From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

Developing our vision and strategy
A journey of reflection and collaboration

If you don’t know where you are going, you are certain to end up somewhere else.” Peter Berra

The planning for our strategic roadmap commenced at our Executive Retreat in January 2021 and has continued throughout the past 14 months. Over this time, we have worked collaboratively with the AIS NSW Leadership Centre in a consultation process that involved our Board, Executive, leadership team, and staff.

Why would the School seek to develop a comprehensive Strategic Plan whilst in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic, and when contending with the frenetic pace of building projects, events, meetings, academic and wellbeing programs? It is because a well-crafted strategic plan can be of great value to our School.

Our Strategic Plan (2022-2024) provides our School community with a roadmap to align our proposed action plans with our vision, mission, and values. The plan will guide our leadership discussions and decision making, in determining resource and budget requirements to accomplish these Key Commitments.

Our 3-year Strategic Plan:

1. Allows us to be proactive rather than reactive.
2. Provides a clear sense of direction
3. Increases our operational efficiency
4. Bridges the present with the future
5. Establishes a standard of excellence as our goal

We have sought to incorporate measures and implementation steps that will allow us to engage our staff in delivering the action plans and monitor the outcomes at regular intervals. We hope that our strategic vision and plan will create “buy in” from all members of the School community, developing a sense of shared purpose. We are very excited to launch our roadmap for the next three years, as our staff and students will benefit greatly from the proposed strategies, across all aspects of the life of the School.

Living with COVID-19

With the spread of the BS.2 sub-variant, which is apparently 40% more transmissible, we are expecting a surge in COVID-19 cases by the middle of Autumn. Whilst it is difficult to predict accurately, our letters to parents this week have anticipated a potential increase in cases, and we have outlined a range of measures aimed at reducing transmission. Unfortunately, some of these measures are not in place outside our campus, highlighting that the School can only play a part towards the solution.

Parents are encouraged to limit attendance at potential super-spreaders and to encourage mask wearing indoors, when groups meet at homes. Early detection of symptoms and keeping these children at home will also be of great assistance.

Celebrating Purim the Emanuel Way

Purim is one of the most joyous days in the Jewish calendar, an annual celebration of Jewish deliverance and community; a triumph of good over evil, weak over powerful –  celebrated by retelling the story with Megillat Esther, and spreading joy by feasting, giving gifts of food to friends, and helping the needy – and of course, wonderful costumes and ruach! 

After two years of events being held online, it was a joyous morning on campus watching all our students and teachers – from Kornmehl through to Year 12 who dressed up and took part in the Year group Purim Parades, planned activities like making Hamentaschen, listening to the dramatic retelling of the Purim story and even joined in with reading parts of the Megillah.

Thank you to our phenomenal Jewish Life leaders for leading a special day on campus. Purim Sameach! 

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Calling all Emanuel Alumni – Join our Careers Session

We are looking to host a Careers Session for our senior students in May. Students will want to ask questions and seek advice about jobs, courses, careers, and life after school. Have you graduated between 2010 – 2021? Would you like to come in and chat to our students? No presenting required, informal group setting only, all careers welcomed.

The Career Session will be held on Wednesday 18 May 2022 from 8:30 am – 11:00 am. 

If you are interested please fill in this form with your details.

Mazal Tov

• Chloe Biller who came 4th for Latin Dancing at the Australian Championships last weekend.
• Daniel Solomon, Maayan Granot, Jake Newfield and Arielle Melamed defeated a very strong SCEGGS Darlinghurst team in the Debating Semi Final last week. Emanuel is through to the J.A Thompson History Debating Grand Final.
• Jake Kessell on his selection in the ASISSA Representative Football Team.
• Zara Keller on her selection to recently attend the CIS Football trials
• Joshua Aghion and Eytan Messiah, our Primary and High School Co-ordinators of Innovation, have been invited to present at EduTech International Congress in Melbourne in August 2022, representing Emanuel School.
• A HUGE Mazal Tov to Emanuel School parent, Emile Sherman, producer of the acclaimed movie, The Power of the Dog, which won Best Film and Best Director in the 75th BAFTA Awards!

Quote of the week

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible!” Audrey Hepburn

From the Head of Jewish Life (acting)

Daphna Levin-Kahn – Head of Jewish Studies High School

Sweeping the Sheds & Ordinary Clothes 
The Kohanim and The All Blacks

Parashat Tzav, Vayikra (Leviticus) Chapters 6-8,פרשת צו

Adam Ezekiel, Director of Students, gave a wonderful motivational speech in our High School assembly on Tuesday, the messages of which meld beautifully with our Torah portion for this week’s, Parashat Tzav.

