From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

The joys and challenges of online gaming

In High School Assembly this week, our students were challenged to reflect on whether they were maintaining a balanced lifestyle, particularly in relation to their time spent on social media and online gaming.

Are these online games simply a minor distraction, or should parents be watchful for signs that indicate a growing psychological dependence? Do we need to be worried about online predators or cyberbullying? Are we aware of who our students are interacting with online? In recent years a plethora of online strategic multi-player games, or games that allow the creation of a virtual world have captured the hearts and minds of our young people. According to the eSafety Commissioner:

89% of Australian children aged 8 to 17 have played an online game in the last year.
94% of young gamers had ‘positive feelings’ when they were gaming online.
79% have played a multiplayer online game with others.
40% have played online with people they did not know offline.
32% have experienced bullying or abuse while playing a network game with others.

Fortnite, Minecraft and Call of Duty are the most recent and much-loved games in a global phenomenon that has swept through our teen culture. If allowed, many young people will spend countless hours online, battling and gaming with their friends. For some people, their friendships gravitate to only online, and they may lose physical contact with their friends, becoming increasingly isolated.

For many of our students online gaming is one of many recreational pursuits that helps them relax, compete and communicate with friends online. Gaming can yield many positive outcomes if the time spent online is balanced with socialising face to face, completing homework, engaging in family events and exercising. However, for some of our students, online gaming becomes a distraction that will impact their sleep, their academic results, their friendships and their mood. For a very small group of young people, online gaming becomes an obsession. Gaming Disorder is defined “by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.” It is important to note that this behaviour pattern has lasted at least 12 months and has resulted in difficulties with family, friends, socialising, education and other areas of functioning.

According to Dr Elizabeth Milovidov, Digital Parenting Expert, parents can determine if their child might be struggling by asking the following questions:

Is my child physically healthy and sleeping enough?
Is my child connecting socially with family and friends (in any form)?
Is my child engaged with and achieving in school?
Is my child pursuing interests and hobbies (in any form)?
Is my child having fun and learning in their use of digital media?

If the answers are no, then parents and children may need to put in place regulations and restrictions in order to address problematic use. Steps may need to be taken to put in place screen balance guidelines and seek support in carrying out a ‘digital detox’. Parents can find creative ways to allow games and tech time, balanced with outdoor or creative non-tech activities and ensure that games are age-appropriate and content-appropriate. Parents can also note how their child interacts with their devices and games (aggressive, irritable, may mean that less screen time is needed).

Communication overload – we have a solution

In my update last week I alluded to the many positive benefits of TASS, including the long-awaited streamlining of communication. We understand how overwhelming it can be to receive so many emails from the School, from granting permissions for excursions to information about coming events, BBQ days, policies, trips and even our beloved Ma Nishma.

In the next few months, we will be launching a user-friendly app. Much of what is currently emailed will be communicated through this app. You will receive notifications (as you would with WhatsApp, text or Messenger) when there is an actionable item or other communication from the School. Finally, freedom from email overload! We’ll share more information about the mobile app next term. In the meantime, bear with us and know that your voices are being heard.

Shavua Ivrit: Hebrew Week

This week was more than just a celebration, it was an opportunity to embrace and learn about the rich cultural heritage of Israel, right here on our campus. Whether you were decorating pebbles, tasting the flavours of Israeli cuisine, or dancing your heart out, there was something for everyone to enjoy. With Hebrew songs playing as our school bells and a House Assembly Hebrew competition, it was a special week. A detailed account of each day’s activities can be found in the article titled ‘Hebrew Week’.

Quote of the week

“Israel was not created in order to disappear – Israel will endure and flourish. It is the child of hope and the home of the brave. It can neither be broken by adversity nor demoralized by success. It carries the shield of democracy and it honors the sword of freedom.” ~ John F Kennedy, 35th President of the United States of America

From the Director of Jewish Life

Adina Roth – Director of Jewish Life

What the world needs now is love sweet love – Vayikra 2024

And just like that, we begin the third book of the Torah, Vayikra or Leviticus, known as the most obscure of the books for its discussions about animal sacrifices and laws to do with the Temple and the Priests. But before we cancel the book for its ancient and possibly non-relatable rites, the book opens like this: Vayikra el Moshe, and God called to Moses.

Rashi, the 11^th century interpreter of Torah says a beautiful thing. The language of calling, known in Hebrew as Vayikra is the language of affection and love. God didn’t just speak to Moses and list off all the rules of the sacrifices, God cooed to Moses. I like to think of it as a Romeo and Juliet balcony scene moment…. ‘Moses.’

It turns out that God is not the first person to ‘call’ in love. In a fascinating Midrash (our ancient interpretations or fan-fiction of the Torah), there is a wild suggestion that God learned to love from someone else. But before I reveal more, let’s do a re-cap of the basics: When Moses was a baby, his mother hides him in the Nile. He is discovered there by Pharaoh’s daughter, known as Batya in our tradition, who adopts him as her own, names him Moses and raises him in the palace of the king. Here’s the incredible part. When she names him it says, “Vatikra et Shemo Moshe, she called him Moshe.” The Midrash picks up on the overlap of these words, Batya called his name Moses (vatikra), while God called (Vayikra) to Moses. A Year 9 student astutely turned to me today and said, “Does that mean that Moshe’s name is actually Egyptian?” She is correct. Our greatest prophet assumes the name bestowed to him by his Egyptian adoptive mother. Our tradition is not blasé about this. The Midrash makes the point that God chose to name our greatest prophet using the name given to him by his Egyptian mother, because Batya called him Moses with ‘love’. The Midrash imagines God saying to Moses: “I God could have called you by any name, but I am calling to you Moshe with love.” Just as the daughter of Pharaoh loved Moses, saved his life and called him Moses, so does God call to Moses with love and tenderness. This ancient midrash expresses a radical idea: God calls Moses by his Egyptian name, because this was the love name he had been given by Batya, Princess of Egypt. Let’s put this a little differently: God learns to love Moses by watching Batya love Moses.

