In Junior School:

Ciara Zammit in Year 4 is a Resourceful and Resilient learner, who emulates the habits of a good learner, capitalising on opportunities to build on her understanding with a spirit of humility and maturity. She said that learning means to “keep trying and not giving up”.

Audrey Barila in Year 6 is a Resilient and Relational learner, who works through challenges and keeps trying until she understands and can apply what she has learned. She shared the importance of collaborating, and that “you work well with someone else when you don’t think they are better or worse but that you need each other to get in and out of the learning pit”.

Annabel Betts in Year 6 is a Relational learner, who regularly engages in class discussions and uses inferencing. She said learning meant "seeing what others are doing and putting things together. That you go on a journey with someone else in the learning pit and you reach back your hand to help them out of it”.

Hemi Williams in Year 6 is a Resilient learner, who shows perseverance, emulating good learning qualities and pushing himself outside his comfort zone. He said that learning means to “try, try, try, try, try”.

Esther Atkins in Year 6 is Resilient, Relational and Resourceful learner, who shows a positive attitude. When she is unsure of a task or feels like she is in the learning pit, she asks questions, looks for resources and always persists through challenges, encouraging others as she does this. She said learning means “trying and not giving up (on the first go)”.

In Secondary School:

Chloe Matthews in Year 11 is a Resourceful and Reflective learner, who is incredibly diligent and eager to do her best, motivating others around her. She said learning is a “long process of trial and error and finding ways to improve in different aspects of your life and striving to do things in a better way than you did before”.

Leonie Chong in Year 10 is a Relational learner, who shows the dispositions of collaboration and empathy. She is positive, inclusive by noticing other students and leads team building opportunities. Leonie said that learning is “more than something in a classroom; it's in life and your brain is shaped differently and the way you understand life is different”.

Ava Reichelt in Year 10 is a Reflective and Resourceful learner, who has improved her self-talk to allow her to better focus and her achievements have reflected this growth in her learning dispositions. Ava said that learning means “thinking and asking for help when you need it”.

Matthew Lothian in Year 7 is a Relational and Resourceful learner, who collaborates and fosters each member of the Debating Team, to ensure they feel confident by capitalising on each person’s strength. He consistently takes initiative and contributes in ways that strengthen the team's performance. Matthew said learning is “putting in the effort and asking questions until you actually do understand it”.

Congratulations to our Learning Leaders! 

Mrs Rachel Robinson
Academic Head

“May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.” (Timothy 1:16-18)

“He often refreshed me” – what a beautiful description; one which captures just how much of a blessing Onesiphorus must have been. He was a true friend. Searching for Paul must have cost him time and raised few eyebrows as there were many prisons in Rome. Nevertheless, Onesiphorus persevered. Planning, seeking and spending time with someone who doesn’t have status (especially one in prison) is hard, but what a blessing to make Paul feel uplifted as Onesiphorus was not ashamed of his chains. He chose to empathise, show compassion and generosity and not worry about his own popularity or what others thought of him. Paul’s reference to “how many ways he helped him in Ephesus” implies that Onesiphorus was servant hearted and faithfully gave in humility and service.

The name Onesiphorus has been translated as “help-bringer”. It made me think, who in my life has refreshed me? Who has encouraged me when I have felt lost, sad or not even been able to name my feelings? Who has messaged me, showed up, sat with me and prayed for me? Have I done this for others? How many times have I looked at a text or email but not actually replied; thought about praying for someone but not actually stopped and got on my knees to do so. I have now been at Shire for just over a term and daily I am grateful that it is a place where learning and growing spiritually are intertwined. I see this in classroom lessons and in the playground where the Learning Dispositions are taught to help us to find ways to connect with each other, deepen our learning and live out our purpose, with our hope in Christ as our Lord and Saviour. At the very heart is the Renewal Domain in which we develop the dispositions of Compassion and Generosity.

So, as we start a new term, may we each seek to serve as someone who “refreshes” others. A few suggestions might be noticing something someone does and saying thank you. Offering help or just sitting in the learning pit with someone as an encouragement to remind them that they aren’t alone. Praying for someone (either in person) or sending them a message to let them know that you’ve prayed for them. Planning how to include someone who you’ve noticed who is left out and saying, “Hey, please join us…” Like Onesiphorus, intentionally look for these opportunities, seek them out regularly, praying that God would open our eyes and heart and may our thoughts, words and actions reflect the love of Jesus Christ.

Mrs Rachel Robinson
Academic Head

If I was going to reflect on where we are right now, I would say we've just passed our Red Ps test. We are now able to drive the car without a parent watching over us. We still have a bit to go for the system to be completely working to its potential, but over the next 12 months we should be able to leave the P plates behind. There are already significant improvements we are noticing, and in time, I'm sure we will be driving better than ever before.

