L
APRIL 2022
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Shalom Kehilla. Who would have thought, in 1942 in Drummond
Says Yeshaya di Trani in the thirteenth century, “Who sees
Street Carlton, that the Bialik Cheder would have
further a small person or a giant? Surely a giant for his
grown to over 1,000 children, 600 families, 200 staff,
eyes are situated at a higher level than those of the small
top three in the state for the last seven years,
person. But if the small person is placed on the shoulders
world-renowned for a Culture of Thinking and
of the giant who sees further? ... So too we are small
approach to learning that is the standard for others
people astride the shoulders of giants. We master their
to follow? Would our founders have envisioned that
wisdom and move beyond it. Due to their wisdom we grow
we would have younger children here – in our Bialik
wise and are able to say all that we say, but not because
College Creche? Or older children here, in primary,
we are greater than they.” Whilst that phrase is attributed
middle and secondary schools?
to Sir Isaac Newton, it was in fact the Jewish commentators who came up with it first.
Would they have seen that we have become the community school – not a denominational school serving a section of
So as we read this edition of Shelanu with its celebration
the community, or a school having an expectation of belief
of learning (such as the Bettie Kornhauser Science Week),
or practice – but a pluralistic school embracing everyone
inclusion (such as our 80th Anniversary Celebrations),
in the community, a school which thrives in the reality that
vibrancy (did you see Mamma Mia?), engagement (check
Judaism describes different paths to different people, that
out Bialik becoming the first Jewish school globally to
we embrace the full spectrum of Judaisms to ensure that our
offer the Duke of Edinburgh Award for an entire year level),
children grow up to be menschlich and active community and
wellbeing (SmartTV) and achievement, we remind ourselves
family members, who see different as good, and important,
that we are standing on the shoulders of giants.
and necessary? It is the vision of our founders and past leaders, their hard Would they have imagined us emerge from a pandemic
work and their risks that are the building blocks, foundation
stronger than we were before, with an enhanced reputation
stones and corner stones of what and who we are today.
for learning and wellbeing, and about to embark on the most ambitious building project alongside the Early Learning Centre
Wishing a יום הולדת שמח- Happy Birthday,
and the Gringlas Sports Centre; The Launch Lab – since we
to Bialik College, 80 Years Young.
moved to Auburn Road?
Jeremy Stowe-Lindner Would those who built Shakespeare Grove in 1962 – we moved in in 1963 - our kinder and early primary campus in Hawthorn, or those who moved Bialik to Wantirna in 1974, or who saved the College in the 1980s, would they have visioned this, the 80th anniversary of the success story that is Bialik College, 80 years young? Well, Bialik Family, I think they would have. They were giants. They were visionaries. They knew that from little things, big things grow. They knew that they were starting, developing, and building something great. If we are where we are today, it is because we are standing on the shoulders of giants.
Principal
On Friday 4 March we gathered as a community for a special Kabbalat Shabbat and picnic to celebrate 80 years of Bialik. The event attracted over 1000 students, parents,
Thank you to Joe Waislitz (Year 12) our MC for the evening,
staff and grandparents who gathered together with
Harry Frydenberg a current grandparent and Old Collegian,
their picnic dinners to be a part of our Kabbalat Shabbat
who blew out our birthday candles, our Bialik College
led by Rabbi Zachary Gomo (Assistant Principal and
Parents’ Association, our College Leadership Team led
Director of Jewish Life).
by Principal Jeremy Stowe-Lindner, College Council for their ongoing support and all parents, students and staff
Everyone enjoyed a range of activities including
who attended and worked tirelessly to make the event a
entertainment from current and graduate student
success.
performers; carnival rides and delicious food from The Pita Man and Tavlin Restaurant.
Purim is always a highlight of the year! The BCPA together with all our AMAZING volunteers produced an awesome event! Students and staff dressed up and enjoyed the annual Purim Parade, fun activities, yummy sausage sizzle and heat quenching icy-poles!
BIALIK
BOASTS SOME It’s easy to use
“The wellbeing of today’s youth has never been more challenging.” Michael Carr-Gregg
Take a look at some of the categories!
