From the Principal

Anne Hastings – Principal

Fantastic success for HSC Visual Arts!

We heard this week that the HSC Visual Arts major works of Sara Ehrlich and Carla Ryan have both been nominated for ARTEXPRESS. Sara’s work was a 3-dimensional portrayal of a story she heard while on the school trip to East Timor last year and Carla’s work was an engaging film. To have two students nominated in a class of 13 is a very special achievement. Congratulations to both Sara and Carla for their concepts and devotion to working to perfect their products over the year, along with their teacher Nickcole McGlinn, for her amazing teaching and many hours of guidance along the way over this year of artmaking, and also to Eytan Messiah, the Head of Visual Arts, for his considerable support.

House Music

On Tuesday night the MPH was filled with the sounds of small and large House choirs, rock bands and X-factor competitors in the annual High School House Music competition. Sometimes raucous as the students in the Houses vied for the loudest cheer, but always supportive and joyous, the evening is always a wonderful testament to the spirit and collaboration of our students. The students had been practising for weeks, led by their House Captains and supported by their Heads of House and Tutors, and each House performed their songs and dances superbly. Congratulations to all involved, and particularly the House Captains who had arranged the items and spent hours developing and teaching the choreography and singing, and the Heads of House (Natalie Lijovic, Tina Greenhill and Martin Rembson) and Tutors who supported them throughout the rehearsals. Many thanks also to our resident performer, Michael Bartels, who entertained the audience while the judges were deliberating the results.

AHISA Principals’ Meeting

Last Monday saw 80 Principals from other independent schools around NSW meeting at our School. Our Millie Phillips Theatre and Angles Leadership and Learning Centre were ideal venues for a day of meetings and professional learning and I received so many complimentary comments from other Principals about the School and our students. The last time Emanuel School had hosted this group was back in 2009, so many of them recognised the great enhancements that have been made to the campus. However, it was the chance conversations with our students who ushered the Principals to the venue that most impressed. This was a big event for our School and I thank all those who contributed to its great success, such as the Maintenance and ICT staff, the Admin staff, and particularly my Personal Assistant, Darryl Bourke, who had done the lion’s share of the organisation for the event.

Online ordering of uniform has come to Emanuel School!

Midfords have been developing a system for online ordering of uniform items and it is now ready to go. Make sure you read the item in this newsletter to find out how to use the new system.

 HSC Examination Feedback from Teachers

This is the final in the series. Students completed their final HSC Examination last week.

Business Studies

The students enjoyed the challenge of the Business Studies examination and especially liked the extended-response and business-report components of the paper. They found the short-answer and multiple-choice section fairly ‘straight-forward.’ A couple of the students thought that some of the multiple-choice questions were worded in a challenging way but that is usually the case with these types of examinations.

The paper was well balanced and challenged the students in all four topics of our course (operations, financial management, marketing and human resource management). There was a slightly stronger emphasis on financial management than in the two previous years. The short-answer section gave the students a chance to display a broad skillset and their understanding of inventory management, corporate social responsibility, the implications of outsourcing business elements, the use of internal and external sources of funds and the relationship between cost and quality in business operations. The report component focused on financial management and marketing. It required the students to explain potential limitations of financial reports, discuss working capital strategies and evaluate potential pricing policies for a business. The extended response section gave the students an opportunity to either evaluate the operations or the human resource management of a business of their choice.

[Martin Rembson]

Society and Culture

The Society and Culture HSC examination was very straight-forward and fair. The multiple-choice section challenged the students to apply social theory to a given scenario and utilise their understanding of westernisation and globalisation. The short-answer section used one of the longer questions to focus on ethical research; our students had applied this concept to their Personal Interest Project. 
The depth-study questions provided students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of censorship and the popular culture of rock music. The Belief System questions focused on gender and power.

[Allison Lee]

Economics

The Economics examination assessed knowledge of the domestic and global economy. Students were given a range of topics for the extended responses, including the impact of labour market reform on individuals, and another essay asked about the factors that can change Australia’s trade flows. There was also an essay question on the recent reductions in interest rates in Australia. This was a popular choice for Emanuel students as many had a genuine interest in monetary policy and Glenn Steven’s monthly press releases. The short-answer component of the examination enabled students to write about industry protection, environmental stability, economic growth and exchange rates. 

The multiple-choice questions quizzed students on their understanding of many parts of the syllabus including the concept of the natural rate of unemployment, factors that affect income equality and even more questions on monetary policy. In Economics students do not simply select a correct answer but need to choose the most correct answer from a range of answers that all have some degree of being correct. A 1-mark question can require an in-depth knowledge of government policy if it is to be answered successfully. 

Emanuel students enjoyed the examination. For some students it marked the last day they will study the subject. For others the HSC Examination is only the beginning of their academic connection to Economics. 

[David Bartlett]

Studies of Religion (SOR)

The SOR examination this year proved to be very challenging, but for the most part, fair. There were certainly surprises in this examination, such as asking a 5-mark question on Aboriginal Spirituality rather than the expected Post-45 topic, but the students should have been able to answer this question successfully. The other 5-mark question asked for the impact of religions on social transformation.

For the first time in many years, the Judaism 20-mark question was written from a Jewish rather than Christian perspective. This was welcome, however, the Judaism topics were not specifically detailed, because the question referenced Preliminary Course topics. The 20-mark Religion and Peace question was also vague about the topics and used a stimulus that was not addressed in the syllabus points (“love of power vs power of love”).

Overall, it seems that BOSTES has been listening to the complaints from previous years and has incorporated a more careful and just approach to questions. This examination was geared to the lateral thinkers who could reason beyond the confines of the syllabus points. It was a very fitting, challenging and even exciting way to assess two years of intense studies about religions and their impact on history and society.

Software Design and Development

The multiple-choice questions contained a good mix of theory and skills with no real surprises thrown in.  There was also a good spread of difficulty between the questions.

The extended-answer questions were also written with a good spread of difficulty. Several of the skills-based questions posed interesting problems for the students to tackle. One question asked students to write an algorithm to check if a given solution to a number puzzle was valid. A variety of valid and creative solutions was available. The final question in the option topic was a little tricky but once understood was fairly straight-forward. The paper as a whole had an even mix of applying knowledge and demonstrating problem solving ability. The questions were varied and interesting and it was a fair paper.

Biology

The HSC Biology examination was fair in terms of difficulty and length according to many of the students. The questions covered a range of syllabus topics and ranged in complexity. The examination had a focus on both the knowledge and investigation syllabus points rather than on skills, which has been a heavy focus in previous years. Many of the extended questions required critical thinking and for students to draw on knowledge from more than one of the course topics. Students mostly felt confident after the examination and relieved that their preparation had paid off. 

[Sarah Jenkins]

Physics

The Physics paper was quite difficult this year. There were a number of tricks in the questions which could trap unwary students, as well as some questions that required the students to synthesise information from a number of topics. There was a heavy emphasis on practical work and the relationship between Physics and technology, including three high mark longer-answer questions. The students were happy with the paper and felt that it was fair and gave them a chance to write down what they knew.

