News - The King David School

School News

Year 5 students are smiling with the Head of Junior School and with a celebrated author. They have just written a book in a day.

Year 5 Wrote a Book in a Day

A tale centred around a barren field and a raging war, magical crystals ground into a medicinal paste, and feelings of terror and deja-vu were just some of the ideas that materialised in the ‘Write a Book in a Day’

A Year 7 family stands proudly with their son holding a pillowcase that they have decorated together as part of activities around mitzvot. They are happy.

A special Kabbalat Mitzvah

Kabbalat Mitzvah was a special milestone for our Year 7 students as they began to take their first steps into Jewish adulthood. Kabbalat means “acceptance,” and this ceremony focused on embracing mitzvot, Jewish commandments, as a meaningful part of life

Junior Kinder students conduct experiments as part of Science Week 2025. One is playing with colours. Another student smells a test tube to ascertain what it contains. They are learning to use their senses to make decisions.

Our Junior Kinder scientists

Science Week has been full of wonder, and the children’s science inquiry skills are developing. Each day in Junior Kinder this week we’ve explored new experiments that have sparked curiosity, joy, and a love for discovery. The children are becoming

Middle School students undertake an experiment with fire for Science Week. One student appears to be touching a large flame.

Unlocking universal secrets – Science Week 2025

To celebrate Science Week, a series of engaging activities and hands-on experiments were undertaken, all aimed at sparking curiosity, deepening scientific understanding, and inspiring students and staff to decode the wonders of the universe. The following highlights offer insight into

Two parents smile with their Year 4 child -they are celebrating our Hebrew names.

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

Seven family members of three generations are celebrating Family Day at our ELC. They are under a hand painted cardboard frame that says Family.

Celebrating with our Junior Kinder families

Following on from last week’s Senior Kinder family morning, we had a special morning celebrating our Junior Kinder families on Thursday. The children excitedly explored the different activities; family portraits, decorating magnetic photo frames and beading necklaces, engaging together with

Year 12 VCE Biology students are wearing white lab coats and have microscopes in front of them. They are excited because they are at the University of Melbourne applying biological concepts.

Flies, flu and future scientists: VCE Biology excursion

Last Friday VCE Unit 3 and 4 Biology students took part in an exciting, hands-on workshop at the University of Melbourne—an immersive experience designed to deepen their understanding of key concepts from Unit 4, Outcomes 1 and 2. The day

King David students are together on Mt Buller. They are wearing snow clothes and bibs with competitor numbers on them. They are at the 2025 ABL Jewish Interschools Ski Competition.

KDS comes second at the ABL Jewish Interschools Skiing Competition

The King David School was proud to send a large and enthusiastic contingent to the 2025 ABL Jewish Interschools Skiing Competition at Mt Buller on 28 and 29 July – our biggest representation in many years! Please click here to

Presenter Dr Rachel Jones is speaking at a lectern. Behind her is a screen with a picture of children's playgrounds. She is presenting on the importance of movement in children's learning.

ELC Educators’ Professional Development Day – ‘Fostering Independence in the Early Years’

At our most recent professional development day, our educators were inspired and energised by the Fostering Independence in the Early Years Professional Development Conference. This full-day event brought together leading early childhood experts who shared powerful ideas about how we

Year 6 student poses with his mother and the Principal Marc Light after receiving a B'nai B'rith award for his art. He is looking at the camera with a serious and proud look on his face. The adults are smiling at the camera.

Our B’nai B’rith Art Achievements

On Sunday at Glen Eira Town Hall an award ceremony took place for the B’nai B’rith Youth Art Competition. The competition recognises exceptional art created by young people who go to Jewish schools, or Jewish young people at any school

Two students are about to have their heads shaved. They are wearing barber's capes. They are raising money to help cure Leukaemia with the World's Greatest Shave.

The World’s Greatest Shave at the RMC

On Tuesday lunchtime King David, for the very first time, facilitated the World’s Greatest Shave, organised by the Tikkun Olam Va’ada. The World’s Greatest Shave is an amazing charity group that supports those affected by leukaemia, by having people volunteer

Year 9 student plays the guitar and sings while another student behind me plays the drums. They are on stage performing as part of Artivism - a showcase of Year 9 learning about art and change.

Year 9 students present Artivism

There was a buzz at our Magid Campus on Wednesday as Year 9 students put on ‘Artivism’, a showcase of performances celebrating the link between art and change that raised money for the Cancer Council. Throughout Term 2, Year 9

Two ELC children pat goats. They are standing on hay and wearing warm jackets since it is cold.

