You are invited to our 2026 Year 12 HSC Showcase Visual Arts & Design and Technology , celebrating the outstanding efforts, achievements, and creativity of our students in Visual Arts and Design and Technology .

This special evening provides an opportunity to view the impressive major works and projects our students have developed as part of their HSC studies, and to recognise the dedication, innovation and perseverance that has gone into their creations.

Event Details
Date : Friday 24 July 2026
Time : 6:30pm
Venue : Sylvia Brose Hall, Middle Cove Campus
5a Glenroy Ave, Middle Cove
Parking : On the basketball courts

For catering purposes, please RSVP:
RSVP here

We look forward to sharing this celebration of student effort and achievement with you and welcoming you to what promises to be a wonderful evening.

Real Engagement. Real Learning.

Searching for an education that is holistic and academically rigorous?

Join us at Glenaeon’s Primary School Open Day, where you will experience how our Kindergarten to Class 6 curriculum nurtures confident, capable learners who are free in spirit, grounded, curious, and well-prepared for High School and beyond, starting in a screen-free environment.

When: Saturday 5 September 2026 Time: 10am – 12 noon
Where: 121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag NSW 2068

Register today!

Preschool Willoughby Campus Tour
Date: Tuesday 28 July 2026
Time: 11:15am - 12:15pm
Location: 118 Sydney St, Willoughby NSW 2068

Prospective families are warmly invited to tour our Preschool Willoughby campus and explore Steiner education in the early years. Meet our Preschool Director, and learn how our curriculum and learning activities nurture healthy development, curiosity and joy. We look forward to welcoming you.

Registration: Fully Booked

Castlecrag Campus Tour - (Little Kindergarten - Class 3)
Date: Thursday 30 July 2026
Time: 9:30am - 10:30am
Location: 121 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag NSW 2068

Prospective families are warmly invited to tour our Castlecrag Campus and explore Steiner education from Kindergarten - Class 3. Discover our curriculum, facilities, and outdoor learning spaces, and meet Deputy Head of School, and Class Teachers. Learn how we nurture academic excellence, creativity, and confident, compassionate young people.

Registration: Book Now

Middle Cove Campus Tour - (Class 4- Year 12)
Date: Thursday 6 August 2026
Time: 9:30am - 10:30am
Location: 5A Glenroy Ave, Middle Cove NSW 2068

Prospective families are warmly invited to tour our Middle Cove Campus and explore Steiner education from Class 4 to Year 12. Discover our curriculum, facilities, and outdoor learning spaces, and meet Head of School Diana Drummond. Learn how we nurture academic excellence, creativity, and confident, compassionate young people.

Registration: Book Now

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported Glenaeon's Creating Spaces That Shape Futures Annual Giving Appeal. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we are delighted to share that we raised over $31,000. This wonderful result is a testament to the shared belief our community holds in the importance of providing inspiring, purposeful learning environments for current and future generations of Glenaeon students.

Every donation, regardless of size, has contributed to laying the foundations for the thoughtful renewal and enhancement of learning spaces across our Middle Cove campus, or supported scholarships and other important aspects for the school. These future developments will help ensure our students continue to learn, create, collaborate and thrive in environments that reflect the values and aspirations of a contemporary Steiner education.

As we look towards Glenaeon's 70th anniversary in 2027 and beyond, we are deeply grateful for the trust, generosity and commitment of our community. Together, we are creating spaces that will support meaningful learning experiences for many years to come. While the financial year has now ended, there are still opportunities to support the future of Glenaeon.

You may wish to consider:

- Making a donation – Contributions to the Building Fund at any time of year help support our long-term vision for the School's learning environments. Give here.
- Leaving a bequest – A gift in your Will is a meaningful way to leave a lasting legacy and support future generations of Glenaeon students.

To learn more about donating or discussing a bequest, please contact:
foundation@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au

The Australian Government will conduct a national test of AusAlert , Australia’s new emergency warning system, at 2pm on Monday 27 July .

At this time, most mobile phones—and some smart watches and tablets—will vibrate and play a siren-like warning sound for approximately ten seconds. A message will appear on the device confirming that it is a test. No action is required.

