Dear parents and carers
Navigating the ecosystem of education in Australia is very difficult, even for the education professionals. To some extent the confusions are a result of federalism. Just as when the six colonies (states) came together to form the nation of Australia in 1901, famously bringing with them their own incompatible railway gauges, so each state, and territory, had its own education system. The Australian Constitution gives authority over education to the states and territories. We therefore have eight systems (six states, the ACT and Northern Territory) with a Commonwealth Government overlay, despite the fact that the population of Australian is less than that of California, which is a single system. There is the additional complexity of acronyms and educational jargon, which can make the world of education seem impenetrable.
Attempts at National Consistency
In the days of the Gillard government, there was an attempt to unify all of this. The federal government decided on a national credential to replace all of the states’ credentials (HSC NSW, VCE or Victorian Certificate of Education etc) with each state running its own curriculum to the point of graduation. In these days of political polarisation, the following Coalition government reversed this and introduced an Australian (National) Curriculum which will then articulate to each state’s secondary exit credential. The national curriculum was largely welcomed by the smaller jurisdictions; NSW and Victoria said a national curriculum was fine so long as it was their curriculum! Accordingly, the Australian curriculum is interpreted in NSW through the HSC and down to Kindergarten level as set by NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority). This means a mostly symbiotic but sometimes vexed relationship between ACARA (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority), the national office of which is in Pitt Street Sydney and NESA, the state office of which is in Clarence Street Sydney. ACARA are responsible for the Australian curriculum and for Australia wide testing, for instance NAPLAN (National Assessment Program of Literacy and Numeracy). ACARA are a federal body reporting to the Federal Minister of Education and Training, currently Jason Clare, while NESA are a state body reporting to the State Minister of Education, Prue Carr. NESA are responsible for curriculum and assessment, including the HSC. They are responsible for the RoSA (Record of Secondary Achievement), which becomes important for any student who leaves school before the HSC. NESA’s jurisdiction for these areas is over government, non-government and independent schools, including Christian schools. Some will know NESA through its former names The Board of Secondary Studies, Board of Studies (BOS) and The Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES).
School Sectors and Governance
Government schools are line managed through the Department of Education. Independent Schools mostly group together under the banner on ISNSW (Independent Schools NSW, formerly known as The Association of Independent Schools or AISNSW). Here the accountability lines are different; it is individual schools which have commissioned ISNSW, drawing on its aggregated services for advice and expertise through its central array of 140 specialist staff.
To complicate the situation further, within the independent sector there are further aggregations of schools. One is Christian Education National (CEN), the cluster of which Covenant Christian Schools is a member. It is typified by strong partnership with parents in the collaborative venture of education of children.
The Federal Department of Education and Training owns and runs no schools. However, it uses the power of the purse to drive its agenda, for instance some will recall when Brendan Nelson was Minister of Education, schools had to display a poster of Australian values, featuring the Gallipoli hero Simpson with his donkey, in order to receive funding.
From HSC to ATAR
At the end of Year 12 in NSW, students’ HSC marks from the state authority NESA are then scaled by the federal authority UAC (Universities Admission Centre) to an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Assessment Rank). The rank looks like a mark as it is expressed out of 100 but it is actually a place in the state. Different education jurisdictions have different ways of calculating ATARs. UAC, which is a state level organisation, is part of ACTAC (Australian Council of Tertiary Admission Centres).
Making Sense of It All
Federalism! Acronyms! The specialist jargon of educators! What if parents find this hard to fathom? Ask the school leaders for help, and trust that the school has an appropriate grasp of all of this.
The above is a quick introduction to the multiple systems under which education operates in Australia. Scaling of HSC marks to ATAR’s and the funding of schools are associated controversial areas which themselves need unpacking.
Regards
Dr John Collier
Interim Principal
Future Problem Solving
We currently have a group of students with Mrs Drain, Extension and Enrichment Coordinator, in the USA competing with schools from all over the globe on future problem solving. The report from the competition is that in one category our Year 7 students have come second in the world! Congratulations to all!
Read more about our FPS students Starting School on the International Stage
CSSA State Netball Champions
Congratulations to our Open Girls Netball team, who were crowned CSSA State Netball Champions. They went undefeated, playing 8 games and demonstrating exceptional teamwork, sportsmanship and unity throughout. It was wonderful to see the team taking time to pray before their matches.
Thank you to Meagan Mottram for her invaluable coaching support leading into the day and for guiding the Opens team to victory.
We also thank Mrs Streeter for her ongoing service and commitment to scoring over many years - this was her final one. It was an encouragement to have so many parents there, enthusiastically supporting, cheering and encouraging our students, creating a positive atmosphere.
