OPENING EVENING of
The Taming of the Shrew

by Carmel Carne - Class 9

The Taming of the Shrew opens on 30th August 2010 at 1930 in the Drama Hall. It runs every night until the 4th September 2010. This Shakespearean comedy explores how people disguise themselves and through much laughter and confusion, discover their true selves.

The last few weeks have been a flurry of activity for the class 9’s. Painting sets, learning lines, creating larger than life props, gluing
shiny buckles onto shoes, mending dresses, making posters and rehearsing everything a hundred times over in preparation for opening night. Come watch these talented individuals as they transform the stage into a world of vibrant colour, unforgettable characters and Shakespearean wit.

Tickets cost R20 for adults and R10 for students.
Tea and cake will be available during interval. The show starts at 19h30 but get there early to ensure a good seat.

 

Recycling

In 2001 Michelle Shelling organized an igloo in the top corner of the school and the recycling initiative began. It was a bold step, and in retrospect it was a really good step: all these years later recycling is flourishing throughout the school.

In the early days an enclosure was built (out of old fencing) to keep piles of cardboard from blowing around. This year William Anderton reinforced the structure with strong gumpoles, and Jonathan Stodel has recently been busy filling in the details. Jonathan worked quietly under the trees, using an extension cord from the nearest music hut. Every time one looked around, a pile of old materials had been transformed into something new and wonderful.

Iron sheets and corrugated plastic off somebody’s garage became not only a roof, but walls, a window and clerestory lighting. The fencing from the original enclosure and surrounding areas was used (for a third time) to make walls and fences; and a fence donated by Michael Broers arose again. Locks came off the old gates for our doors; nails were straightened out, or in some cases bent to form window latches; bottletops became a handle. A table appeared, as did shelves, workbenches and a verandah. Now Jean-Paul can take shelter from the rain and sun, and work at a table. Soon he will be able to wash his hands and the cloths and buckets on site, since Water Rhapsody Conservation Systems has put in a water tank and Jonathan has turned up a sink. (We just need a lot of rain and some taps!) In the meantime I have had fun with mosaics, and the whole place is shimmering with shards and broken mirror.

The overall plan is to make recycling really simple for parents, so that everybody can sort their things themselves. Jean-Paul is required to fetch and sort all the waste from school, including the markets and the weekend functions in the hall, and the teachers’ cottages; as well as to keep the bins in the grounds clean and the school litter-free; and do other jobs such as the tables for the Friday morning market. This leaves him with no time for sorting out parents’ recycling. Of course he will always be more than willing to help those that can’t manage for one reason or another, but do try to enjoy the newly organized depot, and drop your shiny-clean recycling into the relevant igloo or bag.

It is so good to see the huge trucks reversing up the drive collecting hundreds of kilos of glass, plastic bottles, paper and tin that would otherwise have gone to landfill. It is also good to know that we are getting money from these collections, which will continue to benefit the school. Some of the other things that we collect raise little or no money, but there is a pedagogical value in that our pupils see how we find a place for so much domestic waste that might otherwise be thrown out.

We have tried to follow the directions of the College of Teachers to become more visible in the school so that recycling becomes a part of life, and an attractive part – not just a derelict, horrid old dump. We hope that our hut and its awaiting pergola go some way to fulfil this vision. Trish Lague - Parent Volunteer

Read more in the current Grapevine...

Jewellery and Design

Thirteen years ago Marcus Mercer started teaching Jewellery and Design at the Constantia Waldorf School. At that time there was very little in the form of a curriculum, tools or materials to work from or build on. Constantia Waldorf was, in fact, one of the first schools in South Africa to offer Jewellery making and Design to students as a Matric subject. The Department of Education did not have a curriculum for Design as a subject and looked to various educators (including Marcus) to set the bar for how this could be done. Many teachers in similar fields got together and drew up guidelines and moulded Design into a viable subject.

Each design teacher brought with them their own speciality e.g. Fashion Design, Textile Design, Photography and, in our case, Jewellery design.

