Andrew Watt – Principal

Supporting our students as they navigate through disappointments

At the start of this year, who would have thought that children would encounter an ongoing litany of cancelled events? Sport, musicals, assemblies, House meetings, graduation events, overseas trips and special interstate family events. Many parents are unsure as to how best respond to their children’s disappointment, in the face of COVID-19 restrictions.

Our counselling team tell us that disappointment is an inevitable part of life. It is easy to focus on what we haven’t got, and to become overwhelmed by it. However, at times like this, it is a good opportunity to take a moment to focus on what we do have, and to practise gratitude. It doesn’t take away the disappointment. Or the fact that these current disappointments have led to significant losses. But it does help us to put our attention into something more positive, which in turn generates a great sense of wellbeing. To put this in wonderful perspective, 109-year-old Holocaust survivor Alice Herz-Sommer, who has suffered much, has made it her life focus to express gratitude and enjoy the beautiful things in life. This short clip is inspirational.

One of the potential silver linings of facing these ongoing disappointments is the development of resilience, an important life skill. Neha Navsaria, a psychiatry professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and a consultant at the parenting skills site, Parent Lab states that, “While we certainly don’t want our children to experience a pandemic crisis, it is important to view this time as an opportunity for growth. This is the strange but positive side to adapting to the current times. Sitting with uncertainty is one of the most difficult tasks for any human being to do. Learning how to manage it is one of the best skills one can develop to contribute to mental wellness. Click here for the full article.

HSC Drama Showcase 2020

As with many events this year, our students performed before a live (small but vocal!) audience in the Millie Philips Theatre and live-streamed to parents, relatives and friends. With the group activity removed from the HSC Drama Assessment, we enjoyed three creative and polished individual performances. For each performance, the underlying, more serious message was evident beneath the humour. MC of the showcase, Simone Rappoport, did not perform but rather completed completed a Script as her Script.  A huge mazal tov to Amber Langman, Talia Blackman, Mia Gold , Simone Rappoport and our Head of Drama, Samantha Bauer.

Year 9 Mini Machane

Last week the Jewish Life Staff and Alumni Madrichim organised the Year 9 Mini Machane in place of the much-loved Ski Camp. This year has challenged our teachers and students to step far beyond their comfort zones and I appreciate  how inventive our staff have been when organising camps, which look very different to last year. Please click on Daniel Samowitz’s article – Mini Machane in this edition of Ma Nishma for student insights and photographs. 

National Science Week 

Our annual celebration of Science and Technology commenced on Monday with a scavenger hunt. Activities were held each day and included making bath bombs and constructing a science-themed model out of recycled material, in our Tutor Groups. There was tough competition for first place in the Science trivia quiz! Thank you to Jennifer Selinger and her Science Department team, for making Science come alive for students and staff.

Director of Sport K-12

I am pleased to announce that our current High School Director of Sport, Kristy Genc, will be taking on a strategic, whole-school approach to our sport program. The continued development of our Primary School Sport will be a high priority, as we seek to increase the opportunities for skill development, fitness training and involvement in local sport competitions. Kristy has done a wonderful job in raising the profile of sport at Emanuel. Recent highlights include the introduction of sports colours; the review and adjustment of sport uniforms; the employment of specialist sport coach leaders and the up-skilling of our team of sport coaches.

Quote of the week

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought.”
Buddha