Kuyper, Author at Kuyper Christian School

A Message from Her Excellency the Governor of New South Wales

17 Aug 202117 Aug 2021 by Kuyper

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

25 Aug 202117 Aug 2021 by Kuyper

Jemima Robinson, Secondary Teacher

Within the first few days of School@Home, I was asked by one of my students, “Why does everyone keep telling us to go outside?” Mindful of the need for students not to be glued to their screens while learning from home, we had been setting work, starting discussions and suggesting free time activities focused outdoors. This set me to reflecting, why do I see it as such an essential thing for my students to be outside?

It is true that fresh air and sunlight are needed and that being outside often promotes movement and exercise. Spending time outdoors surrounded by nature has been shown to have many health benefits; it’s even good for your eyesight! But while these are all wonderful reasons to step outside, there is something deeper and more important to be gained from this.

God created the world to be intricate but, at the same time, expansive. When I take a walk each day, I can appreciate not just the order behind what I see but the intrinsic beauty as well. Appreciating creation leads me to worship the Creator, to thank Him for the world He has created, to praise Him for the wonder of it and to acknowledge His power in creating it, purely from words!

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them.
Psalm 8:3-4

Last week, in Year 7 Science, we observed the characteristics of different living things to help us learn how to classify them scientifically. Students observed their pets, insects and birds in their backyards and examined the intricacies of different leaves. Our observations may have been useful in allowing us to identify and classify living things, but these observations can hold a greater purpose of pointing us towards God. God’s creation also helps us to reflect on His characteristics. A friend of mine once said that he surfed because the power of the waves reminded him that God was much more powerful than even the biggest wave.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
Romans 1:20

When we see the power in the wind and waves, we can be reminded that God is immensely more powerful than these. The disciples experienced this themselves when they were caught in a storm, which Jesus ordered to be calm. And there are many other characteristics of God that his creation reveals; His beauty, glory, wisdom, presence, creativity and loving care.

So as lockdown continues, I encourage everyone in our Kuyper community to put aside the screens as regularly as possible, take advantage of the benefits of time spent outside and while you’re doing so, reflect on the purpose of God’s amazing creation. Let it prompt us to praise Him for all that He is.

WHOKstars of WHOKdown

11 Aug 202110 Aug 2021 by Kuyper

Amanda McAlpine, Primary Teacher

One of the things my family has enjoyed during the last few weeks of lockdown is watching the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Without the need to be up super early in the mornings, we have been able to follow the Australian men’s and women’s football (soccer) journeys. We’ve had some late nights, as we watched them play their hearts out and strive to win their games and get closer to the prize – an Olympic medal. We know that neither team managed to get that far but I am sure they learnt many lessons along the way, improving their skills and showing the world their sportsmanship and determination. The Matildas were so close to getting a bronze medal, yet it wasn’t meant to be, and they now have to show the world how they handle themselves after the disappointment and heartbreak they felt.

We often talk at school about being WHOKstars, which means being wise, happy, obedient and kind. These are all things that we are called to do by Jesus. They all relate to loving God and loving others.

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

There have been amazing highs and lows throughout the Olympics. The most loving and heartwarming moments come from vulnerability and selflessness in a highly competitive environment where everyone should be looking out for their own best interest. These are what us Kuyperians would call WHOKstar moments; when two 800 metre track runners fell over, then walked arm in arm to support each other and finish the race together; when the 10,000 metre Aussie runner fell not once but twice, and got up and struggled to the end; when competitors in the men’s high jump decided they were both happy to tie for gold, rather than have a jump off; and the many celebrations when athletes were genuinely happy for their fellow competitors to win gold, even though it meant they themselves had missed out.

If you are wise, happy (or help make others happy), obedient and kind in life, you help share Jesus’ love. You can practice these things with your family, your friends, teachers, health care staff, police officers, the supermarket staff, and your neighbours, even during a lockdown situation. Sometimes you need to get creative to reach out to others right now, but I challenge you to think of ways to do this. Lockdown feels like a long distance event; like a combination of all 33 Olympic sports, with the highs and lows of each, and without knowing which one is up next! It’s a challenging time but we have the reassurance that God is still in control.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3

I asked Year 4 to share some of the good things about lockdown. I hope they encourage you as we continue this School@Home journey.

