A New House for High School

Margaret Lowe – Deputy Principal

A new House for the High School

Emanuel School has grown considerably over recent years and we no longer fit in our current three Houses. Rashi, Rabin and Szenes are bursting at the seams!

At the start of 2018, a process for moving to a four-House model will commence. Throughout the process, students and staff will be consulted so that we can facilitate the formation of balanced Tutor Groups (number, gender etc) that include a variety of students who:

• Make our inter-House competitions come alive (eg we need to spread those outstanding swimmers)
• Have connections with each other
• Will work well with the new or ongoing Tutor
• Can provide student leadership
• Have participated in choosing to move or to stay in the House.

Early in Term 1, a competition will be launched to determine the name, colours and logo for the new House. All students will be able to enter the competition. Once our New House Committee (NHC) of staff has a shortlist, the Board will be asked to approve the name, colours and logo. It will be very exciting to be one of the students who provide this legacy for Emanuel School.

Around the same time, students and staff will be asked to complete surveys that provide us with the information we need to be able to create the new groups. Some students may be excited about change and want to move to the new House, whilst others may feel a great attachment to their current House and wish to stay. This data will be considered very carefully and students will have a right of reply once the new Tutor Groups are published.

All of the processes will take a considerable amount of time as it is important that we create the best possible groups and have had time to consider a myriad of factors. Our Year 11 students will be the first cabs off the rank as they will be leading the transition process alongside the NHC.

The new House will be launched ceremonially in Term 2 and will come into being at the start of Term 3. Around the time of the launch, our Year 11 students will be invited to nominate for student leadership positions and elections will be held, as they usually are, mid-year.

At the start of Term 3 we will induct our new Madrichim, House Captains and Student Representative Council from four Houses. It will be a momentous occasion for Emanuel School and the start of a four-House model. History is in the making!!

Students will benefit from having more students in their Tutor Group to connect with but fewer students in the House overall so that the teachers are able to provide more support. We have a number of “yet to be revealed” plans in place to promote school spirit, a sense of belonging, team building and fun as we move through a process of change.

Year 12 students will only have a term to go when the change is to be made, so we will keep them in their current Tutor Groups and Houses for that term. We are pleased to announce that Adam Ezekiel will be the Head of the new House (Martin Rembson will be returning in 2018 to resume his position as Head of Rabin House).

2018 will be a year to remember!

From the Principal

Anne Hastings – Principal

After over 300 Ma Nishma articles I’ve written in the past eight years, this is my last one. In my first article, written in early February 2010, I thanked everyone for their very warm welcome of me to the School, introduced 11 new teachers, and indicated that we would no longer print every newsletter for every child at the School. I discussed the 2009 HSC results and the first MySchool website release, talked about the first  High School Assembly and introduced the Parent Information evenings for each year group.

Now our Ma Nishma is completely online (and we know it needs further review to make it as user-friendly as possible), our number of staff has grown by about 15% to match our School’s growth, our 2017 HSC results are soon to be released (Thursday 14 December) and MySchool continues but has not made the impact that some people thought it might. In this article I will farewell a small number of teachers who leave us at the end of this year and again talk about our recent Assembly. And so the cycle of life at Emanuel continues …

I’ve certainly learnt a huge amount over the past eight years, and the school has grown and changed considerably – although it still has the same warm, welcoming culture it had back in 2010. Thank you for reading our newsletter and following all the various events and achievements of our students over the years.

Farewell to staff

Gabrielle Whateley

Gabrielle has taught French to our Years 8 – 10 students for the past 10 years and is moving to Melbourne with her husband because of his work. Gabrielle has engaged many students in the challenge of learning French over her time here and has been a very committed, passionate and inspiring teacher who has employed a range of teaching strategies as she leads students to engage in all things French. She is going to work in a Primary School teaching another of her languages, Italian. We wish Gabrielle all the very best for her new life in Melbourne and thank her so very much for her significant contribution. Merci beaucoup, Madame!

Senya Matkovich

Senya came to us two years ago, initially for a term, to replace our senior French teacher who went on sick leave. Senya had had much experience teaching French, having been the Head of French at Sydney Girls High School before joining us. We are very lucky that she has been able to stay and continue teaching our Years 11 & 12 French students. Senya has recognised the opportunity for the School to employ a full-time Years 8 – 12 French teacher with Gabrielle’s move to Melbourne and generously offered to finish up at the end of the year. We offer sincere thanks to Senya and wish her all the very best for the future.

Claudia Bloom

Claudia has been helping out as assistant in Design & Technology for the past 12 months and is leaving to pursue other interests. We thank Claudia for her great support of D & T and wish her well for her next venture.

Other staffing

Three members of staff have been on maternity leave these past couple of years: Cara Munitz, Liz Eldred and Lisa Weisner. Each of them has made a decision not to return to school and so have resigned their positions. We wish them much joy and happiness with their families in the future. Talia Hynek from the Primary School will be on leave for 2018 and Danny Burley from the Music Department will be on leave for Term 1 2018.

Emma Clemens (Deputy Head of Primary School)

Emma is anticipating the imminent arrival of her and Tim’s first child and so goes on maternity leave for 12 months from the end of the year. We wish them much happiness with their new baby and hope to see Emma back at Emanuel School in 2019.

To our small number of students leaving us for a range of schools, TAFE or work in 2018, we wish them much personal success in their onward learning journey beyond our School.

P – 12 Assembly

This week I was very moved by the whole school assembly in our MPH which was a wonderful and emotional (for me at least!) farewell. There were impressive musical performances, speeches from the Head Madrichim of both High and Primary Schools, and presentations to me of a large book of wishes from each student along with a beautiful ceramic bowl made by some the High School students. I’ve had such fun reading all the messages from the students since then – what an amazing and uplifting book it is for me to keep and enjoy over the years ahead.

Here is a part of my speech to our students on Tuesday:

“I have been lucky to be Principal of Emanuel over the past 8 years. It is such a great school …

Our academic culture develops critical thinking and personal excellence – for everyone, students, teachers, staff, to be the best that we can be. Teachers care about our students and help them flourish – academically, personally, socially, spiritually and physically.