Like a wine that is layered with notes of other fruits and flowers, the opening word of the third book of the Torah, ‘Vayikra’ invites us to hear an earlier call, the call of Pharaoh’s daughter and her moment of Vatikra, when she loved Moses and called him Moses. Sometimes a task might be drudge and dreariness, but if we can build connections with people and call to them ‘in love,’ it can somehow transform whatever we are doing into a moment of connection. This is surely a great truth for all teachers!

These days we may feel as if our world is smaller, we have moments where we don’t always feel comfortable expressing who we are in the outside world and it might feel safer to be among Jewish people and stick with our own. But this week’s Parsha doesn’t just remind us to call to each other in love. It reminds us that our God learned to love Moses from Batya a non-Jewish, Egyptian princess. The Jewish path has always straddled a beautiful line between inside and outside, seeking wisdom where it is found in many places.

A group of Jewish artists in South Africa recently made a video of Jackie DeShannon’s classic ‘What the world needs now is love.’ It made me cry. This week’s parsha reminds us that above and beyond the laws and rites, above and beyond our in-groups and out-groups, there is LOVE. This shabbat, let’s call to each other, regardless of the task and the context, with love, kindness and affection. We all surely know that right now, ‘what the world needs now, is love sweet love.’

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

In recent weeks, students have been creating their own Pesach related Judaica for their homes and for use during this year’s Pesach celebrations.

Todah rabah to Morah Erika, for giving her time and sharing her expertise with the students and thank you to the Primary Hebrew teachers for coordinating and running these art projects. The students really enjoyed the process and the opportunity to be creative and we can’t wait to see the fired final products when they return to school before the end of the term.

Year 3 designed and decorated a clay mezuzah. This activity links to our tefillah focus on the Shema and learning in Jewish Studies about Jewish symbols.

Year 4 designed and decorated a matzah plate to add to their family’s Pesach table and celebrations.

Year 5 designed and decorated a seder plate for the symbolic foods of the Pesach seder.

Primary News

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

NAPLAN

Congratulations to our Year 3 and Year 5 students for successfully completing the NAPLAN assessments. We commend our students for their perseverance and positive attitudes throughout the four NAPLAN assessments. While celebrating this achievement, it is important to remember that NAPLAN tests are just one facet of our comprehensive assessment and reporting process. Teachers continue to provide invaluable insights into each student’s progress, and we encourage parents/carers to utilise NAPLAN reports alongside other school assessment reports for a well-rounded understanding of their child’s strengths and areas for growth.

Purim

The Primary School will be abuzz with excitement as we celebrate Purim on Monday. From colourful costumes to the retelling of the Purim story, our students will immerse themselves in the traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations. We encourage all students to participate enthusiastically and embrace the spirit of Purim.

Extra-Curricular activities

In addition to our Purim celebrations, I also want to celebrate our students who have participated in various Extra-Curricular activities this term. I have had the pleasure of observing a few of the 53 Extra-Curricular activities that we’ve offered this term and, each time, I am blown away by the dedication of the teachers, the joy expressed by the students, and the supportive environment that the Extra-Curricular activity provides.

Please see the photos below for a quick snapshot of some of the learning happening in our Extra-Curricular clubs:

Participating in Extra-Curricular opportunities offers numerous benefits to students. Whether it’s joining a sports team, engaging in artistic endeavours like JeStar or Art, or participating in clubs focused on science or digital technologies, these activities encourage creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, Extra-Curricular activities promote socialisation and teamwork, helping students develop important interpersonal skills like communication, cooperation, and leadership, which are essential for success in both academic and real-world settings.

Our Term 2 Extra-Curricular Schedule is now available on the Parent Portal. We encourage you to look through the Extra-Curricular schedule with your child and help them choose an activity that aligns with their interests and goals. There are a range of teacher-led free Extra-Curricular clubs at lunchtimes as well as paid After-School activities. Due to the success of LisaChimes Art Club, we will now be expanding this program to offer two different classes: Years K-3 on a Wednesday and Years 4-6 on a Tuesday.

If your child would like to participate in a paid Extra-Curricular club, please ensure that you book them early as bookings will close on Tuesday 30 April 2024.

Wishing you all a happy Purim filled with laughter, joy, and celebration.

From the Head of High School

Adam Majsay – Head of High School

Lessons in responsibility and reflection

The last fortnight has been one in which I’ve had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with a number of our High School students about the importance of telling the truth. It is a reality of working with teenagers that, from time to time, the conversations educators need to have with the students in our care focus on the impact of the boundary-pushing behaviours that are an inevitable component of burgeoning adolescence.

Our approach to student behaviour in High School is grounded in the idea of restorative practice: fostering a culture of accountability which emphasises dialogue, repairing harm, and rebuilding relationships after conflicts or incidents.

Sometimes, in supporting our students’ personal growth, it is their actions or behaviour which need to be addressed. At other times, our focus in these reflective conversations is on the impact of their words – and the power of one’s words to do good, or to do harm.

At Emanuel, we call this reflective practice Derech Ha’Teshuvah, the path of returning and repentance. Teshuvah focuses on resolving conflicts in a way that acknowledges the impact on all parties involved and seeks to promote understanding and healing. Above all, Teshuvah is about embracing opportunities for growth.

