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Rainbow Ridge Steiner School:
>>History and Development of Rainbow Ridge School
History and Development of Rainbow Ridge School
Rainbow Ridge School was founded in 1996 to provide a universal education based on Rudolf Steiner's philosophy for the education and development of the child.
The school was born from the inspirational backing of Alan and Susan Whitehead, who are both long-term Steiner educators, and an enthusiastic parent group who sought the best quality education for their children. Our vision statement reflects the schools strength of purpose:
"Rainbow Ridge School will offer a universal education in balance and harmony with the environment, embracing Rudolf Steiner's philosophies and growing with the changing needs of time".
The school began with classes K-4 in 1996 and each year another class was added. Since 1st January 2001 the school is registered for stages 1-4 (K-8), which is current until 31st December 2009.
Rainbow Ridge School was founded 27th February 1996 as a public, not for profit, company limited by a guarantee.
The College of Teachers consists of teaching staff who are responsible for the educational aspects of the school. The Board of Directors represents the organisation. It makes decisions concerning the finances and general business of the school. A new Board is elected once a year at the Annual General Meeting. The Memorandum and Articles of Association determine the structure of the school. The college and board endeavour to work hand in hand to support the growth of the school in a constructive way.
The Philosophy of Rainbow Ridge Steiner School
Rudolf Steiner was a philosopher born in Austria at the turn of the century who developed a body of knowledge known as Anthroposophy or Spiritual Science. Anthroposophy is concerned primarily with the human evolution but extends to many fields such as medicine, agriculture, the arts, architecture and education.
Steiner education is based on the educational principles of Rudolf Steiner. Steiner education aims to help children become balanced adults who can use their faculties of thinking, feeling and willing (or their heads, hearts and hands) in an integrated way.
This educational practice is aimed at nurturing children through imaginative experiences, which resonate in their souls.
Steiner believed human development unfolded in 7 year phases and that each year is based on a ‘GENERATIVE IMPULSE’.
The first phase (the willing phase) from birth to age 7, sees the formation of the child's physical body and the development of the will are paramount. This is the stage at which children live through their hands and the Kindergarten child learns by doing.
The children learn about themselves, each other and the world around them by engaging in creative play, music, dance, art craft and domestic crafts such baking and cleaning.
The regular routine and repetition help the children to develop self discipline in a nurturing environment. Soft colours and natural materials surround the children in beauty and inspire their creativity.
The second phase (the feeling phase) 7-14 years is when the heart and lungs harmonise. The rhythmic system is developing in conjunction with the feeling life. Subjects are delivered in a creative and integrated way through the teacher's’ imaginative life. The children develop a sense of everything being connected to the whole. A belief in truth, beauty and goodness and a connection to the world is paramount.
The third phase (the thinking phase) from adolescence to adulthood, sees the young person developing their intellect. The emphasis is now on developing powers of reasoning and judgement. The focus lies with developing their abstract thinking and artistic sensitivity.
At the core of Steiner's principles is the belief that true education must encompass the whole child within the context of human development. It is aimed at their spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical development in a harmonious and balanced way.
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School Community
The Rainbow Ridge School community consists of dedicated parents, teachers and friends, many of whom helped to build the school. Parents volunteer their time to help the school function well, for example with fundraising activities like our co-ordinated weekly tuckshop.
Our parents are very involved and supportive of their children's education, often helping with cleaning, gardening and ground maintenance. They also enjoy being involved with the practical arts/technical classes.
The school has sound policies on environmental issues. We recycle compost and rubbish, use composting toilets based on the 'Clivus Minimus' design, have rainwater tanks and run on solar power.
Our gardens use biodynamic agricultural practices in the development and maintenance of the school grounds.
Our respect and reverence for all life and our natural environment is integral to our children's education.
Each term we come together to jointly celebrate the seasonal festivals.
Celebrations and Festivals
Seasonal Festivals (solstices and equinoxes) are celebrated at Rainbow Ridge at the end of each term. This is when the whole school community gathers together to experience music, drama, puppetry and Eurythmy performances presented by the children.
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Seasonal family performances also take place, such as cooperative games, feasting on fine home cooked food and rituals which honour and celebrate the Earth and her seasons, thus weaving a reverence for nature through the day. Our children and teachers put a lot of love and soul into preparing for each festival and the result is always magical. Every year the school has an “Open Day” in springtime to celebrate and display the year’s work.
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Please contact us for more information, dates of the "Open Days" and our performances or visit our CALENDER page to learn about upcoming events.