From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

Appreciating our teachers 

Teachers are our most precious resource for our students. Today, we celebrated the work of our teachers in style, in recognition of World Teacher’s Day, with personalised thank-you cards, coffee, muffins and Kit-Kats. Our administration staff, who provide wonderful, behind-the-scenes support for both our teachers and students, were invited to join with us, as we are one team. Our teachers consistently go above and beyond in their preparation and delivery of engaging lessons and in their care of each child. The life of a teacher is never boring! Many hours are also spent in marking, assessing work and communicating with parents, in addition to their involvement in special events and co-curricular activities.  Please enjoy these wonderful messages of gratitude from our students.

The poem below captures many aspects of a teacher’s role:

I heard you say the other day
“Oh, you’re just a teacher anyway
You laugh and play your day away
You’re free at 3, have your summers off.”

I’m sad to say, that you just don’t see,
What being a teacher means to me;
Sure, I laugh and play my day away…
Because learning is fun and that’s just my way.

If I were free at 3 and had my summers off,
I’d too snicker softly and even scoff…
Unfortunately, my pay cheque does, but I do not.
But you see Good Sir, Madam or Miss,

Being ‘just’ a teacher is much more than this.
I ‘just’ teach your child to read and write
To ‘just’ explore and question,
To ‘just’ think and be bright.

I ‘just’ dry their tears when they are having a bad day.
I’m ‘just’ there for them in any and every way.
Your most precious asset ‘just’ deserves a lot.
And being ‘just’ a teacher, I am not.

I dare you to ‘just’ take a closer look.
For being ‘just’ a teacher doesn’t come in a book.
It comes from the heart and it’s a passion, you see.
So, being JUST a teacher is fine by me!

2020 NSW Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering

Our very own Head of Innovation and Digital Technologies (K-6), Sophie Poisel, was recently awarded the Premier’s Prize for Innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics Teaching in NSW. This is a wonderful achievement! Premier’s Prizes recognise research excellence and reward our best scientists, engineers and educators for cutting-edge work that has generated significant economic, environmental, health, social and technological benefits for New South Wales. The event was live-streamed on the 27 October 2020, in the presence of Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales and the Honourable Rob Stokes MP, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces. Mazal Tov, Sophie!

Appointment of Director of Students (7-12)

This newly created position will provide leadership across our wellbeing and student management programs. The Director of Students will lead the Heads of House team and will support the Deputy Principal with leadership and management of all aspects of wellbeing in the High School.

I am delighted to announce that Adam Ezekiel will return to Emanuel after a year of leave, to take up this important role. Adam was selected from a group of high-quality candidates, after a rigorous recruitment process. We very much look forward to his contribution to our wellbeing program.

Morning of Science and Wonder

Our Year 10 students showcased a range of interesting and well-researched experiments, complete with aims, hypotheses, methodology and a compelling list of references. Our students were able to discuss the validity and reliability of their test instruments and to talk about the limitations of their research study. For an observer, it was an impressive experience, one which will establish a strong foundation for Year 11 and 12 Science studies. Congratulations to both our students and Science staff team.

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COVID-19 Public Health Alert

As you may be aware, there has been a COVID-19 Public Health Alert for anyone who was at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday 24 October 2020 from 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm. If you or your family experience any symptoms please be tested immediately and isolate until you receive a clear test result. Further information can be found on the NSW Health website.

Mazal tov

The Year 12 History Debating team (Jesse Koslowski, Romi Lapidge, Maximilian Kidman and Tara Linker) defeated St Patricks College and have progressed to the Grand Final of the J.A Thompson History Debating competition.  

Quote of the week

“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.”
By Pablo Neruda

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Shorashim

Recently, our Year 7 students were excitedly lining up outside the Jewish Life staffroom to pick up their שורשים/Shorashim projects.

This week’s parashah, לך לך/lekh lekha speaks to the significance of שושרשים/Shorashim. Commenting on the name of this parashah, the Hasidic tradition teaches us:  כל יהודי צריך ללך אל עצמו אל שרשו – “Every Jew must journey to himself, to his root being (שורשו/shorasho)”.

לך לך/lekh lekha here is an emphatic expression serving as a command to Avraham to journey forth from his father’s house. Since, the command could have been simply לך/go, the words לך לך/lekh lekha meaning, literally, “go to yourself”, is being understood as a journey to self.

In Judaism to honour your roots means to create your own body of work and to branch off onto your own path of life. This is expressed by the Rabbis by means of a midrash in which Avraham fulfills the divine command לך לך מבית אביך/lekh lekha mi-beit avikha – “Go forth from your father’s home”, by smashing the idols of his father.

The “binding of Isaac”, in next week’s parashah is seen, by some, as Avraham’s forgetting the need of the child to achieve his own individuation, as he had with his father and, instead, binding his son, Isaac, on the altar of his own beliefs. Like Terach who, in the midrash, turned his son Avraham over to Nimrod, for defying the idolatrous conventions of his time and to coerce his conformity, Avraham, now the father, wishes to deprive his son of his own journey to his root being.

