Covie WeeklyWeek 2

Dear Parents and Carers

Some of you may have seen Covenant students presenting splendidly on the ABC News on Tuesday evening. This invitation came because Covenant Christian School was identified nationally as a school with very significantly improved NAPLAN results across the testing regime of Year 3, 5, 7 & 9. Our Director of Teaching and Learning, Mr Dan Apin, has provided the following report:

We are delighted to share that Covenant Christian School's 2026 NAPLAN results continue to demonstrate strong academic achievement and encouraging growth across the school. Across Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, our students consistently performed well above state averages in literacy and numeracy, with the vast majority of students achieving in the Strong or Exceeding proficiency bands. These results reflect the dedication of our students, the expertise of our teachers, and the strong partnership we share with our families.

Particularly pleasing was the improvement seen in several key areas from 2025 to 2026. Year 5 students recorded gains in Reading (90.2% to 96.2%), Writing (82.4% to 90.6%), Grammar and Punctuation (90.2% to 92.5%), and Spelling (82.4% to 86.8%). Year 9 students also showed notable growth in Reading, increasing from 90.3% to 94.6% of students achieving in the Strong or Exceeding bands. Across all year levels, Covenant's results remained substantially above state averages, with Year 9 Reading exceeding the state benchmark by more than 30 percentage points and Year 7 Numeracy exceeding the state average by almost 24 percentage points.

As we celebrate these strong results, we are profoundly grateful to God for the opportunity to nurture each student's unique gifts, helping them develop a love of learning and confidence in who God created them to be.

NAPLAN is the National Assessment Program of Literacy and Numeracy. It is conducted by ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority).

Arguing from a position of strength (fine NAPLAN results), I want to say that the media have over-egged NAPLAN. When introduced some 20 years ago, its intention was to replace the Basic Skills Test, to provide diagnostic advice to teachers on areas where their students and classroom teaching should focus. As the media receive limited educational statistics from our peak bodies, they have sought to use NAPLAN as a proxy for school quality.

Most media reporting is of the form of doomsday reporting of NAPLAN. This is certainly not justified in terms of Covenant students, who have done well. What we can conclude from the results of our students is that they are relatively strong in literacy and numeracy. This is immensely encouraging, as literacy and numeracy are the basic building blocks of education.

Single tests of the type of NAPLAN cannot carry this global weight. NAPLAN results are useful and significant but neither define a student nor a school. They are one indicator amidst a range of educational reporting, mostly at school level, made available in season to parents. Overall, we celebrate the progress of our Covenant students and thank teachers and parents for providing the input enabling these successes.

---------------------------------

Student Attendance

One of the critical ingredients of educational success for students is simply being here! The American Effective Schools research from the turn of the century, indicated time on task as a fundamental attribute for educational advancement. This requires students to be largely present at school. National targets for attendance are above 90%. Covenant is not currently meeting this lofty aim. Where individual student attendance falls below 85%, we have a real concern. This is by no means to suggest that students should come to school when they are sick. To do so would run the risk of infecting others. Rather, it is a request that students not miss school for fairly minor reasons. Indeed, in recent years, the NSW Government has strengthened its stance on student attendance, including lifting the minimum age students can leave the schooling system to 17 years of age (with limited exemptions). There is extensive research which indicates those who complete secondary education (with the HSC) have a considerably enhanced life opportunity including prospects of employment, income and lifestyle.

One area where NESA have been quite robust is with parents who wish to take children out of school during term in order to have a holiday. There is certainly flexibility here, particularly with the need to travel overseas to farewell grandparents who have reached the stage of palliative care. However, such flexibility is not intended for endeavours such as recreational holidays overseas. While of course the school cannot prohibit parents undertaking such recreational trips with their children during term time, we have strong instructions from NESA that these are to go into the record as unauthorised absences.

There is then a link between fine NAPLAN results and extensive attendance. The idea that work missed can be properly made up is somewhat fanciful, as students miss teacher explanation and co-work with peers. Furthermore, those who are chronically absent miss out on the development of critical skills which are the building blocks of further education. We should apply the metaphor of the apostle Paul “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize”. Philippians 3:13-14. For Paul, this was his spiritual journey. At Covenant, the spiritual journey of our students occurs in the context of Christian schooling, integrating faith and education.

There are two A’s in NAPLAN! Perhaps this provides a useful emphasis on A-ttendance!

