From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

A magnificent musical event 

Our Annual House Music Competition is one of the highlights of our School calendar. In 2020, our students were devastated when COVID-19 restrictions resulted in its cancellation, after many hours of planning and practise. That made this year’s event even more special. A number of our parents joined our High School student audience, enjoying the show from outside the Lehrer Family Multi-Purpose Hall – and no one left disappointed.

How to describe the event? High-energy, colourful, creative, loud and entertaining! Our House Madrichim, working in partnership with our highly competitive Heads of House, put on a wonderful show. The depth of talent across each House was evident and each performance attracted loud cheers of appreciation and enjoyment. It was hard to pick a winner – but our congratulations to Meier House, on their historic and well-deserved victory. Mazal tov to every student who got up on stage to sing and dance. Thank you also to key organisers, Adam Ezekiel, Diana Springford and Ben Marshall and to our alumni judges: Joshua New (2019), Chloe Ben-Mayor (2019), Adam Cranko (2018) and Jamie Lipschitz (2016).

Twilight Concerts

It has been a very busy week for the Music Department with two Twilight Concerts snapping at the heels of the High School House Music Concert. Kol Ha’kavod to all the students who performed on the night and thank you, again, to the Music Department for preparing the students so well. We’ll have photos to share in next week’s Ma Nishma.

Primary School Northern Territory/Jilkminggan trip

Our intrepid travellers returned from their trip to the Northern Territory with accounts of an amazing adventure. Regular check-ins with Ms Milner highlighted the breadth of outdoor and cultural experiences, as they visited the Northern Territory and the Jilkminggan community and school. A huge thank you to Tany Milner, Kim Slender and Kim Haddix for leading the trip.

The importance of our House System

Our House system remains a key element of our K-12 student wellbeing program. Participation in inter-House events and competitions, House meetings and our (High School) House Tutor program develop and embed a strong sense of connection and belonging, which are important protective factors in young people’s lives. Our High School House Tutors mostly journey with their group for the duration of their time at school, monitoring progress and providing support and encouragement. They are often the first port of call for parents and play a significant role in caring for our students. Our annual camps program, conducted within Tutor Groups, provides important team building and bonding experiences. Within our House Tutor program, a range of key, age-appropriate wellbeing themes are covered, reinforcing both curriculum content and our external programs and activities. Our House system reflects our aim to provide a wonderful start in life for our young people, in an inclusive Jewish context.

Good news: Enhanced traffic safety planned for Avoca Street

Randwick City Council have informed us that they are releasing funds from the Federal Stimulus Road Safety Program to improve pedestrian safety around our School. Accordingly, a new pedestrian crossing will be built upon a raised safety platform, giving further prominence to pedestrians and forcing motorists to slow down on approach to the crossing. Research has shown that these raised pedestrian crossings substantially lower the potential for fatal or serious injuries to pedestrians. It is hoped that construction will commence in July.

JCA 2021 Campaign: Major communal fundraising event

The YidLife Crisis show can be attended in person or by Zoom on 30 May. It promises to be a special event. Prior to the show, JCA will be addressing the community and showcasing the impact and importance of their support in our local community, including our School, together with some insights and inspiration for the future. We encourage you to register and support this annual campaign, as by supporting JCA, you will be supporting funding allocated to our School and 23 other local Jewish organisations. Bookings can be made through the JCA website: www.jca.org.au 

Mazal tov

The Emanuel Boys Firsts Football team progressed to the final 16 in the CIS Football Cup – a fantastic achievement.

Quote of the week

“What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude.”
– Brene Brown

Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Being Torah

This week’s parashah, BaMidabr, opens with the command to conduct a census of the Israelites now encamped in Midbar Sinai-the wilderness of Sinai. Accordingly, the book BaMidbar is called Numbers in English and Sefer Pekudim (The Book of Counting), in our Rabbinic tradition.

The final tally (“pekudim”) we are told is 603,550. The famous Hasidic Rebbe, Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev notes that this final count corresponds to the total number of letters in the Torah. As the Torah, tradition maintains, was given at the iconic mountain of this wilderness, one can see the ready connection, between the census of the Israelites and the revelation taking place within the same region, that the Berditcher Rebbe draws.

In fact, however, a count of the letters in the Torah yields the number 304,805. Levi Yitzckak, though, is concerned with exploring truths rather than recounting facts.

There is a tradition, that when a Sefer Torah is commissioned by a synagogue, each of its members writes a letter in the scroll or sponsors the sofer/scribe to do so on her/his behalf. Both practices testify that our Torah is a communal document reflective of a shared way of life, to which we all contribute.

This Rebbe, however, may be asking us to cull more from his suggestive words. Perhaps, we are all letters of the Torah, its living embodiment. In which case the Torah has no life outside of us who are called upon to be Torah. The Torah is a “Tree of Life” in terms of its organic nature-the roots, trunk and branches of a tradition that lives through us.

