Dear Parents and Carers,

The mere badge “Christian” does not of itself make a school faithfully Christian; we need to discern the distinctives to be faithful to our Lord, indeed to endeavour to exhibit grace and love. This does not mean an absence of accountabilities as if it is Christian to accept anything and everything. Jesus himself exhibited tough love. He exposed error and hypocrisy. Both love and judgement are part of God’s revelation.

True Christan love works within a biblical anthropology, that is, to understand what we might call the human condition through a biblical lens. We know that we are all sinners, that we all fail at various times but Jesus provides a way of redemption. Accordingly, Christian schools seek to be redemptive, to offer pathways for reconciliation and to establish what in Hebrew is shalom, that deep and abiding abundant peace.

Insights from Christian Scholars

Various Christian education scholars have provided extremely helpful pointers on doing Chistian schooling Christianly. Prof David Smith, Professor of Education at Calvin University in Michigan USA, who spoke by video link to our staff at our recent staff day, spoke extensively about Christian pedagogy, that is not just being Christian in the worldview we espouse but in also the way we teach. He is a great advocate of Christian hospitality in teaching, that is where we make our classrooms hospitable and welcoming to our students. This is not a question so much of the surroundings but of the attitude emanating from the teacher and, one hopes, reflected by the students. He encourages us to be collaborative in learning and other-person centred.

The Reality of Values in Every Classroom

The Australian expert, Dr Richard Edlin, cautions us that no classroom is neutral and that, if we fail to explore a Christian worldview in the content of our teaching, we will default to secular humanism as the sea in which we swim. All teaching, he says, is value-laden.

Canadian educator, Prof Elmer Thiessen, draws a distinction between education and indoctrination. By this he means that any Christian proclamation needs to be educative, that is, it needs to be a respector of persons, in this case students, in allowing them agency and the right to respectfully disagree. As the Apostle Peter wrote in 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”.

Supporting Students Through Faith Questions

Dr Trevor Cooling, the Emeritus Professor of Christian Education at Canterbury Christ Church University in the United Kingdom, says that every teenager goes through a stage of “bafflement” where they are asking hard questions of faith such as “if God is good, why does he allow suffering”? Prof Cooling says that unless staff in schools help young people to wrestle through these questions (instead of giving them glib answers such as “just have faith”), one of two outcomes is likely. The first is that they will become fundamentalists who will keep their faith and the world in separate boxes where neither interact, or more likely, there will be a loss of faith altogether. He also says that Christian schools need to be careful that their apparently Christian students on graduating and leaving school for the last time, do not hang their faith like a no longer needed garment on the hook at the door as they leave. This happens he says when faith has only been significant while at a Christian school. We need faith partnership with parents and with churches which will continue to shepherd the faith of our students after they graduate.

Applying These Principles in Our Community

The specialists certainly speak into our situation and as a staff we are glad of their input and are attempting to apply it faithfully. In this respect as in others, we seek to partner with our parents who, one hopes, are manifesting the importance of Christian faith by studying the scriptures and praying as a family while being committed to a local church.

Being Christian is becoming more alien in this society and is something we need to work at consciously.

Regards,

Dr John Collier

Interim Principal

Monday 18 May, 8.43-8.50am | Infants Morning Lines in the Rumpus Room

Monday 18 May - Friday 22 May, 8.00-11.00am | Cafe Covie open for parents

Monday 18 May, 6.30-7.30pm | Parent Equip Night - Understanding Anxiety

Monday 18 May - Wednesday 20 May | School Photos

Friday 22 May, 9.15-10.30am | Prep & Kindy Tour

Don't Miss Out

EQUIP Night - Understanding Anxiety Seminar

Join us on Monday 18 May for a practical, faith-informed evening equipping parents with evidence-based tools to best understand and support your child.

Chris Cipollone will present a theology of anxiety, followed by Vanessa de Sauty, a Christian practising psychologist, sharing practical strategies for supporting children from everyday worries through to clinical anxiety across the different developmental stages.

At the end of the night, you will have the opportunity to ask questions to our presenters and Head of Wellbeing Mark Childs (Year 7-12) and Lead Counsellor Amy Thompson.

Please note this is a parent only event.

Book Now

Association Members - Reminder to RSVP for AGM

A reminder to all Association members to please complete both the dinner RSVP and the Annual Adherence to Association Membership using the links below.

AGM Dinner RSVP

2026 Annual Adherence to Association Membership

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our Association.

