PUBLISHED FOR THE GLENAEON SCHOOL COMMUNITY Issue 11 December 2018

The Grand Canyon “Don’t Follow Your Dreams…!” Drawing makes us better humans AEON Issue Eleven December 2018

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elcome to AEON 11, our Summer 2018 03 All that childhood AEON gives a glimpse into the edition. This year marks Glenaeon’s can be rich learning community that is 61st year, and the 99th year of Glenaeon, established as W 04 A World First Australia’s first school for Rudolf Steiner education. There will be celebrations »» 2017 Year 12 End of Year Steiner education. The magazine around the world next year for Waldorf 100 Grand Canyon Trip is a record of school life, featuring and Glenaeon is planning how to mark this 06 2018 Year 12 people and events that are centenary in a number of ways. There will be Graduation Address important in our community. a Youth Conference at Samford Valley Steiner Glenaeon pioneered the vision School in Queensland at which we will be 08 Playgroup of a creative and collaborative represented, plus a number of local offerings 09 Preschool at Glenaeon education in Sydney, and we to celebrate this milestone. celebrate the unique community 10 Primary School that has grown around the school. AEON is a voice and forum for The year has been one of significant 10 Castlecrag campus 12 Drawing makes us better the rich learning that remains the construction on the Middle Cove campus with humans school’s core impulse. Whether the completion of our Café and deck, and the 14 In the Garden – currently involved with the school, construction of a gate and walkway that will Biodynamics: Life in Motion or one of our many alumni families separate pedestrians from vehicles. What a 16 High School and friends, we invite you to enjoy difference these new structures will provide! in the following pages the unique We also began planning for new buildings 16 The Little Mermaid vision of a Glenaeon education. 18 SunSprint and facilities that will realise the vision of our 19 Exchange Program masterplan for Middle Cove, a very exciting 20 Co-Curricular Sports Program process indeed. 22 Welcome to MacFarlane Primary School 23 School Projects 24 Glenaeon Foundation 25 Reunions 26 GlenX 28 School Council 30 The Magic of Marion Mahony Griffin 32 Waldorf 100

GlenX is the body bringing together our diverse community Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School Ltd of present and former students, parents and friends of ABN 94 000 385 768 the school. We look forward to many events celebrating the 5a Glenroy Avenue, Middle Cove Glenaeon community and our 60+ year history. NSW 2068, Australia For all details of alumni events, contacts and general Phone: 9417 3193, Fax: 9417 5346 information, contact us at [email protected], www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au p4 or follow us on facebook, twitter or instagram. 21 Year 12 Glenaeon students and ten staff went facebook.com/GlenaeonRudolfSteinerSchool AEON Editor: Michele Harris on a life-changing trip down twitter.com/glenaeon Editorial Assistant: Anette Babula the Grand Canyon­. instagram.com/glenaeonrudolfsteinerschool Design: Campbell van Venrooy Photo, Nick Covelli. A L L THAT CHILDHOOD CAN BE)

Education has been in the news all year: in fact it never seems to be out of it. 2018 saw the release of a second Gonski review at the national level, and at the state level the NSW government is reviewing the curriculum for the first time in 25 years. But is there is a genuine desire to understand those on the receiving end of these reviews?

hat, in short, is our national on to great achievements with vision of childhood? The the unique foundation of a healthy Wconstant reviewing of childhood. education suggests a lack of understanding of the unchanging 2. Have we a consistent strategy essentials of the child. to deal with healthy child The Gonski review recommended development? A recent article an ‘instilling’ of literacy before the age documents research showing of eight, meaning that the ‘instilling’ the unhealthy levels of inactivity should start as early as possible. among young children in Australia. But where is the mention of all the A key reason for the lack of elements of a healthy childhood such healthy movement in general as play, movement, creativity and is the move to more formal immersion in Nature? learning in preschools and early Anyone aware of the increasing years of primary schools. The body of research around health and author quotes Sandra Hesterman, childhood would be asking some Director of Early Childhood serious questions: Education at Perth’s Murdoch University “Our concern was the is to ‘instil’ literacy by age eight, 1. Have we learned anything about demise of play in favour of more then it is simply demonstrating genuine child development? We schooling, more testing, more that children are seen as mini, still assume that children learn adult-direction of children,” says incompetent adults waiting to like adults, and that you can only Hesterman. “Play-based learning receive the adult secret code that learn if you start early, at five, or is being marginalised and parents is literacy as early as possible before. Finland, and our Steiner are getting caught up in the spin.” so they can become literate school practices, demonstrate The early childhood sector is consumers. But where is the that learning after age seven takes calling for more emphasis on play wonder-filled world that childhood on a different shape to learning and movement. Calls to ‘instil’ can genuinely offer, a world of before age seven. That children literacy by age eight will only open creativity and a source of who start literacy later can catch strengthen the drift away from joy that is a treasure for life? up so powerfully demonstrates play and healthy movement in the that when the time is right, early years. Reviews may come and go, but learning is faster and more at Glenaeon, 2018 has been another efficient. Horses can be taught 3. As a culture, do we have a year of fulfilling our vision of a to dance, seals can be taught to national vision of childhood? healthy, creative and meaningful catch a ball, and children can be Traditional cultures gave children childhood, a powerful foundation for taught to read at age five. But is rich food for their souls: stories, a meaningful life.  it natural, healthy or efficient? If play, poetry, song, movement you start later, when the brain has and beautiful imagery so their Andrew Hill developed in more sophisticated imaginations are enriched. As Head of School and interconnected ways, the a culture, what can we offer learning is quicker, easier and them? If the best a review of more efficient. Our students go our education system can offer

PAGE 3 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018

lenaeon’s Outdoor and 2017 YEAR 12 Environmental Education Gcoordinator, Scottie Williams, led the group of 21 Year 12 students and nine other staff and says it was a life-changing trip for all involved. Scottie’s aim with Glenaeon’s Outdoor Education program is to change each student’s expectation of a ‘school camp’ from something regular to something unforgettable, and in the Grand Canyon, he says he succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. At a time when many of their Year 12 peers were celebrating schoolies week, these students spent 23 days and nights rafting down the Colorado River, camping under the stars, cooking their own meals and remembering what life was like without wi-fi!

A WORLD FIRST YEAR 12 END OF YEAR GRAND CANYON TRIP

The Grand Canyon is 1.6km deep, up to 29 km wide and over 400 km long, but its ‘grandness’ is sometimes difficult to put into words.

Blaise Miller Hill rafted down the Grand Canyon’s Colorado River, along with 20 of her fellow final year students at the end of last year, and said that rafting and hiking through the canyon accentuated human being’s insignificance against the backdrop of thousands of years of erosion and history. “It’s definitely made me appreciate everything in life more now I’m home. I feel like a completely new person. It was the best trip and the best way to finish Year 12.” Blaise Miller Hill

PAGE 4 Scottie previously kayaked down The students rode hundreds of on the journey – adventure books the Colorado River in 2014 after rapids with only a couple of flips and about the Grand Canyon and some winning the Grand Canyon Weighted all became much more proficient of a more general nature. There Lottery, used to assign launch dates rowers. was soon a makeshift library lending for non-commercial self-guided river The days were cold and short, system in place with books about trips since 2006. He’d applied eight with the sun rising at around 6:30am the canyon on swiftest rotation. years before winning the lottery for and setting at 5:30pm. It took the As well as ‘onesie night’ where himself and a group of friends, and group about one and a half hours to students and staff donned the was cautious about Glenaeon’s pack up camp each morning, and at onesies they’d packed, there was chances when he entered the school the end of the day on the river, the a formal night and a fancy dress in early 2016. But after losing out students were divided into groups Mexican-themed night (again, in the first round, Glenaeon won and sent out to fossick for firewood everyone had packed accordingly). two separate launch dates in the or cook the evening meal. The Grand Canyon National Park supplementary lottery. It was the first During the rest days, students insists all rubbish, including ashes time a school group anywhere in the painted watercolours, sketched, from fires and human waste be world had won the lottery. carved and whittled wood found carried out of the park, and Scottie in their camp areas, or became said they only found two pieces of ess than one week after their macramé enthusiasts after catching rubbish over the entire trip. graduation assembly and formal, the bug from KG, one of the staff Many of the students downloaded Lthe students and their support members who’d taught Outdoor their HSC results in the Flagstaff, staff, all volunteers, flew in to the US Education at Glenaeon during their Arizona Walmart store, where they and travelled to Arizona. time at the school. returned the dry suits they had worn Once underway, Scottie said the Bartering goods soon became for the previous three weeks. students took about ten days to fully the norm, with spoons and macramé Scottie has since received many unwind from the pressures of their beanies the most popular items. Two letters from students on the trip HSC year and find their own rhythm. large bags of books had been taken who have expressed their gratitude To make sure they were coping, each for taking them on such a unique student had to check in every three adventure. days with one of the staff members. Only seven rest days were Student Mirran Wicker said, “It really scheduled throughout the trip but was a perfect way to end the school journey, Blaise said the river itself was with great memories I will have forever.” often quite still, allowing them to play music, read, relax and talk to each other. Fellow student, Carla da Roza, laughed when asked if she was upset to have missed Schoolies week due to her time spent on the Colorado River in America. “That trip was the best thing I have ever done in my life… it helped me grow as a person and I’m now able to be more myself”, she says. “I learnt teamwork, to rely on myself, to push myself, and grew both physically and emotionally.” 

PAGE 5 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018 2018 YEAR 12 GRADUATION ADDRESS Andrew Hill Head of School

“DON’T FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS...!!”

