From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

An increasingly impressive Sport program

As the profile of sport continues to rise, our team performances, representative honours and participation rates have impressed. This week, our Senior Girls Touch Football team won the Easts Schools Touch competition. A team of 45 sports staff now work across K-12 (permanent staff and casual coaches). We now have Head Coaches in netball, basketball, football, tennis, athletics and cross country

In Primary School, our Years 3 and 4 students have started after-school skills training program this term (futsal) and our Years 5 and 6 students have had the opportunity to engage in a weekly after-school basketball competition. Our swimming, cross country and tennis programs have been successful and additional specialised sport lessons are in place for Year 3. We have extended our specialised sport uniforms to include Years 5 and 6.

In High School, our Year 7 students have been amazing, jumping on board our compulsory sport program with great attitude and commitment. The sport options will change each term, as will our teams, providing students with a great opportunity to develop a flexible mindset and enjoy playing sport with different students/peer groups. We currently have nine High School basketball teams playing in weekly competitions, with a new weekly CDSSA Basketball competition starting this term, for our Emanuel Firsts team. Six teams competed recently in the Easts Schools Touch Football, with four teams progressing to the semi-finals. We also competed in the CDSSA Basketball gala day, SSC Weekly Basketball and Futsal competitions. Our Emanuel Swim Team placed 3^rd in overall points, in the CDSSA Championships – a great result. The Elite Tennis training program also commenced this term. Our Emanuel Football Firsts team are currently competing in CIS Football Cup.

In Term 2, we will be introducing a CDSSA Weekly Football Firsts Competition for boys and girls. We are also preparing for netball, football and futsal seasons. A huge mazal tov to our hard-working K-12 Sport Department, led by Kristy Genc.

Bringing parents back on campus

The COVID-19 restrictions around visitors on campus have yet to be relaxed. At the moment, ‘non-essential adults’ are not permitted on school grounds. We are, however, permitted to bring parents on campus for essential parent and carer meetings or when volunteering for educational support roles. Visits are preferred after school hours and for no more than one hour. Currently, the maximum number for an adult visitor group (indoors) is 30. For all visits, we are required to comply with a comprehensive set of sign-in and infection control requirements. We are seeking to be a little more flexible in allowing parents access, in extenuating circumstances. I am aware that some schools have adopted a more relaxed approach, whilst we are adhering to the set guidelines. We seek to remain true to the NSW Health expectations set for us, as it is important that we keep everyone safe and set an important example of respecting rules to our students.

New parents especially have missed out on the opportunity to see their child in the classroom or playground. We have conducted parent information sessions by Zoom and have recently released a welcome package, which includes a special video, a card embedded with seeds (in the post!) that can be planted, and a message from the Principal, with links to a range of important documents. We have worked hard to ensure that your children have transitioned smoothly into our School.

We miss our face-to-face interactions with parents and are seeking ways to connect. Our hope is that, in the ongoing absence of community transmission in NSW, the restrictions for visitors on campus will be gradually relaxed. We look forward to welcoming you in the near future!

Purim

Purim is one of my favourite festivals. We put together this short video showcasing highlights of the day, so you too can enjoy watching the many fun activities and admiring the many incredible costumes. 

Mazal tov

• 

  Jesse Koslowski at the Lions Youth of the Year Award

  Jesse Koslowski, Year 12, represented the School at the Lions Youth of the Year against students from four other schools. He gave a five minute planned speech on Privilege in Society as well as two, 2 minute impromptu speeches. Jesse did the School proud. 
• Jonathan Levy and Jade Berson were recognised as CDSSA Swimming Age Champions – what fantastic achievements.
• David Winter was awarded Best and Fairest in the Easts Touch Football Competition – a coveted award and one which carries great weight.

Quote of the week

“One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.”
By Shannon L. Alder, author

Primary News

Meg Carroll – Deputy Head of Primary

Raising well-adjusted children

I recently came across an article based on insight from family therapist, psychotherapist, and author Susan Stiffelman. She concludes that “parents create their kids’ sense of normal, which ingrains habits and behaviours that carry into adulthood”. 

If we want our children to be well-adjusted adults, Susan suggests that there is great value in showing children how to, rather than telling them how to. She recommends parent role-modelling to “most effectively foster well-adjusted, successful young adults.” In order to do this Stiffelman says that parents should let their kids see them:

Struggle

As Stiffelman puts it: “Let your kids see you struggle, how you handle it, how you get through it, how you rest, or how you ask for help.”

Cry

Because it helps them “become at ease with sadness,” as Stiffelman says. It demonstrates that children shouldn’t feel burdened with the need to override sad feelings.

Exercise

Modelling healthy living and eating as well as time away from devices is very important.

Attend to the universe, not just the ‘you-niverse’

Not only does this mean uplifting others but also refers to “voluntarily shifting focus outside yourself to engage in kind acts” or role-modeling the importance of the world beyond self. Stiffelman adds: “One of the most effective ways for children to feel that they’re meaningful and that they matter is when they can improve or uplift someone else – not just a parent/carer.”

Learn

Showing you’re a lifelong learner communicates that reading, skill development and discovery don’t end with school graduation but that these activities continue throughout adulthood. Stiffelman points out, “Our kids are probably going to change careers many times, so they need to have the comfort/agility to learn new things.” It can be as simple as reading more. “Kids who see parents read tend to read more.” Read a new book out loud to your child, allowing you both to learn in the process. Watch documentaries or educational shows (like How It’s Made or Planet Earth) as a family and discuss what you learned at the end. You’re teaching your children that life is about learning by showing that you’re curious and still actively engaging in self-education.

