School Newsletter

Having last week experienced the journey of wool, washing sheep and alpaca fleece, carding it (combing) and spinning it using a drop spindle, the children then fashioned their very own knitting needles. This week, Class 1 children were officially introduced to knitting. They are knitting a simple pot holder, and have already become a very enthusiastic  group of knitters.

Mother Earth is gathering up her little gnomes... it's slowly warming up and they will soon be deep underground again in their crystal caves. 

Come and see the display in the cabinet at reception at Castlecrag. Also, do you have a special crafting talent to share? Are you a Wet Felting Wizard? Crocheting Queen? Eco Dying Enthusiast? Please be in contact with Melanie Harper if you are able to run a one off afternoon/evening/ weekend workshop for parent crafters. Email: melanieh@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au

Parent Craft runs from 9am until 12pm Wednesdays this term in the Castlecrag hall kitchen room. All welcome. Stay for a short time or until you need to go. Small children are welcome - there are toys and an enclosed play/sandpit area and often a few little friends to make. All welcome, bring your unfinished craft projects, questions and enjoy some crafty company and a cup of tea.

Class 3 have created a shop and 3 homes in the sandpit and spend their lunchtime playing with and trading their small treasures. 

Spring is coming, the air is warmer by lunchtime, and outside games are flourishing at play time.

Class 6 are busy composing and writing their own music for their upcoming play 'Alice in Wonderland'. In groups, they practice and record the score, creating the whimsical and fun music that will accompany the script and drama. Other groups are working on creative costume design and clever props to create the crazy world 'down the rabbit hole'. Learning to write music begins in Class 3 at Glenaeon, so by Class 6 they have a sound ability to compose and write their own music pieces for their own instruments to play together. Class teacher Rodney Dean encourages great creativity within his class, and their play is sure to be another accomplished performance. It was 'Earth Day' (and a MUFTI day) without power at Glenaeon on this day, raising money for climate research. 

The Language Department has some wonderful news to share with you. As from Year 8, all language students have the opportunity to practise their Japanese, French, German or other other language they study on a program, which is called Education Perfect. There are vocabulary practices, listening, speaking and reading practices, which all help to improve language skills. This organisation puts on state and world-wide competitions each year. Last month there was a state competition and all students in NSW who study a language were able to participate.

On Wednesday 7th August two excited teams made their way to Queen Park to participate in the annual ISD Soccer Carnival. As this was a 'senior students only' event and Glenaeon did not have enough senior students, we had younger students ‘play up’ in a senior team. This gave them an opportunity to shine and to prove themselves amongst the senior students.

It was a great sunny day and both teams won, lost and drew games. The boys didn’t make the finals, although they came away with two wins, a draw and a loss. The girls’ team lost and drew one game each, but won three of their encounters.

They played in the semi-finals but couldn’t win that last game, so came third overall. This is a great success for a team that came together in this way with some senior students unable to attend due to exams and other commitments.

Lane Bromley was our main goal scorer with hattricks in two games scoring three goals in each game!

It is a great opportunity for outdoor learning, team building, communicating and for sharing in the elation of a win, whilst also coming to terms with a tight loss.

It is a great opportunity also for growth, particularly for those younger players who joined the teams. They were: Luca X., Hana P., Petal G., Bibi C., Sophia Th. And Eva P. all in Yr 8.

- Jonas Stoebe

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Both the School Canteen (Wed/Thur/Fri) and Humming Cafe (Mon/Tue) are available. Click below for the menu and the new information on how to order now from Humming Cafe. For Humming Cafe orders, students can just write their order, name and class on the brown bag and give it to Reception before 9am. The menu is printed up on the reception noticeboard.

Hello and welcome to another term of delicious morning teas and lunches from the Middle Cove canteen!

With the second half of the year well underway, we are asking mums, dads, aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas, carers and friends to consider volunteering in the canteen. We need one volunteer for each day that we operate. Please come and help! Thank you to those who have recently signed up!

Lorna and I operate the canteen on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and volunteers work between 9am-1pm. Some people sign up once a year and some love to come once a term as they enjoy the experience so much!

I will make you a real coffee and you and your child will receive free food for the day. The kitchen has a wonderful vibe, with the Canteen surrounded by bush and our very friendly kookaburras. Your children also enjoy seeing you working in the canteen!

