The Twilight Concert is on next Tuesday, 23 June, 6:30pm in the Sylvia Brose Hall.

Twilight Concert is an informal showcase of students’ work in instrumental music and vocal lessons.

Music tutors prepare students to perform as soloists, in duets or in small groups.

This term’s concert features students from Class 5 beginners to Year 12's preparing for their HSC music performances, and everything in between.

We will have vocalists, French horn players, violinists, saxophonists, percussionists and more performing at the concert next Tuesday.

Our holiday chicken care roster for Middle Cove is now open. Please sign up here .

Throughout the school holidays, our flock of six hens relies on families for their daily care. Visits involve a few simple and enjoyable tasks such as checking food and water, collecting eggs and offering fresh greens, making it a rewarding activity to do with children. Families are welcome to spend a little extra time in the Middle Cove Garden during their visit, whether that’s tending to the garden, exploring the rock platforms, or wandering the bush track to Scott’s Creek.

For those needing CIP hours, please remember that you can claim both the time spent caring for the chickens and your travel time to and from school for each visit. Detailed instructions will be provided once you have signed up. If you would like to be added to the chicken care WhatsApp group, please email Kate on k.flood@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au with your interest.

Thank you to everyone who helps look after our flock during the holidays. Bolt, Cloudy Jane, Clover, Curio, Eagle and Delta appreciate all the attention they receive from our wonderful school community.

We are delighted to announce that from the 8-18 November 2026, Glenaeon will host students from Hamamatsu Nittai Junior High School in Shizuoka, Japan. The Japanese students are here to experience Australian culture and our style of family life and to improve their spoken English. It is important they are supervised, treated as an extension of your family and participate in all family activities during their stay with you. It is also important that the student/s are not allowed to remain in their rooms for excessive periods and that the host family makes a conscious effort to encourage the Japanese student in speaking English. If your family speaks a language other than English, please make a conscious effort to use English as much as possible whilst with the Japanese student.

You will receive $60 per student, per night.

You are required to provide:

• Transport to and from school as required. Should any unexpected circumstance arise, and you are unable to provide the necessary transport, you will be responsible for making safe, suitable alternate arrangements for your student. Students should never be asked to walk or travel by public transport alone.

• If the school charted bus is used, the cost of the student’s bus fares for travel between home and school will be provided by VS Oceania.

• Instruct your student how to keep their money and valuables safe while in your home. You will explain your house rules and set down guidelines for telephone and internet usage.

• Provide them with a clean comfortable bed of their own. They may share a room but not a bed.

• Provide three meals and morning tea per day, including school lunches as required. Should no packed lunch be provided, you will provide money for your student to purchase lunch from the school tuck-shop.

• Prior to embarking on any proposed sightseeing trip, costs involved will be discussed with your student and decisions made as to who is expected to pay. Students should not be expected to pay for petrol or any normal everyday household usage.

It’s important we have accurate information about your family on our records. If your family situation changes in any way, please give us a call so we can update our records. Pet information is also very important.

Please contact VS Oceania on admin@vsoceania.com or (02) 9889 4366 to enquire.

It was great that so many Glenaeon families hosted students last year, we'd love to see your support again in 2026!

Glenaeon’s family-style Playgroups are joyful and supportive of you and your child’s development.
Our highly skilled Steiner Playgroup Educators Natalie, Nancy and Marianne create imaginative activities to ensure families enjoy an enriching, uplifting time together.

Each Playgroup meets once a week and is led by a qualified Steiner Early Childhood Educator who guides the group through a two-hour dynamic session including adult discussion. Stories and songs, circle activities, and free-play both indoors and outdoors reflect the seasons of the year. A shared nourishing morning tea is a cornerstone of the occasion. Everyone develops multiple skills for crafting a happy, healthy home. Our colourful Playgroup rooms at Castlecrag and Willoughby campuses are furnished with quality handmade toys, while natural gardens are a safe haven for explorative, active tactile play.

Please find more information, term dates and to register here .

Big Kindergarten have enjoyed some winter outdoor fun in the garden. They have been spreading compost and making friends with worms. The Kindergarten rhythm allows for time in nature each day (rain, hail or shine) to nourish the earth and their minds alike.

