Penrith High Towers-Alumni

Welcome to our first edition of Towers-Alumni for 2023.

In the last edition of Towers-Alumni for 2022, I shared that Mr Mark Long would be staying in the Relieving Director Educational Leadership role for a little longer. While I continue relieving as Principal during his absence, Ms Trang Lam will relieve in the Deputy Principal role following Mrs Kylie Lowe’s return to the Strategic School Improvement team.

Shortly after publication, our school was notified that Mr Brian Ferguson was successful in gaining the position of Principal at North Sydney Boys’ High School. Brian is our former Head Teacher Mathematics and more recently, Deputy Principal and has contributed significantly to our school. His expertise across so many areas will not be easy to replace but we know that he will be a wonderful addition to North Sydney Boys High School and wish him well in the next stages of his career. While we await advice about filling Brian's Deputy Principal position at our school, Mr Anthony Vassallo will step into his role as Deputy Principal.

Welcome to our new students and our 2022 Alumni

The school year has started well as we are joined by over 175 truly exceptional students including our 2023 Year 7 cohort and our new 8-11 enrolments. Along with over 175 new students, we also welcomed 18 new teaching, administration and support staff. A special welcome to our new Student Support Officer, Ms Tiarne Verbeek; Visual Arts Teacher, Mrs Catherine Berry and Social Sciences Teacher, Ms Tazneem Musa all of whom were appointed permanently to our school.

When we welcome a new cohort of students, we also welcome a new cohort of Alumni. The class of 2022 is an incredibly talented group of students, each in their own right. A big congratulations to Gabriel Cant, our 2022 School Captain and 2022 Dux. Gabe achieved an ATAR of 99.80, closely followed by Aatish Budhwani with an ATAR of 99.75 and Siyan Tao with 99.70. 11 names were added to the HSC Excellence Honour Board in the school Hall, equal to that of the 2019 cohort. This board acknowledges students who achieve the top band (Band 6 or E4) in all courses studied. Further to this we also had 271 mentions on the Distinguished Achievers list for Band 6 or E4 results in individual HSC courses. Perhaps most impressively, the class of 2022 obtained 4 state ranks. These are the first state ranks obtained since 2020 and possibly the only time we have ever had 4:

• 3rd place state ranking for Gurveer Khalsa in Mathematics Extension 2

• 15th place state ranking for Aatish Budhwani in Legal Studies

• 3rd place state ranking for Gabe Cant in Modern History

• 4th place state ranking for Gabe Cant in Society and Culture

Welcome back, class of ‘63

Recently we welcomed back Alumni from the class of 1963 for a tour of the school as part of their 60 year reunion celebrations. Over the six decades which have passed since this group completed their leaving certificate, it was a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase the many changes to the school.

In attendance were the 1963 School Captains, Peter Coburn and The Hon. Penelope Wensley AC. It is always heartening to see so many friendships made in school continue long after graduation. Thank you to those in the class of 1963 who visited and allowed us to play a small part in their celebrations.

Ms Wensley was our 1963 female School Captain and went on to be Australia's first permanent female representative to the United Nations, Governor of Queensland and a number of other high profile roles. Established in 2020, an award and honour board was established in Ms Wensley’s name for the highest performing female student in HSC English. It was a privilege to have Ms Wensley return to see the honour board for the first time.

Inaugural High Achievers Assembly and Morning Tea

This year we held our inaugural High Achievers Assembly and Morning Tea, recognising the Year 12 cohort from 2022 on their HSC achievements. At the Assembly, we welcomed back members of the 2022 HSC Cohort who were All Rounders (Band 6 or E4 performance in at least 10 units of study) OR were awarded a state rank or nomination to a NESA showcase, exhibition or publication. We look forward to our next High Achievers Assembly and Morning Tea celebrating the achievements of our 2023 HSC cohort.

My thanks to Mr Anthony Vassallo for his work in leading this event.