If you can help, please put your name down on the roster - https://signup.zone/glenaeon-canteen

For any questions, please contact me on 0418677402 or email sharon.dirken@bigpond.com

Thanks so much in advance for your help,

Sharon Dirken

Canteen operator

DID YOU KNOW?
If a student misses as little as 8 days every school term, by the end of Primary school they will have missed over a year of education.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1)      Notify the school by 9.30am on the day your child is sick or absent (phone, email, Schoolstream)
2)      Provide a medical certificate for 2 or more consecutive days off sick (hand delivered or emailed)
3)      Apply to The Principal in advance of any leave that is required for 2 or more days

Education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for your child to achieve their educational best and achieve the career and life options. Schools work in partnership with parents to encourage and support regular attendance of children and young people. When your child attends school every day, learning becomes easier and your child will build and maintain friendships with other people.

PLASTIC, PLASTIC EVERYWHERE!

Plastic as we know is not good for the planet and yet it is very hard to avoid, often lurking in places we would least suspect. For instance standard tea bags – the dunking kind, as opposed to loose-leaf tea – aren’t one hundred percent biodegradable. Most of the ingredients are paper fibre (around 80% as an average), however to keep the tea leaves inside of the ‘bag’ (no one likes a leaf burst mid-stir), many brands heat-seal the contents. This means that a thin layer of polypropylene, essentially ‘sealing plastic’, is used to fasten the bags together to stop the leaves from falling out. Many tea bags also contain acrylic copolymer emulsion, which is a plastic-based glue. 

Thank you to the teachers and staff who took the time to talk to interested families visiting the North Shore School Expo, held at Chatswood Concourse last weekend. Our enrolments registrar Chandra Kennedy, alongside teachers spoke to many people about the benefits of a Glenaeon education and what we have to offer across our 3 beautiful campuses.

At Glenaeon we have a number of students with a
LIFE THREATENING NUT / PEANUT ALLERGY.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Even a small trace of nut, peanut or nut/peanut product may trigger a severe allergic reaction called Anaphylaxis, which attacks the immune system leading potentially to death within minutes.
This reaction can happen by taste, touch and sometimes can be airborne. All of these students have access to an adrenaline injection in the form of an Epipen, which can save lives. Photo posters are displayed in the staffroom and First Aid room for easy identification of these children.
Glenaeon works with parents/carers to support students in developing an awareness of their allergies and what foods to avoid. Students are encouraged not to share food and to always check with a parent/adult/teacher if unsure at any time.

HOW CAN YOU HELP TO KEEP GLENAEON STUDENTS SAFE?

Please help us by not including peanut or any nut products in your child’s lunchbox. This includes peanut butter and Nutella.
Please avoid products with any nuts/peanuts listed as an ingredient.
Explain about nut/peanut allergy to your child and encourage the ‘no food sharing’ rule.
Please consider what you are sending for birthday treats to share with the class, checking there are no nut products included.
The school canteen does not serve products containing nuts.
It is only with the continued support of all parents and staff that we can effectively maintain a safe school environment for these children.
Thank you for your understanding. We know you will want to support the school and these children.

We have various departments that need to use a washing machine on a weekly basis and would like to ask that if anyone has a working machine that they wish to donate or give away to please contact Reception at Middle Cove. We have a need for one more machine. Thank you kindly.

MEDICAL UPDATES AND ACTION PLANS
A reminder that all students who have a new or existing health condition must provide updated documentation to the school. This is extremely important for students with anaphylaxis - the school requires an ASCIA Action Plan every school year, signed and dated by a medical professional with an updated photograph.
EpiPens and other medication also need to be replaced/expiry date checked at this time.
Medical Updates and Action Plans

1)      ASCIA for Anaphylaxis
2)      Asthma Action Plan
3)      Other life threatening medical plans

Parents/carers of students with medical conditions already identified need to ensure all information is updated, and any forms returned to Reception. Any questions or changes to Plans, please contact Lisa Wood on 9932 2304

Thank you everyone for a successful second term. We look forward to seeing you again this term and the uniform shop will again be open from 3.00 - 3.45 every second Thursday starting on 25 July, 2019.

Term 3 Dates:

5 September
19 September

This week's blackboard has been drawn by Class 5 teacher Cathy Bower as they begin the journey of the English explorers west of Sydney Cove through the Blue Mountains.

