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Important Dates

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Cl 3 Narnu FarmCamp - returns 18 August 2021

This week...

Cl 3 Narnu Farm Camp returns

9am School Tour4pm School Tour

Cl 7 Camel Trek- returns 27 August 2021

6pm Cl 4 Play

PHONE

FAX

ADDRESS

08 8391 0411

08 8391 2386

27 Sims Road, Mount Baker, SA 5251

www.mtbarkerwaldorf.sa.edu.au

office@mtbarkerwaldorf.sa.edu.au

/mtbarkerwaldorfschool

WEB

EMAIL

FACEBOOK

Life seems to be tinged with the extraordinary at the moment and can lead us as adults to big questions and deep thoughts. But for the children at school, life is currently falling back into rhythm and presenting them with the normal Waldorf experiences which fill their years at our school. The Class 3’s are setting off with some excitement to Narnu farm for their first camp experience. The Class 4’s are in the throws of their play rehearsals and will soon stand in front of their parents and share their work. Class 7 are eagerly awaiting the challenges of their upcoming Camel Trek. Class 12 continue to find ways to pursue their Class 12 Independent Project Work while navigating restrictions and other schoolwork. The school is humming once more, and we feel very grateful. We can continue to hold space for our children by not sharing all of the worries of the world and letting them live in each of these great moments. Liam and Elise and I met with delegates from Waldorf Schools around Australia last week on Zoom. How nice it was to share space with colleagues and school leaders, to invest time in sharing our work with each other, to hear about current Waldorf research and to be updated on the work of Steiner Education Australia (SEA). SEA has collaborated with delegates to develop a set of Principles for Waldorf Education which outline our mission in clear and lively detail.

‘Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.’

Harold S. Kushner

Term 3

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ODE ExcursionMountain Biking

7pm Cl 5 P/T Camp Meeting via Teams

Important DatesNext week...

Eleanor Waterford | Acting Assistant Principal

Fasching

Cl 7 Camel Trekreturns

I recommend reading over these to develop your understanding of our work. We will feature one Principle each newsletter and this weeks’ speaks particularly to our values. Look out for it later in this newsletter.

Shining a LightEach week we like to shine a light on a feature of our school. This week, I would like to shine a light on Steiner Education Australia, otherwise known as SEA. While they may seem a less visible part of our school, their great work in supporting Waldorf Education in Australia through resources, learning opportunities and advocacy with a range of bodies is of great value to us as a movement. They weave us together as a broader community across Australia and actively work to nourish our education for which we thank them.

Positions Vacant - Bookkeeper

Finance / AccountsContract Type: Casual / Relief Position

The successful applicant will be flexible, have strong interpersonal skills and be able to take initiative. Good knowledge of creditors, debtors and BAS. Ability to work under pressure with attention to detail and data entry accuracy. Experience working in a school and a high level of skills on a variety of computer software systems preferred. Knowledge of PC School would be an advantage. This position is for 15 hours per week in Term 3. All applicants require a WWWCC and RAN Certificate.To apply please send us a cover letter, CV and three references to Deborah Bottin dbottin@mtbarkerwaldorf.sa.edu.au

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With further reported incidents we are sending another reminder:Drop Off / Pick Up Area - we want everyone to be safePlease note that the drop off / pick up area was not created as another car parking area. There are some safety concerns and bad habits that have crept in since this area was designated as the drop off / pick up zone. The safety concern is that cars are now creating another queue alongside the rocks. Cars should only be next to the pathway. Double parking creates an unnecessary hazard as children now have to cross in front of other cars to get to the cars parked there. The drop off / pick up zone is not for parking at any time. If your child/ren have not arrived after 5 minutes of stopping in this area, you will need to move on and either park or re-join the line. By doing this it allows the cars that have picked up their child/ren to move through and keep the area flowing.

The supervising teacher will instruct you to move on if needed. Speed limitPlease be aware that the speed limit when entering the school grounds is 5kms. Please ensure that you adhere to the limit at all times.Teachers on duty will contact you if you fail to do the correct thing.We take safety very seriously, we understand that parking is restricted and we are all time poor, however if we all do the right thing it can be a much safer place for all. We appreciate your support.

