A Word from Alexis Clarke
Can you believe how quickly 2021 has gone? I’m sure it didn’t progress this quickly when we were all in Lockdown! Nevertheless, I am finding it difficult to comprehend that it is almost the end of another school year. It certainly has been quite a year, particularly for our Senior students. I am sure if you ask them, they will tell you about the many challenges they have faced, including bushfires, floods, and ‘COVID-19’ becoming part of our everyday language.
This week, our Year 12 students finished their HSC examinations and completed 13 years of schooling. We look forward to celebrating this milestone next week at the Year 12 Graduation Assembly and Dinner. We feel blessed to be able to host these events at school, even if they will look different to previous years.
The Lord has told us there will be difficult times. However, we could not have imagined or prepared for what the last two years have brought us in such quick succession. I have nothing but praise for our graduates and the way they have navigated the uncertainty of 2020 and 2021. They have become familiar with plans that change on a daily basis. 2020 began with fires and the question, “Will Kuyper still be standing as we start school in 2020?” By the end of Term 1, school life (and life in general) was impacted by floods, with a week away from school, and then the emergence of Coronavirus, which cancelled all our events, including Vanuatu. After what we would now consider a short stint in Lockdown and School@Home, we returned to school and some sense of normality. 2021 brought with it the extended Lockdown and a completely different way of “doing life”. It has also been the year of ‘maybes’: maybe you will sit your HSC examinations, maybe you will return to school, maybe you will have a Graduation…
Whilst I point out the lows, I want to also tell you of the highs of the graduating Class of 2021 and their experience of Lockdown. They taught me that you can play board games, and organise study groups and social gatherings over Zoom. They learnt how to complete group assignments using Google Meet, collaborate in shared documents and still work together, though apart. They even worked out how to prank this teacher using random information and pictures to see if this teacher would notice. They learnt how to complete assessments online, create videos of themselves delivering presentations, and they completed their Trial HSC Examinations at home while their parents supervised them, posting their work back to school. Oh, and one of the highlights was working out that you can participate in Kahoot remotely! These are only some examples of what we learned but, more importantly, I noticed how much effort they made to stay in relationship with and care for each other. Their genuine concern stood out to me as unique. The bond they have as a cohort is not one that will be easily forgotten due, in part, to working so hard (and creatively) to stay in touch.
Our Year 12 students continued to give glory to God in the midst of uncertainty and, sometimes, disappointment. They shared their struggles and triumphs with each other, with their teachers and the Kuyper community. We thank them for allowing us to be part of their journey.
Marisa, Jackson, Angie, Noah, Noah (Grech), Caitlin and Jade – you have been an example to your peers and we will continue to pray for you as you move from Kuyper and out into this big wide world! We know the Lord has a plan for you, even if you might not know what it looks like yet. We pray that you will hold fast to the Lord and continue to stay in touch with each other.
I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
Reminders
- Thank you to Year 6 families for your RSVP to the Graduation Dinner. If you haven’t already, please pay for your seats (and your child’s) using this link. There is also a Year 6 Big Day Out on Wednesday 7 December. Check the App or contact the Office for assistance.
- Parents who have received notification about their password for the expiry of the Kuyper App. Please call 4573 2999 to reactive your Parent Portal access.
- Nurture Magazine will be sent home to each family via their eldest child this week. Look for an article by our very own Mrs Ruth Thompson on page 20.
- Borrowing from the Kuyper Library has ceased. All library books need to be returned. We will be invoicing families for any books that we do not receive.
- 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. There have been a few cases in the Primary school. 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 excursions, school events and celebrations for families to enjoy together. Pray for connection and community to grow for all at Kuyper Christian School as we look forward to Limelight!
- Pray for school families and staff families who are coping with illness: 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. Ask the Lord to provide, as he has always done.
News & Notices
Employment at Kuyper Christian School
Applications are invited from Christians of Reformed persuasion who identify with the School ethos and can demonstrate their Christian faith in Jesus as a priority in their life.
Bus Driver
This is a temporary part time position, 5 days per week – split shift. The successful applicant will be responsible for bus driving duties which will include, but not be restricted to, morning and afternoon school bus runs, excursions and sporting activities during school terms, to commence in Term 1, 2022.
