Leaning Tree Steiner School eNewsletter

Education Manager

Dear families,

In the heart of a seed

buried deep so deep,

A dear little plant

Lay fast asleep.

Wake, said the sun,

And creep to the light.

Wake, said the voice

Of the raindrops bright.

The little plant heard

And arose to see

What the wonderful

Outside world might be.

This little poem from my Early Childhood days has been echoing in my heart lately. As the earth drinks in the life-giving rain, tiny seeds begin their quiet journey. With time, nourishment, warmth, and water, they slowly unfurl—reaching toward the light.

So too are our children held within the gentle embrace of our healing curriculum. Growth—true, meaningful growth—is often slow and steady. It waits patiently for the right moment to bloom.

Sometimes that bloom comes in the form of a milestone: learning to read, self-regulating emotions, grasping a math concept, or developing a new understanding of the world. Each is a quiet miracle.

Just as we cannot force a flower to bloom before it’s ready, we cannot rush a child through learning. They need the right conditions: time, care, and nurturing. This is one of the guiding principles of Steiner Education—honouring the natural rhythms of childhood and allowing each child the space to grow into their full potential. We value reflection, rhythm, and readiness over rushing.

As we approach the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year and our Wanda Festival, we find a gentle opportunity to pause and reflect. This moment is marked by the quiet and reverent tradition of walking the spiral.

Laid out with evergreen branches and lit by a single candle at the center, the spiral invites each child to walk slowly inward. At the heart, a moment to reflect and then walk slowly outward again—bringing their light into the world.

This simple yet powerful gesture mirrors the journey of the season. As the earth rests in darkness, we too are called inward—to stillness, to warmth, and to the light we carry within. For children, this experience is deeply felt. It fosters a sense of reverence, inner quiet, and the comforting rhythm of nature’s cycles.

For us as parents, it offers a gentle reminder:

– That growth often happens in quiet moments.

– That children need time and space to unfold at their own pace.

– That in nurturing their inner world, we help them bring their light into all they do.

As we share this season together, may we all find a moment of stillness—to reflect, to renew, and to quietly tend the light within.

As the solstice approaches, consider:

What lights you from within? What small moment of stillness can you offer yourself—and your child—this season?

With gratitude

Lisa Scamporlino

Community Manager

Dear Families,

Here we are in the heart of the year, and the seasonal rhythm is taking hold with preparations for our Winter Solstice celebrations. The Wanda Festival is a gift to your family from the school, and we look forward to your attendance next Thursday for an evening of connection with your family unit, the school community, and indeed the cosmos! Our hardworking staff are covering the set-up, implementation and clean up, however there is an opportunity to assist me on Thursday morning with damper preparations. Let me know if you would like to assist.

Book Fair Volunteers Needed! 📚 Our annual Book Fair is just around the corner, taking place from 20-22 August. We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with shopkeeping during the event. If you have a passion for books and a few hours to spare, please consider lending a hand. Your support will help make this event a success for our book-loving students and provide books for the school library!

Sweet Reminder 🍭 We've noticed an increase in sweets and lollies in lunch boxes lately. While we all love a good treat, sugar highs are not exactly conducive to learning. After all, we want our kids to be bouncing with knowledge, not bouncing off the walls! Thanks for your consideration.

Waste-Free Lunches 🌍 Our middle schoolers recently collected over 100 pieces of litter last week, which was quite a surprise! To help reduce waste, we encourage everyone to pack waste-free lunches. Let's aim for reusable containers and minimal packaging. Together, we can make a big difference and keep our school grounds clean and green.

PLANT.EAT.DANCE Thanks to all who pitched in and made our social evening and light gardening busybee a beautiful event. Be sure to continue to the end of the newsletter for the P&F notice.

P&F Check out the interactive P&F noticeboard in the administration building to indicate your interest in specific events, as well as helping hand requests to contribute to your Volunteer Community Care Hours (parent commitment scheme).

