From the Principal

Andrew Watt

OnSTAGE HSC Drama Showcase, 2018 

Congratulations to Tomer Belkin, Genevieve Goldman, Hannah Shteinman and Zev Shteinman for their OnSTAGE nomination! As a core component of the HSC Drama Examination, students are required to devise, script and direct a group performance. This year Genevieve, Hannah and Zev were nominated for their Group Devised Performance titled Funerals to Die For. Tomer received a nomination for his Monologue Performance; Divine Intervention, while Genevieve received a second nomination for her Monologue Performance: Vitameatavegemin.

Markers from NESA arrived at Emanuel School last month to assess the students Group Performances as well as their Monologues. Performances from around the state are then selected by NESA as examples of excellence and nominated for consideration at OnSTAGE, a showcase of HSC exemplar performances held at the Seymour Centre. Many more works are nominated than can be presented and a further selection process now takes place. The annual Drama excursion to ONStage is a highlight for Drama students and we are so proud that this group of actors are being considered as part of the program. I am very proud of the students and their hard work in preparing for their performances, and I am also grateful for the dedication of their teacher, Samantha Bauer. This nomination is a testament to their wonderful dramatic talent and love of Drama.

Genevieve Goldman, Hannah Shteinman and Zev Shteinmann

New artwork unveiled in Innovation Centre 

This week saw the unveiling of a digital artwork of the New Innovation Centre by Toby Evans (Alumnus 2006), which is now located in the foyer. In a small ceremony, Toby unveiled and spoke about his work of art, which will now match his earlier painting of Aston Lodge (our Administration Building), completed and donated to the School in 2006, located in the my office.

Staying relevant in your child’s digital world

As many parents struggle to remain abreast of the advances in technology, I wanted to share an excerpt from an online publication, Parenting Ideas, that presented balanced advice:

1. Our role as parents is not to shut down the internet accounts and take away the screens, but rather to ensure we are giving them the skills, the support, the understanding and the critical thinking skills to make the very best decisions every time they go online.
2. We hear so much about the pitfalls and dangers of the connected world, we often overlook the vast possibilities digital technology can offer. Through digital devices, we now have countless amazing ways to connect and collaborate, raise awareness, create, learn and share. For young minds, this is a tremendous opportunity, and making full use of these tools can give them a big lead in today’s competitive world.
3. Measures to ensure that our children can reap the very best of what technology has to offer, while at the same time protecting them from those negative elements include:

• Taking an interest in current technological trends;
• Talking to your children, making them feel secure enough to discuss difficult topics with you;
• Putting yourself in the best position to remain relevant to your child’s world;
• Being the one they come to should things go wrong; and
• Being the one they come to share the positive experiences they have online.

The article can be located by following the link below:

www.parentingideas.com.au/blog/staying-relevant-in-your-childs-digital-world/

RUOK Day

On Thursday, Emanuel staff enjoyed a coffee and cake event to mark RUOK? Day. Research has shown that 7.3 million (45 per cent) of Australians aged 16 to 85 will experience a common mental health disorder (such as depression, anxiety or a substance use disorder) in their lifetime.¹With these statistics in mind, starting conversations by asking “RUOK?” help create connections and destigmatise mental illness.  A special thank you goes to the Year 9 Hospitality students who helped cater the event and to the School Canteen, Amaze-in-Taste and Grandma Moses who donated delicious treats.

¹ Mental Health Services in Australia, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia/report-contents/summary

Mazal tov

Mazal tov to our Years 3-6 students who achieved outstanding results in the Australian Mathematics Competition (see report in today’s Ma Nishma). Our Year 3s were entered for the first time and all participants achieved a Distinction or Credit. Daniel Newfield (Year 5) received the ‘Best in School’ award.

Quote of the week

“Your best teacher is your last mistake.”

Ralph Nader

Next Generation of Emanuel Alumni

Sonia Newell – Development Officer

Next Generation Of Emanuel Alumni

It is always a great privilege to share a “first” with our amazing community, and this week we celebrate a milestone “first”. Yesterday we witnessed the Class of 2018’s final School Assembly and one member of this cohort, Benjamin Dobrin, is the first child of an alumnus to have completed his schooling here at Emanuel from Year K to Year 12.  Benjamin’s father, Greg Dobrin is from the Class of 1990.

