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Newsletter – 2 June 2020

A Word from Cassie Dixon

Secondary Teacher, English & Japanese

I remember one particular day in 2009, when I was standing in my university’s cafeteria in Japan. I had ordered my lunch and, after walking around the corner, I was on the lookout for somewhere to sit. There were hundreds of voices bouncing off the walls as students from around the world caught up with their friends. Despite all the noise, there was one voice which managed to drown out all the others. A smile broke across my face as I hurried towards that voice. After months of being away from home, surrounded by people from Japan, North and South America, Europe and Africa, it was unmistakable. She was Australian! You see, the Australian ‘voice’ sounds more similar to the typical Aussie accent in the movies than what we’d like to think.

The Year 10 English students have learnt a lot about the Australian ‘voice’ and the strength behind it. They reflected on the dark chapters in Australia’s history, including the mistreatment of First Australians and the Stolen Generation, and heard the stories of some people who lived through these terrible times. These survivors used their voices to speak out against the cruelty of the past in the hope of preventing it from ever happening again. Year 10 found their voices and spoke out on topics close to their hearts: mental health, education, family, leisure, words, nature, animals, the environment and caring for others. They wanted to raise awareness and encourage others to value and care for our world and the people in it. They sought to follow the command from Ephesians 4:29, which says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Our ability to communicate with one another is a wonderful gift from God which we use everyday. The human desire to communicate is so strong that new pidgins, creoles and entire languages have been formed when speakers of various languages needed common ground from which they could communicate. I don’t know if you have ever witnessed or experienced the mixing of languages which can take place when people desperately want to interact and refuse to let the lack of a common language be a barrier.

When I think back to that day in the cafeteria, where I was surrounded by people speaking countless languages (and often using a mixture to try and get their point across), I am reminded of Genesis 11. Mankind had rebelled (again) and attempted to build a tower so they could reach heaven. The Lord came down and ‘confused their language’ so they wouldn’t understand each other, and then He scattered them ‘over all the earth’ (Genesis 11:1-9).

As a Japanese teacher, I often get to witness the mixing of languages as students strive to use what they are learning to communicate with their peers and with me. I thoroughly enjoy sharing my knowledge of the Japanese language and culture with my Year 8 students. I’m sure many students would say that they most enjoy listening to stories of my time in Japan, as their eyes are opened to the world outside Australia.

As Australians, we often take it for granted that people know about God and the love He showed for us when Jesus died on the cross. Unfortunately, there are many, many people in Japan who have never heard of the name イエス (iesu – Jesus), and the same can be said of many people groups around the world.

It is my prayer that the students at Kuyper will be filled with the love of learning new languages, as this is important in the spreading of the Gospel. In Matthew 28:19-20, we read the words of Jesus commanding us to, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

May we at Kuyper raise up a generation who are passionate about using their voices to share the good news of Jesus Christ with people around the world. I look forward to the future joy we will experience as we stand before the throne of God with our brothers and sisters in Christ, as described in Revelation 7:9-10:

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

Reminders

Keep up to date with important information for this week.

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  • 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.
Busways Route 680 – AM
Busways Route 5060 – AM
Busways Route 5572 – PM

Prayer & Praise

Please join us in bringing our community before our great God.

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  • 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

What Happens First Matters

The very first thing you do, say, experience, see, share... matters. In Year 4, students experience THE TIN OF DOOM...

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The very first thing you do, say, experience, see, share… matters. We hold onto this idea in every class as we start each term.

In Year 4, students experience THE TIN OF DOOM.

Each one may take a turn (or not) to feel what is inside the tin and then try and guess it what it is. The contents become a springboard for a wider, bigger, deeper discussion that explores part of God’s character and the way He loves us. We transfer these discussions into into our learning, our being and our relating.

The photograph shows Year 4, on their first day back after School@Home, enjoying (being terrified by) THE TIN OF DOOM!

Seussical Tickets: still some left!

Seussical tickets available! Please join us for this amazing event, and bring your family and friends.

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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

Book Seussical Tickets now!

In This Issue

Calendar

November 2022

  • Wed 30: 5 – 6 Swim School, 11am, Richmond
  • Wed 30: 3 – 4 Swim School, 12pm, Richmond
  • Wed 30: K – 2 Swim School, 1pm, Richmond
  • Wed 30: Year 6 Graduation Dinner, 5:30pm

December 2022

  • Thurs 1: Year 8 Japanese Tanken Centre Excursion
  • Thurs 1: Year 6 Fun Day (for everyone!)
  • Friday 2: Kuyper Concert Band Rehearsal, 8am, Hall
  • Friday 2: Selected Secondary students, Positive Paws Program
  • Friday 2: Year 9 Swimming Program, Richmond
  • Friday 2: Parent Connect, 6:45pm, Library for dessert and prayer. All welcome!
  • Tues 6: Limelight! from 5pm
  • Wed 7: Year 6 Big Day Out!
  • Thurs 8: Parent Connect, 2pm, Hall, prior to the Assembly. All welcome!
  • Thurs 8: Celebration Assembly, 2:30pm, Hall.
  • Thurs 8: Last Day Term 4

January 2023

  • Mon 23: Curriculum Week begins (staff only)
  • Mon 30: First Day Term 1 for Years 1 – 12
  • Tues 31: First Day Term 1 for Prep & Kindy
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