School Newsletter

As Term 4 draws to a close, Little Kindy have formed some good friendships. Kindergarten teacher Julie Torrisi has facilitated a warm and caring atmosphere that the children enjoy greatly. Here they are outside, playing in the sandpit area.

Big Kindy dug their potatoes out with the help of a Year 10 Work Experience student who visited for the week. They dug out many, many potatoes from the bags and then used the wheelbarrows to take the soil to a garden bed.

Class One presented their morning circle with Class teacher Lucy Armstrong to parents, showing the Maths Times Tables, bean bag co-ordination games, rhymes and rhythms they have been learning. Following this, they played recorder, before singing a song with actions written about their first year in Class One. It was a moving and memorable song as they begin the transition to Class Two.

Fruit sticks come in many flavours, colours and shapes, and have been this year's favourite birthday treat in Class one. As each child's birthday is celebrated, they bring in their favourite fruit sticks to share with the class and other teachers.

Alice in Wonderland' was indeed wonderful! Class 6 celebrated their final primary year with an impressive play 'in the round' on the oval. With the audience in the centre, they moved between 5 scenes around the oval, and were taken down the rabbit hole with Alice into the crazy and quirky land of the Duchess, the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, Lobster Quadrille and and an illogical jury! Well done Class 6 - it was truly a sight to behold and a delight to experience. They will farewell their Class Teacher Rodney Dean this year, who has carried the class from Class One through to 6. Their last week together includes a full day excursion and a special catered dinner with parents on the illuminated deck of the Gentle Cafe at night. 

Thank you to the Glenaeon families generously who hosted out Japanese students for a week whilst they visited Glenaeon and Sydney for a language and cultural program. They travel from Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan. They study English in the morning at Glenaeon, and join classroom lessons and excursion in the afternoons. Staying with our school families allows them to experience Australian hospitality and a family life during their stay. 

Class 5 performed their play 'Theseus and the Minotaur' in their playground amphitheatre at dusk on Friday November 29. It was a rich tale about courageous Theseus seeking his father's home and freeing Athens from the 'Monster of Crete'. Mt Olympus was filled with Gods, temples, music and song, as Theseus killed his enemies and the Minotaur, finding his true love Ariadne.

Congratulations to the Glenaeon chess team, consisting of Year 6 students, Sam Street, Henry Eager-Sommer and Luca Stevanovic who had a rewarding, interesting and enjoyable day meeting other school students across the chess board at Castle Cove Public School last Wednesday.

There were 36 teams present from different schools in the local Council area and all students enthusiastically practised their chess skills and etiquette, further developing their chess abilities. The Glenaeon team played studiously in the friendly, warm and convivial atmosphere of the tournament, to achieve greater skill in many areas including power of concentration, strategic planning and deepening of their overall thinking processes.

Sam, who has participated in the tournament for 2 years running, had an outstanding result, winning all his games except for  two which were a draw. Henry and Luca participated for the first time in the tournament and had excellent results  with a mixture of wins, losses and draws.

Teachers,  Lynne Collett and David Cordiner who were present, convene chess clubs in the primary (Years 4 – 6) and highschool of Glenaeon during the course of the year.

Year 8 held their Shakespeare Festival last week, showcasing three of the great Bard’s famous plays: Henry V, The Taming of the Shrew and The Tempest.  The class studied Elizabethan England and the world of Shakespeare earlier in the year in their main lesson and the production was a wonderful opportunity to see the rich stories, language and characters come to life

A warm and delicious delicious thank you goes out to our very own Gentle Cafe owner, Sharon Dirken and her team, for their outstanding effort rand service required to nourish our students and staff, also giving parents a break from making lunches! The Humming Cafe (Mon/Tue) lunches are available next week, as well as the school canteen operates at the Middle Cove campus for Years 3-12 Wed - Fri. You can  see the menu below and also find the menus on the School Stream app. 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. Humming Café  is at Shop 4, 217 Eastern Valley Way, Middle Cove 2068 (02) 8959 4641. 

There was an explosion of colour in the garden before the storm as the sunflowers have come life! The composting systems at Glenaeon are extensive, allowing for a huge amount of our own paper waste and compostables to break down into healthy fertilizer for our gardens. When we see our sunflowers bloom so heartily, the sun shines, regardless of the sky!
WAYS TO SAVE WATER :  Water or juice to drink? It takes a lot of water to make juice - 200 litres to make just one glass of orange juice.

Dear Glenaeon Community,

We are so grateful for the phenomenal support we have received from the community of Glenaeon over the past six weeks. We really don’t have appropriate words to express our deep gratitude for all the kindness we have been shown. Since Theodore’s passing we have become aware of the many extraordinary people who make up our community and in our pain we have felt nourished and cared for physically, mentally and spiritually. 

