Receiving something new is always exciting. We want to embrace and enjoy it. However, we should also feel humbled that we have been blessed with something new and exciting that others would only dream of. I reflect on a school we visit on the Year 10 Vietnam and Cambodia trip which caters to disabled children, most of whom have been abandoned by their parents. Their joy and excitement is to receive some money to replace a broken wheelchair.

I trust that everyone in our school community will have an opportunity to experience the hall in one of the many activities we are offering during the term. I would like to briefly draw your attention to a couple of our evening events. The Fathering Project is a wonderful initiative which I trust will be supportive for our dads and their relationships with their children. Later in the term we will be holding, at popular request, an evening session on the Resilience Doughnut which will expand and develop what our psychologists shared with parents at the parent engagement night earlier in the year.

I would like to thank those members of our school community who came to the religious freedom evening on Thursday night. Our school is simply asking that we continue to receive legislative and financial support from all levels of government to continue doing what we have been doing for over 40 years – teaching the Bible in Christian Studies lessons and devotions, employing Christian teachers, helping students to understand a Christian perspective on a range of areas of learning and caring for students pastorally in a way that is consistent with what is taught in the Bible.

I have been reflecting on my fortnightly newsletter column and thought I might try something a little different this term. I have started reading a book about children's use of screens and devices and I would like to dedicate the next few newsletter articles to sharing some of the key findings and recommendations in the book. The book is definitely challenging me to rethink my current attitudes to children and devices. While I haven't agreed with some of the recommendations in the book, it is very well researched and presents some compelling arguments.

I trust that your children have had a very positive start to the term and I hope to see you at some of our events before the end of the year.

Mr Brett Hartley
Principal 

You should have received a Term Newsletter from your class teacher outlining key areas of learning this term. There are a number of Sporting events including the Gala Day held last Monday, Zone Athletics Carnival next Monday and Metro Cup next Thursday.

Musical Practices

One of the big events we are looking forward to this term is the Junior School Musical - Madagascar. Performances will be held from Tuesday 10th – Friday 13th September in the School Hall. Tickets on sale soon. This will be the first big music event in our newly renovated hall, which is something we are all very excited about. Because of the delay, it has put pressure on our Musical practises which is why we have needed to convene Friday afternoon practices. Thank you to our 100+ children who are involved and parents for their support.

Book Week

Junior School will be celebrating Book Week in Week 5. The theme this year is ‘Books are our Secret Power’. During the next few weeks, all classes will be enjoying a variety of the different short listed books for 2019’s Book of the Year in either the Early Childhood, Picture Book or Information Book categories.

On Thursday 22nd of August, Prep to Year 6 students are invited to come dressed as a character from a favourite book and bring the book to school with them. Students in Prep to Year 2 will be part of a ‘low key’ parade after our morning assembly beginning at approximately 8:40am. Parents, grandparents and friends are welcome to come to watch the parade. Our local librarians will also be visiting the P-2 classes during the day.

Performance Opportunities

It is wonderful to be able to enjoy our newly renovated school hall. It has taken longer than expected but looks and sounds fantastic! With the hall unavailable for the first half of the year it has put pressure on what performance opportunities we are able to provide for students in the later part of this year. Due to this and the Junior School Musical, we are unable to run PIPE this year.  There will be opportunities for classes and individuals to perform at coming events. Our Dance Group, Prep, Concert Band, Year 4 Instruments and others will have an opportunity to perform. We’ll let you know when these will be. Many of them will take place during Term 4.

ICAS Assessments

During this time of the year some students elect to participate in the NSW Uni ICAS Assessments in English and Maths. The assessments have now progressed to being administered online at a cost of $15 and would take place during the week after our Musical. As it is the first year of implementing this online version, and situated where it is in our school calendar, we have decided not to participate in the competition this year. We will evaluate how it is administered and look to participate in 2020. There are other academic competitions that students have the opportunity to participate in, particularly in Enrichment classes and Year 6 Numeracy.    

Mr Paul Carter
Head of Junior School

The students in Year 8 who were brave enough to come and perform did an excellent job of sharing ideas for how to help others. Year 10 ran and managed these workshops by themselves in an effective way. Credit goes to the fantastic atmosphere amongst the students at our school: they all clearly showed an interest in working through difficult issues to achieve a better outcome. They particularly enjoyed the Q & A time after the workshops where Year 10 generously shared their own experiences with these issues. What a blessing for our Year 10 Drama students as they learn a new type of theatre to also help Year 8 as they navigate these real issues.

