Volume 29 Issue 35 - 13 Nov 2020

From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

Innovative Schools Award

I am delighted to announce that we have been selected for the second year running, for The Educator Magazine’s prestigious list of innovative schools who have made “the most profound and exciting impact in K-12 education” in 2020. Our email signatures will soon include two gold innovation medals! 

Emanuel continues to build our focus on learning that has life-long relevance for every student, transferable beyond the parameters of any single discipline. Our School’s learning program is focused on creating authentic opportunities that future-proof our students for an ever-changing, unpredictable and complex world.

Innovation at Emanuel encompasses a wide range of technologies and disciplines. Our K-12 framework is developed to help realise ICT capabilities and skills with digital learning technologies. In 2020, our Innovation programs have engaged students in real-world contexts to make a tangible difference within their community. Students develop agency in their learning and the contributions they make beyond the classroom. Positive student activism is celebrated through opportunities that support students as they move from idea generation to action, as genuine changemakers. Our extra-curricular programs allow students to pursue passions in Innovation, Digital Technologies and ICT. The annual Innovation Festival remains a highlight of the annual calendar. 

Our culture of innovation doesn’t stop at our students. Teacher professional learning at Emanuel is hands-on, collaborative, exploratory and designed to shape the role of our teachers as ‘architects of learning’. It is built on the principle that in order for our students to grow into life-long learners, the School must also create this same environment for teachers. We are delighted that our School has been recognised as one of the most innovative in the country. Our vision is to be a place ‘where the individual excels’ and a future-focused teaching approach does just this, equipping students with the capabilities to thrive for life.

Year 7 Shorashim Project

The online presentation, held on Monday evening, was a great success. Commencing with a welcome webinar, hosted by Daphna Levin-Kahn, parents then had the opportunity to spend time visiting the student’s virtual photo albums on the Shorashim website, followed by families in small Zoom groups, hosted by our Year 7 Jewish Studies teachers and staff who had volunteered to host, to engage with student presentations of their Shorashim journeys. Mazal tov to each student; the quality of the work was outstanding, reflecting many hours of research. Many thanks to the Jewish Studies team and the teachers who hosted each group.

Photograph courtesy of Ofer Levy

Year 10 Drama Showcase  

On Wednesday evening I had the privilege of being part of the live audience for this live-streamed event. We were entertained by both individual and group performances. The emerging performing arts talent within this group is impressive – and we congratulate them on their excellent Drama showcase.

Reminder: Morning drop off procedures

There is still room for improvement for the movement of traffic around our campus! Some High School parents are still queuing up on Stanley Street, instead of going around the block (if all the spots are taken). Unfortunately, this results in the street becoming blocked, preventing our Primary School parents getting around to Avoca Street. Parents are also encouraged not to turn right from Stanley Street onto Avoca Street, as this also increases congestion in the morning.

Options for Speech Day

At the moment, the number of people that we can accommodate in the Lehrer Family Buildingl (MPH) is severely limited by the 4m square rule. Unless there are significant reductions of the COVID-19 restrictions, we will conduct a live prize presentation and speech day, with the Years 7-12 prize-winners participating in the MPH and the remainder of our community participating through our livestream Zoom link. We are hoping to accommodate all students from Years 7 to 12, if restrictions are lifted. Our remaining options involve a group of parents joining the live audience. Stay tuned!

May her memory be for a blessing

We received the sad news that Yetta (Netty) Grant, passed away on Shabbat last week, aged 99. Netty and her late husband Sid volunteered at the School since its inception in 1983. Up until the end of last year, Netty could still be regularly seen helping out in the Primary Library, always with a smile on her face and kind word for the students. We wish Netty’s family “long life” – she will be sorely missed. May her memory be for a blessing. 

A great try by Ashley Urbach, Year 7

Mazal tov

  • The Emanuel Girls Years 7/8 team won the Jewish Day Schools Oztag Gala Day. They won all of their matches throughout the day and went in to win the grand final against Moriah 3-1.
  • The boys team played so well and sucumbed in overtime 3-4 to Masada.
  • Luca Calderon Havas, Year 10, won the Maccabi Lloyd Burman Junior Sportsperson of the Year award for his tennis success and excellent attitude. 

Quote of the week

“Issues are never simple. One thing I’m proud of is that very rarely will you hear me simplify the issues.”
Barak Obama

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel

Brothers

In this week’s parashah, Chayei Sarah, both the patriarch and matriarch of our people, Sarah and Avraham, breathe their last and in so doing give new life to a lost brotherhood.

Avraham was estranged from his older son, Yishma’el, ever since he forced him out of his home at the request of Sarah. They never spoke again. After Avraham bound his younger son on an altar, as a sacrificial offering to God, Yitschak, spared but traumatised, never again spoke with his father.

Now, the two brothers come together at their father’s funeral, the first time they see each other since they played together as small children.