[Jenny Selinger]

Max Woolf, Head Madrich and Yael Grunseit, Head Madricha at the NAJEX Remembrance Day Commemoration held last Sunday

Mazal tov to:

• Max Woolf and Yael Grunseit (Year 12 2017) for representing Emanuel School and laying the floral tribute at the NAJEX Remembrance Day ceremony at the Jewish Museum last Sunday
• Our Jazz Ensemble (Robert Feher, Adam Cranko, Matthew Doust, Aaron Ellis-Bloor and Darren Sacks), supported by David Gwilliam, who entertained the AHISA Principals on Sunday evening
• Jamie Lipschitz (Class of 2016) who has been accepted into AMDA, the performing arts college in New York, along with a scholarship
• Sara Ehrlich and Carla Ryan (Class of 2016) for their nominations for ARTEXPRESS for their Visual Arts Major Works
• Kim Slender, for running a Mindfulness and Jewish Meditation session for the AHISA Principals on Sunday afternoon.

Coming up

• Year 12 2017 Parent Information Evening with Dani Klein, 14 November, 7 pm
• Years 9 and 10 Yearly Examinations, Tuesday 15 – Friday 18 November
• Year 10 Drama Showcase, 21 November, 7 pm, Millie Phillips Theatre
• Year 10 Chavayah leave for Israel, Wednesday 23 November

Quote of the week

‘We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.’ [Franklin D. Roosevelt ]

Best wishes for a relaxing weekend.

Anne Hastings

Ma Koreh

PARASHAT HaSHAVUA

Lekh Lekha (Genesis) 12-17

Values are not like elections and voting – the majority doesn’t necessarily rule. Abraham, our forefather, stood virtually alone as a believer in God and kindness in a world of idolatory and cruelty, yet he didn’t let that stop him from holding strong to the values that he knew were good and true, even if he had to hold onto them alone.

 The Shabbat Project Comes to Emanuel School

To celebrate this weekend’s Shabbat Project, students across the School participated in Shabbat learning and various hands-on Shabbat activities.

K-12 came together on Friday morning for a whole school Shabbat celebration filled with Shabbat songs, blessings and ruach.

Shabbat activities included:

Year K: Created and decorated their own Shabbat table place mat that included the words of the Friday night Kiddush.

Year 1: Braided their own challah for Shabbat from prepared dough and learnt about the meaning and symbolism of Shabbat challah.

Year 2: Created a Birkat Banim – blessing for the children picture frame, including the words of this beautiful blessing for their Shabbat table at home.

Year 3: Made beeswax Shabbat candles and reflected on the role and symbolism of light in Judaism. We explored different traditions and customs about the number of candles people use to welcome in Shabbat on Friday evening.

Year 4: Starting with the raw ingredients, Year 4 students and their Hebrew teachers made their own challah.

Year 5: Earlier this year students explored Jewish time and Shabbat and this week they created their own Havdalah candle.

Year 6 and Year 8: Created and decorated their own glass mosaic Shabbat candlestick holders to honour Shabbat.

Year 7: Shabbat Magic – Students explored what makes Shabbat a special and a unique day:

• Oneg Shabbat – Shabbat joy through songs
• Hiddur Mitzvah – making it beautiful through napkin folding
• Berakhot – students created their own Shabbat blessing.

Year 9: Made beeswax Shabbat candles and reflected on how each of us can use Shabbat as an opportunity to rekindle our own ‘light’, thinking about how ‘switching off’ devices can enable us to ‘switch on’ life.

Year 10: Made beeswax Havdalah candles and learnt about the rituals, meaning and symbolism of Havdalah as a way of invoking our five senses to remember the beauty of Shabbat and to prepare for the week ahead.

From the Head of Jewish Life

Student Reflections on Visiting Villawood

Three of our Year 11 students and I, with the assistance of  Emanuel parents, Anna Buch and Shira Sebban, recently visited the low and medium risk sections of the Villawood Detention Centre. We would like to share with you some of their reflections.

Rabbi Daniel Siegel, Head of Jewish Life

Sally-Ann Janks

Sally-Ann Janks

I’m so thankful to Rabbi Siegel, Mrs Sebban and Mrs Buch who made this visit possible.

Visiting Villawood Detention Centre was an experience that provoked many reactions and I’m grateful to have seen it first-hand,

I’m grateful to have met people who shared their stories with me and who I really connected with and genuinely really liked and will try my best to remain in contact with them. There was not an ‘us and them’ feeling at all once we started to talk.

I wasn’t surprised that many of the people had been through really traumatic experiences in their former countries, as I know that in order to go through such a terrifying and risky journey to make it to Australia, there has to be serious lack of safety and security. I wasn’t surprised that many people were all alone with no friends or family and were suffering from the effects of severe loneliness.

The thing that did surprise me was that many people are genuinely desperate to be sent back to warzones, persecution and likely torture in their own countries because their treatment in Australian Detention Centres is so dehumanising and terrible that their former countries seem like a seriously better option.

This honestly disgusts me and I was equally horrified that the system seems to be set up to provoke refugees to commit ‘crimes’ which can be as small as speaking too loudly to a guard which will mean they will never be allowed into Australia and will be forced to spend months or even years more in detention. One man with intellectual disabilities was allowed into the community on parole and was confused and accidentally walked into the house next door instead of his own and was sent straight back to Villawood for trespassing, although it was through no fault of his own.

The day we were there, many of the detainees were really devastated because some of their friends who had been living in the Detention Centre with them, some for many years, were taken to Christmas Island Detention Centre. This constant transfer of refugees to different Detention Centres against their will is such a terrible problem that I learnt about from the detainees themselves.

From here, I would like to do something to help this situation. The other students who went with me to Villawood have a similar desire to help. I would encourage everyone to promote the proper care and treatment of refugees, to view them as people as opposed to just a statistic and to spread the word that refugees should not be detained in these harsh circumstances for such long periods of time and instead should be allowed into the Australian community.

Sage Ziman

Sage Ziman

Living in Australia and in such a privileged community you often forget what is happening around you. Watching the news and hearing stories sometimes makes you think about issues for a minute or two but you are quickly brought back to everyday distractions. I often forget the issue of refugees and the denial of human rights that is happening in the world I live in.

Personally experiencing immigration felt like an entitlement. I never thought about the fact that some people are unable to apply, receive a visa, get on a plane and start a new life. I was deeply affected by the thought that a piece of paper was the only thing that differentiated me from those inside Villawood Detention Centre.

I was extremely anxious prior to arrival, scared I would be awkward or unable to make conversation with the detainees. However, very quickly I was greeted by incredible people, who welcomed me and made me feel as comfortable as I could. We spoke and ate together and as time went by I found myself in a deep conversation about politics and religion with a man from the Middle East. He told me about the experiences in Villawood and other Australian detention centres, about why and how he left his home, the destruction of war and the torture he experienced. I learnt very quickly that while we hear the statistics of refugees, we often forget of the person behind the number, this man was a father, a brother, a husband and a son.

I spoke to other volunteers who explained the process of being a refugee in Australia. It’s simple – strip them of their identity, humanity and dignity, as soon as they are comfortable move them to Christmas Island or Nauru. This process often leads to suicide, self-harm or deportation.

People are given no second chance at life. Australia claims to be so progressive but denies the basic human right to seek asylum.

I have been asked multiple times why I would want to go see this. I reply that while I experience the beauty and the perks that Australia has given me I must not be ignorant of its flaws. If I don’t allow myself to see the world in its true form I cannot change it for the better.

Although it was only a few hours in a new place with strangers I have never been more touched and learnt more in my life. I think it is so important for people my age to get out of their comfort zone and learn about places like Villawood and meet refugees.

