Robert Blackwood Hall was filled with splendour on Sunday night as Magid Campus students celebrated our school year, Years 6-12 award recipients, and the Class of 2024. 

Marc Light gave the message that "your lives can be full of meaning in whichever direction the vicissitudes of life take you. You can use the model that you have gained from this school, of valuing and nourishing caring relationships as a guide for meaningful existence. If you can do this, you will put joy out into the world and have it reciprocated back to you exponentially." Please see Insights for more of Marc Light's message.

Please click here to see photos from the night - please note there are many more photos on the myKDS Photo Gallery.

Please find attached a list of the award recipients. 

Mazal tov to all of our awardees!

In the final Magid Campus assembly for the year we honoured students with Kinor David, Music, Sports, Debating and the ADF leadership and innovation awards. Together with Marc Light, we said goodbye to beloved staff members and thanked all staff for their unwavering support for students throughout the year. We were treated to performances from both the Classy Brass band and the King David Rock Band. Please see photos on the myKDS Photo Gallery.

Our Year 10 students reflected on their recent sailing camp, and Year 11 students shared their experiences on the Year 11 Cape York immersion camp. Jayne Wise, our Head of Middle School, presented the message that leadership is not just supporting others to grow, it is taking responsibility for ourselves and being our best selves. The assembly ended with our Director of Jewish Life and Learning, Ilan Bloch,  sharing thoughts about Chanukah, and the mitzvah of publicising the miracle. Ilan remarked that we are proud to be Jewish, not because of the oppression we have faced, but because Judaism brings meaning and joy to our lives. As students left the assembly, the Jewish Life team handed out sufganiyot, generously donated to the School by Temple Beth Israel.

We wish all our students and staff a wonderful and refreshing break and a Chag Chanukah Sameach.

Dear Community,

It is a bitter-sweet time to draw the school year to a close. Sadly we do this in the shadow of last week’s terrible terrorist attack on the Adass Israel shule and the surge in domestic antisemitism. Yet we must also acknowledge the joy of our community and the blessings of a school year that offered so much growth, learning, friendship and unity. 

I would like to share with you an extract from my speech from Presentation Evening and hope that you take on board the core message of yihe tov (it will be good) as we step forward with optimism and hope for a better future.

I wish you a safe, healthy and fulfilling break and pray that the year ahead brings peace to us, to Israel and to all of the world. 

Shabbat Shalom,

Marc Light

Yiyhe tov

It is a daunting thing to offer the school community and particularly our wonderful graduating class an inspiring message of hope and promise in a world that has felt so hard and alien for many of us since the devastation of October 7 2023.

We have been assailed by terrible news of attacks, bloodshed and lives lost. We have witnessed a global demonisation of Israel and a revival of antisemitism with a ferocity that is so hard to believe. We have also seen the political climate cede ground to the extremes. We have seen a nastiness and a persistent cynicism in public discourse that hurts the soul.

With all of this going on now I really thought about what I could say to you and my message to you tonight is - Yihye tov. It will be good. Or the Australian alternative - “She’ll be right!”

I do not present this as a mere platitude but because I believe that we are at a turning point where we can now acknowledge the challenges of our society and take steps to address them. I also believe that each of us can shape our experience and outlook by choosing optimism and hope.

So tonight I will direct my attention to our graduates as I try to characterise a way that they can be part of the movement that I believe will help restore our communal sense of equilibrium.

There is a beautiful story of wise King Solomon who devises an impossible test for a minister who he wishes to humble. He asks the minister to collect a very special ring for him to wear on Sukkot. The minister assures him that wherever it exists on the planet it will be found. The minister wants to know, however, what makes it so special. King Solomon replies that the ring has the power to influence one who looks upon it in a unique way – it makes the happy person sad, and the sad person happy. 

The minister searches all over Israel and sends servants to the far reaches of the planet in search of such a ring, but to no avail. The day before Sukkot, in exasperation, the minister goes to the local shuk and asks an old jeweller if he has ever heard of a magical ring that brings sorrow to the happy and joy to the sad. The old jeweller reaches for a ring and engraves some Hebrew letters on it. The minister is filled with joy.

The following day, the minister presents King Solomon with this ring. It has the letters Gimmel, Zayin and Yud. This is short for Gam Ze Ya’avor – ‘this too shall pass’. Wise King Solomon looked at this and immediately realised that it is he who has been humbled by this test.

