Events

Students meet for prayer at recess

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:25:00 GMT

Last term Jack Gilbert and I launched our Tuesday, weekly prayer meetings. At our first meeting, 30 people packed out our music room, sacrificing their morning break to come before God.

At Covenant I have been blessed to be surrounded by hundreds of people from hundreds of churches and have always valued that environment. Our heart for our prayer meetings is to see students and teachers from all church backgrounds join together in prayer, and during the past few weeks, that’s exactly what we have seen!

Each week at our meetings Jack and I have a theme. Over the last weeks the themes have been; school life, families, health, passion in our walk with God and salvation of friends and family. The purpose of our themes is to bring a sense of direction to our meetings. We start each meeting with a short message from one of the students and then launch into about 15 minutes of prayer, short but sweet (and powerful)! At our last prayer meeting for the term our theme was Thanksgiving for Easter.

My heart for Covenant is to see a school that is consumed with zeal and passion for God's house, his Kingdom and his purpose. I would love to see, more then anything, Covie overflowing with young people who know their God and are 100% committed to Him and his will.

I never what to take for granted how blessed we are to be in a school that not only allows but supports students starting a prayer meeting. And I am so excited that in the midst the school's busyness, students and teachers are prepared to stop and come together and remember the Lord.

Jack and I would like to extend an invitation to all high school students and teachers to come and join us in the music room each Tuesday at recess. However close or far from God you feel you are welcome to come and check us out.

I am eager to see what God does in this coming year and beyond as we continue to prepare a place for young men and women to come before God.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

By Rachel Bennett
Year 12

A wet Galston Gorge Year 9 Camp

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:06:00 GMT

As we trekked through a knee deep, 100 metre long puddle in torrential rain I don’t think any of the year 9 girls were truly sure of what the rest of camp had in store for us. So far we had been climbed a mountain, been bitten by leeches, been scared to death by Miss Hales “deadly leeches” - very funny Miss - and fallen in rivers. And that was just in four hours. By the end of the hike we were all too exhausted to make any sort of hysterics over the fact that yet another leech was climbing up our legs. I can honestly say that I am no longer bothered by leeches which is pretty darn impressive coming from an all-round nature-phobe.

That night we cooked noodles and learnt that no matter how hard the leaders try mineral turpentine cannot be used as gas. Most of us got around 2 hours of sleep and listened to choruses of High School Musical or played musical tents instead. We woke in the morning to a scene, which can only be described as beautiful, but most of us were too sleep deprived to notice. As we left to go back to the cabins there was one thing running through all our minds … showers.

That day we tried, and failed, at archery. We were drenched when it rained yet again at BMX riding and went surprising well at low ropes. But the highlight for most of us were the night games. We played Princess Billionaire and Dodgeball. I’m proud to announce us girls beat the teachers and leaders 3 out of 3 times. After we were all thoroughly exhausted we bunkered down for bed. Miss Hale read us a Max Lucado picture book and we all said goodnight. We had a plan to all meet in one room but that was soon wrecked.

***FLASHBACK TIME***

It’s 10ish at night. The door closes.

“Mrs Downing? Mrs Downing?”

“She’s not here!”

“I know I was just checking!!”

Mrs Downing: “aren’t you supposed to check for Miss Hale to?”

Sufficient to say, our party plans were wrecked.

The next day, after a rather more wholesome night of sleep we woke up to a sunny day. We had devotions and then the guys came back from the campsite. Once they had showered and we finished our devotions we played a massive game called stratego. Most got it, others didn’t. Those who didn’t just stayed out of the way but it was fun. Running around like mad people is thoroughly enjoyable.
As we drove back to Covenant the bus was noticeably quieter. Half of us were asleep. Despite the rain we managed to make the most of it and all of us took away many funny memories. So I leave you with one word. Nigel.

By Beth Debenham

Transition Dress Up Day

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:02:00 GMT

On Wednesday Transition children had the chance to dress up for the day. Teachers became clowns, and as you will see from the photos the children made a colourful spectacle. They even put on a parade for the enjoyment of older students.

