Thrive Newsletter – Term 3 Week 2
Appointment of Mr Mitchell Clarke as Principal of Casino Christian School
Dear Casino Christian School Community,
On behalf of the Board overseeing Casino Christian School, it is my great pleasure to announce the appointment of Mr Clarke as the next Principal of Casino Christian School, commencing at the beginning of the 2027 school year.
Following a thorough recruitment and discernment process, the Board unanimously affirmed Mr Clarke’s appointment. Throughout the process, we sought God’s wisdom and guidance, praying that He would lead us to the person He had prepared to lead our school into its next season. We are grateful to God for His faithfulness and are delighted to welcome Mr Clarke, his wife Grace, and their three children to our school community.
Mr Clarke joins us from Penrith Christian School, where he has faithfully served for the past thirteen years, most recently as Head of Secondary Years and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. During this time, he has demonstrated outstanding leadership across learning, wellbeing and Christian formation, helping shape whole-school initiatives that have strengthened student wellbeing, leadership development and educational practice.
Prior to his current role, Mr Clarke served as Head of Spiritual Development and Wellbeing, providing leadership across Kindergarten to Year 12 and guiding his school’s involvement in the Independent Schools NSW Whole School Wellbeing Initiative. He has also served in a range of pastoral leadership roles, including Wellbeing Mentor, Year Advisor, Chapel Coordinator and Missions Coordinator, reflecting his deep commitment to the pastoral care, discipleship and holistic development of young people.
Mr Clarke is passionate about Christian education and believes schools play a significant role in partnering with families and churches to shape young people who know Christ, pursue excellence, and live lives of wisdom, integrity and service. His leadership is marked by humility, relational warmth, strategic thinking and a genuine desire to see both students and staff flourish.
Throughout the appointment process, the Board was particularly encouraged by Mr Clarke’s clear commitment to Christ, his thoughtful and authentic leadership, his heart for Christian education, and his vision for building a school culture where students are deeply known, staff are well supported, and Christ remains at the centre of all we do.
Mr Clarke has completed a Master of Educational Leadership and brings extensive experience leading strategic school improvement, teaching and learning reform, wellbeing education, staff development and student formation within a Christian school context. We believe these experiences have prepared him well to lead Casino Christian School into its next chapter.
As a Board, we are excited about the future of our school under Mr Clarke’s leadership. We look forward to partnering with him as together we continue to pursue our mission of honouring Christ, building community, and growing in grace and knowledge.
Over Terms 3 and 4, Mr Clarke will spend time getting to know our students, staff and families through regular planned school visits, before formally commencing as Principal in Term 1, 2027. We encourage our school community to warmly welcome Mr Clarke and his family, and to uphold them in prayer as they prepare for this important transition.
I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the members of the Board for their diligence, and to everyone who has faithfully prayed throughout this process. We are thankful for God’s continued provision and eagerly anticipate all that He has in store for Casino Christian School in the years ahead.
Please join me in welcoming Mr Clarke, Grace and their family to the Casino Christian School community.
Sincerely
Mr Jeof Falls
Chaiman of the Board
‘For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor; Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:6
Imagine. ‘Imagine here’s no heaven…’ sang John Lennon, ‘and no religion too.’ The implication was that the world would be a better place without religion. John Lennon was searching for peace but missing the key – the Prince of Peace. Christianity has changed the world in dramatic and positive ways.
Christianity has brought a broad spread of individual freedoms, hospitals, organised charities and scientific advances. The life and teachings of Jesus have revolutionised thinking about God and revolutionised thinking about our world.
A recent reminder of the impact of Christianity comes in the book titled ‘How Christianity Changed the World’. In it Alvin Schmidt lists 15 changes Christianity brought to our world. This week I will share two. Author Schmidt lays out the case very well that Christianity literally did change the world in how mankind approached everything in society – religion in general, childbearing/rearing caring for the sick, education and on and on and on.
Schmidt specifies how Christianity’s viewpoint on things (with scriptural references) differed from the ancient pagan ways through Greco-Roman society (specifically what they had been, up to the time of Christ) and how its viewpoints led many, many philosophies, practices, institutions etc that are in existence to this day.
We tend to look upon the Greeks and Romans as our intellectual and cultural forebears, but Schmidt explains why our convictions that all people are equal, and all children are entitled to an education, had to come from somewhere else. He also examines in depth the roots of Western education, economics, law, science, medicine, music and the arts, as well as human rights.
Freedoms for Women
At the time of Jesus, women had few rights. The average Athenian woman had the social status of a slave. Roman women had more freedom, but none of the rights of male citizens.
