BRP Information Handbook - Yeshivah Beth Rivkah College

‫ב''ה‬
Beth Rivkah
Ladies College
Parents Handbook 2014
Mishlei 3:18
The Torah is a tree of life
for those who grasp it
Table of Contents
Torah Luminaries ........................... 11
Children Learn ........................................ 4
Class Newsletter ............................ 11
Aims and Philosophy ........................... 5
General Studies................................. 11
Absence .............................................. 5
English ........................................... 12
Assessment and Reporting.................. 5
Mathematics .................................. 12
Birthday Club ....................................... 5
Science ............................................. 12
Birthday Parties ................................... 5
Humanities: –Science, Geography,
History ............................................... 12
Care of School Property ...................... 5
Class Placement ....................................... 6
Code of Conduct ........................................... 7
Rights .................................................. 7
Responsibilities ................................... 7
The Arts ......................................... 12
Languages Other Than English
L.O.T.E. ......................................... 13
Health and Physical Education....... 13
Respect ............................................... 7
Information and Communications
Technology (ICT) .......................... 13
Bullying Means… ................................ 7
Library............................................ 13
What are the signs?............................. 7
Music ............................................. 13
How can you recognise bullying… ....... 8
Connections ................................... 13
Cyber Bullying ..................................... 8
Inclusiveness ................................. 13
What students can do: ......................... 8
Extra-Curricular Activities ............... 14
Intervention ......................................... 9
Emergency Information .................. 14
Collecting Children After School .......... 9
Evacuation Procedure .................... 14
Counseling Services ................................... 9
Excursions ..................................... 14
Curriculum ................................................ 10
Food .............................................. 15
Jewish Studies .................................. 10
Head Lice....................................... 15
Reading ......................................... 10
General Information ....................... 15
Writing ........................................... 10
Head lice treatment ........................ 16
Chumash .......................................... 10
Suggested Treatments ................... 16
Rashi ............................................... 10
Note ............................................... 16
General Dinim .................................. 11
Warnings!!!..................................... 16
Yom Tov Dinim .............................. 11
Health Issues..................................... 16
Parsha ........................................... 11
Nut Free Zone ................................ 16
Navi – Prophets ............................. 11
Illness And Infection Control........... 16
Tefila .............................................. 11
Reminder! ...................................... 17
General Knowledge – Yediya Klalit 11
Child Injury / Illness ........................ 17
Pirkei Avot and Pitgamim (Proverbs) ...... 11
Emergency Procedures.................. 17
Chassidut ....................................... 11
Homework ......................................... 17
Ivrit- Modern Hebrew ..................... 11
Lost Property ..................................... 18
Yeshivah Beth Rivkah Ladies College Educating for Life
Newsletter ......................................... 18
21st Tishrei - Hoshana Rabba........ 22
Parent Visits ...................................... 18
22nd Tishrei - Shmini Atzeret ......... 22
Parents as Partners ........................... 18
23rd Tishrei - Simchat Torah .......... 22
Parents’ Association .......................... 18
Yud Tet Kislev ................................... 23
Permission To Leave The School
Premises ........................................... 18
25th Kislev - Chanukah ................. 23
Sunscreen Sunsmart ......................... 24
Personal Property .............................. 18
Policy Update ................................. 24
Prefects – Student Leaders ............... 18
Sunscreen...................................... 24
School Hours ..................................... 19
What is SPF? ................................. 24
School Houses .................................. 19
Further information and resources ........ 24
Shluchot ............................................. 19
Transport .............................................. 25
Special Dates in the Jewish Calendar 20
Uniform and Dress Standard ............. 25
15th Shvat - Tu Bishvat ................. 20
Vaccination ............................................ 25
Chaf Bet Shvat................................... 20
Volunteers .......................................... 25
14th Adar - Purim ........................... 20
Yad L’Ezra ............................................. 26
Yud Alef Nissan ................................ 20
Bat Mitzvah Club ............................... 26
15th -22nd Nissan - Pesach ............... 20
Learning It, Living It, Loving It ............... 26
16th Nissan - Sfirat Haomer .......... 20
Bat Mitzvah Sessions ....................... 26
27th Nissan - Yom Hashoah ......... 21
Girl on the Glow ............................. 26
4th Iyar - Yom Hazikaron ............... 21
5th Iyar - Yom Haatzmaut .............. 21
18th Iyar - Lag B’omer................... 21
28th Iyar - Yom Yerushalayim ....... 21
6th & 7th Sivan - Shavuot .............. 21
Gimmel Tammuz............................ 21
17th Tammuz - Shiva Asar Be Tamuz
...................................................... 21
9th Av - Tisha B’av ......................... 21
Elul................................................. 21
Chai Elul ........................................ 22
1st and 2nd Tishrei - Rosh Hashana
...................................................... 22
Tishrei - Aseret Yemei Teshuvah ... 22
3rd Tishrei - Tzom Gedalia ............. 22
Vav Tishrei ..................................... 22
10th Tishrei - Yom Kippur .............. 22
15th - 22nd Tishrei - Succot ........... 22
3
Children Learn
If children live with shame, they learn to feel
guilty.
If children live with tolerance, they learn to be
patient.
If children live with encouragement, they learn
confidence.
If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness, they learn
justice.
If children live with security, they learn to
have faith.
If children live with approval, they learn to like
themselves.
If children live with acceptance and friendship,
they learn to find love in the world.
Yeshivah Beth Rivkah Ladies College Educating for Life
Aims and Philosophy
Beth Rivkah Ladies College is a Jewish community
school catering for children from Pre-School to Year
12 from every sector of the community. Its raison
d’etre is to educate a child to take her place in the
wider world with a commitment to her religion and
society.
Beth Rivkah prides itself on offering to every girl
attending the school, a full and challenging Jewish
education and an exciting and demanding general
education that is modelled on the best of traditional
disciplines and modern methodology. We regard
education as an all encompassing process in which
the classroom experience and extra curricular
activities contribute to the students’ total
development. Emphasis is placed on morals and
ethics to enable the student to withstand
inappropriate influences that may prevail in the
wider community.
The school provides a caring, supportive
environment and strives to enhance the strengths
of students to maximize their academic potential,
whilst catering to individual needs.
Our students blossom into women who
successfully take their places in society and are a
credit to the community.
Absence
If a child is absent due to illness, the school must
be notified as soon as possible. A note signed by a
parent or guardian must be handed to the class
teacher when a student returns to school. The note
should state the reason for the absence and the
dates of absence.
Holidays during the academic year can often be
disruptive for the students, and are not
recommended. Parents should not expect the
teachers to provide work missed.
Assessment and Reporting
Parents are encouraged to contact the Head of
Primary/ Head of Studies – Primary, if concerns
arise. Assessment is continuous throughout the
year and is made up of anecdotal observations,
classwork, assignment and project work, oral and
written presentations, and tests. Students are
encouraged to revise their work regularly, thus
5
establishing the foundations of a sound study
routine. Student progress is reviewed regularly
throughout the year to ascertain whether students
are reaching the learning outcomes associated with
each level.
Detailed formal reports are issued to parents at the
end of Semester I (Term II) and at the end of
Semester II (Term IV). In addition, there are Parent
Teacher interviews in early Term II and a follow up
set of interviews in Term III. We strongly encourage
parents to note and applaud their own child's
progress and not be tempted to make
comparisons.
Birthday Club
Parents are encouraged to participate in the
Birthday Club by donating a book or computer
program to the school in honour of their daughter’s
birthday. Items donated will be inscribed with the
child’s name, and donors will be acknowledged in
the school newsletter.
