Cassie Dixon, Head of Teaching & Learning
The new school year at Kuyper has started well. New students have been welcomed and are now connected with their classmates. Routines are being established as students settle into new classes with new teachers. Books that were brand new two weeks ago now contain records of some of the learning that has already taken place in our classes.
Sometimes, it is easy to get caught in the excitement of the ‘new’; however, we must not lose sight of the things that continue to hold importance in our school community. Our values remain the same, even when faced with new opportunities and challenges. The narrative of the Gospel is central to Kuyper’s vision, and together, they influence the decisions our staff make about how to best teach our students.
A learning community that prepares students to live restoratively for Jesus in a world where every square inch belongs to Him.
Kuyper Vision Statement
Kuyper does not exist to purely teach subjects; our school exists to teach people. We often say that if our students leave having learnt only the content, then we have failed. We seek to not only impart information, but also share how knowledge and skills can be used to glorify, honour and serve God. When our staff discuss the characteristics we hope our graduates will have, words such as ‘strength’, ‘wisdom’ and ‘humility’ are frequently mentioned.
In this context, ‘strength’ refers more to strength of spirit than physical strength. We long to see our students develop traits such as self-control, resilience and patience, and to stand strong in the knowledge of who God is and who He made them to be.
The concept of wisdom is so much more than having all the right answers. Godly wisdom is essential in being able to discern good from evil, to understand God’s story as it unfolds in the world around us, and to understand how we might be co-workers with Christ as we seek to do Kingdom work.
Some may be surprised to see ‘humility’ in this list of attributes, as it seems to be countercultural in our society. However, humility allows us to come to a place of repentance and accept the gift of eternal life through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus on the Cross. Humility allows us to put the needs of others before our own, as we sacrifice for and serve others. Humility allows us to best show the love of God to others.
Strength. Wisdom. Humility.
This year, we hope that you will be able to see your children grow in strength, wisdom and humility, as they continue to learn what it means to be God’s Person, in God’s Place, under God’s Rule, Doing Justice and Loving Mercy, Walking Humbly with God, and Equipped to Contribute.