And being found in appearance as a human being, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under earth. – Phillipians 2:8,9

“All the ideas of Christianity might be discovered in some other religion, yet there would be, in that other religion, no Christianity. For Christianity depends, not upon a complex of ideas but upon the narration of an event” (Machen J.G. 1923).

In Jesus Christ, we have something unique. He is different from all the leaders of the world. The Apostle Paul gives us good reasons why Christ cannot be put alongside other prophets, thinkers or philosophers. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes “And being found in appearance as a human being, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth”.

In Christianity, we have God’s answer to man’s problems.

Jesus is the invisible becoming visible, the infinite – finite, the abstract – concrete; God became man. This is an amazing gift that in Jesus our Lord we find the final and complete answer to man’s needs.

Christianity answers the questions of history, offers a solution to the problem of sin, removes the burden of guilt, releases the believer from the fear of death and reverses despair into hope.

The Christian revelation is unlike all other claims to revelation and totally reliable. There is more historical evidence for the reliability of the New Testament than any ten pieces of classical literature put together. No one dreams of questioning the documents contained in the table below which contain ancient and classical history. The reliability of the Bible is grounded in history both as authentic writings and with the highest level of integrity.

There is more historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ than there is for the fact that Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo, or Julius Caesar was a Roman Emperor.

A Sense of Belonging at CCS…

 ‘For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.’ – Romans 12: 4-6a

A sense of belonging is a basic human need – students with a sense of belonging are more motivated to participate actively in the life of the classroom and strive to increase their knowledge and learning of different subjects.

Belonging is the feeling of being valued, needed, accepted, and meaningfully connected to a social network. Educational research informs us that feeling connected and belonging provide

• purpose, self-worth and social control
• a community in which to share beliefs and values
• group affiliation
• feelings of comfort, safety and that their efforts are worthwhile
• a contribution to positive mental health
• increased protection against feelings of isolation, anxiety or depression
• students with an environment where the risks of alienation are reduced.

Some students don’t feel like they belong at school, perhaps because they don’t feel valued socially or academically.

At Casino Christian School, one of the core beliefs of the School is that we are each made in the image of God. We matter not because of what we can do or how well we can do it, but because we are made in the image of God. We belong to a community which believes these things.

Without a sense of belonging, the outcome may be:

• feeling cut off, anxious, isolated and unsupported
• avoiding interactions with others
• feeling less able to weather tough times
• not wanting to do things that might actually make us feel good.

Ways we support students’ sense of belonging

The ideal situation is that every student has the sense that they are valued in some way, and that they genuinely have a place in the school community. We seek to help influence the way students feel at school by:

• explicitly reinforcing that each person is welcome and valued in the school community, that they have a place
• actively seeking out and highlighting things of value in individual students, however small – whether it’s the student’s ability to complete a task, relate to others or their devotion to a particular hobby or interest
• encouraging belonging within other social groups in the school
• encouraging a breadth of friendship circles
• giving constructive and positive feedback to students about their school work
• striving to maintain a continuous balance between high but achievable expectations, and students having the assurance that failure will not mean withdrawal of acceptance
• encouraging attendance of school activities and support of fellow students.

Casino Christian School is committed to each and every student.

Farewell Mr Bryant

After many years of faithful service, we say farewell to Mr Col Bryant, who has been a valued and integral part of the CCS secondary school community since 2009.

Throughout his time at CCS, Mr Bryant has taught Automotive Studies, Timber Studies, Metal Work and Sport, sharing not only his extensive knowledge and practical skills, but also his passion for excellence, perseverance and teamwork. His workshops and classes have been places of learning, growth and encouragement, where countless students have discovered new abilities, built confidence and developed life-long skills.

Beyond the classroom, Mr Bryant has given so much to our school both professionally and spiritually. His steady presence, servant heart and willingness to invest in young people have left a lasting impact on our community. He has modelled integrity, faith and dedication in everything he has done.

Mr Bryant’s decision to leave comes as he feels called to focus on outreach work with his church and to begin a season of semi-retirement. While we will greatly miss him, we are grateful for the years he has poured into CCS and we wholeheartedly support him in this next chapter.

On behalf of the entire CCS community, we thank Mr Bryant for his unwavering commitment, his generosity of spirit and the many ways he has enriched our school. His legacy will continue in the lives of the students he has taught and mentored over the past 17 years.

We wish him every blessing as he steps into this new season.

Zone Swimming Carnival

Nineteen students from Casino Christian School proudly represented our school at the Zone Swimming Carnival held in Coffs Harbour. The day was a wonderful celebration of participation, effort, and sportsmanship, with all students demonstrating outstanding commitment and giving their best in every event.

We are very proud of the way our Primary and Secondary students represented our school, both in their performances and in their encouragement of one another throughout the carnival.

A special congratulations to our Primary student Aden Bryant, who have qualified for State Swimming in the following events, 50m Freestyle, 50m Breaststroke, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly. This is a fantastic achievement and reflects his dedication and hard work. The Primary State Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday 5th March at the Sydney International Aquatic Centre, located at Sydney Olympic Park.

