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
- Thank you to Year 6 families for your RSVP to the Graduation Dinner. If you haven’t already, please pay for your seats (and your child’s) using this link. There is also a Year 6 Big Day Out on Wednesday 7 December. Check the App or contact the Office for assistance.
- Parents who have received notification about their password for the expiry of the Kuyper App. Please call 4573 2999 to reactive your Parent Portal access.
- Nurture Magazine will be sent home to each family via their eldest child this week. Look for an article by our very own Mrs Ruth Thompson on page 20.
- Borrowing from the Kuyper Library has ceased. All library books need to be returned. We will be invoicing families for any books that we do not receive.
- 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. There have been a few cases in the Primary school. 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 excursions, school events and celebrations for families to enjoy together. Pray for connection and community to grow for all at Kuyper Christian School as we look forward to Limelight!
- Pray for school families and staff families who are coping with illness: 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. Ask the Lord to provide, as he has always done.
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
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
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.