Weekly Leaflet 12 – Michael Oak Leaflet

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WEEKLY LEAFLET 12

April 21, 2026

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Dear Parents, Guardians and Friends

This week began with cold and rainy days, and we are glad to have had a few warmer days to end this week.

There is much to share from across the school community. The Big Walk is approaching, and within this leaflet you will find a maze for the children to complete, revealing a hidden word once solved. We are also pleased to welcome Adré to our staff as our new Maths Lit and Sewing teacher.

Across the school there has been a strong focus on creative work, with Kindergarten children and Class 6 students both engaged in painting and drawing, each exploring their own ideas and processes. You will also find reflections from fathers who attended the Dads, Dudes and Kids camp, together with a gallery of images from the camp. An update from the library has been shared by Kate Obree, offering insight into the growing life of that space within the school.

Next week will be a shorter school week due to Freedom Day and Workers’ Day, and we trust this will offer a welcome pause for many families.

Have a great weekend!

Kyle Snapper
Marketing

Happening Next Week

Below is an overview of the meetings, events, and activities happening around the school next week.

April

Freedom Day

All Day

Freedom Day commemorates the first democratic elections in 1994, celebrating equality, dignity, and unity.

April

Class 5 Parents Evening

6:30pm to 8:00pm

Meeting with the Class 5 parents and teacher. Venue will be communicated.

May

Workers' Day

All Day

Workers’ Day honours workers’ rights, dignity, solidarity, and the ongoing pursuit of fair and just labour conditions.

Save The Dates

Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for what’s coming up at Michael Oak.

Upcoming Crafting Days

See poster for dates

Big Walk

9 May

Polar Bear Challenge

30 May

Family Fair

31 October

Big Walk Maze Game

Can you find the hidden word in the maze?

As we gear up for the Big Walk, we’ve created a fun maze challenge for the students. Solve it to reveal a hidden word! Once you’ve found it, submit your answer using the form below. Whoever is able to complete the maze and find the hidden word will be featured in next week’s leaflet.

Our New Math Lit & Sewing Teacher

Adré Meyer
Math Lit & Sewing Teacher

We are pleased to welcome Adré Meyer as our new Mathematics Literacy and Sewing teacher.

Originally from Johannesburg, Adré later studied at Stellenbosch and has lived in Marina da Gama for around 30 years. She brings over 20 years of teaching experience, along with a varied background that includes scuba diving and teaching at a township school.

Adré was drawn to Michael Oak by the happy, kind nature of the children and the supportive atmosphere among the staff. She finds deep purpose in teaching and is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of her students.

Outside of school, she enjoys travelling, exploring new foods and languages, and baking. We are delighted to have her as part of our community.

Kindergarten - Artistic Exploration

In the Kindergarten, drawing and painting are common activities that give children the opportunity to express themselves. When children are given the freedom to create what they wish, they begin to share their inner world in their own time and in their own way.

Working with crayon and paint strengthens fine motor skills and supports the development of hand and finger coordination, laying an important foundation for later writing. At the same time, these activities nurture concentration, imagination, and a sense of confidence as children see their ideas take form on the page.

Without the pressure of a set outcome, each child can explore colour, shape, and movement freely. This kind of creative play allows for genuine discovery and encourages a natural joy in making.

Class 6 - Paintings Of Africa

The Sahara Desert and the Savanna were brought to life through the painting work of Class 6 students. They explored the quiet mystery of a desert night, where deep blues and soft light evoke a sense of stillness and vastness. In contrast, their Savanna scenes glowed with the warmth of a setting sun. Through these paintings, the children were invited not only to observe these landscapes, but to feel their atmosphere and character, translating the essence of each place onto the page.

Class 6 - Form Drawing

The Class 6 students also explored Sona form drawings, inspired by the Chokwe people of Angola. Sona refers to intricate geometric patterns traditionally drawn in sand, practised by the Lunda Cokwe and neighbouring peoples. These forms are more than decorative. They are a quiet language of line and gesture, used to express beliefs, thoughts, and emotions, and to reflect the relationship between human beings and the natural world.

