WEEKLY LEAFLET 14
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The Big Walk is taking place this weekend and we are very excited to gather as a community for this much loved Michael Oak tradition! Looking ahead to the week ahead, there are many opportunities to connect and participate, from the Introductory Talk and Community Engagement Sessions to our weekly Market Day and a creative Craft Day in the small hall. We look forward to another vibrant week together.
Kyle Snapper
Marketing
On Thursday 7th May we held our first Community Engagement Session, from 16h00 – 18h00, with 32 parents and staff. Our facilitator, Judith Haupt, who has lived inside the Waldorf world across three generations, guided us through the afternoon with care and a light but steady hand.
There were lovely introductory exercises warming us up and helping us the see each other better.
We then worked through a World Café process: small, animated groups followed by quiet individual reflection on what had emerged. There was lots of laughter, questions, sharing and engagement. It was a good beginning.
These sessions grew out of last term’s community survey and are part of the school’s broader Renewal process.
Two sessions remain. Choose one and join us.
Tuesday 12 May, 18h00 to 20h00
Saturday 16 May, 10h00 to 12h00
Below is an overview of the meetings, events, and activities happening around the school next week.
12
May
HS Parent Forum Meeting
6:00pm to 7:30pm
Parents and faculty meet in the meeting room to share ideas and support the smooth running of the High School.
12
May
Community Engagement Session
6:00pm to 8:00pm
an opportunity for the community to share input on the Renewal Process.
12
May
Class 7 Parents Evening
6:00pm to 8:00pm
Meeting with the Class 7 parents and teacher in the class 7 classrooms.
13
May
Trustee Meeting
6:30pm to 8:00pm
A meeting of the Trustees, taking place in the upstairs meeting room.
15
May
Market Day
11:30pm to 2:00pm
16
May
Introductory Talk
8:45am to 10:00am
An opportunity to learn about Michael Oak Waldorf School and its holistic, values-based approach to education.
16
May
Community Engagement Session
10:00am to 12:00pm
an opportunity for the community to share input on the Renewal Process.
16
May
Craft Day
10:00am to 2:00pm
An opportunity to connect, get creative, and build a sense of community in the small hall.
Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for what’s coming up at Michael Oak.
Upcoming Crafting Days
See poster for dates
Introductory Talk
16 May
Family Fair
31 October
Safety and Security: A Progress Report
One of the quiet but important threads running through this year’s work has been the
steady improvement of our safety and security infrastructure across all three
campuses. As part of our school maintenance programme, we have been working with
Rubics Solutions to repair and replace outdated and dysfunctional camera
equipment.
We now have 22 cameras installed across the Primary School, the Kindergarten, and
the High School. Three cameras at the Kindergarten still need to be reinstated, and we
are investigating the circumstances of their disconnection with the estate
management team. The remaining Kindergarten cameras, positioned along Gibson
Road, are active and monitored by both Princeton Security and the Kenilworth
Improvement District security centre.
Footage from all three systems is stored electronically, and a limited number of staff are authorised to access these records. For obvious reasons, we are not in a position to publish a full technical description of our systems in an open letter.
Rob Howe, our Maintenace Supervisor and one of our Safety Officers, holds direct responsibility for day-to-day on-site safety during this interim period and checks each
of the three camera systems twice a week.
Jo Mostert from Waterstone Governance has been our Safety and Security consultant for more than nine years. She works with us on compliance, conducts safety checks and evacuation drills, and meets with the committee each term to review health and safety matters.
All incidents reported by parents, staff, visitors and learners are included in these meetings, recorded by position rather than by name.
Every day our team goes through what is needed to keep our children and our
school safe. We take this task seriously. We value your input and support in helping to keep us accountable and supporting us in our endeavours.
Warmly,
Beulah Reeler
Acting School Coordinator
As part of their South African History Main Lesson, Class 7 recently explored the history of slavery at the Cape through a creative project. Each student was tasked to present their findings in a form of their own choosing, whether as a poster, a diary entry, or a letter written from a historical perspective. This allowed the students not only to engage with the facts of history, but also to enter imaginatively into the lives and experiences of those who lived through it. To bring their work to life, the students carefully stained their papers with tea and coffee, giving them the appearance of aged documents from another time.
Last Thursday, Class 11 travelled by train into Cape Town for a day of artistic exploration and observation. Walking through the streets of the city together, the students visited the Iziko Old Town House, where they encountered beautiful works from the Dutch Baroque period juxtaposed next to contemporary South African artworks. The experience offered a rich opportunity to reflect on how landscapes, histories and identities are expressed through art across different times and cultures.
From there, the class continued to the Company’s Garden, where they spent time outdoors making their own charcoal. The outing forms part of the Iziko “My Landscape” project, in which students are invited to respond artistically to their own landscape through drawing. Through observing the city, engaging with artworks, and working directly with natural materials, the day offered inspiration for the creative process while deepening each student’s relationship to place.
By Keith Klaasen
At Michael Oak Waldorf School, our days are filled and accompanied by jubilant love and joy. Here, our educators embrace every opportunity to share that love and joy as they strive for excellence in each learner’s education. The love we share overflows into the lives of our parents, learners and wider community.
The educators are positive and lead with humility, advancing unity and strength. This love for education creates a profound sense of harmony. We proudly lift the banner of love and joy to build bridges and give hope to the generations to come.
Years from now, the memories of real joy will remain in the hearts of the learners as they grow. Here, learners are given the opportunity to think clearly and to discover purpose for their lives, exploring the world with love and joy.