Before his death, we read in this parashah that “Avraham was old, advancing in years”, but blessed by God “in all things”. Avraham was blessed with a son through Sarah, as he was promised, and had grown wealthy in possessions and land. Yet, we sense a lack of fulfillment.

As the parashah draws to an end, we read that it is only “after the death of Avraham, God blessed his son, Yitschak. And, he settled near the well of Lahai-roi”. This is the site at which Hagar, running away from Sarah who abused her, was promised a son, Yishma’el, the lost brother with whom Yitschak now becomes reunited.

As Yishma’el and Yitschak found their way back together after a long separation, may their contemporary descendants, Arabs and Jews, find a way to come together, as brothers, as well.

 

 

 

 

Chayei Sarah

Georgia Kahane – Year 11

This week’ parashah, Chayaei Sarah, tells us how Rivkah (Rebecca) meets Yitzchak (Isaac). After Sarah, Yitzchak’s mother, passes away, Ya’akov (Jacob), Yitzchak’s father, tells his servant, Eliezer, to find a wife for his son. Eliezer goes to a well and decides that the woman to marry Yitzchak must be kind and so he will see who the first girl is to come and offer his camels water. The first woman ends up being Rivkah, she comes over and gives all of Eliezer’s camels water and asks nothing in return. He then brings her home to introduce her to Yitzchak.

This parashah teaches us the importance of kindness and selflessness, Rivkah saw that Eliezer’s camels needed water and so she decided to help them and did not expect anything in return. She shows us that being kind and selfless doesn’t mean not doing the wrong thing, it means going out of your way to help others. This is something that can be difficult. It can take time and you may have to begin by thinking about the different things you can do to help others, but eventually it will become natural.

Our goal should be to become like Rivkah, one of our matriarchs. When we see someone in need, we should instinctively go over to help and not ask for anything in return.

The Torah tells us that we are born with self-interest, meaning we are born inherently self-serving, this means we must train ourselves to be good, kind people. We must at first consciously decide to do good things over and over again; we must view good deeds like training a muscle, the more you complete the action the easier and more natural it becomes. Without this training we will be unable to complete selfless acts unconsciously.

Selfless acts are the most difficult and the most important. When we are able to put other people’s needs above our own, we become more like Rivkah, more selfless and kinder.

So what can you do in your everyday life to become more selfless and how can you embody the kindness of Rivkah?

 

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

Remembrance and dedication – Kristallnacht and NAIDOC Week

This week in Jewish Studies, Year 6 learnt about the destructive events of the 9 November 1938 – 10 November 1938, known as Kristallnacht – the Night of Broken Glass. This provided us with the opportunity to reflect and make connections with our Term 3 learning through Project Heritage and of pre-war Jewish life in Europe. 

We then explored a fascinating connection between Kristallnacht and Australia, through the life and actions of an indigenous Yorta Yorta man, William Cooper. 

William Cooper is an important figure and leader for indigenous people and the Australian community, and an inspirational figure who lived his values and spoke up for others.  

In 1935, William Cooper drafted a petition to send to King George V, asking for Aboriginal representation in the Federal Parliament. His petition was similar to current discussions and debates about enshrining an indigenous voice in parliament. The Prime Minister of the day, Joseph Lyons, did not pass on this petition to the King. On Australia Day 1938, William Cooper organised a protest and congress, called a Day of Mourning, to draw attention to the history and current plight of Australia’s indigenous people. 

In December 1938, upon hearing of the destruction and persecution of Jews during Kristallnacht, William Cooper organised a protest at the German Consulate in Melbourne. Denied citizenship, civil rights and equality in Australia, Cooper stood up for Jews in Germany and Austria who were experiencing persecution.  

If you are interested in learning more about William Cooper click here.

Gabriel Pozniak, on reflecting on William Cooper’s life and actions said: “It doesn’t matter how far away you may be from injustices, or if those injustices do not affect you directly, we should always try to help others. By standing up, for and with those experiencing injustice, we can all make a difference”.

Building on this historical connection, our focus turned to learning more about the Uluru Statement of the Heart, an amazing document that amongst other things, echoes William Cooper’s petition in 1935. 

Inspired by the life and values of William Cooper, students were challenged to think about what actions, on an individual and communal level, could be taken today to bring about justice in Australian society. 

As part of Project Heritage, Lia McLellen was working with Dr Anne Sarzin, mother of Lisa Sarzin and grandmother of Gabriel Pozniak. Lia’s creative writing piece reflects on the many connections between indigenous and Jewish communities in Australia. These connections include William Wallace and other examples cited by Lisa and her mother in their book, Hand in Hand

 

 

Primary

 

Sophie Poisel – Head of Innovations & Digital Technologies K – 6

Slow looking to explore the complexity of systems at our fingertips

One of my favourite thinking routines from Harvard’s Project Zero encourages students to slow down, look closely and explore the complexity of objects. The Parts Purposes Complexities thinking routine enables students to make detailed observations of an object and think about how the parts work together as a system. It is in this way that students can begin to understand the complexity of objects and develop their understanding of systems thinking. This routine stimulates curiosity, questions, surfaces areas for further inquiry and assists in identifying misconceptions.

