From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

Farewell to Year 12 (Class of 2020)

As is always the case, it is with a measure of sadness that we bid a fond farewell to our Year 12 students. Some will return to School to meet with teachers early in Term 4 and all will sit their HSC, commencing on 20 October. After recently reading this cohort’s academic reports, it is evident that our students have surmounted the difficulties and disappointments associated with COVID-19 and have maintained a strong focus on their studies. After the HSC, they will endure a long wait until the release of HSC results, on 18 December. We wish them ‘Mazal Tov,’ which I understand means ‘good fortune’ as well as ‘well done’ – both apply!

The formal farewell events commenced on Tuesday afternoon, with the House Farewells, which involved speeches, followed by each Year 12 Tutor Group celebrating with their tutor whilst the rest of the House participated via Zoom. Year 12 (2020) then departed the School through a Guard of Honour, comprising of our Year 11 students. On Wednesday, Year 12 joined our staff in the Lehrer Family Building (MPH) for their Graduation Assembly, which was livestreamed to both families and students in Years 7-11. The assembly included a formal welcome, a d’var torah and blessing, videos (including a Year 12 music item) and speeches from the past and present Head Madrichim. The highlight was when Caroline Laumberg, our Year 12 Co-ordinator, welcomed each student onto the stage, with a parting comment, to receive a certificate and a gift from the School. It was a special occasion for all involved and was followed by an afternoon tea with the teaching staff.

Year 12 parents organised a Treasure Hunt for the students after school. Ably assisted by Belinda Gold several staff members and Year 11 students, Year 12 raced around the campus in search of items that represented their time at Emanuel. A fun time was had by all!

That evening, families joined together at several locations, to celebrate a very different, live-streamed Graduation Dinner, directed by Caroline Laumberg from ‘Emanuel HQ’ (i.e. a dinner in the Principal’s Office). Whilst the speeches, toasts and Year 12 special video were delivered remotely, it was a very special occasion. We are very thankful for the amazing work of the Year 12 parent committee, led by Andy Bromberger and Bettina Waller, to make these events special, whilst operating under the COVID-19 restrictions. Thank you also to Margaret Lowe, for her impressive oversight of every Year 12 event.

Thompson History Debating Competition – through to the semi-finals!

This prestigious competition is open to schools from all sectors. Our Year 11 team (Romi Lapidge, Tara Linker, Jesse Koslowski and Max Kidman) defeated both SCEGGS Darlinghurst and the Kings School, to progress to the semi-finals. Our Year 9 team (Maya Granot, Jake Newland, Ariel Melamed and Alex Cane), debating older students in the Year 10 competition, defeated James Ruse High School, to advance to the semi-finals. Both teams are under the competent leadership of Max Friend. We wish them a competitive and enjoyable debate in the semi-finals.

Year 4 Good Design Awards

Our Year 4 future experts proudly displayed an impressive array of projects. From helping Forgetful Frank to switch off lights using an e-bot, to curing Scared Jake of his arachnophobia, through a woollen spider, to solving Silly Sally’s space problems – there were abundant solutions! Judges were led through their design thinking process, from ideation through to the prototype. It became evident that our students have engaged deeply and creatively in their projects and have gained much from this experience. Congratulations to both our creators and our Year 4 teachers.

Farewell Manny

It is with sadness that our beloved cleaning supervisor Manuel (Manny) will be leaving us at the end of the term to return home to Venezuela. Manny had come to Emanuel School three years ago after working at Wenona College to take over the role of our cleaning supervisor and has been an integral part of the maintenance team ever since. 

We wish him the best in the future. Below is a parting email we wanted to share.

Dear Andrew,

I am writing to you because [I] decided to resign for personal motives (sic), so I want to say you (sic) thanks for all as I was working at the school for three years and really appreciate the opportunity given. The school did not only give me a job but also gave me the opportunity of knowing the Jewish and Australian culture.

I wish you all the best and thanks for all.

Best regards
Manuel Parra

Sustainability Committee and climate change

Year 11 students with their signs

On Wednesday, our High School students took part in a virtual protest against the funding of fossil fuels to stimulate the economy in COVID recovery efforts. This formed part of the Australia-wide event organised by SchoolStrike4Climate. The students dressed in a sea of yellow, developed posters using the slogan Fund Our Future Not Gas! and watched an educational video on the topic. 

