Our Ground Staff

Early in the morning, before anybody has arrived at school, the School’s estate management team swing into action to prepare for the day. They work hard to support our students, teachers and community in keeping our grounds and school facilities clean, beautiful and safe for all. Some of these people have seen young children come into Kindergarten, grow through the school to return later with their own children, such is the length of their service. It is our yearly tradition to appeal to our community to contribute towards food hampers for each and every person of this team.

Johannes Mute – has been here for approximately for 21 years, assisting in the grounds with all the many tasks that need to be undertaken every season.

Headman Mute – has been here for just over 4 years and does a lot of the heavier, physical tasks in the grounds. He has done a year’s course with Soil for Life to build his soil, plant and gardening knowledge.

Cynthia Qusheka – our most senior lady but who is still nimble and diligent in keeping her areas clean and tidy on the first floor of the main building as well as the library and remedial rooms. Cynthia has been here for about 13 yrs.

Agrinette Tamba – has also been here for 13 years. Agrinette keeps the Art & Jewellery Rooms, sports hall toilets & kitchen as well as the top floor of the main building clean and tidy.

Gladys Kehalotse - looks after Class 3 – 7 classrooms, the staffroom and helps in the Tuckshop as well with great willingness and her spontaneous smile.

Winnie Chima - Youngest staff member, assists Bev in the Tuckshop for Aftercare meals. She also assists Gabriel in the Aftercare with the supervision of the children in the afternoons. Winnie has been on maternity leave for the past two months and will be back in the new year.

Bongi Soxuma - started with us this year January and took over from Wendy. She does Classrooms 1 and 2, ceramics rooms and kindergarten.

Rose Dikana - is a temporary staff member and stepped in to fill Winnie’s shoes in her time of maternity leave. She has been with us for 4 months and will be leaving again in December when school closes.

Jean Paul Kabongo - carries the Recycling flag for the last 3 years, keeping our grounds litter - free as far as possible and maintaining the Recycling depot.

Cosmas Manyudwa - is there to greet the first students everyday from 6h45 when they are dropped at school. His presence and watchfulness keep everyone safe during the day and the many, many afterhours events held at school.

Chrispin Timu - joined the maintenance staff on a casual basis 2 years ago and has helped in many, many areas. Currently he is the gardener in our Playgroup and Kindergarten.

Oussein Mpaka - started as supervisor for building operations on the new Class 1 & 2 buildings. He has been with us now for 5 years. He has remained in service fulfilling the many areas of maintenance work around our school.

All donations to the staff hampers would be most gratefully received and appreciated by these people and their extended families. Please drop off with Marlene in the office.
Please see page 4 in Grapevine 34 for a list of suggested food items for their hampers.

Class 9 Orange River Camp

After a long 11 hour journey with a few unexpected stops, we arrived to the beautiful Namibia. From the moment we started unpacking our boats and the first time we went on the river, we all knew that there would be hard work and lots of fun involved. Even after the first few days, with blisters and stiff arms, we all knew that our family was getting closer as the days grew on.

With breath taking landscapes and a star filled sky, it was something truly magical. With plenty of water fights and jumping off rocks we were embracing the spirit of nature. Finally when the last days came we were so used to not having technology, mirrors or hot showers that when we saw civilization it took some getting used to.

But what I think we learned the most is that our class is not just a class but a family and we take care of each other.
By: Alessia Bourgeois.

The Matric Art Exhibition 2011

Opening Evening will be on Monday 17th October, 6:00PM.

The whole community is invited to come and view the amazing efforts of these talented young people. As you may remember, five of last year’s matric candidates were chosen to exhibit at the National Gallery, Iziko Annexe, which was a wonderful achievement and a great compliment to our school. This exhibition will take place again in March of 2012. Please support the Class Thirteen's by attending their exhibition.

 

The Readathon Dress Up Day

Tuesday 20th September!

The primary school will have the opportunity to dress up as their favorite book character. It is a day of fun and festivities as we celebrate the incoming funds donated and sponsored to each child. Tania, our magnificent librarian, will put all this money towards purchasing new and exciting books for our children’s education and enjoyment. All monies must be brought to school latest by the end of this term.
Thank you!

