The College of Teachers
As well as having a Board of Management and a Principal; Steiner Schools are run by teachers and the administrator working as the ‘College of Teachers’ (CoT). The CoT is made up of staff members who have usually been at the school for more than a year and who are able to make a deeper commitment to, and take responsibility for, the school.
As well as overseeing the general wellbeing of the school, the College deals with legal and statutory matters and those concerning the school’s relationship with official bodies such as the Department of Education and the Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship (SWSF). If parents have questions, comments or requests for ‘the school’, this is where they should be directed. Meetings are chaired by a member of the group; a new Chair is chosen annually.
Pedagogical Meetings
Kindergarten staff and School staff have meetings once a week after the College of Teachers meeting. The purpose of Pedagogical meetings is the ongoing development of our work with the children.
School Support Teams
Some of the work of running the school is delegated by the College to smaller groups and individuals as needed, for example, fundraising, publicity & communications, craft, social and outreach, maintenance and premises. Each group is made up of parents and sometimes friends of the school. Where necessary, professionals are engaged, for example, accountants and solicitors, but otherwise, these tasks are unpaid.
Board of Management
The school is run by the Board of Management. This is made up of eight people representing the parent community, the greater community (local business or community organisations), Lifeways Ireland Ltd (patron of Raheen Wood Steiner National School) and the school principal and one other teacher. Where possible we have a female and male representating each of these bodies.
The Board members meet once a month and are responsible for ensuring that the school is running according to its legal mandate. Board members are selected on the basis of their knowledge and experience so that they contribute to the running of the school.
The Parent Association
The Parent Association provides a structure through which the parents/guardians of children attending Raheen Wood Steiner National School can work togethr for the best possible education for their children. The parent association works with the school principal, College of Teachers, Board of Management and the Department of Education and Science in order to achieve this aim.
The Parent Association also enables parents to play their part in ensuring the best possible education for their children through the programme of activities arranged by the association, such as; Health (e.g. head lice), Advent Fair, Class Representatives, Public Relations, Website (design and maintenance), New Parents and the Craft Group.