Playgroup

Nightingale Kindergarten

I am happy to let you know Playgroup will resume from next week!

We have consulted widely and thought about the best ways to return given the restrictions that remain current.

Our parents, keen to come back, responded with a resounding Yes!

So, we will be returning with a slightly shorter, simplified program. In answer to the questions from the children as to why Playgroup could not happen, I suggested parents tell their little ones that Anna and Lilli were having a rest. One little 2.5 year old told his grandmother, “Anna is STILL sleeping”!

I am really looking forward to welcoming all the families again and meeting the people joining us for the first time; and bringing life back to our Playgroup room.

Anna Simpson-Nielsen | Playgroup Teacher

Melaleuca Kindergarten

Classes 1 and 2

In Term 2, Classes 1 and 2 learnt a winter poem about children who are baking apples with ingredients which make it smell beautiful and make it oh so tasty. We added raisins (Rosinen), almonds (Mandeln) or sunflowerseeds (Sonnenblumenkerne), honey (Honig), butter (Butter) and cinnamon (Zimt). The concentration during the making and the smiles on the faces after the eating were very rewarding.

The first of the 3 verses:Kinder, kommt und ratet,

was im Ofen bratet!Hört, wie’s knallt und zischt.

Bald wird er aufgetischt,der Zipfel, der Zapfel,der Kipfel, der Kapfel,

der gelbrote Apfel.The speaking of the poem was a wonderful way for the children to practice saying wonderful sounding words, unusual for the English tongue (knallt und zischt). They were accompanied by movements describing the words and story. We also did drawings in our books to depict how the apple changes colour from yellow-red to brown and the ingredients.Ask your children if they are in those classes. Maybe baking an apple while it is still winter will make a wonderful dessert on a cold evening for you too?

BratapfelBaking

Maren Yakas | German Teacher

Class 3 Camp

Class 7 Camel Trek

Class 3 are currently undertaking the Narnu Farm camp which is a favourite amongst students for its experiences of farm life and camping together. Our camping experiences are focused on developing confidence and independence in the outdoors.

The camp will give the students the unique opportunity to observe the form and structure of a variety of animals as related to their movements and habitat.

The students will see first-hand how the animals’ forms illustrate their unique abilities.

Our camps enable students to improve teamwork, personal and interpersonal skills and to contribute to leadership. This camp is designed to give students an opportunity to attain a lively interest and connection with the animal kingdom.

Julie Board | Class 3 Teacher

Jeremy Board | Class 7 Teacher Wendy Pryor | Wellbeing

On Thursday, Class 7 will undertake 9 Days through the Central Flinders Ranges SA, Outback South Australia.The focus for this camp is to encourage students to build self confidence in the outdoors as they interact with the environment. They understand basic planning and organisational requirements. They develop camping, survival and navigation skills whilst riding and walking with camels in the vast outback of SA. This unique experience gives rise to the need for a good understanding of risk management principles, safe practice development and emergency response procedures are examined whilst in and around a pack of camels. Personal and interpersonal skills are developed over this extended time to assist working with others and as a leader.Leadership experiences are provided. Their understanding of the South Australian environment and relationships with nature are developed whilst they are on this journey of discovery.

Rite of Passage We wish the Class 7 students well as they go on their Rite of Passage camp into the Northern Flinders this week. This camp specifically marks their transition from childhood into adolescence. There is a focus on the growing capacities of the human being at this stage of their development, their qualities and connection to Country. Ultimately it is a turning point for accepting more responsibility for oneself with the new freedoms that emerge over the next few years. It also signifies the changing nature of relationshipbetween parent / carer as students step more into their individuality.

Grace Vai-Stierman | Maths Teacher

Class 8 students are learning about Pythagoras’ Theorem by carrying out calculations; measuring a right-angled triangle on the school oval and teaching one another.

Class 8 Maths

Grace Vai-Stierman | Physics Teacher

Year 10s are wiring and setting up circuits!

