Fifty students commence new Hebrew immersion program at Caulfield South Primary School.
A brand new intensive Hebrew program has been launched at Melbourne’s Caulfield South Primary School.
Caulfield South Primary student Micah with HIP Coordinator Shira Golombick
The program caters for Jewish and other students at the school who want to learn Hebrew in addition to the regular curriculum.
Fifty students from Prep to Grade 6 formed the pioneering cohort, with numbers expected to grow rapidly as word spreads. The school enjoys a large population of Jewish children.
The program is administered by the United Jewish Education Board (UJEB) and follows the successful running of the Hebrew Immersion Program (HIP) at Caulfield Junior College for the past 10 years. HIP will run three mornings a week from 8.00 AM to 8.45 AM before the regular school day begins. Students of HIP are expected to become confident in speaking, reading and writing Hebrew, as well as having the ability to continue studying the language at the secondary school level.
Caulfield South Primary student Toby with HIP teacher Osnat
Whilst the program launch is a boon for UJEB, it really is a testament to parent power. For the past year, a committed and passionate group of parents led by Nadine Barkay and Michele Belzycki have worked hard to convince the school council that a HIP program would provide successful and meaningful educational outcomes for CSPS students. On the first day of the program, Mrs Barkay said “We are so excited the program has come to fruition, and seeing everyone there this morning was such an exciting and satisfying moment. I have to admit, even a little emotional for me too! … I feel excited we have created this opportunity for our children and thrilled Itzik supported by UJEB have been so incredible with their perseverance, dedication and encouragement.”
Building on this success, UJEB and parents have also secured a term 2 start for the HIP program at Gardenvale Primary School. Further talks are underway with other state schools in Melbourne’s south and south-east for similar HIP launches in the near future.
