From the Principal

Andrew Watt – School Principal

Emanuel School recognised as a NESA Registered Professional Development Provider

I am delighted to share that that our application to become an Endorsed Provider of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Registered Professional Development for teachers has been approved.

This formal recognition of the School’s capacity to provide opportunities for teacher professional learning cements our place as a centre of excellence in equipping teachers with the tools needed for their professional growth.

Over time, we look forward to establishing an Emanuel School Professional Learning Centre through which we will be able offer high-quality professional development opportunities for teachers from Emanuel and beyond.

I am grateful to our Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning K-12, Adam Majsay, in facilitating this significant recognition of Emanuel as a lighthouse school for teacher professional learning.

Student leave policy

Whilst parents are encouraged to organise special events and trips in the non-term break, we appreciate that this is not always possible. The School can approve leave under ‘exceptional circumstances’ and we have an online application process. Once a leave request is received, it is assessed in terms of the impact on the student’s academic progress and a range of other factors, such as assessment task missed, history of previous leave, context of leave request etc. It would be helpful if parents seek extended (more than four days) leave only if urgently required and for the shortest possible duration. Please apply for leave as early as possible, with the underlying assumption that leave may not be approved. It would be wise not to book flights and accommodation until the leave request is processed. The Association of Independent Schools NSW provide an excellent information sheet for parents related to compulsory school attendance which can be accessed here.

Additional learning and study opportunities for students

In addition to conducting study skills seminars each year, we remain committed to providing a range of avenues for additional academic support outside the classroom.

The Cely Malki Program is an after-school learning intervention and academic program, open to students in Years 5-12. The program is supported by Emanuel student alumni, who offer assistance across a range of subjects.

Library Study Program/Homework Club provides specialist support to students in Years 7-12 in organisation and research from our Teacher Librarian, Karen McAndrew

The MakerSpace, Food Lab and Computer Clubs meet at lunchtimes for High School students who wish to tinker, craft, 3D print or work on software design.

Maths for Lunch provides High School students with help for Mathematics, at any level.

For information on dates, times and venues, please click here. 

Staff wellness 

On Tuesday, staff gathered in the Innovation Centre’s Food Lab to experiment with ingredients to concoct ‘Super Salad Dressings’. This lunch-time activity forms part of our ongoing staff wellness program. It provides opportunities for staff to take a breather during their busy schedule and connect with their peers over an enjoyable activity. As one staff member commented: “It’s lovely to get together, and what better way than through food.”

The month of Adar 

Today the whole school welcomed the month of Adar during Kabbalat Sabbat. Practising for my third Purim, I joined the staff and students, dressed up in an outlandish hat and mismatched loud socks. I looked a treat!

Mazal tov

• Jake Lewitton (Year 12) represented Emanuel School in the Lions Youth of the Year Quest, competing admirably in the intensive interview and public speaking stages.
• Jonah Trope (Year 10) is currently competing in the Cricket Australia U15s National Cricket Championships. He recently hit 200 not out vrs ACT on Friday.
• Our Junior Boys, Senior Boys and Senior Girls Football teams have progressed to the finals of the Easts School Touch Football Competition.

Quote of the week

“Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students.”
Solomon Ortiz

Invitation – Conversations with Community Stories

Primary School

Natanya Milner – Head of Primary School

Meet the Teacher Evening

It was wonderful to see so many of our parents at last week’s Meet the Teacher Evening. We really do value the opportunity to share our goals and plans with you and welcome you into our classrooms as we begin the year.

Just a reminder of the main messages from the evening:

Our goals for the children remain focused in two key areas:

1. Trying their hardest
2. Being kind

Our main goals and focus areas were then divided according to our School motto – Mind, Spirit, Being.

Mind

• This year sees a professional development focus for teachers on literacy and literature.
• We plan to review and audit the use of technology in our classrooms to ensure there is a great balance of teaching IT skills  and using technology purposefully with the core skills of writing and book work.

Spirit

• We look forward to re-evaluating our planning and practices for various celebrations and chaggim throughout the year.
• We value and respect our diverse community and ask you to uphold this when considering the timing and food provided at your events.

Being

• Mindfulness programs teach students about how the brain works and how to train their brains to make mindful choices. Children will have regular opportunity to practice different strategies and reflect on their experiences.
  
• The Leader in Me program will be a focus in classrooms as children learn what leadership means and how they can make a difference. The program teaches skills to build both personal and interpersonal effectiveness.
• It is important that parents stay well informed through the use of Ma Nishma and the Parent Portal.  

If you would like to discuss something important with your child’s teacher, please email them to make an appointment so there is time set aside to talk.

