Creative Communication in the Garden
29 May 2025
Steiner education takes a gentle and meaningful approach to teaching reading and writing. From their very beginnings, Glenaeon children start their mornings in the garden, taking time to absorb the sounds, sights, smells and colours communicated by each season. Primary and Preschool children, led by their educators, celebrate Spring’s bright flowers, busy with native bees, and Autumn’s rich harvest leaves, fruits, vegetables and seeds. And amongst all this, the children find scribbles on gum trees, animal scratches on logs, and silvery snail trails through the garden. The children use sticks in the sand to scribble back their own messages and leave their own marks. And so it begins, children give and receive communication from the outside world, and through the body, heart and soul the child’s desire to read and write finds its way to the mind.
Fast forward to our Middle Cove campus where our incredible garden, held under the loving care of our Biodynamic Gardening teacher, Sandra Frain and her dedicated team, puts the language of nature into practice. Over the last few weeks we’ve seen a more literal exploration of art and the written word in our campus garden! Class 3 are really getting excited by their growing numeracy and literary proficiency as well as their growing understanding of time (how do you divide 90 minutes by the number of tasks to do?). Chalk tablets, a perfect tool to plan who, what and how they would use their garden time. These industrious eight and nine year olds used a combination of words and quick sketches to hatch a plan before diving into the tasks at hand.
Having their own visual cues to refer back to, they found division of labour and managing their time became a little easier. At least that was the idea! As always, everything is a work in progress and what we learn through the process is always key. Tasks at hand were: picking ripe guava, weeding, aerating the soil (with thin sticks). Both Class 6 and Class 3 also collected flowers and leaves, pressing them to create imprints on a special-occasion gift card for one of their special educators. A more literal interpretation of communication forms.
Class 6 Outdoor Education
29 May 2025
Class 6 recently attended their week long camp to the Warrambungles, Gulgong, Hill End and Bathurst. Key moments included a whole day walk up to the bluffs around the Breadknife rock formation, abseiling, star gazing, gold panning, mine climbing, and examining crystals and relics from pioneer times of New South Wales. The children had an amazing time and had many experiences to extend their comfort zones and extend knowledge recently explored in Geography, History and Geology Main Lessons.
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Chalk Creations at Castlecrag
29 May 2025
With the teachers' wonderful chalkboards and board work, the children also delight in creating the most beautiful drawings in the playground and on pathways! Thank you to the children for their joyous creations! We also had an absolutely stunning rainbow on the Friday afternoon before Mother's Day!
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Wet Felting with Yuki
29 May 2025
Parent Education: From Will to Wisdom with Katherine Arconati
19 May 2025
From Will to Wisdom …
For the Glenaeon community and curious minds alike!
Join us to explore how Steiner education nurtures the will — the inner drive that helps children grow into free, purposeful adults. Director of Professional Practice, Katherine Arconati, will explore how Glenaeon provides a rigorous, education that nurtures childhood while valuing creativity, meaning, and human potential.
This free event is open to any parent interested in learning more about the impact of a Steiner education, especially in the Primary School years.
Wednesday 28 May 2025
6:30pm-7:30pm
Marion Mahony Griffin Hall
Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School
121 Edinburgh Road
Castlecrag NSW 2068
To reserve your seat go to: https://www.trybooking.com/DAWDH
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Class 5 Grow Mini Cucumbers
14 May 2025
Class 5 were very proud of the glorious and unique mini cucumbers they lovingly grew in the Middle Cove Biodynamic garden. So proud that they generously shared them with the Middle Cove staff to try. Delicious!
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Yr 9 & 10 Drama Excursion - Annie The Musical
14 May 2025
Yr 9 and 10 Drama students were delighted to visit the Capitol Theatre in the CBD to see Annie The Musical! Accompanied by Head of Drama, Dave Gleeson and Teacher, Dom Nicholls they attended the matinée performance and were both inspired and entertained. They also commented on the incredible choreography, slapstick comedy and the star of the show, Annie's dog! A wonderful excursion had by all and an opportunity to see young actors who are practicing their craft out in the world.
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Class 4 Make Mother's Day Embroidered Bookmarks
14 May 2025
Class 4 lovingly made a Mother's Day treat for their mums and mum figures in Handwork class with Elizabeth Ellean. They chose colours and stitched words and pictures and made designs with their loved ones in mind. Aren't handmade gifts the best kind?!
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Class 3 and the Rhythm of Term 2
14 May 2025
Class 3 have settled quickly back into the rhythm of school life.
In Main Lesson, they are immersed in the biblical story of “The Journey to the Promised Land”. The stories follow the early Hebrew patriarchs of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who bring monotheism to human civilisation.
On Tuesday afternoons, the Technology group rotations have recommenced, and the children are enjoying cooking (and eating) pikelets, making their own wet clay pots and tending the plants and animals in the Biodynamic Garden.
A new and exciting music experience has commenced on Fridays with the children learning to play their choice of either a cello or a violin. Their tutors are showing them how to care for their instrument, handle it properly and of course begin to create musical notes using the magical bow. It is wonderful to see the children look after their precious instrument!
Glenaeon’s Art Teacher, Julia, is holding a special painting lesson every Friday fortnight in class, paired with the enjoyment of sipping warm herbal raspberry tea made by Lucy! The children love the calm, creative experience.
Reading groups continue with the help of our wonderful parent volunteers and the children are pausing throughout the story to discuss their comprehension of what they are reading together. We are now “reading to learn” rather than just “learning to read”.
The children were enthusiastically engaged in creating their own beautiful Mother’s Day card. Under the guidance of parent Alice Martin, they designed and made painted paper flowers in a layered effect that was truly stunning.
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Class 1 and 2 Apple Picking
14 May 2025
Class 1 and 2 enjoyed beautiful weather up at Bilpin Springs Orchard picking apples on the weekend! With farmer Cedric, they enjoyed exploring the orchard and harvesting delicious apples. Together they had a wonderful picnic, climbed trees and the autumn colours in the mountains were particularly stunning.
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Limited Spaces for Kindy to Class 3 in 2026
07 May 2025
A NURTURING START TO A MEANINGFUL LIFE
Our Kindergarten to Class 6 program nurtures the development of the whole child. At Glenaeon, we nourish young minds and hearts in a healthy, beauty-filled environment through imagination, artistic expression, and practical achievements.
A TIME FOR IMAGINATION
Our rich curriculum offers a rigorous academic program enriched by drawing, painting, singing, learning an instrument, woodwork, performing in plays, learning a language other than English, sport and outdoor education.
Glenaeon is an independent Steiner school offering a holistic education from Preschool to Year 12 that meets and enriches the NSW syllabus requirements. Our educational philosophy and practice was developed by and evolves out of the work of Rudolf Steiner. Our approach to learning encourages expansive thinking, development of the living spirit and profound connection to the wisdom of the past, realities of the present and possibilities for the future. Learning at Glenaeon takes place in truly unique settings blending natural and built environments within a deeply connected community – people, place, purpose.
Founded in 1957, Glenaeon caters for children from Preschool to Year 12 on three campuses: our Preschool at Willoughby; an expansive campus at Castlecrag for students in Kindergarten–Class 3; and the 4.5 hectare Middle Cove bushland campus, adjacent to Sydney Harbour, that caters for students from Class 4 through to Year 12. In addition, Glenaeon runs playgroups for babies and toddlers, from birth to five years at Willoughby and Castlecrag.
We support the development of habits that inspire a love of learning and help students to lead a meaningful life. Our students are:
- Free in Spirit: curious, disciplined, reverent
- Able to Act: ethical, creative, capable
- Grounded in Self: confident, true, humble
- Caring of the World: aware, compassionate, involved
Contact Us:
For inquiries, contact our Enrolments Registrar Sunita Shah at +61 2 94173193 or email enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
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Sydney Rudolf Steiner College Autumn Seminar at Castlecrag – A Transformative Gathering
02 May 2025
A group of 30 aspiring early childhood and primary Steiner teachers, along with their tutors, came together from across the country (and overseas) to engage in a deeply inspiring program. The seminar opened with a keynote address by Andrew Hill, CEO of Steiner Education Australia, on “How Steiner Education Builds Meaningful Lives.” His talk set a powerful tone for the days ahead, which were filled with workshops, lectures, and discussions that explored and expanded upon this theme. Participants echoed the sentiment, describing their experience as “How Steiner Education Transforms Lives.”
We extend heartfelt thanks to the Castlecrag staff and community for once again providing such a nurturing and inspiring environment. We also thank Head of School, Diana Drummond for taking the time to visit us and see the students. The campus has become a vital part of our teacher training, upholding the essential principle of creating a healthy space where children, families, and communities can truly thrive.
The Rainbow Bridge to Class 1
31 Mar 2025
It is so special to witness the beginning of Class 1, starting with the lovely ‘Rainbow Bridge’ ceremony. The Class 1 children gather in the Kindergarten garden with parents and share a morning circle and songs together. The Class 2 children form a beautiful 'Rainbow Bridge' - a tunnel made with long silk and flowers and sing a lovely song called “Make New Friends”. At the beginning of the rainbow, the Kindergarten teachers gives each child a flower to take with them 'under the rainbow bridge' to the other side, where their new Class teacher, Katherine Arconati meets them and welcomes them to Class 1.
Parents of both classes watch and our Head of School Diana Drummond and Deputy Head of School (K-6) Dani Finch also share in this moment. 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 and ignites the beginning of the Class Teacher journey. Katherine is excited to get to know the children and begin this wonderful journey again, having just completed an 8-year cycle. She took her previous class through primary school and then two years as a high school Guardian during Year 7 and 8. Katherine will form special bonds with each child and nurture and guide them through their primary years with the supportive assistance of other specialist teachers. Following the ceremony, parents share morning tea together, with Senior Teacher Catherine Pilko, Dani Finch and Diana Drummond and Class 2 parents welcoming them and building community on our Castlecrag Campus.
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Making, Baking and Donating at Harvest Time!
27 Mar 2025
Class 1 and 2 students prepared over 200 bread rolls and 60 cobs of corn to enjoy while hosting the entire Primary School for the Michaelmas Festival. Earlybirds Clair, Melony, Sally and Maria and their children came at 7am to start making the bread – kneading and rolling 10kg of flour! Class 2 parents and children spend the morning rolling baking the rolls. Parent and baker Carolina made an amazing Dragon Bread for the Festival display which Class 1 and 2 shared! The Harvest display, with the woven ‘Horn of Plenty’ and corn husk dolls, is created by Class 1 and 2 parents using the abundant produce donated by our families. Our generous families donated such beautiful produce for our Harvest Festival, and we donated this to Oz Harvest to distribute to charity kitchens and those in need. Children enthusiastically helped pack and carry the produce to the truck with strong muscles and big smiles. Thank you to all of our lovely families who donated.
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Class 3 Master Chefs
26 Mar 2025
Every Tuesday afternoon, the Class 3 children exclaim, “What are we cooking this week?" They gather excitedly around the outdoor table and peek curiously at the fresh ingredients. Like any well trained apprentice chef, they follow good food hygiene practices; they wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, wear an apron and even a hair net (yes, there are giggles galore!) We have discussed safe behaviour in the kitchen and demonstrated sensible handling of utensils such as metal graters and knives and cutting boards with adult supervision. Our cooking sessions have become a hands on exploration of food – from grating carrots, to slicing capsicum, stirring lentils, smelling spices, picking fresh herbs and trying new tastes such as Kalamata olives!
The children are enjoying the procedure of following a recipe to completion and then reaping the reward of sharing the meal together, after a blessing is sung and a gentle reminder about table manners. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Then it’s all hands on deck to wash and dry the cutlery and crockery and pack away. At the end of the year, each child will bring home their own Cooking Book that they have been collating from our sessions to share with their family.
