The Drum
Creativity and the Whole Child
Creativity and the Whole Child
The fourth and final part of a series based on findings from the 2025 Waldorf UK research paper, ‘Cultivating the skills and dispositions for young people to flourish in life’.
Over the past three Newsletters, I have explored three of the core pedagogical approaches highlighted in the Waldorf UK research paper: experiential learning, interdisciplinary learning, and play. Each of these reflects a way in which Steiner education works with the developing child through experience, connection, and imagination.
In this final piece, I turn to the fourth and perhaps most all-encompassing approach:
creative education
.
While creativity is often associated with the arts, the research invites us to understand it more broadly. Creative education is not simply about producing artwork or performance, but about how children think, engage, and come to know the world. It is about imagination, curiosity, persistence, and the ability to shape ideas into meaningful expression.
Importantly, the paper distinguishes between two perspectives. In much of contemporary education, creativity is framed as a set of skills to be explicitly taught. For example, problem-solving, innovation, and divergent thinking. In Steiner education, however, creativity is understood less as a discrete outcome and more as a way of being: something that emerges when learning engages the whole child - head, heart, and hands.
This distinction is significant. It shifts the focus from teaching creativity as a competency to cultivating creative dispositions through experience. When children create their own Main Lesson books, take part in music and movement, engage in handcraft, or enter deeply into a story, they are not only learning content; they are developing imagination, aesthetic sensitivity, discipline, and a sense of personal meaning.
The research suggests that such approaches are associated with a range of important outcomes. Creative education has been linked with increased engagement, improved problem-solving, greater persistence, and enhanced wellbeing. Children who are encouraged to think creatively are often more willing to take risks, explore ideas, and remain engaged in the learning process, even when challenges arise.
At the same time, the authors offer an important note of balance. Creativity does not stand apart from knowledge. On the contrary, it is strengthened by it. Deep understanding within subjects provides the foundation from which creative thinking can flourish. As with the other pedagogies explored in this series, the question is not one of choosing between approaches, but of holding them thoughtfully together.
At Glenaeon, this final aspect of the research brings the whole picture into focus. Across experiential learning, interdisciplinary learning, play, and creative education, a consistent theme emerges: education is most powerful when it engages the whole human being.
These approaches are not separate strands, but deeply interwoven. Creative work grows out of rich experiences. Play fosters imagination that later becomes creative thinking. Interdisciplinary learning provides the context in which creativity can be applied meaningfully. Together, they form a coherent approach to learning that is both deeply human and strongly aligned with what contemporary research tells us about how children learn best, and indeed, how Rudolf Steiner encouraged through his developmental picture.
The report concludes with a reminder that feels especially relevant in our current moment. In a world that is complex and rapidly changing, education must do more than transmit knowledge. It must help young people become adaptable, thoughtful, and capable of engaging meaningfully with the world.
For us, this is both affirmation and invitation. It affirms that the work of the teacher—so often expressed through story, craft, music, movement, and sustained inquiry—is not only valuable, but deeply relevant. It also invites us to continue reflecting on how we hold these approaches with clarity, balance and intention for today’s young people. For, as is so often the case, if we wish the strengths of this education to endure, we must be willing to adapt, to refine, and to keep asking a simple but essential question:
does this learning best serve our students?
As we conclude this series, I hope it has offered a window into the depth and coherence of Steiner education, as well as the growing body of research that supports it. Most importantly, I hope it has helped articulate something we see every day in our classrooms: that when children are engaged as whole human beings, learning becomes not only more effective, but more meaningful.
Enjoy the long weekend ahead. I look forward to seeing Year 10, 11 and 12 students and their parents at our inaugural GlenX Stories Alumni and Careers Evening next Tuesday, from 5pm -7pm, in the Sylvia Brose Hall.
You can read more and
register your attendance here
.
Diana Drummond
Head of School
Upcoming Glenaeon Events
GlenX Stories: Life After Glenaeon - NEXT WEEK
GlenX Stories: Life After Glenaeon - NEXT WEEK
Midwinter Party 2026
Midwinter Party 2026
Last Chance Tickets - final day to book Tuesday 9 June!
Looking forward to seeing you next weekend!
For more information about accessing the Silent Auction via AirAuctioneer, go to the GPA section below .
