Emanuel School students to appear on Shaun Micallef’s Brain Eisteddfod
Four Emanuel School students will make their debut primetime TV appearance next Wednesday as contestants on Shaun Micallef’s Brain Eisteddfod.
Shaun Micallef with Front row: L-R: Jake Newfield, Jake Fleischer Back L-R: Alix Cane and Ma’ayan Granot
The Channel 10 quiz program, which premiered this week, showcases the nation’s brightest student minds, with 72 Year 11 students from 18 schools competing in teams of four on a range of school subjects.
The four Emanuel quiz whizzes, Alix (Ally) Cane, Jake Fleischer, Ma’ayan Granot and Jake Newfield, were selected for their outgoing, energetic and confident personalities, knowledge of a broad array of subjects, and wide extra-curricular interests. According to Channel 10: “Shaun Micallef has been digging out his old textbooks to test these bright sparks on their foreign language skills, their knowledge of Australiana, mathematics, art, and of course, woodwork”.
Ma’ayan, the Emanuel Team Leader, was delighted to hear that she would be representing her school: “The audition process was a blast. The game sounded really interesting and a great experience to share with my friends. So, it was exciting to learn that I had made the team! I was really looking forward to the experience and the chance to be on a proper TV set. In addition, I was proud to represent Emanuel and be able to lead a very talented team”.
With no information about the format or content of the show prior to recording, the students had to rely on their combined general knowledge and that of the Year 11 curriculum areas as they faced their opposition, Balwyn High School, Victoria.
Appearing on a major network TV show is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and, for Jake Newfield, a highlight was the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making a TV show. “Seeing the Channel 10 crew preparing the set, fixing lights, refilming introductions and scenes, gave me a wonderful insight into the number of people and the huge amount of work that goes into producing a professional TV show.
“Additionally, being selected to represent my school was a massive honour, and I feel very fortunate to have been chosen.”
Emanuel is the only Sydney Eastern Suburbs School to be selected to appear on the program. Adam Majsay, Emanuel School’s Deputy Principal (Teaching and Learning) K-12, said: “It was so exciting for our school to be invited to participate in the first season of Shaun Micallef’s Brain Eisteddfod. It was no surprise that Emanuel’s strong academic and gifted & talented programs shone a spotlight on us as a suitable school for this program. Ally, Jake, Jake and Ma’ayan did us proud, representing Emanuel with the characteristics of friendliness, fun and focus that we come to expect of our students”.
Jake Fleischer recognised the importance of each student’s unique abilities and contribution to the team. “We all worked extremely well together and truly embodied Emanuel’s values of excellence, perseverance and respect. Ma’ayan brought strong leadership; Ally, the French connection; Jake shared his brilliant spirit and enthusiasm and I brought banter, some good general knowledge and humour to the team.”
In the Channel 10 studios, the students met other Year 11 students from schools all around Australia. Ally felt that not only did they learn a lot about their competitors, they also learnt a lot about themselves. “This was my first time appearing on TV, being watched by a national audience! It helped me recognise and understand my reactions to unique situations beyond my comfort zone.”
Celebrated comedian and host Shaun Micallef couldn’t help but share a humorous take on the upcoming show: “I’ve always believed there was intelligent life on this planet and I am delighted and proud to be part of 10’s efforts to discover it right here in Australia. Also, I was once a year eleven student myself, and will be using my old notes to double-check the answers”.
The Emanuel students will appear on Shaun Micallef’s Brain Eisteddfod on Wednesday 27 July at 7.30 pm on Network 1o.
Go Jake, I will be watching. Sending my good wishes to you and to your team.
I watched this new show on Ch 10 at 7.30 pm last night (Thursday 21 Jul 22) followed by “Mad as Hell” at 8.30 pm that same night on ABC TV. Both much better show that rubbish like Goggle Box or those awful dating and survival show etc. Most of those other cheap shows on commercial TV are only fillers between the advertisements anyway.