This week's Insights features an Interview with Russell Kaplan, Vice-Principal, Teaching & Learning and currently Acting Principal while Marc Light is on Sabbatical.
What have been some of the highlights of this term?
There have been many highlights from Term 1: Launch Week is a particular highlight - it’s nice to see all the new students around the school finding their way and adapting to the King David rhythm. Swimming Carnival was another highlight for me this year. As a Negev house member, we have been struggling to achieve some silverware in the Middle and Senior School. Junior School has been holding strong, but we needed to lift. This year we won the Swimming Carnival and the ruach and excitement was as always palpable. The Year 7 Anglesea surf camp was another fabulous highlight. Seeing our new KDS students bonding with existing KDS students is a real highlight. The Year 10 Hadracha Shabbaton was excellent - leadership is such an important element for our students at King David and seeing them grow and mature and taking on new Jewish Life responsibilities was exciting. Finally, King’s Carnival was unbelievable - it’s been a while since we’ve had the KDS community together. Seeing so many happy people together again allows for such wonderful connections to the School and the community.
What has been something that surprised you this term?
How quickly the new staff to our school have found the rhythm of the School and settled in. This shows that there’s already an alignment with the School’s values.
What is something you’ve learned this term?
Patience. Greater patience. Giving time not only to others but to myself is a priority. There has been an increase in impulsiveness in our society and to balance this we at times need to slow things down.
What has been the highlight of being Acting Principal?
Just getting to work with people in different capacities. Most of my connection is through Teaching & Learning whereas in this role I get to interact with and connect with all areas of the school.
What are you looking forward to about Term 2?
The opportunity to settle more into routine now that many of our Chaggim have been celebrated. As we move into Term 2, it’s usually a time for students to be able to show their understanding of their learning as we move more into assessing learning, so there’s a real opportunity for them to feel a sense of achievement as they showcase their learning from the first term - I’m looking forward to seeing our students shine.
What can our families do at home to help their students?
Encourage reading wherever possible. Look for opportunities to curb impulsivity and slow kids down. Be kind to yourself and others. Remember to see all the good things amidst all the challenges.
What have been some of the highlights of this term?
There have been many highlights from Term 1: Launch Week is a particular highlight - it’s nice to see all the new students around the school finding their way and adapting to the King David rhythm. Swimming Carnival was another highlight for me this year. As a Negev house member, we have been struggling to achieve some silverware in the Middle and Senior School. Junior School has been holding strong, but we needed to lift. This year we won the Swimming Carnival and the ruach and excitement was as always palpable. The Year 7 Anglesea surf camp was another fabulous highlight. Seeing our new KDS students bonding with existing KDS students is a real highlight. The Year 10 Hadracha Shabbaton was excellent - leadership is such an important element for our students at King David and seeing them grow and mature and taking on new Jewish Life responsibilities was exciting. Finally, King’s Carnival was unbelievable - it’s been a while since we’ve had the KDS community together. Seeing so many happy people together again allows for such wonderful connections to the School and the community.
What has been something that surprised you this term?
How quickly the new staff to our school have found the rhythm of the School and settled in. This shows that there’s already an alignment with the School’s values.
What is something you’ve learned this term?
Patience. Greater patience. Giving time not only to others but to myself is a priority. There has been an increase in impulsiveness in our society and to balance this we at times need to slow things down.
What has been the highlight of being Acting Principal?
Just getting to work with people in different capacities. Most of my connection is through Teaching & Learning whereas in this role I get to interact with and connect with all areas of the school.
What are you looking forward to about Term 2?
The opportunity to settle more into routine now that many of our Chaggim have been celebrated. As we move into Term 2, it’s usually a time for students to be able to show their understanding of their learning as we move more into assessing learning, so there’s a real opportunity for them to feel a sense of achievement as they showcase their learning from the first term - I’m looking forward to seeing our students shine.
What can our families do at home to help their students?
Encourage reading wherever possible. Look for opportunities to curb impulsivity and slow kids down. Be kind to yourself and others. Remember to see all the good things amidst all the challenges.
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