Birthday Parties
Simple classroom celebrations may be arranged in
consultation with the class teacher. Only parve (i.e.
neither meat nor dairy) food is to be purchased.
Please check with the school for acceptable food
shops and Kosher food items.
Invitations to parties held outside school may not be
distributed in school unless all class members are
invited, and the laws of Kashrut, Shabbat and Yom
Tov are strictly observed. May we suggest that only
parve food be served, as this eliminates many
problems.
Care of School Property
Inculcating respect for school property is part of our
educational program. We enlist the aid of parents in
emphasising these values to their children. Where
damage is due to vandalism or negligence, the cost
of repairs or replacements to school property will be
charged to parents.
The school telephone is reserved for office
business. Children are not permitted to use it
except with the teachers written permission, and for
urgent matters.
Class Placement
Teachers and administration are involved in the
allocation of children to classes. A number of
criteria are considered to ensure effective learning
for each individual student, as well as for the class
as a whole.
It is not the school’s policy to encourage individual
requests for placements in a particular class or with
a particular teacher. However, if parents have a valid
and genuine concern they should submit this
matter in writing to the Head of Primary School.
It is anticipated that parents will trust and respect
the decision of teachers and administration in this
matter.
Yeshivah Beth Rivkah Ladies College Educating for Life
Code of Conduct
Beth Rivkah Ladies College – Primary, is committed
to creating a safe, supportive, caring and nurturing
environment for its students and school
community, which promotes personal growth and
positive self-esteem.
We aim to have a positive culture where bullying,
harassment and intimidation are totally
unacceptable.
Bullying is completely antithetical to the Torah
values which we promote and do our best to instil
in our students.
During the daily Tefila (prayer) in which all our
students participate, each child makes the
declaration:
‫הרני מקבל עלי מצות עשה של ואהבת לרעך כמוך‬
Bullying Means…
Bullying is repeated incidents over time, including:
• Sending nasty notes, emails, text messages,
MSN messaging
• Threatening others
• Vandalising other people’s property
• Drawing nasty pictures of other people
• Stealing people’s property
• Using put downs
• Hurting someone’s feelings
• Turning away
I hereby take upon myself to fulfil the mitzvah –
“Love your fellow as yourself”. We strive to ensure
that each student internalises that declaration and
makes it true.
Our school functions according to the following
three R’s
• Hurting others physically
• Hurting others verbally
• Exclusion of others
• Starting rumours about others
Rights
• Name calling
The right to feel safe at all times. The right for
students to learn. The right for teachers to teach.
• Laughing at others
Responsibilities
For one’s actions
Respect
For one another
For the school rules
For property
Each school’s Code of Conduct needs to include
provisions for those occasions when acts of bullying
may occur.
7
• Harassment
What are the signs?
Bullying may be hard to see. Bullying usually
happens out of sight, away from teachers or other
adults. The people who are most likely to know
what is going on are other children.
Children who are being bullied often don’t like to tell
anyone because they feel weak or embarrassed, or
are scared that it will only make things worse. They
also feel it is wrong to tell tales about other
children.
How can you recognise bullying…
Bullying impacts on students in many ways.
Students may exhibit or experience over a period of
time:
• Fear of coming to school
• Poor school performance
Staff at Beth Rivkah Ladies College have received
professional development relating to identification of
signs and symptoms of bullying, harassment, and
proven counter measures.
At the start of the year each classroom teacher will
clarify the school policy on bullying and teach antibullying messages and strategies.
Teachers will:
• Loss of interest in school work
• Be positive role models for students in their
behaviour and words;
• Feeling of isolation/exclusion
• Provide a cooperative learning environment that
promotes positive relationships;
• Loss of self esteem/self concept
• Stress
• Regression
• Be observant for signs of bullying both in the
classroom, when on yard duty or at school
events (teachers will document repeated
incidents of inappropriate and aggressive
behaviour);
• Physically related symptoms such as
headaches/stomach aches
• Take appropriate action when cases of bullying
are identified
• Withdrawal
• Provide programs to empower students
• Depression
• Change in behaviour
• Follow the discipline procedure of the school
Cyber Bullying
Cyber bullying is becoming a problem of major and
growing proportion in the new technological world
in which we live.
We urge parents not to allow primary school
students to be part of a social networking site such
as FACEBOOK, etc.
Children can post, text and picture message the
most inappropriate, damaging and injurious
messages to each other.
Parents be proactive. Children are not
psychologically ready for the damage that one bully
can cause online. Protect your children by tightly
controlling their access to online sites, etc.
Remember that much homework does not require
the internet, or even a computer. There is no need
for your child to have a computer in her room which
you cannot monitor.
As a family learn about cyber safety together at
cybersmart.gov.au
What students can do:
If possible tell the person that their behaviour:
• Is not welcome
• That it offends you
• And to stop
However if the issue continues or you feel unsafe
tell a teacher, or other responsible adult. Forms are
available from the front office or your classroom if
you wish to report a bullying incident in writing.
Nobody has the right to bully other students!
Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
What parents can do:
If you see any signs that your child is being bullied
you can do the following:
• Provide opportunities to encourage good
communication skills
Yeshivah Beth Rivkah Ladies College Educating for Life
• It’s important to find out the facts; there are
always two sides to a situation
Detention
•
Suspension from school.
• Reassure your child that she is not at fault and
that you and the school will support her to deal
with the bullying
How we are fostering resilient students in a
caring school community.
• Encourage your child to personally deal with and
report the incident to the teacher;
We are doing this by implementing programs such
as class meetings, Connections, Project Rockit and
Life Education that aim to develop students’:
• Do not encourage retaliation;
• Contact the school. Never try to sort out the
bullies yourself; this rarely works and often
makes matters worse.
Intervention
1. Students identified by others as bullies will be
informed of allegations.
2. Once identified, each perpetrator, victim and
witness will be spoken with, and all incidents or
allegations of bullying will be further
investigated and documented. Parents will be
informed if the incident /allegation is a serious
one.
3. Both perpetrators and victims will be offered
support and counselling. The following people
may be involved to create a plan of action:
Head of Primary, Head of Studies, School
Welfare Coordinator, Psychologist, Parents and
Teachers.
4. If student bullying persists, parents will be
further contacted and consequences carried
out including the following:
•
Daily report
•
Exclusion from group/class
•
Partial loss of playtime activities.
5 Point 3 and 4 could be implemented
simultaneously.
6 The effectiveness of the plan will be evaluated
and updated as necessary by any or all of the
above.
7 If behaviour does not cease, the Head of
Primary will inform parents and request a
meeting where future action will be
considered. This action may include:
•
9
•
Outside counselling
•
Self esteem
•
Confidence
•
Assertiveness
•
Conflict resolution skills
•
Anger management skills
•
Coping strategies
•
Resilience
•
Perseverance
•
Positive attitude
•
Coping skills
•
Social skills
Collecting Children After School
We encourage you to collect your Prep and Year 1
students from the classroom or school grounds.
The class teacher must be notified of any alternative
arrangement. Children in upper grades should be
instructed to wait for their parents in mutually
agreed safe areas.
Please contact the school in case of delays or
difficulties, or on a day when the responsibility of
picking up your child has been delegated to
someone else.
It is advised that you have at least three alternative
arrangements regarding collection of your children
and that each child fully knows the details of these
arrangements.
