Esther

Ja Baldwin, Primary Teacher

Put your hand up if you like to have a good plan and follow it through.

I would hazard a guess that most of us have a hand up right now. Sometimes we make our own plans. Sometimes we make plans with others. Sometimes we choose to follow someone else’s plan. It is probably fair to say that many of these plans do not come to fruition, for any number of reasons. Nevertheless, all of these plans, whoever they may belong to, begin with a thought, a hope or an idea.

Late in Term 4 last year, it became apparent that many plans at Kuyper had to be changed, rescheduled or cancelled altogether. With floods, closures, lockdowns, social distancing, more closures and so on, there was a shrinking window of opportunity for Year 6 to do something to celebrate their final year in Primary school. Unexpectedly, an impromptu discussion between some Primary teachers generated a fabulous idea, which we put to Mr Shaw: The Year 6 Fun Day! 

Although time was extremely short, Year 6 students immediately began planning a Fun Day that would become a service event for the rest of Primary. In just two weeks, they had taken the original idea, and expanded, refined and organised this inaugural event. Throughout that fortnight, it was amazing to see this group of children put so much thought and effort into planning something to bless others.

23 students managed to organise and run a multitude of attractions: face painting, arts and crafts, doughnut eating, jelly bean guessing, slime-making, disco, video-games, ping-pong throwing, duck fishing, colouring, fairy-floss, thickshakes, drinks, ice-creams with toppings, lolly-bag lucky dips, home-made cookies, laser-tag, and teacher dunking! The Year 6 Fun Day was a wonderful success and I was reminded of one of my favourite verses in the book of Proverbs.

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Here are what some of the event planners had to say at the end of the day:

• I think it was great. We could have used a bit more planning but it really wasn’t bad for the first time we had done it. The slime got a lot more people than I thought and it was fun to help the little kids – Rory
• I think that it was a great success, the face paint was more popular than I thought it would be and the teacher dunking was also really fun. I was amazed at how many slimes the girls made and sold. I think that there was a lot of leftover stuff and I am happy we could eat and finish whatever we had – Alexis
• The fun day was really successful for pretty much most of us. The fairy floss was one of the most successful – Nathan

• On the fun day I was really excited to run my stall next to my friends, but I was mainly excited to sell cookies, chocolates and candy canes. I liked my idea but I think I could have done better with the cookies. Overall I had fun – Lilliana
• I was super excited but I could’ve done a lot of more to help my friends run our stand and helped more people learn how to play the games. We could’ve done better on the clean up too. But apart from that, I had a fun time running our gaming stand, doing the strobe lights at laser tag, playing with my friends during the breaks and drinking the delicious milkshakes – Jett
• I enjoyed the fun day a lot. It was a really fun, first time experience. I enjoyed going to everyone’s stall to try out things. It would have been better if COVID was not around, so we could have more things. I would have liked it if more people helped pack up because not enough people helped. I hope the kids liked my colouring competitions and colouring pages – Alyssa

• On the fun day I was super excited to do some mini games with the little children. I ran two little games that seemed very fun, I did Ping pong throw and duck fishing. Duck fishing was most popular because there were super cute rubber ducks that needed to be fished out of their little paddling pool of water. I bought 200 delicious lollies and in total I got rid of 100 super yummy Mentos and lollipops. Since it was the first year of running this year-six fun day, I consider that it was pretty well organised and run – Abigail
• The things that I thought were good about the funday were the involvement and the creativity and the ability to choose what we wanted to do. It was awesome! We could have improved the clean up – Hamish
• The fun day was great! I was really surprised because my stall sold everything so that was great. I think next year they should plan a little sooner so they wouldn’t be in such a rush the day before. Also I enjoyed seeing the little kids’ faces when they opened up their lolly bags. And it was fun running the day with my classmates – Sari

So, now the plan is for each Year 6 class to run their own interpretation of Fun Day as a parting gift to Primary.

