Celebrating our annual Sport Awards Night

Highlights, inspiration and a celebration of sporting excellence

On Wednesday, 15 October, we celebrated our second annual Penrhos College Sport Awards Night, an unforgettable evening filled with achievement, pride and community spirit.

The night was an incredible showcase of everything that makes Penrhos Sport so special, from the outstanding performances of our students and teams, to the inspiring messages shared by our guest speakers and alumni, the strong sense of community built through our Friends of Sport group, and the introduction of exciting new awards and initiatives that celebrate excellence, effort and culture.

Sporting Highlights from 2025

This year has been filled with exceptional moments of success:
• Our Year 7–9 A and B Softball teams went through the entire season undefeated,
• Our Senior Volleyball team completed another perfect season, winning every A Grade pennant on offer, and
• We proudly brought home a bronze medal from the AVSC Gold Coast Tour.

While we’re incredibly proud of these results, what stands out most is the growth of our sporting culture. Across every program, we’ve seen higher engagement, stronger teamwork, and a genuine pride in representing Penrhos.

Some of the year’s standout milestones include:
• Record levels of House Carnival participation and fantastic atmosphere at events,
• The successful merging of our Swimming Carnival into one vibrant Year 7–12 celebration,
• A PP–12 Cross Country Carnival that brought the entire community together,
• Upgraded basketball courts and improved facilities,
• Record numbers of girls using the Fitness Centre for strength and conditioning,
• The introduction of new Netball, Athletics, and Tennis uniforms,
• The launch of our Coaching Philosophy and Framework to raise coaching standards,
• Ongoing professional development and mentoring for our coaches, and
• The creation of three exciting new awards, shaped by student and parent feedback.

Inspiring Speakers

We were privileged to welcome AFLW pioneer and Melbourne Football Club Assistant Coach, Daisy Pearce, as our keynote speaker for the evening. Daisy shared powerful insights about leadership, resilience, and embracing challenges, leaving our students inspired to pursue their goals both on and off the field.

We also heard from four of our incredible Penrhos Alumni Volleyballers, who are currently studying and competing at American colleges. Their stories of determination, adaptability, and growth offered a glimpse into the opportunities that sport can create for our students beyond school.

Adding to the inspiration, Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, a professional golfer, shared her journey through the highs and challenges of elite sport, reminding us of the importance of persistence and passion in chasing your dreams.

Building Connection and Community

One of the most exciting developments in 2025 has been the creation of the Friends of Sport (FOS) group, which has helped strengthen our connection with the wider Penrhos community. Through their support, we’ve reintroduced much-loved events like the IGSSA and JIGSSA squad breakfasts, where parents once again fired up the barbecues and built a genuine sense of spirit and belonging among our teams.

A heartfelt thank you to the FOS committee for your incredible work in promoting this event, securing generous donations, and supporting the organisation behind the scenes you made this night possible.

And a huge shout-out to our Physical Education team, the most passionate and dedicated group of staff you’ll find. Every week in PE is enormous, yet without hesitation, they step up, support one another, and ensure every event is a success. Your commitment to making IGSSA and all school sport such a positive experience for our girls is truly inspiring.

Celebrating the Launch of Three New Sporting Awards

The introduction of these new awards and initiatives were developed in consultation with our students and marks the beginning of an exciting new era for Penrhos Sport.

Penrhos Team of the Year

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2025 Penrhos Team of the Year Award, recognising the team that has demonstrated outstanding performance, commitment, and representation throughout the year.

Selection criteria included:

• Performance & Achievement: Success in competition and pennant results.
• Teamwork & Cohesion: Collaboration, communication, and unity on and off the field.
• Sportsmanship & Representation: Integrity, fairness, and role-modelling Penrhos values.
• Culture & Spirit: Contribution to an inclusive, supportive team environment.

The inaugural Team of the Year went to the Year 7–9 Softball Team, who went undefeated throughout the season and perfectly embodied the teamwork, spirit, and pride that defines Penrhos Sport.

The other two awards aim to recognise our outgoing Year 12s for their amazing dedication, commitment, and high level of skill demonstrated in IGSSA sport.

IGSSA Excellence Award

The IGSSA Excellence Award celebrates our senior students who have achieved elite success in IGSSA competitions.

Criteria:

• Competing in a Senior A Grade IGSSA competition and winning the A Grade Pennant in both Year 11 and Year 12; or
• Winning an individual event in the top division of a carnival sport (Athletics, Rowing, Swimming, or Cross Country).

Congratulations to our 2025 recipients:
Kate Cudby
Bridget Gavin
Rania Peterson
Tara Jorgensen

The IGSSA Sportswoman’s Club

Another exciting new initiative introduced this year was the IGSSA Sportswoman’s Club, recognising students who have shown exceptional commitment to IGSSA sport across their senior years.

Eligibility:

• In Years 10 and 11, participation in five sports (including at least one carnival sport).
• In Year 12, participation in four sports (including at least one carnival sport).

These athletes have demonstrated remarkable dedication, versatility, and pride in representing their school. Each receives a Pin and Medal and recognition in the Sports Centre.

Our inaugural Sportswoman’s Club members are:

Amelie Christophersen
Sienna Hepworth
Brianna Jones
Presley Peppin
Ella Trueman
Amber Kempton
Madeleine Pink 
Cassia Audeyev

For these students to be the first members of the IGSSA Sports woman’s Club and receive the IGSSA excellence award is something we hope all future students will aspire for. These girls represent everything a Penrhos Sportswoman should be and have always set a great example for the girls to follow in their footsteps. It is students like these girls that shape the direction of Sport at Penrhos and should be incredibly proud of this achievement. 

A New Era for Penrhos Sport

This night was about more than results, it was about celebrating effort, teamwork, and growth. It reflected the pride our girls take in representing their school and the strong culture of support that surrounds them.

Congratulations once again to all our 2025 award recipients, our dedicated staff, and the families who continue to champion Penrhos Sport. Together, we’re building something truly special a community that celebrates excellence, inclusion, and the joy of sport.

Here’s to another inspiring year ahead.