Significantly, the last of the 613 commandments is for each of us to write a Sefer Torah. The Rabbis declare that writing a Sefer Torah constitutes receiving it at Sinai. Beyond the physical act of writing, living Torah by being Torah would make us true scribes of the Sefer Torah. In doing so, we are enacting the Sinaitic revelation through(out) our lives and that of our community.

As we are about to celebrate Shavu’ot, and our receiving the Torah, may we remember that the true census of our people is to be reckoned not by numbers but by the life each of us leads.

חג שבועות שמח/Chag Shavu’ot Sameach

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

As we entered the final week of the counting of the Omer, our attention focused on a variety of Shavu’ot based learning and activities, which included:

• Reading, translating and discussing meaning of the Aseret HaDibrot (The 10 Statements).
• Studying midrashim to gain deeper insights into how our tradition understands the significance of the Torah.
• Mia Shapiro and Josh New leading a peulah for students in Year 3 and 4, encouraging students to think about the importance of rules and then create their own 10 rules. 
• A Tanakh Pathways information evening for Year 5 parents and students and parents in Year 4. These evenings involved text study, Tanakh familiarisation and reflecting on the meaning and significance of this text for the Jewish people. These evenings were in preparation for the Tanakh presentation ceremonies happening later on this term.

Following a joyous Shabbat celebration this morning, Years K-6 students gathered together, just as our ancestors came together, to celebrate the giving of the Torah. Our Shavu’ot ceremony was led by the Year 6 Jewish Life Leaders and included songs, midrashim and readings that explored the different names and dimensions of the festival, from its agricultural origins to the revelation of Torah at Mount Sinai. The highlight of the ceremony was the chanting of the Aseret HaDibrot (The 10 Statements) by students in Years 5 and 6. 

Thank you to the Jewish Life Leaders for conducting the service and a kol hakavod to Morah Gaida and the students in her Torah reading group who participated in our ceremony.

Chag Shavu’ot Sameach/חג שבועות שמח

The header image, Flowers for Shavuot, was made by Jewish Studies Arts & Crafts Club Year 1 and 2.

Primary news

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

Gifted and Talented news

Gifted Awareness Week will be in Week 6 – a week set aside to highlight Gifted Education.

Dr Minh Ngyuen Hoan

As a lead up to this, our Primary School staff attended a professional development session delivered by Dr Minh Ngyuen Hoan. Dr Hoan has extensive experience in the counselling of gifted children.

He addressed staff on the Socio/Emotional aspects of Giftedness and provided successful, proven strategies for teachers to use when students exhibit characteristics such as perfectionism, intensity of emotions and an asynchrony with their peers, to name but a few.

Da Vinci Decathlon

Our Years 5 and 6 students took part in the longstanding da Vinci Decathlon, run by Knox Grammar School on Thursday 6 May 2021. This year’s competition was online but still presented questions of high academic rigour. The event traditionally attracts 160 schools and did so this year.

Our students worked effectively within their teams and showed ingenuity and determination. The results will be released next week.

Several students spent a fair amount of their time practising tasks for this competition and they should be commended on their dedication and their performance on the day.

Our Junior Ethics Olympiad team will now be working towards the Ethics Olympiad in June and our Future Problem-Solving team will be working on their next question on ‘Wearable Technology’.

da Vinci Twins

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Chess

Chess season has begun, and we are fielding four Primary School teams and four High School teams. The teams are performing according to their ability with our Year 7A team holding onto all eight points in the first two rounds.

Congratulations to all players for bravely facing their opponents and showing exceptional sportsmanship. 

SRC – an exciting start

The SRC has had an exciting start to 2021. We were given the opportunity to put forward ideas that would enhance our playground. Mrs Milner was very happy with our contributions and we look forward to seeing some of our ideas come to fruition in the future. 

The SRC has been busy ordering new soccer balls for each class. We have also begun a new initiative across Years 3-6, known as Class of the Month. How do you win the Class of the Month? Students earn points by consistently wearing the correct uniform, having kippot and siddurim, keeping a tidy classroom and showing respect in prayers. The class who earns the greatest number of points wins and gets to wear plain clothes for a day. Congratulations to 5Y on the first win!  

The SRC leaders have interviewed many people about the library and how the majority of the Primary School library books are geared towards the younger years. We are trying to expand the range of books in the Primary School library. We have made suggestions to the librarians on new books that could be added to the schools overall collection. 

Friendship monitors

This is a new initiative that will start in Week 4. Volunteers will wear little friendship mentor badges. They have been trained in how to help younger students solve their problems on the playground. If you would like to be a friendship monitor, please visit Ms Sceats. 

