Andrew Watt – Principal – celebrating Crazy Hat Day in style

Speaking on difficult issues

The incursion of Russian troops into Ukraine has resulted in death, destruction of property and the displacement of many people. With a Jewish President and Prime Minister, Ukraine is the home of a large Jewish community, with deep historical roots. The invasion has impacted many families within the Sydney diaspora. Some fear the potential escalation to a global war between countries with nuclear capabilities. The number of refugees crossing the border increases each day.

What is the role of the School in responding to this escalating conflict? We can provide support and reassurance for students with family connections to Ukraine and to those who are suffering anxiety around both the uncertainty and the media coverage of the destruction and loss of life. Parents are encouraged to monitor the mental health of their children and to access external or internal (School) psychological support, if required.

It is not the role of the Principal to adopt a political position, or to proffer personal opinions on the underlying motivations that led to the conflict. It is, however, appropriate for our students to engage deeply with the complexities of the Ukraine crisis, as we seek to make sense of what is happening and how it may impact us, both now and in the future. Perhaps more importantly, we can encourage our students to explore how we can support the refugee families leaving Ukraine. The invasion of Ukraine was raised in our High School Assembly this week. An excerpt of my address is included below:

I want to finish on what we can do to support the people of Ukraine, who are experiencing much suffering. For Ukrainian families in Australia, there may be a great temptation to leave our country and join the battle. However, our government has warned that doing so would put at risk their citizenship and that they may not be able to return. Many of us across our nation are calling out in protest of this invasion and subsequent destruction and loss of life. Perhaps our role can be to offer support for the millions of refugees who have been displaced and no longer have a home? Financial support of refugee agencies will provide much needed food and shelter, and in the longer term, the ability to re-home families and ensure that their children still receive an education. There are also agencies that need funds to provide medical assistance, through hospitals, doctors, and medicines. Perhaps our role can be to lobby our local members to provide space for Ukrainian refugees in Australia, in Sydney, in our community? The need will be great, even if the battle was to end soon. This is something for all of us to think about; how we can best help those in need.

Rabbi Bergman – a “Glocal citizen”

Rabbi Sergio Bergman, President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and former Argentinian Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, visited the School to share his thoughts and workshop ideas with the students about sustainability and our collective role in enacting change as Jews and as Global citizens. 

Rabbi Bergman shares his passion for bringing about change both locally and globally as a “Glocal” citizen

Rabbi Bergman initially met with our Primary School Sustainability Leaders and High School Sustainability Va’ad (student committee) and then with our Year 11 Jewish Studies students. In our soon-to-be-published Strategic Plan 2022-2024 titled Making a Difference: Informed and Ethical Changemakers, we speak of our graduates as Compassion Advocates who are driven to improve the world around them. When sharing their insights with Rabbi Bergman about climate change, sustainability and their role in bringing about change, it was obvious that our future young leaders have internalised their responsibility as Compassionate Advocates, both now and into the future. Rabbi Bergman encouraged the students to live as “Glocal citizens” – individuals who are not only committed to local change but to also seek out and enact global change – a pertinent message for us all. 

A recent article published in The Australian Jewish News reported how a terrorist bomb attack, coordinated by Iran and Hezbollah, changed Rabbi Bergman’s life. It makes for interesting reading and gives us insight into a leader who has been named as one of the world’s 100 most influential leaders in the fight against climate change.

We are grateful to the Union of Progressive Judaism for arranging Rabbi Bergman’s visit. Look out for student responses to Rabbi’s visit by clicking on the article “What can we do?”.

Living with COVID-19

With the relaxation of COVID-19 safety measures and requirements to conduct RAHT surveillance, schools across NSW are experiencing increasing numbers of both staff and student COVID-19 cases. We have requested High School Year Groups or Primary classes who have reached a threshold number of cases, household contacts and symptomatic children, to remain at home for two days, to reduce risk of further and widespread infections. Our hope is that this measure will allow symptoms to emerge in those students who have yet to test positive but are symptomatic.  Our strong recommendation is that our students continue to wear masks indoors, as the wet weather has increased the time in classrooms. Parents are encouraged to monitor their children closely for symptoms and to keep them at home if even minor symptoms appear.

Happy Crazy Hat Day 

Crazy Hat Day is one of my favourite experiences in the calendar. Each year, the students don creations that rival haute couture in the fashion centres of the world. Today, the students didn’t disappoint!

Canteen 

The canteen will be closed on Wednesday 16 March for the Fast of Esther.

Mazal tov

Mazal tov to Aidan Sheps, Year 11, who recently took part in the inaugural 2022 World Jewish Youth Assembly, under the auspices of the World Jewish Congress. Aidan was assigned to a committee consisting of three other students in the Asia-Pacific region to develop a series of resolutions on the topic Zionism in the Modern World.  

Quote of the week

“Change begins within ourselves and, one by one, we will be many who make a difference. I do not repair the world without changing the world within me, and each of us is a leader for change.” Rabbi Sergio Bergman