What makes Steiner Education Unique
- Respect for the unique individuality and recognition of the spiritual essence of each student at evolving stages of maturation. This is our Special Character
- HEAD HEART and HANDS - a balanced teaching of intellectual, emotive/creative, and practical in all lessons. The curriculum is tailored to reflect and honour the maturation of developmental growth.
- Non Computer based education in kindergarten and Primary school. Non ‘Modern Learning Environment’ classrooms. ICT developed in high school, with BYOD devices from year 11 .
- Unhurried development of literacy in primary years resulting in above average results in later years. i.e. formal reading doesn’t begin until children are six.
- Primary school teacher stays with the same class for up to 4 to 7 years. A deep relationship between student and teacher develops. The family/student/school triangle important to educational success.
- Emphasis on knowledge eg Science, literacy and maths, enveloped by beauty, wonder and respect (often through artistry & creativity )
- Teaching through imagination and stories so that facts, atmosphere, emotive involvement (and therefore long term memory) blend into one teaching process.
- Low pupil/ teacher ratio in high school contributes to high level of NCEA academic success
- The Mainlesson – an intense teaching technique. A unique blending of knowledge, culture, art, activity and thinking in each Mainlesson block.
- Wide historical, geographical and scientific curriculum over the 12 year teaching period.
- Specific techniques for developing deep, long term memory retention.
- Eurythmy - a specific Steiner movement form
- Practical subjects including handwork, gardening, woodwork (construction and wood carving), technologies, copper work, textiles, cooking and clay work.
- Annual class play at each year level
- EoTC camp at every level from class 3
- Whole staff studies on specific child of concern.
What is the same as other schools?
- Fulfil all the National Curriculum Achievement Objectives – Annual Plans and Student Goals.
- NCEA levels 1,2,3 and UE.
- Wide range of academic, practical, arts based NCEA subjects to choose from.
- Extensive health, sexuality and social issues programme.
- Sports programme with high involvement in inter-school sports.
- Itinerant music tuition, choirs, and orchestra above the daily music work.
- Playground health and safety procedures with an emphasis on safe play and inclusion.
- Honouring our obligations of partnership, protection, and participation under Te Tiriti o Waitangi ensuring Te Tiriti provides the basis for our strategic priorities, and the implementation of our whole school curriculum.
- Extensive relationships, health, gender, sexuality and social issues programme.
- Use of a wide range of restorative practice and inclusion strategies to act on relationship conflict, misunderstandings and hurt.
- Quality staff development, accountability systems across the whole school and use of evaluation to know and action what makes the biggest difference for learners to ensure equitable outcomes for all.
- Regular Assessment and reporting processes.