There is a hula hoop explosion going on at Castlecrag this week! Students are doing all sorts of tricks whilst honing their body coordination and balance. The hoops are spun on arms, waists, legs and even necks. If you haven't read a book whilst hula hooping, skipped through a hoop or hula hoop for half an hour without stopping... there's still time to learn. It's so much fun for everyone!

The nature tables at our Castlecrag campus reflect the changing season, to the Dh'arawal the time of Burrugin, and Tugarah Tuoi...shorter, cooler, frostier days, where echidnas start to search for a mate, bush turkeys are building their nests, and the Burringoa, the red forest gum is flowering. The first wattles are starting to shine their tiny lights into the dark of Winter time.

Over two special days, the Middle Cove campus was filled with warmth, light and community as students from Class 4 through to Year 12 and our wider community came together to celebrate the Winter Festival.

Through song, story, lanterns, shared meals and seasonal activities, students experienced the richness of this cherished festival. One that honours the quiet reverence as the days gradually lengthen once more. Families, staff and community members joined in the celebrations, creating a sense of connection across all ages and stages of the campus. The Winter Festival is a treasured opportunity to pause and celebrate the light that shines within each of us. A huge thank you to all who brought this festival to life.

Class 4 students recently enjoyed a hands-on lantern-making activity, crafting beautiful tin lanterns in preparation for the winter festival. A clever technique, prepared by Class Assistant Maya, saw each tin filled with water and frozen beforehand, allowing students to hammer intricate patterns with nails without denting or compromising the shape of the tin.

It was a joy to witness the creativity and concentration throughout the process. Students readily shared their skills, encouraged one another, and worked together to overcome challenges, demonstrating the strong sense of community that is such a valued part of Class 4 life. Thank you to parent volunteer Ilona Tar for capturing the moments in action.

Last week, our Year 7 students put on a wonderful performance inspired by the traditional drama style of Commedia dell’Arte. Through a series of short plays, lively skits and monologues, students brought the classic stock characters to life, showcasing their growing confidence in storytelling, physical theatre, and improvisation. Adding to the excitement, students also incorporated a range of circus tricks into their performances, demonstrating impressive skill and coordination.

Beyond the performance itself, this kind of drama and improvisation work plays a vital role in developing students’ social and emotional skills. Students learn to listen actively, respond to others, and build trust within a group. Improvisation encourages flexibility, resilience, and confidence helping students think on their feet and embrace mistakes as part of learning. Exploring character and storytelling also allows students to develop empathy, as they step into different perspectives and experiences. It was wonderful to see our Year 7 cohort embrace these opportunities with such enthusiasm. They should be incredibly proud of their achievements, well done, Year 7!

Year 8 are studying anatomy, taking inspiration from the renaissance artists Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. This lesson explores some of the incredible engineering of our bodies and an understanding on how to honour our health, our body as ‘our temple’ and requiring our highest reverence and care. They are learning about the incredible amount of correspondence that makes up who we are and how these correspondences are reflected throughout all aspects of our form. Students are engaged and enthusiastic and Year 8 Guardian Emma and Visual Arts Teacher Donna commend them on their engagement!

On Monday 15 June, our Year 12 Mathematics Extension 1 and 2 students attended the annual Mathematical Enrichment Day (MED) at Macquarie University. Designed specifically for Extension Mathematics students, the event provided a challenging and intellectually stimulating opportunity to discover fascinating applications of mathematics and explore how mathematical thinking is used to solve real-world problems.

Throughout the day, students selected elective lectures linked to Stage 6 content, encountered exciting areas of mathematics beyond the school curriculum, and gained insights into the many rewarding career pathways available to mathematically minded students. They also enjoyed connecting with like-minded Extension Mathematics students from schools across Sydney who share a passion for the subject.

Adding to the occasion, our own Mathematics teacher, Dr Stanley Tang, was once again invited to present at the event. Dr Tang has been a presenter at the Mathematical Enrichment Day every year since 2023, sharing his enthusiasm for mathematics with students and teachers from across the state.

On Friday 5 June Y12 Modern and Ancient History classes attended the History Teachers Association Study Day. Lectures were held at the University of Sydney so students got a taster of the excitement of a full lecture hall! These lectures form a valuable part of students' preparation for their Trial examinations in Term 3.

