Andrew Watt – Principal

Negotiating difficult times: the value of student agency

It would have been hard to miss the recent extensive and disturbing media coverage of historical reports of sexual assaults upon female students, some in their early High School years, brought to light by an alumnus of an Independent Girls School. It was reported that about 1500 students from 50 different schools have signed a petition seeking “better – and earlier – sex and consent education in schools”. Coincidentally, the issue of peer-on-peer sexual abuse and consent was covered at an earlier High School Assembly in Week 3 this term. Our students were encouraged to be clear and firm in maintaining appropriate boundaries, and each student received a brochure, outlining what and how to report incidents and concerns. I shared this video which explains the concept of consent in an accessible way. I encourage you to watch it as it’s a perfect conversation starter.

These recent disclosures indicate that coverage of respectful relationships and consent in our School programs needs to begin at an earlier age. Currently, our Primary School students receive presentations in Kindergarten, Years 1, 3 and 5 that include the right to say ‘no’ to unwanted touch. Each grade also receives content related to positive relationship building. In the High School, the broader issue of respectful relationships/communication skills is a regular theme through a number of topics:

• Year 7 Term 4: Positive relationships
• Year 8 Term 2: Celebrating Diversity
• Year 9 Term 4: Men’s and women’s health issues

The issue of ‘consent’ in sexual relationships is something we cover specifically in the Year 10 Term 3 topic: Talking Sexual Health. Our House Tutor Program will also touch on these areas. We will move towards the direct coverage of these key topics at an earlier stage.

This is an uncomfortable topic, but we would encourage parents to work in partnership with the School, to reinforce a culture in which our students seek to protect and support each other at all times. We want to encourage our young men to call out poor behaviour amongst their peers and to respect boundaries, so that their female counterparts can feel confident and safe in their relationships, and able to report concerns without the fear of humiliation or victim blaming. Consent is equally important in same sex relationships.

Parents have a key role to play on evenings and weekends, to ensure that recreational drug and alcohol use is discouraged and that events are monitored closely. Paul Dillon (Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia), in his presentation to parents, always recommends that young adults are not permitted to sleep over, after a party. Parents and the School, when working together, can reinforce the key messages around wise decision making and respect. We would encourage parents to engage in these difficult conversations around expressing personal boundaries clearly and confidently and reinforcing the importance of speaking up, if boundaries are crossed. You may find this article useful when discussing the issue of consent with your child.

Remaining a COVID-Safe community

The infection control measures that we have had in place for over 12 months have served us well, providing a safe and secure learning environment for our students. As the number of community transmissions across NSW has slowed considerably, the biggest threat to our community will be complacency. Our current measures seek to reduce the likelihood of the spread of infection, should a case arise. One of the key preventive strategies that we need to preserve, is for staff and students experiencing any symptoms of a cold or flu’ to remain at home and get tested. I have recently received reports of students arriving to school with runny noses, coughs and sore throats. A decision to send an unwell student to School has the potential to spread infection across the entire community.

Despite the low numbers of infection, please follow the NSW Health requirements closely, so that the risk of COVID-19 infection within our community remains low.

Purim

The whole school, from pre-school to Year 12 celebrated Purim on Friday. The students’ impressively creative costumes are always a highlight and students enjoyed the many activities on offer. 

Rising Star

Emanuel School HSIE teacher, Lauren Korotkov, has been selected as a ‘Rising Star’ by The Educator magazine. The national publication recognises educators under 35 years of age who show exceptional leadership, initiative, passion and innovation in their practice. Being recognised as an emerging leader in education by an external organisation is a great honour. It is also evidence of the profound impact Lauren has had on our students’ learning and development. 

NSW Jewish Swimming Championships

Sport continues to be a growing focus at Emanuel and on Sunday, 18 Emanuel students took part in the Maccabi NSW Jewish Swimming Championships, taking home a combined total of 34 medals – 17 gold, 12 silver and five bronze. I congratulate all who participated in this prestigious meet. 

Mazal tov to the following medal winners:

Yoni Levy, Year 8, won four gold medals

Mazal tov

• Danielle Rutstein, Class of 2020, has been awarded a soccer scholarship to Clayton State University in Atalanta, Georgia. She leaves for America in July.  

Quote of the week

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” Michael Jordan