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Wednesday 6th May 2015 Edition 389

695 Roland Road, Parkerville WA 6081. Phone: 08 9295 4787 ABN 48 417 551 865 School Email: welcome@silvertree.wa.edu.au School Administrator’s email: admin@silvertree.wa.edu.au

Bursar’s Email: bursar@silvertree.wa.edu.au Community Development and Enrolments: community@silvertree.wa.edu.au

If a child is absent please ensure a note is delivered to the teacher or an email is sent to the school explaining the absence.

News for the Silver Tree Steiner School

Community

Dear Parents and Guardians, As mentioned in the newsletter last week Donna, Kristy and I attended a conference in northern New South Wales at the Shearwater Steiner School for all Steiner schools around Australia. Western Australia was well represented with delegates from West Coast Steiner School, Perth Waldorf School and Yallingup Steiner School. The keynote speaker at the conference was Dr Stephen Sagarin, Associate Professor and former Director of the M.Ed. Program in Waldorf Teacher Education at the Sunbridge Institute in New York. His initial lecture outlined the history of Waldorf (Steiner) education in the United States and how it has evolved since the founding of the first Waldorf School in 1919. This was especially enlightening for me as it outlined Rudolf Steiner’s vision for education as development for all children, transforming education in the world to produce a healthy society of human beings. Dr Sagarin’s second lecture was entitled “What makes Waldorf, Waldorf? Separating myths from essentials and making the future bright”, here he outlined what is intrinsically ‘Steiner’ and non-negotiable about the education we offer in our schools. Dr Sagarin identified five essential elements that keep us true to our origins and intentions. These he outlined as spirituality where ideas transform into ideals, transformation in teaching children at their stages of readiness, existence as threefold human beings (head, heart and hands or thinking, feeling and will), respect and reverence for the natural world, including ourselves and lastly social health or the care of human relationships. Apart from the knowledge and understanding gained from the keynote speaker the conference was an opportunity to create networks and gain valuable information and insights into Waldorf/Steiner education in Australia and indeed the world. In last week’s newsletter I also included correspondence from the Tashi Waldorf School in Kathmandu, at the conference we were given an update of the situation which I will include as an addition to the Silver Leaves newsletter. Again I urge community members to be generous with donations in light of the last two elements identified by Dr Sagarin as being essential in Steiner education and the education of our children.

Shearwater Steiner School, Mullumbimby

Koorrdjenangin Mothers’ Day Market Thursday 7th May

Dr Sherwood Guest Speaker Thursday 7th May 7pm

Gems Seed Planting Monday 18th May 9:15 am

Parent Meeting for Light Keeper Parents Tuesday 12th May at 6 pm

Alchemists’ Parent Night Wednesday 13th May at 6 pm

Wayfarers Play Parkerville Hall, Thursday 14th May 1 pm and Friday 15th May at 6 pm

Term 2 Mid-Term Break Friday 29th May – Monday 1st June

Contents

Calendar of the Soul 2

NEWS FROM THE CLASSROOM

Alchemists News 2

Koorrdjenangins News 3

NEWS FROM THE SCHOOL

Passion for Steiner education 3

Article 3

P&F 4

GEMS 4

Courses/Workshops/Events 5

Classifieds 6

Devastating Earthquake 7

Term 2 calendar 9

Bank Details for Payment Bendigo

Bank BSB: 633 000 A/C #:137 169 512 Donations to the Building Fund - Tax

Deductible Bendigo Bank BSB: 633 000 A/C #:

140 071 069

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CALENDAR OF THE SOUL ___________________________________________________________________________________

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NEWS FROM THE CLASSROOM

_________________________________________________________________________________ ALCHEMISTS NEWS “One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief,

