From the Principal

Andrew Watt

Chavayah: the trip of a lifetime

On Wednesday afternoon our excited Year 10 adventurers farewelled their principal and parents at Sydney airport, to embark upon a 6-week cultural immersion program in Israel. Chavayah aims for each participant to develop strong links with Israel, through a better understanding of its history, geography, education, key landmarks, religion, culture and food. Additionally, Chavayah serves to strengthen the bonds within the year group, through shared experiences and memories. Highlights of the Chavayah experience include:

• Visiting the Kotel and mixing with Israelis and Jews from all over the world;
• Shopping and enjoying Machaneh Yehudah market – its stalls, the food and the hustle and bustle;
• Hiking up Masada followed by floating in the Dead Sea;
• Visiting Yad VaShem and reflecting upon our people’s commitment to remembering (Zachor) and to working for a world free of genocide and intolerance; and
• Hiking in the beautiful Makhtesh Ramon, often cited as one of the highlights by our students

We look forward to hearing all about the challenges and triumphs of the 2018 Chavayah in Term 1 next year.

Promoting a lifelong love of learning

Our teachers as well as our students are on a learning journey. Emanuel Teacher Scholarships are allocated each year and provide our staff with an opportunity to engage in further study, exploring areas of interest related to education. Our teachers return to Emanuel School energised and keen to share and apply their insights and experiences. The 2019 Emanuel Teacher Scholarships have been awarded to Ruth Harvey, Head of High School Hebrew and Meghan Caroll, Deputy Head of Primary School. Ms Harvey will be attending the AFMLA International Languages Conference in Tasmania, looking at raising levels of proficiency in literacy, critical thinking and metalanguages, applied to the study of Hebrew. Ms Carroll will be learning more about mindfulness and positive psychology, seeking to promote wellbeing and resilience, through the Paws.b training program. We congratulate our scholarship recipients and look forward to their presentations at our staff meetings.

Our new Year 7 Coordinator

Christian Bell has been appointed to this acting position and will serve for two years, until the return of Ms Minton from her maternity leave. Mr Bell has enjoyed a lengthy handover and is looking forward to supporting our students with the transition from Primary School to High School. Preparations for the memorable and enjoyable Year 7 camp are well underway and tutor group teachers and peer support leaders are preparing for the start of 2019.

The beauty of the written word 

An appreciative audience were treated to a wonderful showcase of student writing across a range of genres. The outstanding work of our aspiring poets and authors across Years 7 to 12 was recognised, through awards for Most Dedicated Writer and Writer of the Year. Professional writer, Brittany Belisle, describes writing as “something magical, enabling you to express yourself without having to physically speak the words. It helps release emotion and reflect on life. Writing is a way of escaping reality and using your imagination. Writing is a method of self-exploration as well as a means of observing the universe. Gliding a pen tip across a piece of paper is freedom, freedom to write whatever your heart and mind desire”. Many thanks to David Camp and the English Department.

Senior winners, Beau Glass, Isabella Rosenberg, Aaron Ellis-Bloor, Isabella Brockwell

Arielle Melamed

SBS Child Genius Program

SBS has just screened Child Genius, a 6 part series which featured Arielle Melamed from Year 7.

Several hundred students between the ages of 7 and 12 applied to be on the reality TV show with 100 making it through to the Skype interview, after which 40 would-be contestants were called in to undergo a battery of tests. From this group 19 contestants were drawn who then appeared on the show.

A confident and reflective student, Arielle was not eliminated from the competition until the semi-finals. Much of the material broadcast focussed on Arielle’s positive outlook, compassion for others, hardworking ethos and close family ties. Arielle exemplifies our best hope for all Emanuel students, that each one excels in their chosen individual pursuit.

