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  • The Vine 2025 - Vol 1 - 7 February
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In This Issue

From the Principal

  • Staffing Updates
  • Mobile Phones
  • Travelling on Buses
  • Uniforms
  • Address Collection
  • Prayer and Praise

Primary School

  • From the Head of Primary
  • Sport

Secondary School

  • From the Head of Secondary

Community Notices

  • From Parents and Friends

Other

  • Performing Arts Opportunities at PAC

From the Principal

From the Principal

From the Principal

Mrs Felicity Grima - Principal

Orchard Hills is alive with the sounds of a new school year at Penrith Anglican College commencing. It has been wonderful to have students back on campus after a long break, hear stories of their holiday adventures and be amazed by how much they have grown. Our College is growing and we commence this year with over 1,300 students across P-12 and I would particularly like to welcome new families. You are joining a wonderful community, and I know you will settle in quickly and be made to feel welcome.

This week, along with Visual Arts staff, I had the pleasure of joining Ava Kobus and her family at the opening of ARTEXPRESS at the Art Gallery of NSW. Ava’s artwork, ‘Family folklore: tales of earth, sea and fire’ was selected as part of the ARTEXPRESS 2025 Exhibition and will be on display until 27 April. Congratulations once again to Ava on an outstanding achievement. https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/art/insideartexpress/2025/ava-nguyen-kobus/

Master Planning Newsletter

You will have seen the building happening around the campus. We will have a Master Planning Newsletter out next week to share with you our great progress.

Staffing Updates

Staffing Updates

As we reported at the end of last year, we have implemented a new organisational structure this year to ensure the continued support of students, staff and families in a growing school environment.

College Leaders

Executive Staff

Mr Jon Rheinberger                      

Deputy Principal (commencing in a few weeks)

Mrs Melinda Richardson         

Head of Primary

Mr Tony Kelshaw                             

Head of Secondary

Mr Rodney Cosier                          

Head of Administration & Finance

Mr Phil McMurray                           

Head of Christian Ministry & Service

Primary Leadership

Mrs Lynette Karp                            

Director of Students (P-6)

Mrs Bronwen Knebel                  

Director of Studies (P-6)

Mrs Melinda Lucas                       

Early Stage 1 Leader

Mrs Carmen Etherington        

Stage 1 Leader

Miss Amanda Fowler                  

Stage 2 Leader

Mr Scott Bell                                      

Stage 3 Leader

Secondary Leadership         

Mr Sam Jackson                              

Director of Studies (7-12)

Mr Mark Gee                                       

Director of Students (7-12)

Head of Faculty

Miss Lauren Kenny                       

English

Mrs Nimmi Martin                         

Mathematics

Mr Stephen Mathews                 

Science

Mr Al McCallum                              

HSIE

Mr Darryl Kelshaw                         

PDHPE

Mrs Di Catto                                       

Technologies

Mr Steve Lewis                                 

Creative Arts

Miss Debra Anderson                

Languages (LOTE)

Mr Christian Watson                   

Performing Arts

Mr David Jenkins                            

Christian Studies

Mrs Angela Weaver                      

Learning Support

Mr Chris hall                                       

Sports (P-6)

Mrs Amanda Houison                

Sports (7-12)  

Assistant Head of Faculty

Mrs Justine Gorman                    

English

Mrs Renata Lackey                       

HSIE

Mrs Emily de Sousa                     

Performing Arts

Head of House

Mr David Andison                          

Cranmer

Ms Angela Streeter                       

Latimer

Mr Ben Andison                               

Ridley

Mr Anil Thomas                               

Ryle

Assistant Head of House

Mrs Katie Dunn                                

Cranmer

Mr David Chen                                 

Latimer

Miss Hannah Ramsay                

Ridley

Mr Issac Bingham                          

Ryle

College Leaders

Mrs Liz Errington                             

Director of Teaching & Learning Innovation (P-12)

Mr Ben Ryan                                        

Director of Operations (P-12) 

Resignation

During the holidays, Mr Andrew Cox resigned from his role as an English Teacher at the College. We thank Mr Cox for over 7 years of service to the College.

Mobile Phones

Mobile Phones

Students cannot use their phones from the hours of 8:30am until 3:24pm. The exception to this is for the first 5 minutes of recess and lunch. This change is due to the change in break times as outlined above. This will allow students to check their timetable, room changes, any important messages or contact home. Of course, we know at times phones can be used for learning activities and this will be communicated by the teacher for specific tasks. Outside of these times we ask that students keep their devices away.

Phones used outside of the appropriate windows will be confiscated for the remainder of the day and parents contacted if there is a second or third offence in any term.

Travelling on Buses

Travelling on Buses

Many of our students use Public Transport to travel to and from school.

• Students require an Opal Card and must Tap On and Tap Off, this is required so the bus company knows who has travelled on our services.

• Students are required to wear their College uniform when on public transport and our same expectations apply as if they were on site.

• The same behaviour expectations apply for students when travelling to and from the College.