Year 12 Ancient History students attended sessions on the core Ancient History study unit, Pompeii and Herculaneum. The sessions dealt with everyday life and conservation efforts. In the afternoon students attended a detailed presentation on the use of sources and finished off their day with a visit to the Chau Chak Wing Museum which holds an impressive collection of ancient artifacts.

Year 12 Modern History students had a packed schedule with sessions on the Russian National Study, Cold War, Rise of the Nazi Party and a skills-based session focused on writing historical arguments. Presenters were school leaders from across the Sydney region with many years of experience supporting senior students.

Year 12 Modern History students reflected that the sessions were presented by knowledgeable and dynamic teachers who provided structured advice for improving historical thinking and expression. The teachers provided informative examples of historiography in action and demystified the familiar student question 'How do I incorporate the work of historians in my own writing and arguments?'

In a Glenaeon first, our Year 12 students were joined by their parents and carers for a very special Winter Spiral - walking for the final time as a Glenaeon student. After the Spiral, students, parents, carers and teachers gathered on the Middle Cove café deck for a winter inspired morning tea to celebrate. Warm ladles of cider and pumpkin treats were shared and enjoyed by all. Thank you to The Gentle Café team for catering. We hope these wonderful students will continue to return to Glenaeon each Winter Festival for our community event.

Year 12 are participating in The Push-Up Challenge and working to complete over 3000 push ups in three weeks - this number indicates how many suicides there were in Australia in 2023. They are thinking about mental health and learning how to support their own health better through the process. Funds raised will go towards much-needed mental health services and initiatives in Australia. Please donate here to help Donna and Year 12 reach their fundraising target and support this great cause. To find out more about the impact of your donation or to learn about participating in The Push-Up Challenge, click here .

As Winter Festival preparations begin and the school holidays approach, now is a wonderful time to gather materials for seasonal celebrations, creative projects and the quieter rhythm of winter.

Our collection of pure beeswax candles and beeswax candle-making sheets make it easy to create beautiful handmade candles for Winter Festival celebrations. Rolling your own candles is a simple and meaningful activity that children love, while our range of pillar and tealight candles bring warmth and wonder to seasonal tables and celebrations.

Encourage creativity these school holidays with our colourful wool felt fabric, 16ply wool yarn and carefully curated craft supplies. Perfect for lantern-making, winter craft projects, and hours of imaginative play and creation.

You can browse the collection online or come in and visit in person before the end of the term.

Term 2, 2026 – Opening Hours :

Tuesday: 8:30am—12pm & 2pm—3:45pm

Wednesday: 8:30am—12:30pm

Thursday: 8:30am—12pm & 2pm—3:45pm

Friday: 8:30am—12pm & 2pm—3:45pm

Shop online anytime: grassrootsecostore.com.au

Thank you for supporting local and choosing products that nurture creativity, sustainability, and imagination. A portion of every sale supports Glenaeon.

Grassroots Eco Store is located on the Glenaeon Castlecrag Campus, next to the Marion Mahony Griffin Hall. 121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag.

The Community Involvement Program provides parents with many ways to contribute their energy and service to the school. The CIP allocates 32 hours of involvement per year to each family with the option for families to pay a levy in lieu of volunteering at numerous tasks and events. A CIP levy of $160 per term per family is charged up front to school accounts. When voluntary work is done and registered via the CIP service record form , it is credited to their account at the rate of $20 per hour (i.e. 8 hours per term gives you your full credit). You must note your work on the form by the due date (CIP points to be submitted by the deadline, Wednesday 1st July ).

Credits may be accumulated during the calendar year and you don’t have to do the full 8 hours each term for the accumulation to occur. Some families make their entire contribution for the year in a single term by attending a school camp for example. Credits are not carried over from one year to the next.

For families who pay via Direct Debit, your final debit in November will be reduced by any CIP credits that have accumulated during the year (you will receive a statement shortly before showing the amount of your CIP credits).

For families who prepay, you can either elect to leave the credit on your account to offset against the following year’s CIP charges, or if you prefer a refund you can email accounts@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au at the end of the year with your bank account details requesting the refund.

