OPEN Day 2024 Castlecrag Campus
02 May 2024
Open Day 2024 offers parents the chance to see our Kindergarten to Class 2 in action! You will see student work on display, observe classes, explore the outdoor learning environments, and learn more about Steiner education in the early years. Meet our Head of School, as well as Senior staff, students and current parents.
Glenaeon’s early years program provides a healthy introduction to primary school life, honouring your child’s implicit capacity to learn through play and active participation in diverse activities. Within a warm and nurturing environment, our program fosters authentic learning engagement and develops early literacy and numeracy skills through rich oral and practical experiences.
Join us on Thursday, May 16 for an immersive experience that showcases how a Glenaeon education lays the foundation for a life of character and contribution.
Why Glenaeon?
We're committed to providing a holistic and rigorous education within an environment that fosters a sense of belonging, purpose, context, and transcendence, preparing your child for a life of profound meaning. Learning at Glenaeon takes place in a truly unique setting blending natural and built environments within a deeply connected community.
OPEN DAY Event Details:
Where: 121 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag
When: Thursday 16 May 2024
Time: 9am-11am
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW for OPEN DAY 2024
What to Expect:
- Welcome address from our Head of School, Diana Drummond
- Meet our Deputy Head of School K-6 and learn about our Wellbeing Framework
- Observe a Kindy Morning Circle and students engaged in free play
- View into the Classrooms for Literacy & Numeracy in Main Lesson
- Observe our students making practical items by handwork
- View our Main Lesson Showcase featuring student work from K-6 and High School Main Lesson books
- Meet our Parents over a cup of herbal tea and try your hand at sour dough bread making
- Learn about our Preschool based in Willoughby
- Pop by our family style Playgroups in session from 9.30am
- Hear from Class 6 students about their Primary School experience
- Opt for a self-guided walking tour with a printed map or join an organised tour group, led by our Year 11 student Captains
- Explore our beautiful campus with village-style school buildings and facilities, including classrooms, playgrounds, Marion Mahony Griffin Hall, our gardens and outdoor learning spaces
- Gain insight into how Glenaeon supports and integrates students at the start, and throughout their Glenaeon educational journey
- Receive a comprehensive Prospectus Pack in an eco-friendly bag
- Discover more about our After School Care/OOSH and Holiday Care program
- Browse the Grassroots Eco Store and shop for ethical back to school essentials, toys and gifts
Contact Us:
For inquiries, contact our Enrolments Registrar Sunita Shah at +61 2 9417 3193 or email enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Preschool, Primary or High School Entry?
- Families interested in Class 3 – Year 12 entry are encouraged to attend our Middle Cove campus tour on Thursday 23 May 9:30am-10:30am. Book HERE
- Families interested in Preschool entry are invited to attend a Willoughby campus tour on Tuesday 11 June. Book HERE
Welcome to Term 2 at Castlecrag
02 May 2024
It was a wet start to Term 2 at Castlecrag, but not even the rain could dull the warm smiles of children, teachers and parents alike as the campus came back to life after the holidays. Welcome or welcome back to our Playgroup, Kindy, Class 1 and Class 2 families!
Our Kindy children donned their raincoats and gumboots and took to the playground to reacquaint themselves with their surroundings. The sandpit, muddy puddles and rocks were a big hit. They enjoyed morning circle in the Kindy garden. Class 1 and 2 enjoyed singing songs with their Class Teachers as they popped their indoors slippers on to begin Main Lesson.
Sandra's Wednesday Playgroup enjoyed a special story about a horses that neighed loudly in excitement when they saw children coming. We hope everyone had a great first day of Term 2!
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30 Years of Glenaeon Castlecrag Campus, 1994-2024
01 May 2024
This year, 2024, Glenaeon marks 30 years of our campus at Castlecrag; however, our campus’ history stretches back to 1950.
Despite Glenaeon’s Castlecrag campus opening in 1994, we were not the first school there. In 1950, the Castlecrag Infants School opened and was a key part of the Castlecrag community, educating children from Kindergarten to Year 2 until its unfortunate closure in 1989. Designed by the famous American architect Walter Burley Griffin, architect of Australia’s national capital city Canberra, alongside his wife Marion Mahony Griffin, Castlecrag is community that has a history of strong community ties. Therefore, it is no surprise that when the New South Wales State Government announced that the Castlecrag Infants School would be closed and demolished due to low enrolment numbers, the Castlecrag community protested and rejected the state government’s announcement. Between 1989 and 1994, the community at Castlecrag held demonstrations, Union green bans and community picket lines, protesting against the government’s plan to sell the site for development. With the prospect of reopening the infants school dire, in 1990 the state government agreed to the Castlecrag community’s request that the site be retained for community use, if not used for a school, rather than sold.
Despite continuing community protests and some backlash, in 1994, Glenaeon acquired the school site from the State Government, opening our now Castlecrag Campus in June of the same year.
Over our 30-year history at Castlecrag, we have not only welcomed our younger students to our school and Steiner education, but we also continue to open our campus grounds to the Castlecrag community to use over the weekend and during the holidays. The Castlecrag campus also hosts Glenaeon’s annual Family Fair – a key event in the community’s calendar – while the Marion Mahony Griffin Hall is regularly used for community groups, particularly the local Castlecrag Progress Association.
Our Castlecrag Campus would also not be what it is today without the help of our school community, parents, and teachers. A special thank you goes to Glenaeon’s first teachers at Castlecrag – Peggy Day, Christine O’Neil, Andrew Hill, and John Rowan – as well as our school gardener Lindsay Sherrott who has worked tirelessly to develop and maintain our beautiful school garden. Glenaeon’s late Council Chair, Tom Hartigan, must also be thanked for his efforts to acquire the Castlecrag campus.
Will Bryant
Glenaeon School Archivist
Do you have any material, physical or digital, (photographs, memorabilia, yearbooks) you wish to donate to the school? Get in touch with Will via email: archives@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
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Pi Day Celebration
03 Apr 2024
On Thursday, March 14, Glenaeon celebrated international Pi (π) Day.
Why this date? Because when we write the date in the form month/day (3/14), the 3, 1 and 4 correspond to the first three digits of pi. π is a Greek letter, pronounced “pi.”
Pi is an irrational number, meaning that when expressed as a decimal it continues indefinitely without repeating a pattern. Therefore, it cannot be expressed as a fraction, although we often use the fraction 227 to approximate pi. The first 10 digits of pi are 3.1415926535.
The uses of π are far reaching, but most high school students encounter pi in their study of circles. No matter the size of the circle, the ratio of circumference to diameter is always π!
At Glenaeon, some Year 10 students celebrated Pi Day by participating in an activity called Daring Deflection (part of the 2024 NASA Pi Day Challenge). They calculated the change in orbit of an asteroid named Dimorphos after it was impacted by the DART Spacecraft in 2022.
Similarly, some Year 9 students participated in an activity named Tubular Challenge (also part of the NASA Pi Day Challenge). They calculated the volume of rock that the Perseverance Mars rover coring bit collects when it drills into the surface of Mars to collect samples to send back to Earth for study.
Other students engaged with Pi Day in a creative way, drawing column graphs where the heights of the columns are the digits of pi, creating a “city of pi” resembling skyscrapers.
The highlight of the day was a pi recitation contest at lunchtime. It was a delight to see so many students turn up to either participate or spectate. Congratulations to all our participants. Sophia B. of Year 8 was able to recite pi to 163 decimal places, a truly remarkable achievement!
We look forward to making Pi Day an annual event at Glenaeon!
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Class 4 Apple Picking
14 Mar 2024
Class 4 were the first of our classes to make the merry trip to Bilpin in the Blue Mountains to visit Farmer Cedric and his apple farm! It was a stunning day and the orchard was bursting with apples, plums and nashi pears. Families gathered under the old oak tree before Cedric took them on a tour of the orchard, teaching about his farming techniques to combat pests and fruit fly as we went. Sampling Granny Smith, Julie, Golden Delicious, Gala and Fuji apples was a delight, before children filled their baskets and bags to weight, pay and take home!
Cedric holds a special place in our history as he was formerly a high school teacher at Glenaeon and always hosts Glenaeon and other Steiner school families in his orchard with such enthusiasm and care. This year, he taught the Class 4 students about an aphid pest that could be treated using earwigs! He showed the children how to catch multitudes of them in the woodpile and place them strategically on the 7 or 8 affected trees. The earwigs will then eat the aphids and the resulting white fungus will not be able to flourish. The children were delighted to be able to help Cedric on the farm and Cedric explained that within 2 - 3 weeks he expected the problem to now be solved! Thank you Cedric and Class 4!
Celebrating Birthdays in Kindergarten
13 Mar 2024
Birthdays in Kindergarten are festive occasions that give us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge each child with love and reverence. We make a birthday book, bake a cake, decorate a seasonal candle table, share songs and share the food we have prepared. The teacher prepares a little handmade gift for each child and at the center of each celebration is the telling of the birthday story by the teacher. This story brings an imaginative picture of each child’s unique journey into the world. The children hear the story of Little Starchild who looks down from the heavenly garden and longs to be born on earth. The Starchild journeys through the heavens with their angel and receives the heavenly gifts from the sun, moon and stars that they will bring to earth. And then, when the right parents have been found, the right preparations have been made and the time is just right, the angel leads the Starchild to the gate of birth. The child is born on earth and welcomed to their new abode.
It was 6 years ago today, today
That __________ came down from the heavens to stay
S/he came to bring gladness and joy to the earth
Good people and angels were there at her birth.
Now let us all join in singing
Happy Birthday dear ____________.
This story, brings enormous security to the children. They feel welcomed, acknowledged and held in a bigger picture of the unconscious wisdom that brings meaning to our lives.
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Playgroup Term 2 Registrations Now Open!
13 Mar 2024
Glenaeon’s family-style Playgroups are joyful and supportive of you and your child’s development. Our highly skilled Steiner Playgroup Educators create imaginative activities to ensure families enjoy an enriching, uplifting time together. We welcome all families with children from birth to five years of age.
Term 2 registrations are now open, if you or a friend/family member with little ones are interested in learning more click here.
A peek below at Sandra's Wednesday morning playgroup at our Castlecrag campus. A morning full of celebrations for the changing season - nature table, story time, bread baking, conversation, little hands washing up and outdoor play.
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Yr 8, 9 and 10 Japanese Drumming
22 Feb 2024
We were thrilled to have YuNiOn return to Glenaeon for a Japanese drumming workshop with our high school Japanese students. The students then took to the stage at our Assembly to perform what they had learnt from the Taiko Percussionists. It was a spectacular performance that ended with an eruption of applause. Thank you to everyone invovled!
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Welcome Back Class of 2023
14 Feb 2024
Some familiar faces returned to Glenaeon’s Middle Cove campus last week, when GlenXers from the Class of 2023 came back for a morning tea hosted by Head of School, Diana Drummond.
Teachers wore big smiles, students and teachers warmly embraced with a genuine joy for seeing each other again. They shared stories and reflections on the months since HSC and graduation, with many embarking on travel, work and further studies. After a delicious morning tea, the class of 2023 made their way to the foyer balcony of the hall to meet with our current Yr 12 students. They kindly took part in a round table event designed to provide guidance and advice to our current Yr 12 on how to navigate their final year of school. It was an inviting environment to ask open questions, share tips and reassurance.
Glenaeon invites all past students to save the date for the 2024 Glenaeon Reunion event on Saturday 14th September 3pm-6pm. This event is open to all Glenaeon Alumni regardless of the year of graduation, but with a special focus on the Class of 2014 [10 years], 2004 [20 years], 1994 [30 years], 1984 [40 years] and 1974 [50 years]. Alumni can register to attend here: https://www.trybooking.com/CNASS
Open Day 2024
29 Jan 2024
MEANINGFUL LIVES BEGIN HERE
Discover a world of academic excellence, cultural enrichment and unwavering student support at Glenaeon’s Open Day, where we cultivate creative thinkers, ethically driven and culturally expressive individuals.
Join us on Friday, March 15, 9am - 11am for an immersive experience that showcases how a Glenaeon education lays the foundation for a life of character and contribution.
Why Glenaeon?
We're committed to providing a holistic and rigorous education within an environment that fosters a sense of belonging, purpose, context, and transcendence, preparing your child for a life of profound meaning. Learning at Glenaeon takes place in a truly unique setting blending natural and built environments within a deeply connected community.
Glenaeon, Australia’s first Steiner school, located on Sydney's lower North Shore, enjoys a strong record of academic success in the HSC, that sees Glenaeon currently ranked 71st in the state. For more details on our 2023 HSC results, click here.
OPEN DAY Event Details:
Where: Middle Cove Campus, 5a Glenroy Avenue, Middle Cove
When: Friday 15 March 2024
Time: 9-11am
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW for OPEN DAY 2024
What to Expect:
Discover Glenaeon’s Distinct Offerings:
· Witness deep learning and student work displays, including Main Lesson books
· See creative Visual Arts artworks in the Studios
· Explore our extensive Sport and co-curricular program
· Learn about our award-winning Outdoor Education program
Self or Guided Exploration:
· Opt for a self-guided walking tour with a printed map or join an organised tour group, led by our students
Meet Our Leaders and understand our Core Values:
· Hear an inspiring address from our Head of School, Diana Drummond.
· Connect with Dani Finch, Deputy Head of School for Classes K-6, and Yura Totsuka, Deputy Head of School for Years 7-12.
· Interact with our Year 11 Captains
Engage with our Environment:
· Take advantage of our looping courtesy bus from nearby parking to campus.
· Explore our beautiful bushland campus with village-style school buildings and facilities, including classrooms, playgrounds, Sylvia Brose Hall, biodynamic garden, outdoor classrooms, libraries, ovals, D&T facilities, art studio and science labs.
Activities:
· View activities such as a chemistry demonstration in the lab.
· Immerse yourself in the arts, such as watching a Year 10 Musical rehearsal or enjoy a music performance by the Big Band in the Sylvia Brose Hall.
· Enjoy a cup of herbal tea and savour the freshly baked sour dough bread in our Biodynamic Garden while learning about gardening and bush regeneration activities
Personalised Engagement:
· Ask questions and engage with Heads of Department
· Gain insight into how Glenaeon supports and integrates students at the start, and throughout their Glenaeon educational journey
Take Home a Piece of Glenaeon:
· Receive a comprehensive Prospectus Pack in an eco-friendly bag
· Browse the Grassroots Eco Store pop-up shop for ethical back to school essentials
Indulge and Relax:
· Enjoy a barista coffee or a wholesome treat from The Gentle Café on the deck surrounded by tranquil grounds and bushland
Contact Us:
For inquiries, contact our Enrolments Registrar Sunita Shah at +61 2 94173193 or email enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Kindergarten Entry?
· Families interested in Kindergarten entry for 2025 and beyond are encouraged to attend our Castlecrag Campus Open Day on Thursday 16 May 2024, from 9 am to 11 am.
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Glenaeon Musical - Les Misérables
25 Jan 2024
Glenaeon Year 10 students present their 2024 musical - Les Misérables School Edition
Our Official poster is here! Thank you to Cian Power (Year 10) for your compelling artwork.
Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 70 million, this musical phenomenon is an epic tale of passion and redemption in the throes of revolution. Les Misérables is the world’s longest running musical – a true modern classic based on Victor Hugo's novel and featuring one of the most memorable scores of all time.
Our Year 10's will take the stage for four performances from Friday 5 April - Monday 8 April.
Tickets now on sale: https://www.trybooking.com/CNEAT
Sylvia Brose Hall
Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School, 5a Glenroy Avenue, Middle Cove NSW
This musical is suitable for ages 11+
This is a pre-purchased ticket event only. No cash tickets will be available at the door.
Performed entirely by students
A musical by ALAIN BOUBLIL and CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG
Music by CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG and Lyrics by HERBERT KRETZMER
New orchestrations specially adapted for the School Edition by STEPHEN METCALFE
School Edition specially adapted and licensed by MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (AUSTRALIASIA) and CAMERON MACKINTOSH (OVERSEAS) LTD
Congratulations Glenaeon HSC Class of 2023!
14 Dec 2023
Dear Glenaeon Community,
It is with immense joy and pride that I share the excellent achievements of our HSC graduates of 2023.
The journey undertaken by Glenaeon's Year 12 students not only reflects the school's ethos but also showcases their ability to navigate profound questions about human purpose while immersing themselves in a rigorous academic program.
The diverse range of courses pursued this year is a testament to the breadth of passions among Glenaeon students. We celebrate admirable achievements across various subject areas, demonstrating the holistic nature of education at our school. At Glenaeon, we take pride in being deliberately non-selective and ensuring that every student graduates with an HSC credential.
Behind the scenes, the hard work and dedication of our students have been commendable. This success is a result of collaborative efforts; the in-depth understanding of HSC courses provided by our dedicated staff, and the integral role played by parents and carers in nurturing the growth and development of these young adults. Thank you both.
To our graduating Class of 2023, we extend our heartfelt congratulations. Wishing you all continued success and fulfillment in the future.
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Summer Advent Festival at Preschool
08 Dec 2023
Our Willoughby campus and neighbouring park was filled with festive spirit as Glenaeon Preschool celebrated their Summer Advent Festival. Thank you to the lovely educators who welcomed families to join the children in Advent story time and circles. The joy shared was palpable.
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Class 2 Castlecrag Legacy Celebration
07 Dec 2023
On the last Wednesday of Term 4, Class Teacher Jamie Loftus and Class 2 presented their legacy gift to the Castlecrag campus. Present were Class 1 Teacher Jonathan Shaw, Kindergarten Teachers, Specialist Teachers, Teachers’ Assistants, Campus Administrator and a number of parents.
After some lovely words from Jamie, the students recited a poignant verse representing the meaning of Class 2’s time at this campus. The students played a beautiful kookaburra song on their recorders, and gave cards they’d made for each staff member present. Jamie then presented two pots with native flowering gums. The pots were beautifully decorated by the students using chalk, with a little guidance from Jamie, drawing representations of the four seasons. They now stand radiantly between the classroom and the playground.
Class 2 offered another living legacy to the campus - organic carrot and sunflower seeds, carefully planted in garden beds by the students with Jamie and Gardening Teacher Sandra Frain. With a little watering and care, these will grow into crops of bright flowers and healthy carrots for next year’s Class 2 to harvest and enjoy with Class 1 and the whole campus.
Yr 12 Graduation Assembly
23 Nov 2023
Congratulations Yr 12! Our last assembly to farewell our magnificent class of 2023 was held Friday, 10th November in the Sylvia Brose Hall. Thank you to Hana for her welcome, Oscar, Nathan and Tara for their speeches and Maadi and Mya and all the Yr 12's for their performances. A special thanks to the Yr 12 Guardians' Pamela and Sally and the teaching staff for supporting our wonderful students. Go well, Yr 12 and we look forward to catching up in the new year.