Jo Kean, Primary Teacher

If you come to my classroom most days, you will catch us doing something that I love to do. Reading! In my life and in my classroom, reading is important. In the early years of school, reading is what children learn to do. In my classroom, we are helping to develop foundations for future learning. Reading is one of them.

You may not know this about me… I love books! I am the type of person who walks around the house reading whilst doing other things. I even bring books to the dinner table. A great day at the shops for me would involve a good coffee and a book shop. Yes, I am hopeless. I go to bed each night and read. I relax by reading in a sheltered spot in my garden. In the holidays, I love to read so much that a whole day can go by, and I have done little else. I do get into trouble from my husband when I get engrossed in a book, as he says, and pay little attention to him. 

This week I was shocked to discover that some children in my class do not know who Winnie the Pooh is. I wondered how this could be. How could children in the 21^st century not know about a bear of very little brain who I adore! My new mission is to introduce Winnie the Pooh and his friends to this group of students to help them see how friends care about each other, even when they are sad and grumpy, like poor Eeyore. They need to know that friends are there for each other; they support each other and they encourage each other to be more like Jesus.

We are learning to WHOK in K/1; to be wise, happy, obedient and kind in the way that we treat each other every day as we work and play together. We were discussing this recently, and one student pointed out that we don’t need rules stuck up on our walls, because if we are WHOKing we know the rules already! What a powerful insight.

I have a question though, why do I get so involved with a story that I want to keep reading to see what happens, and yet hesitate to get into God’s Word, the Bible? Do I carry the Bible with me and long to see what His plan for me today is? I am guilty as charged. What a different person I would be if my first passion was the Lord, and spending time in fellowship with Him. I recently read a devotion based on Matthew 6:20-23. It was about storing up treasures in heaven. What a challenge. If Jesus is my treasure, and the purpose of my life is to glorify Him, I am blessed if I live with my heart, mind, soul, and strength focused on Him and His plans for me. Therefore, the problem with my reading is my heart. Putting Christ first is essential to Christian living.

Please read and read with your children! Please read lots of different and varied books, especially Winnie the Pooh. But read the Bible with them too and pray with them. Let them see your relationship with the Lord in action and they will imitate you.

Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Matthew 6:20-21

Cassie Dixon, Head of Diversability

What a weekend! Between the Hawkesbury Show, Mother’s Day and other family commitments, I feel as though I spent more time with people in one weekend than I have since the start of lockdown last year. To be honest, I had forgotten about the small talk that happens when you first meet someone, or when you catch up with people you haven’t seen in a very long time. What do you do for work? Where do you live? Are you married? Do you have any kids? Where do you go to church? How’s your health? How’s life been going for you lately? How are things going at school? What kind of grades have you been getting?

I spent a few hours at the Kuyper Tent at the Hawkesbury Show on Saturday and interacted with a lot of people: past and present students and their families, prospective parents who wanted to learn about Christian education in the Hawkesbury, and others who were looking for a quiet place for their children to relax before moving on to the next exhilarating ride. Quite often, I found myself telling people my name and job title, and then asking them about their job and where they live, as if these things would help me to understand who they are.

Last week, my Year 8 Japanese students presented their self-introductions in Japanese in front of their peers. They had learnt the sentence structures and vocabulary required to communicate their name, age, grade, nationality, suburb, likes, dislikes and hobbies. I was extremely proud of them for presenting this information in a language they have only been studying for a few months. The students shared some things which helped me to know more about them, and how they see themselves, but their developing knowledge of Japanese grammar and vocabulary made it difficult for them to share anything of real depth. Actually, they probably know enough Japanese to hold the same kind of conversations I was having at the Show.

When we hold these conversations, we reveal those parts of our lives that we feel form the basis of our identities. For adults, our identities often revolve around our jobs, marital status, successes, wealth and belongings. For students, their identity is often based on the way they are received by family and friends, and their grades and abilities.

