From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

A term to remember

As Term 2 comes to an end, we can pause briefly and reflect back on our online remote learning experience, followed by our more recent return to our campus. All members of our Emanuel School community have observed or experienced the constant stream of infection updates, financial hardships and uncertainty associated with this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. As restrictions ease and we return slowly to pre-COVID-19 conditions, we remain grateful that the impact in Australia has been so much less than in many countries. Our students have been magnificent; adaptable, caring and resilient. A common sentiment across the AHISA Headmaster’s forum has been a fresh appreciation of the manner in which many students have exceeded expectations, in terms of creativity, independence and quality of work. Our hope is that Term 3 will provide many opportunities for our students to shine and to re-engage with activities that have been unavailable for the past six months. Best wishes for a wonderful, restful break and enjoy my end of term video which I shared with the students today.

Reviewing travel plans for this break

Many of our families are planning holidays that will take them across NSW and for some, into Victoria. There has been much media coverage of the concerning upward trend in coronavirus infections in Victoria. The new cases are mainly concentrated in 10 Melbourne suburbs, identified as community transmission hotspots. Authorities have put in place a range of local restrictions. In the light of this, and in line with the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), NSW Health strongly discourages travel to and from these areas until control of community transmission has been confirmed. Parents are asked to factor this into their travel plans.

Important resources for parents

Have you ever struggled to work out how to best support your child as they transition through school, or to work out how to help them with their work or social interactions? The Gonski Institute for Education (GIE) has recently launched a set of parent guides, designed to support parents through a range of issues related to their child’s education with a combination of translated research and practical tips. The GIE resources, developed by Dr Amy Graham, are of a high quality and evidence based. Having a repository of parents guides that are regularly updated will be a genuine bonus for parents. The guides include:

• Being your child’s first and forever teacher: How to be an effective partner in your child’s leaning;
• Parental beliefs: Why these matter to your child’s education;
• Starting School: How can you help your child get ready to make the transition;
• Social and emotional skills: A guide for parents;
• Why is play important?
• How to help your child grow in a digital world: and
• Moving from Primary to High School: How to help your child make the transition

A virtual silver lining

I am so impressed by the creative and professional virtual performance of The Incredibles by the Copland Concert Band, comprising students in Years 7-12. The piece was one of the silver linings of the COVID-19 lockdown and took many months of hard work to come to fruition. The project began during the period of online learning with students rehearsing at home. When they returned to school, the band’s physically distanced rehearsals meant that each section had to be recorded separately and then combined into one fluid piece by Music teacher, Remi Owen (who arranged and conducted the piece), with assistance from Music tutor, Eamon Dilworth. I am sure you’ll enjoy the performance as much as I have. 

What do you think?

Ma Nishma is one of the key ways we communicate with parents and grandparents. We have developed a short survey to collect your opinion of various aspects of the newsletter. This will help us with planning future editions and give us valuable insights. Please complete the survey as soon as possible so that you have this week’s issue in mind when responding.   

Year 7, 2021 

We acknowledge that there are usually a small number of Year 6 students who leave Emanuel School at the end of Primary School. Parents of students in Year 6 who are not continuing into Year 7 must provide the Principal with two terms’ written notice of their intention to withdraw their child from the School. In line with the policy, should your child not be continuing on to High School please send your notification to: principal@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au by this Friday 3 July.

Vacancy

We are looking for a parent or grandparent to join the Emanuel School team as our HSC Presiding Officer for 2020. For more information, please refer to the article, Looking for a job, in this week’s Ma Nishma.

Mazal tov

Joel Aaron and David Whitcombe

This morning I was lucky enough to watch the inaugural Primary Virtual Flash Mob Dance video. There were so many staff members and students involved in this mammoth task but I must particularly thank Renee Segal for inspiring and co-ordinating this project. You’ll find a review of the experience in the article entitled Dancing together apart.

Joel Aaron (Class of 2019) received his Certificate of Excellence from The Georgraphy Teachers Association in recognition of his 6^th place in the State for 2 Unit Geography, in last year’s HSC exams. His teacher, David Whitcombe, was also recognised as Joel’s Geography teacher.

Thank you to all the teachers – the Front Line Workers – for making it through such a challenging and stressful time with amazing outcomes of learning and wellbeing for our students.

Quote of the week

“It is you, the young and fearless at heart, the most diverse and educated generation in our history, who the nation is waiting to follow.”
Barak Obama

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Reunion

This week’s parashah, Chukkat, derives its name from its introductory teaching: “Chukkat” parah ha’adumah/“the law of” the red heifer. Chukkat being the constructive form of the word “chok”, stems from the root word “chakak” meaning engraved, immutable.

Yet the chok/law of the red heifer is anything but absolute and fixed as we quickly learn that the red heifer ritual renders the impure pure and the pure impure. The case of the red heifer was instrumental in the Rabbis declaring a chok to be a law beyond human ken which does not yield any rational explanation. They therefore presented the wisest of men, Solomon, as declaring:

“I have laboured to understand the word of God and have understood it all, except for the chok/law of the red heifer”.