This was one of the routines a group of Primary School teachers learnt during the Harvard Maker Centered Learning course in 2018, and continue to embed in learning opportunities with students.

Some examples of how we have used this routine this term include:

  • Looking closely to explore the complexity of a codapillar robot in Kindergarten. Here the students have clearly identified how the parts of this system work together to make the robot move, as well as areas to further develop such as misconceptions about what is inside the robot. A brilliant follow up learning opportunity would be taking apart this robot to see what components make this robot work.
  • Explore the complexity of microscopes and think about their purpose with Year 3 students. This has uncovered what the students know already about the use of microscopes, and their curiosity to use one to try and see small things. An interesting conversation followed about how microscopes could be used to see germs, and discover new viruses and invent vaccines. Following this, students were given the opportunity to view some plants, as per the following example.
  • Building an understanding the complexity of plants using microscopes with Year 3 students. When asked to draw a range of plants, as part of a Living World investigation, students began to draw representations of the plants they were looking at. Following explicit feedback from myself and their peers, the students began drawing what they were actually seeing. Their drawings moved from representations of flowers that they already knew how to draw, to drawing the shapes they could see. Students then looked at these plants through the microscopes and were excited by the detail they saw. We were also lucky to see a tiny caterpillar crawl out of one of the lavender flowers. A great conversation ensued about the pattern on the creature’s skin and being able to see the creature’s heartbeat or how it breathes. The ‘horns’ all over the creature’s body also led to an interesting discussion including that they “are used to sense what is around them”.

Students aren’t empty vessels waiting to be filled with knowledge from their teachers and other adults. Using Thinking Routines such as Parts Purposes Complexities and carefully designed provocations, we can ignite curiosity, and, uncover and clarify current understandings.

 

 

 

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmehl Pre-school

National Recycling Week – a future beyond the bin

This week we have been using a variety of recycled materials in the classrooms. Some of these have come from what the children have collected in their brown bags from home. Little treasures from our Beautiful Stuff project, which they have shared with their friends and sorted into different containers. Others have come from families collecting recycled boxes, egg cartons and paper rolls. The children have enjoyed working with tape and glue to create something new. Allowing children to use their imagination in this way has many advantages. Objects can take on the form of so many different imaginative and creative ideas.

Construction with loose parts provides opportunities for children to explore scientific and mathematical concepts as they combine boxes and other materials together into three dimensional structures. As children construct, they develop skills for problem solving, investigating, applying, and reflecting on learning. This type of play requires persistence and the ability to plan and make decisions. Open-ended activities help children build self confidence and encourages their independent learning too. Children are also able to revisit their work over several days, adding to their designs and applying deep thinking as well as dexterity in the way they manipulate the materials and stick them together. Construction with loose and recycled materials is a very satisfying creative experience for young children.

NAIDOC Week

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is Always Was Always Will Be...

It’s a time to recognise and celebrate our First Nations People who have occupied and cared for our continent for over 65,000 years. We are spiritually and culturally connected to this country. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists.

Each and every day, when we come into the Pre-school, we are greeted by three flags: The Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Australian flags. We feel a sense of pride that we are able to be connected to our first nations culture. We are always learning, growing and asking questions. We don’t claim to understand it all and haven’t earned the right to understand it all. ⠀

But we are committed to connecting rather than taking. ⠀
We are committed to respect. ⠀
We are committed to acknowledgement. ⠀
We are committed to protecting the land. ⠀
We are committed to supporting others to make their own connections. ⠀
We are proud to live and work on Gadigal land here in Randwick.

What land are you on?

To celebrate at Pre-school, the children viewed a YouTube clip and heard about the meaning of Acknowledgement to Country. We watched some Aboriginal dancing, playing of the didgeridoo and clapping sticks. We learnt about the colours and meaning of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. The Kornmehl children are always curious, interested learners who embrace diversity and equality with openness and so much heart.

Concerts

This year our concerts will be a little different to past years, in that we will not have an audience of parents proudly cheering us on. This is very sad and we long for the days when we can have parents back into our Pre-school. For now, we need to think positively, creatively and pro-actively to find other ways to share what the children have learnt. So, we will be making a video of the children singing and performing for their mums and dads. We have been discussing this with the groups and the children are feeling excited. They have all given input into what songs they would like to sing and share with their families. We have started practicing and making a few props. We know that for some children this way of sharing will be less intimidating than being on show. Every year we find that in our concerts there are always children who feel overwhelmed and who do not like being in the spotlight. 

We really believe that at this young and tender age of 3, 4 and 5 it is not so important for them to be on show, but rather to be able to feel relaxed, proud and confident to share their learning in a way that is part of their everyday Pre-school life. We hope families will embrace this thinking and new “norm.”  

