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.
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.
Read moreYr 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!
Read moreWelcome 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.
Read moreGlenaeon 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.
Read moreClass 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.
Read more
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.
Read moreClass 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
Read more
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
Read more
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.
Read morePlay 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
Read moreClass 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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read moreClass 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…
Read moreYr 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.
Read moreClass 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.
Read moreClass 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.
Read moreClass 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.
Read moreClass 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 moreClass 3 Create Wooden Chopping Boards
23 May 2023
Every Thursday after lunch, Class 3 break off into three groups and enjoy an afternoon of either gardening, cooking or woodwork. In woodwork, their busy hands have created wooden chopping boards.
With the support of their Class Teacher Prue Ritchie and parent volunteers, they started with a square of pine wood each and had the choice of an apple, bird, fish or cat shape. Together, they sawed, filed and sanded by hand, to create a treasured and practical piece of art to take home and enjoy with family.
Although the students declared "it was tiring work", they were very proud of their finished products. When asked what they might use it for at home, one student said "to cut cheese" another said "to cut apple for my lunchbox".
This is an example of their truly practical Class 3 curriculum and developing the will to learn, create and share.
Read more
Congratulations Glenaeon HSC Class of 2022!
15 Dec 2022
Statement from Elizabeth Nevieve, Acting Head of School
I am very pleased to report on the outstanding results achieved by our HSC graduates of 2022.
Glenaeon's Year 12 students exemplified the school's ethos, with each young person finely navigating important inner questions concerning human purpose whilst immersing and engaging themselves in a rigorous, academic program. The range of courses undertaken this year reinforce the breadth of Glenaeon students' passions, with very fine achievements noted in diverse subject areas.
Glenaeon's recognition of accomplishment acknowledges the very hard work that underpins high academic performance. On equal footing, is our deep respect for and understanding of each student's personally unfolding journey through the final year of their secondary education. As a non-selective school that intrinsically values all aspects of human growth, on this day we are certainly highlighting student performance that reinforces Glenaeon's firm standing within the context of an academic tradition, and we most importantly give overall praise to each young person within our graduating class for their attainment of the HSC credential.
Standing behind our students' achievements are my colleagues and the students' families. I extend sincere thanks to our senior teachers for their professionalism, care and expertise. Their in-depth understanding of the nature of the HSC courses, coupled with their knowledge of how students learn, enabled those in their care to move through the year with confidence. Parents and guardians, you are an integral part of your child's becoming and education. Thank you for working so closely with the school and for the trust you have placed in us. We are immensely proud of our students for their deep, academic striving and determination to achieve their personal bests. We wish them every success in the future.
Warm wishes,
Elizabeth Nevieve
Acting Head of School
AEON Magazine - OUT NOW!
10 Dec 2022
Glenaeon families should hopefully have received their printed copy of AEON Magazine 2022 by now, or for our Year 10s away in Tasmania, Little Kindergarten families or our Class of 2022, your copy is coming to you via snail mail.
If you really can't wait, then you can download a copy from our website: https://glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/downloads/
Read moreCarols and Shepherds: Christmas is Coming
17 Nov 2022
The Carol Service, one of Glenaeon’s signature events, is about to return, and its been three years in the waiting. We’ve had a gradual return to normal community life, and this will be an even more special end of year than usual.
We celebrate our end of year by coming together as a community for a non-denominational festival of the season, Monday November 28th in the Pitt Street Uniting Church in the city.
It’s in a church but this is not a church service. It’s all about the music but it’s not just carols. Christmas has a vast range of music to offer, not just the traditional carols. Our Head of Music Ian Munns has selected a repertoire that balances some traditional with some beautiful contemporary, and he has come up with an uplifting and inspiring program.
The festival Is not about belief, it’s about mood: a blend of the reverent and the joyful, an inward mood that creatively captures the spirit of the season. The music is beautiful, and our students carry the evening in a range of choirs and ensembles. The mood is created right from the beginning as the Class 4 students entry in procession carrying candles. The mood is accessible to all faiths and expresses the school’s tolerant and diverse culture.
There are many former students and families of Glenaeon who come back specially to the Carol Service to enjoy our unique manner of celebrating Christmas. For many it’s like a tonic, a dose of a warm and inspiring community experience that for many complements the rush of the Christmas season that is about to begin. To quote TS Elliot, it’s a still point in the turning world of Christmas.
Our Carol Service involves every student from Class 4 to Year 11. There is an important role to play for every student who we expect to attend in full school uniform. Students should arrive by 6.15pm at the latest, for a 6.30pm start.
All families in the school are invited, although we do ask that parents who bring any younger children take responsibility to supervise them during the proceedings.
I can guarantee the service will send you home uplifted by the music and joyful in spirit.
Then on Thursday December 8th our teachers continue the long-held tradition of performing The Shepherds Play in the Sylvia Brose Hall at Middle Cove. This Christmas gift to the students is a recreation of one of the York Mystery plays from the Middle Ages and is always a treat for all. There will be an evening performance at 7pm to which all parents are invited.
Read moreGLENAEON ART SHOW & FAMILY FAIR 2022
27 Sep 2022
There are artisan stalls brimming with unique hand-crafted, homemade goodies, high-quality preloved books and clothing plus an inspiring Art Show featuring world-class artworks from established and emerging artists.
Hosted by the school's parent community, the fair offers a magical weekend of wholesome family fun and great entertainment with fabulous prizes up for grabs in the raffle and silent auction.
The Glenaeon Family Fair is also a great opportunity to find out more about Steiner education, view primary and high school students’ work and talk with teachers about the unique difference a Glenaeon education makes from Preschool –Year 12.
So come along and join in the fun of the Glenaeon Art Show & Family Fair from Friday 4 November – Sunday 6 November 2022 at the Castlecrag campus of Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School, 121 Edinburgh Road. All welcome.
Friday 4 November
Art Show Opening
6pm - 9pm
Saturday 5 November
Family Fair & Art Show
10am - 4pm
Sunday 6 November
Art Show
10am - 3pm
Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School
121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag
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
A Healthy Social Life is found….in the Year 10 Musical
15 Sep 2022
Into the Woods certainly took us more than into the woods. The Year 10 musical last week highlighted so many elements of what education can be.
Our unique model of the whole Year 10 group performing a show seems so counter-intuitive to performing arts brains. The standard school musical of auditioning across year groups to capture the most talented seems so obvious. Yet as Into the Woods demonstrated last week, the standard that Glenaeon reaches in our stage shows from one year group can be quite remarkable. So why do we do it this way, when it could be so much easier to take the tried and standard route?
There are important educational elements at stake:
- the power of theatre to transform young lives needs to be an experience for all students, just like learning Maths or Science: there were students on stage in major roles who no one would have expected to step up. Those who know them best, parents and teachers, would never have dreamed some of those students could have got up and held an audience in the palm of their hand in the way they did.
- Some students will probably never again be in a theatre show. But at least once in their life they were, and they can be proud of it. They helped backstage, supported each other on cues and entrances, with props and sets, all contributing their own individual best to the magic that is theatre in creating an imaginary world for the audience.
- The experience of community building was so obvious. The mutual support gave a unique experience of shared achievement. The lead singers can only do what they do with the sets and props put in place by unseen hands: they can only do their starring role with the support of those unseen hands. Theatre is a unique team-building exercise.
- Being someone else grows emotional intelligence: theatre has a particular power in stretching an actor’s emotional repertoire to encompass “otherness”, a fundamental pillar of a mature, emotionally resilient personality.
Most importantly, each student did his or her best: some sang a lot, some didn’t sing much at all, but every one of the students did their absolute best. They each contributed their “virtue” to the community whole.
There is a saying from Dr Steiner that we quote from time to time: The healthy social life is found, when in each individual soul, the whole community finds its reflection, and when, in the community, the virtue of each one is living. The virtue, the best, of each of Year 10 was on display last week, and we are all the better for it.
Tim Ross, parent of two boys in our primary school and TV presenter, wrote to me after the show to congratulate the production team. I think his words speak for many:
…School plays are so formative and I got a little misty eyed at the standing ovation…hitting the stage as a teenager was a defining moment in my life.
I’m sure our year 10 students will look back on Into the Woods as a defining moment in all their lives!
End of term:
Farewell to Year 12 next week is a poignant moment when we say goodbye to our senior class. After a walk through all the classes from Kindergarten up on Monday, we will hold our Farewell assembly on Tuesday morning before Year 12 embarks on their Magical Mystery Tour. I look forward to cooking breakfast for Year 12 on the balcony, before they are farewelled by every class on the campus and they head up the hill to the bus that will take them to a destination unknown for a final and fun day as students. They will return after the HSC for the formal Graduation Assembly, but for now, it’s Farewell Year 12!
Spring festivals next week promise to be a joyful welcome to the warmer weather and the new life which this time of year brings. We hope to have a return to maypole dancing and and a happy in person celebration on the round oval at Middle Cove for Class 1 to Year 11.
As the last Newsletter of Term 3, 2022, I wish all families a restful and refreshing break and look forward to seeing everyone in term 4!
Read moreShowcase Celebrations! 2022 HSC Showcase Visual Arts and D&T
04 Aug 2022
Term 3 is a very special time for our most senior cohort. As our Year 12 students really buckle down to their study, focusing on a deep and meaningful synthesis of all they have learnt and honing their examination technique in preparation for their Trial and final HSC exams, it is also a period of celebration and fulfilment as the practical components of their courses are completed and put on show.
The Visual Arts and Design Showcase was an enormous success, and the works on display demonstrated perfectly the significant achievements that are realised when will is directed by thought and enlivened by feeling.
The functional yet incredibly beautiful Pedal Pod, the innovative Cricket Ball Buddy, the very aesthetic Gym Wall that anyone would happily install in a spare room and the calming Terrariums that revealed a philosophical understanding of past, present and future, all spoke to the fulfilment of the design process that births the new through considered, sustained effort. The culmination of Glenaeon’s Artisan program in the HSC Design and Technology course thus examples the pinnacle of student led will activity.
Championing the realm of feeling are the Visual Arts works and this cohort’s offerings were up to the usual very high standard we expect of Glenaeon’s Year 12 students. Whimsical worldviews from childhood, bodies and organs as commodities, perceptions of self, the art of aging, mental states of distress and tranquillity, everyday objects repurposed for adornment, 21st century maturing and the blueprint of form and function were all concepts that were subtly explored by the students through artistic endeavours that evidenced a sensitive feeling-into their personal experiences of being. These works demonstrate fulfilment of the visual branch of Glenaeon’s Aesthetic curriculum and speak to the beautiful awakening that is arrived at through art.
Most wonderfully this year, the Showcases are again open to the broader school community and, along with teachers and Year 12 families and guests, the great number of Year 10 and 11 parents and students present at the event on Friday, 22 July brought a lively buzz to the evening. The works on display were not only admired by all who recognised and appreciated the students’ valuable, creative output, they also inspired our younger cohorts and got students thinking about what they themselves may like to produce in the not too distant future!
The celebrations will continue, and please come along to the Music and Humanities Showcase on Friday, 26 August!
Thank you!
Our senior teachers play an integral role in the development of each student’s Major Work and I and the Glenaeon community extends deep-felt gratitude to Visual Arts teachers Ms Alisan Smotlak (Head of Department) and Ms Donna Miller and to Design and Technology Senior Teacher, Mr Anthony Fiore. Their reflections on their course and their students’ progress, as well as their blessings, are a delightful read below.
The Year 12 Visual Arts Showcase is a celebration of who you are and what you have achieved thus far. May the arts take you forward into life with appreciation of what creativity and imagination can be, limitless in its capacity to feed the soul!
I am trying to imagine myself standing in front of you all and the harvest of your hard work and efforts over the past three terms! You have all produced art that you likely never imagined would be possible! You have each been on a personal journey of discovery, heartache, problem solving and realisation! On that journey, I’m sure you have learned a great deal about yourselves, and just what you are capable of! With every hurdle, you drew strength and carried on. When it hurt the most, you recovered to be stronger! Donna Miller, Teacher of Visual Arts Practical Year 12 2022
The HSC Visual Arts is a rich course where the student has the opportunity to explore and discover a variety of materials and concepts. The goal towards the dynamic synthesis of these elements reflects the world experienced by a senior student on the precipice of moving forward into the adult world.
The challenges and joys the artwork takes the student through are backbones to be drawn upon when encountering the many interesting experiences that life will bring. Alisan Smotlak, Head of Department (Visual Arts)
Design and Technology has a unique focus on creativity, innovation and the successful implementation of inventive ideas. Through the development of a Major Design Project, students have the opportunity to explore and develop technologies and demonstrate insight into the future uses of technology. This year, the students have demonstrated qualities of perseverance, project management and creative problem solving in the development and realisation of their projects. Each of them have learnt and developed an appreciation for the complex relationships that exist between factors that impact on designing and using technology. Further to this, each student exhibits a deep understanding of the importance these aspects play in the future use of technology and its relationship to the environment and the forwarding of human kind. Mr. Anthony Fiore - Design and Technology Teacher
*Please note photos of student works cannot be published yet due to NESA embargo restrictions
Read moreThe Quiet Miracle: For the Love of Learning
21 Jul 2022
Welcome to Term 3, with a very warm welcome to the new students and their families who join us to complete their high school years at Glenaeon.
Last weekend, The Sydney Morning Herald ran a story on the appointment of Diana Drummond as our incoming Head of School. The article prompted a very fine response from Stephanie Dowrick, a former parent of Glenaeon and a widely published author and commentator.
STEPHANIE DOWRICK:
I was a "Steiner parent" for ten years. My children are thoughtful, caring, creative and productive adults now and I am immensely grateful for their Steiner education and all that it gave them. It is far closer to the best in Europe with a highly developed awareness of the natural world, the seasons, our innate creative impulses - and thinking capacities way in advance of conventional education where so much rote/prescribed learning produces far less innovation. This is exactly what's needed in 21st-century life. The emphasis on "deep learning" through focused Main Lessons will also be a vital counter to the agitation of rushing from one "instant" screen excitement to another. Or setting children against one another through constant exams, tests and rankings. To learn to LOVE LEARNING is a quiet miracle. It's not for the most conventional of families, and of course as a private school, it is not within reach of all. But Diana Drummond may well have landed one of the most rewarding principal positions in NSW. May it go very well for her and for Glenaeon.
Our education can be difficult to explain to those that have not yet experienced what it means to be a student at a Steiner school, or a “Steiner Parent”. The qualities of our education are intangible, subtle and nuanced. In terms of community perceptions, we can be seen as “the road less travelled”.
So can I invite you to consider and share your view on what it means to be a Steiner parent? Feel free to drop me an email at headofschool@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au and I will be very interested in hearing your views.
I must agree with Stephanie that being Head of School at Glenaeon is indeed one of the most rewarding school leader positions in the country. It has certainly been the privilege of a lifetime for me personally.
The Term Ahead:
There is much to look forward to this term including the HSC D&T and Visual Arts Showcase tomorrow night, and the Music Showcase four weeks later, the Year 10 Musical: Into The Woods, HSC Trials, exams, excursions, Outdoor Education experiences like kayaking, a snow trip, rich Main Lessons and a Spring Festival with the promise of warmer days ahead.
Have a wonderful term, and may we all continue to love learning even more!
Andrew Hill
Head of School
Parents welcome our incoming Head of School, Diana Drummond
10 Jun 2022
On Tuesday evening we welcomed our incoming Head of School Diana Drummond to the Sylvia Brose Hall. A crowd of 100 parents braved the chilly evening to meet and greet Diana at her first official function with our parent community. Welcomed by our current Head of School Andrew Hill and Board Chair Peter Candotti, Diana was introduced and shared both her story and her educational philosophy that has drawn her to our school. Glenaeon Parents’ Association Co-Chair Sabine Simmons gave a warm welcome on behalf of the parents of Glenaeon, followed by drinks and canapés where Diana met and mingled with the enthusiastic crowd.
There will be more events planned to give parents the opportunity to get to know Diana who commences in January 2023.
Read moreDiana Drummond appointed Glenaeon's new Head of School
19 May 2022
Education leader Ms Diana Drummond has been appointed the new Head of School at Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School. Announced by Peter Candotti, Chair of the School Board at an all staff meeting on Wednesday afternoon, Ms Drummond will commence in the role in January 2023 taking over from Mr Andrew Hill who has held the position of Collegiate Chair and Head of School for the past 14 years.
Ms Drummond joins Glenaeon having completed more than 15 years in school leadership roles, most recently at Wenona where she has been Deputy Principal (Teaching and Learning) since 2018 and is currently Deputy Principal (Professional Practice and Leadership). Diana’s prior experience included Vice Principal of the co-educational International School Bangkok, Head of the Junior School MLC Burwood, Junior School Deputy at St Catherine’s School, as well as senior leadership roles at the AIS NSW.
Of the appointment, Mr Candotti said, “I am delighted to welcome Diana to Glenaeon. She is a committed, passionate educator and leader whose values align with Glenaeon’s holistic, nurturing, and creative approach to teaching and learning. Her experience has demonstrated that she is an innovative, collaborative and future-focused educational leader who listens and invests energy into building relationships with individuals and groups. She is well experienced in leading learning communities, in strategic thinking, and the professional development of teachers and support staff. Building on Andrew’s outstanding legacy, Diana will capably lead Glenaeon in the next exciting phase of the school’s growth and development.”
On her appointment, Ms Drummond said, “Glenaeon presents an outstanding and unique educational offering. By developing each young person’s academic, cultural and emotional capacity through a focus on knowing students deeply, age-appropriate and integrated learning experiences, and strong community connection, Glenaeon is a school of choice for “thinking” parents. I am excited by the opportunity that a move into Steiner education brings with its focus on teaching as an artform and where the education of young people is imbued with meaning and purpose.”
Outgoing Head of School Andrew Hill said, “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead Glenaeon. We have achieved so much over the past decade and a half, and I am extremely proud of the united and enriching community that has developed around our school. Diana brings long experience, enormous expertise and great personal qualities that will build on these foundations and take Glenaeon to new heights as a vibrant centre of Steiner education.”
Mr Hill will work with Ms Drummond to facilitate a smooth transition into 2023.
The Board wishes to thank all the candidates who applied and warmly congratulates Ms Drummond, and kindly acknowledges Andrew Hill’s significant contribution to the School, its teachers and staff, parents and students over the past 14 years.
Read moreThe cycle of the seasons: “Life and love will always prevail”
06 Apr 2022
We celebrated the turning of the season last week in our Harvest Festivals through the school. From Preschool to High School there was the annual celebration of the bounty of Nature, and the gathering of the fruits of the summer sun as we prepare for the coming cold and greater darkness of winter. These festivals go back thousands of years and have their origins in humankind’s profound connection with the cycles of the seasons. In this time of deep concern over our environmental crises, more than ever we need to remind ourselves of our dependence on the cycles of the earth and cosmos that sustain our lives. After a beautiful series of offerings by the students, the high school festival gathered fresh fruit and vegetables for OzHarvest which supports the homeless and disadvantaged in our community.
The primary school harvest festival had a deeper symbolism as well. Ancient Harvest festivals also drew on the dragon story of St Michael and his taming of the dark forces that threaten to overwhelm our humanity. The taming of the dragon was a centre piece of the primary festival at Castlecrag, and all the children provided characters in the story, from Class 1 with their symbolic swords aloft through to Class 6 as the main actors in the story. Class 5 children manned the dragon in a suitably menacing way. It was a potent statement of the dark forces in our world, as Class 6 teacher Katherine Arconati introduced the festival with the reminder that the story was an imaginative picture of our own battles with forces within us, and around us.
We do not need to search very far for such reminders in the state of the world today. On the weekend I saw a post from a European Steiner connection who is in daily contact with biodynamic farmers in Ukraine. The Ukraine produces a significant amount of grains, particularly wheat, and the biodynamic farms there work closely with the seasons, planting in the spring to harvest at the end of summer. Their spring is just arriving and yet at this moment their country is threatened by invasion. I was inspired to read of their steadfast response in the face of such threat, a truly courageous and heroic stand.
One contribution to this question reached me from Ukraine on 15 March, in the daily report from Shiva Semliya (Living Earth), a biodynamic farm in Potutory, 100 kilometres south-east of Lviv: "Today was a wonderful, warm early spring day. The mosaic of our fields in dark brown and pale yellow extends in the sunshine and it seems as if the fields were rising toward the light, ready for the power of spring streaming in from the cosmos. And in the morning, Venus, the star of love, stood mighty and high above the Eastern horizon. Life and love will always prevail."
End of Term
We close Term 1 today and I wish all families, students and staff a restful and refreshing break. May Easter be a time of blessing and renewal in spirit. We look forward to welcoming all our students back on Wednesday 27th April for the start of Term 2.
Andrew Hill
Head of School
Main Lessons: Meaningful Learning in World Citizenship
17 Mar 2022
Last Thursday I ran a Parent Education session on the “big picture” of the Main Lesson curriculum that our teachers deliver at Glenaeon, and if you wish to see a recording, here is the link:
https://glenaeon-nsw.zoom.us/rec/share/LJ_-b2ZSeL4FaaHNECLaFF1nKDrDroxOfMbPILQQFB7OYAW7ZAK0227sjVcXLHlU.Lg9TXiUq32C2u5hr
Access Passcode: dhrty12!
This unique curriculum probably deserves a more expansive name than Main Lessons, which simply describes their place as the main lesson of the day. One very supportive family whose three children had been right through the school suggested Explorations as a better name, more suggestive they felt of the breadth and expansive quality of mind that the Main Lessons foster.
My own preference for a new name is World Citizenship. This unique curriculum comprises no less than 140 experiences that build understandings in specific subjects and most importantly, tells the story of humanity, the golden thread of human development from the fairy tale world at the dawn of human consciousness to the sophisticated 21st century world that has us facing the challenge of how to maintain a human future. By telling the human story from beginnings to now, the Main lessons build a sense of each student’s place as a future world citizen.
In preparing the talk, I was reminded of a retrospective that one of our long term students wrote just days before she finished Year 12. Mia Westcott’s Year 12 retrospective is a long and considered piece, reflecting the deep intelligence that since leaving Glenaeon has seen her graduate in Medicine and become medical practitioner working with disadvantaged aboriginal women in the Newcastle area. Written as she finished school and was looking back on her journey, one of her final paragraphs describes how powerful she found our Main lesson program.
I have always found Main Lesson such a huge part of my life at Glenaeon, a fascinating and enjoyable experience. The things I have learnt in Main Lessons seem to recur throughout life, and make daily life a richer experience. I have found evidence of this when travelling, such as when I knew as much about Norse Mythology as the tour guide when in Norway, felt like I was with old friends when looking at the wonderful paintings and architecture of the Renaissance in Italy, and actually knew what the guide was talking about in India, as I had studied both the Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita. My parents have made me realise just how lucky I am to have learnt about all these things, and I would have thought it perfectly normal, but for the fact that they often didn't have a clue what I was talking about. Main Lessons were also an excuse to draw and be creative, and when I look back at my main lesson books, I remember the great pleasure I received from this. I have to admit, I still have every single Main Lesson book from primary school and most from high school, and (don't tell anyone), I actually enjoy getting them out and looking through them, remembering the fantastic stories.
Another Glenaeon graduate, also a doctor and also in the Newcastle area, donated his entire Main Lesson book collection to our archives. Dr Andrew Keyworth who runs a family practice in Charlestown, mentioned to me after one of our GlenX evenings that he was cleaning out his garage and couldn’t bear to throw out the product of his primary schooling at Glenaeon. All his main lesson books from his class teacher years has journeyed with him through various family moves, his university training and his own family homes. He was reluctant to throw out the books he had created as a record of his own learning at Glenaeon. We gladly accepted them, acknowledging once again how powerful meaningful learning can be. Meaningful learning builds Meaningful Lives!
Read moreThe Cultural Cycle of the Year
03 Mar 2022
Every morning we wake up, roll over in bed, sit up and perhaps lie back down, and we then eventually find ourselves standing on our feet. At that moment we are conscious of ourselves in space, although I admit that it would be unusual if that realisation genuinely arose to the level of a concrete thought on a daily basis. At the same time, the fact that it is a new day, that we have moved on from yesterday, are standing in the present, and are starting to prepare ourselves for the future, reveals to us the reality that we are beings in the stream of time. Again, not necessarily a realisation that is dwelt upon at 6:00am. Nevertheless, each morning as we start our day we leave the world of sleep where we have had no sense of space or time and again awake into a three-dimensional physical reality and an inner sense of continuity. When we are feeling well, we awake to a rightful sense of place (space) and an experience of purpose and meaning (time).
Experiencing wellbeing in the context of ‘the self in space’ relies on our bodies being healthy and in balance, and our environment being safe, beautiful and appropriately stimulating. Experiencing wellbeing in the context of ‘the self in time’ is more complex, but an essential element is the assurance of continuity which relies on our innate trust in and experience of rhythms. Trust in the 24-hour day/night cycle and our unconscious comfort in the knowledge that the sun will set in the evening and rise in the morning is foundational to a healthy sense of ourselves in time, and we all acknowledge the necessity of the rhythmic balance between being awake and descending into asleep. For most of us, trust at this most basic of levels is thankfully a given. The importance of the weekly cycle, and the balance between work and play and the ways in which this rhythm impacts our wellbeing is also something quite universally understood. Having an awareness of how the yearly rhythm gently underpin our wellbeing and sense of purpose and meaning, however, is an aspect that isn’t as immediately apparent. Instead, it is a realisation which rises slowly into relief when elements that enhance our experience of this support are taken away.
Throughout the last two years, the daily and weekly rhythms have, on the whole, been maintained, with the school-week/weekend pattern remaining in place during both on-campus and online learning. The physical nature of the yearly cycle, with the changing of the seasons, has also continued to be experienced. However, cultural events that punctuated the passing of time in the social/emotional sphere largely fell away. With the cancellation of the autumn, midwinter and spring festivals, the annual Year 10 musical and school concert, year-level milestone celebrations and the Carol Service (to name a few), a diminishing sense of time began to emerge. As we failed to find trust in a cycle greater than a single week, we found ourselves finding it hard to connect with a sense of purpose and meaning and with a rhythm larger than our own. We were missing a yearly cycle that on the cultural level punctuated the mundane with celebratory events that unite us as a community through shared activity and experience.
The start of 2022 carried with it aspects that left us still wary, but gradually conditions are again arising that will allow us to plan again for a cultural celebration of the year. The academic program, with our sequencing of the main lessons, ordering of our lesson delivery and timing of assessment deadlines, could be said to present the yearly cycle our high school students experience in the realm of thinking. The seasons, with changes in light, temperature and rainfall (!), present the yearly cycle we encounter in the external, physical world. But it is the cultural, yearly cycle that speaks to our feelings, to our social/emotional selves and to our true humanness.
These months since March of 2020 have for many of us merged to create an undefined period that can’t quite be understood in terms of years. Term 4 last year, with its unusual on-campus start in Week 3, felt more like January than October, and returning this year, with a revival of heightened anxiety following increasing COVID cases, felt somewhat as if Christmas had never happened. But just in the last few weeks a lot has changed. The concept of ‘future’ can be tentatively entertained and there is much to anticipate. The Year 8 Outdoor Education program which occurred last week was a great success. The high school swimming carnival is set for tomorrow, and we are looking forward to again meeting with friends from other Steiner schools. Year 7 students’ trip to the Newnes Plateau will head out over the coming weeks and singing, music ensembles and extracurricular activities are back on! Most importantly, the first of the festivals is being planned. On Monday, 21 March an equinox will occur in the southern hemisphere. On this date, day and night will be very close to being of equal length and we can reflect on what that may mean metaphorically for our inner experiences of ‘lightness and darkness’. This too marks the moment after which nights will become longer, and when we enter autumn and can reflect on that season’s characteristics.
Grounded on the firm foundations of the reality of the annual, seasonal journey, we lift the yearly cycle to the cultural, social/emotional level as we bring these reflections alive for the high school students at the Harvest Festival set for Wednesday, 23 March. And we very much hope that this celebration will be the beginning of many more. Let the rest of the outdoor education programs stream right ahead, and let the twilight music concerts, the midwinter and spring festivals, the Year 10 musical and all the rest unfold. In doing so, let us again find assurance that we can rely on the cycle of the year to provide us with culturally experienced richness and a sense that time is passing meaningfully and purposefully, and that our place in that stream of time is assured.
Read moreElection of New Directors to the Glenaeon Board
17 Feb 2022
Recently our School Board Chair, Peter Candotti, wrote to all members of our school community asking for suggestions of suitable candidates to be considered for election to the Glenaeon Board. The Glenaeon Board (or School Council) is the governing body of the School and currently comprises 10 members who act in the capacity of Company Directors.
The Board is currently seeking suggestions for potential future Director candidates with skills and experience in the following areas:
- Finance/Accounting
- Architecture/ Planning/ Construction
- Information & Communications Technology
- Strategic Marketing
Any parent who has an interest in putting themselves forward as a potential future director candidate for the Glenaeon Board, is invited to email the Nominations Committee via the following address: Board@Glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
An information pack detailing the role and responsibilities of the Board can be accessed via this LINK.
Expressions of interest should include a brief resume including an outline of relevant skills and experience and a description of how these would contribute to the effectiveness of the Board. If interested, please make contact no later than Monday 21st March 2022.
Read moreWelcome to wonderful 2023
03 Feb 2022
‘Even the wisest can learn incalculably from children’ – Rudolf Steiner
A new school year begins
The school year is finally underway! It is a truth universally acknowledged that teachers and those involved in the business of running schools never sleep well in the nights before a new school year begins. Perhaps the same is true for parents too, and for our children. The anticipation of a new year holds so much promise in its unwritten state: the narrative is yet to unfold, the characters only partly formed, the plot merely a series of predictable signposts that mark out a typical school year. This is a good time to engage in conversation with your child about the year ahead. By listening deeply to their hopes, wishes and worries, parents and carers have an ideal opportunity to expose inner thoughts and feelings, and gain insight and wisdom about the most appropriate way to respond. Class teachers, Mentors and Advisors are a wonderful source of support and connection at any time, but especially at the beginning of a new school year. Please feel very welcome to bring forward questions, wonderings and ideas.
It was indeed wonderful to welcome students back to Castlecrag and Middle Cove campus’ on Wednesday. What struck me? The confident and positive manner in which our students greeted their teachers, friends and new classmates. Long may it continue! At Castlecrag, the beautiful Rainbow Bridge ceremony marked the start of the next chapter of learning and growing for those entering Class 1, and again, a sense of calm confidence was on display as our Kindergarten graduates gathered on the Class 1 balcony.
Staff Seminar Days
Prior to the start of term, Glenaeon staff engaged in a series of professional learning sessions during our Seminar and Planning Days. The 2023 Staff Days were designed for exploration of what it means to Build Meaningful Lives as custodians of the past and champions of the future. At the heart of this work lies a deep investigation into our school’s identity, our culture, our challenges, and the opportunities that await. We’ve only just begun and look forward to sharing this work with the wider community over the course of this year. Special thanks to our guest presenter, Nicole Ostini from Samford Valley Steiner School who provided a beautiful balance of assurance and provocation for us to carry forward, and to the fifteen Glenaeon teachers who led sessions. (Take a look at the photos in the gallery below.)
COVID-Safe Measures for Term 1
For some of our youngest learners, this new school year is unique, as it heralds the first for them without the global pandemic impacting usual operations to a significant degree. It’s important for parents and carers to note however, that COVID-Safe measures are still in place at school this term and we ask that families are supportive of the School’s priority to keep our community safe. Detailed information can be found below, in this newsletter.
- The school will continue to implement good and encourage good hygiene practices including regular hand washing with soap and warm water and/or use of hand sanitiser;
- Students, staff, and visitors should only attend school when they are well;
- We will continue to send home students or staff displaying symptoms of being unwell, including cold and flu symptoms; and
- From Term 1, teachers will no longer be posting work online for COVID-positive students. High School students are expected to liaise with and seek support from their subject teachers.
New staff
This year we welcome a number of new staff who will be introduced over the course of the next few Newsletters. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce the following teachers to the Glenaeon community. You can read more details about each of them HERE.
- Nicholas Greenfield, English and History Teacher, High School
- Frederic Hemming, Mathematics Teacher, High School
- Sally Mock, English and Society and Culture Teacher, High School
- Leyla Rousouli, Science Teacher, High School
- Jonathan Shaw, Class 1 Teacher, Primary School
- Sarah Simmons, PDHPE Teacher, Primary School
- Lydia Wilson, English Teacher, High School
On behalf of the entire Glenaeon community, a very warm welcome to you all. We are thrilled to have you join the team.
New Parent Soiree
If you haven’t already, please RSVP to this special event next Friday. The Soiree provides an ideal opportunity to engage with other Glenaeon parents in a casual sand beautiful setting, and learn more about the opportunities available for parents within our community. See invite below.
With very best wishes,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
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Learning Leadership
03 Feb 2022
Year 11 Captains
It was a delight to announce the team of Yr 11 students who will take on important leadership portfolios within the student body in 2023/2024. We were all impressed with their ability to articulate why they wanted to take on formal leadership roles within a particular portfolio and what they hoped to achieve. As I wrote to students, ‘Leadership is not for everyone, and in choosing to put yourself forward for this leadership role at Glenaeon, you are making a decision to influence others, to inspire others, and to work together with others for the benefit of our school community. I thank you in advance for the work you will do within your portfolio and I look forward to working alongside you and the leadership team to shape the Glenaeon of 2023-24. Our group of Yr 11 student captains is exceptional, and with our support, I have no doubt they will leave a lasting legacy.
Congratulations to the following students (pictured below at assembly last week):
Events Captains - Kai, Sasha, Luc
Visual Arts Captains - Charli, Fern, Erin
Music Captains - Sophie, Reuben
Sports Captains - Rohan, Morgan
Social Justice Captain - Lara
Of course, in handing over the banner to Yr 11, our Yr 12 Captains deserve our heartfelt thanks for all they have done to fulfill their roles in the last 12 months. Thank you!
Term 2 Reminders and Housekeeping
As we enter Term 2, parents and carers are reminded of the following:
· At Middle Cove, playground supervision each morning is provided from 8am, not earlier. For safety’s sake, please avoid arriving prior to this time.
· Winter uniform options need to be well-fitting and from the Glenaeon uniform store. Please consider investing in the warm jacket – it’s such a wind and chill breaker!
Communications @ Glenaeon
We are committed to ensuring school communications are timely, accurate and useful. Whilst we are working towards new ways of doing things, parents may notice some subtle changes in the ways we are directing different forms of communication. Primarily, and as much as possible, the fortnightly Newsletter is the primary source of information for the whole of school information. GLO is used for those communications at Class or Year Group level, and emails (which we all want fewer of!) for times when direct teacher-parent/carer is most suitable.
Mufti Day for One Wave
Next Wednesday, May 17, our students in Years 7-12 will come together to support One Wave. One Wave is a non-profit surf community raising awareness of mental health through a simple recipe…saltwater therapy, surfing, and fluro. An initiative of the SRC, students are able to come to school in plain clothes, which a touch of fluro – a wrist or hair band, for example. We are asking students to donate items of fluro clothing (to be sent to indigenous communities in central Australia) or bring a gold coin donation for One Wave.
MidWinter Party
Don’t forget to book your tickets for the fabulous MidWinter Party on Saturday, June 3 – the evening promises to be truly wonderful! I look forward to seeing you there.
Last, but not at all least, we wish all the mothers, mother in laws, grandmothers and motherly figures in our community a very Happy Mother's Day this Sunday. Our hearts are with those whose Mums have passed. We honour and celebrate our Mums for all that they do.
With very best wishes,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Welcome to 2024
03 Feb 2022
Welcome to a brand-new school year!
The play-areas, corridors and classrooms are once again filled with the laughter and chatter of children and young people, just as they should be. A very warm welcome to the 2024 school year, and all that it promises for our school, for our families and for our students. I hope these first few days have provided opportunities for strong learning engagement and connection for students, brought by teachers and staff who are passionate and dedicated about each child they teach or come across and about the work they do. Tonight’s Welcome Soiree promises to provide the same opportunity for connection for parents and carers, and I look forward to seeing many of you there.
Staff Days
Our January Staff Days provided all staff with opportunities to engage with core areas of focus for the year ahead. For teachers, this included absorbing keynotes and workshops presented by visiting Waldorf teacher and teacher trainer, Michael Merle, and completing artistic work with guest artist and Steiner teacher, Sophia Montefiore. In addition, all teachers completed Day 2 of the Berry Street Education Model training, focused on relationship. Over two thought-provoking and practical days of learning, we were reminded of the importance of inclusivity and connection, and our role as teachers to prepare students for the future by meeting them where they are now. This builds a culture of learning and being in which the shaping of the inherent uniqueness of each child is as important as shaping of their collective role as a member of the human race, within the greater human story.
New Staff
We have a number of new staff joining our community this year. You will hear more about them in upcoming editions of the Newsletter, but for now, a brief summary, and a warm welcome!
Name | Role |
Angela Lakkis | Preschool Administrator |
Isabelle Chappuis | Teacher Assistant, Kindergarten |
Emma Harrison | Middle Cove Teacher: Class 3 and 4 Drama, Teacher relief |
Meg Quinlisk | Handwork Trainee Teacher |
Lillian Dalton-Sheikh | Science, Maths Teacher, Middle Cove |
Pal (Paul) Fekete | Physics, Maths Teacher, Middle Cove |
George Morton-Ramwell | Maths, Science, Technology Teacher, Middle Cove |
Dominica Nicholls | English Teacher, Careers, Middle Cove |
Adrian Carter | Head of PDHPE |
Transition to new student database, Compass
Heartfelt thanks to all parents and carers as we begin to navigate the transition to our new student database, Compass. We are well on-track and pleased with the progress so far. As we work our way through the term and start to make use of new ways of doing things, please have patience and let us know if there are elements of the program that are not working for you. Our IT Specialist, Brenton has put together some tips for user experience that you can read in this edition of the newsletter. If you are experiencing any issues, please email itsupport@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Routines and Rhythms
As we embrace the typical rhythms of back-to-school, a recurring pattern of weekly activity unfolds. This encompasses exploring new activities, establishing fresh homework habits, different routines, and adapting to changing expectations. A wealth of opportunity for learning! The cultivation of wholesome study and play habits in children involve modelling, repetitive practice, feedback, and consistent reflection, centered on the child's and family's needs. Don’t forget, our co-curricular programs for Middle Cove students are available for sign-up on GLO now.
Warmly,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
In Full Swing Towards a Meaningful Life!
03 Feb 2022
Each of our campuses are humming with Term 1 energy and a rhythm that’s now nicely taking shape as co-curricular activities get underway and classes settle into refreshed or new routines and expectations. As always, my interactions with students are a gentle reminder of our ambitious vision: to support the growth and development of young people who are independently able to impart meaning and direction in their own lives. I’m paraphrasing a quote attributed to Rudolf Steiner that remains as visionary today as it was some 100 years ago, and indeed as central in Steiner schools as ever.
A related question is often asked of me, ‘But how do you see this rather lofty ideal play out at school each day?’ It’s a good question, and it’s one asked by prospective families considering a Steiner education for their child. My answer is always the same, although the examples I draw on to illustrate the point come fresh to mind from my interactions with students each week. A child’s development and growth towards becoming who they will be is complex and involves a myriad of micro-moments with people, the environment and even within themselves. These small moments seem inconsequential in isolation, and yet, when observed over time and in the context of Glenaeon’s rich, holistic program, can create an experience that does indeed support young people to lead meaningful lives.
This week, I watched Class 1 work confidently and capably with chalk to create form drawings in the Castlecrag playground that will very soon translate into the writing of letters. I received a beautiful bunch of flowers from the garden from a group of Class 4 students, brought with humble reverence and compassion. I engaged with curious, socially aware and disciplined Year 10 students during Main Lesson, and then, at Recess on Wednesday I enjoyed the creative spirit of Glenaeon’s SRC who designed and executed a carefully considered event to promote inclusion and belonging amongst the student body. These are the everyday interactions that build the attributes that our children will need and use to live a meaningful life.
What could you add to this list?
Warmly,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Congratulations Glenaeon HSC Class of 2021!
20 Jan 2022
2021 HSC Results Statement from Andrew Hill, Head of School
I am delighted to be able to congratulate the Class of 2021 whose HSC journey has been one of the most difficult in living memory.
Glenaeon’s Year 12 of 2021, like all HSC students in the state, have set the bar high in their response to unprecedented challenges. They have all met these circumstances with strength and goodwill, stood together and weathered the storm of COVID restrictions and exam uncertainties with an equanimity which belies their years. Their character has certainly been forged in the fire of adversity and they take with them a strong foundation of resilience to build their future lives. My advice to students has always been that success at the HSC is not so much about how smart you are, but how smart you work: they will learn skills in managing themselves that will last a lifetime. This year’s cohort has learned something even more: how to stay the distance even when the finishing line is stretched further than you ever thought.
Well done, Class of 2021, we are proud of you: your efforts, your strength, your resilience and your determination. We look forward to seeing you go forth and do great things!
Andrew Hill
Head of School
An End of Year
03 Dec 2021
Congratulations everyone! We have made it through one of the most challenging of years, and though we are not without scars, we are at least able to look back on some achievements. There will be a final letter to all families with some wrap up details, and plans for next year. Thank you to everyone for your patience and equanimity, and good will in working together.
The missing thing for the end of 2021 is the absence of those events which mark the students’ celebration of Christmas, always so joyful and uplifting. In line with a year of minimal yet meaningful messages, here is a small offering from Michael Leunig which I trust captures a very essential element of this festival of birth and new beginnings. May Christmas 2021 be fulfilling and uplifting in its own unique way. I wish all families a joyful celebration of this end of year and look forward to meeting up again, in person, in 2022.
Read more
Glenaeon HSC Showcase 2021
03 Dec 2021
Welcome to our 2021 Glenaeon HSC Showcase
We are delighted to bring you this snapshot of the brilliant work, creativity, imagination and talent of our Glenaeon Class of 2021.
HSC student work originates from courses including Visual Arts, Music 1, Music 2, Design and Technology, English Extension 2, History Extension, Science Extension and Society & Culture.
It wouldn’t be 2021, without making use of a QR code, so these have been adopted to bring our music and some visual arts projects to life as you scan the pages of this ‘book’ with your mobile phone.
During a disruptive year of enormous challenge, we feel immense admiration for our students who have displayed much resilience and tenacity. We feel confident that all these years of a Steiner Education delivered at Glenaeon has served them well in this extraordinary example of finish-line accomplishment.
May this serve as a recognition and a reminder for years to come of these students’ effort and achievements. It will no doubt become a treasured memento for our parents and carers who have also shone during this final year of the high school journey.
To our students, congratulations and well done. To our parents and carers, thank you for your support and participation and care in this culmination of schooling and end of an era.
Andrew Hill
Head of School
A Breath of Fresh Air: Taking the Inside Out
18 Nov 2021
There’s an old architectural design mantra that promotes Bringing the Outside In, which is about using large natural forms and building them into internal design principles. Over the past few weeks we’ve been doing exactly the opposite, and Taking the Inside Out. The need for good ventilation has driven many classes outside, and what a breath of fresh air it has brought, in all meanings of the term.
At Middle Cove we are using seven “official” new outside learning spaces to ensure all our high school lessons are as ventilated as possible. There are other less official spaces that teachers have found, in outdoor nooks and crannies that can accommodate smaller groups of students. Our bushland campus has really come into its own as all schools struggle to ensure students and teachers are as ventilated as possible.
Now there are challenges in outdoor learning. As any good teacher knows, a lesson needs to have a sense of integrity, a “skin” around it that holds the students and teacher/s in a unity with a common purpose in learning. In simple terms, everyone, both students and teacher, need to focus on the lesson and on their common task, otherwise the learning is less.
The four walls of the usual classroom space provide a physical boundary that gives one layer of the “skin” around a lesson. But as we all know, that’s not enough, and a lesson can so easily lose focus even within the most solid walls.
It’s the art of the teacher to create the intangible “skin” by drawing the students into the web of interest, enthusiasm and focused attention that every good lesson needs. Teachers create the “skin” themselves and learning this art, for an art it is, is the result of the sheer hard work that goes into training to be a teacher.
So taking lessons outside has a big challenge in one sense. How do you sustain student attention when you have kookaburras cackling, the wind on the trees, a distant chainsaw and the odd brush turkey wandering past, not to mention the visual distractions of a panorama of pleasant trees to look at? So the art of the teacher comes into its own in the outdoor classroom setting. Teachers need to be on their toes keeping attention and focus.
But the benefits are immense. At a time when clean air is a precious commodity, the sheer quality of fresh air at Middle Cove is impressive. The thick natural forest next to the waters of Middle Harbour create a highly oxygenated air flow which must make the campus one of the healthiest educational settings you can imagine.
Outdoor learning is nothing new to Glenaeon, it’s been part of our DNA since inception. Embedding learning in a natural environment was the foundational design of the school. One of the founders of our school Eric Nicholls, the junior partner of Walter and Marion Burly Griffin, first articulated his plans for a school in a natural setting as early as 1952, when he described his vision of creating a village-like series of classroom buildings in a bushland setting. His foundational design has echoed on in all the design principles that have shaped Glenaeon’s grounds ever since. Every window in the school looks out on to trees and green spaces.
How ahead of his time was that? Research that started at the University of Colorado in the 1990’s found some interesting results regarding health and wellbeing connected with “green” school yards. In general, and screening out such factors as socio-economic advantage, they found a connection between green spaces on a school campus and the health and wellbeing of its student population. The research is population research, so it covers many schools and many students, but it does suggest we have about as healthy a schoolyard as you can get. The Japanese “Forest Bathing’ movement with its associated research is demonstrating the physical benefits of extended time in forest settings, which is what our students enjoy every day.
The research is so pertinent in this time when air quality for students is such a hot topic. A local researcher is now working on the health of Australian high school grounds: Gweneth Leigh at the University of Canberra is completing a PhD on the how the design of secondary schoolyards has an impact on the wellbeing of students. She is hoping to raise awareness of how profoundly important green school grounds are for student wellbeing and health. Glenaeon is part of her study and we have shared our vision and practice of learning that is integrated into the natural environment.
Hopefully one silver lining from this challenging time might be a realisation that we need to take the inside out more often in schools. Students need their learning integrated into natural spaces for health and wellbeing reasons. If as a society we can learn that, it really will be a breath of fresh air.
Andrew Hill
Head of School
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Returning to school and life after lockdown
04 Nov 2021
Returning to school has been a joy. How wonderful it is to sit in my office or walk through the campus and hear the sounds of vigorous handball negotiations, games of tip, and (best of all) the sound of children's laughter! After our long winter in lockdown, with most of us having very restricted contact with friends and family, watching the children rediscovering each other is fascinating and beautiful.
Returning to school and life after lockdown has also been an enormous shift. There is no doubt that finding 'normal' again can be challenging as well as wonderful. At school, we initially saw some homesickness in a few younger children while our older students are learning again how to manage their energy within the rhythms of their regular timetables.
There are many excellent resources available to support families at times of change such as this.
This term, Our Parent Education series focuses on the theme "Out of Home and into the World" https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/1397 . And Student Wellbeing Coordinator Emily Fam has compiled strategies and ideas which parents and students can find on the GLO Health and Wellbeing page https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/919.
Sometimes though, I look a little closer to home when I'm managing a significant shift. Juliette Najar was my paternal grandmother, and when I was a child, she represented a place of calm in a sometimes uncertain world. She was born the third of five children in Tripoli, Lebanon, in about 1917 (she was always pretty hazy about her birth date). I was her first grandchild and, of course, the favourite (just ask my brother and our six cousins)! We called her Sittee, which is Arabic for Grandma, and she was, in short, magnificent! Elegant, composed, and with much to teach about making a child feel safe and secure.
Here's a little of what I learned from her:
Sit and listen
Sittee would sometimes sit right next to me, put her hand on my hand and say, "Yes, darling?".
I mostly didn't have much to say, but I knew I could if I did – and that made all the difference.
I know now that children and young people need our unguarded presence – someone who is still and undistracted for just long enough.
Take time
Time moved slowly at Sittee and Jiddy's (Grandpa's) house. In a Steiner school, it's what we call rhythm. Slow and steady, predictable, calming. If your children need it, let them take time coming back into the world – see what works and what doesn't – the old 'normal' might fit, and it might not. Take time to relish the extraordinary inside the ordinary. Sittee could make a bus ride to Bondi Junction seem like an adventure in a way that made us appreciate every little step of the journey.
Above all, be kind
In her 80s, Sittee had her handbag ripped from her arm in a random bag snatching. Being elderly, she fell and sustained injuries. We were shocked, upset and angry, but somehow, Sittee reacted with empathy and kindness. "What a terrible life that young man must have to take a handbag from an old lady", she said. In a time of uncertainty, change and division, we are called on to find a fraction of my grandmother's kindness and empathy.
Change can be wonderful, and it can feel uncertain. Sometimes, it can make me think that we could all do with a Lebanese grandmother! I hope Glenaeon families may enjoy a little of Sittee's wisdom as we readjust to the joy of life after lockdown!
Dani Finch
Deputy Head of School (K-6)
Let’s step into the NEW!
21 Oct 2021
And we are back … and I have to say, what a blessing it is!
It’s not very often that we get to experience the freshness of a new school year in October, but arriving at the Middle Cove campus this week after exactly 116 days away, working from home, has been reminiscent of precisely that moment that is usually experience in mid-January, when teachers but not yet students arrive back from the summer holidays ready for new learning and what’s ahead.
At that pivotal point each year there is a quiet readiness and a careful holding of the space, with both teachers and the campus environment itself feeling rejuvenated, preparing to welcome the students back. Interestingly, that same experience is here again now, although I was certainly not anticipating that with a long period of remote learning at my back and a general assumption that I was heading into that aging part of the year where things start to gallop towards a close!
The beauty of the bushland that we all so often take for granted, the nestled classrooms in village-like configurations, the biodynamic garden overflowing with an abundance of nasturtiums, sweet peas, poppies and overall new growth, and the clean and tidy classrooms and hallways are here waiting, looking forward to next Monday when the high voices of the Class 3 to 6 children ring out over the walkway as the Year 7 to 11 students find their way down the hillside and spread out into the body of the school.
Back at home, as your child crawls towards their last day of online study, I anticipate that the picture I have painted hasn’t been alive in your mind or in theirs, as it wasn’t in mine! At least for some, the bedroom may have become a little if not a lot den-like, and the screen may be beaming both the science main lesson as well as the latest Netflix series. I like to think that that hasn’t been the case, and I am conscious that it hasn’t been for all, but I am only too aware that for many high school students the capacity to keep learning fresh without in situ classroom experience has well and truly waned, and that the lack of delineation between home and school, family life and work has reached its expiry date. And … I am happy to announce that that will be all swept away!
As much as staff meetings and collegial planning continued (and in fact intensified) during this lockdown period, and as much as I knew that the answer to a question was at the end of the email, phone call or the Zoom, it was only after I was back on campus that I realised the effect our remoteness and distance had had on the efficiency with which matters could be resolved and in a sense, my motivation. Suddenly, a discussion that would have needed careful scheduling could happen on the driveway and a document I needed to finalise could be edited in a flash.
While the experience of the return will be a little different for each student, I anticipate that much will also be universally felt and may somewhat align with my own. The teachers’ facial expressions, body gestures and the rise and fall of their voices will be that much more engaging, the task at hand will be easier to understand and the work of peers around them will spur effort on. Teachers will readily be able to see the degree to which a student is grasping a concept and whether the work is in fact getting done, right there and then. Importantly, the screen will be off!
But most vital of all, the environment will support the learning activity. The classroom space will be bigger than the bedroom or kitchen table and will be well equipped, the bushland and the Middle Cove setting will bring a feeling of lightness and health, the blue sky overhead will provide that summer expansiveness that engenders a breathing out after a period of contraction, and the community of other people, the students’ friends, will bring to life belonging and connection. And the students will return having grown, not just physically but emotionally and cognitively as well, and their teachers will draw on their newly developed capacities and take hold of the zest for life that will be evident.
Newness brings with it growth potential, and while I had expected to experience a return to the old when I came back on site, I instead encountered the beginnings of something new. I anticipate the students will experience the same.
So I have decided not to welcome the students back to campus next Monday, but instead to welcome them to October 25, 2021, and then to October 26, 27… and on and on to days that haven’t yet happened, to dates which are in the future. So although there is work to be done in ascertaining what was and wasn’t retained during our time away, there is also the realisation that there is no need to go over the old and that in fact we are not coming back. We are instead going forwards and on each day when the students come here to learn, they will be stepping into learning that will be new … and I can’t wait for that to begin.
See you, dear students, next Monday!
Elizabeth Nevieve
Deputy Head of School (Years 7-12)
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Spring + End of Term
16 Sep 2021
This week we celebrate the arrival of the warmth, the light and the new life that we call Spring. Days are getting longer, the sunlight feels warmer, and all around us we see new leaves, flowers and everything green seems to be growing. What a sense of joy and expansion!
We can’t come together to celebrate in our festivals this year, but every one of us can enjoy the sense of new life nearby, just by looking at it. Let’s have private festivals of joy, where we quietly look on all the growing around us and say a simple Thank You to a world of Nature that is not in lockdown like us, but is in fact expanding and flourishing. This is a time for gratitude and awe, such simple feelings that the season evokes. Whatever our age, the new life of Nature in Spring can make us feel happy, young and fresh.
These feelings just bubble up in us during Spring as a normal enjoyment of the season. If you want some science in there as well, it’s worth noting that there are many studies now showing connections between cultivating these feelings of awe over time with very positive mental health benefits. Some studies even suggest a positive impact of physical health.
Julia Baird’s recent book Phosphorescence gives a beautiful commentary on our deep need for these moments as a kind of inner nourishment for our souls. This lockdown season has shown us more than ever how much we need the feelings of awe and wonder, the phosphorescence that Nature provides. In Spring it comes in abundance. May Leunig’s little hymn be a kind of meditation for us on the power of Nature to bring us a “wisdom that will heal the world”.
End of Term:
It’s been a long and winding road this term, but we are about there. Thank you for to everyone for staying the course. There’s been a lot of strength of character on display this term, and we can be very proud of our community. Our teachers have been magnificent, going above and beyond on every front, and I thank them for the quality and richness of learning they have offered to our students even over the distance of remote.
To all families I wish you a well-deserved break, a restful and fulfilling holiday period, and we look forward to resuming our teaching and learning on Wednesday October 6th. By then we will have more clarity from NSW Health on the roadmap back to regular in person schooling, and we will provide you with a detailed plan for the return to school commencing on Monday October 25th.
Until then, best wishes for the break!
Andrew Hill
Head of School
If you want to feel good….look for the Good
02 Sep 2021
Shared at last week’s online assembly for high school students…
Last assembly I talked about how even though we can feel we have no freedom in this difficult time that the pandemic has brought us, we still have the freedom to think thoughts which can lift us out of this trough.
I suggested saying these words every day: The world is majestic. These four, simple words can really start to change what we see in front of us. The world is majestic. Every morning there is a magnificent sunrise which is majestic, and it’s free and available to everyone. A blade of grass grows with such precision, formed on laws of growth that can be mathematically mapped.
I hope you’ve tried saying The world is majestic, a few times a day, and noticed how you start to see the world differently, and how you feel differently too. You start to see things that you may not have seen before. You can start to appreciate the simple beauty that is around us daily. This is an ancient practice, one that the Stoic philosophers of ancient Greece first described, though it’s been discovered in a slightly different form for the modern world, and Professor Carol Dwerk called it the Growth Mindset.
When looking at people though, a growth mindset can be a lot harder to apply. The majestic, the good is harder to find. With people you find everything is a bit mixed up. We’ve talked about how Australian history is a good example, where we find people doing many different kinds of things, some good, some bad and shocking, and some downright stupid. It’s all mixed up. The good things you have to look for. You have to go and search for them. It’s like precious metals in the ground: they’re not lying there for you to find, you have to search for them. You have to actively look for the good.
Now I was thinking about all this over the past week as we heard terrible stories from around the world about some awful things: the fall of Kabul in Afghanistan, the earthquake in Haiti and the gang violence that followed. But I was reading an article on the weekend about Afghanistan, and one sentence jumped out at me that I thought was worth sharing.
It was written by a young Afghan woman who came to Australia with her mother as a child, she went to school here and became a lawyer, something then she could never have done in her own country. This is what she wrote...
Not a single day goes by where small acts do not remind me to be grateful for the safety and security of Australia and how different life would have been if my mother had not fled with a single suitcase and four children, aged five and under, in 1989.
I was taken by two things: can you even imagine the sheer courage of a mother taking her four little children, with a single suitcase, and starting a new life in a strange country?
But I also noticed something about our country that we who have enjoyed its safety and security can sometimes take for granted. Every day she sees “small acts” that remind her of how grateful she is to be here. Small acts of kindness, care and helping others to be safe, that people like the rest of us probably don’t even see. She looks for the good because she knows what the bad can be. Australia is far from perfect, we have so much to change and improve, but for someone who sees differently, its pretty good. I thought it’s a lesson for all of us to look for the small acts of goodness.
The great thing about seeing small acts of good things is they make you feel good too. They are the best antidote to being down! The media call stories like these the “feel good” stories. Because that’s what they do, they make you feel good.
So as well as saying The world is majestic every day, think about looking for at least one small act of goodness every day as well, among your family, your friends, even strangers with their random acts of kindness. And you never know, you might just start to see human life as majestic too.
Andrew Hill
Head of School
The Elephant in the Zoom Room
19 Aug 2021
To support our parent community through the extended Sydney lockdown, Glenaeon recently launched a series of talks on the theme "Wellbeing During Difficult Times". Evan Sanders, our IT Integrator, hosted the first in the series last week. His talk 'Digital Wellbeing’ addressed the Elephant in the Zoom Room …. how do we, as a school that has long championed an 'unplugged' childhood reconcile the paradox of online delivery?
Dr Steiner and his contemporaries could scarcely have imagined the devices used in many modern classrooms. However, his indications were clear; children thrive when they experience connection with nature, play, home and self. Now reinforced by current research, Glenaeon's approach to (at school) education, particularly in the Primary Years, is natural, home-like, playful and unplugged! At Glenaeon, although we have embraced tools such as iPads, laptops and digital submission of tasks in secondary school, we remain resolute in our view that in the physical Primary classroom, the benefits of using these items during childhood can never offset the costs.
So how did we come to the view that online learning is not only acceptable but in some ways necessary during remote learning? The answer comes down to one of the very reasons we decry technology in the classroom – connection.
When children are in a classroom with their friends and their teacher, they are engaged and learning in a space of warm, meaningful, social interaction. They are learning skills, to be sure, but the environment in which those skills are taught holds one of the keys to true, healthy development. During a period where we must work and learn from home to safeguard our physical health, the classroom's rich environment disappears and with it the chance to experience a myriad of learning opportunities each day. Some of these lost learning opportunities are skills-based. For example, direct and time-sensitive feedback, is much more quickly given during an in-person lesson. However, the other type of learning children miss at home is our connective tissue at Glenaeon - connection! It's the learning found in the 'in-between' moments; a smile, words of affirmation, praise or correction from your teacher; a game in the playground with friends that you haven't played before; a teacher or friend noticing that you look a little sad today and trying to cheer you up. These are the things that can be lost when we are not physically together.
If we stay with the traditional model and don't use the technology available to us when learning from home, connection can become the opportunity cost of staying safe and well. Our Primary Faculty decided early in the pandemic that this was a cost too great to bear. And so we wondered, what if there were a way to stay connected, engaged and educated during long periods at home? What if we could maintain healthy routines and have a healthy relationship with technology? And so the zoom room was born. It's not perfect, it's not what we would wish for or what we long to return to, but it is what we have. And for us, right now, the balance hangs in favour of connection.
Our Early Childhood and Primary staff are using GLO and Zoom in innovative and creative ways and for appropriate amounts of time for each age group. From Little Kindy to Class 6, children and their teachers are connecting and learning over the internet. Catherine Pilko, our Senior Teacher at Castlecrag Campus, told her Little Kindergarten class the story of "The Little Gnome Who Had to Stay Home" on a zoom session last week. Written by Susan Perrow in the early days of the pandemic, Catherine has now added her own special touch - a magical 'glowing window' where our friend the gnome, can find his friends even though he has to stay home. I commend the story to you as a soul-filling reminder of the warmth and connection that lives (with the elephant) in our zoom rooms.
Dani Finch
Deputy Head of School (K-6)
Read Little Gnome and the Magic Window by Catherine Pilko.
Read moreRemote Learning with Feathers
05 Aug 2021
In a recently republished article written by Jonathan Zecher, a word from antiquity was brought to my awareness and I was struck by how aptly the author paralleled the ancient sentiment with our current experience. Acedia, an ancient Greek word for an emotion that is akin to listlessness, and which also hints at lethargy, apathy and indifference, speaks of an experience that can be described as a ‘turning away from the spirit’. But what is the nature of this spirit with which some of us may be struggling to connect?
When the first lockdown hit us in 2020 and when remote learning rolled out in March of that year, it happened fast. It was challenging, daunting and unfamiliar, but it was also a little intriguing, somewhat absorbing and certainly adrenaline producing… it was a new frontier. Teachers and high school students rapidly learnt new skills that definitely weren’t part of the syllabi, and they quickly became accustomed to new uses of technology and an as yet untried approach to lesson delivery and learning. Some things immediately worked well, other aspects needed refining, but we were all on a steep learning curve together. It was exhausting, but in the way running a race is exhausting, where high energy is expended over a short period of time and the respite following offers much needed release and rest that can be taken up. The novel coronavirus was indeed a novelty and like it or not, we all turned to the spirit of the times and embraced what had to happen.
But this time around it is different. Many of us are accepting but the newness has certainly worn off, and the longer lockdown with an uncertain end date necessitates a sustained reorientation. In many ways, the fact that we all know what we’re doing has enabled a smooth transition that augurs greater success! Many students report finding their lessons engaging and the workload quite manageable. They enjoy seeing their friends and appreciate the structure of the day, with learning introduced by their teachers through teleconferencing before setting off on the tasks themselves. Teachers are impressed with the students’ participation and are confident that learning is still occurring, and they are very grateful for parent support!
However, there is the feeling that the community (along with the State!) is holding its breath. Teachers, students and parents alike are observing this period in the way that fathers and mothers of young children brace for a long car trip. Have we bought enough snacks? Did we work out the rest stops?! (I remember my own mother planning for an 800km road trip with my then four-year-old daughter and telling my step-father to ‘spare no expense!’). But in this context, what specifically are the tasty morsels that will sufficiently interject what would otherwise be a monotonous term and where exactly are the rest stops?
Read moreInner Tranquillity and How to Find It: Five Minutes a Day
22 Jul 2021
In times of trial such as we are all now enduring, it’s natural and appropriate to look for help outside ourselves: a therapist, a professional, the government, the UN. But as well as appropriate outside help, we all have a resource that is often untapped and unused. We all have resources within ourselves. We just need to recognise them and to practise them. The contemporary interest in mindfulness is a version of something that has been developed by many philosophic and spiritual traditions. In times such as we are all facing today, it is worth returning to these inner sources of strength and nourishment that can sustain us all.
The Stoics were philosophers in ancient Greece who learned to deal with life’s challenges by separating what we can control (how we act), from what we can’t control (what life brings us). They taught that ultimately we are only free in how we respond to the things that come to us, the things over which we have no control.
Marcus Aurelius was an Emperor of Rome who kept a daily diary of his Stoic musings on life and the daily practice that enabled him to deal with the troubles of an empire: endless war, disease, rebellion, famine to name a few. His daily inner retreat gave him a strength to deal with it all:
People seek retreats for themselves – in the country, by the sea, in the hills – and you yourself are particularly prone to this yearning. But all this is quite unphilosophic, when it is open to you, at any time you want, to retreat into yourself.
No retreat offers someone more quiet and relaxation than that into his/her own mind, especially if she/he can dip into thoughts there which put him at immediate and complete ease: and by ease I simply mean a well ordered life. So constantly give yourself this retreat, and renew yourself.
The doctrines you will visit there should be few and fundamental, sufficient at one meeting to wash away all your pain and send you back free of resentment at what you must rejoin….
Finally then, remember this retreat into your own little territory within yourself. Be your own master, and look at things as a human being, as a citizen, as a mortal creature.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 4, 3-4
Read moreCOVID-19 Update
07 Jul 2021
During the COVID-19 crisis, Glenaeon has been keeping Parents and Carers regularly informed as things rapidly change and unfold.
LATEST: Letter to Parents and Carers - 7 July 2021
The Sixth A
03 Jun 2021
In our last Newsletter Dani Finch outlined how our program of 5A’s meets the six 21st century capabilities. But there’s a sixth A, though we don’t talk about it much.
Julia Baird’s recent best-seller has brought it into the open and it’s time to talk about it. Her title says everything: Phosphorescence: On awe, wonder, and things that sustain you when the world goes dark. The book has sold 150,000 copies in Australia and was the publishing phenomenon of the pandemic year. In the year when so many things went dark, her beautifully written book spoke to so many people about how to seek and find the extraordinary in the ordinary, the inner light in the ordinary world around us. Julia’s book told her own story of survival through extraordinarily challenging difficulties of pain and loss, and how she built reserves that in the face of these challenges, brought her “immense beauty”. She touched death numbers of times and she learned a number of lessons to cope.
A key lesson? “Seek awe, and nature, daily”.
As I read her book, I thought again of a constant question in my mind: how can we prepare children to find that feeling of awe, the sustaining sense that life is spectacular and grand, and we all have a place in it.
If this is such a human need, why aren’t schools making it a part of daily life? How can schools make sure that awe, and nature, are part of every child’s daily education?
Her book is a reminder that we all need bread as much as stones to nourish our inner lives. Feelings of awe nourish our inwardness. How sad that the language of education is yet to embrace this profound and essential human need as a fundamental for schools, just as much as other subjects.
Glenaeon draws on the rich heritage of Steiner education to embed feeling of awe and wonder in our daily school journey. Here are some of the ways we do it:
Morning verse: we start each day with a mindful reflection on the great powers of life. In a little touch of daily awe, a simple non-denominational verse starts our work for each student and teacher/mentor/guardian with a reminder that we are part of a bigger whole, that our lives are woven into a grander design than our minds can sometime fathom.
Stories: the special moment in a primary class day is story time, usually just before morning Recess. When all is quiet, a candle is lit and the teacher tells, in person, a story from world tales or their own imagination. For a teacher there is no more special moment in the day than seeing this crowd of expectant faces, waiting to be moved and touched by the power of imagination. So many of the stories carry the curriculum and in primary school even Maths and Science lessons can be woven out of and developed from a well-crafted story. Right up into high school, our classes enjoy a moment of wonder as the story unfolds, and the mind is taken to far off places and remarkable deeds.
Poetry: Our commitment to spoken poetry through the school says so much, just as a poem compacts meaning into a few lines. How much awe is in these 29 simple words?
To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.
Festivals: a man of aboriginal descent recently told me how impressed he was at his children’s Steiner school because they celebrated seasonal festivals, such as MidWinter when the children carry a candle and build a communal spiral of lights on the year’s darkest day. He hadn’t found other institutions so connected with the rhythms of the year, something which to him as an indigenous person was so fundamental. Our western style seasons have of course been simplistic and blunt compared to the nuanced and embedded aboriginal consciousness, but at least we have a feeling of awe and connection with the turning of the year.
Nature: “the quiet healing properties of Nature” writes Julia. Our Middle Campus is a haven in the busy north shore, with a backyard that includes the exquisite Scotts Creek as it winds through mangroves to Middle Harbour. Our Outdoor Education program explicitly takes students to wild outdoor places where as well as stretching themselves against the forces of rivers and rocks, they can sit and absorb the quiet majesty of wilderness. The power of place is a sense in itself, and needs regular educating.
Cuttlefish: “For me, cuttlefish are symbols of awe” says Julia. Our Main Lesson curriculum charts a course through the rich stories of history, Science, Maths and literature, finding an implicit sense of wonder in our human connections with the world’s phenomena. How special it was to read Chapter 1 in Julia’s book which is titled Lessons from a Cuttlefish. We traditionally start our study of animals in Class 4 with the cuttlefish and examine their remarkable structure. Implicit in our scientific study is a sense of wonder at the extraordinary way the cuttlefish moves through the ocean.
The 5A’s of the Glenaeon journey educate the whole human being: Academic, Aesthetic, Artisan, Altruistic, Active Wilderness. But holding them all together is the sixth A, the special sense that life is grand and powerful, and we all have a place in it, the sustaining sense of Awe.
Andrew Hill
Head of School
The Education You Need
20 May 2021
Inspiration and ideas for newsletter pieces sometimes come at the strangest times. Recently, a left-leaning, Snoopy-loving friend posted this cartoon on her social media page. In it, the mild-mannered and renowned philosopher Charlie Brown turns to his classmate and tells her straight, “No one is going to give you the education you need to overthrow them”. Responses to my friend’s post ranged from the love heart emoji to “Terrifyingly true!”
I wrote “Inspiring!”
We hear a great deal in the media and from politicians about preparing children for the future they will inherit. Much of the rhetoric centres around being ‘job ready’, and mastery of technology is paramount. At Glenaeon, we agree that these are essential elements of a rounded education. Still, when we make them our focus, the capacity of an education system to inspire and inform the next generation of change-makers is savagely diminished.
So, how are we preparing our students to resolve some of the messes we both inherited and created? How does Glenaeon give students the education they need to ‘overthrow’ and create a new, more equitable and sustainable future? It is interesting to answer this question through the lens of the 6c’s of Education in the 21st Century: Character Education, Citizenship, Communication, Critical Thinking, and Collaboration. Developed by Michael Fullan O.C, Global Leadership Director of New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL) and a worldwide authority on educational reform, the 6 ‘s are inherent in Glenaeon’ s 5A’s program:
Academic – The Main Lesson sequence places a child in time. While in Primary School, teachers immerse children in imaginative pictures that inspire Character and Citizenship; in High School, students are taught to Critically analyse information, sources and their place in the fabric of society.
Artisan & Aesthetic – From craft and beeswax models to 3D printing and performing in an orchestra, a Glenaeon education is inherently one of Creativity.
Altruistic - Belonging to a community where we abide by a respectful social contract in our interactions and give of ourselves inside and outside the school requires Communication, Collaboration and Citizenship. Be that through caring for Scotts Creek, serving on the Student Eco Group or performing service as part of the Duke of Edinburgh program or in the Northern Territory working with the Aboriginal students at Macfarlane Primary School.
Active Wilderness –To journey with a group in a remote location (or even on a bushwalk to Warner’s Park) requires Communication, Collaboration and Citizenship. To do it well builds Character.
Preparing for an uncertain future requires much more than being ‘job ready or ‘tech savvy’. Schools must create environments, and teach in ways, that impart capacities to young people that encourage them to develop and enact new ideas and creative responses to problems. Charlie Brown might be stunned to learn that at a small school in Middle Cove called Glenaeon, we are absolutely preparing to be overthrown by the students we teach, and the future looks very bright indeed.
With thanks to Charles M. Schulz.
Dani Finch
Deputy Head of School (K-6)
The Development of Capacity
06 May 2021
Term 2 provides a time for rich, concentrated learning when, supported by wintery days, we feel an increased sense of inwardness and a strengthening of our capacity for engagement with ideas, analytical questioning and reflection. At school we make use of the season’s supportive influences and use the winter terms in particular to deepen and extend the students’ academic capabilities. Embedding knowledge and honing skills are emphasised as Year 9 and 10 students prepare for their mid-year examinations, practising memorisation techniques and working to crystallise their understanding into coherent responses under timed conditions, and main lessons such as Mathematics in Nature in Year 7 and The Chemistry of Salts in Year 10 bring the elements of ‘wonder’, then ‘judgement’, then ‘understanding’ seamlessly into harmony as students observe, question and arrive at concepts through a natural learning progression. At the Year 11 and 12 level, a period of solid work is entered into where a significant amount of new content is brought and where the need to determinedly further their abilities through rigorous practise is understood.
In all of the endeavours mentioned, focus is on bringing ‘willing into thinking’ but the opposite is also required and nowhere is bringing ‘thinking into willing’ more essential at this time than in the HSC year. While students juggle the competing demands of diverse course requirements that entail the amassing and understanding a large body of information and the expert demonstration of their knowledge, significant developments must also be made on all projects. Throughout Term 2, practical components of Design and Technology, English Extension 2, History Extension, Music 1, 2 and Extension, Science Extension, Society and Culture and Visual Arts become fully realised and refined, ready for early Term 3 HSC Showcases and NESA submissions; we greatly look forward to seeing the fruits of their labours!
The go-between or oil that enables our application of ‘will’ to result in our capacity for ‘sustained, directed thought’ and the employment of our ‘thinking’ to produce ‘meaningfully guided action’ is, however, the strength and quality of our ‘feeling’ … and, in particular, feeling relationships with what we encounter that inspire and embody wonder, interest, intrigue, aesthetic sensitivity, determination or meaning.
At Glenaeon, teachers are acutely aware that one of their key tasks, therefore, is to present students with daily opportunities for the engagement of their emotions, sometimes subtly and sometimes profoundly. Depictions of beauty, narratives enhanced through dramatic detail, inspirational accounts of lives well led, the fineness of a mathematical formula accurately applied, the lightbulb awakening of a scientific discovery or the exquisite depiction of a personal revelation in a piece of eloquent prose or poetry are all examples of how our feeling life can be activated. When these encounters are brought to the students, their emotions are awakened in ways that allow immersion in learning that links human experience with content matter. Lessons become relevant and material that has the potential to remain detached becomes meaningful. An inspired interest in a topic provides impetus for sustained grappling with complex elements, namely ‘willing in thinking’, and a sense for beauty (or morality) enables actions to be moderated by thoughtful considerations, in other words, ‘thinking in willing’. And it is during these cooler months, when we are less likely to be drawn into the expansiveness of the natural environment, that we are perfectly placed to work on these three aspects of our being. The meaningful interplay between thinking, feeling and willing therefore becomes a focus so as to provide students with learning opportunities that foster inner growth and academic development.
Elizabeth Nevieve
Deputy Head of School (Years 7-12)
Orange is the new green: Glenaeon's bush regen work on show
06 May 2021
Last week we welcomed the Hon. Trevor Evans MP, Member for Brisbane & Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management and Mr Trent Zimmerman MP, Member for North Sydney & Chair of Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport to Glenaeon.
They were here to see the progress we have made so far in the Communities Environment Program - Scotts Creek Valley Regeneration Project for which Glenaeon received a federal government grant last year.
Our thanks to Year 7 & 8 students Catina, Michaela, Finley, Ava, Hayden, Felix, Ria, Archie, Henry, Mia B, Mia W and Sam for taking part. Our students got into the bush regeneration work suits and showed our visitors the type of work they have been doing, pulling noxious weeds, clearing rubbish from upstream.
It was a wonderful opportunity to highlight our eco work, our bush regen education program and the visit gave these students the chance to tell our government representatives how much they care about the environment, the bird life, local wildlife and other environmental issues important to them. They also communicated the work of the Student Eco Council. Our students had a lot of fun and also learned how we can interact and communicate with elected officials. Special thanks to Lindsay Sherrott, Sandra Frain and to bush regen specialist Richard Blacklock.
#northsydney #middlecove #glenaeon #steinerschool #steinereducation #eco #environment #scottscreek #bushregeneration #cleanup
Read moreWelcome back to Term 2
22 Apr 2021
Welcome back to everyone and best wishes for a great start to our new Term!
The good news is that COVID restrictions have eased for schools and we are getting close to a return to what we all remember as “normal” school, pre-pandemic.
- Parent/carers can drop off on campus (no sign in required) however it’s assumed that this is for a short period of time. Castlecrag has particular requirements which will be communicated directly to parents of Kindergarten to Class 2.
- If you are picking up your child early before the end of day, you must sign out at Reception. We need to maintain accurate records of attendance and we appreciate your assistance in this matter.
- Visitors should maintain 1.5m physical distance from other adults (including staff) where practicable and other visitors when on the school site and at school pick-up and drop-off times where practicable
- At all times where there are people gathering, personal hygiene, physical distancing, cleaning and record keeping requirements apply
- Visitors must comply with sign-in arrangements
- Visitors must be excluded if unwell, even with the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms
Glenaeon has an overarching COVID-19 Safety Plan in place for the school and the standard precautions remain:
Hygiene and Illness procedures – remain the same as always
- Stay at home when unwell and get tested.
- Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.
- Maintain respiratory hygiene.
Life will probably never return to the normal we knew, but with COVID plans in place, and accurate record keeping, we look forward to maintaining a semblance of the happy community life we all enjoy. These new guidelines enable us to confirm and continue planning our key community activities involving parents: the MidWinter Ball Event and the Family Fair in November. Our school festivals can now go ahead, as can in-person meetings. We will maintain some convenient aspects of remote learning such as some Zoom interviews in High School, but overall we can look forward to a resumption of face to face and in person meetings. Hallelujah! Our human community resumes!
Wellbeing Education:
This week Year 9 and 10 will be with a range of presenters undertaking a whole day workshop on respectful relationships. The program LoveBites comes with a very strong reputation in preparing adolescents to navigate the issues of managing relationships and consent. As many schools have found, our existing programs in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) are strong, but not strong enough. The LoveBites program provides a deeper dive for students, in a safe and secure setting, to really understand the significance of appropriate and inappropriate behaviours, and how to ensure our relationships are healthy and respectful.
In Term 1 there were sessions with DAYSS (Drug and Alcohol Youth Support Services), a well-respected program for both high school students and parents on managing alcohol and substance issues. We also continue to share with parents the workshops and education sessions offered by Headspace, a national youth mental health service. Our Wellbeing program has had a strong start in 2021 and there will be further initiatives and parent education through the year.
The Bird Panel:
During the break our Maintenance team caught up with many small jobs that can get overlooked during a busy term. One special job they undertook was to install the Bird panel: a beautiful rendering of our bush landscape featuring ten different species of birds that inhabit our Middle Cove campus. The project had its genesis when I visited the Newcastle Waldorf School in January and saw some panels they had painted that depicted bird species which had their habitats decimated during the 2019-20 bushfires. I asked Art Teacher Donna Miller and our local ornithologist and Science teacher Dr Stanley Tang whether we could do the same. They were both enthusiastic and we arranged a session of the Teachers Seminar PD days in January to be devoted to painting a panel depicting some of the 100 or so species of birds that inhabit or visit our campus.
The session proved very successful. About a dozen teachers spent hours painting the panels at the seminar, and then later during Term 1 completed a sophisticated rendering of our bushland and some of its bird species. The panels turned out to be enormous, and when put together, measured 4.8 by 2.1 metres. They now adorn a wall of the Alice Crowther Building next to the café.
Stanley Tang spoke at our first assembly for the term on Wednesday, describing the ten species on the panel, and something of their colours and habits. He gave the High school students a challenge to see how many of the ten species they could recognise, as many are tucked away in the painting of the bushland habitat. How gratifying it was to come up immediately after the assembly and see a gathering of five students intently searching the panel to see all the birds. It’s a great piece of work that both adds a beautiful aesthetic to our building, as well as celebrating our bush and birdlife. Congratulations to our creative teachers, and come and enjoy next time you are on campus!
Read moreWe do Hard Things
25 Mar 2021
If you're reading this piece in the Glenaeon newsletter, chances are that we first met when I interviewed you and your children as part of the school's enrolment process. I enjoy those interviews deeply, getting to know each student and family as I run through the prescribed questions covering academic strengths and challenges, hobbies and interests, musical experience, sport and health information. Each interview, I ask parents to tell me what has drawn them to Glenaeon and a Steiner education. Alongside a variety of responses about creativity, academics, co-education, and Outdoor Education, a large majority of you have responded something along the lines of; "We are seeking a warm, nurturing environment where our child will be known and cared for". And yes, spot-on, that's us! But, and it's a big but, we do hard things at Glenaeon.
Being nurtured, cared for and deeply known does not equate to being comfortable, at ease or always happy! From Little Kindergarten to Year 12 and beyond, Glenaeon kids do hard things that sometimes make them sad, angry, unsure, or afraid:
- In Kindy, it might be saying goodbye to mum and dad even though you want one more hug.
- In Class 3, it could be practising your reading, writing and times tables every day even when you don't feel like it, or standing up for what's right in the playground.
- In Class 6, it might be reciting a lengthy poem in front of an audience or controlling your temper when things don't go your way.
- In Year 7, it's joining us from another school and learning to draw, paint, and play an instrument alongside classmates who have been doing those things for years.
- In Year 8, it might be reciting a Shakespeare soliloquy or abseiling down a cliff face.
- In Year 9, it's volunteering your time to help with something that might not be cool or pretty or fun.
- In Year 10, it's getting up on stage with a microphone and singing and dancing like you're on Broadway.
- In Year 12, it's sitting under a tarp in the bush out near Coonabarabran for 48 hours with only your thoughts (and your pre-developed singing, dancing, and artistic skills) to keep you company.
Being nurtured and deeply known is not about wrapping our kids in cotton wool or placing them in an environment where they are always content. Quite the opposite, it's about creating opportunities where they get to do hard things and fail at them in a school community where we make it safe and possible to get up and try again.
Our students are musicians, artists, orators, performers, hikers, essayists, philosophers, and friends. These skills and attributes don't come easily to any human. Yes, our students are known and nurtured. And yes, they do hard things.
Dani Finch
Deputy Head of School (K-6) & Registrar
"Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well."
Theodore Roosevelt
Read moreOpen Day 2021 event cancelled due to wet weather
19 Mar 2021
Our Open Day 2021 event has been CANCELLED due to wet and dangerous weather predicted for the weekend.
Instead, we are hosting an introductory webinar event with an extended Q&A session.
If you had already booked for our Open Day check your email/spam folder for details of the webinar.
Or if you hadn’t already booked, you can join us for the webinar tomorrow at 10am via our registration link: https://www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/openday
Open Day 2021
02 Feb 2021
DUE TO WET AND DANGEROUS WEATHER, WE HAVE CANCELLED OUR OPEN DAY EVENT.
AN INTRODUCTORY WEBINAR EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW AT 10AM.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
A very warm welcome, and thank you for your interest in a Glenaeon education. We look forward to welcoming you to our Open Day 2021.
A meaningful life starts with an educated decision, so this is a great opportunity discover how a Glenaeon education equips students with the foundation they need to lead a life of character and contribution.
Where: Middle Cove Campus, 5a Glenroy Avenue, Middle Cove
When: SATURDAY 20 MARCH, 10am-12 noon
Inquiries: Please call Enrolments Officer, Clare Gordon on +61 2 9417 3193 or email enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
This Open Day event has been adapted to ensure our community stays healthy with COVID-safe practices in place.
All guests must pre-register and sanitise hands on arrival at our beautiful bushland campus and maintain social distance between family groups.
Read moreYear 5 Student Arlo Temple a National Winner in the National History Challenge 2020
04 Dec 2020
11 year-old Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School Student and Rozelle resident, Arlo Temple has been named as a National and NSW State winner in two categories in the National History Challenge 2020 awards. Arlo won the top award in the Year 5/6 and the Museum Exhibit categories.
Deputy Head of School (K-6), Dani Finch said, “We are thrilled that Glenaeon student Arlo Temple has been announced as both a National and NSW State winner in the National History Challenge for 2020. Arlo has a natural interest and curious mind when it comes to history, and it was a joy to learn of his success in this year’s National History Challenge entry. We feel very proud of his great personal achievement.”
Glenaeon Head of School Andrew Hill commended Arlo, “Everyone at Glenaeon is delighted for Arlo and we congratulate him on this mighty accomplishment. His hard work has been aptly rewarded.”
Arlo received his awards at a ceremony to honour the NSW state and national winners of the National History Challenge at the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, Sydney, last night.
The National History Challenge is a research-based competition for students. It gives students a chance to be an historian, researching world history, examining Australia’s past, investigating their community or exploring their own roots. It emphasises and rewards quality research, the use of community resources and effective presentation.
“My submission was in response to this year’s competition theme, ‘Contested Histories’ where I explored the devastation of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. I built a scaled diorama of the Hiroshima site and wrote an essay and created a website for my entry”, said 11-year old Arlo.
Arlo’s Mum, Kate Burt said he worked extremely hard on his entry, and said it was exciting to see him standing among other excellent student entries from across the state and country.
“We visited Hiroshima last year and it was a very moving experience. We are proud of how Arlo has expressed his research in his diorama and his interest in Japanese culture and history. We are also glad to have the kitchen table back after two months of his wonderful model making,” Burt said.
Arlo’s website:https://goby-echidna-arfn.squarespace.com/
#nationalhistorychallenge #history #contestedhistories #hiroshima #Japan #diorama #Essay #glenaeon #steinereducation
Read moreCOVID-19
18 Mar 2020
During the COVID-19 crisis, Glenaeon has been keeping Parents and Carers regularly informed as things rapidly change and unfold. We wish to thank our wonderful community for their support and understanding as we all navigate uncharted territory and wish everyone to stay healthy. For all Glenaeon COVID-19 updates please return to this webpage.
Best wishes,
Andrew Hill
Read moreThe Power of Play in Nature
13 Mar 2020
For those in the community that could not make our Power of Play in Nature forum last week, I am pleased to share my opening remarks.
"I’m very aware that I’m the warm up band at this gig, so I will be brief and just restrict myself to two key points. The first is why Glenaeon is hosting this seminar.
Education is continually changing. Just think student wellbeing. When I went to school, mental health and wellbeing were non-existent issues as core school concerns. If students couldn’t manage, it was seen as collateral damage to the main battle for academic achievement, like civilian casualties in a war. Now there has been a 180 degree turn around. Mental health and wellbeing are front and centre. Every school has an obligation to manage, support and facilitate student mental health. That transformation has happened in a generation.
Consider positive education. Some twenty years ago, I and my school were criticised by a mainstream teacher from a university for being “too positive”. This was about the year Professor Martin Seligman’s first book The Optimistic Child came out. Now just think what Seligman’s Positive Education has become. Today there are many schools which have based their entire wellbeing program on Positive education, and there’s even one nearby that calls it Visible Positive Education. Twenty years ago we were criticised for using positive methods, today you are criticised if you do not use positive methods. That’s a total turnaround in twenty years.
How does change happen? It happens the same general way that positive change happens. First there are problems with the current model or the current understanding of what is generally understood should happen in schools. Cracks and internal contradictions start to happen; new expectations start to emerge. At the same time there is a growing body of research suggesting a new and better way.
Let’s look at our current model. Australia has spent more money on education in recent years than ever before. Australian children spend more time in formal school instruction than all other OECD countries: our school day is the longest in the OECD (something about which Australian parent may be very surprised!). Australian children begin formal literacy instruction at an increasingly earlier age: there is two years’ difference between us (age 5) and Finland (age 7).
Yet what are the figures showing us? Results in NAPLAN and PISA testing show at best a plateauing, at worst a decline in Australian student performance. The recent NSW government review of curriculum received submissions from almost all stakeholders that there is a perceptible decline in student engagement in learning and assessment, particularly in high school.
In other words, we are doing and spending more, and the results are getting less. That sounds to me like an internal contradiction! We need to do something differently.
Read moreThe Power of Play in Nature
14 Feb 2020
Glenaeon is proud to present The Power of Play in Nature, a free public seminar featuring two of Australia's leading education experts: Professor Pasi Sahlberg, Professor of Educational Policy, Deputy Director, Gonski Institute for Education, UNSW and Professor Tonia Gray, Senior Researcher, Centre for Educational Research, Western Sydney University. After the keynote, there will be a panel discussion, facilitated by MC Lucy Clark, Associate Editor of The Guardian and Author of Beautiful Failures. The forum is on Thursday 5 March 4pm-6:30pm at the Concourse Theatre, Chatswood.
This is a ticketed event. Please register via www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/play
Read moreCastlecrag students enjoy outdoor play time
14 Feb 2020
Children at Castlecrag are enjoying their outside play and are full of activity as they jump, slide and swing!
Read more
Summer of Challenges
31 Jan 2020
Welcome to 2020! A special welcome to all new students of Glenaeon, particularly in Kindergarten and Year 7, and to all continuing students and families. After a summer of challenges, we look forward to a better year.
Class of 2019 Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School in top 100 with a perfect score
19 Dec 2019
Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School warmly congratulates the Class of 2019 on their excellent performance in the Higher School Certificate (HSC).
Read moreDrawing at Glenaeon Made Him a Better GP
27 Nov 2019
Today we farewelled our Year 12, the Class of 2019. Entering the Hall at 9.30 am as Glenaeon students, they left the Hall at 11 am as ex-Glenaeon students, or GlenX.
It was a particularly beautiful assembly with some exceptional musical performances from both the music students in the group, and a choral piece from the whole year group.
In reflecting on what the school has brought them, I mentioned some of the many ”small things” that make up a Glenaeon education, the many small things that together make a large, meaningful and organic whole. Small things can have a big impact and I shared a story of how one small thing that we do at Glenaeon helped a young doctor become a better GP.
Here is the story in full: Dr Andrew Keyworth built a thriving family medical practice in the Newcastle area. He attended Glenaeon from Kindergarten to Class 7, and when I asked him to reflect on the role the school had played in shaping the person he is today, he gave me the following interesting statement. The bold paragraphs highlight how drawing helped him become a better GP:
Read more
Spring Festival - music, flowers and festive cheer
27 Sep 2019
There were plenty of blossoms, crowns and and music for the Spring Festival day. Parents, staff and students enjoyed the warm and relaxing day and the oval was filled with family and friends. Thank you all for coming and for those who helped to create and coordinate the festival.
Read moreYear 7 Surprise African Drumming Workshop
06 Sep 2019
Year 7 were treated to a surprise workshop with African drummers this week as part of their 'The Wonder of the Word' Main Lesson. The musicians were brothers Thiass and Djogo from Senegal and their sounds rang out over the Middle Cove campus, including a welcome song in numerous languages (all that Year 7 could say "hello" in!) accompanied by over 30 drums! Year 7 Guardians Jamie Loftus and Elena Rowan joined in with Music teacher Sallyanne Barker.
Read moreYear 10 PE Extension class - the Sydney Bay Run Event
09 Aug 2019
The Year 10 PE extension class had their Term 3 Assessment Task on the weekend completing the Bay Run in the Inner west in Leichhardt.
Read moreYear 8 : Students of Shakespearean theatre and costumes
02 Aug 2019
Class 8 will perform a Shakespearean play later this term, and are not only busily rehearsing, but also sewing their own costumes in Handcraft classes!
Read moreClass 5 learn the traditional Maypole dance
26 Jul 2019
Traditionally at Glenaeon, Class 5 dance the Maypole at the Spring Festival in a rhythmic and co-ordinated series of steps, whilst intricately weaving numerous ribbons into an impressive pattern.
Read moreClass 6 light up their world
26 Jul 2019
As a part of their Main Lesson exploring the physics of sound, light and heat, Class 6 began the week by painting the colour wheel, exploring the qualities of colours with teacher Rodney Dean.
Read moreYear 11 Biology Reef Excursion with Stanley Tang
14 Jun 2019
Science teacher Stanley Tang took his Year 11 Biology students to Long Reef
Read moreClass 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!
Read moreYr 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.
Read moreCelebrating 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!
Read moreParent 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!
Read moreYr 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.
Read moreYr 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.
Read moreLunar 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!
Read more
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.
Read moreOutdoor 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.
Read moreYr 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!
Read moreSandpit 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!
Read moreMany 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.
Read moreWelcome 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.
Read moreWelcome 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!
Read moreStudent 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!
Read moreKindergarten 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.
Read moreA 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.
Read more
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
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.
Read moreGlenaeon 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.
Read more
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
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.
Read moreGleno 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.
Read more
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.
Read moreClass 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.
Read moreClass 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!
Read moreYr 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.
Read moreYr 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.
Read moreClass 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.
Read moreClass 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!
Read moreKindergarten 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.
Read moreClass 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!
Read moreClass 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!
Read moreGlenaeon 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.
Read moreYr 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.
Read more
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.
Read moreWashing 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'.
Read moreKindergarten 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.
Read moreClass 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.
Read moreYr 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.
Read moreClass 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.
Read moreKindergarten 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!
Read moreYr 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.
Read moreClass 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.
Read moreCelebrating 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
Read morePDHPE 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!
Read moreYr 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.
Read moreFarm 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!
Read moreYr 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!
Read moreGlenaeon 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.
Read moreClass 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.
Read moreKindergarten 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.
Read moreRosh 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.
Read moreFarewell 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!
Read moreGlenaeon 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
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)
Read moreGlenaeon 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
Read more
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!
Read moreClass 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.
Read moreKindergarten 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.
Read moreTanabata 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.
Read moreYr 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.
Read moreEco 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
Read moreClass 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.
Read moreYr 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
Read moreYr 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.
Read moreMiddle 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.
Read moreGlenaeon'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
Read more
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.
Read moreYr 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!
Read moreFire 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.
Read moreShops, 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!
Read moreClass 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.
Read moreMidWinter 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!
Read moreGlenaeon 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."
Read moreGlenaeon 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.
Read moreAn Evening at the Jazz Café 2023
01 Jun 2023
The annual Jazz Café was held in the Sylvia Brose Hall on Friday, 26 May. By any measure, it was a huge success and has become a highlight of the musical year at Glenaeon. Our fabulous Glenaeon Big Band, Concert Band and Jazz Combo, as well as Year 7/8 Concert Band Ensemble and various pop-up groups, provided a wonderful evening of music and fun.
The audience was entertained by jazz classics like Summertime, Blue Moon, Tuxedo Junction, Georgia on My Mind, Tequila and Sidewinder, as well as popular favourites like Pharrell William’s Happy, and many, many more. Sincere thanks to the band leaders – Ian Munns, Christine Young, Adriaan Mees and Alleyne Moss, as well as our instrumental tutors, who prepared the students so beautifully.
Warmest thanks also to the dedicated group of parent volunteers, led by Melony Browell, Ally Seymour-Smith, Sabine Simmonds, Holly Keys and Kerry Hill and all the parents and families who helped make it such an enjoyable event. Your contribution of food, items for the hamper, sweets and bread were so appreciated. Thanks also for the amazing donations to the wonderful raffle. Over $2500 was raised on the night, money that will go towards new instruments and equipment for the students. We are aiming to purchase a bass clarinet with the money from this year’s Jazz Café.
Keep an eye out for details of upcoming Music events, especially the return of the Concourse Concert on Friday, 11 August. Almost every student from Class 5 to Yr 11 will perform at the Chatswood Concourse Concert Hall on this evening, and if Jazz Café is any indication, it will be an evening to look forward to. Mark the date in your diaries now!
Read moreA Visit from Noel at Our Willoughby Campus
01 Jun 2023
The Preschool children love when Noel from the Maintenance Team comes to visit, they watch with fascination as he fixes things around the Preschool. We are so grateful to Noel for making these giant boxes for us. They have been the inspiration for much creative and imaginative play.
Class 6 Pioneers Camp
30 May 2023
At the end of May, just before sunrise, Class 6 took to the road over the Blue Mountains and out to the western plains. Three Class 6 main lessons were the focus of their camp adventure; Australian History, Geology and Astronomy. Their first destination was Bathurst, the town of the first Gold Rush in Australia. Their visit included an opportunity for the children to try their hand at gold panning and learn about life on the gold fields. Story-telling, blacksmithing and a visit to a Chinese Joss House contributed to an imaginative re-enactment of life in the gold fever town in the 1850’s. They also visited the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum and saw some amazing fossilised ammonites, fish, crabs and leaves, alongside a magnificent display of minerals, crystals and gemstone specimens.
They did not reach their campsite, in the Warrumbungles, until late and after a hearty meal, they slipped into their cosy tents. They woke the next morning to frosty conditions but warmed by the fire with bowls of steaming porridge. By 8am the sun came out to melt the frost, and all the intrepid campers set out on their Grand High Tops bushwalk. A rugged, winding ascent of the ancient volcanic landscape led to the iconic dyke called the ‘Breadknife,’ which stands a massive 90 meters tall. Here at the top of this windy height, the view of the igneous lava domes and rock formations in a 360-degree panorama was an awe-inspiring experience and worth the long and steep climb.
That evening the students and teachers had a marvelous opportunity to look at the moon, and become familiar with the stars, planets and constellations with the naked eye, as well as through a telescope. The next day the students enjoyed an exciting abseil experience down a 18-metre rock face. Although many were scared, standing on the precipice of the steep drop below them, they gathered their courage and were exhilarated by the descent. The camp was an overwhelming success thanks to the amazing outdoor team, who ensured safety and nourished bellies with delicious, nutritious food. Many thanks, to Class 6 Teacher Cathy and Scotty, Jason, Enya and Michelle for supporting the Class 6 students through a memorable and magnificent camp encounter.
Read moreYr 11 Architecture Excursion
24 May 2023
On Monday 15th May, eight Yr 11 Visual Art Students along with Visual Arts Teacher Alisan Smotlak attended a walking excursion around the Circular Quay area of Sydney. With a focus on built forms, they were led by Architect Eoghan Lewis from Sydney Architectural Walks. This excursion is intrinsically connected to our Term 2 theme of Architecture. The students will be designing a structure for an area in the school, and through exploring an immersive experience the students can see how choices are made and how form impacts audience.
The walk began by paying respects to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation who are the traditional custodians of the land. They meandered for 3 hours uncovering and discovering buildings and laneways that mark the CBD, including iconic buildings such as Customs House, the Museum of Sydney, Auroa Place and the iconic Opera House, along with a number of site specific public sculptures. The conversation focused on learning how the ecological, political, economic, cultural, social issues of the time helped shape many of the architecture and design outcomes.
The students took the time to examine and touch the surfaces of the buildings, feel the space between buildings, notice the shadows cast and how the sun filtered into buildings. Craning our necks the dwarfing nature of many of the buildings was notable. The Architects responsibility with regard to more recent requirements of sustainability was discussed, and we learned how the different Government codes determine parameters.
The Opera House, designed by Jorn Utzon, although almost 50 years old, to the young student can still provide a measure of awe and wonder. We learnt how Utzon borrowed ideas from all cultures, like the tiles made in the same materials as the Islamic mosques (that have stood for 1000 years). They are made with two different glazes that dance in the sun, like fish scales. The sails are not sails but a living ‘ skin’ sitting on a skeletal structure and when viewed from the south displays gothic pointed arches. The platforms the Opera house sits upon are borrowed from the natural layering of Sydney sandstone. Overall, it was an insight into one section of our city. It hopefully will instigate ideas and the creation of dynamic models, these will be exhibited in Term 3.
Little Kindy Create Heart Shaped Mobiles for Mother's Day
24 May 2023
Happy Mother’s Day from Little Kindy.
This year for Mother's Day, the Little Kindy children made a beautiful heart shaped mobile with raffia and wooden beads. Many mornings and afternoons were spent completing this project and we were fortunate to have a number of dads coming to help too. It has been wonderful to see children work with love and care with their hands. As they worked, they could often be heard chatting happily about their mums and how much they love them.
Catch the Rainbow Fairy
24 May 2023
The Rainbow Fairy comes to visit in the office in the mornings in May and she's so pretty, always dancing and fun to catch! She dances around Reception, to the delight of children as they bring the class rolls and messages in. Catching the Rainbow Fairy is a wonder for the children... and she also visited one of our bus drivers Vince!
Read moreGlenaeon Garden Culture
17 May 2023
Soil Creation Family Workshop with Sandra Frain Wrap Up
Thunder heard in the distance didn't stop the sun shining on a recent Saturday morning (13th May), as around 50 people gathered in the biodynamic garden at Middle Cove - eager to get their hands dirty and have fun learning about soil creation, aka composting. Adults and children alike had a wonderful experience together with the wise and energetic guidance of Gardening Teacher Sandra Frain.
The purpose of this gardening workshop was “composing compost” by working and learning together to create soil through building a healthy biodynamic compost heap. Everyone contributed wonderfully to this wholesome activity and Sandra was delighted with the result: please read on for the step-by-step. As well as being a productive working bee that supports Sandra’s gardening lessons with the students, parent ed sessions like this are a valuable learning opportunity and build a beautiful culture and connection among Glenaeon families - with thanks to the GPA for their financial support.
The morning wrapped up with everyone sharing delicious pumpkin soup, fresh sourdough bread, warm herbal tea, and an impressive tamarillo cake - all made by parents and Sandra using pumpkins, herbs and tamarillo fruits from the school gardens. While everyone feasted and the children played happily outside, Sandra hosted a Q&A in the garden classroom - and at home time, she offered families generous gifts of plants, mature biodynamic compost and the famous 'worm juice' for their own gardens or balconies.
To learn more or enquire, please email Sandra on s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreYr 10 Wheelchair Basketball
17 May 2023
In Term 2, the Yr 10 students, as part of their Physical Education Program, are completing a unit on Inclusive Sports. They have been learning about the concepts of inclusivity in sport and modifying sports and activities to be catered for a range of different abilities. We were fortunate enough to have the students participate in a session of wheelchair basketball, where they focused on how sports could be modified for physical impairments whilst having fun and developing new skills.
The students absolutely loved the session facilitated by Stephan Rochecouste from Wheelchair Sports Roadshows NSW. Stephan shared his story of navigating life with paraplegia due to spina bifida, including sporting opportunities and competitions in both wheelchair tennis and wheelchair rugby, as well as his tips and tricks for wheelchair basketball. It was a real eye-opener for the students and tied in perfectly with their learning about inclusion and ensuring all people have access to sport to stay healthy and active.
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Celebrating Birthdays at Preschool
10 May 2023
Birthdays are very special celebrations at Preschool as the parents come and sit in the circle of children with a rainbow bridge leading toward them. The birthday child, and their guide, dressed in capes and gold crowns come down from the starry heavens towards the parents while the birthday story is told. A handmade card and gift for each child is given by the teacher. How special the arrival of a child is and how joyful the celebration of what they bring as gifts to earth. Parents stay for morning tea and cake with the class and memories to last a lifetime have been created.
Read moreClass 1 and 2 Celebrate Japanese Children's Day
10 May 2023
Japanese teacher Junko Nicholas celebrated Japanese Children's Day with Class 1 and 2, traditionally held on 5th May. The children learned about 'Koinobori' - a mighty carp who climbed all the way up to the heavens, celebrating strength and perseverance. They are believed to be symbols of strength which are also held to protect children. They also made 'Kabuto' - an ornamental Samurai helmet - as part of their Children’s Day celebration, which traditionally are displayed at home.
Read moreClass 2 Family Day At Canoelands Orchard
10 May 2023
Last Sunday the Class 2 children, with parents and siblings along with Class Teacher Jamie Loftus, visited Canoelands Orchard near Dural for our fruit picking family day. The children happily played in the fresh country air before gathering in the orchard's 'classroom' to learn about the wonders of honey bees from another 'Jaime': 3rd generation orchardist and beekeeper. Everyone loved this session and the children asked great questions of Jaime and Jamie; the class will be learning more about bees back at school soon.
Winter came early on Sunday and everyone brought their woolly layers, with rain clearing to blue skies just in time for a merry tractor ride around the orchard. Then, it was time for fruit picking, and the children skipped along with their baskets and bags harvesting tomatoes, persimmons and limes - spotting beehives and farm animals along the way. Families gathered for a warming picnic lunch, enjoyed some more playing and chatting on the orchard grounds, with a last visit to the animals before home time.
Yr 7 - 12 OneWave Fluro Mufti Day
10 May 2023
Last Wednesday 17th May, Yr 7-12 and The Middle Cove Staff wore mufti with fluro to bring colour to mental health in support of OneWave - a non-profit surf community raising awareness of mental health through a simple recipe…saltwater therapy, surfing and fluro.
OneWave founder, Grant Trebilco was unfortunately unwell and couldn't make it to present at assembly, but Teachers Donna Miller and Jonas Stoebe took to the stage on his behalf. Donna shared a very personal story about OneWave's involvement in her daughters mental health journey.
We thank Donna for her vulnerability and inspiring words.
Donna and Jonas lead an important discussion around ways we can protect our own mental health and others around us. We talked about signs that we can see when a friend is needing a check in, we shared ways in which we 'free our funk' and how simply getting in to nature and sharing how we feel can make a big difference to our mental health.
Head of School Diana Drummond gave the students two things to think about:
1. To identify an adult at Glenaeon that they know they can go to if they experience any challenges with their mental health.
2. To think about ways in which they can do random acts of kindness everyday.
Thank you to Maya, Alex and the SRC for bringing this cause to Glenaeon. It was an uplifting, celebratory, informative and though-provoking assembly and we are grateful to our community for your donations of gold coins and fluro clothing.
Mental illness can be lonely and invisible. OneWave brings colour to these issues so we do not have to suffer alone.
To read more or donate to OneWave go to: https://www.onewaveisallittakes.com/
Read moreMeet the Teacher - Nour Tohamy
09 May 2023
What is your new role at Glenaeon?
My roles are Class 5 Assistant, alongside Class 5 Teacher Lucy Armstrong, and casual relief.
What experience do you bring to Glenaeon?
Having been in a few different environments through science teaching, spiritual circles and art ventures, I hope to harmonise, and bring forth the beauty of each field in a manner that is beneficial for the children. I am also enrolled in the Rudolf Steiner Primary Teacher (PTF) course, so I bring my newly discovered curiosity.
What are your interests?
I enjoy art, music, cooking, and good conversation!
What are you most excited about for the year ahead?
I am excited to observe and learn from Lucy as she beautifully orchestrates her class. I am also keen to be more connected to other Steiner teachers/enthusiasts and witness the application of theories in a professional setting.
Welcome Nour!
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Class 6 Fundraiser for Earthquake Victims of Syria and Turkiye
09 May 2023
Class 6 started the term with a Charity Fundraiser to support the Earthquake victims of Syria and Turkiye. Posters had already been prepared, distributed to classes, and put up around the school. Then on Monday 1st May, the students arrived well-equipped and eager to run the stall and contribute to helping people in need of support. They priced all the items; helped set up the stall in the undercover handball court and served the crowd of customers at lunchtime.
And what a success! We were blessed with beautiful weather, a scrumptious spread of assorted foods, and an abundance of pre-loved toys and books. We practically sold out of everything and the soft toys were a huge hit and joyously snapped up by the younger children.
Thanks to the small team of parents who supported the Class 6 students on the day and to all of you who baked, cooked, and provided items for the charity stall. We received a special donation from Rafa, which was matched by his parents. Thank you so much for your generosity.
We raised $1,800 and greatly appreciate everyone for supporting our efforts.
All the money raised will go to UNICEF - Syria & Türkiye Children's Emergency Fund.
Read moreYr 8 Get Creative with Anatomy Main Lesson
09 May 2023
Yr 8 students have been enjoying their first Main Lesson for Term 2 - Anatomy! This lesson takes a collaborative approach where Teachers, Raphaela Mazzone, Donna Miller and Alisan Smotlak integrate Science and Art to showcase the wonders of the human body. From studying the skull, to joints, to ligaments and tendons and fibrous connective tissues, the students use their own bodies and real-world examples to understand the elements that help us move.
One student asked "what does it feel like to tear a ligament?" and another student shared an experience that they had on a sporting field. A discussion then lead to what actually happens when you hear a 'crack' in your knuckle or neck and the short-term effects of joint inflammation.
The class then took pen to paper and practiced drawing parts of the muscular-skeletal systems in their Main Lesson books. Using colour, they were able to show the differentiation between tendons to ligaments.
The class also got creative by using clay to squeeze, roll and shape to create the femur bone with inspiration from real bone props.
This Main Lesson is a stunning example of how a typical science lesson can use Steiner philosophies to ignite new ways of learning. The Teachers take inspiration from Author and Philosopher Charles Kovacs who writes in his book 'Muscles and Bones' about The Threefold Human Being - thinking, feeling and willing. These practices always have the intention to allow students to explore and understand themselves, and the world around them.
Meet the Teacher - Nicholas Greenfield
09 May 2023
What is your new role at Glenaeon?
At Glenaeon, I am a proud and passionate teacher of English in the High School, teaching fantastic classes in Year 7, 8, 10 and 11. Alongside this responsibility, I also teach a selection of Main Lessons that cover English, History, and Philosophy. Finally, I am the Mentor to The Army of Green Beans, as my group has labelled themselves.
What experience do you bring to Glenaeon?
I’ve quite a range of teaching experiences, having spent a chunk of my career in various places around the world teaching English as a Second Language, the most recent of which was in Bahrain, where I returned to High School teaching American Diploma and IB to Bahrainis … so a bit different to being at Glenaeon.
What are your interests?
As people might have spotted, I love to cycle, and compliment that with swimming and running. I’m not Jonas though, and love to also sit down with a good book, good friend, or good video game. Travel is also something I enjoy, in part due to being fortunate enough to have experienced a range of cultures, and discovered in each something really rewarding.
What are you most excited about for the year ahead?
Honestly, I get very excited about the potential I see in all my students, but especially my Year 10 and 11 students. Knowing the path they are on, and getting to be a part of that with them is such a special privilege, fuelling the reason why I always seem so full of energy as a teacher. For what other job gives you that chance, while also allowing you to share it with such an amazing group of young people?
Great to have you here, Nicholas!
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Meet the Team - Sally Mock
09 May 2023
What is your new role at Glenaeon?
I teach both English and Society and Culture at Glenaeon. I am also the Year 12 Guardian, along with Pamela Laycock.
What experience do you bring to Glenaeon?
I completed a Bachelor of Law/Arts at the Australian National University before deciding upon a career in teaching. After undertaking my Masters of Teaching (Secondary) at the University of New South Wales, I worked in public education for six years, teaching English, Society and Culture and Visual Arts. I was the Year Advisor at my previous school, taking the Year 11 cohort through to Year 12. I also have a background in creative arts, which I still pursue in my own time.
What are your interests?
I love to surf, read, paint, and make functional pottery on the wheel. I am passionate about mental health, educating myself in wellbeing practices.
What are you most excited about for the year ahead?
Getting to know the students at Glenaeon and immersing myself in the beautiful community. I was particularly excited about the MidWinter Festival celebrated this week and seeing this tradition come to life.
Thrilled to have you at Glenaeon, Sally!
Meet the Team - Maureen Fraser
09 May 2023
What is your new role at Glenaeon?
I am the new Head of Student Support Services. I will be overseeing support for students from K-12. I predominantly work with the Learning Enrichment Staff, Teachers, Students and Parents on creating Individualised Learning Plans, supporting teachers with materials for lesson differentiation and working alongside specialists to support student learning and wellbeing.
What experience do you bring to Glenaeon?
I have had a vast array of experiences in several schools, predominantly in Melbourne. Along with a specialist degree in Special Education, I also have degrees in Educational Psychology and Physical Education. I am hopeful that my experience across the areas of physical and emotional health as well as educational support brings a broad understanding of the value of difference and the gift of uniqueness and individuality.
What are your interests?
My main hobby is Health and Wellness, primarily through sport and sporting endeavours. I am a keen runner, cyclist and gym-goer. I enjoy participating in sport but also spectating. I enjoy reading a broad range of books and love spending time in nature, particularly forests and beaches. Spending time with family is one of my greatest joys.
What are you most excited about for the year ahead?
I am excited to bring new experiences to the role and looking forward to immersing myself in the school community, getting to know the staff, students and parents. I hope my knowledge and passion in the area of Student Support can be shared amongst staff and students as we work together to develop in the development of healthy, balanced individuals.
Great to have you here, Maureen!
Read moreMeet the Team - Tanya McCall
09 May 2023
We are delighted to welcome Tanya McCall to Glenaeon as our new Head of Drama. Tanya will join us from the start of Term 4 after finishing up at Noosa Pengari Steiner School. Tanya impressed us with her obvious passion for theatre, the creative process and Drama teaching, and of course, her understanding of Steiner Education.
Here are some words from Tanya:
Drama and education have been the building blocks of my life. My passion for drama began at an early age in primary school, I took extracurricular lessons in Speech and Drama where I developed an appreciation for poetry, plays and performance. Through my high school years, I was involved in community theatre productions around the Sunshine Coast where I sought experiences that evoked the creative, imaginative, and intuitive impulses that are enlivened in the theatre making process.
Following high school, I completed a three-year performance-based Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Acting at the University of Southern Queensland. This intensive course provided opportunities for me to develop my knowledge and understanding of theatre styles and forms whilst honing my craft as an Actor. After living, working, and travelling abroad in a variety of settings, I resettled in Australia to undertake further studies in drama education at the Queensland University of Technology.
Thus far, my career as a teacher and artist has been richly rewarding and fulfilling. For the past five years, I have been employed at Noosa Pengari Steiner School where I am the Coordinator of Senior Drama and English. In my time at Noosa Pengari Steiner School, I have essentially worked in a Head of Drama and English role designing work programs and engaging with all aspects of student assessment processes including endorsement, confirmation, and moderation for the Queensland Certificate in Education.
Over the years, I have directed several small scale/studio productions and worked collaboratively with colleagues on whole school musical theatre productions for students from years 7 to year 12. I have organised opportunities for passionate drama students to experience live theatre and engage in drama workshops and extracurricular performances. I am most in my ‘element’ when I am fully absorbed in the creative process of theatre making.
This is where I feel I can do my best and most meaningful work; providing a space where students can tap into their own imaginative and creative capacities; building confidence, exploring the human condition or at the very least, having fun!
Throughout my years of teaching, I have maintained a strong connection to my own creative practices and been involved in many theatre and film productions. Most recently, I worked for D.I.V.E Collective, a small company of artists based on the Sunshine Coast where I was involved in devising and performing two productions as part of the Anywhere Theatre Festival.
It has been a wonderful experience to be a member of staff at Noosa Pengari Steiner School where Rudolf Steiner’s philosophies are living through a vibrant curriculum. Working with students in a setting where creativity and the Performing Arts are respected and valued across all year levels has been the perfect springboard to the next step in my career and I am so excited to work with the staff and students at Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School in Term 4.
Class 2's Big Bushwalk to Northbridge Baths
26 Apr 2023
A very excited Class 2 set out on a bushwalk on the last Friday of Term 1 with Class Teacher Jamie Loftus and parent volunteers. It was perfect warm and sunny autumn weather as they made their way along paths and tracks in Castlecrag down to the harbour, singing merry songs, counting and spotting many little treasures. After lunch at 'Crab Beach', the children learnt from Jamie how to find crabs and handle them safely, which led to proud and excited calls of "Jamie, look - I found a big one!"
They hiked further around the harbour to Northbridge Baths, where the children happily met their waiting parents. Jamie ended the school day with the class saying their afternoon verse in a nice grassy spot with water views. A social gathering was then hosted by the class parents, and all enjoyed a lovely BBQ picnic and free play time. The children and adults alike had a memorable afternoon, with one parent saying it was "such a magical get together" and another saying "that was so great, the best Friday afternoon we've had in I don’t even know how long".
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Kindergarten celebrates Harvest, Apple Picking and Easter
19 Apr 2023
Kindergarten families and teachers gathered at Cedric's Apple Orchard in the Blue Mountains to celebrate the Harvest Festival. We filled our baskets to the brim with lots of juicy apples and then spread our picnic blankets under the old oak tree to share good food and company. And as the rain clouds dispersed, much to the delight of the children, Farmer Cedric rode on his 'tractor high' and they 'jumped on the trailer and went for a ride'.
And then with the final days of our first term in Kindy, we got busy preparing for our Easter picnic - making butter, plum jam and hot cross buns (delicious) to share with the mums, dads, and grandparents. We enjoyed our last day celebrating Easter with an egg hunt and some fun games, including of course, an egg and spoon race, before we said goodbye until next term.
Read moreCampus Improvements
13 Apr 2023
Over the break our dedicated maintenance and operations team did meaningful work on improving both our Castlecrag and Middle Cove campuses.
We are thrilled with the progress and results and we'd like to thank Chris Scrogie and the maintenance and operations team, Michael, Mary, Noel and Sonny. Your efforts to support our community with safe spaces to learn, create and move are so appreciated.
Some of the projects include (and are photographed below):
- A new garden bed near Class 5.
- Repairs to Class 3-4 walkway and play area.
- A roof replacement for Kindy, Little Kindy and OOSH rooms and new deco granite area in Kindy playground.
- Progress on the art room mezzanine floor, replacement screening for mezzanine areas, panelling and vision ports still to be fitted.
Yr 9A Warrah Farm
11 Apr 2023
In the last week of Term 1, Students from Class 9A were involved in engaging with the wonderful students and staff from Warrah Specialist School, based at Dural as part of their community involvement for The Cove Program.
Warrah Specialist School is a caring and supportive community that provides quality and individualised education for students with moderate to severe intellectual disability and complex learning needs. Our Glenaeon students spent the day interacting with Warrah students through games, sports and cooking lessons. As well as cleaning, weeding and mulching Warrah Farm. Year 9 enjoyed getting out of the classroom and into the wide world providing them with opportunities for memorable and enriching learning experiences.
Read moreClass 1 Learn Numbers with Knights
11 Apr 2023
Class 1 have donned their mathematical armour and sharpened their numeric swords in a quest to meet numbers 1 – 12 with Class teacher Jonathan Shaw. To aid them in this magical quest they heard the tale of King Maximo who sent forth his 12 gallant knights in order to answer the ancient question: What is the greatest of all numbers? An answer was found ...an answer that may surprise some...
