Interestingly, there was very little in the way of safety warnings, balustrades to stop you falling off a roof or frankly anything else to mitigate risks to personal safety. My freedom to roam also brought with it a great deal of personal responsibility. If I chose to climb up a ladder on an old building and fell, there was no sense that I could blame anyone else for the accident. It was a case of high levels of freedom and high levels of personal responsibility where I needed to assess my own risks.

I have read some articles written by visitors to Australia who argue that our attitude to safety is at the other end of the spectrum to India. The critique of some of our visitors is that our safety regulations stifle opportunity and creativity for little tangible benefit. I will leave others to determine whether this critique is legitimate; however, contrasting safety management in India with Australia raises an interesting question for school principals. How much should we leave our students to make their own decisions about what is an appropriate level of risk to their physical and emotional safety? I dare say this question could be the topic for a 70,000 word PhD thesis which I certainly can't answer in a paragraph; however, our children will become adults one day where they will be required to make a range of judgements in relation to safety to achieve their goals. Please be praying that the school will work with our parents to help our students become wise decision makers where they take reasonable risks to their physical or emotional safety to achieve a particular goal.

On the topic of safety, I would like to outline some suggestions to help improve the safety and efficiency of the morning drop off.

It is usually quicker for parents to stay in the car and allow their child to get their own bag from the front seat or the boot. I am happy to help them if need be. If parents feel they need to get out of the car, please be as quick as possible.

During this term there have been at least 2 very near misses caused by cars navigating around other cars to pull into a space at the front of the drop-off zone. This particularly creates problems if the car does not quite fit into a space and the back of the car is pointing out into the turning circle. It increases the risk of an accident and slows down the flow of traffic. Therefore, it is preferable that parents wait for other cars to pull out and then move forward into the yellow painted drop-off zone. However, if there is a large gap at the front of the drop off zone and it is clear that the cars in front are not about to pull out, then moving around the other cars may be appropriate. I may signal for you to come around the other cars.

Please drive over the top of the painted yellow drop off zone and pull in close to the kerb. If cars don't pull in close to the kerb they are likely to restrict the ability of the buses to navigate around the cars to access the bus drop off lane close to the oval. This increases the risk of an accident and slows down the flow of traffic.

Please move forward in the drop off zone. If you notice that the car in front of you is about to pull out, don't let your children out of the car. Wait for the car in front to leave, move forward and then let your child out of the car.

Given that this is my last newsletter for the term, I trust that our students will have a safe holiday where they can take some reasonable risks to achieve a goal.

Mr Brett Hartley
Principal 

We are entering 2 teams in both Sports, Junior and Senior age groups. Congratulations to those students in these teams. We trust that you will enjoy the opportunity to compete against other Christian Schools in our zone. Parents will receive an SMS if the event has been cancelled due to bad weather or the grounds being closed.

If you have the SEQTA Engage App, or have logged onto the school SEQTA website, you would have found the assessment description, approximate dates of assessments and your child’s achievements. Because of the information already communicated through SEQTA Engage, our Junior School Semester One Reports will have less comments in them.

When you receive the reports next week you will notice some ‘blank’ comment areas on the Semester One Report. For example, results for Science and HSIE tasks - (Geography/History) have already been communicated, so therefore only a Grade and Effort will appear on the Semester Report. In English, parents have received comments about their child’s progressions and achievements in Reading and Writing, however Spelling comments will appear in the Semester Report. 

Students reports will display overall grades for all Key Learning Areas but comments will vary based on whether they have already been communicated.

We think that this is a positive change and reflects our aim to partner with parents in the Christian Education of children. If you have any feedback about this method of reporting, please email me your questions or comments.

Mr Paul Carter
Head of Junior School

The conference had several amazing and inspirational speakers including Emma Carey, Campbell Remess, Chloe Howard, Michael Crossland, Glen Gerreyn, Derek Rabelo and Eloise Wellings. 

Each speaker presented their personal story about how they overcame hardship and how these events built resilience. Students were encouraged to live with purpose and make a difference in other people’s lives. 

Students enjoyed further guest appearances from Beau Ryan, Timomatic and Youthworkers Dance Crew. 

The students are commended for the way in which they behaved and engaged throughout the conference. 

Mr Joel Manns
Year 9 Coordinator

Professional artist Nicole Southworth has shared 25 years of experience with the class, affording both students and teachers the chance to learn from one of the best.

On the geography excursion to Annandale and Rozelle Bay, we participated in a few geographical activities about the area. We looked at some birds-eye view maps of the area from 1943 and compared them to the birdseye view of the area now. We put our area and grid reference techniques into practice and used them to find out about the area before it was updated. We also discussed the positive and negative features of areas and what makes areas liveable and unliveable.