Reflections From Dads, Dudes & Kids Camp 2026

The annual Dads, Dudes and Kids camp took place at the beginning of the April holidays. Below are reflections from a few of the dads who attended:

Andrew Ball (Class 5)

“The DDKC? It is a highlight of the year for so many kids – including my own. While every camp brings new experiences, returning to the same campsite each year empowers our kids when they are younger through the familiar and then each year builds another layer of memories that are held into High School and beyond. And it is not just about the kids. For dads, for me, it a cherished time and space with my son but also for making new connections and deepening friendships with other dads. A sign for me of how special this camp, this experience, is? That each year there are Dads and their kids who come for just the first night – and then leave sometimes early on the Saturday for long-booked travel or family commitments. A 5-hour round trip to spend an afternoon/evening and maybe a morning with friends at our cherished Petervale campsite. Dads don’t have to have their ‘arm twisted’ very hard to do this!! It is as much for them as for their kids.”

Michael Joseph (Class 4)

“Does the thought of camping in a tent for a weekend, far removed from the comforts of home while having to solo-parent and actually talk to people sound daunting to you? It certainly does to me and my social anxiety. So why then I have been to ELEVEN of these camps? The answer is simple and hasn’t changed since the start: the benefits one gets as a father from spending time with your child/ren for an entire weekend, having to provide for them and demonstrate your ability to do so in a caring, loving, responsible way all while having the unique opportunity to interact with other fathers and make genuine connections is rare and not to be passed up. While I may depart with a slight sense of daunt at the prospect, every year I return OVER THE MOON that this camp exists. It really is the best thing going for both dads and kids.”

Greg Venning (Classes 3 and 6)

“DDK is a non-negotiable fixture in our family’s yearly calendar. For my girls it’s a time of fun and connection with me and their friends. For me, it’s a time of connection and an opportunity to create a space of nurture with other men. It’s not how mums would do it and that’s what makes it so valuable.”

Sean Walsh (Class 7)

“My second child is in class 7 and so this was my last camp. Such bittersweet feelings: a truly unique school camp experience that I’m so grateful to have been able to attend, and so sad that it’s now over for us!”

Andrew Hartnack (Class 4)

“I remember feeling nervous before my first DDK back in 2019. I was anxious not only because this was the first time I would take our son away, just me and him without his mom. But also, wary of hanging out with other dads that I did not know for a weekend. What I found was that the DDK was not only a wonderful opportunity for me to bond with both of my sons – in a safe yet adventurous space that is held by the community of dads – but also a unique opportunity to meet and establish connections with dads I would never have gotten to know if the DDK did not exist. It is for these reasons that I joined the committee in 2020 and have chaired it for the last four years. I believe it is a magical space and community that we create every year, which has ripples for the rest of the MO community. Oh, yes, and the children also get a lot out of it too!”

A huge thanks to Jacques van Niekerk for sharing his photos from the camp.

Lost Property From The Camp

A number of items were left behind after the camp, including a camping chair, towels, several camping mugs, a pan, cutlery, clothing, and more.

If you recognise anything in the photos as belonging to you, or if you are missing items from the camp, please come and collect them.

World Book Day

To celebrate World Book Day, many of our Primary School students dressed up as their favourite book characters. The school was filled with witches and wizards, young Hogwarts students, Pippi Longstocking, and many more beloved figures brought to life.

World Book Day is a global celebration that encourages children and adults to enjoy reading, share stories, and develop a lifelong love of books. It is marked in many schools by activities that bring literature to life, such as dressing up as favourite characters, reading together, and exploring new stories. The day highlights the importance of books in opening imagination, building language, and connecting people through shared storytelling.

Update From The Library

By Kate Obree

It has been magical to watch the library at school become an increasingly welcome space for Michael Oak pupils.

Between the mounting piles of donated books, a few faithful student regulars arrive at the library each day at break time for a moment of reprieve or read on the Vetsak (definitely the most popular donation to the library) and after school, a minor storm of primary school children appear to lose themselves in a book, play a game of chess or fake-gag in pairs as they pour over a gory tale in the Horrible Histories series. Some of the younger children come for a lesson with Mary Gibbs (class 3 parent who has headed up the library project) when their schedule allows, squeezing themselves excitedly around two long wooden tables as they learn how to choose or take a book out. It is heartwarming to see a delight in the books that surround them in a world where screens have become the status quo for entertainment.