Families may wish to let children know about the test beforehand, particularly if they are likely to hear several devices sounding at the same time.

As the test alert cannot be disabled through device settings, anyone for whom receiving the alert may cause disruption or create a safety concern should turn their device off or place it in aeroplane mode before 2.00 pm and leave it that way for at least one hour.

Further information is available on the AusAlert website:
https://www.ausalert.gov.au/alerts-explained/national-test

Winter time is citrus season.

Class 3 is getting ready to make lemonade concentrate for the Glenaeon Family Fair lemonade stand.

If anyone has a lemon tree or knows neighbours or friends willing to donate lemons, please reach out to Maria 0483818013.

We are delighted to announce that from the 8-18 November 2026, Glenaeon will host students from Hamamatsu Nittai Junior High School in Shizuoka, Japan. The Japanese students are here to experience Australian culture and our style of family life and to improve their spoken English. It is important they are supervised, treated as an extension of your family and participate in all family activities during their stay with you. It is also important that the student/s are not allowed to remain in their rooms for excessive periods and that the host family makes a conscious effort to encourage the Japanese student in speaking English. If your family speaks a language other than English, please make a conscious effort to use English as much as possible whilst with the Japanese student.

You will receive $60 per student, per night.

You are required to provide:

• Transport to and from school as required. Should any unexpected circumstance arise, and you are unable to provide the necessary transport, you will be responsible for making safe, suitable alternate arrangements for your student. Students should never be asked to walk or travel by public transport alone.

• If the school charted bus is used, the cost of the student’s bus fares for travel between home and school will be provided by VS Oceania.

• Instruct your student how to keep their money and valuables safe while in your home. You will explain your house rules and set down guidelines for telephone and internet usage.

• Provide them with a clean comfortable bed of their own. They may share a room but not a bed.

• Provide three meals and morning tea per day, including school lunches as required. Should no packed lunch be provided, you will provide money for your student to purchase lunch from the school tuck-shop.

• Prior to embarking on any proposed sightseeing trip, costs involved will be discussed with your student and decisions made as to who is expected to pay. Students should not be expected to pay for petrol or any normal everyday household usage.

It’s important we have accurate information about your family on our records. If your family situation changes in any way, please give us a call so we can update our records. Pet information is also very important.

Please contact VS Oceania on admin@vsoceania.com or (02) 9889 4366 to enquire.

It was great that so many Glenaeon families hosted students last year, we'd love to see your support again in 2026!

Registrations for Term 3 Co-Curricular Activities remain open, with a few places still available!

Students can choose from a wide range of engaging activities designed to encourage exploration of new interests, build valuable skills, and enjoy enriching experiences beyond the classroom.

Please note that activities will only proceed with sufficient enrolments.

We are excited to introduce a new Chess Club for Classes 3 and 4. Students in Classes 5 to 7 are welcome to continue participating in the existing Chess Club offerings this term.

We would also like to advise families that Drama Club sessions will now be held on Tuesdays, rather than Thursdays.

For information and instructions on how to book, go to GLO .

On the very first Sunday of the school holidays, the wonderful Preschool family caring for Munch and Biscuit, made a delightful discovery. Two tiny baby guinea pigs had arrived overnight, unbeknownst to all of us!

The new additions have been lovingly named Pepper and Fudge. While Pepper will remain with her mum, Fudge is a little boy and will need a loving new home to ensure our guinea pig family doesn't continue to grow! If your family may be interested in welcoming Fudge, either permanently or temporarily, please contact our Preschool on preschool@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au

Caring for animals is a treasured part of the Steiner early childhood experience. Through daily interactions with our pets, children develop empathy, responsibility and a deep respect for living beings. Witnessing the arrival of new life offers a gentle opportunity to observe nature's rhythms and life cycles firsthand, nurturing wonder and curiosity and a connection to the natural world.

🐹 A little update on Pepper...

Our tiny guinea pig, Pepper, was born with her front legs curled underneath her. After a visit to the vet, we've been shown some gentle physiotherapy stretches to do each day in the hope that she may gradually learn to walk on her paws. It may also be that her legs simply developed this way and if that's the case, we'll love and care for her just as she is.

