Kesser Torah College

Get to know Jake Cassell, Director of Teaching and Learning in the high school

- What do you love about your role?
I love being a systems thinker in a school setting; seeing how all areas connect and working to bring them together. I love leadership, engaging with teams across the whole school, and helping bring clarity, purpose and momentum to what we do.

-Why did you decide to get into the education field?
I was fortunate to have both male and female role models at school who deeply influenced me, and I wanted to be that kind of person for young people. The chance to positively shape lives every day is what drew me to this profession and continues to inspire me.

- What do you hope to achieve in this role?
My vision is to improve and streamline the operations of the school so that everything works with greater clarity, purpose and alignment. I also hope to strengthen and enrich our co-curricular offerings so that students are developed in every sense. Ultimately, I want KTC to be recognised as one of the world’s leading split curriculum schools.

-Who is your professional role model and why?
Without a doubt, Rabbi Chaiton, KTC Principal, is my professional role model. He is a man of deep integrity and I have learnt so much from working closely with him. I would also like to acknowledge my predecessors, James Mulhall and Michele Hanwell-Short, who have been wonderful mentors to me and have had a lasting influence on my growth as a leader.

- What do you do to "relax" on the weekend
I have recently made the transition into triathlons after a decade of competitive rowing. I am three quarters of the way through completing my MBA at the University of Sydney and halfway through completing the ISNSW National Flagship Program for aspiring principals. Spare time outside of this is scarce.

Discover why families are choosing KTC!

Open Week Information Nights
Tue 28 April - Primary
Wed 29 April - High School

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A Standing Ovation

At the Kinus Hashluchos Gala Banquet, the room rose as three remarkable young women, all proud KTC students and members of our KTC community, stood with extraordinary courage before a crowd of thousands.

COLlive News The Australian Jewish News Chabad.org

Speaking with strength, honesty and grace, Mina Levitan and Priva Schlanger shared their experiences, reflecting on their fathers, their shlichus, and the missions they continue to carry forward. Their words were deeply moving.

Also taking the stage was Chaya Dadon, KTC student, whose bravery during the Bondi Beach terror attack continues to inspire communities around the world.

On Sunday evening in New York, more than 4,500 shluchos were joined by family, friends and supporters from over 100 countries for the gala banquet of the Kinus Hashluchos, the capstone event of the International Conference of Shluchos. The evening was one of reflection, unity and renewed commitment to the Rebbe’s global mission.

We are immensely proud of Mina, Priva and Chaya. Their strength, courage and faith are a source of inspiration for us and for the wider community.

As a KTC community, we stand side by side in strength.

🎥 Watch the speeches in full:
https://www.chabad.org/multimedia/video_cdo/aid/221818/jewish/Conference-of-Chabad-Lubavitch-Emissaries.htm

Chaya begins at 1:39:15

Join the team!
Educational Leader in anour Early Learning Centre (ELC)
Part Time
https://www.seek.com.au/job/90000894

Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jr54gVFelE2uTQFJPhuyx?si=CvxmAoTuR-SVViXIcUG9oA

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With immense pride, Kesser Torah College celebrates the outstanding achievements of our Class of 2025. These results are exceptional and they deserve to be acknowledged openly, joyfully and together as a community.

It is important to recognise the patience shown by our Year 12 students of 2025. They waited quietly and respectfully as the College prepared to publicly acknowledge these unprecedented results during a challenging time. That patience is itself a testament to their resilience and maturity, values that reflect the very best of a KTC education.

These results were achieved alongside a fully robust and uncompromised Kodesh program in Year 12.

These results are only one part of the story. Our HSC success is the natural outcome of a school culture driven by our core values of Emunah (Belief), Derech Eretz (Refined Conduct), Da’as (Lifelong Learning) and Arvus (Moral Responsibility).

These Torah-driven school values are the foundation of everything we do. They are the keys we give our students to open every door to their future, guiding them not just in exams, but in life.

The Class of 2025 exemplifies this balance, combining academic excellence with strength of character, a commitment to learning, a deep connection to their Yiddishkite, and a genuine desire to contribute positively to the world around them.

We are immensely proud to see so many of our graduates continuing their Jewish learning at yeshiva and seminary, a true reflection of their celebrated Jewish identity and depth of knowledge. We are equally inspired by the thoughtful tertiary pathways and career journeys they are now pursuing.

To the Class of 2025: you have brought great pride to your families, your teachers, and your school. May you go from strength to strength, carrying your values with confidence into every chapter ahead.

Join us in congratulating our class of 2025.

