Latest News

Former Israeli Ambassador visits KDS

Former Israeli Ambassador visits KDS

On Tuesday afternoon, the students of Global Politics Years 11 and 12 joined forces to listen to and participate in a discussion with Mark Regev, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2016-2020, who kindly offered to run a session with our students. This was a unique opportunity and privilege to have someone of his calibre come and speak to this small group.

Geoff Garber introduced our guest and then Tash Freiberg took the reins and ran the session posing questions that had been compiled ahead of the meeting. Instead of lecturing us, Ambassador Regev fielded questions from the floor. Sudents, Mr Light, Mr Brad Smith and Mr Garber put some searching questions to our guest which he answered factually, diplomatically and comprehensively.

This was a session that was enjoyed by everyone present and we are grateful to Mr. Alex Freiberg for helping to arrange this very special session.

Geoffrey Garber

Senio

Celebrating our Hebrew names in Year 4

Celebrating our Hebrew names in Year 4

We shared a meaningful and memorable experience with families this week as our Year 4 students participated in our Eleh HaShemot ceremony. Please click here to see pictures from this beautiful morning. Please note, there are more images on the myKDS Photo Gallery. Eleh HaShemot means 'these are the names'. In their Jewish Studies classes this year, students have been discovering the meaning behind their own names and associated stories and connections from the Tanach. They presented these connections to their families at the celebration, where they also discussed the positive characteristics associated with their names. Thanks to our wonderful Jewish Studies teachers for providing such a significant learning opportunity for our student

Insights: Developing our Keter Shem Tov

Insights: Developing our Keter Shem Tov

Dear Community,

This week I had the privilege of joining our Year 4 students and their parents, grandparents and special friends for “Eleh HaShemot” (These are the names) - a beautiful event which celebrates their initiation into the tradition of study of the Tanach.

Eleh haShemot” are the first words of the book of the book of Shemot (Exodus) and are followed with the detail of the names of some of the Hebrews who were able to cross the Sinai and enter the land of Israel. Our educators took this as an opportunity for meaningful personalised Jewish learning whereby our students researched their own names to explore their familial, linguistic and biblical origins.

The event continued on to a shared learning activity which saw the families engage in discussion of the positive characteristics of each Year 4 child which they represented in an art activity where they applied t

Student-directed learning in Gan Rimon: Rainbows

Student-directed learning in Gan Rimon: Rainbows

Last week Asher P was washing his hands for morning tea and he noticed the reflection of a rainbow on the sink, and he ran off to show his friends. Soon the bathroom was overcrowded with children wanting to see the rainbow close up.

“How did this appear?” we asked. 

So this has ultimately led to us investigating colours and rainbows...

We have researched that rainbows are multi-coloured arcs that form in the sky and are formed when sunlight shines through the water. As a result, light reflects off the water droplets, bends (called refraction) and splits.

When sunlight shines through the water droplets, it splits into seven colours. The seven colours of the rainbow are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. This is called a light spectrum! 

To see a rainbow, you need to be standing so the sun so the sun is behind you, and the water in front of you.

Our Year 7 Football winners

Our Year 7 Football winners

Our Year 7 boys' football team enjoyed their first win this week! Alphington was their opponent and in the first quarter the boys looked very nervous. Once the boys got some confidence, the ball travelled through the midfield very well, and they took the lead by two goals going into the first half. In defence, Noah Wise proved that nothing could get by him while in the midfield, Hunter Snow and Jacob Fleiszig, together with Liam Balzac, got the job done to ensure that the ball pool was pushed forward and ultimately the King David boys were far too good - winning by three goals over Alphington Grammar.

Well done Year 7 boys!

Drew Solewicz

Sports Manager

Reflections from Year 9 Shvil Israel camp

Reflections from Year 9 Shvil Israel camp

"I along with the other Year 9s had our Tzev Lev Israel seminar camp last week [Please click here to see some photos from camp]. There was fun, there was learning and growth but most importantly there was Oded’s catering. The camp was structured into multiple peulot (activities) that explored Israel, our connection to it and the surrounding taboos and nuance. It was an indispensable experience to be able to get into topics often held at an arm's length because of their controversial nature, to be in a space with our Israeli madrichim in which we could ask questions without censorship or the all too familiar biting of our tongues when talking about Israel was both refreshing and a valuable experience heading into Yesh next year. We l

Junior School students welcome our Israeli Madrichim

Junior School students welcome our Israeli Madrichim

We gave our Israeli Madrichim a big King David Junior School welcome this week! We are so excited to have Ron, Shahar and Noya join our school. Our curious students got to know our Madrichim by asking them life's tough questions, like 'do you prefer cats or dogs?', 'vanilla or chocolate ice cream?', and - the hardest yet - 'raisin or regular challah?!' Our Madrichim got straight into awesome activities with our students. Welcome Madrichim - we can't wait to learn more about life in Israel from you.

