A Word from Lyndal Mitchell

If you have scrolled through Facebook or looked at a local newspaper lately, it is likely that you have seen reports or photographs of an incredible floral event occurring in the Blue Mountains at the present time: an abundance of the very rare pink flannel flower. On Saturday, I went up for my second visit to see this spectacular display. Hundreds, if not thousands, of other people had the same idea. There were park rangers directing traffic, and road signs warning of crowds and advising caution. When was the last time that a flower created traffic congestion? It was delightfully strange!
As soon as you step off the Narrow Neck fire trail, the dense carpet of sweet, pink flowers spreads out in all directions. Nestled beneath the blackened limbs of hundreds of burnt banksia trees, the soft fleshy blossoms contrast almost comically with the rough charred seedpods of the banksia remains.
According to local sources, it is 50 years since pink flannel flowers were last seen blooming in the Blue Mountains. It’s incredible to imagine all those seeds lying dormant (in their millions!) in the soil all that time, until the conditions for germination were exactly right: drought and severe fire in one season, followed by heavy rainfall in the next.
As we wandered amongst the abundant beauty and marvelled at the unlikeliness of such a rich botanical treat, my friend and I couldn’t help but see parables of God’s goodness and grace everywhere we looked. Passages such as Isaiah 61 came to mind: beauty from ashes, joy after mourning, a garment of praise that replaces despair.
There is much in this world that can worry our minds, burden our hearts, test the mettle of our courage, and weigh down our spirit. It can be hard to hold on to the promises of God, and believe that He is always working for our ultimate good – in spite of how our current circumstances feel to us. But that is the truth. God’s timing is often not what we would choose or wish for; He will not be hurried or rushed along by our own impatient agendas or human sense of urgency. He is on His own time schedule. That can be hard to accept, but it can also be immensely liberating. Trusting God is not a vain pursuit, it is wisdom. Waiting on His timing is not foolishness, it is the key to serenity. These are hard lessons to learn and I’m thankful for all the illustrations and reminders that He sends my way.
As we unwrap the story of God’s redemptive grace to the students we teach here at Kuyper, we pray for the message of hope to sink deeply into each and every heart. We pray that our students will find themselves within God’s unfolding narrative and know that they belong. May they each have the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the
broken-hearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, and provide
for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes, the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour…
For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up
before all nations.
Isaiah 61:1-3 & 11
Reminders


- TOMORROW Primary students who have ordered soup may enjoy it!
- Reminder to all parents, not to use the Bus Bay to drop off or pick up your children as it hinders bus movements and is unsafe.
- 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. We will send home any that is labelled today.
- 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.
- 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.
- Pray for Joshua Miller, who is unwell in hospital at present. Please pray for healing, wisdom for the doctors, and hope and strength for Josh’s family.
- 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 God and his omnipresence; he is present everywhere at the same time.
- Give thanks for our Board and Executive teams. Pray for one-ness of purpose for our staff, Board, Executive team, and Association.
News & Notices
Are you Ready for Crazy Hair Day this Friday!



On Friday 12 March, (this Friday) we will be holding a fundraiser for JDRF
JDRF stands for
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Come to school in non-uniform, with a gold coin and your hair CRAZY!
We will also be selling Zooper Doopers at the Hall during lunch for $1 each.
Just make sure all the craziness is gone by Monday…
Library Update 2021


Mrs Kean (Teacher Librarian) & Mrs Stuut (Librarian)

Here is a snapshot of what happens in one of our most busy spaces here at Kuyper Christian School. Every class in the school attends the Library and every child has a chance to borrow books, read, learn and be creative through the Library.
Library lessons for Primary students occur on Thursdays. During these lessons Years 1 – 6 borrow books. Kindergarten students have lessons about how to use the library. They listen to a fun book together and complete an activity. Years 1 – 6 are working on Digital Citizenship; discovering how to stay safe online and what they can do to protect ourselves. Students will also be considering how to be responsible disciples of Jesus in a digital world.
We will celebrate Book week in August this year, and the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge. Look out for details in the Newsletter. May God bless you in the year ahead.