Volume 30 Issue 1 - 29 Jan 2021

From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

A warm welcome to our families, as we commence the 2021 school year. Our students entered the gates on Thursday looking relaxed and refreshed, with much to share with their friends. They have settled down quickly into the familiar rhythms of school life. Our new students have been embraced into our School community and have been well looked after by their buddies. We are all looking forward to what we hope will be a more settled and positive year, as COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease and vaccinations shortly to commence. At the moment, our students (12 years old and older) should carry their face masks with them, as they need to be worn on public transport. Families need to provide masks for their children. We will still run larger-scale activities in stage groups, wherever possible. This grouping will be maintained at our swimming carnivals, where cheering will require face masks. We have also maintained large supplies of hand sanitiser and are encouraging regular use for all.

Introducing our new staff

We are fortunate to have attracted an experienced, high-calibre group of staff to commence the 2021 school year with us. A brief profile of each staff member is outlined below:

Ms Samantha Rogut will commence shortly as our Head of Library and Information Services K-6. This is a newly created leadership role where Sam, in addition to the teacher librarian role, will partner with the Director of Studies, our Innovation Leader and classroom teachers, to align library, information services and ICT integration with learning across the curriculum. Samantha started her career as a classroom teacher, then moved into the library. She comes to us with experience from Knox Grammar, Sydney Grammar Prep School, PLC Sydney and Shore.

Mr Alex Symonds is an Emanuel Alumnus (1999) who also completed a practicum with us in 2014. Alex has been working at Masada College as an Economics and HSIE teacher since 2015. He has created his own YouTube channel, with instructional videos, as part of his flipped learning pedagogy. Alex was appointed to the RBA Educators Advisory Panel in 2020. We are delighted to have him join us as our Business Studies Teacher.

Ms Julie Duncan joins our SLC team as a Specialist Teacher – Learning Differences and Disabilities. Julie spent 5 years at Tempe High School in their Learning Support area and most recently has been in the USA, where she completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California with a focus on professional development of teachers. Her experience will be highly valued.

Ms Ellana Costa joins our HSIE and Studies of Religion teams. Ellana also worked at Masada College, where she taught HSIE, Studies of Religion and Drama and was the Year 7 Year Coordinator. She has been teaching on a casual basis after returning from maternity leave and we are very pleased to have Ellana as part of our HSIE team.

Ms Laura Scahill joins our PDHPE Department. She has recently returned from the UK where she was Head of Dance and taught PDHPE for the last 4 years at South Hampstead High School. Laura has also worked at Central Coast Grammar and the City of London School for Girls. She is a passionate dancer and we are excited about the opportunities that will open up for our students.

Ms Elizabeth Ben Gida joins us as a Geography and HSIE Teacher from One School Global, where she has been teaching since 2016. She has also taught at Rose Bay Secondary College and a number of Secondary Schools. Elizabeth is a passionate and experienced Geographer and will be an asset to our team.

Ms Lisa Connors joins our Primary Team as the Executive Assistant to the Head of Primary, supporting both Tany Milner and Meg Carroll. Lisa comes to us from Huawei, where she worked as an Executive Assistant for 10 years and has held various other roles throughout her career including event management, marketing and being a full-time mother to her two daughters.

Ms Seana Trehy will shortly commence as our Library Assistant (K-6). Seana joins us from Kambala, where she has been working across both the junior and senior libraries. She has also worked at Woollahra Library and Double Bay Public School library. Seana actually started her career in archaeology and has founded her own Boutique Clothing & Accessories Label for children.

Ms Emily Lawrence is joining our HSIE and English departments on a one-year contract, replacing Allison Lee. Emily is a talented early-career teacher coming to us from St Catherine’s, where she started one of her first teaching blocks right before going into online learning – quite an introduction to teaching!

Ms Janita Begic joins our Health Centre for 2 days per week, as part of a job share arrangement. Janita has been a registered nurse for over 15 years, working in hospitals across a variety of disciplines and wards. She has returned to the workforce after taking time off to look after her young family.

