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Orana Steiner School

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Coordinates: 35°19′37″S 149°03′32″E / 35.327°S 149.059°E / -35.327; 149.059
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Orana Steiner School
Location
Map
Weston Creek
,
Australian Capital Territory

Australia
Coordinates35°19′37″S 149°03′32″E / 35.327°S 149.059°E / -35.327; 149.059
Information
Typeprivate, Steiner, day
MottoOutstanding education that lasts a lifetime
Established1981
PrincipalJames Goodlet
Enrolment441 (2024)
Websitewww.oranaschool.com

Orana Steiner School is an independent, co-educational, Steiner school in the Canberra suburb of Weston, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.[1][2] It is administered by the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT, with an enrolment of 441 students and a teaching staff of 49 as of 2024.[3] The school serves students from Kindergarten to Year 12 and was founded in 1981.[4] The 40th anniversary occurred in 2021.[5]

History

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The school opened in August 1981[5] in the old YMCA hall in Yarralumla[6] with three foundation students[5] and Michael Simmons as the sole teacher.[7] The parents of one of the foundation students paid the teacher's salary for a little over a year after the school's opening.[5] By the end of 1981, there were 11 students[5] and by the following year there were 15 students.[8] A second teacher with no Waldorf training joined the school to teach Kindergarten the very same year.[8] By 1986, there were 70 students.[7]

The school was granted access to facilities at Yarralumla Primary School by the ACT Schools Authority for the 1983 school year, on the condition that it begin negotiations with the state school to explore incorporating the Steiner philosophy into the government school system.[9]

In 1988, the school was negotiating with the ACT administration for the new school site to be located on the same street as the AME school and 1.5km from Holder Primary School.[10] When Orana's new site negotiations were announced, parents of Holder Primary School were in the amidst of campaigning against the closure of the school.[10] In response to the news, the school board chair of Holder Primary, Lois Cooper, stated that it was illogical of the State Government to close a public school while facilitating the opening of a private school in the area.[10] While the principal of the AME school stated that the school council preferred that two small schools of differing philosophies were not close together.[10] The principle of Orana stated that local enrolments would not be affected, due to the fact that students were drawn from around the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales due to the school's philosophy.[10] It had 100 students aged 5 to 12 years old at this time.[11] The school was ultimately relocated in 1990[12] to its current site in Weston following a period of expansion and negotiations with the ACT Government over suitable long-term accommodation.[13][6] The AME school closed in 1996,[14] and Holder Primary closed at the end of 1990.[15][16] The school buildings of the AME school were then sold to the Orana School to pay off the AME's bank overdraft.[14]

In 1990, the school applied to the Australian Government for funding to extend the year levels from the then current Kindergarten to Year 6 to include Year 7 and Year 8 for the 1992 school year.[17] In 1993, it was claimed that the school would offer Year 7 to Year 12 in 1994,[18] however, Year 7 was only offered in the 1994 school year.[19][20] Year 8 enrolments started to be offered by late 1994.[21] Year 9 was introduced in 1996.[22] In 1995, it was claimed that the school would offer Year 10 by 1997 and Year 11 by 1998.[23] The school hoped to offer Year 12 by the year 2000,[24] however, the Year 12 cohort commenced in 2002.[25] The reason for the significant delay of the commencement of higher grades was due to the fact that the local council believed it would threaten the viability of existing government schools and affect the delivery of then current programs and services.[23]

In 1995, an 11-year-old student at the school called out Arthur Tunstall for his remarks on Aboriginals Kathy Freeman and Lionel Rose in The Canberra Times.[26]

School

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Finance

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A majority of the school's income is sourced from Government grants (both recurrent and capital) and school fees.[27] As of 2022, 37% of the school's income was from Australian Government grants, 10% from the ACT Government and 53% from school fees, with the remaining 1% coming from 'other private sources'.[28]

