Ruth Thompson

Wayne Speirs, Board Chair

Happy New Year to all our Kuyper families. The Kuyper Board and School Staff are excited to be partnering with you in the venture of Christian education this year. As we commence the new school year, I would like to formally welcome our Senior Leadership Team for 2025. 

Mr Bill Rusin has commenced his role as Interim Principal (Monday to Wednesday), supported by Mr Tim White as Interim Deputy Principal (Thursday to Friday). Bill and Tim bring a wealth of experience in Christian education and school leadership to Kuyper. We are grateful to have such an experienced duo heading up our leadership team in 2025 as the Board undertakes the recruitment process for a permanent principal. 

Mr Mitchell Cavens will join the Senior Leadership Team this year in his current role as Head of Secondary. Mitch has been with Kuyper for five years, initially as our Secondary Music Teacher and for the last twelve months as Head of Secondary. Our teaching staff has valued his leadership, and we are pleased to have him take on this increased responsibility. Please take the opportunity to congratulate Mitch on his appointment and pray for him in this new role.

Mrs Kae McCaull will continue on the Senior Leadership Team as Head of Primary. As a longstanding member of our teaching staff, we are grateful to Kae for the tremendous work she has already done in our Primary school and thank her for her ongoing commitment to the leadership of our school.

Miss Cassie Dixon will also continue as part of the Senior Leadership team this year in the role of Head of Teaching and Learning (P—12). I want to take this opportunity to thank Cassie for graciously sharing the Acting Principal role with Tim White at the end of last year and for her ongoing commitment to our Kuyper community. Please pray for Cassie in this important role.

The Kuyper Board commends our 2025 Senior Leadership Team to your prayers as they seek the Lord’s will in leading our school this year.

 As we bring the year to a close, we say goodbye to some members of our staff as they move into new roles in different places in 2025. We also share exciting news about new roles at Kuyper next year for some familiar faces.

We also bid farewell to two of our Teacher’s Aides, Mr Will Ramsay and Mr Ben Speirs, who have been working with us part-time while studying.

Will and Ben have been an absolute asset to our Diversability team over the past two years, providing support in both Primary and Secondary classrooms and working one-on-one with students. Special thanks to Will for providing Math tutoring for our high school students. Both Will and Ben are applying for conditional accreditation to commence teaching. We hope to see Will around the school in a casual teaching capacity next year.

Some other familiar faces will join us in permanent positions or take up new roles in 2025.

We are looking forward to having these two wonderful young men join our Secondary teaching team in the new year.

Tim White and Cassie Dixon, Acting Principals

What a unique celebration we had on Tuesday night as part of our end-of-year celebrations. The limelight was on Jesus! What joy was expressed by our performers and contributors! It was so indicative of what this season holds and what knowing Jesus and celebrating him is all about.

When focussed on Jesus, we don’t want anybody else to ‘steal the limelight!’ This is actually a well-known expression. It means to get more attention than anyone or anything else in a situation.

So what is limelight? Hundreds of years ago, lime was burnt to light up the stage area for performances at night. The expression ‘stealing the limelight’ was said of actors who perhaps had a minor part in a production but wanted to draw all the attention to themselves. They stole the limelight, the attention that rightly should have been on others.

When Jesus came to earth, he did not live a life seeking attention. He wasn’t born into a privileged family. He was born to a young unmarried mother and step-father fiancée. He was born in a stable. He was born in a smallish country town, not the nation’s capital city. His was a humble birth celebrated by local tradies, not the rich and famous. Yet, he was the King over all kings.

Jesus lived a humble life too. He served people’s best interests. He didn’t look for servants or even an adoring crowd. The Bible tells us that Jesus humbled himself, even to death on a cross. Jesus did not come to steal the limelight; he came to serve, to show mercy and kindness, and he said, ‘Follow Me.’ He was humble and meek, yet today, millions of people value his teaching, appreciate his forgiveness, pursue salvation in his name and want to walk in his footsteps. After all, he is King over square inch of all creation.

This Christmas, I hope your light and attention will be on the birth and life of Jesus. I hope at your place there will be celebration at the birth of that Saviour – King. I hope the Grinch or Santa do not steal the limelight. As you hear and perhaps join in on Christmas Carols that celebrate Jesus, may he shine in your hearts. May we all celebrate the good news of God’s gift to us. Might we listen in silence, despite the noise of consumerism, and realise that a Silent Night can be a Holy Night. Let’s keep the light, the attention on the King.

Thank you God, for your indescribable gift of love that we see in a small, vulnerable, humble baby. Shine, Jesus, shine.

Have a safe and blessed break.

After much prayer and reflection, our Director of Programs and Development, Mrs Alexis Clarke, has shared with the Board that she will close this chapter of her story with Kuyper at the end of this year.