Dear Year 12, at graduation ceremonies around the country at this time of year, very wise people will be telling graduating students like you to go out and follow your dreams, that you can live your dreams, that you can achieve anything you want to achieve if you put your mind to it. Well, I’m going to surprise you and say that my advice is: don’t follow your dreams, don’t try to live your dreams, don’t try to achieve what you think you want to achieve. Now there’s a reason for this very contrarian advice and if you can bear with me for a moment I‘ll tell you why.

here’s a couple of books out Dataism, an all-knowing, omnipresent could think quickly, and well. He was recently that have been very data-processing system. the one who came up with the idea Tpopular, a history of humanity He fears that individuals of the Trojan Horse, which won the called Sapiens, and Homo Deus, will become just a collection of war for the Greeks. The Trojans lived by an Israeli academic called “biochemical subsystems” monitored still in the old mythic consciousness: Yuval Harari. They trace the huge by global networks, which will inform they thought in pictures, in awe story from our supposed human us second by second how we feel, of their old gods, and thought the beginnings, to now, and into the and do the thinking for us, which wooden horse left outside their future. And what does he say about we will assume is our own thinking, city walls by the departing Greeks the future? but it’s not. It will be the algorithm. was a gift from them. Of course What does he say will be our In other words, how will we know the Trojans brought the horse into biggest challenge in the future? Well whether what we think, is really our the city, and celebrated long into for a start, it’s not climate change, own thoughts? the night. When all were asleep, not Brexit, not Trump. He actually suggests we might be Odysseus and his men, hidden What could be bigger than those facing the end of the long history of inside the horse, came out to open big world issues? Well there is independent human thought. And it the gates to the returning Greek something he says, and it’s very has been a long history going back to army who then took the sleeping quiet and hidden, but becoming very ancient Greece. city. It was all Odysseus’s idea. real. It’s called Big Data. We know Last week we had Class 5 He is the first recorded example that so much of our lives are now performing a play in the amphitheatre. in legend, as history then was, tracked, we know that social media You would have walked past on your who thought for himself. He is the works out what we like, and feeds way to an exam and thought it’s just archetype of the first independent us more of the same, so we end little kids performing a play. But it thinker we have. The whole of up with our minds being shaped by concerned something profoundly ancient Greek civilisation, as it outside forces. Many people other connected to what I’m talking about. emerged into history, laid the than Harari have questioned whether They were performing a play about basis for independent thinking democracy can even continue under the ancient Greek hero Odysseus, through philosophy, mathematics, this onslaught of social media. and his journey home after the the beginning of science. Three But it’s even more pervasive. The Trojan war. thousand years later, the world evidence now is that what is called You remember the Trojan War, a thinks like the Greeks, or tries Big Data is shaping the very way we turning point in the history of the to, and as a result we have the think. He suggests we are heading human mind: it marks the beginning benefits of western civilisation like towards a time when algorithms will of the new epoch of independent, democracy, human rights and the think for us. He worries about the intelligent thought. rule of law. emerging universal faith in the power He was known as Odysseus of We hope that we think for of algorithms, which he even calls the ‘nimble wits’, in other words, he ourselves. But what have we

PAGE 6 created? According to Harari, we the past that’s good to follow. It’s and as a tangible symbol of that little might be watching a whole era that one simple rule and we hope you piece, today we are presenting you started with Odysseus, that long have seen it in action here at the with a little piece of wood from a tree arc of history, come to an end. school during your time here. That native to this campus, shaped in the What can we do? Well to start is, to treat other people the way you Glenaeon pentagon, and oiled and with, we need to be aware there is would like to be treated yourself. No polished by your teachers. There’s a even a problem. We need to examine algorithm will help you do that. key ring on it as an excuse to carry it ourselves and our own thinking and To be able to see the world as with you every day, as a little piece of feeling. someone else sees it, to treat your Glenaeon in your pocket. neighbor as yourself, requires a very But we hope there will be hich brings us back to where special quality. It requires imagination, something inside you as well that I started, to my advice the power of imagination that enables lives on. When there are dark times, Wabout not following your you to feel what someone else feels. and there will be, we all have them, dreams. My advice really is, to ask And if we as a school have helped we hope that some of our verses yourself first, whose dreams are you develop that imagination, then return to you and give you comfort. they? Are they really mine? Or are we have achieved one of our great they Google’s dreams? Are they goals as educators. All the drawing, May Wisdom shine through me, Facebook’s dreams? Are they and the painting, and the stories, and May Love grow within me, Instagram’s dreams? Is it really what the plays, and most of everything May strength permeate me, you want, or is it something that you else, were about helping you develop That in me may arise, have been manipulated to want? that power of imagination, so you can A helper of humanity, In one sense you are going out treat your neighbour as yourself. A server of holy things, into a world profoundly different Year 12, as you walk out the door Selfless and true. from before. So we hope we have today you will no longer be Glenaeon prepared you with some tools for the students, you will be ex-Glenaeon Dear Year 12, as the Irish journey. There is one thing we hope students, formally and affectionately say, May the road rise up before you have learned at Glenaeon, and known as GlenX. you. Our little verses from Rudolf that is to think, genuinely, for yourself. As GlenX we want to stay in touch Steiner are a tool for the journey, That long history of human thought with you. You, and your parents, a roadmap and a guide, a comfort is what you have just journeyed are still part of our community. Our and an inspiration. May they help through in the Main Lessons. Our Foundation will keep in touch with you in knowing your true dreams, Main Lesson curriculum traces the you about what’s happening, and we and then, contrary to what I said history of the human mind from hope you will stay connected to our at the start, if you know they are ancient times, right up to today. Alumni network. truly yours, yes, may you follow, But if the future does get too We hope you carry a little piece and find them! Good luck, and complex, there is something from of Glenaeon in your hearts always, go well. 

PAGE 7 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018

PLAYGROUP

Into my will let there pour strength Into my feeling let there flow warmth Into my thinking let there shine light So that I may nurture these children With enlightened purpose Caring with heart’s love And bringing wisdom into all things

Rudolf Steiner

Glenaeon offers four playgroups which nourish the body and soul of the young child through activities and interactions that capture the imagination. All four playgroups meet once a week from Monday to Thursday and are currently led by two experienced Early Childhood teachers, Ebba Bodame and Sandra Frain.

n her new book ‘Early Childhood Sandra has a rich history in early Outside in the garden the families Wisdom – A journey through the childhood and biodynamic gardening share a hearty meal, while the Iplaygroup year’, Ebba explains and is one of Glenaeon’s gardening parents find a window of opportunity that the Steiner playgroup offers teachers. She focuses on creating to talk about parenting issues as ‘connection and meaning, supporting a steady, safe, non-judgmental, the children start to explore the both the child starting out on a social nurturing environment for her parents external environment and connect life and the new parent creating a and children. with the herbs in the garden. Sandra family life’. Ebba’s twenty years of Sandra’s playgroup rhythm encourages the parents to develop experience in Rudolf Steiner early follows the archetypical form of their own intuition in parenting and to childhood education are distilled in Ebba’s groups with each activity share stories and advice as they listen this ‘treasury of insights’ launched punctuated by songs and ritual. and learn from one another. at Glenaeon Castlecrag campus on Through repetition, which includes The day ends with a closing circle, Saturday 15th September. The hall the introduction of manners, the games, goodbye songs, the bread was filled with ex-playgroup parents children are elevated to a higher form being distributed and the application and students, playgroup leaders from of human interaction – this is what we of the peat moss sphagni indicated far and wide and so many people mean by ‘bringing our children up’. by Rudolf Steiner, to offer a protective whose hearts and minds have been In baking, the families grow mantle of care for the senses of the touched by Ebba’s wisdom and who to understand the qualities of the young child.  have become better teachers, parents different grains which they bake and people as a result. as sourdough bread from Sandra’s Ebba wanted to record her ancient recipe. The bread is always experience and knowledge in print baked with herbs from the garden – as she begins her journey out of Sandra’s apothecary right there on the active role of playgroup leader the table for everyone to partake! into more of a mentor role for many In craft activities throughout the playgroup and early childhood leaders year the parents have wet felted who will follow in her footsteps. slippers, made garlands and woven biography rugs for the playgroup room. Families bring old clothes from Playgroups will continue in 2019 on Mondays at our home which they rip up (an activity Willoughby Preschool, and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays the children thoroughly enjoy) and and Thursdays at our Castlecrag campus. Bookings can be made via the office at Castlecrag weave together to create a colorful [email protected] or during January tapestry of their lives to make the with Sandra Frain [email protected] playgroup space feel even cosier.

PAGE 8 PRESCHOOL

Gentle Transitions, Sustainability and Imaginative Stories are key themes at Glenaeon Preschool

Transitions to Stories, Stories, Stories Gardening Programs for Centre-based Care Prop or puppet stories are a the Preschool Age Children entle, supported transitions daily event here at preschool. How It is also important for the from home to our centre are lucky the children are to see such children to experience a sustainable Ga very important part of our magical moments of the richness way of life, growing food, watering, ethos. Parents of children who have of our cultures, which introduce harvesting and cooking each day. not been in out-of-home care stay in them to the wisdom of the world in Sandra Frain, our Biodynamic the morning for the first two weeks living pictures. Nature stories, folk gardener comes each week and of the year and can use our parents’ and fairy tales and healing stories gardens with the children in our room to work if they want to remain are enacted and the children’s eyes raised vegetable beds and our herb on the premises as the children settle reveal their immersion in a world of and flower gardens. They watch our into a longer day. We now have a imagination. native bees leave to pollinate the playgroup that allows the two year local native bush and they eat white olds to settle in to the premises and mulberries from our tree. playground and get to know a future Parents have benefited from home away from home. We call four talks about organic/biodynamic it our Welcome Home Playgroup. gardening and foods and Sandra has It is so nice to see the very young held two composting workshops at children and parents/carers with us the preschool.  on Monday mornings.

PAGE 9 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018 PRIMARY SCHOOL

CASTLECRAG

The Castlecrag campus is sometimes referred to as the ‘Little School’. From a certain perspective it is true that we have quite a small campus relative to the ‘Big School’. It is also true that we are a part of the school that works hard to really honour and nurture the world of the young child. However, in view of all that happens at Castlecrag each week, one could truthfully say that Castlecrag is in many ways a very big and busy place!

n addition to the one hundred or Kindergarten children this year. They at Glenaeon. In our outside garden more children who attend the have been assisted by Sara Tan who, this year we have been delighted to IKindergartens and Classes 1 and after commencing her studies in have a new water feature. The old 2 each day, we have many parents the Steiner Early Childhood course flowform was transformed during and children who visit our playgroups has welcomed the opportunity the Christmas holidays into the Kindy each week and we have a very well to gain experience working in the Creek. David Blacklock, a gardening used Afterschool Care and Holiday kindergarten. We are grateful to have teacher from Willunga Steiner School Care Program. We also have many Sara’s support. in South Australia happened to turn parent education and adult education It is always wonderful to see the up at the Castlecrag campus in the events related to Steiner education children in Kindergarten engaging so Christmas holidays to visit his old Junko Nicholas that are held at our campus, not only happily in their work and play, both school. Believe it or not, he had been during the week but on weekends inside and outside. The children’s a pupil at Castlecrag Infants’ School and in the holidays. engagement in their play and their in the days before it had become part In the Kindergarten this year total absorption in the environment of Glenaeon! David is a man of great we continued to run our part-time are a rich and formative part of their vision and artistry, not to mention three-day-a-week Little Kindergarten bigger journey into their education a man with a mighty will. Many program for children turning five as hours and many volunteers later the well as our full-time Big Kindergarten Kindy Creek emerged and it has program for the older children. become a much loved feature of At the start of this year we the Kindergarten garden. Thank you welcomed Junko Nicholas as David for this wonderful addition to teacher in our Little Kindergarten our garden. It has brought so much program. Spring brought us the to the daily work and play of the exciting news that Junko was Kindergarten children. expecting her first child and although The children also enjoy the many we will miss her kind and gentle gifts of our well-tended and much presence, we wish her well on her loved garden. This year we have journey into motherhood. Junko harvested kale, pumpkins, tomatoes, has been ably supported this year amaranth, snow peas and cherry by Elizabeth Cooper who has guavas. Recently we have been many years’ experience assisting in harvesting a very prolific crop of the Kindergarten. mulberries from our mulberry trees Sarah David and Catherine Pilko and we look forward to eating the have continued to work with the Big delicious bush tucker provided by