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Class 3 Presentation
22 Nov 2023
Class 3 gave a wonderful performance to parents with Class Teacher Prue Ritchie this week. Starting with poems, songs and games from their Morning Circle and singing beautifully in rounds, they then played amazing recorder pieces together, and in rounds of two, three and even four groups! Truly wonderful to experience. Moving through the stunning grounds down to the Sylvia Brose Hall, Class 3 then presented their ‘Swan Lake’ eurythmy piece with teacher Clair Cisterne, as well as their enjoyable Spring Dance. Lastly, they gave a wonderful concert after their first year learning string instruments – cellos and violins played several pieces with the guidance of their music tutors. Parents were lucky to enjoy such a rich performance, with many thanks to Class 3 students and teachers.
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Class 5 Greek Olympics
26 Oct 2023
What an absolute triumph of resilience, teamwork, and skill we witnessed on Monday at the 2023 Class 5 Greek Olympics.
Glenaeon were thrilled to host Kamaroi Rudolf Steiner School at our Middle Cove campus for a great day building on their exploration on the origins of the early Olympic Games. After an Opening Ceremony conducted by Zeus and athlete parade, the Games were officially opened! Students took to discus, javelin, sprint, long jump and traditional Greek wrestling, as well as 400m and relay events. The students cheered each other on all day and huge thanks goes to Lucy, Sarah, Jamie, Kim and Michelle and parent volunteers who organised the sporting events, sewed costumes, made chariots (!) Our sincere thanks and acknowledgement to all these staff for honouring Jonas’ memory and creating a wonderful day for the Glenaeon and Kamaroi children.
Experience the Magic of the Glenaeon Family Fair 2023!
25 Sep 2023
Get ready for an enchanting day out for the whole family as the Glenaeon Family Fair returns to the lower north shore on Saturday 4 November from 10am until 4pm. This year's Fair promises to be a whirlwind of excitement, and will feature a jam-packed day of fun games, creative activities, artisanal delights and captivating live entertainment which will bring joy to visitors of all ages. Parents of the school have put their heart and soul into making this a very special day for the community and everyone is warmly welcome.
Saturday 4 November 2023
10am-4pm
Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School
121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag
This year’s attractions will include -
Fun games and activities: Immerse yourself in a world of fun and adventure with games like Ball in a Bucket, Jacob’s Ladder and the Lollipop Climb, as well as Face Painting, Henna and much more. Craft activities will include Tie Dye, Felted Soap, Beading, Candle Making, Succulent Planting as well as the chance to make your own Wooden Toys. Live entertainment will keep the vibe upbeat all day, featuring student jazz bands, instrumentalists and vocalists, while the younger family members can experience the magic of the Storytelling Tent and the Children’s Grotto.
Delicious and wholesome foods: A wide range of food and drinks stalls will be there to nourish and sustain you all day long, including the Lunch Café, BBQ, Sushi Stall, Popcorn and Lemonade Stall, Gelato Cart, Homemade Cake Stall and of course the Coffee Shop. And for those seeking a place to relax, don’t forget the Chai Tent!
Artisan treasures: Explore a treasure trove of artisan stalls overflowing with unique hand-crafted creations that showcase the finest craftsmanship, where you can do some early Christmas shopping or find the perfect keepsake to cherish. Also featured at the Fair will be quality preloved books and clothes, a selection of homemade jams and preserves, as well as beautiful Steiner-inspired toys made by our very own Parent Craft volunteers.
Inspiring artworks: Art remains a focus of the Glenaeon Family Fair, and this year’s Fair will see a selection of local and established artists selling their works on display.
Fabulous prizes: The Glenaeon Raffle offers a chance to win some fabulous prizes, and the Art & Craft Silent Auction provides an opportunity to purchase some beautiful artworks in various different media, made and donated by Glenaeon students, parents and teachers, as well as members of the wider community. Monies raised go towards supporting the school.
An opportunity to discover Steiner education: Dive into the world of Steiner education and explore the remarkable student works on display. Teachers will be available on the day to engage in meaningful conversations about the unique difference that a Glenaeon education can make in inspiring and nurturing young minds.
Let the magic unfold at the Glenaeon Family Fair 2023! An enchanting experience awaits you, so mark your calendar for an unforgettable day of fun, creativity, and community. All are welcome to join in the festivities and make cherished memories.
For more information go to www.glenaeonfair.com
Media enquiries:
Kath Kissell, Marketing Communications Manager, Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School
E: k.kissell@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
M: 0408 408 562
GLENAEON RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL MOURNS THE LOSS OF BELOVED TEACHER IN TRAGIC SKI ACCIDENT
14 Sep 2023
It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Jonas Stoebe, a cherished member of our Glenaeon family. Jonas Stoebe tragically lost his life resulting from a ski accident that occurred on 6 September, while accompanying a group of students on a school ski trip at Perisher.
Head of School, Diana Drummond said, “Jonas Stoebe was more than just an educator; he was a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration to all who knew him. With unwavering dedication, Jonas had been part of our school community for 10 years, leaving an indelible mark on countless students' lives.”
During his time at Glenaeon, Jonas exhibited a profound passion for teaching sport and a genuine love for our students. His enthusiasm for Steiner education extended beyond the classroom and the sporting fields, as he actively managed various extracurricular activities. He also supported numerous charities through his work.
Our school community is heartbroken by this loss. We extend our deepest condolences to Jonas’s family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. The impact Jonas had on our school and the lives of our students is immeasurable, and his memory will forever remain in our hearts.
A Go Fund Me campaign has been set up by friends and colleagues to support Jonas' family at this difficult time. Please donate if you can. https://gofund.me/9ad716d7
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Honouring Indigenous Wisdom Through our Biodynamic Gardening
13 Sep 2023
In her book "Braiding Sweetgrass”, Robin Wall Kimmerer says: “Becoming indigenous to a place means living as if your children's future mattered, to take care of the land as if our lives, both material and spiritual, depended on it.”
The practice of Biodynamic agriculture is rooted in indigenous knowledge. This means that in the Glenaeon Gardens our lessons are founded in the active observation and listening of all living things: plants, animals and fellow humans.
90% of what lives in the soil and what is active in the atmosphere is invisible to the human eye. We are cultivating our children to use their senses, to perceive the physical needs of the atmosphere and soil for the benefit of our plants and animals. In this way we are “gardening” our children! Inspiring and nourishing them to form a foundation for their sense of belonging to nature.
Children all over the world grind rocks as part of their outdoor play. As rocks are composed of minerals, the rock dust itself vitalises the soil when we sprinkle it around our plants.
We are aware of the abundance that biodiversity provides. At Glenaeon Gardens we harvest the weeds that have grown voluntarily. For example at Castlecrag campus one of the weeds we harvest are bindi weeds. Bindi weeds grow on depleted lawns. By fermenting the bindi weeds in water and pouring that water into those lawns, the result is a sweetened soil that has made an ideal condition for clover to grow. The lawn no longer being prickly, children can now roll in the inviting clover.
To learn about plants, we start with wonder and ask the question: what's growing here? The plants are having a relationship with us too. We're watching, we're listening. We are cultivating this culture of communicating with the natural world. When we suck the pollen from the flowers we taste what the bees are tasting.
In younger grades we sing: “What story, what story do you tell?” and we listen. What is this plant trying to tell us? Mother Earth is communicating. What can we do to help? Water? Prune, aerate? In older grades the conversation about observation as a form of enquiry is explicit, and quickly the students get hands on and hands in.
We encourage everyone to practise this act of conversation. Stop and observe. Listen. Wonder. Be present. When the person we are with, be they young or old, says: ‘Look at that bee’! We must stop and enjoy this captured moment of active life.
We look forward to seeing all volunteers and friends of the Glenaeon gardens who are able to join our Garden Party this Sunday, 26 November at 10am - 12pm, in the garden at Middle Cove. Details in the invitation below and please register here: https://www.trybooking.com/CNGBK
For parents and carers who are looking for a way to join and be a part of this community, please feel free to contact Sandra: s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Sandra Frain (and Parent Garden Volunteers),
Gardening Teacher
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Yr 10 Retreat Day
30 Aug 2023
On Monday 21st August, Year 10 participated in a Retreat Day. This day had been designed specifically with Year 10 in mind, and involved activities to increase wellbeing individually, and as a cohort.
The day began with a mindfulness bushwalk led by Mr Greenfield and Donna. After recess, our Student Wellbeing Coordinators, Andy and Emily, ran a session on resilience, which encouraged the students to reflect on what contributes to resilience and how we might encourage growth in this area. The workshop culminated in Year 10 breaking off into small groups creating delightful artworks about what resilience “feels like, looks like and sounds like” to them.
A delicious lunch, which had been prepared by Year 10 students and families, and then thoughtfully set up by teachers, was then shared as a cohort. Following lunch, Year 10 joined in various team building activities hosted by Year 10 mentors and our Student Wellbeing Coordinators. Some of these included basketball, blindfold challenges, a mini World Cup and drama games. After each group had participated in each activity, staff and students came together to compete in a game of bullrush, students vs teachers. The day concluded with Year 10 in a circle, holding hands, sharing the afternoon verse together.
Students made a lovely effort to thank mentors, teachers and our Student Wellbeing Coordinators for such a wonderful day, and it was a joy to witness Year 10 enjoying this dedicated time together.
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Play is Enjoyed Individually and Together
30 Aug 2023
Play is enjoyed individually and together: children and adults in Glenaeon Playgroups!
Our rocking horses provide an opportunity for bringing ourselves into motion in a contained way. Keeping ones’ balance while rocking back and forth repeatedly with a song to mark the time is joyous at all seven of our playgroups.
While the children are (usually) riding alone on the rocking horse, there are other children watching, waiting their turn, or perhaps riding along- side on a companion horse. Adults sing a rocking song and laughter permeates the playgroup room.
What laughter we have when an adult joins the rocking horse riding too. Why should the children have all the fun? Adults too enjoy the soothing and exciting sensations in ‘standing motion’.
The children and adults have been excited to crawl in the tunnel at Castlecrag campus and up the steps on the new climbing structure at our Preschool Campus. New skills are developed, and friendships formed as we play and share life in a group setting.
Many adults exclaim that they get as much out of our playgroups as the children do. Our Playgroup educators emphasise the healthy balance of play and meaningful tasks for all ages. The adults too feel safe to learn and grow together. Our adult discussions are carefully facilitated to encourage this social support.
To join our Playgroup Families contact: Sandra Frain playgroups@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
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Class 2 Boat Building
16 Aug 2023
Class 2 experienced a woodworking afternoon with Class Teacher Jamie Loftus and parents on a sunny Friday. The children were creating boats from a collection of wood, shaping their vessels and adorning them with cabins, rails, and masts from a lucky dip box of assorted shaped timber.
The students were careful creating their boats by clamping and cutting with the help of parents and Jamie. After creating the basic shape of their boat, it was sanded and a cabins were glued to the top using various shapes and sizes of wood. The students loved choosing their favourite pieces to glue & nail onto the decks. Many thanks to our parents who came to help in this lovely afternoon.
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Glenaeon School Concert 2023
10 Aug 2023
After a three-year hiatus, the Glenaeon School Concert, featuring Class 5 - Yr 11 students, brought The Concourse, Chatswood to life last Friday night. 490 tickets were sold, a record number in the history of Glenaeon School Concerts and we were so thrilled to have you join us for an evening of music and community.
The student performances were remarkable and our guests enjoyed music from 'Fly Me to The Moon' to Coldplay, Folk to Jazz, movie soundtrack nods and classic choral works - it was quite a journey!
The Music Department would like to take the opportunity to thank all the staff members of the school who so generously gave their time and attention to this once a year project. Thank you also to all the parents who support our students in their musical endeavors.
Most of all, we commend our music students. It takes practice, patience and consistency for children and adolescents to thrive in music, and bravery to perform in front of such a large audience.
Congratulations all around! We are delighted to welcome the “Concourse Concert” back to the Glenaeon music events calendar, and we look forward to many more.
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Class 5 Play - The Story of Isis and Osiris
08 Aug 2023
The Class 5 play is the story of Isis and Osiris; the key Ancient Egyptian myth studied in Class 5. Combining a traditional play with shadow puppetry, the actors and puppets accompanied by musicians and sound effects teams, interact with each other retelling this epic saga of love, jealousy, murder and triumph.
Preparing the play, Class 5 had to draw the puppets, experiment with shadows and colour, compose music and brainstorm sound effects. A huge thank you to Jade Oakley for volunteering her time in laser cutting all the puppets and co directing the play.
Lucy Armstrong
Class 5 Teacher
Glenaeon Garden Culture
02 Aug 2023
Meaningful learning and wellbeing in the garden
Students from Classes 3 to 6 have been involved in the process of sculpting the landscape for our new Water Garden: from visioning and planning, disassembling old garden beds, re-using what was there, creating something new to caring for, sharing and enjoying it.
Of course they have been developing these construction skills from before Preschool and Kindergarten stages. In addition to the housekeeping of caring for their classrooms and the garden spaces, the students build elaborate play structures with their wooden blocks and build ‘life sized’ cubbies.
Even the delicate fairy gardens made of sand, earth, leaves, sticks and flowers have required such navigation skills as they practise in these early education and primary class years. By Classes 1 and 2 the students have more intricate fairy homes and erect complex cubby houses with long and heavy logs, making walls with leaves and soil as seen in the last newsletter.
Accompanying this play is the rapidly developing and sophisticated language, cognitive, spatial perception and orientation skills required for such architectural and engineering tasks: life skills!
In gardening lessons, students are delighted for any opportunity to build up a biodynamic compost heap or garden bed and to dig down into the ground to aerate the soil, harvest mature composted soil or create a water garden! Their bodies remember the skills they practised in younger years, perhaps at the Willoughby or Castlecrag campuses while digging in garden beds and balancing wheelbarrows carrying composted soil.
At every gardening class there are opportunities to do meaningful work in creating and maintaining the garden spaces as well as in foraging in the garden to make a meal to share with herbal tea at the end of the lesson.
Students say…
"It tastes so much better when you make it yourself" were the words of a Class 4 student back in May.
"My parents want to know how we make our garden stir fry" students declare. It's a delight that meaningful work and skills are applied at home as many students knowingly create and tend a garden. Delicious meals for the family are made too!
There is wellbeing for each class as a whole while stories of task accomplishments are shared with all enjoying the sustenance offered.
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Class 1 & 2 Celebrate Solstice at the Amphitheatre
19 Jul 2023
On the last Friday of Term 2, around 180 people gathered at sunset in The Haven Amphitheatre, Castlecrag to celebrate the inaugural Class 1 & 2 Winter Festival. This included the children of both classes with their parents, siblings, grandparents, family friends. The event was hosted by Class Teachers Jamie Loftus & Jonathan Shaw and supported by class assistants, staff members, parent volunteers, as well as members of the local community. The venue had been well prepared for everyone's safety & convenience and beautifully decorated with fairy lights.
Once families were seated and welcomed by the teachers, the lights went out and the venue was awash with a sea of soft speckled light shining through handmade lanterns. Jonathan offered a moving Acknowledgement of Country, followed by Jamie playing the didgeridoo. Jonathan then told an inspiring winter story, interspersed with Jamie conducting the students playing musical instruments - wooden flute & recorders, xylophones, triangles, singing bells & bowls, all amplified by the natural acoustics of the amphitheatre.
Following a short lantern walk from the amphitheatre stalls to the main stage, the students filled our hearts with warmth & reverence in honouring the winter solstice, through their beautiful performance of 11 wonderful winter songs. In closing this festival Jamie invited everyone to think of those less fortunate in winter, as we shared a delicious treat of ‘solstice crescents’ - a simple traditional recipe baked by parent volunteers.
Please read on for what Dani, the teachers and community had to say…
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Yr 11 Lake Argyle Expedition
13 Jul 2023
This year, Yr 11 students woke daily to the stunning sunrise over Western Australia’s Lake Argyle. We spent a stunning eight days watching every sun rise, and set, while journeying around the north western quarter of the lake powered only by our own bodies inside of our own canoes. Numerous starlit paddles across the still but gigantic dam, which had an abnormally high level for this time of year, providing fantastic access to beautiful beaches and grassy flats to stay under the shade of broad leaves trees. The bird life of the lake was exploding with the previous wet season finished, and we were treated to a full eleven day trip without so much as a drop of rain. Exploring gullies less traveled occasionally even resulted in a beautiful secluded pool of water, deep enough to swim in, surround by cycads and other broad leaved shade loving plant life. The final sunrise of their trip across the stunning lake will hopefully be an experience students do not soon forget.
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Class 6 and Yr 10 Create Poetry...Together
12 Jul 2023
Nicholas Greenfield's Yr 10 English class and Lynne Collett's Class 6 library class have both been studying poetry. The teachers saw an opportunity to join forces and work collaboratively with a small group of students. With kindness forming a central bond, Class 6 invited the Year 10 students to the Junior School library to help them with their poetic compositions. The resulting poem, ‘Kindness Is’, offers a unique insight into the thoughts and feelings of two generations of Glenaeon students, carrying a powerful message that only mirrors the nurturing environment in which it was crafted. Enjoy the thought-provoking poem below.
Kindness Is
Kindness is sometimes hard to describe.
Trusting your bus driver to give you a ride.
Sharing with a neighbour,
without asking for a favour.
Kindness holds your heart in place,
and puts a smile upon your face.
Kindness is friendship.
But is bullying, too?
Let’s think about choices:
Good choices are good.
Bad ones are bad.
So which rhymes with which?
We think bullying stays ‘bad’.
And the people who hurt,
deserve another chance.
To give kindness to others,
returning like a boomerang.
Me? I receive generosity through love,
and love through generosity.
I devote my life to those,
who would devote their life to me.
I build foundations of trust,
I fly like a dove,
shedding feathers of care,
and moments of love.
So what then is kindness?
Kindness is special.
Kindness is brave.
Not everybody has it,
some kindness crave.
Kindness is given, by mothers and brothers.
It's hard at first, but in kindness we dance.
And wait. Once you get it, believe me you prance!
And the people who hurt.
Deserve kindness, too.
Give kindness to others,
and it’ll return to you.
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Class 1 and 2 Smoking Ceremony
21 Jun 2023
On Tuesday 13th June, Castlecrag Campus was delighted to welcome Raymond, a Gamilaraay man, who performed a Smoking Ceremony for Class 1 and 2 students and Class 1 parents. Not only did Raymond share knowledge and bush craft, but song and dance. Raymond answered questions and finally, smoked bush leaves on campus to bring on the blessings of the land. Perhaps the show-stopper was the local kookaburra, who sat in the branch above Raymond as he sang and - to the astonishment of all - performed a kookaburra dance. Thanks to all who came to this magical event.
