Melbourne Rudolf Steiner Seminar

The face-to-face Intensive is the most popular component in the Advanced Diploma in Rudolf Steiner Education. Many of the student-teachers are studying online, and everyone is connected in one way or another. However, nothing is better than the feeling of coming together, learning, and growing as a
community.

In our last Intensive, we dove deep into the Class 4–6 curriculum through the art of wood carving. Working
with scrap wood and raw tree bark, our tutor guided us through every stage—from preparation to the final
polished product. We explored not just the techniques and health and safety protocols, but the pedagogical reasons behind teaching these skills at this age. For many student-teachers, this was their first time holding a carving knife. It takes courage to try something new and requires imagination to connect with a piece of raw bark and feel what it is trying to reveal. While some initially wondered, "How can I carve something presentable from this?" the warmth of our community and the tutor's encouragement motivated everyone to have a go.

Teachers are role models. When we step out of our comfort zones and embrace the courage to try something new, children learn from our example and develop trust in a teacher who guides them to succeed. They also learn that we may fail once or twice, but through practice we can all get better. By experiencing the challenges of the craft firsthand, the student-teachers developed a deeper empathy for what their students face in their learning. The empathy gained from facing these challenges fuels our
student-teachers' desire to find creative, meaningful ways to support every child.




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One characteristic of Steiner/Waldorf education is the delivery of the curriculum through many artistic and creative means to develop, nourish, and support the 12 Senses of children. One can see many colourful and beautiful artworks and school grounds, or hear singing and recorder playing, when visiting any Steiner/Waldorf school. You can also see this in the teacher training images here.

When our senses are unhealthy or under-developed relative to their potential, we may experience difficulties, or ‘disorders’. These can manifest in specific gestures, postures, behaviours, and even lifestyle choices, in both adults and children.

This is a reminder that Term 2 starts this week. For those interested in the 12 Senses, there are two options: the Foundations of Steiner Education (Primary) course (Tuesday evenings) or the Early Childhood course (Wednesday evenings). Both courses explore this topic, but the latter focuses specifically on younger children and working in a kindergarten setting.

All sessions are recorded so you can catch up. You can visit the details of them by visiting our link-in-bio, or go to:

https://teachsteiner.org/foundationcourse
https://teachsteiner.org/EarlyChildhood

Over the past weeks, our tutors have been leading an intensive Professional Development program for Primary Class 3 in Vietnam.

From many lectures, to hands-on clay work and crafts to movement, music, and physical education, the sessions were full of creativity and energy - appropriate for the Class 3 children. The program wrapped up with a joyful performance of “Noah’s Ark” 🎭

Here are some highlights from the workshop! Check out our in-school professional development brochure from our link-in-bio!

During the recent Intensive, the second-year Advanced Diploma of Rudolf Steiner student teachers created a range of practical and beautiful works. One highlight was copper bowl making using the traditional technique of copper beating. Through this process, they learned not only the craft itself but also its pedagogical value in supporting adolescents.

It was remarkable to witness how a simple sheet of copper could be transformed into a bowl. By heating the metal to soften it, imagining and shaping it carefully with a mallet, and finishing it with brushing and polishing, the student teachers brought each piece to life. The entire process took around five - six hours (it was done over a number of lessons), resulting in a unique and beautiful bowl.

Working with the hands develops the will, but shaping and forming the bowl into a personal creation adds another meaningful dimension. It is, indeed, a deeply satisfying process.🌻🌻🌻