Andrew Watt – Principal

Keeping our School community safe

This week, masks (indoors) for Years 3-12 and RAHT testing (twice a week) across K-12 were re-introduced, as additional measures to slow down the number of COVID-19 cases within the School. There is no doubting that this was not a popular decision, especially for those who have recently recovered and were looking forward to a period of immunity. There are, however, a number of staff and students with existing medical conditions that would put them at high risk, should they contract COVID-19, despite being vaccinated. Those families who have maintained their social distancing throughout the pandemic have expressed their gratitude. The steadily increasing numbers of staff at home with COVID-19 or caring for a family member, was also a factor, as we seek to keep the school open for the remainder of Term 1. As we approach school holidays and the weather cools down, it is important to take steps to minimise the impact of COVID-19. Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect your child, and the community. We will observe case numbers closely over the non-term break and communicate our COVID-safe measures prior to the commencement of Term 2. We hope that these additional measures will result in reduced cases, so that families can enjoy an isolation-free break.

The Fresh Prince comes undone

Hollywood is abuzz, social media is at its zenith and everyone has an opinion on events that rocked the celebrity world this week. It’s the talk of the town, discussed in carpools on the way home and in the corridors between classes.  

How do we speak to our children about the clip that is circulating media everywhere, help them unpack their feelings and give them the tools to think critically about the situation?

I came across a Facebook post by Klikd and an article from parentingideas.com.au which pose a number of interesting questions to help start the conversation with your child, your partner or friends. Of course, please feel free to ignore these all together and get on with life, free of celebrity mayhem.

1. Think of a time when you were enraged and felt so passionately about someone’s thoughts or actions. How did you react? In hindsight, could you have done anything differently?
2. Does love actually “make you do crazy things”? Does being in love justify a person’s actions?
3. Gender stereotypes are often highlighted by people’s behaviour. Do women need to be saved by a ‘knight in shining armour’? It is socially acceptable for a man to be bald. Why is it any different for women? Should it be?
4. What kind of humour is funny? What isn’t and why?
5. What are appropriate responses to a volatile, personal or morally questionable situation?
6. What makes for a ‘good’ apology? Should you apologise for your actions if you believe in them? How would you determine this?

Everyone has a story to tell, shaped by their past experiences, moral compass and world view. We teach our students to be upstanders, not bystanders, we say no to bullying and gender stereotyping. We also teach, believe and live the fact that our interactions and relationships must be underpinned by respect, empathy and compassion – that violence – emotional, physical, spiritual or otherwise – has no place in our school, our community and arguably, our world.

There are many articles and posts about the recent Hollywood ‘episode’. I found this article, written by Dannielle Miller OAM – author, teen educator and Director of Education at Women’s Community Shelters – to be particularly insightful.

Virtual Parent Afternoon Tea (VPAT) – HSC update

Our VPAT program was resurrected this week, to address concerns related to our Year 12 cohort’s preparation for their Higher School Certificate Examinations. Adam Majsay and Margaret Lowe fielded a range of questions about the interruptions to both the teaching and assessment programs. The key theme throughout the Webinar was: “We’ve got this” – that internal and external structures are in place to support our Year 12 students, as tasks are reallocated, and teachers return from COVID-19. Information was provided on how to access illness and misadventure and the Education Access Scheme (EAS). Parents were reassured that the Universities are aware of the impact of COVID-19, as reflected by the proliferation of Early Entry Schemes and alternative pathway to access Tertiary Education. Thank you to our Deputy Principals and their academic and wellbeing leadership teams, for their professional and caring support of our students.

Traffic safety and traffic flow

Our neighbours have reported a significant improvement in the traffic flow and parking around our School. This is especially pleasing as we embark upon our construction project. We are, however, still receiving regular reports of a small number of drivers who are parking in no-stopping spaces, double parking, and obstructing driveways. We have received photos (with licence plate numbers) where this has occurred in Market Street.  At this stage, I am reluctant to follow up each driver, but would rather ask for you to be kind to our residents and follow the reasonable traffic rules.

The lead up to Pesach

This week saw the inaugural Freedom Week in the High School, connecting the ideas of Pesach, Freedom, and Responsibility with modern slavery, especially slavery in Australia. The Week enhanced the School’s connection to The Freedom Hub, raising awareness and funds for their important work, and including hands-on as well as online activities. Experiential Pesach learning by our wonderful Informal Jewish Life team began this week with thought-provoking activities for Year 10 during class time. These will continue next week with in-class activities for most year levels, a back-to-basics Pesach Seder with an Emanuel twist for Year 7, an all-day Masa Bamidbar (Journey in the Desert) Homelessness Excursion for Year 9, a Speaker Series session for Year 11 from Sally Irwin, the Founder/CEO of The Freedom Hub and an ethics-based Chocolate Seder experience for Year 12.

Our Primary Jewish Life Department has been busy preparing for multiple Pesach events; planning, rehearsing, singing, shopping, and cooking. On Thursday, Year 5 students created a seder experience with their classmates. The seder included the opportunity to discuss Pesach themes, the meaning of rituals, ask and answer questions, sing and taste Pesach food. For the final week of term, we are looking forward to students in Year 1 and Year 6 experiencing a Pesach seder and to having Year 2 and Year 3 parents joining the students for a demonstration seder filled with drama, music, and dance.  

Quote of the week

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~ Viktor E. Frankl