Welcome to Bilya Bardip (River Stories), Helena River Steiner School's parent, caregiver and community newsletter. We warmly invite you to read on and keep up to date with news, important information and upcoming events at our school.
PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS
Kaya Parents and Caregivers,
As we get caught up in end of year busyness and fatigue it is a good exercise to take stock of all that they year has held.
We started the year with our first high school class and a second kindergarten; we welcomed several new staff members; we began separating our early childhood and primary/middle school festivals, we held two of our festivals off-site, really drawing in the energy of the Mandoon Bilya (Helena River) and the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) into our celebrations and contemplations; WE BOUGHT A PROPERTY!!!!; we developed a College of Teachers to collaboratively reflect on and make decisions of educational importance in our school; we began our RAP; we had many new families enrich our community; and we held our first (and hugely enjoyable) Bush Dance!
On behalf of the staff I thank all the parents - who choose our school for their dear children and who make our lives colourful, warm, connected and purposeful every single day. We work together to awaken the children to the lessons of the world and what is living within them, and we are honoured to have this destiny with you, with your children.
I look forward to yet another new experience with you all next Wednesday as we celebrate our Christmas Advent Festival on our new site, down by the river. As we walk the land, together, for the first time, let us open a space to hear hear the insects, the birds, the whispers of the trees, and see if we can hear the secrets and wisdom they are trying to tell us. May we gather inspiration for our new custodianship role.
Blessings on our school,
Tanami Magnus
Principal
DIARY DATES
WEDNESDAY 15 DECEMBER
Christmas Festival/New Site Blessing 9.30 am
Students last day of Term 4
We hope you enjoy learning about what our students have been up to, as much as we enjoy sharing it with you!
KINDY
Djiti Djitis
Kambarang has been a delightful time in Djardak Mia and garden. We have the signs of fruit to come: tiny olives, oranges, mandarins and grapes all prospering from the rain and sun. These wonderful trees and vines provide lovely shady and green spaces for the Djiti Djitis to create, explore, play and picnic.
Recently we have had many parents help improve our kindergarten by building painting racks, garden beds, shade over a newly built stand up sand box, and shelving for shoes and bags. We would like to say a huge thank you for your generous contributions. We feel truly blessed.
Warm wishes to all as we enter Advent.
Sarah and Annie
Kindy
CLASS 1 & 2
Hello to our friends and families,
We have loved the change in weather over the last couple of weeks and this has come at a wonderful time as we rehearse for our upcoming Class Play 'The life of Francis of Assisi'. We have been rehearsing in the school grounds and enjoying the last days of Kambarang before we pass into a hot and dry Birak.
During our current Main Lesson block we have been learning about the inspiring Saints from around the world. They continue to inspire us to adopt many of these attitudes and values in the way we engage with our friends, family and nature. Earlier in the term we were enjoying the fantastic blossoms and new life that seemed to be everywhere as the Noongar season of Djilba gave a welcome change from the colder months. We were able to draw on many of the flora and fauna to guide our beeswax modelling and creative free play during break times.
As we draw close to the end of the school year I would like to thank all of the parents and helpers that have contributed to our class and have made this year so wonderful for us here in the Kaarak class.
Warm regards,
Thomas
CLASS 3 & 4
Class Wardang Horse Riding Camp
Like Odin the All Father of Asgard, the Wardangs ventured out to find ourselves atop of noble steeds at Forge Farm this year. Three epic days of getting to know horses, learning how to be safe around them, plaiting their manes and tails with feathers and flowers and having the most wonderful time just being with such majestic animals together. To top off a fabulous four days on camp, the grand finale Talent Show on the last night was certainly a highlight for everyone.
After camp we thoroughly enjoyed two weeks of swimming lessons and the very musical bus rides to and from the aquatic centre.
Being the brave Vikings that we are, the Wardangs went on to deliver a wonderful play depicting three big stories from the Norse Myths. How Odin lost his eye, Thor losing his hammer and the Death of Baldur. It has been such a pleasure to learn and experience this year with these wonderful children who are all, at their very core adventurous, brave and beautiful. Have a wonderful and safe Christmas and New Year everyone.
Big hugs,
Kathy
ADVENT
The Four Lights of Advent Nature Connections
The First Light of Advent is the Light of Stone.
The light that lives in crystals, seashells, and in bones.
The Second Light of Advent is the Light of the Plants.
Plants that reach up to the sun and in the breezes dance.
The Third Light of Advent is the Light of the Beasts.
Light that shines in the greatest, in the least.
The Fourth Light of Advent is the Light of Humankind.
The light of love, the light of thought, to give and understand
Rudolf Steiner
ADVENT
Advent starts this year on Sunday the 28th of November and is celebrated for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, Advent season ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is frequently celebrated by people of every religious faith and spiritual path as part of the festivals of the cycle of the year.
In the Southern hemisphere, Christmas falls near the Summer Solstice when the light is at its strongest and we celebrate the triumph of light at its greatest point in the yearly cycle. As the year draws to an end we increasingly spend time outside enjoying “the sun in the heavens”. With the long warm days, intense light and balmy nights we are drawn out into the elements rather than into “the sun in our hearts”. Advent can be seen as the time for transforming the fallen parts of our souls, so we can truly meet the holiness of the Christmas birth or the light.
It can be challenging to develop a sense of inwardness, patience and contemplation when the Spirit of the Earth is on its outward breath. To balance this we can consciously choose to “receive the light” and celebrate what is both universally human and universally spiritual. Celebrating Advent can provide an opportunity for some quiet ‘breathing in’ during this outwardly 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. The lighting of candles each week also reflects our own ‘Divine Light’ and helps to bring us a little inward contemplation.
A NOTE FROM... DEBORAH NEALE
It has been a busy year and our school continues to grow. As we grow we find new ways of working together. At this time of year it is a good time to look back and look at what we have accomplished, what we have overcome. A time for reflection and gratitude for all that has come to pass in the last year. As we breathe out in preparation for the new year I would like to wish everyone in our school community a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I look forward to seeing you all again in 2022.
Warmest wishes and Merry Christmas to you all,
Deborah Neale
JOB VACANCIES
The following teaching positions are currently available
Edstart is an organisation which provides families with flexible payment plans to help them manage their education costs. They have payment plans designed to fit around family budgets.
