Over Term 2 in Science, Year 6 have been exploring Earthquakes. The students were assigned the task to build an aesthetically pleasing structure that would be able to survive an earthquake; it had to be a minimum of 50cm high. The students formed groups and brainstormed ideas for their building, hoping to achieve the criteria.

We are proud of the students who had to persevere during the building time as many modifications had to be made.

A big thank you to the parents who attended the lesson and assisted in building the structures. Thank you also to Mrs Deal, Mrs Paynter and Mrs Mahoney who joined us for our lesson. Mrs Paynter quite enjoyed herself whilst building a structure with LEGO.

On Wednesday 16 June, we had 47 Primary students represent PCS at the Nepean Zone CSSA Athletics Carnival. PCS students were dominant across all events and great acts of sportsmanship were shown from our students who congratulated other Schools on their wins and also celebrated each other’s success.

Thank you to our parent volunteers who took time out to help on the day. Once again, PCS students did our community proud, and they are to be congratulated on their efforts.  

Students who have successfully qualified for State from their incredible achievements at Zone will be notified once finalised Zone results are released from the Carnival Convenor.

This week was the final week for our representative teams. We had three teams play their Grand Final this week.

Congratulations to our Open Girls Soccer who were victorious over Wycliffe Christian School 8-0. The girls will now represent Nepean Zone in the CSSA Soccer Gala Day. Goal Scorers: Belle C, Zara S, Chiara G, Mia J and Maddison.

We were strongly represented in both Netball grand finals. Our U15’s played a hard game against Wycliffe Christian School and finished runners-up in the competition losing 33-15. The girls are to be congratulated for the effort and teamwork they demonstrated, it was a privilege to see them play. Our Open Girls went one better and are now Zone Champions winning 18-9 against Wahroonga Christian School. Congratulations to all team members who have trained hard all term and are deserving winners.

Last week our School Captains, Brock Stinson and Kyla Martin, attended the Mayoral Reception at the Joan Sutherland Centre with Mrs Deal. 

The Mayor of the City of Penrith, Cr. Karen McKeown OAM, addressed all the School Captains from the local area, encouraging them in their leadership journey and congratulating them for attaining this position in their School communities. 

Everyone had a fantastic day at our Secondary Athletics Carnival on Wednesday, 2 June. We had a very cold start to the morning, however, the sun showed up and it ended up being a beautiful day. All students got involved whether it was in events, serving lunches to staff and volunteers, cheering their peers or dressing up in House Colours. We had lots of extraordinary results across all events including some broken records. Ella W broke the discus record for the 12 Years Girls, throwing 19.06m. Landen B broke the 100m record in the 14 Years Boys finishing with a time of 12.02 seconds, and Zara S broke the record for the 12-14 Years Girls 1500m, finishing with a time of 6 minutes and 23 seconds.

There are plenty of students who will now progress to Zone on Thursday 5 August. A list of these competitors will be released early next term once our Javelin events are finalised. Please keep an eye out for this Zone Carnival information and wish all these competitors the best, and pray that they stay safe and represent PCS with great pride. 

Finally, a massive thank you to all of the Staff, Volunteers, Parents, Caregivers and our amazing NSW Athletics Officials for their incredible efforts in making the day such a success, we couldn’t have done it without you!

What an amazing experience we have had using an incubator to hatch eggs. To watch the students getting excited when the due date was near, and then watching their faces when the chicks hatched, was priceless. The little balls of fluff have melted even the toughest hearts!

I must admit I had never hatched eggs before so this was such a big learning curve and there have been so many times where I just stood  in awe, wonder, and delight that we have such an amazing, incredibly detailed Creator, who cares for all His creation.

This reminds me of the Bible verse in Luke 12:6-7 MSG ‘What’s the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.’

At the beginning of Term 2, as part of the School Sport program, select students from Years 7 and 8 signed up to play Volleyball. A keen passion for the sport quickly came to light with enthusiastic participation and a competitive spirit defining our sessions.

