Last week I had the pleasure of hosting Ava from Year 3 as she became ‘Principal for the day’. Ava was a fantastic principal. I was impressed with her leadership skills. Ava’s final task of the day was to write the week’s Principal’s message for the newsletter. She chose to write about her experience as Principal for the day:
What did I do with Mrs. Charet?
I got 1 special badge from Cindi and another special badge from Mrs Charet
I walked to the ELC
I watched the green room Chanukah performance
I went to the blue room and saw my little brother Zac
I walked back to the Junior School
As we got back Alex (Mrs Charet’s assistant) asked if we wanted any hot drinks from the café and I said “can I have some warm milk with a marshmallow please?” and she said “sure”
Then we had a meeting with Russel who works in IT
We spoke about new staff and getting a staff vending machine
Then Neville came in and told me a joke (we always tell each other jokes)
Then Alex got back from the café with all of the hot drinks
Then we went and looked at the high schools connections program (which was escape rooms and crime scenes)
Then Mrs Charet, Alex and I went through the to do list
Then we read 2 stories to Kindergarten (The Cat in the Hat and Giraffes Can’t Dance)
Then it was recess and I was on duty
As we walked into the door of Mrs. Charet’s office Mr Gill came, ready for our meeting. The people that were at the meeting were Mrs Charet, Alex, Mrs Gunasekara, Mr Gil and me. We first spoke about our favourite and least favourite parts of this week so far I said “My least favorite was the heat and my favorite is being Mrs Charet!” We also spoke about the following ideas: Regular maintenance for the bubblers, A long-term plan for the bags in the Junior School, No more eating in the Multi-Purpose room, School uniform review. The meeting went for about 30 minutes (half an hour).
Then we went around to the kindergarten classroom to get my glasses because I left them there when I was reading to the Kindergarten students and then we visited my classroom because Morah Carni wanted to see me
Then Neville came and told me another joke
Then I told a joke back to Neville
Then the Head of Business Administration called Mr Chapman came to see us about an insurance question
Then I spent about 5 more minutes with Mrs Charet in her office and then I went back to class (which was Math)
Neville’s jokes were funny but I only remember 1 of them, it was:
“Why did the principal carry a mirror around? So that she could reflect on her decisions!”
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Well, I had a really fun day being principal along side Mrs Charet and I even left her a note on her computer and it says: I loved spending half/ ½ a day with you Mrs Charet
from Ava
Raquel Charet College Principal
From the Executive Team
Deputy Principal
Our slogan for this year, “Together we are more, 2024” set a profound and positive tone for the year. It called upon every member of our College community to contribute, both in significant ways and through small actions, in the face of adversity, to reach our collective aspirations. As we take this time to reflect on our vision, goals, and accomplishments, we look back on the year that passed and look forward to future Masada.
It's astonishing how quickly 2024 has drawn to a close. I write this, my last newsletter article, with a deep sense of pride and gratitude for all that continues to make Masada the very special place it is. This year was filled with opportunities to stand in solidarity and be proud of our community. The tremendous impact on our community of late, has emphasised the critical importance of connection and interaction for the wellbeing of each individual in our College community.
Throughout the year, across the College, our students excelled both inside and outside the classroom. Whilst there have been many highlights, too many to mention, several of particular note include our Pathways Camps and Shabbatons, Duke of Edinburgh, Living Historians, Pink Stumps Day, Diversity Day, Wellbeing Week, Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Performing Arts evening and always a must-see, our HSC showcase featuring our talented students across multiple disciplines. On behalf of our dedicated educators and staff, I express my heartfelt gratitude to our students for their efforts in representing themselves, their families, and our College with distinction.
Connections Building on the tremendous success of our Ignition experience last year, Connections promised to be a highlight for our Year 7-9 students. Central to our approach at Masada College is our culture of thinking, and this was certainly at the heart of Connections this past fortnight. Our dedicated and passionate educators, led by Head of Learning and Teaching, Jen Grace, ensured the last few weeks of term were full of critical and creative thinking with real-world experiences. Whilst other schools are winding down for the year, our educators push further to engage our students in their learning.
