Mansfield Steiner School in Mansfield, Victoria | High School

Mansfield Steiner School

Locality: Mansfield, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 5779 1445

Address: 91 Highett Street 3722 Mansfied, Victoria, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.mansfieldsteiner.vic.edu.au

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25.01.2022 Remote learning can be challenging but also fun...

24.01.2022 With the Easter holidays arriving a little earlier this year, we didnt have much time at school to prepare our usual Easter celebrations. The last day of Term 1 is usually our Easter festival where all classes join together to sing Easter songs and to hear an Easter story. Preparation for the celebration is done in the days leading up to it with dyeing and decorating eggs, making hot cross buns or planting wheat. 2020 was not the year. The best way for us all to get through ...Continue reading

23.01.2022 Across the district Mansfield Steiner Rosa Mundi Prep Class will be receiving a package of materials for their work over the next three weeks. Equipment for painting, drawing, craft and wax modelling, fabric for sewing their rest time cushions, broadbeans to plant in the garden, hawthorn berries to dry for tea and thread to make garlands, wool for finger knitting and, marbles and rods for games. Complete with a parent guide and daily online sessions communicating with their friends and teachers to learn songs and stories. Everything is set for the term of remote learning ahead.

23.01.2022 We participated in BirdLife Australia’s Aussie Backyard Bird Count last week. This is the third year that students have joined thousands of other citizen scientists from all over Australia, conducting a 20-minute bird survey in their own ‘backyard’. Once compiled, the surveys will provide scientists with a snapshot of what is happening to the bird populations of different species throughout the country. During the four-day survey of Mansfield Steiner School’s ‘Backyard’, th...e students recorded 24 different species, however the school’s current overall bird list now features over 60 species. With the ever-increasing number of indigenous plant species being planted in the grounds, the number of bird species at the school is predicted to grow as the plants mature to provide the right habitat for feeding and breeding. We have also recently launched our MRSSK 2021 Calendar for sale form the Open Day page on our website. Featuring some of the beautiful bird species found within the school’s grounds, you can purchase a copy (they make a great Christmas gift) via the link below...

22.01.2022 Its times like these we realise how truly interconnected we are and how we must all work together for the greater good. It can be hard to chart a course when more is unknown than known. Young children need to feel safe and secure to develop well in the early years. Media coverage of disaster news and distressing news events affects young children. You can minimise the effect of distressing news on your young child. For example, you can limit how much he or she sees and hears.... And if your child is upset by something they are exposed to, talking with you can help them cope. Children are more likely to be affected by distressing news stories if theyre personally affected by the event for example, if a loved one is sick, or if their own routine, school or community is affected. You can create a sense of safety in your family by being warm, loving and responsive. Talking with your child and helping them cope with disaster news and distressing news is part of this. The best time to talk is when your child is interested or curious. So if your child asks you a question, stop what youre doing and respond. Find out what your child knows and explain what has happened. If your child has been exposed to media coverage of a disaster or has overheard you talking about it, they probably know something is going on. So its always best to acknowledge it. If you pretend that nothing has happened, this could confuse your child and make her feel less safe. When youre giving your child the facts, keep it simple and brief. Tune in to your childs feelings, and reassure them if they are feeling anxious or upset. For example, Scary things happen in the world, but they dont happen very often. Grown-ups work hard to keep everyone safe. After youve talked with your child, move on to another activity that your child enjoys for example, drawing or reading together. This helps to shift your childs attention to something else and gives your child time to feel safe together with you. Its natural to feel upset about disasters, but your child will cope better if youre coping. If youre finding it difficult, there are many people you can talk to, find the best parenting helpline here: http://bit.ly/3a4PbFX See more

22.01.2022 We are sensitive to the fact that there has been a lot of confusing and conflicting information in the media about school closures. We want to confirm that Mansfield Steiner School will remain open unless directed by the Government. We will continue to follow all Government directives in regard to this matter. That said, if a member of your family is unwell, please stay at home for the benefit of the rest of our community. We are working on remote learning plans in the event ...of potential closure. The school will continue to provide information as soon as there is any change. Below is a short video to support families to navigate these difficult and uncertain times and if youre finding it difficult, there are many people you can talk to. To find the best parenting helpline go to http://bit.ly/3a4PbFX or contact the school. Thank you for your continued support. - Fran Cummins (MRSSK Principal) See more