PAGE 10 the exotic mauve berries of the At the end of this year sadly In looking ahead to the New Year Dianella. This year we felt very we will be farewelling Class 2 who I would like to acknowledge Mary fortunate to have Sandra Frain, with under the wise and skilful guidance Heard our receptionist at Castlecrag. her vast knowledge of Biodynamic of their teacher Katherine Arconati Mary ‘receives’ all the people who gardening and composting, helping will be moving from Castlecrag to come newly into our campus and in the Kindy garden. Middle Cove. Katherine and her take their first tentative steps into our As we prepared for the fair this class are all excited to be looking education. She also guides, hears, year the children, along with the ahead to the new adventures heals, advises, aids and nurtures help of Sandra and a number of and challenges that the Class 3 parents, teachers and children parents and teachers, have been curriculum along with their new alike, soothing the collective ruffles, busy distributing rich sweet compost environment, will bring. Although concerns, knocks and inevitable around our gardens so that our Lucy Drummond who has assisted bumps of our daily lives as well as mighty compost pit was ready to Katherine for part of this year will answering the numerous questions receive and recycle all the food waste be following the previous Class we bring each day that urgently from the fair. Sandra has helped us 2 Assistant, Katherine Meyer to require an answer right now! This all at Castlecrag to become more northern NSW for the next chapter year we have also been fortunate conscious of our daily responsibility of her life, Lesley Carlton with to get to know Angela Bacot who to live a more sustainable life. her many years of experience in has relieved Mary whilst she took a As we move towards the end of Steiner Education will move to well-earned break. We look forward the school year the Class 1 children Middle Cove with Class 2, and with an open heart to all the gifts who have been enthusiastically along with Kathy Thangathurai, and challenges that the new year will guided by their teacher Roger will continue to assist Katherine bring to our rich and full community, Richards look forward to moving Arconati in Class 3. and we warmly welcome all those to Class 2 and becoming the big Next year we will be welcoming children and adults alike who are children of the campus. Roger has many new faces to our campus. beginning and or continuing their brought a wealth of experience and We will welcome Julie Torrisi journey into Steiner Education here creative flair to his role as Class 1 from Melbourne as our new Little at Castlecrag.  teacher this year. His enchanting Kindergarten teacher. We will also stories and beautiful blackboard welcome our new Class 1 teacher, Catherine Pilko drawings have brought joy to us Lucy Armstrong to the campus to Senior Teacher at Castlecrag all. Roger has been greatly aided meet her new class and begin the in his work by the hard work of mighty and inspiring journey that is classroom assistants Emily Watts begun by each new Class 1 teacher and Daniella Cooper. at Castlecrag. We wish her well.

PAGE 11 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018 PRIMARY SCHOOL

DRAWING MAKES US BETTER HUMANS

Drawing is not just for artists! Class Teachers teach children to draw at the same time they teach them to write and read. They illustrate Main lesson books with drawing all the way through to high school. But it’s not about Art. It’s about human understanding. This impressive article resonated with us as a statement of why we use drawing so much in our teaching and learning: it can even make us into better human beings.

Drawing is the best way to learn, even if you’re no Leonardo da Vinci By Anne Quito

“I just can’t draw.” It’s a refrain most adults say when confronted with a blank piece of paper. Something happens in our teenage years that makes most of us shy away from drawing, fretting that our draftsmanship skills aren’t up to par, and leaving it to the “artists” among us.

ut we’ve been thinking about Our anxiety around drawing starts An alternative to Google-based drawing all wrong, says the around puberty, when we begin learning Bdesign historian D.B. Dowd. self-critiquing our abilities to render Digital technology coddles us In his illuminating new book, titled a perfect likeness, Dowd says. “The by giving us shortcuts to “instant ‘Stick Figures: Drawing as a Human self-consciousness associated with knowledge,” but drawing breaks Practice’, Dowd argues that putting ‘good’ drawing, or a naive form of our collective instinct to Google a pencil to paper shouldn’t be about realism, is mostly to blame,” he everything, argues Dowd. He making art at all. explains to Quartz. ”If you take a step cautions against relying too much “We have misfiled the back, and define drawing as symbolic on easy paths to learning: significance of drawing because mark-making, it’s obvious that all When we ask for something we see it as a professional skill human beings draw. Diagrams, maps, from Google Image Search—say instead of a personal capacity,” he doodles, smiley faces: These are “airplane”—we get contemporary writes. “This essential confusion all drawings!” definitions of same, which in that has stunted our understanding of case yields thousands of pictures of drawing and kept it from being Drawing helps us think better commercial airliners. That’s a narrow seen as a tool for learning above At its core, drawing is a problem- result from a general inquiry, and one all else.” solving tool. Scientists are often version of how aggregation keeps us Put another way: Drawing avid doodlers, like the Fields-Medal- from seeing a wider world. Drawing shouldn’t be about performance, winning mathematician Maryam works in exactly the opposite way: but about process. It’s not just for Mirzakhani, for instance. “The close observation of almost any the “artists,” or even the weekend process of drawing something helps particular engages the senses and hobbyists. Think of it as a way of you somehow to stay connected,” heightens experience, making the observing the world and learning, she explained in a 2014 interview. world seem bigger, not smaller. something that can be done “I am a slow thinker, and have to There is a physical dimension to anytime, like taking notes, jotting spend a lot of time before I can clean this, too. Our brains got bigger when down a thought, or sending a text. up my ideas and make progress.” our thumbs moved into an opposable Mistaking drawing for art is Even if you’re not tackling position vis-a-vis our fingers. Our embedded in our institutions, says hyperbolic geometry, drawing is hands, fixed on the ends of our arms, Dowd, a professor of art and useful for our daily affairs from brought us news of the world, and we American culture at the Washington giving directions, taking meeting evolved rapidly to take advantage. Our University in St. Louis. For notes, outlining a presentation, or manual capacities are critical to our centuries, schools have lumped making grocery lists. It fosters close understanding of the world. Isn’t it drawing with painting and confined observation, analytical thinking, weird, and a wicked paradox, that the it in an “aesthetic cage,” he says. patience, even humility. digital has eroded the manual?

PAGE 12 owd, who has been critical of can be a form of citizenship,” he the graphic design industry’s says. “Observation, inquiry, and Dover-reliance on digital steady effort are good for us.” illustration tools like Adobe Illustrator This form of individual sense- or Photoshop, argues that drawing making is a practice that’s ever more isn’t necessarily anti-tech: “I have no vital at a time when we’re inundated beef with technology per se—after with falsehoods and bad faith, says all, pencil and paper is a technology. Dowd: “When we look hard and But drawing offers simplicity and listen carefully, how are we not led directness compared to other back to questions of justice, of what information gathering procedures.” is right?” Perhaps drawing pads should be Drawing makes us better humans standard issue in government offices There’s another fundamental and boardrooms.  reason for using drawing as a learning tool: It can bring out our better qualities as people. “If practiced Drawings in the service of inquiry and from Glenaeon understanding, drawing does enforce Main Lesson books modesty,” says Dowd. “You quickly discover how little you know.” The observation that’s necessary for drawing is also enriching. “Drawing makes us slow down, be patient, pay attention,” he says. “Observation itself is respectful, above all else.” In the closing chapter of Stick Figures, Dowd argues that drawing can even make us better citizens, in the sense that it trains us to wrestle with evidence and challenge assumptions. “It might seem sort of nutty, but I do think that drawing

PAGE 13 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018 PRIMARY SCHOOL

IN THE GARDEN BIODYNAMICS: LIFE) IN MOTION

The education of children and the healing of humanity are inherent in the study and practise of Biodynamic agriculture. This simple yet profound principle underscores the Glenaeon gardening curriculum for all our students, from playgroup and preschool to Year 12.

iodynamic agriculture is a high school students can often be method of organic farming found in the garden as it benefits Boriginally developed by Rudolf their curriculum. They can be found Steiner employing what proponents harvesting ingredients for their describe as “a holistic understanding food technology classes, writing of agricultural processes”. One inspiration for poetry, observing of the first sustainable agriculture insects for biology, learning about movements, it treats soil fertility, sustainable biomes for geography plant growth, and livestock care and of course, maths in nature. Our as ecologically interrelated tasks, high school building sits adjacent emphasising spiritual, cosmological to the biodynamic garden and Year and mystical perspectives. 7 have a number of students who Underpinning the subject at enthusiastically flock to the garden Glenaeon is an attitude of respect the garden. The children are slowly at recess and lunchtime every day, for nature’s workings and cycles, introduced to different aspects of voluntarily caring for the chooks and eschewing the use of synthetic the garden, allowing them plenty of doing other pertinent tasks. They chemicals to either enhance or time to absorb the plants and animals really appreciate being helpful. destroy any aspect of the garden. around them. We also offer Year 7 the 2018 has seen the children at They learn to distinguish opportunity to spend one class a Preschool, Little Kindy, Kindergarten between root, seed, fruit and flower week in the garden. They contribute and Classes 1 and 2 receive weekly vegetables, and as well as observing to the necessary tasks such as gardening direction from a gardening the life cycle of the plants, students moving mulch, building a hugel, teacher. They help sow seeds, create also observe the habits of insects in restoring bushland adjoining the and spread compost and apply the garden. edible garden, making pest control specially prepared paste to trees in Children discover edible weeds, remedies, performing chook care and the playground. This has resulted in explore soil texture and make garden propagating succulents for one of the children being more connected to sculpture out of special knots. their environmental fundraisers. the gardens and its fruits. Older children consolidate their Throughout the school, At the Middle Cove campus, skills in transplanting, seed sowing, phenomenological Goethean the children learned to make and weeding, feeding the soil and observation skills are encouraged distribute various biodynamic preparing the compost heap. The in our students, leading them to fertilisers that create healthy growing curriculum includes the effects of experiment with solutions and conditions for the soil, the plants and weather, sun and moon paths and practically apply these learnings to the surrounding animal life. seasons on the garden. They become the field in which they are working. In At Middle Cove, the early years’ more knowledgeable about seasonal the garden, this means they begin to emphasis of gardening lessons is changes and produce in the garden. notice what the plants, soil, animals on practical activities that connect Although formal gardening and garden are telling them and find the child with the physical world in lessons finish at the end of Year 6, ways to support them.

