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School NewsletterTerm 2 Week 4, 2016

IMPORTANT DATESPlease also remember the online calendar on the school website

TERM 2Wed 11 May NO CANTEENMon 16 May 7pm P&F Meeting Thu 19 May 6:30pm Class 4,5,6 & 7 Parent/ Teacher Meetings 7:30pm Secondary Information EveningTue 24 May 5:30p, Class 3 Music 6:30pm Class 4 MusicWed 25 May 5:30pm Class 5 Music 6:30pm Class 6 MusicTue 31 May 5:30pm Class 7 Music 6:30pm Class 8 MusicWed 1 Jun 5:30pm Class 9 MusicFri 17 Jun Last day Term 2Wed 20 Jul Primary and Secondary Parent Teacher Interview evening

Term 2 Week 2, April 2016 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

Greetings all,

This is past week has disappeared so quickly. I have been deeply engaged with our Music Tutors in re - envisioning our Music Program with expert support from Independent Schools Victoria (ISV). These discussions have been long overdue and we look forward to hearing from all stakeholders in the coming months so that we can improve the cultural life of our community. Please support our students as they prepare for their up coming class concerts.

Over the Easter break, Elizabeth and Gregorio Noakes attended the 10th World Teachers’ Conference at the Goetheanum, Dornach Switzerland. These conferences are held every four years. The overarching topic of the conference was “Overcoming resistance: courage for an independent spiritual life”. Greg and Elizabeth have been imparting their insights, reflections and ‘polished gems’. Both are eager to share their experience and very willing to be asked.

Sophia Mundi students have been excelling themselves in the wider community, with notable achievements in Science, Art, Music and Sport. Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) have selected academic and artistic work from across our Middle School to display while students have participated in AMEB Music Exams, Music camps and Melbourne Youth programs Atsu (Cl7) and Nadya (Cl9). Three students were honoured to represent their state in National competitions in Term 1, Lucia (Cl 9-beach volleyball), Jasper (Cl 9-Lacrosse), Macgregor (Cl 10-kayaking – sprint and marathon) and Daniel (Cl 5 –table tennis) . Congratulations to all!

Next newsletter admissions deadline: Wed 18 May

From Calendar of the Soul, by Rudolf Steiner

I feel my own force fructifyingThat lends me to the world with strength;

I feel my ego being re enforcingTurning itself to clarityIn life’s destiny weaving.

Finally, thank you to all staff, students and parents who have contributed to the Governance, Leaders and Management (GLaM) conference these past few days. I’m sure the robust discussions will continue for months and I hope, years to come.

Warm regards,

Fiona

NO CANTEENDear Parents,Please be aware that there will be no canteen next week, Wednesday May 11.

2Term 2 Week 4, May 2016 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

AROUND THE TRAPS

Class 7 Main Lesson: Electricity Looking at generating chemical electricity. Students have created ‘voltaic piles’ in the first batteries discovered in 19th Century by Alexandro Volta. We also created batteries using ripe lemons. It was so successful that, when we measured each using a volt meter, we registered strong voltage (5.48V). Much excitement was generated as the group brought all their batteries together to create a battery chain. It created 12 Volts! Students have been very ‘hands on’ finding out much of the learning by their own efforts

Class 8 Main Lesson: The Physicis of Air and Water This Main Lesson explores pressure and its partner vacuum and their presence/use historically and in modern society

Class 8 English: Having completed their Art of Poetry Main Lesson, The students are now bravely stepping into the world of Shakespeare

Class 9 : Conic Sections Conic Sections are the mathematically described curve which we live by. They exist in nature, the built environment and even in the cosmos. This is always a favourite Main Lesson. Each year it is fascinating to see how and where the children find the mathematical connection exists and wonderful to see knowledge unfold.

Class 11 Main Lesson: Biology Students are studying cells in Biology. They are looking at the structure and function of different parts of animal, plant and bacterial cells.

WELCOME BABY RAVEN!Congratulations to our friend and colleague, Jill Casavecchia and her husband Mat Adams! Welcome to the newest member of the Sophia Mundi Family!! Hello…my name is Raven Gabriel Adams. I was born at the Mercy Hospital for Women in Heidelberg on Friday 15 April at 5.45pm. I arrived earlier than expected and spent some time in Special Care, but I’m at home now and quickly putting on weight and growing strong. I spend my days eating and sleeping under the watchful and curious gaze of our cat Zoe! I’m looking forward to visiting my friends at Sophia Mundi when I’m a little older!

POETRY FROM CLASS 8 ENGLISH

When I became along these ways,Of flowing growing outer being,

On living souls along the glossy watersWith aching bones beneath the wood,Turning corners with new beginnings.

By Claudia O’Dwyer

We went to the perfect placeJust us three

Just corgi, Jaspie and me.And when we got there

Did we dare To throw in the netAnd reel in the fishTo sing and laugh

It was blissJust us three

In the perfect place.By George Hamilton

bzzzz zweet tweet crrrr crrrrssssss rustle rustle bubble bubble

“hello!” “hello!” “George!” “George!”“I’m over here!”

“What are you doing?”“Fishing!”

“Have you caught anything”“Yeah, three fish.”

“Guess what I saw… a snake!”Really?”“Yep.”