Theresa Parisi
Class 3/4 Assistant
Class 5 Celebrate Autumn with Corn Doll Making
26 Mar 2025
To celebrate the Autumn season, Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean has been guiding our students in making corn dolls out of corn husks. Class 5 have been working hard on their dolls and also knitting up a storm (perfect timing for the cooler weather to come)! Watching their skills growing beautifully is such a joy. Class 1 and 2 also made dolls in the garden with Sandra last week. Some of the finished dolls were also on display at our Primary Autumn Festival!
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Class 1 Celebrating Nowruz: Persian New Year!
20 Mar 2025
Class 1 celebrated the Persian New Year (Nowruz), which corresponds with the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, last Friday. Thank you to Mahdi and Roya for setting up the Haft Sin with many of its traditional, symbolic elements. The class also enjoyed a special craft project in honour of Haji Firuz, who is one of their storied figures on this special day.
For more info on Persian New Year visit here and here.
Class 1 and 2 Gardening
19 Mar 2025
This week, classes 1 and 2 began their gardening blocks to finish Term 1. Our gardening program begins in kindergarten where the children learn to care for, observe and connect with the environment through both play and meaningful work. Building a sense of the unseen forces of nature that work with seasonal and environmental changes leads to strongly developed observational skills in upper primary school that later support scientific thinking.
Today in Class 1 the children began with a eurythmy sequence about the trees and were then introduced to two biodynamic medicines to support healthy growth. They dynamised the water which contained these substances and observed the geometric forms that appeared as they stirred the potion. The children then ground up rock dust to mineralise the soil and sprinkled the stir over the garden beds. A kookaburra came to herald their work to finish the lesson.
In Class 2, the students watched as parent Michael Fayle demonstrated the process for pruning the lemon tree. Some Class 2 students stayed with Michael to prune while the other students proceeded to the far corners of the Castlecrag campus. They observed the status of garden beds they created in past years, touching and tasting flora and fauna as was appropriate. They engaged heartily in the activating of soil fertilisers in rain water, the application of tree paste on beloved trees and tended the worm farm. A group of students planted seeds all over the campus which will bring surprises as they germinate in-situ. The gardening lessons concluded with tasting of biodynamic herbal garden tea and freshly baked sourdough bread. Thank you to parents in both classes who assisted the students in having a well-supported gardening time.
Primary School Autumn Festival - Beware, the Dragon!
19 Mar 2025
Last week, all 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. The King’s daughter is unafraid and bravely confronts the mighty dragon (thanks to Class 5), and with the help of St. Michael, the dragon succumbs and the villagers are saved. In song, verse and movement, the story is told, with each class preparing and performing a part. Each class rehearses their own part, coming 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. The entire primary school singing in rounds is breathtaking and beautiful and the quote “the whole is more than the sum of its parts” is perfectly shared in this festival!
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Class 6 Magazine
19 Mar 2025
Class 6 has been busy this term writing stories and articles for their Class 6 magazine, The View from Class 6. The first issue has been printed and the students are very excited for their families and teachers to read it. It is a wonderful class project which everyone in the class is involved in. While not every person contributed an article for the first issue, there was plenty to do: drafting, editing, scribing, drawing pictures and compiling it all together ready for printing. So far it has a readership of 70 people, and the class will be using the profits from magazine sales to support their class charity, The Make-a-Wish Foundation, and a portion will also go towards the Class 6 end-of-year celebration.
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Class 2 make Étoile
13 Mar 2025
Class 2 have been learning satin stitch and sewing their initials on their own hand-felted etoile with Handwork teacher Elizabeth Ellean. This is a little felt booklet that they will use throughout their time at Glenaeon to hold needles, scissors and crochet hooks! It's a beautiful project and they are enjoying the challenge. It's a popular activity and is even done in the bus group as children get ready for the school buses to arrive!
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Castlecrag Love hosting the Fair!
14 Nov 2024
Our Castlecrag Campus really shines for the Glenaeon Family Fair! We love hosting it and every classroom, playground and hall space transforms into a wonderful playground and markets for adults and children alike! Thank you to our amazing parents and coordinators for holding the most brilliant day - activities, stalls, delicious food, and fun... and the weather was perfect! Thanks to our Year 9 and 10 students who helped set up on Friday and to our amazing pack down and clean up team! The children had a brilliant day...and the adults did too!
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OPEN Day 2024 Castlecrag Campus
02 May 2024
Open Day 2024 offers parents the chance to see our Kindergarten to Class 2 in action! You will see student work on display, observe classes, explore the outdoor learning environments, and learn more about Steiner education in the early years. Meet our Head of School, as well as Senior staff, students and current parents.
Glenaeon’s early years program provides a healthy introduction to primary school life, honouring your child’s implicit capacity to learn through play and active participation in diverse activities. Within a warm and nurturing environment, our program fosters authentic learning engagement and develops early literacy and numeracy skills through rich oral and practical experiences.
Join us on Thursday, May 16 for an immersive experience that showcases how a Glenaeon education lays the foundation for a life of character and contribution.
Why Glenaeon?
We're committed to providing a holistic and rigorous education within an environment that fosters a sense of belonging, purpose, context, and transcendence, preparing your child for a life of profound meaning. Learning at Glenaeon takes place in a truly unique setting blending natural and built environments within a deeply connected community.
OPEN DAY Event Details:
Where: 121 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag
When: Thursday 16 May 2024
Time: 9am-11am
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW for OPEN DAY 2024
What to Expect:
- Welcome address from our Head of School, Diana Drummond
- Meet our Deputy Head of School K-6 and learn about our Wellbeing Framework
- Observe a Kindy Morning Circle and students engaged in free play
- View into the Classrooms for Literacy & Numeracy in Main Lesson
- Observe our students making practical items by handwork
- View our Main Lesson Showcase featuring student work from K-6 and High School Main Lesson books
- Meet our Parents over a cup of herbal tea and try your hand at sour dough bread making
- Learn about our Preschool based in Willoughby
- Pop by our family style Playgroups in session from 9.30am
- Hear from Class 6 students about their Primary School experience
- Opt for a self-guided walking tour with a printed map or join an organised tour group, led by our Year 11 student Captains
- Explore our beautiful campus with village-style school buildings and facilities, including classrooms, playgrounds, Marion Mahony Griffin Hall, our gardens and outdoor learning spaces
- Gain insight into how Glenaeon supports and integrates students at the start, and throughout their Glenaeon educational journey
- Receive a comprehensive Prospectus Pack in an eco-friendly bag
- Discover more about our After School Care/OOSH and Holiday Care program
- Browse the Grassroots Eco Store and shop for ethical back to school essentials, toys and gifts
Contact Us:
For inquiries, contact our Enrolments Registrar Sunita Shah at +61 2 9417 3193 or email enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Preschool, Primary or High School Entry?
- Families interested in Class 3 – Year 12 entry are encouraged to attend our Middle Cove campus tour on Thursday 23 May 9:30am-10:30am. Book HERE
- Families interested in Preschool entry are invited to attend a Willoughby campus tour on Tuesday 11 June. Book HERE
30 Years of Glenaeon Castlecrag Campus, 1994-2024
01 May 2024
This year, 2024, Glenaeon marks 30 years of our campus at Castlecrag; however, our campus’ history stretches back to 1950.
Despite Glenaeon’s Castlecrag campus opening in 1994, we were not the first school there. In 1950, the Castlecrag Infants School opened and was a key part of the Castlecrag community, educating children from Kindergarten to Year 2 until its unfortunate closure in 1989. Designed by the famous American architect Walter Burley Griffin, architect of Australia’s national capital city Canberra, alongside his wife Marion Mahony Griffin, Castlecrag is community that has a history of strong community ties. Therefore, it is no surprise that when the New South Wales State Government announced that the Castlecrag Infants School would be closed and demolished due to low enrolment numbers, the Castlecrag community protested and rejected the state government’s announcement. Between 1989 and 1994, the community at Castlecrag held demonstrations, Union green bans and community picket lines, protesting against the government’s plan to sell the site for development. With the prospect of reopening the infants school dire, in 1990 the state government agreed to the Castlecrag community’s request that the site be retained for community use, if not used for a school, rather than sold.
Despite continuing community protests and some backlash, in 1994, Glenaeon acquired the school site from the State Government, opening our now Castlecrag Campus in June of the same year.
Over our 30-year history at Castlecrag, we have not only welcomed our younger students to our school and Steiner education, but we also continue to open our campus grounds to the Castlecrag community to use over the weekend and during the holidays. The Castlecrag campus also hosts Glenaeon’s annual Family Fair – a key event in the community’s calendar – while the Marion Mahony Griffin Hall is regularly used for community groups, particularly the local Castlecrag Progress Association.
Our Castlecrag Campus would also not be what it is today without the help of our school community, parents, and teachers. A special thank you goes to Glenaeon’s first teachers at Castlecrag – Peggy Day, Christine O’Neil, Andrew Hill, and John Rowan – as well as our school gardener Lindsay Sherrott who has worked tirelessly to develop and maintain our beautiful school garden. Glenaeon’s late Council Chair, Tom Hartigan, must also be thanked for his efforts to acquire the Castlecrag campus.
Will Bryant
Glenaeon School Archivist
Do you have any material, physical or digital, (photographs, memorabilia, yearbooks) you wish to donate to the school? Get in touch with Will via email: archives@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
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Class 4 Apple Picking
14 Mar 2024
Class 4 were the first of our classes to make the merry trip to Bilpin in the Blue Mountains to visit Farmer Cedric and his apple farm! It was a stunning day and the orchard was bursting with apples, plums and nashi pears. Families gathered under the old oak tree before Cedric took them on a tour of the orchard, teaching about his farming techniques to combat pests and fruit fly as we went. Sampling Granny Smith, Julie, Golden Delicious, Gala and Fuji apples was a delight, before children filled their baskets and bags to weight, pay and take home!
Cedric holds a special place in our history as he was formerly a high school teacher at Glenaeon and always hosts Glenaeon and other Steiner school families in his orchard with such enthusiasm and care. This year, he taught the Class 4 students about an aphid pest that could be treated using earwigs! He showed the children how to catch multitudes of them in the woodpile and place them strategically on the 7 or 8 affected trees. The earwigs will then eat the aphids and the resulting white fungus will not be able to flourish. The children were delighted to be able to help Cedric on the farm and Cedric explained that within 2 - 3 weeks he expected the problem to now be solved! Thank you Cedric and Class 4!
Open Day 2024
29 Jan 2024
MEANINGFUL LIVES BEGIN HERE
Discover a world of academic excellence, cultural enrichment and unwavering student support at Glenaeon’s Open Day, where we cultivate creative thinkers, ethically driven and culturally expressive individuals.
Join us on Friday, March 15, 9am - 11am for an immersive experience that showcases how a Glenaeon education lays the foundation for a life of character and contribution.
Why Glenaeon?
We're committed to providing a holistic and rigorous education within an environment that fosters a sense of belonging, purpose, context, and transcendence, preparing your child for a life of profound meaning. Learning at Glenaeon takes place in a truly unique setting blending natural and built environments within a deeply connected community.
Glenaeon, Australia’s first Steiner school, located on Sydney's lower North Shore, enjoys a strong record of academic success in the HSC, that sees Glenaeon currently ranked 71st in the state. For more details on our 2023 HSC results, click here.
