From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

Introducing Deep Democracy

Our Primary School Jewish Studies team are trialling the Deep Democracy Program, a world-renowned conflict resolution methodology. The program, adapted for children, introduces activities aimed at giving all students a voice, encourages them to listen deeply and to work through the tension that can arise from differences of opinion. Deep Democracy also encourages our students to value diversity and gain insights into how they relate to themselves and each other, based on the assumption that no one has a monopoly on the truth.

Myrna Lewis has been working with Adam Carpenter in the Primary School on the educational version of the program, called Shift-Ed. Myrna has visited the students on a number of occasions to teach and mentor Adam in the methodology, demonstrate the methodology by delivering several classroom sessions with students in Year 4 and Year 5. During these lessons, students have been developing their skills in listening to others and sharing thoughts, feelings and ideas connected to their Jewish Studies learning and working towards personal growth and development.

Keeping our students safe

The traffic around our school each morning and afternoon is congested – and on a bad day, can be a source of frustration for drivers and neighbours alike. Over the past two years we have sought to ensure a safe and orderly process for the drop off and collection of students, and we are very grateful for the support of the vast majority of our community. Despite the challenges of our building construction, we have maintained an effective process, requiring drivers to comply with our Traffic-and-Parking-Policy

Unfortunately, we have received reports that a small number of parents and grandparents are not following our Go With The Flow (GWTF) guidelines. Their responses to both our Traffic Wardens and our neighbours have been upsetting and not reflective of the values that we hold dear. Perhaps the greatest gift that a school community can impart to our neighbours is to show consideration and respect. Equally, we can gift our children by being caring and polite role models. Each reported incident, where the TPP and the Parent Code of Conduct are breached will be followed up by the School. Parents are requested to inform grandparents of our policies and processes in relation to traffic management.

Remembering Lexi Bader

It has been three years since we lost Lexi Bader in a tragic accident. At this time we reflect fondly on his life and his memory, and wish his family continued strength and peace. Lexi’s year group recently received their senior jerseys and every jersey has Lexi’s initials on the sleeve. The family will be presented with a jersey in memory of Lexi. Lexi is remembered at Speech Night with the Year 8 Mensch of the Year Award and during the year with the Lexi Bader Cup. We continue these traditions alongside tending to his olive tree.

Farewelling and celebrating our departing staff

It is always difficult to farewell members of our experienced, caring and high performing staff team. The feeling of loss is, however, most often accompanied by both gratitude and excitement about the next step in their professional journey. Emanuel teachers enjoy a high profile within our profession. Our staff depart secure in the knowledge that they made a difference and that their contribution was sincerely appreciated. This week, I want to recognise and thank four valued members of our leadership team, in order of length of service (see below). We wish each of them Kol Tuv, Hatzlacha Raba and Mazal Tov!

Ruth Harvey

For the past 13 years, Ms Ruth Harvey has served our School with distinction, as Head of the High School Hebrew Department. Over this time, she has focused unswervingly on maintaining the high quality of our Hebrew Programs and developing a lifelong love of Hebrew in our students. Our Hebrew students have benefitted greatly from her commitment to providing activities and camps that facilitate the learning of and engagement with the Hebrew language. Ruth is an untiring and enthusiastic advocate for Hebrew and we are grateful for the strong legacy she will leave.

Daphna Levin-Kahn

Ms Daphna Levin-Kahn will be departing at the end of term to embark upon the next step of her career adventure. She planned to leave earlier in the year but was kind enough to take on the role of Acting Head of Jewish Life in addition to Head of Jewish Studies, until Adina Roth arrived. Daphna has juggled the demands of the two roles with both panache and professionalism. Over her 10 years of loyal service, she has made a genuine difference to the culture and the standard of Jewish living and learning. We are grateful for Daphna’s commitment to developing high quality Jewish Studies Programs and for her input into our Jewish life initiatives.

Kristy Genc

Ms Kristy Genc has made a significant contribution as Director of our K-12 Sport Program over the past 8 years. Her diligent, professional and strategic approach to developing our Sport Program has reaped rich benefits for the School. It is within this culture of continuous improvement that many advances have been achieved – in terms of participation rates, recognition systems, quality of coaching, competition results – and most importantly, the enjoyment of sport. As she looks back over her time at Emanuel School, Kristy should feel proud of her strong legacy; Sport now enjoys a strong profile and is highly valued as an integral part of school life.

Christian Bell

Mr Christian Bell has been a dedicated and highly competent teacher within our High School HSIE Department for the past 7 years. His input into the programming of our History courses and his delivery of engaging and well prepared lessons have been greatly appreciated by staff and students. Christian recently took on the role of Year 12 Co-ordinator, contributing significantly to the academic and wellbeing support for our students in their final year. He is a highly valued member of a high performing HSIE team.

Mazal Tov

To Willow Gelin, Ashley Cohn and Dalia Smagarinsky on their participation and prizes in the ‘Suzanne Rutland Foundation & JNF Australia 2022 Hebrew Writing and Recording competition’. This achievement is testament to these students’ commitment to Hebrew and a celebration of their effort and skills. Kol HaKavod!

To the following students, in addition to Ella Millner in Year 4, who came 2nd place in the Years 3-5 age group of the Ripple Effects Australia Photo Contest, who placed in this national competition:
- Reina Steiner, Years 3-5 age group, honourable mention
- Elke Selinger, Years 6-8 age group, 2nd place
- Leah Joshua, Years 6-8 age group, 3rd place
- Elise Kitchener, Years 9-12 age group, 1st place