22.01.2022 I tell you what our beautiful Steiner School teachers have really made remote/home learning soo lovely with the at home kits and all the love and connection As... we head into another 6 weeks Lockdown Thank You Thank You And ever grateful to be in this property with 4 lively beings we have fresh air, space, river, nature and Peace ! #blessedlife #PurposedLiving #happykids #love #mansfieldsteinerschool

21.01.2022 Mansfield Steiner Schools Year 9 Outdoor Education Program Building Skills for Life Unique to Mansfield Steiner School, the Year 9 Outdoor Education Program ...is an intentional, sequenced outdoor education learning journey. Designed to give the students a yearlong adventure, the program works to round out their skills for independent travel, preparing them for their Year 10 cultural exchange. Built to work with the natural environments that surround Mansfield, the students will spend 55 nights out in various Australian landscapes, hiking, paddling, riding bikes and completing Main Lessons relevant to the associated environments and places, whilst immersing their growing beings and awareness in the areas unique landscapes, culture, tradition and history. These outdoor experiences will provide opportunities to gain perspective of themselves and their place in the world. The program is shaped to give students a chance to build first aid skills, participate in a volunteer organisation and take on real responsibilities. They will learn water safety and radio communication skills, which are helpful skills to continue to navigate the outdoor program. New Outdoor Education coordinator Brooke Varacalli will work specifically with the Year 9 cohort to complete the outdoor education program. A passionate outdoor educator, Brooke has worked extensively in the outdoors and most recently for Sophia Mundi Steiner School. On each trip the area they visit is chosen, above all, as a beautiful natural place. This is part of a continuing theme of appreciation for and empathy with nature. An important part of achieving this aim is the intentionally uncomplicated nature of each trip: the less gear you carry and the less impact you make. As students mature and grow, the program meets the students at the different transitional points of their development, helping to prepare them for the responsibilities of adult hood. For more information about Mansfield Steiner School, please see https://mansfieldsteiner.vic.edu.au

21.01.2022 27 May 1967 On this day, Australias most successful referendum saw more than 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census. Today we celebrate the beginning of Reconciliation Week with an Acknowledgement to Country by making a mandala of the Reconciliation Week motif using flowers and items from nature that represent our school and grounds. Mansfield Steiner School acknowledges the Taungurung people, who are the traditional custodians of the land on which the school stands. We would like to pay our respects to their elders - past and present. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution that they make to the life of our school. "In this together" #NRW2020.

21.01.2022 Its back to school for the teachers this week, engaging in some dynamic professional development ahead of the new school year with visiting Norwegian speaker Godi Keller author of With a Heart at School. Godis work addresses the presence of life philosophy in school. This week, weve been discussing the most important skills for connecting with students and reflecting on the role of the teacher to nurture individual students needs and potential.

20.01.2022 This week we are excited to officially launch our new IB Study Space, thanks to the generous support of Bendigo Bank - Mansfield & District Community Bank Branch. The Merton Hall, which was previously the Merton School, provided the perfect space for this facility. Previously a costume storage area adjoining our school Library, the room has now been transformed into a space for our IB students. The room is named Yangurdi which is from the Taungurung language meaning walkabou...t - aimed to inspire our IB students, for when theyve completed their Diploma, to go out into the world and seek their own adventures. We thank The Mansfield & District Community Bank for their support in helping to make this upgrade possible. They play a key role in fostering sustainable outcomes by investing in our community, which can only happen through the communitys returned support. If you dont already bank with them, now might be a time you could consider where you would like your money to be invested?