In 2021, the school's income was $67,811.57 with the total expenses being $55,903.52.[29][30] The school's income increased to $99,625.23 with the total expenses increasing to $67,008.77 in 2022.[29][30] By 2023, the school's income had decreased to $75,569 with the expenses being $55,246.[31] Despite this significant decrease in the school's income, the Parents and Community Association of the school stated they were in a 'healthy financial position' to fund projects in 2024.[31] However, the decrease in the school's income led to some financial concerns surrounding the school, with some parents sending a letter to the school board calling for a 'special general meeting'. Since the meeting was authorised under the school's constitution, it went forward, occurring on 30 May 2023.[32] The meeting discussed the school's financial issues and staff turnover.[32] Even though a call for a vote for the Board Chair, Rachel Thomas, to step down and the rest of the board positions to be declared vacant for a new board to be elected[33] was anticipated to occur during the meeting, it did not happen.[32]

Fees

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School fees are set annually by the school's board.[34] The cost of Tuition varies by grade. In 2001, the tuition fee for students in Kindergarten to Year 1 was $560 per term (~$2,240 annual), Year 2 was $575 per term (~$2,300 annual), Year 3 to Year 6 was $590 per term (~$2,360 annual), Year 7 to Year 10 was $785 per term (~$3,140 annual) and Year 11 was $870 per term (~$3,480 annual).[35][a] By 2013, the cost of tuition had increased. The tuition fee for students in Kindergarten was $1,300 per term ($5,200 annual), Year 1 to Year 5 was $1,190 per term ($4,760 annual), Year 6 was $1,230 per term ($4,920 annual), Year 7 was $1,250 per term ($5,000 annual), Year 8 to Year 10 was $1,250 per term ($6,360 annual) and Year 11 and 12 was $1,750 per term ($7,000 annual).[36] As of 2025, the tuition fee for students in Kindergarten to Year 2 is $2,805 per term ($11,222 annual), Year 3 to Year 5 the fee is $3,101 per term ($12,404 annual), Year 6 and Year 7 the fee is $3,249 per term ($12,994 annual), Year 8 to Year 10 the fee is $3,987 per term ($15,947 annual) and Year 11 and 12 is $4,430 per term being $17,720 for the year.[37]

Activities

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Facilities

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In 1989, the school began Stage 1 of the school building project, which consisted of eight classrooms and two toilet blocks.[38] By July 1990, the school had moved into the new buildings.[17] A grant of about $260,000 was provided to the school for this purpose.[17] The official opening of the buildings occurred on the school's opening day in September 1990.[39] The minister for Employment, Education and Training, John Dawkins, opened the school on this day.[39] In 1994, more classrooms were constructed.[40]

The Ironbark Music building was expected to be completed at the end of 2023,[32] but completed in January 2024.[41] The building cost $1.5 million, with the ACT Government funding $800,000 of it.[32]

Academic Performance

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Demographics

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In 2022, the school had a student enrolment of 502 with 49 teachers (44.6 full-time equivalent) and 27 non-teaching staff (22 full-time equivalent). Female enrolments consisted of 250 students and Male enrolments consisted of 252 students; Indigenous enrolments accounted for a total of 3% and 7% of students had a language background other than English.[3]

Orana Steiner School Enrolment Data from 2008 to 2024.[3]

In 2023, the school had a student enrolment of 457 with 50 teachers (43.3 full-time equivalent) and 34 non-teaching staff (25.9 full-time equivalent). Female enrolments consisted of 230 students and Male enrolments consisted of 227 students; Indigenous enrolments accounted for a total of 3% and 7% of students had a language background other than English.[3]

In 2024, the school had a student enrolment of 441 with 49 teachers (41.8 full-time equivalent) and 30 non-teaching staff (23.3 full-time equivalent). Female enrolments consisted of 211 students and Male enrolments consisted of 230 students; Indigenous enrolments accounted for a total of 3% and 8% of students had a language background other than English.[3]

