Seven years ago, 24 children ‘crossed over the bridge’ to commence their journey together as Class 1H. After receiving a rose they reverently entered the classroom, waiting patiently for the candle to be lit and the first of many stories from the main lesson, “The Flight of the Shearwater,” to be told. Now, at the end of their Primary School journey, the students are once again listening to these stories with a sense for the numinous, only this time there is a conscious exploration into the archetypal aspects these reveal, as well as the opportunity to create their own tales as a means of knowing themselves better.
Through story that fed young souls and deeds of love and consideration, the foundation for our journey together was established. Practicing making a place for the other in our class community through compassion, understanding, generosity of spirit, patience, courtesy and deep listening, whilst also becoming more and more comfortable with oneself, has enabled diverse individuals to become socially cohesive and experience belonging.
More students were able to be welcomed into the class over the years and recently these fine young souls joined with Class 7S on a camp at Moreton Island in preparation for their shared high school journey together under the guardianship of Justin Isaac and Gabrielle Karkkainen. This extended class community also celebrated the completion of their Primary School journey and the beginning of their High School journey together, last week, with a formal dinner and dance. It was with great warmth and love for each individual that, along with Sally Davison and Julieanne Ralph, I bore witness to each student crossing this threshold to form a united, wider community that will make their way together through the High School years.
Founded upon the highest human ideals of truth, beauty and goodness, Steiner Education endeavours to support the development of integrated human beings who, through their individual strengths, gifts and passions can create new ways of meeting with others from diverse backgrounds. It is an education that nourishes hope for the future and every member of the school community plays a role in this, through the way we meet, the warmth we envelop others with, the acceptance for diversity we demonstrate, the tolerance we show to one another and the interest we have in each other. As a community of adults surrounding and guiding young souls we all carry the responsibility for a better world. As these two classes become one, opportunities for individuals to mentor and show an interest in their journey will present and I encourage you to engage in these.
My final days with Class 7H will include a camp, a farewell assembly and nebulous stories imbued with words of wisdom. My final offering for the community is also a story: “The Story of the Fairy Tale” by Carl Ewald. I hope it inspires you to strive for a community that listens deeply to each other so that humanity may hold onto what is true.
“Once upon a time, ever so many years ago, Truth suddenly vanished from out of the world. When people perceived this, they were greatly alarmed and at once sent five wise men in search of Truth. They set out, one in this direction and one in that, all plentifully equipped with traveling expenses and good intentions. They sought for ten long years. They they returned, each separately. While still at a distance, they waved their hats and shouted that they had found Truth.
The first stepped forward and declared that Truth was Science. He was not able to finish his report, however, for before he had done, another thrust him aside and shouted that that was a lie, that Truth was Theology and that he had found it. Now while these two were at loggerheads - for the Science man replied to the attack vigorously - there came a third who said, in beautiful words that Love was Truth, without a doubt. Then came the fourth and stated, quite curtly, that he had Truth in his pocket, that it was Gold, and that all the rest was childish nonsense. At last came the fifth. He could not stand on his legs, gave a gurgling laugh, and said that Truth was Wine.
Then the five wise men began to fight, and they pummelled one another so lustily that it was horrible to see. Science had its head broken, and Love was so greatly ill-treated that it had to change its clothes before it could show itself again in respectable society. Gold was so thoroughly stripped of every covering that people felt awkward about knowing it, and the bottle broke and Wine flowed away into the mud. But Theology came off worst of all. Everybody had a blow at it and it received such a beating that it became the laughing stock of all beholders.
And people took sides, some with this one and some with that, and they shouted so loud that they could neither see nor hear for the din. But far away, at the extreme end of the earth, sat a few who mourned because they thought that Truth had gone to pieces and would never be made whole again
Now , as they sat there, a little girl came running up and said that she had found Truth. If they would just come with her - it was not very far - Truth was sitting in the midst of the world, in a green meadow.
Then there came a pause in the fighting, for the little girl looked so very sweet. First one went with her; then another; and ever more.. At last, they were all in the meadow and there discovered a figure the like of which they had never seen before. There was no distinguishing whether it was a man or a woman, an adult or a child. Its forehead was pure as that of one who knows no sin; its eyes deep and serious as those of one who has read into the heart of the whole world. Its mouth opened with the brightest smile and then quivered with a sadness greater than any could describe. Its hand was soft as a mother’s and strong as the hand of a king; its foot trod the earth firmly, yet crushed not a flower. And then the figure had large, soft wings, like the birds that fly at night.
Now as they stood there and stared, the figure drew itself erect and cried, in a voice that sounded like bells ringing:
“I am Truth!”
“It’s a Fairy Tale!” said Science.
“It’s a Fairy Tale!” cried Theology and Love and Gold and Wine.
Then the five wise men and their followers went away, and they continued to fight until the world was shaken to its centre. But a few old and weary men and a few young men with ardent and eager souls and many women and thousands of children with great wide eyes remained in the meadow where the Fairy Tale was.
