PERIWINKLE PRESCHOOL NEWSLETTER   DECEMBER 2012, PAGE 1

Periwinkle Preschool– Newsletter –  December, 2012

A Word From Ellon ... Hello Everyone

Another  year  has  closed  and  one  can  feel  the  air  of  excitement  and  anticipation  building  as  we  move  towards  Christmas  and  a  summer  holiday.    For  the  older  children  who  sailed  their  boats  as  part  of  our  end  of  year  celebrations,  there  is  also  the  excitement  of  moving  on  to  big  school.    One  also  feels  a  sense  of  joy  as  we  reflect  on  all  the  journeys  of  the  different  children  while  they  are  here  at  Periwinkle.    Our  end  of  year  celebrations  evidenced  how  far  the  children  had  come  in  their  journey  as  independent  and  active  life-­‐long  learners.    I  am  certain  we  can  all  feel  confident  that  these  children  have  been  building  a  healthy  foundation  that  will  support  their  further  development  at  school.    I  always  feel  moved  and  very  humble  to  be  part  of  their  journey  and  each  child  deserves  a  big  thank-­‐you  for  allowing  us  all  to  walk  with  them.

As  this  year  is  rapidly  coming  to  a  close,  one  gets  a  sense  of  the  ever-­‐increasing  speed  at  which  we  are  all  living  our  lives.    Yes-­‐even  here  in  Byron  Bay!    It  seems  to  be  getting  harder  and  harder  to  fine  the  balance  between  work,  family  life,  and  time  for  oneself.    My  wish  for  you  all  this  Christmas  is  that  there  will  be  a  space  to  slow  down,  rejuvenate,  and  enjoy  the  holidays  with  your  children.    Remember  your  children  are  learning  through  imitation  and  to  plant  the  seeds  of  balance,  taking  time  to  slow  down  and  relax,  is  a  wonderful  gift  for  their  future.    I  do  understand  this  is  a  task  easier  said  then  done  and  something  that  I  am  struggling  with  in  my  own  life.

On  behalf  of  all  staff  I  would  like  to  express  our  sincere  thanks  and  gratitude  to  the  Periwinkle  community  for  the  nurturing  gifts  we  have  been  presented  with  this  year.    We  have  set  the  date  (January  24th)  and  are  all  going  off  together  to  be  pampered  and  spoilt.    It  makes  the  demands  of  our  work  and  the  extra  efforts  we  sometimes  have  to  go  to  in  the  call  of  duty  worthwhile.    

May  you  all  have  a  joyous  Christmas  and  a  Happy  New  Year.      Happy  HolidaysLove  and  BlessingsEllon

Children Sailing their Boats in 2012

Friday  14th  December

AnoukArrowArwynBanjoIndigoRiverSaya  

Tuesday  18th  December      

Angelina          Caelan            Che            Gigi            Kade      Kaden      

Macushla          Marlon      Ryan            ShinWillow            ShraddhaSuneeWilZane

PERIWINKLE PRESCHOOL NEWSLETTER   DECEMBER 2012, PAGE 2

It   was   a   joyful   afternoon   last   month   when  we  finally  celebrated  the  official  unveiling  of  our  new  Periwinkle  Preschool  Kitchen  and  Craft  space.    

Invited  guests  who  came  on  the  day  included  kitchen  builder  extraordinaire,  Iain  Henderson  (sadly,  his  co-­‐builder  Rudi  was  unable  to  make  it),  the  Manager  from  Harvey  Norman,  Chris  Greene,  Barbara  Wilson  who  made  the  curtains,  PMC  members,  and  Periwinkle  families.      

We  shared  some  nibblies  before  toasting  this  amazing  achievement.    Thank  you  to  everyone  for  your  feedback,  comments,  and  support.    This  kitchen  renovation  was  truly  a  sign  of  the  wonderful,  giving  community  to  which  we  belong.  

