Andrew Watt

My Trip to Israel

As you read this article, my wife Cath and I will have arrived in Jerusalem and will hopefully be enjoying a walk around the Old City, before Shabbat. Our itinerary over the next two weeks involves visits to Caesarea, Haifa, Akko, Tzvat, the Golan border, Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea, Masada, Yafo and Tel Aviv. In addition to the sight-seeing, I will be hosting an Alumni lunch and visiting several start-up business with a focus on education, in Tel Aviv. I am sure that I will have many stories to share, upon my return! Our Deputy Principal, Margaret Lowe, will take on the leadership of the School in my absence.

Informal Jewish Life at Emanuel 

A group of parents, grandparents and friends of Emanuel joined us for breakfast on Wednesday, to hear Kobi Bloom and Daniel Samowitz speak with passion about the many ways that our students are connected to their Jewish history, traditions and values. Their informal and entertaining presentation provided detail and clarity around the plethora of opportunities afforded to our students each year, to develop their leadership skills and strengthen their connections to each other, to Israel and to their Jewish identity. When asked to sum up the place of the Informal Jewish Life Program at Emanuel, they shared the following: 

A Jewish school, our Jewish school, is a place where students learn and practice their unique Jewish being. We try to instil in Emanuel students an ability to live their lives according to the Jewish values that inform their actions. Emanuel has a Jewish heartbeat; it provides more than just a space for Jews, but a place to live and grow Jewishly. The Jewish Life of Emanuel School should be built for the students and by the students, where student empowerment creates culture, leadership, innovation and ownership and love of one’s Judaism.

Orli Zahava, George Weisz, Kobi Bloom, Daniel Samowitz and Sheila Lazarus

Mazal tov

• To the Emanuel Primary A Chess Team for winning the Senior Division of the Jewish Schools Chess Competition
• Year 8 student, Ariella Tracton, (pictured left) was the youngest of 14 finalists in the 2018 K Pop Festival singing competition held at the Korean Cultural Centre last Saturday night. This competition was open to non-Korean born competitors, most of whom were in their 20s. Ariella sang the Korean pop song U&I by Ailee. 
• Aaron Ellis-Bloor has been nominated for possible inclusion in ENCORE, a selection of performances and compositions from HSC Music students.
• Year 6 students Gideon Pozniak, Romy McCorquodale and Zak Michalson all received awards from the Junior East Sydney Bulldogs AFL Club. Gideon was awarded Most Improved Player in his Under 12 team, Romy received an award for Most Improved Player in her Under 12 team and Zak received the Coaches Award in his Under 12 Division 3 team.
• A number of Year 6 families took part in the Kids Giving Back Cook for Good Program at Our Big Kitchen on Sunday.

Quote of the Week

“A good teacher is like a candle. It consumes itself to light the way for others.”

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