Rich conversations and explorations through movement were a feature of our Vision and Planning Day on Saturday. These centered around the imagination of Murmuration, the term used to describe the phenomena of large groups of birds moving in unison, relying on a form of collective intelligence to adapt to external circumstances, and where coherence is achieved by each one focusing attention on the seven closest neighbours.

We explored how we as a community could use the adaptive quality of the murmuration to amplify the relationship between our individual contributions and how these cohere into a collective sense of purpose and practice.

The two special areas of consideration were explored in a world café context. The open ended stimulus question for the group focussing on community, asked: What is our intention here? What’s the deeper purpose – the big why that is worthy of our best effort?

The Senior School group began with the question: How can we benefit the wider community by educating differently in the senior school years? Flipping the usual focus on what is of most benefit to our students as individuals.

What emerged from these explorations was insightful and will help set the direction for our whole school and community focus in 2023, as well as the ongoing planning around an alternative model of senior school for the Blue Mountains.

A special thank you to Wayne for the very grounding Acknowledgement of Country, to Rebecca for the morning tea feast, to Penny, Caroline and Georgia for their inspiring leading of the discussions. 

Those present were from the Board, its Membership, staff and parents. I think it was the first time at such an event that parents outnumbered staff. Thank you to everyone who gave their precious time and beautiful energy and vision to our Saturday murmurings.

Lynn Daniel Assistant Principal

Originally a high school teacher in the public system, Lynn has also taught at TAFE and in community settings. In the Steiner context, she has previously been a kindergarten and primary school teacher. In addition to her roles as Chair and Principal, Lynn is High School Co-Ordinator, teaches Geography and History, and co-ordinates the Outdoor Education Programme. Lynn has a B. Arts (UWA) and a Dip. Ed. (WA Secondary Teachers College).