Kuyper

Mark Ramsay, Principal

What a thrill it has been to experience the joy and wonder of Shrek the Musical Jr. these last few weeks!

From the moment we first announced this production, excitement filled the air—which is so much better than swamp odour! The show has been everything we could have hoped for and more. I can still recall the awe and wonder of experiencing this musical for the first time on Opening Night—the vibrant characters, the clever dialogue, and a powerful message that has lingered in my heart. This musical goes beyond mere entertainment; it is a heartfelt tribute to embracing our differences, nurturing friendships, and valuing the unique contribution each person brings. As Shrek wisely put it, “Every swamp, like every person, is unique, and that’s what makes the world such an interesting place.” But Shrek was not the first person to recognise this. When King David wrote Psalm 139 thousands of years ago, he praised God that each person is fearfully and wonderfully made. Each one of us is a unique creation of God!

As we follow Shrek and his friends on their whimsical adventures, we witness the profound value of teamwork and mutual respect. We are reminded of the strength that is found in unity, just like the Apostle Paul put it in 1 Corinthians 12:14: “Our bodies don’t have just one part. They have many parts” (CEV). Shrek’s words resonate deeply: “Now, come on, everybody in. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us. We’re going to need each other.” It is vitally important that communities come together and support one another. This musical production was a wonderful example of this.

At Kuyper, we cherish every student’s contribution, whether in the spotlight or working tirelessly behind the scenes. Each role, no matter how big or small, is vital. This performance stood as a testament to the boundless creativity and collaboration of our students, and it provided an opportunity for our young people to flourish!

Huge thanks and congratulations must go to every member of the cast, every member of the stage and tech crews, and every member of the Production Team. I am so privileged to be the Principal of a school like Kuyper, where every person’s unique contribution is valued and celebrated. I literally had tears in my eyes as I listened to the climactic song—This Is Our Story. Musical productions do tell ‘our story’. It is a story that declares God’s goodness to us in how He has blessed us with talents and the opportunity to use them.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139: 14

Mark Ramsay, Principal

I received a parcel last week with the results of this year’s National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests for Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 inside. Parents with children in these year groups will receive an envelope containing their child’s results in the coming week.

The arrival of this parcel caused me to consider again the nature of NAPLAN testing. It is important to remember that any type of standardised testing is designed to fulfil a specific purpose. NAPLAN tests were never intended to be used as a way of ranking students or schools. The results give insight for our staff team into the areas of literacy and numeracy in which our students are learning well and those areas that might require increased focus for the good of our whole student body. They are also helpful for you as parents in understanding your child’s areas of strength and where they could benefit from focusing on improvement. In other words, they help us keep fundamental literacy and numeracy learning on track. However, they are not a measure of individual success or worth.  

The Bible clearly teaches that there is something unique about people. In the description of God’s creative work in the first few chapters of the Bible, only one aspect of creation is described as being created in God’s image – people. The plants, birds, creepy-crawlies and cuddly animals are made ‘according to their kinds’. But this is how Genesis 1:27 describes the creation of people,

So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

There is something unique about people. We reflect God’s character more than any other part of His creation. We are relational, creative, social, emotional, playful, intellectual, artistic, and so much more. These things cannot be said about animals, at least not to the same extent. Humanity is the pinnacle of God’s creation, and we are blessed to be His image-bearers.

How does this help us understand the place of standardised testing?

There is no standardised test that can measure how well a child is reflecting God’s image. A test can measure one or a few aspects of a child’s competence, such as literacy and numeracy, but not everything that makes them who they are. The person God has made ‘in His image’ is much more than the results of a standardised test. At Kuyper, we want our students to understand this.  Certainly, we want to help students grow their literacy and numeracy skills, but also their artistic expression, sporting prowess, coffee-making skills, and care of the environment. We want students to flourish in all the ways that God has made them as the unique person they are – not to be compared to each other.

At Kuyper, we have a particular vision of what it means to flourish: we want your children to grow in their ability to live restoratively for Jesus in the world that belongs to Him. Jesus puts it this way,

A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:34-35

To live as God’s person in His world, the most important ‘skill’ to learn is how to love others. NAPLAN doesn’t measure this. No standardised test can measure this. Only in relationship can we know how well any of us is loving others. 

At Kuyper, we are a community of learners – all of us. I am still learning about loving well with God’s love, and being in this amazing community encourages me to continually strive to do better at this. It is my prayer that this will be true for every member of staff, every student, and every member of our wider Kuyper community. Your children are young people made in God’s image; I encourage you to celebrate, above all else, their successes in showing love to others.

Mr Mark Ramsay, Principal

It is with much joy that I welcome all students and their families back to Kuyper for the start of Term 3. It is the prayer of all staff that the last three weeks have afforded our students and their families opportunities to rest, be replenished and experience some of God’s blessings in new ways.

As we finish up this mid-year break, I have a number of exciting news items to share with you. The most joyous piece of news is that Mrs Karina Chambers has welcomed baby Micah into the world! Young Micah is doing well, and Mum and Dad are both rightly chuffed. Please join me in thanking and praising God for the safe birth of Micah and in praying for the Chambers family.

