Three long-serving Shire Christian School staff members will retire at the end of the year, amassing an incredible 75 years of combined service.
Teachers Mrs Cheryl Riddle and Mrs Christine Wright, and Mrs Helen Oste from the school’s administration, were farewelled at an afternoon tea on Wednesday, celebrating the significant contribution made to the life of the school over many years.
Mrs Cheryl Riddle began at Shire Christian School in 1990 as a Textiles teacher, spending 34 years of her almost 50-year teaching career at the school. Cheryl’s three children also came through the school.
Mr David Stonestreet said that while Textiles was a popular subject with the students at Shire Christian, it was not typically as widely embraced across the state.
“Cheryl’s dedication and commitment to the school and to Textiles has led to it being a big, strong subject with lots of students,” he said.
“Cheryl was even widely known amongst other schools for her prowess as a Textiles teacher, and a Food Technology teacher too in the early days.”
“Cheryl, I want to thank you as your friend, as a colleague and now as the principal, for your dedication to your subject, to TAS, to Christian education, and congratulate you on a successful career, particularly the many years you have spent at Shire Christian School,” said Mr Stonestreet.
Mrs Riddle summed up her time at the school in one word, ‘caring’.
“I’m thankful for the friendship and the fellowship I’ve had with everyone here,” she said.
“There is just a care and lovingness in this school that makes me very sad to go.”
Mrs Christine Wright is also retiring, after 24 years at Shire Christian School. Whilst being most well known for her passion and enthusiasm in school musicals, Mrs Wright has served many roles, including a classroom teacher and most recently within the extension numeracy classes. Her six children also attended the school.
“It’s been a wonderful environment to work in. I just love this school so much,” Mrs Wright said.
“This school has been like family to me. I’ll still be coming for the musicals and the performance nights and the association meetings!”
Mrs Wright is retiring from professional teaching, although is hoping she will still be able to spend some time in the classroom teaching Scripture in local schools, as well as spending time with grandchildren and even possibly writing a children’s book.
With 19 years of service in the school’s finance team, Mrs Helen Oste will also finish at the end of the year.
Colleague Mrs Susan Murray said, “she truly has a humble servant heart.”
“There have been countless times where Helen has encouraged others, either with her words, with an arm around a shoulder or by simply saying ‘I’m praying for you’,” she said.
In recent years Mrs Oste has worked as the school’s purchasing officer, facilitating and equipping staff with the resources for student learning. Her three children also attended Shire Christian School.
“I have always loved accounting and numbers, and I have really enjoyed this role, and I thank God for my involvement in our finance team.”
“It has been wonderful to be part of this organisation.”
Other staff with significant periods of service leaving at the end of the year include Mr Matt Miller and Mr Jo Chen, who have both accepted a leadership roles at Regents Park Christian School, and Mrs Eloise Beresford and Mrs Mahlia Adams who depart for Leppington Anglican and PLC respectively.
“We thank all of these people for their commitment to Christian education, and the lasting impact they have had on the lives of our students,” Mr Stonestreet said.
The school is thankful for God’s provision of several exceptional Christian educators who will join the team in 2024.
Back to All News