Running a library we are learning is not an easy task. As we capture, reshelve, fix, figure out the Dewey decimal system and library software, keep track of donations (we’ve realised that when we are not there these tend to grow legs), we begin to appreciate how much work the school’s previous librarian, Derina had done. With five of us currently volunteering in the space, we can’t quite imagine how she held it all.

Because the library is a very compact space shared by both the primary and high school children (dream with us about it growing bigger!), we have realised the need to think smart about how to declutter and make sure that the library is stocked with curated content and beautiful books that meet the pupils where they are at, and also invite them into the many classics the library has. Many of the books are duplicates and therefore under review for removal to make much needed space, and to fund the purchasing of new books.

On the topic of new books we have had some fantastic book donations from parents – thank you so much. Pan MacMillan, Penguin Random House and Jonathan Ball publishers blew us away by their donations to the Michael Oak Library of brand new books – their value amounting to over R30 000. A huge thanks to Kendall Conlong (class 4 & 6 parent) for facilitating the gift of these books by reaching out to the publishers. We cannot wait to add these wonderful new titles to the library catalogue!

A librarian from another school we met with recently for some much needed guidance said to us that a library is the heartbeat of a school. Witnessing this daily pulse drawing the children into a gentle space that educates and inspires imagination shows us what the librarian meant. We are thankful to the school for allowing us to be part of this process.

Please note that donations of time are welcomed too. Be in touch if there is a skill you have to offer – there will always something to help with, be it packing books away, labeling, painting an image for the fantasy section, or just being in the space so that it can remain supervised.

Kate Obree
Library volunteer

Position Available

We are looking for a School Coordinator (Senior Leadership Role) – a strategic executive integrator who serves as the registered principal and ensures alignment across pedagogy, operations, finance, compliance, and community engagement.

This full‑time, permanent position works in partnership with the College of Teachers and reports to the Board of Trustees. You will lead operational implementation, hold the interface between governance and daily school life, and ensure the school’s Waldorf ethos is expressed coherently and sustainably.

Key requirements include:

5–7 years’ senior leadership experience in education or a complex organisation
Strong people leadership, financial literacy, and governance understanding
Expertise in compliance, accreditation, and statutory requirements for South African schooling
A professional teaching qualification and current SACE registration

Preferred: Principal/Deputy Principal experience, postgraduate qualification in leadership/management, Waldorf knowledge or strong interest.

Download the full job post PDF for all details

Extramural Reminder

As it becomes more cold and rainy, we have had a few questions about what happens with extramurals during these conditions. All Extramural Sports will proceed as scheduled, even in the event of hot or rainy weather. On these days, sessions will be moved indoors to a hall or classroom setting, where coaches will focus on the theoretical components of the sport. Parents who prefer not to have their child participate in the indoor session are welcome to collect them at the end of the regular academic school day.

Michael Oak Renewal Survey

Dear Michael Oak Community

As we continue to move forward with the School Renewal journey, we would like to
share a brief update ahead of the upcoming Community Engagement Sessions.

1. What we heard from you

Thank you to everyone who participated in the recent survey. The message from the community is both clear and constructive.

There is strong affirmation of what makes our school special – our values, our sense of community, and the strength of the Kindergarten and Primary Waldorf experience. At the same time, there is consistent feedback that our systems and structures are not keeping pace with these strengths.

In particular, the survey highlighted challenges around:

Clarity of leadership and roles
How decisions are made and communicated
Consistency in administration and follow-through
Resolving issues effectively

These insights have directly informed how we plan to move forward. A summary of the results, along with a broader framework, is included in the attached pack.

2. From Insight to Action

Work has already been underway in parallel to address a number of known pressure points – many of which have now been clearly validated through the survey.

This allows us to continue taking immediate, practical steps together, rather than waiting for a full program to be finalised.

Initial areas of progress include:

Clarifying elements of governance and decision-making
Advancing organisational design work
Beginning to strengthen operational communication and follow-through

These early actions are important in building momentum and, importantly, in shifting towards more consistent and reliable execution.

