From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

Supporting all our learners to grow and thrive 

A key aim of teaching and learning at Emanuel is to support each and every student at the School. We work to identify and support our gifted students, our students with learning needs, and all students across the full spectrum of ability and interest, to provide opportunities for each of our students to grow and thrive. This can be achieved broadly through differentiated programs that provide both extension and support activities. Our Specialist Learning Centre and our Gifted and Talented teams work in close collaboration with our teachers, to develop our K-12 academic program.

I have offered my ‘From the Principal’ article this week to our Deputy Principal (Teaching & Learning) K-12, Mr Adam Majsay, who writes below about our extensive program for gifted and talented students at the School.

Where the individual excels…

For many years, the tagline for Emanuel School, beyond our motto of Mind, Spirit, Being, has been ‘where the individual excels’. It’s a truism that such catchphrases develop their own meanings over time and come to mean different things to different people. Over my almost fifteen years at Emanuel, I’ve often thought of ‘where the individual excels’ as highlighting how, no matter how unique, quirky or different a student (or a staff member) is, Emanuel School will truly be a place where they can thrive. In more recent times, and no doubt as a result of my role overseeing teaching and learning across the whole school, I’ve thought about Emanuel as a place ‘where the individual excels’ in terms of our students as learners: that no matter how unique a student’s learning profile, be they a highly gifted learner, a student with substantial learning support needs, or a student at any other point in their personal learning journey, Emanuel is a place where they can be supported and encouraged, challenged and stretched.

One aspect of our learning programs that I’d like to promote to our community is the work that our staff do in catering for our gifted learners, through our K-12 Gifted and Talented programs. There are a number of key areas that characterise a quality gifted program. These range from highly visible externally delivered programs to the more subtly embedded, exceptional classroom practice of our teachers. 

Adam Majsay – Deputy Principal (Teaching and Learning) K-12

In catering for our gifted learners and top academic achievers, it is the high-quality differentiated teaching practice delivered by each of our teachers that is the most important for student learning yet is likely the least visible beyond the classroom. We will soon be in the enviable position of being a school at which every single teacher has undertaken formal certification in gifted education, through UNSW’s Mini-COGE (Certificate of Gifted Education) program. This is a unique step for a school, and a demonstration of our commitment to ensuring that our students are the recipients of learning programs that specifically cater for gifted learners, delivered by expert teachers. 

Beyond the walls of each classroom, our gifted students benefit from the support of a dedicated team of Gifted Education specialists, including Colleen Elkins (K-6) and Craig Moss (7-12), our Co-ordinators of Gifted & Talented Programs, and Roisin McGrath, our specialist Mathematics: High Potential Learners teacher. One key aspect of the work Ms Elkins and Mr Moss undertake in supporting our gifted learners is their small group and individual work with students. Over the coming terms, our support for gifted students in the High School will be enhanced through our in-school withdrawal programs for gifted students, ensuring that their unique learning needs are well catered for.

The most visible and (for students) perhaps the most memorable aspect of our gifted programs are the out of class opportunities and extra-curricular programs we offer. These competitions, clubs and opportunities to work with like-minded students, both at Emanuel and from other schools, are an outstanding adjunct to the quality teaching programs delivered by our teachers. Over the course of this year, we aim to keep information about the broad range of extra-curricular programs for gifted students front and centre, through Ma Nishma, and at School Assemblies. 

This week, High School students were encouraged to join the Future Problem Solving challenge, a “research-based, academic program that teaches problem solving strategies, collaboration, critical thinking, and effective communication… [through an] interdisciplinary approach [that] helps develop ethical leadership skills and provides a unique opportunity for students to learn and apply essential life skills in the 21st century” (https://fpsp.org.au/). It is opportunities like these, along with our extensive suite of similar programs (some of which I’ve outlined below), which build our gifted students’ capacity to apply their unique interests, skills and subject-specific content knowledge to new and challenging contexts. 

