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Kindergarten

2021

2018

Our Vision and Mission

Vision:

To faithfully serve in God’s plan to restore all things under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Mission:

To assist parents in the nurture of their children, by providing a Christ-centred, biblically grounded, culturally engaging and academically rigorous education to equip the children to live for God’s glory.

Our Logo

Our new logo was introduced in 2018. Even though our logo has changed, the most important elements remain the same:

The circle which reminds us of the everlasting God who we serve.

The cross which reminds us of Jesus, whose death on the cross brings us friendship with that everlasting God; and we know this through…

The book, which reminds us of the Bible and how we can know with great certainty God’s love and kindness to us, as God’s Spirit opens our hearts to the truth of his word.

Kindergarten Orientation Booklet 2021

Contents

Our Vision and Mission .................................. 2

Our Logo ......................................................... 2

Message from the Infants Coordinator .......... 4

Message from the Deputy Principal, Junior School ............................................................. 4

Important Dates and First Day Information ... 5

Commencement Dates ...................................... 5

Uniform Selling Days ......................................... 5

School Routine ............................................... 6

Junior School Daily Timetable ............................ 6

Equipment Required for School ......................... 6

Items That Cannot be Brought to School ........... 6

Late Arrival/Early Departure – Junior Students .. 7

Absence from School ......................................... 7

Assemblies ..................................................... 7

Parking at School ............................................ 7

Homework ...................................................... 8

Guiding Principle ............................................... 8

School Set Homework ....................................... 8

Alternative Homework ...................................... 8

Further Communication .................................... 8

Communication .............................................. 9

Important School Contacts - 2020 ..................... 9

Newsletter ........................................................ 9

School Website ................................................. 9

Edumate Parent Portal ...................................... 9

Information Nights / Events............................. 10

General Information ..................................... 10

After School Care .............................................11

Canteen ...........................................................11

Café Covie ........................................................11

Lost Property ...................................................11

Student Health & Safety ............................... 11

Nut Policy.........................................................11

Immunisation ...................................................11

What Happens When a Child Becomes Sick at School ..............................................................12

Head Lice .........................................................12

School Travel – Student Opal Card ............... 13

Parents in Partnership .................................. 14

PIP (Parent Involvement Program) ...................14

Volunteering Around the School ......................14

Covenant Parents Prayer Group .......................14

Covenant Christian School Association .............14

Policies .............................................................15

Is My Child Ready for School? ...................... 16

What Can You Do To Help? ..............................16

Speech .............................................................16

Listening ..........................................................17

English as a Second Language ...........................17

Activities Which Develop Hand Control and Coordination ....................................................17

How will your Child Learn to Read? ..................18

Writing .............................................................19

Covenant Christian School Map ................... 20


Message from the Infants Coordinator Covenant is more than a school. It is a community of believers who are seeking to work together, in a school environment to nurture, teach and encourage children in their understanding of God and the world which He has created for them to live in. So, on behalf of all the staff in Infants, I warmly welcome you into our community and hope that the years ahead will be filled with many blessings and joys for your family.

It is a true privilege to be involved in your child’s faith and school journey. Kindergarten is a big year for your child (and you). You will see enormous, exciting changes in your child and we are looking forward to walking this journey with you. In all the years of schooling ahead, I believe Kindergarten is the year of greatest growth. Apart from them going from non-reader to reader, non-writer to writer (that is an enormous change), they leave their pre-school days behind and take huge steps towards independence. You will be amazed.

I hope you find this Orientation Evening and the booklet helpful and informative. We have tried to cover everything regarding starting school but if there is something you still need to know, please feel free to ask. We want to make the next few months as easy as we can for parents as well as your children.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to work in partnership with you to encourage your child to love God and live for His glory.

Mrs Jenn Dykstra Infants Coordinator

Message from the Deputy Principal, Junior School When I first arrived at Covenant, I was taken by the warmth upon which I was welcomed by staff, parents and even students. It is my hope that you will feel similarly encouraged. So… welcome! It is a genuine pleasure to have you as part of our community. Please feel free to make yourself known, to become involved, to ask questions, to share of yourself and to enjoy watching your children, our children, emerge into maturity.

