2012 Newsletter Term 3 Week 3 In winter’s depths is kindled nd › newsletters › ... · y Term...

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Term 3 Week 3Thursday 2nd August

Newsletter2012

Castlemaine Steiner SchoolPO Box 473 Castlemaine 3450Tel: (03) 5470 6235Fax: (03) 5470 6237

In winter’s depths is kindledTrue spirit-life with glowing warmth;

It gives to world appearance, Through forces of the heart, the power to be.

To the cold world man’s soul, grown strong,Can bid defiance by its inner fire.

From The Calendar of the Soul by Rudolf Steiner

Tonight Parent Evening – Kindergarten – 7.00pm.

Fri 3rd Aug Soiree - Class 5 @ 4.00.

Tue 14th August Class 7 & 8 - Shakespeare Workshop.

Tue 14th Aug Class Meeting – Class 7 - 7.30pm.

Fri 17th Aug Pupil Free Day – Curriculum Day.

Thur 23rd Aug Class Meeting – Class 4 – 7.30pm.

Mon 27th Aug Soiree Class 4 - @ 2.15.

Mon 3rd – Wed 5th Sept Class 4 – Kangaroobie.

Mon 10th Sept Soiree - Class 4 - @ 2.15.

Wed 12th September Class 7 & 8 Immunisation.

Thu 20th Sept Parent Teacher Interviews.

Mon 22nd Oct Soiree - Class 6 @ 2.15.

Wed 24th – Fri 26th Oct Class 3 - Tea Tree Gully.

Fri 26th Oct Soiree - Class 5 @ 4.00.

Mon 5th Nov Pupil Free Day – Report Writing Day.

Tue 6th Nov Melbourne Cup Day Holiday.

Sat 10th Nov Spring Fair.

Dates to Diary

2012 Term Dates:

Term 3: Tue 17th July – Wed 19th September

Term 4: Tue 9th October – Friday 14th December

General Office: [email protected]

School Facilitator: [email protected]

Financial Enquiries: [email protected]

Website: www.castlemainesteinerschool.com.au

Castlemaine Steiner School, PO Box 473 Castlemaine 3450Tel: (03) 5470 6235 Fax: (03) 5470 6237

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What a wonderful day we had, four seasons in one day! A sprinkle of rain then the beautiful sunshine came out to play and then some rain again…..I bet the washing machines were busy as we had a lot of happy but wet & muddy children.

A big thank you to Lisa for organizing the wonderful trees, tree guards and the entire day. Also thanks to Vicki, Peter, Hendrik, class teachers, children & to the parents who volunteered to come and help. Please take the time to have a look at all the wonderful new plants and trees around the school.

Firstly Class Seven worked with Class Two on the mounds outside prep. The soil here must be terrible as lots of plants have been planted here over the years and very few survive. One of the best survivors was the black anther flax lily so we put in a lot of them. We also planted golden wattle with the hope that they will fix enough nitrogen in the soil to improve it for future plants.


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Then Class Six took Class One behind Lyn’s cubby planting Old man’s Beard and Drooping sheoak

And Red Box

And Hop Bush


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Class Four worked hard behind the multipurpose room planting goodinia while Dagmar tended the fire cooking some potatoes they had grown.

Class Five worked in the heartlands, adding plants to a few gaps that had developed but mostly adding blue devils to the bed outside the admin building.


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“White Gums” in White Gums Rd..... our first two years of the kindergarten... housed in a mud-brick building on a beautiful ridge top in the hilly landscape of Barkers Creek. A labour of love in every detail: the pink curtains and pink geraniums planted, the low tables and beautifully crafted small chairs, the fence, the play area, the sand pit, the child-size outdoor toilet... all created by a tiny group of enthusiastic parents. There was no funding of any sort... even the teachers were not

paid... first Catherine, then Wendy with two year old Andrew in tow. Jacinta Onans one of our first kinder assistants.

At the end of the first year we had 11 children ready for Class One. Parents spent that summer preparing a beautiful class room in a generously offered house in Farnsworth St. Eleven, we’d been told, was the required number for a country school to open. Within days of opening, (the children had their lunch boxes packed!) we were informed by the authorities

that because Castlemaine was “a city” we would need not 11, but 20 children! Permission to open was refused and the drama which ensued is a whole other story. However the fortunate younger children, now Prep age, continued at White Gums for the 1989 school year and in 1990 the Castlemaine Steiner School started its life at the Penny School in Maldon.

