Ruth Thompson

Mark Ramsay, Principal

One of the great blessings of belonging to the Kuyper community is our amazing staff team. Together, we get to serve our Lord, our students, and our Kuyper families. As with all things, there are seasons for those in our community. This week, we farewell two members of staff and thank them for the significant contributions they have made during their time at Kuyper.

Mark Fleming commenced his time at Kuyper in January 2010, working part-time as a groundsman while also working part-time in pastoral care at Hawkesbury Valley Baptist Church.

Throughout his time at Kuyper, Mark has become well known for his novel ‘get-about-the-school’ methods, which have included a ride-on lawn mower-come-shuttle bus and the more recent trademark golf buggy and trailer. However, those who know Mark will attest to his love for Jesus and gardening. Mark always has a good story and an encouraging word for every person who crosses his path – students, staff, parents and even contractors working on-site. He has also exercised the ministry of practical labour with many of our students. Over the years, Mark has regularly been seen working side by side with various students in the garden. It has been one of the special ways in which he has shown how deeply he cares for people and his genuine desire for them to know how much Jesus loves them.

Thank you, Mark, for the many seeds you have planted in the hearts of those in the Kuyper community throughout your many years of service.

Ian Cuthill started working part-time at Kuyper in January this year. Ian has an incredible range of skills and experiences which have allowed him to contribute to our community in various ways. Ian originally joined the team from Greater Blue, supporting us in the area of IT, and then agreed to take on a part-time teaching contract for Terms 2 and 3 this year. During this time, Ian has taught predominantly in the area of Mathematics in our high school. He has also given his time and shared his data management knowledge to assist us in streamlining some of our processes. Thank you, Ian, for your kindness, flexibility and willingness to serve our school in so many ways. 

Please join me in thanking God for His faithfulness across the seasons. May God continue to bless Mark as he seeks to honour Jesus in this next season as he enjoys his retirement and Ian as he continues to serve in another Christian school. If you see Mark or Ian over the coming week, please take the opportunity to say farewell.

Kaelene McCaull, Head of Primary & Director of Teacher Development

Earlier this term, the Primary School celebrated our annual Book Week event. In true form, it was a memorable occasion made possible by the generous parents and family members who invested time and resources, enabling their children to dress up and celebrate our love of reading.

In all my many years at Kuyper, and there have been many, this year’s Book Week might be one of my favourite celebrations. Not because of the book parade, although it was great to see the participation and enjoyment of the students. Not because we had a break from routine to enjoy each other’s company and have some fun together, although we did, and not because we were able to include our families, although that always makes it better! No, over and above all these wonderful aspects, our celebration this year was my favourite because, yet again, I had the privilege of experiencing the power and joy of our community here at Kuyper.

We invited our students and their families to share the miracle of reading by donating a book to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who live and learn in Vanuatu. The result was a spectacular 297 books donated. Combined with the resources for teachers that were donated by our staff, we have a total of 333 books to send to our partner school in Vanuatu, CCC Teouma. What a joy to be a part of blessing others through exercising generosity together as a community. It was a lovely reminder that, as God’s people, we belong to His community. A community that stretches beyond race, gender, school gates, and national borders. Thank you to all those who partnered with us to share the miracle of reading. I would also like to pass on thanks from Nadia at CCC Teoma for our generosity and support.

It has often been said that there is something special about the community we have here at Kuyper, and I am deeply grateful to have witnessed it in action.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Alexis Clarke, Director of Programs and Development

Last week, we marked National Child Protection Week, an event organised and promoted by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN). NAPCAN promotes child abuse prevention research and supports the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. The overarching message of the week, ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go,’ emphasised the importance of providing a safe and supported life for every child, both now and into the future.

This is not a new idea for us at Kuyper. Part of our founding Mission Statement says,

We recognise the worth and uniqueness of each individual and provide a cooperative environment that seeks to develop the whole child so that each one may grow in their relationship with God and serve Him.

Just as God knows and loves each of us individually, we seek to understand and value each of our students in a way that provides them with a supportive environment that enables them to grow and learn as God’s people in His place.

To complement this message, National Child Protection Week also highlights a specific theme each year to focus on critical aspects of child safety and wellbeing. This year’s theme, ‘Every conversation matters,’ shines a spotlight on the power of communication as a tool for keeping children and young people safe and well.

Conversations are powerful. They are the building blocks of trust, understanding, and connection, all essential to a child’s sense of safety and security. National Child Protection Week is a reminder for us all to start new and meaningful conversations. Whether these conversations occur between children and their caregivers, among peers, within families, with professionals like teachers or doctors, or between friends and neighbours, each dialogue plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our children.

This message is a timely reminder in a world increasingly dominated by technology, where in-person conversations are becoming less frequent. We must remember to talk to our children, listen to them, and engage in discussions that foster a sense of safety, belonging, and wellbeing.

As Christians, it is also good to remember that God has taken the time to communicate with us. God has given us His word, an ongoing dialogue between Himself and humanity. He speaks through His Word, and we respond through faith, obedience, and, sometimes, questioning. Conversations in the Bible are essential for revealing God’s will, teaching moral lessons, and guiding the narratives of both the Old and New Testaments. Through these dialogues, we see how God communicates His plans, offers guidance, and shapes the spiritual journey of His people. Communicating with our Heavenly Father provides a strong foundation for communicating with one another and our children.

Parents have a crucial responsibility to teach their children, and at Kuyper, we partner with you in this. Open and honest conversations between adults and children send the message that your children can always talk to you and that you’ll listen no matter what.

Our words, your words, my words, can make a difference. Every conversation, no matter how small, matters. Through these conversations, we can build stronger, safer communities for our children now and for future generations.

Parent resources: Parents | eSafety Commissioner

Wayne Speirs, Board Chair

As you will be aware, a debate surrounding religious discrimination legislation has been ongoing since before the last Federal election. However, the recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) in March this year posed a real and significant threat to faith and freedom of belief in Australia. The initial private draft of the government’s legislative package would have made it unlawful for Christian schools to actively choose staff who share and live the same Christian faith of our school communities.

In response, our national advocacy organisation, the Australian Association of Christian Schools (AACS), has been working in partnership with Christian Schools Australia and Associated Christian Schools as My Christan School to raise awareness about the valuable contribution of Christian schools in Australia and make our voice heard in a noisy and divisive political landscape.

As a result, Prime Minister Albanese recently confirmed that the Federal Government will not proceed with the religious discrimination legislation package, including the proposed removal of section 38 of the Sex Discrimination Act without any balancing protections.

It is good news that the Government has not proceeded with the ALRC’s recommendations in their current form. Thank you to everyone who prayed, attended the Faith in our Future town hall events, and wrote to our political representatives. Your voice was heard, and it made a difference. 

Unfortunately, we are no closer to securing a positive right for Christian schools to operate according to their ethos, and the future remains uncertain. It is more important than ever to keep our voices heard in the lead-up to the Federal election and secure clear commitments from both sides of politics about protecting religious freedoms for our sector into the future. 

When the founders of Kuyper established our school in 1982, their mission was to uphold the biblical responsibility of parents to educate their children by providing a school that functioned and taught in keeping with the biblical values taught in their homes and churches. Our mission remains the same today.

I strongly encourage our Kuyper families to be informed about the issues that affect your school. The My Christian School website and Facebook page are good places to start. Your prayers and participation ensure our voice continues to be heard in the public square.