Emanuel set for expansion
Emanuel School will begin construction later this month on a new three-storey building at its Randwick campus, including an expanded two-level Aron Kleinlehrer Jewish History Museum and a Centre for Innovation.
EMANUEL School will begin construction later this month on a new three-storey building at its Randwick campus, including an expanded two-level Aron Kleinlehrer Jewish History Museum and a Centre for Innovation.
The building, which is expected to take 12 months to complete, will house a priceless collection of Holocaust memorabilia, as well as classrooms, a fully fitted commercial kitchen, increased space for design and technology students and a MakerSpace for students to tinker, explore, problem-solve and innovate.
The addition of new classrooms will allow the school to remove the last temporary block of demountables, providing extra play space for students.
Emanuel principal Anne Hastings, who will retire at the end of the year, said while it is important to have enough classrooms and specialist facilities for students, “the real focus of the school has not changed”.
“Yes, we are larger, with over 800 pre-school to year 12 students, and our facilities are more modern and up-to-date, but it is still the case that ‘The school is the children, and the children, the school’,” she said.
“We still have inspirational teachers, who are absolutely committed to excellence, to each child being the best that they can be and the school remains a very special, welcoming place of learning.”
Aron Kleinlehrer is the major donor to the project with a gift of $2.5 million. Both Harry Triguboff and Millie Phillips have also made significant pledges.
The trio were among those honoured last week at the Emanuel School Foundation dinner, receiving the Israeli Ambassador’s Award for Commitment to Jewish Education.
Other recipients were Emery and Anne Angles; the late Anita Kornmehl; and Grant McCorquodale, who stepped down as president of Emanuel last week.
“It has been such an honour for me to represent our school, to stand for and speak on its behalf. I have grown immensely during my five years in the position and thank the whole community for its trust in me,” McCorquodale said.
He will be succeeded by Adam Blackman, who has been a board member for five years and has led the treasury and financial aspects of the school.
EVAN ZLATKIS
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