Helen Seligman (foundation parent of the kinder and school). That mud brick building is on our hillside... now my studio.

21ST YEAR CELEBRATION STORIES

Our first teacher – Kathryn King with a circle of eager students – 18.02.1988.


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More of first day with Wendy Baker – Class Assistant.Backrow Parents: Lou Perryman & baby, Kate Harvey, Ana Lamaro, Pauline Murrel with Tim, Neil Barrett with Ella, Heather Barret.Front row students: ???, Eleanor Yarker, Sara Winchcomb, Thea Lamaro and Eli Perryman.

From Johanna

“White Gums” was our first beginnings, and like magic, was loaned to us by Helen and Lorrinder Seligman enabling us to establish an indwelling place in Castlemaine.

Perched high on a hill, in White Gums Road, Barkers Creek, it was being used as Helen’s studio come storage room. Helen attended her first meeting of the playgroup at Tess and Hilton’s place when a priority on our agenda and thoughts was “where will we plant ourselves”. Helen recalled that she was quite shocked when her offer for us to use her studio “came through her without any hesitation”. “White Gums” was perfect - a beautiful mudbrick

studio infused with pale light shining through simple stained glass windows. However there was much work to do before it would be ready to welcome the first group of eager souls for the beginning of the 1988 School year.

While we called ourselves a Kindergarten, the first group of students, led by Kathryn King, with Wendy Baker as the Assistant, were in their “Prep” year. Establishing ourselves as an identity was most important because back then we needed a guarantee of eleven enrolled students to ensure we would meet registration requirements – a minimum of eleven students and proven financial viability – by operating for three years without government assistance, before we

could officially receive registration and government support. As you can imagine ,like all pioneers, there was a lot of ground work in all fields – cultural, social and economic. In looking through old papers last night I discovered we even took out a loan – at 15% interest to cover some of those unavoidable costs. To meet all the schools expenses for three years ourselves certainly created a strong community spirit.

The enrolment list for the first Prep class was –

Janelle Pyne, Thea Lamaro, Heidi Barrett, Jirra Harvey-Bamblett, Zoe Murrell, Louella Nicol, Hamish O’Neil, Eli Peryman, Stephanie Rosier, Eleanor Yarker and Sara Winchcomb Gleeson.


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Electronic communication has been unreliable for the last week. Sorry if this has affected you.

FROM THE OFFICE DESK

On Monday 30th July Oz Opera visited our school. Classes 1 – 8 (and some staff) were thoroughly entertained and swept away to a land far far away.

OZ OPERA

The Giving TreeChildren and families are invited to bring a gift of non-perishable food to place under the tree as they come into assembly, or a small handmade plaything (i.e. pom pom) to hang on the empty branches.

The Giving Tree will be in the multipurpose room for the next few weeks.

All contributions will go to local families in need through the Salvation Army.

Thank you for your support.

From Arabella, Parents & Friends & The College of Teachers


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Watch out, watch out

Jack Frost is about.

We have had some frosty starts but also enjoying the beautiful sunny days that follow.

Parents special evening in the Kindergarten tonight (Thursday) 7pm to explore the Temperaments in a fun way with Rob.

See you there.

Love Helen.

KINDERGARTEN NEWS

Meiow, meiow, meiow,

I really don’t know how,

I’ll ever warm my chilly toes,

In winter how the cold wind blows…..

The term is moving along and all our new families have settled into the playgroup rhythm. King Winter and Jack Frost continue to reign over our chilly nights and early mornings but Lady Spring is beginning to tip-toe over the earth. Outside our bulbs have

sprouted green shoots and the children have been carefully sprinkling fairy dust over them to help them grow. Our jonquils have been gracing our morning tea table with their orange and yellow colour and filling the room with their joyful, happy scent. We listen to the longer songs of birds as we water the buds swelling on our trees. The afternoon sun is warming.

