School Newsletter Term 4, Week 10
Kaya WCSS Community
"May troubles be less and blessings be more
May nothing but happiness come to your door
And may you have luck wherever you go
Your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow."
- Dorien Kelly
Best wishes to our Class 6, 2023 graduates. What an honour it has been to watch the growth of these students over the years. We will miss you but look forward to return visits and tales of new adventures! Boorda.
Class 6 Graduation
From Administration
STUDENT REGISTRATION FORM 2024
All schools are required to collect a Student Registration Form for every child each year. The form is due by January 31, 2024. Hard copies have been sent out with Semester 2 School Reports and we appreciate your prompt attention to the completion and submission of the form. The link is available below for those who wish to complete it online.
BUSY BEE
Join us to tidy and prepare our school grounds before Term 1 commences on Wednesday January 31. BYO any helpful tools you may have - wheelbarrow, shovel, gloves etc. Come for a little bit or stay the whole time, work alongside other school families and complete some family commitment hours in the process.
FAMILY COMMITMENT HOURS
If anyone is looking to fulfil Family Commitment Hours over the Summer break we have plenty of mulch and sand which requires moving. Contact Audrey after January 7 if you would like to assist. E: finance@wcss.wa.edu.au / 9440 1771.
PARENT PLANNER 2024
Please find below the Parent Planner for 2024 with confirmed term dates, pupil free days, half days and festivals for next year to help with your planning. It is also available on the school website Key Info page.
Early Childhood
Kindergarten 6 Crowning Ceremony
My golden crown shines all night and day
Its sparkling light into my heart will ray
And guide me in my journey each day.
Primary News
ACTS OF SERVICE
Class 3 students found $50 which was unclaimed so they decided to buy gifts for children who may not be receiving presents this holiday season.
Upper Primary students decorated gift bags with well wishes and messages of encouragement for those less fortunate.
Class 1 have worked with Eric Carle's famous story Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and air dried clay to learn animal words and colours in Indonesian.
Class 5
After many years of journeying higher and higher up the corridor, Class 5 have finally arrived in the Class 6 room!
Having developed our physical and mental prowess as Olympians over the past year, we have now turned our minds towards developing our emotional skills with our final main lesson, the Keeping Safe Curriculum.
We have used this time to understand what makes up our identity, what our rights are as children, what healthy relationships look like, how our brains work to keep us safe, where our feelings come from, how our bodies help us to identify our emotions, how to assert strong boundaries, how to be upstanders against bullying, how to be better friends, and how to help ourselves and call on our helping hand of trusted adults if we feel our boundaries are not being respected.
We have joined in festive song, gift making and giving, and lighting of advent and Chanukah candles, we have also taken time to decorate paper bags with affirmations of hope, peace and love for those who are less privileged than us. Ayla at the Hub, will be filling these with treats and sharing them with Perth’s homeless this week.
Knowing ourselves in these new ways through the wonders of the Class 5 Steiner curriculum has helped us to feel clear and strong in our bodies, minds, and emotional lives. This enables us to be more compassionate, supportive and kind towards ourselves, our friends, peers, families, school and wider community.
We are holding a newfound respect and appreciation for our parents, teachers, education assistants, learning support and extension specialists, volunteers, school leadership, and all who have supported us along the way as we now reach our final year of primary school. With strong bodies, wise minds, able hands and grateful hearts, we now feel ready to begin to take on our new responsibilities as we assume the mantle of school leaders and role models in 2024.
To cap off a marvellous year, we have finally finished our semester-long classical Greek novel study, Homer’s The Iliad. The students did a splendid job with their pencil sketches of the story’s climax—the Greek soldiers waiting inside the belly of the Trojan Horse in Athena’s Temple, about to ambush the unsuspecting City of Troy.
Elaine Meyer
Maar/Class 5 Teacher
Class 6
The class play is a wonderful Waldorf school tradition that brings the entire school community together. All Class Teachers, students, parents, and extended families are included. The play allows the teacher to build the social strength of the class and reinforce particular aspects of the curriculum. Preparing for the play changes the class routine in a stimulating and artistic way that is a welcome break from the usual rhythm of the school year. Many artistic projects are a part of preparations for plays, such as creating masks and props, learning musical instrument pieces, voice and dance opportunities, set design, as well as sewing and fabric arts.
