FEGELE POTTOW

Fegele has been a student at SVSS since kindergarten, growing into a deeply independent person and critical thinker. Fegele is a sensitive soul with an activist’s heart who is always thinking of how she can make the world a better place.

My Senior Research Project is about understanding the world of sustainable fashion and what that means to me. With this I have been researching aspects of the fashion world, from fast fashion to sustainable fashion. This means investigating materials used and how they are produced and how the clothing is manufactured to see if it is ethical. I have been exploring what I feel comfortable with and asking myself questions like, is this garment damaging to the earth and people’s lives? When I first talked to one of my mentors, she told me to look out for certificates to be able to tell what clothing is truly sustainable, as some companies greenwash their products.  I am defining what sustainable fashion is and how I can I reduce my carbon footprint with what I wear, and throughout this I have been sewing my own clothes.

I feel like my understanding of sustainability in general has grown and I’ve come to appreciate the clothing I do own and what goes into making your own clothes. It makes me want to wear my own clothes more and not just buy new trendier things – and my goal is that by the time the project is done and I’m doing my speeches I hope to be wearing clothes I’ve made myself most of the time. It’s given me a bit of a confidence boost that I can learn new things and adapt to new ways. While I think this is going to stay a personal project, I’ve also learnt new skills that mean if I ever see a beautiful piece of fabric, I’ll be able to turn it into a unique outfit.

When I think about what it means to be a Steiner student, the standout for me is that there is a big appreciation for nature, and I feel like we hold a lot of respect for people. It is very hands on and not just reading out of textbooks, it’s going out and putting it into practice. I feel like it has given us the confidence to try things without fear of failure. I’ve been here at SVSS since I was four and I think that this has helped guide me with where I chose to take my project because learning about the environment is woven into our education – it helped me want to try to bring it into my own life.

There have been many Main Lessons that I enjoyed, but the one we are doing currently on Philosophy has been a favourite of mine. It’s a completely different set up to other Main Lessons and in the mornings we sit down and discuss a philosophical question or topic. Our class has grown to be able to have respectful conversations and to really question everything.

A favourite camp was Canoe Camp in Class 9. We started out timid, none of us would stand up on the canoes, and then we fell into this rhythm and this flow, and it was a totally different experience. Anyone can go for a hike but how many people can say they canoed the Brisbane River from the dam to the city? It was such an amazing experience.

I’ve had so many wonderful experiences, but I feel like my primary schooling experience was so different to what I would have experienced elsewhere. I would describe it as being very community and nature centred. Also going on my exchange was amazing and helped me grow by pulling me out of my comfort zone. It was in the middle of covid so there were some challenges, but it was an experience that I treasure.

It’s been a journey coming all the way through kindergarten to Class 12 and been filled with many experiences that have shaped me into who I am today. For fourteen years I’ve essentially grown up here and after this, I decide where my future goes. From school to…life!

CLAIRE ATKINSON

Claire is a bright student who has always put enormous effort into her studies. She is an empathetic soul who is capable of listening to another person’s opinion without judgement. Graceful and kind, Claire’s sensitivity and good heart are her special qualities.

For my research project I am working on a project I am passionate about, which is helping to create a society where all women and children are safe – especially in their homes. Domestic abuse can affect anyone in our community as it is based on an imbalance of power and control. I believe knowledge, education, awareness, and support can help provide a safer community for women and children. For these reasons, I chose to co-write, produce, and direct a play and donate all proceeds to the charity, Small Steps for Hannah.

 Throughout the project I have learned to persevere no matter what obstacle is thrown in my path and keep fighting for the causes in which I believe.

I started at Samford Valley Steiner School in Class 1 and left half-way through Class 6. It was a difficult decision to make and ultimately, I returned to SVSS at the start of Class 9. I know I am a Steiner student because my teachers are my friends, my friends are my family, and I am proud to belong to my school community.

Main Lessons that I remember fondly are Ancient Greece with Lydia, The Odyssey with Delaney, and Conic Sections with Jacek. My teachers are experienced, supportive, and passionate about sharing their knowledge with their students.

 Favourite camps for me were the Class 9 Canoe Camp and the Class 11 Sailing Camp, and also assisting on the Class 4 Stradbroke Island Camp with my Outdoor Recreation Class. By far the best camp for me was my Class 3 Farm Camp with my favourite teacher, Lydia.

 Favourite memories that come to mind are sitting around the campfire with my friends on camp and solving the riddles of life, sailing home in windy weather with my crew and executing a James Bond style ‘rescue’. Every day brings new experiences that I will always remember: Samuela’s “Mama Mia”, Andy’s love of everything medieval, Delaney’s philosophical discussions, Mel’s spectacular hand gestures, and simply singing and laughing with my friends.

It is difficult to describe my experience at SVSS in one sentence. Steiner is more than a place of learning; it is my family.

greta cashion

Greta is a hard-working student who is always willing to help and support her classmates. Greta blends her leadership capabilities with a beautiful sensitivity and humble presence.

My Senior Research Project is about why more people should live in a tiny home. I always wanted to do a hands-on project and this one allowed me to dive into my interest in sustainable living. I’ve been renovating a caravan with view to living in this after graduation.

