Principal's Report

It is truly a magic moment in the rhythm of the year when the teachers, families and children flow back into the grounds and ‘wake up’ the school from its long summer sleep. Thank you to those who joined us for the Welcome Breakfast and thank you to the staff and Board for preparing and hosting such a lovely event. 

It was also such a pleasure to be involved in the Class One transition ceremony, as the Cassia children courageously crossed a threshold into Primary school life, thoughtfully and carefully accompanied by Class 7. 

We have welcomed some new colleagues in 2026 – Erin McGroarty (Class 1), Maika McGuirk-Hansen (Cassia 2), Daisy Weller (Marketing), Muhnhui (Muhn) Park (Cassia 1), Ruby Barber (Playgroup) and we also welcome back Jemima Saw (Billy Button) and Janine Turner (Arrernte).  

We have familiar faces stepping into new roles this year - M’lis Scott (Early Childhood Pedagogical Director) Jessie Bethune (ISA), and Caitlin Conover (Playgroup Co-ordinator).  We also have Lina Marie Von Schwanenflügel visiting and volunteering at the school this term.  She is currently a 10th grade student at the Rudolf Steiner School in Bochum. Welcome all!

The new high school Science and Art rooms are well underway, and we are at the exciting stage of discussing and confirming interior fittings. The project is on track for an April/May completion date.

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome and supportive words and gestures I have received since the announcement of my tenure as Interim Principal. I first fell in love with the Alice Springs Steiner School in 2013 when I fulfilled an emergency teaching contract.  The connection continued beyond that period and I visited several times delivering parent and teacher talks and conducting teacher observation, mentoring and appraisals. It was so wonderful to re-join the school as the Cassia teacher last year and it is such a privilege to continue the journey a little longer in this role. 

I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to teach and lead within Steiner Education for over 25 years. I am the mother of four wonderful Steiner graduates who are all out in the world doing interesting things. Through witnessing and engaging with Steiner Education over many years and through many lenses, I have come to deeply appreciate the richness of what lives within it. 

My leadership is grounded in listening, collaboration and steadfastness, and in a heartfelt commitment to the developmental and spiritual foundations of Steiner pedagogy.  I greatly look forward to this opportunity to get to know you all...to serve, support, and contribute to the unfolding of our wonderful school!

Warmly,

Pep