Penrith High Towers-Alumni

Term 2 is always an exciting time of the year when it comes to engaging and connecting with our alumni - we see lots return to mentor and recruit students for different universities and the courses they offer and, it is also the time of year when we host our annual Alumni Night.

We are thrilled to share the success of our recent Alumni Night, where we had the honour of welcoming many of you back to our school to mentor and inspire our young students. The event was a resounding success, filled with meaningful connections, insightful conversations, and an abundance of shared wisdom. I know many of you look forward to this night as much as we do.

In each newsletter, we celebrate the achievements of some of our many distinguished alumni. This issue, we are proud to spotlight Pranavan Prakash, Class of 2023. Pranavan has made significant strides in his tertiary study and was most recently announced as the 2023 winner of the Bateman Battersby Law Bursary. Notably, Pranavan is the 3rd Penrith High School graduate to receive this grant over the last 4 years. Since the establishment of this grant in 1990, 13 Penrith High School students have been the proud recipients of the Bateman Battersby Law Bursary. While at school Pranavan did an outstanding job as one of our 26 Prefects. However, I believe it will be his contribution to the Philosophy Club that many current and former students will remember. The wit behind the many school assembly announcements was a way for the whole school to really learn to think outside the box and stretch our brains. We have no doubt that Pranavan’s contributions to the world will continue to be as impactful as his contributions within the walls of Penrith High School.

As I reflect on the many alumni who have returned over the last 10 weeks, I am more excited than ever about the potential for future alumni-student engagements. As a school, we hope to continue building on this foundation, creating more opportunities for our alumni to connect with our current students and the school as a whole. Your involvement is invaluable, and we look forward to your continued support and participation. If there is an idea you have or an opportunity you might like to share with us, I encourage you to reach out.

Warm regards,

Jaclyn Cush

Principal

A huge thank you to the returning Alumni who joined us on Alumni Night 2024 and who shared with our Years 10, 11 and 12 their past experiences and helped to inspire them in their future career paths.

Below are some photos of the evening.

More photos will be in our next issue in term three.

The next episode of the Penrith Perception podcast is out on Spotify!

In this episode Cassidy and Angelo, the 2024 School Captains, talk about their leadership journey and what is meant by, “With great power comes great responsibility”. They talk about their proudest moments facilitating different initiatives around the school and what leadership looks like to them.

Pranavan Prakesh has been selected as the winning recipient of the 2023 Bateman Battersby Law Bursary - the 34th winner!.

Pranavan was encouraged to apply by Mr Clark Stone, Head Teacher History.

Pranavan completed the HSC in 2023 achieving 98.70 and has been admitted to the University of New South Wales to study for a combined Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws Degree.

The Bateman Battersby Law Bursary was first offered in 1990 and was established to encourage high school students in the Penrith and Blue Mountains local government areas to undertake legal studies at a tertiary level and to assist them financially in their initial year of legal study.

Firm partner John Bateman stated "All of our 34 Law Bursary winners have exhibited the immense depth of talent and capacity that exists in the high school students of Western Sydney".

The winner receives a grant of $1000 and a Bateman Battersby Bursary Winner's Trophy.

Penrith High School has won this prestigious award in the past.

1995 - Daniel Cunningham

1996 - Irene Wong

1997 - Melinda Roylett

1998 - Anna Samson

2001 - Catherine Mann

2003 - Kieran Colreavy

2005 - Jessica Pace

2006 - Alicia Back

2010 - Grace So

2012 - Maya Suzuki

2014 - Justine Ami2020 - Eugenia Kim

2022 Aatish Budhwani

Well done Pranavan!

Group photo and information courtesy of the Nepean News, June 21 Edition and archives

In mid May we had a visit from four '22 Alumni.

It was so wonderful that they took time out of their busy schedule to pop in and say hello and to let us know what they are doing post PSHS. They are doing extremely well.

Anandan Anpalagan is studying Criminology at Macquarie University.

Abhinav Santhakumar is studying Medical Science at UNSW.

Luke Byun is studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Western Sydney University.

