Have you ever stopped to consider the powerful role you play in shaping the vibrant, Christ-centred community we cherish at Covenant? Simply by showing up—cheering on your child, sharing a coffee, joining in prayer, or lending a hand in the classroom—you’re helping build something truly special.
In this edition of "Covie Big Picture", we explore the lasting impact of investing in the Covie community. From fond memories of our alumni - thanks Mrs Stead, to community events, and even to advice from some of our legendary grandparents, we hope this edition spurs you on to take the next step in investing in community here at Covenant!
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 newsletter, 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.
Did you know that our Head of Junior School, Mrs Heidi Stead, was once a student here at Covenant. She shares her firsthand experience of what our Covie community was like then, and what has changed.
Mrs Stead, far left in the front row
Joyful Beginnings in '79
What fond memories I have of my early years at Covenant. I began in Term 2 1979, just before turning five. It was a wonderful place, so different to the school where I had completed Term 1. As a Kindy child, I was educated by the wonderful Miss Goodwin in a room at St Paul's Anglican Terrey Hills that catered for the whole Junior School group. The Secondary Schoolers were at the (current) Belrose site in a cottage. I had friends of all ages, and I loved it.
Soon after, we moved to the current site in Belrose. Everyone knew each other. The parents were constantly onsite – going through sight words and reading with us. Volunteering in any way that they could.
Community in Action
There were regular weekend events, lots of working bees which were so fun as the kids had free reign over the grounds – whilst doing cleaning jobs here and there and devouring sausage sandwiches! There were also regular fetes to raise money, but these also served to build community. Every parent owned a Covenant t-shirt with the huge logo across the front. The people were committed to getting our school off the ground and propelling it into the future. The parents had vision and were connected through their love for Jesus and their responsibility to raise students in Christ.
I loved the birthday celebrations where the original 1978ers got to cut the cake in the Colosseum. Each year the gathering got bigger and bigger. We loved being part of this community. We would sing and thank God for another year.
Buildings happened – parents came every weekend to do their bit. Parents joined the Board and were employed as teachers (my dad was on the Board and my Mum was a much-loved Maths teacher).
As I grew older, I loved the band program, performing in the “Sing me a Rainbow” TV choir, and Mr Salier’s senior musicals (which were awesome). He was the best Year 6 teacher in the world.
Returning to Covenant
Since I returned to Covenant as a teacher in 2014, I have been so encouraged by the sense of community that has continued to be our distinctive. The Infants playground at drop off time is full of parents desiring to connect and support each other as they strive to parent biblically - they love with the love of Christ! The Class Parent gatherings are such a joy, and the events such as the gala days, musicals and assemblies demonstrate a real sense of community. People pray together, support each and bring newcomers into our community.
I am so thrilled with the Class Parents who work so diligently and gracefully to bring their class communities together. It's great to see people jumping on board for coffee mornings and dinners.
Get Involved - You Belong Here
I would urge everyone, whether your children are in Junior or Secondary School, to connect, chat, have a coffee in the café, join a soccer team formed by one of the school parents, visit assembly, volunteer at canteen, Cafe Covie or the upcoming Working Bee, come to Prayer Group. We are blessed by the God-centred community and celebrations here at Covenant.
We are all in this together – and just look at how far God has enabled us to come!
Tips from Covie Grandparents: Ways to intentionally invest
We had the chance to ask some grandparents at Grand Day Out on how they invest well into their grandchildren!
We look forward to how God will use each of you as you serve Him and the Covenant community. Hear from our Principal, Melissa Brown, as she chats with our new captains about what they’re most looking forward to in their leadership journey at Covenant.
Learning Hub Update
Business Manager, Andrew Lowry, gives us a tour of the exciting progress of the Learning Hub!
Come and work with us!
We are looking for a talented HR Officer who will provide comprehensive administrative support to the Human Resources function of the school, ensuring the smooth running of the HR process and Safety and Compliance with relevant policies and legislation.
If that sounds like you or someone you know, please visit our Careers Portal for more information.
Monday 1 - Friday 5 September,8.00-11.00am | Cafe Covie open for parents
Monday 1 September, 8.43-8.50am | Infants Morning Lines in the Rumpus Room or Handball Courts
Thursday 4 September,8.45-9.15am | Coffee with the Principal
Thursday 4 September, 9.00-9.30am | Prayer Group
Friday 5 September, 7.15-8.30am | Dads & Donuts
Don't Miss Out
Dads & Donuts
We look forward to having dads and their children join us onsite and celebrate the wonderful dads and father figures in our community.
7.15-8.30am, 5 September
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Term 3 Working Bee
A working bee is a wonderful community event where parents and volunteers come together to help maintain and improve the school grounds and facilities.
NSW Health will offer vaccinations (diphtheria / tetanus / pertussis (dTpa) / Human Papillomavirus vaccine (HPV)) to all Year 7 students (and Year 8 students if not already vaccinated in Year 7) on Tuesday 9 September.
Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received. Consent given previously remain valid. If you no longer want your child vaccinated, you need to withdraw consent before the day of the school clinic. You can withdraw consent online, notifying the school or contacting the Public Health Unit on (02) 9485 6971.
How to provide consent:
Access the link to the NSW School Vaccination Portal - https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage - and follow the steps to log in to your existing ServiceNSW Account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver’s licence. If you don’t have a ServiceNSW account, refer to ServiceNSW to create one.
Update or confirm your personal details in ServiceNSW as required.
Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child/ren. You will need to: a. Enter your child’s personal details b. Provide the Medicare card details for you and your child c. Read the linked Parent Information Sheet and privacy statement. Translations available in 28 languages d. Provide consent. (For detailed steps on how to provide consent please refer to guide on how to provide consent online on the NSW Health webpage.)
You will receive an SMS and email when you have successfully submitted the online consent form.
Vaccines
This dTpa vaccine is the booster dose against whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus and diphtheria. This adolescent dTpa dose is recommended at age 11-13 years old and is still advised even if they have had whooping cough. Only 1 dose of HPV vaccine is required.
No Medicare? If you or your child do not have a Medicare card or you don’t have IT access, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper-based consent form directly from your child’s school.
Student absent from school on vaccination day
If your child is absent from school and misses the clinic we can vaccinate them at school next year, or the vaccine is available at your GP and some pharmacies. For more information on routine school vaccinations, visit http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination.
If you have difficulty completing the online vaccination consent form, please email nslhd-phuschoolvaccinationprogram@health.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 9485 6971 for assistance.
Community Notices
Notices from local sporting clubs and organisations can be found here - Community Notices.
