From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

Welcome back to what we hope will be an exciting term, as we move towards a ‘new normal’. The term commenced with a dignified and respectful High School Yom Ha’Zikaron ceremony and it was wonderful to see our students arrive in a sea of blue and white. In the afternoon, our High School students were involved in a Yom Ha’aztmaut program, where student facilitators (Nitsavim) visited each Tutor Group to run a special program.  The day finished with a ceremony in the MPH, including singing, poetry and ruach.  

Vaping: a growing trend

Over the last decade, the number of young people experimenting with and/or taking up vaping has increased steadily. I addressed vaping in our student assembly on Tuesday.

This relatively new phenomenon, with its sweet smelling, colourful vials involves the inhalation of a heated vapour. Surely, you say, this is less harmful than smoking? Surely vaping is a much cooler and safer option than the addictive tobacco leaf? The short answer? Just like it took many years for the links to cancer and other major health issues to emerge, we just don’t know yet. One thing we do know; vaping is a business – and the sellers don’t want their customers to stop buying their products.

As with every school, vaping has permeated the Emanuel School campus. We know for a fact that students have vaped in the toilets. We are currently exploring the use of sensors that can detect vapour. We are also aware of the clever devices that disguise vaping, currently on the market. Recently, some of our students were caught vaping at an inter-school event. Several of our students have been identified as selling vaping products and we have received many calls from worried parents, who report to us the growing number within our Emanuel community who have started vaping.

Like its name, vaping involves inhaling vapour. This happens through an electronic device, where a cartridge full of vapour, or flavoured juice is heated. It can smell really nice – such as berries, coconut, mint – even mango. However, the many chemicals in the vapour can be both harmful and addictive. There are different kinds of e-cigarettes, but many people use the Juul. This e-cigarette looks like a flash drive and can be charged in a laptop’s USB port. Some brands contain vitamin E acetate, a sticky substance used as an additive or thickening agent. An increasing number of people have been hospitalised with the related condition, EVALI, with some of them dying. Many of the e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive; one Juul pod’s nicotine levels are the same as in a full pack of cigarettes.

Parents are encouraged to have a conversation about vaping, as a follow up from our assembly. The following article from Paul Dillon will shed some further light: What should parents say when their teen says “But it’s not smoking” when they find out they’re vaping? An Emanuel School Special Report on Vaping can also be accessed at: https://emanuelschool.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news

Departure of our Head of Jewish Life

After six years of faithful and loyal service, Rabbi Danny Siegel will be leaving us at the end of this year. Rabbi Siegel is well regarded within the Emanuel School and the broader Jewish community. He has proven to be a strategic leader and a diligent and committed member of our School Executive. Perhaps Rabbi Siegel’s greatest strength has been his significant and ongoing contribution to both our formal and informal Jewish Education, which includes Hebrew and Jewish Studies, as expressed within our prayers, shabbat celebrations and programs for understanding and celebrating Jewish Festivals and Holy Days. Throughout his time at the School, Rabbi Siegel has provided strong support for the mission, values and ethos of the School. Rabbi Siegel has served the School well and will depart at the end of the year with our sincere best wishes for the future.

What a mitzvah!

Thank you to the parents who volunteered their time in the holidays to help make delicious soup, lasagne and chocolate brownies (my favourite) for the School’s Mitzvah Meals program. Mitzvah Meals was started many years ago to provide members of our community who are experiencing hardship with a home-cooked meal. It’s a way for Emanuel families to show our support and for the recipients to know that they are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you to Michelle Favero for co-ordinating the cook-up and to all those parents who have been involved, now and in the past, in this very important project. There’s a full story and photos in the article entitled Let’s cook.

Primary undercover

A large shade structure was erected over our new playground equipment, to provide shelter from both the sun and the rain. This space can now be used for combined Year Group meetings. 

Visitors to the School

With the easing of COVID restrictions, we are glad to welcome parents back onto our campus. Parents can enter the campus for meetings, checking in (with our QR code) and answering the pertinent questions. Our standard procedures will be followed when parents come onto campus before or after school for drop off or pick up.

Eden Levit with her SLC medal

Mazal tov 

Eden Levit, Year 10, finished 3rd place in the 90m sprint at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships (making her the 3rd fastest U15 Australian on sand). Additionally, her relay and mixed relay teams both won gold and she returned from the Gold Coast with a total of two gold medals and a bronze medal. Eden then competed at the Australian Track and Field Championships, finishing 5th in her heat, which placed her 11th in the country in the U17s age group. This was a wonderful achievement after a tiring tournament the previous week. 

Phoebe and Buzby jumping to victory

Eden Glass, Year 10, placed a superb 2nd in the State at the NSW Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking competition.

Phoebe Machlin, Year 7, had a double victory at Sydney Show Jumping Club last weekend with 1st place in both the 55cm and 65cm events, defeating over 50 entrants of all ages in each category. 

Our Years 3-6 Extension Maths students performed exceptionally on the KSF Maths Competition by the Australian Mathematics Trust. 

Tom Shilbury, Year 1, was recently awarded the Bondi SLSC Mini Male Nipper of the Year – a wonderful achievement that is testament to his hard work.