In his presentation, Adam spoke of several rituals and habits that the All Blacks practised as part of their routine, that led them to be one of the most successful teams of all time. One of these practises included “sweeping out the sheds”, which the All Blacks players do every time, even though they could give this menial job to other “lesser” employees.

In our parasha this week, God speaks to Moshe and instructs him on the duties that the Kohanim were to perform in the Temple. The Kohanim, the Priests directly descending from Aaron (the first Kohen Gadol, High Priest), had the holiest positions within the Temple, led by the Kohen Gadol. Other, less holy but still sanctified duties were performed by the rest of the Levites, the larger tribe from which Aaron and the Kohanim descended.

The holy duties of the Kohanim included carrying out the many sacrifices that were required each day, the pinnacle of religious practice for the B’nei Yisrael at the time, dressed in their white linen finery. Yet the very first task a Kohen had to carry out every day was to dress in “ordinary clothes” and clear away the ashes from the previous night’s sacrifices. The Talmud (Yoma 23) talks about how the Kohanim even fought for the honour of performing this seemingly lowly task!

As with the All Blacks ritual, this was intended to ensure that humility was a daily practice for the Kohanim, that they did not lose sight of or see themselves as overly superior to the “ordinary people” of B’nei Yisrael. This also served to demonstrate to all that holiness can be found within the mundane.

Shabbat Shalom

Happiness and light in Adar

Kobi Bloom – Coordinator of Informal Jewish Life (HS), Chavayah Coordinator, Jewish Studies Teacher, Tutor & Acting Year 7 Coordinator

Purim is often the highlight of our Jewish year. Feasting, dancing and partying. It’s an all-around good time. There is a unique Rabbinic law in the approach to Purim. Mishe-nichnas Adar marbim be-simcha: “From the beginning of the month of Adar, we increase in joy.” Talmud (Taanit 29a-b)

So, essentially, we are supposed to be happy for an entire month. Let’s look back at the month of Adar Sheini (Adar 2) so far: War in Ukraine, catastrophic floods, COVID is beginning to rear its ugly and familiar head again with another variant and my childhood hero Shane Warne died suddenly at age 52. All of the above in addition to the fact that my two daughters have decided that, between them, one will wake up four times a night and the other will wake up at 5.00 am every morning. If I’m going to be honest, it has been a rough 12 days of Adar so far.

So, what is with the ‘have a great month’ commandment? Sometimes, especially lately, it is hard enough to have a good day. Well, let’s look at the reason why we celebrate on Purim. In a nutshell, it is because in our story we averted disaster – the actions of a few brave people saved the entire Jewish population of Persia.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zikhrono livrakha, may his memory be a blessing, suggests that ‘let’s party’ is not exactly a normal reaction to surviving trauma. He argues that although the Jews were pronounced safe when King Ahashverosh allowed them to defend themselves against their would-be attackers, they knew that their fate in the diaspora was fraught as long as they were subject to the murderous whims of their rulers. Sadly, this proved to be true for millennia as long Jews were living in the diaspora they were expelled from their lands, ghettoised, scapegoated and massacred. It is no secret that the Jewish people have had some tough times over the last three thousand years and yet every Adar, we increase in joy.

So why the frivolity and festivity when retelling the story of one of our escapes from annihilation? I have a theory on this: the mitzvah of increasing our own joy is not one that we can look at in isolation. There is a guidebook for how to do it on Purim.

The mitzvot of Purim are to:

1. Read the Megilah.
2. Have a Seudah (feast),
3. Give mishloach manot (gifts of food to friends and family) and
4. Give Matanot La’evyonim (material gifts to the needy).

All four of those mitzvot are to be done with community and done to increase joy in the world. Purim puts particular emphasis on spreading happiness. It is not enough to enjoy the celebration on your own. We give gifts to loved ones, friends and colleagues and importantly, we give to those in need.

Let’s look at the alternative, wallowing in the darkness, holding grudges, and focussing on the negative. That was Haman’s way of operating. He couldn’t let go of his grudge against Mordechai, and in the end, it was self-destructive as he ended up on the gallows that he had built himself. Those that spread negativity, violence and hatred in this world always end up suffering from the effects of it.

Through Purim, we understand that we can fight darkness by spreading joy. It seems totally counterintuitive in the face of increasing tragedy in this world, but what choice do we have?