Deepak Sridar is studying Computer Science at UNSW.

Good luck in your studies!

Atchaya Suganthan - Class of 2023

I had the pleasure of returning to Penrith High for Multicultural Day. It had only been several months since I graduated but seeing my teachers and many others felt so wonderful. I am studying for a Bachelor of Civil Engineering at the University of New South Wales. Often, I found myself reflecting on the journey that brought me here. It's a path paved with challenges, triumphs, and invaluable lessons learned, many of which were gained during my time at Penrith. I am also proud to have been accepted into the Leadership Foundations Program. This AHEGS opportunity allows me to delve deeper into my leadership and personal development understanding.

As I undertake my journey at UNSW, I have realised my ambitions extend beyond just earning a degree. I want to continue with my passion for soccer. It was within the walls of PHS that I gained an academic foundation and could continue my dreams – a love that started back in year 3 and continues to shape my journey today. The supportive environment and dedicated teachers fostered an atmosphere where I could explore my interests and develop my potential to the fullest. I learned the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance on the field and these lessons transcended soccer, becoming fundamental principles of my life. Whether it was in the classroom, on the sports field, or through extracurricular activities, PHS provided me with a well-rounded education that prepared me for the challenges ahead.

Upon graduation, I embarked on a new chapter as a soccer coach at Soccajoeys. This led me to participate in the MiniRoos Coaching Course by Football Australia which was a game-changer. Not only did it refine my coaching skills, but it also opened doors to exciting opportunities within the soccer community. Additionally, I seized the chance to attend more CPD workshops to enrich my coaching and refereeing knowledge. Looking ahead, I am excited to continue my journey, fueled by the values I have learned during my time at Penrith High School. Whether on the soccer field or in the classroom, I am committed to making a positive impact and striving for excellence in all endeavours. The lessons I learned and the memories I made while at PHS will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you!

Atchaya Suganthan

We recently had an experience while preparing for Nevermore with the help of David Tucker, who was School Captain in 1994.

He guided us through the entire process while we were busy setting up our audio equipment.

It was a pleasure to have him with us again!

it's good to see Brian, Principal of North Sydney Boys High School, with the three students who were selected from his school to represent Australia at the 2024 Knowledge Olympiad. This was the highest number per school in Australia. The students will be travelling to Kazakhstan, Egypt or Iran if the current situations in these countries allow.

Good luck to those students as well as the two students selected from James Ruse Agricultural HS and also from Baulkham Hills HS.

We are sure Brian is extremely proud!

Chris Buchli, a former Careers Adviser at PSHS, who would be known by many of the recent Alumni, has appeared in a recent article of Murat Dizdar, the Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, to all staff - Together in Education.

Please enjoy reading what Chris has to say in Murat's article about National Careers Week!

Recognising our careers and transition advisers

Chris Buchli, a careers adviser at Baulkham Hills High School (Darug Country) is driven by a clear vision: to connect every student with something that gives them purpose.

In National Careers Week, we acknowledge people like Chris and the pivotal role they play in helping students make informed decisions about their future.
Thanks to our wonderful school-based careers and transition advisers for your important and life -changing work setting our students up for success in their careers and post-school pathways. Check out the great career learning resources available for schools at Career Learning and Vocational Education.
“I believe that everybody has the right to unlock their full potential and that most people are capable of far more than they know,” said Chris. “Most students have the resources they need within them already – it’s my job to help them find it and make it real.”

A photo of Chris is below.

A point of interest -

Our present staff members-Ms Konny Kwiet and Mrs Janelle Michels both taught Chris at Girraween High School and he actually met his wife in Mrs Michels Year 10 History Class!

*A huge thank you to our present Careers Advisers - Ms Julianne-Fay Becroft, Ms Lisa Andreatta and Ms Natasha O'Regan - for doing such amazing work with PSHS students!

Anders has been studying German and Ancient History in an Arts Degree at Macquarie University while still pursuing his passion of music.

