From the Principal
God's Relentless Love
God's Relentless Love
In the life of every school community, there are constant opportunities to reflect on what shapes our hearts, our habits, and our sense of identity.
While education is often associated with knowledge and skills, a Christian school also recognises that learning is deeply connected to formation. Students and staff alike are continually being shaped – not only by what we know, but by what we love, trust, and depend upon.
One of the most challenging truths of Scripture is that God’s work in our lives is not always experienced as comfortable or easy. At times, God’s love confronts, disrupts, and redirects us in ways that we would not naturally choose. This is not how love is typically understood in our culture. Love is often associated with affirmation, ease, and the removal of difficulty. Yet Judges 2–3 presents a far deeper and more confronting picture of God’s love – one that is committed not simply to our comfort, but to our transformation.
Judges 2 contains one of the most sobering summaries in Scripture: “After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10)
This was not a problem of access to information. It was a failure of remembrance and devotion. God had rescued His people from slavery in Egypt. He had led them through the wilderness. He had brought them into the land he promised. Yet over time, their hearts drifted. They turned to the gods of the surrounding nations. They exchanged the worship of the living God for idols.
While this may seem distant from modern life, the underlying human tendency remains familiar. The human heart continually looks for something other than God to provide identity, security, and meaning.
John Calvin described the human heart as an “idol factory” – constantly producing substitutes for God. These may not take physical form, but they are often found in success, approval, comfort, control, or reputation.
In a school context, even good and meaningful things can subtly become misplaced foundations. Achievement, relationships, influence, or stability can begin to carry a weight they were never designed to hold.
What follows in Judges is confronting. God allows His people to experience the consequences of their misplaced worship. Oppression and difficulty arise. Life becomes unstable. Security is shaken.
Yet the pattern that emerges is not one of abandonment, but of mercy.
The people rebel. God allows consequences. The people cry out. God raises a deliverer. Again and again, God responds with patience and rescue.
What is most striking in Judges is not divine anger, but divine persistence. God does not give up on his people. He does not leave them in their self-destruction. He intervenes repeatedly to draw them back.
Like a loving parent who steps in when a child is moving toward harm, God’s discipline is not rejection, it is rescue. As Hebrews 12 reminds us, “The Lord disciplines the one he loves.” God’s love is too committed to leave his people where they are.
Judges 3 adds another important dimension. God allows certain nations to remain in the land so that Israel would learn dependence and faithfulness. This reveals something significant about the way God works. Not all struggle is immediately removed. Not every difficulty is taken away. At times, God allows challenges to remain because he is forming something deeper in his people – trust, dependence, and faithfulness.
There are aspects of life where God could easily intervene to remove tension or difficulty. Yet he often chooses to work through these experiences rather than around them. This is not indifference. It is purposeful formation.
Struggle can expose misplaced trust. It can reveal where independence has replaced dependence. It can draw hearts back toward God in ways that comfort alone cannot.
These themes remain relevant for any Christian community committed to following Christ. God’s love is not limited to moments of ease or clarity. It is present in the ordinary, the difficult, and the unresolved aspects of life. At times, his love comforts. At times, it confronts. At times, it redirects. But it is always purposeful.
The danger is to interpret difficulty as absence. Judges invites a different perspective: that God is often most present not when life is easiest, but when he is shaping hearts most deeply.
The book of Judges ultimately points beyond itself. The repeated cycle of sin and rescue highlights the need for a greater and lasting deliverer. That deliverer is Jesus Christ. At the cross, God’s love is revealed most clearly – not as avoidance of suffering, but as sacrificial rescue. Jesus bears the cost of sin so that his people might be fully restored to God. This means that God’s love is not measured by the absence of difficulty in our lives, but by the presence of Christ in the midst of it.
The cross assures us that even when God’s work is uncomfortable or slow, it is always good, always purposeful, and always rooted in love.
The message of Judges 2–3 is both confronting and comforting. God’s love is not passive. It pursues. It corrects. It reshapes. It refuses to leave His people where they are.
For a school community, this means that the everyday experiences of learning, relationships, challenge, and growth are not spiritually neutral spaces. The pressures of assessment, the dynamics of friendships, the experience of success and disappointment, and even the frustrations and setbacks of school life are all places where God is at work shaping character and faith.
At times, that shaping will feel encouraging and clear. At other times, it may feel stretching or uncomfortable. But in both, God’s purpose is the same, he is forming hearts that trust him more deeply. And because of that, even the difficult parts of school life are not disconnected from his goodness. God is not absent in struggle. He is actively, patiently, and faithfully at work forming students and staff alike into people who learn to trust him above all else, both in the classroom and far beyond it.
