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Hummingbird Waldorf Playgroup

Newsletter, 18th April 2019

Easter Gathering

We were very grateful to be invited to the Easter celebration of the Hummingbird Waldorf and Midyim Berries playgroups held at the community gardens in Southport. It was an experience akin to stepping into a secret garden, and at the same time, a step back into an unhurried and connected way of life. A simple craft activity, making a fleece butterfly on a little string, launched my little one into a world of her own making, as she danced the butterfly through the garden stopping to “ sip “ from each flower as she wove her little story.

It was a pleasure to watch each of the little ones having the freedom to follow their own curiosity and imagination in such an organic place. This opportunity, to be so present with their own interests, seemed to flow out to the adults, and whilst I am sure there was lots of conversation going on, the whole night seemed to flow quietly by, with colourful picnic food to share, storytelling, a torchlight egg hunt for adventure and music to add to the peacefulness of the evening, under the half moon.

Rachel.

New Venue

Playgroup commencing again 9:30am Tuesday 23rd April at Uniting Church 5 Nerang River Drive, Nerang.
The hall has many useful assets, it is set up to be child friendly with shaded play area and shady park area. We are still looking for an experienced co-ordinator.

Unincorporated Association Hummingbird Waldorf Playgroup

Minutes of the Inaugural Annual General Meeting

2pm 31st March 2019
Nerang Uniting Church, 5 Nerang River Drive, Nerang

Welcome

Circle

All members present gave their various reasons for wishing to be involved and what outcome they were hoping for - including:-
Working out best options for the children
Keeping options open including home-schooling
At present 1 hour from Steiner school – option of home school or local Waldorf
Information about new venture, Waldorf popular in Hungary
Teacher including drama
Support Mums, Steiner background, share knowledge
Looking for holistic approach
Currently studying Waldorf Early Childhood – more study options
Currently sharing the running of Hummingbird Waldorf Playgroup
To become involved in creating a community - part of the Waldorf community on the Gold Coast
Accredited teacher training in NZ. Now wish to become a Waldorf teacher
Passion for Steiner education. Looking for schooling option for children.
To bring Anthroposophy into the home
Currently running a playgroup after attending NSW Waldorf playgroups
Helping the Association to become Incorporated

Time frame

The importance of the time lags was mentioned.
Therefore the need to get forms and searches underway now.

The Legal Status of an Association

This was read to highlight the powers of an Association and that “individuals on the committee aren’t personally liable (as long as they acted in good faith).
Discussion about the Ltd company status versus Incorporation lead to an agreement that a not for profit Association was preferred.

Vote on becoming an Association

The vote to form an Incorporated Association was unanimous.

Name (s) of Association

As the Office of Fair trading requires 3 options a vote was taken and the 3 most popular were
Hummingbird, Sophia and The Bridge.
The Association name will therefore be requested in that order.

Board Members

The elected board members are:-
Zuzana Buckley - Chairperson
Sara Carrigan
Katie Alini - Secretary
Marianna Bela - Treasurer
Zsuzsanne Nemeth
Nancy Finch
Alf Finch
Susie Kuciak

Nominate person to fill in Application for Incorporation as an Association

Alf Finch was nominated to complete and forward the Application to become an Incorporated Association

Adopt Rules

Board Principles and Constitution
Conflict of Interest Policy
And Privacy Policy
were tabled and discussed and passed unanimously

Blue cards

Four board members already have blue cards and the others given applications to fill out to be returned to Alf as soon as possible.

Site evaluation and Accreditation Sub Committees to be formed as soon as possible.

Volunteers are still required for immediate action continuing over the next few weeks

Meeting closed at 3.50pm

Part II - extract from a lecture on:
The Education Of The Child - Rudolf Steiner

We can see from the way they live how human beings use what they receive from their surroundings, from what occurs during the first years of life, and how human development transforms and reforms them. It is particularly important during the first years of life that we nurture children’s capacity to modify their physical constitution in a flexible way, that we do not repress their adaptability. We repress those capacities most if we prematurely stuff children with concepts and ideas that relate only to external perceptions with sharply delineated contours, or when we tie them to activities anchored in particular theoretical forms. In such cases, there is no variability, no modification, not even the possibility of developing spiritual and soul capacities so that the soul can act day to day and hour to hour.