Covie News - - Covenant Christian School

How reading can help us grow great thinkers!

The holidays are here! How can we encourage our children to keep thinking deeply over the break without creating complicated activities that feel like school or require lots of preparation? One simple and powerful way is to give them access to a great book and encourage them to spend time reading.

We all know reading is important at every stage of schooling, in fact, in every stage of life! It introduces us to new words that expand our vocabulary and improve our spelling, helps us understand story structures, and inspires us to generate fresh ideas.

I wonder though, if you also know of the many links between growing readers and growing thinkers.

Reading fosters empathy and perspective taking. As we step into someone else’s shoes and grapple with different points of view, we are learning to think like a global citizen, someone who can understand and respect experiences beyond their own. Reading ‘The One and Only Ivan’ for example helped me to better imagine what captivity would be like and gave me new insights into the different ways people and animals may view circuses and zoos.

Reading develops skills of reflection and analysis. When I read, I am reflecting on the choices that characters, and in fact authors have made. Would I have done things differently? What motivated that character? ‘Wonder’ by RJ Palacio is a great example. I know Mrs Pullman is motivated by trying to advocate for Auggie but I can see that her choices affect her daughter in so many ways. As a parent I can reflect on the difficulties of trying to be everything for your kids and feeling like you always come up short.

Reading improves focus and cognitive stamina. When I am immersed in a book that I cannot put down I am building up my attention span and working memory to keep all of the details in my mind. I remember reading Wuthering Heights for the first time and making a chart to keep track of the characters. The Hobbit is a great example of a book with such a deeply detailed world that it demanded my full attention to keep track of what was happening.

Reading connects knowledge across domains. Being a connection maker is such a helpful skill for deep thinking. The more connections we can make, the easier it is to see and analyse patterns, to build our understanding on something familiar. My daughter has been immersed in the Percy Jackson series over the last year, and it’s been fascinating to watch how the books sparked her curiosity about Greek mythology, history, and even geography. Because the stories mix ancient myths with contemporary settings, she’s been able to connect what she learns in school with what she reads for pleasure, deepening her understanding in both areas.

It is my hope that as your schedule frees up a little over the holidays, you and your family will be able to set aside some time for reading and continuing to grow as thinkers.

- Extension and Enrichment Coordinator, Mrs Amanda Drain

Meet our staff team

This week we have the pleasure of getting to know Mrs Smith just a little bit better.

What is your role at Covie?
I teach Extension and Enrichment, as well as English. I absolutely love it. It is the best!

What activity/hobby/thing are you really into as an adult that your childhood self would be embarrassed about?
Anything that slows me down - creating, reading, cooking. My ideal day includes all of these and plenty of sunshine. With each passing year, I become more and more grandma-like, and I'm into it.

Who has significantly impacted your spiritual life and why?
I’ve had the joy of growing up in a Christian family. My parents are in ministry and are passionate about seeing people in Western Australia come to know Jesus. They inspire me to put aside myself and live in service of God’s people.

Favourite 3 items of food?
My homemade gluten-free focaccia, Whittaker’s chocolate and juicy, ripe mangoes.

What fictitious world would you like to visit for a day?
Alice in Wonderland. I love the whimsy, colour, and curious unpredictability of it all. Everything is topsy-turvy and full of imagination. It would be such a delightfully strange place to explore for a day.

What’s your favorite way to have fun?
Aside from my grandma-style hobbies, I love spending time with my favourite people. I think board games are the best way to unwind and share a good laugh.

What have you been learning recently from God's word?
I’ve been reflecting on God’s incredible patience and praying that he would grow that same patience in me, making me more like Jesus. I was especially struck by 1 Timothy 1:15-16 this morning: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life."

Do you speak any other languages? Which one?
“Speak” might be a stretch, but I studied French at school. I’d love to get back into it. It would be... très bien!

Why did you decide to become a teacher?
Because I think learning is amazing and being around people is the best, so combining the two felt like a fabulous choice.

What's been happening?

So much happens every week at Covenant. Below are some things that have happened lately:

Year 9 Textiles - Plush Toy Project

Working Bee

NAIDOC Week

Year 7 History

Push-Up Challenge - Thank you from Lineline

Congratulations Sienna J, Year 4

Reflections from the International FPS team

Kindergarten celebrates 100 days of Kindy!

Year 9 Textiles - Plush Toy Project

In this project, Year 9 Textiles students designed and produced a unique plush toy with a special purpose - as a gift for a classmate. Students explored the design process from concept sketches to pattern making, fabric selection, and sewing techniques. Each toy was tailored by the students to suit the personality and interests of their recipient. The final products were thoughtful, fun, and full of character with a unique personal touch. Well done Year 9!

Working Bee

A huge thank you to all the parents and helpers who attended the Working Bee on Saturday!! It was another great reminder of the generosity of our parent community.

