From the Principal

Anne Hastings – Principal

Welcome to the 2017 school year! I hope that you had relaxing and enjoyable holidays. It was a delight it was to see our students return to School this week smiling and enjoying re-connecting with friends and teachers. A buzz of excitement for the new year, new classes and new opportunities was felt around the School.

Year 7 students were led in a day of orientation by their Tutors and the Year 11 Peer Support leaders on Monday. By Tuesday when the rest of Years 1 – 12 returned they were already feeling comfortable finding their way around, as well as navigating their laptops and the school systems. We’re very grateful to Miranda McMahon, the Year 7 Co-ordinator, for her significant work in preparing and presenting this day, and for the Tutors and Peer Support leaders for assisting so willingly and competently. 

We are pleased to welcome many new students to the school this year, along with their families to our community. Our enrolments remain strong and we are very close to full in most year groups. In the New Staff Introductions page of this newsletter you will find the information about each of our new staff members and their photos. There will be opportunities to meet new families and teachers as the term progresses, with the New Parents and Year 7 Parents Welcome Evening on March 6. As well there is a Parent Information evening for K – 6 and also for each of Years 8 to 11 in the next few weeks. See the list below for exact dates.

The year 2017 will be another engaging and exciting year of learning for our students, both in and beyond the classroom. Early this year we will be consolidating our strategic plan around building innovative thinking and personal growth across the School. I will include more information on our areas of focus for the year in next week’s newsletter, for your interest.

Ma Nishma

A link to our informative weekly online newsletter will continue to be sent to all parents, students and staff on Friday afternoons. Ma Nishma is packed with information and commentary on the varied activities our students and teachers undertake, and provides a wonderful snapshot of life at Emanuel School. It also showcases students who have achieved special things both within and out of School.

P & F staff luncheon

Members of our very active P & F hosted a beautiful luncheon for all staff members on the first Staff Day on Friday of last week. A wonderful group of parents produced a lovely occasion that all staff members enjoyed. On behalf of all staff I give my sincere thanks to Jen Opit, Ruby Berkovic, Amanda Isenberg, Tal Schlosser, Nikki Michel, Rahel Wise, Michelle Stockley and Gabi Salomon for their efforts in preparing this lunch and helping welcome back our staff for the year.

After School Care

Emanuel OOSH has had a successful beginning this week with us, looking after Emanuel children from P – 6 after school from 3:30 to 6 pm Mondays to Thursdays and 3:30 to 5 pm on Fridays. They are set up in the ground floor of X-Block. More information and a link to their website and registration form appears on the Emanuel Announcements page, or can be found at /www.emanueloosh.net.au/

Communication

We welcome you to contact members of staff if you have questions or concerns to raise. Often people are unsure of which person is most connected with the relevant issue. In the page ‘Who to contact?’ in this newsletter you will find a helpful guide to the specific member of staff you would contact for various queries.

Student Absences

Please email absence@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au for any absence notification including illness on the day, early leave or late arrival and longer leave requests. Please DO NOT use individual staff members’ email addresses in case the staff member you email is not present on the day you make a request for early leave or notification of late arrival. For leave requests for absences of over five school days, please email my PA, Darryl Bourke at dbourke@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Parents can also call:

High School and Primary School Absentee and Late Line – 8383 7311

Student success

Mazal to to:

• Dylan Blecher and Gabriel Jammy (Class of 2016) who were both nominated to Encore, the HSC Music Showcase for there Music 1 compositions. We only received notification of this very late last year.
• 

  Danielle Rutstein – Year 9

  Danielle Rutstein, who competed at the Regional Athletics Championships over the holidays, where she was second with a new Personal Best of 5.03m in long jump and third in high jump. Danielle will compete at the NSW State Championships in March.

We love to recognise our students who have special and notable achievements within and beyond school. Parents are welcome to email me on principal@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au with the details, for inclusion in this section of Ma Nishma.

Reminder

• Year 11 Parent and Student Information Evening and Year 10 2016 Prize Presentation, Tuesday 7 February, 7 pm in the MPH
• Primary Meet the Teacher evening, Monday 13 February 6:00 – 8:30 pm (see Primary page for more details)
• Year 10 Parent and Student Information Evening (including Chavayah information), Wednesday 15 February, 7 pm in the Millie Phillips Theatre
• Year 9 Parent and Student Information Evening, Tuesday 21 February, 7 pm in the Millie Phillips Theatre
• Drugs and Alcohol Presentation with Paul Dillon, Wednesday 22 February, 7 pm in the Millie Phillips Theatre
• Year 8 Parent and Student Information Evening, Tuesday 28 February, 7 pm in the Millie Phillips Theatre
• New Parents Welcome and Year 7 Parents Meet the Teacher, Monday 6 March

Quote of the week

‘Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can.’ [Douglas Pagels]

Best wishes for a restful and reinvigorating weekend.

