On Thursday 10 May 2018 girls in Years 4-6 competed in the CSSA State Girls Soccer Gala Day at Jamison Park. These girls showed great sportsmanship and teamwork.

In our first game we won 5-1; our second game we won 6–0; and in our third game we lost 5–0 but personally we think this was our best game because we never gave up and supported our teammates.

The goal scorers included Zara, Tyler-Eve, Kaitlyn, Natalia, Chiara and Sheridan. Our team captain was Matilda who showed outstanding sportsmanship and talked to us on the field.

Now that we have all settled into Kindergarten, Reading Groups have started and the excitement of learning to read has spread throughout the Year group. But what actually happens in Reading Groups?

Firstly, we have a lot of fun in Reading Groups! We are so blessed here at Penrith Christian School by our parent community who love getting involved in our classrooms. By having parents coming in to help with Reading Groups we are able to tailor our activities to the needs of the students. So a HUGE thank you to our parents and grandparents who come in every week!

During Reading Groups we learn new sounds, practise sight words, read stories and information texts, ask questions, answer questions and explore new worlds. The wonderful thing is that all of this doesn’t happen by a child reading a book by themselves and working through a worksheet in isolation. It is done through exciting interactive online stories, engaging texts, games, discussions, movement, laughter and technology.

I had been asked to come and attend the Year 4 overnight Camp that we had in the first week of Term 2. I can remember the Year 4 students coming to me each day reminding that there was now only one sleep till we left. So their excitement was rubbing off and I was very much looking forward to the adventure ahead.

The weather forecast was checked and the two days of our camp were going to be sunny and pleasant. Thursday began with roll call and then we all headed off to the bus for our departure. Students, volunteer camp parent helpers, and teachers were all treated to a personal farewell wave from Mr Grice as he prayed for us and then we headed off.

The bus trip seemed to take forever as the expectation of arriving was so thick. When we arrived we were greeted with freshly made scones and watermelon. That was cool and got us fuelled up for the adventures to come.

I have been in America where I took part, or rather my portrait took part, in an exhibition by Australian Artist Cayce Zavaglia, who has become well-known in the medium of embroidery. Cayce creates portraits using cotton thread and wool, and my wife Chris and I are one of the lucky ones forever captured in wool.

I am apparently Cayce’s ‘muse and wingman’, described below in one of her promotional articles:

‘My muse and wingman Bruce will be on hand for additional photos and autographs'️ Bruce, 2018, Hand Wool Embroidery on Linen with Acrylic (Background).

A big hello to the PCS community.

My name is Jo Tabone and I started at PCS in Term 1 of this year teaching English, Geography and History. I’ve taught in high schools since 2000 teaching a range of subjects and Year levels, but particularly loving my main subjects English and History.

I have been fortunate to have travelled to several places that offered me the opportunity to experience education systems from the slums in Cebu and Acapulco to a Grammar school in Ireland. I am a mum to four amazing children and I have a husband with the same name (Joe and Jo) which is fun. We live in the Blue Mountains, grow our own food, run some community groups and love to go exploring.

UPDATE:

Please be advised we are fully enrolled for Prep 2019 and the 3-day Prep program for 2020. Limited vacancies are available in Preschool and other Year groups for 2019 and beyond.

Parents wishing to enrol their sibling children into PCS for future years are strongly encouraged to lodge enrolment applications urgently to avoid disappointment.

Penrith Christian School welcomes applications for casual employment from experienced teachers (Early Childhood to Year 12 and across all Key Learning Areas), and Early Childhood Educators.

To be considered for a casual role, please complete and return the Application for Employment and provide the requested documentation with your submission.

For further employment enquiries, please email hr@pcs.nsw.edu.au.

Parents wishing to enrol their sibling children into PCS for future years are strongly encouraged to lodge enrolment applications urgently to avoid disappointment.

With Open Day occurring soon, we will receive a large number of enrolments (particularly for Preschool and Prep, but also for many other Year groups). Waiting lists are imminent and have already begun in Early Childhood.

Please contact Sharon on 4737 4306 with any questions, or CLICK HERE to download an Enrolment Form 

We all have times when we think we have done brilliantly then get an assignment back and are really disappointed instead. You could just feel really bad, or you could try these steps:

1. REVIEW AND UNDERSTAND

The first step is to work through the feedback and work out what went wrong.

Did you not meet the criteria?

PCS students Sienna Teuma and Ava Brendish kicked off the year by cutting off and donating their long beautiful hair to Variety - Hair with Heart.