• Da Vinci Decathlon
• UN Youth NSW Evatt Competition
• UN Youth NSW Voice
• Academy Conference
• Ethics Olympiad
• Mock Trial Competiton
• National History Challenge
• Australian Geography Competition
• Philosothon
• Young Scientist Awards
• And the list goes on….

These are exciting learning opportunities for our students, but they also have relevance and resonance in regular classroom learning and make a considerable contribution to students’ overall academic achievement, right through to Year 12. 

It is notable that following a review of the NSW Curriculum completed in 2020, the NESA syllabuses which guide our High School subjects, and the HSC examinations which capture student achievement at the end of their schooling, have undergone the beginnings of a seismic transformation. Students in the coming years will experience a move away from the type of exams that we as parents and teachers would recall, in which memorisation and factual recall were rewarded, to a Year 12 in which being prepared for the unexpected, having a capacity to think outside the box, to undertake investigation in an area of interest and to be able to apply knowledge through analysing information, and employing critical and creative thinking and communication skills is most highly valued. Through our focus on challenging students’ thinking and inspiring their curiosity, both in the classroom and beyond, and through our extra-curricular academic programs, we are confident that all Emanuel students are being equipped with the skills and dispositions required for their future. 

To end where I began, Emanuel truly is a place in which every one of our students can be supported, nurtured and challenged. Emanuel is a place ‘where the individual excels’, and where, for all, including our most gifted learners, there need be no limits to learning.

By Adam Majsay, Deputy Principal (Teaching & Learning) K-12

Launching Business Boost

I’m delighted to share Business Boost with you – an online directory listing businesses and services by Emanuel parents, grandparents and alumni. Many have generously provided special offers for the Emanuel community. COVID-19 has impacted so many of us and this is a wonderful way to support our community. So if you’re looking for a vet, plumber, computer or spa, visit Business Boost today. 

If you would like to add your business to the directory, click here. 

Mazal tov

Eden Levitt, Year 10, competed in the Junior State Athletics Championships this past week. She finished 7th in the State in the 100m in the under 18 years group and placed 4th in the 200m in the under 17s, her correct age group. Eden has a busy few weeks ahead of her. One of her longer term goals has been to represent NSW at the Australian Track Championships – her times from previous competitions means that she will realise this dream in April. Additionally, Eden will compete in Little Athletics State this coming weekend and Australian Beach Nationals in April. We wish Eden the best of luck for these events. What an inspiration and positive role model she is.

Quote of the week

“Vulnerability is not knowing victory or defeat, it’s understanding the necessity of both; it’s engaging. It’s being all in.”
Brené Brown, lecturer, author, and podcast host.

From Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

“But I didn’t do anything”

This week’s Parashah opens with the word that gives it its title: VaYikra – ‘And God called’.

When and how do we know we know we are being called upon?

After listing a variety of actions for which we are held accountable, our Torah reading states:

If a person incurs guilt, for he hears a voice calling out and he can serve as a witness for he has seen or knows but he keeps silent, then shall he bear his iniquity.

Our acts of omission, like those of commission, incur blame.

In Hebrew, the word for silent is also the word for deaf – חרש/cheresh. Our silence is often born of our refusing to hear.

We recently read together, on Purim, the critical words:

אם החרש תחרישי בעת הזאת…את ובית אביך תאבדו

Speaking of the impending destruction of her people, Mordechai exhorts Ester:

If you remain deaf/silent (hacharesh tacharishi) at this time, you and your father’s house shall certainly perish. In Judaism, silence serves as acquiescence and deafness brings destruction.

Each of us is considered to be like the first human, being asked to hear the voice of calling and to be present to it. And God called to Adam and said: ‘Where are you’?

Being deaf and silent to the needs of others and one’s own responsibility renders mute the meaning of our lives.

In doing nothing we become nothing.

In breaking our silence we proclaim that we hear. In doing so we recognise the life and value of another and thereby give meaning and purpose to our own.

