Sarah Allen, Secondary Teacher
Carnivals are back! Community is back! Celebrations are back!
It has been wonderful to be able to come together again with other Christian schools and compete in the Metropolitan West Zone Athletics Carnivals. Over the past 2 weeks more than 60 students have represented Kuyper at the Secondary and Primary Carnivals, competing with skill and confidence against a strong field of athletes from other schools.
Our Kuyper students always ‘stand out’ on the field; partly because of our lime green sports uniform, but mostly because of the way in which they conduct themselves. They support one another, standing at the side lines and cheering one another on, celebrating each other’s wins and consoling each other when goals are not reached. They not only support the Kuyper Team but cheer and encourage all the athletes from other schools. It is not uncommon to hear students chatting about the new friend they just made in the marshaling area, or old friends from the last carnival they caught up with during a long and grueling track event.
Our students are always willing to serve and work hard at the carnivals, filling roles such as coach, marshal, technical assistant and runner. At the conclusion of the Secondary Zone Carnival, I was approached by Athletics Australia Officials who wished to tell me about the exceptional service that Elsie Baldwin provided for the day at the Javelin Event. They wanted to encourage her to complete her official badges for Athletics Australia and be part of the Olympics in 2032.
As a school, we aim to help students “unwrap their God-given gifts not primarily for their personal growth and advantage. Rather, they develop their individuality in order that they may offer their unique gifts to the body of Christ and to society” (Stronks & Blomberg, 1993). Our students bring me much joy. They represent our school with pride and participate with commitment. They do their best with a servant heart.
I congratulate all our competitors. It is a great achievement to qualify for Zone. I was privileged to watch some outstanding performances from students who will be representing our school and zone at the state carnivals. We know you will continue to strive for excellence and bring glory to God.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
1 Corinthians 4-6