"People who are unable to use their hands skillfully for all kinds of work,
will not become good thinkers and will behave awkwardly in life.
It is not the head alone, but the whole human being that is a logician.
Activities demanding manual and bodily skill, such as knitting,
leads to the enhancement of the faculty of judgement." - Rudolf Steiner
Class 1 Play - Sat 05 Nov, 10am Class 1 Parents Evening - Tue 08 Nov, 7pm - 8.30pm Class 3 Outing - Wed 09 Nov, 8.30am - 3pm Kindergarten Talk - Wed 09 Nov, 7.30pm - 9pm Links Meeting - Thu 10 Nov, 7pm - 9pm Class 3 Outing - Fri 11 Nov, 8.45am - 1pm Kindergarten Camp Out - Fri 11 Nov, 5pm - Sat 12 Nov, 10am AGM (Annual General Meeting) - Thu 17 Nov, 6pm
Class 4 Camp - Wed 09 Nov - Fri 11 Nov Class 5 Camp - Mon 07 Nov - Wed 9 Nov Class 6 Camp - Wed 09 Nov - Fri 11 Nov Class 7 Camp - Wed 09 Nov - Fri 11 Nov Class 8 Camp - Mon 07 Nov - Fri 11 Nov Class 9 Camp - Mon 07 Nov - Fri 11 Nov Class 10 Camp - Sun 06 Nov - Fri 11 Nov Class 11 Camp - Mon 07 Nov - Thu 10 Nov
For the latest updates to the school calendar please click HERE
Did you notice the beautiful new Leaflet logo at the top of the newsletter? It was designed and drawn by Tanya Karakashian, our Class 7 Calligraphy teacher, Class 8 Art and Craft teacher and Primary School Handwork assistant.
Tanya has been teaching at Michael Oak since 2017 and has 3 children - in Playgroup, Class 3 and Class 5. Tanya has an honours degree from The Michaelis School of Fine Art at UCT, and attended Michael Mount Waldorf School from kindergarten till Class 13. (See more of her artwork below)
It is with much sadness that we have to announce the resignation of some of our dear colleagues. As sad as goodbyes are, we always remain open to the opportunity of welcoming new colleagues into our community, and look forward to the possibility that new energy brings.
After deep soul searching Leigh Moore, our current Class 5 teacher, has made the difficult decision to leave the school at the end of the year. Leigh recently got married and will be joining her husband in Canada to start a life together there. Leigh's passion for both teaching and learning are admirable and have been such a gift to her class. We will miss Leigh dearly and wish her all of the best on her future adventures. We are pleased to announce that Chloe Govender, a young, vibrant teacher, has been appointed as Class 6 teacher from January 2023.
Leigh Whitesman, our current Class 3 teacher, has also come to the difficult decision to leave after 21 years of service to Michael Oak. Leigh started as a student at Michael Oak and then a parent. Her teaching journey at our school began in the High School as an English teacher. She also designed a successful Life Orientation programme and created a peace room as well as working on many conflict resolution workshops. Leigh has taken many children through the Primary School as a class teacher with incredible dedication and careful guidance. She served on the College of Teachers for many years, including as College Chair. She also has served on the Board of Trustees. Leigh's integrity, fairness, wisdom and outstanding skill in all areas of her work at Michael Oak has been phenomenal. We are truly grateful and wish her health and joy as she finds a new path forward. We look forward to announcing a new appointment for this post to the class and community soon.
We also regret that Tasneem Jacobs, our school counsellor/social worker has resigned with effect from the end of the year. Tasneem's gentle, yet firm and capable presence in our school has been of much value and she will be missed by both staff and students. Tasneem has been offered a wonderful opportunity that she wishes to take up and our very best wishes go with her. We will be advertising to fill this post soonest.
On a happier note, we are pleased to share with you that Caroline Marquard has been reappointed as our Class 11,12 and 13 Mathematical Literacy teacher. We wish Caroline much happiness in this role moving into 2023.
Warm regards
Alison Tobler On behalf of The College of Teachers
The Board of Trustees is happy to announce that Fiona Grant, current secretary of the Board and a member of both Fincom and Remcom, as well as a parent in Class 11, has agreed to become the interim School Administrator.
Fiona has been extensively involved in the school governance structures since early 2020 and therefore has a keen understanding of many of the issues the school faces. She has a professional background including experience with HR, finance, governance, organisational design, communication, conflict resolution, and policy development.