Our environment builds questioning, thoughtful, creative, empathetic citizens who are leaders, not bystanders. We welcome new students, who quickly feel at home, there is a sense of fun and enjoyment of learning together, there’s openness to learning new things, to using our brains to think critically and a willingness to try something new, learn a new skill, have a go. There’s support for everyone when needed, we are forward-thinking, and believe that technology, used wisely, is a wonderful tool for learning and we work to prepare students for life, not just the HSC. We don’t believe that the HSC is our ultimate goal and we do see each student as an individual who is much more than their ATAR.

Our students are articulate without being arrogant, assertive rather than aggressive, respectful and welcoming of diversity, unpretentious, don’t put others down, and feel that it’s OK to be a bit unusual or quirky. We have a culture of service to others and we live our values. We value education and understand the value of service over self. Our connections with Israel, Jilkminggan, East Timor, help us understand the complexities of the world. Here people here are judged on their actions, rather than the way they dress or look.

I have loved being in the Pre-school to Year 12 co-education environment and the size of the school is just right for us to get to know each other as individuals. Students have a voice, although sometimes we need to remind you to express it in a thoughtful, respectful manner…

I will miss interacting with creative young minds and far-sighted professionals. I’ll miss each of you – your dynamism, openness, sense of humour, groundedness, energy, confidence, opinions and positivity. I’ll miss seeing and hearing you in the playground, receiving your greetings as I walk around, watching you play in bands or sing in the choirs, or compete in sport. I’ll miss viewing your artworks, observing your learning, and caring about your wellbeing.

What’s important is who you are as a person and the difference you make to others throughout your life journey. It is my hope that your choices will be well considered and not self-focused, that they will keep you and others safe, that you will see your mistakes as learning opportunities, that the lessons you learn will help you continue to grow and establish your important role in society, and that you will meet and work through the challenges along your way with determination, persistence and resilience. Just as the cowardly lion, the tin man and the scarecrow found what they were looking for within themselves, each of you has amazing potential within yourself to meet and conquer the challenges thrown in your way.

And remember, there is never a right time to do a wrong thing, and never a wrong time to do a right thing. Everyone can do everything to the best of their ability, do the maximum possible to help others and show people they care, and no one has a right to cause others to fail.

Mr Watt will be your new Principal next year and deserves your warm welcome and respect. The school is in a great place and he will be a wonderful leader to take it and you all to the next phase. He will be different from me, he’ll make some changes – all that’s OK. Look after him as you did me when I first came here.

Throughout our lives, we will be sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes pleased and sometimes disappointed, sometimes feeling cosy and sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes challenged and sometimes bored. Whatever happens, fill your life, fill it with learning, be compassionate, share your ideas, give, run, laugh, sing, have your own ruach, be enthusiastic, welcome the challenge of your own kids someday, enjoy people, care for them and for our environment, travel, love, and be the best that you can be. Thank you for being you and for making my time as your Principal such a joy.”

Prize Presentations next week

We are rapidly coming to the end of the school year of 2017 and next week sees our celebrations of students’ achievements over the year. Our K – 2 and Years 3 – 6 Presentation events are on Tuesday (see below for times) and the High School Presentation is on Wednesday evening. Students’ last day of school will be Wednesday 13 December.

High School students finish school at 1:10 pm on Wednesday in readiness for our Speech Night in the Clancy Auditorium at UNSW (corner High and Botany Streets), when they need to arrive at 6:30 pm. Our final event for the year is compulsory for all Years 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 students and my final opportunity to say farewell to our very special community. An email of all instructions for this evening went home earlier this week.

Mazal Tov to:

• Ella Hart, Violet Nathanson and Leah Grunseit, who were part of a team of 47 Kids Giving Back volunteers who cooked, packaged and delivered over 350 warm, nutritious meals to local shelters and individuals in need last Sunday. 
• Jonathan Schach and Michael Heymann, who have been attending a 6-week after school trial program called STEP (Seniors and Teens Empathy Program) at Bupa Queens Park in October / November. The organizer of the program said: “Both boys added such value to the program … the residents they visited each Wednesday afternoon were thrilled to see them … in fact, in the words of Doreen the resident they met with each week…. “I’ve been so happy having Michael and Jono visit. I love their marvellous attitudes and personalities. Many kids seem grumpy these days and they did nothing but smile.”

Coming up

• K – 2 Presentation, Tuesday 12 December, 9 am
• Y3 – 6 Presentation, Tuesday 12 December, 6 pm
• High School Speech Night, Wednesday 13 December, 7 pm
• Year 7 2018 Orientation Day, Tuesday 30 January 2018
• Years 1 – 12 students return to School, Wednesday 31 January 2018
• Year K students begin School, Thursday 1 February 2018
• Photo Day, Wednesday 8 February 2018

Quote of the week 

“Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.” [King Whitney Jr.]

I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your sons and daughters and that I see you at one or more Prize Presentations next week. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm, support, advocacy of our School and for entrusting the education of your children with us over 2017 and the past 8 years.

Shabbat Shalom

From the Primary School

Natanya (Tany) Milner – Head of Primary

Staffing 2018

I wanted to ensure that our community is aware of the staffing changes in the Primary School for 2018. We are thrilled to have a wonderful team for next year. As you are aware, Emma Clemens begins her maternity leave and will be replaced by Meghan Carroll for next year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Emma for her 3.5 years of amazing dedication and support. She has been an outstanding Deputy Head of Primary and I feel blessed to have had her by my side. She has made significant developments in the Primary School’s wellbeing programs and remains an organisational wizard with the way she manages the day-to-day running of the Primary School. I wish her and Tim all the very best as they start their family together. We look forward to hearing all their news and meeting their baby. We look hope to welcome Emma back in 2019.

Talia Hynek is also taking a year’s leave next year as she pursues her passion to explore and travel the world. We wish Talia all the very best for her adventures and look forward to her safe return in 2019. We thank Talia for her dedication to Year 1 and the energy that she brings to work each day. She has led many exciting initiatives including the K-2 Play Leaders and special events such as the Camera Word Party and Colour Day. Happy travels, Talia!

