West Coast Steiner School eNewsletter

Kaya WCSS Community

We look forward to welcoming families to school for our Busy Bee on Saturday morning, from 8:00am-1:00pm. There are always many things to do to get our school looking ship-shape for the start of term. This is even more true, given the transformations that have occurred over the holiday period. If you have the time, we would love to see you, helping out in any way you can.

In preparation for rebuilding our school, it has been a hive of activity here over the past three weeks. We have relocated the Playgroup Cottage to the end of the Class 1 playground. At the rear of the school, we have had to clear room for the building of our Maintenance and Woodwork spaces and the classroom pod that will be built in Stage 2 of our redevelopment. For those disappointed at the loss of some our trees, rest assured that the Landscaping Masterplan will reinstate far more than we lose, and as many trees as possible are being preserved.

We have also taken delivery of two temporary classrooms that will house classes once their existing rooms are demolished and the new classrooms are completed. We will not be utilising the temporary classrooms until late Term 3. Remember to RSVP for the Community Forum on August 7 at 6:00pm to hear more about the redevelopment from School Council members and email development@wcss.wa.edu.au with any redevelopment feedback.

This year, our school marks its 30^th birthday with August 4^th being our actual birthday date! This is the day in 1995 that the West Coast Steiner School was officially opened and what better excuse for a party? Mark the afternoon of Monday August 4^th in your calendar and plan to join us at school to celebrate! Keep an eye out for your invitation with further details in the days to come!

With warmth

Jacqui Hollingworth

School Administrator/Principal

When winter wraps a mantle dark and drear

Around the world beyond my own warm hearth,

Then I am called to rise and conquer fear

And bravely meet this darkness in my path.

My Light each day in brightness is increasing.

Its glow of warmth reveals the stir of life.

The light-stream of my heart is never-ceasing.

And so I'm strong, come grief or pain or strife.

In the Light of a Child – Michael Hedley Burton

Makuru Winter Festival 2025

Fire Blessing
An ancient Prayer... 40,000 years old...
Handed down through the Aboriginal culture and translated into the English language.
May the fire be in our thoughts
Making them true, good and just, May it protect us from the evil one.
May the fire be in our eyes;
May it open our eyes to share what is good in life.
We ask that the fire may protect us from what is not rightfully ours.
May the fire be on our lips,
So that we may speak the truth in kindness;
that we may serve and encourage others.
May it protect us from speaking evil.

May the fire be in our ears.
We pray that we may hear with a deep, deep listening
So that we may hear the flow of water, and of all Creation and the dreaming.
May we be protected from gossip and from things that harm and break down our family.
May the fire be in our arms and hands
So that we may be of service and build up love.
May the fire protect us from all violence.
May the fire be in our whole being -
In our legs and in our feet, enable us to walk the earth
With reverence and care; so that we may walk in the ways of goodness and truth
And be protected from walking away from what is truth.

The Fire Blessing is a gift from Aboriginal Elder, Burnum Burnum

Class 3 and City of Stirling: Gardening, Farming and Building Project

Administration Matters

2026 TERM DATES

Term 1: Feb 2 - April 10

Term 2: April 20 - June 19

Term 3: July 20 - Sept 25

Term 4: October 12 - Dec 18

WCSS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Save the date for WCSS' 30th birthday party on Monday August 4 from 12.50pm - 3.05pm. All parents and caregivers are warmly welcomed to attend. More details to come.

Term 3 Medical Reminder for Parents & Guardians

The health and safety of our students is a top priority. We kindly remind all parents and guardians of students with medical conditions such as Asthma, Allergies, or Anaphylaxis to ensure the school has accurate and up-to-date information.

Notify the school upon enrolment or upon diagnosis if their child has a medical condition.
Provide current medical plans, including:

A Student Asthma Care Plan and/or Asthma Action Plan
An ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis or Allergic Reactions (Appendix A or B), completed and signed by a registered medical practitioner
A clear photo of the child, up-to-date parent/guardian contact information, and details of the medical practitioner
Documentation of any prescribed medication and specific instructions for use (e.g., Adrenaline auto-injector if required)

Supply an adequate amount of clearly labelled medication (e.g., reliever and spacer device), with the child’s full name and current expiry dates
Ensure that all medication and emergency supplies are replaced before expiry
Immediately inform Reception Staff of any changes to your child’s medical condition or emergency contact details throughout the school year

FAMILY COMMITMENT OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a volunteer/s to paint one exterior side of the Playgroup Cottage. Please let Sarah at Playgroup know if you can help!

E: sarah.jordan@wcss.wa.edu.au

School Council

Don't forget to RSVP for our next Redevelopment Community Forum!

RSVP COMMUNITY FORUM

REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE

For more information check out the 5th edition of the Looking Forward Newsletter out next week.

School Council

Shining a Spotlight on....

WEST COAST STEINER SCHOOL DRESS CODE

Whilst WCSS has a dress code rather than a uniform, it is an expectation of enrolment that the dress code is abided by. As a Steiner School our student dress code is thoughtfully considered and informed by our principles and pedagogy. This Term we will be contacting parents each time students are not in line with the dress code so that the matter can be rectified. Please refamiliarise yourself with the code if necessary.

Our school dress code is informed by these overriding principles:

1) We want to see the child - unique and perfect as they are. If we notice something else first (such as coloured hair, fluorescent clothing, large slogans) it is not appropriate for school. Children often receive attention for these things and it can plant a seed that it is what they wear, or how they look, which is important.

2) Students should be comfortable and able to move freely throughout various daily activities. For example, shoes should be supportive of athletic activities and easy to take on and off. Sneakers such as high top Converse are not appropriate; they are fashion shoes without adequate support which also take children some time to get on and off.

3) WCSS cherishes and protects childhood and as such clothing needs to be age appropriate; for example short shorts, oversized hoodies and black clothing is outside of the dress code.

We appreciate your support of the above.

Parent Education

We are excited to provide this term's parent education offerings through the Steiner Parent Education Initiative.

We would particularly like to draw your attention to the session with Anthroposophical School Health Consultant, Dr Lakshmi Prasanna on Thursday August 21st. Trained as a developmental paediatrician, Lakshmi partners with schools and parents to help them understand the power of education to heal. It has been some time since we have had Dr Lakshmi at WCSS and are thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to our parent community.

Dr Lakshmi aims work with what is living in people so the session meets the present needs, for that reason she has made the offer to receive questions prior to the session. If you have any questions for Dr Lakshmi please email them to marketing@wcss.wa.edu.au and we will forward them on.

BOOK HERE

Perth Waldorf School are hosting a Cyber Safety talk by Kayelene Kerr this month and all WCSS parents/caregivers are warmly invited to attend! This offering provides another opportunity for you to stay up-to-date and learn more about cyber safety and digital wellness for your young ones. We highly recommend it. It is never too early to be informed.