School Newsletter

Please pop the date in your diary and we will let you know when bookings are open!

In 1982 protesters and environmental activists worked with the Australian Government to stop the damming of the Franklin River. This action saved a key wilderness area in Tasmania creating a political precedent for raising environmental concerns in parliament. The political success of the environmental groups involved ultimately led to the formation of the Greens party at the Federal level.

Ten lucky people will have the experience of rafting down the mighty Franklin River. This trip will be guided by our very own Head of Outdoor Education Scottie Williams, accompanied by a star-studded line-up of incredible guides, supported by a commercial Franklin River rafting company.

This trip includes a challenging day walk to Frenchman’s Cap (weather permitting) and immersive forest bathing experience at stunning locations throughout the journey. Unlike most Franklin trips, we will fly from the take out in a sea plane back to Hobart.

Cost: $6200 all inclusive ex Hobart
For inspiration: https://vimeo.com/322534842
Dates: Thursday 27 November 2025 7:00 AM - Saturday 6 December 2025 7:00 PM
Location: Franklin River Lutruwita - Tasmania 7000
Book:https://www.trybooking.com/CZUJZ

The School needs supervisors for the 2025 HSC Examinations (Thursday, 16 October – Monday, 10 November).
The NSW Education Standards Authority pays a rate of approximately $31.03 per hour for HSC examination supervisors. Parents who do not have a child or near relative at Glenaeon sitting for the HSC this year are invited to apply.

Please contact Jenny Callagher, via email on j.callagher@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au

Eligibility Criteria

• You must be 18 or over.
• You must hold a valid Working with Children Check clearance for paid employment (not volunteer). You must provide the presiding officer with the WWCC number prior to starting work. This can be obtained from Service NSW online.
• If you have a child at the School please advise of their name and year grade.
• You must not have a child or near relative (including siblings, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or first cousins) sitting the HSC examinations at Glenaeon.
• You must not be recently employed by the School (paid or volunteer) as this may be perceived as having a conflict of interest. Note, if you were employed by the School for exam supervision work only (for example, HSC Trial examinations), you are eligible to be an HSC supervisor.
• You must not be a tutor to an HSC pupil at the School.

Balancing Care and Compliance: Why Our School Policies Matter

At our school, we hold a deep commitment to nurturing the whole child through Steiner education. Less visible, but equally important, is the structure that supports this vision—our school policies.

These policies ensure we operate as a safe, well-governed school while staying true to our educational values. They guide how we care for students, make decisions, and meet the requirements for school registration and government funding.

To support this work, we use CompliSpace, a system that helps us manage and update our policies in line with ever-evolving standards. This ensures we stay compliant while continuing to provide an environment built on trust, respect, and care.

Balancing the Steiner ethos with legal and safety standards can be complex, but it is essential. Thoughtfully developed policies allow us to uphold the integrity of our approach while protecting our school community.

One key example is our Child Safe Policy. More than a legal requirement, it’s a shared commitment to keeping every child safe, seen, and supported. It reflects our dedication to building a culture where students can learn and grow in confidence. The scope of this policy applies to all staff members, contractors, volunteers, visitors, and adults in the school community.

At Glenaeon we value:

• Empowerment: which involves students having greater control or say over their lives through participation.
• Purposeful Engagement: which involves students taking on valued roles, addressing issues that are relevant to them, and influencing real outcomes.
• Inclusiveness: which involves ensuring that all students are able to participate.

In upcoming newsletters, we’ll be spotlighting key policies—some familiar, others less so—to help parents and our broader community better understand how our school operates behind the scenes. We look forward to continuing this conversation and deepening transparency in meaningful, accessible ways.

To honour and celebrate our wonderful mums and grannies, Big Kindy children invited them for a special afternoon tea. Gifts had been made well in advance, with lots of careful wet felting, rolling of wool balls and then threading together to make a special necklace which the children wrapped, along with a beautiful autumn card. On the day, flowers were carefully picked from the Kindy garden and made into posies ready for each of our special guests. The children were also busy making sandwiches and collecting herbs for the tea. We made sure the classroom was extra, extra tidy. Mums and grannies were greeted with a small wrist rub of lavender essence and shown to their seat by the children. Then we all enjoyed some herbal tea, sandwiches and scones with cream and Kindy made plum jam. Happy Mother's Day and thank you mums and grannies, for all you do for us every day.