Lunchtime Drama

This is another new initiative by the Year 5 SRC leaders that will also begin in Week 4 in the Chill Zone. Any students who have the desire to act, play and perform during lunch are welcome to join on a Monday lunch. They will also be using the dress ups that were purchased by the SRC in 2020. 

We look forward to introducing more programs through the year and updating you all with how our initiatives are progressing. 

By Sammi Epstien, Gemma Jacobson, Leon Besser, Seth Nachman, Jordan Arnott and Luis Waldner
Year 6 SRC Leaders 2021

Primary Sport

Stuart Taylor – PDHPE Teacher

Primary CIS Netball Championships

Held at Genea Netball Centre on Friday 7 May 2021, the ASISSA representative team played against eight other associations in a round robin format.

The girls played exceptionally well – winning six out of eight games played and finishing third overall. The team included Jordan Arnott and Samara Strugar from Emanuel and seven other girls from ASISSA schools.

Congratulations to Samara who was chosen in the “Possible v Probable” section of the day. This was to select girls to form the CIS representative team. Samara made the last 14 trialists but just missed out on selection in the final team.

High School Sport

Kristy Genc – Director of Sports K-12

Representative Football

Congratulations to Ethan Hirst, Coby New, Gemma Odes, Sienna Poswell and Mischa Spielman who played in the CDSSA representative football teams at the AICES Championships last week. It was a great day of football, with the CDSSA 15yrs girls team winning the championships. The CDSSA 16yrs boys team, coached by Emanuel coach Aytek Genc, was unlucky to lose in the semi-final following a few injuries. Well done to Coby New who has been selected in the AICES 16yrs team and will play at the CIS Championships later in the term. 

Well done to the Emanuel Boys Firsts Football team on their successful CIS Football Cup campaign this year. Captained by Aiden Poswell, the team progressed to the final 16. This was a great achievement and despite not progressing to the quarter-finals, the players had a positive season. 

Representative Cross Country

Congratulations to the many runners who competed at the CDSSA Cross Country Championships on Monday at Queens Park.

Stand out performers included: 

Victoria Miller – 2nd place
Hayley Kanevsky – 3rd place 
Aron Harpaz –  4th place 
Jack Kessell – 4th place 
Daniel Allul Orozco – 7th place
Leo Masnick – 9th place
Amelie Mueller – 9th place

Vicky Miller CDSSA Cross Country 2021

Jack Kessell CDSSA Cross Country 2021

Hayley Kanevsky CDSSA Cross Country 2021

13yrs Boys CDSSA Cross Country 2021

14yrs CDSSA Cross Country 2021

Basketball news 

Indiana Faithfull – Head of Basketball

Earlier in the term, four Emanuel basketball teams competed in the Year 7 and 8 Jewish Schools Gala Day, convened by Emanuel School. All teams competed very well, and it was an extremely successful day. 

The performance of the day, however, went to the Emanuel Boys A’s who went undefeated in the competition. The team faced a competitive Year 8 Moriah team in the Grand Final where Moriah got out to an early lead with some hot shooting, but the Emanuel boys’ ability to control the tempo and manifest easy baskets through their pressure defence meant that the boys were never out of the game. The depth of the Emanuel team, as well as their ability to play an up-tempo style eventually wore Moriah out and meant the second half was all Emanuel. Jed Gottlieb lead the way with his own eight point run within three minutes of the second half. The boys pulled away from Moriah and ended up winning the final by 10 points.

Congratulations to Zack Gerber, Jaime Goldman, Jed Gottlieb, Jake Joffe, Jonah Lemberg, Oliver Novy, Jason Odes, Samuel Owen and Hayden Rosen. 

Upcoming events

Wednesday 19 May 2021

• High School CDSSA Touch Football Trials

Thursday 20 May 2021

• Primary School ASISSA Cross Country 
• High School CDSSA Cross Country Team training commences

Monday 24 May 2021

• Year 3/4 NSW Schools Regional Futsal Championships

Wednesday 26 May 2021

• High School AICES Touch Football Championships

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmel

Mother’s Day Breakfast

On Monday morning, despite the current COVID restrictions, we were extremely grateful that we were still able to go ahead with our Family Day Breakfast. We had five SUPER DADS arrive at 7.00 am to help set and prepare the food for the breakfast.

My sincere thanks to Balint Hamalgyi, Alan Arnott, Rick Lawton, Tristan Freedman and Craig Haifer for their help on Monday. It is very much appreciated.

All our special visitors were delighted to spend this quality time together with their children. We enjoyed a delicious, scrumptious breakfast and parents and children were able to participate in a variety of activities set up on the tables, together with their child.

Luckily, we have a large Pre-school space and so everyone was able to spread out and find a happy place to be.

Comments from parents:

Nicola Berkovic: Thank you so much for such a beautiful morning!  

