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Great Response
Thank you to everyone who supported the Yanganiny Clothing Market. The reports have been so positive of this special community event. The drivers behind the event were Kelly Geyer, Alex McLeod and Justine Stevens. If you have a chance give them a big thank you.
Inner Fire – Winter Festival
There is a lot of info in this Pabulum concerning the upcoming Winter Festival. Please engage in this very special event. From this edition, Fiona McVey our much-loved Kindy 4 teacher says, “There are so many ways to bring the wonder of the seasons and the cosmos to our children” and from the primary faculty, “What is happening in your own soul life; thoughts, moods, tendencies? Begin to build an ‘inner fire’ of winter imagery and reverence.
Interschool
In Interschool news there is an article about our Interschool team at the Ultimate Frisbee comp. This should whet your appetite to read on: “The day began with a nail-biting win over John Curtin 1, edging them out by just one point. Confidence was high going into the second game, where the team showcased some slick teamwork and sharp skills in an 11–1 victory over John Curtin 3”, “throughout the day, our students consistently displayed excellent sportsmanship, teamwork, and spirit – hallmarks of the Ultimate community.” Thanks to Jade for organising these great opportunities for High Schoolers.
Stage 2
Construction has commenced on Stage 2 at Parkerville Steiner College. It will comprise 5 classrooms including science labs and is due to be finished in Semester II, 2026. Safety fences are up, and bulldozers are working. It will be a wonderful new facility for the ever-expanding campus.
At the All-Staff faculty meeting in week 5 it was a surprise to see how quickly the faculty had grown. When we met in 2022 there were just 3 or 4 people gathering. As you can see in the photo, many more were at the meeting plus someone was online.
Gathering
At PWS our education staff are split into three distinct Faculties: Early Childhood, Primary and High School. Each has a particular pedagogical approach that is appropriate to their different age groups. As the school term progresses teachers can find themselves separated from staff in other areas of the school.
AGM - 24th June
The Governing body of the school will hold an AGM on the Tuesday, 24th June 2025 commencing 6.00pm in Seekers Place. (Finger food available from 5:40pm).
Nominations are requested by 4pm Thursday 12th June, 2025. Further information about how to nominate for the council is below.
The opportunity to serve on the governing body provides you with a unique insight into the school and a chance to oversee the management, the strategic direction, the finances and to be involved in opportunity/risk analysis.
People of goodwill, aligned with the ethos of the school, no matter their background and experience can make an excellent contribution. If you or someone you know feels they wish to contribute in this way, please submit a nomination.
Even if you’re not nominating for Council membership, parents and staff are invited and encouraged to attend the AGM. We hope to see you there.
* Copies of all council documentation will be available at the AGM, at the school office, and on the school website (www.pws.wa.edu.au) one week before the AGM by clicking on Governance and AGM Papers - Perth Waldorf School. (https://pws.wa.edu.au.governance-and-agm-papers /)
With much gratitude
Bruce Lee
School Administrator
From the deepest part of my heart, I hear
The voice that must be heard,
The mighty-sounding Word:
"Let light within you, bright and clear,
In thoughts and actions, shine.
Then will you truly be a child of mine."
by Michael Hedley Burton / verse no. 36
Winter Festival Prep in Rainbow Room
The Rainbow Room has been buzzing with creative activity in preparation for making our Winter Lanterns.
It is quite an intricate process to make one!
Firstly, we began with painting the paper in beautiful soft colours.
Once dried, we loved involving our parents one evening, around our kindergarten table, and together each one folded their very own child’s lantern.
The very next morning the children were filled with wonder to see their lantern hand-made by their own parent and we could hear the little voices of excitement saying, “I think my dad made mine”, or “oh it was definitely my mum!”
The following week each child carefully oiled their lantern, and we could clearly see the reverence, delight and love in their beautiful work.
Soon we shall prepare the handles and then our winter lanterns shall be complete.
Then as we slowly descend into the midwinter, before you know it, each child alongside their very own parents, will be singing by our back garden fire, sipping on delicious soup, and walking their way to the centre.
Jess and Chrissie
(The Rainbow Room Teachers)
What's Happening in Marri Miah
This term we have worked with the season of Djeran/autumn and with it our
farming program in kindy four.
