From the Principal

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This week has flown by so quickly, it seems the school is buzzing with activity and we are already well into the rhythm of the year.

Not only is this the time when our students are settling into their daily routines, but it is also the time when much of the parent involvement in the school is being organised.  We have a very full calendar of Class meetings over the first few weeks of the year.  I would like to strongly encourage at least one parent from each family to attend  the Class meetings.  Our teachers and guardians put a lot of time and thought into planning meetings which are interesting, relevant, informative and enjoyable (and hopefully not too long).  We consider the class meetings to be a crucial part of our communication pathways.  Whilst we do our very best to avoid clashes of meetings, this is not always possible so I do apologise to any parents who have found that they have two meetings in one night.

At the beginning of the week, along with James Dods (Chair of the Board), I attended the Parents and Friends meeting.  The Parents and Friends group do such a good job of supporting the school and providing opportunities to build our school community.  I strongly encourage families to get involved with the P&F and help support our school.  At the moment, they are considering ideas for a social event for the school community.  If you have an idea for a social event to bring the adults within our school community together, please do contact Tanja Nelson (Chair of the P&F) to let her know.
This week I briefly attended the first Kindergarten meeting for the year.  It was lovely to see the new (and not so new) kindergarten parents there.  Settling our new little kindergarten children into the rhythms and routines of the kindergarten day is a big job and it is so important that our teachers are able to communicate clearly with the parents.
Finally, today I had the absolute joy of attending the Class 5 Indian Feast.  It was a great chance to dust off my sari and join the students for some wonderful dhal and rice.  Thank you to the parents who worked so hard to create this beautiful meal and thank you to Naina for organising the day for the students.  Those who looked carefully may even have seen Georgi from our Admin team dancing with the Bollywood Sisters.
Peace
Nerrida
Indian Feast Class 5

Members of the Association

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If you were a Member of the Association of the Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School inc. under the terms of the previous constitution, your membership has now lapsed.  You will need to complete the application process to become a Member under the terms of the current constitution.

James Dods, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, recently sent out an email to the school community, inviting the community to apply for membership, and to support our wonderful school.  Members of the Association elect Directors of the Board and can vote at the Annual General Meeting, and any Special General Meetings of the Association which may be called from time to time.

The Association’s primary purpose is to: “Ensure that the legal entity (the school) can still function“

If you are interested in being a Member of the Association, please see Reception to pick up an application form.  Application forms need to be given to Georgi Brooke, the Principal’s Assistant, to collect.  You may drop off at Reception for Georgi.  Further information about the procedure to become a Member of the Association can be found at this address:  http://capebyronsteiner.nsw.edu.au/schooldocs/Application_for_Membership_of_Association_Procedure_V_1.1.pdf

Privacy Reminder

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It is wonderful when parents and friends come to school events and many parents love to take photos of their children at these events to remember the occasion and share with family and friends.  Whilst sharing photos of your own child is your own choice, sharing photos of other children without their parents’ permission is a breach of privacy.  For this reason, we ask that parents who take photos of children other than their own at school events do not share the photos on social media (Facebook, Instagram etc.) or on any other website or sharing platform.

Communication

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We love communicating with parents – it’s how we best work in partnership with you to support your child’s learning journey.  Please help us out by using the correct form of communication.  If you need to speak to a teacher, the best option is to call reception and ask to make an appointment.  Alternatively you could email the teacher (preferably through our reception email address  reception@capebyronsteiner.nsw.edu.au.  Please do not contact the teachers by calling or texting their mobile phones.  Our teachers work hard and they do need to have a home life away from work – phone calls and text messages disturb this time and are not helpful to good communication.

Drop-off and Pick-up Reminder

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Just a gentle reminder when dropping off or picking up children that this is to happen from the bottom car-park.  No children should be dropped off or picked up from the top car park as this is a school bus zone.

Car Park Dust

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Dust in the bottom car park has become an issue in this dry weather. We have been working on a solution to this and will be installing a sprinkler system within the next 10 days.  It may take a little while to fine tune this system, however we hope to have an immediate reduction to the level of dust once the system has been installed.  In the meantime, please take care to drive slowly in the car park.  Thank you for your patience whilst we try to find the best solution.

Lost Property

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Small items that are handed in to Reception, are on display in the Reception window.  Two single keys were found in the car park on Thursday, they are now in the Reception window :)

Warm Regards,

Felicity

Permission slips for excursions

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Permission slips for excursions MUST  be received two days prior to an excursion, not on the morning of the excursion, or students will not be allowed to go.  Receiving permission slips on the morning of the excursion creates unnecessary stress for all involved, and can hold up the departure time. 

Time for Payment Plans to be finalised

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Thank you to all parents for your patience during the implementation of our new system for generating and sending statements for school fees.  Yes, we experienced a few teething problems, but the overall the process went well.  Fees for Term 1 are due by 26 February, so please make payment if you have not already done so.  If you plan to make payments on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis, you need to inform Julia of your payment plan by 26 February.

