Based on feedback from parents, students, teachers, and a large increase in cost of the current system without improvements, a thorough evaluation was conducted on alternatives with a review team of staff from a range of faculties. Compass stood out as the best fit for our school, offering not only all the essential tools we currently rely on but also a host of exciting new features that will transform how we learn, teach, work and connect.

Importantly, our strong focus on progressive feedback and assessment will be supported and strengthened by the new system, and our new Learning for Life framework aligns well. 

With over 2000 schools using Compass in Australia, it was recently ranked by TIME in the World’s Top EdTech Companies as 1st among School Information Systems in Australia.

Parents will be contacted towards the end of this Term with more information about the change. The school will make the transition as seamless as possible and has already been working behind the scenes for over a year on the project. Parents will be able to maintain their current login details and information such as historical student reports will all be transferred over to the new system.

Our team is excited about this improvement, and we look forward to continuing to provide our students, staff and families with a school information system that supports learning and wellbeing.

Mr Paul Carter
Deputy Principal

This term, the Learning Cultivators Team (a wonderful group of teachers who are driving the implementation of the Learning for Life Framework) are launching an optional picture competition. This means that students from K-12 are invited to visually represent the disposition of “Experimenting” by creating an image, drawing, painting or photograph. It is to be on an A4 page and handed in at the front office with your name, class and a sentence explaining how it is showing experimenting, starting with ”I wanted to…” on the back. 

If you choose to use AI such as Googling an image, use Canva AI or ChatGPT or other platform, please write what you used and any word prompts on the back under your name eg “I used Google Images and searched the words experimenting, school and fun.” If you had someone assist you design your image, please also write their name eg “My mum helped me draw the pictures.” 

Entries are due by Tuesday 2nd September (week 6) ready for the Learning Cultivators Team to judge. The winning entries will be published in the Week 8 Newsletter and shared as a slide show during the Senior School Assembly and JS School end of Term assembly. This is a way for students to think about what experimenting means and for others to uncover new ways of thinking about this learning disposition. Please note, entries are encouraged to think broadly about “experimenting” and how this contributes positively to growing in learning both at school and in life beyond school.

Mrs Rachel Robinson
Academic Head

Mr Stonestreet described exactly what a challenge was - something that wasn’t too hard or impossible, but meant it had enough complexity in it to grow, to learn something new and to apply it. New learning for him included mastering bar chords in the key of A, and practising the transitions between the easier chord shapes and getting used to the feeling of the strings pressing into his fingers. As a talented pianist this was something he had to persevere with and rehearse this regularly for playing to become easier and more comfortable.

All of his rehearsals prior to the performance had been whilst seated, but on the morning of the performance he stood with his guitar and noticed that he couldn’t see where his fingers were on the guitar. At this point, he could have decided to postpone, but instead he persevered. Mr Stonestreet asked for a volunteer and Charlotte from Year 5 generously offered to become the “human music stand” to hold the sheet music up for him to be able to read it and then began his fantastic rendition of “Blessed Be Your Name”. Many staff and students sang along and he promised to return later in the term with even more progress.

As I left the assembly, humming away to the song, I was struck by two things in particular. Firstly, I wondered what the impact of having someone stand alongside Mr Stonestreet was (both Mrs Jovanov and the student "music stand” were present). In life, do we do this when we see a friend or a peer trying something new or when they offer a response in class? Jesus is the ultimate model of this for us, in his great commission to the disciples in which he promises in Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Secondly, how are we keeping ourselves accountable for the challenges that we set for ourselves? Are we able to model this humility as a beginning learner with others? Or are we too focused on looking perfect and so fearful of mistakes that it hinders our learning? If we reframe our thinking, to focus on the development of the learning dispositions rather than the end result, we can experience joy and contentment without the lens of our own judgement. Mr Stonestreet’s performance was not perfect, but it was the imperfection and “humanness” of it that made it so very special. We were able to celebrate his learning journey together. On this side of heaven, God will continually be re-shaping us and growing us as we learn both individually and as a community. I encourage each of us to make it part of our dinner conversations or end of the day reflections to share how are we adapting in our own learning and on the flipside, showing our support by standing alongside others when they are challenging themselves.

Junior School

Willow Swan in Year 2 was nominated for her efforts in the Resilient and Relational domains, for constantly displaying and communicating the Learning for Life framework in the classroom and playground. She said that she has been growing in her learning dispositions when helping others by talking to them. Willow thinks learning means "learning things that you don’t know".