Mrs Kathryn Breen
Head of Drama

Congratulations to all of these students.

We firmly believe that regular exposure to informal & relaxed performance opportunities over time builds up confidence. We have also found that having evenings like this to work towards dramatically boosts motivation to practice at home.

Members of our community are more than welcome to come and join us at the following evenings and see the dedicated work that is taking place in our Peripatetic Program:

• Strings Recital Evening - 21st August
• Piano Recital Evening - 28th August
• Vocal Recital Evening - 20th November

Thanks to God for a beautiful warm and sunny day. So much fun was had by all.

Captain Honesty, Captain Acceptance, Caption Responsible, Captain Respect, Captain Co-Operative and Captain Friendly arrived just in time to make the children think about their behaviour and redo it the correct way. The children were reminded that God’s word helps us by guiding us in how to live our lives. The bible tells us to “ Do unto others as you would have them do to you”, Luke 6 and “Do not judge or you too will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:12. The children were also asked what Jesus would have done in that situation.

Mrs Christine Wright

Photo Gallery:

They started off well with a nil all draw with Green Point followed by a gritty 1-0 win over Tyndale. These results placed them in first position in the pool. 

The semi final against Illawarra Christian School was a tight affair. At full time the game remained scoreless which resulted in a penalty shootout. Enter Sam Smith. Sam saved 2 penalties and kicked the winning goal to send us to the Grand Final.

The final was played against Oxford Falls Grammar School. The boys got into the grind of the match quickly but a 5 minute period before half time saw Saul Robinson score two goals in quick succession. The lead was too great, with Shire winning 2-0!

Congratulations to the boys for becoming State Champions! 

The Open Girls team also competed well on the day. Round 1 against Oxford Falls saw a loss of 3-0 but a second round win against Norwest Christian College meant the team still had a hope of finals. Oxford Falls then went to beat Norwest which took the Shire Christian girls into the semi finals against Inaburra. Regular time saw the game finishing in a 0-0 draw and the team was unlucky to lose in a penalty shoot out. Congratulations to all players! 

He has made this clear in his written Word, the Bible. “God exalted [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  (Philippians 2:9-11).  As Psalm 2 points out, because God is Sovereign over all he has made, it is much wiser to acknowledge God’s rightful, already-enthtroned-and-anointed King and to ‘take refuge’ in him, than to continue to resist his rightful rule. And the Psalmist reminds us that God alone has the ‘last laugh’ (4)!

As I reflect on this, I realise that the only sensible, rational response involves two basic things: 1. keeping on actively and humbly submitting every aspect of my life to King Jesus; and 2. taking every opportunity to encourage others to do the same thing, warning them of the dire consequences of refusing to do so.  As the Apostle Paul warned the Greek philosophers at the Areopagus in Athens: “[God] has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31).

Now this is where the real battle begins.

Firstly, I am, by nature, very resistant to handing over the control of my life to anyone else (I think the Bible refers to this as ‘pride’ and ‘arrogance’).  Moreover, the society in which I live constantly encourages me to give preference to my own interests, to meet my own needs first, to look after ‘No. 1’, and this plays right into my fallen nature. The use of social media wants me to have an unhealthy interest in myself and how I rate against other people.  So when I decide to make Jesus Lord of all my life, the battle is really on! Satan has heaps of weaponry that is effective to use against me. The Good News is that God the Son has already defeated Satan through the Cross and the Empty Tomb, and God the Father and God the Son have promised me the presence of God the Holy Spirit to enable me to win this battle (cf Philippians 2:12-13)!

Secondly, the society in which I live is being constantly manipulated into being aggressive in its rejection of Jesus as King. Psalm 2 could easily have been addressed to this society - but it has always been thus. Paul and those with him were up against it in Athens. The Jewish leaders attacked them, shouting, “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” (Acts 17:6-7). But Paul persisted; and, in the end, “a few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”, and the Gospel prevailed. This encourages me to be more bold in proclaiming Jesus as the True King, and not to be too frightened about the consequences. Perhaps it is time for a more ‘aggressive’ and dogmatic proclamation of Gospel Truth, with less dependence on ‘apologetic’ Apologetics?

Bruce Christian

• 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.

Edstart helps make it easy for you to manage school fees by providing flexible payment plans.  You can reduce your annual school fee spend by extending payments over a longer period.

