I have been thinking a lot about the term “community”. It seems so automatic that I address you as “community” in this column, but it really is yet another expression of the prioritisation of the warm relationships that we work so hard to foster here amongst the staff, students and families of The King David School.

This sense of belonging and connectedness is not accidental – it is the result of the School’s emphasis on inclusivity as a core value. It is the result of our valuing of student wellbeing and the inherent focus on the worth of each student. It is also modelled in the way that our staff treat our students and the way that our older students relate to younger ones.

A colleague pointed out to me that a spontaneous lunchtime frisbee game that involved Years 6, 11 & 12 all playing together is something unique that doesn’t happen in many schools. Our Junior School buddy programs, our Year 10 student madrichim (leaders) accompanying Year 7s on camp and the weekly Amit program that sees Year 11s supporting our Year 7s are all ways in which these connections are forged.

Of course, our endeavours in this regard are paralleled by our King David families. The King David School Parents’ Association, in particular, walks hand-in-hand with us in establishing a culture where every community member is included and supported. Last weekend our KDSPA hosted the ELC picnic. This week, it also brought our new and established Year 7 families together for a wonderful social event at the Magid Campus. The KDSPA celebrates with families in times of joy and throws its arms around families when it is most needed.

The KDSPA has always played a powerful role in providing the opportunities to build community and connection with one another. Over the COVID period, the KDSPA has doubled down and used its network to provide a range of initiatives that ensure that these valued relationships are still nurtured and that parents’ voices are considered as we have all adjusted to a new way of operation.

I want to take this opportunity to thank and say Kol Hakavod to the wonderful volunteers in the KDSPA, the Parent Safety Group, the Friends of KDS Committee and all the other ways that our families and supporters help our school. You are doing such important work in sustaining the King David that we are all proud to be a part of.

Community is undoubtedly one of our “superpowers” and is why it feels so special to be part of The King David School. That said, it is evident that this must not be taken for granted and is best achieved when we all work to preserve it.

Our School is committed to nurturing connections amongst all community members. My request is that our students, staff and families also take the initiative to help build and preserve the School that we wish to grow up in, work in and be connected to.

Shabbat shalom,

Marc