After the “binding of Isaac”, Avraham never again sees his son. While שורש/shoresh means “root”, לשרש/le-sharesh means to remove the roots. Our children can only flourish in our family garden when we allow and promote them to root themselves. להשתרש/le-hishtaresh is a reflexive verb, meaning take root. It is a process coming from and leading to one’s root being.

Father and Son – Cat Stevens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdMPuMeTxzY

It’s not time to make a change
Just relax, take it easy
You’re still young, that’s your fault
There’s so much you have to know
Find a girl, settle down
If you want you can marry
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy

I was once like you are now, and I know that it’s not easy
To be calm when you’ve found something going on
But take your time, think a lot
Why, think of everything you’ve got
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not

How can I try to explain? ‘Cause when I do he turns away again
It’s always been the same, same old story
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen
Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away
I know I have to go

It’s not time to make a change
Just sit down, take it slowly
You’re still young, that’s your fault
There’s so much you have to go through
Find a girl, settle down
If you want you can marry
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy

All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside
It’s hard, but it’s harder to ignore it
If they were right, I’d agree, but it’s them they know not me
Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away
I know I have to go

Maxim of the Month – Wine In/Secrets Out

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Wine-indulging, secret-divulging

נכנס יין יצא סוד

We Jews have a rather ambivalent relationship with wine. We sanctify every Shabbat and Chag with the blessing over and drinking of wine, we partake of the prescribed four cups of wine at the Pesach Seder and our every mazal tov, it would seem, is capped off with a “le-chayim” over wine. At the same time, we know that misuse/abuse of wine can lead to pain, addiction, violence and even death.

The Talmud relates the following story:

Rabbah and Rabbi Ze’ira had a Purim feast together. They became intoxicated and Rabbah arose and slit the throat of Rabbi Ze’ira. The following day, becoming sober and realising what he had done, Rabba prayed to God and revived him. The next year, Rabbah said to Rabbi Ze’ira: “Let’s do the Purim feast together (again)”. He said to him: “I cannot afford to rely on miracles”.

Significantly, the above story immediately follows Rava’s statement that “a person is obligated to drink (on Purim) to the point that he does not know how to distinguish between ‘cursed is Haman’ and ‘blessed is Mordecai’”. Though our Jewish tradition maintains that it is a mitzvah to drink wine on Purim, in accordance with Mordechai’s instruction that we celebrate these days as “yemei mishteh ve-simchah, days of drinking and rejoicing”, this cautionary tale reminds us that celebratory ritual is rendered reckless when drinking is taken to excess.

The Rabbinic maxim: נכנס יין יצא סוד/nichnas yayin, yatsah sod -“In comes wine, out go secrets”, reflects both the positive as well as negative effects that wine may elicit. One’s uninhibited and unrestrained self, under the influence of wine, may lead to a side of oneself best kept under wraps. At the same time, unburdening oneself of secrets and/or confronting or allowing others to confront oneself with hard truths may serve a healing purpose. We are reminded of the Latin phrase in vino veritas, “in wine, there is truth”.

During the trial of Eichmann in Jerusalem, the Israeli papers reported that the judges responded to the defence attorney, who wished to dismiss evidence with the contention that Eichmann was under the influence of alcohol when making those statements, with the words “nichnas yayin, yatsah sod”.

As yayin/wine in gematria (alpha-numeric encoding) is equivalent to sod/secret (both totalling 70) the Jewish mystical tradition employed this phrase to speak of deeper truths. Yayin/wine, in the Jewish tradition connotes Torah and sod/secret represents the most profound level of revelation. Thus, “nichnas yayin, yatsah sod”- When Torah enters us in a profound way, supernal secrets are disclosed. The ambivalence of the effects of wine is here overcome by prescribing the mysteries of divine truth, gained by engaging in the study of Torah, over sensory satisfaction sought in a bottle of wine.

Within this reading of “nichnas yayin, yatsah sod”, Rava’s statement that “a person is obligated to drink to the point that he does not know how to distinguish between ‘cursed is Haman’ and ‘blessed is Mordecai’” assumes new meaning. In gematria, ארור המן/ “cursed is Haman” and
ברוך מרדכי/“blessed is Mordechai” are numerically equivalent (both totalling 502). Accordingly, one who imbibes the divine spirits will transcend a world of duality, differentiation and discrimination which can only lead to our demise, and discover the world of truth in which all humanity is one with the divine. 

“Your love is better than wine”/טובים דודיך מיין says the beloved to the lover, in the Song of Songs. The Jewish mystical tradition interpreting, this book as an allegory of God’s love for Israel, reads this verse, “Best is Your love (flowing) from (the secret) wine (of Torah)”. Drunk with the divine (wine)!