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Class 1 and 2 MidWinter Spiral
21 Jun 2023
Classes 1 and 2 walked a beautiful Winter Spiral, formed from cuttings and branches from the families gardens. The Winter Solstice is a time of the shortest day and longest night, and when we celebrate our MidWinter Festivals. The children walked the spiral with an unlit candle in an apple to the centre light, lighting their own in a moment of inner reflection, and place the candle to form an ever-growing spiral of light. By the end, the room is filled with the magic and wonder of the light created. The children all sing beautiful Winter Songs and play recorder, as well as live music, story and poetry. Thanks to our wonderful parent volunteers who helped to create the spiral and apples and Clair Citserne, Monty, Linda, Melony and teachers Jonathan Shaw and Jamie Loftus for this beautiful event.
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Class 3 Play
21 Jun 2023
Class Three recently performed their play "Noah and the Flood". The class worked together beautifully to create vignettes to tell the well loved story to their family and friends.
Read moreYr 12 Solo Trip
02 May 2024
The Yr 12 Solo marks the culmination of Glenaeon’s Outdoor Education Program. This is a 6-day program that incorporates a 48-hour solo experience as well as Landcare projects, an Astronomy session and a celebration dinner catered by the Outdoor Education specialist guides. The program is facilitated on private property northeast of Coonabarrabran on the northern side of the Warrumbungles. This solo experience is an opportunity for exceptional personal and social development.
Press play for a sneak peek of our Yr 12's on their adventure-filled, immersive experience last month.
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Class 2 Art Lesson with Jamie Loftus
02 May 2024
At Castlecrag we were delighted to welcome back Class 3 Teacher Jamie Loftus to teach our Class 2 an art lesson. Jamie told a story and led the children to draw an reflected sunrise, with the golden sun surrounded by shining rainbow bands of coloured light. Jamie taught the children to use various techniques and sides of the crayons to achieve different results. Thank you Jamie!
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Class 2 Aesop's Fables
04 Apr 2024
Class 2 have been exploring the world of Aesop’s Fables with Class Teacher Jonathan Shaw. These include so many wonderful stories that reflect the complexities of human behaviour, told through insightful and often humorous stories as animals outwit, outsmart and help each other in entertaining moral tales. The name of Aesop has been with us for nearly two and a half thousand years. Ancient writers have rushed to emphasis Aesop’s unappealing physical appearance and the fact he was only granted speech after visiting Isis’s Temple, but whatever the truth, the stories produced by Aesop continue to speak clearly and most elegantly in 2024.
“Before you eat me, Mr Wolf,” said the Kid-Goat. “May you not pipe a tune on your flute? Though it seems I must say goodbye to this world, I would like to dance one more time.”
“But of course,” said the Wolf, smiling as he took out his flute. “I do so love to play music.”
Class 2 have had a merry time not just listening to these tales of wisdom, but in re-enacting them, speaking them in verse, drawing them in our Main Lesson books and working in sentences that capture something of their spirit, whilst perhaps learning something of morality, choice or human nature along the way.
Oh – and in the story above – the Kid-Goat somehow evades the Wolf, who had become so enraptured of his own flute playing. And the moral is…?
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Parent Craft Take Home Packs
04 Apr 2024
There are some wonderful Parent craft Packs to take home for the holidays! Please come and get one or two and contribute to our school and Family Fair! Thanks to our Craft Coordinator Charlotte and to our parents and children who have so carefully collated each one - all that you need to get going! They are in baskets at the Castlecrag Reception – hearts, leaf beds, stars, butterflies, token pouches and more! There are stitching instructions if you need them as well and plenty of help available for beginners. Don’t be shy – give it a try!
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Easter Celebrations
04 Apr 2024
Easter was celebrated in so many lovely ways at Castlecrag. The kindergarten rooms were bursting with Easter surprises the children had made – eggs, painted baskets, fresh grown Easter Grass, wax apples and lovely nature tables popped up everywhere on campus! Class 2 parent Carolina baked a traditional ‘Baranek' or 'Easter Lamb Cake’ – a Central European tradition that is a symbol of rebirth and fertility as Easter occurs in Spring, not Autumn like here in Australia! Some people could afford real lamb, but other families were only able to bake cake or butter shaped as a lamb. This amazing cake was baked with a very heavy mould brought to Australia from Carolina’s nearly 100-year old Aunt! Apples were found around the place here at Castlecrag – woven pom-poms in Kindy, wax apples and felted as Easter this year also coincided with our apple picking weeks!
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Making, Baking and Donating for Harvest Time
04 Apr 2024
Class 1 & 2 students host the entire Primary School for the Michaelmas Festival – preparing over 200 bread rolls and 60 cobs of corn as a delicious Harvest meal after the play. Enthusiastic early risers from Classes 2 and 4 start making the bread – kneading and rolling 10kg of flour and set it to rise! Class 2 parents and children spend the morning rolling and baking the delicious bread – using the famous “Kindy Bread” that all children remember and look forward to! Cobs of corn are boiled and served after the performance and it is healthily enjoyed by all! The Harvest Display is created Class 1 and 2 parents using the abundant produce donated by our families. The woven ‘Horn of Plenty’ and corn husk dolls made by Class 6 are included in the beautiful display.
Our generous families donated such beautiful produce for our Harvest Festival, and we always give this to OzHarvest to distribute to charity kitchens and those in need. Children enthusiastically helped pack and carry the produce to the truck with strong muscles and big smiles. Thank you to all of our lovely families who donated such great produce this year.
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Primary Assemblies
03 Apr 2024
Class 6 have stepped into their role as leaders in our Primary School by leading our assemblies. This term, we have had musical performances from Classes 5 and 6 and have thought about having the courage to listen to the quiet voice that whispers in your ear or from your heart, telling you what actions are right and true.
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Drama Club
03 Apr 2024
A few fun photos from our weekly Drama Club with Teacher, Lydia Wilson. Our Class 6 and Year 7 students take to the stage in costume!
If you would like to join Drama Club, please sign up here!
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Beware the Dragon!
03 Apr 2024
“It’s easy to be kind to people we love, and it’s easy to be kind to people we like, but sometimes we need to find the courage inside to be kind even when it’s not the easiest thing to do”. With that sentiment from Primary Faculty Coordinator, Katherine Arconati, Classes 1 – 6 began our 2024 Harvest Festival, and the story of St Michael who courageously faces a fierce dragon to save the villagers and their crops from his fiery breath. The children lived fully in the experience with hearty singing, clear narration, and a truly terrible dragon (courtesy of Class 5). Our warmest thanks to the parents of Classes 1 and 2 who created our harvest display and made bread and corn for us to enjoy after the play.
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Yr 12 English Extension 1
03 Apr 2024
As part of a textual research project, the Year 12 students visited the Junior library and quickly immersed themselves in their Glenaeon memories, finding books they read when they were in Class 5 and 6. Sophie L. then found a story she had contributed to ‘Watching Wildlife’, a compilation of children’s stories run through schools to which Sophie had submitted a story in 2017.
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Kindy Harvest Festival
27 Mar 2024
Kindy celebrated the Harvest Festival with their trip to Bilpin in the Blue Mountains. There had been much excited anticipation as the children asked how many more sleeps until apple picking day. And when the day finally arrived, it was perfect; blue skies and cool, a touch of autumn in the air. Farmer Cedric was there as always, greeting everyone and explaining some important aspects of apple picking. Picnic rugs were laid out around the spreading oak tree and parents, grandparents, siblings young and old enjoyed Kindy’s Harvest Circle before filling their baskets with apples that were indeed ‘crispy and crunchy’. It was a glorious day and one that will be remembered fondly by all who came.
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Class 2 Playground Performance
21 Mar 2024
Class 2 enjoyed hearing about St. Michael and the Dragon in preparation for their Harvest Festival, and spent many creative hours making a short play of a similar story - a knight who meets a princess, falls asleep and wakes to slay a dragon. Played out in the sandpit at lunchtime, the students were rapturously engaged! Thank you Class 2! They also created and performed the story as a wax character puppet show and had everyone glued to their performance!
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Primary School Cubby...Reimagined
21 Mar 2024
Earlier this term, our Maintenance Team were dilligently preparing our Middle Cove campus to welcome our visitors for Open Day. The wonderful Mary saw this as an opportunity to give the primary playground cubby a refresh.
Mary and Kai painted the hut and then commissioned the creative help of Hanako T. and Yr 10 students to redesign and hand-paint the side of the cubby which is now adorned with vibrant fauna and flora. What a joy to see their artistic talent as a permanent part of our natural landscape.
Thank you to all involved! A peek at the before photo (the last image) to see the transformation.
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Open Day Middle Cove Campus
15 Mar 2024
A sneak peek at a wonderful morning that was...thank you to our visitors, students, staff and community for making our Open Day - Middle Cove campus 2024 possible.
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Class 2 Times Tables with Ida Spider
14 Mar 2024
Class 2 have been learning their times tables with the help of a special friend called Ida Spider! Each day, Ida weaves a secret pattern in her beautiful web as she helps the Class 2 students learn their times tables. When each number is woven onto a 10-pegged web board, a new pattern emerges! This simple geometry shows there are underlying patterns in numbers, many of which come out to play in times tables!
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Parent Craft Wet Felted Flowers
14 Mar 2024
Parent Craft Coordinator Charlotte ran a beautiful wet felting workshop in making stunning lily flowers. Starting with soft coloured fleece, parents used hot soapy water to roll and rub the fibres until they felt - then cut and shape them into flowers during the felting process. Parents chose striking colour combinations and the flowers will be made into lovely items for the School Fair in November.
Anyone is welcome to come and join Parent Craft - no experience is necessary. Come and learn to sew, felt, knit and take home a small craft pack to work on at home. There is an enclosed space for young children and a warm, social atmosphere. Thank you Charlotte for sharing this wonderful skill.
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Yr 7 Outdoor Education
14 Mar 2024
This term, our Yr 7 students embarked on their first outdoor education expedition as a cohort. In two groups, they visited the Newnes region in NSW and enjoyed the challenging and exciting activities from hiking to swimming, cooking, abseiling and camping. It was a beautiful introduction to the school year and their high school journey, surrounded by nature and lush bushland. We are so proud of our Yr 7 students for stepping out of their comfort zone and to our teachers and staff for your encouragement and support.
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Playgroup Nutrition is a Foundation for Healthy Play
13 Mar 2024
Our Glenaeon Playgroups celebrate nourishing foods by providing whole grain porridge and sourdough bread or Miso soup and rice balls to accompany fruit and vegetables that families contribute to our generous morning tea. The adults often say that we are the only playgroup they know of that goes to such an effort and they really feel nourished themselves when they leave playgroup. Glenaeon Playgroup isn’t ‘just for the children’, they say.
At our Glenaeon Playgroups we believe that by nourishing the caretakers of the children, the children will have the modelling of adults eating healthy food in a group setting that includes a table-cloth and beautifully presented wholesome foods accompanied by herbal garden tea.
Many parents tell us that the Playgroup morning tea is their first meal of the day and that it is so generous they don’t have to have lunch! Many families tell us that their children are fussy eaters at home but that they eat multiple bowls of porridge and lots of fruit and vegetables at playgroup. They are impressed with how the children enjoy a dense home -made rye sourdough bread slathered with home- made miso or tahini butter.
Below is a letter one of our Playgroup educators received from a participant. The Magic Porridge Pot recipe is attached if you would like to indulge your family! Parents still contact us years after the children have passed through playgroup to say their children are still enjoying Glenaeon’s Playgroup porridge thanks to our sharing of the recipe!
Dear Natalie,
Would you mind sharing the recipe for porridge please? My daughter loves it and her breakfasts are normally very boring as she doesn’t eat anything different, but she loves your porridge.
Many thanks,
A grateful Playgroup mother
For the Porridge recipe, click show more.
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Yr 7 Fire Main Lesson
06 Mar 2024
Yr 7 are currently enjoying their Science Main Lesson where they are exploring chemical transformations. This included an introduction to fire, starting with observations and extending into the combustion process.
Teachers Cathy Bower and Yura Totsuka guided the class to the outdoor amphitheater and the students observed as the bon fire was lit. They could see the flames, feel the warmth and smell the embers. The observations were brought to life as Cathy told a dynamic story from Greek Mythology of Prometheus, a God of fire. She explained that Prometheus gave the gift of fire to human beings which made them powerful. Fire allowed them to make weapons for protection, tools to live and work with, cook their food and warm their cave.
Storytelling is at the heart of Main Lesson philosophy and allows students to discover and engage with the curriculum in different ways.
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Class Meetings
29 Feb 2024
It has been ‘back to the classroom’ for parents in Primary School as we have held our Class Meetings over the first weeks of this term. Each Class Teacher addresses parents about the developmental stage of the class and how the curriculum meets all that their children are experiencing.
In Class 4 (below) the children displayed their favourite page of their Main Lesson book, for their parents to see. And Class 1 Teacher, Emily Watts (also, below) had her class of parents engaged. It is wonderful to see parents supporting their children’s education and being involved in our wonderful community!
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Yr 9 The Cove
28 Feb 2024
Year 9 has started their Cove journey as we gathered to take part in physical and social challenges and games that are both exciting and interesting. Students learned to communicate better with their peers and regulate emotions whilst appreciating the beautiful and peaceful environment along the bushland of Scotts Creek.
Students have started to develop deeper connections with their peers outside of their social group as it is the only time they are together as a cohort. Together, we are supporting the students through being inclusive of everyone and having fun working together collaboratively. This is a crucial time of their social, physical, emotional and mental development as they navigate the threshold between childhood and adulthood.
Pictured below are some of the fun group challenges students engaged in; building sculptures using material they can find, balancing on small items and reversing the order in which students stood without falling off and crossing the little foot bridge across in a very delicate manner using only certain methods for the whole group to get across as well as the human knot challenge. All of which allowed students to take turns leading.
Parent Library
28 Feb 2024
The Parent Library at Castlcrag is now open!
Tuesday 2:45pm to 3:15pm and Wednesday 8:45am to 9:15am.
Our two volunteers Alex and Alice are there to help and books may be borrowed for 2 weeks. Come and choose from the large selection of parenting books that reflect the Steiner philosophy, as well as books on craft, gardening and nutrition. There is also a wide range of beautiful books for children up to 10 years, including well-loved classics and recently published.
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ISD Touch Football
28 Feb 2024
Glenaeon touch football teams proved themselves to be fit, committed and skilful at this week’s ISD Touch Football Championships at Peakhurst. With over 40 students making up four teams and as the only school to have teams representing in all divisions, our touch footballers did themselves proud with strong performances on the field and a wonderful display of school pride and spirit off the field. Whilst all of our teams found themselves in the win column throughout the day, the real highlight was the improvement of our teams and teamwork throughout the day. In our Junior teams, players developing from nervous first timers to strong team players and confident ball runners.
Undoubtedly our Senior teams provided the big moments for the day. Led by our Sports captains our Senior Boys team battled gallantly to make the semi finals after dropping an early pool game and needing to win all their remaining pool games. They won through in heartstopping fashion with a last second intercept try by Rohan B to seal their finals berth. The boys dominated their semi final to win through to the Grand Final where they battled the fatigue of their sixth game in a day and third game in an hour! In a tightly fought contest they went down 2-0, but not before exhausting every option to get themselves over the line.
Our Year 12 students were incredibly committed to this carnival and set a standard for Glenaeon sports carnival teams moving forward, their effort, energy and sportsmanship were outstanding. Glenaeon school pride and spirit was on show!
Six Glenaeon students were selected to represent ISD at the upcoming AICES Touch Football Carnival. Rohan B, Morgan R, Jayden S, Ciara H, Emily M and Matthia M will all compete at the next level next month.
Celebrating Monique
28 Feb 2024
Our lovely Assistant and Learning Support teacher Monique Anderson is leaving Glenaeon to become a Class Teacher at Warrah Specialist School in Dural for students with specialist needs, and also the organic farm and source of the amazing Veggie Coop that delivers to Glenaeon. See (https://warrahspecialistschool.nsw.edu.au/ ) This is a beautiful opportunity for her in line with her studies in special and inclusive education. We shared a lovely outdoor circle with parents and children and they gifted her a bag made by the Class 1 families last year, a beautiful bonsai fairy garden and sang songs together with teachers. The staff at Castlecrag then shared a farewell afternoon tea with some more lovely gifts for her as a teacher, sharing their experiences and well wishes for Monique. We have all been lucky to have worked alongside Monique in the three years she has been at Glenaeon. She is looking forward to the next stage of her teaching journey and has been treasured by the children and families alike!
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Parent Craft Embroidery Workshop with Elizabeth Ellean
28 Feb 2024
Handwork teacher Elizabeth Ellean came to run a wonderful embroidery workshop with parent at Parent Craft morning – organised by our inspiring Craft Coordinator Charlotte Fayle. Many parents came to learn the beautiful stitches that their children will also be learning throughout the Primary school Handwork Program. Parent Craft runs fortnightly in the Marion Mahony Griffin Hall kitchen at our Castlecrag Campus. All are welcome to attend, and no experience is necessary. There is an enclosed space and toys for younger children to play. Come and learn a new skill or use one that you already know! All materials are provided and Parent Craft makes items for the classrooms, teacher and our School Fair in November. Come to the office at Castlecrag reception and pick up one of the craft packs you can take home to work on!
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Class 1 – Craft and Counting Bag Embroidery
28 Feb 2024
Class 1 first learned to embroider in Kindergarten, when they hand-stitched their own craft bags with their name and a native animal shape. They will use these bags all the way through Primary School! Now they are learning more complicated stitches and shapes – embroidering their initials with running and whip stitch, as well as backstitch to make their counting bags for their upcoming mathematics lessons. They have also embroidered a spiral, one of the shapes and forms they explored in their first Main Lesson “The Straight and Curved Line”. They made spirals in the playground and also walked the shaped in the playground to explore form and contour as they learned to write the shapes of the letters with Class teacher Emily Watts.
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Yr 11 Ancient History Returns to Glenaeon
22 Feb 2024
After a hiatus, we are thrilled that Ancient History has returned to Glenaeon despite the general trend in the state where numbers are falling.
In this lesson, the students were conducting an archeological dig with the intention of ‘worst’ practice, so they could see how hard it is without the right tools and expertise. To do so, they had to ‘dig’ up a paper picture of a bog body without damaging it.
Thank you Mr Greenfield for preparing an exciting start to the Ancient History Yr 11 curriculum.
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Yr 10 Surfing at Long Reef
22 Feb 2024
Year 10 is enjoying strengthening water skills and building confidence through the fun of riding waves both on a surfboard and bodyboard. During Physical Education lessons the instructors from Manly Surf School are teaching students the thrill of surfing as well as educating students on how to identify rips, currents and sandbanks and highlighting the safest spots to swim and how to stay safe in the water.
