For the first time this year, we received a very generous donation from our school stationery supplier Winc, of 300 exercise books and pens and pencils. Having a book and a writing implement means a child, who receives it in a shoebox, can have the opportunity to go to school.  To make them look pretty, and to show our love, Year 11 designed books covers, which were coloured in by the Infants and Primary school classes and were used to cover all the books.

And the delight on the faces of our Infants and Primary school students, as they delivered their very carefully prepared and lovely covered books for inclusion in the shoeboxes, was a joy to behold. 

I would like to thank the outgoing Year 11 Samaritans Purse team, who have spent many hours over the last 2 years investing in the success of this program. And to our incoming Year 10 team, I am deeply humbled, and my heart filled with so much thankfulness for the way you have stepped up to take ownership of this program, making it so much fun and such a success. Finally, I would like to thank the staff, whose love, care and encouragement has allowed this program to flourish.

By God’s grace, it’s not only others who benefit when we give. We become more Christ-like and we are infused with joy.  I have witnessed this throughout this program.

Please pray for this program, particularly as the boxes are delivered, that the children and their families will be open to hear the message of Jesus.

Mrs Lillian Corban

Given that there are a range of views from one political party to the next, and even within a political party, it is quite difficult to predict what the initial bill (a proposed law) will say or what amendments will be passed to that bill before it becomes law. Voters can help to shape legislation if they write to members of Parliament to express their views. Therefore, I urge members of our school community who support the above 3 principles to consider writing to members of the Commonwealth House of Representatives and the Senate. I appreciate that writing a clear and convincing letter can be difficult. Some issues you may choose to raise include:

• The right of our school to employ Christians who seek to glorify God in all they do and obey what He has taught us in the Bible.
• Acknowledging that God creates people to be male and female and that our school seeks to partner parents in the education of boys and girls who will develop a clear and accurate understanding of God's will for his world and those he created.

If you would like some further assistance in writing a letter to a member of Parliament, please send me an email.

Speaking of Godly Christian teachers, Mrs Kathy Donnan recently advised me that she will be retiring at the end of the year. Over the last 21 years Kathy has graciously and sensitively taught and cared for many young children. It has been a joy to go into her Year 1 class with birthday Freddos to see engaged students and feel an emotionally warm and calm classroom environment conducive to learning. We wish Kathy every blessing in her retirement and look forward to seeing her from time to time next year as a casual relief teacher. The school is currently interviewing for a teacher for the 3rd kindergarten class. We have extended the interview process to find a great Christian teacher to replace Kathy.

Mr Tim Foskett has been teaching part-time at our school for the last couple of years in the English and HSIE departments. He has been well regarded by students and been a valued colleague to other teachers. Tim has secured a full-time Christian ministry role for 2019 and therefore won't be with us next year. Doing full-time gospel work is a great privilege and responsibility and the school wishes Tim all the very best for the future. Tim's departure and some other timetabling needs have led us to employing Mrs Rachel McKendrick (née Campbell, a former student of our school) as a secondary English teacher, starting at the beginning of next year. Rachel interviewed exceptionally well. Our Head of English, Mrs Catherine McGovern, and I were impressed by Rachel's intuitive teaching ability, perception, hard work and godliness. We look forward to her starting with us.

Of all of the projects I have initiated since starting at the school in 2015, installing air conditioning in classrooms has been one of the most protracted and time-consuming. In God's kindness we were able to find a cost-effective way of upgrading our electrical infrastructure to a level where we could power air-conditioning in all classrooms where it can be installed. Most of the electrical infrastructure upgrades occurred over the last school holidays by a company who worked exceptionally hard to ensure that the concrete footpaths and pavements they had dug up to install cables were restored before the children came back to school.

In a newsletter to staff recently I joked that air-conditioning would go into almost all classrooms except for Mr Mellor’s classroom because Dragons supporters like working in hot conditions. I later found out that somebody took my joke seriously, so for the record the Year 1, 3, 4 and one of the two Kindergarten classrooms already have air-conditioning units installed and they should be able to use them as soon as the programming for the controls is completed. Air-conditioning in almost all of the remaining classrooms will be progressively installed during the course of this term and will be completed before students return to school next year.

Before I close, I would like to commend our Year 12 students who started their final HSC exams a week ago. Preparing for these exams can be arduous and I trust that every student will reap the rewards of their hard work. I also thank our Year 12 teachers who invested a great deal of time, skill and emotional energy into preparing our students and I also thank our parents and relatives for the love and support they have provided to our graduating Year 12 cohort.

