Andrew Watt

Cely Malki Family After-School Program

The Wolanski Family Specialist Learning Centre (SLC) is delighted to announce the launch of a new After-School Program, commencing in Week 5. This program has been generously sponsored by the Malki Family, in honour of Cely, an important and much-loved matriarch, who prioritised family and education and made her mark in the world. The After-School Program will provide opportunities for students (initially in Years 5-12) to receive additional teaching and structured learning time, as a complement to school-based teaching and learning. Any teaching undertaken will be designed to support on-going classroom learning, so information on progress will be fed back to students, teachers and parents. The aims of the program are to increase learning and learning-related skills and increase students’ confidence in their capacities to manage in the school environment. The program will run on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 3.30-5.30pm. For more details, please follow the link

Years 7 and 8 Camps 

Going down the wombat hole.

Balancing on crates

The highlight of my week was my time at Somerset Outdoor Learning Centre, Lower Colo on Tuesday, where I visited seven of the eight House Groups, camped at different locations along the Colo riverbank. The beautiful bushland setting, the waterfront views, the quiet surroundings and the freedom from any social media, was soothing. Our Year 7 campers were becoming adept at setting up their tent without fuss, preparing meals and washing up! Watching an entire group overcome their fears and enter the dreaded wet and dark wombat hole, with the encouragement of their peers, was special, as was watching students conquer their fear of heights, in the crate-stacking activity. The take away for parents? Your children are far more capable and resilient than you realise!

The Year 8 campers had to step up well beyond the Year 7 ‘Introductory Program.’ The hikes, carrying a full pack, and the long canoe rides against the current, challenged the fitness and courage of many. As predicted, our campers completed each challenge with flying colours. Again, it was striking to see the ways that the students who struggled were supported and encouraged by fellow students. No one was left behind or mocked for not keeping up. Success was celebrated, even if it was merely to finish the activity. Those on camp who suffered from illness or homesickness, and who stayed for most or all of the camp also deserve recognition for overcoming their difficulties and persevering. Parents should be very proud.

No screens on greens

On Sunday 10 March, you will find many Emanuel families, sans shoes, playing barefoot bowls. I can’t say I have ever participated in the sport, but students have assured me that it is great fun. To top it all, there’s no screens on the greens!

There is an advert in this week’s Ma Nishma, with all the details you need to have a fabulous Emanuel afternoon out.

Book today – places are limited. Go to https://tinyurl.com/GesherBowling

Donated pavers

Many of you will remember the paving stones that decorated a pathway by Waxman Drive. These pavers included the names of staff, families and students – many of whom drew wonderful pictures celebrating their time at Emanuel School. This was a fundraising project by the P&F in 2010. During our planning of the building works over the past school holidays it became apparent that we would need to remove these pavers to make way for our landscaping project. This was a difficult job and most of the pavers were destroyed in the process. We are developing options to recreate the messages, names and drawings, ensuring that these are still displayed and continue to be a part of the School’s history. I will continue to keep you informed of our progress.

Mazal tov

Madrichim from four schools were involved in a humanitarian activity together with JEMS last week, sorting through donated clothing which is given to people in need and also sent to different places around the world. Our Head Madricha, Rachel Turtledove, is pictured with the group opposite.

Marcus Tsimbler in Year 7, has been nominated to represent South Maroubra at the 2019 Junior State Championships to be held later this year. The State Championship is considered the most distinguished event that a nipper athlete can participate within the Surf Lifesaving movement. 

On Thursday our senior boys won their first round 5-1 in the CIS Football Cup knock-out competition against the favoured St Joseph’s College, well done boys.

Quote of the week

“Education is painful, continual and difficult work to be done in kindness, by watching, by warning, by praise, but above all, by example.”

John Ruskin