Benjamin’s classmate Lauren Faul is also the child of an Emanuel graduate.  Lauren started at the School in Year 7 and her mother Danni Faul (nee Jenner) finished school in 1991. You can see both Danni and Greg in their Year 11 photo taken in 1989 and if you look closely, you will see a few more current parents too – Bryan Narunsky, Nadine Ben-Mayor (nee Weinberger) and Phillip Hakim.

Greg Dobrin (Class of 1990) with his son Benjamin (Class of 2018)

Lauren Faul (Class of 2018) with her mother, Danni Paul (Class of 1991)

Breakfast With Emanuel

We look forward to our breakfast session next Wednesday morning 26 September when 2 of our inspiring Jewish Studies teachers Kobi Bloom and Daniel Samowitz, who is also an Emanuel alumnus (Class of 2004) will provide us with a fascinating insight into how our students are guided to embrace and foster a love of Judaism that can be sustained throughout their life.  RSVP: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

More Alumni News

Rachel Buch (Class of 2011) has received a residency in Paris for ceramics as part of the National Art School (NAS) international residency program. 2019 is going to be a very busy year for Rachel – she has a residency in Curtin Springs, Northern Territory for 2 weeks, then 3 months residency in Onkaparinga, South Australia before she heads off to Paris at the end of next April to the Onslow Storrier Studio at La Cite Internationale des Arts for 3 months. We wish Rachel Mazal Tov and all the best for these amazing adventures.

If you have news you would like to share, please let us know: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

From the Primary School

Helen Maynard Director of Studies K-6

Engaging in Seesaw with your children

As you are aware, Seesaw is an online platform that allows you to engage with what your children are doing in class. Teachers use this to share work your child has done throughout the term. I recently asked my Mathematics students (a very small sample) whether or not they discussed their learning on Seesaw with their parents and it would appear that not many had done so. Discussing what is happening with your child’s learning can be very insightful.

Below are some sentence starters that may be helpful to start a conversation.

• Wow! You did a great job because ….
• Have you considered?
• Interesting, this made me think of ….
• I’m proud of you because …..
• What challenges did you find with this task? How did you overcome them?
• What are you proud of with this piece of work? What makes you say this?

Science and Technology Syllabus update

In 2019 the Years K-6 teachers will implement a new Science and Technology Syllabus. Teachers have been familiarising themselves throughout this year with the document. You can find more information via the link below:

https://tinyurl.com/yc4zkxvm

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel

Who is calling?

These days of Aseret Yemei Teshuvah (the Ten Days of Reflective Returning), which began with Rosh HaShanah and culminate in Yom Kippur, more than any other time in our Jewish calendar, are fraught with thoughts of the fragility and preciousness of life. One piyyut (liturgical poem), at the center of our Yom Kippur service, is most confronting in this regard:

“Who shall live and who shall die…who by fire and who by water…”

The renowned Jewish singer/songwriter, poet and novelist, Leonard Cohen, who recently passed, wrote his rendering of this prayer, in the song Who by Fire? He recounts: “This song arises from a prayer on the Day of Atonement. I used to stand beside my tall uncles in their black suits waiting for this prayer .. But, of course, the conclusion of the song, as I write it, is somewhat different: “Who shall I say is calling?”

In our lives of joy and sorrow, torment and triumph, facing the uncertainty of another year, we yearn to know, even as we cannot, who is calling us. Who has called us into and who might call us out of this world. Who calls us into account and who calls us to be an agent in our own salvation.

Having experienced the vicissitudes and blessings of life, who in this mirror is calling, hoping for another year, a renewal, a returning to a holistic self. Not knowing when or how we might be called, perhaps we can better discern who is calling.

I find his call to us, in this prayer/song, both sobering and inspiring, and invite you to share your reflections on Cohen’s Who by Fire? and/or the Yom Kippur prayer upon which it is based.