Class 1 and 2 enjoyed beautiful weather up at Bilpin Springs Orchard picking apples on the weekend! With farmer Cedric, they enjoyed exploring the orchard and harvesting delicious apples. Together they had a wonderful picnic, climbed trees and the autumn colours in the mountains were particularly stunning.

Our Parent Library at Castlecrag needs volunteers to open and close the library and facilitate the checking out and returning of books.
Afternoons from 2:40pm for half an hour, mornings before school also an option. If interested, please email S.David@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
CIP points available. 

Glenaeon's Kindy - Class 3 program provides a warm introduction to Steiner school life, honouring your child's implicit capacity to learn through imitation, creative play, storytelling and Main Lesson.

Our primary school encourages deep learning and authentic engagement.

If you know a family that is interested in learning more about a Glenaeon Steiner education, please share this with them. There are limited spaces available at our beautiful Castlecrag campus for 2026. Apply now!

Class 3 have settled quickly back into the rhythm of school life. 

In Main Lesson, they are immersed in the biblical story of “The Journey to the Promised Land”. The stories follow the early Hebrew patriarchs of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who bring monotheism to human civilisation.

On Tuesday afternoons, the Technology group rotations have recommenced, and the children are enjoying cooking (and eating) pikelets, making their own wet clay pots and tending the plants and animals in the Biodynamic Garden. 

A new and exciting music experience has commenced on Fridays with the children learning to play their choice of either a cello or a violin. Their tutors are showing them how to care for their instrument, handle it properly and of course begin to create musical notes using the magical bow. It is wonderful to see the children look after their precious instrument! 

Glenaeon’s Art Teacher, Julia, is holding a special painting lesson every Friday fortnight in class, paired with the enjoyment of sipping warm herbal raspberry tea made by Lucy! The children love the calm, creative experience. 

Reading groups continue with the help of our wonderful parent volunteers and the children are pausing throughout the story to discuss their comprehension of what they are reading together. We are now “reading to learn” rather than just “learning to read”. 

The children were enthusiastically engaged in creating their own beautiful Mother’s Day card. Under the guidance of parent Alice Martin, they designed and made painted paper flowers in a layered effect that was truly stunning.

Class 4 lovingly made a Mother's Day treat for their mums and mum figures in Handwork class with Elizabeth Ellean. They chose colours and stitched words and pictures and made designs with their loved ones in mind. Aren't handmade gifts the best kind?!

Class 5 were very proud of the glorious and unique mini cucumbers they lovingly grew in the Middle Cove Biodynamic garden. So proud that they generously shared them with the Middle Cove staff to try. Delicious!

Year 9 Photography elective students started the term by going on an urban photo walk. They left school at lunch time and walked into Chatswood, taking photos all the way. From Chatswood they caught the Metro to North Sydney, capturing the futuristic architecture of the new station, then gradually made their way down to the water, spending time on the foreshore, at Luna Park and under the Harbour Bridge.

The purpose of this excursion is to give the students a range of environments to work in, to allow them to experience the way the light changes from midday, through sunset and into the dark of the evening when all the lights come on. It is a wonderful opportunity for them to practise the photography skills they have learned at school over an intensive, extended period – which is the best way to embed learning with a skill like photography.

Wet streets, clouds and rain were all part of the experience for the students this year, but despite the weather, the excursion was still a highlight of the course.

Yr 9 and 10 Drama students were delighted to visit the Capitol Theatre in the CBD to see Annie The Musical! Accompanied by Head of Drama, Dave Gleeson and Teacher, Dom Nicholls they attended the matinée performance and were both inspired and entertained. They also commented on the incredible choreography, slapstick comedy and the star of the show, Annie's dog! A wonderful excursion had by all and an opportunity to see young actors who are practicing their craft out in the world.

Noeleen P (Yr 8) has continued her successful run through the Swimming Carnival season. Most recently representing AICES at the NSWCIS Swimming Carnival. Up against the best swimmers from Independent schools across NSW, Noeleen had a massive race program, competing in eight events and her results were again outstanding. Her silver medal in the 100m Freestyle and Bronze in the 200m Individual Medley see her through now to the compete against Public and Catholic Schools Sports Association swimmers at the NSW All Schools Championship Carnival next week.

