Covie NewsIssue 4

Last weekend the Year 9 Yarrabah Mission Team met to do training for their upcoming trip. The training was focused on preparing for the kids games program that we are running. Students were in teams of drama, games and small groups. It was such a delight to see the students stepping up into these roles.

These students clearly love Jesus and want an opportunity to share that, so it’s a real privilege to watch on as they take this journey. Perhaps the highlight was seeing them develop as a team, to start working together, to start trusting each other and opening up to one another. Praise God for the way he is working in the lives of each of these students. And please continue to pray for us as we prepare and for the people of Yarrabah as we look to partner with them in this ministry to their children.

- Tim Smithies, Deputy Principal and Yarrabah Mission Trip Organiser

In Year 6, students have the special opportunity to use the Secondary Science labs to learn about Science!

In Term 1, our young professors have been exploring a Geology unit on Natural Disasters. Students have been learning about Plate Tectonics and discovering Alfred Wegener, continental drift and the plate movements of convergence, divergence and transformation. To see these in action, each professor donned their lab coats and used a chocolate Mars Bar to see these processes in actions. Unsurprisingly, many students chose to consume their Mars Bar at the end of their experiments.

- Mr Stanwell, Year 7 Coordinator and Year 6 Science teacher

This week, our Year 12 Biology students had the opportunity to learn about the remarkable design of God's creation during an incursion focused on DNA.

Students participated in hands-on activities that allowed them to explore the intricacies of DNA, understand the significance of genetic profiling, and witness firsthand how genetic engineering can transform living organisms.

This experience not only deepened their understanding of molecular biology but also sparked curiosity about the future of genetic research and biotechnology. We are thrilled to see our students grow in their knowledge and faith as they explore the wonders of God's creation.

- Mrs Stephanie Williams, Year 12 Biology teacher

Congratulations to the following students on being selected as members of the Student Leadership Council. We pray this opportunity will be one of growth and learning as you use your gifts for God's glory.

God has designed us all uniquely! Year 10 have been learning about Genetics in Science and today the students created vegetable people to demonstrate genetic makeup! What a great way to learn!

Covenant belongs to a wider association of Christian schools called Christian Education National (CEN). CEN schools are unified around the common goal of authentic, Bible-based, Christ-centred education! This week we hosted 'Equipped To Lead', a CEN Principal's training program. It was wonderful to welcome the next generation of leaders to our school and to have our Principal, Melissa Brown, as well as Board Chair, Bel Ritchie and Business Manager, Andrew Lowry present a number of sessions during this course. Please pray for this group of leaders to be resourced for the next step in their executive journey.

Dan Apin, Director of Wellbeing and Service Learning, introduces us to the Micah Project at Covenant.

"New data from eSafety shows a staggering 450 per cent rise in cyberbullying reports over the past five years, with children transitioning to secondary school accounting for more than a third of all cases." - Cyberbullying and the back-to-school surge: How can we protect our kids

The eSafety Commissioner provides incredibly helpful tools, including webinars and resources, to help parents navigate this complex digital space.

Webinars for parents/carers

• Supporting healthy tech use as your child transitions into high school | 30 mins | 25 February
• Algorithms and adolescents: the rewards and risks of recommender systems for young people | 30 mins | 19 March

What is happening? On Friday 7 March, Transport for NSW and CDC will be visiting Covenant in the afternoon to carry out a count of school students using bus services.

Why? Many schools have low compliance when it comes to using their School Opal card, making it very difficult to determine how many students are actually using the bus. This is designed to supplement their current data and provide insights so they can better plan their services.

Important reminders for your children:

• always tap on and off when using your School Opal card
• follow the Opal terms of use and only use your School Opal card to travel to and from school
• always follow the Student Code of Conduct when you’re on the bus
• Be polite and courteous to the Bus Driver and follow their reasonable instructions

Special offer for lost/stolen Opal cards: Between 24 February and 11 April, you can order a replacement for your child's lost/stolen Opal card and the usual $10 fee will be waived. This offer is only applicable for eligible school students. Fee waived for one card per child only. Visit transportnsw.info to replace a lost or stolen Opal card.

It can be hard to stay on top of all the information. Below is some information from the past few weeks that you might need a reminder of.

Premier's Reading Challenge (Kindy to Year 9)

What? An initiative of the NSW State government which aims to encourage in students a love of reading for leisure and pleasure, and to enable students to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. Students who complete the Challenge for 4 years will receive a Gold Award. Students who have participated for 7 years receive a Platinum Award. Students who have participated for 9 years receive a medal. Students who complete the Challenge each year from Years 3 to 9 inclusive receive a PRC medal.

When? It runs from 1 March to 15 August 2025, however students can keep a record of books they are reading now to include in their 2025 reading records when the online reading records open. All reading records need to be into Mrs. Watson by 15 August for validation.

Who? The Challenge is divided into 4 groups. Kindergarten-Year 2, Year 3-4, Year 5-6 and Year 7-9.

What does your child need to do? Students who wish to participate must write their name and class on a list found in the Junior School Library (K-6) or the Learning Hub (7-9) by 26 February 2025. The school will then register the students in the Challenge if they haven’t already registered online.

If your child is new to Covenant and has competed in the PRC at your previous school, write your previous school and date of birth next to your name when you register. This information can be used by the PRC administrators to link your records.

Visit www.schools.nsw.edu.au/premiersreadingchallenge for more information.

Need to complete some PIP hours?

Wondering what PIP is? The Parent Involvement Program (PIP) gives our parents the opportunity to enjoy a hands-on role in the education of their children and an opportunity to engage with other members of our community. You can learn more here.

Current opportunities:

• Our Learning Support team needs parents to assist students with reading or writing during tests/exams. If you are interested, please contact Learning Support Coordinator, Sally Rofe, via email - srofe@covenant.nsw.edu.au.
• The Term 1 Working Bee is coming up on Saturday 5 April. If you are interested, please RSVP here.