Thrive Newsletter – Term 4 Week 9 2025
Here we are again at the end of another year.
It has been a year of progress and achievement. We have seen the school grow in number, the addition of the new G-block classrooms for High School, and the long awaited upgrade to the driveway. We have had students competing successfully at Zone, State and National levels for various sports and athletic events, and have had one Year 12 student’s Multimedia project nominated for the NSW showcase of HSC Major Works (SHAPE), and another Year 12 student competing at a National level cooking competition.
I would like to acknowledge and thank you, our amazing Parents and Carers, for your ongoing support of the school, and your faith in and trust of our staff to provide a quality education for your children. We, as a staff team, appreciate the part you play in our school community.
I would also like to acknowledge some staff members who are moving on from our school at the close of this year; Mrs Debb Cowan – our Office Manager who has been an integral part of the school for the last 29 years, Mrs Sharlaine Ranger – Year 4 Teacher extraordinaire, Mr Jason Prozinski – 8 years with us teaching History, Bible and all things Sport related, Mrs Samantha Jackson – wonderful English teacher and a caring and compassionate Learning Support Coordinator for High School, and Mrs Gerda Bongers – who has been running our uniform shop for 9 years. I appreciate what you have brought to the CCS Community and we pray the greatest of God’s blessings over you in all you do and all that your future brings.
As Christmas approaches, I encourage you all to take time to consider the greatest gift that has been given in the history of all mankind: The birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1: 20-23 reveals God’s word to Joseph; …She will give birth to a son and you are to name him ‘Savior,’ for he is destined to give his life to save his people from their sins.” This happened to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through his prophet: “Listen! A virgin will be pregnant, she will give birth to a Son, and he will be known as “Emmanuel,” which means in Hebrew, “God became one of us.”
God so loved His creation that He chose to come and dwell among us in human form as His Son, Jesus. This is a truly great gift! He has come to be with us just as we are. This is a free gift – no fine print, no terms and conditions. All we need to do is accept Him.
May God bless you and your families, may you have safe and peaceful holidays, and may you know the presence of God with you.
Warmest Regards,
Matt Lake
Acting Principal
As we approach the end of this school year, we pause to give thanks to God for His
goodness to our school community throughout the year. Christmas is a time of joy, hope, and
celebration – not because of lights or traditions, but because God has given us His greatest
gift: Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
The prophet Isaiah reminds us of this wonderful truth: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is
given… and he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince
of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
In Jesus we receive not only peace, but the assurance of God’s love, faithfulness, and
presence with us. As a community, may we reflect His light, kindness, and grace in all we do
during this season.
We pray that God will bless your homes with His joy, strengthen you with His peace, and fill
your hearts with gratitude as you celebrate the birth of Christ. May this Christmas be a time
of rest, renewal, and meaningful connection with loved ones.
We also ask you to uphold Mrs Faith Hull and her family in your prayers this Christmas. On
November 8, Faith wrote to the school community to advise that she had resigned as
Principal. As Faith wrote in her communication, while it had not been an easy decision she
had “a gentle peace knowing this is the right step for this next season of my life”.
On behalf of the Board I would like to express our appreciation and deep thanks for Faith’s
passion to educate students in Christ, for her leadership of CCS over the past three years as
Principal, and her prior four years at CCS, including as Head of Primary and Deputy
Principal. Faith served the school community with diligence and steadfastness, leading the
school through significant change, in faith through Christ.
We thank her for her partnership with the Board. We also thank you for your partnership,
your trust, and the many ways each of you and all our students contribute to the life of our
school.
May the Lord bless you and keep you this Christmas and into the New Year.
With every blessing in Christ,
Jeof Falls
School Updates
Primary Celebration Evening
On Monday 1st December we came together as school community to celebrate all our K-6 students have achieved this year. It was lovely to see all the colourful performances from each class group. Thankyou to our teachers and SLSO’s for all the time and effort you put in to get the children ready. This was also time for us to pause and celebrate the children’s achievements in and out of the classroom. Here is a record of our award recipients for 2025:
Kindergarten Awards
Academic: Quillan Boland
Commitment to Learning: Matilda Tessmer
Values: Indiana Behan
Year 1 Awards
Academic: Felicity Duley & Gracie Ranger
Commitment to Learning: Alister McLeod
Values: Georgie Penman
Year 2 Awards
Academic: Abby Phillips
Commitment to Learning: Darcy Ware
Values: Eli Skinner
Year 3 Awards
Academic: Amelia Duley & Timothy Kemsley
Commitment to Learning: Saxxon Boland
Values: Wyatt Clark
Year 4 Awards
Academic: Makenzi Bosch
Commitment to Learning: Cooper Adam & Tully Benn-van Beers
Values: Alexander Mayer
Year 5 Awards
Academic: Jasper Webb
Commitment to Learning: Grace Francis
Values: Jude Filmer
Year 6 Awards
Academic: Dean Jarrett
Commitment to Learning: Aleah Penman
Values: Patrick Coulter
Presbytarian Church Trustee Award for Leadership
Zamira Wade
Sports Awards
Primary Junior Girl Age Champion
Lydia Daley
Primary Junior Boy Age Champion
Saxxon Boland
Primary Senior Girl Age Champion
Zamira Wade
Primary Senior Boy Age Champion
Aidan Cowan
Marlee’s Cleaning Sport Award
Lola Watson & Oliver Ware
Purple Butterfly Award in memory of Mila Royal
Penny Rixon
Secondary Celebration Evening
