Katie Brody – Director of Students K-6

Smooth School Transitions By Design

Throughout these last few weeks of Term 4, a range of orientation programs are taking place for our Kindergarten students of 2023, our Year 2 students and our Year 6 students. The team has planned a range of opportunities for the youngest students to come up from Pre-school into our Kindergarten classrooms to meet the teachers and see what ‘big school’ might feel like. Similarly, we have begun the transition program for our Year 6 students, who will move from the familiarity of the Primary into High School. This will continue in January 2023 as the academic year begins. Year 2 students are coming to terms with moving out of K-2 (known as Infants) and into the Primary (3-6), using their very own pencil cases and learning to manage and maintain their own belongings during lessons.

Every one of our students is obviously heading towards a transition into the grade above and given this is the case, our teachers are mindfully preparing for each of the moves by consolidating learning, familiarising the students with all that they can expect and preparing to lovingly ‘hand over’ students to the next teacher/s. Transitioning into Year K means students will move from the Early Years Pre-school Program and into NESA’s (NSW Education Standards Authority) Early Stage One curriculum. This essential stage results in students becoming a young person who can read and write. Year 1 and 2 comprise the Stage One curriculum, so a move within this stage refines and consolidates the foundational Literacy and Numeracy skills and knowledge. Moving into Years 3 and 4, means a student is moving into or within the Stage Two curriculum, so this requires some careful preparation and teaching. Next is the move from Year 4 into Year 5, meaning a transition into the increasing complexity of Stage Three. Finally at the end of the Primary School curriculum, Year 6 students make the leap into their first year of High School (Stage Four). Year 7 is another large step up where the curriculum is delivered by a much larger team, where students move between lessons and where these capable young people have to organise their own equipment and requirements more independently than ever before. 

Being proactive and purposeful about teaching children of all ages to manage transitions assists them greatly. It builds predictability, familiarity and alleviates their fears. Having a plan eases the cognitive, social and emotional pressure on children as it allows them to be prepared for the change and develop the skills and confidence that maximises the chance of success in the new grade level. In addition, children’s questions about where, who and when can be answered upfront instead of having the uncertainty whirl anxiously around in their minds in the lead up to the change. Children may be worried about the complexity of the work in the grade above, about making new friends as social groups shift, about not knowing the expectations of the next teacher/s or even a lack of certainty that they’ll know what to do if they are stuck in a challenging situation. When parents remain actively engaged and work with the school in partnership, students flourish. 

Here are some hints and tips to consider:

• Validate your child’s worries or concerns as a normal part of change and encourage them to understand that uncomfortable feelings do go away in time.
• Talk through all the positive and exciting aspects about school that your child will experience in the coming year and the comfort they can take in knowing there is help along the way if needed.
• Remind your child that they already possess a range of help seeking strategies or teach and practice actions such as; check to see what other students are doing, look for picture cues in the room, ask a friend or seek guidance from a teacher. 
• Plan and discuss the way you will travel to and from school, practising the route in the car, on foot (if relevant) or in a bus (if this is how your High School child will travel)
• Create a visual schedule for the new term and have this visible.
• For the younger students – have them practise dressing themselves for school, tying their laces and packing their own bags.
• Year 6 parents – with your child, read and discuss the transition emails arriving each Friday in Term 4, actioning the suggestions and tips.

For more information, visit the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) 

Natanya Milner – Head of Primary School

Staffing News 

We are thrilled to share the news that Annie Turrall and her partner, Chris, are expecting their second child next year. Annie will be at school in Term 1 2023 and will then begin her maternity leave. We wish her a healthy and happy pregnancy and look forward to sharing her news in the future.

Barnaby Wilbury has resigned and will be leaving Emanuel at the end of this year. We thank him for his care and effort during his time with us and wish him all the very best for the future.

I am excited to announce that Stevie Levenston will be joining the Primary School team in 2023 as the Director of Primary School Operations. She currently works at Masada College as a teacher, Head of Educational Operations and Head of Academic Care. She holds both a Bachelor of Psychology and a Diploma of Education. Stevie has worked at both public and independent schools and we are looking forward to welcoming her to Emanuel next year.

End of Year Events 

As the busy end of the year rolls around, I thought it would be helpful to remind you of the timing of the major, compulsory events coming up:

Aladdin Show 1
Sunday 20 November 2022 – 4.00 pm start
Students who are not in the main cast are asked to be at school at 3.00 pm. The doors open at 3.45 pm.

Aladdin Show 2:
Monday 21 November 2022 – 6.00 pm start
Students who are not in the main cast are asked to be at school at 5.00 pm. The doors open at 5.45 pm.

Aladdin Show 3
Tuesday 22 November 2022 – 6.00 pm start 
Students who are not in the main cast are asked to be at school at 5.00 pm. The doors open at 5.45 pm.

Year 6 Pathways and Graduation
Wednesday 2 December 2022 – 8.10 am start
Students are to arrive at 7.50 am and parents asked to be seated at 8.00 am
Full school uniform to be worn by all Year 6 students.

K-2 Presentation Day
Wednesday 7 December 2022 – 8.45 am start
Students arrive at school at the usual time in full school uniform. Please ensure long hair is tied back. School shoes are a part of this uniform and boys should wear a kippah.
Parents are invited to be seated at 8.30 am and the event will begin at 8.45 am.

3-6 Presentation Evening
Wednesday 7 December 2022 – 6.00 pm start
Students arrive at school at 5.40 pm in full school uniform. Please ensure long hair is tied back. School shoes are a part of this uniform and boys should wear a kippah.
Parents are invited to be seated from 5.40 pm and the event will begin at 6.00 pm.

Carrie-Anne Thomas – Acting Deputy Head of Primary

Warmer Weather 

With the weather (finally) warming up, students have been reminded of the ‘No Hat, No Play’ rule when outside. If a student is not wearing a hat they will be required to sit in an undercover area. School hats are available to purchase from the school uniform shop.  

We also encourage students to apply sunscreen before school each morning. If they need to re-apply during the school day, sunscreen is available in the classrooms and from the Health Centre.