Shabbat Shalom

Anne Hastings

Traffic directions (please also see the map below)

Traffic management around Emanuel School in the morning.

In the mornings students are to be dropped off in Stanley Street. Vera Alexander, our traffic warden, helps the young students to get out of the car, so there is no need for parents to park and/or get out of the car. This ensures a smooth run of traffic. Please ensure that students have all the necessary equipment close at hand so that they can leave the car without having to open other doors.

 Traffic management around Emanuel School in the afternoon.

In the afternoons no cars are permitted to park in Stanley Street on the School side at any time after 2:30 pm. This area is used for the school buses and overflow cars in ‘Go with the Flow’. Cars parked here after this time will be requested to move on.

Kindergarten children are to be collected from their classrooms at 3 pm.

Years 1 – 6 and Kindergarten children with older siblings are to be picked up in Avoca Street using the ‘Go with the Flow’ process. Cars are to have the cards issued by the School clearly visible on their windscreen. You should follow the arrows on the map below to proceed into Avoca St. If your children are not ready for collection or the flow line is full, you will need to drive around the school a second time, following the same directions by first turning left into Carter Street.

Years 7 – 12 students can be picked up in Avoca Street using the ‘Go with the Flow’ process. They can also be picked up from the other (eastern) side of Avoca Street, if necessary.

Please do not turn right from Stanley Street into Avoca Street at pick-up time in the afternoons, as this causes greater traffic congestion and is unsafe. Also please do not drive up or down Chepstow Street at all.

It is an offense and puts children in danger if cars are double parked, parked on corners or across driveways, or in any way block the traffic or break the traffic laws. Please obey the traffic rules and be respectful of our neighbours’ need to use their driveways etc. In addition, please do not use Castle Lane as a thoroughfare or park there – it is a ‘no parking’ area, as denoted by the signs.

It is essential that all parents co-operate with these procedures, so that the afternoon collection and drop-off times will operate more smoothly and the safety of your and our children is assured.

New Staff Welcome

Lauren Adelstin

Lauren Adelstein – HSIE/History Teacher (part-time)

Lauren has a BA and BEd (Humanities Secondary) from the Sydney University and was also awarded the International Exchange Scholarship, the Freemason’s Scholarship and the Entrance Scholarship from the University. From October to November 2016 Lauren was an Intern at Emanuel School, being impressive in her commitment, competence and contribution to the teaching of HSIE in Years 7 – 10. She has also taught at SCEGGS Darlinghurst and Granville Boys High School. Previously Lauren was Camp Manager for Code Camp during 2017 for both Ascham School and Wespac, and also spent time volunteering in Kenya.

Sarah Clark

Sarah Clark – Visual Arts Teacher and Administration

Sarah has a Bachelor of Creative Arts and Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of Wollongong. In the last few years Sarah was Visual Arts Teacher, Tutor and Visual Arts Technical Assistant at SCEGGS Redlands, implementing programs for the International Baccalaureate as well as the HSC. She also initiated an extra-curricular course in Experimental Photography at Redlands. Before then she taught Visual Arts at Dubbo College Senior Campus. Sarah is also an experienced netball coach.

Jennifer Crossman

Jennifer Crossman –  HR Manager (temporary part-time)

Jennifer is a Senior Education Executive and was Deputy Principal at Kambala for the past 10 years, with oversight of the day-to-day running of the senior school and wellbeing of High School students. She was also acting Principal there in 2010 and 2012.

While at Kambala she initiated the inaugural Kambala Whole School Wellbeing Week in 2015. Jenny is currently also working with the organisation Kids Giving Back.

Max Friend

Max (Maximilian) Friend – HSIE/History Teacher

Max is an experienced and qualified teacher of HSIE, with a Bachelor of Art (History and Sociology majors) and Diploma of Education. He has been teaching Society and Culture, Ancient History and Modern History at Georges River College, Oatley. Max has also taught HSIE at Kingsgrove and Evans High School. At Georges River he was the Leader of the 21^st Century Learning team. Max has a passion for sport and coaches a number of junior AFL teams. He is currently the Sydney University Coach for their under 19s Division 1 team.

Danielle Gerber

Danielle Gerber – Kornmehl Centre Emanuel Pre-school Child Care Worker (part-time)

Danielle has a Master of Special Education from University of Sydney, and a Bachelor of Arts in Education (Primary) from Edith Cowan University.

She is well known at Emanuel School as a frequent Casual Teacher in the Primary School and has also worked at Moriah, Sydney Grammar, Wee Care and St Andrews Grammar (WA), as well as Southwold Primary Pre-school in the UK.

