Message from the Principal

Earlier this term, my Insights column in the Harp was dedicated to the School’s bold goal of becoming a zero emissions school by 2025. I would like to share part of my message again as this initiative is a significant commitment and one which is leading the way in climate action in the educational sector.

At the core of The King David School Mission statement is “the provision of an environment that promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children … and protects them from abuse, harm, neglect, and the threat of harm.”

We cannot hold true to our mission while ignoring the reality that without radical change, our students face a future that is different from what we would hope for them. We need to do what we can to protect them from harm and to protect their future quality of life.

While you read about our extensive and dynamic outdoor education programs in this issue of

Inspirations, imagine a world where the beautiful nature walks in the Grampians or the magnificence of the Red Centre are simply memories, from a time gone by where students could enjoy the great outdoors and appreciate the glory of nature.

Climate anxiety is a significant issue that can impact on our sense of safety and optimism for the future.

The challenge with this is that fear of the future is a rational response to developing an understanding of this existential issue. However, the antidote to fear is taking action in a way that allows one to feel part of the solution rather than the problem. This leads to a sense of purpose and helps foster positive belief about our capacity to address the emergency.

This is one reason why I am so proud to work in a school community that is dedicated to doing what it can to become a leader in taking positive action to support a better future for us all.

The Jewish Climate Network (of whom I am a board member) has adopted a Zero Emissions Community

Project that aims to encourage institutions and individuals within the Jewish community to take steps to reduce their net emissions to zero.

In order to achieve this, we are working with an organisation called Pathzero to map our emissions across every aspect of our operations. Once we are aware of where our emissions are coming from, we will be able to seek alternatives to actively reduce and/or offset these emissions where no reduction is possible. We already took a significant step to reduce our footprint with our installation of solar panels. This can be improved through installation of batteries. We are also partnering with Waste Ninja, a company that converts biodegradable waste into energy while capturing the emissions produced in the process. We are communicating with our bank and financial services to ensure that any school funds are ethically invested and avoid the promotion of fossil fuels. In addition to the systemic adjustments and operational decisions that will facilitate these changes, the process will enable students, staff and parents to become engaged and educated on this topic. This has already been the case with our Zero Emissions Working Group which contains staff from the ELC, Junior School, the Senior School and the School’s administration also containing the Tikkun Olam Va’ad representatives of the Hanhagah. The path to zero will not be easy. However, how wonderful it is for us all to feel that we can and will make positive changes that will help deliver a brighter future for our students. Wishing our community a Shana Tova and a new year filled with hope and meaning.

Marc Light Principal