Within our Steiner preschool, we value nurturing compassion, empathy and reverence for all living beings. Pepper's journey provides a beautiful opportunity for the children to learn that every living creature is unique and worthy of kindness and care. When children grow up with natural experiences of difference and diversity, acceptance becomes part of who they are.

Glenaeon’s family-style Playgroups are joyful and supportive of you and your child’s development.
Our highly skilled Steiner Playgroup Educators Natalie, Nancy and Marianne create imaginative activities to ensure families enjoy an enriching, uplifting time together.

Each Playgroup meets once a week and is led by a qualified Steiner Early Childhood Educator who guides the group through a two-hour dynamic session including adult discussion. Stories and songs, circle activities, and free-play both indoors and outdoors reflect the seasons of the year. A shared nourishing morning tea is a cornerstone of the occasion. Everyone develops multiple skills for crafting a happy, healthy home. Our colourful Playgroup rooms at Castlecrag and Willoughby campuses are furnished with quality handmade toys, while natural gardens are a safe haven for explorative, active tactile play.

Please find more information, term dates and to register here .

While recent garden work at Middle Cove has focused on regeneration, there has also been plenty happening at Castlecrag. Every garden bed in the new Garden Classroom is now filled with new plants. Throughout the first half of the year, children in Classes 1 to 3 have planted a row of five potted citrus trees, tropical fruit trees, flowering perennials, herbs, vegetables and native plants, creating a diverse and productive learning garden. They have also planted dozens of spring-flowering bulbs, so we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of warmer weather to see the garden burst into colour. It is wonderful to see the space beginning to come to life, and we look forward to watching it grow and provide even more opportunities for hands-on learning throughout the coming seasons.

A sincere thank you to all of the families who cared for our chickens over the holiday break. Your support ensured they remained happy and healthy. We are now collecting up to four eggs a day, which is very exciting, and we look forward to making use of their eggs in our Agriculture and Cooking programs.

Class 4 was especially busy as Term 2 drew to a close. The children proudly submitted their wonderful animal projects, demonstrating both creativity and a growing depth of research skills. They were also busy crafting beautiful metal can lanterns in preparation for the Winter Festival, bringing warmth and light to this special seasonal celebration.

We ended the term on a high note with the class's entertaining and humorous performance of Thor and the Giants . The children embraced their roles with enthusiasm and confidence, delighting the audience with their acting and storytelling.

As part of the production, the class helped paint the backdrop featuring Yggdrasill, the great World Tree of Norse mythology, that connects the nine worlds. High among its branches lies Asgard, the realm of the gods, linked to Midgard, the world of humans, by Bifrost, the shimmering rainbow bridge. Beyond Midgard lies Jotunheim, the land of the giants. Throughout Norse legends, the giants and gods are often in conflict, but Asgard remains protected by Thor and his mighty hammer, Mjolnir.

The play was a wonderful culmination of the term's work and provided the children with an opportunity to bring the rich stories of Norse mythology to life.

Japanese Excursion
Our Year 7 and 8 Japanese students enjoyed an excursion to Inakaya Japanese Restaurant in Belrose. The visit provided students with a wonderful opportunity to use their Japanese language skills and enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine like nigiri, tempura, edamame and sashimi. Some students demonstrated impressive chopstick skills while enjoying their meals. The excursion was a great success, offering a meaningful cultural experience and allowing students to connect their classroom learning with authentic Japanese customs and practices.

Spanish Excursion
On Friday 26th June, the Years 7 and 8 Spanish classes travelled to the lovely Lola Cocina in Crows Nest for an authentic experience of the traditional Spanish cuisine tapas. While practicing their Spanish, students shared delicious plates of patatas bravas, ensalada, croquetas, albondigas and empanadas, washed down with unsweetened, non-alcoholic sangria. At the end of our meal, many students had just decided to visit the bathroom when the waiters came up the stairs carrying plates of… churros! What a surprise. Suddenly the students raced back to their tables, all thoughts of the bathroom miraculously forgotten. Gracias Amelia and Rhoda for a wonderful afternoon!

