Video Summary

Plan and Prepare

• Be prepared for change.
• Covenant Vision and Mission statements to remain.
• We will to continue to work in partnership with parents.
• At Covenant our focus is on a Christ-centred, biblically grounded, academically rigorous and culturally engaging education.

Important Information

• The Strategic Plan is to be shared this week with Covenant Association.
• Then shared via website with families/prospective families.

Parent Engagement

• Parent involvement looks different but will be ongoing in 2021, utilising surveys and other new and creative options.
• Click here to have your say with the Co-Curricular Survey; this is an opportunity for parents to provide input regarding co-curricular activities at Covenant.
• Focus groups may resume, depending on the easing of restrictions.

COVID-19

• Although current restrictions are easing, we always need to be prepared for change.
• This week we are holding parent information evenings.

Strategic Plan

• Please continue to provide feedback and information, we value our partnership with parents.
• We encourage you to read and discuss the strategic plan, sharing your ideas with us, if required.
• Our planning is about how we prepare our children and our young people to live in the world that we face here right in 21st century, they are going out into the world to be ‘salt and light’ and to be the leaders in their communities.

Melissa Brown

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 1:2 (ESV)

For Prayer and Praise

Praise God for his provision of grace and peace. Pray for more people to come into God’s grace through the saving work of his son, that they may walk in peace with him.

Prayer suggestions:

• Pray for Year 7 vaccinations on Tuesday.
• Pray for Junior School Information Evening (K-2) on Tuesday.
• Pray for Secondary School Information Evening (Years 7-9) on Thursday.
• Give thanks and pray for teachers and students in Prep and Kindy.
• Give thanks for the freedom to teach the Bible in school and pray this freedom may continue.
• Pray for our community to rest confident in God’s promises and plans which are certain, and not in their own abilities and plans.
• Pray for teachers as they seek to make Christ known and encourage students to look to him in all they do.
• Pray for parents to be active in teaching their children the goodness of God and the gospel of grace, and how the Bible makes the best sense of the world he created.
• Pray for God’s comfort to be with those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.

Prayer Group is currently meeting online on Thursdays at 9.00am. Prayer notes and the link will be emailed to those on the mailing list. If you would like to join us, pray from home at a different time, or would like us to pray for you, please email us at prayergroup@covenant.nsw.edu.au.

Whilst Paul is imprisoned in Rome, awaiting his trial and eventual execution, he writes a letter to the church in Philippi. After introducing himself he tells them that, "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." Philippians 1:3-5. I found this prayer striking. Firstly, because Paul writes with joy. The whole letter to the Philippian church is filled with Paul’s joy despite his earthly situation.

The second reason I love Paul’s sharing about his joyful prayers is because of where he finds his joy. In other places Paul writes about finding his joy in God and his goodness. Here, Paul’s focus is on the partnership he has with others as they serve God together. His joy is in his partnership. The saints in Philippi have partnered with Paul in the gospel. They are working together to see the good news of God’s glorious salvation go out to the ends of the earth.

I find the same joy in our partnership; yours and mine. I love that I can take Paul's words here and apply them to the work we are doing together. I am not as consistent in my prayers as Paul, so I can’t say ‘every time’, but often, I thank our God when I remember you. When I pray for you and your children, I pray with joy because of our partnership in the gospel.

Grace and Peace,

Jason Marriott

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, we have had to revisit our plans for the Junior School Information evening. 

Our plan is to have two Information Evenings – one for Kindergarten to Year 2, and the other for Year 3 to 6 in the Performing Arts Space (PAS) in K Block. There will be a maximum of 50 adults allowed on site per session. Each session will last for approximately 45 minutes, with a 15 minute window for cleaning. Each session will cover a number of key areas including our Vision and Mission, digital discipleship, our Support Staff, as well year group specific information. There will not be an opportunity to go into classrooms as we have done previously.

Tuesday 9 February – Information Evening for Kindergarten to Year 2

• 6.00-7.00pm     Kindergarten session
• 7.00-8.00pm     Year 1 session
• 8.00-9.00pm     Year 2 session

Tuesday 16 February – Information Evening for Year 3 to 6 

• 5.00-6.00pm     Year 3 session
• 6.00-7.00pm     Year 4 session
• 7.00-8.00pm     Year 5 session
• 8.00-9.00am     Year 6 session

Both evenings will also be live streamed so parents can view the evening from home if this is more suitable or the session is full. Please use the links found in the letter emailed home on Friday 5 February to view the livestream. Please note: A recording of all sessions will also be made available via the Covie App > Links > Information Evenings.