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Lunar New Year Celebrations
14 Feb 2024
The Year of the Dragon was welcomed on Castlecrag campus with a bang and crash of drums, a scary, but friendly big lion (or was it year 1 disguised as a lion?), a flash of red, and over 150 dumplings homemade by Class 2 children and their talented parents. Students decorated their classrooms with the red paper cut outs they made, and participated in an energetic story told about the villagers who fought off the fire breathing dragon to save their beautiful mandarin orchard.
Gōng xī fã cái, Xin Nìan kuài lè, or however you say it in your own language, we wish all our Glenaeon families a healthy and happy New Year!
Thank you Brigitte on your 40 Years of Service
14 Feb 2024
Earlier this month marked 40 years of dedicated service to Glenaeon for Brigitte Tietge-Rollans, our beloved Head of Languages and enamoured German teacher. Whilst Brigitte is on Long Service Leave currently, it is appropriate that we acknowledge this incredible accomplishment – congratulations Brigitte!
We look forward to celebrating you!
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Class 3 and Class 6 Buddies
14 Feb 2024
Class 3 and Class 6 have started a mentoring buddy session where once a week they gather in the Class 3 classroom together. For Class 3, it is their year of reading, so the session has a literacy focus, where the buddies choose a book and a comfy spot to read to each other.
This is a lovely initiative where Class 3 can feel welcomed, embraced and safe on their new campus and Class 6 can explore leadership, responsibility and practice looking outwards and being of service.
Both classes have enjoyed these sessions and love having a bigger child to look to and a smaller child to look out for. Thank you to their teachers Jaime Loftus and Lucy Armstrong for supporting their students and forging bonds that aid in a sense of community and belonging.
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Outdoor Play at Preschool
14 Feb 2024
We welcome the warm weather at Preschool with exploring all that our outdoor environment has to offer. This includes playing in the garden playground at our Willoughby campus, and near by Bales Park and oval.
This week, the children enjoyed water play, making mud pies in the sand pit, shoveling soil for the garden, climbing trees with educator support and discovering creatures in the grass. The children enjoy free play in nature building independence, curiosity and motor skills, which is fundamental for child development. We are grateful for the warm February weather and space to explore and play.
Handwork at Castlecrag
14 Feb 2024
Handwork is underway and Classes 1 & 2 are busy making things they will use at school! Class 1 are sewing their Counting Bags, which will hold their little counting jewels when they learn numbers and mathematics, whilst Class 2 have begun sewing their etoile – a personal needle holder with their own initials stitched on the front. We warmly welcome our new assistant Meg Quinlisk who is helping Elizabeth Ellean this year
Meg brings with her a wealth of experience – she teaches at Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, has run the Inner West Steiner Playgroup for many years, is a writer and author and a very talented crafter herself.
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Yr 11 Visual Art at Cockatoo Island
14 Feb 2024
Year 11 Visual Arts students visited Cockatoo Island with Artist Michael Herron to explore transience through art making. Under Michaels instruction, students experimented with various materials and ways of seeing their subject. Working outside observing the rusted cranes and in the turbine hall with all its disused machinery and detritus of a time past, provided the students with a plethora of subject matter to investigate. The experience was eye opening, enthralling and set them on their way to develop their first Body of Work for the course. We are very grateful to Michael Herron for his instruction, passion and inspiration in sharing his practice with the group.
Donna Miller
Visual Arts Teacher & Year 10 Guardian
Class 1 Dye Chair Bags
14 Feb 2024
Class 1 hand-dyed their own chair bags with teacher Elizabeth Ellean. Assistant Meg and parent helpers. Taking a sewn calico bag, they painted their own designs in warm colours, which will be set and then dried. These bags will hang on the backs of their chairs and hold their books, pencils and other useful things! They are so bright and beautiful – thank you to our parent helpers and well done Class 1!
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Sandpit Sensation
14 Feb 2024
There has been so much wonderful play in the sandpit this week, with children creating an enormous moat, castle and cubby! Working industriously together, they cart water, build bridges and steps, laughing and celebrating their huge creation!
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Many Hands Make for Light Work at Preschool
14 Feb 2024
Each day at Preschool, the children put their little hands to work to joyfully add to the rhythms of the day. After a wholesome morning tea, each child carefully washes their plate. Their hands making bubbles in the water as they take turns to wash up with their educators.
Next, they find their bedding and make their way to their designated rest space. Again, those busy hands delicately fold linen over corners and make parachutes as sheets fall. It is the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, like building the will in children, that is woven into the daily rhythm at Preschool. Children learn developmentally appropriate ways of taking initiative, fine and gross motor skills, a sense of independence and community. It is these values that make a Glenaeon preschool education different and start the foundation for resilient and emotionally active children.
Are you or a friend interested in your child joining our Glenaeon Preschool community? Join us to tour our Willoughby campus on Thursday, 14 March from 10am - 11am. Register here.
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Welcome Soirée 2024
08 Feb 2024
We were delighted to formally welcome our community to the 2024 school year. We celebrated with a soiree hosted by Head of School, Diana Drummond at our Middle Cove campus.
Thank you to Peter Candotti, Chair of the Board of Directors and Sabine Simmonds, Co-Chair of the GPA for your address.
It was a lovely chance for new and existing members of our community to make meaningful connections over drinks and canapés surrounded by our beautiful bushland. We thank our parents, carers, teachers and staff for joining us for a wonderful night.
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Welcome to Castlcrag!
01 Feb 2024
It has been a wonderful first week here at our Castlecrag Campus! The children arriving with laughter and chatter, exploring the playground and sandpits, meeting and making friends amongst the flowers and blooming gardens and grounds. Our Reception is a lovely place with a welcoming Summer nature table. It is lovely to welcome the parents and carers on campus and Playgroups for our young ones have begun – please come and join in this special group for children 0–5. The Grassroots Eco Store is open for all school, craft, gift and creative resources and it’s so nice to see all the bags hanging on the children's’ hooks! Welcome everyone.
Our Maintenance team have been very busy over the break! The Fort has undergone a wonderful restoration by Sonny, the new Kindy water pump is in and some lovely sandstone rockwork has been completed, amongst many other things that make out campus shine – thank you!
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Student Induction Day 2024
01 Feb 2024
We were thrilled to welcome our new highschool students to Glenaeon at our Middle Cove campus on Tuesday. A lovely opportunity to meet their Guardians and Teachers, tour the campus and make meaningful connections with their peers before the first day of school.
Welcome to Glenaeon 2024!
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Kindergarten Children Arrive at Castlecrag
25 Jan 2024
Our Kindergarten children arrived the day before school to bring their belongings and visit their new teachers in the beautiful classrooms this week before starting with two half days. They each bring their cup, napkin, spare clothes, gumboots and raincoats, and enjoy a little visit into their new classrooms. Familiarising themselves is a wonderful way to begin their Kindergarten journey before they join their teacher and friends for their first days of Kindergarten! Each child has a beautiful symbol that helps them find their bag and hat hooks, locker and becomes their own special picture they have all year in Kindergarten. Hand-drawn by Kindergarten teacher Melanie Harper, these animals, plants and elements are a beautiful way for the children to find their way around and a sense of belonging.
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A Warm Welcome to Middle Cove 2024
25 Jan 2024
On Wednesday morning our Head of School, Diana Drummond, Deputy Head of School, Dani Finch (K-6), Deputy Head of School, Yura Totsuka (7-12) and Enrolments Registrar, Sunita Shah warmly welcomed our students and families, both new and returning, to the school year.
We hope everyone feels refreshed after a well deserved holiday break and enjoyed their start to the 2024 school year! Wishing you all a wonderful year filled with growth and countless memorable moments.
Enjoy these bright faces at the Middle Cove campus entry.
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Term 1 Parent Education
25 Jan 2024
Register via these links:
Introduction to Steiner Education session: https://www.trybooking.com/COPTE
Harvest Gratitude: https://www.trybooking.com/COWCN
Simplicity Parenting: https://www.trybooking.com/COWBW
Simplicity Parenting Evening ZOOM session:https://www.trybooking.com/COWCF
Kitchen Conversations with Catherine Pilko: https://www.trybooking.com/COPSN
Glenaeon Musical - Les Misérables
25 Jan 2024
It's Opening Night!!!
Chookas to our Yr 10 students who will perform four Les Misérables School Edition shows over the next four days.
A huge thank you to our students, staff, parent volunteers, musicians and community who have worked tirelessly beyond measure to bring this iconic show to life at Glenaeon! Parents have joined staff to come in on weekends and after work to help build sets, sew costumes, prepare and repair stage items. Our musicians have been so dedicated in working with our students in what will be an amazing four performances.
Thank you to Head of Music Ian Munns who will lead the musical score and Head of Drama Tanya McCall who has lead the students and directed the production. Thank you Evan Sanders in your expert stage, production and tech support and Raphaela Mazzone who has lead the team on props and costume planning and creation with the help of student and parent volunteers. We will refrain from naming any more names in fear of missing anyone who has worked with such tenacity and joy on this project. We see you and we thank you!
All shows are SOLD OUT and here is a sneak peek at the behind the scenes of the tech run through.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend of performances!
Campus Improvements over Summer Holidays
24 Jan 2024
Over the summer break our maintenance and operations team did meaningful work on improving our wonderful campus facilities. We'd like to take a moment to celebrate these upgrades and thank those involved.
- The fort in the Castlecrag playground has had a total rebuild and looks nice and fresh and ready for countless hours of play.
- The floors and carpets have been professionally polished and shampooed and painting has commenced in our new school colour pallet that reflects Australian native colours inspired by our Middle Cove campus surrounds. You can see the new scheme at Middle Cove reception, corridors and side foyers of the hall. The painting will be done in a few phases and we plan to roll this out through the whole campus.
- The side foyers of the Sylvia Brose Hall have had an upgrade with timber wall paneling and new paint. The foyer timber doors are being replaced with glass doors in the Term 1 break to complete the updated look.
- The percussion music rooms have been expertly fitted with acoustic paneling.
- A brand new pergola has been built in the Yr 7 and 8 play area just by the Middle Cove biodynamic garden. We are just waiting on some laser cut paneling to complete the design, but we hope it is a nice place for students to gather, well shaded from the sun and rain.
- All of the walkways, rooves, gutters, windows and solar panels have been cleared, cleaned, and ready for maximum performance throughout the school term.
It is so important as a school community to ensure a safe and well maintained environment to learn, create, reflect and play in. Our team have worked hard to complete these projects in time for the students to return to school and enjoy the improved spaces with little disruption to their day. We'd like to warmly thank, Chris Scrogie and the Maintenance and Operations team, Michael, Mary, Noel and Sonny. Your hard work never goes unnoticed.
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Glenaeon Garden Culture and Chicken Coop Revival
18 Jan 2024
What wonderful lush and colourful gardens we are growing thanks to the efforts of our devoted gardening community on all three Glenaeon campuses! In the Middle Cove gardens the stately and whimsical Amaranth was ever abundant and towering over and above all. Without our chickens to keep the coop-run crops trimmed down, that space also needed weeding!
On Thursday, 4th January the Temple family spent many hours removing the Amaranth and Madeira vine that were bursting in the old chicken run and an unwelcome foe in the neighbouring bushland. Clearing them was a necessity for erecting the new chicken run perimeter. The Temple family also decorated our garden fence with especially made screens from the blacksmithing classes and logs from Penrith River.
A professional team led the way with chicken coop designs and directives which were soon fulfilled by some Year 9 enthusiasts: Max, Sean, Arlo and Timon. Thank you digging boys, and building pros Robbie Pittorino, Peter Myles, Farshid Manesh. A most welcome ‘next step’ following our weekend working bee last November to dismantle the old chicken coop with demolition assistance from Glenaeon garden classes.
On such a hot and humid beach-type of day, Lisa Lewis replenished garden beds by wheelbarrowing the mountains of earth excavated by the Year 9 students for a moat-like trench that will keep rainwater from flooding the new coop. From the first sod turning on Saturday, 23 December 2023 to ‘last walls clipped in place’ by Glenaeon Staff member Kai Schaefer on 12th January 2024: WE NOW HAVE AN ENCLOSURE in which to host our forthcoming feathered friends!
Designs for a chicken coop roof have been created by Glenaeon Operations Manager Chris Scrogie. Once materials are purchased by the Glenaeon Garden Team we will ‘raise the roof’.
See you in the Garden!
Sandra Frain…..and Parent Volunteers
Gardening Teacher
S.Frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Class 1 Walk the Rainbow Bridge
18 Jan 2024
Beginning Class 1 is a lovely step for the children, made even more special with the ‘Rainbow Bridge’ event. On Wednesday our Class 1 children met in the Kindergarten playground where excitement and anticipation filled the air. They were supported by their kindergarten teachers Deputy Head of School Dani Finch. They shared their morning song together before walking through the playground up to the Class 1 area, their new haven at school. The Class 2 children formed a beautiful 'Rainbow Bridge' - a tunnel made with long silk and flowers. They sing a lovely song called “Make New Friends”. The Kindergarten teacher shared a farewell for now and gave each child a flower to take with them 'under the rainbow bridge' to the other side, where their new Class teacher, Emily Watts greeted them with a warm smile.
The children then make their way onto the balcony of Class 1 and their first day in the Class Teacher Period begins! This is an important right of passage and a symbolic moment in Steiner education philosophy and ignites the beginning of the Class Teacher journey. Emily will form special bonds with each child and nurture and guide these children through their primary years with the supportive assistance of other specialist teachers. Parents then come together for a shared morning tea, with Senior Teacher Catherine Pilko and Dani Finch welcoming and sharing insights about the first days and weeks of Class 1.
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Glenaeon Garden Culture - Like a Bee Hive
18 Jan 2024
How does the unconscious wisdom contained in the beehive, filled with love, relate to our human experiences?
In his book “Bees”, Rudolf Steiner said “The individual bees renounce love in manifold ways, and thus develop love throughout the whole hive. One only begins to understand the life of the bees when one knows that the bee lives in an atmosphere completely pervaded by love.” *
When we, human beings, gather to work together for a higher cause than our own personal ambition, we are emulating this social model of a bee hive; thus the name ‘working bee’.
The Glenaeon Gardens appreciate this model of working together in devotion and love.
Our annual Harvest Gratitude day, as celebrated last Sunday at Middle Cove, has become a working bee of sorts as the Glenaeon community comes together to learn from each other. We felt the benefits of healthy living soils by plunging our hands in them; we harvested what had grown out of flourishing garden beds; we created a bountiful feast, and together, we planted new gardens for bees, animals and humans too.
Once upon a time the whole school was abuzz with the smell of pizza, handmade flyers with reminders to bring gold coins, and excited students doing pizza runs around the campus. High school students prepared the dough with teacher Anne Rouse while Class 6 made and delivered the pizzas - the campus coming together to make industry, like busy bees in a hive!
We are grateful to teachers Ruth Pervis and Kathy Thangathurai for their vision, and for hosting these joyous events, with the keen support of parent chef Nick Meredith-Jones.
Ten years of garden fundraising has now enabled the renovation of the school's chicken coop, for the benefit of students through our agricultural and wellbeing programs.
As expressed within our chicken care community:
“We can't wait to come and look after the chickens”
“It lifts my heart to see our community (young & older) working together to create something beautiful and valuable!”
Thank you to those past students, teachers and parents for this invaluable legacy! In opening our hearts to devotion, love and sacrifice, we become bearers of love. Just like the bees.
See you in the Garden!
Sandra Frain…..and Parent Volunteers
Gardening Teacher
S.Frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
* “Nine Lectures on Bees” Rudolf Steiner, GA 351
https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA351/English/SGP1975/19230203p01.html
Glenaeon Garden Culture - Harvesting in Times of Scarcity
18 Jan 2024
Harvesting in times of scarcity
We are fast approaching our traditional Harvest Festival, and our gardens are not bursting with pumpkins as they have been in the past. Living in a city, we have the easy option of going to the shops and buying whatever we want for our celebrations. But we would like to encourage everyone to stop for a moment and look at the world differently: what do we have in our gardens right now?
We harvest seeds, we harvest stories
Aromatic and medicinal Fennel has taken over some of the garden beds at the Middle Cove garden, creating a canopy bursting with yellow umbrella-like flowers filled with seed and feathery peacock-like leaves. Last week, Class 6 students picked the flowers, harvested the seeds and roasted them during their gardening class. At the end of the lesson, we shared our food and stories, and everyone commented how much they loved the roasted fennel seeds. One student shared a story with the class:
There once was a King who wanted to know which of his children was the faithful one. He gave them roasted fennel seeds to plant, and later on he asked them how they were growing. All of the children commented how strong their plants have been growing, except for one girl who said: “Mine are not growing at all!” - And that’s how the King knew who the faithful child was.
When we think we have nothing, we need to look around, explore, question and learn. We have some Azolla in the pond, which we learned is high in nitrogen and can be used instead of manure when we have no access to cows.
A high school student harvested some chicken bones while digging in the garden, and asked to take them home. Could they be the seeds of an archaeology interest?
The students on all campuses are resourceful in their play and this translates to the same in their alchemical experiments with food substances. Can we as adults be as bold and harvest the Taro root and leaves that are growing in abundance at Glenaeon Preschool? We have made Bay leaf tea, roasted Fennel and Sunflower seeds, fried up Mustard greens, Endive, Amaranth leaves and flowers in frittatas. From the Glenaeon gardens we add lemon, flowers, leaves, seeds in our sourdough bread. We connect with our surroundings to create new things with them.
So why is harvest time so meaningful? In harvesting, we learn to embrace what we have, we become creative and able to make something from nothing. As human beings, we harvest the rewards of moments of gratitude and connection with the Earth. We can’t get this from a shop.
Goethian observation
For Term 1 2024, the Class 6 students have now each represented an impression of Fennel in their assessment task for Gardening lessons:
“I think it looks like lots of little flowers. I think if you hold it up to the light and see the shape it looks like a star constellation.”
“I like the smell. When I suck it, it tastes like licorice. When I eat it, it does not taste good. It feels furry and soft.”
“I like fennel because it feels nice to touch and I like the taste and texture of it. It feels very nice on your skin and it is very soothing. It tastes like licorice when you suck on it and chew them.”
See you in the Garden!
Sandra Frain…..and Parent Volunteers
Gardening Teacher
S.Frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Glenaeon Garden Culture - Worms: The Humble Servants of our Soil
18 Jan 2024
The words Humble and Human have their origins in the Latin word Humus (soil). Dig a little hole in any of our garden beds and you’ll surely find some wriggly and lively worms. Whether in compost heaps or worm farms, finding them gives the students an animal to interact with that’s not always part of their home life. We notice their delight and fascination with this squirming animal: how quickly it moves, the colours, the size. They bring a sense of wonder. There is something familiar in the texture: it is shiny, soft and wriggly like our tongues!
