19Feb2010 Newsletter

From the Principal’s Desk

Stephen Scott, Casuarina School Principal

Dear Parents,

As this is the first newsletter of the year, I’d like to take this opportunity again to say what a privilege and honour it is to be the principal of Casuarina Steiner School and how appreciative I am of the warm welcome I’ve received from the parents, staff and students of the school community.  In particular, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of the many parents who gave up their Friday evening to join the staff and I in a ‘Get to know you BBQ’.  It really was, I believe, an enjoyable evening and great to see so many of you there.

I thought I should also take this opportunity to give you a brief snapshot of who I am in the form of a short profile:

As many of you know I am married to Denise, who as well as being gorgeous also happens to be a teacher.  I have two beautiful children – Callum (16 yrs) and Matilda (13 yrs).  They are both attending Coffs Harbour Christian Community School and like me love music.  I have been teaching for more than 25 years and in leadership positions for the past 10 or so years.  Most recently I was the Principal of Newton British School which is an International School in Qatar (near Dubai).  This was extremely interesting and gave us all the opportunity to do lots of travelling.   I have several hobbies but the one I’m most  passionate about is music.

Over the years I’ve been in several part-time bands playing guitar, singing or both.  I also love playing golf and have recently become more interested in fishing.

Again, I’m extremely happy to be here, and I am really  looking forward to an exciting and fruitful 2010.

Staff Profiles

Tracey Puckeridge

Just over 13 years ago I began my life at Casuarina.  My fabulous  husband, Glenn, had sent his 3 children to Chrysalis Steiner School and when I asked him why, he simply said they loved school, loved learning and were happy.  I just knew I had to be a Steiner teacher!

My first class are now on their own individual journeys and they are incredible young adults.  I am currently on my second journey with   another amazing class.  They are now Class 6 and watching them learn and grow throughout their primary years is a true privilege.

During this time I have worked with many inspired, motivated and dedicated colleagues and eventually I moved into national work with the Rudolf Steiner School Association.  I really love being involved with education on a national scale and enjoy visiting other Steiner schools and holding a big picture of the future of Steiner education in Australia.

I have 5 children altogether (3 are Glenn’s and 2 are mine) with the oldest 33 and the youngest 18.  Brock was a student at Casuarina for 7 years and he really values the education this gave him.  He is currently in Year 12.  The girls are both getting married this year.

I am currently studying for a Master of Educational Leadership and enjoying my new role as Deputy Principal to support Steve and the amazingly dedicated teachers at Casuarina.  I play flute, guitar and love to sing, and my favourite past time is martial arts where I can spar with Glenn and always come off second best!

Haylee Lila Ralston

I was born in Muswellbrook NSW on the 2/3/1990.  I went to Macksville Primary then moved on to Macksville High in 2002.

In 2003 I went to State athletes Titles in Sydney for 400 metres where I won Gold for the first time and then followed up with silver in our girls relay.

I started working at Casuarina School as a Front Office Trainee only just 8 months ago.  In this short time I have enjoyed working in an environment with wonderful people.  Casuarina School gave me an opportunity to do a traineeship doing TAFE every Wednesday studying Cert III Business Administration and now I am looking forward to stay at Casuarina School doing my Cert IV in Business Administration.

I enjoy scuba diving, horse riding and also playing Oztag.  In 2009 I played Oztag at the Australian National Titles.

Taja Steinbeck

I was born in London where I spent the first six weeks of my life.  The next 30 years I’ve spent in Switzerland where I became a dress maker, studied Economics and finished off with a Masters in Sociology.

Working for the Education Department in Switzerland  gave me some experience in the educational sector.  In 1998 I’ve moved to an Eco-village in Queensland.  Sustainable living and Permaculture were the focus during that time.

Six years ago we moved to Sawtell and Luana (now Class 4) started in Peach Blossom and Amisha (now Class 2) in Playgroup at Casuarina.  I’ve got involved with the craft group and worked as a teacher assistant in Kindergarten and the “big school”.  Two years ago we spent 9 months on a cattle station in the NT where I’ve home school the girls. On our return I became the treasurer of the Board and started to work as the finance and payroll officer.

