Penrith High Towers-Alumni

Welcome to Edition 15 of Towers Alumni.

From time to time, we sit mid way through a term and wonder if there will be much to include in the upcoming edition. Of course given the generosity of so many, there always is. Even though I read almost all of the article that appears, I still enjoy seeing the final product that our Editor and Library Administration Officer, Cathie Fayle, put together. During this lockdown period, Cathie has worked her way through the archives to compile a full list of all Deputy Principals at Penrith and all Prefects from the school's opening in 1950. Both important parts of our history. My sincere thanks from all of us who enjoy Towers Alumni to Cathie for her tireless work each term.

Lockdown and Learning from Home

As I write for this edition, we are very much in lockdown as I am sure many of you are. The school moved very quickly to operationalise our successful model of synchronous online learning developed in 2020. As with learning onsite, the timetable remains in place, but the whole school operates via zoom and google classroom. The incredible expertise and commitment from the staff (Teaching and Non Teaching) and the willingness of students and families to work as hard as possible in pursuit of success has made the model successful.

What has differed from last year, is the timing and subsequent impact on the HSC. We made an informed decision not to run the Trial HSC exams and instead staff worked to coordinate a program of practice papers under exam conditions. With the HSC again moved later, a balance of patience, wellbeing, and sustained work will be important for students, staff and families. I have every confidence that we will achieve the primary goal of supporting every student to move to tertiary studies for 2022.

For Alumni interested in how we run our online learning, this link will take you to our Learning and Wellbeing Hub.

70th Anniversary Luncheon

My continued thanks to the committee for their tenacious commitment to hosting this special event. Many would have given up, but I am looking forward to the new date in March, 2022 and meeting many people for the first time and reconnecting with others whom I have met over the past 5 years as Principal. Details and ticket information can be found later in this edition.

Record Student Applications for places in 2022

We once again had a record number of applications for placement into year 7 (operated by the Department of Education) and years 8-11 (managed by the school) which is a great sign of confidence about the school. The school was also highlighted in the Sydney Morning Herald last week, as one of the selective schools in NSW with the high acceptance of offers for Year 7 students. This trend has been developing in recent years and is testament to many factors, including the contribution that our Alumni have made in the wider community and also coming back to share your experiences with current students.

Our Yarning Circle

Our school has a rich history of success achieved by our Aboriginal students and prior to lockdown, the school’s Yarning Circle was completed. The construction of that space, located at the rear of the school near the refurbished cricket nets has been a wonderfully rich experience and I am looking forward to students returning to the site to enjoy the area and to further deepen our collective knowledge of first nations people and culture.

Former student and aboriginal woman, Divinia Eather (class of 2019) led the project through her family business (Eather Group) and the project involved 6 indigenous companies including design, landscaping, artwork, cultural consultation and labour.

A large mural project will complete the project and will involve students working with a local indigenous artist when students return to site.

The Blue Mountains Gazette published this article about the Yarning Circle: https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/7351429/yarning-circle-in-covid-lockdown/

Special Thanks

To conclude, I wanted to acknowledge many of our alumni who are working in front line roles in the health system during COVID-19. Many past students are working as Doctors, Nurses, Executive Staff and in many other roles that are getting us vaccinated and taking care of so many who are unwell. This of course brings personal risk, stress and pressure at work and home.

Stay well and warm regards,

Mark Long

Principal

Penrith High School's 70th Anniversary Reunion is to be postponed to Saturday 26 March 2022. Tickets already purchased will be transferred to the new date. If the new date is not suitable for you, a full refund will be made.

Venue: Penrith Paceway.

Years: 1950-2010

Time: 12 noon, for lunch at 1:00 p.m.

Tickets went on sale on Monday 21st June and will continue until 4th March 2022 or all sold and will cost $75 each.

Tickets are only available from Eventbrite

https://www.facebook.com/events/729113704638758​

A special thank you to former student and committee member for the 70th Anniversary Luncheon, Derek Thompson, who has colourised this photo of the old Towers Mansion that was on the site before it was knocked down to build the school. The 2 remaining sandstone pieces of the Towers can be found in the Alumni Garden. The Towers is also the name of our Annual School Magazine that has been published every year (except '51 and '88) since the school's opening in 1950 as well as being integrated into the name of this newsletter produced quarterly.

Towers sat where the current carpark and A Block are now.

Below is a list of the Deputies from 1950 -2021.

Some familiar names for most of you!

