Ruth Thompson

Bill Rusin, Interim Principal

Welcome back to all our families—and to those who are new to Kuyper this year, a very special welcome to you.

It has been a joy to see our school full of life again. Over the holidays, classrooms were quiet and the playgrounds still. This week, however—seeing all your faces, hearing your voices, feeling the energy here—has reminded me why this place exists. Our school exists for you. You bring it to life.

A new year is a gift from God. It is a fresh page—an opportunity to grow, to learn, to try new things, and to discover more about the world God has made, the people He has placed around us, and how we are called to live faithfully within it.

At Kuyper, we acknowledge God’s sovereign rule over every part of life. This conviction shapes our classrooms, our relationships, and our learning. This is the posture our teachers will adopt as they explore every aspect of reality in our classrooms.

As we begin the year together, I want to encourage our students to do three simple things:

to be curious, to be kind, and to be courageous. 

We want them to ask questions, explore ideas, and enjoy learning.

We want them to look out for one another, to include others, and to build each other up—children and adults alike.

And we want them to have the courage to try, even when learning is challenging; to grow, even when it stretches them; and to trust God, even when they feel unsure.

In a world that constantly urges children to stand out, achieve more, and chase the extraordinary, we are called to offer them something far better. We can show them that God is already present in the ordinary rhythms of life, and that joy is not found in striving but in noticing. Children don’t need pressure to be remarkable. They need space to be receptive and reflective.

They need adults who model gratitude for small mercies, who pause long enough to see God’s fingerprints in everyday moments, who delight in the quiet gifts that rarely make headlines. This is what our teachers seek to do each day as they walk alongside your children.

When we help our children discover the wonder of an ordinary life—friendship, kindness, curiosity, work done faithfully, rest received gratefully—we teach them to recognise God’s goodness everywhere. We free them from the exhausting pursuit of applause and invite them into the deeper, steadier joy of being loved by God and being purposeful in His world.

Kuyper is a community where every person matters because every person is made in God’s image. You belong here. You are valued here. And we are excited to see who you will become this year.

As we step into this new beginning together, we do so with confidence, knowing that God has good things ahead.

It is with deep appreciation that we farewell our longstanding Office Manager, Mrs Tina Vander Reyden, who will retire at the end of this year after more than three decades of service to Kuyper Christian School.

Over the past 31 years, Tina has shaped the heart and rhythm of our school office. She has answered countless phone calls; established Kuyper’s first electronic student database; organised more camps, excursions and events than we could possibly count; supported our compliance and registration to teach Stage 6; ensured staff were paid; and offered reassurance, guidance, compassion and practical wisdom to staff, students and parents alike. In joy and in challenge, in the busyness of term time and the quietness of holiday periods, Tina has been a steady presence—organising, listening, noticing needs, and stepping in wherever she was needed.

Tina has always been willing to do whatever needed to be done, and she has done it diligently, graciously, and with great love for our community. We owe her an immeasurable debt of gratitude. As we celebrate her remarkable contribution, we thank God for Tina—for her faithfulness, her warmth, her dependability, and the legacy she leaves woven through every part of our school’s story.

Tina, we honour you. We thank you. And we wish you every blessing in this next season.

In conjunction with this change, Caz Lauter will transition away from the front desk to work primarily in Finance, supporting our Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Southwell.

Heather Robertson will also work one day a week at Reception, in addition to her part-time Teacher’s Aide role. Having previously worked in Administration, Heather brings valuable experience and insight to this position.

We give thanks for God’s ongoing provision for our school and for the dedication of our staff, who continue to bring stability, care, and consistency to our classrooms and learning programs.

Every Square Inch Belongs to Jesus.

Mr Bill Rusin, Interim Principal

Among the many activities of Term 4, a particular highlight was the opportunity to restructure the last full week of school for our Year 7–9 students. Instead of following a traditional timetable, students engaged in a series of extended workshop experiences that allowed them to slow down, go deeper, and create with purpose. Groups included Dance, Writing, Art-making, Prop-making, Performance, and Hospitality. It was wonderful to see students embrace these learning opportunities. They worked cooperatively in multi-age groups, encouraging one another, sharing skills, and often ending the day exhausted—in the best and most satisfying sense.

I had the privilege of supervising the Writing group, and I was encouraged by how diligently they applied themselves to their writing task. Across all groups, staff commented on the high level of engagement and the very few behavioural issues they encountered over the week. We were so pleased to see how well students responded to this change and their willingness to work hard and try something new.

We are grateful for Mr White’s endeavour in bringing this vision to life. His initiative reflects an ongoing commitment to Christian education that is practical, purposeful, and deeply relational. A Christian education that seeks to provide learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom, and opportunities that grow character, shape skills, deepen wonder, and have real-life consequences or products. Last week reminded us that students thrive when they are given space to create, collaborate, and reflect God’s creativity in meaningful ways. It was a great way to finish the year.