Glenaeon's Midwinter Spiral - Community Event
Glenaeon's Midwinter Spiral - Community Event
GlenX Alumni Reunion 2026
GlenX Alumni Reunion 2026
School Tours
School Tours
High School Small Group Tour with Head of Drama
Date:
Tuesday 16 June 2026
Time:
9:15am - 10:00am
Location:
5A Glenroy Ave, Middle Cove NSW 2068
We invite families to join a small group tour of our High School, led by our Registrar and Head of Drama, Dave Gleeson . Enjoy a guided walk through the campus and time for conversation to learn more about our High School curriculum, Steiner philosophy as well as our Music and Drama program. We look forward to welcoming you.
Registration: Book Now
Preschool Willoughby Campus Tour
Date:
Tuesday 16 June 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: Book Now
High School Small Group Tour with Head of PDHPE
Date:
Thursday 18 June 2026
Time:
9:15am - 10:00am
Location:
5A Glenroy Ave, Middle Cove NSW 2068
We invite families to join a small group tour of our High School, led by our Registrar and Head of PDHPE, Adrian Carter . Enjoy a guided walk through the campus and time for conversation to learn more about our High School curriculum, Steiner philosophy, as well as our Co-curricular and Sports program. We look forward to welcoming you.
Registration: Book Now
School News
Vale Chie Iwasaki
Vale Chie Iwasaki
We are sharing the sad news that Chie Iwasaki passed away on Wednesday, 27 May following a long-term illness. We remember Chie as a much-loved teacher of Japanese at our Castlecrag campus, as well as teaching Year 7 at Middle Cove. Chie was a valued member of our community for many years, and her care and dedication to her students left a lasting impact. Prior to 2016, Chie had been teaching part time at Glenaeon for many years, and her son Kohki was a student at the school from Kindergarten to Class 6.
Chie's memorial service will be held this Sunday 7 June at 2pm at Australia Shoshinkan, 516 Pacific Highway, Lane Cove. Please keep Chie and her family in your thoughts at this time.
Midwinter Spiral Volunteers Needed
Midwinter Spiral Volunteers Needed
Glenaeon Welcomes Japanese Students - Would You Like to Host?
Glenaeon Welcomes Japanese Students - Would You Like to Host?
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!
Glenaeon Preschool & Playgroups
Preschool - Apply Now
Preschool - Apply Now
Outdoor Picnics and Indoor Play
Outdoor Picnics and Indoor Play
Some Playgroup days bring us outside to picnic followed by sandpit play and fluffy chicken interactions. Other days we enjoy play inside. There is a lovely indoor play mood that happens when parents are seated with busy hands. We've started making Star Babies for parents to take home and share with their families.
Castlecrag News
Castlecrag Winter Festival
Castlecrag Winter Festival
Class 1 Discovers Big Numbers
Class 1 Discovers Big Numbers
Class 1 has been developing a sense for “big numbers” while exploring the patterns and relationships that live within mathematics. The focus has been on movement, rhythm, and hands-on experiences, allowing the children to build a strong foundation for understanding the four mathematical processes before they are introduced formally.
Many mornings were spent in the hall engaging in developmental movement activities. Movement and rhythm are closely connected to agility in mathematical thinking, and the children worked to strengthen coordination of their hands, fingers, and feet while developing the vertical and horizontal midlines through stepping, clapping, and rhythmic exercises. These activities support not only mathematical learning but also concentration, balance, and overall readiness for academic work.
Through imaginative stories featuring a variety of little creatures, the children experienced skip counting and number patterns in a lively and engaging way, laying the groundwork for future work with the times tables. They also created their first hundreds chart using sticks, watching it grow day by day as their understanding of number expanded. It has been wonderful to see the children's enthusiasm and confidence develop as they discover the beauty, order, and patterns within the world of mathematics.
Class 3 Crochets in Handwork Class
Class 3 Crochets in Handwork Class
Class 3 have continued their amazing crochet skills with Handwork teacher Meg Quinlisk. They are making a library bag for their school library books, beanies, hats and pillows! They have also begun learning about the wool cycle, and have been carding and hand-spinning wool from fleece. It's amazing to see the beautiful natural wool yarn created!
Middle Cove News
Class 4 - Year 7 Lantern Festival
Class 4 - Year 7 Lantern Festival
Year 7 + 8 Visit from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
Year 7 + 8 Visit from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
“One of the misconceptions or stereotypes that I find day to day is people think I’m incapable of doing daily tasks. It’s the barriers in society with a lack of accessibility that makes things challenging for us, rather than the disability,” says Lived Experience Presenter, Karlee.