Our Year students use the moon to learn

Our Year students use the moon to learn

In Jewish Studies, the Year 2 students have been learning about the Jewish calendar and how it aligns with the Lunar Calendar. Over the past month, the students have explored each of the eight phases by observing the moon each night on their own calendar chart. Please click here to see images. Last week, all students created their own lunar cycle by using Oreo cookies to show all eight phases of the moon.

Rachel Ben - Atar

Jewish Studies Teacher

Foxes and gingerbread tales in Gan Rimon

Foxes and gingerbread tales in Gan Rimon

Teaching young children about fables is a wonderful way to introduce them to the world of storytelling and valuable life lessons. Fables are short, fictional narratives featuring animals or inanimate objects that act like humans and convey moral teachings. These timeless tales have been passed down through generations and hold a special place in literature. 

Last week we commenced introducing Fables. We read the book The Gingerbread Man. We engaged the children in interactive storytelling sessions, using facial expressions to make the stories come alive. We incorporate visual aids, such as colorful illustrations and picture books, to enhance the children's understanding and retention of the fables. The children also enjoyed role-playing by acting out the characters and re-enacting the fables. 

We then had a group discussion about the fable and encouraged children to share their interpretations and thoughts abou

Welcome Mika and Maya

Welcome Mika and Maya

Last week we welcomed Mika Zuker and Maya Cohen, Year 11 students who are joining our school for a few weeks from the Leo Baeck Education Centre in Haifa, Israel. They're here to share with our students what life is like in Israel and to learn about Jewish life in the diaspora.

The King David School has a long-standing relationship with the Leo Baeck Education Centre, which is a progressive Jewish school. Our students visit the school as part of our Yesh trip. 

Mika and Maya have enjoyed getting to know our students, sharing what life is like for them in Haifa, and of course, tasting Aussie delights such as Vegemite and lamingtons!

Bruchot Habaot - Welcome Mika and Maya - we're so glad you're here!

Negev are the victors of the House Dodgeball competition!

Negev are the victors of the House Dodgeball competition!

For the last three weeks, paired with plenty of time devoted to preparation beforehand, the Ruach Va’ad (Year 12 school spirit committee) has been hosting the Year 6-8 Lunchtime House Dodgeball Competition!

Taking place at lunchtime on Tuesdays, between 11 - 25 July, Middle School students were caught in fierce competition to find out which house was the best!

After two knockout rounds, in which Galil defeated Arava, and Negev rose above Kinneret, the scene was set for the final between Negev and Galil. As the day came on the 25th of July, the two sides battled it out, before Negev emerged as the winner!

The Lunchtime Dodgeball Competition was created by the Ruach Va’ad, to establish a sense of excitement and house pride. After a Year 7 student, Eli Rogers, came to us with the idea of a dodgeball competition, we jumped at the idea. 

Love is all around

Love is all around

Last week students celebrated Tu b'Av, the Jewish day of love, throughout our school in a variety of ways. ELC students ate heart-shaped fairy bread,  painted folded hearts and worked together on a group art piece. Our Junior School students wrote cards to loved ones, took photos with a Tu b'Av photo wall and painted faces with hearts. Please click here to see some photos. At our Magid campus, our wonderful Hanhagah (School Leaders) greeted students on arrival with heart shaped chocolates and encouraged students to write messages of love and kindness on the Tu B'Av wall.

Every day is a great day to spread love and kindness!

Our Preppies celebrate 100 days!

Our Preppies celebrate 100 days!

Just over a week ago, Prep was buzzing with excitement as students celebrated their 100 Days of Prep. This special milestone showed how we're learning and growing together in creative ways. Please click here to see some photos from this momentous day. We had a blast decorating crowns, making them as unique as we are.

