Students sitting NAPLAN are scored into four bands, with two bands sitting below the notional “benchmark” and two above. At Shire Christian, we continue to have strong NAPLAN results. In all four grades and across all five areas tested, Shire students are 8-20% above the state for the number of students achieving the benchmark, with the exception of year 3 numeracy and year 9 writing, which were even higher (23% and 27.9% respectively). Our junior and secondary school staff continue to build strong fundamental literacy and numeracy skills in our students, as part of our broader academic learning culture.

Mr David Stonestreet
Principal

To go back to the words of scripture:

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. [John 1:14]

As a school, we engage in a wide range of educational and social activities throughout the year. Yet in all these things, our foundation remains firmly rooted in Christ, sent by the Father, crucified for us, and raised in glory, triumphing over sin and the grave. If there is one truth I hope our students have taken away from this year, it is the Father's loving call to come to Him through Christ for forgiveness, grace and salvation.

From all of us at Shire Christian School, may you and your family know the joy and hope of Jesus this Christmas. Blessings in Christ.

Mr David Stonestreet
Principal

Why Are Fees Changing?

The adjustments for 2026 are necessary to ensure the sustainability of the school and the high standards of our offering. Key factors influencing these changes include: 

• Decline in Government Funding: Reduced financial support from government sources has increased the need for schools to self-fund operations.
• Salary Increases: The current enterprise agreements in place at the school provide scheduled salary increases each year, approved by the Fair Work Commission.
• Rising Operational Costs: Inflation and increased costs for resources, technology, and facilities maintenance have also contributed to the changes.

Junior School Fees

• Kindergarten: $9,380
• Year 1 & 2: $10,210
• Year 3 & 4: $10,620
• Year 5 & 6: $11,470

Secondary School Fees

• Years 7 & 8: $13,470
• Years 9 & 10: $13,870
• Years 11 & 12: $14,580

Additional Fees

• Camp Levy Years 4 & 5: $450
• Camp Levy Year 6: $550
• Secondary School Technology Levy (Years 7–12): $550

Sibling Discounts 

• Second child: $1,350
• Third child: $4,000
• Fourth and subsequent children: 100% discount

Prep Fees

• $65 per day

 We believe education is more than just academics. It’s about shaping character and nurturing faith. Your investment supports: 

• An outstanding academic environment: Our students consistently achieve strong outcomes, preparing them for future success.
• A thriving Christian community: We foster a safe, supportive environment where biblical values guide learning and relationships.
• Rich extracurricular opportunities: From music and sport to leadership programs, we offer activities that develop confidence and teamwork.

Your school fees enable us to continue delivering excellent educational programs, maintain high-quality facilities, and invest in the best teaching staff for your children.

For full details, please refer to the 2026 fee schedule now available on the school website. 

Mr Peter Watters
Business Manager

It is important that parents have downloaded the Compass app as the use of this will only increase as we move into 2026. We hope that you have been able to navigate the app, respond to notifications and locate the calendar, schedules and child details. Next year we will be launching Learning Tasks across K-12. Parents and students will receive ongoing feedback from their teachers on assessments throughout the year. This will help parents keep track of their child’s progress, areas of strengths and areas for improvement. You will also be able to access billing information through the Payments Centre.

Thank you to our amazing IT team who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes along with all our staff who have been integral in this implementation.

If your child will be catching the bus next year please ensure they have a current Opal Card.

If your child has lost their Opal Card please replace it by the beginning of 2026.

Click this link for more details.

Mr Paul Carter
Deputy Principal

Each week around 30 students attend, and we have enjoyed playing games, reading the Bible, discussing what it means to put God’s Word into practice and praying together. Our theme this term has been “Investigating Jesus”, exploring the Gospel of John. A few weeks into the program, Mr Walker started to invite some of the Secondary CRU students to be “student leaders” and he has also been sharing his wonderful biblical wisdom with us. These student leaders turn up with joy, generosity, courage and a willingness to share their love for Jesus with our younger students. I have greatly valued their assistance, especially with setting up, managing the activities and resetting the IRC space. These connections between our older and younger students demonstrate the fellowship and discipleship that is such a blessing to all here at Shire.

Here are some encouraging words for our students in Years 4 or 5 (or our Secondary Students as student leaders) who might be thinking about coming to Chupa Chup CRU for next year:

“I like learning about God and playing games.”