Pull in close to the curb – sometimes cars pull into the turning circle on an angle. This makes it more difficult for cars and buses to navigate around the car and has caused some near misses.

Look right when pulling out from the curb – There have been a few near misses recently where a car has pulled out from the curb and has almost hit a car that is driving around them.

Move forward to the first opening in the fence – To help the flow of traffic, it is helpful if cars can stop as far forward as the first opening in the fence. Please don’t stop any further forward than this point because the buses won’t be able to get into the outside bus only section of the driveway.

Writing in diaries – if you are running late, please ask your son/daughter to write in the diary before you arrive at school. When you arrive, you can quickly sign it.

During the term our maintenance manager Craig Wilson and I will be working on making some structural changes to the bus bay to start the 2019 school year. It is likely that a drop off zone will be painted on the driveway, the visitor parking will be moved and a no stopping zone created on both sides of the traffic island near the 2 exit gates. We are still working on these arrangements and will let you know when the changes are confirmed.

Colin Buchanan, Australia’s leading Christian musician and children’s entertainer, along with his puppet Nudge, treated audiences to an hour of scintillating song and dance that left kids, parents and grandparents alike both energised and ready for an afternoon nap.

Colin, who has been writing and performing Christian music for well over 20 years, continues to produce well-crafted, catchy, gospel driven songs that have been instrumental in the Christian education of many children.     

No stranger to Shire Christian School, Colin invited a selection of Year 11 students onto the stage to dance with him in his final song. These students are to be commended for representing the school so well, not only on stage, but also in lovingly helping visitors with directions and serving food and drinks. Their willingness to serve at school, in school uniform, in the rain, and during the school holidays, was a great witness to those in attendance.

We look forward to Colin’s next visit to Shire Christian School!

We would like to congratulate and thank all of the competitors. The difficulty experienced by the judges was a testament to the quality of the competition. We look forward to seeing what our talented students can produce next year!

Dr van Holst
Head of Science

All the performers believed him and called in sick. Esmeralda, the ticket sales girl had to step in. Boy did she feel anxious! Every time the butterflies in her tummy started to feel like pterodactyls, the children would help by calling out “Go away Pterodactyl!” She felt many different symptoms and learnt lots of strategies to deal with her anxious feelings. The children discussed these things further in class and further resources were sent home to families. Many thanks to the great actors, Mrs Wright and the year 9 support crew and actors, Natalie, Lily and Lauren.

Mrs Diana Moes

Students made some observations on the day to help them understand the operations and running of the park. The students then got to sample the products of the park with plenty of time for amusement rides.

The students were firmly bitten by the Funnel Web ride, with many students going on the Funnel Web numerous times. The Perfect Storm was also a hit, being the newest ride at Jamberoo. The Taipan ride and water slides were also popular with the students. Luckily, for the students there were not many people at Jamberoo, so they were able to get onto rides easily.

Year 9 Commerce came away from Jamberoo Action Park with great memories of time together and with a good business case study.

Mr Matt Miller

The students got to hear from many staff at The Novotel informing them of their various roles and careers in Front of House and Back of House. Students were also informed of work experience opportunities they could take up next year ranging from engineering to food preparation roles.

The students really enjoyed the experience and it will enhance their class room learning as we study Food Service and Catering.

Mrs Abrahams

The incursion was run by Living History Australia who brought in different things from the medieval period such as armour, weapons and clothing.

We started off by learning about how the Living History Australia Museum had recreated most of the things that they had brought, from different texts to create the most authentic experience they could. We then got to learn about how a medieval knight would have trained and what type of armour they would have worn. We then looked at how a Japanese Samurai would have trained and how they worn tightly woven silk instead of metal armour. Then we got to go around and try on different items of clothing from the medieval period. After that we got to play some games about what we learnt. The first game we had two teams of three and thad had to fight with foam swords. Then we got to have a go at shooting long and recurve bows.

We had a lot of fun during the incursion and learnt a lot that we will remember.