Gan Seorah visit Collingwood Children’s Farm

This week Gan Seorah had the most wonderful adventure at Collingwood Children’s Farm! The children were full of excitement as we explored the beautiful grounds and met all kinds of friendly farm animals. From patting the goats and Guinea pigs

The children of Gan Tamar are outside of the Melbourne Museum. They are wearing orange hi-vis vests so they do not get lost.

Gan Tamar visit the Melbourne Museum

On Thursday morning, the long-awaited day finally arrived — Gan Tamar’s excursion to the Melbourne Museum! The children arrived full of excitement and anticipation, eager to board the bus and begin their adventure. As we drove through the city, many

This shows a full room of people sitting at tables. There are two screens that will show photos. The people are attending a brunch to raise money for The King David School.

Fostering community at our Foundation brunch

The Foundation Brunch last week was a complete sell-out, filling the beautiful Elwood Bathers with a vibrant mix of supporters, current parents, grandparents, and representatives from key community organisations, TBI and PJV. Attendees were captivated by special guest Deborah Conway

Students are at St Kilda Shule. They are wearing academic school uniform. They are meeting Rachel Edri, who used her wit to survive October 7.

Senior School students meet Rachel Edri

On Monday, selected senior students travelled to St Kilda Shule, joining peers from Bialik and Mount Scopus, to hear an extraordinary firsthand account from Rachel Edri and her son Evyatar about their experience during the October 7 Hamas attacks. Rachel

Year 3 students are buying and selling at the market that they made. They are looking at merchandise on a long table. They are wearing their school uniforms.

Year 3 practice maths and negotiation at their market

This term, Year 3 students have been diving into the world of money! We have had a fantastic time learning how many different ways there are to make up a dollar, how to calculate change and what it means to

Year 6 students work together to program a robot.

Year 6 explore the fundamentals of robotics

Our Year 6 students have been enthusiastically learning how to build and program LEGO robots as part of an exciting STEM Kindle unit. Using LEGO Mindstorms kits, they explored the fundamentals of robotics, including sensor integration, movement coding, and problem-solving

ELC children are outside in tall grass, on a hill, at Bush Kinder. They are wearing blue overalls and are excited to be learning in nature.

Learning persistence at Bush Kinder

On Thursday morning, Gan Tamar was full of energy and excitement as we returned to Gan Teva (Bush/Grass Kinder) after the long weekend. The bus ride to Elsternwick Nature Reserve was lively, filled with chatter and anticipation for the day

Year 4 students are wearing warm jackets and beanies. They are outside, on the deck of the 1830s replica sailing ship, The Enterprize. They are learning about the First Fleet and the colonisation of Melbourne.

All aboard the Enterprize

On their recent excursion, Year 4 students embarked on an exciting journey aboard the Enterprize tall ship, a 27-metre topsail schooner. The ship is a replica of the vessel originally built in Hobart in 1830 and first sailed to the

Adventure and Leadership on Year 10 Camp

Year 10 camp is off to a flying start! Students have been participating in a range of activities and workshops to examine the concept of leadership since they arrived last night. Staff have been very impressed with their maturity and

Students in the Wind ensemble play the saxophone and flutes at our Middle and Senior School Ensemble music performances

Music to our Ears – Our Ensembles

On Thursday night we were treated to beautiful pieces performed by our Middle and Senior School ensembles. The Middle School Musical Theatre Club, directed by Libby Choo, performed ‘Colours of the Wind’ (from Pocahontas). The Strings Ensemble, directed by Amy Banner,

A student is dressed as Moshe receiving the 10 Commandments. She is holding the tablets with the Commandments on them. she is standing next to a fake Har Sinai, decorated with paper flowers.

Celebrating Shavuot together

The ELC & Junior School children celebrated Shavuot today in grand style! As the chag was at the start of this week, today was the perfect day to be fully immersed in all things meaningful to this important festival. Prep

Kyle Vander-Kuyp speaks to students at the Magid Campus for Reconciliaton Week. He is standing in front of photos of his sports achievements.

Kyle Vander-Kuyp speaks at Magid Campus

Students from Years 10 to 12 were treated to a visit from Australian champion and 2 x Olympian Kyle Vander-Kuyp this week. His visit was timed with National Reconciliation Week. Kyle talked about the importance of home, connection and love

The cast of a Very Jewish Christmas Carol are in costume, standing in front of a Jewish bakery kitchen. They have just performed Elise Heart's play.

VCE Theatre Studies present a Very Jewish Christmas Carol

This week, the VCE Theatre Studies class presented three sold out performances of ‘A Very Jewish Christmas Carol’ by acclaimed playwright Elise Esther Hearst who is also a KDS alumni and current KDS parent. The play is a black comedy

A Year 8 student stands with her mother, behind her Dorot project book that tells her family history.