Let’s consider a hypothetical student, Belinda. In a moment of impulsivity, Belinda finds herself involved in a minor incident. Instead of hiding or denying her role, Belinda bravely chooses honesty. By owning up to her mistake and taking steps to make things right, she not only shows integrity, but also embarks on a positive journey of personal development.

Alongside Belinda’s made-up (but not uncommon) story, there can be the flip side – the hypothetical story of Richard. When faced with a similar situation, Richard chooses to hide the truth, in an attempt to avoid consequences. Too often, this approach can see the student come unstuck, as the truth becomes clear, leading to further complications and, most significantly, missed opportunities for personal growth.

At Emanuel, we see the interplay between School and parents as an essential partnership in support of the children in our care. As the adults in their lives, we are positioned to have a profound influence on shaping our childrens’ character. Even in the midst of a student facing up to the mistakes they may have made, we want to foster an environment – at home and at school – in which our students feel safe enough to confront challenges with honesty and courage.

Thank you for your collaboration in empowering our students to cultivate responsibility, self-compassion and personal strength, by recognising the influence of the words they speak with honesty and conviction in all of their daily interactions.

Happy families – Defusing Explosive Children

Primary School Musical Update

Sarit Spira – Music Teacher | Finding Nemo Producer and Vocal Coach

Primary School Musical 2024
Audition application reminder

This is a friendly reminder to all Years 5-6 parents and students – your deadline to apply for an audition for the Primary School Musical this year is this coming Tuesday 26 March 2024.

Please find the Student/Parent Pack that I sent earlier this term in your emails and return all forms to me in order to secure an audition.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

I am also looking for parent volunteers and welcome volunteers from across the School to be involved in any of the following aspects of our show:

Set design / creation
Costumes
Makeup
Choreography
Parent committee

CLICK HERE to fill out the parent volunteer survey.
CLICK HERE to listen to the fabulous music in ‘Finding Nemo Jr’ in the lead up to auditions.

I’m so looking forward to setting sail on this underwater adventure with you all!

K-12 Sport

Heath Morley – Director of Sport (K-12) | PDHPE Teacher

Emanuel U15 Boys Football Team
Round 1 Bill Turner Trophy

The Emanuel U15 Boys Football Team travelled to the Waverley Synthetic Field to play their Round 1 Bill Turner Cup match against Rose Bay Secondary College (RBSC).

The Emanuel students played with plenty of enthusiasm and determination against a very strong and classy RBSC Football Team, who had numerous Representative level football players across the field and went deep into the tournament in the competition last year. The first goal and only goal came through a penalty shot from a RBSC striker who hit the football cleanly outside the box to make it 1-0 to RBSC mid-way through the first half.

Emanuel had their chances throughout the match to equalise but unfortunately the team were unable to convert pressure and territory into a goal. The Emanuel U15 Team rallied hard throughout the match with a final opportunity in the last minute created by Eli Jocum who took his brief moment outside the box to kick the ball with his shot being quite impressive given the short amount of time provide by the relentless defence. Unfortunately, the RBSC Goal Keeper answered the question by saving the goal and as a result Emanuel U15 Boys lost the match 1-0 to RBSC.

The Emanuel U15 Boys Football Team played extraordinary well throughout the match and should be proud of the efforts and their never give up attitude. Now the U15 Boys Football Team will look to prepare for the CDSSA Football Championships in early term 2.

Emanuel Open Boys Football Team
Round 2 NSWCIS Cup

Emanuel Open Boys Football Team travelled to Mamre Anglican College to play their Round 2 NSWCIS Football Cup match. This was always going to be a challenge for our team with Mamre Anglican College renown for having a large squad of football players who are currently playing high level representative football. Nevertheless the Emanuel Open Boys gave it their all and fought hard throughout the match and kept the opposition scoreless until the end of the first half. Well done to our Open Boys Football Team who made it through to Round 2 of the NSWCIS this year and should be proud of their start to the football season this year. Now the Open Boys Football Team will look to prepare for the CDSSA Football Championships in early Term 2.

Stuart Taylor – PDHPE Teacher

Year 3 Swimming Program

On Thursday afternoons throughout Term 1, Year 3 students have participated in our annual ‘Learn to swim and water safety program’. Held at Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre, students have been provided with an opportunity to develop their confidence in the water, practise and refine their swimming stroke technique and learn essential water safety skills.

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmehl

Open Day

The Pre-school held its Open Day on Wednesday morning. We welcomed many parents who were interested to find out what makes Kornmehl special and why they should send their children to our Pre-school. During the morning several people shared with me how impressed they were with the spaces, learning areas – both indoors and outdoors, the length of time the educators have been at the service, the happy engaged children they could see and most of all the warmth they could feel as they entered the doors and how settled all the children were.

We all enjoyed show casing our Pre-school to the prospective families. Thank you to the maintenance team, IT team, Gail Mackenzie, the canteen and all the Kornmehl staff for their efforts and contributions in ensuring the Open Day was a great success.

The Early Years Learning Framework Version 2

The recently released EYLF-2022-V2.0, explores several new concepts for educators and teams to unpack and critically reflect on. One of these concepts is called funds of knowledge. These are explained as the historically accumulated experiences and understandings that an individual has and includes abilities, skills, bodies of knowledge, life experiences and cultural ways of interacting. A child’s funds of knowledge are often described as a “virtual backpack” of all the life experiences, skills, dispositions, and knowledge they bring into the Early Childhood setting.