Counseling Services
A student welfare coordinator and psychologist are
available at school for consultation with staff,
students and parents. Parents with any concerns
may contact them through the school.
Curriculum
Beth Rivkah Ladies College offers a curriculum that is
designed to meet the needs of its students with both
an outstanding and comprehensive General and
consolidation and reinforcement of fluency and
accuracy in reading skills, so that students achieve
mastery.
Jewish program. We anticipate that every Beth Rivkah
student will be proud of her school, happily and
confidently reach her potential level of academic
excellence, and develop a love of learning, while
maintaining and upholding Beth Rivkah values.
Class sessions in oral reading continue throughout
primary school, and regular reading practice at home is
greatly encouraged.
Jewish Studies
Students are introduced to the script Hebrew alphabet
at Prep level. At Year 1, formal writing exercises are
introduced and students master and practise the
Hebrew script alphabet, till they are proficient.
The Jewish Studies curriculum comprises the
following:
• Learning to read and write the Hebrew
language.
Writing
Chumash
• Learning to understand and express oneself in
Hebrew – through Ivrit lessons with a specialist
teacher twice weekly.
• Learning Chumash, Rashi, Yediya Klalit (General
Jewish Knowledge), Dinim – laws, Laws and
Customs of Chagim, Moral and Ethical Laws and
values, Parsha, Navi, Pirkei Avot and Pitgamin,
and Chassidut.
Values and ethics are constantly reinforced during
Jewish studies classes. Students are encouraged to
give charity daily and to show kindness, care,
consideration for their parents, teachers, elders and
peers.
Reading
The teaching of this skill, which is intrinsic to all Jewish
Studies, is begun at Prep level. Students are
introduced to all the consonants and vowels of the
Hebrew alphabet, learning their names and sounds.
They are taught to blend two or more sounds and are
able to begin reading.
Students read daily at school, and it is vital to
consolidate and reinforce this skill through daily
practice at home. A Siddur party (Chagigat
HaSiddur) celebrates the Prep reading program. This
reading program continues into Year 1, with
The study of the Five Books of Moses in the original
text is begun at Year 1 level. Children are familiarised
with a considerable amount of vocabulary before they
begin a formal study of the text. Students are taught to
analyse words and identify their grammatical
components – the root, prefix and suffix, feminine and
masculine etc. Teachers follow a Chumash curriculum
with a hierarchy of language and grammatical skills.
As students develop greater proficiency, they are
encouraged to become independent learners. Their
language skills develop and they are taught the
historical aspect of the events they study, and an
appreciation of the great heroes and heroines they
encounter in the Chumash. Students are taught to
appreciate that the Chumash is not merely a history
book, but a blueprint for our daily lives. Children learn
from the deeds of the great heroes of the Chumash and
are encouraged to emulate them in their daily lives.
Rashi
Rashi is the preeminent commentator on the Chumash.
Students are taught Rashi script in Year 3, and these
skills are developed and refined in the upper primary
grades. Students are encouraged to perceive and
analyse any possible anomalies or difficulties in the
Pshat – the text of the Chumash, and then to read and
understand Rashi’s explanation and reconciliation.
Yeshivah Beth Rivkah Ladies College Educating for Life
General Dinim
Pirkei Avot and Pitgamim (Proverbs)
Laws and Customs of daily Jewish life. The focus is on
those laws of particular relevance to the students and
include a comprehensive study of the laws of
Shabbat, Kashrut, laws between man and his fellow
man, laws of Ahavat Yisrael – brotherly love, Tzedaka,
Mezuza, Moshiach etc.
Sayings of our sages are taught and discussed, and
students are encouraged to learn some of these by
heart.
Yom Tov Dinim
Before each festival an exhaustive study is undertaken
of the laws and customs pertaining to it.
Chassidut
A spiral curriculum introduces students to the Chassidic
movement, the Chabad movement, the Rebbeim,
Chassidic philosophy and concepts, special days,
songs and stories.
Ivrit- Modern Hebrew
Parsha
The weekly Torah portion is studied in increasing
depth at each grade level. The contents and values of
each Parsha are explained and their relevance to
students daily lives. In upper grades (4, 5, and 6)
students read sections of the Parsha and may
research textual questions independently.
Navi – Prophets
The study of this area of the written law begins at Year
5 level. The study of the text is not as intensive and
comprehensive as is the study of Chumash. Key
selected sentences are studied in depth, and
students are given an appreciation of the main events
and characters, and are familiarised with the narrative.
Tefila
The school day begins with Tefila – prayer. Students
are familiarised with the Siddur – the Prayer Book,
and how to find their way through it. They are taught
the broad meaning and significance of the Tefilot –
prayers, and develop a proficiency in the reading of
the prayers. Inspirational stories, discussions etc.
foster an appreciation of the role of prayer in the life of
a Jew.
General Knowledge – Yediya Klalit
Students study general Jewish knowledge, which
helps them to appreciate and be familiar with their
Jewish heritage. Students study from a Yediya Klalit
book which is divided into grade levels. Each class
reviews the previous grade’s material, and then
studies the new material for their level.
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The study of the Hebrew language - Ivrit - is intrinsic to
and permeates all aspects of the Jewish Studies
curriculum, with students being familiarised with Hebrew
terminology through song and stories. Ivrit is used in
the class room as much as possible.
Students are immersed in Ivrit from Pre-school on.
However, a formal study of the language begins at Prep
level. The grammatical structure of the language is
studied, and the use of conversational Hebrew
develops over the primary years.
Torah Luminaries
A Torah luminary i.e. Rashi, the Rambam etc. adorns
the school bulletin board. Teachers are given background material on each luminary to share with the
students.
Class Newsletter
A regular class newsletter is sent to parents, outlining
learning areas and class events.
General Studies
The General Studies Curriculum is an integrated program which includes English (reading, word study, written expression, speaking and listening skills,
handwriting), Mathematics, Science, Economics,
Geography and History, Art/Craft, Music and
Movement, Information and Communications
Technology (ICT), Library, Physical Education,
movement and LOTE - Ivrit – Modern Hebrew.
We offer an optimum learning environment with a
positive Jewish emphasis. Jewish Studies and
General Studies are integrated where possible, and
complement one another.
We have a continuing commitment to reviewing and
evaluating our school curriculum. The curriculum is
divided into 8 key learning areas.
Humanities: –Science, Geography,
History
English
Students learn about the world around them, concepts
of time, chronology, sequencing, change and continuity.
English is divided into three strands
The students learn about:
• speaking and listening
• the major elements of societies and their
environments
• reading and viewing
• writing, with each strand being divided into 3 sub
strands – Language, Literacy and Literature.
• Australian history, geography, economy and
environment
• cultures and the contribution these make to a unified
and diverse society
Mathematics
Mathematics is taught from a base of concrete
experiences, which eventually become conceptualised
as abstract entities that are linked to experiences and
the students’ knowledge, in and of the real world.
The Strands are as follows:
• Number and Algebra
• Measurement and Geometry
• Statistics and Probability
• ideas which enhance their self-knowledge and selfconcept assisting them to participate in their society
within a global context
• ways in which people in other times and other cultures
have used the technology and resources available to
them.
They also:
• develop the skills needed to investigate ideas/issues
and communicate humanities related information
Science
Bringing together the past, the present and the future,
the study of science combines the richness of
heritage and culture with the challenge of discovery
and explanation.
• make reasoned and informed decisions and justify
views
• develop knowledge of change and its impact on
culture, social systems and environments.