AISWA Visit 🌟 We recently had the pleasure of hosting a visit from the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA). They enjoyed our beautiful school and were impressed by the engaging learning activities at Leaning Tree Steiner School. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our unique approach to education.

Mid-Year Winter Break Wishes ❄️ As we head into the mid-year winter break, we wish you all a restful and enjoyable time with your families. The last day of school is next Friday, 27th June. Take this opportunity to relax, recharge, and create wonderful memories.

We look forward to seeing everyone back, refreshed and ready for the second half of the year on Monday, 21st July.

Kind regards,

Lara

Litter collection, AISWA visit, PLANT.EAT.DANCE, P&F Noticeboard

Starflower Kindergarten/Pre-primary

Starflower News

Cool winter, flowing water

Deep your greens and dark your skies

Cool winter, flowing water

Keep me safe and warm inside

We have been embracing the Cool winter and earthy greens in Starflower Room.

Bush kindy is well under way, and we have enjoyed some lovely weather whilst out building cubies and lighting a fire to cook our damper on.

How lovely it is to enjoy fresh damper, straight from the campfire, warm with melted butter. Last week we went out after morning tea for a bush walk, as it was raining in the morning. Dressed up with our gumboots and rain jackets, everyone was snug as a bug. We even had a little sun shower, which was a pleasant surprise and a wonderful learning opportunity as we explored the natural resources around us.

The children have also been busy in our beautiful garden, planting and growing all sorts of winter vegetables. Recently we planted lettuce, tomatoes, spinach and peas. I am very surprised, but glad to say, that our peas have already began to produce tasty pods ready for our morning tea.

Our winter festival is just around the corner too. Children have been chopping vegetables and peeling potatoes in preparation for all of the lovely soups. This year we are embracing pumpkin and sweet potato soup, potato and leek soup, and large trays of apple crumble. Also, the children have pressed their own flowers ready for their lanterns. Oh, how the lovely glow of a candle can keep you warm inside during winter.

Warmth, light and blessings from Starflower.

Nina, Charlotte and Helen.

Sunflower Room Class 1/2

Sunflower Class Newsletter — Term 2, Week 8

As the crisp air and golden hues of autumn gently make way for the quiet, reflective days of winter, our Sunflower Class has been thriving in a rich tapestry of learning, movement, creativity, and celebration. These past weeks have been brimming with meaningful experiences that weave together the head, heart, and hands — the true spirit of Steiner education.

Our Morning Circle continues to be a treasured part of our daily rhythm. The children have been singing, clapping and stepping in rhythm, reciting verses, and participating in games that support coordination, memory, and reverence. These moments help nurture a sense of unity and calm focus to begin each day.

In the Main Lesson, our focus has turned to the natural world around us. Year 1 students have immersed themselves in teacher-crafted and traditional stories celebrating the wonders of the bush, weather, and native animals. The children have loved creating beautiful drawings in their Main Lesson books. Year 2 has journeyed further afield through the stories of local landscapes and coastal creatures and are writing longer texts in their Main Lesson Books.

Mathematics lessons have been lively and engaging. As we have been exploring the four processes using hands-on materials and storytelling. Daily number patterns, times tables recitation and mental arithmetic games keep maths vibrant and meaningful.

The classroom has been a hive of activity with Gardening and STEM projects. The children tended our worm farm, planted daffodil bulbs, investigated the moon cycle, shaped sundials from clay and made rain in a jar. These practical activities foster inquiry, wonder and a growing understanding of nature’s cycles.

Creative pursuits flourished as well. The children created wet-on-wet paintings and the anticipation built as they crafted lanterns and decorations for our much-loved Winter Solstice evening, a heartwarming celebration of light during the longest night of the year. Our Sunflower Class Play rehearsals filled the room with busyness and excitement as students learned lines, made props, and stepped into their characters’ shoes.