Ms Hayley Chester, an Emanuel Alumnus (2014) will take on a full-time teaching role in Year 1, after working in the Primary School as a casual teacher for the last few years. We look forward to her contribution to teaching and learning.

Ms Tamar Hoffman, another Emanuel Alumnus (2012) will be joining our Primary School team, teaching Hebrew through Drama. Tamar has been working at Burwood Girls High School for the last two years, across Drama and EALD. She is also currently studying a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, with a view to start a drama therapy clinic.

We also welcome back Joshua New and Mia Shapiro from our class of 2019, who will be joining our Jewish Life team as Informal Jewish Life Educators in the Primary School.

Mazal tov

Congratulations to Julian Baruch, Aaron Khedoori, Coby New and Jamie Schneider who recently won the 15 years All Sorts Futsal Competition. The boys had success in the semi-final against Waverley and then went on to beat Moriah in a thrilling penalty shoot out in the grand final. Well done!

Australia Day Honours

We are delighted that two members of our School community are recipients of Australia Day honours in 2021:

  • Mr Ellis Janks received an OAM for service to people with a disability through exercise. Mr Janks is a past parent of Donny (Class of 2012) and Sally-Ann (Class of 2017).
  • Mr Geoffrey Jochelson received an OAM for service to the building and construction industry, particularly security of payment. Mr Jochelson is a current grandparent to Jethro (Year 8) and Jonathan Igra (Year 6).

Kol Hakavod on this wonderful acknowledgement of distinguished service within the broader community.

 

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

New Years

This Thursday past marked the beginning of our new school year as well as Tu BiShevat, the New Year of the Trees.

We could say that the coinciding of these two new years reminds us that we are like trees. Just as trees need nurturing and tending to grow, develop and mature, so do we need caring and guidance to become knowledgeable, thoughtful and sensitive human beings.

We care about the environment, we call ourselves environmentalists and “Environmentalism” has become the celebrated core of Tu BiShevat, our New Year of Trees.

This is a quote from a well known Jewish website:

‘For environmentalists, Tu B’Shevat is an ancient and authentic Jewish connection to contemporary ecological issues…Tu B’Shevat is an opportunity to raise awareness about and to care for the environment through the teaching of Jewish sources celebrating nature. It is also a day to focus on the environmental sensitivity of the Jewish tradition.’

Tu BiShevat, however, is not about environmentalism. In fact, Judaism rejects environmentalism.

Environmentalism, from the word “environ”, speaks about the world that is “around” us, our environment. This is antithetical to Jewish teachings and to our understanding of the world.

From the very start, as noted in the Biblical creation story, we have seen ourselves as one with, not surrounded by or separate from, nature.

The first human, Adam, derives his name and being from adamah, the earth. He originates from and returns to the earth, his life being is never divorced from it, it is not around him, it is him. We are all Adam – “earth beings”.

The term human derives from humanus, meaning both human and earth (as humus means earth).

The first woman, presented in the Bible, is Chavah, which means אם כל חי/eim kol chai – “The Mother of All Life”.

According to Judaism, all of us, like our primordial ancestors, are akin with nature. The natural world is not our environment, we are one and the same in our being and our becoming.

I would like to share a midrash, a Rabbinic teaching, which you might have heard.

When God created Adam, the primordial earth-being, he took him and walked him through all the trees of the Garden of Eden. And, he said to him: See how beautiful and praiseworthy this world is. Be always cognisant not to corrupt and destroy this world, for if you do so, there will be no one to repair it after you.

There will be no one to repair our destruction not because once gone our natural world cannot be brought back. But, in destroying our natural world we destroy ourselves.

We could say we are like trees, we need caring and nurturing. But, beyond being like trees, as this midrash teaches, we are trees and trees are us. We flourish or perish together. It is not our environment, it is who we are.

