During the school holidays, our Primary Languages Teacher, Dr Motoko Christensen (Motoko Sensei) together with her colleague (Matsui Sensei in Wollongong), were invited to share their work at the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools Conference, held at the University of Sydney. The conference, themed "Empowering Community Language Schools and Teachers," brought together Principals, educators and teachers from across the state, and was supported by the NSW Department of Education and Multicultural NSW. This was the biggest conference for Community Languages, gathering over 750 teachers, ministers and various countries’ diplomats. It was opened by the NSW Premier Chris Minns.

At the heart of Motoko Sensei’s presentation was a subject close to the soul of Steiner Education: Storytime. The title of the presentation was ‘The Power of Storytime: more than just a storyline’. She spoke with warmth and depth about how the living word, carried through story, becomes a powerful vessel for language learning, and how this approach breathes life into Japanese language lessons here at Glenaeon.

Motoko Sensei shared with her audience three main points:

- The benefits of storytime: It stimulates creativity and imagination; enhances language development; strength bonding and connection; foster cultural awareness; improve concentration and memory and less use of devices. Therefore, the Storytime enhance children’s development cognitively, physically and socially;

- Different approaches to storytime: private and public forums and storytime at Glenaeon;

- Picture books vs Kamishibai (Japanese street theatre). Whilst initially unique to Japan, Kamishibai is now widely popular in many countries and it provides another way to present an engaging story;

Then the large number of participants formed smaller groups to work and discuss how to incorporate storytime in their language classes.
In the Steiner tradition, we understand that a child does not simply learn a language, they grow into it. Children absorb its rhythms, images and spirit in the same natural and unhurried way they come to know the world around them. Motoko Sensei's work embodies this understanding, and it was a gift to see it recognised and celebrated on a broader stage. We are deeply grateful for the wisdom and dedication Motoko Sensei brings to her teaching, and we hold a quiet joy in knowing that the students at Glenaeon are especially nourished by this living, imaginative approach to language.

We’re excited to share that Glenaeon will showcase at the North Shore Schools Expo next Sunday, 3rd May in Willoughby.

This is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with our team, explore what makes a Glenaeon education so unique, and experience a glimpse of our learning approach. We’ll have a stall on the day, along with a showcase highlighting elements of our curriculum and school life.

If you have friends, neighbours or family who are curious about Glenaeon, we’d love you to pass this on and encourage them to come along for a chat.

For more information, visit here .

Main Lesson book donations please!

Do you have recent (in the last 5 years) Main Lesson books from Class 1 - Year 12? Would you like to donate them back to the school for our wonderfully cared for archive collection?
If yes, we would love you to drop these at our Castlecrag or Middle Cove receptions before May 1. These will be used at Open Days and Expos to showcase our unique learning journey at Glenaeon. Thank you for your help.

Sylvia Brose All Rounder Scholarship (Foundation Scholarship) For students in Primary School (Kindy – Class 6)

Thanks to the generous support of donors to the Glenaeon Foundation Scholarship Fund, Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School offers a means-tested scholarship to students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend our school.

This scholarship is named in honour of our founder, Ms Sylvia Brose OAM. Recipients reflect the Glenaeon ethos of inspired learning, artistic sensibility, and service to others. They demonstrate well-rounded capabilities and a strong commitment to personal and community growth.

Means Testing
As part of the application process, families are required to submit financial information to determine eligibility. This information will be handled with the strictest confidence and in accordance with the requirements outlined in the application form.

Primary School Entry (Kindergarten – Class 6)

Scholarships for Primary School entry are awarded on the basis of:

- Completed scholarship application form and payment of scholarship application fee of $150

- Successful interview with parents and child

- A commitment to the school’s ethos and Glenaeon’s core values of Integrity, Wisdom, Courage and Heart.

- Two recent school reports

Families with an understanding of Steiner education principles in the Glenaeon context, who also meet the financial eligibility criteria, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications for the newly extended Sylvia Brose Scholarships for students in Classes K-6 2027 are now open and will be processed on application.

Mark Halsted has joined Glenaeon as our new part-time History Teacher . Mark comes to us with a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma in Education. He has a wealth of experience teaching Ancient History and Extension History at several independent schools and has previously been a Senior HSC Marker. Mark has spent several years living and traveling through Italy, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Libya, and Greece which has provided him with rich, first-hand appreciation of history and culture. These experiences bring an invaluable perspective to the classroom, allowing Mark to share engaging stories and deeper insights with students. We’re thrilled to welcome Mark to the team and are confident he will be an exceptional addition, bringing both expertise and enthusiasm to our History department.

From Mark:
‘My name is Mark Halsted and my role is to share my passion for History, especially Ancient History, with the high school students at Glenaeon. I bring decades of teaching this subject with me. As luck would have it, History is also one of my hobbies, alongside film, drama and music. I'm excited about the prospect of weaving Steiner philosophy and practice into the demands of the Stage 6 curriculum and preparation for the HSC Examinations’.

Glenaeon’s Chamber Choir is proudly participating in the ANZAC Day Morning Service at Club Willoughby, 26 Crabbes Avenue, Willoughby, this Saturday, 25 April 2026 7:00AM - 07:45AM. For more information and to go and support our students, visit here.

Welcome back! We hope you all had a lovely break and are feeling refreshed for the start of Term 2. Playgroup sessions will commence from Monday, 4th May, and we can’t wait to see all your warm faces (and meet some new ones too).

Come along for play, connection and a gentle rhythm to your week.

For more information and to book, please register here .

We look forward to welcoming you and your little one to Glenaeon Playgroups!

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today!

