Dear Parents and Friends of St Paul's, 

It is my pleasure to write this Christmas greeting to you. It has been nearly four months since I started at St. Paul’s, and each day I am still enjoying the warmth, friendliness and generosity of the School Community. I wonder about the miracle that made it possible to create a place like St Paul’s Steiner School out of a ruin, and turn it into a flourishing school that educates and teaches students, parents and teachers alike to make a difference in the world. 

As we look back to the start of the school year, we remember the many wonderful events that have taken place. To name a few, we celebrated Michaelmas, enjoyed a wonderful assembly Diwali led by Class 5 and St Nikolaus came for visit with charcoal and some special gifts. 

The incredible contribution of our School community enabled us to celebrate and learn. I would like to thank everyone who helped us by procuring guests to give talks at the school, organizing the Advent fair, and also those who came to support the PTFA meetings. 

I would also like to extend a very warm thank you to everyone who helped in many different ways to support the school. Be it a cake being baked, a helping hand during workdays or a smile given to everyone working at the school. These gestures are not going unrecognized and are as much support as the organization of one of the more visible events.  

 As we are reaching the end of the term we will also have to say Goodbyes and that is never easy. As we all know, we will be losing Angelita Ravizzoli who has been a key member in the school and has put tremendous effort in the well-being of the school and whose expertise and energy will be greatly missed. On behalf of everyone in the school community, I would like to thank her and wish her all the best and hope to see her for all the wonderful upcoming events at St Paul's in the future. 

With our mind being so busy with Christmas preparations let me invite you to stop for a moment and think of someone you really appreciate, saying thank you to them in your heart. Take another moment to think of someone you really missed this year and to whom you had to say goodbye and embrace that person with your warm thoughts. 

Next, I would like you to dedicate some thought to think kindly of someone you really struggled to get on with. Appreciate that person as someone who will let you grow. And finally, open your heart to the people you love. They are the reason we change ourselves for the better and hopefully the world around us. 

I wish you a merry and peaceful Christmas and New Year and am looking forward welcoming back everyone in 2017.

Our thanks to all staff and volunteers for their time, energy and talent in creating the Shepherds' Play.

A special Thank you to Kristina Hertel for having made the giant wreath hanging at reception. It was a mammoth solo effort. 

Mmm... it's soup day in Kindergarten.  I wonder what it will be like today as it is different each week.  The children place their vegetables in the basket as they arrive... potatoes, carrots, leeks, cabbage, onions, squash, pumpkin (extra delicious soup) even beetroot (pink soup.)  They never bring mushrooms.  In the summer we can add herbs from the herb spiral in our garden.  Now it is winter we add red lentils for extra heartiness. On a recent soup day some of the children asked me to share the recipe with their Mums. 'Mmmmm' they said, 'I LOVE Kindergarten soup!'  'Me too!' 'It's my favourite.' 'I want to eat it every day.' ' I want my Mum to make it at home.'

So, here it is.

You will need: Vegetables, Pot Barley, Vegetable stock, Herbs, Red Split Lentils.

Chop the vegetables and lightly fry in a big saucepan.  Add barley, lentils and stock to cover and a generous bit more.  Bring to the boil and simmer til the barley is cooked.  

We enjoy our soup with a homemade bread roll, homemade butter and good company.  

During this holidays please check your child for nits and treat accordingly if found. The treatment needs to be repeated three times 5-7 days apart. After that, could you please take your time to check your child’s head every week to ensure that any visitors are spotted and treated. 
 
Please also use this break to check your child indoor shoes – every child needs properly fitting indoor shoes, including the children in the older classes. It is unsafe for the children to walk around in their socks.
 
A reminder that every child needs good quality waterproof (trousers and jacket) and a pair of wellington boots or waterproof walking shoes. Regardless of the weather conditions all classes go out daily on the green or in the garden for breaks. 

• Dynamo powered halogen front and back stand light
• Strong pannier bag carrier (back)  
• Frame based U lock
• Rubber floor mat
• Front see through panel
• Canape Cover for rain
• Custom fitted smaller first gear to master London hills
• and a few spares