Aerial shots

Currently opposite the school, there are renovations being done to the building which used to be the French Hospital. We were fortunate enough to have the driver of the crane take some amazing aerial photos of the school and surrounding areas.

Charity

Secondary pupils are taking part in a “Paper Chain Race” which is a very creative way to raise funds for the Save a Child’s Heart organisation. This organisation helps children from around the world, including Israel’s neighbours, who have congenital heart disease and in desperate need of life-saving surgery. So far over ₪1000 has been raised.

The children have been involved in other charity activities. Recently, the school participated in a non-uniform day in order to raise funds for the residents of Philippines after the recent devastation they suffered due to Typhoon Haiyan. ₪3000 was donated through the Philippine embassy.

Tribute to Elizabeth Baillie 1926-2013

Elizabeth was born in Scotland and from all accounts appeared to be a natural teacher even after she retired. She taught both locally in Scotland and abroad. She became part of the Tabeetha family when she taught at our special School between 1987 and 1990.

Here are some excerpts from a eulogy presented by her great-niece – Rosie Wilson.

Elizabeth’s first job was in Queensland,where she was employed to tutor two boys on a station on the Roper River. As well as her charges, she taught the aboriginal children of the station hands. She learnt new skills, for example checking the school cupboards for snakes. Her next position was as Headmistress of a school for aboriginal children on the very remote Groote Eyelant in Arnhem Land. She was fully immersed in community life, for example defending a pupil when an axe wielding man came into her classroom shouting about stolen apples. Her next assignment was in Borroloola, a settlement which consisted of just one store and the school, which was sited in a caravan. Children would arrive by dugout canoe and Elizabeth would have to make sure they showered and dressed before teaching could begin. After leaving Australia she briefly taught in Shannon in New Zealand,  returning eventually to Edinburgh in 1969. She worked again as a teacher and deputy headmistress in Edinburgh primary schools until her retirement. She threw herself back into Edinburgh life, becoming County Camp Advisor for the girl guides, singing with the Bach Choir and being an active member of St. Giles Cathedral. She enjoyed subscription concerts at UsherHall and was a member of the Royal Academy. She was a Friend and frequent visitor of the Botanical Gardens. 

Elizabeth enjoyed the works of Robert Louis Stevenson and an adaptation of one of his works sums up her life quite well. 

She achieved success, lived well, laughed often, and loved much; 

She gained the respect of intelligent people and the love of little children;

She filled her niche and accomplished her task

and left the world better than she found it;

She looked for the best in others and gave the best she had; 

Her life was an inspiration.

Her memory is a benediction.

We are very thankful for the life of Aunt Elizabeth. She was a very special person who in her own quiet way touched the lives of all of us. 

On Behalf of the Tabeetha Family we offer our deepest respect and condolences to the family and friends of Elizabeth Bailey.

Primary portions...

The students in Key Stage 2 met Roger Omar, an internationally renowned children's dream collector and publisher. As part of their work with him, their illustrated dreams became part of a museum exhibit. Fitnat's dream was chosen as the one to be published and illustrated by a local artist.

Also, the Primary School Student Council with the support of the primary school families ran a bake sale with the goal of making a charitable donation to a local charity. The Student Council decided on Wolfson Hospital Children's Ward. With the generosity of the donations of the Tabeetha families we were able to purchase a tablet pc for use by hospitalised children. At the hospital we were introduced to a medical clown and a few international heart patients from Gaza and Romania.

This image is from the Wolfson Hospital Magazine.

Translation of Hebrew: Pupils from Tabeetha School in Jaffa, collected money, purchased and donated a tablet pc to hospitalised children in the Children's Ward of Wolfson Hospital.