Lee Burgess – My Life

I was born in Launceston, Tasmania and grew up on apple orchard on the beautiful Tamar Valley.  My 2 sisters and brother and I were educated at Scotch Oakburn College.  Life revolved around helping dad on the orchard, hockey, snow skiing on Ben Lomond, pony club, gymkhanas and royal shows.

I have wonderful childhood memories of family Sunday drives all six of us plus the dog off to explore all the hidden treasures that Tasmania has to offer – beaches, waterfalls, mountains, bush tracks.  In my adult years I have walked many of Tasmania’s famous bush tracks and spent my 40^th birthday on top of Mount Ossa (highest peak in Tassie) with great friends.

My husband and I were married in 1990 and have two amazingly beautiful daughters Emma (15) and Zoe (12) who both attend Bishop Druitt College.  For 10 years we managed a 24,000 acre property in the Northern Midlands -  a beef, fine merino wool and cropping enterprise.  We then moved to the picturesque Fingal Valley to manage a 6000 acre dairy farm.  We milked over 1200 head of cattle, raised 400 replacement heifers and veal calves.  We harvested potatoes for Simplot which ended up as McDonalds chips and growing poppies for Tasmanian Alkaloids, as well as the usual grain crops.

We moved to Coffs Harbour in 2003 and I have been with Casuarina School since 2005.  I work in the Front Office and my main duties are in the accounts department.

I am an active member of the surf club and triathlon club, local winter cross country running and my latest mad passion is adventure racing.

A Working Bee Thankyou from Glenn and Don

A special thanks to all parents that turned up at the working bee on Saturday.  It was great to see so much enthusiastic help in preparing the school for the  new year.   Some of the tasks that were achieved were:  moving a reluctant set of soccer goal posts, soft fall refreshed, sand pits cleaned, desks oiled, main offices rearranged, windows cleaned, paint jars cleaned and filled, classrooms rearranged and cleaned and a barbecue lunch cooked and eaten.

We did not get everything done as the list is never ending in keeping our beautiful school well maintained and safe for all that enjoy the wonderful School Casuarina.  The School is twenty one years old this year.  As the school ages, like all buildings the maintenance must be a little more focused and regular.  So if you could not make it to the last working bee don’t despair as they will be more regular this year and well advertised in advance.

Don and I really appreciate all the help we can in keeping the School and grounds looking beautiful and safe.

Glenn, Site Manager

From Don

A big thanks to all those who showed up to help in the garden and school grounds last Saturday.  The class III garden bed in particular was transformed and is now ready for growing. Your help is much appreciated.

A reminder to any green thumbs, or those of you that just enjoy working in the garden:  you are most welcome to get involved.  Share your ideas and enthusiasm at any time!

Don, School Gardener

Casuarina School aerial view.

The “My School” Website

I’m fairly sure that most of you have heard a lot about this over the past few weeks in the media.  It was launched on the 28^th of January and profiles almost 10,000 schools across Australia.  It seeks to provide parents and communities with information about the student’s achievement in the NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) tests last year and provide other information such as:  our location, the number of teachers, the number of students and the general curriculum focus of the school.

The Website does not rank schools; instead it provides information about each school’s performance as compared to all the schools across the country.  In particular it makes a comparison with schools that are statistically similar.

A list of the schools that are in our ‘like group’ is also on the website.   It is important to realise that this website gives you very limited information about our school and there is lots of other information provided through the following mediums:  the school newsletter, the Casuarina website, the parent/family handbook, the Annual Report, class newsletters, group meetings (craft group etc) and through your personal contact with the staff, other parents and the students.

Early this month John Collier the Principal of St Andrews in Sydney stated that ‘The input of schools into a student’s life cannot be measured as a result of a short test on one day of the year.  The essential problem is that much of what schools do – pastoral care, extension of life opportunities through co-curricular and sporting programs, formation of values, creation of community – cannot be quantified.’

Although I whole heartedly believe in the accountability and transparency of schools I also resonate very strongly with this statement from Mr. Collier.

Ultimately I can only encourage you to have a balanced view of our school and I ask that you take all the measures appropriate to ensure that this occurs.

