Strategic Directions: The school board of directors governs our organisation, guided by five strategic pillars.

• Christian Culture
• Learning Culture
• Engaged and Effective Staff
• Physical Environment and Infrastructure
• Stakeholder and Community Engagement

Building on that underpinning, we are developing a new strategic plan to guide priorities and projects over the coming years, to ensure our school continues to provide quality Christian education, both now and into the future.

Building Plans: The Sportsfield and Carpark project is moving forward – we are currently out to tender and expect the first stage of excavation and construction to begin next term. The school has stewarded its financial resources carefully over a number of years and thus has saved a significant portion of the expected costs. As a result, the project has not impacted on our current school fees. While we would prefer to build more learning facilities before a carpark, more onsite parking spaces are a requirement to get approval for any future building developments, and so this project is a necessary first step as we develop a masterplan for the whole site.

The school is giving each family a free copy of the March 2025 edition – we expect to send this home via your children next week. We hope you find the articles helpful and inspiring, and I would encourage you to consider subscribing to future issues.

Nurture subscriptions are available for $34 a year from the CEN eStore.

Mr David Stonestreet
Principal 

The Bible calls us to live in a way that demonstrates respect for all people, regardless of their background or faith. Through His life and ministry, Jesus Christ made it clear that we have a responsibility to recognise and embrace the differences among us. We are called to follow God's will for reconciliation, playing our part in ending prejudice and racism. As a Christian school, we strive to build a community of mutual respect that values and celebrates the gifts of our diversity.

As Christians, we are called into God's family, and we extend His message to all people, of all nations: "You belong." We celebrate the fact that each of us is uniquely made in God's image, reflecting His character. Psalm 133 also speaks to the value of unity among believers, reminding us that “how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”

Mrs Ruth Cooper & Mr David Collins
Heads of School

From the roaring, excessive Jazz age of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, through to the absurdist mid-century plays of Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, students can engage with the reality of our broken, fallen world through these disillusioned narratives of futility, moral decay and fractured relationships. What a gift though, in our Christian school, to be able to present this brokenness against the glorious backdrop of God’s grand narrative of purpose, hope and relationship with Him. 

I thought it could be helpful to provide parents with an example of how we can frame one of these types of texts in our school. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a novel we have frequently taught in Stage 6 English. It is a searing critique of the excess and moral decay that characterised the Jazz Age. Nowhere is this decadence more vividly illustrated than in the extravagant parties held at Jay Gatsby’s mansion—opulent spectacles that reveal the hollow materialism of the era. Each weekend, Gatsby’s estate transforms into a dazzling carnival of music, indulgence, and unchecked consumption (all indicative of the hedonism on the 1920s), where guests arrive uninvited and depart without ever acknowledging their host. The sheer abundance of food, alcohol, and entertainment underscores the novel’s broader themes of superficiality and the transience of wealth.

Fitzgerald meticulously crafts an atmosphere of wastefulness, where he describes the excess and vapidness that defines Gatsby’s gatherings. His extravagant parties were filled with beautiful; people who “came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars” (p39), and where introductions were made and “then forgotten on the spot” (p40). Crates of fresh fruit are delivered weekly to Gatsby’s home, with “every Friday five crates of oranges and lemons arriv(ing) from a fruiterer in New York—every Monday these same oranges and lemons left his back door in a pyramid of pulpless halves.” Such images provide a wonderful opportunity to discuss with students representations of the wastefulness and transience of Gatsby’s world, where relationships and resources are drained for ephemeral pleasures rather than meaningful, Godly purposes.

Perhaps the greatest tragedy of Gatsby is not just his failure to win the woman he loves, but his misplaced hope. Gatsby was seen as having “an extraordinary gift for hope…he was the single most hopeful person I have ever met and I’m ever likely to meet” (pp 2, 147). This provides an authentic opportunity for us to then juxtapose this to the entirely different hope offered in Christ; a hope that is expectant and eternal. It is a hope that requires an understanding of the amplified love of God, made perfect in his promises and purposes. 

To be able to frame our teaching with a Christian perspective is a gift. In our ever changing political and educational landscape, it is opportunities like these in the classroom that must be protected. I encourage our whole school community, but particularly our parents to continue adding their voice to the political discussion to ensure that Christian schools can remain secure in having the freedom to be distinctively different and Christian in how we approach schooling and the curriculum. I have treasured such freedoms during my time at Shire, and as a parent, I can see the critical importance of this in the years to come. 

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently”. Romans 8:24-25 

Mrs Natalie Bluhdorn
former Academic Head (2022-2025)

The focus of my talk at the evening was on the impact that mobile phones are having on our young people. I know for many parents, myself included, setting appropriate boundaries has been challenging. I presented many of the key concepts from a book called Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Here is a brief summary of the book that Google provided:

"The Anxious Generation," by Jonathan Haidt, argues that the rise in mental health issues among young people is linked to the "rewiring" of childhood caused by smartphones, social media, and overprotective parenting, advocating for a return to play-based childhoods and limiting screen time. 