More recently, the students have been blessed with the opportunity to receive external coaching in this sport across four weeks of the term. Coach Ella, from the University of Western Sydney, has visited the school and spent time investing in the sportsmanship and skills of the students, and it has been exciting to see exponential growth in confidence, and development of competency in this sport.

The coaching sessions have particularly targeted effective technique used in the game including serving, setting, and spiking, and have incorporated drills and competitive games for students to put into practice what they have learnt.

Do you have a fancy ride? A golden oldie? Or a high tech vehicle? It is that time of year again when we are preparing for our annual STEM Solar Car Challenge Car Show for Year 8 Students.

If you have a car that you feel is special, unique, or high tech, and are happy to share this with us on the afternoon of the Wednesday 28 July then please email the following details to: alisa.hayden@pcs.nsw.edu.au 

Your Name: 

Year 7 Science students discovered the wonders of electrostatics last week.

How can you make objects move without touching them? Create an electrostatic field! Students used this concept to move water in different directions, understand lightning, and make their hair stand on end.

Year 7 students have decided they love bad hair days!  

Zone Sport

It has been a busy term for sport and this week was no different with our Zone finals underway. Our teams were strongly represented in a number of semi-finals and finals.

Our Open Girls have qualified straight through to the Grand Final and will play this game next week at Jamison Park, kicking off at 1.30 pm. Parents are welcome to attend to cheer on and support our girls.

On Tuesday 8 June, Year 11 Biology students visited Long Reef Rock Platform to investigate the ecosystems within the protected Long Reef Aquatic Reserve. This field study provided valuable practical experiences relating to outcomes in the Biology Syllabus.

It was an early start, departing PCS at 6.50 am. The day was overcast and particularly cold on the coast. We were met by Adam, who was our AUSECO Environmental Educator, and he motivated students to participate in various written and practical activities

Students examined the distribution and abundance of tidal rockshelf organisms using quadrats and a transect. The highlight of the day was viewing and holding interesting rock pool animals. These beautiful organisms were carefully collected for observation and returned to their rock pool habitats.

A few months ago Olivia (Year 6) competed at the New South Wales Primary Schools Sports Association (NSWPSSA) Swimming Championships. Congratulations to Olivia on her achievement of being selected into the NSWPSSA Merit Team.

NSWPSSA consists of 13 associations and close to 400,000 students. For Olivia to be selected, it is a huge achievement!! We just recently received Olivia’s certificate and were able to present this to her.  

Again, this is a huge achievement and the PCS community are so proud of Olivia and her efforts.

On Thursday 27 May, our PCS staff participated in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. This annual event is a community event that raises vital funds to make a big difference for those impacted by cancer. Obviously for me, this is more significant as I go through the journey of fighting cancer, and as I see the incredible work the medical profession does and the importance of researching into cancer.

We were able to raise $200 for this great cause.

Tracey Deal

Did you hear the exciting news? The brightest day at school is coming!

PCS United is hosting a Colour Explosion School Fun Run with Australian Fundraising at our school on the last day of term - Friday 25 June 2021. This event is for students in Preschool to Year 6. Parents, you are welcome to attend and show your support.

Students have received their sponsorship booklet and can now create their online profile at: www.myprofilepage.com.au  Funds raised will go to Oxfam in support of tackling poverty, feet first. In under a week, lots of students have already started fundraising - way to go!

Oxfam Trailwalker is Australia's original team challenge where teams of four walk 100km in less than 48 hours to help end world poverty, funding Oxfam projects across the globe. Mrs Tracey Perrin, Mrs Juliet Hill, Mrs Kirsty Nitsos and Mrs Fiona Doyle (also known as PCS United - a team supported by our school) have made the commitment to do just that in September to tackle poverty feet first. The event is held from Friday 3 September to Sunday 5 September 2021. 

