Thrive Newsletter Term 2 Week 4 – 2025
Building Community Together
At Casino Christian School, our vision is to honour Christ, build community, and grow in grace and knowledge. This term, we are placing a strong emphasis on building community—not only within our school family but also as part of the greater Northern Rivers region.
We’ve already seen some wonderful moments of connection and celebration this term. The P&F team hosted a beautiful Mother’s Day morning tea during our Cross Country event, giving mums a chance to enjoy fellowship and connect with one another. Students delighted in the opportunity to choose special gifts from the Mother’s Day stall, creating heartfelt memories for all.
Day for Dolly and Pirate Day were wonderful opportunities to dress up and raise awareness and funds to support others struggling in our community. The Resilient Kids Program, which took place last Friday, also provided an insightful opportunity for our students to learn how they can prepare and contribute to keeping themselves and all of us safer when communities face challenges.
Today, over 70 of our students are participating in the Zone Soccer Gala Day in Kingscliff, joining with students from Christian schools across the Northern Rivers. Events like this are a highlight for many of our students. They offer opportunities to try new sports, work as a team, and build friendships beyond their own school community.
We’re also looking forward to one of our favourite community events—Beef Week! Our students are buzzing with excitement about dressing up as animals for the street parade, and we’ll be running a fun and friendly school stall again this year. Keep an eye out for the Tumble Monkeys, who are back to add to the fun. We would love for you to drop by, say hello, and join in the community spirit.
Another exciting highlight this term is our School Fete and Open Day, the first in nearly two decades, on the 28th of June! The P&F have been hard at work organising an incredible day, complete with market stalls, climbing walls, petting zoos, and much more. This is a perfect opportunity to bring along a friend or family member and show them what makes our school so special. Our students are also running some fun stalls and selling some wares.
Don’t forget—our Refer a Friend fee discount promotion is currently running. The Fete is a great time to invite others to be part of our school family.
Lastly, we truly value your thoughts and input. Our AIS School Perspective Survey opens next week, and we’d love for every family to take just 15 minutes (or less!) to provide feedback. Your insights help us grow, improve, and continue to be a school that shines as a beacon of light on the hill for Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).
We look forward to seeing you at one—or all—of these fantastic events. Thank you for helping us create a stronger, more connected community.
Blessings through Jesus’ unfathomably rich love,
Faith Hull
School Updates
CCS Kyogle Bus
Morning pickup changes on Monday 26th May 2025
(Oaten and Hoffman Stop)
Dear Parents
Due to filming operations on the Summerland Way in the town centre of Kyogle, on the 26th of May 2025, the main bus stop at Oaten and Hoffman will be closed for the morning. If you normally use this stop, please use the bus stop at St Bridgid’s Primary School for the morning. Please be there at the normal time of 8.24am.
There will be traffic management in place around the Kyogle town centre, so please allow extra time and be patient.
For pick-ups between Kyogle and the school, please be aware that the bus could be late this morning.
Driveway Work Update
Parking
Unfortunately, while our driveway is under construction, parking is quite congested. We have experienced a few instances of scratches, dings, and minor bumps across our school community.
We’d like to encourage you to exercise extra caution during these busy times when it is extra congested. You are welcome to park on the grass also, if the ground is not too wet!
Lastly, no parking or drop-off is allowed in our bus zone or circle, and students are not allowed to walk through this area to ensure safety at all times.
Our school is using the Perspectives: Casino Christian School in focus suite of surveys developed by AISNSW to support our school improvement endeavours. The information gathered will assist in furthering the growth
and development of our school community.
We will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.
These surveys have been specifically designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of stakeholders’ perceptions of five important areas: School Environment, Teaching and Learning, Student Wellbeing, Leadership and Community. All staff, students, parents/guardians, leaders and board members will be invited
to participate.
The surveys will be available from 26 May to 8 June 2025 and are conducted online, taking approximately 15
minutes to complete. The survey link will be distributed via email to all from ‘evidence@aisnsw.edu,au’ on
behalf of the school.
Your input and contribution are important to the success of our continuous school improvement process as we aspire to improve the learning experience for everyone at our school.
