Last week, we came together as a community at our Welcome to Masada College 2024 parent event. By all accounts, it was an excellent evening of fun and frivolity, where everyone had a chance to mingle and chat, indulge in delicacies cooked by our Year 11 Hospitality students, sip fabulous margaritas, and enjoy a lively auction raising money for at-risk youth in Israel. It was a true reflection of the camaraderie and joy of the Masada community. Every day, I feel this spirit and am so grateful to be here, and I'm just so glad our parent body got to experience it too.

On Friday, we celebrated Chinese New Year at our special assembly. We came together as a school not only to acknowledge a beautiful cultural tradition, but also to celebrate the very essence of what makes Masada College so special: embracing diverse cultures and shared values. As a Jewish school, we are humbled and honoured that countless non-Jewish families, including our vibrant Chinese community, choose to be part of our journey. We see this as a testament to the inherent goodness in our shared humanity and the common ground we find in values like family, respect, kindness, and intellectual pursuit.

Both our cultures utilise lunar calendars and engage in traditions like festive meals, family gatherings, and gift-giving. But the significance goes beyond shared rituals. We recognise and appreciate the deeper resonance in our values: the respect for elders, the emphasis on education and learning, and the unwavering commitment to community and family.

Throughout history, the Jewish people have unfortunately faced unimaginable persecution. Yet, even in the darkest times, we found allies and supporters who stood with us. These "Righteous Among the Nations" risked their lives to protect our people, reminding us that compassion and solidarity transcend ethnic and religious boundaries.

Here at Masada College, we see similar acts of friendship and respect in the relationships we nurture with our Chinese community. They are not just our neighbours or classmates; they are our partners, our friends, and our heroes. Their presence enriches our school tapestry, and their support strengthens our resolve to create a more inclusive and understanding world.

Therefore, Friday's celebration was not just about honouring Chinese New Year. It was about reaffirming our commitment to mutual respect, appreciation, and support. Just as we stand by our Chinese community, so they stand by us in celebrating our traditions and heritage. This spirit of unity and friendship is the true treasure we share, and it's what makes Masada College truly special.

Happy New Year! 新年快乐!

It is genuinely uplifting to witness the remarkable sense of belonging and engagement exhibited by our students across all classes in the Junior School. As one strolls through the corridors, the sight of students enthusiastically participating in their learning endeavours is indeed a testament to their dedication and the supportive environment fostered within our school community.

Here at Masada College, we firmly believe in cultivating a growth mindset among our students. We encourage them not only to embrace challenges but also to perceive them as opportunities for growth. Through this approach, students learn to derive inspiration from the achievements of their peers, viewing every effort as a stepping stone towards mastery. This mindset is pivotal in shaping their dispositions for learning, fostering resilience, adaptability, and a passion for continuous improvement.

In line with our commitment to acknowledging and nurturing positive behaviour, academic excellence, and effort across all facets of learning, we hosted our fortnightly Junior School merit assembly last Friday. During this assembly, we had the privilege of honouring students from various classes with merit certificates. These certificates serve as tangible acknowledgments, recognising their commitment to upholding positive standards of behaviour, fostering a conducive classroom environment, and demonstrating exceptional effort or excellence in their academic, sports, languages, arts, and creative arts endeavours.

As parents and guardians, we invite you to take a moment to celebrate this significant achievement with your child at home. Your support and encouragement play a pivotal role in reinforcing the values and principles instilled within our school community. Together, let us continue to inspire and empower our students to reach new heights of academic and personal growth.

In the spirit of collaboration and celebration, we look forward to witnessing the continued success and progress of our Junior School students in the weeks and months ahead.

Karen Gunasekara
Head of Junior School

The children in the ELC have all settled back into their new classes. Many children enjoyed spending time in their Summer holiday near the beach, or enjoyed our beautiful Sydney beaches. To extend their interests, most rooms began the year with a theme of “Exploring Sea Creatures”.

The children in the Blue Room worked collaboratively to create a sea themed mural. They used a rage of materials and medium to paint, collage and decorate amazing sea creatures. They compared sea creatures to mammals, learning about the interesting characteristics of both. Using their five senses the children re lived their fun experiences. Through dramatizations they pretended to dive into the shimmering waves and all had the opportunity to catch some amazing fish! They decorated imaginary sand castles using sea shells and sparkly gems. Music enabled us to listen closely to the gentle whispers of the sea as well as learn many songs related to this theme. To consolidate all these experiences, an amazing and creative mural developed.

Our children are now ready for an action packed and fun filled 2024 and we look forward to exploring many more interesting themes.

Mazel Tov! Congratulations are in order for Mrs. Carla Gagliano, our esteemed Head of Learning and Teaching, and her husband, Sam. They have joyfully announced that they are expecting their second child in May. Please join me in extending our warmest congratulations to Carla and Sam on this delightful news!

We are excited to share the wonderful experiences our Kindy and Year 1 students had during the recent Chinese New Year incursion. The children listened to a legendary story about Chinese New Year, gaining a deeper understanding of this vibrant tradition. Creativity flourished as every student crafted intricate paper lanterns, adding a colorful touch to the festivities. To enrich the experience, a dedicated parent showcased the art of Chinese calligraphy, demonstrating the beauty of this ancient practice, and the students also had the opportunity to compare the styles of Chinese and Hebrew handwriting. The event not only helped the students build cultural awareness, but also strengthened the bond between our school, students, and their families. Thank you to our parent volunteers.

On Friday the 9th of February students celebrated Rosh Chodesh Adar I, the first day of the month of Adar. To honour the day and month ahead which is a lead up to Purim – students were challenged to create crazy hats using materials found at home. There was excitement and pride as the students showed off their hats on the day and wore them to assembly. To celebrate further the Informal Jewish teachers Danya and Jared led a dance off during assembly, which brought energy, fun and laughter.

Last Sunday Year 10 students had the opportunity to volunteer for this year's JNF Green Sunday Appeal. We were given the task to call members of the Sydney Jewish Community and collect donations for this years cause: The Be'eri Forest. On October 7th, Hamas terrorists attacked the Nova Music Festival and the surrounding Forest was devastated, beyond the fact that it has been subjected to constant Hamas rockets previously. The regeneration of the Be'eri Forest stands as a symbol of hope and resilience, which we felt was really reflected through the day. While the prospect of calling strangers was daunting, as we began our task, we were greeted by friendly voices. The task no longer seemed intimidating, but rather showed us how warm and welcoming the Jewish community is. This day was an experience that allowed Jewish students from all over Sydney to come together and do our part in helping Israel when it is in a time of need. Overall, Green Sunday was not merely just another volunteer day, but a way that we could contribute to an issue that is so personal to all of us. Thank you to Ms Peisley and Ms Gottlieb for accompanying us to Moriah, which so generously allowed us to use their campus and to JNF who orchestrated the event.

Amalia Michaelis and Lia Gazi, Year 10 Students

Students in Stage 4 Drama have started the year full of enthusiasm and creativity! There have been a range of ideas for characters, plot lines, and themes bouncing off the walls in our Drama space as students begin their explorations this term. We are excited to see what the students will produce!

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