The more light and the more happiness there is in this world, the more it grows. We can’t let ourselves be intimidated, it’s the Jewish way to be “Marbim be-simcha”, to increase our joy. Purim teaches us that one of the simple tools we have at our disposal to make the world a better place is joy.

So even if a day or a month isn’t going your way, this Adar Sheini, see if you can find a way to increase the joy of those around you and watch it come back to you multiplied every time.

Purim Sameach!

Primary News

Hagit Bar-on Head of Hebrew K-6 and Jewish Studies Coordinator K-2

They tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat!

Shalom everyone,

This week was an exciting one as it is the happiest time in the Jewish Calendar. We celebrated Purim at school on Thursday.

All students were thrilled to show off their fancy dresses and delighted to engage in face-to-face activities.

We planned a busy active and engaging day which started with a Fashion Parade, continued with some Purim related workshops, and included an extravaganza of a Purim play performed by the Hebrew teachers and conducted by our talented drama expert: Anna Maylis.

Purim was very special this year, as it was the first Jewish Festival that we could celebrate face to face after two years of Covid.

If you wonder what the story of Purim is all about, I have included the story below ( in a nutshell).

However, as it is with every Jewish Festival and as Alan King once said:

A summary of every Jewish holiday: They tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat!

I hope you will have many celebrations this weekend, eat lots of Oznei Haman (Hamantaschen) and enjoy each other in various feasts. Don’t forget the two of the most important Mitsvot in Purim are to listen to the Megilah reading and being Happy.

Happy Purim everyone (Purim Sameach)

The story of Purim in a nutshell

begins when King Ahasuerus (also spelled Achashverosh, אחשורוש) commands his wife, Queen Vashti, to appear before him and his party guests. She refuses and, as a result, King Ahasuerus decides to find another queen. Esther, a young Jewish girl, is selected to be the new queen.

Esther is portrayed as an orphan belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, and she lives with her cousin Mordechai as a member of the Jewish exiles in Persia. At her cousin’s behest, Esther conceals her Jewish identity from the king.

Not long after Esther becomes queen, Mordechai offends the grand vizier, Haman, by refusing to bow down to him. Haman decides to punish not only Mordechai but all Jews for this slight. He informs King Ahasuerus that if the Jews do not obey the king’s laws, it would be in the kingdom’s best interest to get rid of them. He asks for permission to destroy them, which the king grants. 

Mordechai urges Esther to take action saying that perhaps she become queen so that she could save her people. Esther decides to fast before taking action and requests that her fellow Jews fast along with her, and this is where the minor Fast of Esther comes from.

After fasting for three days, Esther puts on her finest clothes and appears before the king. He is pleased to see her and asks what she desires. She replies that she would like the king and Haman to join her at a banquet.

At the banquet, King Ahasuerus asks his wife again, what does she desire? She answers:

“If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life — this is my petition. And spare my people — this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated” (Esther 7:3).

The king is outraged that anyone would dare threaten his queen and when he asks who has done such a thing, Esther declares that Haman is to blame.

Mordecai declares that the victory is remembered every year, and the celebration is called Purim because Haman cast the pur (meaning “lot”) against the Jews, yet failed to destroy them.

Thank you to Sharon Arnott for these photographs!

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Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

Emanuel School was transformed on Thursday with the energy, fun and craziness of Purim, as staff and students alike celebrated Purim with creative costumes and a wonderful spirit of fun and happiness. 

Across the Primary School, students engaged in a variety of Purim related activities and celebrations, including:

• Purim parades that included Purim songs, dancing and the opportunity to share amazing, creative costumes
• Enjoying a Megillah reading and Purim play/spiel performed by the Jewish Life Department
• Decorating masks
• Making ra’ashanim (noise makers) to use during the Purim play
• Decorating and preparing mishloach manot bags for classmates
• Eating hamantaschen
• Playing a Purim Kahoot quiz
• Friendship and positive relationship activity run by Mia Shapiro and Josh New   

The Year 6 Jewish Life leaders were involved in helping plan and run a number of activities, including the performance of a Purim Parody song, to the tune ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey. With Josh and Mia as back-up singers, this song was a hit!

Here is a sample of the lyrics from the opening of the song… join in if you know the tune:

Just a Jewish girl,
Livin’ in a Persian world 
She’s a queen, but she is hiding from everyone

Mordechai a Jewish guy
Born and raised in South Shushan
He is strong and he’s not goin’ anywhere  

Thank you to all the staff and students for the enthusiasm and energy in celebrating Purim.