Best then that we end with the words of the Zohar, “There is wine, and then there is wine” – Let the drinker beware!

Parashat Lekh Lekha

Ezra Hersch – Year 11

Parashat Lekh Lekha

In this week’s Parashah, Lekh Lekha, Abravam is referred to as “Ha-Ivri”. The meaning of “Ha-Ivri” is explored in the Midrash which cites three different opinions.

According to Rabbi Yehuda, “Ivri” means to be “on one side” (mi-ever echad) – Avraham was “on one side” (mi-ever echad) and the rest of the world was on another side (mi-ever echad). To take a stand, to live one’s truth, to be on one side even if the rest of the world stands against you is to be an “Ivri”.

Rabbi Nechemiah explains “Ivri” to mean that Abraham was a descendent of Ever, his grandfather. Despite his wanderings Abraham was faithful and proud of his lineage.

The third opinion, that of “the Rabbis” says that Abraham was called “Ha-Ivri” because he spoke Ivrit (Hebrew). Normally a language is named after the nation or group that speaks it, however, here Avraham takes his name from the language he spoke – the language with which God created the world and the language of the promises that God made to Avraham. Like Avraham, the Jewish people, even though separated from the land of the Hebrews – Eretz Ha-Ivrim– were able to maintain their national aspirations through their connection to the Hebrew language.

Among the promises God made to Avraham, in this week’s Parashah, is: “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you… and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you”. This can be seen as a result of standing up for your truth and being faithful to your language, heritage and beliefs – this is what it means to be an “Ivri”.

It is therefore quite fitting that the peace agreements signed between Israel, the UAE, Bahrain and most recently Sudan (which bring blessings to both Israel and the Arab peoples) be called the “Avraham Accords”, which bring the “ever echad” of Avraham together with the “ever echad” of the surrounding nations.

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

The land and people of Israel

In Jewish Studies Year 3 are learning about the land and the people of Israel. 

Using Google maps, we began zooming in over Emanuel School and then ‘travelled across the world’ to arrive at Israel. Students have been using satellite images, maps and online games to learn about Israel’s neighbours. 

Testing the students’ collaborative skills, they worked in groups to create a giant 60-piece puzzle of Israel. We then sat around the puzzle identifying cities, regions and key geographical features over Israel.

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Primary

Katie Brody – Director of Studies K – 6

Applaud, honour, recognise and treasure our terrific teachers

World Teachers’ Day
30 October 2020

Across Australia and indeed the world, teachers are being celebrated and thanked for their efforts, this year more than most.

World Teachers’ Day is technically today, but at Emanuel School, we have celebrated our educators all week, affirming what they do, showing gratitude and appreciation. Though our school grounds could not welcome parents physically on site much this year, our virtual classrooms certainly allowed the lessons to be viewed by all. It has been the events of 2020 that has reinforced for our parents and carers, and indeed all of society (and the world), the significant role that teachers play in the lives of children and young people, as well as the many benefits of dropping children at school to be educated whilst the parents maintain their work schedule and the economy can be held together. This year parents and carers gained greater insight into exactly what it is like to be a teacher, how challenging it is to foster learning and what it is like to manage all the students’ needs.

The lifestyle of a teacher is all encompassing primarily due to the relational aspects of the vocation. At the end of the day it is difficult for teachers to stop thinking about the students as they leave school, as teachers are empathic by nature and they care deeply about the happiness and mindset of children. Teachers are not just there to educate, as we all know. They assist with the impact of social difficulties, mental health issues or family breakdown. Teachers see students struggle with learning or with behavioural choices and they lie awake at night formulating ways they could be supporting the students more effectively. To ensure students feel valued and understood, teachers build rapport, taking an interest in students’ co-curricular activities, their reading preferences, their weekend adventures and their friendship groups. The emotional and cognitive demands of being a teacher are huge, as they need to remember and draw on so much information about the individual students, as well as coping with and managing their own needs and the demands of their personal lives. Dr Todd Whitaker, well known educator and researcher, said that: “The best thing about being a teacher is that it matters. The hardest thing about being a teacher is that it matters every day.” This is why we thank our teachers today, everyday and on World Teachers’ Day.   

With the core business of educating the children, it is inside the classroom that the magic happens. With learning transitioning to a virtual space for part of this year, we all got to see the teachers in action. It is in the classroom (or on Zoom) that a teacher becomes the consummate performer, the masterful facilitator, the one who motivates and inspires the next generation. Teachers are creative by nature and they coordinate groups with aplomb. Watching a teacher in action is a little like watching a professional conductor orchestrate the performance of an elaborate piece of music but in the classroom the musicians are all moving, they are all using a range of equipment and they are responding to the teacher and to each other verbally and non-verbally. Michael Murpurgo, author, poet and playwright said: “It’s the teacher that makes the difference, not the classroom” and wasn’t he right, particularly in 2020. It is the teacher who has planned for differing levels of ability, who has offered choice, who has managed interruptions, included humour, and monitored progress all whilst keeping to bell times. This is why we thank our teachers today, everyday and on World Teachers’ Day. 

