Volume 26 Issue 22 04 Aug 2017 12 Av 5777

From the Principal

Anne Hastings – Principal

I have felt greatly supported by our community over the past two weeks since my mother passed away and would like to express my gratitude to all those who have sent their condolences and helped out in so many ways over this time. My mother had a long and very fulfilling life, passing away at 92, but it is always difficult to experience the death of a loved one. To see so many Emanuel people, along with a group of Year 11 students, representing our School so proudly and thoughtfully at her funeral last Monday was heart-warming and meant a great deal to me. It is another reminder of the warmth and support provided so readily by members of our School and I am privileged to be part of it. Thank you!

Year 9 electives 2018

During the week we held an information evening for current Year 8 students to familiarise them and their parents about the elective subjects on offer for next year. Our students select three electives in Years 9 & 10 from a large number of subjects. We are proud to be offering two new subjects next year, one focusing on entrepreneurship called Business Creators and one encompassing STE(A)M objectives that is cross-curricular and problem based. These two new subjects reflect our strategic plan to develop our students’ innovative thinking and are part of our ongoing aim to offer an education that is broad, up-to-date, engaging and supportive of the development of the skills they will need for the future. We will also be changing the Design & Technology elective to Food Technology for Year 9 next year.

 Leo Baeck students

Leo Baeck Education Centre students and teachers at the Waradah Education Centre in Katoomba

The 24 students from Leo Baeck Education Centre in Haifa completed their visit to Sydney on Wednesday and would now be back home. We are particularly grateful to all the families who billeted these students, providing them a glimpse of our culture and life in Sydney. Having an unfamiliar young person in one’s home can be challenging as well as enlightening, but always brings an element of worry and additional effort for the adults in the family. Thank you all for the important part you’ve played in supporting this program and for the effort you put into helping your billet enjoy their time here.

A huge thank you also goes to Michelle Favero who accomplished the majority of the organisation of the program with her usual competence and attention to detail. A great deal of effort went in to building a program to engage our visitors and we very much appreciate Michelle’s work. Thanks also go to Deborah Beder, Genevieve Radnan, Daniel Samowitz and Donny Janks for their assistance with accompanying the group on various activities.

Parent Survey

Last week every parent was sent a link to our biannual survey to help us evaluate our various programs. We are very keen to have your feedback and this is your opportunity. Please take the time to complete the survey so that we can gauge the success of our endeavours.

P&F

The P&F major fundraising event for the year has opened for bookings. This is the Comedy for a Cause Night, at the School on Saturday 19 August. This promises to be a very entertaining evening, and also brings the opportunity to connect with friends, make new ones and partake of some of our canteen’s delicious food.

Please support their initiative and the School. You can book at  comedyforacause.net/ES

 Mazal Tov to

  • All Year 9 who managed Ski camp so masterfully last week and returned without injury, after having participated fully (see the story and photos in this edition of Ma Nishma)
  • The Senior Debating team, (Beau Glass, Rebekah Goldsworthy, Isabella Flax and Isabella Reichel, who have moved through to the quarter finals in the HICES competition
  • Sophie Poisel, teacher of Year 5, for gaining the NSW Premier’s Scholarship to investigate STEM initiatives in north America (see the Primary page for more details)
  • Colleen Elkins, teacher in our Gifted and Talented program, for attaining her Masters degree recently (also on the Primary page)

Coming up

  • East Timor Trip, 30 July – 9 August
  • HSC Trial Examinations 31 July – 11 August
  • Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll, an essential talk for parents of teenagers by Dani Klein, Tuesday 8 August, 7 pm, Millie Phillips Theatre
  • Invitational Parent Teacher evening for Years 8 – 12 and Year 7 Three Way Learning Conversations, Thursday 10 August, 4 – 8 pm, MPH
  • EZone, careers inspiration for Years 11 and 12 students, Monday 14 August, 11.10 am – 12.30 pm
  • HSC Visual Arts and Drama Exhibitions, Wednesday 16 August, from 6 pm, Angles Leadership and Learning Centre and Millie Phillips Theatre 
  • Night of Song, Thursday 17 August, 6.30 pm, MPH
  • Comedy for a Cause, Saturday 19 August, 7 pm, MPH

Quote of the week

‘The research is clear: nothing motivates a child more than when learning is valued by schools and families/community working together in partnership.’ [Michael Fullan]

Best wishes for an enjoyable and relaxing weekend.

Shabbat Shalom