Honouring the journey of each child, towards wholeness of being.

Steiner education has a unique and distinctive approach to educating children, aiming to enable each stage of growth to be fully and vividly enjoyed and experienced. It provides a balanced approach to the modern school curriculum. The academic, artistic and social aspects, or ‘head, heart & hands’, are treated as complementary facets of a single program of learning, allowing each to throw light on the others.

This is implemented by using art as a practice, and language to develop the feelings, by nourishing the children with the rich heritage of wise folk tales, histories, stories, poems, music and games that are part of our world civilisation. This creates the cultural atmosphere in which the children are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, nature study, geography, science, languages, music and other subjects.

The curriculum is responsive to the developmental phases of childhood and the nurturing of the child’s imagination in a school environment. It strives to meet the needs of the child, and to encourage creativity and free-thinking. Steiner Education seeks to recognise the individuality of the child and through a balanced education, allows them to go into the world with confidence.

The Steiner Education stream began at Trinity Gardens School in 2006 with two classes. One at Reception level for children aged 5 and 6 year. The other at Class 1/2 level for 6 to 8 year olds.

It is anticipated that a new Steiner Education Reception class will begin at the start of each new school year until there is one class from Reception through to Year 7.

Waiting lists for Reception are kept for the coming years. Priority is given to siblings of students already attending this school. Transfer into the Steiner Education stream is only available when a vacancy exists and after consultation with the principal.

Points of Interest

• Steiner Education teachers are dedicated to creating a genuine love of learning within each child. An internal motivation to learn is developed in the students, through the methodology and educational approach.
• The curriculum has been developed to correspond with the developmental stages of childhood, and balances academic subjects with artistic and practical activities.
• Steiner Education is non-denominational and respects the beliefs of all families. Students of any ethnic or religious background are welcomed.
• During the primary school years the class teacher stays with the same class (ideally) for the first seven years of their schooling.
• All subjects, including maths and science, are taught in blocks of 3-4 weeks, in the “Main Lessons”, allowing intense exposure to and a deepening of the subject matter.
• Music and drama are an integral part of the curriculum. All children learn the recorder in class 1/2 and string instruments are introduced in class 3. An appreciation and involvement with world music and literature is encouraged throughout.
• Artistic abilities and creativity are schooled in writing, drawing and painting activities, which are also included in the Main Lessons.
• The philosophical basis of Steiner Education is not taught to the children, rather it is the source for the teacher's understanding of human development.
• The total Steiner curriculum has been likened to an ascending spiral: subjects are revisited several times, but each new exposure affords greater depth and new insights into the subject.
• Positive Education for a Positive Future

Who is Rudolf Steiner?

Rudolf Steiner (1864-1925) was an Austrian philosopher, scientist and humanitarian who profoundly influenced Western culture. He worked with scientists, artists, doctors, ministers of religion, teachers and industrialists to help transform our civilisation. His work is best known through Steiner Education, BioDynamics, Anthroposophical Medicine and Architecture. His scientific investigations of the spiritual world led to the development of Anthroposophy, The Wisdom of Man.

Rudolf Steiner gave lectures attended by thousands of people, including those of the Waldorf Astoria cigarette factory in Stuttgart, Germany. The workers were so impressed with the wisdom and warmth of the man that they asked him to set up a school for their children based on these ideas. With the support of Emil Molt, the managing director, the first Waldorf School was formed in 1919 (this is the reason why many Steiner schools are called Waldorf schools). The school became the model for the Steiner Education movement, leading to the building and development of Steiner kindergartens and schools worldwide.

"Our highest endeavour must be to develop individuals who are able out of their own initiative to impart purpose and direction to their lives" (Rudolf Steiner)

Further Information

Suggested Websites
www.waldorfanswers.org
www.steiner-australia.org

For more information about Steiner education in mainstream public schools please visit:

Collingwood College:
http://www.collingwood.vic.edu.au

Mornington Park Primary School:
http://www.morningtonparkps.vic.edu.au

East Bentleigh Primary school:
http://www.eastbentleighps.vic.edu.au

Recommended Reading

• Baldwin, Rahima: You Are Your Child's First Teacher.
• Barnes, Henry: An Introduction to Waldorf Education.
• Childs, Gilbert: Steiner Education in Theory and Practice.
• Davy, Gudrun: Lifeways: Working with Family Questions.
• Finser, Torin: School as a Journey.
• Gorman, Margaret: Confessions of a Waldorf Parent.
• Harwood, A. C.: Life of a Child.
• Querido, René: Creativity in Education: The Waldorf Approach.
• Spock, Marjorie: Teaching as a Lively Art.
• Rudolf Steiner: Kingdom of Childhood.