Periwinkle Preschool Official Kitchen OpeningFriday 30th November, 2012

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The Experience of Painting in a Steiner Pre-school

A Parent Education evening exploring one aspect of daily kindergarten life.

7th November, 2012

...  and  so  began  our  evening  adventure  as  Ellon  invited  the  group  of  parents  to  engage  in  the  painting  process  offered  to  the  children  on  a  weekly  basis.    Ellon  asked  us  not  to  worry  about  what  we  would  paint,  but  rather  to  immerse  ourselves  in  the  experience  of  painting,  for  only  then  can  there  be  the  ‘possibility  of  inspiration  to  arise’.    As  Ellon  reminded  us,  when  we  are  too  busy,  or  stuck  in  our  heads,  we  block  the  possibilities.    Isn’t  this  a  

metaphor  for  life  today.      Ellon  shared  with  us  that  the  self  initiated  play  is  a  strong  focus  of  the  young  child’s  daily  work.    It  is  through  the  play  that  we  see  the  young  artist  shine  as  each  of  them  bring  their  own  individual  nature  to  the  experience.    The  artistic  activities  are  more  homeopathic.    The  painting  is  programmed  only  once  a  week  for  the  child  and  the  goal  is  to  allow  them  to  experience  colour.    However  there  is  an  element  of  the  painting  activity  that  helps  children  to  construct  ‘social  norms’,  such  as  learning  to  feel  in  control  of  their  

environment,  learning  to  be  and  work  in  a  group  setting,  or  demonstrating  care  and  consideration  such  as  filling  up  the  water  glass  for  your  friend  who  will  paint  next.    Painting  also  allows  children  to  pay  attention  to  beauty  and  aesthetics.    We  all  enjoyed  the  evening  immensely,  particularly  being  given  the  gift  of  time  to  indulge  our  senses  and  enjoy  this  unhurried  exercise  at  the  end  of  the  year.        

‘When  you  allow  yourself  the  space  to  paint  quietly,  even  in  a  crowded  

room,  you  can  become  totally  

absorbed  in  the  painting...’

Working Bee, Term Three

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

         

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Periwinkle’s  “25  Candles  for  25  Cakes”We  are  proud  to  launch  Periwinkle  Preschool’s  new  cookbook,  “25  Candles  for  25  Cakes”  and  give  thanks  to  a  number  of  last  year’s  parents  who  kindly  baked  for  the  25th  Celebrations  and  whom  donated  their  delicious  recipes,  and  to  the  editor  Jenny  Edney  who  donated  her  time  to  

ensure  the  book  was  professional  and  beautifully  produced.    Copies  are  now  available  at  Periwinkle  for  $10.    Please  place  your  money  into  the  cookbook  envelope  by  the  sign-­‐in  desk.    Wouldn’t  it  make  a  wonderful  Christmas  gift  for  loved  ones?  

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Celebrating the Seasons at Periwinkle:

Summer Festival, 2012 and Farewell Ceremony

We  were  welcomed  to  the  Summer  Festival  with  a  frangipani-­‐lined  pathway,  and  flowers  galore.    Inside,  the  children  enacted  the  story  of  Mary  and  Joseph  in  a  

lovely  simple  manner,  reminding  us  once  again  of  the  grace  of  the  season.    Each  child  was  given  a  special  role,  perhaps  as  an  Inn  Keeper  or  Angel,  or  an  animal  from  the  barnyard  or  fields.    It  was  lovely  to  see  

the  children  participate  and  embrace  their  role  with  earnest  joy.  

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The  day  continued  with  a  shared  feast  of  scrumptious  offerings  including  fresh  fruit,  homemade  dips  and  vegan  sausage  rolls.    

After  a  time  of  conversation  and  reminiscing,  children  and  parents  

gathered  together  to  bid  farewell  to  those  whose  Periwinkle  journey  was  complete.    These  children  collected  their  walnut  shell  boat  and  sailed  it  upon  the  still  water  to  symbolise  their  courage  as  they  take  steps  for  a  new  beginning.    