Glenaeon School Tours & Enrolment Events

MIDDLE COVE CAMPUS (CLASSES 3 – 12)
Middle Cove Tour - Thursday 19 September - 9:30am - 11:30am
Middle Cove Tour - Friday 22 November - 9:30am - 11:30am

CASTLECRAG CAMPUS (CLASSES K-2)
Castlecrag School Tour - Tuesday 10 September, 2019 - 9:30 - 11:30am
Castlecrag School Tour - Tuesday 12 November, 2019 - 9:30 - 11:30am

PRESCHOOL CAMPUS
Willoughby Preschool Tour
Saturday 26 September, 2019 - 9:30 - 11:30am
Saturday 21 November, 2019 - 9:30 - 11:30am

For further information or questions please contact our Registrar on 02 9932 2325 or email enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au

Glenaeon is running new advertising creative at Northbridge Plaza Shopping Centre this week on a digital panel outside Woolworths to entice the local community to come and take a look at our beautiful school. The animated 7 second ad features Amelia from Class 4, Wesley from Year 9 and Thomas from Year 12. Our thanks to these students and their parents for their wonderful support.

These hand knitted beanies are made from alpaca wool, known for its soft, fine fibres that protect during varying temperatures throughout the seasons. Lyn Clifton from Raphael's Rooms at Glenaeon, has advised that they support the developing head forces, offering protection and calm to the nerve sense system. As children’s growth forces move to the head and nerve sense system between 7-9 years they can become overly sensitive to noise and visual stimulation. Children benefit from having their head protected by a light cap due to their sensory openness a it can be very supportive especially for the very young child and the Class 1-3 child. This particular design helps to keep the ears warm in the windy weather we're experiencing as well as helping to ease earaches, head and tooth pains. Alpaca fibre has the innate ability to regulate warmth depending on temperatures sothey are suitable to be worn all day inside and out. Children wearing them will have the added benefit of warmer feet and clearer thinking.

Warm regards, Felicity

Opening Hours during term

Monday: open by request
Tuesday: 8.45am–11.30am
Wednesday: 8.45am–3.15pm
Thursday: 8.30am–10.30am
Friday: 2.30pm–4.00pm

There are currently 3 language groups held after school by private groups/tutors. Mandarin and French are held on campus, and a small privately organised class in German is held in a home in Neutral Bay.
Please CLICK below for more information on all language class times, locations, contact details and prices.

Maths and English Tutor available:  High School up to HSC by teacher Neil Anderson (Eg B Ed English M Ed Maths M Ling Literacy Phd (Theatre) in progress Dip Steiner Speech & Drama
Mobile  0404382192   Email: russelife03@gmail.com

Maths Tutor available:  Hi, my name is Chiara,
I am a year 11 student at Glenaeon and am available for maths tutoring for students up to Year 11. My rates are very reasonable and I'm flexible with tutoring times. I can supply references from my teachers if required. For further enquiries please contact me on calmdotti@gmail.com

There are opportunities available as follows:

1. Two students attending the Steiner Teacher Training Seminar from the 29th of Sept-4th of October 2019 Billeting Request

My name is Ethna Brave, I am a 33 year old high school English and History teacher. After growing up in a Camphill Community in Ireland and attending a Steiner school in Dublin and Amsterdam, I am now embarking on the Sydney Rudolf Steiner College teacher training to become a Steiner teacher myself. I'm a quiet and considerate person. Please email ethnabrave@hotmail.com

Marie Peters is a primary school teacher at Milkwood Steiner School, in Darwin and would greatly appreciate being billeted with a family near Castlecrag. House sitting is fine. Considerate, mature and respectful. Please email hmpeters3165@hotmail.com

2. Full size violin wanted to buy: Please contact Julia, 0414 585 870  Thank you.

3. After School child minding for Glenaeon family. 14 yo girl & 9 yo boy. Hours 3.30-5.00/30pm Duties include Supervising afternoon home routine, Arranging afternoon tea, Supervising Homework, Ability to start  evening meal and  carry out some light housekeeping. We are located in Greenfield Ave, Middle Cove - a very short stroll, from the Middle Cove campus. No driving required. If you are in Year 10/11, or an ex Glenaeon student, available 2 x a week, after school, throughout the School Term  (+ school holiday availability), please contact Kirsty Cassidy, on 0412 660 533.

Yoga at Glenaeon is one agian this term - click to see the programme and come and join in! Open to adults and children.

The GPA and Class Parents met this week and had a fruitful and informative meeting. Thank you to all who attended and contributed, and get well to those that were unable to make it due to illness.