Some of the tasks that attract full CIP credits are class parent, school council member, serving on a committee, running the parent library, and attendance at class camp. Other tasks that may gain CIP credits on an hourly basis include classroom assistance, library support, baking for school events, voluntary work at the preschool, helping with repairs and maintenance, supporting twilight concerts, and assisting in the Biodynamic garden. Note this is not the full extent of activities that will attract CIP credits. If you have a query about the eligibility of a certain task contact the Daily Operations Manager and/or refer to your Parent Handbook.

Glenaeon Year 7 HPV and dTpa Vaccination and Year 10 Meningococcal ACWY Vaccination Clinic with NSW Health nurses has been rescheduled to Tuesday, 28 July 2026 from 9.00am in Senior Library. If you wish to register your child for this clinic, please click here for information on how to give consent.

On the day, students with parental consent for this clinic will be advised by Guardians to go to Senior Library for approximately 30min including 20min post-vaccination observation.

Please note this communications is only for parents who wish to register their child for this NSW Health Clinic and please be assured that NO consent means NO vaccination .

If you wish for your child to receive the above vaccination, please read the attached information regarding the online vaccination consent process and register immediately online by visitng: https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage

Benefits of online consent for parents/carers:

- SMS notifications when vaccinations are given

- Easy updating of your child’s details online

- Faster upload of child’s vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

For parents who have registered online consent, on day of vaccination please ensure:

- Your child has breakfast

- Arrives at school by the 8.40am bell

- Is wearing short sleeve shirt (jumper or jacket can be removed)

- If your child is feeling unwell on day, please email absence@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au by 8am

- If your child is unable to attend on that day, NSW will automatically include as catch up at next vaccination clinic

If you have any further questions, please contact me direct on 9932 2302 or email m.millikin@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au and please see flyer here for more information.

Midwinter sparkle and AGM momentum

It’s been a big couple of weeks for the GPA, with the Midwinter Party and the Annual General Meeting both taking place in June. The GPA Cuppa & Connect social has continued successfully, with the last gathering for this term happening next Wednesday (24th June at Middle Cove campus).

The 2026 Glenaeon Midwinter Party, A Midwinter Night’s Dream , was a memorable evening of music, dancing, delicious food and community connection at Club Willoughby. A highlight of the night was the live performances by a Year 12 student and a band co-founded by a Glenaeon alumnus. The Silent Auction was a great success, with proceeds enabling the GPA to fund new musical instruments for students in 2026. What a wonderful celebration for our school! More on this below.

The 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Glenaeon Parents Association (GPA) was a positive and engaging evening that brought together parent members and school representatives to reflect on the past year, review the GPA’s work and achievements, and look ahead to future priorities. Discussion highlighted efforts to strengthen parent communication and engagement, foster community connection, increase the visibility of the GPA, and explore new ways for parents to share ideas and become involved. Financial results for 2025 and 2026 to date were presented, the new GPA Steering Committee was elected, and thanks were extended to the many parent volunteers and staff whose dedication makes the GPA’s work possible. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the evening. More on this below.

Huw Morris – Chair
Glenaeon Parents Association (GPA)

GPA in GLO | Contact the GPA | GPA on website

Once upon a time, in A MIDWINTER NIGHT'S DREAM...

We hope you take a minute to check out the recap video of the iconic Midwinter Party on Saturday 13 June 2026 at a brand new local function venue, Club Willoughby! Over 120 guests got their music, dancing, mingling, and shopping fix. Dancefloor was active with everyone from principal to parents, to teachers to admin staff and even the venue staff enjoyed the groove. Ultimately, human-centered in-person social events like these make meaningful encounters and truly unify and further strengthen our wonderful school community.

It took a village to make this happen! Thank YOUs to:

- Glenaeon Leadership (Diana Drummond, Yura Totsuka and Dani Finch)

- Glenaeon Events, Newsletter, Administration and Maintenance (Aimee Taaffe, Tamara Louis, Melony Browell, Bec Hinzack, Dani Demos, Bodhi Sherrott, and Mary Goodrich)

- The GPA Steering Committee (especially Sou Ewins and Alex Pampel)

- Class parents

- Year 7 parents who organised the party (especially the DREAM TEAM Lisa Taylor, Jane Morgan, Rose Aung Thein, Anna Desjardins and Zoe Wilde)

- Year 9 parents who organised the silent auction (especially Sabine Simmonds, Jochen Schweitzer and Jessica Holmes)

- Event Manager (Khloe Healey) from Club Willoughby and all the venue staff who were friendly and so helpful

- Everyone who donated at the silent auction

- Everyone who bought the party tickets

- Everyone who bid at the auction

A very special shout out to our amazing performers who brought the party to life:

- Aiyva (Ava Keys, current year 12 student of Glenaeon). Follow her original tracks on Spotify!