Quote of the week

“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.” Edmund Hillary (1919 – 2008), New Zealand mountaineer, explorer, and philanthropist

Primary News

Natanya Milner – Head of Primary School

Welcome

Welcome to Term 2! It has been wonderful to see all the children back at school and hear about everyone’s holiday experiences. We are looking forward to a busy and engaging term ahead.

This term, we welcome three new staff to the Primary team. As mentioned last term, Felicity Cox is an outstanding educator who joins our teaching team and has replaced Carrie Thomas on Year 2. After a period of handover, Carrie will begin her new role as Innovation Leader. We also welcome Elina Liverod to our teacher’s aide team. Elina is an experienced aide and will largely be working with Kindergarten for 2021. Finally, Murat Korkut is a well-respected High School Mathematics teacher and returns to Emanuel. He will be teaching Mathematics to Year 6 and we are excited to have him join our team.

All the best, Ms Turrall

Today is Ms Turrall’s final day of school before beginning maternity leave. We wish Annie and Chris all the very best for the birth of their first child. We look forward to hearing the exciting news and welcoming Annie back for the beginning of 2022.

Yom Ha’atzmaut

We started the term off with a ‘bang’ by celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut on Monday. The day began with a sea of blue and white outfits, engaging assemblies with information about Israel and wonderful music. The children then participated in fun activities during the day. I would like to thank the Hebrew and Jewish Studies teachers, led by Mr Carpenter and Morah Bar-On, for a great day of celebration!

Lice checks

On Day 1 of each term, we check every child for lice to ensure we are beginning with a ‘lice-free’ environment. I am thrilled to let you know that we had 0 cases identified this week. Thank you to Genna for conducting the checks!

Anti-Bullying Day

On Thursday, the Primary School Madrichim organised an excellent ‘anti-bullying’ event that focused upon being an upstander and building buddies. They organised and led activities for every class and were wonderfully organised and inspirational. I would like to thank them and Ms Carroll for their hard work and outstanding leadership.

New reports

Over the past six months, the Primary School teachers have been writing new semesterly reports. In developing these, we have considered the best ways to communicate what we are doing at school and your child’s achievements. We are committed to reporting on academic progress, social and emotional development, work habits and next steps/goals. We are also mandated by certain Government regulations including using a 5 point scale for Years 1-6 and assessing achievement according to NSW standards/expectations rather than a ‘bell curve’ or an ‘Emanuel average’. We look forward to sharing these reports with you at the end of Term 2 and will be seeking your feedback so we are able to reflect and adjust as needed for the future.

Parents coming on campus

Given the current COVID situation in NSW, we will continue to be able to welcome parents on campus for the moment. We are still required to collect information in case it is needed for contact tracing purposes and therefore, if you are coming on campus, please use the QR codes at the gates.

Library

Over the past weeks, Mrs Rogut and Ms Trehy have been busily working to begin a revamp of the Primary Library. We are thrilled with the vision, dedication and effort that they have put into this project and look forward to welcoming you back into the library from next week. Please feel free to pop past to say hello and choose some great books to borrow!

Reconciliation Week

Reconciliation Week takes place from Thursday 27 May – Thursday 3 June. This year’s themes include More Than a Word: Reconciliation Takes Action and  Under One Sky: Yesterday, Today and Forever. The Primary School children will participate in a range of classroom activities and we look forward to celebrating at School on Friday 28 May. Students are encouraged to come to school in yellow on Thursday 28 May as a part of our celebrations. We will be participating in ‘Wear It Yellow’ day – an initiative from ‘Children’s Ground’ – an organisation that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Please send your children in with a gold coin to support Children’s Ground. Please diarise this date.

K-2 Assemblies

This term, we are pleased to welcome parents to join us for K-2 Assemblies. The following class items will take place:

• Friday 30 April  2021 – Infants Choir
• Friday 14 May 2021 – 1T Hebrew
• Friday 11 June 2021 – 2Y

Assemblies take place in the Millie Phillips Theatre and run from 2.10 pm – 2.50 pm. The rows towards the back of the theatre are reserved for parents. We look forward to celebrating our learning with you!

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

עם ישראל חי
Am Yisra’el Chai – Our People Live

On our first day of Term 2, our Emanuel school community commemorated Yom HaZikaron and celebrated Yom HaAtsmau’t, both on the same day (as their calendar dates were during the school holiday).

In the first two years of the State of Israel, memorial services for fallen soldiers were also held on Independence Day. This week’s double-parashah, Acharei Mot (After the Death) and Kedoshim (Sanctifying Life) reminds us, as does the bond between Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtsma’ut, that even as we mourn our dead we must affirm life.

Survivors of the Holocaust, which we commemorated on Yom HaShoah, two weeks ago, affirmed life in the shadow of death. Rabbi Arnold Wieder shares that he learned to be a Mohel from his father, in Bergen Belsen. Remarkably, the DP camps saw the highest birth rate in Europe. Experiencing destruction and death, Jews create and sanctify life, Acharei Mot-Kedoshim.

In celebrating Yom HaAtsma’ut upon the heels of Yom HaZikaron, we remind ourselves of the preciousness of life and the commitment of our Jewish State to realise freedom, security and peace for all its inhabitants, as proclaimed in its Declaration of Independence.