Mr Simon Lainson
Principal
Junior School
Year 5 takes an exciting excursion to Sydney
Year 5 takes an exciting excursion to Sydney
Year 5 students recently travelled to Sydney to visit the Hyde Park Barracks and Sydney Museum.
The excursion linked to their recent history unit studying 'Colonisation and Compassion', so the trip to Sydney was an exciting way for them to build on what they've been learning!
Secondary School
From the Director of Secondary – Term 2, Week 9
From the Director of Secondary – Term 2, Week 9
What a term it has been! Term 2 has been full of learning, growth, community, and so many wonderful moments across our school. From fundraising feats to assemblies, academic milestones to everyday acts of kindness, it has truly been a big and eventful term. In the middle of all this busyness, I find myself drawn back to a truth that anchors everything we do here at ICS.
In Ephesians 2:20, we are reminded that our lives are “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” This is our foundation at ICS; not our programs, achievements, or busyness, but Christ himself. It is our prayer that this truth would orient everything we do: every lesson, every relationship, every moment. What a wonderful hope we have in him! As 1 Peter 1:3 reminds us: “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” That living hope is real, and we carry it into every part of school life.
As we finish up for the term over the next two weeks, here are some things to look forward to and celebrate together as a community.
Celebration of Learning Assembly – Monday 29 June
We warmly invite all parents to join us for our whole-school Celebration of Learning Assembly on Monday 29 June . This is a wonderful opportunity to pause at the end of a big term and celebrate the learning, growth, and achievements of our students across all year groups. It is always a special morning, and one filled with warmth, gratitude, and genuine community. We hope to see as many of you there as possible.
Athletics Carnival – Friday 3 July
What a way to bring the term to a close! Our Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday 3 July, the final day of term, and it promises to be a fantastic day of fun, friendly competition, and community spirit. This is one of those joyful occasions where our school truly comes alive together as we cheer each other on, celebrating house pride, and use our many God-given talents. We warmly welcome parents to come along and support our students as they compete. Your presence always makes a difference!
Keira House Fundraiser – Forever Projects
We are absolutely thrilled to share that our ICS community has now raised an incredible over $27,000 for Forever Projects in Tanzania! This is a remarkable achievement, and it is entirely down to the generosity, courage, and determination of our students, staff, and families throughout the term. From massive feats of endurance to creative personal challenges, you have each played a part in making a lasting difference in the lives of women and families across the world. What a testament to the wonderful ICS community!
A big encouragement to those still completing their challenges this week – keep going! Every step, every kilometre, every effort counts. The final fundraising tally will be announced at our Celebration of Learning Assembly on Monday 29 June, and we cannot wait to celebrate together what God has done through this community.
There is still time to sponsor a participant and help us inch towards $30,000!
Click here
to find and support a participant.
Year 12 Lighthouse Walk – Tuesday 23 June
As a special culmination of the Keira House Fundraiser, Year 12 students will gather at 6:00am at Wollongong Lighthouse on Tuesday 23 June and walk just under 10km back to ICS. More than a fundraising event, this walk is a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the theme “What’s in Our Hands?” and to be reminded that even a small, challenging act can help us better understand the daily hardships faced by families supported through Forever Projects.
It is also a beautiful chance for our Year 12 cohort to walk together, encourage one another, and celebrate the community they have built throughout their final year. A minibus will carry student bags so they can enjoy the walk unencumbered, and students will arrive back at school around 8:30am to a well-earned hot chocolate before the day begins!
Holidays & Encouragement
As we head into the school holidays, thank you again for your continued support and encouragement throughout what has been a truly big and wonderful term. We are grateful for the way you partner with us, trust us with your children, and invest in this community.
We pray that these holidays will be a time of genuine rest, renewal, and rich family connection. May the words of Isaiah 40:31 be an encouragement to you all:
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
May that be the experience of your family these holidays.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back for Term 3 and to all that God has in store for our community in the months ahead.
Mr Peter Richardson
Director of Secondary
Sport
ICS records remarkable results at the CSSA State Cross Country Carnival
ICS records remarkable results at the CSSA State Cross Country Carnival
On Friday 29 May, 58 ICS students represented CSSA South Coast at the CSSA State Cross Country Carnival in Sydney.
Our students recorded some fantastic results at the carnival, with several students and teams qualifying for the CIS competition!
Students who place in the top ten, in addition to teams who place first in their respective age groups, qualify for the CIS competition.