Uniforms

Uniforms

College uniform requirements can be found at: https://www.penrith.nsw.edu.au/enrol/uniforms/ In 2025 the Uniform Shop is during term time at the following times:

Monday CLOSED

Tuesday 8:00am - 12:00pm

Wednesday 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Thursday 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Friday 8:00am - 12:00pm

The Uniform Shop is in Block M next door to Theircare. Block M are the demountable buildings directly behind Block L and can be accessed via the service road. Please note there is very limited parking adjacent to the Uniform shop and this is ONLY to be used when visiting the Uniform shop.

During 2025 & 2026 the College will be transitioning to a black sock with red and white bands for male and female students. The same sock will be worn with the dress and sports uniform. 

Address Collection

Address Collection

Collection notice for parents/guardians. Download here

Prayer and Praise

Prayer and Praise

Praise God for:

The safe return of students and staff to the College for 2025.
For the opportunities to empower learners and for them to know and follow Jesus.
The number of new families that are now part of our College community.

Please pray for:

Those who are new or finding the transition to the College challenging.
Wisdom, insight and generosity towards one another as growth brings change.
Members of our College community who are facing challenging health and situational issues that require kindness and support.

Primary School

From the Head of Primary

From the Head of Primary

Mrs Melinda Richardson - Head of Primary

Welcome back!

I know I likely said this last year, but it's true - our College is not complete until we have our students back onsite. It has been really wonderful to visit classrooms this week and see our students reconnecting with their peers, learning about their new teachers and expectations, and thinking about the year ahead. It has been a very settled start and I commend all learners for their commitment. I hope that this is continued through the school year.

We have two events approaching quickly, for you as parents to connect as we commence 2025. 

  • Our Primary Information Evening next Wednesday is an opportunity for families to hear about the expectations for the new grades children enter. There are two grade sessions running, to help families choose a time that works best for them - Session 1 (5pm - 5:30pm) and Session 2 (6:30pm - 7:00pm). In between these sessions is a general information session, that will be of benefit particularly for new families, but also a good reminder for all. This will commence at 5:45pm. All sessions will take place up in our Performing Arts Precinct. Please note that these sessions are a presentation of information collective for all families, and there is not an opportunity for conversations about individual students at this time. 
  • Our Meet the Teacher Evening (Tuesday 18 February, W3) is the opportunity for parents to meet with their child's teacher, to share goals for the new year. Families will be asked to complete a questionnaire prior to the evening, to help set a clear agenda for discussion. This will be sent early next week and your support in completing this promptly is greatly appreciated. All interviews will take place in G Block, closer to the back of the College.

Whilst it seems quite far off we know time has a way of creeping up on us, please ensure that you note the date of our Easter Hat Parade / Cross Country - Wednesday 9 April (Week 10). We acknowledge that time off work can be tricky to navigate, but this is certainly a highlight for Term 1 that we would love for you to be a part of.

Sport

Sport

Auskick program

The Advanced Football (Soccer) Pathway Program Trials

The College is pleased to offer the Before and After School Football (Soccer) Programs for our Primary students again in 2025. 

The trials for the Advanced Pathway Program (3-6) will be Tuesday 11th February and Wednesday 12th February, 2025 before school from 7am to 8am on the College Oval. Students wishing to trial for this program will wear sports uniform for the day and bring the required equipment along to the trial (shin pads, boots, drink bottle).

Students can trial for the following teams:

Tuesday 11th February

Junior Boys (Year 3 and 4)

Junior Girls (Year 3 and 4)

Wednesday 12th February

Senior Boys (Year 5 and 6)

Senior Girls (Year 5 and 6)

The Advanced Pathway Program is a selective and dedicated program that enables both boys and girls to represent the College at a higher level. This year we are looking at providing the following opportunities for those selected in the program.

CASA Primary Football Gala Day (Year 5 and 6)

Wanderers School Cup (Year 5 and 6)

Futsal Schools Championships (Year 3 and 4, Year 5 and 6)

Nepean Shield Gala Days- Term 2 and 3 (Year 3 and 4, Year 5 and 6)

Students who are successful in gaining selection into the Advanced Pathway Program will be notified after the trials. This selection process will be done under the guidance of the coaches and Football Director Sonny Makko. 

All programs (Advanced-Before school and Development-After school) will commence in Week 3 (Tuesday 18th February).

A separate email will be sent to register for both the Advanced and Development Programs.

The proposed timetable for the program can be seen below.

