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.

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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…

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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…

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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

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.

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…

I liked throwing the rockets the best.

We got to play soccer and it was fun.

Jumping in the sand was good.

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In conjunction with the drug education seminars being held for our Secondary students, the ‘Teen Challenge’ organisation will present an evening parent workshop.

Date: Wednesday 9 June
Time: 7 – 9 pm
Where: Kuyper Christian School Library

The “Changing the Narrative” theme presented in the parent workshop provides attendees with information on the current alcohol and drug culture, explores some of the underlying reasons for uptake and highlights how to identify the tell-tale signs that someone is using. Alongside the student seminars, #NotEvenOnce® aims to equip schools and families with tools to have conversations and help build resilience.

These seminars have been presented annually at Kuyper Christian School and many other schools throughout Australia for several years. They deliver a powerful message about the risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol and the misuse of prescription medication. 

In addition, Mrs Stewart, one of our parents, will be sharing a short presentation about the Google Family Link program that she and her husband use to manage devices in their home with 4 teenagers. Google Family Link gives control to parents and helps them teach appropriate device use for their children at home.

The evening will conclude with supper and a brief Q & A session.

We encourage all parents and carers to attend this helpful and informative event. What these presenters have to say will be gold for families struggling with technology and other teenage issues.

For more information visit: https://notevenonce.org.au/community-forums

On Wednesday 9 June, the ‘Teen Challenge’ organisation will present a drug education seminar to students in Years 7-12. There will also be an evening session, Changing the Narrative, for parents in the Library. We encourage all parents and carers to attend this helpful and informative event.

Session 1: Year 7, 9:15 – 10:55 (P1 & 2)
Session 2: Year 8 & 9, 11:30 – 1:10 (P3 & 4)
Session 3: Year 10 – 12, 1:45 – 3:25 (P5 & 6)
Session 4: Parents, 7 – 9pm, Library

These seminars have been presented at schools throughout Australia and at Kuyper Christian School annually for several years. They deliver a powerful message about the risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol and the misuse of prescription medication. 

The link below gives an overview of the student seminar content: https://notevenonce.org.au/school-projects/

This link covers the parent session in the evening which will be run in a workshop format, with Q & A: https://notevenonce.org.au/community-forums

If you DO NOT wish your child to attend the seminar for any reason, please email the  school; admin@kuyper.nsw.edu.au 

Gareth Thompson, Secondary Teacher

I have a question for you: How is the Oktas where you are?

During the recent school holidays, my wife and I spent some time on the South Coast at Narooma. For something different, we decided to take a chartered boat trip 9km off the coast to visit Montague Island, where we snorkeled with seals and then did a guided tour of the old lighthouse and island. Before we set sail, we checked the weather conditions in Google land, as a storm had been forecast and we were concerned the trip might be cancelled. It was then we made a wonderful discovery, the Oktas rating.

Did you know that there is a way of rating the amount of clouds in the sky? Simply look up at the sky, divide the area you can see into eight equal pieces, and estimate how many of those eighths are full of clouds. Now, this is where it gets really interesting. Only a perfectly clear sky can be given an Oktas of zero. One single cloud will get the rating to one. Similarly, if there is even one tiny patch of blue above, then the rating is a seven. A rating of eight can only be given if the entire sky is full of clouds. 

What I find amazing is that anyone can do an Oktas rating right where they are at any point in time. So, two people who are geographically close to one another can get very different ratings depending how what fraction of the sky they can see. An Oktas rating depends entirely on your point of view and each person can only see part of the whole.

This is much like all of life. We judge our lives and the lives of others based on what we can see from our point of view. On the other hand, while we only see a fraction, God sees the whole. This reminds me of the unofficial motto of Kuyper Christian School.

There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!‘

Abraham Kuyper, 1880

While we look at our little patch of sky and count the clouds or blue sky that we can see, an all-powerful, all-knowing God looks out over everything and declares it as His.

Mind. Blown.

I shared my newfound measuring system with my Year 9 Maths class and now regularly greet them on the verandah outside E1 with, “What’s the Oktas today?” We then spend a little time staring upwards, discussing what fraction of the sky is cloud-covered and estimating the Oktas rating.

What is your Oktas today?

An exciting opportunity is coming our way – The Hot Potato Band

On Friday 21 May (this Friday) the Hot Potato Band will be conducting a workshop for selected students (who should have already received an email). The Workshop will begin at 11am and culminate in a performance for the whole school in the Hall at 2pm. Parents are welcome to come and enjoy the performance too, of course.

This is what the band says about themselves:

Hot Potato Band’s larger-than-life brass collective is a breath of fresh air, setting a new bar for energetic and interactive musical performances. Finding home in Sydney, Australia, their positive coastal energy pushes euphoric boundaries in their bold quest to reignite acoustic instrumentation. The band’s unique sound is built on the backs of three drummers, a sousaphone and five horns that cover catchy chorus lines, providing a beautiful harmonic cloud for Ben (vocalist) to float above. Hot Potato Band is un-bound by genres, stages and audiences. They are re-inventive of the traditional New Orleans brass band as a modern day dance machine and visual spectacle for all demographics with a strong sense of pride for their fun-loving, organic, and quirky musical nature.