“These worms are wonderful creatures: they leave to the earth precisely as much ethericity as it needs for plant-growth.”
Rudolf Steiner, GA 327: The Agriculture Course — Lecture VII
These subterranean animals leave life in the soil for the plants. They work in cooperation with the soil. The worm is regulating the soil by eating what is meant to be decomposed but not so much as to destroy the life value for the plants.
So how are we bringing this to life in Glenaeon’s gardens?
● We're making healthy soil: This humble servant is a necessity to break down all the discarded food waste that is high in nitrogen. The worms make this beneficial soil for us in cooperation with all the other insects, grubs, earwigs, springtails, nematodes, cockroaches and millions of microorganisms that we can't see, representing a life force that makes the soil lively and healthy for plants to grow and to feed insects once again.
● We're making a learning-scape: A student friendly atmosphere that enables this excitement to embrace and learn of life. What a joy it is when preschool and kindy students say “I want to see the worm farm! I want to see the compost! Let’s feed the worms.”
The students learn to care and take responsibility: the worms need water, they need to be fed with scraps, leaves and grit when we keep them in a domesticated ‘farm situation’.
They get to see the worm eggs and learn that the liquid that comes out of the worm farm is a medicine we call a fertiliser that will enrich the soil that plants are growing in.
● We’re working with the senses: The tactile sensation and ‘wriggling’ of worms is confronting to some students. They grow comfortable with the notion of having a worm in their hands when they see other adults or students relaxed with the interaction. This is a simple but profound opportunity for students to develop resilience for challenging sensations.
● We're encouraging social responsibility: Families living in apartments can have a worm farm and create healthy soil. It can then be used in pots, or taken to a favourite tree at the park, or given to friends. The act of creating an environment for the production of soil is empowering. “What can I do to help the climate crisis caused by food waste?” - make more healthy soil!
Want to know how to set up your worm farm at home? “Show more” below!
See you in the Garden!
Sandra Frain…..and Parent Volunteers
Gardening Teacher
S.Frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Glenaeon Garden Culture - Volunteers: Nature's Gifts
18 Jan 2024
Volunteer plants are beneficial plants that sprout and thrive independently instead of being intentionally planted and nurtured. They are a gift to gardens! Similarly, we welcome volunteer humans who ‘sprout, grow and flourish’ in our gardens.
Clair’s story
Glenaeon Teacher and parent Clair Cisterne sprouted in the garden last term by caring for citrus trees: weeding, protecting, pruning and fertilising them, while learning and growing herself! This section of the garden will become a memorial garden for Clair’s botanist grandmother, Judith Eastman.
“Volunteering in the garden suits me more than anyone! I pick Sandra’s and the other gardeners’ brains as much as I can get away with, and they hold my hand as I put it to practice. I take home compost, worm castings and all sorts of cuttings, so my own garden becomes an extension of our shared one. What a deal! Then, there’s nothing better than just roaming around and marvelling at the beauty – hovering in the light, tranquil feeling of a glorious garden. I’m filled with enthusiasm and ideas for my own favourite space, and overjoyed at the huge, new world of knowledge that awaits me.
I bravely approached Sandra with my new desire to learn about gardening and wasn’t at all made to feel silly for not knowing the simplest of things. Now my neighbours on both sides have popped their head over our fence, wanting to know what I’m up to, and if they can do it too. My husband has even made them some garden beds. It really does feel like a little seed…and the magic of mother nature.”
Chrissie's story
Inspired by a social media post featuring a Glenaeon Garden Culture article, Glenaeon alumni and former parent, Chrissie Ivanchenko, started volunteering in the garden in 2024. Chrissie was heartily welcomed together with her ideas, stories and cheerful disposition. Garden beds have been weeded and mulched, and a project of creating a raised garden bed is underway.
“I love that I learn something every time I come. I love being part of something that is so nurturing for the people that work here. I think that gardening is a vital part of educating children. If they know how to care for the Earth, they will also protect it.”
We were delighted to learn that Chrissie’s father David Lawes helped start the Glenaeon newsletter in the 1980s!
Just like seedlings, human volunteers take root and thrive in our Glenaeon gardens. This is what Waldorf Education is about: a place to appreciate learning, to come together where everyone feels welcome, where dreams come true.
See you in the Garden!
Sandra Frain…..and Parent Volunteers
Gardening Teacher
S.Frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Class 1 Handwork - Christmas Baubles
08 Dec 2023
Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean made Christmas baubles with Class 1. Thank you to the parent and grandparent helpers for supporting the children with their creations.
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Gleno Cup
08 Dec 2023
Today we celebrated the annual 'Capture the Flag' tournament with a brilliant display of tenacity and sportspersonship at the Middle Cove Ovals. Congratulations to the Green team - the mighty Yr 8's for taking home the Gleno Cup and a huge thank you to all students and staff for participating and organising a fun high school event for the last day of the school year.
Art supplies were set up field-side for students to make art and write a message for Jonas between participating in the tournament. What a special way to reflect on his love for Gleno Cup Day and the beautiful creations will be gifted to his family.
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Birthdays at Castlecrag
07 Dec 2023
Birthdays are a special time at Castlecrag and this week was no exception.... except we were celebrating Class 1 teacher Jonathan and Class 1 assistant Monique's birthdays! Wearing their birthday crowns and capes -just like the children do - parents gave them the most beautiful cakes, children sang and we warmly celebrated this is special occasion together.
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Class 1 Play: The Firebird
07 Dec 2023
Class 1 set us a light with their wonderful play “The Firebird’. Performed in the round to a large circle of parents and friends, The children told the story of a hunter who happened across a beautiful feather. Taking it to his king, who decide the bird, took him on an adventurous journey centered around the mystical and beautiful Firebird. The children spoke and sang the entire play, using gestures, actions and costumes to share the adventure. Supported by class teacher Jonathan Shaw and assistant Monique, the performance was truly one to behold. Thank you Class One for this remarkable performance and show, truly enjoyed by all.
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Class 3 Trade Treasures and Treats
07 Dec 2023
Class 3 are just finishing their final Main Lesson for the year. It's all about money! Learning the history of money and trade they have journeyed from old currencies and forms of trading to current practices. They've already hosted two lemonade and popcorn fundraising stands, had a wonderful trading day in their classroom where they traded goods and services with each other, exchanging treasures, crystals, toys, massages, portraits. And, you could even get your bags carried for three days as a service! A parent brought in an amazing foreign money collection of colourful notes and wonderful coins, as well as, old Australian notes for the children to search through. There was also a real gold antique Austrian Kronor coin from 1915 that is now worth $4,500! The children were amazed!
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Yr 7 Sailing the South Passage
07 Dec 2023
The Year 7 end-of-year outing combined our Mechanics Main Lesson with our Age of Discovery History lesson and Waters for Life Geography lesson which culminated in a 7-hour sail from Darling Harbour to Chowder Bay. The students enjoyed taking the ropes on Queensland's only tall ship anchor, hoisting the sails. Thank you to teachers, Brendan, Elena, Katherine A. and Valeen for accompanying the students on the high seas! A wonderful day had by all.
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Yr 9 Write and Read Books to Incoming Class 3
05 Dec 2023
Our Year 9 students wrote stories for our incoming 2024 Class 3 students and presented these to them at their Middle Cove Orientation Day last Friday, 1st December. Supported by Yr 9 teachers, Lydia Wilson and Ella Pooley, we captured the sweet moments of reading at the amphitheater.
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Class 3 Build a Cob Cubby
05 Dec 2023
As part of the Building Main Lesson Class 3 have been building a cob cubby this semester. Every Wednesday a group of students have been mixing the required amount of soil, sand, straw and water to make a good consistency, laying the cob on the wall and then compacting it with their hands. Slowly but surely the wall has grown with many hands building it. Our wonderful class parents Nick and Vincent have helped bring this project to life and a special thanks to Scottie for guiding us through it. Many parents have given their time to come and help our class build something lasting. It has been a real group effort. During the time there have been side projects instigated by the children such as weaving and measuring and weighing grains, inspired by the measurement Main Lesson.
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Class 2 Play – St. Francis
30 Nov 2023
Class 2 performed their end of year play 'St Francis' to Kindergarten, Class 1, parents and friends. It was a powerful story from their 'Saints' Main Lesson and followed the life of St Francis. Born to wealthy textile merchants, he grew up in great comfort, before giving up his fine life for simple robes, for service and devotion. The children sang, danced and played recorder as they told the moving story of his life, rebuilding a church, befriending the beds and saving a town from a ferocious wolf. It was a profound and beautiful play with Class Teacher Jamie Loftus. Well done Class 2!
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Kindergarten Advent Festival
30 Nov 2023
Parents, siblings and grandparents eagerly gathered on the last Wednesday of term to witness the beauty and wonder of the Kindergarten Advent Festival. With gesture and song, the children lovingly shared their Advent Circle which tells the the story of the humble birth of the heavenly child who is born on earth and adored by all creation.
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Class 6 Play – Aladdin
29 Nov 2023
Class 6 performed their play 'Aladdin' for family and friends and the school community and we were blown away by the performances. The students worked as a team to bring the much loved story to life and we thank Class 6 teacher Cathy Bower and all the parents, carers, volunteers and staff who brought the play together. Well done Class 6!
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Class 2 Welcome to Middle Cove
29 Nov 2023
Our Class 2 children made the exciting journey to Glenaeon's Middle Cove campus, where they will be based for the next chapter in their school story. Class 2 Teacher Jaime Loftus accompanied the students, as he will next year too!
Parents and carers were invited for a morning tea on the deck and a campus tour.
The Class 2 children were thrilled to explore the Class 3 classroom and playground.
We look forward to seeing their bright faces at Middle Cove in 2024 and beyond!
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Glenaeon Carol Service 2023
29 Nov 2023
Our much loved annual Glenaeon Carol Service was held on Monday, 27th November at Pitt Street Uniting Church. It was a beautiful evening for our community to join together to celebrate and reflect on the year that was.
The students shone in their performances and the tone set a beautiful energy to take into the festive season and much-needed holiday break.
Thank you to our wonderful community for joining us for a night of wonder and awe. We extend our gratitude to those involved in all the performances, logistics, and rehearsals.
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Yr 8 2023 National History Challenge - Congratulations Arlo!
29 Nov 2023
Congratulations to Yr 8 student Arlo T. on your incredible dedication and effort that earnt you the 2023 Winner of the National History Challenge ' Museum Exhibit' category.
Last year, Arlo won the Yr 7 level and the previous year the state level category, but this year he soared to new heights taking out the national award.
Thank you to teacher Brendan Strobl for your encouragement and moral support in Arlo's endeavours. We are all so proud of your passion for modern history, deep thinking and exploring different perspectives.
Arlo's submission this year explored 'The continuity and change of Australian beach culture and how it reflects our evolving sense of morality'.
Arlo's presentation can be viewed here.
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Duke of Edinburgh Long Service Medal - Donna Miller
29 Nov 2023
Congratulations to our very own Duke of Edinburgh International Award Coordinator, Donna Miller who was acknowledged for her over 10 years of service. She was presented with a medal for acting in her role as Award Leader for 14 years. The ceremony was held at NSW Government House with His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh in attendance. Donna's medal was presented by Gemma Rygate, CEO, Centre of Volunteering. We are so proud of you Donna and thank you for your dedicated service.
Photo Credit: Salty Dingo
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Gratitude, A Warm Welcome and Holiday Greetings
24 Nov 2023
Honouring our 2023 Class Parents
On Wednesday, the School hosted a Morning Tea for the 2023 Class Parents at Middle Cove. Our Class Parents hold such a key role in supporting the needs and expectations of both the parents of a particular year group and the School in creating a positive and supportive environment for students, teachers and the community. This year, our Class Parents have worked tirelessly to support social cohesion between parents, to encourage and mobilise them to engage with class activities, school happenings and GPA hosted events. They have enjoyed their roles immensely and are keen to pass on their wisdom and support to the 2024 Class Parent recruits when the time comes. On behalf of the entire Glenaeon community, I want to offer my sincere thank-you to each of you for your hard work and dedication this year; we are very grateful!
Little Kindy | Gum Blossom - Charlotte Fayle
Kindy | Waratah - Rebecca Vagg
Kindy | Wattle - Nicola Price
Class 1 - Sylvia Robinson, Maria Snell
Class 2- Alexander Pampel, Amanda Jones
Class 3 - Vincent Chang, Nick Van-Bell
Class 4 - Sahar Manesh, Lisa Taylor
Class 5 - Mimi Butler, Bodhi Fataar
Class 6 - Deahne Moore, Sou Fun Ewins
Yr 7 - Peter Miles, Giuselle Chu Vargas
Yr 8 - Nicki Pittorino
Yr 9 - Sabine Simmonds, Angela Lakkis, Holly Gibbons, Miranda Carter, Dawn Piebenga
Yr 10 - Sharne Fielder
Yr 11 - Michelle Cabena, Holly Gibbons, Susanne Karlowatz
Yr 12 - Anna Street, Julia Petkovich
Head of PDHPE
It gives me great pleasure to let you all know that we have appointed our new Head of PDHPE, Adrian Carter. Adrian is currently at Redlands, where he has worked for the past 10 years in a variety of PDHPE related roles, including most recently, as P-6 PDHPE teacher and Junior School Sports Coordinator. Adrian is an experienced Coordinator of Co-curricular programs, including Duke of Edinburgh. He is also the father of two Glenaeon students and will be well-known to a number of you.
Adrian brings not only a host of role-related experience, but also, an understanding of Steiner education and of our current context. He is keen to build on the program so ably developed and nurtured by Jonas Stoebe, and to also putting his own stamp on Physical Education, the Personal Development and Health program and how it relates to the wellbeing of children, and to Sport more broadly. He is warm, honest and open to the new possibilities that this role will bring, for himself, and for the School.
We very much look forward to welcoming Adrian warmly to the Glenaeon community in 2024.
Carol Service
Our final whole of school event for the year takes place on Monday evening at the Pitt Street Uniting Church in the city. A truly magical way to celebrate the conclusion of another school year and herald in the Christmas and holiday season. I look forward to seeing you there.
Warmly,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Spring Festival at Preschool
23 Nov 2023
At the end of last term we gathered as a whole preschool community - children, families and teachers - to celebrate Spring together. Our wonderful parents made flower garlands and felt butterflies for the children. The teachers shared a puppet story and songs and we had a picnic at the park together. It was a very Happy Spring celebration.
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Washing Up Fun at Playgroup
22 Nov 2023
Natalie Choo's lovely Monday playgroup at our Willoughby Campus enjoy the preschool playground and a bush kitchen. This is an activity for all ages where little ones imitate the fun and care of washing up together after a nourishing morning tea.
Glenaeon’s family-style Playgroups are joyful and supportive of you and your child’s development. Our highly skilled Steiner Playgroup Educators create imaginative activities to ensure families enjoy an enriching, uplifting time together. We welcome all families with children from birth to five years of age.
You are warmly invited to join our ‘Welcome Home’ Playgroup for Term 1, 2024
For details on registration, please click 'Show more'.
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Kindergarten Recreate the 'Dunk Tank'
22 Nov 2023
Last week in outside play, the Kindergarten children had a wonderful time recreating their own very intricate version of the dunk tank they had seen at the Fair. Some elaborate rules that were created amongst the children, determined that each child was required to ‘walk a plank’ balanced on a log in the bottom pond of the Kindy Creek. As they toppled towards the water they each leapt onto dry land to avoid landing in the pond. Mind you, some landed in the pond with a splash, much to the glee of the other children watching.
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Class 2 String Games
22 Nov 2023
Class 2 have been learning complicated string games at play and are having a wonderful time playing them! They have even been making up their own ones and creating them in pairs! Japanese Teacher Junko Nicholas helped them with some of the tricky.
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Yr 7 Mechanics Main Lesson
22 Nov 2023
Yr 7 Mechanics Main Lesson covers simple machines and involves a world of experimental, hands-on learning. Lever, pullies, wheels, incline plane and wedge are ‘The Mighty Five’ simple machines explored. The students enjoyed an exciting catapult competition and to round out the lesson, students put real world skills to the test by changing a tyre from their teachers cars.
In keeping with Steiner’s teachings, the focus of this main lesson is to unite the physical body with the thought consciousness of the principle mechanics. Students are involved in many physical tasks that use the principles of simple mechanics to better understand and experience the mechanics of the skeletal system and their own bodies.
Students explore the sources of power available from elements - earth, air, fire and water, the historical development of machines, ‘The Mighty Five’ and appreciate the services and danger of the mechanical world.
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Class 4 Outdoor Education
22 Nov 2023
Class 4 enjoyed their first taste of Glenaeon's award-winning outdoor education program with a camp out on the Middle Cove campus oval. The students were supported by Outdoor Education Teachers Scottie and KG, and Class Teacher Rodney and Class Assistant Michelle and The students had a blast eating alfresco and watching the sunrise over the beautiful bushland. Each year they grow in confidence and add skills a gentle entry into the outdoor education. So many exciting adventures that lay ahead.
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Kindergarten Games
09 Nov 2023
Kindergarten children enjoy outside games for fun, fitness and to develop coordination. Beanbag games, skipping and the giant swing are great places to play! Kindergarten have learnt to finger knit on all 5 fingers, which makes a beautiful rope – perfect for your homemade skipping ropes!
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Yr 8 Perform Japanese Folk Dance at Assembly
08 Nov 2023
Yr 8 Japanese students performed a Japanese folk dance called "Soranbushi". It is a fisherman's working song using many movements that represent ocean waves, fishermen pulling in the nets, throwing fish or buckets, and rowing their boats. The words "dokkoisho, dokkoisho", "so ran, so ran" are sung during the dance. The words are used to encourage the fishermen to work harder. The Sylvia Brose Hall erupted in applause and the dance was thoroughly enjoyed by both the audience and performers. Thank you Yr 8 and to Japanese Teacher, Keiko Takahashi for bringing this meaningful performance to Glenaeon!
To watch the full performance, click here.
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Class 6 Ancient World Main Lessons + A Visit to Parliament
08 Nov 2023
In Class 5 and 6, our students learn about the birth of Democracy in the Ancient World of Greece and Rome. This year, our studies in Australian history culminated with the story of the birth of Australian nationhood, with our Federation, in 1901. So, to celebrate our Australian Democracy, Class 6 visited the NSW Parliament and experienced through role play, how our democratic institution works. We also visited the Royal Botanical Gardens and learned about Indigenous Knowledge and Culture and how the wisdom and knowledge of the past can help us care for our people and the land by reading the signs of nature.
