Learning Together

We chose a smaller school because we wanted our child to have a rounded social and educational experience, one that would give her a strong foundation for life. Steiner education’s principle of Head, Heart, and Hands aligned closely with what we were seeking: Head as logic and intellect; Heart as emotion and creativity; Hands as practical skills and purposeful action. This view of the child as a whole person, and the need for an education that responds to that wholeness, felt like a strong counterpoint to some of the less welcome features of modern life.

The school has also been formative for me as a parent. It quietly encourages me to become the

 kind of person I hope my child will become.

Early in Year 1, parents were asked to sew a roll-up crayon bag for their child, with individual slots for each crayon. The school provided the design, instructions, and materials. This was explicitly a task for parents, not children. My initial reaction was sceptical. I work in a corporate role. I can sew on a button, but this felt beyond my skills.

Some parents were confident sewers, most were not. Levels of confidence and initiative varied. A working bee was organised at one family’s home. It was awkward at first. Where to start? How to organise the work? Gradually, a small cottage industry emerged. One group cut materials, another marked lines, sewing machines ran continuously, snacks were shared, and children moved in and out, helping in their own way. The work was honest, communal, and deeply satisfying.

Only later did I fully understand the point. If we want our children to be proactive, collaborative, and generous contributors to society, we must model those qualities ourselves. They are watching.

Supporting school events such as the Autumn Fair feels similar. I contribute because it reflects the values I hope my child carries forward: generosity, kindness, and purpose. In this way, Sophia Mundi has helped shape my family.

- Ilja Battley

Father of a daughter in Class Four

Director, School Board