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Year 1 students attend teacher wedding

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:51:00 GMT

Our beautiful Year 1 teacher Miss Hung became Mrs Sun on Saturday 21st March. St Peter's Presbyterian Church at North Sydney was overflowing with friends and family including many of our very excited Year 1 students. The service truly reflected the Bride and Grooms love for each other and for our Lord Jesus. Miss Hung looked elegant and stunning in her dress, the music was wonderful and the afternoon tea after the service was delicious!

We wish Mr and Mrs Sun all the best and God's richest blessings as they begin their new life together.
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Forestville Fire Brigade visit Year 1

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:01:00 GMT

Last Friday Year 1 had a very exciting visit from the Forestville Fire Brigade. Four firemen gave a great presentation on fire safety using lots of visual aids and demonstrations. This included learning about good and bad fires. (Naturally birthday candles were considered good!). They also shared information about their role in the community and showed us their truck full of interesting equipment. They reinforced fire safety rules such as:
1. never play with matches
2. ring 000 if there is dangerous fire
3. go to the fireman if he comes to help you

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They also taught us special slogans to remember if we are caught in a dangerous fire - “Crawl down low and go go go” and “Stop Drop Cover Roll”. The children had LOTS of questions.

One of the fireman dressed with the full oxygen tank, face mask and gloves to talk with the children. This was to help children learn even though he sounded and looked "scary" he was there to help them.

For parents here are some important reminders:
1. install smoke alarms in your home
2. replace smoke alarm batteries when you change the clocks for daylight saving
3. teach children how to call 000 and give their home address - but never to do it for fun
4. have an evacuation plan
5. children were told to meet at your letterbox and never to re-enter a burning building

Enjoy the photos. We are very grateful to Forestville Fire Brigade for their willingness to teach our children such important lessons.

Easter celebration 2009

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Today's all school assembly celebrated Easter. As a Christian school we recognise Easter as the central celebration of history. School Captains Todd and Lauren welcomed students & opened in prayer. Throughout the assembly three Bible readings told the story of Easter.

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Mrs Staples conducted the Year 3-4 classes in playing and singing the hymn "There is a green hill" (to tune of house of the rising sun. Miss Rose and our school worship band then led us in the songs "Ancient of Days" and "Amazing Grace"

Mrs Pitt's Year 9 drama group did a brilliant presentation of 'The Three Trees". This is a story of three trees with great dreams of becoming a treasure chest, a mighty ship and the other to stay on the mountain pointing to the sky. Each tree's dream came true in the life of Jesus but not as they expected. One was made into the feeding trough where Jesus lay, another become the fishing boat in which Jesus calmed the storm and the third the cross on which Jesus died.

Mrs Conway conducted a wonderful vocal ensemble of the song "People get ready" before Mr Rusin closed in prayer.

School sleepover adventure Years 3 and 4

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:22:00 GMT

The Year 3 and Year 4 Sleepover is an annual event where students have the chance to pitch a tent at school or bed down for the night in a class room. It is a lot of fun. The excitement levels were very high even before any lollies so the teachers had to work hard to ensure everyone was well and truly exhausted so they would actually sleep!!

Enjoy just 48 of the over 400 photos from the activities. Thanks to parent Michael Lin for taking so many!
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Thank you to the amazing teachers who turned around after a full week of lessons to come back for the afternoon activities and sleepover. There was also a wonderful team of parents helping set up and take down tents, cooking, supervising games and making great memories for our kids. Events like this are a great way to build and strengthen our school community.

Student report to come:

Laptop stand offer helps teacher posture

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:05:00 GMT

When Covenant staff were issued with new laptop computers this year they were offered a portable metal laptop stand to improve their posture. One disadvantage of laptop computers is that by hinging the screen to the keyboard they prevent the user from sitting up straight.

