we often see a growing confidence and desire for independence. This is a positive and important part of development. However, particularly in Years 5 and 6, students can sometimes feel they need to manage online challenges, peer conflict, or uncomfortable situations on their own. One of the most valuable messages we can reinforce, both at school and at home, is that seeking help is a sign of maturity and good judgement. Regular conversations about their online experiences, coupled with clear reassurance that they can come to a trusted adult without fear of getting into trouble, can make a significant difference.
For families seeking guidance, I encourage you to explore the resources available through the eSafety Commissioner website. The site provides practical, evidence-based advice on topics such as cyberbullying, social media, privacy, online safety, managing peer pressure, and digital wellbeing.
Families may also wish to revisit the Child Safe poster on page 5 of the Primary student diary, which reinforces an important message we regularly share with students: if you feel unsafe, uncomfortable, worried, or scared, tell a trusted adult. This applies just as much online as it does face-to-face. By working together to maintain open communication and encouraging children to seek support when something doesn't feel right, we can help them navigate the digital world with confidence, safety, and care.
Stage 3 IPSHA Debating Gala Day and IPSHA Speakers Challenge 2006
Stage 3 IPSHA Debating Gala Day and IPSHA Speakers Challenge 2006
Our Stage 3 students recently had the opportunity to put their communication skills into action through two exciting IPSHA events: the 2026 IPSHA Debating Gala Day and the IPSHA Speakers’ Challenge.
These events provide a wonderful opportunity for students to develop confidence, think critically and communicate their ideas clearly and persuasively. Whether working collaboratively as part of a debating team or stepping forward individually to address an audience, our students embraced the challenge with courage, enthusiasm and determination. Our two debating teams from Years 5 and 6 debated the topics, ‘Protecting nature is more important than building infrastructure’ and ‘Competition improves learning’.
The teams received excellent feedback and were successful in one debate, and narrowly missed out on a second win.
Our two representatives at the Speakers’ Challenge prepared speeches on the topic, The Ripple Effect, leading to thoughtful discussions of how our behaviours and words may have lasting impact and influence.
We are very proud of the way our students represented the College and congratulate all who participated. Experiences such as these help students discover the power of their voice and build skills that extend well beyond the classroom.
Celebrating Outstanding Fundraising Achievements
Celebrating Outstanding Fundraising Achievements
We are proud to recognise two students who have shown remarkable generosity, initiative and commitment in support of important causes. Through their fundraising efforts, Estelle K (Year 2) and Liam C (Year 3) have demonstrated how young people can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Earlier this year, Estelle took part in the Dance for Sick Kids initiative, raising funds for Ronald McDonald House to support families whose children are receiving medical care. Her dedication and generosity saw her recognised as the third-highest fundraiser in Australia, an outstanding achievement. During the school holidays, Estelle was invited to tour Ronald McDonald House Westmead and had the honour of adding her name to the Fundraiser Superstars Wall.
On 18 October, Liam completed his first-ever Triathlon Pink, finishing second in his age group. So far, he has raised an amazing $1,503 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, with donations remaining open until 15 November. Liam's fundraising efforts extended well beyond race day. He designed his own flyers in Canva and distributed them throughout his year group, to teachers and within his sporting communities to help spread the word. Taking real ownership of the project, Liam was determined to raise awareness and support breast cancer research.
Congratulations to both students on their outstanding achievements!
Secondary School
From the Head of Secondary
From the Head of Secondary
Welcome to Term 4: Effort, Grit, and the Power of Persistence
Welcome back, everyone! I hope you all had a fantastic break and are feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready for Term 4.
As the weather warms up, there is nothing quite like spending time by the water. Over the holidays, I was fortunate enough to spend time down in Gerringong enjoying the beautiful South Coast. While down there, I took the opportunity to get out for a surf. Now, to set the record straight: I am not a good surfer. In fact, calling my skills "poor" is probably generous! But I absolutely love paddling out and spending time in the ocean.
I’ve spent over 25 years—a quarter of a century—paddling around, remaining completely average at a sport I immensely enjoy. Yet I keep going back out there. Why? Because I love spending time with friends, being outdoors in nature, and challenging myself to learn something hard.
As a PE teacher, I like to think I’m decent at most sports, but surfing is one area where success has been hard-earned. I first learned to surf in Gerringong 25 years ago while serving as a leader on a Crusaders camp. It took a whole week of grueling hard work—paddling out before breakfast, after breakfast, and again after our afternoon siesta. Five solid days of total exhaustion. Bit by bit, I developed the skills to stand up.