In addition to the emotional aspects of the role, the intellectual rigor of being a teacher results in a level of exhaustion that builds gradually throughout each term. Teachers spend hours reading and analysing class novels, trawling through online subscriptions and professional networks for ideas and reading articles and emails. The administrative requirements extend to the upkeep of student progress data, preparing for parent / teacher meetings, collaborating with colleagues, attending conferences, remaining compliant with all NESA requirements, writing school reports and the list goes on. AITSL’s Spotlight report, Teaching: A valued profession, reveals that although the parents do show gratitude, teachers are much more circumspect about feeling valued. When feeling tired yet appreciated, teachers maintain a level of personal satisfaction that despite feeling unsure they will physically make it to the end of the term, the positive impact of their ongoing effort is acknowledged.

Showing appreciation for the efforts of our teachers is not new at Emanuel, as families certainly communicate their thanks in a myriad of ways throughout the year and especially with heartfelt cards at the end of the year. World Teachers’ Day has been a good opportunity, particularly this year, to affirm teachers by showing that we notice how agile, how efficient and how committed they are and by acknowledging the breadth of their role. Teachers really are superheroes and very few of us would be where we are today without the care and professionalism of the teachers we have encountered. Ensuring teachers feel valued in society and maintain satisfaction with their jobs is integral to teachers having positive attitudes about their work and an ability to influence the lives of students. When teachers feel valued they are more likely to remain confident and satisfied, and most importantly, remain in the profession. 

ICAS results 2020

Congratulations to all those students who participated in one or more ICAS competitions in 2020. This comprehensive list of high achievers should feel very proud of their efforts. Results were awarded using the following scale:

2020 ICAS Science Competition

Year 3 Certificates
Merit: Asher Levin
Credit: Gideon Cohen, Daniel Joffe, Judd Karro , Mia Li and Tal Wajsman
Distinction: Oscar Glikin
High Distinction: Benjamin Pellow

Year 4 Certificates
Merit: Cameron Barel
Credit: Tamar Granot, Rafael Kuper, Theodore Salek and Dean Wolf

Year 5 Certificates
Credit: Micah Esra, Leah Joshua, Daniel Judin, Remi Moses and Isaac Shammay
Distinction: Gil Banna, Noah Revelman 

Year 6 Certificates
Merit: Jake Isenberg
Credit: Joseph Becker, Avalon Gold, Akeisha Kantor, Lia McLellan, Gideon Owen, Oscar Salek and Dylan Vitek
Distinction: David Li, Amelie Mueller and Boaz Simhi

2020 ICAS English Competition

Year 3 Certificates
Credit: Oscar Glikin, Claudia Hochroth, Dan Kalinko, Judd Karro, Sophia Kirievskaya and Tal Wajsman
Distinction: Gideon Cohen, Jemima Hockley, Mia Li, Benjamin Pellow, Amelia Samuel and Nava Weiss

Year 4 Certificates
Merit: Samantha Lyons
Credit: Cameron Barel, Tamar Granot, Lara  Isenberg and Dean Wolf
Distinction: Theodore Salek 

Year 5 Certificates
Merit: Emily Seemann
Credit: Amali Allul Orozco, Jonathan Igra, Remi Moses, Noah Revelman, Rebecca Salamon, Isaac Shammay and Bella Swi
Distinction: Gil Banna, Benjamin Freed, Leah Joshua and Sanne Nathan
High Distinction: Micah Esra

Year 6 Certificates
Merit: Suzanna Garbuz and Gideon Owen
Credit: Shay Camiller, Ezra Glover-Sanders, Avalon Gold, Jake Isenberg, Akeisha Kantor, Noa Rosenzveig, Boaz Simhi and Dylan Vitek
Distinction: Jessica Hart, David Li, Lia McLellan, Amelie Mueller, Tali Same and Ari Smaller
High Distinction: Oscar Salek

2020 ICAS Digital Technologies Competition

Year 3 Certificates
Merit: Asher Arnott
Credit: Daniel Joffe 
Distinction: Benjamin Pellow and Nava Weiss

Year 4 Certificates
Merit: Tamar Granot, Samantha Lyons
Credit: Theodore Salek and Dean Wolf   

Year 5 Certificates
Credit: Jonathan Igra, Eli Jocum, Marco Meer, Seth Nachman and Isaac Shammay
Distinction: Micah Esra and Noah Revelman
High Distinction: Gil Banna

Year 6 Certificates
Credit: Shay Camiller, Declan Christie, Ezra Glover-Sanders, Jonathan Goldberg, Kira Levin-Kahn, Amelie Mueller, Gideon Owen, Noa Rosenzveig, Oscar Salek and Tali Same
Distinction: Asher Filipczyk and Dylan Vitek

