Newsletters

Issue 7

Issue 7

21st December 2021


Head Teacher's News

Dear All,

It is the tradition in Steiner Waldorf schools for the teachers to perform the Shepherd’s play as a gift to the children and this year the troupe of actors collected each class from their classroom to take them on a journey to Bethlehem. It was a feat to repeat the play for every class bubble, but it was all worth it as the children’s responses were filled with joy and wonder at seeing their teachers in character.

We couldn’t have parents inside the school this end of year either, but we have continued the theme of spreading light as the year grows darker from Diwali onwards: the children experienced a beautiful spiral and Hannukah stories in French lessons throughout the school. I hear Santa Lucia wandered the building on the last day.

Thank you, all parents who supported the tree sale, especially Maisie and Ruanna for having the small, pop up, pickup Christmas tree market. This was following on from the creation of the Enchanted room, a Winter Wonderland experience for all the children up to Class V, gifted by the parents. It was very much appreciated.

Events and festivals form familiar points, marking the changing of the year, but it is the everyday work which makes up the school. As a headteacher, I had the privilege of walking around the school to see how the children were learning in main lessons. This term the theme of my learning walk was ‘attitude to learning’. The children are amazing; the typical St Paul’s students are joyful and engaged, they can listen with focus and ask appropriate questions, challenge the teachers, and contribute to furthering the lesson. They work well together creating a supportive environment, and take pride in their work as they immerse themselves in the main lesson topic. Their attitude to learning is outstanding and to see it across the school, from the youngest Class One children who have entered the school with confidence, curiosity and will to work, to the oldest Class Eight students who after a term of many COVID cases are wonderfully engaged and together, is a testament to all; teachers, children, supportive staff and parents. I am looking forward to visiting the subject lessons next term.

We said goodbye and thanked Derek who is hopefully on his way to South Africa with his family and is beginning to rest from years at St Paul’s. We wish him and his family all the best and a huge thank you for all his hard work.

Thank you to all, and warm wishes for a continued restful holiday and I look forward to seeing you all next year!

 

Anna Retsler

Headteacher St Paul’s Steiner School

Shepherd's Play Photos

Updates for Kindergarten & Classes

Class Three Update

Class III has worked very hard this term, bringing huge enthusiasm and intrigue into our four main lesson blocks: the Old Testament stories, Measurement, Shelters and Environment, and Time.

For our shelter block, the class took on the great challenge this term of designing and creating their own shelter projects. Each child spent one week drawing up with plan, and two weeks in school realising their unique shelter. This was a big challenge and an even bigger learning curve, as the children dealt with unpredictabilities and structures that needed extra or different support. The atmosphere in the room during building was so collaborative, and each child produced a really wonderful work of art, of which they can be very proud! 

Shadow photo - the children measured their shadows moving across the ground during the day - as an experience of the early clocks.

Measuring Shadows

 

Shelter Project

Woodwork Update

These are some fantastic woodwork crafted objects Classes IV - VIII have made this year and in the run-up to Christmas. Sadly, we will have to wait until the Winter Fair, hopefully in Spring, to start selling some of them!

All in all, the work has been of a very high standard throughout every class. I can not over state how impressed I have been with the dedication and creativity shown by all the students in every Woodwork Class. Well done all of you!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Mr Hammond.


Christmas Celebrations in the Kindergarten

A sample of some items the Kindergarten enjoyed at the end of the term. 


Class Two Update

Class Two have been working hard this half term as one Main Lesson block focused on hearing about some of the great people who have shaped history and legend, rising above their own needs to help others. They heard about some of the Christian saints - St Martin, St Christopher and St Elizabeth but also heard some of the stories from the lives of Mohammed, Siddartha and some great women of history: St Rabia of Basra, a Sufi saint, and Asenath Barzani, a Kurdish female rabbi who risked her life to save a neighbouring synagogue from a fire. Out of these stories the children have discussed that which has made these people special and why; work which lays the foundations for future literary analysis. 

 

Winter Toy Appeal - THANK YOU!

A big THANK YOU to everyone in the School Community that supported the Winter Toy Appeal.

Amanda arranged it this year, thanks Amanda! She delivered all the toys to the organiser Wednesday evening, and they were really thrilled. It was such an amazing and thoughtful selection!


They have put out a Thank You to the school on their FB page, so please check it out.

All the toys will be sent to Islington Council as Hackney have already had a lot and will be distributed to families in need. Parents can then wrap them for their children so there is something for them to open on Christmas Day.


Bright Idea

Child and Christmas lights

Have fun in your home over the holidays and build a den together. A den is like a ‘home away from home’ and is secret and special to a child. You don’t need much to get started - normal household items can make brilliant dens! You can use:

  • blankets and sheets
  • dining chairs and sofas
  • large empty boxes

Perhaps you could play some seasonal music add some twinkly lights to make the den feel festive. Create a cosy hide-away corner using cushions and spend some special time together.

More ideas 

 

School Website

Waldorf Today


Upcoming Events

Christmas Day
All Day
25
December
New Year's Day
All Day
01
January
World Braille Day
All Day
04
January
Epiphany
All Day
06
January
Epiphany
All Day
06
January
Orthodox Christmas
All Day
07
January
Trustees & Leadership Meeting
6:00pm – 8:00pm
13
January
World Religion Day
All Day
17
January
Halocaust Memorial Day
All Day
26
January

Term Dates

Christmas Break - NO SCHOOL
All Day
From 14 Dec until 03 Jan
14
December
Christmas Day
All Day
25
December
New Year's Day
All Day
01
January
Spring Term
All Day
From 04 Jan until 11 Feb
04
January