There has been much in the press in recent weeks about books and reading. One such article reported on a school providing ‘learn to read texts’ on iPads, as opposed to paper-based texts. The teaching of reading has forever been the focus of fierce debate, research, and unhelpfully in my mind, subject to the whims of political influence.
In Steiner schools, the young child learns to read through a carefully considered approach that marries the use of imaginative picture building with abstract letter symbols. The experience of the wholeness and living quality of sounds and words in various forms is the foundation of early literacy, beginning well before formal schooling. Together with the rich oral language practice that occurs daily through activities like chanting of verse, singing, reciting of poems and later the performing of plays, the young child learns explicitly about phonics, and over time, develops strong phonemic awareness. Printed texts become part of this picture through the use of simple ‘readers’, always in printed form.
Learning to read is a complex and highly individualised process, and for some children, whole-language approaches work well, whilst for others, explicit and repetitive exercises are what works best. For most, a combination of strategies at the right moment in time, guided by the astute observations of the class teacher, provide the way through to reading fluency. Very recently, a group of passionate Glenaeon staff have been working on the development of a very special set of readers, lovingly written and illustrated to support the pedagogical aesthetic of Steiner curriculum materials and in line with the Glenaeon English curriculum. You can see illustrations from these readers below. Special thanks to Raphaela Mazzone and Katherine Arconati for heading up this project and to the Glenaeon GPA for their financial support.
Strategy in Action
Now that the new Strategic Plan in launched, I plan to update the community periodically with information about progress being made towards our strategic priorities. One of our first tasks has been to introduce our four school values of Integrity, Courage, Wisdom and Heart to students at High School Assembly. Later this year, further collaboration with the SRC and Portfolio Captains will see these values come to life in different ways, with the aim being that they guide and shape our school rules and how we grow, learn and work together: students, staff, community.
Mid-Winter Party
It’s time to dust off the nautical dress-ups in readiness for the Mid-Winter Party on Saturday June 15! Hosted by the GPA, the Mid-Winter party provides a wonderful opportunity for the adult members of our community to come together, have fun and enjoy the company of friends, old and new. Our Year 7 families are busy preparing for this evening that will include a silent auction with incredible opportunities to win some fantastic items and at the same time, support the school in the raising of much needed funds. You can still purchase tickets for the Mid-Winter party here. See you there!
Warm Regards,
Diana Drummond
Head of School
