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Celebrating Yom HaAtzmaut together

Celebrating Yom HaAtzmaut together

Yesterday we celebrated 74 years since the establishment of the modern state of Israel with a full day of activities and fun. 

After transitioning from Yom HaZikaron at the Junior School, there was dancing and a flag parade before students engaged in activities including creating a huge puzzle that formed the map of Israel, decorating baking with the colours of the Israeli flag, Israeli food, a quiz about famous Israelis, and Israeli dancing. At the Senior School, after the tekes, there was hummus making, debate about contemporary Israeli issues, Krav Maga, a delicious Israeli lunch and a House ruach-off with a live band. What an amazing day learning about and celebrating Israel!

There will be more photos of our celebrations featured in next week's Harp.

To see a video of highlights from across the School, please click here.

Another highlight of the day was the la

Archibald Success

Archibald Success

Two King David students are featured in this year's Archibald Prize finalist lineup.

Evie Orsillo, Year 7, is a finalist in the 'Young Archie', the portraiture award for Archibald Prize entrants under the age of 18. Evie's work, of her brother and fellow King David student Aurelio, is currently on display at the Art Gallery NSW. Evie chose to paint Aurelio because of the significant role he plays in her life. See Evie's work here

A portrait of Year 10 student Ella Simons by artist Yvette Coppersmith is one of the finalists in the Archibald Prize (main competition). The Archibald Prize is awarded annually to the best portrait, of a person "distinguished in art, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia" (Art Gallery NSW, 2022). Ella was the Australian delegate at the Youth4Climate

Insights: Developing a deep and abiding connection with Israel

Insights: Developing a deep and abiding connection with Israel

Dear Community,

This week, the entrance to the Senior School was transformed into a Tel Aviv nightclub, a Mediterranean beach setting and a downtown Israeli shuk. Meanwhile, the Junior School explored meaningful Israeli inventions and unique icons, was buoyed with communal singing and the incredible Year 4 Israeli flag parade - not once, but twice - as has become the Year 4’s birthright.  

Following our sombre and heartfelt commemoration of Yom HaZikaron earlier in the week, the School transitioned to celebration as we marked Israel’s 74th birthday with an epic Yom HaAtzmaut. Yom HaAtzmaut is a peak, memorable day for our students and is expressive of the deep and abiding connection with Israel that is inherent in a King David education. Our School’s connection to Israel reflects its central position in Jewish identity.

Yom HaZikaron - we remember

Yom HaZikaron - we remember

This Wednesday, we held an assembly at the Senior School to commemorate Yom HaZikaron. On this day, we remember, honour and mourn those who have lost their lives defending the state of Israel and in terror attacks.

The moving and meaningful ceremony was a collaborative effort, planned by the Hebrew teachers and run by the Hanhagah. Students were privileged to listen to Orit Elkayam, the Jewish Agency shlichah in Melbourne, who shared her personal journey with us. Orit lost one of her siblings during the first war in Lebanon and spoke of how bereavement can shape the choices one makes for years to come. 

Kol Hakavod to all the students from different year levels who participated in the assembly. The atmosphere was appropriately sombre and the respectful attitude of our students enabled everyone to connect with the day in a way that was meaningful to them. 

The Hebrew teachers

Michal, Keren, Hani and Loren

Nitzan presents: a new garden, treehouse, pinball machine and more

Nitzan presents: a new garden, treehouse, pinball machine and more

After working hard since last term, our Year 9 students presented their Nitzan group projects this week. These were:  designing and building a Pinball machine; designing and building a tree house; stripping down and repairing bikes to donate and learning car maintenance; designing and creating mosaics for the garden; learning how to make pants and tote bags; learning crochet and knitting; creating a new garden; and designing and building outdoor seating. 

We heard about each project, and how students worked through challenges that arose as they constructed their project. Students spoke about how they learned planning skills, design thinking, how to pivot their ideas if they weren't working, time management, and collaboration. 

These skills will serve students throughout their lives.

Coordinator Jayne Wise thanked all of the volunteer educators who gave up their time to share their expertise and gui

Welcoming back our Alumni

Welcoming back our Alumni

On Sunday night we welcomed back over 150 past students as well as some current and past staff at our Alumni Reunion for Class of 2017 (5 year reunion), Class of 2016 (6 year reunion), Class of 2015 (7 year reunion), Class of 2012 (10 year reunion) and Class of 2002 (20 year reunion).

It was wonderful to catch up with each other and share memories of fun times at school. Head of Senior School Fred Kok, Immediate Past Principal Michele Bernshaw and current Principal Marc Light spoke to alumni about how proud we are of our KDS graduates. They spoke to the diverse pathways taken by our graduates and how we love to share in the news of our alumni. Michele Bernshaw emphasised that our alumni live King David values of acting with intention, heart and integrity. 

How do we know when children are ready for school?

How do we know when children are ready for school?

On Monday night David Opat and Dr Lexi Frydenberg presented a highly engaging parent education panel on school readiness. 

