Covie NewsIssue 8

On Monday, 110 students took part in the Northern Zone CSSA Athletics Carnival. The morning was crisp with temperatures starting at a chilly 6 degrees before warming up slowly to a wonderful 17 degrees. With little to no wind it was the perfect setting for every event. Despite the chilly start, it turned out to be a perfect winter's day and a fabulous setting to some excellent performances by many of our students.

There were some standout performances from Meredith L (Year 8), breaking the record for the Girls 13 Years 800m and 1500m! She was named Age Champion for the 13 Years girls, and Jeremiah M (Year 7) was the Age Champion for the Multiclass Boys. Our 12-14 Year Girls 4 x 100m relay came in first, as did our 12-14 Year Boys 4 x 100m relay.

Students and spectators alike enjoyed the day immensely. Congratulations to the following 41 students who placed in the top 3 while reaching the qualifying requirements for their events. They will heading to the CSSA Secondary State Athletics Carnival on 28 August.

Jacob A, Annelyn B, Oliver B, Mackenzie C, Andrew D, Matthew D, Marco G, Sophie G, Amelie H, David H, Jessinta H, Kai H, Enoch K, Eve K, Harry K, Jasmine K, Meredith L, Jeremiah M, Maggie M, Mia M, Oskar M, Amy N, Ella N, Joshua N, Matthew N, Ryan N, Caitlin P, Jordan P, Charlie R, Luke R, Michael R, Adalia S, Joshua S, Lexi S, Luke S, Violet S, Isaac T, Susanna T, Annamie VH, Nellie WM, Thomas W.

Thank you to Mrs Cossart, Miss Hammond, Mr Chor, Mrs Conway, Mrs Freestone, and our wonderful parent helper, Mrs Moran. Thank you also to all the parents who travelled out to support our school team and cheer them along.

Congratulations to all our students who competed last Friday at the CIS Cross Country Championships. Well done to those achieved a personal best time or beat their CSSA time.

Congratulations to Owen K (Year 5) who came 3rd in 8-13 Years Boy Multiclass and has qualified for the NSWPSSA Cross Country Championships.
Congratulations also go to Matthew D (Year 8) who came 6th in 14 Year Boys, and Jeremiah M (Year 7) who came 2nd in Secondary Multiclass. Both boys have qualified for the NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships. #covieproud

The Yarrabah team enjoyed their final training session before heading up to Yarrabah in the last week of Term 2. The team have been planning their roles, growing in their understanding of God’s word and gaining an understanding of Aboriginal culture. The excitement is growing and we’re looking forward to serving in this way. Please pray that our students learn more about who God wants them to be and that they can be great ambassadors for him to the people of Yarrabah.

On Monday, Bentley VDM from Year 3, competed in the CIS Primary Golf Championships. He played 18 holes competing against 30 other junior golfers aged 8 to 13.

Bentley had a great day out on the course, making new friends and growing in his game. It was a big step for him, being the first time competing in a tournament where he was expected to manage the course and his game independently. No caddies allowed!

When asked about his highlights from the day, Bentley said, “almost sinking a chip out of a bunker on the 16th, and using the range finder by myself”. He drove the ball straight all day, and showed a level of maturity and competency on the course well beyond his years.

Well done Bentley!!

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 Tuesday our U15&U and Opens Girls netball teams competed in the CSSA State Netball Gala Day at Penrith. God blessed us with a beautiful sunny day and the girls competed with skill, speed, agility and integrity. It was encouraging to see our girls united in their desire to represent their school honourably and to the best of their ability.

The 15&U team had some impressive wins in the Round games but unfortunately were not successful in making it to the Quarter Finals. The students walked away from this event having further developed more skill and game tactics, and eager to come back next year.

Our Opens team were keen to defend their Finalist title from last year and went into this year’s Final undefeated. They played an amazing Finals game showing determination and endurance after a long day. It was a close game and unfortunately we lost by 1 goal in the last minute.

A special thanks to our coaches Meagan Mottram and Bella Dale and the parent support on the day.

It was wonderful to have so many members of our school community join us at our Association Information Evening on Wednesday. It was an opportunity to learn more about how our school is governed and how to be involved. If you would like to learn more about the Association, please get in touch with Anne Baker, the Association Coordinator.

Congratulations to the following students on being Age Champions:

8 years - Amelie R and Levi C

9 years - Elbie B and Sammy Apin

10 years - Zoe S and Jonathan M

11 years - Bonnie P and Mateo S

12 years - Eva M and Xavier CV

We are thrilled to be advised that Covenant has been selected as one of the top four performing schools in the Australia My Country competition, and will receive $500 for our Junior School Library. This year we had 40 students from Years 3 to 6 participate in the competition! Thank you to Forestville RSL sub-Branch, the sponsor of the Australia My Country competition.

Are there opportunities for students who are interested in pursuing elite levels in sport? We spoke to Lexi, Sarah and Caitlin about their experience of elite sport at Covenant.

We enjoyed an incredible Passion Project Showcase on Tuesday evening. Well done to our Year 8 students - we've loved seeing all your projects and how you are using the gifts and abilities God has given you.

Today our class held a bake sale to raise funds for the Yarrabah Mission Trip. The bake sale went astonishingly well! Students made and bought varieties of delicious treats. At first it was quite chaotic, but manageable. We only had one card reader which caused a few mishaps, but together we sorted it out. We had a few left-over deserts, but overall, the bake sale was very fun. We bonded together as a class and made today a success. Good luck to the Yarrabah Trip and the people going. Have fun. God bless.

- written by Sophia on behalf of Micah 8.4

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.

On the last day of Term 2, Friday 4 July, Junior School will be holding a Mufti Day with funds raised for Compassion Australia.

When choosing a theme, the Student Leadership Council surveyed their classes and came back with some interesting ideas for mufti dress themes. There was “Dress like your Pet”, “Dress like your Parents”, “Dress in your Pyjamas” etc, but in the end the group happily voted in “FREE CHOICE”.

This means that Prep and Years 1-6 will be free to come in their choice of outfit, excluding blow up costumes and mid-riff tops, and ensuring that shoulders are covered and closed-in shoes are worn. Please be aware that sport will be happening on this day, so runner type shoes are preferred.

We will no longer be asking students to bring gold coin donations, but moving to an electronic payment system via the following TryBooking link:

Click here for Mufti Day Donations (Compassion Australia)

It would be wonderful if donations to Compassion could be made here anytime from now until the Mufti Day, Friday 4 July. Note, there is a small percentage fee that will be added to the donation which will be seen at checkout.