Soon we will be able to vote and I know that we can at least try to change the destructive policies that deny humans their human rights. I urge everyone interested to take the time to visit this place and experience the stories and hear the repercussions of our unjust government’s decisions.

Student Opal Cards

Maxine Chopard – Assistant to the Deputy Principal

Student Opal Cards

Information on passes for 2017 travel on the Opal network.

Students should please remember to keep their school Opal cards for travel in 2017. These cards will be automatically deactivated for school holidays and then reactivated for school travel in Term 1, 2017. If students change their address during the holidays they will need to update the information on their card. A parent and/or guardian must apply for students 15 years and under. Students 16 years and over must apply for themselves. Go to transportnsw.info/school-students

Remember that data collected from the scanning of Opal Cards when boarding the ‘School Specials’ will inform Transport NSW of our continued need for these buses.

Senior Secondary Student Concession Card (SSSCC)

High School Students aged 16 and over can travel with a Child/Youth Opal card when carrying a NSW/ACT Senior Secondary Student Concession Card (SSSCC).

I advise all students who use public transport and the Child/Youth Opal card to get the SSSCC as a number of our students have received warnings about travelling without these cards (Green). These cards are available at reception.

Proof of Age

This card is also available from reception and is for students who look older/younger than their actual age.

Lost and Found

Could I ask everyone to check the names on their school uniform items and confirm they belong to them. If not, students should please return it to the Red Bin. At present the bin and clothes rack is overflowing with Lost and Found items. In week 7, all unclaimed items will be placed on the Free, Help Yourself table.

Maxine Chopard

From the Head of Science

Jennifer Selinger – Head of Science

View from the Kleinlehrer Family Science Building

Bay One brims with dropper bottles, stock bottles, containers of metal strips and mysterious powders. There are unusual pieces of equipment – crucibles, mortars, pestles and glassware never before seen in K24. On the wall, an empty star-chart appears – the epitome of possibility. The stage is set for Year 9 and 10 students’ current self-paced unit – Crazy Chemistry! Moved into Year 9 for 2016, we are currently running this topic in eight classes and driving Rochelle Hunter, our laboratory technician, completely mad with our need for chemicals. The students tell me this is their favourite topic this year – and what is not to love, with things blowing up, burning down, bubbling and changing colour all over the room.

Year 7 are slowly recovering from their yearly Science examination, the second examination they have sat in Science this year. It is clear from their approach that most of them have learnt from the first experience and have begun to develop the balanced and effortful response to exams that we would like them to have. There was evidence of improved study techniques and the students’ use of the advice provided in class to good effect. They can now breathe a sigh of relief and relax into learning about the rocks beneath their feet in the topic What’s Yours is Mine.

Year 8 is turning its collective gaze from the heavens to Earth as they finish the topic Destination Mars and start the topic Let it Grow. They will use the context of plants and agriculture to develop their skills in experimental design, working on an open-ended investigation on their chosen aspect of plant growth. Our labs will soon be festooned with bean plants either reaching for the ceiling or drooping dejectedly towards the floor.

At the other end of the student scale, our new Year 12 students have made a good beginning with their HSC courses – one lot of students disappears and another steps up to the amount of commitment needed to succeed at this higher level. They are creating polymers, launching marbles around the room and looking at the wonders of enzymes within their bodies. They have a long but exciting road to travel in the next four terms.

So the Science saga is well on its way for the term, with our usual crazy variety of activities and ideas. And we have not yet set off the fire alarms once!

From the Head of English

Emanuel School Writers’ Awards

David Camp – Head of English

On 3 November in the Millie Phillips Theatre, we held the Writers’ Awards Presentation Night, to reward students for their success with the written word. For each year group we awarded two prizes, the Most Dedicated award and the Writer of the Year award. The Most Dedicated award went to the student who made a commitment to improve and develop their writing throughout the year. These are students who draft and re-draft their work, who ask questions about how to improve their writing, who ask for feedback and act upon it, and often those who write for the love of writing, entering competitions and writing in their spare time. The Writer of the Year award went to the student who has produced the most consistently high quality of writing, who has most entertained and amazed us. The nominees for the awards and those who won each award are listed below. Congratulations to all of the students:

Omni Goldberg receives his award from Anne Hastings

Year 12

Dylan Blecher

David Brockwell

Adam Doctor

Sara Ehrlich

Omri Goldberg

Gabriel Jammy

Asher Klein – Writer of the Year

Asher Klein (Writer of the Year)

Jessica Lax

Holly Lipman

Joshua Rosenwax

Dana Rutner (Most Dedicated)

Year 11

Amy Altman (Writer of the Year)

Yael Grunseit

Pnina Hagege (Most Dedicated)

Eitan Meshel

Lauren Sussman

Erik Unger

Max Woolf

Year 10

Joshua Amoils (Writer of the Year)

Aaron Ellis-Bloor (Most Dedicated)

Sara Bortz

Ethan Corke

Joel Epshteyn

Genevieve Goldman

Year 9

Greg Allen (Most Dedicated)

Isabella Flax (Writer of the Year)

Rachel Jammy 

Tia Mallinick 

Ashlee Orleow 

Saachi Owen 

Year 8

Sasha Baskin

Beau Glass (Writer of the Year)

Rebekah Goldsworthy

Madeleine Liger

Jonathan Sebban (Most Dedicated)

Mimi Silberstein

Year 7 nominees

Year 7

Ruby Hurwitz

Jessica Lowy

Chloe Miller (Writer of the Year)

India Sacks

Jonathan Schach (Most Dedicated)

From the Maria Tirabosco Library

Karen McAndrew – Teacher Librarian

Yearly Examination preparation and homework help

The Maria Tirabosco Library is open three afternoons a week after school to assist students with their learning needs. All High School students are welcome to these sessions and Years 5-6 may also take advantage of these services with their parents’ permission.

• Tuesday 3.30 pm – 5 pm (Open Time with Ms Chopard)
• Wednesday – Thursday 3.30 pm – 5 pm (Homework Help with Emanuel Alumni)

FREE Seminar: HSC 2017 tips for parents

Would you like to understand how the State Library of NSW can assist students studying for the 2017 HSC? This one hour seminar will be particularly useful if your son/daughter is studying:

• Society and Culture
• History
• English Extension 2

WHEN: 6.00 pm Thursday 17 November 2016

WHERE: State Library NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL:www.sl.nsw.gov.au/events/hsc-2017-tips-parents

From the Head of Music

David Gwilliam – Head of Music

Private Music Tuition

Please note that from 2017, the cost of individual private music lessons will be $41.00 per half-hour lesson (plus GST, if the tutor is registered to pay GST). Lessons shared in pairs will cost $21.50 per student per half-hour lesson (plus GST where applicable).

Thank you to those who have already advised us of changes to private tuition and Infants String program enrolments for next year. The due date for notification of changes or intention to discontinue for Term 1, 2017 is Friday 25 November. Please notify David Gwilliam, Head of Music, by email to music@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au, of any changes to lessons or if your child intends to discontinue. If written notification regarding discontinuation is not received by the end of this term, parents will be liable for fees for Term 1, 2017.

The schedules for Term 1, 2017 will be created shortly. All students receiving private music tuition at Emanuel will be automatically re-enrolled into tutor schedules for next term, along with students commencing lessons for the first time.

Szenes

A huge week for Szenes House!