From the Primary School SRC

We started our leadership on the Student Representative Council with an important fundraiser for Tonga. A few months ago, there was a volcanic eruption and Tonga was hit by a shockwave that triggered a massive tsunami.

All the Years K-6 students enjoyed making special cards to show the people of Tonga that we are thinking of them.

Then we had a collection drive to provide much needed food and toiletries for them.

We have loved involving the whole school in helping the people in Tonga. The boxes were full of items to send to them.

We appreciate your support as we are sure that all the cards and items will be received shortly!

By Mahli Olian, Mia Goodridge, Jakob Pager and Zack Whitten
Year 6 SRC Representatives

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmehl

Purim

What a beautiful Purim celebration we all had on Thursday morning. We were blessed with a sunny morning, which allowed us to have parents join us outdoors to celebrate this special festival. It was indeed very special to finally be able to welcome parents to an event and to share in the festivities.

The children all arrived at Pre-school very excited and proud to show off their costumes. What a great variety of characters we had, from princesses, to kings, queens, clowns, builders, pirates, astronauts, policemen, tigers, cats, scuba divers and so much more. The teachers all looked great as “101 Dalmatians.”

We paraded around the garden and we all participated in the mitzvah of exchanging Mishloach Manot bags with a friend. We ate lots of yummy Hamantaschen, sang, danced and had a beautiful morning.

Mr Phillip Einfeld, from Puppetoons, entertained the children with a delightful puppet show of exquisite Purim character puppets. The story of Purim came to life for the children, through this interactive show.

Thank you to Mrs Nadine Yemen, Mr Paul Hamor, Mrs Leia Lewis and Mrs Yina Deng, who came in to bake Hamantaschen with all the children on Tuesday and Wednesday. This was a mammoth task, and we really appreciated your help. It was lovely to see some parents back in the Pre-school again.

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Tikkun Olam

Over this time of Purim, the Kornmehl children and families have also been involved in the Mitzvah of giving to others. Together with our amazing class parents and parent club co-ordinator, we have initiated a few fundraising events to support Pre-school families in Lismore and Coraki, who have been flooded and lost everything. 

We are working closely with the CEO of Gunawirra who has said the following “The Gunawirra family is devastated by the news, with updates coming in from the Preschool directors that many families have lost everything. Please help us to target our donations to the exact needs of these families.”

The money raised will be going directly towards supporting these pre-schools and families. 

During the week:

• We collected a donation from families in lieu of an “entry fee” to our Purim parade on Thursday.
• We gave half of our Tzedakah collection on Friday to flood victims and half to JNF.
• We had a big rainbow challah bake on Friday with assistance from parents and sold these challot at the door in the afternoon to families as they arrived to pick up.
• We received a generous donation of Hamantaschen from Jesse’s Bakery on Friday and sold these to parents and children at the door in the afternoon.
• Parents were also invited to make a donation directly to the community fund if they preferred. 
• We also have a family, who wish to remain anonymous, who have very generously offered to match whatever we collect dollar-for-dollar. 

At the time of writing this report, I do not yet know what the amount collected is. I will notify you all in next week’s newsletter.

A big thank you to our Pre-school community for giving so generously this past week to this worthwhile cause. 

Vacation Care

Emanuel Vacation Care Program will take place in the April school holidays from the Monday 11 April 2022 -Thursday 14 April 2022. They have a fun and interactive program organised to cater for children from Pre-school to Year 6.

Happy Birthday

We wish a very happy birthday to Tahlia Itzkowic (5), Mia Fulford (5) and to our special educator Joanne Woods. We hope you all had a beautiful birthday celebration.

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I Am Here

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Emanuel School in 1983

Here is the very first official School photograph, taken towards the end of 1983 in the main sanctuary at what was then known as Temple Emanuel in Woollahra. The School opened its doors at the start of 1983 with just 53 students and numbers grew as the year went on. By the time this photograph was taken later that year, there were 74 students, some of whom are now current parents – Bianca Maserow (nee Gehl), Daniel Vasin, Jacob Kaplan, Jonathan Hirst and his brother David Hirst, Nadine Ben-Mayor (nee Weinberger) and Ronnie Aron, whilst one of their teachers Linda Zurnamer is now an Emanuel grandparent. We found the original photo in the “dungeon” in The Administration Building back in 2007, creased down the middle and covered in dust with a handwritten note taped on the back with just some names of the group. We since had the photograph restored and digitised, and it now hangs proudly in reception. Over the years, with help from some members of the School community, we have been able to add in most of the missing names but not all – perhaps some of our readers may be able to help us with the last few names missing?

