Government funding of independent schools in Australia is a blessing, but our reliance on such funding is also a risk to our independence – if all funding was removed, our fees would jump overnight up to the realm of $25,000 (and probably no sibling discount) for the exact same school we have today.

School staff wages across the sector are seeing historic increases at the moment, and I am fully supportive of our staff being paid a competitive wage. In addition, school operating costs have skyrocketed, as many costs would have done in your own households (insurance, utilities, technology, etc.). However, funding has not matched those increases and has actually been decreasing as a proportion of our overall income. This puts increasing pressure on school fees as the sole source of income for the increased operation costs of the school. 

Funding the Carpark

All of the above begs the question of the effect on fees of us building the new underground carpark. As explained previously, it has been made clear to us that no further building or major building improvements will be approved without an increase in the number of onsite parking spaces. This makes the carpark a priority development for the school to move forward in any way with our 40 year-old site and buildings. 

In anticipation of future construction, the school has been saving a small surplus each year to reduce the costs of a future loan. I am thankful to the previous principals, the business manager and the board for their wise foresight in this, as it means we can fund a significant percentage of the carpark ourselves out of reserves, greatly reducing the loan. Consequently, the carpark itself is not a significant factor in fee increases – the main factor remains our increased annual costs of operation and lower funding, which we have little control over. 

With the way that the government now calculates its funding, it has become more difficult each year to run an affordable fee school with what the government considers to be an (overall) affluent parent body. It is one of the things that most troubles me as a long–term staff member with a deep belief in our school’s founding values. Please keep the executive, board and school association in your prayers as we navigate these difficult economic times while maintaining our commitment to providing quality Christian education to our families.

Footnote: for further reading on the school funding model and the CTC see the following links:

https://www.education.gov.au/recurrent-funding-schools/schooling-resource-standard 
https://www.education.gov.au/recurrent-funding-schools/schooling-resource-standards-capacity-contribute#toc-how-are-ctc-scores-calculated-

Mr David Stonestreet
Principal

Shire Christian School has been a source of immense joy and satisfaction for me, even amidst the daily challenges that come with leading Secondary School. This community has taught me so much, and I consider it an honour to have worked here.

As I think back on my own schooling, I’m reminded of the teachers who left a profound impact on my life. Their guidance, encouragement, and example shaped who I am today. A significant reason I became a teacher was to pay that influence forward—to be a positive example in the lives of others, just as those teachers were for me. As I prepare to step into the next chapter of my journey, my hope is that in some way, I’ve been able to encourage and inspire others here at Shire Christian School.

Before I go, I’d like to say a massive THANK YOU.

• To our parents: thank you for trusting me with the responsibility of leading your child’s education. Your partnership has been invaluable and I have loved connecting with you, whether it was over the phone, at bus duty or at one of the many events we have each year.
• To our staff: thank you for your tireless dedication, your passion, and the way you strive to bring out the best in our students. The laughter and tears we’ve shared have left a lasting impression on me and I look forward to continuing to connect.
• To our students: you are the heart of this school and the reason for so much joy in my job. I have cherished every opportunity to connect with you and watch you grow. I look forward to the day I cross paths with Shire Christian graduates in the future, shaking hands and celebrating the incredible individuals you’ve become.

I’d like to leave you with a final challenge. The most important part of my life is my relationship with Jesus. Serving a God who is both infinitely powerful and intimately close brings me immeasurable joy. He is the Creator who became man in the form of Jesus, the God who knows us by name, hears our prayers, and walks with us through every season of life. This same God invites each of us into a personal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

As Isaiah 41:10 reminds us:
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

So, my challenge to our students, parents, and staff is this: make knowing and loving Christ your highest priority. Seek Him through His Word, trust Him in prayer, and reflect His love in your daily lives. Be a light in the world—one that not only knows Jesus but is transformed by Him, bringing His hope and truth to those around you.

Shire Christian School will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for the privilege of walking this journey with you. 

Mr Peter Richardson
former Head of Secondary School (2021-2024)

P.S. As a side note, I will begin my week next week with a run commute to work. The main reason for me leaving Shire is to work closer to home. I will be running close to 70km from south of Wollongong through the night on Sunday/Monday morning to arrive at school by the start of the day. I’m doing this to raise money for Forever Projects as part of our school fundraiser this term. If you would like to sponsor me, please do so here. Thanks!

In a world that is ever-changing and uncertain, we are reminded of the comforting truth that our God remains steadfast and unchanging. It is our prayer that this truth will guide and anchor our students throughout their lives.

Elective music classes and ensembles worked hard in preparation for the night, and it paid off! It was exciting to hear and see the students perform, sharing their gifts with family and friends whilst learning the art of performance.

Auditioned soloists performed as a part of the evening too, which certainly demonstrated the depth of talent we have at our school.

Mrs Carolyn Wang
Head of Music

Mikaela’s Scriptwriting Individual Project, a short play called Penny Lane, explores the dynamics of a close-knit community, where even the smallest details of each person’s life are common knowledge and inevitably surface in their gatherings, whether they mean to share them or not. 