Hannah Szenes Commemoration

This week, students observed the Yarzheit of Hannah Szenes, our namesake. Thank you to Daniel Samowitz and Szenes students Ari Regan Lacey (11), Indigo Penn (11), Jordana Blackman (11) and Jade Reuveny (10) for a respectful and insightful presentation. Thank you to Talia Rubinstein and Shoshana Blackman (11) who sang a beautiful rendition of Hannah Szenes’ poem, Eli Eli. This week’s D’Var Torah was written by Liahm Simon (10) and due to his absence, was read by Isabella Kidman. In his speech, reference was made to Hannah Szenes’ leadership qualities.

Indigo Penn – Year 11, Jade Reuveny – Year 10 and Ari Regan Lacey – Year 11.

Jordana Blackman – Year 11 lighting the candle

House Music Concert

 A Szenes Win!

Our Szenes Leadership team was ecstatic when we were announced the winner of the Inter-House Music competition on Tuesday evening. Our Music Captain, Talia Rubinstein, commented: “Thank you so much Szenes House for working so hard and making this House Music event so memorable. I am so happy”. More details to come next week. A special thank you goes to our alumni judges, especially Lisa Gluckman, past Szenesian and Music Madricha.

Mazal Tov to:

• Our House Leadership team, especially Music Captain, Talia Rubinstein, Captains Charlie Wrublewski and Isabella Kidman, and Music Madrich, Robert Feher, for their organisation of and commitment to Szenes House Music including the Small House choir, House choir and our Rock band.
• Szenes House students for their House spirit during the Inter-House Music competition.
• Kaia Ziman (8) and Sage Ziman (11) who became Australian Citizens this week.
• Zoe Miller, Jared Kelviansky, Isabella Kidman and Angel Mitrani who spent a week in Jilkminggan. All students agreed with Isabella that the trip was amazing, and a life changing experience.
• Szenes House Peer Support Leadership team for 2017 who welcomed and supported students during the Year 6 to 7 Transition day which was held this week. The Leaders were commended for their assistance. Thank you to our Leadership team: Erin Baskin, Joel Epshteyn, Danielle Kramer, Jade Reuveny, Madeleine Weinstein and Michal Wolstein.
• Year 8 Szenes students who organised a fabulous bake sale with the assistance of their Tutor, Ms Reed, to raise money for an asylum seeker charity in Newtown. Well done to Sasha Baskin, Talia Blackman, Claudia Burman, Erin Formin, Rebeckah Goldsworthy and Miriam Itzkowitz.
• Szenes students in the String Ensemble who attended a concert at Emanuel Synagogue with the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Our talented musicians include Year 8 students Rebeckah Goldsworthy and Nathaniel Spielman and Year 9 student Esther Reznikov.

 Next week:

Years 9 and 10 students will be sitting their yearly examinations. We wish everyone every success in the week ahead.

Quotation of the week

Alone we can do so little; but together we can do so much

Helen Keller

Enjoy the weekend,

Szenes House

Rashi Times

House Music

Inter-House Music is always a highlight of the year and this year was no different. It is amazing to see everyone all dressed up and with so much energy ready to try their best to help their House win. No matter the result, we should be proud of our performances and house spirit!

Genevieve Goldman and Camille Basel (Year 10) amazed everyone with their incredible mashup of Tears Dry on their Own and Ain’t no Mountain. It was a fantastic performance which got the whole audience cheering and singing along.

Our Rashi rock band made up of Maya Burich (11), Kerryn Finn (11), Noah Klein (9), Jesse Van Proctor (11) and Jordan Fidler (11) was incredible as well.

Small House choir was next with Bills, Bills, Bills by Destiny’s Child. The performance had the whole crowd on their feet.

Our Big House performance of multiple songs through times wowed everyone! The spirit and energy that everyone gave were unbelievable and we should all be proud of our efforts.

A huge thank you has to go to our House Captains – Maya Burich and Katrina Vasin – as well as our House Music Captain – Kerryn Finn. Our song arrangement was incredible as well as the choreographed dance. It was a challenge to teach the entire House the song and dance in such limited time, however, you accomplished this and the result was amazing.

Overall, House Music was an extremely enjoyable experience for everyone involved and we should all look forward to continuing our Rashi spirit throughout the rest of the year!

By Lara Joffe

Rabin Bugle

Rabin Rocks!

What a night! Inter-House Music on Tuesday night was another huge success. Watching the swarm of blue and black cheering in the crowd with such enthusiasm made me so proud of our incredible House spirit. I think it is fair to say we have come a long way from our first rehearsal when everyone was mumbling the words and a bit afraid to do the dance moves to last night when we all sang the lyrics at the top of our lungs and danced with confidence.

Our rock band with Adam Cranko, Joel Ehrlich, Darren Sacks and Jake Harpaz took the stage first with a cover of Artic Monkey’s R U Mine. The band’s pulsating energy had the crowd going wild and set the standard for the evening. Amber Langman represented Rabin in the X-Factor category and her incredible performance of Alicia Keys’ No One stunned everyone. Even the harshest of judges, Simon Cowell, would have given it 10 out of 10. Our Small House choir, guided by Chloe Corne and Erin Radomsky, supported on keyboard by Mr Burley, showcased their incredible talent through a medley of Bruno Mars tunes. Then it was time for the Big House item – WOW! Rabin delivered in style! Everyone looked so good on stage, and it was great to see all the hard work put in by Gabriel, Erin, Darren, Chloe and Richard – our Year 12 leaders, the Rabin Year 12 cohort and our wonderful Head of House Mr Rembson, pay off. Rabin House would like to especially commend Joel Ehrlich who was involved with every item on the night. Great effort Joel! Our House would also like to praise Robert Feher, our Music Madrich, for leading by example and co-ordinating the event so well. Thank you guys for a great night, and I’m excited to see what House Music 2017 will bring.

Jenna Kaplan

Yitzhak Rabin Yahrzeit                                                                                                                                                                             

Last week at the School, we commemorated the life and death of Yitzhak Rabin, the sixth and 11th Prime Minister of Israel, and the namesake of our House. He was also the first Israeli President to be born in Israel, and prior served in the IDF for 27 years until becoming Military Chief of Staff. In 1994 he was awarded the Nobel Peace prize for his attempts to make peace among the surrounding nations.

Rabin hoped to end conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. This, however, received a backlash from opposing Israeli citizens, and led to protests. Shockingly, in 1995 at a Tel-Aviv Peace Rally, Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish extremist. This was a shock to both Israel and the world. Hundreds of thousands visited the square where he was ruthlessly assassinated to mourn and since then a memorial has been established there.

During the ceremony, students from Rabin House read extracts from various points of Yitzhak Rabin’s life. These speeches given by Rabin conveyed his plan and determination to seek peace between Israel and its surrounding nations. The final extract was from Rabin’s last speech at the rally where he was assassinated. It provided a powerful and meaningful message for the perseverance towards peace.

With this important message in our minds the ceremony ended with the beautiful Israeli anthem, HaTikvah. In the music rooms we displayed a portrait of Yitzhak Rabin back-dropped by our House flag, with Yahrzeit candles placed around his portrait.

Eitan Meshel

Sport

Rabin House commends Danielle Rutstein on her commitment to athletics and congratulates her on her continued success. Danielle competed in the Little Athletics Centre Championship last week and placed first in high jump and long jump. She set a personal best with 4.75m in the long jump and won the high jump with 1.50m. Quite a feat!