Parents and Friends 

I would like to thank Ruby Berkovic and Jen Opit who presented as Co-presidents of the Parents and Friends committee. Their main message centred around the purpose of the P&F being both friend-raising and fund-raising. They welcome any parents to join our meetings on Tuesday evenings at 7.00 pm in the Boardroom.

PSG

Daniel Butt presented on behalf of the Parent Security Group (PSG). He requested that all families commit to a one hour PSG shift.

If more families sign up then people would only be required to complete one shift per term. This is an achievable goal with your assistance. Please email: esadmin@sydpsg.com

Aladdin

For the grand finale (which I totally botched up on the evening), we are thrilled to announce that this year’s Primary School Musical will be Aladdin. We are so excited to begin planning!

I would like to thank all the teachers and volunteers who presented on this evening.

Swimming Carnival

Last Friday we held our Years 3 – 6 Swimming Carnival. The spirit on the day was incredible and this was noticeable through both the participation rates and the cheering. It was wonderful to see so many children swimming in the range of events on offer, with some excellent times achieved across all the age groups. I would like to thank all the visitors who came along and supported our carnival.  A special thank you to Stuart Taylor and Sharon Fairfax for co-ordinating the event and ensuring it ran smoothly. I would also like to thank all the Emanuel staff for their hard work, the House Captains for their outstanding organisation and leadership and Ofer Levy for taking the photos.

Student Film Competition

Our Madrichim are excited to launch a film competition as a part of Anti-Bullying Day. The Madrichim have chosen the theme, ‘Building Buddies’ and have prepared a film starter which has been shown to the students. Years K – 6 students are welcome to submit entries that finish the film.

Due Date:  Monday 9 March 2020 by 3.30 pm

Entry:

• Either a video (maximum three minutes) or script (that takes up to three minutes to read)
• Must end the film starter from the Madrichim
• Must be about the theme ‘Building Buddies’ (friendship)
• Must include a Lego brick
• To be submitted either via USB or email

The winning entries will be shown on Anti-Bullying Day.

BBQ Day

Our next Plain Clothes and BBQ Day will be Monday 2 March 2020 with sausage rolls costing $3.50 each and children asked to donate $2.00 to come to school in mufti. The canteen will be closed on this day. Please see the article from our Charity Committee in this newsletter for more details.

Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day is a worldwide event that was held on 11 February 2020, to raise awareness about Internet safety. It is sponsored by the e-safety commissioner of Australia. There are many different areas of internet safety that are great to learn about. 

An important one, for example, is cyberbullying. Being cyberbullied means that you are getting bullied online. People often say things over the Internet that they would not say in person because they think that other people will not find out who they are. Some people even lie about their identity online to get access to your information. This is why it is so important to protect your personal information and not share this on the Internet. If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsure of anything online, talk to a trusted adult about it right away. Think of other people’s feelings when you are talking online. Before you type something, ask yourself how you would feel if someone typed this to you. Be kind. Also, if you see someone being cyberbullied, report it. Tell a trusted adult and ask the person saying unkind things to stop, just like you would on the playground. 

Another way of being not safe on the Internet is if your information is not secure. It is very easy for a hacker to reach into your data, and use it. This may sound impossible, but it is very likely that if you don’t have a strong password, somebody may use all of your data, and lock you out of a large number of your personal sites. They could also gain access to your banking details and your address if these are saved online or in your emails. A way to prevent this is to never give out personal information, and use very strong passwords. There are many strong password generators that will help you develop a password that is harder to hack. At our lunchtime Imaginarium club, we played a game that involved us coming up with some strong passwords. We learnt that the best passwords use letters, numbers and symbols.

As mentioned earlier, there are people who lie about their identity online and may try to talk to you, pretending to be someone you know. They may gain your trust and then ask for your personal information or may try to hack your computer. If you ever feel uncomfortable with a person you are chatting with online, tell a responsible and trusted adult right away. If you are posting something that involves other people, ask their permission before you do this. You would not want your friends sharing your information without you knowing about it, so make sure you do the same for them. 

We use the Internet for so many things these days, such as communicating with our friends and family, creating things, games and even shopping. The Internet is a great tool, but it is important that we understand the risks and we practice being safe on the Internet. Remember to always ask a trusted adult if anything makes you feel uncomfortable and to type with kindness. 

The Year 6 IT and Innovation Leaders  

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Sacred space

In Terumah, this week’s parashah, the Israelites are commanded to construct the Tabernacle (משכן/mishkan), the predecessor to the Temple, as a dwelling place/ושכנתי (veshakhanti) for God: ‘They shall make Me a sacred space (מקדש/mikdash)’.

From biblical times to the present, we hear and speak of sacred space.