Her contract will be for approximately 6-9 months, giving the Board time to find a suitable candidate for the permanent role.
She will formally take over responsibility from George when he leaves at the end of the year, but will spend some time, over the next 6 weeks or so, with him and other staff and structures within the school to ensure an appropriate handover.
We are very pleased to have Fiona come onboard at this important time in the school’s development and feel secure that important processes will continue and strengthen under her guidance.
Kind regards, Len Verwey, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Our warmest thanks to you for rekindling our much loved school Fair!
Thank you for your energy, inspiration, motivation and creativity. The craft was beautiful, the food delicious and the atmosphere a wonderful blend of relaxed, lively and fun.
This bringing together of community has been much needed in the life of our school. Your time and hard work resulted in this gift, and despite the stress we are certain you felt at times, we hope that you also have felt a sense of pride in bringing the task to successful completion and creating a space for us to celebrate our community.
Our thanks go out as well to our admin team who provided so much support to this event. And to Sam O’Connor who stepped on board in a co-ordinating role.
Lastly of course to the whole Michael Oak community, parents and staff, for the time and effort spent on crafting, cooking, washing, carrying and tending to stalls on the day.
We hope you all had fun.
Warm regards The College of Teachers
Dearest Michael Oak students, parents, guardians, grandparents, friends, teachers & staff -
We had a wonderful time creating the fair this year and although it was incredibly hard work,
we loved sharing the fruits of all our labour with you on the day.
It felt like a much needed opportunity to eat, laugh, play, sing and dance together.
The Jungle Sunrise Fair could not have happened without the help of each and every one of you.
So from all of us in Class 6 - both parents and students - we say a hearty thank you!
Photos below by Jan Verboom, professional photographer and Michael Oak parent. More of his fantastic photos can be found on: www.michaeloakalbums.co.za. The site is password protected, and the password will be sent out to parents via the Links.
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
House for Sale
Beautiful 4 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Mid Century Home For Sale R4.395m On Wynberg Hill, Upper Wynberg - five-minute drive to school. Located on a very quiet road with wonderful neighbours and mountain views. Abundant in fruit trees, has a good size garden, an eco pool and a rabbit/chicken enclosure. Garage plus ample parking for up to five cars. Solar geyser and two big water tanks. Previously bought from a Michael Oak family and has been a very special, solid, happy home for us. Low maintenance and in excellent condition. https://www.property24.com/for-sale/wynberg-upper/cape-town/western-cape/10102/111958680
Contact Judy Moffet to view (071) 311-5281
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.
6 November 2022 is Trans-Parent Day, the 1st Sunday in November. This day celebrates the love, lives and diversity between transgender parents and their children and transgender children and their parents. Join GSA East London this Sunday at 5pm for this important online discussion. To register for this webinar click HERE. After registration a Zoom link will be sent. The webinar will also be recorded and uploaded on the WSU Family Medicine YouTube channel. Dr. Madeleine Muller is a Waldorf parent and a trained anthroposophical doctor.
Ayurveda
Are you interested in Ayurveda but find it confusing and overwhelming? This is a nice bite-size start to bringing Ayurveda into your life in an easy, manageable way.
What to expect:
Every day we have the chance to step into the day with connection to ourselves-, nature- and the energetics of the day.
We can start out the day with reverence and softness instead of overwhelm and a sense of ’not enough time’.
Ayurveda has beautiful tools for a good ritual/routine for the mornings and/or evenings.
We will sit in circle and also share our experiences.
Delicious Ayurvedic teas and a snack will be provided.
About Claudia:
Claudia Batschari has practiced Ayurveda for numerous years, initially turning to it for her own healing – and then powerfully integrating it into her life in order to make the best decisions for her health. In 2020 Claudia completed an online course with Nidhi Pandya, ‘Ayurveda Demystified & Applied’. This was followed in 2021 by a year-long ‘Ayurvedic Wellness Coach Training’ course with the Shakti School – where she is currently enrolled in their 2nd year ‘Ayurvedic Health Counsellor’ training programme. https://anandasanctuary.co.za/event/how-to-establish-a-good-daily-ayurvedic-routine/
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
Did you notice the beautiful new Leaflet logo at the top of the newsletter? It was designed and drawn by Tanya Karakashian, our Class 7 Calligraphy teacher, Class 8 Art and Craft teacher and Primary School Handwork assistant.
Ayurveda