Amy Friedlander:  Beautiful morning thank you!

Claire Haifer: Thank you for the wonderful morning! 

Daniella Alhadeff: Thank you so much to all the educators for a very special morning tea!  So much effort was put into making sure that everyone had a beautiful time, not to mention the great food. Adam was so proud to show me around and spend the time doing Lego and blocks together. 

Shavuot

We have been learning about this festival and in particular we have been focusing on the story of Ruth, which is about kindness and loyalty, something we are constantly reflecting on and talking about with the children. We used puppets and props to bring the story alive. Two of our teaching intentions are for the children to feel a connection to Israel and their Jewish heritage and to gain an understanding of Shavuot. As educators, we strive to create a culturally competent Pre-School and community, where we respect diversity and feel connected.

How fortunate we are to have the opportunity to experience and celebrate all these very important Jewish festivals. Through the colour, song, tastes and smells of each occasion, positive memories are created for the children, memories that will hopefully instil a love and appreciation in their hearts for their Jewish heritage. We have been counting the Omer, and we are excited to finally get to day number 49!

We celebrated Shavuot on Friday with a Bikkurim parade and yummy milk lunch, consisting of macaroni and cheese and ice cream. The children came to school dressed in red, orange, yellow or green. We made colourful crowns to wear on the day. We collected a generous supply of dried and tinned food to donate to Oz Harvest. 

Many thanks to our parent helpers Kyra Phillips and Jade Marishel. Your support is very much appreciated.

A note about play

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Play is self-chosen. Children were born to play. They love to play. They will play all day if they’re allowed. If you have to coax them into doing something, then it’s not play. Play never feels like work or an obligation. Play is enjoyable, fun and has no agenda. Play is not the purpose of meeting adult goals. Play is inherently valuable. All play is learning. No matter what it is. Whether you can clearly see the skills being mastered or not. There is no hierarchy of play. Play is unstructured. In play, children make the rules. They decide how long they play for and what direction their play takes. Children should feel free to play and use what is available however they like, with no expectations. There’s a lot of work involved in play — problem solving, skill building, overcoming physical and mental challenges — going on behind the scenes.

There are many different types of play: solitary play, risky play, sensory play, parallel play, dramatic play, rough and tumble play, constructive play, active play, and co-operative play. Play builds the imagination, promotes social skills, advances physical development and helps children work through emotions.

There are seven basic characteristics of play: 

• voluntary – something children choose to do, but other children can be invited to join in, 
• pleasurable – a deep sense of enjoyment, which will vary from child to child,
• symbolic – usually includes some type of make believe or pretend and objects assume new meanings and purpose for the player/s, 
• meaningful – to the player/s, but the meaning may not always be clear to an observer, 
• active – it requires active mental, verbal or physical engagement with people, objects or ideas,
• process oriented – it’s enjoyed for the activity itself, not concerned with an end product, 
• intrinsically motivated – it is its own reward.

In our Kornmehl Philosophy we have the following statement about play: 

We believe that children learn best through play. We see play as being the “heartbeat” of our Pre-school program. Play provides opportunities for children to learn as they experiment, explore, discover, create, improvise and imagine. When children play with other children, they create social groups, test out ideas, challenge each other’s thinking, explore language and build new understandings. Play provides a supportive environment where children can ask questions, solve problems and engage in critical thinking. In these ways play can promote positive dispositions towards learning.

We embrace and acknowledge that children come to the Kornmehl Centre with a richness of experiences. We believe that childhood is a time to be, to seek and make meaning of the world.   

Care Packs

All Care Packs are due in by Friday 21 May 2021. We have already delivered our first lot of Care Packs received too Gunawirra. They were delighted with the response thus far. There is still time for families to put their Care Packs together and send them into school. We appreciate your support very much.

Happy Birthday

We wish a very happy birthday to Sam Levitt (4) and Cleo Friedlander (4). We hope you all had a wonderful birthday celebration.

A reminder that we are closed for Shavuot on Monday 17 May 2021 and Tuesday 18 May 2021.  

We wish all our Kornmehl families a Chag Sameach and happy Shavuot.

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Music Matters

Diana Springford – Head of Music

Music Camp update (Week 8) 

Our participants list for Music Camp is being finalised, with over 150 students attending. For parents who opted to pay by instalments, you are reminded that the second (final) instalment is due today. A detailed information letter with a packing list will be sent out to attendees in Week 6.  

Parents and carers, please remember to put the Music Camp Showcase Concert in your diary for Thursday 10 June 2021, from 6.15 pm – 8.00 pm.

Music Camp Talent Quest

Show off your secret, or not so secret, talent at the Music Camp Talent Quest on Tuesday evening. Students who wish to participate should have a well-prepared act that is appropriate for Music Camp students from ages 9-18. It could be serious or funny. Students who would like to participate must register their interest with Mr Burley by the first Monday of camp. They should bring whatever gear they need and, if using a backing track, should have it fully downloaded and given to Mr Burley by the last Friday before camp.