For us all, may the sound of the shofar call us into a year of renewed vitality, celebrated meaning and personal and communal tikkun and growth.

לשנה טובה תכתבו ותחתמו – LeShanah Tovah Tikateivu VeTeichateimu

Who by Fire? Leonard Cohen

 And who by fire, who by water
Who in the sunshine, who in the night time
Who by high ordeal, who by common trial
Who in your merry-merry month of may
Who by very slow decay
And who shall I say is calling?

And who in her lonely slip, who by barbiturate
Who in these realms of love, who by something blunt
Who by avalanche, who by powder
Who for his greed, who for his hunger
And who shall I say is calling?

And who by brave assent, who by accident
Who in solitude, who in this mirror
Who by his lady’s command, who by his own hand
Who in mortal chains, who in power
And who shall I say is calling?

Year 8 Hebrew Machaneh Krembo

Ruth Harvey – Head of Hebrew

מחנה קרמבו

Machaneh Krembo

Australia has lamingtons and Tim-Tams as its traditional sweet treats, and Israel has the iconic Krembo. It is a light and fluffy whipped marshmallow dome covered in a thin layer of chocolate and stands on a delicious biscuit base. The word Krembo is a combination of two words: krem meaning ‘cream’, and bo, meaning ‘in it’. It is not difficult to work out why it was so named. Because of its delicate structure each Krembo is individually, manually and lovingly wrapped with a very thin foil.

And so it was befitting to name our Year 8 Hebrew Machaneh (Camp), Machaneh Krembo. Sixteen students and their teachers, Oren Thaler and Ruth Harvey, were joined by our visiting Israeli madrichim, Talia, Tani, Noa, Tal and Hilit, for a three-day, two-night adventure. We stayed at the Chabad House in St Ives where we were extended generous hospitality. The camp centred around the students, but Hebrew was the star! Participants listened to instructions in Hebrew, played games in Hebrew, sang in Hebrew, ate in Hebrew, prayed in Hebrew, some even related their experience in their diary and journal in Hebrew. Highlights were many and varied from person to person, but the medurah (campfire) at night under the stars was, without a doubt, a most memorable experience. We sang and danced and felt as one. Here are some of the students’ reflections and photos, which depict the spirit of Machaneh Krembo.

From the Music Department

Recent student performances

Mazal tov to our Junior Choir who sang so beautifully at Rosh Hashanah Grandparents and Friends Day assembly last week. Many thanks to Elizabeth Birrell for preparing them for their performance of Lo Alecha and to the parents who brought them in for additional early morning rehearsals and soundchecks.The Intermediate Jazz Ensemble also entertained guests at this event, performing a half hour set. Thanks to Talia Sinani, Jake Lewitton, Jemma Bennett and Samara Trenaman, all in Year 10, and to George Nikolopoulos for directing this ensemble.

Save the date

Night of Instrumental Music:  Tuesday 6 November (6.00 pm)

Deadline – Private Music Tuition and Infant Strings Program

The due date for new enrolments, notification of changes or intention to discontinue private tuition or Infants String Program for Term 4 was Friday 7 September. All students currently receiving private music tuition and students participating in the Infant Strings Program will be automatically entered into tutor schedules for next term and committed to the full term of lessons. Parents who wish to advise us of discontinuations or new enrolments should do so using one of the online forms, which can be accessed from the links below. If your child intends to discontinue, formal notification in advance must be given using the online discontinuation form, otherwise parents will be liable for fees for next term. Please contact Deborah Beder by email to music@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.auif you have any questions.

