While public policy and politics may not be everyone’s ‘cup of tea’, Christian schools must not remain silent on legislative matters that could significantly impact the form and function of faith-based education. To do so would be to neglect our responsibility to protect and promote the values we hold dear.

For this reason, the Board and Executive of Calderwood are committed to engaging with our local and federal representatives. Our goal is to ensure the protection and flourishing of Christian education, and to prevent decisions being made without a clear understanding of who we are and the value our schools bring to the broader community.

We must continue to advocate for a funding model that acknowledges the benefits and cost-savings Christian Schools are to government due to parent contributions, the right of parents to choose Christian education aligned with their family values, and the freedom to employ Christian teachers who live faith-filled, Christ-like lives.

As witnesses of Jesus in our community, it is imperative that our relationships with political leaders are robust yet seasoned with salt—truthful yet full of grace, honest yet genuinely loving.

To this end, we recently invited Mike Southon from Freedom for Faith to host a candidate forum for the Kiama by-election.

On Friday, September 12, we were delighted to host Ms Carol Berry, MP for Whitlam. Ms Berry was complimentary of our staff and students. She spoke of how obvious it was to her that students were seen and safe in our school environment. Carol attended the Junior School United Worship Service, met with parents and students, and toured our facilities. She graciously engaged in conversations about local infrastructure development, funding models for independent schools, and—importantly—our right to continue employing Christian teachers.

Please join me in praying for Carol as she seeks to represent the people of Whitlam. Also, pray for our ongoing relationship with her office as we seek to be a godly influence for the benefit of Christian schooling.

Mr Darren Hutton

Principal

It was a wonderful afternoon of community and fellowship, along with some fierce competition and fun in the paper plane race!

We pray that our Dads and visitors felt welcomed and all enjoyed a wonderful Father's Day.

Over the course of 3 days and 2 nights, students challenged themselves with activities such as BMX, tree climbing, crate climbing, and bush survival. More importantly, we spent time learning about God, enjoying His creation, and growing together in Christian community.

It was such a joy to see students encouraging one another, stepping out of their comfort zones, and making memories that will last a lifetime!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of students, families, and staff, a total of 420 cans of soup were collected and delivered to the Wollongong Homeless Hub by our dedicated SRC Representatives.

As the school community rugged up in beanies and scarves, it was a joy to see so many participate in serving others in such a practical and meaningful way.

We pray these donations have been a source of warmth and nourishment to those in the Illawarra facing challenging circumstances.

The morning began with an open rehearsal by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, where students were surprised to hear an opera singer and enjoyed seeing how orchestras bring film scores to life. “I realised how much the orchestra is used in Disney films!” one student noted.

At the Art Gallery of NSW, students took part in a hands-on workshop and explored a range of artworks, including pieces that reflect Indigenous culture and symbolism. “It was very interesting to hear how old the original shields were and how symbolic they are for Indigenous people,” shared another.

It was a day full of learning, creativity, and new experiences. We’re grateful to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Art Gallery of NSW for giving our students such a memorable opportunity to engage with the arts.

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The evening was a vibrant display of creativity, skill and dedication across a range of disciplines. A highlight of the night was the exhibition of Year 12 Major Works, with the culmination of months of students' hard work on display across the disciplines of Multimedia, Design and Technology, Visual Arts, and several Music performances.

The Showcase was a wonderful reminder of the way God has gifted each student differently—and how those gifts can be used to bless and inspire others.

In theme with the creativity of the evening, view a creative take on some evening highlights below!

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And take a look at some more photo highlights of the evening:

Our Current Vacancies:

• Food Technology Teacher (Secondary)
• Mathematics Teacher (Secondary)
• Secondary Teacher – Stage 4 & 5 (Generalist)

Whether you're an experienced teacher or just starting out, we’d love to hear from you. Full-time and part-time options available – we’re shaping roles to suit the right people.