Term 2 #9
31 May 2017
471-2163
[email protected]
www.dunedin.steiner.school.nz
NEWSLETTER
Reverence, enthusiasm, and a sense of guardianship,
these three are actually the panacea, the magical
remedy, in the soul of the educator and teacher.”
Rudolf Steiner
DIARY OF DATES
The whole school community meeting has been postponed, new date to be notified
Monday 5 June
Queen’s birthday – no school or kindergarten
Wednesday 7 June
9.30am Parent reading group in yurt
Friday 9 June
7.30pm ‘This War is Not Inevitable’ theatre performance
Tuesday 13 June
7pm Proprietors meeting
Tuesday 20 June
Spiral walk morning assembly in Primary school
Wednesday 21 June 9.30am Parent reading group in yurt
Friday 23 June
5:30pm Whole community lantern walk - Chingford Park
Tuesday 4 July
Kindergarten spiral walk
PLAYGROUP TIMES
Wednesday10 to 12pm
Fridays 10 to 12pm
Fridays 1:15 to 3:15pm
Mixed age children – Pine Hill
Te Whare Ako Marie – Pine Hill
Kereru’s Nest (new parents and infants) – Rata room
Kia ora koutou - greetings to all,
Slowly we feel winter coming upon us with some icy starts in the mornings. We look
forward to our Lantern Festival on Friday the 23rd of June, when we will gather
together in Chingford Park - all welcome - at 5.30pm. Meet at the bridge in the park
on the way to the stables. We shall join together in some lantern songs before the
kindergarten and primary school take their different routes. It should be a new
exciting venture for the older children, and a beautiful lantern walk for the young.
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The lantern festival is later this year, as we are tying it in with the spiral walk in the
Primary School on the 20 June. Let us greet the darkness at solstice.
As the days shorten, how better to spend your evening on Friday 9th June than by
going to see the play that the school is hosting "This War is Not Inevitable". The play
has been written to mark the centenary of the birth of an idea that could yet change
the world – Rudolf Steiner’s Threefold Social Organism. The Dunedin Rudolf Steiner
School will host this play at the Mary Hopewell Theatre, at the College of Education,
145 Union Street. The Threefold Social Organism was first of all an idea that could
have taken two years off the length of the First World War and made the Second
World War impossible. It addressed people’s vulnerability to political and economic
events – something that is every bit as relevant today as it was in 1917. It is not
suitable for children under fourteen but will appeal very much to all who care for the
fate of the world and have hopes for world peace – not as a utopian dream but as
something absolutely achievable. Please spread the word. Not only is this a chance
to see a meaningful and acclaimed drama, but is also a fundraiser for the school and
kindergarten.
Many of you will be very aware of the building work in the subdivision near the school.
We ask that children take great care if they head down the walking track - and
perhaps it may be better to take the Jessie Street route. Thank you to those who
have heeded our warnings about behaving sensibly and carefully on the way to, and
at the Maia bus stop. As roads get more slippery in the winter, it is even more
important that children walk down sensibly, for their own safety and for the safety of
cars. Reckless behaviour on the way down is also not a good advert for our school.
For the next few weeks Rachel will not be at the school much, as she accompanies
her husband, Charles, to Christchurch for his heart surgery. We wish them both well
at what is undoubtedly a stressful time for both of them. I am sure the parent body
would join our staff in sending their love and best wishes. Meanwhile the school,
kindergarten and playgroups tick along nicely. Wishing everyone a restful long
weekend - no school on Monday.
Keep warm!
Clare
Pine cones for sale: Class 5 and 6 fundraiser: You can buy great quality pine
cones for only $10 a bag.
Parent Reading Group: Interested to join? Just come along or contact Bex Fisher
or me. We are reading and talking about the four temperaments at the moment.
Gabriela (021 0856 4793)
Weleda orders: Weleda orders need to be in by today and can be placed with
Christine, [email protected]
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News from the Proprietors
We are still looking for a proprietor!!!!!!!!! Please, please, please put your hand up,
and get involved in growing this lovely school!