Parents who wish to attend on site must make a booking via this Trybooking link. Only one parent per family is permitted to attend each session in order to allow as many families, and in particular new families, to attend. Unfortunately, no children are permitted. Bookings open at 5.00pm on Friday 5 February and close one hour before both Information Evenings.  

Our COVID-19 Safety Plan includes the following:

• All parents who attend on site will be required to show their Trybooking ticket (digital version or printed) and must sign in upon arrival via Service NSW.
• Adults are required to maintain a 1.5m distance at all times.
• Parents waiting for their session are required to wait in line (socially distanced) from the entrance to the PAS, up the ramp and along the top car park (see map).
• Parents leaving their session will be directed out via the side doors (into Café Covie), down the ramp into the Colosseum and up the stairs where they will need to vacate the premises immediately (sorry, no mingling). Parents who have a session directly after the previous session are permitted to remain in the PAS providing they have booked in for both sessions.
• Once parents are admitted into the PAS, they are required to find a seat and remain seated for the remainder of the session.
• Masks are not mandatory, but encouraged.
• Hand sanitiser will be available at the entrance and exits of the PAS. All chairs and hard surfaces will be wiped down in between sessions.
• Please do not attend if you are unwell or showing any symptoms of COVID-19.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the school. 

Thank you for your patience as we have waited on advice from the relevant authorities regarding the best way to proceed with the upcoming Secondary School Information Evening.

Here are our plans:

We will proceed with two Information Evenings – one for Years 7 to 9, and the other for Years 10 to 12, in the Performing Arts Space (PAS) in K Block. There will be a maximum of 50 adults allowed on site per session (year group based). Each session will last for 45 minutes, with a 15 minute window for cleaning. Each session will cover a number of key areas including our Vision and Mission, Wellbeing, our Knowing God program, our Co-Curricular program, as well year group specific information.

Thursday 9 February – Information Evening for Years 7 to 9

• 6.00-7.00pm     Year 7 session
• 7.00-8.00pm     Year 8 session
• 8.00-9.00pm     Year 9 session

Thursday 18 February – Information Evening for Year 10 to 12

• 6.00-7.00pm     Year 10 session
• 7.00-8.00pm     Year 11 session
• 8.00-9.00pm     Year 12 session

Both evenings will also be live streamed so parents can view the evening from home if this is more suitable or the session is full. Please use the links found in the letter emailed home on Friday 5 February to view the livestream. Please note: A recording of all sessions will also be made available via the Covie App > Links > Information Evenings.

Parents who wish to attend on site must make a booking via this Trybooking link. Only one parent per family is permitted to attend each session in order to allow as many families, and in particular new families, to attend. Unfortunately, no children are permitted. Bookings open at 5.00pm on Friday 5 February and close one hour before both Information Evenings.

Our COVID-19 Safety Plan includes the following:

• All parents who attend on site will be required to show their Trybooking ticket (digital version or printed) and must sign in upon arrival via Service NSW.
• Adults are required to maintain a 1.5m distance at all times.
• Parents waiting for their session are required to wait in line (socially distanced) from the entrance to the PAS, up the ramp and along the top car park (see map).
• Parents leaving their session will be directed out via the side doors (into Café Covie), down the ramp into the Colosseum and up the stairs where they will need to vacate the premises immediately (sorry, no mingling). Parents who have a session directly after the previous session are permitted to remain in the PAS providing they have booked in for both sessions.
• Once parents are admitted into the PAS, they are required to find a seat and remain seated for the remainder of the session. 
• Masks are not mandatory, but encouraged.
• Hand sanitiser will be available at the entrance and exits of the PAS. All chairs and hard surfaces will be wiped down in between sessions.

Please remember that everyone over 12 years old needs to wear a face mask when travelling on public buses, including to and from school, and including students and teachers travelling on Forest Coach Lines to sport. 

The current advice from NSW Health is as follows:

“The current Public Health (COVID-19 Mandatory Face Coverings) Order 2021 requires students to wear masks while on public transport, or school buses in the Greater Sydney area. Schools may advise students when they must wear a mask during the journey or require students to wear a mask for the whole trip to avoid confusion. Students 12 years and under are exempted from this requirement.”

