We are busily preparing for our Spring Festival which will be held on Thursday, September 19^th.  Staff recently discussed the purpose of this festival, given our Southern Hemisphere location.

We observed that we were beginning to see the swelling of buds that, come Festival time, will have realized their potential and burst forth in the colours of Spring – the purples of Hardenbergia , blue-purples of Dampiera, the yellows of Acacias and creams of the Jarrah.  On the Nyoongar calendar, Djilba is known as the growing season and the season of conception.  Woodland birds are still nesting, hence the swooping protective behavior of the Koolbardi (Magpies).  Our festival will acknowledge Spring in all its fullness; a coming into the light after the winter slumber and with an awareness of re-birth and healing.  We shall explore these themes further, as a school, in the lead-up to the Spring Festival.

On Tuesday this week, staff attended Professional Development with keynote speaker Matthew Cunnane.  Matthew came with 25 years Steiner school teaching, leadership and research experience to discuss a topic he is passionate about - assessment.  As a community we are lucky to have such passionate and thoughtful people who can re-imagine what sounds like a dry subject and enliven it with spirit and potential.  Parents can be reassured that the school is striving to enliven and develop ourselves to ensure we deliver the best Steiner education we can.  Steiner Education Australia sponsored Matthew’s visit and we are grateful for that support.

In order for us to determine our Kindy class structures and staffing for 2020, we ask that all parents intending to enrol children in any of our Kindergarten programs next year complete an Expression of Interest and forward it to the school along with the application charge of $50 to ensure your child is considered for a place.  Please pass this on to others who you know may be thinking of enrolling also but have yet to complete an EOI.

Wishing you warmth for the winter weekend ahead,

Jacqui Hamblin

Principal