Editorial – 15th December 2022

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Dear Parents and Carers

 

We write to inform you that the Interim Headteacher of Hasmonean High School for Boys will be Mrs Miriam Langdon.

 

The competition for the role was very fierce and the strength of the field was incredibly impressive.

 

Mrs Langdon is well known to many of you already. She studied Natural Sciences at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge. She has been a member of Hasmonean since 2007 and was runner up in The Royal Society Biology Teacher of the Year awards in 2017. She has occupied roles as Head of Sixth Form, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Person, Head of Science, Head of Maths, Timetabler and Assistant Headteacher – Curriculum and Data at Hasmonean and occupied roles at other Jewish and non-Jewish schools prior to Hasmonean.

 

Mrs Langdon will take up her position from January 2023.

 

We are confident that Mrs Langdon has the skills, experience and personal qualities to lead the Boys’ School until a new substantive Headteacher is appointed, following on from the excellent stewardship of Mrs Lebrett.

 

Mrs Langdon will work closely with Menahel Rabbi Golker to ensure that all decisions are made in accordance with the school’s ethos of Torah im Derech Eretz.

 

The process to recruit a substantive Headteacher for the Boys’ School is underway. An announcement about the outcome will be made later this academic year.

 

We are deeply indebted to Mrs Lebrett for her sterling work in leading the Boys’ School since 2015 and wish her continued success in her future career.

 

Wishing everyone a Happy Chanukah.

 

With kind regards,

 

Andrew McClusky, CEO – Hasmonean MAT

Yossi Halberstadt, Chair of Local Governing Body – Hasmonean High School for Boys

Gary Swabel, Chair of Trustees – Hasmonean MAT

 

 

Dear Parents and Carers

 

I am delighted to have accepted the Interim Headteacher role at Hasmonean High School for Boys. I look forward to building on the excellent work of Mrs Lebrett over the coming months.

 

Having been a member of the school for many years, I have a clear understanding of it and will work closely with Rabbi Golker to ensure that its ethos remains strong and all-pervading. As I take up my new position, I intend to be a visible presence in the corridors and classrooms and will be talking to students and staff over the coming weeks.

 

If you have any concerns about the school and you need to be in contact, then please do email me.

 

I wish you all a Happy Chanukah and am looking forward to working with your children in the new term.

 

Mrs Miriam Langdon

Interim Headteacher – Hasmonean High School for Boys

 

 

 

 

 

 

Editorial 8th December 2022

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Dear Parent

I have always been struck by the unique nature of an educational community: we build and develop our strong and powerful relationships with a cohort of students and often forget that they are only in school on a temporary and transient basis.  After seven years, we suddenly need to begin the process of saying goodbye to the students and wishing them well for the future.

The Oxford English Dictionary places the origin of the word ‘goodbye’ as a contraction of ‘G-d be with you’; its usage is said to date back to the 17th century.  This conveys a sense of closure and a final word: the speaker will not know whether they will ever see the other person again.  In contrast, at a siyum, we never say goodbye to our engagement with Torah learning and Hadran Alach is recited instead.  This idea of ‘returning to you’ is very powerful – our lives are transformed by Torah study and goodbyes are never final as we aim to continue to nurture the relationship to ensure that our lives are transformed.

As I approach my final few days at Hasmonean, I would like to hope that I leave with feelings of Hadran Alach, rather than ‘goodbye’.  After ten years, I leave with feelings of joy and pride of everything that we, the Hasmonean family, have achieved.  I know that I am leaving a strong, vibrant and powerful school community which will go from strength to strength.  I look forward to hearing about its future successes.

Mrs D Lebrett
Headteacher – Boys’ School

Editorial – 1st December 2022

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Dear Parent

In davening this morning at the Girls’ school, all the students were given a card to keep in their siddur, encouraging them to think of two or three things each day for which they are grateful to add extra meaning to their davening.

I thought this was something we can all learn from and so this is what was written on the cards:
Before reciting מודים, let us briefly reflect on the extent of Hashem’s kindness from which we benefit on a constant basis, and on the tremendous debt of gratitude we owe him…

What am I grateful for today?

Recall.

Reflect.

Repeat.

There is plenty to complain or feel depressed about in the world today and we need reminders such as these that we still have so much to be grateful for. We can all lift our spirits by recalling Hashem’s kindness, reflecting on the richness of his gifts and repeating our thanks.
Wishing you all a good Shabbos.

