If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?
Ethics of the Fathers, 1,14

Kesser Torah College is a School that educates the mind and nurtures the soul of the child. This Holistic education provides an innovative and productive teaching and learning environment in which students receive a stimulating and enriched range of educational opportunities. Teaching and learning is tailored to develop the whole child and steer them towards reaching their potential.

At Kesser Torah, we offer a curriculum that marries excellence in General Studies with a true Torah Education. This supportive and cohesive relationship between General Studies and Jewish Studies encourages not only high academic achievement on both fronts, but forms the solid ethical foundation for the establishment of an indispensable set of values, essential to Jewish life and a successful future. The Primary School is committed to educating each child according to their particular strengths and interests. There is a strong focus on differentiating both curriculums. We respect and celebrate individuality and accommodate the special needs of all our children.

Due to the small class sizes and that girls and boys learn separately, the students experience a personalised, nurturing and individually accommodating learning environment.

While we follow the Board of Studies guidelines, programs are constantly revised and updated in accordance with the latest educational methodology.

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JEWISH STUDIES CURRICULUM

The overall goal of Kesser Torah’s Jewish Studies curriculum is to produce young Jewish men and women thoroughly conversant with their Torah heritage and committed to the values and traditions of Judaism. In the Primary School, we lay the foundations for the achievement of this goal, with each area of study including student outcomes for knowledge, skills and values.

In addition to the formal academic program and supplementary classes, there is also a broad extra-curricular program for our students, which brings additional enthusiasm, joy and meaning into Judaic studies and practice.

The Primary Jewish Studies teachers are professional and dedicated role models for the students. They strive to continually improve and develop the Jewish Studies program in the school and every effort is made to differentiate the curriculum in order to cater for the needs of all the students in the class. In order to include parents in their children’s learning, a weekly class newsletter informs parents of each week’s progress and achievements.

Hebrew Reading
Students learn the basics of Hebrew reading in Year K and spend considerable time, throughout the Primary years, gaining additional fluency and accuracy in this important skill. Our curriculum recognises the fact that only when a student has mastered these skills, can he/she successfully focus on lending meaning to Hebrew text.

Our Hebrew reading program involves the assessment of each student and a program is then tailored to meet the needs of both individual students and the class as a whole.

Students begin to learn the script letters towards the end of Year K and build on these skills throughout Years 1 and 2. Writing practice is integrated into the study of other subjects during the Primary grades.

Chumash (Torah Text)
Students begin the study of Beraishis in the second term of Year 1. The content goal is to cover the books of Beraishis and Shemos during the Primary grades. Beraishis is covered during Years 1 – 4 and the students study the book of Shemos during Years 5 and 6.

In addition to covering the important narrative and Mitzvos featured in these books, a structured Chumash skills program in each year of study develops the students’ ability to understand and translate the text. Basic grammar, identifying shoroshim (root letters), use of the Taamei Hamikro (cantillation notes) and a focus on high-frequency words, help students to develop the skills necessary for the study of the Chumash text.

Another important feature of this area of study is the values and lessons to be learned from the great personalities and stories featured in the Torah.

Halacha and Jewish Values
Included in this subject are the traditions associated with the Festivals as they occur during the year and the laws and customs which are so much a part of the daily life of a Jew.

We also examine important parts of the prayers and feature important values such as respect, kindness, the central place of the land of Israel and our role in the wider community.

Parsha (The Weekly Torah Portion)
Jewish life revolves to a significant extent around the Torah portion read in the Synagogue each week. At Kesser Torah College, we teach our students the events and concepts found in each Parsha and focus on lessons and values which can be learned.

In Years 3 – 6, there are different focus points in order to ensure that students learn something new each year in addition to reviewing the basic Parsha topics. Students bring home a short Dvar Torah (Torah explanation), which they can share with their family each Shabbos, as well as questions on the Parsha.

The study of modern spoken Hebrew takes place in all Primary Years K - 6. The development of vocabulary and the use of specific word patterns take place within the various themes studied. Opportunities to hear and speak Hebrew are a feature of each Ivrit lesson.