Throughout my journey at Covenant, I have been progressively exposed to, and taken by, the principles upon which this school was built. Let me delve a little into the history of the school to explain.

The founding parents of this school left us with a trust. They charged the staff and parents who have followed in their footsteps the following mission.

To assist parents in the nurture of their children, by providing a Christ-centred, biblically grounded, culturally engaging and academically rigorous education to equip the children to live for God’s glory.

There are three aspects that I admire about this statement. The first is ‘to assist parents’. How liberating it is to understand that parents and staff are assisting each other as partners. So when problems arise, and they will from time to time, we can approach each other and work together to come to a profitable solution.

The second aspect is the claim to provide a ‘Christ-centred and biblically grounded education.’ Wow, how challenging this is! We acknowledge that we are very much a work in progress as we allow God’s ways to mould all of practice, from the content we teach to our attitude on playground duty.

Finally, I love the direction this statement provides, ‘to equip them to live for God’s glory.’ How inspiring it is to be given the task of sending young people into the world, to be the salt and light that would make others thirst for Christ. What an inspiring, challenging and liberating task we have. Let’s enjoy it together.

Mr Wayne Morton Deputy Principal, Junior School


Important Dates and First Day Information Term Dates for 2020, 2021

2020 Monday 12 October 2020 to Thursday 3 December 2020 (8 weeks)

2021 Wednesday 27 January 2021 (P3, K, 7, 11 & 12) Thursday 28 January 2021 – all grades to Friday 1 April 20201 (10 weeks) Tuesday 20 April 2021 to Friday 25 June 2021 (10 weeks) Monday 19 July 2021 to Friday 17 September 2021 (9 weeks) Tuesday 5 October 2021 to Thursday 2 December 2021 (9 weeks)

Commencement Dates Wednesday 27 January – first day of school for Prep 3 day class, Kindergarten, Year 7, Year 11, Year 12. This will be the orientation day for Kindergarten and Year 7 students. We will contact families who have a child starting in other grades regarding the first day of school for them. Thursday 28 January – first day of school for all other grades – Year 1 to 6, Year 8 to 10. All students will be at school on this day. Monday 1 February – first day of school for Prep 2 day class.

Kindergarten children will attend for the first four weeks as follows: Week 1 – Wednesday 27/1/21, Thursday 28/1/21, Friday 29/1/21 Week 2 – 1-5/2/21 – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Week 3 – 8-12/2/21 – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Week 4 – 15-19/2/21 – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

From Week 5, 22 February 2021, the Kindergarten children will attend five days a week.

Kindergarten students – On the first day, please bring your child to the Kindergarten classroom. A class photo with children and parents will be taken before children move into their rooms for the day. Morning tea for parents of Kindergarten children will be held from 9am.

Uniform Selling Days

During school term, the Uniform Shop is open every Monday (2.15pm to 3.15pm) and Wednesday (8.00am to 9.30am). All families who have children commencing in 20212 can visit the uniform shop during normal uniform opening hours.

If you would like to visit the uniform shop on the following dates you must make an appointment at the school office.

These additional uniform shop times are for current and new students. All these times are available as booked times only. Please phone the school office to book your uniform shop time – 8459 4200. Wednesday 2 December 2020 – 8.00am-9.00am – open for current families to purchase uniforms – no appointment necessary. Wednesday 2 December 2020 – 9.00am-11.00am – new students only, by appointment only. Thursday 21 January 2021 – 9.00am-12.00pm, 1.00pm-4.00pm – by appointment only. Friday 22 January 2021 – 9.00am-12.00pm, 1.00pm-4.00pm – by appointment only. Monday 25 January 2021 – 9am to 12pm, 1pm-4pm – by appointment only.

Please phone the school office (8459 4200) to make your appointment.

All items of clothing including shoes should be clearly labelled.


