The Secondary School playground renovation is progressing well and will be completed on time late next week. Students will be able to enjoy improved seating areas and circuit equipment to climb, balance and move along. This area also provides great opportunities to utilise in PDHPE lessons.

Mr Paul Carter
Deputy Principal

Students have been resourced with seven tips for a successful placement which include:

During the week, Yr 10 students have a daily journal to fill in to reflect on what they did, noting the best things and areas that were challenging. They also have some questions to interview the employees. These include:

These are excellent questions that us adults in the workforce could also reflect upon. If I were to add one more question for us, it would be, how can we use what we have learned through this experience to serve God, bringing glory to him, and to love others more?

Mrs Rachel Robinson
Academic Head

The planning that students need to go through as they prepare for a hike is an incredibly useful life lesson. If they don’t pack enough warm clothes or enough food they quickly learn the consequences of those decisions. In recent weeks our Gold students have completed their final hike and the Silver team their practice hike. I want to publicly thank all of the teachers who help run these hikes. Their willingness to literally go the extra mile is greatly appreciated.

Mr David Collins
Head of Secondary

It was deeply touching to hear our students express heartfelt words of gratitude, share passages from Scripture and pray for their grandparents. The day was filled with joy as students created crafts, shared childhood memories, displayed their schoolwork, played ‘blookets’ and enjoyed morning tea together. It was a beautiful celebration of love, family and faith, bringing generations closer in a meaningful way. Many grandparents shared what a joy it was to see God’s truths clearly proclaimed within our school community, and that this remains central to all we do here at Shire Christian School.

Prep students also embarked on their very first excursion this week, travelling to the Campbelltown Bike Track for a day filled with adventure, fun and plenty of bike riding. We praise God for His protection, and the joy and confidence shown by our students as they embraced this new experience together.

Looking ahead, our Kindergarten students will celebrate ‘100 Days Brighter’ next week, marking 100 days of school and an important milestone in their first year of formal education. It has been a delight to witness how much they have grown in their learning, confidence, resilience and independence. We thank God for His faithfulness as He continues to guide and nurture each child throughout their learning journey.

We also warmly invite you to join us for our Term 2 Assembly on Thursday morning in the hall, commencing at 8:50am. As we gather to celebrate the end of the term together, we look forward to reflecting on all that God has done within our school community and giving thanks for His continued blessings.

Mrs Ruth Cooper
Head of Junior School

The following week, the students returned for the polished evening performance with costume, set and media applied. Adding to the excitement, two of our talented school alumni were working professionally on this very production, with Emilie Lawson (nee Davila) managing the communications and Bonnie Stonestreet designing the promotional material. Two of our students, Tobias and Ava, got to share their thoughts in the vox pops afterwards. It was an absolute joy to share this theatre experience with both our current and previous students, highlighting the strength of our creative school community.

This firsthand experience connects the page to the stage perfectly, putting our Year 11s in a fantastic position as they head into their HSC course and its focus on contemporary Australian plays.

Mrs Breen
Head of Drama and Assistant Head of Secondary

It made me reflect on where learning a second language can take you. Laurence’s story is similar to mine- I also started learning German in Year 8 and decided to keep going to Year 12. After Year 12 I was able to travel to Germany and meet many of my Croatian relatives who had also learned German as a second language. I don’t speak Croatian and they don’t speak English, so we all speak German together. Learning German opened that door to a depth of family relationships that I would not otherwise have experienced.