While I don’t believe this book presents a perfect solution, it challenged my thinking around this issue. I encourage you to consider getting a copy for yourself. The school is currently engaging in a refinement of our approach to mobile phones for students while they are at school.

Romans 12:2 states “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.” My reflection on this verse would be that children (and adults) who spend countless hours focused on social media are finding it increasingly harder to not conform to the pattern of this world.

Mr David Collins
Head of Secondary School

As we navigate the most comprehensive curriculum reform in over 30 years, this evening provided a valuable opportunity to share our progress and reaffirm our commitment to developing a curriculum that integrates a biblical worldview. Our goal is to shape learning experiences that reflect our core values and statement of faith.

As part of our dedication to academic excellence, I was also pleased to introduce two exciting initiatives: InitiaLit and our partnership with AIS in a Writing Project. By incorporating evidence-based research, we are committed to equipping every child with the essential core knowledge and strong foundations needed to become successful readers and writers. We are excited about the opportunity to work closely with AIS and look forward to fostering confident, articulate, and skilled writers across all subjects.

Partnership

This new year brings a wealth of opportunities for us to work together. It has been deeply encouraging to see so many parents involved—not only attending our recent parent prayer meeting but also coming together over the past two weeks to help create props for our upcoming musical. The atmosphere has been filled with joy, teamwork, and a strong sense of community.

As we continue to build our lives on the firm foundation of Christ and His Word, may we remain committed to growing together. As parents and teachers, we are partners in this journey, and my prayer is that we will continue to cultivate a flourishing learning community—one that nurtures faith, excellence, and a deep sense of belonging.

Mrs Ruth Cooper
Head of Junior School

The first excursion took our Year 11 and 12 students to OnStage, a showcase of exemplary 2024 HSC Drama works, where they witnessed some of the finest individual and group performances from the previous year’s Higher School Certificate cohort. This experience allowed students to see first-hand the high standards of performance and creativity required to excel in their own studies. Watching a diverse range of theatrical styles and themes, as well as seeing the range of projects, not only inspired our students but also deepened their appreciation for the craft of acting and dramatic storytelling in many forms.

In addition to OnStage, Year 10 and 11 students attended a performance of Ray Lawler’s classic Australian play, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, at Arts Theatre Cronulla. This iconic piece of Australian theatre provided a fantastic opportunity for students to engage with the themes, characters, and dramatic conventions of one of the country’s most celebrated plays. A particularly exciting highlight of this performance was seeing alumni student Rachel Baker shine in the role of Pearl. Rachel’s portrayal was met with great acclaim, demonstrating her talent and dedication to the craft. Seeing a former student achieve such success on stage was an inspiring moment for our current Drama students, reinforcing the real-world possibilities that lie ahead for those who pursue their passion for theatre.

We had the privilege of welcoming Rachel Baker to speak with students about her experiences as a performing and creative artist. She shared valuable insights into her process of developing a character for the stage, highlighting how the skills and knowledge she gained in school contributed to her craft. Rachel also offered thoughtful advice for students interested in pursuing a similar path, discussing strategies they could use to refine their skills and deepen their understanding of performance. She engaged with students' questions, providing practical guidance on what they could learn both now and in the future. We love hearing from our alumni students!

These excursions underscore the importance of experiencing live theatre as an essential part of Drama education. By witnessing high-quality productions, students gained valuable perspectives on performance techniques, storytelling, and character development. Most importantly, they came together as a community of theatre enthusiasts, sharing in the joy of live performance and strengthening their understanding of the art form. 

Mrs Kathryn Breen & Mrs Rebekah Johns
Drama Faculty

We recommend bookmarking this link. You should only need to put the password in once and the site will remember you.
 
The subscription provides access to a weekly parenting insight article and four live webinars per year (one per term).
 
Parents can access the recent Emotional Regulation webinar and recordings of previous webinars by logging in.

South Met Zone Swimming Carnival 

On 28 February, Mrs. Nugteren, a dedicated swim team of 31 students, and I headed to Prairiewood Leisure Centre to represent our school at the South Met Zone Swimming Carnival. Our swimmers showed tremendous competitive spirit, and each race was full of excitement. The relays were particularly thrilling and nerve-wracking, but our teams did exceptionally well, resulting in our school finishing second overall. Many of our swimmers made impressive improvements in their times, and we are incredibly proud of their efforts.

A special congratulations to Eva and Daniel, who were awarded the 10-Year-Old Age Champion titles!

CSSA State Swimming Carnival 

Just a week later, we were off to Sydney Olympic Park for the CSSA State Swimming Carnival. This exciting twilight event, which began at 4pm, kicked off with the relays. First up were the Junior Girls: Kara, Pippa, Ruby, and Eva. These swimmers had us on the edge of our seats as they raced against the competition, shaving an impressive 9 seconds off their qualifying time! Well done, girls!

