Andrew Watt – Principal

A term to remember

As Term 2 comes to an end, we can pause briefly and reflect back on our online remote learning experience, followed by our more recent return to our campus. All members of our Emanuel School community have observed or experienced the constant stream of infection updates, financial hardships and uncertainty associated with this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. As restrictions ease and we return slowly to pre-COVID-19 conditions, we remain grateful that the impact in Australia has been so much less than in many countries. Our students have been magnificent; adaptable, caring and resilient. A common sentiment across the AHISA Headmaster’s forum has been a fresh appreciation of the manner in which many students have exceeded expectations, in terms of creativity, independence and quality of work. Our hope is that Term 3 will provide many opportunities for our students to shine and to re-engage with activities that have been unavailable for the past six months. Best wishes for a wonderful, restful break and enjoy my end of term video which I shared with the students today.

Reviewing travel plans for this break

Many of our families are planning holidays that will take them across NSW and for some, into Victoria. There has been much media coverage of the concerning upward trend in coronavirus infections in Victoria. The new cases are mainly concentrated in 10 Melbourne suburbs, identified as community transmission hotspots. Authorities have put in place a range of local restrictions. In the light of this, and in line with the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), NSW Health strongly discourages travel to and from these areas until control of community transmission has been confirmed. Parents are asked to factor this into their travel plans.

Important resources for parents

Have you ever struggled to work out how to best support your child as they transition through school, or to work out how to help them with their work or social interactions? The Gonski Institute for Education (GIE) has recently launched a set of parent guides, designed to support parents through a range of issues related to their child’s education with a combination of translated research and practical tips. The GIE resources, developed by Dr Amy Graham, are of a high quality and evidence based. Having a repository of parents guides that are regularly updated will be a genuine bonus for parents. The guides include:

• Being your child’s first and forever teacher: How to be an effective partner in your child’s leaning;
• Parental beliefs: Why these matter to your child’s education;
• Starting School: How can you help your child get ready to make the transition;
• Social and emotional skills: A guide for parents;
• Why is play important?
• How to help your child grow in a digital world: and
• Moving from Primary to High School: How to help your child make the transition

A virtual silver lining

I am so impressed by the creative and professional virtual performance of The Incredibles by the Copland Concert Band, comprising students in Years 7-12. The piece was one of the silver linings of the COVID-19 lockdown and took many months of hard work to come to fruition. The project began during the period of online learning with students rehearsing at home. When they returned to school, the band’s physically distanced rehearsals meant that each section had to be recorded separately and then combined into one fluid piece by Music teacher, Remi Owen (who arranged and conducted the piece), with assistance from Music tutor, Eamon Dilworth. I am sure you’ll enjoy the performance as much as I have. 

What do you think?

Ma Nishma is one of the key ways we communicate with parents and grandparents. We have developed a short survey to collect your opinion of various aspects of the newsletter. This will help us with planning future editions and give us valuable insights. Please complete the survey as soon as possible so that you have this week’s issue in mind when responding.   

Year 7, 2021 

We acknowledge that there are usually a small number of Year 6 students who leave Emanuel School at the end of Primary School. Parents of students in Year 6 who are not continuing into Year 7 must provide the Principal with two terms’ written notice of their intention to withdraw their child from the School. In line with the policy, should your child not be continuing on to High School please send your notification to: principal@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au by this Friday 3 July.

Vacancy

We are looking for a parent or grandparent to join the Emanuel School team as our HSC Presiding Officer for 2020. For more information, please refer to the article, Looking for a job, in this week’s Ma Nishma.

Mazal tov

Joel Aaron and David Whitcombe

This morning I was lucky enough to watch the inaugural Primary Virtual Flash Mob Dance video. There were so many staff members and students involved in this mammoth task but I must particularly thank Renee Segal for inspiring and co-ordinating this project. You’ll find a review of the experience in the article entitled Dancing together apart.

Joel Aaron (Class of 2019) received his Certificate of Excellence from The Georgraphy Teachers Association in recognition of his 6^th place in the State for 2 Unit Geography, in last year’s HSC exams. His teacher, David Whitcombe, was also recognised as Joel’s Geography teacher.

Thank you to all the teachers – the Front Line Workers – for making it through such a challenging and stressful time with amazing outcomes of learning and wellbeing for our students.

Quote of the week

“It is you, the young and fearless at heart, the most diverse and educated generation in our history, who the nation is waiting to follow.”
Barak Obama