Time

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Morning
7:00am-8:00am

Advanced Program  SNR Boys and Girls

Advanced Program

JNR Boys and Girls

Afternoon

3:30pm- 4:30pm

PRE – K Development Program

Year 1 and 2 Development Program

Year 3-6 Development Program

Secondary School

From the Head of Secondary

From the Head of Secondary

Mr Anthony Kelshaw - Head of Secondary

The first week of school is always a significant moment. It's a joy to watch new students being welcomed into our community, see friends reconnecting, and admire how sharp everyone looks in their uniforms. These seemingly small moments serve as powerful reminders of who we are—a school focused on bringing people together to learn and grow.
This week, I've been impressed with how students have begun the year. For Years 7, 11, and 12, their journey started on Monday, and they’ve quickly adapted, settling into their classes and engaging with their learning. Our Year 7s have also spent some time this week reflecting on the values of our College and our Learning Culture. By the end of this week, I hope they have a clearer sense of who we are and what we stand for. I’ve also been heartened by the way our senior students have stepped up as role models for the younger year groups, showing they are ready to lead and help shape our school’s culture.
On Tuesday, we were joined by Years 8-10.
The first few weeks back in 2025 are a busy period for our College, starting with the Secondary Swimming Carnival, Year 7 Information Evening, Year 7 CEP Camp, Year 11 Information Evening and Year 11 CEP Camp, Prefect Commissioning Assembly, and finally, our 2024 Alumni Thanksgiving Service at the start of Week 3. These are the first of many events that will highlight how we are more than just a school—we are a thriving community.
I hope the first week has been a positive experience for all of our students!
Setting up good habits and learning routines at the start of the year will serve students well. Having a conversation with your young person about how they want to approach the start of the year and what they want to achieve across a year’s worth of learning will be helpful. I will often point parents and students to the work of Andrew Fuller (Educational Psychologist). He has provided a series of clear and helpful fact sheets that focus on important aspects of student and educational issues. His fact sheet entitled Set Yourself Up for a Great Year outlines 12 things that might spark a conversation in your home about starting the year well.
  • Make friends with everyone you know
  • Acknowledge your inner genius
  • Know that geniuses make mistakes
  • Liven up your life and get enough sleep
  • Be healthy – eat breakfast
  • Do the most important things first
  • Use your time well
  • From little things, big things grow
  • Focus and immerse yourself
  • Don’t try to predict the future
  • Be curious
  • Play more
  • Decide to be happy
I encourage families of both big and little learners to make this a priority over the next few weeks.
In the secondary school, we have a focus on the little things, as they matter greatly. Uniform is one of these little things. The College has a standard that has been clearly articulated to parents and students. Teachers greatly appreciate your support in these matters. When students are in the correct uniform, it means that conversations are focused on student wellbeing and learning rather than uniform infractions and maintaining a community standard. Parents have a significant role in this. Please partner with us by checking your child's uniform before they leave home or get out of the car. This enables teachers to focus solely on conversations that support student learning and wellbeing. 
Another little thing we are focused on is requiring students to say “Good morning,” “Thank you,” “Sorry,” and “Please.” As a community, when we can respectfully engage with each other, it changes the tone and climate of our interactions. Modelling this in your family by engaging with your teens in a similar way and not letting them get away with a grunt or an eye roll sets them up well for interactions outside the home. It is hard to hold this line in the midst of busy lives, but these small things are a mark of our respect and care for others and support students in positively engaging with people regardless of where life takes them.
I hope that the start of the year has been smooth for your family. Your child's teachers will be reaching out via email over the next few weeks to introduce themselves. If there are ways that we can support the transition back to school, please reach out to your child's mentor teacher for broader pastoral issues or their classroom teacher for subject-specific concerns.

Community Notices

From Parents and Friends

From Parents and Friends

Meet and Greet. 10 February. More information here.

Other

Performing Arts Opportunities at PAC

Performing Arts Opportunities at PAC

Welcome back to our students and families! We look forward to seeing all students in music ensembles from Week 2. For new families to the college, there is a wide range of co-curricular opportunities to take advantage of in Performing Arts, including the following. For more information, please see the college website or contact [email protected]

Music Ensembles​

Concert Bands

  • Primary Band – Thurs 7:30am
  • Intermediate Band – Tues 7:30am
  • Senior Band – Thurs 3:30 - 5:00pm
  • String Ensemble​ – Thurs 3:30 - 4:30pm

Choirs

  • Quaver Crew Year 1-2 – Thurs lunch
  • Crotch Crew Year 3-6 – Tues lunch
  • Senior Choir Year 7-12 – Wed 7:30am

Signup via the school website in the Learn > Secondary > Co-curricular Section​

Individual Music Lessons with Music Tutors​

  • Conveniently occurring during the school day, with some before and after school times also available​
  • Students can learn - Piano, Voice, Violin, Cello, Guitar, Electric Bass, Drums/Percussion, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, and Low Brass (Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba etc.).​
  • Signup via the school website in the Learn > Secondary > Co-curricular Section​

Musical Theatre​

  • Every two years the College stages a musical (next in 2026)​
  • This involves acting, singing, and dancing, or playing and instrument in the orchestra or band​ and is a wonderful way to become more involved in college life.

Drama Club​

  • This takes place on Tuesdays during the Tuesday Afternoon Activities (TAA) time. There may also be other times this club runs in 2025 (TBC).​

Dance Troupe​

  • This also takes place on Tuesdays during the Tuesday Afternoon Activities (TAA) time.

We look forward to recommencing these activities and wish everyone all the best for 2025. For parents interested in the benefits of music tuition and involvement in music ensembles, music education enhances all learning areas by developing areas of our brain like no other activity does. Watch this video if you are interested in learning more.

Dr Christian Watson
Head of Performing Arts

Penrith Anglican College

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