For the Love of Books
Jo Kean, Primary Teacher
If you come to my classroom most days, you will catch us doing something that I love to do. Reading! In my life and in my classroom, reading is important. In the early years of school, reading is what children learn to do. In my classroom, we are helping to develop foundations for future learning. Reading is one of them.
You may not know this about me… I love books! I am the type of person who walks around the house reading whilst doing other things. I even bring books to the dinner table. A great day at the shops for me would involve a good coffee and a book shop. Yes, I am hopeless. I go to bed each night and read. I relax by reading in a sheltered spot in my garden. In the holidays, I love to read so much that a whole day can go by, and I have done little else. I do get into trouble from my husband when I get engrossed in a book, as he says, and pay little attention to him.
This week I was shocked to discover that some children in my class do not know who Winnie the Pooh is. I wondered how this could be. How could children in the 21st century not know about a bear of very little brain who I adore! My new mission is to introduce Winnie the Pooh and his friends to this group of students to help them see how friends care about each other, even when they are sad and grumpy, like poor Eeyore. They need to know that friends are there for each other; they support each other and they encourage each other to be more like Jesus.
We are learning to WHOK in K/1; to be wise, happy, obedient and kind in the way that we treat each other every day as we work and play together. We were discussing this recently, and one student pointed out that we don’t need rules stuck up on our walls, because if we are WHOKing we know the rules already! What a powerful insight.
I have a question though, why do I get so involved with a story that I want to keep reading to see what happens, and yet hesitate to get into God’s Word, the Bible? Do I carry the Bible with me and long to see what His plan for me today is? I am guilty as charged. What a different person I would be if my first passion was the Lord, and spending time in fellowship with Him. I recently read a devotion based on Matthew 6:20-23. It was about storing up treasures in heaven. What a challenge. If Jesus is my treasure, and the purpose of my life is to glorify Him, I am blessed if I live with my heart, mind, soul, and strength focused on Him and His plans for me. Therefore, the problem with my reading is my heart. Putting Christ first is essential to Christian living.
Please read and read with your children! Please read lots of different and varied books, especially Winnie the Pooh. But read the Bible with them too and pray with them. Let them see your relationship with the Lord in action and they will imitate you.
Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:20-21
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.
News & Notices
Mr Weule is cold!
Since last Thursday, Mr Weule has been missing his Kathmandu black soft-shell jacket. It has a yellow post-it note in the right pocket and a blue dice in the left pocket. His name and phone number are on the tag. It may have been picked up by a student by mistake as it looks like the Kuyper black jacket.
Mr Weule would greatly appreciate you all checking at home.
Meningococcal Vaccine for Year 10 on Friday
Meningococcal vaccinations for Year 10 students will be held this week on Friday 20 May at 9:30am. During that time, students in Year 7, 8 and 11 who have also returned consent forms can “catch-up” on any vaccines they missed.
Students in Year 10 received their consent forms for the free Meningococcal Vaccine. If you did not receive one, or wish to register non-consent, please contact the Office. Forms need to be returned by Thursday 19 May.
You can find more information regarding the Meningococcal Vaccine here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/schoolvaccination.aspx
Year 11 2023 Information Evening
Year 10 students and their parents are warmly invited to attend the Year 11 2023 Information Evening in the Hall on Wednesday 25 May, from 7pm – 9pm.
We are excited to let you know about some new developments in our community that will give Senior students even more opportunities to learn with purpose and lead with humility.
Please join us on Wednesday 25 May to hear about Year 11 & 12 in 2023/24. A light supper will be served.
POSTPONED: Guest Speaker @ Kuyper AGM
UPDATE 23/05/22 – Our guest speaker is unable to attend for reasons beyond our control. Stay tuned for a new date for this event.
In light of the important implications for Christian Schools surrounding the Religious Discrimination Bill, the Abraham Kuyper Christian Education Association Ltd will be hosting a special guest speaker prior to the business part of our Annual General Meeting on Thursday 26 May.
Vanessa Cheng, Chief Executive Officer for the Australian Association of Christian Schools, will speak about the Religious Discrimination Bill, and the implications of the outcome of the Federal Election.
Vanessa has extensive experience working in the education and government sector as a secondary Christian school teacher and a project manager in the Victorian Department of Education. She has also held senior policy roles within the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Education as well as a Bachelor of Economics/Arts from Monash University, majoring in History and Politics. She is a member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church and lives in Bendigo with her husband and their five teenage children.
The Australian Association of Christian Schools is an advocacy organisation representing the interests of over a hundred Christian schools in every State and Territory. For further information on their work regarding the Religious Discrimination Bill and the upcoming election, visit their website or see the links below.
The Religious Discrimination Bill has the potential to profoundly impact the freedom of Christian schools to sustain our Christian distinctive. We encourage all Association Members and other interested parents to join us for this important discussion.
- From 6:15pm, join Vanessa and our Board for a light meal.
- 7:00 – 8:00pm, Guest Speaker: Vanessa Cheng Q& A session.
For catering purposes, please RSVP by Monday 23 May, with any dietary requirements.
Further Reading:
- Australian Association of Christian Schools
- AACS Religious Discrimination Update to Member Schools
- 2022 Federal Election: Comparison of Major Party Policies: where the parliamentary parties stand on issues important to Christian schools.
- National Survey of Election Candidates: where individual candidates stand on religious freedom.
- Religious Discrimination Bill Voting Record: how individual MPs voted on the Religious Discrimination Bill
Seussical Tickets: still some left!
Only 7 days until Opening Night (and counting), and Seussical tickets are still available! They can be booked online, by using the button below. It’s going to be amazing, so please join us and bring your family and friends!
- Performance Dates:
- Opening Night – Wednesday 10 August, 7:30pm
- Thursday 11 August, 7:30pm
- Friday 12 August, 7:30pm
- Matinee – Saturday 13 August, 2pm
- Closing Night – Saturday 13 August, 7:30pm
The show runs for approximately two hours including Interval. The Seussical Cafe will be in operation before each show and at Interval, selling delicious Seussical themed food and drinks. If you have any questions at all when purchasing your tickets, please contact the Office on 4573 2999 or email admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au
40 Year Celebration Service
Kuyperians old and new are warmly invited to join us for a special Celebration Service to commemorate our 40 Year Anniversary on Friday 1 July, 9:15am – 10:30am in the Kuyper School Hall. The celebration will be followed by Morning Tea.
Meet some of our founding pioneers, discover more about the Kuyper story, and celebrate with current staff and students as we give thanks for 40 Years of Learning in God’s World.
Some parent assistance will be required with serving morning tea. Please contact Ruth Thompson on 4573 2999 or admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au if you can help.
Parent/Teacher Interviews for Senior Students
Parent/Teacher interviews for Senior students will be held in the Library on Wednesday 14 September, from 4pm. Use the button below to make your bookings.
Bookings close on Thursday 8 September. Academic Reports for Senior students will be emailed to you before 14 September.
Premier's Reading Challenge
Every year, students from Kuyper Christian School participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure and enable students to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more, and to read more widely. The Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) is open to all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 10.
To take part, email Mrs Vincenti, dvincenti@kuyper.nsw.edu.au
Contact the Office if you have any questions or need some help.