Today, parents face a multitude of challenges in raising happy, healthy and resilient children and young people. Whilst there is a great deal of information available, this can often be confusing and overwhelming for parents looking for guidance. Bialik College is fortunate to have a large and highly skilled
CYBERSAFETY
MENTAL HEALTH
SCHOOL SURVIVAL
HEALTHY BODY
POSITIVE PARENTING
SPECIAL REPORTS
team who have put together a responsive and proactive well-being curriculum and program with supportive staff to respond to daily concerns. As part of our well-being program, Bialik College is excited to offer access to SchoolTV under the auspices of Michael Carr-Gregg and a whole host of leaders in the well-being and education community. SchoolTV is a new online resource designed to empower you as parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical ongoing support strategies. Bialik College sees education for the entire school community around practical strategies to manage modern-day issues and challenges across the school from the ELC to Year 12.
INCREDIBLE
LAUNCHES The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award enables students to develop
prestigious award recognised by renowned universities
practical skills, behaviours and attitudes that are valued
and employers set to challenge young people to find their
by employers globally. Every Friday afternoon, students in
purpose, passion, and place in the world. The Award is
Years 8 and 9 are vertically streamed into electives of their
open to young people aged 14 to 24 and is run in over
choice. Some of the electives include Barista, Challah for
130 countries. Each young person who takes part in the
Hunger, Campcraft, Financial Literacy, Work Futures, and
Award learns a skill, improves their physical wellbeing,
Aquatics. There has been so much excitement in the air on
volunteers in their community, and undertakes an
Friday afternoons and ongoing conversations as students
adventurous journey within a team.
plan how they will meet the requirements of the Award.
Bettie
Kornhauser
In Term 1 we celebrated the 8th annual Bialik Science Week! Our theme for this year was ‘Bialik Scientists’ as we believe our entire Bialik learning community are all scientists. Every day they use their senses to observe the world around them, make predictions, find and solve problems, share their discoveries and have fun in the process!
In the Middle school, the Year 6 students completed a
Students completed a range of hands-on, engaging
The Senior school students participated in a Science
activities throughout the week. In the ELC, Kinder
show during their assembly, which included the loudest
students made friends with some backyard mini beasts.
explosion legally permitted in school grounds! The Year 12
The Prep classes had a chemistry lesson, where they mixed
students also had a very special animal show during
household liquids to make solutions with different colours.
their lunchtime.
range of chemistry experiments with one of our Bialik parents. The Year 7 classes completed a Makerspace challenge with Andreas, and our Year 8 classes also spent time in the Makerspace, where they raced drones through an obstacle course for chocolate prizes. Our Year 9 students were amazed and deceived by the neuroscience magic show.
Year 1 students held and made observations about sheep brains, and learned about how special and important our
It was a very successful week where the whole student
brains are.
body from the ELC through to Year 12 was able to participate, learn, have fun and be a Bialik Scientist.
In the Primary school, Year 2 students had a fun experimental lesson with Julie. The Year 3 classes met,
Bialik gratefully acknowledges the generous
patted and held some beautiful Australian animals,
support of Science Week at Bialik, in memory
including the crocodile, snakes and the rare woylie. Years
of Bettie Kornhauser.
4 and 5 students met Corey Tutt, and learned about his life as an Indigenous scientist. Then the Year 5 students were wowed by a liquid nitrogen show.
Our existing Science Labs were built more than 25 years ago for a secondary school half the size of Bialik today. Although some fixtures have been replaced and minor updates have occurred, the current environment does not reflect all that we know about learning today and lacks the flexibility required for our 21st century graduates. Launch Lab represents a new approach to learning Science, liberating the students to play and explore.
To learn more about the Launch Lab refer to our Bialik College Foundation Annual Report enclosed with this magazine.
THANK YOU
IN YOUR ELEMENT The Periodic Table of Elements is the foundation of the Scientific world. The whole earth, and everything within it, comprises of just 118 unique elements. We are inviting Bialik families to help us lay the foundations of Bialik’s Launch Lab and be among just 118 supporters to name an element on our 3D art installation of the Periodic Table. The artwork will take pride of place in our new Launch Lab. Elements start at $1800 or $50/month. This is an opportunity to become part of the fabric of the building and invest in a project to inspire our students to become the change makers of tomorrow. Scan the QR code to claim your element.
Thank you to all our families for your continued support of the Bialik College Foundation. Together we can continue to provide a world-class Jewish education for all children and grandchildren.
