Mr Mitchell Cavens, Head of Secondary
In our continued reflection on 12 Affirmations: Reformed Christian Schooling for the 21st Century, our Senior Leadership Team has been encouraged and challenged by the seventh affirmation, which reminds us that curriculum is not neutral. What we teach, how we teach it, and even what we choose to omit, all play a role in shaping our students, not just academically, but spiritually, morally, and socially.
At Kuyper, we are deeply aware that education is not just about filling minds with knowledge; it is about forming hearts, shaping what we love, and directing lives toward God and His purposes. We desire to deliver curriculum as not simply a collection of subjects for the growth of head-knowledge, but to utilise effective educational frameworks through which students learn to see God’s world truly, grow to love what He loves, and live out His calling with wisdom and humility.
This means that every subject, from Mathematics to Music, History to Science, is taught through the lens of God’s truth. We are not in the habit of separating “spiritual” things from “academic” things. Instead, we recognise Christ’s lordship over all areas of life and learning. A lesson in Physics reveals the order and beauty of God’s creation. A study of Literature can grow empathy and ethical discernment. A unit in History can provoke deep questions about justice, human dignity, and the consequences of sin and redemption.
Our prayer is that, as students engage with their subjects each day, they will grow not just in understanding, but in wisdom; not just in skill, but in faithfulness.
Because of this, we are constantly asking ourselves: What kind of people is our curriculum forming? Are we nurturing students who are curious, compassionate, and courageous? Are we pointing them to Christ as the source of all wisdom and knowledge? Are we equipping them to discern truth in a world filled with confusion?
This formative view of curriculum also invites us to think about the stories we tell. All education tells a story about what matters, what is good, and what is worth pursuing. At Kuyper, we want our curriculum to tell the true story: that God is Creator, that humanity is made in His image, that sin has marred His world, and that redemption is found in Jesus Christ alone. This story gives meaning to every part of life and learning.
We thank you for trusting us to teach your children within this framework. Our prayer is that, as students engage with their subjects each day, they will grow not just in understanding, but in wisdom; not just in skill, but in faithfulness. We hope they will come to see that everything they learn finds its place and purpose in Christ.