Seasons
Elizabeth Porter, Secondary Teacher
Spring has finally sprung! Officially, Spring began two months ago, but the weather didn’t match our expectations. It’s taken its time to warm up this year, and after cooler temperatures and so much rain, flowers are blooming. Jacaranda blossoms, characteristic of November, are starting to fill our skylines.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4
This time of year is quite significant for some of our students. It is the end of one season and the dawning of another. In a few days we will be hosting Year 7 Orientation, then Orientation mornings for Prep and Kindergarten. It’s “a time to plant”. Soon, Year 6 will be finishing Primary School. These occasions are milestones for parents, as much as their children.
For our senior students, the HSC examinations concluded last Friday and on Thursday this week, Year 12 will have their Graduation Assembly in the morning and their Graduation Dinner in the evening. It’s “a time to dance”. From here, they step out of Kuyper and move into the next chapter of their lives. This could be “a time to uproot”, but perhaps it is more of a transplant because we hope they are already “rooted and established in love” (Ephesians 3:17). We trust that our students will not only love their school enough to come back and visit us, but that they will carry with them what they have learned here and allow it to impact their worldview and their decisions. For our Graduates, we say farewell with some sadness, but also with excitement, as we see how they have matured. We anticipate God’s leading of their futures.
Today and tomorrow, the majority of our Year 10 and 11 students are participating in the inaugural Kurrajong Programme Orientation Week camp, as they become our new Year 11 and 12. Students will participate in a series of activities, including an Amazing Race, a sleepover and several teaching sessions designed to prepare them for Stage 6. Then, a new set of compressed Stage 6 Elective courses begin, with students choosing from a variety of face-to-face, VET and Distance Education courses. As exciting as this is, what is most important is our students’ personal and spiritual growth. We hope, pray and encourage all Kuyper students to develop the desire to follow Christ closely, view the world through the lens of the Bible, and seek resilience, wisdom, faith and compassion that will be reflected in action as they serve their communities. Through the Kurrajong Programme, each student will have a staff mentor. As well as growing learners, the Kurrajong Programme is about inspiring leaders. Students will discover new opportunities for service and leadership, in a range of activities, over the next year and beyond. We are very excited to be planning our trip to Vanuatu for 2023. This experience enables students to bring joy to children in a country which does not have the same creature comforts or opportunities as we experience, and yet, can teach us something about contentment, lifestyle and materialism.
The Kurrajong Tree (Brachychiton populneus) is the logo of the Kurrajong programme. This tree is native to our area, has bright flowers and a beautiful shape, providing shade. Its water-retaining capabilities make it drought resistant and hardy. Similarly, Kuyper aims to nurture well-grounded students who have developed the qualities they need to flourish and mature in a variety of situations.
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace… He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:6-11
For 35 years, Arthur Stace wrote the word “Eternity” in chalk around Sydney, provoking people to think about life after death. Deep down, we know that Creation must have been made by a Creator, and there is a desire in our hearts for a peaceful eternity, free from suffering. In this special season of conclusions and new beginnings, let us celebrate His promises and His timing.
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
Welcome to the Kuyper App!
The Kuyper App and Parent Portal are a new communication platform that will provide you with a direct connection between school and home, making the information that is most relevant to your family available in a single place on your mobile device. The Kuyper App will enable parents to:
- Receive real-time updates direct to your mobile phone
- Access key information all in one place
- View the school calendar and your child’s timetable
- Grant permission at the press of a button
- Keep track of your responses with a personalised to-do list
Over the next few weeks, we will transition away from email and SMS for some communications. Please be ready to use your new Kuyper App for the following functions:
- Accessing Event Advice and granting permission for events
- Advising of full-day absence
- Calendar
Event Advice is now only available via your Kuyper App, and from next week the school calendar will only be available in the Parent Portal and Kuyper App. If you have not already set up your Parent Portal and Kuyper App, we encourage you to do so without delay. If you have any questions or need that extra bit of assistance setting up your app, please contact the Office. We also welcome your feedback.
Guest Speaker @ Kuyper EGM
In light of the important implications for Christian Schools surrounding reforms to anti-discrimination legislation, the Abraham Kuyper Christian Education Association Ltd will be hosting a special guest speaker prior to the business part of our EGM on Wednesday 23 November.
Vanessa Cheng is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Association of Christian Schools and will speak on Partnering with Parents to Protect Christian Schools.
Vanessa has extensive experience working in the education and government sector as a secondary Christian school teacher and a project manager in the Victorian Department of Education. She has also held senior policy roles within the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Education as well as a Bachelor of Economics/Arts from Monash University, majoring in History and Politics. She is a member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church and lives in Bendigo with her husband and their five teenage children.
State-level action to reform anti-discrimination and equal opportunity laws to restrict the ability of Christian schools to employ Christian staff is already having an impact. The current Bill before the NT Parliament will vastly change the landscape for Christian Schools in NT if it is passed. Find out more.
We encourage all Association Members and other interested parents to join us for this important discussion.
- From 6:15pm, join Vanessa and our Board for a light meal.
- 7:00 – 8:00pm, Guest Speaker: Vanessa Cheng Q & A session.
For catering purposes, please RSVP by Wednesday, 16 November, with any dietary requirements.
The Australian Association of Christian Schools is an advocacy organisation representing the interests of over a hundred Christian schools in every State and Territory. For further information on their work, visit their website.
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.
Teen Parties
It’s that time of year, when students want to celebrate with their friends, and your teen may be begging you to host a party, or be allowed to attend one. Teen parties are a great opportunity for kids to strengthen friendships and enjoy eachother’s company. However, it is good to be aware of the specific risks that come with adolescent gatherings. NSW Police and the Australian Government have released some useful information and advice. We encourage you to be informed and aware and talk openly with your teens.
Friendship is a good gift from the Lord and He encourages us to celebrate together in a way that is honouring and encouraging for everyone.