School Newsletter Term 4 Week 8

Kaya WCSS Community

A few weeks ago, a friend asked if I was looking forward to “winding down” as the year drew to a close. I laughed and explained that the end of the school year always feels more like I am engaging the safety bar on a rollercoaster and strapping in as we hurtle towards the finish line! With Christmas and summer holidays fast approaching I am sure many of you would agree!

How good would it be to bring consciousness to these hectic times and regulate our responses so that peaceful moments can infuse the hustle and bustle of the “silly season” ? One way to do this is to purposefully take time out, stop, breathe, and notice what is happening in our immediate environment and our heads. Become a keen observer of yourself and other people, especially those family and friends who need your attention and love. It’s hard to stop but a few moments now and then can change your world instantly and maybe bring peace to those around you as well. 

Rudolf Steiner suggested: 

“When we approach another person with reverence, recognizing their spiritual nature, we create a sacred space for true human connection and understanding.”

So as the school year draws to a close that is my wish for you and yours. I look forward to connecting with you at the school events we have planned in these final days of term. May you have a restful summer break with your children and return to us in 2025 refreshed for the year ahead. And for our graduating Class 6s, our thoughts and blessings for a positive start to your high school journey go with you.

With warmth,

Jacqui Hollingworth

School Administrator/Principal

Please note that Class 1 to Class 5 sit with their teachers and perform a song or verse as a gift to the graduating students. It is a beautiful and meaningful WCSS tradition and therefore important that children are in attendance at this event to celebrate our Class of 2024.

Administration Matters

Steiner Spotlight

In Steiner schools Advent is frequently celebrated by people of every religious background, every faith, every spiritual path as part of the festivals of the cycle of the year. Advent contains universal themes of lighting the darkness, looking within, anticipation, and inner and outer preparation for the holiday season. Advent, in one form or another, has been celebrated for thousands of years, and carries the belief that the human heart has a greater potential to hold the light of wisdom and love, born out of peace and harmony within. 

Advent is a time of preparation.  The word ‘Advent’ comes from Latin and means ‘coming or arrival’. It is the period including the four Sundays just before Christmas. In the tradition of the Christian churches one candle was lit each Sunday until the light of four candles heralded the birth of Christ.

Celebrating Advent can provide an opportunity for contemplation during this busy time of year and help your children to practice preparation, reverence and patience through the ritual of counting the weeks and days to the special celebratory event.

By celebrating Advent, Christmas is put into a greater context. It isn't just intense one day focusing on big lunches and the giving and receiving presents. It becomes a gradual unfolding, a preparation leading to a beautiful and profound event. It can be deeply satisfying to consciously experience the month leading up to Christmas, especially for children.

In Steiner schools we celebrate Advent by looking each week at the natural world around us-Minerals in the first week; Plants in the second; Animals in the third and the human being in the 4^th week.

Each week a new candle is lit until in the 4^th week four candles are lit in preparation for Christmas.  

Kevin Mazzer

Head of Primary - Perth Waldorf School

If you would like to celebrate Advent in your home we recommend reading the blog on our website (link below).

Family Commitment Opportunities

Parent Education

For families wishing to avoid the consumerism of the festive season and create a meaningful experience for their family we highly recommend the article below.

Early Childhood

Celebrating Advent in Kindergarten

Advent, advent, a candle burns

Advent, advent, a candle burns

First one, then two, than three, than four

Then stands the Light Child at the door

As we approach the year's end, the hustle and bustle of the Summer holidays and festivities begin to surround us. Amidst this seasonal whirlwind, it becomes essential to establish healthy and meaningful rituals with our children. That is a deliberate effort to shift from the consumerism surrounding Christmas in the modern world, aiming instead to forge a deeper connection with it's true significance. Although I identify as a spiritual person without adhering to any specific religion, I recognise and respect the diverse religious backgrounds within our group of children.

In acknowledging this diversity, my journey involves crafting a ritual that is personally meaningful, inclusive, and nurturing for both the children and myself. Let me share how our Advent ritual will unfold in the upcoming two weeks.

I perceive Christmas as a Festival of love and a celebration of the spirit of humanity. In my family, it has always been a time to prepare a bountiful feast and share it with close family and friends. Despite the religious connotations often associated with Christmas, I choose to work with the archetypes portrayed in religious imagery. Jesus, as the Light Child, symbolises birth and renewal—a radiant presence within us, guiding us through our darkest moments, embodying love and hope for our world and each other. Mary and Joseph represent the feminine and masculine energies within ourselves, with Mary embodying the archetype of motherhood, Mother Earth, and new beginnings.

