Principal's Address
A Verse for Our Time
We must eradicate from the soul
All fear and terror of what comes towards man out of the future.
We must acquire serenity
In all feelings and sensations about the future.
We must look forward with absolute equanimity
To everything that may come.
And we must think only that whatever comes
Is given to us by a world-directive full of wisdom.
It is part of what we must learn in this age,
namely, to live out of pure trust,
Without any security in existence.
Trust in the ever present help
Of the spiritual world.
Truly, nothing else will do
If our courage is not to fail us.
And let us seek the awakening from within ourselves
Every morning and every evening.
-Rudolf Steiner
Dear Parents and Carers,
Many thanks to those families who are in a position to assist the school, by choosing to keep children at home in the lead up to the school holidays, during this uncertain time of COVID-19. It is significantly assisting staff with managing social distancing in the classroom, ensuring classes are best managing good hygiene, and providing staff with the much needed space required to prepare lessons for both the classroom and for those of you taking on distance learning at this time. The staff offer their gratitude to you all.
Can I reiterate that if your child is sick in any way at this time, please keep them at home.
We appreciate that distance learning can be challenging, especially if this is not something you have done before and certainly a juggle where there are 2 or more at home. You can’t replicate a school situation and we recommend that you do not try. Staff are preparing up to two hours of “formal” learning activities and then a myriad of suggestions on home based activities that can be completed according to the interests and time and resource availability of families. Rhythm and routine are important at this time for everyone. In a time of uncertainty, knowing what is expected at the start of each day is grounding and reassuring.
Staff are preparing tasks as best they can but may need a day or two to get everything together before it will be ready for collection. Please keep in contact with your respective class teachers via email. We can also post packs if people are not able to come into the school to collect. Should there be extensive school closures, email will be the most reliable method of exchanging information. As a staff, we are also exploring the range of ways we will be staying in touch should this period extend beyond the holidays.
Attached are 2 links that parents may find useful. The first is information for parents and carers in relation to setting up a distance learning environment. This resource comes from the NSW Department of Education but we believe it is still applicable to a Steiner distance learning setting.
The second link is from a US Steiner school in relation to how to speak with children about COVID-19. I hope this is helpful.
https://phillywaldorf.com/talking-to-children-about-covid-19/
Sending blessings to all our families at this time.
Warmest regards,
Jacqui Hamblin
Principal