Panthers On The Prowl /

The Panthers on the Prowl Community Development Foundation continues to gather momentum in its aim to give something vitally important back to families and young people within Penrith and surrounding areas.

The goal of Panthers on the Prowl is to make a difference to the wellbeing of young people in the communities in which we live.

The Prowl's primary schools program, which has been active since 2002, has had a significant impact on hundreds of young people and their families.

Since being launched in 2002, the Prowl has expanded its programs and personnel to encompass seven different initiatives in the local community.

With a continued high level of support from Panthers, both Federal and State Government, and the generosity of our corporate partners, the Prowl is a development service model.

The social coalition which evolved during the initial primary class intervention model has encouraged this process. The building of social capital is at the centre of the Prowl's enterprise.

The Prowl believes that social capital is the strength and quality of the social connections within our community.

The Prowl's programs are monitored and evaluated by partners at University of Western Sydney and it is these evaluations that continue to drive and improve the programs.

To visit the Panthers on the Prowl website please click here.

KEY PANTHERS ON THE PROWL PROGRAMS

Primary Program

Two programs are available to Department of Education Schools. Both are aimed at building self-esteem, socials skills, resilience, leadership and to help improve students engagement and motivation.  

These programs are a partnership between the Department of Education (Western Sydney Region) and the Panthers on the Prowl Community Development Foundation. The Primary Programs involve schools in the Penrith LGA.

The Stage 3 Program runs five afternoons per week for a whole term. Groups are comprised of 10 Year 5-6 students who focus on personal development, life skills and values education. Students can be drawn from multiple schools to form this group.

The Stage 2 Program runs four mornings per week for 3 weeks. Groups are comprised 10 Year 3-4 students who focus on similar values. All 10 students in the group must come from the one school due to transportation restrictions. 

How can participants access the program?

Schools access the programs by submitting applications for students to the Principal of Cambridge Gardens P.S. Selection panel meetings take place at the end of term four for the following year. Nomination forms are available from Principal, Adam Wynn at Cambridge Gardens Public School. (02) 4730 1201

For more information contact our primary program coordinator, Lawrence McDonnell – (02) 4725 6478 or Cambridge Gardens Public School - (02) 4730 1201.

Secondary Program

Panthers on the Prowl provides a program to help mentor Year 11 students and to broaden their awareness of different careers and career paths.

The program is generously sponsored by our supporting partners.

Students benefitting from the program have come from the following schools:

Cranebrook High School, Jamison High School, Kingswood High School, Cambridge Park High School, Glenmore Park High School, Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School & St Marys Senior High School.

OAK Healthy Active Lifestyles

A program targeted primarily at primary age students designed to improve diet, nutrition and physical fitness levels through regular exercise. This program also provides professional development and in-service support for teachers involved in the program at each school visited.

The team assists schools to implement a targeted healthy lifestyle program. During this program students and staff receive education on anthropometric testing, diet and nutrition. Parents are also invited to sessions with a dietician to discuss special aspects of physical training and diet. Testing for improvement in physical fitness occurs at the end of the term with very impressive results.

A free resource pack is provided to the school at the conclusion of the program.

How can participants access this program?

Schools request access to the program through the General Manager of Panthers on the Prowl, Brad Waugh (02) 4725 6420 or our qualified Physical Education Teacher, Darren Horgan (02) 4725 6421.

The program targets and visits 10 schools per year (1,500 students).

Adult Computer Literacy                  

This program is aimed at adults in the community who would like to develop their computer skills. The lessons are aimed at the very beginner level with the goal of building skills and confidence.

Classes run for 2 hours weekly for 20 weeks and are held in the Panthers on the Prowl classroom, Station Street, Penrith. There is no cost to attend.

How can participants access the program?

If you would like to register your interest in attending the classes, please call (02)47256420 

Kokoda Leadership Project

The Kokoda Leadership Project, is the Panthers on the Prowl’s leadership project for students in Year 11 at senior high school in the wider Penrith area. The Kokoda Leadership Project is a biennial undertaking that aims to empower and strengthen leadership in young people through mentorship and the challenge of completing the Kokoda Trail trek in PNG.

Undertaking challenging physical activities, side-by-side, strengthens relationships between individuals and instills comradery and cohesion for the larger group which in turn fosters a sense of connection and support. Tackling challenging physical journeys also builds mental resilience and tests personal character. These elements are significant for the building of self-esteem and resilience in late teenage-hood; qualities that are critical for students to effectively navigate the stresses and challenges of the HSC and transition successfully into the next phase of adult life.

In acknowledgment of this and to contribute effectively in the healthy development and leadership of our senior students, Panthers on the Prowl launched the inaugural Kokoda Leadership Project event in October 2013. The project involved seven senior high school students from the Penrith area to join trek leader Charlie Lynn (MLC). The students were joined by executives from various business houses, Panthers on the Prowl Community Development Foundation staff and Penrith Panthers players and coach to walk the Kokoda Trail, which provided opportunities for intensive mentoring.

During the trek, the students were confronted with significant physical and emotional challenges that required pushing the boundaries of personal resilience, teamwork, goal setting and leadership skills in order to develop and implement strategies to overcome and persevere. Participants were also provided with the opportunity to witness the sites of historic battles that were fought along the trail during World War II. Through these experiences students learned about the unique character of Australian leadership that inspired our diggers to achieve victory in the most adverse circumstances and against overwhelming odds.

The Panthers on the Prowl – Kokoda Leadership Project is coordinated and administered by the General Manager of Panthers on the Prowl, Brad Waugh. For more information feel free to contact Brad on (02) 4725 6420.

Building Young Men

An intensive teen mentoring program run by Panthers on the Prowl, is focused on providing positive role models and making a lasting impression on local teenage boys. Based on a ‘rite of passage’ group mentoring model, assisting the transition from boyhood to manhood, we focus on Year 10 boys, who self nominate, that are searching for the benefits of this program. The program lasts for twenty two weeks, including a 24 hour challenge and wilderness camp.

Mentors come from a bank of trained, qualified adult men of good character who serve as role models

For more information please contact Panthers on the Prowl General Manager, Brad Waugh at brad.waugh@panthers.com.au or BYM co-ordination, Brogan Mulhall at brogan.mulhall@panthers.com.au

More detailed information may be found at our official website: www.panthersontheprowl.com.au