Andrew Watt – School Principal

Reflection on my time in Israel

I departed for Israel keen to learn more about the nature, setting and desired outcomes of our six-week immersion program. I was delighted to discover first-hand that the accommodation and educational activities at Alexander Muss High School (a pluralistic study-abroad program located in Hod HaSharon) were well suited to our group of Year 10 students. I was impressed by the level of security maintained throughout the program and by the standard of education and 24/7 care provided by the full-time nurse and the teaching staff. Our students are enjoying the experiential education, with ‘lessons’ provided at each key location, related to the history, culture, religion, politics or geography of Israel. In the late afternoon and evenings, the Israeli Madrichim provide opportunities for self-reflection and a range of group activities.

Perhaps most impressive, however, has been the attitude and conduct of our Year 10 students. I have received feedback about how polite, engaged and well behaved our students have been, which matches my own observations.

Our staff team of Daniel Samowitz, Kim Slender, Elizabeth Birrell and Christian Bell have been outstanding, maintaining a good blend of humour, wisdom, care and firmness, when required. Without doubt, our students are in good hands.

I hope that the snapshot below of the first week program highlights may provide an insight into the Chavayah experience:

• Experiencing Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel, and ruach together, in Jerusalem;
• Experiencing a visit to (choice of) Synagogues in Jerusalem;
• Visiting key sites in Jerusalem, including the Southern Wall, Hezekiah Tunnel, Herodian House, Israel Museum and City of David;
• Hiking down Mount Gilboa, followed by a swim in the pools at Sachne;
• Dinners in groups of three, along Ben Yehuda and Mahane Yehuda;
• Visiting either Dialogue in the Dark or Save a Child’s Heart;
• Meditating at Havrei Metzada;
• Walking up Masada to experience the sunrise; and
• Floating on the Dead Sea.

All this in the space of one week! Add to this a number of seminar and group activities, breakfasts and lunches together, and you start to get a feel for the richness and depth of the Chavayah Program. For those parents who are keen to follow the remainder of the Chavayah journey, the student blog can be accessed on:

sites.google.com/emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au/chavayah2019/home

Chavayah 6

Chavayah 5

chavayah 4

Chavayah 1

Chavaya 18

Chavaya 16

chavaya 14

chavaya 13

chavaya 12

chavaya 11

Chavaya 10

Alexi Bader

Lexi is still very much in our hearts and minds. Christelle Le Baccon, Lexi’s mum, recently gave an emotional interview to the Daily Telegraph. She shared: “He was very confident, he could talk to anyone, but the main thing with him is he had a big heart”. Those are the words that many of Lexi’s friends and teachers have used to describe him. May his memory be for a blessing. 

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony

Last week Friday, our Year 6 students celebrated their graduation with a unique Pathways Ceremony with their proud families. The students led the Friday Shabbat service with exceptional confidence. I wish them a hearty mazal tov on this special occasion and look forward to welcoming them into High School next year. For more information and wonderful photos, please visit Ma Koreh in this week’s edition of Ma Nishma. 

Volunteers Assembly

Our annual assembly celebrates and acknowledges the wonderful work of our many volunteers, who contribute through P & F Association events; Parent Security Group; Board and Committee members; and others, who have dedicated their time on a voluntary basis to help make Emanuel School the wonderful community that it is. There are many things that make our School special, and one of our greatest strengths is our strong connections and support of each other and our Jewish community. Our team of committed and dedicated volunteers have contributed in many ways and will always play a significant role in serving our Emanuel community. Each volunteer present at our assembly was gifted with ‘bikkies in a jar’, with the raw ingredients waiting to be baked. The words on the jar say:

A school is more than books and desks
and learning two plus two
It’s people who share their skills and care,
and try their best in all they do.
Please accept our heartfelt appreciation,
our school is a better place
because of your dedication!

The ingredients that volunteers bring to the table (or school!) are the perfect mix to produce wonderful outcomes for our students.

Our Guest of Honour was Leon Waxman, who joined us with his wife Tracey and their two daughters, Ilana and Eliza. Leon was one of the founders of the Community Security Group, which started in 1977. He was also the very first member of the Emanuel School Parent Security Group, helping to establish it as a permanent feature of Emanuel over 25 years ago. His significant contributions over many years was recognised with sincere appreciation and a gift. For photos and more, visit the Thank You Volunteers page in this week’s Ma Nishma. 

The Waxman Family

Farewell to Darryl Bourke

Darryl will depart shortly to commence a new chapter of life, as a beachside retiree. Darryl has been a valued member of our staff team for almost 15 years, loyally serving three principals – no mean feat! Darryl has been responsible for countless editions of Ma Nishma and has played an important role in the efficient administration of the Principal’s Office. We wish her well for the future.

Quote of the week

“It is only as we develop others that we permanently succeed.”
Harvey Firestone

Mazal tov

• Saachi Owen and Sarah Sharwood, Year 12 2019, both had their work selected for ArtExpress 2020. This is an exceptional achievement. 
• Year 11 students, Ariel Berger, Rachel Zwarenstein and Cade Collins attended the 2019 National Art School Visual Arts extension course. All three students scored exceptionally high marks in their chosen disciplines of Ceramics, Black and White Photography and Sculpture. There were over 300 applicants for this Studio Practice course with 156 students from 87 schools around NSW completing it. Rachel Zwarenstein, Ariel Berger and Cade Collins for their excellent results from the National Art School (NAS) HSC Intensive 2 week course. 
• Year 5 students, Daniel Zipser, Joshua Barnett, Oscar Salek, Max Tsipris, Dylan Vitek and Gabriel Pozniak, as the NSW Junior Inter-Schools Chess Champions, represented the School and the State in the grand finals in Canberra. Their 4^th place is an exceptional achievement.  
• Jonah Trope has been selected for the NSW U15 State challenge squad, representing the NSW Metropolitan area.