As we approach Pesach, please join our Emanuel School community in hearing the call of those in need by supporting our Pesach Plitim (Refugees) Project by bringing in food and/or toiletry items by Wednesday 24 March 2021.

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

Pesach peulah

Josh and Mia, our informal Jewish Life educators, developed a Pesach peulah (informal learning activity) they will be running for students in Years 5 and 6 until the end of the term. This activity encourages students to see connections between contemporary issues of climate change (as a modern day plague impacting the earth) and refugees (as strangers in a strange land looking for a homeland) and Pesach. In this activity, students were also asked to think about the symbolic meaning of items at the seder table and were challenged to think up a new item to bring to the Pesach table that reflects a theme or concept related to Pesach.  

Chabad Matzah Factory

Rabbi Levy and the Chabad Matzah Factory came to school last Friday and will be back again in Week 9. Students in Year K and Year 5 were able to learn about Pesach and matzah with hands-on experiences of making their own matzah. 

Year 3 visiting the school’s Aron Kodesh and Torah scrolls

This term, Year 3 have been deepening their knowledge and understanding of familiar Jewish symbols. Through a close reading of the Shema, they have identified the rituals of mezuzah, tefillin and tzitzit. After a hands-on exploration of these ritual items, students created posters to show their knowledge. We have also been learning about the similarities in synagogue designs across the world and connections back to the Temple in Jerusalem and the Mishkan used by the Israelites in the wilderness. Students visited our School’s Aron Kodesh for a close up inspection of it and the Sefer Torah. 

Primary News

Katie Brody – Director of Students K-6

Parent Teacher Night feedback – Semester 1

A huge thanks to our teachers for running two successful and highly informative Parent Teacher Nights, one via the Zoom platform and one face-to-face. These evenings require considerable organisation by our administration and maintenance teams as well as thorough preparation, insight and energy on the part of every teacher. We would like to reflect on the merits of our Parent Teacher Night and hear from you about your experience. As such, if you would like to participate in a short survey for parents, please add your thoughts by clicking here.

NAPLAN Practice – Tuesday 23 March 2021

Information for Years 3 and 5

On Tuesday 23 March 2021, Years 3 and 5 will experience a supported NAPLAN practice session for the purpose of familiarising our young students with the testing platform, building confidence and troubleshooting any technical aspects prior to the official testing in May. Please note that these practice tests are not recorded by the platform. 

What is NAPLAN? 

The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses the literacy and numeracy skills of students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. In May of next term, students will participate in NAPLAN tests in the following areas: 

• Reading
• Writing
• Conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
• Numeracy

The official NAPLAN tests (conducted in May) are just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – they do not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but instead NAPLAN provides an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. The tests also provide schools and education authorities with information about how education programs are working and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

NAPLAN has moved online in recent years (except for the writing task for Year 3 that is still completed using pencil and paper). The move to NAPLAN online brings new benefits for teachers and students including more precise results due to the adaptive design (tailored tests adapt to a student’s performance and ask questions that match the student’s achievement levels). Tailored testing provides a more precise assessment of students’ performance. Students at each year level start with a similar set of questions and then depending on the number of questions they answer correctly, the next set of questions may be more, or less, difficult. A student’s NAPLAN result is based on both the number and difficulty of questions the student answers correctly. Here is a short video about tailored testing.

How can parents support their child?

The best approach for preparing your child for NAPLAN is simply to encourage your child to do the best they can on the day. Excessive preparation is not recommended as the school curriculum and scope and sequence of learning addresses the content and skills being assessed. The digital skills required to complete NAPLAN Online are skills that students use in everyday classroom activities. There is no need to be able to touch type to complete the test. 

Important dates

• Practice test session for Year 3 and Year 5: Tuesday 23 March 2021
• NAPLAN Online test window: 11 May 2021– 21 May 2021

Let’s talk

Adam Ezekiel – Director of Students 7-12

From the Director of Students

This week students in Year 9 and 10 received a presentation from Matt Friedman from ‘2 Birds 1 Bee’ on Pornography (Year 9) and Gender and Sexuality (Year 10).

Pornography

Talking to your child about watching pornography can be awkward and something that is easy to avoid. Young people are often getting misleading information about sexual relationships by watching pornography and this can have a big impact on their lives. 

Some tips for talking to your child about porn:

• Avoid shame – Shame often leads to secretive and potentially a more compulsive behaviour.
• Assure them that their bodies response to pornography is normal.
• Pornography normalises treating people as objects.
• Just because some kids are watching porn, doesn’t mean that all kids are watching porn.
• Assure your child that like all developmental milestones, this may not be something that they are ready to think about and that it is ok.

Parent resources about online pornography

• School TV – Online Pornography
• Raising Teenagers – How do you talk to your teen about porn?
• E-Safety Commissioner – The hard-to-have conversations

Gender and sexuality

Gender, sex and sexuality are definitely not as black and white as some people  think. The most important message to Year 10 students, was that they are not defined by their sexuality or gender. They are their own individual, and that’s awesome.

Below are some question prompts that may be helpful in a discussion with your child about gender and sexuality.

• What is the difference between sex, gender and sexuality?
• Do gender stereotypes impact you in any way?
• How can you treat diversity with respect and acceptance?

Parent resources

• Beyond Blue – Understanding Gender and Sexuality
• Beyond Blue – Common Questions about Sexuality and Gender
• Reach Out – The Difference Between Gender, Sex and Sexuality

2 Birds 1 Bee

If you would like more information visit the 2 Birds1 Bee website here 

K-12 Sport News

Kristy Genc – Director of Sports K-12

Term 2 sport programs

Term 2 sport registrations are currently open. The Primary and High School programs can be accessed on the sport pages of the Parent Portal. 

All Primary and High School registrations are to be completed by Tuesday 23 March to ensure a place. 

• Primary Sport Trybooking Registrations
• High School Trybooking Registrations

High School Cross-Country Team

On Monday 10 May, Emanuel will compete in the CDSSA Cross-Country Championships. This event is open to students from 12 to 18 years of age. Students who would like to be part of the Emanuel Cross-Country team are to complete the registration form that they have received via email. 

Years 7 and 8 students who nominate to be part of the team are also required to attend a trial on Thursday 25 March from 6.45 am – 7.45 am at Queen’s Park. 

Once selected in the Cross-Country team, students will participate in a weekly training program under the guidance of Emanuel running coach, Jordan Williams, in preparation for the CDSSA Championships. 

Upcoming events

Monday 22 March
JDS Year 7/8 Basketball Gala Day
Year 3-6 Cross Country 

Tuesday 23 March
ASISSA Netball Gala Day
SSC Basketball Finals Round
SSC Futsal Finals Round

Wednesday 24 March
CIS Boys Football Cup Round 2
AICES Swimming Championships
Year 3-6 Futsal Trials (lunchtime)

Thursday 25 March
Year 7-8 Cross Country Team Trials
CDSSA Netball Championships
Year 1-2 Swimming Carnival

ASISSA and CIS Swimming Carnivals

Stuart Taylor – PDHPE Teacher

The AISSA Swimming carnival was held at Warringah Aquatic Centre on Thursday 11 March 2021. Amidst some very tough competition, the 32 strong Emanuel team swam with enthusiasm and represented the School admirably. The constant cheering from fellow team members in the stands buoyed the swimmers and helped to produce some outstanding results.

The following students represented Emanuel School on the day:

Ryan Miller, Jake Rosenfeld, Ethan Czeiger, Noah Kessell, Cooper Adler, Luis Waldner, Eli Jocum, Misha Grynberg, Ethan Likht, Zach Salamon, Oscar Glikin, Ben Freed, Dan Garfinkel, Aaron Pal, Jake Vitek, Dan Kalinko, Amelie Lipman, Talia Gellert, Zara Keller, Samara Strugar, Jordan Arnott, Aviv Farhy, Yasmine Fisher, Emily Seemann, Noaa Smily, Mia Goodridge, Mikah Abraham, Tabitha Masnick, Manu Pittorino, Gabi Seemann, Lexi Butt and Netali Jadouin

Many of our students came very close to selection in the ASISSA swimming team, however it was Ryan Miller (9 Years 50m Freestyle) and Samara Strugar, Zara Keller, Aviv Farhy and Jordan Arnott (Girls 12 Years Relay Team) who were selected to swim at the CIS Swimming Carnival at the Olympic Pool at Homebush on Thursday 18 March 2021. The swimmers did themselves and Emanuel School proud.