Carrie-Anne Grieve

Carrie-Anne Grieve – Primary Teacher

Carrie is qualified in Primary Education through the University of the West of England and the ACU. She has been a Kindergarten Teacher at Claremont College, Randwick for the past two years and previously, Carrie taught at Yew Chung International School in Shanghai, China as their ICT and Gifted and Talented Teacher. In addition, Carrie has taught at The Downs Malvern College Preparatory School in England. She has also had experience working in medical recruitment.

Miri Heitner

Miri Heitner – Primary Hebrew Teacher (part-time 

Miri was born in Israel and is qualified with a Bachelor of Arts  in International Relations and Psychology, as well as gaining teaching qualifications from Israel. She is currently a part-time Hebrew Teacher at Mount Sinai College (shared with Emanuel School). She has been a Board of Jewish Education scripture teacher and has had long-term experience teaching Hebrew to Primary, High and University students in Israel and Hungary.

Ben Higgins

Ben Marshall – AV Technician

Ben has a Bachelor of Arts (Music) from the University of Western Sydney, majoring in Music Technology. He has been a guitar and drum teacher, ensemble conductor, session musician and audio technician contractor at Emanuel since 2010. During this time he provided audio engineering and stage management services for music events, music camps, Night of Strings and House Music competitions. Previously he has been an Audio Engineer at Brent St Performing Arts Centre and an AV Technician at Trident Video Systems, working at events such as Tropfest and the Sydney Olympics.

Sophie Poisel

Sophie Poisel – OC Primary Teacher

Sophie has a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications), as well as a Master of Teaching (Primary) and a Certificate of Gifted Education, and is currently completing a Master of Education in Gifted Education. She has recently been the Co-ordinator of the Catalyst (Gifted and Talented) Program and Differentiation Specialist for Primary School at Queenwood School in Mosman. Previously she was Education Co-Lecturer at University of Notre Dame, Sydney and was a Junior School Teacher at MLC School Burwood, Mosman Prep, Belmore South and PLC Sydney.

Herb Rice

Herb Rice – Database Administrator

Herb has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Commerce, majoring in Business Information, from UNSW. For the past ten years he was the Senior Database Administrator and Supervisor at Sungard Computer Services (now FIS) based in Hong Kong and Sydney. He mentored a team of six, based in US and India. Herb has also worked for Sungard in other roles in London and Hong Kong. He has extensive experience with various database systems and has also been a technical support engineer and consultant in the past.

Leisha Strub

Leisha Strub – Primary Teacher

Leisha has a Bachelor of Education (Primary and Middle Schooling) from the University of Southern Queensland. Last year Leisha was introduced to Emanuel School as a casual Teacher, where she made a strong impact through her commitment and competence as a Teacher. Previously she has worked at St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School at Bexley and also at Calamvale Community College in Queensland, teaching Years 3 and 4 for four years before relocating to Sydney with her family. She has also been a mentor to beginning teachers and facilitator of Tournament of Minds previously, mentoring a Social Sciences Team who competed in the State Final in 2013.

Gabi Wynhausen

Gabrielle (Gabi) Wynhausen – Primary Teacher

Gabi has a Master of Teaching (Primary) qualification as well as a Bachelor of Economics. She has been Year 2 Teacher at Annandale North Public School for the past two years. She has also taught Kindergarten and Years 3 and 4 at Darlinghurst Public School and taught at Annandale North Public School. Gabi is keen to ensure that her students experience a differentiated learning program that allows them to feel appropriately challenged and supported, and prioritises the creation and maintenance of a quality learning space. She has introduced a wide range of extra-curricular activities at her previous schools.

Whom to Contact

Whom to Contact if You Have a Query or Problem

K-6 Parents

Step 1

For a welfare or academic issue one approaches the class teacher.

Step 2

If the issue is not resolved with the class teacher one approaches the Deputy Head of Primary (Emma Clemens) or Director of Studies if an academic matter (Helen Maynard).

Step 3 –  (Unresolved problems)

Head of Primary (Natanya Milner)

Step 4

If the problem is still unresolved after Step 3 one approaches the Principal (Anne Hastings). If the matter that you wish to discuss is particularly sensitive or an emergency of some sort, you may wish to contact a senior person in the first instance.

Years 7-12 Parents

Step 1

For a welfare issue one approaches the House Tutor.

For a classroom/subject issue one approaches the subject teacher.

Step 2

If the subject issue is not resolved with the teacher one approaches the Head of Department. If the welfare situation is not resolved with the House Tutor one approaches the Head of House.