Our Year 12 students should be very happy with their cleaned common room, and after all the mulching we are now ready to do a large planting on the embankment near J Block.

A very big thank you to our incredible Maintenance team - we couldn't do it without you!

NAIDOC Week

This week our Junior School reflected and learnt about our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for NAIDOC Week. Students had the opportunity to:

Pray for our Year 11 team in Yarrabah
Learn about NAIDOC Week through literature in Library lessons
Explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in Art and Drama lessons
Engage in various games in the PE lessons.

What a wonderful week of learning! We're so thankful for the opportunity for our students to grow in their understanding and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people.

The NAIDOC snake was completed in 3 days by 12 classes from K to Year 5 using over 200 pieces.

Year 7 History

In their study of Ancient Civilisations, the Year 7s were allocated into groups that focused on Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt. Each week the groups are set a weekly challenge to make something creative from their study. This week’s challenge was a Cake Decorating Competition.

Students had so much fun creating an historical site out of chocolate and candy. Styled in a cooking show format, they had a set time to create and eat (and clean up) their creations! They had a blast!

Push-Up Challenge - Thank you from Lineline

Hi Covenant Christian School,

Thank you so much for your incredible support of Lifeline Northern Beaches during the Push-Up Challenge! We truly appreciate your involvement and the positive energy you brought to the cause.

You raised $654 and were in the top 5 of communities. What a great achievement.

We’d love to send your school a Certificate of Appreciation as a small token of our thanks.

We hope to have your support again in the future—it means a lot to us.

Warm regards,

Sophie Wenckowski
Fundraising Coordinator
Lifeline Northern Beaches

Congratulations Sienna J, Year 4

Congratulations to Sienna who was selected to be part of the CSSA Primary Girls Football team to attend the recent CIS trials. Sienna greatly benefited from the experience of playing with older girls from Years 5 and 6. Whilst she didn't make the CIS team, she is looking forward to trialing again next year.

Well done Sienna!!

Reflections from the International FPS team

Kindergarten celebrates 100 days of Kindy!

Helpful information for parents

Children's Anxiety Group Program - Term 3

Sport Jerseys

Covie Holiday Program

Term 3 Co-Curricular

Operation Christmas Child

Planning ahead for 2026

Children's Anxiety Group Program - Term 3

Sport Jerseys

We have had many sporting events over the last two terms and many sport jerseys/uniforms have been lent out for these events. Please check at home and return any items to the PE staffroom at the start of Term 3!

Covie Holiday Program

Term 3 Co-Curricular

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a project of Samaritan’s Purse. It partners with local churches in developing nations to reach out to children by providing gift-filled shoeboxes and bringing the good news of Jesus Christ. After receiving shoebox gifts, many children are also invited back to participate in The Greatest Journey – an evangelism and discipleship program.

Covenant Christian School has been involved in OCC for many years. Here’s how you can be involved:

1. Allow your child to get a shoebox from the Junior Library. K-2 students must have written permission from their parents. Students will record their name on the sign-up sheet in the library.

2. Decide the age and gender of the child who will be receiving the gift: 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14 years.

3. Fill each shoebox with simple new gifts. Include something from each of the 6 categories. You can add more from each category.

A ‘Wow’ item – stuffed animal, musical instrument, toy truck or car
Toy – ball, frisbee, slinky, yo-yo, small toy, skipping rope
School supplies and/or craft
Something to love
Clothing and accessories (new)
Personal care items (no soap) – brush, toothbrush, washcloth, water bottle

4. Pray for the child who will receive your shoebox gift. Include a personal note of encouragement and photo.

5. Suggested donation per box $12.50 (for postage).

6. Return shoebox to school by the end of Term 3. Mark your name off the sign-up sheet.

Any further questions - refer to the OCC website or contact Mrs Robyn Watson.

Planning ahead for 2026

Planning ahead for enrolment

Do you have a younger child? We know how easy it is to forget to put in a formal enrolment form when you've got a busy, young family. Now is the perfect time to get in touch and complete an application for Prep, Kindergarten or Junior School for the future years.

Year 7 applications for 2028 will be considered later this year. Please get in touch to confirm if we have your application. Applications can be submitted anytime via our school website.

Are you moving for 2026?

While we hope to see all our families stay at Covenant for 2026, we understand that changes can happen. If there’s a chance your child may not be continuing at Covenant in 2026, we’d really appreciate hearing from you now - even if your plans aren’t final yet. A quick chat gives us the opportunity to discuss your options, and it also helps us prepare for the year ahead. Some grades already have waiting lists, and early notice allows us to offer places to other families in good time.

If you'd like to talk it through, please call Wendy Boase on 8459 4221 or send an email to registrar@covenant.nsw.edu.au. Formal written notice is needed at least one term in advance (two terms for Year 6 leavers) to avoid cancellation fees.

Thanks so much for partnering with us - we’re so grateful for your continued support!

Wendy Boase
Registrar