Our Co Curricular Fencing program has been flourishing under the watchful eye of Fencing Coach Andrew Szandurski and our fencers have been out competing at the NSW Fencing League Schools Championships. Sean L , Angus M (Yr 10) and Raphello (Yr 9) went through their first week undefeated after three matches. Despite dropping some tightly fought matches in the second week of competition, they are well positioned for a very strong finish and a potential high placing in a very competitive competition, doing both themselves and us proud as wonderful representatives of our school.

The Jonas Stoebe Memorial Shield which is presented to the Champion School at the end of the ISD Cross Country Carnival has returned to Glenaeon. 34 keen runners from Yr 7-12 defended the ISD title in conditions ranging from sun-drenched to torrential rain at Centennial Park last Friday. Congratulations to all those students who so beautifully represented our school showing their grit and determination and a deep competitive streak to help retain a shield which holds so much importance to our school. Whilst there were dozens of highly impressive individual runs, the camaraderie, support and encouragement within our team was a true highlight of the day.

Royal Agricultural Easter Show took place in the term break and we were delighted to see two students from Glenaeon that had their craft work of embroidery, and crochet selected for display. There were many categories for the under 20's section and between them they entered in and received prizes for home decoration, wearable garment, accessory, and toys.

Hanako T. (Yr 12) entered three craft pieces and she won three prizes: First prize - any type of needlework incorporating hand stitching, Second prize - most decorative article for the home in a textile medium and Highly Commended- Creative item, hand knitted or crocheted.

Goro T. also entered three crafts pieces and he won one prize - Third prize - Wearable article, hand knitted or crocheted.

They enjoyed sewing and crocheting every day. Especially during their sailing competitions (one of Hanako and Goro's other passions), which can last from two days to over a week. It can be mentally challenging to stay focused throughout, but by doing crafts after each race, they are able to relax and recharge for the next day. Craft helps maintain our mental health and promotes a sense of calm.

Well done Hanako and Goro!

As the weather cools, it’s the perfect time to gather a few seasonal staples to help your child stay warm, nourished, and comfortable throughout the school day.

New Insulated Food Jars
Make warm lunches easy this term. Our Moon Insulated Food Jars (thermos) are designed to keep soups, pasta, and leftovers hot until lunchtime. Leakproof, compact and easy to open — they’re perfect for nourishing meals on cooler days.

Woolerina Merino Wool Clothing Layers
Our range of Australian-made Woolerina Merino wool garments are a soft, lightweight base layer to keep the body warm while allowing it to breathe. Available in sizes for children and adults and ideal for layering under school clothes or wearing on chilly weekends.

Leather Slippers – Back in Stock
Soft, flexible, and easy to slip on, our leather slippers support warmth and quiet movement in the classroom or for cosy indoor play at home.

Visit us in-store or online for other thoughtful, seasonal essentials like our locally knitted wool socks!

Term 2, 2025 – 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 goes to support Glenaeon.

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

A huge thank you to the parent volunteers for their generosity in volunteering their time to tidy and open the shop every Thursday afternoon.

Our school is now seeking new volunteers to run our Second-Hand Uniform Shop. It is a great opportunity to get involved with our school community. By volunteering you will not only make a positive impact on our school but also earn valuable Community Involvement Program (CIP) points for your time and effort. For further details please visit Glenaeon Learning Online (GLO) - Community Involvement Program

No prior experience is necessary, just a positive attitude and a willingness to help. The shop is open on Thursdays from 3:30pm to 4:30pm during term time.

If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering, kindly reach out to us via email at reception@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au

We appreciate your support!

Welcome to our Term 2 Parent Education program. A program that is delivered each term to add value, learning and community to the experience of our parents and carers. Each term, new sessions will be released. Please register for these sessions that aim to support parents in nourishing our students to live meaningful lives.  

Click the links below to register:

Parents as Creators of Harmony and Magical Moments - babies and toddlers welcome!

From Will to Wisdom: Nurturing Freedom Through Activity - open to the general public!