You might find the following Podcast which discusses/debates the connection between Yom Hashoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom HaAtsma’ut of interest. “In this very personal episode, Donniel Hartman, Yossi Klein Halevi, and Elana Stein Hain discuss their own experiences of Israel’s “high holidays” and the annual national experience of moving, in the space of a few hours, from a day of mourning to a night of celebration”.

Celebrating Israel

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Yom HaZikaron

At the very start of Term 2, our High School students and staff came together for a solemn and moving Yom HaZikaron ceremony. Morah Harvey’s Year 11 Hebrew students prepared a presentation invoking the memory of Israeli soldiers who had fallen since the founding of the Jewish state. The Remembrance tekes included the saying of Yizkor, personal reminiscences of family members who have lost loved ones, learning about Israel’s Memorial Hall, the singing of Israeli songs speaking to the profound loss for the families, the citizens of the State of Israel and for all Jews worldwide. Our students were respectfully engaged and together we sang HaTikvah in closing the memorial program.

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Here is the personal account and heartfelt words of Morah Udovich describing the life and loss of her first husband in the Yom Kippur war. (From the Erev Yom HaZikaron communal commemoration at Central Synagogue).

Yom HaAtsma’ut

Following Yom HaZikaron our students engaged in Year Group learning sessions and discussions regarding poems and songs relating to Israel. We all then gathered together in the MPH to celebrate the 73^rd birthday of Medinat Yisra’el. Please enjoy the speech below written and shared by Aaron Lemberg with his High school peers and a video of the beautiful song Al Kol Eleh by Jamie Schneider and Coby New.

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Aaron Lemberg

Why do we talk about Israel?

Why do we talk about Israel? Why do we care about a country so far away? What is our school’s connection to the nation state of the Jewish people? Why did we mourn this morning and celebrate now? And how does the Israeli Deceleration of Independence of the State of Israel relate to us 73 year on?

I would like to tell you about my dad’s parents who grew up in Europe around the time of the Second World War as I’m sure many of your grandparents and great grandparents did. When the Holocaust began, they realised that they were no longer wanted in the communities that they had grown up and built their lives in. No longer wanted in a place that they had once called home!

This was not just the experience of my grandparents but rather the experience of millions of Jews who were persecuted throughout Europe for hundreds of years. After the war, my grandmother’s family moved their lives to Israel. When I went to visit them in Israel two years ago on Chavayah I was immersed in their culture. I was in awe as I watched them rejoice at Shabbat and sing different tunes to some of the amazing Shabbat songs I know. I realised that this place meant so much more than just a place that they lived in.

It meant history,
It meant spirituality,
It meant perseverance.

The values we talk about at Emanuel, the culture and history of the Jewish people, the living breathing heartbeat of everything Jewish, now has a place to flourish and that place has a name… Israel.

As I was reading some of the extracts from the Declaration of Independence, I was thinking back to all of the discussions I had with people in my Year Group on Chavayah. I remembered the instant, deep connection they and I felt as we stepped foot into the country and the first line of the declaration stood out to me: “The Land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people. Here their spiritual, religious and political identity was shaped. Here they first attained to statehood, created cultural values of national and universal significance.” It made me realise the significance Israel holds for the Jewish people.

Although Yom HaAtsma’ut  is a celebration of Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people and its amazing achievements in science, technology, security, culture, medicine, Jewish meaning and more. It is more so, about trying to live up to the standards set forth in its Declaration of Independence.

Still today in Israel we see hatred being spread, promises of equality not being lived up to as gender discrimination, homophobia and other concerning issues are not being addressed. It is our role as Jews and Zionists to address them!

So, as much as I want everyone to think about the awesome chaos of the shuk, the deep sense of connection you may have felt as you approached the Kotel, as I know I did. I also want everyone to think about the Declaration of Independence as something that Israel still needs to strive towards, as something that can spur you on to think inwardly about whether the Israel today is the Israel that truly represents your values.

Our striving for Israel to represent the values set out in the Declaration of Independence is exactly what it means to be a Zionist! An Emanuel Zionist!

The Declaration of Independence was signed all the way back in 1948 on the 14^th of May or if you go by the Hebrew calendar, the year 5708, on the 5^th of Iyar. This historic event took place 73 years ago and yet today it still holds such significance to Jewish communities all around the world. While researching for this speech I realised that the Declaration brings up feelings of reassurance for me. 

It speaks of widespread equality and the lack of discrimination. Seeing that written in one of the most important transcripts in the country’s history shows me that there is hope for a drive towards a better Israel and although it may seem far away, I take comfort in the words of the declaration. “Israel will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel;

So…

Let us strive to be Emanuel Zionists
Let us strive to create Israel an Israel that aligns with our values, one that we can truly be proud of.

Yom HaAtsma’ut sameach

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

With students dressed in blue and white, our first day back at school focused on learning about Israel and celebrating the State of Israel’s 73rd year of independence. 

Our morning began with ceremonies to celebrate Israel’s independence and throughout the day students experienced and participated in a variety of activities, including:

• Lunchtime activities of matkot (paddle ball), ruach (Israeli dancing) and an Israeli food shuk
• Hebrew song sing-a-long
• Israel Jewpardy quiz
• Israeli flag making and biscuit decorating
• Receiving the JNF ‘My Israel Passport’ sticker book

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Primary Extra-Curricular Sport Term 2

Emma Hill – Primary Teacher and Coordinator of Extra-Curricular Programs

This term a number of externally run activities are commencing providing minimum numbers are reached. We still require further enrolments for the following activities:

• Code Camp (Mondays for Years 2-6)
• Mandarin Classes (Monday and Wednesdays for K-6)
• Bricks 4 Kidz (Wednesdays for Years K-4)
• Masters Debating (Thursdays for Years 5-6)

Please see the Parent Portal for further information about these clubs.

