It has been an exciting start to the term with a number of significant events and activities taking place that have brought our community together to celebrate our shared values.

We began the term with two significant commemorations, Yom Hashoah and Anzac Day. Both events allowed us to reflect on the importance of remembrance and the sacrifices made by those who have come before us. It was moving to see the respect and honour that our students showed at these key commemorations.

Masada College celebrated Israel's 75th Yom Haatzmaut with an incredible program of festivities. The pita making, face painting, photo booth and camel rides were enjoyed by our youngest and oldest students (and teachers) alike. The celebrations showcased the pride and connection we have for the State of Israel.

Our Senior School also enjoyed a wonderful Lag B'Omer celebration, thanks to the incredible efforts of our informal education team. More than 100 students sat around the bonfire, heard about the miracle of Lag B’Omer, enjoyed s’mores and sang by the fire.

Our Kindergarten Experience Day was a highlight and it was a pleasure to welcome our youngest students and their parents. It was heartwarming to see how well they were received by our older students and we look forward to watching them thrive and grow in the years to come.

The Year 7 Experience Day was also a stand-out event, where we saw a record number of students attend. This day was designed to introduce Year 6 to senior school life and to allow them to get to know their peers and future teachers. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive, and we were excited to see our future Year 7 students thriving.

Thank you to everyone that joined our Elephant Ed workshop, which was so well attended. The workshop explored some important topics related to social media and sexuality. It was a valuable opportunity for our students and their parents to engage with these topics in a safe and supportive environment, and we were impressed with their level of maturity and engagement.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Jazz Band for their recent performance at the community Israel celebrations. Their talent was on full display, and they truly impressed everyone in attendance.

Looking ahead, I would like to remind parents to attend the Subject Selection Expo for Year 7-11 students and parents on Thursday May 18 from 4-6pm in the Lynette Phillips Hall. The event promises to be a valuable opportunity to learn more about the Senior School subject offerings and we look forward to showcasing what makes Masada so special.

We are delighted to be taking part in this year's JCA campaign on Sunday 28th May. Our community is invited to join us as we explore the challenges, identify the need and celebrate the potential of our local Jewish community. Come along, show your support and visit us at the Masada College stand. You can book your tickets via this link.

We are now already four weeks into Term 2 - with such an action packed term, it is little wonder that the weeks seem to fly by!

Already this term we have been fortunate to enjoy so many events with the care and attention of our teachers placed at the heart of all of them. The list goes on but events such as Anzac Day, Yom Hashoah, the Cross Country Carnival, our Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition in the Northern Territory, Yom Hazikaron, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Incursions and Excursions, Mothers’ Day Stalls, STEM days, TEDm Public Speaking, Debating, Mock Trial, Guest Speakers, Interfaith Days, a Parent breakfast, Lag B'Omer and Shavuot Dinner are to name just a few in Term 2 alone! Our calendar is full of experiences for our students that our dedicated staff go above and beyond for.

Senior School Subject Expo
A reminder for all parents and families to please join us for our Senior School Subject Expo on Thursday 18 May 4-6pm in the Hall. Whilst this is a priority event for our 2023 Year 8-10 students and families, we strongly encourage all students and parents to attend to learn more about the subject offerings at Masada and interact with our teaching staff and extend this invitation to Year 5-11 Parents, including prospective families. This is a chance to meet with the Heads of Learning Areas and subject teachers, and discover the range of subjects that are on offer to our students. In addition, our talented Musicians and Drama students will be showcasing their skills. It is not to be missed.

Please click here to RSVP ASAP.

A reminder that the Senior School closes early on this day (2.40pm) to allow preparations for the Expo to be finalised.

Year 7, 2024 and 2025 - An Evening with the Senior School
We warmly invite existing and prospective parents of Year 5 and 6 to 'An Evening with the Senior School' on Wednesday 31 May commencing at 6pm. This promises to be a beautiful evening which will allow us to showcase the Masada difference. Parents are able to chat with our team, whilst enjoying the hospitality of our students. I encourage all families in Year 5 and 6 to attend, extending this invitation to any prospective families in the community.

Please click here to RSVP by Wednesday 24 May.

We are now in the process of confirming enrolment places for Year 7, 2024 and Year 7, 2025. Enrolment numbers are strong, although we welcome your connections in the community if you have families that you would like to introduce to the College. Please have them reach out to our Enrolments Manager, Julia Suslik (enrolments@staff.masada.nsw.edu.au to begin the conversation.