The charity organises wigs for sick kids who have lost their hair due to illness, and these wigs are made from human hair donated by people willing to have their hair cut and raise funds for this cause.

Both Sienna and Ava have done a selfless act showing compassion for those facing challenging times.

Year 5 to Year 11 Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Thursday 10 May 2018, in the Auditorium and will be of five (5) minutes duration.

Students are welcome and encouraged to attend these interviews with you.

TO MAKE A BOOKING:

During the year, students at PCS have the opportunity to explore and use their gifts and talents through the Boost program. The students are not only extended in English and Maths, but each term we focus on another curriculum area as well. 

In Term 1, the focus was Art!  The selected Boost Art students had a couple of lessons based around a particular theme, which was then explored further on our exciting excursion to Lewers Art Gallery. The focus for this rerm was 'Tactile Art' and all the students enjoyed learning this medium.  At the Art Gallery the students were encouraged to ‘Touch the Art’ rather than the usual ‘Don’t Touch’!  As well as exploring the exhibition, the students got to complete their own piece of tactile art based on one of the artworks in the exhibition. 

Lots of fun was had by all.

What better way to finish off a busy first term than to enjoy a few friendly games of chess in the iCentre (after running your cross country)?

I have been most excited at the interest shown by students taking up chess during Term 1. Our new tournament chess sets have been getting a great workout.

Our end of term social tournament saw players of all abilities enjoy a number of games. I enjoyed learning from each of the players that I went up against, I’m still learning the game myself.

Welcome Back to Term 2. You may be aware of some of the changes to teachers on classes this term. I would like to take the opportunity to welcome our new teachers:

Jonathan Handley is taking up the role of Acting Head of HSIE. Jonathan comes to PCS with experience in Christian Education as well as a variety of business experiences that will be an asset as he heads up the Department and teaches his Commerce, Business and Legal Studies classes.

Marianne Pogmore has been teaching with us this year and last year, but has been appointed as a Science teacher, replacing Anne Cudd.

We welcome Eric Shing to the position of Mathematics and Science Teacher replacing Marianne Pogmore's classes from Term 2. Eric has vast experience in education both in Australia and abroad. 

It is with delight that we welcome Natalie Webb to our Learning Support Team.  Natalie will be working with students and teachers in Middle School and Senior School to facilitate the implementation of differentiated strategies that meet the needs of our students in those year groups.

Our Mother’s Day Stalls are an opportunity for PCS to bless our school community and for students to choose a special gift for their mums. If your child would like to purchase a Mother’s Day gift, please send in $5.00 on the day of the Stall with each Preschool to Year 6 child. We ask that students bring a carry bag so they can buy their Mother’s Day present at the Stall and then take their chosen gift home.

KINDERGARTEN TO YEAR 6Friday 11 May 2018 from 9.30 am

Our traditional Mother’s Day Stall for Kindergarten to Year 6 students

Please note that the last trading day for Uniform Shop in Term 1 is tomorrow, 12 April 2018.

Extra trading day (By appointment only):

Monday 30th April – Hours 7.30am – 1.30pm

Regular trading days resume on Tuesday 1st May 2018

As an expression of our gratitude and desire to honour our PCS mums, we invite you to our annual Mother’s Day Breakfast. There will be beautiful food prepared and served by our Hospitality students, as well as other special activities. All mums will be blessed - don’t miss this popular event!

WHEN: Friday 11 May, 2018

TIME: 8 am to 9 am

It has been a while since our last full report and there is a lot to report on!!

YEARS 7-12 SWIMMING CARNIVALS

PCS SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Since the beginning of Term 1, I have had the privilege to work with the children in Junior School and talk to them about MindUp. MindUp is a comprehensive, classroom tested, evidence-based curriculum that fosters social and emotional awareness, enhances psychological wellbeing, and promotes academic success.

The essential work of MindUp is accomplished through the lessons, which include the repetition of deep belly breathing (Core Practice) and attentive listening. This Core Practice makes mindful attention the foundation for learning and interacting.

MindUp has the capacity to alter the landscape of our classroom by letting children in on the workings of their own agile minds. Each MindUp lesson begins with background information of the brain, introducing a specific area of concentration with an activity where children can see concrete examples of how their brain functions.

Congratulations Mr Hutchinson on your wonderful achievement to be selected as the Tour Manager of a national touring team. Hutch has worked tirelessly in promoting sport, and in particular, NRL amongst our Christian Schools.

See below for more information about the Tour and Mr Hutchinson's role.

Mr Bruce Nevill