Chukat* 

by Geoff Garber, Jewish Studies Teacher

Candle lighting 4:50pm

Havdalah 5:51pm

In Parshat Chukat, we are told about the passing of Aharon (Aaron), the High Priest, and the reaction of the people to his passing. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis points out that the outpouring of grief was quite extraordinary. How so? The Torah tells us, “The entire house of Israel wept for him for thirty days.”

However, when Aharon’s brother Moshe (Moses), the leader of the nation, passed away, we read in the final chapter of the Torah, Devarim 34:8, the nation wept for him for thirty days. Did you notice the difference? We are not told ‘kol Beit Yisrael’, the entire house of Israel. Why was this the case?

The Sifrei (a collection of midrashic (Rabbinical interpretative) writings on the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy) explains Moshe's role was to be the national authority.

One cannot conduct leadership without conviction. If you are trying to please everybody all of the time, some decisions will be unpopular. And that was why the grief for Moshe was different to that of his brother Aharon.

Dear Community,

Not a day goes by without a startling new development in the rapid impact of AI on the way that we live, learn and understand our world.

In recent weeks, the latest iteration of Anthropic’s Claude models has been launched, but these have been restricted from international use due to US government export legislation.

In Melbourne there was reporting on a widespread VCE cheating scandal at an independent school, where 35 students were alleged to have breached VCE guidelines in their use of AI to compose their scripts for oral presentations. 

Both of these episodes are indicative of the huge challenge faced by administrators, legislators and educators to keep up with a rapidly changing landscape.

An internationally contested AI “arms race” that creates access inequality threatens to have an outsized impact, as the emerging power of cutting edge AI could create enormous advantages to the haves over the have-nots.

Educators face a substantial challenge in guiding their students through this new world when they are grappling to understand the implications of the technology themselves.

At King David, we have collaboratively developed AI guidelines to support our educators in their decision making about use of the technology, how to protect data and maintain privacy, and how and when to authorise their students to make use of AI models to support their learning. 

Furthermore, we devoted our most recent Professional Development day to helping staff enhance their understanding of what AI is and is not. We were privileged to work with a leading consultant in the educational use of AI, Dr. Leon Furze.

The RISE Room came alive this term with an exciting range of Science enrichment programs that challenged students to think, experiment and explore beyond the regular classroom.

Students designed their own lip balm in Cosmetic Chemistry, investigating how waxes, oils, butters and additives influence texture, melting point and feel. In Cosmic Explorers, students stepped into the world of astrophysics, exploring motion in space, the electromagnetic spectrum, redshift and the way light acts as a messenger from the distant universe.

Students visited myDNA, where they saw real-world genetic science in action, including DNA extraction, PCR technology and the role of pharmacogenomics in personalised medicine. Back in the RISE Room, students followed the journey of water through the human body, explored kidney function through dissection, and investigated the science of materials in Chemicool, including carbon structures, smart metals, polymers and molecular shape. CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME PHOTOS FROM RISE.

Ivrit teachers from both campuses spent Wednesday morning in a professional development session which dealt with teaching Hebrew reading skills facilitated by Professor Scott Goldberg. This was an incredible learning opportunity which enriched our faculty members, empowering them to even better teach our students throughout their junior and middle school education.

We are deeply thankful to Professor Goldberg and to Rabbi Alon Meltzer, from the Jewish Education Network of Australia (JENA), which kindly sponsored this important event.

Ilan Bloch

Director of Jewish Life and Learning

The Year 4 students were treated to a visit by the archaeologist, Ricky Feldman, dad to Mira Feldman. His visit was in connection with our Inquiry Unit of First Contacts where students have been learning about the communities of the Indigenous Australians, the First Fleet, stories of contacts between the European settlers and the Indigenous Australians and about how historians learn about the past. 

Ricky, explained the role of archaeologists and how they study objects, places and evidence that have been left behind by people in the past, it allows them to put the pieces together to infer what was happening at that period of time. The students were enthralled with this visit and posed many interesting questions to our resident archaeologist. It was a wonderful addition to our Inquiry Unit.

Our Year 9 students have been hard at work preparing for the Victorian Model Solar Vehicle Challenge, a STEM competition that brings together hundreds of students from across Victoria to design, build and race solar-powered vehicles.