PAGE 14 Community development and coconuts and paper products from the Fair, with two other Steiner he Garden team is increasingly schools photographing our efforts making more use of the for their own use at their fairs! Tresources that are available At Middle Cove, parents and on the campuses and among the children of Class 3 made manure teacher, staff and parent bodies. concentrate. The mixture was buried We now collect food waste on in a specially prepared pit under the campuses via several successful soil for a 10-week maturing time. It compost bins and heaps. At our was then decanted and distributed school canteen, we collect the for future use to fertilise our vegetable scraps and coffee community’ own gardens. grounds and in turn, supply the In July, our Middle Cove garden canteen with herbs and other hosted two Biodynamic workshops embellishments. for the International Vital Years Working Bees have taken place Early Childhood conference. Thirty at the Preschool, Castlecrag and teachers created a compost pile and Middle Cove campuses, to make our made fertilisers for the garden. They necessary compost for nourishing look forward to taking these skills to the garden beds. This has been their own schools now. a great opportunity for parents, All three campuses host native Pengari Steiner School. They were teachers and children to learn how bees called Tetragonia Carbonarra. inspired by the program for attending to make a compost pile and to learn Flowers known to attract beneficial to European bee keeping, as a about the preparations that are insects including native and European functioning business program for unique to Biodynamics. bees are specifically cultivated on Class 6 within their garden/maths The maintenance team and all three campuses. In conjunction curriculum. grounds keepers regularly bring with the Waldorf 100 years’ bees Parent Jonathan Wicker supports us leaves from all three campuses theme, the preschool has had a song the school weekly by teaching knot- to support the carbon needed for and story written to support and tying skills, most recently tying the the compost making. Thus we encourage teachers, children and beautiful paper bark trees donated are practicing sustainability on our parents to think of the bees locally by artist Bronwen Berman to the campuses by not sending the leaves and in the world. Year 9 received a star pickets that hold up our fence. off to green waste and buying back presentation organised by the garden Bronwen Berman is an Australian compost. team on the topic of bees for their artist of international renown who At this year’s Family Fair, we Biome study. The garden team also has loaned several artistic works to worked toward a more sustainable attended a kitchen garden workshop us, created on the themes of seeds environment by making compost with 20 other garden teachers of and spirals inspired by her learning of onsite on the day with all the food Eastern Australia, hosted by Noosa Biodynamic principles. 

PAGE 15 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018 HIGH SCHOOL YEAR 10 MUSICAL THEATRE

Year 10 performed Disney’s The Little Mermaid over four nights and one matinee at the end of term one this year, and as one teacher remarked after seeing the show, “...this is the kind of thing where Glenaeon really excels – everyone helping, giving ALL the students the possibility of such a unique and memorable opportunity to fully live into such a musical – the musical becomes a heart-warming and artistic celebration of life.”

f you know the Disney movie, you and squids, and all manner of commercial Hollywood product into might be wondering how Year 10 undersea creatures? In The Little a human-scaled, warmhearted and Icould bring off this production of Mermaid, it was the extraordinary uplifting entertainment. It was a case underwater magic and fairy tale on props and their movement around of the community strikes back, a the stage of the Sylvia Brose Hall. the stage that was also jaw dropping. remarkable human achievement. But they did, in spectacular fashion! These props were matched by the Aside from all the separate parts, At Glenaeon, we have come to quality of the mime, movement and the individual performances and the expect the quality of character acting choreography that brought them to collective brilliance, the magic was and singing, both individual and life on the stage. in the wonderful whole, the singing, ensemble, in Year 10 Musicals. But Year 10 and their directors dancing, beautiful and moving whole, how do you create an underwater delivered a totally reimagined Little that left audiences touched and world of fish with fins, crustaceans Mermaid, lifting a mass-produced warmed. 

PAGE 16 PAGE 17 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018 HIGH SCHOOL SUNSPRINT

Almost two decades since our long-time Science teacher Scott Henderson and Design Technology teacher Jocelyn Grant took Glenaeon students through the SunSprint competition, Glenaeon was once again represented in this nationwide challenge. The competition brings together modern, cutting edge scientific problem solving with the holisitic, integrated approach to teaching at Glenaeon, perfectly aligning Steiner’s ideas of creating through free thought and play in age appropriate ways, and 21st century education.

ince the 1980s, UNSW’s adjustments, laws of friction and Faculty of Engineering has reducing drag to increase speed. Sbeen a world leader in research The students also engaged with and development of photovoltaic important team building activities solar systems, driving the energy such as communicating ideas to conversion efficiencies and a group, and project based tasks innovations that are now becoming such as meeting design criteria and – or have become – commercial developing time management skills. standard throughout the world. The The students came to understand SunSprint school competition bring competition day on September 1, what can be accomplished, even in this commitment to pioneering early planning paid off when we a short time, when a team can work research to the next generation met the other school teams on a together with a common goal. of problem solvers. School teams beautiful, bright spring day. »» Taking part in Year 7 were: race solar cars and boats of their Students achieved a range of Flynn Tanner, Jolan Leforestier, own design, pitting their projects results and learnt many valuable Elke Mueller, Alexey Martynenko, against others in a fun and enjoyable lessons about the specific workings Taras Sagan and Alex Smyth. series of races at the UNSW Open of this competition. Glenaeon had a »» In Year 8: Day event. land vehicle that came 4th in the car Oliver Rose, Wesley Arconati, Interest in joining in the fun competition out of a field of some Alexander Jones, Isak Lindsay, was enthusiastically taken up by 70 cars, and a boat came 4th out of Cameron Kremer and Jaydon Low a group of dedicated students in 26 boats. »» In Year 9: Years 7, 8 and 9 under the guidance In addition to the thrill of a good Chloe Madigan, Zachary Cohen and with the support of Science showing of our models, the students and Jed Finch. Faculty head Yura Totsuka, Science involved gained a great deal more. As a result of Glenaeon’s strong and Mathematics teacher Tony They gained a very good insight showing at the state championships, Martinson and Learning Support into fundamental physics such as the school was invited to attend teacher Deborah Lloyd. how electrical circuits work, and the the National competition, one of Although the work commenced way solar to electricity conversion just 4 schools representing NSW, just weeks before the main works, the importance of cell angle in December 2018. 

PAGE 18 EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Glenaeon’s Exchange Program enables Year 10 students to travel to Europe or Japan for a three-month period to experience more deeply the culture and language of the country they’ve been studying since Class 1. Our students often form life-long friendships with their exchange families, and become even more proficient in the language they are using.

My exchange experience

xchange is a wonderful way of meeting new people, Eexperiencing a different culture and learning a language. I first decided to go on exchange because of my older sister. When she was my age, she went to Australia and loved it so much that she returned again after she had finished school. My sister encouraged me to also go on exchange and after her praise of Australia, I was inspired to experience it for myself. My favourite aspects of the country have been meeting new people, making new friends, the Cologne Germany beaches and learning how other schools work. or my student exchange I went together and my favourite memory In Germany I went to a to Cologne in Germany. I had was always being late for the bus/ Rudolf Steiner School Fno idea what it would be like trains and running up to it at the too and it surprised me to be living in Germany for almost last minute! Some places we how different Glenaeon four months and was quite nervous travelled together were: Maastricht is. I actually like to go to school at first but as soon as I arrived, my (Netherlands) Berlin, Stuttgart, because the teachers work host family welcomed me with Düsseldorf and many small towns in differently with the students loving warmth and kindness. My the country. Some class mates from and in my opinion it works exchange student and I were very Glenaeon also were on exchange at better than in my school close and I felt very comfortable the same time so we would all catch in Germany. with her. School was very different up and explore each other’s cities I have learned a lot! In Germany from here at Glenaeon, as the and meet more new friends. I was often impolite to other people timetable was very free and some During the holidays (Germany) at my age because the social days we went home before lunch. my exchange student and I went community forced me to take place Although speaking German was on a two-week camp to Georgia (a in it and that only worked with hard, everybody was very kind and country near Turkey) with a Steiner competition “who is the best...” patient, and willing to help me and Christian community. That was also when I first went to school here I returned the favour by teaching a fantastic trip and I had a lot of fun in Australia, I was so happy that them some English. getting to know the people in the my class accepted me as just me. During my free time I went to community more and the country No one judged me because of my the city with friends and we would we were in. English or my crazy sides and that go shopping, and also do our Though I missed a term and a half is a thing the whole school should homework all together at cafés. On of school, it was completely worth be proud of the understanding and the weekends we would go to the the time as I learnt and experienced friendly community. lake near the school and jump in from many things that school cannot offer. I highly recommend the Glenaeon a small bridge, as it was summer The friends I made in Germany are Rudolf Steiner School because during the time I spent there. lifelong friends and I still contact I know that everyone who will come My exchange student and them and talk to them whenever in the future will be in very good I travelled a bit around Germany we have time.  Aya Nomoto hands  Nico (Nicholas) Buschmann

