School News
Year 5 students move on up
Our Year 5 students spent their last day at our Dandenong Road Campus and had a special ceremony where they “walked to” the Middle School at our Magid Campus. They were greeted by Marc Light and their new 2025 Year
Year 11 Cape York First Nations immersion camp
Year 11 students Harriet and Aidan reflect on their experiences on the Year 11 Cape York Immersion camp: Harriet: “Our Year 11 camp to Cairns was a truly transformative experience that brought us closer as a year level while deepening
A wonderful Presentation Evening 2024
Robert Blackwood Hall was filled with splendour on Sunday night as Magid Campus students celebrated our school year, Years 6-12 award recipients, and the Class of 2024. Marc Light gave the message that “your lives can be full of meaning
Shabbat Shalom from Junior Kinder!
What a stunning celebration of all that our Junior Kinder children have learned this year. They came together to showcase their Jewish learning with a Kabbalat Shabbat surrounded by loved ones. Shabbat Shalom! RETURN TO SCHOOL NEWS
Magical performances – The Long and Winding Road to Solla Sollew
The Alexander Theatre came alive with the vibrant energy of our talented Prep-Year 2 students, who performed their much-anticipated musical, The Long and Winding Road to Solla Sollew, adapted from Dr Seuss’ I Had Troubles Getting to Solla Sollew earlier this week. The show was a
Year 6 Changemakers – Living Museum
Last night, our Year 6 students amazed us with their Changemakers Living Museum expo. This was a highlight of their Human Rights and Activism unit. The evening felt alive with energy and creativity, where students embodied changemakers, the individuals who advocated for
Gan Gefen explores design at MoPA
For our final class excursion, the children of Gan Gefen had an incredible experience at the Museum of Play and Art (MoPA), a space designed to inspire creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning. After a quick morning tea, they were divided
Citizen Spokesperson Eli Parkes visits KDS
Year 8 students were privileged to hear Eli Parkes speak about his experience making aliyah to Israel and his contributions to the war effort after Oct 7. Eli was raised in Melbourne and barracks for the Pies. He made aliyah
A Carnival fit for a King!
We did it! What a fantastic, fun day out for our entire community! The rain couldn’t dampen our spirits or keep our wonderful King David community away. Thousands of people came through the gates on Sunday for the much-loved King’s
HaGal Sheli (My Wave) visits King David
Year 7 students were privileged to hear from Rachel Kaplan, from HaGal Sheli, an Israeli NGO, which has been helping “at-risk” Israeli youth through surfing in various clubs along the Mediterranean coast. As an Israeli tour guide, I myself was
KDSPA welcomes new President
At today’s Annual General Meeting for The King David School Parents’ Association (KDSPA), Marc Light thanked the Committee for their tireless dedication to building community at KDS and fundraising through the many initiatives and events held throughout the year. Acknowledgement
Celebrating our Senior Kinder in the Urban Forest
As the year draws to a close, we celebrated our kindergartners’ journey with a magical end-of-year celebration at the Urban Forest filled with creativity, exploration, and joy! The children were buzzing with excitement as they donned their beautiful crowns, each
Celebrating Shabbat with our Grandparents and Special Friends
This morning our Prep to Year 2 students shared Shabbat with their Grandparents and Special Friends. The Kobritz Hall was filled with song, tzedakah, and ruach as each year level welcomed Shabbat with their family members. With songs new and
Year 4 Camp Adventure
Our Year Four camp to Wombat Corner was an unforgettable adventure, packed with excitement, new skills, plenty of laughter, and awesome food! Students had the chance to try a variety of activities that encouraged teamwork, bravery, and resilience. One of
Gan Gefen make ‘bug hotels’
Gan Gefen have been learning that our garden is home to many insects, each with unique roles in the ecosystem. We have helpful pollinators like bees and butterflies, soil-enriching worms, and natural pest controllers like ladybugs and spiders. However, not
Our Junior Athletes shine
Faster, Higher, Stonger – Together! Our Junior School Athletes showed determination, courage and team spirit at the annual Inter-house Athletics Gala. We are so proud of the way our students encouraged each other and worked together! Mazal tov to Galil,
Year 4 are Mad about Forces
On Wednesday our Year 4 students had an unforgettable science incursion with Mad About Science, led by Lisa. This interactive session brought our current studies on forces to life in the most exciting way. Over the past few weeks, Year
Tom Sherrington inspires staff and parents with WalkThrus
We were delighted to welcome renowned UK-based educator Tom Sherrington to King David on Tuesday. Tom Sherrington is the creator of the ‘WalkThrus’ framework, which we have began implementing in Term 4 last year. WalkThrus are evidence-based strategies that help
Celebrating Sukkot in our sukkot
King David’s vibrant Jewish Studies and Jewish Experiential Education program gave students from the ELC through to Senior School the opportunity to celebrate and engage in the festival of Sukkot during Chol Hamoed Sukkot. Our youngest learners read a story
A sensational Creative Arts Expo
The annual Creative Arts Expo showcased our incredible Visual and Performing Arts from Years 6 to 12 students last Monday. Stunning Visual Art was on display by our VCE students as well as brilliant Visual Communication and Design and Media
Commemorating together at our Magid Campus
On Monday our Magid campus students commemorated Oct 7 with a heartfelt student-led assembly. Year 12 student Livia led us in a prayer for the welfare of the state of Israel. Principal Marc Light lit a yahrzeit candle and we
