Dear Community,

Like so many of you, I spent last Sunday at our famous King’s Carnival. 

Alongside the nervous members of the King David School Parents’ Association, I experienced a sleepless Saturday night with repeated checks of various weather apps looking for a second, third and fourth opinion in the hope that the expected rain would stay away.

Well the rain did not stay away. But nor did the school community!

Moving around the Magid Campus I was overwhelmed by the positivity, joy and togetherness that was on clear display.

We clearly have something very special at our school. We have a parent, grandparent, student and staff body who recognise the value of community - we are so grateful for the way that you show your support quite literally in rain, hail and shine.

The King’s Carnival is also an opportunity to display the wonderful talent and courage of so many young and older performers. We enjoyed a tremendous extended show full of singing, dancing, magic and instrumental performers. This showcased students from the youngest years of the School through to graduates.

Not to be outdone, the highlights of the day included a teacher band and a rocking dads' band who performed with such verve that they managed to get the crowd of parents and onlookers dancing. “How embarrassing!” squealed their secretly delighted children.   

During Kabbalat Shabbat today, Years 6-8 students learned about the festival of Sigd (from the word 'prostration'), traditionally celebrated by Beita Yisrael (Ethiopian Jews) and, since 2008, as an Israeli national holiday. Sigd is held 50 days after Yom Kippur, to reaffirm the commitment of Beita Yisrael to Judaism, God and the Torah, and to the dream of returning to Jerusalem. 

At lunchtime, students and staff came together to eat vegan (except for honey) Ethiopian food, including injera bread with stews, and himbasha bread with Gumuz honey, along with iced thyme-infused Ethiopian tea. People learned more about the festival, listened to Ethiopian Jewish music and heard from Eginsu Meyer, an Ethiopian-Israeli who made aliyah (immigrated to Israel) at age six. 

Sigd falls tomorrow (29 Heshvan) but because Sigd observance includes fasting (until lunchtime) and, in Israel, other non-"Shabbat-friendly" activities, it was celebrated publicly in Jerusalem yesterday. You can see photos here. 

Celebrating Sigd allowed our students to experience Jewish life and living through a different lens and to bond with our siblings from Beita Yisrael and the rest of Israel. 

This term, Year 1 students learnt about Noah's Ark. We spent a couple of weeks studying the story and learning about being kind and righteous people. As a celebration for all their hard work, Noah came to visit the students all dressed up as animals today as they completed some fun activities! Click here for photos.

A great celebration of student creativity and talent at the Junior School Creative Arts Expo yesterday. Please click here to see photos from the event.

There were impressive performances from students learning a range of instruments including strings, woodwind and guitar.  Our Junior Choir and RocKing David Band had the audience toe tapping to some great renditions.  And, to top it all off, there was a selection of artwork to admire from every student from Prep to Year 5.  A real feast for the senses. 

Year 5 student leaders organised and ran a sausage sizzle with proceeds going to Keysborough CFA to assist in their campaign to source a new fire truck for the 2024/2025 season.

Thank you to Danielle Matulis from the Art Department at Junior School for co-ordinating this together with Nissim Ben-Salamon and instrumental teaching staff at the Junior School.

Join us for a pre-Chanukah celebration for kids and families - come along next week for Chanukah Funukah! Bring your family and enjoy delicious Chanukah treats, activities and crafts.
4-6pm Tuesday 10 December at Temple Beth Israel
Free, no registration required! See you there.

A1 Soccer Academy, founded by KDS alumnus Sammy Want (Class of 2023) runs a summer soccer holiday program throughout the summer holidays. 9am to 1pm @ Caulfield Park for children aged 6 to 12 years.  See attached flyer for more detail or contact a1socceracademy@gmail.com

Please join Kedem for their Shabbat services in December:
Shacharit Shabbat, 10am Saturday 7 December at The King David School
Service for the Soul, 10am Saturday 21 December 
For more details please see the attached flyer or contact Rosi at rosi.kedem@outlook.com