The framework aspect of this curriculum document must be stressed. It allows us to develop content suggestions which are relevant to Aotearoa New Zealand in the 21st century. It also demands that each teacher engages with the study of Rudolf Steiner’s anthropology and pedagogical indications, as a basis from which to understand the needs of the children in their care.  

 

“Now where is that book to be found in which the teacher can read what teaching is? The children themselves are this book. We should not learn to teach out of any other book than the one lying open before us and consisting of the children themselves; but in order to read in this book we need the widest possible interest in each individual child, and nothing must divert us from this.”

(Steiner, Human Values in Education: Lecture VI Arnheim 1924, 2012) 

 

The “SEANZ Curriculum Guidelines 2015” is the companion document to this curriculum framework. They describe in more detail the essential underlying principles of Steiner Waldorf education in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

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“He Reo Pūāwai” (Te Reo Māori Curriculum, 2015) complements the Steiner Waldorf curriculum in Aotearoa New Zealand. It provides detailed guidelines for Class Teachers and Kaiako Māori alike.  

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Integrating both the “traditional” Steiner Waldorf Curriculum and He Reo Pūāwai is a unique educational task for teachers in Aotearoa New Zealand Steiner Waldorf schools. 

 

Inā kei te mohio koe ko wai koe, I anga mai koe i hea, kei te mohio koe kei te anga atu ki hea. 

If you know who you are and where you are from, then you will know where you are going. 

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The SEANZ Curriculum 2020 is based on the “Te Rā Waldorf School Curriculum”. 

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The document that became known as the “Te Rā Waldorf School Curriculum” was originally written by Pauline King, on behalf of Raphael House Rudolf Steiner School. She began this work in 2000/01 and completed it in 2002 when working as a Curriculum Advisor at Te Rā Waldorf School.  

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From 2009 to 2011 the document was reviewed and further developed in cooperation with the teachers at Te Rā, and in consideration of the (then) new New Zealand Curriculum and the Federation of Rudolf Steiner Waldorf Schools (now SEANZ) Curriculum Guidelines. 

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The document was further revised from 2013 to 2015. This revision was led by Andrea Sorger and focussed on localising the curriculum, and on better integrating Te Ao Māori at all levels.

 

He Reo Pūawai, which was developed for the Federation, provided rich content and context. 

 

The 2020 review was undertaken in order to  

• capture elements of curriculum renewal and expansion within the individual schools, 

• ensure that unfolding understanding of colonial narratives and fictions is used as a lens,  

• ensure that He Reo Pūāwai is integrated in such a way that Class Teachers are empowered to confidently teach these elements, and  

• enable schools to work with an updated and relevant curriculum document which reflects the development in the state-sector (NZC). ​

The review process was designed to be collaborative, inviting contributions and development input from all member schools. In this way the curriculum becomes a shared central resource for teaching and learning in Steiner Waldorf Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. Schools are expected to localise relevant aspects. 

 

Tungia te ururua kia tupu whakaritorito te tupu o te harakeke 

(Burn the undergrowth so the new flax shoots can spring up). 

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​​References 

​​Aeppli, W. (2001). The Developing Child - Sense and Nonsense in Education. Great Barrington: Anthroposophic Press. 

​Belich, J. (2007). Making Peoples. Penguin. 

​Brooking-Payne, K. (1997). Games Children Play: How Games and Sport Help Children Develop. Hawthorn Press (UK) 

​Flavell, J. G. (2015). He Reo Pūāwai Te Reo Māori Curriculum. He Reo Pūāwai Te Reo Māori Curriculum. FRSWNZ. 

​Jünemann, M. W. (1984). Drawing and Painting in the Waldorf School. Hawthorn Press. 

​Kirchner, H., & Frohlich, M. (. (1977). Dynamic Drawing - Its Therapeutic Aspect. Mercury Press. 

​Kutzli, R. (1985). Creative Form Drawing. (R. M. Spence, Trans.) Stroud: Hawthorn Press. 

​Rawson, M. &. (2000). The Educational Tasks and Content of the Steiner/Waldorf Curriculum. Forest Row, United Kingdom: Steiner Schools Fellowship Publications. 

​Reed, A. (1999). Maori Myths and Legendary Tales. New Holland Publishers (NZ) Ltd. 

​Richter, T. e. (2019). Pädagogischer Auftrag und Unterrichtsziele - vom Lehrplan der Waldorfschule. Stuttgart, Germany: Verlag Freies Geistesleben. 

​Steiner, R. (1919, August 21). Practical Course for Teachers, Lecture 1. GA294. 

​Steiner, R. (1921). Waldorf Education for Adolescence: Lecture 3. Stuttgart, Germany. 

​Steiner, R. (1923, August 15). Education: Lecture X. GA307. Ilkley. 

​Steiner, R. (1923, August 16). Education: Lecture XI. GA 307. Ilkley. 

​Steiner, R. (1965). The Education of the Child in Light of Anthroposophy. Worcester: Rudolf Steiner Press. 

​Steiner, R. (1996). The Foundations of Human Experience. New York: Anthroposophic Press. 

​Steiner, R. (2012). Human Values in Education: Lecture VI Arnheim 1924. Retrieved from Rudolf Steiner Archive: https://rsarchive.org