WEEKLY LEAFLET 10
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A whole term has gone by, and yet it feels like yesterday that we were celebrating the matric results and welcoming everyone back for the new year. Since then we have had Primary and High School Open and Discovery Days, Parent Evenings, Parent Forum meetings, Shakespeare at Maynardville, the Kids Lit Quiz, Founders Day outings, the Class 8 Family Camp, Kindergarten Work Parties and a Fairy Tea Garden, the Greek Olympics, Photo Day, Craft Days, the Class 12 Play, our Harvest Festivals this week and the Dads, Dudes and Kids camp this weekend.
At the start of the term I said that what makes us Waldorf cannot be preserved under glass, that it has to live and breathe and meet the moment we are in. This term has shown me what that costs, and what it makes possible.
Much of what holds this school together happens without announcement. A door that sticks is fixed. A window latch that has been broken since last winter is finally made safe. Paint is touched up, a drain is cleared, a fence is checked. Our Maintenance Team and Support Staff work through this list continuously, and the school is kept clean, tended and physically safe because of them.
The same is true of our Admin Team. They are the ones who answer the phone when something has gone wrong, who track the information that keeps four hundred families oriented, who tend to bruises and scrapes, order books and hold the fort. They keep the school’s rhythms steady when everything else is pressing. They do it without fuss and always with a smile.
Our teachers carry the pedagogy forward, day by day, while holding children close to their hearts across a year. They organise class birthdays, camps, the festivals, creative and interactive class activities, while staying connected to the parents and the demands of the world outside.
We are pleased to share an end-of-term update on our isiXhosa position. Thank you for your patience while we waited to confirm our preferred teacher. Mr Mkululi Nompumza has now joined us, and he has stepped into his classes with warmth, dedication, and the knowledge and skill that give us real confidence that isiXhosa will flourish here.
Then there are the people almost no one sees: the College of Teachers, the Board of Trustees and the Parent Committees and Forums who work without recognition to keep the school financially sound, legally accountable and structurally safe. They give hours of their own time, navigating questions that are rarely simple, carrying responsibilities that are real and sometimes heavy. The school floats, in part, because they hold it up.
I say all of this because this term we have also begun something new. We have embarked on a renewal process, a serious attempt to look honestly at what Michael Oak is now, what it is doing well, and where it needs to grow. The first part of this was a community survey, which asked straightforward but important questions: how do you experience the school, what do you love about it, and how do you want to see it flourish? Thank you to all those who participated. We cannot renew something we do not fully understand, and we cannot understand it without the people who live inside it every day. Your answers will shape what comes next.
And now, almost before we have caught our breath, the term is over. This is a community in full motion, and none of it happens without the people who attend, participate, cater, lift things, cheer from the sidelines, mop up, organise, and stay afterwards to clear up. Thank you. We have all, unquestionably, earned a holiday.
Please note the times and dates below for staff availability during the holiday period. Take the rest seriously. We all need it.
Warmly,
Beulah Reeler
Acting School Coordinator
Thursday 26 March
Playgroup and Kindergarten Term ends: 12:30
Primary School Harvest Festival Early closing: 12:30
Friday 27 March
High School Harvest festival.
School ends at 11:30 for Primary & High school.
School (including the Admin office) closes at 12:00.
Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April
Admin office open from 8:30 – 14:00
Monday 30 – Tuesday 31 March
Teachers National Conference – online
Friday 3 April – Monday 6 April
Long weekend – Easter
Tuesday 7 April – Friday 10 April
Admin office open from 8:30 to 14:00.
Monday 13 April
Teaching staff return; General Staff Meeting and Faculty Meetings. Admin offices open from 8:30 to 14:00.
Tuesday 14 April
Term 2 starts for all.
Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for what’s coming up at Michael Oak.
Upcoming Crafting Days
See poster for dates
Dads, Dudes and Kids Camp
27 to 29 March
Big Walk
9 May
By Jeannine Jordan
Many parents often ask, especially when children enter Class 1, “When will my child learn to read?” It’s a natural question, and one I always welcome, because literacy in a Waldorf classroom unfolds in a very special way…. gently, gradually, and in a way that grows out of the child’s own experiences.