Our wish for Emanuel students is that they graduate to be responsible citizens who are informed and empowered to act upon local and global issues that affect or inspire them. I commend the Sustainability Committee for their proactivity and passionate support of the event and Lisa Starkey for her encouragement and assistance in guiding the Committee. For more information and the students’ views on the event, click on the article entitled SchoolStrike4Climate in this week’s Ma Nishma.

Mazal tov

• Rory Nathan, Year 6, volunteered to blow the shofar on Sunday at Snape Park in Maroubra for about 20 people who could now fulfil the unique Mitzvah of Hearing the Shofar because of him.

Quote of the week

“Now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for you being here. Make good art.”
Neil Gaiman

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

לחיים טובים/LeChayim Tovim

To a Good Life

It was upon reading his obituary, the story is told, that Alfred Nobel was moved to change his life.                                       

The press had mistakenly reported his death rather than that of his brother. When seeing that he would be remembered as the “dynamite king”, he resolved to being remembered in a more constructive way. He founded the Nobel Prizes for chemistry, literature, medicine, peace and physics, by which he is known today.

At this time of the Jewish year, we reflect, as well, upon our life and how we might be remembered. The Book of Life (Sefer HaChayim) is seen as a central motif for the High Holy Day season. During these days from Rosh HaShanah until Yom Kippur, known as Aseret Yemei Teshuvah, the Ten Days of Repentance, we repeatedly say in our daily prayers “Remember us for life..and write us in the Book of Life”. When we sing together the words “On Rosh HaShanah we are inscribed and on the fast day of Yom Kippur we are sealed”, we are hoping that it will be in the Book of Life.

Yet, Judaism is aspirational, we look beyond the Book of Life to the Good Life and we seek to live another year so we may be Zachur LaTov, Remembered for Good. At the conclusion of Rosh HaShanah, we wish each other LeShanah Tovah Tikatev VeTeichatem – “May you be written and inscribed for a good year” and in the renowned Alvinu Malkeinu prayer, sung on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, we say “Write us/seal us in the Book of Good Life” (Chayim Tovim).

With great audacity, we say, during these High Holy Days, “Write us in the Book of Life, for Your sake, Living God”. We are saying, You God are compelled to write us in the Book of Life, for the life we promise to live will bring You life. It is the good and noble life, which brings the presence of a living God into the world, that we seek and to which we commit on these Days of
At-one-ment. As we enter a New Year, may we all be blessed to live as God’s partners in writing our shared Book of a Good Life.

נזכר ונכתב לחיים טובים

May we be remembered and inscribed for a good life

Primary

Natanya Milner – Head of Primary School

Happy holidays

As Term 3 comes to an end, I would like to thank everyone for their support over the past months. I hope you all have a happy and safe holiday break and we look forward to seeing the students back at school for Term 4 on Tuesday 13 October 2020.

I thought I would end this term with one of my favourite stories from last week. A child arrived at school late and came to ask for a late note. Here’s how it went:

Child: Hi Chelsea. Can I please have a late note?
Chelsea: Sure. What’s the reason you’re late?
Child: I’ve been at the archaeologist.
Me: What did you do at the archaeologist?
Child: I spoke about my feelings and stuff.

It is moments like these that I am reminded how lucky I am to have such a beautiful job.

Holiday ideas

There was a conversation between some of us recently about holiday ideas, given the current situation in NSW. I thought I would share some of the suggestions from various staff and students as well as a few websites that I came across with tips and ideas. I hope they are helpful.

There was a discussion about the revival of some of our ‘good old-fashioned favourites’:

• Build cubby houses
• Build a sukkah
• Create treasure hunts
• Build and fly a kite
• Go on a picnic
• Head out for walks and hikes
• Play some new board games and card games
• Try planting and gardening
• Get fit with jump rope/skipping ropes
• Master the art of hula hoops
• Play hopscotch
• Play hide and seek
• Write and create puppet shows
• Try crafts such as paper mache, knitting etc.