Happy Birthday

We wish a very happy birthday to Amanda Lemberg, Justine Robertson and Terry Aizen, who all celebrated their birthdays this week. We hope you all had a great day.

New hope

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Gesher Online Speaker Series – NEW DATE

Out of respect for the passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and the Australia-wide community memorial held on Wednesday evening, we have postponed our interview with Emanuel School alumnus, Ben Wilheim (Class of 2008). Ben formed the charity, Remember September, to raise awareness and funds for education and research into a cure for pancreatic cancer after his father and cousin died of the disease. It promises to be an insightful and inspiring evening, Ben will be interviewed by his close friend and supporter of his charity, alumnus Jonathan Baker. 

Don’t miss out on hearing from a young man whose commitment to Tikkun Olam is changing the lives of thousands of people. 

New date: Tuesday 17 November 2020

Time: 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm
Venue: Online
Bookings here

New trial hope for BRCA carriers

In last week’s Australian Jewish News, Emanuel parent, Amanda Isenberg, was interviewed in an article about an exciting new trial that aims to test the effectiveness of a drug currently used to treat osteoporosis but also shows potential as a treatment for breast cancer. Did you know there is a one in forty chance Ashkenazi Jews carry the BRCA gene mutation compared to the general population of one in four hundred chance? Amanda, a carrier of this gene mutation, undertook a mastectomy three years ago and is now a strong advocate of gene testing. She saysknowledge is power and I want to grow old, watching my children and then also hopefully my grandchildren grow up”. Amanda is happy to talk to anyone wanting more information and can be contacted by email. She urges members of our Jewish community who have not yet been tested for a BRCA mutation to contact Jenescreen.    

Tribute to Netty Grant – 12 September 1921 to 7 November 2020

Netty – 97th birthday

As you will have read in Andrew Watt’s report, we acknowledge Yetta Grant, known to us all as Netty, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a volunteer here at the School from 1983 when the School was established, through to only recently. Netty and her late husband Sid were avid supporters of our School over the years, having initially been Board members of Temple Emanuel.  Netty volunteered in our School library for over 30 years and both she and Sid were interviewed for Project Heritage about their former lives in England, where they founded the Bromley Progressive Synagogue in South London before their move to Sydney.

We helped celebrate Netty’s 90th birthday in 2011. At our Volunteers Assembly in 2017, Netty was named and honoured as one of four exceptional volunteers for her many years of helping in our School library.

In September 2018 we celebrated her 97th birthday during one of her volunteering sessions in the Primary library. Living at Montefiore Home, Randwick, she always looked forward to her weekly visits to our library and her great sense of humour and sharp wit will be sorely missed. Netty’s son Jeff Grant says “both my parents, of whom I am immensely proud, understood the meaning of Tikkun Olam, and did their best to achieve it”.

May her memory be for a blessing.

Nominate today

Parents – if your child/children volunteer their time to help others, why not nominate them for the 2020 B’nai B’rith & JNF Jewish Changemaker Awards

You have until Monday 16 November 2020 to nominate someone for these prestigious Changemaker Awards 2020 – youth categories (age 14 to 18) and young adult (age 18 to 35). For more information and how to nominate click here  

Don’t let 2020 be any different to previous years when we have had outstanding nominations from some of our students and alumni, with winners in a number of categories. 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 send to: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Hannah Szenes Yahrzeit

Alexis Joffe

On Saturday (7 November 2020) we marked the Yahrzeit of Hannah Szenes, a highly prominent figure in Israeli and Jewish history. Last Thursday, the entire High School participated in a range of activities revolving around the value of intention (kavanah). The program encouraged students to consider the concept of kavanah in relation to Hannah Szenes, and the importance of this value and mindset in their own lives.

At age 22, Szenes parachuted into Nazi-occupied Europe in order to rescue her fellow Jews. Within hours, she was captured by Hungarian authorities and sent to prison in Budapest. She endured several months of cruel torture – her mother, too, was captured and put at risk – but she refused to cooperate with the police or provide any information regarding her mission. She faced trial for her actions, where she defended her decisions and remained steadfast in her courage. As a result, she was sentenced to death as a spy and executed on 7 November 1944. Her life was cut short, but the life she led and the kavanah behind all that she did has inspired

Jessica Lowy

generations of Jews and Israelis and will continue to do so.

After learning about Szenes’ story, students played a game of ‘compliment bingo’, in which they were instructed to give each other specified compliments in order to win. This was followed by a discussion revolving around the importance of intention in our lives: Is there value in a compliment given out of obligation, rather than desire? Is there significance to an action being taken on one’s free will? How did Hannah Szenes display kavanah throughout her lifetime, and how can we draw inspiration from her?

May we remember Hannah Szenes at this time.

