Natanya Milner – Head of Primary School

Adaptability

When people talk about 21st century skills, adaptability is often mentioned as a key skill and disposition that will likely lead to success. In the Harvard Business Review, Reeves and Deimler wrote an article entitled, Adaptability: The New Competitive Advantage. They explore the idea that instead of becoming really good at doing a particular skill, we should work to become really good at learning how to do new things. Often examples are given that highlight the number of times people are likely to change jobs in the future and the fact that many of the jobs of the future don’t even exist yet. The Forbes Magazine analysed 14 Signs Of An Adaptable Person and highlights characteristics of adaptable people including experimentation, open-mindedness, curiosity and resourcefulness, seeing systems as well as opportunities (where others see failure) and being able to think ahead. It is hard to argue that these are valuable skills. What can be hard though, is embracing (and even perhaps enjoying) the process of being out of one’s comfort zone and leaping into the unknown as we adapt. 

When I reflect on the changes of the past six months, there are some that were uncomfortable and some that were exciting. Due to what was happening around us, there was no choice but to adapt together and therefore the energy behind the changes was monumental. Whilst we would never choose for the world to be in this challenging situation, I feel committed to stopping every now and then to look for the silver linings. Our children have been incredible in the face of rapid change. As I watch our youngest students bound in each morning, unpack their bags and organise themselves for the day, I am impressed at their independence. As I see our Year 6 leaders still finding ways to create meaningful opportunities for the younger students, I am grateful. As I see the students and staff manage regular disappointments as events they were looking forward to or working towards change or are cancelled, I notice their remarkable resilience. 

I do hope that COVID-19 is soon behind us so that we are able to return to all the joys and highlights of our school year that have been impacted. Having said this, I also hope that we remember just how capable and adaptable we all are and forever see our students ‘rise to the occasion’ as they are currently. I am sure you all join me in being very proud!

Book Week

Week 7 is Book Week and we are looking forward to celebrating the joy of reading and books. The week will culminate with a dress up day on Friday 4 September, where children in Years K – 6 can come to school dressed as their favourite book character or author. The Primary Madrichim will look to award House points for the most outstanding and creative costumes.

Project Heritage

In small groups, our Year 6 students have finished three interviews with their ‘Living Historians’. We are grateful to the nine Historians who have been involved in this year’s program. Given that we were required to shift the program to Zoom, there were a few online hiccups, yet everyone remained positive problem solvers. We are so grateful to our Historians for their patience, time and openness. The children and teachers are modifying how the final presentations will work…more adaptability on display! A huge thank you to our historians: Susie Danos, Peter Endrey-Walder, Eva Engel, Vera Goldberg, Litzi Lemberg, Anne Sarzin, Miryam Wise, Gwen Zeller and Gabriel Zipser. We look forward to sharing the children’s work with you.

GWTF

I look forward to a day when I have nothing to write about in relation to GWTF. Thank you to everyone who has been using the system so smoothly over the past couple of weeks. It has certainly improved. One on-going issue is that some drivers who are collecting children in Years 3 – 12 are arriving in the 3.15 pm – 3.30 pm timeslot and are not following the instructions to go around the block so that the K – 2 collection can take place. It is disappointing to think that people would be rude to or ignore the staff who are trying to make this work well for everyone. I will follow up with individuals if required but am really hoping we can work together positively on this.

Deborah Blackman – Parent Information Session

Thank you to those parents who were able to attend the evening Zoom session on Wednesday 12 August. We hope it was helpful in understanding how you can help to keep your child safe. As mentioned, Deborah has prepared some handouts that reference many of the strategies discussed in last week’s session. Please click here to access the handouts. Thank you to Meghan Carroll for organising this event.

Parent Information Sessions: What topics interest you?

As we look ahead and plan for the rest of this year and 2021 we would like to invite parents to complete a short survey focused on topics of interest for Parent Information Sessions. Please click on the link below to share your ideas: https://forms.gle/VHjAWegmhN4GjxFGA.  The survey will close today at 4.00 pm.

Changes to afternoon pick up arrangements

Wherever possible, please ensure your children know how they are getting home each day. If you need to get a message to your child for any changes to your afternoon pick up arrangements, please email primaryoffice@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au by no later than 2.15 pm.

Birthday Parties

There have been some questions relating to the school’s policy about birthday parties. From a Jewish life perspective, we ask parents to be mindful about planning parties in a manner that supports the pluralistic nature of Emanuel. This includes avoiding parties on Shabbat and festivals as well as ensuring the food provided is considerate of different kashrut practices.

We also ask that birthday invitations are not distributed on campus unless everyone in the class/grade is invited. If not, email or post is the best form of delivery. As we work together to develop thoughtful and considerate students, could I ask you to encourage your children to be mindful of when they do or do not discuss these parties? Perhaps asking them to avoid discussing it at school in front of children who weren’t invited is a way of teaching students to be thoughtful and ‘seek first to understand’. Similarly, social media posts that may be hurtful are worth discussing and considering with your children. 

Shabbat shalom and wishing you all a lovely weekend.