We have received requests for a Russian Languages class to be held at Emanuel School. We still need a few more expressions of interest for this class to run so if you are interested in your child attending a Russian languages class in Term 3 then please submit your expression of interest on this form.

Extra-Curricular (including music and sport) contact details

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

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

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

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

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director, Kornmehl

Yom Ha’atzmaut

What a wonderful day we had celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Day of Independence. We discussed how Israel is turning 73 years old. In preparation for our Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations on Tuesday, we had a discussion about Israel’s birthday. We formulated some questions to ask the children to find out their knowledge, understanding, theories and experiences. 

We are celebrating something tomorrow. Does anyone know what that might be?
Etta – Israel’s birthday.
Rafi – When I arrived, Alex told me.
James– We are celebrating it.
Levy – My mum and my dad told me. My sister told me to wear blue and white.

So are we celebrating a person’s birthday?  Is Israel a person?  If not, what is it?
Etta – It’s a different kind of place.  

Can you tell us more?
Etta – Jewish people walked into Israel from King Pharaoh.
Ethan – It’s a different country.

So how might we celebrate a country’s birthday?
Aviv – You decorate the house with lights.
Levy – Israel can decorate it.
Cleo – Blue and white for Israel.
Maya – You do it on zoom.
James – Decorations around the house and flags around on the roof hanging.
Cleo – Blue and white things.
Levy – Lanterns like they float in the sky.
Ava – We made a cake and it has the shape of Israel with a star…it’s in the middle.

On Tuesday the children spent time with Yigal from the JNF. He brought some magical props and games that really helped to give the children a visual perspective of the highlights of Israel. The activities that he shared with the children were interactive and fun. Each child was given a sticker and a bangle to take home with them. On Shabbat they will each receive a cardboard blue book to decorate.

The children engaged in many blue and white activities to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut. We all gathered outside on the oval and sang, danced, waved our flags and ate a yummy blue and white cake. The cake was baked and iced lovingly by two Kornmehl Mums – Tali Ezekiel and Sally Greenberg. Thank you very much for your help. The cake was delicious.

Happy Birthday

We wish a very happy birthday to Neveau Mermelshtayn (5), Zack Lawton (5) and Oscar Cohen (3). We hope you all had a beautiful day.

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Remembering our Holocaust Survivors

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Sean Torban

Welcome back to school for Term 2.

We hope you all had a wonderful Pesach and an enjoyable break. During the holidays we commemorated a number of sombre occasions including Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron.  Micayla Sacks (Class of 2017), AUJS NSW Secretary, wrote a poignant article about the Shoah whilst alumnus, Sean Torban (Class of 2018), represented “The Next Generation – grandchildren of Holocaust Survivors” at the NSWJBD Yom HaShoah event. We then commemorated Yom HaZikaron, to remember all the Israelis soldiers who gave their lives so Israel can survive. Past Emanuel student, Ben Adler, and his Klezmer fusion band CHUTNEY, released a new arrangement of Avinu Shebashamayim (The prayer for Israel) in honour of Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut.  

George Grojnowski – photo by Katherine Griffiths, SJM collection

It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the recent passing of Holocaust survivor George Grojnowski, aged 94, whose connection to Emanuel School started as a Living Historian for the Year 6 students Project Heritage – long before becoming a member of our grandparent community. We wish George’s wife Ella and family “Long life”. His daughter-in-law, Emma, is an Emanuel alumna (Class of 1990) and her older daughter Noa, now in Year 6, started at Emanuel last year. George was a Holocaust survivor-guide at the Sydney Jewish Museum (SJM) for many years and the jacket he wore whilst interned in Buchenwald Concentration Camp is on permanent display at the Museum. Watch here for an insightful and poignant interview about George with alumna, Dr Rebecca Kummerfeld (Class of 2003), Head of Education at the Sydney Jewish Museum.     

Rebecca says: “I had the enormous privilege to get to know George in my work at the Museum. George is the sole survivor of his family. He suffered unimaginable trauma. And yet, he chose to focus on those few times during the war that police and soldiers showed him kindness. He believed in the capacity of people to be good, even after witnessing humanity at its worst. I will always remember his gregarious laugh that drew you in and made you feel like you were part of the joke, and his ability to connect with everyone he met. George could walk into a room of strangers and know exactly what to say to make them feel welcome. He was full of warmth and good humour and I will miss him terribly”.

Eddie Jaku OAM

101 years young

We extend a hearty mazal tov and birthday wishes to Emanuel great grandfather Eddie Jaku OAM, who recently turned 101. His memoirs The Happiest Man on Earth published last year still receives rave reviews whilst Eddie continues to be a sought-after speaker, including two sold-out events at the Sydney Jewish Museum next month.

Private Art Gallery tour with a difference

Please keep the morning of Wednesday 16 June 2021 free for our Gesher private tour of Salon des Refusés 2021 (The alternative Archibald and Wynne Prize selection) at the S.H. Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill (The Rocks). Details will be out soon.

