Dandenong Ranges Steiner School

Delivery Angels

Children at Dandenong Ranges Steiner School received a very special (contactless!) delivery in the past week when the schools ‘delivery angels’ dropped each child’s materials for the coming weeks right at their doorstep.  Two weeks into Stage 4 lockdown, and with parents unable to visit the school to collect materials, there was much joy to discover what was in the packages prepared with great care by their teacher.

Staff had been busy getting the materials together, organising the suburbs to be covered, scheduling the delivery times for the drop offs and preparing travel permits. Lined up all over class two, there were brown paper parcels, painting paper rolls, craft supplies and Library books. Even more staff came together to distribute everything into tubs, all set for destinations across the hills and beyond. Some of the delivery angels found little gifts waiting for them when they went to drop off.

It truly was a massive effort and we know that the parcels were received with thanks. There were chocolates and letters left at some houses, books to bring back to school and those driving really enjoyed the experience of being able to bring some connection with school to all the children. 

Here are some anecdotes from our drivers: 

“It’s great to reconnect with our children- some families that I don’t see in the big school and our prep children both at their doors and on the phone if they were out. I met two beautiful dogs in Emerald and admired a veranda swing at another house nearby. I ended up doing a loop which took me from a fire gate (blocked road) to a long road with a magic view where you could see forever and then past an ‘ honest esky’  where I purchased a kilo of crispy Jerusalem artichokes!!  I didn’t know we have a LK  family at the other end of the road I live on – it saved me getting in the car, it was great to see they are doing well and I was impressed  with how they are amusing and educating themselves currently. 
Thank you to everyone who was involved.”  (– Paula )

“All went smoothly today on a wet-roaded day. The homes I visited greeted me with their humble facades and gentle wispy chimney smoky plumes as I imagined cosy families inside. Contact-less delivery in amongst our beautiful community. Joys of imagination overcame me with children excitedly opening their packages of tools of learning disguised as play and creative potential. 

I weaved through quiet roads and dirt tracks for these precious few hours with fellow pilgrims outside in their cars politely giving way and exchanging gracious smiles and waves.  

Finally, my last home delivery in Menzies Creek. Time was now on my side with clean hands and mask as I relaxed and chatted in deep thought and love for the joy of being human in this wildly beautiful and satisfying community. I can’t wait to return back to my humble gracious self that shows up at your door.”    ( – Paul )

Overall, around 750 km’s were travelled from Wantirna to Oakleigh and out to Tynong.  What a journey!