School Upgrades

We are excited to share many upgrades that have, and will continue to happen around the school. Projects undertaken in 2022 include:

• Roof replacement project which saw the roof replaced in the School’s Hall, A block as well as parts of H Block and T Block

• The completion of an additional car park (entry via Colless Street)

• An extension to our Alumni Garden with the completion of two additional pathways. The first pathway extends from the school entrance (next to Penrith Public School) to the staff carpark and includes additional pavers which are available for purchase and personalisation). The second is from the staff carpark to the existing pathway. Both are rose lined

• Renovations to the School Library which included the creation of a collaborative senior study space that comfortably allows 45 students the space to collaborate in at any given time. Renovations to the upstairs senior study space for individual study are underway

• The installation of a replica plaque to signpost the school’s oval which is historically known at the H.E McGregor Oval. Mr Hector McGregor was the first Principal of Penrith High School. As noted on our school website, the original is kept in our archives

• The creation of a large mural which completed the Yarning Circle Project and involved students working with a local indigenous artist

• Classrooms were not forgotten with Vivi installed in every learning space as well as the School Hall. Vivi is a collaborative learning tool that enables teachers and students to share, display, annotate, capture and save information in real time.

In 2023, we have also relaunched our Revital’eyes initiative - a program to plan the renewal of the school site. The last Revital’eyes Tour took place in 2016 and we have now identified future areas that are no longer fit for purpose or in need of revitalising in 2023 and beyond. You can view the upgrades that have been happening as a result of our previous Revital’eyes tour here: https://www.smore.com/3jxsq-pshs-facility-update

Thank you as always for sharing these Towers-Alumni updates. If you are holding an event this year, trying to reconnect with former students or know of any news that could be added to our Term 2 edition, please email it through to the school (penrith-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au) and attention the email to our editor, Cathie Fayle.​

Warm regards,

Jaclyn Cush

Relieving Principal

Best friends Gabe Cant and Aatish Budhwani couldn’t believe their eyes when they opened their ATARs on Thursday.

The Penrith High School students not only got the marks they wanted, but they also managed to secure themselves Dux and Proxime Accessit.

“I am feeling very, very happy today. It’s still kind of sinking in,” said Gabe who received an ATAR of 99.80 and was third in the state for Modern History and fourth in Society and Culture.

“It’s definitely been a very long year. The first half of the year was very slow and lots of arduous study and then trials and the HSC came very quickly. A lot of time spent in the library until it closes.”

On a call together, Gabe and Aatish opened their ATARs, hoping that they got the same mark. In the end they were separated by 0.05 of a mark, with Aatish landing himself an impressive 99.75.

When the Herald called to speak with them today they were rushing between university campuses, eager to see what each of them had to offer.

“My teachers have been a really big source of inspiration for me,” said Gabe who, as a consequence, is likely to study a Bachelor of Arts and Cognitive Science at Macquarie University after receiving a scholarship.

For Aatish, a Bachelor of Commerce and Law at the University of Sydney is the dream, and one that will hopefully come true after he secured an ATAR above the UAC guidance mark.

In mid February we held our Inaugural HSC High Achievers' Assembly and Morning Tea. In doing so we recognise and celebrate the commitment , hard work, diligence and effort our highest achieving students have placed in their quest for academic excellence over 13 years of education, including 6 years of high school. To our high achievers, you are a symbol of hope, of what is doable, what is achievable and what is possible.

It is fitting that we celebrate our highest achieving HSC students while welcoming our newest Year 7 cohort. As is the tradition at PSHS, our Year 7 cohort is welcomed to assembly with a traditional Clap In. On graduating in six years time the cohort has its farewell experience by being Clapped Out of the Assembly.

A great day of celebration!

On Tuesday, 28 February, 2023 the Legal Studies Association of NSW held a function at the Masonic Centre in the city to acknowledge the achievements of the top 20 ranked students in HSC Legal Studies in 2022. Each student and their teacher and parents were invited to attend.

Aatish Budhwani from Penrith Selective High School was placed equal 15th in last year’s Legal Studies HSC. He achieved a mark of 97. He was one of four PSHS students to achieve a state rank (top 20).

As each student was called up to receive their certificate they were interviewed about their HSC Legal Studies experience, their introduction to university, their future plans and how they might change the Legal Studies syllabus and exam. The interviewer was Brian Elliott from the LSA (Law and Society Association). Brian was one of the founding Deputy Presidents of the LSA and was President from 2001 to 2009. He has been an HSC Marker, Senior Marker and the Chief Examiner for Legal Studies.

Aatish is now studying law at Sydney University.

Aatish is to be congratulated on a fabulous result which was achieved through persistent and consistent hard work which made the most of his exceptional abilities.