I can pick oranges, mandarins and lemons
I can’t be late
Mufti clothes every day
My family is closer than ever
I can eat whenever
A really special thing is I get to spend time with my precious dog and my amazing mum
Being able to ride my bike more
My mum is now my teacher so we can have lots of hugs
Given me time to play games like Roblox and make origami
The day goes quicker and I can go ahead in my work
You can stay in your pjs!
I work in my parents’ study which is quite fun
I get to bake cool things
I like lockdown life because I get to sleep more

Keep counting your blessings.

Living in Lockdown

9 Aug 20213 Aug 2021 by Kuyper

Jo Kean, Teacher Librarian

This forced time spent at home has caused many of us to feel stressed and anxious. Maybe it has made you feel annoyed and angry. I can only imagine the pressure of having everyone
home all the time, trying to help your children and do your own work as well. I am sure patience runs thin. I would like to encourage you to keep going even when it is tough.

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “the Lord is my portion therefore I will wait for him”.
Lamentations 3: 21 – 24

What wonderful promises we have in these verses! Gods’ compassions never fail. He is faithful. His love for us is amazing. We all need connection with others and in this time of lockdown that has been taken away. We need to be creative and deliberate about keeping in touch. A simple text or phone call to a friend or loved one can be a blessing to you and to them. God knows what we are all going through. He is with us all the time, even when we are doing school at home. He has all of time in His hands. He knows the beginning and the end of all things.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Looking for ways to be grateful has helped me greatly in the past few weeks; adopting an attitude of wonder in the small things; looking at God’s creation and being thankful for the many blessings He has bestowed on me. Spending time meditating on God and praising Him has made a difference, especially to my attitude in lockdown. Whilst I do not know what the future looks like, I have a Saviour who does, and that’s enough for me.

I recently read a book called 100 Remarkable Feats of Xander Maze by Clayton Zane Comber. It tells the story of a teenage boy, who has a special relationship with his grandmother. She is dying from cancer, and she challenges Xander to write a list of 100 remarkable feats that he can achieve before she dies. The feats must not be huge, like ending world hunger. They must be achievable. Xander begins with number one, writes a list of 100 remarkable feats and tries to achieve them. His list includes things like forgiving someone and making Nanna proud of me. The book follows Xander’s journey of completing his remarkable feats. Through the story, I could see Xander changing into a more confident young man as he completed each task on the list. The book is written for older readers, yet the message is appropriate for us all.

We all need to feel like we are doing what God wants us to do, and perhaps we need a list that we tick off as we go. I need to have something meaningful to do at home during lockdown. Maybe I need another list! What strange times we are living in. May you know God’s presence in all you do.

100 Remarkable Feats of Xander Maze, by Clayton Zane Comber. HarperCollins, 2021

Learning in Lockdown

11 Aug 202127 Jul 2021 by Kuyper

A Word from Ian Shaw

23 Jul 202120 Jul 2021 by Kuyper

Abraham Kuyper was a Dutch clergyman, author of over 200 books, journalist with over 20,000 articles, and prime minister of the Netherlands. He was known for speaking into the public square on a variety of theological and social justice issues, often campaigning for the rights of the working class and oppressed. You could almost think he was super human doing all these things. He was described as ‘the man with ten heads and a hundred arms’. This sounds scarily overwhelming. I cannot imagine he would have had time for TV or social media, if he were around today. He did have his detractors though, and I have heard that he could be aggravating. But he certainly got things done, and had a drive to honour Christ in all he did. He was imperfect, like all of us, yet he pointed people to God’s kingdom and the saving work of Christ.

Last week I shared the lyrics of a song, “We Seek Your Kingdom”, which speaks to our belief, as Christians, that we are to bring God’s kingdom into every sphere of life, into every square inch. Abraham Kuyper sought to transform, revive, and heal society from the injustices he saw in his country and time. He modelled his actions on the life of Christ, the perfect One, who brought to earth a new way of understanding people and leadership. Through Jesus, God gave up the security of heaven and came to earth to die a horrible death so that he could rescue us and provide a way for us to escape our own sinfulness. Jesus demonstrated care and concern for others and an attitude of service and sacrifice. Our country still values these traits, ushered in by Jesus at a time when leaders of the Greco-Roman world saw leadership as dominance, squashing the weak and getting the competitor out of the way. Humility did not exist in their actions and worldview. In sharp contrast, Jesus demonstrated servant leadership. You can read how He lived this out in the Bible.

