School Newsletter

This year, our school captains and vice captains (Jai, Quinlan, Ellie and Josie) have been given the opportunity to oversee Monday morning assemblies. This has involved leading the assembly, reading the Bible and preparing and presenting a devotion. So far, the school captains have worked their way through 1 John 1-3. It has been challenging for them as they have prepared devotions from a book of the Bible that is quite confronting and hard-hitting. All captains have been honest in their reflections and thoughts and have encouraged the student body to genuinely consider where they stand before a holy God. 

Term 1 has also seen the election of a new Student Council: 

• Year 7 - Louwrens P
• Year 8 - Austin R
• Year 9 - Willow S
• Year 10 - Reilly T
• Year 11 - Rachel B

The new student representatives are eager and excited to serve their peers and have begun discussing with each other when they can meet regularly and what they would like to achieve. We look forward to seeing how they serve their peers throughout the year. 

Mr Jonathon Nicholls

Pastoral Care Coordinator

Preliminary Theological Certificate

All students in Years 9-12 were provided with the opportunity to undertake studies in a Preliminary Theological Certificate (PTC). The students who have selected this option have found this platform of study extremely helpful in helping them understand the foundations of biblical thinking.

So far, students have explored how to read the Bible and are starting to look at an overview of biblical ideas and concepts.

Some of our students have expressed the way that their PTC studies have changed the way they view the Bible:

"I have never understood the Old Testament, but now it seems very approachable."

"I have always found the Bible hard to approach because it seemed so big and disconnected. I now feel much more equipped to read it and see Jesus everywhere."

Biblical Studies

Students who opted for a traditional pattern of Biblical Studies have been able to explore specific books of the Bible. They have been taught by Mr Graham, Mrs Appleby and Mr Nicholls. 

Mr Jonathon Nicholls

Biblical Studies Coordinator

Our Year 10 students accompanied the students around the school, led a Bible study and played games with them. Students enjoyed recess and lunch provided by Mrs Scherlowski and played giant chess, nine square, table tennis, Ker-plunk and many other games. 

This year, Stage 6 has a designated Careers lesson each fortnight. During one of these sessions, a speaker from the University Admissions Centre (UAC) spoke to students about how the ATAR is compiled, myths around scaling, and the role of UAC when applying for university study, scholarships, post-school and etc. Next session, we will look at entrepreneur qualities and how such skills can bring students many opportunities when forging their careers in the future.

The Year 10 Work Experience Program was launched with an information evening a few weeks ago. Year 10 is seeking host employers for their Work Experience Week from 15-19 May. If you are in a position to host a work experience student at your place of work, please contact Mrs Gillett at gillett.dianne@calderwoodcs.nsw.edu.au.

Several students have signed up for Careers Taster Days organised by the region. One student will visit a horse stud and Kembla Grange to learn about equine industry careers. Three others will be attending Nursing and Allied Health day next term. As Careers Advisor, I support students individually to apply for additional work experience, sign up for School Based Traineeships and consider career pathways. I have been encouraged by the increasing number of students being proactive towards their futures, and I enjoy working with them.

Mrs Dianne Gillett

Careers Advisor

Kyra writes:

Year 7 had a great time at tree top adventures.

The climbing was really good. Going up into the trees and using the harnesses to make our way through the obstacles by ourselves, it worked on our teamwork and independence (even though I got stuck up in the trees for quite a while because a rope got twisted and a manager had to come and help me down). It pushed us and helped with conquering some of our fears.

Our group went on an unplanned adventure, even though our teachers thought it would be just a light walk. This part of the tree-top adventures (even though we weren't supposed to be there and got lost) was a memory that will stay with me. It is a great story to tell too. When we were lost, we could have panicked, but no, we trusted each other and problem-solved. Finally, we found our way out of the bush.

There were some stunning animals to see at the zoo. (The monkeys were my favourite). The animal show was an incredible opportunity to learn new things about animals. 

It was a breathtaking experience and even with the scary times, I would go again.

Noah writes:

On the Thursday of Week 4, all the Year 7s went on a trip to the zoo in Nowra.

We got to hold animals like snakes, crocodiles and more. The people that didn't get to hold them got to take photos and pat them.

We saw all types of animals, like lions, monkeys, wombats, crocodiles and snakes. Then after seeing all the animals, we got to go to the treetops. There were different levels, green being the easiest, followed by blue, red, and then black - the highest level. 

Ari, Liam and I went to the black one right away. It was very fun but scary at the same time. After the treetops, we all got together and went to the buses to return to school.

The day was very fun, we recommend going there again.

Ari writes: 

In Week 4, Thursday, 24th of February, Year 7 took a trip to the Nowra zoo to look at animals and have fun on the tree-top climb. 

Selected Year 7 students got to hold animals such as Snakes, Crocodiles and more. They also had much fun on the tree-top climb with their friends. Some of us decided to take on the hardest trail. Although we did have a good time, it was very scary. We were strapped into a harness, but it was still very frightening because we were so high up, and the obstacles were wobbly. There were many zip lines. 

Year 7 enjoyed the excursion and would want to go again.

Charlotte writes:

Year 7 caught the bus to the treetops and got there early in the day. 

7W did the zoo section first, we went to a little enclosure and Jack, Emily, Ella and Shaedon got to go inside and hold some animals. Emily held a ringtail possum, Shaedon held a snake, Ella held a joey and Jack held a baby alligator. When it was Shaedon’s turn to go inside the enclosure, the zookeeper put her hand in the bag and threw out a toy snake at the girls and they all squealed really loud. When they were holding the animals, they walked around the enclosure and everyone got to touch them. 