If you have photos and/or news to share, please send to Sonia Newell.                                       

Shabbat Shalom and have a great weekend. 

Music Matters

Diana Springford – Head of Music

We’ve hit the ground running in Term 2! All aspects of music tuition have resumed from the first day of term.

Rehearsals for ensembles and choirs, weekly Instrumental Program (IP) for Years 3-6 and the Infant Strings Program for K-2 have all commenced. Private music tuition has resumed, and schedules have all been emailed to parents. Any queries about private music tuition should be emailed to Matilda Grieve.  

Don’t forget to book for Music Camp!

An information letter about Music Camp and how to book has been emailed to parents and students from Years 4-12 music ensembles and choirs. If you are concerned that you have not received this information, please contact Joanne De Araujo.  

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.

Music Camp is a four-day camp from Monday 7 June 2021 – Thursday 10 June 2021. The first three days are held at Lake Macquarie Outdoor Recreation Centre in Balcolyn and the final day is held at school. Students return to Emanuel on the evening of Wednesday 9 June 2021, to be collected by parents in the early evening. Camp continues on Thursday 10 June 2021 with an all-day rehearsal, a BBQ dinner for students and our Music Camp Showcase Concert in the MPH on the Thursday evening.

Ensembles and choirs

We have room in many of our ensembles and choirs and they are now in full swing. Those interested in playing their instrument or singing as part of a group should get involved. Here is a link to our list of ensembles and choirs. There truly is something for everyone. Only students in our ensembles and choirs may attend Music Camp in June so join now if you want to come along.  

Music Portal page

For announcements about our busy Music program, please check our Music Portal Page on a weekly basis.

You can also find fun news and updates from us on Instagram.

K-12 Sport

Kristy Genc – Director of Sports K-12

Term 2 Winter Sports Program

We are looking forward to the commencement of the Winter Sports Program this term. Registrations for all weekly sport options have been completed and all K-12 weekly sport and EActive activities commence in Week 2. 

Years 4-6 Thursday Inter-school Sport

In Term 2, Years 4-6 students will compete in football (soccer) at inter-school sport each Thursday. Thursday morning training is held each week at Queen’s Park from 7.00 am – 8.00 am and it is compulsory for all Years 4-6 students. If your child feels that they may need to improve their skills or fitness for Thursday inter-school sport, please feel free to contact me as the School aims to provide supportive programs to assist all students’ skill development and confidence in sport. 

Sports uniform

Students are expected to wear the appropriate Emanuel sports uniform at all sporting events. The Midford Uniform Shop stocks the required uniform for all sports. High School students are reminded that they are required to change into regular formal uniform if they have before or after school sport. Primary students are permitted to wear PE uniform on days that they have sport or EActive activities, however House shirts are not permitted at offsite sporting activities. 

CDSSA Netball Gala Day

On Thursday 25 March 2021, the Emanuel junior and senior netball teams competed at the CDSSA Netball Championships in what was a very competitive day of netball. Congratulations to all players on a great day of netball and well done to the junior team who progressed to the Grand Final, only narrowly losing to Reddam House. Eden Levit, Alena Lewy, Mariah Lewy and Amelie Trope were selected in the CDSSA representative teams, competing at AICES Championships. 

Senior Netball Team 2021

Junior Netball Team 2021

AICES Swimming Championships

In the last week of Term 1, Emma Butt, Aden Godridge, Jack Kessell, Jonathan Levy, Tali Same and Rafi Vasin competed at the AICES Swimming Championships at Homebush. Congratulations to these students on their excellent efforts on the day and representing at Emanuel at this high level event. 

AICES Swimming Championships 2021

Aden Goodrisge AICES Swimming 2021

Student achievements

Congratulations to Eden Levit on her outstanding achievements at the recent Australian Surf Life Saving & Australian Athletics Championships. 

Upcoming events

Monday 26 April 2021

• Primary and High School Term 2 weekly sport options commence

Wednesday 28 April 2021

• Primary Cross Country Carnival
• High School CDSSA Football Championships

Thursday 29 April 2021

• ASISSA Netball Gala Day 

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

Welcome back to another busy term of careers at Emanuel School. What do we have on the agenda this term?

Firstly, for Year 12’s, let’s look at the program for Term 2. I find for Year 12s this can be quite a “deciding” term for them. Usually students who have not wanted to consider tertiary courses and careers, tend to realise they need to start in this term. I also host a variety of speakers who come out to talk to our students. This term the Year 12 schedule is almost locked in and consists of the following:

HSC Careers Expo

Another very important date for the calendar for anyone in Year 11 and Year 12 and parents alike is the HSC Careers Expo that is run every year at the Entertainment Quarter. This event is open for four days from Thursday 3 June 2021 to Sunday 6 June 2021. Entry is $12 and participants can get a pass out for the whole four days. Every type of tertiary institution presents here, including all of the services industry, the armed forces, private colleges, trade schools, all universities, bespoke colleges such as Le Cordon Blue cooking school, and everything in between. It can be overwhelming, as there are so many exhibitors but well worth attending, especially to give you some ideas.

