Still Warming Up
By Brenton Mizen, Head of Sport
Celebrating a big year in Penrhos sport and what’s coming next.
Since stepping into the role as Head of Sport more than 12 months ago, I’ve been inspired countless times by the dedication of our students, the enthusiasm of our passionate PE department and the unwavering support of parents and staff across the College.
With more students getting involved, strong team spirit and an abundance of talent and enthusiasm across all year levels, I’m really excited about the opportunity to keep building a sporting environment that’s dynamic, inclusive and full of energy. Sport has always been an important part of life at Penrhos and it’s a real privilege to be part of that story. I’m thrilled to share some of the highlights from the past year, as well as where we’re heading next.
Over the past 12 months, our commitment to building a connected and inclusive community through sport has been more visible than ever.
Events like the Pre-Primary to Year 12 Cross-Country Carnival and the Year 7 to 12 Swimming Carnival have brought large groups of our students together to celebrate school spirit, determination and friendly competition.
Another standout development this year has been our Year 3 to 12 training programs in swimming, athletics and cross-country, where students across Junior and Secondary Schools came together to train as one team. Bringing Junior and Secondary students together builds a real sense of unity, gives younger students inspiring role models and creates a clear pathway into senior sport.
Our Year 5 and 6 Winter Games teams have had the great benefit of coaching from some fantastic staff and alumni. These coaches bring more than just technical know-how. They really understand what it means to be part of the Penrhos sporting family.
Over The Past 12 months
We developed a new Penrhos College Coaching Philosophy, which now underpins all aspects of our sporting program. It is built on inclusivity, fostering a lifelong love for sport and inspiring excellence.
In 2024, we introduced the Penrhos Sport Awards Night and I’m really looking forward to celebrating it with our award winners again this year. It’s a great way to recognise the effort, progress and commitment of our students, and it’s quickly become one of my favourite events on the calendar.
What makes the night even more special is hearing from our alumni. Their stories help show what’s possible and remind us all why we are so proud of sport at Penrhos.
We’re also proud to have launched Friends of Sport, a new Parent Support Group that’s already brought extra spark to our events. Whether it’s cheering from the sidelines at carnivals, lending a hand at the Sports Awards Night or simply serving up coffee and cake at various events, their presence has added real energy and a strong sense of community to everything we do.
And that’s not all! We also resurfaced our outdoor courts and introduced new uniforms in soccer, netball and athletics. These changes are not about aesthetics alone. At Penrhos, we understand that when students feel good in what they’re wearing, they are more likely to fully engage, compete with confidence and develop a stronger connection to their sport.
As we plan for sporting tours, develop JIGSSA to IGSSA alignment and expand our student and alumni networks, our goal remains clear: to create enriching opportunities for all students and to foster a love of sport that lasts a lifetime.
Sport at Penrhos is about more than wins, it’s about participation, progress, connection and character. It’s about the growth we see in our students, the resilience they build, the teamwork they show and the kind of people they are becoming along the way.
We are proud of all we have achieved together in the last 12 months and we are even more excited for what lies ahead.
