Ian Shaw, Principal
As we come to the end of 2022, we give thanks to God for His blessing and provision throughout our 40th year. 2022 has not been without its struggles as our community dealt with the pain of sickness, floods, and tragedy. We know that life brings us times of joy and sorrow, but there is great comfort in knowing the Creator God and His son, the Lord Jesus, who keep the universe in motion. We can trust God in all circumstances.
We commenced the year with some excellent HSC results from our 2021 Year 12 group. These students are pursuing a range of post-school activities, including university, further study, and employment. Another huge joy this year was the opportunity to reconnect with our Kuyper pioneering families and friends who joined us to give thanks to God and celebrate 40 years of Learning in God’s World. Former parents, students and staff gathered with the current community to pray once more around the original table where Kuyper Christian School began. We thank God for His enabling of the past and the future.
This year, students and staff have also been thrilled that camps and excursions returned after a lengthy hiatus due to COVID. Then there was Seussical! What joy it brought to our community. It was marvellous! Tonight, once again, we celebrate Limelight – in person! I am looking forward to this gathering of the Kuyperian community and the show that will unfold.
One way God has blessed us over 40 years is by providing wonderful staff, students and parents to form the school and knit it together. Each person is an important part of our school and contributes to the mission of nurturing children in the Lord.
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
Romans 12:4-6
Each person plays their part in the body by helping this Christian school to function. We are blessed by each other, and I am thrilled to announce several new staff members for 2023. We welcome Brett Mills, Jerusha Thompson and Guy Boughey as new teachers in the Primary School. In addition, Karina Chambers and Lyndall Gluskie have been appointed to the Secondary School.
Kae McCaull and Alexis Clarke will take on senior roles in 2023 as Head of Primary and Head of Secondary, respectively. Jason Shadie will step down from his current leadership role and continue teaching at Kuyper in the Secondary School. We are deeply thankful for Mr Shadie’s leadership over the past 8 years. Alan McCartin will continue as our Business Manager in 2023, however, the position will now be full-time. Caz Lauter will also continue in Reception for four days per week instead of two, and Ruth Thompson will focus on a new full-time Enrolment & Communications management role.
Sadly, we say farewell to Anna McQueen and Ashleigh Plane, who are moving on to new challenges. We thank them both for their faithful service to our community and pray that God will continue to use them in the next chapter of service.
There are also a number of other educational roles and changes that will be finalised over the holidays and communicated early next year.
I take this opportunity to wish all the Kuyper community a joyful and blessed Christmas. We look forward to seeing you all at the Meet the Kuyper Team evening on Tuesday, 14 February 2023. Happy Christmas!