Present

"I got lost on the first day of school with a friend. We were late to one of our first classes at one of the portables. I got lost a couple more times after that."

-Amy Chung (Penshurst Girls Union, 2005 pg. 149) 

Entering this time many new ideas of education were around and new technologies and concepts at the disposal of schools and each had to figure out how they wanted to incorporate it into their school. Penshurst Girls Campus GRC aimed to make their school a safe, friendly and engaging learning environment for learning and teaching taking advantage of the equipment at their disposal.

The GRC Way

In 2014 the GRC Way was launched at each of the Georges River College campuses (GRC Penshurst Girls, Newsletter Term 01, 2014). The focus was on three core values of Respect, Responsibility and Aiming for Excellence, which underpin all that they do at school and in the community. ‘Positive Behaviour for Learning’ (PBL) system that The GRC Way is built on, was implemented with success and in Penshurst Girls stands proudly still implementing these strong values nearly a decade later.

60th Birthday

In 2015 Penshurst Girls celebrated 60 years since the opening of the school. In celebration the school had an Anniversary Diamond Jubilee.  On Friday the 4th of September classes were suspended, teachers and students alike dressed in 1950s fashion and  had a cake cutting ceremony. To celebrate the school's history and culture a series of round robin activities were also undertaken. Ex-students were invited to an Open-Day held on September 11th and over 200 ex-students and staff attended. In addition, a formal dinner was held for our school’s alumni at Revesby Workers Club, on Saturday September 12. Where over 200 former students and staff attended (GRC Penshurst Girls, Newsletter Term 03, 2015). 

Devices/Technology

Technology plays a large role in students' lives in the 21stCentury. Penshurst Girls has been integrating technology into classrooms. This includes the use of digital devices, interactive whiteboards, and educational software to enhance teaching and learning. Personal devices can enhance and enrich learning opportunities both at home and at school. GRC Penshurst Girls Campus has committed to allowing responsible, learning centred use of personal devices at school so as to provide as many pathways to understanding as possible for our students. The Australian Curriculum has a range of requirements regarding general capabilities in information and communication technology. BYOD was fully accepted and utilised at Penshurst Girls Campus in 2014 (GRC Penshurst Girls, Newsletter Term 01, 2014).

COVID-19

The availability of online learning resources and courses has expanded. This became particularly crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the rapid adoption of remote and blended learning models. Penshurst Girls like the rest of Australia found themselves navigating uncharted waters as they reluctantly entered into lockdown. (Department of Education, GRC Penshurst Girls, 2021) Teachers quickly transitioned to online platforms, ensuring that the learning process continued unabated. Virtual classrooms became the conduit through which knowledge flowed, connecting educators and students in innovative ways. Through these challenging times, Penshurst Girls GRC demonstrated remarkable resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and education of its future generations. Emerging from lockdown it was prevalent in shaping the way education is conducted. 

Additions to the School

Penshurst Girls has mildly transitioned from traditional classroom setups to more flexible and collaborative learning environments. This shift aims to promote student engagement and adaptability. Penshurst Girls’ playgrounds have been refurbished. Incorporating a landscaped garden with occasional seating, a Zen garden and stepping stones (GRC Penshurst Girls, Newsletter Term 02, 2020). Students now have a space to engage and interact with nature during recess and lunch, including a bridge over a stone riverbed which comes to life in wet weather.

Inclusivity and diversity have gained importance in Australian schools. There is a stronger commitment to providing equal educational opportunities for students with disabilities and diverse backgrounds. (GRC Penshurst Girls, Newsletter Term 02, 2022) For Penshurst Girls this means lifts were added to A and B block and the Library with ramps around the school accommodating for students with a temporary or long term disability. 

During this time Penshurst Girls Campus has adapted and grown both individually and as a part of the Georges River Community as the years have gone by. Giving the students many opportunities to expand their minds and hearts.