The minutes of the meeting are HERE.

Please read through and catch up on what your school and GPA are up to on your behalf! The meeting was also attended by Andrew Hill and Clare Gordon (Events Co-ordinator) and we can report that that we in good shape and spirits. The next meeting will beheld on November 27 at 7:30pm, a few weeks after the Glenaeon School Fair.  We wish Class 4 much support for the Fair and ask that all parents please sign up and turn up to a shift at the Fair to make it a wonderful, fun day and also a fruitful fundraiser! Notices will be coming out with rosters soon. 

Gleneaon Studios  Ceramics Classes

Brendan the Year 8 Guardian and Art Teacher will be teaching a class in ceramics.
Every Wednesday Evening from 7.30 till 9.30pm
A class for parents, friends and teachers
Beginners and the more experienced welcome.
Hand-building, pottery wheel, sculpting
Many options available!
$20 a class, all materials provided.
Limited numbers
Please call Brendan 0420 557 917

Glenaeon offers a program to the Year 9 students called 'The Cove', which aims to build resilience, learn to make better decisions and for students to take action in their own lives. In turn, this can influence the choices they make to create more positive outcomes for themselves and their learning. One aspect of 'The Cove' is to engage students in more learning in and from nature in order to hone what nature can offer to the human being and, more specifically, as a learning environment for the adolescent student.

'The essence of artistic feeling is to become one with the form, to live with the form',
Rudolf Steiner.

The Sydney Rudolf Steiner College is excited to have Emerson trained ceramicist and sculptor, Samantha Kuhn working with our second year students doing the Certificate in Rudolf Steiner Education. Samantha is running a special workshop exploring human metamorphosis through clay work. We are opening ten places only for the Steiner community to participate in this intense three hour workshop. No prerequisites, just come expecting to be hands-on and led through a meditative contemplation on the inner and outer evolution of the human form.  
This workshop will be run at Glenaeon - Castlecrag campus on Tuesday 1 October, 2019 from 4-7pm. Numbers are limited so book early on https://www.trybooking.com/BEZHJ

Sydney Rudolf Stiener House has ongoing talks and courses that are available, from short talks, to discussion evenings, workshops and members meetings. If you would like to contact Sydney Rudolf Steiner College about any of our courses or other information:   Address: 307 Sussex Street Sydney   Phone: +61 2 9261 4001 Email: admin@sydneyrudolfsteinercollege.com   Click below to see what the calendar looks like for the next few months, Warm regards, Anett:. If you would like to contact Sydney Rudolf Steiner College about any of our courses or other information:

Address: 307 Sussex Street Sydney
Phone: +61 2 9261 4001
Email: admin@sydneyrudolfsteinercollege.com

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Dear Parents and Guardians,

The Sydney Youth Orchestras program gives students the experience of playing great music in graded ensembles, as well as giving them the opportunity to meet students from other schools. I would highly recommend considering the organization if your child shows interest in orchestral playing and is keen to branch out! Please see the FLYER HERE

Thanks,  
Christian Lillicrap,
Head of Music

Main Lessons are one of the most distinctive aspects of schools working out of the impulse of Dr Rudolf Steiner. Our Main Lesson practice is both a method and a content:
Main Lesson Method: Deep Learning

We learn best when we are engaged, when we have time to be immersed in a subject, when our feelings are stimulated, when we can be active in our learning. Dr Steiner’s suggestion was quite simple: all these characteristics of healthy and effective learning can be met if lessons are organised in blocks of teaching over an intense period. So we organise key teaching and learning into significant blocks of time that are spread over a three week period. This extended period enables students to go deeply into a topic, to be immersed in it, to make connections between disciplines. Above all, it enables students (and teachers!) to be deeply and inwardly engaged with a topic in a way that is not possible in the relatively short time of a single period.

Such short periods are ideal for rhythmical learning, where subjects need regular repetition to build a specific set of skills (eg basic skills in English and Maths, Languages, the creative arts, Sport).

In the core subjects of English, Maths, Science and Humanities (History/Geography) the secret of the main lesson success is the daily work. Taking in new material one day and sleeping on it, allows our deep unconscious to embed learning more deeply in our mind. Picking up the learning the next morning ensures a freshness and vitality in how a student embraces the content of the main lesson. Over the three weeks, this daily process builds what has become the “holy grail” of contemporary educators: deep learning.