School Survey

It has been two years since our last Parent, Staff, and Student satisfaction surveys conducted by MMG Education. With sufficient time having passed, we plan to run these surveys again later this year, likely before the end of term.

We value the feedback we get from our community, as it plays a vital role in helping us continuously improve our school—for the benefit of learning and to the glory of God.

Visiting USA Christian School Band – An Opportunity

Just another reminder about the upcoming band visit from Lindfield Christian School in California in June. Thank you to those families who have been able to accommodate some of the students. We still have several students needing billeting so please consider if you can help. Information later in the newsletter.

Mr David Stonestreet
Principal

This includes sporting carnivals, fundraising for various charities the school supports, and our end of term gala afternoons for students in Years 7 to 10. To be selected as a house leader, students were required to complete a nomination form that was reviewed by teachers in charge of each house. They made recommendations to me as Head of Secondary and their nomination was then confirmed by Mr Stonestreet. There were more applicants than positions available this year, and I encourage all of these students to also consider nominating for leadership roles when they are in Year 12.

The House Leaders for 2025 are:

In the next couple of weeks we will be gathering the house leaders and teachers in charge of each house to plan for 2025. We look forward to the significant impact their efforts will have on our school community.

Mr David Collins
Head of Secondary School

This week, our focus has been on the theme “Be kind and compassionate”, drawn from the Renewal domain of our learning framework. These values aren’t just concepts we talk about – they’re lived out daily in our classrooms through the way we learn, speak, and interact. When students listen respectfully, encourage rather than compete, offer thoughtful feedback, and show patience with themselves and others, they’re not only becoming better learners – they’re becoming more like Christ. As 2 Corinthians 1:3 describes, God is the “Father of compassion,” and our kindness begins by reflecting His heart. As a family, can I encourage you to take a moment this week to name and give thanks for the blessings God has poured into your lives? Write them down, reflect on them, and give thanks to our generous Father. Then, consider how you might pass those blessings on. It could be a small gesture, like writing a note of encouragement for a neighbour or supporting the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal this weekend.

National Simultaneous Storytime

What a beautiful way to end the week, bringing books to life over recess as we all participated in National Simultaneous Storytime together, reading Truck Cat, by Deborah Frenkel. We were so thankful to have Year 9 act out the story for us, which was expressively read by our one and only, Mrs Walker.

Thank you for this wonderful experience!

Mrs Ruth Cooper
Head of Junior School

During the visit, students attended a talk led by a learning officer of the gallery. This insightful presentation offered a behind-the-scenes look at the curatorial process and the artists’ intentions, providing valuable context and inspiration for the students’ own Bodies of Work. Discussions focused on the interplay between art and landscape, sustainability, and the evolving role of the artist in responding to global and local issues.

In addition to the exhibition, students participated in hands-on artmaking activities designed to reflect and respond to the themes of the works on display. These workshops encouraged creative exploration using unusual materials and experimental techniques, fostering both individual expression and group collaboration.

The immersive experience at Bundanon allowed students to deepen their understanding of the visual arts through both observation and practice. Surrounded by the picturesque Shoalhaven landscape, they were not only inspired by the artworks and the natural setting but also gained new insights into their own creative processes.

Miss Susie Yock
Head of Visual Arts

A Dark Climb to Power – Richard III

Sport for Jove’s Richard III was an electrifying portrayal of one of Shakespeare’s most infamous villains. The performance offered students a visceral understanding of the play’s theatricality and character complexity, crucial for understanding how Al Pacino’s Looking for Richard reshapes this character for his contemporary audience. A post-show lecture and Q&A with director Damien Ryan helped unpack the historical and dramatic layers of the text. Seeing the play live allowed students to analyse not just what was said, but how it was delivered—an essential skill for their study.

Truth on Trial – The Crucible

Students also enjoyed a Performance Symposium of The Crucible. They watched major scenes performed with clarity and intention, illuminating the power struggles and moral ambiguities central to the play. The actors paused between scenes to unpack character motivations, explore dramatic techniques, and guide students through diverse critical readings. This hands-on experience helped demystify the play’s rich symbolism and historical context, offering practical tools for essay writing and exam analysis. With a detailed resource kit and the chance to ask questions directly, students left with a clearer, more personal connection to the material—making Miller’s cautionary tale feel urgently contemporary.

Miss Lauren Dalrymple and Mrs Stacey Saunders
Year 12 English Advanced Teachers

Shire, Shire Red, and Shire Blue each played a series of competitive matches, demonstrating outstanding teamwork, determination, and a fierce competitive edge. 

We are proud to announce that Shire were the undefeated winners of the Gala Day - a fantastic achievement that reflects the talent, dedication, and resilience of all the players.

• Shire - Undefeated Winners
• Shire Red - Runners-Up
• Shire Blue - Finished 1st in their pool

A huge congratulations to all the girls for representing Shire with pride and excellence. Their positive attitude and commitment made the day a memorable one for players, coaches, and supporters alike. 

Well done, Shire!

Mrs Emma Hamilton
U15s Shire Coach

The Opens team delivered a strong performance, showcasing determination and teamwork throughout the competition.

Over four fiercely contested matches, the team secured two impressive wins, drew one hard-fought game, and suffered a narrow loss. Each player contributed to the team's success with sharp passing, solid defence, and smart attacking plays. Their consistency and resilience were evident, especially in the drawn match where they fought back from behind to secure a valuable point.

With these results, the team finished equal second in their pool, reflecting their competitive edge and ability to perform under pressure. 

Miss Susie Yock
Opens Coach

The girls played with heart, producing some incredible rallies and demonstrating good communication, quick reflexes and resilience on the court.