A reminder that the College is closed on Thursday 25 May and Friday 26 May for our Staff Professional Learning and Shavuot respectively. Chag Sameach to our families.

If I can be of assistance at any time, please reach out to me by email: rgill@staff.masada.nsw.edu.au or by phone: 02 9449 3744.

Ryan Gill
Deputy Principal ELC-Y12 / Head of Senior School

A smile is a universal welcome. Max Eastman

Welcome to the start of term 2. I am excited to be leading the Junior School and working with such dedicated and talented teachers. I have been impressed with the high level of planning and preparation that has gone into the development of engaging and challenging learning experiences for our students.

A highlight has been visiting classrooms to observe the learning that is taking place. It has been inspiring to see our students so actively engaged in their learning, working collaboratively, asking questions, and reflecting. Our teachers are doing an incredible job of creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment that promotes creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It was such an exciting moment for me to see our students not only mastering the subject matter (multiplication) in a Mathematics class but also feeling confident enough to challenge me to solve a difficult problem. I was impressed by their tenacity and willingness to think critically, and problem solve.

One of the things that has been evident in my initial time here is the sense of community that exists within our school. I have seen parents dropping off their children in the morning and being greeted warmly by teachers and other parents alike. I have also witnessed students eagerly helping one another with tasks across the day. Masada College clearly values collaboration, kindness, and mutual respect.

I am looking forward to getting to know each family so that we can work together and continue building upon the positive nurturing learning environment for our students. I hope to meet as many families as possible at school events.

My door is always open, and I welcome your questions, comments, and feedback.

Masada College Early Learning Centre 2024 - Enrolling Now
Masada College offers classes for two, three and four year olds.
SUMMER Monday through Friday - 7:30am to 6:00pm
WINTER Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - 7:30am to 6pm and Friday - 7:30am to 4:15pm
All food is included. If you have a child this age or know someone that does, please contact the Enrolments office to begin the process to secure a place in our beautiful purpose built facility. Please encourage anyone you know not currently at Masada to contact the enrolments office at enrolments@staff.masada.nsw.edu.au or register for a Centre Tour via our website as we would love for them to join us.

Kindy 2024 - Enrolling Now
Please encourage anyone you know not currently at Masada to contact the enrolments office at enrolments@staff.masada.nsw.edu.au or register for a School Tour via our website as we would love for them to join us.

Year 7, 2024 - Enrolling Now
Please encourage anyone you know not currently at Masada to contact the enrolments office at enrolments@staff.masada.nsw.edu.au or register for a School Tour via our website as we would love for them to join us.

In May and June the College Canteen will be offering a special promotion for Shabbat meals to take home on Friday.

For orders please text or email Siggy:
Email - sigindc@gmail.com
Phone - 0425 248 408

Pick up dates and time is on the menu for each week.

Payment can be made in cash or Eftpos on pickup.

Please click here to view the menu.

Order before Monday 29th May - click here to order!

Mazel tov to Amaya Wainer in Year 9, who has been selected to join the ensemble in the Sydney Youth Musical Theatre's 2023 production of Disney's The Little Mermaid. The performances run from 22nd - 24th of September at the Riverside Theatre. For tickets and more information, please visit the website here.

The Yellow Room has been learning about Sea Creatures. The children have taken a particular interest in sharks, corals and fish. The children have created some wonderful group artworks, and are particularly proud of their whale shark with its “beautiful spots” as well as some lovely individual artworks depicting fish, crabs and corals in the reef.

Alongside our learning of these animals, we have also been learning about how we can take care of our oceans, keeping them free from rubbish.

In our discussions the children shared their understandings of what happens if there is rubbish in the sea; the rubbish can "go on the sea creature’s heads and really hurt them" or “the animals could eat the rubbish by mistake and make them really sick”.

To help combat this we have discussed that we can always make sure our rubbish goes in the rubbish bin or recycling bin, and we can pick up any rubbish we see in our playground or out in the environment (with the help of an adult). We have paired this learning with some hands-on experiences, sorting which items do and don’t belong in the ocean, and some very fun sensory play experiences; wading through a big tub of ‘sea foam’ to pick out the rubbish with nets and save the sea creatures.

Terms 1 and 2 have been action packed, adventurous and magical. The iconic Year 6 fete was held on the last day of Term 1. This was a huge success and we feel privileged and proud to announce that we raised $3,288.00 for the school. Thanks to the Year 6 students and teachers for all the effort they put in to make this possible and to all our generous sponsors. This truly was an incredible and unforgettable day for primary school and we cannot wait for other exciting experiences.