Be kind to yourself

Research by the Universities of Exeter and Oxford has found that taking part in self-compassion exercises calms the heart rate, switching off the body’s threat response. Researchers believe the ability to switch off this response may lower the risk of disease. In other words, the external world poses enough challenges for your child’s self-esteem, so why role-model anything other than kindness/forgiveness for yourself?

Be creative

“Help ingrain the habit early by showing how happy creating makes you. It’s about expressing, not accomplishing” says Stiffelman. As we head into the second half of Term 1, let your children see these things in you and use this as an opportunity to help them grow.

School representation and safety on social media 

It has come to the school’s attention that some children are using social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook to post videos of themselves. At times, the children are doing this in their school uniforms. We ask all parents to speak to their children about uploading appropriate content online, the importance of safety (i.e associating a school name with a child) and removing any affiliation to the school shown in social media posts. For your information, TikTok is intended for children 13 and over, as are most social media accounts. Please check these restrictions before allowing your child access. Thank you in advance for working with us to ensure we are keeping our children safe.

Year 6 Canberra Trip

On Friday we welcomed Year 6 back from a wonderful camp in Canberra. The children were able to participate in a range of exciting visits to Parliament House, Questacon, the Australian War Memorial and more. This is a very busy and worthwhile camp and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank teachers, Lara Kepitis, Kim Haddix, Eamon Lukins, Stuart Taylor and Erika Ktalav, for the energy and commitment they offered in order to make the camp such a success. I would also like to thank Lisa Connors for helping to organise this camp for our students. 

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributes funding of $20 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the School upon completion of the excursion. We have factored this into the costing for the excursion.

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Unmasking Purim 

It seems ironic that Purim has become a masquerading event when the Purim story is about unmasking one’s true self.

Recently, in our Jewish studies class on Freedom, the students were asked – Do masks allow us to be more or less free/ourselves? The responses were varied, reflecting the sense that this might not be an either/or proposition. Speaking to the Purim story, the students considered, as well, whether court Jews, and there were quite a few in Jewish history, had greater or lesser freedom in being themselves than their fellow non-court Jews.        

The root meaning of the name אסתר/Ester, our Purim heroine, is סתר/hidden. The root meaning of the word מגילה/megillah is גלה/reveal.  מגילת אסתר/Megillat Ester, the Scroll of Ester, therefore, is also understood to connote the unmasking or revealing of Ester.

Hidden as a non-Jew within the court of Achashveirosh, she reveals her true self, and risks her life, to rescue her fellow non-court Jews who are facing destruction due to their unmasked Jewishness.

It has often been pointed out that there is no mention of God in the Purim Megillah.

The Rabbis note that the story of Ester/Purim is foreshadowed in the Torah when God says:

הסתר אסתר פני/Haster Aster Panai – “I will certainly hide My face”.  As we are in God’s image, God is hidden when our unmasked self is not present. The Divine concealed is revealed when Ester discloses herself.

Below are some posters created by the students of our class as we prepared for our Purim celebration and revelation of self.

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Food drive

Pesach Plitim project

Join our Emanuel families, in the spirit of Pesach, by providing much needed necessities to those seeking refuge and freedom in our country.

Our Pesach Plitim Project will be collecting food items and toiletries on Monday, Tuesday and Friday for High School and all days for Primary School
until Tuesday 23 March 2021.

As our Jewish tradition teaches: “Love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt”.

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

Primary Purim celebrations

When everyone arrived at school it was like a Purim dressing-up blessing had been put upon Emanuel. People were dressed as presents, cavemen, pop stars, story characters,  as angels and devils and much, much more. We all had a chance to parade our costumes, sing Purim songs and dance to songs like I Got This Feeling and Bills.

Everyone had the chance to make their own oznai haman. After being instructed by Morah Erika on how to make them, we were all so excited to grab a spot on the table with a friend and start making them, with chocolate inside. Yum!

Students in Years 1-6 participated in a Purim Adventure that required them to work as groups to solve puzzles and complete challenges, earning pieces of the Megillah puzzle and eventually solve the Purim mystery. With our teacher mentor, we worked collaboratively to complete fun activities that taught us more about Purim whilst trying to defeat Haman and spoil his evil plan. 

The activities were really fun as we learnt a lot more about Purim and each other. It is a mitzvah to hear the Megillah and Purim story and we enjoyed a Purim play and megillah reading performed by the Jewish Life teachers. The performance included a slideshow, images from the Purim story, sections of Megillah text and a great soundtrack. Morah Gaida chanted parts of the Megillah and the teachers had fun dressing up and performing a humorous interpretation of the story. There was great audience participation with students singing, dancing and interacting with the actors, with everyone singing and dancing when the song Another One Bites the Dust played at the end to represent Haman’s grudge against Mordechai and the Jewish people. 

Year 6 leaders helped the little ones in Years K-2 with some of their Purim activities, folding the JCA mishloach boxes, making ra’ashanim and helping make their masks. We also got to play Purim Bingo, sing Purim songs and dance. It was lots of fun being with the students, helping them and seeing them in their cute costumes.