Steve Scott

Karen Kiburz, Parent and Child Group Facilitator

Welcome Back to Lavender Cottage Parent and Child Group

A warm welcome to all our new parents, carers and children.

The children have grown so much, it’s lovely to see them slip straight back into the security of the rhythm. I am so excited to be back; I had a wonderful holiday with family, camping, beaching and relaxing. My body and mind feels ready for all the activities to come this year.

This year has brought around some new changes.  I am asking for a parent / carer to become a group helper to help out with our sessions.  If you would like to help, please see me and I will give you the details of what will be involved.

You may have noticed a SWAP box on the veranda.  If you have any good clean items of clothing to swap, simply place an item in the box and take an item of clothing out — a simple and easy way to give back and do our bit of recycling.

I have had a lot of interest from parents wanting to do craft on a Saturday morning once a month.  This will be for parents of Lavender Cottage.  We will do some craft, share, morning tea and use the time for a social gathering.  Your group carer will keep you posted.  Our first session will be held in March.

If you have ideas or suggestions for craft please let me know so I can organise materials.

Courteney and myself would like to thank David Yumi and Alexander from our Wednesday session for the donation of the wonderful sharp fruit knife.  Your kindness is greatly appreciated.  THANKYOU.  Also, to Nicky and Riley from our Thursday group for all our paper that we colour in on:  THANKYOU.

Could you please notify the front office on (02) 6651 2770 if you are going to be absent.  This helps us in our preparation of the bread dough and coffee and cuts down on waste.

Last but not least:  please read through the paper work that was handed out to you and then fill out and return you enrolment.  If you have any questions Courteney or myself will be happy to talk with you.

A gentle reminder that our sessions are designed for the developing child.  I ask each and every one  to please respect our rhythm.  Parent child groups are a great way to socialise.  However, personal conversation becomes loud and distracting.  Please, be considerate during our breathing-in rhythm, e.g. story, bread making and morning tea, and keep adult conversation limited.

Your co-operation will help to keep our children calm, settled and happy.  This is something I am sure we all want.

Take care.

With love,

Karen

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No Waste Wednesday

means that students need to bring their lunch and recess in reusable bags or lunchboxes on Wednesdays.  By doing this and by choosing foods that don’t require packaging, like fruit, we are hoping to reduce the amount of waste our school produces.

We appreciate your support and thank you for helping to make our school environment beautiful.

Before School Care – Espressions of Interest

Casuarina school would like to know if any families are interested in utilizing a before School Care service.  We are proposing to offer a one hour service from 7:30 am until 8:30am.

Please indicate to the front office if this service is in interest to you.

Casuarina P&F

I’m very keen to re-establish the school P&F and would love to hear from anyone who would like to be involved.

If you are interested, please contact the school principal Steve Scott as soon as possible and leave your name and contact details.

I’m planning on an introductory meeting with all   interested parties sometime before the end of February.

Notes from the Office

• Can the family who is paying school fees on the internet by the name “DURRI 15″ please urgently contact Lee Burgess?
• We now have stocks of our colourful school t-shirts.  The cost is $18.00
• For families that pay per term, fee’s are due by the 19th February 2010.
• Just a reminder:  It is school policy that parents notify the school if their child is absent.  Please phone the school office prior to 9.00 am if your child will be absent.
• Please remember if you are late you will have to sign your child in at the front office, and also if you are leaving early from school you will have to sign your child out.

Position Vacant

Kindergarten Teacher Assistant – 0.3

Selection Criteria:

• Love of working with children – particularly of this age group
• Previous experience desirable
• Supportive of school ethos
• A desire to make a difference
• Capable of physically demanding tasks.
• Effective communication skills and a strong team player

Commencement Date:  1^st March 2010

Applications close:  24/2/10

Please be careful driving around the school.

Road Rules

The office has received a phone call from a local resident concerned that some parents are neglecting to look for oncoming traffic when pulling into the school car park & also on departure.

As a courteous reminder:  can families please be aware the school is located in a residential subdivision and please take care when entering and leaving the school grounds?

Thank you.