Knowing German also opened up the opportunity to work here at Shire Christian School, teaching German, which was a very unexpected turn in my life. I have now taught over 1000 students here and many come to mind as I finish my time at Shire. I have also made friends, received scholarships to study in Germany and met Albert Fiedler, who has visited the school each year that I have worked here. He has just turned 98 and he amazes the students each year, telling them about growing up in Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

So, where will learning German take you? Maybe it will be as simple as being able to authentically say “Danke schön” at a German restaurant. Maybe it will be cheering for your Bundesliga team in a stadium in Germany. Maybe you will meet your Year 8 pen pal. Maybe you will get to use your German at Oktoberfest, Karneval, the beautiful Christmas markets, on the slopes of Süd Tirol or the opera houses of Vienna. Maybe it will be remembering a funny German song that you loved and that will always remind you of gluing in sheets (the song is Traum by Cro, by the way), or hoping you will get “It’s Bundesliga Time”, “Was ist dein Lieblingsfach”, “Das kleine Küken piept” or more recently “Du bist gut genug” out of your head. Maybe you will move to a German speaking country. Maybe you will work for a German company here (Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Audi…?). Maybe you will meet the love of your life and they are German speaking (if so, please let me know- you know how much Frau loves love!). Maybe you will read some of Luther’s works in his own language, or visit the famous Wittenberg Door where the Reformation began. Who knows where knowing German could take you?!

I never could have predicted the ways that knowing German has enriched my life. I want to thank the staff who are a kind and godly group of people to work with, and I want to thank the students who have shown courage in giving a new language a try. I also want to thank God, the giver of all good things- and many of those good things have come my way because I took a chance on a subject at school that none of my friends were doing, but has become such a core part of who I have become. Now that my time at Shire has come to an end, I won’t say “Good Bye”- instead I will just say “Auf Wiedersehen” (Until I see you again).

Frau McWhirter
Head of Languages

This magical production offers many opportunities for students across the entire school. Whether your talents lie in starring on stage, playing in the live orchestra, or making the stagecraft magic happen behind the scenes in the crew, we seek to find a place for everyone in our Production Program.

Ready to fly your kite? Full audition information packs will be released by the end of this term, with official auditions kicking off right away in Week 1 of Term 3 . Get ready for a truly supercalifragilistic experience!

Mrs Breen
Head of Drama and Assistant Head of Secondary

The CIS Plate is a statewide competition for independent schools, with both boys’ and girls’ teams competing, and 167 games played across the tournament. To reach the final, our team navigated some formidable opponents, and made the trip to Newcastle - an outstanding achievement that reflected the girls’ commitment and determination. They faced a strong MLC Burwood side, whose established football programme added to the challenge on the day.

Despite the result, the final was a hard-fought contest. The girls gave everything they had, never giving up and continuing to apply pressure on MLC throughout the match. They conducted themselves with great sportsmanship and determination. By the final whistle, there was nothing left in the tank, and we could not be prouder of the way they played and supported one another.

Earlier in the week, on Monday, we also travelled to Valentine Sports Park for the NSW CSSA State Titles, where teams from across the state competed. The girls performed exceptionally well, winning two of their three pool matches before progressing to the semi-finals, where they narrowly went down 1–0. It was a fantastic effort and a result they should be very proud of.

As school football seasons go, this was a long one. Between gala days and the CIS Plate competition, the team played 13 games, representing Shire Christian School with pride in every single one. Well done, girls, it has been a pleasure to watch you compete and grow throughout the season.

A special farewell goes to our Year 12 students, Jade and Marley. Your commitment to the football programme over the past six years has been outstanding. Your leadership, dedication and skill will be greatly missed, and we wish you every success in the future.

Thank you, girls, for a wonderful season. You should all take great satisfaction in everything you have achieved.

Mr Stewart Holden and Mrs Leanne Dipple
Coaches

Our senior competitors got the day underway, with Adalyn first to race in the 4000m event, crossing the finish line in 17:19. Sam followed with a strong performance, completing the 4000m course in 14:01. Harper and Dylan rounded out our senior team, both competing in the 3000m event and finishing in 12:53 and 12:56 respectively.

In the afternoon, our junior athletes took to the course. Competing in the 8–9 Boys 2000m event, Zion, Noah, Frankie and Jed finished in 8:32, 8:35, 8:52 and 9:56 respectively. Isla also competed over the 2000m course, recording a time of 9:10. Evie and Hannah then tackled the 3000m course, finishing in 11:37 and 13:00 respectively. Our final competitor for the day, Campbell, completed the 3000m course in 11:54.

