A Word from Shareen Liggins
Secondary Teacher, English
I love teaching English! Not just because I get to engage with new texts, as well as reread old favourites and not just because I get to share my love of literature and language with new generations of students! I love teaching English because I enjoy seeing students grappling with ideas about their world in ways they might never have done before. I enjoy encouraging them to think critically about the books, films, song lyrics, and social media they consume, which is such an important skill, isn’t it? The Bible urges us not to be passive consumers of our culture, to uncritically accept what it tells us about ourselves, but to be ready to engage with it, to reflect upon it and to challenge it. This is one of my great joys and priorities in teaching English.
Recently, Year 9 has been exploring texts linked to themes of courage and survival. Some of these texts urge us to find strength to face life’s challenges from within; to survive by being strong and determined. Some extol the value of love and community; surviving through the support of others. These are good things, in themselves, but we all know there are times when even these supports fail us.
As Year 9 considered these ideas, it was exciting to be able to share some extracts from The Hiding Place, the story of Corrie Ten Boom’s experiences as a prisoner of the Nazi’s for her part in hiding Jews from the holocaust. I remember how much I loved her book as a teenager and how inspired I was by her courage and faith. As we read about some of her experiences, I was reminded of something that our Christian community could perhaps be encouraged by, especially at present: “there is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still” (Corrie Ten Boom: The Hiding Place).
Corrie Ten Boom certainly had courage but she had something more than that. She had a relationship with a Father who has promised never to abandon His children and who sent His Son into the world so that we could be called the children of God (1 John 3:1). At no point is her story about how great her own courage is (although she was certainly an amazing person). In the midst of great suffering, fear and, often, lack of faith, Corrie sees God at work in amazing ways, again and again. She even learns to give Him thanks for fleas!! Corrie’s story reminds us that, for Christians, courage and our ability to survive the many challenges of life come from a God whose power to overcome them is infinite.
If you’ve never read The Hiding Place, I encourage you to do so (or watch the excellent 1975 film). Can I also encourage you to continue to partner with me (and all our wonderful Kuyper staff) in challenging your young people to ‘not conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed’ by His word so that they can discern God’s ‘good, pleasing and perfect will’ (Romans 12:2).
Let me leave you with some encouraging responses from Year 9 to Corrie’s story:
We can learn from Corrie’s example to treasure God’s word, and to protect it. It gave her the chance to share the love of Jesus with others when there was a risk to her life for preaching. Her courage, strength and belief in God sets a good example for us.
Corrie put her trust in God and put Him in charge. Many people became Christians because she had that faith, because she trusted that God had a plan. ¨God is still God in Ravensbruck¨.
…l have learnt that we can rely on God to help us through, no matter what. Corrie was in the darkest possible pit and yet God helped her, and pulled her through. She survived, with courage to spare, because she trusted and prayed to God… From reading ‘The Hiding Place’ and learning from Corrie’s story, I now know that God will help, no matter what. He will always help us to survive and persevere, even in the most difficult situations.
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
Kuyper Canteen Open for a Limited Time!
There is still time to order your fresh lunch from the Kuyper Canteen. Our Elective Food Technology class are preparing three options that students can pre-order. All meals will be prepared in the School Kitchen using safe, sanitary and hygienic work practises, and will be individually packed and delivered to classrooms on Monday 19 September, at lunchtime.
You can still place your order by Friday 9 September. Last chance!
On the menu for $6 each:
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Delicious homemade basil pesto tossed through penne pasta and served with parmesan and fresh tomatoes.
Vietnamese Chicken Rice Paper Rolls (GF option available)
Nutritious rice roll of chicken, lettuce, carrot and noodles, with a hint of mint and served with hoisin dipping sauce.
Mediterranean Chicken Wrap (Vegetarian option available)
Mouthwatering wrap of chicken, cucumber, tomato, spinach and feta, with lemon, garlic tahini and hommus.
Operation Christmas Child
We are sure that you have all heard about Operation Christmas Child and the wonderful work they do in communities around the world. This year, Kuyper Christian School will again be participating, albeit a little differently from last year.
If you would like to fill a shoebox to bless a child overseas, email the Office to request a box (or two). We will send them home with your child. Please fill and return your boxes to the Office by Wednesday 10 November 2021. Some instructions and ideas can be found by following this link: https://samaritanspurse.org.au/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoebox/
Homework Insights #8
Help Your Child to get Started, by Bill Rusin
Help your child get started on major assignments and prepare for tests:
- Talk to them beforehand and encourage them to go to the Library as early as possible. If they are unsure about how to begin, encourage the child to speak to the librarian. If your child is using the Internet, make sure that he or she seeks help to do so.
- Give practice tests. In the earlier years of schooling, children will often do small tests in class. If you are aware that this is happening, you may help them by giving practice tests. You may ask the teacher for help in this area. Children are often very anxious when they come to a test. Practise can calm the children’s nerves.
- Help your children NOT to become last minute crammers; if you are aware of tests that are coming up, encourage your child to prepare earlier rather than later.
- Preparing a schedule for exam study is a useful thing for parents to do with children. Teachers cannot help children produce an individual timetable of study.
- Talk to your child about how to approach a test. Talk about the need to read instructions carefully, keep track of time and avoid spending too much time on any question. The school does this, but parents are in a powerful position to help in this area.
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.