German Excursion
Our Year 7 and 8 language students enjoyed a wonderful treat at the end of last term, with excursions to restaurants celebrating the cultures of the languages they are studying. Our German students travelled to the Munich Brauhaus in The Rocks, where they were welcomed with warm pretzels and refreshing drinks. They then enjoyed a traditional schnitzel for their main course, with some also choosing to sample Käsespätzle , Germany’s delicious answer to macaroni and cheese. To finish, they tucked into a Krapfen (a chocolate filled doughnut) served with ice cream and berry sauce. Adding to the festive atmosphere, the German teacher Elena and accompanying teachers Brendan and Emma, embraced the occasion by dressing in traditional Bavarian/Austrian attire of Dirndls and Lederhosen, making it a memorable cultural experience for everyone involved

In the final week of Y11, Music Captains Max and Angus represented Glenaeon at NSW Parliament House. Local MP Tim James hosted Willoughby School Leaders for a tour of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Chambers and presented students with certificates of appreciation. Angus and Max accepted these certificates on behalf of student leaders at Glenaeon.

As we begin Term 3, families may notice that parts of the Middle Cove Garden are looking quite different. Some areas are currently bare, with large sections covered by black plastic. While this may look a little uninviting, it marks an important stage in the regeneration of the garden and the learning that will take place for students throughout the term.This year, students in Classes 4–8 have been learning about invasive weeds and the role we all play in caring for the bushland that surrounds our school. Together we have investigated how weeds such as kikuyu, couch, nut grass, tradescantia, goat weed, cobbler’s pegs and wormwood spread through seeds, plant fragments, underground stems and roots, allowing them to move beyond our school grounds into Harold Reid Reserve.

One of the techniques we are using to naturally eradicate these persistent weeds is occultation, or black plastic tarping, where sections of the garden are temporarily covered to exclude light. Over time, the combination of darkness, warmth and moisture gradually kills the weed and depletes the seed bank beneath. Although this leaves parts of the garden looking bare for a time, it prepares the site for future planting and allows students to take part in the garden’s remediation process from the very beginning. This approach aligns with our commitment to organic gardening practices. To support this work, the garden teaching team sought advice from Willoughby City Council’s Bush Regeneration Team to ensure our approach reflects best practice for a garden bordering such significant bushland.

During the holidays, a large dead gum tree was also removed from the campus. Rather than sending the material off site, the school retained all of the woodchips, which will be used to mulch the garden once the occultation process is complete. This provides students with another practical example of circularity in action, where materials generated on site are returned to the landscape to build healthy soil and suppress weeds. The holidays have also brought some welcome progress, with the first stage of the drainage improvements now complete. Hopefully this means much less muddy gardening in the future!

There is plenty to look forward to this term as students begin a large-scale tree planting program and continue establishing a pollination corridor of native and productive plants to support our two native bee colonies, local butterflies, birds and other pollinators. Finally, a sincere thank you to all of the families who cared for our chickens over the holiday break. Your support ensured they remained happy and healthy. We are now collecting up to four eggs a day, which is very exciting, and we look forward to making use of their eggs in our Agriculture and Cooking programs.

Plastic Free July is a wonderful reminder that small, thoughtful choices can make a meaningful difference. Here are five of our favourite simple swaps that are kinder to both people and the planet:

Choose reusable drink bottles and lunchboxes:
Perfect for school or work lunches. We love stainless steel for its durability and longevity.

Ditch disposable coffee cups:
Coffee always tastes better in a beautiful reusable ceramic cup!

Get back to basics with natural bar soaps:
A simple swap for everyday handwashing and bathing, with no plastic packaging.

Choose natural materials for creativity:
Art materials made from real beeswax and pure wool nurture creativity while bringing the beauty of natural materials into children's hands.

Choose toys made from natural materials:
Handcrafted wooden and felt toys encourage imaginative play and become treasured favourites for years to come.

Explore more thoughtfully chosen plastic free alternatives online or pop into the shop for inspiration.

Term 3, 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.

Click below to read a letter from the Department of Education regarding the Census Privacy Collection.

Census Privacy Collection Notice

Glenaeon Year 7 HPV and dTpa Vaccination and Year 10 Meningococcal ACWY Vaccination Clinic with NSW Health nurses has been rescheduled to Tuesday, 28 July 2026 from 9am in Senior Library. If you wish to register your child for this clinic, please click here for information on how to give consent.