Mazal Tov

• To our Madrichim, who served with poise and dignity as the Guard of Honour, at Jeremy Spinak’s funeral.
• Scott Reuveny and Jamie Schneider, the Emanuel representatives for the Cook for Good Mitzvah Day at Our Big Kitchen on Sunday 18 November. They had to cook meals, pack them and deliver them to those in need.
• Chelsea Rutstein (Year 12, 2019) Fishing Achievements – Australian National Sportfishing Association NSW Presentation Night – Out of the whole of NSW, Chelsea came 3^rd in Longest European Carp fishing against men, women and juniors. Among other awards, Chelsea also won Ladies Champion, Junior Champion and Overall Club Champion as well as Most Meritorious capture for a Marlin that took her 5hrs 10mins!

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.

1. 1. Paid/Unpaid?
   2. Industry
   3. Length of time
   4. Job Name
   5. Duties and descriptions
   6. Contact details

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

Quote of the week

With an education you all have everything you need to rise above all of the noise and fulfil every last one of your dreams

Michelle Obama

From the Primary School

Helen Maynard Director of Studies K-6

Primary School Home Learning Policy

We are pleased to announce that our Home Learning Policy for implementation 2019 has been approved and is ready to share with you. Here is link to this policy and a Home Learning Parent Resources page (which is embedded in the policy);https://myportal.emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Primary-School-Home-Learning-Policy.pdf 

Much consideration and time was put into this venture to ensure that we developed something that was the ‘best fit’ for our school and had educational merit. We looked closely at research, surveyed parents and students and discussed with staff at length. You will note that there is a strong emphasis on regular reading as this is something that we know impacts positively on class learning. It is pertinent to note that we have been embedding our back to basic program in our Mathematics classes so felt that this initiative addressed this aspect of learning. 

I would like to thank the staff, but in particular, Carrie Grieve, Lara Kepitis, Tanya Jeckeln, Stacey Rosenfeld, Emma Hill, Roslynn Pardy, Emma Buzo, Tali Silberstein and Renee Levenson who made up the committee that met regularly to work on this policy. Please contact myself via my email or telephone should you wish to discuss further.

K-2 Home Readers

As I am sure you have realised the school has invested a large amount of money in purchasing new books for the students in Kindergarten and Years 1 and 2 to bring home to read. This is a wonderful addition to our resource bank and has taken a considerable amount of time and effort from the teacher’s aides and class teachers, of which I am very grateful. It has been mentioned to me a number of times that these readers do not always make it back into school. Can I please ask that you ensure they come back to school – even if it is after a clean out. We have clearly labelled them on the front cover as Emanuel School property.

On another note the books that were culled, destined for landfill, are currently in a container ready for a school on the outskirts of Freetown in Sierra Leone. These will be hand delivered by a friend of mine in January.

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel

Kisses: Betraying or Bestowing

It is not happenstance that in the Hebrew language the root word for kiss is the same as that for weapon (נשק). Kisses can hurt and kisses can heal.

Ya’akov kissed his blind father, Yitschak, in an act of betrayal, to secure the blessing of the firstborn (which was to go to the older Eisav). ‘And, he (Ya’akov) kissed him (Yitschak) and he (Yitschak) smelled the scent of his (Jacob’s) clothes, and he blessed him’. The clothes, in fact, were Eisav’s, and so the Rabbis say “don’t read ‘his clothes’ but ‘his betrayals’”, as the Hebrew root word for clothes and betrayal is the same.

In this week’s parashah, VaYishlach, Ya’akov encounters his twin Eisav for the first time, since his kiss of betrayal. Their reunion, like their disunion, features a kiss. ‘And, Eisav ran to greet him. He embraced him and, falling upon his neck, he kissed him and they wept’.

As the masoretic text has dots (‘Puncta extraordinaria’) appearing over the word VaYishakeihu – ‘He kissed him’, a commentator, punning on the root word ,נשק meaning kiss or weapon, says Eisav ‘bit him’. Eisav, he posits, could not possibly be as forgiving as the text presents.