Jewish Life Further testament to the commitment of our teachers has been evident in the Jewish life of the College. Spearheaded by our College Principal, Raquel Charet, our Year 10 Gesher Together conference drew together almost 400 students from across Sydney and Western Australia. With expert speakers, focused on important topics to guide our students, the conference also acted as a bonding opportunity for students. The conference was the beginning of a program for our students unable to participate in the Masada Israel Trip. A significant thanks goes to Liora Hayman and Alex Wild for their key roles in organising the conference. This was followed by a week-long experience including incursions such as the community hackathon and Shazam! as well as a visit to the Jewish Film Festival and Adamama Farm, with some fun bonding activities in between! Our thanks go to Shoshana Gottlieb for ongoing support for our programs.
Reflection on the year As all of our students are undertaking or have just completed some assessments for the year, our attention turns to review, reflection and goal setting. Assessment for the sake of assessment, at least in my mind, is a waste of our time. What we do with the feedback obtained by undertaking the assessment is key.
Throughout the year I have met with our Year 10, 11 and 12 students and their parents/carers to review and reflect together. Our Review and Reflect meetings provide a time to take stock, to assess what is next, what we are aspiring for and how we can get there intact. At its core, our review and reflect sessions with students are an opportunity to slow down and focus on what’s possible.
The end of year is a special time. The mind kicks into reflection mode (the past), wonders what’s next (the future), and ideally also practises gratitude (the present). We may ask ourselves:
What did I do well?
What can I do better?
What more can I do?
How else can I contribute to the people who matter most in my life?
What do I want next year to look like?
Self-reflection is a humbling yet powerful experience. It’s one of the best ways to maximise our learning, discover how we do our best work and improve our performance. In its simplest form, reflection means taking time to think, examine and review ourselves. Reflection is a structured process, which allows us to step back and systematically review past events. To get the most value, we must ensure we move beyond the surface level of what happened and dig a little deeper.
Some people find this uncomfortable as it makes us take an honest look at ourselves: our current level of skills, our behavioural patterns, our strengths and weaknesses, and how we influence others. But for those who are willing to take an honest look at themselves, experience will turn into significant growth.
As we ask our students, staff and community to review and reflect on the year we have experienced together, we take an opportunity to learn and grow together and plan what’s in store for a successful 2025.
Farewells and Welcomes At this time of year, we also say a fond farewell to some of our colleagues:
Laura Mills, Science and Technology teacher, leaves us to move to a new school closer to home. Laura has been a committed and passionate teacher in the faculty, as well fulfilling a temporary role as Year Patron during her time with us.
Alissa Erdmann, English Teacher, leaves us at the end of the year. Ally’s passion and commitment to her students at the College has been appreciated by all in her time at Masada. We wish Ally the very best.
Jo Gluckman, English teacher, rejoined the faculty earlier this year, to replace another teacher who had to unexpectedly leave the College. Jo’s experience and commitment to teaching has been appreciated by all. We wish Jo the very best in her new role and school.
We also farewell Rabbi Mendy and Rabbi Lobel and thank them for their contributions and dedication to our students in Jewish Life and Classical Hebrew.
Welcome back!
Jess Lyons, returns to us from maternity leave as Head of Learning Area - Performing Arts Curricular (ELC-12). Laura Peisley will continue as Year Patron but will also be Head of Learning Area - Performing Arts Co-Curricular (ELC-12). We wish Jess and Laura the very best in these new roles.
Liora Hayman, returns to us from maternity leave as Head of Learning Area - Jewish Life and Experiential Learning. We wish Liora well as she returns to this integral role for the College.