School Routine Junior School Daily Timetable Junior School Mon/Wed/Thur Tue Friday

Classes 8.43 8.43 8.43

Recess 10.27 10.25 10.39

Classes 10.45 Assembly 10.43 - 11.05 10.57

Lunch 12.38 12.38 12.38

Classes 1.38 1.38 1.38

Finish 2.55 2.55 2.55

1. Please pack your child's lunch and recess separately. Please do not include glass containers or tins of fruit as they can be dangerous.

2. If your child is going to be, or has been absent from school, please send a note of explanation – either by email or a note to the teacher. This is required by law.

3. School commences at 8.43am and finishes at 2.55pm.

4. Supervision is provided in the playground from 8.10am. Children should not be at school before 8.10am.

Equipment Required for School Most of the equipment for children in Kindergarten to Year 6 is provided by the school. The following should be in your child’s school bag.

1. Library bag. This can be the Covenant (vinyl with zipper) library bag, which is available for purchase from the uniform shop, or any other bag such as a draw-string library bag (approximately 40cm x 30cm). Library lesson days only.

2. Box of tissues for the classroom (for the start of the year)

3. Raincoat

4. Jumper

5. Hat

6. Lunch and recess - Please remember that we ask students not to bring nut products to school.

7. Extra pair of underpants, socks and shorts for boys, and underpants and socks for girls.

Items That Cannot be Brought to School The following items are not allowed at school:

• Toy guns or any dangerous toys

• Bubble or chewing gum

• Anything of significant value

• Pocket knives

• Valuable or collectable items – eg cards

From time to time your child may bring special items to school for “news”. These can be left with the teacher for safekeeping.


Late Arrival/Early Departure – Junior Students Unless there are cases of unavoidable delay or illness, students are required to be at school in time for the start of the school day.

If a Junior School student arrives late to school, they should go directly to their class. A note from a parent or guardian is required if a student is late for reasons other than transport issues.

The students must have a note from a parent/guardian requesting permission to leave school at a certain time.

Absence from School A letter of explanation from a parent/guardian is required by the school on the day of return. This letter must contain full details of the absence and be signed by a parent or guardian. This advice may be sent via email or letter to the class teacher. A request for any special leave, such as travel for more than five days, should be completed using the Application for Extended Leave – Travel form and sent to the school for the Principal’s approval. This must be completed before the leave is taken. https://www.covenant.nsw.edu.au/community/information-forms

Quicklinks / Forms & Information / Absent Notes

Assemblies Kindergarten to Year 2 Assembly Held most Fridays in the Performing Arts Space (PAS) K Block commencing at 8.55am.

Kindergarten to Year 6 Assembly Held most Mondays after lunch at 1:38pm in the Performing Arts Space, K Block.

General Assembly – Kindergarten to Year 12 Held in the Hall approximately two times a term on Tuesday commencing at 10.45am. Kindergarten usually begin attending General Assembly in Term 2.

Parents are most welcome to attend assemblies, especially if your child is involved in an item.

Parking at School Students can be dropped off at school at the turning circle at the end of Dell Street. Please be aware of buses travelling down Dell Street into the school through the main gates. Please do not park in the turning area, simply kiss and drop.

Parents should be aware that police do check for unsafe behaviour of vehicles around schools. Please help us keep our children safe by being cautious and vigilant whilst dropping off and picking up children at school.

Bundaleer Street A reminder for parents who park near the corner of Bundaleer Street and Linden Avenue to be extra vigilant as it is a dangerous corner, especially in the afternoon when the sun is low and right at eye line.

Drive extra cautiously as most children around this corner are under eight years old with limited road sense. Thanks for being extra cautious in this area in order to keep our children safe.

Please observe the 'No Parking' areas. These are in place for a reason and you can be booked if you disobey the sign.

