Meet Our New Akiva and Ezra House Captains

Jessica Curtis - Akiva House Captain

In being elected the college’s Akiva House Captain for 2018/19, I aspire to help maintain a safe and positive school environment that encourages all students to believe in their unique abilities and fulfill their potential in any area of choice. Each student has the right to excel in whichever field they choose, and Moriah provides the opportunity to do so. I and the other house captains will look to influence healthy and respectful competitiveness amongst the houses while still emphasising collaboration and teamwork between peers either in the same or different houses. As a student who has been involved in Moriah from kindergarten right through to Year 12, I have participated in a plethora of opportunities and programs provided by the school, particularly sport. I have represented the College in soccer, skiing, touch football, and tennis. Other hobbies that I have embraced in the school sphere include music, entrepreneurship, and academics. I am not afraid to challenge the status quo, therefore am able to stand up for my own principles, which include being loyal, humble, genuine, and ensuring Jewish continuity as well as the College’s ethos that I entirely resonate with. I pride myself on work ethic, and the determination to succeed, however, I am also dedicated to learning from and improving on my areas of weakness in order to acquire new skills mentally, socially or physically that can be used to influence and assist others in a positive way. I believe my responsibility as a student of Moriah College, and a member of the wider community is to use the support, opportunities, and skills I have to give back and have a positive effect on others. In doing so, I will reinforce my own beliefs as well as those of the larger bodies that I represent. I look forward to fulfilling my role as Akiva House Captain and working with the rest of the leadership team over the next year to maintain and improve various components of the school sphere. 

Coby Simmons – Ezra House Captain 

We read in the Book of Ezra about the Return to Zion after exile in  Babylon. Ezra, in partnership with Nehemiah, returned to Jerusalem to teach the laws of God to those who did not know them. They evolved Judaism from a religion based on kings, priests, and power to the religion that we understand with more familiarity today: a religion based on education, where schools and synagogues are at the forefront. Ezra’s focus on integration within the community and the democratisation of the religion were paramount to his success as a leader. And the 2018/19 Leadership Body, including myself, believe that this approach is fundamental for a successful journey over the next year. The house captain’s role for this year is to foster growth through the house framework in the areas of co-curricular activities, wellbeing, and charity, and we have already begun planning for a new and improved peer support system, a revitalised house points system, and meaningful charity engagement. I can’t wait to engage in these activities with all students in Ezra as well as those in the wider student body, and I urge all students to “rise up, take courage” in the spirit of Ezra.