I first heard about Steiner education when I was in Year Nine. A friend told me there was a school where they did art and music all day. To me, it sounded like the most incredible place where I could be free, creative, and expressive. Somewhere I wished I could have been.

Years later, when I met my wife Angelique, who went to Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School, it clicked that this was the same school I’d heard about as a teenager. Everything she described made sense to me, and I thought yes, let’s do this one day. 

When our children were born, I started learning more about Steiner education, and hearing Angelique’s stories of her own school years gave me a really clear picture of what this education is trying to nurture.

Since our children have started at Sophia Mundi Steiner School, the things that stand out most are how personally each child is known and how much care goes into their learning. The art, music and storytelling are not extras, they are foundations that shape their imagination and creativity, and I see the confidence our children carry into their days through this pedagogy. I’ve watched them flourish, especially in drawing and music, and mostly in ways that feel deeply connected to who they are.

They are happy to go to school, far more than I ever was. Seeing them come to life in their learning is something I’m grateful for.

When I think about the qualities often spoken about in Steiner education the ones at the front are goodness, beauty and truth and I see this resonate at Sophia Mundi

Goodness shows up in the natural environment, the beautiful Birrarung River and the Collingwood Children’s Farm, that the school sits beside and the gentle way the school holds children. Beauty is expressed by honouring their individuality and the way each child is encouraged to show who they are. Truth lives in the relationships the teachers build with the students; I feel every class teacher our children have had truly sees them.

I can’t compare it to every other school, because it’s a different era now and a lot more respect is shown to children in general and may this long continue, but I do know that the sense of community at Sophia Mundi is growing strong. Parents connecting with one another, being on similar pages regarding technology and the children’s social development, feels like an important part of the experience too.

In the end, what drew me to Steiner education is simple. I wanted my children to have the kind of schooling I never had, to give them something greater than I was given, one that values creativity, connection and the whole human being. And I see that happening for them every day. 

I know that an education like this is a gift that will carry them through life because I’ve seen it in those who had the great fortune to have experienced a school like this.

Timothy 

(father of Billie in class five and Franny in class three).