Natanya Milner – Head of Primary School

I can’t believe that I am writing the final Ma Nishma for 2019. I am sure we would all agree that it has been a year of highs and lows and I can honestly say that through all these times, I have been incredibly grateful to our wonderful children, staff and community for the way we support each other and work together.

I am often asked what the best things to focus upon are for the end of the year break so here are my top ten tips for holidays (in no particular order):

• Spend time together – relaxing, exploring, learning…the time is precious so enjoy it!
• Read – to your child, beside your child and with your child…both the modelling and the shared experience are wonderful.
• Be curious – whether it be exploring in a museum or finding a new insect in the garden, share the curiosity and ask questions together.
• Play games together – win sometimes and show how to be humble in victory and lose sometimes to show how to be gracious in defeat.
• Share your favourite music and discuss why it’s your favourite…why not dance to it too?
• Find Maths everywhere – in cooking, shopping, map reading, transport timetables …and anywhere you find it, involve your children in working out the solutions.
• Be active together – walks, swimming, bikes, balls, frisbees…the options are endless.
• Share some favourite movies… perhaps from a range of different genres and eras.
• Build things – recycled materials including bottles and packaging are all opportunities for construction.
• Do something for someone else…find a way to give back, show gratitude and think about others.

Chess

I couldn’t be prouder of our AMAZING chess team! As the NSW State winners, they just participated in the National Chess Championships in Canberra. Each state played each other in a two-day competition and we are officially 4^th in the country. What an outstanding achievement! A huge mazal tov to Joshua Barnett, Daniel Zipser, Oscar Salek, Max Tsipris, Gabriel Pozniak and Dylan Vitek for their wonderful efforts throughout the year and for such incredible success.

Year 6 Graduation Pathways

It was an honour to be a part of Year 6’s Graduation and Pathways ceremony last Friday. I would like to wish all the children and their families mazal tov on reaching this very special milestone. The students conducted a beautiful Shabbat service and I was so proud of them all. I would like to thank Ashley Cohn, Max Salamon, Gabi Wynhausen and Rob Salamon for their wonderful speeches as well as Adam Carpenter, Rebecca Gaida, Stacey Rosenfeld and the Year 6 teachers for all of their hard work to prepare for the ceremony.

Trivia-athon

The past few weeks have resulted in a substantial amount of money being raised and we are so grateful to the JCA for their matching program. Over $16 000 has been raised over recent weeks and we look forward to using the money in 2020 – it is most likely to be spent on playground improvements but we will confirm this with additional details next year.

Presentation Day and Night

We hope to see you at our upcoming Presentation Day (Years K-2) on Monday 9 December 2019 at 9.00 am and/or at our Presentation Evening (Years 3-6) on Monday 9 December 2019 at 6.00pm (children are to arrive between 5.30 pm – 5.45 pm in their classrooms). Please ensure the children are in full school uniform with shiny shoes and long hair tied back. All boys should wear a kippah. Years K-4 should be in full summer uniform. Years 5 and 6 students should be in their formal uniform with ties and blazers.

Final Day of School and Canteen Closure

The last day of school for 2019 is Tuesday 10 December 2019. This is a very special day including our Primary School picnic, Emanuel’s Got Talent and the Guard of Honour for graduating students. Please note that the canteen will be closed on this day so children will need to bring their recess, lunch and drinks from home. We will be giving each child an icy-pole after lunch.

Farewells

A couple of weeks ago, Andrew Watt profiled our teachers who are leaving and I would like to add my huge thank you to each of them for their contributions to Emanuel during their time with us:

We wish Alex Hone all the very best as he starts at a new school. It has been such a pleasure to work with Alex and we will miss him from our teaching team.

Melanie Horin has taught Year 3 this year whilst Emma Hill was on maternity leave. We thank Mel for her wonderful efforts and contributions over the year.

Leisha Strub and Emma Clemens both take maternity leave and we are excited to hear their news and welcome them back.

Adam Ezekiel is taking a year’s leave to do a bit of exploring and we wish him every success for his adventure and look forward to his return in 2021.

Sarit Michael is spending six months in New York and we are looking forward to her return for Semester 2.

I would like to note the incredible efforts of Anna Economou, Karon Rom and Diane Clennar, who have each committed a huge proportion of their careers to Emanuel. We have been lucky to have such dedicated staff and I am so grateful to them for their efforts, expertise and professionalism. I wish them all the very best for their next steps and hope they will keep in touch with their Emanuel family.

Arrangements for 2020

We look forward to welcoming Years 1-12 students to school on Thursday 30 January 2020. This day will begin with meeting teachers and settling into new classrooms. There will also be lice checks on this day. Kindergarten children will come in for their assessment session and will then begin officially on Friday 31 January 2020. During the week prior, we will email a letter with important information for 2020, including the teachers for each grade.

Thank you

A final thank you from me for 2019! To our amazing teachers, counsellors, administration and support staff, IT, maintenance, the canteen and security – thank you to each and every one of you for the part you play in making our school so very special. To our parents and community – thank you for your on-going dedication to Emanuel and for your support throughout the year. To our beautiful children – thank you for the hard work, energy, passion and kindness that you bring with you to school each day. It is a pleasure to learn with you and I look forward to the adventures that lie ahead. Wishing you all a happy Chanukah and a wonderful and safe holiday break.