Kaelene McCaull, Head of P-6 / Director of Teacher Development

Last Thursday night, Kuyper’s 2024 Year 6 class had a pizza and ice cream party to mark the milestone of moving from primary school to high school. The students, their parents, staff and even a couple of grandparents had a fantastic time celebrating this momentous occasion. Thanks to our Year 6 teacher, Mrs Shaw, and her support team for all their hard work in making this special evening happen.

A night like this is a wonderful chance to pause and reflect on the learning journey of our oldest Primary School students. The picture below is a puzzle created by the class. Each student decorated their own piece to reflect themselves. When joined together, the puzzle demonstrates the strength of what we can do when we work together using our unique God-given personalities and gifts.

As we think about the years that have passed, it is an opportunity to reflect on the unique community that has supported, challenged, and taught these students as they have moved through their most formative years of schooling. In addition to their peers, many teachers, family members, and friends have brought their own God-given personalities and gifts to help shape these twenty-six young people. This same God-given community will continue to provide the support they need as they navigate the next chapter in their learning journey. Our prayer is that each student will also realise that the God, who loves them immeasurably more than they can fathom, is also with them every step of the way. 

It is not difficult to marvel at the changes in our precious young people as they have journeyed through their first eight years of schooling. They have already mastered an incredible array of knowledge and skills in their pursuit of learning about the world that God has placed them in.  Even more importantly, they have developed character, resilience and the ability to work and play alongside others.  We are excited about the learning adventure that our students have ahead of them – and it really will be an adventure! It will be full of opportunities to learn about themselves as God’s people, in God’s place, under God’s rule, and all that this means for them and how they live both as individuals and as a community. Our deep hope here at Kuyper is that as students continue to learn and grow, they will use what they are learning to serve God and their school community and make a positive difference in the broader community in which they live. 

For all those families whose children are continuing on ‘up the hill’ at Kuyper, we are excited to continue our partnership with you. We look forward to many more wonderful and challenging opportunities and adventures ahead. For those who God has called on to other places, we wish you all the best in the new year. May you take fond memories of your time as part of the Kuyper community. Wherever you go, it is still God’s world, full of opportunities to grow and serve as His people, in His place, under His rule.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Cassie Dixon, Acting Principal & Director of Learning Enhancement

What a wonderful week we have had, being reminded of the value of partnership within the Kuyper community. From welcoming new families to catching up with old friends, we have witnessed again the importance of connection and belonging. 

On Monday, we met with parents and students for our 2025 K-12 Orientation. These families are either joining us for the first time or are entering a new stage of their learning. It was encouraging to see so many new parents making connections, not just with staff but also with other parents. Those for whom this was a familiar experience were able to welcome and help settle the nerves of those who were new to our community. It was a reminder that partnership is essential in helping our students flourish and that we each have a role to play in the Kuyper Story. 

One of the many opportunities parents have to be part of the Kuyper Story is to assist staff in running our annual Christmas Craft sessions for Prep-2 students. Every year, parents make an invaluable contribution to these events, held over three weeks in Term 4. Recently, a Kuyper graduate shared that the Christmas Craft sessions in which they participated about 15 years ago were among their favourite memories of their time at Kuyper. For that individual, these seemingly childish activities helped them understand and remember the true meaning of Christmas. The parents of 15 years ago played a role in that young man’s story, just as the parents who have been partnering with us this year have been playing a part in the story of 2024’s youngest students. In years to come, I hope we continue to hear stories of the ways in which various parents have contributed to our students’ understanding that they are God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule. 

On Saturday, Mr Mike Hottinger, our chaplain, hosted the Kuyper Alumni Barbecue. This annual event provides an opportunity for past students to visit the school and share the recent parts of their stories with past and present staff. It has been a great blessing to hear from our past students, as they recognise the part that Kuyper has played in their individual stories, especially as they have learned more about who God made them to be and the plans He has for their lives. 

As we look ahead, may we all be mindful of the bigger story and seek to contribute to our school community in ways that are for God’s glory and the good of others. 

Dear Kuyper Community,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Bill Rusin as the Interim Principal of Kuyper Christian School, three days per week commencing 20 January 2025. This twelve-month interim principal role will enable the Board to conduct a thorough and rigorous recruitment process for a permanent principal. 

Bill comes to us as a retired principal with a wealth of experience in Christian education spanning over three decades. Bill was the principal at Covenant Christian School, NSW, for thirteen years between 2007 and 2019. In recent years, he has served as the Executive Principal for a group of Anglican Schools and as Interim Principal for Moree Christian School in northwest NSW and Marrara Christian College in the NT, where he has used his knowledge and skills to assist other Christian schools in periods of transition. 

Bill has also served on the Board of several Christian schools, the National Board of CEN, the National Institue for Christian Education and Morling College. He and his wife, Kerry, attend Windsor District Baptist Church, where Bill is an elder.  

