A Word from Kae McCaull
Primary Teacher, Year 2
In Year 2 we end our day by taking a few moments to reflect on and respond to this request. Answers often relate to lessons they have enjoyed, people they have had fun playing with or special events that made the day memorable. We then take time to thank God for those parts of our day that have been a blessing. You see, no matter what happens, there is always something to be grateful for. It is important to remember where all these good things come from. Without our God ordaining it, not one of us would take a breath, have a heartbeat or be able to exist.
One of the best things about thankfulness is that the more you choose it, the easier it gets. The more you profess gratitude, the more you notice things to be grateful for. The thankful muscle responds to exercise.
Katie Taylor, World Vision
Here at Kuyper, God has given us many things to be thankful for.
Lately in my class we have been going a little deeper than just being thankful for the things that we liked. We go on to consider the things that have challenged us and then taught us or helped us grow. It is in the waiting that we learn to be patient. Not giving up when something is hard to learn or master teaches perseverance (as well as the concept that we were struggling with). By withholding a sharp answer, we practise our self-control. These things are not fun or enjoyable but they help us learn and grow, they are definitely blessings. They are things to be thankful for.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In Colossians 3:15-17 we read “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (emphasis mine). Without a doubt, what I am most grateful for is Jesus Christ and all that He has done for me (and everyone else) through his death and resurrection. If that was all He ever did, then I would still have reason to be grateful. It is absolutely amazing that God still adds more things every day to my list of things to be grateful for. When we have the peace of Jesus in our lives, thankfulness overflows. Even when life is not as we would have it, or it feels out of control, we can still praise God for hope, freedom and forgiveness. We can be grateful for God’s sovereignty and His promise to never leave us.
Gratitude is something God would have us practise so that we become the people He wants us to be.
So I encourage you to take a moment or two to reflect and ask “What was good about today?“
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
Hot Lunch Day - Order Now!
We will welcome Term 3 with a Hot Lunch Day on Monday 26 July. Download the order form below and return it to the Office, with the correct money, by this Thursday 24 June (last Thursday of Term 2), then look forward to your hot lunch!
Seussical Fashion
If you are a Seussical cast or crew member and would like to strut your stuff in a Kuyper Seussical shirt or hoodie, download the order form below and return it to the Office, this week.
What Absorbs My Heart and Imagination
As we start to re-emerge…it’s good to think about what we have learned and what we are going to pick up again, or not pick up again.
Don’t miss this last biblical reflection in the COVID-19 series with Michelle Dempsey, CEO, Christian Education National (CEN).
Christian Education National (CEN), a community of school communities unified around the common goal of authentic, Bible-based, Christ-centred education.