Covie NewsIssue 5

We are #covieproud of swimming superstar Caitlin P! Last Friday at the NSW All Schools Swimming and Diving Championships, Caitlin came 1st in Girls 15y 50m Backstroke, 2nd in the Girls 15y 100m Backstroke and 2nd in the Girls 15-16y 200m Backstroke! What unbelievable results!!! Congratulations Caitlin - we are thrilled for you!

Year 12 PDHPE had a fantastic day experiencing content studied in Factors Affecting Performance and Improving Performance at PhysxRehab Cromer. Students actively engaged, enjoyed the activities and came away with a deeper understanding of the content. Thank you for having Covenant, PhysxRehab!

Our debating team of Jonathon L, Macsen VG, Shawn Y and Dylan Q, recently took part in their third debate of the HICES Debating Competition, and I’m delighted to report that they were awarded the win. The team argued in favour of the topic: “That there should be a mandatory class at school on how to identify household rubbish that can be recycled.” The team was particularly grateful to Shawn Y who stepped into the 3rd speaker role without notice when another member was taken ill on the day.

Our students formulated a robust model of how and why recycling tuition should occur at school. They articulated their concerns about the complexities of recycling (especially in relation to e-waste and batteries) and the negative implications for truckloads of recyclable waste when recycling rules are not known or followed by the local community.

In addition, the team provided convincing rebuttals (which were commended by the Adjudicator) against the negative team’s alternative model expecting families to provide this education arguing that this was demonstrably not effective.

The team appreciated the Adjudicator’s feedback encouraging them to carefully identify all the stakeholders in a solution proposed by a debate topic. They realised how considering the implications of a proposal upon each member of a community would enhance the development of their arguments. They also reflected on the important of using high modality language when debating. For example, “would categorically deliver a significant improvement for this critical problem” is more convincing than “might manage to yield an improvement to this troublesome issue”.

We can’t wait to hear if two wins under their belt will allow the team to progress to the next “Round of 32”. Congratulations to the entire team on a fantastic effort!

- Mrs Fiona Newcombe, Debating Coach

As part of their Micah Challenge, Year 8 students worked with Year 2 students on craft/engineering projects. Year 8 were given a week or so to plan their activity. They needed to consider:

• Would it be suitable for Year 2 students?
• How do you prepare an instruction sheet that Year 2 can understand?
• Time management: Can this project be completed in 20 minutes?
• How do we engage with younger students for their good?
• What materials will I need?
• Should I do a 'trial run'?

Year 8 did a fabulous job preparing for their time with Year 2. Both old and young alike seemed to enjoy their time engaged in craft and engineering projects. We hope to be back sometime soon!

Four members of our school’s Model UN team recently took part in a round of the Evatt Competition. They participated as delegates for two countries (United States and Slovenia) in the current UN Security Council seeking to pass resolutions sanctioning recruitment of child soldiers, mandatory conscription into the military and overfishing in nation states.

Our students represented Covenant with excellence. The Slovenian delegates valiantly attempted to enlist the support of the Chinese delegation to support the passage of the overfishing resolution and the US delegates used their veto powers to influence the failure of the conscription resolution.

Delegates from both teams were recognised to address the Security Council several times during the session and also engaged in vigorous diplomacy during unmoderated caucuses and inside the Negotiation Chamber to convince other delegates to join them in their positions on the resolutions.

It was also an opportunity for these senior students to spend time in the learning environment of the University of Technology Sydney to better appreciate its urban atmosphere and solutions-focused ethos.

Team members were given positive and helpful feedback from the judges at the end of the session. We are waiting to hear if any of our teams will be progressing to subsequent rounds of the competition. Congratulations to the delegates on an outstanding performance at their first Evatt Competition.

- Mrs Newcombe, Model UN coach

We are looking forward to offering students the opportunity to participate in other UN Youth activities in the future. Junior students should keep an eye out for information about an upcoming public speaking competition.

Please email Alison Vander Straaten or Fiona Newcombe if you would like to be advised about any upcoming UN Youth events.

Praise God for 47 wonderful years of Covenant Christian School! Every year we've been blessed to see countless students learn, grow and flourish in an environment grounded in biblical foundations.

As we celebrate another year, we reflect on God's faithfulness and the incredible journey we've shared with families. We look forward to many more years of partnering with families to nurture their children, helping them live for God's glory, and equipping them with the wisdom to shine his love in the world.

