School Newsletter Term 4 Week 4

Kaya WCSS Community

Dear WCSS Community,

What a wonderful experience my first WCSS Kambarang Fair was on Saturday! Many thanks to each one of our families, students and staff for pitching in to make the event a true celebration of our community and Steiner Education in general. A huge thanks and congratulations to the members of WCSSCA, our volunteer school support group, made up of committed parents who ensured the coordination and smooth running of the day. I can’t wait for next Spring!

As the weather warms up, we are seeing the shedding of jumpers and tracksuit pants as they make way for shirts, shorts and dresses more suited to summer weather. Whilst we do not enforce the wearing of a school uniform, the school does have a Dress Code. The Dress Code is designed to ensure that our children are dressed appropriately and in Term 4 that means in a manner that is sun safe and suitably modest for their age and participation in school activities. During Term 4 we ask that students wear sun-safe clothing that covers their shoulders, upper arms and midriffs. For time outdoors, a broad-brimmed or legionnaires hat is required. Caps are not suitable and no hat or an inappropriate one will restrict children to full shade areas.

Shorts and skirts must be of length that extends to below their fingertips, when the child is standing straight with their arms by their sides. Shoes must be securely fastened to the feet and worn all day, unless removed with permission from the teacher. Crocs and thongs are not suitable for school and covered shoes must continue to be worn for Woodwork sessions.

The school expects that parents assist in enforcing these standards. We will be monitoring this for the remainder of the year and where students are not appropriately attired, we will be contacting parents in order to request that they supply appropriate clothing to ensure compliance.

Our overall aim in holding to the dress standards is to ensure that our school community remains accountable to its core values of being a safe, successful and positive environment for our children to grow into healthy and responsible community members. Thank you for your understanding and support in this matter.

Mark your calendars for Thursday November 21^st 6.30pm – 9.00pm. We will be hosting Kayelene Kerr, founder of eSafeKids, who will be delivering an Online Safety & Digital Wellbeing Workshop. Kayelene is recognised as one of Australia’s most experienced specialist providers of Protective Behaviours, Cyber Safety and Digital Wellness education workshops. Kaylene is an engaging presenter who believes protecting children from harm is a shared responsibility and she aims to inspire the trusted adults in children’s lives to tackle the challenging topics. We are pleased to be able to secure her services to deliver this presentation to our school community. We strongly encourage a parent from every family to attend this talk. It is so important for parents to be informed of trends and issues facing our young ones before they arise. We can then make informed decisions about what we want for our children. Please register for the event via the link in the newsletter. I look forward to seeing you there!

With warmth,

Jacqui Hollingworth

School Administrator/Principal

Administration Matters

CONTAINER COLLECTION

Thank you for all the delicious baked goods received for the Fair! It was such a supportive response and so appreciated. Now is the time to collect your containers and loaned items which are located on the bench between the Staff Room and Library. Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity at the end of term. 

Shining a Light On...

In order to ensure our policies and procedures are highly visible to parents/carers, we highlight a policy or important procedure in each newsletter. If you are interested in a specific policy check the Key Info Tab on the school website or email Reception to receive a copy. 

All WCSS policies are reviewed periodically and updated and/or amended guided by compliance and best practice and ratified by the School Council.

In this edition we highlight our Code of Conduct for Parents.

Steiner Spotlight

Parent Education

Please register below. Family Commitment Hours are claimable for attendance at this event.

Exploring Anthroposophy - Registrations now open for 2025

A foundation in the principles of Steiner Education recommended for all new teachers, parents and support staff.  This course is for anyone with an interest in learning more about anthroposophy as the foundation of Steiner education and is particularly valuable for all Steiner School Support Staff, Parents, Teachers, and Teaching Assistants new to Steiner/Waldorf education.

Online Course begins Wednesday 19 February

Delivered online across 13 webinars, Wednesday evenings from 7pm – 8.30pm (AET)

No previous experience is necessary

Click here to learn more.