Jewellery Design is a very technical subject and before students can learn how to make anything beautiful they first need to learn basic techniques - how to saw, file and solder. How do you keep students motivated and interested in this subject if sawing, filing and soldering is what they need to do well before they can start producing proper designs? This is where Marcus’ 21 years in jewellery making and creative ideas serves him well. He explains that the curriculum is evolving continuously and that each class brings its own character which one needs to embrace but still be able to follow the basic Design course material which is as follows:

Class 11 - This is the technical year in which students practice how to work with their tools and learn the skills necessary for roducing more intricate designs. They start off learning how to make the basic elements and components of Jewellery.

Class 12 is the creative year in which the students learn about design more extensively. This work is built on what they learnt the year before. Students study the mechanics of putting their designs together, effectively applying three dimensional concepts to two dimensional objects. Course material is divided into three prominent facets: Practical work, Design Theory and Perspective Drawing.

Class 13 is the culmination year of all that the students have learnt . Full project presentations (from concept to the finished products) are exhibited together with the work from our art students. This exhibition is held at the beginning of the fourth term. The individual work exhibited is moderated by the Department of Education. We are proud to say that our students do exceptionally well year after year.

The other aspect of this subject is the integration of the business side of jewellery making. Students are given projects in the same manner as a jeweller would experience when he/she has to interpret the needs of a customer. They choose their own projects rendering full colour designs and perspective drawings for their pieces. They hand in full job quotations and then produce the end products.

Annual General Meeting Held on Thursday 29th July 2010

Our school AGM was attended by 41 parents and teachers last night. Last week, our Grapevine contained many reports from the various faculties and departments and, at this AGM, Heather Faure (as the Board Chairperson) gave a positive overview and image of where we are as a school at the moment, Sheilagh Dobson (as the College of Teachers chairperson) gave a report from the College of Teachers— see below, Glenda Muhl (as School Co-Ordinator) updated the meeting with the details of decisions which have been taken and implemented during the year and Lance Foster gave a report on our financial situation. John Carne wrapped up the evening giving us a reassuring picture of our school community, ‘breathing’ healthily and the commitment to working together for the good of the children in our care.

The Board Members for the coming year were appointed and they are as follows:
College of Teachers Members:
Sheilagh Dobson (Chairperson of COT), Joan Rayner (High School), Wilma Dawes (Primary School)
Parent Members:
Heather Faure, William Anderton, John Carne, Yumnaa Firfirey
New BOT members:
Heather Sonn-Pather, Jeanne Maritz and Thabo Hermanus
3 ex-officio members:
Business Manager: Jasmina Osman; Estate Manager: Debbie Braunlich; School Co-Ordinator: Glenda Muhl

Please read more in the current Grapevine.

AGM EDITION - AGM 29 JULY 7:30PM

Dear Parents
The School calendar, it seems, is always full to overflowing with upcoming school activities, parent meetings & special events and this term is no exception. We have already had the Class 12 Presentations and now it is time to turn our attention to the AGM.
This Grapevine is dedicated to giving you a comprehensive update of all that has happened in our school over the past year. Although there wasn’t a good attendance at the AGM last year, it was encouraging to see the number of new parents who came along. The AGM is your opportunity to find out more about the financial well-being, developments and future plans for the school. The evening is structured so as to give a general overview and then ample time for questions from the floor. Another important purpose of the AGM is the election of the Board of Trustees for the forthcoming year.

We have several trustees who have completed their term of office and currently we have 2 nominations for new trustees. I have come to realise that a key ingredient for a healthy functioning Waldorf School is an active and involved parent body. Come along on the 29th July, your attendance would be appreciated.
Yours Sincerely,
Heather Faure - Chairperson of the Board of Trustees

Class 12 Projects

A warm welcome back to the third term. On Tuesday evening (the day school started) we had the opportunity to attend our first Class 12 practical project presentation by Jayde Drescher who produced, sang and kept her audience enthralled for over an hour with the theme “Night at the Musicals”. The following evening was the official showcase of all the Class 12 practical projects which could not be performed in full on the two evenings of the class presentations. Our Class 12 pupils will be presenting their varied individual projects to the community and to interested members of the public. These projects are the culmination of many months of planning, thought and effort. Class 12 pupils are challenged to set themselves a task of some magnitude and given 6 months to complete this task.

These projects are also the students’ final presentation and crowning achievement of some 13 or 14 years of Waldorf Education, after which they begin to prepare for the National Senior Certificate. To all our Class 12 students, good luck for this weekend!

