A Word from Shareen Liggins
Recently, I was fortunate enough to spend a week’s holiday at Soldiers Point with my husband and kids. Every morning I took my cup of tea and contemplated the view from our holiday apartment. Each day it was the same vista before me but each day there was something new to enjoy and appreciate; the dawn light, a pelican sailing regally by, the colours of the water changing from blue to gold to grey and back again; serenity.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22 – 23
As we know, life can be full of surprises – the joyful and the difficult. Often the difficult times are outside of our control; life happens and we feel helpless. In times like these, knowing and trusting in God’s great faithfulness and steadfast love is an anchor. But if you are anything like me, there are also those moments of realisation and despondency (I’ve been calling myself a friend of Jesus since I was 4. Why am I not doing any better as a Christian?) I read my bible; I pray; I want to be better. Because it’s all about me, right?
A good friend gave me a book for Christmas. It suggested that if ‘transformation’ is the central purpose of my faith, it has skewed the way I relate to Jesus and His word.
I believed the purpose of the Bible was to help me.
Jen Wilkin, Women of the Word
I could relate to what the author was saying; searching the Bible for inspiration and guidance, for purpose and transformation is what we Christians do, right? Actually, this idea is all backwards – the Bible is a book about God, about His character, about His purposes and plans, and it is only in a deep knowledge of God that we will be conformed to His likeness. While this might seem obvious, it is amazing how easy it is to take our eyes off Him and focus on ourselves. So, while bible reading, prayer and repentance are all good and necessary, our focus must be on learning about our Lord and not on learning about how to fix ourselves. A true and deep knowledge of God is what brings about true and deep transformation.
In Lamentations, the character of God is brilliantly revealed.
Thank You for Your steadfast love, O Lord. Thank You that it never ceases. Thank You that You are unfailingly and everlastingly merciful to a sinner like me. Each new day is a new day to contemplate Your faithfulness, O Lord. Please give me the grace to do so and, in doing so, become more like You. Amen.
Shareen Liggins
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
Kuyper at the Show
Kuyper will be on display at the Hawkesbury Show again this year, celebrating 40 Years of Learning in God’s World. Come and pay us a visit, behind the Art & Craft Pavilion, opposite the Redbank Communities display.
- Friday 6 May, 9:00am to 5:00pm
- Saturday 7 May, 9:00am to 5:00pm
- Sunday 8 May, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Parking at the showground will be muddy, muddy, muddy! Show organisers are encouraging attendees to leave the car at home and catch the train, with additional services running to and from Clarendon over the weekend. Visit Transport NSW to plan your trip.
Working Bee, this Saturday 15 October
Our Term 4 Working Bee will be held this Saturday 15 October. Come along between 8am and 12 noon. Morning tea will be provided. You are welcome to attend part or all of the time; any help is welcome! Children may attend, but they are the parents’ responsibility.
Please register your intention to participate by emailing admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au and bring along your gum boots, shovels, whipper snippers and safety gear. We need you!
School Tour Morning, this Saturday 15 October
We are looking forward to our School Tour morning this Saturday for non-Kuyper families. Classrooms will be open and staff will be hosting tours any time between 9:30am and 1pm. We will also be serving free barista coffee for anyone curious about Kuyper Christian School or interested in enrolling.
We encourage our Kuyper community to join us in inviting their friends and colleagues to come and see the school for themselves. You can download or share the brochure.
NAPLAN Online, Tuesday 10 May
NAPLAN Online for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will begin on Tuesday next week (10 May). All participating students will need to bring plug-in headphones. Secondary students will need to ensure that their Chromebook is fully charged for the start of the day.
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. All NSW schools will sit NAPLAN online in 2022.
Please contact the School Office if you need more information on special provisions or the process required to gain a formal exemption.
Where possible, we will arrange for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during our test schedule.
If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact the Office or your child’s teacher.
Additional resources:
Colour Explosion Fun Run - this Friday
In response to student initiative, we will be holding a Colour Explosion Fun Run to raise money and awareness about bullying and cyber bullying in schools. We are looking forward to a fun event as we support an Australian charity, Dolly’s Dream.
The Colour Explosion Fun Run will be held after lunch, this Friday 14 May. To participate, students must wear non-uniform that includes a white t-shirt and bring a gold coin donation. During the fun run, students will be covered in non-toxic, biodegradable coloured powder from head to toe. If you do not wish your child to participate, you must submit a non-consent form (below). Your child would have already received a sponsorship form that explains the event and how they can fundraise.
If you have any questions at all, or would like another sponsorship or non-consent form, please contact the Office.