Connecting Year 8 students to their family stories

Exploring family histories and uncovering the roots that connect students to their past, present, and future was celebrated at the Year 8 Kabbalat Dorot ceremony this week. Student projects reflected how immersed they were in discovering family stories and connections.

Junior School students in school uniform are practicing archery as part of their Lag BaOmer celebrations. They are using red bows to aim at balck, red and white round targets.

Celebrating Lag BaOmer together

Late last week, students across the school celebrated Lag BaOmer. On Thursday evening, many students from Years 6 – 12 gathered around a toasty bonfire to celebrate Lag BaOmer. The afternoon began with an explanation of Lag BaOmer and its significance,

Gan Rimon are at Bush Kinder - they are sitting on logs, surrounded by fallen leaves. They are wearing Winter jackets.

Learning about rules in the Bush

It was one of those freezing mornings that makes you want to stay curled up in bed — and getting ready for Bush Kinder was no easy feat. We were running late, and it felt like it took forever to

Year 7 student runs as part of a race at the EISM Athletics Carnival. She is wearing The King David School sports uniform.

Excellent EISM Results

A team of 78 students competed on Friday in the EISM Athletics Carnival held at Lakeside Stadium. In what was a magnificent Autumn Melbourne day our students ran, jumped and threw themselves into every event, both in team and individual

Our Years 8-9 Boys' Basketball team are holding the trophy after they won the EISM Grand Final. They are happy.

Our Basketball Champions

After placing fourth during the Round Robin competition, the King David Year 8/9 boys’ basketball team came up against undefeated Huntingtower School in the grand final this week. Previously Huntingtower defeated King David by 19 points during the regular season

David Opat speaks at the Ctrl Alt Del launch - he's on a stage with four other panelists, including Chanie Stock, Wellbeing Coordinator.

Amazing momentum for Ctrl Alt Del

After coverage in The Age, 9 News, 3AW and more, we are incredibly proud to launch the School’s bold new wellbeing program, Ctrl Alt Del. This innovative program is aimed at giving parents a strength-in-numbers approach to “taking back

Kindergarten children in fluoro yellow vests play on the ground at Gan Tevah - Bush Kinder. They are surrounded by trees and excited to be in nature.

Gan Seorah’s Bush Kinder Adventure

This week Gan Seorah went on another exciting Bush Kinder adventure—and what a magical day it was! The children were bursting with curiosity as we explored the natural environment. We climbed over logs, balanced on rocks, and discovered all sorts

Year 4 students sail at Sandringham Yacht Club, with a yacht that has a yellow, blue and red striped sail. The water is smooth.

Ideal day on the water for our Year 4s

The Year 4 students at Sandringham Yacht Club enjoyed their second sailing experience of the year in fantastic conditions. With good wind filling the sails and clear stretches of water, it was an ideal day for learning. Although the water

Students stand in front of a presentation of Laurence Binyon's poem 'For the Fallen'. They are wearing academic uniform. They are commemorating ANZAC Day at assembly.

Remembering the ANZACs

Years 6-12 students honoured our ANZAC legacy with an assembly on the first day back of Term 2. Students read the poem ‘For the Fallen’, by Laurence Binyon. They also spoke of the disparity between the benefits that were given

Students are commemorating Yom HaZikaron at the Magid Campus. One student is lighting a memorial candle while other students are standing at microphones during the assembly.

A Meaningful Yom HaZikaron Commemoration

Years 6-12 students and staff marked Yom HaZikaron this week in an assembly that honoured Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Director of Jewish Life and Learning Ilan Bloch shared how Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, the founder of the Mussar

Students at the Junior School celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut on the oval. They are wearing blue and white - some are wearing blue ballerina tutus. You can see the school mansion behind the students.

A Phenomenal Yom HaAtzmaut

We celebrated the State of Israel’s 77th birthday yesterday with fun activities across our campuses. Junior School and ELC students started the day with a moving tekes where they were fortunate enough to be addressed by both Ben Gurion and

Years 3-5 students are in costume as Pharoahs and slaves. They are acting out the story of Pesach and our exodus from Egypt. They are having a Pesach seder at school.

Our Junior School S’darim

The symbols, tastes, songs and stories of Pesach came to life this week in our Junior School s’darim. Students sang together, acted out the story of our exodus from Egypt and searched for the Afikoman. Our Prep – Year 2

Shoah survivor Peter Gaspar speaks at King David's Yom HaShoah commemoration. He is standing in front of a slide that says 'survivor testimony'.