Next, it was the Senior Girls' turn: Elizabeth, Luca, Matilda, and Sofia. The girls swam with fantastic teamwork, supporting each other every stroke of the way. Finally, the Junior Boys’ relay team: Lincoln, Joseph, Mickey, and Daniel swam incredibly fast, cutting an impressive 11 seconds off their qualifying time and qualifying for the CIS Swimming Carnival. A huge congratulations to all our relay teams for their amazing effort!

After the relays, we moved on to individual events, where Lara, Eva, Daniel, and Elizabeth proudly represented our school. Our swimmers displayed outstanding sportsmanship and school spirit, showing just how dedicated and talented they are.

Daniel He and Eva Posthumus were also named the CSSA State Age Champions for the 10-year-old category. Our Zone finished 2nd overall in the points score – an amazing achievement!

Both events were wonderful opportunities to witness the amazing gifts and talents God has given our students in the pool. Well done to everyone who took part!

Miss Ashleigh Hackfath
Junior School Sports Coordinator

Competing as a bottom-age rider in his division, he demonstrated skill and determination across all events.

A highlight of his weekend was reaching the final of the Pump Track, where he held his own against strong competition. His impressive results reflect his dedication and talent in mountain biking.

We are incredibly proud of James for representing our school with distinction and look forward to his future achievements on the track!

Despite wet and challenging conditions at Bexley, our team of 47 students from Years 7-12, led by School Swim Captain Charlotte Hopwood, arrived ready and raring to take on the other heavy weights in our zone.

The event was both competitive and enjoyable, and our team displayed determination and resilience, many setting personal bests throughout the day. 

We extend our congratulations to all our swimmers for their efforts. A special thank you to Mrs Baker, Mrs Saunders and Mr Rafferty for their support as carnival officials and team managers.

We now look ahead to the CSSA Swimming Championships next week on Tuesday, 25 March - good luck to our competitors!

Mr Troy Dixon
Secondary Sport Coordinator

The extreme heat added an extra challenge for all players. Due to the hot conditions, the tournament structure was adjusted, with only the top two teams advancing directly to the final. While our teams didn’t make it through, they played with enthusiasm and teamwork, making our school proud.

Congratulations to Georgia Tsoupis who was selected in the CSSA State U/15 girls team to compete at the upcoming NSW CIS tournament

Well done to all players for a great day, especially for your effort and sportsmanship!

Mrs Kelly Henderson

I’m not sure how I could have been reading the Bible seriously for 70 years and missed that significant connection. But it has been a good lesson on the importance of meditating on God’s Word each and every day (as our School Psalm - 1 - continually reminds and challenges us). “For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). How many other precious gems might there be buried in the Scriptures, waiting for me to discover them? I pray with the Psalmist: Lord, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” (Psalm 119:18).

“Your words to me are life and health; pour strength into my soul; enable, guide, and teach my heart to reach its perfect goal! Your words to me are light and truth; from day to day they show their wisdom, passing earthly lore, as in their truth I grow. Your words to me are full of joy, of beauty, peace, and grace; from them I learn your blessed will, through them I see your face. Your words you have fulfilled on earth, yourself, the living Word; within my heart your image print in clearest lines, O Lord.” (George Currie Maertin).

And what a joy it is in fellowship with other believers when we discover these gems and when we have the opportunity to encourage one another in Small Group Bible Study.

Rev Bruce Christian

If you are interested in hosting two students (as all students will be paired), we would love to hear from you. Please complete the form or contact Mrs. Ina de Witte at idewitte@shirechristian.nsw.edu.au or call the school at 8525 5111 for further details or questions.

We look forward to hearing from you!

If you do not give permission for your child to be photographed and you have not previously informed the school, please contact us.

*The 2024 Yearbook will be distributed by the end of this term. 

Location: 6/133 The River Road, Revesby, NSW 2212

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm 
Saturday 9am - 1pm

For online purchasing and appointments visit shop.ranier.com.au (click and collect and delivery options available).

Click and Collect

School Click and Collect orders placed prior to 5pm on Fridays can be collected from school reception from Tuesday morning the following week (during the school term).

If you are unsure of sizing, please book a fitting appointing or visit the shop. For any exchanges, uniforms must be in original condition with original packaging.

CONTACT

Phone: 02 9773 8291
Online: ranier.com.au/contact
Email: custservice@ranier.com.au

The two main venues are the Hall and the IRC. The venue for each day can be found on the school public calendar for your convenience. Most commonly Camp Australia takes place in the Hall.

We understand that the Hall is at the rear of the school, but for the benefit and safety of all on site, please park at the front of the school and make your way by foot. Please pass this safety request on to any grandparents or other carers who may collect your child. 

Thank you for your cooperation,

Mr Paul Carter
Deputy Principal

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.