This  website brought back some memories: https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/old-fashioned-games/

Here are some other websites with great ideas about:

• Writing: https://www.littlescribe.com/lp/make-any-room-a-classroom/
• Online dance classes: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/move-it-mob-style
• Engineering challenges: https://www.jamesdysonfoundation.com/resources/challenge-cards.html
• Cooking: https://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/index.html
• Drawing: http://www.openculture.com/2020/03/free-online-drawing-lessons-for-kids-led-by-favorite-artists-illustrators.html
• Learning a new language: https://www.duolingo.com/
• A range of activities (created for lockdown but with some great ideas nonetheless): https://www.schoolkit.co.nz/ideas-to-steal

Uniform

Students return to wearing Summer uniform in Term 4. Please ensure students are in full uniform with the correct items from the Emanuel Uniform Shop. Please note that white socks go with the skirts and dresses and grey socks go with the shorts and pants. There are no leggings as a part of the school uniform.

Wishing you all well over the fast and Chag Sameach for Sukkot.

Primary Extra-Curricular Term 4

Emma Hill – Primary Teacher and Co-ordinator Extra Curricular Programs

Dear Parents

We are pleased to offer a range of Extra-Curricular and EActive activities for all year groups in Term 4. We are following regulations set by the Association of Independent Schools which require stage groups to be separated at present. These regulations will be reviewed at the end of this term.

We will advise you in Ma Nishma if there are changes which allow us to offer Extra-Curricular and EActive classes to more year groups.

Club information, including enrolment & booking details, are now online on the Parent Portal. Please note clubs have minimum enrolment numbers.

Mondays

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Thursdays

Fridays

Primary Year 6 Madrichim

Book Week

This term, the Madrichim organised book week. We had activities to do, and prizes to be won. Putting together videos, we created short trailers for books. This was designed to encourage reading and literature. On one day, everyone got to dress up as characters and authors from their favourite books. It was a really fun day full of laughter, crazy costumes and activities. Our main activity was to redesign a book cover. Everyone created incredible designs, each one different to the next. These designs are now being judged and will soon be put up in the Primary Library to encourage children to read more as well as see what their peers are reading. The winners of the competition will be announced soon, so stay tuned!

By Tali Same, Joey Becker, Amelie Mueller and Emma Butt

Re-thinking Anti-Bullying day (from Term 1)

This term following COVID-19 we have revised our Anti-Bullying day plan. We had plans to have a video-making contest and a secret new fun activity for all the kids in Years K – 6 to participate. The video-making contest was made to encourage building buddies. The competition winners were meant to be announced a long time ago but now is finally the time. All winners’ videos will be shown to the school!

• Years K – 2:
  • Joshua Kawalsky and Jake Chesler

• Years 3 – 6: 
  • Most creative: Mia Chesler and Mahli Olian
  • Most entertaining: Rory Nathan and Dylan Vitek
  • Best message/ Most educational: Lara Isenberg, Rose Greenberg, Hana Hurwitz, Ally Rockman, Mirabella Marshall and Olivia Byrne

Building Buddies

The entire school will contribute to a mural for our school…  built by lego! Thanks to the people at PhotoBrick we were able to choose a photo and turn it into a massive lego picture. Every student in Years K – 6 will add some bricks onto the photo making this a fun school activity. We hope you will enjoy all of the activities to come! 

By Jake Isenberg, Xander Keller, Jess Smith and Max Rose

News of the fortnight 

Due to COVID 19, we weren’t allowed to gather as a Primary School to have an assembly and show news of the fortnight. We thought of a way to continue news of the fortnight while keeping everyone safe. Every fortnight, two of the Madrichim get together and create a fun and educational movie to show to the Primary School students, informing people what happened during that fortnight.

This included SpaceX,  the Black Lives Matters movement and fun activities such as quizzes and games. COVID-19 has given all the Madrichim another perspective on the news of the fortnight. All of us enjoyed making these videos and hope all the students enjoyed watching them.

By Orlando Gien, Alex Gellert, Livvy Kawalsky and Gidi Owen

Writers among us

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Connections

Good health and better times for 5781

In spite of COVID-19 and all the changes we must make to stay safe, we hope you and your family enjoyed a sweet New Year, and we hope 5781 brings good health and better times ahead for us all. We hope your fast is an easy one.

With school holidays upon us now, and social distancing still very much needed, many holiday plans have had to be revised or maybe even cancelled. There are however, still plenty of ways to keep our students and their families busy, be it volunteering or maybe travelling around NSW.

Friendship Circle is still seeking volunteers for their October Day Camp on the 6 October 2020 and the 7 October 2020. The camp will be lots of fun and a great chance for volunteers to connect with their buddies as we all transition to our COVID-Friendly approach.