The children have had stories and circles that show them what is happening
in the world of farming and gardening. We have planted potatoes, kale and
beetroot and the children started to dig up the sweet potatoes the children
from last year had planted. Now we are able to use our produce in our lunch
and tea programs and the children are starting to help with the cooking and
the bread preparation.
We are learning that food grows beneath the earth, not at the supermarket.
The children are also learning that it takes time for food to grow and that we
need to spend every day caring for our plants. We are helping the rain
fairies who have been having an extended holiday and making sure our
Potato Gnome knows we are making sure the potatoes have the time they
need to flourish.
Now we have moved into Makaru and the coming of true winter as of the
Winter Solstice 21 June.
We are busy hearing stories and circles of the coming of King Winter and
how to catch and make our own light to guide our way.
The children are now getting ready for their Winter Festival by seeing how to
celebrate the coming of the new light. In all our activities the children are
experiencing a sense of the winding inwards of the spiral motif that brings
the inner impulse of this time of year.
We are busy making lanterns and candles, for our spiral walk, that will catch
the little golden spark of light that will lead our way until Father Sun returns
to bring back the light of spring and summer. We will also, be making Jack-
O-Lanterns to light up our festival picnic tables. In our cooking we will be
making special spiral bread and apple spirals to share. In our painting,
drawing, craft and wax work the children are seeing spiral forms emerging
everywhere.
This is always a very exciting time of year that allows us the joy of creating a
very special festival. There are so many ways to bring the wonder of the
seasons and the cosmos to our children, so have fun.
With Love Fiona
Marri Miah Teacher
How to Create a Beautify Winter Festival in Makuru
Our school community is amazing for many reasons. One aspect that gets mentioned every year is how over a thousand people can come to our winter festival and hold such a deep feeling of REVERENCE. This is what makes it so special. Everyone gets what it’s about. It’s not a performance for spectators. It’s an event which is co-created by every participant.
What can you do to prepare?
Look Outwards - notice what is happening in nature, the plants, animals, weather, the night sky
Look Inwards – to what is happening in your own soul life; thoughts, moods, tendencies
You may wish to respond creatively with a photo, drawing, or writing.
Begin to build an ‘inner fire’ of winter imagery and reverence. There are many mentions of how to do this in our Pabulum over these preparation weeks.
On a practical note-
- Arrive on time and be well-prepared. Entry: via Front Gate Only.
- Gates open at 5:30pm. Please find parking at Adventure World and allow plenty of time to walk to the classrooms for 6:00pm start.
- Switch off mobile phones, no flash photography.
- Please feel free to bring your own lantern from home.
- Hold a reverent mood for yourself and your child/ren. Please don't socialise on the lantern walk when walking behind your child's class. Save that for when the fire is lit.
- Stay in designated ‘Festival areas‘ i.e. the classrooms, the walk route, the bonfire area. For HS parents, there will be signing in Jarrah Miah and a Winter Meditation in Seekers Place.
- Take your Primary school-aged child home once ‘Goodnight, Stars are Bright‘ has been sung at the fire circle.
A map of the lantern walk route will be published next week. Please let Kevin know if you require seating at the fire circle. (kmazzer@pws.wa.edu.au)
Wanted for the Festival spirals
They can be delivered to the school or arranged to be picked up. If you have suitable greenery or flowers please text Anita on 0423 523 613. A photo and location would be helpful if you need them picked up.
First Rains, Walliabup (Bibra Lake)
You hear wind in the trees first.
then they come...the veils of rain
vertical lines drawn across the grasses of the dried lakebed.
The glassy shard of water that has survivied Summer
comes alive with rain-fleas
just as quickly it eases
the solomn machinery of rain
slows to a stop.
Ibises
daub the distance
with white
sheltered by the great tree
dead now (though it still holds the odd crow)
and I am absorbed by the energy
of the scene.
The sky is a white smudge,
like an erased charcoal drawing
a grebe dives into its upside-down world
pellets of rain strike as the downfall intensifies.
