Riches of the Earth
Merrilynne Shaw, Primary Teacher
For History, Year 5 & 6 have been learning about Australia’s Gold Rush. If you’re a bit rusty on the details, Australia’s Gold Rush began in 1851 when Edward Hargraves and his mates discovered gold near Bathurst. This was not the first time gold was discovered in Australia, but it was the first time an Australian government would pay someone for gold, so the rush for quick riches began.
In the third week of this term, Stage 3 went on the Good as Gold Camp to Bathurst to be immersed in Gold Rush history. Here are what some students had to say:
I loved the Bathurst Camp, it was full of adventure and mystery.
Bethany, Year 5
After a bit, the bus stopped at our first destination. We arrived at Katoomba and had a big bush walk, we even got to see the Three Sisters. After all that walking, we hopped back on the bus. We were on our way to Bathurst. We arrived at our second stop, to eat some food and meet some new friends. Uncle Merv and Miss Sarah introduced themselves to us and then asked some people to put on a play. I was chosen to be Gregory Blaxland. The play was about how the area became Bathurst.
Summer, Year 6
An unusual thing I felt was that my bed was bouncy and small, but I slept in it anyway.
Ryder, Year 5
On our second day there, we went gold panning with Uncle Merv. I found eight specks of gold. Then we went inside a museum and Uncle Merv showed us lots of cool things from the time of the goldrush.
Faith, Year 5
I learnt how to throw a boomerang. There is a certain way as you must tilt your hand on an angle before you throw. There are different types of boomerangs too. One can break the legs of a kangaroo which Aboriginal people used so they could catch their food. The returning boomerangs were used to frighten animals out of hiding so they could be ambushed. Returning boomerangs were also used for sport. We got to paint our own boomerangs, but these are no good for throwing as they are for decoration purposes only.
Cara, Year 5
Learning about the living conditions in Colonial Australia and gold panning was terrific. I had never seen real gold before and that made it really special.
Penny, Year 6
My favourite part about the Bathurst Camp was the Mystery Walking Tour as we had to explore different sites of the city.
Tony, Year 6
For devotions, Mr H talked about the Greatest Treasure. The largest alluvial gold nugget they uncovered was called the Welcome Stranger. It was found in 1969 in Victoria, only 3 cm below the surface, near the base of a tree. It weighed 97.14 kg when it was removed from the ground and would be worth approximately $12 million today. Imagine finding it! Many of us would think that all our troubles were over. Like the Gold Rush of the 1800’s, many still seek earthly riches and forsake the greatest treasure of all – Jesus. Anything we can imagine on Earth is nothing when we compare it to God’s kingdom, not even the Welcome Stranger. God’s Kingdom is a treasure. When we follow Christ, the gift of eternal life exceeds anything of earthly value, and is worth everything we have.
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
Uniform Shop 2023
If you are a current Kuyper parent (i.e. your children are attending this year) and you require a uniform fitting, please follow this link to make a booking for your family. Only one booking per family is required, no matter the number of students. Please only make a booking if you require a fitting (e.g. your child has sprouted unexpectedly over the holidays and you can no longer guess their size from their current uniform, or they are a girl starting Year 7 and need to be sized for a dress, or you are a current family but have another child starting for the first time in 2023). Secondary boys’ shirts are sized the same as Primary boys’ shirts and the only new article your son will need is a shirt, and maybe a cap, which comes in one size. Secondary girls’ dresses are women’s sizes, while Primary girls’ dresses are children’s sizes. You may need a fitting.
Most uniform for current families can be ordered via email or telephone from Thursday 19 January. We are very happy to exchange multiple times until the correct size is found, so don’t feel like you need to know your child’s size with certainty. We are very happy to take your booking for a fitting, but as time-slots are limited, it would be good if they are available for those who really need them.
New families (i.e. those starting for the first time in 2023) will be contacted to arrange an Onboarding Session. The sessions will incorporate Uniform fittings as well as setting up the Kuyper App and SchoolEasyPay. You do not need to make a booking for Uniform at this time.
If you have any questions at all, please email admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au and we will direct you.
Guest Speaker @ Kuyper EGM
In light of the important implications for Christian Schools surrounding reforms to anti-discrimination legislation, the Abraham Kuyper Christian Education Association Ltd will be hosting a special guest speaker prior to the business part of our EGM on Wednesday 23 November.
Vanessa Cheng is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Association of Christian Schools and will speak on Partnering with Parents to Protect Christian Schools.
Vanessa has extensive experience working in the education and government sector as a secondary Christian school teacher and a project manager in the Victorian Department of Education. She has also held senior policy roles within the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Education as well as a Bachelor of Economics/Arts from Monash University, majoring in History and Politics. She is a member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church and lives in Bendigo with her husband and their five teenage children.
State-level action to reform anti-discrimination and equal opportunity laws to restrict the ability of Christian schools to employ Christian staff is already having an impact. The current Bill before the NT Parliament will vastly change the landscape for Christian Schools in NT if it is passed. Find out more.
We encourage all Association Members and other interested parents to join us for this important discussion.
- From 6:15pm, join Vanessa and our Board for a light meal.
- 7:00 – 8:00pm, Guest Speaker: Vanessa Cheng Q & A session.
For catering purposes, please RSVP by Wednesday, 16 November, with any dietary requirements.
The Australian Association of Christian Schools is an advocacy organisation representing the interests of over a hundred Christian schools in every State and Territory. For further information on their work, visit their website.
App News - Secure Your Account
The Edumate Parent Portal is designed for use on a laptop or desktop. If you tried to set up your new Parent Portal account via your mobile phone and were not asked to change your password, your account may not be secure. To change your password, follow the instructions below.
Access the Kuyper website on a laptop or desktop device, click on the hamburger dropdown menu at the top right of the screen, and select Parent Portal. You will be taken to the Edumate Parent Portal login screen.
Enter the username and temporary password details provided by the School in your New User Letter and follow the instructions to change your password.
If you do not receive a prompt to change your password when you log in to the online Parent Portal, click on your Profile Name at the top right of the screen and select ‘Change my password’.
We strongly advise that you do not use the temporary password provided by the School to access your Kuyper App. Before accessing the Kuyper App on your mobile device, follow the instructions you received to create a new password via the online Edumate Parent Portal.
For detailed instructions, access the Parent Guide: Parent Portal & Kuyper App.
For support, contact Ruth Thompson on 4573 2999.
Limelight is Tonight!
Limelight is here! From 5pm – 6:30pm today all kinds of stalls will be operating on the Village Green. Eftpos will be available for a limited number of stalls, so you will need to bring cash. Food and drink will be selling for $1 – $5. Some craft and speciality items may cost more. Christmas hampers are on sale for $35 – $75 each. All money raised by Kuyper at Limelight will be donated to Vanuatu.
From 6:30pm, stalls will close and students will entertain and delight us with their performances in the Hall. We are planning, preparing and praying for a wonderful evening of celebration and fellowship. We look forward to celebrating 40 years of Learning in God’s World with you.