At the moment our main tasks are how to accommodate the kindy and playgroup
children. We are also searching for ways to ensure financially stability for the school
and source funding for our much needed new classroom building. John Whelan is
assisting with the fundraising campaign that is going to start soon.
Gabriela
SCHOOL NEWS
Class 3 & 4
Tēnā koutou,
Last time you heard from class 3/4 in the newsletter we were immersed in a
Measurement main lesson. Well, the measuring continues!
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I have followed up the main lesson with
a varied measuring practice lesson. We
have reinforced, or are soon to reinforce,
learning around distance, area, volume,
weight and density. Drawing 1 metre by
1 metre squares or 1 square metre or
1m2 up and down the court has really
helped to lock in understanding and
usage of area. We have arranged a wide
range of objects by weight, volume and
density. And there is still a lot of fun
maths left to go! We are still to check up
on our rain gauges which we put out a
few days ago and are still waiting for a
big downpour. We have yet to make our
measuring wheel or trundle wheel.
Our measurement related building
project is hopefully (if it doesn’t rain – so
good either way) out of the ground by
the time you read this. We have been
making a flat area in the orchard. I hope
to christen the space as an outdoor
amphitheatre with our class play later in
the year.
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We have just finished a
look at nouns, verbs,
adjectives and adverbs.
Wow, they are like a
bottomless hole if you let
them become one! So we
have kept it simple and
relied on common sense
and a clear focus on using
an understanding of them
to improve writing. This
week we start a main
lesson on Time. It is all
set to be another great
main lesson, but I can’t
give too much away now
because the students
need some surprises.
Until next time,
James
Help needed digging post holes
Class 3 and 4 need
help and ideas for
building their
retaining wall. We
have tried using
spades and a post
hole auger (on
Tuesday) and the
rocks were
victorious!
Anyone who can
offer suggestions
and / or help please
contact James
Guthrie (class 3 and
4’s teacher). We
can’t wait till
someone can help
out!
From: Anna, Virginia, Poppy, Jasmine, Matthew, Sammy & Lucy
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Classroom Cleaning – Term 2 2017
Vacuuming, dusting, anything you see to keep our classrooms clean! A once a week clean in the middle of
the week (Tuesday or Wednesday after school), really helps. Thank you in advance. Should the timetable
below not suit your family, please arrange to swap with another family.
Class
1/2
3/4
5/6
29/5-2/6
5-10/6
12-16/6
19-23/6
26-30/6
3-7/7
Tadgh
Annamaria
Taman
Lucy
Tamari
Sammy
George
Jasmine
Lylith
Poppy
Jakob
Matthew
Emily
Minami
Louis
Lucas J
Mya
Massi
KINDERGARTEN
Dear Whanau,
We were blessed to have Marjorie Theyer come to visit us last week. Marjorie very
generously donates her time and energy to supporting Steiner Kindergartens not only
nationally, but internationally. Having her advice and encouragement is invaluable
for the teaching staff, and her years of wisdom provide practical parenting advice for
those who attend her talks. Thank you Marjorie!
We welcome Saoirse, Lily, Noah and Joshua to the Kindergarten, and extend a warm
welcome to their families. On a rather unfortunate note, has somebody accidentally
wound up with some excellent wet weather gear in their child’s bag? One of these
children’s gear has gone missing, which is not a great way to start Kindergarten.
Please do check your child’s bag.
Following on from this, please do ensure that your child has correct wet weather gear
– Hat, Boots, Overpants and Coat. It is frustrating for both children and staff when
this is not supplied.
Nga Mihi,
Nga Kaiako Kohungahunga; the Kindergarten Teachers
Our Thoughts Matter
Susan R. Johnson MD,
"What a person thinks is not important. It is only what they do or say that matters". This was
the message I was taught during my 3 year fellowship in behavioral and developmental
pediatrics. A child could have intense feelings of anger towards someone, but as long as
they didn't act out their anger on the other person, everything was "OK". How superficial
that piece of advice seems today. Our thoughts do matter. Our thoughts are the foundation
of our words and our actions. Our thoughts are everything.