Step 3 –  (Unresolved problems)

Years 7-12: Deputy Principal (Margaret Lowe)

Years 7-12: Director of Studies – Subject/Curriculum matters (Adam Majsay)

Step 4

If the problem is still unresolved after Step 3 one approaches the Principal (Anne Hastings). If the matter that you wish to discuss is particularly sensitive or an emergency of some sort, you may wish to contact a senior person in the first instance.

Jewish Life queries

For answers to questions about Emanuel’s Jewish life, one approaches the Head of Jewish Life (Rabbi Danny Siegel) or Adam Carpenter (K-6).

 IT issues

 Step 1

Approach the IT staff

Step 2

If the issue is not resolved with the IT staff approach the ICT Manager (Zoran Taleski) for technical issues or Director of eLearning (Garry Case) for educational issues.

Step 3

If the issue is not resolved approach the Business Manager (Jillian McCormick).

Step 4

If the problem is still unresolved after Step 3 one approaches the Principal (Anne Hastings). If the matter that you wish to discuss is particularly sensitive or an emergency of some sort, you may wish to contact a senior person in the first instance.

Board issues

Any general matters relating to Board issues can be addressed directly to the President of the Board in writing. The School Board is the governing body of the School, responsible for strategic planning and broad directions.

Matters to do with fees or other financial matters should be referred to the Business Manager.

Anne Hastings

Principal

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

LeChayim

During the holidays I spent a bit of time traveling and trekking in Tasmania.

I decided to hike to Wine Glass Bay which is described as ‘iconic’ and ‘arguably the best-known natural attraction on Tasmania’s spectacular east coast.’

On this trek you first reach Wine Glass Bay Lookout which is described as a steep uphill climb of 1.3km with rough bush steps. Beyond the Lookout you can proceed to the Bay itself. It is only another 2.7km

When I reached the Lookout it was filled with a great number of people, each jostling for position to take a picture. As they were so eager to get a picture of this beautiful sight, I asked quite a few of them if they were planning on going on to Wineglass Bay itself. And, each one said ‘no’.

The reason: Why go to the Bay itself if you can get a picture of it. Well, I asked one of the women who offered this reason, then why not buy a postcard instead of coming to get a picture at the Lookout. It’s just not the same, she said. To which I agreed and then set out from the Lookout to the Bay itself.

So, why mention this today?

Like being satisfied with stopping at the Lookout, many of us stop at ticking the box of getting a merely a snapshot from a distance. We may do a report that is a collation of material we found on a website, not immersing ourselves in the exploration. We will sit back and let someone else create and present a program for us, being spectators not making the trek ourselves, merely onlookers rather than swimmers.

What you do this school year, with all the opportunities that lie before you, is the difference between remaining at the Lookout of Wineglass Bay or making the trek and descending into its very waters. Being present as a swimmer or distant as a spectator.

Down the road, I happened to meet up again with the woman from the Wine Glass Bay Lookout. She asked if the trek to the Bay beyond the Lookout was worth it. I asked if she would prefer a wineglass or a glass of wine.

I hope each of you will endeavour to make your school year a journey, a personal trek beyond the Lookout, not an experience that is an empty glass but one that is savory and sweet.

Ma Koreh

Weekly Torah Portion

Parasha Bo Exodus 10:1 – 13:6

This week’s parasha presents the final plagues that Egypt experienced – locusts, darkness and the slaying of the firstborn Egyptians. To protect their own homes and families, God commands the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and spread its blood on their doorposts. After each plague, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he refused to let the Israelites free. However, following the final plague, Pharaoh relents and demands that the Israelites leave Egypt.

Family Discussion

• What do you think it means to have a ‘hard heart’? How might we treat others if our hearts are ‘hardened’?
• Can you think of any ideas or suggestions to ‘soften’ a person’s heart?

 Yiddish Word of the Week

Welcome to the school year of 2017! With bags to pack (and unpack), lunches to be made, school drop-offs and pick-ups and after-school activities to rush to, here is a Yiddish word that sums how many of us may be feeling at the end of our first week back at school.

The new school routine may come as a relief to many parents after school holidays, bringing a pause to endless car trips ‘schleperoning’ children from this play date to that holiday activity.

Hebrew Phrase of the Week

The traditional Hebrew welcome greeting is ברוכים הבאים b’ruchim haba’im. With this greeting we are saying ‘May those who are coming be blessed’.

We extend a warm ברוכים הבאים to all our new and returning Emanuel School students and families, for what promises to be an exciting year of learning, new experiences and personal growth.

Year 5 reflecting on Jewish wisdom found in Pirkei Avot

To begin our year of Jewish learning, Year 5 have been reflecting on a teaching attributed to Shimon Ben Zoma (2^nd Century CE), found in the ethical wisdom literature of the Mishnah in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Ancestors). In this teaching, Ben Zoma reflects on what constitutes a good person and a meaningful life. In true Jewish fashion, he asks a question, prompting us to respond and then shares his answer with us. Over the coming weeks, we will share Ben Zoma’s question, a selection of the students’ opinions, and Ben Zoma’s response.

