Steiner Program

Castlemaine Secondary College offers an outstanding Steiner Program consistent with the educational principles and practices developed by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. The CSC Steiner curriculum fits comfortably within the Victorian Curriculum guidelines.

The Curriculum

The key features of Steiner education are underpinned by careful observation and understanding of the developmental stages of children and tailoring curriculum to these stages. This curriculum is dynamic and living, and is drawn out of the knowledge, personalities and interests of the students within the age-specific context. Adolescence can be a confusing time for students as they begin to doubt many of the old things they were sure about, so the curriculum is designed to reassure them about the world and their place in it.

The Main Lesson

The Main Lesson is the cornerstone of the Steiner program. It is conducted during the first period(s) of each day and students study topics in depth for three weeks. The topics will be of particular relevance for the developmental stage of the students and designed to maximise their engagement. In Class 9, the students extend their capacity for logical thinking and free independent judgement. Main Lessons are focused on matters pertinent to this intellectual development. In Years 9 and 10 Main Lessons alternate between two teachers, one a Maths and Science expert, the other an English and Humanities expert.

Regular lessons

As well as the Main Lesson, students also have classes in: Maths, Science, English, French, Music, Drama, Art and Craft, PE / Outdoor Education and Projects (including farming).

Camps and excursions

We go on at least one camp per term. These include outdoor education camps that involve bush walking, rock climbing and canoeing as well as an Art Camp that is usually to a capital city. Year 9 students participate in a farming camp and Year 10 students have a week in Melbourne with the World of Work program, in addition to a week of work experience. We seek to practically apply our learning wherever possible and excursions are an integral part of our program. Day excursions include geology field trips, farming field days and gallery visits locally and in Melbourne.

Engagement and wellbeing

Because adolescence can be an intense time we place a strong emphasis on student wellbeing and engagement. We take great care to develop positive relationships between students and teachers. Students are together for all classes and a strong and supportive bond develops between the students that is significant in the otherwise lonely years of adolescence. We also work in partnership with families to support each student.

Class meetings

A strong relationship between parents and carers and CSC is fostered. We have regular class meetings with parents and carers to we discuss how, why and what we are doing.

Steiner Support Group (SSG)

We encourage active participation in a wide range of school activities and invite parents and carers to join the Steiner Support Group. Contact Ken Killeen, our Steiner program co-ordinator at killeen.ken.j@edumail.vic.gov.au