Links to online forms  

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

To discontinue private tuition for Term 4: http://tinyurl.com/PrivateTuitionDiscontinuation

To enrol into the Infant Strings Program: http://tinyurl.com/InfantStringsEnrolment

To discontinue Infant Strings Program for Term 4: http://tinyurl.com/InfantStringsDiscontinuations

Australian Mathematics Competition results

Colleen Elkins | Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator K-6

Students in Years 3-6 Gifted and Talented Extension Mathematics groups entered the annual Australian Mathematics Competition in August. This external examination created by the Australian Mathematics Trust is created to challenge high achieving Mathematics students. Congratulations to our students on their outstanding results, listed below:

Year 3 – Distinction

Noah Revelman, Micah Esra and Sam Carpenter

Year 3 – Credit – Gil Banna

Year 4 – Distinction

Gideon Owen, Ari Smaller and Jessica Smith

Year 4 – Credit – Noa Rosenzveig, Jake Isenberg and Avalon Gold

Year 5 – Distinction – Daniel Newfield

Year 5 – Credit – Ashley Cohn, Daliah Smagarinsky, Aaron Berkowitz, Raphael Harpaz, Zack Gerber, Violet Nathanson, Ashleigh Gold, Jayden Segal, Niek Nathan and Gabriella Solomon

Year 6 – Distinction – Oren Levin-Kahn, Dean Klugman and Alice Milner

Year 6 Credit – Jacinta Shevelev, Willow Gelin, Jesse Barel, Miriam Stubbs-Goulston, Ethan Hirst, Alexander Kirievsky and Charlie Kerlander

Primary Innovation-a-thon

Sophie Poisel | Innovation Leader K – 6

Emanuel School is dedicated to providing experiences that foster the development of skills and dispositions that will benefit our students now and in the future. We are excited to announce that this year’s -a-thon is focused on developing innovative thinking. This will take place in Week 10. Last week all parents received an email outlining the -a-thon details, a sponsorship form and links to suggested activities. All students have taken home an Innovator’s notebook to record their ideas.

As in previous years, one of the purposes of the Innovation-a-thon is to raise money for the School. Sponsors can pledge an amount per task achieved / disposition displayed or pledge a fixed lump sum amount. We ask that children only seek sponsorship for this event with the guidance of their parents and children should not approach strangers. Every dollar raised by the school will be matched by the JCA. Cheques can be made payable to Emanuel School. Funds raised will help the School to buy new equipment and resources for the Primary School. We are very keen to encourage Primary students to offer suggestions for how this money could be spent and will start collecting these ideas at morning prayer sessions and assemblies.

From the Primary Library

Three more students managed to beat the deadline for completing the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge 2018 – Gemma Wainstein and Jordan Pal, Year 5 and Aron Harpaz, Year 7. Well done.

This makes a total of 83 students completing the Challenge. Congratulations.

New books in the Primary Library

 There are many new books arriving in the Primary Library, two in particular are amusing picture books and another is the first in a new series.

The Cat Wants Cuddles by P Crumble and L Gifford

Those who have a cat will probably relate to this story as many cats can be temperamental and act as though they are above all that foolish making up to the humans that dogs do. 

Summary: Kevin doesn’t want a pat. He doesn’t want a tickle. And he definitely does NOT want a cuddle. There’s absolutely no way this hilarious cat is going to change his mind about that. Or will he?

Pig the Grub by Aaron Blabey.

In previous books we we have seen Pig showing his antisocial behaviour when he would not share his toys with Trevor (Pig the Pug), telling lies (Pig the Fibber) and also doing anything necessary to win, even if it means cheating (Pig the Winner). Now we have Pig the Grub. 

Summary: Eww! What a stinker! Pig isn’t just the world’s greediest Pug, he’s the dirtiest too. It’s high time he had a bath! But try telling Pig that.

The Coming of the Whirlpool by Andrew McGahan. (Ship Kings series. Book 1)

This is the first in a new series by Andrew McGahan, an Australian author who lives in Victoria. He has won many awards for his writing and was shortlisted for the Manning Clark House National Cultural Awards for his contribution to Australian Literature.

Dow Amber is no sailor but wants to learn about sea-faring so he goes down to the great grim bay known as the Claw. However, the people down there do not sail! Why? The bay is haunted by a gigantic whirlpool that steals away their sons. 

When the Ship Kings sail into the Claw in tall ships he feels that his future may be with them, but will the whirlpool rise again and drown him? Read the book and find out.