A big thank you to everyone who made our fun Purim celebrations possible:

• Joshua New and Mia Shapiro for planning the Purim Adventure
• Morah Erika and her amazing Oznai Haman baking team in the kitchen
• The Jewish Life Department for planning the day
• The teachers for their energy and Purim spirit
• All the students for their wonderful Purim spirit

By the Jewish Life Leaders: Layla Aronstan Gil Bana, Lily Foltyn, Asher Morris, Louisa Rodney and Dana Stiassny

If you haven’t yet seen the Purim highlights video, you can watch it here.

Photos by Sharon Arnott

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NSW Hebrew Writing & Recording Competition

For more detailed information:  2021 NSW Hebrew Writing & Recording Competition

From the Director of Students

Adam Ezekiel – Director of Students 7-12

Paul Dillon – Drug, Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA)

Last week Paul Dillon delivered the following presentations to our Years 10-12 students.

• Year 10 – Young people, alcohol and risk taking: Looking after your mates.
• Year 11 – Alcohol and cannabis: What if something goes wrong?
• Year 12 – Last year at school: What do I need to know about alcohol and other drugs?

Paul Dillon has been working in drug education and research for more than 25 years. As an ex-school teacher, Paul has an interest in working with young people and delivering engaging, relevant and research-based presentations.

Vaping

Information for Paul Dillons blog: ‘Vaping’: What is it?

So, what is a ‘vape’? Essentially it’s a street term for devices usually referred to as ‘e-cigarettes’.  An e-cigarette is a nicotine delivery device that simulates tobacco smoking by producing a vapour. Operated by a battery, it vaporises a liquid solution which may contain nicotine and other flavours. When the liquid is turned into a vapour, this is inhaled or ‘vaped’.

So are these devices legal? It is currently illegal in Australia for commercial retail outlets to sell nicotine e-cigarettes. As it is illegal to sell vapes, vaping is currently unregulated and many come from overseas stating ‘no nicotine’ when in fact nicotine is present.

E-cigarettes do not produce the tar produced by conventional cigarettes which is the main cause of lung cancer. However, many scientists are concerned that using e-cigarettes could increase risk of lung disease, heart disease and cancer.

Parent resources

The conversation about alcohol, drugs, vaping and safe partying is an important conversation for young people to be having with their parents. Below are a range of resources that may assist you in this conversation:

DARTA factsheets

• Parental monitoring and its impact on alcohol and other drug us
• Alcohol and the developing brain
• Hosting a teenage party

Positive Choices factsheet

• Talking to a young person about alcohol and other drugs
• How parents can protect against drug and alcohol use and related harms

Positive Choices webinar (1 hour) with Paul Dillon

• Parties, gatherings, and sleepovers: How can parents keep their teens safe?

This webinar is for parents and guardians of teenagers who are looking for strategies to help keep their child safe at parties. Teenage parties provide young people with valuable opportunities to develop a range of social skills that they need to relate effectively with their peers. As they get older, alcohol is more likely to become a part of these social gatherings and, unfortunately, things can go wrong. 

Primary Extra-Curricular, Term 2 2021

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

Primary Extra-Curricular Program, Term 2

The Term 2 Extra-Curricular schedule is now available and activities are open for booking. Please note bookings for all sports activities will be open until Tuesday 23 March 2021 (Week 9).   

We will continue updating our procedures according to COVID-19 guidelines and will inform you if these cause any significant changes to your bookings. Please click on the links listed in the Extra-Curricular Schedule to enrol your child into a wide range of Extra-Curricular activities. 

We have received requests to run Russian Languages and Mandarin Extra-Curricular classes at Emanuel School this year. We hope to offer these classes once our COVID-19 guidelines allow us to do so. Parents who have completed the Expressions of Interest form will be emailed directly and the Extra-Curricular schedule will be updated to let you know when bookings for these classes are open. 

• Mandarin Extra-Curricular class: Please submit your expression of interest for this class on this form 
• Russian Languages class: Please submit your expression of interest for the Russian Languages class on this form

Extra-Curricular (including music and sport) contact details

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

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

Music contacts:
Diana Springford (Head of Music P-12        
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 available online on the Primary Extra-Curricular schedule page on the Parent Portal

Come to the Cabaret

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmel

Community engagements

Last week the Pre-school was involved in making mishloach manot bags for the Burger Centre in Randwick. Normally, we would have visited the Burger Centre and taken the mishloach manot to them ourselves and visited the elderly people and sung some songs for them. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we had to make another plan to connect and support this special place.

We introduced the concept of a mitzvah to the children.

The educators did some role plays and gave examples of performing a mitzvah. We also shared examples of what we have seen the children do at Pre-school e.g. packing away voluntarily and checking in on a friend to see how they are if they have been hurt. 

We told the children about two mitzvot they will be doing over the next couple of days – one for a friend and the other for some elderly people down at the Burger Centre. This is called the mitzvah of giving, in this case – mishloach manot. At activity time the children decorated a bag which was filled with hamentashen and sweets. One bag was taken to the Burger Centre and the other was exchanged with a friend on Friday at our Purim party and parade.

The children baked delicious hamentashen to put in their bags. They helped to pack their bags and make a card for the person receiving the bag. The children sat carefully at the table counting out the four different food items to go into their bag. They were very excited to be part of this lovely mitzvah. On Wednesday, Bronwyn from the Burger Centre came past to collect 35 bags. She was very excited. She thanked us very much for our generosity and for helping to make the old peoples Purim a special and memorable day.

