From the Principal

Anne Hastings – Principal

Staff Development days – Term 4

On the first two days of this term all staff were involved in Staff Development activities, working and learning together to envision Emanuel School in 2026. Led by Consultant Tracey Ezard, we considered the skills that our graduates should have to equip them for a successful and contributing life beyond school. A video featuring a number of successful entrepreneurs and business people from our community set the scene and promoted in-depth thinking about the skills students need for the future in a rapidly changing and digital world. Staff then worked in teams to envision our school in the future.

Common skills mentioned by our video presenters, backed up by research done by the Foundation for the Youth of Australia, include digital literacy, problem solving, creativity, communication, collaboration, organisation and presentation skills, along with flexibility, resilience, the ability to make sense of things and know how things work, within an environment of non-gender specificity. Staff in cross-faculty teams then pondered what Emanuel School would look like if it was meeting the challenge of developing these skills in our students and then what their first steps would be towards achieving this for their subject/teaching area. There is much more thinking and planning to be done, but this day represented a very important step, shared by all staff, in the development of a comprehensive plan for ensuring our students are as well prepared for their future as possible.

Anna Economou and Anne Hastings

Quote from Anna Economou (20 years at Emanuel School) about our Tree of Appreciation and Celebration of Staff

“I just wanted to thank you and the wider school community for the recognition of all the staff members who have contributed to the school over the past five years or more. It was such a thoughtful and meaningful way in which to be recognised and I will personally treasure the experience, warm words and gifts which the Emanuel community bestowed upon me and my fellow colleagues. Thank you for all the efforts you and your staff went to yesterday to make it such a memorable celebration. I think it has again reminded us all just how special Emanuel is and why so many of us have stayed at such a vibrant and innovative place. What a wonderful way to end a day of collaborative learning and looking to the future.”

Three-way conversations for Years 8 and 9

In Week 9 of this term, Years 8 and 9 students will each have the opportunity to lead a 3-way conversation with their teachers and parents to showcase some of their learning over the year. Designed to help students realise that learning is their business and their responsibility – shared with their teachers and parents – these conversations will provide the opportunities for students to discuss some of the standout events/products of their year of learning. The Year 9 afternoon will be on Monday 5 December between 12:00 pm and 3:30 pm and the Year 8 afternoon will be on Wednesday 7 December between 12:00 pm and 3:30 pm. Parents will be receiving a letter describing the details for these afternoons very soon.

Mazal tov to:

• Aaron Ellis-Bloor, who successfully attained his Associate Diploma (Amus) in saxophone through the AMEB with an excellent report from his examiner. Most students take at least two years to complete their Amus on an instrument and Aaron completed it in only one year.
• All the students, along with Rabbi Siegel and other teachers, to welcome a group of homeless people to our School for dinner in the sukkah last night
• Tamara Newman (class of 2004) who brought the Hotline film to Emanuel School on Wednesday and spoke so passionately and eloquently about her experience helping refugees in Israel
• Genna Radnan (our School Nurse and alumna) for being selected by Murdoch University as one of 25 students to participate in the 4-day Leadership Program on Cultural Intelligence being held in Singapore later this year.

Coming up

• School closed Monday 24 October and Tuesday 25 October for Shemini Atseret and Simchat Torah
• Year 9 Information Evening about Chavayah 2017, Wednesday 26 October 7 pm, Millie Phillips Theatre
• Knowing Me Knowing You, Year 5, Thursday 27 October 6 pm, MPH
• Year 10 Information Evening about Chavayah, 2016, Thursday 27 October 7 pm, Millie Phillips Theatre
• Night of Song, Tuesday 1 November, 6 pm, MPH
• Year 7 2017 Parent and Student Information Evening, Wednesday 2 November 7 pm, Millie Phillips Theatre
• Writers’ Awards, Thursday 3 November, 7 pm, Millie Phillips Theatre
• Last Day of the HSC Examinations Friday 4 November

Quote of the week

‘If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not the falling down but the staying down.’ [Mary Pickford (1893 – 1979)]

Best wishes for a relaxing weekend and Chag Samaech.

