The Steiner-Waldorf Movement in the Coromandel
There’s a joy in watching children play and use their imagination, and fostering imagination and play is a key part of Waldorf Steiner education worldwide. This philosophy is thriving on the Coromandel, thanks to a group of dedicated locals.
Ursula Gaebler tells a story to eager children at Kuaotunu Play Group.
Looking up from the main road at Kūaotunu, you can spot a colourful building perched on the hillside. It has interesting shapes and lovely native wood, echoing Steiner principles. Local tradespeople and artists gave their time to create it and add to the sense of aroha. It’s peaceful as the children explore beneath the splendid branches of the huge pōhutukawa, around which local architect David Bryant designed the building.
There’s lots of free play in the homely atmosphere and it’s ‘hands on’ in the kitchen corner, where children help set the table, cook honey buns and tidy up. The aroma of that baking pervades the building.
Edith van der Meer (centre) entertains youngsters with puppet play.
Ursula Gaebler, together with her mentor Nancy Bacchus, founded Kūaotunu Kindergarten 33 years ago in the local hall, with half a dozen children meeting weekly. Another local identity, Cliff Heraud, helped find land and start the fundraising for the project. Their dream came true in 2004 when a piece of land was earmarked for a Steiner Kindergarten, thanks to the foresight of Yvonne Harris. Yvonne worked for the council at that time and she discovered information on the land tucked away in a drawer and made the site available for lease.
Kūaotunu Kindergarten’s fundraising events bring joy to the community, especially Pet Rock Day, where everyone gathers to paint and auction their rock creations to raise funds.
Pictured enjoying honey buns at Pinnacles Play Group are (from left) Sam Telfar, mum Rachel Petersen with Oscar (1), Jane Buckeridge with Arley (4 months) and Leo (2).
Steiner philosophy
So what is Steiner education? The founding inspiration of the Waldorf Steiner movement was the innovative academic Rudolf Steiner (1861 – 1925). His ideas formed what he called Anthroposophy, believing that a person’s physical and spiritual development is in seven-year phases. The first are birth to seven, then 7 – 14 (Steiner lower school), followed by 14 – 21 (upper school and beyond).
A consistent daily rhythm underlies the curriculum, with a flow between active and quieter more focused times. Ursula says Steiner settings in Aotearoa New Zealand strive to imbue their curriculum with the unique spirit and history of this land and its people. The vision is to give young people a base to become free, morally responsible individuals and upstanding citizens of the world.
The NZ Certificate of Steiner Education is an accredited NZQA secondary qualification. There are now more than 1,000 Steiner-Waldorf schools worldwide as well as playgroups and kindergartens.
Pinnacles Playgroup
Steiner kindergartens are more than a place for children. Mums and dads love coming too, and some of them were brought up with the Steiner philosophy. One of them is mum Sam Telfar, whose passion for Steiner education led her to start a playgroup at Hikuai, assisted by Michele Cameron and Edith van der Meer.
The craggy skyline of The Pinnacles can be seen from the lovely setting of Hikuai School, which is the venue for this initiative. Again the aroma of freshly-baked buns (with lashings of Hikuai honey!) beckons visitors and there’s a sense of contentment in the room. Parents sit in a circle sharing their experiences as their gorgeous babies wriggle and gaze at the surroundings. There’s plenty of room indoors and lots of green outdoor space for youngsters to explore. The toys are made of natural materials.
Sam says it is a fledgling group of people interested in learning about the Steiner philosophy.
“We have a vision that our group could grow and one day share the joy of Steiner with many more families within our connected local communities.”
Pictured at Kuaotunu Hall in the early days of the kindergarden are Ursula Gaebler (left) and Nancy Bacchus.
Way of life
Tairua woman, Edith van der Meer has been involved in Steiner education for 38 years including setting up kindergartens and training teachers in New Zealand and Indonesia.
She says that her passion for education has led to embracing Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy in her personal life. Her own four children had a full Steiner education in Hastings.
“Looking at them proves to me that this education does, indeed, lead to creating rounded and upstanding world citizens.”
“I give you Rudolf Steiner’s quote: ‘Receive the children in reverence, educate them in love and send them forth in freedom’. This sums up the heart of Steiner education, and we are fortunate to have a sprinkling of it in the Coromandel.”
For more information, you can email:
admin@kuaotunukindergarten.co.nz
Words by Pamela Ferla
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