Alumnus Sean Torban (Class of 2018) started volunteering for Head Space when he was a student here at the School. It is an Australian non-profit organisation for youth mental health established by the Australian Government in 2006. Here is a recent post from the NSW Department of Health which features an interview with Sean.

Sean is also founder of Talking Holocaust – created because the number of Holocaust survivors still alive gets lower and lower every day, and hundreds of stories are forgotten or never have a chance to be told.

Daniel Brockwell

Daniel Brockwell (Class of 2015) recently launched a newsletter called Earlywork that curates the top tech & start-up job opportunities in Sydney (+ remote) for students and recent graduates every week, as well as free career resources and tips.

Daniel says: “I am conscious it’s a tough job market right now, so feel free to share with any peers job-hunting in the tech and startup scene. If you or a friend are currently hiring for entry-levels roles in this space, please shoot me a message on enquiries@earlywork.co and I’d be happy to feature a role in our next edition. Always happy to have a chat with any students/alumni interested in the tech or careers space”.

More writers among us

Within our Emanuel community we have number of journalists who write for both the Jewish Press and for wider publications.

Parent and journalist, Sharon Berger, writes for Plus61JMedia, Israel, Australia and the Jewish World – you can read her recent articles here. Another parent, Natalie Buchter-Chesler, has turned her love for travel into a series of travel guides and although COVID-19 has put a stop to overseas and most interstate travel for now, we can still travel around NSW. Some of her recent guides include The Blue Mountains, Byron Bay and Mudgee. Parent and past School Board member for many years, Shira Sebban, is a writer and volunteer refugee advocate. Her first book Unlocking the Past: Stories from my Mother’s Diary is a series of creative non-fiction short stories about Israel in the 1950s, based on her mother’s diary. She is currently working on her second book about her work with Vietnamese refugee families.

Remember September

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Pancreatic Cancer knows no boundaries and, just last week Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was one more of the many people who have died from metastatic pancreatic cancer. Known as “Notorious RBG” she was an incredibly accomplished civil rights lawyer who devoted her entire legal career to the pursuit of equal justice and eliminating discrimination of all types.

Remember September has raised over $270,000 since it began in 2015 and this year it is breaking records with over 250 challengers signed up for this year’s event. Emanuel alumnus, Ben Wilheim, (Class of 2008), founder of this most worthy annual event to raise funds in the fight to find a cure for pancreatic cancer says: “We thank the Emanuel School community for past support and current support”.

B’nai B’rith and JNF Jewish Changemaker Awards 2020

The Australian Jewish News has come on board to support the prestigious Changemaker Awards 2020. Nominations can be made online. 

Emanuel School has so many students, both past and present, who volunteer their time to an array of worthy causes/ organisations. The competition is divided into two age groups – youth (age 14 – 18) or young adults (18 – 35) so if you know someone in our community who is making the world a better place, nominate them for these awards. Don’t we all love the opportunity to recognise such wonderful volunteering efforts. Anyone can nominate – parents, staff and even the nominees themselves. It would be amazing to see some of our students and alumni nominated again this year.

Nominations must be received no later than Monday 16 November 2020.

Stay safe and Shabbat Shalom. We hope you have a relaxing term break and we look forward to sharing our news with you again in Term 4.

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

Music Matters

Diana Springford – Head of Music

Music Ensemble Rehearsals Term 4

Depending on the rules next term, we’ll either revert to our original ensemble rehearsal schedule or will send out a plan for new options. More information will be sent out in the holidays.

Private Tuition and Infant Strings Program

Links to online forms for Term 4 enrolments and discontinuations:

New enrolment requests for private tuition

To discontinue private tuition

To enrol into the Infant Strings Program (ISP)

To discontinue Infant Strings Program (ISP)

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 4 has now passed. 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. If your child intends to discontinue, please act swiftly to provide formal notification in advance to avoid being committed to the full term of lessons and liable for fees.

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

The schedules for Term 4 2020 will be created at the end of term and emailed in October.