3. School Coordinator – Role and Recruitment

As part of this early action, and in direct response to the need for stronger leadership, integration and execution, we will shortly begin recruitment for a School Coordinator.

While the role title is familiar, there is a deliberate shift in both scope and level. This is a senior leadership role with a whole-school mandate, designed to strengthen alignment and ensure consistent execution across the school.

The focus is not simply coordination in the traditional sense, but whole-school integration, ensuring that:

Decision-making is clear and aligned across the school
Operational and pedagogical functions are connected
Priorities are executed consistently
Accountability is supported and upheld

This role will act as a key integrator across Governance, Operations, and Pedagogy, ensuring that the structures being put in place translate into day-to-day effectiveness.

Further details on the role and application process will be shared shortly.

4. Community Engagement Sessions

We will be hosting a series of Community Engagement Sessions in the first and second weeks of May.

Upcoming Session Details:

Session 1: Thursday, 7 May 2026 | 16:00 – 18:00 | Michael Oak Hall
Session 2: Tuesday, 12 May 2026 | 18:00 – 20:00 | Michael Oak Hall
Session 3: Saturday, 16 May 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 | Michael Oak Hall

Action Required:

Please register for your preferred date via this Registration link to assist with our logistics and planning.to help us plan effectively.

A key theme emerging from the survey is that the challenge is not only what needs to change, but how effectively we execute and sustain that change. Inconsistent follow-through, unclear ownership, and capacity constraints have all contributed to this.

For this reason, these sessions are intentionally focused not just on what the workstreams are, but on what sits inside them and how they are resourced to succeed.

We are not presenting a final plan for approval. Rather, we are inviting focused input to ensure that what is being built is practical, properly resourced, and executable.

The sessions will focus on:

The four workstreams emerging from the Renewal Programme
(Leadership, Operational Maturity, Pedagogical Leadership, and Culture)
Defining the most important priorities within each workstream
Identifying initial initiatives
Defining what success looks like for each workstream
Identifying the capacity, skills, and roles required to deliver them
Inviting members of the community to contribute where appropriate and possible

Your perspective is an important part of ensuring that this work is grounded, realistic, and capable of being implemented effectively.

5. What happens after

Following these sessions:

Inputs will be synthesised and used to refine the workstreams
The program will be finalised and approved by the Board
Workstream teams will be established and mobilised
Ongoing communication will be shared as implementation progresses

This marks the beginning of a more structured and accountable way of working together as a school. We encourage you to review the attached material ahead of the sessions and to participate where you are able.

Thank you for your continued engagement and commitment to the school.

Warm regards

Board of Trustees
College of Teachers
Operations Leadership

Swing Raffle

The swing raffle from the fair is still underway, with entries at R50 each. You can secure your number with Zelda in Playgroup, either with cash or via SnapScan. Your R50 can also be seen as a donation toward supporting the playgroup, so it’s a lovely way to contribute while standing a chance to win. A winner will be drawn as soon as all 100 numbers have been taken, so don’t miss your chance to be the lucky recipient of this wonderful prize!

The swing was generously donated by a family, but it’s too big to fit in the Kindergarten, so we’re raffling it off to raise funds for a smaller swing that will be just right for the children to enjoy safely.

Contribute & Share

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!!

Community Notices

An Exciting Night of Drama

The Masque is excited to present an evening of murder mystery with two live-stage audio drama murder mysteries, ‘To Kill a Hadeda’ and ‘Crows’.

You’ll witness two 40-minute audio dramas as voice actors and a foley artist conjure up a radio play before your very eyes.

Get ready for a hilariously dark, razor-sharp reflection of modern South Africa where the only thing louder than the gossip is the local birdlife. TO KILL A HADEDA strips away the pristine, manicured veneer of luxury estate living to expose the chaotic underbelly of elite suburban dread. When a tyrannical body corporate chairperson is found dead, a high-strung security estate goes into lockdown, forcing the eccentric community to root out the killer before the police arrive. This murder mystery comedy is written by Matthew Kalil and stars Brett Fish Anderson, Charles Tertiens, Jana Coetzee and Shirley Johnston.

