Andrew Watt – Principal

Coping with these difficult times

Kim Slender, psychologist, family therapist and consultant to the Sydney Jewish Museum, was invited to address our staff this week. Kim talked at length about how we can best respond to the difficult times (or trauma for some) that we currently face, when the world no longer makes sense. Kim talked about how for many, their core foundation of safety was rocked on 7 October, and the ensuing response across countries, including Australia, has meant that the world for Jewish people no longer felt safe. Our school community continues to feel unnerved by unfolding events in Israel and the daily news feeds related to antisemitism, hostages and violence.

Recovery from trauma is individual, crucial and eminently possible. The 6-pronged advice provided to our staff would be of equal value to our parents and our young ones:

Catastrophe

Trauma inevitably brings about a ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response, resulting in the release of adrenalin and cortisol. This leads people to feel ‘tired but wired’, irritable, not digesting food properly, and for some, experiencing flashbacks and nightmares. Emotional numbness or avoidance, and dissociation may result, showing up as physical symptoms, such as headaches or insomnia.

Care

Self-care strategies can have a powerful impact of physical and mental health. These include eating well, exercising regularly and maintaining good sleep hygiene – having the same routine every night (10 hours after caffeine, 3 hours after a meal, 2 hours after work, 1 hour after screens). Social media consumption should be monitored, with a time limit on exposure to stressful content. Mindfulness and grounding techniques are helpful ways to remain ‘in the present’. Small achievable steps can help to re-establish life goals.

Compassion

When experiencing trauma, exercising compassion for yourself and for others is important. There is no right or wrong way – but being authentic and empathetic, with no judgement is helpful. Developing empathy is a combination of thinking and feeling, leading to action.

Commit

It is also important that we commit to action. Anger turned inwards can be destructive, so we are encouraged to turn our emotions into positive actions.

Connect

Maintaining connections with others who have had similar experiences is important, and we are encouraged to maintain and strengthen these connections over time.

Community

We enjoy a close-knit and caring community, showcasing Interconnectedness, strength, and togetherness. Our community is a force for healing and hope. We are never alone.

Kristallnacht and the Holocaust Survivors Statement

On 9 and 10 November 1938, Nazi forces brutally attacked the Jewish community, resulting in the destruction of more than two hundred synagogues, severe damage to 7,000 Jewish-owned businesses, the arrest of 30,000 individuals, and the tragic murder of 91 Jewish people in Germany, Austria and the Sudetenland. On this, the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, The Australian published a statement by 100 Australian Holocaust Survivors, some of them Emanuel grandparents. They collectively state: “We cannot allow history to repeat itself. In the face of adversity, we have learned the importance of resilience, unity, and hope. We believe in the power of education and remembrance to prevent the atrocities of the past from occurring again. Together, we can strive for a world where every individual, regardless of their faith, regardless of their cultural background, can live in peace and security.” To read the full statement, please click here.

The Free Thinkers Forum

Inez Calderon-Havas (Year 12) gave an outstanding speech at this event on Tuesday, organised by Philosophy in Schools. This forum brings students together to listen and to discuss topics of particular interest to the student. Inez spoke on The Tyranny of Tolerance. I have included an excerpt below:

We can stand up and fight to overcome the tyranny of tolerance and leave our ignorance behind. We can take action for the good of others and the good of the future. So, will you choose to break out of this tyranny? Or will you go back to your daily life as if nothing has happened? No, do something so that the starving are fed, the abused won’t feel so alone, the wars will end and the Earth will not die. Do something so that I won’t have to think of running or hiding.

I think of how much hope there is in the world that can be used to make a difference. I think about how we can help my people and that we as a collective can help others. I think of the abolishment of the tyranny of tolerance. As Anne Frank said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world”. I will strive to stop tolerating and you should too. Start standing for those who cannot, stand with them and stand for yourself. I stand here for my family, for my community, and for myself. You have the power to stand for who you are and take action against tolerance. Use that power to improve this country and improve the world.

A showcase of musical talent 

Our Annual Night of Strings was held on Wednesday evening. As always, the program was full, showcasing the progression of both skills and performance across each age group. Our musicians clearly enjoyed themselves and performed with poise and confidence to a very appreciative audience. Mazal tov to our long list of performers, and a big thank you to Diana Springford, Jo De Araujo, our wonderful music staff and Ofer Levy, for taking such beautiful photos.

Supporting our parents

Parenting expert, Dr Justin Coulson argues that “we are investing more in our parenting than perhaps at any stage in the history of the world, but it is not working for us and it is not working for our children.” He promotes the notion of ‘autonomy support’ – encouraging children to act with a high level of personal choice, in developmentally appropriate ways.  We have organised a speaker series, to support our parents, on topics such as ‘Keeping your Child Safe Online’.

On Tuesday, Clinical Psychologist and former teacher, Dr Judith Locke presented on ‘Developing Confident and Capable Kids’. Judith’s presentation was not only informative but also infused with humour, leaving all attendees with a wealth of valuable insights and takeaways. Drawing from her books The Bonsai Child and The Bonsai Student, she explored parenting strategies that promote healthier family dynamics and shed light on crucial considerations regarding how we are preparing today’s children for their future roles as adults. We are extremely grateful to have had Judith as our guest, and we look forward to the possibility of her returning soon to share more of her wisdom.

Next week, we have the pleasure of welcoming Karen Young online as our final speaker in this excellent series, addressing the topic of “Building emotional regulation and self-control in children.” For more details about this upcoming event, please click here.

Our future business leaders and chefs 

Last Friday, the entrepreneurial and organisational talents of our Year 10 students were showcased, as were the culinary skills of our Food Technology students. The stalls set up on the Basketball Courts, offering a range of products, were well received, with profits going to UIA. Our Business Creator students gained valuable experience in developing, promoting and selling their products.

Mazal tov to all involved, with special thanks to Lara Ephron, Max Friend and Shane Ryan.

Mazal tov 

• Maya Balkin, Year 8, recently competed in the Tap Dancing and Musical Theatre sections of the National Eisteddfod in Canberra. Maya was awarded top first place and top elite first place for her age group, winning a $500 scholarship towards a visit to America to perform her tap dancing item. What a fantastic outcome and opportunity!
• Ben Fram, Maya Hersch, Ariel Solomon, and Ella Bortz, who also play/sing in ensembles/choirs at school, have formed an outside-school rock band, called OFF IT. OFF IT played in the Bondi WAVE program, receiving tuition in song writing and recording and using the recording studios at the Pavilion to record some of their original songs. The students were interviewed on Eastside Radio last week and played two of their songs – Letters and Red. 
• U15s Boys Basketball – runners up in the CDSSA Basketball Championships. 
• Our 1st Basketball team won each game at the annual ‘tri-series’ against Moriah. 

Quote of the week

“My greatest disappointment is that I believe that those of us who went through the war and tried to write about it, about their experience, became messengers. We have given the message, and nothing changed.” ~ Elie Wiesel