Looking ahead, there is so much to anticipate in 2026. The year already promises growth, new initiatives, and many opportunities to learn together. One announcement in particular brings great excitement—Colin Buchanan is coming to Kuyper in Term 1! For the next 10 days only, until 17 December, our Kuyper families have exclusive access to pre-launch tickets. If Colin’s joy-filled and playful performances have been a blessing to your family, you won’t want to miss this event. Further information is available on our website.

As the school year draws to a close, I would like to thank you for your partnership and trust throughout 2025. It has been a joy to see students flourish—in character, in learning, and in relationship with one another. Our staff have worked faithfully to serve your children, and we are grateful for the support we receive from families every day. Together, we continue the shared task of nurturing young people who know they are loved by God, called to serve Him, and equipped to grow in wisdom.

As we enter the holiday season, may your homes be filled with peace, rest and celebration as we remember the birth of our Saviour Jesus. May you enjoy time with family and friends, find renewal after a busy year, and return refreshed for the year ahead.

See you at Limelight on Tuesday!

Kae McCaull, Head of Primary

This season brings many reasons to celebrate in our school community. One of the highlights for our Prep–Year 2 students has been the weekly Christmas Craft events. These gatherings are a wonderful opportunity for parents, students, and staff to come together, celebrate the incredible gift of Jesus at Christmas, and enjoy plenty of fun and creativity along the way.

The message of hope—that God is with us—is one that our staff deeply cherish during this season. One of the names given to Jesus in the Bible is Emmanuel, meaning God with us. God has written a story of redemption, love, and family that cannot be found anywhere else. Through Jesus, we have freedom from sin and death, and as we journey through life, God promises to be with us.

I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5

This week, we also had the joy of celebrating our Year 6 class of 2025 as they near the end of their Primary years. It was a special time to reflect on their efforts and achievements, and to recognise the ways these young people have grown and learned together. The evening’s activities—especially the Year 6–initiated game—highlighted how each student has been uniquely created by God with different gifts and strengths. It has been inspiring to watch these gifts develop over time. Their journey has been shaped by the love and support of friends, families, and the dedicated staff here at Kuyper. Truly, it takes a village to raise a child well.

This celebration was not only about looking back—it was also about looking forward with anticipation. The opportunities and challenges ahead will help our students grow in knowledge, skills, and character, enabling them to develop the unique potential God has placed within them. While the future is exciting, it can also feel daunting. That is why we hold fast to the promise of Jesus in Matthew 28:

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

As our students step into what comes next, they carry with them strong friendships, a supportive community, and the assurance that God walks with them. These foundations will help them face whatever lies ahead with courage and hope.

Bill Rusin, Interim Principal

Did you receive your Nurture magazine last week? 

Nurture magazine is published four times each year by Christian Education National (CEN), the wider association of Christian schools in Australia, of which Kuyper is a part. This excellent publication is a magazine for parents and seeks to nurture the vision of Christian education in families, schools, and communities. The Kuyper Association subscribes on behalf of all families in our school. The December issue was sent home with your children last week.

This Sunday, I’d like to share a beautiful little article from this latest edition, written by Michelle Dempsey, Principal of Mt Evelyn Christian School in Melbourne, and former CEO of Christian Education National, titled “Leaning into the Light”. She writes,

“I just love Christmas. In the lead up to the celebration of the birth of our Saviour. I get super excited about decorations and traditions, and I get particularly excited about lights! I love the warm glow of fairy lights, candles, the twinkling Christmas tree, the whole lot…

Light is an interesting thing. It brings warmth, comfort and safety. In some contexts, though, it can also make us feel uncomfortable. Shining light can make us squint; it can hurt our eyes. Turning on the light to a disaster can be scary. Metaphorically speaking, when light “shines” on our brokenness, we can feel exposed…

There are so many references in God’s Word to Him being light. In 1 Peter 2:9, it states, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light”. Ultimately, it is only God who can truly pull us out of darkness into light. And what a comfort that is.

When I was a little girl, I would visit my aunt’s house regularly. She moved house a few times, but always on the back of her toilet door was a picture of darkness and light with this verse from John 1,” The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it”. As a child just starting to read, I didn’t really understand this verse. As I grew, I would read that verse over and over until it settled in my heart. The light of Jesus shines in any darkness, and that darkness will never be able to overcome the light of Christ. There is no better truth, no more perfect promise.

As we come to the end of this year, I know there are many in our school communities who are exhausted. Many are broken, many are struggling with life and living, and many are overwhelmed with the challenges of our time and culture. Let me assure you there is hope, there is light, and my prayer is that you lean towards the light this Christmas.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you”

Isaiah 60:1.”

May each of you enjoy this Christmas season — the festivity, the joy, and the lights.