A Word from Cassie Dixon
For years now, Kuyper has participated in the Positive Paws Program in partnership with Guide Dogs NSW. The program usually involves a small group of high school students making weekly trips to the Guide Dogs training facilities in Glossodia where they get to work with puppies and Guide-Dogs-in-training. Our students play an important role in preparing these dogs for their future work.
Lockdown meant that the program could not go ahead in its usual format; however, the team at Guide Dogs worked hard last term to shift the program online. A small group of students from Years 7 and 8 volunteered to pilot the Positive Paws: Train Your Dog@Home Program. Rather than working with the Guide Dogs in Glossodia, these students and their dogs joined an online training session each Friday morning. Bella & Bessy, Charlize & Zane, Kayne & Storm, Ruben & Peanut, Rosie & Jonny, and Josh B & Micah worked together to learn new skills which revealed the importance of patience, persistence and obedience. We laughed together at some of the silly things the pooches did, groaned together when they were THIS CLOSE to performing the trick, and cheered together when all the practice paid off and one of the dogs could show what they had learned.
My students will attest to my love of dogs – pets were often invited along to our Google Meets during School@Home – but I was surprised to find that it was the theory component of the program that had the greatest impact on me. We learnt about some of the struggles faced by people with vision impairment. It had never occurred to me that something as simple as where people place their bins on bin day can significantly impact someone’s ability to navigate their neighbourhood safely and independently. Have you ever thought about how challenging it would be to find your way into a building you’ve never visited before when you can’t even see the front door? There are so many things that I take for granted in my life.
This realisation gave me a better understanding of the value of a Guide Dog. These dogs go through rigorous training so that their owners will be able to trust them with their lives. Everyday, Guide Dogs lead their owners across traffic-filled roads, up and down stairs, and around countless obstacles. Being in any of these situations without the ability to see something that might cause you harm would be enough to paralyse anyone with fear.
How many of us have been paralysed by fear of the unknown? There are so many things that we can worry about; our health, the environment, our job, finances, children, grades, elderly parents… The list is endless.
Thankfully, God does not expect us to journey through life alone. Those of us who believe are called children of God (John 1:12) and have received the Holy Spirit in our hearts (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). God will never leave us nor forsake us, and He promises that we will seek Him and find Him when we seek Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:11, 13). He has given us His Word so that we can know Him more. The more we know of God and the better we know Him, the easier it is for us to trust Him and let Him guide our steps. As the Christmas season approaches, may we seek after God, spend time reading our Bibles, and learn to trust the One who will never lead us astray.
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
Psalm 119:05
a light on my path.
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.
Limelight is Tonight!
Limelight is here! From 5pm – 6:30pm today all kinds of stalls will be operating on the Village Green. Eftpos will be available for a limited number of stalls, so you will need to bring cash. Food and drink will be selling for $1 – $5. Some craft and speciality items may cost more. Christmas hampers are on sale for $35 – $75 each. All money raised by Kuyper at Limelight will be donated to Vanuatu.
From 6:30pm, stalls will close and students will entertain and delight us with their performances in the Hall. We are planning, preparing and praying for a wonderful evening of celebration and fellowship. We look forward to celebrating 40 years of Learning in God’s World with you.