Thanks to Sharon Fairfax, Erin Archer and Glen Hay who assisted at the ASISSA carnival.

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Primary Extra-Curricular, Term 2 2021

Emma Hill – Primary Teacher and Coordinator 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 COVID19 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 are excited to announce that a number of activities run by external providers will be able to commence in Term 2 due to a change in our Covid-19 regulations. Please note that all activities are subject to change depending on Covid-19 conditions.

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

Extra-Curricular (including music and sport) contact details

Extra-Curricular contacts
Please contact tutors/teachers directly if possible
All other 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 online on the Primary Extra-Curricular schedule page on the Parent Portal

Mathematics Competition

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

Competitions, competitions!

This week our Years 3-6 Extension Maths students took part in a new online competition, run by the Australian Mathematics Trust. This was as an accompaniment (and warm-up) to the Australian Mathematics Competition, which we do later in the year, annually.

APMSO

The first Maths Olympiad is around the corner! Years 5 and 6 will take part in Contest 1 and our Years 3 and 4 Extension Maths students will take part in the ‘Maths Games Contest 1’, run by the same company – the Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO) on Wednesday 24 March 2021. This is a cumulative competition with five complex mathematical questions per paper and five different competitions. High performing students receive medals and awards. We do, however, encourage each student to strive for their personal best.

Good luck to all competitors!

Music Matters

Diana Springford – Head of Music

Music Competition – still going!

Congratulations to the finalists for the inaugural Emanuel Music Performance and Composition Competition. We are looking forward to the concert for family and friends on the evening of Monday 22 March 2021. The quality and variety of entries was fantastic – what a very musical and creative bunch of students we have at Emanuel School. 

• The winner of the K-2 Practice Competition is Abbie Schnapp. Congratulations Abbie! With all that practice your progress must be fabulous!
• The winner of the 3-6 Practice Competition is Nathan Shammay. Well done Nathan! If practice makes progress (as Ms Spira likes to say) then your progress is on fire!
• Currently Rabin is in the lead in the High School and Cowan and Monash are neck and neck in the Primary School. We will update you after the finals.

Stage 4 String Quartet at assembly on Tuesday

We were all so impressed by the polished and refined performance of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by the Stage 4 String Quartet at assembly on Tuesday. Ashley Kim (Year 9), Aaron Berkowitz and Sam Salamon (Year 8) did a truly beautiful job, with direction by  Shaun Warden. We were sad that David Li (Year 7) couldn’t play cello with them, having hurt his finger playing basketball. Thank you to Mr Burley for playing the cello part on piano at the last minute. Please go to our School Facebook page to see this wonderful performance.

Breaking news

The Music Department now has an Instagram page. Please follow us, making sure that your Instagram account is set to private and that your name is visible, so we know who you are. You can find us by searching for @emanuelmakesmusic on Instagram.

Ensembles and Choirs

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

For more information about Music Camp 2021 please turn to the separate article in Ma Nishma.

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. Enrolment and discontinuation information and online forms can be found on our Music Portal Page. Formal notification of intention to discontinue must be received in good time 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.

Music Portal Page

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

Music Camp 2021

Coming soon – Emanuel School Music Camp 2021!

The annual Emanuel School Music Camp is a wonderful celebration of our vibrant music culture and the talents and hard work of our young musicians. Each camp is a special experience for students as they unite in a shared love of music and work together in the pursuit of excellence. Emanuel School music staff join with a team of highly skilled professional musicians to develop and hone students’ musical skills in preparation for an exciting showcase concert.