By Jasper Harris

Flowing silently the river breathesSinging happily the birds fly

Ageing slowly the landscape livesAnd the blessing was given to me

To see the sight of thisThe winding snaking riverThe endless stone of lime

The growing and shrinking earthBeasts and birds, trees and plants

All that inhabits the worldInhabits these hills

Inhabits this place, the gorgeous GlenelgThe darkness engulfs the beauty

And the shadow dwellers come out to playThe river turns to liquid stone

The stars and the moon shed tearful raysThe silence is slowly broken

The land we saw is sadly goneThe world is turned upside downAnd the only thing we can trust

Is the all forgiving groundBy Dean Thelig

3Term 2 Week 4, May 2016 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

SOPHIA MUNDI STEINER EDUCATION AND IB WORLD SCHOOL T 03 9419 9229 | www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

Secondary Information EveningThursday 19 May, 7:30pm

Enrol Nowfor 2017

• OutstandingresultsforIBstudentsin2015-Aboveworldaveragescores!

• 100%achievedtheIBDiploma

• 50%ofStudentsreceivedanotionalATARof90orabove

SOPHIAMUNDISTEINER SCHOOL

SECONDARY INFORMATION EVENING PROMOTIONWe have our Secondary School information evening coming up on Thursday May 19 at 7:30pm. Please spread the word and let others know about or Senior School and IB Diploma course! We have some flyers available at the school reception for distribution. If any parents could take a bundle for a letter box drop, or to place in local cafes we would be very grateful. We also have the option of placing an advertising board on your front fence if you are willing. Please collect flyers on Tuesday and help us promote our wonderful Senior program and our school!

SOPHIA MUNDI DRESS CODE Last term, we published the full Sophia Mundi Dress Code in the newsletter. It has come to our attention that a reminder is needed regarding acceptable clothing for students when at school. Please use the following as a guide and common sense should be the over-riding rule.

Sophia Mundi Dress Code:

• Relatively plain clothing, free from advertising, promotion and confronting images

• Footwear must be worn at all times

• Hair is to be neat and clean at all times. Hair longer than shoulder length is best tied back and out of the student’s face.

• Shoulders and midriffs should be covered at all times

• Length of shorts and skirts – no shorter than the tip of fingers when arms are outstretched by their side

The following items are not acceptable:

• Thongs or other unsuitable or dangerous shoes

• Singlet tops – Sleeveless tops may be worn indoors, but shoulders must always be covered when outside

• Make up including Nail polish. Seniors Students are permitted to wear discreet makeup.

• Body hugging or revealing clothes, midriff tops, halter neck tops

• Miniskirts and short shorts

• Tattered or torn clothes

• Tracksuit pants

• Black dresses, shirts or t-shirts

• T-shirts with logos or commercial images on them (i.e. cartoon characters)

• Superhero or similar costumes

• Excessive jewellery

Skirt/ Short length longer than tips of fingers

Midriff covered

Sleeves covering shoulders

Sensible neck line

Midriff covered at all times

Sensible neck line

Uncovered shoulders, not permitted outside

4Term 2 Week 4, May 2016 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

Artist Gabrielle Martin (sister of Teresa Martin) has written and illustrated a beautiful children’s book called Poppy’s Flying Adventure. She is doing a crowd-funding campaign with Pozible to raise money to do a print run of 250 books, printed in Australia on eco paper.It is for children a 0-6 year old child. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of this then follow the link pozible.com/poppysflyingadventure There are several options available including post cards and posters. The pozible campaign finishes on Tuesday 17 May.

Dear Sophia Mundi communityWith our imminent move to the USA we are looking for a new home for our loving Lola & Lotta . They are 6 years old and are fully indoor cats. We have decided not to take them as the trip will be very distressing for them.We would love for them to go to a family that we somehow are connected with.If you would willingly welcome them into your home we will gladly appreciate itPlease contact Carmen on 0417 038 898 to discuss!

Hello to our friends in Steiner SchoolsWe are very privileged to welcome Anthroposophical Speech and Drama Teacher, Dawn Langman, to the Seminar, where she will give a special one-off performance titled “A Heart Big Enough to Hold the World”, marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s inspiration. All teachers in schools are invited to join us for this performance, on Saturday 28th May from 4.00-6.00 p.m. in the Movement Room at the Seminar. Please see the attached flyer. We have a fixed limited number of seats; please email me directly to book your seat if you wish to attend! We hope to share this wonderful opportunity to receive Dawn’s gift with yout.lovegrove@steinerseminar.com

COMMUNITY JOGGINGDear SMSS community, every Friday morning at 7:45 am, Ben Darby and Leah Ryan are starting a social jogging group. Students, staff and parents of all fitness levels are very welcome to join us as we explore a variety of tracks found in the local area. If you are looking to explore the area, socialise in a different setting, improve your personal fitness and wellbeing or to simply start your day feeling as fresh as a daisy, we would love for you to come along. First session will begin next Friday on 13 May (meeting in the Courtyard) See you there!

ADULT EURYTHMY CLASSESOnce again Kelly Pappas is offering ½ hr sessions of Eurythmy before pick up on Tuesdays at 2:30pm. It is a time to move together and experience this unique form of movement offered as part of your child’s education. The sessions will be ongoing and you are invited to come whenever you are able to make it. All are warmly welcomed. $5 per session. Classes in Term 2 will be held in the room upstairs opposite the canteen (Maths Room).

PARENTS COLLEGENext week Parents College will be exploring empathy in the context of our parenting. All are welcome to join our discussion. Thursday morning, 9am -10:30 in the Cottage.

SLOW FOOD STALL We have a Slow Food Cake Stall on Saturday 21st May and we would love some assistance manning the stall from 7am (set up) to 1pm (pack down). The stall is held at the Farmers Market at the Convent.We also need some donated baked goods to sell too. Please email or call if you can help out. Many thanks! pfa@sophiamundi.vic.edu.au or Jane on 0427 559 868