Yael Grunseit

Award in 2017: Head Madricha

Year started at Emanuel: 2005 ATAR: 96.65

The relationships I have created at Emanuel are invaluable to me.

Yael is an outgoing, hard-working individual. As Head Madricha she was an excellent role model and shared her passions with others. “Being Head Madricha was an amazing opportunity and provided me with excellent insights into the practicalities of being a leader.”

In 2016 and 2017 Yael co-ordinated an event for High School students to mark International Women’s Day (IWD). “These celebrations allowed me and others, including the Madrichim body and the Gender Equality Club, to lead activities that we are passionate about. This was undoubtedly a highlight of my schooling.”

Yael embraced the value of believing in the messages that she wanted to share. “Participation and excitement are contagious. If you want support from others, you have to truthfully be engaged and passionate yourself.” Yael is proud of her leadership roles including being an active member of the SRC from Year 8 and subsequently being elected as chairperson in Year 11.

Yael believes that she has learnt many skills at school which she will be able to apply to life, now and in the future. “I have learnt about critical thinking throughout all of my subjects. In History we learnt about the reliability and usefulness of sources; in Jewish Studies to critically analyse the Israeli conflict’s representation in the media; and in English to assess the textual integrity of texts. These life skills (along with acceptance and a love of learning) will be tools I will find very useful at university and beyond.”