Senior Stage Band performance at assembly

Mazal tov to the Senior Stage Band who performed Moanin’ by Bobby Timmons at assembly on Tuesday morning. This was a super stylish and finessed performance which was great fun to listen to and a tribute to their hard work throughout the year under the expert direction of their conductor Mr Eamon Penner-Dilworth. 

On the Music Portal Page, you will announcements and information about:

• Private Music Tuition (beginning and discontinuing)
• Ensemble and Choir membership for Years K-12 students
• Infant Strings Program (ISP) for Years K-2 students
• Performance opportunities
• Borrowing an orchestral instrument

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

Private Music Tuition and Infant Strings Program

Thank you to those who have already advised us of changes to private tuition and ISP enrolments for next term. The deadline for new enrolments, notification of changes or intention to discontinue for Term 3, is the end of Week 6 (Friday 24 May 2021). Otherwise, students currently receiving private tuition and members of the K-2 Infant Strings Program will be automatically re-enrolled into tutor schedules for Term 3 along with students commencing lessons for the first time. To enrol or discontinue please visit our Music Portal Page and complete the relevant online forms. Formal discontinuation notice must be received to avoid being committed to the full term of lessons and liable for fees. Please contact Matilda Grieve if you have any questions.  

The schedules for Term 3, 2021 will be created at the end of term and emailed by early July.

Music Camp Showcase Concert

Our star leaders

Adam Ezekiel – Director of Students 7-12

The Inter-House Music Competition was filled with enthusiasm, energy, colour and House spirit. Whilst there was amazing singing, dancing and performing by all students in the High School in this fun-filled energetic competition, the event highlighted something very different for me. It highlighted the power of student leadership.

The Madrichim and all Year 12 students epitomised ‘Dugma Ishit’ (leading by example) and ‘Hadracha B’Shutafut,’ (Leadership through partnership) – two values that are at the core of our student leadership education in the High School.

The student leadership body (Madrichim) and all Year 12 students (Nitzavim) created every performance, choreographed every dance and led their peers to create and perform each item. They also orchestrated the afternoon by introducing each performance and kept the event running on time. Most importantly – they did all this by collaborating and supporting one another.

Emanuel’s Year 12 students should be so proud of the success of the Inter-House Music Competition and even more proud of the leadership skills they demonstrated in the preparation and execution of the event.

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Time for a good movie

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Who doesn’t love a good movie?

Driving up to north for the annual Byron Bay Triathlon last weekend, we stopped in Yamba to break the journey. To our delight the Yamba Cinema, housed in a quaint old-fashioned building was holding the Premier Screening of June Again, a new Australian movie. I highly recommend you see this delightful comedy co-produced by Emanuel alumnus Jamie Hilton (Class of 1997), starring Noni Hazelhurst, as June Wilton, Claudia Karvan as her daughter and Stephen Curry, her son. It is all about living and loving again. There are a number of movies recently released that deal beautifully with dementia – such an insidious disease – and June Again treats dementia with respect, dignity and humour. Well done to Jamie and the whole film crew for your beautiful film that, as one reviewer says “is a road trip that detours through the threads of the many lives it touches and dementia does touch a lot of lives and delivers a few shocker surprises. This film will make you laugh, cry and sigh, so it’s a winner covering the entertainment fundamentals.”  See the trailer.

Jamie Hilton

Jamie is the founding partner of his production company See Pictures.

Currently living in Perth with his wife and two young sons, Jamie has promised that when he comes to visit family in Sydney next time, he will hopefully also find time to come and talk to our students, giving insight into his journey to becoming a successful film producer, with notable feature films including Simon Baker’s Breath, Josh Lawson’s Little Death, as well as Long Story Short released earlier this year, and he was also Executive Producer on Julie Leigh’s Sleeping Beauty, selected in Official Competition Cannes 2011.

COVID vaccine

By now, there are members of our School community who have had the COVID vaccine, whilst some are on a waiting list and others are still exploring the pros and cons of the various vaccines currently available here in Sydney, along with other versions still to come. If you missed the recent Friends of Wolper Hospital Wellbeing session Vaccine Hesitancy, you might like to see the video recording of this webinar.

Private Art Gallery tour with a difference

We hope you will join us on the morning of 16 June 2021 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), with parking available onsite. This event is open to past and current parents, grandparents and alumni as well as friends. Bookings open soon.

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

Shabbat Shalom and have a great weekend.    

Smelly cheese

Hilary De Joux – Co-ordinator of French

The taste of cheese varies from region to region in France. Just as there are professional wine tasters, there are also professional cheese tasters in France. There are more than 400 cheese varieties listed in France and on average a staggering 24 kilograms is eaten per person per year! 

