Steiner Voices XYZ

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/

Nicolai, Charlie, Marni and Finley are four students who graduated from the Willunga Waldorf School in SA at the end of 2025. In this podcast they tell of their journey with the Major Project, just one part of a very full Class 12 academic program. The projects require the students to conduct independent research, to produce a tangible, useful product, and to make a positive contribution to the wider community. While the content of each of the projects is significant, the process and personal growth the students undergo in completing them are just as significant. They share their journeys of learning and contribution, and the gains they made in confidence and awareness of self, demonstrating one of the overarching themes of Steiner education, that genuine learning is always meaningful personal growth as well.

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/

Diane Tatum’s long career in Steiner education has taken her around the world, from her origins on the east coast of the US, to schools in Europe, China, South America and over the past 30 years, in Australia. She trained in Eurythmy in Germany and the US, and has devoted her professional life to bringing eurythmy, drama, music, movement, and story to Steiner school classrooms and communities. Behind all these artistic forms lies the power of rhythm, and Diane’s inspiration has been to work with the healing power that healthy rhythm has on the growing child. She has worked as well on school communities through festivals which can build and nourish the social organism of a whole school. More recently she has seen the healing power of artistic rhythm as it mitigates the impacts of acute trauma in her work with Emergency Pedagogy. Diane was one of a team of Australian Steiner educators who supported survivors of the Bondi terrorist shooting last December where she experienced again the healing power of the rhythms of 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/

Ken Killeen recently retired after teaching for 20 years in the Steiner stream classes at Castlemaine Secondary College, Victoria. Ken is a professional artist with a deep vision of what Steiner education can offer to adolescents in particular, and the world in general. He tells the story of losing his faith, then finding it again as a fresh impulse which led to new initiatives including the founding of the Steiner stream. His connection with Steiner’s work from agriculture to education has spanned decades, and continues to inspire his work of carrying the students through the challenges of adolescence. He quotes Nick Cave’s advice to a seeking teenager: explore art, music, culture, and the sciences as broadly as possible and become a full human being before making the step into a particular vocation. The Parzival story underpins his own journey, from a feeling of ignorance and separation, to the bliss of sensing the numinous, the unity that underlies the material world. Ken’s message to teachers? Have reverence towards your students, gratitude for life, work together in your College of Teachers, stay fresh, and innovate!

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/⁠⁠

Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/ ⁠

 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/⁠⁠

Thea Mills-Crockford has just completed Year 12 at Shearwater, The Mullumbimby Steiner School in northern NSW. Thea gained early entry into the Australian National University, and recorded this interview on her way to Canberra where she will begin a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, Psychology and Philosophy. Her time at Shearwater began at the age of 2 when her parents took her to Playgroup, and now after 16 continuous years at the school, she reflects on a journey which included so many of the rich experiences that Steiner students enjoy during their education. Each school has its own unique offerings, and Thea remembers fondly some of the special Shearwater events such as WAVE (Wearable Arts Vision in Education), a choreographed production involving high school students that encompasses design, drama, dance, music and technology. Recognising that time moves on, she is sad to say goodbye but takes with her some beautiful and nurturing memories. Perhaps most important of all, she takes with her an inner strength of character and understanding of self that helps her feel ready to step into the world.

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/