Arava twinning program

The Pre-school has been invited to be the first Jewish Pre-school/Early Childhood Centre in Sydney, to partner with a Gan in Ein Yahav in the Arava in the South of Israel. This is a very exciting partnership. We have already received a very generous package from the Arava, which contained an Arava bucket hat for each child and a beautiful pack of recycled materials, for the children to each make their own rashanim for Purim. We have set up an Arava corner in the classroom, to connect the children to this place and have discussed where it is on the map of Israel. The Educators in the Starfish and Dolphin groups will be connecting with the Arava Educators on Zoom and planning  activities to connect the children between the two schools.

In 2018 and 2019, ten Educators from Kornmehl were lucky enough to go on the JNF Educators Study Tour to Israel. On this program, we visited the Arava and learnt about the wonderful work they are doing to convert the desert into rich agricultural spaces that are successfully growing fruit and vegetables in abundance. We visited the Arava Agricultural Science Education Centre and some of the farms and learnt about the drip irrigation system that they use to ensure the plants are able to grow in this dry and very hot climate.

So, we are very excited to be able to extend our knowledge and association on a deeper level, by connecting with a Gan (pre-school) in the Arava region, as well as connecting the children to Israel in a meaningful and authentic way.

We will continue to keep you posted of our projects as they unfold.

Back to Pre-school visit

Our Back to Pre-school visit will take place on Friday 12 March 2021 from 2.00 pm to 2.50 pm in the Pre-school. We look forward to welcoming all our Starfish and Dolphins back to share their learning from Year K with us all.

13 habits that raise well-adjusted kids

Boundaries

It’s hard to set boundaries for kids and stick to them. This is especially true when kids push back, scream endlessly or threaten things like, “I hate you”. Remember that when kids act this way, they are meeting their own needs in the only way they know how. Depending on the boundary, it can take a long time before a child lovingly accepts a parent’s boundary. The world is a very chaotic place. Boundaries help your child, not only feel grounded, but thrive. 

Routines

There’s so much of childhood that is new and challenging for kids. Learning self-control and empathy and learning how to be a friend and interact with others. These are all very BIG things for kids. Using something as simple as routines help kids feel grounded and relaxed. In fact, knowing what to expect at mealtimes, mornings and bedtimes can bring a sense of relief to even the most carefree child. Routines allow kids to feel a sense of control, something that is very important to a strong-willed child. 

Early Bedtimes

Sleep is the building block for healthy brain development. It helps us process the day’s events and learn from it. Kids brains are constantly developing and creating new neural connections. They absolutely must get sleep to nurture these connections. Between kid activities, school and always squeezing in tech time, kids are going to bed later and having a difficult time settling before sleep. One of the most basic things you can do for your kids’ behaviour, health and wellbeing is to help them get the sleep they need. 

Empathy

What do kids really need to be happy and successful? The answer surprises most – Empathy. It’s the trait that allows us to “walk in another person’s shoes”. New research shows that empathy plays a major role in predicting kids’ happiness and success. Though kids are hardwired to care, they aren’t born empathetic, it’s a learned behaviour.

Hugs

There is a saying by Virginia Satir, a respected family therapist, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth”. Hugging triggers the release of oxytocin, also known as the love hormone. This feel-good hormone has many important effects on our bodies. One of them is growth stimulation. Studies show that hugging can instantly boost the level of oxytocin. When oxytocin is increased, several growth hormones, such as insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) and nerve growth factor (NGF), are increased as well. 

“The nurturing touch of a hug can enhance a child’s growth.” –  Pamela Li creator of Parenting for Brain

Playful parents

Children don’t say, ‘I had a hard day. Can we talk?’ They say, ‘Will you play with me?’ We don’t reserve much room in our lives for fun and games anymore. Our days are filled with stress, obligations and hard work, and without realising it, we are more disconnected from our kids than ever. Play is the work of the child and to connect with our kids, we must play with our kids. Take the time to put down your phones and realise that your kids need you to play.

Outdoor time

“Movement through active free play, especially outside, improves everything from creativity to academic success to emotional stability. Kids who don’t get to do this can have so many issues, from problems with emotional regulation, for example, they cry at the drop of a hat to trouble holding a pencil, to touching other kids using too much force.” – Meryl Davids Landau, author of Enlightened Parenting.

Chores

“Even though it is more difficult at the time to persist in having children do chores, kids benefit from the experience. Research indicates that those children who do have a set of chores have higher self-esteem, are more responsible, and are better able to deal with frustration and delay gratification, all of which contribute to greater success in school. Furthermore, research by Marty Rossman shows that involving children in household tasks at an early age can have a positive impact later in life. In fact, says Rossman, ‘the best predictor of young adults’ success in their mid-20’s was that they participated in household tasks when they were three or four.’”

Screen time limits

“In order for the brain’s neural networks to develop normally during the critical period, a child needs specific stimuli from the outside environment. These are rules that have evolved over centuries of human evolution, but not surprisingly, these essential stimuli are not found on today’s tablet screens. When a young child spends too much time in front of a screen and not enough getting required stimuli from the real world, their development becomes stunted”.  – Dr Liraz Margalit, Behind Online Behaviour 

Experiences, not things

Children require less things and far more meaningful experiences. When they grow up, it’s not the stuff in their life they will remember, it’s that time you tried to catch tadpoles at the lake, or that sand castle you both built that the wave knocked over at the beach. The best life experiences cost little to nothing, like a picnic in the park, blowing bubbles in the backyard, making chalk drawings on the sidewalk, or tossing a football around, but they all have one thing in common – you do them together. What kids really want in life is quality time spent with their parents.