Please ensure your own children are close by and always in eye sight (better still arms reach). Please do not instruct others people’s children when it is safe to cross. Each parent needs to be responsible for their own children. Sometimes trying to help another parent may not be as helpful as you think. Look out for each other’s safety, but please don’t cross other people’s children without permission of the parent.

https://www.covenant.nsw.edu.au/community/information-forms


Develop a 'getting out of the car routine' with your kids. One effective way is once the child is out of the car they have to stand with their hand on the car until mum/dad has everyone out of the car and is ready to cross. You of course know your kids and what works best for them; this is something that worked well for me.

Don’t pull in to the driveways to do a u-turn. The space is too tight and too packed with children to be reversing.

Homework Guiding Principle At Covenant, we believe that parents should have control over what happens in the home. Recent research suggests that homework in the junior years may not have a significant effect on achievement and, given that homework can sometimes have an undesirable impact on family life, we want parents to have more freedom with what happens in the name of homework. Yet, we will still be setting structured homework that the teachers will be attending to. Parents may feel the school set homework is just what their child requires. On the other hand, parents may feel that alternative homework, say… gardening or learning Spanish, is a better option. Fantastic! In Kindergarten to Year 4, the choice belongs to the parent.

School Set Homework In Kindergarten, the routine consists of children taking a reader and a list of basic sight words home in order to develop their reading skills. Generally, this commences during Term 2, or whenever the teacher believes each child knows sufficient sounds and words to make sense of the printed text without experiencing frustration. It is meant to be an enjoyable activity that parents and children share, as it is important to foster a positive attitude to reading in these early years.

Alternative Homework Staff have compiled a booklet containing a number of suggestions that parents may wish to peruse should they desire to head down the alternative homework route. We have found from experience that school set homework, especially in Kindergarten, is an exceptionally valuable means for establishing solid reading foundations.

Further Communication Homework guidelines are outlined at the beginning of each year by the classroom teacher at the Parent Information Evening. The school’s Homework Policy is available on our website.


Communication Important School Contacts - 2021 Principal ................................................................................................................................ Mrs Melissa Brown

Deputy Principal (Secondary School) .......................................................................................... Mr Tim Hewitt

Deputy Principal (Junior School) ........................................................................................... Mr Wayne Morton

Director of ICT ................................................................................................................................ Mr David Youl

Business Manager .................................................................................................................. Mr Andrew Lowry

Registrar ................................................................................................................................. Mrs Wendy Boase

Infants Coordinator (Prep to Year 2) ...................................................................................... Mrs Jenn Dykstra

Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) Coordinator .......................................................................................... Mrs Cate Holman

Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6) Coordinator ......................................................................................... Mr Mark Eatough

School Counsellor ................................................ Mrs Amy Thompson, Mrs Deb Redwood, Mr Richard Grey

School Nurse ............................................................................................... Mrs Kym Bridges, Mrs Sally Antcliff

Newsletter The school newsletter is emailed to every parent each fortnight on Wednesday morning. This contains information about things that have happened, as well as up-coming events and administrative matters.

The newsletter is an important part of the school communication with parents. The newsletter is available on the school website, under News & Events, for several weeks.

The school also uses emails, SMS, and Facebook to communicate.

School Website The school website is an important communication tool within the Covenant community as well as a window on Covenant to a wider audience. You are invited to regularly visit the website www.covenant.nsw.edu.au for upcoming events, news, photos and sporting events.

Edumate Parent Portal The portal has a range of useful information for parents regarding the progress, behaviour and attendance of their child at school. Edumate is also where all important medical and carer information is stored.

All parents are provided with login details for Edumate and it is essential that every parent logs in to the portal at the start of each year and whenever details change to ensure all contact and emergency information about your child is accurate and up-to-date.

http://www.covenant.nsw.edu.au/


Information Nights / Events Preschool and Kindergarten Information Evening For parents with children entering Preschool or Kindergarten, an information evening is held during November to familiarise them with school procedures.

Junior School "Meet the Teacher Evening" This evening is held early in the year. This is an opportunity to get to know your child/ren’s teachers, find out about classroom organisation, meet the specialist teachers in the Junior School and enjoy supper and fellowship. All parents are welcome. Please note that this is not the time to discuss your child’s progress with his/her teacher, however, you may make appointments to discuss their progress at greater length.