At the ‘Burning Bush’, Moshe is told that he is standing on ‘sacred ground’(אדמת קודש/admat kodesh). The Temple, on ‘My sacred mountain’ (הר קדשי/har kadshi) is called the ‘sacred house’ (בית המקדש/beit hamikdash) and Jerusalem, in which it is centered, is the ‘sacred city’ (עיר הקודש/Ir hakodesh in Hebrew, and القدس‎ the ‘sacred one’ in Arabic).

At the same time, the Prophet Isaiah, in the name of God, questions why we seek to circumscribe God in a sacred space: “Thus says the Lord: ‘The heavens are My throne and the earth my footstool, what house can you possibly build (to contain) Me and what place (to delimit) where I might rest’.”

With the destruction of the Temple, the Sacred House, God’s prescription providing for the divine presence within a sacred space, that is found in our parashah, is conceived anew.

‘They shall make for Me a sacred space (מקדש/mikdash), and I will dwell within them’.  It says ‘within them’ and not ‘within it’; teaching that every individual is to create god’s in-dwelling within himself”.

This reading of the Kotsker rebbe, reflecting an earlier Rabbinic tradition, radically translates the divine indwelling from sacred space to sacred being.

The question is no longer where is God, but where are we?

Shabbat Shekalim

Miriam Itzkowitz – Year 12

Shabbat Shekalim

This week is Shabbat Shekalim, which tells the story of the first “Jewish” census – but there is a catch. Just for some context, the Israelites were wondering in the desert with Moshe, and in order to count them, each Israelite was commanded to contribute half a shekel which was going to be used to construct and upkeep the Mishkan (Tabernacle), instead of counting each individual person. Consequently, the belief arose that we’re not supposed to count people in Judaism.

So, who were the Israelites? When we think of the Israelites, we think of our ancestors who were slaves in Egypt and wondering in the desert. Here’s the catch. Each Israelite counted was a male over the age of twenty who had a Jewish father. But why? Were the women and children not a part of the “chosen people”? Were the women not also slaves? Were the children not at constant risk of death and hardship whilst in Egypt? So why was it only men who counted as Israelites, despite the common ancestry?

Unfortunately, this kind of attitude hasn’t changed in parts of the Jewish community today. There are many people who aren’t considered to be “Jews” because of the way they practice or because they don’t have a Jewish mother or because they didn’t have an Orthodox conversion. But who gets to decide this? It seems like it’s been happening since biblical times, but evidently the definition has broadened. Why should a girl who has been raised Orthodox be made to convert, because she discovered she had a non-Jewish mother? Why should a boy be denied tefillin at the Western Wall because his mother didn’t have an Orthodox conversion? Why should someone be discounted as Jewish because they don’t have a Jewish mother? Judaism used to be patrilineal, after all. Were all the offspring of Jewish mothers but non-Jewish fathers suddenly Jewish and vice-versa. Why should we have the power to decide and invalidate each other’s identities?

We “all” stood at Sinai.

Luckily for us, at Emanuel, we have an extraordinarily inclusive and open community, regardless of level of observance, Jewish ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality – we embrace individuality. We all have equal opportunity and are able to express our Jewishness and Judaism (or lack thereof, in some cases), in our own unique and individual ways. Frankly, whether or not you’re Jewish – according to the conventional definition, or traditional practice, or you just have a cousin or step-parent who is – that’s irrelevant to your being included in Emanuel. Here, the focus isn’t about defining who a Jew is, but rather, living Jewishly. Engaging in Tikkun Olam, giving tzedakah, working hard in being the best versions of ourselves we can be. Let’s not count Jews but make our Judaism count.

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

Rosh L’Regel Shabbat

This week we marked Rosh Chodesh Adar – the beginning of the month of Adar, with our attention turning towards upcoming Purim celebrations and mitzvot.

The Talmud (Taanit 29a) states:
משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה
Mishenichnas Adar marbin b’simcha
“When the month of Adar begins, we increase joy”

This teaching echoes a line in Megilat Ester (9:22) which describes how, for the Jews of Persia, “The month was transformed for them from sorrow to joy’ following the failure of Haman’s plot”.

In the spirit of transformation and bringing joy, Friday was Rosh L’Regel (Head to Leg/Heel) Day. Staff and students, from the youngest to oldest, came together as a community, transformed with our crazy hats to crazy heels, to share in the joyousness of Adar. This act reminds us that we are all unique as individuals and of integral value to the whole.

Our Shabbat was filled with fun, joy and ruach in the spirit of Adar.

Primary School Sport

ASISSA/CIS Tennis

Mazal tov to Maya Hersch who was selected to represent ASISSA at the CIS tennis trials held at the Kings School in Parramatta. In the ASISSA qualifying trials, Maya played consistent tennis ensuring her selection in the squad. Competition at CIS was tough with many of Maya’s opponents regularly playing in tournaments around Australia. Maya played great tennis and represented herself, Emanuel School and ASISSA admirably.