- Stratus (a band, co-founded by Reuben Aung Thein, Glenaeon Alumni Class of 2024)

- MC of the evening (Anna Desjardins, a Year 7 Mum of Lucie)

Not just the fun, the GPA raised the funds of $10,500, which will be used towards the key projects for 2026, including new musical instruments, Sylvia Brose Hall improvements, and outdoor play activities for use in Castlecrag campus.

It was great to see you all at A MIDWINTER NIGHT'S DREAM. Until next year...

The 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Glenaeon Parents Association Incorporated (GPA) was held on Wednesday, 10th June at Glenaeon’s Castlecrag campus. Present were the Glenaeon Board Chair and 3 other Directors, Glenaeon’s Head of School and Finance Manager, all 8 parent members of the GPA Steering Committee, and other GPA Parent Members.

This meeting followed the Notice of AGM and agenda shared with all GPA Parent Members. An informative presentation is now available on the GPA page in GLO , including links to the Chair’s and Treasury Reports for 2025 and 2026 to date. We encourage all Parent Members to take a look.

Parent members of the Steering Committee were nominated and elected (including re-elections) at the AGM, to serve until the next AGM in accordance with the GPA Constitution. The 9 parent members of the GPA Steering Committee are:

Huw Morris – GPA Chair (Class 4 & Kindy dad)

Alex Pampel – GPA Secretary (Class 5 & 2 dad)

Sou Ewins – Ordinary Member, GPA Class Parents Mentor (Year 9 mum)

Nick Van-Bell – Ordinary Member, GPA Family Fair Mentor (Class 6 & 4 dad)

Matt Taylor – Ordinary Member, 2026 Class Parent (Year 11 & 7 dad)

Sylvia Robinson – Ordinary Member, 2026 Class Parent, 2026 Fair Coordinator (Class 4 & Kindy mum)

Paul Gordon – Ordinary Member (Class 4 & 3 dad)

Maja Rose – Ordinary Member (Year 10 mum)

Elena Hattersley – Ordinary Member (Class 5 & 3 mum)

There were no nominations for the second Co-Chair or the Treasurer positions on the GPA Steering Committee, meaning those positions remain casual vacancies under the GPA Constitution. Diana Drummond continues as the Founding Member nominee on the GPA Steering Committee, and Rohan Wijesinghe remains the GPA’s Public Officer.

The GPA Steering Committee members, other parent volunteer roles, and more useful information are on the GPA site in GLO . We warmly welcome your questions or feedback at any time – please get in touch .

Cuppa & Connect was in the garden at Castlecrag campus this week. 10 parents (including Class Parents & GPA Steering Committee members) were joined by Kate Flood (Glenaeon’s Gardening Teacher). There were warm cuppas, nice chats, good cheer and busy hands – connecting our community while completing garden work. A reminder that those who are registered volunteers at Glenaeon can use this form of volunteering towards CIP credits.

Cuppa & Connect also visited the Preschool at Willoughby campus last week. Preschool parents and staff were joined by GPA Steering Committee members for informal conversation over cuppas and nibbles – a good opportunity to connect now that Preschool families are also Parent Members of the GPA.

Last Cuppa & Connect for Term 2
Week 10 – Wednesday, 24 June, 8:30am–9:30am
Middle Cove campus
Come by the Gentle Café for a complimentary cuppa, then head down to the garden.
A reminder that all visitors to Cuppa & Connect need to sign in at reception.

For more info please visit the GPA page in GLO .

All 2026 + 2027 Term dates for K-12, Preschool and Playgroups can be found on our website, click here .

Our Newsletter is published Week 1,3,5,7 and 9 in term time.
Please see our publishing schedule for exact dates.