Half a century after the legislation of Christianity in the Roman Empire (313AD), Emperor Valentinian I, repealed the 1000 year old law patria potestas that had given husbands and fathers the total control over family property, life and death decisions, and personal status lasting for his entire life, unless he chose to stop this arrangement or he passed away.
Christian women who also married later than their Roman counterparts (who could be brides as young as 11 and 12) were given freedom to choose their husband. In time these freedoms gained wide appeal and now form a part of our Western culture.
Medical Health Care
Human compassion, especially for the sick and dying, was rare among Grecoo-Romans of the first century. ‘The old Roman world was a world without charity’, notes historian Philip Schaff. There was little that resembled a hospital, and certainly not for the general population.
Enter Christians motivated by the teachings of Jesus to care for the sick and with the promise of life after death. Dionysius, a bishop of the third century, describes an Alexandrian plague where ‘pagans’ cast the sick aside on public roads, half dead, and then leaving them buried when they died. In contrast, he tells of Christians visiting the sick, treating them and even dying ‘most joyfully’ in this service.
This was dangerous work, but not always from the threat of disease. Benignus of Dijon (2nd century) was executed because he dared to nurse back to health crippled and unloved children, and babies he had saved from death after exposure (left outside to die).
The frequent persecution of Christians during their first three centuries limited the help they could give to the sick. Within a few years of Christianity’s official acceptance in the Roman Empire, though, church leaders at the Council of Nicea (325AD) directed that cities with a cathedral should establish a hospice.
The first true hospital was built in Caesarea of Cappadocia (Asia Minor) in 369AD.
Final comment…
‘Imagine there’s no heaven…. And no religion too’??
At the heart of Christianity is Jesus, the Son of God, who lived, died and rose on the third day to bring life, love and forgiveness to all who believe and follow him. Our positive values, behaviour and freedoms have been profoundly influenced by the life of Jesus as the message that He is King has spread around the world. At CCS we are glad to have Christianity. Imagining a world without Him and Christianity is too concerning to contemplate.
School Updates
Small town, big dreams: the teacher helping country kids find their passion
School Photos Update
At this stage, we have been advised that school photos will be delivered later this term. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the photography company directly.
Once we receive the photos, we will ensure they are sent home with students as soon as possible.
We apologise for the delay and appreciate your patience and understanding.
A Note from The School Photographer…
This year marks a very special milestone for The School Photographer as we celebrate 40 years of proudly serving Australian schools and families. For four decades, we have remained committed to providing exceptional photography, quality products and outstanding customer service, and we are incredibly grateful for the trust schools have placed in us throughout that journey.
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving the experience we provide, we have invested in a significant new production and workflow system. This upgrade has been designed to deliver faster turnaround times, improved efficiencies and an even better service for our schools and families well into the future.
While we are confident these improvements will provide substantial long-term benefits, the transition has unfortunately presented some unexpected challenges. As our team has been learning and adapting to the new system, we have also experienced several unforeseen technical issues, including a major telecommunications outage and a printer failure, which have further impacted our delivery timeframes.
We understand that waiting longer than expected for your school photographs can be disappointing, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.
Please be assured that our entire team has been working tirelessly to resolve these issues, increase production capacity and ensure orders are delivered as quickly as possible. We are already seeing significant improvements as the new system becomes more established and are confident the investment we have made will result in a much faster and more efficient service in the future.
We would be sincerely grateful for your patience and understanding during this period of transition. Our commitment to delivering quality photography and exceptional customer service remains as strong today as it was when we first began 40 years ago.
We would also like to thank our partner schools for their ongoing support and ask that this message be shared with families, so they understand the reasons behind the current delays and the improvements being made for the future.
On behalf of everyone at The School Photographer, thank you for your continued trust, support and understanding. We look forward to continuing to serve your school community for many years to come.
Amanda Bryant
Aftersales – Northern Rivers
T: 02 6628 0511
Primary Updates
Welcome to our Transition Families!
There is something truly special about coming together as a community, and now that we are two weeks into our Transition to School Program, we are thankful for the wonderful start we have shared with our children and families.
Each week, the children have enjoyed spending time with Mrs Rixon, participating in stories, games, creative activities, and hands-on learning experiences while forming new friendships. It has been a joy to watch their confidence grow as they become more familiar with the school environment and begin their exciting learning journey.
Our Transition to School Program reflects our commitment to nurturing each child academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. As we journey together, we are reminded of the words from Proverbs 22:6:
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
These words encourage us as we partner with families to lay strong foundations for a lifetime of learning, faith, and character.