Farewell Year 12

Emanuel, we grow together
As equal partners hand in hand
Our guiding star: living Torah
A love of learning and our Jewish Land

We will excel, Emanuel
Beneath Australian skies we proudly stand

Emanuel, our mind you challenge
Our spirit soars, our being is fulfilled
Values we share: friendly and fair
Embracing all with kindness and goodwill

We will excel, Emanuel
Beneath Australian skies we proudly stand
We will excel, Emanuel
Beneath Australian skies we proudly stand

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Mini da Vinci Decathlon

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

Mini da Vinci Decathlon

Nature abhors a vacuum so when one was created due to the cancellation of the Academic da Vinci Decathlon, creative teachers re-envisioned the event.

Queenwood, Emanuel School, Mosman Prep, Newington, St Aloysius, St Andrew’s Cathedral School, St Luke’s Grammar, Covenant Christian School and Randwick Public School recreated a distance event for our Year 5 and 6 students. The event took place on Monday.

Some schools entered several Year 5 and several Year 6 teams. Emanuel entered one of each.

The competition was tough, but the teamwork and think tank were tougher! Emanuel’s performance in all 10 disciplines was competitive and impressive.

Especially impressive were our results in the following:

Year 5

• 1^st in Mathematics

Year 6

• 1^st in Poetry
• 2^nd in Art
• 4^th in Mathematics

We truly have some inspiring thinkers! We congratulate all students for their tenacity and their drive towards excellence.

Pictured is the Year 6 Artwork by Jessica Hart, inspired by a Shakespearean sonnet on the Passing of Time.

Making a difference

Zac Levenson, Year 11

Hi everyone,

This week’s sustainability article is on recycling batteries. Since its invention in 1886, the battery has become an important part of our day-to-day lives. Just some of its uses include: phones, remotes and toys, all of which provide entertainment and enrich our lives. However, each year billions of batteries are thrown into landfills and while many assume that this is the right thing to do, this is not the case. This article will discuss how to dispose of batteries in the eco-friendliest way and sustainable alternatives that are better for the environment.

In Australia over 68% of batteries end up in landfill. This is dangerous as household batteries can contain harmful chemicals like mercury, cadmium and lead which can contaminate land and groundwater. Additionally, lithium batteries (used in portable electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops and tablets) are flammable and are considered a fire hazard, particularly in hot, bushfire-prone Australian summers. So, if throwing batteries away is dangerous for the environment, what other alternatives are there? 

The Science Department at Emanuel goes through lots of batteries and rather than throwing them away, they ensure that batteries that are considered chemical waste are disposed of properly, avoiding damaging the environment. Next term, a box will be placed outside the science staffroom for all, where old batteries can be discarded safely. Alternatively, the NSW government advises taking your batteries to a place like Century Yuasa, a battery manufacturer that also accepts used batteries to recycle. You can find your local drop-off point here.

Another way to reduce battery waste is to buy reusable batteries. While single use batteries are the cheapest option and therefore the easy choice, by paying a bit extra, you can buy batteries that you can recharge multiple times and reduce battery waste. This is the cheapest option in the long term, and since rechargeable batteries are a fairly new addition to the market, we can expect lots of technological development and improvement over the next few years. Here’s some more information about reusable batteries and some recommendations to get you started.

Regarding lithium batteries, used primarily in mobile phones, 88% of old mobile phones end up in landfill and are full of useful resources which can make other electronics, without digging up more from the ground. Mobile phones contain plastics and metals, and by recycling them you can help save energy and resources that would otherwise be used to mine or manufacture. Furthermore, if placed in landfills, the chemicals in the lithium batteries may pollute the surrounding air and water and can be toxic to wildlife. Instead of throwing away your old phones, find a local drop-off point to recycle them here.

While this article may feel like a lot of information, our current actions will shape the lives of future generations and thus it’s important to start acting now and be more aware of, and accountable for, looking after our earth.

By Zac Levenson, member of the Sustainability Committee

For any extra information or help, feel free to contact us at:

• Levenson.Zac@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au
• Kidman.Maximilian@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au 
• Fosbery.Lara@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au
• Merten.Ari@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Tikkun Olam

Emanuel School students cycle for a cure

Twelve Emanuel School students rode a combined total of 422km to raise money for The Children’s Cancer Institute. The three-hour cycling challenge was organised by Year 7 student, Sarah Manoy.