Kuyper has also been a recipient of God’s blessing in a very different way. Just before the end of last term, we received advice that our application for a grant to install solar panels and batteries on campus had been approved. We are thankful for the generosity of the Australian Government in providing this grant and for assistance from the Association of Independent Schools NSW in the application process. We are also very thankful to Penrith Solar Centre, who completed the installation at short notice over the holidays while students and most staff were not on site. I am also very grateful to Mr Steve Lauter, our Property Manager, for his professionalism and efficiency in overseeing a huge couple of weeks. Next time you are at the school, look for the solar panels on top of the Hall, the Library, D-Block and E-Block.

In addition, there is more exciting news about Mr Lauter. While working on the Maintenance Team at Kuyper, Steve has been studying part-time to become a teacher and has reached the point in his training where he can commence teaching. I am pleased to announce that he will start teaching Year 7 and Year 8 Visual Arts this semester. Steve’s experience in Fine Arts will be a great asset to our Secondary teaching team. In lieu of taking these classes, Miss Lyndall Gluskie will transition to assist in teaching the HSC Textiles Technology class.

Please join me in praising God for His ongoing provision for our school in myriad ways and praying for Steve as he takes up this new challenge.

The mid-year break is also an important time for our staff’s professional development. In the second week of the holidays, six staff and two Board members travelled to Perth to participate in the International Transforming Education Conference (ITEC). They will share what they have learned with the rest of the staff and the wider community over the coming weeks. All staff were back on-site last week for first aid and fire safety training, as well as some important planning and preparation for the resumption of classes on Monday.

We are looking forward to a vibrant start to the term! The Opening Night of Shrek, The Musical Jr., on Friday, 9 August, promises to be a highlight, Semester 1 reports for students in Kindergarten to Year 10 will be sent out this weekend, and Parent-Teacher Interviews will take place in Week 4. As always, please keep up to date with school news and events via your Parent App.

I pray for God’s blessing on each and every member of our community as Term 3 begins. May He remind us all that Jesus is Lord over every square inch of our lives. May He grow us to serve Him and each other as we learn together in His world.

Mark Ramsay, Principal

Lately, I have been reflecting deeply on why the service trip to Vanuatu holds such a special place in my heart and why I am so passionate about ensuring that every student at Kuyper has the opportunity to participate in this experience. If I could narrow it down to one thing, the connections we make and the relationships we build with the people of Vanuatu are what make this trip truly special. 

Every time I’ve visited, I have been overwhelmed by the incredibly generous hospitality of the local communities. This year was no exception. From the moment we arrived, the school and church communities welcomed us with open arms, showering us with God’s love through their words and actions. Nothing was too much for the staff of the school, and they were always willing to go the extra mile. We felt truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people, reconnecting with old friends and making connections with new ones. These connections are profound and meaningful bonds that transform visitors and hosts alike. This connection with our broader community reflects a deeper truth that aligns with our faith. The Bible teaches us that as Christians, we are all part of one body, one community, regardless of geographical distance or cultural differences. The trip to Vanuatu is a living testament to this. It allows us to witness and participate in the unity of the global church, reminding us that we are all interconnected as brothers and sisters in Christ.

The evening before we left, our host school presented Kuyper with a Tam Tam as a symbol of the strong connection between our school and the Child Care Centre School (CCC). Tam Tams are renowned as remarkable pieces of art in Vanuatu. Crafted from tree trunks, they were traditionally used to transmit messages between villages using various coded beats. Ahhh, the days before the mobile phone! Receiving this gift from CCC serves as a poignant reminder that we are part of a wider community. It encourages us to uphold our connection with our Vanuatu friends, emphasising that the most important experiences involve relationships with others.

The trip to Vanuatu is more than a camp; it is an experience that shapes our young people in all areas of their wellbeing. One of the most heartwarming aspects of the trip was watching our students grow through their interactions with the local community. They had the incredible opportunity to live out their learning by teaching lessons at the Child Care Centre School. While it wasn’t always easy, they became better communicators through these connections. As their Principal, seeing them grow in confidence and eagerly engage with others was an absolute joy for me.

Another rewarding aspect of the trip was empowering our students to become more independent global citizens. For many of them, this was their first time overseas, and it was amazing to see them gain confidence in navigating a new country, language, and culture. They learned to adapt, communicate despite language barriers, and appreciate the richness of a different way of life. These unique cultural experiences are crucial in our increasingly interconnected world, and I am proud to see our students rising to the challenge.

The natural beauty of Vanuatu was absolutely breathtaking. The vivid waters of the Blue Lagoon, the majestic banyan tree at CCC Teouma, and the unforgettable experience of swimming with baby sea turtles were all awe-inspiring reminders of God’s creativity. These moments of wonder and connection with nature added a special dimension to our trip, reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship and appreciation.