Ben Zoma asks: ‘איזהו חכם – Who is wise?’

Year 5 student responses:

• someone who takes in the perspectives of others before making decisions
• a person who knows they do not know everything
• a person who praises God
• someone who is continually learning and uses their knowledge to make the world a better place.

Ben Zoma responds: ‘הלומד מכל אדם – someone who learns from every person’.

Festival of Tu BiShevat – the New Year for the Trees

Next Friday evening 10 February, marks the start of ט״ו בשבט  Tu BiShevat, the 15^th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat and the New Year for the Trees. This festival and its significance has changed and developed over time, from the teachings of our ancient sages to the mysticism of the medieval kabbalists, the desire of the Zionist pioneers of the 19^th Century to connect to the Land of Israel and more universal contemporary environmental concerns.

The infographic opposite (www.aish.com/h/15sh/mm/Tu-BShvat-Infographic.html) provides a helpful overview of the festival.

To learn more about Tu BiShevat and its origins, meaning and customs try the following links:

My Jewish Learning: www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tu-bishvat/

Chabad: www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3264/jewish/15-Shevat.htm

Here are some ideas to bring Tu BiShevat into your home and family experience next weekend:

• Do some planting around the home: plants some herbs (parsley that you can harvest for Pesach) or flowers in your garden
• Try some new and delicious fruits (ever wondered what a dragon fruit tastes like?) or special favourites, followed by the shehechiyanu blessing to signify a new and special experience
• Bring some of the seven species of Israel (see opposite) into your home to eat. Olives, dates and figs… mmm yum!
• Try a Tu BiShevat Seder at home: click on the link for a variety Tu BiShevat Seders: www.reformjudaism.org/have-tu-bishvat-seder
• Support the JNF Green Sunday campaign on Sunday 12 February, which this year is focusing on restoring the forest areas and communities impacted by the recent fires in Israel.

www.jnf.org.au/emergency-bushfire-appeal/

From the Primary School

Natanya Milner – Head of Primary

It has been wonderful to welcome new teachers and families to the Emanuel School community and see the children settling in so quickly. It can take some time to adjust to the pace of the year and I hope you are taking it slowly and that the early mornings and busy days are not too exhausting.

I have spoken to the children about my wishes for them for 2017. Each class will have its own culture and expectations and the teachers will develop their own special bonds with their classes and the individuals within them. This is such an exciting process.

Personally, I have always considered that there are two overarching ‘expectations’ to be guided by and whilst there will always be rules to keep people safe, my two guiding principles are:

• Try your best
• Be kind.

When our children are guided by these ideas, they are often able to reflect and the choices they are making become simple and clear. It is at this time that the wisdom of Albert Einstein rings in my ears. Einstein stated that, ‘A person who never made a mistake, never tried anything new’. In 2017, we look forward to encouraging our children to try new ideas, to be brave enough to share their thoughts, test their theories and create new products. There is a Years P-12 focus on innovation at Emanuel this year and we look forward to sharing this journey with the children. My recent research suggests that the most wonderful innovations began with the meeting of a need – a person who noticed an opportunity to improve something, to make it more efficient or to satisfy a new or emerging idea or space. This way of thinking encourages us to not only ‘solve problems’ but also to be alert to ‘noticing’ or ‘finding problems’. I am looking so forward to learning more about this journey as the year progresses.

Meet the Teacher

We look forward to welcoming you to our Meet the Teacher evening on Monday 13 February. This will be an opportunity for you to talk to your children’s teachers and hear about some of the initiatives at Emanuel for 2017. Please see the timing and venues below:

6.00-6.45 pm: Years K-2 meetings in classrooms

6.45-7.30 pm: All parents to hear about whole school initiatives in the Lehrer Family Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH)

7.30-8.15 pm: Years 3-6 meetings in classrooms

8.15-8.45 pm: Northern Territory Information Evening for Year 6 parents in Year 6 classrooms.

Emanuel and Kornmehl Pick Up

There have been some supervision issues relating to Primary School students in Kornmehl. Children in Years K-2 are asked to be accompanied by an adult on the walk down to Kornmehl. They can be met by parents at Go With The Flow. Children in Years 3-6 can go down on their own, but a parent or carer needs to be waiting at Kornmehl to receive them. They cannot go into the Pre-school unsupervised and without an adult waiting to pick them up. Please make sure siblings of all ages are supervised when in the Pre-school. We ask Emanuel School children not to climb on any equipment outside nor play with things set up inside.