Jyle Tillet in Year 5 was nominated for his efforts in the Resilient domain, showing a commitment to learning even when faced with challenges. He said that he has been growing in his learning dispositions by figuring things out. He does this by thinking of easier questions and then putting it altogether. Kyle thinks learning "helps us figure stuff out".

Secondary School

Koby Young in Year 8 was nominated for his efforts the Relational and Resilient domains, demonstrating the dispositions of communicating and immersing. He always strives to do his personal best and provides a helping hand in both practical and theoretical contexts. He commented that he has been growing in learning about new things by honoring his teachers and not taking learning for granted, having fun and trying his best. Koby thinks learning is a "way of taking on knowledge, understanding new ideas and learning from wiser people".

Sophie Kalan in Year 10 was nominated for her efforts in the Resilient domain, showing the adapting disposition. A great example of this was during a practical activity when something she had prepared to cook wasn’t quite going to plan, she was able to adapt and produce something wonderful. She has been continuing to strive to show her best. She commented that she showed resilience by trying to stay calm, not panicking and by thinking, “I’m sure I can make something similar.” Sophie thinks learning is "trial and error, seeing the posters with the learning pit, not being afraid to ask for help and never giving up".

Congratulations to these students.

Mrs Rachel Robinson
Academic Head

Now I have never skied before, so when it came to going out on the snow, I have to admit I was quite fearful. As an older person who has had one ACL reconstruction already, I was aware that if something went wrong I could be living with the consequences of a fall for a long time. That fear stopped me from really giving skiing a genuine go. I didn’t take a big enough risk to really master skiing. I played it safe and never put my fear to one side. Thus, I never got to enjoy skiing because my fear did get in the way.

On reflection, I realised that many students can let fear stop them from learning. I have always been a good learner, and thus the classroom has never presented any type of apprehension for me. It is clear from my years of teaching that many students are fearful learners. They can be scared to join in classroom discussions in case they say the wrong thing and look “dumb” in front of their peers. Making a mistake is something to be avoided, and their chances of learning are limited by fear.

In Learning for Life we often refer to the Learning Pit, a place where hard work and perseverance can help us to overcome new and challenging learning. I don’t have simple solutions for helping students become brave learners, but reflecting on my experience in the snow, I will endeavour to help students overcome their fear in the classroom so they can have the best opportunity to learn.

Mr David Collins
Head of Secondary School

At our school, this resonates deeply with our mission. We believe that every child is created in the image of God — known, loved, and chosen by Him. Belonging isn’t just a social or emotional need; it’s a biblical truth woven throughout Scripture.

We are reminded in 1 Peter 2:9 that we are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

As we continue to nurture the learning disposition of resilience in our students, we do so grounded in the hope we have in Christ. Christian education is distinctive not only because it is shaped by God’s Word, but because it intentionally reflects the redemptive story of the gospel in its routines, relationships, and learning environments.

P-2 Athletics Carnival 

We’re also looking forward to our Prep to Year 2 Athletics Carnival next Friday 14 August. It promises to be a fun and memorable day for our school community as we cheer on our youngest athletes.

Book Week

Looking ahead to Book Week in Week 4, we know many of you are already gathering creative ideas for Dress-Up Day! This year, we’re also excited to be launching our very first Book Fair, which will be set up in the IRC. It’s a great chance to explore and purchase some wonderful books while supporting our school. More details can be found below.

Amazing Me - Save the date!

Each year we invite the organisation ‘Amazing Me’ to present to families in Year 3 to 6 about puberty and sex education. On Thursday 28 August we will have an evening presentation called ‘Bodies, Babies and Puberty’. This session will be funded by the school and is for students and their parents from Year 3 to 5. Year 6 will be taking part in class sessions run by Amazing Me on this day, however are welcome to also attend the evening session. More information will be sent via note and email, including a link to RSVP. Please note the date in your diaries. More information about ‘Amazing Me’ can be found at https://www.amazingme.com.au/

Mrs Ruth Cooper
Head of Junior School

Joining 143 teams nationwide in the 2025 theme: World of Discovery, students were challenged to design, build and program a robot to explore a newly imagined world. They submitted a research folio, a video of their robot in action, and reflections on the challenges and successes along the way.

Teams worked with great dedication over two terms—during class, break times, after school and even through holiday workshops—to bring their ideas to life.