After that, we explored all the animal enclosures and saw wombats, maned wolves, lions, monkeys, birds, horses and there was even an insect section and a farm that we found with even more animals in them. 

After lunch we went over to the treetops and put on our helmets and gloves and the treetops coordinator described how we used the hooks to connect to the cords. Everyone went on the different courses but lots of people went on the most challenging course. There were nets we had to crawl through, ropes we had to balance on and ziplines we rode on. Mrs Williams went on with some people who were nervous. On the Expert course, Mrs Williams was shimmying across the cliff with Harlea when her arm got caught in the cliff and pinched her, she shook it off but later there was a massive dark purple pinch mark on her arm. 

Then after everyone finished the courses, we met back up with 7R and got on the bus back to school.  

Students had the opportunity to learn more about the rainforest: why it exists where it does, how to protect it, and how it has been used. They also completed some fieldwork data collection activities and went for a walk along the Lyrebird Track. Some groups of students were even lucky enough to see some real lyrebirds!  

Some highlights of the day include the walks across the suspension bridges, the hands-on experiences, seeing a range of plants and animals, including eels and the stinging tree, and spending a day together in awe of God’s amazing creation.

Miss Amy Roberts 

HSIE

Congratulations and well done to the Junior and Secondary School winners!

Junior School 

Years 3 & 4:

Matt - 75 digits

Will - 31 digits 

Brianna, Louis, Kevin - 23 digits

Secondary School

Year 7 Charlotte - 76 digits

Year 9 Willow - 39 digits

Year 10 Lachlan - 48 digits

Year 11 Rachel - 100 digits

Thank you to all the students who participated in the Pi Recitations.

Across the school, students could experience Mathematics in various ways to celebrate Pi Day. These included Pi Day art, a Pi Day quiz, Pi Day word puzzles, watching Pi Day videos, and other fun activities incorporating pi. Senior school students concluded the lesson with a special treat of a Wagon Wheel each, whilst the junior school students enjoyed an Oreo biscuit.

At lunch, we were excited to conclude Pi Day this year with students enjoying a delicious meat pie, apple turnover or both, complete with the pi symbol on top. Thank you to the Albion Park Cakes and Pie shop for baking these tasty treats.  

Thank you to the students and staff for their enthusiasm and participation in these activities. We managed to raise $200 on the day. 

We look forward to doing this again next year as we wait to see if anyone can recall more digits than this year’s top students.

Mrs Christine Bartley

Mathematics Coordinator

This term, students have participated in group fitness each week to start Sport & Rec, having their heart rates elevated and challenging themselves to push further than they did before.

We have had students participating in netball, basketball, ultimate frisbee, soccer (football), volleyball, Oztag, Just Dance and walking and running in Calderwood. Sport & Rec has also allowed us to conduct trials and training sessions for upcoming gala days and continue our fine tradition of 'punching above our weight' in these competitions. 

Sport & Rec in Term 1 concluded with students participating in offsite recreational activities, which included ten pin bowling, gymnastics, laser tag, indoor rock climbing, and fishing. We look forward to more offsite activities next term and later in the year and incorporating opportunities to serve the community during our Sport & Rec time.

Mr Ross Graham 

PDHPE Coordinator

2023 Swimming Carnival

We began the year with our school swimming carnival. We had lots of fun, from the Lemmings Races to the Year 12 inflatable race to performing our house chants. There were also a lot of excellent and competitive races to watch throughout the day. 

Yallah was overall the victorious house. 

Our Age Champions included:

• 12 years: Bruce G
• 13 years: Lara R and Jamie O
• 14 years: Anna B and Isaac O
• 15 years: Malika C and Jason L
• 16 years: Rachel B and Sebastian W
• 17 years: Joel M
• 18 years: Quinlan P

Zone Swimming Carnival

In the week following, our swimming competitors headed to Nowra to compete in the Zone Swimming Carnival. A huge congratulations to all our students for their performance on this day. Calderwood Christian School won the Inaugural Wainwright Shield, which means CCS has the highest average points per person based on student population out of all the schools competing. This was a great achievement for our students, in addition, we had the highest number of students qualify for State Swimming in the past 10 years.

A special commendation to Isaac O, the 14 years Age Champion, and Joel M, the 17 years Age Champion. 

School Cross Country Carnival

Calderwood students had a great day at Kembla Joggers, participating in the School Cross Country Carnival. We were blessed with great weather, and the muddy track didn’t deter students as they ran and with their best efforts. There was also a lot of fun as students could play Nine 9 and cheer on their friends as they ran. Thank you to P& F, who provided the sausage sizzle. 

Congratulations to Yallah, who again won the day.  Our top four runners from each age group will head to Nowra next term to compete in Zone Cross Country. 

The Age Champions included:

• 12 years: Roman B
• 13 years: Ella P and Zac H
• 14 years: Anna B and Oscar W
• 15 years: Malika C and Kim A
• 16 years: Ava P and Elijah B
• 17 years: Hannah K and Joel M
• 18 years: Oliver D

Gala Days

Students have also been trialling and training for some teams in anticipation of the many Gala Days and competitions we will participate in next term. This includes soccer, netball and volleyball. 

Mrs Cassie Gold

Sports Coordinator