Clearly, however, this is a moment of reconciliation. Even more, Eisav’s kiss is linked to a reversal of Ya’akov’s betrayal and his taking of the firstborn’s blessing. Right before the kiss, we read that Ya’akov ‘bowed down to the ground, seven times, until he was near his brother’. The blessing bestowed upon Ya’akov was ‘Be master over your brothers and may your mother’s son bow to you’. Ya’akov goes on to say to his brother Eisav: ‘Please take my blessing that I have brought to you’

Both good intentions and bad are sealed with a kiss. Ya’akov learns that the truly blessed are those who bestow rather than betray brotherly love.

Student Devar Torah

Gabriela Amoils – Year 12 2019

In this week’s parashah, God tells Ya’akov to return home. Worried that his brother Eisav will kill him, Ya’akov divides his clan into two camps, to ensure some will survive in case of a fight.

Ya’akov sleeps alone in the desert and is encountered by a stranger with whom he wrestles until the morning. With a dislocated hip but still alive, Ya’akov gets renamed Yisra’el by the stranger, meaning one who wrestles with God. Ya’a’kov meets his brother and, surprisingly, they kiss and embrace.

After years of heated disagreement Ya’akov and Eisav are reconciled. Their relationship is somewhat awkward, and they will never be the closest of brothers. Still, for the first time each can accept the other as he is; each can see the other’s wealth without wanting it.

What has changed? How can two people, after one deceived the other and the other threatened to kill him, now embrace?

During their childhood, Eisav and Ya’akov were in fierce competition. Each was beloved by one parent, but felt the other was the favoured child. Each wanted what the other had. Nothing was worthwhile wanting, unless it belonged to the other.

It feels as if they are never happy with what they have, and are always in need of more, to spite the other. They are children competing for their parents’ attention and gifts. Each is too needy to acknowledge the other’s needs.

When they reunite, Eisav and Ya’akov have overcome their neediness. Each has a family, retainers and possessions acquired through his own efforts. Ya’akov, who has always gained at Eisav’s expense, offers him a gift. Eisav refuses, saying, “I have enough, my brother; let what you have remain yours”. Ya’akov insists, claiming, “God has favoured me and I have plenty”

Each of the brothers is now able to recognise how much he has; secure in themselves, they have no need to envy each other.

Each and every one one of us is constantly striving to achieve some goal. Absorbed in our efforts, we sometimes lose sight of how much we already have, and focus on what others have. We envy the achievements of others rather than appreciate our own. Only when we learn to value what we are and what we have, can we live at ease with others. 

This is a big issue in our lives. We should all take time in our lives to focus on what we have and achieved, and not the achievements and possessions of others. For example, When getting an exam back, you shouldn’t be comparing marks and seeing whom you did better than or who did better than you, you should just focus on your own marks and your personal happiness.

This biblical story teaches us a valuable lesson about jealousy. In the end, jealousy will only be detrimental to oneself, until that jealousy can be replaced with inner satisfaction. 

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

Silk Challah Covers

Guided by Ms Heilpern in Visual Arts this semester, Year 6 students designed and created their own unique and beautiful challah covers in silk. This project has been part of their Pathways Shabbat and Primary Graduation preparation and celebration. 

Tamarah Aaron

Ella Sherman

Maya Zyl

Year 6 סידור Siddur and תפילה  Tefillah Reflections 

In Jewish Studies this semester, students have been researching a prayer from the Friday night Shabbat service and creating responses and interpretation to the prayers to form part of a special Pathways Siddur to be used during their ceremony. Below are some samples of student responses:

Writers’ Awards

David Camp – Head of English

‘Writing is its own reward’

Henry Miller

The Emanuel School Writers’ Awards were held in the Millie Phillips Theatre on Monday the 19 November. Students were recognised on the night for their high quality of writing throughout the year, with their work displayed on the night. Students’ works included essays, short stories, feature articles, speeches, book reviews and poetry.