Class 9 Play 2011

In “The Winter’s Tale” Shakespeare pursues the theme of jealousy, the inverted perversion of LOVE. In Othello the outcome is tragic. In Cymbeline the tragedy is averted by an act of forgiveness. In “The Winters Tale” the king of Sicilia's jealousy erupts violently in the opening scenes of the play. He accuses his wife of adultery. At her trial the prophetic voice of the oracle proclaims, “Hermione is chaste, Polixenes is blameless, Camillo a true subject, Leontes a jealous tyrant, his innocent babe truly begotten, and the king shall live without and heir, if that which is lost be not found.”

The immediate outcome of his jealousy has been the death of his 5 year old son. The apparent death of his wife, the Queen and the loss of his faithful companion as well as his childhood friend. The pastoral/comical second half of the play, unfolds over 16 years and results in his eventual redemption and reconciliation with all those he has wrongfully accused. This happens in the reverse order of the oracles’ proclamation.

This play can be seen as a picture of contemporary humanity who have lost their instinctive wisdom and must now rediscover it through their own human effort. This is the other major theme, demonstrated through the death of his first born child at the beginning of the play and the finding of his lost child at the end.

Monday 5th September OPENING NIGHT!

Date: 5th to 10th September
Time: 7:30
Where: Drama Hall - Constantia Waldorf School
Tea and Cake on sale during the break. Dress warmly as it will be cold at night in the hall.

Please come and support our Class 9's.

The World Our Children are to Inherit

“Far more dangerous than a despotic leader in an autocracy,
is an apathetic citizen in a democracy.”

The future of the world our children are to inherit is not a healthy picture, with hazardous levels of electrosmog, air and water pollution, many species becoming extinct, children suffering in poverty stricken countries, wars, colonies of bees dying and other gloomy forecasts. At our Waldorf school, we strive to teach our children that we all can make a difference in the world to nurture all that is true, beautiful and natural.

The protest held this morning outside our school gates was for our children’s “Right to Know” and constitutional rights to be honoured – by big business, all levels of government and our general community.

In erecting a cell mast close to our school, the future long- term health of our children is put in jeopardy – all 2400 objections to the proposed mast were overruled by council. It is a question of choice – we can choose, as individuals, to expose ourselves to radiation by using cell phones, microwaves, TVs etc but we cannot choose when a cell mast is imposed upon us and is a permanent fixture. It is 100% radiation, 100% of the time. Once one cell mast is erected, other network operators will follow suit. Before we can say “radiation is harmful”, there will be a number of cell mast towers in our area.

Is this what we want for our children? And their children?

The rest of the world has woken up and alarm bells are ringing. After a decade of reassurances that there's nothing to worry about, that scientists who diverge from mainstream beliefs are disreputable, that people who hear them and pass on the message are scare-mongers, the picture is rapidly changing. In May 2011 the World Health Organisation reclassified radio frequency radiation as a class 2B carcinogen, placing it in the same category as lead, DDT and asbestos.

The most recent WHO position comes with this warning as well: "Where data is scarce, the absence of evidence of harm should not necessarily be interpreted as evidence that no harm exists. Further research should focus on long-term effects and should include children and adolescents."

And also in May 2011 the EU Parliamentary Assembly Report summarised as follows:
"The potential health effects of the very low frequency of electromagnetic fields surrounding power lines and electrical devices are the subject of ongoing research and a significant amount of public debate. While electrical and electromagnetic fields in certain frequency bands have fully beneficial effects which are applied in medicine, other non-ionising frequencies, be they sourced from extremely low frequencies, power lines or certain high frequency waves used in the fields of radar, telecommunications and mobile telephony, appear to have more or less potentially harmful, non-thermal, biological effects on plants, insects and animals, as well as the human body when exposed to levels that are below the official threshold values. One must respect the precautionary principle and revise the current threshold values; waiting for high levels of scientific and clinical proof can lead to very high health and economic costs, as was the case in the past with asbestos, leaded petrol and tobacco."

Here in South Africa, we are presented with policies which are over a decade old. In May 2002, Brian Watkyns (Executive Councillor for Planning and Environment) said that a cautionary approach would be adopted with regard to the siting of cell masts near schools but this hasn't happened.

On 1 August 2011, an advertisement appeared in local newspapers calling for public comment on the 2011 Draft Telecommunication Infrastructure Policy. Capetonians have until 31 August to respond to this policy.

What is of grave concern though is that the conclusions drawn in this policy are still based on the ICNIRP guidelines of April 1998.
In May 2003 GJ Hyland (an Associate Fellow in the Physics Department at the University of Warwick) published a scientific paper which highlights the fact that the guidelines and standards set by ICNIRP are based only on the thermal properties of radiation waves.

What has been overlooked up until this year is the fact that the human body identifies with these electromagnetic waves which wreak havoc on our electrical makeup. They affect the DNA in every cell in the human body and children are most at risk because their cells are replicating at a faster rate than adults.

For over a decade scientists have said that the potential damage from this type of radiation is irreversible with little children being most affected. We just can't see it now - it only manifests outwardly down the line. Who will guarantee the safety of our children and why does the burden of proof lie on us, ordinary citizens and the neighbours of these threatening cell phone towers in our communities?

Our officials and councilors involved in the authorisation of cell phone masts have insisted on being indemnified against any potential health claims.
Burden of proof should lie with the authorities and cell phone companies to demonstrate that they're not harming us or our environment through new technology and the proliferation of hidden radiation. We totally oppose this criminal breach of our right to an environment that is not harmful to our health and well-being, as enshrined in section 24 of the Constitution.

We are neighbours, parents, children, teachers, friends, family, fellow citizens. We are community. We are in this together.
See www.emrsa.co.za for more details including a powerful video of ‘the girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes’.

Congratulations Class 12!

Last weekend we had the privilege once again, to attend and share in the Class 12 projects. The work shown through performance, exhibit and film was of a high standard and it was wonderful to see these projects so beautifully presented by each student. Many presentations were embroidered with a wonderful sense of humor while the audience was taken through the individual processes. Our Class 12’s have now effectively ended their Waldorf curriculum and are fully immersing themselves into their matric work.
Well Done Class 12!

Parents Conference Weekend

Conference registration fee is R200 which covers a light supper on Friday 12th August and morning and afternoon tea on Saturday 13th August. On Saturday a vegetarian lunch will be available on sale as a class fundraising initiative. Registration forms and the programme have been sent out electronically and hard copies sent home with the children. Registration deadline is 5th August.
All presentations have been carefully selected to provide insight on how best to support a Waldorf education in the home.
Sincerely, Constantia Waldorf Parents Conference Committee

For a detailed conference program please see the Grapevine.

Next Term Opens With The Class Twelve Individual Projects!

The Class 12 projects mark the culmination and the end of the Waldorf School curriculum. For some of these pupils, this might have been a 15 year experience which started in Kindergarten. For all our parents new to Waldorf or parents in Primary school who know little of what happens in the High School, our Class 12 pupils are challenged to set themselves a task of some magnitude and given 6 months to complete this task. These projects offer the individual student an opportunity to undergo both an inner and an outer process and is somewhat a rite of passage. The projects consist of 4 main tasks:

1. Detailed research on the chosen task.
2. The written component (writing a journal of the whole process and binding this into a book).
3. The practical project work.
4. The presentation of the project to the community.

School opens Monday 18th July!

Performance Based Projects
On Wednesday 20th July at 7PM all the performance based projects will be presented in full to the public in the Drama Hall. There will be a Fashion Show, some Vegan Cooking, full screenings of short movies (animated and acted), singing, a Jazz guitar recital, a short play and some tinkling on the piano.

YOU ARE ALL WARMLY INVITED TO JOIN US!

Project Presentations
On Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd July all the Class 12 pupils will be presenting their projects in the Sports Hall. The display of work will be open from 3PM on Friday the 22nd July and the pupils will start the formal speeches from 6:30PM. The same programme will follow on Saturday 23rd July.

PLEASE ACCEPT THIS WARM INVITATION
to join us for the two evenings.
Come and experience first hand the culmination
of 13 or 14 years some of Waldorf Education.

Constantia Waldorf School 90x2030 ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB

PROJECT 90 BY 2030
cut carbon • dare to change

The vision of the Project 90 by 2030 is, that South Africans from all sectors of society are doing their bit to preserve the environment and are committed to changing the way they live by 90% by the year 2030.

Dear Grapevine Readers –
Last year our class, the present Grade 8’s got involved in a climate change/environmental organisation. (It wasn’t because we were particularly saintly or virtuous individuals – it was more like we were offered involvement in that whole world, and were keen).

We were the youngest of a number of 90x2030 school clubs, (Springfield, St. George’s Grammar, Westerford and others) and were passionate at first, as we received several exciting visits from Daniel, (the guy who organises all the school club stuff in the Cape) where he explained that he, and numerous others doing the same sort of work, are aiming to have the earth’s carbon footprint down by 90% in the year 2030. I personally think that this is a pretty cool (if... ambitious?) aim to strive towards, collectively.

Anyway, we were told not to try and save the entire world immediately, and look towards lowering the school’s carbon footprint instead. However, without much overall support (no hard feelings) or vast crowds of avidly keen class-mates, our participation as 90x2030 club-members was somewhat half-hearted. But this year is slightly different – both our Guardians are keen to step in where help might be needed, and we were thinking of having a club open to the entire High School, with people involved who really want to be there.

SO... what do we think? Please bear in mind that this is NOT exclusively a class 8 initiative, so older classes wouldn’t need to feel like they were stooping disgracefully low in order to join. Something will also be said about it in our next assembly, for the people who don’t make a habit of reading the Grapevine.

For now – our vague future plans:

• Finding out first – as a basis to begin working on, we thought something like electricity surveys on the daily amount used in classrooms would be useful, as well as water.
• Meetings – when all members are established, we MUST arrange regular times to meet. Breaks?
• Awareness in general – this is always useful. Vital, actually. The more enlightened beings (heehee) on this planet... well, every bit counts.
• Something reliable/relevant to focus on – what is the main objective of our club? Still to be decided. Also, should we have a particular name?
• (last thing) Facebook page – we have set up a Facebook page for our school’s club, which people really should become part of as they join.

Yours, hopefully, and environmentally-consciously (is that really an adverb?)
Sophie Rose Cope, Class 8 - on behalf of the club.

If anyone is interested please contact Sophie in Class 8
or chat to the Class 8 Guardian, Joan Rayner or Robyn Austin the co-guardian.

Ways to reduce carbon footprint:
Unplug appliances completely - not just on standby but pull the plug out. Choose products with little or no packaging.	Opt for public transport or create more lift clubs. Buy less ‘stuff’.	Grow your own fruit and vegetables. Walk more, drive less. Buy fruit and vegetable in season.

Teachers Conference 2011

Visitors from far and wide attended the 2011 South African Waldorf School’s
National Teacher Conference hosted by our School

Each year, during the Easter holidays, Waldorf teachers from all over Southern Africa gather to exchange teaching experiences and research, share new ideas, discuss the latest developments in Waldorf Education and to deepen their understanding of the children in their care.

As the host school for the conference this year our College of Teachers focused on two priorities:
Firstly, that the theme of the conference would inspire teachers of all age groups - from the Mamateachers who care for babies in our Educare Centres, the Waldorf Playgroup and Kindergerten teachers, the growing number of Waldorf Primary School teachers and the specialist High School teachers who are preparing 14-20 year old students as they head out into the world.

Secondly our wish was to make the conference financially accessible so that as many teachers as possible could attend from each and every Waldorf initiative in the country.

The theme of our conference emerged out of a talk given by Felicitas Vogt entitled “Through the Eye of the Needle”. This talk encapsulates much of what our teachers need to address in these times. (A copy can be sourced on the internet). We were also delighted when Christof Wiechert (the previous leader of the worldwide Waldorf Pedagogical Section) was able to be our guest speaker. He has an incredible ability to communicate with teachers around the world and he was very pleased to bring his ideas and experience on child observation—new ways to look at the children in the world today.

We had not counted on the tremendous response to our conference invitations. As the news spread from school to school, the applications flooded in and we kept extending the numbers for catering, accommodation and seating. Our drama hall was packed to capacity for the lectures and our sports hall was converted into a dining area filled with long rows of tables and exhibitions of students’ work.

Each of the 280 teachers brought their individual qualities to the conference and stories of their unique school situations were exchanged. The list of delegates included teachers from Kufunde Village in Zimbabwe, Windhoek Waldorf School, Sisonke School in Port St. Johns (Eastern Cape), Acacia Tree(Eastern Cape), Nairobi (Kenya), Village Waldorf School (Pretoria), Inkanyezi Waldorf School (Alexandra Township), Lesedi Waldorf School (Northern Province), Max Stibbe Waldorf School (Pretoria), Mc Gregor Waldorf School, Dassenberg Waldorf School, Hermanus Waldorf School, Zenzeleni Waldorf School, Stellenbosch Waldorf School, Roseway Waldorf School (KZN), Michael Oak Waldorf School, Michael Mount Waldorf School, Khanyisa Waldorf School, Imhoff Waldorf School, Gaia Waldorf School. The Educare Teachers came from Khayalitsha, Gugulethu, Masiphumelele, Langa, Crossroads and one teacher arrived unexpectedly from the hills of Mount Frere in KwaZulu Natal.

