A Word from Jemima Robinson
Within the first few days of School@Home, I was asked by one of my students “Why does everyone keep telling us to go outside?” Mindful of the need for students not to be glued to their screens while learning from home, we had been setting work, starting discussions and suggesting free time activities focused outdoors. This set me to reflecting, why do I see it as such an essential thing for my students to be outside?
It is true that fresh air and sunlight are needed, and that being outside often promotes movement and exercise. Spending time outdoors surrounded by nature has been shown to have many health benefits; it’s even good for your eyesight! But while these are all wonderful reasons to step outside, there is something deeper and more important to be gained from this.
God created the world to be intricate but at the same time, expansive. When I take a walk each day, I can appreciate not just the order behind what I am seeing, but the intrinsic beauty as well. Appreciating creation leads me to worship the Creator; to thank Him for the world He has created, to praise Him for the wonder of it and to acknowledge His power in creating it, purely from words!
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them.
Psalm 8:3-4
Last week, in Year 7 Science we observed the characteristics of different living things to help us learn how to scientifically classify them. Students observed their pets, insects and birds in their backyards, and examined the intricacies of different leaves. Our observations may have been useful in allowing us to identify and classify living things, but these observations can hold a greater purpose of pointing us towards God. God’s creation also helps us to reflect on His characteristics. A friend of mine once said that he surfed because the power of the waves reminded him that God was much more powerful than even the biggest wave.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
Romans 1:20
When we see power in the wind and waves we can be reminded that God is immensely more powerful than these. The disciples experienced this themselves when they were caught in a storm, which Jesus ordered to be calm. And there are many other characteristics of God which his creation reveals; His beauty, glory, wisdom, presence, creativity and loving care.
So as lockdown continues, I encourage everyone in our Kuyper community to put aside the screens as regularly as possible, take advantage of the benefits of time spent outside and while you’re doing so, reflect on the purpose of God’s amazing creation. Let it prompt us to praise Him for all that He is.
Reminders
- Borrowing from the Kuyper Library has finished for the year. Please return any library books as soon as possible. Text books may be returned at a later date.
- If your child arrives at school after 8:55am, or leaves before 3:25pm, please ensure that they have signed out at the Office before departing. They will receive a white “leave pass” to confirm. Parents may park at the gate and phone the Office when they arrive, and their child will be sent out to them.
- Secondary students are reminded to bring their own mask to school every day. We do have some disposable masks if you forget, but we have a limited supply.
- We are planning for Limelight! Please submit your Lime recipe to the Office via email by next Monday 29 November. Don’t forget to include a picture. Then make sure that you order your showbag by Wednesday 1 December. See News & Notices for more details.
- On Tuesday 30 November, Year 6 will celebrate their graduation by treating Primary students to a Fun Day. Cost is $5 per Primary student. See News & Notices for more details.
- Reminder to all parents, that you may not step onto school grounds, just yet. Please park outside the fence and phone us from there. We will arrange what you need and meet you at the gate. We apologise for the inconvenience and look forward to free interactions again soon.
- CEN has a job vacancy for a part time Finance & Administration Assistant. If you are interested, follow this link: https://cen.edu.au/job/finance-and-administration-assistant/
- Just a courtesy reminder that fees need to be fully paid by the end of term. Please call the Office if you are unable to do so.
- Here is some helpful information regarding student travel with Busways: https://online.kuyper.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/School-Travel-2022.pdf
- Term Dates for 2022: https://kuyper.nsw.edu.au/term-dates/
Prayer & Praise
- Give thanks for our Senior students and their families. Please join us in praying for them as they complete their HSC exams between Tuesday 9 and Monday 29 November.
- Give thanks for our upcoming Orientation days and our new families for 2022. Pray that their transition to Kuyper would be blessed and they would quickly connect and form lasting friendships.
- Pray for staff as they prepare academic reports for what has been a very disrupted year of learning. Give thanks that in all things God reigns. Pray that we would all finish this year well, rejoicing in what cannot be shaken.
- Give thanks for Limelight! Pray for a true community celebration that brings people together in acknowledgement of the gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ.
- Give thanks that our graduation celebrations can go ahead. Pray for our Year 6 , Year 10 and Year 12 graduates as they celebrate the beginning of a new chapter.
- Pray for the Abraham family, with father Mark recovering from three eye surgeries. Give thanks that the issue is being addressed. Pray for a successful outcome and complete recovery.
- Pray for a joyful end to 2021 and optimism for 2022.