19.01.2022 Today we celebrated National Ride2School Day. The aim of this Australia wide event was to promote bike riding as an active way to travel to school and a healthy way to kickstart the school day. The programme aims to instil in students rewarding healthy habits for life. We joined over 3000 participating schools nationwide to encourage as many students as possible to ride, walk or skate to school, and participate they did- over 65 students rode to school, including several Morn...ing Star Kindergarten and Rosa Mundi Prep children, through to our Year 11 students. (Our Year 9s were out on camp at Mt Stirling). Nearly half the staff left their cars at home too, taking the wheel option to school, some riding quite a distance before work. The riders and keen parents were welcomed by a gathering in front of the newly extended and overflowing bike rack. Jess Muddyman from All Terrain Cycles and Dan Friday, MTB rider and school parent, then presented a workshop on bike maintenance and safety to the participants. Jess and Dan spoke about the importance of a correctly fitted helmet and how to care for and check bikes before every ride. They demonstrated key things to ensure the bike will give a safe and comfortable ride such as tyre pressure and keeping your chain clean and oiled. All riders and parents proceeded to the Melliodora Hall for a very hearty, delicious and nutritious breakfast. It is hoped that every day at Mansfield Steiner School will be a ride or walk to school choice for many families, lessening the traffic at pick up and drop off and creating a physically, mentally and socially healthy way to begin and finish each day. "Life is like riding a bicycle, in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving." Albert Einstein

19.01.2022 Class 6 have started looking at the treasures of the earth in their new Geology lesson during Remote Learning. The students enjoyed drawing the sandstone monolith of Uluru and exploring the tallest mountains on the seven continents converting their heights from metres to feet and finding the differences between them. Pictured: Cates Main Lesson book drawing of Uluru.

18.01.2022 Join us for our Secondary School Q&A Information Session for current, new and prospective families interested in finding out more about Steiner Education at Mansfield Steiner School. Hosted by our Principal Fran Cummins, the evening will feature a presentation on the Secondary School experience at Mansfield Steiner School and IB student reflection and aspirations.

18.01.2022 Its time to get our waggle on... #worldbeeday #importantwork #beesrule

18.01.2022 When the bell rang today for the first time this year, our classrooms filled with excited students ready to begin their 2020 journey with curiosity. I heard a parent say 'Its amazing when your Year 9 child is still enthusiastic to come to school'. The day began with a whole school assembly in the Melliodora Hall. After an Acknowledgement of Country, the Class 1 children entered the hall through a beautifully decorated archway in a Welcome to the big school ceremony. Each e...ager Class 1 student was greeted by their Class 5 buddy and presented with a flower. The buddies then accompanied their protégées to their rightful place in the school circle. In 12 years, time, when this Class 1 cohort graduate, they will exit the school through the same archway. The whole school then sang 'Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold'. - Fran Cummins Principal See more

17.01.2022 Visual Arts offers IB students the opportunity to work as real artists do. This past week in Melbourne, our students were able to see and hear first-hand how professional artists approach their work and that of other IB students from Victoria and Tasmania. There are three main areas that students work in, Theoretical practice, Art Making practice and Curatorial practice; each corresponds to a final assessment: the Comparative Study, the Process Portfolio and the final Exhibit...ion where each year in February a selection of the graduate artwork is on display at the Glen Eira City Gallery. In conjunction with this a morning seminar is held for students and their teachers. Three acclaimed Australian artists spoke of their personal development as an artist, their artwork and how they approached their professional career. Students were also able to meet IB students from 2019 and hear about their experiences in Visual Arts over the two-year diploma. Expert teachers also explained the various aspects of the course, offering many helpful tips and resources to get the most out of their studies. It was an eye opener and gives our students a taste of things to come. See more

17.01.2022 Class 4 are currently learning about their local surrounds during Main Lesson. They recently walked to the Mansfield Cemetery learning about local family history and our town. The students located the graves of the three policemen involved in the Stringybark Creek incident with the Kelly Gang. The following day the class walked down to the Mullum Wetlands to identify the local birds and flora. The students were able to wander around to see, hear, touch and smell the many treats of nature. They then reflected on this in their Main Lesson books.

16.01.2022 Over two weeks has passed since the beginning of term and our foray into remote learning and the use of online communications. Life has changed very quickly, it has been a challenging time for all with many and varied stories of successes and frustrations of this new way of learning being shared. Everyones competence and confidence with technology is different and it has allowed us to question its relevance in education, work and its effect on our wellbeing in general - reme...mbering to maintain a healthy screen/life balance. In a positive example of screen use from this past week, the Year 7 students completed their Light and Sound Main Lesson, asked to create a short, funny video to explain how a certain section of the Electromagnetic spectrum works. One student decided to use some props around the home to produce a stop-motion video to show how gamma rays can be used in cancer treatment! Nice work See more

