Further information can be found on the Student Hub under each Year Group's dropdown menu "AI in Assessment". In summary, we will be trialing AI in Assessment based on a traffic light system of red (not permitted at all), yellow (restricted use), green (unrestricted use). Teachers will clarify which level, and it is assumed as a "red level" as per our usual process, unless specified in Assessment notifications on Compass. All teachers will clarify this and discuss what is and isn't permitted during class when they go through assessment expectations as they arise. Students will be required to show their document history and ideation as well as a declaration noting what was used, what prompts, why it was used and how it affected the final product. AI may support a student, similar to the way an external tutor or parent may help guide or refine a task. It is not a substitute, deep learning is still expected and what we value. Students are to be honest about the use of AI in their assessments (via the declaration) and will bear the burden of proof should unauthorised use be suspected (as per Shire’s Assessment Policies).

Congratulations to all Year 12 students for completing their first two weeks of trial exams, displaying all of the learning domains. We continue to pray for their wellbeing (both physical and mental health) as they enter the final week of exams. Thank you also to the teachers for their diligence in checking in with each student, providing prayers, hope and guidance, and a tremendous sense of calm during these weeks.

Finally, we would really appreciate your feedback on the Semester 1 reports as we continue to learn about our new system Compass and what it is able to do. If you have a few minutes to spare, please fill in this short survey to make our reports as user-friendly and informative as possible.

Mrs Rachel Robinson
Academic Head

Biblical discipline is not simply about punishment or compliance; it is about loving instruction, training and character formation. It reflects the heart of a God who desires our growth, balancing both justice and mercy. As Hebrews reminds us, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11, NIV).

At Shire Christian School, we are committed to providing a consistent, fair and safe environment where students can flourish. Through clear expectations, purposeful routines and loving guidance, we seek to nurture not only learning but also Christlike character. Our prayer is that every child experiences a deep sense of belonging while being equipped with the habits and wisdom that will serve them for life. Our Renewal domain emphasises some of these, such as, compassion, generosity, forgiveness, humility, service, joy, contentment and a deep hope in Christ.

During our Staff Week, our Junior School teachers spent time reviewing the routines and practices within our classrooms, looking for ways to intentionally teach, train and encourage our students each day. As we partner with families, we are reminded of the encouragement found in Proverbs: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6, NIV). May we continue, together, to raise children who grow in wisdom, character and faith as they seek to honour Christ in all they do.

Already this term, we have seen many examples of this character development in action. It was a delight to join our Prep students for their Pyjama Days this week – dressing gown and slippers included – as I shared in imaginative play in the "snow", explored colourful ice activities and even enjoyed a campfire complete with marshmallows. Year 3 have enthusiastically begun their swimming program at Menai Pool, and we are also celebrating outstanding achievements at our recent Zone Athletics Carnival and Robotics workshops. While we are grateful for these wonderful accomplishments, we have been especially encouraged that our students and staff were commended for their conduct, sportsmanship and willingness to serve others by sharing their expertise. These qualities reflect the kind of character we seek to cultivate each day, remembering Paul's encouragement: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23, NIV). We thank God for His faithfulness and look forward with great anticipation to all that He has in store this term.

Mrs Ruth Cooper
Head of Junior School

At school there are two types of sport. We have many opportunities for students to represent the school in sporting events. These representative sports include traditional sports such as football, netball or Oztag. Students could also represent their school in golf, table tennis, volleyball, and in recent years, even e-sports. I don’t think NESA had e-sports in mind when they made sport compulsory.

Our Friday afternoon recreational sporting program in the High School is designed to foster the love of physical activity, and provides many opportunities for exercise in a variety of ways. There are opportunities to compete against other schools each week. Students have the opportunity to experience sports they may not otherwise have tried, such as hockey. A number of non-competitive sports are also available, including walking and rock climbing.

I do want to take this opportunity to remind parents that sport is not an optional aspect of the school curriculum. Parents and students are discouraged from making appointments during sport time each week. The only exception to this would be if the child was injured and unable to participate in sport. Developing a life long habit of physical exercise is crucial, and the school sporting program has been designed to promote the positive aspects of this each week. I would like to thank our Sports Coordinator, Mr Dixon, and his team of teachers and coaches, for the enthusiasm they bring to our sports program each week.