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

All members of participating ensembles in Years 4-11 are expected to attend Music Camp at a cost of approximately $580. Attendance for Year 12 students is encouraged, but optional. Year 12 students who are interested in attending should speak to Ms Springford. Full details regarding Music Camp will be published in Ma Nishma soon and emailed to parents, including the list of participating ensembles, the cost and procedure for registering to attend.

Future Problem Solving

Craig Moss – Co-ordinator of Gifted & Talented 7-12

Future Problem Solving

The Gifted and Talented Department is delighted to offer an opportunity for students to take part in a new exciting academic program, Future Problem Solving (FPS). It is available to all students, especially those who would like to challenge themselves and apply their imaginative and thinking skills.

FPS is a research-based, academic program that teaches problem solving strategies, collaboration, critical and creative thinking, and effective communication. The interdisciplinary approach helps develop ethical leadership skills and provides a unique opportunity for students to learn and apply essential life skills in the 21st century.

There are four programs to choose from:

The FPS topics for 2021 are:

1) Youth in competitive sports
2) Wearable Technology
3) Human Environmental Impact
4) Personalised Medicine
5) Terraforming

There are limited places so get in quick. All High School students have been sent an expression of interest form. 

For more information please visit the FPSP website or contact Mr Moss

ARTHOP 2021

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Pesach is just one week away, with first night seder next Saturday evening, 27 March 2021. It can sometimes be difficult to find new and interesting suitable recipes that cater for everyone, and given many people are now vegetarian or vegan, some of you might find this website useful.

Don’t forget ARTHOP 2021 this weekend

This annual Open Studio Weekend 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). They invite visitors to enjoy diverse art, engaging directly with each artist. This is a free event but artwork is for sale. See here for details about each artist and addresses for viewing. Look out for the orange balloons!  Please note, this is a COVID-safe event. 

The Choice Foundation

Danielle Wakerman (nee Lewis)

Some of our readers may be familiar with The Choice Foundation but many will not. Empowered by JCA, and started in 2018, the Foundation was created to meet the needs of those of us living with disability. Danielle Wakerman, a qualified Social Worker and past Emanuel student is Foundation Manager of The Choice Foundation. She says: “As an alumna of Emanuel School where my attitudes and love for using my voice to support others was founded, I am privileged to manage The Choice Foundation. The Choice Foundation is a funding and support platform which allows for innovative and collaborative programs supporting disability services in our community. Thus far we have funded nine programs which sit within JCA constituent organisations and focus on supporting the needs of those with a disability in the areas of social, educational, respite, housing and vocation. If you know of anyone needing additional support as a result of their disability or their families additional needs, please reach out to me at: danielle@thechoicefoundation.org.au.”

‘A Weekend Away’ is a program that provides young adults living with disabilities, the opportunity to go away for the weekend with volunteers of a similar age, to holiday homes generously donated by people in our community. The program is funded by The Choice Foundation, run by JewishCare, and managed by Emanuel alumna Jade Reuveny (Class of 2018) and Joshua Fischl, a Moriah graduate, aiming to provide 6-10 trips per year. Jade says: “A weekend away with friends is something Josh and I often take for granted and so, we wanted to create a program that works to enable and empower those who are not immediately granted the opportunity to experience a laidback weekend with friends. Our weekends are not jam packed with activities but rather include enjoying a picnic, watching movies and doing arts and craft in a small intimate group of 6-8 people.”

Friendship Circle (FC)

FC is still seeking volunteers for their April Camp (6 April 2021 – 9 April 2021) so if any teen volunteers in Years 7 to 12 are available to help at this 4-day Day Camp during the upcoming school holidays please register here

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. A number of our alumni have continued their volunteering efforts with FC which started when they were students here. Some of these surnames might be familiar to you as most of them were student leaders and they have also returned to School to talk to our senior students about life after school and university/career choices: Gabriel Wolf, Shoshi Blackman, Ashne Amoils, Jade Reuveny, Ella Simons and Simone Nerwich. 