Dr John Collier

Interim Principal

Saturday 8 August | Japan Training Event

Saturday 8 August - Friday 20 August | Students from Kaimei (Japan) visit Covenant

Monday 10 August | Infants Morning Lines Rumpus Room

Monday 10 August - Friday 14 August, 8.00-11.00am | Cafe Covie open for parents

Monday 10 August, 9.15am-10.30am | Whole School Tour

Monday 10 August | Primary Zone North Met Athletics Carnival

Wednesday 12 August | CSSA Primary Mixed State Oztag Gala Day

Wednesday 12 August | Year 7-10 Parent Teacher Interviews - Night 2

Thursday 13 August | Year 9 & 10 Gateway 8

Friday 14 August | Year 7 & 8 Gateway 8

Friday 14 August - Sunday 16 August | Year 11 Ski Trip

Don't Miss Out!

Year 6 Parents Q&A morning | 17 August

Calling all Year 6 Parents! Join us on Monday 17 August, from 8.45am–10am in the Performing Arts Space (PAS) to ask your questions about the transition to Year 7 and the Secondary Journey Ahead.

We will be joined by Sam Glassock, Head of Secondary, Tim Smithies, Deputy Principal, and Heidi Stead, Head of Junior School. This event will be filmed to provide access for parents who are unavailable on the morning, and all Year 6 parents are invited to ask their questions on the day or when you RSVP.

Please note: this does not replace the Year 7 2027 Parent and Student Orientation in Term 4, which will be held on Wednesday 14 October 2026, from 8.45am to 12.40pm.

RSVP and send your questions NOW

We look forward to seeing you there!

Parent EQUIP Night - Preserving the Faith of Young People

Join us on 20 August for our next Parent Equip Night: Preserving The Faith of Young People. International and Australian research indicates that 75% of students who graduate from school as Christian are no longer so at age 25. This is an alarming statistic which should greatly concern parents, pastors, teachers and students themselves. What are the causes of this attrition of faith and how can it be prevented?

PRESENTER | Dr John Collier
Dr John Collier has researched, published and spoken on this issue of young people departing from their faith after graduation for many years. Please join him for an evening of information and discussion as we explore ways to prevent this devastating statistic.

Book Now

Fusion HSC Major Works Showcase

You're invited to join us at Fusion on Monday 24 August 2026 - our annual showcase of HSC major works in TAS, Creative Arts and Extension subjects.

Book Now

Scholastic Book Fair | 26-27 August

The Scholastic Book Fair will be running on Wednesday 26 August and Thursday 27 August.

Opening Times

• Before school: 8:10am to 9:00am
• Lunch: 1:10pm to 1:40pm
• After school: 3:00pm to 3:30pm

Students in Years 2-6 are invited to enter a Poster Competition. Details will be provided during library lessons. There will also be fun lunchtime activities for the students in the Library!

We look forward to seeing you at the Book Fair!

Bittersweet Musical | 2-5 September

Save this link: Tickets go on sale TONIGHT at 6pm

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.

Dates & Times:

• Wednesday 2 Sept 5:30pm
• Thursday 3 Sept 11:00am
• Friday 4 Sept 5:30pm
• Saturday 5 Sept 5:30pm

Save this link: Tickets go on sale TONIGHT at 6pm

Dads & Donuts | 4 September

Join us for a special Father's Day celebration on Friday 4 September from 7.15am.

Dads and their children are invited to enjoy donuts and drinks, take part in some fun activities, hear a devotion, and connect with other fathers in our school community.

We'd love to see you there!

Book now

Praying for Year 12 - HSC Trials

View on Facebook and Instagram

NAIDOC Week Assembly

View on Facebook and Instagram

Congratulations to Lucia Appel

Representing NSW CIS at the NSWPSSA Primary Girls Netball Championships!

View on Facebook and Instagram

Congratulations to Caitlin Potter

Representing NSW as a member of the NSW All Schools Swim Team at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships!

View on Facebook and Instagram

Prep's Adventure to the Bush

View on Facebook and Instagram

Year 7 Vaccinations

Dear Parents of Year 7,

The scheduled vaccination day is coming up at the end of Term 3. Please read the attached letter from the Public Health Unit.

Reminder emails will be sent out closer to the time. In the meantime if you have any questions the School Nurses are happy to help you.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability

Our school is taking part in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).

The NCCD process is undertaken by all schools in Australia, and requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

The NCCD enables school, education authorities and governments to better understand the needs of students with disability and how they can best be supported at school.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any specific testing process. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. All information collected is de-identified.

If you’d like to learn more, please visit www.nccd.edu.au or contact the school.