As we study God’s amazing creation at school, whether that be in Maths, Science or Geography, we can see the power, skill and wonder of our God. His creation is so detailed and amazingly put together, how can we not marvel at its creator and declare his praise?

God in his great wisdom has also given his revealed word to us through the Bible, so that we can know him better and understand this God whose handiwork we enjoy and see each day around us.

This term, as part of our Monday assemblies, we have been studying together the character and nature of God. We have considered that God is good, gracious, eternal, faithful, glorious and just. It is so amazing that such a God has revealed himself to us, that he wants to be in relationship with us and that he calls us to worship him. 

Our response to this great God should be the same as that of David, who worships God and who prays that his expressed and unspoken words would be acceptable to God, his rock and his redeemer.

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” 
– Psalm 19:14

Celebrating its 25th edition in 2025, NSS brings together children from schools, libraries, and homes nationwide to read the same book at the same time. This initiative, coordinated by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, especially among young children.

This year’s featured book was The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel, a heartwarming story about a curious cat who finds a home in an unexpected place, sparking conversations about belonging, adventure, and friendship. To celebrate the theme, students came dressed in cozy flannelette shirts, and some even brought their own plush feline friends from home!

This year's edition of NSS reached over two million people around Australia – not only a celebration of a delightful book, but also a powerful reminder of how stories can bring people together. We’re already looking forward to next year’s storytime celebration!

In this playful setting, students have stepped into the role of young inventors, assisting the sometimes grumpy Grandpa (who bears a striking resemblance to Mr Muscat—though he always seems to be napping when the class visits the shed!) as they take apart his old pianola and other vintage gadgets.

The self-playing piano has become a focal point for exploring how forces—specifically pushing and pulling—are used in technology. Guided by Grandpa, the students have discovered how air is moved through bellows by foot pedals to make the pianola play music.

This hands-on exploration is much more than play. It is purposeful learning that taps into students’ God-given curiosity, helping them understand real-world science and mechanics through story, imagination, and roleplay.

By interacting with everyday technology in a meaningful context, students are building a deep understanding of how forces work while developing important skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking.

 

 

 

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In a recent “chat” with Grandpa, he hinted at an exciting challenge ahead. His granddaughter, Penny, is preparing for a service trip overseas and has encountered a problem she needs help solving. The young imagineers will soon be putting their learning into action, using empathy, creativity, and their knowledge of forces to design a solution that supports Penny in her mission.

Through Grandpa’s Shed, science, technology, engineering, and maths have come alive—not just as academic subjects, but as tools God has given students to explore, invent, and care for others!

Mr Chris Muscat, Mrs Paula Jones & Mrs Melanie Oxman

Year 2 Teachers

This term, I’ve been reflecting especially on courage and what it looks like to form students who take brave steps in their learning, relationships, personal and spiritual growth.

In our culture, "risk" is often seen as something to avoid. We flee from risk to reduce the likelihood of discomfort, difficulty, or even disappointment. We often seek to make life as comfortable as possible without stretching ourselves or one another. 

Healthy forms of risks help to build resilience, develop confidence, foster independence and decision making, promote creativity and innovation and so much more! It is a necessary and healthy part of growing in courage. Whether it’s taking a chance on a difficult maths problem, standing up for someone in the playground, trying out for a sports team, or speaking up in a group discussion; these are all examples of students learning to stretch themselves and develop the kind of inner strength that will serve them well beyond school. 

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to move forward despite it. And this is something we want to nurture in our students, not just in the classroom, but in every area of life. 

One wonderful way students are being invited to live out courage (and compassion) this term is through our Term 2 Keira House Fundraiser for Forever Projects. We’re encouraging students across K–12 to join the challenge by setting themselves a personal stretch goal, something that takes them outside their comfort zone—and use it to raise funds to support women and their families in Tanzania as they break the cycle of poverty and build self-sustaining futures. 

We’ll be culminating the challenge with a whole-school walk/run on Tuesday 24 June during lunch, where students can bring a gold coin donation and be part of a fun, active celebration of this important cause. 

You can learn more or sign up here: 👉 Illawarra Christian School – Keira House Fundraiser for Forever Projects  

As we talk about courage with our students, we also point to the ultimate example of courage in Jesus, who went to the cross on our behalf willingly, sacrificially, and with love. As Hebrews 12:1-3 reminds us: 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
– Hebrews 12:1-3 

May our students continue to grow as young people who are not only curious and compassionate, but who also take courageous steps each day, knowing that they are deeply loved by the one who went before them. 

Mr Peter Richardson 

Director of Secondary 

The NSW Parliament’s Education Team presented an interactive seminar focused on the creation of laws. The law reform process studied in class was demonstrated using the recent examples of coercive control and increased police powers to search for knives.

Academics from the University’s Law Faculty reflected on the importance of the Mabo High Court case in 1992, encouraging the students to think about the legal system’s interaction with new technologies like AI and automated weapons systems.

Lastly, a Q&A discussion panel was held with local State Members of Parliament. We thank Paul Scully (Member for Wollongong and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces), Maryanne Stuart (Member for Heathcote), and Judy Hannan (Member for Wollondilly) for sharing their ideas with us.

Dave, a former atheist and Australian Army officer, now works as a communicator of the Christian faith with Evangelism and New Churches. He was also the main speaker at the recent Hope for the Illawarra Youth event.

