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The Vine - Pronto Marketing
The Vine
A fortnightly newsletter for Penrith Anglican College families                                                      To Serve Christ

Tuesday 23 March 2021                                                                                              Issue No 4, 2021

                                            Creating Canopies Project at Penrith Anglican College

                                            As part of our current Strategic Plan, we are committed to seeking to be a leading
                                            organisation distinguished by innovative and sustainable practices and facilities.
                                            As part of this commitment, we have begun to partner with Landcare and will
                                            commence a planting project in Term 2.

                                            This project is significant for several reasons:

                                               1. Our College is located immediately adjacent to the largest remaining remnant
                                                  of critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland (on the Defence Base at
                                                  Orchard Hills). This bushland has become an offset to the vegetation losses
                                                  at the site of the Western Sydney Airport. Tree planting along the southern
    Principal’s Message                           boundary of Penrith Anglican College will extend habitat for birds, provide
                                                  natural shade and a cooling effect, provide foraging for endangered migratory
                                                  species, including Swift Parrots, Grey-headed flying-foxes and Woodland
                                                  Birds.

                                               2. Our College is now located in what is referred to by the NSW Government as
                                                  a Strategic Growth Area (specifically the Greater Penrith to Eastern Creek
                                                  Growth Area). As such, we anticipate massive biodiversity losses within the
                                                  suburb of Orchard Hills in the coming decade as the suburb transitions from
                                                  ‘rural residential’ to an urban area with new commuter railway connections
                                                  and a new north-south freeway (M9).

       "Know therefore that the                3. It will also serve as a learning resource for students. It will offer various data
                                                  collection and investigative opportunities for many subjects, including
      Lord your God is God; he                    photography, humanities sciences, and technologies subjects.
     is the faithful God, keeping
       his covenant of love to a               4. There is growing evidence of humans' need to connect with nature and the
                                                  mental health benefits of that connection. This planting project will create a
       thousand generations of                    corridor or ‘nature trail’ that will provide a way for students who do not have
       those who love him and                     access to green spaces to embrace nature's nurturing.
      keep his commandments."
                                            We look forward to working in partnership with Landcare as we build our local
          Deuteronomy 7:9                   biodiversity and provide our students with an opportunity to support the vanishing
                                            plants and animals of the Cumberland Plain.

                                            Staffing Announcements

                                            Farewells
                                            At the end of Term 1, we will farewell Mrs Melanie Franciscus as Head of Learning
                                            Support P-12. Mrs Franciscus has accepted the role of Manager of Youth Off
                                            the Streets at Craig Davis College, Wollongong. Mrs Franciscus has done an
                                            exceptional job leading the Learning Support department over the past two years,
                                            and she will be missed by staff and students alike.

                                                                                                                            Cont'd...
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Staffing Announcements
                                   Appointments
                                   Mrs Bronwen Knebel has been appointed as a Year 3 teacher. Mrs Knebel has
                                   over 20 years of teaching experience, most recently as the Leader of Curriculum
                                   and Pedagogy at Blue Mountains Grammar School.
         In This Issue
                                   Mrs Manuela de Almeida has been appointed as the Year 5 Teacher replacing Mrs
                                   Smith during her maternity leave. Mrs de Almeida has over 30 years of teaching
       Principal’s Message         experience, most recently at St Justin’s Catholic School, Oran Park.

    End of Term Arrangements
                                   P&F Meeting
        Student Wellbeing
                                   The P&F Meeting will be meeting on Wednesday 31 March at 7.30pm. We look
                                   forward to welcoming many parents to the meeting, irrespective of how long you
        College Chaplain           have been part of our community. Items for discussion will be events in 2021,
                                   including the Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls and the Primary Disco and other
         Library Services          possible activities. New ideas are welcomed!

                                   Mrs Felicity Grima
         Performing Arts
                                   Principal

         Performing Arts

 Secondary School Happenings

    Primary School Highlights

        Compassion Child

        Prayer and Praise

         March Calendar

          NAPLAN 2021

      Clean Up Australia Day

           Laps for Life

           Code Camp

P& F Community Business Register

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
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End of Term Arrangements

                                        College Easter Chapel and End of Term Arrangements
                                                          Thursday April 1

                  Dear Families

                  Easter Chapel
                  Our Easter Chapel will be taking place next Thursday, April 1 in the College Gym. Unfortunately, we
                  are not in a position to invite parents to this event. We do intend to provide a recording of the service
                  and share this online later in the day. All students in Kindergarten to Year 12 will be attending the
                  service as we celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ.

                  The Chapel will commence at 12 noon and will conclude by 12:45pm.

                  College Dismissal Arrangements after Easter Chapel
                  Dismissal time for all students on Thursday April 1 is 1:00pm at the conclusion of our Easter Chapel
                  service. Instructions for students signing out are noted below and must be followed.

                  Please note: Parents/Carers who have asked for friends or family members to collect their child/ren
                  must provide sign-out staff with a signed and dated letter confirming the arrangements. Students will
                  not be released into the care of others without specific permission from their Parent/Carer.

                  Pre-K and Primary
                  Students can be picked up from their classrooms from 12:55pm until 1:15pm. Parents/carers must
                  sign their children out on the sign-out sheet provided by the teacher in their classroom.

                  After 1:15pm any Primary student can be collected from the Primary School Assembly Area where the
                  sign-out sheets will be placed on House tables. Pre-K students will remain in their classrooms for any
                  signing out.

                  Secondary School
                  Students can be picked up by their Parent/Carer from the Primary Assembly Area from 1:00pm until
                  1:30pm. All Parents/Carers must sign their child out at their House table.

                  Any Secondary student with driving approval must sign themselves out from their House table before
                  leaving to their cars.

                  After 1:30pm, any student (Pre-K- 12) must be signed out via Reception and receive the usual sign-
                  out slip.

                  Supervision
                  Students remaining at the College will be supervised in the following locations until the end of the
                  normal school day. Buses and after school care will operate as normal.

                  Pre-K: Pre-K rooms
                  Primary: C Centre
                  Secondary: E Centre

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School Holidays
                  Thursday April 1 is the final day of Term 1. The College will remain open during the holiday break,
                  except for Public Holidays, from 9am to 3pm. Term 2 commences on Tuesday April 20 for all
                  students.

                  Summer/Winter Uniform Change Over
                  A reminder that the official change over from summer to winter uniform will be from the Monday after
                  Mother’s Day (May 10). It will be acceptable for students to wear either full summer or full winter
                  uniform (not a combination) in Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 2.

                  Enjoy the holiday break and please contact the College if you have any questions.