For any enquiries about the surveys, please contact Debbie Cowan at debbcowan@ccs.nsw.edu.au.
Dress Like a Pirate Day
Thank you to everyone who participated in Dress Like a Pirate Day last Friday, May 16th. Many students dressed up and donated to support childhood cancer research, a cause that is very close to our hearts. Your contributions make a difference!
Casino Christian School P&F 2025 Pie Drive Fundraiser
Pie Drive order forms have been sent home to all students. If you would like a copy, please see the link below.
Please return orders to the School Office with payment by Tuesday, 10th June 2025
All orders must be collected from school between 2.30-4pm on Thursday 19th June 2025, they cannot be left at school.
Pies are supplied by Kings Pies in Casino. These are Family Size Pies only.
Primary School Updates
Beef Week Parade!
The theme for the 2025 Beef Week Parade, happening on the 31st May, is ‘Secrets of the Museum’.
We have chosen a colourful and dynamic take on this theme with a focus on the Animal Kingdom and Natural Science collections.
All students are invited to come and join the parade dressed as their favourite animal, big or small!
We will be assisting with the costumes by using our animal masks (from our performance of the Lion King). Students may also like to wear the animal print T- shirt from last year as well or come up with their own costume. Masks include:
– Lions
– Zebras
– Hippos
– Flamingos
– Toucans
– Hyenas
– Cheetahs
We’d love to see feathers, stripes, spots, scales, tentacles, antennae, wings and fur! We will also aim to provide some limited face painting to assist on the day.
For a copy of the note please see the link below.
High School Updates
Marvellous Maths Moments – Celebrating Effort to Achieve Growth
- Emily McDonald and Amelia Reilly (from Mr M’s class)
- Elijah Blunt, Lexie and Jack Spare (from Dr G’s class)
- Georgie Chaffey, Jeremyah Larcombe, Jack Spare, Emily McDonald and Lexie
- Bryce Bunker, Tempie Mills, Emily McDoinald & Lexie
- Elisha Roy (top user) & Sophie Jarrett (second place)
- Noah Blunt (top user), Meeko Bell (close second), Ava Smith & Logan Smith-O’Rourke (equal third place), with special mention going to Tamika O’Niell
- Caleb & Hannah Robinson (equal top), Makayla Kemsley (second place), Olivia Doherty (third place), with special mention going to Rachael Humphrey
- Well done to Ashton Hyde & Tyce Dowler in for their extra effort in Maths this week!
- Year 8B did a great job constructing Pythagoras’ Theorem visually
Resilient Kids Program Recap!
Last Friday our Year 7 and 8 cohorts participated in the Resilient Kids Program. This program was run in 2 sessions.
The first session was discussion based. It was great to hear the students engaging in conversation and being willing to answer questions. The primary focus was talking to students about the Resilient Doughnut.
In the second session, students were split into groups and moved around a series of activities.
These activities were:
- A Go bag (emergency bag) relay.
- Tent construction
- Water filtration
- Puzzle creation and discussions around climate change.
A quick chat survey afterwards revealed that the tent construction and the relay were the activities that students enjoyed the most.
The Family Centre has run this program to many schools around the region. We were the 100th session they had run, and so they blessed all students with a doughnut to finish off!
Thanks Year 7 and 8 for being involved in this program.
Ms Jacqui Nott
Library Updates
National Simultaneous Storytime 2025
On Wednesday, 21st May, National Sinultanious Storytime took place.
This year 2,204,658 participants shared a reading of ‘Truck Cat’ by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell.
The Truck Cat is a story about cats and humans, immigration and identity, and homes lost and found.
It combines great storytelling with poignant and heartwarming emotions of loss, companionship and love. It is pitched perfectly to entertain and move young readers, as well as to gently open their hearts and minds.
Sports Updates
Cross Country Results
Congratulations to all students who participated in the Cross Country Carnival Friday the 9th May. It was a fantastic day with lots of fun had by everyone.
We congratulate the 45 students from across Primary and Secondary who have been selected to attend the State Cross Country Carnival in Sydney on Friday, the 30th of May. These students were selected based on their time and place at our carnival.