An Interesting Note

It was said by one of the editors of the Towers Magazine that most Deputies retired at PHS!

1950 - Mr T. Tasker

1951 - Mr T. Tasker

1952 - Mr W. Eason

1953 - Mr W. Eason

1954 - Mr W. Eason

1955 - Mr J. Dillon

1956 - Mr J. Dillon

1957 - Mr J. Dillon

1958 - Mr J. Dillon

1959 - Mr A. E. Byrne

1960 - Mr A. E. Byrne

1961 - Mr A. E. Byrne

1962 - Mr A. E. Byrne

1963 - Mr G. H. Brown

1964 - Mr G. H. Brown

1965 - Mr R. L. Docherty
1966 - Mr R. L. Docherty

1967 - Mr R. L. Docherty

1968 - Mr R. L. Docherty

1969 - Mr R. L. Docherty

1970 - Mr R. Cowley

1971 - Mr R. Cowley

1972 - Mr R. Cowley

1973 - Mr R. Cowley

1974 - Mr R. Waterson

1975 - Mr R. Waterson

1976 - Mr R. Waterson

1977 - Mr R. Waterson

1978 - Mr B. Brown; Mr B. Toohey (Rel)

1979 - Mr W. Payne

1980 - Mr W. Payne

1981 - Mr W. Payne

1982 - Mr W. Payne

1983 - Mr R. Bancroft

1984 - Mr R. Bancroft

1985 - Mr R. Bancroft

1986 - Mr R. Bancroft

1987 - Mr R. Bancroft

1988 - Mr R. Bancroft

1989 - Mr R. Bancroft

1990 - Mr B. Wingett

1991 - Mr B. Wingett

1992 - Mr B. Wingett

1993 - Mr B. Wingett

1994 - Mr B. Wingett

1995 - Mr B. Wingett

1996 - Mr B. Wingett

1997 - Mr B. Wingett

1998 - Mr B. Wingett

1999 - Mr B. Wingett

2000 - Mr B. Wingett

2001 - Mr B. Wingett; Mr B. Kirkby

2002 - Mr B. Wingett; Mr B. Kirkby

2003 - Mr B. Wingett; Mr B. Kirkby

2004 - Mr B. Kirkby; Mr S. Duclos (Rel)

2005 - Mr B. Wingett; Mr B. Kirkby

2006 - Mr B. Kirkby; Ms C. Screech (Rel)

2007 - Mr B. Kirkby; Mrs R. Asboth

2008 - Mr B. Kirkby; Mrs R. Asboth

2009 - Mr B. Kirkby; Mrs R. Asboth

2010 - Mr C. Prior (Rel); Mr S. Duclos (Rel); Mr G. Mell (Rel)

2011 - Mr G. Robertson; Ms K. MacPhail

2012 - Mr G. Robertson; Ms K. MacPhail

2013 - Mr G. Robertson; Ms K. MacPhail

2014 - Mr G. Robertson; Mr S. Duclos (Rel)

2015 - Mr G. Robertson; Mr S. Duclos (Rel)

2016 - Mr G. Robertson; Mr S. Duclos (Rel)

2017 - Mr B. Ferguson; Ms T. Cunningham

2018 - Mr B. Ferguson; Ms T. Cunningham

2019 - Mr B. Ferguson; Ms J. Cush

2020 - Mr B. Ferguson; Ms J. Cush; Ms D. Lee

2021 - Mr B. Ferguson; Ms J. Cush; Ms D. Lee

During NAIDOC Week on Multicultural Day Uncle Graham Cooper, an Aboriginal Elder from the Dharug community, conducted a Smoking Ceremony. It is an ancient Aboriginal custom that involves smouldering native plants to produce smoke, believed to have healing and cleansing properties. This aligns with this year's NAIDOC Week's celebration theme of Heal Country. It was an honour to have Uncle Graham attending and we are very proud to have been able to witness and share this tradition with staff and students at PSHS.

NAIDOC Week is nationally celebrated between the 4th-11th July which falls in our school holiday period.

Thank you to Mrs Pipio, Mrs Holloway, Mrs Wallace, Ms Ross, Ms Scardanas and Dr Katyal for working together to organise this event.

During NAIDOC Week PSHS held its annual MUticultural Day.

The students and staff came dressed in their beautiful traditional costumes and throughout the day the students had stalls selling their delicious food dishes from the different countries represented at our school.