This is a wonderful reflection of how the use of story and fantasy in Steiner philosophy can ignite the imagination while teaching the mathematics curriculum.
Class 2 Aesop's Fables
11 Apr 2023
Class 2 have enjoyed the Aesop's Fables Main Lesson which presents imaginative and often humorous short stories that give insight into the shortcomings of human nature. Aesop's Fables inherently promote tolerance for others' beliefs and ways of doing things. It takes the child on a journey into the differentiated world with all its diversity. With Class Teacher Jamie Loftus, the students have begun to write their own sentences from the stories and enjoyed listening to each of the fables. They worked hard on their drawings and the meaning behind each story, they free to interpret each fable in their own way. This element of freedom in moral life is important and helps foster growth towards self-direction.
Read moreLittle Kindergarten Celebrate Persian and Polish Festivals
11 Apr 2023
Little Kindergarten recently enjoyed a double cultural celebration. March 21 was the Persian New year and we celebrated this special occasion with the traditional story of Amu Nowruz and Nane Sarma (also known as Grandma Frost). Nane Sarma eagerly waits for her beloved Amu to visit as he does once a year in the beginning of the Spring, however she falls asleep preparing things and the kind-hearted Amu Nowruz did not want to wake her. Instead, heleaves flowers in her hair, ate half of the apple and drank some of the tea she prepared, before continuing his journey.
The children enjoyed this beautiful story with handmade felt puppets. One family kindly brought in traditional decoration for the occasion and we shared Persian cookies made by the Little Kindy children. The children then received a gift of an apple which represents ‘beauty’ with 2 hands. It was truly wonderful celebration.
On the last day of the Term 1, we celebrated Easter with a Polish/Czech/Slovakian tradition of a lamb-shaped bread made by a parent. The children loved seeing this special bread ever so carefully and beautifully decorated!
Read moreClass 5 Indian Festival
11 Apr 2023
Class 5 students were joined by their teachers and parents to celebrate their recent Main Lesson topic with an Indian Festival. Students dressed in Indian dress and sang, chanted, and danced along with members of the Hari Krishna Temple 'ISKCON' who shared their knowledge, mantras, song, music, and food.
The Festival was a culmination of the ancient Indian mythology Main Lesson called, “The Sacred Songs of India”. Through the colourful stories from the Vedic epic “The Ramayana”, the children are introduced to the three main gods; Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Protector and Shiva the Destroyer. However, the stories are an interweaving of gods and humans. The gods appear in human form and humans can perceive and converse with the gods. There is a repeated theme of personal hardship and sacrifice, made to attain higher realms. Renunciation of power, wealth, comforts, and pleasure, portend a path to enlightenment.
Thank you to the Class 5 students, Class Teacher Lucy Armstrong and Class Assistant Emily Watts for hosting this great event – a beautiful, cultural way to round out Term 1.
Read moreYr 10 at Kylea Tink’s Student Forum
11 Apr 2023
Earlier this month, Yr 10 students Zoe and Katiya attended the Kylea Tink’s student forum. The local member for North Sydney ran an event for students from high schools all over the North Sydney electorate to present to Kylea herself about what issues and policies that are concerning them.
It was a great opportunity for students to have their voice in politics and to discuss what policies impact young people. Zoe and Katiya did a fantastic job of bringing attention to waste management and how we can implement a state-wide composting initiative. It was so great to see our students speak about something they are so passionate about as well as listening to what the other schools and students had to say.
Exploring the Change of Season at Preschool
29 Mar 2023
We are fortunate that Glenaeon Preschool backs onto Bales Park where our children and educators play multiple times each week.
The children love running, jumping, climbing, rolling and balancing on tree roots.
Outdoor play in new environments allows children the freedom to connect with the changing seasons and the opportunity for trees, grass, earth, leaves, flowers, acorns to become resources for play.
This week, the leaves are being used as puppy dog tails. What a joy to be in nature and allow the imagination to fly.
Preschool has a tour coming up on Saturday 6th May at 9:30am, run by the Educators. To register go to: https://enquiry.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/events
Read more
Primary School Celebrate Michaelmas
29 Mar 2023
Earlier this month, the primary school classes came together at our Castlecrag campus for the festival of Michaelmas - midway between the summer and winter solstices. The play follows the story of a fiery dragon who scorches the crops and threatens the lives of a group of humble villagers who appeal to their wise king for assistance. They are eventually saved by the mighty St Michael, who slays the dragon with his powerful sword! This story plays out annually at our Primary Harvest Festival – through song, verse and movement. The children shudder at the fearful dragon, sing of St Michael’s strength and at the end, enjoy the bounty of the harvest saved - corn on the cob and delicious bread rolls!
Each class rehearses their own part and they come together to perform as one. Thank you to the children, teachers and parents for working together on this event. It’s a beautiful example of how the Steiner Curriculum builds imaginative pictures that become a source of wisdom and nourishment for children as they grow.
Read moreBook Now - MidWinter Party 2023 - 3 June
29 Mar 2023
2023 Glenaeon MidWinter Party! BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Only 3 weeks to go before the MidWinter Party! Please make sure you book your tickets early – final date for ticket sales is 26th May, so hop on and buy you tickets now!
The time has come for Winter fun... the MidWinter Party is on Saturday, 3rd June and we invite you to come! For the past 15 years, Glenaeon has held a MidWinter Party on an evening in June. It’s a fabulous night for the adults in our community to come together to talk, laugh, socialise, enjoying good company, food, drinks, dancing and music, whilst our silent auction makes it a special fundraiser for our students at school. Year 7 parents have organised a fantastic night and Year 9 are creating the Silent Auction.
Where: Held at The Fernery, a stunning, lush and green venue in Mosman with delicious food, great music and an open bar, lots of room to talk, move, groove and catch up with friends and make new ones! Bring your smiles, style and socialise a while! Map here
Tickets: are $65 and includes entry and canapes. There will be an open bar available for purchase.
Book Now https://www.trybooking.com/CHOUC
Dress: Whatever you like! Bring your inner light, wear a touch of something bright or let your Disco King and Queen take flight!
Silent Auction: There will be a fabulous Silent Auction with donations from our community to raise money for our wonderful school. We need the school community's donations to be sent to Holly Gibbons on gibbonskeys@gmail.com ASAP! Thank you!
Book Now - Jazz Cafe 2023 - 26 May
29 Mar 2023
We are thrilled to host the 2023 Jazz Café on Friday, 26th May, 6:00pm - 9:00pm.
Book Now https://www.trybooking.com/CIGDF
The wonderful Jazz Café is coming to you live in Week 5! Come and join a night of dinner, jazz and joy! This wonderful evening is a café-style night of jazz music and performers with our very own Big Band, Concert Band, ensembles, Jazz Combo, pop-up groups and more.
Join us at the Sylvia Brose Hall, Middle Cove Campus for a special night where we transform the space into an evening Jazz Club. The evening will be a celebration of our student musical achievements.
There is no cost to attend this event, and you are welcome to bring your own food and drink (NO ALCOHOL), however music families are preparing a wonderful fundraising dinner of delicious soups, bread, sweets, teas and drinks for you to enjoy.
Funds raised will be donated to the music department for new instruments and equipment. Last year we were able to purchase beautiful music stand banners and two large music stand trolleys for our students to use. Bookings are ESSENTIAL, and please pre-book your food at the same time to allow for catering numbers.
We are also holding our fabulous Gourmet Hamper Raffle, so please help fundraise by purchasing tickets to this raffle which will be drawn on the night. It is a delicious gourmet hamper packed with food, treats, condiments, and drinks! Only $5 per ticket - tickets are available online. Thank you for supporting the Music Department. Our students are busy rehearsing and are looking forward to performing!
Read moreClass 1 Letter Party
23 Mar 2023
Class One has finished learning their letters and celebrated with a surprise treasure hunt letter party. Using treasure maps they made, they ran excitedly around to find all the letters in the playground. All that was missing was 'X', Class Teacher Jonathan Shaw led them to the final place where...'X marked the spot!'. What excitement there was to discover when it led them to a surprise 'letter party' hosted by the parents. Each letter was represented in the most delicious and enjoyable way - a shared plate to eat or drink! Thank you to all of the parents who so carefully prepared the alphabet feast! Some of the children said it was "the best day ever!"
Read moreClass 2 Make Etoile
23 Mar 2023
Class 2 has been busy in handwork class making their own Etoile - a handwork case that holds needle pins, scissors, and a crochet hook. They will use this for the whole of their primary school years. Supported by handwork teacher Elizabeth Ellean, the children have learned satin stitch to embroider their initials, blanket stitch for the edges, and dolphin or running stitch. One focus in handwork class is to make things that are not only beautiful but very useful and long-lasting for the children to use in the years to come. Sustainability, beauty, and practicality all rolled into one.
Read moreYr 12 Host Earth Hour at Glenaeon
23 Mar 2023
Earth Hour Schools Day was last Friday, 24th March with hundreds of schools in Australia and thousands around the world switching off their lights to call for stronger action against climate change and nature loss.
Our Glenaeon Student Eco Council championed this cause and in Period 6. The school turned off the lights and air conditioning to show their support. Some classes also chose to totally unplug and take #TimeOutForNature and enjoyed learning outside.
Thank you to the Eco Club and school community for getting involved and to Year 12 students Oscar and Nathan for organising our participation in this important WWF initiative.
Read more
Open Day 2023 Wrap Up
23 Mar 2023
Last Friday, Glenaeon welcomed over 300 visitors to our 2023 Open Day. It was a sparkling morning to showcase our spectacular Middle Cove campus, and we greeted our guests with a warm hello. A very special thank you to our wonderful Year 11 student ambassadors who conducted tours and made our prospective families feel welcome. Guests were treated to displays that highlighted the many ways Glenaeon provides a unique and nurturing environment for learning and thriving.
Our visitors were invited to view classes like blacksmithing, PDHPE, food chemistry, Japanese, philosophy and art. Our Year 10 cohort rehearsed their musical performances for the crowds, herb tea and bread were served in our biodynamic garden and guests explored our outdoor education program equipment and heard stories of journeys to places with scenery to take your breath away. Our Head of School, Diana Drummond addressed families in the amphitheatre, and coffee and muffins were a hit from the Gentle Cafe. Guests purchased gifts from the Grassroots Ecostore pop up shop and viewed displays from our playgroups and primary school.
When one primary school student visiting with her dad was asked how she liked the school, she said, "it is so lovely to look outside the classroom and see green trees instead of traffic!" Another visiting student said, "I am a big fan of chemistry, I loved watching that class".
A huge thank you to the many staff and students that made the day possible. You are the reason why people had such wide grins on their faces when they left the front gates.
Enjoy a photographic snapshot of the morning below or visit our Instagram for the highlight 'Open Day 2023'.
Read moreYr 11 DT Shoe Box Glider
23 Mar 2023
The Year 11 Design and Technology students have recently embarked on a 4-week challenge to take the humble shoe box and allow it to glide as far as possible.
As you might expect, the shoe box is not very aerodynamic. Initial test flights resulted in a “flight” of about 2m from a launch height of 2m. A glide slope ratio of 1:1.
By doing research into the problem, they discovered more about how designers and engineers use physics principles such as Bernoulli’s Principle, aerofoil design, wing mass to surface area etc. to come up with some ideas on how best to solve the problem.
As well as flying, their gliders also had to meet other criteria that included being able to carry a payload and complete numerous flights without falling apart. They also had to work in teams and finish work in the available time.
Eventually, they built some prototypes using the tools and materials their teacher, Anthony Fiore supplied. Thanks to copious quantities of hot glue, and a great deal of arguing and prototyping, they all managed to build gliders that showed an improvement in the glide slope ratio.
The final testing day was fun, yet competitive. Each team scrutinized the flights of the other teams and the debate about which glider performed the best and which teams may or may not have cheated is still ongoing.
The results were impressive.
They managed flights of over 15m from a 2.5m launch height. This is a glide slope ratio of 1:6.2. Not bad for a trusty shoe box.
Well done Year 11!
Read moreYr 10 Marketplace
15 Mar 2023
On Monday our Year 10 cohort ran a successful lunchtime marketplace as a practical component of their commerce studies on running a business. In small groups, they created a business from the ground up by selecting their product or service, advertising to the school community, organising materials and supplies, establishing a point of sale and customer service on the day. The stalls came to life selling homemade goods, henna, bubble tea, sausage sizzles, pizza and fortune telling. The students engaged in the realities of running a business and the need for teamwork, planning, troubleshooting and resilience. The customers (high school students and teachers) were very impressed by the stall offerings and we congratulate Year 10 on their meaningful business accomplishments.
Read morePreschool & Playgroups Apple Picking
15 Mar 2023
Around 40 families and the teachers from Glenaeon Preschool and Playgroups enjoyed the beautiful weather in Bilpin last Sunday morning. After singing their Autumn Circle together they went off with baskets to gather apples and pears and return for a picnic with shared food from our many cultural heritages.
What a wonderful opportunity for our community to gather and share time together in nature. Back at Preschool, the children and teachers were able to use their harvest to make apple crumble for morning tea. A delicious way to enjoy the handpicked apples.
Reclaiming the Void at Glenaeon - Donations Needed
15 Mar 2023
Glenaeon are joining the ‘Reclaim the Void’ weaving project and you are invited to take part.
Donations needed of pre-loved lengths of fabric or old sheets, hula hoops, large tapestry hoops or agricultural pipe.
Who can join the project: Primary school children, high school students, teachers, parents, alumni and friends of Glenaeon. All welcome!
When: Tuesday lunchtimes for students and teachers in the craft room at Middle Cove & Parent Craft at Castlecrag on Wednesday, 29th March 9am-12noon.
We hope that the whole school will get involved in this great initiative. At Glenaeon, the project will start during Tuesday lunchtimes in the craft room and in mentor morning sessions in the high school and in handwork lessons in the primary school. Other venues and times to learn how to get started will soon be advised. This project will continue into Term 3 and the hope is that between the students, parents and general community of Glenaeon, we can contribute at least 50 rag rug weavings to this project by the end of Term 3.
For more information and to register your interest or donation, please email handwork teacher, Elizabeth Ellean at elizabethe@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
To find out more about this project please visit https://www.reclaimthevoid.com.au/
To read more about this project, please click 'SHOW MORE'
Read more
Class 3 Enjoy Apple Picking at Bilpin Springs
14 Mar 2023
Class 3 visited Bilpin Springs Orchard in the Blue Mountains last weekend. It was perfect mountain weather and a glorious day with the families at Cedric's farm. Cedric showed the children the ways he manages the orchard and the many varieties of apples and nashi pears they grow. Cedric was previously a teacher at Glenaeon and welcomes the class groups to visit. This orchard holds a special place in the children's hearts who have sung the stories of Cedric's farm in Kindergarten. In such fine weather he even took the children on glorious tractor rides! Thank you, Farmer Cedric!
Read moreClass 1 Aesop's Fables by Jamie Loftus
14 Mar 2023
Class 2 Teacher Jamie Loftus created this blackboard Beauty for the Aesop's Fables Main Lesson from the story 'The Stag and his Reflection'.
Read moreClass 1 Wet Felt Counting Mats
14 Mar 2023
Class 1 are learning to wet felt with Handwork Teacher, Elizabeth Ellean. Taking soft coloured fleece, the children create a pattern or a picture on a base of wool. Then, using warm soapy water, and lots of rubbing and rolling, the fleece is transformed into a strong and colourful mat. This will become their 'Counting Mat' for counters as they approach learning numbers and mathematics. A special thanks to our wonderful parent volunteers for helping bring these creations to life.
Read more2023 Autumn Festival for High School
14 Mar 2023
Seasonal Festivals provide nourishment for the soul of our school community. At Glenaeon, it is custom to celebrate the Autumn Festival. As mentioned in The Drum, this is a chance to honour the changing rhythms and seasons and give thanks for Mother Nature’s treasures. We express our goodwill for others through the donation of food and goods for people who have little or none. Autumn Festival is a reminder to us all to remember to be kind to each other and to the earth, and that we must nourish ourselves, and others and give back to nature for all she provides. It is a reminder that as humans we need to draw on our own inner strength to care, for each other and our planet.
In High School, our students will engage in a series of activities in the final weeks of the term culminating in a High School gathering for Years 7, 8, 9 and Year 11 to celebrate Autumn Festival in Period 2 on the last day of term, Wednesday 5 April, in the Sylvia Brose Hall. This is a student only event. (Year 12 are on Solo camp, and Year 10 are on Musical leave).
ACTION: High School students and families are asked to bring in donations:
From Wednesday 22nd March, please donate non-perishables such as tins of beans, soup, tinned fish, etc.
From Monday 3rd April and Tuesday 4th April, please donate perishables such as fruit and vegetables, suggestions include:
- Apples
- Carrots
- All types of potatoes
- Onions
- Pumpkins & gourds
- Pineapples
- Corn still in the husk
- Whole uncut melons
DROP OFF POINT is Classrooms and Mentor Groups.
Please do not drop food donations at Middle Cove Reception as there is no space in the office to properly store food.
All donated food will be collected by OzHarvest to support Sydney’s vulnerable people.
Read moreSwimming Carnival 2023 Wrap Up
14 Mar 2023
Last Friday we held our annual Inter-Steiner School Swimming Carnival at Ku-ring-gai Fitness and Aquatic Centre. Students from Years 7-10 participated in a range of aquatic events including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and relays, along with fun novelty races. It was brilliant to have the weather on our side! The sun was shining and the participation was excellent throughout the day. The students vs. teachers relay race was bursting with excitement and talent as they hit the water competing for colour house points as well as highlighting their swimming skills.
The day was filled with colour and spirit, in particular, our students with the best-dressed costumes who contributed extra colour house points to their house, including;
1st Jackson Power (Year 9)
2nd Nate Marshall (Year 9)
3rd Sam Street (Year 10)
A massive congratulations to The Green Colour House who dominated the carnival with 526 points closely followed by The Red Colour House on 444 points and the Blue Colour House on 415 points.
Thank you to all the staff and students for their participation and assistance throughout the day. Congratulations to all students who were in the water swimming 50m events, were part of a medley-relay team or dressed spectacularly to add points to their teams! It was fantastic to see all the Steiner Schools come together for this fabulous fun-filled community event and we look forward to meeting them again later in the year for the Athletics Carnival.
For a breakdown of points and 50m event times, please select 'Show More'.
Read more
Yr 9 The Cove
08 Mar 2023
The Year 9 Cove Program 2023 has made a fantastic debut. The Year 9 cohort assembles at the early hour of 7:30am to engage in meaningful activities in nature once a week on Wednesday mornings. The program is designed around the idea of resilience building and in response to the ever growing needs of our adolescents.
The program is specifically developed as an opportunity to support our students through a deeper connection with the physical and natural realm as a tonic to our fast-paced digital reality. We feel we can address these issues best in an out-of-classroom social setting with physical activities to challenge us on an individual and team level. The students get to know each other much better through targeted and fun group activities, challenges and through reflection. They keep a diary and learn to work together as a cohort and find their own place within the group.
We engage them in excursions where students will work with other students living with disabilities and where our students also do service to the community by helping as volunteers. We offer this program for the students in Year 9 as we believe we can support them at a crucial time at the threshold between childhood and adulthood.
In early March, the cohort worked in groups and selected various challenges on the banks of Scotts Creek below the Middle Cove campus. It was fascinating to see all the students cooperate well to achieve tribes, supported by teachers who guided them where necessary. The photos below show some of the challenges - building sculptures using materials they can find, balancing on small items and reversing the order in which students stood without falling off, attempting an uphill sprint across natural steps to record a group running time, crossing the little footbridge across Scotts Creek in a very delicate manner using only certain methods for the whole group to get across. Other than the mosquitos, students were very engaged and experienced real cooperation to reach success. It was a very positive sign of what’s to come in the year ahead and a testament to the strength that’s already visible in this Year 9 cohort.
Some lovely feedback on the activity experience:
“It is the first time this year that my child has come home saying, something was fantastic. I was so delighted and relieved at the very same time, as my child has not found many such moments these past couple of years. We are so grateful for your program. It was wonderful hearing you speak of it and the results, and now to meet them in our child. Thank you so much for your determination and values.”
Read moreGlenaeon’s Co-Curricular Sport Activities
08 Mar 2023
Glenaeon offers a variety of great activities to engage the students before and after school. Among them are fencing, soccer, archery, basketball and more. Most activities are now full and our students value active engagement in teams or in individual sports.
The Glenaeon fencers meet Thursday mornings in the hall under the stewardship of Coach Andrew S., a very seasoned coach who once coached the Polish female national team!
Athletics/games/fitness enthusiasts meet Friday mornings before school, with Coach Jonas to go for bush runs, do fitness activities, play all sorts of games and learn about athletics events.
The archers meet on a Friday after school on the oval with Coach Simon to aim for accuracy and hit targets that move further away the better they get.
Our basketballers meet on Tuesday afternoons with Coach Evan and we hope to start a Glenaeon basketball team to play in outside school competitions soon.
We invite students to rally other students for numbers to start new activities before or after school. If we have 10 or more students who can commit, we will endeavour to locate a coach for the activity. It is a joy to see so many students engaging in co-curricular sports in a supportive environment.
Yr 9 Visual Arts Zoo Excursion
08 Mar 2023
Year 9 Visual Arts students were treated to an excursion at Sydney's famous Taronga Zoo. Visual Arts Teacher Donna Miller accompanied the students as they further explored their unit of work in gestures of animals. The opportunity to draw from life was wholly embraced by the students and their practice throughout the term came into play when they took on the towering giraffes, magnificent elephants and playful seals, among many other species.
Enjoy the breathtaking sketches of our talented Yr 9 artists.
Read more
Yr 9 The Cove supports Clean Up Australia Day
08 Mar 2023
The Cove Program Year 9 students grabbed a glove and a garbage bag and lent their hand for this year's Clean Up Australia Day along Scotts Creek. The Year 9 cohort was led by the experienced, local bare foot runner Marc Lee who kindly guided our students through the dense bushland with an abundance of beautiful nature and creatures along the way. Marc helped students dig deep for rubbish in a new, challenging environment. The result was formidable with around 26kg of rubbish collected and not flowing into Fig Tree Bay and the ocean.
Students were challenged by tricky and slippery terrain near the banks of Scotts Creek making their way across boulders and along narrow paths and steep inclines. While looking after the environment, students build a better connection as custodians of the beautiful surrounds of the school, its bushland and waterways. They will feel empowered to continue to take positive action and raise awareness to make their school and community the cleanest place it can be. It also gives them a sense of place and builds humility in doing voluntary service to the community they are a part of.
We thank Marc for his leadership and expertise explaining his longstanding work for the bush and holding Willoughby Council accountable for doing their bit in looking after our beautiful local bushland.
Read moreClass 5 Amaranth Leaves Fritters Recipe
02 Mar 2023
Over the past five years many of you have taken home our rich biodynamic mature composted soil. Many of you have reported healthy gardens and surprise ‘gifts’ such as tomato and amaranth seedlings that become tall productive plants. Sometimes children have brought home the maroon-coloured spire amaranth plants when we have ‘weeded’ them out of a Glenaeon garden bed.
Many Glenaeon students have learned how to separate the amaranth flowers from the seeds as Catherine Pilko and other Kindy teachers have taught. The seeds have been heated on a skillet and become puffed or they have been pounded with a mortar and pestle to make amaranth flour. Many of your children have eaten the leaves stir-fried when you have visited our Middle Cove garden classes.
Originally from South America, the amaranth plants bring magnesium and zinc to our Australian soil. They are also high in folic acid and vitamin C, so can be substituted for spinach, silver beet, or kale.
Below is a recipe created by our devoted Glenaeon garden volunteer.
Class 5 recently adapted it further with delicious results too.
18 beaten eggs
Pounded toasted sunflower seeds and garlic cloves
Coconut milk
Salt
Herbs
Mix. Oil Baking pan. Pour mix into pan. Bake at 250 degrees for 10 minutes. Enjoy!
Amaranth Leaves Fritters Recipe
Gardening volunteers are welcome on all three Glenaeon campuses. If you would like to practice gardening and learn new gardening skills please contact Garden Teacher Sandra Frain at s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreYr 9 Life Drawing
01 Mar 2023
The Year 9 Art students are learning about the gesture of animals in preparation for a sculpture study based on an animal from the zoo. To help prepare, they enjoyed a visit from Cal, the dog who obediently modeled for the class during the lesson. The opportunity to draw Cal from life was great practice for their zoo excursion.
Enjoy the wonderful sketches by some very talented students supported by Visual Arts teacher, Donna Miller.
Read more
Yr 11 & 12 Visual Arts AGNSW Excursion
01 Mar 2023
Our Year 11 & 12 Visual Arts students enjoyed an excursion to the Art Gallery of New South Wales to visit Art Express, an annual series of exhibitions of exemplary artworks created by New South Wales Visual Arts students for the HSC. Three of our very own students from the Class of 2022 have their works displayed in this exhibition at other galleries.
Excursions like this help the students to understand artist practice and set goals for their own Body of Work for their upcoming HSC. The experience was both inspirational and thought-provoking.
Safety Drill Rehearsal Success
28 Feb 2023
After careful preparation and planning, Glenaeon conducted an emergency evacuation drill at our Middle Cove campus. Our Operations & Facilities Manager Chris Scrogie (Chief Warden) announced the drill, and sounded the alarm. Classes made their way out of Period 3 activity and up to the gates, up Glenroy and Greenfield Avenues and along Eastern Valley Way to our meeting point at Willoughby Park all under the watchful eye of traffic wardens, first aid crew and fire wardens.
The staff were quick to act, and calmly guided the students to the nominated meeting spot in the park and returned to school for Period 4 learning. It was great to see everyone in the school working as a team, and coordinating and executing the plan. All our students and staff now know what to expect in the event of an emergency, and we have honed our practices as a team to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Thanks to Chris and the Professional Services Team who quickly accounted for every child, and to the Teachers for handling the drill so professionally.
Yr 10 & 12 Sailing Achievements
28 Feb 2023
Hanako competed in the 2022 Sail Sydney and won 2nd place (1st Female) in December, and the 2023 Australian 420 National Championship in Metung and placed 1st Female, and qualified to compete 2023 World 420 Championship in Turkey.
Keizo and Hanako qualified to compete in 2023 Sail GP Inspire Program in Sydney, and Keizo placed 3rd, Hanako placed 2nd Female.
We commend you on your outstanding effort and skill and can't wait to cheer you on for future events.
Enjoy these fantastic action photos!
Yr 8, 9 & 11 ISD Touch Football
24 Feb 2023
On Tuesday 25 February, 25 keen touch football players departed for Peakhurst to play against other schools in our sport association. The two boys teams (juniors and seniors) and one junior girls team competed bravely and two teams made it to the semi finals!
The senior boys then lost to the later winner Amity College in a tight match 0:1, while the junior girls drew against Malik Fahd Greenacre 1:1.
Unfortunately, the rules state that when a draw occurs the team that scored first will progress. Still, great games, fantastic passes, surprise moves and spectacular tries! All students need to be congratulated for their efforts!
Well done to the following students:
Yr 8: Scarlett S., Talise, Ava, Grace, Emily, Finn, Liam, Harper, Monty, Amelie and Lenny
Yr 9: Indy, Ciara, Ruben, Isaak and Hayden
Yr 11: Rohan, Morgan, Roman, Henry, Jayden Luc and Joe
A special thank you to PDHPE Teacher & Co-curricular Organiser, Jonas Stoebe accompanied by Assistant Coach, Ethan Brown (GlenX alumni).
Yr 10 Surfers or Sculptors?
24 Feb 2023
Due to the recent storms, the Year 10 surfing program was momentarily disrupted as the beaches were closed. PDHPE teachers, Jonas Stoebe and Sarah Simmons offered different beach games and activities for students to rotate through during the lesson time at Collaroy Beach.
Thankfully, the rain held off and students were keen to get creative in the sand looking at a rather brown coloured ocean. Students could choose between beach touch footy, beach cricket or creative sand sculpting.
The sand sculpting was the most popular activity with some great examples of creative work displayed. The creations were named “Bazza the Koala” holding a boogie board and “Gabby the Yabby” among other creations.
It goes to show that even on a non-surfing excursion, we can engage students meaningfully and embrace playful energy to create something beautiful.
Playgroups Diversity
23 Feb 2023
A beautiful aspect of Glenaeon's playgroups is the sense of belonging as soon as the child, carer, and educator gather in the space together. For many, parenthood can be isolating and we love that the natural rhythm of coming to playgroup each week makes you, and your child, feel connected and supported.
Our seven weekly playgroups located at both our Willoughby and Castlecrag Campuses take great pride in celebrating diversity and the relationships built between educators and families. Parents and grandparents, nannies and friends are invited to share in the rich learning environment for both children and adults.
Thank you to Naoko Murphy, our Japanese Immersion Playgroup Educator for translating this story.
一体感、共に過ごす喜び。それを来てすぐに感じられるのが、グレネオンのプレイグループです。子どもたちと保護者、そしてエジュケーターが集う、皆にとっての豊かな学びの場です。孤立を感じることもある子育てではあります。でもこうして毎週プレイグループに通うという心地よいリズムを作ることで、保護者も子どもたちも、つながりとサポートを感じることでしょう。
グレネオンには、WilloughbyとCastlecragの2つのキャンパスに、週に合わせて7つのプレイグループがあります。多様性を尊重し喜び合い、エジュケーターと家族の皆さんの関係づくりを深めることを大切にしています。ご家族の皆さん、ナニーやご友人の皆さんもぜひご一緒に、私たちみんなの学びの場へいらっしゃってください。
For more information and to register for Playgroup please contact Playgroup Manager and Educator Sandra Frain at playgroups@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read more
Sand Bonanza
23 Feb 2023
It was almost an all-campus affair when the trucks arrived to fill the sandpits with fresh, golden sand during outside play at lunchtime. Children watched with great delight as they pumped the sandpits full… which was followed by enormous fun in jumping, climbing, building and making ‘sand angels’, cakes and towers.
Read moreClass 3 Parent Meeting
23 Feb 2023
Class 3 parents joined Class Teacher Prue Ritchie for their first meeting and a very warm welcome to the Middle Cove Campus. In the beautiful room, parents saw the work of the children – paintings, the beginning of cursive script, and drawings of their holidays. They enjoyed talks by Junior Librarian Lynne Collet, PDHPE teacher Sarah Simmons and Class Assistant Michelle Brown. The inviting playgrounds and surrounds of the Class 3 room are an inspiration and we look forward to their wonderful first year here. Thank you to the parents and presenting teachers for joining us.
Read moreMuddy Puddles
23 Feb 2023
The summer rain brings the opportunity to explore nature's childhood gift of the famous muddy puddle.
Our Glenaeon Preschool children enjoyed adventuring to the nearby park adorned in raincoats and gumboots, essential items for rainy play.
Jumping, twirling, skipping and stomping, nothing beats this freeing sensory experience and outdoor play in any weather.
Their educator, Carly Solomon captured the pure joy had by all.
Parent Ed Term 1: Supporting your child's education at home with Mary Heard
17 Feb 2023
How do we create a home environment that best supports Steiner Education in the younger years?
In this workshop, Mary will take you through practical ways to simplify your environment, your family rhythms, your schedule and the adult content in your homes to keep your child in a calm, relaxed state. This will create a home that fully supports your child’s learning and development
Areas we will cover include:
· How to keep children calm and well rested to encourage attentiveness and openness to learning.
· How to coordinate the home and school rhythm to bring predictability and alignment into our days.
· How to create security and connection at home to provide a relaxing environment for our children to breathe out.
· How to protect our children’s sense of wonder from the pressures of the commercial world, so they don’t lose the innocence of childhood and the developmental opportunities inherent in this important stage of life.
This workshop will be suitable for parents of children up to 9 years of age.
Speaker: Mary Heard, Simplicity Parenting expert
Wednesday 15 March
7pm-8pm
Marion Mahony Griffin Hall, Castlecrag campus
Free event for Parents.
To register go to: https://www.trybooking.com/CGDPK
Read more
Parent Ed Term 1: Harvest Gratitude with Sandra Frain
17 Feb 2023
Welcome to Glenaeon’s Middle Cove Biodynamic Garden to celebrate Gratitude with a celebration of abundance for all ages: All families Welcome.
We will Harvest flowers to make take home bouquets and source edible 'ground covers’ to plant at your homes too.
All ages may plant seeds and seedlings in our specially fertilised winter Garden Beds. (Learn how we make healthful soil!)
We will make freshly harvested herb butter and enjoy home made sourdough bread with our garden specialty Herb Tea.
Do bring your garden questions as we will have a rewarding Q&A time.
Join seasoned workshop presenter, Sandra Frain.
Biodynamic Practitioner and Teacher of Gardening at Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School
Sunday 26 March
10am-12 noon
Biodynamic Garden
Middle Cove campus
5a Glenroy Ave, Middle Cove
Free event for Glenaeon Parents
To register, go to: https://www.trybooking.com/CGDPQ
Read more
Parent Ed Term 1: Supporting Your Child's Education at Home with Mary Heard
17 Feb 2023
How do we create a home environment that best supports Steiner Education in the younger years? In this workshop, Mary Heard will take you through practical ways to simplify your environment, your family rhythms, your schedule and the adult content in your homes to keep your child in a calm, relaxed state. This will create a home that fully supports your child’s learning and development.
Areas we will cover include:
- How to keep children calm and well-rested to encourage attentiveness and openness to learning.
- How to coordinate the home and school rhythm to bring predictability and alignment into our days.
- How to create security and connection at home to provide a relaxing environment for our children to breathe out.
- How to protect our children’s sense of wonder from the pressures of the commercial world, so they don’t lose the innocence of childhood and the developmental opportunities inherent in this important stage of life.
This workshop will be suitable for parents of children up to 9 years of age.
Speaker: Mary Heard, Simplicity Parenting expert
Wednesday, 15th March 2023
7pm-8pm
Marion Mahony Griffin Hall, Castlecrag campus
Free event for Parents.
To register go to: https://www.trybooking.com/CGDPK
Read more
Yr 12 Extension Science Student Research Seminar
16 Feb 2023
On Thursday afternoon, we gathered in the Lute Drummond building for the Year 12 Science Extension Students Research Seminar, where five curious students presented their research projects.
Alex presented the project, Tracing the extinction pattern of Diprotodon optatum.
Anouk presented the project, The Distribution of parasitic mites on the wings and tails of bushland birds
Maadi presented the project, The effects of mass ratio on the chaos of the double pendulum system
Nathan presented the project, The effects of ocean gateways on global temperatures in the Oliocene
Jolan presented the project, Improving the accuracy of a simple object-detecting AI model
We thank Dr Stanley Tang for hosting and our brilliant panel of judges - science teachers, Dr Leyla Rasouli and Dr Hernan Carol-Garis and Mathematics teacher, Mr Frederic Hemming and external judge, Mr Manu Prasad.
Wishing you the very best of luck in your research endeavours!
Class 3 Handwork
16 Feb 2023
In their first handwork lesson for the year, Class 3 collected leaves on a walk around their new school surroundings.
We looked at leaf prints left on a concrete path and could smell the rich aroma of the Cinerama eucalypt and the lemon scented gum leaves.
The brown onion skins printed up well and the children had lot of practice wrapping and tying tight knots. After this, their bundles were boiled to allow the plant colours to fill every surface. The leaves left prints which were revealed to the children's delight as they unraveled their parcels.
Class 1 Begin learning letters
16 Feb 2023
Class 1 have begun learning their capital letters with Class Teacher Jonathan Shaw. From the fairytales filled with adventures and fun emerges a picture that is drawn, expressing and formed to represent each letter. The big, blue bear comes from the story “Bearskin”, the M from “Semsi Mountain” and D for the “The Singing, Sawing Lark. The journey through the letters is exciting and beautiful as they explore many sounds, words and phrases containing the letters they learn.
Read moreCelebrating Chinese New Year in Big Kindy
15 Feb 2023
An important part of the Kindy year is the rich celebration of festivals to mark the seasons and important annual events.
This week, Ming-Yu Chen, our invaluable Kindy assistant, has shared some aspects of her cultural heritage to help us celebrate Chinese New Year.
Welcoming the parents and children was our blackboard greeting, "xīn nián kuài lè or Xin nian Kuai Lei" GOOD LUCK and GOOD FORTUNE.
Throughout the week we have had stories and games to give a very subtle nod to The Year of the Rabbit. We began to craft a pom pom rabbit in handwork. We looked on in amazement, as Ming-Yu Chen ‘performed’ Chinese calligraphy (the art of writing) to create auspicious words and phrases, to wish us all well and bring lots of good luck.
The week culminated with the two Big Kindy classes coming together to sing a Chinese song of celebration and to share a delicious feast of Chinese dumplings cooked for us by the parents under the direction of Lisa, (Leah’s Mum) and Grace, (Jensen’s Mum).
Read more
Summer play at Preschool
15 Feb 2023
It's been a wonderful start to the new preschool year, with children, parents and teachers making the most of summer and engaging in supportive and adventurous activities.
The warm weather has encouraged garden and water play - digging trenches, sifting sand, and catching water from the pipe.
On a cooler day, the children took to the park in search of cicada shells, a much loved summer tradition and a beautiful lesson in life cycles.
Some very cute and fury members visited preschool, and the children enjoyed cuddles and care with some leaf munching Guinea pigs.
For some indoor fun, the children explored wet on wet watercolour painting. The painting process is taught with a told story about a little brush who went to visit the coloured house and the teacher demonstrates for learning through imitation. At the beginning of the year we work with one colour at a time for the child to really experience each colour. Yellow last week, blue this week and then yellow and blue combined to experience making green.
We thank our parents for joining us for morning tea preparation - a lovely activity to support the transition and arrival at Preschool. Helping, imitation and creating meaningful work.
If you know a family with children aged 3-5 years who are interested in Preschool, please share our upcoming tours on March 4 & 21.
Visit Preschool Tours
Read moreYr 8 Main Lesson - The Renaissance
15 Feb 2023
Blackboard Art by Raphaela Mazzone, Yr 8 Teacher
Read moreISD Basketball Carnival
14 Feb 2023
Our first sports carnival of the year is always met with great excitement and this weeks ISD Basketball Carnival was no exception.
Our ISD (Independent Sydney and Districts Secondary School Sport Association) has grown to 17 schools of which 12 were in attendance at the Bankstown Basketball Stadium. Our students were supported by PDHPE Teacher & Co-curricular Organiser, Jonas Stoebe.
It was a very busy day for all schools and teams as they played in two pools on many courts. As many of the participating schools have students from diverse cultural backgrounds or are international schools, these carnivals provide an opportunity beyond the sports context to connect and relate to a culturally diverse group.
Both our boys and girls teams did very well by coming third in their respective draws just missing out on a spot in the semi finals.
For students attending our sports carnivals, it provides a potential pathway to zone or state level carnivals. Yr 12 student, Jessica W was nominated in the ISD Basketball team to represent our school at the AICES Basketball Championships later this term!
We want to congratulate Jessica on this great honour.
Our relatively small school can be proud of the achievements of the individuals that sign up for the carnivals. They are often not pro players, just willing to give it a go and compete with friendly spirit on the courts or fields against formidable opposition. Further improving both their skills and their social ability as team players experiencing wins and losses.
Well done to all!
Read moreYr 11 Visual Art Excursion
09 Feb 2023
On Friday 10th February, the Year 11 Art Visual Art Students attended Cockatoo Island, situated in Sydney Harbour, adjacent to Woolwich and Birchgrove, for an artist led plein air drawing workshop by Michael Herron, tying in with our term’s theme of Transience.
Cockatoo Island is known by the First Nations Peoples as Wareamah. It has had a layered past, since the arrival of the British, where it was used from 1839 as a convict jail. From 1871 to 1880 it was the site of an industrial school and reformatory for girls. It took on the pivotal role in Australia’s industrial and maritime history from1857. The growth of trade unions in Australia was largely due to the workers at Cockatoo Island. These workers fought for improved working conditions that led to reforms across the country. Although the island was shut and the workers left in 1991, their fighting spirit was maintained by activists, whose efforts were key in ensuring the site remained public.
The island is imbued with the rich fabric of the past, the rusted tin and voluminous halls, the sandstone walls with convict markings, geographically undulated with flats and a steep hill to traverse. The Sydney views are expansive and the harbour breeze sweeps along the east with a force.
The people who inhabited this island, who toiled, who tried to escape, the natural island that was overtaken with the built environment, all form to create a sense of transience.
The students were taken through a series of mark making discoveries with charcoal, pastel and ink exploring the solitary cranes towering and rusted. This gave the students a challenge to take in visually, feel the presence and create representations in broad expressive gestures.
The students will take these works back into the school studio and begin a discussion and reflect on their understanding and further unpack the theme. The looseness of the drawings will assist in the additional engagement with mark making to create their own interpretation of transience, through the observation and reinterpretation of the in situ still life arrangement in the classroom.
We look forward to sharing the completed still life works later in the term.
Read moreYr 10 School Musical | AIDA – School Edition
09 Feb 2023
Tonight, our Year 10 students perform their final show of Aida: The School's Edition to a sold out crowd! It has been a magical week of performances and to echo the sentiment from Head of School, Diana Drummond it has been "a real lift for the soul".
Thank you to all the Year 10 parent volunteers and teachers for the hours of costume gathering, sewing, painting, making and cooking. Your dedication is very much appreciated! And thank you to the Glenaeon community for purchasing tickets and supporting our 2023 Year 10 cohort.
Thank you to Anna Street for these beautiful images!
Read more
First Assembly Class 3 - Year 12
08 Feb 2023
Our first Middle Cove Campus Assembly for 2023 was a great success as we welcomed Class 3 - Yr 12 students, teachers and staff to the Sylvia Brose Hall to gather.
We wished our Yr 12 students a wonderful final year at Glenaeon. And they then welcomed our littlest members to the Middle Cove Campus by handing a flower to the Class 3 students - a beautiful full-circle moment witnessed by all.
Head of School, Diana Drummond gave a poignant address with a reminder to "keep smiling at each other" as she congratulated the community on a smooth and welcoming return to school.
We were treated by not one, but two, musical interludes by talented students Mya Hill and Sophie Lewis - thank you for sharing your performances with us.
A great start to Term 1 and we look forward to gathering in the hall together across 2023.
Yr 8 Mural
08 Feb 2023
This stunning mural was created by Yr 8 teacher, Raphaela Mazzone and Yr 7 Guardian, Brendon Strobl to adorn the wall in the year 8 locker area.
Thank you for sharing your artistic talents with us!
Read moreARTEXPRESS 2023 Selected Students
08 Feb 2023
Congratulations to the Class of 2022 students whose work sees them recognised in the NSW Govt ARTEXPRESS Exhibition.
ARTEXPRESS is an annual series of exhibitions of exemplary artworks created by New South Wales visual arts students for the Higher School Certificate examination, and Glenaeon students have once again shone their artistic skills and talent.
Our students, Pipi Joannou, Riley Macpherson and Olivia Pethard's works were 3 of just 266 selected out of 8000 students.
You can view works on the NSW Govt ARTEXPRESS Official website.
These works will be displayed in different venues in 2023:
Pipi’s work will be displayed at Hawkesbury Regional gallery
Riley’s work will be displayed at both the Olympic Armory Park and Bondi Pavilion
Olivia’s work will be displayed at The Glasshouse at Port Macquarie
Congratulations from Glenaeon!
Campus Improvements
08 Feb 2023
Over the summer break our dedicated maintenance and operations team did meaningful work on improving our wonderful campus facilities.
Before Term 1 gets ahead of us, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate these upgrades and thank those involved.
Our music and drama rooms got a much needed complete refurb, with brand new windows, paint, floors and walls.
Doors were replaced with glass doors to maximise natural light and bring the beautiful bush landscape in.
Outdoor Ed gained a dedicated space for equipment storage and office and the Middle Cove driveway was repaired and relayed.
It is so important as a school community to ensure a safe and well maintained environment to learn and create 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 is so appreciated!
Read moreInvitation to the Welcome Soiree
03 Feb 2023
All Glenaeon Parents and Carers are warmly invited to attend our Welcome Soiree event, hosted by Head of School Diana Drummond on Friday 10th February 5pm-7pm at our Middle Cove campus. This event gives new and existing families the chance to meet, mingle and develop connections and friendships within our growing school community. This is a standup, cocktail style event for parents only. No students are permitted to attend. Dress code "Neat Casual". So come along and enjoy the great company, music, drinks and canapes!
REMINDER: All guests to RSVP by 5pm on Sunday 5th of February via this link: https://www.trybooking.com/CFIDZ
Read moreYear 10 Surfing
03 Feb 2023
It may have been the first day back at school, but that didn't stop our year 10 students from spending it at the beach. The sun was shining on Collaroy Beach where the year 10 PDHPE program took to the sand and sea to enjoy a surfing lesson.
The conditions were calm and favorable for a fun and interactive session in partnership with the friendly and supportive team at Manly Surf School.
Our water sport program builds on physical and emotional skills with a focus on beach safety, risk management, independence and resilience. It is a chance for students to experience the brilliant natural environment of the beach and build confidence in the water in a safe and supportive way.
Whether the students are regular surfers or have never been on a wave, it's about giving it a go and every student celebrated their achievements - and a few nose dives along the way!
Welcome Soiree wrap up
03 Feb 2023
Last Friday evening, we were delighted to formally welcome our community to the 2023 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 for your address and introducing our Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School Board members who were present.
Thank you also to Warwick Brown and Sabine Simmons, Co-Chairs of the GPA for your words on the night.
It was a lovely chance for new and existing members of our community to make meaningful connections over drinks, canapes, and entertainment - thank you, Joe Littlefield for providing the tunes.
We were thrilled to say it was our best turnout to date and we thank our parents, carers, teachers and staff for joining us for a wonderful night.
Read moreFirst Day 2023
02 Feb 2023
The sun was shining as our Head of School, Diana Drummond, Deputy Head of School, Dani Finch (K-6) and Deputy Head of School, Yura Totsuka (7-12) warmly welcomed our students and families to the new school year.
We hope everyone enjoyed their first school day of 2023 and we can't wait to see what this new chapter at Glenaeon holds for you all.
Thank you Flock Care Families
01 Feb 2023
The animals at Glenaeon are an important part of the emotional/social well being of some of the students. As domestics they require physical care daily.
15 families were rostered for a total of 54 days of the holiday period at the Middle Cove Campus. Families came to clean, water and feed the chickens and duck daily.
The summer's extreme weather of heat and wet, locked school gates, flock predators and the sheer responsibility often made the volunteer task an adventure.The families represent the spread of our Glenaeon community: from Playgroup through Preschool and Kindergarten to Primary and High School.
The helpers include graduates, grandparents and friends of the parents and students too.
We are so glad to have an abundance of flowers and vegetables that families can harvest (in addition to the eggs ) to take home after their shift.
Many of these families are wanting to continue this care during the weekends because their children enjoyed the meaningful activity and became attached to the flock and their beautiful garden setting.
Please contact Sandra Frain on S.Frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au with enquiries.
Read moreOpen Day 2023 - 1 Week To Go!
31 Jan 2023
With just one week to go, we are delighted to confirm our highlights for Glenaeon Open Day 2023:
- Visual Arts display
- See a Blacksmithing class in action
- Ceramics work display
- Coding and IT at Glenaeon
- Discover ‘The Cove’ a PDHPE health & wellbeing program build specifically for Year 9 students
- Primary School work display
- Chat with our award-winning Outdoor Education program teachers
- Witness our Year 10 Musical AIDA - School Edition rehearsals take place in the Sylvia Brose Hall
- Visit the Biodynamic garden and Outdoor classroom
- Learn about our new Japanese immersion Playgroup
- Browse the school supplies and earth-friendly products on offer from Grassroots EcoStore
- Enjoy a barista coffee from the Gentle Café
Please join us next Friday, 24th March 9:00-11:00am Middle Cove Campus.
All welcome! Register at www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/openday
Open Day 2023
27 Jan 2023
JOIN US FOR OPEN DAY
FRIDAY 24 MARCH 9am-11am
Thank you for your interest in a Glenaeon education. We look forward to welcoming you to our Open Day.
This is a great opportunity to discover how a Glenaeon education equips students with the foundation they need to lead a life of character and contribution.
Where: Middle Cove Campus, 5a Glenroy Avenue, Middle Cove
When: FRIDAY 24 MARCH, 9am to 11am
REGISTER TODAY
Discover Glenaeon:
· Looping courtesy bus to take you from nearby parking direct to campus
· View main buildings and facilities including Classrooms, Playgrounds, Sylvia Brose Hall, Biodynamic Garden and Outdoor Classroom, Libraries, Ovals, D&T facilities, Art Studio, Science Lab and more
· Meet our Head of School, Diana Drummond
· Meet our Deputy Head of School Classes K-6, Dani Finch
· Meet our Deputy Head of School Years 7-12, Yura Totsuka
· Meet and talk with our Year 11 Captains
· Opportunity to talk and ask questions of key teachers and Heads of Department
· Student work displays including Main Lesson books
· View student artworks in the Art Studio
· Discover the extensive Co-Curricular program
· Learn how students are warmly supported and integrated when they begin their Glenaeon journey
· Discover our award-winning Outdoor Education program
· Receive a Prospectus Pack
· Browse the Grassroots Eco Store pop up shop
· Enjoy a barista coffee from The Gentle Café
· Chat with our Enrolments Registrar and much more!
Enquiries: Please contact our Enrolments Registrar on +61 2 94173193 or email enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
If you are ready to apply, go to https://enquiry.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/student/enrolment/
Read more
Japanese Immersion playgroup
27 Jan 2023
We are delighted to officially launch our Japanese Immersion Playgroup on Monday 9:30-11:30am at our Castlecrag Campus.
This playgroup will follow the 'family style' model of Glenaeon's other Playgroups: Birth to 5 years with song, story, baking and shared morning tea picnic with adult discussion.
This Japanese-English bilingual playgroup will be led by educator Naoko Murphy, who will deliver a unique playgroup experience that embraces Japanese culture and language. Siblings of children who attend Glenaeon School or families from our wider community are all welcome.
We have spaces available in all playgroup sessions across Castlecrag and Willoughby campuses. To view our flyer click here.
To book or enquire, please email playgroups@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au or phone: 02 9932 2340. We look forward to welcoming you.
Read moreApply now for Preschool 2023 - limited places!
10 Dec 2022
Preschool has limited places available for 2023. Applications are now open. Interested families should call Preschool to speak with Preschool staff or arrange a private tour now to avoid missing out. Call 02 9412 5547
Read moreChristmas shopping events at Grassroots Eco Store
10 Dec 2022
The shop is brimming with sustainable Christmas gift ideas for all ages, lots of fun stocking fillers and festive craft materials for holiday projects and homemade gift-giving.
Although this is the last week of our regular school term opening hours, we will be open for some special Christmas shopping events in the lead up to Christmas.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING:
Saturday 10 December 10am - 3pm
Thursday 15 December 2pm - 6pm
Saturday 17 December 10am - 3pm
Thursday 22 December 2pm - 6pm
(Along with our usual school term opening hours until 9 December) Check the website for up-to-date opening hours.
Shop online anytime throughout the holidays: grassrootsecostore.com.au with free local delivery available.
Thank you for your support of Grassroots Eco Store throughout the year. Wishing you a magical and creative festive season!
SAVE THE DATE: Back to School Shopping Day - Saturday 28 January, 2023
Prepare for the new school year and stock up on school essentials before the beginning of Term 1, 2023. The new Service NSW Back To School Vouchers can be used at Grassroots Eco Store for your back to school items.
Thank you for shopping locally. 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.
Read moreFarewell
10 Dec 2022
This piece will be my last View from the Hill, so it is with very mixed feelings that I write these words. Glenaeon is a hard place to leave: it’s a wonderful community and the combination of professional and personal ties run very deep. Add to that the profound sense of being embedded in Nature every day, and you have the essential shape of a meaningful life.
The teachers, parents and students who embrace the school’s culture may sometimes feel it’s a road less travelled, but the rewards are rich and fulfilling, and the student outcomes can be outstanding. I offer my deep thanks to all those who share our common path, whether teacher, parent or student, and look forward to that path continuing on into a successful future.
It’s been the privilege of a lifetime to be Head of School at Glenaeon, and to play a part in the unfolding story of this great school. Our heritage is a unique and remarkable one among schools, and we all play a part in carrying that heritage.
I am deeply grateful to so many people who have supported my work and the school. Liz Nevieve and Dani Finch and my colleagues on the Executive team, Peter Candotti and the Directors on the Board, Warwick Brown and Sabine Simmonds of the GPA, the Class Parents and so many others. We have built a resilient community and one of which we can be proud.
Next year I look forward to reading, from afar, Diana Drummond’s The Drum which will head up this space in the Newsletter. Diana will be bringing her great experience and expertise to Glenaeon and I look forward to seeing the school grow to greater achievements with her leadership.
I wish all families a restful and refreshing Christmas, and blessings for a happy and successful future.
Read moreGlenaeon Playgroup Registrations for 2023 are now open!
10 Dec 2022
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.
Each Playgroup meets once a week and is led by an expert 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 indoor and out 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 are furnished with quality handmade toys while natural gardens are a safe haven for explorative active tactile play.
Playgroup Educators Sandra Frain, Nancy Amini, Natalie Choo and Naoko Murphy are Professional Steiner Early Childhood Educators with a wealth of experience creating dynamic educational programs for all ages.
Weekly sessions Monday - Friday 9:30am-11:30am
Castlecrag Campus
121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag
Monday 9:30am-11:30am Wednesday 9am-11am
Willoughby Campus
118 Sydney Street, Willoughby
Bookings Now Open
Willoughby Campus
Mondays 30th January until 3rd April for 10 weeks $300 for TERM 1
Wednesdays 1st February until 5th April for 10 weeks $300 for TERM 1
Castlecrag Campus
*Mondays 6th February until Monday 3rd April for 9 weeks = $270 for TERM 1 (JAPANESE IMMERSION)
Tuesdays 7th February until 4th April for 9 weeks =$270 for TERM 1
Wednesdays 1st February until 5th April for 10 weeks $300 for TERM 1
Thursdays 2nd February until 30th March for 9 weeks $270 for TERM 1
Fridays 3rd February until 31st March for 9 weeks $270 for TERM 1
Fee $30 per session: Payment per TERM
Siblings receive a 50% discount on fee, and a sibling of a Playgroup enrolled child under the age of 12 months is free.
To book, enquire or add your child’s name to the waitlist, please email playgroups@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au or phone: 02 9932 2340
Glenaeon launches a Japanese Immersion Playgroup for 2023
10 Dec 2022
Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School is delighted to announce the launching of a Japanese Immersion Playgroup Mondays at Castlecrag Campus 9:30-11:30: led by Playgroup Educator Naoko Murphy.
This playgroup will follow the ‘family style’ model of Glenaeon’s other Playgroups: Birth to 5 years with song, story, baking and shared morning tea picnic with adult discussion. All families are welcome with preference to families with a sibling who currently attends Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School.
グレネオンでは、新しく日英バイリンガルのプレイグループがスタートすることになりました。2023年2月6日から4月3日の9週間、9:30−11:30、Castlecragキャンパスにて行われます。担当は、なおこ先生です。
グレネオンのプレイグループとして、この日英バイリンガルのプレイグループは「ファミリースタイル」モデルで行われます。0歳の赤ちゃんから5歳の子供たちと、その家族が対象です。歌、お話しの時間、パン作りに、みんなで囲むおやつの時間。晴れた日にはキャンパス内でピクニック、そして大人同士のディスカッションの時間もあります。グレネオンシュタイナースクールに通っているお子さまの兄弟も、他の家族の皆さまも、ぜひ一緒に時間を過ごしましょう!
To book, enquire or add your child’s name to the waitlist, please email playgroups@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au or phone: 02 9932 2340
Read moreShepherds' Play
10 Dec 2022
Each year, following in the traditions of the earliest Waldorf/Steiner schools, Glenaeon teachers rehearse and perform one of the Oberufer Christmas plays. The form of theatre illustrated in the Shepherds’ Play developed during the Medieval period and plays of this kind are known as Mystery Plays. Singing binds both scripted and non-scripted action, and viewing the performance is always a lovely way to enter into the Christmas season.
These events celebrate the concept of ‘new beginnings’. At this time of year, while we draw on Christian traditions, we also consciously focus on an inclusive picture of ‘birth’ as one that highlights not external events but instead mirrors our inner experiences, experiences we feel when new capacities, possibilities and opportunities arise in our lives.
This year, our wonderful teachers gifted our students, parents and the wider community, three wonderful performances.
Enjoy these images taken at the High School performance on Thursday. Our thanks and appreciation to the teachers, staff and students who took to the stage, sang in the choir, or worked behind the scenes.
Read moreClass 5 work published in a book!
10 Dec 2022
Class 5 students had their work published in a new book titled, “Little Species, Big Stories”
Their poems, stories, comics and drawings were chosen from many submissions from other Class 5 students in the local area to be entered into a Wildlife Story book series. These books are distributed over the entire council area and added to libraries and also made available free online.
Well done to our wonderful Class 5 students whose work was selected: Thea, Bugsy, Josefine and Billy.
Thanks to teacher and librarian, Lynne Collett for coordinating.
You can read more about the program here and link to buy copies of the book:
Read moreCarol Service
10 Dec 2022
Well, what a beautiful evening it was! Our much delayed Carol Service, finally arriving in 2022, was one to savour, all the more so because of the long wait. The students held the mood so well and consistently through the entire performance, so much appreciated by the very large crowd of families and former parents, and former students. It was a perfectly calm end to a still disrupted year and sets the course for a hopefully calm and inward mood for the Christmas season.
To all involved, a huge thank you for the work and organisation that went into this very successful festival performance, and thank you to all those in the community that joined together.
Read moreChristmas giving
10 Dec 2022
Thank you to all the Glenaeon families that donated gifts for those less fortunate, which we collected under the Christmas Tree in our Middle Cove reception. These presents will be dropped off to Kmart's Wishing Tree to be passed on to families in need, supported by The Salvation Army. Thank you to the donors for your kindness and generosity.
Read moreCongratulations to Year 7 student Arlo Temple - A National History Winner!
10 Dec 2022
Year 7 student Arlo Temple has been announced a National winner in the National History Challenge.
Arlo had an incredible time with the National History Challenge in Canberra recently. He displayed his model and project in Parliament House and local member for North Sydney Kylea Tink kindly made a special point of coming to see him. Education Minister Jason Clare handed out the awards and made a mention of Arlo's model. Arlo was also very fortunate on the Sunday to be part of a private tour by the heads of a number of our big institutions including the Museum of Democracy, The Australian War Memorial, and was given access to some fascinating artefacts.
The National History Challenge has turned out to be a great opportunity for Arlo and all interested students are encouraged to get involved and be supported.
You can view all winners here: https://historychallenge.org.au/2022-winners/ and Arlo’s work here: https://wisteria-sapphire-r5h2.squarespace.com/
Congratulations Arlo!
Read moreGlenaeon Vacation Care Dec 2022-Jan 2023 BOOK NOW!
10 Dec 2022
Parents can get more info and Enrol and book on our website at http://www.glenaeonoosh.com.au/holiday-care-bookings.html
Emails to glenaeonoosh@gmail.com
Click to download the full flyer
Read moreYear 8 Projects showcase
10 Dec 2022
Students in Year 8 worked on a yearlong Project giving each the opportunity to delve into an area of interest, further a passion, develop a new skill 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.
This year’s Year 8 Projects were showcased in October, put on display in the Sylvia Brose Hall at Middle Cove campus, with some outstanding results from portraits, creation of magazines, a nature fragrance, artful phone cases, learning how to freestyle crochet, macrame to making a ball gown to creating an adjustable mountain bike jump construction kit, writing books, writing and recording music, creating a film and constructing a mobile bike ramp and surfboards.
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 to all Year 8s on their magnificent efforts over the whole year!
Read moreClass 5 performed a favourite Greek Myth, Theseus
10 Dec 2022
Play performance provides an opportunity for the students to really work together as a team. Delivering your lines in a way that can be heard and understood by an audience, is only one aspect to a performance.
Working together on scene changes, preparing props , backdrops and costumes is all part of a greater experience that binds the class together forming bonds of fun, trust and responsibility.
Congratulations Class 5 on a stellar performance that was satisfying for participants and the audience.
Kindergartens Advent Festival
10 Dec 2022
At the end of each year in the Kindergarten we celebrate our Advent Festival with a beautiful and very moving sharing of our Christmas Circle. The angelic voices of the children accompanied by simple heartfelt gestures tell the story of Mother Mary’s journey as she receives both the heavenly and the earthly gifts that are bestowed on the Child that is born on Earth. The children have a natural affinity to this story that in many ways recapitulates the Birthday story that has been told for each child in the Kindergarten, a story in which each child hears of their unique journey to earth and of the heavenly and earthly gifts that are lovingly bestowed upon them as they are welcomed to their earthly abode. Big Kindergarten is also decorated with beautiful wax Christmas stars - as individual as the children that made them!
Read more
Class 1 Play - Briar Rose
10 Dec 2022
Class 1 performed the story of "Briar Rose" for their play. They had learned and rehearsed all the songs, music and words a beautiful castle set with a wall of roses that grew as the princess slept for 100 years. She is awakened by a prince and the celebration begins. With Class Teacher Jamie Loftus, it was a beautiful colourful and wonderful play. Thank you Class 1!
Read moreBus Driver Gary Watson retires
10 Dec 2022
Gary Watson is not only our bus driver on the Dulwich Hill route but also the manager of the Glenaeon Buses. He is retiring after 12 years of loyal and dedicated service to Glenaeon with North Sydney Bus Charters company. He celebrated this week with families on his bus route, children making him cards, a banner, giving gifts and recognition at the Glenaeon Staff Dinner. We will miss Gary's many hats, Crazy Hat Days on the bus, flowers he gives to all mothers on Mothers' Day and bus parties at the end of terms! Gary will be greatly missed and we wish him well in retirement! Thank you to all of our wonderful bus drivers - Anton, Lee, Steve, Mosen, Paul, Vince and their manager Gary for the safe and careful carriage of our children who come from as far as Maroubra, Avalon, Dulwich Hill and Balmain.
Read moreHonouring Andrew
10 Dec 2022
Over 150 people gathered this week at the Marion Mahony Griffin Hall at Castlecrag to thank, honour and bid farewell to Andrew Hill after 28 years of service to the Glenaeon Community, with 14 years as Head of School. Board Chair Peter Candotti spoke, followed by Warwick Brown and Sabine Simmons, Co-Chairs of the GPA, and then teacher Donna Miller read a series of letters and heartfelt messages from former students and teachers, as well special guest speaker, David Chapman who shared his own emotional and humorous tribute. "Andrew always inspired us to take wonder in everything we did. He made each of us in his class feel special. His endless creativity and care for us will live on forever....he was there for me, and I am eternally grateful. It made the world of difference to me, and you have shaped the individual I have become today. Thank you Andrew."
Andrew then took to the floor, to thank his family, with his daughter by his side, the Board and former Board members for the "honour of a lifetime" it has been service the community he loves so much. Thank you Andrew, for your leadership and contribution, you have inspired so many meaningful lives.
Read more
Year 8 bushwalk into Earth Stewardship program
10 Dec 2022
Year 8 students ventured out to Coonabarabran and visited the Warrumbungles with the Outdoor Ed team. The trip is linked with the Year 8 Main Lesson on Earth Stewardship.
The Year 8 Earth Stewardship program is a new component of Glenaeon’s Outdoor and Environmental Education curriculum for years 7-12. This program has been developed to support the Earth Stewardship main lesson through providing a practical immersive experience that explores different aspects of the Earth as a ‘living organism’, human impacts, and the ways in which humans can support and facilitate the restoration of the Earth’s natural processes.
Amongst bushwalking and other activities the students explored the biosphere, to discover the important role insects play in the environment. The students were introduced to beekeeping and explored all aspects of hive life. Students also surveyed the insects found on the property and looked at the indicator species for healthy environments.
It was a wonderful experience for all student to connect with nature, and to further develop skills that were introduced earlier in the year, learning to be self -reliant and support others. Students enjoyed working effectively in groups, taking responsibility, preparing their own food and looking after one another.
Read moreClass 6 Graduates
10 Dec 2022
Class 6 celebrated finishing primary school with their Class Teacher Katherine Arconati in true style with a wonderful dinner and evening on the deck at the school's Gentle Cafe. Under fairy lit tables, they enjoyed a lovely meal together, catered by parent Nick, with speeches, thanks and a stunning set of songs by the students in the Amphitheatre. On another day, they enjoyed a beautiful bushwalk though the northern suburbs, ending at Clontarf Beach - they swam at three beaches in one day! On the last day of school they enjoyed a sushi and ice-cream lunch at school and farewelled a wonderful six years with their Class Teacher. Parents and families spoke of the wonderful experience and journey their children have had at Glenaeon during their primary years and class teacher period, as they now look forward to joining the High School in 2023. During the last week of term, all classes moved rooms to their new 'year' and spent the last day already 'in Year 7'!
Read moreYear 7 sails the high seas
10 Dec 2022
Year 7s enjoyed the thrill of sailing on Sydney Harbour with a Tall Ship experience on South Passage. One group sailed to Manly, the other to Watson's Bay. Students learned the ropes and found their sea legs. It was a wonderful excursion on another stunning Sydney day!
Read moreYear 9 Bundanon Art & Outdoor Ed trip
10 Dec 2022
The Year 9 Art Program is an exciting element of our Year 9 Curriculum; a canoeing journey on the Shoalhaven River for three days which culminates in artistic workshops at Bundanon for two days. The majority of the art making takes place at Bundanon and Riversdale, the two former properties of the painter Arthur Boyd, which on his death he made available to the general public for educational purposes. The students were accommodated at Riversdale, in the wonderful education centre building designed by Glenn Murcutt.
The aim of the canoeing part of the program, aside from the wilderness experience and the activity of canoeing itself, is to research the river environment artistically. Photographs and drawings completed in the first three days of the program provided the material for the workshops the students took part in during the last two days, at Riversdale Education Centre.
The resulting artworks were exhibited at the Sylvia Brose Hall at Castlecrag just recently and families were able to attend the exhibition opening night and enjoy the works so beautifully created by the students. Huge thanks to our Art Department and Outdoor Ed team for bringing this program together for our students.
Read moreSecond-hand Uniform Shop Open Hours in the Holidays
09 Dec 2022
Our second-hand uniform shop, located next door to the Class 6 classroom at Middle Cove will be open during the holidays as follows:
2022
MON 12th December 2pm-3:30pm
TUE 13th December 2pm–3:30pm
WED 14th December 9:30am – 11am
2023
MON 23rd January 2-3pm
TUE 31st January 2-3pm
Please note that the cut off date for orders from Oz Fashion is Wednesday 14 December 2022.
Read moreGlenaeon Campus Holiday open times
08 Dec 2022
Middle Cove Reception Hours in the holidays
12 December 2022 to 23 December 2022 open from 9am-3pm
24 December 2022 to 8 January 2023 Closed
9 January 2023 to 25 January 2023 open from 9am-3pm
27 January 2023 to 31 January 2023 open from 9am-4pm
Term 1 starts 1 February 2023 open from 8am-5pm
Castlecrag Reception Hours in the holidays
10 December 2022 to 30 January 2023 Closed
Term 1 starts 1 February 2023 open from 8.30am-3:30pm
Preschool Willoughby Hours in the holidays
Term 4 ends Friday 9 December 2022
Vacation Care until 13 December 2022
14 December 2022 to 16 January 2023 Closed
Vacation Care from 16 January 2023 - 27 January 2023
Term 1 starts 30 January 2023 open from 8am-4:30pm
Glenaeon wins the 2022 'Free the Funk Tips' School Challenge
18 Nov 2022
Glenaeon recently entered the 2022 Free the Funk Schools Challenge – a competition run by Not for Profit OneWave, which delivers 'Free the Funk’ programs in primary schools, secondary schools and universities to raise awareness of mental health. Tackling issues by encouraging early intervention, connection and conversations to save lives, they share tips and tools that young people can use throughout their lives.
Year 9’s through The Cove Program, entered as part of their learning around well-being and the activities they do in the program and…drumroll……we WON!
The Cove, a wellbeing program targeted at Year 9 sees the whole cohort meet at school at 7:30am on a Thursday. Students are immersed in the bush, running, walking, participate in outdoor yoga and team building games to encourage connection and wellbeing. There are lots of circle discussions during this early hour while sitting in nature. Because the campus is in nature it is used as the main tool to free the funk! During The Cove, students made and painted the leaves after brainstorming individual recipes for supporting mental health.
Take a look at our students work – tips for supporting mental health painted on leaves. This is an installation which hangs from the ceiling above the tables near the Gentle Café as a constant reminder to students of ways they can look after their mental health.
Leaf of Faith - Year 9 students, 2022
‘The Coves’ wellbeing tree acknowledging recipes for mental health. The use of fluro colours to make visible these vital and important messages of care that we all need to bring into our lives. The metaphor of the branch as the ‘tree of life’ – that we all have the tools to live our best lives.
Huge thanks to Donna Miller and Jonas Stoebe for supporting the group on their entry, and well done to the students for their fine work and creativity, but mostly for taking the time to discuss mental health and wellbeing.
The prizes value at over $3,300 will be put to good use at school. Thank you to OneWave and its program sponsors Bupa Foundation and Billabong.
Read more
Congrats ArtExpress Nominees
18 Nov 2022
Congratulations to the following Glenaeon students whose work from the HSC Visual Arts Showcase has been nominated for ARTEXPRESS!
ARTEXPRESS features a selection of outstanding student artworks developed for the art-making component of the HSC examination in Visual Arts in 2022 and provides insight into students’ creativity and the issues important to them. There are approximately 6,000 works sent in and only 50 are selected for ARTEXPRESS across NSW.
Well done to:
- Olivia Pethard Brutal Beauty
- Pipi Joannou At a Price
- Riley MacPherson Are we there yet?
Jazz Cafe - a night to remember
18 Nov 2022
On Wednesday evening, November 2, an audience made up of Glenaeon parents, relatives and friends were treated to an evening of superb Jazz at the school’s Jazz Café, organised by a committee made up of members of the school’s music staff, and three parents: Melony Browell, Sabine Simmonds and Ally Seymour-Smith.
Throughout the evening, in a hall suitably decorated by parents and children, and seated around candle-lit tables, the audience was entertained by the twenty-nine musicians that, together, make up the school’s co-curricular wind ensembles: our Big Band, under the direction of Phil Arnold, our Concert Band, under the direction of Christine Young, and our Jazz Combo, under the direction of Adriaan Mees.
They were joined by two ‘pop-up’ groups: a clarinet ensemble, directed by Christine Young, and a saxophone ensemble led by Joshua Willard, as well as two solo items: a vocal solo from Ava Keys and a saxophone solo by Riley Brown.
In addition to enjoying the superb music, audience members were able to purchase a two-course dinner made up of delicious home-made soup and bread, and a dessert of petit fours and an abundant raffle basket of delicious gourmet food. As a result of this, and supplemented by a generous donation of $750 by Anthony Browell, $2,711.50 was raised towards the purchase of equipment for the school’s co-curricular ensembles.
It has been almost three and a half years since the school’s first Jazz Café in pre-covid 2019, and the packed hall of enthusiastic relatives and friends showed just how much the Glenaeon community appreciated the opportunity to, once again, experience the achievements of the school’s growing co-curricular music program.
The school’s music staff wish to sincerely thank the music students for their outstanding commitment, Evan Sanders, for his contribution throughout the process and on the night, and all who contributed to the success of the evening in any way. In particular, we want to thank the parent support committee for their tireless efforts in producing what we hope will be the first of many such musical occasions.
Read moreSecret Lives of Glenaeon Birds
18 Nov 2022
Our resident Ornithologist Dr Stanley Tang, also our Assistant Head Of School (Senior Studies) Science, Mathematics Teacher and High School Mentor, was invited to participate in the filming of an upcoming episode of the Secret Lives of Urban Birds for ABC Science program, Catalyst – the Sydney version. You can watch the Melbourne episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/the-secret-lives-of-our-urban-birds/13734884.
Five Glenaeon students ably assisted Stanley to capture and tag birds (bird banding) in North Arm Reserve adjacent to the Middle Cove campus as part of the filming plan. Stanley was interviewed by the ABC presenter Dr Ann Jones. The episode will go to air in 2023.
Thanks to Max (Year 7), Hayden (Year 8), Nathan (Year 11), Anouk (Year 11), Jolan (Year 11) for flying into this project and the early wake up call with such enthusiasm!
Read moreClass 2 visit Middle Cove - Class 3 Orientation
18 Nov 2022
Class 2 children bush walked to Middle Cove for their Class 3 Orientation Day as in 2023 they will move campuses for Class 3! With enthusiastic parents accompanying them, they toured the Middle Cove campus and were hosted by Class Teacher Rodney Dean and the students in Class 3. The children spent time together in the classroom before heading down to explore the Gentle Cafe area and further on to the garden to meet Sandra Frain, whom they know from gardening classes up at Castlecrag Campus and Preschool. It was an enjoyable visit and then embarked on a long, strong bushwalk back to Castecrag Campus, returning to playrgup schedule.
Read moreClass 5 intrepid travel to the Blue Mountains
18 Nov 2022
In mid-September, Class 5 embarked on an adventurous, resilience-building, camp experience. Although our camp was cold, wet and muddy, it was heartening to observe the group's upbeat and positive attitude.
In line with our Australian History Main Lesson, we followed the path trekked by Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson in 1813, who were the first European settlers, to successfully navigate a path across the Blue Mountains. Their exploration over the ridges and through the dense bushland of the mountains led to the discovery of fertile plains beyond. This opened the potential for an expansion of valuable farming land for the fledgling, Sydney settlement.
Under the expert guidance of our intrepid camp leader Scottie and his support team, Greg and Kai, we explored some beautiful pockets of the National Park. The school camp experience is designed to unite the class, strengthen bonds, encourage an appreciation and respect for the natural world and build resilience by stretching the boundaries of our usual, comfortable life. I think our camp ticked all those boxes.
Thanks to Dawn P for the photos.
Read moreYear 8 Shakespeare Festival
18 Nov 2022
Year 8 have been working on three Shakespeare comedies - Much Ado About Nothing (Director Elizabeth Nevieve), Taming of the Shrew (Director Brenton Fletcher) and Twelfth Night (Director Tommy Green). They shared a festival with parents and friends in an evening in the Sylvia Brose Hall at Middle Cove campus - families brought nibbles and enjoyed the three comedic productions in a row. Well done, Year 8 -it was a wonderful night of entertaining drama!
Read moreCastlecrag faces at the Fair
18 Nov 2022
The Glenaeon Fair transformed our campus into a playground at another level - with wonderful activities for children, entertainment stage, food and fun for all. Thank you to all families who contributed to making it the most wonderful day after a hiatus due to COVID.
Read moreGlenaeon Movember
17 Nov 2022
The month of November isn’t just for celebrating thanksgiving and another impending La Niña summer, it’s also for supporting men’s health and questionable facial hair! Movember is a charity with a focus on promoting, funding, and changing the face of men’s health.
“Men’s health is in crisis. Men are dying on average 5 years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons. A growing number of men – around 10.8M globally – are facing life with a prostate cancer diagnosis. Globally, testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men. And across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day, with males accounting for 69% of all suicides. Movember is uniquely placed to address this crisis on a global scale. We fund ground-breaking projects all over the world, engaging men where they are to understand what works best and accelerate change.”
Some of our lovely Glenaeon teachers and support staff are sporting their Mo’s for the month of November to raise awareness and funds to support this fantastic organisation.
If anyone would like to donate to the cause, go to: https://au.movember.com/team/2427685
Read moreMarion Mahony Griffin Lecture this Sunday
17 Nov 2022
The Walter Burley Griffin Society will be holding its Marion Mahony Griffin Lecture in our Marion Mahony Griffin Hall next Sunday 20th November. There was a recent exhibition in the National Archives of Australia which featured a large mural that Marion painted in 1932 in the hallway of the George B. Armstrong Elementary School in Chicago (see pic). Her sister was a teacher there at the time, and on Marion’s return to the US for a short period she spent some time completing this remarkable mural as a gift to the school. It’s still there!
We have arranged to have a reproduction made on poly canvas that can be hung for special occasions, such as this lecture, on the walls of our Hall. The canvas enables the mural to be rolled up and stored during normal Hall use. Former Director Malcolm Day and Joy Day are very kindly assisting in the project, and it strengthens our connection with the Burley Griffin heritage, and Castlecrag, and Marion’s origins in Chicago. Glenaeon Teacher Glennis Mowday has visited the Armstrong school and viewed the mural.
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/CDTDD
Read moreAhoy there Preschool!
17 Nov 2022
At Preschool, our new boat arrived on Friday and on Saturday Tim (Owen’s dad), Ben (Yolandi’s dad) and Mike (Axel’s dad) came and helped screw it together and glue it. How lucky we are to have such help? Tim and Ben can be seen below finishing up around 7pm! Noel will varnish it and make a base. Our thanks to these very kind parents.
Read moreApply now for Preschool 2023
17 Nov 2022
Preschool has announced a final tour for prospective 2023 families taking place on Thursday 1 December at 11am. To make a booking click HERE.
Read moreSpecial Thanks to Anthony Browell
17 Nov 2022
The school wishes to acknowledge and thank Anthony Browell for his recent, and generous donation.
Anthony’s art piece was exhibited in the recent Art Show over the Family Fair weekend earlier this month, and sold for $1,000 raising $250 for the school, and he very kindly decided to give the remaining proceeds to the school’s Music Department.
Our School, and our Music Department is extremely grateful for this kind support.
Read moreClass 1 Garden with Rod and Sandra
17 Nov 2022
Class 1 had a visitor - Rob Greatholder from Warrah Farm - come to work and learn with them during Gardening Class with teacher Sandra Frain this week. Rob came to see how we teach gardening at Glenaeon and to share his own experiences from Warrah Farm. Rob brought organic seedlings, ready to plant out with the children and they got straight to work! Rob was Warrah’s Farm Manager for 6 years before moving into his current role co-ordinating Warrah’s social therapeutic horticulture programs. Rob has been farming and gardening for the last 15 years and has a Diploma of Biodynamic Agriculture from the UK. He has worked in different parts of the world, on broad acre biodynamic farms and market gardens, to 1 acre no-dig permaculture models and off-grid community reforestation projects. He is also an experienced guest speaker on horticulture. Thank you Rob for coming to garden and learn with Class 1 and Gardening teacher Sandra Frain! A warm than you always to parent volunteer Guchi Guevara who assists in Gardening lessons every week at our Castlecrag Campus. See : https://warrahfarmshop.org.au/.Warrah Farm also has a wonderful Fruit & Veggie Coop that delivers boxes to our Castlecrag and Middle Cove Campuses every Tuesday afternoon. Families receive top quality organic and biodynamic produce, while supporting a fellow Steiner organisation. Warrah Society is a disability services organisation with its own certified biodynamic farm in Dural. Warrah-grown produce is supplemented with fresh produce and other goods supplied by certified organic producers. Warrah’s Specialist School and Discovery Program participants work on bagging salad mix and dry goods, weighing fruit and vegetables, packing boxes, loading the delivery van and assisting with deliveries to various collection points in Sydney. All profits from the Farm Shop go towards Warrah’s disability services. Anyone interested in signing up for an order should send an email requesting more information to Debbie at wholesome@warrahfarmshop.org.au
Read moreClass 5 intrepid travel to the Blue Mountains
28 Oct 2022
In mid-September, class 5 embarked on an adventurous, resilience-building, camp experience. Although our camp was cold, wet, and muddy, it was heartening to observe the group's upbeat and positive attitude.
In line with our Australian History Main Lesson, we followed the path trekked by Blaxland, Wentworth, and Lawson in 1813, who were the first European settlers, to successfully navigate a path across the Blue Mountains. Their exploration over the ridges and through the dense bushland of the mountains led to the discovery of fertile plains beyond. This opened the potential for an expansion of valuable farming land for the fledgling, Sydney settlement.
Under the expert guidance of our intrepid camp leader Scottie and his support team, Greg and Kai, we explored some beautiful pockets of the National Park. The school camp experience is designed to unite the class, strengthen bonds, encourage an appreciation, and respect for the natural world and build resilience by stretching the boundaries of our usual, comfortable life. I think our camp ticked all those boxes.
Read moreThe Story of Glenaeon @ Castlecrag
28 Oct 2022
With the Family Fair and Art Show fast returning, it seems that we are getting back to the way things have always been. But they haven’t always. Every time I step onto the Castlecrag campus, I breathe a small thank you for the story that enabled this beautiful little gem of a place to become part of Glenaeon. It was not always so…
I arrived at Glenaeon in 1994 as the new Class 1 teacher, and was told that I would be starting the first Class 1 on the Castlecrag campus. When I went to see my new classroom, there was a red barrier tape on the fence around the entire property with a sign saying Hands Off Our School. Child numbers in Castlecrag had dropped making the school unviable, so the NSW government had put it on the market, and the local community wasn’t too happy. Glenaeon saw the campus as an ideal way to take Kindergarten and Classes 1 and 2 out of Middle Cove, so the school named an offer, and it was accepted. But the negotiations took longer than anticipated.
So my Class 1 continued in what had been Class 1 at Middle Cove for 20 years, the classroom at Middle Cove that now houses Class 3. Kindergarten was directly above in what is now Class 5. We didn’t gain possession until the end of June, so that’s when we moved in.
The Infants School staff had walked out leaving literally everything. It was a mess!
Thus began what was probably the greatest “working bee” in the school’s history. For 20 consecutive days, from sun up until sun down, and sometimes much later, there were teachers and parents working on the campus: throwing out, cleaning, painting, planting and doing all the seemingly infinite number of jobs needed to get the school ready for the start of Term 3.
We just made it, with a lot of paint barely dry. There were just four staff: Peggy Day and Christine O’Neil were in Kindergarten, myself in Class 1 and John Rowan in Class 2. So Glenaeon’s new campus in Castlecrag got underway. There were no other staff: no assistants and no administrator. Teachers answered the phone and took messages. They were all big classes: each of the two primary classes had over 30 children each, as did Kindergarten. We did our own duties and supervised the playground. The only play equipment was the set of monkey bars. There were a few well established trees but not much else. Lindsay Sherrott worked hard to build the landscape, carefully planting and tending the hedge creating the boundary around the Kindergarten.
Regular working bees of teachers and parents continued with more painting, renovating and landscaping. Within a year or so, two parents in the high school (Tom Renton a builder and Rod Dixon a dentist) came to lead a series of working bees that built the “creek”, the fountain and flowform in Kindergarten. A few years later a series of working bees built the large “fort” in the primary area of the playground. So the “little” campus gradually took shape and grew into the beautiful and idyllic centre of Steiner education that it is today.
Ten years later we were able to honour the person who had done the most to make it all possible. Tom Hartigan was the Chair of the School Council (Board) and it was he who had negotiated the purchase of the property for the school. At the Spring Festival in 2004 Tom planted a tree in the playground as a 10-year anniversary celebration. He was a remarkable individual who put his three children through the school: an accountant who after retirement came to school to teach Commerce to Years 9 and 10. Tom’s tireless energy in working for the school was an inspiration, and when he sadly passed away in 2011, his ashes were buried beneath the tree he had planted. We made a memorial bench next to this spot, and here his widow Felicity visits him on weekends.
Relations with the Castlecrag community took longer to rebuild. Some hostility continued, even though we had done the community a favour and saved the school site from being sold off to a developer for a dozen townhouses. We made the grounds welcome to neighbours on weekends. We gave space for community meetings, particularly the Castlecrag Progress Association.
The biggest step was sharing the story of the Burley Griffins. Few were aware that Glenaeon and Castlecrag shared a common ancestry through these two remarkable American architects. They had designed and founded the suburb at the same time as they discovered the work of Dr Rudolf Steiner. We were able to tell the story years later when the BER* funding enabled us to build what became the Marion Mahony Griffin Hall. The Hall was a tangible symbol of the fact that both Glenaeon and the Castlecrag community shared a common ancestry in the Burley Griffins.
So, as we celebrate the return of the Fair and make the most of our beautiful Castlecrag campus, let’s remember the work that has gone into building this jewel in the crown of Glenaeon.
*Building the Education Revolution (BER) was an Australian government program that built school halls as part of the Rudd government's economic stimulus package designed in response to the 2007-2010 global financial crisis.
https://cooleyhouse.org/event/2022-fall-lecture-finding-marion/
Read more
Kamaroi and Glenaeon Class 5s join for Greek Olympics
28 Oct 2022
On Tuesday the heavens mostly held back (only a small shower in the morning) after the previous day saw a soaking of our beautiful venues here at Glenaeon. Still, the forecast predicted warm weather and the High Priest’s presence in the morning to declare the Class 5 Ancient Greek Olympic Games at Glenaeon open, must have helped too. The keen and excited Kamaroi and Glenaeon Class 5 students, their teachers Nicole and Cathy and the helpers Daisy (PE teacher from Kamaroi) and Kathy (class aide here at Glenaeon) were ready to go and support Jonas as head coach and organiser and the parents as judges in the many events. The decision to keep the event small, and invite our sister school Kamaroi to our most beautiful oval paid off as other public fields may have been closed by council due to rain saturation, so a larger event would not have been possible. While rain was a worry for us too, good preparatory work by maintenance made it an injury free event enjoyed by all. The beauty, sportsmanship and determination that were all part of how the ancient Greeks looked at sport performances more broadly, could all happen with much success for the city states of Thebes, Athens, Corinth and Sparta.
All students dressed in tunics representing their city state competing in friendly spirit in long jump, discus, javelin, wrestling, marathon running (400m), 100m sprint, 4x100m relay races and a chariot race to round up a very enjoyable and fun-filled day.
The day was made more special by the appearance of the high priest of God Zeus, the fine food shared by all, the wonderful dance by the Glenaeon Class 5 students, by songs and verses in the opening and closing ceremonies of the day. The wonderful parent communities of Kamaroi and Glenaeon seamlessly worked together to support this event to make it a very special day in the Steiner primary school journey.
Many wristbands could be seen on students’ wrists - one indication of their achievements over the day and in the closing ceremony medals and headbands were awarded to celebrate individual strength and skill and success within the city states. Thebes came away with having the most talented athletes in their ranks but no one went home without recognition of their achievements!
It is a true Steiner community event in which parents, teachers and the students in our care create something wonderful and unique that will hold in their memories for many years to come.
A big thank you to all who contributed to this fine day!
Read moreISD Basketball in Bankstown
28 Oct 2022
On October 18, two teams of very motivated and keen junior basketballers (Yr 7 – Yr 9 students) set out to compete in Bankstown basketball stadium among 16 other schools for points and ran their hearts out to win games.
While some Yr 9 students were on camp the Yr 8s and Yr 7s had to raise to the occasion which was particularly evident in the girls team around Indy, Ava and Grace, Scarlet, Emily and Quinnie.
They made it all the way into the semi-final to lose against the later winner, Amity College girls by 7:9. A very fine effort given they played mostly Yr 9 girls opposition teams on the day!
The boys’ team had a tougher day at the ‘active office’ as opposition is often fierce and quite physical and many opposition teams having players taller than our Glenaeon students to compete against.
Overall however, it was not just about winning, it was about learning, physical learning and experiencing a sport on a bigger stage and in a real tournament! By that measure everyone was winning from the young Yr 7 players like Finn, Isaac and Lenny to the more experienced and strongly playing Xavier and Luka in Yr 9 (among others).
I want to congratulate all those who came along for a great day out to build resilience and gain invaluable experience both physical and cultural!
Read more2022 Annual NSW Steiner Schools' Athletics Carnival
28 Oct 2022
The Annual NSW Steiner Schools' Athletics Carnival was held in late September at Mingara Regional Athletics Centre. The students excitedly journeyed up to the Central Coast on their colour team bus and were very lucky to arrive to some fantastic spring weather for the day! Glenaeon students in Years 7 – 9 and some Year 10 students participated in numerous Athletics Track and field events demonstrating moments of outstanding competitive achievements and great sportsmanship! The competition was strong on the day and all students participated with great enthusiasm, skill, and determination. The Athletics carnival was a great opportunity for students to develop new friendships with students from other Steiner Schools in NSW and provided a unique opportunity for all students to experience success and achievement in a cooperative atmosphere, promoting a sense of belonging through team representation and being a positive participant of the school community. Congratulations to all students who represented both Glenaeon and their colour team on the day!
Read moreNew Garden at Castlecrag Campus
28 Oct 2022
There is a beautiful new garden bed at our Castlecrag Campus, already brimming with vegetables, herbs and flowers! Some wonderful garden pots were donated by a generous school family and the children, with Gardening teacher Sandra Frain have transformed the area into a beautiful and bountiful garden! The children worked to dig and clear roots before planting potatoes, garlic, spinach, tomatoes, lettuce, herbs and delightful flowers! Watch these pots for further transformation as we paint and mosaic them with our own designs. A huge thank you to the Maintenance team and Sonny for building this wonderful bed for us!
Read moreParent Craft at the Fair!
28 Oct 2022
Come and have a look at the wonderful Parent Craft made by our families! It will be for sale at the upcoming Glenaeon Fair in the 'Parent Craft' Room - which will be in our Class 1 room and also in the 'Grotto' - an area just for younger children. Parents and friends have come together to learn new skills and create these stunning pieces. Heartfelt thanks to out Craft Co-ordinators, especially Alex Bell for her enthusiasm and dedication to making Parent Craft happen. We look forward to sharing this all with families at our Fair! Take home some beautiful hand-made toys and things for your family, nature table and play spaces, knowing it was made with love and much care for our children.
Read moreYear 11s get in front of Art
28 Oct 2022
Year 12, 2023 were lucky enough to visit the Daniel Boyd exhibition, Treasure Island, as they prepare to launch into their HSC year. The benefits of seeing art live cannot be replicated on-line or from books. So important for this level of study, as students of Visual Arts, it is essential to get in front of real art. Some comments by the students:
“It was interesting to learn about how exhibitions are curated, and how the choices made as part of that process adds significant meaning to the artworks, the artist’s intentions, and something you can only fully understand if you see an exhibition in person.”
“Examining specific curation choices made, as well as materials used, size of the work, etc. is a million times more effective when explored physically, as us students spend hours on line every day and appreciate time away to fully immerse ourselves in the art.”
“Boyd is a contemporary artist challenging western history of colonisation. His work grants insight into history from the perspective of the oppressor. Walking through his exhibition felt as if I was witness to a compilation of his person.”
“Going to the exhibition with my teacher and classmates helped me to think much more deeply about what was presented. Discussion and reflection are paramount to being an art student.”
Read moreMayoral visit
28 Oct 2022
Mayor Tanya Taylor of Willoughby City Council visited Glenaeon on Wednesday and spoke to our High School assembly. Mayor Tanya was accompanied by our local Ward Councillor Robert Samuels, and together they had a great session with our high school students. Always eager for feedback, and particularly for the youth voice of Willoughby, they engaged with students and answered a huge range of questions. They took comments on everything from skateboard parks and mountain bike tracks to the difficulties of parking your dog at Northbridge Woolworths. Mayor Tanya gave an interesting overview of local government, which showed that our local council is responsible for pretty much everything in our local area from libraries to pools to roads and rubbish collection. The hot topic for many students was green initiatives, and what is being done at a local level for sustainability and recycling. She encouraged students to connect with the Youth Advocacy group that is a voice to Council, and we will be following up with encouragement from the school for our students to really engage and be part of that important initiative.
Thank you Mayor Tanya for the visit!
For further information:
Youth Action Plan Survey
Willoughby City Council’s Youth Services (in partnership with Willoughby Youth Action Group) are launching their Youth Action Plan Survey!
✿❀ What does this mean for your school? ❀✿
We have 10,667 young people who live, play, work and study aged 12-24 in our LGA. We are aiming for 1,000 responses to feel confident reflecting the needs and wants of our young people through our Youth Action Plan. The plan will include relevant data and information that local schools and services can utilise to inform their planning. We are aiming to have this available to share with you by Term 1, 2023.
✿❀ What does this mean for you, as a young person? ❀✿
If you are aged between 12-24, you can:
1.Contribute to your local community and create more opportunities for young people by sharing your responses and ideas!
2. Feel valued, included and supported!
3. Finish the survey and go in the drawer to win a $200 Westfield voucher!
✿❀ Who can be involved? ❀✿
This is a great opportunity for the following student groups to be involved:
Student Representative council
Senior leaders & Special Interest Group leaders
Year level sports captains
LGBTIQ+ support groups
Students with a disability
Young carers
CALD backgrounds
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander
Duke of Edinburgh Students
The survey should only take about fifteen minutes, just log in via the link to complete!
https://www.haveyoursaywilloughby.com.au/youth-action-plan-survey
Chatswood Youth Centre Drop-in
CYC Drop-in open Wednesday to Friday from 3-6pm.
Chatswood Youth Centre | Willoughby City Council (nsw.gov.au)
Food Fridays
Young people prepare, cook and eat together at Chatswood Youth Centre – drop-ins welcome.
January school holidays
Basketball competition
Barista workshop
Paint and sip
Youth Centre exchanges
Contact the Youth Centre for more information
Willoughby Youth Action Group (WYAG)
Willoughby Youth Action Group (WYAG) provides a voice for young people aged 16-21 who live, work or study within the Willoughby local government area. WYAG plays a pivotal role in representing the young people of Willoughby, organising programs and activities, and informing Council on matters of importance to young people.
The objectives of the group include:
To ensure opportunities for local young people (16-21 years) have input into Willoughby City Council’s (WCC) Youth Services programming
Support and advise the Council’s Youth Services staff to develop and deliver activities relevant to the young people in the Willoughby LGA
Be a voice for the youth of Willoughby
Organise Council-approved events for young people in the Willoughby LGA
Advise Council on matters affecting young people.
You can register your interest for WYAG here > https://willoughby.lgsoftwaresolutions.com.au/Pulse/PublicRegisters.aspx?TypeID=69
For more information about our Youth Programs contact:
Youth Development Officer Lucy Green on youth@willoughby.nsw.gov.au or 9777 1062.
The Final Main Lesson: Parzival
28 Oct 2022
The story of the grail knight, Parzival is a legendary tail of a knight who has many hardships and adventures. After many errors of judgement and big mistakes, he manages to eventually achieve his higher self and is able to use the wisdom he has gained to help others.
It is the final Steiner Main Lesson for Year XI who are beginning on their journey in Year XII. The purpose is to help the students achieve their goals and overcome challenges during their final HSC year. Then to take on the quest of self-improvement and to help people who are suffering in the world.
Read moreClass 4 explore Animals and Us
26 Oct 2022
One of the highlights for Class 4 is the animal project to accompany the Animals and Us main lesson. This main lesson focuses on the unique quality of the human being, compared to the animal world where special physical features in relation to the environment and instinctual behaviour prevails. Children were able to choose an animal they would like to learn more about and make a model of the animal in its natural environment.
Read moreInto the Woods we went!
15 Sep 2022
Last week, over four magical performances our Year 10 cohort thrilled audiences with their production of Sondheim play Into The Woods. Students, whose musical schedule had been interrupted by COVID earlier in the year, finally had their moment on stage - and they performed, sang, danced and brought well-known fairy tale characters alive. Our congratulations to all the students on their wonderful performances and huge thanks to the teachers and parents that supported them right through the preparation, rehearsals, costume making, set design, hair and make-up and all the other work behind the scenes, culminating in a wonderful after party to celebrate everyone's success! It was great to have this event back and for our community to be able to all gather together and enjoy the show. Special thanks to directors Ian Munns, Caroline Farrell, and to Evan Sanders and Raphaela Mazzone for Lighting and Production gifting our students this experience. Bring on Musical 2023 (Yes, the planning has already begun!) Our thanks to GlenXers Ethan Brown, and Luca Bradfield for the photography and to Glenaeon parent, Paul Sproule at CloudVision who so generously filmed our Opening Night performance.
Read moreNow you're talking my language!
15 Sep 2022
Recently our Year 7 and Year 8 language - German, Spanish and Japanese students all enjoyed an excursion to a restaurant serving traditional foods for a lunch and the conversation was flowing in their chosen subject language.
The German students dined at German/Austrian restaurant Kaiser Stubn in Terrey Hills enjoying Schnitzel and Strudel.
The Japanese students enjoyed dishes such as teriyaki chicken, tofu, beef and rice and miso soup at MOMOKKO in Belrose.
and this from Year 7 Spanish student Quinnie: "On Friday 2nd September the Year 7 and 8 Spanish students went to the Mexican restaurant Dos Señoritas, in Gladesville. Here, they experienced a Mexican feast, with traditional food and drink. Students tried nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas, all with pico de gallo and guacamole, and to drink, agua jamaica, a traditional Mexican infusion with hibiscus flowers. Everyone particularly enjoyed the churros which are a cinnamon stick served with chocolate sauce."
Japanese student reviews include this: "Very cool using Japanese language in real life. It really felt like we had learned a lot. Also, very delicious food." and, "The excursion was a great opportunity to experience some of the Japanese culture and food with our friends. An awesome way to spend the day."
A Year 7 German student said, “In my opinion, it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had! The venue was amazing and all the staff were so nice! The food was so incredibly delicious, I loved it so much. I just felt we were in an actual Austrian Hunting Club, the wild boar and stag heads added to that. Easily the best Schnitzel und Strudel I’ve ever had.”
This was a fun excursion where students lived, breathed and ate their way through class! A delicious way to learn in anyone's language!
‘おいしい!Oishii!
Köstlich!
Delicioso!
Read moreMeet our new Head of Drama, Brenton Fletcher
15 Sep 2022
What do you teach? /What is your role?
I am the new Head Teacher of Drama and currently teach Drama and English.
How long have you been at Glenaeon?
I have been at Glenaeon for four weeks now.
Where were you prior? What are your experience and credentials?
Before Glenaeon, I was a Pastoral Care Coordinator and Teacher in Charge of Drama at Brigidine College, Randwick, and before that Drama, Film Studies and VET: Entertainment Industry Teacher at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts for about ten years.
I have had the opportunity to produce a lot of plays and musicals in that time and love that Glenaeon always has a chance to showcase Drama regularly.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about the impact the Arts can have on a child’s development and believe it is ready for its renaissance within our world. By bringing this passion to Glenaeon, I hope students will continue to use Drama and its valuable learnings within their interactions with the broader world.
What are you looking forward to most in your role?
I am teaching Drama practical ways to revitalize a student’s imagination, learning and skills for effective communication and collaboration. Additionally, I am going to start co-curricular Drama groups at Glenaeon for students to be able to play with Dramatic experiences regularly.
What do you love about Glenaeon?
The Glenaeon culture is warm yet vibrant. Students have a strong sense of curiosity, and this is an extraordinary skill for the Drama classroom. I see beauty in so many ways across the school, both from the natural environment, the ways students and staff express themselves through various artistic endeavours and the kindness of spirit that comes from the students.
What is one of your favourite places on campus so far?
As a dramatist, I do feel completely at home in theatres. I, therefore, enjoy spending time in the Sylvia Brose Hall, assisting with current productions and envisioning future theatre to be performed in the space.
DRAMA OFFERED AS A CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY FROM Week 1 Term 4:
Class 6-8 Junior Glenaeon Drama Club (Friday– 3:30 pm -5:00 pm)
Class 9-11 Senior Glenaeon Drama Company (Monday – 3:45 pm -5:30 pm)
Click here to read more details and sign your child up!
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store - Stock up for the holidays!
15 Sep 2022
We have plenty of beautiful craft supplies to keep you busy and creative these holidays. Our 100% Wool-Felt Fabric has been restocked and is now available in the full rainbow of colours.
If you're heading off on a long car trip, Happy Car Games, created by Waldorf author Lou Harvey-Zahra is the remedy for backseat squabbles. This fabulous game contains 35 illustrated cards that will provide hours of car game fun for all ages.
The shop will be closing for the school holidays from 12.30pm on Wednesday (21 September). However, the online store remains open during the holidays with free local delivery available.
Term 3, 2022 – 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 shopping locally. 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.
Read moreThe Great Glenaeon Raffle 2022 is now on sale!
15 Sep 2022
The 2022 Glenaeon Raffle is on sale now. Tickets are $5 each with great discount packages available.
There are some amazing prizes including 4 x Elton John concert tickets, artwork by artist Andy Pachkova, coaching with Sabine Simmonds, photo packages from Verve and much more. Prizes valued at over $13,000.
Go to: https://www.raffletix.com.au/glenaeonfair to buy tickets. Raffle drawn 6 November 2022.
Download poster and share with friends and family.
Read moreHoliday Care Program NOW OPEN FOR BOOKINGS
15 Sep 2022
We have lots of lovely Spring activities for the children to enjoy and we are hoping for some lovely weather to enjoy our Adventure Camp excursions.
Please make your bookings as soon as possible - many days will be LIMITED NUMBERS due to staff shortages.
BASC vouchers are accepted - please see website for details on how they are processed http://www.glenaeonoosh.com.au/basc-voucher-information.html
Please feel free to pass these details on to other families - all welcome.
TO BOOK, GO TO: http://www.glenaeonoosh.com.au/holiday-care-bookings.html
Read more
Year 10 Geography Field trips: Environmental Change and Management
15 Sep 2022
Marine and estuarine processes were the focus of the Year10 environmental studies this term. The students observed the protective role played by mangrove forests in the Scotts Creek environment. They also enjoyed a Geography field day walking from Collaroy to Dee Why Beach. Here they observed the natural marine processes and the changes taking place in this coastal area. They conducted a mock council meeting during which they presented some of the views held regarding the construction of the newly built Seawall. They drew and annotated field sketches of the wall and the surrounding beaches. A new council initiative is the installation of artworks along the coastal walk as part of the Aboriginal Art & Storytelling Project. Yaegl artist Frances Belle Parker has designed bronze plaques, that depict stories of whale migration. The students made rubbings of these plaques on the Long Reef cliff top, from where the indigenous elders had ‘sung in the whales’.
Read more
Powerful Play
15 Sep 2022
Classes 1 & 2 have been enjoying their lunchtime play - climbing trees, string games, making mud cakes, running games and immersing themselves in imaginative play too.
Read moreBushwalking
15 Sep 2022
This term, Kindergarten, Classes 1 & 2 have been bushwalking. There are many beautiful bushwalks on our campus doorstep and the children really enjoy getting outside. They also explore the many walks designed by Water Burley-Griffin, the founder of the suburb of Castlecrag. Class 2 recently walked to Warner's Park and Class 1 found their way to one of the hidden reserves that are linked up by a series of paths.
Read moreA little farm at Castlecrag
15 Sep 2022
As part of the Handwork program Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean organises beautiful sheep, lambs and an alpaca to come and visit the children at Castlecrag Campus. They spend time brushing, feeding and sitting with them, whilst also learning about wool, lanolin and different types of sheep. The children enjoyed such a lovely time and were also able to send feed the younger lambs, some of whom were orphaned at birth. The large Alpaca loves being patted on the neck and the children felt the soft fleece, as well as the oily and strong sheeps wool. They are making their own knitting needles in Class 2 and learning to knit in Class 1 soon, and the journey begins with the sheep!
Read more
Year 8 self-portraits on a skate deck
15 Sep 2022
Each year, Year 8s are excited to begin their contemporary self-portrait on a skate deck. It is one of the first opportunities where they can create a work that personifies their specific interests through visual expression.
To assist their decision making they are encouraged to choose a word or a theme. We also look at a range of works where artist use text in imaginative and metaphorical ways. In addition, we explore in class, the symbology of colour and experiment with a wide range of materials to apply paint. It is always inspirational to see the diversity of works on display and discover with interest the self-portraits the students have portrayed.
Read moreRoma Amor - Class 6 play
15 Sep 2022
Class 6 performed their musical play ROMA AMOR this week to rapturous applause. They performed the clever and entertaining Roman romantic comedy to students, parents and friends and enjoyed a delicious Roman Feast afterwards. The story is set in Ancient Rome during the reign of Nero, and centers around a brother a sister's clever plan to trade places for a new life and to also be near their beloveds. Dressed in her brother Marius' armour, Lucrecia heads to the Roman Army whilst he stays and becomes a stonemason in the home of his beloved Sibia. The students played all of their own live music when not on stage themselves in a rich and engaging play that Glenaeon students are known for. Thank you Class 6 for this wonderful play!
Read moreAICES Athletics Championships
14 Sep 2022
The Association of Independent Co- educational Schools (AICES) Athletics Championships 2022 was held last Tuesday the 6th September at Sydney Olympic Park. Glenaeon had 16 students who qualified across different athletic events and 12 students were able to represent the Independent Sydney and Districts School Sports Association (ISD) along with other students from other associations who also qualified in the Zone.
Yr 7 students Finn C, Ava F, Grace F, Amelie B, Lenny T, Lenny G, Emily M
Yr 8 students Felix P, Kestrel K, Zac S, Genna H
Yr 9 students Alexander F
Big congratulations to all students who represented both Glenaeon and the ISD, the competition was tough and at a high level, however our students participated with enthusiasm, goodwill and integrity and many placed in the top 10 in their respective events, which is a huge feat considering they were competing against the best in other regions. A special mention to Lenny T who came 4th overall in the u13 100m! And to Year 8 student Genna H who ran a PB (1:09min) over 400m (lane 2) and was mighty proud. Genna came 4th in her two heats.
The breadth of events our students qualified in was remarkable but running remains our strongest suit as we had 100m, 400m 800m and also 1500m distance runners in various age groups doing so well.
We can be very proud as a smaller school to have some outstanding young talent among our students! They need to be congratulated for their tenacity, skill and talent. A big shout out to the parents who supervised them on the day.
Well done to all!
Read more
Come to the Fair!! The Fair is coming!
01 Sep 2022
It was a great moment this week when our Attendance coordinator announced there is currently no one absent in the school due to COVID. We are officially COVID-free! This moment was a special one after a long time indeed when COVID has affected a large proportion of our student and teacher population. Thank you to all parents for your vigilance, and most importantly for your support for our covid-safe plans which have minimized the impact of the pandemic on our school.
We can now look forward to the return of relatively normal conditions. It does feel like a reawakening. We have had over two and a half years of restrictions and periods of lockdown. The return to normal may be like recovering from an illness or a broken limb: it takes a while to become mobile again, and the same might be said of the return to our regular community events. But there is one special event that will really cement our return to normal community life.
Our Family Fair has been in limbo since 2019. The Fair has been an annual occurrence at Glenaeon since the 1960’s, and this two-year hiatus is the first in our history. The Fair is a huge undertaking, and one that brings our community together in a powerful and sustaining manner. The fund-raising side is important and contributes funds to the GPA which in turn support projects which benefit the students, but the fund-raising side is always secondary to its unifying and uplifting community-building role.
We ask every parent in the school to contribute some time on the Fair day. There are literally hundreds of shifts of work to be completed across all the different activities, and every one of them needs a willing and cooperative parent to do them. The work is social and very joyful. I have personally worked at over 20 Fairs now, and I can honestly say that I have left each one physically tired but deeply happy with the comradeship of shared work for the community good.
Class 4 hosts and coordinates the Fair for the School. Two or three parents act as Fair Coordinators while every other parent in Class 4 takes on a role to be responsible for one activity, such as a game stand or food stall. This way ensures that all aspects of the Fair are covered, and each class coming through the school carries the overall responsibility just once. But we need every parent in the school to be involved.
In order to run all the activities, we ask every parent to work one 2 hour shift on a stall/food/game. The work is simple, enjoyable and child-centred. For new parents it’s a wonderful way to meet other parents and to feel more embedded in the school culture. For longer term parents it’s a time to re-engage and refresh connections. As we recover from the isolations of covid, the Fair is the perfect way to rebuild our community.
In the coming weeks there will be communications around the shifts that are on offer. I urge every family to consider which shift/s you can commit to, and to sign up for your shift on the day. I assure you it will be time that pays real benefits in terms of human connection and personal satisfaction.
The Fair is coming! Come to the Fair!
SAVE THE DATE: 4-6 NOVEMBER
Parent Survey:
The annual Parent survey conducted by MYP Corporation will be in your inbox in the next week. We seek your responses to gain valuable feedback on the school, and we ask that every parent takes the time to complete the survey. There will be a letter coming early next week with all details.
GlenX:
All former students of Glenaeon are affectionately known as GlenX, short for ex-Glenaeon student. Our GlenX/alumni event for 2022 is fast approaching (Saturday September 17th): see the notice later in this Newsletter. We invite all GlenX to join us for a few drinks in pleasant Glenaeon company, a trip down memory lane, and a catch up on developments in the school since graduation.
We enjoy visits from GlenX from time to time, such as the recent visit from GlenX Paul Beasly, now of upstate New York. The Beasly family of Forestville sent their three children right through the school to Year 12. Daniel is now a successful and award-winning architect, Emma is a school psychologist and mum, while Paul earned First Class Honours in a Science degree at UNSW in fibre optics. He then moved into telecommunications, earning a MBA from the University of Texas and becoming area director of a large telco in the New England area of the US. He married a doctor from Boston and they settled in upstate New York, and now have a few children. The most interesting piece of the story is that he left commerce behind and is now a high school Science teacher at the Saratoga Springs Waldorf school in upstate NY. Paul was always very interested in the philosophy behind his education, and it was wonderful to see his evolution from student to teacher.
Read more08 SEP: Understanding Children's Drawings with Catherine Pilko
01 Sep 2022
In this presentation we will explore the development of children’s drawings in the first seven years as a mirror of the child’s bodily development and changing consciousness.
Thursday 8 September 2022 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (UTC+10)
LOCATION: Marion Mahony Griffin Hall, Castlecrag Campus, Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School
121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag NSW 2068
To book go to: https://www.trybooking.com/CAYGU
Read more
Tumeric Project Update
01 Sep 2022
In week one of term three, on the 21st of July we dug up the turmeric from the bed by gently pulling on the stems of the turmeric root. We cut the turmeric root away from the stem and put it in a bucket of water. We then took pieces and individually washed them. We scrubbed the dried pieces of root to remove all of the dirt and stored them in a dark cupboard to dry.
Class 4 also had a lot of fun trying to dig out the turmeric that was buried underground. They liked to call it little pieces of gold nuggets.
Once the bed had been cleared of the turmeric plants we then started to build a new leaf litter bin where the turmeric once was. We put wooden posts for supports where the fence would be for the leaf litter bin. We then wrapped chicken wire around the outside and tied it to the wooden posts with twisty ties. Every major timber post had a metal pole connected to the wooden post with screws.
The leaf litter bin is where you put leaves to compost over time which after two years will give you great colloidal soil which then can be spread around the garden. Colloidal soil is wet and springy and does not lose its shape when pressed into a ball but at the same time it has some brittleness to it because it can crumble in your fingers. It is rich fertilised soil.
We have started to clear a bed on the opposite side of the garden for a new turmeric crop. We have been carefully weeding and avoiding what we want to keep so we can plant turmeric in that bed. Once the leaf litter bin is broken or the soil has turned into colloidal soil we will then start planting a new turmeric crop in the original garden bed.
We usually drink a tea during the garden class and we decided to have lemon water for a change. We found out that hot lemon water was not too nice. We decided to add a turmeric leaf that had been left in the freezer and use that to see if it would change the taste. It made the hot lemon water much nicer because it was a contrast to the lemon and reduced the bitterness of the lemon.
We also wanted to try the recipe for a turmeric latte. We heated almond milk and placed grated turmeric and ginger into the milk along with vanilla extract and then strained the liquid and served with ground pepper.
As an idea for the future we will attempt placing turmeric in a dehydrator to dry it out and then use a mortar and pestle to grind it up to a powder to use in future recipes.
Photos taken by Marc Monnet-Demarbre (Year 12 Agriculture Student)
Read moreSpringtime inspiration at Grassroots Eco Store
01 Sep 2022
We are excited to celebrate the changing of the seasons and have lots of beautiful ideas for your Spring Nature Table, Spring inspired craft projects, books celebrating the season and beautiful Spring decorations made by local crafter, Yuki.
Did you catch our week of books on our social pages during Book Week? You can see reviews of our favourite books on our Grassroots Eco Store Instagram and Facebook Page, you’ll find lots of reading inspiration here for children of all ages.
Pop in-store this week if you’re looking for a lovely last-minute Father’s Day gift!
Term 3, 2022 – 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 shopping locally. 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
Read moreClass 6 Skills and Spirit in Sport
01 Sep 2022
Sporty and keen students in Class 6 are currently exploring exciting new games in a unit that introduces new sports and gear to them to extend their understanding of sport and movement.
They started with Frisbee and learned about the game of ultimate Frisbee. Then they explored Sofcrosse, a modified version of a popular game in North America. It is based on an ancient game invented by native American Indians. The word Lacrosse originally meant ‘game played with a stick and ball’ in an Indian language.
While we played a modified version with slightly different stick and no googles, it required new skills in handling the stick for catching and throwing and handling the ball in the air and on the ground. First the students gathered around a laptop to watch a little clip of the game to get an idea of how quick and skillful it can be played. The stick with the basket on the end (the crosse) to catch a ball which is then passed to team mates down the field before thrown into the goal.
The class soon realised how tricky it is to properly catch and throw the ball on to a team member and how much measured force is needed to not throw the ball too high or far. As is the spirit in this class, they went for it with enthusiasm and embraced the new game and way to move across the field. In partner and group exercises they soon got better and surprised themselves at times how well they had learned to play the game!
Next in this unit is a quick introduction to AFL, then we will explore Vortex related games and wrap up the unit of exciting new games with activities using skater boards and how to do this in a team aspect with and without balls. Student active input is strongly encouraged to creatively play with both gear and with rules to adjust and adapt game and movement ideas that may be novel and to develop and try out student ideas in a real sports context.
Read moreYear 7 Cantebury Tales
01 Sep 2022
Year 7 students performed their play Chaucer’s The Cantebury Tales, recently in the Middle Cove Sylvia Brose Hall. It was a fabulous play. Thank you to all the parents and carers who came along. Year 7 were highly successful in bringing this masterpiece to life. Here are some photos from the night!
Read moreSum Fun in Class 2!
01 Sep 2022
Class 2 have been learning place value and breaking down numbers for addition and multiplication with Class Teacher Prue Ritchie They have been learning that there are many ways to write numbers, and they have explored the expansion of larger numbers to make them simpler to add and multiply. With characters Tibo Times and Pierre Plus to help them, they have indeed being having a lot of fun with sums!
Read morePainting and Drawing in Class 1 and 2
01 Sep 2022
This week the children have created the most colourful drawings and painting in painting and drawing classes. Class 1 have drawn mountains and oceans with Class Teacher Jamie Loftus, whose beautiful chalkboard is in this edition of the newsletter. Class 2 focused on the intricate beautify of the wattles which flower on and around our campus at this time of year. Class teacher Prue Ritchie commented that each drawing is as individual as the children in the class! Both classes used the wet-on-wet painting that produces these beautiful images - Class 1 painting a beautiful sunrise and Class 2 deep green trees.
Read moreYear 10 Bay Run
01 Sep 2022
On a sunny but cold winter morning last August, our Year 10 PE Extension students gathered at the shores of Iron Cove Bay in the Inner West to attempt their third assessment task of 2022: the iconic 7km Bay Run.
This was the first time after two years of COVID cancellations that the run was happening again and students eagerly trained for this event. After months of training, following their training plans by doing increasingly longer runs in preparation for this event, the day had finally arrived. Their PE teacher Jonas excitedly awaited them with a pep talk and a joined pre warm up. Final tips and strategies were discussed before we all set off for this popular community run. Of the nine students two were unfortunately injured. But the group of seven and their teacher achieved great results over all, many achieving personal best times! Luc passed his teacher some 800m before the finishing line taking away the line honours for Glenaeon in a very competitive time of just over 28 minutes! This is a great result for Luc and testament of his excellent preparation and talent!
Also in the group were Jasper, Roman, Henry, Joe, Julian and Jayden.
It is a great way to introduce students with high ambition to a sport that’s both healthy and easy to do as community runs are plentiful around Sydney all year long. For many it was their first taste of an officially timed run and most of them did very well. It is hoped that this will positively inform them about their potential as runners but more so will make them aware of the profound health benefits that come from an active lifestyle.
It was great to see one of the parents joining the running group while other parents cheered us on and welcomed us back in the finishing area.
Read moreGreat Debate
01 Sep 2022
Each Wednesday our students enjoy a master class in debating. There has been a great number of students taking up this co-curricular activity this term learning how to structure their arguments and get their point across. Our students develop their speaking, critical thinking and persuasive language skills in a fun and supportive environment.
Read moreClass 6 Geometry and the Physics of Sound
01 Sep 2022
Class 6 parents were able to come to the classroom for parent-teacher night and saw the beautiful workbooks from recent Main Lessons "The Physics of Sound" and Geometry. Also on display were stunning geometric patterns created from their geometric designs, each individual and different. Class Teacher Katherine Arconati demonstrated how the Chladni Plate creates sand geometric shapes that is vibrated by the musical bow. Parents viewed recent artworks from their Astronomy Main Lesson as well as a felted star-sign constellation wall hanging made as a gift for the teacher by one student. It was wonderful to meet back on campus and experience some of the rich classroom learning that Glenaeon students enjoy each day.