Gross Motor Program

Students in Years K – 2 at Emanuel School are again participating in a program of Gross Motor Skill Development on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

Gross Motor skills involve the coordinated effort of the large muscle groups and involve balance and patterns of movement. The student’s proficiency in these skills are developed through a variety of activities that emphasise efficient movement. 

In addition, these physical activities provide opportunities for self-expression, social interaction, cooperation, enjoyment, challenge and fun.

Thank you to the Years K – 2 staff and the enthusiastic Year 6 Student Leaders who make this important activity a success.

Primary Swimming Carnival

The 2020 Emanuel School Primary Swimming Carnival was held at Des Renford Aquatic Centre on Thursday 20 February 2020. All students in Years 3 – 6 attended along with many parents and friends. Enthusiasm was high as many new war cries rang out constantly from the stands cheering on fellow housemates as they were swimming. The grandstand was elaborately decorated in red, blue and green. There were many fiercely contested races and this competitiveness in the pool was reflected in the result at the end of the day. 

Age Champions

Final standings were:

• Cowen – 642 points
• Wynn – 481 points
• Monash – 447 points

Age Champions were:

• 8 years – Elyad Rapke and Amelie Lipman
• 9 years – Jake Rosenfeld and Talia Gellert
• 10 years – Noah Kessell and Zara Keller
• 11 years – Jack Kessell and Aviv Farhy
• 12 years – Xander Keller and Kayla Parks

Thank you to Ofer Levy for taking wonderful photos on the day. To view all of the Swimming Carnival photos and download copies for your mantlepiece, click here.

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Music Matters

Diana Springford – Head of Music

Save the date – Emanuel School Music Camp 2020

The annual Emanuel School Music Camp is a wonderful celebration of our vibrant music culture and the talents and hard work of our young musicians. Each camp is a special experience for students as they unite in a shared love of music and work together in the pursuit of excellence. Emanuel School music staff join with a team of highly skilled professional musicians to develop and hone students’ musical skills in preparation for an exciting showcase concert.

This three-day residential camp will take place in Week 9 of Term 2, from Monday 22 June 2020 and returning on the evening of Wednesday 24 June 2020 but continuing with an all-day rehearsal on Thursday 25 June 2020. The Music Camp Showcase Concert will take place in the MPH on the Thursday evening.

All members of participating ensembles in Years 4 – 11 are expected to attend Music Camp, at a cost of approximately $560.00. Attendance for Year 12 students is optional. Full details regarding Music Camp will be published in Ma Nishma in the coming weeks and emailed to parents, including the list of participating ensembles, the cost and the procedure for registering to attend. 

This year we will be returning to Galston Gorge Conference & Recreation Centre, located on the edge of the Berowra Valley National Park, approximately one hour away from Emanuel School. The centre is set in hectares of natural bushland and will provide a private and peaceful environment for our students and staff, as well as excellent accommodation and rehearsal facilities. Students will be transported between school and the camp on privately chartered buses.

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Community Connections – Gesher

Sonia Newell – Development Officer

2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade

The very first Mardi Gras parade was held in 1978, a very different parade to those that followed.  “Dayenu” was conceived twenty one years later in 1999, as a co-operation between the local lesbian and gay Jewish groups to enter a float in the 2000 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Shortly after that parade, the group formalised and agreed to operate in order to:

• Provide outreach and support
• Deliver educational information and public representation
• Organise social activities for Jewish LGBTIQ individuals and their partners, friends and family

https://www.facebook.com/dayenu.sydney

Celebrating its 20^th anniversary, Dayenu in association with Emanuel Synagogue, will hold their annual Mardi Gras Shabbat Service on the 28 February 2020, followed by a communal dinner.

Tomorrow night, 29 February 2020, sees the 42^nd annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade with 191 floats including one for Dayenu, more than 12,600 dazzling parade participants as they embrace the theme of WHAT MATTERS and hundreds of thousands of revellers along Darlinghurst’s streets. Members of our extended School community will join the celebrations, some on the Dayenu float whilst some will walk the route and others will be in the crowds that line the streets to support the parade. Alumnus Toby Evans (Class of 2006), a visual artist and photographer, with a number of his own creations hanging in some of our buildings around the School, has for many years, photographed the Mardi Gras parade and will do so again this year.