Federation of Waldorf Schools - Impressions from the heart

Mary-G Hauptle, our much loved kindergarten teacher, left our school at the end of 2007 but is still involved in the kindergarten movement through the Federation of Waldorf Schools. Mary-G has always been passionate about preserving childhood and her most recent project is to conduct a national survey of the Waldorf Early Childhood Centres and Kindergartens around the country. The teachers in these centres care for and help shape the lives of children aged from six months to six years and in order to conduct this survey Mary-G has travelled from Khayalitsha in the Western Cape to as far as Lesedi in the Northen Province.

Here is an extract entitled ‘Impressions from the Heart’ taken from the most recent Federation newsletter.
“The Federation national survey of the early childhood centres and kindergartens continues. As it is still in progress I would, in the meanwhile, like to share with you some impressions from the heart. In all the early childhood schools and centres I encountered a sense of relief among the teachers that the Federation was finally focusing on early childhood work. I want to salute all the Waldorf early childhood teachers, the work they do for the children, their striving to do the right thing and to be Waldorf teachers.

Early childhood teachers often feel overwhelmed by the huge task and responsibility of laying a foundation for the physical, social and emotional well-being of the young child for later in life. They long to be recognized and want the state to support what they are trying to do.

We are very blessed in the south to have the Centre for Creative Education, which provides Waldorf teacher training, but the teachers in the north express a longing for an Early Childhood Development training course. I discovered similarities across the range of centre’s and also very different challenges. Each school is unique in its own special way: the environment, the society that stands around it and the way it is supported.

This is a country of extremes and we see this clearly in the Waldorf early childhood movement. There are extremes of availability of resources, of training, of experience, of the capacity to be free of state influence in educational practice. We, as a movement, face huge challenges to bridge these extremes; identifying them, supporting each other, finding our common vision and goal.

For our Waldorf early childhood movement to grow and for the sake of all our children, we need to come together as practitioners and take bold and new steps towards each other, crossing the divide, unifying our work and tasks in South Africa.

We all know that what allows for a healthy rhythm, a fostered environment and a cared for child is a healthy number of children in an appropriate size of space and with the right adults around to imitate and the appropriate amount of teachers to care guide and support the children.

The question that arises is, what are the essentials, the non-negotiables of a child’s learning and play environment? My joy is in seeing children who are given the space and time to play and learn and be.” Mary G Hauptle

The Federation of Waldorf Schools

The Federation of Waldorf Schools in Southern Africa is an association of independent schools and teacher training institutions. The
Federation assists and guides both new and existing Waldorf schools. The aim of the Federation is to positively support all aspects of
Waldorf education in the schools, to encourage, and to maintain a high standard of education at every level in the spirit of the pedagogy inspired by the insights of Rudolf Steiner.
The Federation website www.waldorf.org.za will provide you with more insight and links to similar international organizations.

ZERO WASTE TO LANDFILL

Quoting the Argus of Monday 12 April: “Last year Cape Town disposed of 1,7 million tons of waste at it’s three remaining landfill sites – Coastal Park, Vissershok and Bellville South, according to Barry Coetzee, manager of the city’s technical strategic support at the utility services department.”
Our school does not much want to be contributing to these 1,7 million tons. Bearing this in mind, we have returned 14 rented black wheelie bins to the municipal council. Those are 14 bins full that we will not be sending to landfill every week. We are left with 13 bins. Anyone who thinks that 13 huge 240 litre bins is still too much can make their feelings known by simply having less to throw away. Think before you buy. Teachers, administrators, tuckshop keepers, place orders with care! Parents, buy in bulk and send school lunches in Tuppers without wrappings, and drinks in stainless steel flasks. Be radical, imaginative, obsessive, anything… just endeavour to reduce waste… maybe we will be able to send 13 more bins back soon.
Most important: Parents, please do not bring miscellaneous plastic to the depot from your homes; it fills up our bins and joins the 1,7 million tons on its way to landfill – what a waste! In the way of plastic, our depot only deals with beverage bottles (including clear milk bottles), clean polystyrene, and bread tags. Please take all other plastic to Ladies Mile Drop-off for recycling. (That is where the school’s plastic is taken.)
Here’s to ZERO WASTE TO LANDFILL from the Waldorf School! Trish Lague
(suggestions/queries to aburaka@mweb.co.za)

On Friday 19th March Class 6’s from nine local Waldorf schools gathered to face the well-known challenges of wrestling, running, javelin, discus and shot putt. However, the weekend also brought with it other lesser-known challenges. Unexpectedly the whole group had to try their luck and strength in remaining on an island in Sparta whilst ridding themselves of all the other participants – a tough initiation!

