Steiner Schools in Australia

There are resources available that may be of assistance to both new initiatives, and existing kindergartens and schools.

If you are interested in being involved in starting a new school and would like to be added to this list, please send me an E-mail.

Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Other

If you wish to build a ship with others,
Do not begin by gathering timber with them;
Rather awaken in them
Longing for the sea.

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

New South Wales

Area Comments / Information Contact details Date received
Albury / Wodonga I have a daughter who is completing class 1 through home schooling and a son who is due to start school in 2013. We are looking to move to the border around albury wodonga area and am seeking like minded people to start a Steiner school in this region or maybe there is already a movement to get something started. I would like to hear other people in this region with similar thoughts. Thanks Louise Louise Jenkins [sabbidog2@me.com] 22nd September 2012
Coonabarabran
Hi, i live in Coonabarabran (north-west NSW). I am interested in Steiner education and in establishing a school. I have a 2yo, 4yo and 9yo. Even a home school support group would b a good start!
Melinda
serendipity@harboursat.com.au 19th January 2010
Dubbo
l would like to 2nd an interest in a Steiner school for the Dubbo area. We are moving to Narromine & will home school using the Steiner curriculum & would like to join a home school  group with the same ideals.
oty@tpg.com.au 10th July 2012
Dubbo I would like to register my interest and longing for a Steiner School for Dubbo NSW to your list.
Cheers, Candice
calocke@bigpond.net.au 10th March 2011
Dungog
I am interested in co-creating a Steiner playgroup, club or other gathering for families interested in these principles.
Contact:  HelenRubeli@gmail.com 24th August 2011
Eurobodalla

Eurobodalla Steiner Education Ass Inc

Are a strong community group striving to create Steiner Inspired experiences for Children and their families.  We currently run weekly playgroup sessions, craft circle, a community garden plot, seasonal festivals, workshops and courses.  An opportunity to lease a beautiful day care centre in a bush setting just out side of Moruya has arisen.  We are working towards opening a Steiner Long Day Care Centre for children ages 2-6 years.  We are seeking anyone interested in being a part of our project or looking for care and nurturing of their little person/people.  If you are interested we would love to hear from you.

Eurosteiner@live.com.au or Janine (02) 4474 3440

24th January 2010
Mudgee Hi, We are a group of parents who are interested in starting a Steiner Pre-school in Mudgee. Please email me if anyone has any helpful info on how we might go about it or would like to be part of this amazing new venture... joolzied@gmail.com 1st November 2011
Southern Highlands
We are based in the Southern Highlands of NSW, and are currently under process of registering a new Steiner school with the Board of Studies.
Our Kindergarten, aiming to start in 2013, will be called Aurora Rose.
Currently we are listed with the Board of Studies on our working application as Southern Highlands Rudolf Steiner School.
We also run early childhood programs, called 'Harmony Playcircle' and 'Playtime at Harmony'.
Joanna Panagiotopoulos
on behalf of SHASE
Southern Highlands Association for Steiner Education
southernhighlands.steiner@gmail.com
(02) 4872 3487
(02) 4872 4022
10th July 2012
Sutherland Shire
Hi there,
I am hoping to get a list of interested parents who would like to join a Steiner Playgroup to be held in the Sutherland Shire.
Please email me to be added to the list and I will contact you with details.
It would be envisaged that the group would be held from 10am - 12pm on a weekday TBA.
We would follow a rhythm that will include free play, bread baking and circle time with nature and season based songs/poems/stories.
I would hope to celebrate festivals and aim to celebrate harvest festival with the whole family on a Saturday in May.
sutherlandsteinergroup@y7mail.com 21st January 2011
Wagga Wagga

Hi, My name is Sabrina Belfiore , I live in Wagga Wagga and I keen to start a play group in this town.
I am a Teacher of Steiner school, I got  a Diploma of  teacher gain at  Steiner school in Italy.
I, also , teached  as First Teacher in a Steiner school in Italy.
If someone is interested please contact me

sabrina.belfiore@yahoo.it

1st November 2011
Wagga Wagga Please can I be included on your website as wanting to start a playgroup. Many thanks, Maria Maria Solecki [mariasolecki@googlemail.com] 22nd December 2010
Yamba Hinterland (Ashby) We have a Steiner inspired playgroup in the Yamba hinterland at Ashby, now 1 year old. Families from various towns of the lower Clarence are attending and newcomers are welcome. I am looking around at schooling options for my 3 and 0 year old, there are no Steiner or other alternative schools in this area and I am interested to hear from anyone who would like to discuss possibilities for getting something started, as well as any Steiner teachers looking for a seachange to a friendly town on a beautiful part of Australia's coast. If there is enough interest anything is possible! Cheers, Holly wompee@yahoo.com 18th March 2011
Yass Hi, I live in Yass and would be interested to open or join a new playgroup in Yass or even Canberra. If anyone is interested in helping me please contact me moc_ro@hotmail.com 19th April 2010