High School Peer Support

Miranda McMahon – Peer Support Co-ordinator

High School Peer Support

As part of their induction, the new High School leaders participated in a Peer Support training program to help them settle into the role of leaders and build on their existing skills and attributes. The training program is an extension of the Hadracha training program that all Year 10 students attend as part of their Jewish Studies course, which provides them with a strong launch pad for their new position within the School. The students took part in a number of activities which focused on key areas, including effective leadership qualities, facilitating groups, giving clear instructions and encouraging team work. The students were also given support and training in running the Peer Support program and the important role they play in transition and orientation days for incoming Year 7 students. The group approached the day with commitment and enthusiasm and gave insightful answers and observations during activities and debriefing. I am looking forward to working with this fantastic group over the coming year!

Miranda McMahon

Jewish Life Madrich

Daniel Samowitz helping to build the sukkah

Our new Jewish life madrich

My name is Samo (Daniel Samowitz).

I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and at the age of 14 I immigrated to Sydney. Emanuel School swiftly became my second home. Much has happened since then.

For the last eight years, I chose to devote my life to the Zionist dream, living and breathing an Israeli Jewish reality committed to bettering the State through youth educational activities for Israelis and also for Jews from around the world. My aim was to educate people from many different cultures and backgrounds to see themselves as vital members of the Jewish people and the Zionist movement. They were very rewarding years.

And, now I’m back …. The question I am asked most often, by virtue of my really weird accent, is: “Where are you from?” Although geographically incorrect, and I apologise to the English teachers reading this, my answer is I’m Jewish. I choose to be responsible for the Jewish people and this is what brings me back to Emanuel School where I first learned about Mind, Spirit and Being.

I arrived at Emanuel in Year 9, class of 2004, and in Emanuel I found the community, Jewish philosophy and lifelong friends that would give me the foundation to try and live a meaningful and good life. To this day I call the cohort of class of 2004 my closest friends. There is no need for Sonia Newell to organise a reunion because we meet up every Wednesday night.

I have been involved in the youth movement scene for the last 15 years – here in Australia, in Israel and many Jewish communities in the world, especially North America, Europe and South Africa. I’m excited to bring back my passion for Jewish life, Zionism and informal value-based education to Emanuel students.

I believe that Judaism can be a powerful prism through which to lead a life of responsibility, happiness and meaning. Jewish values should be the foundation of a moral compass that will give the students an ability to be critical thinkers and exist in a rapidly changing world whilst having the tools to deal with whatever dilemma is thrown their way.

Big questions need to be engaged with, such as “What should I do after school? What does Zionism look like in 2016? What kind of pizza do I like? What does Judaism say about racism?” And, most importantly, for students to have more personal and relevant answers for the age old question: “Why be Jewish?”.

I look forward to meeting you all and I wish you all a Shabbat Shalom.

Daniel Samowitz, Jewish life Madrich

aka Samo

High School Mathematics

Michelle Lyons-Zwarenstein – Head of Mathematics

ICAS

The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) are independent skills-based assessments with a competition element. Commonly referred to as the UNSW tests, ICAS is unique, being the most comprehensive generally available suite of academic assessments and school tests for Primary and Secondary School students.

In August, Years 7M, 8J, 9S and 10B participated in the ICAS Mathematics Competition.

