Dear Community,

One of the largest ever studies into the middle years of schooling was conducted in Melbourne in 2010. The Middle Years Research and Development project concerned itself with addressing some alarming patterns regarding student disengagement across these key years (loosely considered Years 5 through 9). MYRAD found that when tracking students’ attitudes to school including interest, motivation, drive and enjoyment that a pattern tended to emerge where student engagement levels peaked during junior years, plummeted across the middle years and increased again across the senior years of school.

MYRAD, and some other equivalent international studies, have found that there are a number of measures that can be introduced to arrest student disengagement. These involve finding staff who act as “champions” for students across these years. These should be teachers who show an interest in a student’s wellbeing and interests alongside their academic performance. Also,

Last night, a team of KDS students participated once again in the annual Victorian Senior School Philosothon. Hugo Burstin, Louie Cina, Avishai Conyer, Charley Cowen, Alex Cowen, Ziggy Markus, Simon Nathan-Valentine and Danny Touretski participated in four communities of inquiry over the course of the evening. Two in their age groups and two in mixed age groups. The questions covered four key areas of Philosophy; Epistemology, Environmental Ethics, Metaphysics and Aesthetics. Questions posed were: What should have a right? If the brain is alive does that mean the person is alive? Can representations of suffering be beautiful? Does age equal wisdom?

Our Years 8/9 girls netball team returned to school today as champions! This was the second championship won by King David this week as yesterday our Senior boys basketball team won their Grand Final match. In a heart stopping 25-23 win over Alphington Grammar, the netball match was close from the start, with a 4 point margin separating the teams throughout the match. At quarter time KDS were down by 2 points however with some positional changes, we gained a one point lead.

As fatigue set in during the latter part of the 3rd quarter, Alphington held on to a slender lead. Mid way through the last quarter, KDS made some fantastic play through the mid court and achieved three consecutive goals, taking the lead late in the game. Tensions we high as KDS took a two point lead with 1 minute to go. Jemma Kausman and Teegan Casselson dominated the last quarter as KDS brought home another trophy. Jemma Kausman was named MVP of the final.

A team of Chess enthusiasts represented King David in the Primary Interschool Chess Tournament on Wednesday 29 August. The event, which attracted over one hundred students from eight schools, saw students compete in seven ‘Swiss Style’ games. Our team of Years 3, 5 and 6 students had prepared with training before school and at lunchtimes. For many, this was their first tournament. Lily Burstyner said that “it was fun playing chess all day even though it was tense.’ Gabriel Berkowitz enjoyed the day because ‘you compete against people at the same skill level so it’s challenging and you have a chance of winning.’

This week our Years 7&8 debaters took to the podium for their first round of competition. The students did King David proud with some excellent speeches that showed they can hold their own in any argument! The topic? 'That male and female athletes should receive the same pay and conditions.' Our Year 8 team performed particularly well, winning their debate against Fintona Girls' School. A big congratulations must go to: Alex Cowen, Charley Cowen, Maya Saxon-Kron, Rose Stein, Lily Stein and Tobi Taranto. Stay tuned to hear about how the teams go tackling their next topic:'That emojis reduce our ability to communicate.'

Our Senior Boys Basketball Team were EISM champions this week, winning the Grand Final against Nunawading Christian College. Nerves contributed to the team having a slow start in the first half. Team leader Noah Webb had been given a number of fouls and Year 10 players Nico Taranto and Ethan Cohen stepped forward with back to back baskets giving KDS some much needed energy. With Noah finding his range, the KDS team over took Nunawading with a Nico Taranto 3 point shot at the half time buzzer.

Nunawading started strong in the 2nd half as some errors from KDS caused their opponents to gain the lead. Taranto and Webb took over the offensive end with some fast break points and 3pt shots, giving KDS a 6 point lead late in the 2nd half. Smart ball movement late in the 2nd half allowed KDS to run out the clock however a late foul from Tom Cohen caused 3 free throws for Nunawading to tie the game. Fortunately for KDS, Nunawading missed all three shots and KDS were named Champions. N

Budding journalists who have contributed to the student magazine, The Crown, were given the opportunity to attend a session of the Melbourne Writers' Festival this week. Facilitated by Year 12 student, Noa Abrahams who has edited the magazine since its inception, Years 7 to 10 students travelled to ACMI at Federation Square on Wednesday to hear from Bhakthi Puvanenthiran on "How to be a journalist". Bhakthi is an associate editor of Crikey and was previously a journalist and editor at The Age and Sydney Morning Herald covering arts, entertainment and business.

It was exciting to learn that when asked by Bhakthi which schools who attended the session, had student magazines, The King David School was the only school! After the session, Jonah Epstein set a photography challenge for the attendees where they had to use the theme "interaction" and photograph at Federation Square. A quick visit to the very cool Sticky Institute, a shop and resource devoted entirely to zines was

During Term 3 Kehillat Tefillah sessions, Years 6 and 8 have focused on traditions, prayers and customs associated with the upcoming Yomim Noraim. This week, the Year 8s were visited by Dahlia Shaham, a rabbinical student from Israel who is in Australia as a guest of the Kedem congregation for their High Holydays services.

Dahlia spoke to the students about spiritual engagement, as well as the origins and interpretations of the Al Chet prayer.

Our Year 8 students presented their Passion for Thinking projects this week. This initiative allows students to investigate and develop a project based on their own passions. Students explored topics as diverse as a device designed to assist in heart attacks by quickly distributing oxygen into the bloodstream, an original song encouraging us to recognise inner beauty and to cast away shallow judgments on appearance and a unique way of preserving the memories of loved ones through creating unique personalised websites accessed by QR codes placed on plaques at gravesites. The results were highly impressive! Below is a reflection from two Year 8 students on their experience.