Due to Talia’s leave and Meghan’s new role, we had two spaces on the Primary School teaching staff. We are thrilled to be able to welcome Emma Buzo and Roslynn Pardy back onto our teaching team. They both have a long and happy association with the school, having fulfilled various roles over the years. Both have been classroom teachers at Emanuel previously. Roslynn has also been involved in our library programs and gifted and talented programs and Emma has been a specialist drama teacher at Emanuel too. We look forward to having them both back as full-time classroom teachers next year.

As you may be aware, our Year 5 Yavneh teacher, Sophie Poisel, has been promoted to be our Innovation Leader next year. We are so excited about the opportunities that this brings. Sophie has led so many wonderful initiatives this year and we look forward to seeing what develops in 2018. We are thrilled to announce that Lara Kepitis will be joining our team. She is also well qualified in Gifted and Talented Education and innovation and has most recently been teaching in the OC program at St Ives North Public School.

Next year we will also welcome Alex Hone who joins the music team whilst Susan Longney is on leave. We look forward to working with Alex. For those of you who haven’t heard, Susan and Nick Longney welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Shoshana, to the world last week. We are thrilled to hear they are all healthy and happy and we couldn’t be more excited that they chose a Hebrew name! Mazal tov, Susan and Nick!

We are excited that Nicolle Rubin will become a full-time staff member next year. This will allow for more support in the Primary School office and there will be some changes in the structure of the roles. All attendance and Primary office liaison will happen through Nicolle from next year as Holly Dillon takes on some other roles.

Thank you, Anne

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish Anne Hastings all the very best for her retirement. It has been such an honour to work with her and be able to learn from her over the past eight years. She has been incredibly inspirational and supportive and I am so grateful to her for her wisdom, advice, expertise and dedication. I wish Anne a wonderful retirement filled with health, happiness and adventure. I am sure we will keep in touch with her so she is able to see the fruits of her labour in the years to come.

Presentation Day (K-2) and Presentation Evening (Years 3-6)

We look forward to welcoming you to our end-of-year celebrations. It is compulsory for the students to attend their presentation event.

K-2: 12 December – 9am start – children to arrive at school as usual by 8.15am

Years 3-6: 12 December – children at school and in their classrooms at 5.45pm for a 6pm start.

We ask all the students to be in full summer uniform with black leather school shoes. Years 5 and 6 children are asked to wear their blazers (ties are not needed). All boys are asked to wear an Emanuel kippah.

 Picnic Day and Emanuel’s Got Talent

Our final day of school for students is Wednesday 13 December. Weather permitting, we will spend the morning at Centennial Park. The canteen will be closed on this day so please ensure your children come to school with their food and water for the day as well as a hat and sunscreen. Students are to wear sports uniform. We will return to school in time for ice blocks and our Emanuel’s Got Talent show. At 3.15pm, we will prepare for our Guard of Honour to farewell Year 6 and any other students leaving Emanuel. We would love to welcome any parents to our Guard of Honour at 3.15pm. Unfortunately, there isn’t room for us to invite parents to Emanuel’s Got Talent. We hope you understand that in order to be fair to all parents, we would need to send away any parents who come to school to attend. This is awkward and uncomfortable for the staff so we are very grateful to you for not putting us in this position.

Year 6 Pathways

As this is being sent to you all, we are currently involved in our Year 6 Pathways Graduation and Shabbat Service. I would like to thank Adam Carpenter, Rebecca Gaida and Stacey Rosenfeld for organising this event. It is always a highlight of the school calendar and a special way to pay tribute to our Year 6 students and families for their hard work, commitment and support. I wish our Year 6 students all the very best for High School and we look forward to hearing about their future endeavours. I thank them for their leadership of the Primary School throughout 2018.

Uniforms 2018

Just a reminder that we return to school next year with summer uniform again for Term 1. Year 5 students move to new uniforms and require blazers too. Please see the uniform shop advertisement for their holiday opening times.

Mazal Tov, Alexander

Alexander Kirievsky, in Year 5, has recently received acknowledgement for his hard work at the Maroubra Russian School through the NSW Community Languages Schools Program. Mazal tov, Alexander!

Ronald McDonald House

By Ethan Berkovic, Coby New, Jono Riesel, Alexis Demos, Lucy Klein and Talia Rabin.

This term, we have been visiting Ronald McDonald house every Monday after school as an active mitzvah. We have gone to play with the children who are receiving ongoing medical treatment at the Children’s Hospital. We played with them to not only make them happy and give the parents a break, but to make us feel that we truly did something to help the community and the people around us. This was a really rewarding experience and we really enjoyed putting a smile on everyone’s faces. A special thank you to Katrina Riesel for organising this, and taking us every week.

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Being a Blessing

I  take this opportunity to share with you an adapted version of my words at our High School Assembly farewelling our Principal, Anne Hastings.

In Judaism, the greatest blessing that you can bestow upon someone is that They Be a Blessing.

The first Jew, Avraham, was blessed by God with two words היה ברכה- Be a Blessing.

For Jews, you are blessed in blessing others.

As many of us know, Anne loves to travel. In particular she loves to frequent Nepal. And, in Nepal, it is the Himalayas that she loves to explore and trek.

If you have been in Nepal, especially in the Himalayas, you will see prayer flags all about you.

If I can ask our four head madrichim to please come to centre stage and hold these flags up for all to see.

In Judaism, there is a relatively new tradition of blessing flags.

These blessing flags were made by women artisans in Mahaguthi, Nepal. And, for all of us here, today, they represent the blessings that Anne has brought to us personally and to our Emanuel school community.

אהבה- The Blessing of Love (Ahavah)

רחמים- The Blessing of Compassion (Rachamim)

חסד- The Blessing of Lovingkindness (Chesed)

שלום- The Blessing of Peace and Wholeness (Shalom)

רפואה- The Blessing of Healing (Refu’ah)

כבוד- The Blessing of Respect (Kavod)

צדק- The Blessing of Justice and Equity (Tsedek)

This is the banner that was displayed in the dedication of our new building. We now present it to Anne who has built our school and our community through her blessings.

