A Word from Alexis Clarke
Whether I am investigating the mystery of the Ancient Egyptian pyramids or learning about WWI battle strategies, I have a lifelong love of the history of the world and our interactions, as humans, within it. I had this enthusiasm long before I even knew the Lord and at the age of sixteen, I became a Christian and fell in love with history all over again. I attended a public high school and after I started following Jesus, I began studying ancient Israel in my senior History class. I was astounded that we were using the books of Kings and Chronicles as the two main sources in our study. Surely my faith and the world’s history didn’t align?
Looking back, I realise that completing the 4-unit Ancient History course consolidated my faith more than I understood at the time. It was shortly after this course that I realised that teaching history, using the Bible as not only an historical source, but the source, was something I wanted to pursue. I wanted to teach ‘His’ story from a biblical worldview.
World history is a story of wonder and horror, and at Kuyper, we teach both. We also teach discernment and learning from the mistakes of others throughout time. Learning history helps us to understand how the world has been shaped by our actions. It acknowledges that we too are part of what could be called ‘an ongoing history’. As we join the continuum of human experience, we each contribute to the history of this world. We have been and are becoming part of the narrative of God’s story. Our young historians in secondary school are encouraged to critique the past in order to recognise our absolute need for a Saviour. We also discuss and explore how we can be reconciled to Christ after we disobey Him. History continually points back to Him!
James Leonard cites an article in his blog that discusses why history must be taught from a Christian worldview. He confirms the importance of teaching it to your children (besides the fact that it is just an awesome subject!). I have included some of his points below:
- History is linear. It begins with creation and ends with Christ’s return.
- History is directed and orchestrated by God. More than just a collection of names and dates, history is a story and therefore must be interpreted so that we can see God’s purposes woven throughout.
- History requires moral judgments, and proper judgments require a biblical perspective. History is made alive when we debate the decisions of generals or the actions of tyrannical kings and then learn from it.
- Ancient history requires interaction with Israel. It’s impossible to study ancient history without studying Old Testament Israel, and there are massive worldview implications for whether one chooses to see ancient Israel as the chosen people of God or just another nation in the ancient world.
- Jesus is Lord of history. Our seven-day week is patterned off God’s creation in Genesis 1, and our system of dates is based on the arrival of Christ as the central event of history.**
We need to continue teaching the wonder and horror of history so that our students and the generations to follow will share the Lord’s narrative with others and show “the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.” (Psalm 78:4)
**From: Leonard, J. (2020). Homeschool History Curriculum from a Biblical Worldview. Basic Christian Education, https://www.basicchristianeducation.com/blog/2020/08/26/homeschool-history-curriculum-from-a-biblical-worldview Accessed 02/05/2021. Garris, J. (2015). Six Reasons Why History Must Be Taught From a Christian Worldview. Teach Diligently: Resources for Christian Education, https://teachdiligently.com/articles/six-reasons-why-history-must-be-taught-from-a-christian- worldview
Reminders
- TOMORROW Secondary students who have ordered soup may enjoy it!
- Families are reminded to ensure that at least half of your school fees for the year are paid by the end of June. If you need to discuss this, please contact Tina in the Office Monday – Thursday.
- We have oodles of lost property here in the Office following the athletics carnival. Please come and claim some!
- Tomorrow’s prayer meeting will be held in the Office from 7 – 7:30pm. All welcome.
- We would still like some help with morning tea on Friday 1 July for the 40 Year Celebration Service. Please email admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au if you can assist.
- All students, staff and their families should be aware of NSW Health’s advice to reduce the risk of COVID-19, and other illnesses that may affect schools this coming winter, such as the flu. Please note the following NSW Health messages: stay home if unwell; keep up to date with vaccinations, including the flu vaccine, which is available from your local GP, pharmacy or Aboriginal Medical Service. Flu vaccines are free for all children aged 6 months to under 5 years, or for a small charge for those aged 5 years and older; get tested immediately for COVID-19 if you become symptomatic and isolate until you receive a negative result; even if you receive a negative result, do not attend school whilst symptomatic; practice good hand hygiene by washing regularly with soap and water; take a RAHT before visiting vulnerable loved ones or going to large gatherings and events.
- Eczema Support Australia has recently released a new video series with Dr Justin Coulson on Practical Parenting for Eczema Families. The video resource provides an insight into the daily challenges faced by families with eczema. It also provides strategies to help develop positive coping mechanisms and reduce feelings of isolation for the family unit. Please use this link to view the video series.