Educators are responsive to children’s funds of knowledge (experiences and understandings), ideas, sociality, and playfulness, which form an important basis for curriculum decision-making. In response to children’s evolving ideas and interests, educators assess, anticipate, and extend children’s learning, development, and wellbeing via open-ended questioning, providing feedback, challenging their thinking and guiding their learning. Educators plan and implement worthwhile play-based learning experiences using what children already know, their interests, curiosities, and funds of knowledge.

Through these funds of knowledge, children bring their individual, family, and community ways of being, belonging and becoming, to their early childhood settings. Educators who know and can build on children’s funds of knowledge help them to feel secure, confident, and connected to familiar people, places, events, and understandings. This reinforces each child’s sense of belonging.

Children are more likely to be confident and involved learners when their funds of knowledge, and their family and community funds of knowledge (experiences and understandings), are recognised and included in the early childhood curriculum. This assists children to build on what they already know and make connections to make sense of new experiences.

Very young and older children are growing, developing, and learning in individual ways may demonstrate the Learning Outcomes differently. Educators’ knowledge of individual children, their strengths and capabilities will guide professional judgement, to ensure all children are engaging in a range of experiences across all the Learning Outcomes in ways that optimise their learning. Here is a YouTube video, that explains what funds of knowledge are and why educators should care.

Purim

We have immersed ourselves in the many experiences and learning opportunities around the joyous festival of Purim. We are exploring this festival through many different languages:

In Hebrew, we played a Purim Bingo game, which helped the children learn the symbols of Purim, whilst working on visual discrimination at the same time. There were many joyous shouts of “Bingo” as they filled their cards.

All three groups have decorated their recycled plastic bottles, using coloured collage and tissue paper, to make the bottles look colourful. These have been filled with rice, to ensure that when they are shaken, Haman’s name can be blocked by the noise that our Rashanim make. Activities such as these teach the children to be focused and to develop resilience to complete tasks through from beginning to end. By using bottles that were recycled, we have created awareness around the action of re-purposing objects that might previously be considered rubbish.

The Starfish engaged in a collaborative, inclusive block construction design, where they created the palace in Shushan – a ‘Purim Party Palace’ using blocks, cylinders, cars, wooden trees, and people. This allowed for some creative, vertical building with many layers. Foundations were made and construction grew. Some children shared their thinking and ideas – a car park was made. a park was created adjacent to the palace and in case there was a fire in the palace a fire station was built. There were also bedrooms and toilets.

The children also engaged in making puppets of the Purim characters, using them to imaginatively act out the Purim story. We spent time making masks. During these experiences, we observed the children’s fine motor skills, such as their pencil grip and eye-hand coordination. These are great opportunities for the educators to identify strengths and areas to develop.

We are looking forward to celebrating Purim on Monday with Kornmehl children and families from 9.30 am – 10.30 am.

Happy Birthday

We wish a very happy birthday to our special educator Joanne Woods. We hope you had a wonderful day.

Hurricane

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Hope

The genius of Israel is that even while it fights a war against evil, some of its citizens can produce this amazingly powerful and moving entry into the next Eurovision Song Contest. Eden Golan will represent Israel with her song Hurricane, written by Avi Ohayon, Keren Peles and Stav Beger. Listen to the end where she sings in Hebrew – it’s so beautiful.

Purim

An Emanuel grandparent, Sonja Raiz, was amongst a group of volunteers who made hamentaschen at Our Big Kitchen (OBK) earlier this week for Jewish residents in nursing homes and retirement villages all over Sydney, who cannot bake for themselves. This baking session was jointly organised by Jewish House and COA Sydney. Sonja says: “I love supporting the elderly who seem to fall through the cracks and are not in Jewish aged care. A worthwhile cause, with the help of Rabbi Mendel Kastel (what a Mensch) and of course OBK. I am so grateful to be able to contribute in some way.”

Plus61J Media

Established in 2015, Plus61J has provided an independent voice on Australia, Israel and the Jewish world over the past nine years through bi-weekly publications and social media channels. One of the most public and poignant programs they have hosted was last year’s talk tour around Australia by Rami Elhanan, a Jewish Israeli from Jerusalem, who lost his daughter Smadar in a Palestinian suicide bombing in 1997 and Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian former fighter who grew up in Hebron. He spent time in an Israeli jail where he saw the film Schindler’s List that changed his life. His daughter Abir was tragically killed aged 10 by the bullet of Israeli border police. These two amazing men visited our School during their two week tour around Australia, and spoke at one of our High School assemblies.

Past parent Sharon Berger is Events & Partnerships Manager at Plus61J Media whilst past parent Steve Fosbery is Copy-Editor. He also works as an editor of Holocaust memoirs for the Sydney Jewish Museum.

Founder and publisher of Plus61J Uri Windt OAM says: “As we approach our 10th anniversary, we’ve been reflecting on Plus61J’s past achievements and considering the future needs of our audience and the direction we’d like to take. Today, Friday 22 March marks an exciting new chapter in our organisation’s history. We encourage you to watch this retrospective video, which celebrates our impact and foreshadows what’s to come.”

Women Power

Fashion Forward – women helping women, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to giving pre-loved designer wear a second life while supporting women in crisis. This amazing group was founded by Emanuel parent Sharon Aaron and her very good friend Nicole Katz in 2020, and together with their team of volunteers including current Emanuel parents Natalie Chesler, Lee Keyser and Amanda Shrock (just to name a few), they have saved over 10,000 items of clothing from landfill – raising more than $500,000 to provide crisis care to women and children through Jewish House.