PAGE 19 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018

CO-CURRICULAR SPORTS PROGRAM Jonas Stoebe PDHPE Teacher

Our small school offers a great and very varied co-curricular program with y name is Eva Petkovich and many activities revolving around physical movement to engage our students I am 13 years old and in Year M7. I have been at Glenaeon to play, exercise and move together after and before school times. since Kindergarten and my Main Lesson teachers are Brendan Students across year levels and gender are creating healthy habits through committed and Elena. exercises and shared experiences that connect them to the school and themselves, I was first introduced to sport helping them to grow into a healthier body and life. in Class 3 when I first came to the Middle Cove campus. It instantly became one of my favourite e were able to offer 12 activities and the school is often a subjects. different activities by hive of activity in the afternoon with I started swimming when I was WTerm 4 ranging from archery frisbees flying, basketballs hitting 6 months old. In Class 4 I started to fencing, and from AFL for the the hoop or young athletes jumping swimming lessons which I am still young to waking up with yoga off natural features for the Monday doing and which I really enjoy. in the morning. Even eurythmy parkour class. In Year 5 I played hockey as made it on to the weekly calendar All research indicates the value an after school activity and I am as one of three community based of a program that fosters social currently playing hockey in PE this co-curricular exercises in which interaction and a shared experience year. My PE teacher is Jonas. He is the community can come together in nature with other like-minded a great teacher as he understands and experience the beauty that lies in people. The additional advantage that each individual student is at a shared physical experience on our is that students of different year different levels of abilities and is unique campus in the bush: fitness levels exercise together and get to very respectful of that. and games on a Tuesday morning, know each other, weaving further In Year 5 my year competed yoga on a Wednesday morning and connections to the shared Glenaeon against Year 5 in Kamaroi in the eurythmy on a Friday morning. experience they all have. Greek Olympics. To my surprise We have 150 students engaged Students may opt to change I won wrestling. Through this ISD Athletics Carnival in this way across the different activities on a terms’ basis or remain competition I met three girls in an activity for a full year. New there who are now my friends at activities (such as AFL for the young) Glenaeon. can be started as long as enough In Year 6 I learnt the basics of interest is there to support a group soccer which I really enjoyed as an and to have a coach come in to lead after school activity. This led me to the activity. play for Northbridge Soccer Club The program has flourished with four of my good friends. We are since 2014 and grown into a healthy currently playing for the club again and integral part of the Glenaeon this year and we won the Grand experience for our students and Finals which was very exciting. community members who chose To summarise I believe Glenaeon to participate. has a good sports curriculum 2019 will be no different and I am with a variety of sports to choose looking forward to the new Year 7 from. Most importantly, I feel it is students and all established students wonderful the way in which I was to pick a sport or activity to engage in eased into age appropriate sports as and improve a skill, learn a new game it gave me the opportunity to learn, or just socialise while being active appreciate and enjoy sport more.  in games.  Eva Petkovich Year 7

PAGE 20 joined Glenaeon in Year 7, coming from a much bigger school where Isport was so competitive it reached a level where it became too stressful and simply unenjoyable. There was no room to grow or begin to enjoy a sport, it was all about already being a row against most likely teams good at something and then training trained through that competitive and then representing the school. and uncomfortable environment. This differs greatly from Glenaeon During sport classes, we are taken as the whole department and the all around Sydney to try out various teachers encourage all people to step different sports and activities, this out of their comfort zone and give includes rock climbing, water everything a go. This is especially sports and ice skating. This not important as sport and exercise is only sparks up interest to those seriously essential when growing that enjoy it to continue it, but it up, and when sport is associated also brings more variety which with a comfortable and healthily then brings excitement. With the competitive environment, it will school’s variety you can discover attract more people and have positive what you are good at and what you Tuesday Morning affects on those people. What I love enjoy easily through the positive Athletics about sport in Glenaeon is there and encouraging atmosphere. is room for everyone, because we really enjoy athletics before school I discovered my love for netball and are surrounded by the teachers at begins on Tuesday mornings then my ability. At Glenaeon sport Glenaeon who allow anyone to try because we do a lot of different is motivating, positive and most I anything and bring positive aspects kinds of sports. Some of these importantly enjoyable.  to even the parts of sport that can be are dodgeball, AFL, relays and my Tanwen Hutton tough and to some unnecessary. favourite, soccer. Sometimes we also Year 7 Thanks to Jonas I have been have a beautiful jog through the bush able to play, try and compete in so and down to Scotts Creek. many different sports. The most I like that Jonas gives us a lot influential change would be my of variety to choose from and he new found love for netball and doesn't structure the sessions very although we only had two teams much. It's a good way to have fun last year, we won two years in in the morning. One Tuesday morning, it was perfect weather and I really liked it when we were all playing tribes, which is dodgeball with four teams. It was so much fun throwing balls at each other! I don't recall if my team won, but there are no losers at Tuesday morning athletics anyway. Once we have finished our sport, we all pack up and then eat a delicious, well deserved breakfast and head to class. Can't wait until next Tuesday!  Zoe Browne Class 6

PAGE 21 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018 WELCOME TO MACFARLANE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Left and below. MacFarlane and Glenaeon students explore Sydney

We welcomed some very special visitors this year, when students and teachers from MacFarlane Primary School in Katherine, Northern Territory visited and spent time in our classrooms. Over the past two years our Year 11 students have visited them and spent time in their classrooms, assisting the students and teachers in their learning, and performing music for their assembly. Now is the chance for students and teachers from MacFarlane to visit us. Generously funded by the GPA and student fundraising, this visit is a gift to Glenaeon which we deeply appreciate.

any schools run Indigenous and nurture these aspects of their Culture programs that aim identity and to be proud of them. Mto give young people a These two facets – the inequity sense of the long, rich history of of the one way visit and the Australia, the practices and beliefs of necessity for all Australians to build Indigenous Australians and a sense relationships that value and share of the challenges that Aboriginal the proud history and identity of people face today. At Glenaeon, Aboriginal people were at the core this happens in Year 11 when our of the drive to have the MacFarlane “This trip has been an amazing students fly to the Northern Territory children and their teachers visit us. opportunity for the four students, and work as teachers’ aides at It has been truly magical to watch who have never been on an MacFarlane Primary school, which the children seamlessly integrate into airplane or ferry before. They have has an indigenous enrolment of 93%. the Class 5 and 6 groups. They are really enjoyed attending classes at The trip is an eye opening experience loving their time here playing in the Glenaeon, and sharing their culture for many of our young people and bush, with handball, basketball and and tribal identities with the students during our visits to MacFarlane, craft being favourites so far. Levina here. They have shared stories I have watched a transformation is sharing her knowledge and the about how they and their families take place in our students as they Culture program with each class at hunt for bush tucker in the Northern experience a lifestyle and culture so the Middle Cove campus and has so Territory, and Glenaeon students different to their own. far visited Classes 4, 5 and 6. We’ve shared their stories of hunting in the There is however a striking travelled on the Manly Ferry, touched supermarket! They love the natural inequity in the experience. It seems the tiles on the Opera House, playground, with its rocks and so deeply unfair that we can visit paddled in the surf and Saturday will trees – they think Glenaeon School MacFarlane and yet know that many bring a trip to Taronga Zoo. It is all is deadly and they don’t want to go of the kids will never venture out of (according to the kids) ‘deadly’ (that’s home! Thank you so much for the the Northern Territory. NT for really good). opportunities you have given our MacFarlane’s ‘Culture Program’ Enormous thanks to the GPA students and ourselves through this is unique among schools in the for your generous financial support, visit, and we really look forward NT. Arnold and Levina who run thank you to Jasper Brown, Year 11 to seeing your Year 11 students at the program are ‘Aunty and Uncle’ and the SRC for your fundraising. MacFarlane Primary next year.”  to many of the MacFarlane kids And a special hearty thanks to Kerry Searle, MacFarlane and hold a very special role in the the five Year 11 parents who have Assistant Principal school – teaching the children about provided delicious dinners for the traditional practices and beliefs. Each group and delivered them to school Aboriginal child at MacFarlane knows each day – your culinary efforts were their tribal group, their skin name and enjoyed each evening and very much their Dreaming (or totem). Arnold appreciated!  and Levina teach the children to value Dani Finch, Director of Students

PAGE 22 SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECTS

Key projects Future projects he deck was completed just »» Solar panels on the new Alice in time for spring, complete Crowther roof Twith new timber furniture »» Upgraded electrical feed from and umbrellas. Suspended in the the street to lower campus, trees it has created a social hub at Other major improvements including repair and replacement lunchtimes and a great place for include: of road pits informal meetings. »» Building identification signage »» New play spaces for the upper A pedestrian safety upgrade across the Middle Cove campus and lower campus areas at on Eastern Valley Way saw the »» New timber seating, sanding of Middle Cove southbound bus stop modified, the floorboards and replacement »» Review of the Masterplan of traffic light sequencing adjusted, of the curtains in the Sylvia the Middle Cove site.  and pedestrian barricades installed. Brose Hall Julie Skuja, Operations Manager A new roof was installed on the »» Turf replacement and irrigation Alice Crowther Building and new system at Castlecrag windows in the Lute Drummond »» New lighting and emergency Building keeping us all drip-free. shutoff buttons in the Design and Significant electrical safety Technology workshops upgrades have been delivered »» Tactile indicators for ability access by replacing two switchboards in across the Middle Cove campus the Lute Drummond Building and »» New benchtops, seating and an Sylvia Brose Hall as well as catenary extraction fan in Science Lab 1 cables linking across portables and the main driveway. The new entry and gateway project at Middle Cove will be completed by the end of 2018 providing improved street appeal and safer access for pedestrians.

PAGE 23 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018 GLENAEON FOUNDATION

The Glenaeon Foundation was established in 2012 to build a culture of philanthropy through developing strong and authentic relationships within the Glenaeon community. We seek funds from the community to enable us to deliver a pre-eminent Rudolf Steiner education to our students.

2018 Foundation Update In 2018 over $160,000 was then he has worked on several raised through our giving programs energy efficiency initiatives and his year has been a year of including an Annual Giving campaign progressing a solar installation at continuing to build community which contributed close to $80,000 Middle Cove. and plan for the future. The T to our Playground upgrade which is Foundation embarked on our five- Ian Davis planned to commence in 2019. year strategic plan which we look Ian has been involved with We are grateful to the community forward to sharing with you soon. We Glenaeon since 1999 with when of parents, friends, past parents and held a number of breakfast briefings his eldest daughter commenced in alumni who contributed so generously and morning teas with current Kindergarten. He was on the School to Glenaeon’s development. parents to get their feedback on the Council for 10 years, with eight school’s Master Plan. The sessions years as the Chair and he joined the proved invaluable in understanding Foundation in 2016. what issues are important to parents Glenaeon Foundation Ian’s aim is to be a strong catalyst and where they would like to see us Board and influencer in connecting the focus our resources. More events broader Glenaeon community – Robin Borrud (Chair) are planned for 2019. especially improving the connection Robin has been an active member alumni and their families and friends of the Glenaeon community for the feel to the Glenaeon of today and to last seven years and has served on each other. the Glenaeon Council since 2011. In Andrew Hill 2017, she was named Chair of the As Head of School Andrew Glenaeon Foundation. As Foundation sits on the Glenaeon Foundation Chair, Robin is committed to Board to maintain a strong link continuing to support the school by between Foundation activities and developing the Foundation, raising school community building, and the profile of the Annual Appeal, and assist in setting the direction of our building the Foundation’s programs. philanthropic efforts. Stephanie Graham Staff: Director of Development Stephanie has had a long Nicole Crabb joined as a part-time association with Glenaeon dating Director of Development in 2013 back to when her three children to work on the Foundation mission. began at Glenaeon in the early 2000s Nicole has over 20 years marketing Stephanie has undertaken a variety experience in the media and telco of roles at the school, and in 2011 industries combined with extensive she was appointed to the Glenaeon experience with Not-for Profits. Each Foundation and in 2016, she joined year since 2013 she has organised the Glenaeon School Council as a Students are now enjoying eating and led our very successful Annual Director. their lunch on the deck (target of the Appeals which have helped to 2016 Annual Giving Project) and the Andrew Rogers contribute to the vibrant growth of Walkway to link the precinct with the Andrew joined the Foundation the school, as well as organising rest of the school, which is nearly in 2018 after realising how much alumni reunions and briefings for complete. In early 2019 we will hold the school, like most other non- parents.  a morning tea to name and officially profit organisations, is dependent open the Café and deck. upon contributions from its In 2017 our focus for Annual stakeholders. When asked at the Giving was on re-vamping the parent interview for his eldest child Sylvia Brose Hall. We are pleased to at Glenaeon what he would like to announce that much work has been do for Glenaeon, Andrew said “help completed including sanding and get solar panels installed”. In 2016 polishing the floors, installing stage Andrew managed the process at quality curtains and electrical work. the Castlecrag campus and since

PAGE 24 ALUMNI REUNIONS

Class of 2008 Class of 1988 n Saturday 2 September we to catch up with her former class. special thanks to Eddie Jardine welcomed back the Class There were eight teachers present who organised the 30-year Oof 2008 for an afternoon of which highlights the bond this class A reunion and made the pilgrimage tales and reminiscing! Thank you to shared with their former teachers from Europe to see everyone. Eddie Glennis Mowday for the memories – thank you Glennis, Jocelyn, Yura, gave us his recollections of the event: and school tour and to Jocelyn Grant Scott, Christian, Linda, Pamela and It was a real delight to have been for making the trip from Adelaide Brigitte for joining us. invited back to Glenaeon for our 30-year reunion. There was a real buzz amongst those of us who could attend, and a few of us came from far away to be there. We were all so excited as we met up on the drive, with ex-students and teachers mingling and hugging as we headed down to the Sylvia Brose Hall. The reception was warm and enthusiastic, with much laughter between old friends, and telling of stories and sharing of memories so long passed. Particularly delightful, was hearing our teachers’ perspectives of our year; our talents and our contributions to the school. It surprised me how much they recalled about us over so many years, and it was humbling to know we were so loved. Class of 1998 Once we had toured the school, t was a very good day and as the at the local ‘vet’ and well known for (much of which we struggled to classic song says, ’98 was a very tending so many small animals from recognise) Glen Mowday (our year Igood year. We had Jonathan Notley the area. 12 guardian) sat us in our old Year 7 who came first in the state in HSC At the photo opportunity in the classroom, and attempted to write Design and Technology and went on amphitheatre there was a special down a few of these memories. to found hip hop band Bliss n Eso, moment. Standing together with Needless to say, the giggling made and Yasmin Funk who came first in their Guardians Pia Bartlet and this near impossible, and for once, the state in HSC Visual Arts. Matthew Wright seemed to recreate our teachers were giggling with us The group covered a wide range. those mornings of long ago, and like naughty children. This joyful From the global stage, we had spontaneously they all recited the expression of our enduring love and Dr Michael Richardson, now Senior high school Morning Verse. In friendship to each other, our school Lecturer in Communication and between there was much hilarity and and our teachers will remain as one of Media at the University of NSW, memory sharing, a reminder of the my fondest memories of the evening. who worked in Canada and the bonds that last and the experiences Thank you Glenaeon for a really UK. And from down the road, Yuki that shape character and build enjoyable reunion, it was really worth Totsuka who is a veterinary surgeon meaningful lives. the journey. 

Upcoming 2019 Reunion dates for the diary 10 Year Reunion 20 Year Reunion 30 Year Reunion Class of 2009: Class of 1999: Class of 1989: 10 Saturday 27 July 20 Saturday 24 August 30 Saturday 14 September

PAGE 25 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018

E ARE ER TH H E Y W NOW?

The more we chat with our graduates, the more we learn about the successful and diverse careers they’ve pursued since leaving Glenaeon. We hope you are inspired by their stories, achievements and reminisces about their years at Glenaeon.

Joe Purves (1995) with the key aim to create highly David Green (1997) immersive and engaging design oe is a digital creative specialist avid Green our Modern History solutions. With the challenges with 18 years of industry and Commerce teacher, left endured and the risks involved, experience and the Founder & at the end of Term 3 this J DMG has without a doubt been D Digital Creative Director of DMG. year. This moment marked the the greatest achievement of my He has worked in the UK, USA, Asia, end of a long and illustrious time professional career. and Australia and clients include at Glenaeon as both student and CommBank, Citibank, Optus, Telstra What impact did Glenaeon have teacher: Davis was here as a student and Virgin. Joe's curious nature urges on your career choice? for 13 years, and 2018 marks 13 him to understand the technology, Glenaeon has a key focus on years that he has been here as a the business goals and the user creativity and the arts. Without this teacher. The symmetry of his arc of needs before he embarks on the education, I would not have built up involvement in the school has been design process. the passion for art and design so a happy circumstance for us all, and Recently awarded as the Winner early and I would not be a Creative David’s charismatic presence in the of the 2017-2018 AIMIA AMY Director today. classroom, and the staffroom, and at Awards for “Digital Person of the the gate, will be sorely missed. Year”, Joe is an industry leader in What is your favourite Glenaeon David’s parents were heavily inspiring creativity and passion. memory? involved in the Glenaeon community It's no secret that humans in the 70’s and 80’s, and he and his What have you been doing benefit from interactions, a sense three brothers, all entirely educated at since school? of community, the arts and music. Glenaeon, were somewhat legendary After I left Glenaeon, I studied These are the things that make life in the early life of the school. The Interactive Digital Media at Sydney interesting and make life worth living. Green boys were, and are, a Institute of Technology between Glenaeon has a key focus on all of formidable bunch. 1998 and 2000. I later studied at the these elements and it is what makes Dr Michael Green went on to win University of London. it hard to have one key memory. the University Medal in Mathematics After working client side as a My favourite key memories are at Sydney University, and currently Digital Designer for Virgin, 3 Mobile running around in the bamboo with works as a Head of Department and Optus, I wanted to try working friends, exploring natural wonders, in Industry and Innovation for the for digital agencies. I really enjoyed creating tangible artworks with my Victorian Government, having the pace and variety of work in hands and making friendships that previous been HOD in the same area agencies. I then took a contract at last forever. for the Commonwealth Government CommBank and it was here that I in Canberra. Cameron Green is realised that I wanted to start my What are your plans for Project Manager for Northern Area own agency. the future? Health Service, and Martin Green has The entrepreneurial seed was Glenaeon has given me an worked in business all his life and is planted when I started working for education for life and I feel positive currently CEO of the family business, Virgin in London and I had the honour and confident about my future ahead. ISM Packaging Pty Ltd. of meeting Sir Richard Branson on I often think back and remember David brought not just a firm three separate occasions. Branson what my teachers and my classmates and steady hand to all his work, but said “if you’ve got nothing, you’ve taught me and how they helped me won the admiration and affection got nothing to lose” and “jump-in”. grow. My goals are to continue to of his students, not to mention his I decided to jump in and become a be an entrepreneur and grow our colleagues. David brings history to CEO overnight. digital agency, continue to be part life through his brilliant and balanced I am the Founder & Digital of creative and innovative digital use of anecdote, well researched Creative Director of DMG and since projects and to continue to grow primary sources and imaginative the birth of DMG in 2014, I have had and mentor my team of passionate renderings even extending to dress the privilege of seeing my agency creative design specialists.  ups. His joie de vivre and frequent evolve from a one-man show to outbursts of hilarity and irreverence a fully-fledged agency of Digital will be much missed in the Creative & Experience specialists staffroom. 

PAGE 26 Dan Schreiber (2002) Manon Gunderson-Briggs Mateus Brandão (2014) an is a writer for radio and (2012) and Zac Meagher (2014) TV, stand-up comedian, TV ne of Glenaeon's alumna lum Mateus Brandão has Dpresenter, producer and recently starred as Australia's just finished his Bachelor podcaster. Schreiber is one of the Overy own Margaret Fulton in Aof Creative Writing at the researchers, or ‘elves’, for the Bondi Theatre Company's production University of Technology, Sydney. television panel game QI. Currently of Margaret Fulton: Queen of the Mateus also has a band, called living in the UK, he co-created Dessert. Manon Gunderson-Briggs Aspyre, with fellow alum Zac the BBC Radio 4 panel show starred as as Margaret Fulton, the Meagher. Zac is in his last year of The Museum of Curiosity with host single mother who became a a Sound Design degree at UTS. John Lloyd and co-producer Richard housewife superstar and changed Now signed to Underfoot Records Turner, and co-hosts the podcast the way Australia ate. Prior to this with an album set to release in No Such Thing As A Fish and its role, in 2017-18, Manon played Cheryl 2018, the two continue to drive television spin-off No Such Thing and understudied Rhonda in Muriel’s Aspyre with enthusiasm and as the News. Wedding The Musical for Sydney commitment. The QI derived fact-based comedy Theatre Company. They are currently producing No Such Thing as a Fish was on a Manon graduated from the music videos for their upcoming live nationwide tour throughout the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) album – looking to bring their unique UK until March 2018 and came to in 2015, where she completed musical aesthetic to life on the Australia in May this year. Dan also a Bachelor of Music, majoring screen, as well as creating a live co-wrote the book version of the in musical theatre. While at set that does justice to the energy podcast The Book of the Year in 2017 AIM, Manon was cast as Sukie and rich atmosphere of their music. with his fellow QI Elves.  Rougement in The Witches of Check out their song by at: www. Eastwick, directed by Tony Cogin. soundcloud.com/aspyre-music/  Charlotte Louise She was also chosen as a soloist Richardson (2003) for both Matthew Lee Robinson’s harlotte studied Environmental New Voices Showcase and John Science at the University Bucchino’s concert in Sydney. Cof Sydney and completed Manon then went on to study at a Masters in Environmental the National Institute of Dramatic Law (Distinction). She worked Art (NIDA), where she completed for The Wilderness Society as a a Diploma of Musical Theatre in Campaigner on the NSW Marine 2016. Manon’s other credits include campaign, which aims to protect Motherhood The Musical, as well as biodiversity in the ocean and original works Dot and the Kangaroo ensure that there is a safe place and Game of the Century. Manon for marine life to exist. Charlotte is is also a talented lyre player and a currently working in Community and member of the esteemed Sydney Sustainability at Metcash, Australia's Lyre Ensemble. When she is not leading wholesale distribution and performing, Manon teaches drama marketing company.  and musical theatre around Sydney, while also coaching private students in singing. 

