Frequently Asked Questions

Students come from more than 65 surrounding suburbs. Dedicated school buses run from areas including Sutherland, Engadine, Menai, Hurstville and Helensburgh (see “Is there a school bus to Shire Christian School?”). Phone 02 8525 5111 or use the contact form on the website.

The school has three parts: Shire Prep, the Junior School (Kindergarten to Year 6) and the Secondary School (Years 7 to 12). Junior School students move into Year 7 without re-enrolling.

The 2025 census counted 421 students in the Junior School (K–6) and 505 in the Secondary School (7–12). ACARA's 2025 school profile records 453 girls and 473 boys, a student–teacher ratio of 13.5 to 1, and an ICSEA of 1,116 (the national average is 1,000). The school employs 80 teaching staff (67.6 full-time equivalent) and 55 non-teaching staff; all teachers are accredited with NESA.

The school was called Sutherland Shire Christian School until 2016, when it changed its name to Shire Christian School. The company that runs it, The Sutherland Shire Christian School Association Limited, kept its original name. It has been a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission since 3 December 2012 (ABN 75 001 792 669).

Tim finishes in 2026 as the Principal of Broughton Anglican College, a Christ-centred Prep to Year 12 school of approximately 1,500 students. He was previously the Deputy of Secondary at Covenant Christian School with over 900 students. His career has been dedicated to Christian education, serving across Christian Education National (CEN), Independent and Anglican Schools for over 20 years, from teaching to Executive positions. Tim is excited by the opportunity to build on the great legacy of 50 years of faithful Christian education at Shire Christian School. He brings with him an energy and vision to build on the firm foundation of biblical clarity, conviction, academic excellence, and furthering the school’s mission, in educating students for a life of learning, service and purpose, to the glory of God.

The steps are:

1. Complete the online application and upload the required documents. You can save and come back to it.
2. Pay the $100 application fee.
3. Your child is placed on the waiting list.
4. You may be invited to an interview with the Principal or a senior staff member.
5. Some students are asked to complete an academic ability assessment.
6. Once documents and the interview are complete, the school may offer a place.

A school tour is optional but recommended. The full rules are in the school's Enrolment Policy. Families whose circumstances make this process difficult can call the enrolments office on 02 8525 5111.

Demand for Year 7 is very high and places are limited, so many families start in Kindergarten. Junior School students move into Year 7 without re-enrolling. Shire Prep children get priority for Kindergarten, and at least 18 more students are accepted into Kindergarten each year.

The school may be flexible for children who don't meet these ages. Contact the school to discuss your child.

The list changes as families accept or decline offers, so the school can't give a specific position. Families who miss out in the first round may still receive an offer later. The criteria are set out in the school's Enrolment Policy.

Apply early so the school can contact you when a suitable place comes up. Interviews for years other than Kindergarten and Year 7 happen throughout the year.

Tours cover the campus, a typical school day, the school's approach to Christian education, and meeting the school leadership. Places are limited. For a personal tour or questions, contact the Registrar at enrolments@shirechristian.nsw.edu.au or on 02 8525 5111.

The school says it wants as many families as possible to have access to Christian education. When places are limited, active Christian families are one of several factors considered on the waiting list (see “How does the Shire Christian School waiting list work?”).

The Sutherland Shire Christian School Association Limited, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, owns the school. Its members are Reformed Christian parents and like-minded members of local Protestant and Reformed churches whose beliefs match the school's Statement of Faith. Members elect a volunteer Board, which sets strategy and delegates day-to-day management to the Principal. Teachers are committed Christians who hold the Bible to be God's word. The school is listed in the directory of Christian Education National (CEN).

In Years 7–12, daily Pastoral Care classes explore how faith applies to everyday life, and annual camps include open conversations about faith. Secondary students can also join CRU, a weekly group for fellowship, guest speakers and discussion from a biblical perspective. In the school's 2025 survey of 315 parents, 98% said their expectations of Christian education were met or exceeded.

2027 annual tuition fees by year:

• Kindergarten: $9,900
• Years 1–2: $11,000
• Years 3–4: $12,000
• Years 5–6: $13,060
• Years 7–8: $14,440
• Years 9–10: $15,420
• Years 11–12: $16,410

The Technology Levy covers Years 7–12. Most excursions and camps are included in fees. Some elective subjects carry an extra levy. Shire Prep is charged per day (see “What is Shire Prep?”). The school's online fee calculator estimates your family's total.

Families with four or more children still pay the Technology Levy and compulsory camp fees for the fourth and later children: $200 in Year 4, $550 in Years 5–6 and $700 in Years 7–12 (2027).

