At Masada College, we strive to create a nurturing and supportive environment where every member of our school community feels valued and connected. An essential part of achieving this is ensuring clear and effective communication between parents, students, and staff. This foundation of open dialogue helps us build strong, positive relationships that benefit our students' overall experience and success.

The Importance of Following the Communication Flowchart
We understand that there are times when you may need to reach out to the school with questions or concerns. To help guide you in these instances, we have developed a detailed communication flowchart, which we encourage you to refer to whenever you need to address an academic or wellbeing issue.

Why is this important?

• Context Matters: Staff members in specific roles have the contextual details and firsthand knowledge necessary to address your concerns accurately and efficiently. When you speak directly to the appropriate person, you're likely to get quicker and more relevant responses.
• Respecting Roles: Going over someone's head can inadvertently undermine the trust and respect we have for our dedicated staff. Empowering the right people to handle your concerns ensures that everyone feels respected and valued in their roles.
• Building Trust: Following the established communication process fosters a culture of trust and collaboration. It ensures that all concerns are addressed in a proactive and efficient manner, which ultimately strengthens the relationship between parents and the school.

We have included the communication flowchart with this newsletter to guide you in determining the most appropriate person to contact for various issues. By following this guide, you help maintain a harmonious and effective communication environment at Masada College.

Wishing You a Wonderful Winter Holiday
As we approach the winter holiday season, we want to extend our warmest wishes to you and your family. May this holiday be filled with special quality time spent with your children, creating cherished memories and enjoying the break together.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation. We look forward to continuing to work together to provide the best possible educational experience for your children.

Raquel Charet
College Principal

In the Junior School, students have access to ‘Seesaw’, a student-driven digital portfolio. It is a platform used to foster partnerships with families, providing insight into the classroom and enhancing meaningful connections between families and their children's learning experiences.

Seesaw is a simple way for teachers and students to record and share classroom experiences. It gives students a place to document their learning journey, record their thinking, be creative, and reflect on the learning process. Each student has their own journal and will add snapshots of their learning throughout the year. When there are new Seesaw posts, families can be informed via app notification, email, or SMS. Parents are only notified about their own child’s work so that all information remains private.

Students can use creative tools to take pictures, draw, record videos, and more, capturing their learning in a portfolio.

As parents, how often do you ask, "How was your day today?" and receive a response like "good" or "fine"? Seesaw allows you to ask about specific learning activities: "I saw you were working on building a fraction wall in Mathematics today. What was that about?" We hope parents find Seesaw a valuable tool, offering a true glimpse into the classroom and strengthening the relationship between school and home. Families can view their child's work and celebrate their achievements.

If you are yet to connect to the platform you can do so by following the below steps:

1. Click the Seesaw link below your child/ren’s class/es

Year K - 2024 https://app.seesaw.me/s/230-390-418

Year 1 – 2024 https://app.seesaw.me/s/236-074-714

Year 2 – 2024 https://app.seesaw.me/s/526-780-016

Year 3 – 2024 https://app.seesaw.me/s/231-481-870

Year 4 – 2024 https://app.seesaw.me/s/004-312-764

Year 5 – 2024 https://app.seesaw.me/s/823-393-565

Year 6 – 2024 https://app.seesaw.me/s/733-073-757

2. Select your child’s name from the list of students on the screen.

3. Choose either 'Create Family Member Account' (new families will need to do this), or 'Sign In To Family Member Account' (if you already have an account from last year) to access your child’s personal digital portfolio.

Karen Gunasekara
Head of Junior School

The Jewish Life team were incredibly fortunate to welcome two special visitors: Ron Weiser AM and Orit Elkayam Cohen, the Jewish Agency representative in Australia and New Zealand.

Orit shared two engaging activities to bring into our classrooms, focusing on the themes of Jewish identity and Zionism, and the importance of fostering rich debates that appreciate diverse opinions. Ron provided us with an insightful briefing on the current situation in Israel, highlighting positive and encouraging developments.

A huge thank you to Ron and Orit for their invaluable contributions!

