Plans

Ja Baldwin, Primary Teacher
Put your hand up if you like to have a good plan and follow it through.
I would hazard a guess that most of us have a hand up right now. Sometimes we make our own plans. Sometimes we make plans with others. Sometimes we choose to follow someone else’s plan. It is probably fair to say that many of these plans do not come to fruition, for any number of reasons. Nevertheless, all of these plans, whoever they may belong to, begin with a thought, a hope or an idea.
Late in Term 4 last year, it became apparent that many plans at Kuyper had to be changed, rescheduled or cancelled altogether. With floods, closures, lockdowns, social distancing, more closures and so on, there was a shrinking window of opportunity for Year 6 to do something to celebrate their final year in Primary school. Unexpectedly, an impromptu discussion between some Primary teachers generated a fabulous idea, which we put to Mr Shaw: The Year 6 Fun Day!
Although time was extremely short, Year 6 students immediately began planning a Fun Day that would become a service event for the rest of Primary. In just two weeks, they had taken the original idea, and expanded, refined and organised this inaugural event. Throughout that fortnight, it was amazing to see this group of children put so much thought and effort into planning something to bless others.
23 students managed to organise and run a multitude of attractions: face painting, arts and crafts, doughnut eating, jelly bean guessing, slime-making, disco, video-games, ping-pong throwing, duck fishing, colouring, fairy-floss, thickshakes, drinks, ice-creams with toppings, lolly-bag lucky dips, home-made cookies, laser-tag, and teacher dunking! The Year 6 Fun Day was a wonderful success and I was reminded of one of my favourite verses in the book of Proverbs.
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:9
Here are what some of the event planners had to say at the end of the day:
- I think it was great. We could have used a bit more planning but it really wasn’t bad for the first time we had done it. The slime got a lot more people than I thought and it was fun to help the little kids – Rory
- I think that it was a great success, the face paint was more popular than I thought it would be and the teacher dunking was also really fun. I was amazed at how many slimes the girls made and sold. I think that there was a lot of leftover stuff and I am happy we could eat and finish whatever we had – Alexis
- The fun day was really successful for pretty much most of us. The fairy floss was one of the most successful – Nathan



- On the fun day I was really excited to run my stall next to my friends, but I was mainly excited to sell cookies, chocolates and candy canes. I liked my idea but I think I could have done better with the cookies. Overall I had fun – Lilliana
- I was super excited but I could’ve done a lot of more to help my friends run our stand and helped more people learn how to play the games. We could’ve done better on the clean up too. But apart from that, I had a fun time running our gaming stand, doing the strobe lights at laser tag, playing with my friends during the breaks and drinking the delicious milkshakes – Jett
- I enjoyed the fun day a lot. It was a really fun, first time experience. I enjoyed going to everyone’s stall to try out things. It would have been better if COVID was not around, so we could have more things. I would have liked it if more people helped pack up because not enough people helped. I hope the kids liked my colouring competitions and colouring pages – Alyssa



- On the fun day I was super excited to do some mini games with the little children. I ran two little games that seemed very fun, I did Ping pong throw and duck fishing. Duck fishing was most popular because there were super cute rubber ducks that needed to be fished out of their little paddling pool of water. I bought 200 delicious lollies and in total I got rid of 100 super yummy Mentos and lollipops. Since it was the first year of running this year-six fun day, I consider that it was pretty well organised and run – Abigail
- The things that I thought were good about the funday were the involvement and the creativity and the ability to choose what we wanted to do. It was awesome! We could have improved the clean up – Hamish
- The fun day was great! I was really surprised because my stall sold everything so that was great. I think next year they should plan a little sooner so they wouldn’t be in such a rush the day before. Also I enjoyed seeing the little kids’ faces when they opened up their lolly bags. And it was fun running the day with my classmates – Sari



So, now the plan is for each Year 6 class to run their own interpretation of Fun Day as a parting gift to Primary.
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
Staff Shuffle


Ian Shaw, Principal
Many will be aware that our Assistant Principal, Mr Shadie, has been recovering from a serious health scare. After having time to restore and reflect, Mr Shadie has decided to step back from his role as Assistant Principal, due to ongoing health concerns. I am pleased to say that Mr Shadie will remain on the Executive Team in his previous role as Head of Secondary. I am also pleased to announce that Mr Ramsay will step up as the new Assistant Principal, and Miss Dixon will be the Executive staff member responsible for daily organisation and logistics, previously done by Mr Shadie. Both Mr Ramsay and Miss Dixon will perform these new roles in addition to their existing roles.
These changes are effective immediately. Please see the updated titles and responsibilities for our Executive team:
- Business Manager (Tues-Fri), Mr Alan McCartin
- Head of Primary P-2 & LNAP Coordinator, Mrs Kae McCaull
- Head of Primary 3-6 & Music Coordinator, Mr Rob Weule
- Head of P-12 Diversability & Logistics, Miss Cassie Dixon
- Head of Secondary, Mr Jason Shadie
- Head of Secondary Wellbeing, Mrs Alexis Clarke
- Assistant Principal, Mr Mark Ramsay
For over 40 years, God has provided for our school at just the right time. We are blessed to have this team.
Year 11 2023 Information Evening


Year 10 students and their parents are warmly invited to attend the Year 11 2023 Information Evening in the Hall on Wednesday 25 May, from 7pm – 9pm.
We are excited to let you know about some new developments in our community that will give Senior students even more opportunities to learn with purpose and lead with humility.
Please join us on Wednesday 25 May to hear about Year 11 & 12 in 2023/24. A light supper will be served.
Parent/Teacher Interviews via Telephone


Parent/Teacher interviews for Year 11 & 12 students will be held via telephone tomorrow, Wednesday 1 June, from 4pm. Mrs Kean and Mr Weule will also be available for K/1 and Year 4 parents who have made bookings.
Tomorrow, staff may call you from a private or unknown number. Staff will call you at the time you have booked. If their call is not answered, they will call a second time a few minutes later. If the second call is unanswered, you will need to contact the Office the following day to arrange another time. Online bookings are now closed.
Hot Soup for Lunch


This month, our Elective Food Technology students will be preparing hot soup for us to enjoy at lunch time. Secondary students will be catered for on Wednesday 15 June, while Primary students will enjoy their soup on Wednesday 22 June. Orders and payment for Secondary have closed. Orders for Primary can still be placed. Here is the menu!

Lemon Chicken Soup
with Dinner Roll
DF GF
$6

Minestrone Soup
with Garlic Bread
VE DF option
$6

Pumpkin Soup
with Sour Cream & Garlic Bread
VE GF VG option
$6
40 Year Celebration Service


Kuyperians old and new are warmly invited to join us for a special Celebration Service to commemorate our 40 Year Anniversary on Friday 1 July, 9:15am – 10:30am in the Kuyper School Hall. The celebration will be followed by Morning Tea.
Meet some of our founding pioneers, discover more about the Kuyper story, and celebrate with current staff and students as we give thanks for 40 Years of Learning in God’s World.
Some parent assistance will be required with serving morning tea. Please contact Ruth Thompson on 4573 2999 or admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au if you can help.
