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The chalkboard is the hallmark of a Steiner Classroom. ESTEC graduate and Upper School teacher, Renske Brune, draws an illustration from the Embryology Main Lesson as part of the new teacher training film.
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School Calendar Dates
26th May - Cultivating curiosity & wonder. Discover how (film)
28th May - Kids On Tech film premier - add to events and ESS news
26th & 27th May - Class 3 Play 'Hadassah, Brave and Beautiful'
1st & 2nd June - Class 7 Play
3rd & 4th June - Class 1 Play "The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces"
8th & 9th June - Class 8 Play: The Prodigious Snob
14th - 16th June - GCSE Art Exhibition (School Hall)
16th - 18th June - Advanced Higher Art Exhibition (School Hall)
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College News is written this half-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.
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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.
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Whitsun Celebration
Classes 1 - 12 held an assembly outside on Monday to mark Whitsun, with many of the pupils across the School wearing something white.
Classes gathered to hear Class 8 pupil, Sally, on the violin playing 'Aria (Adagio)' by Bach, accompanied by pianist Filip.
Upper School pupils Himika, Saul, Euan and Maryam then lit a candle in the centre of the lawn, whilst reciting the Holy Texts from the oldest to the newest stream, in Hindi, Hebrew, Latin and Arabic respectively. Eurythmy teacher, Ms Ciurariu followed, giving a short talk on why Whitsun is celebrated.
Over the last few weeks, Classes have been learning Donna Nobis Pacem, meaning Give Us Peace. The whole school sang this together and then in a round.
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Nimble Fingers Beget Nimble Minds
Students on the Edinburgh Steiner Teacher Training Course attended an intensive craft weekend in May, carving a wooden spoon, weaving a basket from cane, watercolour painting, and firing handmade clay pots in a bonfire. This learning included, ironically, a virtual talk by the UK craft expert, Bernard Graves on The Importance of Crafts, with the title 'Nimble Fingers beget Nimble minds' (which would otherwise have taken place on campus). A Q&A followed.
'In the iPad age, what is the relevance of handwork and practical skills in education and life?' Graves asks. 'Education and learning today has a tendency to be too headistic, abstract and sedentary in our approaches to education and learning. The obvious bombardment and attack on the realm of the senses; and how living and learning in nature can provide a healthy development for the sensory organisation' is explored.
"85% of primary school children can use a keyboard. But only half that number can cut carrots."
(Survey carried out by Crafts Council, given to Education Department, petitioning to bring back learning through making into the National Curriculum).
Graves has kindly opened this lecture up to the public. "I believe its meaning and significance is as relevant today, not just for the handwork teacher, but for all parents and teachers alike. To get children into their hands."
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Class 10 exploring different developmental stages of an embryo through clay.
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Creative doing is key ingredient to mental wellbeing
Incidentally, the School interviewed Julia Whitaker, co author of a new book looking beyond early childhood at the long term benefits of play and creative doing, the same weekend.
“Modern life involves a complex tapestry of roles and responsibilities, and the associated maelstrom of external pressures can be overwhelming. Sjöberg and Porko-Hudd (2019: 49) describe a ‘life entangled and entwined due to expectations and demands from work, family and friends as well as from social media’. Evidence suggests that playful participation in creative arts and crafts can act as a counterbalance to the busyness of day-to-day life, helping ‘to untangle [the] demanding situations’ (ibid.) which can precipitate mental or physical health problems.” (Chapter 7, p.127).
Play for health across the lifespan, which includes contributions by several alumni, a pupil and teacher (published by Routledge) is out now. Order (with a 30% discount) here.
Now We Are Six
You'll be able to view Julia's interview later this year as part of the Now We Are Six film being made by Director Saskia Anley-Mccallum, a filmmaker specialising in education.
Saskia is making a documentary about the importance of positive relationships and free play in education in the Early Years and beyond. Whilst this is very much in line with the Curriculum for Excellence, say teachers, the barriers to its application make it virtually impossible to carry out in many mainstream primary schools across Scotland.
Gagged and unable to publicly share their concerns from the chalkface, this film seeks to identify and address the crisis in early childhood education, which will also include contributions from Upstart Scotland founder Sue Palmer and Steiner Waldorf educators.
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Film Premier Invitation To #KidsOnTech
We struggle as parents to cope with kids’ increased use of technology before, during, and after COVID. While some benefits of tech are undeniable, we are not always sure this is what we signed up for. Turning the clock back is a not an option.
What is the influence of intense technology usage on the brain development of young children? How are our children doing with tech?
#KidsOnTech is a documentary film that takes parents and educators on an experiential journey around the world, asking these questions to discover what matters the most in our children's lives.
The film features our fellow Steiner Waldorf school based in Silicon Valley. They invite you to a community viewing online which will be followed by an open discussion and question and answer period with the filmmakers and WSP faculty member Alison Davis.
