Covie NewsIssue 5

If you take a peek into the Junior School Art Room you will see a fabulous rainbow portrait mural!

This term in Art, every class from Kindergarten to Year 5 is learning about the art of portrait making. Each student has made a mini self-portrait, their first portrait of the term.

Each year group has used a unique shade of the rainbow. Why? Apart from looking beautiful, it is a helpful teaching tool. For example, Kindy and Year 1 are learning about primary colours, so the rainbow is used to show colour blends.

The rainbow mural is also a visual representation of how many children use the Art Room, so for example, when I'm teaching about using tools wisely, I can point to the art installation on the wall to remind the children about how many students enjoy the wonderful Art Room and therefore how important it is to take care of the tools.

It also reminds us of God, the promise maker and promise keeper! "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come.: - Genesis 9:12

- Junior Art teacher, Marianne Morton

Congratulations to Charlie Heinrich, Class of 2024, who has been awarded a Highly Commended Theo Batten Youth Art Award for his Year 12 Visual Arts Major Work titled 'Childhood Memories'! This prize was awarded to Charlie on the opening night of the Out Front 2025 exhibition where his artwork had been selected for exhibition. This significant award also comes with a cash prize and is well deserved. We are thrilled for Charlie!

We also recognise the amazing work being done by our Secondary Visual Arts teachers, Cath Rose and Julia Wiltshire, who also attended the opening night of Out Front 2025 in support of Charlie.

Charlie's artwork will be on display at Out Front 2025 until 6 April 2025 at Manly Art Gallery and Museum.

Congratulations to Sarah-Claire O (Year 8), Sarah P (Year 10), Lexi S (Year 10) and Caitlin P (Year 9) who participated at the CSSA Netball Trials. This trial includes girls from across NSW Christian Schools and was a great day of competition and an opportunity to connect with girls from a range of schools.

Further congratulations to Sarah P and Lexi S who will compete for CSSA at the CIS Secondary Girls Netball Championships on the 15 May!

As part of Covenant’s service learning framework, our Year 8 students have begun engaging in some mini service projects at school. Our first mini project has focused on Clean Up Australia Day. Mr Barry Lowe, our Maintenance and Facility Coordinator, spoke to the students about the role of the Grounds team at Covenant, the importance of looking after our school environment and being good stewards of what God has given us. Mr Lowe drew on his experience and knowledge of stewardship. He shared the Broken Windows Theory (which is based on individuals taking ownership and responsibility for their neighbourhood) and spoke about how looking after our school neighbourhood can have a flow on effect that can cause positive change!

Students had a brief look into the background and rationale behind Clean Up Australia Day. During their allocated Micah Project time, they worked in teams to clean up areas of the school, first identifying areas of need, then keeping their eyes open to rubbish that they might not ordinarily ‘see’ (such as in garden beds). Post clean up, we reflected on the importance of taking responsibility for ourselves (and our rubbish) and then the influence we can have by going the ‘extra mile’ by picking up someone else’s rubbish – all to the glory of God. Oh, and we washed our hands afterwards (and wore gloves during clean up!).

- Year 8 Micah Project teacher, Dave Haes

As part of the Micah Project in Year 7, students are looking at different ways we can serve other people. So far students have sent letters or emails of encouragement to family members. Currently our students are involved in a 'secret angel' activity where each student 'secretly' looks out for their assigned student, prays for them and has the option of delivering them a secret card or gift to encourage them.

Some classes are also creating posters with a Bible verse and image to share at One Meal (a food service), and we hope to do some baking for them in future too. Students in Micah 3 are heading to Wesley Gardens next week to connect with the residents there, and our students in Micah 4 are assisting Year 3 with their reading - encouraging a love of reading, being read to or reading to the Year 3s. It is a very special, fun and engaging time for all involved.

- Year 7 Micah Teacher, Tim Stanwell