These familiar words of our loving Saviour have always been a challenge to me, but I must admit they took my concern to a whole new level as I prayed each day for brothers and sisters for whom the experience is a daily reality! One of the things that impressed me most as I read their stories is the way their faithful Lord and God sustains them through the ministry of his Word, and their consequent love for, and daily dependence on, the Scriptures. In the words of Amos, I am ‘neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet’ (Amos 7:14), but it seems to me that, because of the way things are going in our own society, I have much to learn from their example to prepare me for possible (probable?) increased persecution. Perhaps one of the most important things we can be doing for our children and grandchildren as we pray for them and prepare them for the future, is to instil in them a love for, and a daily dependence on, God’s Word.

I am reminded of the Psalmist’s wise advice: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” (Psalm 119:9-16).

What a blessing it is from our God that we can be involved in a school community that sits under the authority of God’s inspired Word!

Bruce Christian

Preparations are underway in our ensembles and music classes, and it is shaping up to be a night of exceptional entertainment. We hope to see you there!

Girls in Science Forum at UNSW 13 November. 9.30am to 3.00pm

Law Theatre G04, UNSW Kensington

It’s a free event suited for female year 9, 10 and 11 students – where students with a passion for science can hear about the Fellow’s research and experience as woman scientists, whilst also discussing careers in science.

https://www.futurestudents.unsw.edu.au/l’oréal-australia-presents-girls-science-forum-2018

Great Job Opportunity if You Want a Career that Combines Many Building Skills!

Apply by 31 October.      Start employment in mid January

Avida is looking for young people interested in an exciting career. Great job prospects and Nationally recognized Certificate 3 training. Avida is an Australian leader in building motor homes and caravans so if you want to use skills in carpentry, cabinetmaking, electrical and plumbing then this is a terrific opportunity.

Visit their site at: https://www.avidarv.com.au    Call Melanie Stubbs for more information on 02 4735 8116 or email at: MStubbs@avidarv.com.au

TAFE NSW –Information Week 2019.   21 to 25 January

Come along to TAFE NSW's Information Week from 21-25 January to explore your course and career options for 2019. Our program of events include info sessions, campus tours, and live demos – program to be released soon. Talk to our teachers, career counsellors, find out about scholarships, support services, and much more. Whether you want to be qualified faster, be in a career you love, or be the boss – Be Ambitious, take charge of your future and plan your visit today. Register your interest to receive program and latest event updates as they are released.

https://www.facebook.com/events/477772419408283/

The Top 5 careers in Tourism, Hospitality and Events

 If you have a passion for tourism, hospitality and events, then you are going to enter an exciting and dynamic career that shows huge growth over the next three years. Check out the top five career areas that represent the largest employment opportunities in this industry:

1. Chef;
2. Waiter;
3. Bar Attendant;
4. Cafe / Restaurant Manager;
5. Conference and Event Organiser.

Take a further look at the Tourism, Hospitality and Events Career Snapshot to discover how many jobs were posted, the average salary and the TAFE NSW pathways for these and more career opportunities.

It’s not news to you that we currently have a national skills shortage. Employers were unable to fill, or have considerable difficulties filling roles within this industry area. Check out the portion of advertised job positions that went unfilled in 2017:

• 65 percent of Chefs;
• 60 percent of Pastry Cooks;
• 50 percent of Bakers.

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/documents/60140/219174/Careers_Snapshot-Tourism_Hospitality_and_Events.pdf

 Great Job Opportunity if You Want a Career that Combines Many Building Skills!

Apply by 31 October       Start employment in mid January

Avida is looking for young people interested in an exciting career. Great job prospects and Nationally recognized Certificate 3 training. Avida is an Australian leader in building motor homes and caravans so if you want to use skills in carpentry, cabinetmaking, electrical and plumbing then this is a terrific opportunity.

Visit their site at: https://www.avidarv.com.au

Call Melanie Stubbs for more information on 02 4735 8116 or email at: MStubbs@avidarv.com.au

Master Builders Pre-apprenticeship Program

26 November to 7 December and

10 December to 19 December

Pre-apprenticeship Programs for students who are interested in pursuing an apprenticeship in carpentry. We have places in our program for VET Construction students. Students find out if the trade is right for them, before commencing an apprenticeship. No cost to participants. Call 02 8586 3533 or email careers@mbansw.asn.au

Master Painters Australia –Apprenticeships

If you’re considering your options post-secondary school, then an apprenticeship may be what you’re looking for. An apprenticeship offers young people employment and on-the-job training opportunities and has the great benefit of a career in the making upon completion.

They also run 3 day pre-apprenticeship programs –register hereto find out when the next one is on.

http://www.masterpainters.com.au/apprenticeships