Our Latest News

Last Tuesday Class Six had a fabulous day out kayaking on the beautiful Bellinger River with the Bellingen Canoe Centre. We had two hours before lunch paddling up stream and back before having a well-deserved lunch break. After lunch we took to the water for another hour, exploring a different tributary to the river and having fun taking part in a few 'on water' games.

In week nine Class Six will build on what they learnt last Tuesday and take on a more challenging paddling experience. Together we will paddle from Ferntree to Mylestom. I'm sure it will be a fun and rewarding experience.

We are grateful that we have so many wonderful natural places to explore on our doorstep. ... See MoreSee Less

Class Six had a wonderful time on the excursion to Treetops Adventure Park last Friday. New challenges were undertaken with admirable courage and resilience, and the whole experience was extra fun because of sharing it with friends. ... See MoreSee Less

Class 3 have completed their Building Main Lesson. The projects are complete and as you can see the work is amazing.
Well done Class 3. ... See MoreSee Less

Class 1 have had a busy week! Sleepover, woodwork and felting. ... See MoreSee Less

Looking inside a native beehive...

Last Thursday our two kindergarten classes joined together for a native beehive split. The children and teachers sang to the bees before proceeding to have a look and smell (the delicious smell of beeswax and honey).

At lunchtime the children and staff had an opportunity to taste the delicious honey (citrusy taste).

Once a year the beehive is opened to create two beehives. There are about 10,000 native bees in a hive. Within a year 5000 bees multiply to fill an empty half of a hive. Nature's magic. The honey is higher in antioxidant, antibacterial benefits than manuka honey.

We are blessed to have access to these magical workers of nature. ... See MoreSee Less

Students enjoying cello lessons!

Lessons are provided by Music Teacher, Georgie Ostenfeld from the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium. ... See MoreSee Less

The Casuarina Craft Group has been busy making animals, and families are welcome to purchase them in time for the holidays. If you are keen to sew your own, more animals have been cut out and are ready to go as your holiday project.

If you buy an animal cut and ready to sew, you will need to purchase your own sewing thread and needle, but we will provide the stuffing and pre-cut felt pieces.

These photos show what is available in completed animals, and pre-cut felt (ready-to-sew) animals.

Colours available are as per the photos. Prices: (animal/pre-cut) Dog ($15/$10), Cat ($15/$10), Dolphin ($8/$4), Horse ($20/$14 - mane & tail also provided), Hen & 2 chicks ($20/$12), Dinosaur ($20/$14), Elephant ($20/$12), Geckos ($12/$8), Large Fish ($4/$3), Small fish ($3/$2). If you like a pre-cut colour and would like us to sew it for you, then the finished animal cost applies (as well as a small wait - subject to orders).

Also, we have some "Pocket Love" hearts (thank you to our very own Frances for the idea) which parents can fill with love each day and children can carry in their pocket; for $3 each. Contact Helen on 0478226601 to order and arrange for payment and pick up through the school office. ... See MoreSee Less

Thank you to all who attended our Winter Festival last Friday night.

A big thank you also to everyone who provided the delicious soup and crumble for the students and parents to enjoy.

Our school community thanks you. ... See MoreSee Less

Class Six has been enjoying surfing lessons.

Each Friday they walk to the yacht club and take to the water to catch the waves under the professional guidance of Lee Winkler. As you can see from the photos, the children are enjoying the experience.

Many thanks to Josephine, Charlotte and Kane for supporting the class each Friday. ... See MoreSee Less

Photos from Coffs Harbour Casuarina Steiner School's post ... See MoreSee Less

Class Three have completed their House Building Main Lesson project. The project required the students to engage in a practical task that required perseverance, responsibility and focus.

The students had to consider and document various elements of their design; country of origin, environmental factors, materials used to build the house, description and planning of the building process.

On completion of the project the students gave a presentation to the class.

Well done Class Three. ... See MoreSee Less

Our Casuarina Craft group has been mostly in hibernation this year, but did manage to make a collection of toys and gifts using natural fabrics.

We are offering beautiful handmade items for sale as a fundraiser to provide toys and story props for our classrooms.

The stall is open today in the bus bay area of the school from 9am – 3pm and Wednesday 9 December 2020 in the bus bay 2pm – 3.30pm. ... See MoreSee Less

Wires

Our students have been busy making nests and pouches ready to be donated to our local WIRES team here in Coffs Harbour.

The pouches and nests help our local WIRES volunteers give native animals the care they need to recover and grow.

Well done to all who have been busy knitting over the past months. ... See MoreSee Less

NAIDOC Week

This week Class 3 participated in NAIDOC week activities.

We read 'Finding our Heart' a story book for young Australians about the Uluru Statement. The children drew their own Aboriginal design including the outline of their own feet!

The children listened to Aboriginal stories and from this they recounted the story. Working in groups the children interpreted their chosen story, depicted on rock art. They then retold their story with percussion instruments and 'read' from their rock art. ... See MoreSee Less

Class 5 Play - The Epic of Gilgamesh

This week Class Five have been very busy performing their Class Play titled The Epic of Gilgamesh. On Tuesday morning students in the school saw it, and on Tuesday evening and Thursday evening this week parents have been invited into the school to see the performance.