Read moreParent Craft is back on campus
01 Sep 2022
Come and join Parent Craft - it's back on campus. Parents met this week and made the most beautiful heart necklaces, led by parent Bodhi Sherrot. There was also an embroidery workshop held with Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean, and there are several more workshops and meet-ups still this term. Thanks to Alex and the wonderful parent Craft Volunteers for creating such inviting and enjoyable groups and making beautiful things for the students and the fair.
Read moreWelcome Back Soraya!
31 Aug 2022
We are so very happy and excited to have our dear colleague and educator Soraya returning to us from extended maternity leave in Spain. Soraya is full of love, warmth and creativity. She is an incredible cook, gardener and illustrator. Our Preschool children’s older siblings fondly remember her teaching them songs in Spanish.
Since she was very young, Soraya has been committed to living a life of self-exploration that involved working in a profession that embraced integrity and the sacred. In this path, she came across Steiner Education and found her purpose in life.
Soraya started her journey as an Educator at Glenaeon Preschool in 2018. She left the Preschool in 2022 to welcome her second child, daughter Lua. Her son Rio, now 6, also attended the preschool. Her partner Borja works at Warrah Farm where we get our delicious Biodynamic vegetables from.
Soraya has a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and Steiner Early Childhood Teacher Training. She is currently deepening her knowledge in Education through a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Primary Education.
Read moreBeing a Glenaeon Parent
19 Aug 2022
Being a Glenaeon Parent
The Term 3 GPA meeting was particularly noteworthy. In the first Newsletter of the term I quoted well known author and former Glenaeon parent Stephanie Dowrick. In the comments section under The Sydney Morning Herald article on our Head of School transition, Stephanie wrote a very complimentary paragraph describing her time as a parent here and the very tangible as well as the intangible benefits of a Glenaeon education. We used this comment as a platform for a discussion in breakout rooms on what it means to be a Glenaeon parent. The responses from all groups were thoughtful, considered and very impressive: there was universal positivity about the journey of being a Glenaeon parent including such gems as “As a parent at Glenaeon I have been given a more complete experience of myself as a human being.” Impressive indeed! Thank you to all those who were there.
Careers Update
Following our Parent Satisfaction Survey of 2021, we committed to a greater presence in a number of areas. Prime among these areas were Student Wellbeing, Learning Support and Careers. Here is an update on what the School has achieved in all three areas:
- Learning Support: last Newsletter we unveiled the rebuilding of the team that manages student support throughout the school. Rebranded as our Learning Enrichment team, and led by Head of Department Angela Sutton, the team are supporting and extending student learning progress throughout the school.
- Student Wellbeing: our Coordinator and Psychologist Andy Christie is now working fulltime, providing excellent quality emotional and social support for students and families, mainly in the high school. Andy’s background experience in school psychology has been a powerful asset in his proactive mental health education and as a resource for students and families.
- Careers: I am very happy to introduce our new Careers Advisor Rod Mounjed who has stepped into the role this term:
Rod joined the high school staff this year as the Year 11 and Year 12 Business Studies Teacher. He recently took over the additional role of Careers Advisor for students in Years 10 -12 from Dean Faught. Rod has an impressive amount of experience in this space having successfully been Careers Master and run the careers program at SHORE School, North Sydney for 16 years. His careers advisor role at Glenaeon incorporates work experience, subject selection relating to specified careers, VET courses, VAC applications and access consideration.
All relevant careers information and important dates can be found on GLO: https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/968/
Here you will find really useful and important information and key dates, open days, careers advice links plus more - all designed to support students in their research, consideration and decision making regarding HSC goals, university and post-school learning and career options.
Rod says, “I am looking forward to helping Glenaeon students on this important part of the journey. To the students I say, it’s important to take time to think about what you really want to do, what makes you happy. Challenge yourself, but don’t be overwhelmed unnecessarily and remember to follow your own path in life. It’s never too early to investigate and think about your options and create the life you want for yourself. Read, volunteer, try out, talk with your family, your friends and the adults in your life. Be curious and be inspired!”
Rod promises to be “in your face” about careers. He speaks with students constantly during Mentor time and through the day, reminding them of the need to plan ahead and to start thinking about careers now.
Rod is also a man of many talents. He is a fine pianist, a Musical Director of musicals and shows, a Conductor, Teacher and gym instructor. He even played with our resident pianist Stuart Wright to perform some exciting four hand piano pieces at our high school assembly this week. He knows all about developing talents and he will be doing just that with our high school students! See his Careers Corner story in this newsletter.
Read morePerformers Wanted!
18 Aug 2022
Hands up if there are any talented performers out there who would love to be part of the entertainment for our upcoming Glenaeon Family Fair on Saturday November 5th?
We are in the process of putting together the schedule, and would welcome any submissions.
From music, dance, singing, acting, poetry recital, juggling, fencing - whatever it might be, please reach out. It’s been a few years since we have all been able to gather together, so we are looking forward to creating a special Fair event this year!
Send your details to: Andrew Klippel : klippel@mac.com + Rebecca Quade beckquade@gmail.com
Read moreYear 7 brings The Cantebury Tales to the stage this Friday night!
18 Aug 2022
Year 7 students will perform their play Chaucer’s The Cantebury Tales, this Friday night at 6:30pm in the Middle Cove Sylvia Brose Hall. Year 7 parents are welcome to attend. Students have been rehearsing for weeks, and have put in an extraordinary effort. The Canterbury Tales is revered as one of the most important works in English literature. Drama, poetry, English, Music and dance all come together, bringing this masterpiece to life.
“Welcome! One and all, to the Tabard Inn! A place of merriment, melancholy a myriad moments of myrth.”
Read moreSappho named Finalist in Young Writers' Competition
18 Aug 2022
Our congratulations to Year 9 student Sappho who was recently named a finalist in the Northern Beaches Young Writers' Competition 2022.
Sappho was in a group of only 24 finalists out of the nearly 300 entries. Sappho’s entry The Last Dance, was awarded Highly Commended at the Young Writers' Presentation Night held on August 10. Her story is now published in an eBook in the library collection.
This was the thirteenth annual writing competition hosted by Northern Beaches Library Service. Congratulations to Sappho.
Read moreSandra’s weekly visit to the Kindergarten
18 Aug 2022
Each morning in Little Kindy when we start the day we sing:
"Rinka, rinka rosie ray, what day is it today?"
On Tuesday the children recall it is Porridge Day, Painting Day and yes of course it’s SANDRA DAY. Yes, this is the day that Sandra comes to visit Little Kindy on her way to the garden. We must remember to save a bowl of porridge for her. We all look forward to Sandra joining us at our table. After we finish our porridge the children are keen to join Sandra and her helper Gucchi in the garden where they work each week with the children of all three Kindergartens.
Last week Sandra brought a special healing mixture to paste on the trees and plants that had been pruned or had broken branches. This wonderfully tactile, cooling slurry (Sandra is the keeper of this special recipe) was lovingly and carefully spread over the cuts and wounds of our beloved trees as the children earnestly sang the tree pasting song:
Healing healing medicine for our beautiful trees
Healing healing has begun
Soon our trees will be big and strong
Even the most rumbunctious and active kindergarten players were drawn into the calming qualities of the song as they participated in the healing and cooling magic of the tree pasting ritual. Sandra’s tree paste is not only transforming our trees but also our children!
Read moreCome and join Glenaeon Playgroups!
18 Aug 2022
Glenaeon Playgroups are back and we are enjoying coming together to sing, play, bake, explore and listen to wonderful stories together! Please come and join our lovely Playgroups - they run 6 times per week - Monday - Friday across our Castlecrag and Willoughby (Preschool) Campus.
The Playgroup time begins with a story journey around the garden - we explore the wonders of nature in a playful adventure. Returning to the Playgroup room, we sit on pillows to listen and watch a beautiful story told by puppets and our felt animals and dolls. We sing together, learning songs with actions and finger rhymes. Then we knead, roll and bake delicious bread together. As the smell of baking bread fills the room, we play with the wooden, felt and natural toys - rocking horses, animals, blocks, scarves, vehicles and much more. Parents enjoy each others' company and the sense of community that grows together.
If the weather is fine, we take our fruit, some bread, butter and toppings to the garden and share a healthy and delicious morning tea together. The children play in the sandpit and gardens, climbing, digging, pumping water, exploring and building creations. Songs bring us all together again and we return to the Playgroup space for a closing circle. We pack up our freshly-baked bread buns to take home. It's another lovely day at Playgroup so come along and join us!
Regular playgroups run every week day and there are currently paces in our Monday and Tuesday sessions. Please see our Playgroups Flyer HERE.
Try one of our Playgroup sessions: In response to the frequent request for a 'trial session' at our Glenaeon Playgroups, we are delighted to invite you and your families for a single Playgroup session at both our Willoughby and Castlecrag campuses: Monday Willoughby 22nd August 9:00am-11:00am and Tuesday Castlecrag 23rd August 9:30am-11:30am
Contact : Glenaeon Playgroups: playgroups@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au. Phone: 99322340
Class 2 making Seasonal Wall Hanging
18 Aug 2022
With the Glenaeon Family Fair coming up in November, many class groups have begun to work on a piece of their own handwork and art for the 'Silent Auction' - these will be actioned silently as the day progresses, with the lucky winner taking home an artwork. This collection of hand-made work by the students from Kindergarten to high school is simply stunning and a wonderful reflection of the skills and beauty they develop over years in art, design and technology and handwork. Class 2 has begun making a 'Seasonal Wall Hanging' - and are busy long-stitching small panels of seasonal inspirations. They will create an image that reminds them of each season which will be carefully brought together into four beautiful hanging pieces. Thanks to the wonderful parents and teachers for assisting these projects to come to fruition - they are always a focus and favourite destination at the Fair! Watch this space and be sure to visit the Silent Auction room at our Fair to see and bid on these clever student creations.
Read more
Class 1 and the wonder of numbers
18 Aug 2022
Class 1 has just started their Maths Main Lesson ‘The Four Operations’ with Class teacher Jamie Loftus. Expanding on the work they began last term. The story continues with the same characters Mighty Minus, Adding Adam, Spider Divider, Many Times Multiply and Kyser the Equalizer. As the story continues, we will work more intensely with the operations through practice and learning some new strategies in mathematics. Working with algorithms to develop their math skills is an ongoing part of this lesson.
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store - Father’s Day Gift Ideas
18 Aug 2022
With Father's Day just around the corner, we have a wonderful selection of sustainable and locally made gifts that we think dads will love with customised gift packs and delivery available too. Pop in-store to take a look at our new range of Pottery for the Planet Ceramic Travel Cups, which make a great earth-friendly and practical gift for anyone who enjoys a takeaway coffee or tea. You can view our full Father’s Day Gift Collection online or visit the shop to see the display. Wishing all the fabulous father figures in our community a happy Father’s Day!
Term 3, 2022 – 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 shopping locally. 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.
Read moreAnimals and Us
18 Aug 2022
This Blackboard Beauty was created by Class 4 Teacher Lucy Armstrong for the Animals Main Lesson.
Read more
Year 7s Outdoor Adventure
18 Aug 2022
Our Year 7 cohort recently went on an Outdoor Education adventure with Scottie Williams and Kristen Gardner (aka KG). They took part in abseiling and kayaking and had lots of fun. These exciting activities were a local adventure in Harold Reid reserve, in our own “backyard”, just minutes’ walk from the classroom. Glenaeon’s Middle Cove campus is embedded in bush land providing a unique Active Wilderness education.
Read moreKia Ora for Māori and Islander Day
18 Aug 2022
Year 7 students recently received a visit from two Pacific Islands Educators as part of their Polynesia Main Lesson. A learning and celebration of Maori and Polynesian cultures. Indigenous New Zealanders shared important cultural aspects and dances with students learning about language, greetings, customs, performing the Hakka, plus more.
Read moreClass 4 visit the Zoo for Animals Main Lesson
18 Aug 2022
Recently Class 4 Teacher Lucy Armstrong took her students on a visit to Taronga Zoo as part part of their Animals Main Lesson. The class saw all types of different animals from tigers, giraffes, elephants, meerkats and saw a magnificent peacock with feathers on full display!
Read moreGlenaeon at the EXPO and on Tour
18 Aug 2022
Last weekend Glenaeon took part in the North Shore Schools EXPO held at the Concourse in Chatswood. Our Enrolments Registrar Sunita Shar talked with hundreds of prospective families answering questions about our school. Sunita was supported on the stand by staff including Elizabeth Nevieve, Evan Sanders, Lucy Armstrong, Stanley Tang, Katherine Arconati, Catherine Pilko, Elena Rowan and Raphaela Mazzone and students who gave up part of their weekends to support our school. Yesterday we had a large turn out at our Middle Cove campus for a tour.
Read moreCareers Corner with Rod Mounjed
18 Aug 2022
What do you like to do?
This may seem obvious, but the first thing to consider when choosing a career is what you enjoy doing. Think about your interests, the type of work you would be suited to and the skills you have. Do you prefer analytical work, such as maths or science, or are you more on the creative side? Do you enjoy things like researching, planning or reading or do you prefer more practical, physical tasks that allow you to use your hands to build, create or fix things? Perhaps you enjoy helping people or maybe you’ve shown a flair for being organised and methodical. Do you enjoy working as part of a team or individually, or are there certain demographics that appeal to you (children, the elderly, or animals, for instance)?
ITEMS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Southern Cross University Transition to University.
Beginning - January 2023. Course duration is six weeks.
An exciting, fee-free opportunity that guarantees you direct entry to university.
Remove the uncertainty and secure your Transition to Uni
We are living through uncertain times and that unpredictability is felt most acutely by students completing their Year 12 studies and those who have recently completed Year 12.
But we can put some certainty back in the equation.
Southern Cross University is offering Year 12 students and recent high school graduates an opportunity to guarantee a place at university in 2023.
Transition to Uni is a fee-free, six-week intensive preparatory course designed for school leavers who have completed Year 12 with an ATAR (or equivalent). This full-time program involves 10 hours of class and up to 30 hours of independent study and assessment preparation each week.
(Phone: 1800 626 481)
University of Newcastle and SRS Offers
The University of Newcastle offers many pathways and entry options to give you the best chance of getting into uni. Schools Recommendations Scheme (SRS) offers early entry and guaranteed accommodation and scholarship opportunities for eligible students. The University of Newcastle will begin making SRS offers in November Round 1. To be considered, ensure that you have your SRS application in with UAC by 19 September 2022.
To give yourself the best chance of receiving an early offer to study at the University of Newcastle, lock in your Newcastle degree as preference one by midnight on 3 November 2022.
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/study/undergraduate/getting-in/entry-schemes/schools-recommendation-scheme
University of Wollongong Paid Work Experience through their Cyber Academy
Delivered by Deloitte, TAFE NSW, and UOW, this unique initiative will see eligible cyber security students undergo paid work with Deloitte or an industry or government sector partner and receive coaching, mentoring, soft skills, ethics, and leadership training, plus a pathway to secure a job on graduation. Find out more about UOW Cyber Academy
https://www.uow.edu.au/study/cyber-academy/
Western Sydney University offers $25 million in scholarships every year
Find a wide variety of scholarships recognising academic excellence, community involvement and leadership skills. Scholarships are also available for motivated students experiencing disadvantage. Find out more:
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/why-western/scholarships.html?cid=em:EGMT-CAA-news-sships_aug22
University of Sydney – Test for Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
All applicants are required to complete the Casper online testing (via Altus Suite) for the 2022/2023 admissions cycle.
16 September 2022
16 October 2022
13 November 2022
7 December 2022
Altus Suite is a standardised, multi-part online assessment that measures different competencies and attributes important for successful students and graduates of these programs. It is a 100–120 minute online, open-response situational judgment test.
Casper - Altus test site here: https://takealtus.com/
How to apply here:https://www.sydney.edu.au/courses/courses/uc/bachelor-of-veterinary-biology-and-doctor-of-veterinary-medicine0.html
University of Sydney – Bachelor of Design (Interaction Design)
Wed 7th Sept 5-6pm
The University of Sydney has launched a new Bachelor of Design (Interaction Design) degree. This new degree will prepare you to be at the leading edge of interaction design and a career in an ever-expanding field.
You will develop a deep and rich understanding of how people interact and experience the world around us, and discover how to design, prototype, and test new products, services and experiences. https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QltufzNARU2-_Pu4nP-DXA
UTS - Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) Co-operative Scholarship
Please note that applications Close 4 September 2022.
Interviews will be held on the 28 September 2022.
The BIT is a highly competitive course – it’s been designed with future leaders in mind. To get in, you’ll need to demonstrate how you stand out from the crowd.
Successful students generally achieve a Selection Rank of 88-99.95; however, your ATAR is just one component of your application.
The interview is all about showing us who you are. You will need to demonstrate that you’re highly motivated and have what it takes to progress to a senior management career.
https://www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-engineering-and-information-technology/bachelor-information-technology-co-operative-scholarship/how-apply/get-ready-apply
Find out the secrets of gaining admission to Harvard, Yale, and Stanford!
Join us online Wednesday 7th September 6pm
Learn everything you need to know about applying to a top-ranked US university from a former Harvard admissions officer!
Ivy League colleges and other top-ranked US universities are notoriously selective and there are many important things to consider when preparing your applications.
Find out what you can do to get accepted from a former Harvard admissions officer!
Secure your spot here: https://www.crimsoneducation.org/au/campaign/secrets-of-gaining-admission-to-the-ivy-league/
CAREER OF THE WEEK: “Industrial Designer”
In this profession, Industrial designers create and produce designs for commercial, medical and industrial products. They also make models and prototypes of these designs for mass production. The products that industrial designers create cover a wide range of manufactured goods, from toys and toasters to furniture and heavy machinery. Some work is carried out on the development of new products. Other work is related to updating and improving the design of existing products.
Performers Wanted!
18 Aug 2022
Hands up if there are any talented performers out there who would love to be part of the entertainment for our upcoming Glenaeon Family Fair on Saturday November 5th?
We are in the process of putting together the schedule, and would welcome any submissions.
From music, dance, singing, acting, poetry recital, juggling, fencing - whatever it might be, please reach out. It’s been a few years since we have all been able to gather together, so we are looking forward to creating a special Fair event this year!
Send your details to: Andrew Klippel : klippel@mac.com + Rebecca Quade beckquade@gmail.com
Read moreRaffle - call out for Prize Donations
04 Aug 2022
The Glenaeon Family Fair & Art Show is on again this year. Tickets will be on sale from 1 September and the raffle will be drawn on the day of the Family Fair.
We are asking for donation of prizes, however big (the bigger the better-like a new car perhaps) or small (free offer of services or the like).
So please put your thinking caps on and let the Raffle team know if you can contribute to the prize pool or if you have any contacts that we can tap on the shoulder to access some worthwhile major prizes ideally by 23 August please.
If you’d like to help or donate a prize, please get in touch:
Alex François
Mobile: 0416040835
Email alexfrancois118@gmail.com
Learning Enrichment team grows
04 Aug 2022
Here at Glenaeon, we strive to ensure each individual student is met, recognised and best supported to reach their full learning potential. Over the past year our Head of Learning Enrichment Angela Sutton has been rebuilding and growing the Learning Enrichment team. Angela commenced in 2021 as part of our commitment to enhance our support for students with learning needs, and to communicate to parents all the work that is being done. There have been a number of staff changes and now with the most recent appointment, it is a pleasure to re-introduce the team to the community. But just as importantly as rebuilding, Angela has been rebranding. Supporting students with both learning needs and students that require extension throughout the school, her team is enriching their learning and providing great support.
Angela Sutton, Head of Learning Enrichment K-12 & Teacher, is a highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic leader of the team. She has extensive experience teaching and programming for all ages of students and she capably takes into consideration the specific learning and welfare needs of all in her care. She is capably supported by:
- Shancel Leacy, Learning Enrichment Assistant has been in the team since 2021, and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Music from Bath University (UK) and Cert 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Ellana McAllister, who joined Glenaeon in February this year as a Learning Enrichment Assistant. She was previously at Chrysalis Steiner School as a Learning Aide and before that at St Edmunds College Wahroonga. Ellana has a Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Music and Certificate IV in Education Support.
- Emma Harrison started with Glenaeon in May this year as a Learning Enrichment Assistant. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Education, and recently completed an Advanced Diploma in Steiner Education at the Melbourne Rudolf Steiner Seminar
- Monique Anderson works as a Learning Enrichment Assistant and is also Class 2 Teacher Assistant: Monique trained at the Melbourne Rudolf Steiner Seminar and is a qualified teacher
- Olivia Jeffrey, Learning Enrichment Assistant (currently on mat leave)
Between them, this team covers K-Year 12 Glenaeon students whether supporting or extending the talents of gifted students. As always if you wish to discuss your child’s learning, please speak with your child’s Class Teacher or Guardian/Mentor in the first instance. If required, your child’s teacher will put in a referral for your child to Learning Enrichment.
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store - Step over the rainbow!
04 Aug 2022
The shop is brimming with even more rainbows after a delivery of gorgeous hand-made wooden rainbow spinning tops, rainbow skipping ropes, wooden puzzles, rainbow stacking toys and the full rainbow of wool yarn, modelling beeswax, crayons and felt fabric colours to inspire colourful creative projects.
If you have visited the shop and stepped on our rainbow felt mat at the entrance (or jumped over it like many people like to do), we now have these in stock so that you can step over the rainbow at home too!
Pop in-store to enjoy the colourful display.
Term 3, 2022 – 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 shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Follow us on Instagram @grassroots_ecostore and be the first to find out about our new products and the stories behind them.
Read more2022 Glenaeon Family Fair - callout for pre-loved items
04 Aug 2022
In preparation for this year’s Family Fair parent craft stall, Class 1 is calling for any pre-loved felt, cloth or wooden toys, or any Steiner-inspired toys that can be restored and resold. With the last two years of no fair, parents' craft is slowly awakening but us class one folk are new in our skills, so this is a great place for us to start!
Any donations can be dropped off at the office at Castlecrag. If this drop off is not possible for you please contact Louise Patel on 0414 107 391 or louise.gazzard@health.nsw.gov.au and we can make alternative arrangements. Many thanks!
Louise (Class 1 parent)
High School Homework Club
04 Aug 2022
The Homework Club is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3.30-4.30pm in the Senior Library for all students in Years 7-12. Students may receive assistance with: organisation, homework planning and study timetables, task completion, literacy and written expression, or numeracy. There is a highly experienced Maths Teacher and Tutor available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so any students needing support in numeracy are encouraged to attend on one of those days. Students are welcome to drop in or they may be registered on GLO via https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/4616.
Read moreKobi Bennett - Steiner family fundraiser
04 Aug 2022
Families who were at Kamaroi before Glenaeon may recall former Kamaroi student Kobi Bennett who was involved in a tragic accident on Pittwater recently. A Go Fund Me page has been set up to support Kobi in his recovery and you can support him by clicking on link: https://gofund.me/a6a30497
Read moreClass 2 develop drawing skills
04 Aug 2022
Class 2 have been developing their drawing skills with Class Teacher Prue Ritchie. Taking an image from their Main lesson story, she works with form, shading and gestures to help the children develop their artistic and expressive skills on paper. The children work with crayon and pencil to create beautiful images that are displayed in their classroom. The display board in the classroom is an ever-changing wall of colour and inspiration for all.
Read moreClass 1 make knitting needles
04 Aug 2022
Class 1 are busy sanding, oiling and finding gumnuts for their knitting needles, which they will use for their upcoming knitting lessons with Handcraft teacher Elizabeth Ellean. There is much excitement as they go and search under the perfect tree for the gumnuts for the ends!
Read moreVALE ALEX GOMERSALL
02 Aug 2022
It is with huge sadness that we share news of the passing of former student Alex Gomersall, (Class of 1999). We extend our deepest sympathies to his parents Alan and Carole, his partner, and his extended family and friends. Head of School, Andrew Hill said, “For any school, the loss of a former student still in the prime of life is to lose a thread in the fabric of our own being.”
Alex had many talents and a passion for nature and animals.
You can see some of his incredible photography here, shared on his memorial website: https://www.alexgomersall-inmemoriam.com/
Read moreTerm 3 Parent Education program is out!
21 Jul 2022
Download Parent Education Term 3 program flyer
To register for these free events, go to GLO and click on the links: https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/4733/
Read moreThank you for your generosity
21 Jul 2022
In May this year, we launched our Annual Giving Campaign: A gift that lasts a lifetime! aiming to raise funds to support our bursary and scholarship programs.
We are delighted to report that we raised just over $36,000!
Heartfelt thanks once again for your solidarity, support and generosity to help our school community in these difficult and challenging times.
Read moreGlenaeon in the News
21 Jul 2022
Last week, the SMH ran a news article about our incoming Head of School Diana Drummond. You can read the article here: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/why-elite-private-girls-schools-leader-has-switched-to-alternative-co-ed-20220705-p5az51.html
In preparation for the article, at the end of last term, a Walkley-award winning photographer Steven Siewert visited our campus to shoot our incoming Head of School Diana Drummond with some of our Primary and High School students. The students worked in front and behind the camera, assisting with lighting, taking art direction and making sure we created a great picture for publication in The Sydney Morning Herald. Our thanks goes out to the Class 6 students and Year 12 students who participated and represented our school. Here are some behind the scenes happy snaps taken by our Marketing Communications Manager.
Read moreTours
21 Jul 2022
We have announced five new events for prospective families to come and learn about Glenaeon. Hosted by Head of School, Andrew Hill and Deputy Head of School, Elizabeth Nevieve we will be running Virtual Tours (webinars) and Campus Tours at both Castlecrag and Middle Cove. Designed for parents looking at Kindergarten entry 2024 or Year 7 entry 2024, please book in via our website: https://enquiry.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/events
Read more
Grassroots Eco Store - Plastic Free July
21 Jul 2022
If you’re looking for ideas to reduce your plastic consumption, we have lots of convenient and sustainable products in-store to help you on your way to plastic-free living.
The lunchbox is a great place to start with a variety of sustainable, stainless steel Food Containers, Insulated Food Flasks, Drink Bottles and Travel Cutlery which also make packing lunches and cleaning a breeze.
Some of our favourite plastic-free alternatives are our new Stainless Steel Pegs which are not only more durable and long-lasting than plastic pegs, they do a much better job of holding your washing on the line. Our fabric Dish Covers look great covering your food, and can be popped in the washing machine to use again and again. And our beautiful Ceramic Travel Cups make it easy to ditch single-use coffee cups and are much more enjoyable to drink from too!
Pop in-store for more ideas along with all the back-to-school essentials!
Term 3, 2022 – 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 shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Follow us on Instagram @grassroots_ecostore and be the first to find out about our new products and the stories behind them.
Read more2022 GlenX reunion date set & call for volunteers
21 Jul 2022
In 2022, Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School will host a reunion gathering open to all GlenXer's but with a celebratory focus on the:
- Class of 2012, 10-year reunion;
- Class of 2002, 20-year reunion;
- Class of 1992, 30-year reunion;
- Class of 1982, 40-year reunion and
- Class of 1972, 50-year reunion.
The Class of 1992 & 1982 are already underway and we are looking for GlenX volunteers from each of the other cohorts to help find past students, spread the word and help manage the event.
If you can volunteer to be a cohort coordinator for 2012, 2002 or 1972 or support these events in any way please get in touch via email alumni@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Save the date:
Saturday 17 September 2022
3pm–6pm
5a Glenroy Ave Middle Cove
Alumni are encouraged to join the Glenaeon Alumni Facebook Group to receive updates about the reunion event: https://www.facebook.com/glenaeonalumni
We hope to see as many GlenXer’s as possible!
#Glenaeon#GlenX#Classof2012#Classof2002#Classof1992#Classof1982#Classof1972#schooldays#alumni#reunion
Read moreClass 1 and the wonder of numbers
21 Jul 2022
Class 1 have been learning their numbers up to 100 with Class teacher Jamie Loftus. They created a beautiful number square and have been busy looking for all the patterns that the numbers make. It is remarkable how many ways they can 'read' the table and explore the patters which ultimately represent the times tables and the basis for geometry. What an engaging and rewarding way for the children to discover the wonder of numbers!
Read moreClass 1 make counting mats for Maths
21 Jul 2022
Class 1 had a wonderful wet felting hand work class with teacher Elizabeth Ellean. They learnt about the beauty and softness of wool and placed their fleece in patterns and pictures. With warm soapy water they roll it in the bamboo mat and felt the colours together. These will become beautiful counting mats as they use glass gems to count and do their maths! Even teacher Jamie Loftus made himself one too!
Read moreClass 2's garden sprouts
21 Jul 2022
Class 2 were excited to come back and look at the sprouting garlic and carrots that they planted before the holidays. With gardening teacher Sandra Frain, they observed the beautiful bulbs starting to flower and began digging with earnest in the new garden bed. The light rain has been wonderful for the earth. They sprinkled a rich mineral fertiliser made from weeds gathered in the previous term.
Read more2022 GlenX reunion call for volunteers & RSVP
21 Jul 2022
In 2022, Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School will host a reunion gathering open to all GlenXer's but with a celebratory focus on the:
- Class of 2012, 10-year reunion;
- Class of 2002, 20-year reunion;
- Class of 1992, 30-year reunion;
- Class of 1982, 40-year reunion and
- Class of 1972, 50-year reunion.
The Class of 1992 & 1982 are already underway and we are looking for GlenX volunteers from each of the other cohorts to help find past students, spread the word and help manage the event.
If you can volunteer to be a cohort coordinator for 2012, 2002 or 1972 or support these events in any way please get in touch via email alumni@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Save the date:
Saturday 17 September 2022
3pm–6pm
5a Glenroy Ave Middle Cove
Click here to register your attendance
Alumni are encouraged to join the Glenaeon Alumni Facebook Group to receive updates about the reunion event: https://www.facebook.com/glenaeonalumni
We hope to see as many GlenXer’s as possible!
#Glenaeon#GlenX#Classof2012#Classof2002#Classof1992#Classof1982#Classof1972#schooldays#alumni#reunion
Read moreKindergarten Mandarins and Winter fires
24 Jun 2022
Kindergarten children have been busy doing all sorts of things this term in the Garden, as well of course as playing. Earlier in the term we harvested the mandarins. This year's crop was amazing and the children were able to gift many to all the wonderful people who help us at school: Sandra, Guchi, Lindsay and Melony. We gave a basket full to Class 1 and 2 to enjoy as well.
Now that King Winter is here and the days are cold, we have been enjoying cooking our bread on a fire. The children have been busy collecting kindling and sawing wood. Each bread day we prepare our fire in the morning, so it is all ready for us to enjoy later in the day and bread cooked by the children on the fire tastes so delicious.
Class 1 & 2 Castlecrag Winter Spiral
24 Jun 2022
It is time for our Castlecrag Winter Festivals which includes the Class 1 & 2 Winter Spiral– a time of inward reflection and light in the darkness of Winter. We celebrate this by walking a beautiful spiral, lighting a candle in the centre and bringing this inner light forth as we journey outwards, placing the light amongst others in an ever-growing and glowing form. It is magical, reverent and exquisite. The actual Winter Solstice – the longest night and shortest day fell on June 21st. The significance of the spiral is finding light in the darkness. In the centre of the foliage spiral is a lit candle. The room is darkened and each child takes a turn to walk the spiral holding an unlit candle resting in an apple. As they reach the centre, they light their candle and retrace their steps out of the spiral. The child brings forth the light as they walk outward and chooses a place along the spiral to set down their own candle. As they each have a turn, more and more lit candles grace the spiral, and the room becomes increasingly filled with shining lights. The mood is quiet and still, apart from singing and gentle music. Music and songs included lyre, recorder, piano, glockenspiel and the beautiful winter songs of the children. Thank you to our lovely parent helpers who prepared the spiral and candles for the children.
"Through the darkness we shall go
With our candles all aglow
Heart grows warm and
Way grows bright
As we journey through the night"
Read more
Making Japanese lanterns
24 Jun 2022
Class 1 made lanterns with Japanese teacher Junko Nicholas. Using paper mâché they formed little bowls, which dried and were covered with mosaic style coloured paper. The little lanterns were lovely and with shine brightly over winter!
Read moreClass 2 making knitting needles
24 Jun 2022
Class 2 have begun sanding and making their own knitting needles. Taking a dowel rod, they sand it smooth, sharpen the end and go to collect 2 small gum nuts from a special tree in the playground. They glue these onto the end and then polish them with lanolin. The needles are lovely and will be used for their upcoming knitting projects! Watch this space!
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store - Stock up for the holidays!
24 Jun 2022
We have plenty of beautiful craft supplies to keep you busy and creative these holidays or pick up a ready-made Rainbow Craft Pack.
If you're headed off on a long car trip Happy Car Games is the antidote for backseat squabbles. This fabulous idea to make car trips fun was created by Waldorf author Lou Harvey-Zahra and contains 35 illustrated cards that will provide hours of car game fun for all ages.
Keep hands warm during your holiday adventures with our soft alpaca wool fingerless mittens, available in sizes for kids and adults!
The shop will be closing for the school holidays from midday on Wednesday (29 June). However, the online store remains open during the holidays with free local delivery available.
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 shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Follow us on Instagram @grassroots_ecostore and be the first to find out about our new products and the stories behind them!
Read moreVisual Arts: MURALS-HEADS-PORTRAITS
24 Jun 2022
Our Visual Arts students have had a very productive term.
Students from Year 9 have almost completed their large murals paintings. Some are two panels wide, some three or more. These murals once finalized, will be proudly displayed around the school, bringing even more beauty and colour to our Middle Cove campus. See photos for a sneak peek at these creations.
Students have also been working on sculpting a head using clay and each student came up with something quite unique and different. Building up the nose, cheeks, and eye brows and crafting eyes took time, patience and skill to bring the structure to the right proportions and bringing each its own distinctive features.
Students have also completed a study of Portraits of the Renaissance. Each student has demonstrated their understanding of this art form by rendering a Rembrandt, using chalk pastel to gain the allure of the time period. Check out this gallery of faces.
Read moreClass 5 Ancient Egypt
24 Jun 2022
Class 5 has been presenting their Ancient Egyptian Research Projects.
The study of ancient Egypt is one of the ancient civilisations studied in Class 5, coming after China, India, Persia and Mesopotamia.
Egyptian civilisation is filled with so much mystery and has provided inspiration for the children’s own investigations including: Pharaohs, Pyramids, The Sphinx, Mummification, Tombs, Gods and Goddesses, Clothing, Jewellery, Warfare and Daily Life.
Read moreClass 6's Winter Wonderland
23 Jun 2022
Class 6 spent weeks preparing and planning and came to Castlecrag Campus to run a 'Winter Wonderland' afternoon for the younger classes. It was indeed a wonderful time! They ran games for the children - piggy back pony rides, 'Frozen Floor' obstacle course, "Musical Icebergs", Lantern making, Damper Making, Snowball Races (aka egg and spoon race) and story telling. Class 6 were so beautiful in serving the younger children, who stayed for soup, chai and baked goods right until it was dark. By the fire they heard a story and went home filled with the fun and wintery activities. Class 6 also recycled books and pre-loved toys for the children to take home. Thank you to Class teacher Katherine Arconati for this gift to the younger children!
Read moreClass 4 explore the History of Writing
23 Jun 2022
Class 4 are working through their History of Writing Main Lesson.
Titled “Stone, Clay, Pen and Ink” students are exploring the world of history looking at writing, an activity that they do each and every day, and how it has come to us as a gift from our ancestors. Students have looked at the origins of writing as a sacred activity used for ritual purposes, and how this has gradually adapted to more practical purposes such as record-keeping. From the picture scripts of ancient Egypt and Sumer and the runes of the northern people of Europe Class 4 have immersed themselves by writing using stone, clay, pen and ink.
Yesterday, Class 4 hand-made paper on which to write.
Class 4 discovered that paper can be made from a variety of fibres including rice which was popular in China. Also, that papyrus was used by the ancient Egyptian people to make paper. In more recent times, wood pulp is used to make paper.
The children made paper from the bird of Paradise plant they had harvested and in the style as the Egyptians. By pressing the sinews and fibres that have been softened through boiling the plant stalks in soda ash the children experience the slowed down version of the paper making process.
Class 4 also enjoyed making paper from recycled matt board and paper blending it with water to make a paper porridge. After squeezing the water from the sheets in a press, the children tried pressing the some of their paper sheets to a tree, brick walls, window glass and left flat on their painting boards. In a few days the papers will dry and will be used to for future projects.
The children really enjoyed immersing themselves in this topic and deep learning through this very practical and hands-on lesson.
Read moreYear 7 Age of Discovery
23 Jun 2022
Year 7s have enjoyed studying the famous explorers from the Age of Discovery dating from 15th to 17th Century. Students have been making maps and model ships as part of the study. Some very creative maritime exploration work indeed!
Read moreYear 11’s Nathan awarded silver medal at Australian Gymnastics Championships
23 Jun 2022
Earlier this term, Year 11 student Nathan Sharp travelled to the Gold Coast with his gymnastics partner Eliza on the state team to compete in the Australian Gymnastics Championships.
Only two weeks earlier, Nathan’s partner had experienced every competitive gymnast’s worst nightmare: a serious injury just before a major competition. She had fractured her hand and doctors advised against competing.
But Nathan and Eliza were reluctant to give up. They realised they might still be able to compete, if they modified the routine. With only one training to practise the changes, nerves were high as they travelled to the Gold Coast.
Against all the odds, Nathan and Eliza managed to complete their routines without a fault, and without exacerbating her injury. Showing determination, resilience and sheer grit, they went on to be awarded the silver medal, putting them on the path towards selection for the world team next year.
What an achievement! Nathan manages to balance all his schoolwork with 20 hours of gymnastics training each week. We salute his success in gymnastics, his time management and, most of all, his inspiring passion and commitment.
Well done, Nathan! And best of luck to you and Eliza in the next step.
Read morePreschool Winter nature tables
23 Jun 2022
In the Indigenous Dharawal seasons it is now the time of the Burrugin, the Echidna. At Preschool we therefore have a nature table depicting a "train" of Echidnas creatively made from casuarina seed pods and beeswax warmed by the children's hands.
This is the time of year when male Burrugin (echidnas) form lines of up to ten as they follow the female through the woodlands. It is also the time when the Burringoa (Eucalyptus tereticornis) starts to produce flowers, indicating that it is time to collect the nectar of certain plants for the ceremonies which will begin to take place during the next season. For more about the Indigenous Dharawal seasons see: http://www.bom.gov.au/iwk/calendars/dharawal.shtml
Read moreMarigold's Blackboard Beauty!
23 Jun 2022
Look at this beautiful blackboard drawing that Marigold our Art/Handwork assistant for Class 2, drew this week for the craft room at Castlecrag.
Thank you Marigold!
Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival – Big Band performance
23 Jun 2022
On Sunday, June 19, our Glenaeon Big Band, directed by Phil Arnold, performed in the Stage Band section of the Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival, along with bands from three other schools.
It was not just a wonderful opportunity for relatives and friends of our own band members to hear them play for the second time this term, but for us to show members of the broader community the standard of musical performance that students at Glenaeon are achieving.
The band’s three pieces: Mission Impossible, My Funny Valentine and Blues Machine, were enthusiastically received by a packed audience at in the Harbord Public School Hall, and comments received from our appraiser and others were very complimentary of the standard our band is achieving.
The Big Band received a participation award, graciously accepted by Sasha Seymour-Smith in Year 10.
Many thanks to Christine Young who entered the band in the festival and was our bass player on the day, and to our parents and band members for making their time available on a Sunday. Your commitment is greatly appreciated.
The parents are also deeply grateful to Phil, Christine and the rest of the Glenaeon’s music department for the support, encouragement and guidance for our kids. They lead before-school rehearsal sessions; then organise and conduct such weekend events so the children can bring their hours of practice and rehearsal alive through performance opportunities for their musical expression.
Read moreTumeric Project Update
23 Jun 2022
As we all know the turmeric root is edible but so is the entire plant including the flowers and the leaves! The amazing thing about it is the flower and the leaf both contain the same medicinal properties as the root. They all contain curcumin so they are all anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.
With the turmeric leaves you can:
make ground leaf powder
make dried leaves
cook by making steam parcels with the leaves
eat the leaves in a dish as a spice such as a curry or soup
rub the ground leaf powder on cuts
make a face mask from the ground powder
keep them for 1 week in the fridge if fresh
keep them for months in an airtight container if dried
With the turmeric flower you can:
eat them fresh in a salad or side dish
sprinkle them over cooked dishes
keep them for 1 day in the fridge
If you would like to make some recipes with turmeric root, leaves or flowers please click here
When I arrived back to school in Term 2 I noticed that most of the plants had flowers that were beautifully white. Some of the turmeric leaves were yellow and the flowers too. Some of the flowers were very shrivelled and wrinkled and had turned brown with just a faint touch of yellow remaining. I thought that the plants were starting to die. The plant turns yellow, slowly getting wrinkles then turns brown. It starts to look like soil. It is the natural process of biodegrading back into nature.
I cut the leaves that were still green from the plants to use in an experiment. We stored them in the freezer and the fridge so we could use them later and they didn't go to waste. The bags of turmeric leaves that were put in the freezer had oil in them which turned a whitish colour and formed clumps. That was the oil turning solid but when taken out it quickly goes back into a liquid form and softens the leaf as well compared to the other one in the fridge that still had the olive oil colour and none of the solid clumps. When I pulled out the other ones without olive oil they were brittle and still really frozen. It takes a while for them to thaw. The taste changes as well. It is weaker slightly when frozen. The fridge definitely preserves the turmeric leaves but for a shorter period of time because it keeps it cold but not cold enough.
We have been using turmeric in the garden tea for some time now. We tried experimenting by eating the turmeric leaf in gardening class. Some of the children did not like the leaf the way we had cooked it up. We had steamed the turmeric leaf for a few minutes with some water. It was getting a tad soft but still quite chewy and fibrous. We added some salt and some olive oil which gave it a nice taste. The curcumin in the leaf definitely came through. The water that was left from the steaming process was golden yellow just like the turmeric. We also steamed eggs wrapped in turmeric leaves. My observation of when I pulled the eggs out were that the shells were golden in colour which looked artificial. When you took the shell off the white part of the egg it had a hint of yellow and tasted really good!
We also did another experiment. We put fresh leaves into the chicken’s rice dish and watched to see if they liked it. The first thing that one of the chickens did is eat the turmeric leaf. The chickens liked it too! Everyone can benefit from turmeric!
Photos taken by Marc Monnet-Demarbre (Year 12 Agriculture Student)
Read moreWinter Warmers at Grassroots Eco Store
10 Jun 2022
It’s the perfect weather for bringing hot, nourishing soups and leftovers to school or work for lunch. We are stocked up with new stainless steel Insulated Food Flasks that will keep your food hot for 7 hours and are easily transportable.
If your skin and lips are suffering from the cold and wind, our nourishing Weleda range of skin-loving products are excellent at keeping skin and lips hydrated and protected from the elements.
And to keep hands warm on these cold mornings, we have alpaca wool fingerless mittens. Beautifully handcrafted by women artisans in Peru under a fair trade social enterprise. These hand warmers are so soft and practical you’ll never want to take them off!
Pop in-store to see some of Yuki’s magical winter felt-craft creations for your seasonal nature table.
Term 2, 2022 – 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 shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Follow us on Instagram @grassroots_ecostore and be the first to find out about our new products and the stories behind them.
Read more
Glenaeon Concert Band performs at the Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival
10 Jun 2022
Last Sunday, June 5, the Glenaeon Concert Band performed as part of the 2022 Northern Beaches Instrumental Music Festival program. The band played three pieces: Metrix, La Madre do Los Gatos, and Fireflies to an appreciative audience including relatives, friends, and members of other school bands.
Our thanks go to band directors Christine Young and Phil Arnold for organising this great opportunity for our young musicians and to Roscoe Frazier, one of Glenaeon's percussion tutors, who assisted on the day.
It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the achievements of children in Glenaeon's instrumental program, to hear what children in other schools are doing, and for the parents of our children to hear them perform in front of such an appreciative audience.
Many thanks to the students for giving of their time on a Sunday, and to their parents for supporting them in this worthwhile endeavour.
Photo credits: Erika Hosoyama
Read more
Year 7s Milly wins 2022 Youth Climbing Championship
10 Jun 2022
Year 7’s Milly L won the 2022 Youth Climbing Championships for her age group last weekend and came third in the country over all three Sport Climbing disciplines (lead climbing, bouldering and speed climbing). Milly trained really hard for this, especially in her favourite category of bouldering. The competition was presented by Sport Climbing Australia.
Congratulations Milly! Well done on your efforts and great achievement.
Pic Credits: Rachel Lewis
Read moreClass 5/6 String Ensemble performs at the Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival
10 Jun 2022
The Class 5/6 String Ensemble played for the first time at the Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival on Sunday June 5th. With half of their ensemble unwell and away, they played valiantly and beautifully under the direction of gifted teacher and musician Anna Murkawa, who stood in at late notice for conductor Rosy Johnston who was also unwell. They played three pieces - Fiesta, Mighty Molo and Kingston Calypso. The aim of the Festival is to provide a formal, non-competitive performance opportunity for ensembles that is a positive and encouraging experience. Six bands performed in this event and the students enjoyed the the opportunity to listen to other and learn from the feedback given by the concert adjudicator. Well done Class 5 & 6 String ensemble members! The concert was held at a school in Mona Vale. The entire festival is co-hosted by the Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Northern Beaches Orchestra, the Northern Beaches Symphonic Youth Band, and the Northern Beaches Concert Band. All proceeds from the festival go back into community music. Thank you to all musicians and families who braved the chilly Sunday morning to perform! See: www.nbswe.org.au/festival.htm
Parent Craft workshops return - dyeing coloured felt
10 Jun 2022
After a long-anticipated return following two years of COVID-19 restrictions, Parent Craft workshops are back! This week parents came together and learned to dye felt using vibrating dyes with Glenaeon Handwork teacher Elizabeth Ellean. It was sunny winter day and the dye pots were bubbling as parents mixed and blended colours to form lovely pieces of felt that will be used for many craft projects! The rolls of coloured felt were then steamed in a large basket before being laid out in the sun to dry. Thanks to to all parents who came and craft co-ordinators, especially Alex Bell for hosting such a wonderful event. Coming up soon we will have Wet Felting, Needle Felting and Crocheting, so watch out for those announcements.
Read moreA call out to all Artists! Glenaeon Art Show 4-6 November 2022
10 Jun 2022
Our annual Art Show is back - this is a beautiful way to showcase art and craft from emerging and established artists. It will be held in the Castlecrag campus hall during the famous Glenaeon Fair weekend and will attract thousands of visitors.
...Drawing-Metal-Textiles-Painting-Mixed Media-Mosiac-Sculpture-Jewellery-Wood-Glass-Ceramics-etc…
Applications are now open. Please see our website for more information regarding how to apply.
Julia Henty: julia@doulalove.com.au
Irena Moore: lunkevic@gmail.com
Composting Fun
10 Jun 2022
Last weekend, we had a Parent Education event where families gathered in the biodynamic garden to learn about compost making and looking after our gardens in winter. Gardening teachers Sandra and Kathy shared their knowledge with parents and children as part of a blissful morning in the sunny garden.
Read moreGlenaeon OOSH Services - seeking educators
10 Jun 2022
We are a small OOSH service offering After School Care and Holiday Care in a beautiful Steiner school setting in Castlecrag, Sydney. We are seeking educators to join our lovely team. If you have a passion for working with school age children, a caring approach with parents and lots of creative ideas and enthusiasm we would like to hear from you. Experience working with children is preferred but training will be provided to the right candidate. Please contact us at glenaeonoosh@gmail.com
Read more
Class 6 experience the Warrumbungles
10 Jun 2022
Outdoor Education trips are quite often life changing events where friendships are cemented and personal growth highly evident upon return from time away from the ordinary daily life routines and influences. Here are some snaps of the recent trip that our lucky Class 6 students got to experience in the Warrumbungles 550km north west of Sydney. Thanks to Class 6 Teacher Katherine Arconati for these photos.
"The Class 6 campers left at the crack of dawn, meeting at 5:45am for a 6am departure. Whilst parents headed to the local café for a 6am wake-up, Class 6 embarked on an Outdoor Education adventure, bringing their current Main Lessons to life - History (Australian Poineers, the Gold Rush and First Nations), Geography and Science (Geology and Astronomy).
The Glenaeon Outdoor Education team and Class 6 teacher Katherine Arconati took the students across the Blue Mountains, stopping for lunch at Wentworth Falls and then on to Bathurst, where they undertook the Macquarie Tour and took part in the ‘Life on the Goldfields’ program, including erecting mud brick and earth buildings, bush cooking and experiencing life in an indigenous wattle and daub hut. They explored the life in the goldfields, panned for gold dust and saw the steam engines of the time. The visit to the Mineral Museum (Somerville Collection), was a highlight before heading out to the Warrumbungles for 3 days of hiking (including the Grand High Tops Walk), abseiling, nightly fires and camping. The intrepid adventurers returned via the Gulgong Pioneer Museum and were met at the end of the week by parents and siblings eager to hear of their adventures. Many thanks to the greater Glenaeon Outdoor Education team, including Scott Williams and Kristen Gardner and teacher Katherine Arconati."
Read more
Mayoral visit
10 Jun 2022
This week Glenaeon hosted a visit from the Mayor of Willoughby City Council Tanya Taylor, meeting with Head of School Andrew Hill and Operations Manager Chris Scrogie. Tanya knows many Glenaeon students and a number of parents in her role as long term leader of the Sailors Bay Sea Scouts, and there were a few surprised looks of recognition as she sat and enjoyed a coffee at the Gentle Café. Mayor Taylor was accompanied by Councillor Robert Samuels who recently joined Council representing our local Middle Harbour Ward. Tanya and Robert were interested in a number of local issues of great importance to the school: our traffic management plan and in particular our intent to push for a 40 kilometre per hour zone on Eastern Valley Way where our students cross at the intersection with Victoria Avenue. They committed to promoting our request to the Traffic Committee which makes recommendations to the government authority the RMS (Roads and Maritime Services). We invited Mayor Taylor to return to address a high school assembly where she will outline the role of local government and how students can be more active in their local area.
Read moreHigh School clothes swap success
10 Jun 2022
Early this week our High School SRC ran a clothes and books swap. Monies raised will go to Red Cross Ukraine appeal. Well done to all the students who organised this event and participated!
Read moreA call out to all Artists! Glenaeon Art Show 4-6 November 2022
10 Jun 2022
Our annual Art Show is back - this is a beautiful way to showcase art and craft from emerging and established artists. It will be held in the Castlecrag campus hall during the famous Glenaeon Fair weekend and will attract thousands of visitors.
...Drawing-Metal-Textiles-Painting-Mixed Media-Mosiac-Sculpture-Jewellery-Wood-Glass-Ceramics-etc…
Applications are now open. Please see our website for more information regarding how to apply.
Julia Henty: julia@doulalove.com.au
Irena Moore: lunkevic@gmail.com
A call out to all Artists! Glenaeon Art Show 4-6 November 2022
10 Jun 2022
Our annual Art Show is back - this is a beautiful way to showcase art and craft from emerging and established artists. It will be held in the Castlecrag campus hall during the famous Glenaeon Fair weekend and will attract thousands of visitors.
...Drawing-Metal-Textiles-Painting-Mixed Media-Mosiac-Sculpture-Jewellery-Wood-Glass-Ceramics-etc…
Applications are now open. Please see our website for more information regarding how to apply.
Julia Henty: julia@doulalove.com.au
Irena Moore: lunkevic@gmail.com
A call out to all Artists! Glenaeon Art Show 4-6 November 2022
10 Jun 2022
Our annual Art Show is back - this is a beautiful way to showcase art and craft from emerging and established artists. It will be held in the Castlecrag campus hall during the famous Glenaeon Fair weekend and will attract thousands of visitors.
...Drawing-Metal-Textiles-Painting-Mixed Media-Mosiac-Sculpture-Jewellery-Wood-Glass-Ceramics-etc…
Applications are now open. Please see our website for more information regarding how to apply.
Julia Henty: julia@doulalove.com.au
Irena Moore: lunkevic@gmail.com
Final call out to all Artists! Submissions close 7 OCTOBER
10 Jun 2022
Our annual Art Show is back - this is a beautiful way to showcase art and craft from emerging and established artists. It will be held in the Castlecrag campus hall during the famous Glenaeon Fair weekend and will attract thousands of visitors.
...Drawing-Metal-Textiles-Painting-Mixed Media-Mosiac-Sculpture-Jewellery-Wood-Glass-Ceramics-etc…
Applications are now open. Please see our website for more information regarding how to apply.
Julia Henty: julia@doulalove.com.au
Irena Moore: lunkevic@gmail.com
Tour our beautiful campuses - BOOK NOW
09 Jun 2022
We have several tour and webinar events coming up:
9:30 - 10:30am June 16 Middle Cove Campus Visit (Class 3 - Year 12) BOOK HERE
9:30 - 10:30am June 23 Castlecrag Campus Visit (Little Kindergarten - Class 2) BOOK HERE
Below is a little window into our recent Castlecrag Campus Tour, with workbook samples, craft and some of the natural school resources student use in their learning. Castlecrag is a beautiful campus, and we love to showcase it on school tours.
Read moreWinter…the Simpler, Softer World Within
09 Jun 2022
Winter turns us inward. Hasn’t the sudden deep freeze over the past few days brought a different mood? We stay inside to keep warm, we sit by the fire if we have one, and we brace ourselves to face the chill.
Michael Leunig captures the different moods of winter mood so perfectly that there is not much to add. We can touch both the “simpler, softer world within”, as well as the little things of beauty that we find outside us.
Our MidWinter festivals are fast approaching:
- Middle Cove students: Tuesday and Wednesday June 21 and 22 for Class 3 to Year 12
- Middle Cove Community for parents and friends: Wednesday June 22, 6.30 pm
- Castlecrag: Classes 1 and 2: Wednesday June 22
- Castlecrag: Kindergarten Tuesday June 29
- Preschool: Wednesday June 22
For parents new to Glenaeon, the MidWinter spiral walk can be a revelation of how to put the MidWinter mood into a tangible form. For both child and adult, the simple ritual of walking the spiral and lighting the candle are an expression of this turning inward as we walk the spiral and turn into the central light.
Winter and darkness go together. Our festival celebrates the Light.
Read moreClass 1 and 2 craft - counting bags and Etoile's
09 Jun 2022
Classes 1 & 2 have been busy making things they will use throughout their school week and year. Class 1 have been sewing counting bags to hold their counters for use in Mathematics and problem solving. Class 2 are sewing a felt e'toile to hold their very own needles, crochet hooks and scissors. Both projects involve them sewing their instils onto the fabric in embroidery cotton.
Read moreGarden trolley and cubbies for Class 1 & 2
09 Jun 2022
Gardening teacher Sandra Frain handed over the all-important task of assembling the new garden cart to the Class 2 children with the guidance of our parent volunteers. Over two lessons they carefully put all the bolts and pieces together and finally... the wheels! What a joy it is! Not only does it carry heavy soil and compost, but it's also a wonderful people trolley and cart! Thank you Sandra and Class 2! Gardening children also helped to clear the bushes out the front of Class 1 for more planting beds, the trimmings of which became the next fantastic cubbies!
Read moreGardening one seed at a time
09 Jun 2022
The weather has been perfect for early winter planting and gardening teacher Sandra Frain with helper Guchi work alongside the children each week. They may have even planted some more secret bulbs around the place! We have a huge dahlia flower - a Tree Dahlia - that is as tall as our building and blooming with many blossoms on show! Little hands plants seeds and seedlings, pat the soil and water them too. We wait for the winter sun to warm them and come Spring, we will see what has grown! Thanks to Guchi for these photographs.
Read more2022 Annual Giving Appeal
13 May 2022
Driven by a commitment to making our enriching education as accessible to children as possible, Glenaeon now proudly provides both scholarships and bursaries that literally change lives.
Over the past five years Glenaeon has supported over 100 families with bursaries and has provided part and full scholarships to 34 students. These are gifts of opportunity that touch so many.
These bursaries and scholarships, tightly governed by a Glenaeon Board sub-committee, rely on your generosity, and we thank you in advance for any End of Financial Year (EOFY) donation you can contribute to our annual giving campaign: a gift that lasts a lifetime!
Please make your donation at www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/donate by end of financial year, June 30, 2022.
Scholarship donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. Please note, bursary donations are not tax deductable. Building Fund donations, benefiting all students, are fully tax deductable.
For donations by credit card via phone, EFT/bank transfer or cheque, please contact Amanda Ford via email foundation@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Thank you for your wonderful generosity.
Read moreInto The Woods – new dates announced
12 May 2022
We recently made the decision to postpone the Year 10 Musical due to COVID interruptions.
We can now provide new performance dates as follows:
- Thursday, 8 September 7pm
- Friday, 9 September 7pm
- Saturday, 10 September 1pm (matinee)
- Saturday, 10 September 7pm
For those families who have already purchased June tickets, your tickets will be 100% transferable to the new dates, and refunds will be processed for those that can’t attend the new dates.
- Friday 24 June tickets will transfer to the new Friday show date – Friday, 9 September at 7pm
- Sunday 26 June tickets will transfer to the new Saturday matinee show date – Saturday, 10 September at 1pm
- Monday 27 June tickets will transfer to the new Saturday evening show date – Saturday, 10 September at 7pm
- Tuesday 28 June tickets will transfer to the new Thursday show date – Thursday, 8 September at 7pm
To book a ticket for the new performance dates, please go to: https://www.trybooking.com/BZNQQ
To arrange a Musical ticket refund, please email events@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au with your TryBooking ID found on your tickets. We thank you for your understanding and patience and look forward to walking Into The Woods again in September.
Read more
Year 10 Musical: Into The Woods – buy tickets now
12 May 2022
Our Year 10 Musical, Into the Woods will run in September. Our thanks to Year 10 student Charli Keeping for her wonderful Musical poster design.
Performance dates are as follows:
- Thursday, 8 September 7pm
- Friday, 9 September 7pm
- Saturday, 10 September 1pm (matinee)
- Saturday, 10 September 7pm
NOTE: For those families who purchased June tickets, your tickets will be 100% transferable to the new dates, and refunds will be processed for those that can’t attend the new dates. To arrange a Musical ticket refund, or date transfer (pending availability) please email events@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au with your TryBooking ID found on your tickets by 31 July. No refunds will be made after this date.
TICKETS NOW ON SALE: https://www.trybooking.com/BZNQQ
Read moreYear 10 Musical: Into The Woods – buy tickets now
12 May 2022
Our thanks to Year 10 student Charli Keeping for her wonderful Musical poster design.
Performance dates are as follows:
- Thursday, 8 September 7pm
- Friday, 9 September 7pm
- Saturday, 10 September 1pm (matinee)
- Saturday, 10 September 7pm
For ticket inquiries, please email events@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
TICKETS NOW ON SALE: https://www.trybooking.com/BZNQQ
Read more
Into The Woods – update from the Director
12 May 2022
The Year 10 Production of Into the Woods is going extremely well. It is always a mammoth task to produce and direct theatrically and musically a school Musical and it is certainly coming together through a group effort here at Glenaeon . A silent cast of staff have dedicated many hours of rehearsals, meetings, set, prop and stage building to get us this far.
Evan Sanders and Raphaela Mazzone have done an extraordinary job on the sets, I have been amazed at both their talents and dedication to the task. The design could easily be used in a professional production and the students are having so much fun working with the moving parts of the set. Elizabeth Nevieve has been working tirelessly with a group of students and helping them transform into a fearful and quite quirky wolf pack who will both dazzle you and disgust you. Ian Munns, Musical Director, has been seated at the piano for hours and hours, supporting the students with his enthusiasm for music and general cheery spirits. Accompanying and playing Sondheim is not an easy task and on top of that, he has diligently transposed several songs for the individual voices of the cast. Excellent stuff!
It is a challenging experience to rehearse and perform in a Musical such as Into the Woods and the Year 10 students are facing that experience with such joy and commitment. It has been an honour to be part of their journey. Some days Ian and I can barely get a word in as they are full to the brim with funny, exciting and inventive theatrical ideas. Now, 36 days out, we come to the stage in the rehearsal process that requires great discipline and patience. Climbing the second tier of the steep hill of challenge has begun.
We are all very much looking forward to bringing our versions of this complicated, philosophical and humorous musical story to the community of Glenaeon. See you at show!
Caroline Farrell - Director
Read more3 weeks to go! Year 10 Musical: Into The Woods – buy tickets now
12 May 2022
With less than three weeks to go, now is the time to secure your tickets. Performance dates are as follows:
- Thursday, 8 September 7pm
- Friday, 9 September 7pm
- Saturday, 10 September 1pm (matinee)
- Saturday, 10 September 7pm
For ticket inquiries, please email events@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
TICKETS NOW ON SALE: https://www.trybooking.com/BZNQQ
Read more
1 week to go! Year 10 Musical: Into The Woods – buy tickets now
12 May 2022
Opening Night is just around the corner, Thursday 8th September! Now is the time to secure your tickets.
Performance dates are as follows:
- Thursday, 8 September 7pm
- Friday, 9 September 7pm
- Saturday, 10 September 1pm (matinee)
- Saturday, 10 September 7pm
TICKETS NOW ON SALE: https://www.trybooking.com/BZNQQ
A NOTE FOR THOSE THAT PURCHASED TICKETS PRIOR TO THE RESCHEDULING FROM JUNE
If you purchased tickets prior to the rescheduling of the Musical from June to September, then please note your June tickets are valid for the following nights:
- Friday 24 June tickets will transfer to the new Friday show date – Friday, 9 September at 7pm
- Sunday 26 June tickets will transfer to the new Saturday matinee show date – Saturday, 10 September at 1pm
- Monday 27 June tickets will transfer to the new Saturday evening show date – Saturday, 10 September at 7pm
- Tuesday 28 June tickets will transfer to the new Thursday show date – Thursday, 8 September at 7pm
Please check your tickets and contact events@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au ASAP if you wish to change session date or time. The ability to make a change will depend on availability. To avoid disappointment, please do this check ASAP and do not leave until the last minute.
If you have already requested a change this has been done, and you should have received your reissued tickets. If you still need to arrange a ticket transfer, please email events@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au with your TryBooking ID found on your tickets.
Read moreFarewell Sarah & Sally, welcome Nikki & Anette!
06 Apr 2022
Last week we said farewell to Middle Cove Receptionist Sarah, and Executive Assistant Sally.
Sarah has been the warm, smiling face at the front desk, and kind-hearted First Aid carer to all our Middle Cove students for the past four and a half years. Over this time she has helped so many students and parents to navigate school life. As well as the day-to-day Sarah would assist with excursions, help teachers, be a listening ear to our students, help in the Garden and drive ethical and sustainable practices in her every day role. Her parting gift was to make every single Primary School student a hand-crafted bracelet made with natural materials. Her regret was that she ran out of time to make each High School student one too. We are so sad to see Sarah go, but wish her well for the future, still in the education sector.
In her place, we welcome Nikki Botha who comes to us most immediately from the Netherlands where she was the Customer Happiness Officer (yes they have them in Europe!) for a company in The Hague. Her school experience was at The British School in The Hague where she was a student supervisor and teaching assistant. Originally from South Africa, she has a Law degree and now has much international experience from working in a number of countries since then. Her son attended a Rudolf Steiner School in Spain. Welcome Nikki!
Also departing is EA, Sally who very capably filled in for Anette on maternity leave. Our thanks to Sally for being so helpful and going the extra mile, her embrace of the role in looking after families, assisting teachers and the rest of the admin team. No job was ever too big or too small. Thanks too, for the cakes she baked for the staff to enjoy, looking after the chickens in the school holidays and at weekends. We wish Sally well in her new role at another school.
It is a pleasure to announce that Anette will be returning to Glenaeon from mat leave. Welcome back Anette!
Read moreExtreme Gardening Gold
06 Apr 2022
In our gardening lessons this term, Class 6 has been learning about the effects extreme and excessive weather has on plants and the environment. A very relevant topic given our heavy rains of late. Students observed how all this rain has moved around and through our garden area and the resulting damage. The erosion of soil and the movement of debris was in clear evidence near the hall and Class 6 went into action. They worked with materials on hand to slow and redirect the water flowing, as well as prevent more debris from moving downhill. Great effort Class 6!
Class 6 also took on the task of building biodynamic compost heaps from materials we have received during Term 1. Six large holding bins full of food scraps from our Gentle Café and K-2 Campus, cardboard and paper collected from classrooms, chicken straw from our chicken coop, cow manure, rock minerals and grass clipping were all used to make two large compost heaps. We look forward to harvesting “gardeners’ gold” at the end of Term 2.
The Garden team welcomes any autumn leaves and or animal manures (cow, horse, sheep, alpaca) you may collect during the school holidays. Bags and containers can be left at the Biodynamic Garden at Middle Cove campus. Please do NOT drop off at our Castlecrag campus. Contact Kathy or Sandra with any queries via email K.Thangathurai@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au or S.Frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreGentle Hands, Kind Words
06 Apr 2022
In Term 1 the primary faculty reviewed and clarified our message around bullying and positive behaviour. As part of this review, we identified our new motto as: Gentle Hands, Kind Words.
Primary classes meet regularly, in morning circle or in the afternoon on a weekly basis, to discuss developmental, social and classroom issues as they arise. Each class enjoyed discussions, role play sessions or stories about bullying – what it is and what action to take.
Students were also invited to draw a poster that illustrates what Gentle Hands, Kind Words means to them. See images for illustrations of this work.
To support healthy, harmonious, inclusive play we have also begun two initiatives:
- Lunch Club will occur in the junior library on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays where various games will be on offer for those children who are seeking an alternative from outside play. This has already been very popular!
- From Term 2, on Mondays, the round oval will be open to Classes 3-6 for ball free, inclusive games such as bullrush, non-stop tip and other big play that will allow the classes to interact and build our primary school community.
Classes 3 and 6 have built a beautiful friendship and the Class 6 children even requested a buddy system. We will be looking at activities that will allow the Class 6 children to mentor and play with their Class 3 friends next term.
We also look forward to resuming our Primary School assemblies from Term 2 to further explore our sense of community and to consider other themes.
Read moreSchool Holiday Program from OOSH
06 Apr 2022
We look forward to welcoming children to our upcoming holiday care program at Glenaeon.
We have a lovely mixture of activities for the season that are suitable for all ages.
Please make your bookings ASAP and pass on to friends and family with children who attend other schools.
We CAN accept the BASC vouchers for holiday care - but please bear with us as we navigate how to reconcile these with our Hubworks invoicing system.
Download the flyer to view the program and bookings can be made through our website at http://www.glenaeonoosh.com.au/holiday-care-bookings.html
Email glenaeonoosh@gmail.com with any inquiries.
We are continuing to observe all government health recommendations at this time and ask that parents come in to the campus for drop-off and collections to make contact with staff but NOT into our room. Thank you. We look forward to wonderful times with the children.
Download the Holiday Care flyer
Read moreClass 5 reconnect with community Indian Festival
06 Apr 2022
Class 5 Parents reconnected on campus as Class 5 students celebrated their recent Main Lesson topic with an Indian Festival. Students had dressed in traditional Indian dress, incense filled the air, woven fabrics and elephant ornaments decorated the veranda outside Class 5. The students sang, chanted, played instruments and danced.
The crows and the kookaburras observed from the nearby gums.
The sun shone bright as members of the Hari Krishna Temple “ISKCON” group performed Kirtan meditation. The guests also shared their knowledge, mantras, song, music, and food which was shared as a feast and a Class 5 community celebration.
The Festival was a culmination of the ancient Indian mythology main lesson called, “The Sacred Songs of India”. Whilst immersing the class in the colourful stories from the Vedic epic “The Mahabharata”, the children are introduced to the three main gods; Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Protector and Shiva the Destroyer. However, the stories are an interweaving of gods and humans. The gods appear in human form and humans are able to perceive and converse with the gods. There is a repeated theme of personal hardship and sacrifice, made in order to attain higher realms. Renunciation of power, wealth, comforts, and pleasure, portend a path to enlightenment.
Read moreGlenaeon students shine at Australian MTB Interschools 2022
06 Apr 2022
From March 23 – 27, over 1,000 Australian school children descended on Thredbo to compete in the 2022 Australian Mountain Biking Interschools Championships.
Glenaeon’s inaugural MTB team of 10 children from Class 5 to Year 10, was comprised of four girls and six boys who competed in a combination of events across the four days including an All-Mountain race, a Flow race, a downhill race and a X-Country event.
The Glenaeon MTB team finished an outstanding 7th from 204 schools, and throughout the event embodied true sporting spirit both on and off-trail; not just supporting their own team mates, but creating a chorus of Glenaeon voices cheering on all the courageous riders across the mountain.
In contrast to the overall nine per cent female representation on mountain, girls made up a fabulous 40 per cent of Glenaeon’s team. Anna (Year 10) demonstrated superb riding at her debut championships, taking individual bronze in both the Flow Motion and the Cross Country, whilst younger sister Dora (Class 6) took individual bronze in the Year 5/6 Cross Country.
As a Class 5/6 team, Maaike, Dora and Skye earned three separate visits to the podium, placing second in both the All-Mountain Assault, the Flow Motion, and the Cross Country.
Endre, Finn and Sammy (Year 8) were strong contenders in an age group that had over 350 participants, and placed 17th as a team for their age division. Archie and Anton (Year 9) also distinguished themselves in the hotly-contested Year 9/10 division and finished their carnival with exceptional rides in the black diamond ‘Cannonball’ downhill race.
The Glenaeon riders and support crew were thrilled with the debut experience and enjoyed a wonderful camaraderie across the entire team, taking the challenging course and high-energy environment in their stride, and displaying inspirational courage and care for their team mates and the other riders throughout. Watch a short video of their weekHERE ... enjoy!
If you’re a keen mountain biker and would like to join the team in 2023 you can email Zoltan glozikz@gmail.com
A special thank you to parents Zoltan Glozik, Simon Clarke, Dawn Piebenga and George Pethard for the behind-the-scenes work getting the children on-mountain and so well supported.
Read more
Kindergartens Celebrate Harvest
06 Apr 2022
Kindergarten celebrated their harvest time with parents invited to join their beautiful outdoor Harvest Festival in the playground. The children sang as they filled the baskets with pumpkins, potatoes, carrots and onions before sharing songs about Farmer Cedric's farm, harvest and apple picking. It was wonderful to invite the parents on campus, who stayed to enjoy a picnic following the festival. The circle songs have been practised in the Kindergarten morning circle times and the children enjoyed sharing these outdoors with their families.
Read moreClass 2 create beautiful pencil cases
06 Apr 2022
Class 2 have spent this term creating stunning pencil cases that they will use throughout Primary School. Learning long stitch with Handwork teacher Elizabeth Ellean, they design one side as formed shapes - mountains, valleys, hills, castles, brides and more. This early introduction to geometry in a pictorial manner - the children can invent any shape they like that fit together using long stitch. The other side is a freeform image they create and the designs are just beautiful - from pets to sport, rainbows, animals and places. Well done Class 2!
Read more
Kindergartens go Apple Picking with Farmer Cedric
06 Apr 2022
"Let's leave the city and leave the town
For we're off to visit Cedric's farm
Along the highway, busy and fast
Far over the mountain.. Phew, we're there at last.
At Cedric's Farm there's lots to see
There's apples, blueberries and a big oak tree
There's oranges, pears and pumpkins too
It's Harvest time and there's lots to do!"
The Kindergartens came together to go apple picking at Bilpin Springs Orchard in the Blue Mountains recently. Meeting under the Old Oak Tree, they were taken around the orchard by Farmer Cedric, who showed them all the varieties and bounty of his farm - Golden Delicious, Gala Fuji, Granny Smith and more. Cedric is a special person to Glenaeon, as he was formerly a high school teacher at our school, before becoming a farmer and living at Bilpin. We love to visit Cedric and he always enjoys taking the children on a tractor ride after apple picking if the weather is good! The families all gathered for the picnic and enjoyed the day out together very much.
Read moreHarvest Preparation and Produce
06 Apr 2022
The Castlecrag Reception became a field of Harvest produce, kindly donated by families for the Harvest Festival and later donated to OzHarvest to be made into meals for those that don't have so much. Our Mother Earth looked over the collection as it grew, and grew, and grew! It was made into the stunning Michaelmas Festival display by parent volunteers and later carried in 12 heavy crates to the OzHarvest truck. Phil and Wendy explained to the children where the produce goes and how it gets distributed to people and families in need. Thank you to our generous families and Oz Harvest.
Read moreClass 1 Letter Party
06 Apr 2022
Class 1 went on a Treasure Hunt with Class Teacher Jamie Loftus, finding all the letters they have been learning throughout the playground and grounds. The last letters led them to the school hall, where, as a surprise, parents had gathered and set up a Letter Party! The children were delighted to discover that a plate of food from each letter was prepared - T for tomato, J for Jam sandwiches, R for rockmelon, U for upside down cake and X for Hot cross buns! They delighted in sharing this picnic with parents amongst the tables decorated with letter food! Thank you parents and Jamie for this wonderful event.
Read moreBeware the Dragon
06 Apr 2022
When a fiery dragon scorches their crops and threatens their lives, a group of humble villagers appeal to their wise king for assistance.
They are eventually saved by the mighty St Michael, who slays the dragon with his powerful sword! This is the story played out annually at our Primary Harvest Festival – through song, verse and movement. The children shudder at the fearful dragon, sing of St Michael’s strength and at the end, enjoy the bounty of the harvest saved - corn on the cob and delicious bread rolls!
As with so many things in our curriculum, this dragon is not just a dragon! At the commencement of the festival, our Faculty Co-ordinator and Class 6 teacher Katherine Arconati encouraged the children to think of the dragon as a symbol of life’s difficult moments – perhaps a really hard math problem or an unkind word from a friend. The slaying of the dragon then becomes a deeply held image to which the children can refer in challenging times. It’s a beautiful example of how the Steiner Curriculum builds imaginative pictures that become a source of wisdom and nourishment for children as they grow.
Read moreYear 9 make murals
06 Apr 2022
Year 9 Art making, a Glenaeon-designed minor subject, is currently undertaking mural work for around the school. Students have chosen their site, designed their work and currently resolving the murals ready for hanging in Term 2. Students have been very imaginative and highly engaged in the activity and we look forward to the results and further beautification of the school.
Read moreThe Cove cleans up
06 Apr 2022
The Cove’s bush engagement program has been heavily disrupted by wet weather this term, not allowing for many runs or walks. As a result, team building, trust and leadership activities held on campus benefitted the cohesion of the group. Fortunately, The Cove participants did get down to Scotts Creek for a clean-up guided by Marc Lee, resident bush-lover and custodian of the area. It was after the floods and the level of rubbish in our beautiful environs was shocking. The students engaged positively and with purpose in the clean-up and voiced strong feelings of care towards our local area and what it requires.
Read moreHarvest Gratitude
06 Apr 2022
Families recently gathered together in the Middle Cove biodynamic garden with garden teachers Sandra Frain and Kathy Thangathurai for the Parent Education event, "Harvest Gratitude". The group discovered the abundance of beauty growing in the garden by creating their own fresh cut arrangements. Participants of all ages learned about the importance of living soil, how to use their senses to identify its health and some ways they can care for their soil. We enjoyed some practical garden activities and shared a morning tea of homemade herb tea and sourdough bread. We all had a wonderful morning together in the sunshine, reconnecting as a community to learn together and appreciate nature's gifts including the chorus of chickens!
Read moreYear 9’s Warrah Specialist School and Biodynamic Farm Excursion
06 Apr 2022
After completing a challenging bush walk and trail run during the Cove Program earlier in the morning, Year 9A continued their involvement in The Cove program with an excursion to Warrah Specialist School and Biodynamic Farm to complete some community service. Warrah facilitates an incredible program for a wide range of students with special educational needs and disabilities.
We arrived to a cold sunny morning on the farm and the students were bubbling with great confidence and excitement, enjoying the sun, cool and refreshing bush air and very green and undeveloped surroundings.
We entered the school gates at recess time and were greeted with lots of inquisitive and smiling faces from the Warrah students. Our Year 9s met people living with a range of special education needs and disabilities and our student’s confidence and excitement was infused with some nervousness.
We joined Warrah students for an open-air communal morning tea. We encouraged the Glenaeon students to mingle with the Warrah students; this came more naturally to some than others.
After morning tea, we split into two groups to commence our service for the school. The first group went off to a newly-built Discovery building to assist with some gardening and preparations for the official opening of the new building. The second group cleaned and organised the kitchen and washed and cleaned the school buses. The help with these hands-on tasks were greatly appreciated by Warrah.
After our service activities we again joined the Warrah students for a communal lunch and playtime in the well-equipped playground. The trampolines were a highlight for everyone! Both groups of students had become much more relaxed and settled and were playing simultaneously which was really lovely time for all.
After lunch, our Year 9s joined Warrah students for a whole school craft activity. Glenaeon students helped the Warrah students make Origami Easter baskets. Some of the Warrah students needed hand-on-hand support with folding and cutting which was an overwhelming and challenging task for some. The end product was very impressive, and a collective sense of achievement was felt.
Our final activity for the day was a farm tour and visit to the Warrah farm shop. The head farmer Steve spoke of initiatives they are utilising on the farm, and the creative and innovative ways they are engaging all of the students at Warrah. The farm has been heavily impacted from the relentless rain. They have been unable to weed, plant, pick and produce as the same rates they normally have, which means less opportunity for Warrah students to be involved.
We did get to visit the incredible farm shop and this was a really lovely way to finish our afternoon. The Year 9 students were able to buy delicious organic and biodynamic fresh fruit and vegetables, and beautiful home-made sourdough loaves of bread and focaccia! The Year 9s had a great day visiting Warrah and took away many wonderful experiences and moments of gratitude.
Read more
Grassroots Eco Store - Autumn Treasures Easter Treats
06 Apr 2022
The shop is filled with Autumn treasures, Easter craft materials and ideas for chocolate-free Easter treats!
We have some boxes of the popular Wooden Rainbow Eggs still available, some adorable handmade Baby Bunnies and a few very special Rabbits lovingly made by Ebba Bodame.
If you're headed off on a long car trip these holidays we have the antidote for backseat squabbles. Happy Car Games is a pack of 35 illustrated cards created by Waldorf author Lou Harvey-Zahra and will provide hours of car game fun for ages 2+.
You can also pick up a ready-made Rainbow Craft Pack, perfect to keep the kids entertained on holiday or get creative with colourful projects at home.
The shop will be closing for the school holidays from midday on Wednesday (6th April). However, the online store remains open during the holidays with free local delivery available.
Term 1, 2022 – 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 shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Follow us on Instagram @grassroots_ecostore and be the first to find out about our new products and the stories behind them!
Read morePreschool Apple Picking and Harmony Day Cultural Feast
06 Apr 2022
Around 50 Preschool families went to Bilpin Springs Orchard on Sunday 27 March and after gathering apples, had a Harmony Day sharing of finger foods from their many cultures. What tables full of culinary delights! The rain could not dampen the spirits of all and the tractor rides were a much loved final addition to the experience before families reconvened at Hillbilly Cider undercover lunch tables for further conversation and playtime for the children.
Read moreYear 8 Tangible Textiles
06 Apr 2022
This term the Year 8 students have made some explorations into the world of textiles as part of the D&T course in Stage 4.
Together they have considered some of the technical developments that have revolutionised the textile industry and why now there is a growing movement that emphasizes the need for more innovation, ethical and sustainable practice.
Ava researched a textile designer who uses mushroom leather made with mycelium created from Oyster mushrooms. Both Nicholas and Ava shared with the class, their research about Stella McCartney, a famous ethical designer, who developed the Falabella bag.
One of the features in this sustainable trend in the textile industry, is a return to hand stitching, be it mending or creating beautiful embroidery for embellishment. This includes slow stitching. In the photos you will see Tom trying out the treadle sewing machine for his stitched postcard project.
The students have been machine stitching their own shorts as well as hand stitching designs on cotton fabric and then dyed with natural Indigo. Later they will turn the indigo pieces into beeswax wraps. They used different techniques such as felting and weaving to experience how fibres are manipulated to make varieties of cloth.
Here in the photos you can see the Year 8 students working in the textile room and outside in the garden planting three varieties of native plants that hopefully will grow and be used for eco printing and Indigo dyeing in the future.
Read moreRolling, rolling bread rolls!
06 Apr 2022
Class 2 prepared the Harvest food for the entire primary school - no mean feat as they mixed, kneaded and rolled their way to 180 bread rolls! Wow! Starting as early as 7am to get the bread dough mixed and rising, they spent the morning of the festival making and baking - three boxes of corn and bread rolls for all, which was happily even following the Michaelmas Festival. It was wonderful to be able to welcome back parent volunteers for this day. The recipe comes from the 'Kindy Bread' that many of the primary school children remember, so classes from Middle Cove especially enjoy this treat. Amazing work, Class 2! Thanks to Class 2 Assistant Olivia, our fabulous parent helpers, Melony and Clair Cisterne for helping to coordinate the morning.
Read moreEaster in Little Kindy
06 Apr 2022
Easter time was celebrated with some baking of hot cross buns in Little Kindergarten. The children formed the dough and crosses, carefully placing them on the trays for rising and baking. They heard of the Easter Hare that had visited the campus, and, following the straw trail, found a beautiful next fulled with colourful hand dyed eggs. What a surprise! Happy Easter!
Read moreGlenaeon Charter Bus Bookings Term 2 – NOW OPEN
17 Mar 2022
It’s time to make your booking on the Glenaeon charter bus for Term 2, 2022. Please be aware that seats on these charter buses are limited. While casual tickets are available to purchase, a casual ticket does not guarantee your child access to the bus if there isn’t a seat available. In order to allow for adequate planning and capacity to be available for all students wishing to use the charter buses, please make your booking before the end of this term.
Please complete bookings for Term 2 by Wednesday 27 April.
Please use the following link to make your booking for Term 2 or for further information about the Glenaeon charter bus routes:
https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/1425
If you have any queries, please contact Glenaeon Administration via email adminteam@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreYear 9's Ella in The Crucible
17 Mar 2022
Year 9 student Ella recently performed in the role of Betty Parris in the theatre production of The Crucible by the Point Break Drama Company. Thanks to the Glenaeon staff members and classmates who went along to see the play – it was wonderful to have such lovely support and very much appreciated.
Read moreHigh School Assembly is back!
17 Mar 2022
Yesterday, all High School students gathered together in the Sylvia Brose Hall for the first time in six months to enjoy our first assembly of the year. Head of School Andrew Hill welcomed Year 12 to their new status as the senior class, reminding them that while the year ahead will be challenging, they will learn work habits and attitudes that will set them up for success in life beyond school. Each Year 12 was each presented with a flower from Guardians Yura & Brigitte in recognition of their commencement of their final year of schooling. Year 11 Captains were introduced in their new leadership roles, Duke of Edinburgh students who has achieved Bronze and Silver Awards were presented with their certificates by Duke of Ed Coordinator Donna Miller, and Head of Maths Rene Van Den Tol presented certificates for achievement in the national Maths Olympiad competition. The Assembly was rounded out with musical performances including Ian Munns performing Bach, a wonderful performance by Year 12's Minyu Vandenburg of “Someone Else’s Story” from the show CHESS, and the Glenaeon Big Band took the stage performing two numbers "It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing" (Duke Ellington), and " (T.W.A) Trumpets with Attitude".
It was truly wonderful to gather in person, be together and share the Assembly and welcome our Year 7s for the first time.
Read more
Harvest Festival for High School
17 Mar 2022
Glenaeon High School will be holding their Harvest Festival Assembly on Wednesday 23rd March. This will be a High School student-only event, Year 7- 12 in P2.
Fruit and Vegetables for the Harvest Festival display will be gratefully received on Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd, please drop donations at the Sylvia Brose Hall on the Middle Cove campus.
All food donations are given to OZ HARVEST who will distribute them to a range of charities supporting Sydney’s vulnerable people. If you would like more information about the important work done by Oz Harvest please visit http://www.ozharvest.org/what-we-do/
Some suggestions of offerings are as follows:
- Apples
- Carrots
- All types of potatoes
- Onions
- Pumpkins & gourds
- Pineapples
- Corn still in the husk
- Whole uncut melons
Celebration of Harvest Songs (including a piece composed by Head of Music, Ian Munns) and Poems (class group and solo/small ensemble contributions), with a Harvest story spoken by storyteller, Donna Jacobs Sife
Students should wear non-uniform clothing that represents ‘farming and/or autumn’. Suitable clothing includes: long pants/jeans, autumnal coloured shirt or checkered/gingham shirt, boots
Students should bring a gold coin donation, to be gifted to Northern Rivers communities affected by the floods.
Thank you in advance.
Read moreMUSIC IS BACK - Calling all Musicians!
17 Mar 2022
Did you know that here at Glenaeon we have several fantastic co-curricular (outside class time) groups, all of which are looking for new participants?
- Concert Band – wind and brass instruments, plus some percussion. Rehearsals Tuesdays 7:30am. Directed by Christine Young - cyoung@hotmail.com
- Big Band – brass, saxophone, bass, drums, percussion and keyboard (piano). Rehearsals Wednesdays 7:30am. Directed by Phil Arnold -phila1025@gmail.com (High School students heard Big Band play at assembly this week)
- Chamber Choir – For singers who would like the opportunity to sing more challenging choral repertoire. Rehearsals Wednesday lunchtimes (negotiable depending on those who sign up). Directed by Ian Munns - I.Munns@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
- Sinfonia – This is the only co-curricular offering at this stage for string players - in our developing orchestra: strings, wind and brass instruments. We invite any string players and also orchestral percussionists to join us. The ensemble also needs two more flutes, one clarinet and trombones. Rehearsals Thursdays 7:30am. Directed by Ian Munns - I.Munns@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
- Jazz Combo – a small-ish jazz band made up of various instruments. Rehearsals Thursdays 3:30pm. Directed by Adriaan Mees - adriaanmees@gmail.com
We invite any student who enjoys playing an instrument, and would like to extend themselves and discover the joy of playing music with other people, and the excitement of participating in performances to contact one of the directors above, or Julie at musicadministrator@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Generally these groups are open to students in Year 7 and up, but enthusiastic, dedicated and talented Primary School musicians will also be considered.
Read moreCrowns for Kindy made in Parent Craft
17 Mar 2022
Ida Spider - the mathematician in a magic web!
17 Mar 2022
The children of Class 2 have been learning times tables with Ida Spider, the Magic Number Magician and Class teacher Monique Anderson. Every evening Ida Spider weaves into her web a new times table that, in turn, creates a beautiful pattern. Sometimes it is a star and sometimes it is simply a straight line. The children have been singing, walking, jumping, weaving and drawing their times tables. This all helps to imbue an abstract idea with feeling and movement, and an innate understanding that these tables all have very different qualities to one another.
“Wherever there is number there is beauty” - Proclus
Music to our ears - the return of recorder
17 Mar 2022
Year 7 enjoy the great outdoors in Wollemi
17 Mar 2022
After the torrential rain earlier in the week, our Year 7s enjoyed an Outdoor Education adventure in the stunning Wollemi National Park. The Year 7 program introduces students to adventurous activities such as abseiling and hiking while also teaching them skills of self-care in the outdoors such as cooking. Here's a few photos of their time.
Read moreClass 1 learn capital letters
17 Mar 2022
Class 1 have been exploring the wonderful world of capital letters with Class teacher Jamie Loftus. They have journeyed through the vowels and consonants, whilst enjoying his stunning chalkboards and adventurous stories filled with characters, animals and lands. Their Main Lesson books are a kaleidoscope of colour, letters and sentences. They have also been modelling the letters out of beeswax, and there is a table in the classroom for all their colourful creations.
Read moreKindergarten garden surprise
17 Mar 2022
The Kindy garden had a surprise visitor recently - a beautiful tree snake. It must have heard our week's story on the winds: How the snake got its hiss. It stayed a long time and gave the children ample opportunity to watch; it was very still - "just like a statue" said one of the children. They also made beautiful beeswax snakes in the classroom, all sitting on a log.
Read moreClass 3 Measure Up
17 Mar 2022
Class 3 have been introduced to the concept of measurement through an examination of the history of linear measurement from the use of human limbs as measuring devices through to the standardisation of the Imperial system, and then into the precision and ease of the metric system. It is an active main lesson with lots of opportunities to measure things in the classroom and school grounds.
Read moreHarvest Festival for Primary School
17 Mar 2022
On March 29th, Middle Cove-based primary students and their teachers will walk to Castlecrag campus for Glenaeon's Primary Harvest Festival. After the Festival, we will walk back to the Middle Cove campus and will enjoy a picnic at Willoughby Park on the way. Please provide a packed morning tea and lunch (no cafe orders on this date), and ensure your child has their hat, drink bottle and a rain coat. Please note that this is a student-only event.
Fruit and Vegetables for the Primary Harvest Festival display will be gratefully received in the week prior to the Festival please send your donations in with your primary children.
All food donations are given to OZ HARVEST who will distribute them to a range of charities supporting Sydney’s vulnerable people. If you would like more information about the important work done by Oz Harvest please visit http://www.ozharvest.org/what-we-do/
Some suggestions of offerings are as follows:
- Apples
- Carrots
- All types of potatoes
- Onions
- Pumpkins & gourds
- Pineapples
- Corn still in the husk
- Whole uncut melons
Read more
Class 2 swap apples for beach cleanup
17 Mar 2022
Class 2's plan to go apple picking was washed out by the rain and flooding roads, so they changed direction and headed up to Patonga Beach to join in the big beach cleanup taking place. Families met and helped drag larger items to the shore for the barge to collect, whilst others picked plastics, polystyrene and other rubbish out of the piles of wood and debris that covered the whole beach. It was a satisfying day organised by a school family that ended in a big picnic undercover as more rain arrived! The debris travelled in the floods down the Hawkesbury River, taking with it building materials, white goods and household contents. Every small piece counts, especially when we are saving it from getting out to the ocean. As one student accurately said "The fish mistake the small pieces of polystyrene for food, thinking it's good for them, but it's not". Thank you Class 2 students, siblings and families! Class 2 will go apple picking in Term 2 instead!
Read moreYear 11 Science students enjoy an outdoor lesson
17 Mar 2022
After all the rain, it was great to be able to take a lesson outside again. Here's teacher Stanley Tang with his Year 11 students taking a lesson in the Amphitheatre.
Read moreClass 3 Eco-Dyeing
03 Mar 2022
Class 3 children are sewing their very own library bag and have been learning how to eco-dye fabrics with handwork Teacher, Elizabeth Ellean. In their first handwork lesson each student collected windfalls and some plant leaves on a walk around their new campus. The natural plant materials were used, to create beautiful colours and patterns on fabric by wrapping the bundles with plant materials, wrapping, immersing in liquid, then drying.
Each fabric is unique and special. When it came time to finally unwrap the bundles, the children were very excited to see what they had created. The smell of eucalyptus and other flower and leaf scents permeated the classroom as the natural designs were revealed. Great work Class 3!
Read moreSmart Expressions 2022 - open until 20 March
03 Mar 2022
Congratulations to some of our Visual Arts students from the Class of 2021, whose creative works are on display at the Smart Expressions Exhibition at Art Space on the Concourse in Chatswood until March 20.
Read moreYear 11 Biology at Bantry Bay
03 Mar 2022
Science Teacher Dr Stanley Tang recently took Year 11 Biology students out on an excursion to Bantry Bay. As part of a Depth Study, students collected field data for their individual research projects both in the bushland and in the creeks at Bantry Bay.
Despite the storm, the mud and numerous leeches, students still enjoyed every bit of it.
Read moreOpen Day 2022
03 Mar 2022
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO HEAVY RAIN PREDICTED. THE NEW DATE IS FRIDAY 29 APRIL 9AM-10:30AM
Glenaeon is hosting an Open Day on Friday 25 March from 4:30pm-6:30pm. It will be our first Open Day in two years due to the global pandemic and bad weather.
We are thrilled to be able to open our doors once again and invite families to discover Glenaeon. Please help spread the word with friends and family. Guests can register by clicking on the link below:
www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/openday
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Enrolments & Events Officer Clare Gordon enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Volunteer Needed: For any Parent with Events & Marketing experience, and if you are free to attend and help run our Open Day event, and assist in the lead up, please contact Kath Kissell, Marketing Communications Manager via email k.kissell@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au with your availability and skill set.
Download the poster to print and share
Read moreGlorious gardens at Castlecrag
03 Mar 2022
Gardening classes with Sandra have been filled with the abundance and excitement of growth, as the rain brings vitality and life to our many garden areas. Class 2 planted beans around the lemon tree that has 45 lemons on board and examined and nibbled the the sunflower seeds from our many golden plants. Class 1 examined the hugel, our living garden pile that is now growing pumpkins, rockmelons, paw and avocado trees, amaranth, sweet potatoes and more. Sandra taught Class 1 all about Funghi and the importance of the mushroom family, exploring the grounds for the natural beauties that pop up during rainy weather.
Read moreCelebrating birthdays in the Little Kindy
03 Mar 2022
In Little Kindy we have been celebrating some of the first birthdays for the year. As each child in the Little Kindy turns five their birthday is acknowledged with a special ritual and celebration. As part of the preparation for this celebration the children help make a birthday book and bake a cake. On the day of the birthday a seasonal birthday table is prepared, flowers are picked, songs are sung and a birthday story is told. The birthday story tells of a little star child who looks down on earth and longs to be born. When the time is right for each child to be born on earth they receive their heavenly gifts from the stars, sun and moon and then travel across the rainbow bridge to earth where they are welcomed by their chosen family. The children all look forward to each birthday being celebrated. The mood that is created is reverent and honours the unique individuality of each child.
Read moreHappy days at Castlecrag
03 Mar 2022
Despite the ongoing rain, children are enjoying the days - raincoats, gumboots and wet weather are synonymous with fun! There has been great dams built in the sandpit, skipping in the rain, umbrellas at arrival and warm herb teas with Sandra undercover during gardening lessons. A hungry, wet possum came out to eat in a small break from the rain and the children watched as she nibbled on the fresh new shoots.
Read morePreschool Storytelling
03 Mar 2022
At Preschool, the children have been told a story titled, “A little boy went sailing”. In the following days, the children played alongside and together, and imaginative scenes from the story emerged.
Read moreYear 9 Animal Artworks
03 Mar 2022
Our Year 9s are currently studying animals, and this week, students used various materials and approaches to creating animal artworks. Art Teacher Donna Miller brought in her dog, Cal, to be a model. Cal was amazing, sitting still for up to 10 minutes while the students drew him. Thanks Cal, what a good boy you are! The students have captured him so well. See some of our students work below.
The students will be visiting the zoo next week to further enhance their understanding of animals in that environment. This work will culminate in animal sculptures so stay tuned to seem some exciting developments in clay and found object.
Read morePlaygroups coming back!
03 Mar 2022
Playgroups will be returning soon. Please contact Sandra Frain for information and booking requests or to waitlist.
Read more
Year 7s Knighted during King Arthur Main Lesson
03 Mar 2022
Year 7 students have just concluded the King Arthur Main Lesson with a knighting ceremony where each student recited an oath they had written to the class. They were knighted by Raphaela and Brendan, and then enjoyed a feast around a table, altogether as a class.
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store - Back to regular opening hours
03 Mar 2022
With restrictions now easing, we are pleased to extend our opening hours. You’ll find our new opening times below and on our website.
If you’ve been caught out without a raincoat this week, we still have a few children’s raincoats available!
We are excited to have some beautiful new wooden tableware designed by an impressive Australian social enterprise that partners with artisan communities in Indonesia. All their products are created by recycling or upcycling wood and coconut fibre waste that might otherwise end up in landfill. This salvaged material is then handcrafted into individual pieces of functional beauty for your home.
We have welcomed the changing of the seasons in-store with a magical display of handmade Autumn treasures and books with lots of ideas for your seasonal nature table and Autumn craft projects.
Term 1, 2022 – New Opening Hours:
Monday: — closed —
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 & 2pm—3:45pm
Or shop online anytime: grassrootsecostore.com.au
Click & Collect and Free Local Delivery available.
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Follow us on Instagram @grassroots_ecostore and be the first to find out about our new products and the stories behind them!
Read moreSports Carnival time
03 Mar 2022
The new school year saw the return of our sports carnivals as a form of physical and out-of-classroom learning for many of our students. Term 1 is a busy one at that for our ISD association (Independent Sydney and District School Sport Association) which has grown to 15 member schools now. With these schools we meet for a Basketball Carnival, and later this month for the ISD Touch Football Carnival and junior and senior soccer carnivals.
The NSW Steiner Schools’ Swimming Carnival is happening as we go to press/print and there will be more information about that in the next edition.
For the first carnival in a long time, two keen and ambitious teams formed in mid-February (a girls’ and a boy’s open team) to play in the Bankstown Basketball Stadium against fierce opposition. Our pool had six schools in it and we came second in both the boys’ and girls’ sides. We lost a game each, drew two (for the boys) and won two. That had us miss the final unfortunately but all students came away with a feeling of achievement and realisation that although they had never played together before, it was great unity, support and fun to battle it out on the courts.
We are looking forward to the next carnivals in the next couple of weeks.
Read moreCo-Curricular Sport - still time to join the fun
03 Mar 2022
The Co-Curricular Sport offerings have grown over the years and much more than just sport activities are now offered before and after school. Yet, all had to rest during COVID as only core educational programs were allowed to run. Now that we are back, we are happier and better for it!
Many students are now returning to all the great activities we offer at Glenaeon. Currently basketball, fencing, archery, yoga, athletics/fitness, soccer for the little ones and badminton are all running. We hope to get enough interest for a middle school soccer activity (not a team, just fun training!), Frisbee, netball and others if interest is there and we have 10 or more students signing up or inquiring for (any) sport from Term 2. For archery and yoga we accept the Active Kids Vouchers, so please inquire and sign up via GLO or send me an email J.stoebe@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au. Badminton on Mondays, athletics/fitness/games on Tuesday mornings as well as primary school soccer on Tuesday afternoons is now full for Term 1. But yoga (Wednesdays before school), fencing (Thursdays before school and archery (Fridays after school) are all still welcoming new students (pro rata payment available).
I run the Tuesday morning athletics/fitness/games activity with 25 students currently enrolled. It comes with a small and healthy breakfast afterwards. As the pictures show, we went for a 1km morning run in the bushland surrounding the school on our first outing before all this rain came down! There’s a huge cave we visited on our way back and the students small and tall were keen to explore the area as the sun made its way up starting to warm and greet the day.
We hope all students have settled in well and we invite them to sign up for one of the many co-curricular activities we offer across a whole range of areas. We also hope that your child will play in some of the upcoming carnivals as we invite anyone who has some expertise in a given sport and is in Year 7 – Year 12 to make themselves heard and speak to me and possibly get a spot on one of the teams this year! If not this year, then next year when they’re a bit older and have found their feet in Year 8.
Jonas Stoebe
Read moreKindy rains
03 Mar 2022
Yes it's been raining a bit lately, but that never dampens the Kindy children's enthusiasm to get out into the garden and explore. The transformation created by all the rain is met with great excitement by the children. The sandpit has been transformed into a lake and there are little streams of water running every which way, so there's lots to see and lots of experiments, construction and investigations to be done.
Read moreSmart Expressions 2022 - open until 20 March
03 Mar 2022
Congratulations to some of our Visual Arts students from the Class of 2021, whose creative works are on display at the Smart Expressions Exhibition at Art Space on the Concourse in Chatswood until March 20.
Read moreOpen Day 2022 new date: Friday 29 April 9am-10:30am
03 Mar 2022
Glenaeon is hosting an Open Day on Friday 29 April from 9am-10:30am. It will be our first Open Day in two years due to the global pandemic and bad weather, having been postponed once already this year!
We are thrilled to be able to open our doors once again and invite families to discover Glenaeon. Please help spread the word with friends and family. Guests can register by clicking on the link below:
www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/openday
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Enrolments & Events Officer enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Download the poster to print and share
Read moreOpen Day 2022
18 Feb 2022
JOIN US FOR OPEN DAY
FRIDAY 29 APRIL 9am-10:30am
A very warm welcome, and thank you for your interest in a Glenaeon education for your child. We look forward to welcoming you to our Open Day 2022.
This is a great opportunity discover how a Glenaeon education equips students with the foundation they need to lead a life of character and contribution.
Where: Middle Cove Campus, 5a Glenroy Avenue, Middle Cove
When: FRIDAY 29 APRIL, 9am to 10:30am
Enquiries: Please call our Enrolments Officer on +61 2 9417 3193 or email enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
This Open Day event has been adapted to ensure our community stays healthy with COVID-safe practices in place.
All guests must pre-register and sanitise hands on arrival at our beautiful bushland campus and maintain physical distance between family groups.
Discover Glenaeon:
- Looping courtesy bus to take you from parking nearby direct to campus
- Self-guided walking tours of campus with map provided
- Meet and talk with our Year 11 Captains
- View main buildings and facilities including Classrooms, Playgrounds, Sylvia Brose Hall, Biodynamic Garden and Outdoor Classroom, Libraries, Ovals, D&T facilities, Art Studio, Science Lab and more
- Meet our Head of School, Andrew Hill
- Meet our Deputy Head of School Classes K-6, Dani Finch
- Meet our Deputy Head of School Years 7-12, Elizabeth Nevieve
- Opportunity to talk and ask questions of key teachers and Heads of Department
- Student work displays including Main Lesson books
- Witness a food chemistry demonstration in the lab
- Listen to the Big Band perform on stage in the Sylvia Brose Hall
- View student artworks in the Art Studio
- Discover the extensive Co-Curricular program
- Learn how students are warmly supported and integrated when they begin their Glenaeon journey
- Discover our award-winning Outdoor Education program
- Receive a Prospectus Pack
- Browse the Grassroots Eco Store pop up shop
- Enjoy a complimentary barista coffee or spritz drink from The Gentle Café
- Chat with our Enrolments Registrar and much more!
Year 9's Ella performing in The Crucible
17 Feb 2022
Year 9 Glenaeon student Ella will be performing in an upcoming theatre production of The Crucible by the Point Break Drama Company.
If you are free and would like to support her, please see further information and buy a ticket via https://www.trybooking.com/bwwee
From all at Glenaeon: Chookas Ella!
Read moreTerm 1 Parent Education Program: Celebration, Curriculum and Gardening Gratitude!
17 Feb 2022
This Term we are hosting four very different Parent Education events. Some will help deepen your understanding of Steiner education, some will support you in working with your child at home, and some may even teach you a new skill.
Our aim is to provide a program that caters to the needs and interests of parents at each stage of their Glenaeon journey, from early childhood right through to parenting teenagers.
Most events will be delivered via Zoom, although a weekend Parent Education session in the Biodynamic Garden will be limited in number, and held outside, rain hail or shine, so be quick to secure your place.
All events are FREE and require registration. Booking details can be found on GLO: https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/2351
Download the Term 1 Parent Education program flyer
Read moreSchool Uniform Recycling Program
17 Feb 2022
Glenaeon is pleased to be taking part in a School Uniform Recycling Program, run by program-partner Worn Up, for a trial period which is fully funded by Willoughby City Council. The program allows textile waste to be diverted from landfill and turned into raw material for new products, which is great for the environment. Glenaeon students can bring their old worn-out uniforms to school and place them into the collection POD which will be delivered soon to our Middle Cove campus.
So now families have an additional option to dispose of uniforms no longer needed:
Uniforms that still are of good quality can be:
- Donated to the school and sold through the Second Hand Uniform Shop (please ask your child to drop items to Sarah at Reception)
- Privately sold to other parents via the Buy Swap Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/glenaeon
Shirts, jumpers, shorts and skorts, pants and hats that are no longer fit for wear, can be placed in the recycling POD which will be housed at Reception. We encourage all families to review their uniforms and ask students to bring clothing no longer wearable to Reception and place in the POD.
Please note that the second hand uniform shop is currently closed due to COVID restrictions but students can still drop donations to Sarah at Reception.
For any questions about this program, please email Sarah at Reception reception@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreYear 7 Cooks Up A Storm!
17 Feb 2022
Year 7 Food Tech students started off the year creating an Italian antipasto dish 'Brushetta' using ingredients and herbs sourced from our biodynamic garden. From vine to plate, this delicious dish was then communally consumed seated outside our Gentle Cafe on the deck. For a minute our chefs were transported to Tuscany!
Last week, sweet corn and zucchini fritters with tzatziki dip was on the menu. Students have been learning about safety in the kitchen, and have honed their skills using graters, knives and other utensils. The fritters were a hit.
Read moreNew exhibition showcases the life and times of Marion Griffin
17 Feb 2022
The National Archives of Australia’s newest exhibition, Marion: the other Griffin, aims to celebrate the life and achievements of one of Australia’s most influential architects, Marion Griffin.
As many of you will be aware, Glenaeon was founded in 1957 by Sylvia Brose OAM, out of a community around Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin.
Details of the exhibition can be found here: https://www.naa.gov.au/visit-us/events-and-exhibitions/marion-other-griffin
Read moreThank you chicken carers
17 Feb 2022
A heartfelt thank you to all the families representative of our Playgroup, Primary School and High School communities for superb care of our flock of 12 plush chickens over the long summer holiday break. A special thank you to Glenaeon staff member Sally Davidson, and her husband Paul who have visited and cared for the chickens every weekend for many months.
There was also adventure at the chicken coop with so many mouths to feed, new chickens being acclimatised to the Glenaeon flock, and a Tree Monitor invading the chicken house for a daily feed of eggs.
The chickens are available during the school term for weekend care. Please contact Sandra for the garden team at s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreGlenaeon students form MTB team at Thredbo
17 Feb 2022
A group of keen mountain biking enthusiasts from Glenaeon are forming a team to participate in the Australian MTB Interschools event taking place at Thredbo from March 23-27. The event is open to students from Class 5 to Year 12.
The 2022 Australian MTB Interschools event gives school students the opportunity to experience the enthusiasm and energy of a rapidly growing sport in a competitive, educational and supportive atmosphere. The primary aim is to promote participation and evoke interest in competitive biking in the younger generation. The event involves mountain biking disciplines including Cross Country, Downhill, Flow, Pump Track and a new All-Mountain event. The group has the support of Glenaeon PDHPE teacher Jonas Stoebe and Outdoor Education teacher Scott Williams, and looks forward to bringing their Glenaeon spirit and skill to Thredbo!
At this stage we are aware of 10 riders who will be competing but would love to know about others who are already planning on going. We do plan to get team t-shirts printed so would need to know of others by the end of this week. We would like to encourage anyone from Glenaeon who is keen to join to connect with this group. Please get in touch with Simon Clarke (parent of Sammy – Year 8 and Jasper – Year 10) on 0406 537 848.
We wish all participants in this event, a wonderful time at Thredbo.
See https://www.thredbo.com.au/mtbinterschools/ for more information.
Read moreClass 1 form drawing
17 Feb 2022
Class 1 have explored line, curve and many shapes in their first Main Lesson with teacher Jamie Loftus. They have journeyed with Geoffrey and his dog Rufus through an adventurous land discovering many forms and shapes in preparation for learning letters and literacy. Straight and curved lines form the foundation of writing, geometry and what will later emerge as mathematical concepts. In English (and most European languages) the orientation of the written word is left to right, top to bottom, and accordingly, the forms we are practising now adhere to these principles. The children have drawn, painted and walked these shapes as a foundation to beginning the adventure of learning the capital letters.
Read moreCo-Curricular Music, Visual Arts & Debating opportunities open up
17 Feb 2022
Glenaeon offers a range of wonderful co-curricular opportunities for students to get involved with. Here is a summary of all the non-sporting opportunities. There are links below for more information and to sign up. For all sport related co-curricular options, please refer to the last edition of the newsletter: https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/3292
Co-Curricular Music
Tuesday 7.30am - 8.30am CONCERT BAND - Band/Percussion Room
This ensemble is for intermediate woodwind (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and saxophone), brass (trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba) and percussion students. It is an ensemble that performs repertoire that is fun and challenging. It is open to high school students who have had at least 3-4 years tuition on their instrument and are proficient music notation readers and confident in holding an individual part in an ensemble setting. Concert Band is directed by Christine Young - cyoung@hotmail.com and Phil Arnold - phila1025@gmail.com. For more information, please contact either or both directors.
Wednesday 7.30am - 8.30am BIG BAND Band/Percussion Room
This ensemble performs jazz repertoire at an advanced level. It is open to students who are proficient on their instrument and who have good music notation reading skills. Students will also learn skills for improvisation in a jazz setting. This ensemble is open to high school students and features the following instruments: saxophones (alto, tenor and baritone), trumpets, trombones, electric or upright bass, drums/percussion and keyboard/guitar. Big Band is directed by Phil Arnold. For more information please contact Phil - phila1025@gmail.com
Wednesday 12.55 - 1.30pm CHAMBER CHOIR - MUSIC Room 2
This ensemble is open to all students from Class 6 up who have a love for singing. This is a new ensemble to Glenaeon and gives our students the opportunity to rehearse and perform more advanced choral repertoire. Students who join this ensemble will need to be good music notation readers and confident vocalists (it is not necessary to be having voice lessons). The repertoire will be generally in four parts, with students being involved singing soprano, alto, tenor or bass parts. For more information, please contact our Head of Music, Ian Munns i.munns@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Thursday 7:30am – 8:30am - SINFONIA MUSIC Room 2
This ensemble (formally known as Sinfonietta) is Glenaeon’s orchestra. It gives students the opportunity to rehearse and perform classical music from the great composers. It is open to performers who are proficient in the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba and percussion. For more information, please contact Ian Munns - i.munns@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Thursday 3.30pm - 4.30pm JAZZ COMBO - Band/Percussion Room
This ensemble is for proficient instrumentalists who have a strong interest in jazz performance. It is a small ensemble that focuses on skills for group performance in a jazz setting. Many instruments could become part of this ensemble, and for more information please contact Adrian Mees - adriaanmees@gmail.com
For more information, terms & conditions and to sign up for Co-Curricular Music program/s, please click through to GLO and fill out the form: https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/1387
Co-Curricular Visual Arts
Thursday 3:30pm-5pm Art Studio
Art Space (Open to students from Class 5 to Year 12)
Join GlenX Kauri Palmer in the studio to work on either a personal interest project or to receive tutoring in various forms, approaches, materials, and themes over the term. If you are coming for art tuition, some expressive forms being explored this year include sculpture, digital art, and ceramics (hand building and throwing on the wheel).
Please email Donna Miller with any questions: d.miller@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
To register for Art Space click through to GLO, and then click on Art Space and fill out the form: https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/1354
Co-Curricular Debating
Debating will be resuming in March and families will be contacted with more details in due course. Any questions about Debating should be directed to Sally executiveassistant@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreBursts of Colour at Castlecrag
17 Feb 2022
Castlecrag has blossomed in the warm, wet weather, and so have the chalkboards in Classes 1 & 2! The chalkboards are alive with stories that accompany the lesson in literacy, letters and learning, and in the Craft room lives the dolphin that dives in and out of the waves, helping the children to learn the path of the needle during embroidery. Here's our glorious sunflowers and blackboards to enjoy.
Read more
Students Sailing Success
17 Feb 2022
Over the summer break, some Glenaeon students took part in a sailing regatta and had some wonderful outcomes. Keizo Tomishima, in Year 11, was chosen to participate in SAIL GP inspire racing (WASZP) in December in Sydney and came in 2nd place. Hanako Tomishima, in Year 8, was selected to participate in SAIL GP inspire racing (RS Feva) on the in Sydney and came in 1st place.
The results table can be viewed here: https://sailgp.com/general/inspire/results/21/australia/
Highlight package can be watched here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6Ao4AYBbWQ
This year Hanako Tomishima, (Year 9), participated in the 2022 International 420 Australian championship in Adelaide and came 2nd girls place and also the Sail Melbourne 2022 in Melbourne and came in 1st place.
Goro Tomishima, Class 6, participated in 2022 Musto Australian Optimist Championship in Sydney and came 1st place for the 12 years and under category.
Congratulations to all!
Read moreYear 9 Teams Up In The Cove
17 Feb 2022
Words by Blaise Miller-Hill (GlenX)
I graduated Glenaeon in 2017, unfortunately before the time of The Cove. So when Donna and Jonas asked me to come and help with the first activity of the year I was excited to finally get to see what this great program was all about. I was not disappointed. We spent the morning in the reserve down by the river in six small groups migrating around a course of team building challenges. Watching on I honestly I think I had as much fun and felt as much accomplishment watching them as they did participating in each activity. The first challenge my team participated in proved the hardest. All students were tasked to stand on, if I may say so a very small tarp, and then flip it over without stepping off it. Everyone chipped in, sharing ideas and suggestions of how this task could be conquered. Ahh the relief when they were able to overcome it, onto the next one. They built a beautiful sculpture using things they found in the area, despite being a bit muddy due to the river, their inclusion of coloured glass resulted in an aesthetically pleasing result.
As a team we moved through the rest of the challenges. Everyone stepping up and having a go, sharing their ideas and not being afraid to speak up if they thought their idea would work better. As a former student I know Glenaeon often cultivates quite tightly knit classes, so it is no surprise they were able to work so effectively as a team. Nonetheless it was a beautiful thing to witness and made it easy to imagine each of them flourishing in a team environment outside of school. Walking back up to school it made my day to hear the students talking about their expectations of The Cove and their surprise and shock to find themselves having fun!
Read moreTerm 1 Parent Education Program: Celebration, Curriculum and Gardening Gratitude!
17 Feb 2022
This Term we are hosting four very different Parent Education events. Some will help deepen your understanding of Steiner education, some will support you in working with your child at home, and some may even teach you a new skill.
Our aim is to provide a program that caters to the needs and interests of parents at each stage of their Glenaeon journey, from early childhood right through to parenting teenagers.
Most events will be delivered via Zoom, although a weekend Parent Education session in the Biodynamic Garden will be limited in number, and held outside, rain hail or shine, so be quick to secure your place.
All events are FREE and require registration. Booking details can be found on GLO: https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/2351
Download the Term 1 Parent Education program flyer
Read moreWelcome Mosen!
03 Feb 2022
A warm welcome to Mosen, who has taken over from Paul as our Northern Beaches route bus driver. Thank you Mosen for getting our students to and from school safely each day.
Read moreIntroducing our new Preschool Teaching Assistant Sweta
03 Feb 2022
A very warm welcome to our new Preschool Teaching Assistant who will work in Room 1 with Carly Solomon on Mondays and Tuesdays. Sweta has very kindly shared this introduction:
My name is Mahasweta (Sweta as you will come to know me). I grew up in a place called Dibrugarh in Assam - a state in north-eastern India, located south of the eastern Himalayas. Assam is known for its tea, orchids, one-horned rhino and silk. I love where I grew up and I have fond memories of my hometown. I speak some of the Indian languages like Assamese, Hindi and Bengali. Travelling, learning about new cultures, learning a new language, cooking, gardening, yoga and nature walks make me happy.
I started my career as a Life Skills Trainer for school children in 2009 in Bangalore, India after completing my post-graduation in Psychology. I then worked as an Early Childhood Educator in Bengaluru, Dubai and then finally moved to Australia in 2014 from Dubai with my husband. I completed my Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care from TAFE NSW in 2017 and worked in two preschools in the North Shore since then. We have a 19-month-old daughter, and I am truly enjoying my new role as a mother. My focus as an educator is on facilitating life skills and making learning fun, challenging and organic.
As a psychology graduate, I have deep interest in the realm of Developmental Psychology and Positive Psychology. I have always gravitated towards Steiner’s philosophy in early childhood education. His holistic view on child development has helped me immensely in observing, understanding and facilitating children’s growth physically, cognitively, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
We have a small number of vacancies at our Preschool for 2022. If you would like to learn more, please watch our Preschool online videos and register for our Preschool Online Tour on Tuesday 8th February 11:15am with Preschool Director Peggy Day: https://enquiry.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/events
Read moreSmart Expressions 2022
03 Feb 2022
Congratulations to the following Class of 2021 students whose dynamic, thought-provoking and sensitive HSC Visual Artworks will be included in the 2022 Smart Expressions exhibition run by Willoughby City Council:
- Ryan
- Scout
- Lara
- Daniel
Featuring a range of expressive forms - digital painting, sculpture, film, collage, eco dyeing and ink and pastel drawing our student works will feature in the exhibition that runs from 23 February until 20 March at Art Space on The Concourse in Chatswood. For more information about the exhibition go to: https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Events/Smart-Expressions-2022
Read more
Class 1 walk the Rainbow Bridge
03 Feb 2022
On the first day of school in 2022, Class 1 children met in the Kindergarten playground with their teacher from last year, Sarah David, Senior Teacher Catherine Pilko and Deputy Head of School (K-6) Dani Finch. They shared their morning song together before walking through the playground up to the Class 1 area. Class 2 children formed a beautiful 'Rainbow Bridge' with a long silk and flowers. The Kindergarten teacher then said goodbye and gave each child a flower to take with them 'under the rainbow bridge' to the other side, where their new Class 1 teacher was waiting. The year's Class 1 teacher, Jamie Loftus, received them and they made their way as new Class 1 students. The special 'Class Teacher' period thus begins, and Jamie Loftus will now guide these children through their primary years with the help of other specialist teachers. The rain did not dampen the enthusiasm or enjoyment of this beautiful rite of passage.