                  Yours sincerely

                  Mrs Luby Mansell                                         Mr Leighton Corr
                  Deputy Principal (Primary)                               Deputy Principal (Secondary)
                  l.mansell@pac.nsw.edu.au                                 l.corr@pac.nsw.edu.au

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
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Harmony Week

                              When harmony occurs, the different            In Mentor Groups we not only
                              components work together to create            considered what Harmony Week
                              a thing of beauty, a sound where              represents but also how we can be
                              each complements the other and                showing respect in our community.
                              together a richer product is created.         Students considered the impact of
                              However, when the opposite occurs,            racism and how they could react
                              a disharmonious result occurs. The            in challenging situations to show
                              different components are in competition       initiative and care for others. During the
    Message from the          with each other, they do not complement       tournament challenge, Mentor Groups
                              each other, instead they clash and work       had the opportunity of learning the
       Director of            against each other.                           richness different cultures bring in the
                                                                            areas of cuisine and festivals.
    Student Wellbeing         In our community, we are eager to work
                              in harmony, to respect and complement         Harmony Week is an opportunity for us
                              each other and appreciate the diversity       to celebrate and appreciate our
                              amongst us. Harmony Week celebrates           diversity, valuing all so to strengthen
                              Australia’s cultural diversity. It is about   harmony within our community. We
                              inclusiveness, respect and a sense of         should always be practising inclusivity,
                              belonging for everyone. Our society is        always showing respect, and always
                              rich and diverse with a broad range of        valuing the diversity of cultures within
                              cultures, and with every passing year         our community.
                              we grow richer as more people settle in
                              this country, set up business, contribute     Miss Adele Crane
                              to society and have their own families.       Director of Student Wellbeing

                              This week in the Secondary School
                              we have been learning more about
                              Harmony Week. It is a week to celebrate
                              Australian multiculturalism, based on the
                              successful integration of migrants into
                              our community. It is an opportunity for all
                              Australians to embrace cultural diversity
                              and to share what we have in common.
                              It is about inclusiveness, respect and
                              belonging for all Australians, regardless
                              of cultural or linguistic background.

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
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Dear Primary Families

                                The College is excited to be able to         Our College timetable has changed
                                welcome you back onto our grounds in         since you were last able to visit us,
                                various ways with the recent easing of       so please note that Chapel begins
                                COVID restrictions.                          at 10:00am promptly, with students
                                                                             beginning to arrive from 9:53am.
                                One of the ways we are able to join          Please plan to be at the College and
                                together again as a community is for         signed in by 9:53 to assist with settling
                                our regular Chapel service. As you           students and starting Chapel on time.
                                may know our students are integrally
                                involved in the presentation and             As you arrive at the College please
                                delivery of our Chapel services and          proceed directly to the Lighthouse
    Message from the            parents/carers have always been              Theatre. At the theatre foyer we will ask
                                welcome to attend and watch their            that you sign-in before heading into the
    College Chaplain            children participate. Starting this Friday   theatre for Chapel. Please aim to have
                                12 March we will be able to welcome          this done by 9:53am. We ask all visitors
                                you again to Friday Chapels after a          to sit in the Mezzanine seating via the
                                long 12 month interruption!                  stairs immediately to your right when
                                                                             entering the foyer.
                                For the foreseeable future this means
                                that each student involved in the            We look forward to seeing you at
                                running of Chapel will be allowed a          Chapel.
                                maximum of 2 audience members to
                                attend the service.                          In Christ.

                                                                             Mr David Janzen
                                                                             College Chaplain

        ROCK Camp 2021        We’re so excited to let you know that after a short hiatus for 2020, ROCK Camp is
                              BACK!!

                              It was such a shame we weren’t able to get away together last year but completely
                              understandable considering the circumstances. One of the highlights of the school
                              year is definitely ROCK Camp and we’re looking forward to relaunching this year’s
                              camp in a fantastic way.

                              Mr. Janzen is joining us for the first time and there’ll be plenty of new and old
                              faces coming along so let’s make it our best ROCK Camp yet!

                              We’ll be staying at Youthworks’ site, Blue Gum Lodge, in Springwood from
                              Friday May 28 to Sunday May 30.

                              The theme of the weekend will be ‘from tree to tree’ as Mr. Janzen shares with us
                              about God’s place in a broken world.

                              Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/UFWO

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
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Library Services

                                              Author Visits 2021
                              We are delighted to be able to welcome two wonderful
                              authors to Penrith Anglican College over the next two
                              weeks, to speak to our Pre K - Year 6 students about
                                their books, story writing and the love of reading.

                               Tristan Bancks joined us virtually this week to share
                              his love of stories, and inspire our Year 3-6 students to
                                             start writing their own book!

                                Lesley Gibbes will be at the College in person on
                              Wednesday 24 March* to speak to Pre K - Year 2 about
                                           her books for younger readers.

                                       We are delighted to have these two
                                     Australian authors sharing their creativity
                                              and inspiration with us.

                                       *Event postponed due to floods in the
                                                  Nepean area.

                                                               Book Reviews and Requests
                                        When they've read something amazing, students can leave us a book review in
                                        Oliver, our library catalogue.

                                        While logged in to the catalogue they can leave a review via their profile at the
                                        top of the home page.

                                        We also welcome suggestions for new titles readers think would be a great
                                        addition to the library.

                                                                      Travel The Globe
                                        While we cannot travel outside Australia, we can access high quality
                                        information via the world's best libraries and their digital collections.

                                        Explore maps, digitised manuscripts, sounds online, British newspapers and
                                        many other electronic resources at the British Library.

                                        Got Hamilton fever like the rest of Sydney?
                                        Check out the Alexander Hamilton Papers, plus vast digitised resources on
                                        American history and culture at the US Library of Congress

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
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Performing Arts

                                                Dear Seussical Cast Members and
                                                Families

