2026, Term 3, Important Information

2026, Term 3, Important Information

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In This Issue

From the Deputy Principal

Carpark and Sports Oval Update
Playground Upgrades Complete
P-2 Pick Up
Year 12 Trial Exams
Coming Events

From the Academic Head

Teachers embrace a week of learning
NAPLAN Results

Notices

School Photos
HSC Showcase Evening – Wednesday 19 August
Host families for Japanese students
Employment Opportunities
After School Study Centre
Parents parking
Subway available to order on Mondays and Fridays
Edstart - an alternative fee payment option
Confidential Feedback

From the Principal

Welcome Back to Term 3

In anticipation of next week, I would like to welcome all our families back to school for Term 3 and the second half of the year.

You have likely now heard of my intention to retire from the principalship at the end of the year – please be assured I remain healthy and happy, and I love what I do, but have decided, after 35 years at Shire, that it is time for me to take a step back from senior leadership and full-time employment. I am energised to give 100% over the next six months, and I look forward to continuing to engage with parents, students and staff for the rest of the year.

I am pleased to announce that Mr Steve Moore has been appointed as Director of Studies in the Secondary school, after serving so well while acting in the role across Term 2. Steve brings a wealth of experience from both his teaching experience and his roles as a faculty leader, both at Shire and at St George Christian School. Mr Moore will be straight into the action at our upcoming Stage 6 Subject Selection Information Night for Years 11 & 12 on Wednesday 29 July from 7-8:30pm in the school hall.

It was a privilege this morning to host a prayer breakfast at school for the pastors and church ministry workers of the Sutherland Shire and surrounding local regions. Our school was founded by parents to serve, partner and support local churches in the ministry of the gospel, and it was great to see both old and new faces at our gathering.

Thank you for your patience with K-10 school reports as we manage our transition to Compass. They were released to parents earlier today. We took a little extra time this year to make sure we got the process and format right, and I hope you find them a helpful insight into your child’s learning and progress.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." [Proverbs 3]

May God continue to straighten our paths and guide our ways this term, and may your children flourish through an education that places Christ at the centre of all we do.

Mr David Stonestreet
Principal

From the Deputy Principal

Carpark and Sports Oval Update

It is exciting to see how rapidly the carpark works have progressed during the holidays.

In the first week of the holidays they poured the concrete floor with a constant stream of more than 60 cement mixers during the day. You will notice that formwork is being completed for the walls and ceiling already. The project is currently on track to be completed before the end of this year.

Playground Upgrades Complete

Landscaper Jamie Miller and his team have done an outstanding job completing the Secondary and Junior School playground updates in time for students to use in Term 3.

These newly improved playground spaces will provide opportunities for our students to actively explore and play in these spaces with improved equipment, seating and collaborative areas. We look forward to students enjoying engaging in these spaces.

P-2 Pick Up

Due to construction works, Kindergarten and Prep should be collected in the Breezeway as shown on the map.

Access to the side oval via the grass has been affected. Therefore parents will need to access and exit the new P-2 pick up area via the Breezeway.

Years 1 and 2 will now be collected in the paved area at the side of the IRC.

Please follow the P-2 pick-up signs for direction.

We would appreciate the cooperation of parents to ensure you supervise your children and not allow them to play on the tarantula equipment. Thank you.

Year 12 Trial Exams

Please be praying for our Year 12 students as they commence their trial exams next week.

Mr Paul Carter
Deputy Principal

Coming Events

Coming Events

Here are some key school community events coming up in Term 3 for you to note.

Term 3 Commences – Monday 27 July
Stage 6 Subject Evening – Wednesday 29 July
Year 12 Trial Exams Commence – Thursday 30 July
Japanese students visiting from – Monday 3 August
Amazing Me Presentation (3-6) – Tuesday 4 August
P-2 Athletics Carnival – Friday 14 August
HSC Showcase Evening – Wednesday 19 August
Book Week – Commences Monday 24 August
SHINE Junior School Performance Evening – Wednesday 2 September
Donuts for Dads – Monday 7 September
Parent Teacher Evening #3 (K-11) – Wednesday 9 September
Year 11 Yearly Exams Commences – Thursday 10 September
Year 12 Activities Day – Wednesday 23 September
Year 12 Graduation – Thursday 24 September
Term 3 Concludes – Friday 25 September

From the Academic Head

Teachers embrace a week of learning

During this July Staff Week, our teachers have been immersing themselves in planning and collaborating with each other and diving deeply into various professional learning. This has included, exploring the school's future directions, looking at the draft generative AI policy for staff and trial of AI for students in assessments, examining the parent code of conduct and time in faculties and teams to invest in planning rigorous assessments and engaging learning experiences for students.

