From the Principal
Andrew Watt – Principal
Strategic Plan 2022-2024: Unleashing Potential
Our vision and mission provide our School with a clear direction for the next three years, embracing the attributes we wish to see imbued in our departing graduates. Our core values are embodied within our policies and practices, and influence both our culture and the way we travel towards meeting our vision.
Our Strategic Plan, however, provides the ‘bones,’ or the key elements for how we are to achieve our vision, and dictate both our focus and our spending. Our current plan identifies five Key Commitments that we will be working towards over a 3-year period. Detailed action plans have been developed, under each of the Key Commitments, with a team of leaders seeking to deliver on a range of strategies. In addition to working with our Medical Advisory Panel as our Covid-Response Group, our Strategic Advisory Team (SAT) have developed and led this process, with the support of our middle leaders and staff team.
We have committed to reporting back on our progress towards achieving our 3-year strategic plan to both the Board and to our parents towards the end of each year.
These progress reports can be accessed through the links provided below:
- Inspired Jewish Learning and Living Report 2022: Adina Roth and Natanya Milner
- Future-Focused Learning Report 2022: Adam Majsay
- Wellbeing Report 2022: Margaret Lowe
- LBTC Report 2022: Andrew Watt
- Strategic Plan Sustainability Practices: Mario Torresan
The Magical Carpet Ride – Aladdin Jnr
After three attempts over the COVID era, our Primary School students were finally able to sing and perform on stage. Proud parents may say that it was worth the wait! Starring a cast that included performers in each year, the items were lively and entertaining. The set and costumes were bright and colourful and added to the mystical, magical feel of the production.
Members of the audience described the show as “enthralling” and “spell binding”, “feeling the joy in the room from the whole cast on stage”. Having the privilege to attend the final production, I thoroughly enjoyed the energy evident across both the dancing and the singing.
A huge mazal tov to the entire cast and crew and a thank you to: Brooke Oldfield, Remi Owen, Will Torney, Sarit Spira, Jessica Yendell, Steven Kramer, Novak Manojlovic, Matthew Bruce, Daniel Burley, Stefano Caroleo, Steven Kramer, Alex McNeil, Eamon Penner-Dilworth, Laura Scahill, Nicole Esra, Carrie Thomas, Stacey Rosenfeld, Ben Marshall, Aaron Berkowitz, Dylan Budai, Gena Yeomans, Belinda Levin, Michelle Favero, the Hebrew Department, the Emanuel Primary Staff, the Maintenance team, our Canteen and Ofer Levy.
Developing a lifelong love of reading and writing
Our recent High School Writer’s Award Evening highlighted the outstanding work of our English Department in providing engaging lessons and developing the literacy skills of our students. It also highlighted the strong foundation provided by our Primary School literacy program. Literacy involves the integration of speaking, listening and critical thinking with reading and writing. A high level of literacy is universally regarded as a highly-valued life skill that opens the doors to more educational and employment opportunities. Regular reading and writing increases vocabulary and communication skills; the ability to articulate concepts and arguments accurately and more effectively to others.
David Camp, with Writer of the Year, Eden Glass
Our students are required to study English until the completion of their schooling. In the senior years, the English courses provide students with the opportunity to explore, examine and analyse a range of texts, including prose fiction, drama, poetry, nonfiction, film, media and multimedia, as well as Australian texts. Students strengthen their knowledge and understanding of language and literature by analysing and evaluating texts and the ways they are valued in their contexts. The English Extension programs provide students with the opportunity to further strengthen their understanding of how and why aspects and concerns of texts from the past have been carried forward, borrowed from and/or appropriated into more recent cultures.
The Writer’s Awards Evening recognised the emerging talents within each year group, showcasing their writing. Parents were also provided with the opportunity to hear about the content, joys and challenges of each English program. The presentations clearly showed the growth of insight and sophistication of knowledge, understanding and skills as the years progressed. What was most impressive, however, was the strong connections to, and appreciation of, various forms of literature. Thank you to David Camp and the English team.
Supporting the community
Through JCA support, we are able to offer financial assistance to families who may otherwise not be able to afford Jewish education. JCA also supports many Jewish community organisations which help sustain, expand and assist Jewish families in financial, emotional or physical need, such as JewishCare, Mum for Mum and COA. If you are able, please consider donating to their 2022 Campaign.
Mazal tov
Music examinations require a huge commitment to the development of one’s technical finesse and musicianship on an instrument. They require years of persistent commitment and work and we congratulate the following Emanuel students who sat for examinations this year and did so well.
Mikaela Garbuz, Year 5 – Flute
Katya Sandy, Year 2 – Violin
Stevie Zurnamer, Year 2 – Piano
Alice Friendlander, Year 2 – Piano
Leo Marishel, Year 2 – Piano
Sam Hart, Year 4 – Piano
Mia Goodridge, Year 6 – Piano
Sanne Nathan, Year 7 – Piano
Special mention should go to Tal Wajsman, Year 5 – Grade 3 Saxophone; Seth Nachman, Year 7 – Grade 4 Saxophone; Joshua Barnett, Year 8 – Grade 5 Saxophone, Daniel Zipser, Year 8 – Grade 6 Piano; Leah Zipser, Year 6 – Grade 5 Piano; Jonathan Goldberg, Year 9 – Grade 4 Drum Kit; Max Tsipris, Year 8 – Grade 5 Piano; Nathan Shammay, Year 4 – Grade 5 Saxophone, and Benjamin Fram, Year 9 who achieved a distinction for his Grade 8 AMEB Rock School Drum examination.
Quote of the week
“However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.” Sir Winston Churchill