At the end of the day, we participated in an activity where we redesigned the White Bay Power Station Area and the Bays Precinct Area to make it more liveable. The NSW government can’t decide what to do with this area yet so we planned it. We were told that it had to be a safe space that fitted the requirements of people that lived close to the city and it needed to include certain services and facilities. We were put into groups to design this new area and the guides judged whose was the best from each PC class. It was great to participate in a realistic planning exercise.

Abigail Grant
Year 7 Student

We also did water testing at Rozelle Bay, testing the PH and turbidity of the water. We recorded our results and it was interesting to see that the water quality has changed over time but still is not safe for swimming. The students completed a field sketch looking over Rozelle Bay, including the ANZAC Bridge and the White Bay Power Station. Exploring the Tramsheds, a newly restored area with a rich heritage, was also a fun part of our day out together.

Mrs Olivia Burke
HSIE Teacher

Williams was selected for the NSW team after playing in the Harold Matthews Representative team against NSW Country U16s side at Penrith Stadium on Friday 17 May, where he scored a try on the wing in his team’s 16-6 victory.

Turoa is now playing at the highest level available to him in U16 Rugby League and is preparing to train with the Bulldogs SG Ball (U18’s) squad at the end of the year.

Watch Turoa Williams in action playing for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

He has also played at a high level recently in the other code of the oval ball game, Rugby Union, and will represent Shire Christian School and AICES in the NSWSRU Championships on Sunday 29 June.   

Williams hopes to be selected for the for NSW Schoolboys team after the Championships.

Turoa looks to have a very promising future ahead of him in professional sport and the school is very proud of his achievements.

After making it through the round stages undefeated, the Open Girls team was beaten in the final by Pacific Hills Christian School in a close contest.   

Shire Christian also took a 15s and Under team to the competition, who displayed determination and great sportsmanship throughout the day, gaining invaluable experience for the years to come.

Congratulations to both teams for representing the school well.

The top two athletes from each event will have qualified for the Zone Athletics Carnival on Friday 2 August at Campbelltown athletics track. The results can be seen here. Students are asked to please return a permission note by the end of the term. 

Congratulations to the following students who were age champions on the day:

• Max Burke-Moore 12 years
• Caitlin Gilbett 12 years
• Bailey Bowran 13 years
• Theodora Murray 13 years
• Noah Anderson 14 years
• Lara Davis 14 years
• Jack Martin 15 years
• Lucy Rader 15 years
• Jayden McGregor 16 years
• Hannah Chow 16 years
• Alexander Price 17 years
• Lauren Philip 17 years
• Patrick Murray 18 years
• Abbey Baker 18 years

Well done also to Cranmer house on winning the house championship for 2019.

Thanks to everyone for getting involved throughout the day. 

Mr Peter Richardson
Head of Sport

All through my early childhood (during and following the Second World War) my (often extended) family would gather around our piano and my grandmother would valiantly respond to every request as we sang “Coming in on a Wing and Prayer”, “There’ll Always be an England”, “Rule Britannia”, “Land of Hope and Glory”, and countless other similar songs until well after midnight (although we children were bundled off to bed, very reluctantly, by eight o’clock and then had to participate remotely, and only aurally, in a lot of it). Because of this regular experience (in a largish family birthdays are a fairly frequent occurrence), I could relate very readily to my Pastor’s observation - and I still know the entire lyrics of the above songs by heart, even if I am slightly embarrassed in the 21st Century by some of the nationalistic sentiments expressed in them!

The point our Pastor made in his sermon was that nowadays Church is the only context in which children will receive the sociological/emotional benefits of this activity. Where else, he asked, do they get to witness their mother and father rejoicing together in song? This led me to reflect further. At a broader level, in Church we are not just singing together, we are singing praise to our faithful, loving and redeeming God and Heavenly Father. And, as our Pastor pointed out, although the sociological and emotional benefits are quite therapeutic, the deep and lasting spiritual benefits are ‘out of this world’!

So let’s keep this in mind at Church on Sunday! I had often thought about how important it is to sing with enthusiasm as a means of encouraging all my brothers and sisters in Christ, but I had never really thought about the value of my children and grandchildren seeing me do this. (Notice I used the verb ‘seeing’; I think the visual aspect of my singing is more beneficial to others than the aural aspect!)

Mr Bruce Christian

Alternatively, you may wish to donate items that can be used to pack boxes (eg school supplies, hygiene items etc).

Secondary School

This year secondary school students are asked to donate items that can be used to fill a box. Each year group has been allocated a category of gift (‘something’) to bring in.