FC Social runs weekend activities for its members who are teenagers and young adults with disabilities, and last Sunday evening, they headed to Pita Mix in Rose Bay for dinner.

Owned by Emanuel past parents, Yuval and Iris Barhom and their son alumnus Niv (Class of 2010), Pita Mix often hosts event for this group, whose members include siblings of Emanuel alumni and the volunteers. Pictured here is volunteer Jade Reuveny (Class of 2018) with FC member Jaimie Lee Pashut (purple hoodie), whose brother is alumnus Chad Pashut (Class of 2008) and cousins are alumna Gemma Beinart (Class of 2016) and her sister Olivia in Year 11. Jade says: “With the fast speed of our lives and the busy times we share on Friendship Circle camps, it’s hard to stop for a moment and have a chat with the young adults with disabilities in the community. FC camps are all about fun while their young adults’ program is all about getting to know each other in a more relaxed and social environment – a win-win!”

Seeking mentors for JewishCare Big Brothers Big Sisters Program

Alumna Dayna Myers (Class of 2010) now working as a Social Worker (Youth Services) at JewishCare, 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, including Justin Moddel (Class of 2001) who says: ” After having been a Big Brother myself, I highly recommend becoming a mentor of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program to help make a difference in a young person’s life in our community. It will have a great impact on everyone involved”. Please note: 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.

The Green Team

In the Green Team we have been discussing our bins. They are quite insignificant when it comes to our everyday life but they play a major role in the environment. Each bin has certain things that need to go in it which make recycling and sorting easier. But unfortunately not everyone knows what goes in which bin. This can cause a major problem because if too much landfill ends up in the recycling bin, the trash that should actually be in the recycling bin can not be used. And if recycling ends up in the waste bin we end up putting things in landfill that could have easily ended up being recycled. 

Our project is to inform everyone in our School of where our rubbish goes. We did this by designing posters to put on classroom bins. Green Team members went to each class to explain what goes in each bin. By doing this we know that all the rubbish is going in the right place.

In the future we hope to address the FOGO  (Food Organics Garden Organics) by providing bins for food waste.

By Xavier Wilson, Matea Mermelshtayn and Sanne Nathan – Environment Leaders

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

This week I ran a Year 12 session on the early offer options for Year 12.

All of my slides can be found here. This is something that a lot of parents tend to ask me about and the notion of early offers sometimes are not as good as they appear as there can be conditions attached to it or it may not apply for the right course or institution. I have also made a screencast of this lesson, explaining to parents/students how this works. This can be accessed here.

It is crucial that students do their research and follow institutional directions regarding dates, application processes and specifics. Institutions differ and conditions change throughout the year.

In the next few weeks we will see UAC opening for business. UAC is the University Admissions Centre that process places for tertiary institutions. 

Just like a 24-hour shop, it does not mean that students have to go out and get in the queue for the shops. It means we can go there if we want to. In previous years, prior to 2020, students would only start to apply in August. This would still be a good time to apply, as many students are not ready yet, nor do they feel they have done enough research.

The three arenas we went through this week were:

•  Schools Recommended Scheme (SRS) is run through UAC and provides early offers to certain institutions not based on ATARs (but usually Year 11 grades, and school-rated aptitudes). The list and specifics can be found here.
• Other entry schemes that are specific to the institution – this is a snapshot that was chosen due to being the most requested by Emanuel students (see list above)
• Adjustment factors – this can be confusing as each institution has its own rules. This link is a good place to start your research.

Notices

• Here is a good video for parents about supporting their student choices.
• Anyone interested in Hospitality – there are some interesting initiatives here.
• UAC 2020 university entry Q&A session: registration is not required  – just head to UAC’s Facebook or Instagram profile at 5.00 pm on Wednesday 31 March. Find out more here      

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Ray Francis – Head of PDHPE

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award camp 

Congratulations to the 51 students (and four staff) who completed a challenging two-day hike in the Heathcote National Park last week.