During recess and lunch a concert took place in the hall and of course a highlight was the Year 12 dance.So entertaining!

We were extremely fortunate to have this day of celebration before we were put into lockdown.

We are really missing everyone being onsite.

Before lockdown our new Yarning Circle was completed. Making it even more special was having Alumna, Divinia Eather, and Eather Group lead and complete this whilst engaging indigenous businesses. Following on from a special Smoking Ceremony in NAIDOC Week and on Multicultural Day with Uncle Graham there will be a mural also completed when the students are back.

The Yarning Circle is based on the 2021 NAIDOC theme "Heal Country".

A 100% Indigenous-led project in the Education sector, the consultation, planning and design, resourcing, execution, clean up and quality control, was championed completely by Indigenous businesses.

Eather Group engaged five other Indigenous contractors to deliver this project namely, Muru Mittigar, Kangaroo Transport and Haulage, Yamari Ochre Signs, the Richmond franchisee of Fox Mowing and Plate Events. Furthermore, this project provided work for upwards of 12 Aboriginal people in a time of Sydney-wide job insecurity.

Eather Group are excited about the potential to use this project as a blueprint for other interested schools, as well as within other sectors.

Thank you Eather Group for completing this project in connecting students to the significance of Country.

1. What is your best memory of Penrith High School?

I will never forget the feeling of inclusiveness at Penrith High School. I remember my first day so vividly, not knowing a soul, and feeling absolutely terrified. I was sure I would be found out as an imposter. I was made to feel at home almost instantly. My teachers and peers were all incredibly bright, clever, full of life. They wanted to be there, and they made me feel part of a family.

As for one memory? I think I was in year 8, hiding in a spare classroom, and nervously practising a speech in my lunch break just before an afternoon English assessment. I faced the back wall and tried not to let my hands shake. As I finished I turned around and saw an English teacher, Ms Vines, watching from the door. She said “I think you should do public speaking with me.” Without being dramatic, it changed my life. I can trace every success and opportunity I’ve ever had to that moment. A teacher saw potential in me that I hadn’t realised, and it made all the difference in the world.

2. What did you think you would be doing after you left high school?

I loved History and English, and desperately wanted to end up in Foreign Affairs or International Policy. I was excited by travel and the challenges of International Relations. But when I later studied at university and had the chance to travel to international institutions and learn overseas, I realised there were other ways to make positive contributions in the community.

3. What are you doing now? (and since leaving school)

I now work as a lawyer in Canberra, often appearing in Territory and Federal courts and tribunals, but mostly acting to resolve disputes between people, businesses, and government. Since I left school, I’ve travelled a lot, including studies in Geneva and the US, sailed around the world with Young Endeavour and now sit on the Minister’s Advisory Board for the program. I studied Law, Political Science, and International Relations, and dabbled in Sociology and Security Studies. I’ve sailed in two Sydney to Hobart races, coached local football teams, volunteered with charities, worked as a Judicial Associate at the ACT Courts, and currently advocate for better access to Pro Bono and Community Law in Canberra.

4. What is the best advice you could give to current PHS students?

Nothing is un-fixable. Nothing is certain. Nothing is forever. You can pursue passions, and they can turn out to be the wrong choice. You can find yourself in a completely random circumstance of fortune and coincidence, and it could end up being the most influential moment of your life.

So in that context, my advice is this: wherever you find yourself, whether you planned to be there or not, get stuck in and excel at it. Do the work nobody else is doing. Say yes to the project even if you’re not sure how to do it yet. You’re clever and resourceful and resilient enough to do it. But never forget the privilege you have, and always think of how you can include others in your work, see the potential in others, and lift up the voices around you. Like my English teacher did.

1. My best memory is all of the recesses and lunch breaks spent at the same table in the quad area with a wonderful group of friends. I am fortunate enough to still call these wonderful humans friends, despite finishing high school over a decade ago. My second best memory would be completing Year 12 and how important and significant that was at the time.

2. I didn't know exactly what I would be doing but I think I knew I would be involved in the world of education.

3. Still wearing the boxer shorts I made in Year 8 Textiles! Not really! Currently I am a high school TAS teacher and a Year Adviser - special mention to Mr Mills, my own Year Adviser​.

4. The best advice I could give to current students is 'the universe knows when you're being brave'.

Below is an excerpt from the 2001 Towers page 17 with comments, albeit rather tongue in cheek, which highlights an important change for Penrith High.