Mishna and Gemorra (The Oral Tradition)
Students study a variety of Mesechtas (volume of the Talmud) from Year 3 through to Year 6. Understanding the concepts dealt with, as well as the vocabulary and structure of the Mishna, are features of these classes.

Boys in Year 6 begin the study of Gemorra. They are introduced to the Aramaic language which is used in the Gemorra, as well as the discussions and the structure of argument and counter argument, which are a feature of Gemorra study.

Novi (Prophets)
This begins in Year 5 with the study of the book of Yehoshua and continues in Year 6 with the study of Shoftim. Although the Novi text is used, students are not responsible for the Hebrew text in the same way they are in their Chumash studies. The main focus here is the personalities and events featured in the text and the lessons we can learn from them.

Jewish Studies Tutoring Program
Geared towards individuals or small groups, this program caters for the needs of new students or students who need tutoring to bring them up to the class level. Attention is given in the main part to Hebrew reading or Chumash skills.

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GENERAL STUDIES CURRICULUM

The Primary School General Studies curriculum follows the NSW Board of Studies guidelines and is organised into six Key Learning Areas; English, Mathematics, Science, Human Society and Its Environment and Technology, Creative Arts, Personal Development/Health/Physical Education. Class teachers provide the lessons for all the Key Learning Areas, with the exception of Art and Sport, where we have Specialist teachers taking these lessons.

While we follow the Board of Studies guidelines, programs are constantly revised and updated in accordance with the latest educational methodology.

English
There is a very strong focus on reading throughout the Primary School and students are encouraged to read widely. The School also supports the D.E.A.R (drop everything and read) time period. Across age peer tutoring in reading has also been implemented in the school allowing children the opportunity to learn valuable tutoring skills while establishing peer relationships and cooperative learning across the grades.

In 2005 we have implemented an exciting spelling and language program throughout the primary school called ‘Ants in the Apple’. This is an integrated spelling and reading program with a strong emphasis on phonics and phonemic awareness. At Kesser Torah, spelling is seen as an integral part of our reading and language program. Rather then spelling being seen as simply a memory task, the students are required to logically apply their knowledge of word structure to spell unfamiliar words.

Kesser Torah College participates in the UNSW English writing, English and spelling competitions as well as the basic skills tests as outlined by the NSW Board of Studies.

Mathematics
Success in Mathematics depends on meaningful learning experiences. We believe that positive learning experiences play a crucial role in shaping the views that children have of themselves as learners of mathematics. Young learners need to learn through active involvement and concrete experiences with the physical and social environment. Learning becomes more meaningful when supported by the appropriate use of a variety of materials and equipment.

Mathematics learning uses information and communication technology, including calculators and computers which are an important tool of learning. Students use these tools to explore and understand new concepts, to consolidate their learning and develop their skills in thinking mathematically.

Owing to our small class sizes, students enjoy enrichment and extension opportunities. The success of which is evident in our past excellent results in the UNSW Maths competitions. The Maths Olympiad is another exciting challenge available to extend our gifted and talented students.

Science and Technology
The children experience creative lessons in science and technology which develop confidence and a sense of responsibility in their interaction with the environment.

These experiences help students to understand themselves and the environment and provide opportunities for them to develop independent, rational thought through investigation.

Human Socienty and its Environment HSIE
In HSIE lessons, the students develop a sense of personal, community, national and global identity as well as relevant knowledge and skills. They also reflect on their own Jewish and cultural identity, the associated attitudes and values as well as evaluate how these assist them to behave as responsible citizens in maintaining and improving the quality of their society and environment.

Computer Education
Computers are an exciting means of integrating the entire curriculum and applying the technical skills learned to the Key Learning Areas. We have recently refurbished our computer labs, each classroom has a desktop computer and we have a mobile laptop unit which is transported through the School.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education PDHPE
The PDH program is concerned with the development of the whole person. We aim to develop in each student the knowledge and understanding, skills, values and attitudes needed to lead healthy, active and fulfilling lives within the Jewish community and the greater community.

There is an increasing community awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyles and a growing recognition of the need for students to be active and health conscious.

We are extremely proud of the Sports program being run in the Primary School. Our focus is not just on fitness, but on the development of a variety of ball skills and gross motor coordination activities from Year K to 6.