Through science education, it is intended that
students will:
Students also develop three particular science based
skills:
• acquire the use and skills of scientific investigation,
reasoning and analysis to ask questions and seek
solutions.
• Science Understanding
• Science Inquiry Skills
• Science for Human Endeavour
• develop attributes such as flexibility, curiosity, critical
reflection, and respect for evidence.
The Arts
• be able to interpret and communicate scientific
ideas
The Arts are a fundamental means of expression and
communication in all societies. In the Arts curriculum
students learn ways of experiencing, developing,
representing, presenting and understanding ideas,
emotions, values and cultural beliefs. They learn to take
risks, be imaginative, question and explore alternatives;
they develop, practise and refine techniques, share
opinions and engage in Arts criticism.
Yeshivah Beth Rivkah Ladies College Educating for Life
The Arts strands consists of – Performing Arts
(Dance, Drama, Music) and Visual Arts (Media and
Visual art)
Languages Other Than English L.O.T.E.
Modern Hebrew (Ivrit) is an intrinsic component of our
Primary school curriculum from Pre-School onwards.
(refer to Jewish Studies curriculum, Ivrit)
Health and Physical Education
The Health and Physical Education program aims to
help students learn about those factors which
promote the health and well-being of individuals,
families and communities, and those factors which
present a risk. Issues such as health-promotion,
protective behaviours, harm minimisation, road and
water safety, and the provision and maintenance of
safe, secure environments are examined in terms of
personal and community responsibilities. The program
promotes physical activity and the development of
gross and fine motor skills.
It also promotes effective relationships, and ways of
managing transitions, changing demands,
responsibilities and roles. Communication skills and
interpersonal skills – listening, speaking, negotiating,
assertiveness, questioning and presenting ideas – are
emphasised.
The Physical Education program has been designed
to provide an ongoing sequence of skills and motor
development, taking into account the individual
requirements and needs of growing students. Four
main areas that continue from Prep to Year 6 are
gymnastics, dance, ball skills and swimming. At Year
3 level, we introduce athletics and the major game of
Newcombe. Ball skills are further consolidated by the
introduction of Netball, Minkey and T-Ball by Year 5.
PMP - The Perceptual Motor Program takes place at
the Prep and Year 1 levels, where children develop
their gross motor skills, gain confidence and establish
their spatial awareness.
Prep to Year 2 have their annual Sports Day at
Caulfield Park. On entry to Year 3, each girl is placed
into one of our three houses: Sarah, Esther or Chana.
There is regular inter-house competition in Netball,
Minkey and T-Ball, and also in the Athletic and
Swimming Carnivals. Selected students from Years 5
and 6 compete in the V.J.S.S.A. interschool athletics
and swimming sports.
13
Information and Communications
Technology (ICT)
Students participate in regular computer lessons and
apply their computer skills to aspects of the curriculum,
in both Jewish and General Studies, focussing on
visualising thinking, creating and communicating.
Interactive whiteboards are installed in each classroom
and enhance teaching and learning.
There are currently banks of laptops in stations and
classrooms, and sets of IPads for classroom use.
Teachers will integrate technology and the use of
different devices into their classrooms to support
teaching and learning.
Library
All children from Prep to Grade 5 have regular library
lessons. We have a range of fiction and non-fiction
books, both Jewish and General, in our computerized
library, where our television, DVD’s, listening posts and
IPad sets for students are also housed.
Music
Students learn music through the development of basic
music concepts – duration, volume, pitch, timbre.
Students discover percussion instruments and music
composition. Rhythm and notation are learned through
song and rhyme. Creating and performing provides the
students with a lifelong appreciation of music.
Connections
This program involves both the Jewish Studies and
General Studies teachers presenting a personal
development lesson together, to their class once a
week. The lessons are geared to address the emotional
and social issues that are relevant to our students at
Beth Rivkah.
We also focus on digital citizenship and cyber safety.
Another area that is a whole school focus is a
Protective Behaviours Program.
Inclusiveness
The educational program the school offers aims to cater
for every student from the gifted to those with special
needs. Teachers will routinely offer extension and
enrichment as well as modified programs.
Intrinsic educational features of the curriculum include:
• Learning Enhancement - which provides programs for
gifted and talented learners, extension and
remedial assistance in Jewish Studies and
Hebrew, ESL classes, and also identifies students
“at risk” with learning difficulties.
• Learning Enhancement (General Studies) –
facilitators support students with particular
numeracy or literacy needs across the school. A
select group of students also have the
opportunity to attend ‘Understanding Words
Program’.
• E.S.L. – English as a Second Language.
Newly arrived students to Beth Rivkah in various
stages of learning English, participate in an
intensive, English language program on an
individual and/or group basis, both in and out of
the class- room. The program aims to develop
students’ English skills and prepares them to cope
in the mainstream classroom.
• A variety of extension programs such as:
- Extension Mathematics
- Enrichment English
- Essay and poetry competitions
- Art competitions
- Night of the Notables
- Debating
Extra-Curricular Activities
Excursions, incursions, Shabbatonim, weekend
seminars and camps are an exciting aspect of primary
school life.
Community service is encouraged. Students hold fundraising activities and visit and entertain senior citizens.
Emergency Information
All students are subject to Educational Department
Health Regulations. Please do not send your child to
school if she shows any signs of illness. Any contagious
or communicable illness should be reported to the class
teacher. The school will require a release from your
child’s physician if the child is returning to school after a
communicable disease, such as conjunctivitis,
chickenpox, diphtheria, viral hepatitis, impetigo,
measles, meningococcal infection, mumps, whooping
cough, poliomyelitis, ringworm, rubella (German
Measles), scabies, streptococcal infections including
scarlet fever, and hepatitis. If your child becomes ill
during the school day and needs to be sent home, you
will be notified accordingly.
At the start of each school year a Personal Record
Form is distributed. It is vital that this form is filled in and
returned to school promptly. Please notify the school
immediately of any changes of address or telephone
numbers.
Basic first aid is administered at school. Please note
that children ill enough to require medication should not,
in most cases, be attending school.
- Math’s Talent Quest
Teachers will only dispense pain killers – Panadol etc.
with written parental permission.
- Performing Arts
Evacuation Procedure
- Buddy Program
- Chess program
Regular evacuation / enforced occupation and drills are
conducted to prepare the students in case of an
emergency. Parents are notified annually of evacuation
venues.
- Creative problem solving activities.
Excursions
- Public Speaking
Parents will be notified of any excursions scheduled to
take place during the year, and must sign all sections of
the permission form, in order to enable their child to
attend.
- Cross age and peer tutoring / activities.
- Debating (Year 6)
Yeshivah Beth Rivkah Ladies College Educating for Life
Food
We ask for parents cooperation in providing their
children with lunches and snacks that conform to the
laws of Kashrut. No meat or meat products should be
included in lunches brought into the school. Parents
should ensure that the lunch is nutritious. Children are
asked to not to share food. Food or drink in cans or
glass bottles is not permitted at school.
Girls are taught and are expected to wash their hands
before lunch, and to bench (say Bircat Hamazon)
after lunch.
Head Lice
Sometimes, even in the most meticulous of families,
an outbreak of nits and lice can occur. There is no
stigma attached to this, but as it is a highly
contagious condition, a single case can soon escalate
in a school. Although all students’ hair is checked on
a regular basis at school, we request that you make a
practise of checking your child's hair regularly.
Should you find evidence of nits and lice, please adopt
the following procedure:
• Inform the school immediately.
• Treat the condition with appropriate lotion or
shampoo.
