A Word from Mitchell Cavens
Secondary Teacher; Music, Christian Studies & TAS
As staff at Kuyper, we are encouraged to deeply challenge our students and to expect that it won’t always be a comfortable process for them! I believe that this element of teaching is growing in importance as our students live in a world that preaches false messages about the necessity for self-comfort and self-importance above all else. Students are constantly exposed to this false wisdom through relentless advertising, opinions and messages shared on social media, through films, TV and radio as well as other entertainment and information mediums. We would be foolish to believe that our students and children are exempt from deception by these means, so it is all the more important that we challenge our students and children with the truth of God’s Word.
Sadly, the message that every person deserves happiness, comfort and prosperity is not only untrue, but it stands against the very grace of God. Scripture teaches that what we deserve is eternal separation from God because we decided to sin against Him.
In our Year 9 Core classroom, we have been working through the book of James during devotions. For those of us who have been raised in the Church, we know that James is a book which confronts and challenges, and very few readers come away from it without feelings of personal conviction. It has been deeply encouraging to listen to the responses of Year 9 students as they attempt to navigate these truths and come to an understanding of the reality of the grace of God, daily given to us, along with the ultimate act of grace offered by Jesus Christ Himself, who took the punishment of our sin so that we can live in restored relationship with Him for eternity.
Joy does not come from receiving everything you want, especially when the heart believes that you deserve blessing and comfort. Joy comes out of a humble heart that has been transformed by the grace of God; a heart that knows that every good gift comes from above, and receives it with thankfulness.
My hope and prayer is that together, parents and teachers would learn to better challenge our kids and students with the truth so that they might recognise the importance of accepting the incredible gift of an eternal relationship with God, through Jesus. I pray that this knowledge would prompt a change of heart that can respond to daily challenges with thankfulness and joy.
“Do not be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good gift comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning. By his own will he brought us into being through the word of truth, so that we should have first place among all his creatures.”
James 1:16-18
Reminders
- Staff at Kuyper Christian School will not be striking on Thursday. It will be business as usual. Don’t forget, it will also be non-uniform day, raising money for CBM!
- 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.
- We have oodles of lost property here in the Office. Unclaimed lost property will be discarded or re-sold as secondhand uniform at the end of term.
- Reminder about masks in school, from the NSW Government Website: Masks continue to be mandatory on public transport. This applies to students aged 12 years and older, and staff when travelling to and from school and during school excursions by public transport or by chartered transport services. In line with the latest advice from NSW Health, masks are recommended for students and staff who have recovered from COVID-19, completed their 7-day isolation period and are no longer showing symptoms for an additional 3 days (from days 8 – 10 after receiving a positive COVID-19 result). Additionally, mask wearing is mandatory for staff and high school students returning to school as close contacts for 5 school days and recommended for primary school students returning to school as close contacts for 5 school days.
- 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.
- Reminder to all parents, not to use the Bus Bay to drop off or pick up your children as it hinders bus movements and is unsafe.
- 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 staff. Pray that the Lord would restore us all to full health and strength over the holidays.
- 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.
- Pray for the Aoun family, whose father Joseph is unwell in hospital. Pray for the Allen family, whose father Geoff is also unwell. Pray for the Thompson family, struggling to fully recover from COVID. Pray for the Vincenti family, for a way forward with Kyden’s injury.
- 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 all students and carers as they receive their academic reports this week. Pray for staff as they complete them.
- 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 God and his omnipresence; he is present everywhere at the same time. Worship the Trinity; Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
- Give thanks for our Board and Executive teams. Pray for one-ness of purpose for our staff, Board, Executive team, and Association.
News & Notices
Operation Christmas Child
We are sure that you have all heard about Operation Christmas Child and the wonderful work they do in communities around the world. This year, Kuyper Christian School will again be participating, albeit a little differently from last year.
If you would like to fill a shoebox to bless a child overseas, email the Office to request a box (or two). We will send them home with your child. Please fill and return your boxes to the Office by Wednesday 10 November 2021. Some instructions and ideas can be found by following this link: https://samaritanspurse.org.au/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoebox/
Homework Insights #9
Breakfast and Sleep, by Bill Rusin
Many studies have shown the importance of a good breakfast so that students can deal with the rigours of school. Children in particular need to eat well because it helps them stay alert during the day. They also need extra nutrition to fuel their physical growth.
In general, fast food breakfasts are not ideal, as they often have too much fat and not enough fibre children. Parents are also encouraged not to allow their children to have soft drink, as the high sugar content can lead to a significant drop in concentration when blood sugar levels drop. Parents should also be wary of both fruit juice drinks and packaged fruit juice as these often have high levels of sugar. Children are much better off with a piece of fruit and water.
Parents need to ensure that their children get enough sleep. This too can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to concentrate during the day. The effects of lack of sleep and poor breakfast habits are often noticeable by teachers when interacting with the children who frequently become tired and irritable in the middle of the day.
Return & Earn for Vanuatu
Our Return & Earn fundraising for Vanuatu continues. Please deposit your aluminium cans and plastic bottles in the lime coloured recycling box in the sails area, or place them alongside in a labelled bag. All donations need to be clean, whole (not crushed) and eligible for the 10c recycling refund.