Northern Territory

Area Comments / Information Contact details Date received

Queensland

Area Comments / Information Contact details Date received
Airlie Beach
I am a 'retired'  Steiner teacher soon to be living in Airlie Beach and keen to help start a Steiner playgroup in the area. Looking for families to join me in this venture.
Please email brendahawke@gmail.com 15th June 2010
Arundel (northern end of Gold Coast)
I am currently looking for a kindergarten or child care area in Arundel which has a good educational philosophy and unfortunately find a lack thereof.  If anyone is planning to open up a Steiner School here I would be very much interested in involving myself.  I used to work in a bilingual integrative kindergarten in Germany and have been looking for a school which has a similar education ethic to what I am used to.   I would love to see the Steiner approach to be widely available at the Northern end of the Gold Coast.  
Best regards
Inez Chai
inezyda@yahoo.com 24th January 2011
Atherton Tablelands I would like to know if there are any Steiner home schooling parents on The Athereton Table Lands. I will be moving to a property near Tarzali with two 4 and 6 year old girls. The eldest was going to the Steiner School in Kuranda.
24th January 2010
Beachmere / Moreton Bay

New School Developments in Beachmere Queensland 4510
 
Moreton Bay Steiner School Information Morning
Sunday 9th October 10am-12noon
3 Progress Av. Beachmere Community Hall
Special Guest Speakers CEO of Steiner Schools Australia Ms Tracey Puckeridge and Education Administrator of Samford Valley Steiner School Mr Chris Jack
Activities and Storytime for Children
Morning Tea Provided
Would you and your family like to hear more about this wonderful New School ?
Now Taking Waiting List Applications

Expressions of Interest open for Experienced Registered Steiner Teacher for 2012
 
Please contact President Stacey 5496 2810 or Secretary Amy on 0411 066 433
or email us on moretonbaysteiner@live.com.au

 

Playgroup Starts Next week!
Register Now for Birali "Creative Spirit " Playgroup Term 4

Term 4, 2011 starts Friday October 7th
9:15am-11:30am for a 10 week term at Beachmere Community Hall.
Final week of term we will have Christmas celebrations!

Contact Kirsten 54993349/ 0438549933
 
Steiner Inspired Homeschooling Group starts February 2012 -contact Amy or Stacey above to register your interest.
A little about Steiner kindergartens

During the first seven years children are physically forming and live very much in their imagination. This great capacity to enter into imaginative pictures and stories is a good place to begin the process of learning. Free, creative play is considered the best preparation for self-realising adult life.

The teacher endeavours to create an environment that gives children time to play and encourages them to exercise their imagination and learn to conjure up ideas from within themselves. Simple homely tasks and artistic activities to both do and see are balanced with storytelling, singing games and generous play times. A rich supply of natural materials provides scope for imagination in play, which refined toys often deny.

Activities offered for the four to six year olds are based on the house and garden. These include sweeping, gardening, cooking, building cubbies, looking after animals, singing, listening to stories, helping to prepare the meal table, cutting fruit, painting, clay modelling and drawing. Children learn to enjoy building, using the natural materials in the room to make their own constructions and patterns. Practical experience helps the child develop confidence and capabilities.

Steiner education seeks to nurture the senses through water-colour painting and singing, beeswax and clay modelling. The teacher works consistently to provide rhythm and structure to the day, week, year and whole curriculum, to harmonise with the child’s natural rhythms.

At this age, children are discovering how to relate socially with a peer group and take part in fundamental life tasks. Through meeting and playing creatively together, children learn vital interpersonal skills. The teacher plays an important role in enabling relationships between children to strengthen through play.

Young children develop primarily in their doing, learning through imitation and physical activity. The role of the teacher is to provide a model for the children and a secure space in which to discover the world. They are not yet ready for more formal classes. Thus, the teacher reserves the formal teaching of numbers and letters for the child’s next developmental stage, signalled physically by the change of teeth, at about the age of seven.