that is a fate more terrible than dying.” Joan of Arc

As an uplifting contrast to the world of human foible (fables), there are also human lives that are inspiring and seem to reach beyond the limits of the lower human nature. While the Fables deal with the animal instincts, these stories are metaphors in which the self-realised nature of such individuals overcomes and transforms the animal element. Called Saints in some cultures, these great individuals manifest a self- realised nature that although based within one cultural tradition, speaks to the universal human beyond particular cultures. Some of these are historical, such as St Francis, while others are quasi-historical and live half in the realm of legend e.g. the early Celtic saints. The great lives manifest the classical ideal of Truth, Beauty and Goodness. The stories of the saints serve a particular purpose in complementing the animal stories because the saints were people who, through self-discipline and strict training, overcame their own lower natures. This is pictured in the stories as outer encounters with animals in which the moral strength of the saints enables them to face the wildness of the animal nature and transform it. Such stories do not belong to or promote a particular religion. They show the children that spiritual strength is different to the physical kind and has to be won in a different way. The Alchemists have so far listened to the story of St. Francis of Assisi, St. George, St. Odilia, St. Jerome, and St. Monacella. Some of these saints are very well known however it is often the stories of the Saints we know little about that surprise and delight us even more. One of my favourites is the story of St. Jerome. It tells of an injured lion that comes to a monastery for help. Many of the monks who see the lion are afraid but Jerome knows that the lion is hurt and nurses him. In return for shelter, food, and care, the lion is set to work looking after a donkey. When the donkey goes missing, the lion is accused of a great misdeed. You’ll have to ask an Alchemist what happens in the rest of the story. Blessings, Yvette Ghouse

Now Autumn, like a lusty king, Strides through the fields – awake, aware. From summer sleep we’ve watched him bring This crispy coolness to the air. And fruit, well-ripened on the tree, To me is whispers, round and sweet: “Be firm. Be strong. Then it shall be That you’ll bear fruit for gods to eat!”

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to participate in the Silver Tree Parent Surveys, these are extremely valuable as it gives us a clear indication of parent satisfaction and where improvements can be made to the school. Results of the survey will be published in newsletters to come. A reminder that on Tuesday 19 May the Annual General Meeting of the school community will be held at Silver Tree at 7.30pm, it would be fantastic to see community members show their support by attending. Blessings on our school and peace upon the earth. Mark Panaia Administrator

Administrator cont…

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News from the Classroom cont…

KOORRDJENANGIN NEWS

Koorrdjenangin Mothers’ Day Market – Thursday 7th May

The Koorrdjenangin children are putting the finishing touches on their hand-made craft wares ready for this week! They have all been so busy knitting, sewing, crocheting and baking treats to sell at their special Mother's Day market. The class are raising money to donate to the Guide Dog Association, who are coming out to visit the class later in the term. The class would love you to come along to the market in the gazebo this Thursday 7th May where they will be selling whole cakes (they have baked themselves) for $10 and lots of other hand-made craft goodies, made by the children especially for the market. We hope to see you all there!

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NEWS FROM THE SCHOOL

_________________________________________________________________________________ ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT STEINER EDUCATION? Would you like to help with the continued growth of the Silver Tree Steiner School in Parkerville? Silver Tree is now looking for new members of the Board of Governors. If you have experience in teaching, administration, business and anthroposophy, please consider this special opportunity before our next AGM in mid-May. Contact Peter Grant, Chairman of school board, on pag@westnet.com.au for more information or a nomination form.

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ARTICLE ___________________________________________________________________________________

Authenticity in Mother’s Day

Posted by Susan Laing from her blog: Concious, Creative, Courageous Living with Children.

One boy said in his card to his mother on her birthday: “I love you and I like you’. So he expressed an appreciation for his mother with some wisdom about the nature of relationships (conscious or not conscious).

I have heard it said by a mother “I love my son but I don’t like him much.” Or an older daughter or son “I love my mother but wish she had done it differently in my own childhood.” True bonding in the parent-child relationship calls out ‘unconditional love’ in us. ‘Like’ on the other hand often reflects the identification of a particular quality which is liked in the other. It is true that in children these likes can be very pragmatic and egocentric. “I like grandma because she gives us ice creams.” “I like Dad because he takes me to the football.” But when the ‘like’ comes from a true appreciation of some fine quality in ourselves, we begin to feel really seen. When we are given something that involves effort and thoughtfulness on the giver’s part we feel much more appreciated.

That is what I would argue that an authentic Mother’s Day celebration needs— a day with ‘love’ and ‘like’ in it, not a response to the emotional blackmail of commercial advertising, like the one I saw once: “How much is your mother worth? $20? $30? $40……..?”

I met a woman on my walk this morning who shared that in her family, Mother’s Day involved the making of a special card for her by her sons. Just the card hand-made with love. A ‘love gift’. Even a bought present can be love-filled when it is thoughtfully planned or bought with specially saved pocket-money, or money earned to buy the gift.