2020 ICAS Mathematics Competition

Year 3 Certificates
Merit: Mia Li
Credit: Claudia Hochroth, Daniel Joffe, Tal Wajsman and Nava Weiss
Distinction: Oscar Glikin, Judd Karro and Asher Levin
High Distinction: Benjamin Pellow

Year 4 Certificates
Merit: Cameron Barel
Credit: Cooper Adler, Olivia Byrne, Lara Isenberg, Zachary Salamon and Dean Wolf
Distinction: Theodore Salek

Year 5 Certificates
Merit: Benjamin Freed, Eli Jocum, Daniel Judin, Remi Moses and Bella Swil
Credit: Micah Esra, Leah Joshua, Marco Meer, Liel Rapke, Emily Seemann and Isaac Shammay
Distinction: Gil Banna, Noah Revelman

Year 6 Certificates
Merit: Joseph Becker, Jonathan Goldberg and Madison Narunsky
Credit: Asher Filipczyk, Avalon Gold, Kira Levin-Kahn, David Li, Amelie Mueller, Jamie Nabarro, Gideon Owen, Noa Rosenzveig, Ari Smaller and Dylan Vitek
Distinction: Shay Camiller, Suzanna Garbuz, Oscar Salek and Boaz Simhi

Primary Gala Day

This semester has presented the Primary School with some challenging decisions. Unfortunately the Athletics Carnival had to be canceled. However, with some ingenuity from Mr Taylor, we were able to create a Gala Day in its place. 

The day was a modified version of the Athletics Carnival that took place at Queens Park. In different periods throughout the day students from the Primary School came down to compete in a variety of activities run by the House Captains. Some of the activities included tug of war, relays, egg and spoon race, and throwing a gum boot! 

Early in the day the Years 3 and 4 came down to the park. The House Captains accompanied them to help set up and run each of the activities. After the activities were done, Years 3 and 4 returned to school and had lunch while the House Captains stayed at the park and had lunch. After lunch, Years 5 and 6 came down, and the teachers ran the stations so the House Captains could have fun.

We greatly appreciated the opportunity to help organise and participate in the Gala Day and want to thank Mr Taylor for co-ordinating.

It was one of the best highlights in our Term 3 duties as House Captains.

by Jemma Adler, Madison Starkey, Shay Camiller, Lia Brock, Ari Smaller, Jack Kessell, Sasha Novy, Gemma Odes, Gabriel Pozniak, Kira Levin-Kahn, Toni Sher, Charles Roth
The Primary School House Captains

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Primary staff farewell

Natanya Milner – Head of Primary

Fiona Singer

At the end of this year, we will be farewelling Fiona from the role of assistant in the Primary library. From the beginning of 2021, this role will become a full-time position. Fiona and her family have been close friends of Emanuel and have had a long association with the School. We will miss Fiona in this role but are confident we will still see her around, as she will continue her involvement with the School in the years ahead.

I would like to thank Fiona for her efficiency and many contributions to the Primary Library.

We wish her all the very best!

Project Heritage

Jessica Hart

During Term 3, Year 6 participated in a unique individual and collaborative learning project called Project Heritage. Project Heritage brings together students with elders in our community, to learn about their lives, our past and to connect with our Jewish heritage. As a group we heard many interesting personal stories and insights from the nine Living Historians who are grandparents and friends in the Emanuel School community. 

Last term, we conducted three interviews with our Historians on Zoom. Each Historian told their personal stories, answered our questions and shared their wisdom and outlook on life. It was fascinating to learn about a time when I wasn’t there and the hardships our ancestors have experienced. I am the granddaughter of Litzi Lemberg who was my group’s Historian. It felt important to be hearing my own grandmother’s story in details that I’d never heard before. I learnt so many new things about her life and the world before I was born. I am so glad and proud that she participated in Project Heritage. 

This week we celebrated the conclusion of our learning with a presentation ceremony and by launching the Project Heritage website, which contains a curated collection of each group’s work – including artwork, creative writing, biographies and a biopic.

To all the historians who shared your words of wisdom this year, I thank you for the experience and all the time and thought you have put into this project. I’d also like to thank all of the teachers and mentors who put so much work into making this a memorable and educational project. 

Thank you to everyone who helped give my peers and me this incredible opportunity to be involved in the community and to learn about our history and heritage.

Tali’s Poem – Final Version

Toni Sher artwork about Gabriel Zipser

Xander Artwork Scan Black Border (1)

Yael’s Portrait of her Grandmother

Maya Hersch Artwork for Susie Danos

Jessica Smith Artwork about Dr Anne Sarzin

Jemma’s Artwork – Vera Goldberg

Jack Kessel artwork for Miryam Wise

Gwen Zeller Zoom Interview

Elke S Artwork for Peter Endrey-Walder

Oliver’s Newspaper

Phoebe Machlin poem for Miryam

Asher’s Artwork With Explanation (1)

A visit to The Future

Leo Masnick artwork about Miryam Wise

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmehl

Children’s Week 2020 – A Caring World Shares 

Children’s Week celebrates the right of children to enjoy childhood. It is also a time for children to demonstrate their talents, skills and abilities.