Gam zeh ya'avor - the genius of this phrase is that while our sorrow is temporary so is our joy and the imperative we face is then not to wallow in our sadness and think it permanent but also not to take for granted our happiness and so we must take steps to appreciate it.

So, Class of 2024, when I say yihye tov,  it is not because I believe that magically all the problems of the world will fall away. It is because you have the power to shape your reality and I know you to be good people - menschen.

A few years ago at a graduation dinner I quoted from the exceptional 2005 Commencement speech at Kenyon College by the late author David Foster Wallace. 

Our Year 5 students spent their last day at the Junior School and had a special ceremony where they “walked to” the Middle School where they were greeted by Marc Light and their new 2025 Year 6 coordinator Keren Gengut Mushinski.

With uplifting songs and a fabulous performances from the strings ensemble and the RocKing David band, we said a fond farewell to the wonderful 2024 school year.

More photos will be uploaded to the myKDS Photo Gallery soon.

Year 11 students Harriet Popper and Aidan Simon reflect below on their experiences on the Year 11 Cape York Immersion camp. Please click here to see images from their time in Far North Queensland. There are many more images on the myKDS Photo Gallery.

Harriet: "Our Year 11 camp to Cairns was a truly transformative experience that brought us closer as a year level while deepening our understanding of Aboriginal culture and traditions. Upon arriving in Cairns, Group 1, led by Riley and Sophie from the Red Earth Immersion Program, travelled to Panamunji homeland in Cape York, about five hours out of Cairns. There, we were warmly welcomed by the traditional owners, Tim and Elaine, who shared their home and culture with us. 

Our first days were spent celebrating Shabbat, introducing Tim and Elaine to Jewish practices, and relaxing in the nearby creek. We played games, bonded with each other, and enjoyed time with Tim and Elaine’s young grandson, Timmy. Tim took us on a bushwalk, teaching us about the natural resources in the area and their everyday uses. Later, we split by gender to learn about traditional roles, referred to as men’s and women’s business, and compared these practices to our own traditions.

One highlight was visiting Hopevale, a local town where we explored an Aboriginal art center, a Lutheran church, schools, and local shops. We gained a deeper appreciation of daily life in the area and the challenges the locals face. A refreshing swim at a nearby waterfall offered stunning views and a chance to cool off."

Aidan: "While Group 1 was at Panamunji, Group 2 traveled to Gambiir traditional land, where we were welcomed by Lance and Tilly from Red Earth, who had thoughtfully prepared our campsite. Over the next four days, we stayed with Dora, Trevor, and their family, immersing ourselves in their culture and traditions while exploring connections to our Jewish practices.

“I will offer 10 percent of my company for $3000. This values my company at $30K,” stated Harrison Galdwin. Juliette Budin-Slabe said, “I have done my due diligence to make sure this is a product that people would really desire.” And Zach Kaplan asked, “So ‘Sharks’, who wants to join in and revolutionize the supermarket industry?” 

A group of Year Five students demonstrated that they have the knowledge and skills, passion and drive to become promising entrepreneurs. Following application, six students were accepted to be part of the Term Four Enrichment Program centered around business, finance and marketing, and modeled on the reality TV show ‘Shark Tank’. 

When forming the initial business ideas our young entrepreneurs were highly imaginative, curious and innovative. They engaged in critical thought when diagnosing whether their product could be actualised in the real world. They developed their plan to turn their vision into reality, carefully calculating analytics and risks. The young entrepreneurs pitched their ideas to four venture capitalists, or ‘Sharks’, with the intention of gaining investment in their companies. Ideas ranged from Jasmine Leigh’s ‘Bundle of Joy’, a crochet kit fully equipped with needle, yarn and detailed instructions, to Noam Reti-Waks’ ‘Spectacular Shelves’, a fabric shelving system that is easily assembled and attached to tent walls.

Our young entrepreneurs entered the ‘Shark Tank’ and faced the ‘Sharks’ - 

"Last week, the Year 10 students embarked on sailing camp at the stunning Gippsland Lakes. We learned the basics of sailing, from essential terminology to mastering the art of tacking, all while living on our boats. Over four exhilarating days, we navigated the beautiful waters, hopping from jetty to jetty. Our adventures took us to many different places like Paynesville and Raymond Island, where we explored the local scenery and wildlife. Click here to see pictures from the camp.

