Welcome Back Everyone

It’s been 5 days already since the start of term, leaving us with about 185 school days left. If our children are to be at school for more than half the days of the year then we can be grateful to be providing, at our school, an authentically holistic curriculum towards the goal of our children becoming well rounded and grounded adults.

To that end….. Before term started our staff gathered for training and as always our focus was on education and the children. No-one seemed to complain that we didn’t run through policies and procedures enough. 

The enthusiasm and goodwill from our staff towards a better and better and better way of delivering the curriculum and ensuring the content is rich and engaging is astounding to witness. A private school like ours which is philosophically grounded and in pursuit of goodness, beauty and truth is, it turns out, a fertile patch for children to blossom. How can it not be when there are  adults with such strength of purpose.

The focus of the in-service was bringing “will” into our thinking and doing. Why? To enable more conscious thought and action. Can we avoid being sheep and instead steer our own path based on our own independent thinking process and can we find a way not to be led by our instinctual needs for approval, activity, status, etc. or to be running away from the human condition? 

Bringing our will into our thinking offers the promise of being a free human being. Our Steiner education approach, which actively and consciously develops the will; the imagination and creativity; and the ability to observe, think and reason; is vital towards achieving that free human being status.  

Thank you to Mark Phillips our Teaching and Curriculum Development Coordinator, for bringing such provocations which WILL bear fruit! 

Of course there was time for enlivening activities as well, including sculpture, poetry, metalwork, eurythmy, art, craft …… One activity included developing your own personal acknowledgement of Wadjuk country and the Noongar people. 

This Pabulum has lots of information about sports and being active. Our Extra-Curricular Sports Coordinator, Jade Collins, assembles information each week for us so that we can ensure our children can be active and social. Take a look and maybe see you on the large field for morning running. 

A few reminders as we commence 2025:

1. If you are driving on campus, pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way and should feel a sense of ease when walking in school grounds. 
2. If you’re riding to school, don’t ride on the driveways, especially not with a trailer full of precious cargo. Hop off and walk the final 50m to the bike racks.  
3. No, there isn’t enough parking. Please use the Adventure World parking area. It's a three minute walk to the gates of the school. It would be better to have more convenience but we can’t remove bushland for cars.
4. Dogs are not allowed on campus at Bibra Lake. It is a wildlife protection, safety of children and hygiene issue. We love dogs, absolutely love them, but it just doesn’t work to co-mingle on-site. 

Finally, a long letter was sent to all families a few weeks before school started. It was full of information. Heaps of it. Please refer back to it if you have a question or concern. Otherwise, after you’ve thought it through, ask. It’s a friendly crew we have here and no question is too small or concern too minor. However, be sure to follow the Golden Rule to always treat others as you wish to be treated. 

The verse below is so beautiful - Myself in my aloneness I must feel…….

With gratitude

Bruce Lee
School Administrator

 

Myself in my aloneness I must feel.
What if I did not love? Then would there be
No bridge to others. I would live in fear.

Love leads me out to flower, star and tree,
To rushing river and to people dear;
If I am lonely, only love has power to heal.

by Michael Hedley Burton / verse no. 20

In Memory of Patricia Davis 

Patricia was one of the pioneering class teachers at the Perth Waldorf School in the early 90s. She came to us with a wealth of Steiner Education experience, particularly in working with children with special needs. This gift was invaluable in the classes she taught here.

Kaya and Welcome!

As a new year begins there is promise and joy. We so gratefully welcome your child into our Early Childhood gardens and classrooms. Our aim is to nurture curiosity, friendships and the wonderful growth and development that occurs so rapidly at this age. 

With open hearts and guiding hands our teachers and assistants will share stories, laughter and create a safe and nurturing space for each child to flourish.

To you, our parents, thank you for your trust. Together, let us all be on a supportive journey that honours and defends childhood. 

Here’s to a wonderful year ahead!

Lisa Payne and the Early Childhood Team

Preserving the Magic of Early Childhood

In the realm of early childhood development, the Waldorf Education philosophy underscores the significance of allowing children to embrace the magic of their formative years through unbridled play and exploration. This foundational principle emphasises the importance of shielding young minds from the potential detriments associated with media and screen exposure. Here are nine key points that encapsulate the Steiner education perspective on why children should be given the freedom to be children and engage in immersive play, unencumbered by the intrusion of electronic media:

• Promoting Imaginative Play and Sensory Development:
  • Prioritizing hands-on, creative learning experiences to nurture imagination and sensory development.
• Fostering Meaningful Interpersonal Connections:
  • Encouraging direct interactions with the physical world and nurturing relationships with caring adults.
• Preventing Negative Effects of Early Electronic Media Exposure:
  • Recognizing the potential hindrance of screens to active exploration and the development of natural senses.
• Protecting Simplicity and Wonder of Childhood:
  • Limiting screen time to preserve the enchantment of childhood and foster a strong foundation for creative thinking.
• Learning through Imitation:
  • Emphasizing the crucial role of imitation in a child's learning process, encompassing practical, artistic, and social activities.
• Enhancing Motor Skills, Emotional Intelligence, and Cognitive Abilities:
  • Acknowledging the contribution of imitative activities to the development of vital skills.
• Encouraging Concentration, Language Expression, and Healthy Sleep Patterns:
  • Highlighting the potential negative impact of screens on concentration, language expression, and sleep patterns.
• Promoting Healthy Alternatives:
  • Advocating for activities such as storytelling, artistic endeavors, outdoor play, and rhythmic exercises as alternatives to screen time.
• Safeguarding Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving Abilities:
  • Setting boundaries on screen use to provide a conducive space for the cultivation of creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

People who have worked with children for many years see the difference that a childhood unencumbered by the intrusion of electronic media makes. The above nine points provide the foundation for nurturing well-rounded individuals capable of independent thinking and meaningful contributions to society.

Welcome Back!

Bibra Lake Diary Feb 9th 2025 Bunuru

The water level in Walliabup (Bibra Lake) has receded dramatically in the last week, drained by a series of blistering hot days.

The shallow water brings the wading birds: raucous banded stilts in their meticulous black and white feather-coats; egrets stabbing for fish and then folding softly into themselves, and today eight comical-looking spoonbills sweeping the shallows.

A tortoise surfaces its triangular nose and holds for a count of ten before submerging. Clouds move slowly like continents drifting through the sky, signaling a change. The sun lights up the summer-dried bulrushes on the far side of the lake.

Kevin Mazzer

Kelly Geyer 
Library Teacher 

Germany Trip 2024 - Part 1

We departed on December 1st for an exciting three-week journey in Germany. For most of the students, it was their first trip overseas, and many were eager to leave Perth for a new experience.

After arriving in Frankfurt, we travelled to Marburg, located 100km to the north, where the exchange families picked up the students. While in Marburg, we had the opportunity to visit a local Steiner School and explore their classrooms. Both students and staff were incredibly welcoming, and we greatly appreciated the time spent there. As the students were placed with families across the city, they became quite familiar with the public transportation system.

During our stay in Marburg, we spent our afternoons exploring the city and even took a day trip to Frankfurt to visit the Goethe Haus and take in the sights.

Stay tuned for next week, where we'll share our adventures from Hamburg and Berlin!

Jo Doernberg & Liesl Barnett
HS German and English Teachers

 

High School Science - Ecology

To finish off the year the Class nine’s on their final day of 2024 filled up the raised garden beds in front of the library. Watch this space to see what we'll be planting soon once the weather cools off!

Alexandra McLeod
Science & Maths Teacher

Staff Professional Development

In the lead up to the new school year, ten of our PWS and Parkerville staff engaged in Royal Lifesaving WA’s School Teacher Aquatic Training course. It’s an important qualification to have, considering the range of aquatic activities we offer the students. Not only is the day about ensuring the staff have the physical capabilities to perform rescues but they also receive training to develop their awareness and knowledge of water safety to reduce risks and act safely when supervising students around water. 

In addition to this, a further 50 staff members upskilled and refreshed their Basic First Aid Certificate through Priority 1 Fire and Safety. It was an informative and hands on session targeting common first aid emergency situations that may arise in a school setting. Thank you to all staff for taking the time to be available for these important professional development sessions. 

If you would like to know more about the courses that Royal Lifesaving WA and Priority 1 Fire and Safety offer to the public, please follow the links below; 

https://royallifesavingwa.com

https://priority1fireandsafety.com.au

Wendy Belford
PE Coordinator 

Running Club

What an amazing year 2024 was! It has been fantastic to watch the journey of our regular participants throughout the year. Despite all sorts of weather and conditions, they consistently showed up with a smile and a determination to achieve their goals. Congratulations to everyone for reaching their 2024 milestones.

Milestone Achievements:

10km – Eli Andrews (Class 2) and Brett Andrews (Parent)

75km – Paddy Collins (Kindy 6)

140km – Jobe Collins (Class 4)

As a collective effort, this has been our biggest year at Running Club yet, with an incredible 1,067 km completed across the 4 terms. Every single lap contributed to our overall total, and it just goes to show what can be achieved when we come together as a team.

PWS Running Club began in 2021 when we decided to track our total km’s as we circled the country. In 2021, we made it all the way to Scaddan, near Esperance, via Norndalup and Boxwood Hill. In 2022, we travelled further east, reaching the middle of nowhere, 40 km west of Mundrabilla. In 2023, we crossed the border into South Australia, making it halfway across the Great Australian Bight. And this year, with our impressive total, we reached Dublin, SA, 60 km north of Adelaide! We are now well on our way across the eastern side of Australia, and I’m confident that next year, we’ll have Victoria in our sights.

We will commence our 5^th year of running club next week (week 3). Our sessions will continue to run on a Tuesday morning from 8am - 8:25am. All students, parents and staff are welcome to attend, meeting on the large oval between from 8am. We are promoting being active and moving our bodies so feel free to walk, jog or run around our 650m lap at your own pace. Please contact me for more information.