Rather than focusing on these external measures, what would happen if we dug deeper, or if we were brave during these conversations? Imagine if we encouraged conversations where we ask and answer questions like: What dream has God placed in your heart? What lessons has God been teaching you lately? What have you been struggling with? What have you been learning about yourself? How has God been challenging you to grow or change? Are there any areas of your life that you need to submit to God? 

These questions are not easy to answer, but shifting our focus from external measures to heart matters may help us to look for different values in each other. Rather than comparing ourselves to others and feeling superior or inferior, maybe we would recognise others as people from whom we can learn valuable lessons. We may find that we are able to inspire or encourage others when they are facing challenges, or be reminded to trust God ourselves through the stormy seasons of life. Could the things that we have allowed to define us for so long be holding us back from fully submitting to God’s will for our lives; being used by Him in ways which we can only imagine.

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.

1 Corinthians 2:9

I am sure that you have heard the phrase ‘life begins at 40’. More recently I heard that ‘sixty is the new forty’. This could be because people have a longer average life-span than they did in the past, or perhaps financial pressures and responsibilities mean we need to work until we are older. One theory I read is that 40 year olds fear death, but at 60, they warm up to it. I seriously doubt that! I am reminded once again of the amount of unwise material on the internet…

Obviously there has been a lot of rain this year; Sydney reached its average annual rainfall on April 7. Lately I actually feel surprised if we have a full day of sunshine, and I am thankful that God did not choose me to be Mrs Noah. During the Genesis Flood it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. It might have felt that long for us too, but it actually didn’t rain continuously for 40 consecutive days.

40 is a special number. A 40th birthday is an occasion to be celebrated. A 40th Wedding Anniversary is a milestone; a Ruby Anniversary. In the Bible, the number 40 has special significance. Moses stayed on Mt Sinai in worship of the Lord 40 days and 40 nights, the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, Eli, Saul, Joash, David and Solomon each led God’s people for 40 years, Nineveh had 40 days’ warning to turn to God, Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights before He was tempted by the devil, Jesus appeared to people after his death and resurrection for 40 days, before He ascended. A generation is also represented by 40 years, and the Bible was written down by 40 different people. It’s a special number. What a wonderful blessing that Kuyper Christian School can now celebrate its 40 years!

Staff and students have been considering 40 things for which we can thank and praise God. We could all probably think of 400 things each day if we had time in our lifestyles to stop and contemplate this. As there are roughly 40 weeks of school in a year, we are focusing on one thing to thank and praise God for each week. So far, we have thanked God for our pioneers who started our school, then those parents and friends who kept it going, and for our current students, parents and carers. We have thanked God for the inspiring person that Abraham Kuyper was, and we have considered our Mission Statement and the blessing of this school community. Naturally we finished Term 1 by considering Easter. This term we are focusing on some aspects of the nature of God and praising Him for who He is. God is holy and faithful. He is love; abounding in grace and mercy. He is just, forgiving, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. In the future, we will continue to thank God for our families, homes, beautiful bush setting, work, daily provision, our future, and especially reconciliation to God through Jesus. We can be sustained in tough times knowing that our future is secure in Jesus. We can look forward to His return and enjoy His presence with us each day. There is always something we can be thankful for!

You may recall U2’s song, ’40’, based on Psalm 40.

I waited patiently for the Lord;
He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God…
Blessed is the man
who makes the Lord his trust.

Psalm 40:1-4

People in our local area have been through a lot, especially in the last two and a half years. If you are going through a tough time at the moment, share with others in our Kuyper community so that we can support and pray for you. We pray you may be encouraged by the words of Psalm 40. The Lord cares for you and rescues you. He sets your feet on the rock. May you know His blessings this week.

Please join us in celebrating our 40 years; thanking and praise God for who He is and the blessings He has given us, including our school community!