At a senior primary level, the students participate in Interschool sports competitions each week. The boys participate in Soccer, Oz Tag and Cricket and the girls compete in Netball, Oz Tag and T-Ball or Softball matches.

Visual Arts
The Visual Arts classes engage students, learning about the history of Art and the practice and techniques of an array of artists. This gives the students both a theoretical and practical understanding of Art.

Our students experience Art lessons in the High School Art room conducted by a specialist Art teacher. They are encouraged to experiment with diverse range of Art materials and are exposed to the creative atmosphere of a real art studio.

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CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Advanced Jewish Studies
• Art & Craft
• Athletics
• Bar Mitzvah Celebrations
• Bas Mitzvah Mother & Daughter Dinner
• Bnos (group meetings for the girls of each class on Shabbos afternoons)
• Camps
• Charity & Fundraising
• Chess
• Chitas club
• Community Service
• Competitions
• Computers
• Cricket
• Cross Country
• Debating
• Festival Programs
• Guitar

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• Hospital & Nursing Home Visits
• Interhouse Competitions
• Interschool Sport
• Keyboard Lessons
• Maths and English Competition
• Melave Malkas
• Morning Learning Club
• Musical Productions
• Netball
• OzTag
• Peer Support
• Piano
• Public Speaking
• Shabbatons
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Tehillim Club
• Tournament of Minds
• Violin

SPECIAL EDUCATION

All children referred for Special Education receive individualised programs after a comprehensive assessment. In the Primary School, children are given the opportunity to follow their tailored program at least three times a week. They spend time with the Special Education teacher and with volunteer parents trained in early literacy, by both St John’s Ambulance and the Special Education teacher. In addition peer tutors are also trained to follow a specific reading/spelling program with those students all under the Special Education teacher’s guidance. Peer tutoring occurs twice a week during silent reading time. This way regular work is not missed and the tutors benefit from being in a leadership position.

Occupational Therapy groups are held once a week to support children requiring assistance with gross motor, fine motor and/or visual perceptual skills. Squeals of delight are heard as children manoeuvre shaving cream around a whiteboard, zoom around an obstacle course on a scooter board or defeat the teacher/parent at a memory game!

The children are supported both educationally and emotionally as they find their way through the difficulties that once seemed insurmountable. This is a shared journey, of benefit to all those involved in the educational development of the child.

While students’ weaknesses are the criteria that bring them into the remediation program, both weaknesses and strengths are attended to. Students’ strengths are identified and worked with and by taking a holistic approach, the skills gained in the remediation program flow back and help the students’ achievements in the areas of their work where they are having difficulty.

Students with extra strengths are referred to the enrichment program where they are provided with individualised programs giving them a chance to excel in areas of their particular strengths and interests. Again, skills gained here flow back to help students with other areas of their work. Programs for remedial and enrichment students are individualised, differentiated and modified to support and link into the mainstream syllabus. This allows students a chance to succeed and develop a great sense of achievement while having their needs met.

Children who have been identified as gifted and talented are afforded many opportunities for extension and enrichment within the classroom environment. Teachers have been in-serviced in differentiating the curriculum in order to develop and encourage higher order thinking skills.

In addition, groups of children are given English Language and Mathematics enrichment. Children also have the opportunity of entering the UNSW Mathematics, Science, Computers, English and Spelling Competitions.

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Learning Centre
Perceptual Skills: There is a range of perceptual games and activities to aid in the development of auditory, visual and spatial skills. For example, pegboard and geoboard activities, threading, sequencing cards, puzzle shapes etc.

Occupational Therapy: A program called ‘Move to Learn’ is used to build gross motor skills. Hoops, bats, balls, witches’ hats, scooter boards and a mini trampoline are included to develop these skills further. There is also a wide range of fine motor activities using pegs, modelling clay, beads, Lego etc. Children use the ‘Ants in the Apple’ handwriting program to assist in the progression of handwriting skills.

Mathematics: A wide range of mathematical games and texts are utilised to remediate mathematical difficulties. There is a large number of ‘hands on’ educational aids including M.A.B. blocks, counters, dice games, board games, calculators etc. to develop mathematical skills.