I am incredibly proud of the way the team carried themselves throughout the day. Each player gave their best in every game, displaying a positive attitude and support for one another. It was a fun and memorable day, an experience the students will no doubt carry with them.

Great work, girls!

Mrs Kelly Henderson

The track events and long jump kicked off in fine form, with discus starting later in the day once conditions improved. The races were a highlight, particularly the 100m and 200m sprints, which delivered thrilling finishes, some decided by mere milliseconds. A few records were even broken! Full results will be shared in the coming weeks once all events have been completed.

Some events, including shot put, high jump, and discus for certain age groups, are still to be held. These will take place during lunch breaks and sport sessions on students’ designated sport days. Once completed, we’ll be excited to announce record breakers and age champions, so stay tuned!

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated parent volunteers and staff who braved the wet and chilly conditions to ensure the day went ahead. And thank you to all the families who came to support their children despite the dreary weather.

Miss Ashleigh Hackfath
Junior School Sports Coordinator

Facing a strong St Ignatius College Riverview side in the final, our boys put in a determined effort. While we didn’t come away with the win, the team displayed resilience, sportsmanship, and great spirit throughout.

Goals were scored by Joshua R, Joshua B, Eden, James, and Oscar, while Rocky, Henry, Samuel, Kobe, Jacob H, and Rockwell stood out for their relentless pressure and strong defence. Every player made a valuable contribution, with several students trying AFL for the first time and all growing in skill and confidence as the day progressed.

Well done to all the boys who participated – an excellent effort in what we hope is the first of many Secondary School AFL outings!

Mrs Amy Sneddon

It is based on Proverbs 20:3, “It is to one’s honour to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.”, and 29:23, “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honour.”:

SELF-RENUNCIATION. In 2006 a gunman killed a number of Amish schoolchildren before killing himself. Unlike in other U.S. communities, where the surviving families of shooters have received death threats and had their homes vandalised, the Amish community forgave and loved the gunman’s family. Some expressed hope that others could emulate this example.

But forgiveness, as socially and emotionally healthy as it is, is a form of self-renunciation, and we live in a culture that counsels self-assertion. If we are not being treated with the honour we think is our due, we are trained to protest loudly, and our anger is considered a sign of self-respect. Our society, then, does not produce forgiving people, but rather those who are ‘quick to quarrel’ and who assert their honour. So our culture will continue to grow in ‘strife’. ‘Most of us have been formed by a culture that nourishes revenge and mocks grace.’. Again we see that it is the height of dignity not to always be standing on one’s dignity. Ironically, the person most quick to defend himself comes off looking weak.

When was the last time you had to defend yourself? Were you too quick?

PRAYER. Father, your Son is now my great advocate (1 John 2:1). His shed blood defends me against the penalty of the eternal moral law. In him I am pardoned and accepted. Why, then, do I feel the need to defend myself all the im? Take away my need to do so by reminding me of my wonderful high priest. Amen.

What a wonderful opportunity and responsibility is ours as a school commmunity - parents, teachers, grandparents, praying friends - to model and teach God’s wisdom to the children entrusted to our care. They are growing up surrounded and bombarded by this culture, and their future adult lives are being moulded by it. Let us take our calling and task seriously, remembering Solomon’s advice elsewhere: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6), or as Eugene Petersen puts it: “Point your kids in the right direction - when they’re old they won’t be lost.” (‘The Message’).

Do we warn them about what is happening so subtly and powerfully around them? Do our lives and attitudes in all our interactions with one another demonstrate the better way? Let us ALL keep upholding one another in prayer, especially our dedicated teachers, that our whole school community will be truly effective as ‘salt’ and ‘light’ in our rotting and darkening culture.

Rev Bruce Christian

Information about how to create an account and a letter from the founders is available to assist parents. 
 
Key Details
Delivery Day / Time: Fridays 10am 
First Delivery Day: Friday 30 May 
Orders Close: Every Thursday 12pm (midday) for next day delivery
Orders must be placed per child – create a profile for each child after account setup.
Create your account and place an order for Friday 30 May today! 

Follow Yum in a Box on Instagram to see upcoming menu items and the latest news.  

We look forward to offering this convenience for families and seeing our students enjoy these delicious and nutritious lunches.

Key Details:

• Hosting Period: Thursday evening, 26 June – Wednesday morning, 2 July

• Number of Students to Host: 28 students total (two per family)

• Reimbursement: $150 per student

• Transport: Hosts will need to provide transport to and from school

• Itinerary: Includes school activities and sightseeing. There is an opportunity for host families to spend Sunday (29 June) with their American students.

• Sydney Opera House Performance: Families may purchase tickets for $8 to attend the concert on Saturday, where both the visiting band and our own students will perform

Further details will be provided to families who express interest.

We encourage you to consider this unique opportunity.

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!

Feel free to spread the word to parents, carers and grandparents to bring along their preschool aged children for a taste of big school! 

Register Here

Children can come and explore our Junior School IRC, share a story with our librarian, as well as participate in a craft. The program will run from 9:30am to 10:30am.

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 evening will include:

1. University Admissions Centre (UAC) Info Sessions
2. ‘Hear from Us’ - Meet the Universities and Colleges
   Info sessions presented by a variety of Universities and Colleges covering a range of fields.
3. Tertiary Education Expo
   An open expo where families have the opportunity to get their specific questions answered one-on-one.
   
   Institutions who have accepted the invitation to attend include:
   UNSW, UTS, USYD, UOW, WSU, Notre Dame, Torrens Uni, JMC, AMPA, AIE, SEDA, Bedford, Orana, The Hotel School, SFC (Sydney Flight College), National Fashion College, Crimson (US) Education, ICMS.

Click here for more information and to register.

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.