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
- 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
#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