If you have any items you would like to donate, Fashion Forward would love them! They can organise collection or you can drop off at the store at 10 Campbell Parade Bondi Beach on Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday from 12.30 pm – 3.30 pm. You can check them out on Instagram @fashionforward_jh_retail

Maccabi Life – Senior Walkie Talkie
Wednesday 10 April 2024, 10.00 am – 12.30 pm

For readers aged 60 plus, you are invited to join in an insightful conversation into navigating life as a Jewish person in an ever-upside down world with the renowned Lynda Ben Menashe at their upcoming Senior Maccabi Life event!

Location: Eastern Suburbs
Book here.

Careers Space
Wednesday 15 May, 2024

Do you have older children who finished school here? If yes, we are looking for more alumni who would like to be part of our Careers Space event for our senior students. No preparation is needed – we just ask these past students to come back to chat with our students and talk about their journey to where they are now. Please pass this link on to them.

Sydney Writers’ Festival
Monday 20 May 2024 – Sunday 26 May 2024

Emanuel connections are never far away, no matter the field. Read here a little about some members of our amazing School community who will be presenting at the upcoming Sydney Writers’ Festival in May – alumnus Sam Koslowski (Class of 2012) as well as three current parents – Kerri Sackville and Emile Sherman and Lee-Anne Whitten. You can check out the whole program here.

Friendship Circle (FC) needs more volunteers

Please tell your High School children to check out this link for the many opportunities available for them to volunteer for FC.

Friendship Bakery

We hope you have had the opportunity to visit Friendship Bakery, Laguna Street, Vaucluse on a Friday morning where you will find freshly baked challah and a variety of savoury and sweet goodies. Perhaps you’ve tried their yummy hamantaschen too – check out their Friday menu and you can order online beforehand.

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

Shabbat shalom and happy Purim. Stay safe and have a great weekend, as we continue to hope and pray for the safe return of all hostages still held in Gaza, and for peace to be restored in Israel soon.

Celebrating Hebrew Week

Natali Tchelet- Head of Hebrew 7-12

This week, we celebrated Hebrew Week, a time to immerse ourselves in the vibrant culture and traditions of Israel right here on campus. It’s been a week filled with engaging activities, delicious food, and lots of fun!

Almost every lunchtime for the whole week we had an activity, plus other events to get us in the spirit like the school bells being Hebrew songs, and a House Assembly Hebrew competition!

Here’s what we had on:

Monday: Pebble Decorating
We kickstarted the week with creativity and colour as we decorated pebbles inspired by Hebrew words and names. The students let their imaginations run wild!

Tuesday: Israeli Food Tasting with the Tzofim (Israeli Scouts)
Our taste buds were tantalised with an array of delicious Israeli treats brought to you by the Tzofim. It was a culinary journey nobody wanted to miss!

Wednesday: Musical game with Rotem from the JNF
We joined Rotem for an activity who challenged our listening skills when we had to identify Hebrew words.

Friday: Israeli Dancing in the PAC
We wrapped up the week with an energetic Israeli dance session in the PAC.

Hebrew Competition
During House Assembly, we hosted a Hebrew competition with three different levels, offering everyone a chance to showcase their skills with prizes awaiting the winners.

This week was more than just a celebration; it was an opportunity to embrace and learn about the rich cultural heritage of Israel. Whether you were decorating pebbles, tasting the flavours of Israeli cuisine, or dancing your heart out, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

From the students

On Monday for Hebrew Week there was a rock painting station. We were given rocks and pens, all the rocks turned out so beautiful when we painted them, my parents loved to put them in our pot plants. I really enjoyed painting with my friends and hanging out with people on the tables set up for us. (Mai, Year 7)

I have enjoyed Hebrew Week because it has been a fun way to embrace my Judaism. I liked eating Halva with challah and I can’t wait till we do Ruach on Friday! This past week has been very enjoyable and I can’t wait till we have another Hebrew Week! (Veronica, Year 7)

I really enjoyed Hebrew Week, specifically painting the rocks with Hebrew words on Monday. It was fun to combine different aspects of art and Hebrew, and it was a great activity to do with my friends. (Leah, Year 9)

During Hebrew Week the bells were changed to the song ‘Ivrit HaChadashah’ (by Hatikva 6). The song talks about the sudden shift in the Hebrew language, with words borrowed from English and slang replacing old words. Personally, I really like the song and it’s fun to hear a different bell every now and again. (Gil, Year 9)

Meir Advocate

Your editors, Becky Salamon, Sofia Berkovic and Amali Allul Orozco

What is the Meir Advocate and who are we?

Hi there everyone! We’re so excited to be your brand new editors for the Meir Advocate! We’re three Year 9 students – Amali, Sofia and Becky – and we love Meir (obviously). We’re so excited to be writing the Meir Advocate from now on. Before we get into the rest of this term’s edition, have a quick read on what the Meir Advocate is all about…

The Meir Advocate is a termly newsletter by Meirans, for not just Meirans, but our whole school community, and we’re focused on bringing the latest news about Meir to all of you. In our articles, you’ll get an inside look at things like Meir House Assemblies, what’s new around the House and what there is to look forward to.

A warm welcome to new Meirans

We are so excited to welcome all the new members of our House in 2024. Firstly, we are so happy to have a new group of Year 7s joining us! We hope you enjoy being a part of the best House! We are also thrilled to welcome all our new Meir teachers:
● Year 7 Tutor – Mr Ryan
● Year 10 Tutor – Ms Lee
● Year 12 Tutor – Welcome back, Ms Norman!

Inside a Meir House Assembly

We managed to get some special insider information on what it’s like to attend a prestigious Meir Assembly!

