£2,200 raised by Steiner Academy Frome pupils to support South African school

The children at Steiner Academy Frome (SAF) hoped to raise £400 from their sponsored read to provide fruit for a year for a school in South Africa. 

SAF say, “They were thrilled to find out that the final total raised was just over £2,200.  

“To celebrate the centenary of the first Steiner Waldorf School opening, SAF wanted to help the 250 children of Zenzeleni Waldorf School, after one of their own teachers visited the Cape Town school last year. 

“A sponsored read seemed the perfect way for the Frome children to get involved, and they enthusiastically chose their books and set their targets.”  

 “We’re very proud of the children’s efforts,” said Abi Allanson, SAF’s literacy coordinator. “And it’s been wonderful for them to see how their hard work has paid off.”

“As in most Scandinavian countries and in Steiner Waldorf Schools worldwide, formal learning at SAF begins when children are rising 7. Literacy is introduced initially through traditional stories and folk tales, combined with mainstream phonics methods.” 

Abi Allanson, who is also the co-author of ‘Writing to Reading the Steiner Waldorf Way’, explains, “After several years learning through imaginative play in kindergarten, our children are raring to go in class 1. We aim to capitalise on their enthusiasm, well-developed pre-reading skills, and maturity to enable them to master this new world of possibilities.” 

“The sponsored read definitely appears to have lit a spark, as the children are already keenly planning their costumes for World Book Day in June.”