If you are still curious, follow this link – https://www.hotpotatoband.com/

Rob Weule, Year 4 Teacher

Excuse me Madam…We’re on a mission from God. We’re getting the Band back together.

The Blues Brothers

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 one of the few activities which engage the entire brain. You might want to check out: www.biggerbetterbrains.com

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)

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 five years ago at Kuyper Christian School.

Here are the numbers for 2021:

• 15 enthusiastic Year Four Musicians
• 2 Flutes
• 3 Trombones
• 3 Alto Saxes
• 2 Clarinets
• 5 Trumpets
• 5 Students learning drums
• 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 Four 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).

Music is a vital part of everyday life and school life. 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.

We look forward to this exciting musical adventure with our Year 4 Band. Stay tuned for their first ‘public’ performance.

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

Ja Baldwin, Yr 5/6 Teacher

“Heart, Head, Hands and Hoofs!” is the theme for our Stage 3 (Year 5 & 6) students in 2021. After only a few weeks, and some theme-related activities, students were asked what exactly they thought “Heart, Head, Hands and Hoofs!” meant. Their responses were varied. Here are just a few of them:

“Heart, head, hands and hooves means that we have to work together…” (KO, Year 5)

God created hand, head, and heart; the hand for the deed, the head for the world, the heart for mysticism.

Abraham Kuyper

Without wanting to give too much away or spoil any opportunities for students to discover and learn for themselves, this wonderful theme can be kept simple, or explored deeply. As one of the Stage 3 teachers this year, it is my hope that students choose the latter.

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.

Psalm 40:8

Lyndal Mitchell, Assistant Principal

If you have scrolled through Facebook or looked at a local newspaper lately, it is likely that you have seen reports or photographs of an incredible floral event occurring in the Blue Mountains at the present time: an abundance of the very rare pink flannel flower. On Saturday, I went up for my second visit to see this spectacular display. Hundreds, if not thousands, of other people had the same idea. There were park rangers directing traffic, and road signs warning of crowds and advising caution. When was the last time that a flower created traffic congestion? It was delightfully strange! 

As soon as you step off the Narrow Neck fire trail, the dense carpet of sweet, pink flowers spreads out in all directions. Nestled beneath the blackened limbs of hundreds of burnt banksia trees, the soft fleshy blossoms contrast almost comically with the rough charred seedpods of the banksia remains.

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According to local sources, it is 50 years since pink flannel flowers were last seen blooming in the Blue Mountains. It’s incredible to imagine all those seeds lying dormant (in their millions!) in the soil all that time, until the conditions for germination were exactly right: drought and severe fire in one season, followed by heavy rainfall in the next. 

As we wandered amongst the abundant beauty and marvelled at the unlikeliness of such a rich botanical treat, my friend and I couldn’t help but see parables of God’s goodness and grace everywhere we looked. Passages such as Isaiah 61 came to mind: beauty from ashes, joy after mourning, a garment of praise that replaces despair. 

There is much in this world that can worry our minds, burden our hearts, test the mettle of our courage, and weigh down our spirit. It can be hard to hold on to the promises of God, and believe that He is always working for our ultimate good – in spite of how our current circumstances feel to us. But that is the truth. God’s timing is often not what we would choose or wish for; He will not be hurried or rushed along by our own impatient agendas or human sense of urgency. He is on His own time schedule. That can be hard to accept, but it can also be immensely liberating. Trusting God is not a vain pursuit, it is wisdom. Waiting on His timing is not foolishness, it is the key to serenity. These are hard lessons to learn and I’m thankful for all the illustrations and reminders that He sends my way. 

As we unwrap the story of God’s redemptive grace to the students we teach here at Kuyper, we pray for the message of hope to sink deeply into each and every heart. We pray that our students will find themselves within God’s unfolding narrative and know that they belong. May they each have the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Jo Kean, Teacher Librarian & Sue Stuut, Librarian

Here is a snapshot of what happens in one of our most busy spaces here at Kuyper Christian School. Every class in the school attends the Library and every child has a chance to borrow books, read, learn and be creative through the Library.

Library lessons for Primary students occur on Thursdays. During these lessons Years 1 – 6 borrow books. Kindergarten students have lessons about how to use the library. They listen to a fun book together and complete an activity. Years 1 – 6 are working on Digital Citizenship; discovering how to stay safe online and what they can do to protect ourselves. Students will also be considering how to be responsible disciples of Jesus in a digital world.

We will celebrate Book week in August this year, and the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge. Look out for details in the Newsletter. May God bless you in the year ahead.