Mr Stone-Aatish’s Legal Studies Teacher

To bring in the new school year we decided to talk about our future! In this episode, the 14th, the team discusses sustainability at school particularly with the creation of our new garden. As society becomes more aware of our impact on the environment, this collective movement towards a sustainable future has never been more important. We hear some riveting conversations between Harsheen and Sahithi who worked on the garden as they both provide a very articulate perspective on how we should be more mindful of our environment. Ms Bolle also joins the conversation with excellent tips and advice on how we can better our relationship with nature.

his episode marks the debut for a few of our Podcast team members, including our new hosts - Manasvi Salaka and Yashika Saravanan.

We also welcome our new copy writers - Sreekar Kompella, Amanya Valiveti and Shamaila Faisal - who all work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring you new content from our community.

Each year we invite Alumni back to the school to share their life experiences with current senior PSHS students as they make important decisions regarding their future.

Alumni Night is set to take place on June 27 2023 between 6:00 and 7:30pm with a Principal’s Welcome in the school's Common Room prior to the event at approximately 5:30pm. If you are willing to give up some of your precious time for our students, please fill in the brief expression of interest found here:

https://forms.gle/jxjfboFT1znyCTEj9

Thank you to last year's Alumni who attended

Dismitha returned to PSHS early in February for a visit.

Dismitha was one of our many excellent performing graduates of 2022. With an ATAR of 96.85 he earned a scholarship for the University of Sydney where he is now studying a Bachelor of Medical Science.

Dismitha volunteers at Foster the Future to provide tutoring for students in disadvantaged positions.

Dismitha said " I'm looking forward to all the clubs and societies at uni and I'd like to join as many as possible." At that time Dismitha had joined the Boxing Club and some faculty-based clubs as well.

He went on to say "my time at Penrith High has taught me effective note-taking and study skills for uni, but above all, has helped me to become more confident and social".

Good luck Dismitha in your course and for the future!

Rana was asked if he would mind talking about how he is giving back to Penrith High.

"Hello, my name is Rana Singh, and it brings me great joy to share my contributions to Penrith High School. Having graduated in 2021, I have since returned as a weekly coding enrichment tutor and delivered a presentation on the co-op program at UNSW. As a coding enrichment tutor I spend my Wednesday afternoons teaching passionate students at Penrith High the basics and intermediate skills associated with the Python Programming Language. As a current co-op scholar in Actuarial Studies at UNSW, I eagerly anticipate my upcoming internship at Aware Super and my term abroad in Switzerland. My studies and experiences have been fulfilling, and I am grateful for the opportunities that have shaped my growth.

Thank you,
Rana "

Thank you Rana! Good luck with your studies and internship!

Eugenia has spoken to our School Functions Prefects recently and had this to say: "Penrith Selective HS has allowed me to be involved in a wide array of academic and creative activities, and has connected me with amazing teachers and friends. I have contributed back to the school through my roles as Senior Prefect and Co-President of the Business Society in 2020. Some of my highlights from these roles include organising volunteering initiatives as well as running the Inaugural Pitch Competition. Currently, I'm in my third year of studying a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce (Majoring in Finance) at the University of Sydney. Whilst completing my studies, I have worked as a Commercial Litigation Paralegal at Corrs Chambers Westgarth and have completed an internship at Ernst & Young in the Strategy Transaction and Execution team."

Thank you Eugenia! Good luck with your degree!

Thank you Dharani Sutharshan, Angeline Joby and Dharika Sujendran

School Functions Prefects

Our School Functions Prefects spoke recently to Nicholas and what he is doing at present. Nicholas had this to say "University life is definitely a change of pace compared to high school life back at Penrith, without the rigid schedule and lovely teachers to help you out, a lot more discipline is needed in order to stay on top of everything. I’m currently in my second year studying a Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Sydney. Overall, my studies have been going well thanks to study skills and habits I picked up during my time at high school and in the HSC. I’d love to come back to Penrith High sometime and speak about the joys and challenges of life in university, though it can be quite different to high school, it’s an awesome experience nonetheless.”

Thank you Nicholas! We may see you soon!

Thank you Dharani Sutharshan, Angeline Joby and Dharika Sujendran

School Functions Prefects

This year we welcome back Durai Raajasingam - Class of 2014 - as a teacher to our PDHPE Faculty!

Durai comes to us from Parramatta High School and is looking forward to working with the students of PSHS.

Durai's favourite sports are cricket, football and outdoor adventures.

By the way, Durai still has that infectious smile that he had in Year 11!