Slow moving days

“Encourage parents to take some time to just watch their children, whether they are playing, doing homework, or eating a snack. Take a moment to drink them in. Remember and remind yourself how remarkable your children are. That pause alone, even if momentary, can drive a shift in the pace”. John Duffy, Clinical Psychologist

Books read to them

One of the most important things parents can do, beyond keeping kids healthy and safe, is to read with them. That means starting when they are newborns and not even able to talk and continuing well beyond the years that they can read by themselves. Study after study shows that early reading with children helps them learn to speak, interact, bond with parents and read early themselves, and reading with kids who already know how to read helps them feel close to caretakers, understand the world around them and be empathetic citizens of the world.

Music

Science has shown that when children learn to play music, their brains begin to hear, and process sounds that they couldn’t otherwise hear. This helps them develop ‘neurophysiological distinction’ between certain sounds that can aid in literacy, which can translate into improved academic results for kids. A child’s brain develops faster with music education. Providing high-quality music education nurtures success in kids.

Taken from the Military Wife and Mom 

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Pre-school Open Day

Been to the movies lately?

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Have you been to the movies lately?

Jamie Hilton (Class of 1997) and son Lenny

Alumnus Jamie Hilton (Class of 1997), who now lives in Perth with his wife and two young sons, is a film producer and the founding partner of his production company See Pictures which recently launched their latest film Long Story Short.      

Jamie has won a number of awards in the entertainment industry including the AACTA Award for Best Indie Film last year, as the co-producer of Standing up for Sunny a 2019 comedy film about an isolated man with cerebral palsy who finds love and acceptance through stand up comedy.

Coming to Australian cinemas in May is the star-studded Aussie comedy June Again staring Noni Hazelhurst and Claudia Karvan, another film produced by Jamie. Other notable feature films to his credit Simon Baker’s Breath, based on Tim Winton’s book by the same name, Josh Lawson’s The Little Death and The Waiting City featuring Radha Mitchell and Joel Edgerton. Jamie was Executive Producer on Julie Leigh’s Sleeping Beauty, selected in Official Competition Cannes 2011.

Jade Reuveny (Class of 2018) and Chana Kavka (Friendship Circle)

More news from Sydney Friendship Circle (FC)

February was Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month. Sydney Friendship Circle and Jewish House have partnered to empower organisations to work together to increase participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in their services and in the community. Current initiatives include:

• Shabbat Together (Friday 5 March 2021 and Saturday 6 March 2021)
• A joint declaration about inclusive practice to be adopted by community organisations. Sign this declaration here.
• A set of interactive discussion cards to be given out at participating local schools

Stay tuned for updates on these initiatives.

Planning ahead for next month, they will be running a 4-day Day Camp during the school holidays (Tuesday 6 April 2021 – Friday 9 April 2021), and a group of young adults will be jetting off to Melbourne for their very own Getaway (Friday 16 April 2021 – Sunday 18 April 2021). Whilst many of our alumni and current students volunteer for these camps and other events, they are always seeking new volunteers. If you or someone you know would like to join their programs as a participant or volunteer please email Sydney Friendship Circle. Find more information and photos on their Facebook page.

The 43^rd Annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade

Dayenu float (photo by Toby Evans, Class of 2006)

Dayenu, conceived in 1999, is the public face of Sydney’s Jewish LGBTQIA+Community, providing outreach through education, information, resources, social activities and other events and has been involved in this ever-growing annual celebration since 2000. Their partner organisations include Emanuel Synagogue, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, Keep NSW Safe and World Congress Keshet Ga’avah. Look out for the Dayenu float at the parade this weekend.

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

Stay safe and Shabbat Shalom.

K-12 Sport news

Kristy Genc – Director of Sports K-12

Touch Football winners

Congratulations to the Senior Girls Touch Football team who won the Grand Final in The Easts Touch Football Competition on Tuesday. The girls had a fantastic win over St Clare’s 4 – 3. This is the third consecutive year that this team has won the competition. Well done to Talia Kleviensky, Georgia Kahane, Lucinda Labi, Romi Lapidge, Victoria Miller, Brooke Rosen, Emily Rubin, Tori Shapiro, Mischa Speilman and Gabrielle Utian.

Swimming news

The High School swim team competed at the CDSSA Swimming Championships on Monday. The team prepared well in the lead up to the event, with early morning trainings at Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre. Emanuel placed 3rd in the overall points, a fantastic result, and Swim Captain, Jade Berson and Jonathan Levy were awarded Age Champions. Well done to all students in the team. 

Outstanding performances

• Jade Berson: 1st place 50 fly, 1st place backstroke, 1st place 50m freestyle, 1st place 100m freestyle, 3rd place 200 IM, CDSSA Age Champion
• Emma Butt: 3rd place 50m backstroke
• Aden Goodridge: 1st place 50m freestyle, 2nd place 100m freestyle,
• Aron Harpaz: 3rd place breaststroke
• Jake Kessell: 2nd place 50m freestyle, 2nd place 100m freestyle, 3rd place 50m breaststroke
• Jonathan Levy: 1st place 50m fly, 1st place 50m backstroke, 1st place 100m freestyle, 1st place 50m breaststroke, 1st place 50m freestyle, 1st place 200m IM, 2nd place 200m freestyle, CDSSA Age Champion
• Jacob Rose: 2nd place backstroke, 2nd place breaststroke
• Tali Same: 3rd place 50m breaststroke
• Rafi Vasin: 3rd place 50m fly, 3rd place Junior Girls Relay

The Primary swim team is currently preparing for the ASISSA Carnival, also training before school, and we are looking forward to them competing next Thursday. 