Requirements:
- MR driver’s licence
- Working with Children Check
- COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate
Administration Support
This is a temporary part time position, 2 days per week, during school terms, to commence in Term 1, 2022.
Duties:
- Supporting the Administration team
- Administering First Aid
- Managing a busy reception, serving staff, parents, and students
Requirements:
- Working with Children Check
- COVID-19 Vaccination certificate
- First Aid certificate
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
- Strong organisation skills, and flexibility
- Competent computer skills including MS Office and Google
- Ability to prioritise and work independently
Desirable:
- MYOB
- Edumate
- Adobe
All applicants must complete an application form which can be found on our website https://kuyper.nsw.edu.au/employment/
Applications close 5:00pm Friday 24 December, 2021.
Please send your application, including CV, to Ian Shaw: ishaw@kuyper.nsw.edu.au
Looking Forward to Limelight!
We are all looking forward to Limelight! From 5pm – 9pm on Tuesday 6 December all kinds of stalls will be operating on the Village Green, selling food, craft and items to help us celebrate 40 years of Learning in God’s World. 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.
All other money raised by Kuyper at Limelight will be donated to Vanuatu.
New Staff!
We welcome the following new staff for 2021 and 2022. Some you may know already and others you may not. Thank you for faithfully serving us we look forward to 2022. We thank God for His faithful provision to our School.
Tracey Hill – Teacher’s Aide
I graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1993 and worked as a Veterinary Surgeon for the next 5 years while completing some studies in Social Justice. After marrying my husband Ken, in 2003, I completed a Graduate Diploma in Counselling before having our son Joseph, who will be in Year 5 at Kuyper next year.
Before beginning to serve at Kuyper as a Teacher’s Aide, I enjoyed serving older Australians and their families as Pastoral Carer in an Anglicare Residential Care Home. I love listening to and learning from people as they share their stories and their wisdom, and have a keen interest in the role of the arts and our God-given creativity for life in community.
I am thankful for this opportunity to serve young people here at Kuyper Christian School in their journey to learn and grow as unique persons, loved and purposed by our amazing Creator God.
Danielle Vincenti – Teacher’s Aide
My name is Danielle Vincenti and I have been working as a Teacher’s Aide for the past 12 months at Kuyper. I completed a Diploma in Educational Studies in 2019 and am currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Education K-12 majoring in Sociology and English. I was raised in a Christian home and have recently moved to Richmond Anglican Church. I have been married for nearly 18 years and have 4 children, 3 of which attend Kuyper in grades 3, 5 and 8. I have worked in education, working closely with those that struggle to ‘fit’ in a typical classroom. My passion is to see education that empowers students to find their strengths in learning, and connect that with who God designed them to be.
I am really excited to be working at Kuyper and look forward to growing in my role and seeing what the future holds.
Christine Coleman – Teacher’s Aide
My early childhood and a large part of my teenage years were spent overseas where my parents were working. This sparked my love for people from many nations, with differing lives and experiences. With my husband of 26 years, we have two beautiful daughters, the youngest of whom joins her sister in high school next year.
When my eldest started school, I discovered that I loved to see people learn in all parts of their lives, as well as learn about God. I have a professional background in Administration, along with a long Christian ministry experience, most of which was working with children and young people. These experiences caused me to realise that working in Christian education enabled me to combine my love of learning and people with my experience. Six years ago, I was given the opportunity to work as a Teacher’s Aide. This started another journey into finding ways to help all students access the learning opportunities they are presented with. In May of this year, I joined the Kuyper Diversability Team as a Teacher’s Aide, and it has been a great privilege. It is an honour to be able to help, encourage and support young people to learn and grow to be their best, as our loving Heavenly Father intended in “every square inch” (every 645.16 square millimetres) of their lives.
Heather Cumming – Teacher’s Aide
Hi, I’m Heather Cumming (or Mrs C to some). I first joined the Kuyper family in 2010 when our eldest daughter started Prep. With a background in teaching Secondary Visual Arts and Maths, and playing a number of instruments, I have had the privilege of almost 12 years of involvement in many areas of our school. One of my most treasured roles has been “band Mum”; helping kids use their God-given gifts to glorify God and bless others with music.