Ducks mill around in the sluicing mud on the overflowing flat
dabbling at whatever has been dislodged
now boundaries are blurred
wind-wraiths pulse across the water
squadrons of ducks take off
and so, I recreate
the rain.
Kevin Mazzer
Head of Primary School
Winter Festival Practical Planning
Tomorrow Wednesday, 11th June, there will be a planning meeting for all interested in helping create the practical aspects of the festival. It will be from 3.15 pm- 4.30 pm in the Primary staffroom. Please email me if you are interested in helping.
Winter Festival Singers Wanted
Claire Williamson will be leading the adult choir to welcome people to the school on the night of the Primary and High School Winter Festival on Thursday 19th June from 5:30pm.
Practices will be Tuesdays 8:45am-9:30am in the High School Music Room.
Please contact Claire if you would like to be a part of the choir.
Class 11/12 Human Biology Excursion
On Monday 26th May the 11/12 Human Biology elective class went on an excursion to the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.
This year, after learning about cell biology and stem cells, the students have spent term 2 researching the cellular processes behind cancer development and treatment.
Their excursion to the Harry Perkins was an opportunity to see how biomedical students and professional researchers use this cellular knowledge to develop and test new treatments for cancer and other illness such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and rare genetic illnesses.
The students learned about treatment breakthroughs, including personalised medicine developed through understanding an individual's DNA, the stimulation of adult cells back into stem cells and the use of lab-grown “organoids” to help our understanding of disease processes and efficacy of treatment.
Class 11 and 12 students showed impressive curiosity, asking fantastic questions and showing their laboratory skills when growing and staining liver stem cells in the wet lab.
Suzie Moore
HS Human Biology Teacher
Class 11 Chemistry Main Lesson
Sean Connolly
HS Science Teacher
Running Club
The mornings are certainly fresh, but we still have our core group of runners turning up each week, ticking over the laps. Whilst it might be colder, moving our bodies in the morning is a great way to warm up and it leaves us feeling ready for the day. We would love to see more of our community join us on the big oval Tuesday mornings between 8-8:25am.
Milestone Achievements:
5km – Thomas McSharry (Class 1), Margaret McSwain (Parent)
10km – Summer McSwain (Kindy 6)
20km – Elaura Collins (Class 3)
40km – Jobe Collins (Class 5) and Hamish Whyte (Class 5)
After School Sports Program
Senior Ultimate Frisbee – Champion Schools Competition
In Week 3, students from Years 10 and 12 represented our school at the Secondary Champion Schools Ultimate Frisbee Competition at Dianella Regional Open Space. The team quickly found their rhythm and delivered a fantastic day of competition.
The day began with a nail-biting win over John Curtin 1, edging them out by just one point. Confidence was high going into the second game, where the team showcased some slick teamwork and sharp skills in an 11–1 victory over John Curtin 3.
Game three was a highly anticipated clash against, Carmel. Our team got off to a strong start and took an early lead, but in a tightly contested game with multiple lead changes, Carmel managed to just edge ahead, handing us a narrow loss. A valiant effort nonetheless!
We bounced back in game four with another strong performance, securing a solid win over John Curtin 2, demonstrating impressive cohesion and determination.
Heading into the final round match against Shenton College, it was a must-win to secure a top-two finish and a place in the final. Despite a strong start, Shenton proved too strong on the day, and we went down 9–3, finishing 3rd in our pool.
In the playoff for 5th place, the team finished on a high note with a commanding 10–1 win over John Curtin 4. Throughout the day, our students consistently displayed excellent sportsmanship, teamwork, and spirit – hallmarks of the Ultimate community.
Individual Achievements
We also celebrate some outstanding individual efforts:
* Longest Throw – Year 10 Girls: Sophie Dau
* Longest Throw – Year 12 Boys: Toby Palmer
* All-Star Team Selection: Ella Dimasi
Congratulations to all students involved – an incredible display of skill, effort, and school pride!
Orienteering – Secondary Champion Schools
On Wednesday, 28th May, Eli Goodchild from Class 8 represented the school at the interschool Orienteering competition held at Fred Jacoby Park in Mundaring. At just 13 years old, Eli took on the challenge of the 15 & Under A Division. The course, approximately 4km in length, was classified as hard due to its steep climbs and descents.