Counting has become an adventure, from days to beads – we're becoming math whizzes! And guess what? We've read stories, made new friends, and learned lots of cool stuff. Looking back on the celebration, it's clear that we're off to an amazing start. We're not just learning from books – we're exploring, creating, and making memories together. These first hundred days are just the beginning of our exciting jo

Events

Discover Vienna in Melbourne with the Friends of KDS

(Event finishes 01/09/2023)

Discover Vienna in Melbourne with the Friends of KDS

The Friends of KDS hope you’ll join us for a bespoke guided tour of the: Duldig Studio museum + sculpture garden.
92 Burke Road, Malvern East
On: Wednesday 6 September
Time: 10am - 12noon
Having left their life in Vienna behind, the Duldig family tried to recreate a piece of Vienna in their Melbourne home. The Duldig Studio as it stands today has been left intact by the Duldig family and highlights the resilience, talent and ingenuity of these Austrian-Australian artists.

Is your great grandparent a Shoah survivor?

(Event finishes 18/08/2023)

Is your great grandparent a Shoah survivor?

A final year clinical psychology doctoral candidate at Deakin University is conducting a research project this year looking at what fourth generation Holocaust survivors (i.e. great-grandchildren of Holocaust survivors), would want therapists/psychologists to know about their Holocaust backgrounds if they were to access therapy services. 
You must be aged 18 years or over in order to take part.
For more information, please see the attached flyer. 
Contact: Justin Olstein
Researcher/Clinical Psychology Doctoral candidate
jolstein@deakin.edu.au or call him on 0408 550 560

Family services for the HHDs at TBI

(Event finishes 13/09/2023)

Family services for the HHDs at TBI

We are delighted to welcome KDS families to our High Holidays Family Services at Temple Beth Israel. Services will be led by Noa Abrahams, featuring Ido Sagir and drashes by Rabbi Robuck and Cantor Laloum. Family services are free to join, with no entry ticket required.
Rosh Hashanah family service: 10.30am Saturday 16 September.
Yom Kippur family service: 10.30am Monday 25 September.
Sukkot family activities: 10am Sunday 1 October.
Simchat Torah family activities: 4pm Friday 6 October.

Entertainment 'Book' membership offer

(Event finishes 18/08/2023)

Entertainment 'Book' membership offer

The KDSPA uses membership to the Entertainment 'book' to raise funds for our school. Entertainment is currently having a special on subscriptions. 
Until Wednesday 23 August when you purchase a 12-month Multi City Membership, you will receive $20 AUD off the original price of your selected Membership. When you purchase a 24-month Multi City Membership, you will receive $50 AUD off the original price of your selected Membership. 
Use this link to order today.

Voice to Parliament: A Community Education Event

(Event finishes 08/09/2023)

Voice to Parliament: A Community Education Event

We are thrilled to be hosting a community education event in conjunction with Progressive Judaism Victoria (PJV), Kol HaLev (part of Stand Up) and the Jewish Museum of Australia. This is an opportunity to hear from Noel Pearson, a respected First Nations' community leader and lawyer, Prof. Melissa Castan, Professor at the Monash Law Faculty and Mark Leibler AC, Australian lawyer, businessman and political activist. They will present on the upcoming voice to parliament referendum and answer your questions.  This is a free event but please register your attendance here.
Sunday 3 September, 7:30pm
Rebecca Magid Centre, 520 Orrong Rd, Armadale.

Join Kedem this High Holy Days

(Event finishes 22/09/2023)

Join Kedem this High Holy Days

Join Kedem for High Holy Days services led by community members Rabbi Gabbi Sar-Shalom and Cantor Ohad Rein.
To purchase non-member tickets, please contact Rosi on rosi.kedem@outlook.com
Please see the flyer attached for more information. 

Earlybird registration for the Maccabi Junior Sports Carnival ends 31 August

(Event finishes 31/08/2023)

Earlybird registration for the Maccabi Junior Sports Carnival ends 31 August

Save $100 off Junior Carnival Registration. Catch the Early Bird and Save! Earlybird special ends Thursday 31 August.
Maccabi National Junior Sports Carnival: Sydney 16-24 January 2024
Click here to register now. 
Maccabi Junior Carnival is a National event open to all children aged 12 to 16 years from across Australia and New Zealand. Join your team, represent your State and be part of the highlight event on the Maccabi Junior sporting calendar.
For more information about Maccabi Junior Carnival, please contact the Team Vic Carnival State Managers: Natalie Dodge and Rebecca Wolman - teamvic@maccabi.com.au