One Heart – Commemorating Oct 7 in the Junior School
On Monday, Junior School students commemorated October 7 in a meaningful and age appropriate manner with the theme ‘Am Echad, b’Lev Echad‘ – one nation, one heart. All students made a bag tag with these words. Younger years learned about
Tzedakah for Food Bank Victoria
This term the Year 5 Tzedakah Vaadah (Charity Committee) organised a Junior School Food Drive for Food Bank Victoria. This involved organising set items to be donated by different year levels, creating posters with information on what to donate, setting
The Best Rosh HaShanah Fest
It was a festival of celebration in advance of Rosh HaShanah at the ELC and Junior School today. Activities were all centred around Rosh HaShanah themes and included a bee experience, tashlich, baking round challot and making honey joys. Year
Year 8 share their Passion for Thinking
From Tuesday to Thursday, students diligently prepared Ted Talks on a topic about which they are passionate. These subjects ranged from ‘The Causes of Global Warming’ to ‘Eczema Education’. On Thursday evening, following significant preparation and rehearsal, students confidently shared
Years 3-5 come Back from the Future
Our Years 3-5 students were the stars of the stage this week, performing their musical and dramatic production of Back from the Future to enthralled students and families. Written and directed by our very own Nissim Ben-Salamon, each class showcased
Go go Joseph!
We were taken from Canaan to Egypt earlier this week, travelling with Joseph as he lost and gained his technicolour dreamcoat in our Years 6-9 Musical, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Along the way we bopped to
We’re a 2024 5-Star Innovative Schools Winner
We have just received notification that The King David School has been recognised as a 5-Star Innovative Schools 2024 winner by The Educator for our Integrated English program in the Junior School. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament
We like to hear the Shofar sound
Wow! It’s Elul already – and this week we marked Rosh Chodesh Elul together with our Junior School assembly. In the last month of the Jewish calendar, we hear the sound of the shofar each day, like an alarm clock
Celebrating Yom HaMishpachah
What does “family” mean to you? Our Junior School students took a deep dive into this question as part of Yom HaMishpachah (Family Day), where parent and grandparent volunteers assisted our students in brainstorming key words that represented “family” and
A spectacular Spring Concert
There was a spectacular showcase of our musical talent at this week’s annual Spring Concert. Performers included our RocKing David Band (Junior School students), Junior Choir, Woodwind Quintet, Junior and Senior Strings with Flute and Percussion, Senior Choir and our
Imagination and stamina at Bush Kinder
This week was Gan Tamar’s last Gan Tevah (Bush Kinder) session for the term. With the wind flying through our hair, we eagerly began running up and down the hill, jumping off the tree and rolling down through the long
Commander shares his story
Year 10 students were recently privileged to hear from Liam Spilman, a visiting IDF platoon commander, who was injured by a UAV, during his service on the Lebanese border during the current conflict. He shared his experiences with the students,
Year 5’s great adventure
Last week our Year 5 students had their longest camp yet. From learning about our gold mining history, to experiencing our magnificent landscape on hikes, Year 5 students had an excellent adventure, aided by our wonderful staff and Year 10
Year 10 have the courage to care
Last week the Courage to Care program came to speak to our year level. We learnt about the difference between an upstander, bystander and perpetrator and the impacts each of them have on others. It was also truly incredible to
Year 4 apply knowledge of African ecosystems
On Wednesday Year 4 students took the bus to Werribee Zoo to consolidate their understanding of content knowledge that they have studied throughout the term in their Integrated English unit ‘Blue Marble’. The students got a chance to apply their
Kabbalat Mitzvah – Celebrating our tradition together
Our Year 7 students and their families attended Kabbalat Mitzvah on Tuesday night, a night of education and celebration of mitzvot. At the beginning of the night, representatives of three generations spoke of the importance to Judaism to them: Millie
Dr Megan visits our Year 2 Scientists
As part of Science Week, on Wednesday CSIRO Scientist Dr Megan Sebben had a lively discussion with our Year 2 Scientists about the water cycle. Dr Megan is an expert in groundwater. Year 2 shared what they have recently learned
Our special ELC Shabbat for Grandparents and Friends
There was an incredible showcase of Jewish Life and Learning in the ELC today as beloved grandparents and special friends joined together for a Kabbalat Shabbat with Senior Kinder children. Louise Lowinger, Learning Area Leader Jewish Studies (K-5), spoke about these
Our uplifting Year 10 Shabbaton
Last weekend’s Year 10 Hadracha Shabbaton was an uplifting experience. Anchored in the themes of community, Judaism, and leadership, we participated in many activities exploring topics such as what makes a leader and peer pressure. As the name suggests, the
Eleh HaShemot – These are our names
Our year-long focus in Jewish Studies in Year 4 is personal attributes. Through this focus we have helped our students to identify their unique qualities, characteristics, strengths and weaknesses. In Judaism we are told that our parents are given a
Students shine at the Maccabi and Australian Jewish Interschools Skiing event
This week six students showcased their exceptional skills at the Macabbi and ABL Australian Jewish Interschools skiing event held at Mt Buller. Our students participated with enthusiasm and dedication, and their hard work paid off as each one of them
Celebrating 100 days of learning!