                                        Thank you for your understanding and                        We will commence work on a new
                                        patience over the past 12 months as                         musical production during Term 4 this
                                        we have responded to the restrictions                       year for 2022, and we look forward to
                                        and requirements for schools to keep                        sharing information about this in the
          Dear Seussical Cast Members   ourand    Families safe. I know it has been
                                              community                                             months ahead.
                                        challenging and frustrating; however,
          Thank you for your understanding and patience over the past 12 months as we have responded to the
          restrictions and requirements your   co-operation
                                          for schools    to keepandour support
                                                                         community  have
                                                                                       safe. I knowOur    work
                                                                                                     it has  beenin challenging
                                                                                                                     the Performing Arts will
          and frustrating; however, yourbeen    sincerely
                                           cooperation     andappreciated.
                                                                 support have been sincerely continue,
                                                                                                    appreciated. and students will have the
                                                                                                    opportunity to be part of Primary
          As you know, we made the difficult
                                        As youdecision
                                                   know, we  to postpone
                                                                 made the    our 2020 musical production
                                                                               difficult            Performing  of Seussical.
                                                                                                                    Arts concerts, HICES 7-12
  Message Wefrom
               have nowthehad to make yet   another    hard  decision    to cancel
                                        decision to postpone our 2020 musical        the  production  altogether.
                                                                                                    Music Festivals,Our HSC Showcase, and
          preparations for a College musical would have usually commenced in Term 4, 2020 and continued
Head of Performing         Arts at theproduction
          until the performances
                                                        of Seussical. We have now                   Drama Performances including a Year
                                          end of Term 2, 2021. The Government restrictions in relation to singing,
                                        had   to   make    yet  another     hard   decision
          space requirements and spacing have meant it has not been possible for rehearsals         11 Production.
                                                                                                              to proceed Weinare hopeful, subject
          time for the production to beto   cancel
                                         ready        the production altogether.
                                                 in June.                                           to regulations, to hold a Community
                                        Our preparations for a College musical                      Carols By Candlelight evening at the
          This is a decision we have not   madehave
                                        would       easily  or lightly
                                                         usually        as we know in
                                                                    commenced          that musicalsendareofan  excellent
                                                                                                             Term     4. We also look forward to
          opportunity to celebrate the Arts
                                        Termat4, the  College.
                                                    2020    and We     understand
                                                                  continued      untilthis
                                                                                        theis incredibly
                                                                                                    some disappointing
                                                                                                            new projects  andfor 2021, which will
          frustrating for our students as well as our Performing Arts staff.
                                        performances at the end of Term 2,                          be announced shortly. A full list of co-
                                        2021.    The    Government         restrictions
          We will commence work on a new musical production during Term 4 this year        in       curricular
                                                                                                      for 2022, groups     is set below.
                                                                                                                  and we look
          forward to sharing informationrelation    to singing,
                                           about this              spaceahead.
                                                        in the months        requirements
                                        and spacing have meant it has not been Please feel free to contact me if you
                                        possible
          Our work in the Performing Arts            for rehearsals
                                              will continue,              to proceed
                                                               and students     will haveinthe opportunity
                                                                                                    would liketo bemore
                                                                                                                     part information
                                                                                                                          of          about the
          Primary Performing Arts concerts,
                                        time forHICES     7-12 Music Festivals,
                                                    the production        to be ready HSC in Showcase,    and Dramaavailable.
                                                                                                    opportunities
          Performances including a Year June.11 Production. We are hopeful, subject to regulations, to hold a
          Community Carols By Candlelight evening at the end of Term 4. We also look forward to some new
          projects for 2021, which will be announced shortly. A full list of co-curricular groups   Mr StevehasClark
                                                                                                                  also been
          attached to this letter.      This is a decision we have not made                         Head of Performing Arts
                                        easily or lightly as we know that
          Please feel free to contact Mrmusicals      are an
                                           Steve Clark,    Head excellent    opportunity
                                                                   of Performing     Arts, if you would like more
          information about the opportunities     available.
                                        to celebrate      the Arts at the College.
                                        We understand this is incredibly
          Mrs Felicity Grima
                                        disappointing and frustrating
                                                                  Mr Steve Clark
                                                                                 for our
          Principal                     students     as  well   as  our    Performing
                                                                  Head of Performing      Arts
                                                                                             Arts
                                        staff.

                   Current Performing Arts Co-Curricular Opportunities

              GROUP                        TARGET                DAY            TIME            ORGANISER        VENUE
              Dance Ensemble               Year 7-12 audition    Tuesday        7.15-8.30am     Miss Doust       Dance Studio
              Quaver Crew (choir)          Year 2-3              Tuesday        Lunch           Mrs Foreman      Recital Room
              Chapel Band                  Year 7-12 audition    Tuesday        3.25-4.45pm     Mrs Samuels      Music 1 / LHT
              Development Band             Year 4-6              Wednesday      7.30-8.25am     Mr Thurlow       TLC
              Intermediate Band            Year 5-8 audition     Thursday       3.45-5pm        Mr Thurlow       Music 2
              Crotchet Crew (choir)        Year 4-6              Thursday       Lunch           Mrs Foreman      TLC
              Year 7 Drama Ensemble        Year 7                Thursday       Lunch           Mrs De Sousa     Drama 2
              Year 8 Drama Ensemble        Year 8                Thursday       Lunch           Miss Tucker      Drama 1
              Intermediate Strings         Year 6-9              Thursday       Lunch           Bray             Music 2
              Development Strings          Year 4-6              Thursday       Lunch           Brown            Music 1
              Senior Choir                 Year 7-12             Friday         Lunch           Mrs Samuels      TLC
              Senior Strings               Year 7-12 audition    Friday         Lunch           Mr Clark         Music 2
              Senior Band                  Year 7-12 audition    Friday         3.30-5pm        Mr Clark         TLC

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
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Secondary School Happenings

                                        As we enter the final few weeks of          I would also like to take this opportunity
                                        Term, I have been impressed with how        to note that the end of Term will be
                                        our students have been able to adapt        coming shortly and there is an early
                                        to change. We implemented a lot of          departure for students on the Thursday.
                                        change for 2021 including the timing
                                        of the day, our phone policy and other      Thank you for your patience and
                                        structures that looked different. There     understanding this week as we have
                                        is no surprise, especially in light of      changed plans and sought to promote
                                        2020 and even the last few weeks,           everyone’s safety and wellbeing.
                                        students need to learn how to adjust to
                                        change and adapt regularly. I commend       May you all have a good Easter break
                                        our students for the way they have          and have a chance to reflect on the
                                        done this and hope it continues in the      death and resurrection of our Saviour.
    Message from the                    dynamic season that we are facing.
                                                                                    Mr Leighton Corr
    Deputy Principal                    Our staff too have demonstrated a           Deputy Principal (Secondary)
      (Secondary)                       willingness and ability to adapt in their
                                        teaching. It was simply an email this
                                        week noting we would be moving to
                                        Off-Campus Learning and our teaching
                                        staff made it happen. I am lucky to be
                                        working with such a hard-working and
                                        passionate educators.

       Uniform Reminders – Secondary School

       Our Secondary Students are reminded that in Terms 2 and 3 they need to be wearing their blazer as their
       external garment when they enter and leave the College grounds and are in public. Students may wear their
       jumper under their blazer, but not as their external garment. Families may wish to take the opportunity at
       this time to check the fit of blazers and visit the Uniform Shop if they need to purchase a new one.

       The Bomber Jacket is for students in Primary School and is not an option for students in Year 7 and above.

       The College Sports Uniform Jacket is for use with the College Sports Uniform only. It cannot be worn with
       the summer or winter uniform.

       The Uniform Shop's regular hours during term time are:

           •   Tuesday         8:00am - 11:00am
           •   Wednesday       12:00pm - 5:00pm
           •   Friday		        8:00am - 11:00am

       Online orders can be placed at any time.