Our ‘Dancing with the Teachers’ fundraiser is fast approaching and is scheduled for Friday 25 June 2021 from 5.30 pm - 7.30 pm. Tickets are selling fast, so be sure to get in quick. For more information CLICK HERE, or CLICK HERE to book tickets.

This is the LAST WEEK where raffle tickets can be purchased. Additional booklets are still available. Please email Mrs Hill at juliet.aboagyehill@pcs.nsw.edu.au, with any questions about this. We ask that ALL tickets (sold/unsold) are returned next Friday 11 June. The raffle will be drawn at Lollipops and you do not need to be in attendance to collect your prize.

On Friday 28 May 2021, 55 students from Year 3 through to Year 12 had the opportunity to represent PCS and the Nepean Zone at the annual CSSA State Cross Country event at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park.

All students participated extremely well with many achieving their personal best. We had three students from PCS place inside the Top 10 in their respective events which sees them now qualify for the upcoming NSW CIS Cross Country on Thursday 10 June 2021. Hannah K qualified after finishing 7th in the 8/9 Year Girls event, Eli J qualified after finishing 7th in the (Primary) 12-13 Year Boys event, and Zara S qualified after finishing 6th in the Secondary 13 Year Girls event.

I would like to congratulate all students for the tremendous efforts and say a huge thank you to Mrs Tina Allen who assisted in our PCS Officials Duty on the day, and Mrs Ruth Phillips and Mrs Emma Barter for overseeing our respective Primary and Secondary Cross Country Teams. The day would not have been such a success without your efforts.

It is with great pleasure that I have the honour to be able to announce the Age Champions from our recent Primary Athletics Carnival and congratulations to those who have qualified to be a part of the Primary Zone Athletics Team as a result of their outstanding achievements.

Primary Zone Athletics information has been sent to parents/caregivers regarding the Zone Athletics Carnival which will be held at Blacktown International Sports Park, Rooty Hill on Wednesday 16 June 2021.

All students participated and engaged extremely well and all students should be congratulated for their achievements. 

On Thursday 22 to Friday 23 April, Year 4 went for an overnight camp at Wedderburn Christian Campsite at Wedderburn. The students were keen to undertake some new activities in the outdoor environment and enjoyed a range of activities.

Students enjoyed outside free time, including play equipment, volleyball, football and overhead 9-square volleyball game. The Giant Swing and Flying Fox enabled the students to overcome their fears and take new steps in challenging themselves. Archery built skills in hand-eye coordination and strength, and Laser Tag enabled students to work as a team and use new equipment to achieve group goals.

The students enjoyed staying overnight in cabin rooms with their friends, which for some students was their first overnight school camp. The bonfire and marshmallows were a favourite, even though the weather was quite cool. The night bushwalk with torches was also an experience to see God’s world in a new way. We particularly would like to thank our parent helpers who attended camp along with the Year 4 teachers. Year 4 had a fabulous time at camp.

It was such a great evening last week at our Years 8 and 10 Subject Information Evening. We launched our ‘Flourishing Futures’ program with family interviews, and bringing together careers, subject, and community partners. Thank you to Western Sydney University and representatives from the Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport who discussed future work and study opportunities for students.

Geraldine Paynter

Deputy Principal

We had a fantastic day on Monday 24 May as we conducted our annual Years 3-6 Primary Athletics Carnival. The day started a little gloomy; however were truly blessed by God with avoiding rain and the sun shining for majority of the day. Students participated in a fantastic manner in all events and competed to the best of their abilities.

There were numerous PBs set by students and some extraordinary results in two records being broken. Coco Purcell set a new record in the 11 Year Girls 800m with a time of 3:12.64, and Cameron Wild set a new record in the 11 Year Boys Shot Put with a distance of 8.57m. Final House results for the Primary Carnival: Daniel – 1st, Caleb – 2nd and Joshua – 3rd.

There are numerous students who will now progress onwards to Nepean Zone Primary Athletics Carnival on Wednesday 16 June at Blacktown International Sports Park. Please stay tuned for more information to be released regarding students who have qualified for Zone.