Mr David Collins
Head of Secondary

Now in his fourth year at Shire Christian, Mr Moore has served as Head of PDHPE and Head of Sport. Before joining the School, he spent 15 years at St George Christian School, bringing significant experience in Christian education and student development.

Having a particular passion for PDHPE, Mr Moore recognises the vital role that physical, mental and emotional wellbeing play in helping young people flourish.

“I think it’s important to consider the whole child,” Mr Moore said. “The skills we teach around wellbeing, relationships, resilience and making healthy choices have lifelong importance. When students are well and supported, they are better able to thrive in their studies.”

As Director of Studies, Mr Moore is looking forward to the opportunity to serve students from a broader perspective and contribute to their academic journey while maintaining a strong pastoral focus.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to have a positive impact across the broader school community and to support students in every aspect of their learning,” he said. “I hope to approach the role in a way that values each student as a whole person, recognising that academic success and student wellbeing are closely connected.”

Mr Moore has quickly become a key point of support for students and families, including through last week's Stage 6 Subject Selection Evening. The event provided practical guidance to help students make informed decisions about their studies and which subjects would be best, while also addressing common misconceptions about ATARs and scaling.

In his new role, Mr Moore will oversee important aspects of students’ patterns of study, assessment processes and compliance requirements, while continuing to support staff as they navigate the changing educational landscape.

We congratulate Mr Moore on his appointment and look forward to the wisdom, care and experience he will bring to this important role as he supports students to flourish academically, personally and spiritually.

The trip was a huge success filled with art, culture, and plenty of Melbourne’s famous chocolate. Across the trip, students were constantly making connections between professional gallery displays and their own art practices.

The journey began with a super early flight to Melbourne. First stop was the NGV International, where students analyzed traditional, modern, postmodern and contemporary masterpieces, examining curation choices and scale. We then crossed Federation Square to The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, where a major highlight of the trip awaited: the Top Arts exhibition. Viewing exceptional Year 12 major works from Victorian graduates was immensely powerful for our cohort. They spent time closely studying the developmental folios and finished pieces, gaining invaluable insights into material experimentation, conceptual depth, and refined presentation strategies to apply directly to their own HSC Body of Work.

A stroll through Hosier Lane offered an energetic counterpoint, letting students witness raw, evolving stencil art and large-scale spray painted murals in Melbourne’s famous urban landscape. Moving beyond traditional gallery walls, students explored how technology and street culture redefine art today. At ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image), they engaged with interactive digital installations, video art, and modern screen culture. To cap off our Saturday evening, we visited Lightscape at the Royal Botanic Gardens, where the cohort walked through an enchanting outdoor trail featuring immersive light sculptures, glowing tree canopies, and ambient soundscapes that demonstrated the power of site-specific art.

Between packed gallery visits, students fully embraced Melbourne's world-renowned food and cafe scene. We made a lively stop at the bustling Queen Victoria Market, where students browsed local artisan goods, captured street photography, and refuelled with delicious local food. Throughout the trip, quick stops at Melbourne’s iconic laneway cafes offered much-needed moments to rest, grab a hot chocolate or pastry, and sit together to discuss the day’s inspiring discoveries.

Seeing such a wide range of mediums in person – from traditional oil paintings to multi-sensory light installations – gave our class a whole new perspective as they fine-tune their own artistic concepts. Thanks Yr 12 for an amazing excursion!

Miss Susie Yock
Head of Visual Arts

The tour gave us insight into the ways history is discovered, studied, and preserved for future generations.

I found it very interesting to see the ways in which history was presented and preserved, as well as the functioning of ancient societies and how they both differed and related to modern societies - what they saw as important, how they lived, how they solved problems, how they survived and how they progressed as whole societies.

It was a great time of learning!

Ethan Ward
Year 11 Ancient History Student

The K-2 audience saw that the actions of AK were way too aggressive. Shyler was so shy that we saw it was very hard for her to make friends. Chris was a great role model, showing us the best ways to get along with people at school. Everyone in the audience could bring a mini game of "Friendopoly" home to play!

SocS stands for “Social Skills” and is part of a 12 play program written by Mrs Moes and performed by very talented staff and High School Drama students.

