We are thrilled to let our community know an exciting project that is about to get underway at Covenant - the Learning Hub Redevelopment. With the Development Application now approved by the Northern Beaches Council, building is set to commence later this year.
Before you view the project details, we thought you would love to hear more about this upcoming project from Covenant's Business Manager, Andrew Lowry.
Why redevelop the Learning Hub now?
D block, the building that currently houses the Learning Hub, is now well over 30 years old (with parts of it closer to 40 years old). The roof and structure are well past their use by date. When it was originally built, it was planned for approximately 300 students in Secondary School. In 2024, we have 570 students in Years 7 to 12, as well as a growing Co-Curricular program. Our school continues to build its capacity to meet a more diverse range of learning opportunities including academics, co-curricular and wellbeing services. Our students also need to utilise emerging technology services and support. For some time now, we have been considering how we can ensure we have a Learning Hub that can facilitate all the wonderful opportunities we are providing for our students, both now and for years to come.
Similar to the growth we鈥檝e seen in student enrolments, we鈥檝e seen a corresponding growth in staff numbers. Over the past 20 years, our staff numbers have almost doubled. In fact, since introducing our Co-Curricular program, we鈥檝e added another 30-40 staff members. The Learning Hub Redevelopment will provide a central location where all staff can meet together, for staff meetings, break times, and daily devotions. Our staff are deeply valued and appreciated, and we want to equip them with what they need to continue to provide a Christ-centred education.
What excites you about the upcoming building project?
This building is going to be fantastic. I鈥檓 excited about the range of activities we will be able to offer. I鈥檓 excited to see what will happen in these spaces, not just during the school day but after hours. I鈥檓 looking forward to seeing the Learning Hub become the central hub of the school, not only by students but staff as well. This building will be such a light, bright and attractive place where students can engage with peers and staff 鈥� such an asset to our school for the next 30 to 40 years.
What is your deep hope for this building project?
My deep hope is that this redevelopment will be a place where children feel safe and share a deep sense of belonging; a place where Christian education will flourish; and a place where students continue to explore, be curious and think critically.
The building has been designed as an open plan space, where students can collaborate with others, experience the joy of learning and the privilege of learning in a wonderful environment. It is a gift. Being able to build such buildings is a gift from God, and we should never take that for granted. We should remind ourselves that it is God who provides these good resources to us and have hearts of gratitude and thankfulness for the facilities we have here at Covenant, because this is God鈥檚 school for God鈥檚 people.
How can the school community support the upcoming development?
We recognise that building is a disruptive time for the school, so I鈥檓 asking for staff, parents and students to keep their sense of humour. This relatively short season of inconvenience will have wonderful long-term benefits. Please know we are doing our absolute best, but we are also open to feedback, so please let us know if you feel we could be doing this better.
We are also very mindful of our Year 12 students about to commence their HSC. We want to reassure our Year 12 students and parents that it is our absolute priority to ensure there is no disruption to our Year 12 students doing their exams during the first four weeks of Term 4.
Please pray for the building process. Building involves a whole range of different risks, many of them outside our control. However, we know that none of them are outside God鈥檚 control. The weather can have a great impact on building, so please pray for periods of dry weather. Pray also for the general safety of workers, for efficiency and for a cost-effective build.
This is a great project! If you have the financial capacity, another way you can support the redevelopment is by making a tax-deductible donation to the Building Fund.
I would also love for our community to get really excited about this opportunity and what it means for our students and our school.