Year 10 French has recently been studying the region of Provence, where we learned about shopping for food, visiting a French village on holiday, eating out at restaurants and cafes, French markets, health and wellbeing. One very famous cheese from Provence is Roquefort and some Year 10 students were brave enough to try it, along with fromage de chevre and traditional Brie made with the labelling method. We also discovered many French idiomatic expressions are related to food.

Here are a few you might know, if not, ask a Year 10 French student: 

J’ai du pain sur la planche 
J’ai la pêche
Ce n’est pas de la tarte
En faire tout un fromage!
Rouge comme une tomate
Tu racontes des salades!

On the Line

Louise Heilpern – Visual Arts Teacher

On the Line – printmaking

Printmaking is a medium often explored throughout our Visual Arts learning from Primary to High School.

With techniques taught as early as Year 2, students obtain an excellent grounding in the foundation skills, techniques and applications that printmaking provides for the young artist.

While etchings and scratch foam prints are fine examples of intaligo printmaking, where a design is incised or engraved into a material, students also have experience with relief printing using linocut. In this instance, the design is cut away from the surface of a plate and all that remains of the original surface is the design to be printed.

Year 2 – Portraiture – Scratch Foam prints

With a focus on portraiture, students sit in a large circle and draw the back of the child’s head sitting in front of them. Focus is on controlled use of line and patterning effects used by repetition. The figure is then redrawn onto foam that is rolled with ink and pressed onto paper using a hand-held roller. The paper is rolled away and the image is revealed!

In Year 4, these foundation skills are then extended with access to our specialist printing presses. We utilise the generosity of parents to enable our classes to experience first-hand, the wonders of etching and how beautiful imagery can be obtained from this technique made famous by Albrecht Durer in the 1500s.

Year 4 – Tree of Life etchings

Students study the motifs associated with the Tree of Life, derived from the Old Testament. Inspired by the abstract imagery of the Australian painter John Coburn (1925-2006), students have drawn their own version of a Tree of Life, incorporating symbols that express the beauty of nature. Students engrave their images onto acetate etching plates and later print their designs onto rag paper using a printing press. Many of the students’ motifs go beyond the biblical “tree” and they use the tree symbol to speak about peace and the environment.

​In High School, students reconnect with printmaking in a variety of ways. From relief printing expressionist portraits in Year 7, to cyanotype as well as a range of digital and 3D printing in elective programs. The specialist printmaking skills that students pick up throughout their learning culminate in the Year 9 Visual Arts program ‘Chimera’.  

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Year 9 – Chimera etchings

Chimeras can be found in legends, fairy tales and modern fables. They are often mythical creatures made of multiple animal parts that contain a special power or spiritual significance. Initially, students create their chimera using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Students draw their completed designs onto resin coated aluminium etching plates using a drypoint needle. The plates are then seeped in ferric chloride; a mild acid that “bites” into the engraved lines, creating visible marks. Students used repeated lines and patterning effects to suggest multiple textures and to enhance a sense of three dimensionality in their creature. Each student completes a small edition of prints using an etching press. Ideally, each print in an edition is identical. Fastidious and uniform technical skills enable the students to create a clean and perfectly aligned print.

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GREASE tickets

Rashi Times

Jasmine Barea – Editor

As we predicted, House Music this Monday night was so much fun! It was fantastic to see all of the Houses come together so full of energy and spirit to support each other. Being a part of the process was also amazing; seeing Emily Rubin rehearse her X-Factor performance (Writing on the Wall), having fun with small House at lunch (Viva la Vida – Coldplay) and of course the Big House dance.

Our amazing Big House performance had the theme international and showcased an amazing song selection from all over the world; ABBA for Switzerland, Gotye for Australia and many other destinations in between. The Rashi Big House truly was an amazing effort by our House Captains but that doesn’t mean we can ignore the incredible performances from the other Houses. Rabin’s Blame it on the Boogie Small House which feature some incredible solos, Ruby Brodie’s and Lucy Labi’s  X-Factor item and their awesome boy band themed Big House was astonishing to watch, if it wasn’t for COVID they definitely would’ve had the whole crowd singing along. Szenes’s crowd pleasers continued the whole night starting with a Small House performance that featured many amazing soloist voices for Breaking Free, the X-Factor act of Wake me up (featuring an amazing drum solo from Ben Cohen) and their TV show theme song styled big House was a phenomenal performance. Finally, Meir really stole the show and first place with their astounding contributions of an amazing dancer-centred This is Me for Small House, a touching trilogy of Halo, Hey Soul Sister and No one and an amazing monster-themed Big House.

