"Reverence awakens in the soul a sympathetic power
through which we attract qualities in the beings around us,
which would otherwise remain concealed." - Rudolf Steiner
This coming Friday from 12:30-3:30pm at the Main Gate we will be selling the remaining stock from the Fair. Stop by and purchase beautiful craft, delicious deli items, flourishing plants, vintage clothes and more - all at special prices! We may also have some other yummy goodies for sale as well. You may pay with cash, Mickels, SnapScan or a credit/debit card.
We will also display all the items currently in Lost Property.
In the same way that the Ancient Greeks stood at the promising dawn of Western civilization, so also, the Class 10’s stand at the awakening of their adult awareness and understanding. Thus, it is appropriate and relevant that the 16-year-old at school should be immersed in ancient history and philosophy, and that they investigate the origins of literature and drama in Ancient Greece. In this context, a Waldorf curriculum calls for the performance of a Greek tragedy in which the human condition and its attendant suffering and challenges can be explored.
The Bacchae, by Euripides, portrays some devastatingly tragic circumstances and yet, at the same time, there is a powerfully profound affirmation of the complexity of human affairs and the nobility of the human spirit.
These ancient Greek writings are deservedly famous and still frequently staged because of this deep expression of the human condition. They are utterly engrossing.
The present Class 10 production is both easily accessible and deeply moving. The performances are powerfully riveting and superbly rendered. We are quite stunned by the impact that this piece of theatre makes. It is arresting stage drama, and the Class 10’s are eager to present their impressive work and their dramatic growth since last year’s Shakespeare.
Please do join us one night this week: Wednesday to Friday at 19:00.
We warmly invite you to our 60th Annual General Meeting which will take place on Thursday, 17 November 2022 from 18h00 to 20h00 in the Big Hall.
The Agenda and Board Reports will be sent to all parents and staff by Thursday, 10 November - so please do look out for these.
At the AGM, the Board of Trustees will report back on the school’s achievements and challenges over the last year, share key plans for the future, and present the School’s Audited Financial Statements for the year ended February 2022. The AGM is also where a new Board of Trustees will be voted in.
The AGM provides a great opportunity for you to ask questions and learn more about the structures and procedures of the school. In order to facilitate the best possible flow of our meeting, we invite you to submit any questions by Monday, 14 November to trustees@michaeloak.org.za. Please put “AGM questions" in the subject line. Please also mention your affiliation to the school (such as Parent in Class 4) in the body of the message. We will also take questions on the night if there is time.
The Audited Financial Statements will be available for inspection from Friday, 11 November. Should you like a copy, please email Pam Schneider, the school’s Bursar, on pschneider@michaeloak.org.za.
Top 3 reasons why you should attend:
Vote on the 8 Parent Trustees who will help guide the School in the coming year.
Learn more about how the school operates, our structures and decision-making processes.
Ask your burning questions and hear about our plans.
In this special 60th Anniversary year of our school, we look forward to meeting you in person and engaging with you.
On Thursday, 20 October 2022, Class 5 had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Language Sharing hosted by Constantia Waldorf.
The Language Sharing is an annual gathering of Class 5 children from various Waldorf Schools in our region. It provides our children and teachers with an opportunity to share what they have been learning and teaching in isiXhosa and Afrikaans during the course of the year. Engaging with children from our sister schools viz. Constantia Waldorf, Gaia Waldorf, Hermanus Waldorf and Imhoff Waldorf deepened our sense of belonging to a greater Waldorf family.
What an enriching and fun filled experience it was! Playing isiXhosa and Afrikaans games, our children gained a sense of what a gift it is to be able to communicate in another language. As global citizens it is our responsibility to learn the languages of our country in order to meaningfully interact with our fellow citizens. Learning the nuances of a language teaches us about the people who speak it and cultivates within us an appreciation and respect for our fellow human beings.
Nelson Mandela was once asked why he was learning Afrikaans, he responded saying: “If you speak to a man in a language he understands it goes to his head. If you speak to him in his language it goes to his heart.”
Dit is my persoonlike ervaring dat as ek met mense in hul eie taal praat word hulle harte aangeraak. Ek probeer deesdae om isiXhosa te leer praat, my ore het geleer om die klanke te herken en my tong het geleer om die klikklanke uit te spreek. Ek kort nog oefening, maar ek glo dat met die regte houding en die nodige moeite sal nie net ek nie, maar ons almal, die tale van ons land behartig.
Verlede Donderdag, het ons Viva Madiba deur Mammie Ntshauba, gesing deur Anton Goosen, met die Waldorfgemeenskap gedeel.
Deel van die koortjie sê:
Gee my van bo
Gee my van bo
Al die ubuntu in Madiba se oë,
Die ubuntu in Madiba se oë.
Mag ons in die gees van ubuntu moeite maak om ons landsgenote se tale te leer praat en mekaar se harte aan te raak.
Valedictory always brings such mixed emotions for us all.
Mingling together the joy of seeing our young people ready to take the final step that takes them out of school into the world outside with the realisation that they will be with us no more.
It is such an honour to work with young people who have had the privilege of a Waldorf Education as their souls are filled up with meaningful activities, from felting to farming, beeswax to stone carving, and a multitude of diverse and explorative main lessons.
Each year is different and special in its own way, as are our students. The speeches by their teachers reminisce of some of the special moments but always they are just a glimpse.
Our Valedictorian, Ethan Williams, gave a considered and clear speech, and Tom Wood and Meghan Miehe brought some laughter and lightness to the day.