Two winners were selected from each year group on the night – a Most Dedicated Writer and a Writer of the Year. Our Most Dedicated Writer Awards go to the students who have worked to improve their writing or who have shown great consistency in their writing this year. Our Writer of the Year Awards go to those students who have produced the most consistently excellent writing this year.

Below are the winners for 2018:

Year 7 Most Dedicated Writer: Alix Cane

Year 7 Writer of the Year: Jake Sharp

Year 8 Most Dedicated Writer: Lily Berger

Year 8 Writer of the Year: Anna Davis

Year 9 Most Dedicated Writer: Jordan Stein

Year 9 Writer of the Year: Jessica Lowy

Year 10 Most Dedicated Writer: Lachlan Corne

Year 10 Writer of the Year: Beau Glass

Year 11 Most Dedicated Writer: Isabella Rosenberg

Year 11 Writer of the Year: Adena Sheps

Year 12 Most Dedicated Writer: Aaron Ellis-Bloor

Year 12 Writer of the Year and Emanuel School Writer of the Year: Isabella Brockwell

Isabella Brockwell

Hebrew

Kindergarten Assembly

Shirley Arad, Primary Hebrew Teacher, wanted to share our Year K students’ joy in speaking and singing in Ivrit/Hebrew at their Assembly. We hope you enjoy watching our students playfully singing and presenting the days of the week, who is in class today and who is sick at home, counting and reciting the whole Alef-Beit in Hebrew.

Please click on the Assembly link below and enjoy: 

אנחנו שמחים לשתף אתכם בהישגים של תלמידי כיתת גן.  התלמידים למדו את ימי השבוע, מי בכיתה ומי חולה בבית. הם הציגו איך הם סופרים ויודעים להגיד את אותיות הא-ב.

אנא לחצו על הקישור  

Year 8 Hebrew

Kol Hakavod to Year 8 Hebrew students and their teacher Oren Thaler! They wrote a script, designed a set and costumes, acted in, edited and produced 2 entertaining short films for the Linguafest competition and even reached the finals! Click on the links below to watch and enjoy:  

Hebrew Linguafest

Emanuel Hebrew

Assembly Video

From the Primary Library

Ginette Cameron-Gardner Primary Teacher/Librarian

The Primary Library has a wide selection of books to appeal to the varied ages and interests of the students. We also have a selection of books in Hebrew which are borrowed more by parents, such as the Harry Potter [Hebrew] series JNF 492.4 ROW and The Kite Runner [Hebrew] by Khaled Hosseini JNF 492.4 HOS   

A tangle of magic by Valija Zinck. This is a zany, magical adventure. JF ZIN

Summary: Penelope lives with her mother and grandmother. She has been told that her father died years ago. She has grey hair even though she is only ten. When her mother has an accident and lands up in hospital, Penelope finds strange things happening to her. She wakes up to find her hair has changed drastically – it is no longer ‘limp grey strands sprouting from her head’ – she has a wild tangle of ‘hair as red as fire’. Other amazing things happen such as she can predict what her mother is going to ask, and this disturbs her mother.   

She hears her mother talking to her grandmother about a man who was the love of her life and she wonders… could the L. Gardener on the label on the envelope sent to her mother be Leo Gardener, her father? She confronts her mother and learns that not only is her father alive, he is also a wizard. Pamela has inherited his hair and perhaps she has also inherited his magic powers! She is determined to try and find him.

Grumpy little girls and the princess party by Lindsay Camp and Daniel Postgate. Located in Junior picture books at J CAM Specially purchased to appeal to the younger students.

Summary: Watch Out! Here come the Grumpy Little Girls — animal-mad Lulu, imaginative Maisie, tiny-but-fierce Ruby, and big, bouncy Fiz. Each very different, all very grumpy! Maisie’s going to have the best princess party ever. But when she sees Ruby’s perfect dress, she soon turns very grumpy indeed – after all she wants to the most beautiful princess there. But things turn from bad to worse when Lulu’s pet woodlouse accidentally gets squashed. This could turn out to be one of the grumpiest parties ever!                                   

