1

School Newsletter

Mon 13 Mar LabourDayPublicHoliday

Tue 14 Mar ValedictoryAssembly–8:40am SMSSParentWorkshop-7:30pm

Thu 16 Mar InterschoolDebate:Round1–8:00pm

20 – 26 MarClass9Camp–OtwayNationalPark

Tues 21 MarSMSSParentWorkshop-7:30pm

Wed 22 MarSophiaMundiBoardMeeting Cls3:Parent/TeacherMeeting–7-8:30pm Cls5:Parent/TeacherMeeting–7-8:30pm

Thu 23 MarCls10Concert–6-7pm Cls10:Parent/TeacherMeeting–7-8:30pm

Fri 24 Mar SteinerSchools’AthleticsDay (Classes7-10),from8am

NaturePlaygroupInformation Session–2-3pm

Sat 25 Mar PrincipalSchoolTours,from10am

Fri 31 Mar AutumnFestival

FromCalendaroftheSoulbyRudolfSteiner

IfeelasifenchantedIntheworld’sshowofSpiritweaving;

IthaswrappedmyselfhoodInsenses’dimness,

ToendowmewiththestrengthWhichmyownlimitedegoIspowerlesstogiveitself.

Sophia Mundi Steiner School @sophiamundisteinerschool

NextNewsletterdeadline:Wednesday,22March.

IMPORTANT DATESPleaseseeouronlinewebsitecalendar

DearParentsandGuardians,

WOMINJEKA–Welcome

Eachyear,SophiaMundicelebratestheAutumnalEquinox(usuallyfallingonorabout21March),withourHarvest/MichaelmasFestival.Michaelmasrecognisesthestrengthofwillinthehumanspirit.MichaelistheProtector,theDragon-slayerandalsoknownastheFaceofGod.Oursoul’snaturaltaskatthistimeofyearrelatestotheexperienceofthestrugglebetweenourinnerlightandinnerdarkness.

Inourmodernworld,littleattentionispaidtoMichaelmas.CelebratingthisFestivalcanremindusofourcourage.Michaelisamodelforfacingthedarkness.Michaelrepresentstheintelligencetomoveoutofourpersonalstoriesandintoaconsciousrelationshipwithourdestiny.Thisemotionalintelligencegivesusthestrengthofwilltobecourageousandstandfortruthinourowndevelopment.ThesearejustsomeofthequalitiesandvaluesthatwestrivetodevelopwithinthestudentsatSophiaMundi.

CouragewasveryevidentatourCommunityConversationsEvening.Ithankalltheparentsandteacherswhosharedtheirinsights,exploredopportunitiesandspokecourageously.Thepositivityandtrustwaspalpable.IvaluethecontributionfromstaffandparentstohelpcontinuetomakeSophiaMundianexciting,courageousandmuchlovedSchool.Theseeveningsprovideanopportunitytohearwhatislivinginthecommunity.ItwasvaluableandvalidatingfortheteachersandformeasthePrincipaltohearyourexperiencesandexpectations.Theconversationsidentifiedthefollowingthemes:

• ReinvigoratingtheClassCarersystem:handbook,briefings,creatingsocialfabricinthecommunity;

• ParentingcourseandChildDevelopmentintheParentTeacherevenings;

• ConsistentcommunicationClassteacher/guardian;• CommunicationregardingFestivalsandevents;• Parent/teachercommunication-wheretogoifthe

relationshipbreaksdown;• Visualcommunicationchannelsforrolesand

responsibilities;• Timetablechangescommunicatedyearbefore–lead

timessoparentscanorganiseexternalactivities;• Informationpacksforthedifferentyearlevels;• Onlinesystems:forms,updatinginformation,

excursions,supporthub,SMScommunication.

TheintroductionoftheIndividualEducationalPlans(IEPs)forallstudentswaspresented.TheIEP’sareanexcitingopportunityforparents,teachersandstudentstocreatesharedgoals.Ican’twaittoshareintheachievementsandopportunitiesthatwillunfoldthroughtheseprogrammes.

Wearethrilledtocongratulateoneofour2016Graduates,EzraJanetzkiwhohasbeenhonouredwiththeMelbourne Award.Thisachievementisarecognitiongiventostudentswhohavesteppedforthwithcourageintotheirlife.Ezrahasbeensomeonewhoissteadfastandprincipledineverythinghedoes.Hehasbeenactiveinhislocalcommunitiesthroughsports,theStudentRepresentativeCouncilatSMSSandhumanitarianfundraisingthroughhislocalchurch.Inadditiontobeingahighacademicachiever,hehasalsodevelopedsignificantartisticabilitythroughouthistimeatSchool.TheFederalMemberforMelbourne,AdamBandtwillpresentEzrawiththisawardatourValedictorySecondaryassemblyonTuesday14March.