Last year, Sarah visited the Children’s Cancer Institute where she learnt about the important work of the scientists who are investigating more effective ways to specifically target treatments for young cancer patients. When Sarah read about the Institute’s fundraiser – Endure for a Cure – she jumped at the opportunity to take part. She advertised the challenge to her fellow students with hand-drawn flyers and invited them to cycle for the cause. Sarah, along with 11 other Emanuel students rode for the charity at Centennial Park, collectively raising almost $2000. By committing to help others, the students have modelled the important values of compassion, generosity and community.

Yasher Koach to:

Sarah Manoy
Julia Manoy
Jaime Keyser
Arielle Sharp
Ruby Friedman
Lila Friedman
Aaron Berkowitz
Max Salamon
Sam Salamon
Niek Nathan
Samuel Owen
Danny Allul-Orozco     

After the cycle – it was challenging but so much fun.

SchoolStrike4Climate

On Wednesday, High School students participated in a virtual protest against the funding of fossil fuels to stimulate the economy in COVID recovery efforts. The protest, organised by SchoolStrike4Climate (SS4C), the co-ordinators of the widespread strikes calling for climate action last year, is occurring in response to the leaked draft report for the National COVID-19 Co-ordination Commission. The report details a planned taxpayer-supported $6 billion pipeline connecting the eastern states to the Western Australian gas markets, along with the subsidisation of gas-fired power plants and makes no reference to the environmental impact of the investments.

The demands of the protest are; no public funding for gas or fossil fuel projects, with recovery funds to be spent on:

1. Resourcing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led solutions that guarantee land rights and care for country
2. The creation of jobs that fast-track solutions to the climate crisis and help communities recover
3. Projects that transition our economy and communities to 100% renewable energy by 2030, through expanded public ownership

The protest involved students, workers and First Nations communities across Australia who gathered in small groups to demonstrate their opposition to this plan and to fossil fuels. The SS4C hopes to hold Australian leaders accountable, bring awareness to the impact of insufficient climate action and push for the creation of jobs in sustainable industries. 

Climate change is an increasingly imminent threat to our planet and our future. As the next generation, we are inheriting a planet in which species are becoming extinct at an increasing rate, sea levels are rapidly rising and the five warmest temperatures of the planet ever recorded have been between 2015-2019. 

In the past, Emanuel School has been supportive of student participation in the climate strikes, understanding the importance of the need for climate action. The involvement in the movement provides an opportunity to present a united front, embodying one of the school’s core values –  Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). Last year, SchoolStrike4Climate organised two climate strikes, but in accordance with COVID-19 regulations, a new approach was implemented. Instead of one large rally, communities around Australia gathered in small groups, dressing in yellow (to unify the photos) and posted photos to social media.

To display our support for the SS4C movement and opposition to the funding of fossil fuels, the Emanuel Sustainability Committee organised a yellow-themed plain clothes day and a program for High School students. Students were assigned small groups in which they were provided time to design and decorate posters, being encouraged to feature the slogan ‘Fund Our Future Not Gas!’, among other phrases to demonstrate their support for climate action and environmentally friendly COVID recovery. Photos from the protest were submitted to the SS4C Australia media page to contribute to the greater online movement. 

The Sustainability Committee in action

The Sustainability Committee, consisting of eight Year 11 students, has been working this term to encourage school engagement in environmental issues.

Passion for sustainability and support of the strike

“I think it’s crucial that the next generation inherits a healthy planet. We are under an immediate threat, yet there is still very little action. The SchoolStrike4Climate provides an opportunity to express our opinion and hopefully create change.”
Jacob Rose

“I joined the Sustainability Committee because I believe that all great movements start small and we can make a significant difference by focusing on Emanuel’s individual impact, through which we’ll set an example for the Jewish and Australian communities.” Lara Fosbery

“Climate change is such an important issue, not just at Emanuel but everywhere. I joined the Sustainability Committee so I can improve Emanuel and make it a more eco-friendly school.” Ari Merten

By Lara Fosbery and Jacob Rose, Year 11 students and members of the Sustainability Committee

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Szenes

Ashley Cohn – Year 7

Week 10 in Szenes House

We farewelled Year 12 Szenes on Tuesday 22 September 2020, whilst the rest of Szenes House ‘zoomed’ in! Our House Madrichim, Lexi and Jess organised for each Tutor Group to complete their section of the House Dance for their Music Concert, which unfortunately was cancelled due to COVID-19. Year 12 Szenes enjoyed not only the dance but also the pre-recorded sibling farewell speeches. Students were given Szenes momentos, including the traditional mug with a COVID-19 reminder, a T-shirt with a group photograph taken during Chavayah, a succulent to nurture and last but not least our traditional yellow gerbera.

