Though much is changing, I stand strong

And in the darkness, shine.

For sleep, the plants and creatures long

But I have work divine.

For sun-seeds golden I'll be sowing,

Warmly from my heart's depth's glowing,

Into winter's icy flowing.

Dear GHSS Families,

The end of the term is upon us and we eagerly await our forthcoming Autumn festival, to be held at the Hall this Thursday (the last day of term). Our Autumn festival is a celebration of the harvest and abundance often found locally at this time of the year, and is an opportunity to feel and express gratitude for all the gifts that come our way.

Our bush school students have been eagerly anticipating the return of the flowing creek, but alas, the rains have yet to come. This is an exciting time of year for gardeners, when a variety of produce is fruiting and we finally reap the rewards of all our efforts. Likewise, this was also a time of abundance for the Noongar people - a great time for living and fishing by the coast, rivers and estuaries. Freshwater foods and seafood made up major parts of the Noongar people’s diet during Bunuru, the hottest time of the year.

Late March, however, is in fact a time of transition between the Noongar seasons of Bunuru (around Feb/March) and Djeran (April/May). As such, we never seem to know what the weather will bring on our Autumn festival - some years we have had to retreat to the hall to shelter from the rain, other years bring blistering sunshine. It always feels a bit odd to be singing about the ‘cold winter coming in’ when the festival gods decide to turn up the sunshine on the day! This year’s festival promises to be another warm one, so remember to bring along sunscreen, hats and drink bottles.

In many Steiner schools, the Autumn festival also coincides with Michaelmas celebrations. In Autumn, as some of the life forces of nature recede, turning toward a winter sleep, the inner life of the human soul is awakening. It is a time when we celebrate the building and strengthening of our inner life. It is at this time that the image of Michael with the dragon appears before us as a mighty imagination, challenging us to develop strong, brave, free wills, to overcome love of ease, anxiety and fear. At GHSS, the themes of gratitude, abundance and courage permeate our Autumn festival through songs, story, harvest offerings, shared food, and ‘courage games’ such as the crossing of the rope bridge or attempting a ‘trust fall’.

As the year continues to surge forward, it certainly seems to be an especially busy time as everyone does their best to stay on top of work, family and personal commitments. In our fast-paced world, there always seems to be more to do and something else to look ahead to. With this in mind, I’d like to wish everyone a wonderfully restful Easter holiday, and hope you all manage to find some stillness and calm amongst the demands of life! On that note, I’d like to leave off with poem by David Whyte.

‘Enough’

If not these words, this breath.
If not this breath, this sitting here.

This opening to life
we have refused
again and again
until now.

Until now.

David Whyte from
Where Many Rivers Meet

Eliza Allan

Principal