Finally,WurundjeriElder,UncleRobJonesspokerecentlyoftheimportanceofspiritandthesonglineoftheYarraRiver.WeaspiretobuildclosertiestoourfirstNationpeople,throughtheSchool’sIndigenousConsciousnessGroupandthegrantfromtheVictorianEducationDepartmenttodevelopSophiaMundiintoaleadingschoolinRespectfulRelationships.

IlookforwardtowelcomingyoualltotheAutumnFestivalonFriday31March.

BestWishes,Fiona – Principal

2Term 1, March 10 2017 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

CANTEEN – Thankyoutoallthelovelyparentswhovolunteeredtohelpinthecanteenthispastweek-wearesogratefulforyourhelp.Westillneedafewvolunteerssoifyouwouldliketohelp,pleasecontactBetteoncanteen@sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

MAThS TuTORINg & hOMEWORk hElPTheMathsDepartmentandLearningSupporthavecombinedtoofferassistanceeveryWednesdaymorning.

Available to:Classes7–10

Time:Wednesdaymorningfrom7:45am

Venue:PhysicsLab–L2

Comealongforhomeworkhelp,tosortoutgapsinknowledgeandevenforsomeextrachallenges.

CONNECTINg TO COuNTRy : The Seven Seasons of the kulin People–March – Eel SeasonTheKulinpeoplecallthisseasoninMarch‘Iuk’orEelseason.Traditionallyinthisseasonthehotwindsstopandthetemperaturesbegintocool.TheeelsinthecreeksthatrunintotheYarraarefatandreadytoharvest.Themannagum–sourceofmedicine,sweetnectar,drinkingvesselsandshieldsisflowering.Daysandnightsareofequallength.

Lo-AnTukathebrighteststarinthenightskyknownastheHunterorCanopus,isseenalmostduesouthatsunset.Vicky Stock – Playgroup Leader

NEW EXTRA lESSON TEAChER - MariaFraserMariahasreturnedtoSophiaMundiafter8yearsinthewholesaleindustryatMercuriuswhosupplyalltheSteinerschoolsinAustraliawithbeautifulproductforallclassroomactivities.PriortothatMariawasaClassteacherhereatSophiaMundi,takingaclassfrom

class1throughtoendoffirstterminclass7.Herclassareturning21nowandmakingtheirwayintheworld.

MariabecameateacherconcurrentlystudyingaBachelorofEducation,BachelorofScience(EnvironmentalScience),theparttimeParentTeacherSteinertraining,andThreeFoldTherapy(alsoknownasExtraLesson).ShehasworkedwiththiswealthofknowledgewithherownclasshereatSophiaMundiasaClassTeacher.

WearepleasedtohavesuchanexperiencedteacherreturntoourteaminanewcapacityasourExtraLessonTeacher.Inthisnewrole.Mariawillbeworkingwiththeclassteachersexpandingtheircapacitiestoincludespecificactivitiesthatpromotestrongabilityinthechildrentoworkwiththeirsenses,physicalbodyandrhythm.Shewillworkwithchildreninsmallgroupsandinonetoonesessionswherenecessaryinconsultationwithclassteachersandparents.

PARENT COllEgE – TuESDAyS 9am-10:30am

AfewweeksagowetooksometimebeingintroducedtosomeofRudolfSteiner’stexts.Someofthetitlesincluded:

• KnowledgeoftheHigherWorlds(developing our inner life and perceptions)

• TheArtofSpeech• ThePhilosophyofFreedom(what are concepts? How/what

do we perceive? What is freedom? Discusses human individuality)• TheFoundationsofHumanExperience(difficult

reading, not very accessible)• AnthroposophicalLeadingThoughts• ManifestationsofKarma• DiscussionswithTeachers• PracticalAdvicetoTeachers.

Asuggestion:Ifyoucomeacrosssomethinginyourreadingwhichyoudon’tunderstand,don’tsay”no”,say“oh”asyoumightcometorecogniseorunderstanditlater.IfthereissomethingyouwouldliketodiscussandsharebringitalongnextTuesday14March,9amintheCottage/Aftercareroom.IfyouarefreeonTuesday 21 March we will be discussing the topic of how our children use social media. Feelfreetojoininorjustcomeandlisten!Seeyouthere.