Creating Compost

Kitchen Conversations: Candle Holder Making for the Winter Season

BOOK HERE

Babies and toddlers welcome!

Tuesday 6, 13, 20 May 9:15am - 10:30am

Tuesday 3, 10 17 June 9:15am - 10:30am

Preschool Playgroup Room, Willoughby Campus, 118 Sydney St, Willoughby NSW 2068

This six session series explores creating rhythms and celebrations to share at home. From birthdays and meal blessings, modelling kindness, home furnishings and colours, toy making, and seasonal festivals, these practices will inspire a harmonious and magical homelife.

Speaker: Peggy Day is Glenaeon’s Preschool Director with a Masters of Education specialising in child development and the importance of a play-based and creative early childhood. She has been involved in teaching, teacher training and management at Glenaeon School for several decades and is the Education Officer at Steiner Education Australia.

BOOK HERE

Open to the general public!

Wednesday 28 May 6:30pm-7:30pm

Marion Mahony Griffin Hall, Castlecrag Campus

We have now automated everything from dinner to design. But what is it that allows human beings to be active creators in the world? Katherine Arconati will present on the power of the will and how its cultivation in education leads to free human beings who can lead meaningful lives. Participants will learn about the anthroposophical insights of Rudolf Steiner and how these inform an education that nurtures and develops will forces in a healthy, developmentally appropriate way. This session is suited to Glenaeon parents and anyone interested in learning more about the impact of a Steiner education, especially in the Primary School years.

Speaker: Katherine Arconati is Glenaeon's Class 1 Teacher and Director of Professional Practice. Katherine holds a Master of Teaching and has taught as a mathematics specialist in our high school and previously at the Marin Waldorf School in California. This is Katherine’s second Class Teacher cycle at Glenaeon.

2025 Term Dates (K - 12)

Term 1Friday 31 January – Wednesday 09 April

Term 2Wednesday 30 April – Wednesday 02 July

Term 3Wednesday 23 July – Wednesday 24 September

Term 4Monday 13 October – Wednesday 10 December  

Parents and carers are encouraged to check the Compass calendar for the latest information. Click here.

2026 Term Dates (K - 12)

Term 1 Thursday 29 January - Wednesday 01 April

Term 2 Wednesday 22 April - Wednesday 01 July

Term 3 Wednesday 22 July - Wednesday 23 September

Term 4 Wednesday 14 October - Wednesday 09 December

All 2026 term dates can be found on GLO. Click here.

20 editions of the Glenaeon School Newsletter are published during a school year.

The newsletter will publish on the Friday of WEEK 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 each term.

Click this link to Download the 2025 Newsletter Publishing Schedule.

Did you know?...Glenaeon keeps archive copies of past Newsletters on GLO so you can always go back and look at the most recent editions.

Click on the GLO Newsletter tile

If you are subscribed, but not getting the newsletter in your inbox as you should, please send an email to newsletter@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au including your correct email address to be added to the database. 

News items listed in our Community Noticeboard are not school endorsed but are included here for the information and benefit of our wider community. We welcome submissions to appear in this section of our newsletter and inclusion is at the discretion of the Editor. A submission will appear in the newsletter for a maximum of two editions.

Biodynamic Regenerative Agriculture: Farm Workshop for Families in the Hunter Region

All families and individuals welcome for a day of active learning of the wisdom of applied biodynamic agriculture in a second follow-on workshop on the beautiful Sarkis’ family farm near Ellalong in the Hunter Region of NSW (45 minutes inland from Newcastle, NSW).

Date: Sunday 18 May 

Free camping is available on-site the night before!

Learn practical applications and knowledge on biodynamic agriculture and its meaningful celebration of the alchemy of minerals, plants, animals, and humans in nature which offers real solutions to the prevailing question of all ages: “What Can I/We do?” in this promising era.

Participants will learn biodynamic principles and preparations that can be applied to any environment, from pots on a balcony to a production farm, all while enjoying a day out in the countryside and meeting new friends.

