Steiner Voices XYZ

Steiner Education Australia

Welcome to Steiner Voices XYZ, a podcast series hosted by Steiner Education Australia. We’re a forum for some of the varied voices of Steiner school communities and their people around the country, of teachers, parents and students. Steiner education is a worldwide movement of some 1100 schools across the globe, on all inhabited continents and embraced by parents, teachers and students of all cultural backgrounds. In Australia we have 52 schools who are members of Steiner Education Australia and are all dedicated to delivering the rich and uplifting Australian Steiner Curriculum framework, recognised by the government education regulator ACARA as an approved equivalent to the Australian Curriculum version 9. Listen to our Steiner Voices podcast series and you’ll meet some of the many people who make our Australian Steiner schools such vibrant learning communities.

  1. 1d ago

    “You’ve got to make it come alive!”: The creative work of the teacher with Jim and Barb Henderson

    Is this a record? Jim and Barb Henderson put their all their five children through the Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School in Warranwood, Victoria, and now all of their 12 grandchildren attend or have attended the school as well. What a commitment! Jim and Barb later became teachers at the school, now retired, and in this episode they reflect on their long journey with Steiner education. One of their many reflections is that none of their children ever hated school. What an achievement in this age of disaffection among young people and school refusal! They still live a creative life, nourished by nature, art and of course their growing extended family. As teachers they both reflect on the importance of being well prepared for the classroom, and building relationships of trust with students. Jim’s inspiration was always to make his lesson material as dramatic as possible and his advice to teachers is “You’ve got to put your heart into it. You’ve got to make it come alive!” For more information about Steiner education: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/⁠⁠ For more information about locations and contact details of Steiner schools: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/schools/⁠⁠  Teacher education and professional learning: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/events/⁠⁠  Working in a Steiner school: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/jobs/#vacancies⁠⁠  Our facebook page is ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/steinereducationaustralia⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/steinereducationaustralia/⁠⁠  The beautifully performed theme music ‘Libertango’ is played by Esther Abrami and Alexandra Whittingham.   Esther’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.estherabrami.com/⁠⁠  Alexandra’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.alexandrawhittingham.com/⁠⁠ Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

  2. Jul 20

    Creation Story: Memories of Milkwood

    Lara Andropov was one of the founding students of Milkwood Steiner School in Darwin, NT. After years away, she has returned and twenty years on she runs the After School Care program at Milkwood. Lara has a child’s rich memory of the school’s founding and of all the dedicated work that her parents and other families contributed to establishing the school. From the school’s humble beginnings in a Scout Hall where every day the school furniture had to be stored away and recreated the next morning, to its present well established state offering a Kindergarten to Year 10 curriculum, Lara’s story details the hard work, commitment and passion of the founding families with a vision of a Steiner school in Darwin. This “creation story” is intertwined with Lara’s own story of how she dealt with significant learning challenges. On the way she developed her own commitment and passion to using some of the methods she learned from her education to support children and adults meet their own challenges in learning and life. For more information about Steiner education: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/⁠⁠ For more information about locations and contact details of Steiner schools: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/schools/⁠⁠  Teacher education and professional learning: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/events/⁠⁠  Working in a Steiner school: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/jobs/#vacancies⁠⁠  Our facebook page is ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/steinereducationaustralia⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/steinereducationaustralia/⁠⁠  The beautifully performed theme music ‘Libertango’ is played by Esther Abrami and Alexandra Whittingham.   Esther’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.estherabrami.com/⁠⁠  Alexandra’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.alexandrawhittingham.com/⁠⁠ Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

  3. Jul 6

    Islands of Coherence: Steiner schools and the Future

    Dr Brad Kershner continues his keynote presentations from our recent GLAM (Governance, Leadership, Administration and Management) conference at Samford Valley Steiner School. Qld. In this second keynote, Brad develops his theme of Steiner schools as islands of coherence in the sea of chaos and complexity in which we find ourselves at this challenging point in human history. Through our commitment to human values in learning, art, community, nature, ritual and the seasonal cycles, Steiner schools can model coherence and become “attractors” that draw other elements to them, thereby helping to stabilise the wider system in society. In Brad’s view, if we do the necessary inner work that disrupts the negative patterns from the outside chaos, we can start the healing process in both ourselves and the world. So a potential new story can emerge, and ray out to help forge a future balance and harmony. For more information about Steiner education: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/⁠⁠ For more information about locations and contact details of Steiner schools: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/schools/⁠⁠  Teacher education and professional learning: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/events/⁠⁠  Working in a Steiner school: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/jobs/#vacancies⁠⁠  Our facebook page is ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/steinereducationaustralia⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/steinereducationaustralia/⁠⁠  The beautifully performed theme music ‘Libertango’ is played by Esther Abrami and Alexandra Whittingham.   Esther’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.estherabrami.com/⁠⁠  Alexandra’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.alexandrawhittingham.com/⁠⁠ Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