                                            Girls can do anything by Caryl Hart; illustrated by Ali Pye. JNF 823.3 HAR.

Summary: Girls come in all different colours and sizes. They delight and amaze us. They’re full of surprises. Girls can do anything they want to do. And, if you are a girl, you can do these things too! Do you want to climb a mountain? Drive a fire engine? Become Prime Minister? Join the girls in the pages of this book to see the incredible things they do every day – and find out what you might like to do!  A picture book for every girl with a dream.

Superworm by Julia Donaldson; illustrated by Axel Scheffler. A fun story told in rhyme  – this book is located in the Poetry section of the Primary Library at JNF 808.81 DON.

Summary: Superworm is super-long. Superworm is super-strong. Watch him wiggle! See him squirm! There’s no one quite like Superworm! If there’s a problem, far or near, never fear … our hero’s here!

Superworm fishes Spider out of a well, and rescues Toad from a busy road. But who will come to Superworm’s rescue when he’s captured by a wicked Wizard Lizard? Luckily, Superworm’s creepy-crawly friends have a cunning plan. Will they succeed in rescuing him or not? Read the book and find out.

We have a diverse collection of fiction and non-fiction books, all with the aim of meeting the reading needs of the Emanuel Community and we encourage use of the Primary Library.                                                                  

If you would like to recommend books for our collection please contact me as suggestions are welcomed!

From the Head of Music

Diana Springford

Thank you to all Year 2 parents who brought their children to our Instrumental Program information morning this week. There is always much excitement as students consider which concert band instrument they would like to learn for the next four years in IP.  

Thank you to the Mendelssohn Chamber Strings who performed at the Writer’s Awards on Monday evening. This hard-working ensemble are now rehearsing for their performance with the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) at Emanuel Synagogue on the evening of Monday 26 November. They will be joined by five members from Moriah College and will perform Mendelssohn’s Sinfonia II (First Movement) with the ACO at the beginning of the evening’s concert.

Important reminders this term:

• Year 2 (and New Years 3-6 in 2019) Instrument Allocation tests Tuesday 27 November for Year 2Y and Wednesday 28 November for Year 2T.
• Instrument Maintenance Check and Stocktake – Week 8 (commencing Tuesday 4 December).

All students who currently borrow a school instrument (including a percussion kit) must bring it to the Music Department on Tuesday 4 December for an instrument maintenance check. Instruments should be clean and have a student name tag attached with the instrument barcode on the reverse.  If this name tag is missing, please ask Mrs De Araujo in the music staffroom to label it for you. Full details of the instrument drop-off and collection procedure will be advised soon.    

Private Music Tuition and Infant Strings Program

Please note that from 2019, the cost of individual private music lessons will be charged at a rate of $44.00 per half-hour lesson (plus GST, if the tutor is registered to pay GST). This is the rate advised by the NSW Music Teachers Association. Lessons shared in pairs will cost $23.00 per student per half-hour lesson (plus GST where applicable). The Infant Strings Program (ISP) for students in Years K-2 will be charged at $255 per term on school fees, which includes the loan of an instrument.

Thank you to those who have already advised us of changes to private tuition and Infant Strings Program enrolments for next year. The deadline for new enrolments, notification of changes or intention to discontinue for Term 1, 2019 is Friday 23 November. All students currently receiving private music tuition, and students in Years K-1 who are currently participating in the Infant Strings Program, will be automatically re-enrolled into tutor schedules for 2019 along with students commencing lessons for the first time.  Parents should enrol or discontinue using one of the online forms accessed from the links below. If your child intends to discontinue, formal notification in advance must be received by the end of term to avoid being committed to the full term of lessons and liable for fees.                                                                                                           

Please contact Deborah Beder with any questions via email: music@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

The schedules for Term 1, 2019 will be created at the end of this term and emailed in late January.