Bursaries are assessed on family income. Current parents can request a form through the website's contact page by choosing the Finance/Fees enquiry type. Ministry discounts are available on application. Families can also spread payments with Edstart, which can cover fees, uniforms and extracurricular costs.

Total income in 2025 was $21.9 million and total spending was $25.1 million: 64.3% on salaries, 22.1% on other running costs and 13.7% on capital works. The school is run by a not-for-profit registered charity. Gifts to its Building Fund and Library Fund may be tax-deductible.

Before and after school care is available for Junior School students from 7am to 6pm. Term dates are on the school calendar.

The service, Camp Australia – Shire Christian School OSHC, is an approved education and care service on the national ACECQA register (approval number SE-40005856). Care also runs on pupil-free days. Children must be registered with Camp Australia before they attend; registration is free. Session fees are listed on Camp Australia's page for the school.

U-Go Mobility runs the Sutherland Shire routes and Premier Charters runs the Helensburgh route. Students can travel free with a School Opal card from Transport for NSW if they live far enough from school:

• Kindergarten to Year 2: no minimum distance
• Years 3–6: more than 1.6 km in a straight line, or 2.3 km walking
• Years 7–12: more than 2.0 km in a straight line, or 2.9 km walking

Applications open at the start of Term 4 for the next year, and cards renew automatically. Students who aren't eligible can buy a School Term Bus Pass. Some bus stops are at railway stations, and there is a drop-off zone, parking and a bike rack at school.

The store opens 9am–5pm Monday to Friday and 9am–1pm Saturday, and you can book a fitting online. Online orders placed before 5pm Friday can be collected from school reception from the following Tuesday during term. Ranier's customer service number is 02 9773 8291. The uniform becomes an all-season uniform from 2027, as announced by the Principal on 30 October 2026; details are in the school's Uniform Guidelines.

Orders close at 8am on the day of delivery.

Families choose Monday and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday, with an optional Wednesday for either group. The program builds early literacy and numeracy, social skills and school readiness through play and structured learning. Children must turn 4 by 31 March. Shire Prep children get priority for Kindergarten at the school. There were 42 children in Shire Prep at the 2025 census.

Secondary subject areas include Christian Studies, Drama, English, German, HSIE, Mathematics, Music, PDHPE, Science, Technological and Applied Studies, and Visual Arts. Vocational (VET) courses are also available: 7 Year 12 students took VET courses in 2025. The school publishes a Year 11 and 12 information booklet and holds a Year 11 information evening each year.

The top ATAR in 2025 was 97.65, and one student was named on NESA's All-Rounders list. Results were above the state average in 18 courses (55% of courses), including Biology, Drama, Food Technology, Legal Studies, Mathematics Standard and Music 1. Drama achieved five Band 6 results. Eleven students were nominated for NESA's HSC showcases in Drama, Dance, Music, Visual Arts and Industrial Technology.

That is 47 students in further study and 14 in work, with the destinations of 4 students (6%) unknown. All 7 students who took VET courses in Year 12 attained the HSC or a VET qualification.

Laptops come set up with security settings, web filtering, monitoring tools and software including Adobe Creative Cloud. Parents get access to monitoring through the school's partnership with Qustodio. The $550 Technology Levy applies in Years 7–12.

Students with a disability may have an Individual Plan, agreed with parents and reviewed regularly, so they can take part on the same basis as their peers. An occupational therapist works on site on Fridays during term (8:30am–2:30pm), and speech therapy is also available by appointment. Enrichment groups focus on creative and critical thinking.

In the Junior School, students learn to be safe, be ready to learn and show respect, and a different Christian value is taught each week. Secondary Pastoral Care classes are single-gender, and every year group from Year 7 to Year 12 goes on camp. The school publishes an Anti-Bullying Policy, Anti-Bullying Procedures, a Student Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy. In the school's 2025 survey, 90% of parents said pastoral care met or exceeded their expectations.

Recent results include the Stage 3 boys basketball team winning the CSSA State championship (November 2026) and a Year 7 team winning the Novice OnStage competition at the RoboCup National Championships (October 2026). Other activities include private music lessons, a school Production Program, a Year 10 Global Awareness Week with service trips to Vietnam and Cambodia, Brewarrina or Sydney, a three-day Year 10–11 snow trip to Perisher, library clubs such as chess, and the weekly CRU group.

MMG Education ran the survey, which also covered 473 students and 125 staff. Parents' overall satisfaction was rated very high and above MMG's database average. The share of parents whose expectations were met or exceeded:

• Christian education: 98%
• The school's values: 94%
• Reputation: 91%
• A balanced education: 91%
• Pastoral care: 90%
• Management and leadership: 86%
• Range of subject choices: 83%
• Quality of teaching: 81%
• Quality education at reasonable expense: 76%
• Academic standards: 75%