OPEN DAY Event Details:
Where: Middle Cove Campus, 5a Glenroy Avenue, Middle Cove
When: Friday 15 March 2024
Time: 9-11am
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW for OPEN DAY 2024
What to Expect:
Discover Glenaeon’s Distinct Offerings:
· Witness deep learning and student work displays, including Main Lesson books
· See creative Visual Arts artworks in the Studios
· Explore our extensive Sport and co-curricular program
· Learn about our award-winning Outdoor Education program
Self or Guided Exploration:
· Opt for a self-guided walking tour with a printed map or join an organised tour group, led by our students
Meet Our Leaders and understand our Core Values:
· Hear an inspiring address from our Head of School, Diana Drummond.
· Connect with Dani Finch, Deputy Head of School for Classes K-6, and Yura Totsuka, Deputy Head of School for Years 7-12.
· Interact with our Year 11 Captains
Engage with our Environment:
· Take advantage of our looping courtesy bus from nearby parking to campus.
· Explore our beautiful bushland campus with village-style school buildings and facilities, including classrooms, playgrounds, Sylvia Brose Hall, biodynamic garden, outdoor classrooms, libraries, ovals, D&T facilities, art studio and science labs.
Activities:
· View activities such as a chemistry demonstration in the lab.
· Immerse yourself in the arts, such as watching a Year 10 Musical rehearsal or enjoy a music performance by the Big Band in the Sylvia Brose Hall.
· Enjoy a cup of herbal tea and savour the freshly baked sour dough bread in our Biodynamic Garden while learning about gardening and bush regeneration activities
Personalised Engagement:
· Ask questions and engage with Heads of Department
· Gain insight into how Glenaeon supports and integrates students at the start, and throughout their Glenaeon educational journey
Take Home a Piece of Glenaeon:
· Receive a comprehensive Prospectus Pack in an eco-friendly bag
· Browse the Grassroots Eco Store pop-up shop for ethical back to school essentials
Indulge and Relax:
· Enjoy a barista coffee or a wholesome treat from The Gentle Café on the deck surrounded by tranquil grounds and bushland
Contact Us:
For inquiries, contact our Enrolments Registrar Sunita Shah at +61 2 94173193 or email enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Kindergarten Entry?
· Families interested in Kindergarten entry for 2025 and beyond are encouraged to attend our Castlecrag Campus Open Day on Thursday 16 May 2024, from 9 am to 11 am.
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Class 3 Presentation
22 Nov 2023
Class 3 gave a wonderful performance to parents with Class Teacher Prue Ritchie this week. Starting with poems, songs and games from their Morning Circle and singing beautifully in rounds, they then played amazing recorder pieces together, and in rounds of two, three and even four groups! Truly wonderful to experience. Moving through the stunning grounds down to the Sylvia Brose Hall, Class 3 then presented their ‘Swan Lake’ eurythmy piece with teacher Clair Cisterne, as well as their enjoyable Spring Dance. Lastly, they gave a wonderful concert after their first year learning string instruments – cellos and violins played several pieces with the guidance of their music tutors. Parents were lucky to enjoy such a rich performance, with many thanks to Class 3 students and teachers.
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Class 5 Greek Olympics
26 Oct 2023
What an absolute triumph of resilience, teamwork, and skill we witnessed on Monday at the 2023 Class 5 Greek Olympics.
Glenaeon were thrilled to host Kamaroi Rudolf Steiner School at our Middle Cove campus for a great day building on their exploration on the origins of the early Olympic Games. After an Opening Ceremony conducted by Zeus and athlete parade, the Games were officially opened! Students took to discus, javelin, sprint, long jump and traditional Greek wrestling, as well as 400m and relay events. The students cheered each other on all day and huge thanks goes to Lucy, Sarah, Jamie, Kim and Michelle and parent volunteers who organised the sporting events, sewed costumes, made chariots (!) Our sincere thanks and acknowledgement to all these staff for honouring Jonas’ memory and creating a wonderful day for the Glenaeon and Kamaroi children.
Experience the Magic of the Glenaeon Family Fair 2023!
25 Sep 2023
Get ready for an enchanting day out for the whole family as the Glenaeon Family Fair returns to the lower north shore on Saturday 4 November from 10am until 4pm. This year's Fair promises to be a whirlwind of excitement, and will feature a jam-packed day of fun games, creative activities, artisanal delights and captivating live entertainment which will bring joy to visitors of all ages. Parents of the school have put their heart and soul into making this a very special day for the community and everyone is warmly welcome.
Saturday 4 November 2023
10am-4pm
Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School
121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag
This year’s attractions will include -
Fun games and activities: Immerse yourself in a world of fun and adventure with games like Ball in a Bucket, Jacob’s Ladder and the Lollipop Climb, as well as Face Painting, Henna and much more. Craft activities will include Tie Dye, Felted Soap, Beading, Candle Making, Succulent Planting as well as the chance to make your own Wooden Toys. Live entertainment will keep the vibe upbeat all day, featuring student jazz bands, instrumentalists and vocalists, while the younger family members can experience the magic of the Storytelling Tent and the Children’s Grotto.
Delicious and wholesome foods: A wide range of food and drinks stalls will be there to nourish and sustain you all day long, including the Lunch Café, BBQ, Sushi Stall, Popcorn and Lemonade Stall, Gelato Cart, Homemade Cake Stall and of course the Coffee Shop. And for those seeking a place to relax, don’t forget the Chai Tent!
Artisan treasures: Explore a treasure trove of artisan stalls overflowing with unique hand-crafted creations that showcase the finest craftsmanship, where you can do some early Christmas shopping or find the perfect keepsake to cherish. Also featured at the Fair will be quality preloved books and clothes, a selection of homemade jams and preserves, as well as beautiful Steiner-inspired toys made by our very own Parent Craft volunteers.
Inspiring artworks: Art remains a focus of the Glenaeon Family Fair, and this year’s Fair will see a selection of local and established artists selling their works on display.
Fabulous prizes: The Glenaeon Raffle offers a chance to win some fabulous prizes, and the Art & Craft Silent Auction provides an opportunity to purchase some beautiful artworks in various different media, made and donated by Glenaeon students, parents and teachers, as well as members of the wider community. Monies raised go towards supporting the school.
An opportunity to discover Steiner education: Dive into the world of Steiner education and explore the remarkable student works on display. Teachers will be available on the day to engage in meaningful conversations about the unique difference that a Glenaeon education can make in inspiring and nurturing young minds.
Let the magic unfold at the Glenaeon Family Fair 2023! An enchanting experience awaits you, so mark your calendar for an unforgettable day of fun, creativity, and community. All are welcome to join in the festivities and make cherished memories.
For more information go to www.glenaeonfair.com
Media enquiries:
Kath Kissell, Marketing Communications Manager, Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School
E: k.kissell@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
M: 0408 408 562
Honouring Indigenous Wisdom Through our Biodynamic Gardening
13 Sep 2023
In her book "Braiding Sweetgrass”, Robin Wall Kimmerer says: “Becoming indigenous to a place means living as if your children's future mattered, to take care of the land as if our lives, both material and spiritual, depended on it.”
The practice of Biodynamic agriculture is rooted in indigenous knowledge. This means that in the Glenaeon Gardens our lessons are founded in the active observation and listening of all living things: plants, animals and fellow humans.
90% of what lives in the soil and what is active in the atmosphere is invisible to the human eye. We are cultivating our children to use their senses, to perceive the physical needs of the atmosphere and soil for the benefit of our plants and animals. In this way we are “gardening” our children! Inspiring and nourishing them to form a foundation for their sense of belonging to nature.
Children all over the world grind rocks as part of their outdoor play. As rocks are composed of minerals, the rock dust itself vitalises the soil when we sprinkle it around our plants.
We are aware of the abundance that biodiversity provides. At Glenaeon Gardens we harvest the weeds that have grown voluntarily. For example at Castlecrag campus one of the weeds we harvest are bindi weeds. Bindi weeds grow on depleted lawns. By fermenting the bindi weeds in water and pouring that water into those lawns, the result is a sweetened soil that has made an ideal condition for clover to grow. The lawn no longer being prickly, children can now roll in the inviting clover.
To learn about plants, we start with wonder and ask the question: what's growing here? The plants are having a relationship with us too. We're watching, we're listening. We are cultivating this culture of communicating with the natural world. When we suck the pollen from the flowers we taste what the bees are tasting.
In younger grades we sing: “What story, what story do you tell?” and we listen. What is this plant trying to tell us? Mother Earth is communicating. What can we do to help? Water? Prune, aerate? In older grades the conversation about observation as a form of enquiry is explicit, and quickly the students get hands on and hands in.
We encourage everyone to practise this act of conversation. Stop and observe. Listen. Wonder. Be present. When the person we are with, be they young or old, says: ‘Look at that bee’! We must stop and enjoy this captured moment of active life.
We look forward to seeing all volunteers and friends of the Glenaeon gardens who are able to join our Garden Party this Sunday, 26 November at 10am - 12pm, in the garden at Middle Cove. Details in the invitation below and please register here: https://www.trybooking.com/CNGBK
For parents and carers who are looking for a way to join and be a part of this community, please feel free to contact Sandra: s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Sandra Frain (and Parent Garden Volunteers),
Gardening Teacher
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Class 2 Boat Building
16 Aug 2023
Class 2 experienced a woodworking afternoon with Class Teacher Jamie Loftus and parents on a sunny Friday. The children were creating boats from a collection of wood, shaping their vessels and adorning them with cabins, rails, and masts from a lucky dip box of assorted shaped timber.
The students were careful creating their boats by clamping and cutting with the help of parents and Jamie. After creating the basic shape of their boat, it was sanded and a cabins were glued to the top using various shapes and sizes of wood. The students loved choosing their favourite pieces to glue & nail onto the decks. Many thanks to our parents who came to help in this lovely afternoon.
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Glenaeon School Concert 2023
10 Aug 2023
After a three-year hiatus, the Glenaeon School Concert, featuring Class 5 - Yr 11 students, brought The Concourse, Chatswood to life last Friday night. 490 tickets were sold, a record number in the history of Glenaeon School Concerts and we were so thrilled to have you join us for an evening of music and community.
The student performances were remarkable and our guests enjoyed music from 'Fly Me to The Moon' to Coldplay, Folk to Jazz, movie soundtrack nods and classic choral works - it was quite a journey!
The Music Department would like to take the opportunity to thank all the staff members of the school who so generously gave their time and attention to this once a year project. Thank you also to all the parents who support our students in their musical endeavors.
Most of all, we commend our music students. It takes practice, patience and consistency for children and adolescents to thrive in music, and bravery to perform in front of such a large audience.
Congratulations all around! We are delighted to welcome the “Concourse Concert” back to the Glenaeon music events calendar, and we look forward to many more.
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Class 5 Play - The Story of Isis and Osiris
08 Aug 2023
The Class 5 play is the story of Isis and Osiris; the key Ancient Egyptian myth studied in Class 5. Combining a traditional play with shadow puppetry, the actors and puppets accompanied by musicians and sound effects teams, interact with each other retelling this epic saga of love, jealousy, murder and triumph.
Preparing the play, Class 5 had to draw the puppets, experiment with shadows and colour, compose music and brainstorm sound effects. A huge thank you to Jade Oakley for volunteering her time in laser cutting all the puppets and co directing the play.
Lucy Armstrong
Class 5 Teacher
Class 2's Magical World of The King of Ireland’s Son
29 May 2025
This term, Class 2 has been journeying through the rich and magical world of The King of Ireland’s Son. The children have been captivated by the lyrical storytelling, full of mystery, adventure, and timeless wisdom. As we follow the prince on his quest, the class is deepening its connection to oral storytelling and the rhythmic beauty of language.