Links to online forms  

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

To discontinue private tuition for 2019 :http://tinyurl.com/PrivateTuitionDiscontinuation

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

To discontinue Infant Strings Program for 2019:http://tinyurl.com/InfantStringsDiscontinuations

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

The Future of Journalism – Professor Attard – Senior Lecturer at UTS

I attended a talk from Professor Attard recently at a Careers event. Her main message was that “Journalism is NOT dead!! It is alive and kicking…it is bringing down governments, bringing banks to account, explaining the environment… so it is keeping people honest!” Journalism will always remain with us. It is a golden age for young people who want to enter the business. This is probably a different slant from what we usually hear.

Six hundred students are studying pure journalism and 600 students are studying joint Journalism as a major at UTS. Both UTS and Macleay College have the best journalist courses in the country – according to Professor Attard. She feels Journalism is the best job in the world – and has felt this way for the past 40 years. Multimedia journalism is now obviously where journalism is at. The ethos is that these institutions are producing        work-ready journalists, so there is a job at the end of the process.

There have been huge job losses – 2,500 job losses alone in print media. All of the newspapers constantly talk about Journalism dying off. The internet has created this fear. Journalists are still here, and public-interest Journalism is still alive and well. Humans need this. Fairfax and Newscorp has clearly dried up, and with attention spans having decreased by 1000% less than they were, the future audience has and is changed. Social media platforms are now where all of the data comes from, and this is where Journalism needs to be.

So, what is happening in Journalism schools….? Catch-up education (tacking on Social Media Journalism onto a standard Journalism courses) has failed. Journalism students must have curiosity – this is not a taught skill. What needs to be taught is how to investigate.

Why are Macleay College students in high demand? Because they are taught properly, and digital learning is embedded throughout the whole degree, not tacked on as a modern ‘add-on’. At UTS, Journalism is embedded into a wider communications degree. Internships are built into both schools.

If you want to secure an informed population, the future of democracy, shining a light in dark corners, Journalism is for you. Cadetships exist, and the media industry is hungry for graduates who are digitally trained. Those who are curious, talented and eager will be the 4 Corners journalists of the future.

Macleay College – Bachelor of Journalism

www.macleay.edu.au/courses/bachelor-of-journalism

UTS – Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) https://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/courses/uts/600013.shtml

UNSW Bachelor of Media (Communication and Journalism)

www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/courses/unsw/422700.shtml

University of Sydney – Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/courses/usyd/513215.shtml

Charles Sturt University – Bachelor of Journalism

www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/courses/csu/211237.shtml

Careers Notices, Events, Articles

UNSW

Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders Program
Submit your application and supporting documentation by Friday, 30 November.

Art & Design Portfolio Entry
Portfolio submissions are now open and will be accepted until 11:59pm, Friday 30 November. 

Bachelor of Information Systems Admission Scheme (BISAS)
Applications are now open and will close on Sunday, 18 November. 

GAP Year

Whether to take a GAP year or not? This is a great article talking about the power of a GAP year or the power of unstructured time before entering into the workforce. It also touches on student resilience, the importance of working hard in a “crummy” job to save for a big expedition and the skills you learn along the way. Written by a UTS Academic.

www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/i-can-always-tell-the-students-who-ve-had-a-gap-year-20181119-p50gxi.html

(Source: MHSCareers November 2018)

Connecting our Community – Gesher

Sonia Newell          Development Officer

Returning to School

Last Sunday, over 40 people, including 25 members of the Class of 1998 and many of their teachers, came to Emanuel School to celebrate their 20-year reunion.  It was a wonderful afternoon full of reminiscing about school days and lots of catching up, as the majority of these graduates had not seen each other or been back at Emanuel School since they completed Year 12  twenty years ago! Three of these alum are current parents and a huge thank you goes to two of them – Samantha Butt (nee Finger) and Eve Guerry (Head Madricha, 1998) who were instrumental in getting this, first-ever, reunion organised. It was held in the courtyard outside the Innovation Centre, with entertainment provided by our amazing Intermediate Jazz Ensemble and their mentor George Nikolopoulos.  Samantha Butt noted ‘The kids were fantastic – we had lots of positive feedback and we really appreciate their time. The students were lovely to chat to and a few stayed to pass around some food! Very sweet kids and just demonstrates the beautiful nature of the school.’ 