Before children are asked to read words on a page, in Waldorf education, we first help them build a deep relationship with language itself. In the early years, children live strongly in the spoken word. They listen to stories, verses, songs, and rich language every day. In Kindergarten, stories are told rather than read aloud, allowing children to meet language through listening and imagination. The rhythms of speech, the beauty of words, and the images carried in stories quietly lay the foundation for literacy. Long before children decode letters, they are absorbing vocabulary, sentence structure, and meaning simply through hearing language spoken well and often.
You may notice that we repeat stories, poems, and songs over many days or even weeks. Children love this repetition, and it serves an important purpose. Through hearing something again and again, the language becomes familiar and secure. They learn verses and songs by heart, carrying them inwardly. This repetition strengthens memory, builds confidence, and prepares the ground for later reading and writing in ways that are quietly powerful.
One of the most exciting moments in Class 1 is when a child discovers a letter and suddenly realises that the sound of that letter is in their own name. The connection between the sound they hear and the symbol they have drawn themselves on the page is a small kind of magic. So far, in our first main lesson, we have gently stepped into this world, first hearing the sound, then finding it in a drawing, and finally discovering the letter itself within that picture.
Our very first letter was T, which came from a story the children heard on the very first day of assembly. It was a story about four little animals born on the African savannah, including a little giraffe who struggled to reach the top leaves of a tree. From that story, we drew the tree together, and the T emerged from that drawing. The joy and excitement that unfolded as the children discovered each new letter, was beautiful to watch as they began to notice patterns, connect sounds to symbols, and then feel the delight of creation in their own writing. Next term, we will begin exploring the vowels, and the children will start putting together short, three-letter words from the letters they know. Step by step, these small discoveries weave together, building the foundation of reading, writing, and the wonder of language.
Reading itself emerges more fully over time. Just as children learn to walk and speak in their own time, reading also unfolds most confidently when the necessary foundations are in place. Our aim is not early reading, but strong, joyful reading comes with understanding, confidence, and a lasting love of books.
What we hope to nurture is not simply the ability to read, but a lifelong relationship with language that begins with listening, grows through storytelling and writing, and eventually blossoms into confident and meaningful reading. Watching this journey unfold in Class 1, seeing the children’s faces light up as they discover letters, sounds, and words, is one of the quiet joys of teaching.
Jeannine Jordan
Class 1 Teacher
The Primary School Harvest Festival began with the children gathering in the small hall, where their crafts were beautifully displayed alongside the fresh and non perishable foods that had been donated. They sang together and listened to a story before moving to the oval and splitting into their classes. The Class 7 students handed out bread and grapes for everyone to share, and the morning continued as a large picnic enjoyed by the whole primary school.
20 – 23 April 2026
Dear Parents, Guardians & Caregivers
Speech and Hearing screening will be done at school by Patsy Gevisser, an experienced Speech Therapist & Audiologist on the above dates. These screenings are mandatory for children progressing from Kindergarten to Class 1 in 2027 as well as for children currently in Classes 2 and 8, unless they are currently attending speech therapy or have been tested privately. Should you opt not to have your child/ren screened, please provide us with a written explanation.
We strongly encourage learners from other grades, where there are concerns, including those facing behavioral or academic difficulties, to participate in the screening. Young children can be quite prone to ear infections, often having a middle ear infection without even realizing it. You might notice some signs like difficulty in your child following directions, behavioral changes, or having trouble distinguishing different sounds. It’s crucial to detect any speech or hearing issues early, so that the right support and interventions can be put in place.
While screening is mandatory for the classes listed below, we do require your consent to proceed with the assessments for your child(ren).
Click the consent link below that corresponds with your child’s class
– KG Biggies: https://forms.gle/
– Class 2: https://forms.gle/
– Class 8: https://forms.gle/
– Non-Mandatory screening for all other grades: https://forms.gle/
Please be aware that language skills will not be evaluated during this screening, and it is not an auditory processing evaluation. Relevant referrals will be recommended after the screening and results will be shared with you after Patsy consults with the teacher.
The fee for the screening is R150.00 and will be added to your school fees account.
NB If your child is absent on the day of the test, you will need to have him/her tested privately and provide the teacher with the results for record-keeping purposes.