“I like having fun, learning about Jesus and being with friends.”

“The best part of CRU is we get to learn about Jesus.”

Finally, I am absolutely amazed that these Years 5 and 6 students can also recite our memory verse by heart, “My Father wants everyone who sees the Son to have faith in Him and to have eternal life.” May these words sink in deeply into our hearts as we reflect on the birth of our Lord and Saviour this Christmas.

Mrs Rachel Robinson
Academic Head

It was wonderful to see them creating special memories with their peers, teachers and families. This morning, it was an honour to officially farewell Year 6 at their graduation assembly. I will continue to uphold them in prayer as they begin an exciting new chapter in their learning journey here at Shire Christian School.

This will be a mufti day, and students are encouraged to come to school wearing bright or fluoro clothing. Throughout the day, students will rotate through a variety of activities, including class games, a disco and games session in the Hall, and a class party. Please see our recent email for further details. The school will be providing a BBQ sausage sizzle for lunch, and parents are warmly invited to join us from 12:30pm to enjoy a picnic-style sausage sizzle with their children. 

Black shoes are not to be a black jogger style shoe. Please also be aware that on returning to school, boys will need to ensure their hair complies with our uniform policy which reads: “hair must be groomed, neat and tidy, well above the collar and out of their eyes. Hair must not be of a length that can be tied back”. Girls hair that is below the collar needs to be worn “fully tied back”. Students not meeting our uniform expectations will be followed up with consequences given. We appreciate your support in assisting students to feel a sense of belonging and create an identity for our school in the community, by wearing our uniform correctly.

As the school year draws to a close, I want to publicly thank our exceptional teaching staff, who have worked diligently throughout the year to create engaging and enriching learning opportunities for our students. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to you – our parent community – for your partnership, support and encouragement. It is a joy and a privilege to serve the Lord together through Christian education.

Mrs Ruth Cooper
Head of Junior School

At the assembly this week I reflected on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and how Jesus showed that our neighbour doesn’t always look or sound like us. Global Awareness is an opportunity to connect with cultures that are different to what we experience in The Shire. I have been in communication with all of the groups, and I know they are having an enjoyable but challenging experience.

While it is tempting to buy black leather shoes that are really sport/casual shoes, they do not comply with the uniform policy. Shoes must black leather shoes with a heel. I know shoes are quite expensive, so I want to make it clear before families spend money on shoes for 2026 what the expectations are. Mr Stonestreet has also recently addressed the earring requirements at a school assembly as well. I encourage all families to have a look at the uniform requirements on our website as they prepare for 2026.

Curated by Hazelhurst, Class of '25 features showcases of outstanding works by 2025 HSC Visual Arts students from high schools across Southern Sydney.

Congratulations Chloe!

The award is given in memory of Nathan Barry, a much-loved student in our school community who went home to be with the Lord in 2017, just twelve months after his cancer diagnosis. Nathan was known for his strong faith, his compassion, and his commitment to sharing the hope of the gospel with those around him.

Nathan shared the truth of 1 Peter 3:18 with our community, which reminds us that Christ suffered “that He might bring you to God.” He also drew strength from Romans 8:38–39, confident that “nothing…will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nathan's example continues to encourage us to hold tightly to this hope and to trust Jesus in every season.

As we remember Nathan Barry’s example, we celebrate Amos and Alana, whose lives reflect that same heart for sharing God’s love with others. We give thanks for their faithfulness and pray that God will continue to use them powerfully in the lives of those around them.

Kathryn Breen
Assistant Head of Secondary

In the midst of challenges that would test anyone, Holly has shown a depth of courage, strength and perseverance that demonstrates her character. She has experienced seasons of uncertainty and personal trial, including a significant and deeply affecting loss within her family as well as instability in other areas of her life. Her middle name Faith was chosen as a reminder of the trust her parents placed in their Heavenly Father during the trials surrounding her birth. Throughout her life Holly has continued to live up to that name with quiet strength and steadfastness. Growing up, Holly loved reading and discussing Scripture with her mother, forming a foundation that has continued to encourage and sustain her. Yet through all she has faced, Holly has moved forward with quiet determination, supported by friends and family who have walked alongside her and encouraged her along the way. Her journey has been marked not by the weight of her circumstances, but by the gracious, steady and faithful way she has responded.