By Alexis Joffe and Jessica Lowy
Year 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High School Sport

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

On Wednesday, Emanuel Year 7 and 8 students had the opportunity to compete at the Jewish Day Schools Oztag Gala Day at Queens Park. This is always a fabulous event, where students are able to play other students from the local Jewish community. 

The Emanuel White Girls Team had a fantastic day, undefeated throughout the tournament and winning the grand final against Moriah 3 – 1. A special mention goes to Amelie Trope and Romy McCorquodale for their amazing tries and Ashley Urbach for her great speed and tagging skills. Congratulations also to Marina Akstein, Ruth Durbach, Ashleigh Gold, Leah Grunseit, Franki Kurlansky, Amari Rosen-Tal, Alyssa Simmons and Abby Sarraf. 

The Emanuel White Boys Team also progressed to the Grand Final, playing an undefeated Masada College. Leo Latter and Ethan Hirst scored exceptional tries in the final, taking the game into extra time. Unfortunately the boys lost 3 – 4 in a what was a spectacular match. Well done also to Jack Goldberg, Josh Gordon, Aiden Kanevsky, Ben Maserow, Zak Michalson, Koby Michel, Gideon Pozniak and Jasper Selinger. 

Congratulations to Alexander Kirievsky in Year 8 on his recent selection in the Basketball NSW State Performance Program. This program is a talent identification scheme and is a very select program for the best athletes in NSW ranging from 13 to 17 years old. It is quite rare for a player this young to be selected. 

Well done to our Senior Boys Cricket team who played in the Douglas Shield Cricket Competition this week. Although the result did not go our way, it was great to see the boys playing their first game this year. Well done to Jonah Trope, Maximillian Kidman and Zac Sidley on the positive leadership that they displayed at the match. 

The Emanuel basketball teams are half way through the Term 4 Easts Basketball League Sunday season. These teams are training hard and working to improve their skills every game. We wish these teams the best of luck for the rest of the season. 

Music Matters

Diana Springford – Head of Music

Emanuel School Term 4 Twilight ‘Concert’ 

Over the past few weeks, twenty five of our dedicated student instrumentalists and vocalists have been preparing for what, in any other year, would have been a live performance in the Theatre in front of family, friends and peers. This year, Danny Burley has recorded performances of these students and they are now available online in a presentation accessible via the “Music Performances” button in the Parent Portal for us all to enjoy.

I invite everyone to have a listen to these lovely performances by all ages of Emanuel students. 

Thank you to Danny Burley for organising, filming, accompanying and supporting these students. Thank you to our team of peripatetic tutors who have prepared these students so beautifully. Recording is actually a very different experience than live performance, as any professional musician will tell you, and has its own peculiar set of pressures and difficulties. Congratulations and thank you to the students who have worked hard preparing these sensitive performances and bravely submitted them for us to share! 

Our Twilight Concerts provide an intimate and formal performance opportunity for students receiving private music tuition here at School. We encourage students of all levels to perform regularly and to express their interest via their music tutor to participate in future concerts. The next Twilight Concerts will be in Term 2, 2021.

End of Year Performances for all (current, COVID-safe) ensembles and choirs

In a very strange year, when all our music making has been very distorted and, it turns out, quite a dangerous and risky past time (especially if you are a flautist!). Nevertheless, in a year when we can count the number of Emanuel School live music performances on the fingers of one hand, we would like all our ensembles and choirs to have something to share of their achievements with their family and friends. If you are in one of our ensembles or choirs, please keep an eye (and ear) out for information about when your recording is scheduled and plan to either wear or bring full formal school uniform on the day. These recordings will be done over the next couple of weeks and shared via the Parent Portal at the end of the school year.

Instrument Maintenance Check Day

If you are borrowing any school instrument (for IP, for ISP, or for your ensemble playing) please bring it into the Music Department on Tuesday 1 December 2020 (Week 8) to have it checked and serviced by our team. Please pick it up on Thursday unless you get an email from us or are returning it permanently. Instruments should be clean and have a student name tag attached with the instrument barcode on the reverse. If this name tag is missing, please ask Mrs De Araujo in the music staffroom to label it for you.

End of Year 6 IP (Instrumental Program) and continuing Music Tuition in High School

For parents of Year 6 students who are coming to the end of their compulsory Instrumental Program, you will have received an email about the return of your School loaned instrument in Week 8 and your intentions regarding private music tuition in High School. Thank you to all those parents who have responded.

If you haven’t yet done so, please reply to jdearaujo@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au.

Private Music Tuition and Infant Strings Program for 2021

Please note that from 2021, the cost of individual private music lessons will be charged at a rate of $46.00 per half-hour lesson (plus GST, if the tutor is registered to pay GST). This is the rate advised by the NSW Music Teachers Association. Lessons shared in pairs are only available in special circumstances and would cost $24.00 per student per half-hour lesson (plus GST where applicable). The Infant Strings Program (ISP) for students in Years K-2 will be charged at $262 per term on school fees, in addition to an instrument bond of $200 which is fully refundable on safe return of the instrument with all parts and accessories.

