The Essence of Waldorf Education. title, Geistige Kern

“Everything is seed.” Novalis
There is a lot of discussion in Steiner Schools at present
about what are the core values of Steiner Education, what
is the ‘nature’ of Steiner education. Or is it perhaps, as
one parent said to me, so difficult to define, that
confusion is inevitable?
I would say that it is clearly definable, at least to the
degree that it can be. If we examine the DNA of an
unknown seed we may determine the exact nature of the
seed before us, but we cannot determine what it might
become. We can only plant and nurture it to see what it
contains in potential, and this will always be modified by
the external factors it is subject to or conditioned by. So
even knowing everything about the seed, it could never
be predicted what it might or will become.
One of the better introductions to Steiner Education is
Peter Selg’s The Essence of Waldorf Education.
Interestingly this is a translation of the original German
title, Geistige Kern der Waldorfschule (Spiritual ‘Seed’ of
the Waldorf School). I can define the essence or nature of
what I have before me but I can’t define something that
hasn’t become yet, what it is in potentia.
“We do not believe in creating ideas of what ideal
human beings should be so that they fit into
preconceived plans. Our goal is… to hear the message
sent to us through the children from the divine-spiritual
worlds: “This is how I wish to become.”
“The only thing that can help is that a close relationship
is formed with a teacher so that the student feels
especially drawn to that teacher.”
“Well, a Waldorf teacher has to be prepared to find a
thing completely different tomorrow from what it was
yesterday. This is the real secret of their training...
Openness, a readiness to receive new wisdom daily, a
disposition which can subdue past knowledge to a latent
feeling which leaves the mind clear for what is new…
And it is this open heart for the changes in life, for its
unexpected and continuous freshness, which must form
the essential mood and nature of a Waldorf teacher.”
Rod Tomlinson
The school Steiner started was established on cultural
principles that were directed to the future, far into the
future. Far from being prescriptive or providing
directives, Steiner indicates ways of cultivating ourselves,
the life of a child, of a class, of a school that allows for the
healthy growth and development of what human beings
bring with them as gifts, along with all that is valuable in
this place, in this time and in this community:
“We should not learn teaching methods from any book
except the one that opens before us as the children
themselves.”
Tuesday 2—18 June
Thursday 11 & Tuesday 16 June
Friday 12 June
7:00pm
Friday 26 June
TBC
Tuesday 30 June
Friday 3 July
Monday 20 July
Tuesday 21 July
Primary Parent-Teacher Interviews
Secondary Parent-Teacher/Guardian Interviews
Masquerade Disco
Winter Spiral
Symmons Plains Cross Country
Last day of Term 2
Student Free Day
First day of Term 3
Hall
Hall
Hall
Amphitheatre
will
keep
this
experience
in
On a lovely April morning, Sharon and I met with fifteen
their hearts for the rest of their lives.
buzzing Class 9 and 10 students at the Hobart Airport. We
よくできました、みなさん！Well done, everyone!
hugged our families goodbye and set off on a long
journey through Melbourne, Hong Kong and Osaka,
Hayley
finally reaching the Kochi train station 30 hours later.
We were welcomed into our host families’ houses
They said that they completed each challenge with ease,
immediately, sharing meals and breaking through
but you can't always believe what you read on Twitter.
language barriers with warm hearts and open minds. The
Yes, deadlines were met, often with seconds to spare,
students experienced life in a Japanese school and in
with three pairs of hands typing on the same document,
modern Japanese homes. We performed on stage in front
frantic calls for a full stop to be issued so that the
of the entire student body and faculty, which was around
document could be submitted. NOW!
one thousand people! After only a week in Kochi, lasting
The Nextgen business challenge is a well-designed
friendships were formed. However after such a short stay
we had to say goodbye and head off on our tour around
beautiful Japan.
immersive educational experience that has engaged and
enthralled our Class 10 students. They have learned many
skills in setting up their businesses during the week. In
Our first stop was the island of Miyajima. This sacred
particular I saw our Class 10 students become a cohesive
island is home to gangs of cheeky deer, and a beautiful
team, taking on individual responsibility for different
‘floating’ tori gate. We had a lovely time exploring the
business tasks; showing great resilience during a rocky
first part of the week when
forests and the tiny village on the island.
business
The next day we stopped off in Hiroshima to experience
the art of negotiation was
experience. The students were able to appreciate the
fully explored.
message of hope promoted by the museum and peace
They have created market-
park, despite the city’s sad history.
Kyoto, where we stayed for three excellent nights. We
visited many temples and shrines, did a spot of shopping,
explored Himeji castle, and were overawed by the
intricacies of Kyoto Station.
Our last stop was the bustling city of Tokyo. We shopped,
sang our hearts out in a karaoke house, and spent a day
at Disney Sea. The students were especially impressed
with the famous Shibuya Scramble,
the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing.
