Andrew Watt – Principal

Farewell to Year 12 (Class of 2020)

As is always the case, it is with a measure of sadness that we bid a fond farewell to our Year 12 students. Some will return to School to meet with teachers early in Term 4 and all will sit their HSC, commencing on 20 October. After recently reading this cohort’s academic reports, it is evident that our students have surmounted the difficulties and disappointments associated with COVID-19 and have maintained a strong focus on their studies. After the HSC, they will endure a long wait until the release of HSC results, on 18 December. We wish them ‘Mazal Tov,’ which I understand means ‘good fortune’ as well as ‘well done’ – both apply!

The formal farewell events commenced on Tuesday afternoon, with the House Farewells, which involved speeches, followed by each Year 12 Tutor Group celebrating with their tutor whilst the rest of the House participated via Zoom. Year 12 (2020) then departed the School through a Guard of Honour, comprising of our Year 11 students. On Wednesday, Year 12 joined our staff in the Lehrer Family Building (MPH) for their Graduation Assembly, which was livestreamed to both families and students in Years 7-11. The assembly included a formal welcome, a d’var torah and blessing, videos (including a Year 12 music item) and speeches from the past and present Head Madrichim. The highlight was when Caroline Laumberg, our Year 12 Co-ordinator, welcomed each student onto the stage, with a parting comment, to receive a certificate and a gift from the School. It was a special occasion for all involved and was followed by an afternoon tea with the teaching staff.

Year 12 parents organised a Treasure Hunt for the students after school. Ably assisted by Belinda Gold several staff members and Year 11 students, Year 12 raced around the campus in search of items that represented their time at Emanuel. A fun time was had by all!

That evening, families joined together at several locations, to celebrate a very different, live-streamed Graduation Dinner, directed by Caroline Laumberg from ‘Emanuel HQ’ (i.e. a dinner in the Principal’s Office). Whilst the speeches, toasts and Year 12 special video were delivered remotely, it was a very special occasion. We are very thankful for the amazing work of the Year 12 parent committee, led by Andy Bromberger and Bettina Waller, to make these events special, whilst operating under the COVID-19 restrictions. Thank you also to Margaret Lowe, for her impressive oversight of every Year 12 event.

Thompson History Debating Competition – through to the semi-finals!

This prestigious competition is open to schools from all sectors. Our Year 11 team (Romi Lapidge, Tara Linker, Jesse Koslowski and Max Kidman) defeated both SCEGGS Darlinghurst and the Kings School, to progress to the semi-finals. Our Year 9 team (Maya Granot, Jake Newland, Ariel Melamed and Alex Cane), debating older students in the Year 10 competition, defeated James Ruse High School, to advance to the semi-finals. Both teams are under the competent leadership of Max Friend. We wish them a competitive and enjoyable debate in the semi-finals.

Year 4 Good Design Awards

Our Year 4 future experts proudly displayed an impressive array of projects. From helping Forgetful Frank to switch off lights using an e-bot, to curing Scared Jake of his arachnophobia, through a woollen spider, to solving Silly Sally’s space problems – there were abundant solutions! Judges were led through their design thinking process, from ideation through to the prototype. It became evident that our students have engaged deeply and creatively in their projects and have gained much from this experience. Congratulations to both our creators and our Year 4 teachers.

Farewell Manny

It is with sadness that our beloved cleaning supervisor Manuel (Manny) will be leaving us at the end of the term to return home to Venezuela. Manny had come to Emanuel School three years ago after working at Wenona College to take over the role of our cleaning supervisor and has been an integral part of the maintenance team ever since. 

We wish him the best in the future. Below is a parting email we wanted to share.

Dear Andrew,

I am writing to you because [I] decided to resign for personal motives (sic), so I want to say you (sic) thanks for all as I was working at the school for three years and really appreciate the opportunity given. The school did not only give me a job but also gave me the opportunity of knowing the Jewish and Australian culture.

I wish you all the best and thanks for all.

Best regards
Manuel Parra

Sustainability Committee and climate change

Year 11 students with their signs

On Wednesday, our High School students took part in a virtual protest against the funding of fossil fuels to stimulate the economy in COVID recovery efforts. This formed part of the Australia-wide event organised by SchoolStrike4Climate. The students dressed in a sea of yellow, developed posters using the slogan Fund Our Future Not Gas! and watched an educational video on the topic. 

Our wish for Emanuel students is that they graduate to be responsible citizens who are informed and empowered to act upon local and global issues that affect or inspire them. I commend the Sustainability Committee for their proactivity and passionate support of the event and Lisa Starkey for her encouragement and assistance in guiding the Committee. For more information and the students’ views on the event, click on the article entitled SchoolStrike4Climate in this week’s Ma Nishma.

Mazal tov

• Rory Nathan, Year 6, volunteered to blow the shofar on Sunday at Snape Park in Maroubra for about 20 people who could now fulfil the unique Mitzvah of Hearing the Shofar because of him.

Quote of the week

“Now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for you being here. Make good art.”
Neil Gaiman