Finally,  all  children  received  the  gift  of  their  work,  all  wrapped  up  and  presented  lovingly  from  their  teachers.    The  highlight  for  me,  and  I’m  sure  I  speak  for  all  parents,  was  the  child’s  individual  photographic  portfolio.    What  a  treasure  to  cherish  for  life.    Thank  you  to  the  teachers,  especially  Ellon  and  Kellie,  who  worked  hard  all  weekend  to  

finalise  the  printing  of  the  books.    We  truly  appreciate  your  efforts.

Celebrating the Seasons at Periwinkle:

Summer Festival, 2012 and Farewell Ceremony...

PERIWINKLE PRESCHOOL NEWSLETTER   DECEMBER 2012, PAGE 7

Celebrating Advent in the Home

by Tanya Wesolowski

Advent  is  the  period  including  the  four  Sundays  before  Christmas.  If  you  would  like  to  celebrate  Christmas  in  a  meaningful  way  with  your  child,  observing  Advent  is  an  ideal  way  to  prepare  for  this.  

In  our  family,  we  light  one  candle  each  Sunday  before  Christmas  until  the  light  of  four  candles  herald  the  birth  of  Christ.    The  first  candle  is  accompanied  by  something  from  the  mineral  world,  like  a  rock  or  crystal,  the  second  candle  includes  something  from  the  plant  world,  third  from  the  animal  world  and  fourth  from  the  world  of  Man.  

You  can  slowly  build  a  nativity  scene  this  way  until  the  Christ  child  arrives  in  his  manger  on  Christmas  Eve.    We  have  a  felted  golden  ladder  on  a  starry  dark  blue  night  sky  with  the  rungs  numbering  the  4  weeks  before  Christmas.  My  children  enjoy  moving  Baby  Jesus  down  the  ladder  each  morning  until  he  reaches  the  manger  on  Earth  on  Christmas  Eve.  It  is  a  kind  of  Advent  calendar.  You  could  also  do  the  openable  paper  windows  or  a  string  of  tiny  presents  -­‐  one  for  each  day  leading  up  to  Christmas.  The  presents  need  only  be  small  things  -­‐  a  biscuit,  a  small  piece  of  wax,  poem,  shell  etc.  It  is  the  sheer  anticipation  that  the  children  enjoy.  

Advent  can  be  a  time  of  preparation  where  your  child  prepares  gifts  and  cards  for  others.  This  year  I  have  been  inspired  to  try  leaving  small  surprises  for  strangers  ,  like  a  coin  and  small  card  taped  to  a  gumball  machine  or  hand  picked  flowers  to  give  randomly.  I  think  this  will  be  a  fun  way  for  my  children  to  experience  the  joy  of  giving.  Nativity  figures  and  Christmas  decorations  can  be  created  from  odds  and  ends  or  simply  the  old  favourite  :  beeswax.  A  Wreath  is  also  a  good  Advent  craft  activity  and  can  be  a  beautiful  seasonal  representation.  

Whatever  you  choose  to  do  in  the  weeks  preceding  Christmas,  I  hope  it  is  fun  and  inspiring  for  you  and  your  children.

Periwinkle  Preschool  Parent  

Library  ReminderAny  parents  who  have  borrowed  books  from    the  Periwinkle  Preschool  library  this  year,  are  kindly  asked  to  return  them  before  

Christmas.  We  hope  you  found  the  books  inspiring  and  thought-­‐provoking  for  your  family  life.

News  from  the  Garden  Gnomes...It’s  hard  to  believe  another  year  at  Periwinkle  is  about  to  come  to  a  close.  This  was  our  third  year  at  this  beloved  school  and  lucky  for  me,  we  have  one  more!  

We  just  wanted  to  give  a  heartfelt  thank  you  to  all  the  families  who  have  helped  out  this  year  with  working  bees  and  maintenance  at  the  school.  It’s  been  a  tremendous  year  for  volunteering  at  Periwinkle.  There  was  the  kitchen  remodel,  the  support  for  Christine,  the  fundraising  efforts..  just  to  mention  a  few.  And  the  volunteering  continues!  

