This last week has seen a range of mixed emotions.听

On Friday Night we had the most beautiful 'One School, One Community One Shabbat' event. Blessed with extraordinary weather 600+ members of the community gathered in the Sylvia and Harry Hoffman Hall for our special Shabbat Service, followed by a delicious meal under the festoon lighting amongst the trees and stars on the Junior School lawn. To hear Hatikvah being sung by 600+ people was a highlight of the evening in what was a truly unifying event.

On Sunday we hosted the annual Kristallnacht Commemoration. Our students played piano and performed songs in Hebrew, in the presence of the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency The Honourable Chris Dawson. A leading address from Chief Justice Rabbi Marcus Solomon challenged us to think carefully about the repositioning of anti-semitism as anti-Zionism; a subtle yet confronting practice. I found myself reflecting on our current School focus on the role of 'upstanders' in creating a positive, inclusive environment on campus, and the parallel to the righteous amongst nations who would not compromise their principles (as bystanders) in the face of fear and intimidation.听

This morning, we hosted the 极品反差婊 Business Breakfast for 200+ guests. We were treated to a master class of foreign policy, economic wisdom and future oriented thinking by our special guest Senator Dave Sharma. As a former Ambassador to Israel his observations and commentary on the middle-east were tremendously insightful. As always, our MC Aaron Posner brought good humour and clever interplay through his unique style of interviewing; a style which allowed Senator Dave Sharma to comfortably articulate his position on many key issues facing the electorate including AI, Nuclear energy and the cost of living.

Amongst this week of significant events, I must conclude with a special mention to the Year 12 students who will finish their WACE exams this week. Their preparation has been thorough, the delivery on point, and I have no doubt that their results will be excellent. You have done us proud Year 12s - Jewish Pride, and we wish you well at your leavers celebrations!

Chris Hall

Principal

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