Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enrol my child/ren?
Please contact the school 061 921494 or e mail info@raheenwood.org for an application form/s. This will then need to be completed and sent back ASAP to ensure your child/ren will have a place.
Where can I find houses for sale/rent in the area?
Please contact:
Kevin Bane & Sons 061 921077/ 087 259 3291
E mail: jbane@eircom.net
Green Valley Properties 061 921468
Where can I find out more information about Steiner schools?
- The Irish Steiner Kindergarten Association (ISKA)
- Burren Sonas Kindergarten, Kilfenora, Co Clare
- Kildare Steiner School
- Waldorf education (Wikipedia)
- http://steinermolanoigens.org
How did Steiner Waldorf education get started?
In 1919, Rudolf Steiner, the Austrian philosopher, scientist and artist, was invited to give a series of lectures to workers of the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory in Stuttgart, Germany. As a result, the factory’s owner, Emil Molt, asked Steiner to establish and lead a school for the children of the factory’s employees. Steiner agreed to do so on four conditions: the school should be open to all children; it should be coeducational: it should be a unified twelve –year school; and that the teachers, those who would be working directly with the children, should take the leading role in the running of the school, with a minimum of inference from governmental or economic concerns. Molt agreed to the conditions and after training period of the prospective teachers, die Freie Waldorschule (the free Waldorf School) was opened September 7, 1919.
How many Steiner Waldorf schools are there?
Currently, Steiner Waldorf education is to be found world-wide with 1000 schools and 2000 early learning centres in 60 countries.
What is the philosophy behind Steiner Waldorf education?
Consistent with his philosophy called anthroposophy, Steiner designed a curriculum responsive to the development phases in childhood and nurturing of children’s imaginations. He thought that schools should cater to the needs of children rather that the demands of the government or economic forces, so he developed schools that encourages creativity and free – thinking.
Who was Rudolf Steiner?
Dr. Rudolf Steiner was s highly respected and well-published scientific, literary and philosophical scholar who was particularly known for his work on Goethe’s scientific writings. He later came to incorporate his scientific investigations with his interest in spiritual development. He became a forerunner in his field of spiritual-scientific investigation for the modern individual. His back ground in history and civilizations coupled with his observations in life gave the world the gift of Steiner Waldorf Education. It is deeply insightful application of learning based on the Study of Humanity with developing consciousness of self and the surrounding world.
Why do Steiner Waldorf students stay with the same teacher for 6 years?
Between the ages of seven and thirteen, children learn best through acceptance and emulation of authority, just as in their years they learned through imitation. In primary school, particularly in the lower classes, the child becomes a type of “family” as well, with its own authority figure – the teacher – in a role analogous to parent.
With this approach, the students and teachers come to know each other very well and the teacher is able to find over the years the best ways of helping individual children in their schooling. The class teacher also becomes like an additional family member for most of the families in his/her class.
What is Eurythmy?
Most simply put, Eurythmy is a dance like art form in which music or speech is expressed in bodily movement; specific movements correspond to particular notes or sounds. It has been called “visible speech” or “visible song”. Eurythmy is part of the curriculum of all Steiner Waldorf schools and while it often puzzles parents new to Steiner Waldorf education, children respond to its simple rhythms and exercises which help them strengthen and harmonize their body and their forces; later, the older students work out elaborate representations of poetry, drama and music, thereby gaining a deeper perception of the compositions and writings.
Eurythmy enhances coordination and strengthens the ability to listen. When children experience themselves like an orchestra and have to keep a clear relationship in space with each other, a social strengthening also results.
Eurythmy is usually taught by a specialist who has been specifically trained in Eurythmy, typically for at least four years. In addition to pedagogical Eurythmy, there are also therapeutic (curative) and performance-oriented forms of the art.
How can I find out more?
Try the Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship at steinerwaldorf.org.uk.
