Lest We Forget
Alexis Clarke, Head of Secondary (Welfare)
Recently, one of my history students Lucy, shared the findings of her own “archaeological dig” in her family’s treasure trove of old books. Lucy excavated a unique artefact from between the pages of a school book which belonged to her grandfather. The artefact was a 1930s newspaper clipping about one of her ancestors, Frederick “Dan” Minchin. Minchin was a lieutenant colonel in the British army during World War I. The article was about his adventurous life. It was a fascinating read, with a narrative which I believe, would make an excellent film. Minchin is the protagonist; a military hero on a quest to achieve a new record. We read anecdotes about Minchin’s home life and aircraft battles. The story even features a princess!
At first glance, I thought the article was going to be about Minchin’s service in World War I, with a description of a battle or two and possibly, his unfortunate death in service of others. The article does describe Minchin’s courage, humility, gallantry, determination and the sacrifice he made to serve his country but the author focuses on Minchin’s last flight. On 31 August 1927, Minchin, Captain Leslie Hamilton and their passenger, Princess Anne of Ludwig Lowenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg attempted to travel east to west across the Atlantic, from England to Canada. The three adventurers made the attempt in a large Dutch Fokker FVII monoplane and, unfortunately, never arrived at their intended destination, nor were they seen again. It is thought the aircraft went down in the North Atlantic Ocean within a short distance of the coastline. The author describes Minchin as a man with the “heart of a lion” who had the “courage of a wild boar” and was one of “Britain’s bravest knights of the air”. What an honour it would have been to read about a family member described in this way. I am grateful to Lucy for sharing her ancestor’s story.
We all share a common story that features royalty, sacrifice and an attempt to do something no one on earth had done before. Our common story is about Jesus Christ, who gave his own life on a Roman cross to atone for the sins of mankind; a feat which no one else could accomplish.
Yesterday, Monday 25 April, the nation stopped to remember those who sacrificed their lives for us. ANZAC Day is the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I. The annual ANZAC Day services held around Australia are the result of the efforts of David Garland, a military chaplain who wanted to commemorate the sacrifice of the ANZACs and point others to Christ’s sacrifice as well. Last week, Bishop Kevin Russell reflected on the importance of these services:
In remembering, we are reminded that war is destructive, combat is devastating, and the human beings touched by it are affected physically, emotionally and spiritually. We should be a grateful people never forgetting, nor failing to esteem, the sacrifices of ordinary Aussies. We remember the sacrifice of those who went before us because there is something noble about sacrifice, isn’t there?
And the sacrifice of Jesus is still at the centre of the symbolism of Anzac Day with its crosses for the fallen, the sacrificial language, the reverence. The oft used quote from John’s gospel highlights Jesus’ sacrifice:
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that they lay down their life for their friends.”
On Good Friday, we remembered the sacrifice of the perfect man, God incarnate, Jesus, who died in our place, in my place and in your place. What a loving God we have, who foots the bill of our redemption, and offers us our freedom and dignity, life eternal, heaven as a gift! You and I don’t have to do anything except accept the gift, and then of course we will want to live for Him out of gratitude for the amazing love He showed us in laying down his life for us. What a sacrifice!
The story of ANZAC touches a deep part in all of us. It’s a story of sacrificial living and giving and loving. The precious threads of sacrifice, love and hope are woven right through the ANZAC story, and they resonate with what Jesus did for humanity… We have all benefited from their death and Jesus death.
Lest we forget.
May I encourage you to talk with others about the sacrifices made for us, including the story we are all invited to share; HIS story.
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
Run4Bibles
Thank you to the students and families who worked hard to raise over $780 for the Bible League Run4Bibles project last term. Our grounds have finally dried out enough for us to officially undertake our run! Next Tuesday 20 September, our Secondary PASS students will host a fun run for Prep – Year 6 students from 9:15am. Primary students must wear their sport uniform for this event.
Due to the Fun Run on Tuesday, there will be no Primary sport on Wednesday 21 September. Primary students must wear normal school uniform next Wednesday.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7
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.
Premier's Reading Challenge
Every year, students from Kuyper Christian School participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure and enable students to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more, and to read more widely. The Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) is open to all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 10.
To take part, email Mrs Vincenti, dvincenti@kuyper.nsw.edu.au
Contact the Office if you have any questions or need some help.
Last RAHTs
By the end of this week, all students should have received one last RAHT kit. Please use them as necessary, when symptomatic, and also before returning to school next term. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 now needs to isolate for 5 days, instead of 7, and wear a mask for a further 5 days upon their return to school. If you need extra RAHT kits, please contact the Office and we will send more home.
NSW Health advice also confirms that if a student is unwell and has any symptoms they should always test for COVID-19. If the test comes back negative for COVID-19, the student should still not return to school until either:
- they no longer have any symptoms, or
- a medical certificate is provided to the school confirming that symptoms are explained by another diagnosis (such as hay fever).
It is still important that students do not attend school if they are unwell, even if they have tested negative for COVID-19. It is also important that families follow NSW Health self-isolation and close contact guidelines if someone in their household has tested positive to COVID. If a person in your household who has tested positive cannot isolate from other family members, those family members should not attend school during the 5-day isolation period.
NAPLAN Online, Tuesday 10 May
NAPLAN Online for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will begin on Tuesday next week (10 May). All participating students will need to bring plug-in headphones. Secondary students will need to ensure that their Chromebook is fully charged for the start of the day.
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. All NSW schools will sit NAPLAN online in 2022.
Please contact the School Office if you need more information on special provisions or the process required to gain a formal exemption.
Where possible, we will arrange for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during our test schedule.
If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact the Office or your child’s teacher.
Additional resources: