From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

A forum to voice our collective support for equality, inclusivity and a culture of respect

International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021 provided an opportunity to challenge and call out gender bias, inequality and a toxic culture of harmful behaviour. Our Social Action Va’d took it upon themselves to organise a special program for High School students, around female empowerment. Student-led and designed initiatives like this align well with our commitment to tikkun olam, working towards repairing our broken world. Our collective voice carries great power and can transform attitudes, behaviour and culture. We encourage our students to stand up for inclusivity, kindness and respect, and to speak out against the sometimes-toxic culture that can pervade the social life of adolescents.

As pointed out by Chanel Contos, the creator of the Teach us Consent petition, it is the micro moments, where disparaging comments are made and left unchallenged, that make the difference. Her message, released on IWD, speaks about what perpetuates the attitudes towards gender and sexuality that normalise poor behaviour. Chanel identifies catcalling, inappropriate touching, objectifying women and shaming people for their sexuality, as key factors. I spoke about this at our High School assembly this week and have shared an excerpt of my message below:

We are very lucky to live in Australia, a country where the attitudes towards women – and the options open for women to pursue a career in virtually anything -are a vast improvement over many countries, both developing and developed. However, there can be no room for complacency, as clearly, there are still many issues yet to be resolved in Australia, around equal opportunity, equal pay and other forms of gender discrimination and violence. Sadly, in recent weeks, we have been following media reports, highlighting allegations of a culture of sexual assault within our Federal Parliament. Many young women have recounted distressing stories of their experiences when they were at school…of disrespectful and criminal behaviour at parties and gatherings, whilst under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, of predominantly young males taking advantage of or pressuring young women into physical acts that they later regretted, and have left them scarred. There are similar reports of abuse and pressure within same sex relationships. This is a cause for great shame and must not be allowed to continue. Let’s see how we can be part of the solution, rather than add to the problem! This is not just a battle for females to engage in – all of us need to take part in supporting gender equality… together, our voice is powerful, and we need to be a positive force for good.

Cabaret

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Kol Hakavod to the students who starred in the High School Cabaret on Monday. It was a fantastic evening of song with a touch of humour and so much talent. Congratulations to Sam Bauer, Head of Drama, and Danny Burley, Assistant Head of Music, for organising this highly entertaining evening and to the amazing performers who outdid themselves. 

A new Primary School Innovation Leader

I am excited to announce that Carrie Thomas (formerly Grieve) has been appointed to the position of Innovation Leader (K-6), commencing from the beginning of Term 2. Carrie is a well-respected and much-loved member of our teaching team who has taught across a variety of Primary School year levels. Her previous experience includes being the ICT and Gifted & Talented Educator at an International school in China and she has led various coding and technology clubs at Emanuel. Within this role, Carrie will be responsible for curriculum-based projects connecting technology and innovation to classroom learning. She will also lead a number of extra-curricular initiatives and external programs. Carrie will liaise with industry experts and other schools to ensure we remain at the forefront of learning in this area. We are excited to welcome Carrie into this new position and look forward to many exciting initiatives and projects.

As a result of this appointment, Carrie will no longer be the teacher of 2 Tzfat from the beginning of next term. We are delighted to confirm the appointment of another outstanding educator into this role. Felicity Cox will join us from the start of term. An experienced teacher, Felicity is most recently from Wenona and prior to this has taught in various schools in Sydney, Canberra and London. We look forward to welcoming Felicity to the team.

Mazal tov

Quote of the week

“Gardens are not made perfect by singing ‘Oh how beautiful,’ and sitting on the shade.”
Rudyard Kipling – English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Building-Community 

This week’s parashah is called ויקהל/VaYakhel.

ויקהל/VaYakhel means to gather, and the first words of this parashah are ויקהל משה את כל עדת בני ישראל – Moshe gathered (VaYakhel) the whole Israelite community.

The author(s) of the Bible chose their words very carefully, and expected that we would read with care, as well.

Last week’s parashah spoke of the building of the Golden Calf with the same word – VaYakhel.

ויקהל העם על אהרון ויאמרו אליו קום עשה לנו אלוהים

And the people gathered (VaYakhel) around Aaron saying, “Get up and make for us a God”.

This gathering to make a Golden Calf created a great division. Aaron and Moshe were set at odds, the Levites slew their brethren whom they viewed as idolators, God and Moshe argued, the people were about to be disowned by God even as they disowned Him.

VaYakhel – The people came together – and it tore them apart. Now Moshe seeks to bring the people together again – VaYakhel, and he gathered the people.

How does a leader bring together those who have proven that doing so will create conflict and division?

Research has shown that team building is only possible when there is a common cause. But common cause is not enough.

To come together as one, each person must feel he/she is contributing to the whole. And, each person as part of the whole must feel he/she is recognised for his/her individual skill and contribution.

So, the antidote to the Golden Calf and the division of the people is the Mishkan – a centre in which people feel God’s presence through community. Kehillah, of the same root word as VaYakhel, means community. In this Parashah, VaYakhel, Moshe gathers the people to build the Mishkan.

This parashah is very detailed and specific as it describes all the parts of the Mishkan and how they fit together. We are being told that the whole can only cohere through the sum of its parts.

Here at Emanuel we are entering a new stage of our building plan.

As we consider our future, our parashah reminds us that for a community to build there must be a building of community.

Primary News

Colleen Elkins – Gifted and Talented Coordinator K-6

The start of the year brings with it much activity as students are placed into classes and our flexible learning groups are formed. These groups are now underway, with students learning at a level commensurate with their ability, with continual monitoring of each student’s progress. There is differentiation and challenge in all groups, and we have Gifted & Talented staff members working with each grade in the Primary School.

Part of the make-up of our Gifted & Talented Program at Emanuel involves staff Professional Development as well as collaboration sessions. The focus of our first meeting on Tuesday 23 February was ‘The Social and Emotional aspects of Giftedness’. Our discussion was based on the following:

Although every gifted child is different, their rapid cognitive development at an early age, opens up the world of abstract issues at an early age. This can bring with it emotional and moral intensity, concerns about societal issues, sensitivity to feelings or expectations and the placement of high standards on themselves and others.

For further reading on this point, please click here.

Guest speakers 

Kristina Crowle, speaking with the students

In support of our goal of providing students with real-world experience and access to experts in a field, we have several guest speakers organised to visit various groups of students and continue mentorships with them.

On Friday, we had a Journalism student from UNSW, Kristina Crowle, addressing our Year 4 Reporters Club and any other interested students. Her captivating way of explaining how news stories are chosen and how ethics is required in reporting, had our students asking questions way beyond the end of the session. The question of ethics and ‘fake news’ did not escape them. Our aspiring reporters will be releasing Edition 1 of their newspaper in Week 9. Please be on the lookout for this.

In Year 4 Science, we have an Environmental expert from UNSW visiting, to run a workshop on Sustainability and Food. We also have several alumni involved in other areas of the School, to varying degrees.

On this note, we are appealing to parents and alumni who have expertise in a particular field, who feel that they have the time to share their expertise with our student body, on a once-off occasion, or on a weekly or fortnightly ongoing basis, to let us know. If you could indicate your ability/willingness to be involved, please do so on the survey here. We have had many successful parent mentoring partnerships thanks to the generosity of our parent body, and we would love to develop this further! (K-12).

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

Why is that on my seder plate?

At the centre of the Pesach Haggadah and Seder lies the interplay between symbolic foods, questioning and discussions. These ritual foods and the questions they elicit engage participants, encourage curiosity, spark discussion and invite multiple meanings and interpretations.

In addition to the traditional items of maror, matzah, charoset and karpas found during a Seder, you may be familiar with some other rituals foods that may make an appearance at seder: 

Orange: Adding an orange to one’s seder plate is often explained as a symbol of women’s rights, derived from an event where a man supposedly told Professor Susannah Heschel that “a woman belongs on the bimah as much as an orange belongs on the seder plate”. Though Professor Heschel has said that no such exchange took place, she offered a different interpretation on the meaning of the orange and why she added it to her seder plate in the 1980’s. The orange was to be eaten ‘as a gesture of solidarity with Jewish lesbians and gay men and others who are marginalised within the Jewish community’.  

Spring Onions/Scallions: This Sephardi Pesach custom involves taking bunches of spring onions and ‘whipping’ the person next to you during the singing of Dayenu. The onions represent the whips of the Egyptians, the tears of the Israelites and the miracle that our ancestors were freed from the lash of oppression.

Miriam’s Cup: The addition of Miriam’s cup mirror’s the tradition of Elijah’s cup, the prophet who is welcomed at the conclusion of the seder. Miriam was a prophetess, leader and sister of Moshe. Miriam, along with other strong and brave women (such as Moshe’s mother Yocheved and the Hebrew handmaids Sifrah and Pu’ah who defy Pharaoh) play a crucial role in the Pesach narrative. The inclusion of Miriam’s cup provides an opportunity to share their stories, in turn opening up conversations to acknowledge and celebrate the crucial role played of women in our family, community and across the world.

And now for a new Seder ritual that speaks to the challenges of our present and our future….  

A Melting Ice Cube: The Pesach Ice Block Challenge – an initiative of the Jewish Climate Network.

A melting ice block next to your seder plate, representing the melting ice caps, prompts questions and discussions about climate change. 

Every year on Pesach we ask: “Ma Nishtana…?” – “Why is tonight different to all other nights?”. This year, the world is at a crossroads and we’re taking that question a big step further: “Why is this decade different to all other decades?”.

When you register for the challenge, the JCN will email you a printable resource to use on Seder night which provides background to the Challenge and offers activities and questions you can use. 

How to get involved?

1. Register – sign up your Seder for the JCN Ice Block Challenge
2. Share – share the Challenge with friends and family, and invite them to join
3. Prepare – prepare your ice for the Seder table and print the resource guide
4. Host – place an ice block on your Seder table. Use the resource guide. Ask questions. Commit to action!

Word of the Week

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Miskenot/miskeinut

Fortune and misfortune

Many of us, who have been to Israel, are acquainted with the word סוכנות/Sokhnut. While we might not have been to the Sokhnut HaChalal HaYisraelit/The Israel Space Agency we may have encountered more than a few sokhnut nesi’ot, travel agencies. Of course, internationally, Jews are well acquainted with HaSokhnut, The Agency, referring to HaSokhnut HaYehudit LeErets Yisra’el – The Jewish Agency for Israel, central to the founding and developing of the State of Israel, ongoing Aliyah and funding programs connecting youth to Israel.

סוכנות/Sokhnut derives from the root word סכן/sakhan which appears in the Bible. Shevna, was the סוכן/sokhein, the royal steward for King Chizkiyah of Judah, as he provided services and benefits, reflecting the meaning of the verb סכן/sakhan. We also read about Avishag, who was a סוכנת/sokhenet to King David in his old age, “serving him”.

The enslaved Israelites were forced to build ערי מסכנות/Arei Miskenot, storage and supply cities for Pharaoh. The Bible also mentions “all the ערי מסכנות/arei miskenot of King Solomon”. It is suggested that officials, like Shevna, had the tile סוכן/sokhein because they oversaw the מסכנות/miskenot, the treasuries and storehouses of the king, holding the “key of the House of David”.

While מסכנות/miskenot alludes to provisions, מסכינות/miskeinut suggests a lack of the same. The Israelites are told that the Promised Land is one in which “you will eat bread without scarcity מסכינות/miskeinut. Understandably, then, the word מסכן/miskein means an unfortunate/poor person.

One may well be מסכן/miskein if he finds himself in circumstances that are מסוכן/mesukan, dangerous. We, therefore, warn our children not to play with a סכין/sakin, a knife, lest they invite סכנה/sakanah, danger.

Some argue that the word סכן/sakan is related to the word שכן/shakhan, to dwell, and representing the granting of provisions and making for wellbeing (as regarding the שכינה/the Indwelling of God). It is suitable then that we end with a word about סכנין/سخنين, Siknin (or Sakhnin), an Arab city in the lower Galilee.

The football club, Bnei Sakhnin, was one of the first Arab teams to play in the Israeli Premier League, and made history when it won the Israeli State Cup. One of its Jewish players shared: “”Whenever I drive into Sakhnin I find it hard to leave. People keep inviting me to their homes, to weddings, to family events. I’m surrounded with love”. Its players contend that “Bnei Sakhnin is the proof that Jews and Arabs can live together”.

May such סוכנות/sokhnut of comradery, serving together and providing for one another, remind us to remain vigilant in serving as סוכנים/sokhnim in making shalom-salam שוכן/shokhen (dwell) in the Promised Land.

Emanuel School TV

High School Wellbeing Team – Heath Morley, Lauren Korotkov, Tina Greenhill, Natalie Lijovic, Caroline Laumberg, Margaret Lowe, Jessica Shanahan and Adam Ezekiel

Emanuel School TV

Parents are invited to browse Emanuel School TV via the tile on the Parent Portal. Emanuel School TV offers a range of resources for parents on topics related to our young people’s health and wellbeing today. From time to time we will be adding to the available content with material relevant to issues being discussed in the media or generally in schools.

Parents are encouraged to drop in as often as they can to benefit from the information and advice available to Emanuel parents.

If you have misplaced your Parent Portal log in details, please contact helpdesk@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmel

Kornmehl Arava connections

This week the Starfish and Dolphins have been working on making a drawing to share with the children from Gan Rimon in Ein Yahav, in the Arava. The children all drew themselves and shared their name and age with their new friends. We are very excited to begin this association and to get to know each other better.

Pesach explorations

We began our learning around the festival of Passover and all the wonderful traditions, stories, characters, songs, food and creative experiences. We tell the story of Pesach using animation, song, music, props and costumes and invite the children to take on roles in the story. Re-enacting the story in this way helps to bring it to life and allows the children time to process the details and make sense of it.

The children have started learning a variety of wonderful songs – When Moses was, One morning when Pharaoh awoke in his bed, Bang bang bang, Dayeinu, Listen, King Pharaoh, How did Moses cross the Red Sea? Ma Nishtana? and Who knows one?, to name but a few.

We have been making our own visual representations of wild animals and frogs, Seder plates using different mediums and making baby Moses in the basket.

All the children will be participating in a Pesach Seder in the Pre-school on Thursday 25 March 2021.

Protective behaviours

Deborah Blackman’s workshop on Tuesday night with Kornmehl parents on Zoom was informative and gave parents tangible and hands on skills and strategies for keeping children safe and opening up communication with your child about protective behaviours. Deborah also spoke to the children on Wednesday and Thursday morning reinforcing these same messages.

Some of the key messages were:

• Good and bad feelings and recognising these 
• Good secrets and bad secrets
• Private parts are private
• Safe and not safe touches
• Always tell an adult
• Safety network – tell your child who their safe adults are (4-5 people)
• Encourage open communication about any topics
• Tell your child who it is okay to be left alone with or to go in the car with, without your permission (e.g. grandma). For anybody else, your child needs your permission.
• Have regular conversations about the “safety rules”
• Validate your child’s feelings
• Always give your child the message that you believe in them.

The educators have been following through this week in all three groups with discussion and role plays to support the children’s understanding of these concepts and to allow them to share their thoughts and ask questions. Our aim is to make sure that we, as a community, are all using the same language and giving the same messages to our children.

Vacation care

Emanuel Vacation Care Program will take place in the April school holidays from Tuesday 6 April 2021 to Friday 16 April 2021. There is a fun and interactive program organised to cater for children from Pre-school to Year 6. 

Let your children be bored – how to handle a bored child

Parents often feel guilty if children complain of boredom. it is actually more constructive to see boredom as an opportunity rather than a deficit. Children need the adults around them to understand that creating their own pastimes requires space, time and the possibility of making a mess (within limits and to be cleared up afterwards by the children themselves).

They will need some materials too, but these need not be sophisticated – simple things are often more versatile. We’ve all heard of the toddler ignoring the expensive present and playing with the box it came in instead.

To get the most benefit from times of potential boredom, indeed from life in general, children also need inner resources as well as material ones. Qualities such as curiosity, perseverance, playfulness, interest and confidence allow them to explore, create and develop powers of inventiveness, observation and concentration. These also help them to learn not to be deterred if something doesn’t work the first time and try again. By encouraging the development of such capacities, parents offer children lifelong values.

If a child has run out of ideas, giving them some kind of challenge can prompt them to continue to amuse themselves imaginatively. This could range from asking them to find out what kind of food their toy dinosaurs enjoy in the garden to going off and looking for bugs. Of course, it’s not really the boredom itself that’s important, it’s what we do with it. When you reach your breaking point, boredom teaches you to respond constructively, to make something happen for yourself. But unless we are faced with a steady diet of stultifying boredom, we never learn how.

It’s especially important that kids get bored and be allowed to stay bored when they’re young. That it not be considered “a problem” to be avoided or eradicated, but instead something kids grapple with on their own.

Most parents would agree that they want to raise self-reliant individuals who can take initiatives and think for themselves. But filling a child’s time for them teaches nothing but dependence on external stimulus, whether material possessions or entertainment. Providing nurturing conditions and trusting children’s natural inclination to engage their minds is far more likely to produce independent, competent children, full of ideas.

Children need time to themselves  to switch off from the bombardment of the outside world, to daydream, pursue their own thoughts and occupations, and discover personal interests and gifts.

Just letting the mind wander from time to time is important for everybody’s mental wellbeing and functioning. 

A study has even shown that, if we can engage in some low-key, undemanding activity the wandering mind is more likely to come up with imaginative ideas and solutions to problems.

A creative imagination and problem-solving ability are important life skills, so it’s good for children to have these moments of ‘boredom’ and having to find ways to entertain themselves.

It will also encourage the ability to be quiet and mindful as an adult, without the constant need to be on-the-go or entertained. In fact, there’s a lesson here for all of us. Switching off, doing nothing and letting the mind wander can be great for adults too – we should all try to do more of it.

“Boredom teaches us that life isn’t a parade of amusements. More important, it spawns creativity and self-sufficiency.” Pamela Paul

“Children need to sit in their own boredom for the world to become quiet enough that they can hear themselves.”  Dr Vanessa Lapointe

Below are some links to videos and information about boredom in young children:

• https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/videos/10153855961346479/
• https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/videos/10154288988566479/
• https://www.melbournechildpsychology.com.au/blog/the-benefits-of-boredom/
• http://theconversation.com/how-kids-can-benefit-from-boredom-65596

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Requests for information for external specialists

Dr Lynn Joffe – Director – Wolanksi Family Specialist Learning Centre

Teachers and other professionals in the School are receiving increasing numbers of requests to complete questionnaires and forms about students for external specialists. Please be mindful that, despite what it might look like on face value – just a few boxes to tick – the fact is that, to respond meaningfully about a student, teachers need time and clear headspace if they are to provide quality information. This is in your child’s/ward’s best interests. It is also the fact that there are competing priorities for teachers’ time and they might not be able to respond immediately.

Many specialists ask that a single teacher complete a form. In High School particularly, this is unlikely to capture a balanced picture of a student over all areas, so, an attempt is made to glean information from at least a few subject teachers. This also takes time, as does the collating of information.

In order to respect the above and assist your child to best effect, we ask the following:

• All requests be made a minimum of three weeks ahead of when the information is due to a specialist.
• All requests be channelled through Dr Lynn Joffe, Director of the Wolanksi Family Specialist Learning Centre, who will approach the relevant teachers, collate the information and send it to the referring specialist. This is also important if accurate records are to be kept on incoming and outgoing information about your child/ward.

Please provide updated reports and information via Dr Joffe too so that they are processed appropriately, reach relevant members of staff and help us ensure that data on students is kept current.

Primary Extra-Curricular, Term 2 2021

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

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 Language and Mandarin Extra-Curricular classes at Emanuel School this year. We hope to offer these classes once our COVID-19 guidelines allow so. Parents who have completed the expressions of interest form will be emailed directly and the Extra-Curricular schedule will be updated to inform when bookings for these classes are open. 

• Mandarin Extra-Curricular class: Please submit your expression of interest for this class on this form 
• Russian Language class: Please submit your expression of interest for the Russian Language 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 Co-ordinator)                     
Emma Hill (Primary Extra-Curricular & EActive Co-ordinator)          

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

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

K-12 Sport News

Kristy Genc – Director of Sports K-12

Tennis Program 

The Emanuel Tennis Program is offered to students in Year 1 through to Year 12.