If she has already been blessed in blessing us, what blessing can we add? There is one blessing that it is fitting we share with Anne today.

ברוך את בבואך  ברוך את בצאתך – May you be blessed in your coming in and in your going out.

Anne, you have been blessed in coming in to our school by bringing blessings upon us. Now as you go out, and depart from us may you be blessed with the time and opportunity of amply experiencing the blessings of life with your family, with your husband John and most deservedly for yourself.

We wish you the best Anne, we thank you and may you always enjoy being a blessing.

Student Devar Torah

Rachel Lee – Year 7

Va Yeishev

Parashat VaYeishev discusses the Yosef saga, a tale of sibling rivalry, jealousy, immaturity and an inability to demonstrate awareness of others. Joseph was the adored youngest son of Ya’akov and Rachel. Yosef was spoilt and favoured as he was the son of Ya’akov’s favourite wife.

Ya’akov asked Yosef to check on the welfare of his brothers and their flocks. Yosef, being young and immature is not sensitive to the feelings of his brothers as the biblical scholar Avivia Zornberg writes:  “Joseph behaves with the narcissism of youth, with a dangerous unawareness of the inner worlds of others”.

Rashi and Rambam (medieval Rabbis) excuse Joseph’s behaviour because of his youth. However, Joseph was 17 years old and a shepherd and was not so young and innocent. He knowingly flaunted his multi-coloured coat that his father gave him thereby making his brothers jealous. This coat was to be Joseph’s undoing!

Re’uven, one of Yosef’s many brothers, persuades the others not to kill Yosef. Instead, they decide to sell him into slavery. But, these devious boys strip Yosef of his coat and dip it into blood as evidence that Yosef had been killed. So, the coat that Yosef showed off was the proof his father needed to believe that he was dead.

If Ya’akov had shared his love for his sons equally, perhaps he would have been spared the pain and suffering of “losing” a child.

I feel that the saying “what comes around goes around” is apt for this parashah as people behaved badly and were then punished as a result. This is a lesson for us that there are always consequences for our actions.

Perhaps the story of Yosef, his multi-coloured dream coat and his older brothers is a warning to everyone that they should treat their siblings with love and respect. Furthermore, parents should treat all their children equally and try their utmost not to show favouritism because the favouritism causes jealousy and sibling rivalry.   

With respect to Yosef’s immaturity and lack of awareness of others, it relates to our current generation of the “selfie generation”. Typically, we are self-absorbed, self-centred and only think of ourselves. We lack compassion and awareness for others. Our selfies, snapchat and instagram are specifically filtered so that we can portray our selfies in the best possible way.

To sum up, Yosef’s selfishness contributed to his brothers’ jealousy and hatred towards him. Had he been less self-absorbed, he may not have been sold into slavery and subsequently jailed.

Edan Amsalem – Year 11/12 2018

This week’s parashah is the story of Yosef, Ya’akov’s favourite son. To highlight his favouritism Ya’akov makes and gives Yosef a “techni-coloured” coat. Throughout the passage, Yosef, by means of presenting his dream, relates to his brothers that he will one day rule over them, causing them to become jealous and plot to get rid of him. Yehudah, one of the brothers, sells Yosef to the Yishma’elim, and ultimately he becomes a slave to the Pharaoh. At the end of the parashah, Yosef is in prison with two other workers of the Pharaoh, the baker and the wine butler. Both the workers have disturbing dreams, which Yosef interprets to mean that the butler will be spared or freed and that the baker will die. Yosef seeks assistance from the butler to negotiate his own release with the Pharaoh, however, once the butler is freed, he forgets all about Yosef. 

Life lesson: This parashah is very much about good vs evil, right and wrong and the evils of jealousy versus the gift of giving. Ya’akov had never intended to create a rift between his sons, but had offered Yosef more attention and love as a way of making up for him having lost his mother due to the birth of his younger brother, Binyamin. Ultimately, this special treatment of Yosef didn’t exactly work out… and Yosef’s brothers sold him. Yosef could have been bitter and angry at his brothers’ jealousy, and at first, he was. He then got over that and chose to forgive his brothers, creating opportunities to help others, even though his own situation was difficult. 

We see how Yosef really stuck up for what he believed in, even while in jail. As a prisoner himself, he certainly had many troubles and worries of his own. But when he saw two prisoners, the royal butler and baker, downcast, he approached them and asked how he could help them and make their day a little brighter. He reached out to help the prisoners, even when he himself was a prisoner.  

Yes, Yosef was not always the nicest person, telling his brothers and father repeatedly that they would bow down to him, and having a massive ego a lot of the time, but we need to learn from Yosef’s situation and not make the same mistakes he did.

We all have troubles and worries, and can use them as an excuse to think only of ourselves. But if we take a lesson or two from Yosef, we realise that we have the power to help others, no matter what, no matter where; we just have to reach out and lend a helping hand. It’s hard sometimes to think of others when we’re busy thinking of ourselves but if you have ever brightened someone’s day by doing a good deed, you will know how great that feels. We just have to look out for opportunities that arise and grab them with both hands. 

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

Give your Rosh a Workout: Online Chanukah Quiz

With Chanukah beginning next Tuesday evening, take this quiz to get into the Chanukah spirit:

www.myjewishlearning.com/quiz/hanukkah-quiz/ 

Year 6 Pathways Shabbat Tefillah and Graduation Ceremony

On Friday Year 6 students and their families gathered for the final Pathways celebration to mark the students’ graduation from Primary School. For the Shabbat tefillah, the Year 6 students created their own siddur, filled with artwork, commentaries and reflections on the Friday night prayers. This siddur was then used by the students as they led their families and the community in a traditional Kabbalat Shabbat tefillah. The Graduation ceremony featured speeches from Ms Milner, Ruby and Aaron, the Primary Head Madrichim, and Dani and Andrew Klein, speaking on behalf of the Year 6 parents. The speeches provided an opportunity for reflecting on the significance of this moment, reminiscing on the memorable experience of Primary School and expressions of gratitude. Each student was called to receive a Graduation Certificate, their Year Book and a gift from the school of a Stand Up Haggadah. The MPH was decorated with beautiful silk challah covers made by the students in Visual Arts which were added to a take home ‘Shabbat bag’ that included Shabbat candles made by the students, challah and Kiddush juice. The following images and extracts are from the Pathways Shabbat Siddur created by the student. Thank you to Ofer Levy for taking photos of the event and for all the staff and families who were part of the celebrations.