We have been crafting woollen dollies and polishing our wooden

toys and blocks. Our nature story tells of a lonely cat who had nowhere to go on a cold winters night until a kind little girl befriends him and shares her home and fire.

May we always remember the unconditional love that our animal friends give us. The importance of kindness, compassion and love for our animal folk can never be overstated.

Love Tania Chafffey

PLAYGROUP NEWS

We are the little gnomes,

We live in earthy homes.

We trip and trap along the tracks,

With gold and silver in our sacks!

We have had many busy little gnomes, digging in the dirt, the sand and making fairy houses this term. The sandpit has been transformed into a fairytale landscape of meandering streams and castles. This has required much planning and co-operation.

I hope you are finding time to read Nancy Forster’s “questions and answers” about Steiner Early Childhood Education, on the Prep noticeboard. So far, we have

covered Fairytales, “Fold stories” and Puppetry. Our next question will be about “Gun Play”.

I will be available for parent-teacher meetings in the morning of Friday 10th August. If you have anything you would like to discuss please put your name on the list on the noticeboard. This is optional.

Thank you to those parents who attended our class meeting. I always value the opportunity to get together.

Also, thank you to Ellie for looking after the children whilst I was away this week.

Love Heather

PREP NEWS


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Thank you to everyone who came to our class meeting, I hope it was helpful. I’m sure you’d agree that simply the opportunity to have all the parents together socially makes it well worthwhile. Thanks especially to co-carer Kathryn Hall for writing up and sending out notes for those who couldn’t make it, not to mention setting up chairs for me and bringing chocolate! I really appreciate it, Kathryn.

Class Two were thrilled to watch Monday’s performance of the Magic Flute – I hope we can repeat the opera experience every year.

We are coming to the end of the story of the King of Ireland’s Son and will soon begin a new main lesson. The children are growing in confidence every day as they compose and write their own sentences into their main lesson books. To improve our handwriting and in preparation for cursive script we are practicing lots of ‘running patterns’, and the children were very excited to begin working in new handwriting books. I remember myself how satisfying patterns and handwriting could be.

Take CareJacob

CLASS TWO NEWS

CLASS THREE NEWS

What a wonderful time we had at the “Magic Flute” performance the other day! We also delighted in tree planting and covering ourselves with mud last Friday. Both occasions were very satisfying and well suited to an enthusiastic and energetic class 3!

In our main lessons we are now approaching the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. There are lots of adventures ahead. Some of us could still do with warm inside shoes/slippers and spare clothes are essential.

Cheers Anne

CLASS FIVE NEWS

Many apologies for no communication on in the last Penny – it is in cyberspace somewhere!

We have begun with great enthusiasm and have been working with grammar as we complete “Who was Gilgamesh!?” from our wonderful excursion to the Ancient Mesopotamian exhibition on the last day of last term. And now we journey to the Gift of the Nile – Ancient Egypt.

Reminder: Soiree Friday 4th August. 3.30 afternoon tea 4pm begin. Newsletter out at end of week.

Warm wishes Lyn

We are fully immersed in our main lesson about the Human Being and the Animal Kingdom, noticing specialisation of particular abilities in animals and how we as humans have through thought and initiative, compensated for our lack of abilities.

Yesterday we said goodbye to Claire & Juliette who are first going for an overseas holiday and on their return will join another school. We wish them all the best for the future.

Take care during this cold weather.

Dagmar.

CLASS FOUR NEWS


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CLASS SIX NEWS

Thank you to the parents able to attend our class meeting last night. It was a privilege to meet you and to show you the work of student’s from the Roman History Lesson and the current Main Lesson on Geometry of the Circle. Signs of spring are emerging and we are poised for new growth inwardly and outwardly. Planning is underway for an excursion and class play this term as well as building and landscaping projects around the pizza oven.

Best wishes and thanks,John

CLASS SEVEN NEWS

It was a bit like being back on the Camino again, last Saturday. What a lovely evening it was! Thank you for all the support, the soup and the cakes.

We have made a start with a new main lesson. It’s called Human Health and we’ll be discussing body systems. The students are given questions or research topics to take home. Please have a chat, look over their shoulders when they are googling Hippocrates etc.

Our class meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 14th August at 7.30.

