Junior School Musical 

Our Junior School Musical this week was an outstanding display of talent and effort from the huge cast involved. I have seen the performance twice already and look forward to attending the finale tonight. The joy, charm and exuberance that emanates from all the performers left me again and again with a smile on my face. Congratulations to Mrs Christine Wright and her amazing team for yet another home run!

End of Term 

As this is the last newsletter for the term, I also would like to draw attention to our Year 12 students who graduate on Friday next week. They have endured the disruptions of COVID for three years – one half of their high school life, but have shown resilience, determination, and good humour as they continued their learning journey through these obstacles.

Please pray for all seventy-two of them as they hunker down over the school holiday break to prepare for their written HSC exams (starting with English on Wednesday, 12 October). As written in 1 Chronicles, may they “Look to the Lord and His strength; [and] seek His face always”. 

As we approach the end of school term, “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” [2 Thes 2:16-17]

Yours in Christ, 

Mr David Stonestreet 
Principal

Tenacious is defined as being determined, resolute, holding on tightly to something and persevering to achieve a goal. This is exactly what I hope to see being the learning attitude of every student. No matter their final results, I wish to see learners who have grit, who resolve to improve and who are committed to improving.

Our role as teachers is so much more than ensuring students understand the content of the curriculum and learn how to ‘play the game’ of standardised testing. As teachers, we must invest into our students holistically. Our students need to know that we believe in them – that we believe in their capacity to become thinkers, creators and collaborators. One way that I seek to establish this culture, is to take notice. I want to be intentional and celebrate the learning that is occurring, particularly if it is the result of a student taking risks, being bold or showing tenacity.

From next term, each newsletter will showcase two of our ‘Learning Leaders’. A Learning Leader will be a student who has been nominated by teachers as the result of having produced work that is notable for its excellence, inspiration, creativity or sustained effort. This student will visit me and we will have a chat about their work and their learning, which will then be showcased in the newsletter.

I am so looking forward to hearing about the exemplary learning that is occurring in our school and I can’t wait to commend and share the efforts and achievements of these students.

Mrs Natalie Bluhdorn
Academic Head

I have loved leading the Junior School during the past ten years and have many fond memories of events, students and families. We have an outstanding teaching and support team who are a joy to lead. The recent musical is a great testimony to how well the Junior School team work together for the benefit of providing amazing opportunities to our children. There have been challenges to overcome in recent years but we have continued to support and teach children, providing opportunities for them and most importantly helped them to learn and to achieve.

We have had many fun times like Bookweeks, musicals, open days, activities days, carnivals, competitions and much more. I have had the privilege of watching children grow in their knowledge and understanding of all things and overseen programs that improve and support student learning.

One of my passions has been to help students develop positive relationships with their peers and learning how to live for Jesus. We established the Rainbow Reminders, Connect Groups, our weekly Be’s and helped children improve in their ability to grow emotionally and socially. One of my favourite verses that motivates me and I often share with students is Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

An amazingly, wonderful, outstanding musical!

I hope that you were able to witness our musical this week. It was an incredible, high quality production of Aladdin.

The children did a fantastic job of singing, acting and moving. It was bright, colourful, funny and such an enjoyable experience.

We are so proud of all the students who performed and of what they were able to learn and achieve.

I would like to thank all our teaching staff and parents who were involved in the preparation and performance of this musical. There are so many people to thank. It was a massive team effort.

A special big-hearted thank you to Mrs Christine Wright for your fantastic direction, Mrs Hampson for amazing work with costuming and logistics, to Elizabeth Wilson (Year 9 student) for choreography, Mrs Irvine as singing coach and Mrs Whitaker sound director.

Mr Paul Carter
Head of Junior School

On Monday, Year 12 will be spending some time together over brunch for one last time as a group, before sharing in a special Secondary School assembly in which we will be acknowledging what we appreciate about Year 12.

Next Wednesday 21 September is a special day for the whole school as our Year 12 students give back and serve our school at the Activities Day. Thanks to Mr Newton, the rest of the Year 12 Pastoral Care team and our Year 12 students for all the effort that has gone into preparing a day like this. This day is a perfect chance for Year 12 to say ‘thank you’ to our school by serving in this way.

