Written by Mira Hasofer, College Principal

As the first term draws to a close, I am filled with gratitude. These past months have been rewarding, showcasing the dedication and enthusiasm of our students. Their efforts have been pivotal to the term’s success, marked by significant achievements in all academic areas and collective growth. It has been inspiring to see our students unite, each bringing their unique strengths to our school community. The steadfast commitment of our staff has played an essential role in our collective accomplishments and is deserving of our deepest appreciation.

Central to our term’s success has been the ‘Just Say Hello’ initiative, fostering a culture of kindness and inclusion and exemplifying the values we hold dear at Moriah. Its impact, alongside the warmth and acceptance extended to new students and families, has been a testament to our community’s strength and unity.

In the High School, our Year 7 students started the term with an action-packed orientation camp, filled with activities and opportunities to make new friendships. Year 12 began their final year with a welcome lunch, setting a positive tone for the months ahead. High School students also benefited from engaging lectures by international visitors and participated in meaningful assemblies, such as the Founders’ Assembly and the Hans Kimmel Assembly.

In the Primary School, Kindergarten children received a warm welcome at their first assembly, creating memories that will last a lifetime. The Primary School Swimming Carnival was filled with House spirit and Purim was a day of joy and celebration, led enthusiastically by Year 6.

Our ELCs were alive with learning and singing. Each event, from ‘Meet the Parents’ morning to the special Shabbat celebration with Uncle Velvel, showcased the ruach (spirit) of our ELCs, reinforcing the close-knit fabric of our youngest learners.

The Pesach demonstration sedarim, with which we conclude the term, offer a powerful reminder of our heritage and the lessons of freedom and resilience. These sedarim, whether in the ELC, Primary School or led by Year 12 students, have allowed our students to recount the story of hope and faith intrinsic to Pesach. Each demonstration seder has been testimony to our collective memory and identity, mirroring the practices of our ancestors while reflecting our contemporary spirit and understanding. In addition, our ELC students have enjoyed a visit from The Matzah Factory. 

Echoing Rabbi Sacks’ insights, the Seder is a time of collective storytelling, an opportunity to impart the fundamental story of our heritage to the next generation. This year, our children are well-prepared to engage in this narrative at their own sedarim, ready to share the story of our freedom with knowledge and insight.

In the spirit of Pesach, our P&F has thoughtfully prepared a special gift for each family: an Afikoman bag and name-cards for the seder table. We invite you to join us in solidarity by inscribing the name of one hostage on your name-card, a gesture of our collective hope and prayers for their freedom.  

I extend my heartfelt thanks to every member of our Moriah family. Your support and dedication to our values have been the cornerstone of a successful term. May this Pesach be a ‘zman cheruteinu,‘ a time of our freedom, and may it strengthen the bonds of unity and community.

Am echad belev echad – one people with one heart.

Mira