WEEKLY LEAFLET 31
Share This Leaflet:
This week has been full of joy and movement as our classes have come alive with learning and discovery, and students of all ages have embraced the excitement of camp. It is a delight to share these moments of creativity, laughter, and connection with you in this edition.
As the season slowly shifts and the first warmth of summer begins to touch our days, we can feel the gentle call of longer afternoons, blossoming flowers, and the promise of new adventures both inside and outside the classroom.
Looking ahead, next week brings a wonderful series of gatherings that continue this spirit of connection — from class 5 language sharing and parent forums to Market Day and the enchanting Kindergarten Fairy Tea Garden Open Morning. Each event offers an opportunity to come together, celebrate our community, and enjoy the beauty of these closing weeks of term.
We hope you enjoy these glimpses into our days together and feel the rhythm of life and learning unfolding within our community.
Class 4 Parents Evening
17 November
HS Parent Forum
18 November
Fincom 2
19 November
Class 5 Language sharing
20 November
Market Day
21 November
KG Fairy Tea Garden
22 November
AGM
26 November | 18:30 to 20:30
Dear Kindergarten and Playgroup families,
You are warmly invited to a magical morning in our special garden where we are offering a chance for existing and prospective parents to experience the gentle rhythm of a Waldorf morning in Playgroup and Kindergarten.
Fairy Tea Garden Open Morning
Saturday, 22 November | 9:00–11:00 AM
at Michael Oak Waldorf School
Activities:
– Enjoy a butterfly craft
– Gather for story time
– Share tea and treats
– Watch the children play and explore in our beautiful garden
Our teachers will be available for questions and conversation about the wonders and benefits of a Waldorf kindergarten education. It’s a lovely opportunity to meet other families and get a true sense of our nurturing, creative space.
Come along, relax and see the magic unfold!
Booking essential. RSVP to marketing@michaeloak.org.za.
You may have noticed that our school leaflet has been evolving with many updates and changes recently. We are always looking for ways to make it more useful, engaging, and reflective of our school community. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and by taking a few moments to share your thoughts, you will help shape future editions of the leaflet so it better serves everyone.
This week we were grateful to welcome Emma Sadleir to Michael Oak for a series of insightful talks on children and social media. On Monday she spoke with Classes 5 to 8, followed by an evening session for parents, and on Tuesday she spent time with our high school students from Classes 9 to 12. The talks went exceptionally well, with thoughtful questions asked and answered, and students left with a clearer understanding of how to stay safe and responsible online. Our heartfelt thanks to Emma and her team for sharing their expertise and wisdom with our community.
The lower primary sports day was a morning full of joy. Our Class 1, 2 and 3 students threw themselves wholeheartedly into sack races, three-legged races, sprints and egg and spoon races, each event met with enthusiastic cheers from friends and parents alike. The tug of war at the end had everyone on the edge of their seats, before the children capped off the morning with a playful and refreshing water balloon fight that left everyone giggling and dripping.
Every child wore their bright blue Michael Oak shirts, and at the very start of the day their cheerful chant of “go everyone go, go everyone go” set the tone perfectly, reminding us all that it was not about winning but about taking part and having fun together. Parents were right there alongside them, cheering from the sidelines and even jumping into some exciting races themselves, adding to the energy and camaraderie of the day.
Healthy snacks like juicy watermelon, sweet orange slices and fluffy popcorn were shared between events, keeping little bodies fueled for all the activity. It was a morning that perfectly captured the spirit of our school, with smiles, laughter and a sense of community at the heart of every race and game.
On Tuesday, the Class 2 children performed their play, presenting it to some of the primary school classes in the morning and to parents in the afternoon. The play consisted of four fables: the tortoise and the hare, the dove and the ant, the hyena and the crane, and the fox and the crow. After the morning performance, they rolled up their sleeves and made dough, and later, after the afternoon show, they used the pizza oven to bake rolls from their creations and enjoyed them fresh and warm. The following day, the Class 2s celebrated their achievement by cooling off under sprinklers and savouring ice pops, which they had won from the September prize drive for the fair.
Class 7 spent several days at High Africa for their camp, a time devoted to team building and shared fun. Through various activities, they learned that true success comes when each person’s strengths and weaknesses are recognised and supported, and that working together brings far greater reward than working alone. Watching the shift from “working for me” to “working for us” was something special to witness, as a strong sense of unity grew among them at the end of their primary journey.
