From the Principal
Andrew Watt – Principal
Rebuilding our culture of care, respect, commitment, and punctuality
Extended periods of remote learning with limited social interactions and a pervasive atmosphere of uncertainty, has characterised the two previous years. There is no doubt that this has impacted our student culture. Whilst we are slowly returning to normal, our students face the challenge of relearning the core values and behavioural expectations of our school culture prior to the advent of COVID-19.
What makes a good school culture? According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, it starts with connections – strong and overlapping interactions among all members of the school community. I do not know a school that is more connected than Emanuel! Knowledge about the School’s distinctive character, and what it takes to thrive in it, must again be widely spread and reinforced.
Our K-12 leadership team has identified several key areas that will reinforce and strengthen our school culture. In the younger years, it can be as simple as dressing in full uniform, listening politely and trying their best. As our students progress to middle Primary School years and beyond, the key areas include:
- Polite and respectful interactions with staff and fellow students
- Diligent and thorough completion of all required schoolwork in a timely manner
- Punctual arrival at class and other school activities and remaining for the duration of the lesson or activity
- Neat and tidy appearance; compliant with uniform rules about jewellery, make-up, and tied-back hair
- Respectful engagement in whole-school and group events, such as Kabbalat Shabbat, prayers, carnivals, and festivals.
We are very proud of our Emanuel culture of care, inclusiveness, and respect. We have sought to be a ‘safe place’ for those who struggle, and a school that promotes both individual excellence and collaboration. This is ‘the way we do things’ at Emanuel. Your support in reminding your children of the core values and actions that we hold dear would be sincerely appreciated, as we forge ahead. These include being kind to others, getting your children to school on time and ensuring that they are neat and in full uniform.
Promoting student voice and agency
Mia Goodridge, Eden Levit, Ruby Brody, Maayan Granot and Mahli Olian
The importance of ensuring that the ideas and concerns of our students are heard, valued, and believed lies at the core of our wellbeing program. Our Primary and High School Student Representative Councils (SRC) remain an important vehicle for bringing those matters raised by our students before the school leadership team. The SRC also organises fund-raising and community service events.
The Primary SRC started 2022 with renewed energy, collecting an impressive amount of food and sanitary supplies for Tonga and raising $366, whilst the High School SRC collected kitchen equipment, toiletry supplies and tinned vegetables, to assist with rebuilding Tonga after the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami. With the advent of the disastrous floods in NSW, the Primary SRC raised a phenomenal amount of money for the flood relief fund with the ‘Fiver for the Floods’ initiative. In Term 2, the High School SRC ran a very successful BBQ and plain clothes day for the same cause. The Primary and High School student SRC leaders will continue to meet to discuss new initiatives and issues raised by students. We thank Mia Goodridge, Mahli Olian, Jakob Pager and Zach Whitten for their enthusiasm and commitment to these fundraisers. Additional credit goes to our student representatives across Years 3-6. The High School is planning another fundraiser in Week 6 for our very own World Water Day. We are grateful to Alice Milner, Eden Levit, Kian Hamburger, Lucy Menczel, Maayan Granot, Ruby Brody and Ruby Miller for their support and hard work to make these fundraising events such a success
NAPLAN testing
NAPLAN Week 2022 has been highly successful, thanks to the efforts of a large team of Emanuel staff. The students have managed the challenges really well, many of whom have never done these exams previously. There was a positive and calm vibe in each of the testing centres around the Primary School and High School, with students certainly showing their relief at the end of each session. We appreciate that this set of exams is somewhat disruptive to the teaching and learning schedule, but we look forward to celebrating the success of our students and their teachers.
I had to share this photo of Katie Brodie, Director of Studies K-6, who seems to have nailed the NAPLAN spirit!
Mother’s Day
Thank you to the P&F who put on a fantastic spread and energetic activities for mums, special friends and students. This was the first Retro Schvitz and I believe it lived up to its name!
They also selected wonderful presents for the students to gift to their mums. I was particularly impressed that so many students in Years 5 and 6 chose to donate a significant portion of the money they would have spent on a gift to Women Up North, a support service for women, children and young people who have experienced domestic or family violence or abuse.
Small Business Workshop
On Thursday 26 May 2022 at 7.00 pm, we will be hosting a workshop for small business owners in conjunction with The Freedom Hub, an organisation that works to end slavery in Australia. Sally Irwin, Freedom Hub’s Founder and CEO, will explore how small businesses can ensure that they don’t support the growing slavery trade in Australia.
Bookings are essential for catering purposes.
Shorashim
Mazal tov to Daniel Zipser, Year 8, who won the highly coveted United Israel Appeal Shorashim Project Award 2021 for his Year 7 project. Daniel has been awarded $1,000 towards his Year 10 Israel trip. Kol hakavod to all the finalists – it was obvious that a lot of thought and care had been invested in their projects.
A page from Daniel Zipser’s Shorashim project
Mazal tov and Kol hakavod
This week we have a number of student achievements and work to celebrate.
- Kol hakavod to all of Year 8 for their efforts, enthusiasm and expertise during the recent Israel Expo. They are to be particularly commended for their problem solving skills and great teamwork in setting up and packing down their stands.
- Emanuel 15yrs Girls Football Team won the CDSSA Football Championships – a fantastic result all round.
- Eden Levit, Coby New, Luca Calderon-Havas, Sienna Poswell, Gemma Odes, Riley Carr, Shai Farhy and Reece Carr on their selection in the CDSSA representative football teams.
- Ben Rozen on his selection in the AICES Rugby Union team.
- Maxwell Pozniak who competed in the Australian National Championships of Hip Hop International last weekend, winning the top division and now qualifying for the International Championships to be held in the USA in August.
Quote of the week
Don’t just learn, experience.
Don’t just read, absorb.
Don’t just change, transform.
Don’t just relate, advocate.
Don’t just promise, prove.
Don’t just criticise, encourage.
Don’t just think, ponder.
Don’t just take, give.
Don’t just see, feel.
Don’t just dream, do.
Don’t just hear, listen.
Don’t just talk, act.
Don’t just tell, show.
Don’t just exist, live.