Early Childhood

“Slow down, you move too fast” 

Paul Simon 

Welcome HOME. What is that for you? Your house, your body, both? How do you feel when you think of your home, your life? Does it make your heart sing and is it a place you don't want to leave and can’t wait to return to? I don't know about you but that wasn't always the case for me. 

I have lived the life, worked the jobs, studied, have been the person, done the things that I have had to do, in order to be the person, I thought I needed to be, to live the life I thought I wanted. I would hold out desperately for the weekend and holidays. Packing a life into those days, only to feel overwhelmed, left wanting and resentful and scrabbling to be ready for the next work week, and that's without factoring children into the picture. This was only made worse by the fact that I didn't actually know what I wanted. I was reaching for, striving for a life and a home that wasn't based on what I valued. I didn't even know what I valued, not really. I had patterned a life based on my sympathies and antipathies to my upbringing. And once you've created a life, consciously or unconsciously, it has commitments, responsibilities and obligations that require the speed and input to be maintained or seemingly the whole thing comes tumbling down. So, we don't stop, and we don't reflect. But you see, to work out of your values you need to find stillness. You need to connect with your truth and feel the guidance given by your feelings. But I was so desperate not to be in the present moment. To not feel the feelings and experience the reality of the life I had created and was creating. And I was desperately unhappy.  

We are hooked into a story that says, "it will all come crashing down" and "we don't have a choice". But the cultural narrative doesn't tell us that there is another way. I was scared that if I stopped and thought about it, the momentum would be lost and the thin tenuous thread that connected me to that place, that thing, that person I wanted so much more than being in this present moment, would be lost. But there is another way. The present moment is our friend. It is the gateway to the life and the home your soul is yearning for. It is the way of conscious, on purpose, slow living and by slow, I mean not packed full of unnecessary commitments, obligations, possessions and practices. It’s a practical plan, with manageable steps that steer us a degree at a time in the direction we want to be going. This is how we get off the treadmill and onto the path of a purposeful life. A bespoke life. A life crafted just for me and a life crafted just for you.  

In Kindergarten we talk about everyone being teachers for each other, and for parents our children are truly our best teachers. You see our children are in the present moment, and that moment if noticed, witnessed and held in reverence, warmth and love, is all that is needed.  To be present for our children, we need to be free of all that is holding us to the past and projecting us into the future. Yes, we have obligations, yes, we have commitments but just like extracurricular activities for our children, is everything we are doing serving us, actually serving our children? We can fill our schedules, their schedules, distracting ourselves from what is real in this moment, what we are feeling, telling ourselves that this is what they need to get ahead, this is what I need to give my child. But is it really? 

Increasingly we are seeing more and more being packed into our children’s after school and weekend schedule and increasingly we are seeing children who are overstretched, overtired, anxious and overwhelmed. Clearly it is not that simple, nothing is, but the answer to being at ‘‘home’ literally and metaphorically, is not to pile more into our days but to create space for just being. Space to feel and to get to know ourselves.  

For me at the core of Anthroposophy is the adage “Man Know Thyself”. This is our work. Our children through the wisdom of childhood and the gift of Steiner Education have their own work. They are creating the vessel through which they will experience themselves and the world. A vessel that needs adults who are present, who create loving, consistent, developmentally appropriate boundaries, who create the time, space and simplicity for them to play, to just be, to be free to be children.  

Over the decades I have had the privilege to ask many parents what aspirations they hold for their children. Their responses have just about all, in one way or another expressed the desire for their child to be truly themselves, to be free, to be happy and to have the self-belief and skills to create the life they desire.  

Our children do not need more things, they do not need to “do” more. They need parents who are working upon themselves, striving to grow, peeling away the distractions, the extraneous, the FOMO for themselves and their children and learning to be present. Learning to sit in stillness and see themselves as they truly are, spiritual and earthly, compassionate and warm, complete and striving. A creator being who is at home, comfortable, full of love for, and excited by the possibilities of their most wonderous creation – themself. 