Following our two Ancient Rome Main Lessons, Class 6 students were asked to provide an independent research project on a topic of their choice. Their work was very impressive as evidenced by just a few samples here. The students were also involved in multiple mosaic projects over terms 3 and 4, including decorating a terracotta pot, our tree stump-table contributions to the Silent Auction and a Birdbath that will be given as our gift back to the school.
Class 6 Mosaic Tiled Wooden Stumps
08 Nov 2023
The wooden stumps came from our own Middle Cove campus, and were from a dead bloodwood tree designated to be cut down during 2023 Term 1 school holidays. Our school Bush Regenerist & Groundsperson, Lindsay Sherrott, was happy that part of the tree could be recycled and used by Class 6, and ensured that the right lengths of wood were cut and put aside.
Parent and designer maker Robbi Pittorino then prepared the stumps and allowed them to dry at his workshop over Term 2. Class 6 children decorated the stumps with the support of Art Teacher, Julia Byrne. The inspiration for mosaic tiling came from their Ancient Roman History Main Lesson. The mosaic designs depict the sun and moon, based on their Astronomy lesson and the rainbow swirl is connected to the light/Physics Main Lesson.
Well done Class 6, these pieces of art were a much sought after submission in the Glenaeon Family Fair 2023 Silent Auction.
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Celebrating Japanese Girls' Day at Playgroup
07 Nov 2023
One of the pleasures of our Glenaeon playgroups is the discussions we adults have while the children are playing near by to us.
Last week, some of the conversations in each of our seven playgroups have been about how gender is celebrated in our different cultures and in different eras of our lives. How wonderful it is to learn from each other, to practice expressing ourselves in a safe space with others wishing to hear our words, to hear of our thoughts on particular subjects!
Hinamatsuri is an annual festival in Japan which takes place on March 3rd. It is also known as 'Girls' Day' and holds festivities and well wishes for girls aged 10 and under. This celebration was discussed in Playgroup and a lovely celebration table was created with dolls.
At this halfway point in Term 1 2024 there are limited spaces available, to register your family (ages birth to 5 years), please contact Sandra Frain at playgroups@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
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PDHPE Bubble Soccer + Water Sports
02 Nov 2023
The PDHPE students in Yr 9 and 10 have been hitting the pitch, and the ocean, all while learning new skills.
As part of the Glenaeon Water sports program, the PDHPE Department team up with Balmoral Windsurfing and Sailing Club at beautiful Balmoral Beach!
Year 10 students have been spending their PE lessons learning to sail, to stand up paddle board (SUP) and to either windsurf or sea kayak (depending on conditions).
It is yet another way to get the students more active around water and expose the students to three more ways to move on water, building on Term 1’s water sports and surfing program. The weather has been great and students are expanding their knowledge and skills in the water on different water crafts.
Back on campus, in Year 9 PDHPE Extension, the students had a go at chasing a very small ball while cushioned by a huge bubble ball 1.5m x 1.5m, all while trying to score a goal.
When two bubbles collide, often intentionally, one student has to give, and one student will go down, fall, roll or tumble to the ground! No fear, the falls are well-cushioned and fun. Students can even do a 360-degree forward roll before coming to their feet again.
Other games such as bulrush were also played and what an exhaustingly, exhilarating experience. Our students had so much fun and who doesn’t love moving their body whilst dressed in a bubble?
Any younger student observing always ask when they can to try out this fun activity – and they will, when they get to Year 9!
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Yr 8 Camp In Coonabarabran
01 Nov 2023
Yr 8 went up to Eric’s property in Coonabarabran to learn about ecology, which was connected to our Main Lesson on Earth Stewardship. The camp was grounded in learning to take care of the environment around us. It was a beautiful and inspiring experience!
The following exert was written by Edward W.:
Camp was an insightful experience, full of learning and self-reflection. When we first got to the 1st camp sight it was raining and we all scrambled to set our tarps up, every night after that we got better and so did the weather. During the mornings that we walked from campsite to campsite we learned of the importance of bushland and biodiversity. Sometimes half-way through our walk we would drop our packs for 30 minutes and observe the plants and draw them in our notebooks. No matter what we were doing, we were learning to create a healthier world.
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Farm animals visit Castlecrag
26 Oct 2023
Castlecrag became a mini farm this week with the visit of beautiful sheep, lambs and an alpaca called Trevor from Golden Ridge Farm! Class 1 are learning all about the wool cycle, so our students enjoyed feeding, brushing and learning all about wool, lanolin, fibres and different types of sheep and wool. Children also washed wool which will be carded, spun and knitted! It was a wonderful day full of fun!
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Yr 12 Welcome to the Class of 2024
25 Oct 2023
Check out our Class of 2024 in their brand new Yr 12 Jersies! We can't wait to see you thrive in your final year of school!
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Glenaeon Athletics Success
25 Oct 2023
Last term, after doing very well representing Glenaeon in the ISD carnival, an extremely strong and enthusiastic group of athletes qualified and represented at the annual AICES athletics carnival, with many achieving personal bests and making our school immensely proud.
Our congratulations also goes to the following U12 and U13 athletes who qualified for the AICES carnival: Ignatius C who qualified in Javelin, Matai J who entered the 3000m and triple Jump events, Sophia B who qualified in 400m, our U13 4x 100 meter relay girls, Sophia L, Anabelle B, Maya H and Matthia M who dominated at ISD with a win and to Theo M who just missed out on qualifying for CIS in the U13s Javelin. A stellar performance by these young athletes.
A special congratulations goes to Matthia M from Yr 7 who did exceptionally well at this meet, not only winning her pet event the long jump, but obtaining a new AICES record of 4.91m for the U13 girls!
Along with qualifying for the long jump, Matthia also placed third in the U13s 100m and was eligible for the triple jump and the 200m at the CIS regional carnival which was held at the end of last term.
She came up against some tough competition and on one of those 34-degree days, sporting a black arm band in memory of Jonas she finished just shy of a place.
We are so proud of Matthia, and all our athletes who competed at such a high level. Well done!
PDHPE team
ISD Junior Basketball Carnival
25 Oct 2023
Earlier this week, I took a very strong and determined boys' and girls' team made up of students from Yr 7, Yr 8 and Yr 9 to compete in the ISD junior basketball carnival in Bankstown. I was accompanied and supported by our two sports captains Rohan and Morgan, and our extracurricular Basketball Coach Ethan Brown.
The commitment of the players to this competition was evident from the start, with lunch time training occurring in the weeks before, and the energy and eagerness of wanting to do their absolute best for Jonas was palpable. The teams each wore black arm bands as a sign of respect and as a tribute to him during all their matches.
The boys team played fiercely and held their own against the competition in all their games with players pulling together and providing inspiring and gutsy play.
The girls team had excellent synergy and continued to improve as the day went on, playing with great heart and some excellent shooting, which saw them just shy of making the semi-finals, with only a couple of points in it!
Scarlett S, Chloe G and Lenny T in Yr 8 had a fantastic competition and were selected by scouts to represent the ISD in the up and coming AICES basketball carnival early next year - well done Scarlett, Lenny and Chloe!
The groups tenacity, team spirt, sense of fun and fair play shone brightly throughout the day, and they did Jonas proud.
A special thanks to our sports captains who helped me throughout the day and lead the younger students with integrity, a depth of experience, good will and a keen sense of fairness.
Well done to all!
Kim Mann
PDHPE Teacher
Class 3 Crochet
18 Oct 2023
In class 3 the children have been actively making throughout the year. They build as part of their main lesson and they have made models of dwellings and geometric shapes. They cook and learn to clean up, they garden and learn to care and nurture.
More recently, the children have been busy crocheting for their contribution to the school silent auction for the Glenaeon Family Fair. They carefully carved their own crochet from a stick of Murraya hedge and they have experimented making their own stretchy rope from recycled T shirts. It has been a fun time especially when the tools they have made themselves, are put to good use immediately.
Elizabeth Ellean
Handwork Teacher
Yr 8 Projects
18 Oct 2023
In Week 1 this term, our Year 8 students showcased their year long projects in the Sylvia Brose Hall. This was an opportunity to delve into an area of interest, further a passion, develop new skills. pivot when necessary and watch a project come to fruition.
Once they decided what their project was going to be, every student kept a journal of their experience through writing, drawing, photography and/or film; and recorded and documented their ideas, thoughts, successes, and failures along the way. The Project process was also submitted at the end of the project as evidence and summarised on a poster which makes up part of the final display.
The showcase displayed outstanding results from oil paintings, short films, novels, drones, surfboards, a botanical energy drink, rock climbing bag, music, a cookbook, ghillie suit and more.
The Year 8 project gives students the opportunity to project manage, in their own way, and use their initiative, and creativity and, to a big degree, self-manage over an extended period of time.
Well done Year 8, we were all so impressed by your dedication and creations.
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Class 1 & 2 Spring Festival
11 Oct 2023
Class 1 & 2 came together on the last day of Term 3 and held a Spring Celebration at the Castlecrag Campus with teachers Jamie Loftus, Jonathan Shaw and assistant Monique. They shared their beautiful Spring songs and a spring dance prepared with Eurythmy teacher Clair and pianist Linda. Parents helped create their beautiful Spring garlands and brought delicious food to share in a picnic following the festival. Thank you to all involved in this lovely event.
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Kindergarten Spring Festival
11 Oct 2023
Kindergarten children and teachers Melanie, Sarah, Junko and Catherine and assistants Ming-Yu and Elizabeth shared their joyful celebration with parents in a festival on the last day of Term 3. Coming together in a circle in the lower playground, first Little Kindergarten and then Big Kindergarten sang their Spring songs. They had prepared lemonade and fruit sticks and parents brought beautiful food to share as they enjoyed a picnic before heading home for the holidays. The weather was perfect and we all basked in the beautiful sunshine.
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Rosh Hashanah in Little Kindy
26 Sep 2023
Class 4 Make Paper
20 Sep 2023
Late last term, Class 4 enjoyed an afternoon in the sunshine making paper lead by Hand Work Teacher, Elizabeth Ellean. After carefully observing a demonstration, they rolled up their sleeves and, in groups, made paper from scratch.
They dipped and pressed and molded to make lovely pastel coloured paper with busy hands.
Thank you to Class Teacher Rodney Dean and Assistants for your support in this fun and creative session.
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Farewell Yr 12 2023
19 Sep 2023
At the end of last term, we bid farewell to our Yr 12 cohort who celebrated their last days as Glenaeon students before starting their HSC Exams. In true Glenaeon tradition, we were thrilled to host a number of events to make their final days at Middle Cove as memorable as possible.
The Yr 12 Walk-Around, The Yr 12 Presentations, The celebratory lunch and breakfast and the famous Farewell Tunnel were all enjoyed before the Yr 12 students and teachers set off on their mystery tour - a surprise outing to Taronga Zoo!
We are so proud of you, Yr 12. Wishing you all the very best of luck for the remainder of your HSC exams. You are amazing!
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Glenaeon Garden Culture
13 Sep 2023
Eco Literacy, Friends & Pests In Our Gardens: Part 2
Indigenous heart intelligence and biodynamic regenerative agriculture
From Indigenous culture we learn that when the wattles flower, the mullet fish run. In the Time of Murrai’yunggoray (September - October), as the weather warms and the Miwa Gawaian (Waratah) buds swell, the D’harawal people began their major ceremonies in celebration of the new life promised by this season.
In Glenaeon’s gardens we invite everyone to practise active observation before deciding on our actions of care. We sing to the garden “what story, what story do you tell? What story do you tell?” and then we articulate:
- The bees are saying “thank you for planting the zinnia seeds and caring for them”; the zinnias are saying “thank you to the bees for helping to pollinate us so we can make seeds for new flowers”.
- Our Mother Earth is saying “I am so thirsty without rain - will you please water me today? If my soil gets too dry the insects will be thirsty and eat the plants to find water.”
- The bush turkeys parading and scratching in the garden bed inform us that the lettuces need some protection.
Setting boundaries
While newly planted flowers and seeds are getting established in the soil we protect them with nets or fences built by the students. As plants grow bigger and stronger we uncover the plants so that humans and animals can harvest what they need. This is a principle of both biodynamic and Indigenous agriculture: we must ensure that the birds and animals have enough to eat too.
In Glenaeon's gardens:
● We practise principles that Indigenous and wise farmers share around the world: never pick the first or the last of the crop for the future of life itself. (For example, when we harvest our lettuce or silverbeet we always leave 3 leaves so the plant keeps growing new leaves).
● We have fish in the water garden to help keep mosquitoes away. Some plants are particularly helpful in deterring certain insects, and are carefully planted around gathering and play areas: tansy, with a camphor-like scent that repels ants and flies, while citronella and lemongrass' smells deter mosquitoes.
● We scatter crushed eggshells around particular plants to discourage snails and slugs that might be nibbling too much of our food. When Preschool and Castlecrag students find snails and slugs they carefully move them to non (human) edible bushes (or even build homes for them with leaves and sticks), and when students find inch grubs they feed them to our grateful chickens.
● We use tree paste to cover pruned branches or damaged trees to protect them from ants and other insects while they heal. Biodynamic tree paste is made with 3 equal parts of clay, cow manure and sand, mixed with water to make a spreadable paste.
Indigenous peoples have totems and special animal images to help keep unwanted visitors away. We have scarecrows, representing a human presence in the garden. While the kookaburras may laugh at our scarecrows, we like to think of them as friends: ever so helpful at catching native rodents.
Want to join our holiday chicken care team? Got a question, story or idea to share? The Glenaeon Garden Team would love to hear from you! s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Sandra Frain (and Parent Garden Volunteers)
Gardening Teacher
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Big Kindy Father's Day Bushwalk and BBQ
13 Sep 2023
What a fabulous afternoon we had celebrating with our lovely Dads and Granddads for Father’s Day. We set out on our usual Friday bushwalk with extra dads in tow, down the bushy track to Warners Park where we found the rest of our dads and granddads waiting for us. Following a dad powered play, we gathered in a giant circle to share our blessing before enjoying a lovely BBQ lunch together.
A special thank you must go out to Arlo's Dad, James, for very generously providing all those yummy sausages. And of course, a huge thank you to Nevra's Dad, David, for not only lugging his own barbecue to the site, but also for organising and cooking those yummy snags and providing rolls, salads, sauces and watermelon. What a wonderful effort and afternoon, thank you everyone.
Melanie Harper
Kindergarten Teacher
![Yr 12 Students Represent Glenaeon at the [EX]plore Science Extension Conference](https://newsroomassets.s3.amazonaws.com/media/glenaeon/newsletters/2023/09/13/Group_shot_at_Science_Ext_with_Stanley.jpg.800x0_q85_crop-scale.jpg)
Yr 12 Students Represent Glenaeon at the [EX]plore Science Extension Conference
13 Sep 2023
In the spirit of our ongoing commitment to academic excellence, we are delighted to share the outstanding achievements of our Year 12 Science Extension students from Glenaeon. On Monday, September 11th, Alex S., Jolan L., Anouk S., Nathan S., and Maadi P. represented our school at the [EX]plore Science Extension Conference hosted at Macquarie University.
In a remarkable showcase attended by over 200 students, educators, and university scholars, Nathan and Maadi were chosen to present their research projects, standing alongside 11 other exceptional students hailing from schools such as Abbotsleigh, SHORE, and St Joseph’s College. Their presentations were met with enthusiasm and admiration, captivating the audience with their passion for scientific inquiry.
Additionally, Alex, Jolan, and Anouk exhibited their research projects in the form of posters, joining a group of 60 students from various schools across New South Wales. Anouk's poster, in particular, left a lasting impression and earned her the well-deserved 1st prize.
We take immense pride in the accomplishments of these talented students, showcasing Glenaeon's commitment to fostering excellence in science education. Their dedication and achievements are a testament to the bright future that awaits them, and we eagerly anticipate their continued success. Congratulations to all!
Stanley Tang
Director of Studies
Science, Mathematics Teacher and High School Mentor
Little Kindy Wet Felted Coasters for Father's Day
13 Sep 2023
Our Little Kindy children made wet felted coasters for their Father’s Day gifts. We had many helpers in the room for every step. We prepared the fleece, rubbed it with warm soapy water and rolled and rolled it until it was felted well. The children then cut the felt into a coaster shape and felted some more before hanging it out to dry and ironing it. The perfect friend for a hot or cold beverage.
Junko Nicholas
Kindergarten & Japanese Teacher
Father’s Day Food Lovers Unite
13 Sep 2023
Glenaeon’s playgroup to high school sourdough bread enthusiasts shook cream until it became butter, dripped yoghurt until it made cream cheese, and kneaded dough until it was ‘soft as an ear lobe’ on 2023’s sunny Father’s Day.
The kneaded creations were embellished with garden edibles and transformed in the Castlecrag Kitchen ovens for take-homes, along with rye flour sourdough ‘starter’ jars and recipe booklets.
Learning of the alchemy of fermentation to make sourdough bread was exciting for adults and youth alike, as children played outside the Marion Mahony Griffin Hall kitchen on the fresh grass and inviting sandpit.
A ‘morning tea’ of freshly made sourdough bread, cream cheese, butter (and Junko’s miso!) washed down with our Castlecrag garden herbal tea vanished in no time. Thank you to all the participants who came and created a social alchemy on Father’s Day. Love was in the air!
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Glenaeon Garden Culture
13 Sep 2023
Breathing in and breathing out in times of joy and sorrow
With emphasis in 2023 on ‘Well Being’ in our lives, our Glenaeon gardens on all three campuses have been responsive for visitors of all ages to feel nurtured as they contemplate the mysteries of life within. The students find health actively and passively by digging soil, harvesting flowers, planting seeds, caring for plants and animals and in serving each other garden herb tea and fresh wholesome food in a sociable manner.
Angst and sorrow was ours with the loss of the beloved teacher Jonas Stoebe in the last weeks of Term 3. We countered the confusion of grief by celebrating the joy his life gifted us, honouring the elements of earth, water, air and fire within the home base of our gardens.
We dug a pit for making a ton of new soil from compostables,
We made contained fires and burned sticks for ‘doughies’;
We stirred waters of biodynamic preparations for strengthening our atmosphere and soil and We sprayed each other with water hoses;
We harvested flowers and vegetables;
We sang, shared stories, laughed and cried;
We wrote poetry and letters too.
We swung on the hammock and the big swing,
We planted seeds for glorious gardens of the future while remembering Jonas, an inspiration to us all.
Our Middle Cove garden hosted many classes of students and groups of teachers day after day of this time. Science students tagged birds, English students wrote prose, art students sketched, Math students measured time, Earth stewardship students rejuvenated their camp experience. Every break time the stumps in the garden and surrounding rocks were covered with students convening. As we shared this communal season of grief, the garden responded by making a ‘welcome home’ for us. Together, we accepted, we grew, and we healed: wiser and stronger in our openness and resilience to the mysteries of life.