At Covenant Christian School, we seek to offer amazing opportunities for our students, both in and out of the classroom. Our staff are committed to providing a Christian education which is consistent with our school’s Vision and Mission; to provide a Christ-centred, biblically grounded, culturally engaging and academically rigorous education to equip our students to live for God’s glory.

One of the focus areas in our new Strategic Plan is to develop and strengthen our school’s co-curricular offerings across the school. Research shows that involvement in co-curricular activities whilst at school can have a significant and positive impact on students’ wellbeing, self-esteem, school engagement and academic achievement. It offers our students opportunities for leadership and personal growth, strengthens community, values teamwork, and nurtures student’s God-given talents and giftings. It is also a wonderful way for students to bond over shared interests in a fun and collaborative environment. 

We have been listening to our student and parent bodies about their desire for increased co-curricular opportunities across the school and we are keen to make this happen. As we start this new year with renewed energy, I would like to invite you to have a say on the types of opportunities you would like for our students by participating in this short survey. 

We would appreciate all survey responses to be complete by Wednesday, 17 February 2021. 

Thank you

Silva Mekerdichian

Director of Co-Curricular

This year, the Learning Hub is sure to be a hive of activity thanks to new manager, Gaby Smith and her team. With a variety of learning spaces and resources, the Learning Hub has been created for students and teachers to extend learning, inspire creativity and encourage solid study habits.

Hours:

• Monday to Thursday – 8:10am to 5.00pm
• Friday – 8.10am to 4.30pm
• After school hours are for Junior School students in Years 5 and 6 and all Secondary students.

Meet the Learning Hub team:

• Gaby Smith – Learning Hub Manager (Monday to Friday)
• Robyn Knocker - Learning Hub Technician (Monday to Friday, 12.00pm-5.00pm)
• Christy Hall - Learning Hub Technician (Monday to Wednesday Learning Hub/Thursday Junior Library)
• Robyn O’Donoghue - Learning Hub Technician (Thursday to Friday)

In 2021, we are anticipating the return of our wonderful volunteers to our classrooms. We value the role that parents and volunteers play in our school community. We ask that you assist the school in providing a safe and positive atmosphere by completing the Volunteers Code of Conduct every year. If you have not done so already, please complete the Volunteers Code of Conduct and return to the Office as soon as possible.

The Premier's Reading Challenge is an initiative of the NSW State government which aims to encourage in students a love of reading for leisure and pleasure, and to enable students to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.

The Challenge opens on Monday 1 March, however students can keep a record of books they are reading now to include in their 2021 reading records when the online reading records open. The Challenge finishes in August, however all reading records need to be in to Mrs Watson by Monday 16 August for validation. The Readathon will be promoted and explained in the Junior School Library.

The Challenge is divided into four groups: Kindergarten to Year 2, Years 3 to 4, Years 5 to 6 and Years 7 to 9.  Students who wish to participate must write their name and class on a list found in the Junior School Library by Monday 19 February. The school will then register the students in the Premier's Reading Challenge if they haven’t already registered online.

Students who complete the Challenge for four years will receive a Gold Award, seven years will receive a Platinum Award and participation for nine years receive a medal. Students who complete the Challenge each year from Years 3 to 9 inclusive receive a PRC Medal. 

For more details of the challenge refer to the website or pick up information from the Junior School Library.

Robyn Watson  
Junior School Teacher Librarian

Parents please remember to update your details in Edumate by the end of February. The Australian Government has sent the following information on the collection of information for families and students. Please read... 

2021 Student Residential Address and Other Information 

The Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (the department) would like to advise you that a request has been made for Covenant to provide residential address and other information as required under the Australian Education Regulation 2013 (Cth). 

The school is required to provide the department with the following information about each student at the school: 

• Names and residential addresses of students’ parent(s) and/or guardian(s) 

• Student residential address (excluding student names) 

• Whether the student is a primary or secondary student (education level) 

• Whether the student is boarding or a day student (boarding status).

The Student Residential Address and Other Information Collection (the Collection) informs Australian Government school education policy and helps ensure funding for non-government schools is based on need.

Click here for more information

Covenant continues to take advice/instructions from NSW Health regarding COVID-19 restrictions for schools. 

