What a joy it was to witness the culmination of so many weeks and months of dedication at this year's Glenaeon School Concert at The Concourse, Chatswood. The school shone brightly, with every performance offering its own special moments and many memorable highlights.

The achievement of the students was a wonderful reflection of the care, patience and skill of their music tutors, ensemble leaders, and of course, Music Administrator Julie Monteban, Music Teacher Alleyne Moss and Head of Music Ian Munns. To see students develop from beginners into confident and capable young musicians is a remarkable testament to the power of teaching over time.

Behind the scenes, staff provided the quiet support needed to help students stay focused and ready to perform. The backstage team, led by Evan and Charlotte, worked seamlessly with the student runners to ensure every child was in the right place, at the right time.

The evening was also made especially meaningful by the presence of former staff, graduates, Board members and many members of the school community, whose generous feedback and delight in the students’ achievements were wonderful to hear. A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who contributed to making the evening such a success.

On the very first Sunday of the school holidays, the wonderful Preschool family caring for Munch and Biscuit, made a delightful discovery. Two tiny baby guinea pigs had arrived overnight, unbeknownst to all of us!

The new additions have been lovingly named Pepper and Fudge. While Pepper will remain with her mum, Fudge is a little boy and will need a loving new home to ensure our guinea pig family doesn't continue to grow! If your family may be interested in welcoming Fudge, either permanently or temporarily, please contact our Preschool on preschool@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au

Caring for animals is a treasured part of the Steiner early childhood experience. Through daily interactions with our pets, children develop empathy, responsibility and a deep respect for living beings. Witnessing the arrival of new life offers a gentle opportunity to observe nature's rhythms and life cycles firsthand, nurturing wonder and curiosity and a connection to the natural world.

🐹 A little update on Pepper...

Our tiny guinea pig, Pepper, was born with her front legs curled underneath her. After a visit to the vet, we've been shown some gentle physiotherapy stretches to do each day in the hope that she may gradually learn to walk on her paws. It may also be that her legs simply developed this way and if that's the case, we'll love and care for her just as she is.

Within our Steiner preschool, we value nurturing compassion, empathy and reverence for all living beings. Pepper's journey provides a beautiful opportunity for the children to learn that every living creature is unique and worthy of kindness and care. When children grow up with natural experiences of difference and diversity, acceptance becomes part of who they are.

We are the woodcutters sturdy and strong

With saw and axe we stride along

Woodcutter's steps are heavy and bold

Logs we cut in the winter cold

This August, the Kindergarten children have been busy preparing fires in the fire pit each week, finding twigs, snapping branches and working together to build a chimney for the fire. Once the fire is ready, we take our damper dough and pat, pat, pat it around our long sticks. Then comes the patient waiting by the fire, carefully turning our bread together as it slowly cooks. When the damper is just right, golden brown and crispy, we enjoy it warm with honey. It is so yummy!

Cold grey winter's here

Fires give us cheer

Snug together

Winter weather

Cannot make us drear.

Class 3 performed their play 'Moses' this year for parents, our Class 2 and Kamaroi School's Class 3 students with Class Teacher Emily Watts. This year is a year of transformation and growth, so the story of Moses really reflects the Class 3 pedagogy of 'overcoming to the other side' and feeling free. The play was cast with the purposeful intent of putting children who are a little more shy or introverted as the main parts to help them grow and come out of their shell. Class 3 did such a wonderful job and it was an incredible series of performances. Well done, Class 3!

Class 4 visited Taronga Zoo to complete their Human and Animal Main lesson. We enjoyed many Keeper talks where we could ask the zookeepers questions. We saw the incredible Seal show and learnt about sustainable fishing. The highlight of the day was visiting the Interactive Rainforest classroom where we got to pat a Blue Tonged Lizard named Noreen and a Ring-Tailed Possum named Maeve. We spent a wonderful hour with some Bleeding-Heart Doves, Nicobar Pigeons and watching two adorable Cotton-Top Tamarind’s eating grapes. What a fantastic day we had!

Year 9 and 10 Japanese students recently enjoyed an exciting cultural excursion to the Japan Foundation Sydney, where they participated in engaging workshops exploring Japanese language and culture. Students learned about traditional Japanese patterns and customs, gaining a deeper appreciation for Japan’s rich cultural heritage.

One of the highlights of the day was taking part in the fun and fast-paced Quiz Grand Prix, where students tested their knowledge and worked together in a friendly competition.

The excursion concluded with a shared meal at a local Japanese restaurant, Peko Peko, where students put their language skills into practice by ordering their meals in Japanese. The experience provided a valuable opportunity to use Japanese in a real-world setting while enjoying delicious authentic cuisine.

The day was a fantastic celebration of language learning, cultural discovery, and student participation, leaving everyone with wonderful memories and building confidence in their Japanese communication skills.

Year 7 have enjoyed a very hands-on main lesson, learning about the “simple machines” that underlie all labour-saving devices; the lever, the inclined plane, and the wheel, especially in its application as the pulley. Comparing the degree of exertion needed to lift or transport heavy weights unassisted and the reduction of effort brought about when we utilise the simple machines. Students worked together to move and lift under the guidance of 'Oswald' the mechanic!

Whilst we still await the official results from Wednesday’s ISD Athletics Carnival, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest another great day on the track for our Glenaeon track and field athletes. Our team of 35, made up of volunteer athletes from Years 7-11 were exceptionally well led by Sports Leaders Finn, Emily and Lenny who showed the way with strong performances but more importantly provided support, encouragement and advice to our younger athletes throughout the day. The huge amount of smiles and a collective total of 43 ribbons tallied up on the jubilant bus ride home will undoubtedly mean a chance for our athletes to compete at the next level of athletics in the pathway: Representing ISD at the AICES Championships.

Beyond the sessions offered at Glenaeon, parents and carers are warmly invited to take part in the inspiring workshops and talks hosted by the Steiner Parent Education Initiative. Upcoming sessions are shared regularly in our Newsletter. As part of our ongoing commitment to meaningful parent engagement, Glenaeon parents and carers are able to attend these events free of charge .