Jesus Cares Annual Fundraiser

Join the Jesus Cares Story by coming to the Annual Fundraiser Event at Covenant Christian School on 23 May, where teams and supporters from different outreaches come together in fellowship. There will be dinner, auctions, and raffles, and every dollar you give or spend will directly support the work of God through Jesus Cares Ministry, helping Jesus Cares fulfil their mission: “to see the poor set free by the Good News of Jesus.”

Book your ticket now

Evening of Music

Current families, Alumni and friends are warmly invited to join us for Evening of Music on 4 June 2026

Be inspired by the talent of our incredible Year 12 students as they perform their HSC pieces. Enjoy wonderful performances by our bands and ensembles, and delight in the passion of our Junior musicians.

The following groups will be performing: All of Year 4, Year 5 Band, Junior Strings, Secondary Elective Music students and members of Co-Curricular ensembles.

Book your tickets now

Parent EQUIP Night - Social Media & Online Behaviour

Join us on 29 June for an empowering seminar on Social Media and Online Behaviour. This seminar gives parents a clear, research-based understanding of how porn and social media shape young people's brains, relationships, and sense of self. Parents learn the key risks of the online world and how to talk about them with confidence. Practical tools for prevention, early intervention, and family-school partnership equip parents to support healthier digital habits and guide their children toward safe, resilient online engagement.

Presenter Dr Rev Marshall Ballantine-Jones
With over 25 years of experience supporting children, youth, and families, Marshall is dedicated to empowering schools and communities with programs that tackle the challenges of online behaviour head-on.

Book Now

Have you applied for enrolment for your next child? Some parents who already have children in the school overlook formally contacting the school about younger siblings when they are approaching Prep or school age. If you have younger children eligible for Prep or Kindergarten for 2027 or beyond, please contact the Registrar, Wendy Boase, if you are unsure if we hold an application for them. This also applies for siblings for potential entry into other grades. Interviews for Prep and Kindergarten 2027 are well underway. Interviews for Year 7 2027 and 2028 are continuing.

SCHOOL TOURS

We encourage you to invite interested friends and family to a school tour. We regularly conduct group tours of the school. Tour dates are on our website. Bookings are essential.

ARE YOU MOVING?

If you expect that your child won’t be attending Covenant in 2027 (and we hope it’s not the case) please let us know as soon as possible. We would value the opportunity to discuss this with you before your decision is finalised. Please give Wendy Boase a call on 8459 4221. As a courtesy reminder, and to avoid fee charges, parents are required to provide at least one term’s notice in writing of termination of enrolment (and two terms for Year 6 leavers).

Thank you for your partnership!

CSSA U15s Mixed Volleyball

​Our volleyball team showed outstanding effort and determination in their recent competition, marking a special milestone as they represented the school in a mixed team for the very first time. Despite having only, a couple of training sessions together, the team quickly developed strong teamwork and communication on the court. Their hard work paid off, with the team achieving a few well-earned wins.

Just as impressive as their performance was the way they conducted themselves throughout the day. The team represented the school with great character, demonstrating excellent sportsmanship, encouragement of one another, and respect for officials and opposing teams.

It was fantastic to see their resilience, positive attitude, and willingness to learn and support one another. A big thank you as well to Coach Isaac for his guidance and support throughout the competition.

New Opportunity: Represent Covenant in Snow Australia Interschools Snowsports

We are excited to introduce a new opportunity for students with an interest in skiing or snowboarding to represent our school through the Snow Australia Interschools Snowsports Championships.

Interschools is a national program open to students from Kindergarten to Year 12, focusing on participation, enjoyment and school spirit across a range of snow sports disciplines.

Please note that while participation is school‑supported, Interschools is parent‑led and parent‑run on the day. Events are not school excursions; parents are responsible for supervision, transport and all on‑mountain care. Liability rests with families, not the school, Snow Australia Interschools or the ski resort.

This is a fantastic option for families already involved in snow sports who are looking for a structured, school‑endorsed way for students to get involved.

Further information and registration can be found on their website: New to Interschools 2026 - Snow Australia Interschools

Please be in touch with Secondary Sport if you are interested in registering your child.

Please reference the parent letter for more information.

School Photos

School Photos are coming up! Please keep these dates in your calendar for your children:

• Monday 18 May – Secondary School
• Tuesday 19 May – Junior School
  Class KSD, Class 1S, Year 2, Year 3, Class 4D, Class 4H, Year 5, Class 6H
• Wednesday 20 May – Junior School
  Class KD, 1AK, 4ED, 6YC
• Wednesday 27 May – Prep

For more information on how to order photos and more, please refer to letter that was sent home this week: Prep-Year-12-School-Photos-Ordering-Information-2026.pdf