The week culminates with the Year 12 Graduation on Friday afternoon at 3:30pm. For those who would like to watch the ceremony but are not coming along in-person, we will be live-streaming the ceremony, with the link available on our school website and facebook page.

A big thank you to all our staff at Shire Christian School who have invested into the lives of our Year 12 students over many years. No matter how small or big the part they have played in their development, it is very much appreciated.

And to Year 12; enjoy your final week of classes and the roller coaster of emotions that you will no doubt feel! Thank those who have invested into your lives and made a difference for you. I trust that next week will be a good opportunity for you to reflect and finish well. After next week, knuckle down, study hard and do the best that you possibly can in the HSC exams.

And finally, may you also know the love of your Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It it only through him and him alone that we can truly draw meaning and purpose in our lives and keep perspective as to what is most important. I would like to leave you with one of my favourite passages in the Bible from 1 Peter 1:3-5, as it says:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Mr Peter Richardson
Head of Secondary School

The 145 children in the cast of Aladdin Jr ranged in age from 6 years to 12 years. Their dedication and perseverance over a very long period of time was awe-inspiring.

Auditions began back in February and we have been rehearsing ever since.

They have learnt many new skills that will help them in all areas of life. New friendships have been formed amongst other grades. Patience, self control and following directions have been nurtured in each child.

The professional way that you have witnessed each child carry themselves and perform on stage is a result.

I am very proud of each child in the cast.

Mrs Christine Wright
Director

On Wednesday 14 September the class participated in an incursion and each student decorated a cake that they had designed. This practical component accompanied written documentation that we have been working on.

 As you can see from the photo they did an amazing job! Students are commended for their creativity, time management and work ethic. Well done Year 10!!

 Mrs Corban

Congratulations to the many competitors who performed outstandingly against 11 other schools. We had most students place in the top 10 for their event, with 23 qualifying to go through to the State level of competition.

It was a busy day, with students competing in up to seven events (Angeline Brough and Hamish Wadds). A few of the highlights were:

Age Champions:

• Eve Hooper – 12 year girls
• Jacob Fox – 10 year boys
• Noah Robinson – 8 year boys 

1st place 

• Isla Wilson, Junior 800m
• Matthew Lothian, Junior Discus
• Erik Lordan, Senior Shot Put
• Luke Zabaras, Junior 800m and 1500m
• Eve Hooper, 12 year 100m, 200m and High Jump
• Jacob Fox, Junior Shot Put, High Jump
• Noah Robinson, 8 year 200m
• Samuel Sinclair, 11 year 200m
• Annabel Ashton, 12 year Discus
• Senior Girls Relay Team
• Junior Boys Relay Team

2nd place 

• Jacob Fox, Junior Discus and 1500m
• Angeline Brough, 11years Long Jump and 200m
• Knox Starr, Junior Long Jump
• Noah Robinson, 8 year 100m
• Cuba Ayoub, 11 year High Jump
• Duke Vaotuua, 8 year 200m
• Elijah Hazlewood, 10 year 200m
• Emily Haynes, Junior Shot Put
• Isla Wilson, Junior 1500m
• Will Rupenovic, 12 year 1500m

3rd place

• Jemima Bailey, 11 years 800m and 200m
• Micah Townsend, Senior Shot Put
• Jacob Fox, Junior 800m
• Will Rupenovic, 12 year 800m
• Duke Vaotuua, 8 year 100m
• Vaughn Casaceli, 9 year 100m
• Ryan Whittaker, 10 year 100m
• Samuel Sinclair, 11 year 100m
• Angeline Brough, 11 year Shot Put, High Jump, Discus
• Hannah Findlay, 8 year 200m
• Simeon Lee, 9 year 200m
• Luke Zabaras, 10 year 800m
• Levi Breen, 12 year Long Jump

Thanks to Mr Bluhdorn for managing the team and the many parents who came along to support and encourage the participants. It made for a hugely successful day!

The State Carnival was equally as exciting for our team of 21, with ages ranging from 8 year olds to 12 year olds. Jacob Fox came first in discus and second in shot put and 1500m running race. Angeline Brough came third in high jump and Luke Zabaras came third in the 800m and 1500m races. All other competitors performed with eager smiles and came back happy with their efforts. 