For most of our Year 12 students, they're now at least half way through their HSC exams. These examinations will continue to run over the next two weeks, and we encourage our school community to be praying for them.

It has been exciting to hear about the number of nominations students have received in multiple subjects for NESA Major Works. Many students have also received Early Entry Offers to University, and in some cases, scholarship offers as well. Special congratulations to Elliana Clarke who has been awarded the Sutherland Principal’s Recommendation Scholarship from the University of Wollongong.

Mr David Collins
Head of Secondary

Our current Kindergarten students were also beaming with pride as they stepped into their new leadership roles as Kindy Buddies. They supported our current Prep students during an exciting adventure morning exploring the Kindergarten classrooms. This time of year is always a special reminder of the incredible growth and learning that has taken place. Seeing both our Prep and Kindergarten students so confident, curious, and ready for their next stage of learning is truly heart-warming.

Compass brings many aspects of school life together in one place. Parents can now:

• View and update their child’s details

• Notify the school of absences, late arrivals and early departures

• Access reports (assessments and feedback still to come)

• View the school calendar and manage event and excursion permissions

The launch is the result of over a year of careful planning by a dedicated team, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition. Compass also aligns with the school’s Learning for Life framework, supporting ongoing feedback, assessment and student wellbeing.

Families are already enjoying the benefits of a simpler, more connected experience. Over time, additional features will continue to enhance the way our community interacts, making school life easier and more engaging for everyone.

We thank our community for embracing this change and look forward to seeing Compass support learning, wellbeing and connection across Shire Christian School.

Competing against 770 students from across the country, 29 students from Shire Christian School demonstrated exceptional teamwork and creativity across multiple divisions. The Year 7 OnStage Novice Team – Mia, Emmie, Caitlyn and Elise – achieved an impressive second place, while Lev and Hunter placed fifth out of 44 teams in Riley Rescue, with two other Shire Christian teams finishing in the top 20.

These strong results came as Mrs Hampson was awarded the University of Canberra Outstanding Teacher Award, following nominations from state chairs around the country. The award recognises a teacher who demonstrates exceptional leadership, encouragement and dedication to students in robotics.

Mrs Hampson expressed deep gratitude to the Shire Christian School community following the announcement. 

“I am deeply grateful for the incredible support of our RoboCup families, whose encouragement and practical help have carried the teams and myself throughout the year,” she said. 

“There’s nothing quite like the Shire Christian School families and staff who rally around each other – our community under Christ is a blessing and one I am so very thankful to be a part of.”

Head of Junior School Mrs Ruth Cooper commended Mrs Hampson, the students and all who contributed to the program’s success.

“A huge congratulations to Leonie Hampson for an incredible weekend at Nationals,” she said. 

“Months of preparation, mentoring, and encouragement led to a positive weekend of competition, with a real sense of community for all our Shire Christian families.”

Mrs Hampson thanked Mrs Veltmeyer, Mr Pinn, and Mr and Mrs Charleston for their mentoring and support throughout the event.

“I also want to thank Mrs Karen Binns, Vice President of the National Junior RoboCup and NSW State Chair, for her integral support in our robotics program and for her enthusiasm and expertise in mentoring me.”

Mrs Hampson said it was a privilege to mentor such capable students.

“Our teams were outstanding in all their competitions, and I am incredibly proud of each one of them,” she said. “We give thanks to our Lord who sustained us throughout the weekend.”

The school community celebrated the national award at assembly on Friday and will recognise the student achievements next week, as a reflection of Shire Christian School’s strong culture of excellence, teamwork and Christian community. 

The day began with a presentation where Mulga shared insights into his career as an artist. He spoke about his large-scale murals, collaborations with brands, and the ways he has developed his distinctive style over time. Students were fascinated to learn about the life of a working artist and were able to ask thoughtful questions about his creative journey and inspirations.

The highlight of the visit was a step-by-step workshop where Mulga guided students in creating a gorilla head artwork, one of his signature motifs. Using paint markers and vibrant colours, Year 7 students followed his instructions while also adding their own quirks and personal touches to make each piece unique. The classroom quickly filled with bright, eye-catching artworks, each reflecting Mulga’s influence alongside the individuality of every student.

The experience was both fun and educational, leaving students inspired and proud of their creations. It was a memorable day that brought art to life in a fresh and exciting way.

Miss Susie Yock
Head of Visual Arts

One way we have introduced this to the Science curriculum is to take advantage of Game Based Learning (GBL). This educational approach uses games to achieve learning outcomes, by integrating content into highly interactive formats. Learning through play is by no means a new concept! Interestingly, modern educational research has confirmed that it is both an effective and immersive tool for learning at any age. 

