School Newsletter Term 3 Week 2
Kaya WCSS Community
Welcome to Term 3. It is such a pleasure to be starting this new semester with you. A warm welcome to new families and children who are joining us this term and to some returning families. We hope you will love being part of such a nurturing community and encourage you to find ways that you can become involved and contribute.
This term we say farewell to two staff members. Carolin Loos has been our German Teacher for 15 years and has recently made the decision to resign. During her time here Carolin has contributed in many ways including our first professional school video, and Karnival and Maypole Fairs. Many of our past students have found memories of giant pretzels, gingerbread houses and beautiful diaramas! Her final day at school will be on Wednesday 17 August and we thank her sincerely for all her work with our students over these years. Viola Wu, an experienced Languages teacher who has done some relief work here, will replace Carolin until the end of the year and we extend a warm welcome to her. Viola will spend some time working with Carolin in her final week to enable a smooth transition. The College of Teachers is currently reviewing our teaching of Languages for 2023.
Belynda Smith, our current Teacher Librarian, has also made the decision to resign from her role but will continue to assist us with running the library in a voluntary capacity and we thank her sincerely for that. Belynda will be replaced by Sally Cloake who is known to all the children as she works here as a Relief Teacher and has also taught in Classes 3, 4, 5 and 6.
This term we welcome back Aimee Waller as Class 3 Teacher and Kathy Gass as our Craft Teacher as well as Education Assistants Claire, Robyn, Sandy, and Kylei. David Hammond will continue with us as Games Teacher with additional administrative duties.
Many exciting things are planned over the next few weeks and this newsletter highlights just a few. I particularly encourage you to come along to our Curriculum Journey on Thursday 11 August from 6.30pm. As well as being a lot of fun, this gives you the opportunity to really experience our unique Steiner curriculum in action and to ask questions of our very knowledgeable and dedicated staff.
As usual, my door is almost always open to you if there is anything you wish to chat about or feel welcome to come and join Vanessa and I with a cuppa and bite to eat at a Yarning Circle in The Hub on Tuesdays at 9.00am, held every week of term.
May your week be lived with warmth of heart,
Jenny Dougan
Principal
It’s wintry still, but out of death – new birth!
This is life’s law, and now I should look well
For signs that spring will come onto the earth,
For she prepares, and soon her power will swell:
New shoots prepare to sprout on many a tree.
A new note in the birdsong…and more clues as well I see…
But midst this change, I must be true,
Be firm and strong in all I do.
In the Light of the Child, Michael Hedley Burton
Schoolzine
Like the other Steiner schools in Perth we are now using Schoolzine to streamline our communications. If you would like all your school administration in one place (calendar, absentee notification, newsletter, excursion permission slips etc) then downlaod the schoolzine app, SZAPP today. Remember to use the passcode 1998 when prompted. Please note we will continue with our usual communication methods for those not using SZAPP.
From Administration
GIVEAWAY! WIN A WCSS RECIPE BOOK
RSVP and come along to our Curriculum Journey on August 11, 6.30pm-8.30pm, learn more about the Steiner curriculum AND be in the draw to win a West Coast Steiner School Recipe Book. Our cookbook is filled with wholesome, nutritious easy to make recipes connected to our curriculum. A beautiful bridge between home and school.
T: 9440 1771 E: reception@wcss.wa.edu.au
FAMILY COMMITMENT HOURS AVAILABLE
If you can help out with various painting jobs around the school this term please contact Audrey. E: financeofficer@wcss.wa.edu.au
There are also often sewing and craft jobs required in the kindergartens, please talk with your Kindy Teacher if you are interested.
FREE RAT TESTS AVAILABLE
The State Government has provided (more) free RAT tests for students throughout WA. Please pop by Reception if you would like to collect some.
Parent Art Gallery
We have a lovely gallery of parent art in Reception brightening our days, all created at our Parent Enrichment Workshops. Running every Tuesday from 2.15pm - 3.00pm, RSVP to come along and experience our curriculum delivered by a WCSS Teacher. E: reception@wcss.wa.edu.au / 9440 1771
Please take the time to read through the information provided below on the NCCD ( Nationally Consistent Collection of Data) and Census Privacy Notice.