In this second workshop we will be participating in the following learning activities:

• Structuring water with biodynamic soil activator to stimulate the microbial activity of the pastures, young fruit orchard, and vegetable beds
• Distributing biodynamic soil activator in animal water troughs for successful distribution of microbial stimulation in animals and on paddocks
• Harvesting biodynamic compost, CPP, and weed fertilisers (made at the previous workshop), and distributing in vegetable plots, orchard, and pastures
• Evaluating the orchard and applying foliar care with biodynamic vine and tonic spray (developed by orchardist Kym Green).
• Making biodynamic pest repellents and harvesting  root crops

This is a workshop for all interest levels and all ages. 

We hope to see you there!

$130 (incl. GST) per individual or family (parents and children)

Presented by experienced educator and biodynamic practitioner, Sandra Frain.

Book Online

The Term 2 Tournament is on Sunday 8th or 15th June at 3 convenient locations:

Sunday 8th June

East Conference 10:00 am -11:30 am at Centennial Sports Centre, Moore Park  
North Conference 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm at Melwood Ave, Forestville

Sunday 15th June

West Conference 10:00 am -11:30 am at Cintra Park, Concord/Crane Street Concord

Please find the attached brochure in PDF or text format below:
Sydney School Handball Competition
Sunday 8th or 15th June
150+ Schools invited
75+ Trophies, medals, prizes and awards
$25 +GST
www.handballaustralia.com.au

Hi Lovely Parents,

I’m excited to share a special opportunity to grab a signed copy of my book, The Compost Coach, while also supporting an incredible cause!

The Compost Coach is a bestselling book in the lifestyle category, available internationally (even translated into Polish!). It covers everything you need to know about composting—including in apartments—and offers tips for regenerative gardening. The book features interviews with inspiring experts like Costa Georgiadis, Hannah Moloney, Charles Dowding, and Spicy Moustache.

To support Can Too, a charity that funds early-career researchers across all cancer areas, I’ve purchased 50 copies of my book directly from my publisher at the wholesale price of $20 per book. I’m selling them at the RRP of $39.99, with all profits going directly to Can Too.

How to Purchase:

• Payment via PayID (0420364565 – Kate Flood). Please text me when paid. 

• I’ll personally transfer all donations to Can Too

• Books can be collected from the front office at Castlecrag or from me.

As an extra fundraising initiative, I’m also offering a “Compost Coaching” session. For an additional $20 donation, you can book a phone consultation with me to get tailored composting advice. I’ll help you set up a system that works for your home—just as I’ve done for many households in the North Sydney Council area.

If you or anyone in your family or friends would love a signed copy of The Compost Coach, please let me know!

Thank you so much for supporting this important cause. Your contribution will make a real difference, and I truly appreciate your help.

Kate Flood
(Glenaeon teacher and parent of Tully, Woody and Sunday)

We are sadly selling our hardly used cargo bike (Christiania Light Bike). We bought the bike in 2020 at a bike dealer in Munich, Germany. We bought it just before we moved back to Australia. Sadly, we were never really able to use it as we had thought we would. We had it in our garage safely dry stored and it is in very good condition.

You can transport four kids (it has benches and seatbelts) or bikes, scooters or anything in it.We have now decided to sell it to a good home. Note: As we didn't/couldn't drive it much the battery sadly died. The bike is set up to be used as an E-Bike, it just needs a new battery which costs around $750 and can be easily self-installed, there are shops in Sydney who sell it. We can help with that.

Also the bike would come with the following extras:

- a brand new sun cover

- a hardly used rain cover

- a baby seat (for 6 months +)

- a sturdy, stylish back basket

- replacement seat bells for the kids - a soft cushion for kids to sit on (like new)

- NO RUST, the chain was regularly sprayed.

To find more information about the bike, visit https://www.christianiabikes.com/en/classic/
If you are interested in making an offer, please message or call Maria 0483818103, we are happy to sell for a very good price.

Glenaeon Playgroups are known for their opportunity for lively social play time for young and old. Playgroup families also look forward to the stillness that is afforded by a skilled Playgroup educator who gathers the participants of all ages with a song, a gesture and a moment of this stillness that is created. All await, "What's next?"Perhaps it is the beginning of a song, a story or an activity. Trust in the unfolding, hangs in the silence. Then everyone moves together in the act required for that moment: listening, singing, or moving. What harmony we create. It is breathless to behold.

There is limited space in six of Glenaeon’s playgroups in Term 2. Find more information here.