The guard of honour becomes an arch of farewell by the whole school. So with lumps in our throats and love in our hearts we relinquish them in freedom, knowing that they will make a difference in the world.
We wish them EVERYTHING of the best for their National Senior Certificate examinations and for their future. Do us proud Michael Oakies, and until we meet again, “May God hold you in the palm of his hand.”
The Matric Visual Arts students presented their year's work and their final exam piece at an exhibition on Thursday 20 October. Their art pieces were extremely well received by those who attended the event and the internal markers. Their work will now be sent to the provincial examiners for their final assessment. Their artworks were imaginative, creative and diverse and for these reasons I have every confidence that they will be well received by the examiners.
Well done to these nine students for their hard work and exceptional art: Kate Alberts, Kai Bayley, Holly Boltman, Mateo Du Plessis, Tiana Faber, Ella-Rae Heyns, Roxanne Silberbauer, Mbali Tindlini and Rachael Wells.
Calling experts, professionals, entrepreneurs, those with interesting skills or unconventional lifestyles!
I would like to bring in members from our community to give a talk and/or an exercise or experience to Class 8 as part of a special programme with the theme "Skills for 2030". The OECD lists 3 main skills for 2030:
Cognitive and meta-cognitive skills (critical thinking, creative thinking, learning-to-learn and self-regulation);
Social and emotional skills (empathy, self-efficacy, responsibility and collaboration);
Practical and physical skills (using new information and communication technology devices).
Your talk/experience could be on anything with a link to those skills.
The programme will run during the last week of Term, 5-9 December. If you are able and willing to offer something, please contact me on nelliott@michaeloak.org.za (note the spelling of elliott in the email).
On Thursday Michael Oakies took part in a school cricket match between Constantia Waldorf and Sweet Valley u13C. Due to a limited number of players, Constantia Waldorf's team is drawn from Class 7 all the way down to Class 3, plus Ara and Jasper from Michael Oak. Despite the age and size disadvantage, the Waldorf team proved much too strong for Sweet Valley, bowling them out for 72 before chasing down the target for the loss of just 2 wickets. We are excited to have this new sporting opportunity for Michael Oakies going into the new cricket season!
We have received 100 out of 100 pledges!
Thank you to our amazing Michael Oak Community! The deadline for drop-off of shoeboxes has been extended to Friday.
What a wonderful day we had on Saturday!
Thank you to everyone who made the day so special.
The Fair Committee will share reflections and photos in the next Leaflet.
Holiday House Sought
Friends from abroad are looking for a house to rent from 26 Dec to the 3rd Jan (a mom and her 2 teens). Are you or someone you know away in that period, and might be interested in renting out your home to very good friends of Michael Oakies? If so, please contact Nadya on 072 496 7326 or nwynchank@gmail.com
The Flamenco classes at Michael Oak are gathering momentum again - with lots of excited dancers in the Primary School. Parents and teachers can also join Zethu for evening classes on Thursdays at 6pm. Teenagers attend free of charge with an adult. What a great way to spend time together with moms and daughters! Phone Philippa to book 084 269 9884.
This piece of work was originally developed by acclaimed spiritual therapist Turiya Hanover, who is mentoring Lesley in adapting and delivering it to incorporate her own approach.
LESLEY PALMER is a Drama and Movement Therapist (MA, UK), Family Constellations Therapist (SA) and Play Therapist (PGDip, UK). She is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Lesley’s therapeutic work is with children, adolescents and adults, with a focus on bereavement, challenging transitions, and in the development of capacity for Presence, Resilience and Transformation. Her work integrates Creative Arts Therapy techniques, Constellations, active meditation and Inquiry methods.
Lesley’s approach to group and individual work focuses on creating safe spaces where participants are invited to connect deeply with themselves and others, release what is no longer serving them and experience a deepening capacity to be Present and connected to their essential selves. The work explores ‘Presence in Action’, teaching one to be authentically alive and awake to oneself in every moment. Working with the body is central to the work, and participants learn tools to apply the work into every-day life. For more information visit www.presenceinaction.co.za
FOR MORE INFORMATION or TO BOOK: groups@presenceinaction.co.za
INSTRUCTIONS
Adverts will be published a maximum of 3 times per school term.
Posters should be 560px wide with text large enough to read on a mobile device.
Please send community notices and display adverts to: leaflet@michaeloak.org.za
COST
All advertisers are expected to make a contribution to our Bursary Fund.
Minimum donation of R50 for community notices and R100 for display adverts.
Please use these bank details for EFT transfers:
Standard Bank / Branch: 02510900 / Acc. No.: 071885382
Acc Name: Michael Oak School Fundraising / Ref: ‘Leaflet-Ad’
TERM 1 PS & HS: Tuesday, 17 January - Friday, 24 March PG & KG: Wednesday, 18 January/Thursday, 19 January - Thursday, 23 March Note 1: KG staggered start: younger children start on Wednesday and older children on Thursday Note 2: PG also has staggered start from Wednesday, 18 January
TERM 2 PS & HS: Wednesday, 12 April - Friday, 23 June PG & KG: Wednesday, 12 April - Wednesday, 21 June
TERM 3 PS & HS: Tuesday, 18 July - Friday, 22 September PG & KG: Tuesday, 18 July - Thursday, 21 September
TERM 4 KG, PS & HS: Tuesday, 10 October - Friday, 8 December PG: Tuesday, 10 October - Thursday, 7 December
Next week we will publish a full calendar for next year, including special school days (such as The Big Walk & The Fair), public and school holidays.
On Thursday, 20 October 2022, Class 5 had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Language Sharing hosted by Constantia Waldorf.