The highlight of the week was undoubtedly the beautifully organised CEN (Christian Education National) Conference at Penrith Convention Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday. The theme was "Deep Joy, Enduring Hope" and teachers had the privilege of hearing from inspiring keynote speakers such as:

Rev Dr Michael Jensen (who focused on the learner, salvation and our role to cultivate wonder)
Mr Sam Burrows (who shared that the heart of education is all about relationship; and the metaphor of Christ being the ultimate tuning fork and we are to help our students hear the song of Christ through our work)
Dr Ruth McConnell (teaching on attachment theory and that soft hearts and right relationships, lead to psychological rest and the need to play where individuals can thrive through creative expression).

Underpinning all of the strand sessions and devotions from a wide variety of expert speakers, was the idea that we are committed as Christian teachers to holding a hopeful narrative for our students as they are becoming who Christ intended them to be. Many wonderful resources and practical ideas were shared, in amongst the deep theory and theology. All teachers at Shire Christian School are very much looking forward to the learning opportunities that lay ahead for all during as we begin a new term together.

Mrs Rachel Robinson
Academic Head

Connor Davaram, Youth Minister at Menia Anglican, challenges and encourages staff from the Bible.

Shire Christian teachers join with other Christian teachers at the CEN (Christian Education National) Conference at Penrith Convention Centre.

NAPLAN Results

NAPLAN results will be sent home with students in hard copy next week. These results will, in time, be available on Compass under reports.

Notices

School Photos

School photos will be sent home with students next week.

Leadership team photos are now available to order using the process below:

HOW TO ORDER SCHOOL LEADERSHIP GROUP PHOTOS:

Parents login to Don Wood Photography website: www.donwoodphotography.com.au

Click on “ORDER PHOTOS HERE” at the top of the page

Enter your school code - School code: 179S17

You will now see your school’s home page.

From the Menu near the top of the screen, click on Group Photos.

On the left-hand side, headings of each photograph are there - click on the heading to view

Click add to cart and view cart on the top of the page to proceed to checkout

FREE Delivery back to the school closing on 20/08/2026.

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 $12 postage fee will apply, and photographs will be posted to your address entered at the time of order.

*Please note, Free Postage only applies to Extra Curricular/Leadership photos.

Kind Regards, Don Wood Photography Team

HSC Showcase Evening – Wednesday 19 August

Wednesday 19 August 7-9pm

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

The evening will include:

Music Performances
Drama Displays
Design & Technology Display
Industrial Technology Multimedia Display
Visual Arts Display
Textiles & Design Display
VET Construction Display
English Extension 2 Display
History Extension Display
Science Extension Display
Food Tech Cafe

FREE ENTRY

Shire Christian School Hall

Take a look at the highlights from the 2025 Showcase!

Host families for Japanese students

Shire Christian School will be hosting Japanese students from 2 - 9 August 2026.

Share your lifestyle & home whilst experiencing another culture.

Students attend school on weekdays and enjoy family life with you on the weekend
Japanese language is not necessary
Students just fit in with your family routines – eat your food, they need their own bed but can share a room
Families are paid $60 per night

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 .

Employment Opportunities

Positions Available:

Head of HSIE
Head of PDHPE
Secondary School Casual Teachers

Visit our website for more information.

After School Study Centre

Registrations are now open! Students can sign up using the online form.

Parents parking

Parents are reminded to be mindful of our neighbours during morning and afternoon pick up times. Please do not park or stop across driveways, side streets, in the bus zone or in no stopping zones at any time. Please prioritise safety.

Subway available to order on Mondays and Fridays

The Subway School Fuel lunch menu is now available to order via the My School Connect website or app.

Available on both Mondays and Fridays during term time, a select range of healthy lunch options from Subway is on offer, delivered to the school in time for Break 2.

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.

Edstart - an alternative fee payment option

Shire Christian School is pleased to offer an alternative payment option to assist families with managing their school fee payments.

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/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.

Confidential Feedback

We welcome your thoughts, suggestions and concerns to help us improve at Shire Christian School. Click here to make a submission.