Yours sincerely

Mrs K Brice
Headteacher – Girls’ School

 

Editorial – 25th November 2022

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Dear Parents,

 

This week’s sedra opens with the famous episode of Eisav selling his birthright to Yaakov.

 

At a closer look, Eisav’s fear of assuming this responsibility seems somewhat reasonable. As Rashi describes, Yaakov informs him that this position of responsibility is fraught with danger. There are many risks and penalties if not performed correctly.

 

Why are Chazal so critical of Eisav?

 

Rav Moshe Feinstein explains that shirking responsibility and passing up opportunities is disdained by the Torah.

 

When opportunity knocks and you ignore the call, it is considered a disgrace.

 

There are several examples of this. A famous one is Ploni Almoni in Megilas Rus. His choice of not marrying Rus casts him into eternal anonymity.

 

And in more recent times, we have examples of people rising to the challenge. Rav Dessler answering R’Dovid Dryan’s letter and offer to start the Gateshead Kollel.

 

It was in this kollel that Dayan Ehrehtreu learned and developed into the outstanding talmid chochom we all knew and loved.

 

The Dayan led Anglo Jewry with warmth, wisdom, and dignity, firmly anchored in Torah values.

 

He was a staunch supporter of Hasmonean and genuinely cared about our school. Both the Dayan and the Rebbetzen graced various occasions in school with their trademark majesty and presence.

 

The Dayan always heard the call and took responsibility. He was never one to shirk his duty. He touched the lives of so many of us in so many ways.

 

That is the contrast. Eisav walking away from responsibility and the legacy of the Dayan, of a life well lived, one of service and selflessness.

 

On behalf of everyone at Hasmonean, we wish the Rebbetzen, the family and the Dayan’s many admirers much nechama and strength.

 

Good Shabbos,

 

 

Rabbi J Golker

Menahel

Editorial 17th November 2022

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Dear Parents

I have been attending the Governing Body’s Kodesh Committees in one incarnation or another for over a decade. Many years ago, there was a great deal of upset about the fact that the number of students attending one particular extra-curricular programme had fallen by 5 since the last meeting. The overall percentage remained very high, it was a voluntary programme on top of the core offer and I wondered what all the fuss was about. I then realised that the people around me weren’t talking about percentages, they were talking about souls. And it was at that point that the Kodesh Committee meetings started making a lot more sense to me.

Regardless of the agenda, the central driving force of each meeting is this: which students are falling through the net and how can we catch them? Rabbi Muster tells me this question has been on the mind of the community since the times of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Gamla, the founder of the Jewish day school movement, towards the end of the Second Temple period, according to Bava Basra 21a.  Judging by their contributions alone, it is sometimes difficult to tell the governors and staff apart at these meetings. All members are driven by the feeling that we can and must do better and all contribute creative ideas about the ways that this might be achieved. One of the recurrent themes is how we can ensure that children of different hashkafas feel well supported, inspired and valued. The question of how we ensure that we have the highest aspirations for students whilst trying to inculcate a genuine love of learning also reappears. A hot topic at the moment is that whilst spirituality cannot be reduced to data, anecdotes alone are not sufficient to demonstrate success. In summary, I can assure you that the concerns of Rabbi Yeshua ben Gamla are alive and well today and are passionately debated every term at Hasmonean High Schools. And for good reason, as I learned a long time ago, the decisions made at these committees weigh heavily on the consciences of those present.

I cannot end my editorial this week without thanking a number of people. Firstly, thank you to our HIPE Educators and members of the site team at the girls’ school for arranging and running the girls’ Achdus trip last week. The team-building activities at Gilwell Park included Jacob’s ladder, zip lining, crate stacking, a leap of faith, a 3G swing. This was followed by a delicious supper, a bonfire, a silent disco and words of inspiration from year 7 and year 12.

I would also like to thank Mrs Algranati and our music teachers who held a wonderful GCSE music concert at the boys’ school on Tuesday evening which opened with a choir rendition of Ledor Vador and went on to include music by Satie, The Beatles and Oasis as well as students’ own compositions. A wonderful time was had by all who attended.

Finally, I would like to thank the governor who attended the boys’ JS Committee meeting this week – half an hour before his son’s Bar Mitzvah dinner was to take place – to inform everyone that he and others had been working on ways to thank staff for their hard work and to ask for financial contributions to support it along with him. Yossi Goldberg, thank you to you and indeed all governors and trustees who will be supporting this initiative. I know this has been a matter that has been close to your heart for some time.

