3 Council news The College Executive is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Dan Sztrajt as our new Principal. Dan is one of our own; an Old Collegian from Kinder to Year 12, School Captain in 1999, and a past Mount Scopus educator. For Dan this is a homecoming, and for the Scopus community it is deeply satisfying that a graduate has come full circle, and we are now privileged to be the beneficiary of his expertise. A dynamic, contemporary educator, Dan has a genuine passion for ensuring strong Jewish continuity. He shares the College’s deep commitment to academic excellence through its exceptional Jewish and secular curriculum offerings, and prides himself on fostering an environment in which the people around him flourish. Dan is a creative thinker, a collaborator by nature, and values leading with kindness, integrity and strength of purpose. We look forward to welcoming Dan and his family into our school community for the start of 2024. Amy Hershan College President on behalf of the College Executive Premier’s VCE Awards Mazal Tov to our 2022 Premier’s VCE Award winners: • Abby Schwarz – English • Jesslyn Simon – Religion and Society Premier’s VCE Awards recognise the outstanding results of individual students and are based on VCE subject results. We are extremely proud of our students who have earned Premier’s VCE Awards, which are a fitting tribute to the hard work and commitment of the students and the dedication, expertise and support of their teachers. Kol HaKavod! Dan Sztrajt Students write messages of support for IDF soldiers Abby Schwarz Jesslyn Simon Am Yisrael Chai The Scopus family has truly come together to support Israel during this extremely difficult time. The care and concern shown to each other by staff, students, parents and the wider school community has been heartwarming and very much appreciated. Mincha prayer services have been held daily for Secondary students and although optional, there has barely been a spare seat in the shule. Our Co-Curricular Jewish Education team has run regular lunchtime briefings and updates for Secondary students, allowing them to ask questions and share how they are feeling. Extended bayit (form assembly) sessions have also allowed students and teachers to share stories of family members in Israel and read tefillot. Lunchtime activities have seen students write cards for Israeli soldiers and for their peers in Israeli schools. The cards have been posted and are on their way, in the hope of lifting spirits from the other side of the world. During Kabbalat Shabbat, our Year 6 students have lit three candles, two for Shabbat, and one to remember one person kidnapped into Gaza. Our thoughts and hearts are with the people of Israel, always. Primary and Secondary students have also run numerous fundraisers which have been overwhelmingly supported. We have endeavoured to protect our younger students, while also informing and educating our more senior Primary students in a measured and appropriate manner. Mount Scopus families were also invited to join the regular Secondary GBH Friday night minyan for a special Kabbalat Shabbat B’Yachad and to come together as a community. Scopus reached out to support families arriving from Israel. We welcomed them into our community and ensured an expedited and smooth enrolment process, to help restore some sense of stability for those who have suffered. Counselling continues to be offered to all staff and students, and we continue to offer support, particularly through our Heads of Year, School Psychologists and Counsellors, and our Co-Curricular Jewish Education team. Mount Scopus College stands with Israel. Am Yisrael Chai.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1