A Word from Rob Weule
Head of Primary – Welfare & P-12 Performing Arts
On the fifteenth of May, in the jungle of Nool,
In the heat of the day, in the cool of the pool,
He was splashing, enjoying the jungle’s great joys
When Horton the elephant heard a small noise.
So Horton stopped splashing.
He looked toward the sound.
“That’s funny,” thought Horton.
“There’s no one around.”
Then he heard it again! Just a very faint yelp.
As if some tiny person were calling for help.
‘Horton Hears a Who’ is a Dr Seuss story featuring that large, loving and lovable elephant Horton. In this story Horton, who seems to function as a sort of God figure, hears a sound that none of the other animals can hear. Their ears are not sensitive enough to hear the cries of the ‘Whos’. The Whos’ entire world exists on a speck of dust too small for the elephant to see. But Horton can hear them. He makes it his mission to protect his tiny friends at all cost. After all, Horton knows that a person’s a person no matter how small. Horton carefully places the Whos’ world, the speck of dust, on a clover for safe keeping.
Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one sparrow is forgotten by God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!
Luke 12:6-7
As we read this story, we may find ourselves identifying with the Whos. So many people in this world are desperately trying to be heard, but sometimes it feels like no one is listening. We read in Romans 8:18-25 about how all of Creation is groaning and moaning for redemption. The Bible’s most important message is that God came into this world through Jesus Christ, in order to redeem humankind and Creation. We can live with the confidence that although on earth our cries fall on many a deaf ear, the God who knows even the tiniest sparrow hears, Horton-like, the cries of the world and each individual who calls out to Him.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
Psalm 34:4
he delivered me from all my fears.
We look forward to bringing the Whos’ story to you in the form of ‘Seussical the Musical’ later in the year. We are excited about the re-commencement of full rehearsals (stay tuned)! In the meantime, God hears our cries and assures us of His attention and our full redemption when we call on Him.
(For more of ‘The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss’, check out James W. Kemp’s book)
Reminders
- Thank you to Year 6 families for your RSVP to the Graduation Dinner. If you haven’t already, please pay for your seats (and your child’s) using this link. There is also a Year 6 Big Day Out on Wednesday 7 December. Check the App or contact the Office for assistance.
- Parents who have received notification about their password for the expiry of the Kuyper App. Please call 4573 2999 to reactive your Parent Portal access.
- Nurture Magazine will be sent home to each family via their eldest child this week. Look for an article by our very own Mrs Ruth Thompson on page 20.
- Borrowing from the Kuyper Library has ceased. All library books need to be returned. We will be invoicing families for any books that we do not receive.
- 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. There have been a few cases in the Primary school. 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 excursions, school events and celebrations for families to enjoy together. Pray for connection and community to grow for all at Kuyper Christian School as we look forward to Limelight!
- Pray for school families and staff families who are coping with illness: 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. Ask the Lord to provide, as he has always done.
News & Notices
Operation Christmas Child
We are sure that you have all heard about Operation Christmas Child and the wonderful work they do in communities around the world. This year, Kuyper Christian School will again be participating, albeit a little differently from last year.
If you would like to fill a shoebox to bless a child overseas, email the Office to request a box (or two). We will send them home with your child. Please fill and return your boxes to the Office by Wednesday 10 November 2021. Some instructions and ideas can be found by following this link: https://samaritanspurse.org.au/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoebox/
Return & Earn for Vanuatu
Our Return & Earn fundraising for Vanuatu continues. Please deposit your aluminium cans and plastic bottles in the lime coloured recycling box in the sails area, or place them alongside in a labelled bag. All donations need to be clean, whole (not crushed) and eligible for the 10c recycling refund.