Parent / Teacher Interviews - Junior School Parent / Teacher interviews will be held at the end of Term 1. This is an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with the class teacher.

School Reports Junior School reports are issued at the end of Term 2 and Term 4.


General Information After School Care

After School Care is provided by Extend. See hours and costing at https://www.extend.com.au/school/covenant-christian-school/.

Based on current demand, at this stage, no before school care will be operating in 2020. Extend would be more than happy to talk to any family or families interested in a BEFORE school service.

Canteen

Covenant offers a canteen facility which operates Monday to Friday. Junior school students can only order their lunch.

Covenant Christian School has teamed up with MunchMonitor to offer an easy to use online ordering system for parents and students. Simply set up an account, submit your orders online and the canteen will deliver your child’s lunches to the classroom.

Parent help is always required in the canteen and if you would like to be involved in the school in this way please let the School Office know that you are interested in helping in the canteen.

Café Covie

Café Covie is open every day from 8.30am to 11.00am for parents, staff and Year 11 & 12 students. The café is in the foyer next to the Performing Arts Space – K Block.

Cafe Covie is a popular gathering spot for parents and staff. Come and catch up with friends or meet some new ones.

For group bookings contact Suzanne Bennett on [email protected]

Lost Property If you have lost books or clothing, check in the lost property bin at the designated place. If it is a wallet, bus pass or other valuable item, check at the School Office. If you have any item stolen, report this immediately to your child’s teacher. Please label all items of clothing, library bag, school lunch boxes and drink bottles.

Student Health & Safety Nut Policy Covenant Christian School is a nut aware school. Many students are allergic to substances such as peanuts, dairy products, eggs, bee stings etc. Some may have such a strong reaction that it causes anaphylactic shock. Peanuts in particular have been known to cause such reactions. Covenant is committed to keeping the school as safe as possible for all students. To this end we are asking all parents of Junior School students not to provide or serve food containing nut or nut products (as opposed to nut traces) for school meals, refreshments or parties. Students will be reminded not to share their lunch and to wash their hands before eating.

Immunisation Prior to your child commencing school you need to provide the school with an Immunisation History Statement which is available from Medicare.

All children enrolling in school require an Immunisation History Statement regardless of whether or not they are fully immunised. Immunisation is not compulsory and if you choose not to immunise your child you must still provide the school with an Immunisation Certificate or Immunisation History Statement stating that the child is not immunised. In the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease at the school unimmunised children will be required to remain at home for the duration of the outbreak, as directed by the local Public Health Unit.

https://www.extend.com.au/school/covenant-christian-school/

mailto:[email protected]


It is probable that at some time during your child's school career he/she will contract one of the common diseases listed below. Please observe the following school regulations:

Measles Keep the child at home for at least four days after the rash appears.

Mumps Keep child at home for nine days after the onset of swelling.

German Measles Keep the child at home for at least four days after the rash appears.

Chicken Pox Keep the child at home for five days after the rash first appears and until the blisters have all scabbed over.

Impetigo Keep child at home until treatment starts. Sores should be covered with a watertight dressing.

Lice in hair Keep child at home until hair is free of lice eggs and/or nits and an application of either natural or commercially prepared treatment has been applied.

Whooping Cough Keep the child at home for five days after the first five days of a special antibiotic have been taken.

If your child is going to be, or has been, absent from school please send a note of explanation.

What Happens When a Child Becomes Sick at School If children feel ill or are hurt they usually tell their classroom teacher. Minor abrasions, etc. can be dealt with by the teachers, who have bandaids in the classroom. Children are sent to the School Office if they have more serious abrasions, cuts or illnesses. The School Nurse or staff responsible for attending to children in Sick Bay have first aid certificates.

Children may be treated in Sick Bay and sent back to class or allowed to rest for a short period. If necessary, you, or your nominated emergency contact, will be asked to collect your child.