Advent is a period of preparation and joyful anticipation, culminating in Christmas. Officially commencing on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (though I began it this week for the children to experience it at school), each week symbolises one of the four kingdoms: mineral, plant, animal, and human. In our ritual, we light a candle each week to honour and connect with these kingdoms, emphasising our interconnectedness and interdependence.

During week one, the candle is lit to acknowledge the mineral kingdom, accompanied by simple gifts from nature, such as shells, stones, crystals, or small bones. Week two sees the lighting of a second candle to honour the plant kingdom, with offerings like flowers, herbs, living plants, bark, or leaves. Week three involves lighting three candles, symbolising the animal kingdom, and offerings may include feathers, wool, knitted, wax, or wooden animals. The fourth week witnesses the lighting of four candles, representing the human kingdom, with human forms as offerings. On the final day, the light child arrives, bringing its everlasting flame.

Each week you might like to speak the relevant part of this verse given by Rudolf Steiner as you add elements of the four kingdoms to your table (see Steiner Spotlight above for verses).

Each day involves sharing a story related to the current kingdom, creating an atmosphere of reverence. It is a special time that children usually cherish and enjoy. They have the opportunity to contribute to our Advent table by opening a gift for our wreath or bringing their own contributions. Additionally, it serves as an opportunity to practice virtues, if you choose to incorporate this into the ritual.

That is our approach to celebrating Advent in the room. Remember that this is my way of making it meaningful for all children and myself. I am confident you will find what resonates with you and celebrate it in your home if you wish. 

May the festive season bring you happiness and cherished moments.

Julia Noronha

Sunflower and Rainbow Kindergarten Teacher

Primary News

Class 2 Koodjal

As the term comes to an end and the Advent season begins, our classroom has been filled with lovely stories and preparations for this special time of year.

This term, we enjoyed our Main Lessons on the Layout of the Sums, where the children developed their skills in addition and subtraction using pictures and stories. With materials like counters and “sums houses,” they practised solving problems and worked with vertical layouts. In World Legends, we listened to stories from cultures around the world, learning about creation, human striving, and the balance of life. These stories inspired retellings, written work, and illustrations, helping the children connect language and culture to their learning. Over the past week, we have reviewed all our Main Lesson books and ensured that they are completely up to date.

To celebrate Advent, the children created Secret Santa Advent Calendars filled with handmade treasures and natural finds. They have delighted in sharing jokes, riddles, pressed flowers, gemstones, and origami creations. The children have also been making ornaments, cards, and small gifts for family and friends.

As we approach the holidays, I feel deep gratitude for the dedication, creativity, and warmth the children have brought to our classroom.

Class 2 Koodjal Teacher

Kasia Rymarcyzk

Class 3 Dambart

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Class 4 Water Play Day

Class 5 Maar

Class 5 Ancient Greece Board games

The Trojan War is over.  You are the captain of a ship and have been encamped at Troy for many years and now you can return home to Greece. At last, you will see your homeland again! But, like Odysseus’, your trip home is not as straightforward as you thought it would be.

Your project is to make a board game or card game about the journey home with all its adventures.  Remember you are travelling across the Mediterranean Sea.  There are lots of islands and shores of different lands with different people and creatures.

Think of all the things you will encounter on your journey – some will be helpful, some with be obstacles or hindrances. How will you work these into your games?

This is the beginning of the Class 5 project aimed to consolidate our knowledge on this great ancient epoch -Ancient Greece. This term, Class 5 have returned to the stories of the great heroes of Ancient Greek mythology including Heracles, Perseus, Theseus, and Odysseus. Students have used their research skills, as well as showing how highly creative they are by working in partners/small groups, to create a fun and engaging game to enjoy; showcasing all they have learned.

Our Main Lesson has also dived into the more historical figures of Ancient Greece such as Pericles, Alexander the Great, Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, and Pythagoras just to name a few. We compared the two great City States of Athens and Sparta and how they were at constant war with each other, except when the Spartans and Athenians united to fight against the Persians during the Persian Wars. We particularly focused on the culture pertaining to human freedom, the beauty and balance of the human body, love of the word, joy of life and living in the physical body. The students marvelled at the beautiful architecture of Ancient Greece with its great temples and stadiums and were awe struck to learn that some still stand today.

