A Word from Sue Huxley
Primary Teacher, K/1
What makes community?
The Oxford Dictionary – Primary School Edition defines community as,
the people living in one area; a group with similar interests or origins.
The photo above, from a current K/1 display, speaks about our class community. One that is under God in His place.
As we have lived with COVID-19, lock-down, Adventures in Learning, School@Home, and School@School over the last 11 weeks, I have been greatly encouraged by the depth of community at Kuyper. I am very grateful for the prayers of families, emails, delightful cards and drawings from children. Appreciation for our efforts to keep learning happening in these testing times. Along with genuine inquiries about my well-being from colleagues, parents and students. This, I’m sure has been the experience of my colleagues as well.
Kuyper community is not just ‘a group with similar interests or origins’. Rather, from my experience over many years, it is a vital living organism that cares deeply, supports prayerfully, nurtures lovingly and seeks to serve faithfully.
Kuyper is a community of great diversity and this provides a rich tapestry for ‘teaching, modelling and encouraging our Kuyper values which are derived from the character of God, as revealed in His Word, the Bible, and perfectly demonstrated in His son Jesus Christ’. (From our Kuyper Values document).
Our Kuyper Values are,
- Care and compassion
- Doing your best
- A fair go
- Freedom
- Honesty and trustworthiness
- Integrity
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Understanding
- Tolerance
- Inclusion
- Wisdom and discernment
- Faithfulness to God
- Family
- Hope
Many of our staff have reflected on and unpacked these values in a variety of ways in our daily Community Devotions. Across the school they underpin our development of teaching programs as we seek to give students genuine opportunities to display these values. They speak into the way in which we relate to one another as staff, parents and students.
I commend them as a worthy source of family chats and Bible time discussions. They are an integral part of keeping our community growing and healthy.
As we read in Hebrews and Colossians,
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12
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
Prep returns Term 3, 2020
We are pleased to announce that our wonderful Prep students will return to school in Term 3, for 2 days per week.
Term 4 will bring the option of an additional catch-up day, meaning potentially 3 days per week later in the year.
Parents of Prep students should read the letter from the Principal for more details regarding this return.
Anxiety, Abundance, and Coronavirus
A biblical reflection on Luke 12: 22-31 with Chris Parker, Professional Learning Coordinator & Editor of Christian Teachers Journal at Christian Education National (CEN).
Christian Education National (CEN), a community of school communities unified around the common goal of authentic, Bible-based, Christ-centred education.