This was one of the issues we aimed to tackle with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT’s Social Change Team through a presentation from Karlee and their Guide Dog, Isla about how we can advocate alongside the low vision and blind community.
Year 7 and Year 8 students learned about the difference between low vision and blindness, the various ways people navigate their communities and the tools they use to do this, including canes and Guide Dogs, Guide Dog access rights and etiquette, and the social model of disability and how that impacts individuals every day.
Openly talking about the stereotypes and misconceptions that people with low vision or blindness, including Guide Dog Handlers, face out in the community, helps break the barriers that limit people with disabilities.
Our students are tomorrow’s change makers, so learning about inclusion and advocacy for people who have low vision or blindness is crucial to strive towards a world in which everyone can participate equally.
To donate directly to the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Social Change team, click here . To keep informed about the issues facing people with low vision or blindness, join the Social Change community by clicking here . And to take the pledge and join our Inclusive Employment Campaign, click here .
Image description: 60 Year 7 and Year 8 students sitting down watching Karlee demonstrate her guide dog, Isla’s guiding capabilities at the front of the room.
Year 8 Revisits Pythagoras’ Theorem
Year 8 Revisits Pythagoras’ Theorem
I was reading the novel A Gentleman in Moscow recently, in which one of the characters relays an edict given by her mathematics tutor: “one should wrestle with mathematics as one wrestles with a bear”. Well, last week in Year 8 Mathematics, wrestle we did.
The students began by revisiting Pythagoras’ Theorem, the proof of which they had explored during the Year 7 Pythagoras Main Lesson. After some practice of the basics—namely finding the hypotenuse or the shorter legs of various right-angled triangles—it was time to step into the ring for some robust problem-solving.
The students grappled with finding unknown dimensions in a range of three-dimensional shapes such as cubes, cylinders and spheres, with the only hint being the possible involvement of a right-angled triangle or two. The sounds of fierce debate filled the classroom as students passionately explained, tested and defended their proposed methods of solution, and much banging on desks was heard. Mr Hemming, senior maths teacher and visiting guest to the class, filled the whiteboard with working and diagrams as he worked with students through a particularly confounding problem.
In the end, there was much satisfaction to be had as the students subdued their opponent and arrived at a correct solution. If you feel inclined to step into the ring yourself, why not try the problem below? Best of luck!
Emma Harrison
Year 8 Guardian and Teacher
ISD Cross Country Champions - 3 Years Undefeated!
ISD Cross Country Champions - 3 Years Undefeated!
Certainly the largest Glenaeon team competing in recent weeks was the Cross Country team at the ISD Cross Country Carnival at Centennial Park in Sydney. Nearly 40 volunteer athletes competed across a range of distances to win back the Jonas Stoebe Memorial Shield for the third year running. Sports captains Emily M. and Finn C. (Year 11) showed the way with great runs and spirited finishes, which inspired our younger runners. Our team was dominant, retaining the shield convincingly. Well done to all!
ISD Soccer Teamwork in Action
ISD Soccer Teamwork in Action
It’s been a busy term in the sports department and both Junior Boys and Girls football teams were on show in the ISD Junior Soccer tournament last week. Both teams played with great spirit and despite giving away size and experience to their opponents battled hard and played excellent football.
Junior Girls team battled hard against a very strong Amity College team in horrendous conditions and took a 1-0 lead into halftime after a Bodhi A. goal, but were run down in the second half to lose 2-1. The girls finished a great day with two wins and a loss and their emphatic 5-0 win in the placement game with goals from Clara B. (2), Bodhi A., Abby M. and Bella I., showed how improved they were as a team throughout the day.
Senior Boys Football team were also in action last week, taking on Al Zahra College and Unity College in the pool stages of the ISD Tournament. Our boys finished equal first in pool play after snatching a last minute draw after a penalty by Lenny T. and then having a convincing win where Ruben P. and Rumi P., brothers from Years 10 and 12 both scored vital goals in an enthralling game. Tied for a spot in the semifinals, unable to be separated by goal difference, our boys lost in a penalty shootout. Despite the heartbreak of missing finals in dramatic fashion, the boys put together a very convincing placement game, finishing off with a 3-0 win.