The creativity of our teams saw them exploring incredible new worlds, including:

• Inside Aladdin’s magic lamp
  
  
• An ancient city of gold miners
  
  
• A mythical creature discovered in a mythical realm
  
  
• Legoland, where the team transformed into Mini figures
  
  
• A “Turtly Awesome” turtle in an undersea world where sea creatures party
  
  
• Willy Wonka discovering the delights of Candyland
  
  
• A giant stick bug in a dangerous insect world
  
  
• The discovery of a mythical dragon living in a secret cave
  
  
• A wiggly worm breaking through the earth and discovering the human world above
  
  

We are so proud of their teamwork, creativity, and persistence. 

Thank you to all families who attended our Spike Prime Showcase to celebrate the students' amazing efforts. Well done to all teams for embracing innovation and collaboration!

Mrs Leonie Hampson
Junior School Enrichment Coordinator 

Global Awareness Week is a time when we encourage our students to look beyond our school gates and engage with the broader world, and this visit to Brewarrina was one of the most memorable ways we did that in 2024. It was a time of connecting with our Indigenous brothers and sisters in a regional community, listening to stories, learning about culture, and simply spending time with people in their place.

Our students experienced powerful cultural moments, including learning about bush medicine from Isaac and Bradley Gordon, visiting the ancient Brewarrina Fish Traps (among the oldest human-made structures in the world) and exploring the local museum. These activities deepened our appreciation of a history that stretches back many, many years.

But perhaps even more impactful was the simple act of being with people. Our students spoke in assembly about moments of genuine connection with the local church community, including Isaac, Eileen and Doug Gordon, and with the young people of Brewarrina. There was a beautiful sense of being welcomed into a wider family, especially during shared meals where we were included without hesitation.

One student described how a sudden downpour by the river literally landed them in a “learning pit”. This was a challenge that became an opportunity to laugh, work together, and reflect on what it means to be resilient in relationship.

As a school community where fewer of our students have Indigenous heritage, these intentional moments of listening and being present are so important. They remind us that the call to love our neighbours includes taking the time to understand the experiences of First Nations peoples, especially as our young people begin to step into the wider world as adults.

This reflection linked meaningfully with NAIDOC Week, a time to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week has Christian roots as its beginnings trace back to William Cooper, a Yorta Yorta man and Christian leader who, in the 1930s, encouraged churches to set aside a day to pray for Aboriginal peoples who were not being treated justly in their own country.

This year’s theme, “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud – The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, Legacy” invites us to think deeply about the legacy we are leaving. William Cooper left a legacy of strength, vision and faith. As followers of Jesus, we are also called to consider: what legacy would God want us to leave? What do we want to be known for when history looks back at this moment?

The answer is not a quick fix. It’s found in the slow, steady work of building relationships, of listening, of learning under God’s guidance.

As the prophet Micah writes:

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8 (NIV)

We reflected that we wanted this NAIDOC Week to be a time of celebration, but also a time of quiet resolve. A time when we, as a community, commit again to walking together in unity, acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God.

Mrs Kathryn Breen
Assistant Head of Secondary

These pastoral care events are held periodically throughout the year, providing a valuable opportunity for students to engage with important topics in a fresh and thought-provoking way. Our Pastoral Care groups then continue to unpack and explore these issues in subsequent PC sessions, grounding the learning in a Biblical understanding of relationships, empathy and respect for others as image-bearers of God.

Last term, students in Years 7–10 had the opportunity to attend the student wellbeing performance ‘Verbal Combat’, presented by Brainstorm Productions. Verbal Combat was a live theatre experience that explored issues such as cyberbullying, social media, friendships and mental health. The performance highlighted the importance of empathy, respect, assertiveness and self-compassion, and raised significant questions about group dynamics, personal responsibility and the role of bystanders at school and online.

The issues were unpacked in a post-performance Q&A and are continuing to be explored further in our Pastoral Care groups through follow-up activities and discussion. Verbal Combat formed part of our student wellbeing curriculum and had been developed by education and mental health professionals.

The engaging live show used humour, audience participation, relatable characters and real student experiences to spark conversations and facilitate further learning in the classroom. As a Christian school, we valued this as an opportunity for our students to reflect on how their words and actions can reflect Christ’s love, compassion and justice in the way they treat others, both online and face-to-face.

Brainstorm Productions is one of Australia’s most experienced and respected theatre-in-education companies, performing to over 260,000 students every year. They offer a range of programs to help schools nurture healthy and harmonious environments, addressing issues such as mental health, online safety, bullying and resilience. They are endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider and are listed as an evidence-based program on the Victorian Schools Mental Health Menu.