The award’s engraving, inspired by Hebrews 12:1–3, reminds us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” Holly’s journey is a beautiful testimony to this truth, and we honour the example she sets for our community.

Kathryn Breen
Assistant Head of Secondary

The simulation invites participants to “walk in the shoes” of individuals whose lives are shaped by hardship. Through a story-based “choose-your-own-adventure” format, students lived out some of the difficult decisions and competing pressures real people experience in disadvantaged circumstances.

In preparation for the simulation, students were introduced to the backgrounds of characters drawn from real Anglicare clients, people struggling with poverty, instability, mental-health issues, or social isolation. We are grateful for the many students who participated with respect, openness and empathy. A number of them commented on how eye-opening the experience was: for some, it challenged their assumptions about “fairness” and privilege; for others, it was a confronting realisation that, in this simulation, you couldn’t “win” simply by choosing the “right” path. Instead, you were invited to confront a reality where even good choices might not overcome systemic disadvantage. Their reflections spoke not just of intellectual understanding, but of genuine empathy and compassion.

This transformation, of head, heart and hands, reflects Take Love’s vision for Beyond These Walls: to help participants understand (HEAD) the realities of disadvantage, to develop empathy (HEART), and to consider how they might respond practically with compassion and service (HANDS).

As Christians called to love our neighbours, we are reminded of the words of the apostle John: “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) This experience has helped our students form a greater understanding of those who may struggle within our community and provides a helpful precursor to their Global Awareness Week as they further consider lives outside of their own.

Kathryn Breen
Assistant Head of Secondary

All together, Year 9 came back safe, feeling accomplished after their journey, but also stoked about finally getting to sleep in their own bed.

Day one we headed on the train to Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains. With our packs full and heavy, we started off our hike with road then bush. Of course, what is a hike without getting lost? So we bush bashed through (or down) the rocky cliff. 8km later, relief filled each of us as we spotted the campsite. After setting up for the evening, we enjoyed a relaxing night, that was not only fun, but it helped us engage with people we never get to talk with.

Day two started bright and early with us leaving our campsite around 7:30am. We walked through bushes, rocks and up stairs as we made it to our resting spot. As we all ate our lunch, some students went for a swim in the lake to cool off. We then continued our journey through the bush and up stairs until we reached the main road. We walked along the main road until we finally came to the train station. We were 1 hour early to the train so people used this time to rest, sunbake, or walk to the main street. Finally the train came and we made it home safely, glad to see not only our family and friends again but also our home cooked food, showers and beds.

Annabel Ashton
Year 9 Student

Check out some of the photos in the gallery below.

Did you know that “Kindergarten” is in fact a German word? The Year 8 students then wrote a book for their new Kindergarten buddy in German! It was lovely to see the Year 8's use their new language skills in such a practical way and the Kindergarten children loved the time spent together!
Auf Wiedersehen und danke schön,

Frau Gemma McWhirter

Alexander’s achievement is a testament to perseverance, discipline and sportsmanship. He brought his medals to school this week to share his success.

Congratulations on this incredible accomplishment!

1. “Controlled crying teaches independence.”

Letting babies “cry it out” is often framed as a way to help them learn to self-soothe. But the truth is, when we ignore our baby’s cries, we’re ignoring their primary form of communication and cutting them off from the care and comfort they need. Especially in the first six months, leaving a baby to cry without comfort can disrupt secure attachment and cause unnecessary stress for both parent and child. Better approach: Comfort and respond. Independence and health come from security - not separation.

2. “Timeouts teach consequences.”

Timeouts are often used as a tool to manage misbehaviour. But here’s the issue: they isolate children when they most need connection. Rather than helping children understand what went wrong, timeouts can increase feelings of shame and disconnection. They ignore reasons, rupture relationships, and undermine motivation to behave better. Rather, they simply push unwanted behaviour underground.
Better approach: Use time-in. Stay close. Help your child process what’s going on with compassion and clarity.

3. “Being too responsive will spoil your child.”

This old-school myth suggests that if we’re too loving or attentive, we’ll create clingy or manipulative kids. But love is not a finite resource. Responsiveness builds trust, emotional regulation, and resilience - not entitlement.
Better approach: Be there. Again and again. Kids thrive when they know someone’s got their back. Boundaries and limits matter, but they’re best encouraged by being with your child, not sending them away to “toughen up”.

