In Steiner education, our curriculum is carefully and intentionally constructed to respond to the developmental stages of the child. While each year has its own qualities, they fit within a broader, 7-year cycle of the human being. In anthroposophy, feeling is driven by the ‘I’, includes the respiratory and circulatory systems, and can be distinguished from emotions. Year 8 students, who turn 14 during the year, are on the threshold between two major cycles; they are leaving a feeling-focussed era and awakening their attuned thinking capacities.

As a bridge through this transition stage, Year 8 Sophia Mundi students undertake a year-long project on a topic of their chosen interest. They primarily work on this outside of school under the guide of an expert mentor. Our students take their first step into independent, self-directed learning with the advice of a skilled professional – that we may consider their first taste of ‘adult learning’.

Once again, this year the projects have impressed and surpassed our expectations. Students made:

A novella by Annabelle

A guitar-based music album by Tristan 

A handmade surfboard by Roman

A baking recipe book by Tamar

A painting of one year of weather by Omer 

A radio-controlled plane by Rohan

After working all year, developing new skills, struggling with procrastination and consistency, restarting aspects of their work and documenting their process in a journal, the final hurdle was to present their projects in a 25-minute presentation to the high school, teachers, parents and mentors. They have been practicing their public speaking for weeks. They’ve been nervous, excited, dismayed and determined. They’ve spoken their year of work and inspired Year 7, who begin now to dream of the possibilities that await them.

As a teacher, this is why I chose this life. I couldn’t be prouder.

- Stefan Nekvapil 

Year 7 & 8 Guardian