I Am Here

Who doesn’t love to hear about Emanuel connections – especially when they extend well beyond the School campus. The Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) currently showing at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick, as well as at Roseville Cinema and also interstate at various cinemas, has so many films making their Australian Premiere.

One such film is “I Am Here” starring 100 year old Emanuel great grandmother Ella Blumenthal, who has two great grandchildren here – Miles Borovik in Year 1 and his brother Jesse in Year K.

Ella, a spirited South African Holocaust survivor born in Warsaw in 1921, reveals her astonishing life journey in this film, which has received international acclaim, being reviewed in the New York Times and the Jerusalem Post.

Find out more details and screening times on the film festival website.

BAFTA Awards

A huge Mazal Tov to Emanuel School parent, Emile Sherman, producer of the acclaimed movie, The Power of the Dog, which won Best Film and Best Director in the 75th BAFTA Awards! Watch the trailer here.

The Power of the Dog – poster

SIBS

This is a community for the siblings of children with disabilities. It is run by Camp Sababa, extending their mission to support families with children with disabilities by focusing on the sibling(s). Since its inception in 2019, day camps have been held multiple times a year. To find out about their upcoming activity on Sunday 3 April 2022 and/or further information, please contact Nicola Futeran.         

SIBS

Friendship Bakery

Ilana Akres and Sarah

Located at Mark Moran Vaucluse, you can visit the Bakery at 2 Laguna Street Vaucluse Monday to Wednesday from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm for their kosher yummy salad bar, quiches, pastries and coffee and on Fridays from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm for their Shabbat Shop. You will always see the smiling face of Emanuel parent Ilana Akres, the Bakery Team Leader when you pop in to pick up your goodies. She is pictured here this week in the lead-up to Purim with apprentice baker Sarah. You can also order online.       

Friendship Circle (FC)

Volunteers are still needed for upcoming weekend and holiday camps organised by FC for children and young adults with disabilities. The Young Adult Melbourne Getaway is on Friday 1 April  2022 – Sunday 3 April 2022. Some of our readers with older children who might be interested to volunteer for this weekend, should get in touch with Emma Sharp to register. FC is also planning a fun and exciting Day Camp from Monday 11 April 2022 – Thursday 14 April 2022 for their younger members, with orientation scheduled for Sunday 10 April 2022. Register here. 

If you have any questions, about Friendship Circle and/or if you or someone you know would like to join their programs as a participant or a volunteer, please email: hello@sydneyfc.org.au.

FC Young Adults Melbourne Getaway April 2022

FC April Day Camp Flyer

Grandparents – we will always want you!

As I say each week, a huge thank you to parents who have been in touch this week to provide grandparent updates for our database. I continue to eagerly await more email updates each week after the publication of Ma Nishma. If you have previously provided email details for grandparents, can you please check they are getting Ma Nishma, as we are currently getting a lot of bounce-backs. Perhaps their inbox is full, or maybe we do not have the latest email contact for them?

Call out for 2022 Careers Event

We are seeking alumni who left school 10 years ago or less to come back and speak to our current Year 11 and Year 12 students.

When: Wednesday 18 May 2022
Time: 8.30 am – 11.00 am

This is an informal and small-group setting, where groups of 5-10 students will rotate to chat to Alumni from all professions – healthcare, design, the creative industries, businesses, human services, the STEM areas, law, government or anything else.

We are also seeking alum still studying for a student-group. The pathway is what interests us, regardless of whether if it was smooth or bumpy! Parents, please pass this request on to your older children who were students here and ask them to complete this form if they are keen to join us.

We look forward to sharing our news and yours, so if you have photos or news you would like to share with us, please send to Sonia Newell.         

Shabbat shalom, stay safe and have a great weekend.

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

This week we did a shout-out on LinkedIn looking for Alumni to get involved with our annual Careers Space event, being held in Term 2.

We are keen to host ex-students from Emanuel School, who would like to come back in, in an informal setting and chat to students on Wednesday 18 May 2022, 8.30 am – 11.00 am.

If you know of anyone who would like to give back to our senior students by spending some time chatting through how they got to where they are, regardless how messy or intricate their path was, we would love to hear from them.

Details need to be registered on this form to show interest/attendance.

We are particularly interested in ex-students who graduated between 2010 and 2021. We have no agenda with careers areas, but would love a great mix and spread and looking for anything far and wide and areas such as health, design, creative arts, the STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths), the arts, humanities, law, commerce, music, entrepreneurship, anything in new business and everything in between.

Please pass on to any interested parties.

Notices

• UNSW dates for the diary this month and beyond:

• Get Into Medicine
  This is a great StudyWorkGrow video about getting into Medicine.
• UTS – Early Offer Dates
  Details will be revealed in their May outline of the early offer program – please register here.
• ADHD Superpowers
  This is a great article about harnessing your ADHD superpower in your job and how some of the amazing traits of having ADHD can be a huge and added bonus in your particular field. This youtube clip gives us the story of George Cicci giving a great TEDx talk.

K-12 Sport

Kristy Genc – Director of Sports K-12

CDSSA Swimming Championships

Congratulations to the Emanuel Swim Team who competed at the CDSSA Swimming Championships on Monday at Warringah Aquatic Centre. Despite having a small team available to attend this year, all students did exceptionally well, many swinging in an array of events on the day.

Well done to Jordan Arnott, Gaija Avshalom, Javer Cohen, Aviv Farhy, Aden Goodridge, Ruby Grynberg, Boaz Hadad, Aron Harpaz, Jack Kessell, Lucinda Labi, Pablo Magid, Mirabelle Mirvis, Eva Nabarro, Gavin Robinson (Swim Captain), Tali Same, Clio Stockley and Samara Strougar.

A thank you to Sharon Arnott for capturing these photographs!

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Alexander Kirievsky – Year 10

AICES Basketball

Alexander Kireivskly played in the AICES 2nds Basketball team in a game against ISA at Oakhill College on Monday. He led the team, scoring 8 of the first 10 points to start the game. Alex’s best play was when he caught it on the block, made a fake and spun, leaving his defender behind him and then as his defender caught back up, Alex made another fake shot, causing the defender to jump out of the play as Alex stepped through for an easy, uncontested layup, which got the entire crowd very excited!

The AICES 2nds lost the game, though Alex played very well and was dominant on the court. The AICES 1sts Team, coached by Emanuel Head of Basketball, Indi Faithfull, also had great game on the night, but unfortunately lost by just two points.

ASISSA Boys Football trials

Jack Kessell, Asher Arnott and Dani Kalinko were recently selected to attend the ASISSA Football Trials at Moore Park. All players did a great job in this competitive environment. Head of Football, Aytek Genc was part of the ASISSA selection panel this year, as a new Emanuel representative.

Well done to all boys and a special mention to Jack Kessell, who was selected in the ASISSA team. 

Zara Keller – Year 6

CIS Girls Football trials

Zara Keller put in a strong performance at the CIS Football Trials on Monday at Mamre Anglican College. The trial day was a great experience for Zara, competing against over eighty of the best footballers across NSW Independent Schools.

Well done Zara!

Music Matters 🎶

Diana Springford – Head of Music

Welcome to our Music Matters page!

Here, and on our portal page, you will find announcements about our busy Music program, so please check in regularly. 

Music Competition

Thank you to those who submitted an entry for our Music Competition. At the end of Week 8, we’ll be in touch with everyone who submitted, to advise the outcome and to notify those who will be invited to perform at the Finals Concert (on the evening of Monday 4 April 2022 in Week 10).

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 via the online forms on our Music Portal Page. 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. Please contact music@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au if you have any questions.

The schedules for Term 2, 2022 will be created at the end of term and emailed during April term break.

The Extra-Curricular Music Program is now in full swing. At this link you will find the rehearsal schedule for all our ensembles and choirs. On the second tab of the spreadsheet, you will find ensemble descriptions and the level expected to join. Those interested in playing their instrument or singing as part of a group should get involved, especially if you want to be eligible for Music Camp in Term 2. If you are concerned that you have missed out, please look at the Extra-Curricular Music tile on the Portal. If this page doesn’t answer your questions, please email Ms Springford.

Please visit our Music Portal Page for information about:

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

Coming soon – Music Camp 2022: please turn to the separate article in Ma Nishma.

Music Department Instagram page 

Please follow us and ensure your Instagram account is set to private and your name is visible, so we know who you are.

Drama

Samantha Bauer – Head of Drama

Year 9 really know how to improvise!

Even though we were online for our Drama class – nothing could stop Year 9 from creating interesting improvisations.

Can you guess what each character is doing? (hint – they are using an everyday prop as something other than what it actually is!).