IT Manager Dave de Horne explained “given the reliance and widespread use of laptops we see it as vital that we take care of our staff by providing effective ergonomic options. The school’s previous laptop stands were plastic and were prone to breakage. Fortunately we were able to source some better ones through a Covenant parent’s business Ergonomic RESCUE. It was a great solution for the school.”

Royal National Park Year 5 Camp

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:23:00 GMT

On Monday, the sixteenth of March, year five and six went on a camp. Year five went to ‘Telford and Skinners’ in the Royal National Park. My mum came to camp with me as a parent helper. We got on buses at nine thirty. When we got there it was very beautiful. There was a big blue lake. I was in group A. Our first activity after lunch was to go on a cruise. That was lots of fun because the guy who drove explained about the Aborigines living along the lake which was really interesting.

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Next was sailing. We took turns going on the boats and while we were waiting, we fished off the dock. When I was sailing it was fun because when it was tipping, we got to lean back and put our heads in the water. The next morning after breakfast we had Christian Discovery. That day we did abseiling but I didn’t like that very much because the harness hurt me a lot.

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Next was the ….WATERSLIDE!!! The waterslide was one of my favourite things on camp. It was really fun when I went with Miss Hammond because I went really, really fast. The next activity was canoeing. I like it but it was a bit hard coming back against the wind. That night we had a great time. We had a talent show. I dressed up as a German because we had to dress up as something starting with your name. My talent was telling jokes with Danni. It was very fun seeing everybody’s talents. At the end of it we played some games in the hall.

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On the last day we did low ropes. It was heaps of fun. My favourite part was the flying fox.

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We left the campsite after lunch and we watched ‘Over the Hedge’ on the way home.

By Grace Thornton 5C

Local ministers give spiritual input to staff

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:16:00 GMT

Covenant Christian School only employs Christian staff. The ongoing spiritual input for our staff is something the school takes seriously. Each day of the week staff gather in large or small groups for a 15 to 20 minute devotion. On Tuesdays small groups meet to pray for one another. On Fridays there is a time of praise and worship. On Monday and Wednesdays all available staff gather together. Staff are rostered on to lead each devotion which ensures a wonderful variety.

This year we have invited some of the local ministers to lead a couple of the larger group devotions. Covenant students represent 120 different churches so most of the local ministers know children at the school. (In fact many of them have children enrolled here). Last week Rev David Coy of St Paul's Anglican Church in Terrey Hills spoke. Thirty one years ago our school started by renting St Paul's Church Hall. This week Rev Kerry Nagel of St Faiths Anglican at Narrabeen led our devotion.

Other ministers who have already agreed to take part are: Andy Arthurs (Forest Alliance Church), Ps Ian Freestone (Ruach), Ps Steve Parker (Belrose Uniting Church), Ps Richard Green (CCC Ryde), Ps Paul Zandardo (New Covenant Ministries – Neutral Bay), Ps Josh Thomas (Narraweena Baptist), Ps Paul Le Lievre (Cityview Church, Forestville), Ps Richard Forsyth (C3 Oxford Falls), Ps Tom Inglis (Sydney Life Church, Mosman), Fr Keith Dalby (St Johns Gordon).

Bob Mendelsohn of Jews for Jesus at assembly

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:35:00 GMT

Bob Mendelsohn of Jews for Jesus came today and spoke at our Senior Assembly. He was entertaining and engaging and told his story of how he grew up as a moderate Jew and later became a Christian… although he says he is still a Jew, but one who has found the Messiah. He gave us some real insights into Jewish thinking and how and why they do certain things.

He said that after high school he became a hippy in the 60s and searched for peace and meaning in his life. He met some Christians who wanted to talk to him about Jesus and he said that he was happy to “take them on” and debate with them, aiming to show them “why they were wrong”. After spending some time talking with them and asking questions, he stumped them on a few issues, but their humility in not having to have all the answers impressed him and left him thinking. They told him to ask Jesus to show him directly who he was, which was a foreign thought, as in Jewish culture you don’t actually bother God with those sorts of things, but just talk to a Rabi or someone else about it. He did this and was amazed by what happened to him.