Over five days and four evenings, 280 teachers sang together, ate together, shared workshops together, socialized, learned new ways of teaching, laughed and applauded together. Accommodation was arranged at a beautiful location in Noordhoek and 50 teachers from outlying areas in South Africa experienced living together. Our transport team carried teachers to and from the airport, bus stations and Noordhoek outdoor centre and a few teachers saw the sea for the very first time!

Fifty of our own teachers attended the conference and helped to ensure that everyone was comfortable. Our deep appreciation to all of our teachers, admin staff, cleaning staff, ground staff and Estate Management team who put months of effort into making our school so welcoming for our visitors.
We were also very proud of the energetic group of 8 students from Class 13 and Class 12 who served teas and meals, washed dishes and set tables. A special thanks also goes out to each of our teachers who facilitated workshops.

Our caterer was Alison Fenton and with her family members and team of helpers she ensured that all tastes were met. The menu planning included traditional food and vegetarian meals and Alison used her skills to provide healthy food at a cost which ensured that we could keep the conference fee at an affordable level. Taureg tents, once again, supported our school by providing three of their tents at reduced rates. These tents helped to provide cover for the tea garden and washing up area and to create a special atmosphere for serving the meals.

We are pleased to say that the feedback from the teachers who attended the conference has been overwhelming. We have pages of grateful comments expressing thanks for all that was experienced and learned.

The National Teachers Conference Organising Team
Constantia Waldorf School College of Teachers

Class 12 Plays 2011
Friday 13th to Saturday 21st May

The three plays being presented by CLASS TWELVE this year have never been shown at the school previously.

“Pygmalion” by G B Shaw explores the themes of class distinction, judging people on how they speak and look, the individual in relation to society, ambition, love and marriage. All these lofty debates are achieved in a light-hearted humourous style, with lovable characters, beautiful costumes and unusual intriguing situations.
We are familiar with this play under its “musical” title as “My Fair Lady” – first produced for the stage and later as a movie.

“A Doll’s House” by Hendrik Ibsen caused riots in the theatre and in the streets when it was first performed in Germany and Ibsen was forced to write a happy ending before it was allowed to continue. We are producing the original play as it was written.
The heroine, Nora, has only ever been treated like a “doll” – first, by her father, and then by her husband. She finds herself unable to make any significant decisions with regard to her own life and resolves to learn to think and act for herself. Probably one of the first modern plays (1890’s) to champion women’s rights on a fundamental level.

“On the Razzle” is Tom Stoppard’s re working of Johan Nestroy’s 19th century farce which has inspired many play and screen writers over the years – Thornton Wilder re-cast it as “The Matchmaker” and Barbara Streisand immortalized one of the lead roles in the film version, “Hello Dolly”; but Stoppard outshines any of these with the genius of his word-play, his lovable outrageous characters and the cracking pace of what must be one of the funniest farces in the English language.

Looking forward to your support at the beginning of the second term.
CLASS 12
LEE-ANN AND SAUL

Constantia Waldorf School Fair Entertainment!

Date: 26 March 2011
Time: 11am - 5pm

Hotwater - Stylistically Hot Water’s music incorporates elements of traditional African music (such as kwela, mbaqanga, maskandi and kwasa kwasa) with folk, blues and indie-pop rock. They have mixed a brew that somehow manages to capture an authentic and unique South African feel and flavour. Southern African music has a natural instinct for celebration and Hot Water’s live performances have a magical way of spontaneously warming any event.

Lynne Poulsen is a vocalist/pianist/songwriter and interpreter of songs, who is known for her magical arrangements, compelling touch at the piano and a voice that weaves its way intriguingly through diverse vocal styles and poignant lyrics. Lynne was jazz vocalist with Mike Campbell's College Big Band for four years.

