Yeshiva College Bondi
Yeshiva College began the process of becoming a Registered and Accredited Primary School (for Years K to 6) in 2007. Since then it has added Years 7 to 10 as Registered but not Accredited classes (that is, not eligible for School Certificate). Year 11 and 12 students, can proceed to an accredited course leading to the award of a Diploma of Advanced Jewish Studies. Graduates of that course are accepted into the finest Jewish tertiary educational institutions worldwide. In addition, they have university credits towards some subjects if they choose to go to university.
The school offers a Torah-centred curriculum where courses in the NSW Board of Studies Key Learning Areas are integrated within Jewish Studies subjects. In addition, a General Studies program is taught to ensure all Board of Studies syllabus outcomes are adequately addressed. All learning is presented within a Jewish framework. The school operates over an extended daily timetable to allow sufficient time to satisfy Board curriculum requirements.
The school follows Jewish Chassidic Orthodox traditions, ethos and practice. Some ways these values manifest themselves: the school has a boys’ department separate from the girls’ department; the school participates in many community programs to encourage other Jewish people to connect to their Jewish heritage; the discipline system is based on Torah values. The School has a campus in Flood Street, Bondi. Recently, Yeshiva purchased a property on nearby Old South Head Road, Bondi to house the secondary girls’ classes.
The parent body includes rabbis, Jewish community leaders and others who want their children educated at a very high standard of Jewish Studies with the intention of applying the learning towards future community leadership. The majority of students live in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. Several students have even been sent from interstate to take advantage of the College's ground-breaking education program. The school enjoys enormous support from the Sydney-wide Jewish community.
From a young age students are engaged in community projects. Throughout the year at Jewish festivals and community celebrations, the students plan events, offer presentations and provide support to Jewish community centres.
In the short time the school has been active, the results have been very impressive. In 2009, the school was ranked among the top three Jewish day schools in NSW. In 2010, the school results were above state average in every test for every grade level. The Yeshiva College model – of having Studies reflect the cultural and religious heritage of the students while achieving a high standard of governmental expectations – is likely to form a basis for similar initiatives around the Jewish world, as orthodox parents seek a very high standard of Jewish learning, while not neglecting their child's secular studies.