WEll BEINg & SuPPORT - CherylNekvapil

CherylNekvapilhasreturnedfromleaveandwillbeatschoolonThursdaysforconfidentialconversationswithstudents,teachers,staff,andparentsseekingsocial,emotionalandspiritualwellbeing.Sheisalso,availableforin-class,facultyandadulteducationsessionsrelatingtothesamestrivingforsocial,emotional

andspiritualwellbeing.Cherylhasprovidedserviceswithrespecttomediation,supportpersonforconversations,restorativeconversations,facilitatedgroupconversationsanddesigningsocialtechnologiesfororganisationalandgroupstructures,policiestonamebutafew!She can be contacted on cheryl.nekvapil@sophiamundi.vic.edu.au for an appointment time.

WEDNESDAy AFTERNOON MuSIC JAM - Just for fun. IsanyoneinterestedinjoiningaWednesdayAfternoonMusicalPlay?JackieMcConnell(parent)andIareplayingukuleles&more‘justforfun’,soifyoufeellikegiggingalongpleasecometoPrepafter3.15pmonaWednesday.Rene – Prep Teacher

3Term 1, March 10 2017 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

STuDENT DEBATINgOnTuesday(7March)studentsandTeacherscametogetherinaveryentertaininglunchtimedebateonwhetherweshouldchangetheNationalflag.Argument for: Yani(Cls7),Sophia(Cls9),RobertStemp(Teacher–Secondary)spokeforchangingtheflag.Argument against:Ella(Cls5),JonathanShaw(Teacher-Cls5)andHughFowler(Teacher–Cls3)spokeagainsttheidea.Theaudiencewashighlyengagedandenjoyedthevividstorytellingandhumorousapproach.

Thedebatingprogramsuccessisduetotheexcellentcollaborationbetweenparents,staffandstudents.Thegenerosityandsupportofparents,staffandstudentswhoassistin‘nonperforming’rolesisvital.Thank-youto:ourassistantresearchteamofArtemisKleridesandTara-RoseKirkpatrick;Class7(whotransformtheirclassroomspaceatlunchtimeintoaperformanceareaandmanagethecateringandseating);ParentsBetteandEvieforideas,organisation,moralsupportandBette’slemonadeelixir;andfinallyothermembersofstaffincludingAlexandraKeusch(Teacher)forassistingwithideasandadjudication.

Interschool Debate: Thursday 16 March. IvanhoeGirlsGrammar(123MarshallSt,IvanhoeVIC3079)Round 1: That Australia should adopt a new national flag Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School Plenty 1 vs. Sophia Mundi Steiner School 1 Pleaseemailmeatfiona.couttie@sophiamundi.vic.edu.auformoreinformationorifyouwishtobeinvolved.Fiona Couttie – Debating Teacher

EzRA JANETzkI TO RECEIvE ThE MElBOuRNE AWARD FROM ADAM BANDT!We are thrilled to announce the wonderful news that a Sophia Mundi Alumnus will be presented with the Melbourne Award! AdamBandt,FederalMemberforMelbourne,willpresentEzraJanetzkifromtheClassof2016withtheawardinrecognitionofhisachievementsintheInternationalBaccalaureateDiplomaProgramme,inhissportingendeavours,andinhiscommunitywork.EzrajourneyedthroughthirteenyearsofschoolingatSophiaMundiandwecouldn’tbehappierforhimtoreceivethisrecognitionforhisdedicationtohischosenfieldsoffocus.

Please join the students and teachers on Tuesday 14 March, at 8.40 for the valedictory Assembly where the award will be presented and the Class of 2016 will receive their certificates from the International Baccalaureate Organisation. IB Staff

Music CornerMusic Concerts & Events 2017

Proposed Class Concerts & Annual Music Concert Dates

TERM 1WEEK 8 – Secondary Class Concerts in Eurythmy Hall

Thu23MarchClass106:00-7:00pm(Right before Class 10 Parent meeting at 7pm)

TERM 2WEEK 7 – Secondary Class Concerts in Eurythmy Hall

Tue30MayClass7&86:00-7:30pm(Combined Concert)Wed31MayClass96:00-7:00pm

WEEK 8 – Primary Class Concerts in Eurythmy Hall

Tue6JuneClass35:30-6:30pm&Class46:30-7:30pmWed7JuneClass55:30-6:30pm&Class7:00-7:30pm

