Class 7 News

Welcome to Term 3! Although this is a shorter term of just nine weeks, it promises to be a busy and rewarding one. There is much to accomplish across our first Main Lessons and specialist subjects, and Bindi and I (as the co-guardians of Class 7) are looking forward to seeing the continued growth of each student as they embrace new challenges and opportunities.

Our Main Lesson this term is Geometry, a subject that has fascinated humanity for thousands of years. While geometry is often thought of simply as the study of shapes, lines and angles, it is so much more. Throughout this Main Lesson, students are discovering the beauty and hidden secrets of the geometric world, learning that mathematics is not merely a collection of rules and formulas but a language that reveals the underlying order of nature and the universe itself.

Using only a compass, straightedge and pencil, the students are constructing elegant geometric forms and uncovering remarkable relationships that have inspired mathematicians, philosophers and scientists since ancient times. From simple circles emerge intricate patterns, perfect polygons and harmonious proportions that can be found everywhere—from flowers and crystals to architecture, music and the movement of the planets.

In the Steiner Curriculum, geometry is experienced as an artistic and observational science before it becomes an abstract mathematical one. Students first learn through careful construction, exploration and discovery, allowing understanding to develop naturally through experience. As the Main Lesson progresses, they will also encounter the stories of great thinkers such as Thales and Pythagoras, whose observations helped shape our understanding of mathematics and the physical world.

The concepts students develop during this block form an essential foundation for many future Main Lessons. Whether studying mechanics, surveying, architecture, trigonometry, astronomy or physics in the years ahead, a sound understanding of geometry provides the framework upon which these subjects are built. It is wonderful to watch the students begin to recognise that mathematics is not isolated from the world around them—it is woven into the very fabric of creation.

We are also delighted to welcome Elise Duffield, an accomplished English teacher from Mount Barker Waldorf School, who will be teaching Class 7 English throughout the term. Elise brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for literature and literacy. This term, students are exploring the powerful Australian novel Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington Garimara. Through the novel, students will develop their reading comprehension, analytical thinking and written expression while engaging with an important chapter of Australian history and the resilience of Aboriginal families. Alongside the novel study, Elise is working with the class to strengthen their general literacy skills, helping students become more confident readers, writers and communicators.

With only nine weeks in the term, there is certainly no shortage of learning ahead. Alongside our regular classroom work, students will continue developing good organisational habits, completing homework, and working steadily on longer-term projects. As students move further into high school, developing independence, time management and consistent study routines becomes increasingly important. These are skills that will serve them well throughout their schooling and beyond.

To support this important stage of learning, I warmly invite all parents and carers to attend our Class 7 Parent Meeting on Tuesday, 4 August, at 5:30 pm in the Class 7 room. During the meeting we will discuss the students' academic progress, homework expectations, project work, and the ways families can support students as they continue their transition into a high school mindset. Working together as a partnership between home and school gives our students the strongest possible foundation for success, and I encourage everyone to attend if possible.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support of Class 7. It is a privilege to work alongside your children during this exciting stage of their education. Should you ever have any questions, concerns or simply wish to discuss your child's progress, please don't hesitate to reach out via email or arrange an appointment. Open communication between home and school is invaluable, and I am always happy to meet with families to ensure each student is well supported.

I look forward to another wonderful term of learning, discovery and growth with Class 7.

Warm regards,

Bindi & Dan