Year 7 - Something for personal hygiene

 Year 8 - Something for school

Year 9 - Something to wear

Year 10, 11 and 12 - Something to love, that's special or to play with

Donate Something 

We are also happy to accept any items you may find 'on sale' or that was a new unwanted and unused gift.

We are looking for corporate donors 

If you aware of any businesses that may be open to donating items in bulk, please email Mrs Lillian Corban with their details.

Pray

Please pray over each and every gift that the school raises in 2019 and beyond, that God will bring to pass His promise in Revelation 7:9- 10 of a great multitude of believers in Heaven that no one can count. 

THANK YOU!

Thank you to our wonderful stationery supplier WINC who generously donated 500 exercise book, lead pencils, blue and black pens. Prep, Infants and Primary students will be creating book covers next week to cover these books.

If you have any questions, or you are able to support this program in other ways, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Lillian Corban.

• Food Tech Cafe: tea and coffee available
• Cooking demonstrations
• Live music
• Drama performances
• Design & Technology
• Textiles & Design
• Visual Arts
• ‘Meet the creator’ student interviews

Free Entry: Children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Donating to these funds is a financially effective way of contributing to the ongoing development of the School for both current students and future generations of students, and it provides you with a deduction for your upcoming tax return, thereby reducing your tax liability.

 Donations may be made to the following funds:

• The Sutherland Shire Christian School Association Building Fund: BSB: 062-259, Account: 00905158
• The Sutherland Shire Christian School Association Library Fund: BSB: 062-259, Account: 10033730

Please send a copy of your deposit receipt via email to the accounts team and a receipt will be returned so that you can substantiate your tax deduction.

Donations to these funds are greatly appreciated. Thank you to all those families who have contributed so generously in the past. These donations have allowed the School to continue developing the facilities that our students use each day.

In December some of our Year 10 students will be traveling to Cambodia to construct mud brick houses. The money our students donate on Wednesday will be used for this project and also to support an orphanage the students will visit. 

The evening will also be suitable for older secondary students who are concerned about these issues.

This is a great opportunity for students to learn the skills of Rugby League. Children participating in the program will remain after school on the Wednesday and be collected by parents at 3.45pm. We can arrange for students continuing on with the OOSH program to be collected from the Rugby League session.

A brochure will be emailed and forwarded home next week so that you can register your child if you are interested.

The AFL programs that we have held in the past have been very successful so we are hoping that this program creates just as much interest. This program is exclusively for our K-6 students and involves learning fundamental skills like passing, catching and kicking (not tackling).

Edstart (www.edstart.com.au) offers an easy, flexible and low-cost way to pay for your child's education. With Edstart, you can fund tuition fees, additional charges such as uniforms, extra-curricular activities as well as amounts in arrears. Payments can be spread over periods longer than 12 months.

Applications can be made online at www.edstart.com.au. The simple three-step process (Calculate > Select Payment > Submit Application) can be completed within minutes. Once approved, Edstart will pay the school on the due date and you make regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments to Edstart.

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.

If you have any queries, please contact Edstart on 1300 139 445 or email contact@edstart.com.au.

How do you choose your HSC subjects for years 11 and 12? From University of Sydney

Starting uni seems so far away - yet here you are choosing your HSC subjects so that you can achieve an ATAR and apply to do a degree at uni. So how do you make the right choices for you? And should you worry about subject scaling? The HSC is a long road - and it's the right balance of hard work, dedication and enthusiasm that will help you succeed. Apply to this to any HSC subject, and you will give yourself the best chance possible. 

https://sydney.edu.au/campus-life/student-news/2018/03/06/dos-and-donts-of-hsc-subject-selection.html

Are you choosing a course for the right reasons?

Picking a course can be tough. You need to think about what you want to study, how you want to do it and where, while also considering the best path towards your chosen career. There are big differences between courses, so how do you know you’re making the right choice? We take a look at some of the reasons why you shouldn’t choose a course.

https://www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au/education-blogs/tertiary-study/are-you-choosing-a-course-for-the-right-reasons

Your Free Guide to a Career in Dietetics

We asked two dietitians what they love about their job. Sally Marchini said that it is helping people to understand their health concerns and improve their life, and Josh Reed said that it’s motivating and empowering people and learning how to improve his own health.

There is plenty of variety in the university course, which includes statistics, psychology, physiology, biochemistry, nutrition sciences, food science as well as being competent in the three main areas of dietetics – clinical, food service management and community dietetics. This gives a range of potential career paths with a dietetics degree

https://www.myhealthcareer.com.au/dietetics-career/

Evatt NSW - Australia’s Premier Debating and Diplomacy Competition

Registrations are now open for Evatt NSW 2019. Click here to register now. 