Prayer & Praise
- Praise God that he continues in his sovereignty through all circumstances. Praise God for His grace towards us through Jesus Christ. He is worthy of all of our love and devotion. Worship and thank Him for His sacrifice that rescued us from death.
- Give thanks for our athletics carnival; for great weather and friendly competition. Give thanks for our staff and volunteers who contributed so much to the day.
- Give thanks for our staff. Pray that the Lord would restore us all to full health and strength to finish Term 2 well.
- Give thanks for all our students and their families. Pray for the ministry of the Holy Spirit through those who know Him, to lead us in prayer, words and deeds to encourage and exhort each other and find our health, peace and direction in the Lord. Pray for protection over the hearts and minds of our children and young people.
- Give thanks for our CEN schools. Pray for Dubbo Christian School, and their Principal. Pray for healing, fellowship and peace.
- Pray for our 40 year celebrations; that we would be truly thankful and joyful for what God has provided and achieved for us and through us. Pray that we would continue in the spirit we began with in 1982.
- Give thanks for our Kuyper families. Pray for connections to strengthen and grow in genuine community and care for eachother.
- 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).
- Praise God for the faithful Pioneers of Kuyper Christian School. Give thanks for those who have continued to nurture and grow those beginnings. Give thanks for Abraham Kuyper, his vision and his teachings. Give thanks that our foundations are in Christ, who is the source of all Truth. Give thanks that we are in partnership with each other – staff, parents and carers – as we serve the Lord by nurturing children in the knowledge and love of Him. Thank Him for each individual who makes up the Kuyper Community and lead us to value the whole person, so that each one may be encouraged in their relationship with God. Thank God for the students he has entrusted to our care, made in His image, to glorify Him. Worship Him because He is holy. Thank Him for His love and faithfulness towards His creation. Praise Him as Creator God, from whom we inherit our creativity. Give abundant thanks for his mercy and grace, without which we would be lost indeed. Give thanks also for His justice, that will not fail, and His forgiveness which is freely extended to all who would accept it. Give thanks for our God and his omnipotence; his power and influence is unlimited! Give thanks for our God and his omniscience; his universal understanding and complete knowledge.
- Give thanks for our Board and Executive teams. Pray for one-ness of purpose for our staff, Board, Executive team, and Association.
News & Notices
Colour Explosion Fun Run - this Friday
In response to student initiative, we will be holding a Colour Explosion Fun Run to raise money and awareness about bullying and cyber bullying in schools. We are looking forward to a fun event as we support an Australian charity, Dolly’s Dream.
The Colour Explosion Fun Run will be held after lunch, this Friday 14 May. To participate, students must wear non-uniform that includes a white t-shirt and bring a gold coin donation. During the fun run, students will be covered in non-toxic, biodegradable coloured powder from head to toe. If you do not wish your child to participate, you must submit a non-consent form (below). Your child would have already received a sponsorship form that explains the event and how they can fundraise.
If you have any questions at all, or would like another sponsorship or non-consent form, please contact the Office.
Yumtown Pop-up Eatery - next Tuesday
Year 9/10 Elective Food Technology class will be running a pop-up eatery for students and staff next Tuesday 18 May at Recess for Primary Students and Lunchtime for Secondary Students.
Pre-ordering is not available. Just come to the courtyard outside the Food Technology room with the correct money for the food you would like.
Take a look at all the yummy options!
Parents & their Children's Stories
Bronte Kelso-Marsh, a PhD candidate at Murdoch University, is working on a project being developed through the University (ethics approval 2020/200), which aims to investigate the role of parental involvement in primary school-aged children’s writing.
This project is being developed to understand more about Parent/Carer involvement in a child’s writing during the primary school years. Although research has demonstrated parental involvement in a child’s education provides many academic benefits, little is still known about what parents do to support their child’s writing. Furthermore, even less is known about what motivates parents to become involved with their child’s writing. As such, this project will address these important gaps to better understand what parents are doing to support their children becoming good writers.
The attached letter provides further information about this study and invites Parents/Carers of primary school children to complete an online survey designed to capture parental involvement in writing. The survey is completely anonymous, and it will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. A link to the survey is included in the information letter below.
As participants in this research, Parents/Carers will have early access to details of any research outputs arising from this project. These will be made available online in early 2022. To view the research outputs, Parents/Carers are invited to visit the Writing and Reading for All Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/writingandreadingforall/.