Sharon and I were so proud of how
open our students were to every
opportunity presented to them
during this trip. I hope that they
enjoyed their travels and that they
were
constantly changing, where
the Atomic bomb museum, which was a moving
From Hiroshima we took the shinkansen (bullet train) to
ideas
ing and business plans with
financial forecasting; as well as creating their own brand
with business logo and company ethos. They have been
put in the "pressure cooker", responding to an emergency
that could destroy their business; forcing them to change
their business plans and recover their customer base.
The "Realign" team enjoyed the feeling of being on the
University campus; rose to every challenge; took a real
ownership in their business ideas, learning a great deal
about business
and themselves
along the way.
Kevin Roberts
News and Events
Tarremah has become a mobile phone collection point for
old mobile phones. If you have a phone you no longer
use, please take out the sim card and battery and place
the old phone in the collection bin just inside the door in
the Office.
Leonie Atkins
If you happen to glance at the Mercury on Saturdays you
may have noticed Tarremah’s recent advertisements in
the Tas Weekend magazine. Each ad features a different
aspect of our school – creative, holistic, child centered
and nature based.
The ads feature photography by
Richard Williams (Ellie’s father) and show Tarremah
children engaged in creative activities.
We are encouraging potential families to come along to
our School Tours, which we are holding every week in
June. You may already be aware of this from seeing the
large road signs on the Channel Highway or the ads in
the local Channel and Huon Classifieds.
Last Wednesday our School Tour was much larger than
usual with most parents mentioning seeing the Tas
Weekend ads. Rod was pleased to report that the group
seemed very interested in Steiner education and several
families had attended other Steiner schools in Australia.
Highlighting Tarremah’s unique teaching methodologies
is an important part of our current communication plan.
For example, the latest Kingborough Chronicle features
Tarremah on their front cover and includes a large
photographic spread of the Class Seven Medieval
Banquet.
Most important of all however, is the impact that
everyone in the Tarremah community has on creating
positive word of mouth and a groundswell of interest for
our school.
Elise Blacher
Parents and Friends
for morning tea while the houses are in the oven.
Contact: For questions and to reserve your place
Anja Boot, Sharee McCammon, Karin Easton (Treasurer),
Amanda Thompson (Secretary), Catherine Silcock, Lyn
Hudson, Kim Creef, Karen Camino, and David Annand.
(numbers
limited),
email
Karen
and
David
at
kmc4@utas.edu.au.
This is an adults-only workshop, but you will take your
completed house home in time for your family midwinter
celebrations.
Getting involved with Tarremah means deepening your
connections with your children's community, and the P&F
Another excuse to pull on your gumboots - the garden
is a fun and easy way to do it. Whether you like to
group is also keen to create a larger community of
garden, bake, craft, host, organize or socialize, your
volunteers! For further details, or if you have any queries,
whole family’s contribution will be warmly welcomed and
please contact: Kate Rattray 0405 185 996, Celia Leverton
valued – grandparents, special friends, aunts, uncles,
0429 931 640, Janine Maney 0418 991 657
cousins and favourite neighbours all included.
So please, have a think about what you might be able to
contribute,
and
come
on
board.
Please
contact
tarremahpandf@gmail.com for more details.
The Tarremah Grapevine is published monthly by the
Tarremah Steiner School Parents and Friends Committee.
Advertising is accepted from Tarremah students, parents
and staff only, with the exception of Anthroposophical
Yes, the Tarremah Growers are still around playing with
and Steiner specific events or items. Advertisements must
soil, seeds, cuttings and of course cake! We would love to
be received by the 14th of each month for inclusion.
hear from anyone who would like to join our monthly
For any information about the Tarremah Grapevine or
gatherings where we celebrate growing all sorts of plants
payments please email the Grapevine team on:
by eating all sorts of cake – no experience necessary.
tarremahgrapevine@gmail.com.
Email
sharee.mccammon@utas.edu.au
or
catherine.silcock@gmail.com so that we can add you to
our contact list. We are sometimes too busy with plants to
remember to advertise our activities in the Tarremah
Times, so our email contact list is the best way to keep up
with us.
Please note our meetings are now being held on
Tuesdays. Our next general meeting is on Tuesday 23rd
June at 6.30pm in the Honeysuckle room, and on Tuesday
30th June we will have our Class Parents’ meeting.
For further details contact Amanda Thompson: 0437 211
389 or tarremahpandf@gmail.com.
This is your opportunity to learn how
to make the iconic Tarremah
gingerbread houses.
Date: Saturday 20 June 2015 and Sunday 21 June 2015
(subject to numbers)
Time: 10:30am-approx 12:30pm
Cost: Just $5 to cover costs – it’s all about creative
gratitude and giving!
Bring: Apron, rolling pin, and a little something to share
Tarremah Times Newsletter is published fortnightly
during term times. For further information please contact
the school office or visit http://www.tarremah.tas.edu.au
Tarremah Times is published by Tarremah Steiner School
email: mail@tarremah.tas.edu.au
http://www.tarremah.tas.edu.au
PO Box 494 Kingston 7051
ph: 03 6229 7007 fax 03 6229 7708