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.

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.

We are looking at partnering with The Fathering Project and are seeking interested dads from our school community to form a dads group. Many Sutherland Shire schools are successfully implementing this program to improve child development outcomes by inspiring and equipping fathers and father-figures to engage positively with their kids and be the best dads they can be. The creation of a dads group gives fathers and father-figures the opportunity to engage with their children in fun activities, whilst at the same time becoming part of a strong and supportive network of like-minded fathers. These dads groups help fathers develop their own parenting knowledge, make new friends for themselves and their children and help build a stronger community within the school. 

Mr Nathan Asher
School Chaplain

Mr John Kirkland
Sydney South Regional Coordinator (The Fathering Project)

Classes are taught by practicing professional artist Nicole Southworth.

The 6 week course beings on Aug 8. It runs each Thursday afternoon from 3pm to 5pm in the Visual Art Classrooms and is open to all elective visual art students and staff who would like to join in. The cost of the course (12 hours) is $85 including all materials.

Please email asap nrader@shirechristian.nsw.edu.au to secure your spot. Places are limited.

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).

Many of our ensembles are already working towards their performance repertoire, as are out elective music classes. Students who would like to audition a solo or band instrumental/vocal item can complete this form. Auditions will be held on Friday 20th September, Term 3 Week 9.

We'll be looking for students who:

• show skill on their instrument
• engage the audience well
• are actively involved in an ensemble.

Lastly, this week and next is a really good time to join an ensemble as there is still enough time to pick up the repertoire needed for FONO. Students are of course still welcome to join an ensemble after week 5, but obviously, their first performance with the ensemble will need to wait until after FONO.

Junior 

Collect a pre-printed shoebox and instructions from the table in the Breezeway or from one of our Shoebox Ambassadors. Fill it to the top with new items and return it to the Secondary Library.  We anticipate the shoeboxes being collected from the school some time in mid August (I am waiting for confirmation of a date that a truck will be available to collect our donations). So the good news is it is not too late to collect an empty box and fill it to the brim.

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

Secondary

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.

Could all donations please be handed in by Monday 5th August so they can be sorted and ready for packing the following day? 

Donate Something 

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

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! 

Mrs Lillian Corban

Students will have an opportunity to participate in over 37 exciting courses in the two day program. They include chemistry, earth science, drama, Lego robotics, art and much more! Several of our students have attended these weekends in the past and enjoyed the enriching learning opportunities!

The cost of the weekend is $200 (including GST). 

St George Girls High School, Victoria St Kogarah. 

Places fill very quickly so if you are interested please contact Mrs Leonie Hampson at school for a brochure or you can call Shelagh Poray at Mindquest on 49597148 for more information.

Closing Date: Friday 23rd August

Work Experience is a wonderful opportunity for students to sample life in the workplace, to get a closer look at jobs, to discover new possibilities - and perhaps strike some off the list! Over the years many of our students have found Work Experience an invaluable help in determining subject choices, managing expectations, and developing a better sense of where they may like to head when, in just over 24 months, their Shire Christian story is complete and their exciting new post-school story begins.

A valuable Work Experience placement might be positive, it might be negative - or, as they say online, it might be a bit “Meh.” Careers have become more dynamic than ever, opportunities abound, jobs emerge that didn’t exist 5 years ago, alternate pathways are extensive. The inevitable encounter with the future will happen to all our students. Work Experience is a chance for Year 10 to step into the future and back, to observe, experience and reflect on a world of possibilities.

A peek at the evaluation sheets provide some positive insight into how our students have approached this privileged opportunity:

“...an excellent work experience student.” “...interested and capable...” “She was amazing! She took initiative and worked as part of the team...” “A good ambassador for the school.” “...performed all the tasks both competently and diligently...” “He’s a polite and respectful student who has worked well in this role.” “...a pleasure to have them in our office.” “Early starts and long days but his enthusiasm never faltered!!” “We are all going to miss her next week!”

Well done and welcome back, Year 10!