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
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Year 11 CEP Camp 2021
During the Year 11 CEP trip to Teen Ranch we had a variety of talks and activities which allowed us to think about some
of the larger things that will be coming up within the year or two about the HSC. CEP was a great mix of fun with activities
including canoeing, horse riding, abseiling, archery and pool games. This was a great way to get to mix around with peers
which I don’t normally spend time with, but we all shared fun amongst ourselves. These activities allowed us to bond, and
explore new, different situations which we could push past our comfort zones and watch others too, this was encouraging
for everyone to see, even the teachers! It was a great way to get to know our teachers on a more friendly basis outside of
the classroom, most of them ended up participating in some activities or another, showing us their skills in certain activities
we were certain they had no clue how to do.

During CEP we had multiple talks and sessions where we would here advice for the coming years, to do with sleeping
habits and HSC preparation. These talks allowed us to understand how we needed to change or implement new habits in
our studying and sleeping habits to best fit us for a comfortable transition the harder work/(load) we have been given this
year. Myself and friends, were confronted by the talk about how to improve sleeping habits, but this was something all of
us needed to hear as sleep is so important and this information helps us to improve our schooling and entire wellbeing.
These talks allowed us to discuss some important ideas and habits among friends so that we can all help each other out
as well in the last years of school.

I can say for myself, and all of my friends that we all loved CEP at Teen Ranch, it was
filled with fun great times where we could encourage everyone around us. The entire
year group had such a great time, all of us had such a great time participating in a
variety of activities.

Jett May
Year 11 Student

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Year 7 CEP Camp 2021

                              In week 5, Year 7 went on the CEP Camp; standing for Challenge, Explore and
                              Prepare. The aim of the camp was to build friendships and trust, work as a team,
                              challenge us individually and prepare us for High School.

                                 •   The seven different activities we participated in during the camp were Laser
                                     Tag, Vertical challenge, Challenge, Giant swing, Flying fox, Fun in the sun
                                     activities and a rock pool swim.
                                 •   Laser tag was set up outside with a barrier and included many obstacles.
                                     There were two bases (top and bottom base) which teams would rotate in
                                     with the aim to target your opponent.
                                 •   In the Vertical challenge we had to try to get to the top of a large climbing
                                     wall passing many different types of obstacles along the way while three
                                     people were supporting you with a rope. For this activity we used a lot of
                                     teamwork and learnt to trust others.
                                 •   The Main Challenge included a lot of different little challenges. We were
                                     required to navigate our way through a maze blindfolded as our partner
                                     gave us signals using animal noises. Next, we had to try to get the whole
                                     team and a water bucket to a mat by swinging on a rope without touching
                                     the ground. To finish we arranged ourselves in different orders on a log
                                     without touching the ground in silence.
                                 •   The Giant swing also relied on a lot of teamwork. You would sit with a
                                     harness and the whole team had to pull you up with a rope. When you
                                     reached the height, you wanted to stop at you would pull the rope and
                                     swing.
                                 •   Of all the activities the flying fox was my favourite. We got harnessed up
                                     and had to go from a base flying down, holding onto a rope. I loved how
                                     fast you sped through the air and found it very thrilling.

                              On Thursday, we all did Fun in the Sun together, where there was sponge throwing,
                              a waterslide, you had to try through a ball into a bucket, and a couple more. Sadly,
                              halfway through it, a thunderstorm came, and we had to do indoor activities. After
                              that we went to the beach where we first got to play in the sand and play all types
                              of games. Then we got into the rock pool. It was fun for about 5 minutes but then
                              the horrid thunderstorm came back. This meant that we had to get out of the rock
                              pool and go back to the Collaroy camp area.

                              Each night we played games that included a game that looked like Austag in a
                              circle, the waiter game where you had to keep up your pizza tray and try knock
                              over others, and we also played a game where your house had to try and get as
                              many m’n’ms as possible. In the end, every house got no m’n’ms!

                              The food was nice. We had things like sandwiches, eggs, sausages and spaghetti.
                              We also had delicious morning and afternoon tea.

                              The three days away at Collaroy were full of lots of fun, opportunities to learn
                              more about others in our year group and have a go at a range of challenges. We
                              are thankful for this time away and the staff who came with us and enabled this to
                              happen.

                              Ava Maloney and Matthew Braga
                              Year 7 Students

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Duke of Edinburgh International Award

                  Although things were a little subdued last year, the Duke of Edinburgh Award is still alive
                  and kicking. There are roughly 40 students from Years 9 -12 who are currently working
                  their way through their chosen Award activities.

                  The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award aims to equip young people for life and
                  work. Participants are able to design their own unique program that challenges them to
                  set and meet goals. Participants select activities to complete each of the four sections;
                  Physical Recreation, Skills, Voluntary Service and Adventurous Journey.

                  Year 9 CEP this year is offering students the opportunity to stay one more night in the
                  Kangaroo Valley area to complete the Adventurous Journey component as an overnight
                  hike for their Bronze Award. Due to this there has been a huge influx in the number
                  of Year 9 students register for the Award so that they now make up nearly half of the
                  College’s participants.

                  For more information about the Duke of Edinburgh Award students should speak to
                  Mrs Price in PDHPE or email e.price@pac.nsw.edu.au

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Hospitality (Food & Beverage)

     Hospitality (Food & Beverage) commenced at the College in 2020 with the newly equipped commercial kitchen.
     The course is dual accredited where students can achieve their Certificate II in Hospitality (AQF) and an HSC
     (2 units NESA course). One requirement from NESA is that they complete 70 hours of Industry Work Placement
     over their 2 years.

     Below is the second instalment of the students' reflections on their first Work Placement in industry. We will
     continue to highlight students' experiences in the next issue of The Vine.

     Mrs Diane Catto
     Head of Technologies

                                      Abby Doyle & Ella Phoebus		             Nepean Private Hospital

                                      Ella and I had the opportunity to work at Nepean Private
                                      Hospital in the Kitchen. We both enjoyed learning about the daily
                                      procedures that take place in the hospital and to serve staff and
                                      patients.

                                      We were able to prepare and assemble the meal trays for patients
                                      and we learnt how to read the different dietary requirements and
                                      restrictions for some patients such as fluid restriction, Diabetics/
                    no added sugar, free fluid, soft, antenatal, light and gluten free.
                    We also had the opportunity to serve the patients. This included
                    asking if they would like a tea/coffee or cold drink, biscuits and or
                    cake for morning and afternoon tea. We also were able to serve
                    the patients breakfast and lunch after preparing the trays. After
                    these meals times were over, we went back up to the rooms and
                    collected the used trays and plates.

                    Overall, this was a very informative and educational experience
                    that both Ella and I enjoyed.

                                      Olivia Greig                                   Kelly’s Café, Panthers Group

                                      Overall, work experience was great, and I would highly recommend it to
                                      future students. It taught me life skills about the Hospitality industry such as
                                      communicating with customers, taking specific orders and how to communicate
                                      with fellow employees to have an effective workflow. I was taught how to use
                                      different high-tech machinery that was difficult to use such as the turbo oven
                                      and how to improve on my skills on the coffee machine. This helped me with
                                      the subject of Hospitality by knowing all the procedures that we learnt taking
                                      place in the industry and viewing in the real world that backed up what I had
                                      learnt in school.

