Primary School Program

Classes 1 – 6/7

In the younger years of primary school, the child still lives in an ensouled world and does not strongly differentiate between himself and his surroundings. The child is deeply satisfied to have the lessons of the world brought to him through stories and imaginations, as well as in rich artistic and practical experiences. In the words of Rudolf Steiner, “Love is the best way for what teachers have to give to flow into their students”.

Discover the Kindlehill difference

Early Primary School Program

In the younger years of primary school, the child still lives in an ensouled world and does not strongly differentiate between themselves and their surroundings. The child is deeply satisfied to have the lessons of the world brought to them through stories and imaginations, as well as in rich artistic and practical experiences.

In the words of Rudolf Steiner, “Love is the best way for what teachers have to give to flow into their students.” In the early primary years, the children feel themselves deeply nourished and supported. It is natural for them to seek out what we teachers intend for them to know, feel and do. This is conveyed by the very being and presence of the teacher, not in dogma or by over reliance on direct instruction, and it is why the children are generally so happy and content to be in school.

We are often asked by new parents about discipline in our school. The structures and forms that are typical of compulsion and coercion are nowhere to be seen. What is visible is love, cooperation, a joy in working together, respectful and respected boundaries and imaginations in story and song; these speak to the part of every child that wants to be treated fairly and well and knows this is what is right and good for all.

View more images in our Primary School Gallery

Middle Primary

The children want meaningful learning and the middle primary school years are the optimum time for developing in the children the heart of gold that will guide them for their lives. The children are nourished as they discover the wisdom and morality that lies behind the stories of the natural world and of humanity. They are pained when they discover injustice and suffering and are stirred in their own moral being to make choices that create and sustain a fairer and kinder world for all.

Around nine years of age, the child begins to separate their sense of self from the outer world. They are ready to begin the journey of observing the world more independently and to develop thoughts and feelings of their own. At this time the teacher guides the children to open their horizons and to educate their thoughts and feelings by introducing them to the cultures of the world, the sciences and humanities.

The teacher engages the children from imaginations that depict wisdom and deeper universal truths. Every child is an artist developing a sense of beauty in its relationship to truth and goodness. Practical skills of gardening, cooking and handcraft develop in the child a sense that they have a place and things to do in their world. Games as well as bushwalking and camps support social skills of initiative, cooperation, resilience and perseverance in meeting challenges and enduring difficulties.

View more images in our Primary School Gallery

Older Primary

In the older primary classes, the students prepare to meet the enormous changes that accompany adolescence. The teacher appeals to the healthy instincts of the children to make choices that are good for the self and others. Students seek greater independence and avenues to express their growing strength and individual natures.

Intellectual stimulus, artistic accomplishment, physical challenge and opportunities to make and do, support the growing sense of ‘I am a powerful being with things to do the world’. There is a strengthening interest in the outside world; questions and exploration are encouraged. Perspectives are considered, observation and characterisation are cultivated which keep to an open mind, rather than judgements and fixed conclusions which tend to the opposite.

Biographies which highlight the finer human qualities and the achievements that come from striving and persevering are very educative. Interest and curiosity for life are carefully nourished as capacities for lifelong learning. Excursions are an important way of taking classroom learning into relevant and meaningful connections to the world around them.

Social life can be full of ups and downs and provides fertile growth for social and personal growth. Through it all, the children become good friends and a culture of friendship supports each to develop his or her potential. Camps, concerts, plays, presentations and class projects connected to the wider community, provide opportunities for a sense of class cohesion and the felt triumph of working together to achieve common goals.

Major Projects are a substantial element in the Class 6/7 Transition Year between primary and secondary school. The students are ripe for pursuing a personal passion with the support of the school, parents and a chosen mentor. As well as learning specific technical skills, the students develop planning and organisational skills, and get to ride the roller coaster of dead-ends, deadlines, and finally, glorious success and accolades for their accomplishments.

View more images in our Primary School Gallery

Join our Primary School

All enquiries to join our school should be made to the Principal, who will be able to liaise with the class teacher to determine capacity in a specific class.

After an initial discussion, you will be asked to visit the school for an informal interview with the Principal, and a tour of our facilities. If a space is available and you wish to proceed with the enrolment, you will be provided with a detailed enrolment pack. If there is no space in a specific class, you will be placed on a waiting list and advised as soon as a space becomes available. We encourage families on the waiting list to stay in contact with the school via fairs and open days. It is important that you maintain your up-to-date contact details if you are on the waiting list.

Questions about the enrolment pack contents can be directed to the School’s Administration. We welcome questions from parents at any stage during the enrolment process.