Make the acknowledgement of our mothers authentic by being at once thoughtful and love-filled. That’s the short version of this post. More ideas can be found on “Lovegifts” at http://www.creativelivingwithchildren.com/nurturing-childrens-growth-2/play/love-gifts/

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P&F NEWS ___________________________________________________________________________________

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GEMS NEWS ___________________________________________________________________________________ THANK YOU Thank you too Kylie Ellis for taking the initiative to clean up all the rubbish along Roland Road in front of our school. Term 2 PPS hours completed for Kylie - you're a gem. A big thank you goes to John Hards, grandparent to Ruby and Jett for doing a great job hanging the Marri kindy gates and doing some creative work to get them on.

GEMS ARTICLE Green waste collection Class 4/5 did a great job building four new compost bays during garden lessons recently. The compost bays have been “built” with recycled untreated wooden pallets secured from a building site. Thank you very much Jorg for obtaining the pallets and Dermott for hammering in the star pickets. Whilst the pallets will break down in the longer term, they provide us with an improved system of storing our green (and brown) waste with the aim of mixing our own compost. We are now seeking the help of our wonderful parents to provide us with a source of fruit and vegetable green waste. We would like volunteers to please commit to making a trip to Hills Fresh on a given day to collect whatever green waste they have available for free pick up at the back of their shop and bring that up to school. We would like to collect food scraps every day for three weeks to ensure we have enough green waste to get our composting schedule started. If you can help, please contact Bronwyn on bronwynscallan@gmail.com We would also LOVE for you to bring any of your kitchen scraps up to school and place them in our compost bays as often as you like. Onion, meat and dairy do not make the greatest compost so please limit these items and please ensure you empty any bags or containers of scraps you have into the compost bay rather than leaving a bag filled of scraps by the bins for us to empty, as it may be days before someone gets the chance to do so. Please place all food scraps in one compost bay only. Lawn mowing clippings from lawns that are not fertilised or sprayed with herbicides are also highly sought after. Feel free to drop yours into the lawn clipping compost bay. Thank you for your support.

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GEMS cont…

Growing Vegetable Seedlings at Home for our Gardens GEMS is planning to save money by growing our own seedlings and to raise money to purchase resources we need for primary, kindy and playgroup gardens by growing our own seedlings for sale at the school markets. If you have a green thumb or would like to try your hand at growing seedlings from seed, we need you! Soil in pots will be available from the school garden for your use and seed will be purchased by the school where possible. Maybe you can propagate something growing in your own garden and donate it. If you can help, please contact Bronwyn on bronwynscallan@gmail.com Thank you SO much.

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COURSES/WORKSHOPS/EVENTS ___________________________________________________________________________________ DISCLAIMER: The articles, advertisements and community notices in this newsletter are provided as a service to

the school community. The carrying of an article, advertisement or community notice does not imply endorsement

by Silver Tree Steiner School.

CRAFT

We are running a Waldorf Steiner Doll making course this term it will be held on a Friday morning in Gumnut Kindy after morning drop off starting the 8th of May it will cost $75. If you already have your doll making supplies it will cost $40. The course will run for approximately 8 weeks if you have any questions or would like to join or discuss payment options please email sharnerath@hotmail.com or talk to Sharna Ridley or Debbie Targett at school. This is a craft group fundraiser and will be lots of fun.

GUEST SPEAKER INVITATION

Guest Speaker Dr Patricia Sherwood Will be giving an information night on the Nine Year Old Change

Thursday 7th May at 7pm in the Light Keepers Classroom

Cost $5 Everyone welcome

RSVP: welcome@silvertree.wa.edu.au

Complete Kinesiology in Stoneville offers a dynamic holistic treatment that can improve, stress & anxiety, physical pain & injuries, learning difficulties, emotional issues, phobias & fears, depression, asthma, hormonal imbalances, nutritional & allergy issues, tiredness, digestive problems and more.

Liane Cugley Dip Kinesiology 0400 025 345

COMPLETE KINESIOLOGY

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CLASSIFIEDS

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BUS SERVICES

Bus Services from outside the Public Transport Area to Silver Tree Steiner School: The Public Transport Authority’s (PTA) School Bus Services (SBS) Branch is finalising the review of the provision of bus services for families attending Mundaring Christian College, Sacred Heart Primary School, Silver Tree Steiner School and Helena College Junior and Senior School that reside in the following areas:

Toodyay

Gidgegannup

Wundowie

Wooroloo

The Lakes

Mt Helena

Chidlow

Morangup

Bakers Hill

By way of background, Transport Assistance policy provides for a reasonable level of transport assistance to the nearest appropriate government school, or non-government school of religious denomination or ethos.