I share this because it highlights a fundamental truth: we all have the ability to develop skills when we apply effort over time. Talent might not always come naturally, but through decades of effort, you can build skills that bring genuine joy and fulfillment.
The Mindset of Grit
Over the break, I was listening to a podcast about "Grit," a concept based on research by psychologist Angela Duckworth. She found that the most successful people—whether in sports, academics, or life—aren't necessarily those born with the most natural talent. Instead, they are the people who demonstrate passion and perseverance over a long period of time.
Duckworth highlights a key mindset behind grit: the deep belief that ongoing effort yields results. When you believe your effort changes your ability, you give yourself permission to keep trying, even when things get tough.
Right now, our Year 12 students are demonstrating that exact quality as they prepare to sit their final HSC exams. They have worked incredibly hard, persevering through their entire school journey to reach this point. We wish them all the best in these final steps.
What True Determination Looks Like
When thinking about perseverance, it's hard not to recall Derek Redmond at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. A genuine contender for a 400-meter medal, Redmond had spent years developing grit. Halfway through his race, however, he was struck by a severe hamstring injury.
Instead of giving up, Redmond showed unbelievable determination to pick himself up and limp toward the finish line. Even more inspiring was watching his father bypass security to run onto the track, supporting his son all the way across.
Grit isn't just about winning or having things go perfectly. It’s about standing back up when things fall apart, and it's about leaning on the support around you to get over the line.
Showing Up for One Another
In preparing this message, I searched online to see what people consider the hardest things they have ever done. Surprisingly, the answers weren't dominated by physical endurance or sporting feats. Instead, the most common challenge was navigating relationships—showing grit by caring for others during times of need and putting others before themselves.
As God's creation, we are built for relationship. Grit isn't just about studying for exams or trying to stand up on a surfboard; it is also about how we show up for each other when things get tough.
A Challenge for Term 4
As we embark on this final term of the year, consider these questions:
What is your "surfing" or your "400-meter race" this term?
Where can you show grit in your studies, in your personal goals, or in how you care for and support those around you?
Talent might give someone a head start, but grit is what carries you across the finish line. Let’s approach Term 4 with enthusiasm, support one another, and put in the effort to make it count!
Japan Tour
Japan Tour
During the holidays, a group of Secondary students, and four teachers, embarked on an unforgettable tour of Japan, immersing themselves in the country's rich culture, history and daily life while building lasting friendships and creating memories that will stay with them for years to come.
The journey began in Hiroshima, where students explored the city’s rich history and vibrant culture, visiting Hiroshima Castle, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome. They also enjoyed local cuisine, a visit to the Pokémon Centre, and a day on Miyajima Island, where they explored in small groups and tried their hand at making okonomiyaki.
From Hiroshima, the group travelled by Shinkansen to Kumamoto to spend time at our sister school, Kumamoto Marist College. A highlight of the tour, students joined their Japanese peers in classes and PE lessons, participated in a traditional tea ceremony, explored Kumamoto Castle and shared meaningful experiences with their Japanese buddies, who presented them with special gifts and certificates.
The adventure continued with visits to some of Japan’s most iconic locations, including the volcanic landscapes of Mount Aso, Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion and the bustling streets of Osaka. Along the way, students embraced every opportunity to experience Japanese culture firsthand, sampling a variety of traditional foods, from sushi and ramen to local favourites.
Beyond the sightseeing, the tour provided a valuable opportunity for students to learn alongside their peers, deepen their understanding of Japanese culture and build friendships that extended beyond language and distance. We thank our accompanying teachers for making this remarkable experience possible, and the staff and students of Kumamoto Marist College for their warm hospitality and generosity throughout the visit.
Archbishop's Commissioning Service
Archbishop's Commissioning Service
In week one of the term, our incoming 2027 Prefects joined student leaders from Anglican schools across Sydney and regional NSW at St Andrew's Cathedral. Accompanied by our Principal, Mrs Felicity Grima, and Head of Christian Ministry & Service, Mr Phil McMurray, our Prefects were commissioned by the Archbishop of Sydney, The Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel.
