Chrysalis Newsletter Week 5 Term 4

Connecting to this Gumbaynggirr land on which we learn...

View this email in your browser

Giinagay...
This week, 8-15 November, 2020 we celebrate NAIDOC Week, acknowledging the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme of NAIDOC week this year is Always Was, Always Will Be.
Always Was, Always Will Be. recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists.
Australia has the world’s oldest oral stories. The First Peoples engraved the world’s first maps, made the earliest paintings of ceremony and invented unique technologies. The very first footprints on this continent were those belonging to First Nations peoples.
At Chrysalis this week each class is celebrating NAIDOC week through a myriad of ways. Please enjoy some of these sharings in our newsletter.

yaarri yarraang, Lisa

We touch the ground on Gumbaynggirr land
We reach up to the sky on Gumbaynggirr land
We touch our hearts for the love and care of Gumbaynggirr land.
Always was, and always will be Gumbaynggirr land.

~ Morning Verse - Acknowledgement of Country

NAIDOC Week 2020 - Always Was, Always Will Be...
This week at Chrysalis, and every week, we acknowledge the Gumbaynggirr land that we live, learn and work on. And, we pay our respects to the Gumbaynggirr people who hold our hand through this journey and show us the way. Many thanks for your guidance and generosity!

Morning Star celebrates NAIDOC week...
For this week and last, Morning Star's learning experiences have centred around “Caring for Country”. The activities support the children to understand the significance of Country/place and to build a personal sense of responsibility for respecting the environment around them. Uncle Micklo Jarrett came to share some stories and culture with the children (see below) and Uncle Tony Hart will be taking them on an artistic journey. The children have been making compost, tree pasting, mulching and planting, embarking on nature walks and cleaning up their nature reserve. A beautiful way to connect to Country!

Parents & Friends mind mapping the future...
The Parents & Friends (P&F) met today to form their ideas for moving forward with this important Community group. Amy Graham was elected as Chair, to be ably supported by Sarah Withers (Deputy Chair), Ros Thomas (Secretary) and Julie Wood (Treasurer). Looking further forward, the group started to brainstorm opportunities to build community and support the School. These opportunities were collected in the mind map pictured below and will become the basis for further development at subsequent P&F meetings. More ideas are welcome and the group is very encouraging of broader participation and seeks to work on a consensus basis. Please read this newsletter for regular updates and proposed meetings.

Impetigo in the community...
There are a couple of cases of Impetigo in the community. It presents initially as small red spots – not unlike mosquito bites – that change into blisters that fill with pus and become yellowish brown & crusty. (Chicken pox tends to go black & crusty). Impetigo usually presents on the face (especially up noses and around the mouth area), hands or the scalp. It is very contagious. NSW Dept of Health states that children with Impetigo must be excluded from attending school until treatment has commenced. The child may then return to school with all sores covered with a waterproof dressing. Spread can be prevented by exclusion from school, covering of sores and careful hand washing.

2021 school travel applications...
Students who require a travel pass for 2021 can now apply online.
A new application should be submitted if a student is applying for:-
a school travel pass for the first time or
requesting an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).
Students who have changed their address should re-apply or update their details. Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2020 to ensure that current student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card remains valid.

Blessings...
Lisa & the Leadership Team

Introducing Soli as our Class 1 teacher for 2021

Many of our school community know Soli as a High School teacher as well as a Visual Arts teacher here at Chrysalis. We are delighted that in 2021 Soli will become the Class 1 Teacher.
Soli brings a wealth of experience in Steiner education and teaching, and beyond the classroom, Soli has been a practising biologist and naturalist for over 20 years. She has a deep love and respect for the outdoors and the traditional earth based spiritual practices of both Australian and South American indigenous cultures.
We at the School are very excited for what Soli will bring to Class 1 next year, as well as the journey she will share with the children through their primary years. It feels quite appropriate as the current Class 8 that Soli co-teaches completes their journey at Chrysalis and partakes in the River Song Going Up ceremony, that Soli will also be there to take the River Song children up the hill to their new classroom awaiting their Class 1 start in 2021 with her as their teacher. All the best Soli!

Important dates

School calendar
Class 4 Crowdy Bay camp
Mon 9 - Wed 11 Nov
Class 2 to 8 Music performances
Wed 11 Nov - no parents
Morning Star families Mini morning @ River Song Sat 14 Nov
Class 7 Island camp
Sun 15 - Thu 26 Nov
Class 6 excursions
Tues 24, Wed 25, Mon 30 Nov
Report Writing Day - pupil free
Fri 27 Nov
Class 6 Celebration dinner
Sat 28 Nov
Class 3 Hat Head camp
Wed 2 - Thurs 3 Dec
Class 8 Project presentation night
Fri 4 Dec - Class 8 families only
Class 8 Graduation dinner
Sat 5 Dec
Class 8 Farewell camp
Sun 6 - Tues 8 Dec
River Song Going Up ceremony
Tues 8 Dec
Last day of Term 4 Wed 9 Dec
Term dates for 2021

Community Notices

These notices are updated fortnightly on the school website.
Locals seeking 1-2 bedroom cabin
Reanne's Open Ceramics exhibition
Rhythmical massage with Charlotte
Veil Painting workshop
Thinking of studying Steiner education? - Melbourne Rudolf Steiner Seminar events
2021 Enrolments Are Open at Sydney Rudolf Steiner College
SEA Dancing the Divide workshop
Putting the World Back on Its Feet - two day workshop in Newcastle
Bello YMCA pool lessons & squads
ilovebelloshire website & newsletter

Steiner Playgroups

We are excited that Playgroups have resumed this term! These are run each week during term time. Please email Suzane Polaris to enquire about enrolling in Playgroup for 2021 or see the school website for more information.

Birthdays this fortnight...

Frida in River Song turns 6 yrs old, Amethyst in Cl 2 turns 8yrs old, Rafi in Cl 2 turns 9yrs old, Lila in Cl 6 turns 12yrs old, Sunny in Cl 7 turns 14yrs old.
Happy Birthday to you all!

Update your own email address...

via the link at the bottom of this email. Please be aware that you will still need to inform the school of the change of email separately, as the e-newsletter list is entirely separate from our school database. Please remember these newsletters are a key component of our direct communication with school parents. If you are no longer an active part of our school community, you can unsubscribe below. If you have been forwarded this email by a friend, you are welcome to sign up for the newsletter.

Chrysalis acknowledges the Gumbaynggirr land in which we reside and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities.
At Chrysalis we pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to elders both past, present and emerging.

The deadline for contributions and community notices for the next newsletter is COB on Monday 23rd November.