Rabin House encourages everyone to participate in the Maccabi MS Swimathon, which is on 4 December at Moriah College swimming pool. It is a whole day event and swimmers on the Emanuel team can choose what time and how long they want to swim. Ms Reed is sending out the link to sign up and we hope many Rabinites will participate.

High School Sport

Kirsty Reed – Sport Co-ordinator and PDHPE Teacher

High School Sporting Events Next Week

Monday

Morning

Running Group

Year 7-9 Girls Touch Football Training

Year 7/8 Basketball Development Squad

14s Boys Basketball Training

Afternoon

Cricket Development Squad

Junior Cricket Team Training

Pilates

 Tuesday

Morning

Girls Fitness

Years 7-9 Boys Touch Football Training

Afternoon

Easts Touch Football Competition

Open Boys Basketball Training

Wednesday

11am -2.50pm

Jewish Day Schools Year 7/8 Oztag Gala Day

 Afternoon

Beach Volleyball

Kickboxing/Boxing Fitness

Thursday

Morning

Boys Fitness

Year 10/11 Boys Touch Football Training

Afternoon

Emanuel-Moriah Basketball Challenge

Rockclimbing

Year 8/9 Girls Netball

Friday

Morning

Swimming Squad

16 Boys Basketball Training

Surfing

Years 10/11 Girls Touch Football Training

Sunday

14 Boys Basketball Competition

16 Boys Basketball Competition

Open Boys Basketball Competition

Careers

Claire Pech

Demystifying the prejudice on TAFE versus university

At an academically rigorous school such as Emanuel I’ve written a statement that many won’t agree with. For some students, TAFE (Technical and Further Education) can be the best studying option.

TAFE can be the number one place for those who learn better in a hands-on environment, who like smaller classes and who learn better by doing than by hearing the content. I see students every year who end up at university rather than a technical institution because of societal and family pressure, personal expectation or having their own reservations about going to TAFE. The reality is that they drop out of the course they are in, they don’t enjoy their time there and they end up unhappy and wasting another year. For many technical careers, TAFE is the preferred supplier of those skills. So if you wanted to learn about early childhood to work in a pre-schsool, I would recommend TAFE over a private college. If you wanted to learn a trade, a skill, a technical skill set I would encourage you to look at TAFE and explore all of the options.

I have a good friend who always knew he wanted to work with his hands. His academic ability and interest level were not well suited to university, and as a result he started an apprenticeship and learnt his craft at TAFE straight out of school. He became a registered carpenter and soon after got his building licence. Now 20+ years on he has set up his own building company, which has gone from strength to strength. This company now employs other apprenticeships and carpenters. In terms of success (depending on how you measure it), he owns his own house, and has four other properties in Sydney. He has a work-life balance that has him home with his kids at five o’clock every day. He loves what he does and still enjoys being on the tools. So TAFE for most of Emanuel students is not the right option but for some it is, and we must support exploring this as an option and lifting the lid on our prejudices.

Sydney TAFE: Information Sessions

Jewellery: 16 November 2016, 6 pm – 8 pm, Building D, Room D1.08, Design Centre Enmore TAFE

Entertainment, Design and Illustration: 16 November 2016, 6 pm to 8 pm, Building G, Room GG.10, Design Centre Enmore

Library and Information Services: 17 November, Sydney Institute, Building G, Level 3, Room G 3.15, Thomas Street, Ultimo

Business: 22 November, 6 pm – 7:30 pm, Lower Ground Floor, Room FLG19, St George College, Corner of President Avenue and Princes Highway, Kogarah

Fashion Technology: 23 November, 6 pm – 8 pm, Building M, Room M1.11, Mont Street, St George

http://sydneytafe.edu.au/newsevents/events

Apprenticeship Careers Australia

Those interested in apprenticeships can check out the career focus here:

http://www.apprenticeshipcareers.com.au/workforus

Sydney TAFE Career Guide 2017

The new TAFE guide is now available to download. This is a good starting point to browse the many options.

http://sydneytafe.edu.au/sites/default/files/files/2017-Career-Guide.pdf

Automotive Apprenticeships

WPC Group have multiple opportunities for motor enthusiasts to commence working with Australia’s leading automotive companies. Apprenticeship intake for 2017 is now open.

wpcgroup.typeform.com/to/E3oyMm

www.autoapprenticeships.org.au/

Design Centre Enmore Open Day

This open day is on 25 November and the last weekend in November, 10 am to 3 pm, at 110 Edgeware Rd, Enmore. Meet teachers and current students, learn about the range of courses including degrees, tour the campus, and be inspired by the possibilities.

http://sydneytafe.edu.au/newsevents/events/design-centre-enmore-open-day-2016

Good articles outlining the differences between Tafe and Universities:

University or Tafe? www.careerfaqs.com.au/news/ask-jo/uni-or-tafe

The Univeristy or Tafe Debate – interesting article by hijacked. http://hijacked.com.au/the-university-vs-tafe-debate

Which qualification to take on? (good article outlining the differences between the certificates and qualifications available at TAFE).

www.training.com.au/ed/certificate-diploma-or-bachelor-what-should-you-take-on/

From the Head of Primary

Natanya Milner – Head of Primary

Math-athon

This week we have been involved in an amazing JCA Math-athon. The children have all taken part in a range of creative and thoughtful Mathematics activities that link with real-world problems and fun activities. It has been wonderful to see the children so immersed in their learning. There is a full report in Ma Nishma but I would like to take this opportunity to thank Helen Maynard, Katie Narunsky and Stacey Rosenfeld who organised the event and activities as well as all the Primary School teachers who supported the Math-athon. A HUGE thanks also goes to the JCA who generously support our fundraising initiative by matching the funds raised dollar for dollar. On this note, we really appreciate your support by encouraging the children to gather sponsorship. This is a wonderful way to support the School.

 NSW Chess Final

The Primary Emanuel A Chess team competed in the NSW Chess finals today at Ironbark Ridge Public School. The students played incredibly well and won the event. Mazal tov to Jesse Gothelf, Jesse Herdan, Daniel Melamed and Zac Sidley who all played superbly. A big thank you to Colleen Elkins and Michael Todd for their ongoing commitment and support of the chess teams this year. We look forward to communicating more information next week.

After School Care

This week you will have received some exciting news about the introduction of after school care at Emanuel for 2017. We hope this service is beneficial to our Emanuel families. Children will be able to have permanent or casual bookings and will be able to join directly from school or after and EActive/after school activity. On Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 November from 5.30-6.00pm (before Seussical), you will be able to pop into X02 to meet Emma and Maria, next year’s after school care providers. This time has been set aside if you would like to meet them and ask questions.

Seussical and Art Show

We are all excitedly planning for our upcoming Seussical and Art Show events. Please join us for Seussical by booking your tickets through the following link if you haven’t already done so: http://tinyurl.com/ESSeussical. We can’t wait to share this celebration with you.

We have a few other options on offer once you are on campus. On Sunday, prior to Seussical, we will be opening the art exhibition space in the Kleinlehrer Family LINC Building (please see details below).

We invite all members of the Emanuel School community to the 2016 art exhibition, Spotlight. Held in the Angles Leadership and Learning Centre, the exhibition will showcase a selection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics, prints and fibre artworks created in Visual Arts classes this year. Accompanying the exhibition will be video footage of our young artists discussing their artmaking processes and an online exhibition of artworks completed by all children in Years 1- 6. We are honoured to have Rach Kirsten, Lecturer, School of Education, University of New South Wales as our special guest. The exhibition opens on Sunday 27 November at 2.30pm until 3.15pm, prior to the Primary School Concert which commences at 4.00pm.