Cooking days brought warmth and delicious aromas to our room, with hearty soup, apple pies, and pasta pesto on the menu. These moments of shared work and feasting foster collaboration, practical skills, and a deep connection to nourishing food.

As we journey toward the end of term, it is a joy to witness the growing confidence, creativity and connection within our Sunflower Class community.

Kind Regards,

Ally & Jasmah

Seabreeze Room Class 3

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are delighted to share with you the wonderful progress and activities happening in our Steiner Class 3.

Reading remains a joyful part of our daily routine, and we continue to read together every day to strengthen our reading skills. Our focus is on comprehension and retelling the stories, which helps us understand and remember what we've read better.

In our writing lessons, we are expressing our creativity through pictures. We create visual stories by using pictures to tell engaging and imaginative tales, allowing us to develop our storytelling skills in a fun and artistic way.

Math lessons have been both exciting and challenging as we explore number patterns and deepen our understanding of place values. These concepts help us build a strong foundational math sense that will support us in future learning adventures.

Our industrious spirit shines in the garden, where we have been planting a variety of vegetables including poppies, snow peas, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, zucchini, pumpkin, and carrots. It’s wonderful to see the children nurturing and caring for our garden plants!

The most thrilling part of our recent weeks has been building models of our shelters during Main Lesson. The children have shown great enthusiasm and ingenuity in creating their miniature versions, bringing their understanding of shelter structures to life.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to more inspiring moments ahead!

Warm regards,

Leisl Forsyth & Claire Mooney

Rivergum Room Class 4

Rivergum Reflections – Winter in Class 4

As Winter settles in, Rivergum Class feels the quiet shift of the season. The rain has brought new life to the bush, and the children arrive each day bundled in warm layers, eager to explore the fresh, green playground.

At school, we embrace the season indoors and out. Our days are filled with warmth — stories and shared moments of calm. In the classroom, we are completing our handmade lanterns in preparation for the whole school Winter Festival, a celebration of light, hope, and community as the solstice draws near.

We are also continuing our journey through Norse Mythology, exploring tales of mighty gods, magical realms, and deep truths that speak to the bold spirit of the Class 4 child.

In this often fast-paced world, Winter invites us to slow down. Whether it’s a family walk, a quiet game, or reading by the fire, these simple rhythms offer nourishment and connection.

Here in Rivergum Class, we move with the season — grounded, creative, and ready to carry our light into the darker days.

Warm regards,
Tara, Penny and Ann-Marie

Lighthouse Term 2 Week 8 Newsletter.

As the chilly days deepen and Winter in Geraldton begins to settle in around us, we find ourselves in a rich and reflective time of year — a season that invites us inward, to foster the light within and to grow in maturity, confidence, and unity. Here at Lighthouse, this turning inward is mirrored in all we do: our children are busy, purposeful, and blossoming into their roles as leaders, supported by the rhythms of nature, the rich traditions of Steiner education, and the warm community that holds them.

The Class 6 children are making wonderful progress with their preparations for the Winter Solstice geometric fire stick routine — a rich blend of movement, form, and discipline — which we’re excited to share in week 9. Class 6 recently represented Lighthouse at the Geraldton 2025 Health and Wellbeing Forum. Their participation, manners, and attitudes were a wonderful reflection of their maturity and readiness to be fabulous ambassadors for their school, their families, and themselves. We’re all keenly awaiting the delivery of our Class 6 Leaders’ jackets, a symbol of their growing responsibilities and a proud milestone in their school journey.

Our Violin groups are blossoming in their own wonderful way — not only in their playing together, but in each child’s growing ability to find their own rhythm and routine at home. They’re learning to take responsibility for their practice, to remember their instruments and sheet music, and to bring everything they need for their lessons. It’s a rich step forward in independence, discipline, and harmony — a reflection of their developing maturity and readiness to care for their own musical journey.