Biologically, what we think, determines the kinds of hormones and neurological transmitters
that are secreted within our body. If we hold on to our anger and do not find a way to
transform it, these "thoughts" of anger become secretions that determine our moods. If we
continually "live" in a state of anger or sadness than our emotions can actually affect our
physical body (our posture, the way we walk, the lines on our face, our voice), and
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depending upon the strength of our immunity, these emotional states can suppress our
immune system and lead to physical illness.
I had one of the most difficult times of parenting the week after Thanksgiving. During
Thanksgiving vacation, my son and I were visiting family. I was tired, and our schedule
became very chaotic without the predictable rhythms of sleeping and eating. Getting back
to school, or "re-entry" as I call it, was extremely difficult. My son and I had several days of
angry words. Each morning my son would wake up ready for a fresh start, a new day. I
would wake up with negative thoughts and negative expectations from the previous day.
My mood of soul (determined from the past) was impacting the morning (the present) and
the soul mood of my son. Each day became more difficult than the day before. It wasn't
until the end of the week when a new thought occurred to me: each morning is a fresh
beginning. Each day is a whole life. Forget the past, stop worrying about the future, and live
each day to the fullest. I had heard these words in my childhood, but I didn't fully understand
their meaning and their relationship to my thoughts until now. I had been re-reading a small
book, "In Tune with the Infinite", by Ralph Waldo Trine. It was published in 1899, and
contains many words of wisdom:
"Thought is a vital, living force, the most vital, subtle, and irresistible force there is in the
universe...The "power of the word" is a literal scientific fact...The spoken word is nothing
more or less than the outward expression of the workings of (our thought) forces...And in a
sense love is everything. It is the key to life, and its influences are those that move the
world. Live only in the thought of love for all and you will draw love to you from all. Live in
the thought of malice and hatred, and malice and hatred will come back to you. Every
thought you entertain is a force that goes out, and every thought comes back laden with its
kind."
I started thinking new thoughts. I stopped mentioning the negative events of the day before
or the week before. I stopped thinking about all the difficult times we had together. I stopped
feeling guilty. I stayed in the present with my thoughts, and I filled my thoughts with love.
Something happened to my mood of soul. It was transformed. My son and I had a great
day, a new beginning. That night, my son looked at me and said, "Mom, I love you". I had
not heard those words in a long time. I looked at him with loving eyes and said, "I love you
too". A new day had begun
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Community notices in our newsletter will normally appear for one week only and may be edited to
accommodate space.
If you wish to place a notice please email your notice to
[email protected]. We charge $10 for an advert and need ads in by the Monday prior to the
Tuesday publication date. You can pay by direct internet banking to 03-0903-0437318-00
Disclaimer: This space is open to advertisers and the school does not make any guarantees or
endorsement on their behalf.
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First aid course: Playcentre invites you to join us at a Comprehensive First aid course (which will then be
valid for 2 Years) on the 22 July 9.00am-5.00pm. It will be run at the Playcentre, 37 Durham St,
Mornington. The cost is $156.50 (usually $225). We are also running a Re-validation course, 18 June,
10.00am-2.30am, also at Mornington Playcerntre. The cost for this is $90 (usually $130). If you are
interested you can email [email protected] or phone 034530556 (ask for Helen or Karla).
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P hil Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Music: Guitar, Drums and Bass Tuition
Full Time Professional Music Teaching. Phil Hartshorn BA (HONS) PGDip Teaching
Web: dunedinschoolofmusic.nz Phone: 021 075 0927
I want to make you an awesome player, fast.
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Blossom Tree Educator position: Would you like to work from home while caring for your own
children? Are you passionate about children and Steiner education, or would you like to
learn more? We offer great remuneration rates, can help you up-skill and gain
qualifications as well as provide full support and guidance along the way. We have
families wanting care now so contact us today on 0800 4 BLOSSOM (0800 425677)
and visit www.blossomtree.org.nz to find out more.
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