  2nd October 2011
Brisbane -  Beenleigh Hi my name is Rachel, I live in the Beenleigh area of Brisbane. I am interested in establishing a Steiner inspired playgroup in the area. I would love to hear from anybody interested in helping me in starting one or attending one in the area. thanks Email: rbound@hotmail.com 15th August 2010
Bundaberg
We have been meeting fortnightly for home-based Steiner playgroups around the Bundaberg region. We are also thinking of organising a Steiner playgroup/home school co-op in the Bundaberg region.
We would like to extend an invitation to any other families or individuals who may also be interested in our playgroup or in helping us create a Steiner homeschooling co-op.
Please contact Michelle Martin -   if you are interested. Thankyou!
E-mail: mambelles@yahoo.com  or Phone: 0438 347 679 20th Dec 2010
Burleigh Hello,
I would very much love to see a Steiner school set up in the beautiful Tallebudgera or Currumbin Valley area of the Gold Coast. I have 3 children ranging from 1yr to 9yrs of age and believe they would benefit tremendously from a Steiner education.
If there is anyone interested in starting a social group, or that is aware of a new school starting in the southern gold coast area (near Burleigh), I would very much like to hear from you.
I believe the current generation of children need to be treated with great sensitivity and understanding and that they hold great possibilities if guided the right way.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Deb
Deb@collisfamily.com.au 10th March 2011
Fernvale My name is Sondra Bowman and I live in Fernvale Qld. I would be exceptionally happy if a Steiner school were to open in my region. I regularly look to see if a Steiner school is opening close to me so I can send my 3 year old, but unfortunately to date one is not available. sondrabowman@bigpond.com 22nd December 2010
Gladstone - Calliope

I wish to start up a Steiner kindergarten and school in Calliope ( just outside Gladstone) Anyone interested in joining me contact Hailey @ widebaysteiner@yahoo.com.au or phone 0421901218

Regards Hailey Whiteway

  22nd November 2011
Gold Coast Little Heart Tree Steiner Group began in 2009 initially as a holiday program and has evolved into a continuing early learning program with a Steiner approach for children aged 4 to 7.
The group provides a holistic, caring and nurturing environment for children to learn and play through Steiner based activities that cater to the developmental, emotional and spiritual needs of this age group.

Register your interest in a southern Gold Coast based Steiner School.

Phone Sara on 0466 630 389

20th February 2010
Logan / Mt Cotton area I live in the Logan / Mount Cotton area and would love to start a Steiner School. It is a big task and would like other who would also be interested in having (and helping start) a Steiner School in the area to contact me on 0414 988 445 or kristypillinger@optusnet.com.au   20th December 2010
Toowoomba
Hello there,
I live 45kms north of Toowoomba and wish more than anything that we could have a Steiner School in the area. My sons are 4 and 1 and having been schooled at a Steiner School my whole life, I'm finding it very difficult to imagine sending them anywhere else.
My eldest and I went to a Steiner playgroup for a year and I would feel quite confident setting up a Steiner Playgroup. The idea of a school is a little more daunting, yet I am keen to speak to more interested parties in the area. I also know a few other parents who are interested.
It would be great to get something going around these beautiful parts.
Regards,
Jo
jo.petrou@yahoo.com 12th July 2010
Townsville

Just emailing our interest  in having a Steiner primary and high school in Townsville or would be interested in Airlie Beach area also..
We have three children, two of  primary age  and one  grade 8 student.
Thank you,
M.Hamilton

mnhamilton@bigpond.com 19th April 2010

South Australia

Area Comments / Information Contact details Date received

Tasmania

Area Comments / Information Contact details Date received
North west and Tasmania state-wide We are home schooling on our biodynamic property in the north west of Tasmania. We would love to find others to form a coop of home schoolers, and possibly playgroup if there are enough committed people here. Our children are 6 and 8 years, and we are using a range of resources for creative Steiner education.

We are also working with others to form a state-wide network of home schoolers, to offer each other support, share resources and come together as groups in our areas for activities we usually can't access in the home, such as eurythmy. We would love to hear of anyone who would like to be added to our contact list.

Lynette Correy

lynettecorrey@optusnet.com.au

0422 107 347

21st April 2011

Victoria

Area Comments / Information Contact details Date received
Ararat
We are starting various activities in this area (such as a Steiner study group and BD gardening group) and would like to help set up and support a playgroup, parenting group, festival group and eventually a school as numbers increase.
Please contact Linda at  linden.lee2020@yahoo.com 23rd September 2012
Balwyn There is a small group of parents whose children currently attend Balwyn Steiner Playgroup in Melbourne's inner eastern suburbs who are just beginning a journey to establish a Steiner Kindergarten and ultimately a school in the Balwyn area. If you live in the area and are an interested parent or educator please contact Katie katiekburke@gmail.com 20th December 2010
Bairnsdale

Plans are well underway to start a Steiner School in Bairnsdale in 2013 with a Prep and Class One and applications for a place are now being taken. See our blog for all the details: http://wildcherrysteiner.blogspot.com.au/

katiekburke@gmail.com 10th July 2012
Berwick / Druin Hi, I have an almost one year old daughter and whilst we currently live in Bentleigh, vic. we are looking to move in the near future to either Berwick or Drouin to be closer to family and have more space...would love it if there was a Steiner option in/around these areas...if there is anyone from around there who feels the same way we would love to work together with you to make this happen!!!! Jess Cohen 0416 833 512

addiction53@hotmail.com

12th Dec 2012
Macedon ranges (Gisborne, Macedon, or Woodend area), I have a 9 month old son and would love to have a Steiner school in  Victoria in 5 years time. I am sure there would be many like minded parents in this area. If you are interested in forming a working group to develop this school please contact Carolyn carolyn_luke14@yahoo.com.au 10th July 2012

Mornington Peninsular (outer south east Melbourne)

MORNINGTON PENINSULA, Victoria
 
Wurru-Wurru Inc. has been offering Steiner Early Childhood programmes on the Mornington Peninsula since 1998. 