Sierra Afutu – Editor

In light of all of this, we thought it would be a great idea to ask our House Captains, Aaron Lemberg and Aden Hoenig, what they thought about the night:

What was your favourite part of the night?
Our Big House dance and how everyone got so into the “RASHI” chanting at the end. The House spirit and genuine excitement everyone displayed was so awesome to see.

Out of all the House musics you’ve ever been to, what is your most memorable moment (as this one was your last).
I had never played in a band (House music or otherwise) up until this House music, in which I played in two which was always something I’ve wanted to do. That experience was definitely the highlight of all of my House music experiences. Along with this was definitely seeing the performances our Year 12 group had planned come to fruition and how well it ran. 

Did you have fun on the night and during the process? How do you feel knowing this was your last House music, and one of your last school events ever?
Yes, yes, yes. The night was so much fun. I also had so much fun during the process leading up to the night and as it became more and more apparent that this was my last ever House music and one of my last ever events. It was quite upsetting because I know I’m going to miss the infectious ruach that Emanuel School brings to all of the amazing events that it puts on, especially House music.

So, now that you’ve gotten to know all about the craziness and excitement of House music, we hope you understand why so many of us look forward to this yearly event. Make sure to look out for our Year’s House dance next year!

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Kol Szenes

This week in Szenes House…..

Szenes House is to be commended for their House Spirit in the lead up to House Music and during the event. What an amazing afternoon of talent and enjoyment!

Stop press!

Mazal tov to both students and Tutors of Szenes House for their contribution to the whole House Dance win! Our success demonstrated our wonderful House spirit and whole House participation.

A huge thank you to our House Madricha, Lexi Joffe and Jess Lowy for the countless hours organising the House Dance and other items. Thank you to Year 12 Szenes leaders who helped teach the dance to the rest of the House. A special mention to Chloe Miller and Hannah Lax for their contribution to the Small House Choir.

Jessica Lowy

From our House Madrichim

House Music was a night to remember! The participation, effort and enthusiasm demonstrated by every single Szenesian blew us away and was the reason why Szenes achieved a very exciting first place in Big House and second place overall. Not a single person was uninvolved, whether they were a student on stage or in the aisles dancing, Tutors running across the stage men-in-black style or a tech guru helping with the sound and visuals – huge thanks to Kyah Laishevksy (12), Jesse Keyser (11) and Harrison Fischl (10)

Alexis Joffe

We want to thank everybody for the insane amount of effort they put into the event. Matthew Lowy on guitar, Remy Waller (vocals), Ben Cohen on drums and Miles Cohn on keyboard blew everyone away with their X Factor band performance and Small House accompaniment; they had the entire audience smiling from ear to ear and clapping along. Special thanks to everybody who participated in Small House, including Remy Waller (11), Mariah Lewy (10), Max Rose (7) and Ella Bortz (7) with their incredible solos! It was such a beautiful performance.

We also want to thank Ms Greenhill and Ms Minton who played a very important role in acting as Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus during the Big House performance where they took the time to learn the dance and they were AMAZING! Our Head of House Ms Greenhill and our Support Tutor Ms McAndrew have also been there every week and put in an immense amount of time and effort in helping organise for House Music and we are so grateful to have them.

Finally, we are so beyond proud of Szenes and it was because of every single Szenesian’s involvement, enthusiasm and participation that made it one of the most memorable nights of the year. We could not be happier and more proud of our Szenesian family!

Quotation of the week

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much”
Helen Keller

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Small House

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Ms Minton

Matt Lowy

Mariah Lewy

Jesse and Max

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Big House

Ben Cohen

Protecting our planet

Georgia Kahane

You may know Bindi Irwin as the daughter of The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, or an Australian actress but she is also a 22-year-old conservationist who has dedicated her life to the betterment of the planet and has won many awards that recognise her continued contribution to animal conservation. 

A conservationist is a person who acts and advocates for the preservation of wildlife and the environment. It refers to the act of being conscious and aware of what resources individuals use and how we can lower our impact on the environment. It is vital for the continued health of the earth to ensure conservation work is supported as without it animal and plant species would go extinct. Conservation also prevents global warming, as the protection of large forests reduces greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. The main aim of conservation is to find ways to sustainably use nature for human beings whilst protecting plant and animal life. Activities such as logging, hunting and mining all greatly disturb the environment. Through conservationist efforts, we can create legislation against these terrible acts and protect our planet. 

Tara Israel

As a conservationist Bindi Irwin strives to protect the Australian environment and wildlife and aims to support international conservation projects. Bindi runs Australia Zoo with her family and has created an organisation called Wildlife Warriors which aims to support international and Australian conservation projects. These projects include the charge against legislations that allow the harvesting of wild crocodile eggs, defence against the poaching of animals and the destruction of natural habitats and the protection of animals threatened by wildfires. Because of her work Irwin’s Foundations have saved hundreds of thousands of animals and created animal sanctuaries and hospitals. 