A special thank you goes to Jed, who stepped up at the last minute to replace another student who was unable to compete. His willingness to represent the school at short notice was greatly appreciated and exemplified the spirit of teamwork and commitment.

Congratulations also to Evie, who delivered an outstanding performance to finish in an impressive 6th place in her event. This fantastic result has earned her selection to compete at the PSSA All Schools State Cross Country Championships in July. We wish Evie every success as she prepares to compete against the state's best runners.

Congratulations to all of our CIS representatives for their outstanding efforts and for representing our school and the CSSA with pride.

U15s

The Zone Netball Gala Day was a wonderful celebration of sport, with four Shire U15 teams proudly representing our school. It was highly encouraging to see so many students involved throughout the day, demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, skill, commitment and team spirit. The girls consistently supported and encouraged one another, reflecting the values of our school both on and off the court.

A special congratulations to Shire White, who showcased true class throughout the competition. Their outstanding teamwork, skill and determination saw them remain undefeated and finish 1st in their pool. Shire Blue also had an impressive day, playing with energy, commitment and a strong sense of unity across the court. Their only defeat came against Shire White, finishing 2nd in their pool. Shire Navy and Shire Red competed with great enthusiasm and determination throughout the day. While the final standings did not reflect the effort, heart and resilience they demonstrated on court, both teams should be incredibly proud of their efforts.

Congratulations to all of the girls who participated. Your commitment, teamwork, encouragement of one another and positive attitude made it a successful and enjoyable day for everyone involved.

Emma Hamilton, Coach Murray, Julianne Holdsworth
Coaches

Opens

Despite the biting cold and a light drizzle, the Open Girls netball team brought undeniable heat to the Zone Gala Day. Stepping onto the courts with fierce determination, the squad put on a masterclass in resilience, refusing to let the dreary weather dampen their spirits or disrupt their rhythm.

Their hard work paid off spectacularly. The girls dominated the court, securing commanding wins in the majority of their matches with sharp passing, tactical defence, and clinical shooting. They fought until the final whistle.

More than just the impressive scorecard, it was their unwavering team spirit that defined the day. Shivering between quarters but laser-focused on the court, these athletes proved that grit and camaraderie can triumph over any elements. It was a stellar performance they should be incredibly proud of!

Susie Yock
Coach

CSSA State Championships - Tuesday 16 June

U15s

The girls performed exceptionally well throughout the day, narrowly missing a place in the finals and finishing an impressive 3rd in their pool. Every student played with heart, determination and outstanding sportsmanship.

The team showcased a high standard of netball, demonstrating excellent teamwork, skill and versatility as players confidently stepped into a range of positions when needed. Their willingness to support one another and work together was evident in every game.

We are incredibly proud of all your efforts and the way you conducted yourselves both on and off the court.

A special thank you also to the wonderful parents and grandparents who travelled to support the team. Your encouragement and support from the sidelines was greatly appreciated.

Emma Hamilton
Coach

Opens

Our Open Girls Netball team competed in the State Gala Day, putting on a spectacular display of skill and sportsmanship. While the final standings didn't reflect the talent and heart they left on the court, the girls played exceptionally well against tough competition. Their relentless determination and teamwork made the school incredibly proud!

Susie Yock
Coach

In Level 9, Izabella produced a superb performance to claim 1st place on all apparatus and 1st overall, showing outstanding technical ability and composure across all routines.

We also celebrated strong results in Level 6, where Josephine achieved 5th place on the beam.

Our Level 5 competitors also performed with great success. Emily placed 3rd overall, while Annabelle placed 1st on floor and vault and 2nd on bars.

Congratulations to all four gymnasts on their achievements and for representing our school with pride. Their dedication, perseverance and sportsmanship are to be commended and we look forward to seeing their continued progress throughout the season.