With a new term in full swing, there’s more enjoyment for everyone, kicking off with a special twist for Thursday Funday - dancing! Due to ASSISA, we have had to change the day. This week it’ll be Tuesday Funday, but the amount of fun we'll have won’t change. We cannot wait for this awesome new activity to take place. Please make sure to thank the Year 6’s as they have devoted a lot of their spare time to arrange this for you. We cannot wait to see the joy on everyone's faces and look forward to seeing you all there.

That's not all though! Word Wizard will also be returning to assemblies this term and we know that everyone’s vocabulary has started rapidly expanding as a result of it. This is why we will be hosting a quiz for Stage 2 to compete in which will involve a revision of everything that we’ve learnt so far. We are so excited to see you guys this coming term and wish you all the best.

From your fellow school captains,
Micah and Ryan

To start the Term on a high the Junior school celebrated Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. This year we commemorated 75 years of Israel's independence. The day was celebrated with great enthusiasm as students participated in a wide range of festivities. One of the highlights of the day was the camel rides, which gave students a taste of the traditional Bedouin lifestyle. Children enjoyed exploring the lolly shuk, where they could sample a variety of candies and sweets, and there were also crafts booths where they could make their own souvenirs. The students enjoyed the face painting and photo booth and a visit from JNF who introduced the My Israeli Passport project.

Students celebrated Lag B'Omer on the 9th of May. Their excitement to hear stories of tradition and history by Rabbi Shapiro, singing songs and eating marshmallows was an opportunity to celebrate the joy of being together. Students completed craft and creative writing activities that consolidated their learning about the chag and its traditions.

Trained educators from Life Ed have been on site this past week, facilitating a series of age-appropriate workshops for our students from ELC-Year 6. The Life Ed Program is designed to promote children's physical, social, and emotional health and wellbeing with the intent to empower students with specific strategies to make safe decisions about their own health and well-being. Each year the students participate in a different workshop to expand their strategies and aligns with the learning in their classrooms. It is always a fun and engaging experience for students when they visit the Healthy Harold Van and it was pleasing to see them embrace the workshops presented this year.

Take your marks, get set, bang! The race has begun. Twenty kids running their hardest while spectators are cheering enthusiastically from the sideline. The excitement of cross country from years K-6 was ongoing from 9:30am till 2:30pm. Some children were running their hearts out, some were walking with friends but everyone had a blast participating in the Masada College Cross Country 2023.

Cross Country was an incredible experience for our students. They had the opportunity to show off their running skills and some enjoyed the time as a bonding and fun experience with friends. We loved to see all the students participating and giving it their all. The house spirit was over the roof, one second you could hear Go Davis! Then the next second it was Go Monash and then Go Cowan! Everyone had spirit to bring to our cross country carnival 2023.

I am in Year 6 and a highlight for me this year was having the opportunity to run with my buddy. Seeing how enthusiastic and excited all the kindy’s were was so amazing and all of them were encouraging each other to keep going. All the students gathered around the finish line waiting for them to finish their race. Which house was going to come first, was it going to be Monash, Cowan or Davis or would there be a tie. In the end winning wasn’t important, all that mattered was that everyone had fun and gave it their all.

Whether you were running your heart out, cheering from the sideline or running with your buddy, the Masada College cross country carnival for 2023 was an amazing experience and everyone had a blast.

Written by your sport captain,
Tayla Maltz

Kindy and Year 1 began Term 2 with a visit to the theatre. We travelled on the school bus to Glen Street Theatre to see the Australian classic ‘Possum Magic’.

‘Possum Magic’ tells the enchanting tale of two possums, Grandma Poss and Hush, as they embark on a journey across Australia to make Hush visible again. The children were enthralled as we watched colourful costumes, imaginative set designs and special effects that captured the essence of the book’s magic and created an incredible theatrical experience.

Back on the bus home the kids declared that the show was fantastic and would also like some pavlova, lamingtons and a vegemite sandwich.

The IPSHA Junior School Debating Competition has begun again this year. The children chosen to represent Masada College are very enthusiastic and enjoying the time spent preparing and presenting their debates. The topic of our first debate "Youtube is better than TV" was a challenging debate because it was difficult to define TV. We debated against John Colet School here, at Masada. It was very enjoyable to host children from another school and we even had a bit of time to talk to their team before the debate began. This week we are hosting another debate at Masada and it will be against teams from Newington College. The topic this time is "Typing is better than writing," which is another interesting debate! We have one other debate this term and then we have four debates next term. Wish us luck!