Meir House

Hey everyone we are back! We really hope you all had a great Rosh Hashana break. What a great time to refuel and relax. Now back to some more news about our great house, Meir.

House Assembly

At last House Assembly, Meir and Szenes joined forces to have an exciting battle of the Houses which involved Meirians competing against Szenesians in a Sudoku and debating competition. It was a great experience for kids to get out of their comfort zone and participate for their House. We are proud to announce that Meir won all competitions and grew as a strong House.

We are in a very unique situation because we have the ability to make Meir’s identity however we want. We are working hard to make sure Meir will have a reputation for being, kind, inclusive and competitive – a force to be reckoned with!

This week we started our preparation for the House Music Competition. The Year 11 Meirians have put in a lot of time and effort to create an awesome ‘Big House’ item and we are all looking forward to learning and practicing together.

Numeracy Week

Thank you to all Meirians who participated in Numeracy Week last week. It was great to see so many Meirians involved in the Sudoku Challenge, Pi Challenge and Treasure Hunt.

Year 7 afternoon tea

Last week, Year 7 Meirians ran an afternoon tea for the whole of Year 7. Our very own Meirians were responsible for co-ordinating and running activities for every student in the year. The reports from the Year 7 Tutors were that the afternoon was fantastic fun and they were amazed at how each Meirian took responsibility for their activity and led the group in an enjoyable afternoon.

A big congratulations to Year 7 and Mr Thaler on creating such a fun afternoon for Year 7.

Dylan Herdan

Greg Allen

Meet a Meirian

Introducing Meet a Meirian! Here we will ask a randomly selected Meirian three interesting questions and show you their answers. Our first Meirian’s we have chosen are our leaders, the Meir Madrachim,  Dylan Herdan and Greg Allen

If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?

I would lie awake in bed all night in an attempt to simulate sleep. Greg

I’d probably still sleep out of choice. If not sleep, then I would eat or binge something on Netflix. Dylan

What fictional place would you most like to go? Why?

Middle Earth, specifically the Shire. I would much enjoy the Hobbit way of life. Very scenic too. Greg

I’ve got a few places I want to go to. It would either be Hogwarts, Xavier’s school for gifted and talented youngsters (from x-men) or Professor Oak’s lab (from Pokémon). I’d either get magic, super powers or a Pokémon so I wouldn’t be too fussy. Dylan

What age do you wish you could permanently be? Why?

Age 25. Aside from it being my lucky number it means that my brain would be fully developed and I would be able to remain physically active. Greg

I feel like around 25 is the perfect middle ground of not being too old or too young. Dylan

Stay tuned for another Meet A Meirian.

Have a great weekend!

Love the Meir Advocates

Charlotte and Tara

Quote – Golda Meir

“It is not only a matter, I believe, of religious observance and practice. To me, being Jewish means and has always meant being proud to be part of a people that has maintained its distinct identity for more than 2,000 years.”

Connecting our Community – Gesher

Sonia Newell – Development Officer

We hope you and your loved ones have had a good start to the New Year and we wish you an easy Fast.

Alumni Pilot Program – can you help?

Are you a current employer who may have vacancies to offer?
Would you be interested in helping out our Year 12s when they leave and/or other Emanuel alumni?

We are currently reviewing and gauging interest in a potential program.

If this is of interest to you, please be in touch: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Breakfast with Emanuel – 26 September

By now you should have received the invitation to our upcoming Breakfast with Emanuel. We hope to see you at this event on Wednesday 26 September.
RSVP to snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Shir Madness 2018 – Jewish Music Festival – Sunday 7 October

Shir Madness is a volunteer run, non-profit, grass roots initiative run by a group of highly competent community-minded people who are passionate about music. Some of the key personnel on the organising committee are from our Emanuel School community, including current parent Michael Beaudoin and past parents Estelle Rozinski and Judy Menczel. This one-day festival will showcase and celebrate the very best of Jewish music and Jewish performers from Australia and overseas. Emanuel alumni, students and parents have volunteered for a number of roles on the day at past events and we are hoping for the same this year: https://shirmadness.com/volunteer/

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

Gifted and Talented Parent Workshops