Ruth Thompson

Bill Rusin, Interim Principal

Schools are vibrant and active places, and we look forward to reconnecting with you and your children as the term begins. While many students are eager to return, others may take a little longer to settle back into routines. Be assured that our staff come with a mindset that seeks the best for every student in our care. If there are ways we can better support your child, we value your partnership and encourage you to connect with the appropriate staff so that we can be ready to care for and educate your children.

Preparation for our school musical is well underway, and it has been a delight to see so many dedicated students engaging wholeheartedly in the process. There is a wonderful sense of anticipation as they grow in confidence and work together towards what promises to be a truly special event.

In the midst of a full and active school year, it is worth remembering that steady, day-to-day learning is the foundation of your child’s academic journey. You play an important role in this at home—encouraging good habits such as setting aside time for homework, reading regularly, and modelling wise choices around screen use. Not every moment of learning will be thrilling, exciting or even interesting. However, there is deep value in perseverance, discipline, and the quiet growth that comes through consistent effort. Getting used to doing things because they need to be done takes time and emotional energy on the part of parents and children.

Resist the pressure to fill every moment with entertainment, make space for the natural moments of discovery—those wonderful “aha!” moments that arise simply by doing life together. Teachers treasure these moments as well.

Time at home also provides rich opportunities for children to contribute and grow in responsibility. Homework can be helping in the kitchen, making their bed, caring for pets, or assisting with household chores. There is always work to be done at home. Interspersed with this type of work are so many other wonderful opportunities and experiences.

We look forward to partnering with you in the exciting term ahead.

Coming up in Term 2

Check our Events page for details.

Bill Rusin, Interim Principal

As we celebrate Easter, we are reminded again of the heart of the Christian faith: that Jesus stepped into our broken world, carried our burdens, and rose again so that we might have life—full, forgiven, and forever secure in Him. Easter is not just a moment in the calendar; it is the anchor of our hope and the reason we can face each day with confidence, even when life feels uncertain or overwhelming.

At Kuyper, we see a facet of this hope reflected in your children as God’s image bearers. We see it in their eagerness to learn, in the friendships they form, and in the
small acts of kindness that brighten our days. These moments remind us that God is always at work, always creating, shaping hearts and growing faith in ways both
gentle and profound.

We are deeply grateful for the partnership we share with you. Thank you for your trust, your encouragement, and the way you walk alongside us as we seek to nurture young people who know the truth of the gospel and live it out with courage and joy.

As your family celebrates this Easter season, may you experience the peace of Christ, the joy of His resurrection, and the renewing hope that only He can give.

He is risen indeed! Grace and peace.

Kaelene McCaull, Head of Primary

There is a poem about reading that I love. It goes like this:

I opened a book, and in I strode
Now nobody can find me.
I’ve left my chair, my house, my road,
My town and my world behind me.

I’m wearing the cloak, I’ve slipped on the ring,
I’ve swallowed the magic potion.
I’ve fought with a dragon, dined with a king
And dived in a bottomless ocean.

I opened a book and made some friends.
I shared their tears and laughter
And followed their road with its bumps and bends
To the happily ever after.

I finished my book and out I came.
The cloak can no longer hide me.
My chair and my house are just the same,
But I have a book inside me.

— I Opened a Book, Julia Donaldson (2004)

For me, this poem beautifully captures the imaginative power of reading—the way a book can draw us into new worlds, introduce us to fresh ideas, and help us encounter places and people we might otherwise never know.

Creating and reading written and visual texts are among the primary ways we use our God-given imagination and creativity to share ideas, experiences, and stories with one another. The ability to read and write allows us to benefit from the knowledge and imagination of others, and to share our own in return.

Above all, our God has chosen to speak to us through His Son, Jesus. In our time in history, this message is communicated through God’s written Word, the Bible. Being able to read and understand the Bible for ourselves is a great privilege—one that people in past generations have not always enjoyed.

Reading is also an essential life skill. It enables us to function well in our world, both at school and beyond. Every school subject, including Maths and PDHPE, requires reading at some point in order to learn, understand instructions, or deepen knowledge. Unfortunately, simply being around books does not teach children how to read. This is why activities that provide opportunities for practising reading are a regular part of our homework in primary school.

Reading and comprehension skills are not just for primary students. As children move into secondary school, the texts they encounter become increasingly complex, with higher-level vocabulary and more challenging concepts. These skills are worth developing and strengthening throughout the school years, even though the ways we practise them will change as children grow.

As partners with us in your child’s education, your attitude towards reading—and homework more broadly—has a powerful influence. Do your children see reading as something valuable and worth their time and effort? Do your conversations and daily habits encourage them to value the opportunity to practise and build these important skills?

For families with younger children who are still developing their reading skills, there are many simple and effective ways you can support them at home:

Read to your children

In particular, read books that your child cannot yet read independently. This helps build vocabulary as you pause to discuss new or interesting words together.

Reading just one picture book a day in the five years before school exposes a child to an estimated 1.4 million more words than children who are never read to. Research consistently shows that students with a wider vocabulary have greater success in understanding what they read and in learning more broadly.

Reading aloud also nurtures enjoyment and interest in reading. As you read together, make predictions about what might happen next, discuss the sequence of events, and explore the reasons behind characters’ actions. These strategies help children develop comprehension and deeper thinking skills.

Ask questions

Check that your child has understood what they (or you) have read, and encourage them to ask their own questions. This is a challenging cognitive skill and takes time and practice, but it is a powerful way to deepen understanding.

Read both fiction and non-fiction

This helps children understand that reading can be for enjoyment as well as for learning. Explore your child’s interests through books on topics they love. Some children prefer non-fiction texts, and that is perfectly fine—all reading is valuable.

Swap screen time for story time once a day

Setting aside even a short, regular time each day to replace screens with reading can make a meaningful difference. Screens tend to encourage quick, passive consumption, while reading requires focus, imagination, and active engagement. By intentionally creating space for reading—whether independently or together—you help your child build concentration, develop language skills, and discover the quiet enjoyment that books can offer.

Build reading into everyday routines, such as bedtime or breakfast.

When reading becomes part of the natural rhythm of family life, it is more likely to be seen as normal and worthwhile. Simple, consistent habits—like a chapter before bed or a short Bible devotional over breakfast—help children practise regularly without it feeling like an added burden. Over time, these small, repeated moments build confidence, fluency, and a growing sense that reading is a valued and enjoyable part of daily life.

Let your children see you reading

Modelling matters. This might include reading a recipe or instructions, or using Google Search to learn something new. While these activities do not replace the need for children to practise reading independently, they provide wonderful support for the important and challenging work they are doing as they learn this essential skill.

What will you and your children be reading these holidays?