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WHAT IS STEINER EDUCATION?
The philosophy of Steiner education is based on Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual science, also known as anthroposophy, which literally means ‘the wisdom of man’ (anthropos: man, sophia: wisdom).
Since the inception of the Waldorf School in the German city of Stuttgart in 1919, Steiner schools have earned a reputation throughout the world for educating creative and socially aware individuals, keen to take their place in, and contribute to, their community.
Steiner education strives to recognise the individuality of each child and aims to create a physical, social and spiritual environment in which that individuality can unfold with confidence.
It also seeks to develop an inner mobility and resilience in children in order to help them deal with the challenges of a rapidly changing world. To meet these aims, Steiner education offers a broadly-based learning program balancing practical, artistic and academic activities.
Teachers are dedicated to generating a genuine inner enthusiasm for learning in every child.
WHAT IS STEINER EDUCATION?
Rudolf Steiner
Rudolf Steiner was an Austrian scientist, philosopher and artist who lived from 1861-1925. His interests were not only in education, but also in a wide range of fields such as medicine, agriculture, nutrition, social renewal and the environment. One of his beliefs was that humanity needs to work organically in co-operation with nature, not against it.
He sounded warning bells about many issues, such as sustainability and depletion of human and natural resources, which are of wide concern today. (Courtesy of Steiner Education Australia).
WHAT IS STEINER EDUCATION?
Relationships
Teaching is based on supportive and close relationships with teachers and strong, lifelong bonds between students. Primary School Class Teachers stay with their class of children from Class 1 to 7, when two High School Guardians step in to guide these young people from Years 8 to 12.
WHAT IS STEINER EDUCATION?
The Main Lesson
The Main Lesson is unique to Steiner education. It is a thematic and integrated approach to a topic and stays with the same subject for a few weeks, allowing the students to explore issues in depth and from many different angles, from the Alphabet in Class 1 to Philosophy in the senior years.
The background to the lesson themes is drawn from the major epochs of history, providing students with a living connection to what it means to be a human being.
Steiner education… develops flexible and agile thinking and an ability to collaborate and thrive in a 21st century world. Gonski 2.0 highlighted the need for a contemporary education to emphasise critical and creative thinking, social skills and problem solving – delivering a deep sense of purpose, connectivity and agency to enact change. These are the hallmarks of a Steiner education.
—Steiner Education Australia
WHAT IS STEINER EDUCATION?
Eurythmy
Eurythmy is an expressive movement art originated by Rudolf Steiner in conjunction with Marie von Sivers in the early 20th century.
Eurythmy is an essential part of our learning program at Shearwater from Kindergarten right through to Year 12. The aims of eurythmy lie at the heart of the Steiner curriculum, harmonising the developmental processes and integrating the spheres of thinking, feeling and willing.
Working cohesively in groups, children move to elements of speech and music in various forms, becoming more graceful in their movement, more coordinated, alert, conscious and at ease with themselves.
WHAT IS STEINER EDUCATION?
The Arts
The Arts are at the heart of the Steiner curriculum and approach, not just as an extra-curricular activity, but embedded strongly in the core of the teaching and learning—music, drama, story, art, literature and movement are a part of every school day.
Creativity draws on imagination, the fostering of which leads to innovative thinking, flexibility, problem solving and empathy. In the years ahead, in all fields – political, economic, scientific, technological and environmental, there is agreement that imagination and empathy will be the driving forces in finding innovative approaches and solutions to the world’s great challenges.
The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination
— Albert Einstein
WHAT IS STEINER EDUCATION?
Technology
At Shearwater, we delay the introduction of digital technologies in the classroom until Class 7. With a focus on healthy childhood development, Steiner education has always had a considered and graduated approach to the use of digital technology.
Children need to be interacting with other human beings: their peers, teachers and families – collaborating, questioning, sharing, negotiating, listening and talking. They need to be active, rather than sedentary. Imagination and creativity need space, time and encouragement.