Class 5 Main Lesson books are truly works of art as students not only produce literary masterpieces but also create beautiful illustrations, diagrams, and flow charts to demonstrate their learning. We also sing, sculpt, and paint as we immerse ourselves in our learning. Students created Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns out of clay and drew magnificent chalk pastel drawings of Odysseus as he was strapped to the mast of his ships while sailing past the Sirens.

Aimee Waller

Class 5 Maar Teacher

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Class 6 Maar Keyen 

The Class 6 curriculum revisits the gardening main lesson of Class 3 but this time, we approach the task as scientists with a deeper understanding of the mechanics of soil science and plant health. Each student is afforded the opportunity to develop their own individual garden bed in accordance with the Steiner curriculum. The goal is that each student emerges from primary school with the capacity to successfully grow their own food, whether in a garden or even on a balcony—a much-needed life skill.

In preparation for such a task, our class began learning the principals of horticulture at the start of this year. We learned about the importance of adequate sun and directionality of a successful vegetable garden, what constitutes good soil health and how to turn sandy soil into nutrient-rich loam, and how to select healthy seeds that are ideally uncontaminated by chemicals, heirloom and non-hybrid. We then enjoyed an incursion from Gaia’s Organic Farming to teach us how to construct wicking beds and plan our individual planting maps.

This term, we began the process of constructing the wicking beds using sustainable and cost-effective materials, transforming the fence line into a thriving garden full of nutritious vegetables. Each garden has its own miniature worm farm that we constructed out of inexpensive materials and refill each week with food scraps and paper waste. We also learned how to create our own organic fertiliser, making homemade seasol and weed tea. Wicking beds have a simple but wonderful design which minimises water wastage, fungal disease and maintenance, while encouraging plants to grow deep, strong roots.

Each week, the anticipation is palpable as students visit their gardens to track the plant growth, measure soil pH and water levels, add fertiliser, and remove hungry caterpillars. Some of us chose sunnier spots while others preferred shade, and this has impacted on plant growth in interesting ways depending on the needs of the vegetables chosen. Our radishes, lettuces, spinach, chard and edible flowers are ready, but our carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, watermelon, capsicum, zucchinis and herbs will be harvested at the end of the holidays. We look forward to coming together at the January busy bee to say hello to our old school and harvest our produce. Some of us plan to create beautiful soups, salads and curries for our families, while others of us have elected to donate the produce to a soup kitchen.

It is one thing to learn in theory, and another thing entirely to learn through lived experience. Our horticulture lesson offers a wonderful example of how we create opportunities for experiential learning in our Steiner school. Whatever circumstance they find themselves in, each of these young people can now go forward knowing how to effectively grow their own food and teach others to do the same. We hope the wicking beds we have built will continue to bring learning, joy and nutrition to the students of West Coast Steiner School for many years to come.

Elaine Meyer

Class 6 Maar Keyen Teacher

Music

Upcoming Performances:

Thursday December 5, 8.40am: Orchestra Christmas Assembly

Tuesday December 10: Parent and Staff Choir Performance @ Christmas Markets

Woodwork

WCSS Community Association

Dear School Community,

As the year comes to a close, we look forward to time together with family and the beautiful season of Christmas. To celebrate WCSSCA invites you to our final event and fundraiser of the year: the Christmas Markets, a festive send off before the holidays!

What to expect:

Fun activities – Join in for just a gold coin donation:

• Gingerbread decorating
• Felt angel crafting

Local stalls – Perfect for finding unique Christmas gifts.

Golden Threads – Stop by for icy poles, coffee, and some last minute shopping.

Carol singing – Embrace the spirit of the season.

Sausage sizzle lunch – Enjoy a tasty bite for a gold coin donation.

Come and enjoy the lovely relaxing atmosphere and an afternoon of Christmas cheer. The market begins at 12:00pm on Tuesday December 10. Please invite your family and friends along to share in the fun!

If you are interested in having a stall at the market, please contact Rachael on 0403 900 601.

With kindness in community,

Rachael (Class 2 parent)

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

December

Wednesday 04: Last day for Kindergarten 4 & 5; Class 1 Excursion

Friday 06: Last day of Gumnut Kindergarten, last day of Kindergarten 6

Monday 09: K6 Crowning Ceremony 8.30am; Class 5 Performance for Parents; Class 6 Graduation Ceremony 6.30pm

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