  4. Jun 22

    “A magic happening in front of me”: Memories of Sylvia and building credibility

    Rosemary Gentle OAM has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in Steiner education. Beginning as a parent, she was over three decades a Class teacher, High School Coordinator,  College Chair and finally Board Co-Chair at Glenaeon School in Sydney, before becoming Executive Officer of the Rudolf Steiner Schools Association of Australia, precursor to Steiner Education Australia. Her memories of working closely with Glenaeon’s founder Sylvia Brose provide a unique glimpse of the remarkable woman who brought Steiner education to Australia. Rosemary recalls the early days when the struggles to build the credibility of a Steiner school in the eyes of sceptical NSW authorities was an ongoing challenge, and the benefits that hard-won credibility has brought to the Australian Steiner school movement. In recognition of her work with many schools, Rosemary was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her services to Steiner education and the community. Her contribution continues today in her role as Co-Chair of the Steiner Education Foundation, a philanthropic body raising funds for Steiner schools and organisations across the country. For more information on the Foundation and its work, you can visit, and contribute directly to,  https://steinereducation.edu.au/about/steiner-education-foundation/  For more information about Steiner education: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/⁠⁠ For more information about locations and contact details of Steiner schools: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/schools/⁠⁠  Teacher education and professional learning: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/events/⁠⁠  Working in a Steiner school: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/jobs/#vacancies⁠⁠  Our facebook page is ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/steinereducationaustralia⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/steinereducationaustralia/⁠⁠  The beautifully performed theme music ‘Libertango’ is played by Esther Abrami and Alexandra Whittingham.   Esther’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.estherabrami.com/⁠⁠  Alexandra’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.alexandrawhittingham.com/⁠⁠ Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

  5. Jun 8

    Moving Through History to the Other Side of Complexity & Inspiration in a Time Between Stories

    Dr Brad Kershner is Head of School at the Kimberton Waldorf School, Pennsylvania, USA, and was the keynote speaker at our recent GLAM (Governance, Leadership, Administration and Management) conference at Samford Valley Steiner School. Qld. Brad has a fascinating background as an early childhood teacher, religious studies scholar, meditation practitioner, administrator, and now a school leader working with Steiner education and anthroposophy. We will explore Brad’s personal story in a coming podcast episode. His keynote addresses were powerful statements on the importance of Steiner education at this moment in world history and they received universally positive, indeed effusive feedback, so much so they deserve to be heard widely. Here then is Dr Brad Kershner in his first keynote where he explores the increasing complexity of the times in which we live, this time between stories, and the role Steiner schools can play in helping to move us to a positive vision of the future.  For more information about Steiner education: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/⁠⁠ For more information about locations and contact details of Steiner schools: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/schools/⁠⁠  Teacher education and professional learning: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/events/⁠⁠  Working in a Steiner school: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/jobs/#vacancies⁠⁠  Our facebook page is ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/steinereducationaustralia⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/steinereducationaustralia/⁠⁠  The beautifully performed theme music ‘Libertango’ is played by Esther Abrami and Alexandra Whittingham.   Esther’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.estherabrami.com/⁠⁠  Alexandra’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.alexandrawhittingham.com/⁠⁠ Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

  6. May 25

    Finding a Way through the Forest: The Path of a Pioneer

    Chris Jack trained as an architect, then worked in construction and property before realising his life’s vocation was in teaching. After coming to a fork in the road in his life, he moved his young family to Emerson College, UK to train as a Steiner teacher. Returning to his hometown of Brisbane, Chris became the pioneer teacher of Samford Valley Steiner school which in his time has grown from then, a staff of three to now over 100: he describes the path of a pioneer as like “finding a way through the forest without a track”. He later pioneered Birali Steiner school, Qld, shepherding its progress from 14 students in a rented hall to being the owner of 26 acres with over 100 students. Chris reflects also on his time as Chair of the Board of Steiner Education Australia, contributing to the growth of Steiner schools nationally. Music has always been a central part of Chris’s life, from guitarist in Murphy’s Pigs, an internationally acclaimed Celtic rock band, to his personal guitar Victor who plays a key role as Chris’s “assistant” in the classroom. For more information about Steiner education: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/⁠⁠ For more information about locations and contact details of Steiner schools: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/schools/⁠⁠  Teacher education and professional learning: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/events/⁠⁠  Working in a Steiner school: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/jobs/#vacancies⁠⁠  Our facebook page is ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/steinereducationaustralia⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/steinereducationaustralia/⁠⁠  The beautifully performed theme music ‘Libertango’ is played by Esther Abrami and Alexandra Whittingham.   Esther’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.estherabrami.com/⁠⁠  Alexandra’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.alexandrawhittingham.com/⁠⁠ Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

