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
- This Friday we will be holding our rescheduled W.O.W. Band-a-thon. This is an opportunity for us to sponsor our performers for their tour, as well as enjoy their music. See News & Notices for details.
- Parents of Year 7 – 9 students, please ensure that you give consent online for your child to participate in the Macquarie University Cyberbullying survey. See News & Notices for details and to access the link.
- The Arndell Interschool Equestrian Carnival will be held on Saturday 14 August 2021 at Hawkesbury Show Ground. Please contact the Office if you are interested in participating.
- NSW Government is helping families by offering vouchers, including Creative Kids, which will make it easier for school-aged children to try creative and cultural activities. Follow this link to find out more: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/creative-kids
Prayer & Praise
- Praise God that He is sovereign over ALL things and that we can trust in His care and concern for each one of us.
- Pray for Merrilynne and Ellie Shaw and their family as their grieve the loss of Merrilynne’s mother in WA. Give thanks for the faith that has assured her future. Pray for her family that they will be a comfort and support to each other over the coming weeks, months and years.
- Pray for schools in Victoria as they resume normal classes. Give thanks for dedicated staff; pray for strength, patience, mercy and hope.
- Pray for the Abraham family as they communicate with relatives in India, many of whom are sick with COVID. Pray for mercy and healing as well as comfort for all. Pray for the people of India and their government; for compassion, provision, protection and healing.
- Pray for the Tonkin family as they grieve the loss of their husband and father, Orson. Give thanks for his life and pray that Jo and Madison would receive all that they need at this time.
- Continue to pray for the Miller family and for Josh, who was admitted to hospital this week. Pray for wisdom and healing and hope.
- Give thanks for all our families and staff. Pray that we would lift each other up and seek unity and peace, with the help of our Lord.
- Pray for all in our community who are grieving, discouraged, anxious or unwell. Pray that their needs would be met and that God would give us all knowledge and inspiration to help where we can.
Everyone is welcome to attend our next prayer meeting which will be held in the Library on 16 June 2021, 7 – 7:30pm.
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/.