A Word from Ian Shaw
A recent study by the UNSW Gonski Institute for Education produced a summary report on technology and families. The data represented more than 5000 children and 2450 Australian parents and grandparents, between the ages of 25 & 65 years old. Here is a snapshot of what we learn about ourselves, if the survey is representative of our lives. I have a sneaking suspicion that it is fairly accurate, even for Kuyper families.
- More than 4 in 5 children own at least one screen-based device. The average is 3 devices per child.
- Personal ownership of devices starts as young as 4 years old.
- Parents are most worried about the negative impact of screen use on their child’s physical activity levels, attention span and time to play.
- 3 of 4 parents think it is harder to control their child’s digital habits since they have got their own screen-based device.
- 83% of parents felt their child was negatively distracted by digital technologies.
- 65% of families agreed that negotiating digital technology use causes conflict in the home.
- 72% of parents recognise that their own digital media and technology habits influence those of their children.
- Over 90% of parents felt that they themselves were distracted, at least to some extent, by digital technologies.
- More than half of parents primarily allow their children to use digital media and technology for entertainment. Comparatively, only 1 in 5 predominantly use it for learning purposes.
- 65% of parents felt that when their child is bored, using digital devices to distract them is their first choice.
- 37% of children and young people have been anxious or depressed because of their time online or because they were not allowed to use their device.
- 90% of parents felt that digital technologies make is easier to stay in touch with family and friends.
- 3 in 5 children who are struggling at school go to bed with their devices.
- 30% of families allow their children to use their devices in their bedroom after bedtime every single day.
- Nearly half of Australian parents (47%) suggest that screen time has a negative impact on emotional health.
What can we learn from this? We would do well to heed the warning signs listed above and seek to guide our children with wisdom in this domain. By way of doing this, I would like to commend Mrs Stewart, one of our parents, who recently gave a presentation at the Kuyper Association Annual General Meeting. She discussed how she and her husband manage the screens in their home with 4 teenagers. The Stewarts use a program called Google Family Link which gives control to parents and helps them teach appropriate device use for their children at home. I have asked Mrs Stewart to repeat her presentation at the Not Even Once (Changing the Narrative) drug and alcohol workshop for parents on 9 June at 7pm. I strongly encourage you to be present for both sessions. What these presenters have to say will be gold for families struggling with technology and other teenager issues.
So, are our smartphones hostile territory? Is it a cultural trinket or legitimate tool? Just like belly buttons, we all have them, but we want students to understand that technology can be friend or foe. It is a gift from God, and like many other things, can be used for good or evil. As recorded in Genesis, Adam and Eve made the tragic mistake of ignoring God’s only request and we all live with the results of the breakdown of our relationship with God, and everyone, and everything.
With this history, let us seek to honour God with our technology. This starts with being conscious of our example and how technology is affecting us and our families. Let us seek to transform technology use in ways that foster goodness and community building.
Reminders
- TOMORROW Secondary students who have ordered soup may enjoy it!
- Families are reminded to ensure that at least half of your school fees for the year are paid by the end of June. If you need to discuss this, please contact Tina in the Office Monday – Thursday.
- We have oodles of lost property here in the Office following the athletics carnival. Please come and claim some!
- Tomorrow’s prayer meeting will be held in the Office from 7 – 7:30pm. All welcome.
- We would still like some help with morning tea on Friday 1 July for the 40 Year Celebration Service. Please email admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au if you can assist.
- All students, staff and their families should be aware of NSW Health’s advice to reduce the risk of COVID-19, and other illnesses that may affect schools this coming winter, such as the flu. Please note the following NSW Health messages: stay home if unwell; keep up to date with vaccinations, including the flu vaccine, which is available from your local GP, pharmacy or Aboriginal Medical Service. Flu vaccines are free for all children aged 6 months to under 5 years, or for a small charge for those aged 5 years and older; get tested immediately for COVID-19 if you become symptomatic and isolate until you receive a negative result; even if you receive a negative result, do not attend school whilst symptomatic; practice good hand hygiene by washing regularly with soap and water; take a RAHT before visiting vulnerable loved ones or going to large gatherings and events.
- Eczema Support Australia has recently released a new video series with Dr Justin Coulson on Practical Parenting for Eczema Families. The video resource provides an insight into the daily challenges faced by families with eczema. It also provides strategies to help develop positive coping mechanisms and reduce feelings of isolation for the family unit. Please use this link to view the video series.
Prayer & Praise
- Praise God that he continues in his sovereignty through all circumstances. Praise God for His grace towards us through Jesus Christ. He is worthy of all of our love and devotion. Worship and thank Him for His sacrifice that rescued us from death.
- Give thanks for our athletics carnival; for great weather and friendly competition. Give thanks for our staff and volunteers who contributed so much to the day.
- Give thanks for our staff. Pray that the Lord would restore us all to full health and strength to finish Term 2 well.
- Give thanks for all our students and their families. Pray for the ministry of the Holy Spirit through those who know Him, to lead us in prayer, words and deeds to encourage and exhort each other and find our health, peace and direction in the Lord. Pray for protection over the hearts and minds of our children and young people.
- Give thanks for our CEN schools. Pray for Dubbo Christian School, and their Principal. Pray for healing, fellowship and peace.
