Enrolment FAQ

• Completed application for enrolment form - using the online application form.
• Australian birth certificate or overseas birth certificate. If not born in Australia, please also provide a copy of your child's passport and visa showing Australian residency status or Certificate of Australian Citizenship.
• Last two school reports and NAPLAN results, if applicable.
• Reports from specialists and additional medical history, if applicable.

Children enrolling at school for the first time will be five years of age on or before 31 May in the year of entry into Kindergarten depending on the school’s assessment of the child's readiness.

There is no minimum age requirement for other grades for students moving from another Australian school to Covenant.

The main entry points are Prep, Kindergarten, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 11. There are occasional vacancies in other years.

All applications received are added to the waiting pool for the year applied for. We usually receive more applications than places available for the main entry years. If at the end of the year a place is still not available, each family will be given the option to remain in the waiting pool for future years.

Due to the high volume of applications for some grades, not everyone will be invited to an interview. When considering interview invitations, some things we take into consideration are:

• vacancies in the requested grade
• family involvement with a Christian church and commitment to the basis and aims of the school
• willingness to be part of our Christ-centred school community.

The school will contact you if and when a position becomes available to arrange a family enrolment interview with you and your child. The interview is conducted with the Registrar and a member of the Executive team. At the interview the school's expectations of parents and students are discussed. Once an interview has been conducted, successful enrolment applicants are sent a written Letter of Offer, Enrolment Contract to sign and non-refundable Enrolment Bond to pay.

Covenant Christian School gives priority of enrolment to Christian families who personally attest their agreement with the Covenant Statement of Belief and who regularly attend a Christian church (at least most weeks). Your church minister or pastor should be asked to complete the Minister's Reference Form which is then returned directly to the Registrar. See How to Apply.

Due to the high demand for places it is recommended that parents apply well before the desired year of entry. Family enrolment interviews begin 12 to 24 months prior to the date of commencement. We will advise you by email that the application has been successfully lodged.

Covenant Christian School does not offer academic, music or sporting scholarships. A limited number of fee relief bursaries may be available on application.

Learn more about the Bursary Fund

The school year starts in late January in Australia. Students relocating from overseas are encouraged to start at the beginning of our school year if possible. A mid-year entry may be possible but cannot be guaranteed. We seek to place students in the year group where they are of the same or similar age. The number of years of schooling and their current academic year is also taken into consideration. Generally, for students transferring from a school in the Northern Hemisphere who have commenced Year 5 by October, they are likely to be looped back to Year 5 at Covenant the following January. Similarly, a student completing Year 9 in June would be enrolled in Year 9 in Semester 2 at Covenant.

Students at Covenant Christian School travel from a wide area including the Northern Beaches, Upper North Shore, Ryde and Chatswood. The school is well serviced by buses from many of these areas.

Learn more about transport

Covenant Christian School embraces students from a diverse range of nationalities.

Overseas students must provide the school with an eligible visa to maintain enrolment. Please enquire with the Registrar regarding your eligibility for enrolment. The school accepts applicants with most Temporary or Permanent visas but cannot enrol children travelling on their own student visa.

All staff are committed Christians and all our teachers hold relevant qualifications and accreditation.

The Board is responsible, with the assistance of the Executive team, to oversee recruitment. The school has thorough processes in place to interview and appoint staff, selecting people who love God, love students and are highly skilled and passionate about their subject(s). This ensures the school remains true to its vision into the future.

Yes. Teaching experience ranges from that of a first year teacher to 40 years experience, with an average of about 11 years.

Part of Covenant’s mission is to provide an academically rigorous education. Talents and abilities are gifts from God to be used in service to Him and others in the world in which they are placed. Therefore, children are encouraged to faithfully use their individual gifts to their fullest potential. Academic achievement is not Covenant’s reason for existence but a natural outcome of the faithful use of gifts by both our students and teachers.

Covenant does well in the HSC with consistently high academic results, well above state averages. This is without offering any academic scholarships or fee relief based on student abilities. The school is consistently ranked in the top 150 schools in New South Wales.

We believe students work best in an encouraging and caring environment, rather than in a high pressure and competitive atmosphere. We seek to prepare students for life, to live for God's glory and not merely an exam. Covenant provides an enriching and supportive learning environment that inspires students to work to the best of their abilities.

The results achieved by our students in the HSC are a testament to the hard work of the students, and the dedicated teachers who are committed to preparing students to meet the challenges of the HSC year.

Academically gifted students in the Junior School may be withdrawn and placed in a small group for activities such as creative writing, mathematical problem solving or thinking groups. There are also opportunities for students to participate in activities, or to join with like-minded students from other Christian schools for specialist camps.

In the Junior and Secondary School, some classes, such as Mathematics, are sorted according to ability, allowing mathematically gifted children to work at an appropriate level. As students progress through the school they may choose subjects according to their strengths and gifts. There may be enrichment camps for students passionate about subjects such as Art or Maths.