To accompany our tales, we’ve been immersing ourselves in Celtic songs, bringing the mood and atmosphere of the stories into our classroom. The melodies have become part of our daily rhythm, supporting the children’s listening, memory, and joyful singing. Another exciting development is our introduction to cursive writing. The flowing, graceful letters have added a touch of wonder and artistry to our written work. The children are embracing this new form with care and curiosity, and it’s been a delight to see their confidence grow as their writing becomes more expressive. It’s been a rich and inspiring start to the term, filled with creativity, imagination, and steady progress.
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Open Day 2025
13 Jan 2025
MEANINGFUL LIVES BEGIN HERE
Discover Glenaeon’s unique points of difference at our annual Open Day, showcasing our holistic and integrated learning program that inspires imagination, creativity, and the growth of good character within a deeply connected community.
Join us on Friday, March 14, 9am - 11am for a truly immersive experience.
Why Choose Glenaeon?
We nurture a sense of belonging, purpose, engagement through intentionally designed learning experiences that reflect our understanding of childhood development and the need to prepare children for a meaningful and fulfilling life in contemporary society.
Our educational approach unfolds in a unique and beautiful physical environment in which wellbeing for learning is central.
Glenaeon, Australia’s first Steiner school, enjoys a strong record of academic excellence. Our students perform admirably each year in the NSW Higher School Certificate, consistently placing our school in the top 15-20% of all NSW schools.
Join us and discover a vibrant, growing world of difference at Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School.
OPEN DAY Event Details:
Where: Middle Cove Campus, 5a Glenroy Avenue, Middle Cove
When: Friday 14 March 2025
Time: 9-11am
REGISTER NOW for OPEN DAY 2025
What to Expect:
Discover Glenaeon’s distinct offerings:
- View student work from across the school from a range of curriculum areas
- Observe students during lessons on our Middle Cove campus
- 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 core values:
- Hear 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.
- Talk 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
Personalised Engagement:
- Ask questions and engage with Heads of Department
- Gain insight into how Glenaeon supports and integrates students when they first join the school, and throughout their Glenaeon educational journey
Take Home a Piece of Glenaeon:
- Receive a comprehensive Prospectus Pack
- Browse the Grassroots Eco Store pop-up shop
Indulge and Relax:
- Enjoy 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 2026 and beyond are also encouraged to attend our Castlecrag Campus Open Day in 2025.
REGISTER NOW for OPEN DAY 2025
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Back to School Fun
17 Oct 2024
The children have really enjoyed being back together and on campus. Learning to walk on stilts, creating fairy gardens, paper airplanes, the monkey bars and playing non-stop tag are favourites this week. The children have also built an amazing cubby!
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Our Primary School Celebrates Book Week 2024
05 Sep 2024
Class 3-6 children came to school dressed as their favourite character from a book in the first Inaugural Book Week Celebrations held at Glenaeon! A mood of joy and appreciation was everywhere as teachers dressed as their favourite book character and entertained the children with an enactment of The Elephant and the Blind Man at the Primary Book Week Assembly.
Diana Drummond, our Head of School thoroughly enjoyed her role under the elephant skin as the elephant head and played a very convincing part! The children shared fascinating stories about the book character that inspired them with their creative and entertaining costumes.
Class 6 enjoyed a visit from well-known children’s authors Kate and Jol Temple (also Glenaeon parents) who gave a workshop about being an author and the writing process.:
Lana B., a Class 6 student wrote the following about the workshop by Kate and Jol Temple:
“Kate and Jol Temple gave Class 6 the gift of teaching the class about the magical world of literature. The second Kate and Jol started talking they instantly captured me. They especially taught us about how fun writing a story is!
We learnt about various things like how they design the cover art of a book (that was really cool); what goes into writing a story and so much more.
They generously gave one of their brand-new books called, “Bush Turkey Home and Hosed”, to the Junior Library.
I would like to say a big thank you on behalf of my class for this amazing presentation”
Lynne Collett
Library Teacher
Class 2 Longstitch Pencil Cases
25 Jul 2024
Class 2 are completing the most creative long-stitch pencil cases with Handwork teacher, Elizabeth Ellean. It's wonderful to see their designs and patterns emerge incorporating geometric patterns of many shapes and designs. The children carefully draw their own image and are helped to draw this onto the stitching canvas. They then stitch their own picture – a surfer, dragon, rainbow, fruit, a boat and a sunset are among many creations. Well done Class 2!
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Class 1 - 4 Winter Lantern Festival
25 Jul 2024
To round out the Winter festivities of last term, our Class 1 - 4 children and their families gathered at our Middle Cove campus after dark for a special lantern festival. Teachers lead our gathered community down the campus trail, holding their lanterns, towards the oval. Our parents and carers made their way through the curtains first, then each class entered onto the oval in single file. They formed a spiral with their lanterns and celebrated the longest night and the returning of the sun the following day. The children were guided by their teachers as they performed songs and verses with a motif of a whale. Inspired by the children's stories of whales our Parent Craft members have recently made felted whale artworks. This was a Winter festival event that really brought our community together to reflect and celebrate this season.
Read moreThank You Chicken Care Families
24 Jul 2024
Once again, our flock were diligently cared for every day of the Winter holiday break. Our group chat was busy with daily reports and photos of the activities at the chicken coop. Thank you so very much for your ‘joyous sacrifice’ of commitment that ensures we are caring for these birds responsibly.
Happy Term 3 everyone. Do contact Sandra at s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au if you would like to come with your family any weekend through out the term to feed, water and get to know our flock.
Class 3 and 4 Winter Spiral
27 Jun 2024
Classes 3 and 4 walked up to Castlecrag Campus to take part in their Winter Spiral walk. Starting in complete darkness, except for a lit candle in the centre, they walk the spiral in reverence, lighting their own and placing it somewhere on the growing spiral as they walk back out. Singing winter songs as well as enjoying the stillness and beauty, it was a special time to celebrate together.
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Class 5 - Yr 12 Labyrinth Solstice Festival
20 Jun 2024
Last week, Glenaeon's Sylvia Brose Hall at Middle Cove was transformed into a Mid-Winter labyrinth for our Class 5 - Yr 12 students to walk, participate and reflect at this Winter Festival. A labyrinth is a little different to the spiral that our students and community are familliar with, so it was a very special. A labyrinth has "twists and turns spiraling us towards the centre and away, defying all attempts at rigidity and linearness", which is a description written by Glenaeon Alumni Anna Barouh-Davis, who's Yr 12 project saw her build a labyrinth in 2011 in the bush neighbouring the oval at Middle Cove.
Anna wrote about this experience and has given her permission to share this with our community at this reflective time of hope.
Please read Anna's words here.
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PDHPE Department New Kit
13 Jun 2024
We are thrilled to showcase our much anticipated new uniform for our Glenaeon PDHPE department. PDHPE teacher Sarah Simmons is donning the Hooded Jumper, Head of PDHPE Adrian Carter is in the Polo Shirt, and PDHPE Teacher Kim Mann is in the Weather Proof Jacket.
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Safety Drill Success
13 Jun 2024
After careful preparation and planning, Glenaeon conducted an emergency evacuation drill at our Middle Cove campus yesterday. 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, fire wardens, teachers and staff.
The staff were quick to act, and calmly guided the students to the nominated meeting spot in the park and returned to school promptly. 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.
Class 6 Outdoor Education
30 May 2024
This month, 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. The students, teachers and Outdoor Education team visited and camped at both the Warrumbungles and Bathurst. They all enjoyed marvelous opportunities to moon and star gaze, gold pan, bushwalk, discover fossils, explore rock formations, abseil, practice blacksmithing and enjoy panoramic views. Thanks to the amazing outdoor team and teachers, who ensured safety and nourished bellies with delicious, nutritious food and a memorable camp experience.
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Annual Giving Campaign - Two Weeks to go until June 30
30 May 2024
Since 1957, Glenaeon has been a beacon of inspired teaching, joyful learning, and genuine community connections. Our school's rich history is a testament to our commitment to nurturing students who are prepared to embrace a hopeful future and lead meaningful lives.
Today, we invite you to invest in our school's current strategy, Growing More, by supporting our 2024 Annual Giving Campaign. This initiative is designed to provide much-needed funds for our children now and into the future.
Every donation, regardless of size, plays a vital role in ensuring our school continues to grow and thrive. While donations to the Staff Innovation Fund, Bursaries and School’s Discretionary Fund are not tax-deductible, contributions of $2 or more to the Scholarships Fund, Building Fund, and Library Fund are tax-deductible.
For more information and to make your donation online by June 30, 2024, click HERE.
If you prefer to donate by credit card over the phone, or via EFT/bank transfer, or by cheque, please contact Amanda Ford at EMAIL
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Primary Playground Fun
29 May 2024
In 2019, a study was conducted to evaluate the impact of nature on children's learning. The largest study of it's kind, 451 children participated in outdoor activities. The findings were incredible. 79% of children reported increased feelings of confidence, 84% of children felt more capable of trying new things, 79% reported better relationships with classmates (Reference: Institute of Child Psychology).
In the Primary School playground at Middle Cove, nature is at the forefront. Fresh air, green space, natural materials (like rocks!) allowed these Class 3 students' imaginations to run wild.
Parent Craft Wet Felting
29 May 2024
Parents had the opportunity to learn wet felting with Yuki Tomashima, a Glenaeon parent and incredibly talented felt artist. Taking soft fleeces and making landscapes and pictures, the felt is rubbed with warm water and soap and rolled until it melts into a felted piece. The images are wonderful and will be further worked into creative playmats, wall hangings and items for the school fair. Thanks to Yuki for this wonderful gift for our parents.
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Class 3 Participate in National Simultaneous Storytime 2024
23 May 2024
Welcome to Term 2 at Castlecrag
02 May 2024
It was a wet start to Term 2 at Castlecrag, but not even the rain could dull the warm smiles of children, teachers and parents alike as the campus came back to life after the holidays. Welcome or welcome back to our Playgroup, Kindy, Class 1 and Class 2 families!
Our Kindy children donned their raincoats and gumboots and took to the playground to reacquaint themselves with their surroundings. The sandpit, muddy puddles and rocks were a big hit. They enjoyed morning circle in the Kindy garden. Class 1 and 2 enjoyed singing songs with their Class Teachers as they popped their indoors slippers on to begin Main Lesson.
Sandra's Wednesday Playgroup enjoyed a special story about a horses that neighed loudly in excitement when they saw children coming. We hope everyone had a great first day of Term 2!
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Class 2 Art Lesson with Jamie Loftus
02 May 2024
At Castlecrag we were delighted to welcome back Class 3 Teacher Jamie Loftus to teach our Class 2 an art lesson. Jamie told a story and led the children to draw an reflected sunrise, with the golden sun surrounded by shining rainbow bands of coloured light. Jamie taught the children to use various techniques and sides of the crayons to achieve different results. Thank you Jamie!
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Class 2 Aesop's Fables
04 Apr 2024
Class 2 have been exploring the world of Aesop’s Fables with Class Teacher Jonathan Shaw. These include so many wonderful stories that reflect the complexities of human behaviour, told through insightful and often humorous stories as animals outwit, outsmart and help each other in entertaining moral tales. The name of Aesop has been with us for nearly two and a half thousand years. Ancient writers have rushed to emphasis Aesop’s unappealing physical appearance and the fact he was only granted speech after visiting Isis’s Temple, but whatever the truth, the stories produced by Aesop continue to speak clearly and most elegantly in 2024.
“Before you eat me, Mr Wolf,” said the Kid-Goat. “May you not pipe a tune on your flute? Though it seems I must say goodbye to this world, I would like to dance one more time.”
“But of course,” said the Wolf, smiling as he took out his flute. “I do so love to play music.”
Class 2 have had a merry time not just listening to these tales of wisdom, but in re-enacting them, speaking them in verse, drawing them in our Main Lesson books and working in sentences that capture something of their spirit, whilst perhaps learning something of morality, choice or human nature along the way.