It takes a look at the important time where Penrith High changed it's uniform colours from brown and yellow to the ones we have today - "black and blue and white with a tinge of yellow".

There have been additional changes to the PE Uniform and blazers but none as dramatic as a full colour change.

If you have any photos that we could publish of the old uniform in colour feel free to send them in. In addition, if you were a student during this time and have any comments we would love to hear from you!

Send those to the school email: penrith-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au Attention Cathie in the library.

Note

Back to Basics is still the uniform supplier for PSHS

At the time of this edition being produced the first edition of the school's Captains' Book has gone to the printers.

Nonetheless, we would still like to hear further from the Captains listed below.

ICYMI

The Head Teacher History is gathering information about all of our past captains. The plan is to create a book which has the male and female captain for each year on a double page. There will be the name and year on each page. Each page is intended to have a school photo of the captain (when actually the captain) and a more recent photo beside it.

Underneath this will be four questions:

1. What is your best memory of Penrith High School?

2. What did you think you would be doing after you left high school?

3. What are you doing now?

4. What is the best advice you could give to current PHS students?

We may be able to get some of these responses from the profiles in the back of The Towers but would enjoy hearing from as many former captains or their families as possible.

If you were a past captain or family member could you forward a suitable photo and your responses to the four questions. This will be passed on.

If you know the contact details of any past captain could you pass this information onto the school via the school email penrith-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au and make it attention to Clark Stone.

The intention is to present the First Edition of the Captains' Book to the school late 2021 in celebration of our 70th Anniversary with copies for sale and one to be placed in the school foyer.

We still need to hear from: Please note the asterisk means deceased

Robert Smyth 1951 ‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

Pat Parkinson 1951

Dennis Harrison* 1953 ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎

Margaret Eckford* 1953

Brian Bowles 1954‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎

Margaret Schubach 1954

Vida Vladickaite* 1955

Kenneth Smith 1956

Suzette Brown 1956

Doug Taylor 1957

Noelene Neville 1957

Lee Carroll 1958

Aina Alnis 1958

Greg Nicholls 1960

Barbara Crossing 1961

Rex Kinder 1964

Kim Longmore* 1965

Christine Borec 1967

Darryl Honeysett 1970

Margot Jensen 1970

Anic Vasic 1972

Stephen Cowan 1976

Joanne Wickes 1976

Elizabeth Doyle 1978

Gary Smith 1979

Elizabeth Jones 1979

Glen Bootle 1981

Michael Wholohan 1983

Carol Harris 1983

Andrew Thompson 1984

Nancy Thonton 1984

Colin Gardiner 1985

Marina Marjanovic 1985

Debbie TaylorVC 1986

Amanda Gibbons VC 1986

Grant Healey VC 1987

Robert Blair-Hickman 1988

Elizabeth Gyler 1988

Adam Haines 1989

Daniel Connolly 1990

Joanne Everingham 1990

Timothy Smith 1991

Karen Miller 1991

Qinton Single 1992

Alessandria Bosso 1992

Elizabeth Marchant 1993

Chantelle Vella 1994

Erin Reimer 1996

Michael Wong 1997

Anil Mishra 2000

Rachel Rowe 2000

Jonathan Freeston 2001

Vanessa Onden Lim 2001

Renee Yates 2002

Kieran Colreavy 2003

Sarah Walker 2003

Dillon Anderiesz 2006

Matthew White 2010

Emily Stone 2010

Angelica Manlangit 2011

Jonas Thomson 2014

Grace Shalders 2014

Simone Ferreira 2015

Deaundre Espejo 2016

Abirami Raveendran 2016

Janindu Kumara-Devage 2017

Manasa Bhatt 2017

Ethan Shackley 2020

Sophia Hadjimichael 2020

1950 - James Smith*, Ann Combet

1952 - John Day, Jill Fraser (now Farnsworth)

1954 - Margaret Schubach

1955 - James Short*

1959 - Brian Lewis, Diana Stewart (now Van Der Zande)

1960 - Barbara Fretwell (now Piirsalu)

1961 - Robert Munro*

1962 - David Henderson-Smart*, Juliet Clark (now Lloyd)

1963 - Peter Coburn, Penny Wensley

1964 - Christine Roberts (now Walker)

1965 - Gillian Anderson (now Kahl)

1966 - Ian Coleman

1967 - Ian Coleman

1968 - Paul Hansen, Prue Charlton

1969 - Gary Nelson, Linda Carr

1970 - Margot Jensen (now Legosz)