• Remove all lice and nits (eggs)
• Continue to check your daughter’s hair daily. After an
infestation occurs, further checks at school may be
necessary.
Head lice is a community problem with no reflection
on a child’s cleanliness or the hygiene of the family. In
actual fact, lice prefer clean hair. Head lice only
affects 2-3% of Victorian children, mainly primary
school age.
Headlice is classified as a condition of inconvenience,
but nevertheless they are endemic in most
communities and adequate control procedures need
to be maintained in order to prevent infestation
throughout local school/centre populations.
Both parents and school/centres have legislative
responsibilities with regard to the monitoring and
control of headlice. These responsibilities are
contained within the Health (infectious Disease)
Regulations 1990.
Parents must inform the school / centre as soon as
possible if their child has head lice.
15
A school nurse checks students for lice on a rotational
basis.
The child can be excluded from school/centre by the
school/centre principal if found to have evidence of a
head lice problem. The child will be excluded until
appropriate treatment has commenced.
The information that the child has evidence of head lice
may be reported by different sources. Some of those
sources are as follows:
• Parent advises the school/centre that their child has
head lice
• Teacher advises the school/centre
• Private company inspects the child
• Parent volunteers inspect the child
When head lice is identified, the child will be isolated
from other children immediately and parents will be
phoned and asked to collect their child.
General Information
• Head lice are small parasitic insects that feed on
human blood.
• They live among the hairs on the head staying close
to the scalp.
• Itching of the scalp is usually the first sign noticed.
• From the time when the egg is laid until the live insect
dies is about 33-35 days.
• Head lice are transmitted by crawling from head to
head or via objects – they don’t jump or fly.
• About 2-3% of Victorian children are infested at any
one time, and this may rise to 10% or more during
outbreaks.
• They mainly affect primary school age children, butcan
affect all age groups.
• Head lice are not related to bad health or hygiene
habits. Head lice don’t discriminate towards any
socio-economic group.
Life Cycle
Note
• The immature louse emerges from the egg 6-7 days
after the egg is laid.
Natural remedies can be used in conjunction with
chemical treatments for the most effective results.
• Over the next 10 days, the louse moults 3 times and
the adult emerges.
Warnings!!!
• The male and female mate immediately after the
third moult.
• Don’t use shower caps with chemical treatments
including oils such as tea tree oil.
• The female lays her first egg 1-2 days after mating
and then lays 10-20 eggs per day for about the
next 16 days.
• Don’t use a prescription product containing lindane or
old-fashioned treatments such as kerosene.
• The total life span is 33-35 days.
• Don’t use a chemical treatment on or near the eyes.
• Live lice can live up to 2 days off the scalp.
• Don’t use a chemical head lice treatment on a baby
(under 2 years of age).
Head lice treatment
• Don’t buy products that are packaged with lice sprays.
• Do not use insect repellents to treat hair.
Mechanical removal
At present, mechanical removal of as many eggs as
possible is by far the most effective means of
success- fully controlling head lice.
• Items which cannot be washed e.g. soft toys, can
either be dry cleaned or placed into a garbage bag
and sealed for 2 days (However, to be sure, we
recommend 4-5 days)
Ultimately, it is the effort made by all parents within the
school or centre to control head lice that will minimise
the problem.
Live lice rarely survive off the human scalp for longer
than 2 days.
Although not as effective as chemical treatments,
natural remedies are available to treat head lice for
those who decide the chemical treatments are
unsuitable for their child. Some of these methods
include:
Carpet, car seat covers, couches should be vacuumed
only. It is not necessary to steam/dry clean carpets or
use pest powder
Suggested Treatments
Nut Free Zone
• Apply commercially prepared treatments available
from pharmacies and other outlets.
Our school aims to create a safe environment for
children who are allergic to nuts and products
containing nuts. Parents are asked to be vigilant and
very careful in checking for nuts and nut traces in all
ingredients that they may use in the food their child
brings into the school. Nut allergies can be life
threatening and even touching nut products can cause
illness, even fatality, G-d forbid.
• Cover hair in hair conditioner, leave for 2 hours. This
smothers the lice and the eggs.
• Comb out with a lice comb and place residue on
paper towel to see that eggs are being removed.
• Robi Comb: Electronic comb used on dry hair, which
removes eggs and kills lice on contact. Available
from selected pharmacies.
To Deter Lice:
Tea Tree Shampoo/Conditioner
Health Issues
Illness And Infection Control
The health and safety of all children is of major concern
to staff and parents. Parents are requested not to send
sick children to school, as it is unfair both to the ill child,
and to the well children who would thus be
unnecessarily exposed to infection.
Yeshivah Beth Rivkah Ladies College Educating for Life
In the event of a child becoming ill during the day, the
child will be separated from the group and the parent/
guardian will be contacted and notified of the details
of the illness as below (see section on Child
Injury/Illness).
*treatment – please note that abrasions and sores should
be washed with cold water only and no disinfectant
should be used (due to allergies, etc).
We suggest you keep your child home:
Staff will contact a child’s parent/s immediately following
a serious accident, or if the child has symptoms of an
illness, particularly if it may be infectious, eg:
temperature >37.5 degrees; vomiting; diarrhoea; rash;
discharge from eyes.
If she has a fever or has had one during the previous
24 hour period
Ill children will be sent to the sick bay and will be
monitored by office staff (including first aid person).
• If she has a cold that is less than 4 days old
A parent will be notified if staff feels that a child is unwell
and needs to go home. We will endeavour to make
phone contact by calling all parent phone numbers that
have been supplied on Personal Record form.
Reminder!
• If she has a heavy nasal discharge
• If she has a constant cough
• If she is fussy, cranky and generally not herself
• If she has symptoms of a possible communicative
disease. (These are usually sniffles, reddened
eyes, sore throat, headache and abdominal pain,
plus fever).
Please notify the school at once if she does have a
communicable disease
Child Injury / Illness
Any illness or injury/accident that a child acquires at
school must be recorded by staff in the
accident/illness folder that is kept in the sick bay and
parents advised either immediately or at the end of
the day depending on severity or injury/or illness. The
following must be recorded:
If staff member is unable to make contact and feel that
a child still needs attention, then the emergency
numbers supplied on the Personal Record Form will be
called.
Emergency Procedures
Medical Emergency
In the event of any child having a serious accident or
illness (e.g. head injury causing loss of consciousness,
seizure), the following procedure is to be followed:
1) Assess the accident/situation
2) Trained CPR person to commence resuscitation
immediately if child is not breathing and has no
heartbeat
• Date
3) Notify ambulance and Hatzolah to get professional
help
• Time of accident/illness
4) Notify parents
• Child’s full name
5) Guide ambulance officer to appropriate area so that
no time is wasted.
• Description of the illness – symptoms
• Description of how the accident occurred, injuries
received
• *Treatment administered to the child by the staff
• Signature of staff member who witnessed the
accident or who noticed illness/injuries
• Indication as to whether parent or
emergencycontact notified
17
Homework
Homework assignments are a necessary part of the
planned curriculum. Teachers aim to keep the amount
of homework within reasonable limits.
Parents who find their child spending an unreasonable
amount of time in order to complete homework
assignments, should contact the teacher or heads of
the school.
Lost Property
Parents’ Association
All articles of clothing and personal property MUST be
clearly labelled with the students full name. Lost
property will be kept in a Lost Property Box for a
limited period of time. Unclaimed property will be
handed either to the uniform shop or to a charitable
organisation.