Read moreClass 4 Main Lesson Norse Mythology
03 Feb 2022
This Blackboard Beauty “The Nine Norse Worlds” was created by teacher Lucy Armstrong for the Class 4 Main Lesson on Norse Mythology.
Read moreEnrolments for Kindy 2023 & Year 7 2024
03 Feb 2022
For current parents, with younger siblings, we encourage you to put your application in now to help ensure your siblings place at Glenaeon. Please note that 1 April 2022 is the closing date for Kindergarten, 2023 and Year 7, 2024. For earlier admissions, please discuss with our Enrolments & Events Officer Clare Gordon, or our Deputy Head of School (K-6) and Enrolments Registrar, Dani Finch, or reach out via email to book a call: enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Enrolments can be completed online and all enrolment information can be found here: https://www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/enrolments/
To book a tour: https://enquiry.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/events
Read moreEnrolments for Kindy 2023 & Year 7 2024
03 Feb 2022
For current parents, with younger siblings, we encourage you to put your application in now to help ensure your siblings place at Glenaeon. Please note that 1 April 2022 is the closing date for Kindergarten, 2023 and Year 7, 2024. For earlier admissions, please discuss with our Enrolments & Events Officer Clare Gordon, or our Deputy Head of School (K-6) and Enrolments Registrar, Dani Finch, or reach out via email to book a call: enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Enrolments can be completed online and all enrolment information can be found here: https://www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/enrolments/
To book a tour: https://enquiry.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/events
Read moreClass 1 walk the Rainbow Bridge
03 Feb 2022
On their first day of school in 2023, Class 1 children met in the Kindergarten playground where excitement and anticipation filled the air. They were supported by last year's teacher, Sarah David, Senior Teacher Catherine Pilko, Deputy Head of School (K-6), Dani Finch and Head of School, Diana Drummond. 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' made with long silk and flowers. 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 1 teacher was warmly waiting. This year's Class 1 teacher Jonathan Shaw greeted them and they made their way as new Class 1 students- an important right of passage and a symbolic moment. The special 'Class Teacher' period thus begins, and Jonathan Shaw will now nurture and guide these children through their primary years with the supportive assistance of other specialist teachers. What a beautiful way to welcome the school year and the gentle transition to the 'Class Teacher' chapter. And what a sparkling morning it was!
Read moreLove, Gratitude, Reverence and Wonder at Preschool
03 Feb 2022
At Glenaeon Preschool, love and emotional warmth create the basis for a child’s healthy development. These qualities are expressed in what lives between the adult caregiver and the child, in the children’s behaviour toward one another, and among the early childhood educators, parents and the surrounding community. Love and warmth are considered essentials of our Preschool’s educational philosophy.
Young children absorb and imitate the mood of the teachers and the program. Teachers strive to be worthy of imitation and filled with gratitude, love and warmth.
We thank our Preschool teachers for their important work, and welcome parents considering Glenaeon Preschool for their child in 2023.
To apply visit our website: https://www.glenaeonpreschool.nsw.edu.au/about/enrolment/
Limited spots available. Come and tour beautiful Preschool at any of the following tour dates:
Read moreHabits, Rhythms and a ‘cornucopia of new beginnings’
03 Feb 2022
Welcome Soiree
A magnificent Summer’s evening greeted the 170+ guests at the Middle Cove campus for the 2023 Welcome Soiree last Friday. To spend time as a community of involved parents and carers, in person, was indeed food for the soul. As I said during my welcome, we play a long game in education as we develop the young minds and hearts of the future. The nurturing of good humans takes patience, courage and often strength. I’m a strong believer in the partnership between families and schools and in the positive difference that can make in a child’s journey through school. True partnership involves intentional and active engagement, the ability to listen deeply and be open to diverse perspectives and intent on finding solutions to challenges that serve the needs of the child and the school. And so, I invite you to join us in partnership as we strive towards a shared purpose to develop meaningful lives.
The Glenaeon Parents Association (GPA)
The GPA held its first meeting of the year on Wednesday evening. It was heartening to have over 30 parents and carers join either in-person at Castlecrag, or via Zoom from home. One fundamental purpose of the GPA is in the promotion of parent and carer engagement through community building activities. Another is to provide an avenue through which parents and carers can learn more about what’s happening within the school. To that end, I was able to share on Wednesday two key questions I’m exploring with students, staff and Glenaeon families. A collected synthesis of responses will reveal insights into what our community values and perceives as important next steps for the school. Parents and Carers who were unable to be at Wednesday’s GPA meeting are welcome to provide their thoughts to me via headofschool@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au. The two questions are:
· What’s something great about Glenaeon?
· Broadly, what’s an important next step for the School?
Habits, Rhythms and a ‘cornucopia of new beginnings’
As we settle into the rhythms of the new school year, a pattern of weekly activity begins to emerge. There are new activities to try, new homework habits to establish, new routines to set and changing expectations with which to adjust. An abundance of opportunity indeed! Healthy study and play habits in children are developed and refined through modelling, repetitive practice, feedback, and on regular reflection centred on the needs of the child and the family. Be sure to check out Glenaeon’s co-curricular program of offerings for Semester 1 2023 on GLO and see which might be on interest to your child this year.
Introducing New Staff for 2023
It is my pleasure to introduce the last of our new staff to you and welcome them to our community. You can read more details about each of them here.
Will Bryant Archivist
Emily Collett Eurythmist
Lina Crawford Assistant Teacher, Class 5
Sabrina Durman Teacher’s Assistant, Pre-School
Jenni Foley Learning Enrichment Teacher
Tamara Louis Marketing Coordinator
Naoko Murphy Playgroup Leader
Additional RAT packs were sent home with families last week for use when cold and flu symptoms present. Further RATs packs are available for any family that requires additional supplies. Simply call Middle Cove Reception 02 9417 3193.
And on that note, all that’s left to do is wish you a very happy weekend.
With very best wishes,
Diana Drummond
Read moreIn Three Words or Less, What Does our School Stand For?
03 Feb 2022
In three words or less, what does our school stand for?
This was the question I posed to students at High School Assembly last week. At the heart of this inquiry lies the concept of identity and the values that define our school culture. Abstract concepts indeed, and ones that our students welcomingly engaged with. They spoke about Rudolf Steiner, about living meaningful lives, about the school’s connection to nature and the unique approach to learning. I talked about the strength of unifying around a shared identity and the impact this can have on school culture, about the type of school we are and the one we want to become. Central to this is the students’ sense of agency in shaping their lived daily experience at school. This matters, and I’m committed to creating opportunities for students to learn about the role they can play in shaping school culture and identity: about participation, responsibility, the art of influence, and about framing goals around clear purpose and identifiable actions. This year, I will work with the Leadership Captains in Years 11 and 12 and the Student Representative Council (SRC) to consider ways they might contribute authentically towards this end.
Parent Information Evenings
The parent response to on-site Information Evenings over the last few weeks has been overwhelmingly positive. I witnessed again the strong bonds that bind parents at GRSS, and what struck me more than anything at these meetings was the depth to which teachers know and understand learning and learners at each stage of childhood development. The sense of commitment and passion they demonstrate for the work they do with your children abounds. Our Information Evenings are just one way that we support the parent-school partnership. Our Parent Education Program for Terms 2-4 is being reviewed currently and will be published before the end of this term.
Attendance and Leave Applications
A reminder that for Middle Cove students, school starts at 8.40am. At Castlecrag, it’s 8.55am. Attending school regularly and arriving on time each day sets up children for success, both academically and emotionally. Sometimes, buses run late, as do families. And that’s life. What’s more challenging is when lateness occurs regularly and students miss the opportunity to start the day in a calm, measured way, and with some healthy play with friends. Thank you for supporting us by ensuring your child is at school on time. A small sidenote: we are aware that the Northern Beaches bus has been regularly arriving at Middle Cove after 8.40am and as such, the timetable for this service will change from this coming Monday, March 6, to ensure all students arrive before school starts. Parents and Carers of students who use this service have been contacted and the new timetable is reiterated in this newsletter.
One more request regarding attendance. When planning family trips, Parents and Carers are asked to adhere to Glenaeon’s generous gazetted school holiday periods, published well in advance each school year. Lessons take place from Day 1 of a new term and right up to and including the last day of any term, and attendance is expected. Please know that Leave of Absence applications are not automatically approved.
Half-Way!
We are now at the half-way point of Term 1. Can you believe it? A challenge for all of us: finishing the term with the same energy and optimism with which we started the term. And on that note, I’m off for a walk and to chat with students, which is the very best part of my job, and has the added benefit of fuelling the soul with hope.
With very best wishes,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Grassroots Eco Store - Autumn Has Arrived
03 Feb 2022
Autumn has arrived at Grassroots Eco Store
We have welcomed the changing of the seasons in-store with a seasonal display of Autumn treasures, storybooks and craft materials full of inspiration for your Seasonal Nature Table and Autumn craft projects.
A beautiful new range of Silk Playcloths have arrived in vibrant rainbow and seasonal hues. These make an ideal centrepiece for your seasonal display and are also one of our favourite open-ended play accessories from dress-ups to cubbies to making a story scene come alive - endless play opportunities await.
Pop in store to admire some very special new creations by our local master crafter, Yuki. Her Rainbow Lorikeet embroidered, felt Needle Books are a visual delight!
Term 1, 2023 – 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 shopping locally. 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.
Read more
Celebrating the Seasons
03 Feb 2022
“If people can take part in an annual cycle of seasonal rites of passage that have an observable reality in the changes of nature, they may, it is hoped, feel a stronger responsibility as adults for the earth and its needs, and not be confined to their heads.” - Rudolf Steiner
Autumn Festival
Our seasonal festivals, such an integral part of Steiner education and of the Glenaeon student experience, ground and enrich us. They are cause for celebration for the predictability of the natural rhythms of life and are a strong reminder of the strength and power of Mother Nature to provide in abundance and our human responsibility to care, protect and be grateful for our incredible planet. Now, more than ever, to be grounded by these fundamental values provides calm and reassurance in a chaotic world.
Our Primary students are looking forward to marking the Autumn Festival in a number of ways including the re-enacting of the story of St. Michael, a tale with a strong message of inner resolve, initiative and the triumph of light over darkness. In addition, students are asked to bring in an item of non-perishable food as a symbol of harvest, forming the centrepiece of the festival, amid a feast of colour and autumn song. In High School, our students engage in a series of activities woven into the final weeks of the term in which we lift the yearly cycle to the cultural and societal level. Mentors and Guardians will lead discussions about gratitude, community and generosity and the final Assembly of the term will centre on the harvesting and celebrating of the term’s work. An initiative of our Yr 12 Environment group, we will also mark Earth Hour with some time spent ‘off the grid’ next week.
Non-perishable food collection on both campuses will begin next week and be followed by perishable items in the final week of term. Oz Harvest gratefully receive our donated food and use it to provide meals and food items across Sydney.
SEA Insights Survey
Steiner Education Australia (SEA), the peak representative body for Steiner education in Australia, in consultation and collaboration with Steiner schools, are investing time into exploring how we can grow positive awareness of Steiner education in Australia. As part of this process, SEA are seeking ideas and insight from parents, students, and staff across our school community.
Community members can provide input into this work by completing an insights survey by using the following link: Click here to take the survey. The survey is open now and will close at midnight on Friday 24th March 2023.
Communication
We are currently undertaking a review of communication processes and systems across the school with the central aim of streamlining message communication to parents and families. Be assured that feedback collected from the 2022 Parent Survey is being utilised as part of this work. In addition, a random selection of parents will be contacted to offer some end-user insights into the current communication experience. As always, parents are welcome to provide their thoughts directly to me via headofschool@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au.
Recent Graduate Visit
A small number of the Class of ’22 returned to campus on Tuesday. What a gift to listen to their stories about life beyond school, work and university adventures and plans for travel. You can read more about their visit below.
Warm Regards,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
A Triumphant End to Term 1
03 Feb 2022
A Musical Triumph!
Tonight, the final performance of Year 10’s production of AIDA - School Edition will be performed in the Sylvia Brose Hall, no doubt to rousing applause and heartfelt gratitude for all who have contributed to its success. What a delight to witness my first Glenaeon Year 10 Musical! Such a wonderful demonstration of all that we value as a school and so magnificent to witness individual characters shine and the power of the whole group to come together to produce something so special, accompanied by a live Orchestra featuring a number of Glenaeon students. What a fantastic show!! Congratulations to Brenton Fletcher, Ian Munns, Alleyne Moss, Clair Cisterne, Evan Sanders, Raphaela Mazzone and the many, many staff members who have helped bring this show together. You are exceptional humans and our students are lucky indeed to have you lead them through such an ambitious project.
Glenaeon’s Community Involvement Program (CIP)
Glenaeon’s strong community spirit is built through ongoing and intentional efforts to build bonds within and across year levels and is one of our most precious, intangible assets. When a child joins our school, parents and carers become part of our community as powerful partners for their child’s learning and also in supporting more broadly the School’s vision to nurture a compassionate and collaborative school community working towards a common purpose. Glenaeon’s Community Involvement Program (CIP) provides avenues for parents to contribute to the school through active service, the kind of service that makes a real difference to the student experience each day. Even the smallest number of hours is appreciated, so please consider how you might contribute in this way in 2023. More information on the CIP can be found via GLO. Alternatively, parents and families may wish to pay a levy in lieu of volunteering, payable via the termly Accounts Statements.
End of Term 1
Thank you for a wonderful term, Glenaeon! It has been delightful getting to know students and families this term – I’m deeply appreciative of the ongoing warm welcome received. School breaks for Easter and the term break next Wednesday, our final day of lessons for the term. Be sure to rest, relax and refuel over the coming break by reading, walking, climbing trees, or doing whatever nourishes your soul and lifts the spirit.
Warm Regards,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Generative AI and Technology at Glenaeon
03 Feb 2022
Welcome to Term 2! Our campuses are alive with students once again and across all sites, we are enjoying the results of a number of maintenance and improvement projects that took place over the break. Ask your child if they’ve noticed what’s different at school this week: there’s a new garden area at Middle Cove, a new roof at Castlecrag and all sorts of wonderful outdoor works underway at Pre-School that are set to enrich the children’s experience quite dramatically.
Professional Learning Days
Monday’s PD Day provided valuable time for K-12 teachers to work on a variety of operational and strategic projects including:
· New Mathematics Syllabus mapping and implementation (Primary teachers)
· Child Development Study Years 10-12 (High School teachers)
· An exploration of unconditional positive regard as a mindset for teachers (High School Teachers)
· K-12 Wellbeing Framework (K-12 teachers)
· Professional Growth for Teachers (K-12 teachers)
And back on April 6, staff were involved in a variety of training sessions in CPR, First Aid, and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Ahead for Term 2 and beyond
I’m very pleased to be able to provide parents with the Term 2 Parent Education Program. This link can be used to peruse what’s on offer this term and make bookings for sessions. Glenaeon offers Parent Education workshops, lectures, and interactive sessions each term. We aim to support Glenaeon parents and carers through:
· Education about parenting from early childhood to adolescence and beyond
· Sharing an understanding of Glenaeon’s curriculum alongside our picture of child development and its application at the school
· Opportunities for broadening engagement with the wider community and building community ties
· Addressing current themes and issues in education
We look forward to welcoming you to a Parent Education session this term.
On the co-curricular program front, we are eager to provide Debating as a regular after-school offering for Glenaeon students in Years 7, 8 and 9. Debating provides an exceptional vehicle through which to build self-confidence and learn the art of respectful civil argument and debate. Of course, the program running relies on enough students signing up each term. Parents can read more about the Debating program linked here and sign up. Lessons start Wednesday, 10 May.
Term 2 culminates with our annual Community Mid-Winter Festival (Wednesday 21 June, 6.30pm) and the MidWinter Party (Saturday 3 June, 6pm). These are iconic Glenaeon events – mark your calendar now!
Lastly, please find linked here and on GLO Term Dates for 2024. Knowing these dates well in advance will allow families to make travel plans within gazetted School Holiday periods. Parents and carers are asked to adhere to these dates for family holidays and to apply in advance for any leave from designated school days. Please know that approval is not automatic.
For more details on Staff News and Generative AI and Technology at Glenaeon, please click 'Show more'.
Stolen Focus
03 Feb 2022
Stolen Focus
“We have to decide now: Do we value attention and focus? Does being able to think deeply matter to us? Do we want it for our children? If we do, then we have to fight for it.” – Johann Hari
I’m busily preparing for next week’s Parent Education Supper Book club session, focusing on Johann Hari’s thought-provoking book, Stolen Focus – Why You Can’t Pay Attention. Ironically, I’m finding it difficult to focus; the emails are pinging, the deadline for the Newsletter looms and there’s a long list of to-do’s on my weekly planner. In the past, I liked to blame all manner of things for my procrastination: a lack of time; my preference to prioritise tasks I really enjoy; my tendency to be sucked into the vortex of the infinite scroll on my social media. After reading Stolen Focus, I’m persuaded that there are far more powerful and systemic factors at play in eroding my ability to concentrate, beyond my own personal shortcomings. The same is true, of course, for our children. They too find it hard to focus and pay attention, and increasingly so. The session next Tuesday evening will provide an opportunity for parents and carers to explore the current challenges and consider strategies for supporting themselves and their children to claim back concentration. There are a few places left for this event. Register here.
Parent Power!
Over recent weeks, two very special community events, involving a raft of parent volunteers have nurtured our love for appreciating artistic expression and our need for social connection. The first, the annual Jazz Café night, in which the Sylvia Brose Hall was transformed into an intimate music venue, complete with soup, bread and the dulcet tones of various Glenaeon musical groups, provided an evening of deep appreciation for the opportunities our students enjoy and the power of music to lift the spirits. A very big thank you to every parent who supported this event. And of course, last Saturday night, the annual MidWinter Party delighted over 200 Glenaeon parents and carers who danced and talked the night away amidst a backdrop of funky disco tunes. Again, a huge thank you to the Class 7 parents who ‘hosted’ this event and the many parents and carers who donated time or items for the Silent Auction, and to everyone who attended – you rock!
Annual Giving Campaign
Finally, a reminder that the Annual Giving Campaign is still active, right up to the end of the financial year on June 30. This year, we are launching the Glenaeon Staff Innovation Fund, designed to support our staff in the pursuit of innovative projects and ideas that will inspire them and our school community to remain at the forefront of what is possible, now and into the future. You can read more about our Annual Giving Campaign here.
With very best wishes for a great weekend,
Diana Drummond
A Winter Solstice Blessing
03 Feb 2022
May you find peace in the
promise of the solstice night,
That each day forward is
blessed with more light.
That the cycle of nature,
unbroken and true,
Brings faith to your soul
and wellbeing to you.
Rejoice in the darkness,
In the silence find rest,
And may the days that follow
be abundantly blessed.
Walking the Spiral
On Wednesday, I joined with Year 8 to walk the spiral, an important ritual in all Steiner schools across the world, marking the Winter Solstice and a time for deep introspection and contemplation. For us in the southern hemisphere, the occasion denotes mid-year as well, so a fitting time to shed negative thoughts and energy that no longer serve us well and to nurture that inner light that burns within us all. A moving and very special experience, I encourage parents and carers to ask their children about this festival experience. And if you missed the community spiral walk on Wednesday evening, do look out for it next year – a gift of strength, inspiration, and hope.
Annual Giving Campaign – Final Opportunity before EOFY
A reminder that the Annual Giving Campaign is still active, right up to the end of the financial year on June 30. This year, we are launching the Glenaeon Staff Innovation Fund, designed to support our staff in the pursuit of innovative projects and ideas that will inspire them and our school community to remain at the forefront of what is possible, now and into the future. You can read more about our Annual Giving Campaign here.
Holidays Ahead
This is the final Newsletter before the break, a much-needed time for families to reconnect, travel and live life at a different pace for a few weeks. Make time to do away with electronic devices, to rest, read books, play and climb trees. Next term, we welcome new opportunities for learning and for growth and I look forward to welcoming students back to school on Wednesday, 19th July.
Warm Regards,
Diana Drummond
Term 3 is Underway!
03 Feb 2022
Welcome to Term 3
How delightful to hear the buzz of students back on campus this week. There is always a sense of anticipation and renewal with a new school term, and I trust that the term ahead brings great learning and growth for all. A very warm welcome to the 11 students and their families who join the Glenaeon community this week. You are already a valued part of our school’s rich tapestry. A reminder to all parents and carers, new and not-so-new, to please make contact with your child’s teachers, their Mentor or Guardians and your Class Parent Contact, if and when you have questions.
Staff Day
Aside from personal planning and program preparations, our Staff Day on Tuesday saw the English, Mathematics and Modern Languages teams work on changes to NESA Syllabus’ and Glenaeon curriculum, and the entire Glenaeon staff partake in the great Campus Clean Up, culminating in a Staff BBQ lunch. Enjoy some photos below.
Parent Education
We are thrilled to announce our Parent Education program for Term 3, with six new events happening from July - September. Please view the program here and below and visit the links to secure your places.
Communications Review
I have written before about the need to address some aspects of the way in which the School communicates with parents and the broader community. We are slowly working towards new ways of doing things, with the aim of the fortnightly Newsletter being the primary source of information and GLO for those communications at Class or Year Group level. Before we make widespread changes, I have asked Kath Kissell, as Marketing and Communications Manager, to conduct a broad-ranging communications review, the purpose of which is to evaluate the effectiveness of communications within the School and gain granular clarity on what needs to change. Methodology for the review will include telephone conversations with parents, a focus group dialogue, and a survey, the latter open to all members of the Glenaeon community. It will be available for responses for a three-week window, beginning in Week 3.
Enjoy the weekend ahead,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Creative Expression
03 Feb 2022
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have”. – Maya Angelou
Since the start of this term, I’ve been watching the patch of playground adjacent to where I park my car at Middle Cove change form. At first there were a pile of sticks and some rocks, then a bamboo plank suspended from rope to create a swing appeared, and now, there is an informal boundary fence shaping the space. On close inspection I notice small alcoves for sitting, and coir padding, the function of which I’m not quite certain, but I know it’s been placed there intentionally and with great care. I’m not sure which group of primary students are responsible for this magnificent unfolding creation, and I’m not going to go out of my way to identify them; I’m simply content in the knowledge that our students demonstrate on a daily basis, the benefits of a curriculum that focuses so strongly on creative, artistic expression. In this unstructured and unhurried break-time play, our children are learning about the core principles of aesthetics and beauty, architecture and building, about co-operation, compromise and problem solving, and, about creativity. And that’s reason enough to smile and know they are doing just fine.
Music Concert
Students from Classes 5 and 6 and Years 7-11 are busy finessing their contributions for the annual Glenaeon School Concert at The Concourse, Chatswood on Friday 11 August. This is the first time in a number of years that our music concert has proceeded in its full form and there is much anticipation for its return. Be sure to purchase your tickets here! I look forward to seeing you at The Concourse next Friday evening.
Communications Review
This week we launch the Glenaeon Communications Review with the release of a survey, open to all members of the community. You can access it here. The purpose of the review is to evaluate the effectiveness of communications within the School and gain granular clarity on what needs to change. The survey will be available for responses for a three-week window, ending on Monday 28 August.
Compliments, Complaints and Feedback
Parents and Carers will notice the Policy Spotlight in this week’s Newsletter is on the School’s Complaints Handling Policy and Procedures. The document is comprehensive and provides a detailed overview of how the School handles concerns and/or complaints, and parents are encouraged to access the policy as and when necessary. Key points:
- Glenaeon is committed to handling complaints effectively and efficiently.
- The School welcomes feedback from all members of the school community and takes seriously all complaints or concerns that may be raised.
- The vast majority of issues causing concern in schools can be handled quickly and in an informal manner.
- Formal or serious complaints are best logged via the ‘Compliments, Complaints and Feedback’ tile on GLO or via email directly to me at headofschool@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
- As soon as practicable after a formal complaint has been lodged, a process will be put into place to investigate the complaint and provide a response, in writing or verbally, to the complainant.
North Shore Schools Expo
And finally, if you happen to be in Chatswood this weekend, drop by the North Shore Schools Expo, being held at The Concourse, 10am – 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday, where you will find the Glenaeon stand, and members of our wonderful staff and students promoting Steiner Education and our amazing school.
Enjoy the weekend ahead,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
A Celebration of Music and Community
03 Feb 2022
Our Annual Music Concert is back!
Last Friday’s concert at The Concourse, Chatswood was just sublime! To witness the glorious sight and sounds of Classes 5 and 6 and Years 7-11 come together to perform the final piece, O Fortuna, from Carmina Burana, was indeed icing on the cake, on what was an entertaining evening featuring a diverse repertoire, performed to the highest level. Our students relished being in such an impressive performance space, responding enthusiastically to the feedback of their Music teachers and ensemble leaders during the daytime rehearsal, to create magical sounds and lasting memories for their audience come concert time. Music plays such a central role within our School’s program; we sing, all of us, to belong, to connect, to grow and learn and our students enjoy being part of an instrumental ensemble or group from a young age, all of which plays an integral part in developing each child’s sense of self.
Thanks especially to Ian Munns (Head of Music), Alleyne Moss (Music Teacher), to Evan Sanders (Stage Manager), Dani Finch and Yura Totsuka (Chief Marshalls), Gavin Libotte, Roscoe Frazier, Adriaan Mees and Christine Young (Music Ensemble leaders), Julie Monteban (Music Administrator), and to all teachers and professional services staff who helped in the design and execution of this whole-school event.
Strategy Development Process
Glenaeon’s Strategy, approved by the School Board, guides short to medium term direction and ambition for the School. The current Strategy is now due for renewal and later this month, the process of developing the next strategic plan will begin. The School is seeking to design a strategy that honours its history, remains true to the principles of Steiner education and clearly articulates the direction for its next stage of growth. We have invited the Association of Independent Schools (AIS) Leadership Centre to lead the facilitation of this work. A consultative process that will include opportunities for input from staff, parents and students, the new Strategy will be launched at the start of 2024.
Communication Review
Thank you to those who have already responded to the school-wide survey, open to all members of the community. You can access it here. The survey will be open for responses until Monday 28 August.
Best wishes for a lovely weekend,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
To Truly Know Yourself
03 Feb 2022
‘To Truly know the world, look deeply within your own being; to truly know yourself, take a real interest in the world’ – Rudolf Steiner
I came across this magnificent quote in preparation for a key meeting this week. I love how it speaks to the need for us to be reflective in our thinking as well as expansive; to be curious and open to new and different perspectives and at the same time, consider the set of experiences that shape who we are and what we stand for.
Towards the Future
The process of developing Glenaeon’s next strategic plan began in earnest this week with a core team of senior staff meeting for a full day to surface the case for evolving the school’s current strategy, to imagine the future, acknowledge the past and to consider key challenges and opportunities we currently face. A consultative process, the first opportunity for Glenaeon community members to hear about our progress and provide input will be via zoom on Tuesday September 19 at 7pm. This session will be co-led by me and our strategy consultant at the Association of Independent Schools (AISNSW), Robyn Edwards. Please save the date for this important event. Formal invitation and Zoom link will follow.
Student Wellbeing Framework
Parents and Carers will be aware that the development of Glenaeon’s Wellbeing Framework has been a central piece of work in 2023. Come along to the Sylvia Brose Hall on Wednesday 13 September, 7pm-8pm, to hear about our progress, view the draft framework and give us feedback through focused discussion. Book your spot here.
Communication Review Update
Thank-you to the many individuals who contributed to the community-wide survey. We move now to the data analysis phase and to using initial insights to shape the conversation with the Class Parent Focus Group coming up before the end of term, and with 1:1 conversations that will be conducted with a cross-section of the Glenaeon community.
Wishing all the fathers, grandfathers and father figures a beautiful Sunday,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Honouring Jonas
03 Feb 2022
Death may be terrible for the human being so long as he remains in the body. But when he has passed through the Gate of Death and looks back at his entrance into the Spiritual World, it is the most beautiful, the most wonderful, and the most glorious event.
- Rudolf Steiner
Our hearts ache for the loss of our dear friend, colleague, teacher and coach, Jonas. Our school grieves and we are sad collectively, and as individuals, as we begin to come to terms with a new reality. This last week has been one of incredible hardship, and yet, the strength of this amazing community shines ever brightly. Our students have supported each other and their teachers with wisdom and grace beyond their years, and the sound of their laughter and conversation across our campus’ has been tonic for our souls, and we are grateful for the outpouring of support from parents, carers and the extended Glenaeon community. Thank you.
Parents and Carers will have received notice of Jonas’ funeral tomorrow: 10am, Armenian Apostolic Church. 10 Macquarie St., Chatswood. We will share plans for a community tribute to Jonas early in Term 4.
Today our students at the Middle Cove campus created a mandala to honour Jonas and spend time together, and overall, they have traversed these hard days with such compassion for each other and for their teachers. As we head into the final days of Term 3, we will continue to actively support students and staff through additional resources. This holiday break will be especially important for families and staff to be together. Please take care over this time.
Good Luck Year 12!
Our Year 12s finish formal classes at the end of this term, marking an important milestone in their learning and life journey. Congratulations Year 12 and thank-you for all you have done to create a positive culture for others to follow. Your example has been one of shining positivity and warmth. You are a wonderful group of young adults! We look forward to marking your final days next week with some special traditions and to celebrating the end of exams later in the year.
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Reverence, Love, Freedom
03 Feb 2022
Receive the child in Reverence
Educate them in Love
Let them go forth in Freedom
- Rudolf Steiner
Staff Day Learning
On Tuesday, all teachers K-12, teaching assistants and wellbeing coordinators joined together for Day 1 of a four-day credentialed course on the Berry Street Education Model. The BSEM weaves the very best of contemporary understandings about neuroscience, positive psychology and trauma-informed practice with practical tools and strategies for educators to use with students with the aim of increasing student engagement. Best of all, our presenter, Dr Tom Brunzell, is a Steiner trained teacher with a deep understanding of Steiner education philosophy and practice. Our task now is to consider how best to adopt components of the Berry Street model into our programs of practice, especially as they relate to Glenaeon’s new Wellbeing Framework. Parents and carers can hear more about this work at the upcoming Parent Education session on November 2. You can register here.
Welcome to New Staff
This week we welcome the following staff to the Glenaeon community:
- Tanya McCall, Head of Drama. You can read all about Tanya in a previous edition of the Newsletter, here.
- Mick Matthews, PE and Sport Coordinator. Mick is a highly experienced PDHPE teacher and Sport Coordinator, recently retired from Moriah College in Queen’s Park. Mick will teach all of Jonas’ classes and coordinate the co-curricular program for Term 4. We are very grateful for his support at this time.
- Wilene Swart joins the Learning Enrichment Team as a Learning Enrichment Assistant.
- Karen Hoskin is at Glenaeon for a four-week practicum. Karen, a neuroscientist, is re-training to be a Science teacher. We hope you have a wonderful time in our school.
Good Luck Year 12!
On Wednesday, Year 12 started their written HSC Examinations. We wish the Class of 2023 all the very best as they complete this final set of school exams. You’ve got this!
Parent Survey Link
Each year we survey our parent community to seek feedback on your and your child’s school experience. The Annual Parent Survey will be conducted between Weeks 2 – 4 this term and I invite all parents and carers to take part in this important data gathering process. Your feedback will be analysed carefully and directly inform our planning for 2024 and beyond. The survey will open on Monday and each parent/carer will be sent an individual link via email.
Enjoy your weekend,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Happy World Teachers' Day
03 Feb 2022
Today is World Teachers’ Day in Australia, a day where we stop to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of all those who support the learning and growth of children and young people in our schools. At Glenaeon, our gratitude extends to the entire teaching staff, tutors, and our extended professional services team. In short, the entire staff. In whatever role, our people come to work each day with a core purpose; to improve the lived experience of the students we serve. Together, they form teams who create opportunities, solve problems, support and counsel, teach, think and act with integrity as well as heart. They are, quite simply, incredible humans, and it is a privilege to work alongside them each day. Thank you!
Have your say!
A reminder that the annual Parent Survey closes this coming Monday, October 30. Please take time over this weekend to provide feedback and have your say. Your feedback will be analysed carefully and directly inform our planning for 2024 and beyond.
Upcoming opportunities to Engage
- Come along and hear more about Glenaeon’s new Wellbeing Framework next Thursday 2nd November. You can register here.
- The Fair! The Glenaeon Family Fair is only 8 short days away. Our Fair Convenors and myriad of supporters are busy with last minute arrangements and set-up plans. If you haven’t already, please volunteer to help out on the day. Every hour of support counts!! Register here.
- Glenaeon’s next Strategy is being shaped currently through a detailed strategy development process. Parents and carers can attend an upcoming session on Wednesday 8th November to hear about our progress and provide input. You can find out more and register here.
I look forward to seeing many of you at tonight’s Celebration of Life for Jonas Stoebe. This promises to be a moving and special tribute to honour Jonas and the enormous contribution he made to our school community. If you are coming and are yet to register, please do so here for the latest information.
Warmly,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Fair Fantastic!
03 Feb 2022
Saturday’s Glenaeon Family Fair was a feast of fabulous fun for all. A tremendous demonstration of all that Glenaeon holds dear: a focus on children and young people, and on community. In many ways, our Fair exemplifies the lived Glenaeon experience and for that reason, the Fair is so much more than a fun day out and an opportunity to raise funds for the GPA; it also acts as a powerful expression of who we are and what we do best.
Each year, it is the task of Class 4 parents to carry the overall responsibility for the Fair, in addition we extend our thanks to Kindy - Class 3 parents for your contribution. 2023 Fair Coordinators Korin Virgona and Michelle Glew-Ross were exceptionally well organised, attentive to every detail, and facilitated a keen team of stall coordinators and volunteers in the lead up to the event and on the day itself. As always, our parent body responded to the call for support and the resulting impact was a Fair laden with high quality items for sale, family-focused activities and, despite the intermittent showers, an atmosphere that hummed with a strong sense of community.
It would be remiss not to make mention of Korin’s extraordinary effort to document and digitise the many years of Fair documents and inventory that will allow future Coordinators to access a bank of resources to streamline the coordination process. We are very grateful for this.
A host of activity and stall coordinators supported the key facilitators and we are incredibly grateful to each of you for your support of this event. A full list appears below (Click 'Show more'). In addition, I’d like to call out a number of school staff and teams who worked hard to ensure the School support for this event allowed all to run smoothly and exceed expectations. Special thanks to the Event, Marketing and Maintenance teams, ably led by Aimee Taaffe, Kath Kissell and Mike Thompson, and to Castlecrag Administrator, Melony Browell, who is only now resurfacing from behind the collections of Fair related material!
All the best for a wonderful weekend,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Grassroots Eco Store – Earth-Friendly Gift Giving
03 Feb 2022
If you need inspiration for end-of-year Thank You/Christmas Gifts for teachers, friends, and family, we're here to help. We can work with you to create beautiful gift packs of any size, filled with meaningful, earth-friendly products that are sure to be cherished. Reach out to Taryn or drop by the shop to discuss your gifting needs.
Discover more in our thoughtfully curated online Christmas Collection, or immerse yourself in festive magic by exploring the treasures in-store.
Term 4, 2023 – 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 shopping locally. 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 Year of Gratitude
03 Feb 2022
And just like that, the 2023 school year is done! And what a year it’s been, complete with wonderful highs and incredible lows. We have much to be grateful for, and it with a deep sense of gratitude that I will approach this festive season. Gratitude for our deeply connected community, our strength, for our students and the optimism and joyful exuberance they bring to school each day and to our families, whose hopes and dreams for their children we nurture and support as they grow, change, make mistakes, meet and exceed expectations. It is a privilege to have travelled this year with you.
I would especially like to thank our amazing staff; teachers, assistants and the extended professional services team, who shape the daily experience of our students. All have stretched themselves above and beyond this year to provide exceptional care and learning for all. They are passionate and dedicated and deserving of a restful break, spent with family and friends. We pay special tribute to Anne Rouse, who retires after 42 years of exceptional service. Anne was appointed by our School’s founder, Sylvia Brose as a Class 6 teacher in 1981. In the years since, Anne has taught literally hundreds, if not thousands of students at Glenaeon and each of them has benefited from her obvious joy and passion for teaching. Anne will remain a casual teacher next year and is already booked in for several Main Lesson cycles in 2024. We also farewell Jenny Macgonigal, who is leaving after nine years at Glenaeon. Jenny will leave a legacy of inspired teaching across two departments. She is loved by our students and respected by her colleagues. All the best to both of you for your exciting next chapters.
We have much to look forward to in 2024. Our new Strategy is close to being finalised, and the Wellbeing Framework is ready for launch. In addition, Glenaeon will transition to a new Student database system called Compass, that will see parents and carers interact with the school via an efficient and user-friendly platform to access and communicate school related functions including:
- Attendance
- Consent and permission forms
- Current and previous school issued Student Reports
- Notifications for school news and announcements
You can read more about Compass here.
For those of you that are leaving Glenaeon this year, I wish you all the very best for the future. Know that you will always be welcome at our school and that your contribution to this place is deeply valued.
Warmly,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Champions and Invaluable Insights
03 Feb 2022
Champions All!
Monday’s ISD Touch Football Carnival saw forty keen Glenaeon touch players venture out to Peakhurst to join another 250 students in this much-anticipated annual sporting fixture. All teams performed well and enjoyed the friendly competition. A special mention to the Open Boys team, who, after losing their first pool match, bounced back to win their next three games to qualify for the knock-out semi-final. A nail-biting game and an intercept try in the dying seconds saw the team advance to the Grand Final. After dominating most of the play, the team went down 0-2 and accepted the Runners-Up title. Congratulations to Rohan B., Morgan R., Jayden S., Ciara H., Emily M. and Matthia M. who were selected to represent ISD at the next level AICES Touch Carnival, and a special thank you to Adrian Carter and Rod Mounjed for accompanying our teams to the event.
Parent Satisfaction Survey 2023
The Parent Satisfaction survey conducted in October and November of 2023 furnished the School with invaluable insights. It highlighted key aspects of our offerings that parents highly appreciate and wish to see continued, while also shedding light on areas where improvements can be made. You can read details about the results and the planned actions for 2024 here.
Parent Education Session on Steiner Education
Over seventy groups attended last week’s zoom session, An introduction to Steiner Education and the Main Lesson Journey. Parent feedback from this session has been incredibly positive. If you missed it, the link to the zoom recording is here.
Upcoming Events
There are two events coming up on the School calendar for which we request your support. The first is the Middle Cove Open Day, on Friday 15 March, 9am-11am. Please spread the news and encourage family and friends who are considering a Glenaeon education to register and come along. The other is the 2024 Year 10 Musical, Les Misérables. Tickets are selling VERY fast. You can purchase them here.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend.
Warmly,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Class of 2021 - Welcome to GlenX
03 Dec 2021
We warmly welcome the Class of 2021 to GlenX. School might be out, but we'd love to stay in touch. There are a number of ways to stay connected:
- Opt in to receive Alumni News by subscribing to our Alumni database, by completing this form, and emailing it to executiveassistant@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
- Join our Alumni Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/glenaeonalumni
- Tag Glenaeon in your LinkedIN profile as your school: https://www.linkedin.com/school/glenaeon-rudolf-steiner-school
- GlenX Where Are They Now? Tell us what you're up to email alumni@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
We can't wait to see you at an upcoming Reunion event. Our plan is to hold an annual event (global pandemics aside!) and we hope you can make it!
Read moreGlenaeon Silent Auction 2021
03 Dec 2021
After three weeks open to bidding this year’s silent auction came to a finale on Sunday 14th November with some exciting final bidding at the close. A fantastic effort by all involved enabled an incredible $5,095 to be raised from 24 items kindly donated by the generous students, staff, parents and broader school community. We would like to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of you who helped bring this important fundraiser to fruition, without whom, there would have been no auction. In particular, we would like to thank the Class 4 parents; James Fordham, Julie Hutton and Susie de Zoete for taking up the mantle of coordinators; the assistance of Clare Gordon and Jonathon Rush; the class parents and teachers for inspiring the children and bringing the artworks to completion; the creatives who kindly donated individual pieces and finally, Melony for showcasing the artworks at Castlecrag campus and facilitating payment and pick-up. Thank you all for your input.
Read morePaul the bus driver to retire at end of this year
03 Dec 2021
Paul has been driving our Northern Beaches Charter Bus for the past seven years and he will retire at the end of this year. He will be driving via Greenfield Avenue on his last run on Wednesday 8th December and we will present him with a gift from the school.
One of our High School Students (thank you Scarlett) has very thoughtfully made a card for all the students to sign. The card is now at Middle Cove Reception so everyone who wants to, can sign it. Please encourage/remind your child to sign the card.
We asked Paul a couple of questions about his time safely transporting our students to and from school:
Q: What are the Glenaeon students like?
Paul: I have a well behaved bunch of kids on my bus, I haven’t had any major dramas.
Q: What will you remember/miss the most about the Glenno bus run?
Paul: I won’t miss getting up at 5:30am every day! I’ll miss the kids, watching them develop and grow. The parents are all really great too. I’m also grateful for the connection I have with the staff, I feel very much part of the Glenaeon team.
The Tumeric Project
03 Dec 2021
Marc Monnet-Demarbre is a Year 12 (Class of 2022) Agriculture Student. As part of his chosen course, he is required to undertake marketing of his project. In support of Marc's studies, we have made some editorial space available in our Newsletter. Watch for more updates to come on Marc's work in 2022.
The Turmeric Project
Turmeric is a flowering plant that is part of the ginger family. The rhizomes are ground to make a spice used in cooking and it can also be used for dyeing. Turmeric is really important as a medicine for animals and humans. It was discovered that it possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood thinning and anti-cancer properties.
It was decided to grow turmeric in the school garden for the second time. The turmeric can be grown on a hugel because it has richer properties than a normal patch of soil. Hugel in German means little mound. It is a German version of a compost heap. The hugel is comprised of 3 layers. The first is the hole in the ground full of sticks. The second is a mound above the ground full of straw and food scraps. The third is a layer of soil. The hugel then gets covered by a tarp to prevent animals from destroying it. The hugel only needs watering if it appears too dry.
To make the hugel you dig a massive hole in the ground where you will find good rich soil and fill it up with logs and sticks which will then decompose. Next all the gaps are filled with soil and compacted making sure that there are no air gaps. That is vital to the performance of the hugel. Leaves are then scattered over the top with more sticks and more dirt. This process is a delicate process. The least amount of air escaping will ensure the growth of fungi which will decompose the wood which makes the best hugel.
There is a hugel at Castlecrag and at Middle Cove. At Middle Cove we are growing turmeric again. This project is being worked on by Classes 3-6. Over the past few weeks we have been digging to make way for the second hugel. While doing so we encountered lots of sticks and the remains of the first turmeric crop that were left behind in the harvest process. We washed the turmeric under running water and scrubbed it down. We put it in a basket to dry out and shrink.
Each class enjoys a meal during gardening classes. The turmeric is used in some of the foods such as the bread made by Sandra and the stir fry and the tea drink. I will give you another progress update on our turmeric project in the newsletter next year.
Words and photos by Marc Monnet-Demarbre 2021
Year 12 Agriculture Student
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Class 6: strong finish to a busy Term 4
03 Dec 2021
It's the end of the Primary School journey for our Class 6 co-hort and they have been extremely busy with Physics, Roman History and lots of crafts.
Read more
Kindness at Christmas
03 Dec 2021
The final weeks of 2021, like much of the rest of the year, are proving to be very 'different'. We are all missing sharing our magnificent Carol Service, Advent Plays, The Shepherd's Play, the Big Handshake up the driveway at Middle Cove, and delicious celebratory feasts.
However, Class Teachers like to look for the silver lining, and in this instance, we have an opportunity to create a new tradition! Someone watching and listening very carefully in the Primary School this week, might notice something a little bit special; there are whispers of random acts of kindness, secret angels, cards for our local senior citizens, presents for the giving tree, and gratitude books! In keeping with the spirit of Christmas, we are drawing attention to the importance of kindness this week. Ask your children what they are doing in class and you might even like to have a family kindness week as well!
Year 9 Speaking Japanese
03 Dec 2021
Last Wednesday Year 9 Glenaeon Japanese language students took part in a video conference with their counterparts from Hamamatsu Nittai Junior High School. These students from Japan were meant to visit Glenaeon campus this year, however due to the pandemic this was not able to happen. Students were fortunately still able to meet and speak with each other via a Zoom conference.
Students participated in a pop quiz and also gave film reviews in Japanese which resulted in much conversational interaction and speaking in both languages.
Any initial barriers were quickly dissolved with new found common interests (shared knowledge of Ed Sherran lyrics included) and a great connection with new people and a wonderful cultural exchange. We hope that this friendship will be continued between our students and our schools in the future. Japanese Language Teacher Keiko Takahashi said this wonderful and practical application of language development and connection with others saw a high level of student engagement and an increased motivation for students to apply their language skills in a highly personable way in a real-life experience.
Read moreClass 5 and the 2021 Olympiad!
03 Dec 2021
The weather gods were smiling on us and set the tone for a wonderful day of healthy competition, great sportsmanship and great fun as Class 5 participated in the 2021 Olympiad! This wonderful occasion was a celebration including dance, music and verses, and of course the chance to compete in friendly competition events that date back to the ancient Greek Olympics. This event is a highlight in the Class 5 annual calendar and an integral part of Steiner physical education in the primary years, celebrating the beauty of physical movement in and through sport.
Students were dressed up in tunics and were part of the four city states of Athens, Sparta, Thebes and Corinth. “Zeus” declared the games open. Events included a “marathon” 400m, 100m sprint, Long Jump, Discus, Javelin, Relay races and a new event this year – Chariot racing with wheelbarrows decorated for each City State: Thebes, Sparta, Corinth, and Athens.
The students cheered each other on, helped each other out, worked together in teams and cooperated with each other. There were big smiles all round, all day!
Class 5 Teacher Katherine Arconati and PDHPE Teacher Jonas Stoebe were fantastic hosts and organisers. Everything ran smoothly and on time. Katherine had taught the children a song and dance that they performed at the opening ceremony and Jonas was chief of scores and tallies as well as teaching sporting techniques, and looking fabulous in a toga.
Participants shared lunch with table absolutely groaning with food - thank you everyone who contributed, it was much appreciated by all. Thank you to all of our parent volunteers who manned the various events, took scores and times and generally helped out all day. Thank you Angela for the food and the olive wreaths. Thank you to everyone who made this day such a memorable one for our children.
Read morePreschool Advent Festival
03 Dec 2021
Recently Preschool celebrated with an Advent Festival with a story, Nature Table and songs.
Circle: In the Advent Garden
(Words by Anne Anderson and Marilou Araullo).
In the Advent garden,
Still the earth below,
Stones and crystals resting, waiting,
Above the stars do glow.
In the Advent garden,
Where plants are living so,
Light is glowing, water flowing,
Fragrant flowers grow.
In the Advent garden,
Creatures roam so free,
Birds are singing, fish are swimming,
On land, in sky and sea.
In the Advent garden,
People gather so,
All are living, sharing, giving,
The light between us grows.
A touch of Advent at Castlecrag
03 Dec 2021
In the Little Kindergarten, as we look ahead to Christmas, we have been participating in a little Christmas circle and hearing some Christmas stories which the children have enjoyed. We have heard how Mother Mary travelled through the heavens receiving the golden threads from the stars, moon and sun that together with the children’s love, she wove into a heavenly garment for her child. We have also been hearing the story of Mary and Joseph’s earthly journey to Bethlehem and the gifts they receive along the way from the stones, plants, animals and human beings. This is such a beautiful archetypal and heartfelt story for children to hear. Little Kindergarten children made beautiful Advent calendars to take home from their own paintings.
Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. Each week a different kingdom of nature is acknowledged and added to our school nature tables. This week celebrates the Mineral Kingdom, and our nature tables are filling with crystals and stones is below:
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT – The Mineral Kingdom
VERSE:
The first light of Advent is the light of the stones
Light that shines through seashells, crystals and bones
SONG: Now the stones are on the earth, waiting for the Christmas birth.
Read morePolice visit to educate the Year 8 students on cyber safety and safe social media use
03 Dec 2021
In light of the recent learning from home period, and increased exposure to the online world, as well as more time by themselves navigating friendships and connection through online means, it seemed fitting, and somewhat necessary, to inform students how safest and best to navigate the online and social media world.
I invited Senior Constable Lynda Hart to visit and educate our Year 8 PDHPE co-hort on the pressing and topical issues of cyber safety and safe social media use. In her role as School Liaison Officer, Lynda was a great source of knowledge to have at school. She brought a unique insight and view of the subject matter which was much appreciated by the students who had many questions for her!
Lynda has a thirty-year career in the NSW Police Force and in her current role, educates schools on the north shore of Sydney. Her bottom line was: students must learn and understand how to be safe online. Information is key!
She spoke about the dangers of posting anything on any platform, be it TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp or the ‘old’ Facebook all social media platforms will have the same dangers: once you post anything (and some young people post very personal and revealing things without much thought) it is in the open realm, it’s not yours anymore. Any post can be screenshot, can be passed on and by that be multiplied within minutes! Everything that has been posted can become evidence in a potential police investigation.
Lynda also stressed the obvious which is never to engage and talk online to someone you don’t know! If students feel harassed they can block a caller or person, they do not want to be contacted by and report them. It is advisable to take a screen shot too of someone who contacts a young person without their request.
Students need to be aware of protective behaviours and strategies. The simplest is to put their social media settings on ‘private’ and to regularly check whether or not all of the ‘friends’ in their contacts are in fact still people they would like to share more personal information with. Lynda suggested to regularly go through one’s friends list as often it includes people one has little to do with any more. As a rule of thumb she said: “If you don’t want your auntie to see what you post it’s best not to post it at all”. However, even among ‘friends’ screen shots and passing on of images does occur!
Students should never take a call from or open a message from an unknown source or click on an attachment in such a message/email.
Students must know that it is considered child abuse if someone takes, shows or sends on inappropriate images (nudes) of anyone or themselves if they’re under 18 or the person in these videos or pics is under 18 years of age. It is considered child pornography!
An issue that often occurs is that of ‘sextortion’ where image based abuse happens in the form that often former girl or boyfriends will threaten to send pics of a very private nature on to others if that person doesn’t do certain things. Sending nudes without consent is a crime.
In our very connected online world, it is increasingly easy for predators to find out where someone lives, where someone is at a given moment in time and to locate a person that may think he/she is in a safe place. Lynda encouraged students to check their phones and switch off the geo locator to avoid that scenario.
Lynda spoke about how digital reputation is gold and needs to be protected as future employers will often look up a prospective applicant online before they ever will see them for a face-to-face interview. Students should aim for a clean digital footprint and also change passwords or use different passwords for different sites they sign up to be safer for being hacked. She also stressed the point to blank out one’s laptop camera (with a band aid) as some sites will only state in their T&Cs that they may access the webcam and film when one is unaware of this happening!
When unkind behaviour happens online, it’s best to ignore it, block the person, never reply and report it. No reaction is often the best reaction. Screen shots of messages can be send to that platform to make a complaint or engage with the below named sources.
Students can make complaints about being bullied, harassed and intimidated online. Good sources to turn to and to report unsafe, unkind or dangerous online behaviour or illegal use of one’s pics are the following agencies:
A great site with a lot of information how to report any cyber abuse: eSafety Commissioner: https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people/cyberbullying
The police themselves have great information and support for any issue to do with cyber safety:
Kids Helpline, Headspace and Crime Stoppers are further places that also can take the matter of online issues further:
https://kidshelpline.com.au phone: 1800 55 1800
Great sites for parents with questions include:
http://www.safety.gov.au/parents
Jonas Stoebe
PDHPE Teacher
Work and play in the Kindergarten day
03 Dec 2021
The Kindergarten children are really enjoying their last weeks together. Their play has been full of great energy and inventiveness, coming together in wonderful ways. Inside, we have had an architect's office drawing plans for a city that was then built by the on-site construction team. Despite many bosses with lots of ideas as to how to go about the build, the end result was considered a great success. We have also been really busy skipping enthusiastically with our own hand-made skipping ropes, with queues forming at lunchtime to practice.
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store is open EVERY DAY during the last week of term!
03 Dec 2021
We are so happy to be able to open the shop again during the week. The Thursday evening and Saturday opening times have been so popular that we will continue with these all the way until Christmas. It's never been easier to shop locally!
Can’t decide what to get for that special someone? Let them choose for themselves with our new digital Grassroots Gift Cards. Easy and convenient to purchase online, and delivered straight to your inbox. (A popular choice with interstate grandparents!)
The shop is bursting with gorgeous gift ideas for all ages. There are beautiful, fair-trade felt Christmas Decorations, handmade Ceramic Travel Cups, enchanting Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles and a new selection of beautiful novels, picture books and nonfiction books and lots more!
Opening Hours during last week of Term:
Monday: 8:30am—10:30am & 2pm—3:45pm
Tuesday: 8:30am—10:30am & 2pm—3:45pm
Wednesday: 8:30am—12:30pm & 2pm—3:45pm
Thursday: 2pm—6:00pm
Friday: 8:30am—10:30am & 2pm—3:45pm
Saturday: 10:00am—3:00pm
Free local delivery will still be available throughout the holidays: grassrootsecostore.com.au
SAVE THE DATE:
School Essentials Shopping Day - Saturday 29 January, 2022
Prepare for the new school year and stock up on school essentials before the beginning of Term 1, 2022.
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Follow us on Instagram @grassroots_ecostore and be the first to find out about our new products and the stories behind them!
Read more2021 Glenaeon Raffle Winners
03 Dec 2021
After a slow start, I am pleased to share that the raffle this year concluded very successfully, by raising over $7,000. It has been a difficult year for our fundraising activities, including the cancellation, again, of our annual fair. So it’s wonderful that, as a school community, we were able to rally around and raise this amount to help fund many worthwhile projects for the school in the new year.
I would like to extend my thanks, firstly to my fellow raffle team members, Jochen Schweitzer and Karina Schlieper, who made the job this year both easy and fun. Also a big thank you to Clare Gordon and Kath Kissell who greatly assisted in getting the message out there, both within the school community but also on social media. Great effort team!
Secondly, I would like to thank all our generous donors who provided so many beautiful prizes to support our raffle. This included prizes and vouchers from – My General Store, Man About the house show, Verve Portraits, Bennelong restaurant, Pullman Grand, Kidsnest Childcare centre, Conscious Parenting coaching, Honest to Goodness store, Grassroots Eco store, Goodieland store, Precision Golf, Rudolf Steiner Book store and Climbfit St Leonards. These were kindly donated by the Ross, Ward, Cameron, Zeus, François, Cruz, Micos, Borrud and Armstrong families.
Lastly, and by no means least, thank you to all of our families who, not only bought tickets, but also encouraged family and friends to buy as well. This was really such a great contribution and I am so pleased that so many of them won prizes themselves. See here for all winners.
Well done everyone!
Alex François – on behalf of the Raffle team
Read moreClass 1 bushwalking
03 Dec 2021
Class 1 managed a bushwalking recently in between rainy Fridays with teacher Monique Anderson, Catherine Pilko and assistant Ming-yu. The jacarandas were in full bloom as they set off and enjoyed a journey through the forest paths of Castlecrag. They stopped for lunch together before going to Griffin Rocks for a run and play before returning back to school.
Read moreBookings now open: Glenaeon Holiday Care Summer 21-22
03 Dec 2021
We are looking forward to offering holiday care for all families from the Glenaeon and wider community in the upcoming summer break. (Subject to government restrictions).
Join us at our summer camp where the children will develop social and physical skills, learn and take on new challenges, develop confidence and a love of nature and have lots of FUN together!
Dates: Dec 9-22, Jan 11- Feb 1
Costs: From $100 / day ** All CCS & government rebates apply.
Times: 8:15am - 5:30pm
Where: Glenaeon School. 121 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag (or excursion site as advised)
Program Details & Bookings: http://www.glenaeonoosh.com.au/holiday-care-bookings.html
Email: glenaeonoosh@gmail.com
Read more
The Cove wraps for another year with Year 9 mini poems
02 Dec 2021
The Cove program saw students create mini poems as part of an in-school Cove Program Character Challenge where they worked together in team building group challenges to achieve various tasks around the school and Scotts Creek. Students had to climb over walls and support each other, find hidden food, read and learn about nature, bond by completing group tasks that needed leadership, diligence, cooperation and communication skills. The last task was to rhyme words in relation to the Cove Program and come up with a mini poem.
Here are three examples:
The Cove…
… is waking up early in the summer sun
The winter cold was not so fun
Running, games and yoga too
Jonas and Donna thank you!
We ran in the sun, we ran in the rain
Jonas and Donna near drove us insane
We learned new skills and challenged our brains
To be honest, we wouldn’t do it so easily again.
Jonas, who runs the Cove
He broke his ankle but doesn’t stay home
He takes us on runs past the mangroves
And let’s us walk and talk and roam.
The Cove program will wrap up in the final week with a mindfulness session in nature and reflections on a unique year and the program that was a challenge for some. Donna and Jonas are looking forward to welcoming the new Year 9 cohort in February 2022 to The Cove.
Read more
Class 5 student artworks published in book
18 Nov 2021
Today at 1:30pm Class 5 students Maya, Scarlett, Rosie and Eleanor were recognised in a Zoom Wildlife Storybook launch.
These students had their work chosen for the annual publication by Willoughby City Council. This is the first year that our school has participated. Each school was assigned an animal. Glenaeon was allocated the Australian Wood Duck. Council came and gave a presentation about the animal, then the children worked on writing and drawing about it in the library lessons with Lynne Collett. Our students then worked on their illustrations and writing during the long lockdown period.
Well done students for your wonderful work and congratulations!
Read more
Class 3 walk through time
18 Nov 2021
Class 3 has been exploring the evolution of time measurement though the ages.
A story introduced the children to the concept of tracking time based on the position of the sun in the sky. We journeyed back to Egypt where they used great stone obelisks as shadow clocks.
On Monday which was the first sunny day of the Main Lesson, we walked to the school flagpole, just before 9am, to observe the shadow it made. A student came out and walked heel to toe along the shadow’s line and we marked the spot with the number 9 to represent the hour. Next, we walked to the oval where a sundial had been set up by our class assistant Michelle. A stake had been secured in the ground and a string tied to the bottom of it. We brought with us stones and a marker.
Then, on every hour of the day from 9am to 3pm, the children enthusiastically observed the movement of both shadows, each time marking the new spot and predicting the next one. It was wonderful seeing the awe and wonder of their expressions each time they saw that the shadow had not only changed position but also length!
On Wednesday the class made a human clock as an introduction to reading an analogue clock. The children formed a circle of 12 to represent the numerals on the clock-face and in the centre of the circle was a stand which had a yellow and blue thread attached. One child was then chosen to be the ‘hungry minute dog’ who had to run around counting by 5’s. Another child was chosen to be the ‘lazy hour cat’ who was too lazy to run and instead walked slowly to each number once. The rest of the class watched and when dog and cat were told to stop, the watching children worked out the time on the human clock.
Read moreAdvent Magic at Grassroots Eco Store
18 Nov 2021
We have had a delivery of the most beautiful Advent Calendars! Pop in-store or online to take a look. There are ten magical illustrations to choose from, as well as some delightful fair-trade felt Christmas Decorations to really bring some magic to your festive season!
The shop is bursting with gorgeous gift ideas for all ages. There are new handmade Ceramic Travel Cups, enchanting Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles and a new selection of beautiful novels, picture books and nonfiction books and lots more!
If you need help with end of year teacher gifts or Christmas Gift-Packs, we can work with you to customise a package full of earth-friendly products to create something they’ll love. Just let us know your budget and a little about the recipient, and we can take care of the rest! Give Taryn a call (0409 022 327) if you would like to chat about any ideas.
We are now open on Thursday Evenings and Saturdays!
During November, due to increased Covid restrictions limiting the shop opening times during the HSC exams (being held in the Castlecrag Hall next door), we have revised shop opening hours:
Thursday: 3pm—6pm
Saturday: 10am—3pm
Free local delivery or Click & Collect is still available if you would prefer to order online - grassrootsecostore.com.au
Follow us on Instagram @grassroots_ecostore and be the first to find out about our new products and the stories behind them!
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Read moreClass 2 visits big campus at Middle Cove
18 Nov 2021
Yesterday Class 2 students together with Teacher Rodney Dean, visited the big school campus at Middle Cove. The students were also accompanied by Castlecrag Campus Administrator, Melony, Gardening Teacher Sandra Frain and Assistant Olivia. Students hiked the 2km to Middle Cove, and walked through the gates in a practice run for next year. They visited the Class 3 Classroom, explored the playground and went to say hello at Reception. They then walked past the Gentle Café to the garden and planted wheat with Sandra which will be growing when they arrive next year! This was followed by games on the spacious round oval, before walking up through the beautiful campus, past Class 3 and back to Castlecrag. The sun was shining and it was a great day to see for themselves and imagine themselves at Middle Cove and seeing where they will finish their Primary School years before progressing up to High School. The children loved their visit and the grounds and they are very much looking forward to their continuing school journey.
Read morePreschool gets muddy!
18 Nov 2021
Mud, mud glorious mud! Here are some wonderful moments capturing our Preschooler’s mud play at the park this week.
We have one final Preschool Tour/webinar this year on Tuesday 30 November, at 11:15am hosted by Peggy Day. We have some 2 or 5-day per week spaces available for 2022. To register for this Preschool Tour click here.
#glenaeon #preschool #willoughby #nature #outdoor #outdoorlearning #earlychildhood #childcare #steiner #steinereducation #steinerschool
Read moreA kaleidoscope of colour in Japanese
18 Nov 2021
Class 1 have been learning their colours and places in Japanese with teacher Julia Carrol. Classes often involve songs, words, games, origami and cards, but this week it was outside in the playground with colours and places. Experiencing the story “The Green Sheep” in Japanese helps to review colours and also the locations "Koko" (here) 'Soko' (there) and 'Asoko' (over there). The children lined up on the wall, each with a coloured scarf. Julia calls out the colour and direction, and the children run to that area together. From there they play and create shapes with the scarves before all coming back and starting again. It is a kaleidoscope of colour and movement when they run back together!
Preschoolers return to the park
04 Nov 2021
Some wonderful news for our Preschool families: all groups are going back to their park trips now. Our Preschoolers are once again enjoying tree climbing and running through the wide open spaces. Much excitement prevailed!
We have one final Preschool Tour/webinar this year on Tuesday 30 November, at 11:15am hosted by Peggy Day. We have some 2 or 5-day per week spaces available for 2022. To register for this Preschool Tour click here.
#glenaeon #preschool #willoughby #nature #outdoor #outdoorlearning #earlychildhood #childcare #steiner #steinereducation #steinerschool
Read moreClass 5 study Ancient Greece from the great outdoors
04 Nov 2021
Class Five has been enjoying the new “new normal” as they take advantage of the beautiful space outside of the classroom. They have spent the past week finishing Main Lesson studies of Ancient Greece and working on individual research projects to deepen their knowledge. First week back has seen a renaissance of artistic work including watercolour paintings of Greek ships and pastel drawings of Alexander the Great taming the wild horse he named Bucephalus.
#glenaeon #middlecove #mainlesson #class5 #ancientgreece #arts #ancientgreece #watercolour #pastel #drawing #outdoorclassroom
Read moreInterlude Exhibition at the Incinerator Art Space in Willoughby
04 Nov 2021
Handwork Teacher, Elizabeth Ellean had plans for a Year 8 excursion to the Interlude Exhibition at the Incinerator Art Space in Willoughby this term, however due to the current Level 3+ COVID-19 restrictions this is not possible. Elizabeth would, however, like to encourage all students in High School who are interested in art and textiles get along to this exhibition.
“Interesting point that the building that the exhibition occupies is also designed by Walter Burley Griffin. He also designed the street scape and some houses in Castlecrag as well as his infamous design for Canberra.
“His partner Marion, was none the less and equally talented in her own right. Glenaeon’s school hall at Castlecrag is indeed named after her. Marion was an artist as well as exceptional draftswoman and probably did a lot of the behind the scenes work that Walter is credited for. She also enjoyed performing Eurythmy with a small group who shared her interests, in the natural hillside theatre that was built into the landscape of Castlecrag.
“I would encourage families to get along to see this exhibition which promises to take you on a textile journey. The artists will be available to talk about their works, when you visit.”
‘Interlude’ runs from 10th to the 28th of November and the Incinerator Art Space is open Wednesdays to Sundays 10am to 4pm. There is a café above and the Willoughby Leisure Centre next door.
https://atasda.org.au/upcoming-events/national/interlude-exhibition
or visit https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Events/Interlude
Read moreWorld Teachers' Day
04 Nov 2021
Last Friday 29 October was World Teachers’ Day. Head of School Andrew Hill sent out this note of appreciation:
“To all our dear teachers, for all you do, all your commitment, care and contribution to our students and their families, thank you. Teaching is a noble vocation, one that shapes the future of the planet, and on this one day of the year at least, let’s remember the high aspirations we have for this unique profession and all that it means to us.”
We offered our Teachers a small token of appreciation – fresh apples
#glenaeon#teachers#teacher#WTD2021#WTD#WorldTeachersDay#preschool#primaryschool#highschool#earlychildhood#Batlow#BatlowApples
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store - Earth-Friendly Gift Packages for Teachers, Friends & Family
04 Nov 2021
The shop is filled with so many new beautiful gift ideas, stop in and take a peek!
We have already had requests for gift packages for end-of-year Teacher Gifts and Christmas Gift Packs. We can work with you to customise a gift pack full of gorgeous earth-friendly products to create something they’ll love, just let us know your budget and a little about the recipient and we can take care of the rest! Give Taryn a call (0409 022 327) if you would like to chat about any ideas.
We kindly ask that you only enter/exit the shop from the gate in front of Grassroots Eco Store.
Free local delivery or Click & Collect is still available for those who would prefer to order online - grassrootsecostore.com.au
Term 4 Opening Hours (reduced hours during Level 3 restrictions)
Monday: —closed—
Tuesday: 8:30am—10:30am & 2pm—3:45pm
Wednesday: 8:30am—12:30pm
Thursday: 2pm—3:45pm
Friday: 8:30am—10:30am & 2pm—3:45pm
Follow us on Instagram @grassroots_ecostore and be the first to find out about our new products and the stories behind them!
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Read more
Glenaeon Silent Auction is now live - 9 days left to bid
04 Nov 2021
The Glenaeon Silent Auction is now live. There are some wonderful Class items to bid on, projects which have brought a feeling of togetherness to the children during the period of lockdown. There are also many beautiful handmade pieces created by some very talented members of our community.
Final bids: Sunday 14th November (auction closes 8pm)
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Susie, James and Julie (Class 4 Silent Auction Coordinators)
susie@dezoete.com
Click to visit the Silent Auction and place a bid!: https://www.glenaeonfair.com/silent-auction
Read moreCongratulations to Jasmine Wren - Class of 2020
04 Nov 2021
Our warmest congratulations to GlenX Jasmine Wren (Class of 2020) who has been awarded a Professional Scholarship with the International College of Management Sydney (ICMS). To be in the running Jasmine had to submit an application with academic transcripts, a written essay and evidence of leadership roles, community contributions, certificates and high school achievements. She then had to manage two panel interviews.
Well done Jasmine from all at Glenaeon!
Read moreMoth joins German Class
04 Nov 2021
Brigitte’s German class has been burning bright this week, attracting this gorgeous moth spotted in the corner of the Classroom. Brigitte called Science Teacher Stanley Tang who was able to identify it as a Helena Gum Moth (Opodiphthera Helena), male, and native to Australia. The males have feather-like antenna in order to receive the pheromone sent out by females. Caterpillars of this moth can live for a couple of years and the moths will not eat and only live for a couple of weeks. Their sole purpose is just to breed. Wunderschön!
#glenaeon #steiner #steinerschool #steinereducation #moth #science #helenagummoth #nature #beauty
Read moreICYMI: Welcome Back to Middle Cove
04 Nov 2021
Glenlympics – students are the winners!
04 Nov 2021
You may recall that last term, during the lockdown, Glenaeon Mentors and Guardians started the Glenlympics - a fun and entertaining competition between Mentor groups designed to ease some of the lockdown boredom and isolation, and encourage connection and team work amongst student groups.
It’s fair to say that some teams got into the spirit more than others, but as the week’s progressed the friendly games gained serious momentum. From iso-baking, outdoor runs, pet portraits and dress ups, the Glenlympics brought some fun and laughter to lift the lockdown blues!
We are pleased to announce the final results:
· Maddy’s team 1st with 680 points
· Jacqueline’s team 2nd 570 points
· Alison’s team 3rd 510 points
Followed by Donna’s team Rene’s, Clair’s and Stanley’s group.
Special shout out to Mya Hill, Year 10, who was by far the most proactive contributor to the fun-filled competition and all those that dressed up on Day 1 Term 4 for extra points.
Read moreForm Drawing and the outside classroom in Class 1
04 Nov 2021
Class 1 have been exploring form drawing in many formats and using as many outdoor classroom spaces as possible. They have drawn straight, circular and spiral forms, traced them in the sandpit, playground and asphalt, enjoying the open spaces with teacher Monique Anderson. They are working with more challenging forms and shapes that are reflected in the world - in objects, plants, letters, numbers and other living things. This also lays the foundation for understanding geometry in later years. Experiencing the form through many of their senses helps children to understand the shapes that they see in the world around them. They have been hearing stories inspired by the beautiful poppies blooming outside Class 1 - soft, shy and inward, like some of the forms, bright and outward poppies like other forms. Children learn through walking, skipping, jumping, drawing in the air and sandpit, the blackboard and their own workbooks - they are crossing midlines, and working with the understanding of contraction, expansion and reflection. It's harder than it looks!
Read moreSilent Auction items on display - place your bids now
04 Nov 2021
There are the most beautiful items in the Silent Auction that have been hand-crafted by students, families and parents. They were all on display at the Castlecrag Campus this week - hanging from the fences, trees and gates - parents and children were able to admire the beautiful workmanship and designs of each piece. They will be on display again but please visit our website to take home one of these beautiful pieces.
Year 7 Spanish Class celebrate Day of the Dead
04 Nov 2021
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a holiday celebrated on the 2nd of November. It originated in Mexico where it is mostly observed, but has spread to many other countries in Central and South America. Although associated with the Christian observances of All Hallow’s Eve and All Saints’ Day, it is much less solemn and instead a joyful celebration. Family and friends gather to pay respects and to remember friends and family members who have died. Traditions connected with the holiday include decorations of marigold flowers and calaveras (skulls), and building ofrendas (alters) to honour loved ones who have died. The ofrendas contain photos, food and items that represent and honour the dead.
In the past few weeks the Year 7 Spanish class has been preparing for the big celebration, making flowers and sculpting calaveras to decorate the classroom. Students celebrated on the day by painting their calaveras and baking pan de Muerto (“dead bread” - a traditional Mexican sweet bread). Students were also given the option to honour a loved one who has died, whether they be a family member or friend, beloved pet, or famous person that they admire.
#glenaeon #spanish #languages #dayofthedead #mexico #year7 #highschool #middlecove #northshore #school #education
Read moreDiwali Festival
04 Nov 2021
Happy Diwali! There was so much beauty and magic in our Preschool day today as we celebrated Diwali the Hindu Festival of Lights. Our teacher Pooja made a delicious rice porridge for morning tea. After our park play, we came together and Pooja captivated the children with a Diwali story she had written and a joyful, exuberant song and dance. A mandala of flowers from the children’s gardens was created by all and left as a beautiful natural Diwali gift for the park community. The children were delighted at the return of a lunch favourite of Idlis before resting with the magic of their clay diya candles shining light into the darkness. Avi then surprised his friends with a gift of bracelets to celebrate Diwali through dressing up beautifully. Thank you so much to Pooja and Avi and his family for sharing this special day with us.
#preschool #willoughby #Diwali #Hindu #Festival
Read morePlaygroups in Term 4
21 Oct 2021
Due to the current COVID situation and the Level 3+ restrictions on schools, Glenaeon Playgroups sessions with Sandra and Nancy are not able to be held at our Castlecrag or Willoughby campuses in Term 4.
Instead, Glenaeon Playgroups are offering families the chance to connect each Tuesday between 9:30am and 10:30am over Zoom. All Playgroup families are welcome to ‘drop in’ for a song, game, story, show & tell, and guided adult discussion hosted by Sandra.
If you would like the Zoom link for the Playgroups Zoom session, (there is no charge for these opportunities for gathering) or any other queries regarding Glenaeon Playgroups, please contact Sandra Frain via email: playgroups@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreSilent Auction going live this Sunday
21 Oct 2021
We are excited to announce that the Glenaeon Silent Auction is going live this Sunday 24th October. There are some wonderful Class items to bid on, projects which have brought a feeling of togetherness to the children during the period of lockdown. There are also many beautiful handmade pieces created by some very talented members of our community.
Year 7 Student Sara has been working on a wet felting project in support of the Silent Auction – which as you can see in the photos, the finished product is a wet and kneedle felted bag! It looks wonderful. Also pictured are some of the other treasures up for auction. Well done Sara and to all the artists and crafters!
Thank you for supporting this school fundraiser, we hope that you find items that may bring extra joy and beauty to your homes.
Online Auction Dates:
Bidding goes live : Sunday 24th October
Final bids: Sunday 14th November (auction closes 8pm)
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Susie, James and Julie (Class 4 Silent Auction Coordinators)
susie@dezoete.com
Environmental Art & Design Prize exhibition: 12 Nov - 12 Dec 2021
21 Oct 2021
New dates have been announced for the Environmental Art & Design Prize exhibition: 12 Nov - 12 Dec 2021. Glenaeon has two current students and one Alumna who have been announced as finalists. Please get along and support their work. Congratulations again to Anouk, Kauri and Elicia.
For more information go to: https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/northern-beaches-environmental-art-and-design-prize
Read more
Back to School at last for Little Kindy, Kindy and Class 1 and 2
21 Oct 2021
This week saw the return of Little Kindy, Kindy and Class 1 students to our Castlecrag campus. What a wonderful time we have had here at Castlecrag! There may have been some hesitation and a few nerves on Monday morning, but the children have settled beautifully and the mood is calm and joyous. It is so good to have our students back at school and enjoying being with their friends again.
Read moreNational Bird Week
21 Oct 2021
It's National Bird Week and we have been celebrating the birds of Glenaeon by posting beautiful bird photos taken at our Middle Cove campus and sharing these on our Facebook and Instagram channels. If you missed Dr Stanley Tang's informative bird webinars last week, you can now find them online, thanks to Willoughby City Council:
Read moreGlenaeon Art Show 2021 - NOW LIVE!
21 Oct 2021
The Glenaeon Art Show is now live. Visit www.glenaeonfair.com and click on Art Show to see the over 160 pieces online. The show will run over three weeks until November 7th. Artworks can be purchased from 9am on Monday 25th October until Sunday 7th November. All works are available for personal Covid-Safe viewings by appointment. A portion of the sale of each work is retained as a contribution to the school's fundraising and is used to provide important services and facilities for the students of Glenaeon, now and into the future.
Read more
Silkworms at Preschool
21 Oct 2021
Each day our Preschoolers picked some leaves and watched the silkworms grow larger until we saw the first cocoons being spun. The children look at the silkworms which have just been given the freshly picked leaves from our mulberry tree and one child is delighted to carefully hold one in a leaf.
#glenaeon #preschool #willoughby #nature #outdooreducation #outdoorlearning #earlychildhood #childcare #steiner #steinereducation #steinerschool
Read moreSenior Library refresh
21 Oct 2021
Term 3 was a lonely term in the Senior Library, however the silver lining of remote learning was that it gave library staff the opportunity to give the library a much-needed makeover and remodel. The vision was to make it an inviting space not only for students who would like a quiet place to study, but also for students to relax in a quiet corner with a book or gather with friends to play games at recess and lunch. The new layout of the library has increased study space, increased shelving space for books (yay!) and resources, and a cozy space for reading and games.
A special shoutout to Mary Goodrich from Maintenance who went above and beyond in lending her time during every step of the process. The library staff, Chris Tang and Alice Livermore, are very much looking forward to welcoming students back into the library when that can occur. It was lovely to see that Book Club continued strong on Zoom throughout the remote learning period, but we are very excited for both Book Club and Writing Club to resume face-to-face when extra-curricular activities can start up again.
Read moreSilkworms - the daily wriggle in Reception
21 Oct 2021
The silkworms in Reception and the classrooms have attracted daily attention and care. The pets of the campus are tended to daily, fed and spoken to by the children with great delight. Soon they will be spinning cocoons and emerging as moths before laying their eggs for next year – a wonderful expression of Spring! If you listen VERY carefully - you can even hear the big ones munching on our delicious mulberry leaves!
Read moreClass 2 - the Tunnel Challenge
21 Oct 2021
It wasn’t long before the Class 2 students were back to measure their growth in the ‘Jump the Tunnel’ challenge! Almost a right of passage in the playground, being able to run, jump and get over the tunnel…somehow...anyhow... is all that counts and they support and cheer each other on in their attempts. Prior to lockdown not all could make it, so there were some jubilant smiles as they realised how much they had grown since being away! It's harder than it looks!
Read moreWho’s up for a game of Table Tennis?
21 Oct 2021
PDHPE Teacher & Co-curricular Organiser, Jonas Stoebe, has purchased a brand new table tennis table for our students to enjoy. It is a very sturdy and solid table, and will last a long time. Jonas wanted to have something fun and positive for the students when they come back to face-to-face learning. It is particularly timely that it arrived just a few days ago, just in time to welcome the high school students back, when they return to school next week.
Jonas said, “The school provided the finances and a skilled maintenance team member, namely Sonny, to put the table together which took three hours of labour! I want to thank both parties for contributing to this new table which will offer countless hours of fun for many students chasing the small ball.”
The school’s PE department is providing the table tennis bats and balls. Students, get ready to lob, smash and spin!
Read moreThese are a few of my favourite things...
21 Oct 2021
Children explored some of their favourite places… and missed things… from Castlecrag! Hunting for raspberries, pepinos and mulberries, grinding sandstone and drawing with chalk were high on the playground to-do list. What joy to slide down the slippery dip, pour water in the sandpit, ring the bell and dig endless tunnels and castles together again!
Read moreClass 1 - From the Zoom Room to the Classroom
21 Oct 2021
Class 1 are practicing the four processes, learning to add, subtract, multiply and divide to find a certain number. Whilst this Mathematics Main Lesson began on Zoom during remote learning using Zoom and break-out rooms, the joy of the children finally coming back together and solving maths questions has been wonderful! Using counters, hands, and dancing in rings of 2's, 3’s, 4’s, 5’s and 6’s, the children celebrated the joys of learning together with all of their senses and delight! Led by teacher Monique Anderson, they are finding the many paths home to Grandma's house in their stories by jumping and stepping the times tables all around the classroom! It is such fun to be back together again.
Read moreBaby Butcher Birds at Castlecrag
21 Oct 2021
Two baby butcher birds were found on the 'far corner' wood pile by the children, with mum and dad high in the tree, their nest most likely having blown down in the recent winds. We brought them to the office and rang Stanley Tang, our High School science teacher and ornithologist. It's wonderful having Stanley to talk to and he asked us to feed them worms and place them in a basket hung as high in the tree as we could reach, as they can't fly yet. We went back late in the afternoon and the babies had been able to hop from the basket back up into the tree and out onto a safer branch where mum and dad were flying down to feed them! Hooray!
Read moreClass 2 happy to be back crafting together
21 Oct 2021
Class 2 came together for craft for the first time in over four months to share their projects and progress. There was such a colourful and creative array of projects underway – knitting animals from squares, embroidery. ponchos, and one student repairing their own clothing! Some have also begun to sand and make their own knitting needles. Impressive and beautiful, Class 2! They are also working on a secret sewing project... I wonder what that could be?
Read moreWelcome to Term 4!
07 Oct 2021
What a difference two days make! We deliberately delayed sharing our return to school plans with parents knowing that in the past, plans announced by the Premier have changed, and now even the Premier has changed as well as the plan! So we have both a new Premier and new plans, and all schools across NSW will be scrambling to catch up. An enormous amount of work has gone into our return to school schedules, planning which now has to pivot to accommodate the new return dates. We will be in touch with you shortly to outline Glenaeon’s plans for Term 4.
Schools are very empty places without students, so we await their return with great anticipation. When they do return, the Term 4 arrangements for schools will involve serious restrictions and mandates which mean we have to work within a framework that is not what we would normally choose. These mandates have a potentially fragmenting effect on our community harmony, and we are working very hard to accommodate all sections of our community.
There will be constraints in which we have to work, but we are confident that the school will manage the transition back to normal school life. The Public Health Orders are legally binding on schools: we do not make these rules, but we are obligated to ensuring they are in place. Within the constraints of these orders, we are working to ensure every teacher and staff member remains both safe and connected to their classes.
As the final term for Year 12, we wish all students and families in our senior year a successful period of HSC exams, and a positive ending to the school journey. There will be further details of our return to school in the next few days and in the meantime, I wish everyone a happy start to Term 4!
Read moreClass 1 Aboriginal Dreaming
07 Oct 2021
Class One has recently completed a Main Lesson centred on stories from the Aboriginal Dreaming. Stories of those animals unique to Australia were featured, giving a picture of these creatures in their natural habitat, and of course expressing their characteristics, in ways both humorous and profound. We heard about Tiddalik the Frog, who drank all the water in the billabong, and how the other animals tried to make him laugh so all the water would be restored to its rightful place. We heard about the special Platypus, who was invited by the birds to join their special group, by the water creatures to join theirs, and by the land animals, too. We heard, too, a legend about how the spirits in the sky asked Kookaburra to wake them each morning with his raucous laughter, so they would remember to light the fire of the sun each day. These stories were beautifully illustrated by the children, who also wrote sentences to encapsulate a significant theme or moment from each tale. In this way, the children developed both their literacy skills and an appreciation of our natural environment and the cultures of the indigenous communities who wove these tales for the benefit and enjoyment of all.
Read moreClass 2 learn about Saints
07 Oct 2021
One of the key main lessons of Class 2 is the Saints main lesson. Children turning 8 begin to be more conscious of the differences between the people around them, and between themselves and others. The animal fable stories we looked at earlier in the year provide a picture of human limitations and how they can get in our way. The Saints main lesson takes it further. We provide stories of legendary figures that have developed human attributes such as courage, veneration and compassion, and have stepped beyond their personal limitations to serve humanity or a great cause beyond themselves.
Read moreOctober is Mental Health Awareness Month
07 Oct 2021
October is Mental Health Awareness Month, an important time where the Australian community comes together to raise awareness and promote better mental health for all, and never has this need been more pertinent than at the moment. For more information about relevant Mental Health Month events, please visit this link - https://www.mhfa.org.au/cms/national-mental-health-month-2021
Below is an ‘Optimistic October’ calendar created by ‘Action for Happiness’ which includes daily activities and challenges that can encourage individuals to take actions towards increasing happiness and positive mental wellbeing. You might like to partake in the activities as a family and share your experiences.
Click here to download the calendar.
On the theme of mental health, please also feel free to access resources created by Reach Out for students and families that includes guide to surviving online learning, which may assist in the (hopefully) final weeks of remote learning.
Read morePlaygroups in Term 4
07 Oct 2021
Due to the current COVID situation, Glenaeon Playgroups sessions with Sandra and Nancy are not able to be held at our Castlecrag or Willoughby campuses.
Instead, Glenaeon Playgroups are offering families the chance to connect each Tuesday between 9:30am and 10:30am, starting on October 12 over Zoom. All Playgroup families are welcome to ‘drop in’ for a song, game, story, show & tell, and guided adult discussion hosted by Sandra.
Also, on offer is a Playgroup Parent Educational Evening on Tuesday 12 October between 7pm-8pm hosted by Sandra and Nancy.
The Zoom link will be sent out on Sunday October 10th. (There is no charge for these opportunities for gathering.)
If you have any further questions about Glenaeon Playgroups, please contact Sandra via email: playgroups@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreKids in the Kitchen making Kaiserschmarrn
07 Oct 2021
German Language students recently tried their hand at cooking a much-loved Austrian recipe, a dish called, ‘Kaiserschmarrn’ a light, fluffy, caramelised pancake made from a sweet batter using flour, eggs, sugar, salt, and milk, baked in butter. It takes its name from the Austrian emperor (Kaiser) Franz Joseph I, who was very fond of this kind of fluffy shredded pancake. It is served as a dessert or as a light lunch.
‘Gut Erledigt’ to all the cooks!
You can download Brigitte's recipe if you’d like to give it a try.
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store - Do you need new lunchboxes, hats and slippers?
07 Oct 2021
It's not long now until we will be packing lunchboxes again!
If you need to stock up on back to school essentials, you’ll find our slippers, sun hats, sustainable lunchboxes, insulated food containers and drink bottles all available online. Make use of our FREE LOCAL DELIVERY or click and collect.
We are excited to announce that Grassroots Eco Store is now an approved registered Creative Kids NSW Provider. You can redeem your voucher with us and get busy creating with our Seasonal Craft Pack!
Find out more at grassrootsecostore.com.au
Follow us on Instagram @grassroots_ecostore and be the first to find out when the Castlecrag Shop will reopen and opening hours.
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
2021 Glenaeon Art Show set to open 17 October
07 Oct 2021
Artist submissions closed a few days ago on 3 October. Organisers are thrilled with the response. Over 150 submissions have been received from both established and emerging artists. At first glance, the quality of the works submitted is really pleasing. Curators will now review all the artwork and artists will soon be informed if their pieces have been selected for inclusion in the exhibition.
Last year’s Art Show housed around 200 pieces, generating $15,000 in sales.
This year’s exhibition will open online from Sunday 17 October and will run for three weeks, until Sunday November 7, 2021. This event is sponsored by the Glenaeon Parents Association.
To see the exhibition from October 17, go to: www.glenaeonfair.com and to book a viewing for a particular artwork please email glenaeon.artshow@gmail.com
Read moreTerm 4 Parent Education: Out of Home and Into the World
07 Oct 2021
After months in lockdown, Sydney will emerge during the Spring and Summer of 2021/22. How can we and the children and young people in our families be supported to experience creative reengagement with our environments? Approaching this question from a number of perspectives, Term 4 Parent Education at Glenaeon provides practical, hands on, family focused perspectives and ideas on getting out of our winter lockdown and back into the world in a healthy way.
Bookings are now open: https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/1397
Download the Parent Education Term 4 program flyer
Read moreThank you to our chicken carers
07 Oct 2021
A hearty shout out to our marvelous chicken care volunteers who came to Middle Cove campus every day of the holidays to feed, water and collect eggs from our newly combined flock of eight healthy chooks. Glenaeon families from Playgroup all the way up to Class 6 were involved.
Thank you! from the Garden Team
Read moreSpring Festival celebrated online
07 Oct 2021
The Spring Festival was not able to be held on campus at the end of Term 2, so we celebrated together online. We shared an Acknowledgement of Country and spring poetry together before enjoying a wonderful Spring Festival film produced by Clair Cisterne. Families had shared images and videos from their spring activities at home, including photos, music, stories and even staff sang a beautiful song in rounds for all to enjoy! Thank you to all who participated and shared the springtime spirit with us - it was beautiful to see you all celebrating in your homes, beaches, parks and the bush.
Read moreKathy and Willa unwind
07 Oct 2021
During the lockdown, Gardening Teacher Kathy Thangathurai and her daughter Willa, currently completing HSC, have been relaxing and unwinding by winding wool. Looking at the wool in this photo has us feeling relaxed and happy too!
Read moreDr Stanley Tang celebrates National Bird Week (18-24 October 2021)
07 Oct 2021
Our very own science teacher, Dr Stanley Tang will be a guest speaker at two separate events celebrating National Bird Week, hosted by Willoughby City Council.
The first, Talking Birds is on Thursday 14 October at 6:30pm on Zoom. Stanley, who is also a researcher, and ornithologist has been carrying out a formal, licensed survey of birds with some of our students in North Arm Reserve, investigating the dynamic of local bird populations.
To register go to: https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Eventbrite/Talking-Birds-Birds-of-North-Arm-Reserve-Middle-Cove-157739650541
The second talk Introduction to the Aussie Backyard BirdCount is on Sunday 17 October at 10am and Stanley will explain how to bird watch and contribute to this annual citizen science project. Stanley will also team up with Dr Holly Parsons from Birdlife Australia to introduce some of the local species of birds that use our local reserve networks (including our beautiful Middle Cove campus) and show you how you can do your own Backyard Bird Count.
To register go to: https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Eventbrite/Introduction-to-the-Aussie-Backyard-Bird-Count-157563188739
Read more
Preschool Introductory webinar 19 OCT 11:15am
07 Oct 2021
Preschool Director Peggy Day will host an introductory webinar for Parents considering enrolling their child in Preschool in 2022.
This webinar will take parents through the Preschool philosophy and program, with time for Q&A. To book click here.
Download our Preschool poster and share with your friends and family.
Read moreClass 5 Journey to Ancient Greece
07 Oct 2021
Class Five finished the term with an introduction to Greek Mythology. Ancient Greece marks a period in human cultural development of great balance. It is a time where humanity developed an advanced sense of aesthetic form alongside an attention to the structure of society through government and democratic processes. The life of the mind evolved to become the essentials of philosophy and profound mathematical discoveries. Children in Class Five sit poised on the cusp of puberty, and they too experience a sense of inner balance at the completion of childhood and a profound inner awakening. Hence, the choice of these studies perfectly suits their stage of development.
The children loved hearing the stories of the imperfectly humanist gods and goddesses. They each completed a project in which they read, wrote, illustrated and retold the story of one of the 12 Olympian gods. They also heard tales of the first heroes before the fall of troy. Despite the challenges of distant learning, their work continues to demonstrate their devotion to beauty and their ever emerging capacities for writing and expression.Going for gold in the Glenlympics
16 Sep 2021
With the Olympic and Paralympic flames extinguished, there is one remaining event still running – The Glenlympics. The casual competition between Mentor/Guardian groups has been heating up in the run up to the term break, with a late flurry of activity. In its second week the competition for the games is fierce! Countries Saville, Totterdell and Rees are at the top of the medal count table with countries like Miller and Tang following up behind. It is hoped that little known countries like van den Tol will find their way into the games as the momentum builds. Teams Cisterne, Tang and van den Tol need only to get their points on the board! Some of the best performances are yet to take place, so it is still up in the air to who will take out the winning position. Celebrating Spring is of course, one of the easiest challenges and before the end of the week, we are hoping to see lots of evidence the competitors can decorate their homes and themselves to acknowledge this long tradition! We envisage a big burst of activity before the end of term!
GLENLYMPICS ‘MEDAL’ TALLY
Team Saville 525 (special mention to Mya for her wonderful enthusiasm)
Team Totterdell 340
Team Rees 310 (with some late entry runs expected from Rohan)
Team Miller 135
Team van den Tol
Team Tang
Team Cisterne
Spring Festival: A reminder to all our Little Kindy to Class 6 Families!
16 Sep 2021
Even though we can’t celebrate traditionally, Spring is here and with it, the joy of enjoying a little more time outside in the warmer weather! Our Spring Festival will be held this Friday, September 17th, at 12 pm and you are warmly invited to join us via the link on the Spring Festival GLO page https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/1431 Please wear your floral garland to join in the Spring spirit.
During our short assembly, a special Spring Film will be uploaded to the same GLO page to be enjoyed immediately or later at your convenience. I have had a sneak peek at a draft version of the film and can confidently say that it will bring a great deal of much-needed cheer!
We look forward to celebrating together even though we are apart.
Happy Spring!
Dani Finch
Deputy Head of School (K-6)
Year 8 PE students live chat with Medecins sans Frontiers health worker on the ground in Afghanistan
16 Sep 2021
Afghanistan has been in the news a lot lately since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban over a month ago. Our TV screens show heartbreaking images of anxious people desperate to escape. Recently more than $1.6 billion has been pledged to help the Afghan people who are in desperate need of food, health care and protection. So during this turbulent time, with Afghan people living in turmoil, it was unique and exceptional timing for our Year 8 PE students to have the opportunity to hear from and ask questions of a health care worker from “Doctors without Borders” Tankred Stoebe – brother of Glenaeon’s PDHPE Teacher Jonas Stoebe - working on the ground in Afghanistan.
As Jonas explains, “My brother Tankred works for Doctors Without Borders around the world and I had organised for him to dial into our PE zoom lesson for an informative and interactive lesson in which he spoke about his work there and students could ask questions.
“Tankred has worked for MSF (Medecins sans Frontiers) for over 20 years and is currently in Afghanistan, Herat, for four weeks just when everyone has been trying to escape. After an introduction by me and a ‘happy to see you brother’ moment, Tankred spoke about the current situation in the country more broadly and also about his specific work and the health system’s need at the moment in Afghanistan.”
Students asked lots of good questions and Tankred was happy to answer all of them. He was able to dispel some myths and answer some challenging questions such as “Isn’t life super dangerous under the Taliban government?”, to which he replied that poverty, deprivation of basic human needs of most people haven’t changed at all and that life in the third biggest city in the country is not much different to what it was a year ago for most Afghanis.
Sadly, this does not include freedoms for women and girls which will be further restricted as the new authority gets into gear. Students learned that the Taliban currently accept aid work and Tankard reported that he saw no immediate danger to hospital staff. Yet, the whole situation is highly volatile.
Students were highly engaged in the session and asked how they could help. For students who have been having many Zoom sessions during lockdown in Sydney, this was certainly one that gave them a unique insight into life in Afghanistan during one of the country’s most defining and difficult times in history, and a timely reminder of our privilege to live where we do.
Immediately after the student Zoom with Tankred, he was interviewed on CNN News Channel. You can watch the interview here: CNN Newsroom with Robyn Curnow
For anyone wishing to support the work of MSF, please donate at www.msf.org.au, the Australian arm of the organisation.
Read moreCampus upgrades during lockdown
16 Sep 2021
Our Maintenance team has been very busy working away on campus during the long lockdown making many improvements. The Senior Library has had a makeover, the walkways around the Sylvia Brose Hall are completed, the pillars on the D&T Building have been repaired and painted and the Year 8 Classroom has been freshly spruced up with a lick of paint and new carpets. Year 7 area has also had some painting work to brighten up the area. Thanks to our hardworking Maintenance team of Chris, Michael, Noel, Sonny and Mary. Special thanks to Mary who has pivoted during lockdown from Traffic Controller at the Middle Cove School Crossing on Eastern Valley Way to COVID cleaning, sanitizing and very capably undertaking maintenance jobs around campus.
Read moreMuch eggcitement for new chooks at Middle Cove
16 Sep 2021
Our chicken coop at Middle Cove has three new residents. They seem very happy with their new home and are settling in nicely.
Read moreThe Great Glenaeon Raffle 2021
16 Sep 2021
Well it’s that time again, to get ready for the annual Great Glenaeon Raffle, with many exciting prizes to be won, including designer wardrobes, weekend away, photography packages and “Man about the House show with Tim Ross” packages… just to name a few.
As always, the raffle is an important fundraising activity for the school, which funds many outstanding projects throughout the year. So please get your tickets and check out the many great prizes on offer and spread the word to all your family, friends and networks (Facebook and Instagram posts included).
We are extremely grateful for the many kind donations we received this year from so many of our supporters and families. Thanks also to team members Alex François, Jochen Schweitzer and Karina Schlieper for their dedication to getting this up and running again this year. The raffle will be virtually drawn this year on the 21st of November. So don’t wait…get your tickets here and good luck!
https://www.raffletix.com.au/glenaeonfair
Download the Raffle pic and share it with friends and family!
Click here to buy your raffle tickets.
Read moreSpring buds, berries and babies at Castlecrag
16 Sep 2021
There are a lot of beautiful spring buds, berries and babies growing at Castlecrag, in readiness for children to come back during Term 4! The mulberries are growing... first the tiny leaves and now the berries have grown. We have a special white mulberry that looks like a long lamb's tail that is absoloutely delicious once it is ripe! There are little tadpoles and tiny, baby silkworms that are growing. The native bees are coming out more in the warmer weather and the buds on the lime and lemon trees tell us there will be lots of fruit next season! Happy Spring!
Read moreA Rainbow in Spring
16 Sep 2021
There are lots of flowers in bloom and just because it's the week of our Spring Festival ... here's a rainbow of flowers from our campus for you!
Read more
Year 10 English Responds to Macbeth
16 Sep 2021
In English this term, Year 10 students have been studying the beautiful language in William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. Ms Rees’ class wrote some 100-word pieces of Flash Fiction inspired by the play’s desolate setting.
Read Natalia Bennett’s creative response to the opening of Macbeth:
Scotland’s hills rolled out in front of Macbeth. The sky had succumbed to the inky clouds, fat and heavy with rain. An average day. Although, you’d think after a victory, a sliver of sunshine might make an appearance. Trees spotted the surrounding lands in clusters. They shadowed the ground from any sort of light. The vivid green of the country was as usual dulled. Frigid drops of water began to pat the ground, spitting on the soldiers’ faces. Even their helmets couldn’t keep out the cold, the metal stinging their bodies. Soon, the ground was spotted with puddles and mud, which splattered with the begrudging footsteps of the men. Wind snaked past the travelling group, sending freezing air to shake their spines. Home felt like years away.
Ms Gonzalez’ class started their study of Shakespeare’s play Macbeth with a consideration of the Medieval concept of the Wheel of Fortune. It was believed individuals symbolically rode this wheel throughout life as it was spun by Fortuna, the Roman goddess of Luck, Fate and Fortune.
In the context of 2020-2021, many students related to the sense of being spun by forces out of their control, from a position of comfort, into one of endurance. Yet it was reassuring to hear students overwhelmingly articulate an alternate worldview: one based on free will, thoughtful action and self-determination. So, while the wheel of fortune may appear to spin, there was agreement that we can also spin it for the better!
Discussions over whether the glass is half-empty or half-full returned upon encountering this bleak monologue by Macbeth:
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
But do Year 10 agree with Macbeth’s assessment of the futility of life??
Below is a response from student Oscar Street:
Yet even nothing is something
For tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Stroll at this placid pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
Not leaving a single moment unlived.
The way to a joyous newborn, whose candle is newly lit!
Life is the smiling face, a rich player
Who has nothing, but loves his hour on the stage,
And then is remembered by eternity,
for the actions he hath done. Life is a tale
told by a mother, full of interest and care.
Signifying all.
Lovely work, Year 10.
Read moreSpring Clean with Glenaeon Swap and Sell Facebook Group
16 Sep 2021
If you're planning a Spring clean these holidays, why not join our Glenaeon Swap and Sell Facebook Group? This group enables parents, students and alumni to swap, sell or buy items like Glenaeon uniforms, textbooks, sports equipment or musical instruments. Also if there is an item you need, you can add a WTB (Wanted to Buy) notice. To join the group, go to: www.facebook.com/groups/glenaeon/
Read moreHandwork at home
16 Sep 2021
Here is Maaike from Class 4 finishing off a home mega craft project that she has been working on during lockdown. A woven rug made from oodles of finger knitted wool and woven onto a round board strung (warped) the same way as the woven recorder bags that are made by most children at Glenaeon.
It is wonderful to see the children at Glenaeon transferring the skills they learn at school to create beautiful handmade treasures at home!
Read moreSpring Nature Tables at school and home
16 Sep 2021
Here are some lovely Spring Nature Tables from Castlecrag - enjoy as we wish you all a lovely spring holiday!
Read moreFrankie Bouchier- The Sun Music Video release
16 Sep 2021
GlenX Frankie Bouchier (2017 cohort) has recently released a new music video. The Musician, signed to Underfoot Records, recorded the music video at our beautiful Middle Cove campus. Congratulations Frankie on your growing success.
Read moreThe Great Glenaeon Raffle 2021
16 Sep 2021
Well it’s that time again, to get ready for the annual Great Glenaeon Raffle, with many exciting prizes to be won, including designer wardrobes, weekend away, photography packages and “Man about the House show with Tim Ross” packages… just to name a few.
As always, the raffle is an important fundraising activity for the school, which funds many outstanding projects throughout the year. So please get your tickets and check out the many great prizes on offer and spread the word to all your family, friends and networks (Facebook and Instagram posts included).
We are extremely grateful for the many kind donations we received this year from so many of our supporters and families. Thanks also to team members Alex François, Jochen Schweitzer and Karina Schlieper for their dedication to getting this up and running again this year. The raffle will be virtually drawn this year on the 21st of November. So don’t wait…get your tickets here and good luck!
https://www.raffletix.com.au/glenaeonfair
Download the Raffle pic and share it with friends and family!
Click here to buy your raffle tickets.
Read moreThe Great Glenaeon Raffle 2021
16 Sep 2021
The annual Glenaeon Raffle is on now, with many exciting prizes to be won, including designer wardrobes, weekend away, photography packages and “Man about the House show with Tim Ross” packages… just to name a few.
As always, the raffle is an important fundraising activity for the school, which funds many outstanding projects throughout the year. So please get your tickets and check out the many great prizes on offer and spread the word to all your family, friends and networks.
We are extremely grateful for the many kind donations we received this year from so many of our supporters and families. Thanks also to team members Alex François, Jochen Schweitzer and Karina Schlieper for their dedication to getting this up and running again this year. The raffle will be virtually drawn this year on the 21st of November. So don’t wait…get your tickets here and good luck!
https://www.raffletix.com.au/glenaeonfair
Download the Raffle pic and share it with friends and family!
Click here to buy your raffle tickets.
Read more
Join the Clubs! Glenaeon “Clubs” program for Students from Class 1 through to Year 10
19 Aug 2021
A reminder to, if you haven't already, get on board with Glenaeon's lockdown initiative for students in Class 1 to Year 10. Glenaeon Clubs run from 2:30pm each weekday afternoon.
There are a wonderful variety of activities on offer for students of all ages – from sport to art, book clubs, dance and origami. Each club’s session length can vary. For example, Art Club runs from 2:30pm-4pm and Sport club runs for 1 hour. Attendance is voluntary and you can join multiple clubs if you wish (one per day), and all sessions are delivered live.
To find out more about each activity, view the Glenaeon Clubs timetable, and to access the zoom links, please follow the instructions in the guide or click here: https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/3656/
Read more2021 Glenaeon Family Fair & Art Show
19 Aug 2021
The 2021 GLENAEON FAMILY FAIR is scheduled for 5-7 November, however, with the current lockdown it is uncertain whether we will be able to hold a physical event this year. Please note that the Glenaeon Art Show, Raffle and Silent Auction will all be hosted online and therefore will be able to proceed regardless of any COVID-19 restrictions.
Read more"Reflection" by Year 10 student, Oscar Street
19 Aug 2021
Last Newsletter we shared the news that two Glenaeon High School students - Charlie Scharf, Year 8, and Oscar Street, Year 10 - had been shortlisted in the Mosman Youth Awards in Literature.
Oscar has kindly shared his shortlisted poem, titled, Reflection:
Waves of stars reflected on the ocean
Wash in from the sea, flowing into your sight
Like the ocean’s dark depths, your eyes shimmer
Strewn with the glowing sand of stars.
The milky way flows with them
Like sediment in a great river
Like dust in a whirling tornado,
Like cities on a giant earth.
The stars out-glowed only by the boulderous pearl,
The constant in changing,
The sovereign of the sky
The queen of the tide
The floating light of the moon.
But still, the moon in all its glory,
Is a holy dot on the star scattered void,
A void that encompasses all water and earth,
A void with the power to rip all to dust,
And a void with the power to create all life.
The boundless stretch of the eternal void,
The universe which contains the silver moon and sediment stars,
The stage that has acted every scene of reality…
Reflected in the eyes of one human,
An infinitely small human,
Who gazes into this giant sky and dreams.
Read more
Year 12: Exams in Unusual Times
19 Aug 2021
Year 12 students are currently hard at work and in the middle of their online HSC Trial examinations.
The students have shown significant flexibility and praiseworthy personal capacity during this very challenging time and it must be acknowledged that, although COVID hit us last year and the Year 12 cohort of 2020 were the first to be impacted by lockdowns, these fine young men and women of 2021 have had to face considerably greater challenges that have, most unfortunately, fallen at a very significant point in their HSC year! We stand in admiration of students and parents who have had to adjust to rapidly changing NSW Health and NESA advice, and who have found their final term of secondary schooling looking quite different. Celebrations of the students’ achievements which would usually be shared with parents, the broader school community and guests at Showcases and assemblies will be made available in digital form later in the year, but at this stage I would like to give you a glimpse into how they’re going, and they are travelling very well!
This image shows the upload process after a very successful English Standard and Advanced Paper 2 exam, completed under examination conditions and supervised via Zoom by Library Technician, Chris Tang and English Advanced Teacher, Jacqueline Rees. At the time of writing we have three days of exams behind us, and all processes have been running very smoothly … and may that continue (I am touching wood as I write this!).
Elizabeth Nevieve, Deputy Head of School (Years 7-12)
Read moreForest bathing for staff wellbeing
19 Aug 2021
Taking a walk through the bush, listening to the surrounding sounds, maybe a buzzing bee or a trickling creek, going on an adventure to nowhere in particular, or watching the sunset from a rocky outcrop, are wonderful ways of unwinding both mentally and physically.
During our current lockdown, “switching off” and being present can be especially difficult. So, finding a moment to reconnect with the world around us and taking the time to listen, breath and experience is more important than ever. Connection with the natural world increases our general wellbeing and by slowing down, we are able to have a nourishing break from the stress and challenges we are currently facing.
Forest bathing is a practice that calms the nervous system and reminds us to be present in our lives. And the great thing is, it can be done anywhere, inside your home, in your garden, in a park or in the bush. It is a research-based framework for supporting wellness and healing through immersion in natural environments. The movement is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which translates to “forest bathing”.
Outdoor Education Coordinator, Kirsten Gardiner (KG), recently led staff in a beautiful forest bathing session as part of our School's teacher wellbeing program. She guided us through a session of exploration, awakening our curiosity, engaging the senses, all the while accompanied by a chorus of cockatoos. We finished our hour-and-a-half “walk” with a tea ceremony, where we thanked the Earth for all that she offers us. Teachers were all in agreement that over that period of time we spent with KG, our ‘busy’ thoughts slowed down and we were able to feel a calm connectedness with the space around us.
Thank you, KG for a wonderfully recuperating experience. I cannot recommend your session highly enough!
Elena Rowan, Year 7 Teacher
Read moreGlenaeon in The Sydney Morning Herald
19 Aug 2021
Last week, Head of School, Andrew Hill was quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald (print and online editions) on how schools are managing student wellbeing and mental health during the extended lockdown period. Much thanks to Journalist Jenny Noyes for including Glenaeon in her story. You can read the article here.
Read moreGlenaeon celebrates National Science Week
19 Aug 2021
National Science Week is Australia's annual celebration of all things science. We are mid-way through National Science Week which will run until 22 August. The school theme for National Science Week 2021 is Food: Different by Design. It honours the United Nations International Year of Fruits and Vegetables and the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development.
At Glenaeon, we have been celebrating Science Week 2021 with fruit and light!
Year 11 Physics
Year 11 Physics have been studying electric circuits this term and have been enjoying building and qualitatively and quantitively analysing both series and parallel circuits. This is a practical unit, best studied through application, and it has been wonderful that the students have had access to individual kits with all the necessary components to tinker away. Striving for a intuitive understanding of electric circuits is no easy task, especially when learning online, but with the practical kits supporting the students there have been plenty of both figurative and literal light bulb moments!
Jennifer Macgonigal, Physics/Mathematics Teacher
Year 11 Chemistry
Year 11 Chemistry students started the term busily analysing and comparing quantities of vitamin C found in various fruits and vegetables as part of their Chemistry Depth Study Main Lesson. Students picked up a mini-chemistry experiment kit from school that allowed them to carry out quantitative analysis at home, on kitchen benches, dining tables and even in bathroom sinks! The fruit of their labour showed that kiwi, broccoli and capsicum are very good sources of vitamin C, storing your food at a cooler temperature will preserve the amount of vitamin C better, and that you want to be quick when you’re washing your fruit and vegetables to avoid vitamin C loss to water.
Yura Totsuka, Head of Department (Science)
STEM Teachers 'graduate'
Glenaeon is a partner school of The University of Sydney STEM Teacher Enrichment Academy, which at our school is actually run as a SHTEEM unit with English and History included. Some of our Teachers completed the program last month after submitting their reflection of the 2020 unit, ‘Academy of Renaissance Curators’, that last year’s Year 8 students undertook. So it was a wonderful coincidence that this week, during National Science Week, our 'graduating' Teachers received their certificates.
Our congratulations to Yura Totsuka (Head of Department) Science; Ella Pooley, Alice Livermore, Hernan Carol-Garis, Evan Sanders, Elena Rowan and Stanley Tang for your work in this program.
Unfortunately, lockdown has altered our Year 8 STEM activities this term, but hopefully our students will feel some of the benefit from this wonderful program through GLO and again when they finally return for face-to-face learning.
More information about Science Week can be found at www.scienceweek.net.au
#scienceweek #STEM #physics #chemistry
Read more
Student resources packed to go
19 Aug 2021
Our thanks to all the staff involved in getting student learning resources packed and ready for parent pick up, and our thanks to all the Parents who are so marvelously supporting their children through this difficult time.
We miss our students very much, and look forward to having them back on campus and in the classroom once more! We also really appreciate how stressful this situation is for everyone. Thank you students, thank you parents and also thanks to our dedicated teachers and staff.
Read moreCounting Castles in Class 2
19 Aug 2021
Class 2 are building the Coloured Castle in their Mathematics Main Lesson with teacher Rodney Dean. They each have cuisenaire rods at home and are learning more complex mathematics equations, learning to build the castles of numbers - literally, the building blocks of math! Rodney's colourful drawing and explanations both on Zoom and pre-recorded help the children as they deepen their understanding of multiplication with larger numbers.
The story follows a character who is building a hospital and he needs a LOT of bricks. He learns that instead of counting each brick individually, he can use strategies to calculate an area of bricks to make it easier and quicker. His problem is that there are more bricks in each row than he knows time tables for - rows of 30 for example - so he needs to use his prior knowledge of numbers to split 30 into 3 x 10 bricks and then work out the number of rows he has... and he DOES know his ten times table! It saves him so much time too!
Read more
Creative crafters from Castlecrag!
19 Aug 2021
Handwork at home is currently supported with a lot of resources that have been sent home as well as videos, patterns and an online Craft Club to encourage children (and parents!) to join in. This is an opportunity for all to undertake many craft projects and even learn new skills, or make something new with the skills they have! The children in Class 1 have been finishing their beautiful recorder bags with plaited handle, and are moving on to make woven pouches, finger-knitting and even some beginning to knit with needles! Handwork teacher Elizabeth Ellean has prepared may instructional videos and resources so that the children can make any number of wonderful things from home. Class 1 & 2 are having a go at ponchos, beanies, weaving ideas and even the tricky Egyptian 8-string plait. Well done, clever crafters! We love to see your creations!
Craft Club with Merryn is on Friday afternoons at 2:30pm - come along to enjoy time together crafting, asking questions about your projects and seeing other faces too!
Read moreCastlecrag Building and Blooming
19 Aug 2021
Maintenance and staff are making the most of this time on campus to build, repair and rejuvenate the campus, ready for when children return. Melony, Angela, Michael, Noel and Outdoor Education teacher Scott Williams have a fantastic list of projects they are working on so the campus will be shining, tidy and improved! Painting, oiling the outdoor structures, repairing and sorting the children's tool shed, a new Kindy sandpit wall and sorting the costume cupboard for school plays are just some of the projects taking place. Meanwhile, the daffodils are blooming outside Class 1, the jasmine has burst into blossom and this year's poppies are coming up by the hundreds!
Read moreNature tables at school and home
19 Aug 2021
Seasonal Nature tables are a tradition at Glenaeon - a small table the celebrates the seasonal changes and often is a little story scene itself. Before we say goodbye to our lovely Winter Nature tables here at Castlecrag, have a look at both the school's and some of the Little Kindy children's Nature tables at home.
Read moreYear 7 - Wish, Wonder and Surprise
19 Aug 2021
Year 7 completed a Main Lesson titled 'Wish, Wonder and Surprise' - and English Main Lesson focusing on poetry, writing and the text 'Jonathon Livingstone Seagull' by Richard Bach. It is an inner exploration of personal development alongside the English curriculum, with students exploring and reflecting on their own wishes and dreams, the role of awe wonder in the world, gratitude and grace. They read classic poems by Ezra Pound, Dylan Thomas as well as a novel study exploring Jonathon Livingstone Seagull's inner challenges and experiences and their own biographical story of their place in this world - truly a wonderful way to explore in Year 7! This Main Lesson also combined beautiful artwork led by Art Teacher Julia Byrne, included in their Main Lesson books.
Read moreClass 5 continue Australian History
19 Aug 2021
In continuation of study of Australian History 'Into Tangled Ravines', Class 5 have been learning about the first few years of settlement. The aboriginal tribes suffered greatly during this time, and the history of Windradyne and the hundreds of indigenous tribal lands was explored. They followed explorers Matthew Flinders, Hovell and Hume, John Oxley, James Ruse, Lawson, Wentworth & Blaxland in their respective journeys inland and circumnavigations. Class teacher Katherine Arconati delivered a rich online curriculum, including an online live excursion to the State Library about the First Fleet, a film-making project from each student on one journey and artwork lessons with Glenaeon Art Teacher Julia Byrne. The children are also reading a text called Tom Appleby Convict Boy which brings their history studies into vivid imagination. The children first made their own antiqued diaries using coffee and tea leaves and have been writing beautifully sensitive responses to the novel, exploring highly relevant themes such as courage and resilience. Below is a response written by Eleanor Rush in response to the “courage cloak” described by Tom Appleby.
Read more
Class 5 Movie Project - Australian History films
19 Aug 2021
Lockdown presents an opportunity for families to work together and to engage in other forms of learning tasks that would not be possible at school. Students were asked to make a film of one person from their Australian History Main Lesson, using any technique. The student films are wonderful and highly creative starring themselves, family members and even pets! Techniques used include video film stories, stop-motion, story-reading with hand-drawn illustrations, box puppets, shadow puppetry and old fashioned film styles. Here are some stills from just some of these wonderfully creative films! The Class has its own online Film Festival file and families have been able to sit down, relax and enjoy the class films!
Read moreClass 5 takes square metre challenge to the next level
05 Aug 2021
Class 5 Teacher Katherine Arconati recently set a home learning challenge to her students to create a square metre geometric design as part of their study learning about area. Students responded very creatively indeed. Take a look at the results! Lucia decided to also try the Glenaeon emblem and figured it out! It was a family effort with Lucia's Year 4 sister Sigrid also lending a hand. Take a look at these other student creative responses. Well done to all, you've completely warmed our hearts!
Read moreSport Club kicks off for Classes 4-6 with Jonas
05 Aug 2021
Glenaeon students are reminded of the importance of keeping up physical activity during the lockdown period. Now, Students from Class 4-6 can participate in Sports Club with Glenaeon’s PDHPE Teacher and host Jonas Stoebe. Jonas will be running Sports Club each Monday from 2:30pm for an hour, via Zoom. This week students gathered together online and were coached through a number of sets of exercises including stretching, planking and other movements that got the heart pumping! The session provided a social moment to reconnect with other students and enjoy some fun and activity together. Jonas said, “Students can get some healthy time away from their study desk, take their device outside, enjoy a workout together and share interests and skills. I look forward to energising the young each week!”
For more information, go to the Sports Club page on GLO. BYO juggling balls next week.
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store - Lockdown Gift Packs Delivered
05 Aug 2021
Although the shop on campus is closed during lockdown our online shop remains open with FREE LOCAL DELIVERY. Thank you to everyone who has been ordering online! If you need extra Main Lesson Books, Pencils, Sharpeners, Crayons or Wool you’ll find everything you need in the Arts & Craft section of the website and all items can be delivered straight to your doorstep!
Do you have a friend who could use a bit of love during lockdown? Why not send them an eco-friendly Lockdown Love Package filled with gorgeous Australian-made products sure to lift their spirits and let them know you're thinking of them!
Have kids who need something to brighten their day? We have also put together a Kids Rainbow Craft Pack filled with a beautiful selection of rainbow craft supplies sure to inspire hours of colourful creativity!
It's easy to shop locally online: grassrootsecostore.com.au
If you need something you can’t find on the website, please don’t hesitate to contact Taryn (0409 022 327) and she will be happy to help any way she can.
Follow us on Instagram @grassroots_ecostore to be the first to find out about our new products and the stories behind them!
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Read moreCharlie and Oscar shortlisted in the Mosman Youth Awards in Literature
05 Aug 2021
We’re delighted to share the news that two Glenaeon High School students - Charlie Scharf, Year 8, and Oscar Street, Year 10 - have been shortlisted in the Mosman Youth Awards in Literature.
The Mosman Youth Awards in Literature is an annual prose and poetry competition which attracts budding poets, playwrights and authors from primary and secondary schools across the state, all of whom compete for a share in the $2,000 prize pool.
Charlie wrote a poem as part of our Geography main lesson, and then submitted this as his entry. Oscar also submitted a poem.
