Partnering for the Future
Ruth Thompson, Enrolment & Communications Manager
Last week, Vanessa Cheng, the CEO of the Australian Association of Christian Schools (AACS), attended our Association General Meeting to speak on Partnering with Parents to Protect Christian Schools.
AACS is a national advocacy body representing the interests of over a hundred Christian schools in all states and territories and approximately 42,000 students, including Christian Education National (CEN) schools like Kuyper. The organisation provides member schools with a ‘voice in the public square’ and representation to State, Territory and Federal Governments, supporting Christian schools on issues that impact our capacity to continue delivering authentic Christian education.
While it is not mainstream news, the Christian school movement is currently one of the fastest growing in the independent school sector, and attitudes in the broader community strongly support religious schooling in Australia. A recent national poll by AACS and affiliates on Attitudes to Christian Schools showed:
- Three out of four Australians support the right of a religious school to employ teachers and other staff who support the clearly stated values and beliefs of the school
- Over two-thirds of Australians believe that Australian laws should protect the right to hold and practice religious beliefs
- 70 per cent of younger voters (18-24) support this right, an 8 per cent increase from previous research released in June
- A majority of voters without any religious faith also support this right
What may be even more surprising to many is that this majority support is consistent across all political affiliations.* Read more.
This is in stark contrast to some of the polarising policies currently being tabled and reviewed by State and Territory governments which seek to curtail the rights of parents to educate their children in a school that upholds Christian values and beliefs, and the right of Christian schools to employ Christian staff across all roles.
Often, when we talk about partnering with parents in the education of their children, the discussion focuses on supporting parents’ right to choose the education they want for their children, reflecting a consistent set of values at home and school, or mutual involvement in the learning journey. In a very real sense, independent schools also rely on parents’ support to sustain the viability of this education choice, and not just by the payment of school fees (although this is an important part of the mutual partnership).
In a cultural environment of negative press and government pressure to secularise education, your voice in support of Christian education is a genuine way to partner with your school so that, together, we can continue to provide authentic Christian schooling that puts Jesus in his rightful place at the centre of education.
Staying informed about matters affecting Christian schools in Australia is a valuable first step, and also writing to our local members where appropriate. The AACS website and Facebook page are helpful resources about current issues, as is the Freedom for Faith think tank.
In addition, parent and student stories about the value of our school community are a powerful counter-message. Your simple conversation with a friend or neighbour about your lived experience as a Christian school family is a refreshing voice in a negative space and one that many parents are keen to hear. We will be celebrating all the wonderful aspects of our Kuyper community at Limelight next week. We look forward to sharing this time with you and encourage you to invite a friend or extended family member.
In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:4-5
As Christians, we have a message of the greatest joy to share. We invite you to partner with us to keep this wonderful message available for all to hear.
Source: Vanessa Cheng, Australian Association of Christian Schools 2020, Australian Association of Christian Schools website, accessed 29 November 2022, <https://www.aacs.net.au/>
* Vanessa Cheng, Australian Association of Christian Schools, 16 November 2022, New Data Shows Strong Support for Religious Schools, AACS, accessed 29 November 2022, <https://www.aacs.net.au/new-data-shows-large-support-for-religious-schools-and-legal-protections>
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
Year 6 Fun Day (for EVERYONE)!
On Thursday 1 December, Year 6 have organised a fun day for K – 6 students. Primary students can wear non-uniform and participate in heaps of activities for the cost of $5. Bring $5 on the day and receive 10 coupons to spend on any of the following activities:
- Video Game & Balloon Games
- Food & Drink stalls
- Ping Pong (with icecream prizes!)
- Crazy Hairspray
- Jellybean Guessing Competition
- Face Painting
- Arts & Crafts stalls
- and more…
Students will enjoy the activities in two separate groups at separate times; Kindergarten – Year 2 and Year 3 – 6. All money raised will be donated to our Compassion Child in Bangladesh.
Uniform Shop 2023
If you are a current Kuyper parent (i.e. your children are attending this year) and you require a uniform fitting, please follow this link to make a booking for your family. Only one booking per family is required, no matter the number of students. Please only make a booking if you require a fitting (e.g. your child has sprouted unexpectedly over the holidays and you can no longer guess their size from their current uniform, or they are a girl starting Year 7 and need to be sized for a dress, or you are a current family but have another child starting for the first time in 2023). Secondary boys’ shirts are sized the same as Primary boys’ shirts and the only new article your son will need is a shirt, and maybe a cap, which comes in one size. Secondary girls’ dresses are women’s sizes, while Primary girls’ dresses are children’s sizes. You may need a fitting.
Most uniform for current families can be ordered via email or telephone from Thursday 19 January. We are very happy to exchange multiple times until the correct size is found, so don’t feel like you need to know your child’s size with certainty. We are very happy to take your booking for a fitting, but as time-slots are limited, it would be good if they are available for those who really need them.
New families (i.e. those starting for the first time in 2023) will be contacted to arrange an Onboarding Session. The sessions will incorporate Uniform fittings as well as setting up the Kuyper App and SchoolEasyPay. You do not need to make a booking for Uniform at this time.
If you have any questions at all, please email admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au and we will direct you.
Limelight is Tonight!
Limelight is here! From 5pm – 6:30pm today all kinds of stalls will be operating on the Village Green. Eftpos will be available for a limited number of stalls, so you will need to bring cash. Food and drink will be selling for $1 – $5. Some craft and speciality items may cost more. Christmas hampers are on sale for $35 – $75 each. All money raised by Kuyper at Limelight will be donated to Vanuatu.
From 6:30pm, stalls will close and students will entertain and delight us with their performances in the Hall. We are planning, preparing and praying for a wonderful evening of celebration and fellowship. We look forward to celebrating 40 years of Learning in God’s World with you.