Governance

Covenant College is a part of Christian Education National (formerly CPCS) – a group of 80+ schools throughout Australia. CEN schools are those which value:
Community – where parents are highly valued and always welcomed and where they may be actively involved, formally and/or informally.
Partnership – between parents, school and church  to educate children which is an uncompromised, transforming and biblically authentic approach to Christian education.

Policies are developed and formulated by the parents through the Board of Directors. These policies provide the guidelines for the operation of the College.
Parents can:

• Join the Association by subscribing to the Biblical Basis Statement, (which enables them to influence the ethos of the College);
• Contribute to the direction and policy development of the College by corresponding to the Board;
• Communicate with the Principal personally; and
• Communicate directly with staff regarding day-to-day matters.

SCHOOL GOVERNANCE – DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES

Affirming Statement

In the spirit of Romans 13 [1], Covenant College acknowledges with thankfulness to God, that the school is able to prosper under the principles and practices of a democratic nation and the policy frameworks of both its Federal and State Governments.

We acknowledge with gratitude, yet without taking it for granted, that we, together with all Australian citizens, have the freedom to pursue our religious beliefs and to live out of a religious worldview that is founded upon those beliefs.

We honour and commit to the fundamental freedoms of speech and association for all Australians so long as those freedoms are not used to subvert the rule of law.

We accept the right of our elected Governments and their officers to prescribe certain conditions pertaining to the programs and teaching practices of schools, provided that those conditions do not diminish or remove our right to teach in a manner consistent with our declared religious beliefs around which our school operates.

Our school acknowledges that all persons are entitled to be treated equally before the law [2] and, as far as it lies within our capacity to do so, we will endeavour to treat the members of our community with equity and fairness.

While not in any way compromising the integrity of our own beliefs and values, we are committed to living in peace with our fellow Australians irrespective of differences in faith, ethnicity or culture.  We are committed to the social value of respect for persons which derives from our reverence for Christ whose sacrifice was not limited but, instead, available for all those who would come to Him in trust and faith.

In unashamedly declaring that our school is committed to an education that references its programs and policies to a Christian worldview, the school is open to families who seek an education based on Christian principles and standards.

Finally, the school is open to the normal processes of accountability required by Governments and commits to ethical and transparent practices in respect of each of those requirements.

Communication to Staff

The affirming Statement is included in the Staff Handbook which is published on an annual basis.
Staff are reminded annually of the implications of the Affirming Statement for staff practices and attitudes.

Communication to Students

A simplified version of the Statement is included in the Student Homework Diaries each year.
Students are reminded from time to time in assemblies of the implications of the Affirming Statement for them.

Communication to Parents

The Affirming Statement is included in the Parent Information Handbook which is published on an annual basis.

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[1]

"1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour. 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not covet,' and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' 10 Love does no harm to its neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law. 11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

[2]

See Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority - VRQA guide Page 5.

The Equal Opportunity Act 1995 allows a school to operate wholly or mainly for students of a particular sex, race, religious belief, age or age group.  This enables a school established by a particular religious denomination or group of religious denominations to give preference in its enrolment policy to adherents of that denomination(s) or their children.