Opportunities to volunteer within our amazing extended community

Many local organisations seek our help including:

• Our Big Kitchen (OBK) – a community run, non-denominational industrial kitchen in the heart of Bondi, inspiring individuals to come together to prepare meals for distribution to needy people across NSW. It is Kosher and Halal, and HACCP approved. Last year over 80,000 meals were made in Our Big Kitchen and distributed to disadvantaged Australians and more recently, thousands of meals were prepared for our volunteer firefighters during the devastating bush fires: www.obk.org.au
• Sydney Friendship Circle – a not-for-profit organisation offering programs and activities for children, teenagers and young adults with disabilities: www.sydneyfc.org.au
• Maccabi is a Jewish Organisation with its mission to “promote Jewish identity through sport” and can be found world-wide, with both local clubs and competitions plus international carnivals including Maccabiah in Israel. The many sporting clubs under the umbrella of Maccabi are run by volunteers, both at the Board Level and as Heads and organising committees of the various sporting clubs: www.maccabi.com.au

The President of the Maccabi NSW Board is Lauren Ehrlich, a past staff member at Emanuel School. She headed our Visual Arts Department in the late 1980s and was responsible for stripping out the old Nun’s laundry and turning it into the Art Block. That building has undergone numerous transformations over the years and is now the Lynette Sandra Phillips Kindergarten. Current parent Michelle Stockley holds the Marketing role on the Maccabi NSW Board whilst past parent Debbie Rutstein has the Compliance portfolio. Many of our parents, students, grandparents and alumni are members of the many clubs. Current parent Salina Keller sits on the Maccabi Junior Football committee and asked us to help promote a call-out for five and six year olds to join up for the upcoming football season: 

Who doesn’t like food?

The Emanuel School Parents and Friends produced the sell-out The Family Meal – Emanuel School Community Cookbook late last year.  There are just a few copies still available from the second run print, so if you would like to secure one (or two), please contact Ruby Berkovic, Parent and Friends co-president: rubyb@gmail.com

Cost: $45.00 per copy.

Monday Morning Cooking Club (MMCC) 

“A unique sisterhood from Sydney, whose mission is to collect, test, curate, publish and share the best recipes from the best cooks in the global food-obsessed Jewish Community”. Past parent Merelyn Chalmers, along with founder Lisa Goldberg, Netanya Eskin and Jacqui Israel are the MMCC. Together they have over the years, formed an amazing bond and produced sensational cookbooks with their latest one “Now for Something Sweet” just released.

For further inspiration go to: www.mondaymorningcookingclub.com.au

Friday Night inspiration

Emanuel parent Susie Rosen has started up a private Facebook group called Friday Night as a way to share favourite recipes and ideas, hoping it might attract some local members. This page now has over 8,500 members all around the world – the power of social media is amazing. 

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

STEAM

What do you think are the top 20 inventions from the 20^th century?

I ask you this because this term in STEAM we are being given the opportunity to express all of our ideas in the form of a Rube Goldberg Machine. The aim of the machine is to complete a simple task like turning a fan on or pouring milk through a long process full of different stages that can include simple pulleys or a long line of dominoes. However, there is a twist to the construction of the machine. Each group has to include twenty inventions from the 20^th century, fifteen of which need to be essential for the machine’s ability to function and five which add to the machine’s aesthetic side.

At this point in time each group has only began to integrate their many ideas into their machine and still have a long, fun and challenging way to go.

By Tobias Topolinsky

Year 6 Tzedakah (Charity) Leadership Group

Charity group fundraiser for the World Wide Fund for Nature

On Monday 2 March 2020 (Week 6B), the Year 6 Tzedakah (Charity) Leadership Group will be holding a fundraiser for the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) to benefit the animals impacted by our recent Australian bushfires. It’s been estimated that around 1.25 billion animals have been killed across Australia to date. This includes thousands of koalas and other iconic species such as kangaroos, wallabies, kookaburras, cockatoos and honeyeaters who perished, and many thousands more injured and homeless. Please click here for more information.

Students who would like to participate may come dressed in plain clothes with an animal accessory (such as a headband with cat ears or tail) and should bring a $2.00 donation that will go towards the WWF. Additionally, there will be a BBQ at lunch, and students may bring $3.50 for one sausage or $7.00 for two sausages with monies also going to the WWF. For ease and efficiency we kindly ask that your child have exact change in an envelope stating their name and how many sausages they would like to purchase. 

Please note the canteen will be closed on this day for all other orders.

Thank you for supporting this important cause.

Year 7 Camp – Rabin

Camp Somerset 

Activities at camp

What were your favourite activities and why?

Gemma, Jordan, Sam and Harry: Our two favourite activities were the milk crate stacking and the wombat hole! We enjoyed the milk crate stacking because it was challenging and got us to face our fears as well as, we learnt to work in a group and to trust our peers. The other reason for why we liked the wombat hole is that it got us to use our brains in several different ways like figuring out which way to go, where we were in the maze, but most importantly it also pushed us out of our comfort zones and let us learn to trust ourselves.

What were the most challenging activities and why?

Ashley: For me, the most challenging activities were, high ropes and Our Campsite Rules. The reason why high ropes was so challenging is because some of the different courses were really challenging and some were also a little bit scary.