Alexis Clarke, Head of Secondary (Welfare)

​​Recently, one of my history students Lucy, shared the findings of her own “archaeological dig” in her family’s treasure trove of old books. Lucy excavated a unique artefact from between the pages of a school book which belonged to her grandfather. The artefact was a 1930s newspaper clipping about one of her ancestors, Frederick “Dan” Minchin. Minchin was a lieutenant colonel in the British army during World War I. The article was about his adventurous life. It was a fascinating read, with a narrative which I believe, would make an excellent film. Minchin is the protagonist; a military hero on a quest to achieve a new record. We read anecdotes about Minchin’s home life and aircraft battles. The story even features a princess!

At first glance, I thought the article was going to be about Minchin’s service in World War I, with a description of a battle or two and possibly, his unfortunate death in service of others. The article does describe Minchin’s courage, humility, gallantry, determination and the sacrifice he made to serve his country but the author focuses on Minchin’s last flight. On 31 August 1927, Minchin, Captain Leslie Hamilton and their passenger, Princess Anne of Ludwig Lowenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg attempted to travel east to west across the Atlantic, from England to Canada. The three adventurers made the attempt in a large Dutch Fokker FVII monoplane and, unfortunately, never arrived at their intended destination, nor were they seen again. It is thought the aircraft went down in the North Atlantic Ocean within a short distance of the coastline. The author describes Minchin as a man with the “heart of a lion” who had the “courage of a wild boar” and was one of “Britain’s bravest knights of the air”. What an honour it would have been to read about a family member described in this way. I am grateful to Lucy for sharing her ancestor’s story.

We all share a common story that features royalty, sacrifice and an attempt to do something no one on earth had done before. Our common story is about Jesus Christ, who gave his own life on a Roman cross to atone for the sins of mankind; a feat which no one else could accomplish.

Yesterday, Monday 25 April, the nation stopped to remember those who sacrificed their lives for us. ANZAC Day is the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I. The annual ANZAC Day services held around Australia are the result of the efforts of David Garland, a military chaplain who wanted to commemorate the sacrifice of the ANZACs and point others to Christ’s sacrifice as well. Last week, Bishop Kevin Russell reflected on the importance of these services:

In remembering, we are reminded that war is destructive, combat is devastating, and the human beings touched by it are affected physically, emotionally and spiritually. We should be a grateful people never forgetting, nor failing to esteem, the sacrifices of ordinary Aussies. We remember the sacrifice of those who went before us because there is something noble about sacrifice, isn’t there? 

And the sacrifice of Jesus is still at the centre of the symbolism of Anzac Day with its crosses for the fallen, the sacrificial language, the reverence. The oft used quote from John’s gospel highlights Jesus’ sacrifice: 

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that they lay down their life for their friends.”

On Good Friday, we remembered the sacrifice of the perfect man, God incarnate, Jesus, who died in our place, in my place and in your place. What a loving God we have, who foots the bill of our redemption, and offers us our freedom and dignity, life eternal, heaven as a gift! You and I don’t have to do anything except accept the gift, and then of course we will want to live for Him out of gratitude for the amazing love He showed us in laying down his life for us. What a sacrifice!

The story of ANZAC touches a deep part in all of us. It’s a story of sacrificial living and giving and loving. The precious threads of sacrifice, love and hope are woven right through the ANZAC story, and they resonate with what Jesus did for humanity… We have all benefited from their death and Jesus death.

Lest we forget.

May I encourage you to talk with others about the sacrifices made for us, including the story we are all invited to share; HIS story.

Mark Ramsay, Head of Learning & Development

Are you worth dying for? 

There have been so many powerful movie scenes depicting the sacrifice of a hero for other people.  Spoiler alert; I’m about to tell you who dies in a few movies…

Tony Stark in Endgame has to be my all-time favourite. I may have shed a tear in that one. Superman in Dawn of Justice and Russell Casse in Independence Day are also worthy mentions. In all these movies, the hero is making a sacrifice for friends and family, which is noble and moving. Perhaps we hope that we would do the same, if necessary.

But what if the people who are saved aren’t connected to the hero? What if they are indifferent to the sacrifice? What if they are enemies?