Evatt is a Model United Nations Security Council diplomacy competition for students in Years 9-12. It aims to educate young people about Australia’s place in the world and empower them as active citizens by developing public speaking, negotiation, teamwork, research, and diplomatic skills. More than 2,000 students compete in Evatt.

The competition takes the form of a mock session of the UN Security Council. Teams of two students debate, amend, and vote on a prepared resolution from the perspective of their assigned nation. The students judged the most effective diplomats proceed to the next round.

The competition is named after the notable Herbert “Doc” Evatt, who was an Australian High Court Justice and a leading Federal politician who became President of the UN General Assembly and helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

https://unyouth.org.au/event/evatt-nsw/

Physical Aptitude Test - FireFit Training Guide from NSW Fire and Rescue

Firefighting is a physically demanding occupation. Tasks include carrying heavy loads including personal protective equipment, handling temperature extremes, variable terrains and confined spaces, all of which impose unique physical and physiological demands upon firefighters.

The FireFit Training Guide is based on an eight to 12-week program, depending on each individual’s fitness level, and is available to help eligible candidates prepare for the Fire and Rescue NSW Physical Aptitude Test (PAT)*.

https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9098

UNSW HSC Maths Course Selection Advice 

While we encourage everyone to study the level of maths at which they feel sufficiently challenged, below are some guidelines for the minimum level of maths required for some of our degrees. Please also see Assumed Knowledge for more information. Studying at least HSC Mathematics Extension 1 will leave your options open when you choose your university degree. Knowledge of mathematics is a useful skill in any profession, even if it is not required for a particular course. No doubt, you will have to use mathematical tools such as graphs and statistics for the rest of your life. Learning mathematics also teaches you to approach problems in a systematic and logical way. This is a transferable skill that is particularly important in project management and it is an important skill for life.

https://www.maths.unsw.edu.au/highschool/hsc-course-selection

ACU Parent Information Night 

Strathfield, Thursday 25 July, 6pm – 7.30pm 

North Sydney, Thursday 8 August, 6pm – 7.30pm.

Is your teen thinking about university study? Want to know how you can assist them? Join us to hear from staff and students, learn about the application process and discover how we can help you and your teen get ready for university.

WSU - Bachelor of Music Early Entry 

The early offer pathway into the Bachelor of Music is now open! To be eligible for this, students need to book in an audition through the Western Sydney University online booking system. For more information, please visit: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/how-to-apply/music-applicants.html?cid=em:2019musicauditions-group1

UOW College Australia Now Accepting applications for 2020 

UOW College provides pathways to the University of Wollongong. We offer uni preparation courses to support students and progress to university studies. We also provide VET courses for students seeking work-ready qualifications in Nursing or Fitness. These can also be used for a direct pathway to a bachelor level study. Find out more at below or email madeling@uow.edu.au. 

https://www.uowcollege.edu.au/

National Art School Holiday Workshops

Calling all artists from 6 to 18, from beginners to HSC students – school holiday workshops are now on!

With small groups, individual attention and an emphasis on creativity and experimentation, the NAS holiday programs are a great way to begin or extend a life in art. There are even specialist classes for high school students who want to extend their learning outside the confines of a classroom.

All classes take place in a creative studio environment and are given by artist-lecturers who have a deep and practical knowledge of the endless possibilities art offers to young people. Programs are offered in drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, photomedia and textiles.

https://nas.edu.au/product-category/school-holiday-workshops/high-school-workshops-ages-13-18/

Health and Fitness Careers - TAFE Career Snapshot

Which occupations in this industry are likely to have the largest employment growth over the next three years?

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/documents/60140/219174/Careers-Snapshot_Health_and_Fitness.pdf

Tourism Hospitality and Events - TAFE Career Snapshot

Which occupations in this industry are likely to have the largest employment growth over the next three years?

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/documents/60140/219174/Careers-Snapshot_Tourism_Hospitality_and_Events.pdf

Automotive Trades and Services TAFE Career Snapshot

Which occupations in this industry are likely to have the largest employment growth over the next three years?

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/documents/60140/219174/Careers-Snapshot_Automotive_Trades_and_Services.pdf

Health and Fitness Careers - TAFE Career Snapshot

Which occupations in this industry are likely to have the largest employment growth over the next three years?

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/documents/60140/219174/Careers-Snapshot_Health_and_Fitness.pdf

Tourism Hospitality and Events - TAFE Career Snapshot

Which occupations in this industry are likely to have the largest employment growth over the next three years?