Mikaela drew upon the Absurdist style, setting the play during three strata meetings which become more meaningless and unproductive as the play goes on.

To help her in the creation of the play Mikaela attended real strata meetings and gathered stories of people's experiences, using these to inspire the goings on in her humorous play.

Congratulations to Mikaela for her tenacity and perseverance in crafting this play over many months, continuing despite challenges.

If included in the final selection, Mikaela’s script will be exhibited at the Seymour Centre from Saturday 8 February to Friday 14 February 2025.

This makes our achievement even more remarkable! We are incredibly proud of what our students have accomplished for our school and for the German language program.

Well done, Year 10! What a wunderbar way to end the year!

Frau McWhirter
Head of Languages

Students Hannah Barry and Lucy Aitken have written about their experience: 

Our Duke of Edinburgh trip to Tasmania was an amazing experience, with a combination of flat day walks and steep side trails to create our outdoor expedition. We began our trip with an early flight to Launceston, where we hired a van to drive through scenic farmland and bush to arrive at the beginning of our walk. Arriving at the beginning of the walk, everyone was excited to begin and enter the national park. The first day on the walk we were met with a heavy incline to begin with, this was a test of everyone's physical strength and endurance, but the many lovely views along the way made it worth it. Upon arriving at our first campsite for the night the view was breathtaking and everyone was keen to set up their tents, some taking longer than others. Once we were set up the evening got cold, and we had a few visits from some not so friendly possums that were searching for some food.

The next couple of days entailed following the main trail to our campsites, then choosing several side trails or routes that led up mountains to amazing views. And even some snow, where we got to participate in some snow ball fights. This hike tested our physical abilities and teamwork as a group to navigate and get through the hike. But we shared the load of leading the group and helping other team members when needed by taking extra breaks. After completing the hike our group felt a strong sense of accomplishment.

The hike really caused us altogether as a group to bond. We got to chat and get to know people who we may not necessarily talk to much during school. Getting to know everyone much more was really so valuable and so special. We shared so much laughter between everyone and honestly it was sad flying back home. We didn’t want the hike and the experience to end. It was such a beautiful, amazing experience, so special, and something we will remember for a long time to come.

Mrs Clara Wilcockson

It didn’t take long for things to go wrong. Sludge took the window seat in the plane, then Sammy couldn’t find his friends, he dropped his plate of food in the restaurant and he couldn’t work out his snorkelling gear and so missed out on seeing any fish! It was a good thing the children could come up with some great ideas for Sammy to problem solve, learn from his mistakes and bounce back to continue enjoying his holiday!

The SocS Puppet Shows are put on by the Learning Support team. Thank you to the lovely Year 10 students who came to help in leading the discussion groups and for being such great, mature role models for our younger students. Thankfully we all ‘flew’ back to Australia in time for the afternoon bell!

Mrs Diana Moes

The students were amazed by the extensive range of fabrics and trims, far surpassing what is typically available in other fabric stores. This experience sparked creative ideas for future Textiles projects and provided valuable insight into sourcing materials.

The day continued with a trip to The Venue in Alexandria, where students attended the TAFE NSW Fashion Design Studio’s Graduating Students Fashion Show. The show featured upbeat music and an impressive array of creative textile apparel, showcasing the immense talent of emerging designers. Students left inspired, with a deeper appreciation for the creativity and opportunities within the Textiles industry.

Mrs Amy Sneddon

“Exile. This is the first of fifteen ‘Songs of Ascent’ sung by those ascending Mount Zion for the annual feasts. The psalmist seeks peace, but those around him want only conflict with him and his faith (verse 7 - ‘I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.’). This is the resentment of one way of life against its opposite … which no amount of goodwill, short of capitulation or conversion can resolve.’ (Kidner). 

In this situation the Bible forbids either compromise (2 Corinthians 6:14ff) or retaliation (Romans 12:14-21). The psalmist leaves vengeance to God (verses 3-4 - ‘What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?  He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush.’, but even when believers peacefully serve their neighbours, they may attract hostility (1 Peter 2:12). So we follow our Lord, who was also a man of peace in a culture of war (1 Peter 2:21-25).

“Prayer: Lord, it breaks my heart, and often my patience, when despite my overtures of peace a person remains implacably adversarial. And I live in a culture where many think constant, angry indignation is a moral virtue. Lord, I ask your help to continue loving and offering respect to those who are against me and what I believe. Amen.”

Let us, as a community of faith, continue to support one another in prayer - parents, teachers and children - as we strive collectively, as a Christian School, to make a noticeable difference to the society around us.

Rev Bruce Christian

Additionally, there will be a pop-up canteen in the high school quad at recess on Friday, selling soft drinks and chocolates for $2 each.

Thank you for your support in this endeavour, and for joining us in helping Forever Projects transform lives.

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.

The initiative is designed to build community, encourage support for our families who are business owners and provide access to goods and services from within our community.

If you’re going to spend anyway, why not spend with a local Shire Christian School connected business and invest in your community.

View the directory on our website or register your business.

Click here to download the PDF or visit their website to learn more about their Christian childcare offering.