Back Together

Rob Weule, Year 4 Teacher & Band Conductor
Excuse me Madam…We’re on a mission from God. We’re getting the Band back together.
The Blues Brothers
God created music to aid us in our praise, honour and worship of Him and to bring others and ourselves joy and fulfilment. The learning of a musical instrument involves specific skill development that can bring lifelong pleasure. The learning of an instrument is a tool for developing a sense of personal identity, it is a T.E.A.M. activity as much as a personal activity and it enhances all other layers of learning.
Learning music provides children with the cognitive foundations for effective learning, which ultimately helps them become confident learners, ready to make the most of their education.
Dr Anita Collins (Bigger Better Brains)
Music is one of the few activities which engage the entire brain. Learning music can help students’ self-confidence, self-discipline and team work. Music helps students progress in other important learning areas such as Maths and English. Indeed, countries with a strong focus on music education tend to have higher scores in literacy and numeracy. Engaging music programs have been shown to help with attendance and can be particularly beneficial for students who are not achieving well in school. All of this evidence for music’s extrinsic benefits make a strong case for music education, but should not overshadow the sheer joy people experience making music, nor the value of the art-form itself. Music is a vital part of everyday life and school life.
Music education can help spark a child’s imagination or ignite a lifetime of passion. When you provide a child with new worlds to explore and challenges to tackle, the possibilities are endless. Music education should not be a privilege for a lucky few, it should be a part of every child’s world of possibility.
Hillary Clinton
Seven Facts About School Music… (yep these are supported by research)
- Music makes a contribution to kids’ development that no other subject can match.
- Music students are more likely to be good citizens.
- Learning music helps under-performing students improve.
- Musical training can enhance brain function.
- Incorporating music learning into other curriculum areas helps kids learn.
- Playing music improves concentration, memory and ability to express feelings.
- Australia lags behind other countries in the provision of music in school.
With these thoughts in mind, it is most exciting to be part of the Year 4 Band Program that began six years ago at Kuyper Christian School.
Here are the numbers for 2022:
- 23 enthusiastic Year 4 Musicians
- 6 Flutes
- 4 Trombones
- 3 Alto Saxes
- 4 Clarinets
- 4 Trumpets
- 1 Drums
- 1 Bass
- 1 Conductor
- 3 Instrumental Tutors
- Countless hours of home and school rehearsal ahead
- 1 amazingly supportive School Board and Principal
- A lifetime of learning awaiting
The Year 4 Band are involved with an instrumental tutorial and whole band session each week (Thursdays and Fridays) as well as being involved in regular individual rehearsal at home (thanks Band Families). We look forward to this exciting musical adventure with our Year 4 Band. Stay tuned for their first ‘public’ performance.
The Concert Band is also back after 272 days since our last rehearsal: Friday mornings, 8am in the (well ventilated) hall. We used to meet in the music room but have out-grown the space. The Concert Band just missed out on their tour last year due to COVID restrictions. We are now in the process of re-building the band after a very disrupted 2021.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Psalm 100:1-3
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
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
Employment at Kuyper Christian School


Applications are invited from Christians of Reformed persuasion who identify with the School ethos and can demonstrate their Christian faith in Jesus as a priority in their life.
Bus Driver
This is a temporary part time position, 5 days per week – split shift. The successful applicant will be responsible for bus driving duties which will include, but not be restricted to, morning and afternoon school bus runs, excursions and sporting activities during school terms, to commence in Term 1, 2022.
Requirements:
- MR driver’s licence
- Working with Children Check
- COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate
Administration Support
This is a temporary part time position, 2 days per week, during school terms, to commence in Term 1, 2022.
Duties:
- Supporting the Administration team
- Administering First Aid
- Managing a busy reception, serving staff, parents, and students
Requirements:
- Working with Children Check
- COVID-19 Vaccination certificate
- First Aid certificate
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
- Strong organisation skills, and flexibility
- Competent computer skills including MS Office and Google
- Ability to prioritise and work independently
Desirable:
- MYOB
- Edumate
- Adobe
All applicants must complete an application form which can be found on our website https://kuyper.nsw.edu.au/employment/
Applications close 5:00pm Friday 24 December, 2021.
Please send your application, including CV, to Ian Shaw: ishaw@kuyper.nsw.edu.au
Are you Ready for Crazy Hair Day this Friday!



On Friday 12 March, (this Friday) we will be holding a fundraiser for JDRF
JDRF stands for
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Come to school in non-uniform, with a gold coin and your hair CRAZY!
We will also be selling Zooper Doopers at the Hall during lunch for $1 each.
Just make sure all the craziness is gone by Monday…
Purple Hot Cross Bun Day is TOMORROW!




Purple Hot Cross Bun Day
What?! Everyone at school is invited to wear purple (non-uniform) and purchase a hot cross bun (or two) for $1 each. There will be chocolate or fruit buns to choose from, buttered or unbuttered.
When? Wednesday 31 March, at Recess
Where? in the Hall
Why? to raise funds for Epilepsy research and awareness