Welcome to the Helena River Steiner School Newsletter. We always aim to keep you up to date with news and upcoming events at our school.
Dear Parents and Community,
How exciting it has been to start the new year with our new classrooms. We are revelling in the super large spaces and making the most of them, including as a music room with Elaine's piano put to regular use.
Yesterday morning one of the classrooms hosted our first ever "Gathering" (Assembly).
I'm so proud of the confidence and earnest participation of our students. What an uplifting start to the day!
We will have Gatherings twice a term, on Wednesday morning of Weeks 3 and 7 each term. Students will be hosting and parents are all invited to come and see what they've been working on.
These current weeks are also a period of nervous waiting. At the end of last year we submitted a LILS (Low Interest Loan Scheme) application to the Education Department for the purchase of a new property and construction of buildings. Each round, which occurs annually, must incorporate factors of government budget, number of applications and then the viability of each proposal.
Most of our families will know that we applied for funds for a property in Hazelmere on the Helena River.
However after the submission, just around Christmastime, we found that another site we had held in our heart had come onto the market.
We then submitted a new application for this property which we believe will be an excellent location for the school.
It is the properties 51-55 Harper Street in Woodbridge, backing onto the Swan River.
We invite you all next Tuesday the 25th February straight after school (approximately 3.30 pm) to meet us there for a NEW SITE DREAMING VISION. We can get a feel for the land and offer up our prayers and wishes for this to be our new home.
By declaring what we wish for, we leave ourselves vulnerable and at risk of not succeeding. However striving with clear purpose is beautifully summed up by W.H Murray's quote:
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth,
the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance,
which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.
I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!”
Blessings on our school,
Tanami Magnus
Principal
RAINBOW CLASS (LOWER PRIMARY) NEWS
The Rainbow Class have settled beautifully into the year with a gentle, nurturing daily rhythm.
We begin the day with our welcome song on the ukulele, then move to Morning Circle which focuses on verse, movement, co-ordination activities, singing and rhyme.
Main Lesson follows with the wonder of story. This term we have started with Folk and Fairy Tales which serve to fill the children with deep, rich, engaging imaginative images. This creates the very foundation on which to grow a love of listening, learning and confident literacy.
Class 1s begin to shape their letters and Class 2s write longer and more complex sentences, sometimes even adding their own creative inspiration into the mix.
Our afternoons are filled with the joys of painting, wax modelling, cooking, gardening, games and visits to the library.
This week, when we looked at the letter ‘F’, the children were told the Grimm’s tale of the FROG Prince. We then explored the FRUITING FIG tree in the garden. We climbed the branches, harvested FRUIT, cooked up a FEW jars of jam and FEASTED together on Wednesday afternoon! What FUN we have in the Rainbow Class!
When we are able to teach in a way that engages deeply, artistically and creatively with children, it inspires, connects and nourishes each and every child. I’m reminded about the incredible value of this educational journey each and every day.
Melissa Harvey
Rainbow Class Teacher
MIDDLE PRIMARY NEWS
It is amazing how much taller and bigger the children get over the Summer break and our class is overrun with long legs and arms. I feel like I shall be the smallest one in the class by the end of the year!
The term has started really well and our new classrooms are such a luxurious space that we are slowly making our own. We are feeling truly blessed. We have been busy felting our first craft project for the year that will be transformed into a very useful sewing wallet to house our needles, practice our stitching and show case some carved wooden tools that we are going to make this year. Much fun was had in dying our colours and patterns and the children, despite our gloves, were sporting some really colourful hands on Friday afternoon.
We have also been enjoying the company of Mick (Jagger), Bustamove and girlfriend the Australian Spiny Stick insects that are now our classroom pets.
Last week we had the pleasure of having Aunty Josie come in and share some very lovely stories from when she was growing up in the desert and as a result, we have been using the newly installed limestone seat as a sand storyboard during play times.
It is wonderful to be back at school and surrounded by our wonderful, energetic and inspiring HRSS children, families and staff.
Kathy Riley
NEW LOGO
You will have noticed we have a new logo!
Our much cherished logo -depicting the Helena and Swan Rivers that surround us and the blossoming gums which shelter us- has been revised to include another element which is at the core of our values and purpose.
The outer circle is now a dot painting which reminds us that we stand on land cared for and understood by Aboriginal people for thousands of years. It also expresses our wish to have Noongar kaartidjin (knowledge) and culture embedded in our school practices and part of our community.
Watch our next for our new website!
P & F NEWS
Thank you so much to Lauren and Jemma for organising such a successful Bunnings Sausage Sizzle last weekend, and all the parents who helped on the day.
The P & F (Parents and Friends) Committee is vital for any school and we need more members. NEXT MEETING: MONDAY 24TH FEB, 8.45 AM
DJET HOUSE (BEHIND ADMIN)
Please come for a cuppa and a chat to see how you might be involved.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Busy Bee - Sunday 8th March 9 am - 1 pm
CRAFT GROUP
Come and have a stitch and a yarn and a cuppa on Monday mornings. This is free and open to anyone, kids welcome, and you can drop in any time that suits. No experience necessary. All materials supplied. And it's actually fun!
Please contact Avryl if you are interested on 0414 534 904. MONDAYS 8.45 am - 11 pm
In Djet House behind Admin
ANTHROPOSOPHICAL STUDY GROUP
Curious about the philosophy that upderpins Steiner education?
Anthroposophy literally means “the wisdom of man” and it examines all aspect of life and living. It encourages individuals to awaken and develop their understanding of themselves, the people around them, and all elements of the world.
We read together lectures by Rudolf Steiner and you can ask questions, share ideas or just listen. All welcome
TUESDAYS 6.30 -7.45 pm
Behind Admin
PUPIL FREE DAYS THIS TERM:
Tuesday March 3rd
Wednesday March 25th
Indigenous Scholarships available
Helena River Steiner School is a new and growing school located in the heart of Midland, Western Australia. Our unique philosophy of education (Steiner Education) is an education model which embraces the future, serving the developmental needs of the whole child [head, heart and hands] through a focus on nature, music, art, the spirit world, and a strong emphasis on teaching through story telling.
Come down for an afternoon of fun!
Helena River Steiner School has a stall so come and find us.
We are also looking for volunteers to man the stall. Please contact Jemma on
0400 119 823 if you can help -even if for an hour or two.