Class 10 Physics

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Share the Dignity

Michaelmas

“Gone are the days of whispering that you need a tampon, keeping your period pain a secret or hiding pads under a loaf of bread in your trolley.” – Share the Dignity

We know how unpredictable periods can be. So, as year twelves, we want to work to reduce the stigma around menstruation, and make sure high school students have access to sanitary products when they are caught out. Therefore, we are providing Mount Barker Waldorf School students with access to pads and tampons, by adding resources to the bathrooms where students can help themselves if needed.

We are passionate about making emergency sanitary products accessible, and understand there is period poverty around the world, that stretches further than the scope of our school. In fact, more than 800 million people menstruate daily, with a portion having inadequate menstrual hygiene, which often leads women to being ostracised from work and school. Therefore, in addition to providing sanitary items to our school students, we are looking to support a non-for-profit called Share the Dignity, dedicated to ending period poverty.

We would love it if our Waldorf community could contribute with either pads/tampons or monetary donations to be passed on to Share the Dignity themselves. These can be dropped off in a box in the front office over the next few weeks.

Together we can end period poverty and make sanitary products accessible to all!!

Class Twelve initiative by Tess, Charlotte, Diya, Jozzie, Nyah and Ashlee

Dear Friends,

As we work towards Michaelmas I am reminded of the Michael verse:I want to fire everyone

with the spirit of the cosmosso each becomes flame

and unfolds the fiery beingof their being.

Others would ratherdraw water from the cosmos

to quench the flames,to douse the innerspark of all being.

Oh joy when the human flameis incandescent even at rest.

Oh bitterness when a wretched soulis bound, held back from rousing itself.

Rudolf Steiner

I hope as many of us can gather in this very essential time and build the spiritual fire for greater freedom, equality and sibling-hood; the signs that we are working with humanity’s purpose. May Love prevail, Lisa Romero

Class 12 Initiative

EduCareDo Event

An Inner Work Path event with Lisa Romero

sponsored by EduCareDo

Preparation for the Michaelmas festival and deepening our relationship with Michael, the spiritual being that supports our freedom.

Michael is probably the most well-known archangel and is celebrated and acknowledged through many traditions. This consciousness is a protector of our human freedom and when we stand in the light of the Michaelalic stream we serve alongside this task. Although we have different roles and sometimes seemingly opposing streams in which we work into the world, it is Michael that unites us in the task of serving the greater good of humanity.

Diverting forces that wish to bring into humanity ways of being, feeling and perceiving intended to subvert the course of our free and healthy development, push their way forward to gain more ground through opportune events. We are presently facing another wave of these diverting efforts. It is Michael that stands as the counterforce through all those who are willing to prevent the loss of our human purpose.

The true and good purpose of humanity, our community, and our individual life is known to us before we enter into the earthly world. Michaelmas is a time to re-enliven the purpose and find the fire of the spirit to overcome the anaesthetising forces that dull our knowing and the diverting forces that harvest our energy for false and misleading goals.

The impingements to human freedom and the ever increasing deceptions cause many of us to encounter the fear behind the prevailing images of humanity’s future. Michael stands with all our strivings towards creating a better world that supports freedom, equality and sibling-hood and unites us with the wisdom, courage, and strength to meet what challenges humanity’s true purpose.

In order to support as many people as possible with live content, this important festival preparation will have 6 x 1.5 hours sessions placed to meet different time zones (everyone will receive the recordings for all six sessions). Please attend live to those suited to your timing where possible.

Friday September 10: Ireland and UK 11am; Sydney 8pm; Perth 6pm Check time zonesSunday September 12: Ireland and UK 8:30pm; New York 3:30pm; Los Angeles 12:30pm Check time zonesFriday September 17:Ireland and UK 11am; Sydney 8pm; Perth 6pmSunday September 19:Ireland and UK 8:30pm; New York 3:30pm; Los Angeles 12:30pmFriday September 24: Ireland and UK 11am; Sydney 8pm; Perth 6pmSunday September 26: Ireland and UK 8:30pm; New York 3:30pm; Los Angeles 12:30pmVisit the EduCareDo website to register

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Zayd | Class 12

Core Principles

Steiner Education Australia (SEA) has drafted Core Principles which express the work of Steiner Schools. As part of the drafting process, SEA collaborated with Steiner/ Waldorf school delegates to incorporate feedback from schools. All Steiner/ Waldorf schools are interacting with the Principles creatively in their contexts. In each coming week in the newsletter, we will look at one core principle to deepen understanding and dialogue around the principles of Waldorf Education. This week’s principle focuses on the unfolding spirit of the child, a fitting link to our school values in which ‘spirit’ features.

