Dear parents and carers

In the wake of the shocking massacre of Jewish worshippers earlier this year, the NSW State Government has enacted new legislation which is binding on all school communities. The legislation is an amendment to the Crimes Act 1900. It will apply to staff, board members, parents and visitors, students, and contractors. Schools will be monitored by New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) to ensure appropriate inclusions are clear in the various Codes of Conducts applying to all these groups. For this reason, I have given what I hope is an accessible verbal summary to Secondary Students at Assembly, as indeed Covenant’s Codes of Conduct are currently being updated with the mandated inclusions.

The impact, not the intention

All our community will need to be aware that ‘hate speech’ has not been precisely defined, and the emphasis will be on impact and not intent. Accordingly, what is meant to be benign or in jest has the potential to cause offence.

The danger of echo chambers

A driver for this legislative change is concern over the echo chambers in which people can exist, facilitated by social media algorithms which draw them further into a vortex of radicalisation.

Treating others as fellow image bearers

Christian communities must absolutely stand against any form of hate speech. Jesus broke down the whole concept of demonisation of ‘the other’. He mixed with elements of society believed at the time to be morally or culturally taboo. The Apostle Paul expressed this in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”. Jesus moved through and beyond the sense of exclusive favour within his own communities and also through and beyond the sense of cultural and racial superiority held by post-Classical Age and Hellenistic Greek society. Jesus taught not the low bar of tolerance, but the higher bar of love and hospitality: we are to love our enemies: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44.

Yale theologian and philosopher Miroslav Volf, in his widely read Exclusion and Embrace argues that the Christian way is to embrace others who are different. A fully realised Christian ethic will treat others with respect as fellow image bearers of God.

Dr John Collier

Interim Principal

Monday 9 - Friday 13 March, 8.00-11.00am | Cafe Covie open for parents

Monday 9 March, 8.43-8.50am | Infants Morning Lines in the Rumpus Room or Handball Courts

Monday 9 - Wednesday 11 March | Year 6 Camp

Tuesday 10 March | Secondary Athletics Carnival

Saturday 14 March | Yarrabah Trip 1 Cultural and Evangelism Training

New Location | Secondary Athletics Carnival

We are moving to Chatswood Rotary Athletics Fields for the upcoming Secondary Athletics Carnival. Please watch the video below to hear from Mrs Slatter, Secondary Sport Coordinator, sharing details about the new location and logistics of the day. Please also refer to the Parent Note that was sent out last week.

Host Families Needed - Keimei High School (Japan) is visiting Covie!

From 8th - 21st August VS Oceania are looking for Host Families! Share your lifestyle & home whilst experiencing another culture.

• Students attend school on weekdays and enjoy family life with you on the weekend
• Japanese language is not necessary.
• Students just fit in with your family routines – eat your food,
  they need their own bed but can share a room.
• Families are paid $60 per night.
  

If you can assist in hosting a student or would like more information, please contact VS Oceania at (02) 9889 4366 or email to admin@vsoceania.com

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!

Working Bee - 21st March

Our upcoming working bee is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other members of our school community and contribute to the upkeep of our school.

The next working bee will be held on Saturday 21st March from 8.00am-12noon and we'd love to see you there!

To register your interest to help out please RSVP below.

I want to help at the Working Bee

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!

Prayer Group

Join us every Thursday to pray.

Pastors' Morning Tea

View on Facebook and Instagram

Sisters in Sport Leadership Day

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Mountain Biking Interschools 2026

View on Facebook and Instagram

Congratulations to Josh Flick (6H), Jack Dugan (6YC) & Kai Tesseyman (5E) who represented Covenant Christian school this week at MTB Inter-schools in Thredbo.

Uniform Update: Supporting Students in the Small Things

At Covenant, wearing the uniform well is one of the small daily habits that helps shape our students’ readiness for learning. Attention to uniform is often a window into attention to academics; when students practise consistency and care in the little things, it strengthens their approach to the bigger expectations of school life.

To help students meet uniform requirements quickly and minimise disruption, we are making a small adjustment to our practice. If a student arrives with one of a few easily replaced items incorrect- socks, ties, stockings, or earrings (replaced with keepers)- we will provide the correct item straight away.

Please note that this applies only to these small items, not to larger uniform pieces such as blazers or jackets. The cost of the replacement item will be added to school fees, and parents will receive notification. This updated process will begin on Monday of Week 8.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we encourage habits that support both character and learning.

Dates for your diary: Year 10 and Year 7 Vaccinations

• Monday 16 March | Year 10 vaccinations for meningococcal.
• Friday 18 September | Year 7 vaccinations for HPV and dTpa.

Please read the School Vaccination Program It will guide you through the process of giving consent for your child’s vaccination.