I bought my first acoustic guitar (a second-hand Ibanez) way back in 1989, as I knew it would be a useful instrument for a music teacher to know, and I learnt some of the easier chords (called “open chords”), but for the life of me, I never really mastered the rest. To rub salt into the wound, around ten years ago I bought a relatively expensive Maton acoustic guitar, somehow thinking that might motivate me more, but it has only made me feel worse for owning an instrument of a quality that I probably don’t deserve.

I shared all of this recently with the secondary school because, inspired by the learning disposition of adaptability, I wanted to show that, like them, I am also on a learning journey. There is much about music and performing that I am comfortable with, but to improve at guitar, I need to adapt some of those skills to a different context: a different way of producing sound and a very different hand position from what I am used to on piano. I am not starting from scratch, but I do need to think quite differently, as I can’t simply assume that I can transfer my skills from one thing to another.

While we as educators can attempt to anticipate the skills and knowledge your children will need for the future, it is their ability to adapt, to pivot, to think creatively, and to approach challenges from new perspectives that will be essential for success in an ever-changing and complex world.

So, now I have skin in the game. I have brought my guitar into my office and committed to practising it on a couple of mornings a week before school. I also told the students that I would return to the assembly at times during the year to show them my progress. 

As we encourage the learning dispositions in our students, let’s model them as adults too. May our homes and classrooms be places where flexibility and adaptability are not feared but embraced, where growth is valued more than perfection, and where we trust God to lead us, even when the path takes a different turn from what we expected.

Mr David Stonestreet
Principal

Expression has been a celebration of all aspects of creativity within the school. It has involved students from Years 7 to 12 displaying their creative endeavours for the school community. As the school has grown over recent years this has resulted in an intense experience for those attending.

One of the key focuses of Expression has been to showcase Year 12 major projects. For many students, the projects they create are a culmination of many years of hard toil, as they have perfected their crafts across various disciplines. These works are actually part of their HSC “examinations”. The projects are marked by external assessors from NESA, and the results they achieve are part of their final examination mark.

Therefore, the school has decided to transform the night formerly known as Expression into a Showcase Festival that will be run over several nights. There will be several different events across the year to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students. The traditional night in Term 3 will be the Year 12 Showcase Night. In 2025, this will take place on August 20, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The majority of our HSC subjects that involve the creation of a project will be on display. As the year progresses there will be an opportunity for students in Years 7 to 11 to present their work as well. More details on the Showcase Festival will be released early in Term 3.

Mr David Collins
Head of Secondary School

A priority for our school is ensuring that each change and review is grounded in our Biblical foundations. We are committed to developing curriculums that integrate a biblical worldview, shaping learning experiences that reflect our core values and statement of faith. This process is an exciting opportunity to refresh, renew, and engage in professional learning while embedding our learning framework through carefully planned instruction.

As part of our commitment to academic excellence, we have introduced several new initiatives in our Junior School. One of these is our partnership with The Association of Independent Schools (AIS) to participate in a 12-month ‘Writing Project.’ This professional learning initiative is grounded in educational research focused on developing strong writing skills and is tailored specifically to our learning environment at Shire Christian School.

Through this project, we have been analysing student writing data, refining our current teaching strategies, and enhancing our approach to writing instruction.

Our learning framework and biblical perspectives will continue to guide our teaching, ensuring that all improvements align with our core values. The program includes online learning modules for teacher professional development, teacher demonstrations, consultancy support, classroom resources, and parent workshops — all designed to enhance student learning outcomes.

By equipping our teachers with the latest research-based strategies, we aim to foster confident, articulate, and skilled writers across all key learning areas.

Mrs Ruth Cooper
Head of Junior School

We’d spent weeks in class learning about pathogens and immune responses: viruses, bacteria, fungi, and the like. But seeing the physical consequences of infection made the content unavoidably real. Lungs blackened by tuberculosis. A heart damaged by rheumatic fever. A liver swollen with hepatitis. Suddenly, terms like pathogen and host response weren’t abstract anymore. They were literally floating in formaldehyde.

Each display offered a direct line back to our syllabus. We saw all pathogen types, traced disease progression, and revisited Koch’s postulates through real-world examples. There were sections on transmission, vectors, and how modern strategies – from vaccination to quarantine – have reduced, but not erased, the threat.