We are also excited that several of our Secondary students have qualified for State Swimming. These students will be announced once the Secondary results have been finalised at the zone level. The Secondary State Swimming Carnival will take place on Tuesday 24th March at the Sydney International Aquatic Centre.

Congratulations to all students who participated and represented Casino Christian School so well.

D.McPherson

Sports Coordinator

 Zone Touch Football Competition (Ballina) – Tuesday 3rd March

We will be sending six teams to participate in this exciting event. The competition will follow a round-robin format, with each team playing approximately four to five games. 

• Date: Tuesday, 3^rd March 2026
• Departure: 7:00 AM from Casino Christian School
• Return: 4:30 PM to Casino Christian School

Location: Saunders Oval, Ballina (corner of Kerr Street and Tamar Street)

Please note:

• If your child does not travel on the bus and arranges their own transport, they will still be required to pay the full excursion fee.
• The canteen availability is yet to be confirmed, so please ensure your child brings enough food and water for the entire day, including a solid breakfast before departure.

What to Bring:

 Full school sports uniform (students must wear the correct uniform to play)
 Football boots (must provide good grip) or sports shoes
 Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
 Lunch and canteen money (if available)
 Water bottle
 No electronic devices (mobile phones, tablets, etc.)

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to a fantastic day of touch football!

D. McPherson – Sports Coordinator

Rotary Exchange Program 2026

Each year, Rotary Australia supports students aged 15-18years old, to have the opportunity to participate in a 12 month exchange program.

For a truly amazing, life-changing experience, there is nothing like the long-term exchange. Students spend a year in another country, becoming fluent in the language and immersed in the culture, and developing friendships that will last a lifetime. Each student will likely have more than one and usually up to three or four host families through the year, to broaden the experience and see the variations that exist in all cultures.

This year, one of our CCS students, Makayla, has headed to Finland for a long-term exchange program with Rotary, and we are excited to hear about her experiences when she returns!

As some of our community may be aware, we have the pleasure of Gabriel joining our Year 11 cohort in 2027. He has been placed here as part of the Rotary Exchange Program. Gabriel has joined us, having travelled from Brazil. He has already embraced school life here at CCS as he forms friendships and embraces experiences within the local community.

Currently, Gabriel is being hosted by a family within the school. The Rotary Club of Upper Richmond is looking to secure 3 or 4 more host families for Gabriel over the next 10 months until January 2027. If you are interested in hosting Gabriel feel free to reach out to Narelle Oomen (Secretary) on 0408 449 298.

The host family application is here: https://yehub.net/cgi-bin/A64_get.cgi?pgid=aphf1

Dear Parents & Carers

Each year the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is sat by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Students will participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

NAPLAN will take place from Wednesday 11 March to Monday 23 March 2026. NAPLAN is just one part of our school’s learning assessment program. The tests assess literacy and numeracy skills your child is already learning at school, so the best preparation is their everyday classroom learning. Our school will also undertake activities to help students become familiar with the types of questions and tools available in the online tests.

The public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) is available for you to see the format of the online tests.

Further information about NAPLAN is available on the NESA website (https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/naplan) and the NAP website (https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers).

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact your child’s teacher.

Our First Weeks of Kindy

What a wonderful start to the year it has been for our Kindergarten students! They have settled beautifully into school life, confidently embracing new routines, building friendships, and growing in independence each day. It has been a joy to watch them discover and learn through a balance of structured lessons and play-based experiences.

A key focus this term has been establishing classroom routines and developing positive relationships. From unpacking each morning to transitioning smoothly between activities, students are becoming increasingly independent and responsible. We have also loved seeing new friendships blossom as children learn to share, take turns, and work cooperatively.

In English, story time has quickly become a favourite part of the day. Through shared reading of engaging picture books, students are building early comprehension skills, exploring characters and settings, and developing a love of literature.

In Mathematics, hands-on learning has supported students as they practise counting forwards and backwards, recognising and representing numbers, comparing length, and creating equal groups. Concrete materials and games have helped strengthen foundational number skills.

Our Science unit has focused on identifying living and non-living things, sparking curiosity and thoughtful discussions about the natural world. In Geography, students have explored the concept of “place,” learning about special places in their lives and how we care for our school environment.

Creative Arts sessions have allowed students to experiment with colour, shape, and materials while developing fine motor skills. Outdoor play continues to be an important part of Kindergarten life, supporting social development, teamwork, imagination, and gross motor skills.

It has been a joyful and productive start to the year, and we are incredibly proud of how much each child has grown already. We look forward to watching their confidence, friendships, and learning continue to flourish.

Mrs Filmer, Mrs Gooding and Mrs Rixon

Meet and Greet Afternoon

On Thursday 19th February we invited our Primary families and friends to come in and visit. This was a great, informal opportunity to say hello and meet the team here at CCS, as well as see our classrooms and learning spaces. It was great to meet so many parents and caregivers, thankyou to everyone who was able to attend.