The Years 1-2 summer program, currently held each Thursday afternoon, provides students with the opportunity to start playing tennis in a fun environment. The after-school program is played on smaller courts with modified equipment, including lighter racquets, lower nets and low compression balls that reduce bounce. Under the guidance of alumnus, Lachlan Corne, this program has increased in numbers, and it is proving to be a great way to encourage kids to maintain an active lifestyle. The program will be offered again in Term 4 as part of the summer sport program.

Each Thursday morning in Term 1, Years 3-6 students have engaged in tennis training at Centennial Parklands Sports Centre. The program is run by qualified and experienced coach, Gavin Janit, who runs outstanding sessions developing players technical and tactical skills. In the winter terms, trainings will be held each Monday afternoon.

The High School Tennis Program now runs all year round for students in Years 7-12, on Wednesday and Friday mornings under the guidance of Head Coach, Mateusz Rabenda. Programs are offered for beginner players, as well as the elite program for those who have been playing for a number of years.

Year 3-6 Tennis Training 2021

Year 1:2 Tennis 2021

Year 1:2 Tennis 3 2021

Year 1:2 Tennis 2 2021

Representative success

During Term 1, the students in the High School Representative Tennis Program have worked on their match play skills in preparation for the CDSSA Championship. Four teams competed in this inter-school event on Wednesday, with 17 Emanuel students competing overall. It was a great opportunity for students to play against others in the CDSSA and challenge themselves in a competitive environment. Emanuel had a fantastic day, winning both the senior girls and senior boys division. Congratulations to Chloe Miller, Ruby Miller, Ellie Morris, Maya Hersch, Luca Calderon-Havas, Aron Harpaz, Jett Sher and Jack Smagarinsky on their outstanding win, and well done to Joshua Barnett, Dylan Fisher, Ezra Glover-Sanders, Aden Goodridge, Jake Fleischer, Jordan Fleischer, Daniel Jadouin, Tobias Topolinsky and Daniel Zipser for competing on the day.

Emnauel Senior Girls Tennis Team CDSSA Winners 2021

Emanuel Senior Boys Tennis Team CDSSA Winners 2021

CDSSA Tennis Gala Day 2021

CDSSA Tennis Gala Day 2 2021

Coach profile

Mateusz Rabenda – Head Tennis Coach

Mr Rabenda has played tennis most of his life, and was the Under 16yrs Polish National Runner-up. He has been coaching tennis since 2003 and has coached national level players in Poland and state level players since coming to Australia. Mr Rabenda is a qualified Tennis Australia Coach and oversees the Emanuel Tennis program. 

Upcoming Sports events

Monday 15 March 2021

• Primary CIS Girls Football Trials
• Years 5-6 Netball Trials (7.00 am – 8.00 am)

Wednesday 17 March 2021

• Years 3-6 Futsal Trials (lunchtime)

Thursday 18 March 2021

• Primary CIS Swimming Championships

Monday 22 March 2021

• JDS Year 7/8 Basketball Gala Day
• Years 3-6 Cross Country 

Tuesday 23 March 2021

• ASISSA Netball Gala Day

Wednesday 24 March 2021

• CIS Boys Football Cup Round 2
• AICES Swimming Championships
• Years 3-6 Futsal Trials (lunchtime)

Thursday 25 March 2021

• CDSSA Netball Championships
• Years 1-2 Swimming Carnival

Sing your heart out

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

There are busy times ahead with Pesach starting in two weeks and we have lots of news to share about upcoming events before and after Yom Tov.

ART HOP 2021 – 20  March 2021 and 21 March 2021

This annual event showcases artwork of a number of talented local Jewish artists, including three past Emanuel parents – Ruth Levine (Toby Evans, Class of 2006), Nurit Ophir (Ariel Ophir Verheyden, Head Madrich 2010) and Lia Klugman (Keyla Klugman, Class of 2012). Lia has worked closely with many of your children over the years here at school, helping them to make the ceramic Mezzuzot on the doors of some of our classrooms, as well as other pieces of artwork. These artists would love to see us at their Bondi to Vaucluse Open Studios to view exciting new works. Look out for the orange balloons!

