Unpacking the Jilkminggan Experience

Our School has developed strong connections to the remote aboriginal community of Jilkminggan. Located a 1.5 hour drive southeast of Katherine on the Mangarrayi Aboriginal Land Trust, Jilkminggan has a population of approximately 300 people. Emanuel School has been visiting this community for the past 13 years and we highly value the relationships we have built with many families. Students from the Jilkminggan School have visited our campus on two occasions.

This year, visits to Jilkminggan have been organised for both Primary and High School students. For all students, Primary School parents and staff involved, the upcoming Jilkminggan trips are an amazing cultural immersion experience and provide a wonderful opportunity for the School to celebrate our connections with and commitment to the Jilkminggan community. There is much about the Jilkminggan experience that is unique, and for some, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Primary parents to be with their child, experience the richness of the community and learn about the aboriginal culture, language and wisdom. It also provides a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents and children in an informal setting, resulting in many lasting friendships from the trip. 

The positive impact that our School has on the Jilkminggan School community should also not be underestimated. The experiences shared, the friendships formed and the opportunity for 2-way learning are of benefit to all. One parent described the Jilkminggan experience in glowing terms:

“The trip I have just been on has changed how I feel. I cannot express to you what an incredible trip it is for the parents and the children. The staff were organised, supportive and held the group in a loving and practical way. The guides external to the school were just incredible people to get to know. The group had experience after experience that would only have been possible with the presence of the guides we had. I learnt a lot from their knowledge and way of being in the world. I have done a lot of traveling in my life and have lived overseas in a lot of different places, and this trip stands out as a highlight. Both my son and I got a LOT out of it in many different ways. We had time to bond more deeply with one another, we faced some fears together and came out the other end stronger for it. I think it is a highlight of school life at Emanuel.”

The Primary School Jilkminggan Trips

Due to the high demand for this program, two trips have been organised, one in May/June and the other in October. The program involves a parent and child travelling together. Each trip involves 40-45 members of the Emanuel community, who visit various sites including Darwin, Litchfield National Park, Edith Falls and Mataranka. The Primary School students spend three days in Jilkminggan School, learning together and exploring the local area. Another highlight is the beautiful Shabbat experience spent in the outback.

 The High School Jilkminggan Trip

Students will depart on Sunday 23 July and return on Friday 28 July. The program is similar to the Primary School experience, but without parents. Twenty-two Year 9 and Year 8 students and two teachers will participate in the program. Our students will be immersed in indigenous culture and will participate in activities with the students at Jilkminggan School. Prior to attending this trip, our students will be participating in a cultural awareness training day.

Learning about Israel

Dr Ron Weiser

Dr Ron Weiser was our guest speaker at our High School Assembly. Dr Weiser is a well-known voice within the Sydney Jewish Community, having been a life member of the Zionist Federation of Australia Executive, Hon. Life President of the Zionist Council of NSW and a founding Director of the Online Hate Prevention Institute. In 2021, he received the WIZO NSW Rose Fekete Community Hero Award. Dr Weiser was invited to speak about current events in Israel, including the proposed reform of the judiciary. His address was measured, informative and it provided our students with an insight into the political situation in Israel.

This week our Year 10 students had the opportunity to listen to the moving stories of guest-speakers from Israel: Rami Elhanan and Bassam Aramin. Both Elhanan and Aramin suffered tragic family losses in the Arab-Israeli conflict, which led to their joining a Parents’ Bereavement Circle where they developed a friendship. Together, they promote peace and Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation. Our students listened openly and engaged thoughtfully with the speakers. 

National Volunteers Week

Volunteers are the backbone of our School community. Every day, parents, grandparents, alumni and others, selflessly volunteer their time which has a profound impact on the lives of our students and school.

Emanuel School volunteers – we are deeply grateful for your unwavering commitment and invaluable support.

P&F volunteers at the Mother’s Day gift stall

Developing our musical talent

On Monday evening we held the first two of our six annual Twilight Concerts. This week 26 students from Years 2 – 9 performed their most polished work for an appreciative audience of family and friends. They were ably rehearsed and accompanied by Mr Burley who organises the concerts in consultation with our team of instrument and voice tutors, who prepared and supported the students. Mazel Tov to the students for their lovely performances and all the work they put in earlier “behind the scenes”.

Kornmehl Family Day Breakfast

Kornmehl Pre-school celebrated Family Day on Monday morning with a wonderful breakfast together with Kornmehl families. It was important  that every child had somebody with them to celebrate. Mums, dads and lots of grandparents joined the breakfast. The children were eager to have breakfast with their special person and spent time engaging in a variety of fun activities inside and outdoors. For our Kornmehl staff and all our special visitors the morning was a resounding success. Many thanks to Terry Aizen and the Kornmehl team.

Canteen closures

The canteen will be closed on Thursday 25 May 2023 due to Shavuot and again on Monday 29 May 2023 due to the school wide BBQ Day.

Mazal tov

• Ella Johns and Lexi Kalinko from Kornmehl Pre-school, whose artwork was shortlisted in the Happy HabitART Competition. Over 500 children from 14 countries created coral reef artworks made with paint, pencil, crayon, play dough, recycled items, nature items, lego and even clothing. Well done! You can vote for their artworks here.

Quote of the week

“Once a year, go somewhere you have never been before.” – Dalai Lama