Parashat Chukkat provides us with another example of that which appears to defy understanding. An onslaught of snakes kill the people yet it is a snake that serves to heal them. How can opposing qualities inhere in or opposite effects derive from one undifferentiated being. The snake, as depicted in the ancient ouroboros (its head swallowing its tail, representative of eternal return) generates its new being by means of its self-destruction. We are challenged to understand how two opposing poles makes for holistic being.

The Rabbinic tradition points out that the Hebrew word for snake, nachash, has the same numerical value as the Hebrew word for Messiah, mashiach. The snake which beckoned us to eat from the “tree of knowledge, good and bad” introduced us to a world of opposites in which a perceived duality blinds us to its true unity. At the same time the snake and we are the healing source for the fragmented world of our own making. We are always the messiah in potentia.

Primary news

Natanya Milner – Head of Primary

Health Department advice

As mentioned by Mr Watt, we continue to follow advice from the NSW Health Department in relation to COVID-19 related guidelines. Based upon this, it would be advisable not to travel to Victoria these holidays and in particular, not to visit any of the identified ‘outbreak areas’. At this stage, this includes Keilor Downs, Albanvale, Sunshine West, Maidstone, Hallam, Broadmeadows, Brunswick West, Faekner, Reservoir and Pakenham. We ask that you continue to check for any suburbs identified as we will continue to follow the Health Department advice.  

A request for assistance from The Indigenous Literacy Foundation

One of our good friends from Jilkminggan works for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF). They are regularly sending books and resources to support Aboriginal students to learn to read and write. The ILF is looking to source containers such as plastic tubs, to store and send the books in. Currently they are using items from retail stores and are wondering if anyone in our community makes or has connections with a company that could assist them. The containers they are currently using are 35x25x15cm and 30x20x40cm.

Please feel free to email me if you may be able to assist.

A unique term in review

I’m not sure how to even begin to review this past term. It has been amongst the strangest of my professional life and has highlighted some important messages that I have valued the opportunity to notice and reflect upon. 

The staff has begun meeting to discuss what we have learnt over this time and what we would like to consider as areas for change. This may include things we would like to introduce, cancel or adjust – both smaller, logistical considerations as well as significant shifts in the way we work with our children. We are excited to make the most of this unusual learning opportunity and will communicate these with you in the coming months.

I thought I would share some of my general insights:

Adaptability: An overwhelming message from this experience is that people are incredibly adaptable. Rapid change can be confronting and exhausting as well as exhilarating and fulfilling. Whilst it isn’t the mode we would like to work in all day everyday, it has certainly taught us that when we dive in, commit and persevere, significant shifts are possible in short timeframes.

Independence building: I have been so impressed with how the children have managed the additional expectations in terms of independence and responsibility. Whether it was online learning or even GWTF, our students remained impressive in the way they approached tasks, tried their best and often attempted things that they would not normally do at their age. It has been a wonderful reminder that if we provide them with ‘safe stretches’ they will often make the largest leaps forward. 

Collaboration: This time has allowed me to see the power of collaboration and teamwork. Our teams have worked together extraordinarily well to ensure the smoothest possible transitions. Each step was too big to be taken by individuals alone yet in teams, our teachers, parents and students managed to achieve incredible results.

Connection: Whilst I thought that as a community, everyone managed incredibly well, this term has also highlighted the importance of connection. Our teachers could not wait to return to campus and work with the children in their classrooms. I suspect many of our parents couldn’t wait too! The joy that we have felt as we have returned to activities that we previously considered ‘standard’ or ‘normal’ has been heartwarming. I know that I have loved every minute of my teaching this term and it has reminded me how lucky we are to have the best jobs in the world!

Virtual Flash Mob

I would like to thank the amazing Virtual Flash Mob team for their collaborative effort to create the Flash Mob Masterpiece. Despite my inability to perform my role to the expected standard (it will become plainly obvious if you watch the clip…it is very hard to say no to our children and they kept making me re-shoot until I complied), everyone else was fantastic and has created a lovely memory of the time of home learning and returning to school.

A huge thank you to Renee Segal who has been the mastermind behind the project. She dreamt it up, pulled the team together and made it happen. She was ably assisted by Drishti Nanwani, our Innovation Leader, Stuart Taylor and Mat Rabenda, our PE teachers; Eamon Lukins, our Year 6 Leadership Mentor and Stacey Rosenfeld, helper in all things.

The amazing Year 6 student team included the IT Leaders, Madrichim and House Captains. Particular thanks goes to the IT leaders; Ezra Glover-Sanders, Lia McLellan, Noa Rosenzveig, Jacob Solomon, Ben Vernik, Noah Vexler and Dylan Vitek as well as some of the Madrichim and House Captains including; Jemma Adler, Joey Becker, Lia Brock, Emma Butt, Orlando Gien, Amelie Mueller, Gemma Odes, Charlie Roth, Toni Sher and Jessica Smith. Of course – thank you to all the families who contributed clips too!

Please see the student report later in this Ma Nishma and look out for an email with the final version. I’m sure you’ll be as impressed as I am.