Oh – and in the story above – the Kid-Goat somehow evades the Wolf, who had become so enraptured of his own flute playing. And the moral is…?
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Parent Craft Take Home Packs
04 Apr 2024
There are some wonderful Parent craft Packs to take home for the holidays! Please come and get one or two and contribute to our school and Family Fair! Thanks to our Craft Coordinator Charlotte and to our parents and children who have so carefully collated each one - all that you need to get going! They are in baskets at the Castlecrag Reception – hearts, leaf beds, stars, butterflies, token pouches and more! There are stitching instructions if you need them as well and plenty of help available for beginners. Don’t be shy – give it a try!
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Easter Celebrations
04 Apr 2024
Easter was celebrated in so many lovely ways at Castlecrag. The kindergarten rooms were bursting with Easter surprises the children had made – eggs, painted baskets, fresh grown Easter Grass, wax apples and lovely nature tables popped up everywhere on campus! Class 2 parent Carolina baked a traditional ‘Baranek' or 'Easter Lamb Cake’ – a Central European tradition that is a symbol of rebirth and fertility as Easter occurs in Spring, not Autumn like here in Australia! Some people could afford real lamb, but other families were only able to bake cake or butter shaped as a lamb. This amazing cake was baked with a very heavy mould brought to Australia from Carolina’s nearly 100-year old Aunt! Apples were found around the place here at Castlecrag – woven pom-poms in Kindy, wax apples and felted as Easter this year also coincided with our apple picking weeks!
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Making, Baking and Donating for Harvest Time
04 Apr 2024
Class 1 & 2 students host the entire Primary School for the Michaelmas Festival – preparing over 200 bread rolls and 60 cobs of corn as a delicious Harvest meal after the play. Enthusiastic early risers from Classes 2 and 4 start making the bread – kneading and rolling 10kg of flour and set it to rise! Class 2 parents and children spend the morning rolling and baking the delicious bread – using the famous “Kindy Bread” that all children remember and look forward to! Cobs of corn are boiled and served after the performance and it is healthily enjoyed by all! The Harvest Display is created Class 1 and 2 parents using the abundant produce donated by our families. The woven ‘Horn of Plenty’ and corn husk dolls made by Class 6 are included in the beautiful display.
Our generous families donated such beautiful produce for our Harvest Festival, and we always give this to OzHarvest to distribute to charity kitchens and those in need. Children enthusiastically helped pack and carry the produce to the truck with strong muscles and big smiles. Thank you to all of our lovely families who donated such great produce this year.
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Primary Assemblies
03 Apr 2024
Class 6 have stepped into their role as leaders in our Primary School by leading our assemblies. This term, we have had musical performances from Classes 5 and 6 and have thought about having the courage to listen to the quiet voice that whispers in your ear or from your heart, telling you what actions are right and true.
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Drama Club
03 Apr 2024
A few fun photos from our weekly Drama Club with Teacher, Lydia Wilson. Our Class 6 and Year 7 students take to the stage in costume!
If you would like to join Drama Club, please sign up here!
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Beware the Dragon!
03 Apr 2024
“It’s easy to be kind to people we love, and it’s easy to be kind to people we like, but sometimes we need to find the courage inside to be kind even when it’s not the easiest thing to do”. With that sentiment from Primary Faculty Coordinator, Katherine Arconati, Classes 1 – 6 began our 2024 Harvest Festival, and the story of St Michael who courageously faces a fierce dragon to save the villagers and their crops from his fiery breath. The children lived fully in the experience with hearty singing, clear narration, and a truly terrible dragon (courtesy of Class 5). Our warmest thanks to the parents of Classes 1 and 2 who created our harvest display and made bread and corn for us to enjoy after the play.
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Kindy Harvest Festival
27 Mar 2024
Kindy celebrated the Harvest Festival with their trip to Bilpin in the Blue Mountains. There had been much excited anticipation as the children asked how many more sleeps until apple picking day. And when the day finally arrived, it was perfect; blue skies and cool, a touch of autumn in the air. Farmer Cedric was there as always, greeting everyone and explaining some important aspects of apple picking. Picnic rugs were laid out around the spreading oak tree and parents, grandparents, siblings young and old enjoyed Kindy’s Harvest Circle before filling their baskets with apples that were indeed ‘crispy and crunchy’. It was a glorious day and one that will be remembered fondly by all who came.
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Class 2 Playground Performance
21 Mar 2024
Class 2 enjoyed hearing about St. Michael and the Dragon in preparation for their Harvest Festival, and spent many creative hours making a short play of a similar story - a knight who meets a princess, falls asleep and wakes to slay a dragon. Played out in the sandpit at lunchtime, the students were rapturously engaged! Thank you Class 2! They also created and performed the story as a wax character puppet show and had everyone glued to their performance!
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Primary School Cubby...Reimagined
21 Mar 2024
Earlier this term, our Maintenance Team were dilligently preparing our Middle Cove campus to welcome our visitors for Open Day. The wonderful Mary saw this as an opportunity to give the primary playground cubby a refresh.
Mary and Kai painted the hut and then commissioned the creative help of Hanako T. and Yr 10 students to redesign and hand-paint the side of the cubby which is now adorned with vibrant fauna and flora. What a joy to see their artistic talent as a permanent part of our natural landscape.
Thank you to all involved! A peek at the before photo (the last image) to see the transformation.
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Open Day Middle Cove Campus
15 Mar 2024
A sneak peek at a wonderful morning that was...thank you to our visitors, students, staff and community for making our Open Day - Middle Cove campus 2024 possible.
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Class 2 Times Tables with Ida Spider
14 Mar 2024
Class 2 have been learning their times tables with the help of a special friend called Ida Spider! Each day, Ida weaves a secret pattern in her beautiful web as she helps the Class 2 students learn their times tables. When each number is woven onto a 10-pegged web board, a new pattern emerges! This simple geometry shows there are underlying patterns in numbers, many of which come out to play in times tables!
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Parent Craft Wet Felted Flowers
14 Mar 2024
Parent Craft Coordinator Charlotte ran a beautiful wet felting workshop in making stunning lily flowers. Starting with soft coloured fleece, parents used hot soapy water to roll and rub the fibres until they felt - then cut and shape them into flowers during the felting process. Parents chose striking colour combinations and the flowers will be made into lovely items for the School Fair in November.
Anyone is welcome to come and join Parent Craft - no experience is necessary. Come and learn to sew, felt, knit and take home a small craft pack to work on at home. There is an enclosed space for young children and a warm, social atmosphere. Thank you Charlotte for sharing this wonderful skill.
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Class Meetings
29 Feb 2024
It has been ‘back to the classroom’ for parents in Primary School as we have held our Class Meetings over the first weeks of this term. Each Class Teacher addresses parents about the developmental stage of the class and how the curriculum meets all that their children are experiencing.
In Class 4 (below) the children displayed their favourite page of their Main Lesson book, for their parents to see. And Class 1 Teacher, Emily Watts (also, below) had her class of parents engaged. It is wonderful to see parents supporting their children’s education and being involved in our wonderful community!
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Parent Library
28 Feb 2024
The Parent Library at Castlcrag is now open!
Tuesday 2:45pm to 3:15pm and Wednesday 8:45am to 9:15am.
Our two volunteers Alex and Alice are there to help and books may be borrowed for 2 weeks. Come and choose from the large selection of parenting books that reflect the Steiner philosophy, as well as books on craft, gardening and nutrition. There is also a wide range of beautiful books for children up to 10 years, including well-loved classics and recently published.
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Celebrating Monique
28 Feb 2024
Our lovely Assistant and Learning Support teacher Monique Anderson is leaving Glenaeon to become a Class Teacher at Warrah Specialist School in Dural for students with specialist needs, and also the organic farm and source of the amazing Veggie Coop that delivers to Glenaeon. See (https://warrahspecialistschool.nsw.edu.au/ ) This is a beautiful opportunity for her in line with her studies in special and inclusive education. We shared a lovely outdoor circle with parents and children and they gifted her a bag made by the Class 1 families last year, a beautiful bonsai fairy garden and sang songs together with teachers. The staff at Castlecrag then shared a farewell afternoon tea with some more lovely gifts for her as a teacher, sharing their experiences and well wishes for Monique. We have all been lucky to have worked alongside Monique in the three years she has been at Glenaeon. She is looking forward to the next stage of her teaching journey and has been treasured by the children and families alike!
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Parent Craft Embroidery Workshop with Elizabeth Ellean
28 Feb 2024
Handwork teacher Elizabeth Ellean came to run a wonderful embroidery workshop with parent at Parent Craft morning – organised by our inspiring Craft Coordinator Charlotte Fayle. Many parents came to learn the beautiful stitches that their children will also be learning throughout the Primary school Handwork Program. Parent Craft runs fortnightly in the Marion Mahony Griffin Hall kitchen at our Castlecrag Campus. All are welcome to attend, and no experience is necessary. There is an enclosed space and toys for younger children to play. Come and learn a new skill or use one that you already know! All materials are provided and Parent Craft makes items for the classrooms, teacher and our School Fair in November. Come to the office at Castlecrag reception and pick up one of the craft packs you can take home to work on!
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Class 1 – Craft and Counting Bag Embroidery
28 Feb 2024
Class 1 first learned to embroider in Kindergarten, when they hand-stitched their own craft bags with their name and a native animal shape. They will use these bags all the way through Primary School! Now they are learning more complicated stitches and shapes – embroidering their initials with running and whip stitch, as well as backstitch to make their counting bags for their upcoming mathematics lessons. They have also embroidered a spiral, one of the shapes and forms they explored in their first Main Lesson “The Straight and Curved Line”. They made spirals in the playground and also walked the shaped in the playground to explore form and contour as they learned to write the shapes of the letters with Class teacher Emily Watts.
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Lunar New Year Celebrations
14 Feb 2024
The Year of the Dragon was welcomed on Castlecrag campus with a bang and crash of drums, a scary, but friendly big lion (or was it year 1 disguised as a lion?), a flash of red, and over 150 dumplings homemade by Class 2 children and their talented parents. Students decorated their classrooms with the red paper cut outs they made, and participated in an energetic story told about the villagers who fought off the fire breathing dragon to save their beautiful mandarin orchard.
Gōng xī fã cái, Xin Nìan kuài lè, or however you say it in your own language, we wish all our Glenaeon families a healthy and happy New Year!
Class 3 and Class 6 Buddies
14 Feb 2024
Class 3 and Class 6 have started a mentoring buddy session where once a week they gather in the Class 3 classroom together. For Class 3, it is their year of reading, so the session has a literacy focus, where the buddies choose a book and a comfy spot to read to each other.
This is a lovely initiative where Class 3 can feel welcomed, embraced and safe on their new campus and Class 6 can explore leadership, responsibility and practice looking outwards and being of service.
Both classes have enjoyed these sessions and love having a bigger child to look to and a smaller child to look out for. Thank you to their teachers Jaime Loftus and Lucy Armstrong for supporting their students and forging bonds that aid in a sense of community and belonging.
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Handwork at Castlecrag
14 Feb 2024
Handwork is underway and Classes 1 & 2 are busy making things they will use at school! Class 1 are sewing their Counting Bags, which will hold their little counting jewels when they learn numbers and mathematics, whilst Class 2 have begun sewing their etoile – a personal needle holder with their own initials stitched on the front. We warmly welcome our new assistant Meg Quinlisk who is helping Elizabeth Ellean this year
Meg brings with her a wealth of experience – she teaches at Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, has run the Inner West Steiner Playgroup for many years, is a writer and author and a very talented crafter herself.