Exciting new STEAM Elective in Year 9

Steaming Ahead

High above the school, in a room mostly occupied by an enormous wooden table, something exciting is happening. The sounds of departing students rise through the open windows. Nearby, the admin staff work away, keeping the process of the school turning. Inside the room, there is a muted hum, occasionally punctuated by squeals of approval and congratulations. Heads are close together, gathered around various laptops. On the wall, a screen mirrors the work of one intensely concentrating group. A little later the groups come together and the presentations of units begins – a STEAM elective is born!

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics thinking has developed as an important part of learning for modern times. It is clear that skills in this area will be vital for employment and that Australia’s growth will be dependent on people with an excellent grounding in the design principles and thinking skills that come under the heading of STEAM.

With this in mind, a team of Science, Technology, Visual Arts and Mathematics teachers have been slaving away on a Thursday afternoon to develop a program of learning to be offered to Year 9 for the first time in 2018.

Our criteria: a unit should be based on a problem or task that is important or relevant to the real world. It should not fall into the category of any particular subject area in the school, but should rather be truly “cross-curricular”. It should require design thinking in all stages of the unit and should involve students producing something at the end that will be judged against a set of rigorous criteria. The students must be asked to reflect on the process at various stages of their work and on their accomplishments at the end … and the STEAM team members must say at some point “I want to do this unit – never mind the students!”

So what is in store for our inaugural set of students? A crazy machine to be entered into the Technion Annual Rube Goldberg Competition. A bicycle. Some biomimicry. Sculpture that will sit beside the sea. And a myriad of experiences that they will never forget.

Baby items for Newtown Asylum Seekers Centre

Alice Milner

Miriam Stubbs-Goulston

Our Primary school students, led by an initiative of Year 5 students, Alice Milner and Miriam Stubbs-Goulston, participated in a drive to collect much needed new-born and baby items for children of refugees. Years 5 and 6 students pictured below, brought these items to the Newtown Asylum Seekers Centre for distribution. While at the centre our students had the opportunity to learn of the various services this agency provides for those who seek asylum in our country and hope to begin a new life.

Rabbi Daniel Siegel

Year 7 History

Elena Rosin – HSIE/Jewish Life Teacher

Year 7 History – Battle of the Contubernia

“Hastiti (infantry): Attention! Testudo (formation), return to orb; form a wedge, now prepare to battle.  Left, right, left right, CHARGE!”

On Thursday 30 November, all Year 7 students met in the Colosseum (MPH) to stage a battle of the winning Contubernium (platoon) from each History class. The students have been studying Ancient Rome and as a way of gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of the military to that early civilisation, they created and practised their own legations. There were 4 winning teams, each containing hastiti, (soldiers) a Decanus (chief) and a gladiator. The groups, wielding shields, foam swords and even helmets, presented their formations to the entire year and the winning team earned a box of Mr Bell’s homemade Roman sweets as well as medallions honouring their skill. The 2017 winners were Ms Adelstein’s group, ably led by Decanus Anna Davis. Part of the task was to offer a military explanation of their tactics. As Decanus Anna said,

As Decanus, in each activity I have been placed in charge of training the most inexperienced soldiers from some of the most backwater provinces of the Roman Empire. In the beginning, some of them couldn’t tell Carthaginian elephants from proper Roman soldiers, and during the process we suffered deserters and legionaries leaving due to injury. But, with proper discipline I have managed to instil some basic Roman training into them. We started with marching, as good order and organisation are of vital value of the empire. After supposedly reaching a combat site we spread into the skirmishing formation to engage in battle. In the case of near defeat or surroundment it is vital we keep fighting, so next we curved back into an orb, to defend from all sides. This manoeuvre requires precise co-ordination. Next, we went through two key defence formations; the testudo, named for its turtle like appearance and repel cavalry, the defence against horses. Finally, the contubernium formed a wedge, as to go on the offensive against an opposing army. Hopefully, these young hastiti will be prepared to face their first battle with glory and bring victory to the mighty Roman empire.

The runners up were Ms Rosin’s team, led by Decanus Myles Cohn. This Contubernium was a skilful and lively group of hastiti, and a crowd favourite, but Decanus Anna’s determined leadership and erudite interpretation of their moves won the day.

After the presentation of the Contubernia, Year 7s were treated to a Roman feast. They were able to eat their fill of bread, cheese, honey, grapes and of course, how could this be a Roman feast without Garum, the ubiquitous Roman seasoning?  The only Roman item missing was the Vomitorium!

Year 7 has produced a relevant and exciting Performance of Understanding for each topic studied this year. The students have eagerly participated in each activity and have enjoyed this experiential way of learning. They are currently creating i-movies on a chosen topic about Ancient China, such as Confucianism, Terra Cotta Warriors, Emperor Qin Shi Haung Xi, and so forth. Ms Adelstein, Mr Bell and I will miss our lively and enthusiastic young learners. It has been a wonderful year and we wish everyone a Feriae Conceptivae (happy holiday and wonderful break).

Camp Sababa

Rebecca Gaida

Camp Sababa 

A lot of people think you need to be some kind of saint to hang out with people with disabilities. I know I am a regular person. This world is obsessed with categorising people into ability, gender, class and identity because we define ourselves by our differences. If we realise we have more in common with each other and focus on that, then you realise we are all just people. No one is super human who works or hangs out with people with disabilities. It is simply that we have chosen to see that we are all equal. We are all people. Everyone has things that they are good at and bad at and we are all more complex and wonderful than a diagnosis.