With gratitude to Sheba Hospital (Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer)
We thank Sheba Hospital (Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer)for generously supplying this guidance, story, and support materials to help our community navigate after trauma.
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New Year’s Eve After a Traumatic Event
Support for adults, parents, and children in communities impacted by the Bondi Beach attack

In the wake of the Bondi Beach attack, this New Year’s Eve may be experienced differently than usual. Sounds, crowds, and the holiday atmosphere can bring up reminders, tension, or worry, even when you are physically safe. Reactions vary widely, and there is no “right” way to feel.

This handout is meant to help you recognise common stress reactions in yourself and in children, and to offer practical ways to cope during New Year’s celebrations.

Why New Year’s can feel harder
• After a frightening event, the brain/body stay on high alert. Later, reminders can switch the alarm system back on — even when you are safe.
• Common reminders on New Year’s Eve: fireworks (bangs/flashes/smoke), crowds and celebrations, sudden announcements/sirens, disrupted routines (late nights, travel), and alcohol-related unpredictability in public.

What distress can look like (by age)

Young children (toddlers–preschool):
• Clinginess, separation fears
• Tantrums/tearfulness
• Sleep changes
• Regression (babyish behaviour/toileting accidents)
• Repetitive “scary” play
• Avoidance of noisy/overstimulating situations

School-age children:
• Worries about safety
• Repeated reassurance-seeking
• Physical complaints (stomach/headaches)
• Irritability or shutting down
• Trouble concentrating
• Avoidance of reminders (places, crowds, loud sounds)

Adolescents:
• Mood swings or emotional “numbness”
• Pulling away from others
• Conflict/acting out
• Escapism (heavy screen time; sometimes alcohol/drug use)
• Refusing gatherings
• Looking “fine” while struggling inside

How to prepare ahead of time (simple and effective)
• Preview what will happen: crowds, cheering at midnight, possible fireworks — so the brain can label it as “celebration,” not “danger.”
• Make a plan together: where you’ll stand/sit, a signal for a break, and permission to leave early.
• Practice gently: watch a short fireworks clip at low volume and pause to do a calming skill (see below).
• Support regulation: keep meals/sleep as steady as possible; tired bodies react more strongly.

A short script for young children (adapt to your words)
“Tomorrow night is New Year’s Eve. People may gather outside, cheer at 12:00, and there may be fireworks. Fireworks can be loud. Loud bangs can remind our body of scary sounds from Bondi Beach. If your body feels worried, that’s your body trying to protect you — but we are safe. If you feel uncomfortable, tell me. I’ll stay right with you and help your body remember we’re safe.”

Teens: a respectful explanation
The National Program for Trauma Treatment, Safra Children’s Hospital, Sheba Medical Center
“Fireworks/crowds can trigger the nervous system. The ‘alarm’ system can cause a racing heart, tight chest, nausea, shaking, anger, or wanting to leave. We can switch on the body’s calming ‘brake’ with slow breathing and grounding. If you get triggered, it doesn’t mean danger is back — it means your body is remembering. Let’s plan breaks and an exit option.”

In the moment: a 3-step approach

Connect: get close (if welcomed), calm voice — “I’m here with you.”

Clarify safety: “That sound is fireworks. It’s loud, but we’re safe right now.”

Calm the body: do one coping tool below; thinking gets easier once the body settles.

Quick calming tools (for adults and children)

1) ‘Smell the flower, blow the candle’ breathing (kids)
• Breathe in slowly through your nose for 3–4 seconds (smell the flower).
• Breathe out gently through your mouth for 4–6 seconds (blow the candle).
• Repeat 5 times. Encourage a slower out-breath than in-breath.

2) Box breathing (teens/adults)
Inhale 4 seconds → hold 4 → exhale 4 → hold 4.
Repeat 4 rounds.

3) 5–4–3–2–1 grounding (all ages)
Name: 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste.
Then look around and name where you are and who is with you.

4) ‘Press and release’ (muscle calming)
Press feet into the ground for 5 seconds → release.
Shrug shoulders up for 5 seconds → release.
Repeat 3 times.

5) Orienting (resetting the brain to the present)
Slowly turn your head and look around. Say out loud:
“Right now I am in _____. Today is _____. I am safe with _____.”

When and how to reach out for additional support
Consider professional support if reactions:
• Are intense, worsening, or not improving over several weeks.
• Interfere with daily life (sleep, school/work, relationships, functioning).
• Include frequent panic, persistent nightmares, strong avoidance, or feeling detached most of the time.