We’re proud of our Year 12 students, who finished their final CSSA netball gala day in outstanding fashion.
Our 15&U team were brilliant - They performed strongly, finishing 3rd in their pool and improving with each game across a demanding 7-match day, just missing out on a spot in the semi-finals.
Thank you to Coach Grace for her leadership and to Mrs McDonald for her constant encouragement and support throughout the day.
Bursary Appeal Update
There are some in our Covenant community who are really struggling to maintain their children at Covenant due to financial stresses they are experiencing. At Covenant we believe deeply in the transformative value of Christian education in our school. There are perhaps some in our school community, who could give more than required to pay the fees of their own children. Where some may be able to do that, it would constitute an act of love which would have deep significance for parents who are struggling. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Currently we have raised $30k to this end. Our target by the end of term, which is in two weeks, is $80k. If you are able to assist, please make confidential contact with the school or donate via the link below.
It is a blessing to pray together as a school community! Our Prayer Group warmly invites you to join them in prayer every Thursday during term time, from 9.00-9.30am in Cafe Covie.
Each week in the Covie Weekly, our Prayer Group provides a passage of Scripture for us to meditate on and some prayer suggestions for the week ahead. These can all be found here.
Sunday 21 June | Year 10 Japan Mission trip training
Monday 22 June | Infants Morning Lines Rumpus Room
Monday 22 June - Friday 26 June, 8.00-11.00am | Cafe Covie open for parents
Tuesday 23 June | Year 8 & 10 Subject Selection Info Evening
Thursday 25 June, 9.15am-10.30am | School Tour
Thursday 25 June | Passion Project Showcase
Sunday 28 June | Yarrabah Mission Trip - Pray for Staff and Students!
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.
We are holding a Subject Selection Evening for parents and students in Year 8 and Year 10. This a great opportunity to speak to staff about subject choices for Year 9 and 10 (current Year 8 students and parents), and Year 11 and 12 (current Year 10 students and parents). This information evening will be held in K Block Performing Arts Space (PAS) and the School Hall.
Please refer to the Letter sent earlier this week
We look forward to seeing you there!
Junior School presents 'Bittersweet', a musical based on the Old Testament story of Naomi and Ruth, and Boaz, Ruth's 'kinsman-redeemer', who points us to our ultimate Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus!
Directed by the multi-talented Mrs Rachel Young, produced by organisational mastermind Mrs Heidi Stead, musically directed by the genius of Mrs Jacqui Alldis, and choreographed by the energentically effervescent Mrs Hayley Jacobs, 'Bittersweet' is a must-see for all the family.
Tickets will go on sale at the start of Term 3!
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Yesterday 13 boys ran, tackled and kicked their way to a well deserved 3rd place result. They narrowly missed out on the final after a tense penalty shootout that went all the way to the 8th kicker but bounced back to win 4-1 and earn 3rd place overall. There was great sportsmanship throughout the day, and every player really worked hard to help the team.
Bentley Van Der Merwe competed in the CIS Primary Golf Championship held at the Hunter Valley Golf Club. He had a great day out on the course playing 18 holes against a strong field of young golfers, and was expected to play and score independently.
Bentley had a number of highlight moments during the round, with one being on the 8th hole (a particularly long par 3) where he drove the ball from the tee box onto the green within 2m of the pin. The birdie putt just lipped out.
He finished the day in 22nd position with a score of 93. Whilst he was a little disappointed in his score on the day he is to be commended on his character. He showed maturity beyond his years, was friendly, honest and mentally steady under pressure. Well done, Bentley!
Congratulations to Rose Hastie for placing 2nd in Australia My Country Writing Competition!
This annual competition encourages students in Years 3–6 to explore and appreciate Australia’s rich history, heritage and military service through creative writing, poetry and visual arts. We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, creativity and thoughtful work demonstrated by Rose!
After 17 years at the helm of the Creative Arts, Mrs Nicole Conway will be stepping away from her role as Head of Faculty at the end of 2026 into a part-time role at Covenant. We thank her for her invaluable contribution to Creative Arts and our school over this time. We are thrilled she will remain at Covie on a part-time basis.
Mrs Kath Berry has been impressively juggling multiple hats over the past few years - Distance Education, Languages, the Science Faculty and School Administration. At the end of the year, Mrs Berry has decided to step away from her role as Head of Science to enable her to focus primarily on the very large task of School Administration at Covie. We thank her for the fine work she has done with the Science Faculty.
Do you know someone who would be fabulous as Head of Creative Arts or Head of Science?
Please pass on this exciting opportunity for them to be part of our wonderful Covenant team!