To qualify for Transport Assistance an eligible student must satisfy the following criteria:

Be enrolled at their nearest appropriate school,

Be at least 3 years and 6 months and less than 19 years of age,

Regularly travel on the school bus

Reside more than 4.5 km from their school, and

Reside outside of a designated Public Transport Area.

To ensure we provide sufficient capacity for students requiring a bus service in 2016, we are requesting families to apply for Transport Assistance. Please encourage the families residing in the above mentioned areas to complete an on-line application form at www.schoolbuses.wa.gov.au . SBS requires all families wanting Transport Assistance to lodge an application by Friday, 5 June 2015. The PTA currently provides a conveyance allowance to eligible families, in lieu of a bus service and will continue to do so for the remainder of the 2015 school year. Should you require additional information please contact one of the following SBS officers: Anthony Scott, Transport Liaison Officer 9326 2493 Annabel Ward, Senior Planning Officer 9326 2472

FLUTE WANTED

If anyone has a second hand Quinta (brown) class 2 flute could they please contact Lis Cassey on: 0417 182 454. Thank you

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Classifieds cont…

DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE, 25TH APRIL 2015

Following the concerns shown by all of you about the devastating earthquake that took place in middle parts of Nepal, this brief report has been prepared to get you acquainted with current situation in Nepal and to thank you all for all the concerns that you have about us and also for the prayers you did for our safety and well-being. Before writing anything about the deadly earthquake, first let us inform you that the school is safe. Only the boundaries walls on two sides have been collapsed blocking the entry to the school building. No big damage or whatsoever has been done to school by such terrible earthquake. Thank God for the same. The school was supposed to reopen after the final term break on the 27th April Monday but already on the 25th April Saturday at about 11.55 am the terrible earthquake having 7.6 rectare magnitudes took place rendering millions of people homeless and many orphans and widows and widowers. Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Sindhupalchok, Kavrepalanchok, Lamjumg and Gorkha among others are the districts that were hit badly by the earthquake. Making the things bad to worse, after shock of 6.8 reactare magnitudes hit Nepal again on Sunday. Since then, we have been experiencing tremors of 5 rectare magnitudes on regular basis. We had more than 100 tremors of less than 6 rectare magnitudes until Wednesday. While preparing this report, a small tremor of may be 4 rectare magnitudes hit the Kathmandu city as the window panes of the room where we are writing this report are trembling suggesting us to write this report quickly and go to safe place. All the teachers and staff of TWS are safe and fine. The earthquake has left us all devastated. Our confidence level has been badly shaken. We all are living with real palpable fear. It may take some more time to recover from the shock we went through during that dreadful moment. As the school was having term break many of our students might have gone to their villages or might have been getting ready to come to Kathmandu when the tremor happened. We fear some of them might have the victims of the earthquake. We are effortful to know their whereabouts and situation through phones although telephone connection has been disrupted and difficult. Communication has been disrupted all over Nepal in one way or the other. The roads are blocked and there is high risk of landslides in the quake affected areas. We tried to contact many of our parents but their mobile phones were switched off which apparently means the batteries have gone down and they found no other means to charge as the electricity has also been cut off. Almost all the parents whom we managed to contact said that their houses have been cracked and they are staying in temporary shelters.

