Miriam Itzkowitz, Year 12

Welcome to the end of Week 9

Everyone has just about finished readjusting to face-to-face learning, as the term draws to a close. Hopefully, Term 3 may see a return to some sort of normality.

This week in Tutor Group, our Year 11 students focused on leadership in preparation for next term when they become the leaders of High School, whilst Year 12 focus on their studies and the impending HSC Examinations. Year 7 students have been focusing on gratitude, especially being thankful to their Year 11 Peer Support Leaders who have helped them transition into High School.

Ashley Cohn, Year 7

Pride Month

Pride Month is all about embracing the special people around us who feel different. Every person is unique in their own way, including their identity or the way they express themselves. Everyone has the right to choose their own identity; to be who they want to be, and this is exactly what Pride Month is about – people being themselves. The word “queer”, or other words like it, can be used to hurt the feelings of people in the LGBTQI+ community. Being queer does not mean being strange or different in a hurtful way, it means to be special and unique. Ashley Cohn, Year 7

Night of Dangerous Debate

Two weeks ago, four Szenesians – Miriam Itzkowitz, Jonathan Sebban, Talia Blackman and Isabella Reichel (and one ex-Szenesian – Elijah Grynberg, now House Madrich of Meir) organised the first online adaptation of Emanuel’s annual Night of Dangerous Debate. We were able to secure SIX remarkable speakers: Julie McCrossin (journalist), Dave Sharma (politician), Gigi Foster (economist), Mary-Louise McLaws (epidemiologist), Paul Hamor (doctor) and Dr Norman Swan (doctor and commentator). The topics discussed by the panellists were, ‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Fake News’, which are relevant in these current times.

Overall, we had a wonderful time organising and participating in the actual event, despite the stress in getting the technology to work in our favour. We are proud and honoured to have produced the event with such a fantastic turnout! If you missed it and would like to watch, the link is here.

Reminders

• Practice good hygiene.
• Please remember to have your temperature checked once you have entered the School. This is vital in ensuring the health and safety of our students and staff.
• If you have any cold or flu symptoms, please stay at home. Whilst it is exciting to get back into the ‘buzz’ of school, it is important, especially in times like these to refrain from potentially infecting other people, COVID or not. Additionally, it is good to gain some rest and regenerate your immune system before coming into contact with lots of other people.

Announcements

• Formal uniform is to be worn during Term 2, including blazer and tie. If you are not wearing the correct uniform, please ask your parent to email the School
• COVID-19 current information – Department of Health
• Follow @szeneshouse on Instagram for some wellbeing and study tips, memes and just general Szenesian spirit.
• Follow your madrichim on @es.madstagram for some updates, challenges, wellbeing and overall fun times.
• Follow Mr Watt on Instagram @watt.s_up_at_emanuel. Your account must be set on private to do so.

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to the following Szenesians who recently celebrated their birthdays:

• Tasha Adno – Year 7
• Mirabelle Mirvis – Year 10
• Layla Goldberg – Year 10
• Lilly Goldberg – Year 10
• Jamie Goldman – Year 7
• Ralph Harpaz – Year 7

Quote of the week

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
Edith Wharton

Shabbat Shalom Szenes House

Miriam