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/documents/60140/219174/Careers-Snapshot_Tourism_Hospitality_and_Events.pdf

TAFE Snapshot on Engineering and Electrotechnology

Which occupations in this industry are likely to have the largest employment growth over the next three years?

Which TAFE NSW courses are popular for people looking to get into these job roles and how much can you earn?

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/documents/60140/219174/Careers-Snapshot_Engineering_and_Electrotechnology.pdf

TAFE Snapshot on Aviation and Maritime

Which occupations in this industry are likely to have the largest employment growth over the next three years?

Which TAFE NSW courses are popular for people looking to get into these job roles and how much can you earn?

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/documents/60140/219174/Careers-Snapshot_Aviation_and_Maritime.pdf

TAFE Snapshot on Community Service Counselling

Which occupations in this industry are likely to have the largest employment growth over the next three years?

Which TAFE NSW courses are popular for people looking to get into these job roles and how much can you earn?

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/documents/60140/219174/Careers-Snapshot_Community_Services.pdf

Ultimo TAFE Film and Television Information Session

2 July. 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm;   3 July. 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm;   23 July. 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm;  24 July. 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm;  Ultimo TAFE, Harris Street, Building M, Level 3, Room M3.1, Mary Ann St between Harris & Wattle Sts

Whether you have your eye on the Logies, the Academy Awards or anything in between, there are plenty of study options for your Screen and Media (film and television) career at Randwick TAFE.

Careers in Screen and Media are continually expanding as new technologies and platforms are created, making this industry more accessible and exciting than ever. So if you’re ready for the lights, are interested in any side of the camera, and are up for action, enrol in one of our Screen and Media (film and television) courses today.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ultimo-tafe-film-and-television-information-session-tickets-62959727239?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Get a Dynamic Career with the TAFE NSW Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5) 

Have you shown a keen interest in working with children? You may have a genuine desire to help our next generation grow and develop. A TAFE NSW degree in this career area is designed to develop early childhood teachers who can integrate theoretical knowledge into practical education and care skills. More info here: https://www.tafensw.edu.au/degrees

Get Set For InfoFest

24 to 28 June

TAFE NSW is opening its’ doors for InfoFest again. Check out our participating TAFE NSW locations for information sessions, tours of our facilities and enrolment information for your students. 

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/infofest

Sydney Trains Try a Trade Day - Liverpool, 29 June. 9am to 1.30pm

PCYC – Liverpool, Cartwright Avenue, Miller

Thinking of a Sydney Trains apprenticeship?
Try-a-Trade Day lets you try before you apply.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-try-a-trade-day-sydney-trains-liverpool-pcyc-tickets-62685349568?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Sydney Trains Try a Trade Day - Sutherland, 6 July. 9am to 1.30pm

PCYC – Sutherland, Waratah Park, Eton Street, Sutherland

Thinking of a Sydney Trains apprenticeship?
Try-a-Trade Day lets you try before you apply.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/try-a-trade-day-sydney-trains-sutherland-pcyc-tickets-46633925326?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Aerospace Futures, 16 and 19 July, The University of Sydney, Western Avenue, Camperdown

An event to engage and inspire Australian students interested in Aerospace – Occurring across state capitals annually, the Aerospace Futures conference is an important event in the Australian aerospace industry calendar run by youth for youth. The event covers civil aviation, defence, astronomy, geospatial intelligence, space science and engineering. To this date, the event has been an immense success with a total of 1000 student delegates, 80 organisations involved. 

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/aerospace-futures-2019-tickets-61476420629?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Career in Games & Film, Industry Experience Day at AIE 12 July 

Learn about the local and international game development, 3D animation and VFX industries from experts. Free practical workshops in 3D Art, Animation, Programming and Game Design for Years 10-12 students. 10:00am-2:30pm, 33 Mountain St, Ultimo, NSW, 2007. Rego required. RSVP  https://aie.edu.au/ied

Australian College of Nursing – Scholarships

We understand that financial support to undertake further study to pursue your nursing career and passion is not so easy to find. ACN offers a range of grants open to Fellows and Members who wish to undertake further study. The grants range in value from $1,000 to $30,000 and provide opportunities for members to undertake further study at diploma or masters level.

https://www.acn.edu.au/scholarships

Employable Me—VET Opens Doors for People With Disabilities 

VET caught up with Kathleen Campbell, episode one series 2 of the ABC’s award-winning show Employable Me, and her disability support provider to learn how VET helped secure employment for the 20-year-old. You can read Kathleen’s update and find out how the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program supports people with disabilities to gain the confidence, skills and connections to succeed, at:

http://bit.ly/2JZNmQZ