MIDLAND WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE PLACE

WEST COAST STEINER OPEN DAY

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Classifieds cont…

We called more than hundred parents and could contact with only 9 parents who said that they are safe physically and living with difficulties. They do not know how long they have to do so. Parents of Phunchok Tshiring Sherpa, a student of Nursery informed us that their house has been collapsed due to the quake very badly leaving them homeless. They are also staying in temporary shelter. Shirish Pahari, Caretaker of TWS was in Kathmandu when his house was destroyed by the quake in his village in Kavrepalanchok district. His mother and father escaped casualty only because they were working in their kitchen garden but his sister-in-law who was sick was caught under the rubbles. It took a long time to rescue her. Her hand is broken and leg sprained and wounded badly on her head. She was rushed to hospital in Banepa (Sheer Memorial Hospital) where she is undergoing treatment and is reported to be out of danger. We definitely will be trying to find out the situations of our students and parents. Once the situation comes to normalcy we may be able to do that and accordingly a report about the same will be sent to you. More than 80% of the houses in Kathmandu have been damaged and cracked by the earthquake. It is the same in all the villages hit by the quake. The houses in the villages are mostly made up of clay and brick, thus are destroyed. The two villages in Gorkha and Sindhupalchok districts having about two hundreds households are said to have been vanished by the quake. Now only the remains are seen there. Because of the narrow streets in Kathmandu, rescue team could not take bulldozer, cranes and excavator to affected areas. As a result of which many dead bodies buried by the debris and wreckages of the destroyed houses could not be taken out as yet. The case is similar in many villages. Helicopter could not land in many villages preventing rescue works. No one can really say how many more dead bodies are buried. The rescue teams from as many as 30 countries have been working at war foot but because of rainy weather and difficult geography their works have been very tough. On the other hand, after shock of less magnitudes are still coming. Due to which normalcy is yet to be restored even if people are trying. Everywhere temporary shelters have been erected with tents and plastics which have been their only source to survive. In many places tents have not been enough to make temporary shelter leaving the people to pass their under the sky. The nature has been unkind this time to add salt to injury by pouring untimely rain. Due to decaying of not cremated dead bodies in Kathamandu and dead bodies and dead livestock in the villages, it is feared that epidemic can break out soon. Having realized this situation, more than 4 hundred thousands have quit Kathmandu and the trend is on the rise.

Kathmandu at present The entire sparkling Kathmandu city now looks likes cremation area. Shops remain closed as of now ignoring the government’s order to open. People find it difficult to buy essential commodities to survive. On the other hands, some people are black marketing such commodities. Some thieves have made this situation an opportunity to break into houses and steal. Public transportation has come to halt. Some private transport entrepreneurs also are taking advantages of this situation. All the government and private hospitals are crowded with the injured persons. Some hospitals are treating injured people outside their premises under the open sky. Many cultural heritages in Kathmandu have been demolished by the cruel quake. Bhimsen Tower that used to stand nearby General Post Office has become a history. It is said that there were more than 150 people inside the tower and as many were waiting their turn outside the tower, when the tower collapsed killing more than 200 people. Many dead bodies are yet to be taken out. The whole area has started to stink making the rescue workers more difficult to work. Similarly many ancient temples in and around the Kathmandu city have been destroyed. Some has commented rightly that Kathmandu is no more a historical city. A big temple in Patan Durbar Square was destroyed to heap of debris. Only yesterday two dead bodies could be taken out and it is feared many bodies could still be there. We will update you with more news and photos when things are back to normal. It may take a few more days. Hem Rai and Rajen Syangden, TWS,KTM

Remember to join the Facebook page "Friends of the Silver Tree Steiner School”

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Silver Tree Steiner School Term 2 2015 Calendar

Term 2 2015

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Week 1 20th April 21st April 22nd April 23rd April 24th April 25th April 26th April

Staff PD Day 1st Day back to school

Faculty Meeting

Week 2 27th April 28th April 29th April 30th April 1st May 2nd May 3rd May

Anzac Day Public

Holiday

Faculty Meeting

Craft morning

8.45-12.30

Week 3 4th May 5th May 6th May 7th May 8th May 9th May 10th May

Class 3 Kelmscott

Farm Excursion

Mother’s day Market

2:15 Dr

Sherwood talk 7pm

Craft morning 8.45-12.30

Week 4 11th May 12th May 13th May 14th May 15th May 16th May 17th May

Class 3 Parent Night 6:00pm

Class 2 Parent Night

6.00pm

Wayfarers Play

1.00pm Faculty Meet

Craft morning

8.45-12.30. Wayfarers Play 6pm

Week 5 18th May 19th May 20th May 21st May 22nd May 23rd May 24th May

GEMS seed planting 9:15am

Faculty Meeting

Craft morning

8.45-12.30

Week 6 25th May 26th May 27th May 28th May 29th May 30th May 31st May

Faculty Meeting

Mid Term Break

Week 7 1st June 2nd June 3rd June 4th June 5th June 6th June 7th June

WA Day P/H Mid Term

Break

All staff Meeting

Craft morning

8.45-12.30

Week 8 8th June 9th June 10th June 11th June 12th June 13th June 14th June

Faculty Meeting

Craft morning

8.45-12.30

Week 9 15th June 16th June 17th June 18th June 19th June 20th June 21st June

Winter Festival

Winter Festival

Week 10

22nd June 23rd June 24th June 25th June 26th June

Faculty Meeting

Last day of Term 2

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Mon 29th June – Fri 17th July. Term 3 commences

on Monday 20th July.