As we start a new school year, this Tu BiShevat, may we be blessed to grow and flourish, being ever mindful that to do so we must bestow the same blessing upon our natural world of which we are and, hopefully, will always be a part.

 

 

 

 

Word of the Week – Charuv

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Charuv

The word חרוב/charuv means destroyed and desolate and, therefore, is of the same root word for sword, חרב/cherev. It is surprising, then, that a long-time central symbol of the Tu Bi-Shevat holiday, which Jews around the world recently celebrated, is the Charuv.

A holiday celebrating the birth, beauty and bounty of nature would not seem to be consonant with destruction and desolation. With the arrival of Tu Bi-Shevat, in Israel, the ground is saturated with water, the sap is rising and trees begin to bud and bear fruit.  חרב/Chareiv, however, often indicates that which is dried up, as in ve-nahar יחרב/yecherav ve-yavesh – “the river shall be parched and dry”. Similarly, the Sea of Reeds and the Jordan River become “חרבה/charavah”, dry land, so Israel can cross through them. חורב/Chorev, the biblical mountain/site of divine revelation, (synonymous with or other than Sinai) might owe its name to the dry and desolate desert in which it is found: “And, he (Moshe)… led the flock to the far end of the desert and came to the mountain of God, to Chorev”.

The חרוב/Charuv, which we eat on Tu Bi-Shevat, is called Carob, in English. The word passed from Hebrew and its Arabic cognate خَرُّوب/Kharrub to Caroube in French. While some believe that the charuv fruit derives its name from חרב/cherev, because of its sword-shaped pod, many claim its origin lies in chareiv due to the dryness of the fruit and its ability to grow in arid and dry climates.

Though not one of the celebrated seven species of Israel, the Charuv became a staple of Tu Bi-Shevat celebrations outside of the Land because it was one of its few fruits that could withstand long distance shipping without refrigeration. However, it is perhaps our tradition’s stories and symbolism of the Charuv that has made it a meaningful mainstay of this holiday.

The Talmud relates that when hiding from the Romans, for thirteen years in a cave, Shim’on bar Yochai and his son were sustained by a Charuv (and a stream of water). Antithetical to its name, the tree represented resilience and persistence. This story is somewhat reminiscent of the account of Eliyahu who, with threats upon his life, seeks refuge in a cave at “Chorev, the mountain of God”, where, like Moshe, he receives a divine revelation and is encouraged to persist in his mission.

In a well-known story, Choni, the wonder-worker, comes upon a man planting a חרובא/charuva Aramaic for Charuv tree. When he asks how long before the Charuv will bear fruit, he is told 70 years. Choni asks: “Do you expect to live seventy years”? The planter responds: “I found a world full of חרובא/Charuv trees. As my ancestors planted for me, so do I plant for my descendants”.

When the Garden of the Righteous was first created at Yad VaShem, Israel commemorated those who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews, by planting a Charuv, a Carob tree, in their honour.

On Tu Bi-Shevat, as we begin to emerge from winter, the חרוב/Charuv reminds us that even in the most adverse conditions, we must persevere, sustain those in need and provide life for future generations.

 

 

Primary News

Natanya Milner – Head of Primary School

The Summer break always seems to be such a good time to reflect and consider the year that has passed in order to plan for the year ahead. Interestingly, I find the message I am left with is actually about the way I go about the planning itself. I have always been someone who feels better when I am well-prepared and organised. I like to know what lies ahead and be ready.

2020 was confronting in that every plan that I made was turned on its head and so much time was spent preparing for eventualities that never eventuated. So I am entering 2021 with a new model in mind for myself. To be honest, it is a new model that has been forced upon me by circumstance but possibly has me better calibrated with the skills needed in our VUCA world! I aim to approach 2021 with a form of flexi-planning. I intend to be organised in advance with a skeleton of options depending on the changing situation ahead of me. As the time draws closer, I hope my plans will firm up in keeping with the changing parameters of the situation. This requires both me and others to be more comfortable with unknowns and more flexible with the alternatives but also be as open and responsive as possible, in order to achieve the best outcomes under the circumstances.

