Honouring education
In 2008 I’d been a mother for just a little over 6 months and I met Fenella and Dineen at the Four Seasons Rudolf Steiner Playgroup. Together, with Fenella’s vision to bring a Steiner Kindergarten to Taupō, we created Four Seasons Kindergarten, opening our doors a decade ago. Fenella, Dineen along with Shawn Vennell and myself continue to lead the vision of Four Seasons Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten in a governance role.
Now, my once little boy who led me to Steiner’s philosophy, is now a strappingly tall teenager and about to embark on new adventures at high school, and my Miss Nine years is flourishing with burgeoning independence.
Four Seasons has gone through a hugely transformative year in 2021, and together we’ve established a beautiful new kaiako team who bring a wondrous new energy to this very special place.
I’ve long had a desire to deepen and strengthen my own education and understanding of educational and family psychology, so the time is right and it’s back to university for me in 2022. As I embark on a new path, I’ll do so with a transitory phase and you’ll find me in my most favourite of places, working with tamariki in the kindy kitchen a few days a week. I will also continue to work in a part time administration role and honour my passion for supporting whānau through Simplicity Parenting workshops.
Within our newly formed team, we are blessed to have a deeply experienced Early Childhood Education Leader; Whaea Lou. Leading teams for many years, and a deep honouring what it is to be a kaiako, I can’t imagine a more beautiful wahine, whom I entirely trust, to step into this new role to awhi and tautoko our community, alongside Fenella and Moni. Whaea Lou will share her time with a mix of being with tamariki in our daily rhythm for three days a week and the remainder in management and leadership.
I am excited about the upcoming year. Whilst it seems that there is uncertainty in the world around us, I know that Four Seasons Kindergarten will continue to be a haven for tamariki to be loved, grow and develop. The magic and sacredness that is play for tamariki will be honoured.
Wishing you all a blessed time over the coming Christmas holidays and hope that it is filled with joy and wonder with your dear tamariki and whānau.
Arohanui,
Traceylee
“Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility - these three forces are the very nerve of education.”
- Rudolf Steiner