We left with a clearer understanding of how disease spreads, how it’s controlled, and why it still matters.

It wasn’t the most glamorous excursion, but it was one of the most memorable. And for all the jars and formaldehyde, it achieved something our textbook couldn’t: it made the cost of disease impossible to forget.

Annalisa Hunter
Year 12 Student

This year, we have a record nine teams entered in the Lego Spike Prime Virtual Competitions! Students from Grades 5 to 8 are building and coding robots to fit this year’s exciting theme: “World of Discovery.” With entries due at the end of June, students are making the most of every opportunity—working during breaks and attending our weekly after-school workshops to ensure their projects are ready.

Looking ahead, five teams are also preparing for the State RoboCup Competition in August. Our three Line Rescue teams are refining their robot builds and code to expertly navigate the complex rescue course. Meanwhile, two secondary teams from Years 7 and 9 are working on their ambitious OnStage performances, designing and coding over five robots each to bring their creative performances to life.

It’s shaping up to be an exciting year of innovation, teamwork, and discovery — for all our RoboCup teams!

Mrs Leonie Hampson
Junior School Enrichment Coordinator

A special shout-out goes to the following students who achieved a perfect score and were awarded the Certificate of Excellence:
Samuel Dewhurst (Year 4), Eli Buttigieg, Cullen Hamlin and Miriam Gooch (Year 5), and Blair Denny, Jemimah Karajayli, Lincoln Nugteren, and Oliver Yueng (Year 6).

In Australia, the challenge has been running since 2014 and is coordinated by the Australian Maths Trust. Open to students from Years 3 to 12, the competition presents 15 thought-provoking questions that test computational thinking and problem-solving skills in a fun and interactive way.

We are incredibly proud of all students who took part in this challenging and rewarding event. Well done to everyone who participated and embraced the spirit of computational thinking!

Mrs Leonie Hampson
Junior School Enrichment Coordinator

The girls didn’t concede a goal in the five games played on the day. Sharp skills, fabulous teamwork and some clinical finishing saw our girls crowned zone football champions. If you haven’t seen the highlights video on the school's social media, check it out below. The team progresses through to the CSSA State later in the year.

The Open Girls and Boys teams also played in their tournament in nearing arctic conditions, with both teams progressing through to the grand final. Unfortunately both teams fell short at the final hurdle.

I would particularly like to commend the Yr 12 students who played. You gave so much, clearly have loved representing Shire, and it was obvious it meant alot to you - thank you. I love athletes who compete with that mindset and spirit. Thank you for your example over many years.

Our U15 boys will have their event in Week 8, which was postponed due to the recent wet weather.

Mr Troy Dixon
Secondary Sports Coordinator

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We also celebrated some impressive individual and team achievements:

• Evie – 2nd place
• Izabella – 5th place
• Isla – 8th place
• Campbell – 9th place
• 8–9 Year Boys Team (Alexander, Marty, Frankie, and Jett) – 1st place

A special mention goes to Isabelle, who exemplified true sportsmanship by helping a fellow competitor who had fallen and choosing to run alongside her for the remainder of the race, a beautiful display of kindness and character.

Our runners gave it their all on the challenging course, showing determination, resilience, and wonderful team spirit by cheering one another on throughout the day.

Congratulations to all our runners! We are incredibly proud of your efforts and the way you represented our school.

We look forward to cheering them on at the CIS Cross Country next week.

Miss Ashleigh Hackfath
Junior School Sports Coordinator

The Year 3 and 4 Junior Girls Soccer Team proudly represented our school. With only five brief training sessions during school break times, the team approached the day with determination, enthusiasm, and a strong team spirit.

The girls played four pool matches against other schools, beginning with an impressive 3–0 win over St. Peters. They followed with a narrow 1–0 loss to a strong Mt. Annan side, but bounced back with two solid 1–0 victories against Hope Point and Oran Park. These strong results earned them a well-deserved place in the finals.

In the final, they once again faced Mt. Annan. Although the girls gave it their all and played with heart and determination, they were edged out in a close 1–0 match. Throughout the day, the team beautifully demonstrated our Rainbow Reminders of kindness, compassion, and respect—both on and off the field—modeling exemplary Christian sportsmanship.