Warm wishes,
The College of Teachers
The Kindergarten children prepared an apple cake for their Harvest Festival. They grated the apples, whisked the eggs, and kneaded the dough, saying their special baking poem as they worked:
Apples in an apple cake
That is what I will bake
Have a great big slice
It will taste so nice
Apples in an apple cake
Once baked, the cake was ready to be shared and enjoyed by the children, bringing a sense of togetherness and celebration to the festival.
For the Harvest Festival, the Class 3 students have been delightfully busy creating their own chickens and nests. The chickens began as knitted squares of wool, which were dyed in a warm solution of hot water and turmeric, giving them a beautiful golden yellow colour. Once dried, the wool was sewn into charming chicken shapes. The nests were then carefully made using paper tubes and wool, perfect for their chickens to rest in. Through this hands on process, the children brought warmth, creativity and festival spirit into their work.
The Class 4s have been hard at work creating vibrant polymer clay eggs. After carefully choosing their clay colours, the children rolled the clay flat, layered the pieces together, and shaped them into cylinders. When sliced, these revealed beautiful spirals which were then pressed onto their eggs, making each one wonderfully unique.
To accompany their eggs, the class also crafted small baskets from cardboard tubes, cutting and weaving them by hand. These baskets will be used to display the eggs, making their festival creations even more special.
As part of their African geography main lesson, the Class 6 students explored the continent’s diverse climates by creating a colourful climate map of Africa. Using different colours of tissue paper carefully layered on baking paper, they highlighted the character of each region. When placed on a window, the sunlight shines through, revealing the vibrant patterns of their work and making the map glow beautifully.
The Class 7 students brought the story of Happy-go-Lucky Simon to life on the window of the small hall. Inspired by the tale of the cheerful farmer whose quiet, unseen efforts nurture the land, the children envisioned a lake at sunset, its rippling water reflecting the calm patience and care Simon shows in his work. Working in groups, they tore and layered coloured tissue paper on the window, slowly building the image much like Simon builds his fertile soil, layer by layer, unseen effort becoming something beautiful and enduring. The glowing sunset over the water reminds us that, just as Simon’s generosity and diligence bring forth a rich harvest, the inner qualities we cultivate quietly, kindness, patience, and care, eventually shine outward, nourishing both the land and our community.
The Class 8 students have begun the year in art with a study of the grey scale. Through the simple yet focused task of drawing their own shoes, they are learning to observe closely and to work consciously with tone and contrast. Using mainly 2B, 4B and 6B pencils, the students learned shading techniques and discovered how light and shadow bring form and depth to their drawings.
This foundational work strengthens both patience and skill, preparing them for their next artistic journey into colour pencil drawing, where these understandings of tone and contrast will guide their creative expression.
Class 10 is wrapping up their Chemistry/Elements main lesson. Throughout this lesson, students explored the history of the elements and their importance in the world around us. As part of their learning, several learners prepared and shared presentations, demonstrating their understanding and insight into the role each element plays in both science and everyday life.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated towards our Harvest Festival collection. We were truly touched by the generosity of our families who gave fresh vegetables and non perishable foods so willingly. These gifts will now be shared with The Future Factory, helping to support their many feeding schemes and the important work they do in our wider community. Your kindness has made a real difference and we are deeply grateful.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the parents and staff who so generously gave their time for the library work party on Saturday, 7th March. And extend a very special thank you as well to the families who so generously donated items to help bring the library to life.
It felt truly magical to see the library filled with such enthusiasm, laughter, and hopeful ideas for what it can become. Every corner of the library was bustling with activity while chatter and laughter filled every space.
In just a short time, so much was achieved, and the spirit of the space already feels wonderfully changed.
The library volunteers still hold many dreams and plans for the future of this little library, but already it feels as though it has begun to take on a life of its own: a place of welcome, curiosity, imagination, and quiet discovery for the children.
Thank you for helping to plant the seeds of something truly special!
Mary Gibbs
Library Volunteer
At Michael Oak Waldorf School, as in all Waldorf schools, our festivals and fairs are not just occasions of celebration for the children but they are also opportunities for parents to come together in meaningful and creative ways.
In a world that moves very quickly these days and often keeps us apart, the simple act of sitting alongside one another parent and working with our hands, offers something rare and deeply nourishing I believe. Crafting together creates a space where conversation flows naturally, friendships form, perhaps new skills and talents are realised and a shared sense of purpose and connection begins to grow.