Anders has been tutoring the violin at PSHS since leaving school. In addition, he has been involved with the Penrith Symphony Orchestra, playing in performances at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre and in a few Musicals with the Blue Mountains Musical Society including the Pirates of Penzance.

His most recent Musical has been The Sound of Music. The well-known Musical has been running throughout May and June to sold out audiences.

Well done Anders for following your dreams!

I received an email from Paul Hansen (Class of '68) recently and I would like to share with you an excerpt. Paul was on a cruise where he met Ken Linfoot(Class of '58).

Ken and I were on the Hawkesbury River Postal Boat Cruise today (Brooklyn to Spencer). We had never met before, but we had a mutual friend in Robert Cuckson (Dux in 1958) and, indeed, the Cuckson family. Ken and Robert (and Barbara and Margaret) were good friends at PHS and have maintained that friendship. For me, the Cuckson family were our neighbours and remain in contact mainly through Margaret.

Ken has been involved in education all his life, starting with a country one-teacher school in the 1960s and finishing his career as a tertiary institution lecturer in education, initially at Bathurst and then at UWS. When he was at UWS he was working with PHS (1995-2000).

Ken’s year Alumni meet annually at the Rowing Club in October.

Thanks Paul!

Thank you Ken for your work with PHS!

Ken is on the left below!

We are thrilled to announce that Gianne Lois, a member of the Class of 2023, has been selected as one of the 36 artists to have her HSC Visual Arts Body of Work showcased at Penrith Regional Gallery (86 River Rd, Emu Plains) as part of ARTEXPRESS until August 4 2024.

Congratulations Gianne!

Glen Williamson was House Captain for Wentworth in 1987.

Glen has sent in the photo below.

Here is one of the group that we had. Both boys and girls all a very tight group of friends. I am thinking that as the boys had on grey shirts, it must have been in year 10 (1985) and taken on the oval. In those days boys wore grey for years 7-10 and white polo shirts as seniors (years 11 & 12).

Thank you Glen for this wonderful, fun photo!

In 1952 the School Captain of the time, John Day, was instrumental in designing the first Captains Plaque.

John is still alive (in Residential Care in Victoria).

John would be happy knowing that the original Captains Board is still on display in our hall.

Information courtesy of Wallace Donald - Prefect '52

The records of the earlier years of the school's vice captains had either not been recorded or were missing, so during COVID when students were working from home in 2021, I, too, was working from home researching and designing missing honour boards. The board below was one of them.

Unfortunately there are a few gaps, so if you are aware who should be on the board please reach out to me in the library so they can be recognised.

Another interesting fact is that Wallace Donald(Class of '52) who has helped with some of this information, married Marcia Kirkness, the Vice Captain in 1952.

Cathie Fayle

Editor

John Day, amongst others, is also mentioned in the original honour board for First Class Leaving Certificate Honours.

Wallace Donald(mentioned above) also recalls-

I note that John and I and Jill Fraser, Denis Green, Alan Stanton (Leaving Certificate Graduates at the end of 1952), and maybe a very few others, are still alive and we often talk about the old days and especially about Hector McGregor, and Deputies Tom Tasker (a distinguished Scientist ) and Bill Eason. In more recent years my teacher, Jack Mullane‘s son came to be a close friend of mine as we both worked as Professional Engineers in the Engineering Branch of the Postmaster General’s Dept (Later to become Telecom and now Telstra).

I often recount to others that of the 200 or so who entered the Intermediate High School in 1948, only about 20 to 30 sat for the Leaving Certificate in 1952 and of those original entrants, only 3, to my knowledge, gained a University Degree. That is, Marcia Donald, nee Kirkness, Terrence Turnbull and myself.

Note - John Day came to the school in about 2nd or 3rd year and also graduated (University of Sydney - a Bachelor of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering).

Thank you Wallace!

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(or anyone who can help as to what area of defence they were attached - Army, Navy, Air Force) could email the school on the above address, it would be much appreciated.

Harry Grimes(Vietnam)

Brian Carney

Alan Ormerod

Ian Dickens(Vietnam)

Anthony Charles Dickens

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