Due to COVID restrictions the awards presentation will be announced online later this month. For more information go to: https://mosman.nsw.gov.au/library/Get-Involved/youth-awards-in-literature
Our warmest congratulations to both Charlie and Oscar for their efforts and achievement. We feel very proud of you both.
Well done Charlie and Oscar!
Read moreSerenity in the garden
05 Aug 2021
It's very very quiet without all our students here on campus. But there is still work to be done. With Sandra and Kathy's guidance, pumpkins have been harvested and chickens are being cared for. Our peaceful garden is also getting the occasional visit from a few familiar faces taking a breather from GLO. Here's Sarah (from reception) in the garden with EA, Sally Davidson, and Wellbeing Coordinator Emily Fam, and our Gardening Teacher and Playgroups Coordinator, Sandra Frain.
Read moreWrap with Love
05 Aug 2021
Wrap with Love is a lockdown project that our students can take part in via our Remote Learning Clubs (Knit for Love) Thursdays at 2:30pm for Class 3 to Year 10 and Craft Club on Friday’s at 2:30pm with Merryn Hamilton. All students are invited to watch the pre-recorded videos by Elizabeth Ellean on Glenaeon Learning Online (GLO) to help your get started, and join the weekly Knit for Love or Craft Club to make the squares.
A Wrap With Love personal wrap comprises 28 squares, 25 cm x 25 cm (10 inches x 10 inches) sewn together in 4 rows by 7 rows to size 100cm x 175cm (40 inches x 70 inches) completed. A Wrap can be knitted, crocheted, machine knitted or woven , with wool, acrylic or lined patchwork.
Glenaeon will then coordinate delivery of the completed wraps to the ‘A Wrap With Love’ charity warehouse in Alexandria, NSW, then over forty non-denominational and non-political aid agencies distribute them to those in greatest need around the globe. To find out more about Wrap with Love go to https://www.wrapwithlove.org/ or if your child would like to participate in this wonderful school project, join the club on GLO!
Read morePlaygroups fun
05 Aug 2021
Lockdown has meant that our Playgroups team has had to pivot its delivery model and is now provided via Zoom, email and phone calls with our wonderful Playgroup families. Songs, stories and craft ideas are sent through to families to enjoy. We have also delivered parent-only sessions with Child Development Experts Peggy Day (Director Glenaeon Preschool) and Mary Heard (Simplicity Parenting Coach) to give Parents extra support at this difficult time.
Playgroup leaders Sandra and Nancy are very much looking forward to the time when Playgroup families can once again have fun at our Willoughby and Castlecrag campuses.
Here are some Playgroup photos taken during Term 2.
Read moreSandra Frain brings Storytime Club home
05 Aug 2021
For students and families of Class 1-3 who might feel stuck at home with ‘NOTHING to DO’, Sandra invites you to join her on Zoom for STORYTIME each Tuesday between 2:30pm-3:30pm.
Sandra says, “Bring your favourite pillow and blanket to cozy-up with. Perhaps you have a cuddly doll or animal to bring to STORYTIME too. You can close your eyes and just listen to me, or you may look at the screen to see what you can see.
After the puppet story, we can make a story together with your cuddly friends too.”
No registration is required, please join the Zoom at the start of class each week via GLO.
Read moreGlenaeon launches “Clubs” program for Students from Class 1 through to Year 10
05 Aug 2021
We are very excited to announce the launch of a brand new initiative for students in Class 1 to Year 10 during the remote learning period in 2021. Glenaeon Clubs run from 2:30pm each weekday afternoon and the first sessions ran on Monday with good attendance across the board.
There are a wonderful variety of activities on offer for students of all ages – from sport to art, book clubs, dance and origami. Each club’s session length can vary. For example, Art Club runs from 2:30pm-4pm and Sport club runs for 1 hour. Attendance is voluntary and you can join multiple clubs if you wish (one per day), and all sessions are delivered live.
To find out more about each activity, view the Glenaeon Clubs timetable, and to access the zoom links, please follow the instructions in the guide or click here: https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/3656/
Read moreYear 7's Archie Carter in the Australian Baseball Championships
05 Aug 2021
During the middle of last Term, Archie Carter (Year 7) and his representative baseball team, the Ryde Hawks travelled to Mildura, VIC to compete at the Australian Baseball Intermediate League Championships. Archie’s team were the NSW Champions after having won the state tournament undefeated, and had spent the term training hard to take on the best teams from all around Australia.
In non COVID years the winner of the Australian Championships wins through to the World Series, where they play teams from all over the planet.
After a long bus trip and some torrid weather playing in cold and wet conditions, Archie and the Hawks were poised for a top placed finish after three days of pool play. They had locked in top seed semi-final position after winning three games against West Australian and Victorian champion teams, dropping only one game by a single run.
Sadly, on the day of the semi-final, Victoria’s snap lockdown due to COVID cancelled the tournament, but it was still a great experience for Archie, taking on the best baseballers in Australia and showing that he could match it with the best.
Archie is a versatile player, featuring in a range of positions at both the State and National tournaments and was lauded by coaches for his energy, teamwork and aggressive hitting and base running.
Well done Archie!
Read moreSpring has sprung early at Castlecrag!
05 Aug 2021
Spring has sprung early at Castlecrag campus! The bulbs planted in Autumn have grown, garden beds that the children turned over with Sandra are growing, and we have beautiful flowers blooming across the campus. We wanted to show you how glorious they are! You can see jonquils, daffodils, the cherry blossom tree, wattles and even the humble dandelion flower! There are also wild raspberries and the tamarillos which grew fruit at the end of last term. Our friendly morning kookaburra still comes every day to say hello, sitting on the fence, a tree or the monkey bars. Sandra has been gardening and watering and we miss the children so much. Hello to all the children at home from Castlecrag!
Read moreClass 1 Zooming with Jennifer and climbing trees
05 Aug 2021
Class 1 children have been Zooming with Class teacher Jennifer Stone each morning as they recall their story, work in their Main Lesson books and catch up together each day. Keeping the connection to the Class Teacher Jennifer Stone is important, and they have been learning English, grammar and sentence formation through the rich world of the Russian Fairytales. The children also have Jennifer's audio recordings of her stories, Morning Circle, verses and songs, and literacy/maths worksheets and games. They follow a very similar rhythm to what the children would learn if at school, including afternoon sessions of Japanese & Craft. They have also been having fun in their favourite trees, and noted National Tree Day for schools last Friday!
Read moreCastlecrag Packs for Kindergartens - Class 2
05 Aug 2021
The Kindergartens, Class 1 & 2 have packed bags for the families to collect as resources for Remote Learning. Initially they all collected their Pencils, books, recorders and other stationery, and further bags of craft supplies. Activities for the Kindergarten children have been prepared for collection. It's a busy time at school supporting all the students working so well at home. We are so proud of the children and families learning and playing at home during this time. We miss them all SO much! We look forward to the day when we can have all children back on campus again and the laughter and chatter returns.
Read moreChickens enjoying the playground at Castlecrag
05 Aug 2021
Our chickens Princess, Ebony and Caramel have grown a lot and are enjoy getting out and about at school. They have even ventured into the Class 1 & 2 playground! They are laying eggs now and we look forward to when our Kindy children can cook these again for morning tea! Until then, the egg basket fills up, and some even found their way to the Rainbow Fairy in reception!
Read moreThe Kindy garden is waiting
05 Aug 2021
The Kindy Garden has been waiting very quietly and very patiently of late, for all the children to come back and fill the space with their laughter and warmth. Mother Nature has been very slowly doing what she always does towards the end of winter, awakening the plants and trees; even the little native bees in their nest on Grandfather Gum's trunk, have started to venture out in the warmer winter days. The bulbs that the children planted after Easter, are now sweet-smelling, yellow flowers dancing about in the breezes, while the blossom tree is a riot of magenta, as the chickens scratch about her roots. Little Kindy's potatoes have sprung into life and have grown green and tall. And the classrooms too, wait very quietly and very patiently, for the children to come back.
Read moreSave the Date: 2021 Glenaeon Family Fair & Art Show
22 Jul 2021
2021 GLENAEON FAMILY FAIR & ART SHOW
5-7 November 2021
Glenaeon Castlecrag Campus: 121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag
Important Note: Please note that the Art Show, Raffle and Silent Auction will all be hosted online and therefore will be able to proceed regardless of any COVID-19 restrictions. Events such as the Art Show Opening Night and the Family Fair will be dependent on what restrictions may be in place at the time. We will advise closer to the time.
Friday 5 November * Art Show Opening Night - wine & cheese, silent auction exhibition, 7pm
Saturday 6 November * Family Fair, 10am - 4pm
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CALL OUT to Glenaeon parents, teachers and community who create their own hand craft, ceramics or jewellery. If you would like to sell your creations at the Fair, please contact Clare Gordon for more information (email: C.Gordon@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au)
We are looking for musicians and performers! If you are interested in being part of our Fair Entertainment Program on Saturday 6 November, we would love to hear from you!
DONATION of pre-loved books and clothes (for adult and children) in good condition, would be greatly appreciated for our school stalls.
*Details for drop-off will be announced when COVID restrictions ease. Please hold onto your good quality books and clothing until then.*
Thank you for your generosity
22 Jul 2021
In May this year, we launched our Annual Giving Campaign, Building for the Future aiming to raise funds for the continued development of our Masterplan. We also took the opportunity to share with those in our community the details of much work that has taken place in the past 18 months by hosting three information events.
We are delighted to report that through this year’s Annual Giving Campaign we raised a total of $70,891.
Thank you to everyone who contributed. These funds will be used to help keep Glenaeon students learning in high-quality spaces for years to come.
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Grassroots Eco Store - Delivering Supplies for Home Learning
22 Jul 2021
Although the shop on campus is closed during lockdown our online shop remains open with FREE LOCAL DELIVERY. Thank you to everyone who has been ordering online! If you need extra Main Lesson Books, Pencils, Sharpeners, Crayons or Wool you’ll find everything you need in the Arts & Craft section of the website and all items can be delivered straight to your doorstep!
If you are taking the Plastic Free July challenge and looking for alternatives to reduce plastic products in your home we have some wonderful new products like natural Dish Brushes and Plant-Based Dishcloths that make it easy to go plastic-free in the kitchen. With lots of other ideas to be found in the Home section of the website.
Look out for the full range of nourishing Southern Swan products, which have now been restocked online.
Elizabeth Ellean has made more of her colourfully dyed Silk and Muslin Playcloths, available in all the seasonal colours to add some rainbows to your home learning spaces!
It's easy to shop locally online: grassrootsecostore.com.au
If you need something you can’t find on the website, please don’t hesitate to contact Taryn (0409 022 327) and she will be happy to help any way she can. Follow us on Instagram @grassroots_ecostore to be the first to find out about our new products and the stories behind them!
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Read moreFeeling cooped up?
22 Jul 2021
We hope that these recently taken photos of our lovely chickens, put a smile on your face, and momentarily make you forget about the lockdown. Our chickens hope to see everyone back on campus very soon!
Read moreNew pathways to surround the Sylvia Brose Hall
22 Jul 2021
At the sound of the home-time bell at the end of Term 2, work began on a number of improvement projects around the campus. Whilst the work tools have had to be put down for the time being during the lockdown, we are pleased to showcase the progress that was made in the first part of the school holidays. We can't wait for our new wooden pathways to be walked down. Thanks to our Operations and Facilities Manager, Chris Scrogie and the builders from Aranac for all their hard work on this project.
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Year 9's Sophie Lewis shortlisted for The Text Prize
22 Jul 2021
We are excited to announce that Year 9 student Sophie Lewis is one of seven authors shortlisted for The Text Prize. In Year 8 every student undertakes a project, and last year Sophie Lewis wrote a novel, The Boy in the Field, about her great-grandfather. She submitted the novel to the Text Prize and was chosen from hundreds of manuscripts. The overall winner will be announced on July 29. The prize is $10,000 and a publishing contract. Her proud parents said, "It’s really thanks to the Year 8 Project that she is in this position. Without it she would not have gone the extra mile to finish the book and realise the potential that she had as a writer. It’s one thing to sit and write every day (she does this) but another thing to see a project through to the end."
Congratulations Sophie, on making the shortlist and we wish you well for the final. We are all very proud of you!
Read the blog announcing the shortlisted writers here:
Read moreWhen schooling at home, rhythm is your best friend by Mary Heard
22 Jul 2021
Rhythm is the key to discipline, the secret Steiner schools have always understood. It is also the secret to making children feel secure, it is a message to their nervous system that some things are still the same in the world and that the life they know really matters.
As parents many of us have a tenuous hold on the sort of rhythm and discipline children experience at school but this is a wonderful opportunity for us to reclaim our dominion as we bring school into our home. Home Schooling last time may have been a bit chaotic or formless but we can start this term mapping out with our child/ren what home schooling is going to look like from now on.
As our children have the school rhythm already built into their body clock it is best to stick with that as much as possible. Insist that our children are dressed and ready to start learning at the usual school time - making sure we are free ourselves at this time to get everyone set up. Younger children can also go to their play area at this time as though they are doing their ‘work’ too.
Keep to the morning tea and lunch times of school, we can try to get all the inside activities completed in the morning and then go outside in the afternoon. Outside of school times we need to engage our children in as much of the home life as possible to keep them occupied and to make our own lives easier. Children should be given as many tasks as they can manage like preparing food, cleaning up their rooms daily, packing away the dishes, looking after the garden etc. I would also suggest a long family walk every day for at least an hour. This way we can wear our children out a bit, get some good exercise ourselves and get some outside time.
In order to establish our authority we need to give directions to our children that they can understand and follow. We must be careful not to disguise our directions as questions or requests. I always think the teacher’s ‘now it’s time to…..’ works very well. Once we have established these actions over a few days they will become habits. Also we should try to talk to our children as little as possible, we will see as we try to do this how many unnecessary things we say during the day.
If we only speak when necessary, we will notice how much more our children will listen.
We can say to our children ‘you need to play by yourself now until I finish my work’ (this time will depend on the child’s age) making it clear that they cannot disturb us for that time as we need to get our work done. So long as children have good solid blocks of our undivided attention they should also be able to cope with blocks of time while we do our work. When we do spend time with them we can spend that time doing household chores like hanging out washing or putting it away so that we have the chance to get things done while also being with them. If we spend our time doing chores with our children they will be even happier to have some ‘downtime’ to just play while we leave them alone.
We should try to resist the temptation to put our children in front of screens as this will just make their behaviour worse the rest of the time, reduce their capacity for deep play and encourage them to whinge and whine hoping for more screen time. if we allow our screen time to increase during lockdown we are bound to regret it when lockdown is over. If we need our child to be occupied in the afternoon for a while without us, audiobooks are a good compromise – we can use the opportunity to expose our children to some of the classics we may not have had time to read like ‘Swallows and Amazons’ or the Narnia series.
This is not an easy time for parents who are going through their own anxieties, trying to work from home, managing different age children, sickness and trying to keep family life manageable. Of course it will be 3 steps forward and 2 steps back a lot of the time however if we put the effort in for the first few days and establish and an element of predictability there will be a lot more room for love, compassion, kindness and fun in the home.
Mary Heard is a Simplicity Parenting Coach. Visit https://www.maryheardsimplicityparenting.com/ for more information.
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Greater Flexibility in Paying your School Fees
22 Jul 2021
The School is working with Edstart to help give you greater flexibility with your school fee payments. With Edstart, they will pay the school on your behalf and you can spread your repayments in weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments. You can also reduce your repayment amount by extending your education costs beyond the current school year up to 5 years after your child’s graduation.
Edstart is more flexible than a traditional payment plan. You can adjust your repayments at any time without incurring any fees or charges.
Watch this brief video to find out more and to apply, visit https://edstart.com.au/glenaeon
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Three Glenaeon students named as Finalists in the 2021 Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize
22 Jul 2021
Three cheers for three Glenaeon students/alumna named as Finalists in the 2021 Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize.
Congratulations to our own:
- Elicia Ferguson, Syria (Class of 2020);
- Kauri Palmer, Life, Again (Year 12); and
- Anouk Swanepoel, CAN you Save Me? (Year 10)
Presented by the Northern Beaches Council, the exhibition of their work “will celebrate the vibrancy of the Australian arts and design community and the importance of its level of engagement in conversations about renewal, regeneration and issues impacting the human and natural world.”
In the Young Artist/Designer section 53 finalists were selected across the 7-12 and 13-18 years categories. Well done to our student artists!
You can read the announcement here: https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/northern-beaches-environmental-art-and-design-prize/2021-finalists
Read more12 AUG - Introductory Webinars now open for bookings
22 Jul 2021
We have two introductory webinar events coming up on Thursday 12 August to help give prospective families an insight into the benefits of a Glenaeon Education. The Primary School webinar is at 9:30am and the High School introductory webinar is at 7:30pm. Bookings can be made via our website: www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au Click on the yellow "Book A Tour" link at the top of our homepage.
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Kindy Winter Festival (Throwback to Term 2, when everything was ‘normal’)
22 Jul 2021
The Kindy children had been preparing for their Festival for a while; they had made their lanterns, their parents had come to school and made theirs. They had enjoyed finding logs and sawing them for the fire and were always on the lookout for any kindling to add to the growing pile. They had been busy on the day making star biscuits to share with everyone and some wonderful parents had made delicious pumpkin soup.
And so the school day ended and the children were excited to find that they weren't going home, but staying on to have supper at school. The fire was lit and the Festival began. Sitting around the fire at dusk we enjoyed the soup, cheesy scones and mandarins. Then it was off into the growing darkness to watch a surprise puppet play that the teachers had prepared. And then began the lantern walk underneath a beautiful starry sky, with a nearly full moon shining down on the children and teachers, as we wove our way carrying our lanterns so carefully and singing our winter songs. We sang our way back to the fire and found all the parents waiting for us. And as we all sang together and enjoyed the warmth of the fire, the songs and the star biscuits (and a visit from a curious possum), we celebrated the longest night with our Winter Festival. (Sarah David, Kindergarten Teacher)
Read moreStudents explore The Cove on a visit to Warrah
22 Jul 2021
Last month, Year 9s visited Warrah School, as part of our our community engagement and service excursions within The Cove Program.
Community as one of the pillars around which the program is built (achievement and autonomy being the other two), means we want to involve and expose our students to altruistic community based work. The idea of service and giving back is an important aspect of learning at that age and will sensitize the students towards supporting people living life with challenges and to build empathy within them.
The day at Warrah was structured into morning activities around community service when students in groups of four helped the Warrah maintenance team in various tasks around the farm and school including weeding, planting and cleaning tasks. One group was able to clean windows of one of the residences for people who permanently reside at Warrah and who have a much broader age range of up to 75 years. During the cleaning session students were involved in many at hoc encounters with residents who eagerly approached our students and struck up conversations. A shared morning tea brought us even closer to the people looking after the residents and the residents themselves which was a wonderful occasion. The students went from a rather shy and observational start, to an engaging and friendly exchange and deeper understanding of what it can mean to live with a disability.
The lunchtime and afternoon was based around interaction with students at Warrah School, which work with the indication of Rudolf Steiner bringing meaningful interaction to the students being educated at Warrah. Our students met the Warrah students at their playground for some get-to-know-one-another activity on the trampoline and swing. Later, our students brought some games and activities to the Warrah students and staff. Both parties benefitted a lot from one another.
It was visible how important such exchange and engagement is for young people who may not have had the opportunity to get to know people each living with unique and different challenges. Here it was essential to engage, to overcome initial hesitance and to allow oneself to be open. The Glenaeon students really enjoyed the day and also visited the organic farm shop and farm, and left with the experience and appreciation of diversity and inclusion, open hearts and open minds.
Read morePizza Day rolls around
22 Jul 2021
Our students got to enjoy a wonderful Pizza Day last term. Many hands made light work: kneading the dough, spreading the sauce, and placing toppings including fresh herbs from the biodynamic garden. Then, into the wood-fired pizza oven they went. The pizzas were absolutely delicious and we can't wait until the next pizza day!
Read moreCall for Prize donations
22 Jul 2021
My name is Alex Francois, Gabriel’s dad from Class 4. I am very excited and honoured to be asked to co-ordinate this year’s online raffle for the Fair in November. I am also being supported in this project by Jochen Schweitzer and Karina Schlieper.
It’s a great opportunity to raise substantial funds for the benefit of the school and I would like to ask for your generous support with offers of prizes for the raffle.
The proceeds go to the GPA to support many worthwhile projects at the school for the benefit of all students.
Please get in touch with any suggestions or offers by 30 July. (Email: alexfrancois118@gmail.com or 0416040835). We look forward to a very successful raffle again this year. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Read moreHuman-centred learning
22 Jul 2021
Our creative and dedicated teachers and support staff have worked tirelessly to bring our Glenaeon education into your homes! The challenge of transforming human-centred on-site learning experiences into online remote education is nothing short of monumental! Rising to the challenge on a particularly windy Sydney winter morning was Senior Castlecrag teacher Catherine Pilko who ably demonstrated one of the tasks she set for her Little Kindergarten children … kite flying! (see GLO)
Well done Catherine and All!
Stay safe and warm everyone, Dani
12 AUG - Virtual Tours with live Q&A - now open for bookings
22 Jul 2021
We have two Virtual Tour events coming up on Thursday 12 August to help give prospective families an insight into the benefits of a Glenaeon Education. The Primary School webinar is at 9:30am and the High School webinar is at 7:30pm. Bookings can be made via our website: www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au Click on the yellow "Book A Tour" link at the top of our homepage.
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OCT 14 & 21 - Virtual Tours with live Q&A - now open for bookings
22 Jul 2021
We have Virtual Tour events coming up on October 14 and 21, for High School and Primary School respectively, to help give prospective families an insight into the benefits of a Glenaeon Education. Bookings can be made via our website: www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au Click on the yellow "Book A Tour" link at the top of our homepage.
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2021 Glenaeon Art Show - Call to Artists, applications close SUN 03 OCT
22 Jul 2021
The Glenaeon Art Show will be hosted online this year. Please share this 'Call to emerging and established Artists' invitation to anyone you know who may be interested in submitting a piece.
Click through to Glenaeon Family Fair & Art Show website
Read more2021 Glenaeon Art Show - Call to Artists, applications close SUN 03 OCT
22 Jul 2021
The Glenaeon Art Show will be hosted online this year. Please share this 'Call to emerging and established Artists' invitation to anyone you know who may be interested in submitting a piece.
Click through to Glenaeon Family Fair & Art Show website
Read moreGlenX reunion event cancelled
21 Jul 2021
It is with much regret that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and current restrictions for Sydney, we must cancel the GlenX Reunion event which was scheduled for Saturday 18th of September. We were looking forward to hosting all past students of Glenaeon, and celebrating the five decades of graduates from the Class of 2011 (10 years), Class of 2001 (20 years), Class of 1991 (30 years) Class of 1981 (40 years) and Class of 1971 (50 years). We welcome Alumna from those co-horts in particular to submit any photos or memories from those golden Glenaeon years and email them to alumni@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au with a view to including some in our 2021 AEON Magazine to be published later this year.
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Preschool remains open for essential workers
21 Jul 2021
The Preschool remains open for children of essential workers during the current COVID lockdown. Our beautiful Preschool also has a new A4 poster. If anyone in our community is able to print and display or share with their contacts we'd be very grateful.
Read morePreschool remains open for essential workers
21 Jul 2021
Our Preschool Director Peggy Day is now interviewing for 2022 Preschool placements. If you, or someone you know, is considering Preschool for their child, now is the time to get your application in. Application forms are on the website: www.glenaeonpreschool.nsw.edu.au There are also limited places available for the remainder of this year. Childcare is an essential service for all families and our Preschool remains open for children of essential workers during the current COVID lockdown. Our beautiful Preschool also has a new A4 poster. If anyone in our community is able to print and display or share with their contacts we'd be very grateful. Link to download below.
Read moreSeason of Inwardness: We give thanks for the blessing of Winter…
17 Jun 2021
I can’t say it any better than Michael Leunig, so here is his poem for Winter:
We give thanks for the blessing of Winter.
Season to cherish the heart
To make warmth and quiet for the heart
To make soups and broths for the heart
To cook for the heart and read for the heart
To curl up softly and nestle with the heart
To sleep deeply and gently at one with the heart
To dream with the heart
To spend time with the heart
A long, long time of peace with the heart
We give thanks for the blessing of winter
Season to cherish the heart.
While it's cold outside, it's time to feel the warmth inside, both in our homes and in our hearts. It’s the season of inwardness. Our MidWinter festivals celebrate and nurture this season’s feeling of the warmth of the human heart. The spiral of candles at the close of a festival is a unique joy in the turning of the year, an image of the community of individuals united with the common intention of creating purpose and beauty in the world. We look forward to sharing this inner joy with our students.
MidWinter festivals through the school:
Middle Cove:
Class 3 – Year 12 over Tuesday and Wednesday June 22/23
Castlecrag:
Classes 1 and 2: Thursday 17 June - 11.30am – 12.40pm
Kindergarten: Tuesday 22 June
Willoughby Preschool:
Tuesday 22 June 5.30pm – 7pm
Thursday 24 June 5.30pm – 7pm
Unfortunately, this year we have COVID restrictions on numbers in the Sylvia Brose Hall at Middle Cove. While we can run festivals for the students, due to the unique nature of the MidWinter festival seating, we are unable to hold our community MidWinter festival in the evening. We are unable to maintain physical distancing and the numbers cap on the building. At least we can run the festival for the students unlike last year. We apologise to parents and former students for this year and hope that 2022 will provide an opportunity to hold our community MidWinter festival once gain.
Welcome to Peter Candotti as Chair of the School Council
Lee Hill retired as Chair of the Glenaeon School Council, our Board of Directors, at the recent AGM of the school’s company. Lee has served the school with great distinction for 10 years as a Director and four years as Chair. His professional skills in business and marketing have been invaluable in supporting our work in managing the school and in guiding the School Council’s role as our governing body overseeing budget, risk and strategy. Lee has given unstinting of his time, no more so than last year when he was central in guiding our financial response to the pandemic. He leaves the role with our gratitude and thanks for his service.
We welcome Peter Candotti into the role of Chair of Council. See below for Peter’s full biography and connection to the school. Peter has been an incredibly supportive parent over a very long time and his professional skills will be very much appreciated in steering Glenaeon into the next stage of our journey. Welcome Peter!
End of Term
As the last newsletter of Term 2 2021, I wish all families a restful and refreshing time over the break. There will be a very large building program underway as we replace the deck around the Sylvia Brose Hall. This work will continue for a number of weeks into Term 3, and we will be advising staff and parents around traffic movements on the drive and basketball courts. May the time of our winter break be as regenerating as possible for all staff, students and parents!
Parent Library open - borrow for the holidays
17 Jun 2021
Next Tuesday is the last Parent Library day before the holidays, so why not come and borrow some beautiful books for the break? Come and browse a wide selection of titles across areas of parenting, craft, gardening, food, anthroposophy, Steiner education, children's stories and festivals.
The Parent Library is now open on:
TUESDAYS 8:30am - 9:10am and
THURSDAYS 2:30 - 3:10pm
We have Grimms' Fairy Tales, Susan Perrow's "Therapeutic Storytelling", Michaela Glockler's "A Guide to Child Health", Jude Blereau's "Wholefood for Children" and many more wonderful books for infants, preschoolers, young children and parents. See photos below for just some of the lovely books we hold in the library.
If you haven't been to our Glenaeon Castlecrag Campus before, the Parent Library is located in the room to the left of Reception at 121 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag. We look forward to seeing you soon and chatting about our wonderful books!
Amity - Parent Library Coordinator (Volunteer)
Read moreGlorious Gardening at Middle Cove
17 Jun 2021
An enthusiastic group of young and old enjoyed radiant sun and inner warmth at a Parent Education event transforming one of the biodynamic garden beds at Middle Cove recently, with the practical guidance of Glenaeon gardening teachers Sandra and Kathy.
The gathered group weeded, pulled up plants at the end of their seasonal flourish, for composting, turned the soil, transplanted some good companion plants from other beds, and planted seedlings Kathy had nurtured until participants settled them into their new homes and bedded them down with a drink. The group completed their morning session sharing delicious home-baked sourdough by Sandra and enjoyed Kathy’s herbal tea. The group were even gifted overflowing parsley and cress to take home for their own gardens. A happy and satisfied team took off home to continue some gardening there, and are now waiting in the wings to hear what may be springing into garden community life next term!
Read moreSave the Date: 2021 Glenaeon Family Fair & Art Show
17 Jun 2021
2021 GLENAEON FAMILY FAIR & ART SHOW
5-7 November 2021
Glenaeon Castlecrag Campus: 121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag
Friday 5 November * Art Show Opening Night - wine & cheese, silent auction exhibition, 7pm
Saturday 6 November * Family Fair, 10am - 4pm
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CALL OUT to Glenaeon parents, teachers and community who create their own hand craft, ceramics or jewellery. If you would like to sell your creations at the Fair, please contact Clare Gordon for more information (email: C.Gordon@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au)
We are looking for musicians and performers! If you are interested in being part of our Fair Entertainment Programme on Saturday 6 November, we would love to hear from you! *Details will be available next term.*
DONATION of pre-loved books and clothes (for adult and children) in good condition, would be greatly appreciated for our school stalls.
*Details for drop-off will be available in Term 3.*
Year 10s play games to save life on Planet Earth
17 Jun 2021
At the completion of a semester studying Environmental Issues and Human Wellbeing in Geography lessons, Year 10B enjoyed playing 'Climate Crisis'.
Mr Phil Hopper from Nerd Games, introduced the students to a newly released board game called Climate Crisis, a collaborative game where players cooperate in order to save life on the Planet Earth. It certainly led to much lively discussion and debate as the students sought to make the best decisions to save the health of the environment and the people on planet Earth. The school has been kindly donated five of these environmental games which can be borrowed from the senior library.
Read moreGlenaeon Twilight Concert
17 Jun 2021
Last week Glenaeon held a Twilight Music Concert. We had students from Class 5 through to Year 12 performing, including some students performing in front of an audience, for the first time.
We ran two concerts simultaneously to a very responsive and appreciative audience of parents and friends. We had our cello ensemble perform also for the first time, with students in Years 6,7 and 8 taking part. It was wonderful for our students to be able to perform again for an audience after such a long time and we had 44 performers overall taking part.
Special thanks to the tutors who helped contribute to the night and especially those that came along to support their students.
We will be holding a second Twilight Concert next term, and we hope to have even more performers should the COVID restrictions allow it.
Thanks to Parents, Erika Hosoyama and Melony Browell for sharing these photographs.
Read more2021 Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival
17 Jun 2021
Glenaeon musicians have taken part in the Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival. The aim of the Festival is to provide a formal, non-competitive performance opportunity for ensembles that is a positive and encouraging experience. Glenaeon‘s Concert Band (led Phil Arnold and Christine Young) performed in the High School Ensemble section on 6 June and the Glenaeon Big Band (led by Phil Arnold) will play on 20 June Session 4 3:00-4:20pm.
Now in its tenth year, the Festival has become one of the main performance focuses for Concert Bands, Stage Bands and String Ensembles on the Northern Beaches. Well done to all the Glenaeon students who took part. More information can be found here: http://www.nbswe.org.au/festival
Thanks to Parents, Erika Hosoyama and Melony Browell for sharing these photographs.
#glenaeon #music #performance #bigband #concertband #steinerschool #steinereducation
Read moreBook now for OOSH Winter Holiday Program
17 Jun 2021
Parents can enrol and book through our website at http://www.glenaeonoosh.com.au/holiday-care-bookings.html
Read moreWelcome Peter Candotti as the new Chair of the Glenaeon School Council
17 Jun 2021
As of May 31st 2021, Peter Candotti took up the role of Chair of the Glenaeon School Council. He replaces Lee Hill who has stepped down after four years as Chair and 10 years on the Board.
Peter and his wife Uli have had a long and deep association with Glenaeon. Their children, Luca and Chiara, spent their early years attending Ebba Bodame’s wonderful playgroup and both spent their entire school lives at Glenaeon. Luca graduated in 2017 and Chiara graduated in 2020. Peter and Uli have both been very active members of the school community throughout this time. Peter joined the Glenaeon Council in 2018.
Professionally, Peter is a Chartered Accountant and is currently the Chief Financial Officer at Lawcover Insurance, a provider of professional indemnity insurance to the NSW legal profession. Prior to joining Lawcover in 2018, Peter spent 16 years at QBE Insurance Group, where he held a number of executive management roles in strategic finance, treasury, capital management and reinsurance, as well as sitting on a variety of management Boards.
Peter Candotti said, “I very much look forward to working with the Council, the School Executive team and all staff to ensure that our Students of Glenaeon continue to receive an exceptional educational experience, equipping them for a positive, fulfilling and exciting future, and that our parents can participate in a vibrant school community.
I would like to recognise and thank outgoing Chair Lee Hill for his tremendous contribution and leadership both as Chair and a Council member over the past 10 years.”
Head of School, Andrew Hill said, “We are pleased to welcome Peter to this important role. He has a wonderful knowledge of Glenaeon past and present and will be a huge asset to our school and community.
We thank Lee for his immense contribution over many years, and are grateful for his leadership and management advice and expertise. Glenaeon is going from strength to strength, and continues to be a leader in delivering a contemporary Rudolf Steiner pedagogy combined with a NESA pathway for Sydney-based students, plus a warm and welcoming community for our parents and families.”
Read more2021 Midwinter Ball - A Touch of Green
17 Jun 2021
World Environment Day was the day set for our Mid-Winter Ball this year, held at Hunters Hill Sailing Club, one of the few venues that were available for a large crowd to get together.
With Jade’s creative talents and vision for an environmental theme, together with Merryn, Clive, Erika and many other parents on the day, the setting for our event was fabulously decorated, including a spectacular recycled bottle chandelier as the centrepiece over the dance floor. Trailer loads of greenery and props were gathered and brought in on the day, with lengths of fairy lights, creating a very scenic backdrop to our event.
Guests arrived hearing wonderful music played by Louise on cello, Patrick on keyboard and Janos on violin.
Melony was behind the ticket sales and through her enthusiasm and drive, we sold all 170 tickets for the ball, so before long the Club was filled and drinks flowed from the bar set up by James.
Patrick and Miranda were MCs for the night and together brought fun and a friendly way for everyone to meet someone they had never met before, with their interactive conversation starters. Later they introduced the energetic and talented band 'Midnite Madness' who so generously volunteered their time and talent to entertain us through the evening and had people on the dancefloor, with touches of green worn by many.
A very big thank you to Nick for his huge effort catering for the evening, where we indulged in a sumptuous choice of middle eastern inspired dishes.
Agnes, Guchi and Gisele had received many wonderful items for the Silent Auction, which drew many bidders and we successfully raised $7,490 on the night.
Thank you to Louise and Simone for bringing the event together and all the Year 7 parents for contributing their time, effort and talents. Our thanks also, to Clare Gordon from school who encouraged, guided and supported us in bringing our event to fruition, that was enjoyed by so many.
It was a wonderful evening, successfully raising over $10,000 for the School. Overall it was a memorable way to reunite as a community and a great evening for everyone to have a fun time together.
Story photo credits: Janos Mike's-Liu, Melony Browell and Louise Holt.
All Mid-Winter Ball photos can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/rh7by83v
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Mid-Winter Ball behind the scenes
17 Jun 2021
The Mid-Winter Ball was a fabulous night enjoyed by the whole community. Behind the scenes, Parents from Year 7, GPA and volunteers worked hard to make the night a fabulous one. From the venue design and decoration, theming, food, photography, silent auction and musical entertainment, we thank and applaud all of those that worked so hard to make this such a grand night.
Once again a huge thank you to everyone who has organised and donated to our Silent Auction. Here is a list of some of the generous people and businesses who have supported Glenaeon’s Midwinter Ball 2021:
Sabine Simmonds, Jennifer Lancaster and Mark Merton, Cindy Kavanagh, Ally Seymour-Smith, Cathy Horneman, Emma Kidman, Louise Holt, Ben Wilmot, Linda Peter, Natalie Anderson, Justine Williams, Kerry Hill, Cindy Luken, Rose Aung-Thein, Lesley Anne dos Santos, Trish van Asten, Kath and Peter Gilmore, Karen Pethard, Kirsty Cassidy, Alex de Aboitiz, Sahar Manesh, Rose and Mike Watson, Strategic Leadership Coaching, Iconic Sydney Aerial Photograph, Modern Muse Portrait Session, Endota Spa Gift, Beach House McMasters Beach, Amichord String Quartet, Kelly's Bar and Grill, Bondi Junction, Luk Beautifood Lipstick Packs, Swim school Fitness First, HeartMath, Bennelong Restaurant, Combardis Botanical, Big Music Studios Holiday Rock Camp, Creative Sounds, Taronga Zoo, Melony Browell, Noel Neilson, Elizabeth Ellean, Thrive Dance and The Boat Warehouse. Thank you again for your support!
Read moreTerm 2 CIP deadline 5pm Thursday 24th June
17 Jun 2021
It’s time to submit your Term 2 CIP credits! Read below for information on how to submit. You can start submitting any time from now until 5pm Thursday 24th June. No submissions will be accepted after this cut-off date.
Each family is billed $160 per term for the Community Involvement Program. When voluntary work is done and registered, it can be credited back to your account at the rate of $20 per hour (in other words 8 hours per term will entitle you to the full $160 credit). As there are many families at Glenaeon it takes some time to process the credits for everybody so we ask that you submit your Term 2 CIP hours by 5pm Thursday 24th June in order to have them credited back to you.
The CIP form is available online so it’s very simple to do! Go to https://www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/community-involvement-program/ , fill out the form and hit ‘submit’. There is a link to the form on GLO as well.
Note, you must submit your CIP hours worked regardless of which committee/event/role you participate in or hold. Note that credits are not carried over from one year to the next. For any questions, refer to GLO https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/1381 or contact Amanda Ford via email: A.Ford@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreClass 5 excursion to Mt Annan Botanic Gardens
17 Jun 2021
Last week Class 5 went to Mt Annan Botanic Gardens in Western Sydney to explore this 100% Australian Native Garden as part of their Botany studies. At the gardens they had the chance to explore and understand plant adaptations for arid and rainforest environments. The children were given scientific equipment to collect measurements on soil moisture, humidity, temperature and air movement to gain a greater understanding of the natural world. With these environmental factors in mind they then identified what plant adaptations were suitable for different environments.
Also, the children were happy to identify and observe a couple of Wood Ducks (their animal of research for Willoughby Council communication project).
Photo credits: MAJA ROSE
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The Main Lesson Project - Class 5 explores Egypt
17 Jun 2021
Project Based Learning (PBL) is one of the education world’s latest acronyms, but it is nothing new to Steiner education. Beginning in Class Three, the children are asked to complete at least one major project out of the Main Lesson content each year (see separate article on Class Three housebuilding!). These are completed at home, independently, after the Main Lesson journey through a particular topic so that the children can go even more deeply and imaginatively into the work.
As part of the Class Five Ancient Egypt studies, the children had to choose a topic and conduct research, write a report, give a presentation to the class and submit an artistic work related to the topic. English lessons focussed on instruction in report writing, how to take notes from informational texts and the parts of a report such as introduction, conclusion and bibliography. Then the children had to work at home to weave their research notes into a well-presented report and develop a project using their own creative impulses. They love hearing each other’s presentations and are beaming with pride as they bring in the fruits of their labour.
Through these projects the children discover that learning is a long, continuous process, that there are so many ways to represent our ideas and connect with our learning and that it takes time and effort to make such projects but it is such a satisfying and rewarding experience. In other words, they develop the will and curiosity required to foster a lifetime love of learning.
Read moreClass 6 design and construct winter garden structures
17 Jun 2021
This term Class 6 has worked in the biodynamic garden in small groups on a large project. It has taken them many weeks to complete. Their task was to design and construct vertical structures to support winter climbing crops such as snow, snap and shelling peas. The students made biodegradable pots for germinating their seeds, and refreshed their knowledge on key aspects of string climbing structures by deconstructing (mindfully and methodically) our summer climbing structures. Each group determined their design plan, chose their materials and set about construction. They inspected other groups structures as well as their own and made recommendations for improvement. They also made the necessary improvements to their structures and planted their young pea seedlings.
Well done Class 6 on your efforts and the high standard of your work. Now we watch and nurture and look forward to bountiful harvests in the months to come!
Read moreYear 7 artisan bread-making
17 Jun 2021
Our Year 7 Kitchen / Garden class combined their gardening, artistic design, and cooking skills to prepare delicious loaves of Garden Focaccia bread. They drew their designs, gathered the ingredients from the garden, prepared and decorated the bread then baked and enjoyed their beautiful hot loaves fresh from the oven.
Read moreClass 2 journey with the King of Ireland's Son
17 Jun 2021
One of the essential Main Lessons in Class 2 is The King of Ireland's Son, which is a culmination of all the fairytales heard last year. The motifs have been blended into a wonderful novel that we spend two Main Lessons on. It is a magical story that the children love about courage, love, loss and redemption.
Read moreClass 1 Nature stories
17 Jun 2021
Class 1 are immersed in the world of Nature Stories. Beautiful blackboards drawn by Class teacher Jennifer Stone, alongside their bookwork, tell the tales of animals, birds, plants and even underground gnomes and the stars in the great sky. The Class 1 children are now using capital and little letters and forming sentences alongside their beautiful drawings.
Read moreCounting fun in Class 1
17 Jun 2021
Having just finished a Mathematics Main Lesson where they met Pierre Plus, Tibo Times, Marion Minus and Queen Divide, Class 1 are playing with numbers in more ways than one! Using games, dice, counters and their fingers, they are having fun forwards, backwards and have begun their times tables too!
Read moreChicken carers needed for Castlecrag chooks over the holidays
17 Jun 2021
If anyone has a few days over the break when they could pop in and feed the Kindy chooks that would be great. Please send your availability to Sarah via email: S.David@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au, or let Melony in the office know. Chook carers needed from Thursday 24 June to Tuesday 13 July inclusive. They only require feeding once a day at the minimum, and twice if you have more time. Thank you!
Read moreClass 1 & 2 Winter Spiral
17 Jun 2021
Class 1 and 2 celebrated the upcoming winter solstice in their winter spiral, held today at our Castlecrag campus. The significance of the spiral is finding light in the darkness. For those who are new to the winter spiral, it is a tradition in Steiner schools. Greenery and foliage will be laid on the floor to create a spiral. In the centre of the spiral is a lit candle. The room is darkened (or it is night time if held outdoors) and each student takes a turn to walk the spiral holding an unlit candle resting in an apple. As they reach the centre, they light their candle from the centre candle and then retrace their steps out of the spiral. The child brings forth the light as they walk outward and chooses a place along the spiral to set down their lit candle. As they each have a turn, more and more lit candles grace the spiral, and the room becomes increasingly filled with light and a beautiful spiral of lit candles. It was a truly beautiful event and thank you to all who helped by bringing in foliage, helped prepare it and were able to take part.
Read moreImportant Drug and Alcohol workshop for Years 9-11
17 Jun 2021
Earlier this term, we were fortunate enough to have DAYSS (Drug & Alcohol Youth Support Service) return to school to run workshops with Year 9, 10 and 11, alongside two local Police Youth Liaison Officers. DAYSS previously came in Term 1 to run workshops with Year 8 and Year 12, and also ran a Parent Seminar via Zoom in early Term 2.
The students enjoyed engaging in harm minimisation education in regards to drugs, alcohol and safe partying. Year 9 and 10 were able to try out the “beer googles relay”, a relay race whilst wearing googles that simulate what it is to be different levels of intoxication, as well as standard drink pouring. Lots of fun was had whilst learning, which is what the students and staff always love to see.
Read moreClass 3 Houses
17 Jun 2021
Class 3 have been learning about a variety of human dwellings from around the world. In this wonderfully practical main lesson, the children have built a life-size Aboriginal hut called a Gunya with sticks and palm fronds.
The main lesson then concluded with the children researching or using their imagination to make a mini model of a shelter using natural or recycled materials.
Read moreClass 6 Camp
17 Jun 2021
Class 6 camp is always a wonderful trip and was this year, for extra special reasons.
The Class 6 camp covers a lot of ground and includes many special sites. What makes it so significant for Class 6 is how it ties in so many of our main lessons. This term we studied Geology and on camp we got to visit the Abercrombie Caves and The Warrumbungles, as well as the Somerville Collection at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum in Bathurst. Just before going on the camp we had finished our Australian History main lesson and on camp we stayed in the goldfields and visited the Gulgong Pioneers Museum, both bringing to life many of the things we had studied.
As well as all this, we got to camp for three nights in the Warrumbungles with the Outdoor Environmental Education team taking us hiking up the top of the Warrumbungles and a special treat, rock climbing and abseiling. One night we spent watching the stars with a guide and a telescope. Students got to recall many things they had learnt during our astronomy main lesson early in the year.
What made our camp extra special was that we were able to visit Edgar, our Gardening Teacher on his property and help him in his garden!
The camp made many lifelong memories for the students bringing us all closer together, and all made even sweeter as we had been unable to camp last year. An amazing trip was had by all!
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Year 7 discovers the age of exploration and discovery
17 Jun 2021
As part of this exciting main lesson, the Year 7 students participated in a group project that required them to investigate the world of the late Middle Ages; to write a biography of a famous explorer; to build a model of the ship assigned to their expedition; to create maps of the journey; research navigational tools; to study the local flora and fauna of the new world; to write journal entries of their travels, and much more.
Please enjoy these photos of some of their achievements.
Read moreYear 12 Student Joseph Naffah performs I Will Survive
17 Jun 2021
At the last High School Assembly for Term 2, Year 12 student Joseph Naffah sang, I Will Survive. Well done Joseph! To watch his fabulous performance click here. With thanks to piano accompanist, Stuart Wright. Pic credit: Ethan Brown
Read moreMeet Raphaela Mazzone - Year 8 Teacher
17 Jun 2021
I joined Glenaeon this year to teach English, History and Geography to Year 8, as well as to be one of the Year 8 Guardians.
I bring a lifetime of experience with Steiner Education, having been a student at a Steiner school myself. I took a break from the ‘Steiner world’ in my twenties studying visual art at university and completing my a graduate diploma in teaching, but on graduating, I spent a year teaching high school art and music at Mt Barker Waldorf School.
I soon decided that it was time for some adventure however, so spent the following eight months touring with a chamber choir, performing and teaching in Steiner schools around Australia, Asia, Europe and India. We performed over seven hours of repertoire, taught in over six languages, stayed with 'regular' families, saw rainbows, cheesecloth and wooden furniture used right around the world, and had the most intensely rich, cultural experiences imaginable.
On my return I went back to university to do a Masters of Fine Art. This was a particularly formative time for me as I became most interested in what the communication process is between what we feel on the inside and what is going on in the outside world. The further I delved into the world of ideas around identity, self awareness, mindfulness, communication and empathy however, the more I became frustrated with using art as my medium for communicating with others. I began longing to be back in a classroom.
So I returned to teaching. I chose also to return to Steiner education because embedded in this system is already so much content (both explicit and implicit) that supports the students in developing their own self awareness, their capacity for empathy and the nuance of different types of communication.
After two wonderful years spent as a primary school class teacher at Kamaroi Rudolf Steiner School, I am now here at Glenaeon, and I must say, it feels wonderful to be back working with teenagers.
Over the coming years I plan to complete my Graduate Diploma in Psychology and use all I have learned in this degree to continue finding ways we can further embed emotional intelligence skills and knowledge more deeply and consciously into everything we teach so that our students can graduate with not just academic skills, but all the life skills they need to live happy, healthy lives.
Read moreStuart Wright performs Clair de Lune
17 Jun 2021
Glenaeon's Music Tutor & Accompanist Stuart Wright performed Dubussy's Clair de Lune at our High School Assembly in June. To view his beautiful piano performance click here.
Read moreRia to perform in Disney’s Aladdin Jr. with NSK’s Musical Theatre Company
03 Jun 2021
Congratulations to Year 7 Student Ria Aung Thein who has been cast in The North Sydney Kids Musical Theatre Co’s June 2021 production of Disney’s Aladdin Jr.
This musical showcases a cast of young people all under the age of 18. Ria will be performing in the senior cast (age 13-18 years) in alternating performances. The production is designed to give students the opportunity to develop their skills in musical theatre, and star in a live production. We are thrilled for Ria to have this opportunity. Over the past few months Ria, along with the cast and crew have given up their free time on Sundays to contribute to the creation of the show.
Performances run 18-20th June at The Independent Theatre, North Sydney. Tickets are available for purchase here: https://www.ticketebo.com.au/nsk
Read moreSocks, dolls and clothing: Handwork makes it all!
03 Jun 2021
In Year 8 textile students learn to use the sewing machine and follow a pattern to make a pair of shorts or sew long trousers. During the semester they learn about fabric properties and how to manipulate fabric to create colourful patterns and sculptural effects. They are also making buttons and sewing craft bags on the machine and by hand.
Class 6 are keeping their feet warm by knitting socks, perfect for these cold winter nights; Class 5 are making dolls and dressing them with their own bespoke crocheted outfits!
Read moreStanley owling around campus
03 Jun 2021
Science Teacher, Dr Stanley Tang captured this wonderful looking owl (Southern Boobook) a few weeks ago, at our Middle Cove campus down near the Scotts creek. This is part of his bird banding project he is running at school looking at movements, moulting strategies of various birds in the North Arm Reserve.
You never know whoooooo you'll meet after nightfall! What a hoot!
#glenaeon #middlecove #science #birdbanding #birds #owl #research
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Class 6 gather by the light of the Moon
03 Jun 2021
This year our wonderful Class 6 Teachers Brendan and Michele have introduced a class gathering at Manly beach to celebrate each full moon rising. So far we have gathered three times, the last being the incredible blood moon.
At each gathering the children share a beach picnic before fun and games with siblings, parents and our super fun teachers on the sandy shores. However, as the moon shyly makes her first appearance upon the watery horizon, all stop as the group takes this moment to admire her magnificence and take in the gentle rhythm held in gentle firmness by her.
It is a sacred event and one which will hold our class throughout the year. Teachers will include the full moon rising in class discussions as well as class learning and activity.
Personally I couldn’t imagine a more magical gift for our children than to learn and gather in such an incredibly meaningful monthly celebration of our beloved Mother Earth.
Rachelle Rose (Class 6 Parent)
Read moreYear 9 bounce into Bubble Soccer
03 Jun 2021
Have you ever run around with a huge bubble (1.5m x 1.5m) surrounding you, whilst trying to shoot a ball into goal?
This is what bubble soccer is like. Last week we had students chasing a very small ball while cushioned by a transparent but huge and bulky bubble around each of them.
When two bubbles collide, because two students from a different team chase the ball, they bump into one another, often intentionally. Consequently, 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 therefore, no one in the PE Extension class was not exhausted after the 1-hour bubble intensive experience. Our students had so much fun and who doesn’t love getting fit with vigorous exercise whilst dressed in a bubble?
It left no one disappointed as everyone got to enjoy the bump and roll and kick and just be in a very different mode to what we usually are in. Any younger student observing the Year 9 group was asking me when they can try out this fun activity – and they will, when they get to Year 9!
#glenaeon #soccer #bubblesoccer #PE #sport #fun
Read moreYear 7 Artworks
03 Jun 2021
These works express the eastern Main Lesson students undertook on the first cycle of this term. Students worked with ink on rice paper, studied the architecture of the Chinese temples and then the fine lattice of Ancient Chinese gates. This is a sample of their incredible works.
Read moreYear 9s mentor Year 3 reading
03 Jun 2021
As service to the community, Year 9 students listen to Year 3 students practice their reading. Through gentle prompting, pausing and praising, the little ones enjoy reading stories before school on Thursdays and Fridays. Beside reading practice, both groups of students form relations that often carry right through their school journey. I know my own girls, both graduated some years ago, retain fond memories or their experience as both the reader, and later as they participate in the DofE Award, as mentors themselves. So much good comes from the program!
Donna Miller
Read moreYear 8 Anatomy Main Lesson - a body of work
03 Jun 2021
In this Year 8 Anatomy Main Lesson students learned not only about their body, bones and muscles, but also the engineering feat of who we are. They learned how our thinking is reflected, not only through the shape of our skull which houses our brain in stillness, feeling shown through our trunks, where the repeated bones of our ribs contain our heart and lungs and finally our will in the action of our limbs to cause us to do things.
Through artistic rendering, students gained knowledge and understanding of how Anatomy was explored during the Renaissance times and how the science of anatomy came into being.
There were so many fabulous Main Lesson workbooks, too many to showcase all here, but credit goes to: Cezar, Sappho, Dylan, Mathilda, Evie and Ruby, Lincoln, Archie, Henry and Joe.
Read moreParent Craft and Kindy Craft is warming up
03 Jun 2021
Parent Craft on Wednesday mornings and Kindergarten Craft on Tuesdays are warming up as the weather gets cooler. The mornings are full of creativity and enjoyment and everyone is welcome on Wednesday mornings.
Kindergarten Parents meet once a week also, and have recently made beautiful felt flowers, starting with coloured roving (soft, fleeced wool), massaging and felting the colours together. Both groups have been making crowns - birthday crowns, as well as a play set for the Kindergarten classrooms.
Come and join these groups when you can - no experience is necessary and you will learn with the helpful hands of others. Younger siblings and babies are welcome and there is an indoor play area and an enclosed garden. These lovely social mornings are growing and becoming part of the fabric of our community once again. No bookings are required and attendance can be for as long or as little as you like. Attendees must follow the school's COVID safety plan and sign in, use hand sanitiser on arrival and please refrain from coming along if you feel unwell.
In coming weeks we will be having little workshops on dyeing our own felt, wet felting and continuing a variety of sewing projects. Email castlecrag@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au or contact Melony at Reception, Castlecrag Campus on 9958 0774 for any further information.
Read morePrimary Assembly
03 Jun 2021
Last week, our Middle Cove Primary students gathered for an Assembly and honoured the first day of National Reconciliation Week in the amphitheater.
Class 6 delivered the Welcome to Country, followed by a group song. The program unfolded as follows:
Jamie on Didgeridoo to introduce
Class 3: Morning Has Broken on recorder and voice
Class 4: Brave and True spoken verse with complex rod choreography
Class 5: Be Careful What You Think – verse by Ghandi + Prayer to Isis (sung in Egyptian)
Class 6: My Country – poem by Dorothea Mackellar
The event concluded, with a story from Head of School, Andrew Hill.
Read moreClass 1 begin weaving recorder bags
03 Jun 2021
In Handwork class with Elizabeth Ellean, Class 1 children have begun weaving their recorder bags, which they will use throughout Primary School. Like the story of the eagle they hear, who must weave her nest round and around to withstand the strong winds on the cliffs, they weave the wool around the wooden weaving board. Starting with bold and bright colours, they move to pastels as they reach the top of their bag, which is then crocheted along the edge. Once complete, they learn to make Egyptian plaits (with 8 strings), making a long and strong handle. Whilst there is no official uniform at Castlecrag Campus... there is a lot of hardy, practical brown boots lined up outside the craft room - certainly good footwear for outdoor play!
Read moreClass 2 show their Morning Circle
03 Jun 2021
Class 2 children shared their Morning Circle with parents recently - performing some of their songs, rhymes, mathematics, language and coordination skills in a performance that was both joyous and wondrous to watch. To see literacy, language, mathematics and general knowledge woven through rhyme, verse, music and movement was simply inspiring. As Class Teacher Rodney Dean introduced each item, the children were demonstrably excited to share each and every one - even the difficult ones! The children enjoy this morning circle so much and it was an impressive presentation of their skills and knowledge, not to mention LOTS of fun!
Read moreClass 1 outdoor drawing
03 Jun 2021
Lunchtimes have been very colourful lately at Castlecrag, with Class 1 enjoying outdoor chalk drawing. Using up all the many smaller pieces of chalk left from the teacher's work, they create the most beautiful images on the walkways and grind the fine coloured powder with the remaining pieces. All items are reused as much as possible at our Campus and we have a deeply integrated recycling system that encompasses not only our rubbish, but all items such as chalk that can be used right up until the very end. Reuse, Recycle, Receive is an understanding that we have, and we put effort and time into the recycling processes that we have.
Read moreFirst Nations performer Gwenda visits Castlecrag
03 Jun 2021
Gwenda Stanley is a dancer, educator, cultural ambassador and a proud First Nations Gomeroi woman. She came to Castlecrag to share her culture with Class 1 & 2 students on Tuesday 25th May, the day before Sorry Day, 2021. Through song, dance and stories, she shared her knowledge and demonstrated her tools and artefacts, with the children enthusiastically listening and dancing along with her to the animal songs and stories. She told the children about hunting, gatherings sticks and the three types of boomerangs, echidnas, seeds and making bread, dilly bags, grinding stones and much more. Gwenda taught the children many words in her traditional language, and expressed her own joy in sharing her culture with the children at Glenaeon. Thank you Gwenda. See: https://youngausperspectives.com.au/gwenda-stanley/
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Year 12's Kauri Palmer awarded Art Prize
03 Jun 2021
Year 12 student Kauri Palmer’s Remnant sculpture attained a Highly Commended - Senior Award in the Mosman Youth Art Prize, a prestigious prize for young people age 12-21. Year 10 student Mya Hill is also represented in the exhibition with her work Unhinged. Past student Maija Tan must also be acknowledged for her work on display In the Big Smoke, it is Hard to Breathe. Congratulations Girls!
To see the Award winners, please follow the link http://mosmanartgallery.org.au/exhibitions/2021-mosman-youth-art-prize
The Exhibition is open daily 10am-4pm until Sunday 6 June at the Mosman Art Gallery.
#glenaeon #art #artprize #artexhibition
Read morePreschoolers enjoy Ripe Golden Mandarins
03 Jun 2021
Our mandarin tree has many ripe golden mandarins this year and each Preschool class has been able to pick some for their nature table and morning or lunch.
They have all heard the story of the little boy who planted the mandarin seed and watched the tree grow. The children gathered the seeds from their mandarin segments with great care.
Our Preschool has some limited vacancies, so please contact Preschool on 9412 4457 to book a private tour or enquire. Or book in to an upcoming group tour online: https://www.glenaeonpreschool.nsw.edu.au/
#glenaeon #preschool #willoughby #steiner #steinereducation #earlylearning #longdaycare #daycare #childcare #steinerschool #sydney #naturetable #stories #mandarin #fruit #trees #nature
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Sporting endeavours of all abilities
03 Jun 2021
Over the past few weeks, our Year 10s have been deeply engaged in learning about the many options in sport for people living with disabilities.
They have had a visit from Rick, who gave an inspirational and educational talk on safety with an uplifting insight into his life and experiences in the world of wheelchair basketball. It was a great afternoon which gave the students a chance to try wheelchair basketball themselves, and in doing so, allowed them to connect in an interactive, inclusive, and informative way.
Year 10s also had an enlivening visit from Paralympic champions Julie and Lynda. These inspiring athlete role models shared with the students the value of goal-setting, the power of sport, and encouraged students of all abilities to embrace healthy, active lifestyles. Not only did our Year 10 students get to hear their stories and achievements, they got to see their many medals up close, helping to remind us all that diversity is a strength to be celebrated!
#glenaeon #sport #PE #education #inclusion #GetActive #Sport4All #ChangingLivesThroughSport #DisabilitySportsAustralia
Read moreSuper moon lunar eclipse above Sylvia Brose Hall
03 Jun 2021
Did you look up to the sky last week and see the super moon?
Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean took these wonderful shots of the moon over the Sylvia Brose Hall.
#glenaeon #moon #supermoon #eclipse #awe #wonder #fullmoon
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Parent Library at Castlecrag bursting with books
03 Jun 2021
The Parent Library is now open on:
TUESDAYS 8:30am - 9:10am and
THURSDAYS 2:30 - 3:10pm
Come and browse a wide selection of titles across areas of parenting, craft, gardening, food, anthroposophy, Steiner education, children's stories and festivals.
We have Grimms' Fairy Tales, Susan Perrow's "Therapeutic Storytelling", Michaela Glockler's "A Guide to Child Health", Jude Blereau's "Wholefood for Children" and many more wonderful books for infants, preschoolers, young children and parents. See photos below for just some of the lovely books we hold in the library.
If you haven't been to our Glenaeon Castlecrag Campus before, the Parent Library is located in the room to the left of Reception at 121 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag.
We look forward to seeing you soon and chatting about our wonderful books!
Amity - Parent Library Coordinator (Volunteer)
Read moreGlenaeon students participate in Kids Giving Back day
03 Jun 2021
Year 7 students Saorise, Finn P and Antonina along with Finn’s sister Maaike from Class 4 and Saorise’s brother Tighe participated in a recent Kids Giving Back day during Volunteers Week, making meals for homeless and disadvantaged people in Sydney. They were part of a group of about 40 kids and parents at the Paddo on Oxford Street who together made 117 cooked meals and 69 sandwiches.
The event, run by KGB program manager Bec and chef Paul, taught the kids about food preparation and hygiene, kitchen safety skills and helped them understand about homelessness - how people come to be homeless, what life can be like for them and importantly what we all could do to help.
The group got busy making sandwiches, while others made delicious vegetable ragout with meatballs and pasta. All of it was nourishing and tasty - made with care and love.
On our way home, we delivered some of the meals to Tierney House, close to St Vincents hospital, where 12 homeless people can stay to access healthcare and support services.
Kids Giving Back run their programs regularly, including over the school holidays. It could be a great class social activity or something to do on the school holidays. There are family sessions on weekends as well. If you’re interested to try it out, their website is: https://kidsgivingback.org
Read moreGlenaeon 2021 Annual Giving Campaign: Building for the Future
03 Jun 2021
The Glenaeon Building Fund provides an important source of funding for capital projects. Our Management team along with the Building Committee has worked hard over the past 18 months to firm up plans for the next exciting phase of our Masterplan development which will see improvements to facilities for Glenaeon students, for many years to come.
You are invited to directly contribute with a financial donation that will support Glenaeon students continuing to thrive in high quality learning spaces, well into the future. Your donation to Glenaeon’s Building Fund will help expand student facilities, improve quality and developments that will not just meet but exceed the needs of our students, teachers and parents.
With much anticipation of the great things to come, we are aiming to raise $75,000 with this Building for the Future campaign. All donations of $2 or more are Tax Deductible. Please make your donation by June 30, 2021.
For donations by credit card, EFT or cheque, please contact Clare Gordon +61 2 9417 3193 or c.gordon@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
To find out more, please join the Building Committee for a Building for the Future update. Click a link to book your place:
- Friday 4 June 9-10am Middle Cove Campus Deck morning tea
- Thursday 17 June 7.30-8.30pm Castlecrag Campus Hall drinks & nibbles
- Friday 18 June 9-10am Middle Cove Campus Deck morning tea
Thank you for your wonderful generosity to help build Glenaeon’s future.
Read moreGlenaeon 2021 Annual Giving Campaign: Building for the Future
03 Jun 2021
The Glenaeon Building Fund provides an important source of funding for capital projects. Our Management team along with the Building Committee has worked hard over the past 18 months to firm up plans for the next exciting phase of our Masterplan development which will see improvements to facilities for Glenaeon students, for many years to come.
You are invited to directly contribute with a financial donation that will support Glenaeon students continuing to thrive in high quality learning spaces, well into the future. Your donation to Glenaeon’s Building Fund will help expand student facilities, improve quality and developments that will not just meet but exceed the needs of our students, teachers and parents.
With much anticipation of the great things to come, we are aiming to raise $75,000 with this Building for the Future campaign. All donations of $2 or more are Tax Deductible. Please make your donation by June 30, 2021.
For donations by credit card, EFT or cheque, please contact Clare Gordon +61 2 9417 3193 or foundation@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
To find out more, please join the Building Committee for a Building for the Future update. Click a link to book your place:
- Thursday 17 June 7.30-8.30pm Castlecrag Campus Hall drinks & nibbles
- Friday 18 June 9-10am Middle Cove Campus Deck morning tea
Thank you for your wonderful generosity to help build Glenaeon’s future.
Read moreYr 10 PDH class – Unit on First aid and sports injuries
20 May 2021
Former Glenaeon employee and current fully qualified paramedic, Zoe Wheeler, came to teach and share with our students some practical aspects of her job on the road delivering first aid. It was a great first-hand experience for the students who have studied first aid and done some practical CPR in the classroom recently. Zoe spoke about the pathway to becoming a paramedic, what the job involves on a daily basis, with shift work of 4 days on/ 5 days off, and how she copes with the trauma and the things she sees as a first responder.
She also talked of the satisfaction in helping people in a time of urgent need, and about what sort of emergencies she gets called out to most often, chest pain. She also shared some lighter stories before students could ask many questions, which led to a deeper understanding as we spoke about mental health and the need for paramedics to look after their own mental health as they look after our communities often in very difficult or distressing circumstances.
Zoe then demonstrated some of her equipment, demonstrated COVID-19 safe practices, and students were allowed to ‘dress up’ in the protective equipment. Students learned how to safely use the stretcher, realised how tight the space inside the paramedic van actually is, and where and how equipment is stored.
It was a most valuable experience which all parties thoroughly enjoyed. We hope we can have Zoe back to teach our students next year!
#glenaeon #health #firstaid #paramedic #paramedicstudent #safety #emergencyservices @nswambulance #NationalVolunteerWeek2021 #thankyou
Read moreYear 8 master human pyramids and other physical feats!
20 May 2021
In PE, Year 8 students are now learning about floor gymnastics, making human pyramids, and the art of parkour, which originated in France in the late 1980s. Students gather together in groups and work on a routine that may include elements of all three disciplines as well as their own creations using synchronicity, grace, flowing movements and elements of strength to create a routine that they then demonstrate to the rest of the class.
Last week students were learning about and practising human pyramids between partners, and groups of three, four, five and more! Students learned how to build a strong base, while being particularly careful when building the next row on top of the human base. Interesting pyramids were achieved and cooperation was key to success. Proudly, they managed to create a triangle between 10 students.
Read moreYear 8 Shakespeare Main Lesson
20 May 2021
Year 8 Teacher, Raphaela Mazzone, has created this fabulous Blackboard, for the Shakespeare Main Lesson.
Read morePreschool goes Apple Picking
20 May 2021
What beautiful memories we all have from apple picking. The crisp air in the morning, finding apples and pomegranates on the trees, our picnic lunch together and the children on the tractor ride. The whole community was vibrant and smiling. We all feel fortunate to have such lovely families together in our Preschool.
Read moreYear 9’s Jayden aces AICES football comp
20 May 2021
The AICES football competition was an amazing experience for our own Jayden Smith earlier this month. Jayden, the only Glenaeon student involved, played soccer in the ISD team, which was very welcoming and wonderfully supported by experienced coaches. The wet weather didn’t impact the quality of football that was played by all the teams.
The ISD team was incredibly talented and the level of football in the competition was astounding. For Jayden, to have been a part of it was a really valuable experience in his footballing journey. The ISD team played four games in all. They opened the competition with a 0-0 draw, the next two games were 1-0 wins, before meeting the Hunter Region team in the Grand Final. They fought valiantly before succumbing to a 2-0 loss very late in the game.
It was an awesome day and has fuelled Jayden’s footballing hunger even more! Well done Jayden!
Read moreYear 12's Evan Hamele selected for state level soccer as goalie
20 May 2021
Speaking of aces, our own Evan Hamele (Year 12) was selected as a goal keeper for the senior Combined Independent Schools 2021 soccer team.
The open boys made it to the semi-finals but went down 1-0 so got knocked out of the competition. Significantly, Evan was then selected into the AICES team to play at the state level competition (CIS) later in the term. This is a significant and huge achievement, notwithstanding the pressure as Evan prepares for his HSC. He is a very dedicated and talented goalie.
One of Evan’s biggest fans wrote, “We are so proud of Evan, and his achievement of being selected as one of the goal keepers for the Combined Independent Schools 2021 soccer team. It is accomplishments like this, that make his discipline, dedication and determination to play hard and train hard pay off. We look forward to supporting him in the next phase of this competition, and for him to represent Glenaeon in sport. Huge thank you to Jonas for supporting Evan in achieving his potential by creating sport opportunities outside of school and through leading by example.”
Well done Evan! And our thanks to Jonas for supporting our students so well.
#soccer #football #glenaeon #sport #AICES #ISD
Read moreClass 1 learning mathematical processing
20 May 2021
Class 1 has been continuing their working with Mathematics, meeting Pierre Plus, who adds things together, Tibo Times, who counts in equal groups, and Marion Minus, who knows very well how to spend some of her coins, and always knows exactly how many coins she has left. They are working with ‘Dragons Tears’, their very own fingers, rhythms and verses, and they have spent quite a bit of time outside stepping along number lines drawn in chalk, counting forwards, stepping multiples, and counting backwards with joyful enthusiasm.
Bouncer's Journey in Class 2
20 May 2021
Bouncer is a baby joey that falls out of his mother's pouch and ends up travelling on the back of a truck - all around Australia through our many different landscapes. From the Western Desert to the ocean, he meets a friendly dolphin, Twiggy and Cave-bird again, wombats and his friends the red and grey kangaroos. On his journey he discovers the different land formations and weather systems and learns about rain, oceans and sees snow for the first time. Class 2 children have written and drawn Bouncer's adventures, learning sentence structure, grammar and punctuation as the record moments of Bouncer's adventures in their main lesson books.
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store – New parenting and craft books to inspire
20 May 2021
If you’re looking for more indoor activities as the weather gets cooler we have lots of new craft books sure to provide hours of inspiration along with many new parenting books filled with activities, stories and ideas to enrich your family’s daily life. These are now also available online as well as in-store! grassrootsecostore.com.au/collections/read
For your nature table, we have beautifully illustrated packs of Seasonal Cards perfect to place on your seasonal table or display at home with a full-colour seasonal picture on the front of the card and lovely descriptions and ideas for seasonal craft and decorations on the back.
Just as the Autumn leaves are displaying their beautiful colours, we have been lucky to receive a few of Yuki’s natural dyed felt, Autumn Leaf Crowns - pop in-store to take a look at these exquisitely hand-stitched crowns and many of her other hand made creations.
Opening Hours for Term 2
Monday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Tuesday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Wednesday: 8.30am–12.30pm
Thursday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Friday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
If you can’t make it to the store, you can now shop online: grassrootsecostore.com.au
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Read moreNew record at Castlecrag
20 May 2021
Children cheered loudly as they declared a new Castlecrag record had been set for the tallest sandcastle! Evolving over several days, it has been protected right up until the last bucket on the top!
Read moreLittle Kindy wet felts soap
20 May 2021
Little Kindy created felted soaps for Mother's Day with Kindergarten teacher Catherine Pilko. The children teased and softened the beautifully-coloured fleece which was then wrapped around a small piece of soap. After the fleece had been tied onto the soap, each child gently patted the soft fleece. Each soap was then dipped in warm water and the children turned and patted, turned and patted... and as it became soapy they squeezed and rolled it until the fleece had magically felted. It was then dried, ready to be wrapped, and sent home with a beautiful hand-made card for mum.
Read moreClass 5 study the Ancient Civilisations
20 May 2021
Class 5 have been exploring the rich history of the ancient civilisations of Persia, Mesopotamia and Egypt. Titled ‘To Roam No More’, this reflects the defining moment when civilisations are born and settle, cultivating crops through the seasons, no longer roaming the lands. The classroom is shining with the students’ work - paintings of ziggurats and the Persian god of the sun and all creation - Ahura Mazda, clay sculptures of Egyptian mummies and a variety of Egyptian gods and goddesses. The blackboard, drawn by Class 5 teacher Katherine Arconati, is simply beautiful, as is the main lesson book work of the students.
In addition to various artistic experiences, the class have heard many ancient stories, mythologies and now histories of these fascinating cultures. They then engage in the arduous task of remembering these stories and rewriting them in their own words before putting the pen to paper and beautifully writing and illustrating them in their main lesson books. The final step on this journey will be an Egyptian research project. Watch this space for a follow up article at the end of term!
Read moreMeet Yura Totsuka
06 May 2021
Many of you will already know Glenaeon’s Head of Science, Yura Totsuka. She’s been in that role for six years and a member of the Glenaeon community for many years.
Yura joined Glenaeon as a high school student starting in Year 7 and graduating Year 12. Coming from Japan, and moving across from a local and rather strict Church of England primary school, she vividly remembers the King Arthur Main Lesson of Year 7 with lots of drawing, creativity and the multi-dimensional aspects of learning that Glenaeon is recognised for. “I found high school engaging and refreshing, and I really enjoyed the deeper learning made possible in the Main Lesson framework.”
Yura now teaches Year 7-10 science and Year 11 and 12 chemistry. She is looking forward to the Year 10 Chemistry Main Lesson, which is coming up next cycle. Some theory, and lots of experiments are conducted. Yura doesn’t want to spoil the surprise by giving away too much detail, but her students will be delving into the world of inorganic chemistry.
In her role as Year 12 Guardian, Yura supports students in their important final year of high school. She is there to help students navigate the final year, classes, study, exams, projects, friendships, achieving a balance…. She’s also there to guide and encourage and be a nurturing presence. She always enjoys spending time with her students on the Year 12 Mystery Tour, which is always a lot of fun and memory making.
Whilst she considers herself a black-thumb in the garden, she does enjoy mushroom hunting in the autumn. In her spare time, she really enjoys cooking and baking, and her 2020 chemistry class worked hard to earn a six layer chocolate and strawberry cake to celebrate the end of the course. She loves culinary adventures and exploring different cuisines. This year she is challenging herself to make a French Cassoulet. She also loves a good food market, and occasionally bumps into students and families at the weekends when walking the stalls looking for fresh and inspiring ingredients.
#glenaeon #steinerschool #steinereducation #sydney #middlecove #science #chemistry #teachers
Read moreResident Wallaby
06 May 2021
We are so fortunate to be immersed in Nature on our beautiful bushland campus at Middle Cove. Check out this picture of our resident wallaby who hangs around between our Admin Building and the Art Block!
#glenaeon #wallaby #middlecove #nature #bushland #steinerschool
Read moreLove Bites
06 May 2021
On Thursday 22nd April, Year 9 and Year 10 participated in the Love Bites Program. Love Bites is a respectful relationships program developed by NAPCAN, and aims to provide a safe environment in which young people can discuss and learn about their rights and responsibilities in relationships, how to identify signs of unhealthy relationships, information regarding providing consent, and, ways to access support if needed – all information that is currently prevalent in the media.
Love Bites ran for a full day with two interactive sessions followed by a creative workshop through which the students were able to create their own campaigns displaying ways they would like to see respectful relationships promoted. Some of the campaign drawings created by the students are displayed.
We had 10 external facilitators delivering the program to Years 9 and 10, who were separated into four groups. These facilitators provided wonderful feedback, expressing that the students were incredibly well behaved and engaged in the program content with immense insight, critical thinking and emotional maturity. The Love Bites facilitator coordinator said she felt Glenaeon is one of the best schools they have presented in.
At the conclusion of the program, without the direction of a teacher, a few of the students in the different classrooms made an announcement on behalf of the rest of the class to thank the facilitators for spending the day with Glenaeon and for all they had shared. Many of the facilitators were so impressed by the initiative and maturity displayed by the students in their gratitude. One of the facilitators mentioned to me that she wished she could have her time again, and she would send her children to Glenaeon.
I thoroughly enjoyed spending time throughout the day between the different groups, and hearing the discussions of the students. I especially enjoyed observing the way the students manage difference of opinion so respectfully. We look forward to welcoming Love Bites back for future years.
Emily Fam
Student Wellbeing Coordinator
Be more, Do Less by Mary Heard
06 May 2021
In his latest Podcast ‘Simplicity Parenting’ author Kim John Payne, speaks about what our children really need to get ahead in life - more time just ‘hanging out’ with their parents. It is so easy to buy into the idea that we need to spend more money, rush around and fill our lives up trying to give our children a ‘head start’ but what we may be giving them is an anxiety problem later on.
In the Simplicity Parenting courses I run online, we talk together about ways we can just ‘be’ with our children. Rhythmical weekend family activities like walking to the local coffee shop or the local park are good, so is doing simple chores together like pegging out the washing. To make this down time together happen we need to schedule it into our family rhythm, elevating its importance and allocating it a particular time so that not even busyness can get in its way. We rarely get to just ‘be’ together unless we schedule it into our week because Heaven knows there is always so much to ‘do’!
The other thing about doing less and being more is that we are so consumed with screens these days that all our down time is taken up on them. We are so busy achieving things in life that the only way we can get a break from it is to put ourselves in front of a screen. We need to teach our children that there are other ways to have down time, to relax and not worry about anything without watching screens. In my course we always talk about things that are as fun and relaxing as watching TV. We make lists of these things - these are very important lists - and every family needs one. Some of the things that regularly appear on these lists are making a fire together, baking a cake and having a tea party and playing cards. The best place to look for ideas is in your own childhood.
This is all crazily simple and obvious stuff, but we get so caught up, that we forget about it, and then our kids grow up and have anxiety issues and we spend time and money driving them to expensive therapists to try to fix a problem that may never have developed if the child had less pressure growing up. If our children are still young, we have the power as parents to give them a secure foundation, to spend time with our hearts beating together to the same rhythm. We don’t have to do a lot of it, it is good ‘medicine’ and a little goes along way. The important thing, is that it is regular. So it’s great news when you think about it, that to help our children grow into secure adults we just need to spend more time hanging out with them, with no agenda. It’s hard to imagine anything more fun than that really, and we don’t even have to do anything.
Mary’s online Simplicity Parenting course starts next Sunday 16 May
Read moreCongratulations Anette!
06 May 2021
Executive Assistant to Head of School, Anette Babula and her husband Nathan welcomed a baby girl on Easter Sunday. Welcome to the world baby Isabella! Congratulations to you from the entire Glenaeon family!
Read moreThe importance of drawing: National Drawing Day May 16
06 May 2021
This article from The Conversation asks: Why is teaching kids to draw not a more important part of the curriculum? Well at Glenaeon, it is. Glenaeon students are exposed to drawing and creative learning from the moment they step foot onto our Preschool, Primary or High School. And the teachers who teach our children, are all of the belief that drawing is an important aspect of a child’s development and learning. The mural of birds that was recently unveiled at our Middle Cove campus is a nod to our Teachers own artistic practices, and the high regard that they have for drawing, creating and its place in education. You don’t need to be an artist to reap the benefits of drawing. Glenaeon is providing families with a creative education for students and producing students that become creative members of Australian society – and creative thinkers from the very beginning. When we run School Tours, prospective parents often ask if being able to draw is an entry requirement. When children enter Glenaeon from other schools, they are not expected to be able to draw well from day 1. It’s the act of drawing, that's key. Each child is nurtured and eventually students become better at it over time, but there is no pressure to be an instant artist. With National Drawing Day coming up in May, it might be time to draw some more.
Read moreYear 8 study portrait
06 May 2021
Year 8 students are embarking on a portrait unit in visual art and who better to teach them than the master himself, Rembrandt! Working from the series of many self-portraits, students practiced working with pastel to reproduce his image. What an amazing likeness they achieved!
Watch this space to see their own self-portraits which will be abstract representations of themselves done on skatedecks.
Read moreMorning yoga is back
06 May 2021
Glenaeon students and teachers are back enjoying morning Yoga sessions with Jonas and Yoga Master Heidi Horne overlooking the stunning bush scenery. What a way to start the day! Parents are now permitted to join again, by following COVID safe practices of signing in with the QR code, and sanitising their hands before rolling out the mat.
To join, contact PDHPE Teacher & Co-curricular Organiser: J.Stoebe@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreTreasure market in the Playground
06 May 2021
The playground is alive with pop-up treasure stalls created by Class 1 & 2 children. From delicate flowers and intricate nature craft to a collection of found treasures, children are busy collecting enough gumnuts (the local currency) to buy what they would like. Teachers and staff are also good customers, and the frenzy around the opening of a new shop even requires queueing and crowd control! Shopkeepers are busy with notes, signs and displays and it's just so much fun!
Read moreFriendly Kookaburra visits Castlecrag
06 May 2021
The kookaburras are always here throughout the day, foraging and finding worms, but this one was particularly friendly and let us get right up close!
Read moreSecret stitching at Castlecrag
06 May 2021
There's been a lot of stitching, stitching going on at Castlecrag this week... I wonder why? You can see them in the playground, sitting on the walls and even in the trees! What can it be?
Read moreMother Earth in Castlecrag Reception
06 May 2021
With a few extra special leaves and feathers bought from the children's playground stalls, Mother Earth is collecting her Autumn treasures at Castlecrag Reception.
Read moreYear 9 Wolgan trip
06 May 2021
The Wolgan trip started
on last Friday morn
As we pulled up with buses,
to find bags on the lawn
Students with parents,
the parents looked on,
As the buses were loaded,
then the students were gone.
We’ll miss you they cried
and waved as we drove,
thinking “at least we don’t have to
get up for the Cove”
And off we drove
and drove some more,
How many hours did it take?
Hrmm, maybe four.
When we finally arrived
and we got to alight,
We breathed in the Wolgan
Then prepared for first night.
Some went to climb
And others to canyon
Some simply walked
With their closest companion
There were glorious vistas
around every corner
We saw pink flannel flowers
and some other cool fauna.
So we climbed and walked and then walked some more,
I don’t think anyone could call that trip a bore!
KG
Read moreTo Mum with Love - Mother's Day gifts
06 May 2021
Now that the special day has come and gone, we can share with you some of the beautiful things the children made especially for Mother's Day.
Little Kindy and Class 2 felted soaps, Class 1 stitched gum leaf bookmarks out of hand-dyed felt, Class 3 crocheted brooches and placed holders with their first crochet! Class 4 embroidered lavender pillows and made hand-sewn paper cards. Over at Middle Cove, Class 5 made clay vases with dried flowers, Class 6 made baskets out of Bangalow Palms, Year 7 baked delicious shortbread with fresh flower petals from the garden, and Year 8 made their own beeswax wraps button brooches. What a bounty of beautiful things for mums and carers. We trust our Mums enjoyed their beautiful hand-crafted gifts.
Read moreYear 7's Archie swims at the AICES Swimming Championships
23 Apr 2021
Archie Carter in Year 7 made it through to the zone level AICES Swimming Championships late March to compete for Glenaeon and represent our sports association ISD. He swam in three events: 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 50m breaststroke.
Archie set a record for freestyle at our recent swimming carnival and won all his races at our carnival. We then checked his times and Archie qualified to be nominated for the AICES Swimming Championships.
Archie swam very well but ultimately did not qualify for the state level (CIS). However, it is a great achievement to swim at the AICES Swimming Championships in an Olympic swimming pool in the 2000 Sydney Olympics swim stadium in Sydney Olympic Park and battle it out with other very talented swimmers!
We congratulate Archie for his appearance and for representing our school on a bigger stage. Well done Archie!
#glenaeon #swimming #AICES #swimmingchampionships #freestyle #butterfly #breaststroke
Read moreMartu People and Clifford Brooks
23 Apr 2021
Martu people are the traditional owners of the Martu land including parts of the Great Sandy, Little Sandy, and Gibson Deserts, collectively referred to as the Western Desert. The language of the people is Martu Wangka. Glenaeon’s connection to the Martu people is through Beniah Brooks, a Year 10 student.
One well-known Martu artist is Clifford Brooks. Clifford Brooks is Beniah's grandfather. His work is found in the National Museum of Australia. He is now in living in Jigalong with his family.
The painting pictured, titled, Blood in the Ground (2007) is one of Clifford's artworks. The painting shows Clifford's dad looking for his brother (Rover) along the Canning Stock Route. While looking he saw a whitefella had shot Aboriginal people. As Clifford Brooks said, "He been get up on a sandhill and he been look down: whitefella, massacre. They been get shot: [Aboriginal] men, women and children." This scene is depicted in the top right corner of this painting, where many shapes are surrounded by red dotting (blood).
Beniah chose this painting to share with Glenaeon because he made her one like this when she was little. Thanks for sharing this Beniah.
Read more
Glenaeon Big Band is back
23 Apr 2021
After all the COVID disruption, Glenaeon's Big Band is back on stage. On 31 March 2021, the Glenaeon Big Band performed at the high school assembly in our Sylvia Brose Hall. Led by Band Master, Phil Arnold, the 16-member band played three songs.
Glenaeon Big Band students in this performance include: Nathan Yr 10; Miles Yr 7; Lucas Yr 7; Natalia Yr 10; Taran Yr 9; Jack Yr 10; Elke Yr 10; Sasha Yr 9; Anton Yr 8; Antonina Yr 7; Hayden Yr 8; Max Yr 10; Marcel Yr 11; Elliot Yr 9; Mya Yr 10 and Anouk Yr 10.
Our thanks to Evan Sanders for lighting and sound, and parent volunteer Ian Smith www.iancameronsmith.com, for filming and editing. Click here to watch the Glenaeon Big Band performance: https://youtu.be/ysgTFxON_vM
Read moreThank you HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
23 Apr 2021
The mystery of life and death often causes one to ponder and it is no different with the passing of HRH Prince Philip, founder of the Duke of Edinburgh Program.
The program was first developed in the United Kingdom in 1956 in conjunction with Kurt Hann, German Educationist and founder of Outward Bound and Lord Hunt, leader of the first ascent of Mount Everest. These men wanted to motivate youth to participate in a more balanced program of service, self-development and activity to support their growth into adulthood.
I have been delivering the program at Glenaeon for the past 11 years and have watched participants benefit from his vision and desire to support young people in finding meaning in their lives and purpose in what they do. Bronze participants, usually Year 9 students, begin to learn consciously, what it means to be in service to others, to practise physical activity as a means of betterment of their health and wellbeing and develop or hone a skill to exercise their brain. These activities are undergone alongside their normal school workload and what is commonly expected of our adolescents, and it helps them to find focus and work towards achieving a goal. They elect to participate in the program for various reasons at this stage, but for whatever that is, they benefit in so many ways.
The students that follow on to the Silver and Gold Award have committed to a much extended weekly commitment of service, physical activity and skill to further their development, experience, social interactions and achievements. They are not ‘going with the flow’, being dictated and peer pressured into what is cool or acceptable teenage happenings. These students have already risen above the materialistic level of adolescence and want to gain something beyond what is the typical offerings.
This is no more evident than in the adventure journey that makes up the Award at each level. Twelve Year 10 students and one Year 11 student planned and organised their adventure practice and qualifying journeys, which they undertook towards the end of these holidays. A girls’ group undertook the Six Foot Track walk while the boys conquered a large section of the Great North Walk. Both groups departed at the crack of dawn on Friday, after spending a few hours on Thursday together on final prep and training, equipment checks and packing. The students made all the arrangements: from booking sites, registering with National Parks, enlisting leaders as ‘back-up and safety’ – as required by the Award Office, planning out each day, the distance and kind of terrain, coordinates for designated breaks, navigation, etc. and got on their way. The first day’s walk for the boys was no less than 27kms with a great deal of that uphill! Following are some reflections of the participants on their return.
Prince Philip had the foresight and desire to set up a program where more than four million young people worldwide, since its inception, have participated, achieved and grown. This is a gift. Thank you Prince Philip; your legacy will live on.
Donna Miller
#DofE #dukeofed #dukeofedaus #worldready #glenaeon #steiner #steinereducation
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Duke of Ed: Silver Journey Reflections
23 Apr 2021
"I started this hike with very little idea, of the amount of memories I was going to have, and the bonds I was very soon going to form with my fellow year 10 trekkers. Some of my favourite highlights of the trek were in the most part, random and at unexpected times whether that be around the trangia circle or after we had just finished walking up a steep hill, and I often thought that our laughter would travel down the valleys and be heard all the way back at Glenaeon. We had many challenges through the trek from bungled river crossings, to end up at the wrong cabins after a long day of walking. Throughout the entirety of the hike we were fully surround by natures delicate beauty, including the miracle regeneration of the bushland, following the catastrophic 2020 bush fires. The hike was made even more poignant given the recent passing of HRH The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, founder of the award, who’s funeral was held during the time of our trek. This trek will always be in my memory along with the memory of The Prince and his legacy." Petal
"I really enjoyed our Silver Duke of Ed journey. It was such a fulfilling and rewarding experience and I found that I became a lot closer with the girls in my group. We had so many laughs and we really helped each other get through the hike, as it felt slow going hiking up and down the Six Foot Track. Our trip went so quickly and before we knew it we were on our last night at Jenolan Caves sitting together and all laughing as we remembered the different parts of our journey. We got to walk through so many different climates throughout the whole of the hike; we began in the rainforest and ended up in an open field with horse, before we went over a suspension bridge over the water. I really feel that I had such a good group of girls to go through the hike together, it was such an amazing experience to share with them." Hana
Read more
Class 1 explore numbers to 12
23 Apr 2021
At the end of Term 1, Class 1 explored numbers from 1 - 12, including roman numerals. Writing, playing and using bean bags with numbers, they also made them in beeswax and used their new counters and counting bags to explore simple addition and subtraction.
Read moreClass 2 long stitch pencil cases
23 Apr 2021
Class 2 have been stitching their own pencil cases, and the results are remarkable. One side has mountain and valley patterns in long stitch, whilst the other side contains their own design, carefully stitched. From the Opera House to rainbows, a cricket match, animals and even the sinking Titanic, their pencil cases will take them all the way to Class 6!
Read moreAutumn Festival and celebrating Michaelmas
23 Apr 2021
All 6 primary school classes came together on the last Friday at the end of Term 2 for the festival of Michaelmas - midway between the summer and winter solstices. It is an experiential treat as the hall is filled with voices, rounds, drama and music. The story of St. Michael and the dragon centres around an evil dragon holding the East at bay, and St. George (an earthly representation of St. Michael) tames the dragon with the Sword of Justice and Courage. It is Harvest time, as we gather our stores for winter, and the story reflects the gathering of our internal strength and light for the coming darkness of winter. Each class rehearses their own part - songs, music, poetry and drama - and they come together to perform as one. Class 2 prepared the fresh bread rolls and steamed corn, Class 3 rehearsed being the dragon, Class 5 played recorder and all classes from 1 - 6 rehearsed the story and their own songs. Thank you to all teachers and Class 5 teacher Katherine Arconati for working together on this event, and to Head of Music Ian Munns for playing the opening piano.
Read moreClass 2 explore the sounds of music
23 Apr 2021
Rodney Dean has been working with Class 2 to explore music and sound. Listening to their own rhythms on the xylophone, percussion instruments, kalimba, rain-shakers, bells, chimes and recorder, the children shared what stories and imagery might accompany the various sounds they could create. Each child worked with one rhythm as they explored beat, rhythm, melody and timing together, before playing their own instrument and music to their regular morning song as one group. The result was wonderful! These skills are developed over many years in the primary class teacher period, allowing the children not only to play all their own music for school plays and festivals, but deepen their musical knowledge, experience and appreciation.
Read moreMiddle Cove Campus Improvements
23 Apr 2021
Our Operations & Facilities Manager Chris Scrogie together with our Maintenance team (Michael, Noel and Sonny) worked hard over the term break with lots of great improvements to benefit students in their campus life.
Our high school students will have noticed new vinyl flooring in high school building corridors, and we have brand new air conditioning units for Year 7 and 8 classrooms, Learning Support room and the Science Lab 1. Dehumidifiers have also been installed in classrooms for Class 3 and 4.
We also have additional bottle fill stations around the campus. Please remind you children to bring their water bottle to school or buy a water bottle from the café so that this can be refilled reducing plastic waste. The team installed the new artwork on the Alice Crowther Building. New lockers were installed for Year 8 and Year 12. In addition, we have upped the quality of our CCTV cameras across campuses to improve safety and security on site.
Our thanks to the team for their continued hard work in keeping our campus safe and looking great.
Read morePreparing for Michaelmas
23 Apr 2021
Last term Class 2 prepared bread and corn cobs for the whole of primary school on the morning of the Michaelmas Festival. Class Assistant Monique carefully calculated enough flour to make 180 rolls! She and Melony kneaded the dough with some Class 1 children before Class 2 children came in groups. Each child took part to further knead and form the many rolls that were baked to perfection. Can you spot the dough ball in the air?! The corn was peeled and the husks will be made into corn dolls. Class 1 volunteers decorated the Harvest display in the hall and the office was also brimming with lovely donations from school families - thank you. The food was all donated to Oz Harvest, who distribute it to charities to help feed people in need in Sydney.
Read moreYear 12 Solo Camp
23 Apr 2021
At 6am on March 27, Year 12 students left Willoughby Park by bus for the six-hour ride to their Solo Camp on a property near the Warrumbungle National Park. On arrival we were greeted by our guides Scottie, KG, and Eric.
Tents were quickly set up and we helped prepare our dinner of kangaroo burgers cooked on the open fire.
During the afternoon students discussed various campsite options with Eric and Scottie before deciding on where they would set up camp the next day.
Students were up early on Sunday morning and were packed and ready to leave for their campsites by 9:30am.
Once they arrived the sites were checked by the supervisor and a spot for the letterbox was arranged. By 11am all students had reached they campsites and teachers were back at base camp. However, there was no rest for them as Scottie and Eric had started building a pizza oven as a surprise for the students on the last night of the camp.
At 5pm on Sunday, teachers undertook the first of the letterbox runs to check if the students had settled in and were comfortable.
Some had forgotten their torches, insect repellent, or water etc. but it did not take long to supply these missing essentials.
The next day, letterboxes were checked at 9am and again at 5pm. Comments left in the letter boxes were all positive with students being aware of the nature around them and enjoying it very much.
Between letterbox runs and other duties, the teachers continued to work on the pizza oven, and it was completed on Wednesday afternoon – with the help of some students who gave it the final polish.
Students were due back at the main camp at 10am but a few arrived earlier and once everyone had arrived, we sat in a circle and the students shared their experiences of their time alone. Many students saw emus, wallabies, various birds, and other wildlife and kept themselves busy with creative works, such as art or writing.
After lunch we set off for our land care tasks which was to help prevent erosion and scouring by using wood off-cuts in one of the creeks to slow the water and stabilise the creek bed.
On Tuesday evening, Scottie cooked another feast, this time it was freshly harvested goat and a vegetarian curry.
The Landcare work continued on Wednesday and in the evening, we feasted on pizza from our brand-new pizza oven.
After dinner we were treated to an exploration of the night sky by astronomer Donna Burton from Coonabarabran who shared her love of the night sky through her portable telescope. Donna had brought her self-made transportable telescope and we were all in awe being able to watch fascinating sights in the sky that are invisible to the naked eye. I think, none of us will ever look at the stars at night in the same way again after this experience.
Thursday morning came and it was time to say farewell to Eric and his property. We arrived back at Willoughby Park on time at 4pm and within seven minutes all students had been collected by their parents – the fastest pickup ever.
From all reports the Solo Camp Experience was a resounding success, and all credit goes to the Outdoor Education team. Thanks to Scottie, KG, Taylor, Tom, and Eric, who gave our Year 12 students this unique opportunity not only to enjoy the outdoors by themselves but also give back to nature by working on the land to improve its condition.
Read moreSail away Sail away Sail away
23 Apr 2021
Year 10 student Keizo Tomishima and Year 8 student Hanako Tomishima participated in sailing regattas last month and they achieved great results:
Keizo participated 2021 Victorian 420 Championship, and he got 3rd place.
Hanako participated in two regattas: the 2021 Victorian optimist State Championship, 3rd place, and the 2021 NSW optimist State Championship, where she came 2nd.
And in these most recent school holidays, Keizo also came 2nd in the “2021 Australian 420 National Championship” in Sydney, and Hanako participated in the “2021 Australian Optimist Championship” in Adelaide and she came in 5th place, overall, 1st female. Depending on COVID, she is going to World Optimist Championship in Italy later in the year.
The picture is of Hanako out on the water.
Our congratulations to Keizo and Hanako for their brilliant achievements.
Read moreGlenaeon School Office Hours during the Easter Holidays
31 Mar 2021
The Easter holidays are almost here! The last day of Term 1 is Wednesday 31 March and Term 2 commences on Wednesday 21 April.
Middle Cove Reception will remain open over the school holidays between the hours of 9am and 2pm. Please contact Sarah via email reception@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au or call 9417-3193
Castlecrag Reception will be closed from Thursday 1 April and will reopen on Monday 19 April. You can contact Melony via email castlecrag@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au or call 9958-0774.
Wishing everyone a safe and restful break.
Glenaeon Admin Team
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Bookings open: Glenaeon Holiday Care Autumn Program 2021
25 Mar 2021
The holidays are almost here! We’ve got the perfect program to keep children busy and engaged in fun activities through the Glenaeon Holiday Care program. It’s a lovely mix of indoor and outdoor activities, along with some new excursions and cultural experiences for all to enjoy.
Glenaeon’s Holiday Care program is open to all children, not just Glenaeon students, so please feel free to invite friends and families from other schools to join in the fun.
All program days are held at our Castlecrag campus, except for some excursions as specified.
Bookings can be made here: http://www.glenaeonoosh.com.au/holiday-care-bookings.html
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The rain in Spain, falls mainly on Sandra Frain’s compost!
25 Mar 2021
Close to 30 people braved the unrelenting rain last Sunday (14 March) to participate in our Parent Education session on compost making with our Biodynamic Gardening Practitioner and Gardening Teacher Sandra Frain. Sandra covered all the principles of composting including the scientifically proven balance of nitrogen and carbon products that creates a healthy compost system. Participants all worked together to ‘fill the compost pit’ at Castlecrag in the layering format that creates a good healthy mature soil. Families got familiar with our ‘Compost Pit Corner’ and harvested some mature composted soil to take home having learned how to make compost for their own backyards. Sandra is planning to do a follow up workshop in Term 2, so stay tuned for more information to follow.
Read moreISD Touch Football Carnival
25 Mar 2021
Thursday 11 March was meant to be very wet but a courageous group of 36 Glenaeon touch football players travelled to Liverpool, joining 11 other schools to take part in the big ISD Touch Football Carnival. Some of these schools can kindly be called ‘rugby schools’ meaning that their prime target in PE is to become good at the rugby, the original form of touch football. As a result, in some games, our teams assembled from students in Year 8 to Year 12, struggled to score. In other games though, we really surprised ourselves, winning four games, drawing three. Our main goal was to enjoy a day of physical activity. At times ‘robust’, the games were played in good spirit. We enjoyed a day of meeting other students from different schools and diverse cultures.
One group of friendly students even displayed their backflip skills to some of our older students in what looked like a ‘backflip mini clinic’ between games.
The weather was kind, and this resulted in a great day of outdoor and physical learning in which all students rose to the occasion becoming better players and team mates over the many touch games played.
Well done to all players and a special shout out to the those who scored tries: Remy B and Wesley (both Year 11), Rohan and Jayden (Year 9), Alex (Year 8), Sophie (Year 11), Elke (Year 10), Lotte (Year 9), Quinn (Year 8).
#touch #football #touchfootball #touchfooty #glenaeon #steiner #sydney #lowernorthshore #PE
Read moreYear 7 discovers Newnes Plateau
25 Mar 2021
The Year 7 students were very impressive on their Outdoor Education Expedition. From the moment we boarded the bus, there was positive buzz of social interaction that was at all times supportive, friendly and inclusive to all.
What an experience! We arrived at our rugged campsite, where the effects of recent bushfire, was still quite present. We pitched our tents for the night and then went for a short bushwalk to the edge of a rocky, cliff embankment, were we watched the sun descending. The peace, awe and stillness was only broken by the call of the Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo. The students sat quietly showing a deep reverence and respect for the natural environment. As they did this, they were asked to contemplate the importance of this place for the Indigenous people of the Wiradjuri, Gundungurra and Darug nations.
The enthusiasm and cooperation the students had for cooking their own meals was very impressive. They displayed dexterity and confidence when operating the Trangia stove and an assortment of cuisines was hungrily devoured.
The next morning the whole group was divided into two, and one group went to Deep Pass for an overnight camp, while the other group stayed at the main campsite, to partake in the abseiling challenge.
The campers heading out to Deep Pass needed an overnight pack of food and clothes. They headed out on a 2km, downhill trek through the bush to their campsite. The Wollemi National Park boasts some of the prettiest scenery; a valley surrounded by incredible cliffs, cascading waterfalls and winding creeks. We explored the nearby rock pools; a meeting place for the Wiradjuri, Gundungurra and Darug people that contains ancient handprints; and the T-Slot canyon that squeezes its way through the middle of a mountain. The students arranged their new campsite using tarps for cover. Being carefully guided in the correct placement and setting of their tarps to ensure a dry bed for the night. In the second week this was especially important as it rained most nights. The students’ tarp building skills were exceptional and they remained mostly dry.
Read moreAutumn inspo
25 Mar 2021
You may be tempted to make some Autumn trimmings for your tables at home.
The mornings and evenings are a little crisper and soon ....
Leaves are drifting slowly down.
They make a carpet on the ground,
Then swish! The wind comes whistling by,
And sends them dancing in the sky!
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Glenaeon Charter Bus Bookings Term 2 – NOW OPEN
25 Mar 2021
It’s time to make your booking on the Glenaeon charter bus for Term 2, 2021. Please be aware that seats on these charter buses are limited. While casual tickets are available to purchase, a casual ticket does not guarantee your child access to the bus if there isn’t a seat available. In order to allow for adequate planning and capacity to be available for all students wishing to use the charter buses, please make your booking before the end of this term. Bookings for Term 2 are due by Wednesday 31 March.
Please use the following link to make your booking for Term 2 or for further information about the Glenaeon charter bus routes: https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/1425
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Soccer trial day for the AICES Soccer Championships
25 Mar 2021
Last Friday nine excited Glenaeon students from Year 8 – Year 12 headed 70km south-west to Saint Helens Park near Campbelltown to compete in a football (soccer) trial day to represent our school and sports association (ISD) in the Football Championships to be held in early May.
In pouring rain our students battled the elements and competed for selection. They were much-liked by the critical eyes of the observing selectors who went on to choose three students.
I want to congratulate Year 12's Evan Hamele (as outstanding goalie), Jayden Smith (Year 9) and Anton Cope (Yr 8) all as field players in various positions for their outstanding effort and the talent displayed. Given we are a smaller sized school, I couldn’t be prouder that in a team that is formed from all the best soccer playing students from the 12 schools in the ISD Association that Glenaeon had so much talent on display. I want to sincerely congratulate the nominees but also recognise all as well as the effort by parents who facilitated the day for their children, supervised on the day, and for their car pooling and support, including the shift of venue.
I wish them all the very best when they will compete with other students from across Sydney to fly our Glenaeon/ISD flag on May 5 and 6 in the AICES Soccer Championships in Glenwood, north of Blacktown.
Read moreMeet Alice Livermore
25 Mar 2021
We continue our get-to-know our Teachers series, and this week we catch up with Alice Livermore. Alice joined Glenaeon last year, but she has changed roles and is spreading her wings into areas that truly ignite her passion.
What is your new role at Glenaeon?
I have several roles at Glenaeon this year! Teacher-Librarian, Careers Advisor and Spanish Teacher.
- I have joined our wonderful librarian, Chris, in the library this year. While I support him as much as I can, my vision is to really step into the “teacher” part of being a librarian, that is, to actively monitor and assist students during study periods, and to support students and teachers by being a go-to person for resources or to simply find a good book! I have also been working in various classes teaching digital literacy (research/evaluative skills) and have started a lunch time reading and writing club. What I would like to see happen next is for the library to become more of a hub for celebrating community and culture, keeping up-to-date and participating in national and international events (like Book Week, NADOC week, etc.). Over the coming school holidays the library will be receiving a little bit of a makeover and I am very excited for the creation of our “fiction corner” which will give students a cozy place to lounge around and read and play boardgames during recess and lunch.
- I aim to support students from Year 9-12, advising them in regards to subject selection, work experience, HSC and career pathways (life after Glenaeon!). I am particularly passionate about supporting Year 12 students as this can be an overwhelming time in a young person’s life, not only with the pressures of the HSC but also with deciding what’s next. Fortunately there are so many pathways and opportunities available to students today, my goal is to make students aware of this and help them on their way. If students of any age are wondering what they should be thinking about or what they could be doing to prepare for their future, they should check out the Careers page on GLO. https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/968/
- Perhaps the role that is closest to my heart because it is such a personal passion of mine is Spanish-teaching. It was my favourite subject when I was in school and was a huge part of my teenage years. I grew up on the west coast of America where Mexican-Americans and Mexican immigrants make up a significant portion of the population. It was very normal for anyone in the community to be able to speak at least a little Spanish and we were very familiar with Hispanic customs and celebrations. I think it is very exciting and appropriate that Spanish has been introduced at Glenaeon as there are so many students and teachers in our community that come from a Spanish-speaking background. 20 countries world-wide speak Spanish and it is the 3rd most spoken language in the world. Not only do I love the language, but it has been a joy introducing students to the vibrant and varying cultures of these Spanish-speaking countries. Currently Spanish is only being taught in year 7, but so many students in other year groups have expressed an interest and so we will be starting a Spanish Club next term that is open to all students.
What are your hobbies?
I love nature and animals. Mountains, trees, birds and dogs are my favourites of those. I love rock climbing, I love to read and I love to write poetry and short stories.
Read moreClass 5 makes 'dough' despite the rain
25 Mar 2021
Traditionally, Class 5 gardeners host Pizza Day each term with the help of Class 7 Food Technology students who make all the pizza dough. They utilise fresh ingredients grown in our Middle Cove Biodynamic Garden to create delicious hot pizzas to sell to their fellow students at lunchtime. This activity combines gardening, health and nutrition, culinary skills and service to their community!
This Tuesday however, plans for making pizza were washed away in the torrential rain that had fallen on Sydney. Fortunately, they are a resilient group. With the support of their Garden Teachers, Kathy and Edgar, they sheltered in the Gentle Cafe and baked herb and cheese bread rolls instead.
“That smells so good!” was a phrase heard across the campus. A total of $220 in donations was received from students and staff for their tasty snacks. Monies raised from these lunch events will be given to a worthy cause chosen by Class 5.
Hopefully, next term the weather will be friendlier and there will be pizzas for lunch. Well done Class 5 and thank you to all the helpers who provided support with this class activity.
Read moreTree collateral
25 Mar 2021
The past few days of heavy rain took a toll on one of our turpentines at the top of our Middle Cove campus. The tree developed a lean and was resting on the walkway handrail, hinting at a potential fall.
Our Operations and Maintenance team arranged for an arborist to make an assessment and then emergency removal for safety reasons followed. Students were guided down the driveway at the bell for a safe passage home.
Read moreClass 3 explores Farming and Textiles
25 Mar 2021
Class 3’s final Main Lesson for Term 1 is Farming and Textiles. So far it has involved a series of highly practical lessons where the children are learning how natural raw materials are transformed into products. One of the activities has been the transformation of wheat into bread. Another, how we prepare and look after soil.
Below you will see photos of the children threshing a cloth bag of wheat, blowing the wheat as it falls into a bowl to separate the stalk pieces from the grains (winnowing), grinding the wheat with a mortar and pestle and making damper.
The other series of photos are of the children sowing ‘green manure’. This involved a little excursion to the garden where we were met by Kathy Thangathurai, one of our resident Glenaeon Gardening Teachers. Kathy had prepared a garden bed especially.
First, she spoke about the importance of building and nourishing our soil to keep it healthy. Then we were handed a small portion of carefully selected seeds and while we were sprinkling, she explained that when the seeds sprout and grow they draw nutrients from the soil depths and from the air to bring them to the top layer where our plant’s roots grow. The children then took turns ‘turning and tickling’ the earth with a hoe and to end off this wonderful experience, Class 3 blessed the soil with a song to help the seeds grow.
A few children exclaimed that this was their ‘most favourite main lesson ever!’
Read moreこんにちは日本 (Hello Japan)
25 Mar 2021
Our Year 9 Japanese Language students recently filmed an introductory Middle Cove campus tour video speaking only in Japanese. The students also took part in a live Zoom video conference with students and teachers from Hamamatsu Nittaidai Junior High School in Japan. This Japanese school usually has students visit our campus in Australia each year, but sadly not during COVID, so instead we arranged a meeting via video conference to strengthen ties between our schools and to give all students an opportunity to practice and share Japanese culture and language skills.
Our Head of School Andrew Hill was present to officially open the conference.
After the introductory video screening the students engaged in a Q&A session in both Japanese and English. It was a great opportunity for all to hone their language skills and engage in a real conversation.
Our students were surprised by their own capability and are hoping to do this again soon. We look forward to a time when we can have our Japanese friends visit our campus again to experience student life at Glenaeon.
To view Glenaeon’s introductory video click here.
To view the Zoom video conference recording click here.
Read moreThe apple of Kindy's eye
25 Mar 2021
Big Kindergarten have been welcoming Autumn and have been busy making some leaf print paintings, as well as enjoying the rainy, windy weather. We have also made some pom pom apples (we even had a noisy minor come and visit our tree) and are looking forward to our Apple Picking excursion to Bilpin this coming weekend, where we will enjoy some delicious apples from the orchard.
Read moreInside and Outside Rainy Day Play
25 Mar 2021
Children have been enjoying their inside-outside play at lunch times as the rain has brought some indoor play time. Students have had a chance to get creative with blocks, games and cards, drawing and their own craft projects.
Read moreHere comes the sun!
25 Mar 2021
What a welcome relief it was to finally see the sun! The level of excitement and sheer relief was palpable as children played in the warm air and bright sunshine again after relentless rain. As the children's rain pants dry in the sun, we look forward to some more lovely Autumn days approaching the Easter holidays.
Read moreGrassroots Ecostore at the Castlecrag Campus
25 Mar 2021
The Grassroots Ecostore is on our Castlecrag Campus, and open every school day for families and the public to visit. Taryn Miller, who took over the store this year, has been a lovely presence and provider of beautiful, useful and wonderful supplies for our families, the community and the public. The shop is beautiful and is real treasure trove of art, craft, lunch box/school supplies, books, toys, felt craft, slippers, candles, drawing and health/beauty products. The shop has a great eco and ethical focus, so products are locally sourced, naturally made and low impact where possible. You will find some lovely Easter and school holiday craft supplies so do come in before the end of school and find some treasures for home, holidays, birthdays and more. We really love having the Ecostore on our campus and thank Taryn for what she has brought to the store. You can also order online any time at grassrootsecostore.com.au or call Taryn on 0409 022 327.
Opening hours during term time are:
Monday 8.30am – 11.30am & 2:00pm – 3:45pm
Tuesday 8.30am – 11.30am & 2:00pm – 3:45pm
Wednesday 8.30am – 12.30pm
Thursday 8.30am – 11.30am & 2:00pm – 3:45pm
Friday 8.30am – 11.30am & 2:00pm – 3:45pm
The shop is closed during school holidays but online orders continue.
Read moreClass 1 dye their chair bags
25 Mar 2021
Engaged in a very creative outdoor activity, Class 1 students were able to dye their chair bags, even though it was pouring with rain! Under the building overhang, Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean set up dyeing tables, where the children used vibrant colours to dye the bags that will hang on the backs of each of their desk chairs and hold their books, crayons and counters. It was a highly creative and colourful task, supported by our volunteers.
Read moreClass 2 plant the Kefir lime tree and Kindy in the compost
25 Mar 2021
We have been slowly developing a Scent Garden outside Reception in beautiful blue pots, and this week gardening Teachers Kathy Thangathurai and Sandra Frain brought a beautiful Kefir lime tree to plant. The children trolleyed the freshly composted soil to the pot and planted it in the rain. Meanwhile, Kindergarten have also been digging out the compost and we welcomed volunteer Guchi to assist. Our beautiful sunflowers have been a welcoming joy in the early morning duty in the rain!
Read moreClass 2 Animal Fables Main Lesson
25 Mar 2021
Class 2 students have been introduced to the underlying wisdom of the Animal Fables during their English Main Lesson. They have enjoyed and written texts from The Tortoise and the Hare, and The Lion and the Mouse and many more. The children have this week also painted some most beautiful paintings for the wall, truly a sight to behold.
Read moreHigh School Harvest Festival
25 Mar 2021
Yesterday High School Students and Teachers celebrated Harvest Festival. A beautiful mandala of seasonal vegetables and fruits were displayed in the centre of the Sylvia Brose Hall with the students gathered around the colourful display. The Harvest Festival Program was hosted by Deputy Head of School Years 7-12, Liz Nevieve, and proceeded with a Welcome to Country conducted by Year 12 student Scout Higgins. Stuart Wright treated everyone with two piano performances. Our Year 9s performed "Islander Dance" not dissimilar to the Haka, as well as a poem, Spiritual Song of the Aborigine by Hyllus Maris. Year 8 shared their body percussion talents, Year 7 a song titled 'Evening Rise' by Christian Bollmann, and first time since covid restrictions eased, our Years 9-11 Choir performed two pieces: Autumn Moon and Dona Nobis Pacem. Autumn stories were also shared: The Seed and The Cottage of Candles as told by Storyteller, Educator and Writer, Donna Jacob Sife. Our listening skills were sharpened, our imaginations sparked, and meaningful messages about the virtues of kindness, compassion, and understanding ignited our consciousness.
Read moreIn the Alphabet Book for Teens and Adults, “M” is not for 'mouse'
11 Mar 2021
Wellbeing at Glenaeon
Our Wellbeing Program is a focus at Glenaeon throughout 2021 and is undergoing a full review. Head of School Andrew Hill wrote recently to parents in Years 9 and 10 outlining our plans for respectful relationships education. In response to recently highlighted concerns coming both from our own community and articulated in society generally, Glenaeon High school students will be participating in the ‘LOVE BiTES’ program, teaching students explicitly about respectful relationships and consent, and in workshops presented by facilitators from the Drug and Alcohol Youth Services (DAYSS). A webinar for parents and carers of high school students, hosted by DAYSS, will be held on Monday, 22 March at 7:30pm. Further details and links will be emailed to you.
Reflections on consent... In the Alphabet Book for Teens and Adults, “M” is not for 'mouse'.
In eurythmy, the sound “B” is the first sound in what is known as the ‘Evolutionary Sequence of Sounds’. It is performed with the enclosing of the arms, a protective gesture that draws the surrounding space around the human gestalt like an enveloping mantle. Rudolf Steiner likens the quality of the “B” to that of a house, a solid, architectural structure that holds form about its inhabitants and protects those inside from unwanted intrusion. In English, the word house clearly doesn’t contain the sound “B” and we can only extrapolate that the development of the word in the English language points to a somewhat nuanced inner experience, but we can see that a rounded, holding gesture can be found in many words that do start with the sound, such as burrow, bower, boat, bowl or basin, all nouns which ‘contain’ and which bring me to the word ‘body’.
The use of the word ‘house’ as a metaphor for the human body is well known and reveals a long held experience that our individuality, our sense of self or ‘I’, resides within the body but is not synonymous with the body. For those who hold the belief that the human spirit is independent from the physical form, this experience makes considerable sense and affirms their understanding. For those who do not, this awareness is a puzzlement that inspires neuroscientific investigation. Irrespective as to our belief, the experience is universal and the body as a home or house for our inner being is a perceivable reality.
When it comes to consent, a crucial right that has been highlighted this year both within schools and at the government level, we find ourselves considering how essential the protective quality of the “B” experience is and how intrinsically the physical barrier which the body affords is linked to the invisible boundary and “B” experience that houses and protects our individuality, our ‘I’. We are aware of how deeply insecure the individual self or ‘I’ may become if the film that protects our sense of self is penetrated even by the most trivial of matters, and we are conscious of just how shattering that experience may be if the walls of the body, our house and our ultimate boundary, have been breached without our invitation. With “B”, both the invisible “B” that shelters the ‘self’ and the “B” of the physical body, we experience a necessary relationship to the world where the ‘I’ is securely held within and where external influences are firmly shut out.
With the sound “M”, the next sound in the eurythmy sound series, we encounter quite a different gesture. The movement for “M” is performed by gently yet firmly moving the arms in a fluid, horizontal, two-directional manner, with one hand and arm moving outward from the body while the other moves inward. At this point in the sound sequence, the eurythmist is taught that from the secure confines of the “B” ‘house’, the possibility for the merging of the inner with the outer exists through a controlled and conscious ‘conversation’, a gentle movement that comes about in the ‘space between’. Whether or not we choose to accept someone or something into our inner world, and into our body, can only be decided through conversation and exchange. Many words beginning with “M” point to the sound’s embodiment of this ‘conversational’ aspect … movement, mindful, merge, mutual. “M” is the experience that mediates the permeability of our boundaries.
And the fact that “M” is the second sound in the ‘Evolutionary Sequence of Sounds’ is the essential point! We do not jump from the experience of “B” to that of, for example, “F” … and in fact the sound “F” comes at a much later stage in the sequence when, actioned appropriately and able to be received, the value of its characteristics can be acknowledged. Qualities such as forceful or fierce have their place, but when used directly to shatter the “B” they have devastating effects.
We all know this. But what we find ourselves struggling with is why, nevertheless, the natural order of things isn’t always respected … from “B” to “M” or, said more pragmatically, from boundary to mutual conversation and respect. One thing is certain, while the “B” of the physical body is a given and exists without our thought, an “F” can be an unruly quality that must be tamed and, in order to do so, we need mastery of the “M”, which requires conscious awareness. It is this element, conscious awareness, that we must strengthen.