We look forward to welcoming some new staff members to the College in 2025. More details of our newest additions to the Masada faculty will be announced at the beginning of the new school year.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support over the past fourteen years for me at Masada College. It has been a privilege and an honour to serve the community and I look forward to seeing continued growth and success over the coming years.
I wish the community a Chanukah Sameach and a restful and happy summer break.
Mr Ryan Gill Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School
Head of Junior School
Farewells
As the year comes to an end, we bid farewell to some of our esteemed colleagues who have made a lasting impact on our community:
Jenna Sandler, Torah Stream teacher, has been a cherished member of our community since 2019, when she joined the Torah Stream team. Over the years, Jenna has worked across the Junior School, sharing her profound passion for Judaism and Torah with students and colleagues alike. Her contributions have enriched our College in countless ways, and she has left an enduring impact on those she has taught and worked alongside.
Viva Hammer, Torah Stream teacher, leaves us at the end of the year. Viva’s passion and enthusiasm for the program, along with her contributions to the broader Kehillat Masada community, have been deeply appreciated. Her dedication to Jewish learning and culture has been a valued part of her time here.
Oliver Priestly, Sports teacher, will also be departing. Oliver’s boundless energy and enthusiasm have inspired students both on and off the field. His dedication to fostering a love for sport and enhancing co-curricular opportunities has been a highlight of his time with us.
While we are sad to see them go, we are deeply grateful for the passion, energy, and care they have brought to our school. Their contributions have enriched our community, and they will always remain a part of the Masada family. We wish them all the very best in the next chapter of their journeys.
Karen Gunasekara Head of Junior School
Masada Cottage
2024 in the ELC
As the year draws to a close, we reflect on what has been an incredible journey of growth,learning and flourishing for all our children. Watching each child grow in confidence and thrive in their own unique way has been a privilege and a joy. The year culminated with our amazing end of year concerts,where the children proudly showcased their talents and achievements. These performances were a testament to their hard work,determination and growth over the year. Seeing the proud smiles of parents and families ,made the moment even more special.
Every child has accomplished their goals, whether mastering new skills,forming lasting friendships, or discovering their passions.Their journey has been a true reflection of the nurturing, encouraging environment we aim to provide.
We thank our wonderful families for their wonderful support throughout this year.
As we reflect on this remarkable year, we are reminded of the upcoming festival of Channukah. Just as the flames of the Channukiah shine brightly and grow stronger,so too has every child flourished,becoming a unique and radiant light within our community.
We wish each child Be’Hatzlacha as they enter another stage in their lives.
On Thursday 27 November, an audience of parents, grandparents, students and friends were treated to performances by our curricular and co-curricular ensembles at the Junior Music Showcase. The event is held at the end of the year to celebrate the progress of Kindergarten to Year Six students participating in ensembles. Our students were fortunate to have the opportunity to share the stage with a number of professional musicians, including their tutors who were immensely proud to see how they performed.
The Year 5/6 Guitar Ensemble opened the evening with a fun original composition, followed by performances from the Junior Choir, joined by our Senior Choir leaders; Recorder Ensemble; and Year Four ensembles. It was fantastic to hear how far our Year Four students have come this year, and we look forward to watching their musical journey as they continue on their instruments next year. Following a brief interval, the audience was treated to impressive performances from the Junior Contemporary Band, Senior Choir, Year 5/6 String Ensemble and Year 5/6 Concert Band.
Kol HaKavod to all of the students who performed at the showcase. The Music Department have been so impressed with the effort students have put into their learning this year, and we were thrilled to be able to celebrate in their success on the evening. We look forward to another fantastic year of music making in 2025.
Mr Burgess, Mrs Peisley & Neville Kaye
Linguafest Finals
This year, Masada Language students from both Primary and High School eagerly embraced the challenge of creating short films in Hebrew or Chinese to compete in the prestigious Linguafest competition, organised by the Modern Language Association of NSW. A total of 35 schools across New South Wales submitted entries in a variety of languages, showcasing an impressive array of talent.