Term 3 information

We look forward to welcoming students back to school for Term 3 on Tuesday 21 July 2020.

Timing: From this date, our school hours return to 8.20 am – 3.30 pm. We ask for all children to be dropped off by 8.15 am so they are able to be ready for an 8.20 am start. We also encourage families to continue to use GWTF in order to keep the traffic moving at these peak times.

School life and learning: We hope and look forward to a full term of learning on campus. We aim for next term to begin with almost all regular activities up and running, including extra-curricular offerings. At this stage, we are looking to schedule our Years 3 – 6 Athletics carnival for early next term as we believe that the ASISSA carnival is also likely to be rescheduled for Term 3 (27 August 2020). Based upon current advice, we intend for choirs and all ensembles to begin again. At this stage, we are still awaiting advice that allows for our usual assemblies and for parents to be able to come on campus, other than in exceptional circumstances. We will no longer be doing temperature checks each morning when people enter campus. Years 3-5 camp will be decided upon with the campsite operators at the beginning of next term. Preparation for the musical begins in Term 3 and we are planning as though this will be happening as expected in November. The limiting factor that will require assessment is the audience size based on physical distancing regulations at the time. Just a reminder that the musical is a compulsory school event that takes place out of school hours.

Please diarise: Sunday 15 November 2020 (4.00 pm show), Monday 16 November 2020 (6.00 pm show) and Tuesday 17 November 2020 (6.00 pm show) to ensure all Years K – 6 students are available at these times.

Uniform: Students will continue to wear winter uniform for Term 3. I would like to remind parents about some of our uniform rules that could do with a little tightening up. Students can wear either shorts or pants with grey socks and skirts/tunics with either black tights or white socks. Students are not to wear leggings and socks under their uniforms. Students are asked to wear products from our uniform shop. General maroon/grey clothing items from other stores are not a part of our uniform. Please look under the uniform tab on the parent portal for further information.

Holidays

I wish you all well for the upcoming holidays. Hopefully this will be a time for our children and families to ‘sharpen the saw’. Whether you are spending time with family and friends, exploring out and about or inside reading a book, we hope you are able to rejuvenate. Take care and stay safe.

Our responsibility in rescuing refugees

Ruby Brody – Year 9

Our responsibility in rescuing refugees

Our Year 9 Slavery/עבדות, Responsibility/אחריות and Freedom/חירות class had a learning session with Emanuel parent, Shira Sebban, in which we discussed her work with refugees around the world.

She shared many stories about families that were in a מצר/מצרים, (narrow place physically and metaphorically) who were seeking to gain a new life of חירות (freedom) away from their מצרים. 

Hearing these stories made us think more deeply about the importance of freedom and being an  איש (upstander) to help free those in a “narrow place”.  She talked about three families that were dramatically affected by both שעבוד הנפש ושעבוד הגוף  (psychological and physical enslavement).  One family twice attempted to escape from their שעבוד (enslavement) and risked their lives in order to become בן/בת חורין (free people).

Sometimes they were simply denied entry to the countries in which they were seeking refuge. She spoke about how she helped each family member seek their own form of freedom and we understood how what she did was empowering to them. 

Ashley Goldman – Year 9

When families were caught trying to escape the country, they found it hard to seek job opportunities in order to provide for their families. Shira made sure they were each empowered to create their own source of income by helping them gain the necessary skills to work in a field of interest. 

One 16 year old boy loved to cook and worked hard to get into a school in which he learned to be a chef. Shira supported him by providing him with the means and encouragement to attend the prestigious school, which was empowering him to become his own free person (בן חורין).  In addition, the boy’s mum was finding it difficult to find work because she had a reputation for trying to escape the country, which limited job offers. She had a job washing dishes outside for 14-16 hours a day and then was only paid $1.00 – $2.00. Due to COVID-19, the mother was laid off from her work, which became the turning point of her attitude in becoming a free person (בת חורין). Previously, the mother didn’t want to accept help. Shira helped her by sending her son home and encouraged them, providing financial assistance through fundraising, to start their own business and become self-sufficient.

This was a very inspiring and touching pe’ulah for our class and it brought to our attention that you can turn your life around and move from being someone enslaved, psychologically and/or physically, to a free person. It also showed us that when we see others in a “narrow” place we are able to empower them to achieve their own freedom. Our eyes were opened to how lucky we are to have what we do and to live in Australia as free people. We also learned the responsibility (אחריות) we have to help others achieve their freedom (חירות).

By Ruby Brody and Ashley Goldman, Year 9

The Stolen Generations

Ella Hart – Year 9

Last week, in our Year 9 Slavery (עבדות) Responsibility (אחריות) and Freedom (חירות) Jewish Studies class, we had the honour of hearing from Uncle Paul Whitton and Auntie Lesley Franks. With the help of Dr. Ari Lander, they shared their stories as children of the Stolen Generations. This closely related to our semester topic about physical (שעבוד הגוף) and psychological slavery (שעבוד הנפש) and Jewish values, such as being an upstander (איש) and fighting for justice (צדק).