Early Childhood
Kaya everyone! Welcome back. After three weeks away it has been wonderful to see the children returned refreshed and excited to be with each other once more. What has amazed me this week is how the children have played. After being at home with a more relaxed rhythm I was expecting the children to struggle a little, to miss the security of home and take a little time to settle into their play. It has been quite the opposite, I have been amazed at how the children have so readily and deeply stepped into their play - inside and outside the classroom.
As the photos show, building cubbies or houses for animals and families has been a priority. Cloths to have been used to decorate or make a roof or wall. Elaborate stories built with forests, towers, and ramps, marble runs are the bowling alleys that we visited on the holidays! Outside wooden planks are laid down strategically with wet sand as cement to hold in place. Whilst coloured chalk paint is carefully made to decorate the railway tracks - meanwhile another child watching from above chants, "Let's make a train, let's make a train . . ." And the game changes again. This is what I love about our curriculum; the children know instinctively what they need to do and when given the time, space, resources and environment which honours and respects their play - it can bloom!
Karen Weeramanthri
Gungarra Kindergarten Teacher
Everyone is invited to attend our 2023 Steiner Kindergarten Information Session held by Sunflower Teacher, Sandy Price. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Steiner approach in the Early Childhood Years. Please spread the word to family and friends and share the Steiner secret!
Primary News
Class 1 are learning the magic and wonder of the fairytales of the world, beginning with Russia. Their creativity has been ignited by the powerful imagery of folkloric Russia; castles, bears, the sharp-toothed witch Baba Yaga and the fair Maiden Vasilissa, along with the seven tailed dragon, slain with a silk whip. The children experience creative, free drawing as well as guided drawings following their teacher's instruction. The children gain confidence and skill moving into the second seven year cycle, where they are able to build skills and develop their artistic faculties.
Jayne Wylie
Keyen Teacher
Class 2 received their parent made lyres last week. Each lyre and protective bag is lovingly made as a gift to the child. The look of awe and reverence on the children's faces was very special. We look forward to hearing many beautiful lyre performances in the coming months! Well done Class 2 parents and caregivers.
Class 3
One of the first needs of human beings living is to establish a shelter to dwell in. Such shelter provides protection from the elements and allows creation of an individual space. With the change that takes place during the 9th year (the separation that occurs between the child’s inner world and the outside world), the child works to establish themself on the earth as an individual, beginning to take hold of his or her own destiny. The Class 3 child seeks a way in which their will may be brought into relationship with this new home – the Earth. The child needs more boundaries and needs to be provided with practical challenges, tasks that give them responsibility with material things. They need to be given opportunities to explore and work with the material world, so they may feel themselves a part of it and so come to care for it.
This Main Lesson provides practical experience of building structures. It fosters social understanding as the children learn about different kinds of houses around the world. They may also consider the sort of houses that human beings have made since earliest times. The children will also look at the many different trades needed to create a home. Just as in the Farming and Gardening Main Lesson, the child learned how, in order to live, every living thing needs other living things (life comes from life) so, too, they learn that human life is ‘community’, and each person is dependent upon, and contributes to, the social networks within that community.
Currently in Class 3 we are building all kinds of shelters, cubbies in the classroom, cubbies on the playground and models of shelters from all around the world.
Aimee Waller
Dambart Teacher
Class 4 At the beginning of our History of Writing Main Lesson the children enjoyed exploring ancient rock art from different parts of the world. The students were set the task of creating their own version of rock art using only natural materials found in the front garden. They then created their own pictograms using the pigment they mixed. As this Main Lesson progresses the students will experience the evolution and story of writing from some of the first ancient civilisations through to the alphabet we know and use today.
Holly Peterson
Koodjal Koodjal Teacher
Class 5 reading buddies!
Class 6 Assembly Leaders.
Another finished Class 6 mosaic!
Our Class 6 students are making a set of steps for the Community Hub as a gift to the school, each one reflecting a Noongar season.
Woodwork Projects
Sustainability
Plastic Free Term 3
Many conscious consumers avoid single use plastic wherever they can, yet often find themselves giving in for the sake of convenience in busy times. As with many aspects of life we are most successful in avoiding plastic when we plan ahead. Writing a shopping list and heading to a local Zero Waste store or farmers market is a Sunday ritual for many that helps in avoiding overly packaged goods from the supermarkets during the busyness of the week.