Bill’s vast experience and profound passion for Christian education will be invaluable as we search for a permanent principal. We look forward to the contributions he will bring to our school community.

To support Bill, Mr Tim White will be stepping into an Interim Deputy Principal position for two days per week in addition to his regular one-day-a-week teaching role. We are grateful to have such an experienced duo heading up our leadership team in 2025.

As we approach the end of the year, we do so in the confident knowledge of God’s sovereign hand over Kuyper, evidenced in the ways He has provided for us in the past and continues to provide for us into the future. I commend Bill to your prayers as he finishes his time at Marrara Christian College, NT and prepares to join us in 2025.

Wayne Speirs
Kuyper Board Chair

A Word from Bill

To the Kuyper Christian School Community,

I am thankful for the opportunity to be returning home to the Hawkesbury and Kuyper Christian School after spending 2024 as Interim Principal at Marrara Christian College in Darwin.

Kuyper Christian School has been part of my life for a number of years since I finished my time as Principal of Covenant Christian School in Belrose, and I have enjoyed being part of the Kuyper community as a casual relief teacher and an Association Member.

My journey in Christian Schooling has spanned over 35 years, and my passion to see them thrive as God honouring learning communities has not diminished. All schools go through both good and difficult times, but trusting the Lord in all things at all times is what is paramount. 

I look forward to using my gifts and experience at Kuyper in 2025 as the School Board searches for the right principal to take Kuyper Christian School into its next season.

I also look forward to catching up with staff, students and other members of the school community upon my return.

May you rest in God’s peace as you move into this season when we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus.

Bill Rusin
Incoming Interim Principal

Mark Ramsay, Principal

Last Wednesday night was a strange moment for me. It was my first time speaking as the Principal at the Kuyper Graduation Dinner—and it was also my last. I had just one chance to share some words of wisdom. If I messed it up, there were no do-overs. But perhaps that’s what makes moments like that all the more meaningful. In fact, isn’t that how life goes?

In a world that rarely offers us do-overs, each moment counts. We’re constantly navigating a journey filled with unexpected twists, sudden detours, and sometimes challenging lessons. Life is a series of one-time experiences, of which the Graduation Dinner was one.

One of the most significant challenges we all face is the desire for predictability. We want to know what comes next and feel certain that everything will unfold according to plan. It’s natural to seek security—to want a road map for the future. But things rarely work that way in life. Each one of us will be surprised. We need to adapt, to reimagine our plans, and to keep moving even when the path ahead is unclear.

And in the face of the unpredictability of this world, we all need to maximise our experiences. Yes, I’m a Maths teacher, but I’m not referring to finding the highest point on a graph. No, in the context of living a life that honours God, maximising means making the most of each opportunity, each experience, and each challenge that we face. It’s about showing up, even when things don’t go the way we planned, and maximising what we have. It’s about saying yes to listening to God, to growing, to being resilient, and to being courageous.

For all of our families, I hope that school is a predictable part of your lives—a foundation of stability. Here at Kuyper, we encourage your children to maximise every opportunity, to grow in knowledge, faith, and character, and to make the most of what God has given them.

What are you thankful about your child’s experience at Kuyper that will prepare them to make the most of what God has given them? I asked a similar question to the Graduates on Wednesday night as they considered the end of their journey as Kuyper students.

I truly hope that all of you can say that the Kuyper community taught your children about who God is, what he is like, and how he relates to us. That is the most important thing they can learn. More important than how to solve quadratic equations, how to write a good essay, or how to do the high jump really well. It’s important because knowing God results in being loved. And that is what all people need.

Jesus reminds us of this in His prayer in John 17:

“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” 

Did you pick up the link that Jesus makes in that prayer? Let me highlight it for you: “I (Jesus) have made you (God) known to them (us) … in order that the love you have for me may be in them (us) …”

Knowing God leads to experiencing his love. Knowing God means being loved by him. In a world where so many people just want to be loved, valued, and cared for, your children have been gifted with the greatest blessing imaginable. They have been introduced to the loving God who rules this world. Experiencing that love gives them a foundation of security in an unpredictable world.

In knowing God, they have received the greatest gift—the chance to be fully loved by Him. And this gift, this love, is meant to be maximised. It’s a love that not only fills us but also allows us to share it, to pour it out to others, and to make a difference in the world around us. Maximising this love means allowing it to transform us so we can love others with that same fullness.

Each member of staff at Kuyper – the admin team, maintenance staff, teachers, and teachers aides – knows God, and each one of them loves every student with God’s love. 

My prayer is that every student at Kuyper knows God, that they know God’s love, and that they let that knowledge of God’s love be a constant in an unpredictable world. It is my prayer that every one of your children embraces God’s love and maximises it by letting it flow through them to others.