May we always recognise Truth in story and may seekers of Truth feel nourished by this school community.
Wishing you deep peace,
Heather Peri
Class 7 Teacher
Through story that fed young souls and deeds of love and consideration, the foundation for our journey together was established. Practicing making a place for the other in our class community through compassion, understanding, generosity of spirit, patience, courtesy and deep listening, whilst also becoming more and more comfortable with oneself, has enabled diverse individuals to become socially cohesive and experience belonging.
More students were able to be welcomed into the class over the years and recently these fine young souls joined with Class 7S on a camp at Moreton Island in preparation for their shared high school journey together under the guardianship of Justin Isaac and Gabrielle Karkkainen. This extended class community also celebrated the completion of their Primary School journey and the beginning of their High School journey together, last week, with a formal dinner and dance. It was with great warmth and love for each individual that, along with Sally Davison and Julieanne Ralph, I bore witness to each student crossing this threshold to form a united, wider community that will make their way together through the High School years.
Founded upon the highest human ideals of truth, beauty and goodness, Steiner Education endeavours to support the development of integrated human beings who, through their individual strengths, gifts and passions can create new ways of meeting with others from diverse backgrounds. It is an education that nourishes hope for the future and every member of the school community plays a role in this, through the way we meet, the warmth we envelop others with, the acceptance for diversity we demonstrate, the tolerance we show to one another and the interest we have in each other. As a community of adults surrounding and guiding young souls we all carry the responsibility for a better world. As these two classes become one, opportunities for individuals to mentor and show an interest in their journey will present and I encourage you to engage in these.
My final days with Class 7H will include a camp, a farewell assembly and nebulous stories imbued with words of wisdom. My final offering for the community is also a story: “The Story of the Fairy Tale” by Carl Ewald. I hope it inspires you to strive for a community that listens deeply to each other so that humanity may hold onto what is true.
“Once upon a time, ever so many years ago, Truth suddenly vanished from out of the world. When people perceived this, they were greatly alarmed and at once sent five wise men in search of Truth. They set out, one in this direction and one in that, all plentifully equipped with traveling expenses and good intentions. They sought for ten long years. They they returned, each separately. While still at a distance, they waved their hats and shouted that they had found Truth.
The first stepped forward and declared that Truth was Science. He was not able to finish his report, however, for before he had done, another thrust him aside and shouted that that was a lie, that Truth was Theology and that he had found it. Now while these two were at loggerheads - for the Science man replied to the attack vigorously - there came a third who said, in beautiful words that Love was Truth, without a doubt. Then came the fourth and stated, quite curtly, that he had Truth in his pocket, that it was Gold, and that all the rest was childish nonsense. At last came the fifth. He could not stand on his legs, gave a gurgling laugh, and said that Truth was Wine.
Then the five wise men began to fight, and they pummelled one another so lustily that it was horrible to see. Science had its head broken, and Love was so greatly ill-treated that it had to change its clothes before it could show itself again in respectable society. Gold was so thoroughly stripped of every covering that people felt awkward about knowing it, and the bottle broke and Wine flowed away into the mud. But Theology came off worst of all. Everybody had a blow at it and it received such a beating that it became the laughing stock of all beholders.
And people took sides, some with this one and some with that, and they shouted so loud that they could neither see nor hear for the din. But far away, at the extreme end of the earth, sat a few who mourned because they thought that Truth had gone to pieces and would never be made whole again
Now , as they sat there, a little girl came running up and said that she had found Truth. If they would just come with her - it was not very far - Truth was sitting in the midst of the world, in a green meadow.
Then there came a pause in the fighting, for the little girl looked so very sweet. First one went with her; then another; and ever more.. At last, they were all in the meadow and there discovered a figure the like of which they had never seen before. There was no distinguishing whether it was a man or a woman, an adult or a child. Its forehead was pure as that of one who knows no sin; its eyes deep and serious as those of one who has read into the heart of the whole world. Its mouth opened with the brightest smile and then quivered with a sadness greater than any could describe. Its hand was soft as a mother’s and strong as the hand of a king; its foot trod the earth firmly, yet crushed not a flower. And then the figure had large, soft wings, like the birds that fly at night.
Now as they stood there and stared, the figure drew itself erect and cried, in a voice that sounded like bells ringing:
“I am Truth!”
“It’s a Fairy Tale!” said Science.
“It’s a Fairy Tale!” cried Theology and Love and Gold and Wine.
Then the five wise men and their followers went away, and they continued to fight until the world was shaken to its centre. But a few old and weary men and a few young men with ardent and eager souls and many women and thousands of children with great wide eyes remained in the meadow where the Fairy Tale was.
May we always recognise Truth in story and may seekers of Truth feel nourished by this school community.
Wishing you deep peace,
Heather Peri
Class 7 Teacher