  7. May 11

    An Elegant Journey of Awakening: Learning to think in Science education

    Dr Tim Dunn’s educational journey began in IT and computing, then led him on to a university career as a scientist with a PhD in cancer research and immunology. Tim was drawn into teaching when asked by friends to help out in the fledgling high school at Samford Valley Steiner School. He negotiated a release from university commitments of one afternoon per week to teach Maths, but soon found himself captivated by the quality of thinking he encountered in the high school students: a flexible, active and engaged thinking that contrasted with the fixed and formulaic thinking with which he was familiar. The one afternoon per week became a full time commitment when he left a position as Senior Lecturer at Queensland University of Technology, and became a Science teacher at the school. Tim describes the Steiner school approach to science as an “elegant journey of awakening”: one following the classic traditions of the great scientists, of clear and intense observation of phenomena following by a critical reflection that builds the concepts of Physics, Chemistry and Biology into a living whole. The process is as important as the content in helping students to not only know their subject, but also to learn to think critically and creatively. For more information about Steiner education: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/⁠⁠ For more information about locations and contact details of Steiner schools: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/schools/⁠⁠  Teacher education and professional learning: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/events/⁠⁠  Working in a Steiner school: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/jobs/#vacancies⁠⁠  Our facebook page is ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/steinereducationaustralia⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/steinereducationaustralia/⁠⁠  The beautifully performed theme music ‘Libertango’ is played by Esther Abrami and Alexandra Whittingham.   Esther’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.estherabrami.com/⁠⁠  Alexandra’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.alexandrawhittingham.com/⁠⁠ Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

  8. Apr 27

    “There is no greater joy than learning”: Memories of a Beautiful Education

    In this 28th episode of Steiner Voices XYZ, it’s time to look back on some highlights. Every episode has been a highlight for me as the podcaster, remarkable for the huge breadth of voices and experiences demonstrating the rich and diverse endeavour of Steiner education. Yet for the great diversity, there has also been a remarkable unity and coherence of experiences, like the many polished facets on a full-cut diamond, each reflecting the light in their own unique way. So here are highlights from the voices of three alumni from different Steiner schools in different parts of Australia. For all the different locations, they have common memories of a beautiful education, a time of creativity and calm, of vivid colours, imagination, deep trusting relationships with teachers, immersion in nature, and most importantly, of learning that was both challenging and joyful. Rudolf Steiner himself put it so perfectly: “there is no greater joy than learning” For more information about Steiner education: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/⁠⁠ For more information about locations and contact details of Steiner schools: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/schools/⁠⁠  Teacher education and professional learning: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/events/⁠⁠  Working in a Steiner school: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/jobs/#vacancies⁠⁠  Our facebook page is ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/steinereducationaustralia⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/steinereducationaustralia/⁠⁠  The beautifully performed theme music ‘Libertango’ is played by Esther Abrami and Alexandra Whittingham.   Esther’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.estherabrami.com/⁠⁠  Alexandra’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.alexandrawhittingham.com/⁠⁠ Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

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Welcome to Steiner Voices XYZ, a podcast series hosted by Steiner Education Australia. We’re a forum for some of the varied voices of Steiner school communities and their people around the country, of teachers, parents and students. Steiner education is a worldwide movement of some 1100 schools across the globe, on all inhabited continents and embraced by parents, teachers and students of all cultural backgrounds. In Australia we have 52 schools who are members of Steiner Education Australia and are all dedicated to delivering the rich and uplifting Australian Steiner Curriculum framework, recognised by the government education regulator ACARA as an approved equivalent to the Australian Curriculum version 9. Listen to our Steiner Voices podcast series and you’ll meet some of the many people who make our Australian Steiner schools such vibrant learning communities.

Information

  • Creator
    Steiner Education Australia
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All material is owned by Steiner Education Australia
  • Show Website
    Steiner Voices XYZ