Thank you to those who have already advised us of changes to private tuition and Infant Strings Program enrolments for next year. The deadline for new enrolments, notification of changes or intention to discontinue for Term 1, 2021 is Friday 20 November 2020. All students currently receiving private music tuition and students in Years K-1 who are currently participating in the Infant Strings Program will be automatically re-enrolled into tutor schedules for 2021, along with students commencing lessons for the first time. Parents should enrol or discontinue using one of the online forms accessed from the links below. If your child intends to discontinue, formal notification in advance must be received by the end of term to avoid being committed to the full term of lessons and liable for fees. 

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

The schedules for Term 1, 2021 will be created at the end of term and emailed in late January.

Links to online forms  

Speech Night

Who is Ms Hynek?

Talia Hynek – Primary School Teacher

Each month, we find out more about a nominated staff member. 

SPOTLIGHT ON … TALIA HYNEK

What is your role at Emanuel School?
I’m a Primary Classroom Teacher. Currently teaching Kindergarten. 

How long have you been at Emanuel School? 
Since 2014 

What do you enjoy about working here? 
I enjoy teaching at a school that shares the same values I do, particularly religious pluralism, acceptance of diversity and egalitarianism. Having gone to the Emanuel School myself, I really feel that the Emanuel ethos is lived in its students long after they graduate. I also enjoy the camaraderie of the teachers that I work with. 

What is your favourite memory?  
More of a funny than a favourite – Forgetting my school ID pass and having a new guard mistake me for a HSC student and wishing me Good luck for the exams. 

What do you do to unwind/ what do you enjoy doing outside school hours? 
Big fan of the beach, going for walks/hikes, reading a good book, café-hopping (pre-Covid), backpacking and searching for Coeliac friendly snacks.   

What song do you know all the lyrics to? 
Baby Shark – very easy to learn. 

Do you have a hidden talent and if so, what is it? 
I can do the worm (breakdance move) 

What do you wish you could tell your 12 year old self? 
You won’t grow much more, but you will be able to buy socks, snow gear etc for half the price by shopping at the kids section.

If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share? 
Don’t eat your lunch at recess, because you’ll be hungry later.

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

National Career Strategy

This year, in light of COVID 19 and the aftermath of what may follow for the Class of 2020, the Australian Government has put out a national career strategy to help out our students. There are many options for support below.

If you are a job-seeker (many community members will now be) or are looking to be a  job-keeper you may be interested in your own career landscape and this could interest you or someone that you know.

The National Careers Institute (NCI) has created a careers service for all people, ages and stages for people on their own career journey in light of COVID. An online careers portal, coupled with dedicated free career practitioner advice (45 minute time slot) is now available to all. It is geared for students who are leaving school and starting out for the first time for either short term study, or to take a first step quickly.

A good quiz is a starting point for students to start career searching by looking at interests, or skills or deal-breakers in their search.

Students and young people, or job seekers can call 1800 227337 or email to get free advice .

Helpful pages on this website:

  1. Your options right now: https://yourcareer.gov.au/your-options-now/
  2. Start your skills match: https://joboutlook.gov.au/career-tools/skills-match#/
  3. Career quiz: https://joboutlook.gov.au/career-tools/career-quiz#/quiz/0
  4. Get career ideas: https://yourcareer.gov.au/get-career-ideas/
  5. Some interesting articles: https://yourcareer.gov.au/articles/

Free summer skills training

As part of initiatives to help the class of 2020, NESA have partnered with TAFE NSW to provide free short courses for students. These are an excellent way to stay ahead and get a small taste of the industry and the skills used. Find out more here.

Career support mailout 

This week, I received an initiative by the Government in my letterbox on how they are trying to tackle mental health issues in light of COVID and also offer career support in light of COVID. This is an extract:

Change of Preferences Expo

Students who are now about to start awaiting their ATAR’s and HSC results will be able to access an online expo for help and talk to University and TAFE staff about their options.

Sydney University events 

Register below for these events:

Macleay College

The Fundamentals of Advertising and Digital Media webinar will be held on Wednesday 18 November 2020 at 2.00 pm.

Discover outer space

Sarah Bishop – Science Teacher & Year 10 Tutor

Outer Space

Do you have what it takes to head into outer space? This is a question that Year 8 Science students have been pondering for the past few months. Further questions included what do astronauts really do? Where do they go? And perhaps most importantly: what do they wear?

Year 8 enthusiastically faced a series of problems and looked for possible solutions, developing skills that all astronauts should possess along the way. One such problem that sparked debate was whether we should straighten the Earth’s tilt. What would the impact of this be? And how would we even achieve this?