In the case of a serious accident or illness the School Office will call an ambulance and contact you, or your nominated emergency contact, immediately afterwards.

If your child has been treated in Sick Bay and we are concerned or feel further medical attention may be necessary, we will contact you by phone.

Medication for headaches, eg Panadol, will only be given to your child if you have given permission on the Student Record Form which is sent home at the beginning of each year.

If any medications from home are to be administered to your child, the Medication Alert Form must be completed and returned to the School Office. Medication is to be in its original container that is clearly labelled with:

• child’s full name and class

• name of medication

• dosage and time to be given

• prescribing Doctor

Medications will be administered by the school nurse if necessary. Please send the medication with the appropriate instructions to the Sick Bay along with a note for the classroom teacher. The teacher will then be able to send your child to the Sick Bay at the correct time.

Children are not to visit Sick Bay unless sent by a teacher.

Head Lice Head lice are a common problem in all schools. They are highly contagious and, therefore, if your child is infected, they will be removed from class and you will be asked to collect them as soon as possible. Students cannot return to school until all lice eggs have been removed. A standard letter will be sent to the rest of the class notifying that a case of head lice has been found. All parents are asked to check their child’s hair. Special treatment shampoos are readily available at any Chemist and a Head Lice Management Sheet is available from the office.


School Travel – Student Opal Card Applications for 2021 school travel are now open via www.transportnsw.info/school-students

Students applying for a Student Opal Card will receive their card (posted to the nominated address) a week or two before the commencement of 2021 classes. New cards for 2021 are not posted in 2020 or during the Christmas / New Year period.

School Opal cards are for travel to and from school on school days only. School Opal cards do not include travel to school excursions, after-school care, sport and other activities away from school.

The School Opal Card will be deactivated for use on weekends and school holidays.

Students will be required to Tap on and Off when travelling during school hours and the data captured by this action will be analysed in due course for any ineligible travel and appropriate action will be taken.

To be eligible for the Scheme an applicant must be an Australian permanent resident or citizen and residing in NSW and 4 years and 6 months of age or older.

Students need to live a minimum distance from their school to be eligible for a School Opal card, as follows:

• Years K-2 (Infants) – There’s no minimum distance. • Years 3-6 (Primary) – 1.6km straight line distance or 2.3km walking or further. • Years 7-12 (Secondary) – 2.0km straight line distance or 2.9km walking or further.

When a student leaves Covenant the parent/student is responsible for letting Transport NSW know of any changes i.e. change of school, change of address and then the details on the Opal are changed by Transport NSW electronically.

Temporary Residents – eligibility for free travel

There are many students in NSW schools who are from other countries and are on a range of temporary visas. Most children who are in Australia on a Temporary Visa are not eligible for free travel to school. These children can still use the school bus but will need to use a Child Opal Card which is paid for by the parents.

Students who are eligible for a free government education are also eligible for subsidised transport if they meet the general eligibility requirements. Those students who are not eligible for a free government education are not eligible for subsidised transport.

http://www.transportnsw.info/school-students


Parents in Partnership PIP (Parent Involvement Program) The Parent Involvement Program serves many purposes. The invaluable contribution made by parents helps the school to maintain its high standards and provides opportunities for the school community – staff, parents, students and friends – to interact. Most importantly, it gives you the opportunity to enjoy a hands-on role in the education of your children.

Each family with students in Kindergarten to Year 12 is asked to contribute 24 hours per year to the life of the school as part of PIP. PIP hours can be completed by either parent. PIP hours that are completed accumulate throughout the year, to a maximum of 24 hours per family per year, but cannot be carried over to the next calendar year. You may choose to complete your hours at any time throughout the year. Only submit one form per year per family. Additional hours of involvement in the school are always welcome but won’t contribute to any further credit.

When you have completed your PIP for the year, please submit the PIP Declaration of Hours form to the School Office. When this form is received, a credit of $180 for each 6 hours of PIP will be applied to your fee account up to a maximum of $720 for 24 hours for the year (for 2020). We are happy to receive your form at any time during the year when you have completed your PIP hours. This form will be available on the school website or from the School Office. If you know that you have PIP hours to claim and submit later in the year, please feel free to pay your term school fees less the PIP claim still to be credited to your account.

