Dear Parents and Carers,

On first glance the subject of this newsletter looks ridiculous. Everyone knows that education is for learning. But learning what, and for what purpose? These aspects have been very controversial for decades.

To government, education is about producing effective cogs for the economy, in order to be internationally competitive and raise our standards of living, so that a grateful populace will continue to vote for them. That is why education sits within the Productivity Commission. Governments that judge outcomes from the very partial lens of Australia’s performance in national and international tests (NAPLAN – National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy; PISA – Programme for International Student Assessment; and TIMSS – Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) see education as a mechanical process which anyone could manage, whereas teaching is an art, a craft and a science which requires extensive training and expertise. Principals regard governments’ thinking as hopelessly reductionist and missing the point that education is about developing young people. There are other lines of fissure: should education be about transmission of values and culture, which induct young people into society; should it be about social engineering to enhance the life prospects of the disadvantaged; should it be about identity politics; should it be about skills instead of knowledge (since knowledge is at the fingertips of anyone scrolling); should it be about vocational education where young people are prepared for a job or should it be about a liberal humanitarian education which helps young be people be good human beings? Should schools be tasked with solving society’s problems? Is their role just to subdue the young and keep them off the streets?

The Debate Over Teaching Methods

The education wars are not just about the content of teaching but also about the mode. Should education be child-centred, where the teacher, instead of being the “sage on the stage” becomes “the guide on the side?” Another way of putting this is to what extent should schools engage with discovery learning, a mode favoured by progressives, or in what is now called Direct Instruction, where the teacher is the central source of knowledge? Societal and bureaucratic pressures on teachers have seen the wheel turn to the latter in recent times, particularly as politicians seek better test results.

The Reading Wars: Phonics vs Whole Language

Another long running feud has been between the exponents of teaching reading through phonics, that is, a deliberate unpacking of a language and its forms, or through whole language learning, where it is assumed that embedding young people in literature will allow them to simply pick up the forms and conventions of language. While the latter was in the ascendency in the 1970’s and ‘80’s, if I, as an English teacher, taught spelling and grammar, I would be disciplined. The outcome has been a generation of people who don’t have the technical skills to decode language. This ‘war’ has in recent years been won decisively by the proponents of phonics, which suits the political call to get back to basics.

A Christian Vision for Education

What should a Christian school make of all of this? Our stance is that education should be Christ-centred, that is, the essential and fundamental purpose of education is to draw students to Jesus. That does not eclipse other goals but rather acts as the linchpin. A Christian school regards knowledge as important as it actually believes that truth exists. It will wish to prepare young people for all of life, that includes the world of work, and hence the acquisition of skills will be important. In terms of methods of teaching, in the hands of an experienced and a capable teacher, there is a place for direct instruction and place for group work and what we now called Project Based Learning (PBL). We want students to become critical and creative thinkers, which is not achieved by “spoon-feeding” alone. We need to develop in them media literacy so that they can discern truth from sensationalism without substance.

Ultimately, in a Christian school, education is about formation, or, better still, transformation. In this respect the recent emphasis on character formation is both welcome and, in our case, consistent with a Christian purpose. This provides a telos, that is a noble meaning to the enterprise of education. In our particular governance, it implies partnership with parents in the wholistic development of their children.

A Biblical Lens on Learning

What then should we study? Schools as we know them did not exist in biblical times. There are however hints that we may apply, such as Paul’s prescription in Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. In fact, Christian education should be transformative, involving head, heart and hands (Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.).

Schools, amongst them Christian schools, will continue to be buffeted by regular adjustments of policy from education bureaucracies subject to political pressures. We need to appraise these developments through our Christian lens as we hold onto our fundamentals as a Christian school.

National Reconciliation Week

Our community may be interested to attend a combined churches Northern Beaches National Reconciliation Week Service, which will feature local Aboriginal Elders. The service will be conducted on Wednesday 27 May at 7.00pm in the Warriewood Community Centre in the North Hall.

Regards

Dr John Collier

Interim Principal

Sunday 31 May, 10.00-4.00pm | Northern Beaches Schools Expo (Dee Why RSL) - Invite your friends to find out more about Covenant!

Monday 1 June, 8.43-8.50am | Infants Morning Lines in the Rumpus Room

Monday 1 June - Friday 5 June, 8.00-11.00am | Cafe Covie open for parents

Monday 1 June, 8.00-8.30am | School Photo Catch up (see more information at the end of the newsletter)

Tuesday 2 June | Junior School Athletics Carnival

Thursday 4 June | Evening of Music

Friday 5 June, 9.15am-10.30am | Junior School & Secondary School Tour

Don't Miss Out

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

Messages of thankfulness from parents and students about Covenant...

Meet our Future Problem Solving team, representing Covenant and Australia at the Future Problem Solving International Conference in America!

Our students will be challenged to apply their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to a topic they have been studying for called Forestry! Students will address how we might protect our vital forests while sustaining forestry for building, medicine, and jobs in the future.

Our team has been preparing hard and are ready to showcase their skills on an international stage! Let's pray for them as they do their final preparations and for safety as they fly out next week!

The Push Up Challenge is coming!

View on Facebook and Instagram

Infants Sport Carnival

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Congratulations Caitlin Potter!

Congratulations to Caitlin Potter on her outstanding performance at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships on Friday, 22 May!

🥈 2nd – 100m Backstroke
🥈 2nd – 50m Backstroke
🥈 2nd – 50m Butterfly
🥉 3rd – 200m Backstroke

What an incredible achievement across multiple events! The Covenant community is so proud of your efforts Caitlin!

Happy Birthday Dr Collier

It was a joy to celebrate Dr Collier on his birthday with Junior School, Secondary School and staff! We thank him for his leadership and wisdom throughout this year and are deeply grateful for the way he leads our school community!

School Photo Catch Up

School photo catch up is on Monday, 1 June. It is for those students who were absent for the photos. Individual and Sibling photos will be taken at the catch up. No bookings required (students turn up).

Location: Room T5 (room located next to the Uniform Shop)

Time: 8.00-8.30am

For orders received after Monday 1 June a late fee of $10.00 will be charged.

To place an order, click on this link. Enter shoot code 1486.