Ms Rebeca Gaida (Emanuel – Camp Sababa Co-ordinator)

“Whilst it being a challenging experience, it is extremely rewarding to look after a child with special needs 24/7 as it teaches you life skills that you can use forever.”

Shoshana Blackman (Camp Sababa companion)

“Connecting with each other is fundamental to happiness and camp has provided exactly that for myself, the companions and our buddies. It’s called Camp SABABA for a reason!”

Amy Altman (Camp Sababa companion)

Primary Leadership

As this week draws to close so do the last few days of the 2017 Y6 Leadership Program. Students are completing their last few tasks and are reflecting on all they have achieved. This year’s leaders have been involved in a range of exciting and varied projects. From assisting with K-2 Gala Day, Swimming and Athletics Carnivals, to ushering and showing visitors around the school, to leading assemblies, to helping with IT requirements and chess teams, to organising dodgeball, drawing, shofar and handball competitions, to devising plans for Anti-Bullying Day and chaggim throughout the Jewish calendar, to helping younger students in the playground, at the ‘Buddy bench’ and at Gross Motor and to co-ordinating K-2 Colour Day and Friendship Day. They certainly have been busy!

Some of their highlights have been:

“Getting to work with a variety of other students and making new friends”

“Seeing others succeed, especially the little kids”

“Giving back to the School and being a good role model”

“Learning to be more organised”

“Helping others and getting to know more about the School”

“Knowing that something is hard and doing really well and having so much fun at the same time!”

“Jumping into new things”

“Feeling so proud of yourself and your friends”

“Trying new things that seemed scary at first, but then realising how worthwhile it is in the end”

Thank you to all of the teachers who have lead this year’s leadership groups. I also l congratulate all of the Year 6 leaders for the tenacity, enthusiasm and commitment that they demonstrated in their roles; our High School is lucky to have such resourceful leaders coming their way!

Stacey Rosenfeld

Primary Term 1 Extra-curricular Clubs

Gesher Connecting our Community

Sonia Newell – Development Officer

MAZAL TOV to

Grandparent, Dr Tom Moss, who was awarded the Dennis Clifford Humanitarian Award in front of 1000 people including NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Opposition Leader Luke Foley at Jewish House’s Gala Dinner last week.

Parent, Emile Sherman, film producer, whose film “Lion” has just been announced winner of  AACTA (Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts) Award for Best Film as well as numerous other awards: www.aacta.org

Emile Sherman

GIFT OF LIFE – Sunday 10 December 

SAVE THE DATE

Monday 5 March 2018 – our Grandparent Committee has organised a morning at the Sydney Jewish Museum. Guided tour followed by lunch (optional).  Details out soon.

Friendship Circle Day Camp

Summer holidays are just around the corner and Friendship Circle is planning an amazing week of day camp for young people with special needs from the 15-19 January 2018.

Volunteering with Friendship Circle is a great way for young people to have fun, feel great about themselves and make a difference.

We have great activities and experiences planned such as Ninja Worx, Swimming, Sky Zone, Fun Park at the Powerhouse Museum, Skater HQ and Monkey Mania.

The best part is that volunteers can have fun too!

Volunteer option 1 – Volunteer as a 1-1 Buddy

If you are 13 years old or older and are looking for make a difference this summer holidays then please sign up to be a buddy for a young person with disability. Your role will be to engage and befriend your buddy throughout the planned activities and experiences. You will be supported by a team of leaders and nurses. The minimum commitment for new volunteers is three days plus orientation on Sunday, 14 January 2018.

Current volunteers please sign in and complete this form www.sydneyfc.org.au/volunteeratdaycamp

New volunteers please complete this application form www.sydneyfc.org.au/volunteerapplication

Volunteer option 2 – Volunteer in food prep, set up and pack away

We are looking for adult volunteers (18 years old and older) to cut, spread, sort and pack your way to create 60 delicious and healthy lunches and snacks for Friendship Circle Day Camp. Once the kids are off on their outing it would be great if you had another hour to pack up and prepare the lunch area for the next day as well as tidy the hall for the children’s return.

If you have news you wish to share, please send to: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

School Photographs

Maxine Chopard | Assistant to the Deputy Principal

School photographs are scheduled to be taken by Advancedlife Photography on 7 February 2018

Uniform requirements for Years 5-12

• Formal Winter Uniform: Blazers, Ties, No stockings for girls, just the regular white school summer uniform socks and no jumpers.
• All students are expected to be neatly dressed, hair tied back, shoes polished, no extraneous jewellery and clean shaven (HS boys).
• Boys are reminded to wear their kippot for school photographs.
• Wednesday is usually the regular Sport Uniform Day for HS students but this will be waived.

• K-4 students will be dressed in their summer uniforms.

Absentee Photo Day

• If a student is absent on 07/02/18, I will inform him/her of their schedule of attendance on the absentee day (16/02/18) photo shoot.

Sibling Photos

Every year we have a great celebration of family through Sibling Photos.

We have some Sibling Photos taken on 07/02/18 but the bulk will be taken on 16/02/18

I will advise if sibling photos will be taken on 07/02/18 as per data sent to me from the photographer’s online bookings on or before 16/02/18.

Orders

Orders for sibling photographs can be placed securely online at

www.advancedlife.com.au using our school’s unique 9-digit Online Order Code: TPM ETQ DKZ

Orders are due by photography day.

Should you wish to purchase a sibling photograph online, the order must be placed no later

than the day before photography day, 6/02/18

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

Please contact mchopard@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au for any school-based enquiry.

We look forward to celebrating Emanuel students through photographs.

Scholarship applications

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

As this is the last week of school and therefore the last Ma Nishma for 2017 here are some final reminders of dates for the current Year 12s of 2017.

Thursday 14 December – HSC results released.

Friday 15 December – ATAR’s released by UAC on UAC website and MyUAC app (9am).