Children’s Week 2020 is a wonderful opportunity to promote the rights of children and young people, and to celebrate their capacity to actively contribute to the world around them. The Children’s Week National Theme for 2020 is UNCRC Article 15 – children have the right to meet together and join groups and organisations as long as it does not stop other people from enjoying their rights. In exercising their rights, children have the responsibility to respect the rights, freedom and reputations of others.

This includes being free to:

• meet individual people and groups of friends
• set up an organisation
• join an organisation
• take part in peaceful protest
• come together to discuss the issues that affect their lives.

The Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child were adopted in 1959 and 1989 (respectively) on the same day as Universal Children’s Day. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child protects children’s rights by setting standards in health care; education; and legal, civil and social services. In general, the Convention says that children everywhere have the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.

“Rights” are things every child should have or be able to do. All children have the same rights. These rights are listed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. All the rights are connected to each other, and all are equally important. As children grow, they have more responsibility to make choices and exercise their rights.

We will be focussing over the next few weeks on Article 12: The right to Speak, Article 31: The right to play and rest and Article 19: The right to be safe – to be protected from hurt and mistreatment.

The ECA Code of Ethics also ensures, we as early childhood professionals, act in the best interests of all children and work collectively to ensure that every child is thriving and learning. The Code of Ethics is an aspirational framework for reflection about the ethical responsibilities of childhood professionals who work with, or on behalf, of children and their families. In this Code of Ethics, the protection and wellbeing of children is paramount and therefore speaking out or taking action in the presence of unethical practice is an essential professional responsibility.

The core principles in this Code of Ethics are based on the fundamental and prized values of the profession. They act to guide decision making in relation to ethical responsibilities. These core principles require a commitment to respect and maintain the rights and dignity of children, families, colleagues and communities. 

• Each child has unique interests and strengths and the capacity to contribute to their communities. 
• Children are citizens from birth with civil, cultural, linguistic, social and economic rights. 
• Effective learning and teaching is characterised by professional decisions that draw on specialised knowledge and multiple perspectives. 
• Partnerships with families and communities support shared responsibility for children’s learning, development and wellbeing. 
• Democratic, fair and inclusive practices promote equity and a strong sense of belonging. 
• Respectful, responsive and reciprocal relationships are central to children’s education and care. 
• Play and leisure are essential for children’s learning, development and wellbeing. 
• Research, inquiry and practice-based evidence inform quality education and care. 

Reference: https://www.childrensweek.org.au/about/

See this full article for a list of all the UN Rights of the Child.

World Teachers’ Day

We celebrated World Teachers’ Day on Friday – a day to acknowledge and thank all our wonderful educators for their commitment, compassion, and dedication to the Early Childhood profession. We had a lovely morning tea and coffee cart, supplied by Emanuel School.

National Bandanna Day

We collected money on Friday for Canteen, by all wearing bandannas to support Cancer research for young people. Thank you to all the Kornmehl families for all purchasing a bandanna.

Happy Birthday

This week we wish a very happy birthday to Ava Greenberg (4) and Liam Hochroth (5). We also wish a very special happy birthday to our wonderful educator Lindi Bloch. We hope you all had a beautiful birthday.

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It’s a goal!

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Gesher online Speaker Series
Wednesday 11 November at 7.30 pm

Our guest speaker will be Ben Wilheim (Class of 2008), founder of Remember September, who will be interviewed by fellow alum Jonathan Baker, who is a close friend and major supporter of Ben’s charity. Bookings are now open.

It’s a goal

Nearly half the Maccabi-Hakoah’s over-45 Division 2 Men’s Football team are current or past Emanuel parents. Mazal tov to the team who sealed the 2020 Eastern Suburbs Football Association Premier Title win and then played in the grand final on the 18 October 2020, only to lose to the one team to have defeated them during the entire regular season, Lokomotiv Cove. We wish them good luck for next season.

Maccabi over 45 men’s squad

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

It is not too late to nominate someone for the prestigious Changemaker Awards 2020. Nominations must be in by Monday 16 November 2020 and can be made online. 

Changemaker Awards Night 2019

This photo is from last year’s awards presentation night where two of our current students – Ella Gil-Munoz nominated by Daphna Levin Kahn and Miriam Itzkowitz nominated by Rabbi Daniel Siegel, were announced winners in their nominated category. This photo also includes some of the ten Emanuel alumni who were also nominated in various Young Adult categories. Missing from this photo is Ben Wilheim who won the Young Adult contribution to Australian Society award and is our guest speaker for our Gesher online speaker session on the 11 November 2020. We would love to see some of our students and alumni nominated for this year’s awards.This short video highlights last year’s presentation evening. 