Congratulations to the following students, who have qualified to compete at CIS:
Primary
11 Years Girls Team
- Alexa E. – 1st Place
- Zara V. – 3rd Place
- Zara H. – 5th Place
- Mikayla G. – 15th Place
12/13 Years Girls Team
- Kate B. – 3rd Place
- Neve S. – 9th Place
- Havannah M. – 27th Place
- Sybil M. – 34th Place
Individual Qualifiers
- Arlo M. – 9th Place, 11 Years Boys
Secondary
13 Years Boys
- Thomas K. – 3rd Place
- Morne E. – 5th Place
- Thomas B. – 8th Place
- Rohan B. – 17th Place
15 Years Boys
- Taylor M. – 1st Place
- Harry T. – 9th Place
- Jason G. – 13th Place
- Reedan H. – 29th Place
Individual Qualifiers
- Baxter S. – 1st Place, 12-18 Years Boys Multiclass
- Amelia E. – 2nd Place, 13 Years Girls
- Luke B. – 4th Place, 14 Years Boys
- Jessica O. – 5th Place, 15 Years Girls
- Elijah M. – 10th Place, 16 Years Boys
- Jabari D. – 5th Place, 17 Years Boys
- Joshua O. – 7th Place, 17 Years Boys
- Orlando M. – 6th Place, 18 Years Boys
Full Primary Results
| Age Group | Name | Time | Overall Position | Team Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/9 Years Girls | Caitlin B. | 10:31 | 14 | 4 |
| 8/9 Years Girls | Natalija S. | 10:41 | 20 | 4 |
| 8/9 Years Girls | Christabel A. | 11:45 | 54 | 4 |
| 8/9 Years Girls | Hannah C. | 11:57 | 67 | 4 |
| 8/9 Years Boys | Silas R. | 10:06 | 51 | - |
| 8/9 Years Boys | Aaryan D. | 11:04 | 125 | - |
| 8/9 Years Boys | Zane L. | 11:22 | 137 | - |
| 10 Years Girls | Alyssa M. | 12:09 | 92 | - |
| 10 Years Girls | Coralie P. | 12:22 | 101 | - |
| 10 Years Girls | Glory P. | 12:22 | 102 | - |
| 10 Years Boys | Xavier C. | 09:59 | 46 | - |
| 10 Years Boys | Ezra C. | 10:26 | 84 | - |
| 10 Years Boys | Henry B. | 11:05 | 135 | - |
| 11 Years Girls | Alexa E. | 12:45 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 Years Girls | Zara V. | 13:08 | 3 | 1 |
| 11 Years Girls | Zara H. | 13:23 | 5 | 1 |
| 11 Years Girls | Mikayla G. | 14:12 | 15 | 1 |
| 11 Years Boys | Arlo M. | 12:44 | 9 | - |
| 11 Years Boys | William B. | 13:39 | 28 | - |
| 11 Years Boys | Liam B. | 15:38 | 120 | - |
| 12/13 Years Girls | Kate B. | 13:10 | 3 | 1 |
| 12/13 Years Girls | Neve S. | 13:50 | 9 | 1 |
| 12/13 Years Girls | Havannah M. | 15:07 | 27 | 1 |
| 12/13 Years Girls | Sybil M. | 15:27 | 34 | 1 |
| 12/13 Years Boys | - | 12:34 | 13 | 3 |
| 12/13 Years Boys | Max D. | 13:22 | 24 | 3 |
| 12/13 Years Boys | Jackson S. | 14:17 | 50 | 3 |
| 12/13 Years Boys | Mitchell B. | 14:23 | 58 | 3 |
Bold rows indicate students who have qualified for CIS.
Full Secondary Results
| Age Group | Name | Time | Overall Position | Team Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-18 Years Boys Multiclass | Baxter S. | 18:53 | 1 | - |
| 12 Years Girls | Marli H. | 18:54 | 36 | - |
| 12 Years Boys | Conner V. | 18:15 | 58 | - |
| 13 Years Girls | Amelia E. | 13:04 | 2 | 6 |
| 13 Years Girls | Arielle N. | 14:53 | 22 | 6 |
| 13 Years Girls | Sophie W. | 15:20 | 35 | 6 |
| 13 Years Girls | Elora N. | 17:50 | 86 | 6 |
| 13 Years Boys | Thomas K. | 11:27 | 3 | 1 |
| 13 Years Boys | Morne E. | 11:34 | 5 | 1 |
| 13 Years Boys | Thomas B. | 11:44 | 8 | 1 |
| 13 Years Boys | Rohan B. | 12:16 | 17 | 1 |
| 14 Years Girls | Leena C. | 19:21 | 19 | - |
| 14 Years Boys | Luke B. | 13:58 | 4 | 3 |
| 14 Years Boys | Lincoln S. | 15:55 | 23 | 3 |
| 14 Years Boys | Ayrton Z. | 16:14 | 27 | 3 |
| 14 Years Boys | Ezekiel C. | 17:07 | 49 | 3 |
| 15 Years Girls | Jessica O. | 16:09 | 5 | - |
| 15 Years Girls | Elise H. | 18:31 | 20 | - |
| 15 Years Boys | Taylor M. | 14:06 | 1 | 1 |
| 15 Years Boys | Harry T. | 14:42 | 9 | 1 |
| 15 Years Boys | Jason G. | 15:00 | 13 | 1 |
| 15 Years Boys | Reedan H. | 15:54 | 29 | 1 |
| 16 Years Girls | Lucy C. | 18:35 | 12 | - |
| 16 Years Girls | Bridie R. | 19:51 | 22 | - |
| 16 Years Boys | Elijah M. | 25:52 | 10 | - |
| 17 Years Girls | Sophia B. | 21:06 | 13 | - |
| 17 Years Boys | Jabari D. | 24:03 | 5 | - |
| 17 Years Boys | Joshua O. | 24:26 | 7 | - |
| 17 Years Boys | Charlie D. | 25:07 | 12 | - |
| 18 Years Boys | Orlando M. | 23:42 | 6 | - |
Bold rows indicate students who have qualified for CIS.