Friday, May 28th at 8 pm: Click to register for the film premiere and Q&A with Filmmakers on Zoom.
If you cannot join us, you can still watch the film for free from May 20th - 30th, by registering on the film’s website: KidsOnTech.film
Pierre LAURENT, Executive Producer of the film, is the School's Board President of Directors.
Pierre has been in business and high tech most of his life, before he joined the school. He worked for well-known high tech companies in marketing and business capacities, has advised smaller organizations and startups, and run a startup company. He joined their Board of Trustees in 2005, four years after he and his wife enrolled their children. His wife is a long serving Waldorf teacher and two of their children have already graduated from the school. Pierre other interests include the outdoors and the intersection of Technology, Society and Children.
"About three quarters of the parents work in technology in some way”, he noted in a BBC interview. Asked about the role of computers in schools, he replies: “Human capacities are not developed in front of a screen. You need to be engaged with making things and doing things yourself”.
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Budding Actor Selected For National Youth Theatre
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Class 12 pupil, Tom Rose, has earned a place at the National Youth Theatre.
Working tirelessly to fit auditions in around his final year of school and Drama School auditions, he will now go for three weeks training in August in Northampton to become a senior member.
Pictured above performing St. Martin in the Martinmas Story during the Lantern Walk Festival in November, Tom played two characters in the last of the Oberufer Trilogy this year, traditionally performed in Steiner schools in January by final year pupils. He has also been in a few short films and independent theatre performances, and was part of the Lyceum Youth Theatre for 4 years.
Fellow Steiner-educated Outlander actor and producer, Sam Heughan, got his first foray into acting on the school stage playing the infamous character Bill Sykes in 1993. However, it was playing the main character in Moliere’s The Prodigious Snob that Sam identifies being the experience that led him to follow a career path into acting and the moment he thought to himself, that he truly enjoyed what he was doing. This year, Class 8 have chosen this as their pedagogical play.
Whilst whispers of Sam becoming the next James Bond continue to get media column inches, Tom too hopes to make a career out of his passion for acting. "I doubt Tom would have taken this path if he hadn’t joined the Steiner school in Class 5" says mum Gail. "Mr Shinton took a chance on him and made him Huckleberry Finn in the play they did the following year, and that’s where it all began."
Reflecting on the experience of creating a radio play version of The Three Kings Play whilst in lockdown,Tom said:
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"You don’t appreciate how hard it is recording things at home and I’m suddenly very impressed with all the people who have carried on during lockdown because carrying on recording was their only option and so they made it work. The rehearsing went quite normally but then I found out how we had to record the play.
“It was difficult juggling my laptop, phone and script while underneath a duvet for soundproofing!”
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Recording this school radio play proved good practice for what was to come, as Tom went on to do one for Theatre Paradok (Edinburgh University) and for the postponed Princes Street Easter Play.
Tom has also successfully auditioned for a 6-month Foundation Acting Course with Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance which he’ll start in September. Before then, he and his fellow Class 12 peers will perform Alice in Wonderland as their last farewell to their school days. Well done Tom!
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Waldorf Wednesdays: Individual School Tours Offered To Families with a new Class 1-aged child
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ESS is decisively different to other pedagogical views. Whilst our school community of over 170 families is diverse in many ways, this holistic education is what we share. We are the only school in Edinburgh that does not start formal learning until children are approaching 7. Even then we keep the lessons playful, integrating art, music, craft and physical activity. We witness through our children this approach not only keeps them engaged and loving their learning but helps protect their mental health and allows them to grow in a balanced and healthy way.
Understanding that later media maturity is rooted in early abstinence, classrooms in the younger years are screen-free. Our community helps encourage this environment beyond the school gates and on play dates.
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Temporarily taking the reins to an adaptable curriculum during the pandemic reminded us how human development is the central benchmark of Waldorf education, where the whole child is taught so that they are not only intellectually engaged, but emotionally and aesthetically invested in their learning through each lesson being revealed in a three-fold manner: through the intellectual capacities (thinking), artistic and emotional capacities (feeling), and practical skill-building capacities (willing).
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The controversial Scottish National Standardised Assessments (SNSA) in literacy and numeracy, completed online by school children in P1, P4, P7 and S3 are consciously not part of a Steiner Waldorf curriculum. In contrast to Edinburgh’s other independent schools, our admissions procedure means we welcome pupils of all academic abilities and value them for what they bring to the school.
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Cultivating curiosity and wonder. Discover how is the new film giving an insight into the 3-year Professional Diploma in Steiner Waldorf Education many teachers undertake in addition to their undergraduate degree to become a teacher at Edinburgh Steiner School or one of our sister school's in 90 countries around the world.