The decline in student enrolments has led to some financial concerns surrounding the school.[32] The school board chair, Rachel Thomas, responded to the concerns by stating "while it has affected the school's budgeting...we adjust our financial strategy to respond."[32]

Curriculum

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The teaching curriculum is based on the works of Rudolf Steiner. The school offers a wide range of subjects including mathematics, sciences, humanities, languages, arts, design-technology and English. In primary school, the education is delivered by the class teachers through main lessons and classes with lots of practical activities to aid in understanding. As they get older, students discover more subjects and new specialist teachers. They have the opportunity to try out different at art and design subjects before getting to choose them as electives in later high school. This gives a well-rounded understanding of different subjects and promotes informed and experienced decision making. It has an excellent reputation for its academic achievements, with high ATAR scores and a broad education that prepares its students to take their place in a global society. The school aims to inspire creative and flexible thinking, resilience and a will to engage in life.[42]

Notable alumni

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Alumni lists can be found on the Names Database.[43] As for notable alumni, the original band members of the Australian band Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers attended the school.[44]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The school did not enrol Year 12 until 2002.[25]

References

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  1. ^ "Orana Steiner School". Australian Schools Directory. Archived from the original on 9 February 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  2. ^ "School Location 2024". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 26 February 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e "ACARA Data Access Program: School Profile 2008 – 2024". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 3 March 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  4. ^ "Orana Steiner School". Association of Independent Schools of the ACT. Archived from the original on 10 March 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Orana Seasons – Term 1 2021" (PDF). Orana Steiner School. 2021. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 June 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  6. ^ a b Nicol, Bev; Burton, Jan (6 April 1988). "Lease offer to Orana School". The Canberra Times. p. 14. Retrieved 22 May 2025 – via Trove.
  7. ^ a b "The Steiner philosopy — education by experience". The Canberra Times. 13 June 1986. p. 17. Retrieved 1 June 2025 – via Trove.
  8. ^ a b Mazzone, Alduino (January 1995). ""Islands of Culture" Waldorf (Rudolf Steiner) Schools in Australia: Their Origin and Development" (PDF). A Passionate Schooling. p. 54. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 March 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Private school allowed use of public school facilities". The Canberra Times. 9 March 1983. p. 10. Retrieved 2 June 2025 – via Trove.
  10. ^ a b c d e Zakharov, Jeanne (18 March 1988). "School-site conundrum". The Canberra Times. p. 7. Retrieved 4 June 2025 – via Trove.
  11. ^ "Advertising – Teacher Vacancy Orana School: Class One Teacher 1989". The Canberra Times. 6 August 1988. p. 4. Retrieved 22 May 2025 – via Trove.
  12. ^ Mazzone, Alduino. "Waldorf (Rudolf Steiner) Schools as Schools in the Progressive Education Tradition" (PDF). A Passionate Schooling. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 March 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  13. ^ Zakharov, Jeanne (29 March 1988). "Sharing could save schools". The Canberra Times. p. 15. Retrieved 22 May 2025 – via Trove.
  14. ^ a b "HMSS 0127 AME School Records". ACT Heritage Library. 10 May 2022. Archived from the original on 20 March 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  15. ^ Hobson, Karen (15 September 1990). "Schools triple hit for Holder". The Canberra Times. p. 2. Retrieved 4 June 2025 – via Trove. The ACT Government has already announced that Holder Primary will close at the end of this year
  16. ^ Hobson, Karen (12 December 1990). "Sorrow and smiles as primary schools close". The Canberra Times. p. 1. Retrieved 4 June 2025 – via Trove. But students at Cook, Hackett and Holder finished yesterday.