A moving Yom HaShoah commemoration

As Yom HaShoah falls during the school break, we commemorated it today with a moving ceremony at our Magid Campus. Students lit candles dedicated to Chelmo, Bergen-Belsen, Sobibor, Majdanek, Treblinka and Auschwitz-Birkenau. After a minute’s silence, teacher Geoff Garber recited El

Students are on stage in 1970s stylee costumes. They are dancing and performing in the finale of Mamma Mia the musical.

Mamma Mia! What a phenomenal show

From Money, Money, Money to I Do, I Do, I Do, our students danced and sang their way through the ABBA catalogue and into our hearts. Director Eli Erez and musical director Matan Franco (Class of 2010) expertly made this

Wellbeing dog Gunther is lying down next to a laptop. He is wearing a King David dog vest and is looking at the camera. He looks like he has been typing on the laptop. He is surrounded by letters that he is replying to.

Woof mail is a hit

Woof mail is a wellbeing initiative in the Junior School whereby students can write to Gunther for advice and connection. Woof woof, everyone! Gunther here, reporting from Woof Mail headquarters (under Janice’s desk). I have some tail-wagging news to share

Marc Light is with ELC students at their seder. Some students are dressed as frogs, others are dressed as Pharoahs. They are learning about Pesach through holding a seder with their families.

Our ELC S’darim

Frogs, Pharoahs, baby Moshe and, of course, matzah! Each Junior and Senior Kindergarten class came together with their families to learn and celebrate Pesach with their own Seder. The students fulfilled all 15 steps of the Seder, leading brachot, singing,

Year 7 students are emerging from the sea in wetsuits with surf boards.

Surf’s up for Year 7

“Year 7 camp in Anglesea was a really incredible experience! When we arrived at camp we were all super excited about the week ahead and everyone was anxious to find out who would be in their cabins. We had the

Kinder children connect with nature on Gan Tevah program

The Gan Tevah (Bush Kinder) program in our ELC is an amazing opportunity for our children to connect with nature on a regular basis. The program teaches children the values of caring for the environment and respecting the relationships

BDPPSA Round Robin joy

All students from Years 5 & 6 competed in the Balaclava District Summer Round Robin this week. Students prepared all term for this day and took on the seven other schools in the district in Basketball, Cricket, Hockey, Teeball &

Prep students learn the ancient tradition of baking shmurah matzah

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. Confucius This powerful idea comes to life in our Junior School as the sounds, sights and experiences of Pesach fill the air. Children are not

Year 12 students are with Gali Eilon. She has spoken to them about her expriences rescuing people on Oct 7. The students are in school uniform.

Gali Eilon visits our Year 12 students

This week Gali Eilon, a visiting Israeli student from the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip, spoke with Year 12 students about her experiences as a 15-year old student on October 7. Gali’s story takes place in Kfar Aza. Gali,

Three Year 4 students show the knots that they have been learning how to create. They are learning how to sail.

Year 4 Sailors brave the windy seas

The salty air, the rolling waves, and the thrill of the open water – Year 4 recently embarked on their first sailing adventure at the Sandringham Yacht Club! Despite a particularly windy day, the students dove headfirst into the world

Chag Purim Sameach!

As is the custom during the month of Adar, there was plenty of joy today across the School! Purim is always a whirl of colour, costumes and music at King David as we celebrate the bravery of Esther and the

Year 5 are in Mars mission suits - they are learning about space!

Year 5 Lift Off!

This week, Year 5 lifted off to the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) to further their exploration of our solar system. After an early start and a bus trip to Strathmore, Year 5 participated in a range of amazing

Three Senior School students are smiling, two are holding chrome trophies, one is signalling 'winner' with his hands. They are wearing navy sports uniforms. they are happy because we have come 3rd place in the EISM Swimming Carnival.

Excellent EISM Swim Carnival result

What an incredible result for King David at the EISM Interschool Swimming Carnival this week. Our students competed brilliantly to win a very impressive 3rd place overall and the trophy for “most improved school in the Division.” Well done to

Adulats and children have their faces painted and are in disco costumes as they celebrate Purim early with a family fun disco

A fabulous Family Fun Purimfest Disco

Our Junior School students and families got into the groove at our Parents’ Association’s inaugural Family Fun Purimfest Disco. A perfect opportunity to increase our joy as we begin the month of Adar. With a DJ, dancing, games and delicious

Principal Marc Light is cutting a red ribbon with a Year 5 student. they are officially opening the Hebrew section of the Dandenong Rd Campus library.

New dedicated Hebrew books section in our Junior Library

This week, we proudly launched an expanded dedicated Hebrew books section in the Junior School Library! This exciting addition features a fantastic collection of Hebrew books, including beloved titles like Wimpy Kid, Dog Man, Amulet, and many more. Our goal

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