Year 7 Szenes
Camp Somerset

There were a lot of activities that went on in Camp Somerset, led by our Kiwi Camp Instructor, Daniel and our Peer Support leaders. From milk crate stacking and low ropes, to kayaking and archery, we had a blast. One really fun activity was MKR (My Kampsite Rules). We all got into groups of five people and cooked a different cuisine for dinner. It was quite hot for the first part of camp, so every now and then we got to jump in the lake. For the second half of camp, it was raining, so we played games and other undercover activities run by the Peer Support Leaders.

During Camp Somerset, we were challenged and put out of our comfort zones, when obstacles such as unpredictable weather, annoying mosquitos, difficult activities, homesickness, and more, came along. These were all things we had to endure, but we endured it together. Though all of this was a new experience, getting put out of our comfort zone made us better people. For example, we faced our fear of heights during the milk crate stacking challenge. Camp made us all grow as people, and also grow into a closer-knit group.

The Peer Support Leaders made everything on camp better. They brought with them an amazing attitude, a bunch of fun activities, and heavenly mosquito bite cream. Camp would really not be the same without them! The activities they thought up were really enjoyable, and brought us closer together as a Tutor Group. We are certainly grateful for the experiences they have gifted us, with their constant support during the more difficult times, and the laughs and good times they have provided us with. Miss McNamara also really brightened the mood with her jokes, understanding, support, and encouragement, never failing to be there for us. Because of them, Camp Somerset was a deeply memorable and fun experience.

Although the first few days of camp we had meals in the dining hall, for the majority of camp we made our own meals.

It was really enjoyable, and everyone wanted to play a part in helping to make it. With scrambled-fried eggs for breakfast (if you know, you know), and sandwiches for lunch, we all had such a good time creating these scrumptious feasts.

Even though every part of camp was a fun experience (maybe except for the no showers and mosquitos), our favourite parts of camp were MKR, cooking our own meals, kayaking, swimming in the lake, Peer Support time, Ruach, and singing, and of course, Daniel!

Overall, camp was such a memorable experience. All the activities and D&Ms were just plain out fun. It brought all of us so much closer together, helping each other when feeling homesick, and vibing together while doing walks and talks.

On behalf of the Year 7 Szenes Tutor Group, we can say that we all learnt so much about each other, and we can’t wait for so many more camps together again!

 

 

Year 8 Szenes
Camp Somerset, Swimming Carnival and Cross-Country

During Term 1, Year 8 has experienced so many fun times such as the Swimming Carnival, Cross-Country and our very special Somerset camp. We welcomed our new Tutor, Mr Cotillard and we are enjoying our time with him. 

To start the year, we had our High School Swimming Carnival. It was a good day to go swimming as it was a very hot day. We had a few swimmers from our Tutor Group go into CDSSA.

Then a few weeks later we had our last time at Camp Somerset.

Cooper Adler wrote:

Everyone loved it and it was truly an amazing experience. We all learnt lots of new skills from rock climbing, canoeing, cooking, hiking and also making new relationships. I loved rock climbing especially because it is so fun and exciting when you reach the top. It was very challenging as we had to climb actual rocks not just the ones you find at a rock-climbing place. It helped me use my focusing skills because one wrong move and you have to start again. Although everyone did amazingly, I have to say that Pepper was the best rock climber there. During our time we also had an amazing canoeing experience. Along the Colo River, we canoed to our campsite in the afternoon, stayed there overnight and canoed back in the morning. I was with Rafi and Yonni. As much as we tried to capsize the boat it didn’t move. 

Then finally just recently we had our cross-country race. It was so fun when we got down to the park, and we cheered and tried our best effort. Pepper Banki came first in the 14-year-old race, and Heidi Martin came 2nd in the same race as well. Everyone tried their best and we all cheered for each other. It was a great day and we can’t wait for next year. 

By Ashley Unger, Cooper Adler, Yonni Shmuel and Zach Brown

 

Year 9 Szenes
House Assemblies and The Duke of Edinburgh’s practice qualifying camp

House Assemblies are great. They are always so engaging and full of new fun activities. Katia and Reece, our House Madrichim are always introducing new ways in which they can have participation with as many people as possible. There was one time when we played a sibling game, where the siblings would go up and say who was more likely to do something and even watching it was enjoyable. Now, during House Assembly, we are learning our House dance allowing everyone to participate and contribute to the win during the House Music event.