Prepare for a tense, moving and unexpectedly sharp look into grief and survival on the fringes of Cape Town. CROWS strips away the quiet, meditative peace of a wetland sanctuary to expose the raw, colliding worlds of two strangers trapped in their own personal storms. When a grieving widow’s quest for solace is shattered by a desperate young man’s arrival, a secluded bird hide becomes a pressure cooker of dark secrets and shared trauma. As their confessions intertwine, a dark omen gathers across the water, heralded by crows. This darkly comic murder mystery is written by Ian-Malcolm Rijsdijk and stars Shirley Johnston and Charles Tertiens.

Extramural Art Classes

Join our beloved weekly art classes in a peaceful garden-facing studio (opposite the library). Pupils can arrive straight after school or other activities and settle in under supervision before class. We nurture creativity, self-esteem, and skill through diverse projects—from clay and paper mâché to pastels, ink, collage, and canvas prep—inspired by nature, South African artists, and current exhibitions.

3rd Term starts 31 July.

Fridays: 12:50–1:45 (KG–Gr 2), 1:45–2:45 (KG–Gr 4), 2:45–3:45 (Gr 5+)
Also Thursdays & Saturdays in Constantia.

Fees: R1 290/term (materials included). Try-out R170/lesson. Pro-rata for late joiners.
Contact Sue: 021‑794‑6609 | WhatsApp 083‑237‑7242 | sue.nepgen@gmail.com.

Stellenbosch Waldorf School is Hiring

Stellenbosch Waldorf School is seeking passionate educators to join their community in Term 3, 2026. Applications are open for a Primary School Teacher (Senior Phase) and a Primary School Teacher (FET Phase: Afrikaans FAL, English HL & History). Submit your application by 7 July 2026 to admin@waldorfschool.org.za.

Kids’ Aerial Yoga Holiday School

Ananda Sanctuary invites children aged 5 to 12 years to explore the magic of movement, creativity, and mindfulness during their Kids Aerial Yoga Holiday School. Through aerial yoga, singing bowls, meditation, and creative expression, children will discover gentle practices that nurture balance, imagination, and inner calm.

Email to book: info@anandasanctuary.co.za

Lectures by Dr. James Dyson

Join Dr James Dyson for a thought provoking two part talk exploring the spiritual dimensions of human relationships through the lens of Anthroposophy. Drawing on his extensive experience in medicine, psychology, and Rudolf Steiner’s teachings, Dr Dyson offers a holistic perspective on human encounter as a path of inner development and meaningful connection. Donations at the door will support the Southern Cross Eurythmy Therapy Training.

These lectures are all open to the public.

Please contact Julia O’Leary for queries and bookings.

0769047632
juliaoleary021@gmail.com
or Liz Smith (liz@quella.co.za).

Au Pair Available

A young, trained Waldorf Kindergarten teacher is looking for an au pair position in the Southern Suburbs. With classroom experience, a passion for working with children, and a love for creativity, nature, cooking, crafts, and nurturing meaningful connections, Layla offers a caring and thoughtful approach to childcare.

Beautiful Cottage to let in Plumstead

Available from 10th August to 12th October. Fully furnished and serviced.
Oak Cottage

At Timourhall Cottages on the grounds of Christian Community Church.
R19000 per month or R600 per day
Includes Rental, electricity, water and service.

Contact Julia O’Leary 076 904 7632 / juliaoleary021@gmail.com

Christian Community Family Fair

Join a day of community, connection, and family fun at the Christian Community Family Fair. Enjoy a welcoming atmosphere with activities, entertainment, food, and opportunities to gather with friends and neighbours. All are welcome.

How to Love - in Afrikaans

The How to Love course developed by Dr Tessabella Lovemore is now available in Afrikaans for the first time. It is an online course of 12 lessons over 12 months. “These 12 lessons have made a significant change in the way I relate to people, loved ones, colleagues, and strangers.”

Cobie Roelvert

Listening Practitioner's Circle

Listening to yourself and into the finer nuances of a question or challenge, holding space in deep listening for others, and listening to what is emerging from the future – these are the core practices of the 7-week Listening Practitioner’s Circle that starts on the 1st of July.