Amir W, Joel Allen and Jesse Barel share their thoughts below:

The earth’s tilt should not be amended

In the media recently, there has been talk of artificially fixing the Earth’s tilt. Today, we will be explaining why this idea is not only flawed but outright nonsensical. This is due to the difficulty it would cause in agricultural practices, removal of seasons and danger to various animal species.

Humans would also be affected economically. Tourism for places close to the North Pole will essentially become non-existent, as the area would become unliveable. The Earth’s tilt being straightened would also likely cause mass migration of humans and maybe some animals, to the Earth’s tropical centre (equator).  

Firstly, the concept of seasons would cease to exist after amending the Earth’s tilt. 

The entire planet would receive a constant equinox, forever a spring like season, this would endanger season reliant species, such as Sahara Desert Ant, who can only survive in very hot or cold environments. Deserts would be cooled and mountains would be heated, which could possibly cause the extinction of hundreds of species that have adapted to live in hot or cold climates.

Fixing the Earth’s tilt would also result in countless locations, such as Bondi Beach or Whistler Blackcomb, having a completely changed climate. These locations would sit in a permanent spring like equinox, and therefore would not be warm enough to swim or cold enough to ski. Places like Whistler Blackcomb, a famous ski resort in Winter and mountain biking park in Summer, would lose practically all tourist attraction as the climate would be too warm to ski yet too cold to mountain bike.

Finally, there are many season dependent crops which can only grow in Summer or Winter, and therefore these would be impossible to grow in the natural climate after amending the Earth’s tilt. These crops include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, lettuce, peas, spinach, tomatoes etc. These crops would be impossible to grow without an artificial climate and therefore would become much more expensive to grow and purchase.

In conclusion, the countless arguments against amending the Earth’s tilt proves that it is not worth potentially wiping out millions of species to simply have 12 hour days and 12 hours nights; a trivial change that does not even benefit our world. While technological advances should be utilised to help humanity, we must remember to look out for the rest of our planet, while we still can.

 

Worms are fun

Ari Merten – Year 12

In its simplest form, composting is the breaking down of organic matter. Organic matter, for the chemists among us, is anything with carbon in it, or really just anything that was once living. Over half of the material thrown out in Australian houses is organic matter and can be reused via composting to create what gardeners call ‘black gold.’ Composting is incredibly useful as it enriches the soil of your garden and reduces the need for store bought fertilisers (which can be expensive and dangerous to other flora and fauna in your garden). Finally, composting reduces methane emissions and lowers your carbon footprint. 

Food in landfills break down in ways that create greenhouse gases which can then affect air quality and public health. By composting we can dispose of our food waste in a much more environmentally friendly and efficient way. Composting your own waste is a great example for your community and will have an impact on the environment. A little goes a long way!

There are three main different methods of composting:

  1. Worm farming: This creates a liquid fertiliser
  2. A compost bin: This either be stationary or tumbling
  3. A bokashi bin: a Japanese method for composting meat and fish products

Worm farms are designed mainly for food scraps and aren’t too difficult to set up. The farm can be bought from a variety of hardware stores and worms can be bought from specific worm farm companies (which can be found on various websites). Once you’ve set up your worm farm and lined it with the soil bedding, you should give the worms a week to adapt to their new environment. Once this is done you can feed your worms:  

  • Bread
  • Egg cartons
  • Egg shells
  • Fruit and vegetable scraps
  • Small amounts of citrus and onions
  • Tea leaves and bags
  • Moist newspaper
  • Vacuum dust!

Unfortunately, you cannot put in dairy, meats, fatty products or oil, but never fear, read on to find ways to compost these items!

After some time, the worms will create worm urine which can be drained from the tap in your farm. This can be used to fertilise grass or any plants in your garden. When the trays of your worm farm become full you can harvest the castings (worm faeces) which are jam-packed full of fertiliser and place it wherever you need in your garden to stimulate growth.

The next method is compost bins which meet a variety of needs. If you like to get down and dirty with your backyard then a compost bin is the way to go. Every 1-2 weeks you need to turn your compost over with a shovel to ensure the waste can decompose and after a few turns of your compost you can use it as fertiliser. A tumbler is a less labour intensive method which is similar to the compost bin except it can spin and turn the compost with less effort. However, with a tumbler composter all you need to do is give it a few turns whenever you place compostable items into it. Depending on how big your tumbler is and how much you put in it can take between a month to a year before you need to harvest. Our school has a compost tumbler that we empty natural waste into twice a week! Another method of composting is to add worms to your compost. This way you don’t have to do any manual labour and can simply put your compostable waste into the bin for the worms to enjoy. 

Like the worm farm, avoid placing meat, bones and fish scraps into your compost bin and instead place them into a bokashi bin! The bokashi bin takes these products and ferments them and you can then bury them in the ground to enrich your soil.

Bokashi bins are really simple to have in your kitchen and are fantastic to compost cooked food and other food scraps that can’t go into your other composting farms. Bokashi bins can be bought at any of the places where you can find compost bins, as well as dedicated online stores. Learn more about bokashi bins here.