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Music Camp 2022

Coming Soon -Emanuel School Music Camp 2022!

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. Students unite in a shared love of music for an exciting immersion in rehearsals, performances (some serious, some fun, some ensemble, some solo). It’s an opportunity to work together in the pursuit of excellence and engage with the work of some very special guest conductors and/or composers. 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 20 June 2022 – Thursday 23 June 2022. The first three days are held in the beautiful bush setting of Lake Macquarie Outdoor Recreation Centre in Balcolyn and the final day is held at School. Students return to Emanuel on the evening of Wednesday 22 June 2022, to be collected by parents in the early evening. Camp continues on Thursday 23 June 2022 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 $570.00 for the four days. 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.

The All Blacks

Adam Ezekiel – Director of Students

What can we learn from the New Zealand All Blacks?

I love my sport! I am fascinated by professional sport and what it takes for athletes to reach the pinnacle of their chosen field. 

Over the holidays I came across a book called, ‘Legacy,’ which, as Booktopia puts it – goes deep into the heart of the world’s most successful sporting team, the legendary New Zealand All Blacks. I was excited to read about how this national rugby union team could dominate their sport for such a long period of time, having close to an 80% win rate from all matches.

Little did I realise that this book was not about the All Blacks developing the strongest, fastest or most skillful rugby players, rather, it is a book about developing great people and a guide to succeeding in life that can be applied to any context.

In Assembly this week, I shared three lessons that the New Zealand All Blacks value and urged students to consider how they can adopt these values in their lives:

Character – ‘Sweep the Sheds’

‘Never be too big to do the small things that need to be done.’

A professional sport team like the All Blacks would have many support staff and they could easily delegate someone to clean the sheds after each game. But not the All Blacks! The All Blacks literally sweep the sheds after the game. It’s how they express and practise humility, which they marry up with their pride.

So how can our students ‘sweep the sheds’ in their lives?

• Do the little things – clean their room, unstack the dishwasher, wash their clothes. 
• Or at school – put rubbish in the bin, respect school property and put the basketballs back in the tub during recess and lunch.

Never be too big to do the small things… sweep the sheds!

Embrace Expectations – aim for the highest cloud

The All Blacks have the highest expectations when it comes to training, preparation, recovery and their behaviour both on and off the field. The team’s high expectations result in each player developing an internal benchmark that they agree to live by. 

What is our students’ internal benchmark? 

How can they embrace expectations at school?

• Uniform – hold themselves to a high standard in the way that they wear the school uniform. 
• Behaviour – think about the benchmark that they are holding themselves to both in and outside of the classroom.
• Learning – what expectations do they place upon themselves for their learning?

The best form of motivation comes from within, we call this internal motivation. 

Rituals

The All Blacks have several rituals that point to their shared history, reminding and reigniting their collective identity and purpose. Their team culture is unique, and it is based on their heritage as a nation and rugby team. This is part of creating the legacy that others will inherit. The infamous Maori Haka is just one of their rituals.

What rituals do we value at Emanuel? 

• Dressing up for Purim
• Whole House dances at House Music
• Monday morning Tefillah, and
• Ruach dancing on Shabbat

These rituals point to our deep connection with Judaism, the history of Emanuel school and are generated from years and years of people before us. Respect these rituals and know that they are deeply embedded into the history and life of Emanuel School.

So what can we learn from arguably the greatest sporting team in history…

1. Character – doing the right thing when nobody’s looking 
2. Embrace expectations – hold yourself to a high standard
3. Rituals – be a good ancestor and plant trees that you will never see

Gifted and Talented

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

Competitions round up

Two competitions took place during Week 6: 

Rostrum Voice of Youth Competition

On Wednesday 9 March 2022, Elise Goldberg and Leah Josuah represented Emanuel School in the Rostrum Voice of Youth Competition. Here is what Elise had to say about her experience: 

Our topic for our speeches was ‘This Time it Will Be Different’. In my six-minute speech I told a humorous story about my first ever solo singing performance, which was well received by the audience. It was an amazing experience that I benefited from greatly, I had the opportunity to present my speech, listen to others and get amazing one on one feedback from experienced educators. I remember after listening to all the powerful speeches other students gave how inspired I felt. I would recommend the competition to all students next year, even if you aren’t the best public speaker, all that matters is that you give it a go. It truly is an amazing opportunity to develop your public speaking skills in a positive and encouraging environment. By Elise Goldberg

HICES Debating Competition

Congratulations to our Year 11 Team, Maayan Granot, Arielle Melamed, Jake Newfield and Daniel Solomon, who won a hard fought debate on Thursday 10 March 2022 in their Round One fixture in the Open Division against Moriah. 

