Anne Hastings – Principal

After over 300 Ma Nishma articles I’ve written in the past eight years, this is my last one. In my first article, written in early February 2010, I thanked everyone for their very warm welcome of me to the School, introduced 11 new teachers, and indicated that we would no longer print every newsletter for every child at the School. I discussed the 2009 HSC results and the first MySchool website release, talked about the first  High School Assembly and introduced the Parent Information evenings for each year group.

Now our Ma Nishma is completely online (and we know it needs further review to make it as user-friendly as possible), our number of staff has grown by about 15% to match our School’s growth, our 2017 HSC results are soon to be released (Thursday 14 December) and MySchool continues but has not made the impact that some people thought it might. In this article I will farewell a small number of teachers who leave us at the end of this year and again talk about our recent Assembly. And so the cycle of life at Emanuel continues …

I’ve certainly learnt a huge amount over the past eight years, and the school has grown and changed considerably – although it still has the same warm, welcoming culture it had back in 2010. Thank you for reading our newsletter and following all the various events and achievements of our students over the years.

Farewell to staff

Gabrielle Whateley

Gabrielle has taught French to our Years 8 – 10 students for the past 10 years and is moving to Melbourne with her husband because of his work. Gabrielle has engaged many students in the challenge of learning French over her time here and has been a very committed, passionate and inspiring teacher who has employed a range of teaching strategies as she leads students to engage in all things French. She is going to work in a Primary School teaching another of her languages, Italian. We wish Gabrielle all the very best for her new life in Melbourne and thank her so very much for her significant contribution. Merci beaucoup, Madame!

Senya Matkovich

Senya came to us two years ago, initially for a term, to replace our senior French teacher who went on sick leave. Senya had had much experience teaching French, having been the Head of French at Sydney Girls High School before joining us. We are very lucky that she has been able to stay and continue teaching our Years 11 & 12 French students. Senya has recognised the opportunity for the School to employ a full-time Years 8 – 12 French teacher with Gabrielle’s move to Melbourne and generously offered to finish up at the end of the year. We offer sincere thanks to Senya and wish her all the very best for the future.

Claudia Bloom

Claudia has been helping out as assistant in Design & Technology for the past 12 months and is leaving to pursue other interests. We thank Claudia for her great support of D & T and wish her well for her next venture.

Other staffing

Three members of staff have been on maternity leave these past couple of years: Cara Munitz, Liz Eldred and Lisa Weisner. Each of them has made a decision not to return to school and so have resigned their positions. We wish them much joy and happiness with their families in the future. Talia Hynek from the Primary School will be on leave for 2018 and Danny Burley from the Music Department will be on leave for Term 1 2018.

Emma Clemens (Deputy Head of Primary School)

Emma is anticipating the imminent arrival of her and Tim’s first child and so goes on maternity leave for 12 months from the end of the year. We wish them much happiness with their new baby and hope to see Emma back at Emanuel School in 2019.

To our small number of students leaving us for a range of schools, TAFE or work in 2018, we wish them much personal success in their onward learning journey beyond our School.

P – 12 Assembly

This week I was very moved by the whole school assembly in our MPH which was a wonderful and emotional (for me at least!) farewell. There were impressive musical performances, speeches from the Head Madrichim of both High and Primary Schools, and presentations to me of a large book of wishes from each student along with a beautiful ceramic bowl made by some the High School students. I’ve had such fun reading all the messages from the students since then – what an amazing and uplifting book it is for me to keep and enjoy over the years ahead.

Here is a part of my speech to our students on Tuesday:

“I have been lucky to be Principal of Emanuel over the past 8 years. It is such a great school …

Our academic culture develops critical thinking and personal excellence – for everyone, students, teachers, staff, to be the best that we can be. Teachers care about our students and help them flourish – academically, personally, socially, spiritually and physically.

Our environment builds questioning, thoughtful, creative, empathetic citizens who are leaders, not bystanders. We welcome new students, who quickly feel at home, there is a sense of fun and enjoyment of learning together, there’s openness to learning new things, to using our brains to think critically and a willingness to try something new, learn a new skill, have a go. There’s support for everyone when needed, we are forward-thinking, and believe that technology, used wisely, is a wonderful tool for learning and we work to prepare students for life, not just the HSC. We don’t believe that the HSC is our ultimate goal and we do see each student as an individual who is much more than their ATAR.

