Justine Hofman – Head of P&F

As the 2022 school year rapidly comes to a close, I have been reflecting on the year it’s been for the Parents and Friends. After COIVD, there was a big opportunity to help Emanuel families reconnect. Equally an opportunity to re-invent how the P&F was structured so that it could invite better engagement with parents.

This year .we successfully moved to a committee-based structure and each initiative has been organised by small groups of parents and supported by a wider group of volunteers.

There has been a lovely sense of comradery in each committee. The flexibility of meeting on Zoom has also increased involvement by parents, who previously may have been not been able to  make in-person meetings.

I am proud to share that our 8 committees are made up of 40 parents. Additionally, we’ve had 250 volunteers and 1200+ participants across the 10 initiatives run by the P&F this year.

I would like to thank some particularly wonderful parents who gave their time, energy and creativity this year to make our P&F a success:

Firstly, Rebecca Pal, our Treasurer, who set up structures and made sure everything ran efficiently and never missing a beat. Rebecca is stepping down at the end of this year and I am pleased to share that Lisa Strous will take on this role in 2023.

I would also like to thank committee leaders who stepped up and make sure their respective initiatives ran so well. These are Sharon Miller (Challah) Sam Butt (New Family liaison and volunteer coordinator), Mary Glikin and Ilan Bloom (Camping), Mel Shilbury (Friday Chills), Keren Rockman & Sally Greenberg (Father’s Day Morning), Mia Kalino (Mother’s Day Morning), Lynn Ross and Carli Rothman (Gift Stalls), Carli Rothman (Mitzvah Meals), Rebecca Pal (Second Hand Uniform Sales).

I also want to thank each and every person on a committee who put in time and made the process fun. Additionally, all the volunteers who helped in many other ways.

Our class parent cohort were simply outstanding this year. They have helped each and every one of us manage our mental load, making sure things like casual days are not forgotten and organising a gathering or two through the year for parents to connect. Hats off to each of you and we all appreciate what you do. Thanks to Alisa Siale, Lisa Pillemer, Avital Melman, Anita Clark, Kirsty Greenfield, Anna-Lisa Palmer, Naomi Raiz, Jessie Kawalsky, Louise Romer, Sally Greenberg, Monika Silver, Alina Kirievsky, Lisa Strous and Amanda Isenberg.

I also would like to thank Tany Milner for all her support and collaboration this year. You are a remarkable leader and working with you I appreciate even more all that you do. Thank you to Michelle Favero, Belinda Levin and Gena Yeomans for your valuable advice and support this year. I would also like to acknowledge Ruby Berkovic who has been there for me and really helped my transition into this role be a smooth one.

Finally, wishing every family a wonderful summer break with some switch-off time. May we all find space to rekindle some of the slowness we swore we would never let go of when we were in COVID times.