Autumn Festival

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Autumn-Festival

Each year as a school community we gather fresh produce from our gardens or the Farmers Market to create a harvest display. This produce is donated to the Liberation Larder to support their wonderful community work.

Gather in the Amphitheatre for songs and celebration.
More details to follow…

Sign up for the Canteen Roster

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Once again our school canteen is  busy preparing delicious meals for our children on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Prepared with love and goodness, it does rely on parent help and support.  If volunteering at the canteen is something you have always wanted to do but haven’t had the chance, well here’s your opportunity. The roster has plenty of free spaces waiting to be filled.
Click here to see the Available Day.
It’s also a fun way to claim those RC&M hours, meet the school community while your children receive a free lunch. With no experience necessary!
Please contact Amanda Eade on amandaeade55@gmail.com or text 0411 837 699.

RCM Day 5 March

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REPAIR CARE & MAINTENANCE DAY

SAT 5TH MARCH 9AM – 3PM

BBQ Lunch supplied by P&F

Our first RCM Day is on Saturday week and this is a great opportunity to contribute to the life of the school, get to know more people and build the healthy social life of the school community.

All families are billed $250 annually for maintenance of the school infrastructure, in lieu of 16 hours contribution of time. This can be worked off in many ways such as on our 3 RCM days each year, or support in the canteen or other tasks for teachers, administration & library. You can also make arrangements with the Site Manager to help out at any other time of the year that suits. We are always in need of support to help our school thrive.

So on this RCM day there will be a great variety of tasks from gardening to painting & oiling buildings & furniture, small construction & repair tasks plus cleaning, organising and other soft tasks for parents with small children. You can work in any area of the school, so a great opportunity to get to know other parts of the school & work alongside other parents. The children love it when their parents know their environment & can relate to them on where they have been hanging out for the day.

We will have a lovely shared BBQ Lunch supplied by P&F at around 12.30pm providing another opportunity to chat and get to know each other.

The more people that come the greater the fun you have at your tasks as you have others to share it with. There are many spaces in the school so everyone can become very spread out, so encourage others you know to come and share in the many tasks.

See You There!

Gavin Colley

Site Manager

A day of Indian Celebration with Class 5

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As a part of our Class Five Ancient Indian Main Lesson the children had a day engaged in classical Indian experiences.  The Class Five child takes a long look back over 10,000 years of history throughout this year which has a therapeutic effect on their soul.  Naina, Class 5 teacher.

Class 5 dressed up in their best Indian outfits, enjoyed a yoga class, experienced beautiful Sitar music, and had fun learning & watching Bollywood dance with The Bollywood Sisters!  Georgi, from the office, jumped in and performed with The Bollywood Sisters too!  Nerrida joined Class 5, in her Sari, for Dahl & rice on banana leaves at lunchtime.
Indian01
Indian02
Indian03

Report from Class 6

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A Conversation With Gavin.
Reported here by Michelangelo and Sammy from Class 6.

“Hi Gavin, Miche and Sammy here just wondering if we could borrow a few minutes of you time to ask you a few questions?” we asked.
“Alright, do you enjoy your job of being the school caretaker?” Sammy asked.
“I enjoy it very much, it can get hard at times but I do really enjoy it. There’s a great variety of jobs that make it interesting,” Gavin responded.
“How long have you been looking after our school environment?” Miche asked.
“15 years and this is my 16th year,” he replied.
“What are some dangers you look out for?” we asked Gavin.
“Slippery paths, trip points, snakes, tree work and working with heights.”
“Is there any improvement you would like to see in the school environment?”
“An expanded gardening program and expanded playing fields, but apart from that the environment is pretty good.”
“Gavin, thank you for your time. We have learnt a lot and we hope you have a good day.”
“Have a good day to you too!” Gavin replied.

Craft Group

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Craft Group commenced again on Thursday 25th February, at 9-11am in Silky Oak
Cottage (P&F room).   All crafters and would-be-crafters are most welcome are welcome to join us, and any little
helpers too.  Come and share the joy of creating within your community.  The group is also seeking donations of pure wool/yarn (for knitted toys), wool felt and natural fibre fabrics (cotton, wool, silk). Maybe you have a
stash of leftovers that you be happy to share with our creative crafters.

Please contact Tanja to organise a drop off or for more information
pandf.sec@gmail.com

Sourdough Bread Baking Workshop

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Welcome to

“FORGIVING SOURDOUGH:  More than a Sourdough Bread Baking Workshop”

Saturday February 27th, 2016

10:00am-12:00pm at

Cape Byron Steiner School Kindergarden, Ewingsdale
*We will learn the principles of sourdough bread-making and then Practice making no-knead and kneaded bread.

*We will Explore a variety of grains, use a grain grinder and make a“sourdough starter”.

*We will Make Butter and Cream Cheese!

RSVP to Sandra 0413 271 308 or sandrafrain58@gmail.com

$35 per adult (Children free) includes Morning Tea and Take Aways.
(Take homes include starter, your own sourdough bun, recipe and fact sheets.)

