A Word from Jo Kean
Teacher Librarian
To say that 2020 has been a challenging year, is an understatement! Yet as Christians we know in all these things, God is in control. Throughout the events of this year a Colin Buchanan song has been playing in my thoughts called “Be Strong and Courageous”. It is based on a passage in the book of Joshua.
Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land, I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:6-9
I don’t know about you, but I have found these words deeply encouraging. In April, we lost a precious granddaughter at just 10 days old. I never met Ivy; I just have pictures of her. I have not visited her grave or met her gorgeous brother Noah, except on Facetime. These precious grandchildren live in Tasmania and due to COVID-19 we have not yet been able to visit. With border restrictions lifting we will be able to visit at Christmas, God willing. In all the trauma of these events I know without doubt that our God is a good God. He loves my family and cares for us all deeply. I know that His purposes are much bigger than mine and He is my strength and refuge. Joshua was told to be strong and very courageous because God would be with him wherever he went. What a wonderful promise. God will never leave us!
Despite the pandemic, it was wonderful to celebrate book week on 22 October and to revel in the fun of dressing up. It was a very different celebration, yet the students enjoyed the day. Our visitors were a huge hit. The students delighted in all the day brought.
I would like to give a massive thanks to the Primary staff, who are amazing! Thank you also to Sue Stuut and Sarah Allen for their help behind the scenes. I would like to give a special thanks to our incredible photographers, Michaella Russell and Ben Miller. Thank you so much to our parents, carers and families for all your help with costumes. We did miss our Kuyper Community!
May God bless you and give you His strength today and always.
Reminders
- TOMORROW Secondary students who have ordered soup may enjoy it!
- 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.
- We have oodles of lost property here in the Office following the athletics carnival. Please come and claim some!
- Tomorrow’s prayer meeting will be held in the Office from 7 – 7:30pm. All welcome.
- 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.
- All students, staff and their families should be aware of NSW Health’s advice to reduce the risk of COVID-19, and other illnesses that may affect schools this coming winter, such as the flu. Please note the following NSW Health messages: stay home if unwell; keep up to date with vaccinations, including the flu vaccine, which is available from your local GP, pharmacy or Aboriginal Medical Service. Flu vaccines are free for all children aged 6 months to under 5 years, or for a small charge for those aged 5 years and older; get tested immediately for COVID-19 if you become symptomatic and isolate until you receive a negative result; even if you receive a negative result, do not attend school whilst symptomatic; practice good hand hygiene by washing regularly with soap and water; take a RAHT before visiting vulnerable loved ones or going to large gatherings and events.
- 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 athletics carnival; for great weather and friendly competition. Give thanks for our staff and volunteers who contributed so much to the day.
- Give thanks for our staff. Pray that the Lord would restore us all to full health and strength to finish Term 2 well.
- 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.
- Give thanks for our CEN schools. Pray for Dubbo Christian School, and their Principal. Pray for healing, fellowship and peace.
- 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 connections to strengthen and grow in genuine community and care for eachother.
- 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 Board and Executive teams. Pray for one-ness of purpose for our staff, Board, Executive team, and Association.
News & Notices
BBQ Fundraiser this Thursday
Don’t forget, if you have placed an order, that the BBQ Fundraiser for our Compassion Child, Mehedi is on this Thursday at lunch time.
Finding Treasure
Evan Barnes, Year 6 Teacher
Year 5 and 6 are richly blessed! In a year of cancellations and postponements, Year 5 and 6 were given the opportunity to travel to Bathurst for their goldfields camp. While no one struck it rich, a few gold flakes were found and we returned home with many treasures. Treasured memories of gold panning, blacksmithing and bushwalking; treasured memories of growing new friendships while strengthening old ones; treasured memories of adventuring, problem solving and team work. Most importantly, a few treasures were stored in heaven where they are safe from destruction, theft and loss, kept by our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
Nurture Magazine
Nurture Magazine is a regular publication by Christian Education National (CEN). If you have been at Kuyper for a while, these publications may look familiar to you. The latest one was sent home with your child today. CEN have released a short survey about Nurture Magazine and would appreciate your participation. Please follow the link below:
Looking Forward to Limelight@Home
Limelight@Home will be streamed via an unlisted YouTube link on Tuesday, 7 December, from 6:30pm. Only Kuyper families will be given access to the link. To protect our students’ privacy, please do not share the link outside your family. Limelight@Home will be available to view for two hours after the event. We encourage families to enjoy community by celebrating in small COVID-safe groups.
This is also your last chance to purchase a showbag to assist with your lime celebrations. They are family-sized showbags for $15 each. Here, you can see what’s inside…
Order your showbag by emailing the Office (admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au) by Monday morning 6 December. Once showbags are ready and payment has been received, we will send your order home with your child. Payment can be made via direct deposit, cash or EFT. Families who have already ordered a showbag can collect it from the Office. Otherwise, it will be sent home with your eldest child on Monday afternoon.
In a year of unpleasant pressures, disappointments, shifting sands and unexpected joys, let us hold fast to the certainty of Jesus and rejoice in His changeless Limelight together.
Employment at Kuyper Christian School
Applications are invited from Christians of Reformed persuasion who identify with the School ethos and can demonstrate their Christian faith in Jesus as a priority in their life.
Bus Driver
This is a temporary part time position, 5 days per week – split shift. The successful applicant will be responsible for bus driving duties which will include, but not be restricted to, morning and afternoon school bus runs, excursions and sporting activities during school terms, to commence in Term 1, 2022.
Requirements:
- MR driver’s licence
- Working with Children Check
- COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate
Administration Support
This is a temporary part time position, 2 days per week, during school terms, to commence in Term 1, 2022.
Duties:
- Supporting the Administration team
- Administering First Aid
- Managing a busy reception, serving staff, parents, and students
Requirements:
- Working with Children Check
- COVID-19 Vaccination certificate
- First Aid certificate
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
- Strong organisation skills, and flexibility
- Competent computer skills including MS Office and Google
- Ability to prioritise and work independently
Desirable:
- MYOB
- Edumate
- Adobe
All applicants must complete an application form which can be found on our website https://kuyper.nsw.edu.au/employment/
Applications close 5:00pm Friday 24 December, 2021.
Please send your application, including CV, to Ian Shaw: ishaw@kuyper.nsw.edu.au
Seussical!
This Saturday is our next Seussical Saturday – the last before our holiday break.
We want to run through the whole show at the end of the rehearsal, so keep learning lyrics and dance moves.
Time: 9am – 3:30pm, in the Hall (of course)
Date: this Saturday! (18 June)
BYO: all food and drinks
Wear: comfortable, warm clothes
It’s only 58 days until Opening Night!
QR Code at Kuyper
Kuyper Christian School has a QR code. We ask that anyone who steps onto school grounds use the QR code to sign in. We advise you to download the Service NSW app, if you haven’t already got it, as this will make it quicker and easier to sign in.
Therefore, when you step onto school grounds the following now applies:
- If you are dropping off or picking up a child, dropping off an item, or dropping in to ask a quick question, please register using the QR code attached to the tree inside the main pedestrian gate.
- For Prep parents, the QR code will also be available at the Prep room.
- If you will be on site for longer than 5 minutes, you will need to register using the QR code AND sign the visitor register as well. This is to satisfy COVID guidelines and emergency evacuation procedures.
If you have any questions at all, please ask! Thank you all for your assistance and understanding.
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.