It was a pleasure to spend time getting to know the prospective 2024 Kindergarten cohort recently at our two Kindergarten Experience Mornings. It was a unique opportunity for students to participate in a live Kindy class. Students enjoyed dancing, making playdough monsters and reading books with the Year 5 buddies. Parents had the opportunity to see inside a kindergarten classroom, learn about what is on offer at Masada Junior School as well as tour the school with our very capable school and sport captains.

Here is what some ELC students said when asked what they enjoyed about their experience in the Kindergarten classroom:
Eating morning tea with my buddy. He had a story about Pig and Pug. Parker
I loved making monsters; mine had four eyes. Vanya
Eating popcorn and listening to stories. Will
Playing games and having fun. Patrick

Here is what our year 5 buddies had to say about the mornings:
Reading to the ELC was like reading to a flower that was about to bloom! I had so much fun. Asher
As the book opens, eyes dart to the large, impressive figures on the page. I was amazed at how the story intrigued the ELC children, hypnotising them until the last page. Kian
The ELC children were so cute and kind to one another and they enjoyed all of the books we read to them. When I opened the book, the kids pointed at all the pictures and were so excited to read with us. I look forward to seeing them in Kindy next year! Han

With much excitement and a keen sense of adventure, 14 Gold Duke of Edinburgh students, accompanied by Ms Kirkpatrick and Ms Zeman and our Black Diamond guides touched down at Ayres Rock Airport. We knew we were about to embark on a once in a lifetime experience, but we could never have anticipated the natural wonders and cultural richness of this extraordinary part of the world. Not to mention the infinite number of flies!

Our journey began at Uluru and took us through some of the most remote and stunning landscapes of the Northern Territory, including the red rock formations of Kata Tjuta and the breathtaking Kings Canyon. The first sight of the vast red rock rising up from the desert landscape held a sense of mystery and wonder that is difficult to put into words. Sunrise at Uluru and seeing how the rock formation transforms into a stunning array of colours as the sun gradually rose above the horizon was a truly unforgettable experience.

After four challenging days completing our practice hike, we spent Shabbat at Alice Springs resting our weary bodies ahead of the Larapinta trail. By day we hiked through remarkable landscapes with breathtaking views and we camped each night under the stars, falling asleep to the sounds of the bush.

Along the way, we faced many challenges, both physically and mentally. However, with each challenge, we grew stronger as a team. We worked together to navigate through the roughest terrain, supporting and motivating each other day after day. In spite of all the challenges we endured, we immersed ourselves in the rich culture and history of the Aboriginal people.

Our Duke of Edinburgh trip to the Northern Territory exceeded expectations. We pushed ourselves to the limit to achieve things we never dreamt we were capable of, while experiencing the beauty and diversity of our country in such a unique way. What a privilege.

Written by Arin Ginsberg

To describe our Gold Duke of Ed, I can only think of the word worthwhile. We, as a group were tasked with 8 hours of purposeful activity every day, which was by no means a walk in the park. Instead, it was a hike through the boiling heat of the desert, a climb down a chasm or the building of a fire with just flint and sticks. To overcome these challenges, we as a group were forced to grow together, to build each other up, to have a positive attitude and to help others when help was needed.

Personally, as not the greatest morning person, I needed a solution to the 4:45am wake-ups which were common on the journey. From there came the largest lesson I’ve learned during Duke of Ed, which will shape the person I now strive to be following the expedition. “Do the hard things first.” The trip was full of learning opportunities like this, and the people that boarded the plane to the Northern Territory were not the same as those who left it.

For all its many challenges, the journey had triple the highlights. The beauty of Uluru at sunrise, the sleeps beneath the shining stars and the culture that underpinned our group throughout the difficult days on the Larapinta trail are memories that will last a lifetime. The infectious positivity that spread around our group and the spirit shown were things that can not be replicated. The journey was a test of teamwork and we passed with flying colours.

Overall, the experience of Gold Duke of Ed was unforgettable, and I am so grateful to everyone who provided our group with this opportunity.