Providing this incredible experience for our senior students every year is a tremendous blessing. We have so much to be thankful for. The memories we create, the lessons we learn, and the relationships we build in Vanuatu are priceless. I’m excited to share more about our trip at our end of Term 2 Assembly and to continue fostering these meaningful connections in the years to come.

…the connections we make and the relationships we build with the people of Vanuatu are what make this trip truly special. 

Child Care Centre School, Teouma

Read more: Vanuatu Service-Learning: Part#1

Mark Ramsay, Principal

At the beginning of the recent school holidays, I had the privilege of joining the Year 11 Service-Learning Experience for a few days. Staff and students visited Port Vila, Vanuatu and were blessed with some amazing experiences. I’ll share some of these next week. However, today, I want to talk about some of the more challenging parts of the experience.

Western society is highly individualistic. Generally, we keep to ourselves or our small group of known acquaintances. However, from the moment our students stepped off the plane in Vanuatu, they were confronted with an unfamiliar communal society and open welcome. Most Australians, especially teenagers, are not accustomed to greeting strangers they pass on the street or giving and receiving gifts with people they have just met. Yet these are commonplace in Vanuatu. 

At times, this was uncomfortable for our students, but it was a healthy discomfort, exposing them to a different approach to community.

Vanuatu also bears evidence of the impact of recent natural disasters and the lingering after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main building of Pango Presbyterian church, which we visited on Sunday, had been damaged in last year’s twin cyclones and rebuilding work had not yet begun. Cyclones had caused havoc to the crop-growing industry, and a limited range of fresh fruits and vegetables was available. In the wake of the pandemic and multiple cyclones, some businesses were forced to close. We live in a world where sin, sickness and pain still have a significant effect. Even the natural beauty of a place like Vanuatu cannot hide it. 

At times, this was confronting for our students, but it was an instructive confrontation, pushing them to reckon with the imperfect state of our world.

The people of Vanuatu also have a history marred by mistreatment from  other nations and peoples. More recently, there have been moves by larger nations seeking to control the economy and politics of Vanuatu for their own benefit. Whilst a small group of people stands to benefit from this, the average citizen feels that they are losing their identity and independence. Ni-Vanuatu people expressed dismay at the changes they were witnessing in their culture and society.

At times, it was challenging for our students to hear this, but it was a helpful challenge, provoking them to examine their own attitudes to global power struggles and their impact on local communities.

Providing students with experiences that don’t make sense or create discomfort is a powerful educational tool. At these times, learning and change can have their greatest effect. The Year 11 Service-Learning Experience is one such time. It is truly a life-changing experience for our students. As we seek to live restoratively for Jesus in the world where every square inch belongs to Him, we know that we will face experiences that challenge and confront us. Kuyper students are blessed to have such experiences in the safe community of their peers and trusted teachers.

Next week, I will share some of the joyful experiences of our Vanuatu trip.

Pango Presbyterian Church, Pango Point
Efate, Vanuatu

Read more: Vanuatu Service-Learning: Part#2

Mark Ramsay, Principal

After a busy end to Term 1, the last two weeks have continued to be a journey full of rich experiences for the Kuyper community. 

Our Year 11 students and the staff who accompanied them had a wonderful week in Vanuatu on our annual 2024 Service Learning Trip. They enjoyed teaching lessons in a local school, sharing cultural experiences, and learning more about the world, themselves, and the God who made both. The lives of ni-Vanuatu people are generally very different to our own, particularly regarding wealth and physical possessions. This can and often does lead Western visitors to adopt an attitude of pity towards those less fortunate than themselves. However, the ni-Vanuatu people are usually more aware of their reliance on God, allowing them to experience the richness of His sovereignty, love and care in ways that can and should challenge us. It is always refreshing to witness the joy of the Lord in the hearts of our ni-Vanuatu brothers and sisters and something that never fails to impact our visiting students.  

In addition, some of our Secondary students represented our school at the Kurrajong ANZAC Day Service on Thursday, continuing the tradition of recognising the service of so many who have gone before us. Thank you to the Secondary students who attended and represented our school so well at this event. 

As we commence  Term 2,  I am grateful for the many opportunities that we will have to continue strengthening our Kuyper Community, including:

Wednesday 1 May
2025 Stage 6 Information Evening
Tuesday 7 May
New Parents’ Dinner
for invited guests.
Saturday 11 May
School Open Day
for prospective parents and students.
Saturday 11 May
All-Day Musical Rehearsal
Monday 13 May
All-Day Musical Rehearsal
Friday 17 May
Growing Great Readers
K-2 Parent Information Session.

I look forward to the term ahead and the many opportunities we will all have to continue learning about our God. Each of us has a unique role to play in His story here at Kuyper, and I am eager to see how we will continue to learn and grow together.

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; 
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 
Let us come before him with thanksgiving 
and extol him with music and song. 

For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. 
In his hand are the depths of the earth, 
and the mountain peaks belong to him. 
The sea is his, for he made it, 
and his hands formed the dry land. 

Come, let us bow down in worship, 
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 
for he is our God 
and we are the people of his pasture, 
the flock under his care.

Psalm 95:1-7a (NIV)