The topic was “That there should be a minimum age of 21 for entering university”. Moriah was affirmative, Emanuel was negative.

Well done to Maayan Granot who was acknowledged as best speaker and Jake Newfield who was recognised as second best!

Let’s sign

Rebecaa Gaida – Hebrew Teacher Primary

Israeli sign language/שפת הסימניםהישראלית

Shalom!  שלום

This week we have Jasper Shraibman and Ethan Ickowicz showing you some signs related to the festival Purim פורים. See if you can recognise any of the names of the key characters! Perhaps you can use them while hearing the Megillah!

Toda, תודה

Morah Gaida מורה גיידה

Parent Safety Group

Thank you to our volunteers for last week
(Monday 7 March 2022 – Friday 11 March 2022)

Salina Jamani, Anthony Joshua, Tal Harpaz, Alisa Siale, Darryl Sacks, John Salaman, Lara Levin, Anna-Lisa Palmer, Nadine Yamen, Doron Kalinko, Larry Simon, Nicolas Meer, Alan Nathan, Rebekah Hatzvi, Dorit Beck, Brett Adler, David Marishel, Ilana McCorquodale, Andy Sher and Debbie Sullivan.

P&F

Justine Hofman – Head of P&F

Hi everyone,

It’s been really lovely to see the committee structure taking shape. The energy, ideas and positivity are just awesome.

There are some fun and thoughtful initiatives in the pipeline for Mother’s Day and also an Autumn nature walk to replace the missed opportunity to gather for camping.

More information on both of these initiatives will follow in coming weeks.

In the meantime we need help to bring a back a much-loved Emanuel initiative…

Friday Challot Coordinator call out 
the perfect desk job 

In Term 2 we are hoping to offer Challot for sale on to campus. To do so, we need one person to coordinate this initiative.

What’s involved? Once a term you will compile the orders and liaise with Jesse’s Bakery. Each week you will arrange a volunteer (we’ll provide a list of names) to hand out challot on Friday between 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm (or you can do it yourself or with a friend if you prefer).

This is the perfect volunteer opportunity for someone who loves an admin-style role that adds a bit of a Hamish feeling on a Friday!! Please email me if you are interested. 

New dates for Friday Chills

Friday 18 March 2022: Years K-2 families only. 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm (pending weather and covid numbers)
Friday 8 April 2022: Years K-6 families. 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm (last day of Term 1)

Events cancelled 

Purim Disco: cancelled (due to COVID restrictions on campus)
Emanuel Family Autumn Camping: cancelled (due to campsite flooded/closure)

Events to diarise

Friday 18 March 2022: Friday Chills K-2 families only (tentative)
Friday 8 April 2022: Friday Chills K-6 families (last day of Term 1)
Friday 6 May 2022: Mother’s Day (Breakfast and Stalls)
Friday 26 August 2022: Father’s Day (Breakfast and Stalls)
Friday 4 November 2022 – Sunday 6 November 2022: Emanuel Family Spring Camping

Shabbat shalom to all.

Community Notices

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 Toby, Gaby and Emily Seemann

Rosemary Kennedy’s Scones

Ingredients

1 cup of self-raising flour, sifted (substitute some wholemeal flour if desired)
1 heaped tbsp crem
1tsp sugar
Small pinch salt
1/2 cup chopped dates or sultanas, if desired
Milk (start with 1/2 cup and keep adding as you mix until dough is soft and a bit floppy)

Directions

Preheat oven to 200⁰C.
Prepare tray and baking paper.
Prepare kneading surface and spread with flour.
Mix dry ingredients in a large saucepan. Make a hole in the centre of the flour and add cream and milk. Mix, adding extra milk until the consistency is right.
Put dough onto kneading surface, rinse hands in spare flour and knead, sprinkle with flour, press dough out, lift edges over into the centre of the dough, sprinkle again, press out and lift the edges again until dough is a smooth texture.
Shape dough into a rectangular loaf about 5cm thick.
Cut dough into four long strips, roll each in flour, cut into scones approximately 5cm square.
Place on baking paper and paint tops with milk. Bake for 10-30 minutes depending on your oven!
Cover with clean tea towel as they cool – it keeps them moist.

Tip: scones rise well when the mixture is cool, so use cold milk/cream and work quickly.