Scan the QR Code to watch the videos. Earlier this year our Foundation invited Old Collegians who have been inspired by the magic of Science, to take part in a video project to share their stories. The interviewees spanned four decades of Bialik graduates, each paving their own path forward to make their mark on the world.
BIALIK
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION EVENTS
The Bialik College Parents’ Association (BCPA) is there to support the Bialik community across social and school events. We want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our generous and committed parent body supporting the children at our events. It is because of this dedication that we can run such events and implement new initiatives. Let’s reflect on some of the great events we have held so far in Bialik’s 80th year. We are looking forward to more in the future!
BIALIK
OLDCOLLEGIANS NEWS
BIALIK FRIENDSHIPS Friendship is such a special and meaningful part of school
staff and parents about the impact of the pandemic on the
life. Bialik’s Laura Kipen Memorial Archive contains many
school. One student reflected:
photographs of Bialik students enjoying spending time with
“You start to appreciate all the stuff you take for granted,
their friends – in the classroom, in the school grounds, on
all the little things - seeing your friends, seeing your
the playground, and at special events over the years.
family - you take all that for granted and then when it’s taken away so quickly and you actually can’t - it’s
The importance of friendships has been more evident than ever over the past two years of the pandemic, as Bialik students have been separated from each other and attending school online during lockdown periods. It’s just not the same seeing your friend on a computer screen, rather than sitting right next to you in class! In 2020 and 2021, Bialik archivist and historian Fiona Poulton recorded a series of oral history interviews with students,
probably a positive inside the negative.”
UPCOMING REUNIONS Reunions scheduled for Term 4, 2022 have been rescheduled below.
Class of 1991 & 1992 Reunions Thursday 10 November 2022 - 6.30pm - Amphitheatre
Class of 2001 & 2002 Reunions Wednesday 23 November 2022 - 6.30pm - Amphitheatre
Class of 2011 & 2012 Reunions Thursday 24 November 2022 - 7.30pm - Amphitheatre
Class of 2016 & 2017 Reunions Tuesday 29 November - 6.30pm – Amphitheatre
Kol ha’kavod to the entire company of students
their academic studies, social engagements, sporting
who performed on stage, played in the band and
commitments and family events, to create a quality
provided behind the scenes support for Mamma
theatre experience for all. We marvel at this achievement,
Mia the musical, recently staged at The National
knowing the joy and confidence, along with the social
Theatre, St Kilda.
and academic benefits, that this opportunity gives to
Our students were thrilled with the opportunity to work
the students.
in a professional theatre venue to hone their craft
A huge thank you must go to the parents who so patiently
authentically. Producing a large-scale show in one school
schlepped the students back and forth, throughout the
term has required an outstanding commitment on the part
production process. No doubt, life-long memories are
of the students, who have worked tirelessly to balance
created by this experience.
KUTNER
FAMILY SHUK
We said goodbye to our amazing Nat Shostak who has run our Shuk and fed our staff and children for the past 11 years! An epic and wonderful journey for the entire school community – thank you Nat!
BIA LIK
D LY N E I R F Y G ALLER
CHOCOLATE CAKE
INGREDIENTS 3 cups self raising flour 6 tablespoons cocoa powder 2 cups caster sugar 2 cups water 2 tablespoons white vinegar 1 cup veg oil DIRECTIONS 1.
Preheat oven to 150C.
2.
Place all ingredients in mixing bowl.
3.
Beat until well mixed.
4.
Pour into greased tin 22cm x 28cm.
5.
Bake in oven for 30 minutes.
SMACHOT ENGAGEMENTS
BIRTHS CONTINUED...