Consent is both implicitly and explicitly taught throughout the students’ schooling at Glenaeon, as we know it has also been at other schools where recent concerns have been highlighted, but many are stressing that the degree to which (or the timing when which) these teachings have been brought is clearly not enough. While some may wish to hold a naïve optimism that progression through the ‘Evolutionary Sequence of Sounds’ would naturally unfold in its rightful order and with the appropriate level of awareness, we keenly understand our duty of care to ensure that each stage is brought to consciousness. Understanding the “B” and emphasising the role of the “M” becomes of utmost importance.
As a starting point and in the context of the Alphabet Book for Teens and Adults, “B” must therefore be understood as being for boundary and “M” is not for mouse. “M” is for mindful and mutual. Mindful mutual conversation, mindful mutual understanding and mindful mutual respect … and “F” is not for force, “F” is for friend.
Note:
The premise of eurythmy is that our development of language is not arbitrary but has come about through our inherent understanding that qualities of sounds speak to objective, inner experiences and/or perceptions of the outer world. This suggestion can be followed by paying attention to a general tendency in some instances for the sounds in words to match, from a qualitative and movement perspective (for example, how the sound is formed in the mouth and larynx), aspects that pertain to the meaning of the word. The ‘Evolutionary Sequence of Sounds’ is a series of 12 sounds of speech that Rudolf Steiner suggested embodies a basic progression through inner experience. The series is: B M D N R L G CH F S H T
Deputy Head of School, Years 7-12
Elizabeth Nevieve
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Gleno Green Team Cleans up Scotts Creek
11 Mar 2021
On Sunday, Glenaeon Student Eco Group, volunteer teachers and parents and children gathered at Glenaeon to help Clean Up Australia by collecting rubbish that has been trapped or run into Scotts Creek, to which our Middle Cove camps adjoins. The 30 plus volunteers pulled plastic, discarded bottle tops, plastic bags and other pollutants from in or near the creek. Well done to everyone involved!
#CleanUpAustralia #StepUpToCleanUp #environment #eco #scottscreek
Read moreStaff wellbeing
11 Mar 2021
Staff and Teachers think, talk and take much action when it comes to Student Wellbeing. It’s a big point of discussion and consideration coming out of covid for our entire school community.
Recently our staff managed to take a small break and have a moment looking after their own wellbeing with a social catch up one afternoon. Thanks to Scottie for the fresh from the wood-oven pizzas!
Read moreWhen life gives you lemons, help the environment!
11 Mar 2021
The Student Eco Team recently ran a lemonade stall, raising money for The Wilderness Society. Well done to all for this highly refreshing initiative!
#lemons #lemonade #charity #fundraiser #NatureWeLove
Read moreAutumn's arrival at Castlecrag
11 Mar 2021
As the glorious sunflowers begin to fade and the zinnias shine the last bursts of summer, Autumnal colours have arrived. We acknowledge the changing of our seasons and begin to prepare for the upcoming Harvest Festival. Our nature tables tell tales of Harvest, apple picking and the children have also been making Mother Earth a bounty of beautiful apples from beeswax and bringing them to the nature table in Reception.
Read moreSchool Tours - a window into Class 1
11 Mar 2021
Our Castlecrag campus tours offer a beautiful window into the worlds within each classroom. The children's bookwork, craft, painting and tools provide a sense of some of what children see, use and create. Here is a little 'window' into Class 1.
Read moreClass 2 - it's time for tables!
11 Mar 2021
Class 2 students have immersed themselves in the world of times tables with their 'Ida Spider' Math Main Lesson with Teacher Rodney Dean. Just like Ida with her stunning web formations, Class 2 have used the 10-point number wheels and wool to show that each times table has it's own geometric form and that numbers are inherently linked to patterns, geometry and repetition. This fundamental understanding offers another dimension to the times tables, which they have also been hopping, stepping and jumping all the way up to the twelve times table! Well done Class 2! The path leading from the classroom has a number game that children step times tables as they head out to play. They have also been writing numbers as far as they can and there are some VERY long number scrolls rolling about!
Read moreClass 1 cubbies and mandalas
11 Mar 2021
Class 1 are enjoying their new playground, and have built their first bush-stick cubby. The enterprising builders negotiated with our Bush Regenerist Lindsay in the local currency - gum nuts - for a pile of palm branches to enhance their building equipment. Nearby, the children create beautiful and intricate mandalas with natural materials, leaving them in the playground for all to enjoy.
Read moreTadpoles and frogs in the pond
11 Mar 2021
When children bring the class rolls to Reception, they always stop to look at the tadpoles, which have been growing since last year. They have now grown arms and legs and once they are little frogs can be gently returned to the pond! The children take great care of the pond with Gardening Teacher Sandra Frain, and at dawn and dusk, the frogs can be heard croaking.
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Class 1 make their counting bags
11 Mar 2021
Class 1 students have been making their counting bags with Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean. Adding backstitch to their growing repertoire of skills, they sewed the sides of their bags up and threaded the plait through the top hem. These are now ready to hold their counters as they begin their new Math Main Lesson with Class 1 Teacher Jennifer Stone.
Read morePlaygroups at Glenaeon
11 Mar 2021
Our families with little ones are enjoying Steiner Playgroups and the welcoming space with stories, games, bread-baking and songs. With Playgroup leaders Nancy Amini and Sandra Frain, the children enjoy the creativity, playgrounds and friendships that grow during their regular weekly times together.
Read moreAutumn has arrived at Grassroots Eco Store!
10 Mar 2021
The shop is full of beautiful materials to inspire your Autumn craft projects whether it be making apple pompoms with wool, sewing felt leaf shapes to hang or modelling with beeswax or clay, Autumn provides a wonderful abundance of inspiration for craft activities and the perfect opportunity for children to practice all those amazing craft skills they are learning in class.
Pop in store to view Yuki’s Autumn felt creations, you’ll find a delightful collection of hand-dyed felt gnomes, little mushroom people and toadstools which are perfect for your Autumn nature table displays or play shelves.
The bookshelves have recently been re-stocked with quality children’s books with stories to enrich the experience of the changing seasons and spark the imagination in both young and older readers!
If you can’t make it to the shop, many of our products are now available online: grassrootsecostore.com.au with more products added each week!
Opening Hours for Term 1
Monday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Tuesday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Wednesday: 8.30am–12.30pm
Thursday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Friday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Read moreOPEN DAY 2021 - spread the word
10 Mar 2021
Glenaeon has a new social video doing the Facebook and Instagram rounds promoting our Open Day 2021 event on Saturday 20 March 10am-12 noon. If you have family and friends that may be interested in attending, please invite them to visit our Open Day webpage: www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/openday and register. We are looking forward to welcoming people to see our beautiful campus.
Our thanks to Glenaeon Parent, Actor, Voice, Creator and Acting Coach Stephen Hunter who very kindly volunteered his professional services to give our video a highly professional voice over track, which he mixed at his new studio. Thanks to Steve for sharing his talents to help our school.
For more go to: https://www.sweetassounds.com/ and https://www.theactorscoach.com.au/
Read moreSwimming Carnival 2021
10 Mar 2021
On another wonderfully dry and warm autumn day, some 320 Steiner school students from around the state, gathered in Ku-rin-gai Fitness & Aquatic Centre in West Pymble to swim in 50m races for points, enjoy good company, catch up with students from other schools and compete in relay medley events against other teams and even courageous teacher teams!
The students and teachers from Maitland’s Linuwel School, the Newcastle Waldorf School, the Central Coast Steiner School and Glenaeon had a most enjoyable day of out-of-classroom learning by competing in the three house colour teams, Blue taking away the win yet again with 520 points. Again, the best dressed students received extra points for their spectacular and colourful outfits.
As has now become customary, the relay-medley mixed-team races are the highlight as they are the only team event in an otherwise individual sport. The best teams then competed against mixed-teacher teams from all four schools and took away a victory again as they did in 2019. Only last year were the teachers victorious. But as we teachers are here for the students, they enjoy nothing more than seeing teachers try but loose again their efforts – good on them for putting in great team effort to beat three teacher teams in finals!
A day like this cannot be successful without the help of many teachers filling the positions of recorders, starters, announcers, timers and marshalling students in various ways. I want to thank all the teachers from all schools and in particular my Glenaeon colleagues for their kind help on the day: Jacqueline, Amelia, Raphaela, Stanley, David, Donna, Jamie, Alison, KG, Elena, Alice and Lidija.
Let’s do it all again next year!
Jonas Stoebe
#swimming #glenaeon #steiner #relay #bestdressed
Read moreYear 12 Society & Culture - Dialogue with Industry Experts
10 Mar 2021
On Wednesday 3 March, Year 12 Society & Culture had a great opportunity to engage in a dialogue with Lindon Coombes, a proud and highly experienced Indigenous man currently serving as Industry Professor at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research at UTS. He has served a political consultant to State and Federal governments, as well as CEO of Tranby Aboriginal College, National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, and Senior Policy Advisor at the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.
Professor Coombes was also the co-author of the recent Collingwood “Do Better” Report; the findings of which have reverberated well beyond the Collingwood Football Club.
We were delighted to welcome such an experienced industry professional into our classroom, via a Zoom call, to respond to students’ questions on our current HSC topic - contemporary issues surrounding the inclusion and exclusion of Indigenous Australians. Professor Coombes’ personal experiences and industry insights were invaluable and provided our students with a unique perspective and a much deeper understanding of the causes, impacts and challenges to overcoming a range of contemporary Indigenous issues.
#society #culture #lindoncoombes #indigenous #education #policy
Read moreYear 10 Geography Study of Environmental Change and Management
09 Mar 2021
Year 10B Geography were welcomed to The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) in Chowder Bay, Middle Head, to investigate some of the environmental changes that have taken place in the Sydney harbour estuary. They cheerfully braved the morning rain and sieved beach quadrants for examples of large plastics and then gathered sand samples to test in the SIMS laboratory for microplastics under the guidance of the SIMS scientists. The students were taken into the SIMS aquarium and given a hands-on display of the biodiversity of marine life in Sydney's rocky shore habitat. They then donned wetsuits and with the guidance of Outdoor Education Teacher Kristen Gardner the students explored the netted area of Chowder Bay where they observed the sea grass and some of the diverse marine life in their natural surroundings.
#marine #environment #sydney #water #microplastics #science #biodiversity #snorkling #nature
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Smart Expressions 2021
08 Mar 2021
Smart Expressions 2021 is an exhibition of HSC artworks on display from 3-28 March at Art Space on The Concourse in Chatswood. 23 HSC student artists have work on display including five Glenaeon students/alumni.
- Elicia Ferguson, Shades of Orange
- Kauri Palmer, απομεινάρι (apomeinári) (Remnant)
- Max Perkins, Manūs Vitam Enarrant (Our Hands Tell Our Story)
- Laila Ree, Black Land Matters
- Emi Takahashi-Beer, Bagi & Bugi
Congratulations to these students, and congratulations to all the HSC Art Students of 2020. To accompany the exhibition the students were also interviewed about their experience in the particularly challenging year of 2020. The students selected, created very diverse and conceptual works that represented their interest or passion over the course of their final year of study. Laila’s work of enamelled sculptural puzzle pieces were a statement on the urgent need for recognition of First Nation Peoples and to build a connection as a way forward to heal the land of which we inhabit. Emi investigated the cycle of life and the inter-relationship between humanity and nature, Kauri developed an interpretation of the concept of remnants and what we leave behind as we live and die. The impact of war and displacement was the theme for Elicia’s series of large scale paintings while Max looked at the gesture of the hand as a tell-tale sign of a life lived.
In addition, Lone, Kauri and Max were preselected for Art Express. Also to be acknowledged, Aya's emotive charcoal drawing was selected to be the cover of the 2021 Glenaeon student diary. All 11 students, including Zebedee, Myah, Jasmine and Alani, worked deeply into their practice and resolved their concepts to a very high standard they can feel very proud of. We congratulate the Visual Arts 2020 cohort on their achievements and wish them well in their future endeavours.
For exhibition times and details or to view the Smart Expressions 2021 catalogue go to: https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Events/Smart-Expressions-2021
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Ruby Returns for ENCORE
08 Mar 2021
Last week Class of 2020 Alumna Ruby Vella addressed current students regarding her nomination to ENCORE in Music and how she made the 2020 HSC distinguished achievers list. Ruby's speech gave our current students much to think about from someone who has lived through the experience and thrived. Click here to watch the video.
#glenaeon#school#middlecove#highschool#HSC#HSC2020#Classof2020#GlenX#Alumna#ENCORE#music
Read moreIn the family
08 Mar 2021
Newly named GlenX Alumna, Ruby Vella came to Glenaeon today to talk to the High School Assembly. She was, inspirational.
Her mother, Amanda Crompton, (currently teaching Drama at SHORE) was a pupil at Glenaeon. I was her Class Guardian (only one teacher back then to look after 30 students) for four years from Year 9 to Year 12. I have fond memories of Amanda and it was so special teaching Ruby for the Parzival Main Lesson in 2019. Ruby's Grandmother also taught English and was a Class Teacher at Glenaeon. I'm still friends with Amanda and Joanna.
By Mz Mo
Read moreSmart Expressions 2021
08 Mar 2021
Smart Expressions 2021 is an exhibition of HSC artworks on display from 3-28 March at Art Space on The Concourse in Chatswood. 23 HSC student artists have work on display including five Glenaeon students/alumni!
Willoughby Council recently filmed a short documentary capturing the HSC experience of students, and the final cut features our own Kauri, Max and Laila.
You can view the documentary here: https://youtu.be/fQ3ictC4AM8
For exhibition times and details or to view the Smart Expressions 2021 catalogue go to: https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Events/Smart-Expressions-2021
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store is brimming with Rainbows and Honey!
25 Feb 2021
The shop is brimming with rainbows after receiving a colourful delivery of hand-dyed Silk and Muslin playcloths. These have been made specially for us by Handwork Teacher, Elizabeth Ellean and come in hand-painted rainbow colours as well as gorgeous seasonal colour combinations. The perfect addition to any play scene, nature table or dress-up basket!
We are also fully stocked with 100% pure wool felt fabric, in a full rainbow of colours, to inspire many a creative craft project.
The always popular beeswax foundation sheets are back in store for all your candle-making creative ideas. These organically produced 100% pure Australian beeswax sheets are locally sourced and smell amazing!
The local bees have been busy this summer, and we have just received a delivery of honey, fresh from the hives here in Castlecrag. If you haven’t yet tried it, the 100% organically produced cold-extracted raw honey from Castlecrag’s bushland flora is totally delicious and also available with honeycomb!
If you can’t make it to the shop, many of our products are now available online: grassrootsecostore.com.au with more products added each week!
Opening Hours for Term 1
Monday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Tuesday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Wednesday: 8.30am–12.30pm
Thursday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Friday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
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xin nian kuai le (Happy New Year in Mandarin)
25 Feb 2021
The excitement of the beginning of the new school year has now settled back into familiar patterns, rhythms and routines. Our first Main Lesson cycle for the year has just concluded, and for Class 5 in particular, it has been a new and interesting one!
While European, Middle Eastern and Australian history, both pre and post colonisation, have long been a feature of the Main Lesson sequence in Primary School at Glenaeon, for some time, we have been committed to the addition of an integrated Main Lesson experience that reflects our geographic position as part of Asia. The current Year 9 cohort experienced the first "Tales of Ancient China" Main Lesson when they were in Class 5. This year, Teacher Katherine Arconati has again delved into Chinese legends, myths, history and geography in the Main Lesson, now re-named "The Celestial Empire".
The children have been gleefully immersed in ancient Chinese culture and philosophy through mythology, geography, art, dance, music and verse. They were treated to calligraphic instruction via a visiting calligraphy artist and decorated the school with their work. The Main Lesson's timing perfectly coincided with the Lunar New Year celebrations and on the first day of the New Year, we were thoroughly enthralled by Class 5's remarkable traditional Chinese music performance at our Junior School Assembly.
As part of our rich academic offerings throughout Primary School, it is wonderful to acknowledge and celebrate the diverse cultural perspectives and history of so many members of our community and our neighbours.
Dani Finch
Deputy Head of School (K-Class 6) & Registrar
Meet Pooja, Preschool's New Teaching Assistant (Monday-Wednesday group)
25 Feb 2021
My name is Pooja Munjal. I am originally from India, and I moved to Australia about seven years ago. It's been five years since I was introduced to Steiner education and my journey has just been awesome from there on. Both my daughters age 9 and 12 go to Lorien Novalis Steiner school in Dural and my husband works as a Business Analyst.
It's not just the education, it's the lifestyle that we adapt. It guides you to take up each task through the heart and bring joy into that.
I have taken up Early Childhood teaching to bring a love of learning to children. I have completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Education (EYLF) and the Foundations Course in Steiner Early Childhood. For the past few years, I've worked as a casual staff member in Lorien Novalis Steiner Preschool and also have two years of experience in Montessori teaching.
I love yoga and nature walks. I am also fond of cooking and reading books on spirituality, health and wellness.
Read moreSnake rescue
25 Feb 2021
Last week, we had a Common Tree Snake trapped in the fence of our High School garden. Students called Science Teacher, Dr Stanley Tang in to rescue it. With the help of the maintenance staff, Stanley and team were able to successfully rescue the snake. It was a lovely surprise for many students during lunch time! We even had a mini impromptu biology lesson on site.
Read moreYear 12 Science Extension confirmation seminar
25 Feb 2021
Last week, our Year 12 Science Extension students – Tom and Alex Shaw – presented their research project proposals to a number of teachers in audience and a judging panel. Tom’s project looks at the variations in moulting strategies among birds of different sizes and in different seasons. Alex, on the other hand, investigates the differences of wing aspect ratio in both open and closed habitats. Both did a great job presenting their research ideas.
Read moreTeacher Q&A with Dr Stanley Tang
25 Feb 2021
At our most recent High School assembly, Head of School, Andrew Hill introduced a new Teacher Q&A series to enable our students to better know and learn from some of our High School teachers. Andrew kicked off the series with an interview with Science and Mathematics Teacher & High School Mentor, Dr Stanley Tang. Stanley has been a teacher at Glenaeon for two and a half years. He shared with students his own experience as a student in China, his University studies, love of Nature and his love of Australian animals and birds. Thank you Stanley for sharing your story with our students today. We're very lucky to have you here with us!
Click here to watch the Interview with Dr Stanley Tang.
#teacherQ&A #glenaeon #steiner #steinereducation #middlecove #teacher #teaching #science #mathematics #nature #birdsofaustralia #QandA
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Class 5 and The Celestial Empire Main Lesson
25 Feb 2021
Katherine Arconati’s Class 5 students have been deeply immersed in a renewed Main Lesson, “The Celestial Empire”. Originally created by Susie Hughes in 2017 out of her personal connection to the rich culture and history of one of the most powerful and significant nations of our time, Katherine set out to find her own connection to this unit of work and has been simply delighted by the results.
The children have heard and discussed many myths and legends that describe everything from creation to the invention of silk. They imagined a migratory bird’s flight to the north-eastern shores of China, stopping at many familiar places along the way (Byron Bay, Papua New Guinea, Japan, Korea) and then drew a simple map of the area. Visiting Teacher Jing Li taught the children about the traditional art of calligraphic writing using materials that she brought to school in hand from China years ago. Art Therapist, Julia Byrne also made a guest appearance and led the children to draw the amazing water dragons using oil pastels and citrus turps.
Class 5’s studies culminated with a celebration of the Lunar New Year. Thanks to Parent Laura, the children made dumplings and experienced some other traditions of the festival. The class then shared their experience with Classes 3-6 with a performance of songs (in Chinese!) at a Junior School assembly.
#glenaeon #steiner #steinereducation #mainlesson #class5 #celestialempire #china #chinese #deeplearning #immersivelearning #experience #academic #history #art #music #geography #craft #politics #lunarnewyear #food #culture #drawing #painting #language #sydney #middlecove #primaryschool
Read moreA big warm welcome to big school Class 3!
25 Feb 2021
Class 3 have been settling into their new campus here at Middle Cove. Class 3 Teacher Lucy Armstrong has kept a watchful eye over her students. It's been a big change from Castlecrag, but our 'little fish in a big pond' are becoming acquainted with the new play areas and classrooms as well as enjoying the bigger spaces and new faces.
They also enjoyed their first experience of a Junior School Assembly in the Sylvia Brose Hall together with students from Classes 4, 5 and 6.
A big warm welcome to big school Class 3!
Read moreGlenaeon Parent and Flautist, Lisa Lewis performs Debussy
25 Feb 2021
Glenaeon Parent and Flautist, Lisa Lewis performed Syrinx by Debussy at our school assembly last week. A remarkable and atmospheric piece for solo flute that our students and teachers enjoyed very much. Thank you Lisa! Click here to watch Lisa's performance.
#glenaeon #school #middlecove #highschool #music #performance #flute #fluetmusic
Read moreYear 11's Cockatoo Island Visual Art Excursion
25 Feb 2021
Last week, 14 eager Year 11 students engaged in an all-day intensive drawing workshop with Australian artist, Michael Herron.
Students were instructed and led in several observational drawings of Cockatoo Island's unusual detrius using a variety of drawing materials and techniques. This workshop directly informs their BOW (body of work) for Term 1 Visual Arts on the theme of Transience whereby the students will present finished drawings, manipulated photographs and a sculpture. These photographs display the students at the excursion.
#glenaeon #steiner #steinereducation #visualarts #visualart #art #drawing #australianart #michaelherron #artist #cockatoo
Read moreStuart Wright's Mozart recital
25 Feb 2021
Music Tutor Stuart Wright performed Rondo by Mozart on piano to open our recent High School assembly. Thank you Stuart for this wonderful recital.
#glenaeon #school #middlecove #highschool #music #performance #piano #rondo #mozart
Read moreBeautiful Birds keep an eye on our Year 7s
25 Feb 2021
Settling into High School life is not always easy, but our Year 7 cohort have been making new friends and new bonds over an art project. The entire cohort each made a bird by hand, modelled using clay, which were then fired in the kiln, then glazed. Finally, the group placed the completed birds on display in the garden area outside the Classroom as if to keep a watchful eye over the group as they adapt to a new rhythm and a new chapter of their school life journey.
#glenaeon #steiner #Year7 #HighSchool #art #birds #creativity #sculpture #education #MiddleCove
Read moreFarewell The Chill Team with Basketball in Bankstown
25 Feb 2021
Our first carnival of the year and only the third carnival in over a year due to COVID-19. 34 keen Glenaeon players went to Bankstown Basketball Stadium to compete against many other teams from 14 different schools that are in the ISD Association (Independent Sydney and Districts Secondary School Sport Association).
In many games the junior and senior boys and girls teams fought hard and enjoyed the comradery on the court. It was great to see students mingle who often don’t hang out together otherwise and are in different year levels, form teams and be successful. They were coached by assistant coach Emily Borrud on the day.
The girls had mixed results with some very tight losses and a draw and two wins. They in particular had never played together before and need to be commended for their efforts and team work.
The senior boys narrowly lost one very physical contest against a great team and won all other games thanks to the enduring contribution of Year 12 boys Elliot, Shuhei, Evan, Ethan, Alex and Tom who all have been team mates of the long-standing The Chill Glenaeon Basketball Team which formed when they were in Year 7 six years ago here at school. It was their last appearance and there was a bitter-sweet taste to it as they played their last minutes on court – ever (see pic with teacher).
The junior boys went one better and made the finals which we could not play due to the need for an early departure as our way home was long. We had to therefore forfeit the final and give the potential overall win away. Still, the group of 34 students couldn’t have been happier and I couldn’t be more proud of their success on the day. They really rose to the occasion and presented their school very well!
Read moreCal comforts Year 7 and is drawn to Year 9
25 Feb 2021
After Cal, short for Calico, spent the first hour at school as therapy dog for the Year 7’s getting their vaccine injections, he then modeled for Year 9 art students as they work through their Main Lesson unit on animals. Everyone loved Cal's visit and gained so much from what he brought. Cal, the little labradoodle was just what school required on Friday!
Read moreThe cycle of life in the gardens at Castlecrag
25 Feb 2021
Last year, two large trees needed to be removed following the storms and health of their foliage. The trees were chipped and the sawdust partially decomposed at the tree site. This week Class 1 children and their gardening teacher Sandra Frain mulched the gardens and added the rich sawdust to the compost pit. The wheelbarrow was laden and they bucketed the sawdust and poured the remaining chips into the large deep-pit compost. Sitting in a closing circle with Sandra, they shared their learnings which lead to a discussion on the importance of the cycle of the plant life through rich soil making. To complete the cycle, two new trees have been planted near where the old ones used to be.
Read moreClass 1 learn their letters
25 Feb 2021
The Class 1 Main Lesson on upper case letters is well and truly underway and the children are really enjoying the fairy tales, drawings and finding the letters around them in the classroom. They practise writing using correct formation, sounding out and building the phonemic awareness that underlies reading and writing as these capacities unfold. They also used wax to form letters, this week modelling 'T' for Tree and 'N' for Needle. A multi-sensory approach to learning allows the student to experience and learn through song, rhyme, movement, bookwork and art, stimulating the visual, auditory, kinaesthetic and tactile senses as they see, hear and touch to create the things they are learning.
Read moreClass 2 group games
25 Feb 2021
Class 2 have a whole-of-class games session each week, which are a huge amount of fun and greatly enjoyed. This week, children played 'Streets and Lanes', which involves rapidly changing directions as an escapee is chased through the 'streets and lanes'. The group also played 'Sheep Sheep come home', involving a sheep trying to get back to their farmer and avoid the hungry wolf; and 'Twos and Threes', where a cat and mouse pair case each other out and seek refuge with their same animal. The children love these sessions, and there is much excitement as Class teacher Rodney and assistant Monique also join in the fun.
Read moreGrinding stones at Castlecrag
25 Feb 2021
Grinding the abundant sandstone is a favourite lunch time activity of all classes here at Castlecrag. Children love making 'fairy dust', paint and colours as they pound the rocks to dust and then mix them with water. The ochres, reds and browns of our local sandstone are very beautiful. It is also a very rhythmical and satisfying experience, and one that can also be hard work!
Read moreJump, climb and balance - all in a day's play
25 Feb 2021
Our playground at Castlecrag encourages children to climb, balance and jump, thereby developing their balance and coordination whilst having a lot of fun. Rocks, low trees, balance beams, monkey bars and 'The Fort' are all places where the children develop and explore their own abilities, taking time over the years to improve and learn new skills. 'Monkey bar blisters' are a small rite of passage for the Class 1 children, who relish the opportunity to swing and climb in their new playground.
Read moreYear 10s catch waves at Longy
25 Feb 2021
Our Year 10s are enjoying a term of surfing at Long Reef Beach or Collaroy Beach. Donning wet suits and rashie tops, the Year 10s last week managed to catch some waves at this beautiful Northern Beaches location. All students will learn to surf smaller waves over the term or improve existing skills, experiencing many benefits from the sessions including improved flexibility, muscle strengthening, stress relief and improved mental health from a dose of salt water, fresh air and time in the great outdoors! The long standing cooperation with Manly Surf School makes this great program possible as the students learn about the ocean, how to read rip currents, understand the surf better and gain a deeper understanding of the ocean as a playground shared by water creatures, swimmers and surfers alike. Even anxious or rather tentative students will get an introduction to this element that can have lasting positive effects on their relationship to the ocean and their wellbeing and mental health as they get gently introduced to a world they may not feel overly confident in to begin with.
Photo credit: Stanley Tang
Read moreMeet Angela Sutton, Head of Learning Support K-12
22 Feb 2021
Glenaeon is a highly nurturing and caring school where every child is given the opportunity to reach their full learning potential. Learning support is available to Glenaeon students that may be facing learning challenges in class or just need a bit of extra help with reading, or managing study. Meet Angela Sutton, our Head of Learning support for students in K-12. It is Angela who will make assessments, and if needed, develop a Learning Support Plan and work closely with the Student, Teachers and Parents to get the best outcomes for all.
What is your new role at Glenaeon?
I am the Head of Learning Support (K-12) and High School Learning Support Teacher based at Middle Cove Campus.
What experience do you bring to Glenaeon?
For the past 18 years, I’ve been working in Special Education as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Advisor and Director in the USA, Australia, Bhutan and Indonesia. My experience is with students from preschool to university, therefore, working in the K-12 setting at Glenaeon is a perfect fit for me. I have previously enjoyed working with students with autism and a variety of learning difficulties and needs.
What are your interests?
My interests are in traveling, trekking, exercising and cooking. Pre-COVID, we enjoyed a several month holiday around Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam before landing in Indonesia. I love experiencing different cultures, traditions and foods. I enjoy playing tennis and table tennis, as well as jogging. As a family, we enjoy cooking and baking together.
What are you most excited about for the year ahead?
I’m most excited about getting to know the students and working alongside the staff at Castlecrag and Middle Cove campus. I look forward to watching the students grow as the year progresses.
Being Well: Wellbeing at Glenaeon
11 Feb 2021
Our key focus this year is articulating and promoting our Wellbeing and Pastoral Care program. Glenaeon’s founding vision was unique for its era: education in itself should be health promoting with student wellbeing at the centre. At the time in mainstream education, wellbeing and emotional health were seen as collateral damage in the war on academic achievement, like civilian casualties in a war. Since then mainstream education has made a 180 degree shift in its concerns, and student wellbeing is now rightly front and centre for all schools.
Our Wellbeing program has always been an implicit and essential part of what we do. Glenaeon’s vision, based on Steiner education, was that all learning should contribute to whole and balanced human beings. Our wellbeing focus was embedded in all that we did and in this we were ahead of the curve. For example, we were criticised 20 years ago for being “too positive” towards our students. Today many schools have Positive Education (TM) programs, and compete to be more positive than most. Our positive program continues to be implicit and embedded in all classrooms.
Our Wellbeing program aims at promoting health in all that we do. The word health comes from the old German word “hale”, which means whole, a link we hear in the old saying that someone is “hale and hearty”. The word health implies wholeness, and balance. So Glenaeon’s picture of the well human being, whether that is a growing child or a mature adult, is one of health and balance in all the elements that make us human.
What is unique to our Wellbeing program is our clear picture of the growing child, and a clear articulation of the specific personal qualities and elements we are educating. Our curriculum comprises five foundational programs Academic, Aesthetic, Altruistic, Artisan and Active wilderness. Each program addresses one aspect of the whole human being. Together they educate the whole.
Let’s look at what each educational program contributes to a young person’s wellbeing:
Academic: Healthy Thinking: our academic program educates our thinking, and we know only too well what a part thoughts play in our wellbeing. They can be positive, uplifting, growth-oriented, or they can negative, destructive, fixed. We think all the time, and the continual trend of our thinking plays so profoundly into our wellbeing. The evidence is even there on how positive thoughts even affect our immune systems. Our Main Lesson method aspires to build thinking that is deep learning, a thinking that sees every “Big Idea” main lesson topic set within a context, a story that is unfolding and whole, rather than a collection of random facts.
Aesthetic: Healthy Feeling: our feelings define our responses to life, our inner world. They are more than “emotions” (such as anger, fear, lust). They are the subtle dream-like inner experiences by which we navigate our path through life. Our Aesthetic program of the creative and performing arts aims to build a rich feeling life through music, visual arts, speech, drama and poetry: the arts give our inarticulate inner life a language of expression, a subtly differentiated body of feelings.
Altruistic: Healthy Relationships: Our classes are not just collections of separate learners. Each classroom is a community, and we understand that we learn best in relationship. Our teachers work to deliver high quality learning embedded in high quality relationships. On each step of the Glenaeon journey, every student is accompanied by a teacher providing pastoral care, starting with the small but warm classes of Kindergarten. One class teacher for the primary years is a lesson in relationship over six years. Mentors and Guardians in high school are the representatives of the school watching out for each student in our care. And not just pastoral care: students are learning how to manage their relationships with others. In our Service program, students learn to “live for others” in supporting vulnerable groups in our society, from the elderly to aboriginal children.
Artisan: Healthy Willpower: our energy in life is determined by that intangible thing called “will”, a key factor in success in life. Every successful person, in whatever field, is characterized by a strong and focused will. Plenty of people have talent, not so many have the willpower to turn talent into successful enterprise. Our Artisan Program of serious traditional and modern crafts (textiles, wood, metal, stone, plastics, glass) is more than learning skills to make useful and beautiful objects: the practice of the skills builds something deeper, the power to get things done!
Active Wilderness: Healthy Movement: The evidence is now incontrovertible on how important healthy movement is for wellbeing and health generally: regular movement even delays the onset of dementia. Wholeness is when brain and body work as one, in a well and healthy human being. Activity begins in Kindergarten and infuses not just every classroom, but as many learning experiences as possible. Movement First is an old Steiner education mantra, expressing the understanding that in a healthy person brain and body work together, and learning that is moved first, is learning that leads to more effective understanding later. Morning Circle, Sport and our Outdoor Education program all build specific aspects of healthy minds in healthy bodies.
Such is our positive proactive curriculum for promoting wellbeing and health at Glenaeon. But life is not perfect.
- What happens when we need to step in when things go wrong?
- What support do we have available to respond to difficulties?
Every difficulty can be a learning experience for a young person, and our aim is to provide support that promotes personal growth and development.
Student Wellbeing Coordinator:
This year we have appointed Emily Fam as our inaugural Student Wellbeing Coordinator, working across the school. Emily is a very experienced mental health social worker who will be available to provide support to students who are referred to her by teachers, or in the high school through self-referral. We look forward to Emily’s contribution in upholding our wellbeing and pastoral care program.
Andrew Hill
Head of School
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Class 3 discover Middle Cove campus windfall
11 Feb 2021
Handwork lessons in Class 3 skipped off to a great start this year, with the children taking a walking tour out into their new bush playground and beyond. Together we discovered new pathways leading to new big school areas. With their class teacher Lucy, we walked from their classroom down to the garden, past students working in their classrooms and we met café operators Marian and Peter. On the way we practiced walking quietly past classrooms, taking the steps down the hill carefully, safe road rules as well as observing play spaces and outside boundary areas.
Most importantly we collected interesting windfalls from the trees and bushes to wrap in our bundles to print onto cloth and parchment paper. Class 3 have commenced making their library bags and soon will be using them to take home their first books from the junior library. Firstly, they started embroidering their initials onto their straps and soon the children will sew their straps to their leaf print cloth.
Everyone is excited to see how their bundles turn out when they unwrap them.
Welcome to Middle Cove campus Class 3!
Read moreClosing date for Year 7, 2022 scholarships is February 28, 2021.
11 Feb 2021
Glenaeon offers scholarships for new and existing students in our High School.
Scholarships reflect our ethos of making our education as accessible as possible.
Visit https://glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/enrolments/scholarships/ for more information.
Read moreClass 1 & 2 Handwork
11 Feb 2021
"In handwork our hands are nimble and quick!" This is the beginning of the song we sing together, as we make our way into the handwork space.
In the first week for Class 1, Elizabeth told a summer story of the baby dolphin learning to jump in and out of the water. The children were given ocean blue cloth to Dolphin Stitch into, creating the straight and the curved line. This cloth will later be turned into a counting bag for the children to use in their lessons with their Class Teacher Jennifer. Class 2, meanwhile, have begun work on their long stitch pencil cases, a project that will see them first stitch and then sew together their own pencil case to use for many years to come. They create a landscape of pointy mountains and deep valleys, flat-top mountains and castle castellations. From then on, every spare moment they can be found stitching away! In Kindergarten each child sews their own craft bag with their name and an image, and this bag will travel with them through all of the primary classes at Glenaeon.
Read moreLittle Kindy come out to play
11 Feb 2021
Little Kindy enjoyed outside time in the sandpit this week, digging, creating and working together as they explored and enjoyed their new playground. In their beautiful classroom is a Summer nature table, which celebrates the abundance of the season. What is also very sweet is that their older siblings in Class 1 and Class 2 are often visiting, waving and checking in on their little brothers and sisters; here pictured are some big brothers keeping watch over the 'Kindergarten Gate'.
Read moreClass 2 - Twiggy the Cave bird Main Lesson
11 Feb 2021
Class 2 have been furthering their literacy and geography skills with a Main Lesson centered around Twiggy the Cave bird. As Twiggy's siblings go out into the world and meet other birds, they learn a lot about them and bring the stories back to Twiggy in the cave. Twiggy is still very small and too fragile to leave the nest, so the stories nourish her and create beautiful pictures in her mind. They are also learning the local geography of Sydney and our own surrounds as the birds travel across our landscapes from Botany Bay to Palm Beach and west towards Parramatta. The children have been writing longer sentences, drawing beautifully and practicing their word families alongside this main lesson.
Read moreClass 2 create birds with beeswax
11 Feb 2021
Alongside their main lesson, Class 2 have been making colourful and creative wax birds, which have been popping up all over the place...even in the front office and reception nature table! Wax is a wonderful tool to develop dexterity, perseverance and will, as the cold, hard colours are first softened, then formed into a myriad of shapes and creations.
Read moreClass 1 Gardening with Sandra
11 Feb 2021
Class 1 are enjoying their gardening time with Sandra. They were busy this week searching for insects and bugs and making little homes for them to live in, as well as enjoying tea before filling up the frog pond, planting lemongrass and visiting the wild strawberry patch! Yum! There are wild raspberries growing that look like they might be getting ready to bear fruit this year too. Wouldn't that be exciting?
Read moreRivers, dams and waterfalls - Class 1 & 2 at play
11 Feb 2021
You could mistake them initially as trying to move the huge stone in the Class 1 and 2 sandpit, but that was only the beginning of a complex and impressive network of rivulets, tunnels and water flows that have captivated the children every lunchtime. Carting water, designing flows and dams, whilst enjoying their outside play time has been the most enjoyable time for all : "Class 1 is fun!... Class 2 is too!".
Read moreClass 5 explore Ancient China
11 Feb 2021
Class 5 have immersed themselves in the study of Ancient China with Class Teacher Katherine Arconati. Their room is a museum and gallery of their work was well as Chinese artefacts, instruments and calligraphy sets that the children are using. This blackboard beauty was drawn by teacher Katherine Arconati.
Read moreOur Kindergarten Spaces
11 Feb 2021
Kindergarten is a special place and much care, thought and meaning is given to the surroundings, equipment and spaces in which the children play. The environment is beautiful, warm and welcoming, inviting open-ended creative play, whilst also nourishing aspects of play such as sorting, counting, building and much social engagement. The Kindy day starts with Outside Play, before moving inside into Morning Circle and then Inside Play. These beautiful play spaces come alive as toys, objects and furniture become trains, planes, houses, gardens and play spaces; endless sessions of creative and imaginative play. They also grind grains for cooking, bake and prepare food each day. A strong rhythm is held by the teachers, which also includes the children tidying up and putting everything away again, ready for tomorrow. This week the children made beautiful woollen pom-pom mice!
Read moreWelcome Baby Lua
11 Feb 2021
Congratulations to our dear Preschool Teacher Soraya on the birth of baby Lua. What a beautiful blessing!
Read moreKindergarten go out to play
11 Feb 2021
Kindergarten children have had a lovely time this week exploring their special places in the playground, digging, playing in the water, building cubbies and finding many small insects to watch and talk about. The flow form fills with water on warm days, buckets and spades are carried from the 'Kindy Shed' and the children enjoy their outside time together enormously.
Read moreOpen Day 2021
10 Feb 2021
To find out more about our Open Day event, please visit www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/openday
Read moreJoin us for Sea Kayaking @ Hinchinbrook Island
10 Feb 2021
We are excited to announce that this year our Outdoor Education team are running the Hinchinbrook Sea Kayaking Elective Program. This is a biannual program available to students in Years 10 and 11. Take a look at this short film of our 2019 trip: https://vimeo.com/443339973
Full information can be found on GLO https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/3148
It’s a first-in, best-dressed scenario with positions being secured as deposits are paid. We look forward to showing the tropics to you!
Read moreYear 9's The Cove, builds character
10 Feb 2021
The Year 9 cohort's program The Cove started this week. All Year 9 students showed up at the early time of 7:30am to immerse themselves in the beautiful bush surrounding the school. A 1.5 km run saw them crossing Scotts Creek on the footbridge below the school and everyone gathered at the natural ledge overlooking the creek from high above on the other side. There we sat and exchanged ideas. They heard about the program's purpose and the activities they'll be involved in over the year ahead.
The program aims to instill a sense of belonging, and a better connection to place. It also fosters a sense for community and will involve activities that improve their fitness, yoga, mindfulness exercises, talking circles, cooperative games and activities in which the students reflect on their observations and ideas we discuss together.
The year-end brings the highlight of an amazing race through the city in late November, The Cove's Character Challenge in which all those skills both physical and social/emotional will be put to the test when they work together in groups.
This is the third year The Cove program has been implemented successfully. This year’s Year 9 students will benefit from the fact that the whole cohort works together, outdoors through the seasons, surrounded by nature and by gaining a deeper understanding of themselves as well as their classmates through a shared experience.
We wish them all a successful year and both Donna and I are looking forward to spending valuable and formative moments with them throughout the year.
Jonas Stoebe
PDHPE Teacher & Co-curricular Organiser
#glenaeon #thecove #sport #community #achievement #autonomy #development #resilience #service #belonging #strength #endurance #teamwork #outdooreducation #PE #selfdiscipline #selfcare
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store is open with new products in-store and online!
10 Feb 2021
We are well stocked with the beautiful range of Anthroposophical creams and lotions from Southern Swan. If your children need a bit of extra care and comfort being back at school, applying the Sphagni Rose Lotion “can feel like being surrounded by a mother's cuddle, which they can take with them as they go about their day.” While the Lavender Bath Milk added to the bath can be just the thing to transition from a busy day into slumber.
New in the shop this week are these super versatile, breathable cotton Dish Covers in a range of sizes and native flower designs, not only do they look fantastic on your table, storing or transporting your dishes of food, they are also made by and support women working in home industries in South Africa.
We’ve also been lucky to receive a small delivery of the highly sought after Grimm’s Wooden puzzles and rainbow stacking toys. Grimm’s is well known for their natural, high quality wooden toys that are perfect for hours of open-ended play.
If you are in need of new books and stories to spark your child’s imagination and love of reading, come in and browse our bookshelves filled with a curated collection of books sure to delight both young and older readers.
If you can’t make it to the shop, visit us online: grassrootsecostore.com.au more products are added each week!
Opening Hours for Term 1
Monday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Tuesday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Wednesday: 8.30am–12.30pm
Thursday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Friday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Read moreRuby Vella’s musical ENCORE moment
10 Feb 2021
NESA has advised that Class of 2020 Student Ruby Vella’s musicology elective Viva Voce was identified as exemplary. Ruby will be recognised on the Honour Roll for Encore 2021. ENCORE will be released as a virtual performance during Term 1, and more information will follow about how to access the virtual Encore performance once it is released.
Congratulations to Ruby for this wonderful achievement. We are thrilled for you!
#NESA #musicology #HSC2020 #Encore
Read moreStuart Wright's musical gift to students
09 Feb 2021
At Glenaeon's first high school assembly for 2021, Music Tutor & Accompanist Stuart Wright performed his own composition, "To a New Year", a gift to our students embarking on a new school year. Enjoy this recording of Stuart's performance: https://youtu.be/ZQ9iejD2pfY
Prelude in A-Flat Major: “To a New Year”: Op.19 #1 S.G.Wright Completed February 2021 #glenaeon#school#middlecove#highschool#music#performance #piano
Read more
Meet Ian Munns
09 Feb 2021
What is your new role at Glenaeon?
I am the new Head of Music
What experience do you bring to Glenaeon?
I have been teaching music in schools for just under 30 years. I was Head of Learning & Curriculum (Music) at MLC School (Burwood) for nine years before moving to become Director of Music at Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School in Melbourne for the past six years. I am also a conductor, composer and arranger and my passion is for choirs.
What are your interests?
My main passion obviously is for music, but I am also a passionate cook and like to keep fit at the gym. I am also a qualified personal trainer - although I don’t really do that anymore except for myself. I love doing jigsaw puzzles and like movies and musicals. When we can - I really love to travel.
What are you most excited about for the year ahead?
I am excited to become a part of the Glenaeon community and to begin to provide wonderful, rich, real music experiences for every student at our school. I am excited to be teaching HSC Music again and to be in a school where music is such an important part of our lives. I can’t wait until we are able to sing again with unlimited numbers with our Year 7-12 students.
Read moreGlenaeon grabs Bronze, Silver and Gold in the Duke of Edinburgh
09 Feb 2021
Last week at Assembly, Teacher Donna Miller acknowledged the achievement of our Duke of Edinburgh students. Notably, from the Class of 2020, Joe McCormick who achieved his Gold Duke of Ed. Joe's volunteer service was coordinating E-sports events. For his skill - participating in E-Sports competition and for his Fitness requirement, further developing his skills at tennis.
Donna then presented Duke of Ed certificates to Year 11 students, Marc and Grace, achieving Bronze level, and Year 12 Student, Lara, for achieving Silver level. Many students were interrupted in their progress on the Award due to the pandemic but it is hoped with the lifting of restrictions, many of last year’s participants will achieve their goals of completing the Award. Congratulations to Marc, Grace and Lara for their wonderful achievement.
Donna then spoke of the benefits of participating in the Duke of Ed program, the great personal growth, learning and development of leadership skills and encouraged all Year 9 and above students to consider taking it up the program.
Glenaeon has offered the Duke of Ed through it Co-Curricular program for the past 11 years and it is gaining in popularity each year.
For more information about the Duke of Ed Program offered at Glenaeon go to GLO: https://glo.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/homepage/1385 or visit https://dukeofed.com.au/ and email Donna to get started d.miller@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read more2020 – A Class Act and good luck to our Class of 2021!
09 Feb 2021
We were thrilled to welcome back some members of the Class of 2020 to Glenaeon’s first High School Assembly for the new year – Joe, Chiara, Taro, Justin, Nelson and Keaun –all of whom achieved an ATAR of 95 or above.
Head of School Andrew Hill had just welcomed the current Year 12s and wished them well on the year ahead. He impressed on them that their HSC and ATAR will be important steps in unlocking future possibilities, enabling them to pursue their paths in life. But also important will be what they gain over the next year in learning to work hard, to focus and to organise their time, laying a foundation for a life of service to others and fulfilment as a human being. Our students then heard some wise words of advice from Alumnus Joe McCormick and Keaun Wild. Keaun said, “Study what you enjoy. Focus on your passions. Drop subjects if need be. Put away your phone and don’t let yourself get distracted.” He gave the analogy of a driver getting into a car. “When you drive, you need to be totally focused on the road.” He urged students to keep a strong mindset, then wishes them well and good luck.
Joe then encouraged students to, “Do what you are passionate about. Enjoy your learning. Give 100% to each subject.” He also urged students to engage with teachers, and not to zone out and take it an extra step to get a deeper understanding of your subjects. Joe emphasised to students that wellbeing is equally important as the study. “Mental health and physical health are critical. So find a balance whether that be music, reading, spending time with family and friends.”
We wish all our Year 12 students the very best for the year ahead, and congratulate all graduates from the Class of 2020.
Here is what our top ATAR students are up to:
- Joseph McCormick
The University of Sydney
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Dalyell Scholars including Mathematical Science) Physics and Maths Majors - Chiara Candotti
University of NSW
Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) - Taking a gap year to work and hopefully travel Optional: Sydney University Engineering & Commerce - Justin Takayasu
University of NSW
Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)/Engineering (Honours)
Majoring in Mechatronic Engineering - Taro Tomishima
University of NSW
Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)/Engineering (Honours)
Majoring in Aerospace Engineering - Nelson Hall-Whitington
University of NSW
Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy & Economics - Keaun Wild
University of Sydney
Bachelor of Advanced Computing and Bachelor of Commerce
Read more
Joe McCormick dux of 2020
09 Feb 2021
Glenaeon is extremely proud of the excellent effort our 2020 cohort put in to their studies and all the achievements they made. Glenaeon ranked 64th in State, a great result for a proudly non-selective school. Glenaeon Alumnus and Willoughby resident, Joseph McCormick achieved an ATAR of 99.55 making him Dux of the 2020 Class. He also achieved an All Rounder result, by gaining Band 6 in all 10 units of study.
We caught up with Joe after his summer break to ask him about his Glenaeon experience and to find out what’s next for the now GlenX member.
What is your earliest/fondest memory of our school and what do you think was the most important aspect of your education here at Glenaeon? How did Steiner education benefit you in your studies?
There were a couple important aspects of Glenaeon that I think helped my education and my experience as a whole. Firstly, being a smaller school had two big benefits; I was able to have a strong and close relationship with my entire year group, being a support for each other right throughout school. Additionally, smaller classes meant that the teachers could often give personal and specific advice and support to each of the students directly, creating a much more productive, comfortable, and enjoyable working experience.
An aspect which is unique to Steiner schools is the extent of the outdoor education program. My fondest moments at Glenaeon were all the incredible camps, especially the Year 10 camp to Tasmania. These camps allowed us to appreciate and be grateful for the natural world and further developed the bond of our class, and will be memories that I will hold very dearly. This appreciation from the natural world is further encouraged by being in such a beautiful campus, a very special spot to have had my education.
During the primary school years, Glenaeon focused on presenting education through holistic, engaging, and almost relaxing ways that were appropriate for young students. Instead of being drilled with exams, assessments and pressure at such a young age, we were encouraged to enjoy our childhood, make strong friendships, and learn about the world through stories featured in our main lessons.
In summary, I believe Glenaeon focuses on creating students who have a whole and complete education, including academics but also much more.
Read moreWelcome to 2021: New Year, New Faces
28 Jan 2021
A warm welcome to 2021 for all families of Glenaeon, both continuing and new. The students of Class 1 to Year 12 commenced Wednesday. Kindergarten Thursday, and we now have a school fully occupied and humming with enthusiasm for the year ahead.
In January the school ran our annual week long Glenaeon Class Teacher Intensive of professional training, this year online. The remote access seemed to increase the enrolment even further, and 250 people from around Australia and internationally zoomed in for a week of professional teacher learning sessions.
In preparation for your children returning to school our teachers spent two days of professional development on the very important theme of Being Well: How a Glenaeon education fosters wellbeing and connection in students and staff. We considered how the many elements of a Glenaeon education work together to build a learning community that is in itself positive and promotes wellbeing.
New Year, New Faces
This year there are a number of changes in organisation and people. Our Enrolments Registrar Chandra Kennedy resigned over the summer and in her place we have made a small restructure. Deputy Head of School (K-6) Dani Finch has been undertaking all non-Kindergarten entry enrolment interviews for some time now, so this moment represents an opportunity to formalise her role as Registrar, with appropriate backup support:
· Dani Finch title will become Deputy Head of School (K-6) and Registrar, managing the Enrolments office and interviews while maintaining overall responsibility for the primary school;
· Katherine Arconati (Class 5 teacher) will step up as Faculty Coordinator for Primary: she will be supported with additional assistance in the classroom and will be responsible for primary curriculum and faculty coordination, thus freeing Dani from these responsibilities;
· Clare Gordon our Events Coordinator (2 days) will go full time and take on the role of enrolments officer, managing all the paperwork and back up in the Enrolments office. Her position will be Events and Enrolments Coordinator.
New Teachers
It’s a great pleasure to be introducing our new teachers for 2021. They have very diverse backgrounds and all bring a commitment to quality education at Glenaeon:
Jennifer Stone is our Class 1 teacher. Jennifer has just completed a Class Teacher cycle at Kamaroi School, but she has a long connection with Glenaeon. As well as working for us as an assistant some years ago, her daughter completed K to Year 10 here.
Ian Munns is our new Head of Music. Ian has a distinguished record as a musician and educator. He has most recently been Director of Music at Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School in Melbourne, and before that at MLC, Sydney for many years.
Alison Totterdell,Mathematics: Alison is recently qualified and has been working at St Ignatius, Riverview. Her first degree was in Science and she has an interesting background in indigenous land management.
Amelia Gonzalez, English: Amelia comes from Abbotsleigh, and earlier at PLC, and has many years of HSC experience under her belt. Her two daughters have attended Kamaroi and one will be joining Year 7 this year.
Andrew Webster, HSIE: Andrew has wide experience in a range of Histories and HSIE subjects, including being Head of Ancient History at Hills Grammar School: he will take over Society and Culture in Years 11 and 12 while Ella Pooley is on maternity leave.
Angela Sutton, Head of Learning Support: Angela hails for the US originally, and has worked in Special Education and Learning Support internationally. Most recently she was Head of Learning Support at the Australian Independent School, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Emily Fam, Student Wellbeing Coordinator: Emily will be our inaugural appointment in this role. She is a mental health social worker who has significant experience in counselling and advocacy work with vulnerable young people in a range of settings including out of home care, and drug and alcohol dependence.
Kim Mann, Sport/PE and Compliance Officer : Kim will be coming from Kamaroi School where she has worked in compliance and administration for five years. She is a trained PDHPE teacher and will assist in a number of classes. She is already a parent in the school with a daughter in Year 8.
Alice Livermore, Library, Careers and Spanish: Alice will be working for three days per week as our senior librarian and also covering our Careers Information service for Years 9 to 12. She is in addition a Spanish speaker and former Spanish teacher, and will teach that language as one of the three language options in Year 7.
Raphaela Mazzone will be Year 8 Guardian and Main lesson teacher. She has been a high school teacher at Mt Barker Waldorf (Steiner) School, where she was also a student herself. She is also nearing completion of a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology from UNE. She is a professional artist and also a fine musician.
Melanie Harper will be assisting/teaching in Kindergarten, to support Sarah David who will take the one Kindergarten class while Catherine Pilko takes Little Kindergarten covering Junko Nicholas’s maternity Leave.
It’s been a busy start to the term and year, but what else is new? We look forward to an exciting year of learning, one we hope will be as restriction free as possible. With all good wishes to all families and students for the year ahead!
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store is open with all of your Back to School needs
28 Jan 2021
During the holidays we had a big delivery of leather slippers in an array of lovely designs with the addition of a (much requested) larger 8-9-year-old size.
We now stock a colourful selection of Australian designed, Bedhead soft cotton Sun Hats and with a UPF50+ rating, these are perfect for children to wear out in the playground and are super comfy too with their no-flop brim!
There is a great selection of sustainable lunch box options available in-store and online along with drink bottles, raincoats and hand-dyed drawstring spare clothes bags.
Visit the shop to see a new collection of Yuki’s enchanting natural-dyed sea creatures, from seahorses, starfish and turtles. These beautiful handmade creations are perfect for your summer nature table and play scenes. Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Opening Hours for Term 1
Monday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Tuesday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Wednesday: 8.30am–12.30pm
Thursday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Friday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Getting into the Rhythm of School life by Mary Heard
28 Jan 2021
How do we keep the lovely feeling of relaxation and connection we have created over the holidays when we return to school?
The answer is rhythm.
It is one of the tools the teachers use in the classroom of Steiner Schools to maintain the feeling of calm and order.
We can take some of that medicine into our own homes. Of course it will never be perfect but it will at least anchor us and save us being tossed around on the stormy seas of school life.
In my opinion, the best way to set your child up for a successful school life is to get them to school calmly with 15 minutes to play before the bell goes.
So how does “Simplicity Parenting” help you to achieve that?
What we recommend is that you sit down quietly and look at your days........
Start with wake up time
What time do your children need to wake up in order to comfortably get to school 15 minutes early?
Work backwards from there
- Pre-schoolers to 7 year olds need 11-12 hours of sleep
- 8 to 12 year olds need 9-11 hours
- Adolescents need 8-9 hours
So from there you can work out the bed time
A good balance for a 7-year-old for example, would be sleep by 8 and up at 7
So once you have worked out your bedtime, work back 2 hours to dinner time – 6pm for an 8pm bedtime.
After dinner it is best to keep a regular routine – bath, music practice (for older children) and a book or story.
The younger the child the easier it is to establish a rhythm. No matter what the age the secret is “Start small, stay close, insist and follow through”
This means you cannot get distracted as a parent. I recommend you turn your phone of between dinner and bed.
Once this rhythm is established it will take you all the way through to high school because you will just be able to put the new activities in as the sleep time lessens.
One last benefit from this way of parenting is that rhythm builds discipline into family life. We have dinner because it is ‘dinner time’, we go to bed because it is ‘bedtime’ we get in the car because it is ‘time to leave for school’ – this saves so many arguments.
It may sound like a grind to have so much structure but ultimately this is the path to freedom because it actually creates space to put in things you want without feeling pressure, they just need to fit in around the structure you have created.
Mary Heard is a Simplicity Parenting Coach and runs courses in Simplicity Parenting in N.S.W throughout the Year.
Read more
Baby News
28 Jan 2021
Castlecrag's Little Kindy Teacher Junko Nicholas gave birth to a baby boy, Daas Nicholas in the last week of Term 4 last year. Middle Cove based HSIE Teacher Ella Pooley gave birth to beautiful Millie on the 11th of January. Both are well and thriving. Congratulations to both Junko and Ella and their families on the new arrivals. And there is more baby news, with Executive Assistant to our Head of School, Anette Babula expecting a bub in mid-March this year. How wonderful to welcome these newest members to the Glenaeon family! Our congratulations and warmest wishes to all.
Read moreHappy sunflowers bring joy to our Preschoolers
28 Jan 2021
At Preschool, the garden is flourishing. Take a look at these beautiful sunflowers. Last year we enjoyed a story and song about sunflowers with our children, and then planted the seeds. They all flowered just in time for our return to preschool this year. The song we sang was called Sunflowers Growing Tall by Katrina Ross.
Read moreClass 6 Astronomy Main Lesson
28 Jan 2021
This Blackboard Beauty was created by Class 6 Class Teacher Brendan Strobl for the Astronomy Main Lesson.
#science #astronomy #mainlesson #glenaeon #steiner #steinereducation #blackboard #blackboardart
Read moreClass 1 cross under the Rainbow Bridge
28 Jan 2021
On the first day of school in 2021, Class 1 children met once again in the Kindergarten playground with their teachers from last year. They shared their morning song together before walking through the playground up to the Class 1 area. Class 2 children formed a beautiful 'Rainbow Bridge' with a long silk and flowers. The Kindergarten teachers said goodbye and gave each child a flower to take with them 'under the rainbow bridge' to the other side, where their new Class 1 teacher was waiting. The year's Class 1 teacher, Jennifer Stone, received them and they made their way as new Class 1 students. The special 'Class Teacher' period thus begins, and Jennifer Stone will now guide these children through their primary years with the help of other specialist teachers.
Read moreThanks to our Chicken Carers
28 Jan 2021
Big shout out to all the wonderful Glenaeon families who looked after the six chickens at our Middle Cove campus during the summer holidays. The chickens appreciated getting fed, watered, cuddled and having their coop cleaned every couple of days during the six school break. They gave many eggs of differing colours, showing off their differing breeds!
THANK YOU from the Glenaeon Garden Team
Read moreA rainy day to come and play
28 Jan 2021
The rain was a welcome relief after the heat leading up to the first day of school. The Castlecrag playground has been a buzz of colourful raincoats as children discover and explore their grounds again, with the new Class 1 eagerly exploring the new play areas and friends. Class 2 children enjoyed inside lunch play out of the rain with blocks, dice and geometric shapes.
Read moreThe Gentle Café – welcome Marian & Peter
28 Jan 2021
We’ve been so lucky at Glenaeon to have had the wonderful Sharon and Lorna running The Gentle Café up until the end of last year, and we are so thrilled that they have passed the baton on to former colleagues and close friends Marian and Peter Kissner.
Marian and Peter will be operating The Gentle Café at our Middle Cove Campus from the start of Term 1 2021. They bring with them many years’ experience in the restaurant and catering business and a passion for delivering fresh, tasty and nutritious meals and snacks for our students, teachers and staff to enjoy.
The menu will still feature some of the firm favourites that our students have always enjoyed, as well as some new items to freshen things up.
We asked Marian & Peter a few questions about what they will bring to the Café in 2021, and beyond:
What attracted you both to running the Gentle Café?Marian and I have worked at The Gentle Café with Sharon and Lorna on many occasions and have enjoyed the environment of the Middle Harbour setting, the students and the staff, so when the opportunity arose to bid for the running of the café it was a no brainer.
What’s in store for the Gentle Café in 2021? What will stay the same and what will change?One major change will be the introduction of cashless payments, but we will continue to accept cash. In regards to the menu, initially we will continue along the same lines as Sharon and Lorna and as we find our way and understand what everyone likes, we will slowly introduce some new items.
What’s your approach to providing good nutrition to our students?Fresh and healthy, obtaining the best produce from local suppliers and following the Green, Amber, Red guidelines of the Health Department.
Sustainability and environmentally friendly options?Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes, salads, free-range chicken and meat products.
Special dietary requirements? What options are there for students with dietary requirements?Vegan, Gluten Free and Vegetarian options will be available
How do parents place an order?We have created a website for The Gentle Café, details below, where parents of Class 3-6 students will be able to order online each evening. We have made it as easy as we can to navigate with instructions on the first page. Students in Years 7-12 can buy food and drinks directly from the café at recess and lunchtime.
A Tap and Pay facility is also now available for contactless payment. We hope everyone will support the Café!
Link to online Ordering for Class 3-6 Parents: www.gentlecafe.net [p/w see GLO]
Parents and Students in Year 9 only are encouraged to volunteer in the café. Link to volunteer sign up: https://signup.zone/FQb2vyyXcMHgmz7jG
Read moreMeet Jennifer Stone
28 Jan 2021
We have some wonderful new teachers on staff here at Glenaeon. Over the course of Term 1, we will introduce you to some of the new faces in upcoming editions of the Newsletter. First up - Class 1 Teacher, Jennifer Stone.
What is your new role at Glenaeon?
My new role at Glenaeon is that of Class Teacher, beginning with Class One.
What experience do you bring to Glenaeon?
Along with many experiences in the School of Life, l have led Steiner playgroups and assisted in Kindergarten at Glenaeon, taught at Lorien Novalis and completed a teaching cycle at Kamaroi Rudolf Steiner School.
What are your interests?
My interests are in anthroposophy, theatre, poetry, theatre, design, theatre, music, theatre, yoga, theatre. And theatre. I also love to travel and have spent time in Paris, New York and Japan. Mostly chasing theatre. Despite the cosmopolitan nature of the above list, Nature is my best friend and greatest teacher.
What are you most excited about for the year ahead?
I am looking forward to getting to know the beautiful children in my new class and establishing a healthy rhythm for our troupe.
Read more
Incoming Year 12s visit AGNSW
27 Nov 2020
The new Year 12 students visited the Art Gallery of NSW in a little rendezvous with Visual Arts teacher, Donna Miller, on Sunday to visit three exhibitions. The highlight was the Arthur Streeton and a glimpse of early Australian Impressionism as practiced at the Heidelberg School.
There is so much indigenous art in the Wynne, Sulman and Archibald exhibitions, and students really gained a deeper insight to contemporary First Nation artists. Seeing the works first-hand allows for a much greater appreciation and analysis of the artist’s intent, and everyone was so grateful to have been able to have this experience.
#ArtGalleryofNSW #ArtGallery #Sydney #Glenaeon #Art #Streeton #ArthurStreeton #StreetonExhibition #Wynne #Sulman #Archibald
Read moreCubby Life, and refrigerators
27 Nov 2020
"The rain was just stopping as I arrived for my Tuesday morning playground duty at Castlecrag. Our very busy Class 1 boys were abuzz with excitement and very keen to show me that their cubby was dry inside. A couple of them mentioned that they were planning to live there, but it was eventually decided that there wouldn't be room for a fridge, so it was probably best to stay living at home for the time being."
Dani Finch, Deputy Head of School, K-6.
Read moreLook! We Have Come Through!
27 Nov 2020
The end is nigh (of 2020 that is), and this newsletter is the last for the year. What a year! Without comparing our challenges with those of earlier generations, as D H Lawrence put it in a classic poem after the end of WW1, We have come through!! Not unscarred, but we have come through and are still standing and moving forward. This moment is one to thank every single member of the Glenaeon community for their good will, and hard work. We have come through together and demonstrated the resilience and community spirit that Glenaeon stands for. My personal thanks go to all staff, students and parents for your support through this most trying of years. Our Executive team for Risk Management has carried the core responsibility for emergency management and I pay tribute to their collaborative work over the past nine months of the pandemic:
- Deputy Heads of School Dani Finch and Elizabeth Nevieve,
- Preschool Director Peggy Day,
- Operations & Facilities Manager Chris Scrogie,
- Finance Manager Rohan Wijesinghe
Educational Executive members Brigitte Tietge-Rollans (Daily Coordinator) and Catherine Pilko (Castlecrag Senior Teacher) have served the school to ensure all our day to day processes have continued unabated despite the severe pressure of the pandemic. All our staff members have gone the extra mile above and beyond the call of duty, and I thank each and every one.
Christmas Festivities:
COVID-19 has had an impact on our Christmas festivities, so our traditional and much-loved Carol Service and Shepherds Play have been cancelled. In their place the following will occur at the Middle Cove campus for students and teachers. Unfortunately, our COVID controls mean that parents are unable to attend, so we will be recording and distributing parts of the following:
- Christmas Gala Concert on the Oval: Wednesday December 2nd 9.30am
The Spring Festival was such a success in the round on the oval that we will be hosting a Christmas end of year event with the same format. It will be an opportunity for all the music ensembles to perform, as they have been starved of opportunities throughout 2020. Students from Class 3 to Year 11 will be seated in the large circle format and we will enjoy music with a Christmas flavour. Performing will be:
- All Class and Year ensembles from Class 4 to Year 8: Strings, Woodwinds and Concert Bands
- String combinations from high school: violin trio and cello duets
- Glenaeon Big Band
- Glenaeon Jazz Combo
There are 25 items on the program, almost all with a Christmas flavour. We are so sorry parents will not be able to join us, but in the outdoor setting, you will probably be able to hear us in Roseville.
- Christmas Festival: Tuesday December 8th through the day
In place of the Carol Service there will be a number of short assemblies (similar to the Winter Festival) in a carol service format with two or three year groups in each. There will be readings, an Advent wreath with candles and some beautiful carol singing (COVID controlled of course).
Farewell Joy Day
The end of year marks the end of Joy Day’s association and key supporting role in Parent Education at Glenaeon: see later in this Newsletter. Joy has a long association with the school. Her son Max graduated from our Year 12 in 1999 with a stellar result in Mathematics, an ability which went on to earn him a University Medal from the University of Sydney and then a PhD from the University of Oxford. Joy’s four step daughters with husband Malcolm Day (a long term Board member of the school) all graduated from Glenaeon.
Over the past eight years Joy has volunteered an immense amount of time in contributing ideas and organising energy to our Parent Education program. Along with Mary Heard and Catherine Pilko, Joy prepared each term’s program with care, insight and understanding of what was needed to support our parent community. She was foundational in establishing Raphael’s Rooms, our adjunct therapeutic program, and in 2019 she almost singlehandedly carried off our Waldorf100 celebration day at Castlecrag. Joy’s immense passion and dedicated action for Steiner education in general and Glenaeon in particular has inspired countless parents and teachers. I will personally miss Joy’s infectious enthusiasm for new ideas and perspectives that could contribute to a better and wider understanding of what the school stands for.
Joy, we thank you and wish you all happiness in the next phase of your life. I cannot imagine you motionless, so look forward to seeing you bring a grandchild or two to Playgroups, and continue your association with Glenaeon in some other, less demanding ways. Thank you!
End of Year
- Issue #13 of AEON our school magazine will be delivered home via your eldest enrolled child by the last week of term: please enjoy a good read of the articles chronicling our journey this year.
- Reports for Class 3 to Year 10 will be issued by email in the last week of term. If for any reason you do not receive one, please contact the Middle Cove office.
Wednesday December 9th is the last day for students and there will be communication from teachers regarding activities and clean up for each year level. Teachers have professional learning days over Thursday and Friday (10th and 11th) concluding with our staff Christmas party on Friday evening. The School office at Middle Cove will close on December 23rd and reopen on January 11th 2021. Term 1 will commence on Wednesday January 27th.
May I wish all families a fulfilling Christmas period and a restful break over the summer. See you in 2021!
Andrew Hill
Head of School
Read more
Glenaeon Swap Sell
27 Nov 2020
Glenaeon Art Show Success
27 Nov 2020
This year, for the first time, our Glenaeon Art Show went digital due to COVID-19. Thanks to the hard work of our talented and dedicated Class 4 Art Show Committee and our Events Coordinator Clare Gordon, the Art Show was transformed to the digital format, and brought together over 200 art pieces, from 80 artists for display online from 1-22 November. We also held an online silent auction featuring works from our current students, and ran a digital Raffle.
51 pieces of art sold for $20,830. In the silent auction, our student works raised a fantastic $5,890 and the Raffle generated over $3,500 in ticket sales. The winners have now all been notified. The funds raised by the GPA will support the school and the students. Huge congratulations and thanks to the artists, and to everyone who donated their time, and supported this year's Art Show. We are very grateful and indebted to Glenaeon Parents Jonathan Rush, Airlie McConnell, Tanya Baker, Erika Hosoyama and Lisa Kavanagh for their kind and generous donation of time and skill to see this important and event fundraiser so successful. It really was a mammoth effort. A huge thank you to our Raffle Prize donors Verve Photography, Honest to Goodness, Bunnings, Lyn Clifton, Warrah and the generosity of Class 4 parents.
If you are an artist and would like to make a submission for our 2021 Glenaeon Art Show, or wish to donate a prize next year, please email Clare Gordon to be added to our Artist Call out mailing list.
Read more
Glenaeon Holiday Care Program - book now!
27 Nov 2020
Dear Parents
Not long now until the end of the year!
We have some beautiful activities planned for the children during Holiday Care! Of course, lots of time for healthy outdoor adventures, plenty of time in, and around the water, and a variety of arts, craft, science, woodwork and special events planned.
Download the program and visit our website for bookings http://www.glenaeonoosh.com.au/holiday-care-bookings.html
We look forward to seeing the children there.
Kind regards,
Margaret & The OOSH Team
Read moreImportant Tick Information - please read
27 Nov 2020
At Glenaeon we have chosen to take an integrated pest management approach to the problem of ticks. This means that we work against their impact in a range of different ways. Please read our Tick Information booklet and follow the advice.
Download Glenaeon's Tick Information booklet.
Read moreFarewell from Sharon & Lorna
27 Nov 2020
Dear Glenaeon Families,
I’d just like to say a huge thank you to all the children, parents, teachers and all school staff for your loyal patronage over the last four and a half years since we opened the Gentle Café on campus. It has been my pleasure to have cooked (from the heart) for you all, and in such beautiful surroundings.
I have cooked and been in the Restaurant & Food Service industry for just on 40 years, and I am sincere when I say I will miss the school, the children and, well, all of you really. From all the wonderful Parent / Volunteers who have come and shared the day over a coffee and a laugh (and a few beads of sweat HA!). It was fantastic to have met so many lovely mums and dads over my time in the kitchen. It was not an easy job, but it’s the one that has fit my mind and body comfortably for the last few years.
Friday the 4th of December will mark the final day of a 21-year relationship with the Glenaeon Community for now, and I must say, what a fantastically fulfilling couple of decades it has been, through my boys as students, and my tenure in the school café!
We will be passing on the pots, pans and wooden spoons over to Peter and Marian to create new fare (and some old favourites I’m sure) for you commencing Term 1 2021.
They, like Lorna and I, will be hoping to meet many of you in the kitchen via the sign up zone as volunteers, they will also make you a lovely coffee and feed your child a complimentary morning tea and lunch on that day (as well as feeding you of course).
Lorna and I would just like to say thank you for entrusting us to have cooked for and nourished all your beautiful children.
It really was our pleasure to have done so.
Merry Christmas to one and all!
Thanks again,
Sharon & Lorna
Year 9 celebrates NAIDOC Week through Sport
27 Nov 2020
NAIDOC Week is an Australian observance normally celebrated during the winter break. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. It has its roots in the 1938 Day of Mourning, becoming a week-long event in 1975.
This year, due to COVID-19, it was moved to the week 8-15 Nov and also celebrated at Glenaeon through the Year 9 PE session.
NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. As we are all normally on holiday we took the initiative to celebrate it in October being very happy to have Beniah as an indigenous student in our cohort. So we honoured her peoples’ achievements in the form of talking about and looking and trying out activities with an indigenous background.
The students talked and reflected on what they knew of indigenous activities in the community and learned about physical activities and games mostly deriving from the hunting days.
Beniah and her fellow Year 9 cohort students were excited to be on the oval and involved in games and activities using throwing sticks (woomera) in two distinctly different activities. The first one, Kalq, a fighting game in which indigenous people used blunt javelins/spears, while we used the woomera sticks for a safer approach. Two students stand opposite one another and one throws their stick at the other while the second one tries to defend themselves against being hit. A challenging game that required a good eye, quick reflexes to dodge and also care and consideration when in the position to throw the stick and not to throw it too hard to inflict injury.
The second activity was a team event in which two tribes, the students gave their team indigenous names, and had to throw the woomera in dart-like large circles marked by ropes on the oval. Each circle had points much like in dart win which the smallest inner circle has the highest points 50, the outer most circle 10 points. Teams had to add up all team points to determine the winner.
A reflective circle sharing followed at the end in which the students sat together on the grass, appreciating the perspective into indigenous lives through sport and asked if they could learn more about it. Beniah, in her own modest way, felt appreciated and valued through the discussion that was so close to her heart.
Read moreClass 3 Take Time for Main Lesson
27 Nov 2020
Class 3 has been exploring the development of Time Measurement over the past few weeks. We’ve observed and experimented with shadow-clocks, water-clocks, candle-clocks and, of course, tick tock clocks. We made our own card game using the months, seasons and days as well as a D’harawal seasonal calendar.
Read moreThe Science of Sunflowers - Class 1
27 Nov 2020
Class 1 has been exploring the life cycle of sunflowers, from seed to germination, growth, flowering and harvesting with teacher Prue Reid. Students have dried and now eaten the seeds, saving some for planting again next year. Exploring a story and poem about sunflowers, they created beautiful artwork after looking at the living and dried plants. We have all enjoyed the glorious sunflowers growing and blooming in the Castlecrag gardens.
Read moreKindergartens harvest their potatoes
27 Nov 2020
In Term 3 Kindergarten planted potatoes in their potato bags and patiently watered and waited whilst the plants grew big and strong. Now they have faded, they are able to take the heavy bags, tip them out and dig to harvest their very own potatoes for lunch! It's an exciting and special day in which they follow through the life cycle of the potatoes, even finding the 'mother potato' from which all the little babies grew. They sat down to enjoy these together, and Little Kindergarten children even found double one with a little baby - just like their teacher Junko Nichols is growing!
Read moreThank you for our Raffle Prize donations
27 Nov 2020
A warm thank you to all the generous people who donated prizes for our raffle. A Verve Photography Package Voucher has been won, as well as four beautiful hampers packed with so many donated prizes, gifts and experiences. We gave away a Gardening Hamper, Luxury Pamper Hamper, Foodie Hamper and Creative Craft Hamper. Thank you to all who bought tickets and supported the raffle and fundraising for the Glenaeon Parents Association.
Read moreCompost Building - all hands in the pit
27 Nov 2020
It's time to fill the Deep Pit Compost at Castlecrag and begin the cycle of creating our next load of compost, which will be ready for Term 1, 2021! After distributing all the existing rich compost over the last weeks, the compost is filled and layered with grass and leaf clippings, fruit and vegetables, pre-composted paper and hand-towels, lime, straw and biodynamic preparations. We even had assistance from Mary Heard, a keen biodynamic gardener and our previous administrator to help the compost building. The children also came to learn about and scatter the biodynamic preparations of nettle, oak bark, chamomile, yarrow, nettle and dandelion, adding rich compounds and nutrients to the soil. These, alongside the valerian biodynamic preparation that will be added last, will help to activate the process of breaking down the matter into rich, living soil.
Read moreClass 2 reflect on 2020
27 Nov 2020
Class 2's final Main Lesson for the year is a beautiful 'Reflections' Journal, with a poem encapsulating their year in poetry, script, artwork and embroidery. They are carefully sewing their own covers and filling the book with a poem about their year's work and journey. It will be a special keepsake of 2020 and their last year at the Castlecrag campus, before moving next year with their teacher Lucy Armstrong to the Middle Cove campus to begin Class 3. Their poem reads:
"Our Class 2 journey began, in the morning sun.
With a Rainbow Bridge we welcomed children, starting in class one.
Our first Main Lesson was nature studies, we travelled far from home.
Following the journey of Nino, a brave and curious gnome.
Each day we practiced skip counting, so we would be on track.
To sing our times tables, both forwards and back.
Weaving her web, Ava spider did wake.
The wonderous beauty of patterns, our number families make.
The King of Ireland Son, was a highlight of the year.
An epic tale of courage and the will to persevere.
It took great effort to learn our play, we pulled together as one.
And on the day we performed with pride; the King of Ireland’s son.
We learned this year to write in cursive, joining our letters with pride.
Each week we’d try to solve a riddle, with Lucy as our guide.
Counting in the thousands, we can add and minus now.
Using knowledge of place value, the squirrels taught us how.
The Saintly lives of people, we explored in Term 4.
Their inner striving power, lives in us for evermore.
St Francis as a youth, pledged his life to the light.
And Offerus did show, his courage over might.
Painting, dance, creative play, stories that fill our hearts.
We explored, all year round, the magic of the arts.
Class two’s nearly over,
and Christmas is almost near.
We will cherish memories, of our great second year."
- Lucy Armstrong -
Read more
Epic sandplay at Castlecrag
27 Nov 2020
In celebration of a term of great lunchtime sandpit play - have a look at some of the recent creations, now that the weather is warmer and water enters the sandpit - carefully carried in watering cans and buckets! Drip castles, bridges, moats and ponds form, as the children create fantastic structures in the sand.
Read moreYear 9 Science Ecology night time field watching excursion
27 Nov 2020
Stanley Tang took his Year 9 students on a night excursion at Middle Cove this week. Students were able to explore the nocturnal animals at Glenaeon and our surrounding areas. Using torch lights to search for animals in the bush, they also set up an ultraviolet-lit trap to attract insects for observation. Students learned about the processes of scientific bird banding and had the opportunity to handle wild birds - even a tawny frog mouthed owl stopped by! Dr Stanley Tang is an ornithologist and teaches high school Biology and Science at Glenaeon. He brings a wealth of experience, and a depth of ecological understanding to students in the high school science programs.
Budding legal eagle flies into first
27 Nov 2020
Some great news for Year 11 student Elliott Benson, who ranked first in his Accelerated HSC Legal Studies course this year, which he studied externally at St Leonards TAFE.
"My average result for my internal assessments was 91% and I am now eagerly waiting for my HSC exam result. It was an interesting experience at times, especially with online learning, but we had a very experienced teacher so it was manageable. My favourite aspect is probably the fact that I got one subject out of the way early! I was very surprised that I placed first, as there were some very talented students in the class, however I did study hard over the course of the year."
Congratulations Elliott, we are very proud of you!
Read moreMemorable Moments for Class 4 Happy Campers
27 Nov 2020
Class 4 had a wonderful first camp experience on the oval recently and were lucky to squeeze it in amongst all of the other Term 4 camps happening at the moment. Despite summer heat and a sleepless night, the children had a wonderful time exploring our local area with smiles and laughter. This experience supplemented the local geography main lesson which had to be taught remotely in Term 2 and the first Australian history main lesson they just completed. We revisited some of our favourite spots from our Castlecrag bushwalks and discovered new beauty north of our campus, including a favoured bathing spot frequented by early residents of the Sydney Harbour area. Memorable moments abounded but none will surpass the shock of the sprinklers coming on just as they were drifting off to sleep on Thursday night! Our campus and its location are a gift to be cherished and appreciated every day. I felt so blessed to be where we are with such a fantastic group of children and staff. Thanks to KG, Scottie and Dani for taking time away from their busy schedules to make this moment happen for Class Four.
Katherine Arconati
Class 4 Teacher
Year 12s go solo
27 Nov 2020
Our Year 12s head out on their Solo Camp, the last Outdoor Education experience for the Class of 2020.
Read moreYear 12 Graduation Assembly
27 Nov 2020
On Friday 13 November, the Class of 2020 gathered once more in the Sylvia Brose Hall for a Year 12 Graduation ceremony with socially distanced Parents invited on site for the last time at the end of their child's schooling years. It was a very emotional ceremony to mark the end of an important journey for this remarkable group of students. They are now the newest members of GlenX. We wish the Class of 2020 all the best and know they each have exciting futures ahead of them!
Read moreInstrument Return
27 Nov 2020
If your child has a hired instrument and is leaving Glenaeon, please make sure it is returned after your child’s final instrument lesson. Students can return their instruments to the Music Administrator’s office in the Hall (10am-2pm), or to Reception outside those hours.
All other students with hired instruments may keep them over the holidays, unless the instrument needs repairs or unless they’re lucky enough to be getting their own instrument.
Thank you and have a wonderful, musical holiday!
Julie Monteban
musicadministrator@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Sign up to be a chicken carer
27 Nov 2020
We are looking for egg-cellent Glenaeon families to look after our six chickens during the holiday period from Dec 12 to Jan 25. Duties include: feeding, watering, collecting eggs, (you take them home) and cleaning the nesting boxes. Caring can be coming to the school every 3rd day for the week/s you pick. If you can help our happy hens, please fill out this form to indicate which holiday period you can cover or email Sandra.
If you have any questions, please contact Sandra Frain via email: s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read more
Year 9s help Class 3 through DofE
27 Nov 2020
Each Thursday and Friday before school for the past three months several Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh Award candidates came and supported Class 3 children in a special reading program. The help given was highly productive and new friendships were formed across the campus. A thank you breakfast was prepared as a sign of Class 3’s deep appreciation for their service.
Read moreCastlecrag crafters crochet completed
27 Nov 2020
Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean has helped our young crafters through a big year. And how wonderfully productive they have been! From long-stitch pencil cases, to cushions and recorder bags, bunting and wearable clothing, our artisans are feeling the satisfaction of making something useful and beautiful. Well done to all students for completing their colourful creations.
Read moreBeniah meets Nyunmiti!
27 Nov 2020
Year 9 student Beniah went recently to the gallery to see Indigenous artists entered into the Archibald, Wynne and Sulmann and ran into Nyunmiti Burton, a very well known artist. What a treat!
Read moreFarewell message from Joy Day
26 Nov 2020
It has been my pleasure and privilege to serve the Glenaeon community and beyond, as Parent Education Coordinator through the past eight years from the Castlecrag campus, and prior to that as a teacher at Kamaroi. With this years COVID restrictions stopping most community Parent Ed events and the other cultural evenings I have enjoyed facilitating in the Marion Mahony Griffin Hall, it feels timely to gracefully bow out during 2021, allowing a natural evolution in the schools community cultural life and my own, with multiple local grandchildren whom I have also thoroughly relished bringing to Ebba’s playgroups through those eight years as each new baby arrived.
I will miss the regular contact with families at Castlecrag in particular, and when when regulations permit it, I do hope to reconnect with some early childhood families, and meet new prospective parents at Story Garden Saturday mornings that Ebba Bodame and myself will continue to offer in the Marion Mahony Griffin Hall each term. Raphael’s Rooms practitioners will continue to operate offsite during COVID restrictions, and contacts are available via the Raphael's Rooms website.
Parent Ed 2021 is already planned: themed Healthy Planet - Healthy Humanity, it brings a mix of talks and workshops each term, connecting with this theme from various perspectives, offered by presenters with whom Parent Ed enthusiasts will be familiar.
During next year, Clare Gordon, Glenaeon Events Coordinator, will step in to become the next Parent Ed events host, of both live events at Castlecrag, and online sessions with support from others in the team and with the generous support of the Glenaeon Parents Association.
The Term 1 2021 program will come to you in the first newsletter of that term, and you can look forward to experiences with Sandra Frain, Mary Heard, Ebba Bodame and Raphaela Mazzzone. Other presenters during the year include Lisa Devine, Lyn Clifton and Evan Sanders.
Meanwhile, may the Christmas spirits of goodwill & joyful gifting beyond the material, live reverently, and playfully within your family culture. Blessings of love & kindness to you all.
Joy Day
Read moreExtra shopping days in December at Grassroots Eco Store and Pre-Orders for school essentials for 2021 are now available online
26 Nov 2020
The shop is brimming with beautiful gift ideas for Christmas. We have plenty of art & craft supplies to get you crafting into the Festive Season including some Christmas Gnome Craft Kits to make at home. The bookshelves are well-stocked with lots of exciting titles for young and older readers along with enchanting felt and wooden toys, beautiful Australian beeswax candles, local honey, Weleda products and much more. Don’t miss out on the exquisite Native Bush Wreaths by Melanie Harper that are available to pre-order online or in-store, but numbers are limited!
We know everyone is so rushed at this time of year so we will be opening for two extra shopping days in December:
Saturday 12 December 10am - 3pm
Tuesday 15 December 3pm - 8pm
Please tell your friends and family as all are welcome!
School Essentials Pre-order for 2021 - Available Online
You can now pre-order your school essential items for 2021 such as Bedhead Hats, a range of sustainable lunch boxes, Drawstring Spare Clothes Bags, SPLASHitToMe Raincoats, Leather Slippers and Drink Bottles. Product styles and sizes can be viewed and ordered online or in-store.
Pre-orders close 18 December.
Order Online: https://grassrootsecostore.com.au/collections/school-essentials
Orders will be available for pickup in-store on 25th January 2021 or by arrangement.
Grassroots Eco Store - Opening Hours for Term 4
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8.30 – 11.30am & 2.00 – 3.45pm
Wednesday: 8.30am – 12.30pm
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SHOPPING OPENING
Saturday 12 December 10am - 3pm
Tuesday 15 December 3pm - 8pm
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Read moreArtisan achievements
26 Nov 2020
Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean is very proud of her students completed works. Here you will see some of the knitted, sewn, crocheted works by our students. Our wonderful artisan program gives our students a great gift - to be able to make beautiful things, by hand, from scratch, using beautiful colours and imagination with a great deal of personal satisfaction and fulfilment. Well done to all the students.
Read moreBliss N Eso record with Year 7
26 Nov 2020
Bliss n Eso are a multi-platinum, ARIA award-winning hip hop band based in Sydney. They are also much-respected Glenaeon Alumni, or GlenX, and they recently invited current Year 7 Glenaeon students to be backup singers for the groups upcoming collaborative track “Chemical Heart”.
10 students spent a number of hours rehearsing in the lead up, and recorded with the band in Glenaeon’s music studios. What a great experience for our music students. Glenaeon Music Teacher Madeleine Saville said, “Our students not only got to hang out with this very cool band, they also got a wonderful experience in recording a pop track, and collaborating musically with this highly professional group. Our thanks to Jonathan, Max, and their team for this wonderful opportunity, and for paying it forward for our school’s future musicians.
Read moreGlenaeon Raffle - drawn 5pm 22 November 2020
12 Nov 2020
The 2020 Glenaeon Raffle is live online. Please forward the link to your friends, neighbours, colleagues and relatives and encourage ticket sales. The Glenaeon raffle is a major fundraiser for the GPA and this year, due to the COVID restrictions, it will be a significant contribution to the GPA fundraising. Once again the generosity of the parents and local businesses has been tremendous and we would like to thank everyone who contributed to our raffle this year.
For more details and to purchase your raffle tickets, please visit www.glenaeonfair.com
Read moreBidding Starts Monday! Glenaeon Art Show 2020
12 Nov 2020
The Glenaeon Art Show 2020 has 200 artworks - all visible online this year due to COVID-19 until 22 November. Bidding for artworks will commence at 9am on Monday 16 November and close at 5.00pm on Sunday 22 November. If you are interested in acquiring a piece, you can book a personal Covid-Safe viewing by appointment on Sunday 15th or Sunday 22nd of November.
Viewing bookings must be made by midnight on Thursday 12 November (that's tonight folks!) for Sunday 15 November viewings and midnight Thursday 19 November for Sunday 22 November viewings, to allow time for the committee to notify and receive works from the artists.
For more details please visit www.glenaeonfair.com
Read more
This Place
12 Nov 2020
“The land is my mother. Like a human mother, the land gives us protection, enjoyment and provides our needs – economic, social and religious. We have a human relationship with the land: Mother, daughter, son. When the land is taken from us or destroyed, we feel hurt because we belong to the land and we are part of it.” – Djinyini Gondarra
I’m writing this newsletter piece as I cross the Great Dividing Range, in a coach with 25 Class 6 students, their teacher Cathy, Hadiah (one of our Outdoor Education sessional staff) and our bus driver Mal! Excitement and spirits are high as we follow the well-travelled road towards Bathurst, en route to Kamilaroi, Wiradjuri and the Weilwan Country – the Warrumbungles! But it is the stop at Wentworth Falls Lake that is sitting with me right now.
Wentworth Falls Lake was created in 1878 by damming Jamieson Creek to store water for the steam railway. In 2020, it is a picturesque picnic spot and has excellent facilities. Functional, clean, and natural but - tame. As I stood, watching the children stretch their legs, I experienced the familiar deep knowing that strikes me on every program; that we must continue to take the children in our charge into wild places. By the time Thursday comes, and the coach pulls into McClelland St, Willoughby, we will have spent some time in the ‘wilderness’, and the children will be quieter, calmer, and more settled into their natural rhythms. In the absence of the stimulation of Sydney’s business, they will have come back to themselves.
As with most elements of a Glenaeon education, Outdoor Education is much more than it says on the label! By the end of a 13-year journey, our students can complete a self-sustained 48-hour solo camp; they will have been on many incredible adventures - up mountains, down rivers, and into foreign lands; mostly compulsory and for the really keen ones, some extras. All of this will have happened in the wilderness of ‘nature’s classroom’. And yet, Outdoor Education is so much more than adventures. For me, it is about conveying, through lived experience in wild places, a deep knowing and belonging perfectly summed up by Craig Foster in the incredible documentary ‘My Octopus Teacher.” https://tinyurl.com/y5txyvf7
“What she taught me was to feel... that you’re part of this place, not a visitor.”
On this Class 6 program, we begin to build the habits, values and attitudes that will give every student the best chance of experiencing a ‘human relationship with the land’ for themselves. It is an experience impossible to have in the city, with the hum of traffic, and the schedule and stress of our modern lives.
This week, on country that has been inhabited for millennia by stargazers, we will look up at the stars in wonder, and we will feel ‘part of this place’.
Read moreClass 2 visits big campus ahead of Class 3, 2021
12 Nov 2020
This week, Class 2 students went with their Class Teacher Lucy Armstrong and Deputy Head of School K-6, Dani Finch to visit the place where they will be going to school next year, our Middle Cove campus. Students got to see their future classroom, the playground, and meet some of the staff in our Middle Cove office including Sarah at Reception, and Chris Scrogie, our Operations & Facilities Manager. They watched the Class 3 Play and then shared a lunch together with Class 3. There was much excitement about the move to BIG campus and the fun and adventures that lie ahead!
Read moreClass 4’s amazing animal projects
12 Nov 2020
Class 4 has been working on Animal Projects as part of their Main Lesson. Students each made a model of an animal and also wrote a poem as part of the written component of their work. The range of animals was broad with students choosing to make a model of a bear hunting for food with its cub, a crocodile, stingray, dingo, and even a hand-stitched felt koalas, and a Peacock with its tail feathers on glorious display. Class 4 Teacher Katherine Arconati said, “The effort our students put into these works is truly astounding and I am beyond proud of them. When you look at their work, you can see how beautifully we educate the will, a life skill that no standardised test can measure.” Well done to Class 4.
Read moreParadise on Earth
12 Nov 2020
Glenaeon was founded by Sylvia Brose OAM, out of a community around Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. Their vision for a school of excellence, imagination and creativity, springing from the work of Dr Rudolf Steiner, remains the basis of everything we do. A new exhibition 'Paradise on Earth' is a celebration of the career and legacy of Marion Mahony Griffin. It's now open at the Museum of Sydney. Read about it in The Sydney Morning Herald: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/welcome-to-the-sydney-suburb-dubbed-paradise-on-earth-20201028-p569hm.html
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Looking to the future; looking back
12 Nov 2020
The time of the year is upon us, in the outdoor education world, where we begin to plan the journey for 2021. We are hoping next year flows along in a smooth, more rhythmic pattern allowing us to provide all those extra experiences to our community.
Scottie and I are keeping our fingers and toes crossed for another elective expedition program for students (and hopefully one for parents), exploring Far North Queensland’s more remote stretches of wilderness.
Hinchinbrook Island is one of those rugged, wild places: turquoise water, met by soaring cliff lines, fringed by jurassic vegetation that rises up to peaks over one thousand metres tall. In 2019 a group of Year 10 and Year 11 students and a group of Glenaeon parents explored Hinchinbrook Island by sea kayak. This short film captures just some of the journey to this remarkable place. Keep your eyes on the Newsletter for updates about Hinchinbrook expeditions in 2021.
Kristen Gardner
Outdoor Education Teacher
100 Face Masks donated to Chris O'Brien Lifehouse Cancer Hospital
12 Nov 2020
Glenaeon Duke of Edinburgh students Pipi and Olivia, have collected over 100 face masks hand-crafted by a team of Glenaeon volunteers for use by the staff and visitors at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse cancer treatment Hospital in Camperdown.
Students from many year levels gave up their lunchtimes and worked at home to create the masks, using different methods. Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean said she was very proud of the girls and all the volunteers who donated their time, gained a new skill, and did something wonderful for others in our community. “It has been a tremendous experience for our students, and we hope that the patients at the Hospital undergoing treatment get some joy from the brightly-colour hand-crafted face masks worn by their visitors.”
Head of School, Andrew Hill said this was a great initiative by Glenaeon Teachers and Students and was an example of the altruistic and artisan programs coming together for the good of the community as a whole.
#DukeofEdAUS #dukeofed #worldready #cancer #covid19au
Read moreYear 8 explores Tharwa ACT
12 Nov 2020
As part of our Outdoor Education program, our Year 8s recently enjoyed exploring Tharwa, bushwalking and camping out amongst ACT's stunning natural landscape. Teacher Elena Rowan took these photos, capturing the beauty and the adventure.
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store is open every day with lots of gift ideas in store
12 Nov 2020
We’re starting to feel a little festive with exquisite Native Bush Wreaths that one of our local artisans, Melanie Harper, is creating. Hand-collected as the seasons provide, and crafted into special one-of-a-kind wreaths, ideal for hanging or as a table setting. We will be offering a limited number for pre-order so come in and pop your name down if you would like to take one home for the festive season.
Also, we will soon have Christmas Craft Kits available to take home or give as crafty gifts, so keep your eye out for those in the coming weeks.
A delivery of quality Australian picture books, as well as a selection of titles for older readers, has arrived in store. There are some beautiful editions with enchanting illustrations that would make lovely gifts.
With all the rain we have been having of late, we are now happy to have in store SPLASHitToMe raincoats in childrens' sizes 2-10 with adult and other sizes available to order.
Come along and visit the shop for lots of beautiful gift ideas as well as all the usual favourites like wool felt, modelling beeswax, rainbow wool yarn, crayons, pencils and watercolour paints.
Opening Hours for Term 4
Monday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Tuesday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Wednesday: 8.30am–12.30pm
Thursday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Friday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Read morePoppies at Castlecrag
12 Nov 2020
Class 1 and 2 planted poppies, snapdragons and natives in their new garden, and just in time for Remembrance Day, the most beautiful red poppies burst into bloom. There were many busy bees visiting and the garden also attracted the butterflies!
Read moreKnitted Friends in Class 2
12 Nov 2020
Class 2 are taking their knitting to another level, designing and knitting their own personalised dolls! They follow their pattern, choosing their colours and clothes, and will finish by adding hair, features and accessories, with guidance from the Handwork teacher Elizabeth Ellean, who also drew a beautiful chalkboard to accompany the lessons.
Read moreSending Love to Sandra
12 Nov 2020
When Sandra slipped and broke her collarbone, the children gathered to water the gardens, dig out the compost and care for the gardens at Castlecrag. They also made a plethora of gifts and cards which were delivered by Melony to her door. It is the measure of a great teacher, that the children can continue in their absence, with the same rhythm and enthusiasm. We all wish Sandra a speedy recovery and return! Look at all the composts, watering, flowers, bees, the playground and cups of tea in these cards! Playgroup has continued beautifully thanks to lovely Carly from Preschool, who has enjoyed visiting Castlecrag and meeting all of Sandra's playgroup children. Said Sandra from home: “I am so pleased that they know what to do, even though I am not there! They have learned how to garden, compost and fertilise from Playgroup through Preschool, Kindergarten and it continues through the Primary school. When one person in the team steps out, everyone else knows how to keep all the cycles going. I am enormously grateful to the children and their teachers for coming forward to continue caring for the plants and the animals in all the school gardens until I return.”
Read moreSport resumes
12 Nov 2020
After what seemed like an eternity, Glenaeon’s Middle School students were able to once again measure up in friendly competition against other schools in our ISD sports association: the sports carnival calendar resumed. After eight long months of COVID-19 related waiting, cancelling and postponing of several carnivals, the ISD Soccer Carnival was the first carnival back in Term 4 with the easing of restrictions. It was finally held on October 15.
In far-away Liverpool’s Ireland Park all emotions were displayed in winning, drawing and also losing games in tight competition. The senior boys’ team made it to the finals in which they lost 2:1 to Amity College, a very strong team that had to play with all their wits to beat Glenaeon. I congratulate our goal scorers Elke, Mya (Yr 9), Jayden (Yr 8), Evan (Yr 12) and Remy and Remi (both Yr 10) and all those students who put their heart and soul into playing great games!
Then, on October 28 the ISD Touch Football Carnival was held, again in Liverpool. Due to absences with camp, Glenaeon teams were under strength but not less motivated than had they been in a stronger team with the older absent students. That meant that the junior teams consisted only of Yr 7 students, playing opposition teams that fielded Yr 9 students!
There was a lot of learning that took place for our young and inexperienced sides as they tried to break through defence lines, playing the ball well and attempting to score tries. All in all the losses heavily outweighed the wins but on the positive, 17 tries were scored! The senior girls’ and boys’ teams got a win each and that against teams that play together on weekends and had a lot more playing experience compared to the Glenaeon teams.
I want to pay my respects to the enormous running, dodging and passing efforts of all 37 students who participated. The following students scored tries and need to be congratulated for that: Ethan and Evan (both Yr 12), Remy, Riley, Pipi and Sophie (all Yr 10), Elke and Beniah (both Yr 9) and Deva, Charlie and Luka K. (all Yr 7).
It is so pleasing to see that our students seem to understand, that these carnivals are not just about winning, they are about learning, extending yourself, about comradery and putting yourself out there. They are about experiencing both happiness in winning as well and frustration in defeat in a team setting where learning will ensue as a result of dealing with such emotions. The joy of scoring a goal or a try for the team, the fun we have on the bus rides, and the fact that students play together with other students from other year levels and make new friends which connects them better to their fellow students at school and the school itself. There is so much to like about being active outside in a social setting and so much to learn!
The last carnival will be the ISD Netball carnival on November 10 and we look forward to more great learning on a sports field near us. I want to thank all students for their effort, courage and commitment to representing Glenaeon so positively in the community.
Jonas Stoebe
PDHPE Teacher & Co-curricular Organiser
Grassroots Eco Store is now open every day on the Castlecrag Campus!
29 Oct 2020
We’ve been busy sourcing lots of beautiful new products to share with you. Something we know many of you will be excited about are Yuki's natural dyed felt dolls, gnomes, sea creatures and more. Yuki is a parent at Glenaeon and is well-known for her exquisite crafting skills. We are thrilled to have a collection of her beautiful treasures available now through the shop.
There is also a new range of gorgeous soft leather slippers available, beautiful hand-knitted jumpsuits for the little people in your life, some unique gift ideas and LOTS of rainbow and coloured wool in stock. Along with all your usual favourites like wool felt, modelling beeswax, crayons, pencils and beautiful children’s books.While the HSC exams are running in the Castlecrag Hall, the top entrance gate on Edinburgh Rd continues to provide access to Grassroots Eco Store.
Opening Hours for Term 4
Monday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Tuesday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Wednesday: 8.30am–12.30pm
Thursday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Friday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
https://grassrootsecostore.com.au/
Thank you for shopping locally. A portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
Read moreSilent Auction 2020 - 1-15 November
29 Oct 2020
Art & Craft Silent Auction goes live today! Please access below link to look at the stunning collection of arts and crafts made by students from Little Kindy to Year 8 for this year’s silent auction. Bidding will open at 9am this Sunday, 1 November. Please pass on the link to friends and families, and help us fundraise for the school’s GPA. Bidding will close on 15 November. A big thank you to all the parents, teachers, and special helpers for assisting the students put these items together. Happy bidding!
https://www.glenaeonfair.com/silent-auction
Read moreGlenaeon Raffle - drawn 5pm 22 November 2020
29 Oct 2020
The 2020 Glenaeon Raffle is live online. Please forward the link to your friends, neighbours, colleagues and relatives and encourage ticket sales. The Glenaeon raffle is a major fundraiser for the GPA and this year, due to the COVID restrictions, it will be a significant contribution to the GPA fundraising. Once again the generosity of the parents and local businesses has been tremendous and we would like to thank everyone who contributed to our raffle this year.
For more details and to purchase your raffle tickets, please visit www.glenaeonfair.com
Read moreGlenaeon Art Show Online 2020 1-22 November
29 Oct 2020
The Glenaeon Art Show 2020 online will be available for previewing from 1–15 November. We will then be hosting viewing by appointment for interested parties to come and view the artworks they have expressed an interest in. Note that this is by appointment only and will be held on Sunday 15th November 2020.
Bidding for artworks will then commence from 9am on Monday 16 November and close at 5.00pm on Sunday 22 November.
For more details please visit www.glenaeonfair.com
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Reflections
29 Oct 2020
Term four is a unique time in a school’s calendar as it brings with it both endings and beginnings. Reflections on the past three terms (or, in the case of Year 12, on a memorable 13 years of schooling!) colour and give context to the ways in which we experience the wrapping up of the year. As summer approaches we also sense a welcomed ‘out-breathing’, a looking forward to languid days of warmth, children playing, teenagers sleeping and, if we are lucky, dreamy rest for ourselves.
But a pulse for what is coming is also very much present. Kindergarten children look forward to meeting their Class Teacher and entering Class 1, Class 6 students from both inside and outside the School anticipate the start of their Glenaeon High School journey, Year 10 feels drawn to the demands of the senior studies program and Year 11 students suddenly find themselves being called Year 12 after only a two-week Spring break!
Where it is understood that 2021 will follow 2020, and that 2022 is around the corner, where a gallop through childhood and adolescence leads to the moment when steps beyond school are taken, anyone could be excused for thinking about time as linear phenomenon. For students and parents (and I can speak from experience about both), the natural progression from one stage to the next is the aspect that stands out… a movement from ‘was’, to ‘now’, to ‘then’.
For those of us working in Kindergarten, the High School or in an administrative role, however, the progression through the year could be likened to a colour-wheel of experiences, where beginnings and endings seamlessly merge though shades of subtle hues that dovetail the past, present and future. 2020 graduations and end of year celebrations lie adjacent to 2021 welcome events, and next year’s calendar becomes as vivid in the minds of the School’s organisers as does the calendar of the year in which we are in. Year 12 of 2020 is celebrated at the end of their secondary school journey while at the same time Year 12 of 2021 step up to the fray (the senior teachers don’t miss a beat as the HSC syllabi are simply turned back to page one!). Eager faces of Year 7 students who will join the school next year experience a High School science lesson at their orientation day just moments after their current counterparts are taught the lesson in earnest. Even tinier children than the current Kindergarten cohort get to play in the flow-form and sandpit where ‘soon to be gone’ children have built mud pies just moments before. And from these perspectives, it can be perceived that time is circular.
For us teachers in the High School, shepherding young people on their journey and having the great pleasure of getting to know their families in the meantime, we are aware of the linear nature of an individual’s path, their growing and maturing, but we are also conscious of the stages of development through which whole year levels evolve… the parts of the excitements, challenges, questions and answers which are the archetypal stages of young people’s progressions. And we are aware of the cyclical nature of our profession and understand that it is our task to open up, year after year, a journey of becoming that for an individual is an experience in time through which to move but which for us is a moment held in suspension, always ready to be revisited.
There is something beautiful in being able to see the year in this way and in Term 4 time as a cyclical reality is acutely experienced. For the period that is ‘Term 4’, we Kindergarten, High School teachers and school administrators come to feel we are suspended at the pivot point. We are at the moment where the beginnings and endings overlap and I am reminded of a beautiful poem by Judith Wright that starts with the words, “Oh where does the dancer dance, the invisible centre spin, whose bright periphery holds, the world we wander in?” And at this time in the year we could say that we know where that centre is, just for a moment before 2021 carries us away, and we are dancing there.
Read moreCreating Family Culture with Mary Heard – Wednesday 18 November 2020 via Zoom
29 Oct 2020
During the past seven months we have all experienced the anxiety of uncertainty, threat of illness, financial and work stress and a restricted lifestyle but we have also experienced slowing down, simplifying, self-sufficiency and more family time. As we move into the transitional phase of the Coronavirus pandemic, we again need to take the initiative as parents to generate security, nourishment and inspiration in our family life. Our children need to know that good things can come out of this time and we can give them that reassurance by actively creating a family culture that reflects these values.
Our family culture is our ‘way of life’ and our family ‘customs’ which tend to be rhythmical activities shared by all family members. Anything we commit to and give a place in the family rhythm becomes important and will automatically take precedence over the unimportant things that are constantly demanding our attention. It is us creating the structure and focus of our family life rather than leaving it in the perilous hands of outside forces.
In the Zoom workshop on Wednesday 18 November we will be reviewing our family cultures to see how we can honour events we have already established as important and where we may need to create new events that can bring us closer as a family, and hold us together as we move into a still uncertain future. We will look at daily rhythms such as dinner times and bedtimes, weekly rhythms such as regular weekend activities and seasonal rhythms such as holidays and festivals. The more predictable we can make these for our children the happier and calmer they will feel knowing there are things in the world they can count on no matter what.
The most important thing about these rhythmical activities is that they are nurturing and fun for the parents as well as the children. They need to be areas of the family where everyone’s needs and wants overlap. It is important that at least some of them are fun things that we do for their own sake rather that to achieve anything or better ourselves in any way. A rhythmical weekend activity might be walking to the local coffee shop so that Mum or Dad can have a coffee while the children have some shared enjoyable time with the whole family and the local community. It might also be a couple of games of Uno every Friday night (maybe progressing to 500 as they get older) or a bushwalk every Sunday morning. If these activities are created as ‘not negotiable’ early in a child’s life they will not be questioned just as children don’t question the school bell ringing at 9am.
Rhythm gives our children a sense of ‘order’ in life. It creates a natural breathing in and out and gives them anchors of predictability to hold onto. The culture we create in or family tells our children that their family matters and that they matter because they are a part of that family, it is their first real sense of living in a community and it is an area where we have significant influence as parents.
I look forward to seeing members of the school community on Zoom at 7.30pm on Wednesday 18 November.
For more from Mary visit: http://www.maryheard.com.au/
Click here to register for this event
Read moreWho's laughing now?
29 Oct 2020
School staff were startled by the loud chortle of a “bushman's alarm clock” a few weeks ago, and discovered that Science teacher Dr Stanley Tang had captured a Kookaburra casually sitting on the Cafe Deck fence post. Stanley recorded the bird’s details as part of his research project taking place on the grounds of our Middle Cove campus. Students assisted in the recording of the birds details for the study. Our Enrolments Registrar Chandra Kennedy held the bird for Stanley as he wrote up the findings. The noisy Kooka was set free shortly after and happily returned to its favourite branch on a nearby gum.
Read moreIntroducing Taryn Miller, the new owner of Grassroots Eco Store
29 Oct 2020
Taryn is the new owner of Grassroots Eco Store located on the grounds of Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School’s Castlecrag Campus on Edinburgh Road.
The store stocks beautiful items such as craft materials, books, toys, clothing, gifts and more. Grassroots products are either Australian made, fair trade, non-toxic, organic, recycled and sustainable. All products are handpicked as the best ethical, local, natural and fair products for our families and community to enjoy.
Taryn is no stranger to Glenaeon and we’re so pleased to have her here at our beautiful school. We asked Taryn to share a little bit about herself:
What is your connection to Glenaeon and Steiner?
My connection to Steiner Education started many years ago, on my first day of Kindergarten at Lorien Novalis Rudolf Steiner School (one of Sydney’s other Steiner Schools). The songs, the stories, and the rich content of the lessons completely captured my imagination and I continued at Lorien all the way to year 12.
When my children were born the only parenting certainty I had was that they would go to a Steiner School! After attending Ebba’s beautiful playgroup at Glenaeon with my first child, I knew Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School was going to be a good fit for our family.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
My partner, Cameron and I have two boys who now both attend Glenaeon in Kindy and Class 3. After many years of living in Sydney’s Inner-West, we made the move to Killarney Heights once the children started school. We have loved the “Tree-Change” that living in the little village of Killarney Heights offers. With its tree-lined streets, constantly displaying the changes of the seasons so beautifully. My favourite time of year is Autumn when the trees are awash in autumn colours.
What are your plans for the Grassroots Eco Store?
My wish is to continue to source ethical and environmentally friendly materials and products for our community. I’d like to ensure these products are available, not only in-store, but also online, making it easier than ever to buy, and to share our Steiner inspired collection of products with your family and friends.
From the practical things like lunchboxes, drink bottles, slippers and raincoats to creativity inspiring art and craft materials along with the beautiful felt and wooden toys for hours spent in open-ended play.
I’ve already begun sourcing a curated selection of quality, age-specific books that nourish the imagination, and help parents navigate the question of what book is right for my child’s age? And this is something that I would like to expand on over time.
Lastly, I am also very passionate about being able to promote the work of local makers and artisans. We have a very creative community here at Glenaeon and I would love for Grassroots Eco Store to become a creative hub filled with unique, handmade, locally sourced products representing the many talented people in our community. You will already see a beautiful collection of local makers and artists work starting to emerge in-store.
What products are really popular amongst our community?
With a lot of classes learning new craft skills this term, there has been a big demand for our Australian made 100% wool yarn in all the rainbow colours. Our new range of soft leather slippers have also been very popular with students and are perfect indoor footwear for the warmer months.
The Stockmar modelling beeswax blocks in a rainbow of colours are always popular along with the Stockmar pure beeswax crayons, which the students use in class but often love to have for use at home too.
What are you looking forward to the most about running the store?
Getting to know more people in the community, a lot of people have already stopped by to say hello and introduce themselves which has been so lovely.
I’m looking forward to updating and expanding the Grassroots Eco Store website so that all the beautiful products we stock can be available to a wider online community.
I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to support the work of the incredible teachers at Glenaeon, by providing specially sourced craft materials, toys and books that further enrich the Steiner learning experience and bring a little bit of that magic that sparks the imagination into the home.
What are three things you like most about our school?
The teachers and staff at Glenaeon are truly inspiring, they are all so incredibly dedicated and I’m in awe of their creativity to so imaginatively bring the lesson content alive for their students.
The wonderful seasonal festivals celebrated at the school and with the community are a highlight of the year for our family. My favourite is the Harvest Festival in Autumn and spending the day apple picking in the orchards at Bilpin. There is nothing better than eating an apple picked straight from the tree!
The beautiful bushland setting that both the Middle Cove and Castlecrag campus resides on is something I appreciate even more now that I’m working at the campus every day. I have already made friends with the pair of rainbow lorikeets that sit in the gum tree outside the entrance to the shop.
School Term Opening Hours
Monday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Tuesday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Wednesday: 8.30am–12.30pm
Thursday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Friday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Purchases can be made in-store at 121 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag, NSW, 2068 or online: grassrootsecostore.com.au
Follow @grassroots_ecostore on Instagram and Facebook to find out about new products and events!
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Glenaeon Swap Sell
29 Oct 2020
Class 6 perform Aladdin
29 Oct 2020
Last Friday Class 6 performed the play ‘Aladdin’ in front of fellow students, teachers and school administration staff. They had rehearsed for many weeks, and finally all those rehearsals and preparations culminated in a wonderful show, that told the tale of Aladdin, a poor street boy, who meets a young girl in the market place who happens to be Princess Jasmine, the daughter of the Sultan of Hasbah. She is sad because she is being forced to marry her father's choice of suitor. Aladdin's luck suddenly changes when he retrieves a magical lamp from the Cave of Wonders. What he unwittingly gets is a fun-loving genie who only wishes to have his freedom. Little do they know that the sinister magician Omar has his own plans for both Aladdin and the lamp.
Brightly coloured costumes, hand-crafted and impressive props and enlivening singing, dance and music, came together, with wonderful performances by the talented cast. The students learned a great deal about performance, drama and theatre, and had a great deal of fun along the way.
We missed the fact our parents could not be in the audience due to COVID-19 restrictions and hope these images go some way to illustrating the wonderful event. Well done to all and thank you to the volunteers, parents and others who contributed to the play’s great success.
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Thanks to our Chicken Carers
29 Oct 2020
We extend a big thank-you to the five families from Classes 3, 5 and 7 who fed, watered and cleaned productive nesting boxes throughout the Term 3 and Term 4 breaks. We are delighted that our chickens Pepper, Whitney, Olive, Patsy and Dot provided daily eggs for their ‘holiday carers’.
Thanks also to Class 5 for harvesting beautiful flowers and vegetables as a token of our gratitude to the chicken carers.
The Garden Team
Read moreClass 2 play - the King of Ireland's Son
29 Oct 2020
Class 2 rose to the occasion and performed their play 'The King of Ireland's Son' - the story of a young man on an adventurous quest with the help of animals and friends in the deep woods. After losing a bet with the Enchanter of the Back-Lands, he has a year and a day to find the Enchanter's castle and pluck three hairs from his beard, otherwise he will lose his life. Facing many tricks and challenges, he finally succeeds, travelling on a journey of swans, wild birds, steeds to meet the three daughters of the King. The King of Ireland's Son succeeds, winning not only the hand of his beloved Fedelma, but the hearts of the small audience watching too! The children played percussion and lyre, and dressed in colourful costumes on decorative sets.
Read moreHome made herbal teas from the garden
29 Oct 2020
Herbs that had been gathered, harvested and dried were carefully put together to make jars of homemade herbal tea to take home. Lavender for relaxation, sage for sore throats, native mint for the nose, lemon balm and lemongrass were combined. The herbs grow in abundance and as the children learn the many uses and ways to upcycle everything! Not much is wasted here at Castlecrag as we recycle all of our plants, organic matter and waste through the compost and recycling systems. The deep pit compost provides an enormous amount of living soil for our garden beds, and children make weed fertiliser and natural tonics for the soil which is transported and shared between all three Glenaeon campuses. No wonder our gardens grow so well! Thanks to Gardening teachers Sandra and Kathy, as well as garden assistants Edgar and Michelle, and all the children for their daily work and enjoyment in our gardens!
Read moreProud recyclers at Castlecrag ahead of National Recycling Week
29 Oct 2020
We are proud recyclers here at Castlecrag. Every day, the children help to sort and deliver the clean, sorted rubbish to the many different bins. We produce a surprisingly low amount of waste for a campus of over 100 people, thanks to our strong recycling and reusing programs. Nothing is wasted, and everything that can be upcycled, recycled or repurposed does not even make it into the bins! We have chickens, composts and gardens that use much of our waste. Children bring no wrappers or packaged foods to school, paper is recycled or composted, and the excess goes to our recycling bins. We sort paper (blue bin), glass/metal (yellow bin), soft plastics (taken back to the supermarket), and pride ourselves a very low landfill output (the red bins). We have solar panels for power, and operate mostly off-grid, repair and resell our toys at our fair (not this year due to COVID-19), and turn our plant waste into fertilisers and plant food. It's worth the effort, with the children learning how important it is to take care of our own planet and place. Every week is National Recycling Week at Glenaeon, with the national environmental campaign kicking off on November 9.
Read moreKindy wet felt 'Floating Blossoms'
29 Oct 2020
Guided by wonderful felter Christine Wiltshire, Kindergarten children have made the most beautiful wet felted piece called "Floating Blossoms" with an exquisite turquoise background. Using soft fleece roving, they carefully formed the blossoms and placed them on the pond, before felting them together. The colours and final piece is stunning. This piece is Kindergarten's contribution to the Silent Auction items, available for sale through the Glenaeon Art Show. https://www.glenaeonfair.com/silent-auction
Read moreClass 2 blackboard drawings
29 Oct 2020
We have all enjoyed some really beautiful blackboards for recent Main Lessons in Class 2 at Castlecrag. From Merchants and Sailors, Animal Fables, to the Square Fortress number square and Saintly Lives - such artworks are both beautiful and inspirational to children and staff alike and remain on the board for the duration of each Main Lesson. Enjoy these recent beauties!
Read moreYear 8 – hand-dyed paper and silk series
29 Oct 2020
Year 8 students experimented hand-dying pieces of rice papers and silks using leaves, steel and rust during handwork class. These items have been turned into a beautiful series of home décor – frames, mobile, and hanging scrolls, all up for grabs in our Silent Auction. Well done Year 8!
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Spring is here and Kindy return
15 Oct 2020
Spring is in full swing, and Kindy are out playing in the warm sunshine and the seasonal nature tables have animals and spring fairies on them. It is lovely to see and hear all the children back at Castlecrag, laughing, playing with water and grinding 'fairy dust' from coloured stones.