When parents gather to make toys, decorations, artwork, signage or gifts for the Fair for example, something more than the object itself is created. In my experience it has felt like a quiet weaving of community occurs that is built through the laughter and shared effort, the learning of new skills and the support of, and connection to, one another that arises through these activities. Not to mention the joy of seeing the tangible end result of ideas that have moved through head, heart and hands. I am not a good crafter by nature (at all in fact!) yet every time I have attended a craft making session I have walked away feeling so good. It has been, for me, a little like going to gym, when you never want to go but once you do you wonder why you don’t do it all the time because you leave feeling so much better?! I also see, from when we first joined Waldorf schooling, how these moments are often where newer families find connection and where long-standing relationships are deepened. Some of my closest friends are now the parents (and some teachers) that I met over a decade ago now when we enrolled our eldest children in our first Waldorf school.
Craft, within the Waldorf context, also carries a deeper intention. Working with natural materials, engaging in rhythmic, hands-on activity and creating something beautiful for the children reflects the values we hold for their education. It allows parents to step, even briefly, into the same spirit of creativity and care that lives within the classrooms. Through communal activities at parent meetings, craft sessions, class link coordination meetings, even strategy sessions and some Board meetings, I have felt this very much alive and it has woken up something deep inside myself that I know I have longed for since I, myself, was a child.
Of course, we also recognise that community can be built in many ways, and not every parent connects to crafting in the same way. As a school, we remain open to evolving how we gather and contribute, while still holding onto what is meaningful at the heart of these traditions.
Michael Oak Craft Masterclasses
To support this lovely aspect of our school, we are excited to be offering Craft Masterclasses, where parents can learn new skills in a welcoming and guided environment, whether you are experienced or completely new to handwork as I was (and very intimidated about it too, I may add, back then!). These gatherings are not about perfection at all but instead they are about participation, connection and the simple joy of making.
Through crafting we strengthen the fabric of our community in ways that quietly, but powerfully, support our children’s experience of belonging and ours as well. We welcome you to join.
In joy,
Ginny Johnstone
Acting Marketing Coordinator
For more than 20 years the Young Men & Women in Michael Oak’s Class 10 have stepped out of their usual world and into a week of adventure. A time where they can look back to see where they’ve come from (roots), inside to see who they are (heart) and ahead to imagine possibilities (wings).
This experience comes at a point in the curriculum where they have already started looking for answers, for which many of us are still searching. RHWA is an opportunity to take a courageous step into an understanding of ourselves and those around us.
Through all these years a constantly refreshed and trained team of men and women from the school community (parents, teachers and alumni) has welcomed them into this safe space for growth and friendship. The magic lies in that the answers do not sit in any one of us, rather they are assembled out of all of our stories.
If you are interested in contributing or being part of the RHWA team, then please contact the Class 10 Guardians (Caleb & Victoria) or Roy Davids to find out more and put yourself forward.
We are constantly striving to make the Leaflet a more vibrant and meaningful way for our community to connect, share, and celebrate the life of our school. Your thoughts, stories, and contributions help us shape each edition, ensuring it reflects the creativity, warmth, and spirit of everyone involved. Whether you have feedback to share or an article to submit, your voice is an important part of making the Leaflet a true reflection of our community.
We Wish You All A Wonderful Week Ahead!!
Extramural art classes continue at Michael Oak this term, offering a space for children to explore a wide range of creative projects, from drawing and painting to clay and mixed media. Classes take place on Friday afternoons at the school, with additional sessions available in Constantia. Open to various age groups, the programme encourages creativity, confidence and enjoyment of art. Contact Sue for more information or to enrol.
Join The Makery for a fun opportunity to dive into hands-on crafts this term. These weekly hour-long lessons are perfect for ages 6 and up, hosted at Michael Oak Waldorf School. Come make, create, and explore.
Join Dr. Leah Murray and Coach Diane Schallert for Healing in Motion, a transformative event hosted by Stronger Together Cape Town.
🗓️ Date: 10 May
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
💰 price: R400
A series of Eurythmy classes exploring the timeless emotional themes found in Shakespeare’s works, including sorrow, grief, loss, and friendship. Through movement and expression, participants will engage with Shakespeare’s poetry in a reflective and artistic way while developing greater awareness, connection, and creativity in a supportive group setting.