Kindy for 2027 Information Night 

On Tuesday 24th March we are inviting prospective parents and caregivers, to join us for the Kindergarten Information Evening from 6-8pm. This is an opportunity to learn about our Kindergarten and Transition to School programs for students commencing in 2027.

If you would like to join this event, you can RSVP by clicking the link below:

https://ccs-au-nsw-739.app.digistorm.com/forms/kindergarten-2027-info-night

Deadly Australians Visit – Thursday 26th February 2026

CCS Primary hosted a visit from Deadly Australians!

The “Deadly Australians” visit is a public awareness programme, educating Australian children about the dangers of the venomous wildlife that inhabit our suburban backyards, bush, beaches and sea. These educational sessions involved learning about some of the amazing creatures in our environment, as well as conservation work, safety and first
aid when interacting with our native fauna. For more information you can click the link below:

http://www.deadlyaustralians.com.au/

Stage 4 Camp to CYC Adventures Gold Coast

Earlier this term, our Year 7 and 8 students travelled to CYC Adventures on the beautiful Gold Coast for an unforgettable Stage 4 camp experience.

This exciting new location provided students with a wide range of fun and challenging activities, along with valuable opportunities to build stronger friendships and grow in their faith through team-building experiences.

Some of the students’ favourite activities included wakeboarding, hiking, bike riding, canoeing, and spending extra time together in the pool. Throughout the camp, students were encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, support one another, and develop resilience and confidence.

It was a fantastic few days filled with laughter, adventure, and meaningful moments that will be remembered for years to come.

Stage 6 Camp to Nobbys Beach Caravan Park

Recounts from our Year 11 and 12 students…

 A few weeks ago, our Senior class got the opportunity to spend a few days on the Gold Coast. We built our teamwork skills by travelling in groups for the Amazing Race, where we caught a train to Brisbane, explored around and went to an art gallery. We got to go to Movie World the next day, having fun with our friends and going on rides. The time spent at the caravan park gave us lasting memories with our classmates and allowed us to build new friendships. 

Senior camp was such an amazing experience and something I will always remember. One of the best parts was going to Warner Bros. Movie World, where we got to go on fun rides, explore the park, and just enjoy the day together. Spending that time with friends made it even more special because we were able to laugh, take photos, and make great memories outside of the normal school environment. The whole camp gave us a chance to relax, bond as a group, and celebrate our final year together, which made it a really meaningful and enjoyable experience.

Year 7 for 2027 Information Night 

On Wednesday 1st April, we are inviting current and prospective parents and caregivers, to join us for the Year 7 Information Evening from 6-8pm. This is an opportunity to explore starting High School at CCS, for students commencing in 2027.

If you would like to join this event, you can RSVP by clicking the link below:

https://ccs-au-nsw-739.app.digistorm.com/forms/year-7-2027-info-night

NSW SCHOOL VACCINATION PROGRAM

As part of the NSW School Vaccination Program 2026, the following vaccines will be offered free of charge at school on Wednesday 11th March

Year 7 students:

•  diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine – 1 dose
•  human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine – 1 dose

Year 10 students:

•  meningococcal ACWY vaccine – 1 dose

To have your child vaccinated at school, you need to give your permission (consent) either online or by filling out and returning the paper consent form.

To do

1. Read the school vaccination program information. Translations are available. Please

refer to the NSW Health webpage:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/school_vaccination_language.aspx

2. Sign the consent form — you can do this online or on a paper consent form.

3. Return the consent form back to school as soon as you can.

4. Talk to your child about getting vaccinated. Information for students.

5. To give consent online visit: https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage 

You will need:

• Medicare card details for you and your child

• name of the secondary school your child will attend in Year 7 or Year 10

• your Service NSW login details (this is the same account you might use to renew your driver’s license)

• if you don’t have a Service NSW account, you can create one by visiting https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/services/myservicensw-account/how-to-create-an-account.

More information

For detailed steps on how to provide consent, please watch the How to Provide Consent Video or refer to the NSW Health webpage https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/online-consent-school-vaccination.aspx

If you or your child does not have a Medicare card, internet access or you are unable to complete the online consent, ask your child’s school for a paper consent form.

On vaccination day

Children should eat a good breakfast and wear short-sleeved shirts like their sports uniform. After getting the vaccine children can play sport, shower, and do after-school activities as normal.

For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit:

www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination

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

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.

Scholastic Book Club – Issue 2

The Scholastic Book Club brochures will be sent home next week, and orders are due Friday 13th March. 

Premiers Reading Challenge 2026

Year 11 & 12 SLR Casino Pool – Friday 20/2/26

On Friday 20th February, the class headed to Casino Memorial Pool to participate in an aqua aerobics as part of our Aquatics and Healthy Lifestyle unit. It was a fantastic opportunity to step outside the classroom and engage in physical activity in a fun and supportive environment.