A Word from Mel Kewley
The Kuyper Christian School Athletics Carnival is back! It was so wonderful to see everyone enjoying movement in God’s world as we competed and celebrated together. As a sports enthusiast and PE teacher I love seeing students succeed and overcome in new and exciting ways during these events. It is fantastic to see students surprise themselves as they achieve more than they imagined possible; beating their personal bests. The Kuyper Athletics Carnival is always a wonderful community event, where so many parents, staff and students help and serve others. Let’s see what the community had to say about the day.
The athletics carnival was a great day. The races were fun and the food was good. A lot tried their best (even some teachers!) and had fun. A lot of people did the 1500m, even little kids. There was a lot of cheering. Most people were just there to have fun. We managed to get in most of the races before the rain but sadly we didn’t get to do the relay so hopefully next year we can do it the real way.
Abigail & Bridget, Year 7
We had the most eventful day at the athletics carnival. It started off with a cold morning but it shortly turned into a beautiful sunny day. Everyone was excited and gave each event their best try. The canteen was open with delicious mouth watering sausages and a cold drink to go with it. Zane and I were part of the Year 9 and 10 groups who helped run the carnival. It was good fun, we learnt a lot and the day went smoothly. Thank you to all the parents and teachers who participated and helped during the carnival.
Noah & Zane, Elective PASS
This year’s carnival was the last one I will participate in for Kuyper. I wanted to make the most of this athletics carnival so it was something that I will never forget. So I dressed up in my red shirt and Hawaiian lei and skirt to celebrate the best house (Redbank) and went in all the track events. This year’s carnival was a great experience. I saw people showing God’s love by serving, encouraging others and helping run the carnival. Thank you to parents and teachers for making it wonderful.
Jackson, Year 12
I had lots of fun with my friends at the carnival. We spent the day running and jumping and throwing, competing with friends and striving to do our best. It was nice to spend the day at the park and see the talents of so many kids. I loved that everyone was giving it a go and doing their best.
Summer, Year 5
Some prep kids gave the highlights of their day too…
I liked throwing the rockets the best.
We got to play soccer and it was fun.
Jumping in the sand was good.
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
#NotEvenOnce® Parent Workshop Tonight
In conjunction with the drug education seminars that were held today for our Secondary students , the ‘Teen Challenge’ organisation will present an evening parent workshop tonight.
Date: Wednesday 9 June
Time: 7 – 9pm
Where: Kuyper Christian School Library
The “Changing the Narrative” theme presented in the parent workshop provides attendees with information on the current alcohol and drug culture, explores some of the underlying reasons for uptake and highlights how to identify the tell-tale signs that someone is using. Alongside the student seminars, #NotEvenOnce® aims to equip schools and families with tools to have conversations and help build resilience.
These seminars have been presented annually at Kuyper Christian School and many other schools throughout Australia for several years. They deliver a powerful message about the risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol and the misuse of prescription medication.
In addition, Mrs Stewart, one of our parents, will be sharing a short presentation about the Google Family Link program that she and her husband use to manage devices in their home with 4 teenagers. Google Family Link gives control to parents and helps them teach appropriate device use for their children at home.
The evening will conclude with supper and a brief Q & A session.
We encourage all parents and carers to attend this helpful and informative event. What these presenters have to say will be gold for families struggling with technology and other teenage issues.
For more information visit: https://notevenonce.org.au/community-forums
Collective Shout
Tomorrow, Wednesday 23 June, Melinda Tankard Reist will visit Kuyper to speak with our Year 7 – 12 students. She is the co-founder of Collective Shout, a grassroots campaigns movement against the objectification of women and the sexualisation of girls. Here is a snap-shot of what Melinda will talk about on the day:
Melinda and Daniel will take our young women on a ‘tour’ of media and popular culture in a dynamic, multi-visual presentation. They will unpack with our girls the images, messages and ideas they receive every day from games, music videos, advertising, marketing, social media and explicit se*ual imagery, conveying a message that their value and worth lies solely in their bodies and physical appearance. Students will critically evaluate how these messages contribute in harmful ways to their views of themselves, their bodies and relationships, affecting their physical, emotional and social development. Drawing from global research and personal accounts of young people, Melinda and Dan will then explore how young women can respond personally, including by resisting se*ual pressure, clarifying their values and enforcing boundaries, aspiring to relationships built on respect and mutuality – and collectively – by taking action for social change and cultural transformation.
Our young men are also bombarded with hyper-se*ualised messages and images in media and popular culture. Their lives are increasingly socialised, conditioned and informed by exposure to p*rn related content online. They are exposed to this content even before their first kiss, with average age of first exposure, 11. In a dynamic multi-media presentation which includes research, along with first person stories of young men, Melinda and Daniel will explore with male students how exposure to se*ual imagery is contributing to a distorted view of bodies and relationships. They will propose that boys are being raised in a callous version of masculinity through these toxic messages, hampering their ability to form healthy respect-based relationships. Melinda and Dan will help them understand what consent and healthy relationships should look like. In a po*nified cultural landscape, our young men will be encouraged to stand against the tide, resist the ‘bystander’ effect, and choose to act with integrity.
We are blessed to have this opportunity and look forward to the ongoing conversations Melinda’s visit will create.
Cyberbullying Survey for Years 7 - 9
Kuyper Christian School have agreed to participate in a Cyberbullying Research Project run by Macquarie University for Years 7-9. The research project is related to factors associated with cyberbullying and how this affects mental health. Students will be required to complete a 45 minute questionnaire. Staff will ensure that there is minimal disruption to the school day. If you have any questions, feel free to email the Office.
If you are the parent of a child in Years 7-9, please provide your consent for their participation electronically by following the link below. Please do not print the consent form. Use the red arrow at the bottom of the screen to submit consent online: https://tinyurl.com/mqconsent