With love from, 

Vanessa Fountain 

Rose Kindergarten Teacher 

Primary News

Class 1 Keyen

So Much More Than a Lyre

In Class 1, 2012 my parents and I decided to take up the offer to make our children lyres. The class carer sourced the wood, strings and pins and with a leap of faith we make our way to Perth Waldorf School, and in the very capable hands of Judy Gray we committed ourselves to the next five Saturdays to turn these chunks of wood into something that would make music, we hoped.

At this early stage some of the parents had known each other for a year or so and to me the teacher, they were all new faces. The Saturdays to come were filled with chatter, teamwork, chiselling and an inordinate amount of sanding, sanding, sanding, both at the workshops and at home.

Over those five Saturdays a bond and relationship started to grow between us all. I was fortunate to also include my husband, Wal who made a class spare and my son, Brendan who was helping me to teach the children music. This therefore allowed the class into my private world a little and for my family to get to know some of the families who would be a huge part of my life for the next 6 year to come. My parent group really started to get to know each other during these sessions and from that shared experience of striving towards a common goal they never looked back. Judy spoke to us about the value of this community building activity and now with the benefit of hindsight I can more fully appreciate these words of wisdom.

The childrens lyre playing skills grew and we as a class benefitted from the beautiful qualities that the lyres brang into our room. But more than that even, it is an opportunity not to be missed, for in truth the lyre making was and is, 'so much more than lyre making.'

Joanne Mills

Class 1 Keyen Teacher

Class 2 Koodjal

In Class 2, every Wednesday, we bake wholesome traditional dough that the children shape in creative ways. The process begins with a poem and some movement to warm our hands and hearts. As a reward for our efforts, we enjoy warm bread with a generous amount of butter at the end of the day! 

There was once a baker. 
Who baked a big bun. 
And I will show you how it was done. 
He took the flour and poured in the yeast. 
Then stirred it together. It was such a feast…..

Class 2 Koodjal Teacher

Kasia Rymarcyzk

Class 3 Dambart

Class 3 have been learning all about homes and shelters from around the world and have been experimenting with various different materials that can be used to build and construct them. 

Mel Lenzi 

Class 3 Dambart Term 4 Teacher

Class 4 Koodjal Koodjal

Class 4 have just completed their first camp—a journey of three days and two nights. This was more than just an outdoor adventure; it was a time for growth, courage, and discovery as students faced challenges that tested their resilience and camaraderie.

The camp experience and challenge of the activities mirrored the journeys of the heroes we read about in our Main Lesson stories, those who undertake quests, face difficulties, and find new strengths within themselves. Each child embraced this spirit, standing up to the challenges with courage and teamwork. They returned not only with wonderful memories but also with a sense of pride, as though they had indeed joined the ranks of those legendary heroes.

Donna Shaw

Class 4 Koodjal Koodjal Teacher

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 16

Next

Class 5 Maar

Yanchep National Park Camp

School camp brings a unique set of benefits as the students travel as a united class with their teachers to a place awaiting adventure and fun. On October 16, Class 5 ventured to Yanchep National Park and stayed at the historical Gloucester Lodge for 3 days. We met Derek Nannup who played the yidaki (didgeridoo), as we discovered the importance of dance for communication in traditional Noongar culture. Students learnt how to communicate through dancing and how expression in dance is linked to the spiritual beliefs of the Noongar people. The students were amazingly theatrical as they danced to the yidaki and loved to identify the sounds it used in storytelling. The students were constantly in stitches as Derek told them dad joke after dad joke; they were totally engaged and immersed in his every word.

Derek also took us into the Yanchep Crystal Caves where we explored the underground wonderland full of stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, flowstones, columns and shawls and learned about the creatures that lived in the darkness.

Class 5 students showed great courage, agility and skill at Treetop Adventure Park while hanging from ropes and sliding down ziplines high above the ground. There were wobbling wooden bridges and swinging cargo nets, testing strength and perseverance.

