Port Macquarie Steiner School Approach

Steiner Education at the Heart of Our School

At Port Macquarie Steiner School, our approach is grounded in the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. We view each child as a whole being, physically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally and we foster a strong connection with nature, the earth and the larger universe.

Our curriculum is tailored to Steiner education, offering learning experiences when students are developmentally ready to engage deeply.

This philosophy places human development and relationships at the centre, grounded in trust, respect, responsibility and care for each other and our environment.

A culture of cooperation

We cultivate a cooperative attitude, where students celebrate each other’s successes rather than viewing peers as rivals. This collaborative spirit helps build a community, rather than just a class.
To strengthen this, we surround students with natural materials and encourage time in nature. By doing so, we foster:

A genuine appreciation for beauty
A deep sense of connection to the natural world
A nurturing urge to protect and care for our environment

"Our highest endeavour must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth and a feeling of responsibility - these three forces are the very nerve of education."

~ Rudolf Steiner

Learning through stages

We understand that children grow into adult life through a series of meaningful stages, with each stage needing to be nurtured and encouraged to flourish as a foundation for a balanced adult life. Steiner schools deliver all the mandated curriculum outcomes required for a successful education: what differs is our vision of the growing young person and their ways of learning at different stages. Our delivery of the curriculum is shaped by our vision of these fundamental stages.

Learning unfolds differently at each stage of childhood. Early learners engage with the world through play; primary-aged children deepen understanding through imaginative exploration; and adolescents expand into adult thought through emerging causal and critical reasoning. An educational approach that recognises and cultivates these stages helps shape balanced, thoughtful and creative adults.