Principal News

Welcome back to Term 3.

The beginning of a new term is one of my favourite times of the school year. After the stillness and quiet of the holiday break, it feels as though a lively, joyous breeze blows through the school on that first day when the children return. Classrooms once again fill with conversation, curiosity, laughter, and the wonderful energy that children bring.

I hope you have all enjoyed the winter break and are still managing to make the most of these beautiful winter days.

Term 3 is a rich and exciting time in our school as many classes are heading off on camp. Camps hold a special place in Steiner education, providing opportunities for children to build independence, resilience, confidence, and a stronger connection to one another and the natural world. These experiences often become treasured memories and play an important role in supporting the social and emotional development of our students.

As we look ahead, we are also preparing for the official opening of our new High School buildings on 24 August at 8.45am. It feels particularly fitting that we will gather to celebrate this milestone as spring approaches, a season that brings with it a sense of possibility, renewal, and new beginnings. All are welcome to attend, and I will provide further details shortly. We look forward to sharing this special occasion with our community.

Jenna McQuilkin has commenced this term in the role of Movement Teacher (PE) and Upper School Learning Support Teacher.

Jenna brings a broad range of experience in health, fitness, and education, along with a strong background in drama and theatre sports. We are excited about the opportunities these skills will bring to further enrich our movement and learning programs. During this term, Jenna is being supported and mentored by Elise Duffield, a long-standing Steiner educator and leader, and a specialist Bothmer and Movement/PE teacher. Jenna will join the Learning Support team as Learning Support Teacher, with a primary focus on supporting students in Class 4 and above.

In Week 4, we will warmly welcome S’haila Bernard to our Collegiate as Class 2 Teacher.

S’haila is an experienced Steiner educator who brings a deep commitment to child-centred learning and a rich background in Steiner education. With a particular love of music and the creative arts, she is passionate about nurturing imagination, creativity, and a sense of wonder in children. She believes that artistic experiences, storytelling, movement, and music play an essential role in supporting healthy development and helping children build meaningful connections with the world around them.

We look forward to S’haila’s contribution to the vibrant life of our school community.

Her arrival will also enable Harry to fully step into his new role over the coming weeks and begin bringing to life an exciting new chapter of outdoor program possibilities for our children.

We are also delighted to welcome Andrew Robertson, who has joined our community as Business Manager.

Andrew comes to us with extensive experience, including the past four and a half years as Business Manager at a Steiner school in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. Prior to entering the Steiner school environment, he worked across a range of industries in finance and business management roles, bringing a strong operational and financial foundation to the role.

Andrew has shared that what draws him most to Steiner Education is the sense of purpose, community, and shared endeavour that it fosters, and we are very pleased that he has chosen to bring his experience and passion to Alice Springs Steiner School.  Please pop in, say hello and introduce yourself.

I look forward to all that Term 3 will bring as we learn, grow, celebrate, and continue building this wonderful community together.