Alumni NewsJune

When I look at school alumni pages, I see names, smiling faces, and high-ranking statistics. But that isn’t everyone’s high school experience.

My name is Zachary Zedack. I was part of Covenant’s graduating class of 2018, and like many students, my time at school was full of both highs and lows.

From Years 7 to 9, I was a model student. I consistently achieved strong results, participated in extracurricular activities, served on the Student Leadership Council, progressed through the Duke of Edinburgh program, and most importantly, I had never received a detention. I was supported by teachers who genuinely cared for me: Daniel Apin, my home class and devotions teacher of six years; Allison Vander Straaten, who pushed me to excel in Business Studies; and Kathy Freestone who encouraged me to finish my Gold Duke of Ed.

All these teachers had a continued vested interest in seeing my growth as a student, and growth as Christian, displaying the love of Christ through the ways they supported and taught me as my class attendance decreased, my mental health worsened and my grades dropped significantly after I entered Year 11.

Despite this support and a Christ-centered education, I had stopped following Jesus at the age of 15. For the next seven years, I rejected God completely.

Life After School: Searching for Purpose

After finishing school, my life lacked direction. I spent time drifting, getting by, but without purpose. I travelled overseas for a year, hoping to “find myself,” but nothing filled the gap. There was a deep emptiness I couldn’t explain, a God-shaped hole in my life.

By my third year of university, I had grown tired and disillusioned. Around that time, I met up with my closest friend from high school. His life stood in stark contrast to mine, he was fulfilled, grounded, and living with purpose. He had invited me back to church many times before, and each time my answer had been no.

Part of me believed Christianity wasn’t true. But more than that, I didn’t think I was “good enough” to step back into a church after everything. Even though I had been surrounded by the gospel for years, my heart had become hardened to it.

A Simple Invitation

Then, in July 2023, five years after graduating and seven years after rejecting God, I met that same friend for dinner in the city. By what seemed like complete coincidence, two other friends from high school were seated at the table next to us. We ended up spending the evening together, catching up after years apart.

At the end of the night, one of them asked me a simple question:
“What are you doing this Sunday?”

“Nothing,” I replied.

“Do you want to come to church?”

To my own surprise, I said yes.

But what made this invitation different from all the others before? This:

Of course my closest friend cared for me, and of course he would want to invite me into his world, but someone I hadn’t seen or spoken to in 5 years, now a stranger, cared enough about my salvation to extend an invitation to God’s house, something unexplainable was happening here.

In that moment, God was calling me back, and this time, it was apparently clear that I needed to listen.

A Radical Change

From that Sunday on, I experienced a radical change of heart and character. I heard God’s word and He changed me, saving me from a life enslaved to sin, and I was immediately filled with immense joy, knowing my purpose in life; to love my God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. And what I recognised in those old school friends was the same, reflected in his love for his neighbor.

Understanding Grace

As I read more, I came to understand the enormity of God’s love through the grace he showed us in His sacrificial death on the cross. None of us, whether that be a lifetime of following God or a lifetime of rejecting him is deserving of God’s salvation. We are all sinners and incapable of defeating sin on our own. It was through Jesus’ perfect life and the death on our behalf, that we rightfully deserved, that we can receive the gracious gift of salvation.

Looking back now, I can see that God had always been working in my life. Even in my rejection, even in my wandering, the seeds He planted during my time at Covenant were still there. He had a plan laid out for me which revealed itself in his timing. And his timing, those seeds grew into fruits.

A Message to Covie Teachers and Students

Staff Burnout Prevention Seminar

Covenant staff recently had the privilege of participating in a valuable burnout prevention seminar led by Christian Psychologist Vanessa de Sauty and Creative Director Catherine Bedford (Class of 2000). It was a joy to welcome them back as they generously gave their time and expertise to support our staff community. This professional learning opportunity was both insightful and practical, equipping staff with meaningful strategies and resources to support their wellbeing. We are grateful for opportunities like this that invest in the wellbeing of our staff, so they can continue to care for and serve our students well.

We launched our very first Parent Equip Night: Understanding Anxiety

It was a great evening hearing from pastor, author and Covenant parent Chris Cipollone, who shared a thoughtful theology of anxiety, followed by Vanessa de Sauty, a Christian practising psychologist and Covenant alumna, who offered practical strategies for supporting children — from everyday worries through to clinical anxiety across different developmental stages.

Parents also had the opportunity to ask questions of our presenters, alongside Mark Childs (Head of Wellbeing, Years 7–12) and Amy Thompson (Lead Counsellor).

We’re thankful for the depth of insight shared and look forward to continuing this series, equipping parents with practical, relevant support for parenting in the 21st century!

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

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

Please join Class of 96 on Saturday 14th November at Belrose Hotel from 5:30pm for drinks and dinner.

Partners are most welcome, but prefer if children stayed at home please.

Any questions, please message Sally, Liz, Emma H or Jodie.

If not on Facebook, please RSVP by emailing alumni@covenant.nsw.edu.au and we will get you in touch with Emma.

Are you in the following cohorts?

Class of 2025 → 1-year reunion

Class of 2021 → 5-year reunion

Class of 2016 → 10-year reunion

Class of 2011 → 15-year reunion

Class of 2006 → 20-year reunion

Class of 2001 → 25-year reunion

Class of 1996 → 30-year reunion

Class of 1991 → 35-year reunion

Class of 1986 → 40-year reunion

Class of 1981 → 45-year reunion

If you’re celebrating 5, 10, 20, or 30 years since graduating from Covenant, we’d love to help make it special! Whether you’re organising a catch-up, dinner, or something bigger, let us know your plans! We can help share details with your cohort and support
you in reconnecting.

Email: alumni@covenant.nsw.edu.au