Defining a Christian School is more complex than one would imagine. It is certainly not a school that displays tokenistic attention to Christian faith. Authenticity requires reality to conform to rhetoric. 

A working definition

I like the definition of Dr Trevor Cooling, Emeritus Professor of Christian Education at Canterbury Christ Church University in the United Kingdom: “A Christian School is one where Christian faith is the primary culture of the school”. Indicators of this are that faith can be and is discussed openly without apology or embarrassment, where there is extensive ‘buy-in’ from all stakeholders, that is, students, staff, parents and governing board. On this definition, Covenant is thoroughly a Christian school. It is wonderful to see that as a function of this reality, our School Captains and Vice Captains read and explain the Scriptures in Assembly accurately and winsomely.

Thinking through a Christian prism

I would add another ingredient: a Christian school is one where the whole school is comprehensively Christian, infused with grace and truth across all its elements. This includes students being able to think through a Christian prism, or what is called a Christian worldview, as they study reality through the cognate disciplines, that is, the subjects of the curriculum. This will enable them to understand that as the Apostle Paul says, “the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:22). In fact, “through him (Jesus)” God intends “to reconcile to himself all things...making peace through his blood shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:20). As Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself against God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”. It needs to be said at this point that staff as “ambassadors of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20) are involved in education, not indoctrination. For this reason, students will be given agency, and contending philosophies are presented faithfully and not in caricature. To some, as in the century of the New Testament, Christ crucified can be both “a stumbling block” and “foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:23) as is consistent with the major thought tides of our time.

Are Christian schools a soapbox for Christian dogma? 

A Christian school is not in essence a church, or a soapbox for Christian dogma. A Christian school is called to be an excellent school, creating opportunities for deep knowledge, critical thinking, academic success and pathways to the future. A fine Christian school will not be a Christian ‘bubble’ which overprotects students from the world and then releases them with no coping skills to enter the adult world beyond school; rather, exposure to turmoil of the world as it is will increase with student maturation though the stages of the school. A great Christian school will be highly pastoral, with staff manifesting and modelling the love of Christ. Christian schools at their best are deliberately immersive of faith. They are not interested in tokenism such as attaching Bible verses irrelevant to the curriculum at the bottom of worksheets! Christian understanding should emerge organically from the material studied. Students who disagree will be treated with respect and ongoing inclusion in a school to which they belong.

Helping students grow into adults of substance and significance

While Covenant will be rightly concerned to provide outstanding academic education, that is only part of the wholistic education we seek to provide. We are fundamentally interested in students developing a character which manifests Christian graces and virtues. Part of this enterprise occurs outside the classroom, including in co-curricular and sporting activities. We wish to provide opportunities to help young people grow into adults of substance and significance.

Giving our students agency, not dualism

Christian schools of the heritage of Covenant Christian School do not present a dualistic theology where God is only concerned with ‘spiritual’ things, such as church, prayer and Bible study. Rather, they are Kuyperian in their outlook. The most famous utterance of Abraham Kuyper, Dutch theologian and Prime Minister at the turn of the 20th century was “there is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”

For students of Christian faith, our hope and prayer is that they will continue their faith commitment throughout life. For those not, or not yet, of faith, our hope is that faith discussion will be managed well, such as to give them agency, and where they do not leave school closed to the possibility of adopting Christian faith for themselves. We seek to apply the words of 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”.

Dr John Collier

Interim Principal

Monday 16 - Friday 20 March, 8.00-11.00am | Cafe Covie open for parents

Monday 16 March, 8.43-8.50am | Infants Morning Lines in the Rumpus Room or Handball Courts

Monday 16 March | Year 10 Vaccination

Monday 16 March, 6.15-8.00pm | Secondary Open Evening (A great event for Year 5 and 6 families). Book Now

Friday 20 March | Infants assembly 9.50am in the PAS

Friday 20 March | Primary assembly 1.40pm in the PAS

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

Secondary Open Evening - Invite your friends!

Our Secondary Open Evening is on Monday 16 March 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 | 21 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.

Secondary Athletics Carnival

View on Facebook and Instagram

Secondary History Incursion

View on Facebook and Instagram (waiting for blurb for social post)

Mustard Camp

Last weekend, our Year 12 Mustard leaders served our school community with incredible kindness, generosity, and enthusiasm at this year’s Mustard Camp. For the first time, the camp ran from Saturday morning to Sunday morning!

Our leaders: Elianna, Aimee, Alannah, Annabel, Christian, Grace, Hannah, Jasmine, Rylie, Olivia, Chad, Chris, Daniel, Jordan, Judah, Marco, Nat, Noah, Robbie, Joel, Isaiah, James and Henry poured themselves into every aspect of the camp. They prepared and ran the sessions, designed the games, led our “fireside” gathering (held creatively indoors this year), and connected deeply and intentionally with their student groups.

Throughout the weekend, it was clear how committed they were to encouraging younger students in their faith. Many took time to build genuine relationships, offer support, and spark meaningful conversations about trusting and following Jesus. We thank God for their leadership and the maturity and joy they brought to our Years 7–10 students.

With around 100 students attending, the camp was both uplifting and spiritually enriching, filled with many encouraging Gospel moments for students of all ages. We are grateful for everyone who contributed to making it such a valuable time for our community.

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.