Notices, dates and events 

2021 key dates from Macquarie University
4 May 2021:  Year 12 Online Information Session
5 May 2021:  Year 10 Subject Selection Online Information Session
11 May 2021 – 29 June 2021:  Weekly Q&A Series for Years 10 – 12 
14 August 2021: Open Day

ANU
Dates for finalising and completing applications for Class of 2021 closes on 28 May 2021. More details here.

Sydney University
18 May 2021 from 4.00 pm – 7.00 pm: Year 12 Information Evening
On campus session (attend if you can to get a sense of the place)

UAC
21 April 2021 from 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm
There will be a Year 12 Conference where you can hear from participating universities and UAC about study options. More information here.

Courses website
Covers everything from courses to study, funding in each state and everything in between: https://www.courses.com.au/

Rashi

Jasmine Barea

Hi and welcome back from the holidays! We were recently been appointed by Ms Lijovic and Ms Woolf to write and edit the Rashi Times. We are super excited to get into the Rashi spirit and write all about our amazing pacers and House achievements! We’ve got some exciting articles planned and can’t wait to share the Rashi experience with our readers! Before we get into the more eventful articles of the term, we thought we would introduce ourselves.

Hi! I’m Jasmine, I’ve been in Rashi since Year 7. I am now in Year 11 and I am excited to be writing alongside Sierra for the next year of the Rashi Times. I’m most excited for House Music. I look forward to it each year but unfortunately the last House Music we were able to have was way back in 2019, and after the wait I think our House Captains are in it to win it! All you need to know about me is that; I love soccer and have played competitively since I was six, my favourite book is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and my favourite authors are Cornelia Funke and Jenny Han. I don’t have a favourite movie but Clueless and some Marvel movies are definitely up there. I’m a sucker for all things music, I’m constantly listening to my favourite playlists or records, most of my favourite memories are at concerts or musicals, I also love to sing. I’ve been at Emanuel since Kornmehl and the friends I’ve made over these years are some of the best people in my life! In the future I want to go to Iceland to see the black sand beaches and the northern lights, as well as South Korea. I would also love to revisit my family in Spain and America. Finally, to bring it all back to Rashi, my favourite Rashi memory is the canoe rides on my Year 8 camp. I remember everyone singing songs and capsizing and I’ll never forget it!

Sierra Afutu

Hi, I’m Sierra, like Jasmine I’ve been at Emanuel since Kornmehl, and Rashi since Year 7, but now I’m in Year 11 and I am thrilled to have a leadership role as a senior student and use my writing skills for something other than essays about Shakespeare! My final years at Emanuel School are coming to an end and it is very daunting, to say the least, but looking back on previous years I definitely think House Music has also been my favourite yearly event. It’s something about everyone coming together and listening to music that gets everybody in a great mood. It’s a wonderful experience that most people look forward to. In terms of getting to know me, all you really need to know is that I absolutely love music, I play the piano, ukulele and sing, and I enjoy art, movies, reading and writing creatively. My favourite movies are: The Parent Trap, Mamma Mia, 10 Things I Hate About You, Call Me By Your Name and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Much like Jasmine, travelling has always been a memorable element of my life, my favourite family trip is when I went on safari in Botswana, South Africa. Seeing all the interesting, and somewhat scary African animals at such a young age was so amazing and will definitely stick with me for the rest of my life. Finally, my favourite Rashi memory would be my first Swimming carnival in Year 7, I just remember how exciting it was to see the Year 12s so energetic and everyone having so much fun, it was a great transition into High School!

We hope now that you know us a little better that you are also excited to explore the rest of the year inside Rashi with us!

KSF Australian Mathematics Trust Competition

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

KSF Australian Mathematics Trust Competition

In Week 8 of Term 1, our Years 3-6 Maths Extension students participated in the KSF Competition run by the Australian Mathematics Trust.

The students reported that the paper was difficult. Year 5 and 6 write the same paper (Upper Primary), as do Year 3 and 4 (Middle Primary). The results have come in and they are wonderful.

Year 3

Credit

Miri Kuper
Eli Levin
Joshua Marishel
Nathan Shammay
Harry Wine
Joa Israelstam

Year 4

Distinction

Oscar Glikin
Ethan Likht
Jessica Lopis
Ben Pellow

Credit

Aaron Eisenberg
Tal Wajsman
Asher Levin

Year 5

Distinction 

Ethan Ickowicz
Pepper Banki
Theo Salek
Alexander Yu
Noa Saffron

Credit

Rafael Kuper
Alicia Randall
Leah Zipser
William Yu
Jake Vitek
Kayla Strous
Zachary Salamon

Year 6

Distinction

Hannah Fekete
Isaac Shammay

Credit

Eli Jocum
Marco Meer
Cyrus Waldner
Bella Swill
Emily Seeman
Leah Joshua

Congratulations to all of these students on persevering through some mind-bending questions and on these wonderful results!

Homelessness excursion

Wandering in the wilderness – walking the walk

Year 9 Masa Bamidbar – Homelessness excursion – מסע במדבר

The weather was perfect on Tuesday 23 March 2021 for deeply contemplating homelessness. Year 9 students braved the elements to catch public transport to the venues. Half the year then walked for well over an hour, with the wind and rain as constant companions, absorbing the guided tours of homelessness and vulnerability in Darlinghurst and Kings Cross, and the difficult yet inspiring personal stories of Rough Edges (formerly homeless) guides, Tony and Grace. The other half took part in the Cook4Good program, run by Kids Giving Back, and then felt the power of helping others directly by bringing the meals with them to Rough Edges when the two groups swapped over mid-day.

