Video Summary

Thank you to those who attended parent information evenings last Tuesday and Thursday.

COVID-19 Concerns 

• COVID-19 restrictions easing so we look forward to engaging with parents onsite but still COVID-19 guidelines are socially distanced. Thank parents for being compliant.
• The most difficult part of complying with NSW Health directives is moving people onsite and offsite. At these events, we want to catch up, talk and stand closely but NSW Health is reminding us that the spread of COVID-19 is most at risk when it is adult to adult transmission.
• We are moving towards allowing parents to come to future events where you walk straight to the event, attend and leave, ensuring you maintain social distancing.
• At Covenant, we value hospitality, building of community; enjoying God’s people together, so we thank everyone for sacrificing those opportunities to ensure that we keep our school open and do not move back to a home learning situation.  

Future Plans

• We are considering future parent-teacher interviews, swimming carnivals for Secondary students, making sure that, where possible, we can have maximum participation from the community.

Information Evenings

• I look forward to seeing parents on Tuesday night for the Primary Information Evening and on Thursday night for Years 10, 11 and 12. There are still some spaces available; remember that you need to pre-book.

Thank you for your partnership and God bless you all this week.

Melissa Brown

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!" Psalm 119:1-3 (ESV)

For Prayer and Praise

Praise God for his Word, which is authoritative, transformative and trustworthy. Give thanks that it guides us and enables us to know him. Pray for our community to love and obey his word that we may know true blessing.

Prayer suggestions:

• Pray for Junior School Information Evening (Years 3 to 6) on Tuesday.
• Pray for Secondary Swimming Carnival on Wednesday.
• Pray for Secondary School Information Evening (Years 10 to 12) on Thursday.
• Pray for Premier's Reading Challenge program (Kindergarten to Year 9) to foster a love for reading.
• Give thanks and pray for teachers and students in Years 1 and 2.
• Pray for the partnership between parents and staff to strengthen even in these COVID-19 times. Pray for continued patience with COVID-19 restrictions.
• Pray for the implementation of our school’s Strategic Plan, that it will prepare our students to be “salt and light” now and in the future, grounded in faith and biblical thinking.

Prayer Group is currently meeting online on Thursdays at 9am. 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

Last week I reflected on Paul's prayers for the Philippian church, "I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." Philippians 1:5. In the spirit of that partnership, I would like to start a series that covers some the of the key ideas we look at in the Knowing God program. From the rich depths of the scriptures, we have decided to focus upon a selection of texts and ideas in order to help your children grow in their faith, or to repent and believe the gospel for the first time. I am hopeful that sharing some of the ideas in these programs will assist you in caring for your children.

We know, here at Covenant, that our role is to plant and water, asking God to kindly bring about growth. But it is not our role alone. We are working together, in partnership with you, your churches, families, friends and more. We are all, together, planting seeds, checking the pH, the sunlight, the drainage, doing some weeding and more. I am thankful for the ways we do this together at the moment and I am hoping we can develop more ways of working together for the growth of our students. In addition to this series, our website has recently been updated with some details of the Knowing God program with more to develop in this space. If you would like to know more about the content or methods we use in our classrooms, please get in contact. I would find great joy in speaking with you about how we can wisely plant and water together, asking our God to give the growth.

Grace and peace

Jason Marriott

I read an article recently that quoted a 2007 Australian educational forum and its goals for 2020. A statement made within the forum made quite an impression, “Essentially, education is about increasing our national productivity”. Such was my concern, that the statement has remained prominent in my mind. Implicit in this statement is a concerning world view asserting that the primary purpose of education is to prepare individuals to contribute to national economic productivity. While acknowledging the important contribution education makes to long-term national productivity, teaching and learning is much more than its ability to create effective, functional members of an economic enterprise. We might even conclude that the forum goals imply that the primary purpose of education is to increase national productivity, resulting in the dehumanising of individuals as they are viewed as cogs within an economically-driven machine.

In contrast, the scriptures paint a different picture. Paul writes in Romans 12:1-2 of the need to have our minds transformed so that we will no longer conform to the patterns of our society. The biblical principles, foundational to our model of education at Covenant Christian School, influence our way of thinking with regards to the goals of education. We seek, therefore, to develop a culture in which:

1.     Both the formal and informal curriculum are a faithful expression of a Christian world view, with every unit of work and lesson being considered in the light of Scripture. This is not simply a cognitive process, but an expression of faith, commitment and the opportunity to put into practice, in tangible ways, that biblical world view.

2.     We seek to disciple/nurture students. This may involve explicit teaching and modelling to students of how the scripture allows us to know God and how this knowing should impact our lives. 

3.     We seek to train and require students to develop and use their God-given abilities and opportunities to serve him and other people. Therefore, the development and delivery of a biblically-informed, academically rigorous curriculum is essential to enable students to faithfully strive to reach their God-given potential and use their developed knowledge and skills to serve him and further his kingdom.