If your Kornmehl child is enrolled in extended hours care in the Pre-school, unfortunately Primary School students cannot be in the Pre-school at this time. After school care is an option you are able to use at this time as it is not the responsibility of the Pre-school to look after Emanuel siblings.

Please DO NOT leave your car in the Kornmehl car park in Chepstow Street if you are heading up the hill to collect your Emanuel School child. The car park is to be used exclusively for families with children only in the Pre-school. If you do have children at Emanuel School to collect as well, please park your car in the street during drop-offs and pick-up times. We appreciate your co-operation which ensures the safety of all the children and families in the Pre-school, as well as opening up car spaces in the car park during peak times. 

Go With The Flow (GWTF)

If you would like to collect your child/ren using the GWTF system along Avoca Street in the afternoons, you will need name tags for your car. In order to generate these, please click on this link GWTF Tag and complete your details by 8 February. The tags will be handed out in class in the week commencing 13 February.

Primary Instrumental Program (IP) Years 3-6

Diana Springford – Assistant to the Head of Music

Important Dates

Instrument Care Seminar Tuesday 7 February 2017, Lehrer Family Building (MPH), 6.00 pm – 7.15 pm

Students new to IP in 2017 (ie Year 3 and any new Years 4-6), and who are borrowing a school instrument, will receive theirs at the Instrument Care Seminar in Week 2. A parent must attend this evening with the student so that both parent and student know how to care for these precious pieces. The evening is also a nice chance to meet our tutors. New students who own their own instrument and have prior experience in looking after it are welcome to meet their tutor, but it is not necessary for them to attend this event.

First Days of IP and Instrumental Ensembles are in Week 3 in 2017

Year 3 and Year 6: The first day of IP in 2017 is Tuesday 14 February
Year 4 and Year 5: The first day of IP in 2017 is Wednesday 15 February

Join an Ensemble

If you enjoy the ensemble days in IP, then you will love playing in one of our instrumental ensembles. The first taste of ensemble membership is often the Junior String Ensemble for string players (Wednesdays 8.00 am – 8.50 am) and Gershwin Concert Band for wind and percussion players (Tuesdays 7.10 am – 8.00 am). Please contact Diana Springford on dspringford@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au if your child is interested.

Auditions for other ensembles will take place in the first weeks of school. For example, we are starting an Emanuel Brass Ensemble which will rehearse on Tuesdays at lunchtime and current concert band members will be eligible for this extension ensemble. Information about auditions will be on the ‘From the Head of Music’ page in Ma Nishma.

Diana Springford

Assistant to the Head of Music and IP Co-ordinator

Primary EActive

Adam Ezekiel – PDHPE Teacher

In Term 1 we will be offering the following activities as part of the Primary EActive program:

• Basketball
• Beach volleyball
• Dancing
• Multi-sport
• Karate
• Netball
• Futsal
• Cricket
• X-Country training
• Swimming
• Gymnastics

For information about Primary EActive in Term 1 please visit: http://bit.ly/2iT1RZY

For all bookings please visit: www.trybooking.com/FQMS

High School EActive and Representative Sport

Kristy Reed – PDHPE Teacher and Sport Co-ordinator

High School EActive

Welcome back to what is looking like a great year of sport and recreation at Emanuel School. Student wellbeing is one of the School’s core values and being physically fit and active has strong links with improved wellbeing.

The High School Emanuel EActive program provides a range of excellent opportunities for students from Years 7-12 to participate in regular exercise. The Term 1 program commences on Monday 6 February and concludes on Friday 31 March.

Bookings for Term 1 are now open. Places are filling quickly so it is important that registrations are completed at www.trybooking.com/FNNJ

Activities offered in Term 1 include:

• 14 Boys basketball competition
• 16 Boys basketball competition
• Open boys basketball training and competition
• Girls touch football competition
• Boys touch football competition
• Girls netball competition
• Girls fitness
• Boys fitness
• Swim squad training
• Cricket Development Squad
• Year 7/8 Boys and girls Basketball Development Squad
• Surfing
• Beach volleyball
• Pilates
• Rock climbing
• Running group

If you have any questions please email Kristy Reed on: kreed@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Representative Sport

The Emanuel Representative Sport program provides a wide range of opportunities for our students and competitive pathways for our elite athletes. This includes various trials, competitions, trainings and gala days throughout the year.

A new initiative that Emanuel is taking part in this year is the Sydney Schools Cup. Emanuel, along with several other independent schools, has been integral in the development of this new inter-school competition.

For 2017, Years 7 and 8 students will have the opportunity to trial for teams to play in this weekly competition. In Term 1, boys will be competing in futsal and girls in netball. Each term the chosen sport will vary, as will the location and number of teams competing. The competition will be held each Tuesday afternoon.

