Andrew Watt – Principal

A warm welcome to our new Emanuel families, and welcome back to all within our school community. The 2024 school year commenced with a series of new staff induction, leadership development and whole-staff professional development programs. However, the undoubted highlight was the return of our reinvigorated and energetic students! It was lovely to observe the strong engagement amongst our students and the warm reception that our staff received.

Term 1 promises to be both a busy and productive experience. Some of the highlights include our whole school photo day, our swimming carnivals, our Year 7 and Year 8 Camps, our Year 6 Leadership days, NAPLAN, Purim activities, Duke of Edinburgh Camps, our Pesach activities from Kornmehl to Year 12 and so much more. We will encourage our students to strap themselves in and enjoy the ride!

On a more sombre note, the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israel remains close to the surface and in our thoughts and prayers. We will continue to send support to Israeli families, in terms of care packages and messages of encouragement, and we will continue to commence our formal occasions with a Psalm, a prayer or a time for reflection. We are praying for the release of all the hostages and ultimately, for peace in the region. Am Yisrael Chai.

Welcome to our returning staff

Last year, we farewelled six permanent teachers and two permanent administration staff, a relatively small number. However, nine staff members were also returning from long service leave, medical leave and parental leave, resulting in the departure of their temporary replacements. I understand that some parents would have viewed a total of 17 departures with some concern, so it is hoped that this will provide clarity. We welcome back to the following staff:

• Debbie Cohen, Primary School SLC Coordinator and Coordinator Teacher Assistants
• Annie Turrall, Primary School teacher Term 1, Acting Director of Students Terms 2-4
• David Bartlett, HSIE teacher and Senior Teacher Mentor
• Ellana Costa, HSIE teacher (PT)
• Denise Goldman, HSIE teacher (PT)
• Ray Francis, Head of PDHPE
• Claire Pech, Careers Advisor
• Remi Owen, Music teacher, Coordinator Music Events
• Becky Goldberg, High School Hebrew and Jewish Studies teacher

Welcome to our new staff

Our new staff members have been well prepared for the commencement of their teaching at Emanuel. They have settled quickly into their new roles, and we are fortunate to have employed a competent and caring group of teachers, leaders, and administrators.

• Shaun Clarke, Maths teacher
• Avital Melman, Maths teacher
• Eamon Prendiville, Maths teacher (replacing teacher on leave)
• Tom Cotillard, Science teacher
• Louise Clark, English teacher (replacing teacher on leave)
• Maeva McCabe, Coordinator of French
• Lisa McCowage, Assistant Director of Music (Extra-Curricular) K-12.
• Corinne Ellul, Music teacher
• Jasmine Landers, Primary School teacher (replacing teacher on leave)
• Aimee Lanning, Primary School teacher
• Annemarie Dalag, Primary School Teaching Assistant
• Mikki Ilieff, School Nurse (replacing nurse on leave)
• David Chan, Strength and Conditioning Coach (PT)
• Tommaso Parisi, Technical Production Manager
• Tomer Belkin, Teaching Assistant (PT)

Australia Day 2024 Honours

Each year, a number of our Emanuel School community members receive recognition for their outstanding service to the Jewish and/or broader community. Mazal tov to the following Emanuel School grandfathers and their families:

Vic Alhadeff OAM

For service to the Jewish Community and Media. Vic is grandfather to Amelie and Adam Gavshon and Noah and Zara Selikowitz.

Gary Inberg OAM

For service to the Jewish community of New South Wales, and to business. Gary is grandfather to Nellie and Etta Pillemer.

The late Jonathan Solomon Pinshaw AM

For significant service to business, and to the Jewish community. Jonathon was grandfather to Leo and Jesse Pinshaw.

Mazal tov

OFF IT is an out of school rock band featuring Years 10 and 11 students, Ben Fram, Ella Bortz, Maya Hersch and Ariel Solomon. On Wednesday night they played at the opening of the new music studios at the Bondi Pavilion. A number of of the musical and political VIPS in attendance expressed their enjoyment of their music, many of which are OFF IT’s own songs.

Quote of the week

“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.” ~ William James, philospher and the ‘Father of American Psychology, 1842-1910