Items bought for the cancelled House Music Concert made an appearance, including the purple and yellow velvet scrunchies and glow sticks, much to the delight of Year 12, especially our previous House Madrichim, Tali and Issy. A special thank you to Ms Genc, Year 12 Tutor for the past six years – thank you from not only your Tutor Group but from Szenes House for all of your care and support.. 

We asked some Year 12 students, what their plans were for next year and beyond:

Miriam: My plans for next year are still undecided at the moment. I will either be going on Shnat or go to university. I would like to go to University of Sydney and get an Arts Degree or maybe an Arts Education Degree.

Issy: My plan next year is to get a job and go to university. I think I want to study at UNSW and do something in the business/social science area. Hopefully once COVID-19 is over I can travel!

Asha: I plan to take a gap year to (hopefully) travel, work and invest more time in volunteering for The Me2U Foundation. For 2022, I hope to study Interior Architecture and International Studies at UTS.

Erin: I plan on going to TAFE to complete my beauty course and then work at a beautician. Then in 2022 I am going to start my course in Nutrition and Sport science at ACU. 

Tali: Next year I plan to go to Israel for nine months on a gap year program (hopefully!). If this doesn’t go ahead I will likely work and hopefully begin a degree of International Studies and Political Science at UTS. 

Claudia: I plan on going to university. I am not saying which one because I am superstitious. I also plan on working. I want to learn how to take blood so I can work at the Red Cross Blood Bank while I am at university.

A message from our House Madrichim, Jess and Lexi

Farewell Year 12 Szenes

This week, we are congratulating the Year 12s on finishing school and finally graduating! The Year 12s have been absolutely amazing and have had an incredible impact on the rest of the School. They have not had the easiest circumstances, but they have constantly pushed through and have done an outstanding job. Their astonishing leadership skills have enabled them to rise above any challenges and have definitely been an inspiration to the other Year levels.

We especially want to mention the amazing House Madrichim of 2019/2020, Issy Reichel and Tali Blackman. They have been outstanding House Madrichim who made every House assembly enjoyable and worked so hard to make Szenes House as amazing as possible! We also want to thank Miriam Itzkowitz who was the Kol Szenes Editor. She did an exceptional job, making Kol Szenes so interesting and something that both parents and students always looked forward to reading. The effort that all the Year 12s put in has definitely not gone unnoticed. The Year 12s will definitely be missed and have been excellent role models to the rest of us.

We wish them all the best for the future and know that they will all go on to achieve some incredible things!

Mazal tov 

Mazal Tov to Sarah Manoy and students who participated in the fundraiser – Endure for a Cure!

Sarah wrote:

On Sunday 13 September 2020, I organised for a group consisting of ten Year 7s and two Year 5s to ride their bikes around Centennial Park. All together we rode 421km. The ride was to raise money and awareness about Children’s Cancer. The aim of the ride was to do as many laps as you could endure, hence the name, and get sponsored for how much you ride. We ended up raising $1,892.00 and we are still collecting. I felt very proud of myself and all the participants for completing so many laps and getting involved. I am so happy that we raised so much money and that everyone had a lot of fun on the day.

Announcements

• Term 4 begins on Tuesday 13 October 2020
• Hats to be worn whilst outside in the sun
• Summer uniform is worn throughout Term 4
• If you are not wearing the correct uniform, please ask your parent to email: uniform@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au 
• Be responsible – lock your locker
• COVID-19 current information – Department of Health 
• Follow @szeneshouse on Instagram for some wellbeing and study tips, memes and just general Szenesian spirit.
• Also follow your madrichim on @es.madstagram for some updates, challenges, wellbeing and overall fun times.

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to the following Szenesians who have recently celebrated their birthday or will be celebrating their birthday over the break:

• Claudia Burman 
• Alexis Joffe 
• Dean Klugman
• Meika Laishevsky
• Sari Laishevsky 
• Tara Linker 
• Jessica Linker 
• Phoebe Narunsky
• Issy Reichel 

Quote of the week

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” 
Ruth Bader Ginsberg

We hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe end of term holiday.