Emanuel will once again be participating in the Combined Independent Schools Open Boys Football Cup. This is a knock-out competition in which independent schools from across the State take part. Trials for this team will be held in upcoming weeks.

Another exciting representative opportunity is the Combined Districts Secondary Sports Association (CDSSA) trials. At these trials the best students from the 11 association schools will be selected to part of the CDSSA representative teams and will then progress to compete at the relevant Association of Independent Co-educational Schools (AICES) Championships. These trials will be held on Wednesday 15 February and will be for those students who are of representative level in touch football, basketball and netball.

For further information please contact kreed@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Kristy Reed

PDHPE Teacher and Sport Co-ordinator

The Wellness Centre

Anita Kozak – Sports Administrator & Fitness Trainer

The Wellness Centre got off to a fantastic start in 2017 with many students flocking to it for the first training session of the year.

This year’s focus will be on creating more autonomy and independence in the gym under the guidance and supervision of a fully qualified fitness trainer. Students will have access to a range of specially designed Program Cards that vary in complexity and offer students progression options, depending on their age and individual ability.

Both Dean Kaplan and myself are very conscious of encouraging students to train at a level that is challenging yet achievable, with safety being paramount. Students will follow Program Cards that predominantly use body weight exercises to build strength before free weights are introduced to the program. Progression will be determined on a case-by-case basis, and will only be permitted when the student can demonstrate the correct technique and execution of the allocated exercises.

Students who regularly attended training sessions in the Wellness Centre last year noted a significant improvement in their results during in-class fitness testing, as well as an overall improvement in EActive and team sports capabilities. Emanuel School students are very fortunate to have a dedicated space that offers them numerous physical and psychological benefits, and it’s great to see so many students taking advantage of the Wellness Centre facilities.

The Wellness Centre is open every day at lunchtime from 1:30 pm until 2:00 pm, and in the afternoon on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:45 pm until 4:45 pm.

From the Head of Music

David William – Head of Music

Welcome back to Term 1.  Here are some useful notices and dates for you:

• Instrumental Program (IP) – please see Diana Springford’s update on the separate Instrumental Program page 
• Infant Strings Program resumes in Week 3 (Thursday 16 February)
• Private Music Tuition resumes either in Week 2 or Week 3 (please check your online schedule)
• Ensemble rehearsals resume in either Week 2 or 3 (please refer to the Music Routine section of the Calendar Digest accessible via the parent portal).  

The weekly Ensemble rehearsal schedule can be viewed at the following link:  http://tinyurl.com/EnsembleRehearsalSchedule  

Instrumental Ensemble Auditions

Instrumental Ensemble auditions will be held in Week 2 at various times. Students who are interested should sign on for an audition time on the appropriate sheet. Ensembles open to audition are:

•      Bernstein Concert Band
•      Copland Concert Bad
•      Intermediate Strings
•      Chamber Strings
•      Junior Stage Band
•      Senior Stage Band
•      Junior, Intermediate and Advanced Jazz Ensembles

Audition requirements for Instrumental Ensembles as follows:

• Play one piece, or a large section of a piece, that shows you at your best (preferably a solo piece)
• Choose your own major and minor scale and a chromatic scale (choose your best and most interesting scales, and the widest pitch range you can manage smoothly)
• You will be given sight reading, which means you will be asked to play an unknown piece that is of the level of the ensemble for which you are auditioning
• Success depends upon a) availability of positions in the ensemble, b) audition performance c) ensemble citizenship of current ensemble (punctuality, behaviour, preparedness, practice of parts).

Links to online forms

New enrolment requests for private tuition: http://tinyurl.com/PrivateTuitionEnrolment

Kol Szenes

We hope that Emanuel School students and their families had a wonderful break over the summer holidays, refreshed for the start of the 2017 school year.

This week in Szenes House:

• We welcomed our new Tutors, Mrs Lara Ephron, Ms Michelle Lyons-Zwarenstein and Ms Denise Goldmann, the incoming Year 7 students, Liat Granot into Year 8, Isabella Reichel into Year 9 and Gina Seligsohn into Year 11 and the return of Max Leveton to Year 11.
• On Monday, Year 7 students attended their Orientation Day at Emanuel School. Most of our Year 11 Peer Support Leaders including Michel Wolstein, Madeleine Weinstein, Erin Baskin and Danielle Kramer were also present and they worked with Year 7 Szenes students throughout the day.

Year 7 students Matthew Lowy, Casey Flior and Remy Waller reflected on their day:

On 30 January, the new Year 7s started on their journey through High School.

Everybody was ready to start the day and the year with great spirit and looked forward to meeting their Tutors. As we walked through the gates, we knew there was an exciting journey to follow.