It was an emotional final carnival for some of our Year 12 students who have been constant and consistent enthusiastic participants in sports carnival across their High School time. A huge thank you to those students who have represented us so proudly over such a long time.
Taric and Enzo Take On Nationals
Taric and Enzo Take On Nationals
Glenaeon students Taric S. and Enzo MJ. proudly represented NSW at the Youth National Championships for Boulder and Lead in Ballina last week, competing against some of the top youth climbers from across Australia and New Zealand.
In bouldering, Taric delivered a strong performance in his first year in the U17 division, finishing 13th and just missing the finals. Enzo advanced to the final and placed 1st in Australia.
Both boys also competed strongly in Lead, with Taric finishing 11th and Enzo taking 2nd place in a highly competitive field.
Competing at National level is a significant achievement, and both Taric and Enzo are to be congratulated on their effort, skill and commitment. Enzo’s outstanding results have also earned him selection to represent Australia at the Youth World Championships in Arco, Italy, in July.
The Art of Fencing
The Art of Fencing
Glenaeon Fencers have been competing in the NSW Schools Fencing League Tournament. After weeks of competition on Saturday mornings they finished just outside the medals. Competing in the U19 division Angus M. (Year 11), Sean L. (Year 11) and Raphello ML. (Year 10) have excelled and their fourth placed finish is a true testament to their skill and dedication. Up against bigger, better resourced programs, our small team has truly competed at an exceptional level. Congratulations!
Front Desks
Grassroots Eco Store - Natural Remedies for Coughs, Colds and Congestion
Grassroots Eco Store - Natural Remedies for Coughs, Colds and Congestion
If coughs and colds have already hit your household this winter, our Southern Swan natural remedy range is freshly restocked and ready to help, made in small batches in Tasmania from organic and biodynamic ingredients.
The star of the season is
Eucalyptus / Plantago Comp Ointment
– a beautiful, natural chest rub that helps ease congestion, soothe sore throats, and relieve that tight, heavy feeling in your chest that comes with winter colds. Rub it on before bed and let it work gently overnight
A few others worth having on hand:
Arnica Ointment – For the aches and fatigue that come with being run down.
Calendula Ointment – Soothing for irritated or chapped skin during the constant nose-wiping season.
Hypericum Calendula Cream – Good for everyday cuts and grazes.
Qwenling Natural Insect Repellent
– A natural, Australian-made repellent worth packing before school bushwalks or family hikes, to protect against mosquito and tick bites.
And if you're looking to support the whole family through winter, the
Southern Swan Sphagni Body Oils
are worth exploring. These peat moss and plant oil emulsions are used as a protective moisturiser, creating a gentle barrier that helps the body withstand external influences and protects sensitive skin during the colder, drier months.
The full range is available
online
, or come in and try on the testers in-store.
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.
Glenaeon Parents Association (GPA)
Silent Auction at the Midwinter Party
Silent Auction at the Midwinter Party
The count down is on! Our annual Midwinter Party is next weekend!
We are thrilled to announce that our community is invited to view the online Silent Auction via AirAuctioneer that will go live around 12pm noon on 9 June
here.
You can view and bid on auction items before the night and if you sadly cannot attend, you will not miss out on bidding on a great prize!
A reminder, Glenaeon's Midwinter Party will be supporting the Key Projects for 2026 with the Silent Auction. If you would like to donate (an item, a service, a voucher or a holiday), please contact Sabine Simmonds:
sabinejsimmonds@gmail.com
0421 216 971
The Glenaeon Midwinter Party is proudly hosted by the parents of Year 7, and the Silent Auction by the parents of Year 9, on behalf of the Glenaeon Parents Association (GPA). All funds raised by the GPA are for the benefit of our students.
Parent Education
Social & Family Interactions for Children with Additional Needs
Social & Family Interactions for Children with Additional Needs
School Calendar
Community Noticeboard
Graduate Outcomes Research
Graduate Outcomes Research
Student Support Conference
Student Support Conference
Gardening and Cooking Workshops
Gardening and Cooking Workshops
Journey to the Crystal Mountain: And Other Adventures of Petra and Tim
Journey to the Crystal Mountain: And Other Adventures of Petra and Tim
Jazz at the Lounge - Willoughby City Council
Jazz at the Lounge - Willoughby City Council
Life Phases Online Course
Life Phases Online Course