Meir

Alix Cane – Year 9

Maayan Granot – Year 9

Hi Everyone!

Shanah Tova! We hope that this year is filled with joy and good fortune. 

We can’t believe that the Class of 2020 has graduated. Whilst they have had a very strange graduating year, we really hope that they enjoyed their time at Emanuel. 

This year, we have seen so many changes at Emanuel and the introduction of many new amazing things, like House Drama. 

Whilst Tutor Groups weren’t able to perform the amazing House Dances this year and show off all their hard work, they put together a special video including everyone doing the dances. We know how hard the whole Year 12 cohort worked on House Music, so we thank you all so much for everything. 

We asked our former House Madrichim, Jess and Elijah, some questions about their time at Emanuel:

What has been your favourite memory at Emanuel? 

• Jess: Year 10 Ayekah Camp was my favourite memory in High School. It was so nice for our year to bond all together.
• Elijah: My favourite memory has to be Chavayah, spending that time with my friends was so much fun and I got closer with so many people. 

What was your favourite thing to do as House Captain? 

• Jess: My favourite thing to do as House Captain this year was to make the House Dance and teach it to the younger Year groups with my friends. It was so nice to see how happy our Tutor Group was to help out!
• Elijah: As a House Captain I really enjoyed planning Assembly activities and House Music as it was special to see the outcomes and the hard work come together.

What will you miss most about Emanuel?

• Jess: I’ll miss the Friday morning Ruach the most! 
• Elijah: I will miss my close connection with my Year 12 teachers – they have all been so helpful and supportive during this year. 

We wish you lots of luck for your HSC and everything to follow. 

Good Luck

Two sad goodbyes we have to make are to Ms Birrell and Ms Evdokimova, our amazing Year 11 and Year 8 Tutors.

Thank you for everything you have done for Meir and the whole School community.

We wish you nothing but the best for your future roles!

Holiday Camps

Drama

Free advertising

Boost your business

We’re always on the look-out for ways to further connect the Emanuel Community. We know that for many it’s harder than ever to find new and targeted channels to advertise your business.

We have developed a free online advertising platform called Business Boost for Emanuel parents, grandparents and alumni to promote their businesses within our community. Some of you may remember the concept from many years ago – this time it’s online, easy to navigate and even easier to advertise.

To add your business details to this free platform, simply click on the link and answer a few questions. You can even include your logo and a special offer for ‘Emanuel-ites’.  

We’d love to launch Business Boost in the new term – all it takes is a click and a few minutes of your time.

Questions? Email mfavero@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au.

Michelle Favero, Business Booster

Changes to bus routes

School bus route timetable changes for Term 4, 12 October 2020

 Some morning school bus services to Emanuel School have been adjusted to improve reliability: 

• Route 683e will depart Watsons Bay 4 minutes earlier.
• Route 697e will continue to depart South Head Cemetery at 7.12 am but may pass some subsequent stops a minute earlier or later.

There is no change to route paths or stopping patterns.

The change to times will be reflected in the TransportNSW.info website trip planner and online timetables. 
Students are required to ‘tap on’ and ‘tap off’ with a valid School Opal card on every bus boarded as part of their journey.
State Transit and Transport for NSW will be closely monitoring Opal card usage on all school services to ensure buses have been allocated to meet customer demand.

Should students or families require further assistance, please go to TransportNSW.info website or telephone 131 500.

Information provided by State Transit 

Community news

Parents and Friends

Ruby Berkovic & Jen Opit

Hi Everyone,

Just like that, Term 3 is over…This year is simultaneously creeping past and flying by. We hope you manage to have some wonderful time with your families over the break.

Online Disco

Save the date for our Zoom Family Disco: 4.00 pm – 5.00 pm, Sunday 18 October 2020.

Get your dancing shoes ready and put the date in your diary for our first ever Emanuel Zoom Disco.

It will be fun for the whole family and another way to be together while we are apart.

The special guest DJ will be announced in Term 4.

P.S. This is an Emanuel School P&F friend-raising event (without charge to the families).

Entertainment Books

In case you want to order an Entertainment Book, you can do so here. 

Parents and Friends meetings

Our monthly Parents and Friends Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month. Everyone is welcome – please let us know if you would like to attend the November meeting. There will not be one in October due to school holidays.

Wishing you well over the fast.

Shanah Tovah u’metukah,

Jen and Ruby