Even in defeat, the girls remained cheerful and optimistic, grateful to God for the opportunity to enjoy a day of sport, sunshine, and fellowship with others.

Congratulations to our Junior Girls Soccer Team for their outstanding effort, resilience, and grace—both in competition and character. We are incredibly proud of you!

Mrs Gita Smith

The Year 5 and 6 soccer girls also enthusiastically took the field to play a modified wet weather draw against other Christian schools in our zone. For some of the girls, playing a full size field and synthetic turf was a first but you wouldn't know as they ran tirelessly all day.

They did exemplify the meaning of playing as a team and continued to support, encourage and back each other up each game. The team were rewarded with a victory on the day which sees them heading to State finals in two weeks. Thanks to the parents, grandparents and friends who came to cheer the girls on, the girls for playing so humbly with good sportsmanship, and our super sub for the day 'Shaya ', who played awesomely. 

Mrs Sandra Ellis

I commented to the Cross Country team how impressed I was with their encouragement and support of one another, cheering each runner on as they passed by. Five runners finished in the top 10 and will be progressing to the NSWCIS State Cross Country championships next week. Congratulations to Sam, Will, Paul, Justin and Zach who progressed to this high level – we wish them well and look forward to hearing about their upcoming performances.

Congratulations again to our School Age Champions for 2025. We have celebrated them recently in assembly but would also like to do it in this setting.

Mr Troy Dixon
Secondary School Sports Coordinator

One of the reasons I like it is that it is such an open and unconditional invitation - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” The Lord had just confirmed the truth of the doctrine of Predestination, of God’s Electing Grace: “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (verse 27b). And, in the light of this he extends the invitation to ‘come’ to him to ‘All who are weary and burdened’. We ignore and reject to our own peril such an all-inclusive invitation and we bear the consequences to our own fault and shame. No-one on the Day of Judgement can claim ‘I wasn’t invited!’

My wife and I have been married for just over 59 years, and as I write she is in her last days. She will soon enter the rest and the glory of her Saviour’s presence, and I can testify to the loving faithfulness of our God. At our wedding we sang Edith Cherry’s wonderful hymn*:

“We rest on thee, our Shield and our Defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
strong in thy strength, safe in thy keeping tender,
we rest on thee, and in thy Name we go.
Strong in thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
we rest on thee, and in thy Name we go.

Yes, in thy Name, O Captain of salvation!
In thy dear Name, all other names above;
Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation,
our Prince of Glory and our King of Love.
Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation,
our Prince of Glory and our King of Love.

We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
And needing more each day thy grace to know:
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
“We rest on thee, and in thy Name we go.”
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
“We rest on thee, and in thy Name we go.”

We rest on thee, our Shield and our Defender!
Thine is the battle, thine shall be the praise;
when passing through the gates of pearly splendour,
victors, we rest with thee, through endless days.
When passing through the gates of pearly splendour,
victors, we rest with thee, through endless days.”

As our time together on earth draws to a close, I want to testify publicly how faithful our gracious our Heavenly Father has been to us since we made this declaration on 19 March, 1966. Let us all make such a commitment to him in the challenges we all face in these wearying and burdensome days, and let us prove him true to a watching world as we experience the reality of his rest.

Rev Bruce Christian

*If you don’t know this hymn it is sung to Sibelius’ “Finlandia”, as is “Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side.”

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 
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 today! 

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

In this presentation you will:

• Discover the ineffectiveness of punishment and rewards: Learn why these common tactics can backfire and hinder your child’s development.
• Explore science-backed alternatives: Gain practical tools and techniques for guiding your child’s behaviour without resorting to punishment or bribery.
• Empower yourself with positive parenting skills: Build a more harmonious and connected relationship with your child through effective communication and collaboration.

This session is for you if you want to:

• Foster positive behaviour in your child.
• Create a more peaceful and joyful home environment.
• Connect with other parents seeking positive parenting solutions.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a renowned parenting expert and gain valuable insights for raising happy, confident children.

Shire Christian School has signed up for this webinar, 'Carrots and Sticks- Better Ways to Build Boundaries with Your Kids', which will occur online on Wednesday 18 June 2025 at 7pm AEST. The webinar can be accessed by registering via the link below.

https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.ac-page.com/awj-carrots-and-sticks-watch

Mekael Barnes 
School Psychologist 

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.