Announcements

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.

Our School Tour on DVD was launched at a special Fundraising Dinner for the new Kindy to Year 2 building project. This dinner held at Miramare Gardens was attended by 132 members of the school community.

At Covenant we recognise the most effective long term fundraiser is simply parents sharing their story about Covenant.  The purpose of the DVD is for new parents to hear from other existing parents. For 30 years Covenant Christian School has grown through recommendations from families. Parents have never been obligated to promote our school. It has been a completely natural response to share their experience.

The School Tour on DVD and brochures are simply a new way of continuing this great tradition. As parents it is normal to talk about our kids and answer the inevitable question “Where do your kids go to school?” Yet many people, even locals, don’t know much about Covenant. This 8 minute professionally produced DVD combines parent and staff interviews with an overview of the school. It makes it easy for interested families to learn more about our school in the comfort of their own home.

Also included on the DVD is an overview of Christian Education National. Covenant is a part of this national group of 85 Christian Schools. We owe a great deal to the passionate people who started Covenant and other similar schools. Now the baton has been passed to us to continue telling others “Covenant is worth a closer look”. We hope the DVD will also help your family and friends understand why you chose Covenant for your own children.

Many schools rely mainly on advertising in local media to tell their story to a very broad audience. We would rather help our parents share their own Covenant story with people they know. A minimum of 85% of our families are Christians. We realise therefore the majority of future families will come from the over 120 churches who are already part of our school community.

Thank you to Jeff and Carmelina, Simon and Kari, Janine, Robyn and Michelle for being brave enough to be interviewed for the DVD. These guys have done the hard bit. Now you get the much easier part.

Each family in the school will receive two copies. These are to give away. I encourage everyone to think about who you can share it with.

We have also designed stands and posters to go in church and business foyer. If you can help place them into churches and local businesses, preschools,daycare centres we would love it. For the really brave there are even rear window car signage.

Many thanks for everyone involved. The DVD was filmed and produced by local Christians Tim Hickson and Micah Osis of TDH Media.

Neil Pierson
Marketing and Promotions