Letter from the Board Chair
Dear Members of the Kuyper Christian School Community,
On behalf of the Kuyper Christian School Board, I am writing to share the news that our Principal, Ian Shaw, will retire at the end of 2023.
Ian has faithfully served the cause of Christian Education for over 36 years as a teacher and school leader, the last 7.5 years as Principal of Kuyper, and we have much to thank him for.
During his leadership here, Ian has strengthened Kuyper’s standing as a Christian learning community within the local community and the broader Christian education network. Under his faithful and godly leadership, Kuyper has successfully transitioned to a Prep to Year 12 school with an exceptional team of staff, strong Christian teaching and learning programs, continuous enrolment growth, improved facilities, and a joyful school community with Jesus at its core.
Kuyper is in an excellent position to take on a new season for the future.
The School’s unique Kuyperian culture, approach to education and development of young people has been strengthened and deepened during Ian’s tenure. I trust the whole school community will join me in thanking Ian for his leadership and unwavering commitment to our school.
The Board will commence seeking a new Principal to start in January 2024, and I will keep you advised of our progress as we work through the transition process. We value your prayerful support.
In the meantime, we look forward to continuing to work with Ian for the remainder of this year and seeing our school community flourish under God’s sovereign leadership.
Yours in Christ,
Wayne Speirs
Board Chair
Letter from the Principal
Dear Parents and Friends,
I would like to thank the Chair of the School Board, Mr Wayne Speirs, for his kind words in announcing my retirement at the end of this year.
This was not an easy decision. After close to 40 years in teaching and school leadership, I have developed a deep commitment to Christian education, had the privilege of serving staff and students in some exceptional Christian schools and formed many valued friendships along the way. Not the least, here at Kuyper. However, it is the right time for me to make this change and a good time for Kuyper as well.
I am confident in the strong position of our school to take on a new season at this point in its journey. We have a great staff team, a committed Board and a wonderful community of students, parents, grandparents and friends. More importantly, we have a strong foundation in Jesus. The God who has provided for Kuyper from its foundation will continue to provide for its future.
The role of any leader is to be part of the team. One of the great joys of my role as Principal at Kuyper has been supporting the great ideas and initiatives from all members of our school community – staff, students, parents, Board members and partners in our wider community. God has been building His team here at Kuyper with the future in mind. I thank God for bringing us all to Kuyper. I could not have asked for a better people and place to serve in this season, and I look forward to continuing to work with you all over the remainder of this year.
The Board will advertise widely and liaise with Christian Education National leaders to seek out our next Principal. I commend the Board to this endeavour and pray with confidence that God will provide the right person to lead His people in this, His place, for the future He has already planned.
Although I will have more to say later in the year, let me take this opportunity to thank you all for the joy and privilege of the journey so far and assure you of my ongoing commitment to this special community both over the next seven months and the years to come.
Every square inch belongs to Jesus.
In Christ,
Ian Shaw
Principal