Principal's Welcome
Bruchim Habaim - Welcome to the King David School
Our values of community-mindedness, equity, and social justice ensure that students develop emotional intelligence. Students are encouraged to use their achievements to create a better Australia.
From celebrating our Chagim (holidays) to debating Jewish ethics to researching Jewish history, our students experience Judaism as a rich and moving tradition that is relevant to their lives. Our Jewish Life team facilitates hands-on learning that strengthens our students' Jewish and Zionist identities.
As you look on the website, I encourage you to discover our educational philosophy and the extraordinary opportunities on offer both in and out of the classroom. From exceptional outdoor education, to musicals, debating, coding contests and more, our students are able to challenge themselves in a range of environments.
Our School's founders, Isador Magid AO and Rabbi Dr John Levi AC, stand as role models for our students and teachers alike by virtue of their dedication to learning and enlightenment. The school environment they created continues to this day, promoting critical inquiry, positive relationships and the embracing of difference.
It is a privilege to lead Australia's only Progressive Jewish school. I invite you to book a tour and learn more about the King David difference.
Marc Light, Principal
Insights - Principal's Blog
Each week our Principal, Marc Light shares his insights into current events and educational pedagogy, highlighting how these inform the educational programs and culture at The King David School.
Voting for Israel’s democratic future
The relationship between Israel and Diaspora Jewish communities is a crucial one that has matured and changed over the 77 years of the State’s existence. A prevailing understanding of shared interdependence now lies at the heart of our appreciation of the centrality of Israel to Jewish communities and of the
Examining the efficacy of exams
Many of us have a school examination story that reflects the particularly challenging place that these experiences play in our education. My mother used to tell me about a high school examination which she used as a life lesson. She had written an essay, reread it in the minutes before
Praying for Israel’s safety
It has now been a week since the escalation of the war in Israel which has seen direct engagement with Iran. It has been an exceedingly worrying time for so many of us who have close friends and family members in Israel. Israelis have been cautious of entering directly into
Modelling disagreement
This week our Year 9 students were presented with a wonderful opportunity to hear from a broad panel of politicians from across the political spectrum. They learnt from the panellists’ insights but also from their capacity to model collegiality and respect despite their differing worldviews. Within the Year 9 Nitzan
Remembering our shared educational goal
Educational research has long established that achieving positive learning outcomes for students is significantly enhanced through an alignment between home and school. However, in recent weeks there has been a proliferation of media discussion regarding the deteriorating relationship between parents and schools. Articles about the topic have included horror examples
Connecting past, present and future generations
The transmission of an abiding and vital sense of Jewish identity is at the core of our mission. This week, our Year 8 students celebrated their unique family histories and journeys through our Kabbalat Dorot (Generations) project. With the able support of Jewish studies staff members, Corrine Appelbaum, Andrea Gore, Feygi
Fostering a love of reading
Almost all of us can remember with delight a childhood experience of being read to. I have many such memories of reading with, and alongside, my parents. My favourite book when I was in kindergarten at The King David School was gifted to me by a special teacher. I was
Working together to curb smartphone use
“Gen Z became the first generation in history to go through puberty with a portal in their pockets that called them away from the people nearby and into an alternative universe that was exciting, addictive, unstable, and… unsuitable for children and adolescents.” This quote from renowned thought leader Jonathan Haidt’s The
Free and Fair Elections
On their visit to Canberra for Year 6 camp last term, our students were able to explore Parliament House in order to gain a hands-on understanding of the workings of our democracy. Parliament was not in session but they were able to learn about the various layers of government and
Celebrating Yom HaAtzmaut
This week the School moved from the sombre commemorations of ANZAC Day and Yom HaZikaron to the celebration of Israel’s 77th Yom HaAtzmaut. Our Jewish tradition impels us to recognise the complexity of human emotion and I feel that this is especially the case this Yom HaAtzmaut. We are reminded
Hinenu – Connecting to our ancient story together
Over the past weeks we have been busy across the School preparing for Pesach. This has taken on many forms. Our Kibbutz David Hamelech gardeners have harvested horseradish which has been sold to grateful families by volunteers from the KDSPA. We have conducted a series of model s’darim where parents
Our dedicated and caring staff
Renowned American rabbi, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, spoke of the vital role educators play in shaping the lives of young people. He argued that separate to the content of what is being taught, educators are teaching students personal attributes that help them develop. He wrote: “What we need more than