KHANYISA SCHOOL for Supportive Education based on the educational principles of Rudolf Steiner
	AUGUST 2006 NEWSLETTER
	Since the year began, the school has grown immensely. We ended 2005 with 52 learners in five classes and now have 66 learners in six classes. The two new classrooms are in full use and, apart from the hitch of a sound proofing problem between the two rooms, that is in the process of being sorted out, the classrooms are wonderful and spacious. Having a bigger school, with more learners and staff, is markedly noticeable and in a number of ways we have had to find different ways of working together. It is challenging but brings rewards in the growth of our strength as a staff and school.

Mrs Rutter – Class 3

Melissa, Chelsea, Aiden, Nathemie, Lance, Nathaniel, Litha, Tamryn, Danielle, Tamsyn

In class three this term we have started with a 'house-building' main lesson.  Here the children learn about what constitutes a 'home', how the earth is home to our physical bodies.  This is such a tender age for children, a threshold time, and they need to feel a sense of belonging.  At this age, children might express a deep loneliness, or an inexplicable sadness - the Waldorf curriculum is designed to meet these feelings.  All through class 3, the curriculum is very practical, encouraging them to be in their bodies and experience life fully.  In the maths main lesson this term we work with measurement - from 'feet' and 'digits' (using their own bodies) to the current metric system.Later in the term we explore various trades and crafts - a visit to the blacksmith, a silver smith, a weaver and Camphill village are on the cards, where the learners can experience the variety and richness of craft that relies on our human hands.

Mrs Francis - Class 5 / 6 Ilhaam, Kyle, Richard, Daanish, Luyanda, Sibonisiwe, Margaret, Simthembele, Theo, Rourke, Vuma
The beginning of the year we had four additions to our class, Rourke, Richard, Luyanda and Theo. There was great excitement as we started off the year in a brand new classroom. We were very touched by all the donations received from parents and friends – skipping ropes, bookshelves, curtains and plants. There are many highlights from the lessons done in the first half of the year. In geometry, through practical application, we started by exploring different shapes and their properties. I was in awe of how simple designs became an intricate work of art. The effects of this main lesson still live on as I often find the children doodling with a compass and creating even more imaginative forms. In English History we looked at the period of the Romans. The children loved these stories and activities. They did lots of poems and ended the first term off with the play “Death of Julius Caesar”. In mathematics we went back to the basic operations and also practical revision of fractions. In the second term we had Mr Dawes in our classroom to introduce us to Physics. We observed many experiments covering magnetism, sound and heat. Everyone was eager and enjoyed learning new concepts as the lesson unfolded. We also enjoyed an outing to Fair Cape, where everyone was able to feed and stroke the cows. When I look back I can’t believe that the year has flown by so quickly. There is still much to be done in the following months but the class and I are ready to embrace the challenges, surprises and fun-filled moments that makes our class so special.
Mrs Hack - Class 8 Litha, Paul, Mishka, Thabane, Precious, Darlington, Joseph, Tauriq, Jade, Juta, Monray
		At the beginning of 2006 there were five new children, half of the class! They soon bonded and are now a lovely group, full of fun and good humour. Class 8 began the year with Shakespeare and we read and told the Twelfth Night and then we went to Maynardville Open Air Theatre and saw it performed. The class enjoyed it so much and wanted to see it again. Then we went to 19th Century England, more than 400 hundred years ago, the time of Great Grandfather’s Grandfather, and saw how the quiet times of cottage life changed drastically with the inventing of the steam engine. Realizing it spilt over into South Africa too, although to a lesser degree. We tried to capture the crafts of long ago by weaving a little mat on a small table loom. Mostly this was enjoyed by all.
Mrs Petersen – Class 8 / 9 Zintle, Jezreel, Scott, Shanice, Bongani, Jonathan, Kyle, Nastassja, Robin, Siphenathi, Tyren The first six months have been exciting and challenging as we had to get to know each other. First the class was introduced to algabra by Mr Dawes, then we moved onto parts of speech. We also enjoyed learning about mountains, natural disasters and the Industiral Revolution. The class did research and presented some worthwhile projects. We visited the Josephine Mill and the Sheraton Linen factory to get more insight into industry.The last main lesson was on life skills. We dealt with rights, responsibilities and rules and sexual awareness. We invited a counselor, Dr Jenny Kallis to speak to us and answer some questions. It was an interesting experience and the class handled the lesson with maturity and insight..
Kyle	Shanice	Bongani	Jonathan
Class Three Nathemie, Lance, Aiden, Danielle, Tamsyn, Litha, Chelsea, Melissa, Tamryn, Nathaniel
Mrs Abrahams – Class 9 / 10 Sinawo, Songezile, Dylan, Lucille, Vuyo, Lauren, Holly, Uri, Tiffany, Danielle, Tazwell, Salim. There are two main lessons this year that stand out from the others. The play on our history lesson of the French Revolution was amazing. What a joy it was to experience the confidence expressed by all the children. Pupils found another side of themselves, just waiting for the right moment in time to surface! The actors from the two senior classes did the school proud. Well Done. The study of Plate Tectonics and Denudation of mountains ended well with Mr Muhl’s visit and talk about his climb up Mt Everest – we now look forward, with bated breath, to the slide show he promised to present. As a class we are encouraged by his words of “never give up!” Lauren and Uri joined the class around the middle of the year and both seem to have settled well. Suihing moved across to the Senior Class and we miss him in our midst.
Mrs Darries – Class 11 / 12 Siya, Rayhaan, Phillip, Bradley, Iain, Jeffrey, Donovan, Floyd, Edwina, Liyabona

The quality of work from the Senior Class this year reflects their level of maturity and confidence. Through the most recent main lesson, the history of art, they have gained a new found appreciation for pottery and sculpture as well as fine art. Three learners successfully completed ceramic bowls, fashioned with the aid of the potters' wheel. Coupled with this was the incredible hand-crafted, three cornered lamps they made for the St John’s festival. Their shaded drawings and paintings reflected a good sense of colour, light and perspective.

One of the most exciting main lessons was the biology main lesson, where the class studied the make-up of the cell and all its components. Samples of skin and plant cells, onion and even Iain’s blood cells were viewed, with much enthusiasm and speculation, under the newly acquired microscopes. More excitement followed with a visit from the “Free Spirit” film crew, who were extremely interested in the work of the senior class.

This wonderful feeling of accomplishment throughout the year so far has been spurred on by the remarkable performance, of the two senior classes, of a play about the French Revolution. This definitely set a precedent of high achievement and enjoyment for the year!

go to December 2006 Newsletter