Thank you to Mrs Sciacca,  Nate McMordie, Derek Wedrien, Elayne McKay, Ellena Quealy and Wesley Wadds for their brilliant performances!

Mrs Diana Moes

His teaching career spans more than two decades across Australia and the United Kingdom, including recent work teaching the International Baccalaureate program at Canberra Grammar School. Along the way, he has taught a broad range of subjects and held leadership positions in Languages, Music, Performing Arts and boarding education.

For Dr Rein, learning German is about far more than vocabulary and grammar. He believes language learning helps students understand the world around them, connect across cultures and develop skills that will serve them well into the future.

"We live in a global economy," he said. "Learning a language helps students become globally informed citizens who can communicate with people from different backgrounds and navigate an increasingly interconnected world."

As a multilingual educator, Dr Rein speaks German, English and French, with some Spanish. He enjoys helping students discover the many ways Germany has shaped the modern world, from the Reformation and its influence on faith and education to major contributions in science, engineering, music and technology. By connecting language learning to history, culture and contemporary life, he helps students see the relevance of what they are learning beyond the classroom.

"Students are often surprised by how much German influence already exists in their everyday lives," he said.

Dr Rein is passionate about creating opportunities for students to use language. His Year 8 classes are already building connections with students in Cologne, Germany, through a pen-pal program that allows students to develop both their language skills and cross-cultural understanding.

Alongside his passion for languages, Dr Rein has a strong interest in student wellbeing. He spent 18 years working in boarding education and completed a Doctor of Education through the University of Wollongong, researching the social and emotional wellbeing of boarding students. His research reflected a longstanding commitment to helping young people flourish.

A talented musician, Dr Rein has also taught music and previously served as a Head of Department in Performing Arts. He plays piano, organ and guitar and enjoys bringing a broad range of interests and experiences into school life.

As a Christian educator, Dr Rein sees teaching as an opportunity to nurture the gifts God has given each student and help them discover their purpose.

"I want to nurture the God-given talents in every student and help them explore what God has asked us to do, both individually and collectively," he said.

We look forward to seeing the impact he will have as he inspires students to embrace new opportunities and grow in confidence through language learning.

Welcome to the Shire Christian family, Dr Martin Rein.

Their visit concluded on Friday afternoon with an engaging presentation to our Year 3 students about aspects of Japanese culture. We were impressed by the level of English they had developed and enjoyed learning about Japanese food, games and craft.

We thank our many Year 11 students who welcomed them warmly and built a positive connection with the visiting students.

Mr Paul Carter
Deputy Principal

Competitors competed in competitions over two days with their scores being averaged over both days. Izabella came 2nd on Vault, 2nd on Bars, 4th on beam, and 1st on Floor. These results placed her 1st overall.

I asked Izabella what her highlight of the competition was:

My biggest highlight of the competition was my bars on both days. Being able to make my bar routine on both days was a true feeling of happiness. I felt like I had accomplished something amazing. In my competitions earlier in the year I was having trouble making this one part of my bar routine. So being able to make it at my biggest and most important competition really meant a lot to me. And a favourite moment was definitely being up on the podium but just also hanging out with my team and making new friends.

I asked her if she had any advice for students who would hope to compete at this level in any sport one day:

Something I learned about this experience is that not everything can go the way you want it to. On day one I fell twice on beam yet I was still in first place. Even though you might have done something wrong or it didn't go as planned you can still do really well or get a really good result. Also it's a good opportunity to learn from our mistakes and just know that it's ok and not everything will work out the way you want it to. Advice I would give to other athletes or students is don't get upset, it just ruins the whole competition and how you compete.

Izabella has been selected to attend an International Pathways Camp through the AIS, an outstanding achievement and an incredible opportunity. Congratulations, Izabella! We hope you have an amazing experience.

Miss Ashleigh Hackfath
Junior School Sports Coordinator

The Senior team topped their pool with four wins and one draw before facing Oran Park in a thrilling quarter-final. After a 12-all draw at full time, the match went into extra time where the girls rose to the challenge, claiming a four-goal victory. A hard-fought one-goal win over Belmont in the semi-final earned them a place in the grand final. Despite producing one of their best performances of the day, the team narrowly missed the title and finished as runners-up.