Then, rising at 5am on Saturday to fill the urn, I discovered the whole of the Waldorf property to be without water. There was a burst pipe behind the jewelery room and the council had turned our water off. Oh dear! Imagine 150 people needing the loo on awakening and 150 thirsty souls participating in the events throughout the rest of the day-without water! Thank heavens (or the Greek Gods?) for saving the situation. Water left from the Medieval Fair quenched thirst and the swimming pool provided water for flushing loo’s. Thank you to those resourceful souls who came up with solutions and to the parents who pushed so hard for our school to have a swimming pool - Just imagine! Adrienne Milne

Here are some phrases extracted by the children from their articles on the Greek Olympic weekend.

Olympic flame coming to life, Atlas ball jumping into the sky Wet and cold, Flying to win the goal Like a punch in the head, Leaping for victory Tee pee castle, Olympia quiet like a mouse when told Spinning in the air, Wrestling for victory Taste buds soothed, Shining medal on thy chest Victoria	Immensely excited, Gloriously sang glorious Apollo Ferocious and perilous Island game Anxious arm wrestling, Wonderfully warm and dry Corinthian kaleidoscopes to Olympian Drought until lunch, Cold icy morning Thoroughly enjoyed long jump Wonderful waking early morning run Tee pee team work, Gold medal round my neck. Maya
Immensely nervously excited, anxious when performing Flying like a bird, running like the wind Loathed the game, never got the ball Excitement in second place, dark and cold Olympic flame rises in beauty, scrumptious food Needless drought, gold on a ribbon Cara	Purposely jumped off, Savage island game Loathed the game, Like a war Wind rushed past my face Felt free, Felt happy Enjoyed shot putt tremendously Enjoyed sprint thoroughly Wonderful sharing of schools Felt quite scared, Food was like gold Bass
Got a gold medal, Thoroughly enjoyed marathon Was cold, wet and uncomfortable Did not deserve it, Did not need water Thought it was savage, Think there were too many people Really enjoyed spider champs Got a stick called a schufter Struggled in getting run up right Really liked it and did well Luke C

We would like to congratulate all the class 6 pupils for participating in the Greek Olympics. For having the courage to face your tasks and opponents and for doing your best. Well done!

Medieval Fair Thank You’s

On behalf of the Constantia Waldorf School body we would like to express our warmest thanks to the Class 5 parents whose vision and hard work over many weeks came together on the day of the medieval fair to create such a special and memorable occasion. Every person, from the youngest to the oldest, found some unique aspect of the fair which they could enjoy and participate in. Our thanks to each of the class reps and parents whose individual class efforts permeated throughout the fair to create the medieval village theme which had been envisioned. Thanks to our teachers who encouraged the children to dress up and helped with their class stalls as well as serving in the teachers tea garden and to those who bravely took turns in the stocks where wet sponges were flung at them. The focus of the fair, right from the start, was to have fun and this was accomplished in so many ways on the day. The beautiful photographs say it all! We are also grateful to our fair sponsors who contributed in many ways:

Forma, formwork and scaffolding....suppliers of fine formwork;
Touareg Tents... suppliers of gorgeous event marquees and tents;
Sales Hire...for quality building hires;
Enchantrix....cleaning and body care products made with love;
Paul Bothner Music....a leader in the music industry – instruments, technical equipment and development of musicians;
Harbour House Restaurant...finest seafood with a view;
Polana Restaurant....Portuguese food and sundowners on the rocks;
Hout Bay Manor Hotel ...5 star boutique hotel and Inzolo wellness spa;
The Ice cafe, Kalk Bay....fabulous real ice-cream;
Calma Floatation and Massage Centre...soothing and restorative experiences;
Blossom...handmade and beautiful;
Espresso Concepts...great coffee from around the world for passionate coffee addicts;
Paradise Touring “Gone to the Beach”....classic seaside cottage in Scarborough;
Olympia Cafe... a legend in its lunchtime;
Perfect Hideaways...for perfect hideaways and unique destinations;
Sportsman’s Warehouse... your one stop sports shop;
Wasabi ...great fresh Thai delights;

Thank you to all our entertainers!