Mrs Robyn Buchanan
Careers Advisor

Your Future at TAFE Open Day Saturday 14 September, 9.00am-1.00pm

TAFE NSW Design Centre Enmore TAFE NSW St George
TAFE NSW Ultimo TAFE NSW Wollongong

Join us at TAFE NSW Open Day for interactive workshops, live demonstrations, explore our world-class facilities and meet your expert teachers! If you're looking to kickstart your career with a diploma or degree, become an aspiring apprentice, launch your small business, or gain exciting new skills, TAFE NSW can help you be in a career you love. Register here:

 https://events.tafensw.edu.au/open-day

Jobs for Youth - Apprenticeship and Traineeship Information Night Revesby

12 August, 7.00pm-9.00pm, Revesby Workers' Club, 2B Brett Street, Whitlam Theatre, Revesby

Young People/Students, Parents and Caregivers, Career Advisers,

Just left school or thinking of leaving school soon or at the end of the year? Looking for a job, with a good future where you are getting paid to learn? Wanting to know more about Apprenticeship and Traineeship options?

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/jobs-for-youth-apprenticeship-and-traineeship-information-night-revesby-tickets-60290378144?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

We need more girls in tech! (And how you can be part of the revolution)

Sally-Ann Williams worked at Google for more than 12 years, and was a founding partner of our Careers with STEM: Code magazines. Her next role will be as chief executive at Cicada Innovations, a company that supports tech start-ups. In the below article, Sally – a pioneer and an advocate for women in STEM – reflects on her career as a woman in the STEM industry.

https://careerswithstem.com.au/we-need-more-girls-in-tech-and-how-you-can-be-part-of-the-revolution/

Your free guide to a career in Optometry

Given that approximately 75% of vision loss is preventable or treatable, there is usually something that can be done to help your patients.

Given that work-related factors such as clinical challenges keep 78% of Australian optometrists happy and satisfied with their profession, you will most likely enjoy this profession if you like the challenge of putting together all the clues to reach a diagnosis and management plan in complex cases.

The scope of practice of optometrists is expanding. Students commencing an optometry degree in the future will be therapeutically endorsed when they graduate. This means that they will be better placed to assist some of their patients who present with eye inflammations, infections and injuries. It is expected that the number of people presenting to optometrists instead of emergency departments with eye injuries will increase

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

ABC TV Q&A - Join the High School Panel

Could a high school student join the Q&A panel? Yes!

Q&A is looking for senior high school students who are keen to tackle the big issues from behind the desk - right beside our top politicians and commentators.

Send us a one minute audition video answering the following questions:

• Why would you be a good addition to the Q&A panel?
• What issues are you passionate about?
• How would you deal with the big issues going head-to-head with our politicians?

The 2019 Q&A High School Special will be broadcast live from the ABC studios in Sydney in August. 

https://www.abc.net.au/qanda/join-the-highschools-panel/

Early Bird Cultural Homestay Program in China

Experience the culture and master the language by participating our Cultural Homestay Program! With Early Bird China, you'll be paired with a host family based on mutual interest, and live with the family as a homestay during your program. In exchange for your time informally teaching English to your host sibling(s), you will be given the opportunity to experience the language and culture in a unique way!  

https://www.gooverseas.com/gap-year/china/early-bird-china/41602

Interested in Becoming a Pilot? Flight Experience Opens its Scholarship Program for the 2nd Year Flight Experience and partners are pleased to announce a joint initiative to offer our Aspiring Pilots scholarship program. The program is open to all high school students who would like to know more about a career as a pilot. The scholarship is valued at around $2000. Visit http://sydney.flightexperience.com.au/scholarship for more information and to enrol. Applications close 31 August.

Flower Power new store opening in Milperra.  Traineeships available in Horticulture, great career progression, can end up managing store with substantial earnings.

University of Sydney - Portfolio Submission Pathway for Architecture and Design Portfolio submission provides a potential pathway into Architecture and Design Computing degrees up to 5 points beneath the guaranteed ATAR. The scheme identifies students who may not have achieved the ATAR but show creativity and an aptitude for the skills required in these professions. Staff will review examples of student’s work at our course advice centre on Open Day on the 31 August.

Sign Up for NSW Department of Education Scholarship Alerts Do you have students that have explored teaching as a career and want to complete a teacher education course in 2020? Now is the time to work out which NSW Department of Education scholarship could make their study more affordable! Sign up for scholarship email alerts and be notified when applications open: https://nsw.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=1b73da7775cca263240290668&id=4751085fef

Early Entry University of Wollongong opens 1 August and closes 30 August 2019.

Reminder - University of Wollongong (UOW) Open Day3 August

This is a great chance for students and parents to check out UOW before UAC preferences open. They can attend a range of info sessions, learn about UOW’s Early Admission program, meet staff in the Expo Hall, get hands-on at the STEM & Creative Zone and the Health & People Zone, and join tours of the campus and the city. Visit openday.uow.edu.au.