Membership is open to all parents who wish to support,
be involved in, and promote the purpose of the
association. For further information, please contact the
school.
Newsletter
A general school newsletter is issued each Friday.
This is an important form of communication with
parents, so please take time to read it.
Class Newsletters: Each class receives periodic
newsletters throughout the term. These provide
parents with specific insight into their daughter’s
class.
Parent Visits
Parents are asked to refrain from entering a classroom
while teaching is in progress. Urgent messages can
be left at the office.
Parents are always welcome to discuss matters
concerning their child. However, teachers cannot be
spoken to at short notice, as they cannot be called
away from their teaching duties. Please arrange an
appointment through the office or by letter.
It would be greatly appreciated if parents who enter
the school grounds are modestly attired. Men are
expected to wear a head covering.
Parents as Partners
We believe that the school and the home are partners
in the child’s education. A Parent/Teacher Information
evening is held in Term I, outlining the program for the
year and giving parents the opportunity to familiarise
the class teachers with their child. Communication
between the school and home is encouraged.
Parents are urged to contact the teacher if
circumstances at home alter, or if there are concerns
about the student’s work, progress, health and
wellbeing. Appointments may be arranged through a
note to the teacher or a phone call to the Primary
Reception office. Teachers will contact parents if they
have concerns regarding a student.
Parent Teacher interviews are held in order to discuss
each students’ progress.
Permission To Leave The School
Premises
Primary school students are not permitted to leave the
school grounds during school hours. Medical and
dental appointments and out of school activities should
be made outside of school hours as far as possible.
However, if it is necessary for a student to leave during
school hours, parents must notify the class teacher in
writing, and must sign the register in the Primary
School office before the child leaves school.
Personal Property
The school cannot accept responsibility for the loss of
personal goods or valuables. Students should not bring
large amounts of money, or other valuables to school. If
a larger sum has to be brought to school, it should be
put in a clearly labelled envelope and handed to the
class teacher or the office for safe keeping.
Potentially dangerous or offensive items are not
permitted at school (roller skates, skate boards etc.).
IPods, chewing gum and liquid paper (correction fluid)
are not permitted.
Mobile phones must be handed in to the office on arrival
at school and collected at the end of the day.
Prefects – Student Leaders
Every Grade 6 student has the opportunity to develop her
leadership skills by assuming prefectorial duties during
the school year. These duties are assigned on a rotational
basis for approximately six weeks. Prefects duties include
welcoming V.I.P’s, assisting at school assemblies,
organising special programs, and encouraging school
spirit through competitions and activities.
Yeshivah Beth Rivkah Ladies College Educating for Life
School Hours
Monday–Thursday
Prep
8:30am–3.50pm (February)
Monday–Thursday
Prep
8:30am–4.00pm
Monday–Thursday
Years 1–4
8:30am–4.05pm
Monday–Thursday
Years 5 and 6
8:30am–4.10pm
Friday (Winter)
Years Prep–6
8:30am–3:15pm
Friday (Summer)
Years Prep–6
8:30am–2:45pm
Please note that outside these school hours there is no
supervision. THE SCHOOL WILL NOT TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN AT SCHOOL
OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS WHICH ARE BEFORE
8.15AM AND AFTER 4.20PM.
An aftercare program is available from 4.20pm until
6.20pm to students on application.
Punctuality is an educational objective which we aim
to foster from a very early age, and students are
expected to be at school on time.
Counselling assistance may be recommended when
persistent infringements occur.
School Houses
Each student belongs to one of three houses during
her time at school from Year 3 on – Chana, Esther or
Sarah. Daughters of Old Collegians and sisters are
usually in the same house. The focal points for the
Houses are generally sporting activities and the
promotion of school spirit and friendly competition.
Shluchot
Two Shluchot are assigned to the Primary School. These
young ladies act as mentors and big sisters to our
students, and bond with them through a range of
programs and activities. Shluchot plan special school
programs to promote learning, values and fun.
19
Special Dates in the Jewish
Calendar
15th Shvat - Tu Bishvat
The New Year for trees. This marked the
time when a tenth of the produce of trees
was ear marked as a tax for the Kohanim
and Leviim who served in the Bet
Hamikdash (Temple). Any fruit formed after
the 15th of Shvat belonged to the new
season. This date could be regarded as the
birthday of the trees. It is traditional to eat
produce of the 7 kinds for which the land of
Israel is blessed on this day – Wheat, barley,
grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and
dates; as well as a time to hold tree planting
ceremonies.
Chaf Bet Shvat
Yartzeit of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushkah - wife
of the Rebbe.
7th Adar
Birthday and Yartzeit – Moshe Rabenu
14th Adar - Purim
A joyous festival celebrating the escape of
the Jewish people from the threat of
annihilation by their wicked arch enemy,
Haman. This occurred over two thousand
years ago, when the Jews of the civilized
world were under the rule of King
Achashverosh. Mordechai, the wise Jewish
advisor of the King, together with his cousin
Esther, wife of the King, foiled Haman’s
plan. Hashem came to the aid of the Jews
when they turned to him on repentance
and sincerity.
Purim at Beth Rivkah is celebrated in the
morning hours. Students wear assorted
costumes and perform the special mitzvot
of Purim: Mikra Megilah - hearing the
reading of the Megila;
Mishloach Manot: Exchanging gifts of food
with their friends; Matanot Laevyonim –
Gifts for the Poort – money for charity.
The Purim Seuda or festive meal is
celebrated at home.
Yud Alef Nissan
Birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe - Rabbi
Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
15th -22nd Nissan - Pesach
The Festival of our liberation marks the birth
of Bnei Yisrael as a nation. On this day
Hashem took the oppressed and tortured
slaves out of Egypt under the leadership of
Moshe Rabeinu - Moses.
Before they left, they sacrificed the Korban
Pesach, the Paschal lamb, whose blood
was smeared on their doorposts to confirm
their allegiance to Hashem and his
commandments. They left hastily, not giving
the dough on their backs a chance to rise.
Pesach is celebrated for 8 days during
which we may not eat any chametz. The
night before Pesach a thorough search is
made to ensure the house is clear of
chametz (Biur Chametz).
We have a Seder on the first 2 nights of
Pesach - when we gather with our families
for a formal meal during which the Hagada
(Story of Pesach) is read, and we perform
numerous symbolic acts reminding us of
slavery and redemption. Maror - bitter
herbs is a reminder of our bitter slavery and
the four cups of wine celebrate our
freedom. The Seder plate contains symbols
of Pesach.
16th Nissan - Sfirat Haomer
This count begins from the 2nd night of
Pesach leading to the giving of the Torah
on Shavuot, after 49 days.
The omer was a measure of barley brought
to the Bet Hamikdash on the second day of
Pesach. The omer is counted each day, at
night, with a bracha made prior to counting.
The Omer period became a time of
mourning for the thousands of students of
Rabbi Akivah, who perished. We do not
celebrate weddings during this time.
27th Nissan - Yom Hashoah
Holocaust Memorial day to remember the 6
million Jews killed during the Holocaust of
World War 2.
4th Iyar - Yom Hazikaron
We remember those who gave their lives in
defense of modern day Eretz Yisrael.
5th Iyar - Yom Haatzmaut
Israel Independence day celebrated the
establishment of the modern state of Israel,
May 1948.
18th Iyar - Lag B’omer
A day of happiness commemorating the
cessation of the plague that killed the
students of Rabbi Akiva. It also marks the
Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai,
author of the Zohar, who requested that this
be a day of rejoicing.