With a relatable and passionate style, Dave challenged our students to consider the big questions of life: What is the meaning of your life? Why are you here? He reminded us that being at ICS on that day was no accident but a part of God’s deliberate plan. “God knows you and cares for you,” he told students.

Dave invited students to reflect deeply on two significant questions:

1. Are you going to heaven when you die?

Dave shared that many people respond with, “I hope so.” But he urged students to know that through Jesus, we can have certainty and confidently say, “I know so.”

2. If God met you at the doorway to Heaven and asked, “Why should I let you in?”, what would you say?

Dave contrasted two possible responses:

Option ME – “I’m a pretty good person. I haven’t done anything too terrible. I can get in on my own merit..”

Dave explained that many people imagine a scale of goodness they believe qualifies them for heaven, but that is not the way that this works. Dave reminded everyone that the standard set by Jesus is perfection. No one can achieve this on their own. Our sin creates a barrier in our relationship with God.

Option HE – trusting in what Jesus has done and understanding the significance of God’s plan for salvation.

Dave shifted the focus to the power of Jesus’ sacrifice. He shared insights into the events of the crucifixion, highlighting how Jesus took on the punishment for our sins. Through the darkness of his final moments, Jesus became the substitute for each of us, ensuring that we do not have to stand before God judged by our mistakes, our sins. Jesus took our place, and through his death, our sins laid to rest. Sin has been defeated, and we can find forgiveness and eternal life through surrendering to Jesus.

It was a deeply moving and challenging message. We are thankful for Dave’s willingness to speak so honestly and openly about life, faith, and the hope we have in Jesus.

A fitting reminder comes from Romans 5:8:

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

We began in Tokyo arriving late at night struck in awe by the bright vibrancy of the city and sheer number of people. Our experiences in Tokyo involved seeing the beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom along the Meguro River, visiting Rissho High School, shopping and eating street food in Asakusa, seeing all of Tokyo from the Skytree Tower, more shopping in Harajuku, visiting Shibuya crossing and experiencing TeamLabs Borderless.

From Tokyo we caught the Shinkansen down to Hiroshima, where we had an amazing one-on-one experience with an A-bomb survivor, Teruko, listening to her testimony. Teruko’s testimony was powerful, insightful and very personal, deepening our gratitude for peace. In Hiroshima we walked through the A-bomb museum, ate delicious Hiroshima style okonomiyaki and explored local malls.

Before heading to Kyoto, we were able to visit the breathtakingly beautiful island of Miyajima and see the famous Itsukushima Shrine and make Momiji Manji, a famous local dessert.

After Miyajima we went to Hiroshima station and transferred to Kyoto by Shinkansen. In Kyoto (as well as Osaka and surrounding areas) we were able to experience Universal Studios Japan, explore Himeji Castle and visit countless shrines and temples including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, and Kinkakuji.

We were in Tokyo for 5 nights, Hiroshima for 2 and Kyoto for 4. We all loved exploring these cities whether it be its long rich history, beautiful views and buildings or sheer size. One of our clear favourites was experiencing USJ, enjoying the rides and shopping for souvenirs.

Although USJ was fun, our most valuable experience of the trip was reconnecting with past hosted students and friends and growing everlasting friendships, spending time with them at both Rissho High School and at Harajuku, while also making some new friends along the way. Spending time at Rissho High School in Tokyo enriched our understanding of Japanese everyday life.

We immersed ourselves in Japanese culture, trying a range of unique local foods including ramen, okonomiyaki, gyoza, bento boxes and even squid. As well as the food, we also attended a traditional performance at Gion Corner in Kyoto which consisted of multiple acts including tea ceremony, ikebana, music, kabuki and comedy.

Throughout our travels our language skills were constantly tested, with each of us, no matter our personal level, striving to improve our understanding. Each of our experiences, whether it be with Japanese train stations and busy streets or the peaceful temples, strengthened our confidence, independence and certainly our friendships. We all left Japan, not just with souvenirs but with wonderful lifelong memories and a wish to one day return.

Joshua Olsen

Year 10 Student

Year 5

• 🥇 First place – Engineering

Year 6

• 🥈 Second place – Legacy
• 🥉 Third place – Science
• 🥉 Third place overall

Year 7

• 🥇 First place – Ideation
• 🥈 Second place – Code Breaking
• 🥉 Third place – Mathematics

Year 8

• 🥇 First place – Creative Producers (Drama)
• 🥇 First place – Science
• 🥇 First place – Mathematics
• 🥇 First place – Ideation
• 🥈 Second place – Code Breaking
• 🥈 Second place – Art and Poetry
• 🥉 Third place – Cartography
• 🥇 First place overall

Year 9

• 🥇 First place – Ideation
• 🥉 Third place – Legacy
• 🥉 Third place overall

Year 10

• 🥇 First place – Ideation
• 🥇 First place – Art and Poetry
• 🥈 Second place – Creative Producers (Drama)
• 🥈 Second place overall

Well done once again to our da Vinci Decathlon teams!

During the week, ICS Careers Adviser, Mrs Rebecca Bourke, hosted a series of guest speakers in the Courtyard during lunch times.

These guests spoke to Secondary students about their own career paths, with occupations such as education, social work, and even aviation in the spotlight!

Students engaged well with these speakers, and many were even able to ask questions about the fields of study that were of interest to them.

Thank you to our guests for their participation in National Careers Week!

 

 

 

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