Congratulations to the following students:

Year 7:

High Distinction: Eleanor Labi

Distinction: Shane Doust, Lara Fosbery, Aaron Goldberg, Zachary Gothelf, Joey Hadad, Ruby Hurwitz, Zac Levenson, Jessica Lowy, Chloe Miller, Jonathan Schach, Harry Schulz

Credit: Kai Biton, Liam Engler, Ethan Moliver, Aiden Poswell, Jacob Rose

Merit: Jordan Fleischer

Year 8:

Distinction: Ethan De Melo, Isaac Grove, Jonathan Sebban, Jacob Wolf

Credit: Sasha Baskin, Matthew Bozic, Mikaela Fraser, Mia Gold, Gabriella Goodridge, Elijah Grynberg, Madeline Liger, Mimi Silberstein, Samara Trenaman, Jesse Waller, Kaia Ziman

Merit: Jesssica Beutum, Jemma Salamon

Year 9:

Distinction: Isabella Flax, Jake Hyman, Matthew Joffe, Tia Rose Mallinick, Joshua New, Mia Port

Credit: Oliver Evans, Tarn Feldman-Gubbay, Zachary Fidler, Dylan Herdan, Rachel Jammy, Zoe Miller, Ashlee Orleow, Adena Sheps

Merit: Ethan Hirschowitz, Alexa Narunsky

Year 10:

Distinction: Ashne Amoils, Joshua Amoils, Sienna Amoils, Erin Baskin, Dheanna Eller, Aaron Ellis-Bloor, Joel Epshteyn, Jonathan Sinani

Credit: Noa Blair, Gabriel Bogomolets, Matthew Doust, Aron Jaffe, Lara Joffe, Gabriel Sebban, Noah Solomon

From the Head of Drama

Samantha Bauer – Head of Drama

On the last day of Term 3 – Year 11 students had the privilege to watch Alexis Fishman perform her one woman show: CLUB GELBE STERN. The show was extremely powerful and provocative, giving students an insight into the world of the Weimar Republic through the eyes of a cabaret singer. After the show, History students participated in a workshop discussion with Alexis to consolidate their ideas and understanding of the issue raised in the performance.

CLUB GELBE STERN is a one-woman musical that examines the life of a Jewish Cabaret star as the Nazi’s gain power in Berlin, 1933. It uses German cabaret music of the time to illuminate the decadence and richness of Berlin life during the Weimar Republic and serves as a jumping-off point for discussion and learning about responsible citizenship, tolerance, righteousness, standing up for what you believe in, protecting others and speaking up. 

Using interactive, creative and immersive techniques not seen in a traditional classroom, students watched the show and then participated in a workshop designed specifically to engage, inspire and explore. 

Alexis is a Helpmann Award nominated actress and singer with over 15 years experience on the stage. She studied at Yad Vashem, holds a Masters degree in International Relations with a focus on Genocide studies and is the chair of the educational committee for 3GNY, a New York-based organisation for descendants of Holocaust survivors. 

Samantha Bauer 

High School Sport

Kirsty Reed – Sports Co-ordinator & PDHPE Teacher

High School Sporting Events Next Week

Wednesday

All day

15 years AICES basketball championships

Afternoon

Beach volleyball

Kickboxing/boxing fitness

Thursday

Morning

Boys fitness

Year 10/11 boys touch football training

Lunch

Open boys basketball training

Afternoon

Emanuel-Moriah basketball challenge

Rockclimbing

Year 8/9 girls netball

Friday

Morning

Swimming squad

16 boys basketball training

Surfing

Year 10/11 girls touch football training

Sunday

14 boys basketball competition

16 boys basketball competition

Open boys basketball competition

Mazal tov

Congratulations to Danielle Rutstein and Greg Allen who competed at the prestigious All Schools Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre last week.

HSC Disability Provisions

Eliah Dean – DP Co-ordinator

Dr Lynn Joffe – Director of Specialist Learning Centre

2017 HSC Disability Provisions (DP) Application Process

The application process for 2017 HSC Disability Provisions will begin in Week 5.

Disability Provisions (DPs) are allowances determined by BOSTES on the basis of a detailed application to establish disadvantage through disability. The rationale for DPs is to create a level playing field for all students, taking into account any factors that potentially disadvantage them, relative to their cohort. They are not intended to provide any undue advantage.