A  few  weekends  ago,  a  group  of  dads  came  to  install  new  turf.    We  are  so  grateful  to  have  so  many  loving  hands  doing  all  this  work.  Not  only  are  we  blessed  to  have  the  highest  caliber  of  care  in  our  teaching  and  support  staff,  but  we  also  have  an  amazing  parent  community  to  assist  them.  Wishing  you  all  a  joyous  holiday  and  hope  to  see  you  around  the  town!Sincerely,  Cyndi  and  Daniel  Harris

PERIWINKLE PRESCHOOL NEWSLETTER   DECEMBER 2012, PAGE 8

Periwinkle  Preschool  would  like  to  thank  Toby  Andrews  of  www.lilypad.com.au  for  his  

work  in  designing  the  new  Periwinkle  logo.    Isn’t  it  just  lovely?      

2013 Dates

Orientation Night Wednesday  23rd  January

7pm  -­‐  8.30pmWe  invite  and  encourage  all  returning  parents  to  attend  the  orientation  night  to  help  us  to  welcome  the  new  families  to  our  community.    Hope  to  see  you  there.

First  Day  of  Term,  2013Wednesday  children:    Wed,  30th  JanuaryThurs/Fri  children:    Thurs,  31st  JanuaryMon/Tues  children:    Monday,  4th  February

“Our  hearts  grow  tender  with  childhood  memories  and  love  of  kindred,  and  we  are  better  throughout  the  year  for  having,  in  spirit,  become  a  child  again  at  Christmas-­‐time.”  

Laura  Ingalls  Wilder

A gift for our teachers from the Periwinkle Management

Committee, and Parents.

This year, Periwinkle Management Committee, on behalf of all parents, have gifted all Periwinkle staff with a voucher to enjoy a day out!

We have organised for our beloved team to spend the morning at Gaia Resort, swimming in the glorious pool or indulging in a sauna, relaxing with a special treatment of their choice, and enjoying lunch in these splendid surrounds.

The team plan to venture out in late January and spend this time together, regrouping and re-energising for a new start in 2013.

We wish them a lovely, sunny day!

PERIWINKLE PRESCHOOL NEWSLETTER   DECEMBER 2012, PAGE 9

1 Banksia Drive, Arts and Industry Estate, Byron BayPh: 1300 555 632 www.natureschild.com.au

Phone to have a FREE catalogue posted anywhere in Australia

School Slippers Wooden Toys Organic Underwear 0 – 8yrsBPA free bottles and lunchboxes School Drawing Books & Materials

Organic Cotton Bedding Organic Skincare Organic NappiesOrganic Cotton Baby Carriers

Organic Shop

Reflections  on  our  time  at  Periwinkle...

When  I  moved  next  door  to  Periwinkle  many  years  ago,  I  knew  my  future  child  would  go  there  someday.  

I  feel  so  blessed  that  Indigo  had  the  opportunity  to  grow  in  such  a  beautiful  school.  Periwinkle  has  really  allowed  her  to  explore,  be  free,  imagine  and  dream,  surrounded  by  warm  and  nurturing  teachers  who  truly  love  her.

Indigo  has  grown  into  such  a  confident  ,  strong  girl  with  many  friends.  Periwinkle  has  really  been  another  home  for  her  when  sometimes  her  world  outside  was  challenging  with  her  daddy  away.  

I  delight  in  the  things  she  has  learned  at  Periwinkle-­‐  the  little  songs  she  sings,  stories  of  her  day,  new  friends  made  or  lost!  and  her  newfound  respect  and  awe  of  nature,  bugs,  and  animals.  She  is  ready  to  fearlessly  take  the  leap  into  big  school  full  of  beautiful  memories  of  Periwinkle  she  will  keep  forever.

I  am  also  grateful  to  be  part  of  such  a    wonderful  community  on  her  journey.We  will  miss  you.