News & Notices
Volunteers Needed for Secondary & Senior Exams
With the upcoming HSC and Secondary exams, some of our students are entitled to a reader and/or writer in order to facilitate a fair assessment of their knowledge. There are two types of volunteer needed, as outlined below:
Volunteers to work with HSC students
Strict rules apply to the position of reader and/or writer in HSC examinations. Volunteers are not allowed to have been employed at the school and cannot support a student who is a friend or family member. Due to the importance of this role, volunteers would be asked to participate in practice sessions with the student they will be supporting in order to build a rapport and help them to become confident in the process. HSC examinations are being held during November this year.
Volunteers to work with students in Years 7-10
Volunteers in this role would register their availability in the lead up to the exam week and may or may not be assigned to exam/s, depending on demand.
If you are a confident reader and writer, with legible handwriting and reasonable spelling, please consider making yourself available for one or both of these roles.
Please email the Office to register your interest (admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au).
Kuyper Koala Community
Gwendolyn, our resident koala, is quite the celebrity after returning to Kuyper last Thursday. This feisty lady has brought a community of koala lovers together from around the nation.
Gwendolyn has chlamydia, a debilitating bacterial infection that is one of the leading killers of Australia’s koalas. When she required another trip to the hospital with severe symptoms earlier this year, the outlook was grim. Gwendolyn’s recovery is the result of a cooperative effort between local groups and wildlife organisations around the country including,
- Hawkesbury WIRES, Richmond NSW
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Currumbin Qld
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah Qld
- Koala Hospital, Port Macquarie NSW
- Science for Wildlife, Mt Victoria NSW
- Vineyard Veterinary Hospital, Vineyard NSW
Gwen’s surgical success is a first for our local WIRES team, who will continue to monitor her health via a tracker installed by Dr Kellie Leigh from Science for Wildlife. The tracker will enable local experts to trace and examine Gwen in six months using in-the-field ultrasound equipment. In the meantime, our local eucalypts provide an excellent koala habitat, and there is hope that Gwendolyn might produce a joey.
As a school community, we are grateful for the privilege of sharing our beautiful bush location with Gwendolyn and reminded again that it all belongs to Jesus; every square, furry inch.
Read more about Gwendolyn in the Hawkesbury Gazette and watch her welcome home video below.
A Message from Her Excellency the Governor of New South Wales
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales, has posted a message of support and encouragement to all schools across the state.
“Take each day calmly; you will be amazed what you can achieve.”
Employment at Kuyper Christian School
Secondary Mathematics & Technology Teacher
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. This is a full time position to commence in Term 1, 2022. To be successful in the role, you will need to demonstrate or have:
- Experience with teaching Mathematics to Secondary students in Years 7-12
- An ability to teach Digital Technology
- Experience and/or willingness to employ an explicit teaching methodology
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- A commitment to excellence
- An ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
- A desire to be in regular fellowship with Christians in a local church setting
- Relevant qualifications
- NESA Teacher Accreditation
A Kuyper Employment Application Form, CV and copies of relevant documentation must be submitted with all applications, in addition to a 90 second audio visual presentation made by the applicant that explains what they think is an excellent lesson taught at a Christian School. This can be emailed, submitted on a USB memory stick or via a link to a cloud server. The AV could be a PowerPoint, slideshow or video clip. It is an opportunity to creatively highlight your strengths.
If you have any questions, please contact our Secretary, Tina Vander Reyden on 02 4573 2999 or tina@kuyper.nsw.edu.au. Applications close 5pm, Friday 1 October 2021. To download an application form, Statement of Faith, and other relevant information for all employment opportunities at Kuyper, follow this link https://kuyper.nsw.edu.au/employment/
Please send applications to the School Secretary, Tina Vander Reyden, tina@kuyper.nsw.edu.au or mail to:
The Principal
294 Redbank Road
KURRAJONG NSW 2758
If you wish to discuss the position, please contact the Principal, Ian Shaw, on 02 4573 2999, or after hours on 0416 191 254.
Update on NSW School Vaccination Program
We would like to confirm that all school vaccination clinics are postponed for the time being. We will let you know when new dates have been arranged. For Year 7 students (dTpa & HPV), be assured that the delay in them receiving the second dose does not mean they need to restart the course. Catch-up will be provided in Year 8. Any Year 7 student that has returned a consent but not started their vaccines can also be caught up in Year 8. If you have not yet returned a consent but would like your child to be vaccinated at school, please ensure you return consent during 2021.
Year 10 students (Meningococcal ACWY) we will also be caught up in Year 11. Please ensure that consent is returned in 2021.
If you are concerned about the delay in the School Vaccination Program, you may contact your GP.
NSW Health encourages all staff and students eligible for a COVID vaccine to seek this through the available clinics. Follow this link to check your eligibility and location of your closest clinics: https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility?lang=en
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Office.