On Tuesday 2nd December we came together as school community to celebrate all our 7-11 students have achieved this year. It was great to take time out of this busy time of year to celebrate the children’s achievements in and out of the classroom. Here is a record of our award recipients for 2025:
Academic Awards
Year 7 Awards
Academic: Lexie R
Commitment to Learning: Addison Lane
Year 8 Awards
Academic: John Edwards
Commitment to Learning: Tomas Cole
Year 9 Awards
Academic: Elijah Filmer
Commitment to Learning: Makayla Kemsley
Year 10 Awards
Academic: Lincoln Davis
Commitment to Learning: Rachael Humphrey
Year 11 Awards
First in Advanced English: William Rankin
First in Standard English: Zanthia Filmer
First in English Studies: Charli Lahey-Tilley
First in Advanced Maths: Henry House
First in Standard Maths: Savannah Steele
First in Numeracy: Lilly Harris
Values Awards
Year 7
Compassion: Kailey Cole
Integrity: Lexie R
Respect: Addison Lane
Responsibility: Ally Ronan
Values Overall: Lietta McElligott-Nott & Celeste Vaughan
Year 8
Compassion: Winter Renshaw
Integrity: Sophie Jarrett
Respect: Jake Clark
Responsibility: John Edwards
Values Overall: Elisha Roy
Year 9
Compassion: Ashton Hyde
Integrity: Torah Coughran
Respect: Logan Smith-O’Rourke
Responsibility: Emily Murphy
Values Overall: Logan Smith-O’Rourke
Year 10
Compassion: Jamie McCabe
Integrity: Lochlyn Hartley
Respect: Savannah Wallace
Responsibility: Rachael Humphrey
Values Overall: Hannah Robinson
Year 11
Compassion: Charlize Filmer
Integrity: Zanthia Filmer
Respect: Bridie Chaffey
Responsibility: Savannah Steele
Values Overall: Zanthia Filmer & Savannah Steele
Sport Awards
Secondary Junior Girl Age Champion
Lucia Formaggin
Secondary Junior Boy Age Champion
Tyson Humphreys
Secondary Intermediate Girl Age Champion
Torah Coughran
Secondary Intermediate Boy Age Champion
Lincoln Davis
Secondary Senior Girl Age Champion
Hannah Robinson
Secondary Senior Boy Age Champion
Angus Gibson
Marlee’s Cleaning Award
Ethan Saad & Jaime McCabe
Junior Girls Futsal
Christian Leadership Award
Elijah Filmer
2025 House Competition Results
Overall Champions – Liddell
Team Spirit Champions – Elliot
ICAS 2025 Results
Each year, the University of New South Wales hosts academic competitions that help schools recognise and celebrate academic excellence. If you would like
your child to participate in the 2026 competition, please keep an eye out for the registration form in the Term 2 newsletter.
CCS would like to congratulate all students who participated in the 2025 competitions. All results are now available and are as follows:
Mathematics
Tessa Ranger – Participation
Alexander Mayer – Participation
Jackson White – Participation
Kaelan Boland – Distinction
Lexie R – Credit
Mason Sayer – Participation
English
Makenzi Bosch – Credit
Charli Gardiner – Credit
Dean Jarrett – Participation
Addison Lane – Merit
Sofia McPherson – Participation
Writing
Phylippa Ranger – Participation
Uniform Update
Our new school uniform has arrived. We now have one of each size for each part of the uniform for students to try on.
All new uniforms will be available exclusively through our online store and will be delivered directly to your home for convenience. Please find the current price list attached to this letter. Scan the QR code or visit www.teamspiritschools.com.au/school-shop. Enter the PASSWORD: uniform36
To ensure families can select the correct sizes, we will hold regular Uniform Fitting Days throughout the school terms. Please check the school website for current days and times.
Please keep in mind that there is no hurry to buy the new school uniform if the current one still fits, as there is a two-year changeover period.
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.
Thank you for your support as we transition to the new uniform.
For more information about our school uniform requirements, please read our uniform policy.
Our uniform fitting days have been very busy, and students are excited about the look and feel of the new uniform!
Just a few notes regarding the uniform:
- The girls’ blouse has a very small fit, so don’t be alarmed if the size sheet your child returned indicates a size 2 to 3 sizes larger than you would expect. This is correct for this blouse! Please order according to the size indicated on the size sheet brought home from your child’s fitting.
- If you opted to have your order delivered to the school, orders placed between now and the 16th January can be collected on Wednesday, 21st January from 8.30am to 4pm
- 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.
School student travel information for parents and students
School Travel Passes
Applications are now open for 2026 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel.
Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2026.
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.
Terms of Use
Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.
This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.
All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.
Year 6 Formal
On Thursday 4th December, our Year 6 class was joined by thheir families as well as the wider school community to celebrate the end of their primary school journey. As they transition into Year 7 in 2026, we encourage the children to continue to strive and achieve.
Excursion Updates
Tree Tops Excursion
On Tuesday 25th November our PASS Elective students visited the Tree Tops Challenge in Currumbin. The team pushed their limits, conquering heights, tackling obstacles, and embracing the thrill of adventure. It was a day full of teamwork, courage, and unforgetable memories. Proud of how everyone took on the challenge with such enthusiasm and positivity.
Mr D McPherson – Sports Coordinator
Movie World
Our Year 8 and Elective Music students had an absolutely fantastic day at Movie world on Thursday 27th November. From thrilling rides to great entertainment, the smiles never stopped!
A huge shout out to all of our students for their excellent behaviour throughout the day – they represented our school with pride and positivity. Plenty of fun, laughter and memories made!
Bite Size Cookies – Christmas Gifting Idea!
The P & F have a limited number of boxes of the fundraising cookies left, and anyone who would like to purchase a box can do so for cost price of $45. Each box contains 15 individual boxes, perfect for gifting! You can collect from the school office until Tuesday 16th December.
If you would like to purchase a box, please see the office or email awatson@ccs.nsw.edu.au
2026 Term Dates
Community Events & Services