This group of Emanuel graduates includes Lara Pitt, TV Presenter and Sports Journalist and Andrei Dolnikov, well-renowned Interior Architect and founder/CEO of “Binyan Studios 3D Visualisation”, who were both part of our Year 11 and 12 Careers Space event in May this year. David Brook, along with his wife Hana, also attended. They were instrumental in organising the amazing collaborative artwork that hangs in the LINC Building.  Several alumni came from interstate (Brisbane and Melbourne) and one was here from London. A tour around the campus to showcase all the changes made over the past 20 years brought gasps and comments on how fantastic the school looks and how it has progressed since their own school days.

‘It was truly magical to be back with friends and teachers in a place that holds such fond memories for me.’  Greg Segal (Head Madrich and Dux of 1998)

                                                 Thank you also to alumnus, Justin Moddel (Class of 2001), who volunteered his time to come along to the reunion and make amazing coffees for everyone. (www.muggshotcoffee.com)

Last Sunday morning, along with about 50 other people, many of whom are members of our extended School Community, I attended the official Sydney launch of past parent Xanti Bootcov’s book “But They Look so Happy”.  This book is a powerful memoir about her family and their journey, adopting two young traumatized children from Mexico.  The publisher talk by past parent Joanne Fedler (www.joannefedler.com) was very moving.  Xanti and her husband now live in Mauritius but also travel extensively between Sydney and South Africa.  You can read more about her and her book on: www.xantibootcov.com

 Do you know about Jene Screen?

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

Scholarships 2020

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director Kornmehl

Concerts

The children from all three groups have begun preparing for our end of year concerts. They are getting very excited to perform for their mums and dads.

The Seashells concert will be held on Wednesday 5 December at 9.30am in the Pre-school.  Morning tea will be served after the concert.

The Starfish and Dolphin concert and graduation will be held on Thursday 6 December at 6pm in the Multi-Purpose Hall of Emanuel School. A light dinner and snacks will be served afterwards in the Pre-school. The concerts are for parents only.

Conflict Resolution

At Kornmehl, we work very hard in Term 1 to establish strong connections and relationships with the children and to develop a sense of belonging and trust, based on mutual respect for each other. We talk to the children as we see things happening in the classroom and outside and bring these scenarios to the children during group time. This may be in the form of a discussion or through role plays using visual aids or props. We find, that when the children are able to see this visually, they are more able to internalise behaviours and think about strategies to resolve conflict. We often do role plays: first in the wrong way and then repeat it again after a brief discussion in the right way. We also focus on children taking responsibility for their actions by learning to use their words and express their feelings. Sometimes, it may take a while and things may need to be repeated several times, before children are able to regulate themselves and make good choices. Some of the things we stress are: use your words, make eye-contact, make a good choice, put your red light on, stop and think, acknowledge feelings e.g. how are you feeling, how is your friend feeling. We also talk about consequences and what this may look like e.g. missing out on play, having some quiet time in a quiet spot to calm ourselves and feel better. The children know that they can either walk away from the conflict, tell a teacher and ask for help or say “STOP, I don’t like that.” They learn how to stand up to their peers in the right way, how to use their words and not their bodies to resolve anger.

Throughout the year, we reinforce these strategies and it is rewarding to witness the children using them during the day, as well as being able to resolve conflict in a meaningful and calming way. We teach the children life skills, that will stay with them for the rest of their lives and stand them in good stead for developing resilience and having emotional confidence. We teach the children how to respect each other, how to share and take turns and how to take responsibility for their own actions and choices they make.