In the morning, all the Year 7s came together in the Millie Phillips Theatre to meet the Tutors, and for the teachers to have a word to them about their next step in their learning journey. We met in our Tutor Groups and started off learning about our Tutors and classmates. We played fun games to get to know everyone. Afterwards, we finished off playing a memory name game. 

Probably the most anticipated event was when the Year 7s received their laptops. As the students walked up to the top of the Brender Moss Building, they were all so excited. After we collected their laptops we had fun playing on them.

The students had a good time during Orientation day, from making friends, to getting laptops and advice. Thanks to Ms McMahon, Mrs Ephron and the Year 11 Peer Support leaders.

• Year 7 students were given their Szenes Caps. During Terms 1 and 4 there is a compulsory No Hat No Play policy at lunchtimes.
• Year 12, 2017 were given their senior ties during the High School Assembly.
  

  Year 7 students with their new Szenes caps

  

  Shoshana Blackman modelling the Year 12 tie

Quotation of the Week

‘Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.’

Dalai Lama

Enjoy the weekend and Shabbat Shalom

Sibling Photo Day – Important Information

Maxine Chopard – Assistant to the Deputy Principal

Sibling school photographs are scheduled to be taken by Advancedlife Photography on Tuesday 7 February.

Orders for sibling photographs can be placed securely online at www.advancedlife.com.au using our school’s unique 
nine digit online order code: TPM ETQ DKZ

Should you wish to purchase a sibling photograph online, the order must be placed no later than the day before photography day, 6 February. Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed.

Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please direct them via email to enquiries@advancedlife.com.au

You can also contact mchopard@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au for any school-based enquiry.

Maxine Chopard

General Information for Students

General Information for the start of 2017

• Reception sign-in: Students must sign in at Reception if they arrive after 8.50 am. If a student leaves the School for an appointment and returns, the same process is required. Late arrival, early leave, leave and absence information is to be sent to absence@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au
• Opal cards:

o    Applications are done online: transportnsw.info/school-students

o    All online applications sent to the online school portal have been endorsed and are in the process of checking for entitlement by Transport NSW. Students can travel on buses, without a card, for the first two weeks during this processing period. If the Opal card does not arrive after the second week of school, please contact me.

• Sun safety: High School students are required to wear hats during lunch. Sunscreen is available in both the Waxman and the basketball areas of the School.
• Labelling of items: Remember to clearly label all personal items especially uniforms, lunch boxes and water bottles.
• Lost and Found: Lost and ound uniform items should be place in the red bin outside the PAC which is  cleared every Friday. Students are reminded to immediately report a lost computer, phone or any other expensive item.
• Uniform standards and safety standards: The school diary explains uniform requirements and standards (including safety standards) and all students are expected to adhere to these.

Gesher – Connecting our Community

Welcome to 2017 – another exciting year for our Emanuel community.

We hope you all had a fun and relaxing holiday over the summer break. 

Phoebe, Jasper and Bryan Narunsky

The number of alumni enrolling their children to Emanuel School is growing each year.  This week has been the start for 15 new students whose parents are former students at the School, bringing the total to date, to around 60 current students of alumni. Pictured opposite is Phoebe Narunsky with her brother Jasper and her father Bryan, who finished Year 12 here in 1990.  Phoebe who is in Year 6, has now joined six cousins here at School, as Bryan’s sister, Janice Christie (Narunsky), Class of 1989 and Head Madricha, has three of her children here as does their cousin Katie Narunsky (Levenson).

Ethan Czeiger and Monika Silver

Ethan Czeiger who started Year K is the son of alumna Monika Silver (Class of 1998) and he arrived at School on his first day with his mum and his auntie, Cherie Silver (Class of 2000) who is here visiting from London. 

If you are a former student with children starting here this week and would like to share this special time with us, please send your photos to: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

We are excited to let you know that bookings are now open for our 2017 Jazz on the Hill, on Sunday 26 March.  We hope you and your family as well as your friends, will join us for a fabulous afternoon of music and good food whilst Primary-aged children will be kept busy with a variety of supervised activities. Bookings: http://tinyurl.com/JOTH2017

 Calling all grandparents

We are seeking grandparents who might be interested in being part of a Grandparents committee.  This committee would initially meet twice a term to act as advisors to the Gesher committee in relation to connecting with grandparents within our community. The Gesher committee is the ‘friend-raising’ sub-committee of the Board, chaired by Daniel Knoll.  If you are interested in being part of this exciting development please email me: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Jazz on the Hill

From the Parents and Friends

Ruby Berkovic and Jennifer Opit

Welcome to 2017 and a warm welcome to all the new families joining the Emanuel community!