Answering questions such as 'how will I know that my child is ready to start school?' and 'what can I do to help prepare my child for school?', Dr Lexi Frydenberg and David Opat said that literacy and numeracy ability is not nearly as important an indicator of "school preparedness" as social and emotional aptitude. They agreed that there is no conclusive research that proves an ideal age to start school (anywhere from 3 to 7 years). The ability to concentrate, regulate emotions, and be somewhat independent (dress, feed, toilet), are important for school readiness. They stressed early childhood educators are a great reference for readiness as they see your child interact with other children as well as how they cope with structure. Dr Lexi Frydenberg and David Opat emphasised the importance<

Lunchtime Advanced Dungeons and Dragons

Lunchtime Advanced Dungeons and Dragons

The current Dungeons and Dragons club is a club facilitated by Asher Bloch and  Eden Cantoni-Bud, with the support of the teacher Damien Green who has in the past run a D&D club. Damien has been kind enough to let us use the 8DG classroom. The club is run on Mondays and Wednesdays, but we are hoping to branch out to new members and year levels so as to have more than one campaign running.

The current campaign is led by our new Dungeon Master, Rene Freiberg. His campaign started at the beginning of 2022 and will continue until early Term 2. The current members of the club include: Asher Bloch, Eden Cantoni-Bud, Rene Freiberg, Toby Hauser, Adam Bigos, Sam Burgansky, Leo Aarons and Zach Cohen. 

The current quest takes place in a medieval fantasy period, full of dragons, atlanteans, wizards, giant spiders and more. While players fighting other players is usually discouraged, the quest has become a war of the factions, certain pl

Competitive spirit at the 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Competitive spirit at the 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

On Friday last week, some of KDS finest basketballers took to the State Basketball Centre and played in the Basketball Victoria 3on3 Tournament.

Three teams were entered in the intermediate level: Two boys' and one girls' team.

The girls' team were hit hard with injuries and top up players were used on the day.  The girls fought very hard with Simone Bilis leading the way dominating all over the court. The girls went through the tournament without a win but with great competitive spirit and fight.

The boys' teams got off to a slow start as they got used to the playing styles and conditions of the new 3 on 3 rules.

KDS 1 played great throughout the tournament only dropping 2 games narrowly missing out on the playoff stage of the day.

KDS 2 finished the day with 2 wins and 3 losses as they enjoyed a great day of hoops.

To view images from the day,

We're still Legally Blonde!

We're still Legally Blonde!

For those of you who did not get to watch our wonderful production of Legally Blonde live, or those of you who would like to relive the magic, we have just received the video of the show. 

Click on the link to watch Act One of Legally Blonde (Years 9-12 musical)

Click on the link to watch Act Two of Legally Blonde (Years 9-12 musical).

Snaps again for the entire cast and production team! 

Events

KDSPA Breakfast - at LEONDA next Friday

(Event finishes 17/06/2022)

KDSPA Breakfast - at LEONDA next Friday

The King David School Parents' Association is thrilled to be hosting our annual KDSPA Breakfast for the first time in 3 years! Ticket sales have closed but you are still able to purchase last minute seats.
This year we are excited to welcome Louise Milligan as our guest speaker. Louise is an Australian investigative reporter for the ABC TV 7.30 and Four Corners programs. She is also the author of two award-winning non-fiction books; Witness, An investigation into the brutal cost of seeking justice and Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell.
Friday 17 June
9:00am - 11:30am
Leonda by the Yarra

Click here to buy your ticket to this not-to-be-missed much loved KDSPA event.
The ONLINE AUCTION is now live. You can bid on items even if you are not able to attend the breakfast.

Child protection training

(Event finishes 13/05/2022)

Child protection training

Want to volunteer at KDS and help our students safe? CSG are holding safety awareness training sessions on 10 and 12 May. You will learn safety theory and increase your playground awareness. 
Please see the attached PDF or contact for more information. 
To register, click here.

Celebrate Lag BaOmer at Etz Chayim

Celebrate Lag BaOmer at Etz Chayim

Please join the Etz Chayim community to celebrate Lag BaOmer on 19 May at 5:30pm. There'll be a bonfire, baked potatoes, marshmallows and children's activities.
Please RSVP to info@etzchayim.org.au.
See the attached file for more information. 

Kedem's Yom HaAtzmaut Shabbat Service

(Event finishes 08/05/2022)

Kedem's Yom HaAtzmaut Shabbat Service

Please join Kedem this Shabbat morning, 10am 7 May for a celebration of Shabbat and of Israel's Independence Day.  A Zionism Victoria "Israel Shabbat" event, featuring a drash by Helen Shardey OAM, ARZA President and UPJ Vice-President.
For more information, please see the attached flyer. 

Parent education Webinar: Dealing with new drug trends (including vaping)

(Event finishes 13/05/2022)

Parent education Webinar: Dealing with new drug trends (including vaping)

Please join Ashley Gurney from Alcohol and Drug Education Specialists for this webinar on dealing with new drug trends, including vaping. This will provide parents with strategies for having conversations with teens about new drug trends, and how to encourage cultural change around these trends. 
Thursday 12 May, 7.30pm.
This topic is more pervasive than we imagine. We encourage all parents to attend.
For more information, please watch this short video by presenter Ashley Gurney. 
If you have not already done so, please register for the webinar here. A Zoom link will be sent to you in the coming days.

Notice of PJV AGM

Notice of PJV AGM

Please join Progressive Judaism Victoria for their Annual General Meeting:
Thursday 12 May, 7:15pm, via Zoom.
For the Zoom link and more information, please see the attached flyer. PJV's Annual Report is also attached.