16.01.2022 Do you have 36 minutes - get a cuppa (or a glass of wine!). Press this link - I loved creating a Podcast with 'Access all Areas' to inspire and and support pare...nts with their children 'schooling' at home at this time. Press the link to listen to many practical tips: https://podcasts.apple.com//podcast/access-a/id1499169597 See more

14.01.2022 Our teachers have been busy planning and preparing throughout the holiday break to be ready to deliver remote learning for Term 2. Meaningful activity and educational opportunities to engage and occupy school age children will be essential, particularly if parents too are working from home. Maintaining routine and inspiring young minds will be key. We have developed specific plans to address the needs of different age groups across our school community. The framework of our T...erm 2 curriculum will be a blend of live and pre-recorded teaching sessions, supported by a range of hands on tasks, activities, resources and supplied materials. Our dedicated teachers will be delivering live online lessons through Microsoft Teams, with additional opportunities for one-on-one mentoring sessions. Our International Baccalaureate students are well positioned for distance education as they already utilise the custom-made Online Learning Management System Managbac for all their necessary learning resources. Now more than ever, young people need to remain connected to their peers and their school community. The real opportunity for learning amidst the pandemic, is to know that adversity can be overcome through working together. See more

14.01.2022 At the start of this term, we sent home a booklet encouraging our students from classes 4-7 to record the birds in their backyards. Recently, on a rainy day, one of our Class 5 students found a male Scarlet Robin sitting outside near his house getting quite wet. He gently picked up the robin, took it inside and fed it some worms that he had collected. A while later, when it was rested, warmed and fed, he took the bird outside and with a little encouragement, it flew away.

13.01.2022 Providing the space for an unhurried childhood. 2021 4-Year-Old Kindergarten places still available. Book a tour now 5779 1445

12.01.2022 The Rosa Mundi Prep class thoroughly enjoyed the end to Remote Learning with a Spring Festival via Teams today. Families enjoyed making spring cakes, decorated and made garlands to bring the spring prince and princess home. We sang, danced along at home and shared in our Remote Learning highlights for this term. Have a great holiday everyone.

11.01.2022 Today we celebrate World Bee Day with The Waggle dance. May 20 was chosen as WBD because it is the day that the Slovenian beekeeping pioneer Anton Jansa was born in 1734. The purpose of World Bee Day is to acknowledge the vital role bees and other pollinators play in our ecosystem. In 2019, as part of the Waldorf 100 celebrations, every Steiner school throughout the world pledged to make their school a safe homeland for bees. The aim being to create awareness of the importan...ce of bees and to encourage students of all ages to participate in caring for their health, from creating bee friendly gardens to complex research studies. We are committed to continuing this focus on the importance of bees. This year we joined the Waggle Dance Challenge, an Australian-led global celebration of bees for World Bee Day! The Challenge is an attempt to achieve 20,000 waggle dance videos, from 20+ countries, in 20 days, ending today. Each video uploaded is in recognition of the 20,000+ bee species that exist globally. The Waggle dance is a term used in beekeeping and ethology for a particular figure-eight dance of the honey bee. By performing this dance, successful foragers can share information about the direction and distance to patches of flowers yielding nectar and pollen, to water sources, or to new nest-site locations with other members of the colony. What a beautiful day it was to Waggle! A special thanks goes out to Daisy Sampson for leading the dance :) World Bee Day Australia #worldbeeday #WBD2020 #thewaggle #celebrate #plantmore #savethebees #beethechange #beekind

10.01.2022 Lou Harvey-Zahra has been offering free weekly talks over the last four weeks, and they are all up now on her Facebook page to support, inspire and uplift parents at this time of CoronaVirus. They will only remain up online for another week or so, so if youre looking for some inspiration, this will provide you with lots of helpful ideas through these challenging times... Week 1 - Happy Child, Happy Home: How to create rhythms of stability and loving connection at home. ... Week 2 - Creative Discipline, Connected Family: Transforming Tears, Tantrums and Troubles while Staying Close to your Children. Week 3 - Growing Children, Thriving Children: Raising 7 to 12 Year Olds with Confidence and Awareness. Week 4 - Birthday tips for connected families and happy hearts! If you have any family birthday coming during home-stay this is useful.

09.01.2022 Whilst the day to day logistics of remote learning are a prime focus in schools, the Covid 19 crisis has also brought into sharp relief the bigger question of learning for the real world. In my time as teacher and then principal in a Steiner school spanning nearly 30 years, there were many questions parents asked about Steiner education and whether the emphasis on creative play, development of imagination and creative arts really prepared children for this real world. Those questions are now more important than ever.... As much has been turned upside down in this Covid 19 crisis, so too should the old, industrial idea of the real world which has been driving what education looks like since the 19th Century.

07.01.2022 Before we went to Remote Learning, our Class 5 students created a replica of a canola flower during their Botany Main Lesson. Students enjoyed working with beeswax to create a 3D model. The class was asked to look closely at the flower and make their beeswax model two times larger than the real plant. It is fantastic to see the accuracy in each of the student's beeswax models and the care each of them took in moulding the wax and mixing the colours.... Now during Remote Learning the students are learning about flowering plants and how they grow, looking for plants in their own back yard to draw and study.

07.01.2022 ENJOY OUR VIRTUAL OPEN DAY 2020 We regret to confirm that our much loved Spring Fair and Open Day is not able to go ahead this year, as has been the longstanding tradition for the last 35 years. The challenges of Covid-19 have offered many hurdles, however we continue to embrace the challenges and work around the limitations as best we can. We are excited instead to share with you our online Open Day page, providing a few of our Open Day treats. Follow the link below to take a journey through Mansfield Steiner School, explore the beautiful artworks in our online 2020 Student Art Exhibition and purchase your much loved unique Steiner craft Christmas gifts (thanks to our hardworking P&F team)...

06.01.2022 Mansfield Steiner School offers education from Kindergarten - Year 12. We have put this video together, so you can journey through our Early Childhood and Primary years. Steiner education aims to develop a lifelong love of learning and strong moral and ethical capacities; which Steiner educators believe is connected with early-childhood experiences and requires reliable, loving, stable relationships, learning through example and positive school experiences. The Steiner Curric...ulum focuses on experiential learning; making, doing, creating and producing, with the curriculum designed to respond to each stage of a child's development. This year Mansfield Steiner School also became a World School, achieving official authorisation to deliver the Diploma of International Baccalaureate. An alternative to VCE in Years 11 and 12, the Diploma of IB is a two-year course which aims to teach students to be knowledgeable and inquiring, but also caring and compassionate. There is a strong emphasis on encouraging students to develop intercultural understanding, open-mindedness, and attitudes necessary for them to respect and evaluate a range of points of view. BOOK A SCHOOL TOUR 03 5779 1445 www.mansfieldsteinerschool.vic.edu.au

06.01.2022 This year we are thrilled to be offering a garden to plate school cooking program with our new kitchen and garden staff Genevieve DeSantis, Andrew Storrie and Pat Dowling. Each week the students will cook a new recipe with fresh produce picked straight from the school garden. Researchers say cooking with children has many benefits. A recent feature in TIME Magazine explains Its been said that good cooking is an art form. The truth is, its much more than that. Its a way t...o teach kids vital 21st century skills, such as critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. Cooking brings science concepts to life and recipe failures matter as much as the successes, as they help kids develop resilience Beyond the practical skills, cooking builds character. It encourages kids to work with others to produce the final result and boosts their confidence as they take the lead in packing their own lunches, baking holiday treats or helping to get dinner on the table. It also encourages them to be open to foods they otherwise might not have tried - https://time.com/5744409/teach-kids-to-cook/ See more

06.01.2022 Red, white and blue was the theme for our first day of Term 3. La Fête du 14 Juliet' or Bastille Day was celebrated by the students wearing the colours of the French flag. Kai Shearer, the School Cooking Coordinator and French teachers Jen ODonnell and Jo Bell prepared croissants for the students morning tea. The warm, buttery pastries with homemade jam were such a treat on a winters day. To continue the celebration of all things French, Jen introduced Petanque to our seco...ndary school students. Petanque is a century old, well loved French game which involves throwing boules or hollow metal balls. It is a game of dexterity, skill and skulduggery and includes interfering with opponents boules. Fortunately, the rules of Petanque are quick and easy to learn, so the students were cheering, competing and debating over the score in no time. It was an uplifting way to start the new semester, especially during the uncertainty and anxiety of the present times. See more

