Steiner Education High School Teaching – Foundation Course

Expressions of Interest Now Open for 2025

In response to a growing call from schools around Australia, Sydney Rudolf Steiner College has been working closely with High School leadership to develop a High School Foundation (HTF) course to ensure comprehensive Steiner/Waldorf training for high school teaching staff, and in particular, for new teachers that are transitioning to Steiner education.

This one-year, part-time course aims to equip High School teachers with solid foundational knowledge of Steiner/Waldorf education, an understanding of child developmental phases from an anthroposophical perspective, and how these inform the high school curriculum, covering all the central topics required for teaching in the Steiner High School. It explores theoretical, practical, and creative modules, providing a rigorous and comprehensive experience of Rudolf Steiner Education with the adolescent at the centre of the curriculum.

The program is led by a staff of highly experienced tutors to guide students through a series of modules that include essential topics such as child development and transitions, the self-development of the teacher, the Main Lesson and Integrated Curriculum, with attention given to the teaching methodology of maths, science and language.

In consideration of the pressures and time constraints placed on high school teachers, the course has been developed to ensure that students are able to cope with the course workload while maintaining a full-time teaching position. Participants can enrol in individual modules to complete the course progressively.

International Students are welcome!

 

Submit Expression of Interest for 2025

 

The HTF Course in 2025 is not yet confirmed and is subject to enrolment numbers. Please note that course delivery and content may change or be updated prior to the opening of enrolments.

Course Information

No prior learning or teaching qualification is required for enrolment in this course however, a relevant Australian tertiary qualification is required for teaching at any level in education in Australia.

 

 

 
SEMESTER 1:

Feb – June 2025 (dates to be confirmed)

Exploring Anthroposophy

A comprehensive introduction to the principles of Anthroposophy and its applications in Steiner Education. Delivered over 14 webinars in Terms 1 and 2.

Topics Include:

  • Steiner’s picture of the whole Human Being (3-fold and 4-fold)
  • Steiner’s indications on The 12 Senses as organs of perception
  • Recognising and working with The Four Temperaments in children and adults
  • The Soul faculties of the Human Being
  • Anthroposophy in our Time

Tutors: Sven Saar, Ben Cherry, Lisa Devine, and James Deefholts

Webinar Times: Wednesdays 7pm – 8.30pm (AET).

 

 
SEMESTER 2:

July – December 2025 (dates to be confirmed)

IIn the second semester we cover a series of in-depth modules that provide the essential foundational knowledge for teaching in the Steiner High School and understanding the development of the child through to adulthood. Delivered over 14 webinars in Terms 1 and 2.

Topics Include:

  • Child Development and Milestones: Understanding adolescence
  • The importance of the Self Development of the Teacher
  • The Integration and significance of the Arts in the High School Curriculum
  • The Main Lesson and the Integrated Curriculum in High School
  • English Literature, Science and Mathematics Main Lessons
  • The role of the Teacher as guardian and mentor
  • Child observation and child study
  • Main Lesson guidelines and Expectations
  • Overview of Rudolf Steiner’s indications for the High School curriculum

Tutors: Lisa Devine, Bernadette White, Elena Rowan, Katherine Arconati, Yura Totsuka, Liz Nevieve, Raphaela Mazzone, Norman Sievers, Susan Laing

Thursdays 7pm – 8.30pm (AET).

 

 
 
THE SEMINARS

Central to our program are the two Seminars that draw all students together in artistic, practical, and engaging classes that are held live* during the school holidays. These are vital to truly experience what we mean by Steiner High School education. (Catering is included in fees)

*For groups of 12 or more students a regional training hub can be arranged. Please contact a coordinator to discuss this option.

Autumn Seminar:  April 2025 (dates to be confirmed)
Spring Seminar:  Oct 2025 (dates to be confirmed)

Topics Include:

  • Positive relationships and classroom management
  • Understanding children’s temperaments
  • The Art of Communication: building relationships with the school body and parents
  • Artistic workshops in clay modelling and painting
  • Creative Speech
  • Eurythmy and Bothmer Gymnastics
  • An Artistic Introduction to Parsifal
  • Projective Geometry
  • The Art of Blackboard Drawing
  • Main Lesson intensive workshop

Seminar Timetables will be made available closer to the event date.

Please note that programs and tutors are subject to change

Download the 2024 Prospectus

Submit Expression of Interest for 2025

Tutors

Tutors for this course include:

Bernadette White, Lisa Devine, Elena Rowan, Katherine Arconati, Sophia Montefiore, Raphaela Mazzone and Norman Sievers

 

What our Students Say

“Outstanding. In every respect. Exceeded my expectations. The standard of lecturing was extremely high.” – HSF Student 2022

“Wonderful – An excellent selection of tutors and the background of Steiner Pedagogy.” – HSF Student 2022

“The course content was wonderfully enriching and the delivery was on point.” – HSF Student 2022

“The course is very well paced and brings a wonderful balance of theoretical Anthroposophy, and practical deepening artistic experiences.” – HSF Student 2022

“This course has opened my perspective and transformed so much in me in one year. I’m so grateful.” HSF Student 2022

 

 

Career Path and Employment

There is an ever-increasing demand for qualified Steiner/Waldorf teachers as Steiner Education continues to expand in Australia and throughout the world. In particular, there are excellent employment prospects for Steiner-trained teachers who have completed our High School Teaching Foundation course.

At present, there are over 40 Steiner Schools (including State schools with Steiner Streams) in Australia requiring on average 2 or more new Steiner Teachers each year.

There are currently over 1,100 Steiner schools worldwide in 64 different countries and nearly 2,000 Early Years settings in more than 70 countries

All our courses are endorsed be Steiner Education Australia (SEA).

 

Fee Payment Options

2025 Fees to be confirmed

(Includes Semesters 1 and 2, Autumn and Spring Seminars, module study and tasks toward a Statement of Completion )

5% Early Bird Discount for full fee payment is available till the end of December.

 

Payments can be made in full, by Semester, by Term, or by Module (in Semester 2).

Term and/or Module payments do not include the two Seminars, and students will need to pay for these separately

Term payments are due by the following dates: Feb 2, May 2, August 2, Oct 2

 Please Consult your tax advisor about tax deductibility.


Details

Course Coordinator: Robyn Davis
Tel: 02 9261 4001
Mobile: +61 467 953 881

Venues:

Sydney Rudolf Steiner College – 307 Sussex Street Sydney 2000

Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School – 121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag 2068

Enquire Now

 

 

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