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Class 1 Dye Chair Bags
14 Feb 2024
Class 1 hand-dyed their own chair bags with teacher Elizabeth Ellean. Assistant Meg and parent helpers. Taking a sewn calico bag, they painted their own designs in warm colours, which will be set and then dried. These bags will hang on the backs of their chairs and hold their books, pencils and other useful things! They are so bright and beautiful – thank you to our parent helpers and well done Class 1!
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Sandpit Sensation
14 Feb 2024
There has been so much wonderful play in the sandpit this week, with children creating an enormous moat, castle and cubby! Working industriously together, they cart water, build bridges and steps, laughing and celebrating their huge creation!
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Class 1 Walk the Rainbow Bridge
18 Jan 2024
Beginning Class 1 is a lovely step for the children, made even more special with the ‘Rainbow Bridge’ event. On Wednesday our Class 1 children met in the Kindergarten playground where excitement and anticipation filled the air. They were supported by their kindergarten teachers Deputy Head of School Dani Finch. They shared their morning song together before walking through the playground up to the Class 1 area, their new haven at school. The Class 2 children formed a beautiful 'Rainbow Bridge' - a tunnel made with long silk and flowers. They sing a lovely song called “Make New Friends”. The Kindergarten teacher shared a farewell for now and gave each child a flower to take with them 'under the rainbow bridge' to the other side, where their new Class teacher, Emily Watts greeted them with a warm smile.
The children then make their way onto the balcony of Class 1 and their first day in the Class Teacher Period begins! This is an important right of passage and a symbolic moment in Steiner education philosophy and ignites the beginning of the Class Teacher journey. Emily will form special bonds with each child and nurture and guide these children through their primary years with the supportive assistance of other specialist teachers. Parents then come together for a shared morning tea, with Senior Teacher Catherine Pilko and Dani Finch welcoming and sharing insights about the first days and weeks of Class 1.
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Glenaeon Garden Culture - Like a Bee Hive
18 Jan 2024
How does the unconscious wisdom contained in the beehive, filled with love, relate to our human experiences?
In his book “Bees”, Rudolf Steiner said “The individual bees renounce love in manifold ways, and thus develop love throughout the whole hive. One only begins to understand the life of the bees when one knows that the bee lives in an atmosphere completely pervaded by love.” *
When we, human beings, gather to work together for a higher cause than our own personal ambition, we are emulating this social model of a bee hive; thus the name ‘working bee’.
The Glenaeon Gardens appreciate this model of working together in devotion and love.
Our annual Harvest Gratitude day, as celebrated last Sunday at Middle Cove, has become a working bee of sorts as the Glenaeon community comes together to learn from each other. We felt the benefits of healthy living soils by plunging our hands in them; we harvested what had grown out of flourishing garden beds; we created a bountiful feast, and together, we planted new gardens for bees, animals and humans too.
Once upon a time the whole school was abuzz with the smell of pizza, handmade flyers with reminders to bring gold coins, and excited students doing pizza runs around the campus. High school students prepared the dough with teacher Anne Rouse while Class 6 made and delivered the pizzas - the campus coming together to make industry, like busy bees in a hive!
We are grateful to teachers Ruth Pervis and Kathy Thangathurai for their vision, and for hosting these joyous events, with the keen support of parent chef Nick Meredith-Jones.
Ten years of garden fundraising has now enabled the renovation of the school's chicken coop, for the benefit of students through our agricultural and wellbeing programs.
As expressed within our chicken care community:
“We can't wait to come and look after the chickens”
“It lifts my heart to see our community (young & older) working together to create something beautiful and valuable!”
Thank you to those past students, teachers and parents for this invaluable legacy! In opening our hearts to devotion, love and sacrifice, we become bearers of love. Just like the bees.
See you in the Garden!
Sandra Frain…..and Parent Volunteers
Gardening Teacher
S.Frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
* “Nine Lectures on Bees” Rudolf Steiner, GA 351
https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA351/English/SGP1975/19230203p01.html
Glenaeon Garden Culture - Harvesting in Times of Scarcity
18 Jan 2024
Harvesting in times of scarcity
We are fast approaching our traditional Harvest Festival, and our gardens are not bursting with pumpkins as they have been in the past. Living in a city, we have the easy option of going to the shops and buying whatever we want for our celebrations. But we would like to encourage everyone to stop for a moment and look at the world differently: what do we have in our gardens right now?
We harvest seeds, we harvest stories
Aromatic and medicinal Fennel has taken over some of the garden beds at the Middle Cove garden, creating a canopy bursting with yellow umbrella-like flowers filled with seed and feathery peacock-like leaves. Last week, Class 6 students picked the flowers, harvested the seeds and roasted them during their gardening class. At the end of the lesson, we shared our food and stories, and everyone commented how much they loved the roasted fennel seeds. One student shared a story with the class:
There once was a King who wanted to know which of his children was the faithful one. He gave them roasted fennel seeds to plant, and later on he asked them how they were growing. All of the children commented how strong their plants have been growing, except for one girl who said: “Mine are not growing at all!” - And that’s how the King knew who the faithful child was.
When we think we have nothing, we need to look around, explore, question and learn. We have some Azolla in the pond, which we learned is high in nitrogen and can be used instead of manure when we have no access to cows.
A high school student harvested some chicken bones while digging in the garden, and asked to take them home. Could they be the seeds of an archaeology interest?
The students on all campuses are resourceful in their play and this translates to the same in their alchemical experiments with food substances. Can we as adults be as bold and harvest the Taro root and leaves that are growing in abundance at Glenaeon Preschool? We have made Bay leaf tea, roasted Fennel and Sunflower seeds, fried up Mustard greens, Endive, Amaranth leaves and flowers in frittatas. From the Glenaeon gardens we add lemon, flowers, leaves, seeds in our sourdough bread. We connect with our surroundings to create new things with them.
So why is harvest time so meaningful? In harvesting, we learn to embrace what we have, we become creative and able to make something from nothing. As human beings, we harvest the rewards of moments of gratitude and connection with the Earth. We can’t get this from a shop.
Goethian observation
For Term 1 2024, the Class 6 students have now each represented an impression of Fennel in their assessment task for Gardening lessons:
“I think it looks like lots of little flowers. I think if you hold it up to the light and see the shape it looks like a star constellation.”
“I like the smell. When I suck it, it tastes like licorice. When I eat it, it does not taste good. It feels furry and soft.”
“I like fennel because it feels nice to touch and I like the taste and texture of it. It feels very nice on your skin and it is very soothing. It tastes like licorice when you suck on it and chew them.”
See you in the Garden!
Sandra Frain…..and Parent Volunteers
Gardening Teacher
S.Frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Glenaeon Garden Culture - Worms: The Humble Servants of our Soil
18 Jan 2024
The words Humble and Human have their origins in the Latin word Humus (soil). Dig a little hole in any of our garden beds and you’ll surely find some wriggly and lively worms. Whether in compost heaps or worm farms, finding them gives the students an animal to interact with that’s not always part of their home life. We notice their delight and fascination with this squirming animal: how quickly it moves, the colours, the size. They bring a sense of wonder. There is something familiar in the texture: it is shiny, soft and wriggly like our tongues!
“These worms are wonderful creatures: they leave to the earth precisely as much ethericity as it needs for plant-growth.”
Rudolf Steiner, GA 327: The Agriculture Course — Lecture VII
These subterranean animals leave life in the soil for the plants. They work in cooperation with the soil. The worm is regulating the soil by eating what is meant to be decomposed but not so much as to destroy the life value for the plants.
So how are we bringing this to life in Glenaeon’s gardens?
● We're making healthy soil: This humble servant is a necessity to break down all the discarded food waste that is high in nitrogen. The worms make this beneficial soil for us in cooperation with all the other insects, grubs, earwigs, springtails, nematodes, cockroaches and millions of microorganisms that we can't see, representing a life force that makes the soil lively and healthy for plants to grow and to feed insects once again.
● We're making a learning-scape: A student friendly atmosphere that enables this excitement to embrace and learn of life. What a joy it is when preschool and kindy students say “I want to see the worm farm! I want to see the compost! Let’s feed the worms.”
The students learn to care and take responsibility: the worms need water, they need to be fed with scraps, leaves and grit when we keep them in a domesticated ‘farm situation’.
They get to see the worm eggs and learn that the liquid that comes out of the worm farm is a medicine we call a fertiliser that will enrich the soil that plants are growing in.
● We’re working with the senses: The tactile sensation and ‘wriggling’ of worms is confronting to some students. They grow comfortable with the notion of having a worm in their hands when they see other adults or students relaxed with the interaction. This is a simple but profound opportunity for students to develop resilience for challenging sensations.
● We're encouraging social responsibility: Families living in apartments can have a worm farm and create healthy soil. It can then be used in pots, or taken to a favourite tree at the park, or given to friends. The act of creating an environment for the production of soil is empowering. “What can I do to help the climate crisis caused by food waste?” - make more healthy soil!
Want to know how to set up your worm farm at home? “Show more” below!
See you in the Garden!
Sandra Frain…..and Parent Volunteers
Gardening Teacher
S.Frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Glenaeon Garden Culture - Volunteers: Nature's Gifts
18 Jan 2024
Volunteer plants are beneficial plants that sprout and thrive independently instead of being intentionally planted and nurtured. They are a gift to gardens! Similarly, we welcome volunteer humans who ‘sprout, grow and flourish’ in our gardens.
Clair’s story
Glenaeon Teacher and parent Clair Cisterne sprouted in the garden last term by caring for citrus trees: weeding, protecting, pruning and fertilising them, while learning and growing herself! This section of the garden will become a memorial garden for Clair’s botanist grandmother, Judith Eastman.
“Volunteering in the garden suits me more than anyone! I pick Sandra’s and the other gardeners’ brains as much as I can get away with, and they hold my hand as I put it to practice. I take home compost, worm castings and all sorts of cuttings, so my own garden becomes an extension of our shared one. What a deal! Then, there’s nothing better than just roaming around and marvelling at the beauty – hovering in the light, tranquil feeling of a glorious garden. I’m filled with enthusiasm and ideas for my own favourite space, and overjoyed at the huge, new world of knowledge that awaits me.
I bravely approached Sandra with my new desire to learn about gardening and wasn’t at all made to feel silly for not knowing the simplest of things. Now my neighbours on both sides have popped their head over our fence, wanting to know what I’m up to, and if they can do it too. My husband has even made them some garden beds. It really does feel like a little seed…and the magic of mother nature.”
Chrissie's story
Inspired by a social media post featuring a Glenaeon Garden Culture article, Glenaeon alumni and former parent, Chrissie Ivanchenko, started volunteering in the garden in 2024. Chrissie was heartily welcomed together with her ideas, stories and cheerful disposition. Garden beds have been weeded and mulched, and a project of creating a raised garden bed is underway.
“I love that I learn something every time I come. I love being part of something that is so nurturing for the people that work here. I think that gardening is a vital part of educating children. If they know how to care for the Earth, they will also protect it.”
We were delighted to learn that Chrissie’s father David Lawes helped start the Glenaeon newsletter in the 1980s!
Just like seedlings, human volunteers take root and thrive in our Glenaeon gardens. This is what Waldorf Education is about: a place to appreciate learning, to come together where everyone feels welcome, where dreams come true.
See you in the Garden!
Sandra Frain…..and Parent Volunteers
Gardening Teacher
S.Frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Class 1 Handwork - Christmas Baubles
08 Dec 2023
Handwork Teacher Elizabeth Ellean made Christmas baubles with Class 1. Thank you to the parent and grandparent helpers for supporting the children with their creations.