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
HICES Debating

 Term 1 always brings with it the start of a new debating season, and this year, HICES
 debating has gone online. In a week of firsts, our Middle Division team, consisting of
 Year 7 students Matthew Braga, Aryan Patial, Christopher Oliver and Nihar Suthar,
 debated for the first time as a team and narrowly lost to a more seasoned side from
 Georges River Grammar.

                                   The Senior team, comprising Timothy Batcheldor,
                                   Ava Kobus, Toby Gange and Vanshika Rathore,
                                   all in Year 9, enjoyed their first victory of the season
                                   after a long hiatus for most of 2020. This year marks a
                                   change for the senior team from prepared debates
                                   with the topic issued several weeks in advance, to
                                   impromptu debates for which students are given
                                   the topic only one hour before the debate begins. Ava Kobus demonstrated a great
                                   recovery after an early palm-card fumble, and the team took victory over William Carey
                                   Christian College. Regular readers of this column will be pleased to hear that Toby
                                   Gange’s analogies remain as pertinent as ever.

                                   Our Open Division team of Daena Madon (Year 11), Benjamin Mallin (Year 11) and
                                   Mark Nielsen (Year 12) are competition ready after their extraordinary season of online
                                   debating last year. This week they took the affirmative as they faced Georges River
                                   Grammar and enjoyed a closely fought debate that the adjudicator described as “the
                                   most interesting debate about a sugar tax I’ve ever heard”. Special mention goes to
                                   PAC’s most well-known proponent of small government, Mark Nielsen, for successfully
                                   arguing for the introduction of a new tax.

                                   With two teams sitting on a “one-for-one” rate of victories at the beginning of the
                                   season, and a new Year 7 team capable of holding its own among more experienced
                                   teams, we look forward to more victories in Debating this year.

                                   Mr Sam Commerford
                                   Debating and Public Speaking Co-ordinator

NASSA Tennis Gala Day

On 26 February, we had a team of boys and girls represent
the College in the NASSA Tennis Gala Day.

The competition was fierce, and our teams represented
the College with determination and sportsmanship.
Unfortunately, neither team progressed to the finals,
although our girl’s team in particular played exceptionally
well and got very close.

Well done tennis players.

Mr Tim Pigot

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
Primary School Highlights

                                          build on previous knowledge studied         creations from our students.
                                          in class. The Year 6 students are to
                                          be commended on their outstanding           To assist with providing COVID safe
                                          behaviour throughout the two day            measures at the College, the Easter
                                          excursion and for representing their        Hat Parade will be held outdoors on the
                                          school well.                                College Oval.

                                          As COVID restrictions ease, the             We will also be having our Years 3-6
                                          College can reintroduce the volunteers      Cross Country as we know how busy
                                          program. Parent volunteers play a vital     the end of term can be for families
                                          role in our daily college life and we are   trying to organise work commitments
                                          excited to be able to offer our families    to attend these events. Mr Worrall
                                          the opportunity to volunteer and assist     will be sending out more information
                                          in rt classes, reading groups, sports and   in the coming days about the event.
                                          in our library.                             Students in Pre-K to Year 2 will have
      Message from the                                                                their own Cross Country Event which
                                          A parent volunteer induction will be held   will take place on Thursday 22 April
      Deputy Principal                    at the College on Tuesday 30 March          2021. A save the date invitation will be
         (Primary)                        at 4:45pm in the Lighthouse Theatre.        communicated to families in the coming
                                          To register your interest in becoming       days.
                                          a parent volunteer in the classroom,
                                          please send an email to the Executive       Please see below the schedule of
                                          Administration Assistant Rebekah            events for the day:
Dear Families                             Sampson at r.sampson@pac.nsw.
                                          edu.au together with your working with      Event: Pre K to Year 6 Easter Hat
In week 7 I had the pleasure of           children check clearance. Please know       Parade
accompanying the Year 6 students          that you must attend the induction prior    Location: College Oval
to Canberra. It was such a wonderful      to entering the classroom.                  Time: 9:30am
opportunity for our students to explore
our nation’s capital and learn a great    The Primary School students and staff       Event: Years 3-6 Cross Country
deal about the government and its         are pleased to invite families to the       Location: College Oval
importance.                               College on Wednesday 31 March               Time: 11:00am
                                          for the Easter Hat Parade. Our theme
Over two days, the students explored      this year is Jesus is the God of all        We look forward to seeing our families
Parliament House, Australian Electoral    Seasons.                                    at the College as we celebrate Easter
Commission, The Australian War                                                        and the end of Term 1 where amazing
Memorial, a tour of the embassies and     The Easter Hats will be constructed         achievements have been made by our
Questacon. Throughout their time in       during class time with teachers             students.
Canberra, the students were able to       organising the supply of materials. We
build and connect with their peers and    look forward to seeing some amazing         Kind regards,
                                                                                      Mrs Ljubica Mansell
                                                                                      Deputy Principal (Primary)

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
Year 6 Canberra Trip 2021

On 10 and 11 March, Year 6 went to Canberra as part of our History Program
for the term. We had two buses and left at 7:00 A.M for the long 4 Hour trip to
Canberra. It was great that the government PACER program helped support our
understanding of the significance of Parliament House, The War Memorial and
the Australian Electoral Education Commission. They assisted our families by
contributing $30 per student towards the cost of this trip. This rebate is directed to
the school.

On the first day we went straight to the new Parliament House to learn about our
Government. We split into three groups. One was with Mr Hall, another with Miss
Fowler and the last was with Ms Horner. I was with Mrs Horner and my partner was
Damien. First, we were told about what the Parliament House was made of. It was
made of 2 different types of marble, one pink and the other white. The black on
the floor was limestone from Portugal and was full of fossils. Next, we talked about
the clocks and why there was two lights on them. One was red and the other was
green. The red was for the senate and it comes on when there is an election in the
Senate. The green light comes on when there is a vote happening in the House of
Representatives. The House of the Senate is red to represent the Australian soil
and Uluru, and the House of Representatives is green to represent the Eucalyptus
leaves.

After dinner at Canberra Park, we played for the Canberra Cup, led by the House
Captains. First, we played the Waiter Game, which is where you have a pad of
foam on your hand, and you need to get the other team’s pad of foam onto the
floor. If your tray touched the floor, you were out. It was Cranmer vs Latimer and
Ridley vs Ryle. Latimer won and Ridley won. Next, we played Secret Pathway,
which is where you step on a square on the floor and if it was wrong, you have to
go to the end of the line. If it was right you get to try another square and it continues
like that. The first house to make it to the other side wins. Then we played Real Life
Battleships, where a piece of fabric split two houses and you all laid down on your
house’s side. You would take turns throwing a foam ball over the fabric and if you
hit someone, they got out.