Sunday 17 December – Change of preferences deadline by midnight (you cannot get in to your account after this date to change your preferences).

Thursday 21 December – Offers released at 7:30am from UAC (Medicine students need to wait until Jan round).

Most students will be getting their offers in this December round. You can still try for subsequent rounds in January, February etc but the pool of places will be much smaller. All dates and information are on www.uac.edu.au 

ATAR: Are you ready?

Here’s what you need to know to access your results.

When?

• View your ATAR online from 9am on Friday 15 December.
• Download your ATAR Advice Notice from 10am on Friday 15 December.

How?

Log in to our website or the My UAC app. You’ll need your Year 12 student number
(or UAC application number) and your UAC PIN. Can’t find them?

• Year 12 student number: It’s printed on your School Certificate Record of Achievement and your school keeps a record of it. You can also call the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) on 1300 13 83 23.
• UAC PIN: If you’ve applied for tertiary study through UAC, access the application login page to have it sent to your email address. Or contact us. 
• UAC application number: It’s printed on your Confirmation of Application documents. You can also call us.

UAC and NESA cannot give your PIN or application numbers to anyone other than you, so we’ll do ID checks. UAC is always extremely busy when ATARs are released, so if you need to contact us about your UAC PIN or application number we recommend you do it now.

What does it all mean?

The ATAR helps tertiary institutions select applicants for their courses. 

That’s why it’s called the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank. The ATAR tells you how well you’ve achieved in the NSW HSC compared with the students who started Year 7 with you. For example, if you receive an ATAR of 70.00 you know you are in the top 30 per cent of your cohort.

ATARs are not the same as course cut-offs.

Course cut-offs = ATAR + bonus points. Therefore, offers are made to applicants with ATARs below the cut-off.

Each institution sets its own criteria for allocating bonus points. Find out about the different types of bonus points available to Year 12 students.

Need to talk to someone?

You can ask us specific questions about your ATAR by calling 1300 MY ATAR (1300 692 827), from mobiles (02) 9119 5012, or from overseas +61 2 9119 5012) on the following dates:

Fri 15 Dec 8.30am–6.30pm

Mon 18 Dec 8.30am–6.30pm 

Tue 19 Dec 8.30am–4.30pm 

Wed 20 Dec 8.30am–4.30pm 

Thu 21 Dec 8.30am–4.30pm

Before we can help you we’ll need to know your Year 12 student number or your UAC application number.

Changed your mind about what to study?

You can change your preferences until Sunday 17 December 2017.

Once you know your ATAR you might want to change your course choices. Simply log into your application on our website or the My UAC app using your UAC application number and UAC PIN. Do this before midnight on Sunday 17 December to have your preferences considered in the December Round 2 offers on Thursday 21 December.

If you haven’t applied for a course through UAC but you now want to study in Semester 1 next year, there’s still time to apply for any places that are available after the January Round 1 offers have been made on Friday 12 January 2018. Check the application key dates for details. Don’t miss out!

Why would you change your preferences?

• You gained a better mark than you expected, and want to apply for a more competitive course or, you didn’t do as well as you’d hoped to, and want to change to a more realistic course
• Perhaps you’ve changed your mind in the time between applying and getting your results, and want to go down a different path
• A new (and more appealing) course has just become available or you recently found out about a course you didn’t know existed
• Sometimes universities choose to cancel a course, and you may want to replace it.

To help you make the best choice, many universities hold special ‘Change of Preference’ sessions (sometimes they’re called ‘Info Days’) where you can get one-on-one advice and find out about your options. I strongly advise you to attend these on that weekend of ATAR results if you are confused especially about which Uni you would prefer. It can clarify things if you still have questions.

Australian Catholic University – Know Your Options Sessions

www.acu.edu.au/about_acu/our_university/contact/events/know_your_options_information_sessions

Macquarie University

www.mq.edu.au/about/events/view/info-day-2017/

University of Notre Dame – Course Advice Sessions

www.nd.edu.au/events/2017/course-advice-sydney

University of Sydney

http://infoday.sydney.edu.au/

UNSW – Info Day

www.futurestudents.unsw.edu.au/info-day

UTS

https://infoday.uts.edu.au/

ANU

www.anu.edu.au/study/events/anu-sydney-advisory-day-1

Advisory Day on Friday 15 December  from 10am-2pm (the same day that ATARs are released). Conference Centre, Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour.

www.anu.edu.au/study/events/anu-sydney-advisory-day-1 or come along on the day and they’ll check you in at the door.

Best of luck Year 12. I will be in my office on Friday 15 December holding any emergency meetings if anyone is a bit lost and needing to finalise preferences. Just turn up and write your name outside my door in the allocated time slots. Best wishes.

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director Kornmehl

It’s hard to believe we are actually at the end of the year. What a busy and exciting year we have had! So many beautiful and special moments and so much learning and development of skills in all areas – socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually and intellectually.

We have watched the children grow and mature and develop some wonderful relationships with both their peers and teachers. We know that the children are ready to take on new challenges next year, whether it’s going to Year K or moving up to be a Starfish or Dolphin. We look forward to 2018 and sharing another year together.

The concerts this week were another way to bring closure to the year as well as to highlight how far the children have come and grown in confidence and maturity. The children were all so excited to perform for their parents and we hope they made you all so proud.

At this time of the year it is important to thank so many people who have contributed to our program in so many different and positive ways.

Firstly, to Morah Anna, our amazing Hebrew teacher – a big thank you for your enthusiastic, interactive and fun Hebrew classes this year, the children loved seeing you and have learnt so much from you this year.

Our lovely music teacher Mrs Susan Longney, who left us in Term 4 to have a beautiful baby girl, Shoshana Dorothy (Shoshi). Mrs Longney has enthusiastically delivered her music lessons this year and the children have loved every minute and all the wonderful songs they have learnt. We wish you happiness always with your new bundle of joy.

We thank Yosiah Oshiro (Yoshi) for stepping in to continue music with us for the remainder of Term 4. The children have loved your fun and interactive lessons.