In all, the students prepared almost 550 meals of fresh and nutritious sandwiches, wraps and salads, and took with them life lessons and vicarious life experiences that they will remember for years to come.

Here is a selection of student reflections kindly shared from the Kids Giving Back surveys:

Having someone that has previously been homeless talk to us, was really eye opening and so amazing to hear their personal stories.

I see what it’s like to be homeless and how some people don’t have a choice. Also, how for some people, being homeless makes them more free than living in a house.

 I understand that without others help and perseverance to do so these people may not reach out for help.

With both the walk and cook, it made me see from the perspective of someone in need, giving me an understanding of what it’s like to be someone on the streets.

I got to see other people’s lives from different perspectives and not just the overall idea of being homeless, but what happens behind the scenes (such as what people face, e.g. abuse, assault, crime, etc)

Jaz’s story was really inspiring, and I found that I understood how quickly peoples’ life can change and how quickly people can go from a fortunate place to homeless.

My stigma of homelessness has changed, and I have learnt about different situations.

 I understand that lots of people have been through a lot more than you can see on an initial average meeting. I also understand that small gestures such as a simple hello or a short conversation can brighten up a person’s day exponentially.

 I understand more about what it means to be vulnerable and about the process of becoming and getting out of being homeless

I liked walking as we could see what was being described to us. It made me feel more connected to the stories by walking through them.

After making and packing each individual meal I began to think how fortunate I am myself to be getting all 3 meals of the day, while some people that are experiencing homelessness (might) only get one or none.

I loved cooking and hearing Jess’ story. There was nothing I didn’t like and would definitely consider volunteering if I am allowed and recommending these programs to my friends and peers.

I loved everything, I found it cool how the chef showed us how to prepare the food and I took some knowledge about how to prep out of this experience as well.

This is an impactful and important learning experience that others need to participate in to wake themselves up.

From all of Year 9

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Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking competition

Eden Glass and Jayden Segal

On Thursday 10 March, three intrepid Emanuel High School students grabbed their passports and crossed the bridge to Pymble Ladies College to participate in the Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking competition at State level.

These brave students were proud representatives of their school. Year 8 student, Jayden Segal, spoke in the Junior division whilst the other students participated in the Senior division.

All three students spoke confidently and mastered their topic well. The judges stated that these had been the highest level of speeches heard yet. 

Congratulations to Year 10 student, Eden Glass, who came second against schools throughout New South Wales. An outstanding achievement.

Well done Eden, Jake and Jayden on your remarkable school spirit, confidence, excellent preparation and outstanding delivery of your speeches. Emanuel School is proud of you all.

Yael Grunseit, High School Debating Co-ordinator

Duke of Ed Silver

Coby New, Year 10

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Silver practice camp was such an awesome experience. We hiked a total of about 30km over three days. The hike was long, narrow and strenuous but it was fun to be with friends and rewarding to complete. We hiked through narrow bush, on wide gravel, on sand, across water, up and down steep hills and eventually to our campsites. The first night we stayed in a very big cave. This was one of the many highlights of my experience as my tent partner and I chose to not set up our tent and to sleep without it. As there were no taps, everyone had to catch drips of water coming from the top edge of the cave as a source of water, for both drinking and cooking. The second night we stayed in a small campsite with trees surrounding us. Another highlight of the camp was having a fire both nights and cooking dinner and telling riddles and jokes around it. We also did ‘tribal’ both nights which was when everyone spoke about their experiences that day.

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By Coby New, Year 10

NAJEX ANZAC Day Commemoration

On Sunday last week, we attended the NSW Association of Jewish Service & Ex-Service Men & Women (NAJEX) Annual Communal ANZAC Day Commemoration and Wreath Laying Ceremony. It was a moving ceremony which commemorated the great sacrifices of Australian soldiers and honoured the Jewish members of the NSW Rural Fire Service for their efforts in fighting the 2019/20 bushfires.

We were fortunate enough to listen to an address by the Hon. Dr Marjorie O’Neill MP, State Member for Coogee, who spoke about her relative killed at the Battle of Pozieres in 1916 and how important it is to remember the individual and collective stories so that we may create a peaceful and loving society.

We took part in the communal wreath laying ceremony on behalf of Emanuel School to commemorate the brave sacrifices made for our freedom. Overall, it was an honour to attend this ceremony and we both left the Sydney Jewish Museum with a deeper gratefulness of the courage of others.

Pictured below are our Madrichim Ezra and Chloe together with Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC Governor of NSW and with our Year 4 student Benjamin Pellow, who is a member of the Judean Scout Group and was representing the Colour Party.

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By Ezra Hersch and Chloe Miller

Let’s cook

Michelle Favero – Manager of Marketing and Communications

In the school holidays, fifteen Emanuel parents chopped, grated and mixed their way through countless kilograms of onions, butternut, choc chips and much more, to make delicious, nutritious and comforting meals for those in our school community who need support during difficult times.

The School’s Food Lab, equipped with impressive commercial-grade cooking equipment, was the venue of much laughter, conversation, bubbling soup pots and decadent brownies creaming in Mix Masters.