  17. ^ a b c Hobson, Karen (20 July 1990). "Three ACT private schools seeking federal funds". The Canberra Times. p. 3. Retrieved 22 May 2025 – via Trove.
  18. ^ Sibley, David (10 November 1993). "Which School? CANBERRA'S CHOICES- Part 1: The Getting of Wisdom in the ACT". The Canberra Times. p. 15. Retrieved 22 May 2025 – via Trove.
  19. ^ "Advertising – Orana School: Class 7 in 1994". The Canberra Times. 10 November 1993. p. 28. Retrieved 23 May 2025 – via Trove.
  20. ^ "Advertising – Orana Open Day". The Canberra Times. 21 May 1994. p. 12. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via Trove.
  21. ^ "Advertising – Orana Open Day". The Canberra Times. 3 September 1994. p. 4. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via Trove.
  22. ^ "Advertising – Orana School: High School Teachers". The Canberra Times. 5 August 1995. p. 68. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via Trove.
  23. ^ a b Mapstone, Naomi (23 August 1995). "P&Cs to fight Weston school". The Canberra Times. p. 13. Retrieved 22 May 2025 – via Trove.
  24. ^ Uhlmann, Chris (7 December 1994). "Reaching out to a spiritual world through the arts – Teaching the Steiner way". The Canberra Times. p. 21. Retrieved 24 May 2025 – via Trove.
  25. ^ a b "About Orana". Orana Steiner School. 22 July 2004. Archived from the original on 22 July 2004. Retrieved 22 May 2025 – via The Wayback Machine.
  26. ^ Neville, Angela (23 July 1995). "11-year-old censures joke-teller in letter". The Canberra Times. p. 2. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via Trove.
  27. ^ "Orana Steiner School: Annual School Report 2012" (PDF). Orana Steiner School. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 January 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2025 – via The Wayback Machine.
  28. ^ "Orana Steiner School: Annual School Report 2022" (PDF). Orana Steiner School. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  29. ^ a b "P&F President's Annual Report, 2022-2023" (PDF). Orana Steiner School Parents and Friends (P&F) Association. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  30. ^ a b "P&F President's Annual Report, April 2023" (PDF). Orana Steiner School Parents and Friends (P&F) Association. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  31. ^ a b "P&F President's Annual Report, 2023-2024" (PDF). Orana Steiner School Parents and Friends (P&F) Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g Bushnell, Ian (10 June 2023). "Orana Steiner School enrolment dip is manageable, says board chair". Region Canberra. Archived from the original on 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  33. ^ Lansdown, Sarah (28 May 2023). "Private school board faces calls to step down amid financial turmoil". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  34. ^ "Student Fees and Charges Policy" (PDF). Orana Steiner School. 8 August 2022. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  35. ^ "Fees and Charges for 2001". Orana Steiner School. Archived from the original on 3 March 2001. Retrieved 19 June 2025 – via The Wayback Machine.
  36. ^ "2013 Schedule of Fees" (PDF). Orana Steiner School. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 April 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2025 – via The Wayback Machine.
  37. ^ "2025 K-12 School Fees and Extras Schedule" (PDF). Orana Steiner School. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 April 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  38. ^ "Advertising – Orana School Building Project". The Canberra Times. 6 May 1989. p. 35. Retrieved 22 May 2025 – via Trove.
  39. ^ a b "Advertising – Orana School: Open Day". The Canberra Times. 1 September 1990. p. 12. Retrieved 22 May 2025 – via Trove.
  40. ^ "Advertising – Proposed classrooms at Orana School". The Canberra Times. 11 December 1993. p. 70. Retrieved 23 May 2025 – via Trove.
  41. ^ Goodlet, James (6 June 2024). "Principal's Report – AGM 2024". Orana Stiener School. Archived from the original on 5 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  42. ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  43. ^ "Weston, Australian Capital Territory: The Orana School Alumni List at NamesDatabase™". The Names Database. Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2025 – via The Wayback Machine.
  44. ^ Element, Bree (15 November 2016). "Canberra girl band draws on 90s indie rock to tackle modern teenage issues". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 June 2025.

Further reading

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