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Birthdays at Castlecrag
07 Dec 2023
Birthdays are a special time at Castlecrag and this week was no exception.... except we were celebrating Class 1 teacher Jonathan and Class 1 assistant Monique's birthdays! Wearing their birthday crowns and capes -just like the children do - parents gave them the most beautiful cakes, children sang and we warmly celebrated this is special occasion together.
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Class 3 Trade Treasures and Treats
07 Dec 2023
Class 3 are just finishing their final Main Lesson for the year. It's all about money! Learning the history of money and trade they have journeyed from old currencies and forms of trading to current practices. They've already hosted two lemonade and popcorn fundraising stands, had a wonderful trading day in their classroom where they traded goods and services with each other, exchanging treasures, crystals, toys, massages, portraits. And, you could even get your bags carried for three days as a service! A parent brought in an amazing foreign money collection of colourful notes and wonderful coins, as well as, old Australian notes for the children to search through. There was also a real gold antique Austrian Kronor coin from 1915 that is now worth $4,500! The children were amazed!
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Yr 9 Write and Read Books to Incoming Class 3
05 Dec 2023
Our Year 9 students wrote stories for our incoming 2024 Class 3 students and presented these to them at their Middle Cove Orientation Day last Friday, 1st December. Supported by Yr 9 teachers, Lydia Wilson and Ella Pooley, we captured the sweet moments of reading at the amphitheater.
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Class 3 Build a Cob Cubby
05 Dec 2023
As part of the Building Main Lesson Class 3 have been building a cob cubby this semester. Every Wednesday a group of students have been mixing the required amount of soil, sand, straw and water to make a good consistency, laying the cob on the wall and then compacting it with their hands. Slowly but surely the wall has grown with many hands building it. Our wonderful class parents Nick and Vincent have helped bring this project to life and a special thanks to Scottie for guiding us through it. Many parents have given their time to come and help our class build something lasting. It has been a real group effort. During the time there have been side projects instigated by the children such as weaving and measuring and weighing grains, inspired by the measurement Main Lesson.
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Class 2 Play – St. Francis
30 Nov 2023
Class 2 performed their end of year play 'St Francis' to Kindergarten, Class 1, parents and friends. It was a powerful story from their 'Saints' Main Lesson and followed the life of St Francis. Born to wealthy textile merchants, he grew up in great comfort, before giving up his fine life for simple robes, for service and devotion. The children sang, danced and played recorder as they told the moving story of his life, rebuilding a church, befriending the beds and saving a town from a ferocious wolf. It was a profound and beautiful play with Class Teacher Jamie Loftus. Well done Class 2!
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Class 6 Play – Aladdin
29 Nov 2023
Class 6 performed their play 'Aladdin' for family and friends and the school community and we were blown away by the performances. The students worked as a team to bring the much loved story to life and we thank Class 6 teacher Cathy Bower and all the parents, carers, volunteers and staff who brought the play together. Well done Class 6!
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Class 2 Welcome to Middle Cove
29 Nov 2023
Our Class 2 children made the exciting journey to Glenaeon's Middle Cove campus, where they will be based for the next chapter in their school story. Class 2 Teacher Jaime Loftus accompanied the students, as he will next year too!
Parents and carers were invited for a morning tea on the deck and a campus tour.
The Class 2 children were thrilled to explore the Class 3 classroom and playground.
We look forward to seeing their bright faces at Middle Cove in 2024 and beyond!
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Glenaeon Carol Service 2023
29 Nov 2023
Our much loved annual Glenaeon Carol Service was held on Monday, 27th November at Pitt Street Uniting Church. It was a beautiful evening for our community to join together to celebrate and reflect on the year that was.
The students shone in their performances and the tone set a beautiful energy to take into the festive season and much-needed holiday break.
Thank you to our wonderful community for joining us for a night of wonder and awe. We extend our gratitude to those involved in all the performances, logistics, and rehearsals.
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Class 2 String Games
22 Nov 2023
Class 2 have been learning complicated string games at play and are having a wonderful time playing them! They have even been making up their own ones and creating them in pairs! Japanese Teacher Junko Nicholas helped them with some of the tricky.
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Class 4 Outdoor Education
22 Nov 2023
Class 4 enjoyed their first taste of Glenaeon's award-winning outdoor education program with a camp out on the Middle Cove campus oval. The students were supported by Outdoor Education Teachers Scottie and KG, and Class Teacher Rodney and Class Assistant Michelle and The students had a blast eating alfresco and watching the sunrise over the beautiful bushland. Each year they grow in confidence and add skills a gentle entry into the outdoor education. So many exciting adventures that lay ahead.
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Class 6 Ancient World Main Lessons + A Visit to Parliament
08 Nov 2023
In Class 5 and 6, our students learn about the birth of Democracy in the Ancient World of Greece and Rome. This year, our studies in Australian history culminated with the story of the birth of Australian nationhood, with our Federation, in 1901. So, to celebrate our Australian Democracy, Class 6 visited the NSW Parliament and experienced through role play, how our democratic institution works. We also visited the Royal Botanical Gardens and learned about Indigenous Knowledge and Culture and how the wisdom and knowledge of the past can help us care for our people and the land by reading the signs of nature.
Following our two Ancient Rome Main Lessons, Class 6 students were asked to provide an independent research project on a topic of their choice. Their work was very impressive as evidenced by just a few samples here. The students were also involved in multiple mosaic projects over terms 3 and 4, including decorating a terracotta pot, our tree stump-table contributions to the Silent Auction and a Birdbath that will be given as our gift back to the school.
Class 6 Mosaic Tiled Wooden Stumps
08 Nov 2023
The wooden stumps came from our own Middle Cove campus, and were from a dead bloodwood tree designated to be cut down during 2023 Term 1 school holidays. Our school Bush Regenerist & Groundsperson, Lindsay Sherrott, was happy that part of the tree could be recycled and used by Class 6, and ensured that the right lengths of wood were cut and put aside.
Parent and designer maker Robbi Pittorino then prepared the stumps and allowed them to dry at his workshop over Term 2. Class 6 children decorated the stumps with the support of Art Teacher, Julia Byrne. The inspiration for mosaic tiling came from their Ancient Roman History Main Lesson. The mosaic designs depict the sun and moon, based on their Astronomy lesson and the rainbow swirl is connected to the light/Physics Main Lesson.
Well done Class 6, these pieces of art were a much sought after submission in the Glenaeon Family Fair 2023 Silent Auction.
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Farm animals visit Castlecrag
26 Oct 2023
Castlecrag became a mini farm this week with the visit of beautiful sheep, lambs and an alpaca called Trevor from Golden Ridge Farm! Class 1 are learning all about the wool cycle, so our students enjoyed feeding, brushing and learning all about wool, lanolin, fibres and different types of sheep and wool. Children also washed wool which will be carded, spun and knitted! It was a wonderful day full of fun!
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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
Class 1 & 2 Spring Festival
11 Oct 2023
Class 1 & 2 came together on the last day of Term 3 and held a Spring Celebration at the Castlecrag Campus with teachers Jamie Loftus, Jonathan Shaw and assistant Monique. They shared their beautiful Spring songs and a spring dance prepared with Eurythmy teacher Clair and pianist Linda. Parents helped create their beautiful Spring garlands and brought delicious food to share in a picnic following the festival. Thank you to all involved in this lovely event.
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Class 4 Make Paper
20 Sep 2023
Late last term, Class 4 enjoyed an afternoon in the sunshine making paper lead by Hand Work Teacher, Elizabeth Ellean. After carefully observing a demonstration, they rolled up their sleeves and, in groups, made paper from scratch.
They dipped and pressed and molded to make lovely pastel coloured paper with busy hands.
Thank you to Class Teacher Rodney Dean and Assistants for your support in this fun and creative session.
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Glenaeon Garden Culture
13 Sep 2023
Eco Literacy, Friends & Pests In Our Gardens: Part 2
Indigenous heart intelligence and biodynamic regenerative agriculture
From Indigenous culture we learn that when the wattles flower, the mullet fish run. In the Time of Murrai’yunggoray (September - October), as the weather warms and the Miwa Gawaian (Waratah) buds swell, the D’harawal people began their major ceremonies in celebration of the new life promised by this season.
In Glenaeon’s gardens we invite everyone to practise active observation before deciding on our actions of care. We sing to the garden “what story, what story do you tell? What story do you tell?” and then we articulate:
- The bees are saying “thank you for planting the zinnia seeds and caring for them”; the zinnias are saying “thank you to the bees for helping to pollinate us so we can make seeds for new flowers”.
- Our Mother Earth is saying “I am so thirsty without rain - will you please water me today? If my soil gets too dry the insects will be thirsty and eat the plants to find water.”
- The bush turkeys parading and scratching in the garden bed inform us that the lettuces need some protection.
Setting boundaries
While newly planted flowers and seeds are getting established in the soil we protect them with nets or fences built by the students. As plants grow bigger and stronger we uncover the plants so that humans and animals can harvest what they need. This is a principle of both biodynamic and Indigenous agriculture: we must ensure that the birds and animals have enough to eat too.
In Glenaeon's gardens:
● We practise principles that Indigenous and wise farmers share around the world: never pick the first or the last of the crop for the future of life itself. (For example, when we harvest our lettuce or silverbeet we always leave 3 leaves so the plant keeps growing new leaves).
● We have fish in the water garden to help keep mosquitoes away. Some plants are particularly helpful in deterring certain insects, and are carefully planted around gathering and play areas: tansy, with a camphor-like scent that repels ants and flies, while citronella and lemongrass' smells deter mosquitoes.
● We scatter crushed eggshells around particular plants to discourage snails and slugs that might be nibbling too much of our food. When Preschool and Castlecrag students find snails and slugs they carefully move them to non (human) edible bushes (or even build homes for them with leaves and sticks), and when students find inch grubs they feed them to our grateful chickens.
● We use tree paste to cover pruned branches or damaged trees to protect them from ants and other insects while they heal. Biodynamic tree paste is made with 3 equal parts of clay, cow manure and sand, mixed with water to make a spreadable paste.
Indigenous peoples have totems and special animal images to help keep unwanted visitors away. We have scarecrows, representing a human presence in the garden. While the kookaburras may laugh at our scarecrows, we like to think of them as friends: ever so helpful at catching native rodents.
Want to join our holiday chicken care team? Got a question, story or idea to share? The Glenaeon Garden Team would love to hear from you! s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Sandra Frain (and Parent Garden Volunteers)
Gardening Teacher
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Big Kindy Father's Day Bushwalk and BBQ
13 Sep 2023
What a fabulous afternoon we had celebrating with our lovely Dads and Granddads for Father’s Day. We set out on our usual Friday bushwalk with extra dads in tow, down the bushy track to Warners Park where we found the rest of our dads and granddads waiting for us. Following a dad powered play, we gathered in a giant circle to share our blessing before enjoying a lovely BBQ lunch together.
A special thank you must go out to Arlo's Dad, James, for very generously providing all those yummy sausages. And of course, a huge thank you to Nevra's Dad, David, for not only lugging his own barbecue to the site, but also for organising and cooking those yummy snags and providing rolls, salads, sauces and watermelon. What a wonderful effort and afternoon, thank you everyone.
Melanie Harper
Kindergarten Teacher
Father’s Day Food Lovers Unite
13 Sep 2023
Glenaeon’s playgroup to high school sourdough bread enthusiasts shook cream until it became butter, dripped yoghurt until it made cream cheese, and kneaded dough until it was ‘soft as an ear lobe’ on 2023’s sunny Father’s Day.
The kneaded creations were embellished with garden edibles and transformed in the Castlecrag Kitchen ovens for take-homes, along with rye flour sourdough ‘starter’ jars and recipe booklets.