The festivals made a real impact on my life. Seeing learners and educators working hand in hand, united in love, reminds us that everyone belongs and can rejoice in the outcome of these events. Learners are constantly involved sharing this love, lighting a candle of hope for those in need.
I am proud to see how learners take part in music, playing instruments and participate in cheerful singing. This is shared from their hearts with pure love and joy.
Let us continue to nurture love and joy and move forward with great courage into the future.
Keith Klaasen
Afrikaans Teacher
We would like to congratulate Juliet, Jamie, Julian and Fynn who have qualified for the second round of the South African Mathematics Olympiad which will be taking place on the 14th of May 2026. This is an excellent achievement, and we are proud of your hard work and dedication.
Leo Azuma in Class 11 has launched a market initiative at Michael Oak, to raise funds for the MDB Foundation and support projects assisting those in need.
Clothing donations are now being collected for the upcoming Derby Day market at Constantia Waldorf School next Saturday. Lightly worn clothing in good condition would be greatly appreciated, with all proceeds going towards the MDB Foundation. Donations can be given directly to Leo Azuma in Class 11.
For questions or donations, Leo can be contacted on WhatsApp at 079 291 7255.
Together, we are creating change, one step at a time.
Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers
A behavioural/developmental visual screening will be done at Michael Oak on 25 – 26 May by optometrist Wayne Hodgkinson. Behavioural optometrists are regular optometrists who specialised in testing how the eyes function in all classroom-related activities and make recommendations for visual therapy to correct any problems. Visual screening is a highly specialised area and the teacher, academic support teacher or therapist may not necessarily be aware that there is a problem. The screening is mandatory for Kindergarten children entering Class 1 in 2027, Classes 2,5 and 8 and optional for all other classes.
The functioning of the visual system is constantly changing, affected by shocks, traumas, stress and illness. Children who have been tested “clear” by a regular optometrist as not requiring glasses may nevertheless be struggling with visual systems that are hampering them. Some of the symptoms that can alert us to a visual system under strain are: tiring easily with tasks, frequent blinking and rubbing of eyes, headaches and stomach aches while reading, visual memory problems, poor speed in copying from the board, and not holding the picture of words learned for spelling. All school work is greatly strengthened if the visual system is functioning well.
For this reason, we highly encourage any parents of Primary or High School children experiencing difficulties with their schoolwork, challenges with reading or copying from the board, slow work pace, lack of motivation, or behavioural issues to consider arranging a visual screening.
The cost for this screening is R100.00 and will be added to your school fees account. To complete the permission form, please click on or copy and paste the following link into your browser. (Permission forms must be completed by Wednesday 15 May)
KG Older Children: https://forms.gle/
Class 2: https://forms.gle/
Class 5: https://forms.gle/
Class 8: https://forms.gle/
OTHER Classes: https://forms.gle/
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your child’s Class Teacher/Guardian, the Academic Support Teacher Ann Kantey, or Eurythmy Therapist Julia O’Leary.
Best wishes,
The College of Teachers
The word hidden in last weeks maze was ADVENTURE.
Congratulations to Elia Ziya Malan (Class 2), Alan Hartnack (Class 4), and Tahrir Jeenah (Class 2) for successfully finding last week’s hidden word.
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 A Wonderful Week Ahead!!
A Fairy Tale Fair at Constantia Waldorf
Up For a Student Exchange?
Looking for an Exchange Berlin-Capetown
From Jan 2027 for 3 months
Hello Everyone,
My name is Luiza, I am 16 years old and I was born on January 5th. I attend a Waldorf school in Berlin, Germany and I am currently in 10th grade.
I come from Berlin and live quite centrally with my mother, my brother (15), my little sister (7) and my stepfather. I would describe my family as open-minded, loving, warm and welcoming.
My favourite subjects are Art and Spanish, and I also enjoy Sports. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are
not really my favourite subjects.
Looking For a Tutor
I am in Cape Town for a month with my 6 year old son, Jude. We have come over from Zimbabwe to have a baby here, and while we are here, I am looking for a tutor who could spend a little time with Jude a few times a week.
I would love some help with reading, handwriting and maths to keep him learning while we are away from home. I am trying my best, but I am definitely not a teacher and could use some help!
If you know of someone who might be interested, please get in touch.
Becky
073 533 3037
WhatsApp: 00263 772 234 349
High School Parent Forum
All High School parents Welcome! Be part of a dynamic group of parents who engage with the School and help shape school policies on topics such as AI use in the high school; navigating a phone-free school and issues such as bullying or vaping. Please add any items you would like to be discussed in the final meeting of the year at the High School Parent Forum by completing this quick form linked HERE. For enquiries contact the Forum Chair Cecile Blake Benadé. cecileblake@gmail.com.
The date of the final meeting is 17 November 2026
A Poetry Tea Party
Celebrating Keith Gottschalk
Join us for A Poetry Tea Party celebrating Keith Gottschalk and his many years of dedicated service to New Contrast, which has championed South African writing and visual art for 66 years.
The afternoon will feature readings by our Board and Editorial Team, alongside poetry and reflections from Keith himself. We also look ahead to Issue 214, exploring African Speculative Futures in collaboration with the University of Cape Town’s Ethics Lab.
Your support helps us continue bringing new voices and creative perspectives to our readers.
For more information, visit www.newcontrast.net.
What's the difference between a well dressed bicycle and a poorly dressed unicycle?
Attire.