After their camp, the class went on an outing to Bo Kaap as part of their history main lesson. There they explored the neighbourhood’s quieter stories—its centuries-old mosques tucked between homes, the way family recipes and traditions have been passed down through generations, and how the community’s resilience has shaped the character of the area. It was a glimpse into living history, seen not just in the buildings but in the spirit of the people who call Bo Kaap home.
Class 8 students went on their camp to Palmiet, surrounded by mountains, beaches, and a lagoon. The days were filled with adventure, from jumping off a bridge to playing volleyball near their camp and enjoying time on the beach. Swimming proved to be a favourite activity for many of the students, who spent hours in the water. The camp offered a mix of fun, challenge, and camaraderie, giving the class the chance to connect, explore, and enjoy the outdoors together.
Class 9 spent their camp at Hearth & Soul Eco Retreat, where they experienced life on a working farm and deepened their connection to the land. Their days were filled with activity, from clearing alien vegetation and caring for the farm to enjoying volleyball class matches, lively games of 30 Seconds, and swimming in the river. One of the highlights for many was the games with Coach Caleb—both the energetic sports sessions and the friendly board game competitions. The camp meals were all vegetarian, and to everyone’s delight, the food was truly delicious. It was a wholesome and memorable week of teamwork and fresh country air.
Last week, the Class 11 students stepped into their social practical, a four-day experience of service and human connection, followed by a day of reflection and feedback. During this time, the students leave the familiar routines of school to engage with communities where care, support, and presence are part of daily life.
In many ways, this practical echoes the journey of Parzival, the young knight whose quest from innocence toward understanding forms the heart of the Class 11 year. Like Parzival, the students are invited to meet the world with openness and courage — to look beyond appearances, to listen deeply, and to act out of compassion.
Through these brief but meaningful encounters, they begin to sense what it means to serve and to truly see another human being. The social practical may be only a few days long, but its lessons — of empathy, humility, and awakening — reach far beyond the week itself.
Progress on the High School staff room has been steady. The exterior of the building is now largely complete, and work has moved indoors, with insulation, plumbing, and electrical installations well underway. With the matric exams taking place nearby, the team has had to plan their work carefully to avoid disruption, but things are moving along smoothly and the space is beginning to take real shape.
If you are missing any of the glasses shown in the photos, please come to reception to collect them.
We're wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Join Dr Tessabella Lovemore online for a talk exploring the effects of testosterone on boys and how it can influence the way boys relate to care, learning and the world around them. The 30 minute talk will be followed by a 30 minute Q&A.
📅 Thursday 24 September
🕗 8.00pm SA time
💻 Online via Zoom
Donations are welcome. Email activepracticalloveinitiative@gmail.com to attend and receive the Zoom link.
Awaken your Inner Artist with this new five week art course, inspired by the work of five modern and contemporary artists. Through art, reflective writing, music and poetry, participants will explore their inner creativity and expression. No previous art experience is required.
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
Join us for the debut performance of ‘Awakening’ an exploration of the origins of our world and the human beings within it. Workshopped and co-created by Helios, an independent group of grade 7s and their teacher, Elinor Driver.
Weaving origin stories from around the world together into a web of questions, pictures, colours and sound this production is the culmination of the group’s primary school theatre journey and is an exploration of some of the answers that myths, stories and science give us to the big questions of what it means to be human and how we came to be here.
Music theory lessons for Grades 1 to 3, following Trinity College of London, with in person or Zoom sessions available. Lessons are R300 per session.
Contact Dharma for more information or to book.
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.
Don’t miss out! Remember to book your space at the Mommy & Me Expo on 3-4 October 2026 at Venue D’Aria!
Please contact Elzette at admin@donatoevents.co.za for more info and rates.
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
Save the date for Imhoff Waldorf School’s Spring Fair on Saturday, 12 September! Come along for a wonderful day of craft activities, games, delicious food, music and family fun. Bring the whole family and enjoy a vibrant community celebration as we welcome the arrival of spring.
A gentle invitation to reconnect with yourself. Join this four day women’s retreat exploring Ayurveda, embodiment and women’s wisdom through a nurturing and restorative experience. No previous experience is needed, and all are welcome.
Join Constantia Waldorf School for their magical Annual Fair, A Fairy Tale, on Saturday 24 October 2026 from 10am to 3pm. Enjoy a day of fun, food, activities and fairy tale magic for the whole family.
📍 Spanschgemat River Rd, Belle Constantia
🎟️ Adults R30 | Children R20
💳 Cashless event
I went to the aquarium on the weekend, but I didn’t stay long.
There’s something fishy about that place.