Swimming Age Champions CDSSA 2021

Jack Kessell CDSSA Swimming 2021

Aden Goodridge CDSSA Swimming 2021

CDSSA Swimming 2021

Term 2 Sport registrations – now open

Registrations for the Primary and High School Sport Programs are now open. Information on all the programs available can be accessed on the weekly sport and EActive pages on the Parent Portal. 

All students are encouraged to take part in an Emanuel weekly sport option, and it is compulsory for all Year 7 students. Once registered for a sport, it is expected that students commit to the selected activity, therefore please ensure that students select options that do not clash with other activities. The weekly sport options provided are in addition to any representative sport programs. 

Primary Weekly Sport program

In Term 2 the following sport programs will be offered to Primary students:

• Years K-6 Gymnastics Program 
• Years 3-6 Running/Athletics Program 
• Years 3-6 Tennis Program
• Years 3-6 Football Training Program 
• Years 3-4 Netball Skills Program 
• Years 5-6 Netball Training and Games
• Years 3-6 Swimming Program
• Years 5-6 Basketball (3 v 3 Winter Program) 
• EActive K-2 Multi-sports
• EActive Kindergarten Zumba
• EActive Years 1-2 Dance
• EActive Years 3-6 Dance
• EActive Years 3-6 Fitness 
• EActive Martial Arts (TBC)

Registrations for all Primary Sport are now open and must be completed by Tuesday 23 March 2021. Registrations can be made here 

High School Weekly Sport program

In Term 2 the following sport programs will be offered to High School students:

• Years 7-9 St Catherine’s Netball Competition 
• Years 7-9 Gymnastics Program 
• Years 7-9 Volleyball Skills Program
• Years 7-9 Boys Futsal Competition
• Years 7-9 Football Training Program 
• Years 7-12 Tennis Program 
• Years 7-12 Swimming Program 
• Years 7-12 Basketball (3 v 3 Winter Program)
• Years 7-12 Fitness Training 
• Years 7-12 Swimming Program 
• Years 7-12 Rugby Training Program 
• Firsts Football Competition (invitation only)

Registrations for all High School Sport are now open and must be completed by Tuesday 23 March 2021. Registrations can be made here        

If you have any enquires please email Kristy Genc (Director of Sport K-12) 

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

Australian National University 

This week we hosted ANU to speak to our students and present on the myriad of studying options that makes the ANU the number one university in the country. Their slides can be accessed here.

ANU timeline is featured below. They open much earlier than the usual UAC process and you have to now apply direct to them.

The application now consists of choosing five courses, providing your accommodation needs and any scholarship requirements. It is like a three-in-one application. This year they will be basing all places on Year 11 grades. This will be excellent for students with strong grades last year. For those who want to rely on their ATAR, they can wait until the end of the year to apply once ATARs are released.

Please note that ANU now requires an extra-curricular component with three of these seven areas:

We were also joined by three Alumni: Sophie Doctor (Class of 2017), studying Finance and IT), Adam Doctor, (Class of 2016), who studied Mathematical Sciences and Ethan Cohen (Class of 2017) studying Design and Philosophy. They all kindly gave up their time to speak via Zoom to our current class of Year 12 about their experiences at ANU, which we were very grateful for.

There is more information on Youtube about life at this vibrant campus. All information about early applications can be found here.

Notices, articles, dates, points of interest

Sydney: Gap Year Virtual Information Session
For anyone interested in taking a GAP year in the Defence forces
9 March 2021
6.30 pm – 8.30 pm
Online

ACU | How to Support your Student with University Choices
For Year 12 parents on supporting student choices

17 March 2021
5.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Online

To register, click here.

Sydney Design School | Info Session
For those interested in pursuing a career in design

15 April 2021
1:00 pm – 1:40 pm

More information can be found here.

Year 13 Expo

A virtual two-day event featuring many industry professionals, diverse industry groups and advisors to answer questions. I would prioritise this in the diary to attend online.

17 May 2021 – 19 May 2021

More information can be found here.

(Reference: MHSCareers, March 2021)

Music Matters

Diana Springford – Head of Music

Term 1 Music Competition 

We are looking forward to receiving lots of entries for our Music Competition. Every entry receives House Points whether you are in Primary or High School. All entries, in the Performance and Composition parts of the competition, receive feedback. The best performances and compositions will be performed live in the showcase on the evening of Monday 22 March 2021 (Week 9) in the theatre. Anyone who simply practises their instrument can enter the ‘Practice’ part of the competition – Here is the information. Please get involved! 

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.

Music Portal page

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

Private Music Tuition and Infant Strings Program

Thank you to those who have already advised us of changes to private tuition and Infant Strings Program enrolments for next term. The deadline for new enrolments, notification of changes or intention to discontinue for Term 2 is today. All students currently receiving private music tuition and students in Years K-2 who are currently participating in the Infant Strings Program will be automatically re-enrolled into tutor schedules for Term 2 along with students commencing lessons for the first time. To enrol or discontinue please visit our Music Portal Page and use the links to the relevant online forms. Formal notification of intention to discontinue must be received now 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 2 2021 will be created at the end of term and emailed by mid-April.

Who is Mr Morley?