Thank you so much and we wish you all a beautiful Christmas-tide and New Year. 

Love, 

Liza, Christian and Bethan

This week's Blackboard beauty was drawn by Class 6 teacher Rodney Dean, for their School Play 'Alice In Wonderland'.

Year 10 Outdoor Education - Tasmania
Wed, 27 November, 08:30 – Sat, 7 December, 16:30

Carol Service
Mon, 2 December, 18:30 – 20:30

Glenaeon School Tours & Enrolment Events
Please contact our registrar if you would like to visit the school during school holiday time. Interested families are invited to call our Registrar Chandra Kennedy to make an appointment, including current parents who might like to see what’s ahead for their child/ren or please do mention this to friends who may be looking out for a new school. Bookings can be made via  https://enquiry.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/events

MIDDLE COVE CAMPUS (CLASSES 3 – 12)
By appointment for the remainder of the school holidays - please call Registrar
Middle Cove Campus (Class 3- Year 12) - 27 February 2020

CASTLECRAG CAMPUS (CLASSES K-2)
By appointment for the remainder of the school holidays - please call Registrar or
Castlecrag Campus (Kindergarten - Class 2) - 13 February 2020  9:30am - 11:30am

PRESCHOOL CAMPUS
Willoughby Preschool Tour
By appointment for the remainder of the school holidays - please call Registrar or 
Preschool Willoughby Campus 9:30am - 11:30am

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

We are currently finalising enrolments for the last few available places at Preschool and Little Kindy for 2020.  If you, or if you know of anyone else who would like to submit an application or find out any further information, please contact us on:

Preschool Enquiries: Phone Admin on : 02 9412 4457 or admin@glenaeonpreschool.nsw.edu.au  

Little Kindy Enquiries : Glenaeon Enrolments Registrar Chandra Kennedy on 02 9932 2325 or enrolments@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au

Complimentary gift wrapping and and fruity mince tarts during the last week of term! Pop in and buy  wholesome, quality Christmas gifts. Mention it to family and friends, they are welcome too, so they can easily find appropriate gifts. See below for extended hours next week. Extra open times before Christmas on Saturday 14 December from 10am–12pm and Tuesday 17 December from 6–8pm. The store will then be closed for the holidays and reopen on Wednesday 29 January. Thank you very much for your support this year. A portion of all sales has gone to support Glenaeon. Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday! With thanks, Felicity 0416 035 173

OPEN ON THE CASTLECRAG CAMPUS DURING TERM TIMES, AND THE FOLLOWING EXTENDED CHRISTMAS HOURS:

Mon 2nd: 8:45 - 9:30AM

Tue 3rd: 8:45 - 12:00 AND 2:30 - 3:15pm

Wed 4th : 8:45 - 3:15pm

Thur 5th : 8:30 - 11:30 & 2:30 - 3:15pm

Fri 6th : 8:30 - 10:00 & 2:30 - 4:00pm

EXTRA CHRISTMAS HOURS:

Saturday 14 December from 10am–12pm

Tuesday 17 December from 6–8pm

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Wildlife carers will have been inundated since the fires with animals needing rescuing. Are you able to help by sewing or knitting a warm pouch for them? Mary at Castlecrag has the patterns on the front desk area and the details of the project can be found here:https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-14/small-sewn-items-make-big-difference-to-animals-injured-in-bush/11703996 .

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Parents who have an interest in putting themselves forward as potential future director candidates for the Glenaeon School Council, are invited to contact the Nominations and Governance Committee.

The Glenaeon School Council is the governing body of the School and currently comprises 9  Councillors who act in the capacity of Company Directors. The Council is currently seeking potential future director candidates with skills and experience in one or more of the following areas: 

    • Building/ Architecture/ Planning

    • Law/ Corporate Governance

    • Information & Communications Technology

    • Steiner Education 

    • Strategic Marketing

Expressions of interest should include a detailed resume, an outline of relevant skills and experience and a description of how these would contribute to the effectiveness of the Council. 

While the Council is looking to add to its pool of potential candidates, there is no obligation for Council to fill all currently vacant positions. Selection and nomination is generally a long-range process that is dependent upon the right mix of skills fitting with Council’s existing or future composition. 

Thank you for your interest,

Stephanie Graham

Chair, Nominations and Governance Sub-Committee, Glenaeon School Council

Email: Board@Glenaeon.nsw.edu.au 

Dear Glenaeon community,

After many years working with Steiner Early Childhood, 24 years ago Glenaeon (initiated by Leony Rowan) offered me the position of Early Childhood Coordinator. This would encompass setting up playgroups, establishing a preschool, coordinating parent education programs, giving talks and workshops, helping set up playgroups and family daycare groups in the area and mentoring teachers who would take up this task. It also included teaching at Parsifal College (now Rudolf Steiner College) with the course "Journey into the world of young children”, initiated together with Susan Harris. 

