A Word from Sue Huxley
Primary Teacher – K/1
Celery is a crisp, crunchy vegetable cultivated since antiquity. You can eat it raw or cooked; as a crudité for dipping into hommus, cream cheese, other dips of varying kinds or you can fill it with peanut butter. Yum! It also has a number of health benefits. It contains helpful antioxidants; can reduce inflammation; supports digestion and is rich in vitamins and minerals. Who wouldn’t be interested in this wonderful plant?
So, as we began Term 3 with What Happens First Matters (WHFM), K/1 and I had a closer look at celery.
We already knew that plants require water to live. We learned that celery has a particular structure with a hollow xylem in the stalk that carries water to the leaves, where it evaporates, drawing more water into the leaves. How do we know this? Well, as you can see in the photos, stalks of celery were placed in various containers of water coloured with food dye. The leaves gradually changed colour as the water evaporated and left the food dye particles behind. As the days passed, the intensity of colour in the leaves grew, as did the colour in the xylem walls (celery stem).
This simple experiment with celery can also prompt us to remember that the more we immerse ourselves in God’s word, knowing Him better, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill our lives and equip us for Godly living, the more we become like Jesus, as the apostle Paul encourages us to do.
… be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined… hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so (you) can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Titus 1:8-9
The attributes listed in this verse are some of the fruit of the Spirit; the outward evidence of the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Like the celery, if we immerse ourselves in God’s Word and draw it in through the Holy Spirit, it will colour and change us so that we become more like Jesus; able to see things and respond, as He does.
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
Carnival Fun Day Smiles
Sun, smiles and servant hearts lit up our Carnival Fun Day last Thursday. Thank you to the staff who so worked hard to make it happen. Thank you to the students for being so awesome to be with. Thank you to parents for sacrificially staying at home so that the event could run. Thank you God for blessing our day with the joy of being together. Enjoy the smiles!
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/
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.
Kuyper Pioneers Series #5: Vision Realised
God is faithful is the resounding message in this last of a series of five videos exploring the history of Kuyper Christian School.
Homework Insights #5
Monitoring Assignments, by Bill Rusin
Children are more likely to complete assignments well if they are being monitored. The amount of monitoring is dependent on the age and maturity of the child. The following suggestions are useful:
- Be sure that you understand the school’s expectations for assignments and homework.
- Don’t let the kids fool you into doing their assignments for them. They will learn much less if parents take control of this type of work. We do not encourage a competitive spirit at Kuyper. There is no advantage to be gained by parents taking over assignment work. Assignment work is a learning activity. Kids will do things less well than their parents, but it is important that they be allowed to do their own work. The parent’s job is that of mentor, not tormentor, so avoid badgering them.
- Encourage children to show you their work when it is finished. Be careful not to criticise the work too harshly. Children are often very sensitive about their work and can feel frustrated when they perceive that their finished work is being criticised. Any helpful suggestions should be made during the process, not at the end.
And in general, MONITOR TV VIEWING. Most kids watch too much TV. Be selective in what they view, particularly when they are young, and switch it off when nothing desirable is on. Don’t fall into the trap of using it as background noise.
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.