The reason why My Campsite Rules was so hard is because we all wanted to cut the vegetables and we all wanted to have a go. Another reason of why it was so hard was because it was very squished and we had to cooperate.

Jack: The most challenging activities were the wombat hole and hiking as it was really hard to be in such a small humid space and to walk so much in the heat.

Jethro: The most challenging activities were milk crate stacking and hiking in the heat.

Henry: the wombat hole and trying to stop our tents from blowing away and collapsing in the storm.  

Stories

What are two false funny stories from camp involving your group?

Lexi: when Jack got stuck on the high ropes but pulled himself up after. 

Max: When I kept on failing the rope swing. It was really funny cause I kept on trying and on the last one I finally did it.

Ella: When Henry got stuck in the wombat hole and was screaming, but then he got out. When it was storming, our tents were flooding and we were screaming for our lives and Ari was sleeping peacefully.

Lexi: when our camp leader Joe, told us that there was a trap door in the wombat hole that took us towards the river.

Learning on camp

What did you learn most about yourselves and/or your peers on this camp?

Ruby: I learnt at camp was that in order to work as a team you need to be patient and respect others even if you will have to wait for others. 

Chelsea: that we all love our house and would do anything for each other. And that we always have someone to go to.

Dylan: I learnt that you don’t want to slam the bathroom door because Joe will make you do 50 push ups.

Ariel: I learnt that when you work as a team you get things done numerous times faster. I also learnt that preconceived notions of liking or disliking a food or activity can affect whether or not you enjoy food or an activity. 

What did you learn about and from the Peer Support on camp? What did your time with your Peer Support Leaders mean to you?

Amari: The peer support leaders taught us to never give up and to always persist in all the activities that we did. They taught us how to talk about our feelings in deep and meaningful conversations. I learnt that they are all really fun and just want to have fun and teach life lessons. I also learnt about their personalities and I found that they were very supportive in basically everything.

Gabi: The peer support leaders gave us many deep and meaningful conversations which we all took part in. They encouraged us to speak our minds and opinions and to respect everybody else’s ideas. They helped many of us feel comfortable and safe during the camp and devoted a lot of their time to help care for us and make the camp more fun. They made the whole experience more enjoyable and without them, the camp would not have been the same.

Edited by: Lexi, Gemma, Jack and Elias 

Meir Advocate

Alix Cane

Maayan Granot

Hi Everyone,

It’s Ally and Maayan from Year 9 Meir. We are so excited to announce that we are the new Meir Advocate editors. We hope you had an amazing break and we also wanted to thank the past editors, Charlotte and Tara for all of their hard work over the last two years. We are really looking forward to being able to continue the Meir Advocate over the next couple of years.  If there is anything you would like us to include in future newsletters, make sure to send us an email: cane.alix@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au or granot.maayan@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au.

Welcome New Meirians 

We wanted to welcome all the new Year 7 students who have now joined Meir! We are so excited to have you guys in the Meir, and we hope you enjoy being part of our amazing house. We also wanted to say a huge welcome to all of our new Meir teachers: 

• Mr Alvarado, Year 12 Tutor 
• Ms Evdokimova, Year 10 Tutor 
• Mr Dunn, Year 7 Tutor 

In addition, of course, a welcome to our new Acting Head of House, Mr Bloom. 

We are looking forward to a great new year with all of our new additions. 

House Music 

Term 1 means a lot of new and exciting things including House Music, which will take place in Week 9. Thank you to all of Year 12 who have worked so hard on creating the dance and putting together all the music. It’s going to be an amazing night and we can’t wait for Meir to win. 

Year 7 Camp

Finally, last week all of Year 7, their tutors, Mr Bell and the amazing Peer Support Leaders made the journey to Somerset to go on Year 7 camp. We wanted to thank our Meir Peer Support Leaders, Elia Gil-Munoz, Dean Reuveney, Georgia Kahane and Becky Nebenzahl who all went on camp. The camp was filled with amazing times and many memories were made.

Here’s what the Peer Support Leader, Elia Gil-Munoz had to say about camp: 

What was your favourite memory of camp?

My favourite memory of camp was without a doubt during a sikkum when a new student said she felt like she’d been at Emanuel for years. As leaders we are encouraged to go into everything with an aim, mine was to make everyone feel included and like they belong within their groups- this response warmed my heart and will most definitely stick with me for a long time.

What was your favourite activity from camp?

My favourite activity from camp was high ropes. All the Peer Support Leaders in my group got involved and it was really a time where we bonded both with our Chanichim and each other in a way that we hadn’t yet. We got to work with a partner and challenge ourselves as well as encourage each other to go that one step further. The activity acted as the perfect way to deepen our connections with one another and work on teamwork skills!

