Continuing the Steiner Education for Life

The Senior School at CSSK comprises Classes 6, 7 & 8 with a focus on Citizenship in Year 6, Service in Year 7 and Leadership in Year 8.

Having farewelled their Class Teacher at the end of Class 5, the students are cared for by a team of three Class Guardians in the Senior School; one for each year level.  The Class Guardians provide pastoral care and coordination for the class, meeting the students each morning and teaching a range of Main and subject lessons (as well as being the first point of contact for parents). In addition to the Class Guardians, students have specialist teachers for Math, Science, French, Art, Drama, Music, PE and Outdoor Education.

Senior School students start the year with a camp where all three classes come together to share in rich personal development activities and to plan for the year ahead.  After this there are multiple opportunities for cross age activities, including sport, flexible groupings for mathematics, performance ensemble.

Our Senior School provides a gentle transition to the High School years.  Our flexible approach holds students in a supportive community environment as they are challenged to step up to the next stage of development.  New students who would like to transfer from other schools for these important transition years are warmly welcomed.

Students graduating from Class 8 at CSSK can continue their Steiner education via the Steiner Stream at Castlemaine Secondary College (CSC). This stream encompasses Years 9 & 10, followed by standardised VCE or VCAL pathway options. Information on this pathway is shared via our joint information sessions, and full CSC details can be found via Steiner Program – Castlemaine Secondary College (csc.vic.edu.au)

Senior Years

Class 6

In Class 6, the students reach 12 years of age, beginning the last phase of childhood. They are beginning to feel the double constraint: the weight and inertia of their body, and the time/space limitations of the world outside of their inner experience. This age marks the beginning of a period of transition for the student from the age of imagination towards the age of reason. Twelve-year-olds are ready to hear of the wonderful discoveries of scientific exploration, the ideas of great Ancient Greek thinkers like Pythagoras and Aristotle, and the achievements of the Ancient Romans. The students at this age can be challenged and are capable of demonstrating high standards in their school-work.

Class 7

In Class 7, the pupils turn 13, become teenagers and enter puberty. Teachers support students to discover new perspectives that direct their attention towards an exploration of the outer world and away from the newly experienced unrest in their inner life. An appetite for knowledge of, and about, world phenomena, mingles with an emerging capacity for reflection and the first promptings of self-reflection. There is a growing sense of self within the students, with a new relationship being established with the world. While a feeling and yearning for independence and solitude may be experienced, a certain anxiety, emotional sensitivity and embarrassment can run alongside. The seventh-grade curriculum challenges the thought processes of the young adolescent, leading them to discovery, understanding and discernment.

Class 8

Class 8 marks a significant point; at 14 years, the pupils are “into” adolescence. At this age, the world of ideas begins to take on meaning for the young adolescent and the critical faculties of the 14-year-old are noticeably sharper. The world of ideas acquires new meaning and rules come under scrutiny. A sense of community develops in which speaking becomes more thoughtful and listening more attentive. Given clear direction, stimulus materials and the necessary support, students generate significant volumes of their own work; up to 90% independently. The Year 8 program is designed to meet the needs of the young adolescent; a healthy series of appropriate challenges provide a stimulus to balanced development. These challenges include The Major Project, Shakespeare Production and Tour and a 10-day Camel Trek in the Flinders Ranges.