At the end of Term 1, Class 3 were crocheting beautiful library bags with their Handwork teacher Elizabeth Ellean. Starting with a base strong enough for books, they were working on new stitches to create a net bag. They are so beautiful and colourful and will be useful for years to come. Some students also crocheted beanies!

On the 30th March, Class 4 spent the day exploring the historical sites and learning all about the Aboriginal heritage of the Berry Island and Coal Loader local areas. The students were led by local guide Darren. They tried local bush tucker and saw some ancient rock carvings that have stood the test of time. Class 4 learned about the way of the land and some stories of the Dreamtime which they were working on in their Main Lesson, Our Place.

At the end of Term 1, our Year 11 Biology students ventured to Long Reef for an engaging day of ecological fieldwork. Set against the dynamic environment of the rock platform, students applied their classroom learning in a real-world context, developing key scientific skills through hands-on investigation.

Working in teams, students collected both abiotic and biotic data using a range of field equipment. Through transect lines and quadrat surveys, they examined patterns in the distribution, abundance, and diversity of organisms across the tidal rock-shelf ecosystem. These methods allowed students to build a deeper understanding of how environmental factors influence life in this unique habitat.

The day also offered memorable encounters with marine life. Students closely observed organisms such as a giant sea star and an octopus, analysing their structural features and adaptations to the challenges of their environment. This immersive experience strengthened both their scientific knowledge and their appreciation for the complexity of coastal ecosystems

In April, alongside the Year 12 Outdoor Education trip to the Warrumbungles, we completed our second Autumn Bird Banding Expedition. Over four days, 118 birds were captured and safely released, representing 38 species, including seven recaptures from last year. While total bird numbers were slightly lower than in 2025, species diversity increased from 37 to 38. The persistent summer drought likely contributed to reduced overall numbers; however, effective land management has maintained vital habitats, ensuring biodiversity remains strong. Notably, there was an increase in species adapted to dry conditions, such as the spiny-cheeked honeyeater and white-plumed honeyeater. New species recorded this year included the Australian ringneck, tawny frogmouth, Australian king parrot, white-browed scrubwren, variegated fairywren, pied currawong, crested shriketit, red-capped robin, and white-browed babbler.

Bird banding involves placing small, uniquely numbered bands on birds’ legs to track movement and gather life history data. At Glenaeon, it has become a living classroom where science meets experience. Since 2020, the project has engaged students in authentic fieldwork, from mist-netting to data collection. Its recent expansion to the Warrumbungles region continues to deepen students’ connection to Australia’s diverse ecosystems. We thank GlenXer Tim Bacon as our dedicated volunteer, our Outdoor Education team, and Eric and Elise Butler for their ongoing support. If you are interested in learning more about the Glenaeon Bird Project, please contact Dr Stanley Tang ( s.tang@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au ). You can also follow us on Instagram @birds_of_glenaeon.

Our beautiful Mother’s Day Collection has arrived in store, filled with thoughtful, handmade gifts to nurture the mums in our community. You are warmly invited to visit the shop or browse the collection online .

Discover fair-trade and locally made products, including Natural Woven Baskets , Mini Ceramic Vases , Australian Beeswax Candles and Aromatherapy Roll-Ons . You can also choose a 'Treat Yourself' Gift Package , and we'll create a bespoke bundle just for you.

As the weather begins to cool, our Woolerina Merino Wool Singlets and base layers are now available in-store and also online, along with all the Back-to-School Essentials .

Term 2, 2026 – Opening Hours :

Tuesday: 8:30am—12pm & 2pm—3:45pm

Wednesday: 8:30am—12:30pm

Thursday: 8:30am—12pm & 2pm—3:45pm

Friday: 8:30am—12pm & 2pm—3:45pm

Shop online anytime: grassrootsecostore.com.au

Thank you for supporting local and choosing products that nurture creativity, sustainability, and imagination. A portion of every sale supports Glenaeon.

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

Warrah Specialist School is pleased to share that we have expanded to include two new Kindergarten to Year 2 classrooms in 2026. This expansion creates opportunities to welcome more students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities and complex learning needs into a Steiner-informed learning environment.

The early years are such an important foundation, and we are so pleased to be able to extend Steiner education to more young students with additional needs within our community.

We warmly share this news with the Glenaeon community. If you know families seeking a nurturing, specialist setting grounded in Steiner education, we would be grateful if you could help spread the word.

For more information please contact:

Leanne Hall
0498 018 120

Entries now open for the 2026 Environmental Art & Design Prize

Artists and designers from across Australia are invited to submit work on the theme of the environment.

This is your chance to showcase your work at our annual exhibition and be part of the conversation shaping our environment in the future.

A $46,000 prize pool is on offer across 4 categories:

- $20,000 Art

- $20,000 Design

- $3,000 Young Artists & Designers (7 to 18 years)

- $3,000 People’s Choice

The year’s esteemed judges are visual artist Laura Jones, and designer and educator Nila Rezaei.

Entries close 18 May.

Learn More

Get your needle and thread ready, Saturday April 25th is International Mend in Public Day! Part of Fashion Revolution Week, the event serves as a reminder that ‘Loved Clothes Last’. What better way to love our clothes than to mend, repair, or alter things instead of binning them (in the op shop donation bin, the textile recycling bin, the compost bin, or the rubbish bin). According to Clean Up Australia, we send more clothing to landfill per capita than any other country.  Seen in this light, taking up needle and thread is a powerful act of resistance against textile waste! Thanks to our handwork curriculum, our students leave primary school with useful knowledge like how to sew on a button—if you’re keen to mend but not sure where to get started you could ask their advice. Or visit here for mending inspiration and how-to's.