As mentioned above, you are also able to meet the after school care providers prior to Seussical on the Monday and Tuesday evenings.

Touch Football Gala Day

This week some Years 4 and 5 students entered a touch football gala event. It sounds like it was a wonderful and active day. Thank you to all the students who represented Emanuel so well at this event and a special thank to Adam Ezekiel for organising this new opportunity for our children.

Gymnastics Success

Congratulations to our Gymnastics Squad for their sensational results at the recent IPSHA Gymnastics Competition.  There were a number of wonderful individual results. In the boys competition, our Level 2 and 3 teams placed first overall. Our Level 1 girls team placed second.  Well done to all the students involved! Thank you to Sharon Fairfax for all her efforts to train and support our gymnastics team. Please see her article for more details.

Motivation

I have recently been reading about motivation and its importance in the learning landscape. It goes without saying that we would all like our classrooms filled with intrinsically motivated students so I thought I would share some ideas from the Association of Independent Schools that connect with parenting about what we can do to foster this type of learner.

• Associate effort with results (and encourage mastery not performance): Students who believe that their effort is the key determinant of success are more likely to put in the effort. Academic resilience is built by positive learning habits that connect ‘failure’ with opportunities to learn. Performance is more closely associated with ‘appearance’ and students who feel pressured to appear smart or successful are less likely to take learning risks that are likely to lead to maximum growth. Mastery focuses on the growth of skills and understanding in response to effort.
• Make learning ‘just challenging enough’: For ‘challenge’ to be motivating, it is important that it is just outside one’s current level (zone of proximal development). Being able to see growth is a significant motivator and therefore noticing improvement in challenging but achievable tasks is key. Setting high but realistic goals and tasks is central to this.
• Value learning and feedback: The more ‘real world’ contexts and audiences that we can provide, the more motivating learning can be. As parents, children receive strong messages from us about what is worth effort and how to manage difficulties in the learning process. The feedback that we give our children should focus on the task, process and self-regulation. Feedback can prompt, correct or instruct but wherever possible, it should be timely, specific and promote improvement and growth.
• Keep external rewards to a minimum: An overuse of external rewards can have a negative impact on internal motivation and can lead to behaviours such as attention seeking, cheating and searching for shortcuts. If external rewards are being used, they should be kept to a minimum, withdrawn where possible and should focus on effort/mastery rather than ‘intelligence’.

Upcoming Dates

• 14-16 November: Healthy Harold visits Years K-3
• 15 November: Year 2 Instrument Trials/Blow Tests
• 18 November: Year 2 Pathways 8:20-9:30 am Millie Phillips Theatre and Angles Leadership and Learning Centre (LLC)
• 18 November: Year 5 Leadership 2017 forms due
• 22 November: Volunteers Assembly, 8:30-10:10 am MPH
• 24-25 November: Primary Musical Dress Rehearsals
• 25 November: Parent Connect Club, 2:55-3:35 pm LLC
• 27 November: Years 1-6 Art Exhibition, 2:30 pm LLC
• 27 November: Primary Musical, 4:00 pm MPH
• 28 November: Year 5 Madrichim 2017 Speeches for Years 3-6
• 28 and 29 November: Primary Musical, 6:00 pm MPH
• 30 November: Optional late start for students, arrive by 11:10 am
• 2 December: Orientation Day for new students commencing in 2017

Term 4 K-2 Assembly, 2:00 pm, Millie Phillips Theatre

• 25 November, Week 7: No K-2 assembly
• 9 December, Week 9: K-2 Puppet Club

From the Director of Studies K-6: Math-Athon

Helen Maynard – Director of Studies K-6

Earlier this week there was a distinct buzz around the Primary School. It was the Math-Athon. Students spent a full day crunching numbers, exploring patterns, problem solving and thinking creatively as they worked collaboratively to solve a multitude of Mathematics activities.

The activities ranged from exploring Art through Mathematics to calculator puzzles and cracking codes. All of these activities were planned to inspire a love and excitement of Mathematics as well as raise funds that are matched by the Jewish Communal Appeal (JCA). In addition, the World of Maths travelling Maths Show visited the Primary School. Students worked together on these unique, fun, hands-on activities.

It was a very enjoyable start to the week. Here is what some of the students thought:

“It wasn’t as tricky as I thought. I thought it was going to be much harder. I had heaps of fun today!” Gaija Avshalom – Year 6

“Problem in my Pocket and World of Maths was really fun – you did a good job of organising it. I especially liked Problem in my Pocket because you got to see other people’s ideas”. – Claire Madziar – Year 5

“The activities were fun. My favourite was Building Cup Castles because I love to build things”. – Jacob Zyl Year 1

“I really liked the Math-Athon because there were so many activities that were fun and I got to work together in groups”. Tyson Latter – Year 1

Thank you to our wonderful staff for their support. Helen Maynard, Katie Narunsky and Stacey Rosenfeld.

Students please remember to return any sponsorship money to your class teacher by Friday 18 November. Thank you for your support in this venture.

Primary Instrumental Program (IP)

Diana Springford – IP Co-ordinator

Changes to IP and Opportunities for Private Instrumental Lessons in 2017

The Primary Instrumental Program (IP) combines small group instrumental tuition with symphonic ensemble playing and the chance to experience chamber music and jazz combo playing. It is a fantastic introduction to Instrumental music for students in Years 3-6 and partners with our classroom Music program to give our students a wonderfully rich music education in their Primary years.

By including IP in our Primary Music program we build the foundations for a thriving culture of instrumental music throughout the High School. For a small school we have a huge number of music ensembles, and this is in part due to the success of the IP in introducing students to instrumental music. Many IP students also have private instrumental lessons with their tutor, since the small group and ensemble focus of IP is greatly enhanced by the one-on-one apprenticeship-style of pedagogy that is the traditional way of developing a refined instrumental technique. If you remember the wonderful performances by the High School student ensembles in the Music Camp and Festival of Music concerts in Terms 2 and 3, they reflect the level of attainment possible by students who have transitioned from IP to participate in weekly private instrumental lessons, often with the same tutor they have had for IP.

In 2017 IP will be split over two days. Students in Years 3 and 4 will have IP on Tuesdays and those in Years 5 and 6 will have IP on Wednesdays. This will have a number of benefits for IP students, and one is to free up time around our IP tutors’ schedules so that our tutors have time to take on more private instrumental students. We are very pleased to be able to offer the opportunity for Primary students to have private instrumental lessons in conjunction with their IP and Classroom Music Programs as private instrumental lessons offer the most effective path to refined stylistic and technical mastery of any instrument. Some students make the transition to private lessons when they enter Year 7, but the most successful students often start earlier, when they are still involved in the IP, so as to develop their technique and stylistic awareness earlier in their learning journey.

In Term 4 we encourage all IP students to consider whether they would like to take their playing to the next level by having private instrumental lessons. Tutors will be having conversations with their students to ensure they are aware of this opportunity. If parents are interested in this possibility, the Emanuel School Private Music Tuition Enrolment Form and the Private Instrumental Tuition policy can be found at: tinyurl.com/PrivateTuitionEnrolment 

If you have any further questions, please contact Diana Springford (IP Co-ordinator) at dspringford@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

From the Primary Library

Ginette Cameron-Gardner – Teacher Librarian

Classic Literature in the Primary Library

Classic Literature has recently been studied across the grades in Library lessons.