For 12 years Sandra has offered her popular bread workshops to all ages of people in NSW and Queensland. Sandra brings wisdom to the art and science of food and nutrition, that will inspire you too.

Sandra Frain BCS MSC (ED) LivingLovingLearning&Laughing too:Educational Programs for all Ages sandrafrain58@gmail.com

www.sandrafrain.com

A Message from Francoise

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Bonjour Chers Parents!

Our school has been given a grant by the AIS to encourage parental support for the learning of French.  This introductory course aims to expose parents to methods through which language is taught.  By extension it is expected that parents will provide modelling to their children thus making language learning a valued endeavour.

I began with a group on Tuesday 23 February.  We are meeting in the Movement Room, from 10-11:30, every Tuesday.   If you are interested in attending, please contact Reception ASAP to put your name down, with an email address or phone number.  Those attending may use the Parent Space (when free), after dropping off children in the morning, to wait and catch up with other parents & even make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, before French class begins at 10am.

Merci Beaucoup!
Francoise

Discussion Meditation Group

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On Tuesday evenings we meet in the Silky Oak room (P&F room) at 6pm until 7.30pm to discuss the works of Rudolf Steiner. This year we will begin with Meditation & then lead into our discussion.

Our meditation for term 1 will be the Rose cross meditation.

We will soon begin our first big text for the year – An Outline of Occult Science.

Everybody is warmly invited to join us, if you are interested please contact Yvette in Enrolments to register and get a copy of the text, you can do this in person at the office, via phone: 6639 9302 or email: enrolments@http://capebyronsteiner.nsw.edu.au.

Adult Eurythmy is back!

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Renelle is again running Adult Eurythmy classes this year on Wednesday mornings in the Movement Space.

Where:  Movement Space
When:  Wednesday mornings
Time: 7:45-8:30am ~ Teachers ($10 pp)
Time: 9:15-10:30am ~ Parents ($15 pp)

Painting & Drawing for teachers and parents

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Arlia-Cl5-WEB

There will be an after school lesson every second Thursday afternoon in Weeks 4, 6, 8, & 10 for teachers & parents, starting in Week 4, Thursday 25 February.  Limited numbers (10)

Date:  Week 4, Thursday 25 February, then every fortnight until the end of term.
Time:  3:30-4:30pm
Where:  Class 6 classroom
Cost:  $60 for 4 weeks (to be paid in Week 4)

If interested, please leave name at Reception ASAP
Eleni

Nanny Babysitter

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Former Student, Maeve Mcwilliam, is a Steiner educated 22-year old, available for babysitting or nanny work.  She has a driver’s licence and own car, fitted with child restraint.  Her focus is cooking, art, craft, and music-based activities.  Maeve has 7 years experience with children of all ages, up to teenagers.  References available.  Cost:  $20-25 p/h depending on time of day and number of children.  Enquiries:  Maeve Mcwilliam 0421 507 323 maevecara@gmail.com

Sport Sign-Ons

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Various local sporting groups are still open for sign-ons.  Please see the Community Noticeboard at Administration for more information for sign-ons to:

  • Byron Bay Basketball
  • Byron Bay Soccer Club
  • Mullumbimby Brunswick Valley Football Club

From North Coast Public Health Service

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The North Coast Public Health Service offers free vaccinations in the school for Year 7 students including Chicken Pox, Boostrix (Diphtheria, Tetanus & Whooping Cough), and Gardasil Vaccine (Human Papilomavirus).  If you would like your Year 7 student to be vaccinated as part of this program, or you would like further information please contact Reception for details.  Alternatively, this free vaccination program is available for Year 7 students at your family Doctor.

Play Marimbas!

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music-note
Hello!  I am running a Marimba group at my house in Mullumbimby on Thursday mornings this term. Marimbas are fun and easy to play – all levels of musical experience welcome.
Give me a call on 0419 493386 or 6684 4497 or email me janeaba@bigpond.com

Jane Abercrombie
P.s.  It’s free!

Felting workshop

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Playing with Fibre
Sunday 6th March 9am – 1.30pm

$135.00

Wet Felted Playscape or Wall Hanging with Sue Connor from Playing with Fibre.  Learn how to make your own felt. This workshop will teach the skills necessary to produce flat wool felt through the process of wet felting.  From delicate, soft merino wool fibres to sturdy durable material.  Sue will teach you all the steps necessary in this amazing process in a relaxed and supportive environment.  You will be able to choose whether you create a Steiner inspired playscape for imaginative play for a little one or a wall hanging. Finished product approximate 67cm square.

All material will be supplied. Morning tea included.
When:  Sunday 6th March 2016, 9:00am-1:30 pm
Where:  Creative Base located at unit 2/58 Centennial Circuit in the Byron Bay Arts and Industry Estate
What to bring:  Two old towels
Cost:  $135.00
Workshops accommodate a maximum of 5 people
For further details and booking:  www.creativebase.com.au

Felting Worksop ~ Creative Base