So, there’s my 2021 challenge that leads me to explain the plans around our first major parent event for 2021. Our annual Meet the Teacher event is set to take place on Monday 15 February 2021. Ordinarily, we would welcome parents onto campus and into our classrooms to meet the teachers and hear about our goals and priorities for the year. This year, we will be unable to have this event take place on campus but we look forward to ensuring that we are still able to share this important information with you. We will communicate the new details with you as we decide the best way to present but, for now, please keep the evening aside.

A great start

It has been wonderful to welcome our teachers back to school on Monday and Wednesday for two days of professional learning. I am excited for the year ahead and look forward to working with such a vibrant, committed and passionate team. I would like to thank the P&F for their generosity in providing lunch for the teachers on Wednesday and the canteen for once again creating such delicious and nutritious food for us.

It was fabulous to welcome our children back to school on Thursday and Friday. I have enjoyed the smiles and positive energy that can already be felt – there is such a special buzz as we get the year of learning started. We have a number of new students to the school and we are excited to see them settle into their new school smoothly and happily. Welcome back to everyone!

Bus usage

The current regulations state that people over the age of 12 are mandated to wear masks on public transport. For children 12 years old and under, students are encouraged to wear masks but this is not mandated. We recommend students wear masks on buses and public transport.

New Equipment in Triguboff

We are so excited about our new equipment in the Triguboff playground. The adventures have begun and children are already enjoying it. I would like to thank the P&F and Board for supportive this wonderful initiative.

Primary Extra-Curricular Term 1 2021

 

Emma Hill – Primary Teacher & Co-ordinator of Extra-Curricular Programs

Primary Extra-Curricular Term 1 2021

In 2021, the Primary School Extra-Curricular program will offer a wide variety of sporting, music and recreational opportunities for students of all ages. A schedule of these activities can be found on the Parent Portal.

Emanuel teacher’s also offer a range of free Extra-Curricular lunchtime opportunities for students throughout the year. These lunch time activities will be advertised on our schedule in the next few weeks. Students will also receive information about these clubs in their class daily announcements.

Please note that unfortunately due to COVID-19 regulations, which we have just received, we will not be able to run Bricks 4 Kidz, Code Camp, or Martial Arts classes. We hope to offer these again this year when restrictions ease. 

We have had a few requests to run an extra-curricular Mandarin class at Emanuel School this year. We have offered this in the past and would love to offer it again if we reach the minimum enrolment numbers set by the external provider. Please complete this form if you are interested in enrolling your child/ren in an after school Mandarin extra-curricular class in Term 2. 

Extra-Curricular (including music and sport) contact details

Extra-Curricular contacts
Please contact tutors/teachers directly if possible
All other inquiries can be sent to Emma Hill       

Sport contacts
Kristy Genc  (Director of Sport K – 12)         
Stuart Taylor (Primary Sport Coordinator)        
Emma Hill (Primary Extra-Curricular & EActive Coordinator)   

Music contacts
Diana Springford (Head of Music P – 12)      
Jo De Araujo (PA to Head of Music)    
For information about Infants String Program and Private Tuition     

Club information, including enrolment & booking details, are now online on the Primary Extra-Curricular schedule page on the Parent Portal

Griffin Ambassadors for 2021

Samantha Bauer – Head of Drama

Congratulations to Lori Allen, Jasmine Barea, Lily Berger, Isabella Filipczyk, Eden Glass and Ariella Traction for being selected as Griffin Ambassadors in 2021.

Running successfully since 2004, Griffin Ambassadors is an annual access-all-areas program for Years 10 – 12 students. The year long program is stocked with a hearty menu of workshops, performances and access to industry professionals, all geared to support the next generation of theatre goers and theatre makers.

Ambassadors are united by a common curiosity about contemporary Australian stories, a love of theatre and the motivation to know more!

Ambassadors might be curious techies, budding playwrights, outgoing performers, or maybe just love going to see theatre.