While we may have many sometimes very lively debates at Hasmonean about how to achieve the best for our students, I am never in any doubt of the passion, generosity of spirit and commitment of those who strive towards that end.

Best wishes,

Mr A McClusky
CEO, Hasmonean MAT

 

Editorial – 10th November 2022

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Dear Parent

The recent heavy storms causing localised flooding are a reminder that, even in temperate Britain, we are not immune from climate change. We have, no doubt, all been pleased at the unseasonably mild weather and the resultant lowered need for heating. But not all countries have been so fortunate and in COP 27 the question of the polluters paying for the effects of global warming has become a pressing issue.

It makes me think about how far we should accept responsibility for something we may not have directly caused but which we have certainly benefited from.  What is our responsibility to right the wrongs of the past?  How can we effectively make reparations for historic hurts?  What is our moral duty when it could be argued that our standard of living has derived from exploiting the people and resources of poorer nations coupled with the profligate burning of fossil fuels?

These questions have no easy answers but it is important for us to think about our response and to remember that we should always be grateful for what we do have and not to take it for granted as something we deserve.

Wishing you all a good Shabbos.

Yours sincerely

Mrs K Brice
Headteacher – Girls’ School

 

Editorial – 3rd November 2022

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Dear Parent

At the beginning of this Parshah, Lech Lecha, Hashem commands Avraham and Sara to make aliyah to the land of Canaan. Hashem promises the following:
“I will make you into a great nation,” “and I will bless you,” “and I will make your name great.” The Gemara explains that our Amidah is based upon this text. ‘I will make you into a great nation’ corresponds with ‘Elokei Avraham’; ‘and I will bless you’ corresponds to ‘Elokei Yitzchak’ and ‘I will make your name great’ corresponds to ‘Elokei Yaakov’.

Rabbi Soloveitchik asks the following question: It is possible to understand the connection between the second statement and Yitzchak as Avraham was miraculously blessed with a son when he was old. However, in what way does Avraham’s name become great through Yaakov? He explains that, when we are parenting children, it is an incredible achievement if children walk in parents’ footsteps. However, it is a much greater achievement if one is able to witness one’s grandchildren also walking in our footsteps. Avraham was able to witness Yaakov internalising his values and to be a great person in his own right.

Wishing you and your families a wonderful Shabbos.

Mrs D Lebrett
Headteacher – Boys’ School

Editorial – 27th October 2022

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Dear Parents

Keeping Warm this Winter

There are two ways to stay warm in the cold. You can either wear a thick coat or you can light a fire keeping not only yourself warm, but others too.

Noach, is famously described as a “Tzaddik in peltz” (a Tzaddik wearing a fur coat). Whilst he and his family survived, the rest of his generation did not. Although, the Torah praises him lavishly, Chazal detect shortcomings and highlight his lack of mesirus nefesh (selflessness) for the rest of society. Indeed, in the haftora for Parshas Noach, the Novi calls the mabul “mei Noach” (the waters of Noach) as if to point the blame on him.

To understand this better, let us rewind a little. Very recently, on Simchas Torah, we all celebrated the completion of another cycle of Torah.  As we reach the final pesukim of V’zos Habracha, the Torah comes to its climax and Moshe Rabbeinu passes from this world, we read a powerful and poignant epitaph. As if we were reading the very words written on Moshe Rabbeinu’s matzeiva.

לֹא קָם נָבִיא עוֹד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל כְּמֹשֶׁה – and there was no other Novi who arose in Klal Yisroel like Moshe. And then the Torah lists some of the outstanding achievements of Moshe Rabbeinu – receiving and giving the Torah and all the miracles he performed in the Midbar and finally, his greatest accolade – he broke the luchos.

What!? Really!?

Doesn’t breaking the luchos put a bit of a dampener on things? As we chant “Chazak Chazak Ve’nischazek” we are left wondering why is that a highpoint of Moshe Rabbeinu’s life?

As is the minhag in Klal Yisroel, every year, Rabbi Pinchos Roberts ztl would masterfully connect the beginning of the Torah with its end. One year, he contrasted the selflessness of Moshe Rabbeinu with Noach’s lack of consideration for the others in his generation.

