King David School, Melbourne


The King David School is an independent comprehensive co-educational early learning, primary, and secondary progressive Jewish day school, located in Armadale, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The school currently caters for approximately 800 students from early learning to Year 12, and is affiliated with the Victorian Union of Progressive Judaism.

History

The King David School was first envisioned in the 1970s, by several progressive Jews in Melbourne, and rabbis from Temple Beth Israel. The School was first purchased in 1978, on Kooyong Road and was named the Joyce and Mark Southwick Campus, named after two key influential figures in the School's opening.
In 1978, the School, the first ever Progressive Jewish Day School in Australia, opened its doors to 45 students. Its principal at that time was Norman Rothman. In 1984, the Magid Campus was purchased in Orrong Road, honouring Isadore Magid, a great supporter of the School.
The School rapidly rose in student numbers, and celebrated the centennial year of 2000 by extending to Year 12 for the first time in its history.

Campuses

The King David School consists of three campuses in the Metropolitan Armadale area of Melbourne, close to the city's Jewish community. These campuses are the Junior School and the Senior School, and the Rebecca Magid Center which is a performing arts centre.

Curriculum

King David School prepares students for the Victorian Certificate of Education, achieving high academic results. The school's LOTE program includes Hebrew, French and Mandarin.

Co-curriculum

King David School offers co-curricular programs in sport, music, drama, debating, outdoor education, STEM programs and in 2019 they launched their first F1 in schools team. In 2008 they became the first known school to run a teacher sanctioned Dream Team league.
The school's sports program is facilitated through its membership of the Eastern Independent Schools of Melbourne.

Notable alumni