Some highlights from Term 1 House Assemblies included:

A mock swimming relay-race across the floor of the Mille Phillips Theatre in preparation for the Swimming carnival.
‘Slideshow karaoke’ – a super fun game where one representative from each Year group gives an impromptu presentation. You see slides for the first time while talking about them. It’s all about making people laugh with your unexpected speeches. Year 11 was voted the winner of the game!
‘Café D’ where we sat in circles of mixed Year groups and discussed progressively deeper questions about ourselves, while eating snacks (naturally!)
A collaboration with Szenes for International Women’s Day where we wrote poems for the women we admire most in our lives.
And last week… We broke into our ‘Sibling Groups’ (these are groups of 12 students made up of two students from each Year group). The aim was to build the highest tower out of just spaghetti and marshmallows. A big congratulations to team Spinach who won!

Year 7 and Year 8 Survival Camp

In Week 3 of this term, all of Year 7 and Year 8, as well as a number of Year 11 Madatzim, ventured out into the bush for a week at Somerset Camp.

We interviewed two Meir Year 7 students, Amelia (Mili) Ferrer and Gideon (Gidi) Cohen, and one of their Peer Support Leaders, Liberty Waldner, to hear more about their week-long journey at the Colo River:

What was your favourite activity from the week?
Liberty: It would definitely have to be the crate stack as it was really great to see so much teamwork from everyone. It was also quite funny watching people fall from their stacks and hang in the air.
Mili: I really enjoyed doughnutting on the water. It is basically getting a donut-shaped floaty, sitting on it and floating across the river. It was so relaxing – I could have just fallen asleep. It was fun to watch people getting capsized and thrown into the water too.
Gidi: I enjoyed the milk crate stack the most because of the learning curve of stacking as quickly as possible while keeping the tower steady.

What is your best memory from camp?
Liberty: Doing the ‘stop the rain’ dance with the whole Tutor group just before we went doughnutting. It was so funny all standing in a circle singing ‘Yo-ho-ho, Yo-ho-ho’!
Mili: The most memorable thing on camp that happened to me was the milk crate stack. I am so scared of heights so it was really hard for me. You would go on a harness and your teammates would grab a rope and pull you so you don’t fall, and you have to try and stack as many milk crates as possible while balancing on them. I wasn’t going to do it but I realised I would regret it so I gave it a try and I climbed up six crates!
Gidi: On the third day we went doughnutting and it was just so relaxing hanging out with my friends while drifting down a river.

What is your funniest memory from the week?
Liberty: After we came back quite late from our Peer Support meeting on the third night it was raining quite heavily and we saw a light still on. We went over to have a look and it turned out one of the kids’ tents was pooling with water. So we had to wake up our instructor and set up another tent for them in the rain. When we were finally able to go to our own tents it was just before 11.00 pm. About two minutes after, I was in my tent and I heard, ‘Liberty… our tent’s flooded!’ It was Franki and Chloe next door to me, so they moved in to my tent and we ended up sleeping three in a tent that night instead of two and one per tent.
Mili: The funniest thing that happened on camp was when I was in a tent with my friend, Lola, and we couldn’t get to sleep because we kept laughing when we looked at each other. We could barely breathe, but then Mr Ryan came up to our tent and said he would call Mr Ezekiel if we wouldn’t be quiet, so we closed our eyes and blocked our mouths to stop from laughing! Finally, after ages, we fell asleep.
Gidi: On the last night, Ari and I were sleeping in the same tent next to Liam and we just kept joking about each other all night.

Expressions of Interest

We would love to see our fellow Meirans get involved in the Meir Advocate. If you would like to see your artwork featured, or share some awesome work you did this week, please get in touch with one of us! It’ll be added to a section showing off all our amazing Meirans called the ‘Meir Showcase’.

Get excited for…

In this section, which will be in every article, we’ll tell you about any upcoming Meir-related shenanigans that you should be getting ready for so you don’t miss out!

Coming up next term… House Music is coming in hot! If you want to be a part of Small House or X-Factor, make sure you fill out the expression of interest form sent out by your House Mads. We would love some participation from our new Year 7s!

Looking forward to a great new year!

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

Life after school

Last week our Year 12s heard about some new ideas in the world of life after they leave school.

Sacha Rosen and Remy Waller, from the Class of 2022, gave up their valuable time to help our current Year 12s decide about whether to take a GAP year, what to do on a GAP year and how to finance it. I have rarely met Alumi who have told me they really regretted their GAP year decision, but I have met many who regretted not taking one.

Some key take aways that they shared with the group:

Figure out if your travel buddies want to do the same kinds of things as you.
How to finance the trip and the benefits of working hard to make it happen.
How to budget and tips on travel, food, accommodation and transport when away.
Doing a program in Israel (e.g. Sacha did Yalla) and the benefits of travelling to Israel as well as doing the Chavayah program.
Doing an overseas program (Remy did Work America) and how this was a great continuation of being a peer support leader, a buddy, a House captain and so on.
Travel as a group or as solo depending on your needs and interests.
Stay in hostels to keep the costs down and to meet lots of new people along the way.
Ensure some of the trip is unplanned so you can be spontaneous and can alter plans if need be.
If you are unsure about what to study after school, uni vs TAFE vs work vs more travel, taking a GAP year can give you clarity on this.
Taking a GAP year – particularly if you are burnt out from HSC – can really help give see a clearer picture about your tertiary studies.
With more student flexibility more and more students taking a mini-GAP year where they may enrol for Semester 2 and just take six months off.
Make your GAP year count with a program or a volunteering opportunity. Some work can be a great conversation starter for future employers.
Some students do not like the length of time between the end of school and tertiary commencing. This can be from November to early March the following year (16 months for some) which can be too long.
If you love structure and want to get a jump on with your career and don’t want to waste time – taking a GAP year may not be for you. Don’t forget the holidays between semesters or trimesters can be just the right amount of time for you to work, travel, rest, socialise and meet your needs.
Don’t follow the crowd and map out your own plan.