On the day, students with parental consent for this clinic will be advised by Guardians to go to Senior Library for approximately 30min including 20min post-vaccination observation.

Please note this communication is only for parents who wish to register their child for this NSW Health Clinic and please be assured that NO consent means NO vaccination .

If you wish for your child to receive the above vaccination, please read the attached information regarding the online vaccination consent process and register immediately online by visitng: https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage

Benefits of online consent for parents/carers:

- SMS notifications when vaccinations are given

- Easy updating of your child’s details online

- Faster upload of child’s vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

For parents who have registered online consent, on day of vaccination please ensure:

- Your child has breakfast

- Arrives at school by the 8:40am bell

- Is wearing short sleeve shirt (jumper or jacket can be removed)

- If your child is feeling unwell on day, please email absence@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au by 8am

- If your child is unable to attend on that day, NSW will automatically include as catch up at next vaccination clinic

If you have any further questions, please contact me direct on 9932 2302 or email m.millikin@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au and please see flyer here for more information.

Welcome to Term 3

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing holiday break!

The GPA Steering Committee elected at the AGM in June has scheduled meetings every month (during school terms) for the rest of this year. Our next meeting is on 30 July so we’ll have more to share in the next newsletter.

The Glenaeon Family Fair

A top priority for the GPA in Term 3 is the Glenaeon Family Fair, which will be held on Saturday, 14 November.

Planning is already well underway, and the GPA Steering Committee is working to support the 2026 Fair Coordinators, Mentor and Manager as they bring the event together.

A big thank you to Class 4 parents Sylvia, Amelia, Eva, Huw, Ben and Nick and to Aimee as Fair Manager, along with other members of the 2026 GPA Fair Committee, and the many parents and staff who have already volunteered.

The Fair takes a lot of work, and it is great to see many people already stepping in to help.

More to come

Over the coming weeks, there will be updates about the Fair and ways for parents and staff to get involved. Some roles are big, some are small, and all of them help.

Please keep an eye out for Fair news and consider where you might be able to lend a hand this year.

Huw Morris – GPA Chair
Glenaeon Parents Association (GPA)

GPA in GLO | Contact the GPA | GPA on website

About the session: From Rhythm to Resilience

This session will explore the importance of rhythm in the lives of young children and the ways in which it provides a foundation for healthy development. We will consider how daily, weekly and seasonal rhythms support learning, emotional wellbeing and, ultimately, resilience.

About the session: Growing and Changing Through Adolescence

This session will focus on this significant phase of adolescence, exploring the developmental changes that take place from Class 5 through to Year 8. We will consider practical ways to support emotional, social and physical growth while strengthening connection and understanding.

About our speaker

Melanie Deefholts has over 10 years' experience supporting parents and teachers through adult education across a range of school communities. She specialises in understanding child development through everyday life and offering practical ways to support children at home and school.

On Wednesday, 29 July, Melanie will also spend time with students in Class 4 to Year 8, guiding developmentally appropriate conversationsabout growing and changing, including changes during puberty.

If you have any questions ahead of the evening, please contact your child's Class Teacher or Guardian.

Beyond the sessions offered at Glenaeon, parents and carers are warmly invited to take part in the inspiring workshops and talks hosted by the Steiner Parent Education Initiative. Upcoming sessions are shared regularly in our Newsletter. As part of our ongoing commitment to meaningful parent engagement, Glenaeon parents and carers are able to attend these events free of charge .

All 2026 + 2027 Term dates for K-12, Preschool and Playgroups can be found on our website, click here .

Our Newsletter is published Week 1,3,5,7 and 9 in term time.
Please see our publishing schedule for exact dates.

Families and individuals are warmly invited to a hands-on day exploring biodynamic agriculture at Newcastle Waldorf School. Led by experienced educator and biodynamics practitioner Sandra Frain, the workshop covers soil preparations, PH-balancing fertilisers, and ways of working with the land to build healthier soil and produce - principles that can be applied to pots on a balcony through to a working farm.

Open to all ages and interest levels, the day runs from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

Come ready to get your hands dirty, learn something practical, and meet other families along the way.

$130 per family (incl. GST)

Book online here

News Update Issue 84 - Walter Burley Griffin Society