Anne Hastings – Principal

This is the last time this year that you will receive a Ma Nishma to pour over that describes the amazing events and learning activities that add to the rich fabric of what is Emanuel School each week. These last weeks provide the opportunities for displays of the children’s learning, farewell concerts and celebrations of the year’s achievements, as well as to reflect on the year and look towards next year’s goals. So many people have contributed to the myriad of aspects of our students’ growth over the year and I sincerely thank each one who has given their time and energy so generously to help support the development of our students and the School. I hope to see you all at the various Prize Presentations next week.

ICT Showcase

This week saw our very first Technology Showcase in which our students – young and ‘old’ – demonstrated the results of their involvement in Coding and ICT clubs this year in the Primary School, and IST (Information and Software Technologies) classes and ICT club in the High School. It was thrilling to witness the students’ enthusiasm and confidence as they described their projects. Girls and boys described the outcomes of their thinking and deliberations as they created their robots, apps and games. Hannah Beder, from the class of 2012, described her journey into ICT and her experiences working at Google (see her inspiring speech elsewhere in this Ma Nishma), and Ethan Cohen, from the class of 2017, talked about his ICT involvement and the ICT HSC course he finished this year through TAFE, in which he designed and created a virtual reality experience to mimic that of a schizophrenic experience. Another account of the showcase appears in this Ma Nishma for further reading.

Our great appreciation goes to the teachers who have been encouraging students in these clubs and subjects during the year: Emma Hill, Tracey Walker, Corey Jamieson, Hugo Adrian and Ryan Chadwick, along with Emma Clemens who spearheaded the showcase. We also thank our ICT department for their significant support of such initiatives.

Three-way learning conversations

Years 8 and 9 had the benefit this week of this initiative – they spent time with their teachers and parents talking about their learning this year and showing some examples of their learning products, particularly the items that were significant markers for them. From discussions with parents and teachers, these afternoons provided wonderful opportunities for reflection and for the students to take ownership of their learning. Many parents expressed that they were impressed by the way in which their son or daughter managed the discussion and showed real insight into some of their significant learning milestones this year. I thank all of the teachers for their support of the students in this initiative, and the parents and students for their active involvement and interest in the students’ learning.

P&F

This week I was very grateful to receive a cheque for $27 000 from the P&F as a result of their fund-raising this year. What a wonderful support the P&F are to our School! We thank each member of the Executive Committee who has been part of the organisation of the many P&F events this year – from Mothers’ and Fathers’ Days, through the Staff Welcome lunch, to the Purim disco, Aladdin and the Trivia Night extravaganza – each of these has been wonderful opportunities for our students and parents to connect and be part of our community. The fund-raising is of great benefit to the School, providing the opportunity for the provision of additional facilities and items that will be impactful for the students. In particular, we acknowledge the significant input of Susie Rosen and Sharon Schulz in being superb Co-Presidents for the past six years and guiding the success of the many P&F activities. As well we welcome Ruby Berkovic and Jennifer Opit as the new Co-Presidents from 2017.

Scholarships 2018

Please be aware that applications for the 2018 Years 7, 9 and 11 Academic and Music scholarships are currently open and will close on 6 February 2017. The advertisement elsewhere in this Ma Nishma provides more details.

High School Speech Night

Emanuel School’s High School Speech Night will be held at The University of New South Wales on Wednesday 14 December at 7pm. 

• Parents and students should enter the Sir Clancy Auditorium via Gate 9 High Street, Kensington
• All students are required to attend in their full formal uniform, including blazers and ties. Note: black shoe polish does wonders for school shoes, and also that the venue is air conditioned.
• Organise with your Tutor where to meet on the night – students should arrive by 6.30 pm for roll call.
• Students are to sit in the allocated House areas of the Auditorium.

Mazal tov to:

• All the students and teachers who participated in the MS Swim-a-thon last weekend (see the article elsewhere in this Ma Nishma)
• The Year 6 girls who have celebrated their Bat Mitzvah in 2016, for donating $1000s to some excellent charities through The Mitzvah Project, including Starlight Foundation, Make a Wish Foundation, Alzheimers Australia, RSPCA, Voiceless and several hospitals
• The four Emanuel students who qualified as Life Savers last weekend: Cooper Levitt, Nathaniel Spielman, Beau Glass, and Samara Trenaman (photo below)
• Sara Ehrlich, whose HSC artwork has been selected to be exhibited for 12 months in the 2017 NSW Education Standards Authority Chairperson’s Collection. What a fantastic achievement Sara! Only 19 works from across the state were personally selected by the President for this exhibition. Both Sara’s name and the School’s name will appear with her work.
• Our Year 6 Chess players, Daniel Melamed, Jesse Herdan, Zac Sidley and Jesse Gothelf for their wonderful achievement of being NSW Chess Champions and fourth in Australia!

Coming up

• High School Speech Night, Wednesday 14 December, 7 pm, Clancy Auditorium
• Last school day of 2016, Wednesday 14 December. High School students finish school at 1:10 pm, Primary School students finish at 3:30 pm
• HSC results are released Thursday 15 December, with ATARs out on Friday 16 December
• Year 7, 2017, Orientation Day will be held on Monday 30 January
• Years 1 – 12 students will start the year on Tuesday 31 January (8:20 am start)
• Summer uniforms and hats are to the ready for the start of Term 1 2017.

Quote of the week

‘Holidays are about experiences and people, and tuning into what you feel like doing at that moment. Enjoy not having to look at a watch.’ [Evelyn Glennie]

Best wishes for a relaxing holiday with your children.

Cooper Levitt, Nate Spielman, Beau Glass and Samara Trenaman