LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012 - Lorien Novalis School

LORIEN NOVALIS
ANNUAL REPORT
2012

LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Messages from the Board Chair 4
Messages from the Education Administrator 5
2012 Highlights 6
Student Performance 18
Professional Culture 23
School Policies 26
Goals 27
Parent, Teacher & Student Satisfaction 29
Financial Report 31
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
In the beginning – Kindergarten 1972
EDUCATIONAL AND FINANCIAL REPORTING LORIEN NOVALIS SCHOOL
Lorien Novalis School for Rudolf Steiner Education Ltd.
456 Old Northern Rd Dural NSW 2158
PO Box 82 Round Corner NSW 2158
Phone: +612 96580700
Fax: +612 96511632
Email: info@lorien.nsw.edu.au
Web: lorien.nsw.edu.au
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Message from Board Chair
I’d like to thank our community of parents, teachers, staff and students for their dedication
and support during 2012.
Specifically, thank you to the parents who are paying fees, making huge sacrifices so the
school can
remain viable in the light of Rudolf Steiner's creative understanding of education.
Thank you to all the teachers who are over 110% committed to teaching and give this
experience in creative understanding to all our children, while at the same time having to
comply with the regulatory issues.
Thank you to the staff in administration and grounds who are often spending time
outside their working hours for the School to run smoothly and for caring daily for the
welfare of our children.
Senior College SCUBA
Thank you to College of Teachers for keeping tabs on the general education practice of
our School
Thank you to the Board for keeping a constant watch on the Lorien Novalis School
finances so that we can look forward to creating more dreams for the future.
As we move ito a new year, 2013 will see a new co-leadership management model
implemented by the Board of Directors. The leadership team, to be appointed in 2013, will
comprise an Education Administrator, with duties based on the education leadership position
currently held by Stuart Rushton and a co-leader, Trevor Wilson, as Business Administrator.
Trevor will replace, among other duties and tasks, the current finance committee.
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René Caminada
Board Chair

LORIEN LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT REPORT 2012 2011
Message from Education Administrator
2012 was a year for taking stock after an invigorating and challenging 2011, our 40 th Birthday
year.
It was also a year when Lorien Novalis farewelled two of its longest serving and dedicated
teacher/mentor/administrators, Norman Sievers and Bruce Thurgood. These will be hard shoes
to fill.
2012 was also a year full of events, including the holding of significant conferences, including
the Techne Conference, a Lorien Novalis initiative. There was also extensive discussion about,
and negotiation regarding, the direction and ethos of Lorien Novalis School as it enters its 5 th
Decade. Re-crafting a relevant and creative future for our School, while honouring and
growing the palpable magic of Lorien is our most pressing task.
The year ended with planning for the new Lorien Novalis Parents and Friends Association well
under way. We also saw the Lorien Playgroup moving on to the school site.
Design work was also undertaken for a more visible school sign on Old Northern Road, a new
balustrade for the inside bus shelter and for an improved pathway from the upper car park to
the lower classroom area.
Stuart Rushton
Education Administrator
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History of Writing Main Lesson

LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT
Playgroup Comes Home
Highlights of 2012
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The Lorien Playgroup has been co-located at
School – a very warm welcome

LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Winter Festival 2012
In 2012 the Winter Festival was held at School –
many wonderful songs, performances and of course
candles and lanterns
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Class Plays and Performances 2012
METAMORPHOSIS
Classes from Kindergarten to Class 12 were involved in artistic and creative sharing,
plays and performances throughout the year. Class 11, shown above, performed
Metamorphosis a dramatisation of Greek stories by Mary Zimmerman
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Class Excursions and Adventures
Classes from K to 12 were engaged in out-of-classroom adventures during 2011. Lorien
Novalis continues to review and refine its Adventure Program. Here are examples from 2012.
CLASS
EXPERIENCE
1
2 days Colo River
Camping, bush walking and shallow river play,
Relative to natural science curriculum in Class One -
particularly geology and local geography lesson. Stories
for these subjects at Class One level relate to the
landscape and rivers in nearby areas and the wildlife
that exists there. Geology lesson describes in story form
the rock cycle and how rocks form and erode- with
particular emphasis on sandstone.
2
3 days Glowworm Tunnel, Newnes
Bush skills, camping, camp cooking, tunnel walk
The Newnes Glowworm Tunnel is 600-metres long and
is part of the Wollemi National Park
3
4 days Barrington Tops, Wangat and Fosterton
Biodynamic Farm, Mill and Bakery
Wangat - Mud brick making, Fire making, Bush
walking, Bush craft.
Fosterton Farm - Biodynamic farming (500 prep intro),
Bread making, Interact with cows - dairy farming
Ecological science focus/awareness. Farming experience
to Class 3 curriculum - History and practices of
farming.
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Class Excursions and Adventures
Classes from K to 12 were engaged in out-of-classroom adventures during 2011. Lorien
Novalis continues to review and refine its Adventure Program. Here are examples from 2012.
CLASS
EXPERIENCE
4
6 days Western Plains Zoo and Central Coast
This year’s class 4 trip enhances three major parts of
year four curriculum. The principle lesson that it
relates to is Man and Animal. Personal experiences
with a wide variety of mammals and birds allows
students to observe animal behaviours and
characteristics and recognise the significance of their
companion status in relationship to mankind.
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5 day snow adventure based at Berridale
3 days of Skiing at Smiggins, staying at Berridale
Farmhouse, Jindabyne.
Snow nature-walking
Down hill skiing - 3 days.
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17 days including North West Island
North West Island is uninhabited allowing students to
immerse in nature and depend on their own and preorganised
resources without commercial and electronic
technological influences.
Geography of East Coast lesson from
previous lessons is explored
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT
Highlights of 2012
Class Excursions and Adventures
Class 4- Captain Cook and whales
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Class 4 – Caring for animals

LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Class Excursions and Adventures
CLASS
EXPERIENCE
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21 days New Zealand, Culture and Nature
Focus - immersion into Maori culture, history and arts. Various
experiences of geological and geographic feature of North and
South islands that supports a culmination of the whole of
Primary school's curriculum of other cultures, language, history,
geology and geography.
Activities
Stay in Maori Immersion School - Class stays in Marae and
partakes in shared cultural experiences, traditional practices
through performance, singing, authentic meals and socialising.
Glacier Walking. Mountain Walking. Hot under earth thermal
experiences by soaking in hot mud pools, swimming in hot
rivers and water holes. River systems - white water rafting:
Black water rafting - under ground river rafting.
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3 X 7 day adventures
Week 1. Bungonia for a caving experience. The caves
completed were Hogan/Fossil, Argyle, Grill and Blowfly cave.
This is part of our PDHPE and Outdoor education program.
Week 2. Blue Mountains to a wilderness area called Split Rock
for bush walking and wilderness camp. The students walked
with all their gear to the campsite (about 1km). The objective of
the trip is to do a flora and fauna study of the area, and to look
at the ancient Pre-Jurassic rock formations also part of
geography. It is also a sacred Aboriginal site.
Week 3. Treachery Beach near the Seal Rocks to complete a
surfing program. The students had formal surf lessons,
incorporating surf safety and environmental awareness.
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Class Excursions and Adventures
CLASS
EXPERIENCE
9
28 days program.
Activity 1 Community work, Sydney.
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Activity 2 Caving at Bungonia with class eight.
Activity 3 The Tops Conference Centre with Class 10
Including giant swing and high ropes course.
Activity 4 Aboriginal elder guided walks of Blue Mountains.
10 day program
Activity 1 The Tops Conference Centre with Class 9
Including giant swing and high ropes course.
Activity 2 Sailing
Class 10 completed a sailing course on Sydney Harbour
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19 Day Solar Eclipse Adventure
On their way to Cairns the class participated a Wearable
Arts event at Shearwater Steiner School, Mullumbimby. They
also participated in some SCUBA diving activities in Byron
Bay. Then on to Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region to
witness the full glory of earth’s total solar eclipse from
5.45am to 7.40am on Wednesday 14 November 2012.
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26 Day Cultural Tour of Europe
Cultural experiences and activities in Paris, Berlin, Tirana,
Corfu, Venice, Florence and Rome. Activities included the
Louvre Museum, Notre Dame, The Eiffel Tower and Sacré
Coeur. Shows included the Moulin Rouge and The Blue Man
Group in Berlin, Bike tours through the streets of Berlin and
further activities which included The Reichstag (Parliament
Dome) and a Potsdam excursion as well as soaking up the
wonderful culture Istanbul, Turkey. They journeyed to
Ephesus, Kusadasi, Samos, and Mykonos Then on to Venice,
Florence and Rome where they visited the Sistine Chapel and
the Vatican.
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Class Excursions and Adventures
Class 12 Cultural Journey 2012
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Conferences in 2012
For a video overview of the Conference themes see: http://www.youtube.com/watchv=8PSd0V3y64Q
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Year 12 Major Works 2012
Daniel, Title: The Age of Light, Thesis: an interpretation of famous Renaissance paintings,
Practical: six paintings - a modern take on those famous paintings
Emma, Title: Mother and Child, Thesis: mother child connection in various cultures, Practical:
paintings and sculptures about that connection
Julian, Title: A Century of Swell and beyond, Thesis: a study of Australian Surfing history,
Practical: building a surf board
Imogen, Title: A Colourful Life, Thesis: the Effects of Colour, Practical: Designing and sewing
three garments
Claire, Title: The Myth of the Four Elements, Thesis: overview of a range of interpretations of
the four elements, Practical: four oil paintings representing these elements
Jaiden, Title: Creating a Dream & Keeping it Green, Thesis: current Building Codes and Design
elements in Architecture , Practical: designing a four bed room house according to a specific
brief
Sebastian, Title: Mysteries of the Earth, Thesis: properties and qualities of a range of crystals,
Practical: eight crystals paintings
Jessica, Title: New Beginnings, Thesis: Self reflections, Practical: story writing
Nicholas, Title: Silicon Sea, Thesis: The North Atlantic Garbage Patch, Practical: Rescue Diving
Certificate, sculpture from waste materials
Taylor, Title: Within The character I project, Thesis: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Practical:
writing, directing and acting in the play "Below Average"
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Year 12 Major Works 2012
Performance flyer from Taylor's Major Work
Four paintings from Clair's Major Work
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Student Performance
Major Works
The Lorien Novalis Community wishes its 2012 graduates a fulfilling and creative future. The
focus of our final years 11 and 12 is an individual research project, The Major Work. 2012's
Major Work projects were completed and presented with creativity and passion and bode well
for the 2012 cohort.
HSC
Although not the main focus of our Year 12 all students completed studies in our core HSC
courses
Other HSC
Number of
Number
Number not
Courses
Students enrolled
Completing the
Completing the
Completed
in HSC Courses
Course
Course
Advanced
English
General
Mathematics
Sport Lifestyle
and Recreation
8 8 0
5 5 0
11 11 0
Philosophy 11 11 0
VET Information
Technology
VET
Entertainment
Industry
VET
Construction
1 1 0
6 6 0
4 4 0
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Student Performance
2012 Graduates
Akael is travelling and funding his journey by using his barista skills
Claire is currently a full time carer, looking after her father
Daniel is managing a Fast Food restaurant
Emma is enrolled at university and studying on-line
Imogen is studying Fashion Design at TAFE
Jaiden is having a gap year and working as a labourer
Jess is studying Community Services at TAFE
Julian is studying at TAFE
Nick is studying Veterinary Science at TAFE
Sebastian is studying History at Macquarie University (Alexandra 2010
and Giaan 2011, are also studying at Maquarie)
Taylor is completing an Retail Internship at Myers Castle Hill
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Student Performance
HSC Examinations
HSC Course
Number of
Students sitting
for HSC
Examinations
Number in
Performance
Band 3 to 6
Number in
Performance
Band 2
Advanced
English
General
Mathemetics
8 2 6
5 2 3
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Student Performance
NAPLAN 2012
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The World is our classroom

LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Student Performance
Student Attendance 2012
Student attendance across the School is over 90% The average across all
classes K to 12 is 92%
Whole Student Retention 2012
Start Year End Year out in Net Change
327 296 87 56 - 9.4%
Factors affecting the higher than usual turnover have been identified and are being addressed
Classes 10 to 12 Retention 2012
Beginning 2010
Ending 2012
Year 10 students
Apparent
Actual
Y10 Enrollments
Y12 Enrollments
still in year 12
Retention
Retention
22 10 10 46% 46%
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Professional Culture
Lorien Novalis initiated the TECHNÉ Conference in April, A Steiner Teacher Trainer
Conference in June and a Steiner Schools Australia Delegates Meeting in. August These
were important Professional events for the School Community with many staff involved
on various levels, including artistic performances by teachers and presentations to
Australian Steiner school delegates by Lorien Novalis teachers.
25 teachers were involved in Education Program Development and were provided with
support and guidance to research plan, write and develop new teaching/learning
programs.
12 teachers were supported by Pastoral care (guardianship) meetings and guidance
programs.
25 teachers were involved in Community events including Market days, Information Days
and Festivals.
12 teachers developed Creative and Performing Arts skills and understanding in Visual
Arts, Drama, Music, Performance and Eurythmy.
TECHNÉ Technology in Steiner Education Conference - Staff Professional Development
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Professional Culture
Professional Learning Activity – Non School based
20 Staff completed Advanced First Aid Certificate refreshers
3 teachers completed AIS Leadership Training
2 teachers completed Management and VET Compliance workshops
25 teachers completed AIS Mandatory Reporting Compliance Briefing
5 teachers completed Steiner Teacher Intensive at Glenaeon School
Teacher Standards
As a Steiner school we require all of our teaching staff to be qualified as Steiner
Teachers. This is achieved through various teacher training Courses, some conducted at
the school, and many other venues throughout Australia and overseas
All teachers required to be so are accredited or provisionally accredited by the NSW
Institute of Teachers. And are as follows:
12 teachers have teaching qualifications from a higher education Institution within
Australia or as recognised within the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition
(AEI-NOOSR) guidelines
13 teachers have teaching qualifications from a higher education Institution within
Australia or one recognised within the AEI-NOOSR guidelines but have not completed
a teacher diploma (education qualification)
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Professional Culture
Teacher Attendance and Retention Rates
In 2012 the average daily staff attendance rate was 92%. The proportion of staff
retained from 2011 is 100%.
Current teaching staff years of continuous employment at Lorien Novalis School
1 to 5 years 36% 6 to 10 years 26% 11 to 15 years 14% 16 to 20 years 11%
Greater than 20 years service 14%
55% of Teachers have over 10 years teaching experience in Steiner Schools within
Australia and/or overseas.
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School can be fun

LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
School Policies
Initiatives Promoting Respect And Responsibility
Lorien Novalis School intends that all students feel they are valued. Parents and teachers
work together to provide care and support thus engendering self esteem, mutual respect
and responsibility. In 2012 the school continued its program of inviting students from
Warrah Special School to participate in selected unit lessons. We have links with students
and teachers from Steiner Schools from all over the world. And we have also developed
an ongoing sister school relationship with Tachibana High school Japan with their
students visiting our school annually.
Profiles
Lorien Novalis School is a comprehensive co-educational K-12 school providing an
education underpinned by the Steiner/Waldorf philosophy of education within the
policies of the NSW Board of Studies.
There are slightly more female than male students, students come from many different
backgrounds, including languages other than English.
Enrollment Policy
All enrollment applications are processed, considering the following:
Do the parents support the ethos of the School
Are there siblings already attending the School
Did the student previously attend another Steiner School
And in relation to young children, their parents’ views on the watching of television and
the use of computers.
Once enrolled students are expected to support the school’s ethos and comply with
school rules in order to maintain the enrollment.
The school will maintain all records of attendance to fulfill its obligations under all
relevant government regulations.
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
School Policies
Initial enrollment interviews will be conducted by two teachers.
A recommendation is then made to the College of Teachers
In some cases the College of Teachers will suggest a prospective student visit the school
for a period of time to meet the students in the class and teachers.
Procedure
Parents of prospective students will arrange for an interview through the school office.
An appointment will be made for them to visit a School Administrator.
An interview is held
Acceptance of the child/children is at the sole discretion of the College of Teachers,
who may in some cases suggest a trial period.
Once the child/children have been accepted into their respective class/classes, the
parents are asked to come to the school office, where they will receive an enrollment
form to complete and an invoice for school fees.
When completed with the required payment Enrollment registration is complete and
the child is enrolled at the school
Upon enrollment each student is entered in the school register and added to the
relevant class role
Policies Generally
Staff, students and parents/carers are required to abide by and support Lorien Novalis
Policies. Full details of all policies are available in the relevant Lorien Novalis Student
Handbooks, the School Prospectus, and the Parent and the Teacher Handbooks. These
policies and publications are continually updated and revised to ensure compliance with
current legislation and codes. Lorien Novalis is committed to providing a safe and
supportive environment and providing for the physical, social, academic, spiritual and
emotional wellbeing and development of students. The following are Policies are
provided on the School's website: Positive Behaviour Policy and Communications and
Grievance Policy.
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Goals
Goals for 2012
Review of High School with input from teachers, parents and students Completed
Establish a National ICT Conference for Steiner schools Completed
Review School management structure Completed
Goals for 2013
Renewal of Lorien Novalis High School with input from teachers, parents and
students
Establish a Lorien Novalis School Parents and Friends Association
Establish School management structure based on a co-leadership model
Focus on inclusiveness and accessibility both in education and facilities
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Parent, Teacher & Student Satisfaction
Parents, teachers and students are involved in many aspects of policy and school life
generally. This involvement is welcomed and encouraged. Various parent and student
initiatives occurred throughout the year including parent library, market days, cultural
days, fund raising events, fruit and vegetable co-op, parent information education
evenings, parent involvement in classes and more.
Community Description 2012
The following information supports the unique involvement of parents and ex students
in the Lorien Novalis School Community.
Parents/ex parents represented on The Association of Lorien Novalis School for Rudolf
Steiner Ltd. 90%
Members of The Association of Lorien Novalis School for Rudolf Steiner Ltd. who are
past students of the school and/or parents/ex parents represented on The Board of
Directors Lorien Novalis School for Rudolf Steiner Ltd. 100%
Members of the College of Teachers Lorien Novalis School who are also parents/ex
parents and/or ex students 85%
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Winter 2012 at Lorien Novalis School

Parent, Teacher & Student Satisfaction Student feedback
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LORIEN NOVALIS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Financial Report
2012 INCOME
Fees, Grants and Other Income
State Recurrent Grants
Commonwealth Recurrent Grants
30%
14%
56%
2012 EXPENDITURE
Salaries and Allowances
Non Salary Expenditure
24%
2%
Capital Expenditure
74%
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