Love Rob

CRAFT NEWS

Hello all. All of the classes have started this term strongly. Just a reminder to class one families could your child please bring to school a plain coloured pillow case or cloth bag if one hasn’t already been brought? This will be used to hold knitting and other craft projects. Thank you.

CRAFT GROUP

Hello fellow crafters,Our felted jumper slippers workshop went very well. Kathryn and I managed to make a lovely red pair each. They were very simple to make – very attractive and snuggly warm on our little ones’ feet. We do have a pattern, so if anyone would

like one please come and see us on a Monday after assembly.

More old woolly knitted jumpers that you no longer want or feel are too old, would be greatly appreciated. Op shop finds are becoming scarce. The jumpers need to be 100% wool but they can be quite tattered and worn. We

would love to make an old favourite knit into some lovely slippers for the fair.

Our wool dying afternoon will be re-scheduled soon. A date will be confirmed in the next Penny.

Meanwhile happy creating Kathryn, Anita & Rose.

MUSIC NEWSGondwana Choirs – Applications are now open to join Gondwana Choirs – Australia’s national choral organisation in 2013!

Under the direction of internationally renowned Artistic and Founder, Lyn Williams OAM, Gondwana Choirs continues to foster the future of Australia choral music. Our two week

intensive National Choral School in January brings together young musicians from across Australia to form our four national choirs.

More details: www.gondwanachoirs.com.au or email [email protected]

Applications close Friday 17th August, 2012


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ART NEWS

Class 7 has started this term working in the portable/craft room. It is a light and airy space with everything we need in our room. The children have been exploring the tonal qualities of charcoal, using tone to create depth in a pictorial space. The body of work has a very lunar feel to it. We are all working well.

Class 8 have almost finished their coloured Renaissance portraits, much to their delight. It was a very challenging project with many signs of despair during the classes. You will be amazing what has been created out of this battling experience. All works will be displayed at the Spring Fair Art Show. If you can’t wait until then, come in and a take a peek.

Cheers Chris

SCHOOL NEWS

Site and Grounds Assistant.New Position – 0.4EFT part time, permanent.

Join a thriving school and become a member of this vibrant school community.

Site and Grounds Assistant with a variety of duties, position is permanent part-time, three days per week 10:00am to 3:34pm daily.

For a copy of the position description with details of duties, salary and conditions please contact:

[email protected] Or phone 5470 6235.

Applicants MUST address the selection criteria in the position description and provide the names of at least two referees.

Send applications to:

Site ManagerCastlemaine Steiner School and KindergartenPO Box 473Castlemaine Vic 3450

or

[email protected]

Applications close: 5pm, Friday 10th August 2012

Jenni & Annemarie. We wish you both a very Happy Birthday.


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SPRING FAIR

Saturday 10th November, 2012

Spring will soon be in the Air … which means it is time to think Spring Fair!

Wow! what a lovely surprise to have not one, not 2, but three coordinators this year for Spring Fair. Lisa Hall, Nikki Valentini and Deb Taylor with Barb Stanley joining them on the working group for Spring Fair organization.

With a little sunshine and the sense of some renewed energy, things often need a spring clean and that’s exactly what our thoughts are regarding spring fair. Time to look at what we are all inspired by, what we feel compelled to be involved in. Therefore we are open to new ideas. For example did you know that icy poles have a lot to do with the ongoing success of our school? Interested in making or running an icy pole store at this Spring Fair? Let us know and we will unravel the importance of icy poles and the Castlemaine Steiner School. If you have an idea or want to get an activity off the ground then let us know. Drop a note in the box in the office or email us at [email protected] We need these by Mon 13thAugust.

Also we need your feedback on activities so we can send out your nomination forms for Spring Fair in the forth coming weeks. For new parents to the school, let me quickly describe how spring fair works. In the next few weeks a form will be sent home with your child listing all the activities we will have at Spring Fair. You can do one of 2 things

A You can choose to be on a working group: this will mean that you have the time and energy to commit to bring this activity into fruition on fair day – we will provide you with help regarding organization etc.

B. You may just wish to be rostered on the day of the Fair

Of course Spring Fair is run in a democratic way, you have the right to vote for whichever activity inspires you, but like the democracy we live in …. you must vote!

