Taryn is the new owner of Grassroots Eco Store located on the grounds of Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School’s Castlecrag Campus on Edinburgh Road.

The store stocks beautiful items such as craft materials, books, toys, clothing, gifts and more.  Grassroots products are either Australian made, fair trade, non-toxic, organic, recycled and sustainable. All products are handpicked as the best ethical, local, natural and fair products for our families and community to enjoy.

Taryn is no stranger to Glenaeon and we’re so pleased to have her here at our beautiful school.  We asked Taryn to share a little bit about herself:

What is your connection to Glenaeon and Steiner?
My connection to Steiner Education started many years ago, on my first day of Kindergarten at Lorien Novalis Rudolf Steiner School (one of Sydney’s other Steiner Schools). The songs, the stories, and the rich content of the lessons completely captured my imagination and I continued at Lorien all the way to year 12.

When my children were born the only parenting certainty I had was that they would go to a Steiner School! After attending Ebba’s beautiful playgroup at Glenaeon with my first child, I knew Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School was going to be a good fit for our family.

Tell us a bit about yourself?
My partner, Cameron and I have two boys who now both attend Glenaeon in Kindy and Class 3. After many years of living in Sydney’s Inner-West, we made the move to Killarney Heights once the children started school. We have loved the “Tree-Change” that living in the little village of Killarney Heights offers. With its tree-lined streets, constantly displaying the changes of the seasons so beautifully. My favourite time of year is Autumn when the trees are awash in autumn colours.

What are your plans for the Grassroots Eco Store?
My wish is to continue to source ethical and environmentally friendly materials and products for our community. I’d like to ensure these products are available, not only in-store, but also online, making it easier than ever to buy, and to share our Steiner inspired collection of products with your family and friends.

From the practical things like lunchboxes, drink bottles, slippers and raincoats to creativity inspiring art and craft materials along with the beautiful felt and wooden toys for hours spent in open-ended play.

I’ve already begun sourcing a curated selection of quality, age-specific books that nourish the imagination, and help parents navigate the question of what book is right for my child’s age? And this is something that I would like to expand on over time.

Lastly, I am also very passionate about being able to promote the work of local makers and artisans. We have a very creative community here at Glenaeon and I would love for Grassroots Eco Store to become a creative hub filled with unique, handmade, locally sourced products representing the many talented people in our community. You will already see a beautiful collection of local makers and artists work starting to emerge in-store.

What products are really popular amongst our community?
With a lot of classes learning new craft skills this term, there has been a big demand for our Australian made 100% wool yarn in all the rainbow colours. Our new range of soft leather slippers have also been very popular with students and are perfect indoor footwear for the warmer months.

The Stockmar modelling beeswax blocks in a rainbow of colours are always popular along with the Stockmar pure beeswax crayons, which the students use in class but often love to have for use at home too.

What are you looking forward to the most about running the store?
Getting to know more people in the community, a lot of people have already stopped by to say hello and introduce themselves which has been so lovely.

I’m looking forward to updating and expanding the Grassroots Eco Store website so that all the beautiful products we stock can be available to a wider online community.

I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to support the work of the incredible teachers at Glenaeon, by providing specially sourced craft materials, toys and books that further enrich the Steiner learning experience and bring a little bit of that magic that sparks the imagination into the home.

What are three things you like most about our school?
The teachers and staff at Glenaeon are truly inspiring, they are all so incredibly dedicated and I’m in awe of their creativity to so imaginatively bring the lesson content alive for their students.

The wonderful seasonal festivals celebrated at the school and with the community are a highlight of the year for our family. My favourite is the Harvest Festival in Autumn and spending the day apple picking in the orchards at Bilpin. There is nothing better than eating an apple picked straight from the tree!

The beautiful bushland setting that both the Middle Cove and Castlecrag campus resides on is something I appreciate even more now that I’m working at the campus every day. I have already made friends with the pair of rainbow lorikeets that sit in the gum tree outside the entrance to the shop.

School Term Opening Hours
Monday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Tuesday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Wednesday: 8.30am–12.30pm
Thursday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm
Friday: 8.30am–11.30am & 2pm–3.45pm

Purchases can be made in-store at 121 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag, NSW, 2068 or online: grassrootsecostore.com.au
Follow @grassroots_ecostore on Instagram and Facebook to find out about new products and events!