Writing comes before reading in Class 1 as it is more concrete, practical and less intellectually demanding. When we work with writing, the whole being of the child is involved. The child not only sees the letter but they also hear it, move it and write it. The form of letters is emphasized and the […]
Grade 1 First Grade is often compared to as a paradise, a happy time full of those comforting surroundings created by their teacher and parents in order to hold them within a protected environment from which to begin their great journey toward adulthood. The task of the First Grade teacher is to help the children make […]
11 February 2019 Dear Parents, It is with such a heavy heart that I say goodbye to Imhoff Waldorf School. I have come to know and love so many of you and your children. The laughter and fun that I have shared with the children in the classes and the creative ideas and courageous, hard […]
Dear Imhoff We would like to thank you for the veggies that you are donating to Siyakhula. It helps a lot and has made a huge difference to our children. We would like you to continue sending veggies to us, please! We are Siyakhula staff we really appreciate your help and your effort. Have a […]
Today I have cooking and baking planned for my aftercare and I brought my pasta machine. The children arrive and their eyes and imagination are immediately captured by this silvery, sparkly, shiny object. And the questions begin: what is it? what is it for? how does it work? why is it here? So, after agreeing […]
In the pre-school, parents may encounter the concept of “dream consciousness” when talking to teachers. Many parents are uncertain as to what this might mean. Dream consciousness? This means that we encourage parents to respect their small children’s developmental phase. We prefer to let their imaginations flourish first so that they have a firm foundation for their […]
On the 9th of February Waldorf parents, old and new, gathered with the school body to welcome the new term and year. Reflection by Ester Ruttman “What a beautiful Orientation Day we had today, in true Imhoff style. We started the morning with stories from the past, followed by introductions to various groups and the […]
Dear Imhoff Family, This first Indaba newsletter is all about New Beginnings. What makes the Imhoff Waldorf School different? We offer holistic, creative education. It’s a unique rural experience not often found in present urban environments. And in the light of the current load-shedding, we are most grateful to be completely powered by solar and […]
Healthy Kids are Cool sponsored by Faithful to Nature and Flora Force organized a one-day workshop on Optimum Nutrition for Kids. My colleague Giselle and I jumped at the opportunity to attend this event and thoroughly enjoyed it! Dr Werner Kerschbaumer, a homeopath and co-founder of Flora Force shook many of the general beliefs regarding […]
As our Aftercare develops, I am very excited to propose a weekly programme for my Pre-school Aftercare for 2019. The activities suggested are not exhaustive but part of a wider range that I would like to develop as the Aftercare changes into a fun, creative space for the children. Here is an outline: Mondays Baking […]
Sylvia Bleki began in Playgroup eight years ago. She initially volunteered with my second class once a month whilse she was training at the Centre for Creative Education. Heidi and David Evans supported and encouraged her to do the training. In my first year I had a group of twelve children on my own and […]
On the 7th of November the Class 5s went on camp to Back 2 Basics. It is a lovely spot just past Elgin, filled with pine trees, a dam and adventure. We were met by our two robust facilitators, who showed us our tents and bunk beds. This is only camp I have been on […]
For anyone who has ever been a reader, there’s much to sympathize with in Maryanne Wolf’s Reader, Come Home. The UCLA neuroscientist, a great lover of literature, tries to read Hermann Hesse’s Glass Bead Game, an old favorite, only to realize that she finds him boring and too complex. She wonders why he ever won a Nobel. […]
I had the privilege of experiencing my first camp as a Waldorf teacher with my Class 6 children this term and what a blast it was! We gathered on a Sunday afternoon to board our bus, and after a small glitch with transport, we headed off to Bonamanzi – a family-owned adventure camp set on […]