Thank you to Mr Mellor for running the boys shot put and helping to look after an eager, excited team.

Mrs Sonja Whitaker
Primary Sport Coordinator

The Apostle Paul encouraged his young protege, Timothy (and therefore encourages us), with this command: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Here in Australia, we are not a theocracy in the same way Israel was, but our reigning monarch can still have a significant influence on the spiritual condition of our nation. That is why Paul urges us to pray for ‘kings and all those in authority’. Throughout the history of Old Testament Israel, from Saul, David, Solomon, Rehoboam/Jeroboam, etc, the spiritual state of the king was a good measure of the spiritual state of the whole nation, and the faithful prophets gave us an accurate picture of what that spiritual state was.

Sadly, we are in a very different situation today. The secular media - printed, electronic and social - all see themselves as the ‘official judge and jury’ of spiritual reality and values, and it is very difficult for ‘all those in authority’ to make known their personal spiritual values without being 'judged' by the media, and we are only allowed to see/hear what has been processed through their secular/humanistic filters which have absolutely no time or place for true Christian faith and values. Nevertheless, in spite of the fact that our situation is so vastly different from Israel’s in so many respects, we are still urged to make “requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

So let us all pray earnestly for King Charles III. Let us pray that he will have a personal saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that he will be able to express this faith without the constant public censorship by the media. His mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, showed great courage, integrity, and perseverance in the face of such criticism, and her death has therefore led to much heart-searching among her subjects.

 Rev Bruce Christian

Arrangements for Prep to Year 5
Prep to Year 5 will be participating in activities, fun games and challenges from 8:40am until recess, beginning with a devotion and prayer given by a Year 12 student. Students will attend normal lessons after recess and are required to bring all the usual equipment necessary for their learning. Year 12 will be active in running each activity and will be providing a light morning tea for all of the students. Staff will be present to supervise and support the smooth running of the day.
Dress: Students are invited, although not obliged, to dress up in appropriate clothing. The overall theme for the day is “On the Screen” whereby students are invited to dress up as a character from a loved TV show or movie. If your child is not able to dress up, then an appropriate mufti outfit can be worn. Students must wear enclosed shoes and appropriate clothes to play games and go on rides. 

Arrangements for Years 6 to 11
All students from Years 6-11 will be participating in activities, rides, fun games and challenges from the end of recess until the end of Period 6. Students will attend normal lessons before recess and are required to bring all the usual equipment necessary for their learning. Year 12 will be active in running each activity and lunch will be provided. 
Dress: The overall theme for the day is “On the Screen” whereby students are invited to dress up as a character from a loved TV show or movie. Students are invited to dress up in appropriate, modest clothing. Modest clothing includes shoulders covered with a high neckline and shorts or skirt close to the knee. Students must wear enclosed shoes and appropriate clothes to play games and go on rides.

We are looking forward to building community together as Year 12 serves the school in this way.

Mr Scott Newton
Year 12 Year Coordinator

During school terms:

Monday: 8:00am – 11:30am
Tuesday: 1:00pm – 5:00pm (Terms 1 and 4 only)
Thursday: 1:00pm – 5:00pm

CONTACT

Email: shire@ranier.com.au
Uniform Shop Phone: Leave a message at 8525 5152
Responses will be provided during opening hours

For more immediate assistance, Ranier head office details: 
Online: ranier.com.au/contact
Email: custservice@ranier.com.au

Edstart helps make it easy for you to manage school fees by providing flexible payment plans. You can reduce your annual school fee spend by extending payments over a longer period.

With Edstart, you can fund tuition fees, additional charges such as uniforms, extra-curricular activities as well as amounts in arrears.

To find out more, visit edstart.com.au/shirechristian.

Please note that in providing information about Edstart, the school is not providing any recommendation, brokering or advice services. The school does not receive referral fees, commissions or any other remuneration from Edstart.

If your child is interested to audition for this event, the audition form is here.

Students are to video themselves performing a one minute excerpt of their performance and upload it to the above form. Auditions are to be submitted by Tuesday, 20 September (last week of this term). If more time is needed, please arrange this by emailing music@shirechristian.nsw.edu.au.

Mr David Humphreys
Head of Music