Creating Learning Environments Where Students Thrive At School, Socially, Academically And Beyond.
High school can be a challenging time for teenagers [and their families] as they navigate the pointy end of their education, friendships, their individuality and becoming an adult.
Add a whole stack of hormones into the mix and it can be quite the test.
So as a parent, if you can make this period of time as painless as possible, you do what you can, right?
Right!
And part of that is choosing the right high school for your child.
Here’s the thing about education. A one size fits all approach doesn’t work. Finding a school that works with your child to thrive……that’s the golden ticket!
So, we were curious to hear that Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School Bowral has extended their educational offering to high school.
Their holistic approach to education – focusing on the whole child, emotional intelligence, respect, inclusivity, reverence and social aspects, and a combination of academic rigour and adventure – can give your teenager strong foundations to create a successful and joyful life for themselves.
We spoke to Head of Teaching and Learning, Jeddah Teasdale about the high school at Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School and the exciting plans for the school’s future.
1 :: How long has the high school been operating?
We’re just in our second year!
As our primary school aged children started to edge towards high school, a number of families asked us about offering high school.
We were seeing a need in not only our Aurora community but the community as a whole, to create a responsive and integrated high school education for local teenagers.
It felt like a natural progression to extend our educational offering beyond primary school.
We currently have students in Years 7 – 9 and are taking enrolments for all years up to Year 10 in 2022.
2 :: Tell us more about what the Aurora Steiner School philosophy brings to the high school experience for students?
We really want to make sure the education we provide meets their needs at all levels – academically as well as in practical ways that support their social and emotional wellbeing.
We want to develop in students the belief and confidence they can make positive changes in the world and in their lives
We follow the same NESA curriculum set for every other school in NSW, but we do that in a way that incorporates the Steiner pedagogy and philosophy in an age-appropriate way.
3 :: And what does that look like in practice?
Because we’re a fairly small school, we can be quite nimble with subject selection and what we offer and tailor aspects of subjects to the individual student.
No one will ever miss out on doing a subject they’re keen to experience – there’s always a way!
Students also complete individual projects where they choose something they’re passionate about and bring it to fruition in a way that suits their learning and personal development needs.
An example of that is if a student wanted to increase the bike jumps or mountain biking trails in their area, they would create a project that led them to that outcome.
So, contact Council, research what is required to make that happen, put forward a case and then hopefully, bring it to life.
This sets students up to enter adult life with life skills that helps them make a positive difference to their world and to them as an individual.
In 2022, we’re running a Creative Masterclass where students are exposed to a range of creative experiences from visual arts through to robotics.
We also offer the Duke of Edinburgh program which equips young people for life and work.
That aligns beautifully with what we do here at Aurora Steiner School.
3 :: And now you’re a Candidate School for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program [IBDP] – that’s an exciting development!
It is!
We’re gearing up ready to begin teaching the program in 2023, when our eldest students enter Year 11.
Our staff are currently undergoing training, we’re preparing spaces and we are introducing this great program to our school community.
4 :: So why the IB?
Moving towards high school, we decided to apply for the IB Diploma Program.
Not only is it acknowledged by many top universities as the best university preparation program, but it is also a philosophy and approach to education that aligns with us very well.
We are committed to providing a high quality, challenging international education which will truly help students create their own learning pathway and develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in life and make a lasting difference to the world around them.
5 :: We’ve been hearing impressive feedback about the teaching community too. Tell us more about the teachers at Aurora Steiner School.
We’ve created an environment where the teachers can bring in what they really love to do.
It enlivens the learning environment when you have teachers that are super passionate about what they’re doing and teaching.
Our teachers have a broad range of skills from robotics to art to textiles through to literature, science, metal work, horticulture and more.
The students have access to so much experience and knowledge via our teaching faculty.
Many of our teachers have been here long term and evolved and grown with the school too.
We’re provided with so many opportunities for growth and learning which positively impacts the students.
6 :: What’s your feedback from parents so far?
Parents love that teachers are readily available to the students but also available for the parents.
This connects families to the school and their child’s education which is so important at any time of their education journey but super important in high school.
We also have parents say they have their child back – their whole child – which is a relief for any parent navigating the teen years with their children.
Many parents have told us they’ve seen their child relax into the learning environment which creates less stress for the student in the classroom, in the playground and beyond the school gates.
7 :: And what do the students say?
They really like having teachers they can relate to. All students call their teachers by their first name which is unusual but helps to create open communication.
The teachers truly care about the happiness and success of their students and the kids can feel that.
Students have told us they’re grateful for the respectful relationship that exists between them and the teaching community. That respect is such an important facet of their education and really facilitates the student’s knowledge, growth and personal development.
One Year 9 student said to me yesterday, “It really feels like we’re wanted here.”
And I think that sums it up perfectly.
Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School is taking enrolments now for Years 7 – 10 in 2022.
They have a fantastic campus in Bowral – we’ve been there a number of times and it really does have a great vibe.
You can book a tour with the Aurora Steiner team – head here to do that online. Or give them a call on 4862 2300.
We’re so lucky to have so many education options for our kids in the Southern Highlands!
Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School is an independent school in Bowral, offering an enriching, unique and academically challenging education from pre-kindergarten through to high school. Aurora values all aspects of education equally: the practical, the artistic, the social and the academic and aims to support all students to become well-balanced, well-rounded and emotionally stable young people ready to take on the future. Click here for more information or to book an enrolment tour.
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