Perhaps the statement might more accurately be concluded by saying, “Essentially, from a Christian world view, education should be a faithful expression of a biblical world view that seeks to transform the mind, train the heart and thoroughly prepare students to use their God-given abilities and opportunities to serve God”.

This week, parents of Years 3 to 6 are invited to attend the Junior School Information Evening on Tuesday 16 February in the Performing Arts Space (PAS), 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 in previous years.

Tuesday 16 February – Information Evening for Years 3 to 6: 

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

This evening will be live streamed so parents can view the proceedings 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 close one hour before the Information Evening commences.  

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 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. 

Our final Secondary School Information Evening for parents is happening this Thursday 18 February, covering Years 10 to 12, in the Performing Arts Space (PAS), 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. We 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 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

This evening will be live streamed so parents can view proceedings 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 close one hour before the session begins.

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 between sessions.

Please remember to update your details in Edumate as soon as possible. The Edumate Parent Portal is the best way you can update your personal details (e.g. phone, address, email). It is also the best place to update your child's details, including medical details and emergency contact information, directly in Edumate. It is most important that each individual parent logs into the portal to ensure that their own details and those of each child are correct. If any of these details change during the year, they need to be updated immediately. Can we encourage you to visit the Parent Portal now and check that your family details are correct. 

Please note the portal is not optimised for use on mobile devices. This is why we don't have it linked from the App. You will need to use a PC or laptop device in order to access the portal.

If you have any questions, or difficulty accessing the portal, please contact TechServe.

We are kicking off a new year of getting to know our wonderful staff by featuring some new faces. Eugene Au-yeung has joined the Covenant teaching staff in Secondary School, teaching Mathematics. An ex-student of Covenant, Eugene brings a warm familiarity with our school and a passion for everything Mathematics! Welcome back, Eugene. 

Why did you become a teacher?

When I was in Year 12 and thinking about university, I realised that I had an understanding and ability to explain ideas well to my friends, particularly in Maths. I knew that I wouldn't be able to sit still at a desk job, so I looked into teaching and what that would look like as a career. My high school teachers offered great advice, sharing their knowledge of education as a career, and so I realised it was something that I wanted to do, too. 

How did your time at Covenant shape/influence your career?

My entire schooling life was spent at Covenant (K-12) which meant that a large portion of my life was spent at this school. When I was in Year 4, I was sent to Mr Morton's office for going on the play equipment too early, which taught me the importance of self-control. When I was in Year 6, I was given responsibilities as the Friday lunchtime library monitor, which taught me that relationships are built on trust. During Year 9 camp, I learnt what it meant to truly be a Christian and the extent of Jesus' sacrifice for me, which helped grow my faith. Attending Yarrabah Mission in Year 10 taught me how to show God's unconditional love to others. Having awesome teachers and classmates in Year 12 taught me how fun school could be. Covenant has been a school that has encouraged me to take my faith seriously and a safe space for me to grow, not just as a Christian, but from an immature child into a young man.

How do you spend your ‘down’ time?

I love sports! Football (soccer) is something I can talk about for hours (except not when I'm teaching). I also play video games, I read (Manga and anything by Matthew Reilly), and I love spending time with my wife, friends and family. 

What’s the worst thing you’ve ever eaten?

I know lots of people don't enjoy this but personally I love eating chicken feet! When marinated it's really delicious. But the worst experience I've had with food is when I had to take a bite out of a raw onion with skin on. It would take a lot to ever do that one again.

How has your faith in God helped you through your life?

For me, my faith has shaped my character and purpose. I know that God is in control of all things and it's not what I have done but what Jesus has done on the cross for me that makes me right with him. A lot of people say that I am quite easy-going and stress-free, and it's because I know that God is faithful and good and I can wholly depend on him.

Future event permissions will soon become even easier to fill out. Shortly, these notices will be available on the Covie App. Watch this short video demonstrating how to use this new system. Each event will also include relevant notes, as well as one click accept/decline options. 

Note: Digital permissions are also available through the Edumate Portal_Diary>Future Events.

At Covenant Christian School there are many occasions and events where students may be photographed or recorded, including the celebration of student participation and achievement, to showcase learning programs, or to document a student’s learning journey. The safety and privacy of our students is our priority, and whilst we have previously used an ‘opt-out’ approach in regards to the use and publication of photographs and recordings of students, in line with best practice we now require parents and students over the age of 15 to ‘opt-in’. This marks a change in our process and what we require from all parents/carers. 

Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the Collection, Use and Disclosure of Images of Students policy which clearly sets out the various ways in which Covenant Christian School is seeking to collect, use and disclose photographs and videos of your child.

Here is a copy of the annual consent form that we require all parents/carers to complete. The purpose of this form is to seek your consent for the collection, use and disclosure of photographs and videos of your child. This form can be used for up to four (4) children, and if your child is over the age of 15, they are required to give their consent in addition to yours. You can withdraw or change your consent at any time by completing another consent form and returning it to the Office. 

