Primary News

Stevie Levenston – Director of Primary Operations

Sport and Recreation Camp

Last week, Years 3-5 went to the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation in Narrabeen. One hunddred and seventy students, 17 staff members and tonnes of luggage excitedly packed themselves into four buses and joyously made their way to the action-packed camp in natural bush paradise, sitting aside the stunning Narrabeen Lake. Everyone was abuzz with anticipation, looking forward to building meaningful friendships and partaking in wonderful activities.

Students participated in a variety of adventurous and educational activities, ranging from bush walks and damper making, to archery and orienteering, to scootering, chariot making and kayaking. Night activities included team building initiatives and an Israeli Shuk, which saw many students create their own stall. Students could get their nails painted, hair styled, face painted, caricature drawn, or be a sumo wrestler and much, much more. All students were engaged and entertained!

The growth in our students was immeasurable. It was remarkable to see how camp provided the perfect opportunity for students to experience positive interactions with one another outside of the four walls of the classroom. Fun activities and teamwork challenges helped develop new relationships and deepen existing bonds of friendship.

The students’ independent skills also increased. Being away from home and the people who usually guide them meant that the children needed to be responsible for getting themselves dressed, arrive at places on time, interact respectfully with peers and adults and ensure that all their belongings were well organised and taken care of.

Sport and Recreation Camp has certainly been a highlight of the year. Students were enveloped in an enriching environment that helped them build resilience, confidence, physical fitness and connection to their peers and teachers. They should all feel incredibly proud of their camp achievements and it is the hope that the memories they made will last a lifetime.

An enormous thank you goes to all staff who attended the camp to ensure our students had a safe, supportive and wonderful experience: Emma Hill, Talia Hynek, Claudia Sceats, Lauren Butler, Felicity Cox, Tanya Jeckeln, James Longo, Orly Mizrahi, Shirley Arad, Rebecca Gaida, Adam Carpenter, Stuart Taylor, Debbie Cohen, Sabrina Hards, Tany Miner and Carrie Thomas. Thank you also to Nicolle Rubin for her assistance in organising many of the logistics in preparation for the camp.

Reminder – Outstanding Speaker Series for Parents

Please be reminded that we still have some incredible speakers lined up for next term. We are fortunate to have secured these outstanding experts to share their knowledge with our community. We strongly encourage all parents and carers to prioritise attending these exciting sessions.

Further details and the booking link:

Tuesday 7 November 2023: 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Judith Locke (author of Bonsai Child) will be presenting on campus about ‘Confident and Capable’. Judith works with families and schools to provide proven solutions to cope with the ups and downs of life.
Thursday 16 November 2023: 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm (On Zoom)
Karen Young will be presenting online about ‘Building Emotional Regulation and Self-Control in Children’.

Book here.

Katie Brody – Director of Students K-6

The Emanuel Primary School Inaugural Public Speaking Competition

The Emanuel Primary School Public Speaking Competition was initiated this year and it has proven to be a very positive and motivating addition to the academic offerings in our Primary School. Whilst addressing the Oral Communication Focus Area in the new English Syllabus, our students all showed exceptional tenacity and diligence in their preparation and presentation. The K-2 Competition required that our youngest students select, practise and recite an existing rhyme, poem or short story. They were provided with success criteria and guidance in class to understand what it means to present effectively in front of a group. The teachers were so impressed by the confidence and skill of our youngest speakers as they each took their turn in front of their class.

The Years 3-6 students were provided with the choice of four different topics, relating to the conceptual understandings they had studied in semester one. From these ideas the students all composed, developed and practised a 2-3 minute speech. Delivering their ideas in front of their class, the Years 3-6 students also applied the success criteria required to be a compelling young communicator.

From Years 1–6, two finalists were selected from each class to progress to the finals. During this next stage the Years 1-2 finalists recited their item in front of a larger audience of students and parents. The Years 3-4 and Years 5-6 finalists also competed again in a similar context. These older students needed to present their original speech again, as well as preparing and delivering a one-minute impromptu speech.

The students were all incredible and well-deserving of high praise and accolade. To reflect their achievement in getting to this stage and doing so well, all finalists received a beautiful certificate.

The following finalists deserve a hearty Mazal tov and congratulations. Below is the list of finalists as well as those who were awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd place: