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School NewsletterTerm 4 Week 1, 2015

IMPORTANT DATESPlease also remember the online calendar

TERM 4Sat 10 Oct IB Art Presentations12-16 Oct Class 5 CampTue 13 Oct 7pm Class 7 Parents MeetingWed 14 Oct Class 7 catch up ImmunisationsThu 15 Oct 7pm Class 8 Parent & Student meeting 7:30pm Class 4 Parent meetingFri 16 Oct 1:45pm Class 3 play19-23 Oct Class 7 CampFri 23 Oct Class 12 last day of classes

Term 4 Week 1, October 2015 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

Greetings, Welcome back.

I trust that each and every one has had a refreshing and rejuvenating spring break. It is a joy to see the students entering this final term; their growth and maturing that occurs as we move across the term break is evident.

This year Sophia Mundi hosted the annual Australian Anthroposophical conference during the break. I’m sure that the depth of insights that arose will continue to resound as time unfolds. We were also blessed with wonderful Eurythmy, singing and theatre performances. ‘The Mystery of Eleusis’ was a particularly powerful and thought provoking performance.

At the end of last term, staff spent two days with Lisa Romero working on deepening their understanding and experience of the College Imagination. The College of Teachers is responsible for the pedagogic impulse of the school. The College ensures that the School adheres to and works within the educational indications described by Rudolf Steiner. The work of the College is central to our School’s ethos. The College of Teachers meet each week.

Next newsletter admissions deadline: Wed 21 October

Friday 23 October is our Class 12’s last day at school. Traditionally, all students and staff are asked to wear white clothing. We also ask students and families to collect rose petals for our farewell ceremony. If these petals could be brought to school in the week beginning Monday 19 October we would appreciate your efforts.

It is with sadness that management met with Luisa Lacota and Paula Cocchis to hear their plans for 2016. Both Luisa and Paola have decided that after 7 rewarding years managing the canteen it is time to pass the baton. They have been an inspiration and held the canteen space for the community with such warmth and generosity. Together we have created a position description and plan towards extending the canteen to offer more days of lunches. We are currently advertising this position, please recommend this to anyone you think would be suitable.

Fiona Cock

Sat 7 November

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30 Birthday

From Calendar of the Soul, by Rudolf SteinerO Nature, your maternal life

I bear within the essence of my will.And my will’s fiery energy

Shall steel my spirit striving,That sense of self springs forth from it

To hold me in myself

2Term 4 Week 1, October 2015 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

CLASS 8 PROJECTSCongratulations to our Class 8 students for presenting their projects, describing their artistic works and inspirational journeys with confidence and individual character.

Thank you to the mentors who provided practical and skilled direction over the past 7 months. You played a very important role in these young students lives. The Class 8 projects will on display and in some cases, available for purchase at the Spring Fair / Open Day.

(Photos: Jollie O’Dwyer with her restored caravan, Claudia Bates’ garment, hand woven and dyed from her Alpaca’s fleece and Jules Arnott-Ford playing the “Gibson SG” Electric Guitar that he made)

ADULT EURYTHMYEvery Tuesday, 2:30pm until pick up time. All wel-come anytime, the more the merrier! $5 Per sessionFor Enquiries please email: kelly.papas@sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

RIDE2WORK BREAKFASTOn Wednesday morning the Abbotsford Convent is hosting a free breakfast for cyclists from 7:30-9am. You can ride to work or school via the Convent and enjoy a free and delicious breakfast while treating your bike to a complimentary safety check and bike adjustment.This event is part of National Ride2Work Day, an Australia wide initiative which aims to encourage bike riding to minimize traffic and promote health and sustainability.FIRE DRILLS AND LOCKDOWNSOver the coming months, Sophia Mundi will be practicing fire evacuation procedures, as well as lockdown procedures. This is nothing to be alarmed by.

EARLY YEARS 30TH ANNIVERSARY PICNIC CELEBRATIONPlaygroup, Little Sophia and Prep families have been invited to share a picnic this Saturday at Sophia Mundi in celebration of 30th Anniversary of the founding of Sophia Mundi and Little Sophia. A Treasure hunt and story-time with a plate of food to share and some sunshine will hopefully allow for families and children to engage and make new connections.

YEAR 12 FINAL DAYSoon we will be saying congratulation and farewell to our Year 12s. Don’t forget your Rose Petals and White Clothes for their last day Friday 23rd October.

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SPRING FAIR

Please find below a list of Spring Fair for 2015. If you’re surprised – it’s probably because your class has been assigned a stall! With only a little over 4 weeks to go to the fair, now is really the time to start considering what tasks and supplies are involved in your stall (if you haven’t already done so) and working out roles and rosters for the day.If you need help please put your hand up! Contact springfair@sophiamundi.vic.edu.au Given the size of our school we really need every family to contribute their time on a stall to make the day a success. If you don’t, some one else in your class has to take your place (and I guess they would like to take a break and see their kids perform/ enjoy the day too)! Things we can all help with….. SILENT AUCTION – CLASS 9Each Class has been asked to donate at least 4 items to the Silent Auction. Please have details of these items and photos if possible to springfair@sophiamundi.vic.edu.au by the 23rd October so that we can create and circulate a Silent Auction Catalogue.This could be a really great fundraiser opportunity for the school, and needs a little work from each of us to make it successful. LEMONS – CLASS 6As usual, a tonne of lemons are needed to make refreshing lemonade. If you have access to a lemon tree, please bring a box in or squeeze and freeze at home and bring in the juice in the week leading up to the fair so we can make up the cordial. Its great if we can run this stall without resorting to buying lemons. If you are squeezing at home, could you please let us know so that we can have an idea of quantity. Thank you! CAKES & COFFEE & BAGUETTES – CLASS 1 AND 8This stall sells goods baked by our community. Please think about what delectable delight you might be able to contribute in the weeks ahead. If you can make good coffee (under pressure), please let us know! WHITE ELEPHANTPlease start looking for those high quality second hand items: clothing, kitchen and household equipment and bric a brac. CRAFT STALLThe craft stall is always looking for quality hand made donated items to sell at this very popular stall perfect for Christmas and Birthday presents. If you can craft and think you can turn your hand to producing a few items, please let us know, we can always do with more gorgeous items. We can supply you with materials and ideas if necessary.

PRODUCE STALLHome made goods and preserves, produce from your kitchen garden, even including plants help to fill out this always beautifully presented stall located in our own biodynamic school garden. Please speak with Paolo for ideas to contribute. POCKET LADYWe haven’t any volunteers for pocket lady yet! This is a great favourite with little tots. The Pocket Lady travels the fair allowing little ones to choose a treasure from one of her many pockets. Let us know if you fancy having a twirl.

STORY TELLING, FACE PAINTING, CHILDREN’S MAZEAny volunteers for Story Telling, Face Painting please get in contact.Love to have a Children’s Maze – need a few senior school students and Parents to take this on as an extra activity!! Unless we get some volunteers we wont be able to get this together. Could be a fun project! OUTSIDE MARKET STALLSIf you know anyone who might like to run their own stall at our Fair, please ask them to contact us for more information.

GOLD COIN DONATIONPlease Note that if you are arriving after 10am, the Convent are collecting a $2 entry fee. WORKING BEE Saturday 7 October from 7.30am to 4pm.Open Day and Fair preparations are already underway in earnest. We invite all families to a working bee to prepare for our 30th birthday and Spring Fair celebrations. There will be much to be done both in classrooms and around the grounds.

Term 3 Week 1,October 2015 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

30th BIRTHDAY

4Term 4 Week 1,October 2015 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.auThe inclusion of adverts/links do not represent an endorsement of those sites by Sophia Mundi, nor can the School be held responsible or liable for the accuracy, availability or content of the information or services therein.

D E S I G NA M Y K A T E

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D E S I G NA M Y K A T E

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amykatedesign.com.au

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Come and see all the latest designs from Amy Kate at the Rose Street Market on October 25 from 11am.

There will be custom family canvases, Furnture and Typography prints. Come and

find the perfect Christmas gift! Visit Facebook or amykatedesign.com.au for more details

‘MEETING THE WORLD’ CONFERENCE 25-28TH SEPTEMBER 2015

Sophia Mundi Steiner School was a perfect setting for the people who came together to ‘Meet the World’ in the Anthroposophical Society annual conference. The surroundings and the sunshine contributed to the friendly, relaxed atmosphere, along with time to meet and have good conversations, to explore the convent precinct or to walk by the river. On the Friday and the Monday, Year 12 IB students worked around us, so the awareness of the school at work was a lovely addition for the visitors.

The conference opened artistically with a thrilling cello piece played by Brigit Doyle from Year 12. The sounds of the didgeridoo and sounds of nature captured in the music set the stage for the conference program, where listening and encounter were themes and the piece made a fitting bridge from the pre-conference excursion. This excursion had explored something of the local indigenous culture and history with Wurundjeri elder, Uncle Bill and historian Jim Poulter.

Each main speaker, Rob Gordon, Lisa Romero, Karl-Heinz Finke and Lisa Devine, contributed to the theme out of their life experiences.

We heard about anthroposophical initiatives, including the work of the young people in the Society, (Seed Australia), who are working on the area of moral technologies among other things. On Saturday evening we had a performance of the play The Mysteries of Eleusis, directed by Marcus Cox with a cast mostly gathered from past students of the Teachers Training Seminar, including our Class Four teacher, Christina. On Sunday evening there was a eurythmy performance which brought together ensembles and musicians and speakers from around Australia and also NZ. This program finished with a performance of the Russian legend The Angel of Wrath, choreographed and directed by Brian Cusack and showcasing many of the eurythmy teachers from the Melbourne schools including Kelly and Leanne from SMSS.

We were well nourished by the delicious, wholesome organic/biodynamic food, prepared by Susanna Luebbers who works at the Gawler Foundation, so overall we were well cared for, in body, soul and spirit.

The organisers thank Sophia Mundi staff and community for welcoming us in and we were very pleased with the response from those participating. Many commented on the school and the welcoming, warm atmosphere. People had come from every state and territory in Australia and have now carried home with them a very positive impression of the school.Jennifer West

SPRING FAIR STALL LISTPrep – Children’s’ TentClass 1 – Coffee & Cake and BaguettesClass 2 – Sausage and Veggie Burgers & SaladClass 3 – T-shirt and Leggings Tie-DyeClass 4 – Coconut ShieClass 5 – Paella & White ElephantClass 6 – Lemonade StallClass 7 – Henna HandsClass 8 - Coffee & Cake and BaguettesClass 9 – Silent AuctionClass 10 – Curry StandClass 11 – Chai Tent Other Stalls & ActivitiesPaella StallVeggie Curry StallWhite ElephantSilent AuctionClass 8 Caravan Produce StallProduce StallCraft StallFace PaintingStory TellingOutdoor EducationAdult CraftCandle DippingLeather CraftStone CarvingCarpentry Outside Stall Holders