He also started to read the New Testament and discovered that it too was actually written about Jewish people and by Jews about the Jewish Messiah. He later accepted Jesus as his savior. Bob said “I found it in Y'shua," which is Jewish for Jesus. At the time his family then disowned him and he was rejected by all his Jewish friends. He said it was tough, but God has brought him through.

He now works for Jews For Jesus and spends his time speaking to all sorts of groups of people. He encourages Christians to reach out to their Jewish brothers and sisters who do not yet know Y’shua. He is still a Jew because He said Jews often will only listen to Jews and so it is important for him to maintain his heritage and his customs.

He said that sharing Jesus is like having a banquet laid out in front of you by God. You turn up, grab the platter, serve yourself and then pass it on. He prayed that we would have a heart to pass on the food so that others can eat, particularly those who are Jewish that we know.

Bob was great and we pray that he continues to bear fruit in his ministry to the Jewish people.

Year 6 camp at Rathane

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:05:00 GMT

On the 16th to the 18th of March, Year 6 went on their camp in the Royal National Park and camped at Rathane. We were all divided into four groups, A, B, C and D. We all did different activities at different times. The activities Year 6 did were abseiling, rock climbing, canoeing, cruise, orienteering and the water slide. The food was great!

The cabins were AWESOME. They had new bunk beds, with one being a double bed. Some people fell straight asleep while others stayed awake till early morning. For most people the most fun thing was the water slide because we got so many turns!

The funniest part was when Lachlan D and Braden K were trying to be funny and Lachlan dived over Braden’s head while trying to stand up on the water slide. On Tuesday night we had a quiz night and had to answer 10 questions in 5 categories. The winning team was the Epic Fails.

Unfortunately we had to leave on Wednesday. As we sadly and tiredly got on to the bus, we said goodbye to all the instructors.

By Carly O’Neill and Elysha Robinson.

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Rostrum Voice of Youth public speaking competition

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:02:00 GMT

The Rostrum Voice of Youth is an national public speaking competition which showcases some of Australia’s most articulate young people. This week, Covenant senior students participated in the Sydney heats at International Grammar School, Broadway. Simon Swadling, Matthew Walter and Grace Fitz- Gerald were outstanding representatives of the school, speaking about some very pertinent issues with a great deal of confidence and thoughtfulness. Grace was awarded runner-up.

Each of our students are commended on their fine speeches.

Sam Glassock
English Coordinator

Fund Raising for Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:22:00 GMT

Last Thursday morning Covenant Christian School was filled with the delightful smell of bacon and eggs cooking on the barbeque. Mr. Smithies and the Student Council sold bacon and egg rolls and hash browns to the high school students. The money that was raised is being sent to a Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia to support the hospital and a family from a local Sydney church who run the midwifery college there.

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In Ethiopia, alone, there are an estimated 100,000 women suffering with untreated fistula, and another 9,000 women who develop fistula each year. Due to poor health standards many girls who give birth develop a fistula which can lead to permanent damage of her internal organs. The hospital is able to treat women with this ailment, their cure rate is over 90%.

For more information http://www.fistulafoundation.org/index.html
Thank you to everyone who supported the this cause. Get ready for more BBQ breakfasts!

Early Childhood practical experience

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:51:00 GMT

Covenant recently introduced Early Childhood as an elective for students. One of the great advantages of having a Preschool to Year 12 school is the students doing this course can gain practical experience by crossing over the playground. The Early Childhood students have been visiting Kindy classes.

One exercise was to help the Kindy students write a sentence about a picture they had drawn. Another was where they had to find out how the students felt when they started school and did a drawing to express their ideas. Then they had to express how they feel now. They did this by making a face on a biscuit and thoroughly enjoyed eating it!!!

Mrs Sharyn Holmes

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