Looking Back, Moving Forward
Ian Shaw, Principal
As we come to the end of 2022, we give thanks to God for His blessing and provision throughout our 40th year. 2022 has not been without its struggles as our community dealt with the pain of sickness, floods, and tragedy. We know that life brings us times of joy and sorrow, but there is great comfort in knowing the Creator God and His son, the Lord Jesus, who keep the universe in motion. We can trust God in all circumstances.
We commenced the year with some excellent HSC results from our 2021 Year 12 group. These students are pursuing a range of post school activities including university, further study, and employment. Another huge joy this year was the opportunity to reconnect with our Kuyper pioneering families and friends who joined us to give thanks to God and celebrate 40 years of Learning in God’s World. Former parents, students and staff gathered with the current community to pray once more around the original table where Kuyper Christian School began. We thank God for His enabling of the past and the future.
This year, students and staff have also been thrilled that camps and excursions returned after a lengthy hiatus due to COVID. Then there was Seussical! What joy it brought to our community. It was marvellous! Tonight, once again, we celebrate Limelight – in person! I am looking forward to this gathering of the Kuyperian community and the show that will unfold.
One way God has blessed us over 40 years is by providing wonderful staff, students and parents to form the school and knit it together. Each person is an important part of our school and contributes to the mission of nurturing children in the Lord.
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
Romans 12:4-6
Each person plays their part in the body by helping this Christian school to function. We are blessed by each other, and I am thrilled to announce several new staff members for 2023. We welcome Brett Mills, Jerusha Thompson and Guy Boughey as new teachers in the Primary School. In addition, Karina Chambers and Lyndall Gluskie have been appointed to the Secondary School.
Kae McCaull and Alexis Clarke will take on senior roles in 2023 as Head of Primary and Head of Secondary, respectively. Jason Shadie will step down from his current leadership role and continue teaching at Kuyper in the Secondary School. We are deeply thankful for Mr Shadie’s leadership over the past 8 years. Alan McCartin will continue as our Business Manager in 2023, however the position will now be full time. Caz Lauter will also continue in Reception for four days per week instead of two, and Ruth Thompson will focus on a new full time Enrolment & Communications management role.
Sadly, we say farewell to Anna McQueen and Ashleigh Plane, who are moving on to new challenges. We thank them both for their faithful service to our community and pray that God will continue to use them in the next chapter of service.
There are also a number of other educational roles and changes that will be finalised over the holidays and communicated early next year.
I take this opportunity to wish all the Kuyper community a joyful and blessed Christmas. We look forward to seeing you all at the Meet the Kuyper Team evening on Tuesday 14 February 2023. Happy Christmas!
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
Limelight is Tonight!
Limelight is here! From 5pm – 6:30pm today all kinds of stalls will be operating on the Village Green. Eftpos will be available for a limited number of stalls, so you will need to bring cash. Food and drink will be selling for $1 – $5. Some craft and speciality items may cost more. Christmas hampers are on sale for $35 – $75 each. All money raised by Kuyper at Limelight will be donated to Vanuatu.
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. We look forward to celebrating 40 years of Learning in God’s World with you.
Non-Uniform Day
On Thursday this week, the last day of Term, Kuyper will hold a non-uniform day to raise money for Operation Christmas Child. Usually we fill shoe-boxes, but as we were unable to do that this year, we will support the delivery of other people’s shoe-boxes to their destinations.
So, on Thursday, wear non-uniform and bring a gold coin.
Uniform Shop 2023
If you are a current Kuyper parent (i.e. your children are attending this year) and you require a uniform fitting, please follow this link to make a booking for your family. Only one booking per family is required, no matter the number of students. Please only make a booking if you require a fitting (e.g. your child has sprouted unexpectedly over the holidays and you can no longer guess their size from their current uniform, or they are a girl starting Year 7 and need to be sized for a dress, or you are a current family but have another child starting for the first time in 2023). Secondary boys’ shirts are sized the same as Primary boys’ shirts and the only new article your son will need is a shirt, and maybe a cap, which comes in one size. Secondary girls’ dresses are women’s sizes, while Primary girls’ dresses are children’s sizes. You may need a fitting.
Most uniform for current families can be ordered via email or telephone from Thursday 19 January. We are very happy to exchange multiple times until the correct size is found, so don’t feel like you need to know your child’s size with certainty. We are very happy to take your booking for a fitting, but as time-slots are limited, it would be good if they are available for those who really need them.
New families (i.e. those starting for the first time in 2023) will be contacted to arrange an Onboarding Session. The sessions will incorporate Uniform fittings as well as setting up the Kuyper App and SchoolEasyPay. You do not need to make a booking for Uniform at this time.
If you have any questions at all, please email admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au and we will direct you.