Heath Morley

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

SPOTLIGHT ON … HEATH MORLEY

What is your role at Emanuel School?
Head of Rabin House, PDHPE Teacher and Rugby Union/ Touch Football Coach. 

How long have you been at Emanuel School?
Since 2014

What do you enjoy about working here?
The students and the supportive environment created by the community. This was the first thing I noticed when I started teaching at Emanuel in 2014. There is an obvious passion and enthusiasm from the teachers and students to constantly improve and progress as a school – this was especially evident when I proposed initiating a new elective Year 9 and 10 course through the PDHPE Department called Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS) and this was received with plenty of interest and enthusiasm.

What have you learnt about yourself at Emanuel?
In my Year 12 graduation speech last year, I indicated that the first Year 7 camp I took my Tutor Group on in 2014 allowed me to truly understand the wonderful and energetic nature of Emanuel students. From what I witnessed that week I was truly impressed. The students cared about one another and looked for opportunities to help and support each other through the difficulties they experienced – whether it be braving the wombat hole, scaling the high ropes course or overcoming the treacherous terrain on their one-day trek. I was surprised by their caring nature and ever optimistic attitude in times of difficulty.

My answer to this question isn’t exactly what I have learnt about myself but rather knowing I am in the right place as a teacher. This camp experience early on with my tutor group convinced me, as a teacher, I was in the right place.

What is your favourite memory?
This is a difficult question for me to answer as I have many memorable moments. I would say I have two favourite memories that are ‘stand outs’ for me:

• Being a Rabin Tutor from 2014-2019. I had the privilege of watching my tutor group progress through their formative years from Years 7-12. I was able to assist and celebrate special moments with them throughout High School.
• Coaching an extraordinary group of students – Rugby Union – starting in Year 7 in 2015 through to Year 12 in 2020. These students defeated Moriah in their final match in the Annual Rugby Union JDS Cup. This was a very special moment as it was the first time Emanuel has beaten Moriah in Rugby.

What do you do to unwind/what do you enjoy doing outside school hours?
I enjoy keeping active and healthy myself by doing a variety of fitness training such as strength training, indoor rowing and running. I have a growing interest in gardening, and I enjoy working on my garden or repairing it when my dog decides to dig it up. Along with this I enjoy cooking on the weekends and trying new wine.

What song do you know all the lyrics to?
I have never bothered learning any lyrics as I think it’s best that no one ever hears me sing.

Heath enjoying a night out with his wife, Amy Romano

Do you have a hidden talent and if so, what is it?
My talent isn’t hidden, and I probably wouldn’t call it a talent but more of a passion. I enjoyed playing rugby for many years as a teenager, and through my 20’s and earlier 30’s, and now I get a similar enjoyment from rugby coaching. This year I was fortunate enough to coach the Colts (U21’s) at Randwick Rugby Union Club. We had an enjoyable and successful year as a team and unfortunately lost to Sydney Uni in the semi-final.

What do you wish you could tell your 12-year-old self?  if you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?
My comment/wisdom isn’t a reflection of the fact that I didn’t necessarily do this growing up but more about the value I place on being your own person and living your own life – “Carve your own path in life, run your own race at your pace but don’t be too proud to ask for directions when you are lost”.

Da Vinci

Colleen Elkins – Gifted and Talented Coordinator K-6

Da Vinci Trials have begun for Year 5!

Our excited Year 5s, keen to take part in the Da Vinci Academic Decathlon in May, have begun to eagerly work on examples of the tasks, to see if they are suitable to be a member of the team of eight students that will represent Emanuel School on the day. They are trying their skills at things such as Code-Breaking, Poetry, Engineering, Drama and General Knowledge, amongst others.

We applaud their enthusiasm and wish them luck!

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da Vinci

Rabin

Shabbat Shalom Rabinites!

Welcome back to what has already been an exciting term. We would like to give a warm welcome to our new Year 7 Rabin students, and wish them all the very best for their first year of High School. Please take the time to make them feel welcome and remember to go to the Wellbeing Centre (Heads of House Office) during the day if you have any concerns, questions or would just like to say hello. 

This term Rabin students enjoyed participating in the annual School Swimming Carnival. This annual event is a highlight on the School calendar with the points from the carnival contributing to the much-prized Ezekiel Cup, the award the Houses vie for each year. Rabin achieved a great result coming 2nd overall with 701 points total and our Open Senior Girls Relay Team competing in a successful race and winning in what was to be the last time many of these students race for Rabin.  

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Years 7 and 8 Camp  

The Year 7 and Year 8 students recently attended the Somerset Camp. What an amazing experience – and the students were awesome! There were lots of activities – kayaking, high ropes, low ropes, hiking, archery – a few tears and loads of laughter. On Day 1, we were on the road bright and early, full of excitement, ready to meet our fantastic Camp Leaders at the campsite. The weather overall was great! It rained a few days but, hey, it’s all part of camping.

“During camp we did a fun activity called Base 7, where we dressed up in camo gear and had to sneak up on the teacher and gather until, without them knowing it. Our team demonstrated amazing stealth skills, being found only once despite half our group singing ‘into the unknown’ all the way down”. Oscar Salek (Year 7 Rabin)

It was such a great bonding experience hanging out with one another, overcoming challenges together, feeling proud together, laughing together and cooking and eating together.

The Year 7 and Year 8 students learnt a lot about one another and from one another. The students were truly impressive, and everyone gleaned something positive and personal from the experience.

Now we’re all back at school and ready to see what exciting things the next few years hold.