During the course of my project, I have learnt to plan ahead and to have an open mind when adjusting plans. I jumped straight into some of the work without spending the time to think about what would have worked best for me. If I were doing it again there are probably a few things I would do differently.

I’ve been at Samford Valley Steiner School for most of my schooling life and it’s hard to imagine going to school anywhere else. I feel like we are closer to our teachers and they feel like family. I feel like I have always been encouraged to have an open and curious mind and that being here at SVSS has allowed me to express my individuality in a way that I wouldn’t have had access to anywhere else.

My favourite Main Lesson was Art History with Samuela in Class 10 because it was so hands-on and creative.

The best camp for me was Farm Camp. It’s three weeks long which makes you become really close as a class and while it was work, it was also a lot of fun. I think it was character building for a lot of us, who might not have spent a lot of time cooking and cleaning before. It builds our independence and confidence.

Some of my favourite memories are the earlier Winter Festivals. It always felt so different being at school at night and sitting by the fires was a beautiful experience. I also loved coming back from Canoe Camp in Class 9 and seeing all our parents. That was really special.

I would describe my time at SVSS fun and creative. I truly grew up with my class.

ETHAN COOK

Ethan has a natural ability to step up and tackle challenges head on. Never shying away from responsibilities, Ethan has proven to be a wonderful role model for the younger cohorts. A keen outdoorsman, Ethan has a love of nature and fitness.

For my SRP, I wanted to build something community based, and because I enjoyed first aid when I was doing my Cert II, I decided to build a website that could be used in emergency situations for anyone aged 6+. There is also a section there where you can teach first aid to children from Class 1 up.

When I was working on what content would be suitable for what age, I investigated Steiner philosophies of how the brain develops and how a child develops from newborn through to 18. My concept is that if I had it certified by the government, this program could be utilized in schools. There will also be a button on every page of the website where you immediately call 000, as well as letting you know what information to give and how to deal with situations like breaks, burns, mental issues, unresponsive patients etc.

I’ve been thinking of possibilities for my project since Class 8 and came up with a few different ideas that didn’t work out, but over the Christmas holidays I was working for a marketing company maintaining their clients’ websites and adding product etc; I enjoyed that. It gave me the experience using websites and adding content, so I decided I wanted to work on a website. When choosing what content I wanted to put on my website, I started thinking about what I had really enjoyed in my last few years of school and settled on first aid, and what I’m doing with it is something that doesn’t exist at the moment, which made me excited about the possibilities of where the website could go.

While working on my SRP, I’ve learned how to build a website and how to use new software which required research of its own. I’ve also had to record video and learn how to edit them. I’ve also learned a lot about child development and Steiner curriculum and it’s interesting to look back on the stages I went through and how they relate to the philosophies and see how they line up.

I feel like being a Steiner student is about confidence and curiosity. You have the confidence to go up and talk to anyone, and the confidence to try and fail and not let it deter you because it’s a part of the learning process and either you get the experience, or you can change your approach. I always want to ask questions and learn more and understand.

A Main Lesson that I have enjoyed is the Main Lesson Economics and Ecology with Dave. I enjoy learning about how money, debt, and the system works. I always say I don’t like the Science Main Lessons, but I do. I find them engaging and interesting. It’s amazing to learn about space and how vast it is and how much is unknown.

My favourite camp was ski camp in Class 7. Mount Barney was really good, and I’ve enjoyed all the vertical camps with VET Outdoor Rec program. Bike camp…I just love all camps!

My favourite experience was exchange in Class 10. I will remember that for the rest of my life. I can see how I grew in that time, the first week I was homesick and on the phone to my family all the time and then I settled in and made friends and had so much fun.

My experience here has been fun and interesting, and I would send my kids here.

OSCAR PERCY

Oscar is a talented, hardworking and dedicated student who has been an excellent role model for younger students in the High School. Oscar has a kind and empathetic heart and always brings a positive attitude and a bright smile.

My SRP aims to answer the question “How do you create a hit song?” Originally, I had asked the question of how to write a hit song, but as my project progressed, I began to understand how much more there is to a true hit. The writing aspect was only one small part of it, the creation of a hit included things like how to get it up the charts and how to make it more accessible. For millennia and across countless cultures, human beings have created musical sound. Whether it’s one hit wonders such as the Macarena, or the plethora of hits delivered by The Beatles, hit song writing was a special mystery that I wanted to find the answer to. What makes a hit song and how can you create one?

For half of the SRP process, I was looking at a completely different topic relating to outdoor recreation. I changed halfway through, which meant I only had about half the time to complete my project, which had both good and bad aspects to it. I have definitely struggled with my time management over the course of the project. I have also learnt how much of the creative process needs to be organic for me. Recently, I auditioned for the Griffith Conservatorium of Music, and I sat down to try to write this song and I discovered that as I tried to force my creativity, it made it nearly impossible for it to flow. I have learnt that as much as I struggle with it, I need to ask for help, but also to stick to my guns when I have an idea that feels right to me.

