For many private schools in Sydney the current economic climate is providing some anxiety over enrolments. Covenant Christian School at Belrose, however, is making room for a significant increase in student enrolments. On the first day of school in February there are going to be many new faces. They had hoped to grow overall by 20 extra students. Instead it looks likely they could be welcoming an extra 50 students. This would take the school up to 800 from Preschool to Year 12. Covenant’s recent HSC results once again placed it in the Top 200 schools in NSW and 5th on the Northern Beaches. Neil Pierson, who helps with the school’s marketing, says “When parents start doing the sums they are realising Covenant offers very good value. While the consistently strong academics are always encouraging it is the Christian community and atmosphere which most families talk about."
Part of the school’s recent growth can be attributed to their Free School Tour on DVD, new web and blogsites and group tours. Since September, 1,700 copies of the DVD have been distributed. Even over the holiday periods, the requests for the DVD have been continuing. Neil imagines parents are still considering their options even for this year. Last year 165 families took part in school tours. The new web and blogsites were averaging 1,800 visitors a week.
With all of the new marketing initiatives Neil still believes it comes down to old fashioned word of mouth. “If parents and students have a positive experience they are more likely to encourage others to consider the school. This is obviously happening at Covenant.” Having worked at the school for six months Neil had heard lots of stories from both students and parents. In an unexpected twist he was so impressed he decided to transfer his own three children there for 2009.
While most staff have been on holidays Neil has been making plans for 2009. “In some ways it feels like a construction site at school right now with so many tradesmen working away on a variety of projects to continually improve the school. It is exciting to see a 30 year old school growing, changing and trying new things while remaining true to the founder’s vision.” One of the most obvious projects is an outdoor amphitheatre. Two new demountables have also been installed to help ease the pressure before six new classrooms can be built.
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