In order to ensure fairness, information related to any disability is submitted to BOSTES and verified by a panel of experts. Teachers’ comments, observations and information about the overall performance of students are also collected and analysed as part of the application process.

As outlined at the Year 12 information evening, any student who thinks he or she might be eligible should make an appointment with Mr Dean or Dr Joffe as soon as possible.

Both individual and group sessions may be required for data collection, depending on the reason for the application. Students will be advised of times for individual sessions.

Whilst every effort will be made to use timetabled study periods for data collection, students must be prepared to meet at other times if requested, including on ‘early leave’ days (with notice).

The process of data collection and submission of applications requires rigour and can be lengthy. Students who do not adhere to the advertised timelines and notification of sessions should be aware that this might result in a delay in their applications being submitted.

Dr Lynn Joffe and Eliah Dean

Raw Challenge

Anita Kozak – Wellness Centre

The rain lashed us from an ever-darkening sky but what smiles and what happy faces! It was Sunday 25 September 2016, the inaugural Raw Challenge had just been completed and what an event it was! 7km, 40⁺ obstacles, 35 students, four staff members and one parent. It was a day which exemplified teamwork and Emanuel School spirit, as our students from Years 7-12 helped each other through what was quite a difficult course. There was all-manner of objects to climb, carry, crawl and wade through, with the ‘floating mud’ being a particular highlight. Students faced their fears and their limits, yet there was no peer pressure, only camaraderie, which was fantastic to see. Hopefully the Raw Challenge will become an annual event at our School. Thank you to Adam Majsay for his support on the day and for leading by example as well as to Samantha Bauer for her excellent photo-taking skills and making us all look good whilst muddy!

We encourage all students to make their way down to the Wellness Centre for our lunchtime and/or after-school classes where you will get fitter and stronger whilst learning and having fun doing it. 

Anita Kozak

Timor 2017

This trip is available to students who will be in Year 9, 10 and 11 in 2017.

David Whitcombe, HSIE Teacher

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

Careers

Year 12 is officially underway and it was great to see the group and parents at the Year 12 information evening last week.

I will be emailing all of Year 12 students a copy of my slides from last week, so parents should feel free to request these from your children if you wanted to revisit my presentation. In the coming week I will be sending through a copy of the questionnaire I mentioned. Students should provide as much detail as possible when completing it. 

The following are notices from UNSW relevant to this term that may be of interest to students.

UNSW: Entrepreneur Challenge – The Peter Farrell Cup

As Entrepreneurism is such a hot topic at the moment, with so many references to the new generation of workers needing entrepreneurial skills, the UNSW Entrepreneur Challenge may be interesting. It’s on 1 December from 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm in the Tryee Room Scientia Building, UNSW Kensington. University students will be showcasing real-life entrepreneurial skills and bringing innovation to the market with the support of industry mentors. Recently graduated HSC students are welcome to attend the event and watch university students pitch their ideas.

www.business.unsw.edu.au/campaigns/peter-farrell-cup

UNSW: Your Media Career

This industry information day is free of charge and will enable those interested in a media career to hear from journalists about the industry: 31 October, 9:00am – 1:00pm, Columbo House UNSW Kensington campus. 

www.futurestudents.unsw.edu.au/your-media-career-choose-your-own-adventure

UNSW Engineering High School Information Day

Years 11 and 12 students are invited to sample several fields of engineering through interesting and stimulating activities over a day at UNSW Kensington Campus on 27 October. Throughout the day students will observe the opportunities on offer at UNSW and see some of the amazing student-led projects.

K-6 ‘MATH –A –THON’

We are very excited to announce our 2016 ‘Math-a-thon’ which is going to be held in Week 5. Each student will be asked to collect sponsors and take part in a number of activities including ‘Maths in my Pocket’ and the visiting incursion ‘World of Maths’. The JCA matches our fundraising efforts dollar for dollar so please get behind your child/ren to collect sponsors. Parents will receive a letter and sponsorship form that outline what is required. We look forward to working with you to make this day a success.