On Thursday we went to the Australian Electoral Education Commission located in
Old Parliament House. We got to take turns in a simulated vote. We learnt how a
vote works, and what happens during a vote. There were 4 jobs, one was to watch
the box that held the election papers, one was to be a counter and count the votes,
one was to watch the counter count the votes for proof and the last job was to hand
out the election papers and ask 4 questions. One question was to tell them your full
name, another was to tell them your phone number, then your address and the last
and most important question was whether you have voted in this election or not. If
you have, they will say you can’t vote. It is illegal to vote twice or more in any vote.

Our favourite place was the War Memorial because it included plane warfare in
the Korean War and WW11. The planes were huge but could only seat a pilot and
a gunner. There was a Japanese A6m-zero, a Sea Fury, a P-30 mustang and my
favourite, the MiG-15 (the only jet plane there). We did a mini ceremony and I got
to put a poppy on the sacred rock.

When we got back home, we were all busting to go to the toilet and had so many
stories to tell our parents and family. We absolutely loved our trip Canberra
because we did so many amazing things there.

Lucas Turner and Ethan Yusef
Year 6 Students

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
Year 5 Science

If you found yourself walking around the assembly area during Period 4 on a Monday, you would hear the buzz of Year 5
during one of their science lessons. Year 5 have spent the last 8 weeks learning what it means to think scientifically.

                                          This term, Science has been lots of fun. We have learnt how to be scientific
                                          thinkers while completing experiments. Our first experiment was to make a cup
                                          for Mrs Thompson that keeps her tea hot. Our second experiment was to make
                                          a package to keep the teacup safe. In both experiments we needed to use the
                                          College Learning Culture dispositions of collaboration, planning and persisting.

                                          At the beginning of Term 1, our teachers told us that Mrs. Thompson’s teacup was
                                          not keeping her tea hot enough. So, she gave us a challenge in which we were to
                                          create a teacup with household items that will hold her tea and keep it hot for much
                                          longer.

In groups we worked to solve Mrs Thompson’s problem. We planned, brainstormed
and spent time building. We then tested our projects. The testing, used fair testing
methods, recording the decreasing temperature at timed intervals. We recorded all
the temperatures and used them to draw a line graph. Then we compared this to
the temperature of Mrs Thompson’s cup. Many groups’ cups stayed warmer than
Mrs Thompson's.

Mrs Thompson then ordered a teacup, but when it arrived, it was all smashed and
shattered. For two weeks, we have been designing and building a package to keep
a teacup (actually an egg) safe while it gets delivered.

                                          We are testing our packaging against a control, which is the original package, this
                                          allows us to prove scientifically that we have succeeded in our challenge. The
                                          packages are made from our own materials such as cotton balls, shredded paper,
                                          cardboard boxes and masking tape. We are testing the properties of materials and
                                          the purpose they have in our world.

                                          We are all excited to discover the best method to make the perfect teacup
                                          protecting package and look forward to testing these out for the rest of the term.

                                          Mrs Thompson and Year 5 Students

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
Year 3 History

            This term in History, Year 3 students have been learning about the importance of the Indigenous
            Australian connection to land, and have investigated the purpose of various Indigenous Australian
            tools. These tools can be used for fishing, hunting, communicating, transport and shelter, and are
            made of a range of materials. After learning about these types of tools, students were thoroughly
            interested in the types of shelters that Indigenous Australians created, so we decided to make
            some ourselves.

            Students first discussed the types of materials that they could use from the Farm (such as bark,
            leaves, sticks, grass and rocks), then designed and labelled their shelters. Students then went to
            the Farm to gather their materials and created their shelters.

            After they were created, students engaged in discussions about the types of materials and the
            structural stability of their shelters. Students enjoyed designing and creating their own shelter and
            engaging first-hand with their learning.

            God Bless
            Mrs Amanda Marshall

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
Primary Visual Arts

  This term, Pre K was introduced to different kinds of Art
  materials. The students were able to experiment with
  metallic pencils, mater colour discs, liquid crayons, oil
  pastels and wax crayons.

  In Kindy Red, Mrs Carter read the book Cats Sleep
  Anywhere and the students learnt how to draw a cat and
  used oil pastels and water colour to paint the background.
  They have created beautiful artworks.

                                                               Meanwhile, Years 1 and 2 have been making collagraphs.
                                                               The students created a layered building using all kinds
                                                               of shapes and textured material. The students were very
                                                               surprised when they used crayons and did the rubbing of
                                                               their buildings.

                                                               Years 3 and 4 have been creating artworks based on
                                                               the natural Environment and landscape. They have
                                                               produced beautiful pieces using water colour pencils for
                                                               the atmospheric landscapes and non traditional approach
                                                               when creating The Three Sisters.

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
Primary Sports

                              CIS Primary Swimming Championships
                              This year Penrith Anglican College had a large number of
                              students and relay teams make it through to the CIS Primary
                              Swimming Championships. All of our swimmers did a great
                              job of representing the College and NASSA. Our Junior Boys
                              and Senior Girls relay teams made it through to the finals,
                              however, were knocked out. The Junior Boys team finished
                              9th overall which is an amazing result. In the individual events,
                              the following students made it through to the finals for some of
                              their race:

                              Jack Greentree finals for 50m freestyle
                              Alexandra Hall finals for 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke
                              Christopher McAuley for 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke and
                              100m freestyle

                              Well done to Alexandra Hall who placed 4th in the freestyle
                              and will be a reserve for the CIS Primary Swimming Team and
                              to Christopher McAuley who placed 2nd in the backstroke.
                              Christopher will now head to the PSSA State Swimming
                              Championships later this year.

                              NASSA Primary Football Gala Day
                              It was a hot day to play football but Penrith Anglican College
                              students from the Primary School nonetheless played
                              exceedingly well. The boys came away from the day winning
                              and losing some matches and drawing others. The girls played
                              extremely well given many of them do not play football outside
                              of school and for some this was their first time playing football
                              and playing with the team. All of our players represented
                              the College very well and demonstrated great team work.
                              Congratulations to Barnaby Phillips and Mason Lazare of
                              Year 5 who have been selected to represent NASSA at the
                              CIS Primary Boys Football Championships. Well done boys!