How grateful we are that Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School honours the importance of cultivated gardens as a place to be, and as a place to be motivated to help. How fortunate we are to have a place to embrace the elements all and to be nourished by their powerful ways too. Like all living organisms, the gardens flourish with human activity and interest. Please contact S.Frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au if you would like to visit the gardens or volunteer with the Glenaeon gardens and animal care teams.
Celtic Blessing honouring the elements as sung by Year 8 ‘in the garden’.
Deep Peace
Deep peace of the running waves to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
https://youtu.be/oEmvQqg_EpQ?si=E7dFQRZLIyWiMiST
Sandra Frain (and Parent Garden Volunteers)
Gardening Teacher
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Glenaeon Garden Culture
13 Sep 2023
Chickens, the cycle of life and volunteers
Our business as agriculturalists is to work with transformation and metamorphosis or energies and matter. Life and death. This week we had a profound example of accepting the conditions that come with taking responsibility to care for animals for the sake of learning and the sake of soul warmth.
Even though we have a devoted community of families and staff who care for the chickens, we could not escape nature's way. After almost a year of absence a fox made its way into our coop, and now six of our seven Glenaeon chickens have become a part of our nourishing garden soil.
Like every farming community, the Glenaeon community has responded with the sorrow that comes with the loss of animals that so many of us have become attached to. With our loss our hearts have opened.
The garden space is so quiet without the chickens clucking and scratching and the sounds of the students' joy as they visit the chickens before school, in the classes and in the breaks. The Garden team has invited Glenaeon students to tie a chicken feather to a card with some words or pictures they may make and place it in the chicken coop. Many families are also making tributes to the chickens in different ways.
Adults are connecting via group chat and in person, the Garden team is welcoming families to visit and meet in the garden. Already this is resulting in tangible ideas ensuring the pedagogical health of our Glenaeon community. For parents and carers who are looking for a way to join and be a part of this community, a rare opportunity in Middle Cove, please feel free to email Sandra: s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au Let’s garden and make social change together: all ages welcome.
Sandra Frain (and Parent Garden Volunteers)
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Glenaeon Garden Culture
13 Sep 2023
This is the garden that we are growing
Since 2018 our Castlecrag Garden program has grown from a sporadic solitary Glenaeon School Staff gardener to a dedicated Biodynamic garden teacher and rostered parent volunteers supporting bustling garden classes with Classes 1 & 2, and gentle gardening fun with all Kindies! Children love seeing parents and parents love joining the children's class, supporting the teachers, helping to hold the students while learning the art and science of gardening.
‘Like bees to honey’, parent volunteer presence has attracted fellow parents to sign up for gardening lessons. Parent volunteers create a supportive fabric for our students that fosters social and emotional intelligence. We are delighted to have many parents regularly assist with the garden classes on all three campuses. ‘I learned so much’ is the recurring gratitude from parent volunteers. The children feel the warmth of their parents' interest. It's more than "how was your day today?". It becomes a: "I loved seeing you getting your hands dirty/pushing that cart/cutting down that tree; planting those seeds; tasting that harvest".
Parents report that their children look for possibilities on the home front to apply what they've learned and what they've done in gardening lessons, from balconies to communal gardens. Parent volunteers in gardening lessons are empowered to support this meaningful practice and joy of plant and animal husbandry.
‘I have been looking for a way to be a part of the community. I’m glad to be enveloped by the activities of the Glenaeon Garden Team.
‘It is so good for our urban family to come to school and have these farming tasks to contribute to in the holidays'
‘I grew up on a farm and I recall so fondly the animal care. We are delighted that Glenaeon provides this opportunity to our children year- round’
‘I love the peace of the garden. It is so beautiful: like an oasis.’
A school community that involves volunteers creates a collective consciousness, a supportive group of people with shared values. In the Glenaeon Gardens we work with the earth: creating soil, growing colourful edibles and nurturing animals. Students are learning useful life skills while they connect with the animals, care for our provisional earth and develop insights to address climate change.
For parents and carers who are looking for a way to join and be a part of this community, please feel free to email Sandra: s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au Let’s garden and make social change together: all ages welcome.
Sandra Frain (and Parent Garden Volunteers),
Gardening Teacher
Glenaeon Garden Culture - From You I Receive, To You I Give
13 Sep 2023
“An atmosphere of gratitude should grow naturally in children through merely witnessing the gratitude that their elders feel as they receive what is freely given by their fellow human beings, and in how they express their gratitude. The cultivation of this universal gratitude toward the world is of paramount importance.” - Rudolf Steiner*
As a Glenaeon Garden culture, we practise this form of grace in many ways including active observation and appropriate response. We give thanks for the animals, the flowers, the produce, the minerals, the space where we meet and of course for each other!
On the last weekend of November, the Glenaeon Middle Cove Garden was a hive of activity thanks to industrious families meeting to deconstruct the chicken coop and then to celebrate our annual gifting of loving labour to the garden program.
On the rainy Saturday, 25th November we hosted a working bee to dismantle the chicken coop which completed the recent work begun by the students of garden Class 3 to 6. We enjoyed de-constructing by cutting sharp wires and then driving wheelbarrows (up through the bush) full of awkward loads of sharp metals and plastics to the awaiting truck. The clean concrete slab now gives us the start we need to re-construct a more secure home for the chickens.
On the next day, November 26th, (the 4th anniversary of an Angophera tree crashing on the previous garden shed), we gave an honouring “Thank You” to all the families that support Glenaeon’s gardening classes and the essential weekend/holiday chicken care. On this sparkling sunny Sunday, our work was socialising. “What’s your Glenaeon garden story?” created the alchemy of interest in each other.
We celebrated the presence of our elder Ruth Pervis, the former Glenaeon Class Teacher, who retired to start the Glenaeon gardens in 2010. How exciting it was to hear her stories of transforming a previously desolate part of the Middle Cove campus for dedicated garden classes.
The mood was festive as we dined on popcorn, breads, pestos, garden produce and cakes, and guzzled fresh garden herbal tea! Children joyously scampered around the garden beds under refreshing sprinklers; lounged in the hammock under the green-grape laden pergola and discovered many skittish fish in the oasis’ garden pond. This is our garden!
For anyone interested in participating, learning, helping and supporting the building of a new chicken coop, please email Sandra: s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
* Rudolf Steiner “THE CHILD'S CHANGING CONSCIOUSNESS AND WALDORF EDUCATION”. GA 306. Lecture VI
Sandra Frain (and Parent Garden Volunteers),
Gardening Teacher
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Class 1 Perform the Play "Goorialla: Rainbow Serpent"
30 Aug 2023
On Friday 18 August, Class 1 performed their first ever class play for friends and family. The play was called "Goorialla: Rainbow Serpent" and was based on the children's book by Dick Roughsey. They dedicated their performance to the Cammeraygal people. The play was very beautifully performed and included choral speech, smaller group speech and singing. A warm thanks to Class Assistant Monique for organising all the costumes and the big 'Goorialla' held aloft at the end. Class 1 looks forward to our next theatrical performance!
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Class 2 Build Maths Skills
30 Aug 2023
Class 2 have been enjoying mathematics with Class Teacher Jamie Loftus and Teacher Assistant Theresa. They are learning to carry and borrow numbers in vertical algorithms. This is done through a story of families who need to borrow and share whilst living in apartment buildings. They are giving and taking eggs, apples and vegetables and the children have been busy working out how many each family has. The class have enjoyed some new maths games focusing on doubles, 'Friends of Ten', times tables and adding tens. The class continues to recite times tables using bean bags during morning circle time and are having great fun with each other and the four processes.
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Kindergarten Craft Journey
30 Aug 2023
For many Big Kindy children the favourite activity of the week is craft. They start the year with some simple wool winding activities and progress to making pom pom apples, then finger knitting coasters for their cups and treasure bags. By this time, fine motor skills and focus are more proficient, so on to 4 finger knitting their own skipping ropes. Next comes French knitting for their rest time pillows. The final project of the year: the bags they take proudly to Class 1 for the continuation of their craft journey.
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Tanabata Festival - Wishes to the Sky
30 Aug 2023
The children in Playgroups and Classes 1 & 2 have all participated in writing wishes and hanging them on Bamboo trees for the Japanese Tanabata Festival. On Mondays, our Japanese Immersion Playgroup has Naoko Murphy as their Playgroup leader, and Junko Nicholas and Naoko have taken Classes 1 & 2 for Japanese language lessons. It is tradition that these wishes must be burnt in order to send them to the heavens, and this was performed with Naoko in the playground around the fire. They sang and spoke the Japanese blessings as the ashes flew to the sky, taking their wishes with them. Thank you Naoko for leading this most exquisite ceremony.
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Yr 12 HSC Drama Showcase
29 Aug 2023
Congratulations, Year 12, on a successful night of Drama at the 2023 HSC Drama Showcase. Having experienced HSC Drama with students throughout the years, I am continually impressed by their tenacity and creative inspiration. This year is no different, assisting in the students’ projects has been a pleasure. On the night, we were taken on a theatrical discovery as we started with a Group Performance where students explored parenting styles through a comedic lens. Despite the exaggerations and focus on comedy, the audience was deeply moved to think about the issues they raised throughout the performance.
Additionally, we played designers and listened to the vision for a costume design by Eva, showing how fundamental production is to the whole vision of a play. Next, we went to the movies and reflected existentially on Sophia's Video Drama and the power of art to affect change. Lastly, we emotionally connected with Nathan's Individual Performance of a Monologue, where the essential character deals with grief. What a night.
There have been extended, tireless hours, continual feedback and revisions leading to the night’s presentations. It was challenging, but significant growth, personal meaning, and achievement came with that for the students, and I want to wish them all the best for the rest of their HSC.
Brenton Fletcher,
Former Head of Drama
Yr 10 PDHPE Extension Take Iron Cove Bay
23 Aug 2023
On the 20th August, a chilly, sunny Sunday morning, the students in the PE Extension assembled at 7:30am at the shores of the Iron Cove Bay in the Inner West of Sydney to complete a 7km road run. They had all trained for this run for 16 weeks, and were ready to tackle this very flat and beautiful course by the water’s edge to produce a potential personal best time (pb). This run was their practical assessment task for Term 3.
Anton, Alex, Leo, Ariella, Sam, Liam, Louis, Archer, Ryan, Max, Luka K., Lincoln ran their hearts out with Alex F. producing the fastest time for the morning with 31:58 min. Running is among the easiest sports to do, needing no equipment at all, and can be done anywhere at anytime. It is also a very healthy habit to establish and relevant to combat so many of our lifestyle-related diseases and mental illnesses. Students learn about these and the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle in class and on this morning they could prove to themselves just how far they had come with their training efforts.
Jonas Stoebe,
PDHPE Teacher & Co-Curricular Organiser
Class 2 Bushwalking Adventures
16 Aug 2023
Class 2’s first bushwalk for this term took them down to the harbour foreshore below Stoker Playground with Class Teacher Jamie Loftus and parent volunteers. The sun was shining and the students were eager to explore down the many steps to the water - they counted the steps and found there was more than three hundred!
The children enjoyed a picnic lunch by the water before exploring - finding crabs, fishing with sticks and inventing fun games. A play cafe popped up, a hammock between the trees to swing with friends and climbing trees.
They were joined by Class 1 on their bushwalk with Jonathan Shaw with great excitement and joy.
Working Together in Kindergarten
16 Aug 2023
Each Wednesday morning in the Kindergarten we come together for a working bee in the garden. We sweep, we rake, we scrub and we clean. We tidy the rocks, sticks and cubby building material. We harvest herbs to make herb tea and we cut fruit to share at our picnic morning tea. We care for each other, we care for our garden and we engage in purposeful healthy human activity together. It is always heart warming to see the children's enthusiasm and joy as they work together to complete their tasks.
Catherine Pilko
Senior Teacher Castlecrag Campus and Kindergarten Teacher
Preschool Gets a New Mudbrick Hut
14 Aug 2023
The children have been fascinated with observing the real-world work deconstruction of our old mudbrick hut and the beautiful building and creative craftmanship of our new mud-brick hut. Our deep gratitude goes to Kenney and his partner from MUDTEC.
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Eco Literacy Starts With Babies!
14 Aug 2023
In our Glenaeon playgroups we practice ongoing eco-literacy. We observe the trees and plants and rocks, explore by stroking trees, patting, and tickling flowers and multi-shaped leaves too.
We carry the rocks, roll them and grind them to make potent rock dust for the Glenaeon garden soil health. 'Iron' and 'basalt' are the words we learn to identify the colours of red and blue-black stone. We sing to the plants and give thanks for their magnificence as we play beneath and around them.
Nature is welcomed into the playgroup rooms to form the basis of our stories and enhance our baking table too. (Elizabeth Cooper our Glenaeon Little Kindy Assistant picks up wind scattered flowers, leaves, branches and banksia cones on her long walk to school.)
One Nona gave thanks to the pumpkin in the story our playgroup leader Natalie Choo told, her twin grandsons are now asking to eat pumpkin which they had rejected before, ‘making friends with pumpkin’!
Our Playgroup families (and educators) are most grateful for the beautiful campuses that Glenaeon Playgroup is held on, Preschool and Castlecrag with their abundance of flowers, shrubs and trees that make a child friendly haven for nature exploration and learning.
For playgroup enquiries, please contact Sandra Frain at playgroups@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
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Class 3 House Building Projects
14 Aug 2023
Class 3 have recently completed their “Home” Main Lesson. This culminated in the projects the children completed individually at home to bring in on the last day of the lesson. The projects are wonderfully varied and it is clear a great deal of care has been taken to create something through their own efforts. The students have been doing very well presenting their models to the class using prepared speeches.
During the lesson the children discovered different traditional houses from around the world, fostering a social understanding. The many trades required to bring a house into being were considered, highlighting the interdependence of our lives. Most importantly the nine-year-old children were supported to continue to establish their individuality and step towards greater independence with confidence.
Prue Ritchie
Class 3 Teacher
Losing a Tooth at Castlecrag
03 Aug 2023
Losing a tooth is always an exciting moment at school and especially at our Castlecrag campus. Children bring them to the office and choose a beautiful hand-made box to take it carefully home in. This week Morris even lost two teeth in a row! Our boxes are made by one of our lovely Japanese families so thank you to Goro and Yuki for these - we always love and appreciate them!
Melony Browell
Campus Administrator Castlecrag
Little Kindy Transforming the World Around Them
03 Aug 2023
Kindergarten & Japanese Teacher
Class 1 Craft Recorder Bags
03 Aug 2023
Class 1 have been busy weaving their recorder bags with Handwork teacher Elizabeth Ellean and parent volunteers. Using a weaving board, they carefully filled the strings with threads, making the bag thick to protect their new recorders. They plait a handle using an 'Egyptian Plait' style with 8 strings and saw, and sand and attach hand-made button made from collected wood. The result is beautiful bags they will use all the way up until Class 5.
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Yr 11 Leaders Meeting
02 Aug 2023
Year 11 Captains meet regularly with me to discuss their work within their leadership portfolios and their ideas for building positive school culture. These meetings are fun, open, and a joy to host. Our young people are living in interesting times, and complexities abound, and yet, I am constantly reassured by the optimism and positivity our students display. One new initiative worth celebrating is the inclusion of a ‘Captain’s Corner Spot’ as a regular feature of each High School Assembly; a time set aside to hear from a Captain about their story, what motivates them in school, and how this relates to the School’s values. I am hopeful that these student-led voices become a values tradition within our Assembly format.
Diana Drummond
Head of School
ISD Netball Winners
02 Aug 2023
On a warm winters day 10 Glenaeon students from Yr 8 & Yr 9 set off to play six other teams in our 17-schools strong ISD Netball Carnival. Unfortunately a senior team did not eventuate as Yr 10s were in Tasmania, however I did find some 10 girls willing to put their netball skills to the test for a junior team. A couple of lunchtime practice matches and some trying out to see who’s best in what position, a team emerged that looked strong and competitive.
And so we set out, Sofia H., Ava, Poppy, Ciara, Indy and Maya from Yr 9 and Chloe, Rose, Amelia A. and Scarlett S. from Yr 8 to play the first game, winning by a good margin. This built confidence! The second win cemented that confidence and made us think we could take this further! After the fourth win we topped our pool and were to play the runner up of the other pool, Al Zahra College. With a very tight defence and strong GK and GS positions, we beat Al Zahra 12:3. Now we could taste victory and believe we were in for something special: the final against serial winner Amity College.
At times it looked tighter than it was as both teams fought for every ball and every pass. Both sides made mistakes but our balls travelled faster and with more accuracy and our shooters remained calm under pressure! The final result of 15:9 made us scream with happiness, the girls hugging and totally overwhelmed by their own tenacity and the self-belief.
I was very proud of this group that came together only days before. These 10 girls are now friends. They now share in being champions of the 2023 Junior ISD Netball competitions. The school’s name will be engraved in a perpetual trophy and we received a small trophy to display at school along with individual medals and certificates to document the success. The group will be honoured at an assembly soon to share their experience with their peers.
Congratulations to all involved!
Jonas Stoebe
PDHPE Teacher & Co-curricular Organiser
Glenaeon Garden Culture
02 Aug 2023
Giving and Receiving Attention + Family Recipes
Rudolf Steiner emphasised that we should share our biodynamic food, plants and knowledge with everyone we could; all of humanity, animals, plants, minerals and the cosmos benefit. That’s what we practice in Glenaeon’s garden culture. We are most grateful to have a social culture that enables us to receive such bounty as we do from families, colleagues and community members. We are equally glad to have an abundance to give that includes knowledge, composted soil, school-made fertilisers, plants, seeds, tubers, vegetables, flowers - and family recipes too.
As we have shared in previous newsletters, we collect the fallen leaves from our campus' trees and decompose them in the leaf litter cages to make nourishing sustainable soil. Food scraps and their containers, weeds from the garden and paper from the classes and office are collected in the black bins around the garden before being heaped up together to make a compost pile vitalised with specific biodynamic preparations.
Thanks to this rich soil, our plants thrive in the biodynamic garden, and we have enough to share with students, volunteers and staff to take home. After the Glenaeon gardening workshops, families receive vital compost, wriggling with worms, to take home and rejuvenate everyone's gardens. Worm ‘juice’ and DIY weed fertiliser also go home in repurposed jars.
We share our plants and hear stories of how they fare at their new homes:
- Tree dahlias (taller than our Castlecrag buildings!) whose stunning stark star-shaped flowers are now popping up in many Glenaeon families’ gardens thanks to children taking home cuttings and propagating by sticking them into their own home soil. Ever useful and delicious;
- Land cress, is an edible ground cover has come back to school in pesto form;
- Sorrel, a green leaf with lemony taste is surprising parents whose children ‘don’t like greens’;
- Calcium rich Comfrey, great in soups and composts;
- Crocoseum (copper tips) with its delightful tall orange gladiola-like blooms, perfect in bouquets;
- Scrambling sulfuric Nasturtium, with its edible flowers and leaves that can be used in pesto;
- Amaranth, a ‘weed’ that adds magnesium and zinc to the soil while its leaves are rich in folic acid (and can be substituted for spinach), its maroon flowers and teeny black protein rich seeds enhance our playgroup baking!