Recently, students had the opportunity to work alongside guest mentor Ian Gardner, a retired professional mechanical engineer with more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing, military, aerospace and commercial engineering. Throughout his career, Ian worked in forging and heat treatment of metals, machining, plant and process design, and held a range of middle management positions. His wealth of industry knowledge provided students with valuable insights into real-world engineering and design processes.

During the workshop, Ian guided students as they refined their Sheridan kit cars, helping them develop practical skills in construction, problem-solving and testing. The hands-on session enabled students to apply concepts from mathematics, physics, engineering and technology while learning the importance of teamwork and innovation.

The Victorian Model Solar Vehicle Challenge encourages students to think creatively and sustainably as they explore how solar energy can be used to power vehicles. We thank Ian for sharing his expertise and inspiring the next generation of engineers, and we look forward to seeing our students put their hard work into action when they compete later this year.

Josh Cohen

Science and Technology Teacher

Mazal tov to Scott Cohen (Year 3) and his brother Liam Cohen (Prep) who represented Caulfield and Chadstone Lacrosse Clubs (combined team) at the Lacrosse Victoria Under 10s Lightening Carnival held at Newport Lacrosse Club in Altona on Sunday 14 June. 

The team won the championship against Wyndham Lacrosse club in overtime - 7 goals to 6!

Our Year 6 students recently enjoyed our annual Holes Day celebration, embracing the occasion with plenty of enthusiasm and creativity. Students came dressed as their favourite characters from Louis Sachar's beloved novel, Holes. Please click here to view photos from the day.

Throughout the celebration, students participated in a range of engaging and interactive activities inspired by the novel. They worked collaboratively to solve the Holes Escape Room challenge, created their own jars of “Sploosh,” and designed their own spiced peach jars based on the story.

To recognise the effort and enthusiasm shown throughout the day, we presented awards for Best Dressed Character, Best Teamwork, and Best Spiced Peach Jar Design. The quality of the costumes, collaboration, and creativity on display was outstanding.

Students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and finished the day with a screening of the movie Holes, complete with popcorn. It was a wonderful way to celebrate our class novel and bring the story to life. What a meaningful learning experience that combined literacy, creativity, teamwork and fun, creating lasting memories for our Year 6 students.

We aim to provide a comprehensive and personalised process to support our students as they embark on their VCE. As part of this, the Teaching & Learning team organised a subject expo last Friday for Year 10 students who are beginning the exciting journey of selecting their Unit 1&2 VCE studies. Students were given the opportunity to check in with subject teachers at different stations to hear about courses they may like to select. Students were given the freedom to choose whichever stations they were most interested in, and staff were impressed with their mature engagement and meaningful questions.

One strength of the VCE is that it allows students to specialise. With the exception of English, the choice of a subject pathway is left entirely to the student, based on their interests, skills, and future aspirations. Last week's expo will be supported by a VCE Information Evening for Year 10 students and their families next Tuesday 23 June. Next week, each Year 10 student will be scheduled for a personalised conference with a senior staff member to discuss their preference and submit them. Parents & guardians will be invited to attend these conferences. 

David Robinson

VCE Coordinator & Head of Senior School

Last week, students of our Year 10 Geopolitics elective were privileged to be granted an audience of highly experienced federal and state politicians for their final Semester One assessment task. Their guests were former Attorney General of Australia and current Federal Member for Isaacs, Mark Dreyfus, the Federal Member for Macnamara, Josh Burns, and Member of the Victorian Legislative Council for Northern Victoria, Georgie Purcell. The important mission for our esteemed visitors was to play the role of judges in deciding which student was the most worthy winner of the most engaging and persuasive speech on a topic of our students' choosing, relevant to the world of global politics. The judges were mightily impressed by the high calibre of topic and the presentation styles of our finalists.https://portal.pixevety.com/External/SharedCollection/Index?galleryId=937E5023-2620-4F0A-96C4-DD9E36D5342A&collectionId=5dfcf323-18bd-420e-8970-fd25e6753cb6&delay=8000

In Year 5 Hebrew, we have learnt an engaging text about Duki the Dog.

The children read the story, identified verbs, nouns, and characters, and answered comprehension questions.

