Andrew Watt

Our New Leadership Team Pledge to Serve the School

Our Leadership Induction Assembly was held on Tuesday, with our SRC, House Madrichim and Madrichim standing before proud family members, and the staff and students who elected them, pledging to honour and serve, as ambassadors of the Emanuel School community. This is a wonderful, close-knit team of leaders who will engage readily with the challenges of maintaining a caring and inclusive student culture and encouraging a strong student voice. Our 2017-2018 student leadership team can depart confident in the knowledge that their humour, creativity, commitment to our Jewish Life and to developing an inclusive culture have been recognised as their key legacy. We are very grateful for their consistent work ethic, right up to their final day.

The Madrichim of 2018-2019 launched their motto or theme, in the opening speech by the Head Madrich, Joshua New and Head Madricha, Rachel Turtledove, stating that: “The theme This Is Us encompasses the entire Emanuel Community, made up of the students, teachers, parents, family and friends of Emanuel, who together, make up our Emanuel family. We aim to bring everyone together to continue the growth of the caring and inclusive Emanuel culture, which is what makes Emanuel such a unique place.” We wish our Madrichim every success and much growth and enjoyment as they commence their new roles.

Year 9 on the Ski Slopes

It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it! Year 9 have been afforded the wonderful opportunity to enjoy a week on the ski slopes of Thredbo. By all reports, they have enjoyed a fantastic week of great snow conditions, gaining new skills both on and off the slopes as well as taking time out to reflect on how fortunate we are at Emanuel School to enjoy such privileges. Ray Francis reports that the Year 9 students have worked together well as a team and it has been inspiring to watch their resilience and maturity grow this week. 

Years 3-6 Athletics Carnival

A tired but happy group of aspiring athletes returned to school this afternoon, having given their best effort at our annual athletics carnival and cheered on their fellow athletes. Our focus is on personal best, participation, representing their House and having fun, not necessarily in that order! Held at Hensley Athletics Field, the day always delivers with some stellar performances in the field and on the track. House spirit is high as the students go head to head in an attempt to win the day and to be selected to represent Emanuel at the upcoming ASISSA carnival later this month.

Jack Kessell in Year 4, wining the 800m race

Helen Maynard, Director of Studies, K-6

Helen has recently informed the School that she will be departing at the end of this year, to take some time to “sharpen the saw”. She will be taking time to reconnect with her family and follow her passion for education in less fortunate countries – mainly Africa and Cambodia. She will spend extended time in the school that she has been raising funds for in Cambodia. An energetic and committed leader with a great sense of humour, Helen’s contribution to our teaching and learning will be sadly missed. Over the past seven years, Helen has strengthened our culture of thinking and overseen significant curriculum change, working closely with our teachers on programming and targeted professional development. A creative and innovative teacher, Helen has set a high standard and we thank her sincerely for her excellent work at Emanuel.

Mazal tov

• Lauren Faul, Year 12 Rabin and Oliver Evans, Year 12 Meir House were acknowledged last Thursday evening at the inaugural Montefiore Student Volunteer Awards presentation.
• Emanuel Middles and Senior Year 10 HICES Debating teams both won their preliminary finals against Moriah on Monday
• Last week Burn Bright ran a one-day training session with our 2018-2019 Madrichim and House Madrichim. Feedback included: Truly, we had such a wonderful time and that day will go down as one of the most memorable leadership programs we have run to date. Your students were so welcoming, and we really appreciated their commitment to the role, and passion to continue positive change.” 

Quote of the Week

What we learn with pleasure we never forget

Alfred Mercier