"From you I receive, To you I give, Together we share, By this we live"
Joseph & Nathan Segal - this is our Glenaeon garden class song.
More examples of giving and receiving in the Glenaeon garden community:
- After pruning the Lemongrass plants, students take home a bunch to make some tea or cook it with their rice. Yum!
- At Glenaeon Preschool families regularly take home the Bay Tree prunings.
- Our prolific Castlecrag Tamarillo tree was gifted to us from farmer Helen Bryant in Coffs Harbour in 2019. Who would know that hundreds of the fruits would be enjoyed by sooo many students at Castlecrag and that expert cake baker Carolina Ou Smolinski would treat our compost heap makers on 13th May to a divine Tamarillo Cake?
- With Lemons from her garden, parent Nobuko taught Class 4 students how to make preserved lemons during gardening class.
- In home learning times, students received packets of sunflower seeds from their gardening teacher Kathy Thangthurai. Many months later we heard of the marvelling at hundred tall stems and bright suns in each home garden! Even the cockatoos flew in for a feast.
- Together we are a vibrant gifting community: valuing each other's efforts gives radiance for us all. “We are here for the sake of the universe” said our gifter of Biodynamic Agriculture: Rudolf Steiner.
Glenaeon Garden Culture
02 Aug 2023
Pests in the garden? (Part 1)
The healthier our immune systems, the less vulnerable we are to illnesses. And it’s the same with plants.
Students are used to grinding rocks in gardening lessons (and playtime too!). Rocks are made of compacted minerals and when ground and spread onto garden beds, they give good mineral access to plants. The minerals strengthen the soil, which makes the plants healthier and less vulnerable to pests.
Indigenous peoples knew which rocks were needed by particular native shrubs and medicinal plants. Some may require iron and silica, others need copper or zinc. Our students learn to name the minerals in the rocks by sight - red colouring in a rock is iron, the black is basalt, the sparkle is silica as found in sandstone. They grind the rocks and sprinkle the dust around their favourite plants.
The biodynamic preparations we use in compost systems provide strengthening for the garden soil and hence to the plants and animals. We humans also gain vitality thanks to this careful scientific method of agriculture.
From Pest to Friend
In the Glenaeon gardens we look after the insects, birds and animals: they all have a place in the ecosystem. It may be merely our perception that they're a pest, so we begin by wondering: how is this a beneficial friend bringing particular gifts to the gardens and to us?
The bush turkey is aerating the soil. Wasp and bee stings give us formic acid, believed to strengthen the nervous system. Leaves nibbled by insects can become even more nutritious: “Stress responses created in the fruits and vegetables initiated an increase in antioxidant compounds prior to harvest, making them healthier for human consumption”.***
Animals gift us so much and we seek to show good care for them. The new garden bed at Middle Cove features a stunning bird bath made by teacher Brendan Strobl in ‘centre stage’. The students suggested the old square pumpkin patch could be transformed into a rounder heart or rainbow shape, thus mirroring the oasis. It's also a gift back to the animals as visiting birds and insects now have sitting water and all the colours of the rainbow in flowers!
Wise words to sow by
Many cultures have their sayings to remind of the need to share the seeds we plant with our animal friends. In the Glenaeon gardens we plant in 4s - Michelle, one of our gardening teachers, learned this verse from her Italian farming ancestors and we keep it on the garden classroom blackboard:
One for the mouse
One for the crow
One to rot
And one to grow
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Yr 7 Dioramas
01 Aug 2023
Yr 7 has been constructing dioramas in Visual Arts. They learned about traditional Chinese landscape paintings and used India ink with squirrel brushes on rice paper to obtain the background effect. They carefully cut out silhouettes of Asian temples and red gates, learning a little bit about their purpose and symbolism. Students worked with great skill and consideration on this project with outstanding results!
Donna Miller
Visual Arts Teacher & High School Mentor
Yr 9 The Cove Winter Mornings
27 Jul 2023
In the middle of winter, the Yr 9 Cove Program is facing clear yet cold starts at 7:25am on Wednesday mornings. It is even more essential to stand together and support each other physically through exercise in nature, but also socially and emotionally to look after one another and grow the connection within the Yr 9 cohort.
This Yr 9 Cove class has grown by six new members in Term 3 and we welcomed them on Wednesday (25/7) to the early morning program. We did this with our own welcome ceremony with an activity that invited students to move in two circles, where they positively agreed to read out statements such as ‘do you feel well connected to your cohort’ or ‘are you ready to welcome and support the new members'.
After that, we split into groups and rotated between morning sun rays yoga and a bush run to the nearby large cave and beyond the banks of Scots Creek. In only a few weeks, the Yr 9 cohort will be canoeing down this creek into Fig Tree Bay to learn about canoeing and paddling skills before setting off on their Shoalhaven River and Art camp early in term 4.
The Yr 9s are now a very large cohort and it will be great to see how they can grow as individuals and as a group in the coming months, culminating in the great Cove Character Challenge in term 4. This event will see them away from school for a full day, an amazing group challenge in which they need to work tightly in groups solving complex tasks around the city.
Jonas Stoebe
PDHPE Teacher & Co-curricular Organiser
Thank you from the Glenaeon Foundation
12 Jul 2023
We are pleased to announce that we raised over $56,000 in this year’s Annual Giving campaign.
We take this opportunity to give heartfelt thanks to donors for supporting the new Glenaeon Staff Innovation Fund, the Building Fund, and our Bursaries and Scholarship programs.
In particular, we cannot wait to share with you details of the first successful Staff Innovation Fund grant recipient and its impact on students in due course.
Should you wish to further your support for Glenaeon with a bequest or regular giving, please reach out to foundation@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au.
For those who so generously donated, we will include your name in AEON Magazine and celebrate your impact on the rest of our school community.
Thank you again for your investment in our school’s bright future and your philanthropic support.
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Middle Cove MidWinter Spiral 2023
21 Jun 2023
This week, the Sylvia Brose Hall was transformed into an enchanting winter spiral to celebrate our MidWinter Festival. As each year group gathered around the soft lighting of candle flames, we were reminded of the inward journey the spiral symbolises. A time to gather, enjoy music, reflect and shed stagnant energy that no longer serves us.
Thank you to each cohort and the many Glenaeon staff members who made this beloved event possible. Thank you to our wider community who joined us on Wednesday evening to walk the spiral. We were thrilled to welcome you into this reflective annual experience.
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Glenaeon's Playgroups Celebrating Winter
21 Jun 2023
The Glenaeon Playgroups have been celebrating the universal search for symbols of warmth in this season of twinkling stars, warm glowing lanterns and roaring fires too!
The Japanese Playgroup has made fleece fires to warm themselves with and special wishes to hang on a wishing tree. The other Playgroups have enjoyed singing lantern songs and finding stars on our nature walks, and in the fruit when it is opened to reveal a starry form.
Many families from our seven Playgroups enjoyed a soup supper and dramatic story by a roaring fire. We all received a handmade lantern and sang while we walked under the twinkling stars and along the Bales Park Path by the Willoughby Glenaeon Preschool. Thank you to our beloved Preschool Teachers for including us!
Sandra Frain playgroups@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Year 7 Medieval Festival
21 Jun 2023
We wish to thank all the parents and teachers who freely gave their time and effort to help make this play such a success!
Year 7 Teacher and Faculty Coordinator
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Yr 9 Visit Warrah School By Sarah Summers
20 Jun 2023
It’s been over a year since I stepped onto the beautiful grounds at Glenaeon, where has the time gone? The trees and sounds are all the same, some new but mostly familiar faces, and the students are all slightly taller.
In my current work, we are given a Community Service Day each year, and so I asked Jonas if he needed another pair of hands to visit Warrah School with The Cove program this term. I was elated to discover the group I’d be spending the day with, was a group I knew well from my time as receptionist. My day was filled with plenty of hugs and nostalgic stories of scraped knees and class plays.
Up at Warrah where the weather was wintery, and the energy calm, we gathered to set the expectations for the day. Split into groups, the students and I organised chopped wood from the land, to be used for building furniture. With the helpful students of Warrah and the enthusiastic students of Gleno, we had some classroom time learning each other’s names and spelling them out on the blackboard. The Warrah students showed us some of their favourite yoga poses and we all embraced the theme for the day, Tree pose. The biodynamic farm at Warrah is a place for everyone to meet and connect with Mother Earth’s offerings. A huge patch of asparagus needed weeding so our 20 students donned their gloves and had fun seeing who could build the biggest pile of weeds. This task would have taken the farmers hours and together we were able to achieve it in one hour, sprinkled with some silliness and fun in the winter sun. After lunch, we played. Our students made friends, chatted, showed off their trampoline skills, played tug of war, and ended with a group photo and goodbye hugs.
Being able to observe our students show empathy and kindness towards the Warrah students reminded me of the wonderful job the teachers and families do in raising this generation. A humbling day, among old and new friends, amongst the bushlands, was an inspiring change from the office. Thank you, Jonas and the Year 9 students, for welcoming me back for the day. I’ll try not to leave it so long next time!
I hope all the Glenaeon community are well, with love and wildflowers, Sarah Summers.
Class 5 Study Ancient Egypt
19 Jun 2023
The first half of the year in Class 5 has taken us far back in time to learn about some of the earliest civilizations. One of which was Ancient Egypt where mythology became history as the children completed independent research on a chosen topic. There were three components to the project: an information report, a presentation and an artistic creation. The last of which you can see photos of below.
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Yr 9 Spanish Language Excursion
19 Jun 2023
On Thursday 15th June, the Year 9 Spanish class went with Sra. Gonzalez into the city for a day of language and cultural immersion. Acting as tour guides to our city, we gave presentations in Spanish about the harbour, the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Botanical Gardens. We finished the day with comida mexicana in the restaurant El Loco, trying different kinds of tacos, salsas and delicious desserts. The weather was perfect, y lo pasamos bomba- we had a great time!
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Fire Days in Big Kindy
19 Jun 2023
Every winter, Big Kindy cook their bread for Bread Day on the fire. Preparing for the fire is a big process that begins several weeks prior: first, we hunt out the straightest doughie sticks we can find, next we break them to size and sand the ends smooth, then we saw the big logs and collect lots of kindling. When all this is done, we are ready to build the fire.
The fire pit gets rolled out from storage and everyone helps build the perfect fire with scrunched newspaper, kindling, and then logs carefully piled in. Next comes the cooking - lots of patience is needed here, along with steady hands to prevent burnt bread! And finally, the best part - eating our bread and honey with Kindy friends.
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Shops, Fairy Gardens and the Amazing Cubby!
07 Jun 2023
The playground has been alive with a marketplace of shops, fairy gardens and an incredible cubby built with logs, mud and rope! For a collection of gum nuts, you can buy special sticks, leaves and pretty cakes, or simply wander and enjoy the fairy gardens that pop up! The children have been industriously building an incredible cubby with a balcony, different rooms inside and even a Reception Desk just like Melony's!
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Class 2 Abuzz with Honey
07 Jun 2023
On the first day of winter, Class 2 was a hive of activity when Class Teacher and experienced beekeeper Jamie Loftus ran a honey workshop for the children and parents. Jamie prepared a wonderful classroom display, including bee drawings from the children, a box full of ripe honey from his own beehives and all the gear needed to extract it.
In class, in their English/Geography Main Lesson – ‘From the Ocean to the Deserts’ – the children have been on an adventurous journey with Erskin and Jimmy, visiting an apiary on the way. Jamie shared some lovely stories and talked through the life cycle and vital work of bees in nature, how it takes one bee their entire lifetime to produce just one teaspoonful of precious honey, as well as the many health benefits of bee products.
After a demo, it was time to get our hands sticky! The children used the hand tools to slice off the wax cappings on each frame, placed the frames in the extractor, and spun the handle to release the honey - with sampling along the way! They even got to try on real beekeeper protective suits and make some beeswax candles.
The class proudly extracted over 15kg of honey, which provided a jar for each Class 2 child to take home, as well as jars shared with Class 1 and the Castlecrag campus teachers. A finishing touch on this wonderful experience was the class making beautiful origami bees in their Japanese lesson later that day.
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Big Kindy Bushwalk
07 Jun 2023
Each Friday the children in Big Kindy enjoy a bushwalk in the local area. We pack our lunches and water bottles before taking a new friend’s hand and hopping on the walking bus. We pick up our parent volunteers and before we leave the campus, we check that we all have our listening ears, looking eyes, and kind hands. We also check that Catherine has the kindy’s little bushwalking friend ‘Bushy’ (a pocket doll made out of palm leaves) who guides us on our journey. He may even have a story to tell about Great Grandfather Gum or Old Paper Bark who live in the little reserve we visit. Once we arrive at our destination, which at this stage is not far from the school, we put out our picnic blankets and enjoy a picnic lunch. After a little bush rest, we have time to explore, run and play before returning back to campus. Bushwalks give us a wonderful opportunity to engage in healthy movement and to connect with the very beautiful natural environment in our local area.
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MidWinter Disco Fever!
07 Jun 2023
Thanks to James Henty for being our funky MC and to so many people for dressing up to move and groove in true disco style! A huge thank you goes to the Yr 9 families who organised the concurrent Silent Auction with over 60 amazing donations from our community - it raised over $13,500! This goes directly to the Glenaeon Parents Association (GPA) and will be used towards projects and equipment for the students. The food and desserts were delicious and plentiful, and it was such a delight to see so many parents from all years together again.
- Anne Mundie
- Guiselle Vargas
- Hasu Opa-Clarke
- James Henty
- Julia Henty
- Maja Rose
- Melony Browell
- Nick Meredith-Jones
- Niel Mundie
- Peter Miles
- Sam Gibson
- Shaun Thomson
- Angela Lakkis
- Erika Hosoyama
- Holly Gibbons
Yr 7 Locker Shields
06 Jun 2023
AICES Cross Country Championships
06 Jun 2023
Congratulations to the students who represented Glenaeon at the AICES Cross Country Championships in Horsley Park. From the initial 15 Glenaeon runners who qualified from the ISD Cross Country Carnival on May 16, eight Glenaeon students were able and determined enough to make the journey and run their hearts out on a newly designed 4km circuit. Depending on their age they ran 3000m/4000m or 6000m distances. Impressive stuff!
We congratulate these students for their effort in a much tougher field of runners at this level and a much more undulating course! They all placed in the top half or top quarter of their respective races and that is formidable given the quality of runners that attended the event from all over Sydney.
Well done to Luc M. (Yr11), Felix P. and Genna H. (Yr 9), Ava and Grace F., Amelie B., Finn C.(Yr 8) and Enzo M. (Yr 7). We are proud to say we were the top-performing school at the ISD level, so let’s do it all again in 2024 with an even broader field of young runners trying out this healthy and easily accessible sport! It's never too early to start training!
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Glenaeon Garden Culture
06 Jun 2023
Welcome to ‘The Oasis’!: Part 2
The Garden team’s vision is for the students to experience the Middle Cove biodynamic garden as a place of wellbeing, where they are welcome to relax - whether or not they are engaged in class work! The garden offers a calm environment within the busy campus for those who need it. There is a hammock next to the water garden where many students swing in the breeze and find an equilibrium, also stumps and benches for sitting quietly or gathering to share observations and musings.
The flock of chickens brings interest and comfort to students, many of whom know the birds by name and are attentive to the ‘well being’ of these animals. Last week, Class 5 spotted a DAMSELFLY on the Indigenous Water Grass. How exciting it was to see a REAL damselfly as they are currently writing poetry and making pictures about them with Lucy, Lynne and the Willoughby Council!
The opportunity to do meaningful work in recess or lunch times is sought by some high school students who race to the garden saying "do you need any jobs done?" A spade, crowbar or mattock and accompanying tasks are available for those who want to ‘move mountains’. Scissors, baskets and vases are available for those who would like to harvest flowers and make bouquets to distribute around the campus. Other students enjoy making a pot of tea from herbs harvested in the garden and sharing this refreshment with their peers.
High school teachers hosting classes in the garden or garden classroom find the water garden is a ‘magnet’ for students where they instantly feel connected and relaxed. The water garden has already become a much-appreciated sanctuary!
Parents helping in gardening lessons also benefit as one parent shared recently: "Thanks to your magical gardening classes I had opportunities to build up my physical and mental energy. Also, thank you very much for letting us join the chicken care group! Both my son and I have been interested in animals but were not comfortable around them as we were afraid of them. You gave us opportunities to be relaxed around them and just enjoy the time with them. I really appreciate it."
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Glenaeon Garden Culture
06 Jun 2023
Welcome to ‘The Oasis’!: Part 3
Tree Planting
What a good time this is to share our tree planting progress in creating ‘The Oasis’ as it is ‘Schools Tree Day’ on Friday 28th July! As told in the Term 2 newsletters (links below), after the fibreglass form was filled with water and plants, the students immediately enjoyed the water garden space. They kneeled on the cool earth and scooped handfuls of water or sat on tree stumps (culled by Groundskeeper Lindsay Sherrot) and socialised with classmates.
The students of Classes 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8 were enthusiastic about digging three more holes. As part of a regenerative agriculture plan, our carefully selected trees will bring shaded cooling for the earth, animals and humans. They'll provide beauty, comfort, pollination, food, habitat and soil making matter. We'll also have more Indigenous bush foods in the garden.
Three new trees planted around 'The Oasis':
● Bangalow Palm: a ‘water diviner’;
● Native Hibiscus: preserved hibiscus flowers anyone?
● Japanese Maple: planted northside to give much needed shade in summer and much appreciated colour in autumn.
Native guppies and turtles will be introduced in Term 3, making this place even more special for everyone who visits.
Soil Making, Planning and Planting
To plant these trees, the students measured the diameter of each pot and calculated how wide and deep the holes needed to be. There’s a bit of trial and error too! As well as digging the holes during gardening lessons, they’ve been learning about the soil types these trees need to thrive.
We used leaf litter compost to fertilise. Glenaeon's Maintenance team kindly delivers all the leaves collected from the blowers on campus, and the Garden team with students from all classes collects this litter in a dedicated enclosure that allows air, sun and rain to permeate. Over a couple of years the leaves become rich soil, a moist compost that’s carbon rich and acidic - perfect for our new tree planting.
Once the holes were ready, the students wrote some wishes on papers and placed these in each hole before the trees went in. A happy celebration always follows the planting of a tree, a truly wholesome experience to share! Sunday 30th July is National Tree Planting day: we wish you and your families that joy to partake in.
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