ABC printing - Michael Norwitz, a HUGE thank you!

A special thanks to Peter Dinan for plowing so much energy into the planning and erection of the amazing village scaffolding construction and finally to our incredible organizing group: Jeanne Maritz; Nadja Bosmann-Everitt, Zana Bahlig, Athene and Thomas Knemeyer and Amanda Dinan who committed themselves for so many weeks and who carried the fair through to its final success. Henrike Lombardozzi and Helen Untiedt also stepped in with last minute organization.
We are also thankful to our school maintenance team: Ismael was such a star on the day, running with his hammer and drill from stall to stall to meet all the handyman requirements. Jean-Paul dealt with the recycling and refuse which accumulated throughout the day and our school ground staff prepared the grounds in the week leading up to the fair.

Thank you to the whole school community for your support!

By the way—The weight of the pumpkin was 21 kg!
The winner of the ‘Guess the weight of the pumpkin’ and R100 is Nathan -
(the organizers only know the first name of the winner). He was the only person out of 119 people who guessed the exact weight. Well Done!

Important Announcements

• Due to the Class 6 Greek Olympic Games, the Primary School will have no sport lessons next week Friday 19th March.
  School will close at 12:30 on Friday 19th March for all Primary School children.
  
  
• Our craft department is urgently looking for 2 sewing machines either as a donation to the school or on a long term loan.
  If you can help please contact Sheilah Dobson (021) 794 2103.
  
  
• Our teachers are looking forward to the National Teachers conference which takes place during the school holidays. Teachers travel from all over South Africa and are accommodated by Cape Town families. We are hosting 30 teachers in our sports hall over that time. Many of these are teachers come from our Waldorf Educare Centres in Khayalitsha and Gugulethu and are not able to travel back home late in the evening. We need to borrow 30 mattresses for the period Sunday 28th – Wednesday 31st March 2010.
  If you are able to lend us a mattress or two, please contact Glenda at (021) 794 2103.
  
  
• Student Representative Council News and Updates– Edition 2 of “WHO?” will be for sale next week Friday the 19th March for “5 Ronts” from the Media Student Reps. Please take note that “WHO?” newsletter is only for sale to high school students, parents and teachers.
  
  
• Aaron Jacobs is a Class 10 SRC member and he carries the “Environmental” mandate for the student body. One of his first undertakings was to fix or replace the old tuck shop benches. On initial investigation, what was thought to be a quick-fix turned out to be a lot more work than envisaged. Aaron has made the suggestion that the School investigate the purchase of some Recycled Plastic benches which could be sponsored by a willing company or parent. Alternatively, please, if anybody has a good second-hand wooden bench(es) (minor repairs etc. will be done by the students) or any monetary donations for this cause, this will be greatly appreciated. Please contact Debbie Braunlich @ (021) 794 2103 who is working side by side with Aaron on this project.
  
  
• Azfaar Gaffoor is a Class 11 SRC member and he carries the “Community” mandate for the Student body. Azfaar’s aim is to bring the light and joy back into the eyes of some young children by initiating a Waldorf toy and stationary drive for Zenzeleni our sister school in Khayalitsha. Please help Azfaar by dropping off second-hand toys in good clean condition, hand made toys, dress-up clothes and any unwanted stationary such as paint, crayons, pencils, sharpeners etc with Marlene in the office.

TEN GOOD REASONS WHY OUR
MEDIEVAL FAIR IS NOT TO BE MISSED!

Saturday 13 March 11 AM - 5 PM

• Great music: One of SA’s newest hottest and loveliest local bands HOT WATER is performing for us. This music is a seriously beautiful, upbeat and lyrical and is guaranteed to get us dancing.
  
  
• The Children!! The children of Constantia Waldorf will be parading in colourful array led by horseback riders to the tune of a local marimba band. The Parade starts at 11:00 AM sharp.
  
  
• Improve your own musical output! You will have the once in lifetime opportunity to enter a fabulous raffle draw to win a classical guitar sponsored by Paul Bothner.
  