Going completely plastic free might seem a bit challenging, but let’s start small and make it fun! Consider the following tips to get started.
- Decline plastic bags
One of the easiest and most obvious places to start, plastic bags are becoming less common but are still out there. Remember to bring your favourite reusable shopping bags and produce bags whenever you head out shopping.
- Avoid bottled drinks
Single use plastic bottles are almost entirely avoidable. Bring a reusable water bottle or opt for more sustainably packaged options when buying beverages to go.
- Keep your cup
Coffee drinkers, keep an eye out for local cafes with discounts for BYO mugs and Keep Cups.
Cut out the plastic cutlery, lids and straws.
Another easy one, particularly as these items are soon to be banned. If you need a straw, ask for paper or bamboo and if you are taking food away always remember to request no plastic cutlery!
For more resources, visit plasticfreejuly.org
Recycling
WCSS is registered for Containers for Change so please bring your aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard drink containers between 150ml and 3L and place them in the labelled bin.
We also have a clothing bin that recycles all items with absolutely nothing going to landfill.
Items for the clothing bin located in the staff carpark are clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories.
WCSS Community Association
Welcome back to a wintery Term 3 from the Community Association. Thank you to Sheila and her team of helpers; our Wednesday Soup Days will continue for the first three weeks of term to keep our hands warm and our bellies full. If you can give some time on August 3 to help Sheila please let WCSSCA know. We are looking for 3 vege choppers 8.30-10am and 4 servers 12-2pm. Family Commitment Hours can be claimed for this.
We are also continuing our Market Days each Tuesday at 3.05pm on the Verandah. Our class baking roster will continue from last term as follows:
Class 5 - 2nd August
Class 4 - 9th August
Class 2 - 16th August
Class 1 - 23 August
Class 3 - 30th August
Class 5 - 6th September
Class 3 - 13th September
Class 5 - 20th September
Contact WCSSCA or your class carer to offer baking. Family Commitment Hours can be claimed.
Planning is underway for our biggest event of the year, the Kambarang Fair and Open Day to be held on October 29, and we are looking for more of our community to get involved in the preparations, whichever way you can. Speak to our committee members, come to a meeting or email for more information.
We also have the Primary School Walkathon coming up on 7th and the Michael Festival on September 21 which will need some enthusiastic parent helpers so please keep an eye out for further details.
Please contact wcssca@wcss.wa.edu.au to find out how you can contribute to these community events.
Stay warm and well,
WCSSCA Committee
Community News
YARNING CIRCLE is on EVERY Tuesday (excepting August 16) in Term 3. Stop by the Hub at 8.45am for a cuppa and chat with Principal, Jenny Dougan and Deputy Principal, Vanessa Beesley. A delicious morning tea will be provided and this week's topic is what would you like to know about Steiner education and/or our school? We are interested in what our community would like to learn more about and encourage you to put ideas, feedback and questions forward! Guest speakers will be arranged if we have the demand.
Try our Staff and Parent Choir which meets every Monday 3.10pm-3.50pm.
There is still time to register your child for the AUSTA Festival. This is a great opportunity for students to give a little extra commitment to leanring a piece and playing it to an audience. Cristina is providnig all the support students need. Let her know if your child would like to participate.
Coming Events
AUGUST
Monday 01: Class 1 Lyre Fundraising Meeting 3.15pm
Wednesday 03: Soup Day $3
Thursday 11: Curriculum Journey 6.30pm
WEEKLY
Staff and Parent Choir
Mondays 3.10pm
Yarning Circle
Tuesday 3.05pm
Parent Enrichment Workshops
Tuesdays 2.15pm
Market Days
Tuesday 3.05pm
Golden Threads
Monday-Friday 8.00am-10.30am
Mon, Weds, Fri 2.00pm-3.30pm
Thursday 1.30pm - 3.00pm
Craft Group
Tuesdays 1.00pm at The Hub
WA Anthroposophical Study Group
Mondays 7.30pm in the Staff Room