PAGE 27 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018 GLENAEON SCHOOL COUNCIL

Lee Hill (Chair) Stephanie Graham Robin Borrud Peter Candotti Alasdair Fuller

Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School Ltd is a not for profit company: the directors of that company form the at the school as an Art Therapist. School Council which is the governing body of the school. As in any sound company there is a clear Alasdair started out at a New delineation between management and governance: the directors are not involved in managing the Zealand law firm, and was also an school, but maintain a role in providing an overview of long term strategy, maintaining the school’s investment banker with the NZ financial solvency and protecting the school against risk. Here are our directors, volunteers who devote subsidiary of Macquarie Bank. He many hours to ensuring Glenaeon remains strong and stable. worked as Director of Procurement at Optus for nine years before joining NBN Co as Head of Procurement from early 2010. He Lee Hill (Chair) from course development, to develop the identity of the is now consulting in infrastructure A member of the Glenaeon student support services, and the Foundation, raising the profile of procurement. Alasdair is a Barrister Council since late 2010, Lee is development of tailored training the Annual Appeal, and building the and Solicitor of the High Court of closely associated with the School solutions to international clients. Foundation’s programs. New Zealand. in many ways. His partner Donna She is experienced in project Miller is the current Art & PDHPE management, marketing, customer Peter Candotti Neil Harrison teacher and Year 9 Year Adviser service, product development, Peter recently joined the Neil and his wife Cassandra at Glenaeon. Lee & Donna’s two volunteer management, Glenaeon School Council. He (Cass) are the proud parents of daughters joined the School in recruitment and staff development. has over 25 years of finance Lucille and Sacha (Year 5). Lucille 2005 – Blaise graduated Year 12 in In eleven ten years of service experience, and brings to the began at Glenaeon in preschool 2017 having been with the school to the GPA, Stephanie undertook a Council a breadth and depth of and Sacha in kindergarten. since kindergarten and Jaz is in variety of roles including Co-Chair finance knowledge, developed From a work perspective, Neil Year 11 having commenced at of the GPA Steering Group, both locally and internationally. has worked in Human Resources preschool. Lee became involved in Parent Education Coordinator, Peter is currently the Chief (HR) leadership and management the Glenaeon Parents Association Class Parent Coordinator, Fair Financial Officer at Lawcover consulting roles for the past (then P&F) in 2006, initially as Coordinator, and Chair of Art Insurance, a provider of 23 years, including heading up part of the Spring Fair organising Show Committee. In 2011 she professional indemnity insurance HR for large, complex businesses committee and later became was appointed to the Board of the to the NSW legal profession. Prior (of up to 7,600 people), leading co-Chair of the P&F Committee. Glenaeon Foundation, a role in to joining Lawcover, Peter had a specialist HR functions (including Born and educated in the UK, which she continues to serve. successful career with the QBE Performance & Reward, Talent Lee moved to Australia in 1992. Insurance Group, holding a number Acquisition, Health, Safety & He is an experienced business Robin Borrud of executive management roles Wellbeing, Employee Surveys leader with a background in general Robin Borrud is an experienced with areas of expertise in strategic & HR Reporting) and as a HR management and marketing. Lee’s social entrepreneur, changemaker finance, treasury, reinsurance and management consultant, working has worked in a diverse range of and international philanthropist. capital management in a career across range of industries. sectors including tertiary education, She has been an active member spanning 16 years. He is financially For the past 11 years he’s consumer goods, financial services of the Glenaeon community for and commercially astute with a worked at the Westpac Group, & web technologies. Lee is now the last seven years. Robin’s strong ability to understand and across a range roles including self-employed as a business belief that change begins with lever key drivers of business Head of HR for Westpac Retail advisor, in particular, working people rather than issues informs value. Peter is passionate about & Premium Banking (heading up with some of Australia’s leading her commitment to facilitating developing and leading strong HR for Westpac’s national branch Universities and other commercial partnerships with aligned teams to bring about positive and Premium Financial Services organisations. During the past ten organisations and projects which organisational change. business), HR Director for Group years Lee has served on many work toward socially integrated and Peter has a Bachelor of Services (heading up HR for the Boards including charities (The sustainable goals. Business from Charles Sturt Group’s Operations, Technology, Variety Club – NZ), not-for-profits Robin sits on numerous University and is an Associate and Legal & Compliance and public and private companies. Global non-profit boards, providing of the Chartered Accountants functions), HR Director for Group governance and developmental Australia and New Zealand Technology, Director HR Strategic Stephanie Graham guidance to organisations that (CA ANZ). Services (leading the Group’s (Deputy Chair) serve marginalized, underserved Talent Acquisition, Health Safety Stephanie has had a long and at-risk populations. Robin Alasdair Fuller & Wellbeing, Employee Surveys association with Glenaeon has served on the Glenaeon Alasdair and the Fullers have and HR Reporting functions) and with all three of her children Council since 2011, where she had a long involvement with Head of Performance & Reward for attending the school since has focused on working with the Glenaeon with both children going the Consumer & Business Banking early childhood. Stephanie has marketing team. In 2017, she was through the school, Oliver from businesses. a professional background in named Chair of the Glenaeon Class 3 to Year 12 and Francis Prior to the Westpac Group, training and education in the Foundation. As Foundation Chair, from Kindy to Year 12. Alasdair is he had a variety of roles at finance sector in roles ranging Robin is committed to continuing married to Julia Byrne who works Perpetual, Mercer and Hay Group.

PAGE 28 Neil Harrison Earle MacGregor Georgina Michaelis Helen Wicker Simon Wiltshier

Neil is passionate about years volunteering, working and Helen Wicker a horse transport and mucking- helping organisations achieve parenting as part of the then Helen has been involved with out expert. their vision through shaping their newly established Chrysalis Rudolf Glenaeon since 2004, when Simon’s wife, Christine, was people strategy and practices, Steiner School from 1980–2000 her son Henry joined Class 1. well known at the school for her building strong cultures, growing where her three children were Her daughter Mirran started work with younger children and art. their people, developing a safe educated. From 1996–2000, kindergarten the following year, As a result of his background, and caring work environment and she took up a role as Business and both children completed their one of Simon’s roles within the adapting to and managing change. Manager of the School. HSC with Glenaeon. The family Glenaeon Council is chairing the At the end of 2000, The moved to Middle Cove to be close Building Committee. Earle MacGregor Children’s Garden Steiner School in to the school, and enjoy being part Simon moved from New Earle was the School Treasurer Randwick asked if Georgina would of the local community. Zealand to the UK in 1979 and until 2017 and former Treasurer of assist them to either relocate Helen’s husband Jonathon has from the UK to Australia in 1986. the Glenaeon Parents Association. or close their primary school also been actively involved with He was a Director and Chairman His children, Hannah and Lincoln which had been given notice to Glenaeon, being class parent and of Hughes Trueman, an Australian both enjoyed their high school vacate premises owned by the part of the GPA, and continuing to engineering consultancy, and for years at Glenaeon. His wife Department of Defence. This be involved with Class 5 garden the last eight years has been a Michele liked to be involved with prompted a move back to Sydney. education. Director with Mott MacDonald, a the school and ran the Castlecrag The school sadly closed, but links Helen became Treasurer in global engineering firm. Treasure Chest for a number of to Glenaeon were strengthened, 2017, and enjoyed being part of Away from his working and years. Earle grew up in country where a number of students Glenaeon’s 2018–2022 strategic school life, Simon is Chair of Queensland and has lived in relocated. She was a member planning process. Engineers Australia Heritage Adelaide and London. of the Management Committee Professionally, Helen is a Committee and sits on the Sydney Professionally Earle is an of the Children’s Garden which specialist tax partner advising Water Heritage Committee. experienced General Manager, CFO continued from 2002 until it was on international and domestic He has had a past role on the and Consultant who has worked dissolved in 2005. issues. Her clients operate in NSW Heritage Council technical for several entrepreneurial and Georgina’s youngest son was a wide variety of industries, advisory panel. Australian listed companies, mainly enrolled in Year 7 at Glenaeon from sports and entertainment, For recreation he enjoys requiring significant organisational in 2002. In 2003 she joined the insurance, and motor vehicle kayaking, motorcycling and any change, development and growth. Glenaeon Council, and served dealerships, to oil and gas drilling, opportunity to be outdoors or He has guided three until the end of 2009, participating marketing and distribution, and under water.  companies, Freedom Furniture, in the Renewal process that the primary production. A Chartered Mortgage Choice and BT school went through at that time. Accountant and Chartered Tax Investment Management through In 2002, Georgina was Adviser, Helen joined ShineWing Australian stock exchange listings appointed CEO of Miroma in in 2016 to be part of establishing and directed two large mergers. Vaucluse. Miroma was the third a new business in Sydney, with He has carried out feasibilities for sister of the Rudolf Steiner Curative the firm growing to more than start up concepts, re-financings organisations in Sydney, the other 25 people at present. and turnarounds and implemented two being Inala and Warrah. In new systems, reporting and 2010 Miroma was successfully Simon Wiltshier controls for various businesses and amalgamated with Inala and Simon is a structural engineer government agencies. Georgina took up a new role as and has worked in New Zealand Earle is a Chartered Accountant Executive Officer of Miroma from (where he went to University), having started his career with Price 2010 to 2012. England and Australia. He Waterhouse in audit and business In September 2012 she was specialises in the conservation, advisory services. appointed CEO of Warrah, where repair and adaptive re-use of she remains. Warrah includes historic structures, however has Georgina Michaelis residential and community also worked on schools, transport Georgina was raised in support services for adults with facilities, maritime structures and Sydney and educated at Sydney’s disability, a small Steiner special industrial projects. Conservatorium High School. She school, and a biodynamic farm. His daughter Asha attended undertook a Bachelor of Arts and Warrah is also now a housing Glenaeon from preschool through Dip. Management and Professional provider of Specialist Disability to Year 12, specialising in the Studies through Armidale and Accommodation under the new sciences. Southern Cross Universities. National Disability Insurance Asha was Glenaeon’s With her family, she moved Scheme. Warrah is based in Dural, representative at several Inter- to Bellingen on the NSW North delivering services across Sydney’s Schools horse riding events and Coast in 1980, and spent many north-west. Simon has developed his skills as

PAGE 29 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018

THE MAGIC OF MARION) MAHONY GRIFFIN by Glennis Mowday

Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio, Oak Park, Chicago

Marion Mahony Griffin Hall, Castlecrag The Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School community are aware of the Marion Mahony Griffin Hall on the Castlecrag site, but many may not realise how significant she was as an architect and the impact of her connection to our school. On a recent trip to Chicago, I researched and found many significant sites, architectural drawings and memorabilia relating to the life of Marion Mahony Griffin. There has been a resurgence of interest in Marion, including a whole wall devoted to her in the Chicago Art Institute, a special exhibition in Elmhurst History Museum called ’In Her Own Right’ (2016) and many recent published books and articles.

