Charter

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide a quality Waldorf education for all students.

VISION

It is the task of Michael Park School to provide an inspiring Rudolf Steiner School education. Students will reach their potential within an academic, artistic and spiritual framework, which will educate the whole human being.

When students leave Michael Park School they will have received a broad and well-rounded education and have gained the necessary skills and qualifications to walk confidently into the world of work and further study.

They will be imaginative and resourceful problem- solvers with vision and enthusiasm for life. Self-directed and courageous they will continue to develop their talents to reach their full potential. They will value and respect themselves, others and the environment and be able to act as caretakers in the broadest sense.

As positive contributors to society with a well-developed social conscience, they will be able to meet challenges and make a difference. Aware of the interconnectedness of all actions, they will demonstrate this through their deeds.

VALUES

‘Values are internalised sets of beliefs or principal of behaviour held by individuals or groups’ (New Zealand Curriculum Framework)

Commonly held values in a democratic society are: honesty, reliability, respect for others, respect for the law, tolerance (rangimarie), fairness, caring (aroha), non-sexism and non-racism. We accept the responsibility to ‘help students to develop and clarify their own values and beliefs’ and ‘to examine the implications of their own values and those of others’.

The expectations we regard as essential for our students include:

  1. They will become committed to the pursuit of personal excellence in a broad range of endeavours and will involve themselves in the opportunities offered at this school. Our goals and objectives will facilitate these expectations.
  2. They will be convinced of the value of becoming diligent, life-long learners.
  3. They will be fulfilled in a caring, disciplined and orderly environment. The school will strive to establish this environment and to help students become aware of the need to discipline themselves within the guidelines of their community. They will set high personal standards of behaviour and self-discipline. This includes the development of good sportsmanship and fair play. The school will establish practices to assist this development.
  4. That they will have the support of families who wish their children to receive quality Waldorf education. The school will support families and students with this process.

OUR AIMS

  • To provide a curriculum and educational experience according to Rudolf Steiner’s indications that embraces the New Zealand Curriculum and reflects the National Education Priorities.
  • To educate our students physically, emotionally and intellectually, through an Anthroposophical understanding of child development, so that they may ultimately fulfil their potential to live full, free and productive lives.
  • To help our students become socially and culturally integrated individuals and thereby assist in their becoming contributing members of society.
  • To ensure the school is managed in ways that reflect our special character and our responsibilities as an integrated school, in Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • To provide opportunities for freely committed staff members, who strive to understand and work form the aims and ideas of anthroposophy, to realise their professional potential.
  • To foster partnership with our community by using consultative processes that acknowledges the cultural diversity of the community, and upholds the unique place of the Tangata Whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand.

DELIVERING OUR SPECIAL CHARACTER AND UPHOLDING THE NATIONAL EDUCATION PRIORITIES

STATEMENT OF INTENT

PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE SPECIAL CHARACTER

The special character of the school is non-specific – it permeates all aspects of the character and operation of the school.

The Rudolf Steiner Schools Trust together with the Board of Trustees and the College of Teachers are responsible for the preservation and enhancement of the special character of the school. In partnership with the community, they seek to work in ways that acknowledge the existence and relationship of the spiritual world in guiding the development of the school.

The Board of Trustees commits to upholding the special character as it manifests in the organisation and operational areas of school life. Their activities will reflect the special character of the school. Planning, consultation and development of the school will embrace a commitment to uphold this intention.