06.01.2022 Red, white and blue was the theme for our first day of Term 3. La Fte du 14 Juliet or Bastille Day was celebrated by the students wearing the colours of the French flag. Kai Shearer, the School Cooking Coordinator and French teachers Jen ODonnell and Jo Bell prepared croissants for the students morning tea. The warm, buttery pastries with homemade jam were such a treat on a winters day. To continue the celebration of all things French, Jen introduced Petanque to our seco...ndary school students. Petanque is a century old, well loved French game which involves throwing boules or hollow metal balls. It is a game of dexterity, skill and skulduggery and includes interfering with opponents boules. Fortunately, the rules of Petanque are quick and easy to learn, so the students were cheering, competing and debating over the score in no time. It was an uplifting way to start the new semester, especially during the uncertainty and anxiety of the present times. See more

05.01.2022 Congratulations to our Falls Creek Interschools MTB team! It was a superb day for Mansfield Steiner School with all the riders putting in a great effort and placing third overall. Go team Avah 1st 3/4 girls, Ben 2nd 3/4 boys, Rueben 5th, Finnigan 6th, Archie 8th, Tom 4th 5/6 boys, Finn 6th, Ethan 10th, Will 18th, Mika 2nd 5/6 girls, Cate 4th, Ned 4th 7/8 boy, Maddison 1st 7/8 girls. Thanks to all the parents and Ariel for all your support

05.01.2022 Today we remember our heroes and what they gave for our tomorrow. Lest we forget.

04.01.2022 Mansfield Steiner School officially now a Kinder to Year 12 School The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme A MOMENTOUS JOURNEY Just as great trees g...row from a small seed, great things begin with just a single thought. Thirty four years ago, two local Secondary teachers joined forces to create a Steiner Primary School to provide an education that would develop the intellectual, artistic, and practical skills of their children in an integrated and holistic manner. Fast forward 24 years and the parents and teachers at Mansfield Steiner School looked to the future and the possibility of growing its education to include senior secondary students. This vision for the future was held firmly by the school. The question was: how could the school remain true to its philosophy and Steiner pedagogy through to the end of Year 12? How could the school continue to nurture the heads, hearts and hands of its young people? The answer came in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. This inspirational comprehensive pre-university course of study was designed for students in the 16 to 19 age range. The two-year course aims to teach students to be knowledgeable and inquiring, but also caring and compassionate. There is a strong emphasis on encouraging students to develop intercultural understanding, open-mindedness, and attitudes necessary for them to respect and evaluate a range of points of view; in summary, the IB fulfilled the schools aspirations for what they wanted to offer students. With the solid backing and support of the Governance Committee, the school made an application to the IB authorities in 2017. After a visit from Dr Marcia Behrenbruch, then Head of IB School services, Mansfield Steiner School were endorsed and commenced a two-year candidacy period in 2018. Over this time the school had to demonstrate that it met all the expectations and requirements of this highly respected international education authority. The schools philosophy, organisation and curriculum had to address exacting standards, reflected in both policy and practice. New staff were recruited for the growing Secondary Classes and all IB teachers attended training sessions to become qualified to deliver the curriculum. An IB Diploma coordinator was appointed to guide the process and, in February 2019, the IB consultant assigned to the school came to meet with staff and assess the progress. A report followed and a period of intensive preparation for the authorisation application. Those same dedicated teachers prepared subject documentation detailing their curriculum, which was destined for scrutiny by specialist IB teachers. The submission included extensive documentation of policy and organisation, all to be checked and approved against the rigorous Standards and Practices of the IBO. In November 2019 Mansfield Steiner School received official authorisation as an IB World School and is one of only two Steiner Schools in Australia that offers the IB for Senior Secondary. In 2020 Mansfield Steiner School welcomed their first cohort of Year 11 students, small but eager for the opportunities ahead. The school community is grateful for the vision, thankful to all those who held that vision and to the many whose courage, hard work and determination has nurtured this vision into reality. Mansfield Steiner School www.mansfieldsteiner.vic.edu.au