Marion Mahony was the first woman to sit and pass the difficult architectural exams for the State of Illinois, USA. She was the second woman architect to graduate from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston). Her major thesis was on an architectural studio which was likely incorporated into her design work for Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio adjoining his house in Oak Park, Chicago.

Portfolio’. One house she completed at this time, The Robie House (1909), is now owned by and is located on the Chicago University Campus, where it is currently being restored. Marion’s windows are especially beautiful in the Robie House. Canberra Marion Mahony Prairie Style Architecture Right. Prairie style After marrying Walter, Marion house Marion worked with Frank Lloyd was working with him in Chicago, Below. Unity Temple Wright (FLW) for nearly 16 years, Far Right. Robie House where they found out about the Chicago University during which time he became one of competition for designing Canberra, the best-known proponents of the the new Australian capital city. famous Prairie School of architecture, Marion was instrumental in making with Marion his first employee. the submission happen and her Houses followed the surrounding wonderful artistic work was integral flat landscape, often with flat roofs. Chicago to winning the competition in 1912. Her expertise was in the artistic Marion met Walter Burley Griffin Marion describes in letters back rendition of the plans for houses and (WBG) whilst they were both to Illinois the rough drive up from churches. The most famous temple working with FLW. It was much Melbourne to the rural land that was she drew while working with FLW later when Frank left for Europe that to be our national capital. Marion was Chicago’s Unity Temple. MMG developed a romance with endeavoured to support Walter, and WBG. With FLW in Europe Marion designs were often ascribed to was asked to take over and finish his the firm that did not mention her architectural projects. She declined involvement, meaning her name but the person who accepted the was subsumed by the men with position needed her help to complete whom she worked. Recognition for the houses. So she relented and her work has largely come about completed many outstanding through feminist thought. The work projects. She also sent drawings to in Canberra was long and arduous, FLW to finish the ‘The Wasmuth with the First World War interrupting

PAGE 30 the building process. The government one on Blackwattle Bay at Glebe and in Australia when they were in changed many times with obstructive (near where I live) that is used as a India. It is a wonderful record of their and bungling bureaucracy changing community hall, one at Willoughby, life and collaboration together. Her the plans over the years. It was a now a restaurant, and the Pyrmont writings are kept in the prestigious difficult time for the Griffins who incinerator which has been Chicago Art Institute’s library. I was nevertheless had support from demolished. Glenaeon has some of most privileged to gain access to her sections of the Australian population, the tiles that graced the Pyrmont memoir ‘The Magic of America’ and including architectural students. incinerator. During my trip to America, read her original thoughts. Marion’s I also made a trip to Northwestern University’s Block Museum of Art to see many of Marion’s beautiful architectural designs, a number of which were the Australian incinerators.

Castlecrag India devastation at the loss of Walter is Above. Detail of so touching that I really felt for her. mural at George The Griffins had the idea to buy The Indian Government B. Armstrong Other letters were very practical land on the stunning Sydney north commissioned other works, one of Elementary School and detailed, giving instructions to harbourside area of Castlecrag. which, the Lucknow Library, was a Below. Glennis with their architectural partner in Sydney, Clients were encouraged to buy huge project. The Griffins travelled to Otis L. Dunson from India. For example: “Please stone-worked prairie style houses exotic India but while there, Walter Bottom. Marion ask Mr Nicholls to post by Air Mail designed by the Griffins. The suffered complications due to a fall Mahony Griffin Mr Mitter’s fuel stove catalogue plaque in Graceland developing community studied he had at a site. Marion was with from which I selected Winter’s crematorium Rudolf Steiner’s ideas, with ‘Lute’ him when he died and was in shock cook stove”. (Ruth) Drummond (who had met afterwards as he was so young. She Rudolf Steiner) and Marion becoming was devastated and in my opinion friends and collaborators in bringing never fully recovered from her Marion Mahony Memorial art, music and drama to the purpose loss. They had been an incredible Beach Lake Michigan built Haven Valley Scenic Theatre. architectural team and loving couple. There is a small beach named in Eric and Mary (Molly) Nicholls moved Marion’s honour on Lake Michigan. from Melbourne to Castlecrag with Visit to George B. This was due to recognition from their family, the youngest, Marie Armstrong Elementary Australia and collaboration with the Nicholls. The young Sylvia Brose council near Northwestern University. (later Glenaeon’s founding teacher) School, Chicago I enjoyed visiting the beach, where was enchanted by all of this magic After Walter died, Marion children were playing creatively and performed in the drama at the returned to live in Chicago with her – Marion would have enjoyed Haven. Marion describes in her sister. In 1931-32 while living in the coming here. memoirs Miss Drummond and ‘the neighbourhood, Marion created young girls’ performing in Iphigenia a mural at the nearby George B. Graceland Cemetary in the Haven Theatre. It sounded like Armstrong Elementary School where It was very special travelling exciting times. her sister taught, incorporating north by the famous Chicago Marion Mahony had the idea themes of imagination, creativity, and elevated rail to Graceland of starting a Steiner school, but it love of nature. crematorium, where appropriately, was not until a bequest was left to I had a wonderful experience MMG’s ashes are surrounded by the Anthroposophical Society that visiting this school with my friend beauty. Many famous American Eric Nicholls was able to purchase Debi Toman. It was school holidays architects are buried there. Marion’s a building at Pymble, and land at and a man out the front of the school memorial was added later, as she Middle Cove, to begin a Steiner inquired why we were there and died in poverty and her ashes had School in 1957. The dream was if we were interested in the mural been buried without a marker. “In extended in 1995 when we were and we replied in the affirmative. 1997, through the efforts of a able to establish a Steiner school at He turned out to be the Principal Graceland trustee, John Notz, Castlecrag, fulfilling Marion's wishes and was very personable and Mahony’s remains were moved to in the same area she had begun to extremely proud of his multicultural a burial spot in the cemetery’s new teach children. school. Mr Otis L. Dunson was columbarium. The site is marked During this time the Griffins interested in an ongoing relationship by a plaque designed by John Eifler, and Eric Nicholls continued to with Glenaeon and was also very which incorporates flowers drawn design and build throughout Sydney interested in finding out more about by Mahony in the sketch she did and Melbourne, including many Marion Mahony Griffin and her sister. for FLW for the Hardy house in incinerators around Sydney to help Marion spent a great deal of Racine, Wisconsin”. with the garbage problem. They time typing her memoirs back in Marion was 90 years old when were aesthetically pleasing buildings, Chicago, including letters she wrote she died in 1961.  some of which can still be seen: to Walter and friends in Chicago

PAGE 31 AEON Issue Eleven December 2018

An initiative of the International Forum Postcard Exchange Young authors wanted! for Steiner/Waldorf Education The idea behind the postcard exchange Waldorf 100 is looking for students to was for every Steiner/Waldorf school in take part in a project that is unique in the The first Waldorf school was the world to send just one postcard to world. Students are invited to send an founded by Rudolf Steiner in Stuttgart every other Steiner/Waldorf school in the essay, a philosophical reflection, a poem, in 1919. Waldorf 100 is a celebration world, meaning 1,100 postcards would a song, a rap, a (short) play or some other of this centennial, aiming to further arrive in every school over the year, making piece of writing in which they express their develop Waldorf/Steiner education for the Waldorf network a personal reality thoughts, feelings, hopes and expectations for many. on the subject of “Where is humankind contemporary times, and focus more Glenaeon was sent a package containing – where do you see humankind, what is consciously on its global dimensions. 1,200 blank postcards earlier this year, important in being human, how do you wish Today there are over 1,100 Waldorf already bearing all the different school a human world of tomorrow to look like?” schools and almost 2,000 Waldorf addresses from around the world. The back kindergartens in 80 countries around was empty, so some of our primary pupils Kindergartens are also part the globe, with more being opened all designed and decorated them, adding the of Waldorf 100 the time. With many exciting projects name and address of their school. The In April 2019, a World Early Childhood planned on all continents, Waldorf cards were then sent to the respective Educators Conference will be held at the 100 promotes mutual recognition and schools and in return, we received many Goetheanum, in Switzerland. The theme networking, so keep your ears and eyes hundreds back. You can see them displayed is: “Inner Freedom as Social Responsibility in our Middle Cove reception, where Sarah open and be part of the movement: – Childhood as the Source of a Human has been enthusiastically displaying them 100 years are just the beginning! Future”. The conference is booked out with on the walls and desks. many early childhood educators attending from around the world including Rose Bees and Trees McCarthy from Glenaeon Preschool. Metamorphoses Bees help many of our food crops In addition, a film project is being planned ne of the core projects of Waldorf 100 to multiply, and at the same time show to present Steiner/Waldorf education of the is a series of musical compositions us the state of our souls. “The entire first seven years in a short film. Glenaeon Owritten especially for the Centennial beehive is actually permeated with love has sent three of the Preschool videos to be Celebration from composition classes in life,” observed Rudolf Steiner. But bees considered for inclusion in this film project. leading music schools around the world. are dying all over the world. In order In Australia, Dale Jones from the to step up and do something about it, Waldorf 100 film Samford Valley Steiner School (SVSS) has Waldorf 100 encourages pupils of all The film “Learn to Change the World” composed a Waldorf 100 music score ages to participate intensively in the shows people from around the world who which includes orchestral and choral parts. health of bees, from harvesting honey to work on the big pedagogical tasks of our Schools across the country are learning this pursuing complex research projects. The time based on Waldorf/Steiner pedagogy. piece of music and will be performing it at earth should once again become a place It is the first of more to come which aim to a concert in Samford in September 2019 where bees can thrive. You can read how show concrete approaches to these tasks. at a Youth Conference. Selected students Glenaeon’s bee initiatives are contributing Our own Glenaeon website will feature this from Glenaeon will be travelling to this to this project in the Gardening article film from early 2019.  youth conference to participate. on pages 22-23. www.waldorf-100.org/en

COMING EVENTS Harvest Festival 20 March MidWinter Festival 21 June Music Concert 9 August Spring Festival 25 September Art Show Opening 1 November Family Fair 2 November Carol Service 2 December

2019 TERM DATES: TERM 1: 30 JAN – 10 APR TERM 2: 1 MAY – 3 JULY TERM 3: 24 JUL – 25 SEP TERM 4: 16 OCT – 6 DEC

Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School Ltd CRICOS Provider Number: 02282B www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au