Helen Maynard, Katie Narunsky, Stacey Rosenfeld

Year 6 Fundraising

National Bandana Day

National Bandana Day is a great opportunity for the community to show support for young people living with cancer, by purchasing and wearing a bandanna. The funds raised will provide the organisation CanTeen with much-needed support for their programs that help children and teens get through this tough time.

The Year 6 fundraising team will be selling colourful bandanas for $4 each on Friday 28 October in the Triguboff Courtyard at recess and lunch time.

Thank you in anticipation for your support.

The Year 6 fundraising team

Shofar Sho Good

I would like to thank Myles Cohn for running the Shofar Sho Good Shofar blowing Rosh Hashanah competition and the Trope Taamei Ha Mikra reading competition for the Primary School. He created so much enthusiasm and made it so exciting to be a part of these competitions. Kol HaKavod!

Here he is pictured with Harrison Fischl, Year 5, winner of the Shofar Sho Good competition. Big congratulations also go to Tess Endrey for winning the Trope Taamei Hamikra reading competition.

Morah Gaida, Jewish Studies Teacher

Year 3 help Fijian School

Julia Tritsch – Primary Teacher

Year 3 blows away Wailailai Sanatan Primary School in Fiji

Earlier this year Cyclone Winston hit Fiji resulting in tragic circumstances. Wailailai Sanatan School was unfortunately in Cyclone Winston’s way, and suffered the demise of many of its classrooms, supplies and equipment.

Currently, students of Wailailai Sanatan School are using UNICEF tents as their classrooms. They have grass as their classroom floors and the tents are poorly ventilated. The teachers are unsure as to when their new classrooms will be re-built.

Then along came Year 3. Emanuel students rose to the occasion by donating stationery for the school children. And what an amazing job they did in the recent school holidays!

I was privileged to deliver 20kg of pens, pencils, sharpeners, rubbers, pencil cases, rulers and the like to the students of Wailailai Sanatan. It was an incredible experience to see their joy and surprise at the donation. I was lucky enough to join the staff and students for Independence Day, Teachers Day and Students Day celebrations all rolled into one.

Congratulations to Year 3 on their amazing and generous efforts with tzedakah.

Julia Tritsch

Gesher

Sonia Newell – Development Officer

Daydream Believers

It is always wonderful to hear about members of our School community and the things that they are doing in the wider community.  Perhaps you have heard of the Daydream Believers. Not the Monkey’s song, but a choir in Sydney, founded by Barbara Pashut, mother of alumnus Chad Pashut (Class of 2008) and his sister Jaimie-Lee who has special needs. Jaime-Lee loves making jewellery and has her own Facebook page: Facebook.com/Jaime-Lee’s Jewels The choir meets every Thursday evening at the COA and they would love our School community to get involved.  

Daydream Believers have their 8^th anniversary concert, auction and fundraiser afternoon tea on Sunday 30 October from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at COA Function Jewish Centre on Ageing (COA) at 25 Rowe Street, Woollahra

Tickets: $15 and $10 concession

To purchase tickets and for more information, please email Barbara at  innersens4life@hotmail.com

Check out their Facebook page: 

www.facebook.com/The-Daydream-Believers-Performers-811761608911606/?fref=ts

Nine and Dine Golf Event

Our Gesher Nine and Dine Golf event is  around the corner.  We hope you and your friends will join us on Thursday 17 November for a fun afternoon of nine holes of golf followed by a BBQ dinner.  No matter what your handicap, if you love getting out in the fresh air and swinging a golf club, you will enjoy this event. To book visit tinyurl.com/Gesher-Nine-and-Dine

From the Parents and Friends

Susie Rose and Sharon Schulz

Parents & Friends News