Throughout the program, our school values are clearly evident. We are seeing Respect as children learn to listen, share, and encourage one another. Integrity is growing as they practise honesty and make positive choices. Compassion shines through in the kindness they show to new friends, while Responsibility is developing as they learn routines, care for their belongings, and become more independent.
We are grateful to partner with our families in creating a safe, caring, and Christ-centred environment where every child is known, valued, and encouraged to flourish. We look forward to many more weeks of laughter, learning, discovery, and precious memories as we continue this exciting journey together.
100 Days of School!
Kindergarten had a wonderful time celebrating 100 Days of School! Everyone looked fantastic dressed as 100-year-olds, and it was so much fun seeing the creative costumes and smiling faces.
Throughout the day, the children enjoyed a variety of exciting activities all based around the number 100. They counted, created, explored, and worked together while celebrating how much they have learned and grown during their first 100 days of Kindergarten.
A highlight of the day was our class party, where everyone enjoyed sharing delicious treats after lunch. It was a lovely opportunity for the children to celebrate together and make special memories with their classmates.
Thank you to all of our families for supporting this special event by helping with costumes and contributing food to share. Your generosity and enthusiasm helped make the day such a success.
We are so proud of everything our Kindergarten students have achieved in their first 100 days of school and look forward to many more exciting learning adventures together!
Secondary Updates
Year 10 – 12 Northern Rivers Career Expo – Tuesday 28th July 2026
Senior Information Night – 30th July 2026
Senior Information Evening
On Thursday, 30 July, we held our Senior Information Evening.
This was an important event for our Year 10 and 11 students, parents, caregivers and teachers to come together and learn more about Senior School at CCS. The evening provided valuable information about senior pathways and subject offerings, helping students make informed decisions ahead of the subject selection process.
Thank you to all the families, staff and students who attended, making the evening so well supported. We also extend our appreciation to our staff for their preparation and presentations throughout the event.
Students have now received their Senior Subject Selection Books. Families are encouraged to discuss the available options together before finalising subject choices.
Please ensure completed Subject Selection Forms are returned to the school office by the due date.
Save the Date – Year 12 Formal!
Wet Weather Sport Year 7 to 10
There are quite a few secondary sport days throughout the year that are generally cancelled due to wet weather. It would be fantastic if students could still participate when it is wet. In order to do this, we need parental approval and a guarantee that students will bring to school a spare school uniform to wear after sport is finished.
In order for your child to participate in sport during wet weather they will need to wear their sports uniform to school with their school shoes. They will also need to bring the following items to school in a bag:
- Change of clothes to get wet and muddy (they must be appropriate, or you won’t participate)
- Football boots or joggers (to use during sport)
- Towel
- Water bottle & hat
They will only be allowed to participate in wet weather sport if they bring the above items.
Please see the link for more information – Sport Wet Weather Note 2026
D. McPherson
Sports Coordinator
Sport Updates
North Coast CSSA Under 15 Boys Basketball Championships
Congratulations to our Casino Christian School Under 15 Boys Basketball team for their outstanding efforts at the North Coast CSSA Basketball Championships in Port Macquarie.
The boys represented the school with enthusiasm, determination, and excellent sportsmanship throughout the carnival. They enjoyed a fantastic start to the day, finishing at the top of their pool after some impressive team performances. Their teamwork, defensive intensity, and willingness to support one another on and off the court were evident in every game.
Their strong pool results earned them a place in the semi-final against Coffs Harbour. In a closely contested match, our team played with great energy and discipline, taking a well-deserved lead into half-time. Despite a courageous second-half effort, Coffs Harbour fought back to claim the victory. While the result was disappointing, the boys showed resilience, never giving up and competing hard until the final whistle.
The team should be proud of their achievements and the way they represented Casino Christian School. Their positive attitude, commitment, and encouragement of one another throughout the carnival reflected our school’s values and made them excellent ambassadors.
Well done to all the players on a successful tournament. Your effort, sportsmanship, and teamwork were a credit to yourselves, your families, and our school.
Uniform Updates
New Uniform Orders: Just a reminder that Year 7 – 12 are required to wear a navy tie with their formal uniform. These are now back in stock and available to order.
Scan the QR code on your order form or visit www.teamspiritschools.com.au/school-shop. Enter the PASSWORD: uniform36
Regular fitting and collection days during school terms will be on Wednesdays, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Students can schedule fittings by emailing uniform@ccs.nsw.edu.au with their student’s name and year. Parents do not need to attend fittings; uniform staff will ensure they are correctly fitted and sent home with a list of sizes for each item.
We also have a limited amount of our current uniform stock available at 50% off (excluding hats). These items may be purchased directly from the Uniform Shop while stock lasts.