Paul explained to us what he had gone through. From the age of only four, he and his twin brother Pete, were kidnapped from his family, and taken to Kinchela Boys Home. I thought that this certainly would have been both physical and psychological enslavement for him. Paul was forced into heavy physical labour, but at the same time he was brought into a lot of violence at such a young age while having no contact with his family, which had a great impact on his mental health.

Lucinda Labi – Year 9

Sharing his story with us and others and by having the courage to speak up has enabled him to be more free. In addition to this it has also helped to educate people like us about a really important issue and teach us and others how this slavery continues to affect the lives of these individuals who are now adults.

Lesley’s father was also taken to Kinchela Boys Home when he was very young and experienced the same brutal experience as Paul. This motivated her to help educate other people on the slavery that Aboriginal people experienced. She told us about how Aboriginal children from as young as 13 years old were forced to do intense labour work for farms, without being paid. 

Hearing from Paul and Lesley gave us an insight into the history of slavery in Australia and helped us understand different ways for people to overcome slavery. It was really shocking to hear that things like this happened, especially to young children and it was amazing how both of them were able to share their stories with us. We are very grateful to be able to hear and learn from them.

By Ella Hart and Lucinda Labi, Year 9

DENIAL?

Year 10 Jewish Studies students are introduced to the Shoah

On Thursday 25 June 2020, Dr William Allington ‘Zoomed’ the Year 10 cohort, (seated in their separate classrooms,) to discuss the highly prevalent Holocaust denial. 

There were two sessions in the presentation. When we first entered our classrooms and listened to what he had to say, we thought we were being confronted by a Holocaust denier. Allington presented us with a range of facts to back up his arguments, claiming, amongst other things, that there is no real evidence to show that six million Jews were killed during WWII or that the main orders were directly from Hitler. Many students were extremely shocked and upset by this unprecedented confrontation, questioning his beliefs and his intentions. 

At the end of the first session, Allington, who is not Jewish, revealed to us that he was actually posing as a Holocaust denier the whole time and that he devotes his life to educating people on how to respond to Holocaust denial (and has in fact completed his Honours and PhD degrees on the subject).

During the second session, Allington taught us what to do if ever confronted by a Holocaust denier. He gave us a range of evidence and techniques to use to rebut against arguments of denial and the different pillars of denial that we could respond to. The presentation was extremely helpful as we are now able respectfully confront a Holocaust denier, as well as teach others about why the Holocaust did undoubtedly happen.

By Anna Gil-Munoz, Jayda Sacks and Tori Shapiro, Year 10

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

Morah Cohen’s Year 5 Hebrew class has been learning about a person’s best friend: the dog!

The students made posters to illustrate key words regarding dogs, such as: patting LELATEFF “ללטף”, walking the dog LETAYEL “לטייל”, and jumping up KOFETZ “קופץ”. After having so many dogs and pets join our learning from home, we wished we could bring our KLAVIM “כלבים” into the classroom!

Pablo Maggid

Matea Mermelshtayn

Louisa Rodney

Ethan Gross

In learning about Israeli culture, Year 4 learnt a popular children song written by Datiah Ben Dor called Ani Tamid Nesh’ar Ani  – I will always be myself and created their own dance to accompany their singing.

The Red Man

Primary Hebrew

Hannah Fekete, Year 5

Year 5 students read the story HaIsh HaYarok  האיש הירוק (the Green Man) and was able to change the story to be about a red man האיש האדום. This takes skill because she had to work out the type of noun she was describing as red (whether it was male/female/plural female/plural male) as you need to have a different ending on the adjective (Adom אדום/ Adumah אדומה/ Adumim אדומים/ Adumot אדומות).

Kol Hakavod Hannah!

Primary extra-curricular

Emma Hill – Co-ordinator of Extra Curricular Years K-6

Extra-curricular activities for Term 3, 2020

We are excited to announce that a number of extra-curricular clubs will resume in Term 3. Club information, including enrolment and booking details, are now online on the Parent Portal.

Please note clubs have minimum enrolment numbers.

The Term 3 Extra Curricular Schedule provides additional useful information.

Other fun activities available for Primary students:

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmehl

What a whirlwind of a term it has been for us all. Having said that, I am not sure where the last 10 weeks have just gone… We started out with only 20 children in week one. It was a very nervous and tentative start for us all. Educators were very anxious about being back after five weeks of being in lockdown and hardly venturing out at all. The new regime of drop-off and arrival time was something to get used to. No parents were allowed inside the Pre-school, and families were faced with the task of trying to look happy and confident as they handed their young children over at the door. Taking each child’s temperature was confronting for some children and there were many tears as children asserted their reluctance to comply. 

A testing time… a time of unknown and uncharted territory – never before been tried in our Pre-school. After all, our relationships with families is what we hold onto so fiercely and the daily contact with parents is part of each child’s educational journey of working collaboratively to support them in the way we know best – deep and meaningful relationships are at the heart and core of the children’s wellbeing and our philosophy.  

