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
- 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
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/.