Natanya Milner – Head of Primary School

Welcome to 2024! It has been wonderful to welcome our children and families for the start of the year. I’ve heard amazing stories about some of the holiday adventures and I look forward to hearing more! I spoke to the children this week about setting goals for the year.

Whilst all students have their own individual goals, I have set collective goals in the Primary School which are:

• Be kind
• Try your best

As I explained to the children, if we are all doing this, we will have a fantastic year together.

Important Information

There are three important ways that you will receive information for the start of the year. Firstly, the letter I sent in the final week of the holidays includes a lot of information about the procedures and dates for 2024. Shortly, you will receive your Term Overviews and Contact Lists. This includes the main Learning Programs for this term as well as information relevant to your child’s grade. Finally, we will have our Meet the Teacher event on campus on Wednesday 14 February 2024. On this evening, you will hear from your child’s class teachers as well as the School plans for the year ahead. We are very excited to also have a guest speaker at this event. Dr Judith Locke spoke to a small number of parents last year and we received such fabulous feedback that we decided to bring her to begin the year for us. Judith is a registered psychologist who has worked with children and families for over 20 years. She has written The Bonsai Child which provides advice and practical strategies for parenting today. Please ensure you diarise the date and times:

Meet the Teacher – Wednesday 14 February 2024

• 6.00 pm – 6.30 pm: K-2 parents in their child’s classrooms 
• 6.35 pm – 7.35 pm: K-6 parents in the Lehrer Multipurpose Hall (MPH) to hear from our team and Judith Locke
• 7.40 pm – 8.10 pm: 3-6 parents in the child’s classrooms
• 8.15 pm – 8.45 pm: Northern Territory Parent Information Session (optional for Year 6 parents who would like to know more about the Year 6 trips to the Northern Territory)

Parents & Friends (P&F)

I would like to thank the P&F and parents volunteers for a fabulous start to the year. The P&F organised a staff welcome lunch on our Staff Development Day. Thank you for your generosity and support. I would also like to thank Yaffa and Ariel from our canteen for the delicious food. 

We are so grateful for the second-hand uniform sale which is an incredible service to our community as well as a wonderful environmental and time saving initiative. 

Date Change

For those of you who diarised information from my letter sent last week, it mentioned that Tisha B’Av is in September. Please change this as it was an error and is on Tuesday 13 August 2024. It is important to note as the canteen is closed on Tisha B’Av.

The K-2 Swimming Carnival on Friday 12 April 2024 will be for Years 1-2. Kindy will remain at school on this day.

Achievements Folder and Certificates

All students are given an Achievements Folder when they begin at Emanuel School. New students will receive theirs in the coming week or two. We ask students to collect any certificates and special mementos from their time in the Primary School. We hope this folder will become a cherished possession for your child and family, as well as a celebration of your child’s progress and journey.

Students will receive ‘praise certificates’ from their teachers to acknowledge various achievements at school. Please remind your child to take part in our Kavod System for certificates by bringing them in to be traded. They should be dropped into the tray in the Primary School office.  Please note that certificates are the responsibility of each child and unfortunately lost certificates cannot be replaced. 

• Five Praise Certificates = 1 Merit Certificate 
• Three Merit Certificates = 1 Distinction Certificate
• Three Distinction Certificates = 1 Medal of Honour
• One Additional Distinction Certificate = Bronze Mensh Badge
• Another Distinction Certificate = Silver Mensh Badge
• Another Distinction Certificate = Gold Mensh Badge

We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our children.