My Year 7 science class recently created their own boardgames (some digital, some physical), which helped them to learn about cells. Provided with some clear boundaries and requirements, students were able to immerse themselves in learning for several periods. They used their knowledge of cells to create rules, game mechanics and gaming pieces that reflect key concepts relating to cell structure and function. The hope is that this experience will help them to retain knowledge and tackle more challenging biological concepts later.

Dr van Holst

Head of Science

The day provided the perfect opportunity for students to step outside the classroom and apply their growing photography skills in a dynamic and engaging environment. Surrounded by incredible animals and stunning landscapes, students were challenged to capture unique moments through their lenses, experimenting with composition, lighting and perspective.

A major focus of the excursion was encouraging students to work with manual settings on their cameras, pushing them to think critically about aperture, shutter speed and ISO in order to achieve the best results. Many students found this both challenging and rewarding, as they began to see how these controls could transform their photographs from simple snapshots into more considered and creative works.

Throughout the day, students captured a wide variety of subjects—from the vibrant colours of exotic birds to the strength and movement of larger animals—developing both their technical confidence and artistic eye. Beyond the photography, the excursion allowed students to inspire one another in a fun and relaxed setting. We’ll use these photos next term to create surreal landscapes. Overall, it was a highly successful day that combined learning with creativity, leaving students excited to continue exploring photography. Please look out for a display in the front office next term!

Miss Susie Yock
Head of Visual Arts

Jacob claimed silver in the 13 years discus (30.22m), Tammy secured silver in the 15 years javelin (25.88m), and Sam S achieved silver in the 14 years long jump (6.10m) and bronze in the 200m (24.04s). Mikayla placed third in the 18 years discus (21.75m). The under 14 boys’ relay team of Sam S, Sam B, Alex T and Elijah H won bronze, running a season’s best 49.83 seconds – improving on their earlier results at zone and state level.

Performances across the day included a number of personal and season bests, demonstrating the athletes’ mindset, composure and persistence under pressure.

Congratulations to Samuel Sinclair and Tammy Hanna who were both named in the CIS Merit Team.

The school community congratulates all these students for competing at this high level of competition.

The NSW All Schools Athletics Championships closely followed the event and a number of students achieved excellent results.

Congratulations:

• Samuel Sinclair – 7th Boys Long Jump (14 Years), 12th Boys 200m (14 Years)
• Jacob Fox – 17th Boys Discus Throw (13 Years)
• Tammy Hanna – 21st Girls Javelin Throw (14 Years) 

*An earlier version of the newsletter did not include this report. We apologise to these student athletes and commend them for competing at a high level.

Year 3 teacher Mr Read helped the Australian men’s team win the Roundnet Asian Cup in Taiwan, defeating the home nation in a competitive final. His latest achievement follows representing Australia at the Roundnet World Championship in London last year.

PE teacher Mr Rafferty competed at the University Football World Cup in Dalian, China, after his University of Wollongong team won the Australian University Games to qualify last year. The team narrowly missed the quarter finals on goal difference, finishing 11th overall.

Both teachers’ sporting achievements reflect their dedication, teamwork and perseverance, qualities they model daily in the classroom and on the field.

The girls, coached by Mrs Crawshaw, played five games and showed endurance, teamwork and sportsmanship. They celebrated and encouraged each other throughout the day.

“The most enjoyable part of the day was hanging out and winning with friends,” said Sofia Burke-Moore.

The boys, coached by volunteer Mr Choi, played six games and displayed resilience and determination, finishing third. We are thankful for Mr Choi’s expertise and commitment.

Both teams are commended for the excellent way they represented our school. The girls team will play in the CSSA State Finals on Monday 10 November.

*An earlier version of this article incorrectly listed the boys team instead of the girls team as progressing to the CSSA State Finals.

Open Girls

After a brief warmup, the girls won five of their six games. The final match in the pool was very tight against William Carey, as both teams were in equal place, and if Inaburra lost their final game, the winner of WCCS vs Shire CS would play in the final.

It was a tense game, with Shire leading early in the first half. The girls worked together as a team to sub smoothly, talk to each other and complete plays throughout the match. At half time we were feeling good, having seen Inaburra concede a goal, but were unprepared for what was to come. Upon starting the second half, WCCS came out fighting, making the score a draw until the final minutes, when loyal defender Alyssa scored from halfway, winning the final pool match for Shire, 6-5 for a nail biting finish!

Due to no semis being played and an Inaburra win on the other court, Shire was knocked out, finishing equal with Inaburra but behind on goal difference. The girls left with their heads held high. Angie as goal keeper worked tirelessly throughout, stopping countless goals while Kara, Ellie and Jemima ran the middle strong, scoring many goals. Anna, Dior and Felicity worked well as a team, covering the wings and creating golden opportunities to change the pace of the game.

Overall, we are so proud of the girls for their sportsmanship and enthusiasm throughout the day. Well done girls!

