Volume 27 Issue 2 09 Feb 2018 24 Shevat 5778

From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal                        Photo: Ofer Levy

We have launched into Term 1 with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of enjoyment! The transition up to the next Year Group, with new timetables, teachers and content, has progressed smoothly, due in no small part to our caring, professional and well organised staff team. Our students have slipped back into familiar routines and our strong focus on engagement within each classroom has set a culture of high expectations. As JF Kennedy often stated: “A rising tide lifts all boats”. By setting the bar high in terms of punctuality, respect, organisation and work ethic, our students respond accordingly. Of course, this does not mean that there will be no issues! Young people make mistakes and need to be encouraged, reminded, and to see clear consequences for their actions, all within a consistent and caring learning environment. I have enjoyed a variety of experiences, across Kornmehl, Primary and High School, through the Tu BiShevat ceremonies, the Primary School Shabbat celebrations and my playground visits. I have conversed with a range of happy, connected and friendly young people.

This was another busy week, with opportunities to meet with parents and students in both Year 11 and Year 12. It has been great to engage with so many of our parents, and to learn more about our wonderful community. I have been talking about our culture of high expectations and our aspirations for academic excellence, all within a caring, engaging and adventurous learning environment. Our learning experiences are driven by our core values, as a pluralistic, egalitarian Jewish day school. Our motto ‘Mind, Spirit, Being’ encapsulates what we seek to develop in our young people; an open mind, an awakened spirit and an engagement of the whole being within a culture of excellence. Ultimately, we want to take our students on a learning journey that equips them with the values, mind-set, skills and resources to become responsible and ethical global citizens, with a strong sense of pride in their Jewish heritage and identity

An enjoyable lunch with the High School House Captains and Madrichim also provided some excellent insights into what our senior students value about their Emanuel experience and what they feel would make Emanuel an even better school. 

Mr Watt getting to know the Madrichim

Safer Internet day- a message of respecting others online

In High School assembly this week, we acknowledged Safer Internet Day, an annual event across 130 countries worldwide, with this year’s theme about ‘sharing respect’. We explored what respectful online communication looks and feels like within our community, and its impact on the happiness and wellbeing of others. Specifically, we reminded students to respect:

  • The privacy of images and information (i.e. not passing images or information on without knowledge or permission)
  • The feelings of others (i.e. thinking about the impact of what we post online); and
  • The rights of other people – to be treated kindly and fairly.

We talked about the value of respect and wisdom in relation to 2 examples of the misuse of social media; sexting and cyberbullying. The impact of an impulsive decision to send personal images to a boyfriend or girlfriend can be significant, in terms of reputational damage and humiliation, if the images are distributed. Our digital footprint is permanent. Students were also made aware of the relentless, 24/7 nature of cyberbullying and were challenged about how they can respond, as a bystander. For every act of cyberbullying, each bystander has a decision to make:

  • Do they join in? (i.e. by liking a nasty comment, they become part of the problem)
  • Do they ignore? (this is the easy option, but it does not help the person being bullied)
  • Do they stick up for the person? (this pathway displays kindness but requires courage)
  • Do they report it? (seeking support from a teacher or other trusted adult).

The key take-away? Bystanders can reduce the amount and impact of cyberbullying and our students were asked to reflect on how they can be part of the solution.

Helping our young people make good decisions

The Conversation, an independent news and commentary site, recently provided an interesting article on the biology behind adolescent decision making:

“From getting beyond drunk at a friend’s party, to some seriously questionable outfit choices, teenagers often do things that seem outlandishly stupid. But we now know why: the areas of the brain that control decision-making don’t fully develop until early adulthood. A teen’s developing brain places them at greater risk of being reactive in their decision-making, and less able to consider the consequences of their choices. So how can parents help their teenagers learn and apply good decision-making skills?”

I hope that the 6 tips on how parents can help their teenagers learn and apply good decision-making skills (see below) will prove to be a useful guide:

  1. Be aware of upcoming events that may present teenagers with decisions that need to be made. Listen to their expectations about the events (such as whether they expect to drink alcohol). 

  2. Provide scenarios which may present a risk, or will require a decision (such as missing the train home, friends becoming intoxicated) to explore healthy, or safer choices. 

  3. Encourage the teenager to stop and think. Help them recognise ‘when in the moment’ to temporarily remove themselves from a situation to help them make decisions away from direct pressures (go to the bathroom, make a phone call, text a friend). 

  4. Provide a decision-making compass, such as, ‘Would I want mum/dad/grandma/grandpa to know about what I’m about do?’ 

  5. Remind teenagers to ask for help. Ensure they save contact details of people who can be available to talk through options if they’re in a difficult situation (siblings, parents or extended family). 

  6. Use mistakes as learning opportunities. 


Mazal Tov

I congratulate Eden Levit in Year 7, who won 3 silver medals at NSW Track and Field Regional Championships last weekend and Jake Langman (Year 12) who was involved with Story to Screen Digital Storytelling with North Sydney Council last year.  His short film, “Sketch” won both the Peoples Choice and 1st prize.

Coming up next week

  • Monday 12 February
    • High School Swimming Carnival
    • Years K-6 Meet the Teacher 6.00 pm in Lehrer Family Building (MPH)
  • Thursday 15 February
    • ACER Scholarship testing 8.20 am in the MPH
    • ACER Parent Information Session 8.30 am in Angles Leadership and Learning Centre
    • Year 11 Paul Dillon parent presentation 7.00 pm in Millie Phillips Theatre
  • Friday 16 February – Absentee photo day