Celebrate Hope
Ian Shaw, Principal
As we begin a new term, I would like to look back to the end of last term. Our 40th Anniversary celebrations were a high point of activity and rejoicing. I am deeply thankful for those who committed time, energy and resources to make our 40th Anniversary events so successful. I can confidently declare that people who came, particularly the Pioneers, enjoyed their time with us. The two days were a wonderful celebration of God’s goodness to this school community. God is good all the time!
At the Anniversary dinner, we were blessed by Kuyperians from all stages of our journey coming together to hear two guest speakers. Dr Paul Roe (The Outback Historian) and Mr Tim White (Former Kuyper Principal) spoke about keeping the vision of Jesus alive and central to life today as we look forwards, and backwards, into history. Tim’s presentation reminded us of the strong bonds that people form through serving at Kuyper. Passion for Christian Education was strong.
Our next big event is Seussical the Musical! This will be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the gifts of our talented students. It will be an amazing spectacle and an experience that won’t be forgotten. Musicals are great moments of learning, connection and encouragement for students and preparations continue with much energy and anticipation. Purchase your tickets now before they sell out!
You may recall that last term our community experienced a great deal of sickness among staff and students alike. Term 3 will bring similar challenges. The NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, briefed principals from independent schools yesterday and warned of the expected impact of BA.4 and BA.5 COVID variants in schools. Please see the latest COVID update in this Newsletter for more information on how to protect and care for our school community. Although strong restrictions have lapsed, wise measures are still required to navigate coming weeks. I must emphasise how important it is that students and staff stay away from school if they have flu-like symptoms. The diligence of parents and staff in this area will help normal classes to run without disruption. Mask wearing indoors is strongly encouraged for all students, with either re-usable or disposable masks being acceptable. Mask wearing indoors will be essential for staff, and students who travel on public transport, including the Kuyper bus. The peak for virus activity is expected around the end of August.
You are welcome to drop in and speak with me without an appointment. You are also most welcome to make an appointment with me via the Office if you have something that requires more time. In conclusion, I leave you with a quote from Lamentations, shared today by Mrs Kae McCaull in Staff Devotions. We are reminded of the deep hope that we share in an enduring and faithful God. “Therefore, I will hope in Him.”
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
Lamentations 3:21-22
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
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
COVID-19 Update #28
Whilst transmission rates of COVID remain high in the community, NSW Health is advising a cautious approach to the beginning of the school term to reduce the risk of infection and subsequent disruption to learning. In keeping with this risk mitigation approach, our staff will continue to wear masks indoors until further notice, and parents visiting the school grounds are requested to wear a mask indoors as well. Students may choose to wear a mask indoors. There are now no requirements regarding the type of mask. Therefore, a clean, re-usable mask is acceptable.
Masks continue to be mandatory for anyone aged 12 years and older travelling on public or private transport services, including the Kuyper Coach and Kuyper mini-buses. Please ensure your child has a clean mask for this purpose (either disposable or re-usable). Students boarding buses without a mask will be supplied with a disposable mask and asked to wear it. If your child has a mask exemption, please ensure that you have provided up-to-date proof of exemption to the School Office.
We encourage all students to administer a RAHT before returning to school on Monday 25 July, and any other time that symptoms occur. The School Office currently has a small supply of RAHT kits available for families, upon request. Further kits will be supplied to schools, and all families will receive a RAHT multipack for each enrolled student during August.
Positive COVID cases are still required to isolate. Refer to the NSW Health Advice for guidelines regarding self-isolation. Any student who returns a positive RAHT must also notify the school and record the positive RAHT result through the Service NSW website or Service NSW app. The NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines require students, staff members and visitors to notify the school if they are a household/close contact. Students who are a household contact of someone with COVID-19 are required to RAHT test every day before coming to school, and students 12 years and older must wear a mask indoors while at school. Students who have had COVID in the last 4 weeks do not need to comply with the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines if they become a household/close contact within the 4 week period.
Parents are reminded that students displaying COVID-19 symptoms cannot attend school, even if they have had COVID in the last 4 weeks or returned a negative RAHT result. Symptomatic individuals must not attend school until symptoms have resolved. Any student with other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms must provide the school with a letter from their GP. Hybrid learning remains available for students who are required to isolate due to COVID-19 but are still well enough to work. Refer to our School@Home webpage for details.
We will continue to review these measures as the term progresses. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Parent/Teacher Interviews for Senior Students
Parent/Teacher interviews for Senior students will be held in the Library on Wednesday 14 September, from 4pm. Use the button below to make your bookings.
Bookings close on Thursday 8 September. Academic Reports for Senior students will be emailed to you before 14 September.
Seussical Tickets: still some left!
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
Healthy Harold
Healthy Harold will be visiting Kuyper again. You will see the Life Education van in Primary soon, and students from Prep – Year 6 will enjoy a lesson with Healthy Harold and their class. These lessons are planned and delivered with class teachers, tailored to our school and the age of each group. If you have any questions at all, please contact your class teacher.
The timetable for Healthy Harold’s visit is as follows:
- Wednesday 3 August, 9:15am, Year 5
- Wednesday 3 August, 11am, Prep & Kindy
- Thursday 4 August, 9:15am, Year 4
- Thursday 4 August, 11am, Year 3
- Friday 5 August, 9:15am, Year 6
- Friday 5 August, 11am, Year 2
- Friday 5 August, 1:45pm, Year 1
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!