Monday watercolour painting has become a much-loved rhythm in our classroom, a wonderful way for us to bring back into our creative space the peace and renewal we find in nature. Last Monday we turned our brushes and colours toward the bush walk we had taken that morning —allowing our inner imagination to illuminate what we experienced. Our bush walks remain a cherished part of the week — a time to connect with the land, observe its small and large seasonal changes, and gather impressions that nourish us from within and find expression through our art.

In the afternoons, during our restful and centering Mindfulness session, busy hands are often to be found crocheting, drawing or weaving — developing patience, perseverance, and fine motor skills alongside creativity and relaxation.

We are so proud of the growing maturity of Lighthouse, and we look forward to seeing their leadership and confidence continue to flourish in the months to come.

Warm regards

Kelly, Peta and Paul.

Voyager Room Class 7/8

Welcome to a wonderous Wintertime,

We slowly walk the spiral to the end of the first semester in reflection and reverence. Weeks were spent writing reports showcasing students’ strengths and achievements. Here are some student comments revealing what they remembered the most;

“I enjoyed going to Perth for 4 nights with the class 7 students for camp. I loved going to AQWA and seeing the Port Jackson sharks up close. I am looking forward to the Winter Solstice and seeing the geometric fire dance for the first time” Matilda (class 7)

“I enjoyed science lessons this term, especially when I got to dissect a sheep's brain and heart. I also enjoyed making my trimerang in D&T and flying it on the oval. I am looking forward to the class 8/9 camp to Coral Bay in Week 8“Declan (class 8)

I wonder if the class will be quiet if the class 8’s are away on camp? Time will tell... With perseverance and prowess, the class 7’s will be taking on a Renaissance Master Artist Project head-on. They will be reproducing a painting as faithfully as possible in proportion, detail and colour. Most apprentice artists will be painting with oil paint on canvas which will require the virtues of patience. resilience and respect for the new medium. I can’t wait to see the masterpieces complete.

As the mornings become colder there is anticipation and excitement in the air for our annual Winter Festival. The hexagonal prism lanterns are progressing well and are awaiting their finishing touches. New students are learning the words to the Winter Solstice songs, we are singing softly in unison and rounds once more.

“Full flaming fire

By thy light glowing

Show to us beauty

Wisdom and Joy”

Warm regards,

Susan

Prospect Room Class 8/9

A warm winter greetings,

Prospect students have been finishing their polished, persuasive pieces in class recently. They are now working on self-directed learning “projects”, with a meaty question to determine the answers to. We look forward to sharing these.

All Year 8 and 9 students are on camp in week 8. We are off to Coral Bay where we will; learn about the Ningaloo Reef, snorkel and hopefully swim with manta rays, amongst other sea creatures!

On our return, Year 9 students will participate in a fire performance as a special part of our Winter Festival. Students have designed their own winter lanterns, modifying their designs along the way to complete their lanterns.

Warmest regards,

Lisa Keeffe

Visual Arts

This term students have been delving into mixed medium, using a variety of techniques and materials to create their master pieces. The Sunflower 1 /2’s are putting together their ceramic forms created last term to make a wind chime which will be adorned with our school mascot, the Rainbow Bee-eater. Seabreeze 3’s have made beautiful collages of their homes and Rivergum 4’s have been studying Celtic symbols from Norse Mythology to create raised motifs from papier mâché pulp. Lighthouse 5 /6 students are designing a scarecrow and making different elements of their group sculpture that showcase Geraldton and our Midwest region. Voyagers and Prospect 8’s have been working on mixed medium pieces inspired by their city steps excursion and finally the Prospect 9’s have completed their terracotta heads, ready for firing. Thank you for a great term of work everyone.

Warm Winter Blessings

Danielle 😊

Last week, our adventurous Voyager students rolled up their sleeves, donned their gloves, and braved one of the most fascinating (and slightly squishy) Science lab lessons of the term — heart and brain dissections!