1971 - David Dunbar, Jane Reffell

1972 - Rodney Morphett

1973 - Peter Jackson, Sandra Warn

1974 - Patrick Shiels, Ann Hardy*

1975 - Michael Rosier, Kim Chandler (now Whealey)

1977 - Merrick Spicer, Manuella Pusic

1978 - Trevor Williams

1980 - Colin McDonald, Alison Monk (now Adams)

1981 - Tracey Aldred (now Lawson)

1982 - Michael Trist, Bronwyn Chalmers

1986 - David Dawson

1987 - Stephen Keens(VC), Madeleine Pusic

1989 - Donna Healey (now Fletcher)

1990 - Tara Van Dyk (now O'Connell)

1993 - Donald Frost -Last Comprehensive

1994 - David Tucker, Chantelle Vella (now Barber- photo only) - First Selective

1995 - Rajan Thangavelu, Dawn Harrison (now Comber)

1996 - Isaac Kuruvilla

1997 - Corryn McKay

1998 - Matthew McCarron, Angela Tillot

1999 - Mark McCartney, Amy Richardson (now Munro)

2002 - Anthony Samson

2004 - Nicholas Brenner, Emma Woods

2005 - Jude Holroyd, Georgina Fuller

2006 - Kirby Bryson (now Atwood)

2007 - Martin Robinson, Meg Ebelt

2008 - Stuart Bryson, Vashti Maynard

2009 - Alvin Tan, Elizabeth Cameron

2010 - Emily Stone

2011 - Geeth Geeganage

2012 - David Stone, Imogen Clark

2013 - Ross Penninkilampi, Grace White

2015 - Simone Ferreira

2018 - Adam Evans, Grace Faulder

2019 - Soham Desai, Aryenish Kavarana.

An asterisk(*) denotes deceased

The servicemen and woman shown are a few whose names have been recognised or are on the list to be updated.

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

Stephen Thompson

Barry Brown

Brian Carney

Alan Ormerod

David Stevens

Ian Dickens

Bill Wheeler

We are in the process of updating the Honour Boards in the hall.

We would like to confirm the Duxes:

1.from the 50s (see below)

2. 1966

In Addition, we are also trying to find the Junior Sportsman and Junior Sportswoman of the year for;

1987

1990

1991

1992

1993

If you can help please email the school on:

penrith-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Attention Cathie in the library.

Thanking you

If you or someone you might know could elaborate further regarding the information below please contact Cathie in the school library(when we return) or via the school email:
penrith-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au ATTENTION Cathie

Duxes in the 50s and early 60s

During the 50s the Fletcher Award was given to students in all years to encourage them

to continue their studies. It included a monetary donation.

Students in 5th Year sat for the Leaving Certificate.

In 1950 - Margaret Duncan and Alan Holswich received the Fletcher Award in 4th Year.

In 1952 - Marcia Kirkness and John Day received the Fletcher Award in 5th Year.

John Day came 2nd in the state for Physics and Chemistry and was placed

in the top 30 in the state for the Leaving Certificate

In 1953 - M. Eckford and A. Bills received the Fletcher Award in 5th Year

In 1954 - PHS held its first Speech Day in April at the Nepean Theatre

Jocelyn Cooper and Anthony Walker received Fletcher Awards

In 1955 - Jill Reid and Anthony Walker were named Duxes of 4th Year

In 1956 - Dawn Morgan and Jim Finnimore were named Duxes of 4th Year

In 1957 - Dawn Morgan and Jim Finnimore were named Best in the Leaving Certificate

In 1958 - Joyce Anderson and Robert Cuckson were named Best in the Leaving Certificate

Robert Cuckson was mentioned in the state group of the Leaving Certificate

In 1959 - Margaret Finnimore and Michael Walker were named as Duxes of the School

In 1960 - Michael Smith and Meryl White (Prox. Acc.) were named Duxes of the School

In 1961 - Bob Munro and Yvonne Fripp (Prox. Acc.) were named Duxes of the School

In 1962 - Ian Jay was named Dux of the School

In 1963 - Elizabeth Finnimore was named Dux of the School

In 1964 - Richard Douglas was named Dux of the School

In 1965 - Herman Nacinovich was named Dux of the School

In 1966 - no Dux recorded in Towers

In 1967 - Stephen Johnson and Ian Coleman named Duxes of the School

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