We were excited to welcome Brainstorm Productions to our school last term, and it was wonderful to see how the performance encouraged our Years 7–10 students to think critically and Biblically about kindness, responsibility and living out their faith in the digital age.

Mrs Kathryn Breen
Assistant Head of Secondary

Zach will join the stage management and front-of-house teams, working side of stage and assisting with venue operations, while Cullen will be part of the reporting team, roaming the festival and interviewing young patrons on video. Here they are pictured at the program briefing, which took place during the recent holiday period.

The Pavilion will run its festival in the October school holidays, and it is open for infants and primary-aged students to enjoy. It is wonderful to see Shire Christian students representing our school, taking advantage of these opportunities in the broader community.

Adding to the excitement, one of our alumni, Emilie Lawson, who is the Marketing and Communications Manager at Pavilion, is helping to run the festival. What a privilege to see our past and current students working together in such a vibrant creative project! Watch this space for updates once the festival is upon us!

Mrs Kathryn Breen
Head of Drama & Production Program

Our team’s dedication and effort were evident across every event, and it was inspiring to see our representatives compete with determination and sportsmanship. A special thanks to Miss Ready and Mr Bluhdorn, whose encouragement and support at the track and field were greatly appreciated.

Highlights from the day include:

• 3rd place overall out of 13 schools in our Zone
• Age Champions: U14 – Sam Sinclair | U18 – Michaela James
• Record Breaker: Sam Sinclair – U14 Boys Long Jump – 5.92m (breaking the previous record by nearly 30cm)
• 36 athletes qualifying for the CSSA State Athletics Carnival – our largest group yet!

We look forward to seeing our State representatives compete at Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday 28 August. Final team lists, permission notes, and further details will be sent to families early next week.

Mr Troy Dixon
Head of Secondary Sport

Coached by Mrs Emma Hamilton and Mr Stewart Holden, the girls played with determination and skill throughout the day. After a confident 3–0 victory over Toongabbie Christian School in the semi-final, they progressed to the state decider against Mamre Anglican College.

Despite a strong performance, the girls went down 3–0 in the final to a formidable Mamre side, a school with its own football academy.

Finishing second in CSSA state is a remarkable achievement, especially following their undefeated run to claim the South Met Zone title earlier in the season. This result reflects not only their ability on the field, but also their commitment, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Congratulations to every player for a fantastic season!

Although feeling a few pre-race nerves, Evie was eager to experience the impressive track at the International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park.

Competitors ran in teams representing their region, sporting association, or diocese. The Combined Independent Schools (CIS) team, of which Evie was a valued member, delivered an exceptional performance, winning the event.

We congratulate Evie on this outstanding achievement and applaud her for reaching such an elite level in Cross Country running.

Miss Ashleigh Hackfath
Junior School Sports Coordinator

Head of PDHPE, Mr Steve Moore, praised the effort of all runners, especially our junior school students who completed the challenging course. With such strong enthusiasm, he’s confident next year’s team will be even larger.

It was a pleasure to watch our students showcase their athletic talents. As a school, we achieved an impressive 2nd place overall — a fantastic result and a testament to the hard work of all involved.

A total of 21 students have now qualified for the CSSA State Athletics Carnival, which will be held on Friday, 22 August at Blacktown.

Special congratulations go to Evie Cohen, who set a new record in the 1500m event with an outstanding time of 5:57.86 — an incredible 17 seconds faster than the previous record of 6:14.91.

Miss Ashleigh Hackfath
Junior School Sports Coordinator

Our team placed third, earning a bronze medal, an incredible achievement, especially as NSW has not medalled in this event for around 15 years. The whole team was excited!

It was a great experience to play for NSW. I’ve built lifelong friendships with my teammates and look forward to seeing them again in the future. 

Zoe Henderson
Year 6 Student

Tickets are $10.

Tickets for children under 3 are free.

Performers must book a free student performer ticket. 

Please be considerate of our neighbours and traffic when parking.

We are looking forward to this exciting event!

How you can help:

Secondary School

On Tuesday 26 August, Knox house will be holding a pop-up shop at lunch time, as well as a Winter rug-up initiative. We encourage students to make a gold coin donation to wear track pants and a beanie for a day, with their full school uniform. This is to help us remember that the mission work of MAF does not stop, as they aim to reach those who are isolated and even struggling in the cold.

Please consider bringing money to donate to MAF, as well as money to purchase goodies from the shop. There will be items such as cold drinks, chocolate bars and chips. You will also be able purchase some cool MAF Merchandise that will be for sale.