Outings, picnics and bonfires take place on
Lag B’omer and boys who turn 3 at this
time, have their first hair cut on Lag B’omer.
28th Iyar - Yom Yerushalayim
In 1967 the Six Day War reunified Jerusalem
which had been a divided city, and the
Kotel HaMaaravi – The Western Wall, was
once more in Jewish hands.
6th & 7th Sivan - Shavuot
Zman Matan Torateinu. The time when the
Jewish people assembled at the foot of Har
Sinai, after having said “Naaseh Venishma”
- We will do and we will listen. They
received the Torah and the 10
commandments. This marks the
emergence of Bnei Yisrael as a free nation.
Many synagogues and homes are
decorated with greenery to signify the time
of harvest-Bikurim - First fruits, and in
remembrance of the green pastures which
surrounded Har Sinai.
It is customary to eat dairy food on
Shavout. Reasons include: The Torah was
given on Shabbat and laws of Kashrut went
into effect. Since the Jews could not
prepare Kosher meat, they ate dairy food.
Eating milk and then meat requires 2
separate breads. This reminds us of the 2
breads (Shtei Halechem) that were brought
to the Bet Hamikdash on Shavuot.
Gimmel Tammuz
Yahrtzeit of the Rebbe Yud Bet Tammuz:
Liberation of previous Lubavitcher Rebbe,
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak, from prison and
sentence of death.
17th Tammuz - Shiva Asar Be
Tamuz
A fast day, ushering in the Three weeks, a
sorrow- full time in our history. On this day
Moshe, on seeing the Jews worshipping
the Golden Calf, broke the two tablets with
the Ten Commandments.
This day marked the beginning of the siege
of Jerusalem.
During these three weeks we do not
celebrate weddings, take haircuts, listen to
music or swim for pleasure. During the last
nine days of this period the mourning
intensifies, with no meat being eaten or
wine drunk, except on Shabbat or at a
Seudat Mitzvah.
9th Av - Tisha B’av
Three weeks later, both the 1st and the
2nd Bet Hamikdash were destroyed, and
those Jews not killed were exiled from their
land.
The fast of Tisha B’Av begins at sunset and
ends at nightfall of the following day.
Eicha - the book of lamentations is read
and one sits on the floor or on low chairs till
midday, as a sign of mourning.
Elul
The Month of Elul, ushering in the New
Jewish Year is a month of Teshuva
(Repentance) Tefila (Prayer) and Tzedaka
(Charity) . The shofar is sounded each day
(except Shabat) as a reminder call. From
the Saturday before Rosh Hashana and
each morning up to Rosh Hashana we say
special prayers - Selichot, asking for
forgiveness.
Vav Tishrei
Chai Elul
Yom Kippur is the most solemn and holiest
day of the year, when we fast, confess,
repent and ask for Hashem’s forgiveness.
Yom Kippur is ushered in by the famous
prayer Kol Nidrei. It is customary to wear
white, to symbolise purity from sin. The last
prayer of Yom Kippur, is Neilah - closing, as
the gates of Prayer close, and we remain
confident that Hashem has forgiven us and
will give us a sweet New Year.
Birthday of the Baal Shem Tov - Founder of
the Chassidic movement, and the Alter
Rebbe - founder of Chabad Chassidut
1st and 2nd Tishrei - Rosh
Hashana
The Day of Judgment when Hashem judges
us all and decides our fate for the coming
year. The shofar is blown (except on
Shabat) to remind us to do teshuva. We
pray for mercy and forgiveness, confident
that Hashem in His mercy and loving
kindness, will answer our prayers. After
Maariv on the first night of Rosh Hashana,
we wish each other - Leshana Tova
Tikatevu Vetaichateimu - May you be
inscribed and sealed for a good year. We
dip challa and apple into honey to
symbolize our wish for a sweet New Year.
In order to say Shehecheyanu on the 2nd
night of Rosh Hashana, we should have a
new fruit on the table or wear a new
garment.
Tashlich - After Mincha on the 1st day of
Rosh Hashana we go to a body of water
containing fish and say the Tashlich prayer
in which we ask Hashem for forgiveness
for our sins.
Tishrei - Aseret Yemei Teshuvah
These are the 10 Days of Repentance,
beginning with Rosh Hashana and
concluding with Yom Kippur.
Yahrtzeit of Rebbetzin Chana - mother of
the Rebbe.
10th Tishrei - Yom Kippur
15th - 22nd Tishrei - Succot
Immediately after Yom Kippur, we begin
preparing for the joyous festival of Succot
by planning and building the succah, to
display our immersion in Mitzvot.
We sit in a Succah for 8 days to
commemorate Hashem’s protection of Bnei
Yisrael in the desert. During Succot we take
the Arbaah Minim - the Lulav, Etrog,
Hadassim and Aravot, and shake them
together after saying a bracha.
When eating bread or cake in the Succah,
we make a special Bracha - Leshev
Basuccah.
21st Tishrei - Hoshana Rabba
Hoshana Rabba is the seventh day of
Succot. We circle the Bima in shule with the
Lulav and Etrog and we beat willow leaves Aravot, on the ground.
22nd Tishrei - Shmini Atzeret
Tefilat Geshem - the prayer for rain in Eretz
Yisrael is said.
3rd Tishrei - Tzom Gedalia
23rd Tishrei - Simchat Torah
The fast of Gedalia which commemorates
the assassination of the Jewish governor
Gedaliah after the destruction of the Bet
Hamikdash.
We rejoice because we finish reading the
Torah and start again.
We dance and celebrate with the eternal
Torah.
11th Cheshvan
Yartzeit – Rachel Imenu
Yud Tet Kislev
Day of Liberation from prison and sentence
of death of the Alter Rebbe - the 1st Rebbe
of Chabad.
25th Kislev - Chanukah
Chanukah marks the miraculous victory of
the Jews and their Hasmonean leaders
over the Greek rulers of the period, more
than 2000 years ago. The wicked
Antiochus wanted to uproot Judaism by
force, by outlawing the observance of
Shabbat, Yom Tov, circumcision and the
study of the Torah. He ordered the Jews to
worship Greek idols. Matityahu and his five
sons began a rebellion against the Syrian
Greeks and on the 25th day of Kislev, 165
BCE, Yehuda and his army of brave
Macabees liberated Jerusalem and the Bet
Hamikdash and cleansed it of the
desecration of Antiochus. Only one
undefiled cruse of oil was found to rekindle
the menorah. Miraculously this oil lasted for
8 days, till fresh oil could be made. We
celebrate Chanukah for 8 days to
commemorate this miracle and the victory
of the few over the many with the help of
G-d.
The menorah is lit for 8 nights and it is
traditional to eat foods fried in oil - latkes to play dreidel, and to be joyful.
Sunscreen Sunsmart
Policy Update
School and home are in partnership to
ensure that our students are as sun safe as
possible. We are very vigilant about
sunhats, and would like to promote
students being independent in applying
sunscreen before going to morning and
lunch recess. We have been advised by
SunSmart Vic NOT to have a communal
sunscreen bottle available for all students in
case of allergies etc.
• We ask parents to provide a labelled
preferably roll on sunscreen for their
children and teach them to apply it
properly and safely. The teachers will
give student an opportunity to apply the
sunscreen 15-20 minutes before they go
outside.
• All students must wear a school protective
hat during all recess and lunch play in
Term 1 and Term 4.
