Andrew Watt – Principal

Innovative Schools Award

I am delighted to announce that we have been selected for the second year running, for The Educator Magazine’s prestigious list of innovative schools who have made “the most profound and exciting impact in K-12 education” in 2020. Our email signatures will soon include two gold innovation medals! 

Emanuel continues to build our focus on learning that has life-long relevance for every student, transferable beyond the parameters of any single discipline. Our School’s learning program is focused on creating authentic opportunities that future-proof our students for an ever-changing, unpredictable and complex world.

Innovation at Emanuel encompasses a wide range of technologies and disciplines. Our K-12 framework is developed to help realise ICT capabilities and skills with digital learning technologies. In 2020, our Innovation programs have engaged students in real-world contexts to make a tangible difference within their community. Students develop agency in their learning and the contributions they make beyond the classroom. Positive student activism is celebrated through opportunities that support students as they move from idea generation to action, as genuine changemakers. Our extra-curricular programs allow students to pursue passions in Innovation, Digital Technologies and ICT. The annual Innovation Festival remains a highlight of the annual calendar. 

Our culture of innovation doesn’t stop at our students. Teacher professional learning at Emanuel is hands-on, collaborative, exploratory and designed to shape the role of our teachers as ‘architects of learning’. It is built on the principle that in order for our students to grow into life-long learners, the School must also create this same environment for teachers. We are delighted that our School has been recognised as one of the most innovative in the country. Our vision is to be a place ‘where the individual excels’ and a future-focused teaching approach does just this, equipping students with the capabilities to thrive for life.

Year 7 Shorashim Project

The online presentation, held on Monday evening, was a great success. Commencing with a welcome webinar, hosted by Daphna Levin-Kahn, parents then had the opportunity to spend time visiting the student’s virtual photo albums on the Shorashim website, followed by families in small Zoom groups, hosted by our Year 7 Jewish Studies teachers and staff who had volunteered to host, to engage with student presentations of their Shorashim journeys. Mazal tov to each student; the quality of the work was outstanding, reflecting many hours of research. Many thanks to the Jewish Studies team and the teachers who hosted each group.

Photograph courtesy of Ofer Levy

Year 10 Drama Showcase  

On Wednesday evening I had the privilege of being part of the live audience for this live-streamed event. We were entertained by both individual and group performances. The emerging performing arts talent within this group is impressive – and we congratulate them on their excellent Drama showcase.

Reminder: Morning drop off procedures

There is still room for improvement for the movement of traffic around our campus! Some High School parents are still queuing up on Stanley Street, instead of going around the block (if all the spots are taken). Unfortunately, this results in the street becoming blocked, preventing our Primary School parents getting around to Avoca Street. Parents are also encouraged not to turn right from Stanley Street onto Avoca Street, as this also increases congestion in the morning.

Options for Speech Day

At the moment, the number of people that we can accommodate in the Lehrer Family Buildingl (MPH) is severely limited by the 4m square rule. Unless there are significant reductions of the COVID-19 restrictions, we will conduct a live prize presentation and speech day, with the Years 7-12 prize-winners participating in the MPH and the remainder of our community participating through our livestream Zoom link. We are hoping to accommodate all students from Years 7 to 12, if restrictions are lifted. Our remaining options involve a group of parents joining the live audience. Stay tuned!

May her memory be for a blessing

We received the sad news that Yetta (Netty) Grant, passed away on Shabbat last week, aged 99. Netty and her late husband Sid volunteered at the School since its inception in 1983. Up until the end of last year, Netty could still be regularly seen helping out in the Primary Library, always with a smile on her face and kind word for the students. We wish Netty’s family “long life” – she will be sorely missed. May her memory be for a blessing. 

A great try by Ashley Urbach, Year 7

Mazal tov

• The Emanuel Girls Years 7/8 team won the Jewish Day Schools Oztag Gala Day. They won all of their matches throughout the day and went in to win the grand final against Moriah 3-1.
• The boys team played so well and sucumbed in overtime 3-4 to Masada.
• Luca Calderon Havas, Year 10, won the Maccabi Lloyd Burman Junior Sportsperson of the Year award for his tennis success and excellent attitude. 

Quote of the week

“Issues are never simple. One thing I’m proud of is that very rarely will you hear me simplify the issues.”
Barak Obama