Thank  you  Periwinkle,  from  Tash,  Indigo  and  her  family.  x

PERIWINKLE PRESCHOOL NEWSLETTER   DECEMBER 2012, PAGE 10

THE INNER WORK AND ANTHROPOSOPHY COURSES FOR ESTABLISHING OR DEEPENING MEDITATIVE  

PRACTICE WITH LISA ROMERO

Rudolf  Steiner  gave  many  exercises  and  meditations  to  strengthen  the  human  being  through  its  journey  of  developing  consciousness.  Together  we  will  explore  the  inner  work,  the  birth  of  the  higher  self,  the  spiritual  year  and  how  exercises  can  bring  us  closer  to  our  own  experience  of  these  processes.  This  will  enable  us  to  both  hold  and  further  our  daily  practices.  Those  wishing  to  establish  a  meditative  life  and  long-­‐  term  meditants  have  found  this  work  invaluable  in  deepening  their  relationship  to  the  path.  This  is  a  3-­‐day  commitment.

FOUNDATION COURSE 2013 DATES SUNDAYS 17TH FEBRUARY, 17TH MARCH 14TH APRIL TIME: 9.30 - 2.30VENUE: MULLUMBIMBY, NSW COST $300 (INCLUDES LUNCH)TO DISCUSS THE COURSE, PLEASE CONTACTLISA ROMERO (02) 6684 1636FOR BOOKING ENQUIRIES AND DIRECT ENROLMENTSinnerworkpath@gmail.com   OR KATHERINA KISS (02)66846147

LISA ROMERO is  a  practising  homoeopath  who  has  applied  an  anthroposophic  approach  to  her  practice  since  1990.  In  1998  she  began  teaching  out  of  anthroposophy.Lisa  designed  and  facilitated  the  Educaredo  Towards  Health  and  Healing  course.  This  training  ran  eight,  year-­‐long  courses,  working  with  therapists  from  all  modalities  as  well  as  Waldorf  teachers  to  bring  the  practical  application  of  therapeutic  and  pedagogical  methods.For  several  years  Lisa  was  the  lecturer  for  health  and  nutrition  and  male/female  studies  at  Parsifal  College  (now  Sydney  Rudolf  Steiner  College).  She  also  regularly  lectures  in  numerous  courses  and  schools  within  Australia,  Asia  and  USA.The  variety  and  quality  of  her  lectures  and  knowledge  allows  her  to  meet  many  communities  from  the  point  of  view  of  their  needs.  Essentially  Lisa’s  work  springs  from  the  inner  work  of  meditation  and  exercises  and  her  dedication  to  the  path  of  unfolding  consciousness.  She  brings  a  depth  of  insight  that  is  reflected  in  the  experiences  and  changes  of  the  participants  who  share  in  this  work.

"THE CONDITIONS OF ESOTERIC TRAINING"(Please  contemplate  these  thoughts  before  the  course  begins)1.     The  first  condition  is  that  the  student  should  pay  heed  to  the  advancement  of  bodily  and  spiritual  health.2.     The  second  condition  is  that  the  student  should  feel  himself  coordinated  as  a  link  in  the  whole  of  life.3.   The  third  condition  is  that  the  student  must  work  his  way  upward  to  the  realisation  that  his  thoughts  and  feelings  are  as  important  to  the  world  as  his  actions.  It  must  be  realised  that  it  is  equally  injurious  to  hate  a  fellow  being  as  to  strike  him.4.   The  fourth  condition  is  to  acquire  the  conviction  that  the  real  being  of  man  does  not  lie  in  his  exterior  but  in  his  interior.5. The  fifth  condition  is  steadfastness  in  carrying  out  a  resolution.6.  The  sixth  condition  is  the  development  of  a  feeling  of  thankfulness  for  everything  with  which  man  is  favoured.  7. All  these  conditions  must  be  united  in  a  seventh:  to  regard  life  unceasingly  in  the  manner  demanded  by  these  

conditions.