  
• Enjoy the beauty of slow times! The arts and crafts on offer are truly hand crafted works of love, beauty and passion: pottery, wool spinning, furniture making, paper making, embroidery, felt....shoe making, soap making and even glass blowing.
  
  
• Improve your mood! You can get loose and wet and cool on the dragon back water slide....followed by very special fooffey slide specially designed to get your spirits soaring.
  
  
• Lift your body and spirits! Larry Soffer fabulous magician extraordinaire might just get a mass levitation on the go.....it’s up to us.
  
  
• Do it for the animals! Indigenous free range chickens on sale: take these home to rid your garden of grotty little pests. Chris’s lovely friendly goats will be coming to enjoy the day with us too! A small team of Alpacas will be mingling about.
  
  
• Knights in armour! How often do we have an opportunity to see real knights joust it out? The Medieval Society will come to the Fair and will show us some Medieval Combat Duel!
  
  
• Jugglers, jester, stilt walkers, and just the usual medieval fanfare.....please join the fun and come dressed to the nines with flourish and flare. We have loads of dreamy prizes for best knock your socks off dressers!
  
  
• Really really good fresh food cooked with enthusiasm and served up with smile!
  

Other line-ups for the day:

Puppet theatre will have 2 medieval shows at the Medieval Market: St. George and the Dragon at 1pm and 3pm.
"Vinnie from Zok" a humoristic performance
Miles Sievwright
Gabriel Dry
Opera Singer “Chris”
Marimba Band "Buyambo"
Trio "South Easter Windy"
Janneke Meyburgh "singing Edith Piav"

Constantia Waldorf Night Market:
A RESOUNDING SUCCESS!

On a perfect evening with a full moon shining, the inaugural Constantia Waldorf Night Market got off to a flying start. With lanterns and firelight, the scents of mouth watering food and delicate perfumes, beautiful handmade clothes, toys and craft, organic vegetables and entertainment for all, the market attracted over 2000 patrons, 70 stall holders and made a profit for the school of R16270.08.
Of this amount R7127.69 was spent on capital equipment e.g. lamps, tables, lights, banners etc leaving cash on hand of R9142,39 which will be transferred to school coffers to bolster school funds. All agreed that the market was a wonderful success for a first time effort. In addition the mandate received wonderful constructive criticism which will be addressed by the following:

• More of our own Waldorf community and pupils involved as stall holders,
• More juices, water, teas and coffees on offer and this should be a direct source of income for the school.
• Simpler payment system,
• Better sound system,
• Better lighting,
• Structured activities for older teenagers
• Easier flow and less congestion at the market
• Improved security
• Greater effort to address the aesthetics and Waldorf atmosphere of the Market

The wonderful hamper (value R800) donated by parents at the school, stall holders and various local grocers was won by Rosie De Jager of Tokai. The draw was held at the High School Assembly last Monday.
Thank you to the following sponsors and suppliers. Without you the mandate could not have made this a success:

ABC Printing who saw to all our printing needs, City Screen who printed the t - shirts and bag labels and provided endless advice, Anonymous past pupil who donated R1000 to set up cost, Ampaglas for donation of backing boards for the posters and SA Plastics Magazine for making this possible, Spar Constantia, Pick and Pay Constantia, Checkers Meadowridge, Enchatrix for hamper donation, Parents who donated hamper goodies, Christopher Emmanuel for singing for us at no cost, Marc Maingard for stepping in a short notice and a vastly reduced rate to sing and play at the Market, All the parents and students that donated their time to the running and organising of the Market, Klaus (Katja Ratcliffe's Dad) for the stunning photos on the night.

Our next market is on Friday 26 Feb. Details to follow in the Grapevine or follow us on Facebook or www.waldorfconstantia.co.za

Matrciualtion Results for 2009

Constantia Waldorf Night Market

MARK MAINGARD LIVE!
AT CONSTANTIA WALDORF NIGHT MARKET,
FRIDAY 29 JAN 5 - 9PM
Mark is a fantastic acoustic guitarist and a harmonica player.

PM. CALLING ALL STALL HOLDERS WHO WISH TO MAKE SOME EXTRA MONEY - PLEASE PHONE LEXI AT 082 775 2200 AND BOOK YOUR STALL NOW

The Constantia Waldorf Night Market will be held every last Friday of the month during term.
The first market will be on 29 January 2010 from 5 to 9 pm. Thereafter 26 Feb, 30 April, 28 May, 30 July…. etc.  