Valuing Inclusion

Our program is inclusive and values diversity and equity for all children enrolled. This means we enrol children with many different needs and abilities and this diversity brings a richness and depth to our program. It teaches the children life skills, builds resilience and encourages them to be open and accepting of everyone. Each child has a right to be at Pre-school. We are committed to the development and nurturing of mutually respectful relationships with children and families within our diverse community of learners. Our program includes and supports children and families with diverse abilities and alternative perspectives. We extend this attitude of inclusion, respect and acceptance to visitors, students and Pre-school staff members.

For us, as educators, it also means promoting a greater awareness and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and being. We acknowledge that the Pre-school stands on the land of the Gadigal people and that this land continues to be sacred to them.

We work closely with families and see this journey as a partnership, where relationships are strengthened based on trust, openness, respect and caring. It is important for all of us to remember that the pre-school experience for the children is about building relationships and forming friendships. These are achieved through the everyday experiences, the daily routine and the continuity in the learning.

Beach School

Last week we took the Starfish children on a visit to Clovelly Beach, where we joined a group of children from Clovelly Child Care Centre on their Beach School Program. On arrival at the beach, the children were so excited. Before their eyes was a huge expanse of beach sand – all to themselves. This beautiful space allowed the children the freedom to just run on the sand, enjoy the sensual feel of the sand under their feet and have  the opportunity to just run freely in an open space. The children were allowed to choose to either play on the sand or climb on the rocks and fossick in the rock pools. It was beautiful to watch them engage with their new friends from Clovelly Child Care and to share information, ideas and learn from each other. At the end of the play session, the children all enjoyed morning tea together on the benches under cover at Clovelly Beach. This visit was a lovely extension of our Bush School program and afforded us the opportunity to know that a visit to the beach with our young children is possible and presents another dimension to connecting children with nature and our local community.

Recycling week

The Pre-school is filled with beautiful Chanukiot made out of recycled materials. The children and parents have been very busy the past two weeks working on their Chanukiot. We are impressed by the variety and resourcefulness shown in all the designs. The children had so much fun working collaboratively with their mum or dad and in some cases both parents. It’s been a very special time and we thank parents for embracing this project and making the time to work with their children. 

Art Auction

Next week the Pre-school foyer will be filled with beautiful collaborative group art works. The children have been working on these since the beginning of the term. The art works will be displayed in the foyer and parents will have the opportunity to bid for their favourite piece.

From the Parents and Friends

Hi Everyone,

We hope you all had a great week and are looking forward to The Lion King!

Uniform Shop 

There are plenty of great-quality, second hand uniforms available at the Uniform Shop if you are looking for items! Now is the perfect time to stock up!

Group Together

It is that time of year where we are all organising presents. The Emanuel P&F has entered into a partnership with GroupTogether to use their system at a discounted rate and it is available to all of you.

It’s too easy to use the Emanuel promotional code on GroupTogether.  Once you click the big blue Get Started button, you will be asked a few simple questions (what would you like to call the collection, do you want to include a charity, how much would you like friends to contribute). The next question applies to who pays the fees. Please click the circle by Promo Code and tap in Emanuel2018.  That’s it – the code has been entered for the collection and the reduced fees will be calculated (instead of the usual charges of 4% + $0.25 per collection, the special rate for Emanuel Families is 1.2% + $0.20). If you have any questions or issues, please email Julie at help@grouptogether.com.

P&F Holiday Donations

Last week, we cleaned out our storage room and put together a few boxes of leftover items from our Mother’s and Father’s Day Gift Stalls (tabletop games, etc) and donated them, on behalf of the School, to the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House and The Friendship Circle. We hope they bring the recipients much enjoyment.

Enjoy the weekend,

Jen & Ruby