Endings Bring Life

The recent warm weather belies the reality that soon it will be cold. The days are also becoming shorter and shorter. If you like the cool weather this change of season is a joy, if you love the warm sunshine and long, light filled days this change of season may feel like an ending, a little death. This is especially so if we have felt the seasonal experiences as a ‘form’ in our consciousness. When the experience passes, it can leave behind a feeling of emptiness. Evenings that are suddenly dark by 5.30pm can bring that feeling on. Most people try hard to avoid feelings of emptiness, not face them.

However, as a practice, we can learn to accept and even welcome the endings in our life. That feeling of emptiness that initially felt uncomfortable can be turned into a sense of inner spaciousness that can be deeply peaceful. Wise people suggest that by learning to die daily in this way, we can open ourselves to Life.

Steiner education invites us to see the seasons as mirrors of the soul’s journey—each ending, like autumn’s fading light, offering children and adults alike a moment to pause, reflect, and cultivate inner growth.

Yanganiny

Only a few weeks to go until the Clothing Market event of the year. This event on Saturday 31 May mixes fun and sustainability – enjoy!

Drama Posters

One part of producing a play is advertising it. You’ll regularly see posters around the school and in this newsletter. This week check out the Class 8A's posters for A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. Our students are artists and thespians!

With much gratitude

Bruce Lee
School Administrator

My will is filled with fire and might;
As days grow shorter, it burns bright!
I face the world; I have no fear.
And many things become more clear.
For though there's much that I don't understand as yet,
I seek for light.

by Michael Hedley Burton / verse no. 32

A Tribute to Anna - Share your Memories

Since the announcement of Anna Scott’s retirement, we’ve been deeply touched by the outpouring of love, kind words, and heartfelt stories shared by so many in our community. It is clear that Anna’s presence has left a lasting imprint on the hearts of children, parents, and colleagues alike across her remarkable 32-year journey at our school.

To honour Anna’s legacy and the deep affection in which she is held, we will be creating a book of memories for her. This will be a collection of photos, drawings, and written reflections from throughout the years—a gift that reflects the love, gratitude, and joy she brought into our lives.

If you have a memory to share, whether it’s a story, a quote, a message from your child, or a special photograph, we warmly invite you to contribute. It might be a recollection of one of her beloved puppet plays, a moment of comfort, or simply the way her soft voice and kind words made you or your child feel seen and held.

Please send your contributions to lpayne@pws.wa.edu.au by the end of term 2, so I can compile this keepsake book for Anna. Please spread the word to those who do not receive the Pabulum anymore or who are not on social media.

This book will serve as a small gesture of our deep appreciation—a way to say thank you for the magic she brought to our community and to wish her well on her next chapter.

Lisa Payne
Head of Early Childhood

Djeran in Marri Miah Garden

On sunlit mornings the Cuddlepies begin the morning in the garden, playing and gardening.

Last week we planted potatoes, digging deep into the earth, gently placing them in the ground and covering them over with a wish. The Cuddlepies then eagerly watered them and lovingly covering the soft earth with mulch. We will eagerly wait for the seeds to wake up and begin growing, hopefully the rain fairies will visit our garden soon.

In other parts of the garden the sweet potatoes and carrots are nearly ready to harvest, which will be added to meals throughout the day. The roses are slowly fading as the weather cools and the Quendas and Djidi Djidis visit us each day, bringing much wonder and joy. 

Much love Jessica and Kelly

Class 1 Craft

Class 2 Craft

Class 3 Craft 

Board Drawing PD's

Chalk board drawings are an inspiring and imaginative entry point into the creative lessons that teachers bring.

At the beginning of this term our whole Faculty participated in a chalk drawing PD with experienced class teacher and artist, Chris Mc Clelland.   Chris gave us many insights into what makes a wonderful drawing, before the staff had a turn of doing their own.

Last Thursday our Class 6 teacher, Gosia, followed on from this work and led a wonderful session on drawing, using the technique of colour perspective.

A big thank you to both Chris and Gosia for sharing their expertise.