Written by Ricky Maltz

Bright Awards
A celebration of creative Year 10, 11 and 12 students, the Bright Awards recognise up-and-coming designers and support the future of the arts in high schools across Australia. Whether you’re just tapping into your talent or keen to show off your well-developed skills, Billy Blue College of Design’s Bright Awards give you the chance to have your work recognised by industry experts. Plus, monetary prizes for both students and schools go towards kick-starting creative dreams. Entries Close 3 Sept
https://www.torrens.edu.au/studying-with-us/why-study-with-us/student-showcase/bright-awards

Discover your Path to Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists play an important role in keeping people moving, whether it be for maximum performance in athletes and people with chronic health conditions. They also have an impact on patients who require rehabilitation after events such as surgery or a catastrophic accident. It can be rewarding to see patients reach their goals. https://www.myhealthcareer.com.au/physiotherapy-career/

Australian Science Olympiads - Registration Now Open
The Australian Science Olympiads are a staged science enrichment program for highly motivated students in Australian high schools. The ultimate goal of the Australian Science Olympiads is to select the team to represent Australia at the International Science Olympiads. The Australian Science Olympiad Exams are challenging but rewarding online exams held once a year. Following the completion of the exams, students may be offered a place in our pathway programs. All programs are by invitation-only. https://www.asi.edu.au/program/australian-science-olympiads/

Applications Now Open for National Youth Science Forum Year 12 Program – closing 31 July
The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Year 12 Program is designed to give students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and to encourage continued studies in these fields. https://www.nysf.edu.au/programs/year-12-program/

Cadetships, Apprenticeships, Traineeships

Professional Cadetships
In 2023 current Year 12 students can apply for cadetship opportunities with UBS, Macquarie Bank and Barrenjoey Capital Partners and Macquarie Group. Business cadets study at the university of their choice in Sydney and may select from a wide range of degree programs including; economics, commerce, business, actuarial studies, computer science & technology, mathematics and humanities. In addition to the Business Cadetship placements, UBS will offer Technology Cadetships. Cadets will be placed in the Chief Digital & Information Office where they gain experience across the firm. Applications for Business Cadetships close on 24 May and for Technology Cadetships on 2 June.
Applications are made online at www.professionalcadets.com.au

Update from Tertiary Institutions

TAFE NSW 2024 TVET Guide
TAFE-delivered Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses help students build practical skills and industry specific knowledge, and count toward school outcomes, with some courses contributing towards an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). A copy of the new 2024 TVET Guide is available here

University Admissions Centre (UAC)
For a list of upcoming open days visit the following site: https://www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/open-days

Digital Information Sessions
A range of free webinars available to students and parents/carers to access live or to view recordings of events. The sessions include information and Q&A’s on the application process, panel discussions with experts on moderation and scaling, and introductions to the many and varied universities in NSW and the ACT. They also include a series of sessions focused on popular fields of study. Visit the following site for more information: https://www.uac.edu.au/schools/uac-digital

Macquarie University
Year 12 webinar series on topics such as Early Entry, Study Without Stress, Guide to Uni and more – For more information and to register click here

UNSW - Year 10 Information evening - 23 May @ 6pm - 7pm - Register here

• The Law Admission Test (LAT) Now Open Closes 11 August, with late registrations until 6 September 2023. The Law Admission Test (LAT) is a professionally designed and scored selection test developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to assess the types of aptitudes and skills that are critical to success in tertiary Law programs. These aptitudes and skills include the ability to think critically, organise and express ideas in a clear and fluent way.

University of Melbourne - Melbourne Uni 101 information sessions
Recordings of recent information sessions for interstate and NZ students are now available to stream online. Please click here to watch.

UTS
Upcoming information events. Hear from key academics about what it's like to study these different courses at UTS and how best to prepare. There will also be Q&A sessions where you can have your questions answered live.

• Mechanical and Megatronic Engineering – 22 May @ 5.30pm - Register here
• Women in Engineering and IT Scholarships – 23 May @ 5.30pm – Register here
• For more engineering and IT webinars – click here

University of Sydney - Webinar Wednesday sessions
Registration links can be found on the Undergraduate Events page. The Webinar series is designed to help students discover what it's like to study a bachelor's degree at Sydney University and to learn more about our entry pathways and admission schemes. These webinars are best suited for students from Years 10-12, and include tips on your school subjects, preparing for university and how to choose a course. The series also includes faculty-specific speakers. Upcoming webinars:

• Sydney College of the Arts Portfolio Evening – 30 May @ 4-7pm
• Sydney Conservatorium of Music Portfolio – 1 June @ 5-7pm