Andrew Watt – Principal

Adler Building Redevelopment Project

I am delighted to announce that our Development Application for the redevelopment of our Adler Building has been approved by the Eastern Sydney City Planning Panel. The Board of Governors of the JCA have awarded Emanuel School the Capital Appeal for 2021. This is a wonderful outcome – and will be the next step towards creating a brighter future for our School. I’ll be sharing further information with you in Term 1, 2021

2020 highlights from our Gifted and Talented program

Despite the challenges associated with COVID-19 restrictions this year, our K-12 Gifted and Talented staff team can look back on a range of achievements with a high measure of satisfaction. There has been a strong focus on curriculum differentiation and the process for identifying gifted students has been enhanced. Our students have also enjoyed a number of online competitions and mentoring programs. In the Primary School, our students have benefitted from participating in extracurricular clubs and advanced, tailored curriculum, including extension lessons. In the High School, students have continued to benefit from our subject acceleration program in Mathematics. Our Gifted Education Committee, with representatives from each department, have developed approaches for extension in all High School subject areas. A Gifted and Talented section for both the Staff and Parent Portal is currently under development. More information on our programs can be accessed here.

Ariel Berger – A Family Lunch

Annual ArtExpress exhibition 2021

I am delighted to announce that Ariel Berger’s HSC Major Artwork, A Family Lunch, will be included in this year’s Virtual ArtExpress Exhibition. The is an outstanding achievement. We also celebrate Asha Friedman whose Work was nominated for the exhibition. Mazal tov to Ariel, Asha and their teacher, Eytan Messiah. 

Welcome to Mario Torresan

Our new Director of Finance and Operations, Mario Torresan, commenced this week. He will work closely with Jillian McCormick, who is retiring this year, throughout the handover period. Mario is a highly qualified and experienced leader within the Finance sector. He has held a range of CFO and COO roles, in the Not-For-Profit sector, including Australian Hearing, Aquarius Aged Care and UNICEF Australia. Mario has worked recently as Director of Finance and Technology at Montefiore Aged Care. We are looking forward to his contribution to our Business Office and, more broadly, as a member of our Strategic Advisory Team. We are very thankful for the outstanding service we received from Jillian throughout her time at Emanuel. We will have opportunity to formally thank Jillian prior to her departure.

Farewell Shira Shebban

After 19 years as a parent at Emanuel School, Shira’s youngest son, Jonathan (Jono), has completed his final year. Shira was formally thanked for her work on the Board earlier in the year and from the Jewish life committee last week. A Board member for 16 years and Chair of Jewish life and Marketing committees, each for 10 years, Shira has remained an active member of the Jewish life committee. Her contribution has been significant in shaping the school’s values and direction, as a pluralistic, egalitarian Jewish Community Day School. We wish Shira all the best for the future. She will be sorely missed.

Romy McCorquodale making an impressive save

Mazal tov

Romy McCorquodale, Year 8, has been voted 2020 Most Valuable Player at Sydney Olympic FC and invited to train with the Sydney FC senior women’s team under Head Coach, Ante Juric. Romy is a goalkeeper and is also being coached by the former Leicester FC goal-keeper, Paul Henderson, who has taken considerable interest in her development to senior levels. 

Quote of the week

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” 
John F. Kennedy