Well done everyone!

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House Assembly

Rabin’s House Assembly last week was full of fun as we all participated in yoga and dancing! Students from every year group put their hands up to volunteer to do yoga poses, competing with the other year groups. This was pretty challenging and it was entertaining to watch.. 

In the spirit of the upcoming House Music, the whole of Rabin House took part in a Just Dance, ending off our House Assembly on a great high! 

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Sporting achievements – Emanuel Boys and Girls Football (Soccer) teams 

Well done to the Boys and Girls Football teams and to the Rabin students who represented Rabin proudly in these matches by playing some outstanding football.

Rabin Boys in the football team

• Mahley Rosen-Tal
• Ethan Berman
• Ethan Hirst
• Idan Peer

Rabin Girls in the football team 

• Hannah Kim
• Gaby Utian
• Vicky Miller
  

Girls Touch Football victory at Queens Park

Well done to the Rabin Girls who recently won the Easts Touch Football competition.

• Gaby Utian
• Vicky Miller

That’s the Rabin Bugle for this week and remember your Rabin Tutors are here to support and help you throughout the term so please feel free to reach out.

We would love to acknowledge your achievements or celebrations! If you’ve noticed a Rabininte achievement that should be mentioned, an announcement or simply something you would like to share, please email Mr Morley or us. On that topic, if you have any further questions or just want to chat with the new Rabin House Captains you can easily reach us via email or our Instagram account. 

Ari Merten 
Ezra Hersch 

Instagram – https://instagram.com/rabinitesunite?igshid=4rj3kedrubc8 or search for @rabinitesunite  

Reminders: We would love to acknowledge your achievements or celebrations. So, if you’ve noticed a Rabininte achievement has not been mentioned please let us know. You can email Mr Morley or our House Captains – Ari Merton and Ezra Hersch, if you would like a mention or make an announcement. Thank you!

Let’s go Rabin!!

By Rebecca Pillemer – Rabin Bugle Editor and Year 7 Peer Support Leader

Fast fashion

Lara Fosbery – Year 12

Have you ever seen an item of clothing literally everywhere, but a month or two later it’s nowhere to be found? The phrase ‘fast fashion’ is gradually becoming part of our collective vernacular, but what actually is fast fashion – and why is it bad? 

Fast fashion refers to cheap, trendy clothing, based on trends popularised on social media or on catwalks. The fast fashion industry produces clothes at an extremely fast rate, in order to keep up with the ever-increasing speed of modern trend cycles.

Fast fashion really took off in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, with the introduction of shops like H&M and Zara, which replicated the designs from expensive or luxury fashion brands with cheaper materials and at a far lower cost to both the retailer and the consumer. With the advent of online shopping, people could shop for in-style clothes whenever they wanted, and the fast fashion phenomenon caught on. Zara’s 15-day process of designing to selling a garment is actually the reason The New York Times coined the term “fast fashion.” 

But unfortunately, like so many modern luxuries, fast fashion is incredibly detrimental to the environment. The pressure to cut production time results in the use of cheap materials like polyester (which sheds microplastics in the wash that run into the water) and toxic dye (which makes the fashion industry the second largest polluter of clean water globally). Even more sustainable materials like cotton put a massive strain on the ecosystems of developing countries when mass-produced, as they require huge quantities of water and pesticides. The dyes and microplastics are frequently ingested by marine organisms, and without proper regulation, real fur has become cheaper than fake fur to produce, because the conditions in fur farms are so terrible. 

The speed at which the fast fashion industry produces clothes also results in an increase in the speed of trend cycles. Until the mid 20th century, there were four fashion cycles in a year – one for each of the seasons. Now it’s estimated that fast fashion brands engage in around 52 mini-cycles a year – or one every week. Fast fashion contributes to a consumerist cycle of constantly wanting more, and since the trend cycles are so fast, there’s no need for companies to prioritise sustainability and longevity, because the clothes will inevitably be thrown out before they start to deteriorate, in favour of new, on-trend clothes.

So what can we do?

Firstly, learn to identify fast fashion brands:

• Lots of different styles, many based on current trends
• Extremely short turnaround time between when a trend is seen on social media/the catwalk and when a store starts stocking it
• Offshore manufacturing
• Limited stock – in order to encourage quick purchasing
• Cheap, low-quality materials

Secondly, don’t buy into the culture of constant trend following. Invest in good quality pieces that will last longer. Even avoiding fast fashion half of the time is better than nothing. We all have individual consumer power, so we must do our best to stop buying fast fashion and pressure companies to stop engaging in unsustainable and unethical practices. Small changes make big differences.

For more information check out:

• The True Cost  
• The Ugly Truth Of Fast Fashion – Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj on Netflix

Community Notices

Parents and Friends

Ruby Berkovic and Jennifer Opit

Hi Everyone,

We hope you are all well!

Parents and Friends

We had our second meeting of the year on Zoom on Wednesday night. Thank you to all those who attended. 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 will be held on Zoom or at a private residence until further notice. Everyone is welcome so please join us as your support and input is valued.

Email Ruby if you would like to attend the next meeting.

Weekend brain teaser

Question: What are the next three letters in the following sequence? J, F, M, A, M, J, J, A, __, __, __

Have a great 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 Andy Bromberger

220g butter melted
1 1/2 cups castor sugar
1/2 cup sour cream or Greek style yogurt
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp lemon rind, finely grated
2 cups plain flour, sifted
2 tsp baking powder, sifted

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