Dandenong Ranges Steiner School

Our endeavour at the Dandenong Ranges Steiner School is to provide an all-around, in-depth education of all aspects of growing children. All areas of cultural development are important to us; academic, physical, social, moral, artistic and spiritual.

The curriculum throughout the school is a response to the inner and outer development characteristic of each year of childhood and adolescence. Every subject can have a direct and intimate relevance to these subtle processes of growth. In particular there is an emphasis on healthy development of individuality within a social context and a nurturing of the students’ capacity to discern and take responsibility for their conduct and work.

Behind all the teaching is the recognition of the spiritual in each human being and throughout the natural world. This elevates every subject from being simply training in skills and a gathering of information to becoming a medium for individual deepening and maturation. All aspects of the curriculum are considered important for a healthy, rounded development.

The Strands, domains and progression points of the AusVELS as well as the Rudolf Steiner curriculum are interpreted by the teachers and applied within the structure of the subjects offered. An integration of the two curricula occurs, with each approach being quite complementary.
When reviewing and developing our curriculum the Curriculum Manager with the College of Teachers strives for balance between academic, artistic and practical activities.

Overall, DRSS strives for a curriculum responsive to the developmental phases in childhood to young adulthood and nurturing of children’s imaginations that is accountable to the broader community through compliance with the standards set for education in Victoria, Australia.
We encourage our students to strive for excellence, respect, find their place in the world and care for others and thereby become motivated, balanced and responsible citizens.