Please note that families are responsible for organising their own travel and accommodation to the State Event.
If your was child was selected and is able to attend, please return the attached permission slip along with a payment of $15 to the school office by Friday, May 23, 2025. Unfortunately, no late payments will be accepted.
For more information or to access a copy of the note, please see the link below.
Cross Country Informatioin Note & Program
Athletics Carnival
We are excited to share the details of the 2025 Athletics Carnival, which will be held over two days at Casino Christian School:
- Secondary Athletics Carnival – Wednesday, 18th June
- Primary Athletics Carnival – Thursday, 19th June
Due to the large number of events, some will be held over the four weeks leading up to the carnivals. Please read the following information carefully to ensure your child is prepared for all activities.
Secondary Athletics Events
- Track: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m & 1500m
- Field: Javelin, Discus, Shot Put, High Jump & Long Jump
Primary Athletics Events (turning 8 years and up in 2025)
- Track: 100m, 200m, 800m & 1500m
- Field: Discus, Shot Put, High Jump & Long Jump
Note: All 8- to 10-year-olds will compete against each other for every field event, 800m & 1500m.
Infants Events (turning 7 years and under in 2025)
- These students will participate in modified events during the Primary Athletics Carnival
Important dates to remember leading up to each carnival:
- Friday 23rd May: Secondary will compete in the 1500m track event during Year 7 to 10 sport.
Senior secondary students can join in if they want or stay in class. Primary students will
compete in this event around 2.20 pm after the secondary students have finished. - Friday 6th June & Friday 13th June: Secondary students will compete in the Discus & Javelin during 7 to 10 secondary sport. Senior students who want to compete can join in during this time or stay in class.
- Monday 26th May to Friday 13th June: Primary students will compete in the Discus during their class PE times or Primary Sport. This will be organised by Mr Frahm and Mrs Coulter.
HELPERS NEEDED
As this is a big event for our staff to coordinate, we would really appreciate some parent assistance with
timekeeping, ribbon writing and a variety of other jobs. If you are able to assist, please complete the
section on the attached form and drop it in to the School Office by Thursday 5th June or alternatively call the school and leave a message or send an email to dmcpherson@ccs.nsw.edu.au
Please remember that the Casino Christian School Athletics Carnival is a compulsory school event for all students.
For further information, please see the full details in the note below.
Basketball
Thanks to a a grant from Sporting Schools to give our Year 7 and Year 8 students Basketball Coaching with Casino Kings for one period a week on Thursdays for Weeks 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Take a look at the videos of some of the drills they have been doing during their lessons so far.
Term 2 Calendar
Week 5 – (A)
Monday 26th May
~ K-2 Bible Study – Lunchtime
~ Computer Club Year 3-6 – Lunchtime
~ Maths Help for High School – 3.15 to 4 pm
Tuesday 27th May
~ Junior Rock Band – Lunchtime D8
~ Lunchtime Bible Groups – Year 5 & 6 Girls, Year 5 & 6 Boys and Year 7-10 Boys
Wednesday 28th May
~ Lunchtime Maths Help for High School
~ Lunchtime Bible Study Groups – Year 3 & 4 Boys and Year 3 & 4 Girls
~ P&F Meeting 6-8pm – School Library
Thursday 29th May
~ Lunchtime Art Club & Yarn Circle
~ Lunchtime Worship Band – D8
~ Lunchtime Bible Study Groups – Year 7-10 Girls and 11 & 12 Boys & Girls.
Friday 30th May
~ Primary Assembly 9.15 am
~ High School Assembly 11.10 am
~ State Cross Country – Sydney
Saturday 31st May
~ Beef Week Stall & Parade
Week 6 – (B)
Monday 2nd June
~ K-2 Bible Study – Lunchtime
~ Computer Club Year 3-6 – Lunchtime
~ Maths Help for High School – 3.15 to 4 pm
Tuesday 3rd June
~ Junior Rock Band – Lunchtime D8
~ Lunchtime Bible Groups – Year 5 & 6 Girls, Year 5 & 6 Boys and Year 7-10 Boys
Wednesday 4th June
~ Lunchtime Maths Help for High School
~ Lunchtime Bible Study Groups – Year 3 & 4 Boys and Year 3 & 4 Girls
Thursday 5th June
~ Lunchtime Art Club & Yarn Circle
~ Lunchtime Worship Band – D8
~ Lunchtime Bible Study Groups – Year 7-10 Girls and 11 & 12 Boys & Girls.