Western Sydney News!

Open Day Sunday 18 August at Parramatta South Campus.

Design Portfolio Day aimed at Year 12 students who are looking for a career in graphic design, photography, illustration, art direction, or digital media design.  Students will have the opportunity to secure an early offer into the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) degree by attending an interview and presenting their portfolio.

The Bachelor of Music has an early offer pathway.  To be eligible to receive an early offer into a music degree, students must book an audition in the early audition dates of September 16-19. 

HSC Enrichment Day - Western Sydney University This event will provide students with the opportunity to secure an early offer into one of our Geography or Society & Culture related degrees, whilst helping to prepare them for their HSC exams. For more information please visit: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/student-life/events/hsc-enrichment-day.html?cid=em:2019hscenrichmentday-group1

Get Into Med - Western Sydney Sunday 1 September, 1:00pm – 3:00pm and 8 December, 1:00pm – 3:00pm Parramatta

Get into Med: first steps to becoming a doctor! The number of medical school places has doubled in Australia and New Zealand over the past 15 years, but as supply has increased, so has demand. As more students become aware of the exciting career prospects of a medical practitioner, medical school competitiveness becomes stronger and stronger.

1Sept: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/get-into-med-western-sydney-tickets-63144338416?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

8 Dec: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/get-into-med-western-sydney-tickets-63144542025?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

ACU -Passion for Business early entry program now open for direct entry
ACU has streamlined the Passion for Business (P4B) early offer program. 

For the 2020 intake, you can apply for direct entry into an ACU business course and be made an early offer in Year 12, if you have completed Year 11 and a business-related subject. This means that you can rest assured well before Year 12 is over that you have been awarded a place in the degree of your choice.

You will need to complete Year 12 to satisfy ACU’s English prerequisite requirement before entry.

Students apply for the P4B program directly to ACU – which means you don't have to apply through UAC to receive an offer.

Click here for more information.

ACU Community Achiever Program

Applications close for North Sydney Campus: 3 Sep 2019 Strathfield Campus: 10 Sep 2019

TYPE - Nature of activity, your role and the impact of your volunteer work.

FREQUENCY - How often you participate and the commitment required.

DURATION - How many hours and over what period of time you contributed.

How your application is assessed - While all volunteering is valuable and highly regarded by ACU, there are limited spaces in each course. Your application will be assessed against others for the same course. When reviewing the details of your volunteering experience, the following characteristics are considered.

https://www.acu.edu.au/study-at-acu/admission-pathways/i-volunteer-regularly

ACU Passion for Law Early Entry Closes late September

Choose a path empowering others. If you’re in Year 12 and driven by ideas such as justice and fairness, our Passion for Law (P4L) program offers you early entry into ACU and gives you the opportunity to take your first career steps while you study. Fill out and submit our P4L online application. Include a 200-300 word written statement addressing the following:

• why you are passionate about law
• why you want to study law at ACU
• your future career goals and aspirations.

https://www.acu.edu.au/study-at-acu/admission-pathways/choose-your-pathway-or-entry-program/recent-secondary-education/assisted-entry-into-law

Planning Ahead: Your US & UK Application Timeline  28 August North Sydney 

Are you in Year 9, 10 or 11 and thinking about applying to universities like Harvard, Stanford, Oxford or Cambridge?

The single biggest mistake Australian students make is leaving the application too late.

Many students try to start their overseas application during a busy Year 12. With a steady stream of exams, many students simply don't have time to put together every element of their US or UK application.

At this event, expert speakers from Crimson Education will use successful student case studies to map out all the steps you can take to give yourself the best chance of gaining admission to top US & UK universities.

JobJump members an exclusive discount that can be accessed here: 

https://bit.ly/2Y7KCUm 

SAT and ACT Admission Tests - What's the Difference? 

Internationally Educated has updates our article comparing the SAT and the ACT tests which are used for admission purposed to US universities. Any queries, contact us 8006 9737 or click here.

Study in the US or UK Info Various dates to select

U.S. Consulate General, Sydney, Level 10, MLC Centre, 19-29 Martin Place

One-on-one information session with an EducationUSA Adviser.  EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 400 international student advising centres in more than 170 countries. The network promotes U.S. higher education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/educationusa-sydney-general-appointments-tickets-37380669589