Natanya Milner – Head of Primary School

Thank you to the parents and community members who joined us this week for Meet the Teacher. I would also like to thank our amazing teachers and executive members for their presentations. We have a fabulous team and I am so excited for the year ahead!

As discussed, we have a number of goals that we are working towards this year including:

• The development and implementation of a behaviour framework in line with Positive Behaviour for Learning and The Leader in Me
• The familiarisation and implementation of new English and Mathematics syllabus documents
• Participating in the Association for Independent Schools’ (AIS) Numeracy Project to develop best practice Mathematics programs across all classrooms
• A review of our OC program
• Embedding a Proficiency model into our Hebrew programs
• A review of the teaching of Jewish text studies and prayer
• Completing the Roth Segal B’Yachad Building and moving Kindy, Year 5, Year 6, the Imaginarium and the library
• The implementation of a new suite of IT systems and processes.

I also mentioned that I would post a link to an important Child Protection video created by the AIS. I encourage every member of our community to watch this video in order to be informed about the importance of Child Protection, what to report and when to report. Please be in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns.

We look forward to sharing 2023 with you and thank you for your ongoing support.

Stevie Levenston
Director of Primary Operations 

Stevie Levenson – Director of Primary Operations

Working at Emanuel School is a dream come true and I am blessed to introduce myself to you all. I am the Director of Primary Operations and my role at Emanuel Primary School is to work alongside the Executive team to ensure that our beautiful school runs smoothly and efficiently, overseeing the leadership and management on the organisational aspects of school life. It is my goal, and that of the Executive, that as I learn more about the School and the role, to streamline the School’s information and organisational practices, putting our ‘seeking to understand, then be understood’ habit into effect. I look very forward to working with all the fabulous educators and administration teams to make wonderful memories for your children and of course seeing you at the wonderful events we have planned across the year.

Something has resonated with me over the past few weeks. Whilst I have been very well entrenched in the Jewish community over the years, the way I have been welcomed and embraced in your community has truly touched my heart.

Perhaps more than anyone else, Avraham and Sarah represent role models of excellence for what we are trying to achieve in creating a welcoming Jewish community. The Torah tells us that one day, Avraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent during the heat of the day. As he looks up, he sees three men standing near him. So he jumps to his feet and runs up to the men, greets them bowing to the ground. He says, “Friends, if it is alright with you, do not go rushing and passing me by. Please, let me bring you some water, bathe your feet and rest under the tree. And let me go get you something to eat so that you may refresh yourselves, then go on and go where you must.” The three men reply, “Go ahead”. 

So Avraham runs to Sarah’s tent and says, “Quick, grab your best flour and bake some bread”. Then he runs to the herd and takes the best looking calf and gives it to a servant to prepare a meal. He takes cheese and milk and the calf that had been prepared and sets it before the men. When it was time for the men to leave, Avraham walked with them to see them off, ensuring they would leave safely.

It is said that the welcome that Avraham and Sarah provided to these strangers should be our model for what it takes to make people feel welcome in the community. What we practise in our homes should be mimicked in our synagogues, schools and community institutions. Avraham did not wait – he rushed to greet his visitors, he made them feel comfortable and satiated and then walked them out to make sure they found their way.

The Torah doesn’t waste words. It provides all these details because they matter. Creating a welcoming environment is about attention to details, with the most important detail being how comfortable your guest feels.

Since the moment I agreed to work here, the hospitality I have received has been second to none, I have been made to feel comfortable, valued and safe. I have been embraced, respected and fed, many more times that I can count!

And the truth is, I know that I am not alone, as your children are made to feel this way every single day by the warm, passionate and caring people on this campus.

It got me thinking that if we don’t make the effort in making people feel as though they belong, in any place, then they won’t stay long enough to enjoy the riches that it has to offer.

I intend to remain here to ensure that I enjoy the riches Emanuel School has to offer – because in my short time here, I already know that this is a place where I can grow and where your children can grow to reach their full potential.

Joshua Aghion – Co-ordinator of Innovation (K-6)

Setting up tech agreements at home

Creating a family set of agreements around the use of technology is a research-based approach to managing cyberbullying, too much screen time and children experiencing the negative effects of using technology. At school, we apply the concept of being Safe, Respectful and Responsible when using technology. Over the past two weeks all students from years one to six have discussed, thought about and then agreed on a set of expectations with a logical consequence (they lose their device for a period of time) if they don’t follow those expectations. Creating a family focused agreement where your child is a part of the process is one way parents are able to manage the use of devices at home. 

Using the eSafety Commission’s guide to setting up tech agreements at home is one way you can start. 

Here are some example statements or agreements that you could use with some discussion points to begin your conversations:

Remember, these agreements will need to be reviewed each time your child uses their technology. Taking photos of your child doing the right thing and using these as prompts and reminders is one way to make this reminder part of their everyday use. 

If you’re looking for some possible agreements that your child may start with, here are a few:

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to let me know.