Students carried all the equipment needed for the journey including food, clothes, tents, cooking stoves and enough food to feed an army (or two)!

The Emanuel Duke of Ed’ motto is “you can never have too much biltong” so thanks to all the parents for keeping us well-nourished!

After a tough day on the trail it was nice to have a swim in the beautiful Karloo Pool.

A big thank you to Mr Rabenda, Ms Scahill and Mr Gilhooly who volunteered for the trip.

Well done Year 9 – this was a significant challenge for many of you, so you did very well to cope with the demands placed upon you.

The qualifying journey will take place in Term 4.

Highly recommended viewing

LDr ynn Joffe – Director – Specialist Learning Centre

ADHD in adulthood and what happened in childhood 

You might be interested to view the Insight program that was screened on SBS on Tuesday 16 March 2021 (available on SBS on Demand). Participants who had been diagnosed with some sub-types of ADHD as adults told their stories and spoke about what their lives had been like as children. A researcher, psychiatrist and ADHD coach also gave their views. Highly recommended.

An unrelated but important program that followed

Unrelated to this was another must see program on Dateline for all parents and older students that tracked sexual predators and how they access children online.

Parent webinar series

Julian Abelson – Director of Studies 7-12

Emanuel School have exclusive access to Elevate Education’s Parent Webinar Series for Term 1, 2021. The recent webinar was on Tech Devices – setting boundaries and promoting self-regulation with teens. It aired live on Wednesday 10 March 2021 but you can access it:

🎬 Watch the Tech webinar here.

🔗 Download the resources here. 

The next webinar is on Wednesday 24 March 2021 and covers Note making strategies – how to favour understanding over rote. You can register now for this event.

The webinar is run live online from 6.00 pm – 7.00 pm where the presenter will share Elevate’s key research and skills and will conduct a live Q&A so you can ask them questions directly.

Rashi Times

Aaron Lemberg – Year 12

Aden Hoenig – Year 12

Rashi has had a great term and is thoroughly looking forward to heading into another one.

Rashi House Music

At House assembly in Week 4, the Year 12 Tutor Group performed the dance for House Music for the first time and are continuing to teach and practise it with the rest of the Rashi Tutor Groups. We’re all very excited for House Music and are feeling pretty confident about the event. Remember to sign up for the X-Factor solo if you want to audition.

House assembly

Last week Rashi House Captains, Aaron and Aden, ran an assembly in honour of International Women’s Day and Mardi Gras weekend. We played a game involving songs, and it was revealed at the end that all of the songs were performed by women or members of the LGBT+ community, helping us understand and appreciate the role that members of both groups play in our day to day lives.

Swimming Carnival

Rashi enjoyed an incredible victory at the Swimming Carnival, soundly defeating the other three Houses and putting us in a great position for the Ezekiel Cup. Congratulations to everyone who participated!

Rashi logo

Reminder that submissions for the Rashi logo are closing soon! Fill out this form for a chance to be the designer of the new logo!

Bucket hats!

Year 12 Rashi received the first of the new bucket hats. To everyone else in Rashi – get excited! The hats are super cool and will help you make sure you’re protected from the sun during recess and lunch.

Happy Birthday 

Happy Birthday to all of the members of Rashi who have celebrated their birthdays recently and we hope everyone has a great weekend!

Community Notices

Parents and Friends

Ruby Berkovic and Jennifer Opit

Hi Everyone,

We cannot believe it is Week 8!

Camping Trip

Last weekend, a record-breaking number of campers went on the Parents & Friends Camping Trip to Bents Basin. Despite the threat of rain, an amazing time was had. Thanks again to Shelley Millingen for organising this amazing event. Enjoy the photos!

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. Please 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 March 26 2021, the last day of term, join us from 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm, to stay back at school 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

Question: Turn me on my side and I am everything. Cut me in half and I am nothing. What am I?

Have a lovely 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 Michelle Jocum