One of the works studied by Year 6 students was ‘The Time Machine’ by H.G.Wells. For those who need a brief reminder of this work Wells used his story ‘The Time Machine’ to talk about contemporary social questions. At that time when there was great technical progress it was thought that human intelligence could make life easier. In his story the Eloi had relied upon machines and those who maintained them, to the extent that they had themselves become frail and had even ceased to have the knowledge that had enabled the invention of such machines. This had left them vulnerable to exploitation as ‘cattle’ by the Morlocks. Progress can have negative as well as positive results he warns.

Year 6 was excited to write their own suggested sequel to ‘The Time Machine’. Over the next few weeks more examples of these will be published in Ma Nishma.

Zac Sidley

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells continued by Zac Sidley

The Time Traveller went back in time and taught the Eloi the secret of fire and came back bringing Weena with him to the present where the Time Traveller’s friends carry out secret tests on her. Eventually they believe the Time Traveller. This time, they too want to come on a trip through time for research. Together they remodel the time machine and create one for multiple people.

Unfortunately, when they were all ready after days and nights of preparation, the time traveller pulls the lever but nothing happens. Too many people are going through dimensions at once. Disappointed after their efforts, they are still determined and build many single traveller time machines, like the original one. When they finish they each go, travelling one at a time, and make it to the time of the Elois and Morlocks. When the Time Traveller gets there he finds a destroyed world as during the time the Time Traveller was in the present, the Eloi had used the fire to their advantage creating lamps, everywhere. The Morlocks, being as smart as they are, had taught and trained themselves to resist light. One night in their world, the Morlocks crept out of their holes and attacked the Eloi, destroying anything and everything, and caused lamps to break and set everything on fire. Unfortunately for the Eloi, none of them were strong enough and the Morlock forces killed them all. The Morlocks were now free and went on a rampage.

The Time Traveller was traumatised and distraught at the fact that his friends had all been killed and that this world was now nothing but a living hell.

Suddenly, a scream was overheard and a horde of Morlocks came rushing over to the Time Traveller. He tried to fight off a few but they kept clinging on to him. In all his efforts he pulled the lever of the time machine and was back in his house in the present. Weena was there and ran to hide behind the couch because she was scared of the Morlocks. By now she had learnt fluent English and in the Time Traveller’s last breath of life, he said: “It’s up to you what you do now Weena. Tell the story, get revenge, anything. It’s just a matter of time,” and with that he lay there on the dining room floor. He had bled to death from the Morlocks’ damage. Fortunately, there was still an Eloi left.

Anna Davis

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells continued by Anna Davis

This time I prepared myself far more wisely, fetching food, blankets, a small shotgun and a plentiful supply of flammable items. As I prepared to pull the lever a sudden fear hit me. What if the Morlocks captured me? I detested them. What if I came to find all the Eloi gone? I reconsidered, shook my head, and turned the knob to 802,701 A.D.

I had thought that this time I would be used to time travel. I was not. I felt a lurching sensation in my stomach as the dizzying change whirled around me. I could not take my eyes from it. I stopped with a thud and toppled off the machine. I found myself to be in the right place, it was late afternoon and the Eloi frolicked around peacefully. A group approached me and made the sound of a fire being lit. They truly are remarkable creatures. They wanted to see my matches. I lit one, reluctantly, for I did not want to waste this precious tool. They clapped their hands and laughed in delight.

I ate a dinner of beautiful fruit with them and after lighting a bonfire in the adjacent hall, counted them and joined them in their sleeping chamber. The following day after I arose from my slumber I counted the still sleeping Eloi and upon finding exact same number as the night before left the sleeping chamber. Outside the bonfire was still burning. I had decided. After breakfast I set off towards the Morlocks’ dreaded towers of evil. Bringing with me matches, lucifers, kerosene – anything flammable.

Perhaps I was not quite in my senses. The sight of the sleeping Eloi had reminded me of Weena. I worked meticulously, my flashlight deterring any Morlocks from interfering. Almost in a trance, I completed my task and ran as fast as I could back to the Eloi’s palace of beauty. When I returned it was evening. As I entertained a few Eloi by teaching them how to light a match, in safe proximity to a river of course, I heard squeals of fear and delight as the Towers of Evil on the horizon were consumed in flame and lit up the darkening sky.

The fire burnt for three hours and the air smelt of smoke and success. The immediate danger had gone up in flames, but the dangers of famine and sickness still remained without the Morlock who would care for the beautiful beings. But after all, I came here to save the Eloi and I will not deter from my task.

Eden Glass

The Time Machine by H. G. Wells continued by Eden Glass 

I set my time machine to 802,698 C.E., three years before my original travel, but I realised something was wrong. I was travelling back in time instead of forward! I looked around. I was standing in a dark storeroom and could only faintly see, but didn’t want to waste my matches as they would be essential later to teach the Eloi about fire.

I realised that I had not travelled far, only a year before I was actually born, but it still worried me. I knew I could not interfere with anything, or it might change the future forever, including me possibly not being born. I had no idea what would happen then. I started to think; how did this happen? I definitely pulled the lever correctly. Could my time machine be malfunctioning? No, that wouldn’t be it. Then what could be the cause? Perhaps someone else damaged my machine? It could have been the Morlocks. They had my machine for a while when they stole it. But it worked fine when I travelled back to my own time period earlier. So what could it be?

Then it hit me; the Morlocks had my machine in their workshop in the Sphinx. In that time they could have found out how it worked or even made blueprints of it. Then they’d be able to make a device to control my machine. They must have realised that I would return to teach the Eloi about fire, and are trying to stop me. I only hope they do not use what they have learnt to eliminate me as a threat permanently. Not long after I saw a sudden movement behind me. It was a contraption identical to mine, but less elegant, as if it was made of odds and ends. Pouring out of it were Morlocks! I was shocked. I could not risk trying to escape in my time machine as the Morlocks might control it again. I could not see any way out of this room, and although I had matches I had nothing to use to build a strong fire. The Morlocks were cunning, they had used my machine against me to meet my doom. I was stunned, for once no plan came to mind. All hope was lost.

Rachel Joseph

The Time Machine by H.G Wells, continued by Rachel Joseph

The Time Traveller set the lever for the time of the Eloi. He had to reach them soon before any more Eloi went missing. The Time Traveller packed some matches even though he knew that he would have to teach the Eloi to make fire without matches. The Time Traveller’s stomach heaved as he travelled through space and time. Whoosh, the Time Traveller landed with a thump on the soft green grass. He looked around him. “It is daylight,” he thought gladly and went off in search of the Eloi. The Time Traveller entered a huge building where all the Eloi were. It was the dining hall.

He quickly whistled to get the Eloi’s attention. The Time Traveller had come because when he thought of Weena, he realised that he would have never been able to save her in time. So he was doing the next best thing – helping the other Eloi’s to stick up for themselves. He thought that maybe he could teach them that fire scares the Morlocks. Also maybe, like the cavemen, they could start the race of humanity again.

So the Time Traveller lit a match stick and showed it to the Eloi. They were astonished. He took another one and mimed lighting it. The Time Traveller passed it to the nearest Eloi. He held the Eloi’s hands in his and mimed doing the action over and over again. Slowly and surely the Eloi got the hang of it and started telling the others. The whole night the Eloi stayed awake fiddling with the matchsticks. They were not afraid of the dark anymore.

