Fellow Kuyperians,
Every journey has a beginning and an end. My principalship journey is coming to an end in the new year, and a new chapter will begin with Mr Mark Ramsay as Kuyper’s Principal in 2024. Mark’s commitment to keeping Jesus at the centre of all learning and teaching will provide wonderful continuity of leadership, and I am confident Kuyper’s momentum as a growing P-12 Christian School will continue in future years.
My journey takes a different path into retirement. I will be working on being a better husband, son, father, and grandfather or ‘Pa’ as my grandchildren call me.
Tracey and I would like to thank you for so warmly welcoming us to Kuyper over eight years ago. We have been greatly blessed to be part of this wonderful community. I recall with deep appreciation the early days when our faithful Kuyper Board and staff members went above and beyond to commence Stage 6 and our HSC program. This dedicated team is still deeply committed to bringing Christian Education to the Hawkesbury today.
Thank you to all those who have demonstrated their commitment to our school community over the years. By supporting meetings, events and interviews. By writing, teaching and praying. By making financial sacrifices. By trusting. By standing beside and in support of the Kuyper staff team. By sweating over a BBQ or getting your hands dirty during a working bee. Thank you for living out your commitment to Christ and your ownership of the school. You have blessed many students in the process. I have enjoyed partnering with you.
I will forever remember my final Celebration assembly at Kuyper, surrounded by the whole school singing “The Blessing”, a beautiful song based on a Bible passage. It was unforgettable and very moving. As I looked at my wife Tracey and saw her tears, that was it for me too.
As I finish my work at Kuyper, it is my heartfelt desire for the Lord’s blessing on our whole school community. So, I would like to share the same blessing with you.
The Lord bless you and keep you;
Numbers 6:24-26
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face towards you and give you his peace.
Our world is searching for peace. The Bible reminds us that we can only find true peace with God in His son Jesus. From the beginning of time, God’s plan was that peace would come to earth in Jesus. As we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus this Christmas, may you find and understand His true peace in every square inch of life.
Forever a Kuyperian.
Ian Shaw
Principal
P.S. I hope to see you and continue sharing life with you from the other side of the school gate in the new year, as a fellow grandparent and friend of the Kuyper community.