"It  should  be  emphasised  that  the  complete  fulfilment  of  any  one  of  these  conditions  is  not  insisted  upon,  but  only  the  corresponding  effort.  

No  one  can  wholly  fulfill  them,  but  everyone  can  start  on  the  path  toward  them.  It  is  the  effort  of  will  that  matters,  and  the  ready  disposition  to  enter  upon  this  path."

Rudolf  Steiner,  Knowledge  of  the  Higher  Worlds  and  its  Attainment  (Chapter  V)  

PERIWINKLE PRESCHOOL NEWSLETTER   DECEMBER 2012, PAGE 11

A Full Day Workshop with Susan Perrow for Teachers, Parents & Health Practitioners

Date: Saturday 2nd March 2013

Times: 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Registration 9.00 a.m.) Venue: Periwinkle Pre-school, 5 Sunrise Blvde, Sunrise Beach, Byron Bay

Cost: $90 / $70 conc. / (includes morning and afternoon tea) (Early bird prices - $80/ $60 conc. – to be paid by 10th February 2013)

Bookings essential (numbers limited to 20): susanperrow@gmail.com; 0413734125

SUSAN PERROW (M. ED) Susan is a writer, storyteller, teacher trainer and parent educator. In 2000 she developed the first course on Storytelling for an Australian University (S.C.U.). and completed her Masters Research on Storytelling in a cross-cultural situation (post-apartheid South Africa). From 2001 to 2003 she was funded by the Australian Government to pilot creative courses and (storytelling) resources for children with challenging behaviour – CARE Program, Byron Council

Today her time is spent writing, consulting with teachers, parents and therapists, and running workshops on therapeutic story-writing and storytelling. She travels internationally - from China to Africa, Europe to America and across her own sun-drenched land of Australia. Her two resource

books, ‘Healing Stories for Challenging Behaviour’, and ‘Therapeutic Storytelling’ have been translated into several languages, including Mandarin (simplified Chinese), Korean, Traditional Chinese, Croatian

and Portuguese. They will both be for sale at the workshop.

For workshop testimonials and book information, refer to www.healingthroughstories.com

Therapeutic Storytelling Healing Challenging Behaviour Through the Medium of Story

In this workshop, examples, ideas and techniques for writing healing (‘medicinal’) stories will be shared and the therapeutic use of metaphor

explored. With the support of a story-making framework, the participants will be guided to create their own stories addressing a range of challenging behaviours and challenging situations (with children, teens and adults).

PERIWINKLE PRESCHOOL NEWSLETTER   DECEMBER 2012, PAGE 12

PERIWINKLE  CONTACT  DETAILSPeriwinkle  PreschoolSunrise  Boulevard,

Sunrise  Beach  Estate,  Byron  Bay  NSW  2481

(02)  6685  8898info@periwinkle.nsw.edu.au                                      www.periwinkle.nsw.edu.au

Director:  Ellon  Gold NEWSLETTER  SUBMISSIONS

Periwinkle  parents  and  friends  are  invited  to  submit  articles  and  photographs  for  the  newsletter.  Please  email  submissions  to:  amber.greene@hotmail.com

Editor:  Amber  Greene  

SPONSORSHIP  WELCOME!Newsletter  sponsorship  is  $10  per  edition  to  be  

prepaid  by  EFT  or  cheque.  Account  details:

Periwinkle  PreschoolBSB:  082489

Account:  570447998

DISTRIBUTIONThis  newsletter  is  distributed  by  email.  Past  families  and  others  interested  in  Periwinkle  are  invited  to  join  

the  distribution  list.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSBoat  illlustration,  http://www.etsy.com/listing/

110032936/vintage-­‐children-­‐pencil-­‐sketch-­‐playing

Term  4  photographs  by  Ellon  Gold,  Amber  GreeneCyndi  Harris  and  Tash  Grey.

 

Wishing all our Families,

old and new,

a wonderful and safe,

Christmas season and

summer holiday.

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