A Word from Mitchell Cavens
Secondary Teacher, Music and Design & Technology
“I am not a very creative person”, is something I often hear as a Music and Design & Technology teacher. You may have said this yourself. Maybe you believe that you are not able to complete tasks that rely on creativity. I’ve been investigating the legitimacy of this claim; is it possible that a human being created in the image of God is not creative, as God is creative?
In my Design & Technology class, students have shown that their ability to apply their own creativity in design has improved through practice and research. In class, students often undertake lateral thinking challenges in order to develop their ability to solve problems creatively. Students have confronted many circumstantial and personal challenges which impact their ability to design a project. Many have shown that they are learning to apply their creativity to these challenges and that these opportunities can actually benefit their designs.
One particular student found that financial challenges would impact his ability to redesign and renovate a room in his home. In response, he used his God-given creativity. Instead of physically redesigning the room, he decided to create an accurate 3D prototype. This has allowed him to model a much wider variety of materials and design ideas which he can physically apply later, when circumstances permit.
Time and time again, people have shown an incredible ability to utilise creativity, particularly in times of adversity, where creativity is necessary for survival. During wartime, people utilised their creativity in order to improve their chances in war, resulting in inventions such as microwave ovens, the internet, digital photos and canned food. During this COVID period, medical advances which would have taken many years, have only needed weeks to create, due to the pressure arising from adversity.
It may be that we do not lack creativity, we just don’t practice it because we think that our circumstances don’t require that kind of problem-solving. The reality is that we face issues every day and although God made us to be creative beings, we often choose not to utilise our creativity because it’s easy to get solutions with a click on google search, rather than exercising our creative muscles to solve these issues ourselves.
I hope and pray that you would all be encouraged to use your creative muscles; take things apart, put things together, work things out yourself, create art, write songs, write poems, build things. This is such a vital part of our identity in God and can be such a service to others. God is creative, and so are you.
He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.
Exodus 35:35
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
New Secondary Device Initiative
Our Year 11 & 12 students have successfully been using Chromebooks, sourced by the school, for a number of years now. As we await our impending connection with the NBN, the Kuyper School Board has decided to introduce Chromebooks (laptop computers) for all Secondary students in Term 3, 2020.
The School has decided to move this way in the wake of School@Home. With the expected improvement in internet speed here at school, ease of connecting with information and resources as well as the ability to deal with any future disruptions to onsite learning, this initiative will also enable greater access to learning both at School and at home.
Each Secondary student will be provided with a device, at no cost, and will be able to keep it after a specified period of time. New devices will be issued at key points in the student’s learning pathway. Students will take responsibility for the care of the device, with the support of the School, to ensure appropriate maintenance and monitoring. We look forward to students employing responsible stewardship as they embrace this new level of digital access.
More details about this program will be sent to parents and students soon.
Ian Shaw
Principal
Return & Earn for Vanuatu
Our Return & Earn fundraising for Vanuatu continues. Please deposit your aluminium cans and plastic bottles in the lime coloured recycling box in the sails area, or place them alongside in a labelled bag. All donations need to be clean, whole (not crushed) and eligible for the 10c recycling refund.
Employment at Kuyper Christian School
Applications are invited from Christians of Reformed persuasion who identify with the School ethos and can demonstrate their Christian faith in Jesus as a priority in their life.
Bus Driver
This is a temporary part time position, 5 days per week – split shift. The successful applicant will be responsible for bus driving duties which will include, but not be restricted to, morning and afternoon school bus runs, excursions and sporting activities during school terms, to commence in Term 1, 2022.
Requirements:
- MR driver’s licence
- Working with Children Check
- COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate
Administration Support
This is a temporary part time position, 2 days per week, during school terms, to commence in Term 1, 2022.
Duties:
- Supporting the Administration team
- Administering First Aid
- Managing a busy reception, serving staff, parents, and students
Requirements:
- Working with Children Check
- COVID-19 Vaccination certificate
- First Aid certificate
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
- Strong organisation skills, and flexibility
- Competent computer skills including MS Office and Google
- Ability to prioritise and work independently
Desirable:
- MYOB
- Edumate
- Adobe
All applicants must complete an application form which can be found on our website https://kuyper.nsw.edu.au/employment/
Applications close 5:00pm Friday 24 December, 2021.
Please send your application, including CV, to Ian Shaw: ishaw@kuyper.nsw.edu.au
Kuyper Pioneers Series #1: Motivation
What motivates a group of ordinary people to start a school? Find out, as we delve into the history of Kuyper Christian School over a series of five videos featuring some of the School’s founding members.
Homework Insights #1
Homework & You by Bill Rusin
Homework is an opportunity for children to learn and enrich their education and it can give parents a greater stake in the learning process. Parents are most important in making homework a spark that encourages a child to learn. Parents do this simply by being interested and available. However, engaging with homework can be stressful for parents. Here are some questions I am familiar with, as an educator:
- How can I get John to do his homework; all he wants to do is play on the computer and watch TV?
- Why isn’t Rachel getting more homework?
- David is involved in so many things like sport, youth group and helping at home that he doesn’t have time to do much homework.
- How can I help Amy with her Maths; even I don’t understand it?
- Does homework really do any good?
Over the next few weeks I will look at some ways in which parents can help, and not get stressed!
Seussical Cafe
The Seussical Cafe will be in operation before each show and at Interval, selling delicious Seussical themed food and drinks. Prices are $1 – $5 and our catering team have been working hard to bring you the best and most creative treats! We are looking forward to your enjoyment.
Hot Lunch Day - Order Now!
We will welcome Term 3 with a Hot Lunch Day on Monday 26 July. Download the order form below and return it to the Office, with the correct money, by this Thursday 24 June (last Thursday of Term 2), then look forward to your hot lunch!