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
- 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
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.