Our trusted household helper has been part of our family for over 20 years and helped raise my two daughters, both of whom attended Michael Oak. She is a wonderful childminder, familiar with the Waldorf ethos, and prepares delicious meals, including vegetarian options.
With the children now grown, she is looking for one additional day of work. As we have lived across the road from the school for many years, she is well known within the community.
For more information, please contact Dudu – 083 595 3242, or Catherine – 076 932 9957 for a reference.
Join our nurturing Waldorf kindergarten community part-time! We’re looking for a warm, reliable Assistant Teacher to work alongside our lead teacher on Thursdays and Fridays. If you bring a genuine love for young children, a rhythmic, calm presence, and flexibility for occasional relief and school events, you’ll feel right at home. Become part of a supportive, nature-inspired team at Imhoff Waldorf School.
Parenting in the Digital Age
The DSK looks forward to hosting another public talk with The Digital Law Company and Emma Sadleir on 21 April 2026 at 18h00:
Parenting in the Digital Age – advice, guidance and education in all aspects of social media and the law.
Everything you need to know to survive about raising children in an online world – the laws, the apps, the issues.
For more than 20 years the Young Men & Women in Michael Oak’s Class 10 have stepped out of their usual world and into a week of adventure. A time where they can look back to see where they’ve come from (roots), inside to see who they are (heart) and ahead to imagine possibilities (wings).
This experience comes at a point in the curriculum where they have already started looking for answers which many of us are still searching for. The Roots, Hearts & Wings Adventure (RHWA) is an opportunity to take a courageous step into an understanding of ourselves and those around us.
Through all these years a constantly refreshed and trained team of volunteers from the school community (parents, teachers and alumni) has welcomed them into this safe space for growth and friendship. The magic lies in that the answers do not sit in any one of us, rather they are assembled out of all of our stories.
If you are interested in contributing to or being part of the RHWA team, then please contact the Class 10 Guardians (Caleb Gallant & Victoria Sigalas), or Roy Davids, to find out more and put yourself forward.
Caleb – cgallant@michaeloak.org.za
Victoria – vsigalas@michaeloak.org.za
Roy – rdavids@michaeloak.org.za
Safe, supportive morning vocal sessions for women. No singing experience needed. Build confidence, express yourself freely, and feel truly heard. See attached poster for details and contact Cindy at 072 210 9269.
An intensive course over 7 weeks where participants immerse themselves in the Theory U Four Levels of Listening. Learn to hold space for empathic and generative listening through awareness-based practices, conversation, embodying, and journaling to enhance the quality of relationship in life and work.
Learn the art of unconditional love – for yourself and others. Join Brian Grimley in a year-long journey of heart, healing, and connection. Blossom begins 14 April 2026.
Thomas Yohane (nephew of Chatama, a former Michael Oak gardener), a Malawian gardener, is fit, hardworking and available for work on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
For a reference, please speak with Jean Cohen, piano teacher at Michael Oak, or WhatsApp her on 072 348 1860.
SCETT will host a lecture on Eurythmy Therapy with therapists Norman Kingeter and Rob Schapink. The talk explores the origins of this healing movement practice developed at the Ita Wegman Clinic in Switzerland. For workshop enquiries or registration contact:
Julia O’Leary ( juliaoleary021@gmail.com)
or Liz Smith (liz@quella.co.za).
A gentle yet powerful retreat for anyone willing to explore life’s big questions around meaning, mortality, and healing. Through creative processes, meditation, and group work, you’ll be supported to turn toward what we often avoid – and discover unexpected depth, spaciousness, and aliveness.
Dates: 30 & 31 May 2026, 9am–5.30pm
Location: Castle Rock, Simon’s Town
Cost: R2500 (early bird extended to 13 April)
Payment options: subsidised spaces, exchanges, or payment plan (R1000/month for March–May)
Contact to book or request support: groups@presenceinaction.co.za
Dharma is Michael Warldorf Alumni and studied at Centre for Creative Education, graduating as an Early Childhood Development teacher.
She offers music theory lessons to compliment the students that are already learning an instrument at MO.
Call: 071 776 0612
What's the difference between spring rolls and summer rolls?
Their seasoning.