 

 

 

 

Term 1 for Year 9 Szenes was full of many amazing activities such as our adventure on Duke of Edinburgh with around 85% of Year 9 joining in. The practice component of the Bronze level was an overnight 25 km hike through Heathcote National Park. Some of the challenges we faced on our journey included: setting up our tents and preparing our own meals and using a camping stove or trangia to cook some delicious or at least interesting food. Another challenge we had to overcome was maintaining group cohesion. Our entire group had to stay together at all times, meaning individuals couldn’t speed past and leave others behind. The hardest part for the majority of us was the hike itself, which posed many challenges of its own with the uphill and downhill switching constantly where at one point it could feel like abseiling then the next feel like rock climbing. We ended up getting through by motivating each other along the way. Overall, Duke of Edinburgh was an amazing experience for our practice Bronze journey. We can’t wait for the qualifying journey with additional challenges now that we feel more prepared and ready for the real thing.

 

 

 

Year 10 Szenes 
Purim

Purim was a wonderful experience for both students and staff. The Szenes Year 10 cohort had an incredible time dressing up and seeing our peers’ costumes. We dressed up as firemen. The ‘tutor costume’ was a nice way to bring us together as we collectively worked on our costumes. The whole group spent time painting and designing large cardboard fire trucks. A big mention to Jason and Charli who spent their lunchtimes finishing the painting. We all loved walking across the stage, displaying our hard work. The smiles on our faces brought us all together as we had so much fun. Afterward, we exchanged Mishloach Manot, giving each student a sweet treat and a kind message. It was great to see our Tutor, Mr Bloom, reading from the megillah and organising many entertaining events at lunch such as face-painting and a pizza stand. This wrapped up the day, as our whole tutor group had such an enjoyable time.

 

Year 11 Szenes 
Starting Year 11- Balancing all commitments

Starting Year 11, I was honestly freaking out. Trying to juggle school, sports, homework and my assessment tasks was daunting. But, after a stressful 11 week-term, I realise so far that even though the workload can feel like a lot, I have learned that the best way to handle it is to just dive in and get started. It’s not always easy, but the key to starting is just starting.

Balancing my extra-curricular activities alongside my schoolwork has proven to be a real challenge. A change I have made since starting Year 11 has been making a conscious effort towards prioritising sleep by going to bed earlier to be able to perform my best the next day, especially before an examination or a basketball game. Between the 5.00 am wakeups for extra-curricular activities and the hours studying for exams, it’s fair to say that it is tough at times, but looking back on the term, putting in the effort has proved to be the most rewarding, and is the only way to achieve the marks you want. I know that Year 11 is just the beginning of a challenging journey, but the clear requisite to thriving is being productive, managing your time and still doing the things you enjoy. 

 

Peer Support Leadership

Being a Peer Support Leader has certainly taught me many life skills, specifically in the unique Jewish perspective of Hadracha (leadership). A very special takeaway that I hold close to my heart is the bonds that I have made with my chanichim, that are so different from any other relationship; with friends, siblings, or teachers. It is a relationship that all parties learn from, and something I will continue to return to in life. 

Year 7 Camp was such an incredible way to begin the term with them, specifically on one of the mornings towards the end, when a song chain began, and didn’t stop until an hour and a half later. Even though we had an activity planned, it was such a memorable experience as it was led by Year 7; their spirit was – and has continued to be – so infectious and I look forward to the next half of our time with the group.

 

 

 

National Beach Volleyball Tournament

I had been preparing for months to join the National Beach Volleyball tournament in Coolangatta, Queensland. It has been a dream of mine to compete against the best teams in the under 17s age group in Australia, and it became true a few weeks ago. 

The competition for this tournament was extremely high, as my age group not only has the most skill and physical ability, but we also have 31 teams in the age group, the greatest number of teams out of all the age groups in Australia. 

We were all set up across over 30 courts along the beach, with all age groups. Next to the youth courts, were the futures courts, where international teams would compete in the futures tournament. It was great to watch these incredible athletes.

Every night, with our team, we would eat pre-made microwave meals, packed with protein and nutrients, preparing for the next day. We would sometimes go out for dinner or have dinner in another team’s room. 

My partner and I rank 4th in NSW for our age group, and overall, we came 15th out of 31 teams.  All the effort put in since the end of Spring 2023, training 2 to 3 times a week and attending tournaments 2-4 hours away every few weeks paid off.

This experience taught me what it is to be a high-level athlete, which is only going to push me to go higher. Next year I will go back and be 100x better than I was this year.

Year 12 Szenes

Year 12 Szenes is thriving. We love Szenes so much!

House Music update

At the moment, we are working on the House Music Dance, learning and dancing together as a House. It has been lots of fun to see everyone’s progress and engagement in practicing the dance. We can’t wait to perfect it and perform next term. 

Cross-Country

We loved to see everyone participating in the cross-country last Wednesday.

 

It was a nice sunny day with lots of Szenes involvement. Congratulations to Dean Klugman (12), Niek Nathan (11), Riley Carr (9), Sanne Nathan (9), Eli Jocum (9), Pepper Banki (8), Heidi Martin (8), Ezra Newfield (7), Oscar Glikin (7) and many many more who achieved a placing. We are so proud of everyone’s efforts on the day.