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Grassroots Eco Store – Goodbye Felicity, Welcome to Taryn!
15 Oct 2020
After five years at Grassroots Eco Store on the Castlecrag Campus, I said a heartfelt thank you and goodbye at the end of Term 3. It has been an honour and a privilege to run my store there and feel a strong connection to the Glenaeon community. I am deeply grateful for all the conversations and customers I've had over those years. Thank you all very much for your support and kindness. I am leaving the store in very capable hands and wish Taryn Miller as much joy as I have had there.
Warm regards, Felicity
Thank you Felicity for making the Grassroots Eco Store such a warm and inviting destination for the Glenaeon community, we know that you will be truly missed on the Castlecrag campus. Some of you may know me as Leon (yr 3) and Felix’s (kindy) Mum. I also have a deep connection to Steiner Education being fortunate enough to have gone to Lorien Novalis Rudolf Steiner School from Kindy to Yr 12. So my love of rainbows, wooden toys and the smell of beeswax runs very deep! My wish is to continue to provide environmentally friendly materials that support and enrich the imaginative lessons taking place in the classroom, bringing a little bit of magic and beauty to your family and home. Please drop in and say hello, there will be lots of beautiful new products and books arriving throughout the term. To keep everyone safe, a COVID-19 safe shop visit means you need to sign in and sanitise hands upon entry to the store, and visitors are not permitted in classrooms or playgrounds.
I very much look forward to meeting you!
Warmest wishes, Taryn
Opening Hours for Term 4
Monday: 8:30am–11:30am & 2pm–3:45pm
Tuesday: 8:30am–11:30am & 2pm–3:45pm
Wednesday: 8:30am–12:30pm
Thursday: 8:30am–11:30am & 2pm–3:45pm
Friday: 8:30am–11:30am & 2pm–3:45pm
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Anne Marie Jonas Class of 1979
15 Oct 2020
Anne Marie Jonas graduated from Glenaeon in 1979 having started in Transition at Dalcross in 1967. Transition was a year between Kindergarten and Class 1 and Dalcross was at Pymble for years Kindergarten to Class 2; Middle Cove was Class 3 onwards.
This is her story...
What have you been doing since school?
When I left Glenaeon I went straight to work, before moving to Europe. I went to University 12 years after leaving school. It seemed travelling and working was a great combination and for the past 25 years I have flown for QANTAS on the International routes working in the First or Business Class cabins; finally using my language skills learnt at school and honed whilst living overseas.
What impact did Glenaeon have on your study/career choice?
I can’t directly say what impact Glenaeon had on my study/career choice but I feel the fact that my choices have always had a human element speaks volumes. Over the years when people discover I’ve had a Steiner education they’d say (in a positive way) “that explains it” - particularly, when I worked in Merchant Banking (in the 1980’s), one elderly German gentleman added “you must of had extraordinary parents”.
What is your favourite memory of Glenaeon?
Doesn’t everybody, from my era, answer the “favourite memory” question with: “the Bamboo Patch” and watching the sewer bridge overflow? I always liked school so I could say that’s a favourite memory.
What are you plans for the future?
Many of us must be wondering what our future plans are. In my case as my wonderful working lifestyle has come to a grinding halt. However, since early 2018, around the world, in my time between flights, I’ve spent hours developing a t-shirt for people with mobility issues. I’ve called it Flex-A-Tee and stand down has given me time to pull everything together and to launch www.flexatee.com
The idea was conceived to help my Mum with Alzheimer’s. Her carers asked me to look for a top with a larger neckline; as sometimes she wouldn’t bend her arms and wasn’t so easy to dress. So, look I did - I didn’t want a top that was low cut or wrap around - wasn’t there something with a couple of press studs at the neckline (like baby wear)? In a word, No! Voila! Flex-A-Tee was born.
In Qantas we call a second job/exit strategy a “red webbing loop” (a reference to the handle in the floor of the door frame to be pulled in the event the emergency slide/raft doesn’t inflate). Flex-A-Tee is my “red webbing loop “and I plan to continue to make good use of stand down and bring this adaptive/accessible/inclusive wear product to a wider audience.
Our GlenX community are invited to share their own “Where Are They Now?” story by contacting newsletter@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreGlenaeon Art Show Online 2020 1-22 November
15 Oct 2020
Due to the current COVID restrictions we are unable to host the Glenaeon Family Fair this year. However, although the current restrictions prevent us from holding a physical art show we have decided to host the Glenaeon Art Show online.
The Glenaeon Art Show will be available for previewing from 1st – 15th November. We will then be hosting viewing by appointment for interested parties to come and view the artworks they have expressed an interest in. Note that this is by appointment only and will be held on Sunday 15th November 2020.
Bidding for art works will then commence from 9am on Monday 16th November and close at 5pm on Sunday 22nd November.
For more details please visit www.glenaeonfair.com
Read moreSilent Auction 2020
15 Oct 2020
To all class parents and silent auction volunteers: the time has arrived to finish your class art/craft item for this year’s auction. Please drop the finished item at our Castlecrag campus by Friday, 16 October. Please ring Melony on 02 9958 0774 to arrange drop off.
The auction website will go live on 29 October for viewing. Bidding will open at 9am on Sunday, 1 November and will close at 5pm on Sunday, 15 November. The link to the website will be provided in the next newsletter (29 October) and also mailed out to all class parents for distribution to each class.
Thank you, Lisa & Erika
Read moreMiddle Cove campus gets fresh paint, air con and a new outdoor classroom!
15 Oct 2020
Students will no doubt notice the fine work of our dedicated Maintenance Team and Operations & Facilities Manager Chris Scrogie and specialist contractors who have made some exciting improvements at our Middle Cove campus over the holidays.
Firstly, the basketball courts have been given an upgrade having just been resurfaced, and are ready for students to slam dunk their way through the term.
Secondly, with summer on the way and the warmer weather almost upon us, students should be feeling cool for school, with air conditioning now installed into Year 7 and 8 classrooms.
Finally, the Garden’s Outdoor Classroom build is well under construction and final work is being carried out. Students are not permitted in this work zone until the building works have been completed, but this space will soon be open and will make a wonderful space in the open air to learn about nature in nature. The original outdoor learning space was damaged in the storms in late 2019, and it’s very exciting that we will soon be opening up this new and improved space for all our Middle Cove students to enjoy. Not all classrooms have four walls!
Read moreClass 2 Play Practice - The King of Ireland's Son
15 Oct 2020
Class 2 has been busy rehearsing for their class play "The King of Irelend's Son". Costumes and props are emerging and the children are rising both to the story and occasion!
Read morePlaygroup is happily back
15 Oct 2020
Playgroup has returned in small COVID-19 managed groups, and what a delight it is! Stories, bread baking, playing in the sandpit and the children being able to explore and share valuable time together.
Read moreClass 1 learning to knit
15 Oct 2020
Class 1 are learning to knit, and their vibrant coloured wool and hand-made knitting needles are a joy to watch.
Read moreGlenaeon Raffle
14 Oct 2020
The 2020 Glenaeon Raffle is now open and tickets can be purchased online. Please share the link with your friends and relatives so they too can enter the draw. The Glenaeon Raffle is a major fundraiser for the GPA and this year.
For more details please visit www.glenaeonfair.com
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Year 12 2020 Farewell
29 Sep 2020
It's time to start bidding a fond farewell to our wonderful Year 12 cohort. It’s been an extremely emotional time, not only for the students who are saying goodbye to their teachers and younger members of our Glenaeon community, but for the teachers and staff that have encouraged and inspired these people for many wonderful years, some since Preschool.
Their last day of Term 3 started with a final roll call and gathering with our Year 12 Guardian Yura Totsuka and Year 12 Advisor Brigitte Tietge-Rollans. Following on, in one of the great traditions of Glenaeon, all the students from Years 7-11 and Class 3-6 created a “walk through – guard of honour” with students flanking the main campus walkway through which the Year 12s strode for towards the Hall for their ‘well-wishing’ assembly.
There were tears shed as the school community gifted each of the Year 12 students with COVID safe hummed tunes, poems, a speech, musical performances and all presented with personalised and heartfelt keepsakes for them to remember their school life at Glenaeon. Deputy Head of School (Years 7-12) Elizabeth Nevieve wished the group well. “It has been wonderful to have witnessed your unfolding over the years, especially as I had the pleasure of having been your Class Guardian when we had that structure in place back in 2017! You have always been open to all that a Steiner education has to offer, and have embraced the humanities, sciences, technological subjects and arts (including eurythmy!) with equal interest and vigour. You hold a special place in my heart, and I wish you joyful and invigorating study throughout this upcoming preparation period and success in your examinations”.
Head of School Andrew Hill asked them to enjoy the heartfelt offerings from all the year levels as a parting gift to them, and looked forward to their return after the HSC exams when they would perform a Graduation Assembly as a final gift back to the school. He wished them well for their serious work over the next six weeks and sent them off with the classic line from The Eagles’ Hotel California, “You can check out any time you like, but you never leave”. While they were checking out today, he hoped their spirit would always be part of the Glenaeon community as GlenX.
Students were then cheered and clapped by the Year 11s and their teachers as they exited the Hall and made their way to out of the gates for their Mystery Tour. They enjoyed the day together with a beautiful lunch as prepared by Scottie Williams their Outdoor Education Coordinator on the banks of Scotts Creek, one of the wonderful local haunts where many memories have been created over their school years.
Our message to the Class of 2020: What a year it has been! Good luck with your examination preparations and we look forward to seeing you back after your exams for your graduation assembly.
#Classof2020 #Year122020 #GlenX #Alumni #Glenaeon #MeaningfulLives #Steiner #SteinerEducation
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We are SEW close: Can you sew?
17 Sep 2020
We need more volunteers to help reach our target of producing 100 face masks for donation to the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. Last week in the lunchtime group we had a delightful contingency of Class 4 children come and Eddy from that class came for the second time this week. He was guided by the capable Pipi in Year 10 and was hand stitching his mask. What a commendable effort!
Elizabeth Ellean has created some face mask directions and instruction sheets and these are available to Parents via the Handwork page on GLO (Glenaeon Learning Online portal). Please send an email to elizabethe@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au if you can help us to reach our goal before the end of Term 3.
#covid #facemask #sewing #volunteer #altrusitic #community #parents #volunteering
Read moreCall to Artists - Glenaeon's Art Show goes digital
17 Sep 2020
Art Show goes digital
Due to COVID, we are holding an online Art Show in 2020. If you would like to submit your art works for curation, please contact Clare Gordon at clareg@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au or go to the Glenaeon Fair website Art Show application form for artists https://glenaeonfair.wixsite.com/glenaeon-fair/apply-to-exhibit
Parents - if you can help spread the word, please download our Glenaeon Art Show 2020 Call to Artists flyer and share with your friends and colleagues
Donation to the Glenaeon Online Raffle
Calling out for donations to the Glenaeon Raffle. Help us raise funds for the GPA through our annual raffle. Please consider donating a prize. Please contact Clare Gordon at clareg@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au with your donations.
Read more
Now on sale: KFC6 magazine, $2 per copy
17 Sep 2020
A reminder for Parents that the Class 6 magazine KFC6 (KIDS FROM CLASS 6) is available for sale. Each copy is $2 and all funds raised will be donated to charity called Take 3 for the Sea a movement to reduce plastic from our oceans. Class 6 Parents can buy copies (photocopy or digital version) by sending a gold coin to school with their child. We also invite all other parents to send a $2 coin to school reception and Sarah will send a PDF copy of the magazine by email.
Read moreShowcase + Screens + Survey
17 Sep 2020
Showcase:
The Year 12 showcase yesterday was a huge achievement. It was a magnificent experience to walk into the Sylvia Brose Hall and take in the sheer quality and volume of project work in the subjects of:
* Visual Arts,
* Design and Technology,
* Science Extension,
* English Extension 2,
* Society and Culture,
* History Extension.
The students deserve congratulations for the vision and hard work they put into bringing their creative labours to completion over a whole year. The works are for the HSC, and will be marked, but the learning that each student went through will live on as a foundation for the rest of their lives. Their works did not exist a year ago, and by creating substantial works in whatever their subject, out of nothing, they have changed the world, and themselves, in the process. What better way of learning that an individual can change the world, for the better, one small work at a time.
Screens:
What does watching a screen do to a child or young person’s mind? It’s the question that’s been hotly debated for decades since movies, TV, video, then laptops and other devices, and now phones, have become so embedded in everyone’s lives.
Does watching a screen reduce the capacity to make independent thoughts? When we hear a story, we make pictures in our mind, mental images, of what we hear. Does seeing a fixed and vibrant artificial image on a screen reduce the ability of a child to create their own inner mental pictures?
There is a significant body of research now suggesting that it does. In a paper titled Screen-time influences children’s mental imagery performance, recently published in the academic journal Developmental Science, researchers have found further evidence of this link.
Taken directly from the paper, the research highlights are:
- Screen media provide children with ready‐made and visually dominated mental images, hence may reduce multimodal mental imagery.
- Using a longitudinal cross‐lagged design with 266 children we tested the effect of screen‐time on mental imagery, controlling for a host of variables.
- Greater screen‐time is linked to reduced mental imagery in children.
There are important issues for our future in a screen dominated world. Genuinely independent thought requires practice in forming those mental images. The more a child is presented with artificial images, the less practice they have in building the “muscle” of independent image generation.
Glenaeon’s primary school is device-free for this very reason. At a time when young brains are growing, we ensure that the muscles of inner mental activity are kept active. We build that mental image muscle through fostering an active image life in our students: stories, poetry, drawing and painting, sculpture, theatre, and all the active learning that goes into Main Lessons are important elements in this building of mental image “muscle”.
You can read the full research article here:< https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/desc.12978 >
Annual Glenaeon Parent Survey
Our annual parent survey will be in your inbox. The survey is an important opportunity to gather information on how you view the school and any suggestions for improvement.
One of the questions is your response to the School Leadership team. Leadership of the school is vested in the Glenaeon School Executive which comprises two overlapping groups carrying responsibilities for both compliance and education.
The Executive Risk Managers carry responsibility for critical incidents (such as the pandemic this year), risk, strategy and compliance, and meets weekly.
The Educational Executive carries responsibility for broader educational decision-making, and also meets weekly.
The Glenaeon School Executive is currently made up of the following people and roles:
- Andrew Hill: Head of School (RM/EE)
- Liz Nevieve: Deputy Head of School (7-12) (RM/EE)
- Dani Finch: Deputy Head of School (K-6) (RM/EE)
- Peggy Day: Preschool Director (RM/EE)
- Chris Scrogie: Operations Manager (RM)
- Rohan Wijesinghe: Finance Manager (RM)
- Catherine Pilko: Senior Teacher Castlecrag (EE)
- Brigitte Tietge-Rollans: Daily Coordinator (EE)
The survey is completely anonymous and there is no avenue for personal identity to be tracked back to anyone completing the survey. The survey is running over these final two weeks of Term 3, and there will be a number of reminders sent out as part of the survey process. As they say on the phone, “Your views are important to us….”
Read moreSomething fishy going on in Class 6
17 Sep 2020
Whilst Class 6's single-performance of “Aladdin” has been postponed until Friday 16th October, the play preparations are well and truly reaching new heights with the creation of some extraordinary fish puppets. Under the mentorship of parent, Jade Oakley, three Class 6 students Finley, Lucas and Finn, created these eye-catching, parade-sized puppets. Rehearsals are going swimmingly!
Read moreClass 6 dance through an Astronomy Main Lesson
17 Sep 2020
In preparation for the late July night star watch, Class 6 became acquainted with some of the ‘signatures’ of the ‘visible to the naked eye’ planets that we associate with Sun, Moon, Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. How do we experience their movements through the sky each night and day as they progress above the eastern horizon and down to the western horizon? The students adorned themselves in representative colours and created a lively ‘planet dance’ moving at differing speeds and proximity to our home ‘planet earth’.
This main lesson session was book ended with the class singing and playing drums to Kuake, a native American chant and then singing the planet honouring harmonious Oh Sun and Moon.
At dusk the class noted the sun setting in the west and witnessed the moon rising in the east followed in procession by Jupiter and then Saturn. Using the width of their hand from thumb to ‘pinkie’, they learned how to measure the five degree per hour movement of the moon across the sky.
The 13 stars of the Scorpio constellation with the bright red central star Antares were scrutinised. One must ‘connect the dots’ using imagination to see the larger picture of what humans for centuries have collectively but without collaboration noted as particular forms in the night sky. The overhead Southern Cross constellation graced the night before the class closed the evening singing “Oh Sun and Moon” again.
Oh Sun and Moon, oh wind that breathes.
Oh starlight shine, oh rustling leaves.
Moving, weaving, in and out.
Turning changing all about.
All in one together free,
Bind us all together.
Read moreKuake
Kuake, leno, leno mahote
Hiya no, hiya no, hiya no
We are one with the infinite Sun.
Together forever and ever.
Year 12s embark on a contemporary scientific journey
17 Sep 2020
Science Extension is a brand new NESA-developed course implemented in 2019 aiming at high-achieving science students in Year 12 who want to engage with complex concepts and theories and to critically evaluate new ideas, discoveries and contemporary scientific research. Students propose, develop and conduct an authentic scientific research project.
At Glenaeon, for the first time, three talented Year 12 students took the challenge to embark on this journey of scientific discovery in 2020.
Finn Gladstone discovered his interests in reptiles in Year 11. With the help of researchers from the University of Technology Sydney, he soon developed his scientific research project investigating the efficiency of insulation on artificial rocks in providing suitable habitat for rock-dwelling velvet geckos (Amalosia lesueurii) in Dharawal National Park. Finn spent many days in the field setting up artificial rocks, examining geckos and collecting crucial temperature data. Although the time is limited, he was able to successfully conclude that insulation is an effective strategy to improve the thermal viability of artificial rock models used for habitat restoration.
Justin Takayasu has always been fascinated with chemical engineering. While reading a very complex scientific journal on the application of cyclic voltammetry, he quickly came up with the idea of investigating the effects of pressure on the electrochemical window (electrical potential difference). However, without easy access to expensive equipment such as a potentiostat, Justin realised he had to change his approach. Collaborating with researchers from the University of North Carolina in the US, Justin decided to construct a “do-it-yourself” potentiostat following an existing protocol. After extensive and complex troubleshooting, Justin was able to successfully assess the reliability and accuracy of his “DIY” potentiostat in measuring cyclic voltammetry compared to other commercial potentiostat in published literature.
Keaun Wild took his inspiration from a contemporary issue – the COVID-19 pandemic. His research project focused on analysing the incidence of the novel coronavirus among different age groups in Australia. Taking publicly available large datasets from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Keaun used sophisticated statistical analysis to determine that the age range of 25-29 has the highest incidence in relation to its population proportion. He also argued that this pattern of incidence is different from other coronavirus outbreaks in the past, promoting further research into the susceptibility of the disease among different age groups.
#STEM #Science #Glenaeon #SteinerEducation #AuthenticResearch #InternationalCollaboration
Read moreAn Indigenous perspective
17 Sep 2020
Last Thursday, Muruwari descendant Matthew Doyle immersed our students in aspects of indigenous culture and perspective. After Matthew’s first visit to Glenaeon in 2019, it is the second time a Year 9 cohort has had the unique opportunity to learn about aspects of indigenous life. Matthew’s modest and casual way of speaking and presenting made it easy and engaging for students to ask questions and get involved themselves as Matthew touched on different aspects of indigenous culture.
He spoke about and showed the students leaves from a tree adjacent to the sports ground and explained the tree and its significance to indigenous people. The leaves were then integrated into a dance the group learned in a very short time, to which Matthew gave a rhythm and sang while the students followed his rhythm and moving the leaves up and down as to hide their faces while doing grimaces.
Matthew demonstrated different types of boomerangs (some meant to return, others used as weapons to hunt animals). As a very accomplished and celebrated song-man he revealed various simple Indigenous instruments for rhythm as well as the digeridoo. Glenaeon’s own Jamie (Year 7 teacher), himself a good didgeridoo player, played together with Matthew and gave the students an idea of the various ways of playing a digeridoo. Matthew spoke about the close connection to nature and the animal world and how everything Indigenous people did and do has connection to the spiritual world. One very interesting idea was that in Indigenous perspectives, all and everything is interconnected, all actions influence one other, nothing can be seen in isolation. And while we in a modern western context might think the same, our actions tell a very different story. The digeridoo was not just there to play music for example, it can also be used, among other things, to imitate animal sounds and connect to the spirit world of the animals.
The students were encouraged to try out the boomerang and some of the wooden instruments before we all headed to the amphitheatre for a presentation.
Class 3, 4, 5, 6 and the Year 9 cohort and various teachers witnessed Matthew playing the digeridoo and presenting song and dance he had practised with the classes during his time with them. All groups performed different songs and dances and Matthew sang to them in his very intricate and quiet way. We all came away enriched having been part of a culture so relevant to this country yet often so hidden away. It became visible to our students’ eyes, hearts and minds for at least this day, and hopefully many more to come.
#indigenous #firstpeoples
Read moreA journey tells a story
17 Sep 2020
While we slowly adjust to the new rhythms of life in 2020 I often find myself reminiscing on time spent in magnificent places and the stories that each different journey brings. The outdoor education story at Glenaeon has a depth and magnitude difficult to convey through word alone.
In 2019 I spent 128 nights in the field with different groups of students, and one group of parents. We were immersed in awe-inspiring places and had the world at our fingertips.
I often find that while the locations in themselves are all inspiring, for me, it’s the silent change in the students that is the highlight of the experience. A true sense of accomplishment and self-efficacy that cannot be found within one’s comfort zone or the bounds of four walls.
The Nepalese enrichment experience offered to last year’s graduating class was exactly that, enriching. A student group from the Class of 2019 experienced an incredible location, a inspiring story, and meaningful lives.
I would like to share with you the visual story of our incredible journey to Nepal, created by Nicholas Covelli.
KG
Outdoor Education Assistant
Year 9s and 10s Play the Bard
17 Sep 2020
Last week, Year 9 and Year 10 students were treated to a ‘Play the Bard’ incursion of Shakespeare in text and performance. Professional actors Tommy James Green and James Hartley staged a satirical spoof of Shakespeare’s creative process in relation to the plays produced, in this case Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, which led into workshops exploring features of Shakespearean language and aspects of performance. With a scene selected, the students workshopped how to use the stage and engage the audience from multiple angles with limited or no props. It is clear from the photographs that the students enjoyed the experience. David Green (English/HSIE Teacher & Tom’s dad)
Read moreSpring has sprung at Castlecrag
17 Sep 2020
Spring has well and truly sprung at Castlecrag! The warmth is inviting, the sunlight is shining and the blossoms are blooming! The jasmine is in full flower and it's scent penetrates the campus. Spring nature tables are full of life and the children have been enjoying the Spring verses in preparation for their Spring Celebrations next week. Kindy children have been grinding the stones to make ochre paint in the playground.
Read moreOur Preschoolers enjoy Spring!
17 Sep 2020
Here we are at Preschool wondering in the joy of Spring. It is a full sense experience with the warm bright weather, the smell of Jasmine in the air and the incredible growth in the plant world. Tiny mulberries and mulberry leaves are beginning to emerge on our white Mulberry Tree and one of our families has gifted us baby silkworms to nurture through their life cycle.
Silkworm on a mulberry leaf goes wriggle, wriggle, wriggle
Silkworm on a mulberry leaf goes munch, munch, munch
Silkworm on a mulberry leaf goes to sleep
And when he sleeps he has a dream of places he has never seen
He opens his eyes, is wide awake, spreads his wings, he's a moth-afly, flutterby moth-afly, fly fly
(adapted from Caterpillar on a soft green leaf by Ebba Bodame)
Snow peas and sugar snap peas are growing from their flowers and the children are very excited to spot them and check their growth.
Read moreRing-a-ding-a-ling - our school bell
17 Sep 2020
The sound of the old brass bell at Castlecrag is a happy sound, prompting children to run from the playground to their class balconies. Children enjoy taking turns to ring the bell, and occasionally even Kindy children find their way to ring its happy tune. It is such a lovely, friendly sound, and there is always a keen collection of children to run to get and ring the bell!
Read moreClass 1 Indigenous Stories - big and little letters
17 Sep 2020
To end the term, Class 1 have been experiencing some wonderful aboriginal stories of the Dreamtime. They have heard stories of the Sun Woman, the Moon Man, the Rainbow Serpent, the giant frog that drank up all of the water in the world and many other wonderful stories. They are filling their workbooks with both pictures and text, as they learn the capitals and lower case of each letter alongside the stories. Chalkboard drawings by Rodney Dean.
Read moreClass 1 garden comes to life
17 Sep 2020
Class 1 & 2 have been patiently toiling the soil outside Class 1, in preparation for this day. They have dug out roots and rocks, and planted both enduring natives close to the building, and flowers in the front section. This will be another 'working garden' for the children at Castlecrag, who all work in the garden every week with teacher Sandra Frain. It is lovely to see such care and enjoyment as they carefully tend their baby plants.
Read moreBush Regeneration project, a Natural Progression
17 Sep 2020
A select number of students from each of Year 7 & 8 have met for a total of eight Fridays since commencing the Bush Regeneration program back on February 14, 2020, with a brief lapse for Covid-19 but has resumed again since August.
Richard Blacklock and an apprentice have led us as contracted by Willoughby Council for a total of five sessions thus far. As the Liaison between the school and Mr. Blacklock, I support the students in this regeneration project each week. The Bush Care staff member has been present and supportive with some sessions too.
The students are enthusiastic and motivated to learn and to practice some of the principals of Bush Regeneration. They are interested in plant identification, the methods of weeding and the techniques for planting the desired Native Species. They are also making records by preserving some plant samples, taking photos and scribing.
Additionally, four wheel barrows of weeds harvested from Scott’s Creek (each session) are delivered to the school’s Biodynamic Garden. A ‘Weed Tea’ is subsequently brewed which harnesses the minerals in the weeds. After fermentation this liquid is used to fertilise impoverished areas of the school grounds. The remaining carbon of the weeds is then composted in one of our many garden compost systems.
As the students are already familiar with the school garden’s sustainable practices this bush regeneration project is a natural progression that deepens their capabilities for constructive community development around nature’s waterways.
Sandra Frain
Gardening Teacher
Read more
Kindy Games day
17 Sep 2020
Once a week, Kindergarten children enjoy structured games and participate in small groups through the activities. They look forward to 'Games Day' and relish the challenges of balance, coordination and fun.
Read moreYear 11 Parzival Main lesson
17 Sep 2020
Year 11 are commencing their Parzival Main lesson, and this Blackboard Beauty is by the talented Julia Byrne.
Read moreCareers Counselling for Year 12s
17 Sep 2020
Over the past two weeks our Year 12s have enjoyed career counselling sessions with a professional careers counsellor, Pamela Ledley.
Pamela meet with students to discuss their career aspirations and worked through information gleaned from career profiling tools such as Morrisby Profile (an online career profile tool that consists of a series of assessments and questionnaires) and My Career Match (a career profile tool that matches personality with career suggestions).
These sessions allowed each Year 12 student to work on an individual post-school plan. Of working with High School students Pamela said, "I love being part of their hopeful futures and in turn being inspired by the great things they are dreaming of doing."
Glenaeon has a GLO page dedicated to careers information which can be found by clicking here.
Read moreThe Cove delivers after Coronavirus disrupts
03 Sep 2020
Running, yoga, climbing, canoeing, bush walking, cooking....While The Cove program, built for our Year 9s went quiet during Term 1 and in part, Term 2 due to coronavirus restrictions, we are back strong and active to instill leadership, resilience, outdoor skill and cooperation - to name but a few – in our students.
From invigorating early morning runs along the various and now familiar tracks leading away from school, to yoga sessions that bring mindfulness and provide a calm beginning to the day, to bush walks, canoeing, rock climbing, trangia cooking and cooperative games and team building activities – the Year 9 cohort has experienced it all in the last few weeks.
While the yoga sessions are good to combat stress and teach the students a calm and positive mindset, the climbing challenged them every bit in their physical beings! Canoeing and bushwalking added to the activities experienced over three one-day local excursions in the last few weeks. The students got a renewed appreciation of the beauty of the immediate vicinity of their school as they hiked, paddled, ran, cooked and climbed in it. They even erected tents and tarps as a way to practice their skills for the upcoming Shoalhaven adventure in Term 4.
Although not every canoe steered by students out of the mangrove-lined exit of Scotts Creek into Fig Tree Cove was going in a straight line, students learned a lot about how to more efficiently manoeuvre the boats across water. Equally, putting up a tent for practice, more than to sleep in, may not be as rewarding, but is an essential to get right in the wilderness that awaits the students on the Shoalhaven River and its banks. The walls students climbed in four different routes were all within Harold Reid Reserve close to our school. The ropes were all set up by our Outdoor Education duo KG and Scottie and catered for different abilities. While half the cohort sat in a semi-circle not far from the walls to cook their mostly healthy meals they had brought along, the other part of the cohort attempted the walls before swapping activities around.
Three people were in each climbing team, one climber and two belaying the climber before taking turns. Harness and equipment as well as climbing technique were again explained to students as they learned about safety features and how to lower a climber safely down once they had reached their individual end point of their climbs. Some had great success reaching the top of their climbs!
Teamwork was needed in all activities as cooperation and a better connection between students is one of the core ideas about The Cove program that borrows from both PE and Outdoor Ed in the skills it aims to refine.
As bushwalking is such an essential skill in a country like Australia, it is also something we want our students to be confident in. Not every student is an avid bushwalker yet but they are getting better at it and practice makes perfect as we all know.
The Cove offers our Year 9s ample opportunity to catch up, to talk while walking, canoeing or cooking and thereby supporting the students social and emotional wellbeing. This comes at a crucial time as we are all under the COVID-19 cloud and somewhat less connected. It is also a time when teenage development is at a crossroads and many students may feel it’s ‘all about themselves’ feeling they have all the rights and few responsibilities. It is crucial that they have positive intervention, role models and activities that counter this idea and provide meaningful interaction with nature, in nature and with one another.
Read moreClass 6 launches KFC6 magazine, $2 per copy
03 Sep 2020
If you are concerned about diversity in media ownership, then you will be pleased to learn that Class 6 is publishing a brand new magazine called KFC6 (KIDS FROM CLASS 6) which will feature original stories, puzzles, illustrations, biographies, book reviews and recipes all created by the Class 6 students. The niche publication will be published twice in Term 3 and twice during Term 4.
Each copy is $2 and all funds raised will be donated to charity called Take 3 for the Sea a movement to reduce plastic from our oceans. Class 6 Parents can buy copies (photocopy or digital version) by sending a gold coin to school with their child. We also invite all other parents to send a $2 coin to school and you will be sent a PDF copy of the magazine by email.
Printed copies are also now available in the staffroom for teaching staff and school administrators to buy. Sources close to Class 6 say Rupert Murdoch is keenly watching and may place a take-over bid should sales go well, although we think Class 6 will want to keep the new title independent.
Read moreAnd Sew It GLO's - face mask intructions on GLO for parent volunteers
03 Sep 2020
Elizabeth Ellean has created some face mask directions and instruction sheets and these are available to Parents on the via the Handwork page on GLO (Glenaeon Learning Online portal).
There was another good turn out this Tuesday lunchtime in the textiles room for face making volunteers including Year 10 students, Pipi and Olivia who are driving the initiative as part of their Duke of Ed service.
The aim is to make over 100 masks for the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse cancer treatment hospital. The hospital is currently giving out huge numbers of masks each day to outpatients and visitors, and wearing a mask is a prerequisite for hospital entry.
Students that cannot make the Tuesday lunchtime session are encouraged to pick up a take home kit for students, family and friends to make. If you can help cut material and elastic, make up kits or sew masks then please send an email to elizabethe@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Parents are invited to help in the off-campus sewing bee:
- Download the face mask pattern https://www.mylifehouse.org.au/help-us-by-sewing-masks/ or use the one on GLO.
- Find some suitable fabric you have lying around or buy some
- Make as many face masks as you can
- Send some pics of your mask sewing activity to newsletter@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
- Ask your child to bring the completed masks to school and hand them in at reception
Glenaeon will arrange for delivery of the completed masks to Chris O’Brien Lifehouse at the end of the term. If you need fabric, please let Elizabeth know. If you can sew, donate fabric, elastic or support in any way, please contact Elizabeth via email elizabethe@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Sew much fun! And for a great cause!
#DukeofEdAus #worldready #dukeofed #covid #facemask #sewing #volunteer #altrusitic #comunity #parents #volunteering
Read moreCall to Artists - Glenaeon's Art Show goes digital
03 Sep 2020
Art Show goes digital
Due to COVID, we are holding an online Art Show in 2020. If you would like to submit your art works for curation, please contact Clare Gordon at clareg@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au or go to the Glenaeon Fair website Art Show application form for artists https://glenaeonfair.wixsite.com/glenaeon-fair/apply-to-exhibit
Donation to the Glenaeon Online Raffle
Calling out for donations to the Glenaeon Raffle. Help us raise funds for the GPA through our annual raffle. Please consider donating a prize. Please contact Clare Gordon at clareg@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au with your donations.
Read more
GlenXer Ashley Wilderink on the business upside to COVID in SMH article
03 Sep 2020
It's great to see GlenX's Ashley Wilderink owner of the Brothers Ben cafe in Petersham is getting support from her local comunity during the COVID pandemic. If you are in the area, please pop in and grab a coffee and support our GlenX community!
Ashley Wilderink, owner of the Brothers Ben cafe in Petersham, says coffee sales during the week are up “a huge amount” compared to before the pandemic.“So many people are working from home and they’re wanting coffee in the morning and they’re wanting lunch options as well, so that’s definitely gone up for us,” she said.“We’ve found the support from our local community has been awesome … right now being in a residential area is a gold mine I think.”The Brothers Ben cafe was forced to close for a fortnight in the early stages of the pandemic after a customer with a reported case of coronavirus visited. It has been serving only takeaway food and drinks since then.“It’s working for us,” Ms Wilderink said. “People appreciate that we’re trying to keep everyone safe.”
Read the SMH article in full: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/it-s-a-gold-mine-how-sydney-s-humble-suburban-cafes-bounced-back-20200830-p55qnd.html
CALL OUT TO GLEN X
If you are a member of our GlenX community and would like to share your reflections on your years at Glenaeon, and tell us what you are up to now, please send an email to newsletter@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au. We'd love to hear from you!
Read more
Ode to Joy
03 Sep 2020
When the current Year 12 students were in Year 9, and when their first examinations were looming, I gave them a booklet called, ‘A Guide to Joyful, Invigorating Study’. It contained all of the usual tips - how to plan a revision schedule, the ABC’s of daily to-do’s, the benefits of the Cornell note-taking system, characteristics of different learning styles and how to leverage your personal tendencies, the importance of sleep and nutritious food, the essential absence of the mobile phone! – but more than that it contained a woven-through theme that I hoped would set them up for life, namely the importance of a positive outlook and the buoyancy that joy-filled endeavour brings when moments of contraction are needed and when, in the absence of positivity, pain may be a potential by-product. It became a running joke between that cohort and I, “We’re looking forward to ‘Joyful, Invigorating Study’, Liz” was a comment that subsequently accompanied pretty much all of their following examination periods. But while they teasingly mocked the title because of their adolescent aversion to anything at all profuse, I saw a glint in their eyes, a lightness in their step and academic results that spoke to the fact that many had indeed successfully approach their revision with a light heart and joyful determination.
Fast forward to Year 12 and of course the challenges and demands of the HSC, which at times can feel relentless, can’t be overlooked. Joy-filled study hasn’t accompanied every moment of their year, and certainly individual struggles and personal wellbeing journeys are not to be negated or overlooked. Nevertheless, a generally positive outlook prevails and a healthy sense of perspective is living in the group, and for this I am truly grateful… and this cohort has faced more challenges than many! As COVID-19 hit and as we found ourselves living with an increasing global awareness yet a smaller and smaller sphere of movement, we keenly experienced the pain of contraction. For Year 12 students and parents, and indeed the whole school community, this has meant navigating change and adapting to new necessities that have at times been very challenging. For Year 12 students in particular, it hindered usual parent involvement in celebratory events that, mirroring the handing over of the five-year-old to the kindergarten teacher, usually shepherd the young person into their young-adult years. But amid challenges, a joyful approach (and the assistance of technology!) can build bridges. This week, the HSC Music Showcase, recorded for later sharing with the community and livestreamed to Year 12 parents, did just that. And while the significant achievements of our HSC Music 1, 2 and Extension students were heard by teachers and students in school hall as well as in the lounge room in Cammeray, Belrose, Roseville and Leichardt, I was reminded of the German peoples’ early response to lockdown and COVID-19 restrictions. On the 22 March at 6pm sharp, Germans opened their windows or stood on their balconies and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy was played on cellos, violins, recorders and tin whistles, any instrument that could be found. Professionals, amateurs, grandparents and the very young came together to create a cacophony of tone! And it was joyful. And it allowed the contraction of lockdown to be opened into an expansive coming together, and it allowed something challenging to be more easily overcome. And so I return to the Year 9 study skills booklet, and to the themes of ‘Joyful, Invigorating Study’. As Year 12 students go into this last stretch, I wish them just that. Moments when windows and balconies are thrown open and when a time of concentrated work is supported by an inner sense of positivity. I celebrate our Year 12 students and their achievements, and wish them well as they make space in their hearts and minds for their own Ode to Joy.
Liz Nevieve
Deputy Head of School (Years 7-12)
Glenaeon shines bright
03 Sep 2020
Our thanks and appreciation to Class 1's Cesar and family, Year 7's Evie and family, and Year 8's, Peter and family, for supporting our latest enrolment campaign. Their smiling faces will be appearing on bus shelters down Eastern Valley Way, on digital screens within in selected suburban IGA stores and online to broaden community awareness about our wonderful school.
Read moreYear 9's Eva writes to six senior citizens Pen Pals in lockdown
03 Sep 2020
Year 9 student Eva Petkovich’s original Duke of Ed plan was usurped by covid. That resulted in Eva reaching out to six isolated local aged care home residents and regularly writing to them as Pen Pals during the lockdown. Read her story….
Eva, please tell us what you are doing for your Duke of Ed this year?
For my service part of Duke of Ed I wrote to residents living in a nursing home during the quarantine period. I wrote to residents once a week and spoke about my life and what was happening and created a companionship during a tough time.
How did the Pen Pal activity come about? Whose idea was it?
I initially was volunteering in a childcare centre but due to covid-19 I wasn't able to continue, so I had to come up with something else Mum asked around and Aveo Lindfield Gardens said that they would be happy to participate in pen pals, so really it was mum’s idea to write the letters.
Who do you write to? And are they hand written letters or email?
I wrote to six residents, two letters each week and just followed down a list in order to make sure I didn't leave anyone in the home, out. My letters were hand written and I would always stick a floral heart on the envelope, so the residents knew it was from me.
Do they write back to you?
Some do, some don't, one lady wrote to me every week and others I never got a response from. This did not bother me at all because for me it was more about keeping them distracted during the isolation period.
Will you get to meet your Pen Pal/s?
I'm not sure. Hopefully once all restrictions are lifted I will be able to meet and get to know them.
How does it make you feel to know that you are gifting these senior people some great joy?
I feel accomplished at the thought that my letters are making people happy and that I am able to share a bit of my life with them and them share a bit of their life with me.
What have you learned from this experience?
Probably to listen to everyone's story. For example, after writing to a lady about Jindabyne and how I was boarding there in third term she replied to me, saying how she grew up on a farm there and skied in Thredbo a few times. This was such a surprise to me and we wrote often to each other about the snow and her life when she was younger. It was so nice to be able to connect with someone through similar life experiences.
New public bus service on Glenaeon’s doorstep
03 Sep 2020
Good news for students on public transport. There is a new bus route, the 194, stopping at Eastern Valley Way / Victoria Avenue, traveling between the City and St Ives. Download the timetable or click here to see the full route: https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/forest-coach-lines/194/39194
Students who usually travel on the 207 up to the Castlecrag shops can catch this bus. The bus then turns left at Cammeray to go over on to the bridge and into the city.
Read moreSarah trains up for student wellbeing
03 Sep 2020
Sarah is the smiling face our students and, in non covid times, visitors, see when they come to our Middle Cove reception desk. Her job is wide and varied, but extremely focussed on looking after our parents, students and visitors. She is the friendly voice on the phone and the go to person for all inquiries. Ever helpful, there is a wonderful warmth with Sarah, and she makes the task of juggling a million requests for help seem effortless. She is the antithesis of the “cranky school office lady” and always lends an ear to students in need.
Recently Sarah attended a training course called Youth Mental Health First Aid, so we asked her to tell us more about it, and herself.
1. Youth Mental Health First Aid – what was the course you did, and what did you learn?
The Youth Mental Health First Aid Certificate Australia. Which was a 14-hour course over two days. We learnt how to help students suffering from Mental Health as a first responder. The same way in which we have all learnt about how to help students with a physical first aid problem such as cleaning their wound and putting a band aid on. We were taught how to approach students, listen to their needs and help guide them in the right direction for further professional help. Find more at: https://www.thewellbeingaffect.com.au/training/mental-health-first-aid/
2. How long have your worked at Glenaeon?
It will be three years in October which has flown by! The current Class 6 were all dressed in tie dye non-uniform in Class 3 in my first term and soon I’ll see them in their High School uniform!
3. What does your job involve?
Lots of Band-Aids! Or as I sometimes slip up and say ‘plasters’ which is often returned with a puzzled look. The job is a good balance of general admin tasks as well as juggling the many random situations that arise in reception. I read this book recently called ‘This is Going to Hurt’ which is full of hilarious and raw diary entries from a doctor in the UK spanned over his career. I feel like I could write a similar book from my time at Glenaeon called, ‘Daily requests from students’ to capture all the weird and wonderful elements of my job.
4. What’s the best part about your job, that you enjoy the most?
Is it too cliché to say the students? I worked in events in the corporate world before I moved to Sydney in 2017 and I applied for the role at Glenaeon for a change. I never assumed I would get the job when I answered no to Andrew’s questions asking if I played any instruments or spoke any other languages. But here I am! I love when a task at work takes me away from my desk where I can be in nature even for just a quick minute to drop something off at a classroom.
5. How would you describe Glenaeon to someone who has never heard about our school before?
I’m afraid I never do the school justice when asked about where I work. I’m not from a Steiner background so trying to capture the depth and beauty of the philosophy is something I don’t do as freely as our wonderful teachers. However, I say the school is surrounded by nature and the curriculum is taught in stories, colour, music and with an emphasis on creativity and outdoor play. That we are not only growing our minds but connect body, heart and head. Everyone is always super intrigued by this, it’s basically the Australian Hogwarts! [Ed note: We don't know about that description Sarah, but certainly we experience some magical moments here at Glenaeon!]
Read moreYear 8 and 12 locker upgrade
03 Sep 2020
The High School hallway is looking fresh and clean, thanks to the arrival of brand new lockers for our Year 8 and Year 12 students. These lockers provide our students with a safe and convenient place to store everything they don't immediately require, allowing them to retrieve books, lunch and equipment as and when needed. There is no need for students to carry heavy backpacks around our undulating campus, so this new installation, makes daily life at Glenaeon a little bit more convenient. Thanks to our Operations and Facilities Manager, Chris Scrogie for arranging the upgrade.
Read moreThe August winds are blowing... Kindy kites
03 Sep 2020
It's gusty in August and Kindy made beautiful hand-painted kites. They take them out for a run when it's windy, and the colours and their delight is just as beautiful.
Read moreClass 2 sewing pencil cases
03 Sep 2020
Class 2 have been diligently working on their long stitch pencil cases, which they will use all the way through primary school. They sew a geometric pattern on one side and create their own design for the other side - there are such beautiful and varied designs! They are also collectively sewing some tissue box covers for their classroom.
Read moreClass 1 Counting
03 Sep 2020
There has been a LOT of counting going on in Class 1 with their return to the Land of Numeria in their current Mathematics Main Lesson. They have been adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing, using counters, fingers and bookwork.
Read moreCastlecrag at play
03 Sep 2020
Play is a vital part of each and every day at Castlecrag - time where children create, socialise and enjoy their own games, stories and adventures. Across the campus and with all year levels, play is at the 'heart and soul' of our campus.
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store – Local Beeswax and Honey
20 Aug 2020
New to the store are beautifully scented blocks of cosmetic grade, local beeswax. Back in store are delicious jars of honey made from bees in the Castlecrag bush. Beeswax candles, beeswax sheets for rolling your own candles and wicking are also available. Some of the benefits of burning beeswax candles are that they clean the air by producing negative ions which will help to neutralise pollutants present also eliminating dust, odours and mould. This may help to ease allergy and asthma symptoms, improve our health and our mood. Also, they burn cleanly without drips, smoke or toxic fumes. Come and take a look!
Rolling your own beeswax candles is simple. Watch this video to see how it’s done: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDAJrymHufN/?igshid=emqb9ge6xiab
Thank you for shopping locally at Grassroots Eco Store - a portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon.
To shop by appointment please contact Felicity on 0416 035 173.
Opening Hours (and also by appointment)
Monday: 8.30am–9.30am
Tuesday: 8.30am–9.30am
Wednesday: 8.30am–9.30am, 12pm–1pm & 2.30pm–3.30pm
Thursday: 8.30am–9.30am
Friday: 2.30pm–4.00pm
Read more
Australian winning poet, Year 11s Scout, receives "Highly Commended" in Red Room Poetry Object competition
20 Aug 2020
You may recall Year 11 Student, Scout Higgins was shortlisted for the annual Poetry Object competition, with her poem, "Untie The Shoes", selected out of 2,200 entries. We are pleased to inform that Scout has received a "Highly Commended" for her submission. Congratulations Scout!
Read moreCircles of Friendship: A New Vision of Schooling
20 Aug 2020
Dani Finch’s lovely article on friendship in the last Newsletter reminded me of how central the human value of friendship was to our school founders in their design of the school. It’s no accident that friendship flourishes at Glenaeon, friendship is designed into the system.
How this came to be is one of the beautiful small stories in Glenaeon’s big story.
Over the past few assemblies I have been telling the story of Glenaeon to our high school students. To make it simple, the history can be told as a biography. Like people, Glenaeon had a mother and a father, metaphorically speaking of course. We even had a grandfather and grandmother.
The school’s “mother” was Sylvia Brose, the pioneering and courageous woman who was not just the school’s founding teacher but was the guiding inspirer of the school for its first four decades. Sylvia was born in New Zealand of originally German heritage. She initially wanted to be a doctor and started medical school with that high aspiration. But her first task in the medical faculty was to cut up a rabbit, a gruesome task for a young woman who loved animals. She decided against that career and on coming to Sydney retrained as a teacher and taught at Frensham in Mittagong.
She was repelled by the brutal side of education in that era. Students were pitted against each other through the relentlessly competitive exam system which began in primary school, teachers were mechanistic providers of centrally determined syllabuses. Sylvia had a vision of what a school could be: a place of deep, joyful learning, where students are friends rather than competitors, and teachers are inspired and loving guides on the learning journey.
The turning point of her life was a meeting with the woman who could be thought of as Glenaeon’s grandmother: Marion Mahony Griffin, wife of Walter Burley Griffin. This couple, so famous in Australian history, are effectively Glenaeon’s grandparents, or at least “intellectual godparents”. Partners in the great Frank Lloyd Wrights’ Chicago studio, they were the architects who won the international design competition to plan Australia’s new capital city Canberra. After Canberra they came to Sydney, and in Castlecrag they planned and built a suburb based on their unique approach: local materials, people engaged in a vibrant community life, buildings embedded into nature, all infused with a contemporary design.
Marion introduced Sylvia to the work of Dr Rudolf Steiner whose schools were just beginning to be established across Europe. In Steiner’s vision of education, Sylvia found the kind of school she was looking for, fulfilling all her ideals and setting the course of the rest of her life. She trained in the UK, and returned to Sydney to found what became Glenaeon in 1957. She passed away in 2001, after being awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to education, in recognition of her pioneering work in building Glenaeon to the school we cherish today.
Sylvia framed her vision of friendship as a series of circles: concentric circles radiating from a centre, and that’s how friendship can work in a class. Each of us will have a circle of our closest buddies, and then radiating circles of those who are friends, though not as close. But even to those who are not friends as such, the outside circle, we still respect and understand them.
In this picture she captured the essence of Dr Steiner’s approach to education, what we now call the Altruistic program that runs through Glenaeon from Kindergarten to Year 12. All our teachers work to ensure every class and year group is a community of relationship, a series of circles of friendship.
At our last assembly, I challenged Years 7 to 9 to step up to Glenaeon’s vision of friendship, to play their part in building the concentric, radiating circles. I asked them to think of everyone in their year group as all friends, just some closer than others, and some further away than others, but all known, respected, understood.
Sylvia’s remarkable vision for a school lives on and it needs work to stay alive. How powerful her vision was for the future, for the time we live in now! In this fragmented covid era, we need all our relationships to be truly supportive, and every student needs to feel they are embedded in a web of support, of relationship, of friendship.
As for the rest of the story, Glenaeon’s “father” and "grandfather”, well, that’s a story for another time.
Read moreAnd Sew It Grows…..Duke of Ed candidates to drive sewing bee
20 Aug 2020
Year 10 students, Pipi and Olivia invite students to come and help with face mask making at lunchtime on Tuesdays in the craft room at the Middle Cove campus. As part of their Duke of Edinburgh service Pipi and Olivia will drive this initiative. They have designed a poster, and are seeking your support. The aim is to make over 100 masks for the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse cancer treatment hospital. The hospital is currently giving out huge numbers of masks each day to outpatients and visitors, and wearing a mask is a prerequisite for hospital entry.
If you cannot make it at lunchtime on Tuesdays you can pick up take home kits for you, your family and friends to make. If you can help cut material and elastic, make up kits or sew masks then please send an email to elizabethe@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Parents are also invited to help in the off-campus sewing bee:
- Download the face mask pattern https://www.mylifehouse.org.au/help-us-by-sewing-masks/
- Find some suitable fabric you have lying around or buy some
- Make as many face masks as you can
- Send some pics of your mask sewing activity to newsletter@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
- Ask your child to bring the completed masks to school and hand them in at reception
Glenaeon will arrange for delivery of the completed masks to Chris O’Brien Lifehouse at the end of the term. If you need fabric, please let Elizabeth know. If you can sew, donate fabric, elastic or support in any way, please contact Elizabeth Ellean via email elizabethe@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Sew much fun! And for a great cause!
Read moreSimplicity Parenting with Mary Heard: Finding Meaning in Family Life
20 Aug 2020
This year the home has become the centre of our lives, more than ever. In the Simplicity Parenting workshop on August 5, we explored how we can create a positive family culture that reflects our core values and nourishes and stimulates us - making life more fun and comfortable both for parents and children and finding a place where the lives of all family members naturally come together.
What we looked at in the workshop was the idea of meaningful work in the home. The image of Italian families meeting on a weekend afternoon in some one’s backyard to make huge vats of pasta sauce conjures up the image of family culture the comes out of meaningful work and connects all age groups from grandparents to toddlers. In this postindustrial society, we can come back and consciously create ‘industry’ in our lives that feeds our souls and creates new family cultures that we have chosen ourselves.
For the children born into this current generation, the capacity of doing meaningful work has been severely compromised by all the gadgets in our homes and the modern ‘throw away’ economy. Children imitate the life around them in their play and for so many of them that looks like talking on the phone and working at a computer, they do not know about looking under the bonnet of a car, changing the washer on a tap or even washing the dishes. What we can do as parents is to choose the way we bring this meaningful work back into our children’s lives. What I suggested in the Simplicity Parenting workshop is that we start with one thing that we will stop buying. It is important that we stop buying this thing otherwise the making of it is token and the meaning of making it is diminished. We make this thing because we need to make it - if we don’t make it we won’t have it. We need to choose something that is easy for us, the children can be involved with, feels nourishing and fun and is something we really like having in our lives.
Some of the ideas we explored were:
- Giving up buying sweet treats and making biscuits on Sundays
- Growing something in the garden that you give up buying like basil (pesto can then become your signature family dish)
- Things like kombucha and sauerkraut making are also good family activities and children are always much more likely to eat things they have made themselves
- I shared with the group that now that colourful socks are really in fashion our family gets cool socks and darns them instead of buying new ones (they are also very expensive)
Working together as a family reduces waste, as we consume less plastic if we make things from scratch, reduces our energy consumption as we are using our own energy instead of buying things made in factories, brings us together and gives us a sense of sovereignty over our homes while developing important life skills. It also fosters a sense of gratitude as see what actually goes into making things.
For more information go to: www.maryheardsimplicityparenting.com
Read moreOur Preschoolers thrive with Creative Play
20 Aug 2020
At Glenaeon Preschool every day is one full of creative play, park trips and joyful sharing with friends. You can see the children playing together walking on their stepping stones with delight and making a volcano in the sandpit.
Read moreClass 4 'Animals and Us' Main Lesson
20 Aug 2020
Class 4 have been immersing themselves in the animal world as part of the Animals and Us Main Lesson. Take a look at some of the wonderful animal artworks created, from tigers to giraffes and octopuses. Wait, octopuses? What about octopi? Here's a good explanation: https://education.abc.net.au/home#!/media/2307433/plural-for-octopus.
Read moreDr Stanley Tang conducts bird research with Class 4 during National Science Week
20 Aug 2020
It's National Science Week, and coincidently Class 4 took part in a research project with our very own Dr Stanley Tang, which dovetailed nicely with the Class 4 Animals Main Lesson. For this part of the project, Stanley took Class 4 students down to the Oval, where nets had been set up to capture some of the natural bird life on Glenaeon's beautiful Middle Cove campus. Stanley recently acquired various permits from the state and the federal governments to conduct a long-term research project on the bird populations at Glenaeon and the surrounding North Arm Reserve. One of the key aspects of the project is to collect biometric data to examine the movement patterns and seasonal changes in body conditions of resident and migratory birds.
So Class 4 was able to assist Stanley to capture and band,that is,place a metal band, on a leg of the birds. A number of bird species were captured for a short time, just long enough to ID them with tags, inspects the birds, record the specifics and then, the students set them free back into their natural habitat. A total of six birds were captured including a Laughing Kookaburra, a Grey Fantail, a White-browed Scrubwren and three Brown Thornbills.
#scienceweek #science #stem #birdsofaustralia #abcmyphotos
Read more
Class 6 launches magazine
20 Aug 2020
Hold the front page! Print is not dead. In fact, the media sector is making a resurgence as Class 6 is creating a new magazine called KFC6 (KIDS FROM CLASS 6) which will feature original stories, puzzles, illustrations, biographies, book reviews and recipes all created by the Class 6 students. The niche publication will be published twice in Term 3 and twice during Term 4.
Each copy is $2 and all funds raised will be donated to charity. Class 6 Parents can buy copies by sending their gold coin to school with their child.
Copies will also be made available in the staffroom for teaching staff and school administrators to buy. Sources close to Class 6 say Rupert Murdoch is keenly watching and may place a take-over bid should sales go well.
Read moreClass 2 and the King of Ireland's son
20 Aug 2020
The King of Ireland’s Son is an extended fairy tale and is one of the many Celtic stories told in Class 2. The story is one of the King of Ireland’s Son who is striving to develop. In meeting the experiences laid along the pathway of his journey through life, he is tested as to his strength of purpose, his inner ‘substance’ and his inner ‘qualities’.
Such a story is a real support and guide to the Class 2 child as it helps them to develop an inner trust in the world around them. The story provides a picture for the idea that development is worth striving for, even whilst it involves struggle.
The children have been enjoying acting out the King of Ireland’s Son, trotting and galloping their way through lunch play using these handmade horse reins.
Read moreGlenaeon Art Show goes digital
20 Aug 2020
Donation to the Glenaeon Online Raffle
Calling out for donations to the Glenaeon Raffle. Even if we are unable to run the Family Fair this year we can still support the GPA by raising funds through our annual raffle. Please consider donating a prize for the raffle. Please contact Clare Gordon at clareg@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au with your donations. Many thanks in advance.
Online Silent Auction
Class 4 parents Erika and Lisa are working with Class Parents from Kindy to Year 8 to create beautiful items for the Silent Auction. Please support their efforts by helping your class create a beautiful masterpiece for auctioning online.
Art Show goes digital
Due to COVID, we are planning to hold the 2020 Glenaeon Art Show online. If you would like to submit your art works for curation, please contact Clare Gordon at clareg@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au or go to the Glenaeon Fair website Art Show application form for artists https://glenaeonfair.wixsite.com/glenaeon-fair/apply-to-exhibit
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Constable Darren on empowering students to make informed decisions around drug taking & alcohol use
20 Aug 2020
Last week, Senior Constable Darren Cairns, from the Youth Liaison team at Chatswood Police Station attended Glenaeon’s Middle Cove campus and gave a presentation to our Students in Year 9, and later to a group of our Year 10 and 11 students.
Senior Constable Cairns talked to students about vaping, alcohol and illicit drugs. His presentation unveiled to the students the damage that can be done not just to their own physical health, but to mental health, and the effects on friends, family and the wider community. He also spoke about some of the legal implications for drug use and drug selling.
Parents are often understandably worried and feel anxious about the thought of their children taking drugs and getting caught up in the wrong crowd. At Glenaeon, we want our kids to be safe and to learn how to make good choices about all illegal and legal substances. This presentation gave our students the opportunity to learn of the realities of how drug use can affect their lives, and their families lives. It gave practical and moral advice on what to do if a friend was in danger and struggling, and to not hesitate to call an ambulance a situation warranted action. We educate in a way that develops an inner strength in each student, gifts a self-confidence, and imparts the skills needed to deal with perceived or real peer pressure. Constable Darren also gave advice on how to party and stay safe, and how to avoid trouble and still have a good time, and to value good health and take care of each other.
Our thanks to PDHPE teachers Donna Miller and Jonas Stoebe for their work with the students on this important health initiative.
Read moreYoga at sunrise for Year 9s in The Cove
20 Aug 2020
The early morning Year 9 program, The Cove, supports the wellbeing of our middle High School students by providing an opportunity to connect, build skills, gain fitness, engage with nature and learn about themselves and others. As seen in the photos, students worked in teams to undergo several tasks during a rainy morning earlier in the term. Yogi Heidi Horne is also bringing the experience of breathing and mindfulness to The Cove, and doing it outside, in our beautiful surrounds, amplifies the experience and benefits the students. As a teacher, it is exciting to listen to students discussing the sunrise they saw on the way to school, the intensity of the colours and how impressive it was. Hearing the birds, while the students are challenged to hold balance and poses or physically move through the bush, is a gift that makes our job so special. Our students trust us, and as a result, the benefits of this special program will far outlive their school experience. Donna Miller
Read moreKindergarten - A rainy day bushwalking
20 Aug 2020
"It's raining, its pouring in the Kindergarten Garden
It's raining, it's pouring, we all go out to play"
On a very wet Friday, Kindergarten explored the campus' beauty as the rain came down. The children were all looking for a message of what Old Scribble Gum is saying to them... and if you listen really closely, you can hear the stories that Mother Angophopra whipsers to us… but you need to listen well. They then sang "Rinka rink rosy ray... what shall I make with you today?" before Outdoor Education teacher Scott Williams helped them whittle beautiful silky oak pieces - what a lovely rainy day!
Class 2 - Maths in Motion
20 Aug 2020
Class 2 spend part of each day learning maths, some of which is outside hop-scotching times tables and balancing their way through multiplication and mental arithmetic with poetry, rhyme and fun. Maths is fun!
Read moreClass 1 - The Story of Wool
20 Aug 2020
Class 1 experienced 'The Story of Wool' during Handwork class. In groups, they were able to feel and wash shawn sheep's wool and set it to dry. They then carded (combed) the wool, learned to hand-roll wool and then spin it on hand-spindles to make strong yarn. They began to sand wooden knitting needles with gumnut ends, which will be rubbed with the wool's lanolin, once completed. This makes the hand-made knitting needles smooth and easy to knit with.
Read moreHotel Little Kindy
20 Aug 2020
One day this week, Little Kindy children all felt sleepy. They decided to make beds for themselves, "Let's make hospital!" Realising they had already played hospitals last week, they made a Hotel instead, which of course, is full of beds! They were delighted they had single beds, bunk beds and even a bed for their teacher Junko Nicholls. Realising they were all getting hungry, the 'chef' of their hotel took special orders: mashed potato, roast chicken and veggies served straight from the Little Kindy kitchen!
Farewell to Christian and Liza Lillicrap
20 Aug 2020
A long time ago, a letter (remember letters?) arrived at Glenaeon quite out of the blue. The letter was from a music teacher at the South Devon Steiner School in the UK seeking the possibility of a visiting teaching position for perhaps six months. The letter came at a significant time. Glenaeon’s music program was OK, but only just. As a Steiner school, we had decided that we aspired to a far higher standard and spirit of music living through the school, and we needed people who could take us there.
One thing led to another, and in July 2000, Christian and Liza Lillicrap and their children landed in Sydney on a visa sponsored by the school for a two-year engagement. Christian began teaching music immediately, and the improvement in the quality of music was very evident almost as immediately. At the same time, he was joined by a young violinist called Manu Prasad who had taught in our instrumental program but who wanted to be a classroom music teacher. Over the next decade together Christian and Manu built the music program that we enjoy today.
The two-year visa became a permanent resident visa and then they became Australian citizens, and over these 20 years Christian and Liza have been mainstays of the Glenaeon community.
It is not just Christian’s concert level piano skills that have been an inspiration throughout that time. In addition to his music performances, he was very involved in management as a member of the school Management Group which was in operation for a period. Christian’s outstanding work in building the excellent music program leaves a lasting legacy which will live long into the future. He has been involved in so many musical moments, performances, gatherings and festivals that it is difficult to do justice to the breadth of his contribution.
After working at Glenaeon as an itinerant singing and piano teacher from 2001, Liza joined the school in 2006 to teach German as a one-year replacement in the high school, before becoming our German primary teacher from 2007. In addition, she has contributed her own musical gifts as an outstanding soprano singer in so many other areas of the school: singing and choirs, performing as an actor and singer in the annual Christmas plays, managing vocal ensembles, supporting performances in our concerts and Carol Services. Liza worked as High School Coordinator and then transitioned to High School guardian shepherding her year group through the high school years with compassion and dedication. She then was one of the founding mentors in our vertical mentor groups. She has more recently worked in curriculum and compiled a major overview of the service program. For many years Liza carried and subsequently supported the role of Daily Coordinator in managing extras and relief teachers. On a personal level Liza has been extremely supportive and sensitive to the personal needs of so many of her colleagues.
It is indeed difficult to comprehend the sum total of the contribution that Christian and Liza have made to Glenaeon over these past two decades.
It is with a sad heart that I share the news that they have decided to move to Europe and will be leaving Glenaeon finishing on the 11th of September. Their immediate plan is to be based in a seminary of the Christian Community in Hamburg, Germany where Liza will enter the Ordination Semester and Christian will undertake studies. This move brings to fruition a long held plan of study by Liza and a more recent decision by Christian.
Over the next few weeks there will be time to share our feelings for them, our school’s journey with them over many years, and our hopes and wishes for their future. Christian and Liza have had a 20-year association with Glenaeon and we will be doing our best to celebrate in a COVID-appropriate way. We will share details of the plans closer to their last day at Glenaeon.
Read moreCrafty parents knit winter warmers for students
06 Aug 2020
These colourful woollen fingerless gloves were knitted by Parent Crafters to help keep our students hands warm this winter. We have a limited number available for sale. Please contact Melony via email to organise purchase for your child, or as a gift. We are able to send them home with your child.
Read moreOn Friendship
06 Aug 2020
Schools are positioned, fundamentally, as places of academic instruction. The 3 Rs are our raison d'être, and we are charged with developing young minds to tackle the challenges of the future they will inherit. From phonics and number bonds to NAPLAN, STEAM and ATARs, schools, their curricula and pedagogies are studied, analysed, politicised, programmed and re-programmed; not to mention endlessly commented upon! And yet, academic attainment is only one pillar of schools. I often wonder where, in this cacophony, can we find a moment to celebrate another of the real, elemental gifts of school - friendship?
In a happy coincidence, when I spoke to my son about pondering this theme for my newsletter piece, he pointed out that Thursday, July 30 was the United Nations International Day of Friendship!
From the UN website https://www.un.org/en/observances/friendship-day:
Our world faces many challenges, crises and forces of division — such as poverty, violence, and human rights abuses — among many others — that undermine peace, security, development and social harmony among the world's peoples.
To confront those crises and challenges, their root causes must be addressed by promoting and defending a shared spirit of human solidarity that takes many forms — the simplest of which is friendship.
Through friendship — by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust — we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, weave a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good.
True friendship is undoubtedly one of the worthiest and most rewarding of human endeavours. It is also an area where, to use the words of Rudolf Steiner (out of context), "even the wisest can learn incalculably much from children".
In my role, I am fortunate to possess a position of great privilege, not least of which is having a 'bird's eye view' of the relationships between the young people in our care. Having worked in other schools, I reflect that the loving bonds of friendship created through the shared experience of a Glenaeon education are rare and beautiful. Friendships here are often forged over many years and with the necessity of working through challenges as they arise, due to the fact we are a small school. Glenaeon is an environment where there is intention and vision supporting strong friendships. We model and encourage respectful interactions between all community members and team this with continuity of relationships and a cooperative rather than competitive learning environment. Consequently, the young men and women who become Glen X, have often formed lifelong, sustaining bonds which reflect the aspiration of “promoting and defending a shared spirit of human solidarity”.
In these uncertain and anxious times, particularly since returning from our remote learning period, being able to witness these relationships, as they evolve, has become even more poignant. When I look through a lens that sees friendship as a vital element that will ready our children to be part of creating a “better world”, I see them preparing like this:
- A 9-year-old accepting that she's 'in', without arguing,
- Two 10-year-old boys lying curled up like puppies, enjoying a book together, one gently stroking the other's hair,
- A 13-year-old coming to check on her classmate in sickbay during lunchtime,
- A 15-year-old going out of his way to ask me how my day is going,
- A group of 18 year-olds working together on a research task; playfully but intently working through ideas and solutions.
So, belatedly, I wish you all a ‘Happy Friendship Day’! I encourage you to both nourish this aspect of your own lives and to cherish it in the unique and the excellent educational environment you have chosen for your children; a school where friendship is noticed, valued and nurtured. Maybe one day, we can include the importance of friendship in the often noisy discourse on education.
Read moreArt Space open for Class 5 to Year 12
06 Aug 2020
Year 11 student Kauri Palmer is passionate about art. So passionate in fact, she is studying accelerated HSC Visual Arts. On top of this, she is undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and is connecting her passion for art, to the idea of service to the community. Through her initiative (and fine artwork), she is supporting other students to find passion in art, by offering her tuition to other Glenaeon students as a mentor to help interested students develop an art project of their choice. She is prepared to help come up with ideas, select a form the student might be interested in working in and assisting with the 'how to' of the activity. The art department will provide materials within its capacity. Art Teacher, Donna Miller will oversee this great initiative. If you would like to get involved, please contact Donna Miller by email and join Art Space for the remainder of Term 3, Tuesdays from 3:30pm.
Read more
Grassroots Eco Store – Supporting Your Immune System
06 Aug 2020
Supporting your immune system and general wellbeing is very important during the season of winter and especially now. A helpful range of Australian made and Weleda products are available in store. Tasmanian made by Southern Swan, Spahgni Eucalypti aids in supporting the breathing processes and it is especially useful in winter - the Eucalyptus works with the sense of smell to help reduce congestion. Locally made in NSW, a handmade range of long lasting goat's milk soaps to nourish and moisturise while cleansing to keep germs at bay. They are subtly scented with essential oils. From Byron Bay, handmade, organic Ayurvedic warming tea to enhance your immune system as well as a myriad of other benefits! Then there's Weleda's natural herbal and homoeopathic medicines to stimulate the body's own natural healing abilities by using the purest and (often) organic ingredients that nature provides. Good for yourself, your family or to gift a friend. Thank you for shopping locally at Grassroots Eco Store - a portion of every sale goes to support Glenaeon. To shop by appointment please contact Felicity on 0416 035 173.
Opening Hours (and also by appointment)
Monday: 8.30am–9.30am
Tuesday: 8.30am–9.30am
Wednesday: 8.30am–9.30am, 12pm–1pm & 2.30pm–3.30pm
Thursday: 8.30am–9.30am
Friday: 2.30pm–4.00pm
Read more
GlenXers Sophie and Isa respond to global pandemic by Saving Face
06 Aug 2020
If you needed further evidence of the strong ties and bonds forged at Glenaeon, then read on.
Saving Face. Co was founded by friends, neighbours and fellow Glenaeon alumni Sophie Alais and Isa Crossland Stone. Sophie studied at Glenaeon from Kindergarten to Year 12 graduating in 2015. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Government and International Relations & Gender Studies at The University of Sydney. Isa attended Glenaeon from playgroup until Year 10 in 2017.
Saving Face. Co creates eco-friendly, reusable face masks using a 100% cotton outer and bamboo jersey inner layer with a slip to insert a PM2.5 filter for added protection.
As Sophie explains, “We began Saving Face. Co at the beginning of the coronavirus lockdown. It was the eve of what would become a long and strange period of uncertainty, and as we cancelled plans and prepared for a month indoors we were struck by the way that the invisible enemy, Covid-19, could create such drastic impact on both a universal scale and a personal one.
“While keeping a safe physical distance is imperative for flattening the curve, the notion of total ‘isolation’ felt counterintuitive during a frightening and challenging period. In times of trouble, we find solace in community support and connection, and we see it as important to find a way to foster community and extend a (gloved) hand to those community members who need it more than ever.”
Their artist collaboration collection masks feature designs by Sydney artists Bella Meagher (a fellow Glenaeon alumnus) and Tara Chandra, who each receive a commission for the sales of their designs. For each Saving Face. Co mask purchased, they have chosen to donate $3 to The Asylum Seekers Centre, a charity organisation which provides practical and personal support to people seeking asylum, with $1,000 raised so far.
We congratulate and celebrate these entrepreneurial, environmentally responsible and CSR-aware GlenXers and encourage those looking to purchase a face mask to visit www.savingfaceco.com.au and support our wonderful Alumni.
If you are a GlenXer with an interesting story to tell, please get in touch: newsletter@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
#glenaeon #glenx #alumni #steinereducation #steiner #covid19aus #facemasks #entrepreneur #entrepreneurlife #entrepreneurship
Read moreAnd Sew It Begins…..
06 Aug 2020
Last week Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean invited students wishing to make their own face mask to head down to the craft room to do just that. So on Tuesday at lunchtime, a group of mostly Year 7 and 8 students – boys and girls - turned up to sew their own mask. Year 8 student Siena made her mask at school in about 30 minutes and spent more time helping others. Siena made her mask from offcuts from a stash of material left over from other textile classes, musicals and donations of cotton fabric.
Having honed our face mask sewing skills, we are now inviting students, teachers and parents to join a covid safe remote sewing bee, to sew masks for donation to the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse cancer hospital in Camperdown. The hospital is currently giving out 100s of masks each day to outpatients and visitors, and wearing a mask is a prerequisite for hospital entry.
So how can you help?
- Download the face mask pattern https://www.mylifehouse.org.au/help-us-by-sewing-masks/
- Find some suitable fabric you have lying around or buy some
- Make as many face masks as you can
- Send some pics of your mask sewing activity to newsletter@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
- Ask your child to bring the completed masks to school and hand them in at reception
Glenaeon will arrange for delivery of the completed masks to Chris O’Brien Lifehouse at the end of the month. If you need fabric, please let Elizabeth know. If you can sew, donate fabric, elastic or support in any way, please contact Elizabeth Ellean via email elizabethe@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Sew much fun! And for a great cause!
Read more
Bronze Year 9 Duke of Ed students serve others in the community
06 Aug 2020
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award has been a very popular program amongst Glenaeon students for some years now. Participants are required to complete four sections - Voluntary Service, Skill, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey - at each level:
Bronze (for those over 14 years), Silver (for those over 15 years), and Gold (for those over 16 years).
Some of our current Year 9 students participating in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award mentor younger students in literacy and numeracy as their service to the community. Some operate the sports equipment shed at break times to allow students to borrow equipment during lunch. The garden is also a prime area for service as there is always a way to help the school community by assisting in the garden, turning the compost, caring for the chickens and general weeding and up-keep. Some students undertake their volunteering outside of school as well, working at the zoo and on various charities.
Numeracy mentors for Class 4 are:
- Flynn
- Keizo
- Maadi
- Nathan
Readers with Class 3 are:
- Elke
- Hana
- Petal
- Mili
- Bibi
- Jack
- Max
- Eliza
- Clara
- Natalie
- Natalia
Sports Shed guards as service are: Elke, Ivan, Cooper
Garden volunteer: Taras
Well done to all the Year 9 participants. Donna Miller is our Duke of Ed program manager.
#worldready #dukeofedaus #DukeofEd
Read more
Playgroup Begins for Term 3
06 Aug 2020
Playgroup has begun in its modified form at both the Preschool and Castlecrag Campuses. Thank you to our patient families who are now able to participate in our lovely '4-family' groups. It's so lovely to be back and to see the children and families connecting again. Playgroup at Castlecrag runs from the Hall Kitchen on Tuesdays, Thursdays and in the Playgroup room on Saturday mornings. Please contact Playgroup Co-ordinator Sandra Frain to join the waitlist for this lovely experience.
Read moreBig Kindergarten begin bushwalking
06 Aug 2020
Big Kindy began their bushwalking recently, and with great excitement they lined up with teachers, assistants and Outdoor Education teacher Scott Williams! The children carry their own lunches, backpacks & water bottles as they set off for one of the many well-known walking tracks around our school area. Many of these are designed to walk in and around houses before opening out into a reserve or travelling deeper down into the bush. The children watch, listen and look carefully. Perhaps they'll find a little treasure to put in their double-finger-knitting treasure bags back in Kindy.
Read moreClasses 1 & 2 Science - Anthill exploration
06 Aug 2020
Classes 1 & 2 have been exploring the fascinating worlds of anthills with Prue Reid, who takes them on Wednesday afternoons for some of the science aspects of the curriculum. After hearing a story about the ants over two weeks, they have built very elaborate ant hills in the sandpit, complete with connecting underground tunnels. They have worked in their Gardening books displaying the cycles and different roles of ants and this week are building real ant nest jars to watch in the classrooms.
Read moreRainbow Magic in Reception
06 Aug 2020
A trip to Melony in Reception at Castlecrag its often coupled with an important message or job for the children. Each day though, as the children come in, there are colourful rainbows that visit and shine all over the room - floor, ceilings, walls and most importantly - the children! They catch them on each other and wonder WHO could be sending SO MANY rainbows to Castlecrag? Is it the Winter Angel, who hangs above the desk? Is it Mother Earth or King Winter and their gnomes... or is it a Rainbow Fairy that comes and sprinkles the children with her light and delight?! Either way, we love the rainbows and so do the children!
Read moreSpring is Coming to Castlecrag
06 Aug 2020
After the very cold mornings we are having at Castlecrag, comes a period of warmth and sunshine in the middle of the day - a time to treasure and bask in it, just a little, to warm up. In this time between MidWinter and Early Spring, both bulbs and spring blossoms flower. Amongst the daffodils and jonquils, there may not be much jasmine blossoming yet, but the sweet scent is already in the air! As we cannot have parents on campus so much at the moment - we thought it would be nice to bring a little of the campus to you! It is beautiful and blooming!
Read moreScout shortlisted in poetry competition
06 Aug 2020
Some excellent news! Our talented Scout Higgins (Year 11) has had a poem shortlisted for the annual Poetry Object competition 'Australasia’s largest free poetry-writing competition for young people and their teachers.' Scout's poem is featured on the Red Room Poetry website. Read her entry here: https://redroomcompany.org/student-poems/19435
Scout was selected out of 2,200 entries. Finalists will be announced on the 20th August. We have our fingers crossed for you Scout! Good luck and well done!
Read moreJoe goes for gold
06 Aug 2020
Joe McCormick is a Year 12 student undertaking the Gold Duke of Edinburgh International Award. Joe recently shared his experience with his fellow students at a school assembly. Joe's Duke of Ed participation has seen him help Class 3 students with their reading, playing tennis and organising his own camping expedition where for four nights and three days, Joe and his friends trekked the Katoomba 6-foot track walk, camped under the stars and cooked their own tucker enduring freezing winter conditions during the July school holidays. The planning was further complicated by COVID19, but Joe defeated all the obstacles.
At the assembly, Joe said he would encourage anyone thinking of doing to Duke of Ed, to go for it. Reflecting on the camp, he said, "It was a great experience being out in the middle of Australia's natural environment and I got a great sense of satisfaction organising it all, implementing the plan, and seeing it come together."
Well done Joe.
Read moreClass 1 Introduction to Science Main Lesson
23 Jul 2020
At the end of Term 2, Class 1 were taken on a journey introducing them to the science curriculum. They heard imaginative and beautiful stories of how Nature takes care of plants and animals. During the lessons, the children were introduced to the seasons, the water cycle, the parts and lifecycle of plants and other basic concepts from the science curriculum. Each Main Lesson book becomes a beautiful book in itself, with daily writing & drawing developing literacy and creativity concurrently.
Read moreExpressions of Interest - Kitchen/Cafe Manager
23 Jul 2020
We are seeking an experienced Kitchen/Canteen Operator who is able to work within the Glenaeon ethos to ensure healthy and sustainable practices in the delivery of the services listed in this EOI document. The position will ideally be an independent contractor.
For further information, please contact Chris Scrogie or Rohan Wijesinghe on 9932 2305 or 9932 2315.
Please forward your expression of interest via email by 5:00pm on Friday 31/07/2020 to rohanw@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read morePicture-Story-Sleep: The Holy Trinity of Great Learning
23 Jul 2020
Welcome to Term 3!
Teachers began the term on Tuesday with a Professional Development session that introduced the professional learning program for the term. We looked again at Glenaeon’s Quality Teaching Framework and reviewed some of our core principles of learning.
It’s been fascinating to see how Steiner’s’ intuitions of 100 years ago regarding how we learn best have stood the test of time. Brain research in the 21st century has provided an evidence base for the key learning strategies we employ in introducing new learning content to students.
We’re sometimes called an art school because of our use of visuals and “mental” visuals in the classroom: drawing, images, stories, drama, sculpture. Art school? No, we are not an Art school, we are a cutting-edge school using evidence-based strategies for promoting deep learning.
The latest research shows there is a holy trinity of the most effective learning strategies, and they are play, story and sleep. Surprising? Well, anyone who examines their own learning styles should notice the power of these three strategies in how we remember things.
Watch this YouTube clip of Dr Jared Cooney Horvath of the Melbourne University Graduate School of Education explaining the latest research on the power of these three learning strategies, and then think about how we teach Main Lessons.
< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3biFgdtCso >
Main Lessons (three week blocks of daily learning) are the core of our curriculum as a Rudolf Steiner school. From Class 1 through to Year 12, their powerful pedagogical impact derives from a methodology that utilises in an age-appropriate way, picture, story and sleep in a rigorous way to introduce and consolidate learning.
- Image or Picture: we only really understand a concept when we can make a picture of it: abstract concepts (e.g. anything from the alphabet in Class 1 to the development of democracy in Year 9) should be introduced in pictures. This is one of the reasons why we teach children to draw before we teach them to write: so they can create pictures of their learning, starting with the alphabet.
The struggle for democracy in Europe is an abstract series of events in history: some key images bring these assorted facts into a focus that deepens the understanding.
- Story: stories are meaningful sequences of images which provide a context to a particular picture. Stories can be cultured stories (i.e. from cultures around the world such as fairy tales, legends, myths), historical stories and events, or biographies: after all, each person’s biography is a story. Even a high school Maths main lesson becomes a story: the teacher weaves all the images and pictures of content into a meaningful block or “story” that gives a context to all the content.
- Sleep: our unconscious “dreaming” works to process information received by our conscious mind. Used properly by teachers, recall after a night’s sleep embeds new learning in our long term memory. The unconscious processes of deep sleep work in a mysterious way to process the day’s learning. Teachers can use a specific method of active recall to bring back into consciousness the key elements of what has been learned the previous day. Our Main Lesson methodology with its sequence of daily learning uses this powerful learning process to actively promote deep understanding.
Over the coming term teachers will identify one strategy for improvement that he or she will work on over the term, followed by an observation and review of the progress made. We look forward to some great learning for teachers, and of course their students, in Term 3.
Read moreThank you for supporting our Annual Giving campaign
23 Jul 2020
Back in May we shared with you the extent of financial and emotional distress placed on a significant number of our current families as a result of COVID-19, and respectfully asked for support with a donation to our 2020 Annual Giving COVID-19 Bursary Scholarship Fund. Our target was set at $100,000, ambitious given the circumstances. Thanks to your remarkable kindness and generosity, we have not only met but surpassed our fundraising target with donations totalling $128,437. It is the most money we have ever raised in the annual giving campaign in Glenaeon Foundation’s eight-year history. These funds will be used to provide short-term fee relief and help keep Glenaeon students in the classroom with their peers. It is heartening to see our community come together in such a supportive way. It humbles us to know that families needing serious support will receive that support, and that our children will continue learning together. Thank you once again for your solidarity, support and generosity.
Read moreWelcome back to our ‘Welcome Home’ Glenaeon Playgroups in Term 3
23 Jul 2020
We are happy to announce that our Welcome Home Playgroups are recommencing after the COVID-19 shutdown.
As we reopen, we have strict social distancing and hygiene guidelines in place as well as an alternate COVID-safe timetable, with a maximum of only four (4) families per group.
Our spots are already fully-booked for Term 3, but families are invited to add their name to the waitlist for Term 4 or for any additional sessions that may be added to the Term 3 timetable, which would occur with any further relaxation of health department and education department COVID-19 guidelines.
Playgroups are joyful and nurturing of the young child’s developmental stages. Our activities and interactions are presented in a carefully structured, educational morning that allows parents and children to enjoy the time together.
All will benefit from the wisdom and experience of the educated playgroup teachers who capably address the challenges of parenting within a supportive community-oriented environment.
To add your name to the Playgroups waitlist, please contact Sandra Frain by email sandraf@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read more
Hello Dolly
23 Jul 2020
Our Preschool teachers have been busy making lovely little dolls and bees for the children's much loved story time and for our youngest learners to play with. If you've ever wondered why Steiner dolls have minimal or no faces, it is because they are intentionally left blank to allow the child to further develop their imagination and engage creatively in play. For more about Preschool, download our flyer, or head to www.glenaeonpreschool.nsw.edu.au
Read moreYear 9s wrapped about sculpture group
23 Jul 2020
You can see here that Year 9 welcomed a new student who had them all beat on time for holding a plank position. As hard as they tried, none could compete with the new arrival into class! In all seriousness, the ceramics and sculpture group have recently been developing figurative works out of packaging tape! The students literally use each other as models and wrap the tape around themselves which is then cut away and re-attached. The resulting affect are life-size figures that enhance the school and ensure there is a bodily presence in all areas at all times! What fun they all had and the results were amazing as seen here.
Read moreKindergarten Winter Festival and Lantern Walk
23 Jul 2020
It was a special and magical time when Big and Little Kindy celebrated their Winter Festival and Lantern Walk at the end of Term 2. Staying back after school, they enjoyed a fire, warm soup and bread, before going to the darkened hall for their Winter Story. Using marionette puppets, music and song, the Kindergarten teachers told the story of a girl journeying to the stars. The hall is lit only by lanterns as the children enter, which are then taken on a magical Lantern Walk around the campus. It was a special moment seeing all the parents and carers waiting with their own glowing lanterns to meet the children at twilight. This would usually be done as a family event, but despite COVID-19 restrictions we still managed to share the magic of MidWinter.
Read moreNew Castlecrag Garden takes shape
23 Jul 2020
During the holidays, our gardener Lindsay (with the assistance of the Maintenance team) worked hard to clear a garden bed and pull out a giant lomandra grass plant outside Class 1. In time, this will become a flourishing garden bed. The children dug earnestly to clear the roots out and condition the soil with minerals and nutrients, water and lots of love! Soon this garden space will be another thriving bed full of natives, delicious herbs, salads, flowers and grains under the guidance of Gardening teachers Sandra Frain and Kathy Thangathurai.
Read moreOur Kindergarten Spaces
23 Jul 2020
Kindergarten is a special place and much care, thought and meaning is given to the surroundings, equipment and spaces in which the children play. The environment is beautiful, warm and welcoming, inviting open-ended creative play, whilst also nourishing aspects of play such as sorting, counting, building and much social engagement. The Kindy day starts with Outside Play, before moving inside into Morning Circle and then Inside Play. These beautiful play spaces come alive as toys, objects and furniture become trains, planes, houses, gardens and play spaces; endless sessions of creative and imaginative play. They also grind grains for cooking, bake and prepare food each day. A strong rhythm is held by the teachers, which also includes the children tidying up and putting everything away again, ready for tomorrow.
Read moreYear 8 #STEM: How is a snake different to a dog? When English, Science, Maths and Technology come together!
23 Jul 2020
Last year, a select group of seven Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School Teachers attended a STEM Teacher Enrichment Academy, led by The University of Sydney, and we are very proudly a Partner School.
Today, we launched a learning project with our wonderful Year 8 co-hort. The setting was Florence, Italy, otherwise known to students as the Sylvia Brose Hall, which was transformed with Teachers in period costume, and theatre set designs, to transport students into the 1500s renaissance period during the Medici reign. The scene was a celebration of the upcoming marriage of Catherine de' Medici to Prince Henry of France. We cannot say too much more as we will give things away. But this learning project today involved a dog, a snake and a spider, with students getting the opportunity to observe, sketch and write notes on animal movement. There is a great deal of intrigue and a sense of wonder as to where this will all lead.
The STEM Academy will be evaluating this program and we will be documenting the outcomes and impacts of the Academy on teaching practice and student engagement. Stay tuned for updates in future newsletters.
#USydSTEM #STEM #SydneyUni #Science #Glenaeon #SteinerEducation
Read moreWinter Festival Spiral - Classes 1 & 2
26 Jun 2020
Classes 1 & 2 held their Winter Festival spiral in the darkened hall at Castlecrag last Friday. Greenery formed the spiral into the centre, at which a single lit candle rests in the dark. The children walk with unlit candles resting in apples to the centre and light their candle. As they make the journey slowly out, they place it on their chosen point on the spiral. The candles transform the darkness of MidWinter into a glowing spiral of lit candles. Three Class 4 children played lyre, the children sang their winter songs and gentle piano and recorder formed the music that accompanied this most reverent and special event. This would normally be held at Middle Cove, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, was held at Castlecrag.
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A Poem by Sophie Lewis, Year 8, "The Boy in the Field"
25 Jun 2020
I remember years past, in Poland cold,
With wintery whistles and gnarled trees old.
Sitting on my grandfather’s lap,
Hearing his ancient cane tap, tap, tap.
The fire crackled, embers fizzled and spat,
A gale howled outside, oblivious to where we sat.
Snow and hail hammered at the small wooden door,
As I listened to my grandfather’s tales of yore.
He’d told me every kind of fantasy story,
From fairies to pirates to battles quite gory.
Yet tonight was different, he was distant perhaps,
His eyes cloudy in remembrance of the past.
He told me a tale of a boy in a field,
Whose father fought in a war to whom nobody did yield.
When the sun rose in the morn,
The boy had to walk six miles through the red dawn.
It started the day fire fell from the sky,
And triplanes with red swirls emblazoned whirred up, oh so high.
The boy was captured, taken by the enemy,
His father then passed, his last words, “Remember me.”
The boy was taken to a place nobody returns from,
Shackled in chains, he mourned, his father was gone.
Despite his grief, he made a friend, Samuel Kalash,
Together they were forced to obey a man with a tiny little mustache.
After many a moon in that terrible place,
An opportunity came, the two had to make haste!
Bonding forces with a Swiss man named Mitch,
The boy and his friends escaped from Auschwitz.
For dark days and cold nights they were on the run,
Through forests and abandoned villages, hiding from the crack of a gun.
After two lonely years did they return to Poland’s comforting bounds,
Only to find it had been razed to the ground.
The war was over, the English had won,
There was rejoicing in every street; the boy no longer had to run.
Yet he mourned still, as he searched and he searched,
He never found his family, he realised with a lurch.
The boy grew older and left Poland behind,
Traversing the world in vain hope that his mother, he would find.
He moved to Britain and fell in love,
With a woman called Mary, whom he called his “dove.”
My grandfather’s tale ended as every good story should,
With happiness and freedom - I thought that was good.
But confused I was, for my grandfather did not smile;
He just sat by the fire and mused for a while.
Only after he had passed do I realise why:
The boy in the field was him, now the morn is nye.
And I remember back to Poland, sitting on my grandfather’s lap,
Hearing his ancient cane tap, tap, tap.
The Cove looks Inside from Outside
25 Jun 2020
“Take students outside and play” was our mantra leading on from the Chatswood Concourse Theatre Power of Play in Nature seminar with Professor Pasi Sahlberg and Professor Tonia Gray. The debate and has never been more topical in the post-covid phase we are in now. It will be a driving force for the remainder of the term to use our incredible surroundings and take students out of the classroom as much as we can after so much isolation and solitary indoor learning at home.
Naturally PE is done outside most of the time at Glenaeon but the PDH classes/content I teach I sometimes try to teach outside too, adjusting my teaching to non-whiteboard and non-online media use as I do not have it available in the bush.
The students love to be taken outside, they love to sit and learn in nature, it helps them get into a new and different mindset as they listen and smell nature around them talking about issues and discussing matters that are relevant to them of which PDH offers many: friendship, conflict resolution, staying safe, making good decisions, risk taking, relationship, road safety, healthy living to name a few.
The schools Yr 9 program The Cove which is part of the Service Curriculum we are developing more concretely across all year levels also uses nature early in the morning each Monday and this has resumed since Monday June 1. We started off with a 5km run to a natural jetty below Castle Cove (see picture), where we stopped for a few minutes to take in the most beautiful morning scenery before doing some fitness exercises including a moment of conscious mindfulness. It was great to see the students all back sitting in a circle to start the class after a long nine-week forced break.
Students were engaged by identifying some of the positive changes that occurred for them personally and also more globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They were encouraged to write and reflect on these positive changes and how to best further pursue and preserve them into the future and what it would take for them to do so. The program builds resilience and aims to connect students to nature and place to enhance the notion of belonging. It fosters communication and how to better support each other through cooperative aspects and team work.
The service aspects of The Cove Program become very real for the Year 9 cohort when we go on four excursions in a year to work and connect with Warrah Farm & School in Dural, an educational facility for people living with disabilities and learning needs and a bio-dynamic farm where students get involved with both aspects through active work on the premises and the farm and by learning with and from engaging and interacting with the pupils of that school.
See you outside!
Jonas Stoebe
PDHPE Teacher
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A little bit goes a long way
25 Jun 2020
Annual Appeal
We end the term and the financial year at almost exactly the same time this year. The COVID-19 crisis has made this term unlike any other term in memory, and, at same time has put many families under extreme financial pressure. Having come through the term and managed our remote learning above and beyond expectations, we now face the task of how we can support those families who need it.
Our EOFY Annual Appeal this year is aimed very specifically at supporting those families who need financial help to maintain their enrolment in the school. You can help by donating to the Glenaeon Foundation.
Your donation to the Glenaeon COVID-19 Bursaries Scholarship Fund will help fund the continuing education of COVID-19 affected students. Our ask is only of families who can support, to help those that can’t. Your little bit goes a long way and if everyone gives what they can afford, we can keep our children learning together.
This year we are aiming to raise $100,000 to help our families. We have already raised approximately $87,000 and if you are yet to give, we ask that you consider a donation before the end of the financial year. All donations of $2 and over are Tax Deductible.
Please make your donation at www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/donate by June 30, 2020.
For donations by credit card over the phone, EFT or cheque, please contact Clare Gordon 02 9417 3193 or clareg@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Thank you for your solidarity, support and generosity to help our own in 2020.
Café Canteen
Term 3 will see a return to more normal school operations in most activities, and one of those returning activities welcomed by students and staff alike will be the reopening of our café in the trees at Middle Cove.
The café has been a real joy over the past four years. As the founding café managers, Sharon and Lorna have established and built a wonderful atmosphere around the café, providing healthy, nourishing food for students, staff and parents in a lively and friendly atmosphere. But all good things must come to an end, and Sharon has let me know that due to personal and health reasons she and her husband Peter, and Lorna, will not be continuing in 2021. We are seeking a new operator, or team, to take over the café and you will find an Expression of Interest in this Newsletter. There will be time to identify a new manager, and effect a handover during Term 3 and 4.
Annual Report 2019
Our Annual Report for 2019 is now complete and will be available on the website from Wednesday July 1st, with hard copies available at each of the school campus offices. It feels like Ancient history after our recent crisis, but 2019 despite its challenges in Term 4, was a very productive and successful year for Glenaeon. You can read the full story in the Annual Report.
This Newsletter will be the last for Term 2, and what a term it’s been. But we’ve come through! Time to refresh and regenerate, and so I wish all families, staff and students a restful winter break and look forward to seeing everyone again in more normal circumstances in Term 3.
Read moreSeeking a new owner/operator for Grassroots Eco Store
25 Jun 2020
Seeking a new owner/operator for Grassroots Eco Store and the beautiful retail store conveniently located on the Castlecrag campus. Felicity has thoroughly enjoyed her association with the Glenaeon community and has been grateful and honoured to run her store at Castlecrag since October 2015. However, she is now seeking to transfer the ownership of her business to a member of our community and is offering the unique opportunity to purchase and operate Grassroots Eco Store.
The school is looking for a candidate to maintain the present standard which includes the following criteria:
- An existing connection to the school, the community or Steiner inspired education;
- Experience in, and the wherewithal to own and operate a small retail store;
- Affinity with and support of Steiner parents and Glenaeon staff in their needs for supplies in accordance with Rudolf Steiner’s educational impulses;
- A knowledge of, or strong desire to provide, ethical buying choices that support the school’s ethos;
- An ability to provide consistent opening hours in accordance with Glenaeon’s requirements; and a
- Working with Children Check
In submitting your written Expression of Interest, please provide no more than two pages that address how you meet, or propose to meet the above criteria, by 5pm Friday 31 July and email both Rohan Wijesinghe - rohanw@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au and Felicity Cutts - felicity@grassrootsecostore.com.au
Read moreGlenaeon Introductory Webinars - 1st & 30th of July
25 Jun 2020
Following on from three recent very successful and well-attended online introductory webinars, we are now pleased to let you know of two additional webinar event dates.
The first of these will run on Wednesday 1 July at 8pm and will provide a focus on our Kindergarten-Class 2 Castlecrag campus offering and Kindy entry. Register online here. The second, scheduled for Thursday 30 July will run at 9:30am and will focus on the Class 3-6 Primary and Year 7-12 High School experience at our Middle Cove campus. Register online here. Participants will meet our Head of School, Andrew Hill, view a presentation, and ask questions in a Q&A session with our Deputy Heads via Zoom.
If you have friends who are looking for a great school for their children, please suggest that they book in. Guests can alternatively register their interest by contacting our Enrolments Registrar, Chandra Kennedy.
Read moreKindy Work and Warm Soup
25 Jun 2020
Kindergarten children engage in meaningful work alongside their play, and in Winter this involves collecting and cutting the wood for the fire. Children collect wood and with help, cut it to size. Kindergarten teacher Catherine Pilko also demonstrates the art of chopping wood, splitting great logs into fire-sized pieces. Following this, the children enjoy herb tea made from the garden herbs, before sitting together for a warming winter soup. The children know a story called 'Stone Soup', and in each pot is a magic stone that finds its way into one of the children's bowls.
Read moreKindy Winter Fire
25 Jun 2020
Kindergarten collects wood, builds and enjoys a fire each Thursday together. The methodical and careful collection of kindling, sticks and wood, and the building of the fire takes time, patience and perseverance. Once the coals are ready, children make 'doughies' on sticks and toast them over the warm fire. Pulling them off leaves a steaming hole, which is filled with honey and butter and enjoyed on the logs by the fire. It is a deliciously warming 'Bread Day' enjoyed in our Winter Kindy!
Read moreKing Winter comes to Castlecrag
25 Jun 2020
The chill of Winter is well and truly here. Children have been making beautiful winter lanterns, snowflakes and paintings. King Winter has graced the nature tables as the Winter Solstice was celebrated this week at Castlecrag.
Read moreExpressions of Interest - Kitchen/Cafe Manager
25 Jun 2020
We are seeking an experienced Kitchen/Canteen Manager who is able to work within the Glenaeon ethos to ensure healthy and sustainable practices in the delivery of the above services. The position will ideally be an independent contractor. Download the EOI document and for further information, please contact Chris Scrogie or Rohan Wijesinghe on +612 9932 2305 or +612 9932 2315.
Please forward your expression of interest via email by 5:00pm on Friday 31/07/2020 to rohanw@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreFree vacation care program for the holidays - book now!
25 Jun 2020
We are happy to announce that our holiday care program will be available Monday to Thursday from 6-21 July.
The government relief package will apply until 12 July 2020 so this means that the first week of holidays will be FREE!
Come and try our service. Fees will apply from 13 July (Normal CSS rebates resume).
For bookings please go to http://www.glenaeonoosh.com.au/holiday-care-bookings.html
PLEASE SUPPORT US BY FORWARDING THIS FLYER TO FAMILIES / GROUPS OUTSIDE OF Glenaeon School.
All welcome. Thank you and look forward to fun times with the children.
Kind Regards,
Margaret & The OOSH Team
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COVID-19 influenced artworks from Year 8 & 9 now on display in the senior library
25 Jun 2020
When you are stuck at home, isolating from the world, there is a rather magical uplifting of spirit that overtakes when creating art that literally takes you places….for example, Rome in the 1500s.
During the COVID lockdown period, our Year 8 students created some inspired renaissance streetscape drawings and our Year 9s got a kick out of utilising a ball point pen in these footwear artworks. These COVID artworks are now on display to see up close in the senior library at Middle Cove.
Read moreHSC students reduce stress with a mega sports study break
25 Jun 2020
After COVID-19 lockdown and with choir not happening for the Year 12s at the moment, there was a window of opportunity for a one-off PE lesson to be slotted in for the keen Year 12 students stressed out academically due to their HSC preparations.
Student Tim Bacon was instrumental in rallying the group, and helping organise the day by talking to relevant Main Lesson teachers who had since used the choir session for Main Lesson teaching. Once all agreed and the green light was given by Deputy Head of School (Years 7-12) Liz Nevieve, we went ahead last Friday - a bright and sunny morning, perfect for doing exercise!
We were a big group of around 30 students eager to get moving! We began with a push up challenge before splitting the class and engaging in some heavy duty tug-of-war which was convincingly won by one group three times! Then came the heavily requested and all-time favorite ‘Mac Ball’, an individual dodgeball game to remind everyone of the good ol’ times at the beginning of many PE sessions in years gone by.
To calm us down and relax us a bit while being focused on one another we got into four circles to play a game called ‘The Juggler’ in which increasingly more balls will be passed (thrown) around the circle and be returned to the original thrower in quick and quicker succession. Good attention, eye contact, readiness and accuracy all needed in equal measures for a circle, a tribe, to succeed. It was interesting to observe how well the students worked together as they successfully navigated through an activity that creates more havoc in younger year levels. The Year 12s maturity shone and an illustration of the bonds formed by our students over many years together.
The centerpiece of the session was an ultimate Frisbee game, a sport that relies on self-refereeing as all disputes must be resolved between the parties themselves. We used both the courts and the grass area to create a larger playing field that allowed for the Year 12s to have ample playing area and for the game to have enough room with two end zones. The final score was 4:3 in a very tight and even contest.
After a short reflection on what had been experienced and a recognition that ‘we need more of this’ we all came away with a feeling of achievement, happiness and satisfaction. It again reiterated by so many how much they miss regular physical lessons with their mates here at school.
I couldn’t agree more!
Jonas Stoebe
PDHPE Teacher & Co-curricular Organiser
Class 4 explores the history of writing
25 Jun 2020
Class 4 has been fully immersed in learning the history of writing going back to its origins as far back as 3500 BC! Teacher, Katherine Arconati, even built a cave so her students could experience cave drawing. The class also studied pictography, a form of writing which uses representational, pictorial drawings. They used a stylus to write in cuneiform on clay and even made their own paper. Having explored these historical writing methods, the children then received their fountain pens yesterday with much excitement. We can’t wait to see what they write next!
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Kindergarten's new shed extension
25 Jun 2020
Thanks to a kind donation, Castlecrag is enjoying a beautiful new shed extension, built by our Carpenter/Maintenance man Sonny. He extended the shed to include a new balcony and steps, which greatly improves the space and use of the shed in all weather. Kindergarten children really enjoyed his industrious presence as the shed was built, and in the nature of imitative play, became builders themselves along the way.
Read moreTeas from the garden at Castlecrag
25 Jun 2020
At the beginning of each gardening class for Classes 1 & 2, Sandra Frain offers the children a cup of warming tea that is made from various herbs freshly picked from the gardens at Castlecrag campus. Leaves of thyme, sage, oregano, four types of mint, lavender and lemongrass make a delicious brew with hot water added to a large teapot. Herbs can help refresh, stimulate, soothe, protect and cleanse the human body. The children have planted, watered and harvested these herbs. They can all show you where these herbs grow and how you too can 'brew your own tea'. Sandra also helps the Kindy children choose their herbs for fresh herbal tea. Ahh... now we are ready to garden!
Read moreSandpit castles and cascades
25 Jun 2020
Classes 1 & 2 have been very creative at lunchtimes in the sandpit lately. Castles, cascades, drop towers, waterfalls, tracks and ponds have been built and played with by many children. Here are some of their recent beauties in action.
Read moreClass 3 Construction
25 Jun 2020
Class 3 students enjoyed some construction work with Industrial Design & Technology Teacher Anthony Fiore this week. The children used wood, nails, a screw driver, shovels, a spirit level and other tools to create a barn frame in the Primary School playground. Students learned about measurement, creative thinking, and also improved their hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills. The students were very proud of their work.
Read moreClass 4 Paper making with Elizabeth Ellean
25 Jun 2020
Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean took Class 4 through a paper making session as a part of the History of Writing Main Lesson. Students used recycled paper pulp from plant fibres strelitzia (bird of paradise leaf stems) to make the paper. Students used moulds and deckles to make the shape of the paper by hand, pressing and drying it, by pressing it to the window. They also pressed the paper onto patterned brickwork and the bark of a tree to dry. With the plant fibres students tried to simulate what the Egyptians would have done with the papyrus, which is layering the fibres one on top of the other and pressing them together. Class 4 had lots of fun with this activity. The History of Writing is one of the most activity based Main Lessons in the syllabus. The children also made ink and a quill and soon in Handwork the children will be making a cross-stitch fountain pen holder for their new pens.
Read moreDragon Boat Festival celebration
25 Jun 2020
Kindergarten children celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival today. The origins come from China thousands of years ago and many countries today have taken up dragon boat racing, as did Big Kindy this afternoon with our own Dragon Boat race with our drums beating the time. Kindy Assistant Sara Tan created some beautiful origami Rainbow Dragon Boats for all the children to take home and wish their parents a Happy Dragon Boat Festival Day. She also told us the story of this special festival.
Read moreYear 10 subject selection: Modern History & Business Studies with David Alami
25 Jun 2020
David Alami has been a Teacher at Glenaeon for almost two years. He educates students enrolled in a number of subjects at the High School including Business Studies and Modern History. His classes are always near full with these subjects attracting many pupils.
Business Studies
Have you ever wondered how the economy works? What the world of business, finance and marketing really is all about?
If you were thinking of studying human resources, marketing, commerce, accounting, finance, management or business at university then Business Studies is the subject for you. Even if you are not, chances are you are going to be working or be involved in business for a majority of your life, and the knowledge you need to succeed in these endeavours are taught in Year 11 and Year 12 Business Studies.
Business Studies is an interesting course in which the details of the nature of business, management and planning are covered in Year 11. With an emphasis on small and medium businesses, it is a course that many students (and parents) will have some reflections and ideas that will be relatable!
The HSC course looks at large businesses and we look at specific case studies to support the theory. At Glenaeon, we look at teach giant Apple and the national airline Qantas and how they put in practice the main areas of the HSC syllabus: operations, marketing, finance and human resources.
Take note, this is a popular subject and with the recent events affecting our economy, it is a subject choice that will benefit the student long after Year 12 is over.
Modern History
“To understand where we are or where we are going, we must understand the past”. While variations of this statement have been quoted over the years, in times like today, it is of vital importance to really understand how the world we live in, came to be. In Modern History, students learn to understand history through different perspectives. By presenting a well-rounded examination of certain events and personalities, the student in turn will build their own interpretation of the events.
In Year 11, the course starts by looking at some interesting and controversial events in recent history; the assassination of JFK and the reasons behind the Pearl Harbor attacks. While these topics will definitely generate plenty of discussion, most students fall in love with “The Fall of the Romanovs”, where we analyse the fall of the Russian royal family leading up to the Russian Revolution. As well in Year 11, the students conduct a historical investigation in which they will select whatever modern history topic/event/personality/theme that interests them and then study it for their Main Lesson. This year, we round it off by looking at World War I and the effects of the battles on both the Eastern and Western front.
This is all leading to the HSC course, which undertakes a look at “Power and Authority in the Modern World” – How, after World War I most of Europe headed towards dictatorships, particularly Germany and Italy. This is followed by a continuation of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia concentrating on Stalin’s Soviet Union leading up to and including World War II. Finally, we look closer to home, to see how China evolved from Mao’s Cultural Revolution through to the reforms of Deng and Tiananmen Square.
If any of this sounds like it interests you, or your parents have an interest in the world (because history runs in the blood!), then Modern History is for you.
Read moreClass 3 homes of the world
25 Jun 2020
Class 3 have enjoyed a Homes of the World Main Lesson this term and currently have a building project happening in the yard. There was also a separate large scale, unauthorised excavation/mining project that was thoroughly enjoyed and required ‘rediversion’. It was a great, impromptu engineering feat!
Read moreClass 2 Squirrels counting for Winter
24 Jun 2020
Class 2 have begun learning about place value in their current Mathematics Main Lesson. A family of squirrels live in a forest, rich with acorns, ready for collecting and storing for Winter. How will they know they have enough? How many can they eat each day? The family learns to collect single acorns, then groups of ten, followed by ten groups of ten acorns etc. They realise they can group their acorns so they don't lose count along the way! They store them in the hidey-holes in the trees, neatly packed into groups of ten, one hundred and beyond. The classroom reflects this counting journey - a beautiful chalkboard, drawn by Class teacher Lucy Armstrong, daily counting, reflecting the day's story, and hidey-holes at the back of the classroom to store the sorted bags.
Read moreString is in
23 Jun 2020
Castlecrag grounds have been a web of string games lately. From Kindy all the way to Class 2, they have been learning and stringing their way to make Witches' Broom, Harbour Bridge, Parachute, Cup-and-Saucer, Hammock, Cats' Whiskers, Eiffel Tower and more! They have even mastered doing some together in pairs, as well as transferring them to tiny stakes in the ground.
Read moreYear 11's Kauri Palmer awarded in the Nan Manefield Young Writers Award
22 Jun 2020
Congratulations go to Year 11 Glenaeon student, Kauri Palmer who has received a merit certificate in the 2020 Nan Manefield Young Writer’s Award, a writing prize overseen by Stanton Library and North Sydney Council for her short story entry titled, “I Remember You”. The competition was judged in five age categories by a panel of professional authors with prizes totalling over $3,000.
The idea for Kauri’s awarded piece first came about during a creative Friday class at Glenaeon, where the task was to take a celebrity/famous person and put them in an unexpected environment. Kauri then wrote up her 278 word competition submission during the coronavirus lockdown.
The same entry has been shortlisted for a next round of judging in another competition but has already been included in a short story collection e-book called “The Inside Story”, which makes Kauri a published author!
As a prize, Kauri will receive an invitation to a Writing Masterclass with award-winning young adult author Will Kostakis.
Well done Kauri, what a great achievement.
Can anyone guess the identity of the famous person in Kauri’s short story, and where he is?
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Castlecrag Markets - Classes 1 and 2
21 Jun 2020
Class 1 & 2 have had a week of busy playground trade. Perhaps co-inciding with their maths Main Lessons, they have been setting up shops and market stalls all over the playground - buying, selling and trading natural treasures, found wool, seed pods, flowers and leaves. The all-important currency - tiny gumnuts - can be collected near the monkey bars and used to negotiate a good outcome!
Read moreSimplicity Parenting with Mary Heard: The New New Normal
20 Jun 2020
Since his book was published in 2009, Simplicity Parenting author Kim John Payne has spoken about the ‘new normal’ of ‘too much, too fast, too soon’ but since the very foundations of our society have been uprooted, we sense the possibility of a “new new normal”. Like the words recently posted on a Japanese subway ‘We can’t return to normal because the normal we had was precisely the problem’.
As things start to wake up again and the restrictions of the corona virus are lifted we take a moment to ponder what we would like to take with us into the ‘new new normal’. During the isolation period we have been more committed to the important things in life, our priorities have shifted and, on that basis, we can turn our direction however slightly towards living a life in accordance with our own values.
Firstly let us look at stuff, many of us have realised how much time we waste shopping, how good it is to use what we already have and how slowly our bank account goes down when we stay home. Being at home amongst the stuff we already have makes us realise how getting rid of things makes us happier than acquiring them.
Rhythm has also taken on a new meaning with no teachers and no school to do the work for us. Rhythm is the secret of discipline (how teachers manage 30 children at once) and without the rhythm of the school day, family life can become formless chaos. For teachers and for parents, rhythm is our best friend and the return on investment on the time we put into establishing rhythm in our family life makes it well worth the effort.
So many people I talk to are enjoying slowing down and the forced de-cluttering of their lives, realising that time is more valuable than money. For the past few weeks many of us have been thrown off the treadmill only to discover that so many of the things we love doing don’t actually cost money at all! We have seen how nice it is to have days with nothing on, to go for a walk together as a family, to have open ended time at home to pursue our deepest passions or have an afternoon nap.
We have all been relying heavily on virtual reality during the coronavirus and, although it has been incredibly useful, we have all experienced that it doesn’t come close to the real thing. Real human connection feeds the soul and it is worth safeguarding by putting screen free time into our days.
Now the time has come when we can begin the return to business as usual, we may feel pressure to ‘get back to normal’. But this is our big chance to define a new version of normal, to enjoy the fruits of the ultimate de-cluttering we have been through for the past few months, to only bring back what works for us, what makes our lives easier, our hearts warmer and our children happier.
For more information go to: www.maryheardsimplicityparenting.com
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Kindy Bunnies back together
19 Jun 2020
Big Kindergarten children kept themselves busy making pom-pom bunnies and chicks whilst they were home over the Easter break and during the COVID-19 lockdown at home. They all brought them in to visit Kindy.... and what a lovely bunch of bunnies and chicks they were together!
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Indigenous Games with Class 6 during National Reconciliation Week
17 Jun 2020
Class 6 PDHPE students marked National Reconciliation Week with a look at some Indigenous Games. We spoke about what we, as a class know about indigenous culture here in Australia and what contributions indigenous people have made to Australia and how that needs to be recognised more.
Indigenous societies played sports although they were often derived from hunting or prepared for hunting and fitness and were at times only played by the men. Some of their games have the potential to become more popular through their introduction and use among current day students to recognise the contribution First Nations people have made in the field of sport. In this spirit, Class 6 students were eager to explore two indigenous games through their unit on tagging, weaving and dodging games. The two games are Buroinjin and Edor and are both a lot of fun to be played with big groups.
Buroinjin was a game of the Kabi Kabi tribe in southern Queensland who used a ball made of kangaroo skin called Buroinjin. Edor is a chasing-tagging game which comes from the Aurukun indigenous community of northern Queensland. Edor is the name given to a runner who gets secretly picked by one team and has to reach the other side of the field without being tagged by the opponents. If tagged, the game instantly changes direction and Edor is now known and easier to tag but can be helped by his ‘people’, his team. The class thoroughly enjoyed both games and were better able to recognise indigenous contribution to sport in society.
Read moreLittle Kindy harvest lavender
16 Jun 2020
Kindergarten children have been enjoying their return to the garden at Castlecrag, and with Gardening Teacher Sandra Frain's help, have been busy harvesting our fragrant lavender blooms.
Read moreYear 10 subject selections: Studying English Extension in Years 11 and 12 with Pamela Laycock
14 Jun 2020
Pamela Laycock has been teaching at Glenaeon for 20 years, joining the school as a Class Teacher of Year 7. Pamela studied Visual Arts and English at Sydney University, and upon graduation she began a 10 year career in museum management, working in regional art museums as a Gallery Director and Curator. Following this she transferred to teaching by completing a Diploma in Education. She has since gone on to become Head of Department and has supported students to excel in English throughout Years 9 to 12. She has extensive experience in teaching all four Year 11 and 12 English courses and, as an HSC marker herself, is best placed to guide students to achieve to their full potential in HSC English.
Students in Years 11 and 12 can study the mandatory subject English at the standard or advanced level for the HSC. In addition, students can elect to study English Extension 1 in Years 11 and 12, and English Extension 2 in Year 12. The difference between these two courses is that English Extension 1 is based on coursework, whereas in English Extension 2, students select a personal area of interest to research and compose an extended print in either short fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, critical response, sound medium, or multimedia.
English Extension 1 and English Extension 2 have been popular subjects for students who are interested in reading and who wish to work creatively to produce a substantial imaginative composition.
Philippa Grimshaw, currently in Year 12, was interviewed about her experience of studying English Extension 2.
Why should I choose to study both English Extension 1 and English Extension 2?
If you are a student who enjoys studying English, and you are passionate about creative writing, then the courses English Extension 1 in Year 11 and English Extension 1 and English Extension 2 in Year 12 will give you the opportunity to apply your focus in these areas. These courses are about developing your creative potential, as much as they develop your knowledge about the history of the discipline. If there is a passion for writing, then these are enjoyable courses.
What will studying English Extension teach me?
In English Extension we study a variety of texts from the literary canon. Students develop their ability to independently research, and further, how to apply the newly acquired skills to areas that personally interest them. An area of interest could be in short story writing, filmmaking or performance poetry.
What is the number 1 reason why students choose to study English Extension?
Most students who study English Extension love reading and writing. They are motivated by the possibility of writing creatively, and they wish to see their ideas develop within a sustained literary text of which they can be proud.
What makes this subject such a great one to study in HSC? What makes it so interesting?
The student’s area of passion is what drives their work in English Extension 2. Students do not have assigned work and so the work they do doesn’t feel like work, but feels like a break from school work. Students work on the major project for a year, and it is usually satisfying to see their creative efforts progress and develop.
What differentiates Glenaeon’s teaching approach in English to other schools?
The most enjoyable aspect of studying English to the extension level is that, because of the small class sizes, positive relationships form between the students and between the teachers and the students. Writing creatively is challenging, but the rewards and the sense of satisfaction on the completion of the project is highly motivating for everyone. It is so pleasing to be together and witness each other’s growth and pride when the creative project is finished.
How can this subject help students beyond their school years?
Researching something that is of special interest to you is highly motivating. Not only do you develop research skills, but your areas of interest expand and other directions are suddenly possible. Literature, whether one is reading a good book or watching a mind bending film, is always relaxing.
Read moreFinding the Why of Our Lives: Seven Reasons Why a Meaningful Education suits a post-COVID world
12 Jun 2020
“He who knows the why of his life can bear almost any how” Friedrich Nietzsche
If the COVID crisis has taught us anything, it’s to ask questions about our way of life. What will sustain us through a time when all the material certainties are gone? We all face dark times in our lives, but the COVID crisis has taken us through dark times together.
The experience has marked a generation and there seems to be a sense we can’t go back to being the same. The old certainties have been dissolved. If anything is telling us we need a new compass for direction, the COVID crisis has.
As many commentators have written, people have needed a new sense of purpose and direction to get through the COVID time, a sense of meaning. The sense of meaning gives purpose in the absence of outer constraints. So how can education ignite the inner spark that will sustain our students through this time, and on their future journeys?
Glenaeon’s long-term mission of providing a meaningful education has never been more needed. Here are just some of the meaningful moments a Glenaeon education uniquely gives to students growing up in a post COVID world:
- The Human Story: our Steiner curriculum sits as another tier of learning integrated with NESA syllabuses, providing an imaginative experience of the global and historical journey of humanity. Over the years of the primary and early high school, our students pursue the huge story that charts the rise and fall of epochs across the globe. They are given confidence to take their place as global citizens ready to play their part in the next chapter of the grand narrative that is human life.
- Creating beauty: all our students learn the creative arts, to draw, paint, sing, sculpt and act, but we are not an art school. We simply teach our students the arts so they learn to think in multiple perspectives, to realise that life is an unfinished composition, and that they have a creative voice to express their joy, and pain. Most importantly they learn to create beautiful moments that will provide them with endless fulfilment throughout life.
