Emotional Farewell
This year’s Sydney’s Emanuel School Year 12 Graduation Day began with a formal assembly, where each student was recognised for his or her achievements and contributions to the School.
This was a particularly poignant graduation assembly as 31 students – almost half of the Year group – commenced their schooling at Emanuel in Year K in 2000.
Saul Herman, Jesse Moses, Alex Herman, Paul Edelstein, Jonathan Katz
The speeches were both thoughtful and amusing, and the room was charged with a sense of excitement at this culmination of their High School careers. Each student was asked to respond to a number of questions about their time at School and provide advice for younger students.
Year 12 student Eliza Chalmers shared her motto for life with the assembly, ‘… if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it’s stupid”.
Reflecting on his time at School, Sam Weiss said, “Emanuel is a small school which means that students receive significant academic attention – we have access to teachers all the time. I have developed a strong moral compass during my years at Emanuel School which is something that is very important to me”.
Sasha Berger, Tamar Hoffman, Madaline Kinlay, Genevieve Gorin
Anne Hastings, Emanuel School Principal concluded the assembly by thanking the students for their dedication and contribution to the School. They will be remembered for their unique sense of ruach and their passion for social justice and inclusiveness.
The graduation dinner was held on campus and had been planned by the Parent Committee. Former P&F President Tracey Waxman, whose family has been involved with the School since its founding, gave an emotional speech to the graduates and parents, “The students have created such an incredibly dynamic and cohesive group. They are also such high achievers and enormous contributors to school life.”
Tracey’s speech was followed by a surprise flashmob dance by the parents, at which the room exploded with applause and the exhilaration of ruach.
The students ended the last night of their formal schooling with the whole Year group dancing and hugging together on stage, a symbol of the close friendships they have formed over the years