The service gave our Prefects an opportunity to reflect on the responsibility of leadership and what it means to put others first. As they prepare to lead the College in 2027, we pray they will approach their roles with humility, wisdom and compassion, using their influence to make a positive difference in our community.
Year 8 Poetry in Action
Year 8 Poetry in Action
On Friday 18 September, Year 8 students attended a Poetry in Action performance on the Power of Words as a primer for their Term 4 Rhetoric unit. Poetry in Action gave an engaging and educational performance that brought poetic techniques off the page and onto the stage, giving students a close look at the strength and impact of effective rhetoric.
Two Year 8 Students have provided thoughts on their experience.
Peehu S: The Poetry in Action performance was a very fun and entertaining experience that effectively combined theoretical learning with theatre. It was incredibly informative and memorable to watch, demonstrating the true power of words. Through an engaging and articulate drama performance, the actors conveyed important messages and brought poetry to life. My favourite quote from the show was of course - “No iron can stab the heart with such force as a full stop put just at the right place.” — Isaac Babel.
Talan B: The Poetry in Action incursion was a great experience. The performers made the poems funny and engaging as well as interacting with the audience in some parts of the show to make it feel like we were part of the performance. Their creativity throughout the show allowed for the poetic techniques they were expressing to be memorable and enjoyable. It was an entertaining way to learn about poetry, and I would highly recommend it to everyone.
Faculty News
2026 Art Exhibition
2026 Art Exhibition
Families are warmly invited to join us for the 2026 Years 3-11 Semester 2 Art Exhibition on 18 November from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. Showcasing a diverse collection of student artwork, the exhibition will be displayed across the Lower D Centre, Upper D Centre and Artroom E3 for Primary students, and the B Block Gallery for Secondary students. We encourage our community to come along and celebrate the creativity, talent and achievements of our students.
Sports
NSWPSSA Athletics Championships
NSWPSSA Athletics Championships
Congratulations to Kohl B (Year 4) and Jacob K (Year 5) who recently competed at the NSWPSSA Athletics Championships. Kohl placed 11th overall in the Junior Boys Discus, throwing a distance of 32.91m and Jacob placed 2nd overall in both the 11 Years Boys 1500m and 800m events. Jacob has now qualified to compete at Nationals at the end of November. Well Done Jacob, we will be cheering you on!
Parents & Friends Association
And just like that, Term 4 is upon us and we’re on the home straight! We hope all our families enjoyed an amazing term break with family and friends.
The Parents & Friends have been busy working with our Pre-K friends on a Picture Plate project. Our little Pre-K artists have been busy putting their fine motor skills to work to create a special keepsake for their families. Thank you to our incredible Pre K staff for supporting our students to bring their artwork to life. Picture Plates will be delivered in late Term 4, and we cannot wait to share them with you. This little initiative has helped raise $410 for our Pre K classrooms. Shout out to all our incredible Pre K families for supporting this little project and purchasing these beautiful mementos to treasure. All funds raised will be donated to the Pre K team to purchase teaching aides for our Pre-K classrooms.
We have also been busy working with our wonderful Kindergarten Team to create our 2026 Kindergarten Tote Bag. These tote bags include a hand drawn selfie of every teacher and student in each Kindergarten class, just like a yearbook, but printed on a tote bag! Last day for tote bag orders is 29 October. Orders can be placed following this link https://events.humanitix.com/2026-kindergarten-tote-bag-keepsake Check out this super cute keepsake and don’t miss out placing your order! Tote bags will be delivered in late Term4, just in time for Christmas!
In support of the College's Year 12 Study Lounge the Parents & Friends shared our “P&F Pantry” of snacks with our Year 12 friends once more. We set up a grab and go style snack trolley and shared a selection of soft drinks and juices for all our Year 12 students to refuel and rehydrate in the Study Lounge during the term break. We also shared cookies of encouragement with our Year 12 students as they exited their first HSC exam of the year. Reminding students to “Believe you can and you’re halfway there” - Theodore Roosevelt.
The Parents & Friends are excited to share details of our new fundraiser partnering with Stuck On You! The Parents & Friends will receive 15% of all eligible sales when you shop all your back-to-school needs at Stuck on You https://www.stuckonyou.com/au/ Simply enter the code PENRITHANGLICANCOLLEGE at the checkout!
What’s on Term 4 for our volunteer friends? We have volunteer opportunities to support the many College Orientation Days in November and Christmas Chapel in December. Keep an eye on your inbox for more details …