- Designing and making useful things: our students learn to make things, both useful and beautiful, designed by themselves, from sewing in Kindergarten, knitting in Class 1 to blacksmithing in high school. Have you noticed the many articles from the COVID time on the upsurge in artisan activities? People have wanted to make things, to take a stand and push back against a feeling of helplessness. Here is one from Saturday’s Herald on the resurgence in knitting: “For Millennials in particular it’s the idea of something wholesome but mindful and productive. It’s amazing the sense of achievement from finishing something. A lot of people use it for stress relief. It’s in line with cooking and baking. She says knitting also helps balance out the amount of time spent scrolling on smartphones: “You have to be using yours hands to knit.”
- Learning to collaborate, not compete: what has been the stand out learning politically through COVID time? The most successful world leaders have brought diverse people together and built community. They have practised the art of collaborating. Our non-selective, non-ranking classrooms prepare our future leaders to work collaboratively and to build community, a skill learned every day in every class. Take this verbatim comment from our 2019 Year 12 parent exit survey: Glenaeon has a very positive, engaging and accepting student culture; its bully-free, which is astounding in today’s Sydney”.
- The Healing Presence of Nature: during the COVID time, so many people have resorted to the healing power of Nature, whether forest, or gardens, or just green spaces. Our campuses are designed to embed our students in Nature, and Middle Cove’s unique bushland valley is a healing space in itself. Our award winning Outdoor Education program (Best in NSW 2019: Outdoors NSW) challenges students to go beyond their physical and personal limitations to reach a level of resilience and strength that continues to astonish their parents.
- The Power of Play: We are most human when we play, said Schiller. From self-directed play in the early years, to intense sport and games in high school, our students bring a sense of the playful to all that they do. Play liberates us from fixed forms but enables us to live with and within boundaries. Play gives joy in life and release from the restrictions of drudgery.
- A Touch of Transcendence: a sense of something higher, the phosphorescence of life, weaves through our classrooms, our school and our community life. We are inspired by the sublime moments of all cultures, including our country’s roots in The Dreaming.
And through it all, Glenaeon provides an academically enriched and rigorous education: we were in the top 7% of NSW high schools, HSC results over 2018-9.
So have you ever wondered how school could be both mainstream and meaningful? We’ve been doing it for over 60 years, and it works. COVID time has made us more relevant than we have ever been. Meaningful Lives.
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2020 Annual Giving Campaign - Keep Kids in the Classroom
12 Jun 2020
A bursary is a monetary gift which enables a student to attend school when they otherwise might not be able to. Bursaries at Glenaeon are not new. We have a long history of providing short term financial assistance to families in need. With COVID-19, that need is now much greater, which is why we have launched our Annual Giving campaign to help families through this hard time with the COVID-19 Bursary Scholarship Fund.
The identities of bursary students are kept highly confidential and such matters handled with utmost sensitivity and respect for the family. Here is an example of the tremendous impact a bursary can have on a family:
"We have experienced reduced income as a result of the Covid-19 crisis and in years past we’ve had temporary income challenges. Keeping the children enrolled at Glenaeon has always been the #1 goal whenever we have faced financial challenges. It has been challenging and difficult but certainly worth it.
"Glenaeon has been incredibly supportive throughout times of financial challenges in our family. We feel the school is genuinely committed to families – They are as committed to us as we are to them and in today’s world it is incredibly positive and refreshing. The Glenaeon bursary has meant a great deal to our family and has made it possible for the kids to remain at the school, surrounded by a kind, stable & positive environment.
"Having our kids attend Glenaeon is extremely important to our family – we are all committed to the school and are proud to be part of the Glenaeon community. We feel fortunate that our children get to experience all of the unique and positive experiences associated with the school! The teachers are supportive and committed and provide a great environment for learning and social & personal development." ~ Bursary Recipient
A bursary can be life-changing, which is why Glenaeon is now asking for your support. It's an opportunity for our community to show unity for those in our school family who are doing it tough. Please help keep our students in the classroom with a gift if you can. Your gift will not only benefit the recipient, but the community as a whole, keeping friends together, and a stable continuing education for our children.
Donations can now be made online www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/donate or by credit card over the phone, EFT or cheque. Please contact Clare Gordon if you can help. All donations of $2 and over are fully tax deductible.
Read moreGlenaeon Introductory Webinars - 1st & 30th of July
11 Jun 2020
Following on from three recent very successful and well-attended online introductory webinars, we are now pleased to let you know of two additional webinar event dates.
The first of these will run on Wednesday 1 July at 8pm and will provide a focus on our Kindergarten-Class 2 Castlecrag campus offering and Kindy entry. Register online here. The second, scheduled for Thursday 30 July will run at 9:30am and will focus on the Class 3-6 Primary and Year 7-12 High School experience at our Middle Cove campus. Register online here. Participants will meet our Head of School, Andrew Hill, view a presentation, and ask questions in a Q&A session with our Deputy Heads via Zoom.
If you have friends who are looking for a great school for their children, please suggest that they book in. Guests can alternatively register their interest by contacting our Enrolments Registrar, Chandra Kennedy.
Read moreClass 5 and the Anti Racism Team
11 Jun 2020
'May you live in interesting times' is purported to be an ancient Chinese curse, and although there is some argument about its actual providence, the saying rings true at this moment in history.
The events of the world unsettling, alarming even for adults, but when viewed through the eyes of a primary school child, the world right now can seem strange, frightening and incomprehensible. As much as parents try to shield their children from media and adult discussion on these topics, a certain amount, inevitably filters through. One of our jobs, as educators, is to assist children to not only live in, but also to flourish in these 'interesting times' by giving them a healthy framework in which to place their concerns.
Last week, one of our students in Class 5, came to school very upset about the treatment of George Floyd and the ensuing riots in the USA. She explained to her friends and teacher that she felt sad, afraid and helpless. Brendan Strobl (her Class Teacher), talked with her and assisted in transforming her distress into positive local action. You can see the resulting petition/statement and smiles in the photo below. Allowing children to voice their concerns while not adding further distressing detail or research can be a transformative and age-appropriate response; one which encourages the feeling that positive and creative local action in the here and now are possible and meaningful.
At a time like this, educators the world over are putting the ancient curse aside, and for me, there's another great saying that comes to my mind: "Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay." Gandalf
Dani Finch
Deputy Head of School (Kindergarten-Class 6)
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Brendan Strobl's Class 5 Main Lesson Blackboard Beauties captivate
11 Jun 2020
Queen Nefertiti from the Ancient Egypt Main Lesson by Class 5 Glenaeon Teacher, Brendan Strobl
Botany Main Lesson Class 5 Glenaeon Teacher, Brendan Strobl
Read moreConcentrated Meaning: Poetry as a Script for Living in this Coronavirus Time
29 May 2020
Welcome Back
How wonderful to have everyone back at school! The campuses feel alive again as our buildings and grounds resonate with youthful voices and laughter. We have a lot to catch up on, and much to be aware of as we both enjoy the company of all our students while keeping our strict hygiene controls in place. Thank you to all parents for your patience and perseverance though this very challenging time. We have much to look forward to as we return to normal schooling, and normal life. This week is also Reconciliation Week and we posted our own Glenaeon Acknowledgement of Country to mark this significant moment in the year. See School news below.
Poetry as a Script for Living in this Coronavirus Time
Sometime last year I was commiserating with a colleague in the staffroom about a pile of work that we both had still to do when it was already dark and late. Without thinking I just said:
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
They are the final lines of Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, a poem taught to me and my class in Year 8 at Normanhurst Boys High by an American exchange teacher. They express exactly the frustration and exhaustion of knowing there is a pile of work still to do before rest.
Earlier in the day I was returning from driving a friend to the airport when I watched an enormous and perfect rainbow gradually stretch across Mascot and all points east. It was a magnificent sight which made me feel happy, and into my mind came the opening line of Wordsworth’s sonnet:
My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky…,
The two moments on the same day reminded me of the very special power of poetry. Some things just need special words, and I needed them then. And how we need them now!! I was reminded today of how much we need the boost that poetic words can bring as I read Vicki Laveau-Harvie in The Guardian (UK) describing her own feelings during COVID-19 time:
Walking home recently under grey skies, I stopped to watch the afternoon light fail. I could have looked at my phone for comfort, but I found myself instead listening to Shakespeare spooling through my mind, words not remembered since school but intact, beautiful, despairing:
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time.
This was a gift. I breathed easier, bathed in the vitality of poetry, the saturation of meaning that gives it weight. The aptness. I needed this…
We all need it Vicki, and the power of a short and simple poem to uplift, to inspire, to heal a tired heart, is one of life’s mysteries. She calls poetry “concentrated meaning”, a good phrase to capture its intensity, and its power to transform difficulties like the coronavirus world which is having such an impact on our mental health and wellbeing:
Poetry may be the antidote to what many of us feel: we are glued to screens, numb with fear, lost in elastic expanses of time. Poetry’s density can steady us. It contains worlds.
Yes, worlds, and a script for living. At last, a mention of the power of poetry to help us through the coronavirus time.
Poetry is alive and well at Glenaeon. A Glenaeon education is also an education in the spoken word, in living poetry. From nursery rhymes in Kindergarten, through action verses and poems, ballads and narrative poetry, right up to Shakespeare and beyond in High school, poetry is learned by heart and spoken aloud, to experience its power and cadence.
We don’t just do poetry as an outcome in the subject of English, to tick off the Poetry Outcome in each stage of the English syllabus. Poetry for us is “concentrated meaning”, and learned by heart so that it becomes a gift for each student to carry through life.
Sadly, often today poetry is something to analyse for meaning, something to deconstruct and just to read, not speak out loud. Who then remembers those precious words and carries their power through life?
A few years ago the writer and columnist Nikki Gemmel wrote a piece in The Australian bemoaning the loss of learning poetry by heart:
My kids don't learn poetry by heart in their Aussie schools. In London they were forced to, for an annual, compulsory, school-wide competition. Five-year-olds were reciting mostly nursery rhymes but the older kids were diving into Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Lear. It was wonderful to witness. The sheer skill of it; the way their little minds would absorb the poem's rhythm, beauty, narrative muscularity. I wish they'd do something similar here…
Well Nikki, they do at Glenaeon. Here poetry is alive and well, and learnt by heart. The cadences can soothe our fears, give a voice to our deepest feelings, and a warmth to our hearts. In this coronavirus time, poetry with its concentrated meaning can give us nothing less than a script for living.
Hangout for the Homeless
Thank you to everyone who supported this project of a sleep out in support of homeless people last Saturday evening, and there are very many of you. It was intended as a small, humble project to remind us to think about others who are doing it tough in the pandemic, rather than a fund raising project as such. The main aim was to encourage some participation, and sleeping slightly rough was a simple gesture of solidarity with the homeless. With a signup fee of $5, I thought if we raised even $150 that would also be a great contribution to the cause.
The total raised so far this morning is $2,319. What an astonishing result! Special thanks to teachers who really challenged students our high school students to get behind the appeal, and did they ever do that!
My warmest thanks to all the many parents who donated, and/or slept rough on Saturday night, as a contribution to this very vulnerable community in our midst. We hope to stay in touch with Kids Under Cover and hear more of their good work.
Kids Under Cover is an organisation that helps prevent young people ending up on the streets in the first place. They work to support young people at risk of becoming homeless by providing simple accommodation close to the family home where the young person can be separate but secure. Space makes all the difference. They build and provide simple, small structures that are flat packed and can be erected in a day to provide studio accommodation in a back yard. They provide scholarships to get the young person back into education and the workforce. Over the past 25 years they have built hundreds of studios across Australia and assisted nearly 2,000 young people.
https://www.mycause.com.au/page/228465/glenaeon-rudolf-steiner-school
Read moreK-2 Glenaeon Introductory Webinar Wednesday 3 June 8pm
29 May 2020
COVID-19 saw the cancellation of our 2020 Open Day and school tours at all three campuses. In their place, we have been running introductory webinars for parents where participants get to meet our Head of School, Andrew Hill, view a presentation, and ask questions in a Q&A session with our Deputy Heads via Zoom. The next Introductory Webinar is scheduled for Wednesday 3 June at 8pm and will provide a focus on our K-Year 2 Castlecrag campus offering and Kindy entry. If you have friends who are looking for a great school for their children, please suggest that they come along. Guests can register their interest by clicking on this link or by contacting our Enrolments Registrar, Chandra Kennedy.
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GlenXers tie the knot
29 May 2020
We have some very joyful, happy news to share. Two graduates from Glenaeon have married. Alumni Mary Parsch (Class of 1998) and Takeaki Totsuka (Class of 1995) have tied the knot. The pair wed on 21st March. Takeaki is the brother of Glenaeon’s Head of Department (Science) Yura Totsuka. The wedding was initially planned to be held at the Castelcrag campus, but had to be adapted when COVID-19 struck. With only love in the air, the wedding took place with the couple, two witnesses and a celebrant present. They then moved to our beautiful Castlecrag school campus garden for the official photos.
On behalf of the entire Glenaeon community we congratulate the happy couple and wish them a lifetime of good health, happiness and prosperity. The garden looked so beautiful thanks to Glenaeon’s long-standing gardener Lindsay who has known the Parsch family for a long time.
Are there any other GlenX weddings for the history books? Share your story with us via newsletter@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read moreClass 3's Evie lets her hair hang down, then chops it off
29 May 2020
After growing her hair for over a year in preparation, Evie from Class 3 cut her 50cm locks last week and donated it to Variety's Hair with Heart charity to be made into a wig for children in need. Evie's Mum explains, "Evie was very excited leading up to the big chop and to put her plan in place to wear a disguise for her first day back at school with short hair. Class teacher Roger welcomed 'Frank' to Class 3 and 'Frank' had a lot of fun with the new hair style." The wigs are given to children in need, but Variety also provides assistance to other children in many ways eg wheelchairs, camps, therapy. See website for more details https://hairwithheart.variety.org.au/ Good on you Evie for giving up your hair and doing something amazing to help others. Glenaeon is proud of you!
Read moreYear 8 students draw guitars
29 May 2020
Hendrix, Knopfler, Page and Clapton all started somewhere! Here, our Year 8 Music students are currently learning all about the guitar. Students recently created these very beautiful drawings of guitars, naming all the parts of the instrument.
Read moreFirst Day back Excitement
29 May 2020
Last Monday - the first full day back for the whole K - 2 campus - was a kaleidoscope of activity and excitement. Children were thrilled to see each other again, and the playground at lunchtime was a moving picture of climbing, swinging, digging, laughing, running, jumping and cubby building. It really was the 'Giant's Garden' that Andrew Hill wrote about last week!
Read moreA Tale of Two Rivers in the Kindergartens
29 May 2020
Big and Little Kindy create worlds of sand and water in the sandpit together. On this occasion starting rivers from either end - aiming to dig and pour enough water to join them together and let it flow as one long river! Many buckets and spades later, they had success! Teamwork, planning and perseverance results in an immense amount of fun being had as they come back together again. The rain is no deterrent!
Read moreClass 2 Stories of Light
29 May 2020
Class Two have begun their 'Stories of Light' Main Lesson with teacher Lucy Armstrong. They practise their literacy skills - writing, spelling and grammar - through the beautiful tales of animals and their adventures. Artist Julia Byrne created this beautiful drawing as an inspiration for today's Main Lesson work, which is drawn on the board in chalk by Lucy, and then created by the children in their own books. This is followed by one sentence written from the story.
Read moreGardening with Class 2
29 May 2020
Class 2 enthusiastically helped to collect wheelbarrow-loads of natural matter from around the campus to the compost, taking turns to move the big loads in teams. Once there, it is unloaded and tipped onto the compost and celebrated with a good jump by the children on it's springy top! The children have learned so much about the importance of recycling as much natural material as we can on campus, including plants, food scraps and paper. At Castlecrag we have a very small carbon footprint, as all of our recycling and reusing that the children are involved in make a huge difference. Gardening Teacher Sandra Frain was glad to have her larger troupe of helpers back on campus!
Read more2020 Annual Giving Campaign - Keep Kids in the Classroom
28 May 2020
This week, we launched our Annual Giving campaign. We are aiming to raise $100,000 to help keep students in the classroom with donations to the COVID-19 Bursary Scholarship Fund. COVID-19 has affected a significant number of our families. For those in the community who can afford to assist, we respectfully ask for your kind support. Donations can now be made online www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/donate or by credit card over the phone, EFT or cheque. Please contact Clare Gordon if you can help. Your gift will make a big difference. All donations of $2 and over are fully Tax Deductible.
Read moreYear 10 subject selections: Biology with Dr Stanley Tang
28 May 2020
Our spotlight on subject selections for Year 11 & 12 continues. This story looks at Biology with Dr Stanley Tang...
Perhaps the COVID-19 global pandemic has peaked your child’s interest in joining the health care sector, or maybe they dream of saving marine wildlife? Studying biology, whether for the career-path ahead, or because it feeds the soul, is a great subject choice. Our biology teacher, Dr Stanley Tang has a Master of Teaching (secondary Mathematics and Science) from the University of Sydney, a Doctor of Philosophy in Conservation Genetics and a Master of Applied Science (Zoology) from James Cook University and has been a Teacher at Glenaeon for the past two years. He also discovered the largest of the two remaining populations of the Black-throated Finch in the centre of the Adani Coal Mine. Stanley is a former volunteer at the Society of Conservation Biology (Sydney chapter) and was on the NSW Young Scientist Awards 2019 organisation committee for the Science Teachers Association of NSW. Now teaching full time, Stanley is committed to his students, studying birds and photography and thinks biology at Glenaeon is a truly exciting subject.
“The science of biology is mainly studying about life. It provides an in-depth, scientific understanding of the variations in the structures and functions of organisms, as well as the effects of the environment on living things. Biology also explores reproduction, inheritance patterns, the causes of genetic variation, and how they are applied in biotechnology and medical fields.
“At Glenaeon, doing biology means you will have many opportunities to work in the field with experts. Some great learning activities we have done in the past include bird banding, rock pool biodiversity research, invertebrate surveys, nocturnal spot-lighting and various genetic and medical workshops in university laboratories.”
Read moreYear 10 subject selections: Visual Arts with Alisan Smotlak
28 May 2020
Year 10 students are about to make their subjects selections for HSC Year 11 and 12. There is much to consider, so we thought we’d interview some of our wonderful school Teachers for their views on subject selection. Alisan Smotlak B.A (Vis Arts) B. ED (Vis Arts) BA. Int Design, has been a Teacher for 25 years and a Teacher at Glenaeon for the past 20 years, the last two years as Head of Department (Visual Arts).
Why should students pick Visual Arts?
Visual Arts allows the student to gain wide perspectives of the world, have the opportunity for self-expression, mental focus, and the shared human experience of artistic enjoyment in appreciation of, and gaining skills in, many different materials.
What will studying Visual Arts teach me?
The student learns to become a liberal thinker, understand and engage about ideas and the world. Creating works empowers the individual to realise their strengths in decision making and tangible completions.
What is the number one reason why students choose to study Visual Arts?
The reasons why students enrol into Visual Arts are varied. Many times they choose it to ‘take a break from the bookwork courses’, or want to engage in artistic pursuits in University. My students have directly been accepted into university using their Body of Work as part of their portfolio eg. National Art School, COFA, NIDA Costume Design, Architectural Degrees. Even if they are not planning on pursuing art, they enjoy the challenge that art-making provides.
What makes this subject such a great one to study in HSC? What makes it so interesting?
The visual arts course allows the interests of the student to be at the fore of their studies. There are no set textbooks that you have to start and finish. The topics are led often by the students’ interests. There is lots of excitement watching artworks develop, serious conversations and a sense of autonomy over learning.
Why are you passionate about this subject?
I have lived and breathed art from a very young age. I have never not had art in my life, in either making, looking or educating. Everyday there is something new to discover in either techniques, materials, ideas. It is always so fulfilling to see students and parents at the end of the HSC year, display their work proudly, stand back and be in awe of what they have achieved. There are always a lot of smiles and happiness in the art room.
How can this subject help students beyond their school years?
To stand in front of an artwork when it’s difficult to know where to go next, and then contemplate, experiment, question, and then discover the next solution, is a tool that will live with you and assist you in the many decisions life gives you. There is always an answer and always hope if you have ambition and experience to work to achieve a solution in whatever aspect of your life.
What differentiates Glenaeon’s teaching approach in THIS SUBJECT to other schools?
Each year the student group is looked at very carefully and the topics that are studied are tailored to them. The groups are often between 8-12 students max, which allows for a very personal connection for every student. The personal approach allows the student to gain a great deal of confidence in their abilities and the group is always very supportive of each individual. As we have a median size group, the opportunity for multiple art making and viewing excursions is highly valued. A strength is Yr 11 and 12 are taught by two teachers. This give the opportunity for one teacher to focus on theory and the other on practical. This benefits the students to keep the subject delineated and focussed in the two different areas, whilst allowing the opportunity to have two teachers following their art making. This creates a very supportive environment as the students always have someone to talk to. Both teachers have been engaged with the school for 20 years each having their own children educated here. Both teachers are involved in other aspects of the school – one in a Guardian and Outdoor Education role and one in creative aspects of the school- musicals and exhibitions. This gives the teachers a broader connection to the school and supports the students’ awareness of the integration that an Art teacher has within the whole school. The HSC students also have their own independent working spaces on the ‘mezzanine’ where they can leave their work permanently and work on it at any time, very much envied by other schools.
Anything else you wish to add that will excite Year 10s about the choices they are about to make?
Art, above all subjects, is an opportunity to really explore materials and develop ideas of what you are really passionate about. Where the boundaries, are what you create. It will build your self-confidence, and help you learn to articulate your ideas about life in general. It’s a place of activity and rewards that are tangible, in a world where so much exists in the ‘cloud’, it’s wonderful to be able to create something with your hands and have a real sense of achievement.
Alisan shares, “Glenaeon has given me a wide scope to invest my energies into many creative endeavours, I have taught many amazing students, and there are quite a few who I am still in contact with (even from my first HSC group in 1994) I have made life-long friends and on a daily basis richly fulfilled with the diversity of events that our school presents. I have lived near Manly all my life and hence I am very connected to the water. The sounds of the waves, the storms and the wind being near the coast is very important. It is always changing, full of energy and very unpredictable. My other great love is visiting galleries and performances. I was fortunate to have grandparents and my mother who bestowed on me the love of the art world, music, ballet, books and visual arts. My father was always industrious and worked with his hands. These combinations have had a profound impact on what I do. I will always be involved in the arts in some way and I encourage Year 10s to seriously consider continuing their study of Visual Arts courses at Glenaeon in Year 11 and 12.
Read moreLittle Kindy enjoys the rain
28 May 2020
The water pond fills during rain, something to which Little Kindy always looks forward to. They don their gumboots, rain pants and coats to head out and cart some water, creating water flows and pools of their own.
Read moreClass 2 – Creating Words with Wool
26 May 2020
Class 2 children have been busy creating words with wool as a new way to practice their sight words. Class teacher Lucy Armstrong gave each child a set of sight words unique to them, and the students then manipulated the wool to spell out the words. Words are the building blocks for language development and when combined with wool, gives students some gross motor fun to experience real hands-on learning!
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Thank you from Kangaroo Island
26 May 2020
It was lovely to receive this special thank you card from the Kangaroo Island Koala and Wildlife Rescue Centre last week in recognition of all the supportive work undertaken by our Community. Thank you to all the students, parents, staff and volunteers who gave up their time to help with knitting, crafting and making cards. Big thank you to Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean for all her work to coordinate this wonderful effort.
Read moreNoble horses for Class 1 courses
16 May 2020
Class 1 have been making great use of their new stick crayon sets, which teacher Rodney Dean recently gifted to all his students. Rodney has been busy uploading audio stories and video files for home learning. Class 1 have been practising reciting their alphabet, writing their capital letters with a focus on writing their first sentences. This week’s work comes out of the stories of Rapunzel, The 12 Brothers and other fairy-tales. The children have also drawn some marvellous pictures of a horse in their guided drawing lessons. Great work Class 1!
Read moreTerm 2 Handwork projects underway
16 May 2020
Term 2 has brought with it some wonderful handwork projects. Class 1 will start work on their recorder bags, a weaving project which, once completed, holds each child's recorder right throughout the primary years. Class 2 will begin their long-stitch pencil case, which they will also use for years to come. The children will be collecting these as they return to school next week. The rich colours of the wool are always inspiring and beautiful. Thanks to Elizabeth for preparing so many take-home kits and for the work done behind the scenes.
Read moreKindergarten and Little Kindy students return to campus
15 May 2020
With COVID restrictions now being gradually eased, the Kindergarten teachers and children were delighted to be back in Kindergarten for two days this week. Despite our rather different start to the day, which involved a very quick goodbye to Mums and Dads at the gate or at the bottom of the Kindy stairs, we all quickly found our way back into the healing rhythmic flow of daily life in the Kindergarten. We were full of joy and enthusiasm as we heartily ate our Kindy morning tea, shared our stories and songs and happily worked and played in the golden light of the Kindy garden. By the end of two days we were once again full with all the magic and wholesome engagement that ‘real-life’ Kindy brings each day. Our time away from Kindergarten has affirmed above all, that the Kindergarten lives in the healing environment and rhythms that we create here each day in our beautiful campus at Castlecrag.
Catherine Pilko
Read more“A Wonderful Sight”: Welcome Back to School
15 May 2020
What a joy it was to see Year 12, then Year 11, and Kindergarten at school this week! All three year levels have been back in action: the seniors full time, and Kindergarten for two days. A school without students is an empty place, devoid of soul like a skeleton without flesh and bones.
To see the garden of Kindergarten pulsing with life again as the Kindy’s ran and played was, to quote Oscar Wilde, “a wonderful sight”. It reminded me of that moment in his The Selfish Giant when the giant looks out his window and sees that the children have returned to his garden:
"He saw a most wonderful sight. Through a little hole in the wall the children had crept in, and they were sitting in the branches of the trees. In every tree that he could see there was a little child. And the trees were so glad to have the children back again that they had covered themselves with blossoms, and were waving their arms gently above the children's heads. The birds were flying about and twittering with delight, and the flowers were looking up through the green grass and laughing." (Oscar Wilde, The Selfish Giant)
The teachers are very much looking forward to having the Kindergarten move to three days back, Class 1 for two days, and the rest of the school present for one day next week. We will review our staged transition back to full time school after that day of full attendance, and any changes to the next stage of the plan will be communicated directly.
In preparation for the full return, we have strict controls in place:
- Environmental cleaning has been upgraded to ensure all high traffic surfaces are cleaned three times each day;
- Protocols on hygiene such as hand washing will be emphasised to students and hand sanitizers will be available in all classrooms;
- Any student or staff member who shows any symptoms of illness must stay at home;
- Any student who has a family member with a compromised immune system may stay at home if he/she wishes and complete school work at home;
- Isolation procedures including temperature checks will be in place for any student who develops symptoms of illness during the day; and
- Parents are not to enter any campus of the school unless there is an urgent need.
On Monday and Tuesday next week, all regular supervision duties for drop off and pick up of students, including the traffic controller on Eastern Valley Way, will be in place. The Traffic Management plan for Middle Cove will be back in force, and we request all parents meeting younger students at both campuses to maintain appropriate social distancing.
Welcome back!!
Hangout for the Homeless
When the news of the lockdown came through with the directive to Stay at Home, my first thought was, what about all the people who don’t have a home? Every night some 100,000 people in Australia spend the night homeless in some form, most sleeping rough, on the streets or in shelters. Of these 100,000 the estimate is that 40,000 are young people.
There are a number of organisations doing wonderful work to support the homeless. But becoming homeless is an end result, and it’s a hard road back to any kind of normality.
Kids Under Cover is an organisation that helps prevent young people ending up on the streets in the first place. They work to support young people at risk of becoming homeless by providing simple accommodation close to the family home where the young person can be separate but secure. Space makes all the difference. They build and provide simple, small structures that are flat packed and can be erected in a day to provide studio accommodation in a back yard. They provide scholarships to get the young person back into education and the workforce. Over the past 25 years they have built hundreds of studios across Australia and assisted nearly 2,000 young people.
Hangout for the Homeless is their fundraiser on Saturday May 23rd. They are asking people to support the homeless by sleeping out yourself, either outside or even on the floor, just not in your regular bed. Try to experience at least a moment of not having your own comfortable bed to lie in. It costs just $5 to register, and we’ve created a Glenaeon team. When you register, you can join the Glenaeon team.
You can seek sponsorships from family and friends to sponsor you for the night. You can donate as much as you able, to support young people keep a roof over the heads, and hope in their hearts.
Go to: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/228465/glenaeon-rudolf-steiner-school
[If you are participating in this fundraiser please submit your photos to newsletter@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au so we can share in our next edition]
Read more
Playgroup room is ready and waiting
14 May 2020
Sandra continued her Playgroup Zoom chat this week and it was another warm, enjoyable session with parents and children able to connect from the playgroup room at Castlecrag. Some of the childrens' little friends help Sandra sing hello to them all. It is such a lovely space, and the toys here are ready and waiting for when playgroup can return! Here are some of your favourite friends, just waiting to be discovered when playgroup resumes. Next week Nancy Amini will also be connecting with her playgroup families using Zoom, and there is also a special Zoom session for new families and those on our waiting lists who would like to say hello and stay in touch this way as well. For all Playgroup Zoom enquiries please contact: Sandra Frain
Read moreYear 10: Subjects backed with passion, win for Finn
14 May 2020
Our Year 10 students are now contemplating what courses to study in Year 11 and 12. The decision making is not too far away. To date, there have been three separate evening information sessions on Zoom run by Heads of Department or Senior Teachers covering Mathematics, the Sciences and Humanities to give all Year 10 students and their parents, an understanding of what each course involves. There will be another three information sessions running next week to deep dive into Languages, VET and externally studied courses, Business Studies, Art & Design and the Performing Arts plus more.
A copy of the Year 11 & 12 Curriculum Handbook is now available for all students that wish to have a look at what Glenaeon Senior School offers.
In the last newsletter edition, Ruby Vella shared her reflections on subject selection, and this time we have current Year 12 Student, Finn Gladstone sharing his experience...
What subjects are you studying this year?
I’m studying English Advanced with Extension 1, Biology with Science Extension and Music 2 with Music Extension.
Which subjects did you study in Year 11?
I studied English Advanced (+ext1), accelerated Advanced Mathematics, Music 2, Chemistry, Society & Culture and Biology.
How did you decide which subjects to study? How did you pick? What were the factors you considered when choosing?
I primarily examined which subjects I gained the most enjoyment and validation from while studying... In my opinion it’s more efficient and enjoyable in the long run to pick a subject with a background of passion rather than primarily on good marks.
New books have arrived in the Senior Library
14 May 2020
Glenaeon Senior Library has some new additions to the shelves including these two wonderful books: The Art of Kindness by Meredith Gaston and Fluent Forever: How to Learn Any Language Fast and Never Forget It by Gabriel Wyner. Students are welcome to borrow these books during library hours. The desks, chairs, computers and study rooms in the library are cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis. The library general opening hours are from 8:30am to 5:00pm and parents are most welcome to borrow books under their child’s name.
Read morePhysics with Jennifer Macgonigal
14 May 2020
Jennifer Macgonigal has been a Teacher for 15 years and has been teaching Physics at Glenaeon for the past six years. Following a career in Veterinary Science she completed a Diploma of Education and transferred to teaching. Her enthusiasm for the Physics started early, when, as a young child, she first pondered the question, ‘Does the universe really go on forever?’ It has been her passion ever since. We’ve asked Jennifer to tell us why Physics is the pick of the crop….
Why should I pick Physics?
Have you ever wondered how it all began? Where the universe came from? How vast it is and what it is made up of? Does it interest you to find out more about the nature of matter, where energy comes in and what is light? Are you drawn to understanding how a cell phone works, how rockets are launched into space or perhaps how we generate electricity? And what is relativity or quantum mechanics anyway? These are just a few of the questions we tackle in physics.
What will studying Physics teach me?
In Physics we study how and why things move. We use a series of mathematical equations and laws to describe and predict motion. We conduct experiments to build skills which we then use to make predictions. We use our understanding of the laws of physics and the mathematical equations that underpin them to make sense of the world around us.
What is the number 1 reason why students choose to study Physics?
Most students who study physics love maths. They are drawn to the concept of using equations to describe and predict the movement of an object, be it a tennis ball in flight, a satellite in motion or an electron orbiting the nucleus of an atom. Students who study physics want to understand more deeply the world in which they live, and they are keen to work hard to develop that understanding.
What makes this subject such a great one to study in HSC? What makes it so interesting? Why are you passionate about Physics?
Physics is fascinating! Is a deeply humbling subject to study. It is conceptually difficult and at times challenging, but that’s what makes it so interesting. I often joke with my students that they will enter my classroom in Year 11 with some sense of the world and leave at the end of Year 12 with far more questions than answers and a greater sense of just how little they know! By studying Physics, you are probing the nature of universe. I find it extraordinary that the same equations that describe a marble rolling down a slope apply to a planet orbiting a star in a distant galaxy.
What differentiates Glenaeon’s teaching approach in Physics to other schools?
By far the greatest advantage of studying Physics at Glenaeon is the small class sizes. For a challenging subject it is such an advantage. As a teacher I am acutely aware of how my students are placed in the subject and the size of the class allows for some wonderful discussions.
How can this subject help students beyond their school years?
When you consider how much Physics underpins your very existence and the way in which you operate in the world, the subject speaks for itself. And if that hasn’t convinced you? Physics makes for great dinner party conversations!
Chemistry is right with Yura Totsuka
14 May 2020
Yura Totsuka has been Head of Department (Science) at Glenaeon for the past five years and a Teacher for over 18 years. She studied at the University of New South Wales and is as passionate about her students and teaching as she is about Chemistry.
If you are wondering if chemistry is right for you, read on to find out more...
Why should I pick Chemistry?
In Chemistry, you develop a deeper understanding of matter and its behaviour which is fundamental to our world. It is often referred to as the ‘central’ science because knowledge gained can be applied to many other areas of science. It joins together physics and mathematics, biology and medicine, and earth and environmental sciences. Chemistry plays a role in everyone’s lives and touches almost every aspect our existence.
What will the study of Chemistry teach me?
The Chemistry course provides opportunities to develop critical thinking, problem solving and investigative skills. Students who complete this course find the experience extremely fulfilling to persevere with, to grasp abstract concepts, to hone their skill of applying their knowledge of the physical world to understand the phenomena around them, from washing hands to the materials that fill our houses, the fuel burnt to make energy, and the nature of fizzy drinks.
What differentiates Glenaeon’s teaching approach in Chemistry to other schools?
The greatest advantage will be the small class size. The concepts presented in the course can be abstract and some mathematical skills are needed. With a small class size, it means your questions are addressed immediately, in class, and allows for robust class discussions. It also means that you will always be involved heavily in the practical works, which is fundamental in the study of Chemistry.
Yura says it is best summed up by one of our students: “The course is for students who are curious about the world and those who want to understand and explain our day-to-day phenomena. Give it a go, it’s fun!”
Read moreMother's Day gifts made with love
14 May 2020
Some of the Kindy, Class 1 and Class 2 children made some beautiful Mother's Day gifts. They produced many lovehearts made with lots of love! Little Kindy made wet-felted necklaces from their take-home packs prepared by Junko, Big Kindy sewed heart necklaces taken home with help from many Dads. Class 1 & 2 made two types of loveheart decorated bags. Thank you to Handwork teacher Elizabeth Ellean for the take-home kits and parent helpers! Love was definitely in the air.
Read morePlaygroup families connect on ZOOM
08 May 2020
Some of Sandra’s regular Tuesday and Wednesday Playgroup Families connected over ZOOM yesterday. It was the first time parents and carers were able to connect since the COVID19 restrictions were put in place over a month ago. During the joyous session (with song and movement) Sandra led an adult discussion on ‘golden moments’ and other child development themes, and the group discussed how COVID19 had impacted them and their children. There were many moments of recognition over the struggles that COVID 19 has created for families and the happy memories that past Glenaeon Playgroups have brought too.
Whilst, nothing quite compares to an actual physical and traditional Rudolf Steiner influenced Playgroup, the families told Sandra that they were very happy to have had the opportunity for social connection, the chance to learn more about Steiner Education’s approach to early childhood development, and the ability to pick up new and different ideas for enjoying this time at home with our children.
The Zoom calls for Playgroup Families will continue with demand and a new Zoom session may be opened up to new families and families in regional areas who might wish to learn more about the attributes of traditional Steiner Playgroups.
Playgroup Zoom enquiries: Sandra Frain
Read moreClass 6 Home Garden Project
08 May 2020
Class 2 make happy hoppy frogs
08 May 2020
Class 2 Teacher Lucy makes videos to help her students create beautiful Main Lesson drawings. She also recently used her videos on GLO to help the children make their own moving frogs at home. Look at some of their happy hoppy frogs that were made just before the holidays.
Read moreAncient Egypt
08 May 2020
This week's Blackboard Beauty is by Brendan Strobl for Class 5's Ancient Egypt Main Lesson.
Read moreYear 10: How to pick your HSC subjects
06 May 2020
Our Year 10 students will soon be making some very exciting and important decisions - what courses to study in Year 11 and 12. It's time for our students to start actively thinking about their interests, and the important things to consider when making these choices. For some, it's as straightforward as selecting their preferred subjects that allow them to follow their passions, and for others, it’s about carefully considering areas of strengths and a pattern of study that will support them during their final years of High School at Glenaeon.
Glenaeon offers a large range of subjects, from Modern History to Chemistry and from Music to Physics, and with the inclusion of students being able to study courses not run internally through distance education, the choices are almost endless.
Over the next few Newsletter editions we will publish stories designed to help our Year 10s with their choices. Two current Year 12 students will share their course selection tips and their personal experience of making selections, plus we will have some of our wonderful Senior School teachers pitch their pet subjects.
The Year 11 and 12 Information Evening will still go ahead, made possible during this period of remote learning by the wonders of Zoom, albeit in a new form. Throughout Week 3 of this term, students and parents will be able to Zoom with the Year 11 and 12 teachers to hear about the ins and outs of each subject, and the exciting areas of study into which each delve. Detailed information about the new format will be emailed to Year 10 students and parents by Liz Nevieve in the coming days, and she looks forward to introducing the subject selection process to you.
First up, current Year 12 Student Ruby Vella shares her reflections on selecting HSC subjects...
Read moreClass 1 begin their first words Main Lesson
06 May 2020
It's always an exciting moment in Class 1 when the children receive their first stick crayons, which correlates with their First Words Main Lesson. This year, each child receives a small gift - a rainbow of stick crayon colours. Class 1 teacher Rodney Dean tells the story of two children Ken and Jane, who meet Tilda the kangaroo. Tilda gives them a parchment, but it is blank! They call on Alphabetica, who tells them "Learning letters is important, but you need to learn WORDS. When you have learned enough words, they will magically appear on the parchment". It sounds like it is going to be a great adventure! Rodney has also produced a video on correct crayon grip to help students as they begin their new Main Lesson Book this week.
Read moreKindergarten planting bulbs for springtime
05 May 2020
At the end of Term 1, Kindergarten children took home a little brown bulb to plant in their own gardens, which will wait and grow slowly, in anticipation of the warmth and flowers in Spring. Kindergarten teacher Catherine Pilko also recorded a story 'Little Brown Bulb' for them to listen to. Here at Castlecrag, our little bulbs are getting excited and starting to peep their green shoots out already! I wonder what sort of flowers we will see when we all come back to play?
Read moreA celebration of colour at Castlecrag
05 May 2020
Castlecrag has exploded with colour. The flowers are glorious. It is a rainbow of colours as you look around the grounds from deep red flowers, huge orange wild cosmos plants (taller than your teachers!), yellow lantern bush, lush greens and deep purple. I wonder if we can plant some blue flowers for Spring?
Read moreSilver Linings Comeback
01 May 2020
Worimi Ngani!
“Greetings” in Dharug, one of our local indigenous languages which is staging a comeback.
The literal meaning is “I see you come from far away”, so it’s particularly appropriate as we say welcome to all families and students as we come back to term in this unusual year of 2020. What will Glenaeon’s own comeback be?
As has been said countless times recently, the situation is fluid and the term ahead uncertain. Last Friday I wrote to all parents and staff (Update #12) outlining the three stages of our return to school plan over Term 2.
Since then two reports were released over the weekend that changed the situation for schools:
- The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), the gold standard in Australian health advice, published updated advice that the “venue density rule” is not realistic or applicable in schools and confirmed the very limited evidence of transmission by students in schools.
- The NSW government’s transmission of COVID-19 research showed a negligible transmission rate in schools so far in NSW.
In the light of these new reports, and with strict controls in place, we have decided to revise that initial plan with the following arrangements.
Stage 1 will now include
- a full return to school for Year 12 from next Monday May 4th
- A full return to school for Year 11 from Monday May 11th
- Remote learning will continue for Kindergarten to Year 10.
Stage 2 will commence as planned on Monday May 18th (Week 4) with partial returns for all other year levels.
The nature of that return for all classes and year groups, and for how many days per week, will depend on developments over the next two weeks. All students will be invited to enjoy a return to school in some form in Week 4.
Stage 3 will commence with a full return of all students at a date to be determined, which we hope, and anticipate, will be later in term 2.
Of course these plans could all change if there is a sudden spike in transmissions in the community. We will update all parents regularly with our plans so there is as much certainty as possible in this uncertain time.
I emphasise that any return to school is based on the strict controls we have in place to ensure the health of all students and teachers, controls which are all guided by AHPPC advice:
- Social distancing will be managed as much as is possible for student-teacher interactions and through protocols on movements in confined spaces;
- Environmental cleaning will be upgraded to ensure all high traffic surfaces are cleaned three times each day;
- Protocols on hygiene such as hand washing will be emphasised to students and hand sanitizers will be available in all classrooms;
- Any student who shows any symptoms of illness must stay at home and continue to learn remotely;
- Any student who has a family member with a compromised immune system may stay at home if he/she wishes and continue to learn remotely;
- Isolation procedures including temperature checks will be in place for any student who develops symptoms of illness during the day
- Movement of parents and other adults on school campuses will be staggered and strictly limited to essential needs.
Silver Linings
The clouds have been dark and dreary but they have had silver linings. Like any crisis, you are reminded of what matters in life, and what you hold most dear.
There have been some voices advocating the triumph of technology, and how this crisis will catapult education into a new technological era. Will it really? The message from so many people is how much students are missing their teachers, their classrooms, their mates, and well, they are quite simply missing school. That’s real school with real human beings around them.
We are also reminded of what school is fundamentally about. Schools can get drawn into so many extra things, all of them fine and uplifting. In these times we are reminded that school is about learning, and learning as a whole person. What has been so inspiring to me over the past month has been observing Glenaeon’s teachers working so hard in lifting their instruction from just delivering content, to building real, living experiences in learning.
Above all, this time has continued to affirm that we learn as whole human beings. The technology has served us well as a tool, but it is not just our brain that learns in front of a screen. The warm, beating heart of a living classroom made up of a community of students and teachers is education at its best, and we look forward to a swift return to that happy state.
Read moreYear 8 Textiles students stitch a postcard from home
16 Apr 2020
Handwork teacher Elizabeth Ellean recently set a challenge to Year 8 students and the brief was to use any materials from home to make a Stitched Postcard. The project involved selecting scrap fabrics and other textile materials to make a postcard, with the theme 'From Your Natural Environment'. Below is a picture of Maya's work submitted on GLO, made with some fabric she discovered at home. Nice work Maya.
Read moreClass 6 look out the window, reflect and write
15 Apr 2020
One of the tasks recently assigned to Class 6 was a writing challenge. Students were invited to write a descriptive passage of what they see outside their window. They were asked to use lots of describing words to help the reader form pictures in their own mind, of what students see, hear and feel. We've had some beautifully written responses. See below for some examples of student work. What's outside your window right now?
Read moreClass 4 map and divide by 2
14 Apr 2020
Class 4 Teacher Katherine Arconati recently taught her Class 4 students how to divide by 2 in a brand new way. It involves a house, and knocking on a door. Check out the method in Katherine's new video on the Class 4 GLO page. Katherine may or may not have worn the same outfit two days in a row. The tricks of online learning videos!
Also, the class toured the campus early in Term 2 and then from home, drew maps of our Middle Cove campus. Images of these wonderful maps can be found below.
Class 4 have also been creating some form drawings in chalk on the footpath outside home. This activity is about spreading joy not germs. Great work Class 4!
Read more
Staying warm and close in our families during the holidays
13 Apr 2020
Social distancing laws will encourage us to examine what creates warmth and connection in our lives. There is no question regarding the link between warmth and immunity but emotional warmth may now also be a factor to be considered. As we approach the Easter holidays our attention will no doubt turn to how we can create warmth and connection in our homes.
Strong family rhythms are the ‘glue’ that holds our families together. Bed time is a good place to start so that everyone stays in synchronicity with each other. I recommend for now that your children keep their regular bedtimes throughout the holidays, parents also need to model strong bedtime rhythms. I recommend having at least a ten-hour period where the phone is on ‘do not disturb’ so that you have an hour away from screens before bed to keep your natural body rhythms intact (of course this also applies to children and teenagers). Also it is good to have an hour of ‘quiet time’ in the morning before the phones start to ring (or beep).
Keep mealtimes regular and connected with everyone sitting down together (no phones). Make them as ritualistic as possible so that they have an obvious beginning and end, this will help to keep everyone present physically and emotionally. Try to engage in conversation about how everyone is going and what things you are all finding different/difficult and what you are enjoying about this strange time.
Bringing love and goodness into the home life and a sense that ‘we are all in this together’, trying to help each other, will also warm the atmosphere of the home. Encourage children to help with family chores, creating beauty, order and cleanliness in the house - keep this high on the list of priorities by modelling it yourself. Creating the home as a pleasing space says that you all matter as a family and that you are all caring for yourselves and each other.
Children can be instructed (not asked but told) to make a daily call to the grandparents or someone who lives on their own to see how they are. This will help children with gratitude and expansion rather than shrinking into self-obsession and entitlement.
Be aware of not letting screen time get out of control. The usual restrictions (from the ‘old’ life) should still apply as we need plenty of time without screens to create the emotional warmth of just being together connected as physical beings in our home environment.
Finally, try not to worry about your children getting ‘down’ or bored. That is a natural reaction to the times we are in and it is always tempting as parents to try to ‘fix’ it with a ‘good idea’, a chocolate or some extra television time. Just being there as a warm and loving presence is the best remedy. Good luck and Happy Easter!
Mary Heard
Simplicity Parenting
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Who is looking after the chickens?
13 Apr 2020
With almost all students learning at home, you might be wondering, who is looking after our chickens? You will be pleased to hear that our happy hens have taken a holiday. Thanks to Class 5 students Kai and Ryder for helping catch the chickens to pop them in the Ute. Our Middle Cove silky 'Q' and Ruby are currently holidaying at Lucas, Skye & Finn's house. Ruby has become 'broody' and is sitting on her egg most of the day, except when she gets out for a little scratch and 'Q' is loving her chance to roam a wide grassy patch. Watch this video postcard from the hens.
Read moreClass 2 Animal Fables and kind deeds at home
13 Apr 2020
Class 2 have been very busy in their learning at home activities. From a focus on the Animal Fables Main Lesson writing to celebrating Rufus’s birthday by having a dress up party on Zoom together with his class mates, Class 2 have been keeping the connections with school and friends. Children have completed book work and have also expressed creativity with beeswax sculptures inspired by the fable stories Lucy has been sending them via audio file each night. Class 2 were also invited to undertake ‘kind deeds’ in the home. Some of the kind deeds performed include: Andre making his Mum a sandwich and a drink, Eloise helping her sister dress up, James patting his cat and Harley making a delicious snack for a family member. What a great thing to do at this time – showing kindness and compassion to others. Well done Class 2 students for your wonderful gestures of good will to spread a little bit of cheer.
Read moreGardeners from all classes unite
13 Apr 2020
At Middle Cove the garden is missing its young gardeners immensely.
The “school class” that is, students still attending the campus each day, come down to the garden every morning and keep a watchful eye on the vegetables and flowers that are growing, measuring our pumpkins, watching our bees visit their favourite flowers and plant seeds for our winter harvest. The older students have been coming down to the garden again later in the day and getting to work. They have been helping to tend the garden beds, harvesting late summer crops, erecting protective barriers to deter our wildlife visitors and enjoying the beauty of autumn in the garden. We are also doing some preparation in the garden to make way for the new outdoor garden classroom. The banana trees have had to be relocated for the short term. The children have been a great help in keeping our garden well loved and cared for. For those missing the garden, here is a video of Sandra Frain taking care of the flowers and vegetables.
Read moreKindergarten at home and lost teeth
13 Apr 2020
Kindergarten children have been enjoying their home activities - baking, story play, songs and craft, with the help of beautiful resources and stories prepared by their Kindy teachers on GLO. Several have also experienced their first tooth falling out - a familiar Kindy 'right of passage'.
Read moreCaring for our Castlecrag campus
13 Apr 2020
Whilst it's quieter at Castlecrag, we have been busy cleaning, washing and gardening, preparing all of our beautiful classrooms and grounds for the time when we can all return. The colours of our washing, some pretty plants and the blooms are a reminder of how special this place is to us all. Whilst the children are at home, we will care for Castlecrag until you all return. Notice how the 'Lantern Bush' is beginning to grow its proud lanterns for the coming of Winter, and how the Cosmos flowers are simply bursting with colour! We also have five of the Middle Cove hens here on holiday and thanks to our local families for looking after them so lovingly for us!
Read moreHappy Easter
12 Apr 2020
Easter time is here and we wish you a restful and enjoyable time together. Perhaps you could camp in your backyard and wake up to see if the Easter Bunny has visited you in the night? Perhaps you could dye some beautiful eggs, make an Easter Table, or make a small rabbit and place it in your Easter Grass?
Read moreEnd, and Beginning
10 Apr 2020
We end the term in a very different place from where we began. How the world has changed, and with it, all our lives! Who would have predicted our move to online learning in so short a time? Who could have predicted how excellently our teachers from Kindergarten to Year 12 have transitioned to a mode of delivery so different from their natural form? Who could have predicted they would do so in such a seamless manner without skipping a beat?
I confess to being not just impressed but somewhat awe-struck that the school has moved so fast, so quickly, and so well. Thank you to all our teachers for the work, and to all our parents for the support and good will you have shown us. Glenaeon Learning Online (GLO) is a thriving marketplace of learning and education.
Teachers are reviewing how the platform works and how we can refine and develop for the future. The advice from government is that remote learning in its present form will continue in Term 2.
Now however is the time to rest for everyone and our teachers look forward to a well-earned rest and recovery, as I am sure all parents and students do too. I wish everyone in the Glenaeon community a restful and refreshing break.
May the Easter message of renewal, of death in life, and life in death, be as fresh and real as ever. I share with you a meditative verse by Rudolf Steiner, given over 100 years ago, but perfectly suited to our time.
A Verse for Our Time
We must eradicate from the soul
All fear and terror of what comes towards us out of the future.
We must acquire serenity
In all feelings and sensations about the future.
We must look forward with absolute equanimity
To everything that may come.
And we must think only that whatever comes
Is given to us by a world-directive full of wisdom.
It is part of what we must learn in this age,
namely, to live out of pure trust,
Without any security in existence.
Trust in the ever present help
Of the spiritual world.
Truly, nothing else will do
If our courage is not to fail us.
And let us seek the awakening from within ourselves
Every morning and every evening.
-Rudolf Steiner
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Primary School takes its Steiner Education online during COVID-19
10 Apr 2020
GLO (Glenaeon Learning Online) was introduced to Glenaeon's Primary School as a parent portal at the beginning of this school year. When the COVID-19 global pandemic threw parents and educators a curveball, the platform's value as an educational tool was brought to the fore. The school does not typically introduce technology to students until they reach the High School Year 7. This point of difference has been an attraction for parents wanting their children to have limited /no screen time in those crucial early developmental years. Deputy Head of School K-Class 6, Ms Dani Finch spearheaded GLO's initial rollout to the Primary School as a parent portal. She is now reflecting on the fortunate timing, which is enabling our Parents, Students and Teachers to stay connected, during the virus' disruption to school life.
Read more
Rhythm and Discipline in the home
06 Apr 2020
Now that most of our children are learning at home, parents will be looking to find and maintain a strong rhythm in their daily life. Rhythm is the secret key to discipline schools have always understood, it is also the secret to making children feel secure, it is like ‘a warm blanket’ we can wrap around them. It is a message to their nervous system that some things are still the same in the world and that the life they know really matters.
As parents many of us have a tenuous hold on the sort of rhythm and discipline children experience at school but this is a wonderful opportunity for us to reclaim our dominion as we bring school into our home. Most of us have had school at home for a few days now and it may have been a bit chaotic or formless but it is never too late to map out with your child/ren what the week is going to look like from now on. If you need some authority behind you, I’m sure ‘the school’ would be happy to take responsibility for the directions you are giving your child/ren.
As your child has the school rhythm already built into their body clock it is best to stick with that as much as possible. Insist that your child is dressed and ready to start learning at the usual school time, make sure you are free yourself at this time to see that everyone goes to their assigned place. If you have younger children as well they can also go to their play area at this time.
Read moreTeaching Year 7 PDH outside: Diversity and Inclusion by the waterfall
29 Mar 2020
Children spend less time in nature than ever before. It is not only the time spent on recreational activities like watching TV or playing video games, but also for many, school education takes place mainly indoors.
On the 5 March 2020, Glenaeon held a free public seminar named “The Power of Play in Nature.” In that event, the speakers discussed the various benefits of opening the classrooms and give children the possibility to play and learn in the outdoors. Research clearly shows that playing and just being outside in nature can, for instance, enhance creativity, productivity and social learning, as well as boost mood, mental and physical well-being, and lower stress.
Jonas is teaching PDH content outside for that reason in the school’s rotunda adjacent to the courts, but newly inspired by the seminar, we decided to take the class over to an even prettier part of the campus to the rocks beside the waterfall. It was there, that I taught my very first lesson of Personal Development and Health (PDH) in year 7. That meant, first of all, a jog across the courts and the oval, climbing over the little creek and climbing the boulders to find an appropriate sport as an outdoor classroom. Just arriving at this remote and calm spot, the children became aware of the different sounds and sensations from these new surroundings.
The topic of this lesson was Diversity and Inclusion and the students were encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences with the group. Unlike inside a traditional classroom, the awareness for speaking up and listening to one another was heightened right from the beginning.
Teaching this lesson really was a special experience and it was delightful to see how almost every student wanted to contribute to the discussion, all whilst remaining respectful and attentive. For me personally, this lesson was special in many ways. For one thing, PDH is not a subject that is taught in Germany and after seeing some and now even teaching one of these lessons, I believe that the discussed topics should definitely be implemented in the curriculum, as they are so relevant for the student’s lives and development. I do not think that children usually get enough space to take and share their opinions about the topics that really move them, and these lessons make that possible. Furthermore, except for PE lessons, I hardly ever taught a class outside the classroom, and I can see how the above-mentioned benefits take effect once you take the children outside.
Due to the current situation concerning the coronavirus, this was one of the last lessons I could enjoy here. Unfortunately, this is cutting my stay at the school a bit shorter than expected. Therefore, I want to use this opportunity to say thank you to the school and all the staff that welcomed me so warmly and included me in the day-to-day life as a teacher. I had the most amazing experience assisting and teaching at Glenaeon, it is a wonderful place, filled with wonderful people.
Special thanks go to Jonas, with whom I have worked most closely together, as well as Donna, Jamie, Jak, Brigitte, Michele, Sarah and of course Stuart, who I stayed with for the time here in Australia. Thank you very much for taking me to your lessons, helping me out at school and beyond, with my stay here in Australia, making this adventure possible! I wish that after this situation calms down, I will be able to visit and hopefully see all of you again!
Best, Lennart
Thank you Lennart for your wonderful contribution to Glenaeon and we wish you a safe journey home.
Read moreGrassroots Eco Store – Opening Hours & Free Local Delivery
29 Mar 2020
Thank you to everyone in the community who has visited in the past two weeks as we prepared for social distancing and schooling from home. Your visits are truly appreciated! If you need quality, long-lasting art and craft materials, books and toys to aid your 'homeschooling' or for extra home-based activities, Grassroots Eco Store remains open and an inspiring space to gather supplies. Due to the current COVID-19 situation the store hours will be reduced until the end of term 1 but will also open by appointment, see below. On offer is free local delivery for families living within 8km of Castlecrag with a contact-less drop off to your home. Shipping further afield is via Australia Post. Please contact Felicity on 0416 035 173 to order and organise delivery or to visit the shop at another time.
Opening Hours
Tuesday: 8.45am–9.45am
Wednesday: 8.45am–9.45am
Thursday: 8.45am–9.45am
Friday: 2.30pm–3.30pm
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Lucy Armstrong's Animal Fables blackboard
29 Mar 2020
This week's Blackboard Beauty is drawn by Class 2 Teacher Lucy Armstrong. The class has been enjoying Animal Fables as their English Main Lesson, listening and learning spelling, grammar and literacy, as well as understanding the values and lessons learned in the animal fables themselves.
Read moreGlenaeon GlenX Daisy Arrowsmith: Hitting the Bullseye
28 Mar 2020
Daisy Arrowsmith is Glenaeon Alumni (Class of 2016) and current soccer coach for the co-curricular soccer on Thursday afternoons. Daisy was recently interviewed by Eric Subijano for Beyond 90 women's soccer newsite. As Eric reports, "Arrowsmith was a latecomer to organised football. She’d always played informally, but didn’t register for a club until she was almost a teenager. When Arrowsmith finally did sign up, however, there was no looking back." You can read the article in full here.
Read moreFinding Meaning in Our Present Time
27 Mar 2020
Looking through the items in this edition of the Newsletter made me wistful for what has passed. The Power of Play seminar for example took place only three weeks ago, yet it seems like ancient history. The Kindergarten Harvest Festival was already pared back in the first phase of social distancing, and at two weeks ago it seems like a long time ago.
We are mourning a world that has passed as we try to orient ourselves in a world that is to come, and is still unknown. We feel the loss of what we took for granted, and so much of what we took for granted were things that define our humanness: social closeness, direct communication, gathering together in community. The new world has such a different feel, so distant, so coldly technological, so isolated.
Yet look in this Newsletter and you will find some wonderful human responses in our own community to this new world: the creativity of our primary teachers as they take their teaching into new spaces, the wise and beautiful guidance from Mary Heard in Simplicity Parenting, the very generous offer from parent Paul Borrud to provide transport for those who need it. This is also just the beginning of our responses, and after we have adjusted and found our feet, I am certain there will be many more.
But first we need to find some meaning in this new world. The path to finding meaning has stages to it, as outlined in this very pertinent article from the Harvard Business Review. David Kessler co-wrote the classic text on managing grief, and he has added an important final stage to the stages he then described, the stage of finding meaning. For a school that promotes Meaningful Lives as the foundation of our teaching and learning, this article is a useful aid in helping us find meaning in our grief for what the world is going through now.
That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief
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Year 7: From Garden to Plate
27 Mar 2020
With the world grappling with COVID-19 and people standing in long queues at supermarket chains around the country, our Year 7 Food Agriculture Technology students were learning how to grow their own food and create a meal.
Our Year 7 Food and Agriculture class created a meal utilising freshly grown herbs and vegetables from our biodynamic garden. Students harvested kale, spinach and sorrel greens, and added a selection of herbs such as basil, parsley, thyme and mint to flavour their vegetable rolls. After baking in a hot oven, the rolls were plated and the students went out to the deck area to sit with Teachers and enjoy their culinary treats.
Read moreClass 4 Geography Main Lesson an intrepid adventure
27 Mar 2020
Last week, Class 4 extended their Main Lesson studies of local geography with a bushwalk in our immediate surroundings. Starting from the bottom of the hill, the class observed as Scotts Creek eventually met Sugarloaf Bay and opened into the harbour waters. They learned to check the sun’s changing position in the sky and how this related to the direction of travel. Looking at this familiar bushwalk with the eyes of developing geographers, the children began to develop a meaningful appreciation of how our neighbourhood is part of a whole ecosystem. They also had some thrilling and intrepid encounters with leeches!
Read moreYear 9 PE bubbles with fun
27 Mar 2020
On Thursday 12 March, our Year 9 PE Extension class were involved in a one-off bubble soccer session learning about body control, balance, momentum and force while being strapped into a big bubble. The aim was to operate on a field to kick a ball into a goal while maintaining balance and not fall over when being 'bounced' by an opposing player.
It is a very engaging sport that requires a lot of stamina and energy to do for a prolonged period of time as current bumps lead to repeated and fun-filled falls which can even end up being 360 degrees roll over into a stand-up position again as the bubbles are round and allow for a full body turn while strapped to them safely.
The class truly enjoyed this niche sport and were physically exhausted but energised by the incredible fun this strenuous exercise provided.
In their quest to explore different sport and sports opportunities within and outside the school gates this was their last opportunity this term due to the wide-ranging COVID-19 closures and cancellations affecting the PE Department’s High School program.
Read more
Year 9 Japanese students try their hand at traditional black ink painting
27 Mar 2020
Last week, our Year 9 Japanese students each created a traditional black ink art painting of bamboo trees. Initially this was a difficult task, but students soon improved their technique which involved drawing with ink onto the page and then smudging with their fingers. The artwork will now become the student's notebook cover for the duration of 2020 study. This was a peaceful and calm activity for the students to enjoy and very different from what they are used to doing in Japanese class.
Read morePower of Play video highlights
27 Mar 2020
If you missed our Power of Play in Nature event, you can now watch the highlights video here
Read moreFarewell to our Exchange Students
27 Mar 2020
It's time to bid a fond farewell to our exchange students Itzuki and Jamila.
Our Year 11 Japanese exchange student, Itzuki learned so much from his experience at Glenaeon. He built firm friendships and enjoyed a very different style of learning. He loved expressing himself in art, learning about abstraction and exploration of different materials. He says thank you Glenaeon for making his experience here a warm and memorable one.
Jamila has shared a lovely farewell note which you can read below.
We wish Itzuki and Jamila all the very best and will miss their presence at our Middle Cove campus. お別れ
Read moreMeeting the Governor: Glenaeon's gold award winners
27 Mar 2020
Class of 2019 students Nikolas Peter, Jaz Miller Hill, Annabelle Kensey-Galvin, Thomas Williams and Alara Sagan achieved the International Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. On 11th March, the now GlenX Alumni were presented with their Award certificates by the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency, Margaret Beazley, at a ceremony in the city before heading to Government House to enjoy a morning tea hosted by Her Excellency. Unfortunately, Jaz was absent from the ceremony and due to attend another one in the near future. Congratulations to these students for their outstanding achievement. The recipients of the award had their personal reflection read out as they were awarded their certificate.
Read moreHarvest Festival Time
27 Mar 2020
This year Kindergarten celebrated a socially-modified Harvest Festival thanks to COVID-19. The children brought their offerings of fruit and vegetables and surrounded the scarecrow to sing their Harvest Songs together. Parents formed a 'no-hand-holding' wide circle around the children and we all enjoyed one of the last gatherings until we are able to be back together again.
The food from the Harvest Festival was collected by food charity OzHarvest as our donation. OzHarvest is an Australian food rescue charity. They collect quality surplus food, distribute it to people in need and divert food waste from landfill. Thank you to all the generous families who donated.
Read moreKindergarten take-home packs
27 Mar 2020
Kindergarten teachers prepared beautiful take-home packs for the children to start some of their activities and craft at home. They were opened with great excitement and children have been busy creating little wax scenes, stories at home and pom-poms to make rabbits and chickens for Easter!
Read moreClass 3 learning online with Roger Richards
27 Mar 2020
Class 3 Teacher Roger Richards has been creating short videos to help his students as they start their learning at home. He is uploading resources to GLO for the children. Parents are then uploading completed work to share with the teacher. See images for some of the completed work done at home by our Class 3 students. Well done to students and well done parents! We are all in this together.
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Letter Party for Class 1
27 Mar 2020
Rodney Dean's Class 1 has been on a journey with Alphabetica through all of the consonants and the vowels and arrived at the end at a letter party! The children shared the invitation of magic letters which appeared every day over three weeks inviting them to their party in the playground. The path led them to a table filled with delicious edible letter treats! Thank you to the parents who helped make this possible.
Read moreKindergarten sparks creativity in the home-learning space
27 Mar 2020
Whilst Kindergarten teachers are creating things for their Kindy children at home, the children are already coming alive, creating and telling stories to their families, just as their teachers do! What a wonderful reflection of their experience and education to be able to so naturally share this with others! At this young age, imitation is a natural way of learning, and this is deeply fostered in the Kindergarten day.
One of our Kindy Parents shared this, "Entirely unaided he searched around the house for different things to use - sheets, tshirts and socks for backdrops etc. It was accompanied by a very lovely story about the animals' adventures across the sea, discovering the crystal cave, the gnomes sailing in the boat and the life raft and climbing the mountain."
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Frida adapting but she misses her Kindergarten friends!
27 Mar 2020
We have been receiving some lovely feedback from our parent community. Here is an email from Kindy Parent, Ben.
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for all the resources. As soon as I begin to sing a song or say a verse Frida immediately takes over. She knows them all by heart.
She misses you a lot and says outright that she would prefer to be at school! But she also loves being around Monty. Here is a couple of shots. One, of a story Frida set up, and told to Monty, and one of the two of them cooking banana bread.
Keep well,
Ben
Class 4 girls ZOOM together
27 Mar 2020
Class 4 girls gathered for a Zoom meet up after a day of home schooling. As something they would not normally do, it has been a novel way for them to catch up and talk about their day. Exploring the positives of technology in a time when the children are in isolation is an interesting balance, and we are lucky they can at least share some of their experiences together. As time passes, teachers, parents and children will find new ways to explore activities, craft, baking, music and songs together! The possibilities are endless and exploring some of the richness of Steiner education through technology is an interesting and yet rewarding challenge!
Read moreSwimming Carnival 2020
16 Mar 2020
On Friday 6 March, the much-anticipated swimming carnival was held. Students from Year 7 to 10 participated with students from Glenaeon, Central Coast, Linuwel, Newcastle Waldorf and Lorien taking part. Students dressed according to their respective team colour - red, blue or green. Apart from participation in the swimming races, which scores points for the team, the best three costumes were also awarded with points. Many outstanding dress ups could be witnessed on that day, and it was hard to judge which of those should be rated the best. Ultimately, the decision was made to have the best six costumes rewarded, gaining a good amount of points for their respective teams.
Despite the weather forecast, it remained sunny throughout the whole event. Students swam four strokes over 50m - breaststroke, freestyle, backstroke and butterfly. Participation in either stroke was rewarded with a point for the team. Additionally, the first three swimmers of each race were rewarded with extra points, so despite being good fun, there was an element of competitiveness and everyone was putting in a good effort.
Right after the 50m races, the students formed teams of four for 25m relays, ideally including every stroke. After cheering and supporting their students all day, the teachers could finally take to the water as well, giving the students of the best performing medley-relay teams a chance to challenge their teachers, again in 25m relays. Despite a good effort by teachers, it was the students who triumphed.
Read more
Year 12 Science Extension Seminar
16 Mar 2020
Last month, the three Year 12 Science Extension students presented their research project proposals to 30 or so family members and friends. There was also a judging panel of science teachers and external scientists including Ms Yura Totsuka, Dr Hernan Carol-Garis, Dr Lori Hurley (Avian Physiologist and Ecologist) from Macquarie University and Trish Stockbridge (Curriculum Writer and Lecturer in Science Education) from The University of Sydney.
They have performed exceptionally well in explaining their complex research ideas to the audience. Their topics are as follows:
- Finn Gladstone – evaluating the application of insulation on artificial rocks to provide suitable thermal ranges for velvet geckos
- Justin Takayasu – the effect of pressure on the electrochemical windows of water-based electrolytes for use in double-layer capacitors
- Keaun Wild – an assessment of compost quality based on carbon and nitrogen concentrations
Read more
Year 10 visits the Sydney Institute of Marine Science
15 Mar 2020
Recently our Year 10B students visited the Sydney Institute of Marine Science as part of their Geography studies of Environmental Changes and Management strategies. They conducted field work on Clifton Gardens Beach, using quadrants along a transect to identify plastics and collect sand samples in order to test for microplastics. They also spent time in the SIMS aquarium and discovery centre, where they gained a deeper understanding of the importance of maintaining biodiversity in Sydney Harbour Estuary.
Read moreClass 1 Letters with Alphabetica
14 Mar 2020
Class 1 are learning their letters, the written foundation of which is the combination of straight and curved lines. Learning at a deeper level includes visual, verbal, kinesthetic and practical approaches, increasing the way in which students connect with and relate to the content. The children have listened to the story of Alphabetica, who leads them through the world of letters, correlating each letter to a picture, a sound and its shapes. In addition to their written and artistic work, they have modelled the letters out of out of beeswax, used song, rhyme and alliteration and baked the letters in hand-made salt dough.
Read morePlaying in the rain
14 Mar 2020
Rainy days are welcomed at Castlecrag – from skipping in the rain before school starts, to digging trenches and rivers in the Kindergarten sandpit. The children also pump water which courses towards the sandpit in their hand-built channels, making rivers flow under bridges and over rocks.
Read moreGlennis attends ANME Exhibition opening
13 Mar 2020
As the first Steiner School established in Australia in 1957, we are delighted to be a part of the Australian National Museum of Education's Head, Heart and Hands: Reflections on Steiner Education in Australia exhibition at the University of Canberra. Our own Glennis Mowday was present at the opening and spoke of Steiner education coming to Australia and the founding of Glenaeon. The founders of Glenaeon are the General Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society, Eric Nicholls and his daughter Marie Nicholls, who also travelled to Canberra as a special guest for the opening of the exhibition. The educational founder of the school was Sylvia Brose AO who began the school with three children one of whom was her neice, Linda St Clair (nee Laycock). Linda also travelled down to Canberra University as a guest for the opening.
The audience in Canberra were very interested in the connection between Walter Burley Griffin, Marion Mahony Griffin and the founding of Glenaeon. Eric Nicholls was an architectural partner in the Griffin firm. Eric and his wife Mollie were keen to start a Steiner school for their children where they lived in Castlecrag. As you might know, the whole Castlecrag suburb was built by the Griffins starting back in 1921.
Linda St Clair and Pam Laycock's father Ronald Laycock supported their Aunt Slyvia Brose by taking over financial administration of the school on a pro bono basis. He was also instrumental in gaining a Federal Government grant for our first science laboratory that is still utlised today in the Lute Drummond building (high school building).
As part of the opening, Virginia Moller, CEO, Steiner Education Australia, gave a fascinating book launch for Thomas Stehlik whose children attended Mount Barker School. The book is titled, 'Waldorf Schools and the History of Steiner Education. An International View of 100 years.'
A huge thank you to Dr Velma McKeachie for inviting Glenaeon to contribute to this special exhibition and to Dr Malcolm Beazley AM as head of the ANME for this initiative.
The exhibition will run until 27 Mar 2020. Download the Flyer If you have any queries about this event please feel free to contact Glennis.
Read moreOpen Day 2020
06 Mar 2020
Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School is hosting its annual Open Day on Friday 20 March 9am-11:30am
The Middle Cove campus will have open classrooms, displays, music, art, outdoor and more!
Take the tour of our beautiful bushland campus and inform yourself with a presentation our Head of School, Andrew Hill. Morning tea is provided and the chance to ask all your questions.
Register today for Open Day 2020
https://www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/openday
Read moreThe Power of Play in Nature
05 Mar 2020
The evidence is that play in nature can enhance creativity, bolster mood, lower stress, foster social skills, improve mental acuity, well-being and productivity. Why don’t our schools do more?
Read moreThe Power of Play in Nature - last chance for tickets
28 Feb 2020
Glenaeon is proud to present The Power of Play in Nature, a free public seminar featuring two of Australia's leading education experts: Professor Pasi Sahlberg, Professor of Educational Policy, Deputy Director, Gonski Institute for Education, UNSW and Professor Tonia Gray, Senior Researcher, Centre for Educational Research, Western Sydney University. After the keynote, there will be a panel discussion, facilitated by MC Lucy Clark, Associate Editor of The Guardian and Author of Beautiful Failures. The forum is on Thursday 5 March 4pm-6:30pm at the Concourse Theatre, Chatswood.
This is a ticketed event. Please register via www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/play
Read moreClass 2 Embroidery
28 Feb 2020
Class 2 are busy embroidering their own etoile, which they will use for their needles and pins throughout primary school. They initial these carefully, then blanket stitch the edge and sew the inner leaves within, learning different embroidery stitches as they make this lasting piece.
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Surf's up for Year 10
28 Feb 2020
Each and every year the Year 10 class can look forward to an exciting time in PDHPE that includes surfing in Term 1 and sailing, stand up paddling (SUP) and windsurfing in Term 4. The water setting brings with it a wealth of new experiences for the students as they are exposed to new sports in relation to water and ways to get active in nature which can lead to a lifelong association with one of the sports learned. Over the years, many Glenaeon students have subsequently continued to participate and practice a water sport in their own free time.
The surfing program is a great way to get fit as surfing requires board handling, paddling, balance, courage and a fair bit of guts to conquer the waves which sometimes are small but can get quite big too. Manly Surf School has been our partner over the years and their instructors together with the teachers provide a safe and challenging environment for the students to learn in.
Every Friday afternoon they set out to improve their skills and ride endless waves at Long Reef Beach or Collaroy Beach. The sense of achievement and the growth in confidence are just two very notable attributes in all students.
Read moreISD Basketball Carnival
28 Feb 2020
On Wednesday 19 February, 37 keen sportsmen and women set out from Glenaeon to the far away Bankstown basketball stadium. Two junior and two senior teams competed in intense games and close battles against 10 other schools which are part of the ISD association of which Glenaeon is a member. Some of the schools involved such as MFIS are Islamic schools so the carnival is not only a big sports event but also comes with a cross-cultural learning element for our students. Their sporting ability, however, is as strong as anyone’s and impressed our students again as they played along their team mates from different year levels in teams that only form on the day with little practise beforehand.
Read moreYear 9 Fitness in the Community
28 Feb 2020
Our Year 9 cohort is currently involved in a unit about fitness in the community where they experience various fitness opportunities that are nearby and might lead to a lifelong engagement in physical activity. The students are participating in gym classes, circuit training, lawn bowls, aqua aerobics, cycling and a school-based fitness arrangement. The cohort rotates around the different activities in three groups and we cooperate with partners in the community to make this program versatile, interesting and challenging for all. Students enjoy the challenges although they are at times tough and require every bit of energy hanging in that circuit training at Vision Personal Training and going for just another push up when the muscles want to give in. We cooperate with Vision Personal Training for the gym and circuit training.
Read moreSmart Expressions 2020
28 Feb 2020
Year 12 2019 Students TY, Ming and Natasha have had their Artwork selected to appear in Willoughby City Council’s Smart Expressions 2020, an exhibition of the Year 12 HSC Visual Arts.
The exhibition, which officially opened last night, will run until 22 March at Art Space on the Concourse. Head of Art, Alisan Smotlak said, “Glenaeon’s representation at this exhibition is testament to the high level of talent fostered at our school. We are delighted by our student’s achievements and proud of Glenaeon’s contribution to the art world in our local community.”
The exhibition is open from 11am-5pm Wed-Sun and 11am-4pm Sat & Sun. Download the flyer
Read more
Big Bali Clean Up at Scotts Creek
28 Feb 2020
This weekend Frau Elizabeth coordinated 25 volunteers from our Glenaeon community to join #oneislandonevoice, a global campaign that reached 130 locations worldwide and gathered over 12,000 people to come together and clean up their local environment. For those who contributed to the campaign they supported an event that is used to:
- Collect Data in collaboration with Making Oceans Plastic Free in order to create published statistics that enable such NGO's to place pressure on governments to find an effective solution for waste collection, waste separation and waste facilities - a major focus of this years event!
- Educate the public, especially locals, on the importance of making educated decisions when buying and disposing plastic product.
- Moving the Masses Beach clean ups are not the ultimate solution however, they provide the perfect opportunity to create 'dinner table discussion' and expose people of all ages to the prominent issue of plastic pollution.
PEOPLE ARE 100% OF THE PROBLEM AND SO WE ARE 100% OF THE SOLUTION.
Thank you so much to everyone that participated, Glenaeon involvement was not only significant as the only event that occurred in Australia, but the school setting is perfect to encourage youth action and empowerment around this important issue.
TO FIND OUT MORE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8GCjrDWWUM
Thanks, Alina
Read moreClass 2 Maths: Ava's Mathemagical Web
28 Feb 2020
Class 2 is exploring the connection between times tables and geometry in their current Main Lesson. The focus is to discover the geometric patterns that arise out of a circle of 10 points and to develop a multi-layered approach to the times tables. In the stories, Ava the spider spins her web, and a boy works with the times tables to discover the underlying geometry. Each day the children make the web in morning circle, then make a web on the dowel boards and draw it in their Main Lesson books, all the time learning the tables.
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Meaningful work in Kindergarten
27 Feb 2020
Meaningful work is part of play in Kindergarten, as the children learn by watching and imitating purposeful activities. Here in the Kindergarten playground, the children tend to their own play areas, digging and raking the leaves, weeds and debris away to create a lovely playground and a clean sandpit! After their work, they sit and enjoy a cup of herb tea from the garden. "The best tea EVER!" they say.
Read moreGlenaeon's crafty bushfire volunteer thank you effort
24 Feb 2020
The recent bushfires sparked an unprecedented outpouring of donations and charitable acts to aid in disaster recovery effort which has been wonderful to see. Glenaeon has been busy helping with students, teachers and parents making pouches for injured wildlife. But thanks to the generosity of many Australians and many communities abroad, pouches are aplenty and our attention has now turned to thanking those volunteers who have worked so tirelessly. Handwork teacher, Elizabeth Ellean said, “Glenaeon students from Year 8 and 6, as well as Year 8 Guardian Alice and Olivia from Learning Support have selflessly given up their lunchtimes in recent weeks to create beautiful handmade pouches and thank you cards, which the Animal Rescue Craft Guild will send to the rescue carers. Class 3 have also been making some wonderful thankyou cards for the animal rescue carers. It is our way of contributing and giving thanks to all those who are aiding recovery from the devastating fires. Elizabeth Ellean will be sending completed cards to various coordination pods such as Kangaroo Island in South Australia, Kingston in Tasmania and Nymboida in NSW and Cairns in Far North Queensland. Thank you to all the students and staff who have been involved.
Read moreKauri wins the Whitehouse
14 Feb 2020
Year 11 Student Kauri Palmer recently completed a course at the Whitehouse Institute of Design and came out with a design award, the “Whitehouse Best Interior Design Student” prize! Well done to Kauri for such a wonderful achievement.
Read moreElicia skates her way to the podium in Zagreb
14 Feb 2020
Year 12 student, Elicia Ferguson recently participated in 'Zagreb Snowflakes Trophy' an International Synchronized Skating competition for Seniors, Juniors, and Advanced Novices in Zagreb, Croatia. Elicia's team came 3rd overall. This is a marvellous achievement. Well done Elicia!
Read moreClass 2 Transforms the Garden
12 Feb 2020
Returning from summer holidays means the garden needs some attention, and Gardening teacher Sandra Frain works with the children each week, digging, turning, composting and planting. Here are Class 2 at work in their patch, creating a pond for our resident frog and space for the new plants to grow.
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Teacher Rodney Dean meets Class 1 somewhere under the rainbow bridge
31 Jan 2020
The first day in Class 1 is always a special time. Students began with their walk under the ‘Rainbow Bridge’. After spending their morning in the Kindergarten playground with teachers Catherine and Sarah, they then walked under a tunnel of hands and rainbow silk formed by Class 2 students. Emerging from the rainbow, they greeted their Class Teacher Rodney Dean with a flower and the first of many handshakes. This ceremony marks the beginning of the Class Teacher cycle which continues throughout primary school.
Read moreThe Journey continues at Middle Cove
31 Jan 2020
Welcome to 2020! It's been a rather smooth transition so far for our Class 3 students who have moved across from Castlecrag campus with their teacher, Roger Richards. A very warm welcome to all of Class 3 2020 and we hope you enjoy big campus. We extend the warm welcome to our new Year 7 students and their families who now embark on the High School years.
It's an exciting time, and we look forward to providing all students with a supportive and creative learning environment at Glenaeon.
Read morePlaygroups 2020
31 Jan 2020
Glenaeon offers a range of Steiner-inspired Playgroups that are joyful, nurturing and supportive of the young child’s developmental stages. Playgroups are suitable for children from birth to 4 years of age.
Join us with your children for a joy-filled, wholesome and nourishing play oriented morning. This is a structured, ‘family style’, relaxed time to connect with your child/ren and each other and with nature, in a beautiful expansive setting both outdoors and indoors. There are a few limited places left for Term 1 Playgroups at our Willoughby and Castlecrag campuses, but places are filling fast, so get in quick. Please contact Sandra Frain to register your interest. Email: sandraf@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Help bushfire affected animals
31 Jan 2020
Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean is offering a weekly workshop for any student or teacher wishing to make animal rescue wraps to support animals traumatised by the recent bushfires. These wraps could be knitted, crocheted, woven or sewn, depending on personal choice, and Elizabeth will facilitate. A very worthy cause! The weekly workshop will take place every Tuesday lunchtime (12:55pm-1:35pm) starting Tuesday 4 February. For more details email Elizabeth Ellean elizabethe@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Read more2020 Welcome Celebration
31 Jan 2020
Welcome to 2020 is an invitation to all Parents & Carers to come together at Glenaeon, but a special chance for our Kindergarten and Year 7 parents to meet and mingle with our community. It's a wonderul moment to meet other Parents in the school, teachers and some members of the GPA. A selection of beer and wine is on offer and canapes will be served. Please note this is an adults only function. We kindly ask you to RSVP for catering purposes.
- Friday 7 February 6.30pm-8.30pm
- Castlecrag campus, 121 Edinburgh Road Castlecrag
- RSVP link https://www.trybooking.com/BHUVB
Year 12 Science Extension students to present research in a “confirmation seminar”
31 Jan 2020
Stanley Tang’s Year 12 Science Extension students are presenting their research project proposals in a “confirmation seminar” on Thursday evening (6:30pm-7:30pm), Thursday 13 February. Stanley has invited two external scientists to be on the judging panel (Dr Laura Hurley, Lecturer in avian physiology and ecology at Macquarie University and M Patricia Stockbridge, Lecturer in Science Education and writer of the Science Extension Syllabus at The University of Sydney).
All inquiries to stanleyt@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Download the PDF version of the flyer.
Checkmates!
04 Dec 2019
Congratulations to Glenaeon chess players Maadi Prasad, Oscar Street and Keizo Tomishima who entered the Annual Secondary Schools Chess tournament on Tuesday December 3.
Read moreCarols and Shepherds and More
27 Nov 2019
Next week we celebrate our end of year by coming together as a community for a non-denominational festival of the season, next Monday December 2nd in the Pitt Street Uniting Church in the city. Our Carol Service involves every student from Class 4 to Year 11 (though missing Year 10 who will be in Tasmania, and of course Year 12, some of whom are in Nepal on a service and rafting trip). There is an important role to play for every student who we expect to attend in full school uniform. Students should arrive by 6.15 pm at the latest, for a 6.30 pm start. I am sure the service will send you home uplifted by the music and the spirit of the evening.
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In Memoriam
01 Nov 2019
Our much loved teachers Christian and Liza Lillicrap suffered one of the most ultimate of losses last week, and our community is the lesser for it. As we grieve with them, we remember Theodore in all his joyous and mischievous energy, but also his profound depths of thought and feeling.
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What’s In Store in Term Four?
18 Oct 2019
We began the term with a Years 7-11 assembly that was memorable as the first assembly warmed by the new air conditioning system in the Sylvia Brose Hall. The installation during the holiday break was but one of a number of works that have been done in the holidays to enhance the school by Operations Manager Chris Scrogie’s team and Contractors. Air conditioning was installed in all the Hall spaces, in Class 6 and the Junior Library, and in the high school Art rooms. Quite a job but very efficiently done. With our new solar panels about to be commissioned, the pull on the power system will be minimised as well.
The primary playground play structure was installed and is waiting for a few final flourishes before Class 3 and 4 are unleashed on to its beautiful wooden struts. Watch this space for news of the official opening.
The term ahead holds adventures in body and mind for many of our community:
Read moreWhat’s In Store in Term Four?
18 Oct 2019
We began the term with a Years 7-11 assembly that was memorable as the first assembly warmed by the new air conditioning system in the Sylvia Brose Hall.
Read moreSpring Festival 2019
27 Sep 2019
The weather was perfect for our Spring Festival at Middle Cove this week. After the acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the land, our Master of Ceremonies the kookaburra arrived and the festival could begin!
Read moreYear 8 Outdoor Education camp - Barrington Tops National Park
27 Sep 2019
Year 8 returned from their 5 day outdoor education trip to Barrington Tops. They bushwalked, began white water rafting, spent time mountain biking and camped together, before returning to school for a short week until the end of Term 3.
Read moreKindergarten Spring Festival
27 Sep 2019
Big and Little Kindergarten celebrated their Spring Festival under sunny skies this week. It was a beautiful celebration - the children prepared fruit sticks and lemonade, and parents brought a delicious selection of dishes for a shared lunch afterwards. Spring is such a lovely time of year and the Castlecrag campus is decorated with children's art and craft.
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Class One prepare for their first Middle Cove Spring Festival
27 Sep 2019
Class 1 were excitedly preparing for their first Spring Festival at Middle Cove, called the 'Big Campus' by the children. Parents brought in greenery and they made wreaths the day before. On the morning of the last day of school, parents helped put fresh flowers in the wreaths and they caught the bus to Middle Cove. Walking down to the oval, they were the first group to perform to the rest of the school and parents. Thanks to the parents who joined in to help prepare the wreaths and travel with the children to and from Castlecrag. The walk back to Castlecrag was a great thing to do together.
Read moreYear 12 journey back through the classes K - 11
27 Sep 2019
On their second last day, Year 12 journeyed through each class, starting at Castlecrag in the Kindergarten morning circle. They were sung to and gifted beautiful finger knitted bracelets. They continued to visit Class 1, walking their morning form drawing with them and continuing on to Class 2 and then to Middle Cove. This is a Glenaeon tradition in which Year 12 students spend a morning revisiting the younger classes, remembering times and joining them in part of their morning class. They ended the day signing off on each others' school shirts and would return the following day for their final assembly.
Read moreTwilight Market
27 Sep 2019
The weather cleared for last Friday's Twilight market, and the community came together for a relaxing afternoon of food, craft, shopping and friends. Class One ran a tie dyeing activity, Class Three sold beautiful T-shirts and a healthy smorgasbord of cakes. Class Five served home made felafel kebabs, fresh lemonade and sausages. It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.
Read moreYear 12 Farewell Assembly
27 Sep 2019
It's time to farewell our Year 12 students. It’s been an extremely emotional week, not only for the students who are saying goodbye to their teachers and younger members of the community, but for the teachers and staff that have encouraged and inspired these people for many wonderful years, some since Preschool.
The very last day of their Glenaeon journey started with a Year 12 breakfast on the deck, with Head of School Andrew Hill as master chef creating a barbeque feast.Following on, in one of the great traditions of Glenaeon, all the children from Years 7-11 and Class 3-6 create a “walk through” with pairs of students raising arms in a tunnel shape through which the Year 12s walked for the final time towards the Hall for the Farewell Assembly.
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Class Five knitting socks
20 Sep 2019
Class 5 have been following the complex pattern of knitting socks on 4 needles, and the results are impressive! Choosing their own colours and length, their socks are coming along well - here is an end-of-term photo showing skill, vibrancy and colour of their work. Knitting and craft is known to assist brain development, and the process of following patterns in more complex knitting develops the skills of planning, visualisation and fine motor skills.
Read moreClass One monkey bar fun
20 Sep 2019
The monkey bars are a feature in the Castlecrag Class One and Two playground, and are enjoyed by many students during morning recess and lunchtime. In addition,each morning, Class One undertakes an obstacle course, including any combination of climbing along the monkey bars, balancing activities, rope wall climbing, slippery dip, skipping, handstands, crawling, hopping, partner activities and tracing patterns and shapes with their steps.
Read moreKindergarten Morning Circle
20 Sep 2019
Morning Circle takes place in the Kindergarten playgrounds after the bell rings, and is a gathering of all children and parents from the 3 Kindergarten classes.
The morning song is sung together, itself an acknowledgement to the indigenous people of our local area, the Cammeraygal tribe.
The words are:
"We greet the Earth, on which we stand,
Hand-in-hand on Cammeraygal Land
We thank the ancestors present and past
Who cared for the earth so it will last
We greet the sun that shines so bright
And shares with us its lovely light
Good morning everyone
Good morning, everyone".
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Year 7 Food Technology learning about seasonal produce - strawberries
20 Sep 2019
Year 7 have been learning about seasonal produce in Food Technology with teacher Anne Rouse, and this week have been studying strawberries as an example of a fruit that is currently in season. Grown in Australia and transported only from Queensland (not overseas) at this time of year, the current price also reflects their abundance and seasonality. In the two practical applications of this in the curriculum, they have planted strawberries in the school's biodynamic garden, and cooked fresh strawberry jam in the school's food technology kitchen. Complementing the jam, they baked fresh scones, which were all enjoyed together at the end - delicious!
Read moreSteiner Schools Athletics Carnival
20 Sep 2019
On a great spring day 150 keen Middle School Glenaeon students from Yr 7-Yr 10 boarded three buses in their respective house colour red, blue or green to compete in the annual Steiner School’s Athletics carnival on the Central Coast in a great meeting of 100s of other students from Steiner schools in Newcastle, Maitland, Linuel (from Sydney) and the Central Coast itself as the host of this event.
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The Circle of Life
20 Sep 2019
On a personal note, I started at Glenaeon in 1994 with a Class One, in what is now the Class Three room in the Vera Jacobson Building. One of the children who made their way down the stairs from Kindergarten to the Class One room for me to meet them on an auspicious day in December 1993 was a little girl called Dillon Cross. She was a lively, imaginative girl who seemed to have the sun shining out of her on a permanent basis, such was her happy, joyful nature.
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Photos from ISD Athletics Carnival
20 Sep 2019
On a rather rainy and overcast day 48 Glenaeon athletic competitors, who were carefully selected as the best in their respective gender and age group, set off to compete in the ISD Athletics Carnival at ES Marks Athletics Fields adjacent to Centennial Park for some wet but great competitions in 10 events: 100m, 200, 400, 800, 1500m, shot put, javelin, discus, high jump, long jump and 4x100m relay racing.
Many great results were achieved, and many were just a bit unlucky to end up 4th in their events (in fact 18 4th spots were gained!).
Climate and Change
13 Sep 2019
Dr Rudolf Steiner was at the forefront of sustainable practices. A group of farmers were concerned at the introduction to chemical farming after World War 1. They noticed that the natural vitality of the soils on their farms grew gradually weaker every year as they put on phosphates, even though the farm’s output increased. They found themselves in a cycle of needing more chemicals to maintain their production. They asked Rudolf Steiner a question: how can we farm in a way that keeps the earth sustainable and healthy?
His response was to travel to a farm in what is now Poland where he gave eight lectures about soil, the earth and sustainable farming practices that used no chemical intervention.
Quoting Wikipedia:
These lectures, the first known presentation of organic agriculture, were held in response to a request by farmers who noticed degraded soil conditions and a deterioration in the health and quality of crops and livestock resulting from the use of chemical fertilizers.
Read moreEnd of Term
13 Sep 2019
What a series of Spring festivals we have enjoyed?! The weather was kind to us this year and in sparkling Spring sunshine on the round oval, the Maypole was woven most beautifully by Class 5 at Middle Cove.
After the Acknowledgement of Country, I welcomed everyone with some words from the Dharuk language, the indigenous language that is nearest to Glenaeon and still living: Warami inyari, meaning Hello, how are you?and the high school answered very loudly, Budyari! meaning, we’re good!
Class Five Pizza Day!
12 Sep 2019
Class Five held their termly pizza day this week - it's always a popular event, preparing lunch for the Middle Cove school community by hand and cooking it in the Middle Cove Pizza oven near the garden. Harvesting biodynamic greens and herbs from the garden, students made herb-infused seasoning, rolled pizza bases (the dough kindly made by Year 8 students in the Food Technology class), and cooked them in the pizza oven with Class 5 parent helpers Nick Meredith-Jones and Patrick Franklin. Pizza is delivered to the primary classes and the High School and teachers buy directly from the garden stall. Making approximately 110 pizzas is no mean feat. Thanks to Gardening teachers Kathy Thangathurai and Michelle Chambers as well as Class 5 Co-teacher Michele Bosman who all help to facilitate this part of the Class Five curriculum
Read moreClass Two 'Long Stitch' pencil cases
12 Sep 2019
Class Two have been sewing these striking pencil cases, each with their own individual design. One side is a geometric pattern and the other is an image designed themselves. They are then sewn into a pencil case by teachers as the children complete the side seams. They will use and treasure these unique pencil cases for many years to come.
Read moreYear 9 Athletics training with Jonas Stoebe
12 Sep 2019
Year 9 PE class is training in Athletics - this week during hurdles training, Sports teacher Jonas Stoebe challenged students to a hurdles race, with student Marcel Cope stepping up and facing him in a very fast battle! Here, they are working on form and hurdle jump techniques.
Read moreSpring Festival with Ebba Bodame's playgroup
12 Sep 2019
The children arrived to a bounty of fresh flowers, heard a Spring story and celebrated the arrival of Lady Spring. They made flower head garlands before setting off to the bush for a Spring Festival together. The wreaths are a reminder of the freshness and fragrance of Spring, and the beauty of flowers. It was a special morning together with Ebba for parents and children alike.
Read moreClass Five Blue Mountains outdoor education camping trip
10 Sep 2019
Class Five had a wonderful time in the Blue Mountains for their three-day Outdoor Education camping trip. Leaving on Wednesday morning by two buses, they arrived at Mt York, embarking on a two-hour walk on Cox's Road, built in 1814 by convicts to cross the Blue Mountains. Students then travelled to Blackheath and set up camp for the night. After preparing breakfast and lunches, they travelled to the National Pass in Wentworth Falls, and with the company of National Park rangers walked the 'Grand Canyon' walk, did some plant study and returned to camp. On the final day they packed up camp and travelled to the Three Sisters and Scenic Railway. Students walked down to the base of the railway and caught the train back up - the steepest railway in the world! Sharing tents and working together for all meals, the group developed closer connections and thoroughly enjoyed the experience under the guidance of Outdoor Education teachers Scott Williams and Kristen Gardner as well as teachers Michele Bosman and Kathy Thangathurai. Thanks to parent Paul Lakkis for attending and sharing these photographs.
"One of my favourite days was the Grand Canyon walk. We walked into the bottom of the canyon where there were rivers, fallen trees, ferns, yabbies and caves dripping with water which were cold and damp. Then we walked up thousands of stairs, and at top, there was a fantastic look out! Camp was AWESOME!" - Lucas, Class Five student
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Glenaeon History & Snow Tour 2019
10 Sep 2019
For the second year in a row, Glenaeon has combined History & Sport to create a wonderful cross-curricular experience for our students to visit museums in Canberra followed by a ski trip.
Last Thursday morning 45 keen Year 9 and Year 10 students set out and visited The Australian War Memorial, The Royal Australian Mint and Australian Parliament House, taking in tours to learn about our history, our monetary system and saw in Parliament House the place where policies are discussed and laws made.
While some students returned home via train, the majority headed on to the snowfields of the Australian Alps, the Snowy Mountains.
'D is for Daddy'... Class 4 Fathers' Day gifts
07 Sep 2019
Class 4 made beautiful infused oil bottles and jars with gorgeous hand-made 'D' cards for Fathers' Day. Lucky dads!
Read moreKindy Rainy Day Play
06 Sep 2019
In kindy the weather is always fine....
Everyday we go out to play.
Class 3 Craft - crocheting pillow cases
06 Sep 2019
Class 3 students have learned how to crochet 'Triple Stitch', and are creating their own pillow cases for their chairs and activities at school. The quality and colours of the wool, combined with their own creative ability, means that each child creates a unique cover for themselves, a lasting and practical item they will use throughout Primary School.
Read moreClass 6 Geometry
06 Sep 2019
Class 6 are exploring the beauty and wonder of Circular Geometry in Main Lesson with Class Teacher Rodney Dean. Using a compass and pencil, they have discovered the myriad of shapes that are formed by the intrersections of numerous circles.
Read moreYear 8 Group Science Projects
06 Sep 2019
Year 8 are designing and performing their own experiments in small groups in order to demonstrate and explore a chosen scientific principle. Here, the students are measuring the conductivity of heat through different substances (soy sauce, vinegar and water) and noting results accordingly.
Read moreClass Four Cross Stitch fountain pen covers
06 Sep 2019
Continuing on from their Writing, Paper and Pen Main Lesson, Class Four are cross stitching their own fountain pen covers with individual designs. They design their pattern on paper first and then work to recreate it on the cross stitch fabric.
Read moreGlen-X 20 year reunion celebration
06 Sep 2019
Glenaeon was delighted to welcome back students who graduated from Glenaeon in 1999. The 20 year GlenX celebration was held on Saturday 24th August on the deck under the stars, using the beautiful new night lighting. It was wonderful to see so many people return and share their memories of Glenaeon.
Read moreSoul Man: “…each encounter makes me want to deepen our acquaintance”
06 Sep 2019
As we celebrate the origins of Steiner education 100 years ago, it’s also worth re-examining the remarkable work of Dr Rudolf Steiner himself. Here’s an interesting article from the New York Times I came across some years ago which describes an exhibition of Steiner’s work.
Douglas Brenner is a Steiner educated student himself and is now a well know author and writer on design topics in the US. His article gives a personal reflection on the originality and remarkable diversity of Steiner’s work across so many disciplines.
Remember our Glenaeon celebrations of the centenary of Steiner education at Castlecrag on Saturday September 14th. Details are on the flyers later in the Newsletter.
Please share this event with family and friends who may be interested in a glimpse into the wonderful world of childhood that Steiner education promotes and delivers. We welcome all parents and friends of the Steiner education impulse, a healing and enlivening impulse in the world.
Soul Man: “…each encounter makes me want to deepen our acquaintance”
Douglas Brenner
New York Times, April 7th, 2010
By age 12, I had a rote reply for grown-ups’ quizzical looks when they heard I went to a Steiner (Waldorf) school: “It’s based on the ideas of Rudolf Steiner.” Blank stare. “He was an Austrian philosopher who believed in teaching the whole student — mind, body and soul.” Luckily no one ever asked me to elaborate, because I’d have been at a loss for words — except to say that we students got to do lots of drawing and painting, which I loved, but we couldn’t skip Eurythmy class (yuck). Any serious discussions of pedagogic method and what Steiner called his “spiritual science,” anthroposophy, took place out of earshot in the teachers’ room. My only mental picture of Steiner (1861-1925) came from a dim black and white photo showing a stern mouth and X-ray eyes that made me glad this guy wasn’t our headmaster. Oh, well, I reasoned, as soon as I enter the real world after graduation, it’s Goodbye, Dr Steiner.
In fact, decades later, I keep bumping into him, and each encounter makes me want to deepen our acquaintance. A gardener I met praised the ecological marvels of biodynamic farming, a Steiner innovation. An art historian introduced me to the Goetheanum, a temple-like edifice that Steiner — an expert on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s theories of natural metamorphosis and the physiology of colour — designed to anchor the anthroposophical colony in Dornach, Switzerland.
Drumming Circle and Circus School at the Fair - it's easy to book your children in
06 Sep 2019
DRUMMING CIRCLES AND CIRCUS SCHOOL AT THE FAIR. SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER: BOOK NOW!
Drumming is $12 per session and Circus School is $10 per session glenaeonfair.eventbrite.com
YOU CAN PRE-BOOK YOUR SESSIONS OF DRUMMING & CIRCUS SCHOOL HERE:
Class 4 - SOLD OUT
Active Wilderness: A Meaningful Place in Nature
30 Aug 2019
Glenaeon receives NSW Outdoor Education Program Award: Congratulations Scott Williams
Last weekend was the annual conference of Outdoors NSW, the peak body of all Outdoor Education professionals including coordinators for schools, adventure operators and guides. Our own Coordinator Scott Williams along with teacher Kristen Gardner was there representing Glenaeon.
Each year this peak professional body makes an award for the most outstanding Outdoor Education program conducted in a NSW school in 2019. Scott had submitted a very fine application outlining Glenaeon’s unique and extensive program running from Class 4 to Year 12, and it was a great moment to learn that Glenaeon received this award. Within our community we all appreciate how outstanding the Glenaeon program is in practice, but to have this publicly acknowledged by the peak body of Outdoor Education professionals in NSW is a great honour.
Read moreHSC Drama Showcase
30 Aug 2019
Congratualtions to the Year 12 Drama students on the quality of their performances at the HSC Showcase on Sunday 25th August. The audience were impressed with the variety and standard of work. All the best for the rest of your HSC!
- Jacqui Wan, Drama Teacher
Read moreClass 2 have fun with Maths in the playground
30 Aug 2019
Class teacher Roger Richards and assistant Prue help the children learn mathematics with fun games in the playground in the mornings. The children eagerly line up, each assigned a number. Roger calls out a result, for example : "All those who can be divided by 2!"... and those who can run to the other side of the playground and back. It gets trickier and even more fun when he calls "Hold hands with the right people to add up to 10!" or "Find who makes you times by 2!". Morning maths is a great way to wake up the body and the brain!
Read moreBananas and asparagus are the new flavours in the garden
30 Aug 2019
There are big movements in the Middle Cove Garden. Classes 3, 5 and Class 6 are learning all about asparagus and banana plants while relocating and building new asparagus and banana beds. Look at this beautiful garden glowing and the bananas awaiting their new 'home ground'! The rain will be a great addition as it has been so dry these past few months.
Read morePreschool has a beautiful outdoor weaving loom
30 Aug 2019
The weaving loom at the Preschool is a beautiful outdoor feature, where children can be creative with natural fibres as well as grasses and treasures that they find. What a wonderful idea!
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Class 1 learning to knit
23 Aug 2019
Having last week experienced the journey of wool, washing sheep and alpaca fleece, carding it (combing) and spinning it using a drop spindle, the children then fashioned their very own knitting needles. This week, Class 1 children were officially introduced to knitting. They are knitting a simple pot holder, and have already become a very enthusiastic group of knitters.
Read moreYear 10 Sydney Science Festival excursion
16 Aug 2019
Highschool Science teachers Hernan Carol-Garis and Stanley Tang took all Year 10 students to the Australian Museum for the Sydney Science Festival. Students had fun attending workshops, listening to inspirational speakers and learning about Science. https://sydneyscience.com.au/2019/
Glenaeon Music Concert at The Concourse
16 Aug 2019
The Music Department was very proud of all the students on Friday night at our Class 5 -11 concert! They all performed as well as we had hoped they would and gave us a wonderful evening of varied music, from Back Street Boys to Russian Romanticism - quite a journey!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the other staff members and some parents of the school who so generously gave their time and attention to this once a year project. It is amazing to have such great colleagues and helpers!
Thanks also to all the parents who support our students in their musical endeavours. It is a hard job to keep children practising through all the distractions of childhood and adolescence but as the results of scientific research keep reinforcing, the rewards are great!
With gratitude,
Christian Lillicrap on behalf of the Music Department
Read moreGrade 6 Gazette - Special Edition on 'Turning Twelve'
16 Aug 2019
Class 6 produces a weekly Gazette, and last week's edition featured a special report based on the children’s responses to what it is like turning 12 this year. Class teacher Rodney Dean asked them to write answers to 16 questions on 'Turning Twelve'. Each week, 2 children are the editors, carefully compiling the pages and preparing for printing of all their creative writing and news. They sell for $1 internally at school, and have raised money for climate change research. Well done Class 6!
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Glenaeon Student Art Show Opening
16 Aug 2019
Glenaeon's Art Show opening was a successful event, well-attended and officially opened with a welcoming speech by the Mayor of Willoughby, Gail Giles-Gidney. Curated by Head of Art Alisan Smotlak, the show highlighted Glenaeon's talent and artistic skill throughout the years from Kindergarten to Year 12. Also present was a selection of hand crafts from Kindergarten to Class 6 and some beautiful Main Lesson book examples. Andrew Hill welcomed the Mayor, who spoke of her support for the arts and the importance of creativity and artistic expression in education. Thank you to Willoughby Council for their ongoing support of this exhibition.
Read moreLittle Kindy enjoy fresh honeycomb with their baked bread
09 Aug 2019
Little Kindy bake every Wednesday - it's known excitedly as 'Bread Day' by the children and is one of their favourite activities.
Read moreYear 8 explore Shakespeare with Brendan Strobl
09 Aug 2019
Year 8 are exploring the history of Shakespeare with Class Guardian Brendan Strobl, creating historic scenes and working with language, poetry and drama.
Read moreYear 9 Duke of Edinburgh reading program with Class 3
09 Aug 2019
Year 9 have the opportunity to undertake the Duke of Edinburgh Program at Glenaeon.
Read moreMeaningful Lives through Play
09 Aug 2019
You might have noticed a stream of articles and news stories recently as schools and educators discover that play in nature really matters. Below is an example.
D’oh! Isn’t it obvious?!
It’s the latest in a long line of “new discoveries” that are well established practices at Glenaeon. Play in Nature is so fundamental you wonder how it is that “research” is needed to demonstrate this alarmingly obvious point. At Glenaeon we regard play in Nature as a fundamental right of childhood. The physical, emotional, social and mental benefits are so obvious:
• Natural environments are open and undefined, fostering imaginative and creative play
• They foster social play that builds social skills and community rather than competing for the next turn on the swing
• They are filled with trees that exude nutrients and uplifting micro-organisms
• They look better than garish plastic play structures.
Read moreMeaningful Music, Meaningful Lives
09 Aug 2019
Our School Concert last Friday was a standout. Head of Music Christian Lillicrap deserves our warmest thanks and appreciation for leading such a committed and talented team of performers (students) and backstage organizers (teachers) to produce such a gift to our community.
Highlights? There were many, but in fact every item was a highlight in its own way. From the class choirs to the Chamber Strings, the Big Band, and the Year 10 band, they were all musically impressive and entertainingly fabulous. But the Beginners ensemble was an absolute gem. The sheer joy and pride of these students who have only been playing for six months, but could get up on stage and communicate their enthusiasm so unselfconsciously, was a joy to behold.
The finales to the two halves of the concert were the heart stoppers for me personally. Hearing our unofficial “School Anthem”, John Rutter’s For the Beauty of the Earth, is an ever enriching and moving experience, and it was again on Friday night. At the very end, the finale to Scriabin’s Symphony #1 for orchestra and choir was simply a tour de force. The grandeur and magnificence of the music, bringing together every student from Class 5 to Year 12, left the audience powerfully affected.
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Meaningful Learning: Main Lessons
09 Aug 2019
Main Lessons are one of the most distinctive aspects of schools working out of the impulse of Dr Rudolf Steiner. Our Main Lesson practice is both a method and a content:
Main Lesson Method: Deep Learning
We learn best when we are engaged, when we have time to be immersed in a subject, when our feelings are stimulated, when we can be active in our learning. Dr Steiner’s suggestion was quite simple: all these characteristics of healthy and effective learning can be met if lessons are organised in blocks of teaching over an intense period. So we organise key teaching and learning into significant blocks of time that are spread over a three week period. This extended period enables students to go deeply into a topic, to be immersed in it, to make connections between disciplines. Above all, it enables students (and teachers!) to be deeply and inwardly engaged with a topic in a way that is not possible in the relatively short time of a single period.
Such short periods are ideal for rhythmical learning, where subjects need regular repetition to build a specific set of skills (eg basic skills in English and Maths, Languages, the creative arts, Sport).
In the core subjects of English, Maths, Science and Humanities (History/Geography) the secret of the main lesson success is the daily work. Taking in new material one day and sleeping on it, allows our deep unconscious to embed learning more deeply in our mind. Picking up the learning the next morning ensures a freshness and vitality in how a student embraces the content of the main lesson. Over the three weeks, this daily process builds what has become the “holy grail” of contemporary educators: deep learning.
Mermaids in the sandpit
02 Aug 2019
Class 2 children have been extremely creative in the sandpit, turning it into an ocean of mermaids, turtles and craeatures!
Read more"Oh, Mummy!" What's happening in Class 5?!
02 Aug 2019
Class 5 have just finished their Egypt Main Lesson with a class project - building a model from Egyptian History.
Read moreYear 9 visit Warrah Specialist School
02 Aug 2019
Year 9 participated in their second visit to Warrah Specialist School today and really got a taste of some of the valuable work that goes on there.
Read moreMeaningful Lives
26 Jul 2019
This month marks the 100th anniversary of Dr Rudolf Steiner’s first training course for teachers as they prepared to open the world’s first school based on his methods. In September 1919 the school opened, and 100 years later we are enjoying the fruits of their pioneering labours.
Six years after this moment, the lectures of this first training course were published, and in the Foreword, Dr Steiner’s widow Marie Steiner summed up the essence of the complex, organic whole that is Steiner education with the classic words:
“Our highest endeavor is to produce young men and women who out of themselves are able to give meaning and direction to their own lives.”
How contemporary they now sound! At the time, schools were either based on the old, grammar school model of classical languages and learning, or the newer industrial model producing technical professionals and workers for industry. Many schools were founded on a religious base with the aim of producing more adherents loyal to that religion.
Here Dr Steiner is proclaiming an education that would foster individuals able to build their own meaning and direction out of themselves. He was founding a new education that was for the future, and that future is now, the 21st century.
Read moreMeaningful Lives through Music
26 Jul 2019
Our School Concert reminds us why we do music. Music brings beauty to our lives, it moves us, it gives expression to our feelings, and as such, it is meaningful. Everyone needs beauty, and meaning, and that’s why we do music, and why everyone does music at Glenaeon. All our students from Class 5 to Year 11, plus our Year 12 Music students, will be on stage on Friday August 9 and we invite you to be part of this entertaining and uplifting evening.
Without music, life is a journey through a desert.
– Pat Conroy (American writer)
Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.
- Pablo Casals
The legendary cellist Pablo Casals was on to something. Our lives need beauty, and poetry, to fulfil and enrich us, and to make meaning out of the myriad of what life brings us.
How do we build meaningful lives, how do we make meaning from all that comes to us in life? How do prepare our students to live and to love, in the deepest and broadest sense?
Read moreLittle Kindy work and play
05 Jul 2019
This week Little Kindy have been busy making hand squeezed orange juice to help keep winter colds at bay. Every Wednesday is bread baking day in Little Kindy! The children also enjoyed a plant study in the garden, finding that gold and yellow flower petals and bright green leaves are still found in our garden this winter.
Glenaeon campus and waterways in the rain
28 Jun 2019
The rain brought welcome relief this week to our dry land, and the children enjoyed not only the sound of the rain, but the gushing roar of the waterfall that courses down near the oval at Middle Cove and into Scotts Creek. The trees and ferns here form a bright green canopy, enveloping one tributary as it flows towards Middle Harbour. Glenaeon sits right alongside Scotts Creek, and during rainy periods a number of small waterways flow more strongly. Willoughby Council has produced THIS BROCHURE AND MAP of the Scotts Creek Catchment area (Glenaeon is located directly below where 'Scott's Creek' is written). We are very lucky to be surrounded by the bush and waterways, and we always recognise the Cammeraygal people as traditional owners of this land. It is timely that we began Term 2 being gifted our own Aboriginal flag by Trent Zimmerman, MP for North Sydney, and, having flown it this term, we end with our recognition of NAIDOC Week coming up on July 7 - 14.
Read moreThe Power of Play: A World of Infinite Possibility
27 Jun 2019
Mid Winter Party 2019
26 Jun 2019
Last Saturday’s MidWinter Party was a wonderful evening of fun and community. We owe some key parents of Year 7 a debt of gratitude: not just for organising the Ball, but for taking the risk of holding it offsite at the Treehouse Hotel, and in the process, reinventing what is a much loved event in the school’s calendar.
Read moreWhy do we keep doing NAPLAN?
25 Jun 2019
NAPLAN: “why do we keep doing it when there are all these other unintended consequences?” (Gonski Institute)
Read moreA Fresh Look at Glenaeon’s Masterplan: The Next Generation
24 Jun 2019
Recently the School Council commissioned architectural firm Gresleyabas to conduct a review of the Glenaeon’s Masterplan for our Middle Cove campus which was initially approved by Willoughby Council in 1995. Substantial work has been achieved over the past two decades, but as we consider the priorities for future projects, a fresh look at the broad shape of the Masterplan is timely to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our students and teachers, both currently and for the next generation.
Read morePlayground Progress
23 Jun 2019
Our Annual Appeal 2018 raised some much needed funds for the primary playground upgrade, and it is a pleasure to report on progress as we prepare for the 2019 Appeal.
Read moreIn Praise of Pirates
20 Jun 2019
The show was sheer joy from beginning to end. No matter how well you knew the Gilbert and Sullivan show and its inspired silliness set to sumptuous music, you would have been swept away by the Year 10 production. The brilliant quality of the voices, the laugh-out-loud funny scenes, the wonderful dancing, not to mention the incredible intensity of the stage movements, all made for a perfect entertainment of a show.
Well Said, Sam!!
19 Jun 2019
This week brought a very special surprise. I received a call from the office of Mr Trent Zimmerman, our local Member of Parliament for North Sydney, to tell us that Sam Street in Class 6 had won the primary section of the North Sydney School Speech Writing competition. Sam had entered the competition run by Mr Zimmerman, and his entry was selected from hundreds of other entries from primary schools across the North Sydney electorate.
How to build real confidence in children: the antidote to Snowplough and Concierge Parenting
18 Jun 2019
There are new words to describe overprotective parents: it used to be the helicopter parent who always hovered, but now it’s the Snowplough parent who intervenes and removes all obstacles. Another term is the Concierge Parent who sits at a little desk by the door and smooths over every difficulty that may face a growing child, whether younger or a teenager. There is widespread concern that such parenting contributes to the “Snowflake” generation of young adults who can “melt” at the slightest difficulty or crumble when confronted by an obstacle.
Read moreRoman Soldiers - Class 6 Rome project
17 Jun 2019
Luka Stefanovic, Class 6, became a powerful Roman Soldier
Read moreCommunities of Hope
17 Jun 2019
After the shocking event in Christchurch, there will be questions that every school and every family will need to consider. Evidence from previous such incidents is clear, that the more people watch television footage of these events, particularly children, the more likely they are to experience psychological distress, even trauma.
Read moreSky's the limit at Glenaeon
04 Jun 2019
Sky Boe has won the Gordon Waterhouse Scholarship competition
Read moreClass 1 form drawing, bushwalking and birthdays
30 May 2019
Class 1 draw 'form' drawings' each week
Read moreYear 11 art : Barangaroo building study
20 May 2019
The Year 11 Art students discovered some of the new futuristic architecture of SYDNEY
Read moreMing Sun's Year 12 Design and Technology Major Project
15 May 2019
Ming Sun is solving a common problem with an innovative solution!
Read moreClass 6 rock-ing it, MUFTI day and 'The Grade 6 Gazette'!
17 Apr 2019
Class 6 raised money this term for 'climate cooling'
Read moreClass 3 Farmstay, fresh bread and feast
17 Apr 2019
Class 3 completed their Farming Main Lesson this week
Read moreGlenaeon at the RSL ANZAC Commemoration Service 2019
17 Apr 2019
On April 9, 2019 at the ANZAC Memorial at Hyde Park, Glenaeon was selected by the RSL as one of the representative schools to participate in a state-wide remembrance for ANZAC Day.
Read moreEaster is coming... children were busy...
17 Apr 2019
Castlecrag was abuzz with Easter craft and cooking this week
Read moreJuniors news - Class 4 excursion, Class 3 skipping and woodwork
09 Apr 2019
Class 4 takes 'a bird's eye view'
Read moreClass 3 farming main lesson - wool, wheat and Warrah Farm!
09 Apr 2019
Class 3 are nearing the end of their Farming main lesson
Read moreAll in a day's play... gardening, bush walking and marble runs!
09 Apr 2019
It was a busy week at Castlecrag
Read moreJazz Cafe - a wonderful night
01 Apr 2019
The first Jazz Cafe was a wonderful night of jazz and good company
Read moreBaking, making, pulling weeds, delightful play and felting!
01 Apr 2019
Class 2 were busy this week
Read moreMichaelmas Festival
01 Apr 2019
All 6 primary school classes came together last Friday for the festival of Michaelmas
Read moreAlina Hutton's class twelve Design and Technology Major Project
15 Mar 2019
Year 12 Design & Technology student Alina Hutton is working on an inspiring Major Project
Read moreAFL lunchtime clinic
15 Mar 2019
Years 4-8 were lucky enough to have AFL NSW come out to show them the ropes
Read moreHarvest is coming : Class five making corn dolls
15 Mar 2019
The Harvest Festival is approaching
Read moreGlenaeon Open Day
13 Mar 2019
Open Day is always a wonderful opportunity to showcase what we do best
Read moreLittle Kindy news
22 Feb 2019
Little Kindy has started with a beautiful summer sea and beach nature table
Read moreSandpit working bee
22 Feb 2019
Our trusty Maintenance team have been working flat out recently
Read more