We soldiered on and the attendance numbers increased each week, as we slowly allowed more children back – 25, 30, 40, 50 and finally in Week 6 we were back to full time attendance of 60 children.

The tears at the door by Week 2 were almost non-existent, the children so happy to be back, walking confidently through the doors and into the classrooms, carrying their backpacks filled to the brim with their lunch, snack boxes and drink bottles. The weight almost pulled the children over as they walked bravely into their familiar spaces. The best part was the way educators empowered the children to unpack their bags each morning, placing their lunch, snack and fruit containers in the right baskets ready for the day, and placing their bags independently in their lockers. Some, of course, needed support in the first few weeks, but by week three had it down pat! 

How could this be, we wondered – normally the parents come in carrying their children’s bags, doing all the unpacking for them, sharing an activity or two and then saying goodbye. 

COVID-19 has shown us how resilient, how capable and competent these children are – from the little 3-year olds right up to the 5-year olds. They rose to the challenge and felt empowered.

We think it was also because they were just so happy to be back at Pre-school with their teachers and friends – their Kornmehl family!

They were happy to be back in the routines of each day – to be able to explore, wonder, imagine and play together, to discover and learn, to share their thoughts and ideas, and to feel a sense of belonging again.

On the other side, I have had many parents say “please don’t ever change the drop off and pick up at the door. We love it! We don’t have any more separation anxiety, my child knows just what to expect and of course we can get a car spot in the Kornmehl carpark now, no matter what time of the day we come.” 

It seems families are loving the ‘new normal.’

I have not yet spoken about the Kornmehl online program. You might be wondering how you can do an online program for 3 – 5 year olds. Yes, we were wondering how to do this too in those last two weeks of Term 1. It was a huge shock, a time of denial for the teachers, of disbelief…this can’t be happening. This goes against everything we believe in, of how young children learn best…

The Kornmehl teachers came to life and to the online party. They opened up their hearts and homes to the Kornmehl children and families. They were creative, shared their talents, their Shabbat dinners, their music, their pets, their love of arts and nature… the rest is history!  

I enjoyed, together with Alex and Renee, opening up our homes each Friday morning for a special Kornmehl Kabbalat Shabbat with our families. We sang together, did all the Brachot and even got up for a dance. Kornmehl Shabbat Zoom sessions lasted until Week 6 of this term. For the last five weeks of the term, we have been lucky enough to welcome Rabbi Ninio, every fortnight, back to our Shabbat on a Friday on Zoom. The children still hear her beautiful stories, sing her songs and share this special time with her each week. It’s as if she is right in the room with us. Thank you to Rabbi Ninio for continuing to join us in this way through these very difficult times.

In Term 2, our online program continued with Laura, Claudia and Amanda taking control at home, while the other teachers were at Pre-school, doing face to face teaching. The threesome were incredible, creative and resourceful. They released a weekly online program that was detailed, age-appropriate and engaging – a program that enabled families to engage in their own time and at their own pace. A daily Zoom session meant those families that wanted to connect had the opportunity to do so. It was not easy sharing with only 3-5 children on a Zoom session each day. It was disheartening when we knew there were at least 30 – 40 children still at home during the first few weeks back. This was a challenging task – from the point of view of not knowing how much families at home were engaging with the weekly online program. But we continued, with commitment and enthusiasm and knowing that even if only a few children came onto the Zoom session and accessed the stories, music, Hebrew lessons etc, it was a chance to connect and maintain the special bonds we share with those children and families.

When I look back on the term and all we have achieved and the obstacles we have moved through both personally and professionally, I can only be proud, very grateful and so happy, to be able to work with the wonderful teachers, children and families at Kornmehl.

I feel like we have all grown and learnt so much from this COVID-19 time – a time in history that many of us will never forget. I wonder in years to come, how the children will remember this time and how it will have influenced and shaped them – positively or negatively… One thing is for sure – this generation of children will all know how to wash their hands very well!

I think we have all learnt so much…. about ourselves as individuals, but also as a group and as a community of Australians. I for one, feel very blessed to be living in Australia right now through this difficult time in the world.

I wish you all a very happy, healthy and restful holiday. We will see you all back at Pre-school on Tuesday 21 July 2020.

Happy Birthday

This week we celebrated birthdays with the following children and educators: Abby Arnott (4), Evan Cohen (4), Penny Gomer (4) and our special educator Heather Marshall. We hope you all had a wonderful day.

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Time to sing again

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni and Community Relations

We are excited to let you know the latest issue of our bi-annual Grandparents & Friends newsletter has been emailed out to those grandparents who have emails on our database and we have mailed a hard copy to those for whom we only have a postal address. We thought you might also like to read the newsletter.

There are many grandparents for whom we have no contact details, so please pass this newsletter on and let us know updated contact details for these grandparents who I am sure would also love to stay connected with our beautiful School, perhaps even more so now whilst they cannot come to visit the campus.

You might also like to see our bi-annual Alumni newsletters in a new format. We truly have some amazing past students! These newsletters and all past Grandparents & Friends newsletters are available on the Emanuel School website.