Abraham Kuyper said that our faith is worthless unless we apply it to every square inch of our lives; actions not just words. We must apply our faith in how we speak, in how we relate to others, in how we work, play and serve. May peace, truth and justice reign in our lives and be present wherever God has placed us. We thank God for the enabling message of the Gospel in our lives. May we be encouraged, with God’s help, to transform ourselves with repentance and then seek to transform the world in which we live.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8

Mrs Sue Huxley has been living God’s story in her life, including serving on the Kuyper Education Sub Committee of the Association, then as a Primary teacher and Executive member of staff. Since 1987, Mrs Huxley has faithfully served many generations of Kuyper families and now, she has announced her retirement at the end of this year. We are deeply saddened by the news, yet excited for her as she embarks on new challenges, potentially exploring more of this wonderful country with her husband in their caravan. I regularly sit in on the Kindy classes and watch Mrs Huxley teach. It is a joy to behold. Teaching children to read and write is a fundamental skill for our staff. It is wonderful to see the children begin to understand, and start their reading journey. Mrs Huxley will be leaving Kuyper as a teacher in her prime. From my observation, she has not slowed down in any way.

Mrs Huxley is and has been committed to teaching children for several decades and I am sure there are many great memories to reflect on. As the year concludes, there will be an opportunity for you to pass on your thanks for her life of service to this community.

Seeking the Kingdom

23 Jul 202114 Jul 2021 by Kuyper

Parenting in a Digital World, #2

13 Jul 202122 Jun 2021 by Kuyper

Es Stewart, Administration Assistant & Kuyper Parent

Behold, the typical teenager phone. Despite its dilapidated state, it has great power to lure, trick, waylay, enthrall and consume.

I have four teenagers, ranging from 14 – 18 years old. All of them have a mobile phone, in various states of functionality. At 15, our eldest got her mobile and we opened Pandora’s Box, along with a large can of worms. Of course, she was only given an old second-hand thing so that she could be safe when she went out. I am now well aware of the irony of that statement.

When we gave our daughter that first mobile phone, we were the best parents in the world, for about 24 hours. By the end of a week, we had lost her, and become the worst parents ever. Before she got her mobile, our daughter would fill her spare time with reading and art. She never did much school work, but that didn’t bother us. She could read for hours on end or draw or paint, sitting at the kitchen table. She would take the dog for a walk or watch a movie with her siblings. Now, with mobile in hand, she would lie in bed, the glare from the screen lighting her face, because she had forgotten to turn the light on. Her posture changed as she sat curled around the phone, chin down, completely absorbed in the endless and inescapable smorgasbord of entertainment. Before, when she was drawing, it would be hard to catch our daughter’s attention. We would have to come right up to her and speak. Now, however, it was impossible. Her eyes never left the screen. And if we forced an interruption, it would be met with indignation and impatience. The focus that allowed her to concentrate on reading or art for hours on end had become a snare in the new unbounded realm.

So, why didn’t we just take the phone away from her for good? Why don’t any of us just take them away from our kids? Because we understand that this is how the world is now. They actually need to learn how to negotiate these things. As scary as it is, we can’t put them in device-free cotton wool. They need to learn how to manage this temptation and we need to teach them.

When? Now. If your child has a mobile phone and you do not have any controls on it, you need to get some and you need to do it now. If this sounds blunt, it is only my opinion; I have no reports to cite or learned professionals to call upon. However, in my experience, no young person, under the age of 17 or 18 can manage a device. Grown men and women with busy lives fall prey to these things; how much more a child?

For some of you, your child does not yet have a device, and you are perhaps wondering when this should occur. Whatever you decide, I recommend that you set up controls before you give them the device. Take advantage of the 24 hour honeymoon period when you are the best parents in the world. If you wait until there’s a problem, you will have a fight on your hands. At least, that has been our experience, which is why I was asked to share what we have learned through a great deal of trial and error.