Rashid Adams - Rush Rosetta is an 18-year-old Cape Town based singer-songwriter and a Class 13 Pupil at the Constantia Waldorf School. His music incorporates a blend of Acoustic Rock, Melodic Indie-Pop and Blues brought together in a way typically South African. In 2010 he released a 6-track EP entitled “Untold Fairytales of the Dreamers”, and is currently working with a band as a three-piece for live performances.

Luke Davidson is a singer song writer and has been featured in many bands over the past years. He will be playing an acoustic set of folk rock songs. His music and melody style reflect impressions of love, engaging thoughtfulness, spirituality and some good fun.

Miles Sievwright is an acoustic guitarist/singer who plays experimental folk. His style is somewhat eclectic and has parallels to some of the contemporary folk bands emerging on the music scene at the moment. Mile Sievwright teaches guitar and song writing at the Constantia Waldorf School.

The Lost Sock was formed in late 2008 when a bunch of Waldorf students decided to write a song for a friend's party. Jethro Harris (bass guitar), Dylan Giffard (drums) and Charlie Bester (guitar) were then joined by Justin Levitt (guitar) and later Uhuru Sonjica (vocals). The Lost Sock play their own brand of ska-rock-rap.

Emma Lyon has been singing and playing guitar for the past 2 years as a pupil of Constantia Waldorf school. She is currently in Grade 9 and performs her laid back tracks from van Morrison to Leonard Cohen. She is passionate about music, loves drama, entertaining and making people happy.

Grace Faure is also student at Constantia Waldorf School in Grade 9. She has loved music from an early age; it is one of her many passions. She sings and accompanies herself on the guitar, and has a vast variety of styles. She loves writing her own music, and improvising. Only having played at private functions, she hopes to take her music further someday.

more about the fair...

Class 6 Greek Olympics Games!

Last weekend as part of our Founders Day celebration we hosted the Class 6 traditional Greek Olympic gathering. Ten Waldorf schools participated. McGregor, Imhoff (Kommetjie) , Gaia (Pinelands) Constantia, Michael Oak (Kenilworth) Khanyisa (Plumstead) Zenzeleni (Khayelitsha) Stellenbosch, Hermanus and Dassenberg (West coast) and a pupil from a home school initiative - Natures Choice (Constantia). The children were grouped into five Greek cities - Corinth, Athens, Delphi, Sparta and Olympia. Thank you to our teachers and parents for helping to make this annual event a great success and congratulations to each of the 170 children who participated with such enthusiasm over the two days.

Dear Grapevine Reader
This year I participated with 170 kids from 10 different Waldorf schools in the Greek Olympics. The first day it was hot and tiring. The second day I enjoyed it. We ran. We had a lot more competition and I found it a lot more interesting than the day before. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I am really happy I participated in it because it is a once in a lifetime experience.
I thank all the class 6 teachers very much.
Sincerely Oliver (Class 6)

Dear Grapevine Reader
I liked the Greek Olympics but it was very hot. We did a marathon in the morning, but I still liked it a lot. I did not have any crockery so I did not eat that much, but my friends still shared with me. I got pasta and such. We played rather tiresome games but it was still quite fun. It was cool because I ran in the relay, but I did not get a medal for the run. Thank you teachers!
With love, Katja Volkwyn (Class 6)

Dear Grapevine Reader
The Greek Olympics is a lifetime experience, it is quite hardcore!But otherwise the food was great. The exercise is amazing and if I had the chance to do it again I would. The night was my favorite part, the stars were amazing. The night air was a slow cool breeze which made the soft fluffy clouds look and feel amazing!I made my own shapes in the stars, a kitten, a pie and an angel. I made a lot of friends: Ocean, Fesica...and I can’t really remember the other names. I loved the Greek Olympics!
Taylor Wellbeloved (Class 6)

Snippets from other Olympians

My city was Corinth and I received a Gold Medal for the most improved sportsman: Liam Berry (Class 6)
My City Delphi won and I got my first medal: Merlin Thieme (Class 6)
All the teachers were very nice and encouraging: Emile Rudolph (Class 6)
I can see how hard it is to organize the Greek Olympics, so, well done! Tagin Stephanou Knemeyer (Class 6)
I really liked it when all the schools did a show for us. It was very cool. It was very hot, but we had to suck it up and be a Greek: Caitlin Goodwin(Class 6)
Dear Grapevine reader. Always remember beauty, courage and truth: Blain Davids (Class 6)
I was in Sparta and took care of the Olympic fire: Yaseen Jacobs (Class 6)

I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to all the teachers, Volunteers, children and especially Mr Miehe for coming together and making this all happen. My children could not stop talking about the “amazing camp” and their admiration for their Olympic hero, Ryan Cutthil. There is still a great Greek buzz in the classroom. Looking forward to seeing you all at the medieval camp next year!
Working together to enhance the Waldorf impulse in the Cape.
Vienie McShane Class 6 teacher, Gaia Waldorf School.