Our students are articulate without being arrogant, assertive rather than aggressive, respectful and welcoming of diversity, unpretentious, don’t put others down, and feel that it’s OK to be a bit unusual or quirky. We have a culture of service to others and we live our values. We value education and understand the value of service over self. Our connections with Israel, Jilkminggan, East Timor, help us understand the complexities of the world. Here people here are judged on their actions, rather than the way they dress or look.

I have loved being in the Pre-school to Year 12 co-education environment and the size of the school is just right for us to get to know each other as individuals. Students have a voice, although sometimes we need to remind you to express it in a thoughtful, respectful manner…

I will miss interacting with creative young minds and far-sighted professionals. I’ll miss each of you – your dynamism, openness, sense of humour, groundedness, energy, confidence, opinions and positivity. I’ll miss seeing and hearing you in the playground, receiving your greetings as I walk around, watching you play in bands or sing in the choirs, or compete in sport. I’ll miss viewing your artworks, observing your learning, and caring about your wellbeing.

What’s important is who you are as a person and the difference you make to others throughout your life journey. It is my hope that your choices will be well considered and not self-focused, that they will keep you and others safe, that you will see your mistakes as learning opportunities, that the lessons you learn will help you continue to grow and establish your important role in society, and that you will meet and work through the challenges along your way with determination, persistence and resilience. Just as the cowardly lion, the tin man and the scarecrow found what they were looking for within themselves, each of you has amazing potential within yourself to meet and conquer the challenges thrown in your way.

And remember, there is never a right time to do a wrong thing, and never a wrong time to do a right thing. Everyone can do everything to the best of their ability, do the maximum possible to help others and show people they care, and no one has a right to cause others to fail.

Mr Watt will be your new Principal next year and deserves your warm welcome and respect. The school is in a great place and he will be a wonderful leader to take it and you all to the next phase. He will be different from me, he’ll make some changes – all that’s OK. Look after him as you did me when I first came here.

Throughout our lives, we will be sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes pleased and sometimes disappointed, sometimes feeling cosy and sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes challenged and sometimes bored. Whatever happens, fill your life, fill it with learning, be compassionate, share your ideas, give, run, laugh, sing, have your own ruach, be enthusiastic, welcome the challenge of your own kids someday, enjoy people, care for them and for our environment, travel, love, and be the best that you can be. Thank you for being you and for making my time as your Principal such a joy.”

Prize Presentations next week

We are rapidly coming to the end of the school year of 2017 and next week sees our celebrations of students’ achievements over the year. Our K – 2 and Years 3 – 6 Presentation events are on Tuesday (see below for times) and the High School Presentation is on Wednesday evening. Students’ last day of school will be Wednesday 13 December.

High School students finish school at 1:10 pm on Wednesday in readiness for our Speech Night in the Clancy Auditorium at UNSW (corner High and Botany Streets), when they need to arrive at 6:30 pm. Our final event for the year is compulsory for all Years 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 students and my final opportunity to say farewell to our very special community. An email of all instructions for this evening went home earlier this week.

Mazal Tov to:

• Ella Hart, Violet Nathanson and Leah Grunseit, who were part of a team of 47 Kids Giving Back volunteers who cooked, packaged and delivered over 350 warm, nutritious meals to local shelters and individuals in need last Sunday. 
• Jonathan Schach and Michael Heymann, who have been attending a 6-week after school trial program called STEP (Seniors and Teens Empathy Program) at Bupa Queens Park in October / November. The organizer of the program said: “Both boys added such value to the program … the residents they visited each Wednesday afternoon were thrilled to see them … in fact, in the words of Doreen the resident they met with each week…. “I’ve been so happy having Michael and Jono visit. I love their marvellous attitudes and personalities. Many kids seem grumpy these days and they did nothing but smile.”

Coming up

• K – 2 Presentation, Tuesday 12 December, 9 am
• Y3 – 6 Presentation, Tuesday 12 December, 6 pm
• High School Speech Night, Wednesday 13 December, 7 pm
• Year 7 2018 Orientation Day, Tuesday 30 January 2018
• Years 1 – 12 students return to School, Wednesday 31 January 2018
• Year K students begin School, Thursday 1 February 2018
• Photo Day, Wednesday 8 February 2018

Quote of the week 

“Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.” [King Whitney Jr.]

I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your sons and daughters and that I see you at one or more Prize Presentations next week. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm, support, advocacy of our School and for entrusting the education of your children with us over 2017 and the past 8 years.

Shabbat Shalom