Being a Steiner student for me means that you are a part of a community. I think this is particularly true of the High School. In Primary School you tend to stick with your class but in High School there is more of a community feel as we interact across the age groups. I think the camp programs set Steiner apart too, they help bond you together.

A favourite Main Lesson to me is a tricky question as there are so many that I enjoyed. I enjoyed Inner Organs and Circulatory System and found it interesting to learn how the body works. I also liked the Calculus Main Lesson because I enjoy maths and finding a new element to it was interesting, plus it had real world applications. Farm Camp as a Main Lesson was really good as well. The way the camps are integrated into the Main Lessons is great, it means that instead of just learning about something, you get to experience it in an immersive way.

Favourite camps for me would be Mount Barney, Sailing Camp, and even though I haven’t been yet, I think Lady Musgrave will be one of my favourite ones. I have really enjoyed the hiking camps and a group of us are planning to go back to Barney after school ends.

I will always remember spending time with my class fondly. I know next year at university I will meet a group of new people, but I am really going to miss my class. We have been a close group.

Samford Steiner has been an enriching learning environment.

Greta Regano

Greta is a creative and conscientious member of her cohort who brings a positive and upbeat attitude. Greta strives for a fair and just society and always speaks up when she sees something amiss.

 My Senior Research Project was “How can making my own shoes teach me about the value of craftmanship?”

I think we’ve detached ourselves from everyday objects and don’t really think about where they came from or how they were made. I wanted to explore how our concept of ‘value’ changes when we understand what has gone into the creation of an object – and how this changes again when WE become the person investing the time and money.

I have always loved shoes and how they can elevate an outfit and the history behind them, and I thought it would be wonderful to have a pair of boots that I had made myself. Shoemaking wasn’t something I had seen done before, so I thought it would be a bit different.

I found my mentor by calling around shoe places in Brisbane until I found one of only two shoemakers in Brisbane to teach me how to craft my boots. While it was a very independent project that I completed myself with a lot of trial and error, my mentor was amazing, set me on the path to making my boots, and really helped me with tricks of the trade. I also drew on a lot of my knowledge and skills from Handwork, where I could utilize my understanding of stretch and seam allowances to help me with my project.

I have learnt so much through this process! I went through many stages of creating patterns so there are many prototypes hanging around my house right now. I have a newfound respect for everything we use, and I’ve learnt a whole new skill – and one that is diminishing as there are so few shoemakers in Brisbane, I think that’s exciting!

I have always been a Steiner student, so it feels like it is a part of me, but I feel like it is a very nature-based way of learning. From our early years we are playing in creeks and building mud castles. I think we have a reverence for nature, the way the planet works, and plants and animals. I also think we explore what we believe in and are encouraged to have our own thoughts and opinions rather than just following the book. That is an important skill when going out into the world as a new adult.

I loved so many of the Main Lessons, but my favourites would be any of the poetry ones and getting to write my own poetry. I tend to lean towards the arts – Art, English, Society. I loved Philosophy, it’s so interesting to question everything we were being taught and discuss it with our peers and maybe come up with a new opinion we hadn’t had before. I also loved boat building and the process of creating something so huge with your class.

My favourite camp was probably Sailing Camp, I came away from the camp with a whole new enthusiasm for sailing and I would love to do it again. I also really enjoyed canoeing, going from top of the Brisbane River to the city. I am a bit of a water baby, so I think I loved the water camps the most. Some of the others can be quite challenging, such as the Barney Camp which I found a huge challenge, but I love them all. Camps build a real sense of  closeness and community with your class.

I have so many fond memories of school. I love being around with my class and just enjoying time together. I think it’s the little moments that you end up loving the most, such as on Sailing Camp when Greta, Anna and I would have cups of tea every evening in front of the trangia. It’s the small, intimate moments you look back on and remember really fondly.

As much as we learn about the academic side of things, maths, science and culture, we learn even more about ourselves. Growing learning and appreciating.

Toby Prnagell

Toby has a strong work ethic and is committed to working on his interests. Pure of heart and charismatic, Toby is full of life and ideas and presents himself well, always thinking on his feet.

For my SRP, I explored blacksmithing and created a knife. Blacksmithing has always been an interest of mine and something I really wanted to do but this gave me an opportunity to delve into this. For my research, I had to earn about different metals and the skills required to create a knife.

I have gained a lot of skills during this process, the basic knowledge of how a forge works, and have learnt what sources are helpful in learning the process.

For me, being a Steiner student means there is more of a community, and you feel like you have friends instead of acquaintances. Everyone knows each other and it feels like everyone in our class are all friends.

My favourite classes have been Beekeeping and Hardcraft. This year we made furniture in Hardcraft and I’ve been really enjoying that. I like anything that is hands on.

I loved Low Tech Camp, even though a lot of aspects were hard – the walking on the sand was awful – the parts you didn’t like ended up being funny and you bonded with your class over them. I liked the desert and while the first night was cold, the rest of the time the weather was good.

The best thing for me is how our class is one big family. I will really miss seeing everyone each day.

I think my whole experience at SVSS was a good one, I would do it again!