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New Class 1's Teacher Molly Gibb, a graduate of the Course, will ideally stay with this cohort of children from early childhood to adolescence - spanning a period of eight years where Molly is invested in getting to know each child and build the relationship.
This haven of stability and continuity is balanced with specialist teachers
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such as in Music and Modern Languages (taught from the age of six), who increase as children move up the School.
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Waldorf word of mouth
Many families who come towards our school as prospective parents have been encouraged by people they know. It would be wonderful if you would share the news of these events with friends who may like to join the families of our new Class 1 in August.
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Perhaps of interest:
Pick up a May issue of Canalside Magazine or The South Edinburgh Directory to read the interesting article:
'Raising School starting age to 7 could affect how well, and even how long, we live'
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Virtual Eyes & Ears Box Open
The Wellbeing Team brings together Pupil Support, Social Inclusion, Safeguarding and Child Protection through the Coordinators of these groups. Each has a duty towards pupil wellbeing but work together so that as much as possible of the pupil’s situation is understood and they are supported to the best of our collective ability.
Eyes and Ears Boxes: These padlocked postboxes can be used by any child or adult, and can raise any concern. They can be signed or anonymous. Situated at the entrance to the Music Room (Edinholme) and above the Lost Property (Woodlands), they are emptied once a week on Thursdays. Please put Child Protection concerns in sealed envelope.
A virtual box is currently active whilst parents are still unable to come onto campus. All relevant contact email addresses can be found on the School website under Pupil Wellbeing.
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Classes To Perform Plays To Parents In Person
On Wednesday and Thursday this week parents and siblings of Class 3 are being invited for the first time in over a year to come on to campus to watch their play 'Hadassah, Brave and Beautiful'.
There will be social distancing measures required, wearing masks within 2 meters of other households as well the play being performed outside in the school grounds once the school day has finished.
The following week, Class 1 parents will be treated to the children's first ever drama performance, "The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces" on Wednesday at 3.45pm. For some, this will be the first time they will venturing onto campus as a parent of the School. This will be followed by a performance to fellow Classes in the School Hall the next day.
Class 7 and Class 8 families will also be treated to an evening performance of their Class plays.
A theatrical production is a cornerstone part of Class 8’s timetable, balancing the solo research of the Independent Project, with a socially-inclusive stage performance that brings the Class together. This year's pupils are performing Molliere's The Prodigious Snob.
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Sadly, no one besides parents and pupils will be able to attend this year, traditionally advertised around the School by hand-drawn poster.
This one was especially made for the School's interview with former pupil Sam Heughan. Drawn by former pupil Christina Grohmann, it has now been seen by over 371,000 viewers who have watched the 4-minute clip of his interview with Nick Brett, in celebration of the School's 81st anniversary, released this time last year.
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Summer Camp at Edinburgh Steiner School
Peter Sheen and Yifat Leibner are delighted to be offering a fun-filled, active and engaging 2 weeks of Summer Camp at the beautiful campus and surroundings of the Edinburgh Steiner School.
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Dates:
1st Week: Mon 26th - Fri. 30th July
2nd Week: Mon 2nd - Fri 6th Aug
Times:
8.30 am to 1:00 pm
(optional afternoon session: 1:00 pm to 3:15 pm)
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We look forward to welcoming pupils aged 6 and up and are offering Arts and Crafts, Circus Skills, Gymnastics, Games and more.
The mornings will be structured and prepared in advance, whilst the afternoons will be more flexible with time to play at the Park and outdoors with the groups at times coming together. We have an information letter and booking form ready to be sent to anyone interested.
With Management's agreement, we are going ahead as we did the first year. We are taking care of booking procedure, payment etc
Please contact us with your interest to receive an information letter and booking form. Places are limited.
We look forward with much anticipation to hearing from you and creating a special Camp experience for this Summer.
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Professional Diploma in Steiner Waldorf Education
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Want to learn more about the Steiner Waldorf curriculum and pedagogy? Each of the six Courses are delivered by an international team of trained, experienced Steiner Waldorf teachers and qualified specialists, certificated by The University of Edinburgh at SCQF Level 10, and can be undertaken as continuous professional development.
Successful graduates of the full 3-year Course are awarded a Professional Diploma and can obtain registration as a Steiner Waldorf qualified teacher with the General Teaching Council for Scotland for an individual Steiner Waldorf school in Scotland (Named School Only Registration).
Accepting CDP and Professional Diploma applications now for 11th Sept start.
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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 suite 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
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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.
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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.
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Morningside Flat For Rent
Within easy walking distance from school. Two bedrooms, bright and very spacious first floor apartment with shared garden. Sanded wood floors. £1000 per calendar month. Phone Carol 0131 669 1844 or carolstrang8@gmail.com
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Tel: 0131 337 3410 Ext 3
Email: communications@edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk
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