Newsletter – 24 November 2020

A Word from Evan Barnes

Teacher, Year 6

I would like everyone to meet Rye-An Pita Barnes (flour pun #1)! About a month ago, along with 40 other babies, Rye-An found himself in the care of Year 5 and 6 students and their teachers. The babies were created as part of the Stage 3 health unit. The aim was to give all students an opportunity to practice responsibility, compassion, care and selflessness. Every student in Year 5 and 6 (and their teachers) was required to have their flour baby with them at all times; all weekend, in class, at the shops, during lunch and at the dinner table.

The students quickly discovered that these babies were not self raising (flour pun #2) and there was a significant amount of effort in caring for something that relied completely on them. The students rose (flour pun #3) to the challenge and were able to be responsible, compassionate, careful and selfless.

We were able to draw parallels between the way God cares for us and the way that we cared for our flour babies. We are completely dependent on God. We need Him. He is fundamental to our existence, just like the flour babies were dependent on us. There were times that students wanted to have a break from their babies and do their own thing. This gave me the opportunity to pose the question ‘imagine if God got tired of us’? How marvelous it is that God cares for us endlessly, despite our sin, indifference and ingratitude? We must never take for granted the continual responsibility, compassion, care and selflessness that God shows towards us. Here are some reflections from the students themselves:

“It helped us to understand, even though it was just a bag of flour, that we still needed to put effort into caring for the babies in the project.”

“It was funny to watch what people were doing with their babies.”

“I enjoyed the project because it was fun and challenging.”

“The first few days were good and then it got harder as the week went on.”

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.