These hours can be accumulated in a variety of ways, e.g. assisting with reading groups, library, canteen, sport carnivals, camps. The school newsletter will advertise opportunities to complete your PIP hours. Class teachers and some faculties may contact you directly when specific assistance is required, e.g. excursions, transport, camps, but it is up to you to organise your PIP hours. The responsibility for the completion of these hours and the claiming of fee reduction rests with you.

Volunteering Around the School

Thank you in advance for the contribution that you will make to the school and community. We pray that your involvement will be a blessing to you and those with whom you come in contact.

Please note that most volunteers in the school will be required to complete a Working With Children Check. Each year we require you to sign the school’s Volunteer Code of Conduct form.

Covenant Parents Prayer Group Parents gather every Thursday morning from 8:45am to pray. They praise God for the many blessings and provisions He has given us.

They pray for the staff, parents, students and siblings – that they would be a Christ-centred people. They pray for the school community, issues and events and that Christ’s love would be evident to all.

They pray for wisdom, discernment and leadership for our school Board. They pray for the continued growth and development of our school and the impact Covenant has in the local community.

You are invited to join and pray with them any Thursday.

Covenant Christian School Association

Covenant Christian School is a Christian parent-controlled school, governed by an association of Christian parents committed to maintaining and promoting the vision and mission of the school.

Association members provide support through prayer, have a say about the direction of the school and elect Board members.

A strong association of confessing Christian members ensures biblical principles are maintained throughout all areas of the school. The Board’s role is to act as an interface between the staff who make


the day to day operational decisions, and the Association parents, who set the direction and policies of the school.

The mission is to assist parents to fulfil the mandate to educate, challenge and nurture their children to be disciples of Jesus Christ. An active, strong association means a healthy school, where parents can assist the school to “train our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) and to equip them to live for God’s glory.

The Covenant Christian School Constitution includes our Educational Creed. The Educational Creed articulates our common faith as it applies to the educational task. This is supported by the Covenant Creed to Curriculum document which sets out how what we believe impacts on every aspect of the school.

The school's Summary Statement of Belief sets out the theological basis of the school.

These documents can all be found on our school website.

https://www.covenant.nsw.edu.au/about/governance/the-school-association

Policies Some school policies can be found on the school website including the following: Anti-Discrimination Policy Covenant Christian School Summary Statement of Belief Discipline Policy Grievance Policy Homework Policy Parent Communication Policy Privacy Policy Student Attendance Policy Student Code of Conduct Student Welfare – Anti Harassment Policy Uniform Policy Volunteer Helpers Code of Conduct WHS Policy http://www.covenant.nsw.edu.au/about/policies

https://digistorm-websites.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/ccs-au-nsw-331-website/documents/Information-Forms/Association/Schedule2oftheConstitution-EducationalCreed-May2017-2.pdf?mtime=20190510142720

https://digistorm-websites.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/ccs-au-nsw-331-website/documents/Employment/CreedandCurriculum2-03-18-1.pdf?mtime=20190506124100

https://digistorm-websites.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/ccs-au-nsw-331-website/documents/Summary-Statement-of-Belief-v-1-1_logo-updated.pdf?mtime=20190626125013

https://www.covenant.nsw.edu.au/about/governance/the-school-association


Is My Child Ready for School? Does your child:

1. clearly articulate their name, address and phone number?

2. know how to wash their hands, use the toilet unassisted and remember to flush the toilet without assistance?

3. tie their own shoe laces?

4. take off and put on outer clothing without assistance?

5. use a handkerchief independently?

6. look after and put away toys and books after using them?

7. understand the way in which they are to travel home?

8. listen carefully when spoken to and carry out simple directions?

9. separate from mum or dad quite happily?

Your child should be able to do most of these things, or be working towards achieving them.