Here are some interesting articles for more reading in this area:

Professional Cadetship Australia

Alister Wilkinson – PCA

This week w Professional Cadetships Australia came to speak to our Year 11 and Year 12 students.

This group specialises in students working and learning at the same time. PCA runs programs in Business, Engineering and Technology, and Computing. Alister Wilkinson explained the rigorous process of application.

Requirements are a minimum ATAR of 84, with a strong application showing why you want to learn while you earn. Students study their degree alongside working almost full time in industry e.g. UBS and Barrenjoey. Usually students have a strong interest in finance, economics, commerce and banking.

Notices, links and dates

For anyone keen on recording themselves practising video preparation, or giving a speech or standing in class to give a presentation, this is a great AI app, that allows you to do your recording. It can analyse what you say, how you say it, how long you pause, how long you stall, and gives you tips on how to get better. I think everyone (including myself) could benefit from this tool!

Gifted and Talented

What’s been happening in the G&T Department?

Emanuel Chess Cup 2024

On Friday 15 March 2024, 21 students from Years 3-6 competed in the Emanuel Chess Cup. The tournament was facilitated by International Chess Master, Vladimir Feldman, with students competing in seven rounds throughout the day. Congratulations to all students who participated, with the following students receiving places:

1st Place – Elliot Torban
2nd Place – Brody Reid
3rd Place – Samuel Feldman

Gifted & Talented Parent Information Night

Thank you to all the parents who attended the Gifted & Talented Parent Information evening last Wednesday. Throughout the session, we covered what Gifted Education is, what our program entails and how parents can support their gifted child. For further information, or if you have any follow up questions please don’t hesitate to contact the G&T Department (Craig Moss, Sabrina Hards or Julia Tritsch).

BRAINways Education School Holiday Program

During the up and coming school holiday there are a number of workshops run by Brainways Education called Academicus. They are aimed at gifted and talented students from Years 2-8.

Academicus provides gifted students the choice they require in a large array of disciplines, from Algebra to Astronomy, and Earth Sciences, from Trigonometry to Surfing Science, from Journalism to Communication Philosophy, Playwriting, Ancient History and more.

The workshops available in April are:

Maths and science of superheroes – Years 2-4 and Years 5-8
Aesthetics in history – Years 2-4 and Years 5-8
Exploring the atom – Years 2-4
Myths: the stuff all good stories are made of – Years 5-8

To find out more about the course on offer and to book please visit Brainways Education.

What’s coming up in Term 1?

High School – Years 7-12

Mock Trial Round One (Week 9, Wednesday 27 March 2024)
Mock Mediation Round One (Week 9, Thursday 28 March 2024)
Future Problem Solving – Global Issues Problem One (Week 10, Thursday 4 April 2024)

Maths word of the week

Roisin McGrath -Acting Head of Mathematics | Mathematics Teacher

Maths word of the week

Each week, the Mathematics Department will present a new mathematical term to enhance your understanding of mathematical literacy. In your own time, explore the meaning and applications of each term in both mathematical contexts and everyday life.

Consider creating a list of these words, and by the end of the year, you’ll have your own mathematical dictionary! How cool!

If you have interesting math words you’d like featured in announcements, please email
Ms McGrath.

Pi Day and International Day of Mathematics and

Last Thursday, we celebrated International Pi Day and the Day of Mathematics. We marked this important day by engaging in Pi Day activities during our Math lessons, and we also organised a Pi-inspired Maths for lunch in B34.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating the significance of this day!

Fourier transform

A Fourier transform is a mathematical operation that transforms a function of time (or space) into a function of frequency. It is named after the French mathematician Joseph Fourier, who introduced the concept. The Fourier transform is particularly useful in signal processing, physics, engineering, and various other fields for analysing and understanding the frequency components present in a signal. It is sed in your mobile phone, your wifi card, your NBN modem, audio gear and probably your garage door remote too. Kindly contributed by Peter Freed

We are hiring!

PA to the Director of Students & Director of Studies (K-6)

We are looking for an organised and efficient Personal Assistant to the Director of Students and Director of Studies (K-6) to provide support across our Primary School.

This is a part time, permanent role working 8.00 am – 4.00 pm, three days per week (or shorter hours over 4 -5 days).

Attendance at events outside of these hours may be required on an ad hoc basis. This is a term time only role.

For more information, please see the full role description.

To apply, please email your resume and a cover letter to recruitment@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au.

We encourage you to get your application in early. We reserve the right to interview and appoint the successful candidate prior to the closing date.

Uniform Shop holiday trading hours

Holiday trading hours

The Emanuel Uniform Store will close for the school holidays on Thursday 11 April 2024 at 5.00 pm.

Extra trading hours during the school holidays are as follows:

Wednesday 1 May 2024: 9.00 am – 4.00 pm

Normal trading hours resume on Thursday 2 May 2024.

Throughout the school term our opening hours are:

Monday: 8.00 am – 11.00 am
Tuesday: 1.00 pm – 5.00 pm
Thursday: 1.00 pm – 5.00 pm

You are welcome to purchase from the online uniform shop, passphrase ES1983. All orders will be completed when the store reopens.

Contact details:

Phone: 9326 5445
Email: emanuel@midford.com.au

You’ve never mattered more!

P&F news

Successful P&F Camping Weekend

Set in a beautiful, lush campsite on the Hawkesbury, the P&F Family Camp last weekend was a huge success. With over 60 families, and 200 attendees, there was so much excitement, spirit and activity. We had a wonderful Kabbalat Shabbat, thanks to Farryl and Anna, and a super fun skit night and ruach session thanks to the High School students. There was the most epic handball game ever seen, lots of swimming, fishing, sports, marshmallow-toasting, chatting, playing sheshbesh and making new friends.