Camp is a great way to grow closer as a class and share in many fun and exciting memories. It is also a chance to grow in independence, try new things and interact with nature. The students enjoyed bush walking, hiding near rocky gorges, searching for reptiles and minibeasts and understanding the secret life of koalas and their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the Australian bush,

Camp life also brings shared meals, night walks, late night whispers, spotlight, talent shows and quiz nights. It was a very special time for all, and we cannot wait for our next adventure.

10 benefits of school camp

• Build connections with teachers
• Building relationships with students
• Learn and try new things
• Grow in personal independence
• Expand experiences in nature
• Teach personal organisation
• Develop decision making skills
• Disconnect from technology
• Building resilience, endurance and strength
• Taking risks

Aimee Waller

Class 5 Maar Teacher

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 11

Next

Class 6 Maar Keyen 

A few weeks ago, Class 6 found themselves shipwrecked on an island, where they had to invent their own currency and economic system for their Business Maths Main Lesson. Hailing from a region conquered by the Roman Empire, each student was designated a profession enabling each to contribute to the economy, and each had to find a way to have their basic needs for food, clothing and shelter met despite limited materials and provisions on the island. What at first began as a competition for survival—with monopolies and alliances allowing some to amass assets while others struggled to survive—ultimately transformed into a team effort where charitable donations were made to classmates and to the “Freedom Fund.” Finally, the community was able to build a ship and ensure every citizen of the island could afford to escape, and return by sea to take arms against the Empire. Hurrah!

Meanwhile, we learned how to log our transactions and use these to fill out balance sheets and profit and loss statements, calculating our net worth and tax liability, and evaluating which bank on the island offered more competitive interest rates. We came to understand key economic principles, like supply and demand, market rate, perceived value, the construct of money, free vs controlled economies, the purpose of taxes, counterfeiting, and tax deductions. Amongst this flurry of calculations and trade, we also took time to understand deeper lessons: the experience of poverty, the power of charity, and the role we can each play in creating an economy that is both environmentally sustainable and ensures nobody falls through the cracks (the “donut” model).

With these lessons in mind, we developed business plans, and approached the Bank of Classius or the Bank of Schoolius for loans to set up sustainable service-based businesses at the Kambarang Fair. Our Class 6 Sustainable Activity Market ran last weekend at the fair, and it was a hit: Class 6 made a whopping $880 in net sales! Once we have accounted for costs, our profit will be donated to Native ARC Animal Rescue in Bibra Lake, to support their hospital for injured wildlife. Congratulations Class 6– such a great effort from our school leaders.

Elaine Meyer

Class 6 Maar-Keyen Teacher

Music

Upcoming Performances:

Christmas Assembly Week 9 (December 5) at 8.40am: The Orchestra will be playing some favourite Christmas songs, come listen and sing along!

Sustainability

Showcasing Sustainability: Kambarang Fair 2024!

Thank you WCSS community for your contributions and interest in the Sustainability Circle stall at our Kambarang Fair. Our theme was again around ‘waste’, which has been our focus through 2024.

After the success of last year, one of our Kambarang Fair initiatives was the use of (again) hiring reusable plates and cups from Go2Cup, commercial composting through Write Solutions in Bibra Lake and edible chocolate spoons from local start up, Edible Cutlery in Osborne Park.

New to this year was our Terracycle recycling initiative (collecting pens and markers, oral care, dish care, glad wrap, skin care items) and the presence of Enviro House in Bayswater who displayed Bokashi Bins and their courses and eco workshops.

If you would like to share your sustainability ideas with us, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Claire 0422 544 945. Thank you for your unwavering support. 

WCSS Sustainability Circle

Alumni Focus

At 18 years old, Rudolf Steiner said that a young person is not only ready to be concerned with the questions of the world but also to question of who we are as human beings;

“.. to be able to ask who I am as a human being and crucially what I can create that uniquely expresses this deeper understanding of myself.”