A highlight of the camp was the bonding moments with my peers from a variety of friendship groups. It was so enjoyable being in the company of others. I enjoyed using teamwork in moments when we needed to put the sail up or down, and preparing meals such as pizza, stir fry, pancakes and rolls. This all came with the freedom we were given and the responsibility we took on by making the camp a little bit better for everyone else. I won’t forget the moment of looking at the calm lake during sunset with chill music and laughter filling the air, that was so special to us.

This camp was the best opportunity to see our year level become one, which is something that stood out to us.

Thank you to Russell Newman for organising this camp and letting us experience and learn the wonders of sailing. Thank you to all the teachers who made this camp so fulfilling and enjoyable." 

- Lev Carmeli-Wolfski and Giselle Berman, Year 10

Although the 25th of Kislev is still a way off, that didn't stop the Junior school from celebrating two exciting days of Chanukah festivities. 

Students in the Junior School enjoyed a variety of hands-on arts and crafts creating beautiful chanukiyahs, sevivon and festive decorations. Please click here to see photos from the activities. There are more photos on the myKDS Photo Gallery. The fun continued on Tuesday with a spirited Sevivon tournament where students competed in friendly games, showing off their skills and remembering that "A great miracle happened there!" It was a joyous celebration full of creativity, competition and ruach.

Sophie Oppenheimer

Team Leader Jewish Life P-5

Our Year 9 students captivated the school community this week during the highly anticipated Public Speaking Competition. The event provided students with the opportunity to delve into Jewish topics of their choice, showcasing their research, creativity, and presentation skills.

The top speakers from each group were invited to present their speeches before a distinguished panel of judges, including Marc Light, Principal, and Rabbi Allison Conyer, Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth Israel.

The range of topics explored was as diverse as it was impressive, reflecting the students' curiosity and dedication. At the end of a thought-provoking day, Gabriel Cosgrove was awarded first place for his insightful and humorous exploration of 'How significant has Adam Sandler’s impact been on Jewish culture and comedy?' Lily Litinsky earned second place with her compelling analysis of 'Was the Dreyfus Trial the Most Significant Factor Influencing Modern Zionism?'

Mazal Tov to Gabriel and Lily for their outstanding achievements, and Kol HaKavod to all participants for their hard work and enthusiasm. 

Feygi Phillips

Learning Area Leader Hebrew & Jewish Studies MC

Mazal tov to Lennox Burstin-Irwin (Year 10)  and Ella Simons (Year 12) who were awarded the ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award. 

These started in 2006 to recognise students who demonstrate leadership and teamwork within both the school and the broader local community. At the same time, they recognise those who display strong values, such as doing one’s best, respect for others and “mateship”, characteristics that are integral to Australian society. 

Mazal tov to Toby Hauser (Year 10) and Maddy Jacobs (Year 12) who were awarded the ADF Future Innovators (STEM) Award. These awards recognise recipients’ science and mathematics abilities while highlighting the value the Navy, Army and Air Force place on STEM skills and STEM career opportunities within Defence. 

Kol HaKavod to Lennox, Ella, Toby and Maddy! 

This past year, the Junior School has been filled with excitement and enthusiasm as students immersed themselves in learning Hebrew. In the final term, students from Prep to Year 2 worked collaboratively to prepare for a special performance showcased during our Monday T’filah. Please click here to see images. Please note there are more images of Hebrew learning throughout the year on the myKDS Photo Gallery.  

The Prep students impressed us with their morning song and demonstrated their knowledge of the letters of the Alef-Bet, which they have learned throughout the year (please see photos here). Year 1 students highlighted their growing proficiency in reading Hebrew vowels and serenaded us with a delightful song about family. Year 2 brought energy and joy to the stage with their lively birthday songs, perfectly matching the semester’s ‘Birthday’ theme.

It has been a joy teaching your children this year and watching them grow their Hebrew skills. 

As we head into the holiday break, the entire Hebrew team wishes everyone a restful and enjoyable holiday. We look forward to welcoming all the students back next year for another wonderful year of learning together.