Learning of the alchemy of fermentation to make sourdough bread was exciting for adults and youth alike, as children played outside the Marion Mahony Griffin Hall kitchen on the fresh grass and inviting sandpit.
A ‘morning tea’ of freshly made sourdough bread, cream cheese, butter (and Junko’s miso!) washed down with our Castlecrag garden herbal tea vanished in no time. Thank you to all the participants who came and created a social alchemy on Father’s Day. Love was in the air!
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Glenaeon Garden Culture
13 Sep 2023
Breathing in and breathing out in times of joy and sorrow
With emphasis in 2023 on ‘Well Being’ in our lives, our Glenaeon gardens on all three campuses have been responsive for visitors of all ages to feel nurtured as they contemplate the mysteries of life within. The students find health actively and passively by digging soil, harvesting flowers, planting seeds, caring for plants and animals and in serving each other garden herb tea and fresh wholesome food in a sociable manner.
Angst and sorrow was ours with the loss of the beloved teacher Jonas Stoebe in the last weeks of Term 3. We countered the confusion of grief by celebrating the joy his life gifted us, honouring the elements of earth, water, air and fire within the home base of our gardens.
We dug a pit for making a ton of new soil from compostables,
We made contained fires and burned sticks for ‘doughies’;
We stirred waters of biodynamic preparations for strengthening our atmosphere and soil and We sprayed each other with water hoses;
We harvested flowers and vegetables;
We sang, shared stories, laughed and cried;
We wrote poetry and letters too.
We swung on the hammock and the big swing,
We planted seeds for glorious gardens of the future while remembering Jonas, an inspiration to us all.
Our Middle Cove garden hosted many classes of students and groups of teachers day after day of this time. Science students tagged birds, English students wrote prose, art students sketched, Math students measured time, Earth stewardship students rejuvenated their camp experience. Every break time the stumps in the garden and surrounding rocks were covered with students convening. As we shared this communal season of grief, the garden responded by making a ‘welcome home’ for us. Together, we accepted, we grew, and we healed: wiser and stronger in our openness and resilience to the mysteries of life.
How grateful we are that Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School honours the importance of cultivated gardens as a place to be, and as a place to be motivated to help. How fortunate we are to have a place to embrace the elements all and to be nourished by their powerful ways too. Like all living organisms, the gardens flourish with human activity and interest. Please contact S.Frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au if you would like to visit the gardens or volunteer with the Glenaeon gardens and animal care teams.
Celtic Blessing honouring the elements as sung by Year 8 ‘in the garden’.
Deep Peace
Deep peace of the running waves to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
https://youtu.be/oEmvQqg_EpQ?si=E7dFQRZLIyWiMiST
Sandra Frain (and Parent Garden Volunteers)
Gardening Teacher
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Glenaeon Garden Culture
13 Sep 2023
Chickens, the cycle of life and volunteers
Our business as agriculturalists is to work with transformation and metamorphosis or energies and matter. Life and death. This week we had a profound example of accepting the conditions that come with taking responsibility to care for animals for the sake of learning and the sake of soul warmth.
Even though we have a devoted community of families and staff who care for the chickens, we could not escape nature's way. After almost a year of absence a fox made its way into our coop, and now six of our seven Glenaeon chickens have become a part of our nourishing garden soil.
Like every farming community, the Glenaeon community has responded with the sorrow that comes with the loss of animals that so many of us have become attached to. With our loss our hearts have opened.
The garden space is so quiet without the chickens clucking and scratching and the sounds of the students' joy as they visit the chickens before school, in the classes and in the breaks. The Garden team has invited Glenaeon students to tie a chicken feather to a card with some words or pictures they may make and place it in the chicken coop. Many families are also making tributes to the chickens in different ways.
Adults are connecting via group chat and in person, the Garden team is welcoming families to visit and meet in the garden. Already this is resulting in tangible ideas ensuring the pedagogical health of our Glenaeon community. For parents and carers who are looking for a way to join and be a part of this community, a rare opportunity in Middle Cove, please feel free to email Sandra: s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au Let’s garden and make social change together: all ages welcome.
Sandra Frain (and Parent Garden Volunteers)
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Glenaeon Garden Culture
13 Sep 2023
This is the garden that we are growing
Since 2018 our Castlecrag Garden program has grown from a sporadic solitary Glenaeon School Staff gardener to a dedicated Biodynamic garden teacher and rostered parent volunteers supporting bustling garden classes with Classes 1 & 2, and gentle gardening fun with all Kindies! Children love seeing parents and parents love joining the children's class, supporting the teachers, helping to hold the students while learning the art and science of gardening.
‘Like bees to honey’, parent volunteer presence has attracted fellow parents to sign up for gardening lessons. Parent volunteers create a supportive fabric for our students that fosters social and emotional intelligence. We are delighted to have many parents regularly assist with the garden classes on all three campuses. ‘I learned so much’ is the recurring gratitude from parent volunteers. The children feel the warmth of their parents' interest. It's more than "how was your day today?". It becomes a: "I loved seeing you getting your hands dirty/pushing that cart/cutting down that tree; planting those seeds; tasting that harvest".
Parents report that their children look for possibilities on the home front to apply what they've learned and what they've done in gardening lessons, from balconies to communal gardens. Parent volunteers in gardening lessons are empowered to support this meaningful practice and joy of plant and animal husbandry.
‘I have been looking for a way to be a part of the community. I’m glad to be enveloped by the activities of the Glenaeon Garden Team.
‘It is so good for our urban family to come to school and have these farming tasks to contribute to in the holidays'
‘I grew up on a farm and I recall so fondly the animal care. We are delighted that Glenaeon provides this opportunity to our children year- round’
‘I love the peace of the garden. It is so beautiful: like an oasis.’
A school community that involves volunteers creates a collective consciousness, a supportive group of people with shared values. In the Glenaeon Gardens we work with the earth: creating soil, growing colourful edibles and nurturing animals. Students are learning useful life skills while they connect with the animals, care for our provisional earth and develop insights to address climate change.
For parents and carers who are looking for a way to join and be a part of this community, please feel free to email Sandra: s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au Let’s garden and make social change together: all ages welcome.
Sandra Frain (and Parent Garden Volunteers),
Gardening Teacher
Glenaeon Garden Culture - From You I Receive, To You I Give
13 Sep 2023
“An atmosphere of gratitude should grow naturally in children through merely witnessing the gratitude that their elders feel as they receive what is freely given by their fellow human beings, and in how they express their gratitude. The cultivation of this universal gratitude toward the world is of paramount importance.” - Rudolf Steiner*
As a Glenaeon Garden culture, we practise this form of grace in many ways including active observation and appropriate response. We give thanks for the animals, the flowers, the produce, the minerals, the space where we meet and of course for each other!
On the last weekend of November, the Glenaeon Middle Cove Garden was a hive of activity thanks to industrious families meeting to deconstruct the chicken coop and then to celebrate our annual gifting of loving labour to the garden program.
On the rainy Saturday, 25th November we hosted a working bee to dismantle the chicken coop which completed the recent work begun by the students of garden Class 3 to 6. We enjoyed de-constructing by cutting sharp wires and then driving wheelbarrows (up through the bush) full of awkward loads of sharp metals and plastics to the awaiting truck. The clean concrete slab now gives us the start we need to re-construct a more secure home for the chickens.
On the next day, November 26th, (the 4th anniversary of an Angophera tree crashing on the previous garden shed), we gave an honouring “Thank You” to all the families that support Glenaeon’s gardening classes and the essential weekend/holiday chicken care. On this sparkling sunny Sunday, our work was socialising. “What’s your Glenaeon garden story?” created the alchemy of interest in each other.
We celebrated the presence of our elder Ruth Pervis, the former Glenaeon Class Teacher, who retired to start the Glenaeon gardens in 2010. How exciting it was to hear her stories of transforming a previously desolate part of the Middle Cove campus for dedicated garden classes.
The mood was festive as we dined on popcorn, breads, pestos, garden produce and cakes, and guzzled fresh garden herbal tea! Children joyously scampered around the garden beds under refreshing sprinklers; lounged in the hammock under the green-grape laden pergola and discovered many skittish fish in the oasis’ garden pond. This is our garden!
For anyone interested in participating, learning, helping and supporting the building of a new chicken coop, please email Sandra: s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
* Rudolf Steiner “THE CHILD'S CHANGING CONSCIOUSNESS AND WALDORF EDUCATION”. GA 306. Lecture VI
Sandra Frain (and Parent Garden Volunteers),
Gardening Teacher
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Class 1 Perform the Play "Goorialla: Rainbow Serpent"
30 Aug 2023
On Friday 18 August, Class 1 performed their first ever class play for friends and family. The play was called "Goorialla: Rainbow Serpent" and was based on the children's book by Dick Roughsey. They dedicated their performance to the Cammeraygal people. The play was very beautifully performed and included choral speech, smaller group speech and singing. A warm thanks to Class Assistant Monique for organising all the costumes and the big 'Goorialla' held aloft at the end. Class 1 looks forward to our next theatrical performance!
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Class 2 Build Maths Skills
30 Aug 2023
Class 2 have been enjoying mathematics with Class Teacher Jamie Loftus and Teacher Assistant Theresa. They are learning to carry and borrow numbers in vertical algorithms. This is done through a story of families who need to borrow and share whilst living in apartment buildings. They are giving and taking eggs, apples and vegetables and the children have been busy working out how many each family has. The class have enjoyed some new maths games focusing on doubles, 'Friends of Ten', times tables and adding tens. The class continues to recite times tables using bean bags during morning circle time and are having great fun with each other and the four processes.
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Kindergarten Craft Journey
30 Aug 2023
For many Big Kindy children the favourite activity of the week is craft. They start the year with some simple wool winding activities and progress to making pom pom apples, then finger knitting coasters for their cups and treasure bags. By this time, fine motor skills and focus are more proficient, so on to 4 finger knitting their own skipping ropes. Next comes French knitting for their rest time pillows. The final project of the year: the bags they take proudly to Class 1 for the continuation of their craft journey.
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Tanabata Festival - Wishes to the Sky
30 Aug 2023
The children in Playgroups and Classes 1 & 2 have all participated in writing wishes and hanging them on Bamboo trees for the Japanese Tanabata Festival. On Mondays, our Japanese Immersion Playgroup has Naoko Murphy as their Playgroup leader, and Junko Nicholas and Naoko have taken Classes 1 & 2 for Japanese language lessons. It is tradition that these wishes must be burnt in order to send them to the heavens, and this was performed with Naoko in the playground around the fire. They sang and spoke the Japanese blessings as the ashes flew to the sky, taking their wishes with them. Thank you Naoko for leading this most exquisite ceremony.
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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.
Class 3 House Building Projects
14 Aug 2023
Class 3 have recently completed their “Home” Main Lesson. This culminated in the projects the children completed individually at home to bring in on the last day of the lesson. The projects are wonderfully varied and it is clear a great deal of care has been taken to create something through their own efforts. The students have been doing very well presenting their models to the class using prepared speeches.
During the lesson the children discovered different traditional houses from around the world, fostering a social understanding. The many trades required to bring a house into being were considered, highlighting the interdependence of our lives. Most importantly the nine-year-old children were supported to continue to establish their individuality and step towards greater independence with confidence.
Prue Ritchie
Class 3 Teacher
Class 1 Craft Recorder Bags
03 Aug 2023
Class 1 have been busy weaving their recorder bags with Handwork teacher Elizabeth Ellean and parent volunteers. Using a weaving board, they carefully filled the strings with threads, making the bag thick to protect their new recorders. They plait a handle using an 'Egyptian Plait' style with 8 strings and saw, and sand and attach hand-made button made from collected wood. The result is beautiful bags they will use all the way up until Class 5.
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