- Pray for our 40 year celebrations; that we would be truly thankful and joyful for what God has provided and achieved for us and through us. Pray that we would continue in the spirit we began with in 1982.
- Give thanks for our Kuyper families. Pray for connections to strengthen and grow in genuine community and care for eachother.
- Give thanks for our Government and those in authority. Pray that they would be led in wisdom and truth to lead our country for the future good of all. Pray that “every person be subject to the governing authorities.” Give thanks that our government has been “instituted by God” (Romans 13:1).
- Praise God for the faithful Pioneers of Kuyper Christian School. Give thanks for those who have continued to nurture and grow those beginnings. Give thanks for Abraham Kuyper, his vision and his teachings. Give thanks that our foundations are in Christ, who is the source of all Truth. Give thanks that we are in partnership with each other – staff, parents and carers – as we serve the Lord by nurturing children in the knowledge and love of Him. Thank Him for each individual who makes up the Kuyper Community and lead us to value the whole person, so that each one may be encouraged in their relationship with God. Thank God for the students he has entrusted to our care, made in His image, to glorify Him. Worship Him because He is holy. Thank Him for His love and faithfulness towards His creation. Praise Him as Creator God, from whom we inherit our creativity. Give abundant thanks for his mercy and grace, without which we would be lost indeed. Give thanks also for His justice, that will not fail, and His forgiveness which is freely extended to all who would accept it. Give thanks for our God and his omnipotence; his power and influence is unlimited! Give thanks for our God and his omniscience; his universal understanding and complete knowledge.
- Give thanks for our Board and Executive teams. Pray for one-ness of purpose for our staff, Board, Executive team, and Association.
News & Notices
Teen Challenge – #NotEvenOnce®
On Wednesday 9 June, the ‘Teen Challenge’ organisation will present a drug education seminar to students in Years 7-12. There will also be an evening session, Changing the Narrative, for parents in the Library. We encourage all parents and carers to attend this helpful and informative event.
Session 1: Year 7, 9:15 – 10:55 (P1 & 2)
Session 2: Year 8 & 9, 11:30 – 1:10 (P3 & 4)
Session 3: Year 10 – 12, 1:45 – 3:25 (P5 & 6)
Session 4: Parents, 7 – 9pm, Library
These seminars have been presented at schools throughout Australia and at Kuyper Christian School annually for several years. They deliver a powerful message about the risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol and the misuse of prescription medication.
The link below gives an overview of the student seminar content: https://notevenonce.org.au/school-projects/
This link covers the parent session in the evening which will be run in a workshop format, with Q & A: https://notevenonce.org.au/community-forums
If you DO NOT wish your child to attend the seminar for any reason, please email the school; admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au
Collective Shout
Tomorrow, Wednesday 23 June, Melinda Tankard Reist will visit Kuyper to speak with our Year 7 – 12 students. She is the co-founder of Collective Shout, a grassroots campaigns movement against the objectification of women and the sexualisation of girls. Here is a snap-shot of what Melinda will talk about on the day:
Melinda and Daniel will take our young women on a ‘tour’ of media and popular culture in a dynamic, multi-visual presentation. They will unpack with our girls the images, messages and ideas they receive every day from games, music videos, advertising, marketing, social media and explicit se*ual imagery, conveying a message that their value and worth lies solely in their bodies and physical appearance. Students will critically evaluate how these messages contribute in harmful ways to their views of themselves, their bodies and relationships, affecting their physical, emotional and social development. Drawing from global research and personal accounts of young people, Melinda and Dan will then explore how young women can respond personally, including by resisting se*ual pressure, clarifying their values and enforcing boundaries, aspiring to relationships built on respect and mutuality – and collectively – by taking action for social change and cultural transformation.
Our young men are also bombarded with hyper-se*ualised messages and images in media and popular culture. Their lives are increasingly socialised, conditioned and informed by exposure to p*rn related content online. They are exposed to this content even before their first kiss, with average age of first exposure, 11. In a dynamic multi-media presentation which includes research, along with first person stories of young men, Melinda and Daniel will explore with male students how exposure to se*ual imagery is contributing to a distorted view of bodies and relationships. They will propose that boys are being raised in a callous version of masculinity through these toxic messages, hampering their ability to form healthy respect-based relationships. Melinda and Dan will help them understand what consent and healthy relationships should look like. In a po*nified cultural landscape, our young men will be encouraged to stand against the tide, resist the ‘bystander’ effect, and choose to act with integrity.
We are blessed to have this opportunity and look forward to the ongoing conversations Melinda’s visit will create.
Cyberbullying Survey for Years 7 - 9
Kuyper Christian School have agreed to participate in a Cyberbullying Research Project run by Macquarie University for Years 7-9. The research project is related to factors associated with cyberbullying and how this affects mental health. Students will be required to complete a 45 minute questionnaire. Staff will ensure that there is minimal disruption to the school day. If you have any questions, feel free to email the Office.
If you are the parent of a child in Years 7-9, please provide your consent for their participation electronically by following the link below. Please do not print the consent form. Use the red arrow at the bottom of the screen to submit consent online: https://tinyurl.com/mqconsent