There are a few adjustments to the Prep drop-off and pick-up instructions starting today. Prep parents are able to walk their child to the Prep gate via the Dell Street entrance (walking on the path around the car park) or to drop children at the Bundaleer gate where we will deliver your them to Prep. In the afternoon, if you are picking up your children from the Bundaleer gate entrance, we will walk your Prep child to meet you at this gate. The Bundaleer gate option will assist those parents who have children in Kindergaten to Year 2 so that you have one drop-off and pick-up time and location.

DETAILS:

Drop-off (mornings)

• Dell St gate: drop-off/sign in by parents/guardians or approved Secondary siblings only – and not before 8.30am (NB – the secondary sibling would need to hold the child’s hand as they walk along the footpath). The Prep teachers will meet your child at the Prep gate.
• Bundaleer St gate: drop off from 8.10am, where Prep students will be gathered at the gate until 8.45am, and then walked up together to Prep by a staff member who will sign them in. 

Pick-up (afternoons)

• Dell St gate: Parents/guardians and Secondary student siblings only can sign out your Prep child, no later than 3.10pm unless they are staying for CAP.
• Bundaleer gate: Staff member will sign your child out and then walk the children to the Bundaleer St gate at 2.50pm. The Prep children will wait for the parents to collect them at the gate.

On Wednesday 3 February, we had the Primary Swimming Carnival. We had lots of fun swimming and dancing (instead of cheering). To get bonus points, the Houses danced to different songs such as YMCA and the Chicken Dance. Even the teachers were dancing!

Most people participated in many events, but those who didn’t, waved flags and clapped to support their team.

Everyone did their best and the final team results were: 

4th – Ten Boom, 3rd – Lewis, 2nd – Aylward and congratulations to White who came 1st.

Well done to those who qualified for Zone and congratulations to the following students who were named 2021 Age Champions:

• 8yrs – Adaliah and Isaac
• 9yrs – Jacinta and Eliott
• 10yrs – Emma and Dylan
• 11yrs – Pearl and Michael
• 12yrs – Maddison and Roy

Thank you to all the teachers and Year 6 helpers who made sure Covenant’s first Covid-safe Carnival was a great success.

Isy and Katelyn
Year 6

Swimming Carnival photos link

Northern Beaches Council's 'Express Yourself 2021' exhibition opens on Friday 19 February at Manly Art Gallery and Museum, celebrating the achievements of HSC Visual Arts students (2020). 

Selected from 20 schools across the Northern Beaches, five Covenant artists extraordinaire have been chosen as part of the exhibition. 

Congratulations to:

Adam, Maya, Aaron, Nathan and Ruche.

The exhibition runs until Sunday 28 March 2021. Find more information here... 

I trust you have had a wonderful summer break and the year has started well.

Careers kicks off the year with some wonderful opportunities for students to look ahead and consider how they might use their God-given gifts and abilities. 

Students who would like to discuss career information should email me at thewitt@covenant.nsw.edu.au to book an appointment.

Year 12 students will shortly be receiving their UAC guides. This is an excellent resource to assist the process of thinking about career opportunities. Parents, can I encourage you to take the time to sit and discuss the details of this book with your son or daughter as they work through this important decision.

I would also like to remind Year 10, 11 and 12 students of the wonderful resource, the ‘School Leavers Information Kit’. This is a must-read for parents and students alike to assist your thinking towards future careers.

All senior parents and students are encouraged to continue to think how they can use their God given skills, abilities and interests as they think through the post-school careers opportunities and how they can be used to glorify our great God.

My God bless you richly.

In Christ

Mr Hewitt

• Year 3-6 Primary Swimming Carnival Update (Friday 29 January)
• Scholastic Book Club (Monday 1 February)
• Best Start Kindergarten (Monday 1 February)
• Years 10-12 Senior Blazers (Monday 1 February)
• Year 12 English Extension 1 Film Viewing (Tuesday 2 February)
• 2021 Future Problem Solving Team (Tuesday 2 February)
• Peninsula Independent Sports Association (PISA) Teams (Thursday 4 February) 

Our wonderful canteen has a part-time position available. 

Application Criteria:

• Self-manage day-to-day duties 
• Basic computer skills in order to use Munchmonitor 
• Basic cooking skills to cook and reheat foods appropriately
• Pack and distribute foods 
• Hours - Monday,Thursday and Friday; 8:30am-1:30pm.

To apply or for more information contact Tam - 0432155186.