Our Junior team also enjoyed a fantastic campaign, remaining undefeated through pool play to comfortably advance to the quarter-finals. A strong win over Oran Park secured their place in the semi-finals, where they were narrowly defeated by Mt Annan by just two goals. Throughout the day, the team demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and determination, finishing third overall.

Congratulations to both teams on their fantastic achievements. We are incredibly proud of the commitment, resilience and sportsmanship shown by all our players, and the way they represented Shire Christian School throughout the competition.

Miss Ashleigh Hackfath
Junior School Sport Coordinator

We had a fantastic day of sportsmanship, competition and impressive results from our students. Many of our students improved on their times/distances and represented our school well.

Congratulations to these students who broke records:

Evie Cohen: 11 girls 800m - 2:42.34, 11 girls 1500m - 5:32.86
Fletcher Weinstein: 12 boys Long Jump - 4.26m
Valentina Campisi: 8-10 girls Discus - 21.82m
Noah Condon: 8-10 boys High Jump 1.19m
Jnr Girls Relay Team: Isla, Eve, Chloe, Ruby - 1:05.57
Jnr Boys Relay Team: Zion, Giovanni, Elvis, Jett - 1:03.57

We also had two students awarded Age Champion. Congratulations to Isla Madden, the 10 year  girls Age Champion and Evie Cohen the 11 years girls age Age Champion.

Thank you to the senior school students and sports coaches who came to help run the events, the parents who cheered us on, Mr Dixon, Mrs Baker, Mr Kennedy and Miss Watters for helping to make the day a success.

Congratulations to the students who have progressed to the CSSA Athletics Championships to be held on Friday 21 August at Blacktown Athletics Centre.

Miss Ashleigh Hackfath
Junior School Sports Coordinator

The Bible has a lot to say about being anxious and dealing with anxiety, so I thought that would be a helpful topic to deal with - problem solved! Then early Thursday morning I attended my Greek Reading Group where we are working through Luke’s Gospel, and we were up to Chapter 12 where Jesus warns his disciples to “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy . There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.” In the light of this, those of you who know me well will know that this statement of Jesus makes it difficult for me to ‘wax eloquent’ about the sin (and stupidity) of being anxious without being guilty of hypocrisy. But, provided you accept that I am writing to edify myself as much as anyone else, I will proceed along the lines I had intended on Wednesday night.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commanded: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you - you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:24-34).

The simple, child-like logic of this advice (command!) convicts me deeply on the (many) occasions when I am sick with worry about a circumstance in my life, and I turn quickly a couple of pages to Matthew 11 where I can hear Jesus saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (verses 28-30) – and that gives me the courage (and permission) to press on regardless of the sick feeling in my gut. How comforting it is to hear Jesus reminding me that I am pulling my burdens by a ‘yoke’ that he is sharing and bearing beside me, and I can trust him to remain sure-footed when I stumble, and to take the ‘lion’s share’ of the load.  Yes, I still have to pull (work hard on the assignments and study hard for the exams that I know I will find difficult), but I can find comfort from the fact that he will always be there as a ‘safety net’.  I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future!

So under all of our end-of-year pressures, whether as parents (or gandparents) who have anxious children, or as anxious students, or as teachers who love our students so much that we feel anxious for them, let us all pray for one another, remembering Paul’s words, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition , with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Rev Bruce Christian

Whether you say a prayer, or feel more comfortable saying ‘Amen’ at the end, please come and join us. It’s a great way to get to know some others and bring our requests to God together.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Andrew & Ruth Barry

The evening will include:

FREE ENTRY

Shire Christian School Hall

Take a look at the highlights from the 2025 Showcase!

Thursday 27 August
8am – 12pm

Families are invited to purchase books on the day, with payment available by cash or card . If a particular title is unavailable, orders can be placed and delivered to the school once they arrive.

Best of all, every purchase makes a difference. All proceeds from this year's Book Fair will be donated to Brewarrina Christian School, helping to support their students and library resources.

Thank you for partnering with us to encourage a love of reading and for supporting this year's Symphony of Stories Book Week celebrations. We look forward to sharing this special event with you.

Mrs Kirren Wilson
Librarian

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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.