                              Mr Edward Worrall
                              Primary School Sports Co-ordinator

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
Compassion Child Sponsorship 2021

Albert Soren Sojib                         “I cried. I knew we had lost everything. I
                                           was frustrated and hopeless,” said John.
Albert is 14 years old and lives in        The lawyer’s words never left John’s
Bangladesh with his parents. There are     mind. He vowed to become a lawyer and
two children in the family. His father     seek justice for everyone. Through the
works occasionally, and his mother         support of his sponsor and the staff at his
maintains the home. Albert’s favourite     local Compassion centre, today John is a
activities are cricket, art, drawing and   lawyer who represents the poor for free.
going to church. At home he helps by       Since 2009, when his career began,
caring for children, washing clothes and   John has handled over 300 free cases
doing kitchen chores. Albert has been      for people in poverty. Compassion
sponsored by the current Year 9 cohort     International
since they were in Kindergarten but now
is sponsored by Latimer.                   Wow, this is what saving children from
                                           poverty looks like….it gives children who
A Compassion success story:                become adults the chance to break the
When he was 12, John and his four          poverty cycle and become all they can
siblings were chased out of their home     be through education, good health and a
by their uncle, who wanted their house     life of knowing and loving Jesus!                       Don’t forget:
for himself. His mother had passed away                                                    Our next Primary Compassion
and his father had run away in grief,                                                            Competition is on
never to be seen again. John’s pastor      Mrs Sue Munce                                        Tuesday 30 March
took him to a lawyer for advice on what    Primary Compassion Co-ordinator
to do. But no help came from the lawyer.

                                                Prayer and Praise

 Please praise God for:                                         Please pray for:

 •   The wonderful time of learning and growing                    •   Those families in the College community enduring
     relationships enjoyed by Year 6 at Canberra last                  times of hardship and stress.
     week. Year 6 students represented the College
     beautifully.                                                  •   Students feeling the pressure of assessment tasks
                                                                       and workload.
 •   The success of Year 11 CEP where students had the
     opportunity to be set up well for Year 11 and 12 and          •   The upcoming Easter events at the College and at
     enjoyed deepening their relationships with peers and              local churches – pray for the truth of the gospel to
     staff.                                                            be presented and for God to save people.

 •   The College community.

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
March Calendar

                                          Events are correct at time of print.
                        Please download the College App or log onto Edumate for latest updates.

                    Due to the flood situations in the Nepean and Hawkesbury areas, excursions or other events will be
                    determined on a ‘case by case’ basis and the staff member responsible for these events will be in
                    contact with the students involved.

                           Monday, 22 March 2021         NASSA 15s and Open Netball
                                                         Science and Engineering Challenge
                                                         Australian Geography Competition Yr 7-10
                                                         CRU Fit Leaders Training
                                                         Motiv8 Sports After School Clinic
                           Tuesday, 23 March 2021        Primary Football Programs PSSA Jnr
                                                         Richard III Symposium
                                                         Australian Geography Competition Yr 7-10
                                                         Primary Football Programs Pre K- Kindergarten
                                                         Lego Robotics Club - CANCELLED
                        Wednesday, 24 March 2021         Primary Football Programs PSSA Senior BOYS
                                                         AICES Swimming
                                                         APSMO Competition Year 7 and 8
                                                         APSMO Competition Year 5 and 6
                                                         Author Visits Pre K - Year 2 - POSTPONED
                                                         BIG - Christian Fellowship
                                                         ROCK - Christian Fellowship
                                                         Primary Football Programs Year 1 and 2
                                                         Year 7-10 Parent Teacher Interviews - POSTPONED
                          Thursday, 25 March 2021        Primary Football Programs PSSA GIRLS
                                                         Secondary Chapel
                                                         Art Club
                                                         Primary Football Programs Years 3-6
                                                         College Tours
                                                         Cadets
                                                         Pre K and Kindergarten 2022 Information Evening
                              Friday, 26 March 2021      Primary Chapel
                                                         Alumni Thanksgiving Service
                           Monday, 29 March 2021         da Vinci Decathlon Years 5 and 6
                                                         Motiv8 Sports After School Clinic
                                                         Year 7-10 Parent Teacher Interviews
                           Tuesday, 30 March 2021        da Vinci Decathlon Years 7 and 8
                                                         All Schools Triathlon
                                                         PSSA Swimming and Diving Championship
                                                         Primary Football Programs PSSA Jnr
                                                         K-6 Compassion Competition
                                                         Primary Football Programs Pre K- Kindergarten
                                                         Lego Robotics Club
                        Wednesday, 31 March 2021         da Vinci Decathlon Years 9 and 10
                                                         PSSA Swimming and Diving Championship
                                                         Primary Football Programs PSSA Senior BOYS
                                                         CIS Swimming and Diving
                                                         BIG - Christian Fellowship
                                                         ROCK - Christian Fellowship
                                                         Primary Football Programs Year 1 and 2
                              Thursday, 1 April 2021     Primary Football Programs PSSA GIRLS
                                                         K-12 College Easter Chapel
                                                         Art Club
                                                         Primary Football Programs Years 3-6
                                                         Cadets
                                                         End of Term 1

                                 Your new school
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The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
NAPLAN 2021

                  NAPLAN Online 2021

                  Dear Families

                  The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time
                  assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through
                  school and life. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in writing,
                  reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

                  Our school will be participating in NAPLAN Online between 11 and 21 May 2021.

                  In preparation for NAPLAN Online, our school will be participating in practice tests on 24 March. The
                  practice tests give students an opportunity to become familiar with the test format, functions and tools
                  of the online tests in a test environment. The practice tests are not an assessment of student ability
                  and will not be marked.

                  Excessive preparation for NAPLAN Online is not recommended. Students do not need to be able to
                  touch type to complete NAPLAN Online as the tests are not about keyboard skills (just as the paper
                  test is not about handwriting skills). Students can use the public demonstration site to familiarise
                  themselves with the types of questions and tools available in the NAPLAN Online tests.

                  Please see the attached NAPLAN Online – Information for parents and carer’s sheet for further
                  information.

                  If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact your child’s teacher.

                  Additional resources:
                     • Public demonstration site
                     • NESA NAPLAN website
                     • NAP parent/carer support page
                     • Watch a video that explains NAPLAN Online
                     • Watch a video that explains tailored testing

                  Yours Sincerely

                  Leighton Corr                                     Ljubica Mansell
                  Deputy (Head of Secondary)                        Deputy (Head of Secondary)

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
What is NAPLAN                                          Tailored testing