For more information about our school uniform requirements, please read our uniform policy.
Just a few notes regarding the uniform:
- We now have available to order two styles of girls’ blouses – the slimfit and a normal fit blouse. This will be clearly labelled on the new order forms, with the slimfit shirts in a red font. Please order according to the size indicated on the size sheet brought home from your child’s fitting.
- We have amended the girls’ uniform slightly so that during colder weather, navy opaque stockings can be worn with the skort or skirts, as an alternative to pants.
Library Updates
Book Club – Issue 5 is due by Friday 7th August
Book Fair – Monday 3rd August – Thursday 6th August
Book Week Parade/Dress Up – Friday 7th August
Book Week – Monday 10th August – Thursday 13th August
Term 3 Dates
Week 3(A) – 3rd – 7th August
Monday 3rd
Book Fair – Library 10:50am-3:30pm
Tuesday 4th
Book Fair – Library 8:45am -3:30pm
Yr5/6 Boys Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr6 Room
Yr7/8 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime G2/3
Wednesday 5th
Book Fair – Library 8:45am -3:30pm
Yr3/4 Boys Bible Study – Lunchtime YR3 Room
Yr5/6 Girls Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr6 Room
Yr9/10 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime G1
Thursday 6th
Book Fair – Library 8:45am -3:30pm
Maths Help at Lunch in G2
Yr3/4 Girls Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr4 Room
Yr11/12 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime A12
Friday 7th
K-6 Book Week Parade & Assembly – 9am
K-6 Grandparents Morning –
9-11:30am
Week 4(B) – 10th – 14th August
Monday 10th
Tuesday 11th
P & F Meeting – TBC
Yr5/6 Boys Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr6 Room
Yr7/8 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime G2/3
Wednesday 12th
Yr3/4 Boys Bible Study – Lunchtime YR3 Room
Yr5/6 Girls Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr6 Room
Yr9/10 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime G1
Thursday 13th
Zone Athletics – Coffs Harbour
Maths Help at Lunch in G2
Yr3/4 Girls Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr4 Room
Yr11/12 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime A12
Friday 14th
Week 5(A) – 17th – 21st August
Monday 17th
Tuesday 18th
Yr5/6 Boys Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr6 Room
Yr7/8 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime G2/3
Wednesday 19th
Yr3/4 Boys Bible Study – Lunchtime YR3 Room
Yr5/6 Girls Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr6 Room
Yr9/10 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime G1
Thursday 20th
Maths Help at Lunch in G2
Yr3/4 Girls Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr4 Room
Yr11/12 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime A12
Friday 21st
Primary State Athletics – Sydney
Senior subject selection forms due
Week 6(B) – 24th – 28th August
Sunday 23rd Aug – Friday 28th Aug
Year 9 & 10 Ski Camp
Monday 24th
K-3 Swimming at GSAC
Tuesday 25th
K-3 Swimming at GSAC
Yr5/6 Boys Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr6 Room
Yr7/8 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime G2/3
Wednesday 26th
K-3 Swimming at GSAC
Yr3/4 Boys Bible Study – Lunchtime YR3 Room
Yr5/6 Girls Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr6 Room
Yr9/10 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime G1
Thursday 27th
K-3 Swimming at GSAC
Maths Help at Lunch in G2
Yr3/4 Girls Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr4 Room
Yr11/12 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime A12
Friday 28th
K-3 Swimming at GSAC
Week 7(A) – 31st Aug – 4th Sept
Monday 31st
Tuesday 1st
Yr5/6 Boys Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr6 Room
Yr7/8 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime G2/3
Wednesday 2nd
Yr3/4 Boys Bible Study – Lunchtime YR3 Room
Yr5/6 Girls Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr6 Room
Yr9/10 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime G1
Thursday 3rd
Maths Help at Lunch in G2
Yr3/4 Girls Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr4 Room
Yr11/12 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime A12
Friday 4th
Father’s Day Brekkie – TBC
Week 8(B) – 7th – 11th September
Monday 7th
Tuesday 8th
Yr5/6 Boys Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr6 Room
Yr7/8 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime G2/3
Wednesday 9th
Yr3/4 Boys Bible Study – Lunchtime YR3 Room
Yr5/6 Girls Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr6 Room
Yr9/10 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime G1
Thursday 10th
Primary Social Event
Maths Help at Lunch in G2
Yr3/4 Girls Bible Study – Lunchtime Yr4 Room
Yr11/12 Mixed Bible Study – Lunchtime A12
Friday 11th
Zone Netball & Rugby League – Ballina
2026 Term Dates
Community Events & Services
