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22nd June, 2021 
New culture change film about school starting age in Scotland airs on Friday.

School Calendar Dates



23rd June available Waldorf Wednesday: Invitation to new Class 1 families
25th June - Now We Are Six film premiere
29th June - Class 4's Norse Myths plays written by pupils
30th June - Last day of term
1st July - 25th August  - summer holidays 
26th - 30th July -
Summer Camp
2nd - 6th Aug - Summer Camp
Session Dates


Upcoming: (dates tbc)
Class 12 Play - Alice in Wonderland


Revisit

Exhibition of GCSE & Advanced Higher Art 
Class 4 Projects
Class 8 Projects
Teacher Education Course film
School films
School news

Click on any link above to learn more. 

College News

College News is written this term by Alistair Pugh - Co-Chair of College. It is emailed out to all parents of enrolled children, as well as linked to here each week. 
Appointments can be booked during the above times through the School Office. Please give the Office Staff your details and when and how you would prefer to be contacted. 

Class 4 Royal Mile Trip With Poetry In The Air

Class 4 pupils walk over 8 miles (12.88km, 17,142 steps) around historic parts of Edinburgh as part of their Home Surroundings Main Lesson. 
Heading into the Old Town last week, the pupils took in the sights and history which surround us daily. 

"We joined Frau Gitta, a tour guide who offered to tell us some tales of Edinburgh legends. The Castle was the first stop where Frau Gitta pointed out the start of the Royal Mile" says Class Teacher, Karen Ford. "The children simultaneously broke into the poem "The Royal Mile gans up an doon, the muckle back bane o the toun..." to the delight of our guide and tourists nearby.

They heard of witch trials, John Knox's sharp tongue and final resting place, the Mercat Cross, naughty school children, St Giles Cathedral and finally finishing in Greyfriars Bobby's cemetery where we met some familiar names from a favourite book.
"The children were so engaged with the tour that they only noticed the 8 mile walk on the way back across the Meadows." 
Class 4 at Thomas Riddell's grave at Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Portfolio-based Assessment: Integrated Education


The SQA is due to be replaced, following an OECD report published yesterday, warning traditional exams are a 'barrier' to the aims of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE).  Highlighting the fundamental flaws in the implementation of CfE, the 139-page report notes a wide divide between the aspirations of CfE and the demands of the heavily exams-based system in the latter part of secondary school.

CfE was meant to set in motion a wave of new-style assessment that focused more on learning through the year. Yet the report found their was a reluctance to move away from the more 'traditional' end-of-term, high-stakes tests, in order for them to pass exams; the focus still on securing five Highers.

Describing CfE as pioneering, praising its “bold, aspirational, value-driven and future-oriented approach”, underlining that the “basic ideas of CfE are still valid” and “inspiring” almost two decades after it was conceived, the OECD said the ten-year timeline since its implementation is an opportunity to review CfE. It recommended Scotland could identify ways of assessing pupils that could be used in senior phase, such as continuous assessment, externally marked projects and extended essays, and oral and practical presentations, which would be better suited to the aims of the CfE. 

"CfE was characterised to the OECD team as a 'clash between 19th century assessment and 21st century curriculum'," the long-awaited document states. 
 
Edinburgh Steiner School is a centre for Integrated Education, a suite of portfolio-based qualifications recognised by UCAS. 
This month, the College of Teachers approved a proposal to offer the Integrated Education Certificate (Level 3, equivalent to A-Level) to pupils in Classes 11 and 12 from August. (See College News, 2nd June)

Further information about Integrated Education can be found on the website of the awarding body, Crossfields Institute.  

'Backwash' From Exam Focus Felt In Primary 

The OECD report notes compulsory education starts earlier in Scotland than in most OECD countries, where students are required to start primary education at the age of six or seven. 
Now We Are Six looks at Scotland's young school starting age.


Whilst the report concluded “implementation has been accomplished in primary and lower-secondary”, it warned an emphasis on rote learning and memorisation, which senior phase students described as "boring", were causing a significant barrier to CfE's aims.

"The "backwash" from this may even be felt in primary schools where concerns about readiness for subject choice and examination success were mentioned by parents of the youngest pupils" the BBC reported on Monday.

ESS Teachers Spend More Time Preparing Lessons


An International analysis of Curriculum for Excellence published on Monday revealed teaching time in the classroom is far above the average level international; warning this ratio of class contact time to curriculum preparation time undermines Scotland's teaching efforts.  

The report found teachers in lower secondary schools are spending 63% of their time teaching. Teaching time evolved in 2019 in pre-primary and primary schools, resulting in a maximum of 22.5 of 35 hours (64.3%) teaching for primary, secondary and special education teachers. Even with this decrease in net contact time, this is still longer than the OECD average (43%). 

"Scotland is among the only OECD education systems, along with countries such as Chile, Latvia and Spain, in which teachers spend at least 50% of their statutory working time teaching (OECD, 2019[9])." 

Proposals tabled at a recent EIS conference called for teachers class contact time to be cut to 20 hours as part of a nine-year incremental plan that would be fully realised in 2030. EIS is Scotland's largest teaching union. 

Throughout the twelve years of school, Edinburgh Steiner School teachers spend 18 hours (51.4%) of their working time teaching; and the remaining 17 hours for lesson preparation, reviewing pupils' work and duties and responsibilities connected to developing the curriculum and running the school: 136% of the current national average. 

