The aim of the educational journey at the Sophia Mundi School is the formation of young adults who can think, judge and act freely and responsibly through their strength of individuality and intercultural understanding.
The essence of the Steiner approach is the principle that education is an art. Whatever the subject, its presentation must live – it must speak to the child’s experience. Each child is valued as a complete individual – not exclusively for academic skill. A caring, rather than competitive relationship is encouraged between students. Steiner Schools develop the student’s capacity to learn, to be open to life and to develop a sense of meaning and purpose. A non-competitive environment allows children the time to learn and develop at the pace they need and protects them from the pressure to enter the adult world too quickly. Being part of a class community that journey together through the school awakens individual capacities and social awareness. So not only is the individual’s development fostered, but students are also encouraged to develop a genuine regard and respect for humanity, and service to others.
Sophia Mundi offers a full Steiner curriculum from Prep to Class 10. This is a fully accredited curriculum under ACARA – the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority has included the Steiner curriculum on the National Recognition Register from December 2011. Classes 11 and 12 culminate in students graduating with the International Baccelaureate or matching Vocational program (VCAL). To offer an academic pathway that will allow students to complete their education here and obtain a qualification that is recognised by all tertiary institutions we have chosen the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme as the most compatible with Steiner education. The philosophy underpinning the IB has similar aims to our philosophy and is internationally recognised, so students are able to apply worldwide for tertiary studies. The IB is not designed specifically for the academically elite but rather encourages students to be involved in their learning in a broader sense. It seeks to develop capacities that are very much in keeping with what we strive for with our students – independent learners who are interested in the world and their fellow human beings and are prepared to be active in this way.
For students seeking an accredited pathway that allows them to pursue a more practical path leading for example into a trade or an industry, we are looking to offer the Victorian Certificate in Applied Learning (VCAL). This provides VET (Vocational Education & Training) options as well as continuing numeracy and literacy studies. These students will still be part of aspects of the IB programme. In time VCAL may transition to an IBCC programme which is the IB’s new Career Certification.
Our teachers are trained to teach the IB curriculum in years 11 and 12 and our IB Coordinator manages the integration of Steiner and IB programmes. As a small, independent school, we are ideally placed to provide excellent mentoring to our senior students in the pathway to university and college entrance. Our accreditation as an International Baccalaureate World School was achieved in October 2011.
Aims and Objectives of the IB Diploma Programme:
As part of our rich curriculum and aligned with Steiner’s “head, heart and hands” we have an extensive camps/ outdoor education program, a rich music program, dramatic arts and a hard and soft arts program.
We also offer an Aftercare program to assist our inner city families.
Information about the school on the Myschool website is necessarily limited – it provides only a numerical "snapshot" rather than a real picture of what our students and alumni are like. While our students have achieved outstanding results in the year 9 NAPLAN tests over the past two years, we would invite you to take the opportunity to look at our education as a whole and to talk to some of our students, young adults and alumni if you would like to compare us with another school.