To Mrs Esti Lipson for her calm and friendly manner in which she always completes any photocopy task so effortlessly and capably.

To Mrs Deborah Beder and Mrs Gail MacKenzie for their collaboration and efficient manner in which they process enrolments for the Pre-school.

Thank you to our Year 2 buddies and their teachers, for coming down and reading to us each week.

Many thanks to Mrs Ginnette Cameron-Gardner and all her staff from the Primary School library, for welcoming the Kornmehl children and families into the library. They have loved their visits each week and we look forward to continuing with these visits next year.

Thank you to Tammy, Coach Al and Coach Jenny from Playball for another incredible year. The children’s gross-motor and ball skills have improved so much and along the way they have had a lot of fun and learnt many other important skills such as following instructions and listening.

Many thanks to the maintenance team – Mr Andrew Delany, Mr Peter Cummins, Mr Santiago Alfaro Mr Simon Hamilton and Mr Tom Katsimardos for their ability to get every job done so quickly and always with a smile. We really appreciate everything you do for us at Kornmehl.

Our thanks must also go to the IT department, with a special mention to Mr Zoran Taleski, Mr Nathanael Clarke, Mr Jackson Lee, Mr Ben Marshall and for constantly running up and down the hill to make sure all our IT glitches are sorted out in good time. You all do an amazing job behind the scenes and we are very grateful for your expertise and support.

We must also thank Tom and his team from security – Greg and Max, who make sure we are kept safe and sound every single day. Many thanks for all your hard work during the year, it is very much appreciated.

A huge thank you to our efficient Parent Club, capably led by Mrs Gail Stein, Mrs Lissa Prosser and Mrs Sharon Miller. Your support and help through the year have been invaluable and very much appreciated. I also especially thank – Mrs Mari Hill, Mrs Gina Becker and Mrs Tammy Golovsky for their endless hours spent collating and designing our soon-to-arrive photo books for each year group. This is a mammoth task and it is wonderful to have all the memories from 2017 captured in this way.

A big thank you to all our amazing Kornmehl staff, who have worked with complete commitment and dedication throughout the year to make 2017 such an amazing year of learning and discovery for all the children. Your expertise, knowledge and experience are valued by us all.

Chanukah

We have been learning about Chanukah – the story, the symbols and traditions. We have created beautiful art works of Chanukiot and dreidels. We have been singing and learning lots of Chanukah songs and will be eating yummy latkes and sufganiot next week.  What a joy it is to celebrate this beautiful and fun festival together.

Farewell to Anne Hastings

Sadly, we have to bid farewell to our amazing, dedicated and hard-working Principal, Mrs Anne Hastings. Mrs Hastings has capably led the school for the past eight years, making many big decisions and being involved in the incredible upgrade of the Emanuel School campus and facilities. Mrs Hastings has been a strong mentor and supporter of the Pre-school and has guided us throughout her tenure in so many positive ways. On Tuesday, we attended Mrs Hastings’ last school assembly and two Kornmehl children – Alfie Berger and Jordan Hill presented her with a special message book memoir.

On Friday, Mrs Hastings joined us for Shabbat and we presented her with four portraits produced by the children and framed beautifully for her to keep forever. We asked the children some thought-provoking questions about Mrs Hastings and we thought everyone would enjoy these insightful answers:

What does it mean to be the School’s Principal?

Tali – She’s the boss of all the teachers.

Ethan – To tell everyone what to do in the school.

Micah – She gets people in trouble.

Courtney – She makes sure people are doing good and to see what the people are doing.

Amy – She goes to the people and if she sees someone doing naughty things she says they must do good deeds.

Tomer – If someone gets in trouble, she takes them somewhere at the office. They have to say sorry to the person.  

What does it mean ‘to retire’?

Tali – She’s having a baby.

Noam – She’s leaving the school.

Eden – She won’t be going to school.

Nathan S – She might be going to a different school. 

Nathan P – She’s doing nothing…She’s going home and doing nothing. Maybe she can have a little lie down and watch her favourite movie on the TV.

Alfie – My grandpa is retired. That means he’s not working anymore.

Ruby – You retire when you’re tired…

Dalia – She can work. She can write anything.

What do you think Mrs Hastings will be doing when she retires?

Eli – She might go shopping.

Tali – When her kids come back from school, she might play with them.

Nathan P- She could play with one of her toys in her bedroom.

Henry – She can sleep for the whole day 

 From the entire Kornmehl Family – Anne, we wish you a happy, exciting and wonderful retirement.

Shabbat and Bush School

On Monday, we will be visiting Bush School for the last time this year, together with all our Kornmehl children and their families for a bumper Bush School family picnic.

Happy Birthday

We wish a very happy birthday to Jonathan K (4), Grace Botsman (4), Jonathan L (4), Tali Strous (5), David Lazarus (5). We hope you all have a special birthday.

We wish all our Dolphins and Starfish moving on to Year K next year much success and happiness as they embark on the next leg of their educational journey. We hope you will all still come and visit us in the years to come.

We wish all our Kornmehl families a peaceful, safe and restful holiday.

We look forward to welcoming you all back on Wednesday 31 January 2018.

From Parents and Friends

Ruby Berkovic and Jennifer Opit Co-Presidents of the Parents and Friends

Hello Everyone. We cannot believe that our first year in this role is over! From the Purim Disco to Mothers and Fathers Day, our camping trips and Comedy Night, what a busy and rewarding year it has been.

Emanuel Uniform Shop

Parent Safety Group

Thank you to our volunteers from last week:

Barry Sherman, Elaine Lopis, Leon Levitt, Craig Forman, Larry Simon. Alex Hart, Anthony Berman, Seth Itzkowitz, Damon Sharwood, Harold Gottlieb, Paul Biller, Orit Wolstein, Mike Evans, Kevin Smaller, Richard Ernster, Alan Dworkin, John Simon, Alan Radomsky, Simon Revelman, Jeffrey  and Joan Abrahams, Dani Novi, Daniel Butt, Brett Adler, Haydn Lee and Robert Vered.

Parent Safety Group