To conclude this unit, the children have illustrated and narrated the story, showcasing understanding of the text, imagination and creativity, all in Hebrew!

Enjoy the story!

CLICK HERE to watch a video of our story.

Yael Rath

Junior School Hebrew Teacher

The Gan Zayit Junior Kindergarten children were so excited to experience their first excursion, and Kinder bus ride…….

As part of our Footy Fever inquiry, we visited the MCG! The excursion brought our learning to life, providing an authentic opportunity to connect what they have been exploring in Kinder to the real thing.

A highlight for many children, apart from the bus ride, was singing footy club songs in the change rooms, seeing the plunge pool and sitting in the media room!

For months, Nathaniel Green (Year 10) has been challenging himself to go as far as possible into Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. He mastered the concept and trialled them in Desmos, a graphing site that allows students to see equations in multiple dimensions. After weeks of writing and rewriting the equations, he tested them, seeking consultation from Asher Myerson and Mark Langan that they indeed functioned. They were accepted by the Daily Integral and Daily Quantum. They were tested and published on Thursday and Friday last week. If you want to attempt them, go to the archive section of the website: https://dailyintegral.com/archive and https://dailyintegral.com/play/quantum

When you're both a member of TBI and a KDS family, you can enjoy discounts across both that add up to make TBI membership essentially free for KDS families!
Membership with TBI offers a wide range of benefits and opportunities to connect with youth programs and other Progressive Jewish families.
Join a fantastic, welcoming community, with an engaging B'nei Mitzvah Program, monthly Shabbat services, and family events for the High Holy Days and other chagim!
For more information, call TBI on (03) 9510 1488 or email info@tbi.org.au.

Kedem welcomes you to join our Shabbat Mincha Service
Saturday 4 July 2026 at 2.00pm at The King David School.
Register with Rosi at rosi.kedem@outlook.com
All welcome!
Shabbat Shalom

We invite parents in the community with girls in Years 3 to 6 to attend an information session that navigates the transition to adolescence. It is well known that the social world of girls can change dramatically in Years 3-6.
This will be an important session for all parents of girls; it will include people who have worked in this space for many years and a small panel of older girls to discuss their experience.
Please RSVP your attendance here
DATE: Tuesday 23 June 
TIME: 7pm
VENUE: Kobritz Auditorium, Junior School, 373 Dandenong Rd, Armadale 

Looking for something active, fun, and structured for the kids during the holidays? This is it.

• Caulfield Park (Melbourne)
• Ages 8–13
• 4-hour high-energy program
• 6th, 8th & 10th of July
• $49 per session
• Kids stay active, build confidence, and have lots of fun while doing it.
• Limited spots available that fill fast.

Book now at: a1socceracademyau.com
 

The next session of Storytime with Savta will take place on Sunday, 21 June  at 10.30am in the Junior School library (373 Dandenong Road). Please register here.
Children aged 3-5 years old and their families are welcome to join us where stories are read b'Ivrit (in Hebrew). 
When: Sunday 21 June, 10.30am
Where: Library at our Dandenong Rd Campus, 373 Dandenong Road, Armadale

Maccabi Junior Carni brings together Jewish teens in Years 7-10 (in 2027) from Australia, New Zealand and Israel for a week of sport, socials, team spirit and unforgettable memories.
This year it will be held in Sydney from 12-19 January 2027.
Join us online for our official Carni Info Night and learn about flights, accommodation, pricing, sports, special events and everything else Carni 2027!

• Sunday 28 June 2026
• 7:30pm (AEST)
• Register Zoom Online: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/dygf4lczS3ysoeC7joujeA

Already know you're coming to Carni? Lock in your place at the 45th Maccabi Junior Carnival: https://www.revolutionise.com.au/mcarnival/home

7pm Sunday 12 July
$18 Tickets, $9 Student Tickets
Inspired by Refugee Week, Proceeds going to Project Dignity
Told through the eyes of a teenage girl and her refugee family in pursuit of resettlement, this emotional roller coaster takes us from despair to joy through hope, humour and love. Featuring three magnetic daughters and shot over 7 years in Malaysia and Australia, it's an extraordinary psychological study of the effects of refugee status.
Q&A features Writer/Director Robyn Hughan and a member of the family featured.