Kevin Mazzer
Head of Primary School

Class 8A - A Midsummers Nights Dream Performance

Performances:

Thursday 22 May 9am - Cast 1

Thursday 22 May 6:30pm - Cast 2

Friday 23 May 10:40am - Cast 2

Friday 23 May 6:30pm - Cast 1

Austine Castiglione
High School Drama Teacher

Diving Deep into Physics: Air, Water, and Submarines

Our recent Physics Main Lesson took students on an exciting journey through the Physics of Air and Water, exploring the properties of these elements and how with understanding we have been able to develop important machines like airplanes and ships. One of the highlights was an escape room adventure set aboard a submarine stranded deep in the ocean after a sudden power outage.

As students worked their way through clues and challenges, they uncovered the incredible role submarines play in marine research—from spotting deep-sea creatures to understanding carbon capture in kelp forests. Along the way, they also experienced firsthand how water pressure increases with depth, bringing our concepts from our experiments into context.

I am proud to say most students made it out in time! Their enthusiasm didn’t stop there—many expressed their understanding through creative submarine-themed projects that beautifully captured both the engineering and wonder of these deep sea exploring machines.

Alex McLeod
HS Maths & Science Teacher

CLASS 12 PROJECTS

Laura Moisa

My name is Laura and for my year 12 Project I have been researching the question:

“What are some ways to support families dealing with a loved one that experiences psychosis?”

My brother has psychosis, and I have watched my family struggle to navigate it. Throughout this process, my parents never really had any support in learning how to cope, and over time, the effects of supporting my brother began to impact their own mental health. As a child, I was also thrown into a dynamic that I had no idea how to manage or even understand. This is what sparked the idea for my Project. Since my parents never had much support, I decided to research it as the focus of my work.

One statistic I found particularly interesting is that approximately 0.75% to 3% of adults are estimated to have experienced a diagnosed disorder involving psychosis at some point in their lives. That means between 150,000 and 600,000 adults in Australia may experience a psychotic disorder in their lifetime. To put this into perspective, that could mean up to 21 students in our school community might be affected. In addition, 16.5% of people will experience symptoms of psychosis in their lifetime. It’s interesting because far more people experience symptoms than are ever formally diagnosed. This shows that psychosis is more common than we might realise—affecting not just individuals, but also their families and friends.

Through journalling, I’ve been able to reflect on everything I’ve discovered in my research and how it connects to my family’s experience, as well as my brother’s. I read an article where a woman explained what it was like to go through a psychotic episode. It helped me see things from my brother’s perspective. Although her experience was different, the way she described it made me stop and think about how my brother must have felt during his.

My research and exploration of this topic has shown me that people with psychosis are often unfairly seen as crazy, violent, or addicted—when in reality, they are fighting battles that many of us can’t fully understand.

For my practical component, I plan to engage with different mental health services, both in person and online. In response to this, I will develop a program or structure related to the broader topic of mental health, which I will then share with students in some way.

I chose to focus on Year 9 and 10 students because they are at an age where mental health challenges often start to become more noticeable—especially with the pressures of starting high school and navigating social changes.

The purpose of the program is to equip them with tools and knowledge early on, so they feel more confident in recognising when they need support, understanding where to go, and most importantly, feeling assured that reaching out is a healthy and worthwhile choice.

If you have any experience related to my Project and feel comfortable sharing—especially when it comes to seeking support—please feel free to email me at: class12projects@pws.wa.edu.au

Thank for reading

Your RAP Committee

Term 2 Fees - Are now Due

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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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!

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.

Whitsun Event - 8 June

The first 1000 days of your Child

Step into a nurturing space where parenting is gentle, respectful, and rooted in connection. Join us online or in person—choose individual sessions or the full series, blending theory and practice for parents, caregivers, and educators.

Use code PWS25 for a special 25% discount!

✨ Discover more and sign up at plapla.com.au

Have questions? We’re here to help: info@plapla.com.au

General Canteen Information 

Pixie Stott Canteen - Perth Waldorf School 

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

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!

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