Founders Day 25 February 150 year Celebration!

This week we have celebrated founders day in many ways:
On Monday the primary school children heard all about Rudolf Steiner’s childhood at assembly.
During this week trees donated by ‘Just Trees’ have been planted by each Primary School class.
On Thursday the teachers shared anecdotes/extracts from articles about Rudolf Steiner at their teachers meeting.
This morning the High School pupils attended a slide show and lecture on the life and works of Rudolf Steiner presented by Michael Grimley.
Today most of the classes have gone on outings and a number of High School classes have met up with pupils from our sister Waldorf Schools to play volleyball on Fish Hoek Beach.
This weekend 169 Class 6 pupils from all the Waldorf Schools will gather for their Olympic Games festival - in support of their Greek History main lesson.

Our New School Bus

As most of you are aware, the school has had a desperate need of new school buses to help ferry our children to sporting events, outings etc.

It was decided by the Board of Trustees that the money raised by the Constantia Waldorf Night Market would be used to purchase 2 x Toyota Quantum 14 Seater Diesel buses for this purpose. These vehicles were decided upon as they have a reputation for reliability, safety, economy, low carbon emissions, provided flexibility and are easy to drive.

On Tuesday 8 February at 11:00 the school took delivery of the first sparkling Toyota Quantum bus. Fully air conditioned, the vehicle takes 13 passengers and a driver in comfort. Each seat has a seat belt and the front of the vehicle is equipped with airbags. It has a built in stereo and pa system and is fitted with a tow bar for a trailer.

The purchase was made with funds raised by the Constantia Waldorf Night Market and other savings.

Thank you all that made this purchase possible and thank you to the community for enthusiastically supporting the Night Market by attending and bringing your friends.

We encourage you to attend the Night Market on Friday 25 February 2011. Spread the word so we can raise funds for the next bus to ensure we transport our children in safety and comfort.

On behalf of The College of Teachers, pupils and parents we would like to thank the Night market organizing team who have succeeded in establishing the reputation which the Night Market has achieved as THE event to attend on the last Friday of each month. Our school is now reaping the benefits of their hard work and the months of enthusiastic energy that the team has dedicated to this Night Market initiative.

Celebrating 150th anniversary of
the life and works of Rudolf Steiner

This year it is our College of Teachers intention to enhance our Parent Enrichment program. Our grapevine will bring you details of all the avenues you can draw from to improve your understanding of the education you have chosen for your child. Besides each class parent evening listed on our diary page, we will have a new parent welcoming evening on the 15th February where parents can join us on a walkabout led by teachers so that you can become more familiar with our school property. This will be followed by an introduction to all of our teachers and a lecture on Waldorf education delivered by Michael Grimley.
You are also welcome to attend the whole or a portion of the open day to start exploring all that is on offer about Rudolf Steiner and Waldorf Education.
For more details please see Grapevine No 2 .

 

Class 13 2010 - National Senior Certificate Results

Welcome back to 2011!
We have a busy year ahead of us (see current events or Grapevine for your Diary).

This week we boast our 17th year of 100% final year pass rate! Next week we will feature our 1st Assembly of the year. Herewith our Senior Certificate statistics and results. All our averages were above WCED averages with a number of students as much as 40% higher. 25 students wrote the exams. 25 students passed. 25 students have University Exemption! 19 out of 25 students had an average of 70% and above. 24 out of 25 students received first class university passes. Well done to all our Class 13’s and all of their teachers who have played a part in accomplishing these results.

Distinctions: (above 80%)
English 6/25 Afrikaans 1/22 German 1/1 Math literacy 3/7	Physical Science 1/11 Biology 4/19 History 2/12 Geography 3/3	Art 9/14 Design 4/4 Drama 7/10 Life Orientation 8/25	Music 2/3

 

See detailed results...