TERM 3WEEK 7 – Primary Orchestra Recital/Sharing

Wed30August3:30-4:30pm(Venue TBC)

WEEK 9 – Annual Music ConcertWed13September6-8pmin(Venue TBC)

WEEK 10 – Secondary Ensembles Tour (TBC)

Mon18&Tue19SeptemberMansfield,Warranwood&LYSSSteinerSchools

ECOlINk EXCuRSION – IB STuDENTS StudentsfromYear11and12PhysicswenttoEcolinc inBacchusMarshlastweek.StudentsexaminedEcolinc’sawardwinningEcologicallySustainableDesignfeaturesandusethermalimagingandsimulationdatatoinvestigatethethermalperformanceandenergyuseofbuildings.ThisexcursiontiedinnicelywiththeunitsonEnergyProductionandThermalPhysics.Deena Kaltmann – Secondary Science Teacher

4Term 1, March 10 2017 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

OuR NEW NATuRE PlAygROuP - INFORMATION EvENINg & START DATE: Friday, 24 March, 2pm

NextTermseesthestartofournewNaturePlaygroupforthreeandfouryearolds.Itisanalloutdoorplay-basedprogram.Pleasesendrsvpvicky.stock@sophiamundi.vic.edu.auifyouwishtoattend.

Thebasicprogramme:Wewillstartthemorninginthekitchengardenwithsimplegardeningactivities,haveaplaythenwalktogreenspacesinthelocalarea.TheNaturePlaygroupprogramaimstofosteracuriosity,wonderandrespectfornatureforyoungchildrenandparentsalikethroughplayandenjoyableactivities.

TheNaturePlaygroupwillrunfrom9.45amuntil11.45withaninformalmorningteaat9.30am.Cost$260perterm.

PleasenotethatparentsmustaccompanytheirownchildasitisnotarosteredPlaygroup.

DuringthesessionIwillexplaintheaimsoftheprogramandtheroleoftheparents.Itwillalsobeagoodtimetoaskquestions.Ilookforwardtoseeingyousoon.

Vicky Stock – Playgroup Leader

SMSS EvENINg PARENT WORkShOPTuesdays 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th March 7.30pm to 9.30pm - Sophia Mundi hall.

–Practicingperception–Developingunderstanding–EnablingdecisionmakingCost$15persessionplus$10forthemanual.To register please call 0458 124 088 or email cherylnekvapil@yahoo.com

CherylNekvapilandJenniferWestwillfacilitatetheseworkshops.ParticipantswillreceiveamanualtranslatedfromtheGermanedition.

The aim of the course is to encourage parents to find confidence and joy in holistic parenting.

TheParentTrainingpractisesasocialartofrelationship,exploredthroughgames,discussions,talksandreflections.Webegantoglimpsegroupdynamicandindividualdispositions,andconsideredhowitisforchildreningroups,whenweintroducethemintonewsocialsettings.JenniferandCherylspokebrieflyaboutwaystopictureourhumanbeingandthenweconsideredthefourhomesthatachildseeksinbeingborn-physicalbody,homeenvironment,communitylifeandspiritualdomain.

Inthefollowingthreesessions,wewilllookatwhatbringsharmonyordisharmonyintothesedifferent‘homes’,andwhatwedotocontinuallyestablishasenseofcoherencewhichseeshealthasarepeatedlycreatedprocess.Ourmainfocuswillbeonbecomingawareandmoresensitisedtoourrelationshipandresponsibilitieswithourchildrenandhowwecanawakentowhoweareandwhotheyare.Wewillexplorehowwewanttobeinour‘interpersonalcapacity’inourfamilies–howevertheyareconstituted.

Ifyoudidn’tmakeittothefirstsession,youaremostwelcometojointhegroup.

To register please call 0458 124 088

or email cherylnekvapil@yahoo.com

AFTER SChOOl CARE - WEEk 6SixweeksintotheyearandithasbeenwonderfulgettingtoknowthechildreninAftercare.Wehavebeenbusyplaying,cooking,makingaflyscreenforourdooranddoingartactivities.