ARTHOP 2021

ARTHOP 2021 locations

Sing your heart out

Sam Weiss (Class of 2012)

Alumnus Sam Weiss (Class of 2012), composer and performer is the 2020/21 Composer Fellow for the Sydney Children’s Choir and has been commissioned to compose six pieces for them. Sam says: “this commission has been running since last year but has been officially extended into this year as choral rehearsals and performances have become a possibility once again. The pieces have been written, but now the hands on work begins!” See more here.

Friendship Circle (FC) April camp 

Seeking teen volunteers in Years 7-12 for the FC 4-day Day camp during the upcoming school holidays (Tuesday 6 April 2021 – Friday 9 April 2021). These camps are a wonderful opportunity for your teenage children to meet new friends, become involved in our community and make a difference, helping children with a disability. Register as a volunteer. 

Seeking mentors for JewishCare’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Program

Alumna Dayna Myers (Class of 2010) is a Social Worker (Youth Services) at JewishCare and she is seeking our help within our School community in their search for mentors in this fabulous program. A number of our alumni have been mentors in the past and they all say how rewarding it was to know that they were able to make a difference to a young person’s life. Mentors must be over 18, with training and ongoing support provided. 

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

Stay safe and Shabbat Shalom.

A showcase of incredible talent

Samantha Bauer – Head of Drama

CABARET…. a showcase of incredible talent

On Monday night the Theatre was adorned with fairy lights and candles. The perfect setting and mood created for a CABARET.….. and even though we could only have a small audience, the audience were not disappointed.

The performers were incredible. We were treated to a variety of show tunes from the students favourite musicals such as Pippin, Little Shop Of Horrors and even The Muppets!

Congratulations to all the singers for their commitment and professionalism – you were amazing.

Thank you to our amazing accompanists – Daniel Burley and Joshua New.

A thank you also to Liat Granot, Ezra Hersch, Ruben Mihalovich and Guy Rein – organisers and “hosts with the most” for all their hard work in making the show the success it was.

Congratulations and Thank you for the music.

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Music Matters

Diana Springford – Head of Music

Music Competition 

Thank you to all Years K-12 students who entered our inaugural Music Competition, whether that was recording the most practice minutes per week from Weeks 2-6, or composing an original piece of music, or submitting a recording of a solo performance on their instrument or voice. All entries will receive feedback and finalists will be announced on Monday 15 March 2021.

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, has now passed. 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 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.

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

Macquarie University students visit Emanuel School

This week we had some very impressive students from Macquarie University join the Year 12 students. Dylan (studying Combined Law and Psychology) and Anne (studying Economics and Finance) gave an informative presentation not only about Macquarie University, but about how to survive Year 12. Lots of great tips and personal anecdotes were shared.

Both of their subject areas can be studied in the following ways:

The Psychology courses shown above are our most popular options for students who apply to Macquarie University.

Their Business courses are also very varied with specialisations, with their Commerce degree hosting 12 majors (the most of any university in Sydney):

There are many other useful Macquarie links worth looking at:

1. You’re more than your ATAR – YouTube – an easy to follow video on the Macquarie University  bonus system.
2. Macquarie Leaders and Achievers – Macquarie University – this is not open yet, but here is the link for research. Last year our Class of 2020 had 40% of its students receive an early offer through this scheme.
3. Macquarie Leaders and Achievers – Webinar – YouTube – a very long video about the process of applying through the Leaders and Achievers Scheme from 2020. 
4. Macquarie University – Adjustment Factors – covers all Adjustment Factors (Bonus Points) schemes
5. Macquarie University – Catchment Adjustment Factors – you will all get 5 bonus points from living in Sydney!
6. Macquarie University – Big History Scheme – if you love History, you can do this course and clock up another three points. It is an online university course which they estimate takes about 20 hours.
7. Macquarie University – Academic Advantage – specifics on subject bonus points
8. Macquarie University Co-Op scholarship – apply online – worth $19,000.

