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
- 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
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, Saturday 14 May
After an extended break due to COVID, our first Working Bee for 2022 will be held on Saturday 14 May. Come along between 8am and 12 noon. Morning tea will be provided. Please bring a shovel, safety gear, whipper snipper and fuel, if you can. You are welcome to attend part or all of the time; any help is welcome! Children may attend, but they are the parents’ responsibility.
The Working Bee is a great opportunity to meet other families and contribute to the place your children attend almost every day. If you are bringing your child to the Seussical Rehearsal, why not stay and help?
Please register your intention to participate by emailing admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au
School Tour Morning, Saturday 14 May
We are looking forward to our School Tour morning 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.
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.