Andrew Watt – Principal

Welcome back to another action-packed term, in which we plan to engage our students deeply in both their academic studies and in the broader life of the School. Parents, staff and students will be encouraged to strap themselves in for the ride, as we launch into the many highlights of the term’s journey ahead. This commenced with an Anzac Day commemoration and Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations, and will include an Israel Expo (Year 8), Entrepreneur Competitions (Years 9 and 10), Year 12 Camp, Athletics Carnivals (K-12), Mother’s Day events, Twilight Concerts, House Music Competition (Years 7-12), Jilkminggan Trips and the High School Production (The Addams Family).

Schools are busy places and we aspire to provide a learning environment that unleashes the potential of every student and supports them to be the best that they can be.

Welcoming our new staff members

I am pleased to announce the appointment of the following staff:

Mr Niall Brennan

Mr Brennan joins our HSIE department as an Economics teacher, replacing Mr Michael O’Neill. After teaching in Ireland for three years, Mr Brennan moved to Dubai, where he taught at both the School of Research Science and GEMS Jumeirah College. He brings a wealth of experience in global economics and has spent the non-term break researching both the Australian curriculum and economy.

Mr Hugh O’Neill

Mr O’Neill joins our Mathematics Department and will cover for Ms Eithne McNamara this term across both Primary and High School, whilst she completes her mandatory visa requirements. Mr O’Neill has taught both Mathematics and PDHPE for the past seven years, in both the United Arab Emirates and Ireland.

Ms Riki Druker

Ms Druker joins our Science Department, replacing Sarah Bishop whilst on maternity leave. She returns to Emanuel after completing one of her practicums with us last year. Ms Druker is an early-career teacher who also completed placements at Moriah and Waverley College. Prior to teaching, she has worked as a Scientist with Johnson & Johnson, and previously as a policy officer and a medical writer.

Ms Amanda Morehu

Ms Morehu joins our administration team as HR Coordinator. With over eight years’ experience working in administration and HR within the legal industry, her expertise will be valued highly.

Mr Ryan Brain

Mr Brain joins our Maintenance Department with three years’ experience working as part of a facilities team at an Independent School in Wales. He has also worked in the construction industry.

K-12 Anzac Commemoration Assembly

Our annual Anzac Day commemoration ceremony was held on Wednesday. During the assembly the importance of commemorating the fallen was emphasised, as soldiers in all conflicts were recognised for their contribution to the protection of our country. Our Year 10 students Liberty Waldner and Jamie Keyser stressed the importance of ‘commemoration’ as opposed to ‘celebration’ and the ongoing tension that exists between these two forces. In the assembly respectful recognition of the contribution of the 1000 indigenous soldiers who fought during WWI was raised. We were fortunate to have Rabbi Kaiserblueth attend the event and provide the guest address for the ceremony. His speech highlighted the role of duty in society and his own experiences and intentions after joining the Royal Navy as a Chaplain.

A special thanks to Max Salamon, Year 10, who played The Last Post before a minute of respectful silence. 

In other Anzac Day-related news, Head Madrichim Coby New and Ruby Brody represented Emanuel at NSW Association of Jewish Service & Ex-Service Men & Women ceremony on Sunday, where they paid their respects to fallen Australian soldiers and recognising the Jewish Australians’ contribution to conflict by reading the Ode at the event.

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Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations 

After our annual Anzac Day commemoration ceremony the morning was spent celebrating Israel’s 75^th birthday with dancing, a performance from the School’s Klezmer Band, games in the MPH and a peulah discussing Zionism run by our Year 11 students. It was a full day of revelry with Israeli music and snacks at recess and lunch.

The Pathway for Curriculum Development

The current NESA Curriculum Reform is the first comprehensive reform in three decades. The (K-12) process commenced in 2022 and will continue until 2028. Each year, a range of courses transition through a comprehensive process involving:

1. Syllabus consultation and release
2. Schools plan and prepare
3. Syllabus is taught in schools

This year, no less than 20 of our courses are in the planning and preparation stage, with 26 courses entering this stage next year. As you would imagine our entire teaching team have worked hard to create new teaching programs, scope and sequence tables and assessment tasks aligned to the new syllabi. This work is completed on top of their current lesson preparation, assessment and feedback, student support and report writing. We are proud of the quality of programs developed thus far. To support our staff, we have adapted our Staff Development Days and Staff Meeting schedule to accommodate curriculum planning for those Departments with courses at the ‘Plan and Prepare’ phase.

Minor Change to Calendar:  Erev Shavuot Closing Time

We are seeking to introduce a consistent time for the School to close on the eve of Jewish Holidays. Thus, the School’s closing time for Erev Shavuot on Thursday 25 May 2023 has changed from 2.50 pm to 1.10 pm. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Mazal Tov

To Leah Grunseit, Aron Harpaz, Jake Newfield, Yasmine Fisher, Heidi Martin, Grace Lyons, Amelie Trope and Inez Calderon-Havas who participated in the Run2ure Charity run for Neuroblastoma, raising close to $2,000.00. 

To Dylan Pal for being part of the ASISSA primary boys team who drew against IPSHA in the final of the 2023 CIS Primary Boys Football Carnival/Trials. ASISSA were undefeated throughout the day and were crowned joint winners.

Quote of the week

“You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” – Oscar Wilde