The Class 12 Project Presentations from Perth Waldorf School students, many of them WCSS alumni, are available to watch via the link below. 

WCSS Community Association

Kambarang Fair 2024 - A Beautiful Day of Community and Connection

What a beautiful and joyful day we shared on Saturday at our 2024 Kambarang Fair! Our school and community truly shone, and the spirit of togetherness was palpable. We welcomed many new faces to our grounds, including several visitors experiencing a Steiner school for the very first time. Their awe and admiration was overwhelming, with comments like, "Everyone is so happy and friendly," "This space is magical," and "I wish my kids could come to this school." It was a wonderful reminder of the unique, vibrant atmosphere we’ve cultivated here at our school.

The fair was not only a huge success in showcasing our school and what we stand for, but it also provided a valuable opportunity for us all to come together, build new friendships, and strengthen connections. When a community unites with a shared vision, incredible enthusiasm is born—and we certainly had that in bucket loads!

Our school community went above and beyond to make the event a success. A heartfelt thank you to all the class carers for keeping their classes informed and involved, and to the class activity leaders who created excitement and kept everyone on the same page.

A special mention to our Fair Committee, whose hard work brought all the key elements to life. Thais, our unwavering secretary, Rachael, thank you for managing all the stallholders, and Katherine, for overseeing entertainment and creating the beautiful bunting that’s still decorating the hub. Paige, your dedication in reaching out to sponsors was invaluable. Melissa for her unstoppable energy and bringing the refreshing drinks stall together.  And to Claire George, who championed sustainability efforts to ensure the fair was as waste-free as possible—including finding a "bin fairy" to help everyone recycle correctly! Claire was also the creative mind behind our marketing materials and contributed so much more—too much to list here.

Our deepest gratitude to Karen, Laila, and Kylie, whose tireless energy ensured the kitchen was running like a well-oiled machine, and to everyone who baked such delicious treats. A huge shout-out to our man Drasko, who took charge of the paella and kept everyone fed with his supreme culinary skills.

Lastly, to our wonderful teachers, thank you for showcasing our beautiful and magical classrooms. Through your hard work and that of the children, the classrooms truly sparkled and brought our school’s spirit to life.

This fair would not have been possible without the passion and hard work of each member of our community. Personally, I feel more connected to our community and our school than ever, and I hope this feeling is shared by each of you.

Thank you all for making the Kambarang Fair 2024 a truly magical day!

Maria Katsikandarakis

WCSSCA Chair

Community News

News items listed in our Community Noticeboard are not school endorsed but are included here for the information and benefit of our wider community. We welcome submissions to appear in this section of our newsletter and inclusion is at the discretion of WCSS. 

Dear WCSS Community,  Helen Annie Tilbrook was born Thursday 24.10.24 via c section, weighing 4.7kgs. She is an absolute dream, and we are all very much in love. Thank you for all your well wishes support and blessings. Warmly, Jayne (Class 3, 2024 Teacher)

SENSORY DELIGHTS WORKSHOP

Easy, fun & therapeutic ways to help our kinds stay regulated.

Friday November 15, 10am - 11.45am

Learn to make sensory playdough, fizzing sparkly bath dust, aromatherapy water play and more! Come and have fun, as we get to play with the very tools we will be sharing with our children. I'll be sharing my knowledge on how using specific, therapeutic grade essentials oils will help you and your children to experience pathways towards calm, and I'll show you how to create tools to help both you and your kids experience better emotional regulation. You will learn the beautiful Aromatouch Hand Massage Technique which will transform your connection and bedtime routine. You will both give and receive this blissful technique as you learn on the day. You'll take home:
- Your own sensory playdough (with free playdough cutters included for the first 10 people who book)
- Your own jar of fizzing aromatherapy bath dust (can be used in a footbath, if like us, you don't have a bath)
- A 1ml sample bottle of essential oil to transform your small world/waterplay
- Instructions on how to give your loved ones an Aromatouch Hand Massage
- Recipes for everything!

