In the high school, the Steiner curriculum meets each student where they are ‘at’; challenging them in critical and creative thinking capacities, meeting their yearning to understand the world and guiding them in such a way that they know who they are, and their purpose. 

Main Lessons are unique to Steiner education and offer a deep and enriching delivery of curriculum which commences in class one and continues through the high school year levels to cultivate a love of learning that drives  intrinsic motivation, and develops a deep understanding of each subject. In class 8, students have moved to the High School campus where they are held by their ‘Class Guardian’ and with each year level, more and more of the Main Lessons are taught by specialist teachers.

The Main Lesson is delivered for the first two hours of every morning to our students, where they study the same topic or theme for a period of three or four weeks.  The central theme of the Main Lesson is progressively explored through a broad spectrum of integrated activity with each day building on the previous.

Main Lesson blocks focus on Mathematics, Language, Humanities, Science, Geography and these subjects are explored through a variety of experiences which may include movement, singing, painting, drawing, modelling, drama, narrative and practical and formal academic work. Alongside the Main Lesson, sit revision lessons for maths and English, learning Japanese, gardening and farming, hard and soft craft, art, drama and music.

Class 8

During Class Eight, students undertake a personal ‘Project’ and present their findings to their peers. Aimed at expanding their horizons and supporting self-directed learning, students are required to work with a mentor to develop a new skill. Students choose their own area of study; previous years’ projects have included building a boat, writing and publishing a novel, developing a bee colony, building a harp and restoring an old car.

Through the Class Eight project students recognise in themselves the skills and capacities that they have acquired up to this point and then as adolescents they look ahead with their increasing intellectual powers, need for vigorous and challenging activity and clear and often critical judgement of those around them. 

Class 9

In the most typically inward and emotionally difficult time in adolescence, the Steiner curriculum keeps students learning practically and as much as possible, in outdoor spaces. This is when the Outdoor Education programme at CHSS reaches its peak with students attending camps like the three week Agricultural camp on a Biodynamic Farm learning about where food comes from and what is involved in growing it. They work in the fields each day after completing their morning's bookwork. Learning at a pragmatic level speaks to the adolescent in a far deeper way that if all was taught in a classroom. In addition, students see that they can rely on themselves and their inner strengths building resilience and confidence.

The Class 9's also expand their handwork and arts curriculum which still includes woodwork, craft and visual arts to blacksmithing and a small engines unit.

High School growth and development

The Board and Leadership are committed to the school’s vision of delivering a K-12 Steiner education with the current focus being on consolidating the High School to Class 9 in 2023 with the expansion to classes 10 and upwards being determined by student numbers and school readiness to meet the higher level of requirements not only in teaching capacities but also administration and compliance.