Eli shared that while the navigation was manageable thanks to his strong orienteering skills, the terrain’s steepness proved to be the most demanding aspect of the course. Despite the tough conditions, Eli achieved an impressive 4th place finish.
A big congratulations to Eli on a fantastic effort and outstanding performance!
After School Sport
Our first session of Ultimate Frisbee kicked off last week. Whilst numbers were small, we had great fun practicing skills. We are looking forward to more friends joining us this week.
Week 2… WOW! Word certainly got around and despite the awful weather 30 students from Kindy to Class 6 came to be apart of all the fun. We practiced backhand throws, teams worked together to get see how many points they could get and then we finished with three games. It brought so much joy to see so many eager students choosing to be apart of the program. And we all managed to stay dry and make it to the cars before the heavens opened! Perfect timing.
The session will commence at 3:15pm and run for 45mins. The Ulti-Mates program introduces the sport of Ultimate Frisbee through a game-based approach. This fun inclusive program introduces students to movement skills including throwing and catching a frisbee and develops a strong foundation in teamwork and fair play. Please register your interest via the link below.
https://forms.office.com/r/0LdCUgFjZf
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.
Jade Collins
Phys. Ed Coordinator
2025 Building Levy - Due by 30th June
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.
To assist with the timely delivery of your invoices, please add our email address account@pws.wa.edu.au to your safe sender list. If you need any assistance or wish to make a payment arrangement, please contact Kathryn on account@pws.wa.edu.au. Thank you.
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.
WhatsApp Letter
To avoid issues with group chats, please read the guiding document here...
Toning Choir
Retreats 4 Wellbeing
Biodynamic Workshop
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
Sustainability Team Meeting
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Open Day
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WasteSorted School Grants
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WasteSorted Schools grants provide funding for schools to set up infrastructure and initiatives that avoid and recover school waste. Funding is available for projects that divert waste from landfill, such as paper and cardboard, food waste, single-use packaging and recycling. These projects should also aim to educate and engage students and the school community in waste avoidance and recovery practices.
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We have previously received grant funding for set up and support of garden beds, and our composting systems
Alex McLeod
Repair Hub
The Carriage 'School Shop'
The Carriage stocks stationary supplies, bags and uniforms for school. We also hold a large range of local products, craft materials, jewellery, handmade goods, cleaning necessities, salt lamps, candles, essential oils, cards, giftwares, wooden toys, secondhand items and books.
The Carriage is operated by the P&F, and all funds raised go back into the community.
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The Carriage 'Seed Swap'
Calling all green thumbs and plant enthusiasts! The Carriage has started a Seed Swap. If you have excess seeds at home, from flowers to food to natives, bring it (bagged & labeled) to The Carriage and leave it with a Volunteer. In exchange, take away with you, any pack of seeds that piques your interest. Please ensure all seeds given, are not considered an environmental weed in Western Australia, you can check via this link https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/organisms
Happy Planting!
General Canteen Information
Pixie Stott Canteen - Perth Waldorf School
Can you Help?
The canteen is looking for Slushi return cups and any donations of forks and spoons.
Thank you
Mon, Tues and Wed - 8:10am-3:15pm (closed between 2-2:30pm).
Thur - 8:10am-2:30pm (closed between 1:30pm-2:00pm).
Fri - 8:10am-1:30pm.
(The Canteen will be closed everyday between 11-11:30am for lunch preparations.)
Everyone must please Pre-Order food.
Orders need to be submitted as follows: Morning tea orders are due in by 8:30am and lunch orders are due in by 10:40am.
Pre-Orders can be made in person at the front of the Canteen or by text message to the Canteen SMS number 0412 035 670. This helps the canteen staff, reduces waste and keeps prices low.
You can set up an account with the canteen using the form below:
If you wish to top up your account please choose from the following payment options:
- Direct debit - BSB 066000 Account No. 13162921. Please use your canteen account name as reference and SMS a receipt to canteen number 0412 035 670.
- Direct cash or card payment at the canteen by a student.
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
New nudeherbs drinks available $4.50
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Volunteers are welcome in the Canteen!
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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