It will greatly assist us if you could complete this form and return it as soon as possible. Students can also get a copy of the consent form from the Office. All forms may be returned by your child to the Office or can be scanned and emailed to admin@covenant.nsw.edu.au. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Privacy Officer via the Office.

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

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

Keen to audition for our Senior Musical? All students in Year 7-11 are invited to join our Drama and Musical Theatre classes through the Dance Academy. 

Students in Year 7 who also missed out on the Junior Musical last year due to COVID-19 might find this an exciting opportunity to audition alongside our senior grades for main roles in the end-of-year production. 

This year, we will be performing 'A Christmas Carol' and we have a number of roles to fill. Auditions and rehearsals will take place in Thursday afternoon Drama Classes. Those who also wish to join the musical theatre scenes are also rehearsing on Thursday afternoons. 

Both the Drama Class and the Musical Theatre Class will be led by some of our most talented former students, Charlotte Pitt and Emily Bennett. 

If you are interested, please come and collect an enrolment form or download one via the Covenant website under Dance Academy. 

Auditions will take place in the next few weeks. 

We hope to see many of our talented students making the most of this amazing opportunity and to be part of our Dance Academy production at the end of the year.

PeaceWise Covenant Hub (zoom meeting)

Date: Thursday 25 February
Time: 7:30-9.00pm

Topic: Peacemakers, which words do you use? Click here for more details.

Dear Covenant community

The world of Careers continues to offer many exciting opportunities for our senior students.

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, I encourage you to take the time to sit and discuss the details of this book with your child 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.

For any student who would like to discuss career information, please email me at thewitt@covenant.nsw.edu.au to book an appointment.

My God bless you richly.

In Christ

Mr Hewitt

UPCOMING EVENTS

Event Name : Women in Science at the Australian National Maritime Museum
Date: 5 March 2021
Time: 9:30am
Venue: Australian National Maritime Museum
Cost: $5
Contact: Megan Baehnisch

Event Description: 
Join the Australian National Maritime Museum for our annual celebration of Women in Science, just in time for International Women’s Day in March 2021. 

Aiming to encourage High School aged girls to 'look beyond the lab coats' and learn about some of the many possible careers in STEM, this exciting education program introduces students to inspiring speakers and presenters from a range of fields.

Onsite activities on Friday, 5 March, will give students the opportunity to attend panel talks and discussions, go behind the scenes on exclusive tours and discuss future career possibilities with leading science organisations and universities.

We also have a new online program, with live streamed panels and classes running from 5 to 12 March.

Click here for more information or contact Megan Baehnisch

Event Name: UCAT, Interviews, Med School Applications, Pathways into Medicine
Date: 15 September 2021
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Venue: Online
Cost: $5
Contact : REGISTER NOW or contact Mr Hewitt

Event Description:
An invaluable forum recommended to students considering a career in Medicine or Dentistry, and especially for those who already know that they will be sitting the UCAT or attending Med School Interviews.  

This forum is an excellent opportunity for teachers, students and parents to find out about the UCAT, Interviews, Applications, and have all questions answered by expert teachers who have been working in the field since 1999. 

The session is PACKED with invaluable information during which we will be covering the following topics, and more. 

• What is UCAT? UCAT scores? UCAT Sub-tests?
• Year 10, 11 and 12 - things to consider now. 
• The Undergraduate Selection Criteria
• Application process into universities for medicine and dentistry
• When and who can sit the UCAT
• GAMSAT
• Can you prepare for the UCAT?
• Undergraduate interview process
• Med School Applications
• Gap Year
• Alternative degrees and career choices
• Q&A 

Covenant Christian School is seeking to add to its pool of Casual Secondary Teachers who would be available to stand in for regular teachers who become unavailable due to illness or temporary secondment. 

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

• Casual teachers (Year 7-12)
• Casual staff do not need to accept all casual engagements that the school may offer them, but hours (and days) are, by their very nature, irregular (but not less than 3 hours per engagement).
• NSW Christian School's Teaching Staff Multi-Enterprise Agreement

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Committed Christian, of a reformed evangelical persuasion and active in the life of a local Christian church
• Suitably qualified for the teaching position
• Can develop a culture of learning
• Well-developed classroom practices

Download job description - Teaching staff 7-12 

• Years 7-12 Swimming Carnival 2021  (Monday 8 February)
•  Primary and Secondary Dance Eisteddfod Troupes 2021 (Tuesday 9 February)
• CSSA Secondary State Mixed Hockey Gala Day 2021 (Wednesday 10 February)
• Year 12 Study Skills (Wednesday 10 February) 
• Year 5 Outdoor Camp (Thursday 11 February)
• Years 1, 3 and 5-6 Literacy Programs (Thursday 11 February)

Australian Girls Choir is hosting a free Open Day on Saturday 20 February 2021. To register, or for more information, click here!