Andrew Watt – Principal

Madrichim Leadership team 2021-2022

The votes have been counted and we are delighted to announce our formal Madrichim team below. We have many capable students who missed out on a position, or who did not put themselves forward. We look forward to the broader leadership of this combined group, who, at the recent Nitzavim Training Seminar, built their aims for the year and worked out how to put their passions into action through Va’adot (student-run committees).

Mazal tov to:

Head Madrichim
Myles Cohn and Victoria Miller

Madrichim
Gaija Avshalom; Lily Berger; Isabella Filipczyk; Eden Glass; Talia Kleviansky; Sacha Rosen and Jonah Trope

House Madrichim
Meir:          Eden Grynberg and Tori Shapiro
Rabin:       Nathalie Freed and Hannah Kim
Rashi:       Jesse Herdan and Jayda Sacks
Szenes:     Matthew Lowy and Remy Waller

The Madrichim for 2021-22 will have a virtual induction ceremony during Assembly in Week 5. While it is unfortunate that we cannot all be together to congratulate the incoming Madrichim, I know they are eager to start their role in leading the student body. Once restrictions are lifted, we will organise a morning tea, to mark the occasion with the parents of the Madrichim.

100 Days of Learning

I was delighted to participate online in our celebration of 100 Days of Learning on Tuesday. This much-loved annual event marks a significant milestone in the children’s educational journey. The dancing and ever-popular fashion parade were a big hit with both staff and students. Thank you to our Kindergarten teachers, Talia Hyneck and Leisha Strub.

HICES Debating Champions

Unfortunately, the HICES debating competition has been cut short due to COVID. This means that there will be no more HICES competition for the rest of the year. The good news is that HICES awarded winners for each division based on the debates so far. Our middles and senior teams have both won their division in HICES debating for 2021. This is a huge accomplishment, and we are very proud of these students. HICES will be mailing out certificates shortly congratulating our winning teams. Mazal tov to the following champion debaters:

• Our Middles team includes Ariel Bloom, Liam Danon, Elias Davis, Jack Fridman, Ruby Friedman, Jaime Keyser, Jessica Linker, Daniel Newfield, Jayden Segal, Daliah Smagarinsky and Liberty Waldner. 
• Our Seniors team includes Alix Cane, Maayan Granot, Arielle Melamed, Jake Newfield and Daniel Solomon.

Our Head of High School Jewish Studies

Daphna Levin-Kahn has decided to return to a full-time teaching position in 2022. Her contribution as Head of High School Jewish Studies over the past 7 years has been significant. Ms Levin-Kahn has led a change in the culture and expectations within our Jewish Studies Department. The passion and dedication that she has brought to this role is admirable, and the introduction of courses like Be the Change have made a genuine difference in the lives of our students and community.

2021 Census – an important message from JCA

The census will take place on 10 August 2021. As the most comprehensive snapshot of the country there is, the census is a vital resource for the Jewish community. On behalf of the plethora of Jewish organisations providing services and facilities to Jews across Australia, JCA has requested that you please report JEWISH in the religion question. 

Why?

By reporting your religion as Jewish, decisions about distributing communal resources can be made in an informed way.
It takes the guesswork out of planning for the future.
It helps ensure Jews in Australia are appropriately represented to Government which assists Jewish communal organisations in seeking Federal and State funding for our community.
It will support the community by providing a clear understanding of how many Jewish school children there are, what aged care provision is needed, and where community security is best placed.
It will help synagogues, community centres and every conceivable aspect of Jewish community life.

As with previous censuses, JCA in NSW will be investing in data analysis so that the results can be made freely available to Australia’s entire Jewish population.

COA Sydney offering support to our families

In addition to providing Kosher Meals on Wheels, The COA Fresh program is available to families in need. Members of the community who are struggling with food security or are trying to keep COVID safe can be visited weekly by COA volunteers, who deliver a mixed bag of fresh fruit and vegetables and other household items (toiletries, cleaning, and sanitising products etc). If you need help, please call 9389 0035. Thank you, COA!

Quote of the week

“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” – Etty Hillesum, Dutch author who was murdered in  Auschwitz in 1943