A Word from Mitchell Cavens
For a long time, music teachers have been attempting to convince families of the value of picking up a musical instrument for practice. Today, I hope to continue that trend and perhaps convince you to pick up and learn an instrument, or to encourage your children to do so.
Did you know that learning a musical instrument can increase the size of your brain? I am sure that reason alone is not particularly convincing, however, the research outlining the effects of musical training on the brain is so astounding that it certainly has convinced many parents to encourage their children to learn a musical instrument.
The following image was published in an article by researchers from the Laboratory of Brain Imaging and the Laboratory of Language Neurobiology at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. They investigated the effect of musical training on brain development.
This image describes some of wonderful effects of musical training on the brain. For starters, the size of the brain in key areas is increased. More importantly, areas of the brain affecting motor skills, speech, executive functioning, hearing, memory, emotions, reading, sensory skills, reward perception and movement coordination are exercised and improved.
As more and more neurology researchers investigate the effect of music on the brain, indications point to the importance of musical training for a developing child, from as young as 6 or 7 years old. Notwithstanding, the positive effect of musical training on the brain continues well into adulthood, and has even been shown to produce long term benefits in combating dementia and other memory-related deficiencies.
It is often the case that students who learn a musical instrument in Primary school stop playing during Senior school so that they can focus on their studies. However, I hope they are encouraged to persevere. The benefits of musical training are so great, that they are worth the effort of continuing into adulthood. Paying for your child to learn an instrument can be costly, but if you are a parent who has undertaken this expense, I encourage you to persist! Your sacrifice is worthwhile. And if you are a parent who has not ventured down the musical training path, I encourage you to investigate the positive effect of music on your child and yourself. If you play, they are more likely to.
Music is an incredible gift. It helps us develop physiologically and emotionally, but most importantly, we can grow spiritually through music that reminds us of the character and works of God. He has given us an amazing brain that can learn and appreciate music, so why don’t we use it to bring Glory to His Name.
Reminders
- The Parent Portal and Kuyper App will be the primary vehicle for day-to-day communications between the school and parents in 2023. The School Calendar, weekly news, event advice and other essential functions will only be available in the Parent Portal and Kuyper App. At least one parent/carer from each household where your child resides needs access to the portal or app. If you are not already using the App, or need assistance resetting your user account and password, call 4573 2999 and we will assist you to connect.
- Nurture Magazine has been sent home to each family via their eldest child. Look for an article by our very own Ruth Thompson on page 20.
- Lost Property is over-flowing. Please come and check if any of it is yours, as lost property will be discarded or re-sold at the end of the year.
- Parents are reminded to continue testing for COVID and advise us if there is COVID in their household. If concerned, we encourage students to wear a mask at school for their own and others’ protection. In line with NSW Health recommendations, we also ask that close contacts wear a mask indoors and on public transport (including the Kuyper bus) and test regularly. We still have a good supply of RAHT kits. Contact the Office if you would like some sent home.
- Reminder to parents to ensure that all fees are paid by the end of year. Contact the Office if you have any concerns.
- Families who rely on the Busways service need to know that there have been some changes to the timetables until the end of term. Use the buttons below to access the temporary timetables for Term 4.
Prayer & Praise
- Praise God that he continues in his sovereignty through all circumstances. Praise him that he is “the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God” (1 Timothy 1:17), and that he loves us.
- Give thanks for holidays, breaks and changes in rhythm. Pray for connection, peace and safety for all our families during these school holidays. Pray for connection and community to grow for all at Kuyper Christian School, particularly at Limelight!
- Pray for school families and staff families who are coping with illness and accident: Faithfull, Hill, Eastlake, Armstrong, Gubbins, Huxley, Daly. Pray for good rest, connection and healing for all our families, staff and students.
- 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).
- Give thanks for our Board and Executive team as they interview potential new staff members. Pray for one-ness of purpose for our staff, Board, Executive team, and Association as they plan, prepare and budget for 2023. Praise the Lord for His provision to us all the time.
Return to School 18 October 2021
To help you to prepare for the phased in return of students, we have put together as much information as we can. Please read it carefully, and if anything is still unclear, contact the Office. We ask families to adhere to the return dates if at all possible. However, if this is not possible, please contact the Office by Thursday this week (14 October). Here are the key dates:
- 18 October – full time face-to-face learning for Kindergarten, Year 1/2 and Seniors (current Year 11 & 12) begins again
- 19 October – face-to-face learning for Prep begins again
- 25 October – full time face-to-face learning for Years 3 – 10 begins again
- 1 November – StuVac for Year 12 begins (study at home or school)
- 8 November – Compressed subjects begin for Year 10 & 11 students (Year 10 students can wear their Senior Uniform). HSC exams begin at Kuyper Christian School.
To help with a smooth return, here are some points to remember:
- Busways services will return as normal from 18 October 2021. All passengers must wear a mask when travelling on public transport.
- Kuyper bus will return as normal, completing its regular route, from 18 October 2021. All passengers must wear a mask.
- Therefore, when dropping off Primary students, please use the pedestrian gate near the Office or the tall gate near the playground (below the bus bay). Do not use the bus bay to drop off or pick up students as this will hinder the movement of buses.
- When dropping off Secondary students, please use the “Kiss & Ride” lane in the Secondary carpark, or park outside the fence.
- When picking up Primary students, please wait outside the school gates (either near the Office or at the tall gate near the playground) and follow the COVID guidelines for outdoor mingling. Staff will release students to their parents as they see them waiting.
- When picking up Secondary students, please wait outside the school fence and follow the COVID guidelines for outdoor mingling.
- Please park parallel to the fence on the school side of the road, if possible, or parallel to the road on the opposite side of the road. Please do not park in or near the bus bay, the bus bay island or the Secondary or Primary carparks. Council may fine you if you park anywhere near the bus bay. It is unsafe for you to park and pick up your child from the Primary or Secondary carparks due to the movement of buses, cars and pedestrians through these spaces.
- All staff and students in Year 7 – 12 must wear a mask indoors and outdoors, unless written advice from a medical practitioner has been submitted to the Office.
- Students in Prep – Year 6 are not required to wear masks indoors or outdoors. However, they are encouraged to do so if they wish.
- As parents are not allow on site yet, Uniform may be ordered via telephone or email and paid for via telephone or direct deposit. Contact the Office to place an order. Orders will be picked on Mondays and Thursdays only. You will receive a text message when your order is ready. You may collect it up by phoning the Office from outside the School gate, or reply to the text and have the order sent home with your child.
- Students can book a time with the Office on either of these days to attend the Uniform Shop for sizing. We are more than happy to exchange items until the correct size is found.
At school, staff will be following Government COVID-safe guidelines. These will include:
- Separation of school student groups in Primary and Secondary where possible.
- Well-ventilated classrooms and offices.
- Sanitation stations placed around the school and use regularly encouraged, along with handwashing.
- Regular professional cleaning of buildings and furniture.
- Regular intermediate cleaning of high-touch areas by staff throughout the school day.
Here are some resources that you may find useful as you negotiate this phased in return:
- Secondary student return timetable: https://online.kuyper.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Secondary-Student-Return-Timetable.pdf
- HSC Exam timetable: https://online.kuyper.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/2021-HSC-Exam-Timetable.pdf
- Uniform price list and order form: https://online.kuyper.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Uniform-Price-List-Order-Form.pdf