They are incredibly simple to use as you simply place all of your food scraps into the bin, either add 2-3 sprays of a liquid bokashi or sprinkle bokashi mix over it and firmly close the lid. This spray or mix is made from natural ingredients and accelerates the fermentation of your compost. These can be purchased from wherever you buy the bokashi. Throughout the day the waste will ferment but not putrefy thanks to the spray/mix. You can regularly tap out of the bottom to get similar fertiliser to that of a worm farm, which can be used to spread over your garden.

It is best to have two bokashi bins as when one is full it still needs time to ferment and you can continue placing your scraps into the second one. The bokashi bin does require a little bit of digging as you need to create a small hole in your garden to place the waste into. Dig the hole, pour the waste in and cover it with some soil and now you’re done! Your soil will become enriched by the nutrients within the waste. If you don’t have room to dig a hole every time your bokashi bin fills up you can use the same spot and when all the waste has broken down you can use it as topsoil. If you can’t dig a hole, another option is to leave it to ferment for a few more weeks and then place it into your compost bin!

Here are some of the things you can put into a bokashi bin:

  • Fruit and vegetable scraps
  • Citrus
  • Meat (raw or cooked)
  • Fish (raw or cooked)
  • Dairy (not milk)
  • Eggs
  • Bread
  • Tea bags
  • Packaged food scraps

If you produce a lot of food waste, but don’t have a garden or can’t compost, read how you can compost with no backyard, particularly the part on council food scrap collections. Making the switch to composting using even one of these methods can make a massive difference to the amount of food you throw out and will have a positive impact on your garden as well!

 

The Green Team

This semester the Green Team has aimed to build awareness about the different bins placed around the School. We want the students to be able to use them properly. We aim to reduce landfill waste by educating the students about correct usage. We raised awareness by making a video to share this information with the Primary School.

Last term we celebrated National Bilby Day. We gave out bookmarks to colour in as an interactive way to inform students of this endangered native Australian species.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has impacted on our ability to meet and get initiatives going. However, on a more positive note, it has had a beneficial impact on our environment through less air pollution, less litter and an opportunity for us to become more grateful for the beauties of nature.

Hopefully in the holidays we can engage in environmentally friendly activities. We can help to clean up our beaches, recycle, do the right things, appreciate our parks and walk instead of driving.

Next year we hope to make a bigger difference by coming up with exciting new initiatives for our School community.

By Asher Filipczyk and Eva Narbarro
Year 6 Environmental Leaders

eSafety

New date

Emanuel’s Got Talent

Scholarships 2022

Parents and Friends

Ruby Berkovic & Jen Opit

Hi Everyone,

It’s already mid November. Time is flying!

Heading into 2021, we wanted to give those of you who don’t know a better understanding of what we do. We offer support for new parents, organise events like the Annual Teachers Luncheon, Purim Disco, Mother’s and Father’s Day Breakfasts and Gift Stalls and the Annual Fundraiser as well as support school functions such as Pesach. We manage weekly challah orders and Mitzvah meals as well as various other ventures. At our meetings, we receive monthly updates from the Head of Primary and the School Principal and are invited to give feedback from a parent’s perspective. Most importantly, we focus on friendraising – a way to keep our community involved and connected. We would love for everyone to be involved in some capacity so, if you have an interest in being involved, please join us at our next Committee Meeting. 

Parents & Friends meetings

Our last Parents & Friends meeting of the year is on Tuesday 1 December 2020. It’s a great, and easy, way to get involved in the School and everyone is welcome. This meeting will be the first one in person, rather than on Zoom, since the beginning of the School Year. If you would like more information contact us: rubykb@gmail.com

Entertainment Books

The city is opening up for the summer! If you want to order an Entertainment Book, you can do so here 

Weekend brain teaser

Question: What has a mouth, but cannot eat; moves, but has no legs; and has a bank, but you cannot put money in it?

Enjoy the weekend,

Jen & Ruby

 

Community Notices

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 Katie Narunsky

Lettuce board salad

Ingredients

4 baby cos, in halves or quarters
1 avocado, sliced into thin strips
1 cucumber, shaved into ribbons
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 large pinch salt flakes
Crumbled feta

Optional extras:
Thinly sliced radish
Thinly sliced fennel
Any fresh herbs (dill, parsley mint)

Dressing:
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tsp dijon mustard
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
generous pinch of salt
pepper to taste
1 tsp maple syrup

Directions

Toast the pumpkin and sunflower seeds with the salt in a frypan until crispy and golden. Set aside.
Pull all the dressing ingredients together and shake to combine.
Place the lettuce on a large board, place the cucumber, avocado and any of the optional extras over the lettuce.
Crumble the feta over the top.
Drizzle over the dressing.
Top with the crunchy seeds.

Serves 10

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