Sunscreen
Cancer Council Victoria recommends
SPF30+ broad spectrum, water-resistant
sunscreen. When the UV Index is 3 or
above, use a combination of the five
SunSmart steps:
1. Slip on some sun-protective clothing.
2. Slop on SPF30+ sunscreen – make sure
it is broad spectrum and water resistant.
Put it on 20 minutes before you go
outdoors and reapply every two hours.
Sunscreen should never be used to
extend the time you spend in the sun.
3. Slap on a hat – that protects your face,
head, neck and ears.
4. Seek shade.
5. Slide on some sunglasses – make sure
they meet Australian Standards.
Extra care should be taken between 10 am
and 2 pm (11 am to 3 pm daylight saving
time) when UV Index levels reach their
peak. To find out UV Index levels look for
the SunSmart UV Alert in the daily
newspaper’s weather section or visit:
www.bom.gov.au/weather/uv or
www.arpansa.gov.au/uvindex/realtime (for
live UV levels).
What is SPF?
Sunscreens with a sun protection factor
(SPF) of 4 and above are listed on the
Australian Register of the Therapeutic
Goods Administration (TGA).1
The highest SPF for sunscreen available in
Australia is SPF30+. The SPF30+ rating
has been set by Standards Australia.
In laboratory conditions SPF30+ sunscreen
filters around 97% of UV radiation.
However, many Australians apply too little
sunscreen. This means they usually get
less than half the protection stated on the
product label.4
Further information and resources
Being SunSmart in Australia information
sheet How Much Sun Is Enough? Brochure
visit www.sunsmart.com.au or contact the
Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.
Transport
Your child's safety is in your hands. If you
bring your child to school by car, please
observe the traffic regulations in Empress
Rd.
Children who walk or travel by public
transport to and from school, should be
taught to use the crossing correctly, and
should be warned about any possible
dangers en route. Remind the children of
the need for appropriate behaviour on the
way to and from school.
Uniform and Dress Standard
Items of uniform can be purchased at the
uniform shop. (Please check the location
and times of business of the uniform shop
with the front office).
Winter uniform
School tunic (modest length)
Approved blue skivvy or blue shirt
School jumper / windcheater
Approved white tights or knee high socks
Dark blue Parka
Black lace up school shoes
Summer Uniform
School dress (modest length)
Footwear
Children need strong, supportive
waterproof foot- wear, and therefore we
recommend leather lace up shoes. Sports
shoes are to be worn only for sports
lessons and Perceptual Motor sessions.
They are not to be worn to and from
school. (Excepting Prep and Year 1
students on sport and PMP days).
General Dress Code
Girls are expected to wear complete school
uniform, and be clean and well groomed at
all times.
Occasionally girls are allowed to come to
school in casual wear. They are expected to
conform to modest attire - appropriate hem
and sleeve lengths.
• All items of clothing and other possessions
should be clearly marked with the child’s
full name. No responsibility can be taken
for unnamed articles.
• The only forms of jewellery permitted are a
wrist watch and studs in the ears.
• Nail polish is not permissible.
• Hair of shoulder length must be tied back.
Vaccination
According to government health regulations,
each students is required to provide a full
vaccination
Approved navy tights or white knee high
socks
Volunteers
Black school shoes
School sunhat (compulsory during
recesses, P.E. lessons, and on excursions)
We welcome parents who have expertise,
skill and time to share with us and our
students. Assistance is often needed in the
following areas:
Sports uniform
• Library (for covering of books)
sports skirt,
• Making equipment and teaching aids
sports polo shirt,
• Reading in the classroom
sports shoes.
• Perceptual Motor Program in the sub
primary grades (Prep & Year 1)
This uniform is compulsory for all physical
education classes from Grade 3 upwards to be worn only during sport lessons.
• Excursions/Outings/ Swimming Program
• Prep Literacy Centres
All volunteers must have a current Working
with Children Check.
The ten weekly sessions encourage
discussion, debate and reflection pertinent
to Bat Mitzvah girls.
Yad L’Ezra is a social service provided by a
group of secondary student volunteers who
tutor primary students after school. This
form of assistance can be applied for
through the class teachers.
Our Bat Mitzvah Club is even more special
and exciting as each student takes on a
leadership role within each session, such as
Mistress of Ceremonies, Photographer,
Storyteller, Social Secretary and Hostess. In
this way all students contribute meaningful
insights to ensure a dynamic and enjoyable
session.
Bat Mitzvah Club
Session topics include:
Yad L’Ezra
A program for Beth Rivkah Students in
Years 6 and 7 exploring and celebrating this
important milestone.
Learning It, Living It, Loving It
Becoming a Bat Mitzvah can be compared
to Bnei Yisrael’s receiving the Torah at Har
Sinai. Upon becoming twelve years of age,
a Jewish girl says “Naaseh Venishma”, (“We
will do and we will listen”). She now
accepts upon herself the responsibility of
Torah and Mitzvot with anticipation,
eagerness and joy.
In Semester 2, the Year 6 students begin to
prepare for this important stage in their lives
by participating in a specialised Bat Mitzvah
Program. The Bat Mitzvah Program
includes inspirational and motivating
sessions, as well as the Girl On The Glow
Program, that afford the students
opportunities to explore, question, and
discuss many different aspects associated
with becoming Bat Mitzvah. The program
continues in Year 7 and culminates in a
wonderful performance celebrating the joys
of the journey of womanhood.
Bat Mitzvah Sessions
All students receive a gorgeous Bat Mitzvah
Club Kit, complete with colour-coordinated
folder, pen, bookmark, and hard-covered
journal to record information related to the
various topics.
• Comparing one’s relationship with Hashem
prior to Bat Mitzvah and afterwards.
• Understanding the meaning of Mitzvot
• Understanding the role of the ‫נפש אלקית‬
(the G-dly soul) which becomes “active”
when one reaches the age of Bat
Mitzvah
• Taking responsibility for our actions
• ‫ –מח שלית על הלב‬Mo’ach shalit al halev –
Making correct choices
• ‫ –כיבוד אב ואם‬Kibbud Av Va’em –
Appreciating the importance of one’s
relationship with parents
• ‫ –צניעות‬Tzniut – Introduction to the topic
of modesty in thought, dress and
speech
• Appreciating the importance of being a
‫ דוגמה חיה‬- Dugma Chaya – a proper
role model
• ‫ הדלקת נרות שבת‬- Hadlakat Nerot
Shabbat – Lighting
Shabbos Candles
• ‫ – הפרשת חלה‬Hafrashat Challah - The
Mitzvah of Challah
• The special Mitzvot for women
Girl on the Glow
The Girl on the Glow Program begins with
each student receiving a lovely silver
bracelet. Every month, around Rosh
Chodesh time, the students receive a new
set of mitzvah assignments to choose from
and complete – Girl On The Glow
Assignments.
For each accomplishment achieved, the
students receive a Girl On The Glow silver
charm as a special keepsake symbolising
that achievement.
Girl on the Glow assignments include:
Purest Love - Performing acts of kindness
Soul Food - The laws of Kashrut and
Challah
Be The Light – Honouring the tradition of
Shabbat. Totally Torah – Understanding the
tradition of Torah. The Insider – Focussing
on inner beauty and the Neshama (soul).
We know that our Bat Mitzvah students will
start to “glow” as they become further
involved with this inspirational program.
The first stage of our Bat Mitzvah Club
journey is complete. The girls have
displayed maturity and pride. We are
confident that the Year 7 Bat Mitzvah Club
sessions will continue to be informative and
rewarding. We look forward to watching
our girls “glow”, each one in her own
special way.