Time to sing again

You may recall reading an article on this page recently about The Voice. I am really pleased to let you know Nathan Isaac (son of alumna Perlita Benhayon, Class of 1989), won his battle round on Monday night and now moves to the next round of performances on Team George.

The blind auditions and the battle rounds were filmed before the COVID-19 lockdown. Interestingly now, coaching for some of the contestants is being done by satellite, with Kelly and Boy George having enlisted local mentors to assist the artists on the ground. We wish Nathan every success for his journey on The Voice and beyond.

Emanuel Synagogue’s In Conversation series

Honouring First Nations sovereignty, part of Emanuel Synagogue’s In Conversation series is on Sunday July 5 2020 at 5.00 pm. 

The Honourable Justice Stephen Rothman AM with his grandson, Liam

Three outstanding speakers including Emanuel grandparent, The Honourable Justice Stephen Rothman AM, will discuss an important national issue. Register here to join this important conversation.

This series of talks is open to all members of the community; more details can be found on Emanuel Synagogue’s website or on Facebook  or by calling Emanuel Synagogue (02) 9389 6444.

Volunteers still needed for July Friendship Circle (FC) Camp

Many Emanuel families, past and present, have connections to FC either through their own volunteering efforts and/or they have a child with special needs who attends these amazing camps. It is not too late to sign up as a volunteer for FC Day Camp during the upcoming July School holidays to be held at North Shore Synagogue in Lindfield. 

They are still looking for volunteers to join them on Thursday 16 July 2020 and Friday 17 July 2020. 

Friendship Circle Winter Day Camp

Shabbat Shalom.

We hope you have a restful term break and look forward to sharing more news with you all in Term 3.

If you have photos and/or news to share, please send to: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Music Matters

Diana Springford – Head of Music

Making music an incredible way

If you have not yet done so, please listen to our Copland Concert Band’s exciting performance of The Incredibles theme, by Michael Giacchino, arranged and conducted by Mr Remi Owen with support from Mr Eamon Penner-Dilworth. Due to the restrictions of COVID-19, this ensemble has needed to rehearse in sectional groups spread out over many rooms, under the direction of both teachers.

Thank you to both of them for the enormous amount of work that went into the preparation of our musicians and the editing of video and sound in order to produce such a polished result.

Ensembles and choirs

All ensembles will resume from Tuesday 21 July 2020 (the first day of Term 3 for students). We are delighted that choirs can also resume from Term 3. Should there be any change to the advice on this, we will let you know via email during the holidays. Please note, rehearsals will revert to their original times, as per the schedule.

Private Tuition and Infant Strings Program

All tuition has now returned to normal with lessons live and onsite. Music tutors no longer have Zoom accounts and many Music rooms are without Wi-Fi. We can no longer auspice Zoom lessons for private music tuition.

Thank you to those who have already advised us of changes to private tuition and Infant Strings Program enrolments for next term. The deadline for new enrolments, notification of changes or intention to discontinue for Term 3 was in early June. If you would like to enrol, we can’t promise anything, but please email music@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au and we will see what we can organise. It’s certainly too late to discontinue. All students currently receiving private music tuition and ISP will be automatically re-enrolled into tutor schedules for next term along with students commencing lessons for the first time. 

Please contact Matilda Grieveo if you have any questions about private music tuition.   

The schedules for Term 3, 2020 will be created at the end of term and emailed in July.

High School Sport

Kristy Genc – Head of Sport

In recent weeks we have seen a return to sport training in the High School with Basketball, Football, Netball, Athletics and Rugby all returning to training. Students have been keen to get back to sport and have enjoyed quality training sessions that have been delivered in small groups and have focused on the fundamental skills and fitness of the core sports. 

In Term 3, High School Sport and EActive will provide many opportunities for students and registrations are now open for the following:

• Sydney Schools Cup Inter-School Competition
• Weekly Boys Futsal Competition (Years 7-10)
• Weekly Girls Netball Competition (Years 7-10)
• Basketball Winter Training Program 
  
• Weekly Inter-School Rugby Competition: Boys Years 7-12
  
• Athletics Training Program 
  

  EActive program 

  Registrations are now open for:

• Boys Fitness
• Girls Fitness
• Tennis 
• Gymnastics
• Pilates

Please email  kgenc@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au if you any questions.

Please note that all registrations need to be completed no later than Friday 10 July 2020. 

Netball

Boys Basketball

Girls Football

Dancing together apart

Years K – 6 Virtual Flash Mob Dance

This term Emanuel School came to a sudden stop. COVID-19 hit the world and all students were sent home to do online learning. We found ourselves alone at home without our friends and playtimes.

Years K-6 were not to be deterred. Mrs Segal came up with the idea to get us all involved in creating a Virtual Flashmob Dance as a way of bringing Emanuel Primary together whilst in isolation. With the help of Ms Nanwani, the IT Leaders, the PE department, the Madrichim and the House Captains we successfully pulled off this huge feat.

The Primary School community did not disappoint. We ended up getting so many entries. The IT leaders, under the wing of the incredible Ms Nanwani, worked tirelessly to edit the videos so that everybody who submitted a video doing the dance got a part in the big video.