Thanks to the committee and everyone involved for making it such a memorable weekend!

Mitzvah Meals Survey
We need your input!

For many years the School has been providing meals to families who may need extra support (for example, just had a baby, suffering a loss, dealing with an illness).

The newly formed Mitzvah Meal committee would like to ensure we are providing meals that suit our school community. We have put together a short survey for all parents of students in Primary and High School, regardless of whether or not you have ever received a mitzvah meal in the past.

Please complete the brief survey (it will only take two minutes). Your responses are anonymous and no personal information will be collected.

More buses, less traffic – here, here!

It is very important that all students have an Opal card when travelling to and from school. It is equally important to remind your child to tap on and tap off each time they travel. This is essential and critical to ensure all travellers are accounted for as we ask the bus company to provide more bus routes to families at Emanuel.

Order your child’s free school bus opal card here if you do not already have one.
Further information on student travel can be found here.

Dates for the diary

Friday Chills: Icy poles are back this week from 3.30 pm. Bring $1.00!
Friday 10 May 2024: P&F Mother’s Day Morning (7.00 am)

Shabbat Shalom

Important dates

What’s happening next week

High School

Monday 25 March 2024

Year 7 3WLC
Year 10 Careers Avenue Debriefs
Purim Celebrations
Mock Mediation Competition – Round 1

Tuesday 26 March 2024

Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh Equipment Hire
Year 10 Careers Avenue Debriefs
Year 11-12 Visual Arts to ARTEXPRESS
Year 11 Jewish Studies Guest Speaker Series
Mock Trial Competition – Round 1
Social Cohesion Project Audio Recording
CDSSA Netball Championships
AICES Touch Football Championships

Wednesday 27 March 2024

Year 10 Food Technology to the Easter Show
Year 10 Jewish Studies Guest Speaker Series
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice Camp
CDSSA Opens First Basketball Competition

Thursday 28 March 2024

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice Camp
Year 10 Elective History Murder Mystery – Justice and Police Museum

Friday 29 March 2024

Good Friday – School Closed

Primary

Monday 25 March 2024

Years 3 and 5 NAPLAN Testing
NSWCIS Girls Football
Purim Celebrations
NSW CIS Girls Football

Tuesday 26 March 2024

Social Cohesion Project Audio Recording

Wednesday 27 March 2024

Primary School Open Day
NSWCIS Swimming Carnival
Jilkminggan Information Night

Thursday 28 March 2024

Year 3 Swimming Program

Friday 29 March 2024

Good Friday – School Closed

Kornmehl

Monday 25 March 2024

Purim – Parade and Show

Friday 29 March 2024

Good Friday – School Closed

Ma Nishma

From the Principal

The joys and challenges of online gaming

Communication overload – we have a solution

Shavua Ivrit: Hebrew Week

Quote of the week

From the Director of Jewish Life

What the world needs now is love sweet love – Vayikra 2024

Ma Koreh

Primary News

NAPLAN

Purim

Extra-Curricular activities

From the Head of High School

Lessons in responsibility and reflection

Happy families – Defusing Explosive Children

Primary School Musical Update

Primary School Musical 2024 Audition application reminder

K-12 Sport

Emanuel U15 Boys Football Team Round 1 Bill Turner Trophy

Emanuel Open Boys Football Team Round 2 NSWCIS Cup

Year 3 Swimming Program

Kornmehl

Open Day

The Early Years Learning Framework Version 2

Purim

Happy Birthday

Hurricane

Hope

Purim

Plus61J Media

Women Power

Maccabi Life – Senior Walkie Talkie Wednesday 10 April 2024, 10.00 am – 12.30 pm

Careers Space Wednesday 15 May, 2024

Sydney Writers’ Festival Monday 20 May 2024 – Sunday 26 May 2024

Friendship Circle (FC) needs more volunteers

Friendship Bakery

Celebrating Hebrew Week

Here’s what we had on:

From the students

Meir Advocate

What is the Meir Advocate and who are we?

Year 7 and Year 8 Survival Camp

Careers

Life after school

Some key take aways that they shared with the group:

Professional Cadetship Australia

Notices, links and dates

Gifted and Talented

What’s been happening in the G&T Department?

Emanuel Chess Cup 2024

Gifted & Talented Parent Information Night

BRAINways Education School Holiday Program

What’s coming up in Term 1?

Maths word of the week

Maths word of the week

Pi Day and International Day of Mathematics and

Fourier transform

We are hiring!

PA to the Director of Students & Director of Studies (K-6)

Uniform Shop holiday trading hours

Holiday trading hours

Extra trading hours during the school holidays are as follows:

Throughout the school term our opening hours are:

You’ve never mattered more!

P&F news

Successful P&F Camping Weekend

Mitzvah Meals Survey We need your input!

More buses, less traffic – here, here!

Dates for the diary

Important dates

What’s happening next week

High School

Primary

Kornmehl

Primary School Musical 2024
Audition application reminder

Emanuel U15 Boys Football Team
Round 1 Bill Turner Trophy

Emanuel Open Boys Football Team
Round 2 NSWCIS Cup

Maccabi Life – Senior Walkie Talkie
Wednesday 10 April 2024, 10.00 am – 12.30 pm

Careers Space
Wednesday 15 May, 2024

Sydney Writers’ Festival
Monday 20 May 2024 – Sunday 26 May 2024

Mitzvah Meals Survey
We need your input!