For the HSC, we offer a wide range of subjects including the highest levels of Maths, English and Science. Acceleration is an option for students with outstanding ability in specific subjects. More about Extension and Enrichment

Our Learning Support Department works closely with the parents and teachers of those students with special needs or requiring additional assistance. Our specialised staff provide support in the classroom and in smaller group settings.

Total - 930+ students

Prep - 40 students (20 per day)

Junior K-6 - 350+ students

Secondary 7-12 - 570+ students

Naturally these numbers change each year but this table provides a rough guide. The school has local council approval to grow to 1,100 students on the existing site.

Generally in Junior School there are two classes per grade for Kindergarten to Year 4, three classes for Year 5 and 6, and four in Secondary School.

Classes work with the following guidelines for sizes:

• Prep: 20 per day
• Kindergarten: 22
  
• Year 1: 24
  
• Year 2: 26
• Years 3-6: 28
• Years 7-10: 28
• Years 11-12: 25

As a co-educational school, Covenant endeavours to keep close to a 50:50 ratio of girls and boys across each year group but the actual ratio may vary.

School starts at 8.43am

Junior School finishes at 2.55pm

Secondary School finishes at 3.02pm

The staggered end of school bell times enables Junior School students to board buses before the older children. Some Year 11 and 12 electives are scheduled before or after school. Some bands rehearse before school.

Group school tours are arranged throughout the year. Generally, there are three each term; check the School Tour page. Personal tours are available if families are unable to attend the scheduled group tour dates. Parents and children are encouraged to experience the school in operation through these school tours. Bookings are essential.

Book a Tour

The main entrance to the school is Dell Street Belrose, Sydney Australia. Dell Street is the best address for a GPS or courier delivery. There is limited visitor parking through the school gates.

The school is bounded by Forest Way, Bundaleer Street and Linden Avenue on 5.3 hectares.

The postal address is PO Box 6154 Frenchs Forest DC NSW 2086 Australia.

At least 85% of students from each Year group are from a family who regularly attend a Christian church. Families represent a wide range of Christian churches and denominations.

Most of our students are born in Australia but many students have a family heritage from other parts of the world. The school community enjoys and celebrates a variety of nationalities and welcomes families who have moved from overseas. Our school community includes families from South Africa, Britain, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, USA and many other countries.

As a school we do not have Chapel services. In assemblies, students sing worship songs, pray, and listen to devotional talks or Bible stories. Christian workers such as ministers, pastors and missionaries are often invited to speak to staff and students. Biblical Studies (called 'Knowing God') is a compulsory subject for all students. Christianity flavours the whole school from the classroom to school assemblies, rather than being limited to a religious service.

Yes. While the School Board requires a minimum of 85% of families at Covenant to be committed Christians, other families are welcome to join the school community.

Covenant also recognises that children may not be Christians yet even though their parents are. In keeping with the school's vision and mission, priority of student placements are given to Christian families.

Bible devotions are part of each day. Biblical Studies (called 'Knowing God') is a subject for every student from Kindergarten to Year 12. Covenant teaches the NSW School Curriculum from a Christian perspective. The Bible and our Christian faith influences how we teach, treat each other and determine priorities.

Many students are active in their own church youth groups and may encourage other students to join them. Students run prayer meetings and weekly Christian groups in Secondary School.

Covenant’s desire is to make Christian education accessible to parents who choose it for their children. For larger families this can be more difficult. The school Board recognises that all families sacrifice to send their children to Covenant. The fee structure and Bursary system reflects our genuine desire to help parents.

Please note that there are no sibling discounts for Prep enrolment.

In its simplest definition it refers to an agreement between two or more.

As Christians the word Covenant has particular meaning. It relates to the "agreements" or promises God has made with people. Throughout the Bible, God made Covenants with people including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and the people of Israel. God's New Covenant is established with us through the life, death and resurrection of His son Jesus Christ.

Around the world and Australia, there are other schools called "Covenant Christian School." These are separate schools and not connected to our school. Covenant is a member of Christian Education National (CEN), a network of like minded Christian schools.

Learn more at Christian Education National.

The four Houses are named after well-known Christians:

Gladys Aylward (1902-1970) (blue)

Gladys Aylward was a missionary worker in China. Through her work to enforce the ban on foot binding she developed relationships and shared the gospel. She led more than 100 children to safety when Japan invaded China in 1940.

C S Lewis (1868-1963) (red)

Clive Staples Lewis was a writer of many scholarly and Christian books. Remembered for his Narnia books and his works of simple theology - in particular, Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity.

Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983) (green)

Corrie ten Boom's family provided a hiding place for persecuted Jews during WWII. They were betrayed and sent to concentration camps where they told others about Jesus. After her release she travelled the world telling people about God's great love.

Paul White (1920-1992) (yellow)

Paul White served as a medical missionary in Africa with CMS. He is well known as the author of the Jungle Doctor books. He was a pioneer of Christian media in Australia.