Dear Community,

In Douglas Adam’s classic novel Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy there exists a unique and unusual species of alien called the Babel fish which when placed in a host’s ear can offer the capacity to instantly translate every known language in the universe. Last year Google released its new product, Pixel Buds. These are headphones that when attached to a Google Smartphone are designed to offer instantaneous translation to supported foreign languages.

I haven’t experimented with Google Buds but I certainly have explored a range of different translation software. In my experience the technology is flawed, often lacks nuance and cultural context. Nonetheless, when I take a step back, stop taking it all for granted and think of the incredible service that is provided, I am blown away. Whilst the hardware and software cannot yet be entirely relied upon we can all see where this is heading. I have little doubt that within the next few years we will all have acce

Both our Yr 8/9 tennis teams won the EISM championship this week. The boys' team won convincingly with 8-1 while the girls' team won a thrilling 5-4.

Great way to end the year!

Year 7 students were privileged to have three students from Cambodia come and speak to us this week. Pheak, Synich and Ramey spoke about their journey of four years, from a life of illiterate poverty to being able to speak almost fluent English and studying masters in business and international relations. This was all because of their participation in a NGO, the Cambodia Rural Students Trust (CRST), dedicated to allowing all Cambodian children to have an education and to eventually go to university; opening up many avenues for their future.

The massive impact of the Khmer Rouge regime resulted in a whole generation not being able to read or write, as schools were closed during that time. Because of this effect, mainly being erosion of educational and social infrastructures, especially in the impoverished countryside, a large number of families cannot afford to send their children to school and they are often left to roam the streets, sent to work on the land. Many children of these

Over the past few weeks, the children in Senior Kinder have been learning the song "Down by the Bay" with Liz during their music classes. It's a fun song that uses a call and response making it easy for the students to remember and learn the melodic patterns of the music. The children have really enjoyed the song, particularly the creation of very silly rhymes. Liz set the class some “homework” to do back in Kinder, where each child needed to come up with their own silly rhyme. The children drew a picture to accompany their rhyme and proudly sang and presented their work to Liz last week.

As part of a semester long unit on the Jewish life-cycle, our Year 7 students had the honour of hearing from Rabbi Gersh Lazarow and Tahara (ritual purification) volunteer, Mark Riecher about Jewish death, burial and mourning rituals this week.

On Monday this week, the Year 7 boys basketball team capped off a wonderful season by taking out the EISM basketball championship. This was the 3rd basketball championship for KDS as we continue to dominate the sport at EISM level.

Well done to coach Randy who won his 4th title this year.

Four Year 8 students will be participating in the Maccabi Pan American Games as part of the Junior Football (soccer) in Mexico next year. In the lead up to their departure, Mitch Langer, Oscar Schyer, Amiel Selzer and Mark Shvartsman have organised a number of fundraising initiatives to cover some of the cost to participate. Working alongside qualified coaches, the Junior Football team are holding a fun filled week of sport and entertainment for children aged 8 to 12 in the School holidays (17 to 20 December 2018). See attached for more detail.

On Thursday last week the Junior School Choir went on an excursion and performed at the Beth Weizmann Community Centre for the United Israel Appeal Chanukah morning tea. The students from Year 2, 3 & 5 sang a selection of songs they've worked on this year including some Chanukah music. The students were given a small gift and a certificate in acknowledgement of their performances.

In class we all made a book to help child migrants and make their experience into Australia easier. The book was aimed to make them feel welcome and know that there are lots of people here to help them settle in. On the 18th of November me and a few other members of the class participated in Mitzvah day where Sudanese Refugees came together and had a fun day full of activities. When we presented the book to them, we all gathered in a room and we read the book to them. After that we handed out a copy to everyone and they all seemed happy and appreciative. Over all the day was really fun, filled with many activities and it was really fun hanging out with the Sudanese community and hearing their stories.

Poppy

The Kedem text study group is studying "The Song of Song". Next meeting is Wednesday 5 December. See attached for more detail.

Join the TBI community for Chanukah activities on Friday 7 December starting at 5pm with family activities including donut decorating. 6.15pm is candle lighting and service.

Friends of KDS Association are very excited for the "Hooray for Hollywood" event next Saturday 16 February 2019. Looking forward to a wonderful event! VENUE: Kooyong Tennis Club. TIME: 7.00pm start Enquiries: contact Eric Krause: eric@erickrause.com.au