While I was wondering if I could live up to the task ahead, and struggling with making a decision, one night I had a dream. In this dream I painted a picture of the madonna and her child. We all stood around this wonderful image in awe and wonder - I knew that my hand was guided by a higher destiny force. 

So my journey at Glenaeon began. Since then, I have met - in every parent - the qualities of the madonna guiding their child with care and love into life on earth. In every young one I have found the qualities of the divine child : radiance, trust, openness and courage to step into their life's path.

I also started the Parents' Library "Well of Wisdom" at Castlecrag as well as the little shelf shop, tucked into a cupboard (now the thriving Eco Store), the parent education program, craft and study groups and the very first playgroup held in the bushland of Castlecrag.

Teachers will be performing the Shepherds Play, one of the Oberufer Christmas Plays traditionally performed by teachers in Steiner Schools all over the world. We would love to see as many Glenaeon community members there as possible, to make it a celebratory experience of the Christmas festival that parents, students and teachers can enjoy together.

The Shepherds Play has been performed every year since the late 1950s, when the school began as a kindergarten in Pymble called Dalcross. At Glenaeon we see it as a gift from the teachers to the children, the school community and anyone else who would like to attend.

Venue: Sylvia Brose Hall, Middle Cove Campus, Glenaeon School, 5a Glenroy Ave, Middle Cove. Thursday December 5m 7pm
NO CHARGE.

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

The Number 3

In Rudolf Steiner education and philosophy the number 3 has a prominent place. The Early Childhood Intensive was a real experience of three-folding as the timetable was designed to demonstrate breathing and rhythm, which are integral to a program for little ones. We began with a lecture in the morning, followed by a workshop and concluded with artistic activities.

Our Intensives for our Distance students are essential for making real connections with the Steiner community and save our courses from being dry theory all through a computer. In Early Childhood, the modelling that teachers do for the children can only be truly understood with a ‘real life’ model as an exemplum. So, students come away from our Intensives enriched and nurtured with the human contact through our wise, passionate and experienced tutors.

Highlights of the week of many and varied sessions included nutrition and biodynamics, a study of biographical rhythms, celebrating festivals, craft and much more.

So, come and join us in 2020, in our Foundations of Early Childhood Distance Course (EC05)!

Dear Glenaeon community, 

I have recently set up my pottery studio in Willoughby and I have some short courses for adults and teenagers, starting from next week. I will also do a weekend workshop, dedicated to making ‘Scribbly Vases’ - similar to what I recently exhibited at the Glenaeon Art Show. 

For more information, please visit my website www.wheelfulness.com.au

Kind Regards, 

Bettina Stevanovic (Class 6 parent)

Email: bettina@wheelfulness.com.au

Phone:0408284840

In 2020 we warmly welcome Glenaeon parents and carers to attend the Follow the Journey - Foundations in Rudolf Steiner Education Seminars. If you have children attending a Steiner school and you would like to deepen your understanding of Anthroposophy, the Steiner curriculum, child development and more, this is the course for you!

There is also the option to enjoy the creative arts and learn more about the artistic practices your children experience, whether it's music, creative speech or art.

Are you about to finish school and want to live and travel in Europe next year? Do you like kids? This opportunity may be for you:

A lovely German family is looking for an au pair for 6-12 months starting February 2020. They live in Cologne Germany a vibrant, beautiful city with plenty of things to do. They have one 3 year old boy and are about to give birth to twin girls. The job will be mainly looking after their son.

JOB

• Au pair to 3 year old boy but also supporting the mother with her twin girls

• The job consists of looking after the child, bringing him/picking him up from kindergarten as well as taking him to afternoon clubs (music and sport). It also entails getting him ready in the morning (getting him dressed, brushing teeth etc) and eating breakfast with him

• Cooking basic recipes and basic house work (e.g. cleaning the kitchen) is also required as well as doing some shopping

Next week we celebrate our end of year by coming together as a community for a non-denominational festival of the season, next Monday December 2nd in the Pitt Street Uniting Church in the city. Our Carol Service involves every student from Class 4 to Year 11 (though missing Year 10 who will be in Tasmania, and of course Year 12, some of whom are in Nepal on a service and rafting trip). There is an important role to play for every student who we expect to attend in full school uniform. Students should arrive by 6.15 pm at the latest, for a 6.30 pm start. I am sure the service will send you home uplifted by the music and the spirit of the evening.