Andrew Watt – Principal

A warm welcome back to our parents and students as we commence the final term of 2022. I hope that the High Holy days and Chaggim were special for our Emanuel families, and that the break was both relaxing and reinvigorating. Our students have returned to a much-reduced first two weeks of term and have slipped back quickly into the familiar routines, reconnecting with friends.

Our Year 12 students commenced their HSC Examinations on Wednesday calmly and with purpose. The reports thus far are broadly positive and our students are well prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. We are grateful to our Year 12 teachers, for their support in running workshops, marking drafts and providing advice across the break. We have reinforced our expectation that each student simply seek to achieve their personal best, at whatever level this may be. We wish them every success. With examination spaces spread across the SLC, PAC and Brender Moss Building, we are doing all that we can to reduce noise levels throughout the examination period. Year 12 students and parents will have recently received a letter, outlining the NESA rules around COVID.

There is growing excitement around the fast-approaching Chavayah Program. Our Year 10 and Year 11 families are preparing for the much anticipated Israel immersion experience. This will be the first time that we have organised for two Year Groups to participate in the same year, and we are very grateful for the diligent leadership of Kobi Boom, ably supported by Stacey Rosenfeld. Our students will be supported by a strong staff team, including Margaret Lowe, Kobi Bloom, Erika Ktalav, Eli Hajun, Emily Lawrence, Eytan Messiah, Caroline Laumberg, Jessica Shanahan, Kim Slender, Daphna Levin-Kahn and Maya Buhrich. Parents are reminded that the time for all documentation around passports and visas to be completed is approaching.

Term 4 promises to be both busy and productive, with a range of sporting, debating, musical and community service events that will complement our academic and wellbeing programs.

Some High School key dates to note in your diaries include:

• Wednesday 19 October 2022 – Music and House Group Photo Day
• Monday 24 October 2022 – Non uniform charity day
• Wednesday 2 November 2022 – Night of Song
• Tuesday 8 November 2022 – Year 9 Exams
• Wednesday 9 November 2022 – Kristallnacht
• Wednesday 9 November 2022 – Year 9 Exams
• Thursday 10 November 2022 – Year 9 Exams
• Friday 11 November 2022 – Years 7-10 Project Based Learning Day
• Friday 11 November 2022 – Remembrance Day
• Monday 14 November 2022 – BBQ and Non uniform charity day
• Wednesday 16 November 2022 – Twilight Concert and Years 7-12 Writers’ Awards
• Tuesday 29 November 2022 – Sport and Extra-curricular Photo Day
• Wednesday 30 November 2022 – Tuesday 6 December 2022 – Project Based Learning Days
• Thursday 8 December 2022 – High School Speech Day and last day of term

Some Primary key dates to note in your diaries include:

• Tuesday 25 October 2022 – Non uniform charity day
• Monday 31 October 2022 – Year 6 Fun Day for all K-6 students
• Friday 4 November 2022 – Innovation Festival
• Friday 4 November 2022 – 6 November 2022 – P&F Camping weekend
• Monday 14 November 2022 – BBQ Day
• Sunday 20 November 2022 – Aladdin Jnr Show 1
• Monday 21 November 2022 – Aladdin Jnr Show 2
• Tuesday 22 November 2022 – Aladdin Jnr Show 3
• Friday 2 December 2022 – Year 6 Graduation and Pathways
• Wednesday 7 December 2022 – Years K-2 Presentation Day and Years 3-6 Presentation Evening

Staff Milestone Event

The whole-school staff team gathered together on Wednesday to celebrate our colleagues who have been valued members of the Emanuel community for many years. This was a special event, where a total of 21 staff received a milestone award. Between them, they have accumulated 295 years of service to Emanuel! The key milestones included 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service. Awards included a certificate, a leaf on the ‘School Service Tree’ located in the foyer, with gifts, depending on the length of service. Our staff are valued highly; despite the additional workload and stress incurred by staff shortages, they have done a magnificent job in the face of uncertainty – putting the interests of our students first, working long and hard to engage with them and care for them. Our teaching and administration staff remain the heroes of the day!

Principal Sabbatical

At High School assembly this week, I shared a little about my experience on a course conducted by London Business, Training and Consulting (LBTC), Hammersmith. Participating in a course on strategic leadership and change management through solely a business lens was both challenging and thought-provoking. There were many opportunities to reflect on research related to best practice, and how it could apply to our Emanuel School leadership teams. It became clear, however, that many organisations are unclear as to their vision, values and the case for change.

Our vision to unleash the potential of every student and to make a difference in our world, coupled with our clear graduate attributes, stood out amongst the course participants of CEO’s and COO’s. Whether a child or adult, we should never stop learning. Our students were encouraged to commit to a course of lifelong learning – maintaining a thirst to learn more and to extend past their comfort zone.

Thank you to the Board for providing this special learning opportunity, and to Margaret Lowe and our SAT team for running the School so well in my absence.