Year 7 Meirians on Camp

Looking forward to a great new year,

Your editors, Ally and Maayan

Kol Szenes

Year 7 Review of Camp

This week we welcome back our Year 7 Szenesians, their tutor Ms Goldmann, and Year 7 Coordinator, Mr Bell from Camp Somerset! 

Here is a review of camp written by Ashley Cohn and Jaime Keyser in a questionnaire format:

What were your favourite 1-2 activities and why?

Our favourite activities were the wombat hole and high ropes. Both of these activities challenged us physically, and mentally as well. 

What were the most challenging 1-2 activities and why?

Ashley: My most challenging activity would have to be the high ropes. This is because I was struggling on the last obstacle but when I got to the end, it was a huge relief.

Jaime: My most challenging activity was most likely the wombat hole because I don’t like spiders and I was scared.

What are two funny stories from camp involving your Tutor Group?

Jaime: We think for most people it would have to be the storm as it was a really scary and hilarious moment. For the two of us, it was funny because when I was shaking Ashley to wake up she just randomly sang “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid to make me feel better.

Ashley: My funny story would probably be while I was stuck on the high ropes. I was probably stuck on that one obstacle for about half an hour, and in the meantime, the people behind me were getting quite hungry. Because they were off the ground, it was quite difficult to get a snack, so their partners tied a muesli bar to their belaying rope, and the climbers behind me pulled them up and enjoyed a snack while waiting for me.

What did you learn most about yourselves and/or your peers on this camp?

Jaime: I learnt just how understanding and supportive everyone was and how everyone was able to turn a miserable situation into a positive experience.

Ashley: I really enjoyed the time as a group because I feel that we bonded in the time that we had, and I think that now, we will be able to work together to do many other things like that.

What did you learn about and from the Peer Support Leaders on camp? What did your time with your Peer Support Leaders mean to you?

We feel that the Peer Support Leaders played a big part in this camp, they taught us how to just go into an activity with an open mind and to enjoy every part of it. They had a big impact on everything that we did at camp, by making everything fun.

Paul Dillon

This week Paul Dillon addressed Years 10 – 12 students, teachers and parents about safety in regards to participating in certain teenage activities. He is always a great speaker, and rather than discouraging us from doing said activities, he explains to us the ways in which to do them safely.

Here is a blog he writes for teenagers called The Real Deal on Drugs and one for parents called Doing Drugs with Paul Dillon, both of which contain valuable information on how to party safely. For other useful resources, check out his website here!

Announcements

• Hats – please make sure you are wearing a hat and sunblock if you are outside on the playground during recess and lunch.
• Kippot – please make sure to have your kippah at assemblies and all prayers. You can purchase a replacement House kippah if you lose yours for $8.50 from the Jewish Studies Department, or the normal maroon ones from the Uniform Shop for $7.00 a piece, or if you feel like you’re likely to lose them, you can buy three for $15.00.
• House Concert – We have our annual House Concert occurring Monday of Week 9 after school! It’s great to see such enthusiasm and participation during rehearsals. Let’s make it the best so that we can win!

Mazal tov 

Our Szenesian Swimming Age Champions!

• Chloe Biller – 13 Years Girls
• Boaz Hadad – 14 Years Boys
• Jacob Rose – 17 Years Boys
•  

Birthday wishes

Happy Birthday to these Szenesians who celebrated their birthdays this week:

• Jake Narunsky – Year 10
• Jess Lowy – Year 11

Quote of the week

“It is the fight alone that pleases us, not the victory”.
~ Blaise Pascal

Shabbat Shalom and have a fantastic weekend!

Szenes House

Open Days

Invitation – Conversations with Community Stories

Special event for parents

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmehl

Parent Cheese and Wine Social Evening

On Thursday night we shared a special evening with all our wonderful Kornmehl parents, who joined us for an interactive night of socialising, immersing ourselves in creative activities and learning about each group’s routines and program.

Parents and educators all enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate and it was also lovely to see parents meeting each other and having the chance to network and create connections. This building of relationships is at the forefront of our philosophy and ethos and we are extremely grateful to all those parents who came along to enjoy the evening.

Music at Kornmehl

Each week the children look forward to their music lesson. This year the children are enjoying music with Ms Liz Birrell, who visits us on a Thursday morning for a thirty minute interactive music lesson.

Ms Birrell uses the Orff method to teach music and, in Early Childhood, this is a method of teaching that engages the mind and body through a mixture of singing, dancing, acting and use of percussion instruments. The children have been learning about musical concepts through the use of instruments to demonstrate concepts such as low/high and loud and soft. The children have been listening and responding to music through dance. Throughout the year we will develop our music through the use of stories, puppets and dance. 