Mr Moran and Coach Grant

Open Boys

The Open Boys Futsal team represented Shire Christian School with determination and great sportsmanship. The boys battled through a competitive day with mixed results. They played with energy, teamwork and a positive attitude throughout, displaying outstanding Shire spirit. The team never gave up and were exemplary ambassadors for the school! I am super proud of their effort and camaraderie on and off the court.

Mr Jones

On a road trip south to Wollongong, Shire Christian opened with a strong batting display, posting 139 from 20 overs before bowling Illawarra out for just 56. The momentum carried into Game 2, where Cedars were dismissed for 48 runs, with Shire chasing down the target comfortably in the sixth over.

It was a strong all-round team performance, marked by disciplined bowling, sharp fielding and solid contributions across the lineup. The team will now prepare for another tri-series T20 in late November as part of the next round of the CSSA competition.

Mr Troy Dixon
Sport Coordinator

Apologies to anyone reading this who also receives the TQW (Today’s Quick Word) that I write for our teachers each school day! As I’ve done on other occasions, I’ll let last Thursday’s TQW (on Daniel 8:18-19) double up as this week’s Barnabas Blog.

In the sermon on Nehemiah, Brett had pressed upon us all the need to ‘stand firm’ on what we believe. He began his sermon with the joke about the farmer who did nothing all day but just stand in the middle of his paddock. When asked about the reason for this, he explained he was hoping to win the Nobel Prize, an award given to ‘someone who is outstanding in their field’. Nevertheless, the rest of the sermon was very challenging and helpful! He pointed out how Satan tries to undermine God’s work with distractions: in Nehemiah’s case, a lie about a meeting, a political lie and a religious lie.

Satan is never short of deceitful, subtle distractions to stop us being effective in serving the Lord, and Nehemiah sets a good example of what it means to stand firm on what we know to be true from God’s Word - A Firm Foundation! I have commented on verses from Daniel on two former October 23rds (2013 and 2024) and was wondering how I could find another verse that would allow me to say something new. But Peter reassured me that repeating the old stuff is OK, so here we go:

In the time leading up to the Second Coming of Christ, when God’s wrath is poured out on Man’s sin, things will be very tough, difficult and discouraging because it will appear to us that Satan is winning at every level. But Daniel is shown in his vision, which even made him feel sick, that our Sovereign God has all this in hand, and that the ultimate victory belongs to his Anointed King, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Refuge. What is required of us is to trust God in all this, to trust Jesus as our Saviour, and to ‘make every effort’ to uphold the truth of God’s Word, to grow in Godliness (2 Peter 1:5-9), and to make Christ’s saving power known to others. Peter wrote: “And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.” (2 Peter 1:15).

Rev Bruce Christian

On-demand gratification has become the modern-day norm, and our children have never known anything different. As a result, parents are noticing a clear pattern of declining levels of resilience and frustration tolerance. We naturally want them to be happy and successful, but we also recognise that a sense of entitlement can hinder their journey. 

In this presentation, we will navigate the challenges of parenting in today’s world and discover how to raise children who are not just entitled but empowered, resilient, and ready to make a positive contribution to the world.

Mr Mekael Barnes
School Psychologist

The evening provides an opportunity for students to share their work, gain performance experience in a supportive setting and showcase the diversity of talent within our school. Please come along and support our musicians!

Tickets will be released via email on Thursday 30 October.

Mrs Carolyn Wang
Head of Music

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful teachers. There will be a few opportunities next week at school for your children to write Thank you notes to their teachers. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to be encouraged as they follow God’s calling to teach with us here. I am deeply grateful for the way the Lord has brought together such a dedicated and caring staff. The unity we share in Christ is a blessing, and I am thankful for the professional and passionate way our teachers continue to provide rich and meaningful learning opportunities for our children. Thank you teachers – your commitment, care and excellence make a lasting impact on the lives of our students, and for that we are truly blessed.

Mrs Ruth Cooper
Head of Junior School

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.

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 who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply for a new card or update their existing card as soon as possible. Students who receive a notification that their School Opal card is expiring need to re-submit their details. 

If a student has lost their School Opal card, they will need to apply for a replacement card. Note: a new card will not be issued if an existing School Opal card is updated online – you must submit a replacement application if a School Opal card is lost.

In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.

Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

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.

👉 Start building your shoebox at buildabox.org.au

🌱 Beyond the Box – The Greatest Journey

Every child who receives a shoebox is invited to take part in The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson discipleship program where they learn more about the Gospel in their own language. Through stories, memory verses, and group activities, children explore what it means to follow Jesus and share His love with others.

For just $12.50, donors can help cover the cost of a child’s participation, which includes:

• A workbook and beautifully illustrated children’s Bible
• A graduation certificate
• Training and resources for local teachers

Since its launch, over 46 million children have enrolled in The Greatest Journey, with many making life-changing decisions to follow Christ.