My role as a Teacher’s Aide is also exciting. I have the privilege of working alongside our awesome teachers, and with many of our beautiful students, helping them learn more about how wonderfully God made them. I look forward to all the adventures God has in store for us next year.
Mark Ramsay – Head of Learning & Development P-12, and Secondary Maths Teacher
Mark is passionate about Christian education. He has worked in Christian schools for most of his professional career, including for 10 years at Nepean Christian School. He is particularly excited about displaying the Christ-centred beauty and purpose in Mathematics. He gets so excited about this that he shares some of his lessons on his YouTube channel, Bald Man Maths.
Mark also loves sport (more as a supporter as he gets older), coffee and music, and is looking forward to being involved in many areas of the Kuyper community.
Mark lives in the Blue Mountains with his wife (Penny) and three sons. They fellowship together at Lower Mountains Anglican.
Non-Uniform Day
On Friday this week, the last day of Term 3, Kuyper will hold a non-uniform day to raise money for Tearfund Pakistan Flood Emergency Appeal. It is estimated that over 33 million people have been displaced by destructive monsoon rains and flooding in the southern part of Pakistan. The millions who have lost homes, livelihoods and personal possessions are at risk of water-borne diseases and food insecurity, and the Pakistani government has declared a national emergency. Tearfund is partnering with local agencies to provide emergency resources and support for impacted communities.
Wear green in support of Pakistan and bring a gold coin donation on Friday. We will also be doing some fun activities on the day.
Religious Discrimination Bill
A further update…
Dear Principals and Board Chairs,
As you would be aware, the Prime Minister yesterday personally introduced the Religious Discrimination Bill into Federal Parliament. You can read the full text here and watch the speech here. He spoke of these protections as ‘essential to our freedom’ and spoke specifically about schools:
‘The bill recognises that religious bodies, religious schools must be free to uphold the tenets of their faith and the ethos that makes their school a community. It is recognition of the sacrifices parents make to educate their children in accordance with their values and beliefs, and the choices they have made for their children’s education.
As many schools have said throughout this process, “faith is caught, not taught”.
The bill protects the fundamental right for religious schools to hire religious staff to maintain their religious ethos, in accordance with a publicly available policy.
This protection will be able to override state or territory laws which seek to interfere with that right.
The approach detailed in this bill provides certainty to school communities and to the staff they employ through the development of policies that are transparent to the school community. It’s only fair.
Nothing in this bill, I stress, Mr Speaker, nothing in this bill allows for any form of discrimination against a student on the basis of their sexuality or gender identity. You won’t find it, anything of that nature in this bill. Such discrimination has no place in our education system.’
This last paragraph is true, the Bill does not allow for any form of discrimination against a student simply on the basis of their sexuality or gender identity – yet activists who oppose religious freedom have very successfully conflated protections for ‘gay students and staff’ with this Bill.
Equality Australia have branded this Bill as ‘dangerous and divisive’ and we have heard that they are aiming for more that half a million people to contact Federal MPs and Senators to pressure them to block or delay this Bill, before Parliament rises on Tuesday. Feedback from some Parliamentarians has indicated that emails are flooding in.
Your help is needed!
Please contact your local Federal MP and indicate that:
- you are pleased by the introduction of the Religious Discrimination Bill,
- the Bill is good news for your school as it provides much needed certainty to ensure that staff can be expected to share your Christian beliefs and values,
- ask them to support the passage of the Bill without further delays or inquiries.
You might also like to send them the joint Media Release attached which shows that 2 out of 3 Australians believe that Australian laws should uphold and protect the universal human right to hold and practice religious beliefs.
Contact details for all Federal MPs can be found here. You can also contact Senators in your State or Territory using the details attached.
Staff, parents and others in your community can contact MPs and Senators by using the template letter on the AACS Campaigns page https://www.aacs.net.au/federal-religious-discrimination-bill
Please send a message by Monday 6 December 2021.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support in this matter.
Kind regards,
Vanessa Cheng
Executive Officer, AACS