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
- 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
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 Fashion
If you are a Seussical cast or crew member and would like to strut your stuff in a Kuyper Seussical shirt or hoodie, download the order form below and return it to the Office, this week.
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!