Core Principles For Australian Steiner Schools 2021

1. The recognition of the unfolding spirit of each individual informs all aspects of the school.

Steiner/Waldorf schools engage with contemporary insights emerging from Rudolf Steiner’s indications about the unfolding human individuality.One core insight is that the individual is a threefold being of body, soul and spirit.Steiner education seeks to enliven the life of feeling and thinking as well as physical, social, artistic and spiritual capacities.As the individual evolves, they are able to impart meaning and purpose to their lives and creatively fulfil their unique potential.

Steiner Education Australia, 2021

Coming Module

Dr. Lakshmi Prasanna, Developmental Pediatrician, Autism, Parenting and Child Health

Trained as a pediatrician, Lakshmi is passionate about child health and nutrition for parenting, and is an advocate for sensitive children on the autism spectrum. She is a popular speaker for international conferences and also consults to Steiner/Waldorf schools providing teacher training and support for children and families.

Dr Lakshmi Prasanna and Katherine Lehman from Sacramento, USA will be running Module One online from the 19 - 23 September 2021. This module will be primarily for educators but also open for others keen and ready to join in this training.

The course format includes 5 x 90 min sessions over five days from 9.30am-11am (Melbourne Time AEST), then once per week for four weeks on a day that will be mutually decided by all participants and faculty members.

Module one delves deeply into The Study of Man text study, and Goetheanistic Nature study combined with lectures by Dr Lakshmi Prasanna. This is the first module of ongoing training of 6-7 modules completed over 3-4 years. For other talks and conferences please refer to Dr Lakshmi’s website - https://doclakshmi.online

The aim is to develop our own creative capacities through the integration of art and science. The course is for current and new teachers wishing to deepen their pedagogic approach. It also forms a foundation for experienced teachers to become trainers and mentors in Waldorf pedagogy. The course aims for each individual to find their own relationship to Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual science in relation to understanding human physiology as an inner pathway to Waldorf Pedagogy and to foster and awaken ongoing personal and professional development and growth

Cost is $550 per module, please apply for concession if you experience financial hardship. If you wish to participate please respond via return email. There are limited spaces available.

info@childrensgarden.net.au

Amy Saia (Berridge)Director | Childrens Garden KindercareRudolf Steiner Childcare and Kindergarten

'Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives.

The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility - these three forces are the very nerve of education.'

Rudolf Steiner

Eurythmy

Childhood and movement belong together yet in children today we increasingly observe the impact of a pressured, technological, sedentary, risk-cushioned and nature-disconnected world. These influences show themselves in inactivity, in-flexibility and in a lack of self-awareness and self-control, both in the classroom and at play.

Movement for Education is designed to respond by helping Lower School teachers develop skills for working with movement in the classroom, that sup-ports children to inhabit their bodies through healthy actions and sound rhythm, with well-activated lower senses and joy in movement. You will be introduced to a variety of movement disciplines inspired by an anthroposophical understanding of the human being. These are developmentally responsive and integrate all as-pects of the child: body, soul and spirit.

Three experienced and passionate teachers will lead the workshop: Sue Simpson with eurythmy exercises, Sally Davison and Blossom Rubsamen with indoor and outdoor games and activities that will inspire and stimulate fresh approaches.

Workshop 1 Focus: Classes 1-3, the 6–9-year-old Dates: September 27th- 30th Cost: $545 +GST $54

Early-bird: Early-bird: 10% discount if you book before August 31stFor schools: 10% discount for two or more attendees

NB: Member schools can apply to Steiner Education Australia for funding support for this course

Registration: pacifica.eurythmy@gmail.com

Movement for Education

Eurythmy

Dear friends, helpers and guardians of Eurythmy,Eurythmy has been integral to education in Steiner/Waldorf Schools since 1919. The reasons for having Eurythmy in school includes a picture of rich, lively, fully embodied learning, which we want to achieve in every aspect of education. Eurythmy, working as it does in the realm of expressive movement, can help children reach their full potential.

