Happiness; or Contentment?

Dear parents and carers,

In the schools I’ve led in recent years, parents have often said to me, “I just want my child to be happy”. My response is usually to inwardly cringe. Seeking happiness for its own sake is often a path to unhappiness, to being trapped in self-centeredness. Happiness is a by-product of a life well lived. Even then, it can be fleeting and ephemeral.

The industry of happiness

Throughout the Western world there is a substantial ‘happiness’ industry. Bookshops have whole shelves devoted to gurus selling shortcuts to happiness. Our society is the most affluent in history, but by all recent measures, it is also the unhappiest.

We are amusing ourselves to death

The notion of ‘happiness’ as a lifestyle is fairly recent in history. For a very long time, the human race lived a subsistence mode of day-to-day survival. This was followed by the era of manufacturing, with very long hours of hard or mundane labour. Modern notions of adolescence or childhood did not exist. Teenagers and even children were fully consumed in the machinery of production. Recent decades have seen the provision of discretionary time and modes of entertainment, leading to the claim by author Neil Postman that as a race we are “amusing ourselves to death”.

How to be unhappy

The idea that the purpose of life is to be entertained has only become possible through the automation of labour-saving devices. As a telos, or organising principle, it is reductionist and morally bankrupt as it seeks only self and not the interests of others. Self-centeredness, as we should know, produces unhappiness. Lack of purpose produces drifting without moorings.

The secret to happiness

The Bible does not major on happiness, and certainly not happiness as an entitlement. Rather, it speaks of contentment. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want”. (Philippians 4:12). Contentment floats less on the emotions of the moment. It is an attitude of the mind and of the heart. Contentment is an overall status in which it is possible to be unhappy in the moment and amidst difficulties. It is a by-product of trusting God and the security that brings. There is a joy in salvation and seeing God at work which is far more deep-rooted than momentary happiness.

The irony of happiness

One of the great ironies of happiness seems to be that it comes when one is not seeking it as an end of itself. In its richest form, happiness is a by-product of serving God and others. As Jesus said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

I certainly don’t want our students to be unhappy! I would rather they be content and secure in their identity and enjoying happiness as a by-product of meaning and purpose, and of a life well-lived.

Dr John Collier

Interim Principal

The week ahead for your calendar

Week 5

Monday 23 - Friday 27 February, 8.00-11.00am | Cafe Covie open for parents

Monday 23 February, 8.43-8.50am | Infants Morning Lines in the Rumpus Room or Handball Courts

Monday 23 - Wednesday 25 February | Year 5 Camp

Tuesday 24 February | North Met Primary Zone Swimming Carnival

Don't Miss Out

Dads and Sons Paddling Adventure

Youthworks is hosting a paddling adventure for Covie dads and their sons!

This will be an incredible opportunity for dads and pre-teens/teens to connect more deeply through an unforgettable adventure in God's creation.

This adventure starts in Bendeela (150km from Sydney) on Friday evening and concludes after lunch on Sunday at Tallowa Dam.

Bookings can be made here.

Secondary Open Evening - Invite your friends!

Our Secondary Open Evening is coming up and we’d love your help in spreading the word!

If you know anyone exploring high school options for their child, this event is a great opportunity for them to see Covenant. Families will tour our facilities, meet staff, and gain a sense of what Christ‑centred learning looks like in the Secondary years, both inside and beyond the classroom.

Many of our visiting families come because someone in our community recommended Covenant. Thank you for helping others discover our school.

Your friends can register at covenant.nsw.edu.au/explore

We appreciate your continued support and partnership!

Junior School Tour - Invite your friends!

We’re looking forward to welcoming families to our upcoming Junior School Tour!

If you know friends, neighbours, or family members who are considering Prep to Year 6 for their children, this is a great opportunity for them to experience our wonderful Junior School.

Your friends can register at covenant.nsw.edu.au/explore

Thank you!

Colin Buchanan is coming to Covie!

Australia's #1 kids Christian artist, Colin Buchanan, is coming to Covenant in the April school holidays. Sing, dance, laugh as kids, parents and grandparents join together for the unforgettable musical, messy mayhem of Colin's Favourites Live in Concert!

Get your tickets to see Colin in concert!