Through Irwin’s Foundation she has created many paths for us to follow in order to help the Australian wildlife. Not only can you donate your money and time to Australia Zoo you can also sign online petitions that will help push for legislation to protect our planet. You are also able to participate in a backyard camping night in your own home in support of Earth Hour every year. Wildlife Warriors has created educational programs for children from ages 6-18 that teach you how to actively support the environment. You can also support these foundations by visiting Australia Zoo or purchasing clothing from Irwin’s sustainable clothing line; all money raised goes towards these conservationist programs! 

Animal and wildlife conservation is a vital part of preserving our ecosystem and you can do your bit by supporting organisations that aim to protect our earth. 

Yidlife Crisis

Parents & Friends

Ruby Berkovic and Jennifer Opit

Hello Everyone,

We are almost halfway through Term 2 already.

Mother’s Day meditation

Unfortunately, we had to postpone our Mother’s Day meditation session due to anticipation of wet weather, but we have rescheduled.

Join us for a morning meditation session in the MPH so we won’t have any issues with the weather! Drop off your kids, grab a coffee down the street and the P&F will provide a morning snack.

When: Tuesday 25 May 2021
Meditation: 9.00 am – 9.30 am, with time to hang out after

Where: MPH
Bring: a yoga mat to sit on and a gold coin donation for Women’s Community Shelters.

Mother’s Day gift stalls

Our Mother’s Day gift stalls were a huge hit. We hope you enjoyed your presents. A massive thank you to the wonderful Michelle Stockley for managing the stalls and to Carli Rothman, Justine Hofman, Lisa Strous and Sam Butt for their amazing assistance!

Emanuel Family P&F Scavenger Hunt

It has been too long since we have all been able to be together, so the P&F is organising an afternoon of excitement with a Scavenger Hunt. Save the afternoon of Sunday 30 May at a time that suits you between noon and 5.00 pm (it will take approximately two hours to complete), for some Family Fun!

The cost is $50 per family/team (between 2-6 team members) and all you need is enthusiastic participants and a mobile phone on which to download and access the free App that will allow us to play and interact with one another.

You will race around Randwick answering questions and completing tasks (by car, bike or on foot – whatever you choose). You will be able to watch the progress of other teams as you race to checkpoints and complete challenges! It is sure to be heaps of fun!

When: Sunday 30 May  – anytime between 12.00 pm and 5.00 pm (it will take approximately two hours but you can complete as little/much as you like)

Where: Locations around Randwick (you can start and finish anywhere)

How: By following instructions on a free App

Cost: $50 per team/family (2-6 members)

Book now: https://www.trybooking.com/BQVVI

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:  https://www.entbook.com.au/200508p

P&F meetings

Our next P&F Meeting will be held on Wednesday 2 June. Our meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7pm. They are usually held in the Board Room at the School (but were held on Zoom while restrictions were in place). The location of the upcoming meeting will be confirmed ASAP. Everyone is welcome so please join us as your support and input is valued. Email rubykb@gmail.com if you would like to attend the next meeting and we will confirm the location  and send you the Agenda.

Camping Trip number 2 – date change

Please note that the date of the second Camping Trip for the year has been moved to 26-28 November.

Weekend brain teaser (from last week) and much awaited answer

Question: If you are to keep it, you must first give it to me. What is it?

Answer: Your word.

Chag Sameach and enjoy the long weekend,

Jen & Ruby

Entertainment news

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

Order Here 

P&F meeting

Our next P&F Meeting will be on the 2 June 2021. Our meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.00 pm. They are usually held in the Boardroom at the School (but were held on Zoom while restrictions were in place). The location of the upcoming meeting will be confirmed. Everyone is welcome so please join us as your support and input is valued.

Email rubykb@gmail.com if you would like to attend the next meeting and we will confirm the location and send you the agenda.

Camping Trip date change

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

Weekend brain teaser (from last week) and answer

Question: If you are to keep it, you must first give it to me. What is it?

Answer: Your word.

Chag Sameach and enjoy the long weekend,

Jen & Ruby

Recipe of the week

Each week we’ll bring you a tasty recipe passed down by Emanuel families, from the Emanuel School Community Cookbook, The Family Meal. 

From the kitchen of the Fraser Family

Delicious and easy chocolate chip cookies

Ingredients 

180g unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

2 cups plain flour, sifted 

1 tsp baking powder, sifted

150g dark chocolate, chopped

Directions 

Preheat the oven to 180C.

Place the butter, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until pale and creamy.

Gradually add the eggs and beat well.

Add the flour and baking powder and beat until a smooth dough forms.

Fold through the chocolate.  Roll 2 tablespoons of the mixture into balls, place on baking trays lined with non-stick baking paper and press to flatten.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden.

Allow to cool on the trays.

Makes 12 

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

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