Opportunities
More international success for our ICS Future Problem Solvers
More international success for our ICS Future Problem Solvers
Hear from team coach Mrs Simone Brown and the members of our Year 10 Future Problem Solving Team about their recent trip to Indiana, where they competed in the World Finals.
Future Problem Solving World Finals
It is always an incredible privilege to take students to the International Future Problem Solving world Finals. This year we broke up a long trip (about 21 hours of flying) in Chicago. We enjoyed this sparkling city by going on an architecture cruise up the Chicago River, heading up Willis Tower to the Sky Deck and exploring Lincoln Park Zoo.
A road trip down to Indiana University had us in competition mode. Our team of Huon, Sarah, Dakota and Hannah worked hard during their lockdown to respond to a Future Scene on the topic of Forestry. Challenges were identified, an underlying problem determined, solutions brainstormed, criteria written and an Action Plan was formulated based on the best solution.
This Action Plan was then dramatised and performed. Emily, the team reserve, who had competed in a parallel multi affiliate program, joined the team for the presentation. Our team performed in their heat, progressed to the finals and, of over 80 top teams from around the world, took second place in the Middle Division!
After the four days of competition, we flew to LA where we enjoyed the weather and had some amazing experiences – Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Pier, Huntington Beach, Marina del Rey, Venice Beach, downtown LA, and of course, Disneyland!
I am incredibly proud of this team of students who have worked hard over many years to win the National Championship in 2025 and earn their way onto the Australian team at the International Finals in 2026.
It will be something they will all remember and treasure for many years to come.
– Mrs Simone Brown
Students reflect on the Future Problem Solving International Conference
I enjoyed having the opportunity to engage with like-minded peers from across the world and share our culture and ideas. I also enjoyed exploring California as the scenery, atmosphere and community were vibrant and beautiful. I would also like to thank all the adults who came on the trip, especially Mrs Brown, as they kept us organised and made sure we had the most enjoyable experience. – Hannah
Having the opportunity to go to the US for a competition I am passionate about was such an amazing privilege. Meeting people from all over the world was one of my favourite parts of the experience, and I hope that it can lead to strong connections and friendships in the future. – Huon
I loved having the privilege to meet so many people from around the world who brought unique perspectives. I especially enjoyed the memento exchange, which was an incredible opportunity for me to engage with different cultures and talk to so many peers. The attractions were amazing in California, especially the trip to Disneyland. A special thanks to Mrs Brown and the parents for keeping us organised and on track. I am so thankful I was blessed with this experience! – Sarah
I am so grateful I had the opportunity to compete at the FPS international competition in America. It was so much fun getting to meet other kids from around the world and hear about what their culture and homes are like. I enjoyed getting to explore different parts of America, such as Indiana, Chicago and Los Angeles. A special thanks to Mrs Brown for helping coach us and looking after us, as well as planning this whole trip. – Dakota
I feel so appreciative to have been given this opportunity to compete in the FPS competition with my friends in America. I enjoyed every part of the trip but the best moments were when we got to meet and interact with other students from all over the world. I give my thanks to Mrs Brown for looking after me during this excursion, it was really fun! – Emily
Mrs Simone Brown receives a prestigious coaching award
Prior to the commencement of the World Finals, Mrs Simone Brown was named as the recipient of the Keith Frampton Memorial Award!
This award recognises coaches who go above and beyond to create meaningful, challenging opportunities for their students, and is a testament to Mrs Brown's dedication to providing our students with the fantastic opportunities to participate in the Future Problem Solving programs.
Congratulations, Mrs Brown!
Notices
Save the date for the 2026 ICS Christmas Markets!
Save the date for the 2026 ICS Christmas Markets!
We're excited to share that the 2026 ICS Christmas Markets will take place on Saturday 28 November!
Stay tuned across Terms 3 and 4 as we share more.