As part of our second unit in ‘My Birthday’ theme, Year 2 students developed their writing skills by writing a birthday invitation. They had to include the day of the week, the time (o'clock or half past), the time of the day (morning, noon, afternoon or evening) and the address for their birthday party. They were also encouraged to choose a theme and decorate their invitation accordingly.

Connections were made to Mathematics (Days of the Week, Time of Day and Time) and Literacy (writing an invitation).

Students from Years 4-6 travelled to the Sandringham Athletics Track to compete in this year's Balaclava District Athletics Carnival. Mother nature put on a fantastic show as the sun shined on the track all day with no wind at all. The atmosphere was electric as 8 schools competed in all events. Our students performed very well on the track and field and showed amazing sportsmanship and support for their team mates.

Highlights were the performances from the following students who are advancing to the Beachside Division competition.

• Jack Hart - 1st place - 80m Hurdles
• Claudia Kaye - 1st place - 80m Hurdles
• Emily Abukasis - 2nd place - 200m & Long Jump

There are three performances of the Years 3-5 Drama Production - Made in Australia. DATES: Wednesday 5 & Thursday 6 September VENUE: Rebecca Magid Centre, 520 Orrong Rd, Armadale

There are three performances of the Years 3-5 Drama Production - Made in Australia. DATES: Wednesday 5 & Thursday 6 September VENUE: Rebecca Magid Centre, 520 Orrong Rd, Armadale

There are three performances of the Years 3-5 Drama Production - Made in Australia. DATES: Wednesday 5 & Thursday 6 September VENUE: Rebecca Magid Centre, 520 Orrong Rd, Armadale

See attached for information regarding all the services and activities for families at TBI over the High Holy Days. More information is also available at: www.tbi.org.au/new-year-for-families

See attached for information regarding all the services and activities for families at TBI over the High Holy Days. More information is also available at: www.tbi.org.au/new-year-for-families

See attached for information regarding all the services and activities for families at TBI over the High Holy Days. More information is also available at: www.tbi.org.au/new-year-for-families

Join other families for Madiba the Musical. A celebration of Nelson Mandela to be followed by a special Q&A for our group organised by KDS parent Sam Schwarz, a Consultant to the Production. Thursday 11 October at 7.30pm at the Comedy Theatre. Thank you Sam for securing these fabulous tickets for us! We have a group of fantastic premium tickets in the stalls (rows C, D, E, H and I). Tickets are at the special price of $90 each (reduced group pricing of $80 per ticket plus a $10 admin and fundraising component per ticket).

Join other families for Madiba the Musical. A celebration of Nelson Mandela to be followed by a special Q&A for our group organised by KDS parent Sam Schwarz, a Consultant to the Production. Thursday 11 October at 7.30pm at the Comedy Theatre. Thank you Sam for securing these fabulous tickets for us! We have a group of fantastic premium tickets in the stalls (rows C, D, E, H and I). Tickets are at the special price of $90 each (reduced group pricing of $80 per ticket plus a $10 admin and fundraising component per ticket).

Join other families for Madiba the Musical. A celebration of Nelson Mandela to be followed by a special Q&A for our group organised by KDS parent Sam Schwarz, a Consultant to the Production. Thursday 11 October at 7.30pm at the Comedy Theatre. Thank you Sam for securing these fabulous tickets for us! We have a group of fantastic premium tickets in the stalls (rows C, D, E, H and I). Tickets are at the special price of $90 each (reduced group pricing of $80 per ticket plus a $10 admin and fundraising component per ticket).

Keynote Speaker: Dahlia Shaham - An insider’s account of the peace movement in Israel/Palestine. Thursday 13 September . 7:30 - 9:30pm

Keynote Speaker: Dahlia Shaham - An insider’s account of the peace movement in Israel/Palestine. Thursday 13 September . 7:30 - 9:30pm

Keynote Speaker: Dahlia Shaham - An insider’s account of the peace movement in Israel/Palestine. Thursday 13 September . 7:30 - 9:30pm

Please join us as we celebrate 40 years of The King David School! Our anniversary Gala Dinner is being held at Carousel, Albert Park, on Sunday 14 October. With wonderful entertainment including Rachel Berger, highly acclaimed comedian as MC, and singer/songwriter Deborah Conway performing with her husband, Willy Zygier, it will no doubt be a night to remember.

Please join us as we celebrate 40 years of The King David School! Our anniversary Gala Dinner is being held at Carousel, Albert Park, on Sunday 14 October. With wonderful entertainment including Rachel Berger, highly acclaimed comedian as MC, and singer/songwriter Deborah Conway performing with her husband, Willy Zygier, it will no doubt be a night to remember.

Please join us as we celebrate 40 years of The King David School! Our anniversary Gala Dinner is being held at Carousel, Albert Park, on Sunday 14 October. With wonderful entertainment including Rachel Berger, highly acclaimed comedian as MC, and singer/songwriter Deborah Conway performing with her husband, Willy Zygier, it will no doubt be a night to remember.

Tickets are now on sale for our Years 6-8 Musical - Honk! Jr. Please book using the following link: www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=409698& to Trybooking.

Tickets are now on sale for our Years 6-8 Musical - Honk! Jr. Please book using the following link: www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=409698& to Trybooking.

Tickets are now on sale for our Years 6-8 Musical - Honk! Jr. Please book using the following link: www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=409698& to Trybooking.