Further Study For Advanced Higher Art Pupils  

Six of the seven Advanced Higher pupils are going on to further study in the Arts. Whilst Celia is taking a gap year before going to Art School, Oliza is going to Fashion at Glasgow School of Art (GSA), Indio is doing GSA's Foundation Course, Ash and Maggie are headed to Duncan of Jordanstone Art School at Dundee University and Eva is taking Photography at Bristol University. 
 

Pupils exhibited their work to peers and parents in the School Hall over 14th – 18th June. Ten pieces from an extensive portfolio of works were then chosen for Edinburgh Steiner School’s first online art exhibition.

"Absolutely love this!" Filip Holacky

"Stunning work - well done everyone!" Fiona Watt

"Wonderful work xx" Jane Dewar

"Well done all 👏" Joan Davis

"Well done Everyone! Great to be able to see your work on here - Thank you! Fantastic pieces!" Joanna McLeman

Seedlings and Kindergarten Expanding Next Year


From August there will be two Seedlings playgroups for children aged 2+ and four Kindergarten groups for children aged 3.5 - 6-years-old.  

The West Coach House will be renovated over the summer months to create a new open plan Seedlings Playgroup room that will join the purpose-built Early Years building, following an increasing number of applications to the School's Early Years.   

Supporting Our Parent Body & Alumni's Businesses 


In light of the spread of the coronavirus, many businesses are being forced to adapt, changing their business model to suit the current climate. 

Many of our parents and former pupils have businesses of their own. Please let us know how the School community can support you by emailing in your advert to communications@edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk. The normal £3 submission fee is being waived

Stay In The Loop

For all our campus development news, check out our Growing Spaces Facebook Page.

For Alumni events and news, please join us on our Alumni Facebook page or sign up to our growing network here

For those of us who are social media savvy - find us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter for various photos, videos, articles and stories. 

Kids Yoga Classes


Every Wednesday at 4pm at Beetroot Sauvage; and are for children and their adult from age 3 - 7 years old. See poster.

The hour long classes include stories, stretches, fun games and calm relaxation. A parent recently called them: "A calming reset after the school day."

With thanks, Clunie

clunieclouds@gmail.com

Two Cats Need New Home


Our two lovely fostered cats urgently need a new home because we are moving back to Germany on 15th July. They are 15-years-old healthy sisters. If anyone is able to help please get in touch with Marlies 07456191177 or email: casmaier@hotmail.com

Classical Homeopathy at Rowan Health


Julien offers Classical Homeopathy consultations for the whole family and is specialised in gynecology and paediatrics. He treats acute and chronic conditions alike, from flu, bronchitis, vomiting bug, injuries to asthma, eczema, hay-fever, learning and behaviour disorders, anxiety, depression, gynaecological disorders…

He is trained by and works with Prof. George Vithoulkas, Right Livelihood Award for his worldwide medical contribution. Online and in-person appointments available. To enquire, please call 07534 960 293 or email contact@rowan-health.com
More info on www.rowan-health.com

Biodynamic Beef For Sale


Beef from our Biodynamic farm on the Island of Lismore available to order. Delivery to Edinburgh by arrangement.  Email eva.tombs@gmail.com for price list. Former family of the School. 

Gilmore Place Flat For Sale 


Flat for sale, 15min walk from Edinburgh Steiner School. Two Bedroom flat on Gilmore Place, with large dining kitchen, bathroom, walk-in cupboard. Lovely and bright 2nd floor with shared garden! Don't hesitate to contact me directly. My name is Anne: 07814 991 048, annelg08@yahoo.co.uk

Calmblue Holistic Therapies, Morningside


Therapies currently available in-person:
Bowen Therapy, Emmett, Kinetic Chain Release, MA=RaY Light, Massage (Aromatherapy, Body Massage, Clinical & Orthopaedic, Deep Tissue, Holistic, Hot Stones, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Massage & Energy Healing Combination, Myofascial Release, Pregnancy & Postnatal, Remedial, Sports, and Swedish), Reflexology and Reiki. 10-15 minute remote consultation followed by 45-50 minute in-person session.

Therapies currently available remotely:
Astrology, Coaching, Counselling, Energy Clearing, Energy Healing, Herbal & Functional Medicine, Face Yoga, Homeopathy, Hypnotherapy, Meditation, Nutritional Therapy, Reiki Training and Yoga.

To enquire or book please text 07721599276, email  or book online via our website.

Biographical Counselling Skills for Social Professionals


A one year part-time course for personal and professional development. This course will work deeply with biography, self and social development, developing an inner path, psycho-spiritual approaches to understanding human development and working with the art of speaking and listening. The course will offer artistic exercises, small group work, seminars, supervision and experiential learning. Please see: www.biographicalcounsellors.org.uk or email training@biographicalcounsellors.org.uk for further information.

Communications

Sarah Miller works alongside Alistair Pugh (Chair of College), and Trustee Layla Tree. 

The Tuesday Notice is produced by the Communications Team and edited by Helen Newton - School Coordinator and Alistair Pugh.
Tel: 0131 337 3410   Ext 3 
Email: communications@edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk
Copyright © 2021 Edinburgh Steiner School Trust Ltd, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
60 Spylaw Road, EH10 5BR

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