Enrolments
Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions that a family makes together. With so many options in the Byron Shire, the decision can often seem daunting. To help you feel confident in the decision to explore Shearwater as a possibility for your family, the following outlines what we believe distinguishes Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School from other schools:
From the outset, the school’s founders envisioned a holistic place of learning, supporting humanity throughout its journey. We also endeavor to create a supportive and caring community where students are valued and respected for who they are.
At Shearwater, the commitment is to individual learning needs. We place experience-based education as first priority. The strength of our community is rooted in the extensive and intentional time we dedicate to community meetings, advisory groups, gatherings, and more, all of which help ensure that students hearts are being cared for along with their minds.
Our unique combination of real-world academics, deeply rooted anthroposophical know-how and a caring community makes Shearwater a truly special place to be a part of and has yielded incredible results for our students and families. Shearwater students learn to think critically about the world around them and come to know and care for themselves and others.
We recently asked a few of our graduates about their experiences at Shearwater School; following are some excerpts:
“I loved it! I would not change a thing if given the chance. The teacher – student relationships at Shearwater are strong, and I felt supported and guided in the right direction in life. I am still friends with a lot of my high school teachers. For me there were many highlights, I can’t single one out. Sally Davison is one of the most amazing people I know in the world, she is the most trusting and respectful teacher I know. Trust goes a long way.”
Jarrah Linklater – Class of 2007
“I loved my time at Shearwater. I learnt so much from all the amazing teachers at the school who took the time to get to know me and help me figure out along the way what I enjoyed. They encouraged and pushed me but never made me feel like I should someone different. There are too many amazing memories to pick just one – math’s class with Allan laughing the whole time, English with Catherine who made us think in different ways we couldn’t have even imagined, being a part of the incredible productions that were the Wearable Arts WAVE performances, lying around on the verandah between classes – just being a part of the living and breathing of the school where you felt welcome every day is something that I will never forget.”
Natasha Hanckel-Spice – Class of 2005
“When I think of Shearwater and all the experiences I was so blessed to have had there, I feel a huge sense of ‘homeliness’ and comfort. As can be testified by the return of many ex-students, Shearwater seems to draw these same sentiments from many who graduate from here. No matter how far I go, as soon as I have my two feet on Australian earth, I find they walk me straight back to this little haven of warmth. Amid an abundance of great memories including those of incredible class camps to the NT, China, North West and Evan’s Head, I have one particular memory that confirmed my absolute love for this school: as I finished morning tea one day, I recall so clearly the feeling of complete joy to watch as the Kindy teacher lead her little ones to the library. They followed behind her singing a gentle song as they linked hands and smiled broadly. This image always sticks so strongly in my mind as an example of the nurturing and love that is given at this school.”
Kia Moon – Class of 2007
From the outset, the school’s founders envisioned a holistic place of learning, supporting humanity throughout its journey. We also endeavor to create a supportive and caring community where students are valued and respected for who they are.
At Shearwater, the commitment is to individual learning needs. We place experience-based education as first priority. The strength of our community is rooted in the extensive and intentional time we dedicate to community meetings, advisory groups, gatherings, and more, all of which help ensure that students hearts are being cared for along with their minds.
Our unique combination of real-world academics, deeply rooted anthroposophical know-how and a caring community makes Shearwater a truly special place to be a part of and has yielded incredible results for our students and families. Shearwater students learn to think critically about the world around them and come to know and care for themselves and others.
We recently asked a few of our graduates about their experiences at Shearwater School; following are some excerpts:
“I loved it! I would not change a thing if given the chance. The teacher – student relationships at Shearwater are strong, and I felt supported and guided in the right direction in life. I am still friends with a lot of my high school teachers. For me there were many highlights, I can’t single one out. Sally Davison is one of the most amazing people I know in the world, she is the most trusting and respectful teacher I know. Trust goes a long way.”
Jarrah Linklater – Class of 2007
“I loved my time at Shearwater. I learnt so much from all the amazing teachers at the school who took the time to get to know me and help me figure out along the way what I enjoyed. They encouraged and pushed me but never made me feel like I should someone different. There are too many amazing memories to pick just one – math’s class with Allan laughing the whole time, English with Catherine who made us think in different ways we couldn’t have even imagined, being a part of the incredible productions that were the Wearable Arts WAVE performances, lying around on the verandah between classes – just being a part of the living and breathing of the school where you felt welcome every day is something that I will never forget.”
Natasha Hanckel-Spice – Class of 2005
“When I think of Shearwater and all the experiences I was so blessed to have had there, I feel a huge sense of ‘homeliness’ and comfort. As can be testified by the return of many ex-students, Shearwater seems to draw these same sentiments from many who graduate from here. No matter how far I go, as soon as I have my two feet on Australian earth, I find they walk me straight back to this little haven of warmth. Amid an abundance of great memories including those of incredible class camps to the NT, China, North West and Evan’s Head, I have one particular memory that confirmed my absolute love for this school: as I finished morning tea one day, I recall so clearly the feeling of complete joy to watch as the Kindy teacher lead her little ones to the library. They followed behind her singing a gentle song as they linked hands and smiled broadly. This image always sticks so strongly in my mind as an example of the nurturing and love that is given at this school.”
Kia Moon – Class of 2007