             The National Assessment Program – Literacy and          Tailored testing provides a more precise
             Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses the literacy and             assessment of students’ performance. Students at
             numeracy skills of students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.     each year level start with a similar set of
                                                                     questions. Depending on the number of questions
             Students participate in NAPLAN tests in reading,        they answered correctly, the next set of questions
             writing, conventions of language (spelling,             may be more, or less, difficult.
             grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
                                                                     A student’s NAPLAN result is based on both the
             NAPLAN provides an understanding of how                 number and difficulty of questions the student
             individual students are performing at the time of       answers correctly. A student who completes a
             the tests. The tests are just one aspect of a           more difficult set of questions is more likely to
             school’s assessment and reporting process – it          achieve a higher score.
             does not replace ongoing assessments made by
             teachers about student performance.                     Watch a video (3:06 length) to learn more about
                                                                     tailored testing – https://youtu.be/oGFseJAM3Ew
             NAPLAN also provides schools and education
             authorities with information about how education        Supporting your child
             programs are working and whether young
             Australians are achieving important educational         The best approach for preparing your child for
             outcomes in literacy and numeracy.                      NAPLAN is to encourage your child to do the best
                                                                     they can on the day.
             Moving to NAPLAN Online                                 Excessive preparation or the use of coaching
             Schools in all states and territories are moving        providers is not recommended.
             from paper tests to online tests. It is expected that   Students can use the public demonstration site to
             all NSW schools will transition to NAPLAN Online        familiarise themselves with the tools and type of
             by 2022. The move to NAPLAN Online brings               questions they will experience in NAPLAN Online
             new benefits for teachers and students.                 – https://www.nap.edu.au/online-
                                                                     assessment/public-demonstration-site
             What are the benefits of NAPLAN Online?
             More precise results with an adaptive design:           Students’ digital skills
             Tailored tests adapt to a student’s performance         The digital skills required to complete NAPLAN
             and ask questions that match the student’s              Online are skills that students use in everyday
             achievement levels.                                     classroom activities.
             Better engagement: Research into online                 Students do not need to be able to touch type to
             assessment indicates that students engage well          complete the test. The online test is not about
             with online tests as the questions are tailored to      keyboard skills (just as the paper test is not about
             their achievement levels.                               handwriting skills).

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
Withdrawals and exemptions                               COVID-19 advice
            You can withdraw your child from NAPLAN tests.           Parents should keep students at home if they are
                                                                     experiencing flu-like symptoms and monitor NSW
            A student may be granted a formal exemption if
                                                                     Health advice on COVID-19 case locations across
            they have:
                                                                     the state. For more information, visit
               • a disability that severely limits their capacity
                                                                     https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-
                  to participate in the tests, or
                                                                     19.
               • recently arrived in Australia and have a non-
                  English speaking background.                       Your child’s school will be required to conduct
                                                                     NAPLAN testing in accordance with the latest
            Contact your child’s school for further information      NSW Government COVID-19 advice.
            and to complete the parent/carer consent form.
                                                                     Year 3 writing test
            Practice tests
                                                                     The Year 3 writing test is conducted on paper at
            NSW schools participating in NAPLAN Online will          schools participating in NAPLAN Online. All other
            participate in practice tests between 22 March           Year 3 NAPLAN tests will be online tests.
            and 1 April 2021.

            The practice test is a trial-run and key preparation     Privacy
            activity for NAPLAN Online in May. It is not an
                                                                     NESA is responsible for the collection of personal
            assessment of student ability.
                                                                     information from NSW schools to be used during
            Participation in the practice tests is highly            NAPLAN testing and reporting.
            beneficial as it allows schools and students to
                                                                     All data collection for NAPLAN is managed in
            become familiar with the online assessment               accordance with NSW and Federal privacy
            platform tools and processes.                            legislation described in NESA’s privacy
                                                                     management plan, which can be found on the
            NAPLAN Online 2021 test window                           NESA website:
                                                                     https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/
            Practice test window: 22 March – 1 April                 nesa/about/who-we-are/privacy/naplan-privacy
            NAPLAN Online test window: 11 – 21 May
                                                                     Results
            The assessment window for NAPLAN Online is
            nine days instead of the three days provided for         Parents receive two reports showing their child’s
            the paper test. This is to give schools flexibility in   achievements in NAPLAN; the individual student
            scheduling and accommodate schools that may              report (ISR) and additional student report (ASR).
            have fewer devices.                                      The ISR and ASR should always be interpreted
                                                                     with care. Teachers will have the best insight into
            What if my child was absent on the day of                a child’s educational progress.
            a scheduled test?                                        Reports are usually dispatched to schools
                                                                     towards the end of Term 3. Schools then
            Where possible, schools may arrange catch-up
                                                                     distribute the reports to parents.
            tests for individual students who were absent on
            the day of a scheduled NAPLAN Online test.
                                                                     Questions?
            Catch-up tests are not permitted after Friday 21
            May 2021.                                                If you have any questions, please contact your
                                                                     child’s teacher in the first instance.

                                  NSW Education Standards Authority
                                  NAPLAN team

                                  Phone: 1300 119 556 or 02 9367 8382       Email: naplan.nsw@nesa.nsw.edu.au

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
Clean Up Australia Day

                                                                                          For over 20 years, students and staff at
                                                                                          Penrith Anglican College have served
                                                                                          the local community by participating
                                                                                          in the annual Clean Up Australia Day
                                                                                          activities at Regatta Park in Emu Plains.

                                                                                          This year, not only did we have families
                                                                                          collecting rubbish locally, but a couple of
                                                                                          families also took part on their holidays
                                                                                          at Shelley Beach.

                                                                                          Thank you to all the students and
                                                                                          parents who joined us on Sunday to
                                                                                          make a difference for the environment
                                                                                          and our community.

                                                       Laps for Life

Year 12 student Georgia Field is seeking your support for a charity event that she
has chosen to participate in. Laps for Life raises money for suicide research and
awareness. Everyone knows that this topic is a really tough one to talk about and
she hopes to provide some financial support for research and campaigning by
pledging to swim 25km over the month of March. After week 2, Georgia has (very)
slowly swum 15km.                                                                          I’m
Her goal for this event is to raise $800 and she is just over half of the way there. In    taking
the grand scheme of things, $800 does not get you too far. Georgia writes:
                                                                                           the
   "ReachOut.com has suggested every $50 raised helps up to 12 young
                                                                                           plunge
                                                                                                                                                        l i v es

   people gain access to mental health service. This means that with $800,
   ReachOut could potentially use this money to pay for mental health services
   for up to 192 young people which would make a big difference.

                                                                                                                        to
   I am currently half way to reaching this goal and I have 10km left to swim.
   I'm pretty sure this means I should aim to raise $40 for every 1km I swim.
   By no means do I expect this amount of money from anyone, but any form
   of support, whether it be of monetary value or even just a pat on the back
   would be very greatly appreciated. Thank you."
                                                                                                                                                 sa ve
                                                                                           Please sponsor my swim to support
ReachOut.com depends on the generosity of community spirit at individual and               young people experiencing mental
                                                                                           health difficulties.
corporate level to keep going and growing. If you are able to, please support              Go to lapsforlife.com.au/

Georgia by donating to this very important cause. Please use the link below.

https://www.lapsforlife.com.au/fundraisers/georgiafield
                                                                                           Laps For Life is ReachOut’s annual fundraising swim event.
                                                                                           Every dollar you raise will help ReachOut support young
                                                                                           people experiencing mental health difficulties.

The Vine - Issue No 4, 2021
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