Andrew Watt

 Fun and games

Last Saturday evening saw a large gathering of Emanuel parents and friends, to compete as groups in a range of bingo, trivia and group challenges. Whilst the competitive spirit remained high, the evening was fun for all who attended, with the performance of our parent rock band, Daddy not so Cool being a highlight. Our sincere thanks to Ruby Berkovic, Jennifer Opit, and their P&F team for organising a wonderful evening of fun, fellowship and fund-raising, with special thanks to Andrew Klein, our MC.

Mathematics (Gifted & Talented) Enrichment Mentor

As we continue to invest in our teaching and learning and seek to build upon our academic success, we will be advertising for a new position within our Gifted and Talented Program. There are a small number of highly gifted students in each Year Group who would benefit from additional opportunities for extension and challenge in their Mathematics learning, both within and beyond the scope of the NESA Mathematics syllabuses. This new position will allow for an expanded and enriched experience in Mathematics for our most gifted mathematicians.

The new Mathematics (Gifted and Talented) Enrichment Mentor will work with Mathematics students across Years 5 to 11, with the flexibility and ability to teach to HSC Extension 2 level, as required. This position would also provide a balance with our current emphasis on building advanced literacy skills in our Opportunity Classes. In the High School, in addition to the students who will work with the Mathematics Enrichment Mentor, the current high ability Mathematics classes in each Year Group would remain, ensuring that all students requiring acceleration and/or extension are given the opportunity to do so, at a level consistent with their learning needs.

Year 10 Retreat in bushland setting

I had the pleasure of joining our Year 10 students, our Informal Jewish Life educators, local Jewish youth leaders and Israeli Madrichim for a day at the Machaneh Akeyah Camp, in Tallong. Our students were thriving in a beautiful, peaceful bush setting, with no access to social media. With plenty of time to bond as a Year Group, to rest and reflect, our students were encouraged through activities and discussion groups, to ask themselves who they are, where they are in their lives and where they should be as Jewish individuals and as a Jewish community. Great questions! The depth of their engagement and the honesty of their sharing was impressive. This camp also serves the important purpose of preparing them as a group for the Chavayah experience. The Machanhe has always been one of the highlights of the Emanuel experience.

Rugby 7s Challenge

Our intrepid Junior team competed in the David Horwitz Rugby 7s Challenge, at David Phillips Sport Complex. With few experienced players in the side, Heath Morley has worked wonders to prepare the team to be competitive – and they won two games! Thank you to Kristy Reed for convening the event, involving Masada College, Moriah College, St Andrews School and Emanuel, and the staff and parents who braved the cold, to support our team. Congratulations also to our intermediate team for their efforts – and we will await the results of our seniors.

Celebrating Father’s Day

Our Father’s Day Breakfast was well attended with so many grandparents, fathers and special friends enjoying the company and most delicious food. It was wonderful celebrating the special role that fathers play in the lives of their children. Many of our students will be bringing home gifts from our Father’s Day stalls. A huge thank you to our P&F team and canteen, who provided so generously for our fathers.

Mazal tov

Brody Elbourne

• Natasha Gering (Year 11) has been successful in gaining a place at the 2018 NSW Schools Constitutional Convention to be held at Parliament House on 30 October.
• Brody Elbourne (Year 8) ran in the Waratah Series Greater Bank 4km run at Homebush on the weekend and was the outright winner. He lead very early and was the clear winner with close to 800m between him and the second place getter.
• Jared Elbourne (Year 11) was successful in obtaining his Pool Lifeguard qualification. Jared was able to achieve this at 16 years old, the next youngest in the course was 21 years old.

Quote of the week

“I am not a teacher, but an awakener.”
Robert Frost