I wrote this Kesher piece below over a week ago. And, while the message is still relevant, I feel compelled to also write about the tragedies that have befallen our community in the past week. Even with the rich language of English, I am unequipped to convey how shattered and broken we feel, for the children, for the families, for Carmel. While there are no answers to the diff ...

One of the many joys I receive from working in an institution of learning is the opportunity for intellectual discussion with my colleagues. Mr George and I regularly exchange podcast and book recommendations, newspaper articles, and then engage in friendly arguments about our sometimes differing views. In having to articulate my thoughts, our banter has often been an opportu ...

As I write, we have just concluded the festival of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The time in Shule (synagogue) was wonderful, uplifting, joyous and reflective. As I pondered the year that was and thought ahead to the year that will be, I also took stock of all that I am grateful for. When I think of the one thing that has had the greatest, most positive impact on my lif ...

Every year I take the time to meet with our Year 12 students before they finish their time at Carmel… hopefully they never say farewell to their Carmel family. I ask them to reflect on their years at the School; the highlights and lowlights of their Carmel experience. The students tell me about the teachers who have made a positive impact on their educational journeys and we di ...

This term, I had the privilege of hearing our Year 6 public speaking finalists and theÌýsubsequentÌýagony of having to choose justÌýthreeÌýto represent Carmel at the interschool speaking challenge at Scotch College.Ìý The calibre of speeches, both in their content and delivery,Ìýwas simply mind-blowing. The students researched their topics,Ìýlearnt their speeches by heart soÌýthat eve ...

ÁùºÏ²ÊͶעÍø is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Julie Harris as the new Principal, commencing in January 2022. This appointment follows an extensive search resulting in a very strong field of candidates from many of the leading independent schools in WA and Australia. Dr Harris will take over this leadership role from Mrs Shula Lazar, who has ably led the School for ...

Over Shavuot, I had the opportunity to visit my family in Melbourne. As always, there was much talk about schools; which Jewish school was doing best at what, which Jewish school was best aligned to individual needs and religious outlook. It’s a conversation I grew up with but not being in Melbourne for an extended period meant I heard it with fresh ears.ÌýÌý To some in Perth, t ...

One of the things schools always ponder, and need to respond to, is bullying. It is an expectation (but not an acceptable one) that when you put a group of young people together all day for many weeks of the year while they are dealing with major life changes like puberty, unkind behaviour will occur. Recently, there have been questions raised regarding how we here at Carmel ex ...

One of the best parts of my job is interviewing students after their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, which is then written up and put on our Facebook feed and added right here, to Kesher. The students come to my office for a chat and I talk with them about what they enjoyed most about their special day, what hobbies and interests they have, an achievement they are most proud of and what t ...

In all lines of work, there are some days that are better than others. For me, some days areÌýgoodÌýand others are even better than good.Ìý Last Friday was one of those ‘better than good’ days.Ìý It began with a preview of our School Musical in the Sylvia and Harry Hoffman Primary School Hall. Our High School students, who have been working tirelessly every Sunday since mid-last ...