A select group of Year 11 students had the privilege of hearing Rudy Rochman speak at Moriah College on Monday, June 24. Rudy, an Israel Rights Activist, discussed his tireless efforts to shift global, ideological, and political conversations regarding the Jewish people and Israel. He emphasized the importance of uniting sectors of Israeli society, raising awareness of disconnected tribes of Israel worldwide, and finding innovative ways to combat antisemitism. Rudy also shared his recent experiences as a reservist fighting against Hamas in Kfar Aza and Gaza. He charged the students with the responsibility to use their unique skills to support Israel and foster unity. We thank MDA and Moriah College for this valuable opportunity.

Mrs Shterny Dadon
Head of Jewish Life, ELC-Y12

The Blue Room children have had fun exploring sunflowers. One of our children went sunflower picking and kindly brought in a huge bunch of sunflowers. This sparked an interest amongst all of our children, and using the flowers as a provocation, we set up a still life area. Still life drawing is a great way to build essential drawing skills and enhance eye hand co-ordination, attention to detail and enhance creativity. It extends the children’s observational skills and encourages an appreciation of the world around them. The children carefully observed the details of the flowers, including interesting lines, shapes and shades of colours into their art. They were enthusiastic participants in this learning experience and it was wonderful to see each child experience a sense of achievement. We further extended this activity and learnt about the famous artist Vincent Van Gogh. This was an enriching experience which fosters an early appreciation for art and creativity. Responding to our children’s interests allows us to see their learning as integrated and interconnected. It also recognises the connections between our families and communities. The children proudly ensure that every adult that enters our room has the opportunity to view our wonderful “Sunflower Mural”. Each day they enthusiastically enjoy and appreciate their art, as well as celebrate the achievement of their friends.

Our Year 5 students had a special lunchtime with their lunchbox buddies from the ELC. They enjoyed sharing their lunchtime, reading books, and playing together in the junior school playground.

This event was not only fun but also important for building a strong school community. The ELC students got a taste of what Kindergarten will be like next year, while the Year 5 students practised leadership skills, preparing for their roles as Year 6 leaders.

The lunchbox buddy time was a great success, filled with laughter, learning, and new friendships. We look forward to more opportunities for our older and younger students to connect and grow together.

Year K has been working so hard on learning the first first few letters of the Aleph Bet. They have had lots of fun exploring new letters and words through a mixture of hands-on activities.

Years 2-6 students had a wonderful Athletics Carnival this week. We were blessed with gorgeous sunny, warm weather. A treat compared to the cold conditions we have become used to recently!

Students competed in a number of track and field events earning ribbons and House points. The levels of enthusiasm and team spirit were high and it was wonderful to see our students showing the best of themselves competing on the track.

Congratulations to the exceptional individuals who have been recognized as recipients of the Week 10 Merit Awards!

This term Year Six students have been working diligently to complete their outstanding ‘Field of Studies’ projects. Each student selected a topic that was of interest to them and then spent time researching and learning all about it. The topics were varied and ranged from Nuclear Fusion to The Fish Doorbell. Students had to take all their learning and apply it to a ‘Deeper Thinking Task’ that showed an original idea based on all their new knowledge. Finally, in week nine, the students put all their work together to be displayed at the F.O.S Exhibition which was visited and enjoyed by students, staff and parents. Congratulations to Year Six for all your amazing work.

The Year 4 Hebrew class has been studying the language topic “The Birthday Party” this semester. As we near the end of this topic of study the students wrote about their ideal birthday party. They included in their writing what type of food they had and what entertainment there was at their party. The students typed their story using the computer program Padlet. Each student posted their story on the Padlet wall. They were all extremely proud of the end result! Kol Hakavod to Year 4!

On Wednesday 19 June, the Junior School hosted the 22nd Annual David Selinger Memorial Eisteddfod. Families, friends and teachers were treated to performances from 25 talented students and had the opportunity to listen to a range of different styles and instruments. We also welcomed back Morah Sheli Wallach, who generously gave up her time to accompany students. The adjudicator, Sophie Unsen, a respected conductor and educator (who once tutored saxophone at Masada!) had a difficult time selecting the prize winners and commented on the confidence and outstanding effort of all performers. While there were only two prize winners for each category, we congratulate all students who performed for their effort and dedication to learning their instrument. The prize winners of the Eisteddfod will be travelling to the Sydney Opera House in August to see the Sydney Symphony Orchestra perform ‘Daughter of the Inner Stars’, which features a live narrator and original animations set to a unique orchestral score.