The Bible speaks clearly. All humans are God’s enemies.

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…

2 Timothy 3: 2-4

We are not mischievous puppies who chew God’s favourite shoes. We are not  lovable rascals. We are ‘boastful’, ‘proud’, ‘disobedient’, ‘ungrateful’, ‘unforgiving’, ‘rash’. This is who we are, and it’s not pretty. But it’s true.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own  love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us… For if, while we were God’s enemies, we  were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having  been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Romans 5:6-10

And this is also true; even though we weren’t worth dying for, Jesus died for us. Why? Because God loves us!

Don’t get tricked into believing that God owes you anything. He doesn’t owe us health or wealth or success. We have no right to expect anything good from God, and this makes His generous, gracious, abundant love and kindness even more beautiful. We don’t need a Tony Stark or Superman or Russell Casse because we have the Son of God offering us salvation.

As we enjoy the Easter long weekend and spend time with friends and family, remember that the death and  resurrection of Jesus for us is significant because we are not worth dying for. But Jesus did it anyway.

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.
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.

Psalm 100:1-3

Shareen Liggins, Secondary Teacher

I feel like it is pretty obvious right now to write an article about “the state of our world today”; to comment on these last few years of plague, pestilence, fire, floods, famine and war; even to joke, as Australian’s do, about The Four Horsemen. Then, to wonder quite seriously, and long for, the return of Jesus when all things will be made new.

To us now, disaster and death is nothing new, is it? We all know it. We all expect it. We handle it as best we can. It would be great if we could allow ourselves, especially as Christians, to be comforted and strengthened by the awareness that God is handling it now too, perfectly, righteously, compassionately and with an eternal perspective.

The 17th century poet, John Donne, who was famously converted from profligacy to a vigorous Christian faith, wrote about this in his Holy Sonnet Death, Be Not Proud:

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell’st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

This somewhat cheeky Sonnet tells us a lot about how the poet handled his suffering; suffering that would have been very familiar to residents of the 16th and 17th century. “Fate, chance, kings, and desperate men … poison, war, and sickness”; sound familiar?

Donne lost five of his twelve children to still-birth and disease. His wife also passed away after 16 years of marriage and he himself experienced poverty, anxiety, depression, and near-fatal illness. The England he lived in was scarred by centuries of internal conflict and war among the great powers of Europe. Yet he could write this defiant poem, triumphantly proclaiming “death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die”. What was he on about?

Donne believed in the power of Christ to redeem and liberate us from the perils of this world. For Donne, the powers that apparently rule our lives are completely impotent before the power of the Cross, that overthrows even death. Although I don’t always feel so self-assured as to shake my fist at “Death” (and I marvel and rejoice in Donne’s assurance), I am completely sure that Jesus, the friend of sinners, who went to the Cross for me, has conquered death.

So, we can continue to face the plagues of humanity with courage, in Christ, being “hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything…

Ephesians 1:18-22

Lisa Clucas, Primary Teacher (with Elizabeth Porter)

Dear Parents & Carers; thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do in support of your children and their education. Your perseverance and commitment, particularly during these difficult times, are investments into who your children are growing to be. Thank you for all that you do to enable your children to experience authentic Christian education at Kuyper Christian School. We are looking forward to more and more opportunities for your involvement and our mutual communication, as together we commit our best for the benefit of your children in days and years to come.

As you know, this is Kuyper’s 40th year and we are intentionally thanking God each week for things to do with our School (see the Prayer & Praise section of the Newsletter). This week I would like to thank God for you, and your importance in the lives of your children. Every little action counts. Every piece of quality time you give to meaningfully interact with your child, despite all the busy demands, matters in the big picture.

Importantly, the second paragraph of our Vision Statement emphasises our commitment to “serve Christ by supporting parents in their God-given responsibility to nurture their children”. We see our role in your children’s lives as a calling, rather than a career. We are serving our Lord and Saviour as we support you. We are committed to working in partnership with you as you teach, nurture, and encourage your children in the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are working with you to build a firm foundation.