The judging panel was thoroughly impressed by the creativity, skill, and quality of our students' films. Their hard work and artistic flair earned our Year 4/5 Hebrew students two "Highly Commended" nominations—a testament to their dedication and talent.
We eagerly look forward to enjoying your fantastic work in next year’s competition!
Mrs Adi Halevi, Mrs Avril Shear and Mrs Carni Goldberg Hebrew Teachers
Year 5 Moving Bodies
Year 5 had a super fun and active time completing the Ninja course at Moving Bodies in Mount Kuring-gai as part of our learning in Science about forces. Every single student tried their hardest to conquer the physical challenges of the warped walls, cargo net, spider wall, floating doors, rope climb, floating steps and peg wall. It was wonderful to see so many students attempt some of the obstacles multiple times and celebrate that special feeling when a goal has been achieved through effort and determination.
Congratulations to the exceptional individuals who have been recognised as recipients of the Week 6 Merit Awards!
Year 5 and 6 Intercultural Workshop
The students from year 5 and 6 attended the Lotte Weiss Intercultural workshop this past Wednesday at the Sydney Jewish Museum, where they had the chance to meet and interact with students from Our Lady of Mt Carmel. The students were broken into groups and mixed with students from the other school. They played a few icebreaker games and got to know a little more about each other. They then split up into small groups and had a chance to learn more about each other and their different cultures.
After recess we came back together in our small groups and the students shared the Identity object (something that students were asked to bring from home that was significant to them) they had chosen to bring with them and explained why it was important to their identity. The groups then put their objects together and created their own museum showcase and chose a title to explain the connections they had made with each other and their Identity objects.
After lunch the groups shared their showcases and explained what they had brought, why it was important to them and how they had chosen to connect everything together as a group.
The workshop is funded by the family of Holocaust Survivor Lotte Weiss, who sought to honour her message of inclusivity and understanding, and provided an excellent opportunity for our Masada students a chance to share their culture with others and learn about another culture first hand.
As a culmination of our Shabbat Unit, Year 4 enjoyed a morning of experiential activities that brought parts of Shabbat alive. Rebbetzin Deb Friedler joined us to talk about the significance and spirituality of Havdallah and showed the students her precious Besamim box that was handed to her by her grandparents after it was taken out of Europe during the Holocaust. Students then completed various activities that included decorating challah covers, making and assembling Havdallah kits, decorating kiddush cups and baking delicious chocolate babka, which the students took home to their families. Students thoroughly enjoyed this immersive experience and many were mesmerised by Rebbetzin Deb’s inspirational story, proving that our heritage and customs truly spans generation after generation.
Year 2 students recently visited Montefiore, spreading warmth and happiness through their thoughtful gestures. The young children filled the room with Chanukah songs, lifting the spirits of the elderly residents. They also read aloud poems they had written about cockatoos, showcasing their creativity. As part of their visit, the students handed out cards with personal messages, brightening the day of each resident. The event was a truly special moment, as the children's kindness and excitement brought smiles to both them and the elderly.
Chanukah Concert
To culminate a year of Jewish learning and chagim, we celebrated our Chanukah end of year concert performing to a hall filled with family and friends. Our students performed beautiful renditions of Chanukah songs accompanied by videos and moving images that added to the already warm and vibrant atmosphere.
A special way to close off the year and to send wishes of prosperity, health and a year of light and joy to all our families.
For their Year 8 end-of-year project, beginner and intermediate Hebrew students were tasked with creating and presenting a PowerPoint presentation about their personal lives. They were assessed on several factors, including content, fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and presentation skills. This task is a highlight of the year, as speaking for up to 5 minutes in a different language is no easy feat. It challenges students to apply their language skills in a real-world context, boosting both their confidence and proficiency. All students did a fantastic job, showcasing their hard work and language abilities, while demonstrating strong communication and presentation skills.