4. “Ignore the tantrum and it will stop.”

The idea here is that if we give no attention to a tantrum, it will eventually disappear. But tantrums are a child’s way of expressing overwhelm, not manipulation. Ignoring a child in distress doesn’t help them learn how to manage big emotions. Instead, it teaches them to hide those emotions.
Better approach: Offer empathy in the moment. Let them know, “I can see you’re having a tough time. I’m here.”

5. “Children should be seen and not heard.”

This idea still lingers - especially when kids push back or express strong emotions. But silencing our children doesn’t build respect. It builds resentment. Our children need to learn how to use their voice with confidence and kindness.
Better approach: Teach respectful communication rather than silent compliance.

6. “Kids need to learn to self-soothe.”

Yes, self-regulation is important. But emotional regulation isn’t something that magically appears. It’s something kids learn through repeated experiences of being soothed by a calm, caring adult. It’s not weakness to need co-regulation; it’s developmentally appropriate.
Better approach: Model calm. Be the steady presence your child can draw from in tough moments.

So, what do we do with all this? As parents, we’re not looking for perfection. That doesn’t exist. We are looking for connection. That’s why we need to be thoughtful about the advice we follow. The best parenting strategies are grounded in respect, compassion, and evidence. They help us build strong relationships that can weather the ups and downs of childhood and adolescence. If there's one takeaway, it's this: connection always trumps control. When we lead with warmth and wisdom, our children are far more likely to grow into emotionally healthy, respectful, and resilient young people.

Make Connection Your Goal This Summer As the school year winds down and the summer holidays approach, we’re gifted a rare window: more time together. And while long days and unstructured time can sometimes feel chaotic (especially if you’re juggling work or multiple children), they also offer a powerful opportunity to reconnect. These coming weeks don’t need to be filled with elaborate outings or constant entertainment. What our kids need most - whether they’re five or fifteen - is us. A little one-on-one time, relaxed conversations, shared laughter, and simply being present can do more for your relationship than any parenting strategy ever could. So this summer, let’s make connection the goal. Everything else is just a bonus.

The Prophet Isaiah was preparing us for its powerful, life-changing significance when he wrote, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, … For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:2-3a, 6-7).

If Isaiah was writing this to encourage ‘people walking in darkness’, then it becomes even more appropriate for us today as our own society pursues a course of action that plunges itself into deeper and deeper darkness! The Apostle John tells the ‘Christmas’ story in his Gospel by saying of Jesus, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. … The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:4-5, 9-14).

The most encouraging thing is that both Isaiah and John are united in impressing on us two things:

Firstly, it is Jesus, the Son of God, who is the one and only source of light that can banish the darkness; and

Secondly, it is the Eternal God, Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, who is the ‘Author’ of this Light, and therefore he will accomplish all his purposes in Jesus.

So, let us never despair about the state of the world our children are growing up in. Let the message that resounds in our hearts and minds and activities this Christmas be that the Sovereign Lord’s light has dawned in our darkness, that ‘the zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish [his purposes]’, and that ‘to all who receive [Jesus], to those who believe in his name, he gives the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God’.

“And those whose journey now is hard, whose hope is burning low, who tread the rocky path of life with painful steps and slow: O listen to the news of love which makes the heavens ring! O rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing! For still the days are hast’ning on, by prophets seen of old - when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold: when heav’n and earth renewed shall see the Prince of Peace, their King, and the whole world repeat the song which now the angels sing.” (Edmund H. Sears).

Rev Bruce Christian

Families can set up an account online or via the app using the instructions provided. Please set up a profile for each child to help us distribute the food.

Orders can be placed up until 8am on the day of delivery, an added convenience for families, now able to decide at the last minute to order lunch for their children. This time will be reviewed and adjusted if demand requires, and parents will be notified in advance by email.

While limited snacks are available on the School Fuel menu, parents should be aware that with delivery later in the day to keep the food fresh, snacks should still be provided for Break 1.

Junior School students will have their orders brought to their classroom. Secondary School students can collect their order during Break 2 (12:27pm) in the Year 12 area outside Student Services. Secondary students are responsible for collecting their orders from this location.

The partnership with Subway, with lunch available on Mondays and Fridays, will be trialled for all of Term 3. We hope this arrangement will provide a healthy convenient option for our families.

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.