Our Ambassadors get to:

  • Attend an induction day at the start of the year to learn about Griffin’s season, the workings of the company and its artistic direction.
  • Participate in exclusive Ambassador workshops (in directing, acting, or writing) taught by leading theatre practitioners.
  • Attend a matinee performance of each Griffin Main Season production and participate in post show forums with casts and creatives.
  • Be able to share their experience of Griffin’s work with a special $20.00 ticket price available to Ambassador’s family and friends.

For more information please chat to our Griffin Ambassadors or click here.  

 

Griffin Ambassadors for 2021

 

 

 

 

Music Matters

Diana Springford – Head of Music

Welcome to a new School year of Music at Emanuel. For those who are new, if you would like to know about Ensembles and Choirs, Private Music Tuition, Infant Strings Program for K – 2 and borrowing an instrument please visit the Parent Portal Extra-Curricular Music page.

Please note that we will be holding auditions for some of our ensembles in Weeks 3 – 4.  We expect information on Covid restrictions to be updated in a fortnight, so please ensure you read the Music Matters page of Ma Nishma as more information will follow.

Are you in Year 7 and curious to learn the bassoon?

We are offering a half scholarship for a Year 7 student who is keen to learn the bassoon. 

What is the bassoon?

  • An orchestral woodwind instrument with a double reed
  • It plays in bass clef
  • It makes a beautiful warm, low sound and can play melodies or bass lines or harmonies

We want more bassoonists at our school!

More information on the half scholarship:

  • It covers:
    • The loan of a brand new instrument 
    • half the cost of every lesson 
  • We are open to whomever is interested, but especially if:
    • You have some bass clef reading experience
    • You have once learned a woodwind instrument
  • You would need to commit to:
    • Practising regularly
    • Paying half the cost of lessons and a bond for instrument loan
    • Joining an ensemble when you are ready

Email Ms Springford ASAP if you are curious and tell her why you would be suitable. We only have one bassoon on offer!

Term 1 Music Competition

Please keep an eye out for further information on our new Music Competition. This is open to all students and for them to share with us their solo performances and their competitions. Initially we will seek online submissions at the end of Week 6, of videos a) of solo performances or b) scrolling scores (noteflight or sibelius) of their compositions. Finalists will rehearse with accompanists or have their compositions edited for showcasing in a concert in the Theatre on Monday of Week 9 in Term 1. Watch this space for more information!

 

Drama and Improvisation Programs 2021

School Sport

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

Years K – 12 sport 

We are looking forward to a great year of sport in 2021 with the introduction of new competitions and opportunities in Primary School and compulsory sport for Year 7. The Term 1 representative sport calendar commenced today and the weekly sport program commences on Monday 1 February 2021. 

Registrations for all weekly sport options close today. It is important that registrations have been completed so that teams and coaching staff can be allocated. If your child has not yet been registered for their weekly sport, registrations can still be made today. Further information, including registration links, is available on the Parent Portal in the extra-curricular section.

Student achievements

Congratulations to Julian Baruch, Aaron Khedoori, Coby New and Jamie Schneider who recently won the 15 years All Sorts Futsal Competition. The boys had success in the semi-final against Waverley and then went on to beat Moriah in a thrilling penalty shoot out in the grand final. Well done!

Staff news

Will McFee – Head of Basketball

As part of the Illawarra Hawks coaching staff, Emanuel Head of Basketball, Indiana Faithfull,  has entered a COVID-19 bubble with the NBL. Until his return at the end of term, I am pleased to welcome Will McFee to lead the Emanuel Basketball Program. Will comes with a great amount of playing and coaching experience within the independent school sector and club representative programs. Will currently coaches the u16s NSW team, and I am sure that he will bring a wealth of experience to the Sport Department. 

On Friday 22 January 2021, the K-12 Sport Coaches Induction and Professional Development Day was held at Emanuel. The day included a workshop from Sport Psychologist, Hamish McMaster from ‘Head in the Game’ and completion of the Provide CPR course. The day also provided an opportunity for coaches across all sports to network and prepare for the busy year ahead. 