Stay safe and Shabbat Shalom.

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

HS Sport

Kristy Genc – Head of Sport, PDHPE Teacher, Year 12 Tutor

It has been pleasing to see many sports able to return this term, although still under important COVID-19 guidelines. Last week Emanuel teams commenced playing in the Easts Schools Touch Football competition, with wins in the junior girls, senior girls and Year 7 boys competitions. Brooke Rosen, Year 9, had a great start to the season scoring five tries in the junior girls game. 

Last Friday, Emanuel participated in the annual CDSSA Touch Football Gala Day, competing in all divisions of the competition. Congratulations to the 15 years girls team on progressing to the grand final and to all Emanuel teams for their outstanding effort. Stand out performers included Brody Elbourne and Mahley Rosen-Tal, who scored a number of tries throughout the day, and Josh Gordon, Shai Farhy, Talia Kleviansky, Alice Milner, Coby New and Brooke Rosen for their consistent play and leadership on the field. 

Congratulations to Brody Elbourne of Year 10, for his recent achievements in running. Brody has returned to the cross-country season in great form, after several cancelled events, placing 9th in the NSW Cross Country Championships. Following this great result, Brody has been named in the team to compete at Nationals. Well done!

Emanuel 15yrs Boys Touch Football Team at CDSSA Gala Day

Emanuel Year 7 Girls Touch Football Team at Easts Competition 2020

Emanuel Opens Girls Touch Football Team at CDSSA Gala Day 2020

Emanuel 15yrs Boys Touch Football Team at CDSSA Gala Day copy

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

Turning Point Consulting is a fantastic and well established careers service that provides leading edge and evidence based resources for Careers Advisors, students, parents and educators in Sydney and beyond. We have worked with them in the past and hope in 2021 (COVID aside) to work with them again. 

They have provided some excellent Zoom resources, PDFs, links and other resources to help students, educators and parents and everyone in between. Whatever your own careers ‘status’ there will be something here for you:

• Student Wellbeing Zoom Interview with Jacquie Van der Velde – how we can help students in this turbulent year and engage with careers in general.
• Find some top tips here to help you choose and begin the career process including:
  • Resume tips
  • Profiling tips
  • Presenting yourself
  • How to get that edge via LinkedIn
  • Study tips and more

• This is a great presentation from Wellbeing Australia on tips for success on post-school options. 

Sydney University news

• Which Music Degree is right for me? Tuesday 24 November  2020 from 5.00 pm – 6.00 pm
• Commerce or Economics –  I get asked a lot “Which is better to study?” Wednesday 25 November 2020 from 5.30 pm – 6.40 pm

Why it’s okay to change your career path

As the closing date for university applications draws closer, many students start to panic about choosing their preferences. It’s not unusual to have a change of heart, even as you move into the workforce. After all, it’s hard to know where your specific interests and strengths lie until you get started. It is okay to change your study path!

Life in the desert

Mire Heitner – Hebrew Teacher

A Bedouin tent in the Negev

After learning about the Israeli desert, the Negev, Year 7 students enjoyed traditional hospitality in a Bedouin tent.  

The students sat in a tent, wore head scarves and were welcomed by a Bedouin man (our own Mr Thaler). Following that, students acted out real life conversations in Hebrew, using learnt vocabulary, and presented them to the teachers. The most exciting part was tasting the traditional Bedouin food that included labane cheese, dates, pita and hummus. The na’ana (mint) tea was popular as well.  

The students benefitted from this experience by strengthening their connection and knowledge of the different aspects of Israel. They learnt about the varied population in Israel and the characteristics of the desert. We all had a meaningful and enjoyable learning experience.

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COVID-19 assistance

Year 10 Drama Showcase

Green hero

Simple fixes to reduce your carbon footprint

Hey everyone, this week’s sustainability article is on simple fixes to reduce your carbon footprint.

The current global warming we’re experiencing is climate change driven by human emissions of greenhouse gases, resulting in large changes in weather patterns. Since 1880, there has been a combined land and ocean temperature increase of an average of 0.07°C per decade. This may not sound like a lot, however, there are significant negative impacts. An increase in temperature is dangerous as it can cause rising sea levels, more severe and unpredictable weather patterns, an increase in natural disasters, and higher wildlife extinction rates. When carbon and other heat-trapping emissions are released into the air, they act like a blanket, holding heat in our atmosphere and warming the planet.

You may be wondering – what is a carbon footprint? A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact your activities have on the amount of carbon dioxide produced through the burning of fossil fuels; it’s the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual. A large carbon footprint is negative for the environment as it depletes resources and accelerates climate change. To reduce the risk of global temperatures rising 2°C, the average global carbon footprint per year needs to drop below two tonnes by 2050. We are here to give you some simple solutions to reduce your individual carbon footprint and prevent negative events occurring to our world. You can calculate your carbon footprint here. 