What Can You Do To Help? 1. Talk to your child about starting school, making new friends and learning new skills. 2. Encourage your child to dress and undress independently at home. Buy clothes that are easy to

manage, eg with large buttons, zips or velcro. 3. Label your child’s outer clothing, eg school jumper/jacket, hat and raincoat, that are worn during

school hours. 4. Give your child opportunities to stay with friends or relatives for a short space of time before they

start school. This will help equip your child for spending time at school away from mum and dad. 5. Give your child little duties to perform at home encouraging them to complete the task before

moving to another one. It is often easier to carry out the task yourself, but it is vital training for your child to develop independence and self-reliance

6. Select good stories to read to your child, encouraging them to listen and answer simple questions related to the text.

7. Control the amount of television that is viewed, selecting programs carefully and encouraging them to understand detail.

8. Encourage your child in creative activities using scissors, pencils, paint brushes, glue, play dough.

Speech Your child has learnt, and will continue to learn, many words, phrases, grammatical forms and clear speech from copying family members. You can help your child develop smooth, confident and clear speech in many ways:

1. Talk to your child not only when they want something or when you are reprimanding them, but talk on family outings, walks, etc. Seek to further develop your child’s vocabulary.

2. Encourage accurate speech; discourage baby talk.

3. Teach words that distinguish between colours, shapes, sizes and numbers, encouraging your child to compare.

4. When counting encourage your child to count objects or actions that they can see. (How many trees are in the yard? Let's count your toys.)

5. If your child is interested in words in story books, get them to look at the first letter of the word. The alphabet names and the sounds they make will be learnt in conjunction at school.


Listening Your child will adjust smoothly to school life if they have well-developed listening skills. Children need not only to hear and understand instructions, but they need to have the concentration span to carry out the specific instructions.

The following suggestions may help: 1. Make sure your child listens to directions and completes the task required. Start with one simple

activity and slowly increase the number of instructions to add complexity to the task. 2. Encourage participation in family devotions. 3. Listen to your child. Be a model of an attentive listener. Acknowledge that you have heard your

child.

English as a Second Language You may not speak English as the first language in your home. This is a gift for your child as they will grow up speaking more than one language. It is very important to note that if your child has been speaking another language before school they will most likely be thinking in, and therefore used to learning new concepts in this language. It is vital that they continue to speak this language at home. This actually helps, not hinders, their learning. It is good to ask them about their experiences in both their home language and in English. It is not necessary to start speaking English in the home because your child is starting school. Your child will receive extra support learning English when they start school if it is not their first language.

Activities Which Develop Hand Control and Coordination • Cutting out and pasting (magazine pictures and shapes)

• Colouring in

• Drawing with crayons

• Playdough, plasticine • Jig-saw puzzles, threading beads

• Throwing and catching a ball, roll a ball, bounce a ball

• Balancing - on a log or beam above the ground

• Skipping, jumping with both feet together


How will your Child Learn to Read? In order to be an effective reader your child will need to develop a wide variety of skills, including:

• a knowledge of the sounds of each letter in the alphabet

• blending these sounds to make words

• an ever increasing knowledge of sight words that can be recognised quickly (words that are difficult to sound out)

• a good understanding of the flow of language. This develops as your child joins in conversations and has frequent opportunities to listen to stories being read aloud.

• an understanding of the conventions of print. Reading from left to right, top to bottom, front to back.

• a desire to read and make sense of print • a developing ability to write the sounds and words they know.

Teaching a child to read targets the development of all these skills. We teach phonics as well as sight-words and children participate in a wide variety of reading and writing activities aimed at developing their literacy skills. Some of these activities are:

• big book, shared reading experiences with group activities • ability level reading groups based on a progressive reading scheme • modelled reading • phonic and blending activities • sight word introductions, games and sentence making • story writing • writing experiences in thematic units • reading and sound games


Writing If your child is keen to learn to write words, please assist them by teaching the correct script from the beginning. When teaching your child to write their name please put a capital at the beginning only, eg David.


Covenant Christian School Map

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