I had the privilege of directing the final Class 6 play for my very talented, dedicated and creative students. The choice of play is always a wonderful experience. Reading the mood of the children, where they are, what they need and what they wish to bring are my go to questions. This year, we presented A Christmas Carol to our school and wider community. It was received with so much joy and reverence. We travelled with Ebenezer Scrooge into his past, present and the future. The spirit of Christmas- kindness, love, and care for one and all was the message we received and shared. Class 6 should be very proud of their marvellous production of this timeless classic.
In the words of Tiny Tim “God Bless us, every one!”
Ramneek Kaur
Class 6/ Maar Keyen Teacher
Handwork
The whole school gathered to celebrate the hard work of our Class 6 students on completion of their final handwork project; a lovely dressed doll. The doll is a 3D fabric sculpture that takes time and dedication to complete. While they learn lots of skills, like backstitch, that are lifelong, the students really enjoy the creative tasks such as embroidering the face, styling the hair and making clothes. They should be very proud of their achievements. The school community enjoys guessing who made which doll at the celebration with many suprises!
Class 5
Class 5: beautiful completed beanies and socks.
Class 4
Class 4 have completed cross stitch pin cushions which have two axis of symmetry which requires much focus to be completed as beautifully as these examples!
An extra Christmas themed project was enjoyed by these students.
There was a huge effort to finish fountain pen holders by the end of the term - well done Class 4!
Class 4 worked together as a team to make a special fountain pen holder for Aimee.
Class 3
Class 3 have really enjoyed the crochet beanie project and have been very innovative, making lots of modifications to the design.
A lovely wristband and owls, and the final granny square for a secret project......
Carolin being presented with a wonderful student made, crochet surprise - I wonder what it is?
Class 2 Radiant rainbow balls - a huge learning curve for students and they are so proud when they have finished. The colours come together beautifully as they sew up the project.
These Class 2 students worked very hard to complete their dolls and they are terrific!
You have seen these dolls before but they are now wearing boots and a vest! Jade has knitted a lovely stripey gnome - the only one this year.
Another beautiful Class 2 doll!
WCSS Community Association
Dear School Community,
As 2023 draws to a close, we want to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for making it a fantastic year. In the face of the challenges posed by Covid, the hard work and commitment from everyone in the school has been instrumental in rebuilding our sense of connection and community.
Next year promises to be even better!
The Parent Association (WCSSCA) is gearing up for some exciting initiatives over the holidays, focusing on the heart of our community, The Hub. Our vision includes giving The Hub a small facelift, introducing a food offering by the start of the new year, adding more seating, and incorporating activities tailored for our younger children. Our goal is to transform The Hub into a vibrant space where the entire community can gather, build connections, and engage with one another.
We believe these enhancements will further enrich the sense of togetherness and community spirit that makes our school so special. Stay tuned for more updates as we work towards making The Hub an even more inviting and lively centre for our community.
Additionally, we're thrilled to share that we are planning to add more social events to our calendar, providing ample opportunities for community building. We believe that fostering connections among us all is key to the unique spirit of West Coast Steiner School.
A special thank you to our incredible teachers whose tireless work and genuine love for our children are the ultimate blessings for us all as parents. Their dedication to delivering the most magical curriculum, rooted in Steiner values, is shaping our young learners into thoughtful individuals equipped with the skills to thrive in the world.
We also extend our deepest appreciation to the hardworking administration team. Without your tireless work and unwavering dedication, we wouldn't have the outstanding school that we enjoy today. Your behind-the-scenes efforts do not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for the vital role you play in the success of our school community.
Wishing you all a joyous holiday season filled with health, peace, and laughter. Looking forward to a fantastic 2024! Our school is truly special, and it is a blessing to be part of such a wonderful community.
Our school is a better place because of each and every one of you.
Happy Holidays!
Maria Katsikanadarakis
WCSSCA Chair