As I said, we have four teenagers. Two of them have Android phones, and two have Apple. My husband and I have Android. This is significant. If you have a choice, make sure that your kids use the same operating system as you. The best advice I have for Android is Google Family Link. The best advice I have for Apple is Screen Time. If you have Apple and your child has Android you can still use Google Family Link. If like Paul and me, you have Android and your child has Apple, you will need to resort to some old fashioned controls. Our son hands his phone in each night at 9pm and we keep it for him until the morning. He is not allowed to use it in his bedroom. He must sit in a public space (e.g. kitchen or loungeroom) if he wishes to use his phone, or it is confiscated. He has had it confiscated so often now that we only get a sigh and an eye roll when we take it away. He can even admit (now) that separation is healthy. So can our other kids, but it wasn’t like that in the beginning.

Family Link for Parents (available on Android & Apple)

These two apps can be downloaded, free, through Google Play Store. You download the first one to your phone and the second one to your child’s Android phone, then follow the instructions to link the two devices. I am not going to try and walk you through the process. I am not any smarter at this than any of you. If you try, and get stuck, I probably can’t help you. I muddled through and got it installed on my phone and two of my kids’ phones, and I’m grateful.

Some more information:

Your child will need a google account.
Family Link will prevent them from having more than one google account per device.
Your child will need to agree to let you supervise their device. My husband had no trouble. He just told them they could have a phone with controls, or no phone.
You cannot see what they are searching on Google or YouTube etc. You can’t see who they’re talking to on SnapChat or Instagram or what they are saying to their friends.
Your child can always make calls. It’s a safety feature. They can call you even if their phone is locked. That also means they can call anyone in their contacts at any time.
Their alarm will also always work, even when the phone’s locked. So, if they tell you they need their phone unlocked so they can get up in time for school, it’s not true…

Here is an example of what I see on my phone for my daughter’s profile. I have limited the amount of time she has on some of her apps each day (YouTube for example). I have also blocked other problem apps. I have prescribed the hours during which she can use her phone. I have also limited the amount of time she has on her phone during those hours. We weathered the initial storm of protest and now see her working within these parameters, doing other things to entertain herself and leaving time to chat with her friends when they’re available. She’s learning to use her phone time wisely.

You may also note my favourite feature; the lock/unlock button. If you want your teen’s attention, just use this little tool. There’ll be immediate screams, but at least they’re communicating with you, right?

And one last piece of advice:

Have a lock screen on your phone, and change the lock code regularly. My kids are master code crackers, and they work as a team. If you think that Family Link is not working any more, go in and check the settings on your app. Chances are one of them has worked out your lock screen code and made some adjustments to their daily limit and bedtime and helped their siblings do the same.

It’s war, people…

Screen Time on an Apple phone is found in Settings. If you both have Apple, then this is a good option for you. Use the “set up screen time for family” function and go from there.

Of course, nothing’s perfect; my kids are constantly on the lookout for ways around the controls, so these apps can never replace active parenting in this area. As I said, we take our son’s phone away every night at 9 pm…

I would like to acknowledge the contribution my children have made to this article, as they continue to submit to our parenting with a good grace, even offering us helpful advice and encouragement on how we can improve (with examples from other households too!). Particular thanks goes to daughter no. 2 who voluntarily helped me find the information I needed to set up controls on her Apple phone. I would also like to thank daughter no. 3 for being willing to admit that her phone was too important to her, daughter no. 1 for submitting to our controls even after turning 18, and our son, for being honest and contrite when caught manipulating the system, at least most of the time.

Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.
Mark 4:18-19

Seeing Art

13 Jul 202115 Jun 2021 by Kuyper

Martin Gee, Secondary Teacher

This week I have been thinking about seeing, and what makes good art. Our HSC class is studying contemporary art. Damien Hirst, a British artist, took a tiger shark and stuck it in a display case filled with formaldehyde. It’s called ‘The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living.’ It would certainly give you a start, coming across that thing in a gallery. Another artist, Marina Abramovic, created a work called ‘The Artist is Present’. Abramovic sat in the gallery for eight hours each day. Visitors were invited to sit opposite her and look into her eyes. This is less of a shock than the tiger shark, but the idea is interesting. Normally the audience encounters the artwork, but not the artist. Here, the artist enters the artwork, directly engaging their audience.