With a few squeals, plenty of gasps, and lots of wide-eyed curiosity, our young scientists explored real animal hearts and brains to discover first-hand how these incredible organs work. They carefully examined the chambers, vessels, and folds, making connections to their studies of the circulatory and nervous systems.

This hands-on (and slightly gooey) lesson sparked many wonderful “Aha!” moments as students saw for themselves how blood flows through the heart and how the brain’s structure supports its many amazing functions. For some, it was a test of their stomach strength; for all, it was an unforgettable experience that brought their Science learning to life — literally!

A big congratulations to our Voyager class for their bravery, curiosity, and respect during this lesson. Be sure to ask your budding scientist what surprised them most — and don’t be surprised if you hear a few delightfully gory details over dinner!

Erica

Hello everyone,

Now that Winter has finally come we enjoy the new life that springs from the ground after the soaking rain. We also may have a few jobs to do as we notice leaks that weren’t there last year or decide between what we decide are weeds and what to keep in our gardens. As you contemplate what your winter projects in the home will be the children at school are well into theirs with enthusiasm!

Beanies are now coming out of class 1 ready for winter and they are beginning to stitch their hessian pencil tin covers!

Class 2 students are finishing their knitted bunnies and beginning an exciting new project: creating knitted recorder cases. With the foundational knitting skills now in place, this larger project offers an opportunity to consolidate their learning while exploring vibrant colour combinations.

In Class 3 (Seabreeze), students have completed their felted pencil rolls and are now crafting purl-knitted gnomes. This is a challenging step forward, as they learn to alternate stitches every row to achieve the correct texture. They’re also gaining confidence in casting on, independently changing colours, and following written patterns.

Over in the Rivergum Room, Class 4 students have moved on to crocheting after completing their beautifully embroidered doilies. Crochet presents a steep learning curve but the children are beginning to find their rhythm. This is truly a 'will' task—one that challenges their perseverance, as mastery takes time and dedication. Some students have also started knitting toy animals, learning to follow patterns that shape their work into three-dimensional forms.

In the Lighthouse Room, Class 5 students are immersed in the intricate work of Fair Isle finger-knitted gloves. This complex project demands constant changes in colour, pattern, and stitch, and will soon lead into cross-stitch work. Meanwhile, Class 6 students are steadily progressing with their crochet slippers, showing focus and growing independence in their craft.

Our hands have completed our task with patience,

We have done our work with care,

Our fingers have worked as friends together,

And we have our friendship shared.

Chris and Peta

Parent & Friend Action Group

PLANT~FOOD~DANCE A Celebration of Community, Connection & Co-Creation

On June 11th, our plant.food.dance event brought families of the Leaning Tree community together in the most heartwarming way. While the children played freely, laughter echoing through the grounds, we gathered as parents and carers to prepare nourishing food, plant trees and seedlings across the school and then shared a delicious supper under the open sky.

As the school band played and the sounds of whip cracking rang out, there was a true sense of celebration, not just of the moment, but of something much deeper. Together, we planted seeds not only into the Earth but into each other’s hearts - seeds of connection, joy, belonging and shared purpose.

A school is more than a structure. It comes alive when we, the families, pour our love, magic, wonder and joy into it. This is what community looks like. And just like our gardens, it thrives when tended with intention. This event, lovingly initiated by our P&F, is just the beginning. Our vision is to continue creating soulful, wholesome gatherings where we come together, not only for our nourishment but to model for our children what living in community truly means.

We’re planting the seeds of an abundant future, and every helping hand, smiling face and open heart adds to the magic. Whether you joined us this time or missed out and are feeling the buzz, know that you’re warmly invited to be part of what’s next. Your presence truly matters.

Thank you to every single one of you who came, participated, shared, helped or simply held space. And to those who’ve shown interest in future events or offered a helping hand with projects at the school, your commitment is truely valued. We see you and we can’t wait to co-create more beauty with you.

Let’s keep growing ~ together.
Many blessings,

Kristy Horner

P&F Committee
Leaning Tree Steiner School