Driving less

One of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to consider firstly how often you travel and secondly in which use of transportation you take. In November 2017, carbon emissions from transportation surpassed the amount of emissions from electricity as the top source of greenhouse gases. If you didn’t use a car for one year, you could prevent over 2,000kg of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. However, this may be a bit difficult, so try to bike or walk to school, get the bus rather than a lift in the car, cut down the amount of air conditioning you use or try carpooling with friends as this way you will split emissions between multiple people.

Eating sustainably

One of the main contributors to global warming is the increased greenhouse gas emissions resulting from human activity. While carbon dioxide is currently the biggest contributor to the issue, methane is also a major source of the world’s greenhouse emissions and it comes largely from the overproduction of livestock. An average cow produces around 70 – 120 grams of methane per year with the majority of these cows being raised for human gain, e.g. meat and dairy products. The ever-increasing demand for meat and poultry means that there is a higher demand for cows, and more methane is released every day. So how can you help? In order to help you don’t need to become fully vegan or even vegetarian, but rather participate in simple activities such as ‘Meatless Monday’, which can help you to do your part in decreasing the demand for livestock thus lowering methane emissions.

Reducing food waste

The Australian Government estimates that food waste costs the economy $20 billion each year. Over five million tonnes of food ends up as landfill. This is enough to fill 9,000 Olympic sized swimming pools. Furthermore, one in five full shopping bags ends up in the bin resulting in $3800.00 worth of groceries per household each year being wasted. To reduce this from happening: 

• Make grocery shopping lists before buying to prevent buying items you already have;
• Be cautious of buying in bulk as it is often wasted;
• Don’t cook more than you will end up eating;
• Reuse leftovers instead of putting them in the bin;
• Freeze food to make it last longer;
• Take home leftovers from restaurants.

Composting

Organic food waste may seem harmless… but don’t be fooled! Organic waste releases copious amounts of methane as it decomposes, contributing a significant amount to global yearly methane emissions. To help combat this you can compost your fruits and vegetables by collecting your scraps and feeding them to a worm barrel (or other methods of composting – check Ma Nishma next week for an article on composting!). This is an awesome way to turn your potentially harmful waste into useful fertilisers, and also limit the use of chemical fertilisers, which have other negative environmental impacts. It’s a win-win win-win! By reducing the methane you release into the atmosphere when you compost, you can feed worms, fertilise your plants and decrease the use of harmful chemical fertilisers. 

Home appliances

There are small things you may do in your day-to-day life that may seem insignificant, however, they can actually be having detrimental effects on the environment. Little things such as turning off a light in a room when nobody’s in there, only using air conditioning when necessary, closing windows when any form of AC is in use, as well as switching off fans when there is no one in the room are all ways to reduce your carbon footprint (and reduce your electricity bill). Next time you leave a room remember to turn off your lights, fan and AC so you can help reduce carbon emissions!

Dressing sustainably

Per year, each person has 20 items of clothing manufactured for them. This is as a result of “fast fashion” – clothes that are produced quickly, cheaply and unsustainably. The pace of the fashion cycles and consequent increased clothing production, transport and waste negatively impacts our environment. Tips to reduce your individual impact:

• Look for Fair Trade logos;
• Shop second-hand/vintage (not only can you find some unique and affordable items but you will also be saving the environment);
• Think about how much use you will get from an item before buying it;
• Consider the material and fabric used in your clothes – will it last a long time or will it quickly fall apart?
• Donate or sell old clothes instead of throwing them away.

Reducing your individual impact is an important way to contribute to the global effort to decelerate global warming. By eating less meat, carefully considering your transport, reducing food waste and dressing sustainably you can reduce your carbon footprint and help decrease carbon emissions.

Have a sustainable weekend!

Romi Lapidge and Sophie Sawicki

Event – Speaker Series

Canteen treats

New summer-time treat

Uniform Shop – Online Appointment Link

Due to the current pandemic restrictions, Midford has created an online booking system for parents to make an appointment to come into the Uniform Shop. 

Community notices

Parents and Friends

Ruby Berkovic & Jen Opit

Hi Everyone,

Parents & Friends meetings

We have a meeting next week, on Tuesday 3 November 2020. It will be held on Zoom at 7.00 pm. Everyone is welcome. Please let us know if you would like to attend: rubykb@gmail.com

Entertainment Books

The weather is getting warmer and restaurants are opening up. If you are interested in ordering an Entertainment Book, you can do so here 

Weekend Brain Teaser

Question: How do you make the number 7 even without addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division?

Have a lovely weekend,

Jen & Ruby

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 Lynn Langman

Herby guacamole

Ingredients

2 ripe avocados
1 clove garlic
1/8 onion
1 tbsp fresh lime or lemon juice (Kalamata is best if you can find it)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 – 3/4 tsp sea salt
fresh basil, dill and coriander to taste

Directions

Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth and serve with your favourite cut up vegetables, crackers or corn chips.

Serves 4 – 6

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