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In 1965, a group of parents began to discuss the idea of starting a Christian school that would assist them in their role as Christian parents. The Covenant Christian School Association was formed to provide godly governance to the school and ensure that Christ was kept at the centre of all things.

Our school was a vision shared by a small group of Christian parents who understood it was their responsibility to bring up children in the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). These parents were not content to send their children to the local public or church-run school; they passionately believed that parents should be able to partner with a school where Christ was central to a rigorous education.

The importance of a biblically grounded education prompted them to form the Association as a first step towards starting our school. From humble beginnings in 1978, our school has thrived under the kindness of God. We now partner with over 500 families, yet our core vision has remained the same.

Suitable Associate members are people who:

1. are committed and growing Christians;
2. have a firm grasp of the Gospel;
3. are active members of a Christian church (confirmed by their minister/pastor);
4. Trust in the Bible as God’s Word and as having ultimate authority;
5. can articulate their faith in a way that is consistent with the beliefs outlined in the Educational Creed; and
6. have a heart for the mission of Christ through Christian education

Primarily, the role of the Association is to hold the school and Board accountable to the vision and mission. One of the key ways this is done is by attending the Association’s Annual General Meeting.

There are approximately 130 members, comprised of staff, current and past parents, as well as people who are invested in Christian education.

Formally, there is no expectation of involvement through the week. Informally, there are numerous opportunities to support and champion our school through involvement in things such as the prayer group etc.

The process has remained similar because it is designed to help the board to identify potential members who fit the eligibility criteria of the Constitution. These criteria have remained unchanged throughout the history of the school.

It is both the desire and obligation of the Association to ensure that our school always remains distinctively Christian, and therefore it is essential to ensure that those who govern our school also share the foundational and common truths that provide the foundation and principles for how our school operates.

Full Members are required to subscribe to the common matters set forth in the Three Forms of Unity (being the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of Dorth), the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Baptist Confession of 1689. A working summary of these historic creeds has been provided in the Summary Statement of Belief and subscribing to this statement meets the Constitutional doctrinal standard for Full Membership to the Association.

No. However, there are different obligations if you become a member of the Board.

CEN is a community of schools unified around the common goal of authentic, Bible-based, Christ-centred education. CEN schools comprise of over 25,000 students from families that are choosing to partner with their Christian school, just like Covenant. Schools that are committed to demonstrating a vibrant biblical faith, which permeates every aspect of learning, community life, policy, and practice in its associations and schools.

CEN provides a network of likeminded Christian schools across Australia. This is embraced by the CEN slogan ‘we are stronger together’. CEN is committed to growing the skills of board members. This is maintained through a host of online courses and face to face conferences and webinars.

AACS is an advocacy organisation representing the interests of Christian schools, including Covenant, across Australia. They represent our position to government to ensure our school can continue to deliver an authentic Christian education.