Everybody that created a video and submitted it online, got a raffle ticket and 10 House points. The House with the most entries won 1000 House points. Congratulations Cowen, for your outstanding school spirit. The class with the most submissions earned themselves a Mufti Day – KH you’re our heroes. We also held a raffle for each submission and Alice Friedlander was the lucky winner of a canteen voucher.

This experience was amazing and we were blown away by how many students and even teachers got involved. We really feel that we have made Emanuel history. The Emanuel Community is never alone!

A huge thank you to Mrs Segal, Ms Nanwani, Mr Taylor, Mr Rabenda and Mr Lukins for creating this fun opportunity. Look out for the email later on today to see the finished product.

By Charlie Roth, Jemma Adler and Gabriel Pozniak, Year 6

A reading challenge for the holidays

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge 2020

If you are registered as taking part in the Challenge 2020 you will have an ID and Password. If you are in Years K – 6 and do not know your ID and password, check with your class teacher or the Primary Library staff. (Some parents have taken advantage of the choice to opt out their children when they first enrolled as a student with Emanuel School)

Those who are registered will retain their ID and password until the end of Year 9.

Students must finish and register their reading before the challenge closes on 28 August 2020. 

Please take the opportunity to enter your reading during the holidays.

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

This week the University of Sydney presented via Zoom to our Year 12s and last week UNSW did the same. Although this isn’t ideal, as it is not face-to-face, it is still a good stop gap to find out more about the institutions, ask them any questions via the online Q&A chat, and also hear about any changes that are being made in light of COVID-19 for admissions to any degree changes.

Calendar highlights

The University of Sydney – Space Engineering: 
3 July 2020: 4.00 pm

Learn more about studying Space Engineering at the University of Sydney. You will hear from a current student and have the opportunity to ask them anything you’d like about studying Space Engineering.

Sydney College of the Arts portfolio – submissions open 

Submissions are open now. Year 12 students who would like to study at the Sydney College of the Arts in 2021 will need to submit a portfolio of their artwork.

The University of Sydney – portfolio advice sessions with Sydney Con
8 July 2020: 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm 

Thinking about studying contemporary music, digital music, or composition for creative industries? Don’t miss this opportunity to have a one-on-one lesson with an expert academic from Sydney Con. Bring along some examples of your work and receive personalised advice and feedback about preparing your portfolio for admission to the Con in 2021: Register here.

TAFE to uni pathways 

TAFE has partnerships with universities across the state and beyond, so you can start at TAFE and then articulate your learning into University. This means that you can get yourself a graduate qualification from your local TAFE campus

HSC Expo Live seminar videos

Due to the success of this online event, the organisers have decided to keep these videos up until 20 July 2020. You can access them all for free here and they cover topics from HSC summaries, to UAC presentations, to individual institution videos, and more.

Engineering in the holidays

If you are interested in the subject, join Engineers Australia’s events in the holidays. 

Enjoy the holidays and wishing you a well-deserved break.

Kol Szenes

Ashley Cohn, Year 7

Woohoo! It is the end of the term. Now we are halfway through the school year.

With the Semester 1 Academic Reports coming out now, it is important to find ways to improve and extend ourselves during the second half of the year. Make sure to use your holiday time productively, but also, make sure to HAVE FUN and relax! Most importantly, please remember to stay safe.

Interview with our new Kol Szenes editor

Kol Szenes is so lucky to be getting a brand new editor! 

Here is a quick interview to get to know Ashley Cohn:

• What made you want to be the Kol Szenes editor?

I have a passion for writing, and I am overjoyed to have an opportunity to report back on the rest of the week, and that everyone gets to see what I write.

• What are three interesting facts about you?

I used to have a blue yabby and a lot of fish.

My favourite food is rice.

My favourite after-school activity is dancing.

• Aside from writing, what are your biggest passions?

Dancing, art and learning/trying new things.

• What do you hope to bring to Kol Szenes?

I would like to add a weekly riddle, where the students can participate, and make Kol Szenes more interactive.

• What are your future goals?

I want to be able to teach things to other students and spark a passion for learning, as I have now.

• What are your favourite High School subjects so far?

Hebrew, Visual Arts and Music

Peer Support farewell

Miriam Itzkowitz, Year 12

This morning, the Year 7 Szenes students held a farewell party for their Peer Support Leaders. The students shared a compilation of video messages that they had made for the Leaders, and then they played games afterwards. 

Below is an interview with fellow Szenesian and Peer Support Leader, Liat Granot:

• Describe how you felt when you saw the students’ messages.

It was a very bittersweet moment. The messages made me feel really happy and grateful that I had made a positive impact on the students. It also was quite sad because I’m going to miss my kids and the sessions! 

• What has been your favourite part of being a Peer Support Leader this year?

Going on camp was really fun – I loved getting to form closer bonds with the students and we made so many happy memories. I also loved the program we recently did on racism. The students worked so well together and really understood the point we were aiming to teach. 

• What made you want to become a Peer Support Leader?