Last term we placed a call out to parents to volunteer to cook and bake for the Mitzvah Meal program. We had a wonderful response, with over sixty people offering their help. Sadly, we couldn’t accommodate all of those who generously offered their time, but there will be further opportunities in the future to be involved.

Two parents who participated in the great cook-up shared their thoughts and feelings about the experience:

“What a pleasure to be able to spend just an hour or two in the kitchen with other Emanuel parents and to know that you can have an impact on somebody else’s life. If you have just a little bit of time to spare I highly recommend contributing to make a difference.” Oliver Berger

“What a wonderful way to connect with a group of old and new friends peeling and stirring, the waft of soup simmering on the stove, the sound of mixmasters, giggles and chatter. So special to be a part of this community and such a fun night.” Carli Rothman

Thank you to our chef parents: Candy Mervis, Carli Rothman, Kim Camberg, Leigh Goldberg, Naomi Raiz, Terrance Cross, Vanina Vaisman-Levy, Amanda Isenberg, Ben Opit, Gabi Salamon, Odin Kay, Robert Sandy, Tonja Nachman, Oliver Berger and Laura Alfred.

Here’s to spreading care across the community.

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Jingle competition

Community notices

Parents and Friends

Ruby Berkovic and Jennifer Opit

Hi Everyone,

We hope you enjoyed the Term Break.

Challah orders Term 2 

This is the last week that we will be taking challah orders for Term 2. Delivery begins in Week 1 of this term (today).

You can eliminate the hassle of having to pick up your weekly challah and support the Parents & Friends at the same time. We will be selling freshly baked challah every Friday at the cost of $4.50 and you or your kids can pick it up on a Friday afternoon between 3.20 pm – 3.40 pm outside the Reception Building in Waxman Drive. (Gluten free challah is available at an increased price of $10.00 per loaf).

The challot must be pre-ordered. Please register your interest by emailing here 

Mother’s Day get together and gift stalls

Meditation Session and Get Together

This year, to celebrate Mother’s Day, the P&F would like to invite you to a relaxing morning meditation session. On Thursday 13 May 2021, please join us in Centennial Park outside the Homestead Café after drop-off for a catchup and relaxing meditation session – led by Jodie Gien @ Mindful Future Project

Where:  Meet by the Homestead Café in Centennial Park (you can grab a coffee before we begin).
When:   Come after drop-off for an 8.30 am start. The meditation will run for approximately 30 minutes and you can hang around and chat before and after if you choose.
What:    A chance to catch up, bond and relax. Bring a yoga mat or blanket to sit on, warm clothes and a gold coin to donate to the Women’s Community Shelters. The Parents & Friends will provide a morning snack.

We hope to see you there!

Gift Stalls

We have organised a wonderful Mother’s Day Gift Stall on Friday 7 May 2021 where we will be selling special gifts for your Primary School children to give to you on Mother’s Day. This is optional! If you would like to participate, please be sure to send your child along with $10.00 per gift on the day and they will bring the gift home with them that afternoon. The correct money would be greatly appreciated and if you would like to purchase more than one gift, perhaps for a grandparent, just send extra money. 

Emanuel Parents & Friends event

Date:  Save the afternoon of Sunday 30 May 2021 for some Family Fun! 
Time:  3.00 pm – 5.00 pm 

It has been too long since we have been able to come together, so the Parents & Friends are organising an afternoon of excitement – watch this space!

Entertainment Books

If you are looking for great offers while out and about, there are plenty to be found in the Entertainment Book. Order here          

Parents & Friends meeting

Our next Parents & Friends meeting will be on Wednesday 2 June 2021 (the May meeting is cancelled). Please contact us if you need to discuss anything before June’s meeting.

Camping Trip #2 date change 

Please note that the date of the second camping Trip for the year has been moved to Friday 26 November 2021 – Sunday 28 November 2021.

Weekend brain teaser

Question: What runs around the whole yard (garden) without moving?

Have a lovely weekend,

Jen & Ruby

Recipe of the week

From the Kitchen of Hayley Linz

Roast tomato soup 

Ingredients

Directions

• Preheat oven to 180^oC
• Half the tomatoes and place in oven dish. Add the garlic without removing the skin. Drizzle with olive oil, sea salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 1 hour.
• Cut the bread into chunks, drizzle with a generous amount of olive oil and add the fresh rosemary leaves on top. Add salt and pepper.
• Massage the oil and rosemary and mix it around so all the bread is soaked in olive oil. Put in oven for 30 minutes.
• While tomatoes and bread are in oven, slice the red onions. On low heat, add 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil, add onions and fry for 5 minutes without browning.
• Add 1 cup of balsamic vinegar and 1/2 cup of boiling water.
• Put lid on pot and let it slowly caramelise on a low heat for 20 minutes. Take bread out and let cool to get crunchy.
• When tomatoes are finished baking let them cool. Then take off all the skins. Squeeze garlic out from their skins.
• Add all the tomatoes and the juice from the oven dish plus the garlic and 1 cup of boiling vegetable stock water to the pot.
• Cook on medium heat for 1 hour. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Blend the soup (stick blender works well). Safer to blend when it’s cooled a bit.
• Serve with croutons and shaved parmesan.