Junior School

Junior School students are encouraged to fill a small money box with loose change to donate to this worthy cause. We will also be doing some fun classroom activities based on the work of MAF, including a paper aeroplane competition. The money boxes that have been distributed to students today and will need to be returned to school on Monday 25 August. They will also be participating in the Winter rug-up initiative and will be allowed to wear some beanies, gloves and scarves in addition to their normal school uniform. Please no ‘oodies’ or non-school jumpers and jackets.

Please pray for the good work of MAF and click here to find out more about what they do.

Mr David Salaun
Knox House

Tuesday 19 August – Write a Book in a Day
On Tuesday our high school students will embark on their own literary adventure, taking part in Write a Book in a Day. In just one school day, teams will write, illustrate, edit, and publish an original book. These books will then be shared with children in hospitals, making this event not only an exciting creative challenge but also a way to spread joy to others.

Thursday 21 August – Dress Up, P-2 Parade and Stories
Thursday is the day to let your favourite book characters leap off the page. The whole school is invited to dress up, and our Prep to Year 2 students will take centre stage in the always colourful Book Parade. Adding to the fun, our Year 12 students will be visiting Junior School classes throughout the morning to share stories and read aloud to our younger students. Expect a morning full of smiles, creativity, and lots of photo-worthy moments.

Book Fair – Thursday Morning
Also on Thursday morning the Junior School Book Fair will be open for purchases. Students will have already created their wish lists earlier in the week so families can come in and make those reading dreams a reality.

Senior Library Fun All Week
The Senior Library will be an adventure hub all week long with:

• Screenings of thrilling adventure book adaptations
• “Match the Story to the Title” challenges
• Guessing classic lines from much loved novels
• Plenty more surprises for curious minds

So grab your map, pack your curiosity, and Book an Adventure with us. Whether you are dressing up, writing a book, hunting for your next great read, or testing your book knowledge, this will be a week to remember.

Mrs Kirren Wilson
Head of Library and Information Services

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.

We see our kids burdened by fears and worries, their confidence fading, and sometimes even experiencing panic attacks. As parents, we desperately want to help but often feel lost or unsure of what to do.

Anxious: Helping Your Child Navigate a World of Worry offers a lifeline.

In this presentation, Dr Justin Coulson will unpack what anxiety looks like in children and provide you with simple, practical strategies that are both clinically proven and easy to implement at home.

Empower yourself with the knowledge and tools to support your child’s emotional wellbeing and help them build resilience in the face of anxiety.

Shire Christian School has signed up for this webinar, 'Anxious', which will occur online on Wednesday 20 August 2025 at 7pm. The webinar can be accessed using the link below:

https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.ac-page.com/answers-with-dr-justin-anxious-register-happy-families-schools

Mr 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.

Students will have an opportunity to participate in over 33 exciting, fast-paced 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, with some returning each year. They have truly enjoyed the enriching learning opportunities and the friends they made.

The cost of the weekend is $250 (including GST) 

Places fill very quickly so if you are interested, please contact Leonie Hampson at school for a brochure or you can register online at mindquest.net.au

Closing Date: Friday 29 August 2025

Students will continue to line up in year level groups, with our Prep students closest to the IRC and Year 2 students further along. Teachers will continue to ask students to remain seated while they wait for you to arrive.

With the goal of keeping children safe, we kindly ask for your support in collecting your children promptly and then heading home, rather than remaining on site. Students should not stay to play in the nearby sandpit or bush areas after school hours. We will reinforce this message with the students and greatly appreciate your support in helping us manage this new routine. During this period while building is taking place, we encourage parents to find other places or ways of catching up to maintain community connections.

Your School Code is:

Junior: 179J17- JNR

Secondary: 179S17 - SNR

How to order School Leadership group photos:

1. Parents login to Don Wood Photography website www.donwoodphotography.com.au
2. Click on - ORDER SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS HERE at the top of the home screen.
3. Enter your school code in the Orange School Code box then SUBMIT.
4. Your school’s home page will appear.
5. From the Menu near the top of the screen, click on Group Photos.
6. On the left-hand side, headings of each photograph are there - click on the heading to view and purchase photograph.

FREE Delivery back to the school closing on Sunday 31 August 2025

All orders will be delivered to the school after this date. Orders will be clearly marked with students’ name and class. These orders will be sent home with your child.

AFTER this time - parents can order Extra Group photos online $11 postage fee will apply, and photographs will be posted to your address entered at the time of order.

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.