There have already been great offers from parents wanting to be part of working groups. Barb Stanley offering to be part of the ‘Spring Fair’ working group as an example. Jane Dimsey has thrown

her hat in the ring to be part of the working group for the children’s tent- we will have some more details for children’s tent - in the coming weeks.

Of course there is the fabulous craft group which has been so beautifully held by Felicity Lookwood in the past few years – deepest gratitude Felicity for all your wonderful work in inspiring others and creating a space to allow this group to not only continue , but also to grow. Craft meets every Monday after assembly in the parent’s room. If you have a moment or a Monday morning free, try joining Kathryn, Rose or Anita in the parent’s room after assembly. You will find it a great place to share creative ideas and skills. If you would like to know more about the craft group you can contact Katherine Hall on 0410 719 451.

Any questions regarding spring fair please send an email to:

[email protected] or ring Deb on 0414 814 993 , Lisa 0488 102 191 or Nikki on 0407 715 557.


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SCHOOL SUN SPIRAL

Are there any willing helpers to wash and sort pebbles into sizes either after morning drop off or before afternoon pickup? Anytime (even half an hour) that could be contributed would be wonderful. Just make sure to ring Vanessa on 0401 183 052 to co-ordinate times.

Immunisation Dates Class 7 & 8

12th September

Dental Care for Prep Students – Dental Clinic Maryborough

Tuesday 25th September & Tuesday 2nd October. Please phone to make a dental

appointment for your prep school age child. Phone: 54 610 388.

Fees – Child with a current pension/concession or health care card = freeChild without a concession card = $30.00 fee covers all routine care.

Monday – Friday 8.30am – 4.15pm.

HEALTH MATTERS

SCHOOL CLEANER WANTEDDue to illness we currently have a short term casual vacancy to assist our current cleaner’s. Can you help Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday after school (approx. 2hrs) and Friday after school (approx. 3hrs). Please call Peter at school on 54 706235.

Community Classifieds* The content of the following notices does not necessarily reflect the views of the Castlemaine Steiner School and Kindergarten.


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For Sale – Viola Viola 7/8 lovely sound, easy to play, quality strings, chin rest for correct position, excellent bow $600. Phone 54 734 306.

Free – Guinea Pigs We are considerably outnumbered by guinea pigs and want to share the joy! Lots of babies and some adults. Free to good home. Kate 0412 576 416.

BooktalksCastlemaine Library is hosting info talks for parents of Middle Grade (9-13 yrs) and Young Adults (13-18 yrs) readers.

Thursday 2nd August 7pm – “From Spiderwick to Steampunk: What’s next for Middle Grade Readers”

Thursday 9th August 7pm – “Help Me with the Hunger Games! Young Adult Books Explained”.

Also for teenagers:

Wednesday 15th August – “The Writing on the Wall: YA Books for YA’s”

For more information and bookings please contact the Castlemaine Library on 54 721 458.

Mid-Winter Fun Day Celebrating Community ResilienceFREE HOT LUNCH - Campbells Creek Community Centre. SATURDAY 11th August Noon til 4pm. Music & Fun for all ages. SES Sandbagging

Demonstrations. CFA Fire Ready Information.

RSVPs for catering appreciated to Kate Clifford 5471 1700

Spring Music in the country - Friday 24-26th August 2012 Malmsbury & Taradale Taradale is teaming up with Malmsbury to present another fine festival - Spring Music 2012. Taradale resident Marco Van Pagee, founder and Music Director, encourages all to come along to performances both towns. “There’s classical, orchestral, operatic, jazz and world music, all presented over one weekend - August 24-26.

Artists include some of Australia’s finest: Tony Gould jazz pianist, actor John Stanton, chamber group Ensemble Liaison. There are also master classes in string and wind/brass which is a great opportunity for aspiring musicians. As well, local young musicians will have the opportunity to join the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School orchestra for a performance.

Bookings essential – tickets from The Capital on 5434 6100 or www.thecapital.com.au Program inquiries/info www.springmusic.org or 0405 231 303.

FOR SALE - CouchComfortable three-seater couch, dark red velvet fabric, in good condition. $100. Phone 0421 909 835.

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