Warm regards,

The Hebrew Team

Earlier this week, our Year 9s celebrated a graduation of sorts, engaging in a "moving up" day to mark their progression from the top of Middle School to the start of their Senior School years. The day kicked off with a host of fun team building games, before moving into some personal and group reflection activities which brought to light the sort of skills and habits that have helped them flourish to this point in their schooling, as well as those new skills or habits that they might want to develop or take with them into the VCE years. The Year 9s were then presented with some practical insights into what makes the Senior School years different from what they have been accustomed to in the Middle School. In this session they heard from VCE Coordinator Belinda Wester, who shared her knowledge about some of the specifics of the VCE system, SACs and positive study habits. David Robinson, our Head of Senior School, also spoke with students about the expected attitudinal shifts and maturity that come with a move into the VCE years as well as the Kinor David program, which celebrates personal endeavour and achievement across a range of disciplines.

A unanimous highlight of the day was the concluding Blazer Ceremony (please click here to see photos - there are more available on the myKDS Photo Gallery) whereby each student was metaphorically farewelled by their Year 9 YLC, Brad Smith and Head of Middle School, Jayne Wise, and introduced to their Year 10 YLC, Asher Meyerson and Head of Senior School, David Robinson.

This semester in Year 7 Design Technology, students have been learning about the use of Micro Controllers that are programmed to accept inputs and produce a range of outputs. Our final assessment task this semester was a musical instrument prototype where students had to use a range of sensors such as buttons, tilt, light, rotation and force to create a musical instrument prototype capable of producing either a a single note, sound or song. Well done to all the students involved. 

Heath McGregor

Learning Area Leader Technologies

Drones are the way of the future, and it’s our current school students who will be in charge of flying and programming them across a broad range of industries. Students in Years 6-9 competed in the Game of Drones one-day event, designed to test students' teamwork, problem-solving skills, creativity, technical flight skills, and analytical thinking. Please click here to see photos from the day.

 The challenges consisted of:

An obstacle course pilot challenge

An aerial flight survey to find and decipher clues and answer questions

A drone powered game of Bocce

A coded synchronised drone dance with other teams. 

Students were also awarded points for simulating a Pizza drone delivery service to a St Kilda address on an aerial map. Additional points were awarded to teams who were Mensches during the event and for designing their own Drone based challenge. Congratulations to all the Year 6-9 students who participated and in particular the following place-getters:

Twenty students attended our final Parsha and Popcorn club session for the year. This was our eighteenth session! Participants enjoyed learning texts about Chanukah, and eating ponchkes (sufganiyot/doughnuts) and pizza. Parsha and Popcorn will resume in Term 1. We look forward to seeing our students there!

Ilan Bloch

Director of Jewish Life and Learning

Year 4 students Abe and Ayalah report:

"The Year 4s went to McKinnon and Ripponlea schools to play some sport. We played soccer two times. We also played kick ball, which is a sport that a bowler rollers a soccer ball towards you and you kick the ball and then run to a post and back and that is one run. Next we played tennis rounders. In this game someone the bowler, bowls the ball towards you and you hit it with a tennis racket and run from base to base to base to home. Personally I enjoyed soccer the most, but everyone enjoyed all the sports." - Abe 

"In Term 4 the Year 4 students played against Ripponlea and Mckinnon in sporting events such as soccer, kickball and tennis rounders. The Year 4s were split into two groups: Drew´s group and JD's group. I was in Drew´s group.

We played McKinnon in kickball and soccer. Drew's team won both when JD's team won soccer but sadly not kickball. With Ripponlea we played soccer and tennis rounders. Both teams won soccer but lost tennis rounders.

In the end everyone was a good sport and cheered on the other team in the end." - Ayalah

Please join Kedem for their Chanukah pot luck celebration!
Friday 27 December 2024 at a home at 7pm
Bring a vegetarian main course or dessert to share, your Chanukiyah and candles.
The donuts are on Kedem! 
Please RSVP to Rosi: rosi.kedem@outlook.com

A Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, across two evenings on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. Please bring your family, house guests and all those who are enjoying summer on the coast!
We invite those who would like to dine with us following the service to dinner at The Flinders Hotel.
Friday 27 December 2024
Friday 3 January 2025
6.15pm at St John's Anglican Church, King St, Flinders
Please RSVP to one or both events, and indicate whether you'd like to join us for dinner, using the link below.

Join Maccabi on Saturday 1 February for a great fun-filled day of Netball for ages 8-15, run by the Maccabiah 2025 Youth Netball Team.
Bring your child to learn, develop and enhance their netball skills. Lots of fun to be had with friends and make new ones.
$80 per participant (capped at 60)
*All monies go toward the team's costs to prepare and travel to Israel in July 2025 for Maccabiah Games.
Please click here for more infomation and to register.