Anne Hastings – Principal

From the Principal

Yesterday our Years 11 and 12 students had the privilege of seeing and hearing not one, but two, Prime Ministers at Moriah in an event they will remember for a long time. Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Benjamin Netanyahu both spoke briefly to a packed auditorium of students, reminding students of their important role in the world of the future, and that of Israel to Jews. The Prime Ministers seemed very relaxed together and both spoke without notes. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s entourage was extensive and security very much visible throughout the brief visit. It would be interesting to talk to your son or daughter about their view of the visit, if they were lucky enough to be there on this historic occasion.

New Syllabuses in English, Mathematics, Science and History for Years 11 and 12

From 2018 the students in Year 11 will be undertaking new syllabuses in these subjects, with the first HSC examinations in 2019. This week the new documents were released to the public by NESA (NSW Educational Standards Authority, formerly BOSTES), to provide teachers with the time to come to terms with the new syllabuses and prepare their teaching programs. This is a significant and important task, and one which our teachers will be working on throughout this year so they are well prepared for 2018.

Maccabiah Games, Israel, July

We are aware that quite a number of our students have been selected for these games and congratulate them for their hard work in training and playing their chosen sports in the lead up to their selections. We’d love to give them all acclamation, but need to be made aware of the names of all students who will be participating. In addition, we understand that students will have to be absent from school for a few days at the end of Term 2 and beginning of Term 3 to attend the games and request that parents make applications for leave for this time through our absence process (email to absence@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au).

International Women’s Day

This day is celebrated on 8 March and we have organised for a special speaker to come to the School at lunchtime on that day to speak to our senior students and any parents who would like to join us. Please see the information about this event under International Women’s Day, in this bulletin.

From Yigal Nisell, the Education Shaliach for JNF

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for all your assistance in the recruitment of Emanuel School volunteers for our Green Sunday telethon last Sunday. This year we had outstanding volunteer numbers from all the schools and youth movements, 300 in total.

We would not have been able to enrol these children without your assistance and that of your most helpful staff, specifically Daniel Samowitz. 

The funds raised went towards restoring the forests and rebuilding the communities devastated by the recent fires in Israel.

Toda Raba Mikol Halev

Student success

Mazal tov to:

• All those students who have been selected to go to the Maccabiah games in Israel in July. Those whom we currently know about are: Nadia Coburn, Jared Elbourne, Amy Collins, Lara Joffe, Jordan Weizman, Lara Rutstein and Isabella Schulz.

Coming up

• Year 8 Parent and Student Information Evening, Tuesday 28 February, 7 pm in the Millie Phillips Theatre
• High School Swimming Carnival, Friday 3 March
• New Parents Welcome and Year 7 Parents Meet the Teacher, Monday 6 March
• Emanuel Short Film Festival, 7 March, 7 pm
• International Women’s Day – guest speaker 8 March, 1:10 – 2:00 pm (more information in IWD page)
• Jazz on the Hill, 26 March, 2:30 – 5:00 pm (book via link on Gesher page)

Quote of the week

‘The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it’. [Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121 AD – 180 AD)]

Best wishes for a restful and reinvigorating weekend.

Shabbat Shalom