Chess,charadesandtennishavebeenfirmfavouritesinthegamesdepartmentandthechildrenhavemadethemostofthenewsandinthesandpitandtheconstructionmaterialsinthevegetablegarden.WehavebeenluckytohavethelovelySam,aClass10exchangestudentfromSwitzerland,spendingtimewith

usthistermandLuka(aGermanVolunteer)hasbeenhelpingouttoo.

IamcertainlyfeelingprivilegedtobepartoftheSophiaMundiSchoolCommunity.Jude Walker – Aftercare Coordinator

PREP gARDEN NEWS: Welcome to our new baby guinea pigs!

5Term 1, March 10 2017 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

BACh’S ST JOhN PASSION – lITTlE yARRA STEINER SChOOlFRIDAY,31MARCH6PM

TheLittleYarraSteinerSchoolwillbepresentingBach’sStJohnPassionagainthisyear.Allstudentsfromclass8-12participateinthishighlychallengingwork.Theperformanceincludesavarietyofchorales,coros,solosandrecitatives.SituatedinournewGym,entryisbydonation.

Address: 205 Little Yarra Rd, Yarra Junction. RSVP Damien Callan - 03 5967 1953 www.lyss.vic.edu.au

Babysitter needed – Fitzroy: 10hrs/wkIamlookingforareliable,caringbabysittertoworkapproximately10hrsaweek.Fitzroylocation.ItwillbeearlymorningssoIangotoyoga.Youwillberesponsibleformy6yrolddaughterreadyforSchoolanddroppingheroff2kmaway.Ifinterested,pleasecallTui(0425871325).

Accountant Required: 2days/wkTheMelbourneRudolfSteinerTeacherTrainingSeminarrequiresa“hands-on”Accountant,twodaysaweeklocatedatTheMichaelCentreinWarranwood.Immediatestartpossible.ExpressionsofinterestcanbedirectedtoHelenCock-h.cock@steinerseminar.com

Simple Admin & Book keeping wonder person required! - Abbotsford Iamlookingforanexcellentandexperiencedsystemspersonto;setupanadminsystemplusundertakeadminworkandsimplebook-keepinginabusysoletraderOccupationalTherapypractice.Initially3-4hrs/wkABNisrequired.Pleaseemailmewithabriefdescriptionofyourexperienceandsituation:completeot@gmail.com

Philippa Coull - Occupational Therapist 0401050220

B. App Sci (OT)/ AHPRA Registered/ NDIS Registered

6Term 1, March 10 2017 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

COMMuNITy ANNOuNCEMENTS2017 NATIONAl lEARNINg SuPPORT CONFERENCEFriday 10th - Sunday 12th March 2017Samford valley Steiner School, QldThethemethisyearis“Deepeningourunderstandingofthetwelvesense”,andwehavearichline-upofkeynotesandworkshopsonthistheme.ForallenquiriespleasecontactJoanWeir,Marketing&Communications,SamfordValleySteinerSchooljweir@samfordsteiner.qld.edu.au or 07 3430 9600.

ANThROSOPhICAl SOCIETy IN AuSTRAlIA SATuRDAy MORNINg TAlkS Saturday 22nd April 10:00am - 12:00pm kew library –Phillis hore Room LeanneMoraes,ThroughtheGatetotheGarden-ReflectionsonthemasterpainterRaphael,anexplorationofoldwisdominthelightofchildrentoday.$18full,$15members&conc.Morningteaincluded.Enquiries: Maria garrido 0423 274 936

lIFE & lIvINg 2017 : FESTIvAl-ENCOuNTER-CONFERENCE 12-16th April, hunter valley, NSW. FullinformationandRegistrationat;www.asc-au.com

INDEPENDENT SChOOlS vICTORIA (ISv) Parent Seminar Wednesday 15 March 2017, 6–8 pm40 Rosslyn Street, West MelbourneTheimpactofpornographyonyoungpeoplehasbeendescribedasanemergingpublichealthcrisis.Whatcanparentsdo?TheissuewillbeaddressedinafreeseminarforparentshostedbyIndependentSchoolsVictoria.HughMartin,apsychotherapistandfounderoftheManEnoughprogram,willprovideexpertadviceandleadthediscussion.

Lightrefreshmentswillbeserved.ISVisclosetopublictransport,andthereisplentyofparking.To register, send your name to Student.Services@is.vic.edu.au with the words ‘Parent Seminar’ in the subject line.

ThisNewsletter’sblackboardscomefromClass 11 Series and Sequences (Nikolaos Sakellaropoulos) Class 6 Ancient greek Mythology (Christina Kakris).