Friday 6th June
Week 7 – (A)
Monday 9th June
King’s Birthday – Public Holiday – No School
Tuesday 10th June
~ Junior Rock Band – Lunchtime D8
~ Lunchtime Bible Groups – Year 5 & 6 Girls, Year 5 & 6 Boys and Year 7-10 Boys
Wednesday 11th June
~ Lunchtime Maths Help for High School
~ Lunchtime Bible Study Groups – Year 3 & 4 Boys and Year 3 & 4 Girls
~ P&F Meeting 6-8pm – School Library
Thursday 12th June
~ Lunchtime Art Club & Yarn Circle
~ Lunchtime Worship Band – D8
~ Lunchtime Bible Study Groups – Year 7-10 Girls and 11 & 12 Boys & Girls.
Friday 13th June
~ Primary Assembly 9.15 am
Week 8 – (B)
Monday 16th June
~ K-2 Bible Study – Lunchtime
~ Computer Club Year 3-6 – Lunchtime
~ Maths Help for High School – 3.15 to 4 pm
Tuesday 17th June
~ Junior Rock Band – Lunchtime D8
~ Lunchtime Bible Groups – Year 5 & 6 Girls, Year 5 & 6 Boys and Year 7-10 Boys
Wednesday 18th June
~ State Gymnastics – Sydney
~ Secondary Athletics Carnival
~ Lunchtime Maths Help for High School
~ Lunchtime Bible Study Groups – Year 3 & 4 Boys and Year 3 & 4 Girls
Thursday 19th June
~ Primary Athletics Carnival
~ P&F Pie Drive Orders Delivered
~ Lunchtime Art Club & Yarn Circle
~ Lunchtime Worship Band – D8
~ Lunchtime Bible Study Groups – Year 7-10 Girls and 11 & 12 Boys & Girls.
Friday 20th June
Week 9 – (A)
Monday 23rd June
~ K-2 Bible Study – Lunchtime
~ Computer Club Year 3-6 – Lunchtime
~ Maths Help for High School – 3.15 to 4 pm
Tuesday 24th June
~ Junior Rock Band – Lunchtime D8
~ Lunchtime Bible Groups – Year 5 & 6 Girls, Year 5 & 6 Boys and Year 7-10 Boys
Wednesday 25th June
~ Batyr Year 9 & 10
~ Lunchtime Maths Help for High School
~ Lunchtime Bible Study Groups – Year 3 & 4 Boys and Year 3 & 4 Girls
~ P&F Meeting 6-8 pm – School Library
Thursday 26th June
~ Batyr – Year 11 & 12
~ Lunchtime Art Club & Yarn Circle
~ Lunchtime Worship Band – D8
~ Lunchtime Bible Study Groups – Year 7-10 Girls and 11 & 12 Boys & Girls.
Friday 27th June
~ Primary Assembly 9.15 am
Week 10 (B)
Monday 26th May
~ K-2 Bible Study – Lunchtime
~ Computer Club Year 3-6 – Lunchtime
~ Maths Help for High School – 3.15 to 4 pm
Tuesday 27th May
~ Junior Rock Band – Lunchtime D8
~ Lunchtime Bible Groups – Year 5 & 6 Girls, Year 5 & 6 Boys and Year 7-10 Boys
Wednesday 28th May
~ Lunchtime Maths Help for High School
~ Lunchtime Bible Study Groups – Year 3 & 4 Boys and Year 3 & 4 Girls
Thursday 29th May
~ Lunchtime Art Club & Yarn Circle
~ Lunchtime Worship Band – D8
~ Lunchtime Bible Study Groups – Year 7-10 Girls and 11 & 12 Boys & Girls.
Friday 30th May
~ NAIDOC Assembly – Whole School – 1.45 pm
Community Events