Rabbi Roberts described how Moshe Rabbeinu must have been crushed with the sight that met him on his descent from Har Sinai – Klal Yisroel dancing around a golden calf. Despite his personal frustration and disbelief, he cherished Klal Yisroel and in order to rebuke them most effectively, he carried the very heavy luchos all the way down the mountain to break them “Le’eyneyhem” – in front of their very eyes. And then, in a staggering moment of selflessness, he rejects HKBH’s offer to start a new nation with him and tells Hashem: “מְחֵנִי נָא מִסִּפְרְךָ” – if you destroy Klal Yisroel, wipe me out of Your Torah. I’m with them.

Rabbi Roberts quoted R’Shaul Broch, the Kashau Rov, who explains that Moshe Rabbeinu was actually a gilgul of Noach. One of his missions in life was to repair Noach’s shortcoming of not being sufficiently concerned with the rest of his generation.

When Moshe Rabbeinu said the immortal words of מְחֵנִי נָא מִסִּפְרְךָ, he not only reached the height of selflessness, but he repaired Noach’s shortcoming. In fact, the word מְחֵנִי spell the words מֵי נֹחַ.

As ever, the weekly parsha is not just revisiting ancient episodes; rather the lessons are timely and timeless. And the call of this week’s parsha to show mesirus nefesh for others, to think about and help other people.

Here at Hasmonean, I am often overwhelmed with the volunteering and chesed of our students. The numbers involved in KEF, Shabbat Walk, GIFT and so many other worthy organisations are breathtaking. They are living the lessons of this week’s parsha.

Good Shabbos

Rabbi Golker
Menahel

Editorial 20th October 2022

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Dear Parent

During this week, we have been linking the end of the Torah to its beginning again, embarking on a new cycle of Torah reading and learning.

This week’s Parshah describes a number of beginnings: the creation of the world, the formation of man and woman, the first sin, the first murder.  The meforshim discuss the fact that we can learn a valuable lesson from this message: every person has the chance to recreate themselves anew, to establish a new outlook on the way that they approach life experience.

We have been reinforcing this message with the students on our return to school following the Succot break: we are looking forward to the students embracing their studies and learning with renewed vigour and success.

Wishing you all a peaceful and relaxing Shabbos.

Mrs D Lebrett

Headteacher – Boys’ School

 

Editorial 29th September 2022

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Dear Parents and Carers

It is with great sadness that we have to advise you that Mrs Lebrett has notified us of her intention to leave Hasmonean at the end of this term. Mrs Lebrett has been Headteacher of Hasmonean since 2015 and has been a member of Hasmonean since 2012 (including a period in which she was interim Headteacher of the Girls’ School prior to Mrs Brice’s appointment).

During her time here, Mrs Lebrett has demonstrated strong and capable leadership that has taken it from strength to strength and resulted in the boys’ school increasing its roll from just under 570 in 2015 to just under 730 in 2022. The GCSE and A level results have been consistently impressive throughout this period. In addition, Pikuach rated all areas of Hasmonean High School, to be ‘Outstanding’. Her focus on safeguarding, mental health and wellbeing has been commended by the third parties commissioned to evaluated it. In taking ultimate responsibility for Learning, Teaching and the Curriculum across the MAT, she has also enabled the school to take great strides in these areas to enable it to make continuous improvements.

Mrs Lebrett has demonstrated intelligence, determination, skill, verve and strength of character, and she has always acted as a role model of Torah im Derech Eretz to students. She has won their respect, as well as the respect of staff, parents, governors and trustees. More recently she has trained as an Ofsted inspector which has been an invaluable resource for the senior leadership team and staff more widely.

On a personal level, Mrs Lebrett will be very much missed by us and, we know, by the whole Hasmonean community. She will be taking up a position as CEO at Jewish charity, Work Avenue from January 2023 where we are sure she will also be tremendously successful. We are truly indebted to her.

We will be undertaking a recruitment search to find a new Headteacher for the Boys’ School this term and will announce in due course plans for an interim leadership arrangement from January.

Mr A McClusky – CEO, Hasmonean MAT
Mr Y Halberstadt – Chair of Governors, Hasmonean High School for Boys
Mr G Swabel – Chair of Hasmonean MAT
…….

Dear Parents and Carers,

Throughout my ten years at Hasmonean, I have been very fortunate to work with some wonderful people, exceptional members of staff and tremendous students. It has been a privilege to lead such an amazing school over the past seven years and to watch the students of our community grow and develop. I have greatly enjoyed my time at Hasmonean and am very proud of everything that the staff body, supported by the Governors and Trustees, has achieved.

Best wishes,
Mrs D Lebrett – Headteacher, Hasmonean Boys’ School