“In having people do Eurythmy, we link them directly to the supersensible world.”

Rudolf Steiner, Art as a Spiritial Activity

It would be wonderful to see every school in Australia that so desires to enable a thriving Eurythmy programme in their school. Thank you for supporting the development and ongoing training of Eurythmists in Australia at Pacifica College in Brisbane.We appear to be at a time when this wisdom through the art of movement is greatly in need.

‘If we can feel ourselves as helpers of Eurythmy, either in an active or in a more passive sense, then eurythmy will be able to fulfill the mission which it can and should fulfill in the general development of Anthroposophy.’

Rudolf Steiner

Communityhttps://tickets.demand.film/event/11316?ref=PDYLlLXo

COVID-19Information

Thank you for wearing a face mask

(all adults and students - Classes 8 to 12)

Help stop the spread

Community

Disclaimer: The views or opinions expressed and activities advertised in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position of or endorsement by the Mount Barker Waldorf School. Please make your own inquiry, judgement and decision to participate in any activities advertised.

Disposable face masks prompt anti-waste campaigners to call for sustainable alternatives

ABC South East SA / By Laura Mayers

Every minute of the day, 3 million disposable face masks are thrown away across the world.Globally, 129 billion disposable face masks are thrown into landfill every month, according to a study by University of Southern Denmark researchers.Face masks are a simple barrier, preventing the spread of respiratory spray from one person to the other.With multiple states across Australia mandating the use of face masks in public areas for the foreseeable future, and health authorities warning of strong action for noncompliance, face masks have become a part of daily life.

Key points:• New research shows 129 billion disposable face

masks are thrown into landfill every month, globally• Plastics in disposable masks can take up to 450 years

to break down • Experts say tested masks are vital in areas with a

high risk of COVID-19 transmission

Important to ‘snip the straps’Anti-waste campaigners are begging the public to consider more sustainable alternatives to the familiar blue-and-white surgical masks, warning of an ecological disaster.“For Clean Up Australia Day in March this year, we’re picking up a lot of these masks, and we need to remember that whatever we drop on a footpath or on a roadside is likely to end up in a waterway,” Clean Up Australia chair Pip Kiernan said.“I mean, they’re made up of a variety of plastics … so it includes polypropylene, polyethylene, and vinyl.“They can take up to 450 years to break down if they’re dropped in the environment.”Earlier this year the RSPCA began a campaign urging Australians to “snip the straps” on disposable face masks in a bid to prevent threats to our wildlife.Ms Kiernan wants to see that message widely adhered to.“You know, wildlife can get tangled up in it, they don’t deserve to be dropped, they don’t belong in the environment,” she said.

Not just individual responsibilityMs Kiernan argues it’s not just up to the individual to be thinking of their mask consumption.A medical mask lies on the sand with blue bottles around it“There have been instances of containers coming adrift carrying PPE equipment and masks and they’ve been washed up on beaches and waterways,” she said.“A number of volunteers have taken part in cleaning those up on the Australian coastline.”

N95 masks recommended in high-risk areasFor the world’s medical staff, the sterile plastic products have played a vital role in staff and public protection, from the use of PPE, gloves, and bottles of sanitiser.But according to research into our waste footprint, an estimated 1.6 million tonnes of plastic waste has been generated worldwide every day since the start of the pandemic.Executive director of medical services at the Limestone Coast Local Health Network, Elaine Pretorius says it’s important not to concede on mask effectiveness.“If you have a cloth mask with one of those little disposable filters that you can put in … the advice would probably be to change them every sort of three to four days,” Dr Pretorius said.

“And I think that that is quite a sensible solution. But I also think that when the risk is much higher, and if we were living in a place where there is substantial community spread, then I’d probably recommend that you go with tested masks … a proper in N95 mask.”