The class has spent much time preparing for the performance and all their hard work is now at last coming to fruition.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a Babylonian tale and is said to be the first story ever to be written, impressed on clay tablets over 4500 years ago. The story is an archetypal tale of life and death, love, loyalty, courage and true heroism.

The play brings together so many aspects of the curriculum, with music, movement, dance, drama, choral speaking and the visual arts all being woven together to bring the story to life.

Many thanks to Lisa McKeon for once again bringing much beauty as well as authenticity to our Class Five performance through working on costumes. The children truly looked dazzling when they took to the stage. ... See MoreSee Less

News from Class 3

Class Three have been immersed in faraway places during our Homes Around the World Main Lesson.

Through stories we have travelled the world and learnt about various homes, why they are constructed in different ways and the implications the environment has on our design and building decisions. This Main Lesson leads the children into completing their first homework project; designing, constructing and presenting a model home from around the world.

We want to also share with you our amazing cozy slippers, how gorgeous! Class Three have been using a pattern to create these wonderful slippers. ... See MoreSee Less

News from Class 1

Giinagay!

Class One have just completed a Literacy/HSIE main lesson called, "Dreamtime stories". This main lesson meets very nicely the developmental stage of the class one child. The stories, songs and verses connect the children with the local Gumbaynggirr people, helping the children to gradually awaken to their local environment. Stories are told that personify all that surrounds the children from the rivers and ocean to the plants and animals. Although personified, the stories are designed to imaginatively reveal the different elements of the environment in a truthful (that is, scientifically based) manner, evoking feelings of reverence, love, wonder and gratitude for creation.

Listening to story is very important for all human beings, not just the children. It helps to build a fuller picture about what it means to be the caretakers of the earth and all her gifts. It brings knowledge, reverence, and gratitude.

We had fun with painting during this main lesson. The ethereal nature of these stories is best expressed with water and paint. Here the children were able to explore their feeling for the story. We also worked on consolidating many literacy skills learnt this year from letter formation to word building. Included are a few photographs of the children's paintings which were all very beautiful, and also our morning verse.

We greet the land on which we stand,
hand in hand in Gumbaynggirr land.
We thank the elders both present and past,
who cared for the land so it will last.
We greet the sun that shines so bright,
and fills us with its love and light.
We look and see friends all around,
for whom love in our hearts we have found. ... See MoreSee Less

News from Rose Room and Grey Gum

During our last main lesson Kindergarten and Peach Blossoms have been sharing their family heritage with the class. It has been delightful watching some of the once timid children talk to the whole class about their families and their countries of origin. They were so proud of their families and happy to answer questions from their peers. The classes have also loved seeing some historic family heirlooms, such as, an old child’s rocking chair, pennies, Great-Grandma’s broach, wooden toys from Europe, and even family crests. Thank you, parents, for your help with preparing your children for this sharing. We have also discovered: how to greet others in quite a few languages (which I hope the children have shared with you); many forms of transport to travel around the world, including rickshaws from China, tuk-tuks from Thailand, and even a double-decker bus from England; and, how to recognise Australia and other countries on maps.

Now we are moving quickly through Term 4 we have been focusing on preparing the Kindergarten children for Class 1. Movement, equipment-play, and the popular water pump, as well as exploring the upper school grounds have been a daily activity. The children are becoming more confident and are taking healthy risks as they challenge their abilities on the equipment. They have also been stretching out and running across the expanse of the grounds using forward, backward, and even sideways movements. Most of the children have embraced these moments with a sense of pure freedom and joy as they race across the gorgeous grass, while some of the Peach Blossoms have found they need a little encouragement and a teacher to run alongside. The Peach Blossoms are also preparing for their new role as Kindy’s next year, as we have higher expectations of them this term. We have asked them to lead the class lines over to the upper school; encouraged them to play, connect with and identify their Peach Blossom Peers; and are preparing them to identify as the new Kindergarten children for next year.

We have a busy and exciting term ahead of us with Advent beginning November 29th this year, as well as all of our Christmas preparations.

Looking forward to a wonderful Term 4 with your children. ... See MoreSee Less

This year our Spring Celebration looked a little different. The school was a hive of activity with the children enjoying crafts and games all day.

Apple juice ice cups were a refreshing treat on a hot day and Spring was certainly in the air. ... See MoreSee Less

The festivities started early for Class 1. With an entire flock of roosters, hens and chicks, the children had a very special Spring Chicken Festival on Friday to celebrate the completion of a fun craft project. We can't wait to see what's next for these avid knitters. ... See MoreSee Less

The fun never stops in Class 1!
Last week the children harvested vegetables from their garden to make delicious wraps. ... See MoreSee Less

Reminding us that after the inwardness of winter, we breathe out into the light, our Winter Festival is an important part of our curriculum. This year our festival took on a slightly different form while still giving the children a magical experience. ... See MoreSee Less

Congratulations Marley

Recently, Class Four children entered a Shorebirds Poster Competition organised by Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery to raise awareness of the threat to various species in our area and beyond. Marley won first prize in the class 3/4 section, and for her efforts our school has been given $500 dollars to spend on teaching materials, and Marley herself was awarded a certificate and further prize money. The winning entries are exhibited in the gallery as part of The Overwintering Project exhibition, which opened last Friday. Marley, Manolita, Kane and Lynn were all invited along for the event. Here are a few pictures from the night. ... See MoreSee Less