The following events are being held over the next few months:

Microplastics

Zac Levenson – Year 12

Within our lives, plastic is everywhere. Try for a day to notice how much plastic you see, it will truly shock you! It lines cans, hides in household dust, is found inside of toys, electronics, shampoo, cosmetics and countless other products. It’s used to make thousands of single-use items, from grocery bags to forks to candy wrappers and despite recent attempts to try and limit its usages i.e. Australian states and territories pledging to ban single use plastic bags, it’s role in our life, for the moment at least, feels irreplaceable. Just last year, over 380 million tonnes of plastic were produced and while we don’t think about it very often, this plastic doesn’t just disappear into the abyss. 

Every time you eat, drink or even breathe, you’re almost certainly taking in tiny particles along with you. These ubiquitous fragments are known as microplastics. Microplastics are a broad term used to describe any plastic pieces less than half a centimetre in diameter. Microplastics were only discovered recently so there isn’t a lot of research yet on the effects of plastic on our health as well as other creatures, however, even in the short period of time it is evident that the amount of microplastics are increasing. A recent study from the University of Newcastle found that Australians consume almost five grams of plastic per week – roughly a credit card worth of plastic. 

The majority of the world’s plastic is produced in China. Corporations there often try to make as much plastic for as little as possible and cut corners due to a lack of regulation to do so. Unfortunately, this frequently involves the use of chemicals which can have harmful effects on humans and the environment. An example of these chemicals are phthalates, which are used as a plastic softener in a variety of products including plastic clothes, soaps and cosmetic bottles. This chemical, that is released as microplastics, has been linked to hormone disruption and brain development issues which can cause long-term problems, particularly for young boys.

Let’s be real, we can’t stop eating, drinking and breathing so how can we limit the amount of microplastics?

• Try use alternatives to plastic 
  • Use your own reusable bags, straws and cutlery
  • Try to use containers or beeswax instead of cling wrap
  • Use reusable plastic bottles (particularly metal ones)
• Stay informed 
  • Follow media and learn more about microplastics so that you can educate those around you
• Get involved
  • If you hear about a petition or story that you agree with get involved

Last week the Sustainability Va’ad organised a clothes drive to highlight the amount of fashion waste that we produce. We received a staggering number of donations and wanted to thank everyone who donated for their amazing contributions. Our local Vinnies is now full of amazing, good quality clothes that will go to people who need them and their purchases will help Vinnies continue the amazing work they do.

Thank you to everyone who donated!

Uniform Shop Holiday Trading Hours

Canteen

Community Notices

Parents and Friends

Ruby Berkovic and Jennifer Opit

Hi Everyone,

The term is flying by!

Camping Trip

This weekend, a record-breaking number of campers are heading on the Parents & Friends Camping Trip! Thanks to Shelley Millingen for organising this amazing event and we will post photos next week. Have an amazing time, Campers.

Challah is back

From Term 2 we will be able to resume challah sales.

You can eliminate the hassle of having to pick up your weekly challah and support the Parents & Friends at the same time. We will be distributing freshly baked challah every Friday at the cost of $4.50 and your kids can pick it up outside reception between 3.20 pm – 3.40 pm on a Friday afternoon. (Gluten free challah is available at $10.00 a loaf).

The challot must be pre-ordered. Register your interest here 

Friday Chill Out

We are thrilled to invite you to a Friday Afternoon Chill Out after a long hiatus.

On Friday 26 March 2021, the last day of Term 1, join us from 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm. Stay back for an icy-pole and a catch up with other parents while the kids play.

It’s a beautiful tradition of ending our week together that we can’t wait to resume.

Where: Basketball Courts 

What: Icy-poles $1.00 – $2.00

**Please note, parents must supervise and be responsible for their kids at all times in the designated Friday Chill Out area. ** 

Parents & Friends meeting

Our next Parents & Friends meeting falls in the Term break and so it will be cancelled. Please contact us if you need anything before May’s meeting.

Weekend Brain Teaser (from last week) and answer

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

Answer: S, O, N. The sequence is the first letter of the months of the year. September, October, and November are the next in the sequence.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Jen & Ruby

Challah orders open

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 Jackie Pataki

Directions

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