This is an opportunity for the greater community to come together and enjoy good food, art and music.
Relax in a candle lit atmosphere in the splendid setting of the Constantia valley.
Every month offers a different experience. Updates on Facebook (Constantia waldorf, Events).

A green event offering:

• Tasty ready to eat biodynamic, organic or whole foods for a Friday night treat in a stunning candle lit ambience
• Fresh produce to take home with you
• Live music to entertain everyone
• Art and craft
• Holistic workshops and courses
• A lively meeting place for the whole community
• Fun activities for all ages

Should anybody, young and old, wish to take up a stall at the market, to make some extra money,
please contact Lexi (082 775 2200).
Look us up on facebook, Constantia Waldorf Events.

Reflections on the Diversity Mandate in 2009

Since its establishment in 2007, the Diversity Mandate has grown in both capacity and vision. We see our role as developing a shared understanding of diversity for our school, and by suggesting workable models in terms of practical components like marketing, enrolment, pupil turnover, teacher - learner support and parent involvement. We look forward to cultivating a nurturing environment for children and families from a multitude of backgrounds in this part of the world that destiny has delivered us to.

In this regard, the Board of Trustees has approved ‘Project Horizon’ as an initiative to translate the diversity vision into reality from 2010. The DM has been meeting with teachers and support staff to understand what they envisage as challenges to the project - essentially what personal, social and organizational resources are needed in order for Project Horizon to succeed. We feel it is imperative to maintain a close working relationship with College of Teachers and Board of Trustees and we are deeply appreciative of the dialogue that has opened up this year. The debate has been robust, reflecting the complex meaning of diversity and varying perspectives on how diversity should be promoted in our school.

We value the pedagogical initiative of teachers who have woven diversity in the form of religious festivals into the fabric of Waldorf life this year. The participation of Sheilagh Dobson has been particularly important in 2009. We have also been fortunate to have the input of Gordon Hodgetts, a highly experienced diversity facilitator. In 2010 the Mandate and Gordon will be running a diversity process for our school community and we are hopeful that many people will attend. The workshop will explore what it means to be ‘diversity literate’ so that we, as a community, can perceive and respond to the prevalent structures which impede our human freedoms. Assumptions around diversity abound and we need to enter into dialogue and work through these issues together.

The year ends on a positive note for the Diversity Mandate and we wish our school community a peaceful December and happiness in the New Year.

Festivals of the future?

In the past festivals were celebrated by individuals and families according to their diversified beliefs, usually at home and in the bosom of the family. Some cultural and religious festivals were celebrated in groups and communities as well. With the advent of the Global Village and the mixing of all races, cultures and religions worldwide, there is a new question, how do we acknowledge the individual cultural or religious festivals celebrated in Waldorf communities and schools worldwide?

There is so much commonality amongst festivals. For instance, at this time of year there are many festivals celebrated, amongst them, particularly in this country, Diwali, Chanukah, and Christmas. Their commonality is the celebration of ‘Light’ (which is particularly noticeable in the northern hemisphere as winter approaches). Rudolf Steiner in his lecture on the Universal Human spoke about the Divine Light within each and every human soul, and it is that Light which we can celebrate.

At this time of year, in Waldorf schools and kindergartens throughout the world, the acknowledgement of this light is represented by a festival, the Advent Garden. In the center of a spiral of greenery a candle is lit, and every child in turn walks the spiral to light their candle from the large one in the center, and places their lit candle (in a holder- often an apple) along the spiral path of on the way out. When each child has taken its turn, the end result is a magnificent, memorable ‘Garden of Light’. This demonstrates how we can each help to make the whole world (our garden) shine if we each contribute our own light to it.

This message applies to each and every religion today, as our task is to meet each other as human beings and together bring light into the darkness of our earth - and how we desperately need this in today’s world! We need to change our thinking….instead of using Diversity, let us think of Commonality, which we all share as a human family….remember we are each of us a spiritual being and each worthy as an individual within this family.

All the above is merely a working thought as to what I envisage: a mutual recognition of our common spirit and therefore tolerance, respect and, above
all, a love for our fellow travelers.

Estelle Bryer
With additions by her daughter Janni Nicol
(kindergarten representative for England)