Congratulations to our graduating class of 2022 on their outstanding HSC achievements! We are incredibly proud of this cohort and especially those students that have achieved their personal best and have strived for continual improvement. Here are some of our HSC highlights:
-DUX: Christy Li, ATAR 99.90
-Three students on the All-Rounders List: Christy Li, Grace Guo and Daniel Slobedman
-53% of students on the Distinguished Achievers List
-43% of students achieved an ATAR >90
-Shemontee Sen 9th in the state in Food Technology
-Masada College ranks 39th in 2022 HSC NSW (SMH) rankings
Mazal Tov to all our students and we look forward to hearing about your future endeavours.
Students on the Masada Israel Tour (MIT) continue to enjoy an experience of a lifetime. They recently visited Kfar Kedem to experience what it was like in the Mishnaic Age.
“We experienced how they lived and had the opportunity to ride on donkeys as that is how they got around in those days. We milked a sheep and a goat and saw how they made food by using the milk to form cheese. We also saw how they made wool from the sheep’s coating. It was a really fun learning experience to live in the Mishnaic times.” – Gila Year 10
Congratulations to Dr Sophie Walter (Alumna 2014) whose degrees in medicine have been conferred with Distinction and First-Class Honours from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). She also received the Graham MacDonald Prize for First in Medicine at Prince of Wales Clinical School, the Australian Medical Association Prize, and a prize for research in immunological treatments undertaken during her medical course.
Sophie was School Captain and Dux of Masada College in 2014. After leaving Masada College, Sophie had a gap year in 2015 and went to Israel on the IBC (Israel By Choice) program and had a wide range of rewarding experiences including picking capsicums in the Arava and volunteering stints at the Ilanot school in Jerusalem for children with disabilities and at an Alzheimer’s Unit in Beer Sheva. That same year, she was appointed a Youth Ambassador representing Australia at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in The Philippines.
At present, Sophie is a Junior Medical Officer at Prince of Wales Hospital. The role entails working in several departments over the course of the year. She is currently doing a term in the Emergency Department, having completed Urology and Respiratory Medicine terms.
“My medical degrees were both exhilarating and gruelling in equal measure. I am enjoying being part of health care teams that make such a positive impact on people’s lives. Long term I would like to specialise in a role that encompasses being both a clinician and an academic.” – Sophie Walter
A full interview with Dr Walter is coming up in our next Link Magazine.
Today we celebrate Early Childhood Educators’ Day by recognising the work of educators in early learning services and for their contribution to the wellbeing and healthy development of the young children in their care. It’s a chance to say thank you to the wonderful team at Masada Cottage. The heartfelt messages from parents have made the day extra special with a gift to brighten up their day. Thank you to all our Masada Cottage staff for providing such a warm and loving environment.
We congratulate Masada College Alumnus (2009) David Ossip on his recent election as the President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies. David is one of the youngest Presidents in the Board’s 77-year history. “I am incredibly proud and honoured to be elected to such an important role in our community. I acknowledge the outstanding work of my predecessors in leading the NSW Jewish community and ensuring it is the vibrant, safe and strong community that it is today,” said David.
David has served as the organisation’s Vice President since 2018 and is a member of the Committee of Management of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and a Director of the Council for Jewish Community Security. David also previously chaired the Board’s Public Affairs Committee.
In 2012, David was elected to Ku-Ring-Gai Council at the age of 20 and served as Deputy Mayor from 2015-2017. At the time of his election, David was one of the youngest elected officials in the country.
The Board’s CEO, Darren Bark, also a Masada College Alumnus (2004), welcomed David into the role. “I welcome David’s election as President and can’t wait to continue delivering outcomes for our constituents and our community under his capable leadership.”
Yair Miller OAM, Immediate Past President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies said, “I’ve worked with David for more than a decade. He brings a significant intellect and deep passion for the community to the role and I’m confident that he will be a wonderful leader of our community”.
We are incredibly proud of Alumnus (2021), Izi Bonfil, who has been awarded a scholarship to study and play American football at Missouri Valley College in the USA. Mazal Tov, Izi!
‘I’ve been working towards this goal since Year 11 and spent the last two and a half years working hard to ensure I met both the athletic and academic requirements to follow my dreams.’ – Izi Bonfil
Masada College, together with The University of Sydney, welcomed 80 Jewish educators from across Sydney to the inaugural Jewish Educators’ Professional Learning Symposium. Sponsored by the Fund for Jewish Higher Education, JCA and the Education Heritage Fund, educators gathered to focus on the main themes for the future of Jewish education in NSW.
The event served to develop, to shape, to contribute and ultimately to lay the foundation for our future collaborative efforts.
Mazal Tov to our College Psychologist, Barry Zworestine, on the launch of his book ‘Which Way is your Warrior Facing’ and thank you to Barry for his long term service to the wellbeing of Masada College students.