I really love kids and I also love helping people. Thus, I thought being a Peer Support Leader would be the perfect combination of the two.

• How has being a Peer Support Leader been enjoyable?

It has been exceptionally enjoyable. I loved spending time with my kids and teaching them important lessons. 

• What advice would you give to younger students who are thinking about becoming a Peer Support Leader?

You should absolutely do it! It is such an enjoyable and rewarding experience and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.

Hannah Szenes mural

A huge thank you to Mr Carpenter for sending this lovely photo of a mural of our namesake, Hannah Szenes!

Apparently, the artist who painted this mural paints images of many significant figures in Jewish and Israeli history – including Hannah Szenes – a fierce Hungarian Jew, who made aliyah right before the Holocaust started. Hannah was a paratrooper for the British forces. Unfortunately she was murdered after defending information and being convicted of treason. Her strength is admirable, and we are proud to be ‘Szenesians’.

This mural is in a marketplace named Machane Yehuda in Jerusalem. Totally worth checking out next time you’re there!

Term 3 and beyond

Next term, we will be returning to school at the usual start time of 8.20 am, except for seniors, and we will be wearing the formal winter uniform. At the moment, a lot of usual events are up in the air, but we are hopeful that we will be able to enjoy our annual events and return to our extra-curricular activities. Remember to come back to school with a sense of refreshment and determination for improvement in Semester 2.

Announcements

• Formal uniform is to be worn during Term 3, including blazer and tie. If you are not wearing the correct uniform, please ask your parent to email the School
• COVID-19 current information – Department of Health
• Follow @szeneshouse on Instagram for some wellbeing and study tips, memes and just general Szenesian spirit.
• Follow your madrichim on @es.madstagram for some updates, challenges, wellbeing and overall fun times.
• Follow Mr Watt on Instagram @watt.s_up_at_emanuel. Your account must be set on private to do so.

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to this Szenesian who recently celebrated her birthday:

• Sasha Baskin – Year 12

Quote of the week 

“Our knowledge is a small island in the great ocean of knowledge.”
Isaac Bashevis Singer

Shabbat Shalom, have a fantastic weekend and an incredible holiday break!

Szenes House

Midford’s holiday trading

In case you are lost…

Thank you

Parent and Friends

Ruby Berkovic and Jen Opit

Hello Everyone,

Just like that, term two is finished! What a crazy journey.

We would like to take this time to thank the amazing Emanuel School Staff for all they have done this term to help our families adapt to the ever-changing climate.

Entertainment Books

If you are planning on going out over the holidays and haven’t already purchased your digital Entertainment Book, order yours here

Brain strain

Last week we gave you this brainteaser:

A girl meets a lion and unicorn in the forest. The lion lies every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and the other days he speaks the truth. The unicorn lies on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and the other days of the week he speaks the truth. “Yesterday I was lying,” the lion told the girl. “So was I,” said the unicorn. What day is it?

The answer:

Thursday. The only day they both tell the truth is Sunday; but today can’t be Sunday because the lion also tells the truth on Saturday (yesterday). Going day by day, the only day one of them is lying and one of them is telling the truth with those two statements is Thursday.

There will be no P&F Meeting in July as we are on term break. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 4 August 2020.

Have a safe and wonderful term break and we look forward to seeing you all next term,

Jen & Ruby

Looking for a job?

Opportunity available – HSC Presiding Officer

We have an opportunity available for someone to join the Emanuel School team as our HSC Presiding Officer for 2020.

The Presiding Officer is responsible for managing the preparation, conduct and supervision of the HSC exams. You need to be available for the full HSC exam period (15 October – 6 November), be in good physical health and meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the role description. 

You would not be eligible for this position if: 

• you have a child or near relative sitting the HSC exams this year at any school 
• you are/were recently employed by the School (paid or volunteer) and may be perceived as a conflict of interest
• you tutor students sitting the HSC exams 

If you would like to know more about this position, access the role description here or contact Melissa Geer, HR Manager
on 8383 7382.

To apply, please send your resume to recruitment@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au. 

Recipe of the Week

Each week we’ll bring you a tasty recipe passed down by Emanuel families, from the Emanuel School Community Cookbook, The Family Meal. 

From the kitchen of Cath and Andrew Watt
Quick and easy Banana Cake

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup of plain or gluten-free flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarb soda
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup desiccated coconut
270ml can coconut cream
2 eggs
1 cup mashed banana
1 tsp vanila extract
Strawberry jam to serve
Chocolate Chips (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 170^oC (150^oC fan-forced).
Lightly grease a 6cm deep, 10cm x 20cm (base) loaf pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, allowing a 2cm overhang at long ends.
Sift flour, baking powder and bicarb into a bowl.
Add sugar and coconut and stir to combine.
Place coconut cream, eggs, banana and vanilla in a jug. Whisk to combine.
Fold into flour mixture and spoon into prepared pan.
Bake for one hour to one hour 15 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Stand in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool.
Serve with jam.

Serves 6 – 8 

You can order the Emanuel School Community Cookbook, The Family Meal by contacting rubykb@gmail.com