We were delighted that Susan Selinger was able to attend and so thrilled to continue sharing in David’s love of music through this event. The Music Department would like to express our deepest thanks for the generosity of Susan and David Selinger in supporting this event and celebrating a new generation of musicians.

Thank you to those parents who attended the parent information session for the Junior School wellbeing program ‘Grow Your Mind’. We received fantastic feedback and many parents felt that the strategies and attributes their children are learning daily are very valuable. One parent wrote, “Thank you for last night’s presentation of the Grow Your Mind program. Was a real treat and highlight. Kristina was great. I’m delighted Masada is offering this to our children. Already tonight I’ve made reference to the guard dog to tone down an outsized reaction, and everyone immediately was on the same page and it was very effective.”

If you would like to support Grow Your Mind to provide mental health education in rural and regional primary schools please click on the link below.

Project Flourish

Our Year 12 Design and Technology students had a fantastic day gaining momentum with their Major Design Projects. Watching their innovative ideas come to life is truly inspiring. Keep up the tremendous work, everyone.

Mrs Steel
SciTas Teacher

Year 9 Hebrew Non-background students; Andrew, Xan, and Leo had the opportunity to cook Israeli food as part of the curriculum on Israeli culture and traditions. They did an outstanding job, both in cooking and presenting in Hebrew. It was a joy to spend this time with them. Than you to Ms Zeiz, Mrs Street, and Ms Tius for your support. A special thank you goes to Mrs Halevi for being an exceptional mentor. Please enjoy the video below of our learning in action!

Ms Dana Shai
Hebrew Teacher

Year 8 students made visual representations of their understanding of the novel Coraline. They then had to match these with a reflective analysis. We are very proud of their efforts!

Mrs Alissa Erdmann
English Teacher

This term, our beginners and intermediate Hebrew students in Years 7 and 8 embarked on an inspiring journey of self-expression and language mastery through the creation of their own introductory films. The spoken piece was divided into four engaging sections, covering 3-4 topics per section.

Speaking fluently and confidently to the camera, they seized the opportunity to shine brightly.

Through this project, our students not only honed their language skills but also boosted their confidence in expressing themselves in Hebrew. Their creativity and dedication were truly commendable, reflecting their growing proficiency and enthusiasm for the language.

Here are only a few examples of our wonderful students self introducing themselves:

Tali Henson - Year 7

Max Liu - Year 7

Ezra Dunn - Year 8

Kol Hakavod Masada students!

Morah Liat
Hebrew Teacher

During this semester, Masada students represented Australia in the Curate and Create competition organised by the National Library of Israel. . This institution is the foremost institution of national memory, serving not only the Israeli nationbut also the Jewish people worldwide. Hebrew class students were engaged with significant questions about Israel. This engagement formed the basis for the creation of a poster, exploring topics such as:

• What role did Israel play in the Jewish world?
• What role did Israel play in my life? How did Israel shape my Jewish story?
• What values did or should Israel represent? Have these values changed over the years?

Through this exploration, students delved into the multifaceted impact of Israel on Jewish identity and values, both historically and in contemporary times.

You can see the poster entries here.

Adi Halevi
Head of Learning Area - Languages

The thrill of our first hike still lingers as we embark on our second journey through the Royal National Park. Our group has expanded to 25 adventurers, and we eagerly anticipate the mesmerising challenge of the coast track from Bundeena to Wattamolla Beach. "May the whales be with us."

From strolling along rainy beaches to exploring breathtaking rocky shores, from witnessing whales leaping from the sea to navigating the exhilarating quicksand river crossings, our two days in this ancient national park were truly unforgettable. We strengthened our bodies and enriched our knowledge by tracing the indigenous rock carvings along the trails.

As the stars descended upon the grass, our "nightlife" began to unfold. Cooking a hot dinner at camp provided us with the warmth we craved. Lying back on the grass, gazing up at the stars, we found solace and relaxation in this perfect moment. And at dawn the next day, we set off on a new journey to make another profound memory.

As we pass Wedding Cake Rock and traverse the two Marley Beaches, our second journey draws to a close, yet this unique memory will forever remain in our hearts. As Mave and Jack wisely noted, each adventure is etched in our minds at the Black Diamonds, fueling our anticipation for the next. With Bronze soon behind us, we eagerly anticipate unveiling the mysteries of Silver. What could lie ahead for us?

Benjamin Huang
Year 9 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Student