Dearest YSS Community,

In April of this year I was faced with what I found to be an incredibly difficult decision~ whether or not I was to return to my position as Craft teacher, (and possibly the Wellbeing officer) after 12 month’s leave from my work. I took the 12 months leave last year in order to better support my youngest daughter, who has epilepsy and, at that time, an 18 month old baby. This little man is now 2 and a half years old, and the apple of his Nonna’s eye.

The level of support required for Bree and my grandson is quite high, and I realised that I couldn’t resume my teaching duties plus continue in my carer’s position.
However, I was helped in my decision by knowing I was leaving the school in a good place. We had recently moved to the Republican model of leadership, for which I had advocated for some years. This model takes the ‘hierarchy’ out of leadership and gives the teachers themselves the opportunity to lead the school.

I look back over the 36+ years since myself, Mahdu Anderson, and Julie Williams founded YSS, and it gives me huge satisfaction to see how far our school has come.
We have a wonderful team of dedicated teachers, a very supportive admin team, a dynamic board with terrific leadership and a gorgeous community of committed parents.

One of the hardest things for me was leaving the classroom and these amazing children in our care. I value so much their vibrant personalities, loving hearts and creativity.  We have had over the years an incredibly talented cohort of students who have, over the years I have worked in the school, taken the Steiner craft and art  projects to a new level. The focus was always to produce work that was good, true and beautiful, and  in this the children excelled.

I will always be dedicated to the Steiner philosophy and YSS and I am keen for my connection with the school to continue.  I have offered my skills and services for future PD’s for our staff, and I hope also to offer craft and art workshops for the parents in the near future. I recently did a small wet felting workshop for a staff member, and I loved being actively involved again in an area where I can offer my experience and skills.

Another connection will be through grandchildren attending the school. Bree was a pioneer student (Adrian was her teacher) so we are now a second generation family, joining other past students  who have returned with their children.

The College of teachers has suggested a tribute to my teaching legacy in the school in the form of an exhibition of student art/ craft work sometime this year, and I would love to be a part of something like this. I hope to see you all then, if not before.

Meanwhile, I send you all my love  and my immense thankfulness for the journey so far~

Annie Malcolm