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
WEEKLY LEAFLET 33
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With less than three weeks left of the term, we can feel the December holiday excitement beginning to build. Students are spending more time outdoors, enjoying the warm days. This week also brings a mix of activity on campus: some of our classes have started writing exams, students from Gaia Waldorf joined us for a friendly afternoon of chess, and Michael Oak was featured in two articles in Independent Education. It’s been a full and vibrant week as we head toward the end of term.
Next week features the Class 1 and Class 7 plays, a Trustee meeting, as well as the Class 3 students joining the Friday Market.
2
December
Class 1 Play
5:30pm to 7:00pm
The Class 1 children will be performing The Golden Goose, a classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, in the small hall.
3
December
Trustee Meeting
6:00pm to 9:30pm
A meeting of the Trustees, taking place in the upstairs meeting room.
4
December
Class 7 Play
6:30pm to 8:00pm
The class 7 children will be performing a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens in the big hall.
5
December
Market Day
12:30pm to 3:00pm
Our weekly Friday market takes place at the school entrance, and this week Class 3 children will be joining as part of their main lesson.
As part of the Class 3 curriculum, our children have been exploring the fascinating world of money. They began by looking at how money first came into being, discovered the many forms it has taken throughout history, and dipped into a variety of foreign currencies before focusing on our own South African Rand.
To bring this learning to life, our Class 3 children will be stepping into the role of budding entrepreneurs at the Friday Market on 5 December. They will be running a selection of stalls, offering handmade goods created with great care and enthusiasm. This practical experience invites them not only to make something of value, but also to take the brave step of selling it, calculating costs, giving change, and interacting with customers along the way.
We warmly invite the Michael Oak Community to come along, bring some cash, and support our young marketeers as they put their skills into practice. All proceeds from the Class Three stalls will be donated to charity, allowing the children to experience both the joy of Entrepreneurship and the value of giving back.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Our Class 12 students have been hard at work as exams began last week. These study group moments show their focus, determination, and the supportive spirit they share as they move through their final stretch of the year together. We wish every student the best of luck with their exams!
A glimpse into the vibrant creativity of our high school students, featuring works from the projects ‘Our Land’ and ‘Copy of a Master’, along with a tender portrait by Amarah Edwards.
Our Land – Students explore the meaning of “Our Land” through personal reflection, research, and firsthand observation, gathering inspiration and reinterpreting found materials to create original artwork without plagiarism.
Copy Of A Master – students choose a painting from an established artist that they recreate using only primary colours, a great way to learn to mix colours.
Our Land
Jaidev Patel – Class 12
Copy Of A Master
Amelie O’Hagan – Class 10
Amarah Edwards – Matric
Our Land
Yusuf Moos – Class 12
Our Land
Aisha Richards – Class 12
Our Land
Isabella Cowley – Class 12
Our Land
Susan Major – Class 12
Copy Of A Master
Adelie Oddos – Class 10
Class 5 just finished their Greek Myths & Grammar main lesson. The children connected thoroughly to the Greek Gods and Goddesses and chose one each to honour in an Ode. In their Ode they acknowledge each God or Goddess and ask for their help to cultivate noble qualities within. This inner striving is a perfect preparation for the challenges that lie ahead for us at the Greek Olympic games in February 2026.
As the year gently draws to a close, we warmly invite our high school families to a festive soiree filled with entertainment, laughter, and a bring-and-share feast.
Two recent articles have been featured in the Independent Education Magazine, the magazine for independent and private schools across Southern Africa. These articles highlight Michael Oak Waldorf School and offer insights into Waldorf philosophy more broadly. These pieces were written by Michael Oak parents, sharing their unique perspectives. Below, you’ll find a brief excerpt from each article along with links to read the full pieces.
Article by Janni Younge & Kate Obree – Independent Education
Waldorf education aligns with contemporary educational practices in several ways while maintaining its unique holistic and developmental approach. Below are the key areas in which Waldorf education intersects with modern pedagogy.
1. Project-based and experiential learning
Alignment: Contemporary education increasingly incorporates Project-Based Learning (PBL) to engage students in hands-on, real-world problem solving. Waldorf education naturally embodies this philosophy through its Main Lesson Blocks, which emphasise integrated, experiential learning.
Article by Mohamed Majapa – Independent Education
A technology professional reflects on an unexpected path to finding a more human-centred, screen-free education for his children at Michael Oak Waldorf School in Cape Town.
My journey to Michael Oak Waldorf School was unexpected yet deeply meaningful. It was shaped by a mix of professional insights, personal values and the search for a holistic approach to education for my children.
It all started during a conversation with colleagues in Silicon Valley. At the time, I was working for an aerospace and avionics finance company as a components project lead for North and South America.
Earlier this week, Michael Oak and Gaia Waldorf School came together for a few friendly chess matches. Students from both schools enjoyed testing their skills, exploring different strategies, and sharing a calm afternoon of chess.
Beyond the games themselves, this was a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends, connect with fellow chess enthusiasts, and enjoy the pleasure of playing together in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
From the Malgas Family
Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver, the other is gold. A circle is round; it has no end. That’s how long, I will be your friend.
The words of this familiar song at Michael Oak ring true as we end our 13-year journey as a family with Michael Oak. We joined the school in 2012 when our son Alex joined the Kindergarten in Kathy’s class. We were soon captivated by the magic and mystery of the school as we watched with wonder how Alex was received by Kathy and how he grew under her gentle care and nurturance. When Hannah joined the playgroup with Susanne and Lynette, we were in awe again of the special space which the playgroup and kindergarten hold for children and parents alike. Who can forget those morning sewing sessions with our children or reading stories on the floor while making sure that the crawling younger sibling did not swallow a marble!
Our time in the primary school did not always go as we had hoped. Both our children had multiple teachers during their respective seven-year journeys. As much as we were disappointed by this, we can look back and see how these experiences with different teachers have offered opportunities for growth and the development of a sense of resilience. The primary school years were filled with excitement and angst as our children started learning and growing in their own unique ways. I so appreciated the long-term view that the teachers in the primary school hold about learning and development. Learning never felt rushed. The children were allowed to relate to the work in the way that made sense for them and to work at a gentle yet consistent pace. The thing I loved most about primary school was the year-end reports. Who can forget the 6-page handwritten reports from Mrs Blankers! These reports were more than just feedback on academics and learning. They told the story of how adults saw and experienced our children. What a gift! I have kept all the reports and hope that one day my children will be able to read these again and appreciate afresh the gifts that their Waldorf education offered.
This Michael Oak community, as with any family, is filled with its quirks and challenges. As much as there have been moments of joy, there have been moments of annoyance and frustration. The democratic decision-making process within the school has at times felt so cumbersome and time-consuming. I am remembering a huge school meeting in the big hall a few years ago where the entire community was invited to give feedback on changes in the high school space. At these moments we often felt that someone just needed to please make a decision! But we sat and listened and heard and then some others sat some more and at some point, a decision gets made! Oh, the joys of circle management.
I have come to learn to hold the good with the bad as I reflect on our time at Michael Oak. The beauty of the many festivals we have witnessed and been part of. Each year the same but also unique and different. I have loved these rituals which marked the changes in the seasons or some significant spiritual moment. As much as these festivals are spaces of reverence there have been some wild moments. Like when a lantern caught alight in the St Johns Festival and Andre van Blerk grabbed the burning lantern with his bare hands! We just carried on with our singing while the poor man needed first aid for his second-degree burns!
Alphonso and I were privileged and honoured to serve this community in various roles. We are so grateful for the learning and growth which has resulted from this involvement. The experience that I most treasured was my time with the class 10 girls on the Coming-of-Age camps. Thank you, Kathy Abbott, for suggesting that I get involved with this camp. These camps offered an experience of a rites of passage process which was so rich and beautiful. On these camps I too experience my own rite of passage as woman and a mother. I will forever hold these spaces with reverence and awe.
And so, leaving feels bittersweet. We leave behind wonderful friends and a most beautiful school campus. But we hold on to the many memories and will treasure these always. Michael Oak has left its mark in our hearts and minds, and we are forever changed because of our time in this special community.
With love and gratitude
Alphonso, Helen, and Hannah (and Alex) Malgas
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.