Prep was filled with excitement this week as students celebrated their 100 Days of Prep. This milestone showcased how we’re learning and growing together in fun and creative ways. We had a great time decorating crowns, each one as unique
Our KDS Olympian!
Our whole school is cheering for our alumna Alexandra (Sasha) Kiroi-Bogatyreva (Class of 2019) who will be competing in Paris this Olympics!In response to the video we made celebrating Sasha, she replied: “It is truly remarkable to receive encouragement from
‘Minute to Win it’ in Year 2
Our Maths time unit for Term 3 began with a Minute to Win it extravaganza which saw the students attempt various challenges with a minute time limit. There was a rotation of 5 different challenges to participate in, some were more
Welcome to our Israeli Madrichim!
Our dynamic Israeli madrichim (educators and leaders), arrived recently and are already making an impact on the Jewish experiential learning programs across the School.They are Ofer, Snir and Yael and they are very motivated to share their love of Israeli
The Olympic Spirit shines at KDS!
Olympic fever has arrived! Students at the Junior School have been enjoying their own Olympic Week, starting with an Opening Ceremony on Monday. Prof John Zeleznikow (past parent) attended the Ceremony and brought the torch that he carried in the
Circus skills workshop – a great learning experience
This week, Year 9 Nitzan students visited the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) and participated in a series of circus skills workshops. This unique experience allowed the students to learn various circus disciplines, including juggling, acrobatics and aerial skills.
Pre-Kinder Family Day – a special time
We had a delightful morning today of families joining us for our Pre Kinder Family Day. Together, we participated in Kabbalat Shabbat, filling the room with music, warmth and a sense of community. The children and families worked together to
A focus on innovation and creativity
This week, our Year 7s were immersed over two days in a Project Based Learning initiative, Project Slingshot, with a focus on innovation and creativity. Students hone the valuable skills of collaboration, critical thinking and communication. One of the highlights
Year 9 Present: Artivism
As part of their Nitzan program, this week our Year 9 students presented Artivism – art for social change. Raising funds for Magen David Adom, families heard slam poetry, bought student-designed fashion, coasters and keyrings, watched a student documentary about
Learning about brain plasticity in the ELC
In Gan Gefen, we have been learning about the brain over the last couple of weeks. Reading the book, ‘My Fantastic Elastic Brain’, we discovered how our brains grow and stretch when we face new experiences and learn from our
Celebrating the novel ‘Holes’
Our Year 6 students recently celebrated our annual ‘Holes Day’ event with great enthusiasm. To embrace the spirit of the occasion, they dressed up as their favorite characters from Louis Sachar’s classic novel, Holes. Throughout ‘Holes Day’, our budding readers
BDPSSA Round Robin success
Students in Years 5 and 6 competed in the Winter Season Round Robin of the Balaclava District this week. It was a frosty morning for all as all sports were played outside in various locations. Football, Soccer, Netball & Teeball
Helping the hungry with Mazon
In the lead up to Shavuot, students and staff at the Magid Campus bought non-perishable foods and toiletries to donate to Mazon Australia. Mazon Australia contributes to alleviating food insecurity in Australia through their street pantries, soup bags, and partnerships with
Our generous community
Our community came together to fundraise for school programs and scholarships for our annual Giving Day this Wednesday. We reached our fundraising goal – our Giving Day this week raised $159, 979! Thank you to every one who gave their
Exploring the meaning of Shavuot
The Junior School celebrated Shavuot today by exploring the Luchot Habrit ( the two tablets containing the 10 commandments ), Shivat Haminim (7 species) and Zman Matan Torateinu (the giving of the Torah ) at Har Sinai through a variety of creative activities. Our celebrations
Outdoor adventures on Year 8 camp
Our Year 8 students had a camp adventure in Gariwerd (the Grampians) recently. Here are reflections from students on the camp: Last week, I went on a Year 8 camp, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. During camp, we went on
National Reconciliation Week at School
It’s National Reconciliation Week and our students from ELC to VCE have been engaging in meaningful activities. In our Kindergarten students have learned Boonwurrung words, the symbolism of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags, and stories from the Dreaming.
Ruby Moon captivates
Our VCE Theatre Studies students performed Matt Cameron’s Absurdist Black Comedy, ‘Ruby Moon’, over three nights this week. This production invited audiences to enter a nightmarish world where the boundaries between reality and illusion become increasingly blurred. As part of