Congratulations to our Bill Turner Cup team who, after three incredible winning rounds, bowed in Round 4 on Wednesday. Bill Turner Cup is a school soccer competition for students 15 years and under in a knock-out format. Our Covie team showed such teamwork, tenacity and sportsmanship until the very end. Well done boys - we are #covierproud!

Research Science has never been so interesting.

Year 11 Biology has undertaken two days of research at Fairlight Beach this term, learning ecology research skills and researching their own research question.

The learning began on a dreary, damp Friday with the help of the Narrabeen Coastal Education Centre - learning to identify species and their features as well as research techniques such as the use of quadrats, transects and other measuring equipment.

Back at school, groups then developed an inquiry question about something that interested them at the rock platform and prepared for some in-depth research.

Our data collecting day came with blue skies and crisp breezes - what a blessing! Three hours of placing equipment, measuring, counting, collating and teamwork produced pages of data and weary bodies.

Everyone came home with wet shoes, dry bodies and a wealth of data to analyse and report on for their assessment.

This is the best part of my job: seeing students finding patterns and purpose in God's creation, seeking knowledge, persevering, encouraging each other and enjoying the journey.

Thanks to Mrs Williams, Mr Rodd and Mr Cho for accompanying these two learning experiences.

- Mrs Spannenberg, Biology teacher

Help us help them!

Here are some tragic statistics:

• 23% of homeless people are aged between 12 and 14 years old.
• In Sydney, there are 346 people sleeping "rough" and 380 people in occupied hostel beds.

Our Secondary students are participating in a Wellbeing Drive to bring in pantry items to deliver to LocalKind, Manly. This NGO serves the vulnerable and at-risk people, including the homeless community, on the Northern Beaches. Until the end of term, students are being asked to bring in particular items to their Home Class and there will be a pizza party for the Home Class which brings in the most items. The items are:

• Cup/Instant noodles
• Canned goods (e.g. tuna, spaghetti, baked beans)
• Long life milk
• Cereal
• Biscuits
• Other non-perishable items
  

On Thursday, Jacinta competed at the CIS Primary Girls Netball Selection Championship as part of the CSSA Primary Girls Netball team. She had a fabulous day with her team, securing second place overall. They enjoyed fast-paced matches, teamwork, and the fun of playing netball at a high level. It was a fantastic experience that showcased their passion for the sport! Amazing work Jacinta!!

• Thursday 5 June
• The carnival will commence at 10.30am on Wakehurst Oval.
• All students will need to be dressed in their sports shorts with a t-shirt matching their sport House colour.
• Parents are invited to come and cheer as spectators, or volunteer to assist at the carnival (towards PIP hours). Email Mrs Stuckings if you would like to help.
• For more information, find the letter titled 'Infants Athletics Carnival' on the Covie App > More > Links > Letters to parents > Junior School.

Parents are warmly invited to join us each fortnight on a Friday at our Infants and Primary assemblies in the PAS.

• Infants Assembly (Kindergarten to Year 2) is from 10.00-10.30am on Friday 6 June and Friday 20 June.
• Primary Assembly (Years 3 to 6) is from 1.40-2.15pm on Friday 6 June and Friday 20 June.

• Wednesday 11 June
• 9.00am-2.00pm at Grass Oval Track, Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen
• Parents are responsible for arranging the transportation of their children. There is a bus leaving Covenant and returning to Covenant for the afternoon at a cost of $8 each way. You will need to make a booking by midnight Wednesday 4 June. Make your bus booking here.
• Parents are invited to come and cheer as spectators, or volunteer to assist at the carnival (towards PIP hours). Sign up to help by Monday 2 June.
• For more information, find the letter titled 'Years 2-6 Athletics Carnival 2025' on the Covie App > More > Links > Letters to parents > Junior School.

• Thursday 26 June
• 6.00-7.00pm in the Performing Arts Space (PAS).
• Enjoy wonderful performances by our Year 10 Dance Elective class and Eisteddfod Troupes.
• Bookings can be made here - https://www.covenant.nsw.edu.au/events/evening-of-dance-2025

This is not a school event, but you might be interested in supporting this important cause.

For students who were absent for school photos, here are the details for catch up day:

• Monday 2 June
• 8.00-8.30am in T5 (located next to the Uniform Shop)
• This is for both individual and sibling photos.
• No bookings are required.