Tom Dankner (‘08) & Emily Smouha
Ava Yasmin
Belinda & Rob Gringlas (’01)
Joel Davis (’07) & Jacqui Bell
Levi Harley
Kate & David Guberek (’00)
Tessa Faiman (’14) & Joshua Ludski
Harley
Arianne Sackville (’06) & Gene Hubay
Lori Kaye (’07) & Jared Kris
Ollie
Rani (Olstein ’05) & David Janovic
Dean Lenga (’11) & Hanna Shtern
Poppy Reenie
Elise (Boyar ‘00) & Julian Kirzner
Myles Miller (’11) to Zoe Fayman
Shira Maya
Bec & Marc Kiven (‘05)
Vanessa Mrocki (’09) & Jordan Lipton
Raphael Andrew
Stephanie & George Konopnicki (‘06)
Stephanie Potaznik (‘08) & Eitan Makowski
Eden Yosef
Sarah & Zach Landy (‘05)
Jonathan Sacks (’10) & Zoe Alberts
Isla May
Rachel (Sandler ’06) & Rob Lawlor
Romy Shnider (‘14) & Joshua Singer
Violet Sage
Jessica (Holckner ‘09) & Dean Lazarus
Ruby Smorgon (’14) & Adam Sekler
Oliver
Paloma (Kemelman ‘10) & Jason Levin
Alana Swersky (’14) & Jason Cohen
Darcie Nia
Romy (Roth ’00) & Michael Lipson (’02)
Archie Mark
Tamara (Izsak ‘06) & Josh Lissauer
WEDDINGS
Indie Willow
Kerry (Jechilevsky ’08) & Jarrod Litchtblau
Simon Freiberg (’01) & Karen Goldschlager
Kovi Max
Mandy (Nathan ‘06) and Nat Lockshin
Andrew Lenga (’07) & Alex Shaw
Revaya Naomi Shilo & Idan Malka (current Bialik parents & staff)
Becca Lew (‘09) & Adam Blau Gideon Reisner (’09) & Tayla Meerkin Gideon Rozner (’05) & Ilia Benattar Natasha Saltzman (’12) & Zac Winograd (’08)
Ziggy Julius
Leah Crossman (’04) & Robert McDowell
Fletcher Thomas
Jennifer Kain (current staff) & Tom Morris
Michaela
Lauren & Ran Naor (current parents)
Joel Swersky (‘03) & Kirby Hughes
Dahlia Alice Shlomit Rubinstein (current staff) & Maurie Novak (current parents)
Guy Silbert (’06) & Gabi Joffe
Monte
Ezra Silman (’07) & Charlie Artman Katie Sheppet (‘05) & Mic Cohen
Gia Dana (’06) (current staff) & Dion Raleigh (current parents)
Shanee Sommer (’10) & Todd Benigno
Lucas Nikola
Dolores & David Robin (’07)
Lysette Zukerman (’14) & Jarryd Karsz
Joshua Elliot
Lana & Anthony Rotman (future Bialik parents)
Bonnie
Ellen & Simon Rubinstein (’04)
Joni
Nala & Joel Ryan (current parents)
Carly Warson (’08) & Matt Gutman
BIRTHS
Cara (Friedman ’06) & Alexi Ouzas
Miles Sam Romi & Brad Rychter (current Bialik parents & staff)
Benjamin
Liana & Sam Blashki (’11)
Jack
Rachel (Unger ‘07) & Jeremy Blode (’05)
Mia Janette
Limor and Jason Bloom (’05)
Samara Ruti
Nisha Srinivasan & Arik Blum (’99)
Asher
Romy (Davidov ’02) & Simon Brott
River Joy
Nadja (Perelberg ‘02) & Brad Cowan
Sydney Shalom Natalie Rabinowitz & Mark Shulman (current parents)
Toby
Judy Gold & Ricky Feigin (’99)
River
Jae (Szental ’08) & David Sims
Jack Miles
Karen (Samuel ’03) & Adam Frenkiel
Bailey Jude
Lisa (Rosenfeld ‘02) & Ashley Singer
Orla Zoe
Belinda & Simon Gemmill (current staff)
Remy
Amari & Jonathan Slade (’09)
Alia Carly (Goldstone ‘96) and Andres Goldstone-Mendez
Freddie Ma
Natasha (Aaron ‘05) & Josh Smith (’04)
Esther Zohara Claire (Council Member) & Zach Gomo (’03) (current Bialik parents & staff)
Isaac Oskar
Kelly (Moroney ’08) & Peter Sofra
Wren Roy
Georgia (current staff) & Scott Toniazzo
Rory Max
Georgia (Landy ’08) and Ben Zajac
Oaka Elyse (Marabel-Whitburn ’09) & Josh Sharma (’09) Abie
Hannah & Greg Sher (’06)
Vanessa
Paulina & Rolan Shtern (current parents)
CHAG SAMEACH TO ALL OUR FAMILIES!
C E L E B R AT I N G
Y E A R S O F EXCELLENCE