I asked my class about these works. Jade said art should be beautiful and it should communicate something meaningful. Marissa said that art should display skill and technique. Lucy said that anything can be art; the main thing is that the artist has a message to communicate.

My Year 7 art class is creating artworks with beauty, skill and meaning. They are using an Indigenous painting style to represent their favourite place. They made up their own symbols to create an interesting design with a deeper meaning. Good artworks are like that; they catch our attention but have a deeper message. I’m not sure what the meaning of the dead shark is. Hirst paid a fisherman who caught it off Hervey Bay in Queensland. I wonder if the shark was a better artwork before Hirst killed it and put it in a tank.

I think back to Genesis, where art began and the world was new and full of glory. This is where the tiger shark belongs. Imagine Eve and Adam taking a dip and the shark is below them, muscling through the dark waters. Perhaps it is there to show them what real awe feels like. Maybe that is what a shark means. This is the original art gallery. Surrounded by all this created life, Adam and Eve hear the sound of God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. The Artist is Present. Paying attention is always important, because the Artist is Present. This can be quite hard when life is busy.

There are lots of things to see, unwrapped gifts and free surprises. The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand.
Annie Dillard

A student illuminated this truth on Friday morning. I was busy, as adults are, unlocking toilets and watching the car park. Keeley called me over in excitement, ‘Mr Gee, look at this!’ She was pointing towards the bush. At first I didn’t see it, and then I did. After Thursday’s rain, the trees along the creek stood like ghosts against the dark gully. Suddenly the sun shone through, lighting up the air, filling it with mist, and touching every leaf with clear grace. Thursday morning was bitterly cold; Friday morning was like a resurrection.

This was an unwrapped gift, a free surprise. It reminded me that I need to pay attention, especially on busy days, because the Artist is Present.

Athletics Carnival

13 Jul 20219 Jun 2021 by Kuyper

Mel Kewley, Secondary Teacher

The Kuyper Christian School Athletics Carnival is back! It was so wonderful to see everyone enjoying movement in God’s world as we competed and celebrated together. As a sports enthusiast and PE teacher, I love seeing students succeed and overcome in new and exciting ways during these events. It is fantastic to see students surprise themselves as they achieve more than they imagined possible; beating their personal bests. The Kuyper Athletics Carnival is always a wonderful community event, where so many parents, staff and students help and serve others. Let’s see what the community had to say about the day.

The athletics carnival was a great day. The races were fun and the food was good. A lot tried their best (even some teachers!) and had fun. A lot of people did the 1500m, even little kids. There was a lot of cheering. Most people were just there to have fun. We managed to get in most of the races before the rain but sadly we didn’t get to do the relay so hopefully next year we can do it the real way.
Abigail & Bridget, Year 7

We had the most eventful day at the athletics carnival. It started off with a cold morning but it shortly turned into a beautiful sunny day. Everyone was excited and gave each event their best try. The canteen was open with delicious mouth watering sausages and a cold drink to go with it. Zane and I were part of the Year 9 and 10 groups who helped run the carnival. It was good fun, we learnt a lot and the day went smoothly. Thank you to all the parents and teachers who participated and helped during the carnival.
Noah & Zane, Elective PASS

This year’s carnival was the last one I will participate in for Kuyper. I wanted to make the most of this athletics carnival so it was something that I will never forget. So I dressed up in my red shirt and Hawaiian lei and skirt to celebrate the best house (Redbank) and went in all the track events. This year’s carnival was a great experience. I saw people showing God’s love by serving, encouraging others and helping run the carnival. Thank you to parents and teachers for making it wonderful.
Jackson, Year 12

I had lots of fun with my friends at the carnival. We spent the day running and jumping and throwing, competing with friends and striving to do our best. It was nice to spend the day at the park and see the talents of so many kids. I loved that everyone was giving it a go and doing their best.
Summer, Year 5

Some prep kids gave the highlights of their day too…