From the Principal
Andrew Watt – Principal
Welcome back
Our students were greeted at the gates with balloons, streamers and a team of staff overseeing handwashing, taking temperatures and affixing coloured stickers to collars. We certainly live in unusual times! Many teachers have expressed to me how good it is to return to our classrooms and engage directly with our students. There has been much catching up on news and joy across all Year Groups, as we settle back slowly into the regular rhythms and routines of school life. Understandably, many students are tired and struggling to adjust to the travel times and demands of a return to school. We will seek to monitor levels of homework accordingly, in recognition of this period of adjustment. For the first week, we have been more flexible in our response to a motley assortment of jackets, jumpers and hairstyles. We would, however, appreciate your support, in ensuring that your child leaves your home well-presented and correctly attired.
Preparing for all contingencies
Our hope is that we will never be required to close the School for a short period, due to a COVID-19 infection within our student or staff community. Our infection prevention/risk management procedures on campus are strong. However, it is wise to be prepared and to put in place a range of measures, in the event that we need to respond quickly to dismiss staff and students from the campus, to initiate contact tracing and a deep cleaning of the campus.
We have developed plans, based on the process prescribed by NSW Health. Two of our neighbouring schools have been impacted by COVID-19 infections and they have much wisdom to share about their experience, which included the swift appearance of the media, seeking statements from parents, staff and students. If this were to occur at Emanuel School, it would be appreciated if such requests were met with a polite “no comment” and all enquires directed to the Principal’s Office.
Illegal parking in Peace Park and ‘Go With The Flow’ arrangements
A reminder to parents that Council Rangers are aware that some parents are parking in Peace Park at drop off or collection times. To ensure a legal, swift and efficient collection procedure, we would ask that all parents use our prescribed ‘Go With The Flow’ areas. With our current staged collection times, parents (or grandparents) who arrive very early can block the flow lines and cause congestion. Please only arrive in your allocated collection time and please move on and drive around the block if you are asked to do so. Your co-operation in following our basic procedures would be both helpful and appreciated.
National Reconciliation Week
In the absence of our assembly, our Head Madrich, Lachlan Corne and Head Madricha, Asha Friedman recognised National Reconciliation Week with an Acknowledgement of Country and message to our staff and students. In light of the current unrest in the USA, Reconciliation Week serves as a reminder that aspects of our relationship with the First Australians remain unresolved. As captured in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, we are yet to “come together after a struggle”. The aspirations of the First Australians are for a fair and truthful relationship with the people of Australia and a better future for their children, based on justice and self-determination. The advent of COVID-19 has altered our perspective in many areas. Our hope is that we all have a growing desire to heal our relationships, to seek justice and equality for all and to come closer together, as a nation.
Supporting the JCA 2020 campaign
Emanuel School is one of 23 members of the JCA family of organisations. We are grateful to the JCA for the generous financial assistance they provide to the School and essential role that the organisation plays in helping so many Jewish organisations. Due to COVID-19 the JCA’s traditional Gala and other events were cancelled. In their place, the organisation has launched an online fundraising campaign. If you can, please help the JCA to support the community and our School by visiting www.jca.org.au/donate.
Important information about picking up and dropping off your children
I’ve been capturing notable moments at the School for a new Instagram page watt.s_up_at_emanuel. Please take a moment to join me on this daily photographic journal of life at Emanuel School. For privacy reasons, please ensure your account is private before joining the page. So far we have 198 followers – I’d be very glad to make it to 230 by the end of the long weekend!
Mazal tov
Last week, Daniel Melamed placed 1st in an online High School chess tournament run by The Sydney Academy of Chess.
Quote of the week
“Be around the light bringers, the magic makers, the world shifters, the game shakers.
They challenge you, break you open, uplift and expand you.
They don’t play small with your life.
These heartbeats are your people.
These people are your tribe.”
Danielle Doby
Wishing you a restful and enjoyable long weekend and shabbat shalom.