Start children off on the way they should go and when they are old they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

We will not hide them from their descendents; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalm 78:4

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10

Christian education teaches children about God’s path of life. God’s plan is for children to have and enjoy life to the full.

On a personal level, I am very thankful to my parents for their faithfulness in teaching me about God, and providing me with a Christian education in a Christian school. My relationship with my teachers, the way they related to me and the class, were most significant. My favourite lesson was Biblical studies. This gave me a deep love for God’s word, which remains. I was also taught to serve and help. Many Saturdays our family joined the school working bee, and my Mum volunteered to patiently help children in their learning, or supported other parents by minding their children after school.

There are some who question the value of Christian education. This is often because of a misconception. No education is neutral. There are always underlying values that filter through. These values can be communicated through a teacher’s personal interpretation of syllabus and outcomes, and their application of them, whether the school speaks openly about these things or not. In fact, nothing is neutral. Everything that happens within a classroom and school is underpinned by beliefs and values, regardless of the school. Therefore, education is a choice about the values you want your children to be nurtured or influenced into, as much as the content of the subjects on offer. The friends your children choose, and the influence of their peers is also important.

The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 12:26

We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with you and to teach your children from a Biblical worldview. Together, may we encourage children to remember their Creator and find fulfilling and everlasting life through Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

We look forward to meeting with you at the up-coming parent/teacher conferences.

Sarah Allen, Secondary Teacher

To say that 2022 has begun with a splash would be an understatement! Our school community has been allowed out again, and it has been wonderful to have classes, activities, carnivals and events on the calendar once more.

Our school swimming carnival was a wonderful day of community, competition and fun. Although it was limited to ‘competitors’ only, we had 60 students attend on the day and 17 students progressed to the Zone Carnival. This was another opportunity for students to represent our school in the wider community. Our competitors displayed their skill and determination, with 8 qualifying for the State Carnival. I had the pleasure of attending the Primary State Carnival on Monday with some of our qualifiers. Summer, Myah and Sean were able to beat the floodwaters and participate in 15 events. Sam W, Enoch and Hugo were sadly unable to attend due to the current situation.

Every carnival that I attend brings much joy. Our Kuyper students are a wonderful representation of our school and our community. They compete wholeheartedly, show commitment and perseverance, and strive for excellence. They support and encourage one another, congratulate each other, regardless of the outcome, and enjoy friendly rivalry and camaraderie. They smile, they cheer, and they support not only their Kuyper teammates, but their peers – the ‘competition’ – from other schools.

These moments make the benefits of sport obvious when it comes to training our young people for the Kingdom. Sport is a great physical example of the discipline and passion we should exhibit in our spiritual walk. The Apostle Paul compares the Christian walk to competing in sport, in that it requires self control and discipline. Believers are encouraged to play by the rules, through obedience (2 Timothy 2:5), finish strong, through perseverance (2 Timothy 4:7), and exercise themselves spiritually (1 Timothy 4:8). All of these disciplines are necessary for us to excel in our athletic endeavors, and also our spiritual walk.

Congratulations to our Zone team for their achievements this year; Josh S, Joshua B, Kayne, Kyden, Dominic, Matilda M, Abigail H, Hayden, Summer, Sam W, Sean, Mia R, Anastasya, Myah, Enoch, Nathan M, and Hugo. Congratulations to our Secondary State representatives, Josh S and Hayden, who will be representing the Metropolitan West Zone later this month.

Mike Hottinger, Chaplain

I’m sure you are as excited as I am that restrictions are being lifted this week for so many reasons: no more sticky, humid masks; no more signing in (and in my case, the less common, signing out); to say nothing of the general fear, confusion and isolation. It has also been around 8 months since our last Primary Bible group (LimeTime) was held at recess. This means that our committed High School LimeTime leaders haven’t been able to lead and encourage the Primary students each week, which they always look forward to. Instead, they undertook leadership training during Term 4 last year, and over the past few weeks have been team-building and preparing for 2022.

