Normality & Truth
Leila Thomson, Secondary Teacher
It was lovely to return to school this week and to get back into the routines and traditions that serve our school students well. It was great to see familiar faces and new ones. The first week is always exciting, for both student and teacher alike. Eyes are quick to scan new timetables and classrooms, and hearts are encouraged by the care of the Kuyper School Community.
The new year also invites expectancy and excitement around classes and lessons. This pushes staff to consider the meaning and value of our own lives and the subjects we teach to our students. I asked my Year 9 Core class how the first few days had gone for them, and one student replied that it had felt very “normal”. I thought about that and, given the very abnormal few years we have experienced, normal felt reassuring. I felt much the same.
Of course, our idea of normal is always influenced by our own perceptions, experiences and expectations so that our normal is constantly shifting. The Bible teaches us about “normal” human behaviour and how different it is to the perfection of Jesus, who walked on earth as a man. We want students to learn content, but we also want them to learn the truth about themselves and to take the initiative to work towards their own unique goals.
In my Senior History class, we have started a historical inquiry where students can choose their own topic and essay question. This is a new step for them and they need to acquire new skills, responding to feedback as the investigation progresses. I think our desire to inquire and to know is normal for us as human beings. Parents and teachers want to nurture that desire in their young people. Anyone who has spent time with a three or four year old knows that humans like to ask questions. In History we are always asking questions about the past and putting the pieces together in an effort to learn the truth. Truth in history can be distorted, and there are many factors that make the truth hard to find. As historians, we usually end up with what we believe is the most realistic version of the truth, based on the evidence we have found.
By comparison, Jesus teaches us that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
It is my hope that our students and community will consider what Jesus teaches us about truth. I believe that His truth is not distorted. Therefore, it is His normal that we can truly find comfort in.
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
Kuyper Christian School Swimming Carnival 2022
The Kuyper Christian School Swimming Carnival will be held this Friday, 11 February 2022, for competitors who have registered. Registration for this event is now closed. If you have missed the deadline and your child still wishes to compete, please contact the Office on 4573 2999.
Regular classes will run at school for students not competing in events. Students not registered to compete in the carnival should come to school as normal.
In line with current Public Health Orders, parents/carers of competitors can attend as spectators under special conditions:
- Parents will be asked to QR code into the venue and sign on the school register.
- Parents will be seated separately to students and must physically distance.
Parent spectators will also need to bring their own seating and shade and pay the $1 spectator entry fee.
We are looking forward to a fabulous day of camaraderie and aquatic competition.
School Photographs Next Week
We are looking forward to our School Photographs on Wednesday next week, 16 February. Below is some information for you:
- All students must wear full regular school uniform, regardless of their usual timetable. If sport or PE is usually scheduled for Wednesday, students may bring their sport shoes to change into.
- Envelopes for ordering photographs have been sent home with students today. They are individually coded. If your child is absent, their envelope will be held in the Office for them to collect.
- If you require another envelope (and code), please contact the Office. We will arrange one for you.
- If you would like your children to have a sibling photograph together, you may collect a sibling envelope at the Office.
- Envelopes must be returned to the Office before school photo day. We will not accept envelopes after 4pm on Tuesday 15 February.
- Please pay online, or place the correct money in the envelope. We cannot arrange change.
- School photographs will be held from 9am – midday (approximately).
If you have any questions at all, please contact the Office.