 

Our current programmes include:
  • Groups for Kindergarten Aged Children
  • Parent and Child Groups 
  • Mother and Baby groups
  • Parent Education Workshops
  • Gabriel Talks
We are now working towards the establishment of an independent Steiner School.
We are currently seeking a suitable property in the Red Hill area, and our first group of Prep children will commence in 2012.

 

If you can help with time or resources please contact us via info@wurruwurru.com

 

For more information about our early childhood programmes or to enrol your child please email enrolments@wurruwurru.com 
For more about our anthroposophical education programmes please email education@wurruwurru.com 12th July 2010
Point Cook I am a fully qualified Art and Craft teacher living in Point Cook.
I have a grand vision to work in a collaborative group of like minded individuals to develop a Steiner inspired initiative.
I’m looking to connect with very driven and hardworking individuals who are willing to support the initiative in any way they can… no experience required just a can do attitude!
Starting with a play group "Fairy wrens playgroup" (check us out on face book) then developing into a kindergarten by 2012.
Then …by taking baby steps we can work on a primary school in the lush countryside of Point Cook , Werribee South, Lara or further then the skies the limit!!
I have friends in local government whom are very interested to see what kind of support this Kind of alternative education will receive and they are prepared to help in any way that they are able to.
Join me on this magical adventure and together we can create a utopia right here in the west for our children.
May peace and serenity be with you now and forever…..
Register your interest by contacting me at daltadesign@gmail.com 21st January 2011
Sandringham
We are currently gathering student numbers for a Steiner stream at Sandringham Secondary Collage 7-10  Highett campus in Melbourne. Outcome looks hopeful.
Please contact me if you need more info or have any questions
Thank you
Solreta Marmion
http://sandringhamsecondarysteinerstream.blogspot.com.au
0429 134 676 19th April 2012
Warrnambool Hi my name is Lauren and I will soon be moving to the Noorat / Terang area and am wondering if there are any Steiner / natural parenting playgroups or mums in the area or in Warrnambool or Colac areas? I have a beautiful 11 month old boy and would love to meet other parents with similar values and beliefs. Thanks Please email me on lozzie59@hotmail.com 20th February 2010

Western Australia

Area Comments / Information Contact details Date received
Mandurah

Hi there,
I live in Mandurah, WA and we are currently travelling to the Perth Waldorf School in Bibra Lake, 40 mins away, for Kindi. I am wanting to know if there are many parents in the Mandurah area who are also doing the same and may have a Steiner-based parents group or are interested in starting one. A school initiative would be fantastic of course too..

jodib.s@bigpond.com

17th May 2010
Mandurah / Rockingham
Melaleuca Steiner Playgroup
 

This group started out as a Steiner Parents Group studying “You are Your Child’s First Teacher” by Rahima Baldwin Dancy and has quickly grown into the Melaleuca Steiner Playgroup. We are a very committed group, working towards establishing a New Steiner School in the Rockingham, Baldivis, Mandurah area of WA.

At present we are a home based Family Playgroup for children 0-5 yo and we aim to establish satellite Steiner Playgroups throughout the Rockingham, Baldivis, Mandurah area as we grow. We have one full playgroup of about 12 families with 1 to 3 y/olds plus older siblings interested in primary and are growing rapidly.

We need to demonstrate sufficient interest in the New School Initiative to support our application to establish a non-government school. Any interest is welcome as we spread the word about our New School. We plan to open in 2013 with K4,K5,K6 and a Class 1.

melaleuca.steiner@ymail.com
10th June 2011

Other

Area Comments / Information Contact details Date received
Indonesia (Ubud) Currently I (Steiner teacher) am starting up a homeschooling group in North from Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.
Age groups are children born in 1998/99;  2001/02 and 2004.
In future we might be able to expand to more age groups and even to high school.
Children are taught mainly by teacher/teacher assistant in homely environment.
Beautiful lush tropical quiet environment. Climate is not too hot though (1000 m altitude).
Interested families can be guided with renting accommodation near the "school".
Violin teacher available. Organic gardening; horse riding; raw food; trekking.
Please contact me on my e-mail address if interested.

Carine Heuvel: carineheuvel@gmail.com
29th June 2009

Last updated on 14 December, 2012