Their training involved:

• Understanding Biblical leadership
• Leading in a team
• Learning how to prepare a Bible talk
• Discipline and caring for children
• How to run a game

Everyone also brought in their most treasured possession, and shared about it with the rest of the group.

This week we will prepare to return to business as usual for the rest of the term. In support of our student leaders, please pray for:

• The continued commitment and godly wisdom of our High School leaders
• Enthusiasm amongst the Year 3-6 LimeTime kids for hearing the Bible each week
• Kuyper students’ relationships with God and their own holiness

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

2 Corinthians 4:5

Martin Gee, Secondary Teacher

Things seem to be busy at the moment. Last week passed by in a blur. I do remember Mr Cavens chatting in the staffroom. He was speaking to someone else while I was rushing around. Mr Cavens said that it is satisfying to sit down in a clean house, once all the work is done. I can relate to that. However, it is becoming harder to get all the work done. The closer I get to the weekend, the greater my motivation is to tick things off my list. I love a Friday afternoon when I can walk away from my work with the sense that all jobs are done. Last Friday I got to school early and my desk was still strewn with Thursday’s chaos: exercise books, SLR cameras, insects from Mr Shadie, two dirty plates and a coffee plunger with tea leaves in it. The end of the day approached and I knew there was little chance of finishing things off.  As the weekend loomed, I was cast upon its shore like a shipwreck survivor.

The best thing about my weekend is the ancient Hebrew idea of the Sabbath. I stop, for a day, and consider that God is indispensable, while I am not. Most often I go into the bush, down to a creek, and make a coffee. I sit still and I look at all the things that God has made. Most of them have grown silently, taking their natural time: a tree leaning by the water, lichen spreading its patterns over a rock. After my Sabbath, the week grinds into gear once again.

I sometimes wonder whether our jobs are becoming more demanding. I had an appointment at the medical centre on Monday. A young doctor and an older nurse were saying the same thing; they felt like they were rushing from one patient to the next. I have friends who are tradies and it seems to be the same. It’s especially true if you are a parent, or caregiver, who is trying to work and still be present for your family.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about balance in the midst of this busyness. I’ve been thinking about this statement:

You teach what you know, but you reproduce who you are.

That’s a sobering thought. It means that I can work hard, and my students could learn well, yet they may be released into the world too much like myself; hardworking, busy and anxious. Last week, a colleague tried talking to me twice. I was in a rush, and she was apologetic for taking up my time. She said, ‘I’m sorry, I can see you are busy.’ That made me stop and think. ‘Busy’ is probably not what I want to be known for, nor what I want to reproduce.

It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in…

C.S Lewis

I would like to teach by heeding that other voice; by letting the Spirit’s stronger, quieter life come flowing in. In the midst of a busy day, and a chaotic lesson, I would like to be able to stop and heed. I need to pay honest attention to my students, to my colleagues, and especially to the quiet voice of God Himself. 

I wonder how I can do this in the midst of a busy day. Perhaps I can learn a lesson from King David. David’s domain was a whole kingdom, and yet he begins with this prayer:

My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul… 

Psalm 131:1-2

Starting in stillness is an interesting idea. In the midst of busyness, sometimes standing still is a greater act of faith. 

In Elective Art we are learning about photography. We have been exploring the idea of using a camera to help us stop and pay attention; to see the extraordinary in the day’s ordinary moments. Here is something I noticed while our class was walking around the school and trying to pay attention:

I am wondering about how to smuggle Sabbath moments into Monday mornings. I don’t get to sit by a creek, far from the concerns and demands of work. I can, however, be still and pay attention. I can consider what this caterpillar chrysalis reminds me of as I think about my students. I can start each English lesson with ten minutes of silent reading; using this brief moment to be still before God and to attend to my students.