Primary Thursday inter-school sport

In Term 1, Years 5 and 6 students will compete in AFL (boys) and touch football (girls). Each term, the sports competed in will change and include other sports such as soccer, netball, t-ball and cricket. If your child feels that they may need to improve their skills or fitness for these sports in preparation for the terms ahead, please feel free to contact me as the school aims to provide supportive programs to assist student skill development and confidence in sport. 

High School representative sport expressions of interest

Over the coming weeks there are various opportunities for students to trial for Emanuel teams to play in competitions in the representative sport program. If your child would like to trial for the following teams/sports, please have them email me at kgenc@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au:

  • Opens AICES Tennis 
  • Years 7 – 12 Emanuel Girls Firsts Football Team (to play in the CIS Football Cup and CDSSA Gala Day)
  • Years 8 – 12 Emanuel Boys First Football Team (to play in the CIS Football Cup and CDSSA Gala Day)
  • Years 7 – 12 Emanuel Girls Firsts Basketball Team (to play at CDSSA Gala Day)

Upcoming events

Monday 1 February 2021

  • Primary and High School Term 1 weekly sport options commence
  • Years 5 and 6 Emanuel tennis trial for ASISSA tennis trials (trial 2)

Tuesday 2 February 2021 

  • Year 5 and 6 Emanuel basketball trials for ASISSA basketball trials (trial 1)

Wednesday 3 February 2021

  • High School AICES Opens Girls Tennis 

Thursday 4 February 2021

  • Year 5 and 6 Emanuel basketball trials for ASISSA basketball trials (trial 2)
  • Year 3 Term 1 swimming lessons commence
  • Year 4 Term 1 cricket program commences

Friday 5 February 2021

  • High School Swimming Carnival
  • High School AICES Opens Boys Tennis 
  • Primary ASISSA Tennis Trials

 

High School Library News

The Maria Tirabosco Library offers a number of services to accommodate the learning and leisure needs of High School students. We have a broad selection of fiction, non-fiction and magazines in print and digital form, with friendly staff always keen to help.

If your child is new to the High School you might like to visit the Library website. This website offers access to databases, encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines, reading suggestions for Years 7 – 12, research tips and much more. It can be accessed through the Libguides icon on the School’s portal. 

Opening Hours

  • Monday 8.00 am – 4.00 pm
  • Tuesday – Thursday 8.00 am – 5.00 pm
  • Friday 8.00 am – 4.00 pm

School Photos – Wednesday 3 February 2021

School Photographs

School photographs are scheduled to be taken by Advanced Life Photography on Wednesday 3 February 2021.

Uniform Requirements for Years K – 4

  • Students should be dressed in their summer uniforms.
  • Boys are reminded to wear their kippot for school photographs.

Uniform Requirements for Years 5 – 12

  • Formal winter uniform: Blazers, ties, no stockings for girls the regular white school summer socks and no jumpers.
  • Boys are reminded to wear their kippot for school photographs.
  • High School boys to be clean shaven.
  • All students are expected to be neatly dressed, hair tied back, shoes polished. No extraneous jewel.

Absentee photo day

  • If a student is absent for photographs they can have portrait photographs taken on Tuesday 23 February 2021.

Sibling photos

  • Some sibling photos will be taken on the 3 February 2021 but the bulk will be taken on the 23 February 2021.

Orders

  • Orders for sibling photos can be placed securely online using our Schools unique 9 digit online order code
    TPM ETQ DKZ.
    Online orders must be placed no later than Monday 1 February 2021 for the 3 February 2021.
  • Sibling photos will only be taken if an order has been placed.

Should you have any queries concerning school photographs online ordering please contact enquiries@advancedlife.com.au

Please contact sfairfax@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au for any school based enquiries.

We look forward to celebrating Emanuel students through these photographic memories.

 

 

 

Community Notices