Hamilton school abundant Waldorf Education Legacy

About Us

Waikato Waldorf School provides an engaging education that affirms children as individuals.

Our Story

Waikato Waldorf School was founded as a private concern in 1996 by a passionate group of individuals, beginning with a Class One of 9 children. Two years later it became an “Integrated Full Primary School” – partially funded by the Ministry of Education and a part of the New Zealand state education system, but following the principles of Rudolf Steiner’s Waldorf educational philosophy.

From a tiny school on the edge of Hamilton, surrounded by rolling Waikato farmland, we have now grown into a large Waldorf community encompassing Early Childhood facilities including full-time daycare, parent/child Play Circles and a large Kindergarten, as well as a Full Primary School and a High School catering for students up to the age of 15. By July 2017 the School was catering for 191 students, and the roll is still increasing as more and more families search for the inclusive, rich, imaginative education that the Waldorf curriculum provides.

The school and Early Childhood facilities have developed in an organic progression, and buildings both old and full of character as well as new state-of-the-art, purpose-designed buildings exist side by side in harmony. There is ample space for our long term plans for further development without compromising the spacious, country feeling that characterises the campus.

While our community has grown substantially, so has the city of Hamilton, and although the school now sits in the quiet suburbs of Rototuna and Huntington, our campus still retains its country feel – numerous apple and pear trees, native plantings along the bank of the stream that borders the back of the property, a large vegetable garden, chickens and cattle. As a community, we truly appreciate our unique place in beautiful Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our Philosophy

Steiner/Waldorf Schools are based on the educational ideas of by Rudolf Steiner, who saw each human being as a creature of body, soul and spirit in a gradual and purposeful process of development. This philosophy forms the basis for the Special Character of New Zealand Waldorf schools.

Steiner/Waldorf Education aims to support the development of the whole child. The active study and observation of children is at the heart of teacher development and is, therefore, at the heart of curriculum development and delivery.

Within the Full Primary and High School, all subjects are seen to have equal importance within the curriculum, and all contribute to a complete and balanced education. As far as practicable, students will experience every area of human activity and endeavour. Content in each subject is tailored to meet the developmental stages of the children at each year level.

We place high value on teaching and learning through the arts and movement as an integral part of all learning experiences. These activities help children develop strength of will and emotional literacy, and support the development of flexible and creative thinking. All subjects, as far as possible, are brought in an artistic way, or through practical experience. Wherever possible, practical activity paves the way for discovery and enquiry, which in turn leads to the formation of concepts.

The New Zealand Steiner/Waldorf Schools are part of a fast-growing global education movement. The fundamental principles of Steiner/Waldorf education allow for the exploration of a wide variety of cultural traditions and worldviews. Here at the Waikato Waldorf School, our curriculum reflects our unique setting in Aotearoa New Zealand, while acknowledging and valuing the cultural backgrounds of our diverse community.

Equity Statement

Waikato Waldorf School embraces and honours Aotearoa New Zealand’s bi-cultural heritage and considers all human beings to be free and equal in dignity and rights.

While acknowledging Rudolf Steiner’s work, Waikato Waldorf School works out of an approach of equity, strongly rejecting any historical inferences of racial prejudice. We uphold this position both as an individual school and as a member school of the Federation of the Rudolf Steiner / Waldorf Schools (New Zealand) whose curriculum guidelines state that:

“The principles that are fundamental to Steiner/Waldorf Education are that it is accessible to, and able to be adapted to, the needs of different ethnicities, culture and religions. Curriculum content allows for the exploration of a wide variety of cultural traditions and world views.”

Steiner/Waldorf schools in Aotearoa New Zealand strive to imbue their curricula with the unique spirit and history of this land and its people.

Additional Information

Affiliations Character Governance Policies & Procedures

Parent Handbook International Student Prospectus

“Receive the children in reverence; educate them in love; let them go forth in freedom.”

– Rudolf Steiner

“The heart of the Waldorf method is that education is an art – it must speak to the child’s experience. To educate the whole child, his heart and his will must be reached, as well as the mind.”