The Morlocks came creeping out of the shadows. It was time to eat a juicy Eloi. The Eloi started backing away, with the fire in their hands. Suddenly the Morlock started backing away too! The Eloi were astonished, the Morlock had never done that before. Each night the Eloi played with the matchsticks, and slowly found out that the Morlock were afraid of the fire. The Time Traveller was satisfied and watched the Eloi as they were discovering fire.

Soon enough, as the Time Traveller predicted, the Eloi had run out of matchsticks. It was time to teach them the way of the cave men so that they could make fire without matchsticks.

Gymnastics

Sharon Fairfax – Gymnastics Co-ordinator

IPSHA Gymnastics

Last week Emanuel enjoyed another successful day at the IPSHA (Independent Primary School Heads of Australia) Gymnastics Carnival at which we have been competing in for fifteen years. This is held at the Sydney Gymnastics and Aquatic Centre.

This competition brings together 27 schools and over 700 competitors in a combined one day event.

Although we took a smaller team than previous years our gymnasts were able to shine and represent our School with great pride. Emanuel entered three teams, achieving amazing results. 

Level 1 WAG (Womens Artistic Gymnastics) team, 2^nd place overall

Bars, beam, floor and vault:

• Leah Grunseit
• Mirelle Lazerson
• Ashleigh Gold
• Willow Gelin

Level 1 WAG Team. Mirelle Lazerson, Ashleigh Gold, Willow Gelin and Leah Grunseit

Level 2 MAG (Mens Artistic Gymnastics) team, 1^st place overall

Floor, pommel, rings, vault, parallel bars and high bar:

• Hayden Rosen         3^rd rings, 3^rd parallel bars
• Devan Bloch             2^nd rings, 2^nd vault
• Noah Dawson Kelly  3^rd floor, 3^rd pommel

1^st place Level 2 MAG and 1^st place Level 3 MAG: Raphael Harpaz, Hayden Rosen, Julian Baruch, Noah Dawson Kelly, Brayden Bloch, Josh Gordon and Devan Bloch

Level 3 MAG team, 1^st place overall

• Julian Baruch           1^st floor, pommel, rings, high bar, 2^nd vault, 3^rd parallel bars
• Josh Gordon            1^st parallel bars, 2^nd floor, pommel
• Raphael Harpaz       2^nd high bar, 3^rd rings
• Brayden Bloch

Julian Baruch, Raphael Harpaz and Josh Gordon

Mazal tov to all our gymnasts!

Thank you to Stuart Taylor, Natanya Milner and Emanuel School for the continued support to our gymnastics program.

Also and always thank you to all the parents who support all our gymnasts all year round!

Sharon Fairfax – Gymnastics Co-ordinator

Seussical DVD

Gesher

Sonia Newell – Development Officer

Community

ART HOP Sydney, the Shabbat Project, Limmud Fest, Gennarosity Abroad, Friendship Circle……..

We wish mazal tov to Deng Adut on his prestigious award of NSW Australian of the Year, announced this week. On Wednesday 30 November, Deng will be speaking about the benefits of small charities like Gennarosity Abroad (www.gennarosityabroad.org) and the difference they can make at grassroots levels.  Gennarosity Abroad, as many of you know, is a registered charity founded by alumna, Genevieve (Genna) Radnan (Class of 2009), to raise funds to improve the poor living conditions for women in Kenya.  Now our School Nurse, Genna spends her spare time promoting her charity and has since overseen the establishment of the Karunga Emanuel Kindergarten and Grandma Jenny’s Training Centre in Karunga Village Kenya, focusing on basic literacy and health. We hope you will join Genna and other members of our community at this very special event on 30 November.

This weekend is jam-packed with community activities….

Art Hop 2016 www.arthop.com.au features two past parents as artists again this year – Lia Klugman, ceramic artist and Ruth Levine who works with textile and mixed media.

I wonder which of the many 2016 Shabbat Project events this weekend 11/12 November you and your family will attend? www.shabbatproject.org.au/product-category/east

Challah galore will have been baked this week at the many Challah-bake events across Sydney.  Send us your best challah-baking photos to share:  snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Limmud Fest, a weekend retreat for the whole family is on 25 to 27 November, at Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre. It combines dynamic and diverse learning sessions with a festive atmosphere and unique Shabbat experience. 

For more information contact: limmud@shalom.edu.au

Friendship Circle is partnering with some amazing organisations for the 3^rd annual Toy Drive – Kids Giving Back, Toy Mate, Live Love Learn and South Head Synagogue.  The Toy Drive is a fantastic initiative that benefits our local community, collecting toys for children with disabilities which will be wrapped and distributed to the children in schools in the local area. 

Last year The Toy Drive collected nearly 250 gifts that were enjoyed by all the children with special needs from Friendship Circle, Vaucluse Primary School, Rainbow Street School, Giant Steps and Wairoa Special School.

Add some joy to a child’s end of year celebrations and donate any new (unwrapped) toy! You can donate via: www.sydneyfc.org.au/toydrive or they can be dropped off at 4 Hunter Street, Dover Heights. 

There will be a fun and meaningful afternoon on Sunday 27 November from 3.30pm to 5pm at South Head Synagogue where Live Love Learn will share their creativity in wrapping and decorating the gifts for the kids before they are distributed to local schools. There is a $5 booking fee per family which goes towards materials for wrapping. This is a great volunteering opportunity for primary-aged children to join their parents in being creative, learning about others in our community and making a difference!

If you have an event and/or photos you would like to share with our Emanuel Community, please send to:snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

A reminder again that we have cancelled the Gesher Nine and Dine golf event scheduled for Thursday 17 November.

Speech Night and Presentation Night

HIGH SCHOOL AND PRIMARY SCHOOL SPEECH NIGHTS

The awarding of prizes to students at the annual Speech Nights is a highlight of our calendar.  

As has been the custom at Emanuel, we invite parents and community members to contribute to the life of Emanuel School by becoming a donor or continuing as a donor.  

If you would like to donate a prize for this year’s High School Speech Night on Wednesday  14 December please contact Darryl Bourke on 8383 7313 or email dbourke@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

You may wish to donate a ten-year prize ($650.00), a five year prize ($325) or an annual prize ($65.00). All donations can be made to Emanuel School Library Fund and are then tax deductible.

For this year’s Primary School Presentation evening on Tuesday 13 December please contact Holly Dillon on 8383 7323 or email hdillon@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Scholarships for 2018

Midford Uniform Shop

Genevieve Radnan, Generosity Abroad

www.acu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/892315/ALUM_Issue_9.pdf

From the parents and friends

Susie Rosen and Sharon Schulz – Co-Presidents

Camping 2017

Hot off the success of our last camping trip, we are so excited to announce our camping dates for 2017:

24-26 February 2017 and  3-5 November 2017

Aladdin

We wish a wonderful evening to all those from our our community going to see Aladdin on Sunday. It’s such an amazing show with great reviews, so we hope you enjoy.

A huge thank you to Lena Fridgant for co-ordinating and distributing the tickets and Michael Nebenzahl for organising these great seats for us to enjoy.

The P&F Executive are on the hunt to fill the Treasurer’s role in 2017

If you have book keeping/accounting skills and are keen to volunteer your time in this capacity, please contact us at : emanuelp&f@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au 

Susie and Sharon