• The Seashells are getting to know our hello/goodbye song and developing coordination on the body by keeping a beat.
• The Starfish are understanding when to make sound and when to stop by using lyrical cues and responding to music we hear with our body.
• The Dolphins are understanding when to make sound and when to stop as well as concepts such as slow/fast and quiet/loud and responding to music we hear with our body.

The lessons are fun and interactive, and we thank Liz for her enthusiasm and wonderful lessons.

Open Day

The Pre-school will be holding an Open day next week Wednesday 4 March 2020 for all prospective families who would like to visit our Pre-school to see what we offer, walk around our lovely classrooms, meet the Director and chat about our programs and philosophy. The morning will run from 9.30 am to 11.00 am. Please book in to attend the Open Day here.

Kornmehl Family Picnic

Our annual Family Picnic will take place on Sunday 1 March at 9.30 am. Each group will be meeting at Centennial Park in a different space. This is to facilitate parents being able to meet each other more easily, connect and get to know parents in their child’s group. Please bring along your bikes, food, picnic blankets, balls etc.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at this lovely social event.

Programs and documentation

It’s important for parents to know that the Educators spend time each week in a team meeting, where the program for the week is discussed and planned, taking into consideration the interests of the children and the group. The needs of individual children are also discussed, and much time is spent reflecting and reviewing goals for each child as well as group dynamics.

The program is available for all parents to view next to the lockers for each group. Please feel free to contribute ideas to our program by writing on the Parent Feedback section of the program or discussing it with the educators or by writing on the Parent Contribution form on top of the lockers. We value your input and collaboration into our program.

The Educators also have non-contact time off the floor each week. During this time, they write up observations and reflections and post these on Educa for parents to read and enjoy. Educators also use this time to plan goals for each child as well as to write up documentation and Day books to make learning visible for parents.

Educa

A reminder that Educa is our digital communication system. Educa can be accessed through your PC or your mobile device by downloading the “Educa touch” App. Notifications will be sent to parents when something has been posted about their child or there is something to read.

Please feel free to make comments on posts, send messages, stories and photos back to us using Educa about what your child has done on the weekend, or something they are interested in or have experienced currently.

We value collaboration between home and school and EDUCA is a perfect tool for helping us all stay connected and for keeping conversations flowing between home and Pre-school. A reminder that whatever you post can only be seen by your child’s Educators and no other families.

Happy Birthday

We wish a very happy birthday to Etta Pillemer (3) and Joel Lazarus (5).

We hope you both had a lovely day.

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Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

Sydney University – Careers Advisors Day

Last Friday I was out at Sydney University, with all of the Careers Advisors in NSW, hearing about their new initiatives for 2020 and why their graduates are still rated so highly amongst employers.

For a full transcript of my notes, please click here

Areas that I cover, in full, are:

• Interdisciplinary and Community Project Units
• The Student Experience Project new from 2019-2021
• The Psychology of Coaching Resilience
• Results from the 2019-20 UAC preferences and results from UAC 
• School of Design, Architecture and Planning 

A fascinating session was held on resilience and the changes in people’s resilience, as a result of the current climate. This ties in very well into the parenting changes during the last decade and how parenting can have such influence on students ability to cope with life challenges, and noted in this article is parents involvement in the choices that students make for subject selections, tertiary courses and careers. For more information and great insights into this please click here.

Sydney University Relevant Articles and Course Guides

Year 10

• Dos and don’ts of HSC subject selection

Years 10 – 12

• 5 tips to study effectively for your exams
• How to choose between a liberal or professional degree
• Double degrees and double majors: are they worth it? (I always think, YES!)
• University ends uncertainty with guaranteed ATAR
• 4 things to do on Open Day to prepare for your future
• 6 jobs you’ve probably never heard of
• How to prepare for the future of work

Year 12

• Why all of your UAC preferences matter
• What if I get a lower ATAR than I expected?
• What to do when your child gets their ATAR: our advice for parents
• 5 questions to ask at Info Day

Upcoming Events at Sydney University

https://sydney.edu.au/study/why-choose-sydney/events-for-prospective-students.html

Year 10 Information Evenings

• Wednesday 20 May 2020
• Tuesday 2 June 2020
• Thursday 4 June 2020

Scholarship Information Evening

• Wednesday 29 August 2020

Life at Sydney

• Tuesday 29 September 2020
• Wednesday 30 September 2020

As mentioned in my talk at the Year 10 information session, here are my slides from last week.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jHRTNq56ABzd-ADkQLTsi5RFImDFwzR4xo_DpAp9JI8/edit?usp=sharing

Please note any appointments for my online booking system can be found at:

https://calendly.com/clairepechcareers/ 

Parents and Friends

Ruby Berkovic and Jen Opit

Upcoming events

Purim Disco