Reading: The Learning Centre has a variety of readers to accommodate various reading ages. Included in the selection are phonic based readers, literature based readers as well as high interest, low readability books. There is a selection of both non-fiction and fiction texts.

Computers: The Learning Centre utilizes the mobile laptop unit as well as a desktop computers for the children to learn, practice and reinforce skills. The students have access to well researched perceptual, reading and mathematics computer programs that include skills ranging from Years K to 6.

Peer Tutoring: Peer tutors are trained to use a structured reading program as well as appropriate reading techniques to assist students in the development of reading skills. Peer tutoring takes place in the D.E.A.R period.

Listening Centre: An eight post listening centre with a CD player and tape recorder is available to practice and reinforce reading and listening skills.

Kodesh Corner
Learning Limudei Kodesh has never been more exciting than it is in the Kodesh Corner!

Which student, after all, wouldn’t like to:

• play (Jewish educational) games on the computer,
• pretend to be a radio broadcaster reading Hebrew stories onto a tape,
• construct and print their own worksheets or
• use the multitude of educational aids that are on offer in the Kodesh Corner

...and, at the same time, improve their skills in Hebrew Reading, Hebrew Grammar, General Jewish knowledge or Ivrit.

The Kodesh Corner is buzzing!

Students come from throughout the primary school to the Kodesh Corner. Each student is assessed and has their own personalised program whether it is to consolidate Keriah (Hebrew Reading skills) chumash skills or General knowledge and Halacha. Extension work is available to those students who require it.

Our new students are nurtured from the moment that they arrive in school and where necessary, an ongoing program is devised to help integrate them into Kesser Torah College life. Our recent “freshmen” have absolutely surpassed themselves and are managing superbly in the classroom.

A new and exciting venture that has been implemented this year is having a dedicated Assistant Keriah Teacher for Year K and Year 1. This initiative is part of the Kodesh Corner remit and it is hoped that as a result of this program, our children will be our best group of Hebrew readers ever!

It is a well documented fact that we all learn in different ways. In the Kodesh Corner, our students are given every opportunity to do just this. However, no matter what they are doing, our main aim is that each student is taught according to their needs.

Many thanks must go to our band of helpers who devote themselves voluntarily to helping our children in the Kodesh Corner. The impact of their enthusiastic input cannot be underestimated and they bring a whole new dimension to the work of the Kodesh Corner.

May our students continue to keep the Kodesh Corner buzzing. We are confident that the sounds that you will undoubtedly hear if you pass our door will always be those of the excitement of achievement.

Computer Labs
Kesser Torah College has an integrated state of the art computer network, with approximately 100 desktop computers stationed throughout the College. Each of the computer labs has a commercial quality laser printer as well as further support equipment. Students use the computers in dedicated computing lessons and as an integrated part of their studies in other subjects. Each student is issued with a username and password that gives them access to their own home folder and other programs on the Kesser Torah College network.

A wireless network is being established allowing students’ access to mobile laptop units throughout the entire school. This initiative allows flexible use of this mobile lab in whichever area of the School they may be required, addressing the IT needs of students in all classes.

Library
The Library operates as a resource centre used by staff and students alike. It serves the dual purpose of enhancing and supporting the curriculum as well as providing leisure reading material. Primary classes have a dedicated library lesson with the librarian each week and the library is open at recess, lunchtimes, as well as during the day for general use. Students are encouraged to use the library and borrow books frequently. The library houses material suitable for Year K through to Year 12. It also has an extensive Judaica collection which was augmented by the acquisition of a large donation of books published by ArtScroll in March 2005.

Many new books are constantly purchased for the School and the library is systematically being enhanced and is an excellent resource for the School.

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Head of Jewish Studies
Shoshana Deitz
General Studies Coordinator
Aviva Notelovitz
Infants Coordinator
Jacqui Jankelow

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School Psychologist
Debbie Miller
School Librarian
Judi Massel
Special Education
Judith Ingram (Jewish Studies)
Wendy Altman (General Studies)
School Secretary
Gail Gottlieb