Natanya Milner – Head of Primary School

Meet the Teacher Evening

It was wonderful to see so many of our parents at last week’s Meet the Teacher Evening. We really do value the opportunity to share our goals and plans with you and welcome you into our classrooms as we begin the year.

Just a reminder of the main messages from the evening:

Our goals for the children remain focused in two key areas:

1. Trying their hardest
2. Being kind

Our main goals and focus areas were then divided according to our School motto – Mind, Spirit, Being.

Mind

• This year sees a professional development focus for teachers on literacy and literature.
• We plan to review and audit the use of technology in our classrooms to ensure there is a great balance of teaching IT skills  and using technology purposefully with the core skills of writing and book work.

Spirit

• We look forward to re-evaluating our planning and practices for various celebrations and chaggim throughout the year.
• We value and respect our diverse community and ask you to uphold this when considering the timing and food provided at your events.

Being

• Mindfulness programs teach students about how the brain works and how to train their brains to make mindful choices. Children will have regular opportunity to practice different strategies and reflect on their experiences.
  
• The Leader in Me program will be a focus in classrooms as children learn what leadership means and how they can make a difference. The program teaches skills to build both personal and interpersonal effectiveness.
• It is important that parents stay well informed through the use of Ma Nishma and the Parent Portal.  

If you would like to discuss something important with your child’s teacher, please email them to make an appointment so there is time set aside to talk.

Parents and Friends 

I would like to thank Ruby Berkovic and Jen Opit who presented as Co-presidents of the Parents and Friends committee. Their main message centred around the purpose of the P&F being both friend-raising and fund-raising. They welcome any parents to join our meetings on Tuesday evenings at 7.00 pm in the Boardroom.

PSG

Daniel Butt presented on behalf of the Parent Security Group (PSG). He requested that all families commit to a one hour PSG shift.

If more families sign up then people would only be required to complete one shift per term. This is an achievable goal with your assistance. Please email: esadmin@sydpsg.com

Aladdin

For the grand finale (which I totally botched up on the evening), we are thrilled to announce that this year’s Primary School Musical will be Aladdin. We are so excited to begin planning!

I would like to thank all the teachers and volunteers who presented on this evening.

Swimming Carnival

Last Friday we held our Years 3 – 6 Swimming Carnival. The spirit on the day was incredible and this was noticeable through both the participation rates and the cheering. It was wonderful to see so many children swimming in the range of events on offer, with some excellent times achieved across all the age groups. I would like to thank all the visitors who came along and supported our carnival.  A special thank you to Stuart Taylor and Sharon Fairfax for co-ordinating the event and ensuring it ran smoothly. I would also like to thank all the Emanuel staff for their hard work, the House Captains for their outstanding organisation and leadership and Ofer Levy for taking the photos.

Student Film Competition

Our Madrichim are excited to launch a film competition as a part of Anti-Bullying Day. The Madrichim have chosen the theme, ‘Building Buddies’ and have prepared a film starter which has been shown to the students. Years K – 6 students are welcome to submit entries that finish the film.

Due Date:  Monday 9 March 2020 by 3.30 pm

Entry:

• Either a video (maximum three minutes) or script (that takes up to three minutes to read)
• Must end the film starter from the Madrichim
• Must be about the theme ‘Building Buddies’ (friendship)
• Must include a Lego brick
• To be submitted either via USB or email

The winning entries will be shown on Anti-Bullying Day.

BBQ Day

Our next Plain Clothes and BBQ Day will be Monday 2 March 2020 with sausage rolls costing $3.50 each and children asked to donate $2.00 to come to school in mufti. The canteen will be closed on this day. Please see the article from our Charity Committee in this newsletter for more details.