Miss Ashleigh Hackfath
Junior School Sports Coordinator

Our girls team, led by Mrs Thomsen, had a superb day, going undefeated across their four games to finish at the top of their pool. They also finished as the top ranked team in the group stage, qualifying them straight into the grand final. The girls were solid all day, stringently defending their opponents and refusing to concede points. This defensive effort was particularly displayed in an outstanding performance from Alana Rowlands. The team would then rebound quickly, often through the tenacity and quick kicking of Olivia Tunks. Our athletic forward line would make sure that we outscored our opponents, led particularly by Frankie Morrissey, the leading goalscorer for the day and MVP as voted by her teammates. In only the second year of fielding an all-girls team, we won the grand final of the day over Loftus PS and will now progress to the next stage of the cup, the regional finals, which will take place in August.

Our boys team, led by Mr Charleston, played in a group with Loftus PS and Bangor PS, challenging both teams twice for a total of four games. We soundly defeated Loftus in both matches, not conceding a single point and comfortably practising our strategies for the more difficult games ahead. Bangor proved to be stronger competition and we struggled to match them in the first game, losing several players to injury in a gruelling and physical match. We rallied in the second game, giving them a good scare by hitting the lead on two occasions, going down valiantly in an honourable loss. Across the day we had 11 goalscorers with Noah Madden leading the way with 5 goals and a subsequent MVP award as voted on by his teammates. While we did not progress beyond the group stage, the boys were proud of the resistance they offered and in the way they represented our school.

Both teams represented our school in a superb manner as we continue to announce ourselves as a school to be reckoned with in the AFL world!

Miss Ashleigh Hackfath
Junior School Sports Coordinator

Thank you for representing our school so well.

A special thank you to coach Mrs Hamilton for her leadership and support.

The team was presented with their medals following the Socceroos match, a memorable and well‑deserved celebration of their achievement.

Mr Troy Dixon
Secondary School Sports Coordinator

“Henry Lyte’s old hymn, ‘Abide with me’, contains the lines: ‘Change and decay in all around I see; O, thou who changest not, abide with me.’  If Lyte was concerned about the extent of ‘change and decay’ two centuries ago, what would he be thinking today?

Ever since Man introduced sin into God’s perfect Creation at its very beginning, the Second Law of Thermodynamics has been relentlessly overseeing the ‘change and decay’ process, and will continue to do so until Jesus returns to usher in the New Creation and ‘make all things new’ (Revelation 21:5). Yes, as the Psalmist admits, the LORD’s ‘established’ Creation is ‘enduring’, but with increasing difficulty until Jesus Returns!

One of the most stressful aspects of our own time is the uncertainty of the future; we are unsettled by climate change, ideological conflicts, wars, uncontainable outbreaks of disease, unpredictable natural disasters, etc. In this context, what a great comfort it is to be reminded by the LORD himself, through the Psalmist, that the Second Law of Thermodynamics does not govern his revealed truth in his written Word, nor does it apply to his faithfulness ! He has given us unchanging and unchangeable promises. As he promised his people through one of his prophets, his appointed spokesman, “I the LORD do not change.  So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” (Malachi 3:6).

How sad it is when fallen Man tries to adapt his concept of ‘God’ and his understanding of God’s ways to the current philosophies and principles of this rapidly changing world! The Apostle Paul warned us of the dangers of this: “See to it that no-one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8), and we are continuing to reap the abundant bad fruit of failing to heed this warning. How much better things would be if we applied ouir minds daily to following God’s instructions instead of deceiving ourselves by thinking we have a better way, that our ‘wisdom’ surpasses his! It is interesting that the psalmist goes so far as to close this segment of his long acrostic Psalm with the words: “To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless” (96) - ie, God’s ways are even ‘better’ than ‘perfect’!

Rev Bruce Christian

Wednesday 19 August 7-9pm

You are warmly invited to our HSC Major Works display, Showcase.

The evening will include:

FREE ENTRY

Shire Christian School Hall

If you can assist in hosting a student or would like more information, please contact VS Oceania Pty Ltd by email admin@vsoceania.com or phone 02 9889 4366 and fill out this form .

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.

We hope this arrangement will provide a healthy convenient option for our families.