In our last edition of the newsletter, we announced the establishment of a new award to recognise and honour the contributions of Alumna, The Honourable Linda Burney MP.

It is with great pleasure we share the inaugural recipient of this award is Elijah Craig (see photo below). Elijah is currently in Year 9 and in just over two years at our school, Elijah has consistently proven himself to be a fierce advocate for Aboriginal Education. He has worked alongside Indigenous artist Rhe Lotter on the Yarning Circle Mural Project with a larger team of students to create a genuine space for Aboriginal voices and experiences to be amplified. Elijah regularly addresses the school assembly and opens regional teacher conferences delivering meaningful and considered Acknowledgements of Country to bring awareness to First Nation people as the custodians of the land.

60 YEARS SCHOOL REUNION

A special event took place in Penrith between March 14 and 16. It was the 60th Anniversary Reunion of the PHS Class of 1963.

Twenty-four ex-students plus partners travelled from as far as Bundaberg, Brisbane, Albury, Canberra and Coonabarabran as well as areas closer to Penrith.

The group enjoyed lunches at local eateries, including Rowers, Log Cabin and an unforgettable river cruise on the Nepean Belle, as well as dinner at Tins & Wood.

However, an outstanding part of the reunion was a visit to Penrith High School by 10 ex-students including 1963 School Captains, Peter Coburn and Penny Wensley (now The Honourable Penelope Wensley AC).

A tour of the school was arranged, led by four Year 10 Multimedia students, commencing in the Alumni Garden which the ex-students found a delightful new addition. The gazebo, paths and roses add significantly to the charm and attraction of the school entrance. The group were fortunate to gain access to the Main Hall, to view the Honour Boards including the new Honour Board in Ms Wensley’s name.

It would be hard to pinpoint the number of noteworthy changes which have taken place in the school since 1963. Many trees have helped make the area much more environmentally friendly, carpeting has substantially reduced noise and many new buildings have been added.

The ex-students are proud of their history with Penrith High School and appreciated the opportunity to return and reconnect. It is gratifying to know the school is in such good hands and that the future continues positive and bright.

Wendy Baldock

Reunion Co-ordinator

Penny Wensley AC has held many distinguished roles in her career.

Penny was the first female Ambassador to the United Nations; in 2001 she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia(AO); from 2001-2004 Penny was High Commissioner to India and Ambassador to France from 2005-2008. Penny was the 25th Governor of Queensland from 2008-2014. In 2011 she was appointed a Companion(AC) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. Further to her many titles Penny are the National Soils Advocate and the Chairman of the Australian Institute of Marine Science Council and of the Reef Advisory Committee.

We were very privileged to have Penny and the rest of her class Alumni visit PSHS.

Divinia Eather, known musically as Divinia Jean, was one of two local acts lucky enough to secure gigs during The Tamworth Country Music Festival in January, 2023.

This was her first standalone Tamworth gig following a huge win at last year's Tamworth Festival when she achieved second place in the Toyota Busking Championships.

Divinia played a concert at the Courthouse Hotel Tamworth which she said was 'so exciting'. She also enjoyed busking every day of the Festival saying 'There were so many people out and everyone was coming by and dancing for a little bit, stopping and signing. It was such a great time.'

Divinia hopes to release her first album by the end of the year.

Information courtesy of the Western Weekender 24/2/23

This photo is used as the backdrop for Towers-Alumni Newsletter and is also a mural in the Front Office of PSHS

We are proud to announce that the first edition of the school's Captains Book is now available for purchase. Please follow the instructions below to order your copy now.

Price: $40

Please follow this link to make a payment here

Postage within Australia will be free. Contact the school with proof of purchase and mailing address.

For overseas mail, you will need to contact the school and emails/calls can be directed to Cathie in the Library.

Nonetheless, we would still like to hear further from the Captains that are not in edition one.

If you are interested please email the school on: penrith-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Attention Cathie in the library for further details

NOTE: the school was not established until 1950 so bear this in mind.

In addition, if the Alumni listed below could also reach out to update some details:

Harry Grimes

Jason Peterson

Brian Carney

Alan Ormerod

David Stevens

Ian Dickens

Please Note

The Defence Service Honour Board will be updated early in 2023 with all the perpetual boards.

Email: penrith-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: http://penrith-h.schools.nsw.gov.au
Location: 158-240 High St, Penrith NSW, Australia
Phone: (02) 4721 0529
Facebook: facebook.com/penrithselectivehighschool