As a mum of 3 delightful boys who span the spectrum between neurodivergent and neurotypical, I've learned a lot over the past 12 years. I am passionate about sharing with other mums, the tools that will transform the mood within your home and the ability of you and your children to manage your emotions with far more ease. The workshop and all take home goodies is $30. Payment is required at the time of booking to reserve your place. This will be held in my home in Girrawheen. Address given upon confirmation of payment. Visit the Facebook Event to register your interest/learn more.

Parenting Connection WA Presents

HELLO HIGH SCHOOL IN 2025 by ROC Mindset Coach for Youth and Parents, Claire Eaton
These FREE parent sessions by Claire Eaton author of Hello High School are a great resource for those with children starting high school in 2025. Learn practical social, emotional and mental wellbeing tools helpful in raising teens in our rapidly-changing world.

This session is for parents only, kids don’t attend. Visit the website to book your preferred location.

Parent Business Directory

Welcome to the section where we share information on WCSS family owned businesses. If you are an enrolled WCSS family, run a business and would like to promote this to our school community please send your details (a few sentences describing your business, contact details and a logo or image) to marketing@wcss.wa.edu.au

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST) is a soft therapy with no pressure, manipulation or force. Virginie will use light touch while bringing a safe space to calm your nervous system which will bring the whole system into a state of balance. In that state, healing and change will take place in your body. BCST is like a big hug to the nervous system. It can help with releasing emotional or physical restrictions throughout the body, stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, aches and pain, improve sleep, energy, wellbeing and so much more.

With love

Virginie Barker - WCSS Parent
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
08 93413020
vi.craniosacraltherapy@gmail.com

To learn more visit www.vicraniosacraltherapy.com.au

Cheesebuddy is an Australian made Brazilian cheese bread which is gluten free, versatile, delicious... and owned and operated by a WCSS family! Cheesebuddy’s products are available at Woolworths, Costco, IGA, Farmer Jack’s and others. Or chat with Yuri - M:0402730490

Yol Creative

Run by our very own Woodwork Specialist, Yolanda Millar, Yol Creative provides creative workshops for anyone who would like to explore their artistic side. These workshops are great for team building activities, get togethers, birthdays or just if you owuld like to learn some skills and have creative fun!

                                                              Explore the Facebook Page for more info.

Author - Nicole Watts

WCSS parent and author, Nicole Watts has a Bachelor of Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts. She has been on both sides of the mental health divide, having worked on projects in the mental health sector and having a history of depression and anxiety herself. She spent fifteen years in the public service in a statistical role, writing around her work commitments. Nicole has published a book called Little Bundle of Sorrow, a collection of womens' stories of postnatal depression. You can find out more at her website https://nicolewatts.ampbk.com/ . Copies of the book can be ordered from Amazon or from the publisher, Austin McCauley.

Coming Events

November

Wednesday 13: School Tour , 9.15am

Thursday 14: Class 1 Play Performance

Monday 18: Thank You Morning Tea for Volunteers, 8.45am 

Thursday 21: Cyber Safety with Kaylene Kerr, 6.30pm (Performance Room)

Thursday 28: WCSSCA Advent Wreath Making Workshop, 1.00pm (The Hub)

Friday 29: Class 2-6 Water Fun Day

For further Term Dates check the school website calendar

WEEKLY

Market Day: Tuesdays 3.05pm

Craft Group: Thursdays 12.45pm at The Hub

Parent Study Group: Thursdays 9.00am at The Hub or Library

Yarning Circle: Wednesdays 8.40am at The Hub

WA Anthroposophical Study Group: Mondays 7.30pm in the Staff Room

Golden Threads
Monday-Friday 8.00am-10.30am
Mon, Weds, Fri 2.30pm-3.30pm
Thursday 1.30pm - 3.00pm