04.01.2022 The stillness of the beautiful autumnal weather belies the anxiety, fear and general disbelief that a virus is rampaging through our usual lives and expectations. Life as we know it is changing rapidly every day and words such as uncertainty, unprecedented, fear and greed shout at us from every media platform. But intermingled with these alarming stories are peoples positive accounts of life becoming much simpler for them- working from home and that no extra activities have ...allowed more family time, more gardening time and more creative time. While the world takes stock of itself, it is so important that we retain the best human qualities possible - caring for each other, sharing our supplies and produce from our garden and friendship while keeping our children happy, healthy and positive. It is a difficult balancing act - managing anxiety and remaining upbeat whilst being stringent about hygiene. Calmness, goodwill and joy are more important than ever now. We are so fortunate to live in a beautiful place such as Mansfield and hopefully, we can all be guided by the core values of our school -truth, beauty and goodness to help us navigate these extraordinary times. May your holidays be quiet and restful and enjoy the beginnings and colours of Autumn. Fran Cummins Principal

03.01.2022 In Steiner Schools, the foundation for reading begins in Early Childhood. Learning to read evolves in the same way as it did for the beginning of humanity. Spoken language developed first, then people drew pictures to communicate their ideas, followed by symbols such as hieroglyphics and finally the abstract letters of our modern alphabets. Once there was a written language, people learned to read. This is exactly the sequence in which children master language and it also is ...the sequence in which reading is taught in Steiner schools. The childrens first reader is one they write and illustrate themselves. Today our Class 6 students hosted their very own "Best Book Day Ever!". All students (AND teachers), were asked to dress up as characters from a book that they have read and enjoyed. Each student then shared their favourite book with their class. It was so exciting to see everyone arrive this morning with their favourite books in hand. Thanks Class 6! See more

02.01.2022 Pat has been busy today putting the final touches on some extra bike racks for tomorrow's National Ride2School Day 2020. Ride, walk, scoot or skate your way to school tomorrow and join us at 8am for a FREE healthy breakfast and Bike Maintenance & Safety workshop - presented by All Terrain Cycles Jess Muddyman and our very own Dan Friday. Proudly supported by KRUSH

01.01.2022 Mansfield Steiner School - Remote Learning Term 2. The real opportunity for learning amidst this pandemic, is to know that adversity can be overcome through wo...rking together I wish it need not have happened in my time, said Frodo. So do I, said Gandalf, and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. J.R.R Tolkien Remote Learning could be considered quite a challenge within a school which discourages screen time for young children, but challenges always create opportunities which allows us to look at problems with renewed energy and transformed focus. This term Mansfield Steiner School will offer a different way of teaching and learning. The teachers at Mansfield Steiner school know how important it is to maintain a routine and inspire young minds and have developed specific plans to address the needs of different age groups across the School community. Every student in the school from Prep to Year 11 received a package of materials and resources which was personally delivered by teachers and staff to families all over the Mansfield Shire and beyond. Our furthest delivery was to Eildon. All families were waiting expectantly for the courier, wondering what learning possibilities were lurking in the parcel. Class 3 children were very surprised to receive their first stringed instrument a violin or cello all ready to start their music lessons taught remotely by the music faculty. The International Baccalaureate is well positioned for distance education delivery. The custom-made Online Learning Management System Managbac is already in operation and provides our Year 11 students with access to all the necessary learning resources. The dedicated IB staff will be delivering live online lessons through Microsoft Teams, with additional opportunities for one on one mentoring sessions. Meanwhile the students who are attending school are enjoying the spectacular Autumn colours of the school grounds, the bountiful kitchen garden, and getting used to a very different and much smaller school. Written by Fran Cummins, Mansfield Steiner School Principal.

01.01.2022 The world is in an extraordinary situation at the moment. It is particularly unsettling for the young who are constantly being bombarded by stories of a rampaging virus with no solutions to halt the path of its destruction, except personal distancing, restriction of social exchanges, and masked interactions. As adults, we understand the importance of tolerating this disruption to our lives for the health of the wider community, but for children, and in particular adolescents ...Continue reading

01.01.2022 Pat has been busy today putting the final touches on some extra bike racks for tomorrows National Ride2School Day 2020. Ride, walk, scoot or skate your way to school tomorrow and join us at 8am for a FREE healthy breakfast and Bike Maintenance & Safety workshop - presented by All Terrain Cycles Jess Muddyman and our very own Dan Friday. Proudly supported by KRUSH

01.01.2022 Thank you everyone for all your efforts and support today as we took our first stride into a bizarre and exciting Term 2.