After School Sports Program

With the cricket season in full swing our sports program this term will be Cricket. The 5-week program will run on Tuesday afternoons from 3:15-4pm on the large school oval. Please keep an eye out in next week's newsletter for more details on dates and how to sign up. 

InterSchool Sports

Community sport opportunities

See below for some opportunities to get involved in and try some great community initiatives.

Manning Park Trail Runners

Where: Manning Park, Azelia road Spearwood. Meet at the Manning stairs.

When: Every Thursday. 5-6pm for kids group. 6-7:15pm for adults group.

It’s FREE! All ages and abilities welcome.

Parkrun

Want to join running club but school mornings are too much of a rush? Check out parkrun – it is a free 5km timed event with courses all over the world but we are lucky enough to have a couple close by in Bibra Lake and South Fremantle. Head to the website to register and join the fun!

home | parkrun Australia

Thanks,

Jade Collins
Phys. Ed Coordinator

2025 Fees

Invoices for 2025 will be issued shortly. Please keep an eye on your emails for them. If you haven’t received anything by Friday 21st February, please contact Kathryn on account@pws.wa.edu.au.

The school fees are invoiced annually, so please divide the invoice total by four to determine the termly payments. Payment of term 1 fees will be due two weeks after the invoice date. Payment of subsequent terms will be due by the second Friday of each term. Payment can be made by the following options, please include your Invoice Number OR Family Code as reference, thank you.

A late payment fee will apply to all accounts not paid by the due date. This does not apply if you have a payment plan arrangement in place.
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PWS Vacancies

Violin and Viola Tutors

Community Notices are for members of the school’s community only and may consist of: Business adverts, producers, services, items for sale (non-school related), etc. keeping in mind that they need to be consistent within our schools’ ethos. Please try and keep your notice short (this is free of charge). All Community Notices will appear in this section for two weeks only.  If you would like a ¼ page advert, a $10 fee is required and will only appear in Week 2 and Week 8.

Repair Hub

I went to the repair hub late last year, mainly for the social aspect. I have a tiffany-style lamp of my own manufacture, which needed some glass repairs, so I brought all my equipment and spent my time repairing it, and chatting with Stefan and another parent. Those two were working on Stefan's car preparing it for offroad adventures.  

FREE SHIRTS

PWS t-shirts from size 4 right through to size 10. Long and short sleeve.
Also size 10 sport top.

Message Rochelle on 0424605372

FREE BEDS

2 X King Single Beds 

Contact Peter on 0409778946

Early Childhood Eductation events 2025

Karate Classes

Sam Kerr Football

West Coast Steiner School - Vacancy

Employment Opportunities | Teaching Jobs | WCSS

Groups/Classes

Participating in any of these activities goes toward Family Participation Hours. 

These groups for parents are run or led by teachers or parents. Members of the school community are encouraged to join any of the groups and enjoy the experience of personal growth and learning in this beautiful environment - a great inspiration for our children!

OSHC Coordinator Vacancy at Connect Learning

https://www.seek.com.au/job/81325397?ref=direct-share-hirer-jobs-list 

*Please note this service is available for children from Kindy 4 - Class 7*

Before School Care 7:00am to 9:00am

After School Care 3:00pm to 6:00pm

Vacation Care 7:00am to 6:00pm

Early Finish Thursdays 2:15pm to 6:00pm

Kindy Early Finish 12:45pm to 6:00pm  

General Canteen Information 

You can set up an account with the canteen using the form below:

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CANTEEN MENU

Reusable stainless steel straws Silver just $1 cleaners 50c
Banister Downs milk full cream and lite $2.50 per litre.
Tammy sourdough bread whole meal $6.50 or fruit $8.50 available every day.
Breadtime story handmade sourdough Spelt $12 fruit and nut $14 4 seeds $13 preorder for Friday delivery.
Fresh Raw Local Honey $14/kg refill your own jar prepacked glass jars $9
Local Organic Olive oil $16.00/litre refill your own bottle or prefilled bottles available.
Grounded Pleasures chai $12.50 200g box
Grounded Pleasures Chocolate $11.50
Karvan coffee #3 $13/ 250g whole beans or Swiss water Decaf Ground $13.00/ 250g Tally Ho farm biodynamic tempeh $9.50

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Volunteers are welcome in the Canteen!
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Food Handling Training Link https://www.cockburn.wa.gov.au/Health-Safety-and-Rangers/Public-Health/Safe-Food/Food-Handling-Training

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If you would like to volunteer please take the course above. For free access use the code FSCBURN315. The course takes approximately an hour to complete. You will receive a certificate upon completion. Once you have acquired the certificate we can arrange a time that suits you to come in. All hours can be used towards the Parent Participation Scheme including the online course. If you would like more information, please contact Megan in the Canteen or via email canteen@pws.wa.edu.au 
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Megan Harry
Canteen Manager